a b s t r a c t
Although Leishmania major is endemic in parts of the Sinai of Egypt, the ecology and distribution of
Leishmania sand fly vectors in southern Sinai has not been well characterized. Accordingly, additional
sand fly samples were obtained at 41 sites in the southern Sinai region during 1996–1997, and analyzed
to improve the characterization of risk of sand fly-borne pathogens. Using a Geographic Information
System (GIS), species-specific spatial distributions that might suggest zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis
(ZCL) risk areas were determined in relation to contextual environmental factors, including geology,
hydrogeology, climate variables and elevation. Southern Sinai was characterized by a diverse sand fly
fauna (eight Phlebotomus species), probably attributable to highly variable landscape and environmental
factors. Phlebotomus alexandri, Phlebotomus kazeruni and Phlebotomus sergenti were widespread and
abundant, Phlebotomus papatasi and Phlebotomus bergeroti were less frequent, and Phlebotomus arabicus,
Phlebotomus major and Phlebotomus orientalis had highly restricted distributions. Logistic regression
models indicated that elevation and climatic conditions were limiting determinants for the distributions
of sand flies in southern Sinai. Based on the predicted distribution of P. papatasi, a recognized vector of
L. major, about one-quarter of southern Sinai may be at high risk of ZCL. Risk areas for the suspected ZCL
vector P. bergeroti had a more patchy distribution. Results suggestthatfuture studies should include other
factors related to vector abundance, vector competence, human population, and parasite and reservoir
host(s) to produce more comprehensive ZCL transmission risk maps, thus helping in planning effective
prevention and control strategies.
© 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved