*2.1.2.5. Geographical distribution*

Geographical distribution of SCL is apparently restricted to the humid and sub-humid bioclimatic areas. Its distribution overlaps with that of VL in north and central Tunisia. Indeed, Haouas et al. reported that 95.3% of dermotropic *L. infantum* strains were isolated from the north of Tunisia, 2.83% from the centre (Kairouan and Sidi Bouzid) and 1.9% from the south (Sfax) [24]. The sporadic cases reported in the south of the country suggested an extension of SCL to the arid bioclimatic areas [24, 41]. Also, *L. infantum* MON-24 was unevenly distributed from the northern areas of the country: It was mainly isolated in Siliana, Manouba, Béja, Bizerte, and Jendouba provinces. The dermoviscerotropic zymodeme MON-1 was isolated in northern Tunisia, mainly in Siliana province, and the single CL *L. infantum* MON-80 strain was isolated in Zaghouan province (**Figure 3**).
