Awareness of toxoplasmosis among postpartum women: a cross-sectional study in Morocco.

Introduction: awareness and knowledge of toxoplasmosis are particularly important, as an intervention point for the management of the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness and knowledge regarding toxoplasmosis in a sample of postpartum Moroccan women.

Methods: this was a cross-sectional descriptive survey carried out among 320 parturient at the National Reference Center for Neonatology and Nutrition at the Children's Hospital of Rabat.

Geographical distribution and molecular survey of freshwater snail intermediate hosts of by DraI/Sh73 PCR in eliminated foci of Morocco.

Morocco had reached the level of schistosomiasis elimination 16 years ago. However the spread of freshwater snails in several breeding sites, and imported schistosome infection, still exist. Therefore, snail survey is a crucial component to sustain elimination progress.

High performance of a novel point-of-care blood test for infection in women from diverse regions of Morocco.

Point-of-care (POC) testing for infection has the potential to revolutionize diagnosis and management of toxoplasmosis, especially in high-risk populations in areas with significant environmental contamination and poor health infrastructure precluding appropriate follow-up and preventing access to medical care. Toxoplasmosis is a significant public health challenge in Morocco, with a relatively heavy burden of infection and, to this point, minimal investment nationally to address this infection. Herein, we analyse the performance of a novel, low-cost rapid test using fingerstick-derived whole blood from 632 women (82 of whom were pregnant) from slums, educational centres, and from nomad groups across different geographical regions (i.

Review of the Urinary Schistosomiasis Control in Morocco (1960-2018).

The purpose of this study is to describe the epidemiological profile and evolution of urinary schistosomiasis in Morocco, from the first confirmed case in 1960 until disease elimination, and control snails. During this period, 129,526 cases were recorded in Morocco. A majority of cases were reported in Agadir province (25%), Errachidia (18%), and Beni Mellal (13%).

Retrospective study on imported schistosomiasis in Morocco between 2005 and 2017.

Since 2004, no indigenous cases of schistosomiasis have been found in Morocco; only imported cases have been detected. The aim of the present study was to describe and analyse the epidemiological profile of imported schistosomiasis between 2005 and 2017, and, by this, attract attention to the probability of a reintroduction of this disease. During this period, 27 cases were recorded in Morocco, with a male predominance (13:1).

Model of Effective Control of Leishmaniasis in North Central Morocco and Updating the Mapping of the Circulating Species.

Leishmaniasis is among the most important emerging vector-borne protozoal disease in terms of disability adjusted life year (DALY'S). The main objectives of this study are, firstly to evaluate the epidemiological situation of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) from 2000 to 2015 in Moulay Yacoub Province and Fez Prefecture and secondly to analyze the impact of several factors (geographical and socio-economic factors) on the distribution of CL in these provinces. In addition, this study aims to identify the circulating species of Leishmania in order to justify the cause of the case maintenance and to prevent possible epidemics.

Global initiative for congenital toxoplasmosis: an observational and international comparative clinical analysis.

Globally, congenital toxoplasmosis remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, and outbreaks of infection with T. gondii represent a significant, emerging public health burden, especially in the developing world. This parasite is a threat to public health.

Comparative evaluation of immunochromatographic dipstick test (ICT) rk39, soluble antigen ELISA and IFAT for the sero-diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in Morocco.

A rapid, sensitive and specific tool for detection of Leishmania infantum infection in Humans would be highly desirable, because it would allow control interventions in endemic areas of visceral leishmaniasis. This study was carried out at the Reference National Laboratory of Leishmaniasis (RNLL) in National Institute of Hygiene (NIH) Morocco, in order to evaluate the diagnostic potential of immunochromatographic dipstick test (ICT) rk39 in Moroccan suspected VL patients. A total of 49 admitted patients with strong clinical suspicion of VL and 40 healthy controls were investigated for the performance of the ICT rk39.

[Assessment of a supervision grid being used in the laboratories of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Morocco].

Introduction: The aim of our study was to assess a standardized supervisory grid as a new supervision tool being used in the laboratories of leishmaniasis.

Methods: We conducted a pilot trial to evaluate the ongoing performances of seven provincial laboratories, in four provinces in Morocco, over a period of two years, between 2006 and 2014. This study detailed the situation in provincial laboratories before and after the implementation of the supervisory grid.

Selecting accurate post-elimination monitoring tools to prevent reemergence of urogenital schistosomiasis in Morocco: a pilot study.

Background: After alleged stop of transmission of schistosomiasis and further down the line in post elimination settings, sensitive tools are required to monitor infection status to prevent potential re-emergence. In Rahala, where transmission cycle of Schistosoma haematobium is interrupted since 2004 but where 30% of snails are still infected by S. bovis, potential human S.

Epidemiological characteristics of visceral leishmaniasis in Morocco (1990-2014): an update.

Leishmaniases are parasitic diseases frequent in the Mediterranean Basin. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a notifiable parasitic disease that increased in incidence in Morocco over the past few years and has recently emerged in several new foci, causing a public health problem in Morocco. The aim of this study is to describe the spatio-temporal distribution of VL in Morocco between 1990 and 2014 period in order to highlight important features and trends of VL and its epidemiology and to assess whether the activity of the unit reflects the situation of the disease at the national level and whether it could constitute an indicator of public health relevance.

Geographical Distribution and New Situation of Leishmania Species after the Control of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Foci in Errachidia Province, Morocco, in 2014.

In Errachidia province, the incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has increased over the past decade and it was higher in 2010 (860.34 per 100,000 inhabitants), with 3445 cases. The number of cases declined sharply and decreased from 3445 cases in 2010 to 8 cases in 2014 following the control action plan interventions.

Effectiveness and Cost of Insecticide-Treated Bed Nets and Indoor Residual Spraying for the Control of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: A Cluster-Randomized Control Trial in Morocco.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) remains an important public health problem in Morocco. A cluster-randomized trial was conducted with the following three study arms: 1) long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) plus standard of care environmental management (SoC-EM), 2) indoor residual spraying (IRS) with α-cypermethrin plus SoC-EM, and 3) SoC-EM alone. Incidence of new CL cases by passive and active case detection, sandfly abundance, and cost and cost-effectiveness was compared between study arms over 5 years.

Field evaluation of alphacypermethrin in indoor residual spraying for leishmaniasis control in an endemic area, northern Morocco.

Background: In Morocco, the main strategies of leishmaniasis vector control are based on environmental modifications. Use of local residual indoor spraying with synthetic pyrethroids is often envisaged. The need to evaluate this control method is essential.

Insecticide susceptibility status of Phlebotomus (Paraphlebotomus) sergenti and Phlebotomus (Phlebotomus) papatasi in endemic foci of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Morocco.

Background: In Morocco, cutaneous leishmaniasis is transmitted by Phlebotomus sergenti and Ph. papatasi. Vector control is mainly based on environmental management but indoor residual spraying with synthetic pyrethroids is applied in many foci of Leishmania tropica.

Mapping malaria transmission risk in northern morocco using entomological and environmental data.

Malaria resurgence risk in Morocco depends, among other factors, on environmental changes as well as the introduction of parasite carriers. The aim of this paper is to analyze the receptivity of the Loukkos area, large wetlands in Northern Morocco, to quantify and to map malaria transmission risk in this region using biological and environmental data. This risk was assessed on entomological risk basis and was mapped using environmental markers derived from satellite imagery.

[Current status of the knowledge on Moroccan anophelines (Diptera: Culicidae): systematic, geographical distribution and vectorial competence].

This bibliographical study, based on published works, ministry of Health Reports, exploitation of the database relative to the entomological surveillance conducted in the framework of the National Malaria Control Program, as well as unpublished results obtained within the framework of the European project "Emerging disease in a changing European environment", summarizes and completes with new data current knowledge on the systematics, the distribution and the vectorial competence of moroccan anophelines.

Review of Temephos Discriminating Concentration for Monitoring the Susceptibility of Anopheles labranchiae (Falleroni, 1926), Malaria Vector in Morocco.

In Morocco, the resistance monitoring of Anopheles labranchiae larvae to temephos is done using discriminating concentration of 0.125 mg, which is half of the WHO recommended dose for Anopheles. However, this dosage seemed to be too high to allow an early detection of the resistance and its revision was found necessary.

[Assessment of malaria resurgence risk in Morocco. Study of the vectorial capacity of Anopheles labranchiae in a rice cultivation area in the north of the country].

To assess the malaria reintroduction risk in Morocco, we analyzed the malariogenic potential of a rice cultivation area in the north of the country. Our results showed that the receptivity of this area is very high during all the period of the rice cultivation, from May to October, the vectorial capacity of An. labranchiae, malaria vector in Morocco, is considerably high during the summer which corresponds to the rice cultivation period.

[Resistance of Anopheles labranchiae to DDT in Morocco: identification of the mechanisms and choice of replacement insecticide].

A study of Anopheles labranchiae resistance in Morocco was conducted in the provinces of Kénitra, Khouribga, Larache, Khémisset and Salé during 2005. An. labranchiae was susceptible to propoxur, fenitrothion and permethrin and resistant to varying degrees to DDT.

Entomological investigations in the region of the last malaria focus in Morocco.

To evaluate the risk of malaria transmission resumption in Morocco, we have studied the current level of receptivity of the region of the last malaria focus in the country. Anopheles (Anopheles) maculipennis labranchiae and Anopheles (Cellia) sergentii, the major vectors of malaria in Morocco, are still presents but their anthropopathic index was low and no parasite positive samples were detected. An.

[Extension to the north of Morocco of the distribution area of Anopheles (Cellia) d'thali Patton, 1905].

Anopheles (cellia) d'thali is generally classified as a mosquito of arid areas in the South and East Morocco. The northernmost station of this species at present in Morocco is the Moulouya valley. However we found An.

[Note on Anopheles maculipennis complex in Morocco].

Anopheles belonging to Anopheles maculipennis complex, collected from February to June 2002 in eight provinces of Morocco (Khouribga, Taounate, Alhouceima, Chefchaouen, Fes, Khemisset, Kalaa Sraghna and Benslimane), were identified with characterization of the ribosomal DNA by PCR and ITS2 sequence analysis. The results of this study showed that all the identified specimens belong to the Anopheles labranchiae species.

Estimation of malaria transmission in high-risk provinces of Morocco.

The malaria transmission level of Plasmodium vivax was monitored in four high-risk provinces in Morocco. Intensive mosquito collection by light traps and manual catches resulted in the capture of four species: Anopheles labranchiae, An. sergenti, An.