Similarities between and genomes and horizontal gene transfer from their endosymbionts.

The taxa and are sympatric in Tunisia. The genetics underlying their morphological differences are unresolved. In this study, ticks collected in Jouza-Amdoun, Tunisia, were morphologically identified and sequenced using Oxford Nanopore Technologies.

Comparative analysis of the microbiota of sand fly vectors of Leishmania major and L. tropica in a mixed focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in southeast Tunisia; ecotype shapes the bacterial community structure.

Phlebotomine sand flies are vectors of the protozoan parasite Leishmania spp. Although the intestinal microbiota is involved in a wide range of biological and physiological processes and has the potential to alter vector competence, little is known about the impact of host species and environment on the gut microbiome. To address this issue, a comparative analysis of the microbiota of sand fly vector populations of Leishmania major and L.

The Role of the Infected Dogs as a Potential Reservoir Host for Toscana Virus in a Zoonotic Visceral Leishmaniasis Focus of Northern Tunisia.

The role of dogs as reservoir hosts for Toscana virus (TOSV) remains undetermined. This study investigated TOSV and infections in one healthy and three infected dogs with (A, B, C) following natural exposition to sandfly bites in a focus of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) located in Northern Tunisia from June to October 2020. At the end of the exposition period, infected and healthy dogs were examined for TOSV and infections by xenodiagnosis using a colony of .

Molecular Characterization of Species among Patients with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Asir Province, Saudi Arabia.

Anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniais (ACL) and zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) caused by and , respectively, are endemic vector-borne diseases in southern Saudi Arabia. In 2021, an outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis occurred in the province of Asir. The main objective of our investigation was to analyze the epidemiological features of CL in southern Saudi Arabia.

Investigation of the Sandfly Fauna of Central Arid Areas and Northern Humid Regions of Tunisia, with Morphological and Molecular Identification of the Recently Established Population of () .

Based on nucleotide sequences, we re-identified representative samples of originating from two different biogeographical areas of Tunisia, whose populations had previously been identified based on morphological criteria. A partial region of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene was targeted, and sandfly species was determined by analogy with DNA sequences available in the GenBank database via a BLAST analysis, taking into account the query coverage and percentage identity. The recognized species presents the most substantial homology with the analyzed sequence.

Independent Circulation of and in Their Respective Sandfly Vectors for Transmission of Zoonotic and Chronic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Co-Existing in a Mixed Focus of Central Tunisia.

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) and chronic cutaneous leishmaniasis (CCL) are known to overlap in Central Tunisia. Sandflies were collected using sticky traps and CDC light-traps set in rodent burrows at the ecotones surrounding the village, in houses, and in animal shelters during July-October 2017, 2018, and 2019. A total of 17,175 sandflies were collected during the three sandfly seasons and identified morphologically to species level.

Transmission Dynamics of Punique Virus in Tunisia.

A novel phlebovirus, Punique virus (PUNV), was discovered and isolated in 2008 from sandflies from Northern Tunisia. PUNV is now classified as a unique member of the Punique phlebovirus species within the Phlebovirus genus in the Phenuiviridae family (order bunyavirales). In this study, we aimed to investigate the transmission dynamics of PUNV in Tunisia.

Effects of multiple feedings on sensitized rabbits on the fitness of Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae).

In the present study, we evaluated the effects of antibodies anti-sandfly saliva on the fecundity of Phlebotomus papatasi, vector of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Old World. Rabbits were repeatedly exposed to sandfly bites. Immune sera showed increased levels of anti-sandfly saliva antibody compared to the pre-exposition period.

Correction: Enhanced attraction of sand fly vectors of Leishmania infantum to dogs infected with zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.

Risk Assessment of the Role of the Ecotones in the Transmission of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Central Tunisia.

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL), endemic in Central and Southern Tunisia, is caused by (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae), which is transmitted by the sand fly . In Tunisia, the fat sand rat and the desert jird are the principal reservoir hosts of . The presence of the vector of the etiologic agent of ZCL was assessed in the vicinity of villages in endemic areas of Central Tunisia.

Enhanced attraction of sand fly vectors of Leishmania infantum to dogs infected with zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis.

Background: The sand fly Phlebotomus perniciosus is the main vector of Leishmania infantum, etiological agent of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis in the Western Mediterranean basin. Dogs are the main reservoir host of this disease. The main objective of this study was to determine, under both laboratory and field conditions, if dogs infected with L.

The Impact of Illegal Waste Sites on the Transmission of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Central Tunisia.

Illegal waste disposal represents a risk health factor for vector-borne diseases by providing shelter for rodents and their ectoparasites. The presence of the vector of , an etiologic agent of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL), was assessed at illegal waste sites located at the vicinity of villages in endemic areas of Central Tunisia. The study was performed over a two-year period over three nights from July to September 2017, and over three nights in September 2018.

Tick-borne encephalitis virus in Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks, Tunisia.

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is the etiologic agent of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and transmitted by Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Europe. The geographical distribution of I. ricinus in the Palearctic region covers also northern Africa, including northwestern Tunisia.

TICKS PARASITIZING THE SPUR-THIGHED TORTOISE (TESTUDO GRAECA) POPULATION OF TUNISIA.

From March to April 2017, a total of 147 free-ranging spur-thighed tortoises (Testudo graeca) was captured in different habitat types of northern Tunisia and examined for tick infestation. A total of 134 was infested, yielding an infestation prevalence of 91.2%.

Co-circulation of Toscana virus and Leishmania infantum in a focus of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis from Central Tunisia.

In the Mediterranean basin, sand flies are vectors of Leishmania parasites and phleboviruses affecting humans and animals. In this study, we aimed to investigate phlebovirus and Leishmania parasites circulating in a focus of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) located in a highly irrigated area within the arid Central Tunisia, known mainly to be endemic for zoonotic cutaenous leishmaniasis (ZCL) caused Leishmania major and transmitted by Phlebotomus papatasi. Sand flies were collected using CDC light traps in the village of Saddaguia, an emergent focus of ZVL located in Central Tunisia during September-October 2014, 2015, and 2016.

Ixodes inopinatus and Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) Are Sympatric Ticks in North Africa.

In the present study, we report the sympatric occurrence of Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Ixodes inopinatus (Estrada-Peña, Nava, and Petney, 2014) in Tunisia. In total, 173 adult Ixodes ticks were collected from four sites (El Jouza, Tamra, Aïn Soltan, and Jbel Zaghouan) between February and April 2017, a period corresponding to the peak of activity of I. ricinus in North Africa.

Absence of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus in the tick Hyalomma aegyptium parasitizing the spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) in Tunisia.

Free-ranging spur-thighed tortoises Testudo graeca, captured in different habitat types of Northern Tunisia from March to April 2017, were examined for tick infestation: 134/147 (91%) were infested. The overall infestation intensity and abundance was 8.5 and 7.

Establishment, Maintenance of Phlebotomus spp. in the Laboratory, and Infection with Leishmania spp.

Sand fly colonies are of major importance for experimental studies on biology, behavior, vector competence, relationship with Leishmania parasites, and vector control. This chapter is intended to provide methods and techniques used to initiate, establish, and maintain sand fly colonies. Details on collecting sand flies for colonization, colony initiation, maintenance, and experimental infection of Phlebotomus spp.

Risk factors for mortality of children with zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis in Central Tunisia.

Background: Zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) caused by Leishmania infantum is endemic with an epidemiological profile of a paediatric disease in Tunisia. In the context of a high fatality rate, identifying risk factors for in-hospital mortality in children treated for ZVL is of major epidemiological importance.

Design: A retrospective (case-control) study included 230 immuno-competent children diagnosed and confirmed with primary ZVL in the paediatric department of the University Hospital of Kairouan between 2004 and 2014.

Modeling and comparative study of the spread of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis from Northern to Central Tunisia.

During the last twenty years, zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) spread from the north characterized by humid, sub-humid, and semi-arid bio-climates to the arid areas located in Central Tunisia. In order to understand the eco-epidemiological factors involved in the distribution of ZVL, both a sero-epidemiological and an entomological investigation were performed in two governorates situated in two different bio-geographical areas: Bizerte in the north and Kairouan in the center. A mathematical model for transmission of ZVL was built, describing the disease dynamic in these areas.

An integrated overview of the midgut bacterial flora composition of Phlebotomus perniciosus, a vector of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis in the Western Mediterranean Basin.

Background: The Leishmania developmental life cycle within its sand fly vector occurs exclusively in the lumen of the insect's digestive tract in the presence of symbiotic bacteria. The composition of the gut microbiota and the factors that influence its composition are currently poorly understood. A set of factors, including the host and its environment, may influence this composition.

West Nile virus in Tunisia, 2014: First isolation from mosquitoes.

Several outbreaks of human West Nile virus (WNV) infections were reported in Tunisia during the last two decades. Serological studies on humans as well as on equine showed intensive circulation of WNV in Tunisia. However, no virus screening of mosquitoes for WNV has been performed in Tunisia.

Changes of Sand Fly Populations and Leishmania infantum Infection Rates in an Irrigated Village Located in Arid Central Tunisia.

The current spread of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) throughout arid areas of Central Tunisia is a major public health concern. The main objective of this study is to investigate whether the development of irrigation in arid bio-geographical areas in Central Tunisia have led to the establishment of a stable cycle involving sand flies of the subgenus Larroussius and Leishmania infantum, and subsequently to the emergence of ZVL. Sand flies were collected from the village of Saddaguia, a highly irrigated zone located within an arid bio-geographical area of Central Tunisia by using modified Centers for Diseases Control (CDC) light traps.

Sero-epidemiological survey of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in Tunisia.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne disease associated with a high case fatality rate and transmitted mainly by Hyalomma marginatum. The geographical distribution of H. marginatum covers most of the Western Mediterranean basin.