scholarly journals Genomics and transcriptomics to unravel sex determination pathway and its evolution in sand flies

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Petrella ◽  
Serena Aceto ◽  
Vincenza Colonna ◽  
Giuseppe Saccone ◽  
Remo Sanges ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Developmental Pathway ◽  
Phlebotomine Sand Flies ◽  
Developmental Gene Expression ◽  
Molecular Bases ◽  
First Time

AbstractBackgroundPhlebotomine sand flies (Diptera, Nematocera) are important vectors of several pathogens, including Leishmania parasites, causing serious diseases of humans and dogs. Despite their importance as disease vectors, most aspects of sand fly biology remain unknown including the molecular bases of their reproduction and sex determination, aspects also relevant for the development of novel vector control strategies.ResultsUsing a comparative genomics/transcriptomics approach, we identified the sex determining genes in phlebotomine sand flies and proposed the first model for the sex determination cascade of these insects. For all the genes identified, we produced manually curated gene models, developmental gene expression profile and performed evolutionary molecular analysis. We identified and characterized, for the first time in a Nematocera species, the transformer (tra) homolog which exhibits both conserved and novel features. The analysis of the tra locus in sand flies and its expression pattern suggest that this gene is able to autoregulate its own splicing, as observed in the fruit fly Ceratitis capitata and several other insect species.ConclusionsOur results permit to fill the gap about sex determination in sand flies, contribute to a better understanding of this developmental pathway in Nematocera and open the way for the identification of sex determining orthologs in other species of this important Diptera sub-order. Furthermore, the sex determination genes identified in our work also provide the opportunity of future biotech applications to control natural population of sand flies, reducing their impact on public health.

scholarly journals MOLECULAR DETECTION OF Leishmania IN PHLEBOTOMINE SAND FLIES IN A CUTANEOUS AND VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS ENDEMIC AREA IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 357-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Cristina Fitipaldi Veloso Guimarães ◽  
Pietra Lemos Costa ◽  
Fernando José da Silva ◽  
Fábio Lopes de Melo ◽  
Filipe Dantas-Torres ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Detection ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Phlebotomine Sand Flies ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Specific Pcr ◽  
Pcr Targeting ◽  
First Time ◽  
Genus Leishmania

Several phlebotomine sand fly species have been regarded as putative or proven vectors of parasites of the genus Leishmania in Brazil, but data for the northeastern region remains incipient. In this study, a total of 600 phlebotomine sand flies were grouped in pools of 10 specimens each and tested by a Leishmania genus-specific PCR and by a PCR targeting Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum. Fourteen out of 60 pools were positive by the genus-specific PCR, being five pools of L. migonei, seven of L. complexa, one of L. sordellii and one of L. naftalekatzi, which correspond to a minimal infection rate of 2.3% (14/600). Our results, associated with their known anthropophily and their abundance, suggest the participation of L. migonei and L. complexa as vectors of Leishmania in northeastern Brazil. Remarkably, this is the first time in this country that the detection of Leishmania DNA in L. sordellii and L. naftalekatzi has been reported, but future studies are necessary to better understand the significance of these findings.

scholarly journals REGISTROS NUEVOS DE ESPECIES DE Lutzomyia (DIPTERA: PSYCHODIDAE) EN EL DEPARTAMENTO DE CESAR, COLOMBIA

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Gregorio ESTRADA ◽  
Odethe Alejandra APONTE ◽  
Eduar Elias BEJARANO
Keyword(s):  
New Records ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
Blue Color ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Caribbean Coast ◽  
Phlebotomine Sand Flies ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
First Time ◽  
The City

<p>El estudio de los insectos asociados a la epidemiología de la leishmaniasis, en la Costa Caribe colombiana, se ha concentrado en los departamentos de Sucre y Córdoba, por consiguiente existe un escaso conocimiento de la fauna de flebotomíneos del resto de la región. En la presente nota se presentan cuatro nuevos registros de <em>Lutzomyia</em> spp., para el departamento de Cesar. Los insectos fueron colectados con dos trampas de luz tipo CDC, equipadas con LED de color azul, en el Balneario Hurtado de la ciudad de Valledupar, Cesar. Se recolectaron en total 50 flebotomíneos, los cuales estuvieron representados por las especies <em>Lutzomyia cayennensis</em> <em>cayennensis</em> (38 %), <em>L. evansi</em> (28 %), <em>L. trinidadensis</em> (14 %), <em>L. venezuelensis</em> (10 %), <em>L. micropyga</em> (6 %) y <em>L. rangeliana</em> (2 %). Como primeros registros para el departamento sobresalen <em>L. evansi</em>, <em>L. venezuelensis</em>, <em>L. micropyga</em> y <em>L. </em><em>rangeliana</em>, con lo que se eleva a ocho el número de especies reportadas hasta la fecha en el Cesar. Entre los nuevos registros se destaca el hallazgo de <em>L. evansi</em>, reconocido vector de <em>Leishmania</em> spp. en la Costa Caribe de Colombia. </p><p><strong>New Records of Species of <em>Lutzomyia</em> (Diptera: Psychodidae) From the Department of Cesar, Colombia</strong></p><p>Studies of the insects associated with the epidemiological cycle of leishmaniasis on the Caribbean coast of Colombia have been focused on the departments of Sucre and Córdoba. The phlebotomine sand fly fauna of the rest of the Caribbean region remains little known. In the present study four species of the genus <em>Lutzomyia</em> are reported from the department of Cesar for the first time. Sand flies were sampled using two CDC light traps with blue color LEDs at Balneario Hurtado, a tourist area in the city of Valledupar. A total of 50 phlebotomine sand flies were collected, of which the species <em>Lutzomyia cayennensis cayennensis</em> (38 % of the sample) and <em>L. trinidadensis</em> (14 %) were already known from the departament. Specimens of <em>L. evansi</em> (28 %), <em>L. venezuelensis</em> (10 %), <em>L. micropyga</em> (6 %) and <em>L. rangeliana</em> (2 %) represent the first records of these species for Cesar, raising the number of known occurrences from the department to eight species. Noteworthy among the new records is the sandfly <em>L. evansi</em>, recognized vector de <em>Leishmania</em> spp. in the Colombian Caribbean coast.</p><p><strong> </strong></p>

scholarly journals Phlebotomus (Adlerius) simici NITZULESCU, 1931: first record in Austria and phylogenetic relationship with other Adlerius species

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwin Kniha ◽  
Vít Dvořák ◽  
Markus Milchram ◽  
Adelheid G. Obwaller ◽  
Martina Köhsler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Europe ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
First Record ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Marker Genes ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
High Sequence Identity ◽  
Phlebotomine Sand Flies ◽  
Veterinary Importance ◽  
First Time

Abstract Background Phlebotomine sand flies are the principal vectors of Leishmania spp. (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae). Information on sand flies in Central Europe is scarce and, to date, in Austria, only Phlebotomus mascittii has been recorded. In 2018 and 2019, entomological surveys were conducted in Austria with the aim to further clarify sand fly distribution and species composition. Results In 2019, a Ph. simici specimen was trapped in Austria for the first time. Analyses of two commonly used marker genes, cytochrome c oxidase I (coxI) and cytochrome b (cytb), revealed high sequence identity with Ph. simici specimens from North Macedonia and Greece. Phylogenetic analyses showed high intraspecific distances within Ph. simici, thereby dividing this species into three lineages: one each from Europe, Turkey and Israel. Low interspecific distances between Ph. simici, Ph. brevis and an as yet unidentified Adlerius sp. from Turkey and Armenia highlight how challenging molecular identification within the Adlerius complex can be, even when standard marker genes are applied. Conclusion To our knowledge, this study reports the first finding of Ph. simici in Austria, representing the northernmost recording of this species to date. Moreover, it reveals valuable insights into the phylogenetic relationships among species within the subgenus Adlerius. Phlebotomus simici is a suspected vector of L. infantum and therefore of medical and veterinary importance. Potential sand fly expansion in Central Europe due to climatic change and the increasing import of Leishmania-infected dogs from endemic areas support the need for further studies on sand fly distribution in Austria and Central Europe in general. Graphic abstract

scholarly journals Phlebotomine Sand Fly Fauna andLeishmaniaInfection in the Vicinity of the Serra do Cipó National Park, a Natural Brazilian Heritage Site

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosana Silva Lana ◽  
Érika Monteiro Michalsky ◽  
Consuelo Latorre Fortes-Dias ◽  
João Carlos França-Silva ◽  
Fabiana de Oliveira Lara-Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Local Data ◽  
Phlebotomine Sand Flies ◽  
Serra Do Cipó ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
One Year ◽  
The One ◽  
Favorable Conditions

In the New World, the leishmaniases are primarily transmitted to humans through the bites ofLeishmania-infectedLutzomyia(Diptera: Psychodidae) phlebotomine sand flies. Any or both of two basic clinical forms of these diseases are endemic to several cities in Brazil—the American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) and the American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL). The present study was conducted in the urban area of a small-sized Brazilian municipality (Jaboticatubas), in which three cases of AVL and nine of ACL have been reported in the last five years. Jaboticatubas is an important tourism hub, as it includes a major part of the Serra do Cipó National Park. Currently, no local data is available on the entomological fauna or circulatingLeishmania. During the one-year period of this study, we captured 3,104 phlebotomine sand flies belonging to sixteenLutzomyiaspecies. In addition to identifying incriminated or suspected vectors of ACL with DNA of the etiological agent of AVL and vice versa, we also detectedLeishmaniaDNA in unexpectedLutzomyiaspecies. The expressive presence of vectors and naturalLeishmaniainfection indicates favorable conditions for the spreading of leishmaniases in the vicinity of the Serra do Cipó National Park.

scholarly journals Do Different LED Colours Influence Sand Fly Collection by Light Trap in the Mediterranean?

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriella Gaglio ◽  
Ettore Napoli ◽  
Francesca Arfuso ◽  
Jessica Maria Abbate ◽  
Salvatore Giannetto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Light Trap ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Light Traps ◽  
Trap Design ◽  
Phlebotomine Sand Flies ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Uv Led ◽  
The Mediterranean

Light traps represent the most used attractive system to collect and monitor phlebotomine sand flies. Recent studies have suggested that light traps can be easily upgraded by the use of light-emitting diode (LED) with positive effects on trap design, weight, and battery life. However, scant data on the effect of different LED colours on the attractiveness to phlebotomine sand fly species are available in literature. In this study, the capture performances of light traps equipped with different LED colours on phlebotomine sand fly species indigenous in the Mediterranean area were evaluated. Phlebotomine sand fly collections were performed using a classical light trap (CLT), equipped with a traditional incandescent lamp, and five Laika 4.0 light traps supplied, each with LED of different colours and wavelengths: (i) white; (ii) red; (iii) green; (iv) blue; (v) UV. Light traps were set for three consecutive nights fortnightly from May to October 2017 and climate data recorded using a meteorological station. A total of 411 phlebotomine sand flies (191 males and 220 females), belonging to three different species, namely, Phlebotomus perniciosus (n= 298, 141 males and 157 females), Sergentomyia minuta (n=110, 48 males and 62 females), and Phlebotomus neglectus (n=3, 2 males and 1 females) were collected. Abundance of capture was influenced by colours of LED and time. The highest number of phlebotomine sand flies was captured on June (P<0.01) and by UV LED (P<0.01). As regard to species, P. perniciosus was mainly captured by UV LED on June (P<0.01). No effect of time (P>0.05) or LED colour (P>0.05) was recorded for S. minuta and P. neglectus. According to the results of the present study light trap equipped with UV LED can represent an effective tool for the capture of sand fly species in the Mediterranean area.

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 Impact of Phlebotomine Sand Flies on United States Military Operations at Tallil Air Base, Iraq: 5. Impact of Weather on Sand Fly Activity

2011 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 538-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle G. Colacicco-Mayhugh ◽  
John P. Grieco ◽  
John L. Putnam ◽  
Douglas A. Burkett ◽  
Russell E. Coleman
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
United States Military ◽  
Military Operations ◽  
Phlebotomine Sand Flies

scholarly journals Evaluation of molecular assays to detect Leishmania donovani in Phlebotomus argentipes fed on post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Anik Ashfaq Khan ◽  
Khaledul Faisal ◽  
Rajashree Chowdhury ◽  
Rupen Nath ◽  
Prakash Ghosh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leishmania Donovani ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Reference Method ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Accurate Estimation ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Real Time Quantitative Pcr ◽  
Kala Azar

Abstract Background Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) caused by Leishmania donovani (LD) is a skin disorder that often appears after treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients. PKDL patients are potential reservoirs of LD parasites, which can initiate a new epidemic of anthroponotic VL. Therefore, host infectiousness to its sand fly vector is a critical factor for transmission, and its accurate estimation can facilitate control strategies. At present, conventional microscopy serves as the reference method to detect parasites in its vector. However, low sensitivity of microscopy can be a limiting factor. Methods In this study, real-time quantitative PCR (LD-qPCR) and recombinase polymerase amplification (LD-RPA) assays were evaluated against microscopy for the detection of LD DNA extracted from live sand flies five days after controlled feeding on PKDL cases. Results The sensitivity of LD-qPCR and LD-RPA assays were found to be 96.43 and 100%, respectively, against microscopy for the selected fed sand flies (n = 28), and an absolute specificity of both molecular tools for apparently unfed sand flies (n = 30). While the proportion of infectious cases among 47 PKDL patients was estimated as 46.81% as defined by microscopic detection of LD in at least one fed sand fly per case, LD-RPA assay evaluation of only the microscopy negative sand flies fed to those 47 PKDL cases estimated an even greater proportion of infectious cases (51.06%). In overall estimation of the infectious cases in retrospective manner, discordance in positivity rate was observed (p < 0.05) between LD-RPA (59.57%) assay and microscopy (46.81%), while LD-RPA had slightly better positivity rate than LD-qPCR (55.32%) as well. Conclusions Considering the sensitivity, cost, detection time, and field applicability, RPA assay can be considered as a promising single molecular detection tool for investigations pertaining to LD infections in sand flies and/or host infectiousness in PKDL, while it can also be useful in confirmation of microscopy negative sand fly samples. Graphical abstract

scholarly journals Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) of the Maghreb region: A systematic review of distribution, morphology, and role in the transmission of the pathogens

2022 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0009952
Author(s):  
Kamal Eddine Benallal ◽  
Rafik Garni ◽  
Zoubir Harrat ◽  
Petr Volf ◽  
Vít Dvorak
Keyword(s):  
Google Earth ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Bartonella Bacilliformis ◽  
Phlebotomine Sand Flies ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Animal Pathogens ◽  
Species Specific

Background Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) are important vectors of various human and animal pathogens such as Bartonella bacilliformis, Phlebovirus, and parasitic protozoa of the genus Leishmania, causative agent of leishmaniases that account among most significant vector-borne diseases. The Maghreb countries Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya occupy a vast area of North Africa and belong to most affected regions by these diseases. Locally varying climatic and ecological conditions support diverse sand fly fauna that includes many proven or suspected vectors. The aim of this review is to summarize often fragmented information and to provide an updated list of sand fly species of the Maghreb region with illustration of species-specific morphological features and maps of their reported distribution. Materials and methods The literature search focused on scholar databases to review information on the sand fly species distribution and their role in the disease transmissions in Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, surveying sources from the period between 1900 and 2020. Reported distribution of each species was collated using Google Earth, and distribution maps were drawn using ArcGIS software. Morphological illustrations were compiled from various published sources. Results and conclusions In total, 32 species of the genera Phlebotomus (Ph.) and Sergentomyia (Se.) were reported in the Maghreb region (15 from Libya, 18 from Tunisia, 23 from Morocco, 24 from Algeria, and 9 from Mauritania). Phlebotomus mariae and Se. africana subsp. asiatica were recorded only in Morocco, Ph. mascitti, Se. hirtus, and Se. tiberiadis only in Algeria, whereas Ph. duboscqi, Se. dubia, Se. africana africana, Se. lesleyae, Se. magna, and Se. freetownensis were reported only from Mauritania. Our review has updated and summarized the geographic distribution of 26 species reported so far in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, excluding Mauritania from a detailed analysis due to the unavailability of accurate distribution data. In addition, morphological differences important for species identification are summarized with particular attention to closely related species such as Ph. papatasi and Ph. bergeroti, Ph. chabaudi, and Ph. riouxi, and Se. christophersi and Se. clydei.

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