Bionomic aspects of Lutzomyia evansi and Lutzomyia longipalpis, proven vectors of Leishmania infantum in an endemic area of non-ulcerative cutaneous leishmaniasis in Honduras

Abstract Background The two most abundant sand flies species in Honduran Pacific coast are Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) longipalpis and Pintomyia (Pintomyia) evansi. Both species are proved vectors of the agent of for visceral leishmaniasis in South America. Although, visceral and cutaneous non-ulcerated leishmaniasis are endemic of the Central American Pacific, being the Non-ulcerative cutaneous leishmaniasis the most frequent manifestation. In this study, we evaluate the circulation of Leishmania spp in sand flies species in the El Tigre Island, an endemic area of Visceral and Non -ulcerative cutaneous leishmaniasis in Honduras. Results Six sand flies species were identified, being Lu. longipalpis (81%) and Pi. evansi (16%) the more abundant species. Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum DNA was found in 9 of the 96 specimens analyzed, 7 of these specimens was identify as Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) longipalpis and 2 as Pintomyia (Pifanomyia) evansi, with an infection rate of 9.4% and 2.7% respectively. Conclusion Our results present the first record of Leishmania (L.) infantum DNA in Pintomyia (Pintomyia) evansi in a Non-ulcerative cutaneous leishmaniasis endemic region from Central America. Considering the natural infection of Lu. longipalpis our results suggest that Pintomyia (Pifanomyia) evansi might be a secondary vector of Leishmania (L.) infantum and probably involved in the disease’s transmission cycle. Undoubtedly, the detection of natural infections of in this region contributes to the understanding of the L. (L.) infantum infection epidemiology in Honduras

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Sandflies in an endemic area for Visceral Leishmaniasis in Northeastern Brazil

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-29612019073 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 28 (4) ◽

pp. 569-573 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Jonatas Abinadabe Oliveira Silva ◽

Fernando José da Silva ◽

Lucia Oliveira de Macedo ◽

Cléber Vinícius Brito dos Santos ◽

Leucio Câmara Alves ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽

Leishmania Infantum ◽

Endemic Area ◽

Control Measures ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Light Traps ◽

Animal Populations

Abstract Phlebotomines of the genus Lutzomyia are important vector for species of Leishmania, the etiological agent of leishmaniasis. The aim of this study was to assess the diversity of sandflies in an endemic area for Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL). Sampling was performed in four localities on the coast of the municipality of Goiana, state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. Specimens were collected monthly on three consecutive nights, from November 2017 to October 2018. CDC light traps were installed at a height of 1.5 m above the ground, in two ecotypes (i.e. tree and animal facility), both in peridomestic areas. A total of 5,205 sandflies were collected, among which the species Lutzomyia longipalpis (99.85%; 5,197/5,205) was the most common, followed by Lutzomyia evandroi (0.13%; 07/5,205) and Lutzomyia whitmani (0.02%; 01/5,205). Specimens of L. longipalpis were collected throughout the study period and most of them were found near to the animal facilities. The findings from this research indicate that vectors for Leishmania infantum are present in the study area throughout the year, along with occurrences of vectors relating to Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL). Preventive vector control measures need to be implemented in Goiana to reduce the risk of infection for the human and animal populations.

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

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-29612014068 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 320-327 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

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.

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IDENTIFICATION OF SANDFLIES (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) BLOOD MEALS IN AN ENDEMIC LEISHMANIASIS AREA IN BRAZIL

Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo ◽

10.1590/s0036-46652015000400008 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 57 (4) ◽

pp. 321-324 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Aline TANURE ◽

Jennifer Cunha PEIXOTO ◽

Margarete Martins dos Santos AFONSO ◽

Rosemere DUARTE ◽

Aimara da Costa PINHEIRO ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽

Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Endemic Area ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽

Mixed Feeding ◽

Light Traps ◽

Residential Areas ◽

Blood Meals ◽

Chicken Blood

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to identify blood meals of female sandflies captured in the municipality of Governador Valadares, an endemic area of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis, in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. From May 2011 to January 2012, captures were performed using HP light traps in four districts. There were 2,614 specimens (2,090 males and 524 females) captured; 97 engorged females were identified belonging to the species Lutzomyia longipalpis (82.1%) and Lutzomyia cortelezzii (17.9%). Considering simple and mixed feeding, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed a predominance of chicken blood (43.6%) in Lutzomyia longipalpis, showing the important role that chickens exert around the residential areas of Governador Valadares. This finding increases the chances of sandflies contact with other vertebrates and consequently the risk of leishmaniasis transmission.

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Report of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in a cutaneous-leishmaniasis-endemic area of Panama

Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz ◽

10.1590/s0074-02762011000800025 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 106 (8) ◽

pp. 1049-1051 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Anayansi Valderrama ◽

Mara Garcia Tavares ◽

José Dilermando Andrade Filho

Keyword(s):

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽

Endemic Area ◽

Lutzomyia Longipalpis

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First Report of Equine Leishmaniosis in the State of Sergipe, Brazil

Acta Scientiae Veterinariae ◽

10.22456/1679-9216.104751 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 48 ◽

Author(s):

Saulo Romero Felix Gonçalves ◽

Mateus De Melo Lima Waterloo ◽

Mariana Lumack de Monte Barretto ◽

João Paulo Gonçalves Moura ◽

Andrea Alice da Fonseca Oliveira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽

Leishmania Infantum ◽

Histopathological Examination ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

The State ◽

Sand Fly ◽

Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽

First Report ◽

Granulomatous Dermatitis

Background: Leishmaniasis is caused by an obligate intracellular protozoan of the genus Leishmania. In Brazil, the species Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum is reported as an etiological agent of leishmaniasis. Transmission of the disease occurs through bite of the sand fly mosquitoes Lutzomyia longipalpis and Lutzomyia cruzi, present in several regions of Brazil, including the state of Sergipe, where they are considered endemic. Although few cases have been reported in other states of Brazil, no case of cutaneous leishmaniasis in horses has been reported in Sergipe. The objective of this study was to report a case of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a horse in the municipality of Itaporanga d'Ajuda, Sergipe, Brazil.Case: A 2-year-old female quarter-horse was examined by a private veterinarian due to the presence of a nodular lesion on the mucocutaneous region of the lips. Macroscopically, the nodule was alopecic with depigmented areas, measuring approximately 1.0 cm in diameter, and there was a focal ulcer in the region of the labial commissure. Excisional biopsy was performed as follows; the material obtained was fixed in 10% buffered formalin and sent for histopathological examination. Further, it was subjected to routine histological processing by embedment in paraffin and hematoxylin-eosin staining. Microscopically, there were intense multifocal to coalescent lymphohistioplasmocytic infiltrates with epithelioid macrophages and multinucleated giant cells, both containing amastigote forms comparable with Leishmania spp. Morphological diagnosis was defined as extensive multifocal to coalescent chronic granulomatous dermatitis with intracytoplasmic amastigote forms. Furthermore, for positive controls, immunohistochemical examination was performed using serum from dogs naturally infected with L. (L.) infantum, which resulted in a strongly positive immunostaining of innumerable intracytoplasmic amastigote structures, confirming infection by Leishmania infantum.Discussion: Leishmaniasis is a public health problem and is frequently studied. In the biological cycle of the parasite, canids are considered as reservoirs, and humans are considered as accidental hosts. However, in endemic rural areas, several species of mammals can be infected. Microscopic lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis are compatible with granulomatous dermatitis, characterized by lymphohistioplasmocytic inflammatory infiltrates with epithelioid macrophages containing amastigote forms. Age, breed, and sex are not considered predisposing factors for this disease and their transmission depends on the existence of the vector in the environment. The diagnosis is based on serological, molecular, and immunohistochemical techniques; in the present study, immunohistochemistry was performed for diagnostic confirmation using serum from dogs naturally infected with L. (L.) infantum. It was found that this antibody can be successfully applied in the immunohistochemical diagnosis of leishmaniasis in tissues of horses. Histopathological examination including immunohistochemical analysis was essential to confirm the diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Leishmania infantum infection in a horse in the state of Sergipe, Brazil. It is essential to carry out epidemiological studies to define control measures to be implemented in the state since it is important for public health.

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Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in the region of Saquarema: potential area of visceral leishmaniasis transmission in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical ◽

10.1590/s0037-86822012000100023 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 45 (1) ◽

pp. 120-121 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Reginaldo Peçanha Brazil ◽

Michelle Cristina de Queiroz Pontes ◽

Wagner Lança Passos ◽

Andressa Alencaste Fuzari ◽

Beatriz Gomes Brazil

Keyword(s):

Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽

Rural Area ◽

Potential Risk ◽

Coastal Area ◽

Leishmania Infantum ◽

Rio De Janeiro ◽

The State ◽

Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽

Potential Area

INTRODUCTION: Lutzomyia longipalpis is the main vector of Leishmania infantum chagasi in the Americas. METHODS: Phlebotomine captures were conducted during 2008 and 2009 in a rural area endemic for cutaneous leishmaniasis located in the municipality of Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro. RESULTS: Among other species captured, we observed the presence of Lutzomyia longipalpis. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of the occurrence of Lutzomyia longipalpis in this region, demonstrating the potential risk of visceral leishmaniasis transmission in the coastal area of the State of Rio de Janeiro. Therefore, active vigilance by all municipalities in the area is necessary.

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Leishmanicidal Activity of Plant Extracts from Sefrou, a Moroccan Focus of Leishmaniasis, against Various Leishmania Parasites in the Promastigote Stage

Phytothérapie ◽

10.3166/phyto-2018-0085 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 83-89 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

I. Zeouk ◽

A. Et-Touys ◽

M. Balouiri ◽

H. Fellah ◽

A. El Ouali Lalami ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽

Plant Extracts ◽

Leishmania Infantum ◽

Leishmania Major ◽

Local Population ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

World Health ◽

Total Phenolic ◽

Leishmania Tropica ◽

Cistus Salviifolius

According to the World Health Organization, leishmaniasis remains a major worldwide public health problem. The province of Sefrou located in the center of Morocco is a focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The present study aims at evaluating the antileishmanial potential of Berberis sp.,Crataegus oxyacantha, Cistus salviifolius, Ephedra altissima and Lavandula dentatafrequently used by the local population. Methanolic extracts were tested against the promastigote form ofLeishmania tropica, Leishmania majorandLeishmania infantumusing tetrazolium-based colorimetric (MTT) assay. The total phenol and flavonoids content of all extracts were determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent, aluminum chloride, and potassium acetate solutions respectively. The plant extracts exhibited antileishmanial activity with variability depending on the tested strain and the plant species compared to Glucantime® used as control (IC50 (the half maximal inhibitory concentration) > 1,000 μg/mL). The best inhibition was observed with Berberis sp., againstLeishmania major(IC50 = 394.40 ± 3.02 μg/ml), andEphedra altissima(reported for the first time) againstLeishmania infantum(IC50 = 490.84 ± 3.15 μg/mL).Leishmania tropicahas shown the same sensitivity behavior toward the five extracts (in average IC50 = 540 ± 11.20 μg/mL). The total phenolic content was higher forCrataegus oxyacanthaandCistus salviifolius(140.67 ± 3.17 μg eq Gallic Acid (GA)/ mg of Extract (E) and 133.83 ± 9.03 μg eq GA/mg of E respectively), while flavonoid was higher forCistus salviifoliusandLavandula dentata(57.92 ± 2.46 μg eq Quercetin (Que)/ mg of Extract (E) and 41.53 ± 1.74 μg eq Que/mg of E). All the tested extracts present some promising aspects that may cure cutaneous leishmaniasis in the center of Morocco; further bioguided assays are needed to isolate the fractions and the bioactive molecule.

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Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Algeria; Highlight on the Focus of M’Sila

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9050962 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 962

Author(s):

Razika Beniklef ◽

Karim Aoun ◽

Karim Boudrissa ◽

Meriem Ben Abid ◽

Kamel Cherif ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽

Leishmania Infantum ◽

Psammomys Obesus ◽

Phlebotomus Papatasi ◽

Wild Rodents ◽

High Incidence ◽

Medical Importance ◽

Underlying Risk

Algeria ranks second after Afghanistan for the incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) worldwide. Here, we report a 34-years retrospective analysis of CL in Algeria and focused on the most affected region, the M’Sila province. All 66 cutaneous isolates corresponded to Leishmania (L.) major. Our study of the sandfly and rodent fauna further highlighted the high density of Phlebotomus papatasi and additional phlebotomine species of medical importance, not previously identified in M’Sila. Wild rodents belonging to nine species were trapped in M’Sila, and Psammomys obesus and Meriones shawi were found infected by L. major. In addition, Leishmania infantum was isolated from two visceral leishmaniasis cases, one dog and its proven vectors (P. perniciosus, P. longicuspis, and P. perfiliewi) inventoried during the survey. The high incidence of CL in the M’Sila province is likely a consequence of the increase in minimum temperatures recorded that constitutes suitable conditions for establishing a high endemicity and leads to an explosive rise in leishmaniases cases in this region. A thorough investigation of the underlying risk factors is urgently needed to detect new cases earlier. All these would improve the preparedness to fight the disease.

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