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Purpose <p>Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an endemic disease in Algeria. In southeastern regions, data concerning this infection are limited. Therefore, we aimed to assess the epidemiological status and identify the causative <i>Leishmania</i> spp. in El Meghaier province.</p> Methods <p>A retrospective study was conducted between 2023 and 2024. Diagnosis was confirmed by microscopic examination. For patients with positive results, clinical and demographic data were recorded. Molecular analysis was then carried out on DNA extracted from Giemsa-stained slides to identify the <i>Leishmania</i> species.</p> Results <p>In total 722 suspected cases were analyzed and only 118 were positive cases. A predominance in males was detected, and the most affected group age was [≥ 20] years old (<i>N</i> = 51; 43.2%). The statistical analysis showed strong association between age group and the positivity rate (<i>X</i><sup><i>2</i></sup> = 37.59, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.0001). Multiple lesions were observed in 72 patients (61.1%), most frequently located on the feet (76 cases; 64.4%) and hands (15 cases; 12.7%). Among the 118 microscopically positive samples, 53 were included for molecular analysis. Of these, 29 yielded a positive PCR amplification. Initial parasite typing was performed using PCR-ITS1, which detected <i>Leishmania</i> DNA in 14 samples (26.4%), predominantly <i>L. major</i> (92.8%). Samples negative by PCR-ITS1 were subsequently analyzed using nested ITS1-PCR, which identified 15 additional positives (38.5%). Sequencing of the amplified products confirmed the presence of <i>L. major</i> (66.6%) and <i>L. infantum</i> (13.3%).</p> Conclusion <p>These findings confirm, for the first time, the occurrence of both <i>L. major</i> and <i>L. infantum</i> in the study area. Further studies are needed to investigate the potential vectors and reservoirs involved.</p>

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Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Southeastern Algeria: Clinical, Parasitological Diagnosis and Molecular Identification

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月20日

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  • Boutheyna Boulal,
  • Latifa Remadi,
  • Linda Grigoraki,
  • John Vontas,
  • Djamel Bendjoudi

摘要

Purpose

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an endemic disease in Algeria. In southeastern regions, data concerning this infection are limited. Therefore, we aimed to assess the epidemiological status and identify the causative Leishmania spp. in El Meghaier province.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted between 2023 and 2024. Diagnosis was confirmed by microscopic examination. For patients with positive results, clinical and demographic data were recorded. Molecular analysis was then carried out on DNA extracted from Giemsa-stained slides to identify the Leishmania species.

Results

In total 722 suspected cases were analyzed and only 118 were positive cases. A predominance in males was detected, and the most affected group age was [≥ 20] years old (N = 51; 43.2%). The statistical analysis showed strong association between age group and the positivity rate (X2 = 37.59, P < 0.0001). Multiple lesions were observed in 72 patients (61.1%), most frequently located on the feet (76 cases; 64.4%) and hands (15 cases; 12.7%). Among the 118 microscopically positive samples, 53 were included for molecular analysis. Of these, 29 yielded a positive PCR amplification. Initial parasite typing was performed using PCR-ITS1, which detected Leishmania DNA in 14 samples (26.4%), predominantly L. major (92.8%). Samples negative by PCR-ITS1 were subsequently analyzed using nested ITS1-PCR, which identified 15 additional positives (38.5%). Sequencing of the amplified products confirmed the presence of L. major (66.6%) and L. infantum (13.3%).

Conclusion

These findings confirm, for the first time, the occurrence of both L. major and L. infantum in the study area. Further studies are needed to investigate the potential vectors and reservoirs involved.