TIM, a novel molecular toolbox for the detection and identification of <i>Leishmania</i> species in Morocco
This study introduces TIM, a novel molecular diagnostic assay developed to enhance the detection and species identification of <i>Leishmania</i> parasites from clinical samples in Morocco. TIM relies on simple PCR procedures, and it is tailored to the detection of three species that are endemic to the region: <i>L. major</i>, <i>L. tropica</i>, and <i>L. infantum</i>. TIM demonstrated superior sensitivity and improved species-level resolution when compared to the diagnostic methods commonly used in Morocco. Notably, TIM also enables the direct detection of mixed interspecific profiles from cutaneous clinical samples. Thanks to its versatility and simplicity, TIM offers a practical tool to significantly strengthen leishmaniasis surveillance, prevention, and control strategies in Morocco and surrounding regions.
Authors
- Soumiya Chiheb (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6206-9981)
- Baptiste Vergnes (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9640-2009)
- Myriam Riyad (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6718-9843)
- Anne‐Laure Bañuls (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2106-8667)
- Meryem Lemrani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9923-9219)
- Imane El Idrissi Saik (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8348-0307)
- Idris Mhaidi
- Sara El Mazini
- Kaltoum Lemkhayar
Institutions
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- Université de Montpellier (FR)
- Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Écologie, Génétique, Évolution et Contrôle (FR)
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Ibn Rochd (MA)
- Institut Pasteur du Maroc (MA)
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (FR)
- University of Hassan II Casablanca (MA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Microbiology Spectrum
- Published
- 2025-12-04
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.03447-25
- Primary Topic
- Research on Leishmaniasis Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00