scholarly journals Molecular Evidence Suggests That Wolbachia pipientis (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) is Widely Associated With South American Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Léo Nava Piorsky Dominici Cruz ◽  
Luis Fernando Carvalho-Costa ◽  
José Manuel Macário Rebêlo
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Basic Knowledge ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
South American ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Wolbachia Pipientis ◽  
16S Rna ◽  
Leishmania Spp ◽  
Causative Agents

Abstract Wolbachia pipientis (Hertig) is an endosymbiotic microorganism widespread among arthropods and other invertebrate hosts, and employed in strategies to reduce the incidence of arthropod-borne diseases. Here, we used a PCR-based approach for 16S RNA and wsp genes to investigate the prevalence, geographical distribution, and strains of Wolbachia in sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae), the main vectors of the causative agents of leishmaniasis, from three biomes in Brazil: Amazon, Cerrado, and Caatinga. We found that: 1) Wolbachia DNA is present in most (66.7%) of the sampled sand fly species, including vectors of Leishmania spp. (Ross, Trypanosomatida: Trypanosomatidae), 2) the prevalence of Wolbachia DNA varies among species and populations, 3) some strains of Wolbachia may have wider geographical and host range in South America, and 4) two phylogenetic distinct wsp sequences might represent two novel strains for Wolbachia in South America sand flies. Those findings increase the basic knowledge about Wolbachia in South American sand flies and might foster further researches on its use to reduce the transmission of sand fly-borne parasites.

scholarly journals Notes on the sand fly fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae) in a region of Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (14) ◽  
pp. e596101422480
Author(s):  
Paula Fassicolo Variza ◽  
Thiago Nunes Pereira ◽  
Joice Guilherme de Oliveira ◽  
Millena Fernandes ◽  
Daniel Moreira de Avelar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Forest ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Monitoring And Control ◽  
Santa Catarina ◽  
Leishmania Spp ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
And Control ◽  
First Time

The family Psychodidae has a cosmopolitan distribution with members that occur in many habitats, mainly in humid environments, and is most diverse in the tropics. Subfamilies Sycoracinae and Phlebotominae have females with hematophagous habits and the latter studied more due to medical and veterinary interest, since it includes species that can transmit diseases to animals and humans. The knowledge about the sand fly fauna in a region is extremely important for adequate monitoring and control measures for leishmaniasis. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize Psychodidae fauna in relation to richness, abundance and molecular identification of Leishmania spp. in sand flies in southern Santa Catarina, Brazil. The ollections were carried out between 2015 and 2016 in three cities in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Samples were taken near feeding places for domestic animals, urban forest and peridomicile areas. The insects were identified and female sand flies were submitted to molecular analysis to detect the presence of Leishmania spp.. A total of 4,200 insects were collected, 4,193 from the Sycoracinae subfamily and 7 Phlebotominae from the Nyssomyia neivai and Pintomyia fisheri species. Of the studied municipalities, sandflies were registered in Tubarão and Imaruí and the most frequent habitat was the peridomicile areas. No samples were positive for Leishmania spp. In conclusion, the work highlights the presence of two species of sandflies, which were recorded for the first time in southern Santa Catarina.

scholarly journals Diversity, distribution and natural Leishmania infection of sand flies from communities along the Interoceanic Highway in the Southeastern Peruvian Amazon

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. e0009000
Author(s):  
Hugo O. Valdivia ◽  
Victor O. Zorrilla ◽  
Liz. J. Espada ◽  
Jocelyn G. Perez ◽  
Hugo R. Razuri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Leishmania Infection ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Peruvian Amazon ◽  
Madre De Dios ◽  
Tegumentary Leishmaniasis ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Study Sites

The Peruvian-Brazilian border is a highly endemic tegumentary leishmaniasis region in South America. The interoceanic highway is a commercial route that connects Peru and Brazil through Madre de Dios and has raised concerns about its impact on previously undisturbed areas. In order to assess leishmaniasis transmission risk along this highway, we conducted a surveillance study of the sand fly populations in this area. Sand flies were collected between 2009 and 2010 along transects at 200 m, 600 m and 1000 m from six study sites located along the highway (Iberia, La Novia, Alto Libertad, El Carmen, Florida Baja, Mazuko and Mavila) and an undisturbed area (Malinowski). Collected specimens were identified based on morphology and non-engorged females of each species were pooled and screened by kinetoplast PCR to detect natural Leishmania infections. A total of 9,023 specimens were collected belonging to 54 different Lutzomyia species including the first report of Lu. gantieri in Peru. Four species accounted for 50% of all specimens (Lutzomyia carrerai carrerai, Lu. davisi, Lu. shawi and Lu. richardwardi). El Carmen, Alto Libertad, Florida Baja and Malinowski presented higher Shannon diversity indexes (H = 2.36, 2.30, 2.17 and 2.13, respectively) than the most human disturbed sites of Mazuko and La Novia (H = 1.53 and 1.06, respectively). PCR detected 10 positive pools belonging to Lu. carrerai carrerai, Lu. yuilli yuilli, Lu. hirsuta hirsuta, Lu. (Trichophoromyia) spp., and Lu. (Lutzomyia) spp. Positive pools from 1,000 m transects had higher infectivity rates than those from 600 m and 200 m transects (9/169 = 5.3% vs 0/79 = 0% and 1/127 = 0.8%, p = 0.018). El Carmen, accounted for eight out of ten positives whereas one positive was collected in Florida Baja and Mazuko each. Our study has shown differences in sand fly diversity, abundance and species composition across and within sites. Multiple clustered Lutzomyia pools with natural Leishmania infection suggest a complex, diverse and spotty role in leishmaniasis transmission in Madre de Dios, with increased risk farther from the highway.

scholarly journals Effects of larval rearing substrates on some life-table parameters of Lutzomyia longipalpis sand flies

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. e0009034
Author(s):  
Kelsilandia Aguiar Martins ◽  
Maria Helena de Athayde Meirelles ◽  
Tiago Feitosa Mota ◽  
Ibrahim Abbasi ◽  
Artur Trancoso Lopo de Queiroz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Endemic Area ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽  
Larval Rearing ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Life Table Parameters ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Causative Agents ◽  
Chicken Feces

Sand flies are the insects responsible for transmitting Leishmania parasites, the causative agents of leishmaniasis in humans. However, the effects of sand fly breeding sites on their biology and ecology remain poorly understood. Herein, we studied how larval nutrition associated with putative breeding sites of the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis affects their oviposition, development, microbiome, and susceptibility to Leishmania by rearing L. longipalpis on substrates collected from an endemic area for leishmaniasis in Brazil. The results showed that female L. longipalpis select the oviposition site based on its potential to promote larval maturation and while composting cashew leaf litter hindered the development, larvae reared on chicken feces developed rapidly. Typical gut microbial profiles were found in larvae reared upon cashew leaf litter. Adult females from larvae reared on substrate collected in chicken coops were infected with Leishmania infantum, indicating that they were highly susceptible to the parasite. In conclusion, the larval breeding sites can exert an important role in the epidemiology of leishmaniasis.

scholarly journals Vectorial-transmission Risk Assessment of Leishmaniasis due to the Presence of Sand Flies in Northwest Morocco

2017 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
South America ◽  
South Asia ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Parasitic Diseases ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Southern Europe

Leishmaniasis are parasitic diseases occur in tropical and subtropical areas of 98 countries, including 72 developing countries. The endemic areas are southern Europe and many countries in East Africa, South Asia and South America. The global prevalence is estimated at 12 million cases. The incidence of leishmaniasis is increasing worldwide. There are between 1.5 and 2 million new cases of leishmaniasis each year worldwide and about 40000 deaths, due to visceral leishmaniasis [1,2]. Leishmaniasis are transmitted by the bite of the hematophagous female sand fly of the genus Plebotomus (diptera psychodidae) [1].

LutzoDex™—A digital key for Brazilian sand flies (Diptera, Phlebotominae) within an Android App

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4688 (3) ◽  
pp. 382-388
Author(s):  
DOUGLAS DE ALMEIDA ROCHA ◽  
MAXWELL RAMOS DE ALMEIDA ◽  
JAINAINE ABRANTES DE SENA BATISTA ◽  
ANDREY JOSÉ DE ANDRADE
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Leishmania Spp ◽  
Data Source ◽  
Android App ◽  
Google Play

Here we present an Android mobile application (app) for the identification of Brazilian phlebotomine sand fly species. The app, which is named LutzoDex™, relies on information included in a data source with morphological and morphometrical characters. This tool can present up to seven answer options to a question. Images of morphological structures can be referenced to make identification easier, and users can see a list of possible species based on the features they report. Maps are also used to determine the geographical distribution and whether the species is incriminated or suspected as a vector of Leishmania spp. in Brazil. The app is available free of charge in both English and Portuguese in the Google Play Store at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=max.com.lutzodex&hl=pt_BR. 

scholarly journals Sand fly identification and screening for Leishmania spp. in six provinces of Thailand

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Orawan Phuphisut ◽  
Chanyapat Nitatsukprasert ◽  
Nattaphol Pathawong ◽  
Boonsong Jaichapor ◽  
Arissara Pongsiri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Barcoding ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Morphological Identification ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Operational Taxonomic Units ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Human Leishmaniasis ◽  
Leishmania Spp

Abstract Background Phlebotomine sand flies are vectors of Leishmania spp. At least 27 species of sand flies have been recorded in Thailand. Although human leishmaniasis cases in Thailand are mainly imported, autochthonous leishmaniasis has been increasingly reported in several regions of the country since 1999. Few studies have detected Leishmania infection in wild-caught sand flies, although these studies were carried out only in those areas reporting human leishmaniasis cases. The aim of this study was therefore to identity sand fly species and to investigate Leishmania infection across six provinces of Thailand. Methods Species of wild-caught sand flies were initially identified based on morphological characters. However, problems identifying cryptic species complexes necessitated molecular identification using DNA barcoding in parallel with identification based on morphological characters. The wild-caught sand flies were pooled and the DNA isolated prior to the detection of Leishmania infection by a TaqMan real-time PCR assay. Results A total of 4498 sand flies (1158 males and 3340 females) were caught by trapping in six provinces in four regions of Thailand. The sand flies were morphologically classified into eight species belonging to three genera (Sergentomyia, Phlebotomus and Idiophlebotomus). Sergentomyia iyengari was found at all collection sites and was the dominant species at most of these, followed in frequency by Sergentomyia barraudi and Phlebotomus stantoni, respectively. DNA barcodes generated from 68 sand flies allowed sorting into 14 distinct species with 25 operational taxonomic units, indicating a higher diversity (by 75%) than that based on morphological identification. Twelve barcoding sequences could not be assigned to any species for which cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences are available. All tested sand flies were negative for Leishmania DNA. Conclusions Our results confirm the presence of several sand fly species in different provinces of Thailand, highlighting the importance of using DNA barcoding as a tool to study sand fly species diversity. While all female sand flies tested in this study were negative for Leishmania, the circulation of Leishmania spp. in the investigated areas cannot be ruled out. Graphical abstract

scholarly journals Molecular Detection of Virulence Factor Glycoprotein (Gp63) of Leishmania spp. in Phlebotomus Sand Flies

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 95-100
Author(s):  
Hadi M. Hamza Al-Mayali ◽  
Ali Jawad Abdulaali Alyasiri
Keyword(s):  
Virulence Factor ◽  
The Body ◽  
Surface Glycoprotein ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Factor Gene ◽  
Phlebotomus Sergenti ◽  
Leishmania Spp ◽  
Virulence Factor Gene ◽  
Major Surface

Introduction: Gp63 is the major surface glycoprotein of Leishmania which is prevalent in the promastigote stage of Phlebotomus sergenti. Glycoprotein 63 (gp63) or leishmanolysin is a zinc-dependent metalloprotease found on the surface of Leishmania. It was initially discovered in 1980and described biochemically and genetically as a surface antigen expressed in promastigotes of Leishmania species, having a range of substrates including casein, albumin, fibrinogen, haemoglobin, and gelatin. On the surface of amastigote, GP63 is present at a very low level. Glycoprotein 63 is a zinc-dependent metalloprotease that is active in the pH range of 7–10, which is neutral to alkaline. Materials and Methods: During the study, which was carried out in Al-Muthanna province from July 2017 to August 2018, about 2550 sand fly samples including 719 males and 1633 females were collected. Three species of sand flies were recorded according to morphological features which included Phlebotomus papatasi, Phlebotomus sergenti, and Sergentomyia sintoni. The caught specimens showed that P. papatasi was the most prevalent species. Two primers were used for the diagnosis of Leishmania spp. using a nested PCR technique, which was designed in a previous study for 1250 samples of sand flies from 25 locations in the study area. Results: Results showed that 13 samples were positive, containing DNA for the Leishmania parasite, and 12 samples were negative. Positive samples include 11 samples of L. major species and only 2 samples of L. tropica species. Additionally, the results showed that the L. major species was the dominant species in the study area. Positive samples (13) of sand flies had Leishmania parasite based on molecular diagnosis and virulence factor gene (Gp63) of Leishmania parasite was detected in sand flies using PCR method The results showed that virulence factor gene (Gp63) was detected on the surface of promastigote. This refers to the presence of Leishmania parasite in sand fly. The study is the first one which detected the presence of the virulence factors gene (GP63) of Leishmania in the body of sand flies. Conclusion: This study revealed the possibility of diagnosing leishmaniasis by virulence factor gene (Gp63) in leishmania promastigotes.

scholarly journals Antibody Response to Toscana Virus and Sandfly Fever Sicilian Virus in Cats Naturally Exposed to Phlebotomine Sand Fly Bites in Portugal

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 339
Author(s):  
André Pereira ◽  
Nazli Ayhan ◽  
José Manuel Cristóvão ◽  
Hugo Vilhena ◽  
Ângela Martins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Exposure ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Clinical Impact ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Toscana Virus ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression ◽  
Leishmania Spp ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

Phlebotomine sand fly-borne pathogens such as Leishmania spp. and phleboviruses are emerging threats to humans and animals worldwide. The aim of this work was to evaluate the exposure of cats from Portugal to Toscana virus (TOSV) and Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus (SFSV) and assess the associated risk factors. The possible association between exposure to Phlebotomus perniciosus saliva with TOSV and SFSV was also investigated. Out of 369 cats tested, 18 (4.9%, n = 365) were seropositive for TOSV, and eight (2.2%, n = 367) were seropositive for SFSV. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that cats presenting clinical signs that were compatible with leishmaniosis and antibodies to TOSV had a significantly higher risk of being SFSV seropositive. The presence of antibodies to sand fly-borne viruses in cats indicate that these animals are frequently exposed to sand flies and transmitted pathogens. Data suggest that cats can be used to qualitatively monitor human exposure to TOSV and SFSV in endemic areas. The clinical impact of SFSV in cats’ health should be investigated. The identification of the sand fly species responsible for the circulation of TOSV and SFSV in nature and the evaluation of the vectorial competence of P. perniciosus to SFSV should also be addressed.

scholarly journals Estimation of vector competence of Moroccan Sand fly Populations Using a Proteomic Approach

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Daoudi ◽  
George Dong ◽  
Samia Boussaa ◽  
Caroline Martel ◽  
Mohamed Hafidi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Proteomic Analysis ◽  
Leishmania Major ◽  
Vector Competence ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Phlebotomus Papatasi ◽  
Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Proteomic Approach ◽  
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass ◽  
Leishmania Spp

Abstract Background Phlebotomine vector born disease are distributed throughout the world, and different pathogens are associated with varying degrees of disease severity. In Morocco, sand fly populations are incriminated in the transmission of several pathogens, such Leishmania spp. and phlebovirus, in particular the most relevant sand fly species as the case of Phlebotomus papatasi. This species is the main vector of Leishmania major in Morocco, and incriminated in phlebovirus transmission. Not to pass over without investigating its possible role on the transmission of entomopathogenic parasite already reported in literature. Methodology and finding The present study focused on proteomic analysis in Phlebotomus papatasi from four localities in Morocco. Proteomic analysis in female P. papatasi was performed with Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A total of 239 identified proteins for Leishmania spp., 26 identified proteins for phlebovirus and 1132 identified proteins for nematode were detected in the 20 pools of P. papatasi from investigated localities. The microscopic examination of 1752 sandflies collected showed, the infection of two specimens of female’s P. sergenti with Tetranematid Didilia spp. and potential Microfilariae in Imintanout locality (Z2).Conclusion This study presents the first report of nematodes in sand flies of Africa. Also, the first use of proteomic tools for estimation of vector competence of P. papatasi which could be a specific tool to a better understanding of the vectorial capacity of Moroccan sandflies population.

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