Understanding animal's behaviour and adaptation in the face of threats and predators under different biotic and abiotic conditions is fundamental in ecology. In this study we examined defensive behaviour of Buthus atlantis scorpion in order to assess how various factors such as temperature, prey type, and threatening conditions influence stinging behaviour, venom usage and regeneration. Our study had revealed that stings frequency was significantly lower in cooler temperature compared to the medium and warm temperature.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdv Pharmacol Pharm Sci
July 2024
This work aims to merge ethnopharmacological knowledge with biochemical analysis to enrich our understanding of the significance of the argan tree ( (L.) Skeels) and to valorize its crucial role in the province of Essaouira (Morocco). First, a survey was conducted using semistructured interviews with 325 informants from Essaouira province between February and April 2023.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEpidemiologia (Basel)
July 2024
In Morocco, cutaneous and visceral leishmaniases represent a public health concern. In this opinion paper, we propose to highlight chosen elements that have governed the drastic increase in the incidence of leishmaniases recorded in Morocco during the period between 1990 to 2010 in order to guide the prediction of the expansion of diseases and epidemic events. We highlight that the dispersion of the zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) form, caused by the parasite, appears to be closely related to that of its arthropod vector density, which is sensitive to changes in climate.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Environ Res Public Health
July 2018
The proliferation of vector-borne diseases are predicted to increase in a changing climate and Leishmaniases, as a vector-borne diseases, are re-emerging diseases in several regions of the world. In Morocco, during the last decade, a sharp increase in cutaneous leishmaniases cases has been reported. Nevertheless, in Morocco, leishmaniases are a major public health problem, and little interest was given to climate change impacts on the distribution and spread of these diseases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHuman visceral leishmaniasis one of the seven most neglected tropical diseases in the world. In Morocco, HVL is widespread in all regions; but it is more common in the northern part with sporadic cases observed in the South. During the period between 2004 and 2013, the most affected Moroccan provinces were Taounate province, with 220 cases (16.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the most neglected tropical diseases in Morocco. Leishmania major and L. tropica are the main culprits identified in all endemic foci across the country.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLeishmania infantum (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) infection is transmitted by an infected female sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) of the subgenus Larroussius: Phlebotomus ariasi, Phlebotomus perniciosus, and Phlebotomus longicuspis in the Mediterranean basin. In Morocco, the vectorial role of P. ariasi was demonstrated, while that of P.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVisceral and cutaneous leishmaniases are the main endemic vector-born diseases in Morocco. Human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL), by Leishmania infantum, currently presents a significant health problem throughout the country and may constitute factor for death, especially among children with less than 15 years old. In the past, HVL has been basically absent or at least sporadic in Marrakesh-Tensift-Al Haouz region; however it became significant during the last decade.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Environ Res Public Health
July 2013
Shifts in surface climate may have changed the dynamic of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) in the pre-Saharan zones of North Africa. Caused by Leishmania major, this form multiplies in the body of rodents serving as reservoirs of the disease. The parasite is then transmitted to human hosts by the bite of a Phlebotomine sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) that was previously fed by biting an infected reservoir.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis article has been withdrawn at the request of the editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.
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