Human zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis and associated sand flies [Diptera: psychodidae] in Sheikh Atiya village, southern Sinai, Egypt

ABSTRACT

During entomological surveys conducted in Southern Sinai in the summers of 1997-1999, a clinically confirmed zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis [ZCL] case was encountered for the first time in Sheikh Atiya Village in June 1999. The parasite was isolated and identified as L. major using cellulose acetate electrophoresis. A total of 784 phlebotomine sand flies was collected. Sand fly species composition at Sheikh Atiya Village showed that P. papatasi and P. alexandri were the most abundant species in the area and each comprises about 47% of the collected files. P. sergenti and P. kazeruni occurred in very low numbers. All the female flies dissected [N = 304] were negative for any Leishmania-like flagellates. When the identified isolate was inoculated in the footpads of a clean laboratory colonized Acomys cahirinus dimidiatus, a lesion was developed on the site of inoculation nine months post-injection