# Protein Profiling of Wild-Caught Phlebotomus papatasi in Morocco: First Observation of Nematodes in Moroccan Population of Sandflies

## TL;DR

This study used proteomics to identify pathogens in Moroccan sandflies, revealing new insights into parasite-vector interactions.

## Contribution

First application of proteomics to identify pathogens in Moroccan P. papatasi and first report of nematodes in African sandflies.

## Key findings

- Detected nematode peptides in Moroccan P. papatasi, first report in Africa.
- Identified Leishmania and phlebovirus peptides in sandflies using proteomics.
- Observed significant proteomic variation across different localities.

## Abstract

Phlebotomine-borne diseases, transmitted by sand flies, cause significant public health burdens worldwide. In Morocco, Phlebotomus papatasi is a primary vector for Leishmania major and phleboviruses. Despite extensive research in other countries, entomopathogenic parasite investigations in P. papatasi have not been conducted in Morocco until now. This study performed proteomic analysis of female P. papatasi collected from four Moroccan localities using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Our analysis revealed that Phlebotomus papatasi peptides were the most abundant, with 884 peptides identified. Additionally, we detected 732 peptides from nematodes, 86 from Leishmania major, 79 from L. infantum, eight from L. tropica, and two peptides associated with phleboviruses. Microscopic examination of 1752 sand flies confirmed P. sergenti female infected with Tetranematidae, Didilia spp. in Imintanout (Z2). This study provides the first report of nematodes in sand flies in Africa and represents the first application of proteomics to identify pathogens carried by P. papatasi. These findings highlight remarkable proteomic differences among localities and generate critical data for understanding parasite-vector interactions.