A multiplex PCR to differentiate the two sibling species of mosquitoes Ochlerotatus detritus and Oc. coluzzii and evidence for further genetic heterogeneity within the Detritus complex.

Internal transcribed spacer regions of ribosomal DNA were sequenced, and species-specific primers were designed to simplify the identification of two morphologically similar species of the Detritus complex, Ochlerotatus detritus and Ochlerotatuscoluzzii. Each newly designed primer was able to amplify a species-specific fragment with a different size. Samples from France and Germany were successfully tested. This new tool prompts for bio-ecological studies to refine basic knowledge on the bionomics of this species complex, towards a better control and prevention of ensuing nuisances. Moreover, ITS2 sequencing revealed the existence of (1) two distinct haplotypes of Oc. detritus that are sympatric and widely distributed along the French Atlantic and Mediterranean littorals and (2) a specific haplotype in mosquitoes sampled from Tunisia, raising the question of the taxonomic status of this North-African population.

Geographical distribution updating of Tunisian leishmaniasis foci: about the isoenzymatic analysis of 694 strains.

Over a period of ten years, a series of 694 Leishmania strains from Tunisian leishmaniasis foci were isolated and identified by isoenzymatic analysis. Strains were obtained from human cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis in immunocompetent subjects, visceral leishmaniasis in imunocompromised individuals and from dogs with visceral leishmaniasis. Two classically dermotropic species, Leishmania (L.) major and Leishmania killicki were found. L. major with the single zymodeme MON-25 was the most isolated in cutaneous leishmaniasis foci of the Centre and South of Tunisia with a recent northern extension. L. killicki zymodeme MON-8 was sporadically found both in its classical microfocus of Tataouine in southeastern Tunisia as well as in some new foci in Southwestern, Central and Northern Tunisia. Leishmania infantum with its three zymodemes MON-1, MON-24 and MON-80 was isolated from both visceral and cutaneous human cases. The majority of L. infantum strains were found in the Northern part of the country; however, some strains were reported for the first time in the Southern part. L. infantum MON-1 was the only zymodeme isolated from canine leishmaniasis.

Increase in the prevalence of canine leishmaniasis in urban Algiers (Algeria) following the 2003 earthquake.

Between 2005 and 2008, a serological survey for leishmanial infection was conducted among dogs from urban and peri-urban Algiers, with the focus on the new, densely populated areas that were built after the 2003 earthquake. Serum samples were collected from 1810 animals and tested for the presence of leishmanial antibodies by IFAT, ELISA and western blotting. The overall seroprevalence recorded was 25.1%. Of the seropositive dogs, 58.8% showed no clinical signs of the disease, 25.8% had a few, minor signs and the remaining 15.4% showed more severe illness. The major clinical signs of infection were weight loss, skin lesions and lymphadenopathy. Although seropositive dogs were found in all of the boroughs (daïras) of Algiers, seroprevalences were highest in the western part of the city (i.e. in the boroughs of Bouzaréah, Chéraga and Zéralda), ranging from 23.0% to 44.5%. Statistical analysis showed a relationship between seropositivity for leishmanial infection and the dog's age and lifestyle (i.e. whether the dog lived outside and/or in areas with dense vegetation). Only two zymodemes were identified amongst the 50 isolates investigated: MON-1 (88%) and MON-281 (12%). The latter zymodeme has not been previously found in Algeria, sandflies or dogs.