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The main compounds or the chemical composition in general is influenced by different factors such as the harvest period, the origin of the plant and the climatic conditions. The composition of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils during 9 harvest periods (January 2018 to April 2019) was determined by and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The main constituents were 1,8-Cineole (33.33-52.59%), Camphor (7.07-20.09%), α-pinene (11.93-16.22%). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) revealed two main groups namely First group “winter season” which contains a high amount of Camphor, Second group “summer season” which has a significant amount of 1,8-Cineole and an intermediate group “ which shares the same characterize of the two groups. In conclusion, these results allow us to understand the variation of major compounds according to the seasons for the exploitation of these compounds in different fields.

This study aimed to evaluate the bactericidal activity of common disinfectants used for surfaces and medical devices. Sodium hypochlorite (D1), disinfectant (D2) composed of N-(3-aminopropyl)-N-dodecylpropane-1,3-diamine, chloride de didecyldimethylammonium, and disinfectant (D3) composed of Didecyldimethylammonium chloride and Polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride, were tested against 15 strains isolated from the hospital environment and four reference bacteria. The microdilution method was performed to assess antimicrobial activity. The susceptibility was evaluated by comparing the minimum inhibitory dilution with the dilution of disinfectant recommended by the manufacture. D1 and D2 were active against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus spp, Corynebacterium spp, Gram-positive bacillus, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 3366, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 strains but not active against Micrococcus spp, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213. D3 was ineffective against Micrococcus spp, Bacillus Gram Positive, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. Therefore, D1 and D2 can eliminate most pathogenic bacteria in hospitals, in comparison to D3. It is necessary to monitor the antibacterial activity of disinfectants against reference strains but also against those usually present on surfaces. The obtained results could have promising applications in controlling the emergence of nosocomial infections.

The hospital environment, especially medical devices and surfaces, represents a secondary reservoir for pathogens. This work aims to evaluate the microbiological quality of surfaces and medical equipment of controlled environment services (burn unit, operating room, and sterilization service) at a hospital in Meknes (center of Morocco). This study was carried out for three months (September-December of 2017). A total of 63 samples were taken by swabbing technique from different surfaces and medical equipment after bio-cleaning. Identification was performed according to conventional bacteriological methods and by microscopic observation for fungi. The study showed that 68% of the surface was contaminated. The operating room recorded a rate of 93% of contamination (p-value

In order to set up a program for fighting against leishmaniasis disease, it was considered useful beforehand to demonstrate Leishmanian risk factors to the CL disease cases. The Province of Sefrou is among the endemic areas. Surveillance of these outbreaks is essential. This work focused on studying the impact risk factors on the distribution of CL cases. This is a retrospective study of CL cases registered during five years (2007-2010). Statistical analysis was based on one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and then the correlation study was carried out (Pearson correlation). A significant linear association was found between the number of CL cases and the population(r=0.56; p=0.005). This means that the correlation is positive. For the urbanization factor, the association was marked moderately correlated with number of CL cases (r = 0.44; p = 0.037).However, poverty does not influence this distribution; for our study area, this factor is not a risk factor.

Background: The nursing profession represents a demanding and challenging profession with a purpose to keep up with the evolving health-care demands of the population. Aims: The purpose of this study is to assess nursing institutions’ professors’ previous experience about information and communication technologies (ICTs) and their perception of distant education during the pandemic lockdown. Materials and Methods: This present is a cross-sectional study among participants n = 249 recruited from all academic staff (N = 694) of 23 higher institutes of nursing professions and health techniques in Morocco. The Chi-square test for independence (χ2) and adjusted Z scores were used as a data analysis method to assess the association between the professors’ education levels and ICT experience. Results: A significant association [χ2 (1, n = 249) = 19.510, P < 0.001] was revealed between professors’ education level and taken training related to ICT in education; significant few professors (16; 9.3%) reported that taken training session [χ2 (1, n = 249) = 8.940, P = 0.003] belonged to the bachelor degree group. In matters of perception, a few proportion (10%) reported that using technology effectively belonged to the bachelor and low education background group. Conclusions: The findings showed that having previous experience in teaching remotely and training related to the ICT was significantly associated with a higher education background. Moreover, professors with higher degrees agreed that distant education could be an alternative to face-to-face course during quarantine.

Background. During their academic activities, nursing students are required to carry out clinical internships during which they can be exposed to contamination by bloodborne pathogens. Objective. The study was carried out to determine the prevalence and associated factors of occupational exposure to biological material potentially infected by blood in a population of nursing students. Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional design was used in this study and a self administered questionnaire was provided to students. The research work was conducted from February 20, 2022, to March 15, 2022. Results. The questionnaire was completed by 119 students. A total of 94 (78.99%) of the participants were female with a mean age of 20.46±1.16 years. 48 (40.34%) exposures were recorded with corresponding incidence rates of 0.4 exposures/person/year. With at least one accidental exposure to blood in 21 (43.75%) students. The OR analysis made by year of study showed that the ratio between the exposure risk was lower than 1 with P0.05. The comparison between the different nursing specialties showed a significant difference between the students of General Nurses and Family and Community Health Nurses. The variables associated with exposures to blood were: female sex and personal protective equipment. Conclusions. During their clinical training, nursing students face several types of risks including biological through blood. In order to prevent the occurrence of these incidents, the consequences of which can be fatal, it is necessary to invest in training sessions and our institute should set up a local management unit for following the exposed students.

Background: Teucrium capitatum L., a member of the Lamiaceae family, is widely used in traditional medicine for its therapeutic properties. This study aims to analyze the chemical composition of its essential oil and extracts, evaluate their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, and investigate the interactions of their bioactive compounds with biological targets using in silico methods to better understand their mechanisms of action. Methods: Essential oil was extracted via hydrodistillation from leaves collected in Morocco, while phenolic compounds were obtained through Soxhlet and decoction extraction methods. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for chemical profiling. Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities were assessed using standard methods, including DPPH, FRAP, and TAC assays. Molecular docking was conducted to explore interactions between major constituents and biological targets. Results: GC-MS analysis revealed significant bioactive components in the essential oil, such as β-pinene (24.5%), α-cadinol (17.02%), and shyobunol (12.13%). Extracts (hydro-ethanolic, hydro-methanolic, and aqueous via decoction) were rich in poliumoside (27.74%) and cirsimaritin (28.22%). The essential oil and extracts showed significant antimicrobial activity, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger. Antioxidant assays confirmed strong activity. Molecular docking results supported strong interactions of major compounds with key biological targets. Conclusions: The high presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds in Teucrium capitatum extracts contributes to their strong antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, supporting their potential for development as natural therapeutic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sandflies are small insects belonging to the order Diptera, which make up the Phlebotominae subfamily within the Psychodidae family. In the fight against leishmaniasis in the prefecture of Meknes, Morocco, a study of the phlebotomist population was carried out during the period of activity of sandflies while studying the link between the abundance of these insects and climatic factors, namely, temperature, moisture, rainfall, and wind speed. A total of 958 phlebotomus were captured, 73% of which belong to Phlebotomus sergenti, a vector of Leishmania species causing human cutaneous leishmaniasis. This study also showed the existence of two months of risk in July and September with a positive correlation between temperature and abundance of sandflies and a negative correlation between abundance of sandflies and rainfall and moisture. Indeed, it is necessary to strengthen the means to fight this disease during periods of activity and to use medium-term climatological forecasts to develop an alert system for leishmaniasis.

The Asteraceae family is well known for its toxic and repellent activity against mosquitoes. In this study, essential oils (EOs) extracted from the aerial parts of both wild and cultivated Artemisia campestris L. plants were tested for larvicidal activity against Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae), a pest mosquito widely suspected to be the vector responsible for West Nile virus transmission. The research aims at comparing the chemical composition and insecticidal activity of cultivated and wild A. campestris EOs. The EOs were obtained by hydrodistillation from the plant’s aerial parts and were analyzed using GC-MS. Furthermore, the larviciding experiment was carried out following the standard WHO protocol. The result showed that wild and cultivated plant EOs differed only quantitatively, while the qualitative profile revealed a nearly identical chemical composition. Camphor (18.98%), car-3-en-5-one (11.25%), thujone (6.36%), chrysanthenone (6.24%), filifolone (4.56%), and borneol (3.56%) dominate the wild plant EO. Camphor (21.01%), car-3-en-5-one (17%), chrysanthenone (10.15%), filifolone (7.90%), borneol (3.38%), and thujone (3.08%) are the major compounds of the cultivated plant. Cultivation did not affect the EO production since the yield of the cultivated plant was 0.5 ± 0.1% and 0.6 ± 0.2% for the wild plant. The cultivated A. campestris EO had the highest insecticidal activity (LC50 = 9.79 µg/ml), and no significant difference was noticed between wild and cultivated A. campestris EO in terms of LC90. These findings could pave the way for a new method of producing biocides to control major disease vectors and offer a potential alternative for pest control.

Food hygiene is important both for its impact on the health of citizens and also for the cost of the infections that it can generate. In Morocco, it has become a concern of authorities. This work, realized for the first time in the center of Morocco, is aimed at describing the microbiological quality of foodstuffs marketed in collective catering in central Morocco. This study was conducted retrospectively from January 2015 to December 2019 in Fez city, central Morocco. The samples collected by the competent authority during official control from restaurants and food outlets were analyzed. Non-conformity was chosen as an indicator of food quality according to the official Moroccan standards. The samples were presented according to several variables: year/month/season, category/subcategory, communes, and establishment. The statistical processing of the results was done by SPSS 25. The Chi2 statistical test was calculated to determine a relationship between non-conformity and the type of analyzed matrix (year, season, and food category). The test was considered statistically significant for a p value

Background: Food chemical antioxidants have demonstrated protective effects against reactive oxygen species and free radicals, but present in excess, harmful consequences might occur on health. Therefore, replacing these synthetic additives with nontoxic natural antioxidants is crucial. Objective: The current study examined aroma profile, antioxidant activity, and multivariate analysis of Mentha piperita, Mentha pulegium, Thymus serpyllum, and Thymus zygis essential oils from Morocco. Methods: GC‐MS analysis was carried out to determine the chemical composition of the four oils, and their antioxidant activity was evaluated with 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), cation radical (ABTS+), hydrogen peroxide scavenging capacity (H2O2), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) methods. Results: Isomintlactone (35.55%), pulegone (74.04%), borneol (37.87%), and borneol (30.99%) were the most abundant compounds of M. piperita, M. pulegium, T. serpyllum, and T. zygis EOs. The antioxidant activity of the four EOs was particularly notable, with an IC50 varying between 3.51 ± 0.22 mg/mL and 0.49 ± 0.08 mg/mL by the DPPH method, 1.02 ± 0.21 mg/mL and 0.4 ± 0.7 mg/mL by the ABTS method, and 0.063 ± 0.01 mg/mL and 0.009 ± 0.008 mg/mL by the H2O2 method. For the FRAP technique, the EC50 was between 0.42 ± 0.02 mg/mL and 0.09 ± 0.01 mg/mL. Finally, the equivalent concentration of ascorbic acid ranged between 10.42 ± 0.03 mg AAs/mL for M. piperita and 7.25 ± 0.19 mg AAs/mL for T. serpyllum. As determined by multivariate analysis, antioxidant activities through the DPPH, ABTS, TAC, and FRAP were mainly influenced the major compounds of M. pulegium and M. piperita EOs. However, the H2O2 method showed a stronger positive correlation with major compounds of T. zygis EO. Conclusion: The EOs derived from M. piperita, M. pulegium, T. serpyllum, and T. zygis species might be exploited as a natural source for antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foodborne pathogens pose a significant risk due to surface contamination, often from inadequate hygiene or biofilm formation. While chemical disinfectants are commonly used, concerns about harmful by-products have led to the search for natural alternatives. This study aimed to explore the correlation between major compounds and the antibacterial effects of seven Moroccan essential oils (EOs) against common foodborne pathogens. Essential oils were extracted via hydrodistillation and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID). The antibacterial activity was assessed using the disc diffusion method, and multivariate analyses, including principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), were applied to evaluate correlations between chemical composition and antibacterial efficacy. Forty-five components were identified from the EOs and categorized into 10 chemical classes. Major components included carvacrol (31.93%) in Origanum elongatum, thymol (31.01%) in Thymus vulgaris, linalyl acetate (46.95%) in Citrus aurantium, 1,8-cineole (80.56%) in Eucalyptus globulus, citral (42.69%) in Cymbopogon citratus, borneol (28.10%) in Thymus serpyllum, and camphor (32.25%) in Lavandula stoechas. Strong antibacterial activity was observed in O. elongatum, T. vulgaris, and T. serpyllum, demonstrating bactericidal properties with low minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values. In contrast, E. globulus and C. aurantium had higher MIC values. Multivariate analyses revealed that phenols had the most substantial impact on antimicrobial activity, followed by terpenes and alcohols. These findings suggest that Moroccan EOs are promising natural disinfectants for food contact surfaces, reducing the risk of bacterial pathogen transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An entomological survey was carried out in the locality of Aichoune to conduct a study on sand flies, species composition, and monthly relative abundance. This study is essential for the implementation of integrated vector management control. Insects collection was carried out twice a month from January 2013 to December 2014 by means of adhesive and CDC-type light traps. A total of 5441 sand flies were collected with the predominance of males (a sex ratio = 1.89). The sampled specimens consist of seven species divided into two genera: Phlebotomus (99.55%) and Sergentomyia (0.44%). Phlebotomus sergenti was the dominant species with an average annual proportion of 47.38%, followed by P. perniciosus (37.32%), P. longicuspis (8,56%), P. papatasi (6.23%), and P. ariasi (0.05%). The genus Sergentomyia was less common (0.44%). S.minuta was represented only by 0.36% and S. fallax by 0.07%. The species dynamics showed a unimodal evolution for P. sergenti and P. papatasi. They were active from May to October. P. perniciosus presents a trimodal trend showing the most relevant peak in August. The highest number of specimens was collected in June, when the temperature reaches an annual average value of 25.5°C. The obtained results will help us better understand the leishmaniasis transmission dynamics in the Aichoune locality and will contribute to the design of a surveillance strategy.

The infections transmitted by sand flies (Diptera, Psychodidae) pose always a real health problem due to the increasing number of cases detected each year and the annual emergence of new leishmaniasis outbreaks. This study evaluated the temporal evolution of six species of sand flies in five stations inventoried between May 2017 and April 2018, in order to determine for the first time the extent of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) transmission in the city of Fez. The monthly impact of Fez sand fly density has been studied using all multivariate statistical analyses, including multiple factor correspondence analysis (MCA), which were performed using XLSTAT and the version of SPSS 20.0 test. Differences between concentrations were considered significant if P

Mosquitoes represent one of the most important vectors and are responsible for the transmission of many arboviruses that affect human and animal health. The chemical method using synthetic insecticides disturbs the environmental system and promotes the appearance of resistant insect species. Therefore, this study investigated the insecticidal effect of some binary monoterpene combinations (1,8 cineole + α-pinene and carvone + R (+)-pulegone) using a mixture design approach. The fumigant toxicity was evaluated against Culex pipiens female adults using glass jars. The results show that the toxicity varies according to the proportions of each compound. Indeed, Mixture 1 (1,8-cineole + α-pinene) displayed a strong toxic effect (51.00 ± 0.86% after 24 h and 100.00 ± 0.70% after 48 h) when the pure compounds were tested at 0.25/0.75 proportions of 1,8-cineole and α-pinene, respectively. Nevertheless, the equal proportion (0.5/0.5) of carvone and R (+)-pulegone in Mixture 2 exhibited a toxic effect of 54.35 ± 0.75% after 24 h and 89.96 ± 0.14% after 48 h, respectively. For Mixture 1, the maximum area of mortality that the proposed model indicated was obtained between 0/1 and 0.25/0.75, while the maximum area of mortality in the case of Mixture 2 was obtained between 0.25/0.75 and 0.75/0.25. Moreover, the maximum possible values of mortality that could be achieved by the validated model were found to be 51.44% (after 24 h) and 100.24% (after 48 h) for Mixture 1 and 54.67% (after 24 h) and 89.99% (after 48 h) for Mixture 2. It can be said that all purev molecules tested through the binary mixtures acted together, which enhanced the insecticide’s effectiveness. These findings are very promising, as the chemical insecticide (deltamethrin) killed only 19.29 ± 0.01% and 34.05 ± 1.01% of the female adults after 24 h and 48 h, respectively. Thus, the findings of our research could help with the development of botanical insecticides that might contribute to management programs for controlling vectors of important diseases.

Secondary plant metabolites, in particular phenolic compounds, are characterized by great diversity in the plant kingdom and are widely used in the medical and industrial fields. The extraction of these compounds represents a critical step, and the differences in extraction conditions strongly affect the yields and the total concentrations of polyphenols in the extracts. In this way, the objective of the present study was to optimize the extraction parameters of the polyphenols from Lavandula stoechas using the extraction technique assisted by ultrasound. Yield and the total concentration of polyphenols have been optimized, taking into account three variables, the extraction time (min), the ethanol concentration (%), and the solvent/extract ratio (ml/g). The optimum extraction yield (31.88%) was obtained by ensuring the following parameters: an ethanol concentration of 40%, a liquid/solid ratio of 30 ml/g, and a time processing of 32.62 min. The maximum concentration of total polyphenols (190.14 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g) was obtained after 21.5 min of extraction, with a liquid/solid ratio of 30 ml/g and a concentration of ethanol at 40%. In order to obtain the maximum yield (24.9%) and the total concentration of polyphenols (190.14 mg GAE/g) simultaneously, the following parameters must be adjusted: an extraction time of 21.5 min, a liquid/solid ratio of 30 ml/g, and a concentration of ethanol at 40%. The experimental values of the yield and the total concentration of the polyphenols were in good agreement with the predicted values, which suggests that the ultrasonic extraction model adopted in this study is validated.

The Culex pipiens mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) is highly suspected to be the vector responsible for the spread of several parasitic and viral diseases. The use of synthetic insecticides is generally the preferred method of controlling these mosquitoes’ proliferation. However, it has led to resistance problems in target mosquitoes and environmental damage. Hence, diverse plant extracts could be considered as an alternative and potential source as mosquito control agents. In this study, essential oils of Lavandula angustifolia subsp. angustifolia and Lavandula dentata spp. dentata that are growing in Morocco were examined for their insecticidal effects on Culex pipiens larvae. The bioassay was performed according to a methodology inspired by the standard protocol of the World Health Organization. The mortality rate was determined after 24 hours of exposure, and probit regression analysis was used to calculate LC50 and LC90. The chemical analysis revealed that the principal compounds of L. angustifolia subsp. essential oils include linalool, linalyl acetate, geraniol, lavandulyl acetate, camphor, β-caryophyllene, terpinen-4-ol, β-myrcene, and 1,8-cineole, while the essential oil of L. dentata spp. was mainly composed of 1,8-cineole, camphor, α-pinene, trans-pinocarveol, linalool, and borneol. These volatile compounds have shown a toxic effect against Culex pipiens larvae, with lethal concentrations LC50 and LC90 being, respectively, 140 µg/ml and 450 µg/ml, for the L. angustifolia subsp. essential oil. Meanwhile, they were estimated at 2670 µg/ml and 7400 µg/ml, respectively, for the L. dentata spp. essential oil. These results suggest using essential oils of two species of Lavandula to control the Culex pipiens mosquito. It could be useful for the study of new natural larvicidal compounds.

To ensure the better production and sustainable management of natural resources, a chemometric investigation was conducted to examine the effect of cooperative and harvesting periods on the crop yields and chemical compositions of Salvia rosmarinus Spenn essential oils in the Oriental region of Morocco. The samples were collected from three cooperatives over nine time periods from January 2018 to April 2019. The chemical composition of Salvia rosmarinus Spenn essential oils was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The data from this study were processed by multivariate analyses, including principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). The disc diffusion technique and a determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration were performed to study the antibacterial properties of the oils. Statistical analysis showed that the cooperative and harvest period have a significant effect on yields. The highest yield of essential oil was recorded in April 2019 at cooperative C1. The PCA and the HCA results were divided into two groups: Group A for the summer season and group B for the winter season. The samples collected during summer were characterized by a high amount of 1,8-cineole component and a high yield of essential oil, whereas the samples collected during winter were qualified by a high amount of α-pinene component and a low yield of essential oil. The antibacterial activity of Salvia rosmarinus Spenn essential oils showed that Mycobacterium smegmatis ATCC23857 and Bacillus subtilis ATCC 23857 are the most susceptible strains, stopping growth at 1/500 (v/v). The least susceptible strain is Escherichia coli ATCC25922, with an MIC value corresponding to 1/250 (v/v). The findings of this study could have a positive economic impact on the exploitation of rosemary in the Oriental region, especially during the best harvest periods, as they indicate how to obtain the best yields of oils richest in 1,8-cineole and α-pinene chemotypes.

The present study investigates the insecticidal effect of plant extract such as Mentha pulegium and Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils and some of their major compounds; these plants are well known for their many biological activities. The fumigant toxicity was evaluated, using glass jars, against female adults of Culex pipiens that constitute a mosquito vector of important diseases such as the West Nile virus. The adulticidal test showed that both essential oils and monoterpenes presented an insecticidal effect better than the chemical insecticide (Deltamethrin). The highest mortality percentages for the two essential oils have occurred at 312.5 µL/L air (between 56.14 ± 1.7% and 97.71 ± 3.03% after 24 h and 48 h of treatment). Moreover, all tested monoterpenes (carvone, R(+)-pulegone, 1,8-cineole, camphor and α-pinene) have produced high mortalities that varied depending on the time of the treatment and the concentrations used. Lethal concentrations (LC50) obtained for the essential oils and the main compounds have also varied according to the exposure time. M. pulegium and R. officinalis essential oil exhibited the lowest LC50 values after 24 h (72.94 and 222.82 µL/L air, respectively) and after 48 h (25.43 and 55.79 µL/L air, respectively) while the pure molecules revealed the lowest LC50 values after 48 h (between 84.96 and 578.84 µL/L air). This finding proves that the two essential oils and their main compounds have an insecticidal potential, which could help to develop natural toxic fumigants that may be used as an eco-friendly alternative in integrated and sustainable vector management.

Controlling mosquitoes responsible for discomfort and serious contagious diseases, such as malaria, requires a better understanding of the vector-environment relationship. Therefore, the present study examined the biotypology of Culicidian species in the Fez Region, Central Morocco, using statistical analytical methods. Entomological investigations and measurements of the physicochemical parameters of the water breeding sites were carried out simultaneously from November 2015 to December 2016 in the region of Fez, Central Morocco. Multivariate analytical methods, including principal component analysis (PCA) and multiple correspondence analysis (MCA), were used to investigate the correlation between environmental factors and the bioecological characteristics of each species. The identification of 1,531 Culicidae larvae collected from the different breeding sites revealed the presence of 11 species belonging to five genera (Anopheles, Culex, Culiseta, Aedes, and Uranotaenea). The larvae of Anopheles maculipennis (the major malaria vector in Morocco) and the larvae of A. sergentii (the secondary vector), as well as Culex pipiens larvae, were collected among the species at the level of the prospected breeding sites. It was observed that the Shanon-Wiener diversity index (H’) values were higher in areas with a high population of species compared to those with a low population of species. The multivariate analytical methods revealed many groups of species depending on many parameters. This research represents an original and rigorous approach to the vector-environment relationship in the Fez Region of Morocco. It has important implications for the control of mosquito vectors and the prevention of vector-borne diseases, thereby contributing to public health in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Leishmaniases are vector-borne diseases with health risks. They cause a big health problem. These parasitic diseases are transmitted by the parasite of the genus Leishmania through sandflies. Objective. The aim of this work is to study the distribution of the incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) cases and the impact of urbanization and socioeconomic factors and their effects as leishmaniasis risk factors. Methods. We conducted a retrospective study of CL cases collected at the level of Sefrou Province during the period from 2007 to 2011. The data was collected from registers of the Medical Delegation of Sefrou Province. The socioeconomic data, namely, the poverty rate, the popular density, and the type of environment (urban/rural) of Sefrou Province, were obtained from the High Commission for Planning. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS software (version 20). The data were registered in a Microsoft Excel 2010 file. Statistical analysis was based on one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and then a correlation study was carried out (Pearson correlation). The results were considered significant when p was less than 0.05. The database was analyzed by QGIS 2.18, which is open source software. Results. A total of 349 cases of CL were collected at Sefrou Province from 2007 to 2011. A percentage of 49% of the cases come from urban areas, while 51% of the cases come from rural areas. In the statistical analysis, the division of the incidence of CL cases was found to be significantly associated only with urbanization. For the other factors, the number of people or the poverty rate is not taken into account in the incidence dynamics. Conclusion. This study may be useful for the implementation of future adequate measures and controls. Getting rid of leishmaniasis requires a comprehensive approach by acting on the sources of contamination through good continuous surveillance, appropriate management, effective vector control, and awareness-raising strategies.

Background. Parasitic diseases, in particular leishmaniasis, are still a public health problem in several countries and in Morocco. Methods. The data used are those of epidemiological surveillance collected in the registers of the prefectural epidemiology cell (PEC); however, the socioeconomic data were obtained from the High Commissioner for Planning. The Pearson correlation test was used to determine the correlation between the different variables. Results. In total, 70 cases were recorded by the prefectural epidemiology cell (PEC) during the period from 2009 to 2015. 46% of the cases come from rural areas while 54% of the cases come from urban areas. The Pearson test shows the existence of a significant relationship between the number of cases recorded and the type of environment (r = 0.49, p value = 0.02), and population rate (R = 0.849 and p≤0.001). However, in our case, the poverty rate does not influence CL’s distribution. Conclusion. Our results show that the CL affects the majority of the municipalities with predominance of the urban environment, so the distribution of cases of this pathology is not influenced by the poverty; however, the urbanization and the number of inhabitants have a positive impact on the distribution of this scourge.

Increasing cases of leishmaniasis disease have been reported during recent years in Sefrou Province, Central North of Morocco. This study presents the epidemiological profile of the provincial population, aims at analyzing the epidemiological profile, and in particular, spatiotemporal follow-up of all cases of leishmaniasis. It is a retrospective analysis of leishmaniasis cases recorded between 2007 and 2010. The data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 20). Over a four-year period, from 2007 to 2010, there were 62 cases of leishmaniasis, 93.12% of cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis and 6.87% of visceral leishmaniasis. The case number of leishmaniasis in the Province of Sefrou varies between 0.165% and 0.0018%. For each type of leishmaniasis, the female sex was the most affected compared to the male sex. This difference cannot be considered statistically significant (χ2 = 0.083, p value = 0.77). For cutaneous leishmaniasis, all age groups were affected with a large percentage: patients aged 0–9 years with 63.11% followed by the age group [10–19] with 24.18%. Visceral leishmaniasis mainly has affected the infant population [0–9] with 83.33%. We have not observed any association between the age classes and the leishmaniasis type (χ2 = 6.20, p value = 0.4). From a spatial point of view, the majority of cases of leishmaniasis was reported in El Menzel region (67 cases) followed by Sefrou (64 cases) and Tazouta (38 cases). There is a statistically significant relationship between the type of leishmaniasis and the studied regions (χ2 = 52; p value

The impact of climate factors on the epidemiology of diseases in general and leishmaniasis in particular continues to be a subject of research and analysis. Changes in climatic parameters contribute to the creation of ecological conditions favorable to the multiplication of the vectors of certain diseases. With this in mind, this study presents an entomological survey conducted in Meknes prefecture and the study of the link between the abundance of sandflies, an indicator of the risk of leishmaniasis in a given area, and the climatic factors. Monthly trapping of this fauna was carried out during a year from March 2016 until April 2017 using adhesive traps. Climatic data from the region were used to determine the effect of climate on the distribution of sandflies. A total of 941 leishmaniasis vector specimens were captured. The dominant species is Ph. sergenti (73.32), followed by Ph. longicuspis (8.25%), then Ph. perniciosus (7.94%) and Ph. papatasi (6.31%). The sex ratio study showed that males are more abundant than females for all species. The seasonal fluctuation is bimodal with two peaks, the first in July and the second in September. The results show a positive correlation between temperature and abundance of sandflies (r = 0.99) and a negative correlation with humidity and precipitation with a correlation coefficient of r = −0.87 and r = −0.72. Indeed, the medium-term climatological forecasts are essential tools to develop a warning system for leishmaniasis.

Background. Equipment and hospital surfaces constitute a microbial reservoir that can contaminate hospital users and thus create an infectious risk. The aim of this work, which was carried out for the first time at a hospital in Meknes (regional hospital in the center of Morocco), is to evaluate the microbiological quality of surfaces and equipment in three potential risk areas (burn unit, operating room, and sterilization service). Methods. This study was carried out over a period of 4 months (February–May 2017). A total of 60 samples were taken by swabbing according to the standard (ISO/DIS 14698-1 (2004)) in an environment of dry area and equipment after biocleaning. Isolation and identification were performed according to conventional bacteriological methods and by microscopic observation for fungi. Results. The study showed that 40% of surface samples were contaminated after biocleaning. The burn unit recorded a percentage of 70% contamination (p value

Leishmaniasis diseases are endemic in Morocco. An entomological survey was conducted in Aichoun locality for 1 year from September 2013 to August 2014. The objective of this study was to investigate the sand fly fauna, mainly the species composition and the monthly species prevalence in accordance with bioclimate factors. Sand flies were collected twice a month, using sticky traps and CDC light traps. During a one-year study, 4472 specimens of sand fly were caught (72.56% male/22.44% female) that were composed of seven species divided into two genera: Phlebotomus (99.46%) and Sergentomyia (0.53%). Ph. sergenti was the most prevalent species (46.64%), followed by Ph. perniciosus (38.19%), Ph. longicuspis (9.32%), Ph. papatasi (5.23%), and Ph. ariasi (0.06%). The genus Sergentomyia was even less frequent. The population dynamics showed a bimodal trend with two peaks: the first one in October (12.03% of specimens) and the second in June (27.92% of specimens). The study of the effects of climatic factors in the study area showed a link between the dynamics of sand flies and the variation of these parameters (temperature and relative humidity). During the period between November and March, the sand flies were absent. The highest prevalence of sand flies was recorded in June when the temperature and relative humidity values reached, respectively, 25.8°C and 42%. The minimum number of specimens was collected in September with an average temperature of 23.19°C and relative humidity of 57.4%. Statistical analysis with principal component analysis has shown a strong positive correlation between temperature parameters and the seasonal distribution of sand flies. The climatic factor of relative humidity has been judged of being negatively correlated. The wind speed does not have any impact on the relative abundance of all species. Within this context, the results will be useful for the development of a monitoring program to better manage the operations and evaluate their effectiveness.

Mosquitoes cause significant human health issues. However, very few studies have attempted to examine the question of how abiotic and biotic factors affect the abundance of Culicidae in the larval habitat. The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of biotic and abiotic factors on the increase of the most common mosquito species in the Fez region (Central Morocco). Larvae mosquitoes were sampled by standard dipping technique in four different types of macrohabitats, between November 2015 and November 2016. Each mosquito specimen was morphologically identified by the Moroccan Culicidae key and the Brunhes key. The analysis was done using R analysis software. We collected a total of 772 mosquito larvae belonging to nine different species, five of which are considered of medical interest. Culex pipiens (Linnaeus, 1758), known as the major vector in the transmission of West Nile virus fever (WNV), was the most common species of all mosquito larvae collected. The results of Poisson regression analysis showed that factors such as the presence of green filamentous algae, vegetation cover, and debris were found to be positively significant in the distribution of the genus Culex. However, there was insufficient evidence to determine the parameters that are capable of estimating the abundance of Anopheles. The findings have also estimated that biotic and abiotic factors can lead to significant variation in the abundance of Culex perexiguus (Theobald, 1903), Culex theileri (Theobald, 1903), and Culex pipiens (Linnaeus, 1758). Identifying the priority parameters governing the proliferation of mosquitoes in the region of Fez can be one of the key elements for better vector control.