Molecular Detection of Leishmania from the Genus Phlebotomus

Sandflies play an important role in human diseases such as leishmaniasis. The vector control program launched by Algerian health authorities appears to be effective, as leishmaniasis seems to be on the decline in Algeria. In this context, this study aims to detect Leishmania molecularly using the vector. Additionally, molecular diagnosis was also performed on skin samples collected from patients in the Constantine region. Regarding the vector, 5,858 sandflies were captured, including 4,360 males and 1,498 females, distributed across 5 species. As for the skin samples, 56.96% of the collected samples tested positive by RT-PCR. Regarding PCR detection of Leishmania in sandflies, the results show that 3 out of 60 genus-level PCR tests performed were positive. This proves that the vectors were parasitized; however, species-level identification by RT-PCR yielded no results. This could be explained by the presence of an insufficient amount of Leishmania DNA in the vector and, consequently, corroborate the hypothesis of the decline of leishmaniasis in Constantine.