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<p>Cutaneous leishmaniasis continues to pose a major public health challenge in Algeria. This study provides an in-depth epidemiological assessment of the hyperendemic district of Ain Oussara (2019–2024) to guide more effective and targeted control interventions. A retrospective review of 721 laboratory-confirmed cases was conducted using surveillance data, analyzing demographic, geographic, and temporal dimensions. All cases underwent complete laboratory parasitological confirmation using microscopy, smears, and/or culture combined with clinical assessment according to WHO criteria. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests for associations, non-parametric tests for age comparisons, and the Gini coefficient to evaluate spatial concentration. Results revealed fluctuating epidemic dynamics: after a decline from 123 cases in 2019 to 54 in 2022, incidence sharply increased to 295 cases in 2024 (incidence rate ratio = 3.46), alarming evidence of resurgence. The disease affected predominantly males (62.3%; sex ratio 1.65:1), with a median age of 21.5 years (interquartile range: 12.0–38.0). Young adults (25–44 years) and school-age children (5–14 years) emerged as the most vulnerable groups. More than half of cases (54.6%) occurred in winter, peaking dramatically in December (30.1%; χ<sup>2</sup> = 845.4, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Spatial distribution was highly unequal (Gini = 0.717), with nearly half of all cases concentrated in Ain Oussara commune alone and 79.1% within the top five communes. These findings reveal pronounced spatiotemporal clustering of cutaneous leishmaniasis driven by environmental conditions, socioeconomic disparities, and seasonal vector activity. The explosive resurgence in 2024 calls for immediate, sustained, and integrated control actions combining vector management, environmental remediation, and health education programs aimed at the most affected populations and hotspot areas.</p>

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Microbial transmission patterns of cutaneous leishmaniasis shaped by seasonal vector activity in a hyperendemic region of Algeria

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月10日

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  • Amina Zergui,
  • Nacim Bouziani,
  • Abdessamed Mezouar,
  • Choubaila Leksir,
  • Yahia Hasnaoui,
  • Abdelatif Djenan,
  • Smail Youcef

摘要

Cutaneous leishmaniasis continues to pose a major public health challenge in Algeria. This study provides an in-depth epidemiological assessment of the hyperendemic district of Ain Oussara (2019–2024) to guide more effective and targeted control interventions. A retrospective review of 721 laboratory-confirmed cases was conducted using surveillance data, analyzing demographic, geographic, and temporal dimensions. All cases underwent complete laboratory parasitological confirmation using microscopy, smears, and/or culture combined with clinical assessment according to WHO criteria. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests for associations, non-parametric tests for age comparisons, and the Gini coefficient to evaluate spatial concentration. Results revealed fluctuating epidemic dynamics: after a decline from 123 cases in 2019 to 54 in 2022, incidence sharply increased to 295 cases in 2024 (incidence rate ratio = 3.46), alarming evidence of resurgence. The disease affected predominantly males (62.3%; sex ratio 1.65:1), with a median age of 21.5 years (interquartile range: 12.0–38.0). Young adults (25–44 years) and school-age children (5–14 years) emerged as the most vulnerable groups. More than half of cases (54.6%) occurred in winter, peaking dramatically in December (30.1%; χ2 = 845.4, p < 0.001). Spatial distribution was highly unequal (Gini = 0.717), with nearly half of all cases concentrated in Ain Oussara commune alone and 79.1% within the top five communes. These findings reveal pronounced spatiotemporal clustering of cutaneous leishmaniasis driven by environmental conditions, socioeconomic disparities, and seasonal vector activity. The explosive resurgence in 2024 calls for immediate, sustained, and integrated control actions combining vector management, environmental remediation, and health education programs aimed at the most affected populations and hotspot areas.