Entomological Studies in Itaúna, Brazil, an Area With Visceral Leishmaniasis Transmission: Fauna Survey, Natural Leishmania Infection, and Molecular Characterization of the Species Circulating in Phlebotomine Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 1368-1376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josiane V Lopes ◽  
Erika M Michalsky ◽  
Nathalia C L Pereira ◽  
Adão J V de Paula ◽  
Fabiana O Lara-Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Influential Factor ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Leishmania Infection ◽  
Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Phlebotomine Sand Flies

Abstract Among neglected tropical diseases, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) shows great relevance in global terms and is a serious public health concern due to the possibility of severe and lethal forms in humans. In this study, we evaluate entomological factors such as diversity and abundance of phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera:Psychodidae) and the Leishmania species circulating in these species in possible association with VL transmission in the Brazilian town Itaúna. The entomological collections were performed during three consecutive nights, always in the third week of each month, within a period of 12 mo. A total of 1,786 sand fly specimens were collected, from which 20% were collected inside houses. The influence of three local climatic variables (temperature, rainfall, relative humidity) on the population sizes of these insects was evaluated. Temperature was the most influential factor, with a significant positive correlation with the local population size of phlebotomine sand flies collected per month. Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) was the predominant species in the study area. Leishmania DNA was detected in nine out of 133 pools of sand fly females, using nested/PCR, which resulted in a minimal natural infection rate of 2.91%. DNA from Leishmania infantum Nicolle, 1908 (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatida), was detected in Evandromyia cortelezzii (Bréthes, 1923), Ev. evandroi (Costa, Lima & Antunes, 1936), Ev. lenti (Mangabeira, 1938), and Ev. termitophila (Martins, Falcão & Silva, 1964), besides Lu. longipalpis. Our study indicates favorable conditions for VL spreading in Itaúna due to the presence of Lu. longipalpis and Le. infantum-infected phlebotomine sand flies.

scholarly journals Lutzomyia longipalpis naturally infected by Leishmania (L.) chagasi in Várzea Grande, Mato Grosso State, Brazil, an area of intense transmission of visceral leishmaniasis

2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (12) ◽  
pp. 2414-2419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nanci A. Missawa ◽  
Érika Monteiro Michalsky ◽  
Consuelo Latorre Fortes-Dias ◽  
Edelberto Santos Dias
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction Amplification ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Rflp Analysis ◽  
Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Phlebotomine Sand Flies ◽  
Leishmania Spp ◽  
Reaction Amplification

The American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL) is caused by parasites belonging to the genus Leishmania (Trypanosomatidae) and is transmitted to humans through the bite of certain species of infected phlebotomine sand flies. In this study, we investigated the natural infection ratio of Lutzomyia longipalpis, the main vector species of AVL in Brazil, in Várzea Grande, Mato Grosso State. Between July 2004 and June 2006, phlebotomine sand flies were captured in peridomestic areas using CDC light-traps. Four hundred and twenty (420) specimens of Lu. longipalpis were captured. 42 pools, containing 10 specimens of Lu. longipalpis each, were used for genomic DNA extraction and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) amplification. Leishmania spp. DNA was detected in three out of the 42 pools tested, resulting in a minimal infection ratio of 0.71%. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis indicated that Leishmania (L.) chagasi was the infective agent in the positive pools.

scholarly journals Dogs with divergent serology for visceral leishmaniasis as sources of Leishmania infection for Lutzomyia longipalpis phlebotomine sand flies – an observational study in an endemic area in Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. e0008079 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marília Fonseca Rocha ◽  
Érika Monteiro Michalsky ◽  
Fabiana de Oliveira Lara-Silva ◽  
Josiane Lopes Valadão ◽  
João Carlos França-Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Endemic Area ◽  
Leishmania Infection ◽  
Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Phlebotomine Sand Flies

Detection of Pintomyia fischeri (Diptera: Psychodidae) With Leishmania infantum (Trypanosomatida: Trypanosomatidae) Promastigotes in a Focus of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Brazil

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredy Galvis-Ovallos ◽  
Adriele Eiko Ueta ◽  
Gabriella de Oliveira Marques ◽  
Ana Maria Casagrande Sarmento ◽  
Gabriela Araujo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Leishmania Infantum ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Vector Surveillance

Abstract Visceral leishmaniasis is spreading in Brazil where the main vector of its agent, Leishmania infantum Nicolle, 1908, is the Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) species complex (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae), on which many of the activities of the visceral leishmaniasis surveillance program are based. However, there are areas where canine, and/or human cases have been occurring without the presence of this species complex as in the western part of the Greater São Paulo Metropolitan region, where Embu das Artes municipality is situated. In this area, Pintomyia fischeri (Pinto, 1926) has been implicated as potential vector of Le. infantum but so far its natural infection with this parasite has not yet been ascertained. Therefore, the present study sought to investigate the natural infection in sand flies of a CVL focus in Embu das Artes. The sand fly collections were undertaken with Shannon and CDC traps, monthly, between 1800 and 2100 hours from November 2018 to October 2019, inclusive. A total of 951 sand flies (457 males and 494 females), belonging to 10 species, were captured. Pintomyia fischeri was the predominant species (89.5%); of which 426 females were dissected and one of them (0.23%) was found to be harboring flagellates in its midgut. A sample of these flagellates was isolated in culture and characterized by a 234 base pair fragment of Leishmania heat-shock protein 70 gene (hsp70) and restriction fragment length polymorphism with Hae III restriction enzyme as Le. infantum. This finding reinforces previous evidence of Pi. fischeri as a vector of Le. infantum in foci of visceral leishmaniasis and highlights the importance of vector surveillance in areas where this species occurs.

scholarly journals Ecology of Lutzomyia longipalpis and Lutzomyia migonei in an endemic area for visceral leishmaniasis

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 320-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafaella Albuquerque Silva ◽  
Fabricio Kassio Moura Santos ◽  
Lindemberg Caranha de Sousa ◽  
Elizabeth Ferreira Rangel ◽  
Claudia Maria Leal Bevilaqua
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Leishmania Infantum ◽  
Indoor Environment ◽  
Endemic Area ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Sampling Site ◽  
Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Sampling Points ◽  
Lutzomyia Migonei

The main vector for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Brazil is Lutzomyia longipalpis. However, the absence of L. longipalpis in a region of autochthonous VL demonstrates the participation of other species in the transmission of the parasite. Studies conducted in La Banda, Argentina, and São Vicente Férrer, Pernambuco State, Brazil, have correlated the absence of L. longipalpisand the presence of L. migonei with autochthonous cases of VL. In São Vicente Férrer, Pernambuco, there was evidence for the natural infection of L. migonei with Leishmania infantum chagasi. Thus, the objective of this work was to assess the ecology of the sand flies L. longipalpis and L. migonei in Fortaleza, an endemic area for VL. Insect capture was conducted at 22 sampling points distributed across four regions of Fortaleza. In total, 32,403 sand flies were captured; of these, 18,166 (56%) were identified as L. longipalpis and 14,237 (44%) as L. migonei. There were significant density differences found between the vectors at each sampling site (indoors and outdoors) (p <0.0001). These findings confirm that L. migonei and L. longipalpis are distributed throughout Fortaleza, where they have adapted to an indoor environment, and suggest that L. migonei may share the role as a vector with L. longipalpis in the transmission of VL in Fortaleza.

scholarly journals INVESTIGATION OF LEISHMANIASIS VECTORS IN EL-KADOBA VILLAGE, WHITE NILE STATE, SUDAN

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 430-441
Author(s):  
Belal Abdallah A. Adam ◽  
Moawia Mukhtar Hassan ◽  
Osman Mohammed Abd Elnour ◽  
Ahmed Hamid Awadallah
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Leishmania Donovani ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Leishmania Infection ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Kala Azar ◽  
Ecological Aspects ◽  
Binocular Microscope ◽  
White Nile

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL; kala-azar) is one of the most important parasitic tropical diseases in Sudan   and the Sudan is considered to be one of the most important foci in the world. The visceral leishmaniasis has been described in Sudan since the beginning of the twentieth century. In Sudan, VL is caused by Leishmania donovani complex: MON 18, MON 30 and MON 82 zymodemes and  The proven vector is Phlebotomus (Larroussius) orientalis, in this study a survey was carried out to identify the principal vector of VL based on Leishmania infection, morphological characters and to determine some ecological aspects of the sand flies prevalent in the area . Ten species of sand flies were recorded, three Phlebotomus species and seven Sergentomyia species of these sandflies, P. rodhaini was collected only from Acacia seyal/Balanities aegyptiaca at the Island whereas S. hunti was collected from the Acacia nilotica forest only of the total collections, P. orientalis representing 3.80% (248 specimens) of the total collection and P. papatasi were 3.11% of the collection. Sand flies identification was done under a binocular microscope at 40x (magnification). The main features used for sand flies identification were the sperm theca of the female, the termination of the male and the pharyngeal and the ciboria toothed structures of both sexes. According to results of this study we recommended the following:  more studies are needed in the future to determine the transmission season, and infection rates of Leishmania parasites in human and the animal host in this area. Annually Entomological surveys must be done to determine density of Sand fly Vectors and Encourage the use of personal protection tools (ITNs), repellents, and improving of houses to avoid bite of sand fly.

scholarly journals Leishmania infection induces a limited differential gene expression in the sand fly midgut

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iliano V. Coutinho-Abreu ◽  
Tiago D. Serafim ◽  
Claudio Meneses ◽  
Shaden Kamhawi ◽  
Fabiano Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Early Time ◽  
Differentially Expressed ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Leishmania Infection ◽  
Developmental Cycle ◽  
Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Time Points

Abstract Background: Sand flies are the vectors of Leishmania parasites. To develop in the sand fly midgut, Leishmania multiplies and undergoes various stage differentiations giving rise to the infective form, the metacyclic promastigotes. To determine the changes in sand fly midgut gene expression caused by the presence of Leishmania, we performed RNA-Seq of uninfected and Leishmania infantum-infected Lutzomyia longipalpis midguts from seven different libraries corresponding to time points which cover the various Leishmania developmental stages. Results: The combined transcriptomes resulted in the de novo assembly of 13,841 sand fly midgut transcripts. Importantly, only 113 sand fly transcripts, about 1%, were differentially expressed in the presence of Leishmania parasites. Further, we observed distinct differentially expressed sand fly midgut transcripts corresponding to the presence of each of the various Leishmania stages suggesting that each parasite stage influences midgut gene expression in a specific manner. Two main patterns of sand fly gene expression modulation were noted. At early time points (days 1-4), more transcripts were down-regulated by Leishmania infection at large fold changes (> 32 fold). Among the down-regulated genes, the transcription factor Forkhead/HNF-3 and hormone degradation enzymes were differentially regulated on day 2 and appear to be the upstream regulators of nutrient transport, digestive enzymes, and peritrophic matrix proteins. Conversely, at later time points (days 6 onwards), most of the differentially expressed transcripts were up-regulated by Leishmania infection with small fold changes (< 32 fold). The molecular functions of these genes have been associated with the metabolism of lipids and detoxification of xenobiotics. Conclusion: Overall, our data suggest that the presence of Leishmania produces a limited change in the midgut transcript expression profile in sand flies. Further, Leishmania modulates sand fly gene expression early on in the developmental cycle in order to overcome the barriers imposed by the midgut, yet it behaves like a commensal at later time points where a massive number of parasites in the anterior midgut results only in modest changes in midgut gene expression.

scholarly journals Insights into the salivary N-glycome of Lutzomyia longipalpis, vector of visceral leishmaniasis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karina Mondragon-Shem ◽  
Katherine Wongtrakul-Kish ◽  
Radoslaw P. Kozak ◽  
Shi Yan ◽  
Iain Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Salivary Proteins ◽  
Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Detailed Structural Analysis ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Sds Page ◽  
Before And After

AbstractDuring Leishmania transmission sand flies inoculate parasites and saliva into the skin of vertebrates. Saliva has anti-haemostatic and anti-inflammatory activities that evolved to facilitate bloodfeeding, but also modulate the host’s immune responses. Sand fly salivary proteins have been extensively studied, but the nature and biological roles of protein-linked glycans remain overlooked. Here, we characterised the profile of N-glycans from the salivary glycoproteins of Lutzomyia longipalpis, vector of visceral leishmaniasis in the Americas. In silico predictions suggest half of Lu. longipalpis salivary proteins may be N-glycosylated. SDS-PAGE coupled to LC-MS analysis of sand fly saliva, before and after enzymatic deglycosylation, revealed several candidate glycoproteins. To determine the diversity of N-glycan structures in sand fly saliva, enzymatically released sugars were fluorescently tagged and analysed by HPLC, combined with highly sensitive LC-MS/MS, MALDI-TOF-MS, and exoglycosidase treatments. We found that the N-glycan composition of Lu. longipalpis saliva mostly consists of oligomannose sugars, with Man5GlcNAc2 being the most abundant, and a few hybrid-type species. Interestingly, some glycans appear modified with a group of 144 Da, whose identity has yet to be confirmed. Our work presents the first detailed structural analysis of sand fly salivary glycans.

scholarly journals Assessment of sand fly (Diptera, Psychodidae) control using cypermethrin in an endemic area for visceral leishmaniasis, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (11) ◽  
pp. 2117-2123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Andrade Barata ◽  
Erika Monteiro Michalsky ◽  
Ricardo Toshio Fujiwara ◽  
João Carlos França-Silva ◽  
Marília Fonseca Rocha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Endemic Area ◽  
Residual Effect ◽  
Minas Gerais ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Light Traps ◽  
Minas Gerais State ◽  
Transmission Area

Montes Claros in Minas Gerais State, Brazil, was considered an intense transmission area for visceral leishmaniasis. This study evaluated sand fly fauna after insecticide application. Captures were performed in 10 districts from September 2005 to August 2006 with CDC light traps inside and outside each residence. Cypermethrin was sprayed in two cycles during November/2005 and May/2006. The 636 specimens collected, belonging to 10 species, were predominantly Lutzomyia longipalpis (79%), and most frequently males (70%). The highest percentage of specimens were captured in areas surrounding domiciles (85.8%). The main species were observed to be sensitive to treatment with the insecticide. The results showed a reduction in the number of sand flies collected after use of cypermethrin in homes and annexes, and with residual effect lasting from two to four months.

scholarly journals Sampling strategies for phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Europe

2015 ◽  
Vol 105 (6) ◽  
pp. 664-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Alten ◽  
Y. Ozbel ◽  
K. Ergunay ◽  
O.E. Kasap ◽  
B. Cull ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Sampling Strategies ◽  
Phlebotomine Sand Flies ◽  
Routine Surveillance

AbstractThe distribution of phlebotomine sand flies is widely reported to be changing in Europe. This can be attributed to either the discovery of sand flies in areas where they were previously overlooked (generally following an outbreak of leishmaniasis or other sand fly-related disease) or to true expansion of their range as a result of climatic or environmental changes. Routine surveillance for phlebotomines in Europe is localized, and often one of the challenges for entomologists working in non-leishmaniasis endemic countries is the lack of knowledge on how to conduct, plan and execute sampling for phlebotomines, or how to adapt on-going sampling strategies for other haematophagous diptera. This review brings together published and unpublished expert knowledge on sampling strategies for European phlebotomines of public health concern in order to provide practical advice on: how to conduct surveys; the collection and interpretation of field data; suitable techniques for the preservation of specimens obtained by different sampling methods; molecular techniques used for species identification; and the pathogens associated with sand flies and their detection methods.

scholarly journals Phlebotomine sand flies and canine infection in areas of human visceral leishmaniasis, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 228-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Leandro da Cruz Mestre ◽  
Ana Lúcia Maria Ribeiro ◽  
Rosina Djunko Miyazaki ◽  
Jorge Senatore Vargas Rodrigues ◽  
Arleana do Bom Parto Ferreira de Almeida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Human Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Canine Infection ◽  
The City

Visceral leishmaniasis is a systemic infectious disease that can cause to a severe, potentially life-threatening chronic condition in humans. Risk factors for infection in urban areas have been associated with poor living conditions, the presence of sand fly vectors and infected pets. This study aimed to describe sand fly and canine infection in the neighborhoods of human visceral leishmaniasis occurrence in the city of Cuiabá, Mato Grosso State, central-western Brazil, reported between January 2005 and December 2006. A total of 1,909 sand flies were collected. They were predominantly males and the most frequent species were Lutzomyia cruzi (81.25%), Lutzomyia whitmani (13.88%) and Lutzomyia longipalpis (2.62%). The sand fly density was not significantly correlated with the variation of environmental factors. The prevalence of canine visceral leishmaniasis in the neighborhoods studied was 26.82% and it was found that areas with high density of vectors coincided with areas of high prevalence of dogs and those with the highest rates of human cases. The study of vectors and other potential hosts are essential for a good understanding of visceral leishmaniasis and the related public health concerns, aiming at the prevention and control of leishmaniasis in the city of Cuiabá, Mato Grosso State.

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