First molecular detection of Leishmania major in the Greater Egyptian Jerboa (Jaculus orientalis) in Algeria (Djelfa).

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) caused by Leishmania major is a major public health concern in Algeria, a recognized endemic hotspot. The parasite is maintained in a transmission cycle involving Phlebotomus papatasi sand flies as vectors and rodents as reservoirs, primarily Psammomys obesus and Meriones shawi. Investigating additional rodent species is essential to better understand transmission dynamics in emerging foci. This study assessed the potential role of wild rodent species as reservoirs of Leishmania parasites in the emerging focus of leishmaniasis in Djelfa, located in the Algerian central steppe. Rodents were trapped during the active season (February-November) using wire traps and identified morphologically. DNA was extracted from spleen and liver tissues. Samples were screened by PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene for Leishmania detection, and positive samples were confirmed by ITS1 sequencing. Rodent species identification was molecularly validated by sequencing the cytochrome b (Cytb) gene. A total of 22 rodents were captured: 19 Jaculus orientalis, 2 Psammomys obesus, and 1 Meriones shawi. One asymptomatic J. orientalis tested positive for L. major. Phylogenetic analysis clustered the isolate within the L. major clade. Haplotype analysis revealed a unique haplotype differing by two mutations from the predominant North African haplotype. This study provides the first molecular evidence of natural infection of J. orientalis with L. major in Algeria. Although based on a single infected specimen, this species should be incorporated into eco-epidemiological surveillance, and its reservoir competence warrants further investigation through expanded sampling and xenodiagnostic studies.