Review of the Urinary Schistosomiasis Control in Morocco (1960-2018).

The purpose of this study is to describe the epidemiological profile and evolution of urinary schistosomiasis in Morocco, from the first confirmed case in 1960 until disease elimination, and control snails. During this period, 129,526 cases were recorded in Morocco. A majority of cases were reported in Agadir province (25%), Errachidia (18%), and Beni Mellal (13%). Other cases have been reported in the other provinces. Activities within the National Schistosomiasis Control Programme for more than three decades were focused in priori on screening in schools located in high-risk communities, treatment program, surveillance of snails in water bodies, and mollusciciding. Then, the goal of eliminating the transmission of schistosomiasis has been reached in 2004. Sixteen years later, no indigenous cases were detected in Morocco, and only 25 residual cases (resulting from bilharziasis previously treated) are detected, such as in Tata ( 40%), Errachidia (16%), and (12%) in Marrackesh. Similarly, recent national studies conducted on children and the snail reservoir hosts have indicated that no human and molluscs are currently infected with Schistosoma haematobium. Actually, timely investigation and management of imported cases has been implemented to prevent the reintroduction of the disease. The Ministry of Health is planning to implement final confirmatory surveys before requesting WHO to proceed with the formal verification process.

Model of Effective Control of Leishmaniasis in North Central Morocco and Updating the Mapping of the Circulating Species.

Leishmaniasis is among the most important emerging vector-borne protozoal disease in terms of disability adjusted life year (DALY'S). The main objectives of this study are, firstly to evaluate the epidemiological situation of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) from 2000 to 2015 in Moulay Yacoub Province and Fez Prefecture and secondly to analyze the impact of several factors (geographical and socio-economic factors) on the distribution of CL in these provinces. In addition, this study aims to identify the circulating species of Leishmania in order to justify the cause of the case maintenance and to prevent possible epidemics. The spatio-temporal evolution of CL from 2000 to 2015 in the study area revealed the endemic and epidemic character of the disease with a variation in the number of cases according to provinces, and districts. The sharp decrease of cases observed in the study area could be explained by the several control measures that concern the different actors of leishmaniasis. According to the statistical study, the presence of leishmaniasis is mainly related to population movement and environmental conditions. The results of the clinical identification of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the study area showed a diversity of clinical features with the presence of symptoms miming for L. tropica or L. infantum. This result was confirmed by the molecular study PCR-ITS1-RFLP.

En absence du vaccin et vu la complexité et la diversité des cycles des leishmanioses au Maroc, en plus de la présence des facteurs de risque (urbanisation anarchique, changements climatiques, facteurs socio-économiques…), notre étude s'intègre dans le cadre du Programme national de lutte contre les leishmanioses qui est une des priorités dans les programmes de lutte instaurés par l'OMS. Les objectifs de cette étude sont premièrement d'évaluer la situation épidémiologique depuis le déclenchement de l'épidémie de leishmaniose cutanée (LC) en 2000 jusqu'à 2015 dans la province de Moulay Yacoub et la préfecture de Fès et secondairement d'analyser l'impact de plusieurs facteurs sur la distribution de la LC. Aussi, cette étude vise à identifier les espèces de leishmanies circulantes au niveau de cette région. L'évolution spatio-temporelle de la LC de 2000 à 2015 dans la zone d'étude a révélé le caractère endémoépidémique de la maladie. La nette diminution après le pic de 2001 des cas de la LC peut être liée aux différents moyens de lutte réalisés annuellement et qui ont concerné les différents maillons du cycle. Selon les résultats de l'étude statistique (Ordinary Least Squares Regression [OLSR] et Chi2), la présence de la LC est principalement liée aux mouvements de la population et aux conditions environnementales. Les résultats de l'approche d'identification ont montré une diversité des caractéristiques cliniques avec la présence de symptômes qui indiquent une LC à L. tropica ou à L. infantum. Ce résultat a été confirmé par l'étude moléculaire PCR-ITS1-RFLP.

[Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in Rabat, Morocco]. / Séroprévalence de la toxoplasmose chez la femme enceinte dans la ville de Rabat au Maroc.

In Morocco, the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women living in Rabat, was estimated by analyzing antibodies (IgG, IgM) levels using an ELISA test. The analysis of 2456 serums at the Institut National d'Hygiène showed that the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis is about 50.6%. According to the questionnaire, the lack of knowledge about this disease and soil contact could be the main causes of toxoplasmosis infection. The use of IgG avidity test has excluded a recent infection in 93.5% of pregnant women with IgM positive sera.