Geographical distribution updating of Tunisian leishmaniasis foci: About the isoenzymatic analysis of 694 strains

A series of 694 Leishmania strain from Tunisian leishmaniasis foci were isolated and identified by isoenzymatic analysis. Geographical extensions were observed for L. infantum, L. major and L. killicki. [Display omitted] ► Isoenzymatic identification of 694 Leishmania strain isolated between 1998 and 2007 from Tunisian foci. ► L. infantum is the single species responsible for VL and MON-1 has a wide distribution. ► L. infantum, L. major and L. killicki are responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis. ► Dermotropic L. infantum species has spread to the Centre and South part of the country. ► Leishmania killicki distribution is no longer restricted to the Southeast Tunisia. Over a period of ten years, a series of 694 Leishmania strains from Tunisian leishmaniasis foci were isolated and identified by isoenzymatic analysis. Strains were obtained from human cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis in immunocompetent subjects, visceral leishmaniasis in imunocompromised individuals and from dogs with visceral leishmaniasis. Two classically dermotropic species, Leishmania (L.) major and Leishmania killicki were found. L. major with the single zymodeme MON-25 was the most isolated in cutaneous leishmaniasis foci of the Centre and South of Tunisia with a recent northern extension. L. killicki zymodeme MON-8 was sporadically found both in its classical microfocus of Tataouine in southeastern Tunisia as well as in some new foci in Southwestern, Central and Northern Tunisia. Leishmania infantum with its three zymodemes MON-1, MON-24 and MON-80 was isolated from both visceral and cutaneous human cases. The majority of L. infantum strains were found in the Northern part of the country; however, some strains were reported for the first time in the Southern part. L. infantum MON-1 was the only zymodeme isolated from canine leishmaniasis.