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 The known geographical distribution of sand flies in the State of Acre, Brasil (Diptera: Psychodidae)

1982 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 401-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge R. Arias ◽  
◽  
Rui A. de Freitas
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
The State ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Total Species ◽  
State Records

Abstract We report sand fly collections in the proximity of two major cities in the state of Acre, Brazil, and cite 19 species as new state records. These, along with other previously recorded phlebotomines from Acre, bring the total species count to 50.

scholarly journals Mobile-Assisted Pronunciation Training: The Google Play Pronunciation and Phonetics Application

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 70-88
Author(s):  
Fitria Meisarah
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Video Camera ◽  
App Store ◽  
Suprasegmental Features ◽  
English Pronunciation ◽  
Android App ◽  
The University ◽  
Google Play

Background:  Several obstacles to pronunciation have been proposed and urged students to practice pronunciation deliberately. Regardless of these problematic, mobile applications can be a great assistant in pronunciation training. However, considering that Google Play is the most prominent android app store with 227,970 instructional devices, it is challenging to find and select pronunciation and phonetics applications. Students should be conscious of their needs by recognizing the proper mobile application for pronunciation learning. This study explores the pronunciation applications utilized by students for pronunciation learning in and out of the classroom. Methodology: This study administered the data with paper reports and interviews accompanying students. This study involved 41 students who were taking a pronunciation and phonetics course at the University of Kutai Kartanegara Tenggarong. Findings: Nine such applications, as reviewed in this study, are divided into two categories: English pronunciation special purpose (EPSP) application and English dictionary assisted pronunciation (EDAP) application. Noteworthy findings were not all of the applications fulfill the content and design approaches such the suprasegmental features, audio playback, and video camera recorder. Conclusion: This study endeavors to have a critical look at four applications recommended after concerning the term of Mobile Assisted Pronunciation Training (MAPT). They are AV Phonetic, English Phonetic Pronunciation, Listening Practice, English Pronunciation developed by Kepham, and U-Dictionary to assist pronunciation learning in and out of the classroom. Keywords: Pronunciation and phonetics; mobile application; MAPT

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 and Geographical Distribution of Sand Flies Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Phlebotominae) by using Geometric Morphometric Technique from two Iraqi Provinces

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 0754
Author(s):  
Sahar Abd Abd ◽  
Riyadh Okail ◽  
Soolaf A. Kathiar ◽  
Nawras Mzahem
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Morphological Features ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Phlebotomus Papatasi ◽  
Centroid Size ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Geometric Morphometry ◽  
Size And Shape

            The variation in wing morphological features was investigated using geometric morphometric technique of the Sand Fly from two Iraqi provinces Babylon and Diyala . We distributed eleven landmarks on the wings of Sand Fly species. By using the centroid size and shape together, all species were clearly distinguished.  It is clear from these results that the wing analysis is an essential method for future geometric morphometry studies to distinguish the species of Sand Flies in Iraq.

scholarly journals The known geographical distribution of sand flies in the state of Rondonia, Brazil (Diptera: Psychodidae)

1982 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ceclie B. Biancardi ◽  
◽  
Jorge R. Arias ◽  
Rui A. de Freitas ◽  
Eloy G. Castellon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
The State ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies

Abstract This study expands the knowledge of phlebotomine sand fly distribution in the state of Rondonia, Brazil. New state and country records are registered, bringing the total of known sand fly species in Rondonia to 78.

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.

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