Spatial relations among environmental factors and phlebotomine sand fly populations (Diptera: Psychodidae) in central and southern Morocco

Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) are of considerable public health importance because of their ability to transmit several human parasites, mainly as vectors of Leishmania spp. Over the past decade, the epidemiological situation of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has significantly increased with its geographic expansion to previously free areas and the emergence of overlapping foci of cutaneous leishmaniasis and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in several provinces of Morocco. A total of 15,313 specimens was collected during this entomological survey. The genera Phlebotomus (57.38%) and Sergentomyia (42.62%) were identified. Sergentomyia minuta (22.01%) was the most prevalent species, followed by S. fallax (18.21%), Phlebotomus perniciosus (14.35%), P. papatasi (14.06%), P. sergenti (12.85%), P. longicuspis (10.74%), P. ariasi (2.68%), S. dreyfussi (1.53%), P. alexandri (1.31%), P. bergeroti (1.14%), S. christophersi (0.62%), S. africana (0.25%), P. chabaudi (0.14%), P. chadlii (0.05%), and P. kazeruni (0.04%). We aimed to determine current distribution of leishmaniases vectors, their ecological characteristics, and the significance of the predominant species at any bioclimate stage, altitude range, and soil texture in terms of the risk of leishmaniasis transmission.     

Molecular detection of Wolbachia pipientis in natural populations of sandfly vectors of Leishmania infantum in endemic areas: first detection in Lutzomyia longipalpis

A polymerase chain reaction‐based method was used to screen sandflies for infection with Wolbachia (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), an intracellular bacterial endosymbiont found in many arthropods and filarial hosts. Positive results were obtained in five of 200 field‐collected sandflies and were confirmed by sequencing. All sandflies were Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) captured in a region endemic for visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil. This is the first study to identify Wolbachia infection in this Lutzomyia species, which is the main vector of leishmaniasis in the study area. The low infection rate found in this study (2.5%), together with the lack of detection of Wolbachia in previous studies and the diversity found in the sequences analysed, suggests horizontal transmission to these sandflies.     

Phlebotominae in peri‐domestic and forest environments inhabited by Alouatta caraya in northeastern Argentina

Multiple species of Phlebotominae are vectors of Leishmania (Protozoa: Trypanosomatidae), which causes visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). To describe the Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psychodidae) related to the environments of black and gold howler monkeys Alouatta caraya (Humbodlt, 1812) (Primates: Atelidae), potential vectors were sampled in different landscapes and vertical strata of sleeping trees. Phlebotomine captured between December 2011 and March 2012 (2365 individuals) belonged to eight species, of which Nyssomyia neivai (Pinto, 1926) (61.4%) and Migonemyia migonei (França, 1920) (18.73%) were the most abundant, and Ny. withmani was recorded for the first time in the Chaco province. In the ‘peri‐domestic’ landscape, the phlebotomine were mainly captured in henhouses (78.7%), whereas the tree canopy in ‘rural’ and ‘wild’ landscapes yielded 31.2% and 29.1% of the phlebotomine, respectively. A significant association between the type of landscape and the species of phlebotomine was observed by multivariate analysis. Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) and Mg. migonei were associated with ‘peri‐domestic’ landscape, and Ny. neivai was associated with the ‘wild’ landscape. The results of this prospective study suggest that the interaction between phlebotomine and A. caraya could be a key factor with respect to understanding the epidemiology of leishmaniasis.     

Leishmania strains causing self-healing cutaneous leishmaniasis have greater susceptibility towards oxidative stress

Abstract

The survival of Leishmania parasites within macrophages is influenced by generation of free radicals. To establish whether generation of free radicals influenced chemotherapeutic response, promastigotes from isolates causing self-healing or delayed/non-self-healing cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) or visceral leishmaniasis (VL) were evaluated for their susceptibility to nitric oxide (NO), antimony and miltefosine. In a self-healing CL strain of Leishmania major (5ASKH), susceptibility to NO and antimony was higher than other species. Likewise, a Leishmania amazonensis strain, M2269, showed greater susceptibility to NO and antimony than other species but no such correlation was observed with miltefosine. Additionally, 5ASKH and M2269 showed poorer free radical scavenging capacity as also their thiol levels were lower than species causing VL. Collectively, our study suggests that self-healing isolates tend to be more susceptible to oxidative stress.     

UDP-Gal: <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-acetylglucosamine β 1–4 galactosyltransferase expressing live attenuated parasites as vaccine for visceral leishmaniasis

As compared to cutaneous leishmaniasis, vaccination against visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has received limited attention. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time that an UDP-Galactose: N-acetylglucosamine β 1–4 galactosyltransferase (GenBank Accession No. EF159943) expressing attenuated LD clonal population (A-LD) is able to confer protection against the experimental challenge with the virulent LD AG83 parasite. A-LD was also effective in established leishmania infection. The vaccinated animals showed both cell mediated (in vitro T-cell proliferation, and DTH response) and humoral responses (Th1 type). These results demonstrate the potential of the attenuated clones as an immunotherapeutic and immunoprophylactic agent against visceral leishmaniasis.     

Serological detection of antibodies against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in dogs with leishmaniasis

The aim of this study was to detect antibodies against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in dogs seropositive and seronegative for leishmaniasis. Sera from 836 dogs (449 positive and 387 negative to leishmaniasis) were analysed by ELISA and the immunodiffusion test using gp43 and exoantigen, respectively. The analysis of the 836 serum samples by ELISA and the immunodiffusion test showed a positivity of 67.8 % and 7.3%, respectively, for P. brasiliensis infection. The dogs positive to leishmaniasis showed a higher reactivity to gp43 (79.9%) and exoantigen (12.7%) than the negative ones (54.0% and 1.0%, respectively). The higher reactivity to P. brasiliensis antigens may be due to cross-reactivity or a co-infection of dogs by Leishmania and P. brasiliensis. The lower correlation (0.187) observed between reactivity to gp43 and Leishmania antigen reinforces the latter hypothesis.     

Influence of long-term treatment with pravastatin on the survival, evolution of cutaneous lesion and weight of animals infected by Leishmania amazonensis

The high toxicity of current drugs for treatment of leishmaniasis is a major hindrance for controlling the disease. Pravastatin is a well-known drug with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties that may modulate host defense mechanisms against Leishmania. We evaluated the influence of prolonged pravastatin treatment on the survival of Leishmania amazonensis-infected animals (BALB/c, C57BL6 mice and Syrian hamsters), including weekly measurement of cutaneous lesions (footpad thickness) and weight. Pravastatin improved survival of Leishmania-infected BALB/c mice but not of infected C57BL6 mice or hamsters. On the 50th week of follow-up, 71% of pravastatin-treated Leishmania-infected BALB/c mice were alive against 29% of control group (p < 0.01). Low footpad thickness was found on BALB/c pravastatin treated mice from the 14th week (p < 0.05), and 20th week onward for C57BL6 treated mice. Pravastatin treatment decreased weight loss in Leishmania-infected C57BL6 mice and Syrian hamsters, but not infected BALB/c mice. Our results points to beneficial effects of pravastatin on the evolution of the disease in the murine leishmaniasis model.     

Evaluation of DNA/DNA and prime-boost vaccination using LPG3 against Leishmania major infection in susceptible BALB/c mice and its antigenic properties in human leishmaniasis

One of the main issues in vaccine development is implementation of new adjuvants to improve the antigen presentation and eliciting the protective immune response. Heat shock protein (HSP) molecules are known as natural adjuvants. They can stimulate the innate and adaptive immune response against infectious diseases and cancer. Lipophosphoglycan 3 (LPG3), the Leishmania homologous with GRP94 (glucose regulated protein 94), a member of HSP90 family, is involved in assembly of LPG as the most abundant macromolecule on the surface of Leishmania promastigotes. In the present study as a primary step, we tested LPG3 as a vaccine candidate in two regimens, DNA/DNA and prime-boost (DNA/Protein), against Leishmania major infection in BALB/c mice model. Our results showed that LPG3 and its fragment (rNT-LPG3) are highly immunogenic in BALB/c mice and can stimulate the production of both IgG1 and IgG2a. In prime-boost immunization strategy, the level of antibody response was higher compared with DNA/DNA immunization. The levels of IFN-γ in the supernatant of splenocytes from mice immunized with DNA/DNA and prime-boost regimens were significantly higher when compared to control groups. In fact, immunization with prime-boost vaccination has higher ratio of IFN-γ/IL-5, suggesting a shift towards a Th1 response.In addition, sera reactivity against LPG3 in visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients was significantly higher in comparison with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) patients. Therefore, we recommend further investigations on the usage of LPG3 co-delivery with candidate antigens for vaccine development against leishmaniasis.     

Chemiluminescence activity in whole blood phagocytes of dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum

Dogs are the domestic reservoir of Leishmania infantum, a vector-borne intracellular protozoan agent of human visceral leishmaniasis. The role of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in the immune defence against this parasite has been poorly studied. We have investigated the function of peripheral blood PMNs in naive beagle dogs that have been naturally exposed to phlebotomine vectors in an area highly endemic for canine leishmaniasis, and found infected by Leishmania at the end of the transmission season. Whole blood phagocyte oxidative metabolism was assessed by a rapid method that determines a luminol-amplified chemiluminescence (CL) emission. This was evaluated using either a soluble stimulant, phorbol mirystate acetate (PMA), or phagocytic stimuli, such as zymosan unopsonized (ZYM) or opsonized with autologous serum (OPZ). In blood samples taken 2 months after exposure to Leishmania transmission, data on CL emission revealed a significant decrease of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) production in the presence of both PMA and ZYM, compared with blood samples obtained from dogs before exposure. On the contrary, no variations in CL emission were detected in presence of OPZ. Our data indicate that immunological changes occur early in canine leishmaniasis and confirm that the role of PMNs and their products need to be clarified. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Leishmaniasis with oral mucosa involvement

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00512.x Leishmaniasis with oral mucosa involvement Introduction: The term leishmaniasis comprises a group of diseases caused by different protozoan species of the genus Leishmania. There are three main clinical forms of leishmaniasis: visceral, cutaneous and mucocutaneous. Exclusive involvement of the mucosa is very rare. Objectives: To present a case of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis in an elderly patient, discuss the clinical presentation, diagnostic process and treatment emphasizing the distinctions from other granulomatous lesions. Case report: A 71‐year‐old male presenting with a symptomatic lesion on the hard and soft palate, which had developed over a period of 6 months was evaluated. The oral exam revealed a lesion with multiple ulcerated nodules on the hard and soft palate extending to the oropharynx. The diagnostic hypothesis was chronic infectious disease (paracoccidioidomycose, tuberculosis and leishmaniasis) or squamous cell carcinoma. Histopathological, histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis were performed. A chest x‐ray revealed a normal pulmonary pattern. The Montenegro skin test was positive. The definitive diagnosis was leishmaniasis with exclusive oral manifestation and the patient was treated with liposomal amphotericin. Conclusions: Localized oral mucosa leishmaniasis is an uncommon event in an immunocompetent patient. Dentists play an important role in the diagnosis of oral leishmaniasis, which has systemic repercussions.     

Detection of Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania braziliensis in Culicoides (Diptera,Ceratopogonidae) in an endemic area of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Brazilian Amazonia

Biting midges in the genus Culicoides act as vectors of arboviruses throughout the world and as vectors of filariasis in Latin America, the Caribbean, and parts of Africa. Although Culicoides spp. are currently not considered to be vectors of Leishmania protozoa, the high abundance of biting midges in areas with active cutaneous leishmaniasis transmission points to the possibility of Culicoides infection by these pathogens. We used PCR to test captured Culicoides species for natural infection with Leishmania spp. We tested 450 Culicoides females, divided into 30 pools of 15 individuals each, as follows: nine pools of C. foxi (135 specimens), seven pools of C. filariferus (105), seven pools of C. insignis (105), five pools of C. ignacioi (75), and two pools of C. flavivenula (30). PCR confirmed the presence of Leishmania braziliensis DNA in C. ignacioi (0.14%), C. insignis (0.14%), and C. foxi (0.11); and Le. amazonensis DNA in C. filariferus (0.14%) and C. flavivenula (0.50%). We conclude that these Culicoides species can be naturally infected, but vector competence and transmission capability must be confirmed in future studies. Our results warrant further investigation into the role of these biting midge species in the leishmaniasis epidemiological cycle.     

Binding of Leishmania spp with gold nanoparticles supported polyethylene glycol and its application for the sensitive detection of infectious photogenes in human plasma samples: A novel biosensor

The management of pathogen detection using a rapid and cost‐effective method presents a major challenge to the biological safety of the world. The field of pathogen detection is nascent and therefore, faces a dynamic set of challenges as the field evolves. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), or kala‐azar is the most severe form of leishmaniasis. Delay to the accurate diagnosis and treatment is likely to lead to fatality. The reliable, fast and sensitive detection is closely linked to safe and effective treatment of Leishmania spp. Despite several routine and old method for sensitive and specificity detection of Leishmania spp, there is highly demand for developing modern and powerfully system. In this study a novel ultra‐sensitive DNA‐based biosensor was prepared for detection of Leishmania spp. For the first time, the specific and thiolated sequences of the Leishmania spp genome (5′‐SH‐[CH₂]₆ ATCTCGTAAGCAGATCGCTGTGTCAC‐3′) were recognized by electrochemical methods. Also, selectivity of the proposed bioassay was examined by three sequences that were mismatched in 1, 2, and 3 nucleotides. The linear range (10^?6 to 10^?21 M) and limit of detection (LLOQ = 1 ZM) obtained are remarkable in this study. Also, simple and cost‐effective construction of genosensors was another advantage of the proposal DNA‐based assay. The experimental results promise a fast and simple method in detection of kala‐azar patients with huge potential of the nanocomposite‐based probe for development of ideal biosensors.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> antileishmanial activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aloe vera</Emphasis> leaf exudate: A potential herbal therapy in leishmaniasis

Aloe vera has wide spread use in health products, and despite several reports on the whole plant and inner gel, little work has been performed on the leaf exudate. Our aim was to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of Aloe vera leaf exudate (AVL) in leishmaniasis. Irrespective of the disease manifestation, promastigotes from strains responsible for cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral leishmaniasis were susceptible to AVL and their IC₅₀ ranged from 100 to 180 μg/ml. In axenic amastigotes cultured from a L. donovani strain 2001 responsible for visceral leishmaniasis, the IC₅₀ was 6.0 μg/ml. AVL caused activation of host macrophages evident by an increased release of members of reactive oxygen species that was attenuated by preincubation with free radical scavengers. Collectively, our data indicates that AVL, via its direct leishmanicidal activity which can be further enhanced by activation of host macrophages, is an effective antileishmanial agent meriting further pharmacological investigations.     

Reactive oxygen species and imbalance of calcium homeostasis contributes to curcumin induced programmed cell death in Leishmania donovani

Curcumin, a polyphenol compound, has been recognized as a promising anti-cancer drug. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the cytotoxicity of curcumin to Leishmania donovani, the causative agent for visceral leishmaniasis. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that curcumin induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase. Incubation of Leishmania promastigotes with curcumin caused exposure of phosphatidylserine to the outer leaflet of plasma membrane. This event is preceded by curcumin-induced formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and elevation of cytosolic calcium through the release of calcium ions from intracellular stores as well as by influx of extracellular calcium. Elevation of cytosolic calcium is responsible for depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), release of Cytochrome c into the cytosol and concomitant nuclear alterations that included deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP end labeling (TUNEL) and DNA fragmentation. Taken together, these data indicate that curcumin has promising antileishmanial activity that is mediated by programmed cell death and, accordingly, merits further investigation as a therapeutic option for the treatment of leishmaniasis.     

Distribution,species composition and relative abundances of sandflies in North Waziristan Agency,Pakistan

This study was conducted to investigate the diversity of sandflies (Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) and the incidence of leishmaniasis in three villages of North Waziristan Agency, Pakistan. Sandflies were sampled monthly during 2012, at dusk and dawn, in selected indoor habitats including both bedrooms and animal sheds using a knock‐down spray catch method. A total of 3687 sandflies were collected, including 1444 individuals in Drezanda, 1193 in Damdil and 1050 in Dattakhel. This study revealed 14 species of two genera, Phlebotomus (Phlebotomus sergenti, Phlebotomus papatasi, Phlebotomus caucasicus, Phlebotomus kazeruni, Phlebotomus alexandri and Phlebotomus salehi) and Sergentomyia (Sergentomyia dentate, Sergentomyia baghdadis, Sergentomyia babu, Sergentomyia theodori, Sergentomyia sumbarica, Sergentomyia dreyfussitur kestanica, Sergentomyia hogsoni pawlowskyi and Sergentomyia fallax afghanica) (both: Diptera: Psychodidae). Phlebotomus sergenti was the most abundant species (42.1%), followed by S. dentata (17.7%) and S. baghdadis (17.4%). The number of males collected represented about twice that of female flies, and the maximum number was collected in July, followed by August. The determination of the species composition of sandfly populations, seasonal variations, relative abundances and estimations of infection in the vector population may provide information about the dynamics of leishmaniasis transmission that is useful in planning vector control activities.     

Polymerase chain reaction‐based assay for the detection and identification of sand fly gregarines in Lutzomyia longipalpis,a vector of visceral leishmaniasis

Gregarines that parasitise phlebotomine sand flies belong to the genus Psychodiella and, even though they are highly host‐specific, only five species have been described to date. Their most outstanding features include the unique localisation of the oocysts in the accessory glands of the female host, which ensures contamination of the egg surface during oviposition, and the fact that they naturally parasitise the vectors of Leishmania, causal agent of leishmaniasis. The type species, Ps. chagasi, was first described in Lutzomyia longipalpis, vector of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), from Brazil. We recently reported Ps. chagasi sequences in Lu. longipalpis from Posadas (Misiones, Argentina), an endemic VL location where this gregarine had not been previously recorded. In order to analyse the incidence of Ps. chagasi infections in Lu. longipalpis from this location, the aim of this study was to develop a diagnostic assay for sand fly gregarine parasites in Lu. longipalpis. For this, we designed primers using the Ps. chagasi sequences we previously identified and performed an in vitro validation by PCR amplification of the original sand fly samples. Their specificity and sensitivity as diagnostic primers were subsequently confirmed by PCR reactions using total DNA extracted from naturally infected Lu. longipalpis from the same location (Posadas, Argentina).     

Evaluation of the efficacy of Olyset® Plus in a village‐based cohort study in the Cukurova Plain,Turkey, in an area of hyperendemic cutaneous leishmaniasis

The aim of this study was to measure the protective efficacy of Olyset® Plus, a new long‐lasting factory‐treated insecticidal net (LLIN) incorporated with 2% permethrin and 1% of the synergist piperonyl butoxide (PBO), against cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) transmission under field conditions. A village‐scale trial, promoting the use of LLIN by the local inhabitants of the study area was conducted as a pilot study in a new hyperendemic focus of CL caused by a Leishmania infantum/L. donovani hybrid parasite transmitted by proven vector species Phlebotomus tobbi in Cukurova Plain, Adana, Turkey, between May, 2013 and May, 2014. The study area comprised eight villages; two of them were selected as an intervention village with Olyset® Plus net (Kizillar) and a control village without net application (Malihidirli). Six villages with surrounding allopatric barriers were utilized as a buffer zone cluster between intervention and control villages. Monthly entomological surveys were performed in the intervention and control villages and Damyeri, representing the other six villages, to collect adults of Phlebotomus tobbi. Results showed a significant reduction in cutaneous leishmaniasis incidence in the intervention village from 4.78% to 0.37%. The protective efficacy rate of LLIN was 92.2%. In contrast, incidence rates increased in the control village from 3.67% to 4.69%. We also evaluated residual insecticide levels of used nets after six and 12 months of usage. It was determined that the nets had retained full insecticidal strength. These results highlight the value of real‐world data on bed net effectiveness and longevity to guide decisions regarding sand fly control strategies. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first field study to evaluate Olyset® Plus efficacy in a hyperendemic cutaneous leishmaniasis area.     

Shifts in the ecological niche of Lutzomyia peruensis under climate change scenarios in Peru

The Peruvian Andes presents a climate suitable for many species of sandfly that are known vectors of leishmaniasis or bartonellosis, including Lutzomyia peruensis (Diptera: Psychodidae), among others. In the present study, occurrences data for Lu. peruensis were compiled from several items in the scientific literature from Peru published between 1927 and 2015. Based on these data, ecological niche models were constructed to predict spatial distributions using three algorithms [Support vector machine (SVM), the Genetic Algorithm for Rule‐set Prediction (GARP) and Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt)]. In addition, the environmental requirements of Lu. peruensis and three niche characteristics were modelled in the context of future climate change scenarios: (a) potential changes in niche breadth; (b) shifts in the direction and magnitude of niche centroids, and (c) shifts in elevation range. The model identified areas that included environments suitable for Lu. peruensis in most regions of Peru (45.77%) and an average altitude of 3289 m a.s.l. Under climate change scenarios, a decrease in the distribution areas of Lu. peruensis was observed for all representative concentration pathways. However, the centroid of the species' ecological niche showed a northwest direction in all climate change scenarios. The information generated in this study may help health authorities responsible for the supervision of strategies to control leishmaniasis to coordinate, plan and implement appropriate strategies for each area of risk, taking into account the geographic distribution and potential dispersal of Lu. peruensis.     

Morphometric and molecular differentiation of Phlebotomus (Phlebotomus) sandflies

The closely related sandfly species of the subgenus Phlebotomus namely, Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli, 1786), Phlebotomus duboscqi Neveu‐Lemair, 1906 and Phlebotomus bergeroti Parrot, 1934 (Diptera: Psychodidae), are major vectors of Leishmania major (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae), the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Old World. Although allopatric in most of their distribution, the three species exist sympatrically in many places in central and eastern Sudan. Males of the three species can be distinguished using morphological characters; however, females are much harder to identify, thus complicating epidemiological studies. We carried out a morphometric and a molecular study to determine reliable morphological features and develop a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for distinguishing females of these species. Males and females from each species were collected from sites in Sudan, East Africa and from one site in Mali, West Africa. Males were analysed morphologically and 20 characters and 10 character ratios were used in a stepwise discriminant analysis. This led to the identification of four characters with high discriminant loading scores sufficient for accurate male species identification. Male DNA was then used for the development of a PCR‐based species diagnostic based on the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of the ribosomal DNA. A set of four primers was developed to generate fragment sizes that are specific to each species and can reliably identify females as well as hybrid DNA. Both the morphometric and the molecular findings of this study have important applications for studies of the epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis.     

Potential distributions of phlebotomine sandfly vectors of human visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum in Morocco

Zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis is a common vector-borne systemic disease caused by Leishmania infantum (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae). In Morocco the situation is complex: many sandfly species have been collected in areas in which the disease is endemic, but only Phlebotomus ariasi, Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus longicuspis (Diptera: Psychodidae) have been confirmed to have vectorial roles. The objective of the present study was to ascertain the potential distribution of L. infantum and its vectors in Morocco, using ecological niche modelling. Vector records were obtained from field collections of the Laboratory team and from previously published entomological observations. Epidemiological data for L. infantum modelling were obtained from Moroccan Ministry of Health reports. The jackknife test indicated that the bioclimatic variables with the greatest influence on model development for all species were annual precipitation and precipitation in the driest quarter of the year. MaxEnt model representations for sandfly species that act as vectors of L. infantum showed the widespread geographic distribution of these species in Morocco, specifically in northern and central Morocco, where foci of visceral leishmaniasis are found. The ecological niche modelling points out areas in which the probability of occurrence of these species is higher. This information should be considered as a starting point for further research to fully elucidate the ecology and epidemiology of these species, as well as of the pathogens they transmit.