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

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.

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

Archives of Health Science ◽

10.31829/2641-7456/ahs2017-1(1)-101 ◽

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].

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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)

Journal of Medical Entomology ◽

10.1093/jme/tjz061 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 56 (5) ◽

pp. 1368-1376 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

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.

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

International Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH ◽

10.29121/granthaalayah.v5.i1.2017.1938 ◽

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.

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

Journal of Medical Entomology ◽

10.1093/jme/tjab130 ◽

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.

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

10.21203/rs.2.17551/v3 ◽

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.

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Comparative Analysis of Bacterial Communities in Lutzomyia ayacuchensis Populations with Different Vector Competence to Leishmania Parasites in Ecuador and Peru

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9010068 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 68

Author(s):

Ahmed Tabbabi ◽

Shinya Watanabe ◽

Daiki Mizushima ◽

Abraham G. Caceres ◽

Eduardo A Gomez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Comparative Analysis ◽

Vector Competence ◽

Illumina Miseq ◽

Sand Fly ◽

Leishmania Infection ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Sand Flies ◽

Peruvian Andes ◽

Southern Peru ◽

Insect Gut

Differences in the gut microbial content of Lutzomyia (Lu.) ayacuchensis, a primary vector of Andean-type cutaneous leishmaniasis in Ecuador and Peru, may influence the susceptibility of these sand flies to infection by Leishmania. As a first step toward addressing this hypothesis, a comparative analysis of bacterial and fungal compositions from Lu. ayacuchensis populations with differential susceptibilities to Leishmania was performed. Bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplification and Illumina MiSeq sequencing approaches were used to characterize the bacterial composition in wild-caught populations from the Andean areas of Ecuador and southern Peru at which the sand fly species transmit Leishmania (Leishmania) mexicana and Leishmania (Viannia) peruviana, respectively, and a population from the northern Peruvian Andes at which the transmission of Leishmania by Lu. ayacuchensis has not been reported. In the present study, 59 genera were identified, 21 of which were widely identified and comprised more than 95% of all bacteria. Of the 21 dominant bacterial genera identified in the sand flies collected, 10 genera had never been detected in field sand flies. The Ecuador and southern Peru populations each comprised individuals of particular genera, while overlap was clearly observed between microbes isolated from different sites, such as the number of soil organisms. Similarly, Corynebacterium and Micrococcus were slightly more dominant bacterial genera in the southern Peru population, while Ochrobactrum was the most frequently isolated from other populations. On the other hand, fungi were only found in the southern Peru population and dominated by the Papiliotrema genus. These results suggest that variation in the insect gut microbiota may be elucidated by the ecological diversity of sand flies in Peru and Ecuador, which may influence susceptibility to Leishmania infection. The present study provides key insights for understanding the role of the microbiota during the course of L. (L.) mexicana and L. (V.) peruviana infections in this important vector.

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Leishmania infection and blood sources analysis in Phlebotomus chinensis (Diptera: Psychodidae) along extension region of the Loess Plateau, China

10.21203/rs.3.rs-31530/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hanming Chen ◽

Huiying Chen ◽

Feng Tao ◽

Jingpeng Gao ◽

Kaili Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Loess Plateau ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Leishmania Donovani ◽

Control Measures ◽

Sand Fly ◽

Leishmania Infection ◽

Sand Flies ◽

The Loess Plateau ◽

Specific Antibodies ◽

Asymptomatic Patients

Abstract Background Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) was one of the most important parasitic diseases in China, caused by Leishmania protozoans and transmitted by sand flies. Recently VL cases have reappeared in China, including the extension region of the Loess Plateau. The purpose of this study was to collect fundamental data on the host-vector VL system in the Loess Plateau to assist in the development of prevention and control measures.Methods Sand flies were collected by light traps from rural areas in Shanxian, Henan, China in 2015, as well as in Wuxiang and Yangquan, Shanxi, China in 2017. The blood sources of sand flies were analyzed by PCR detecting the host-specific mitochondrial cytochrome b (mtDNA Cyt b) gene fragments. Leishmania infection in sand flies was detected by amplifying and sequencing ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1). The Leishmania specific antibodies in the sera of local dogs were detected by ELISA kit. Results Blood sources showed diversity in the extension region of the Loess Plateau, including human, chicken, dog, cattle, pig and goat. Multiple blood sources within a sand fly were observed in samples from Yangquan (17/118, 14.4%) and Wuxiang (12/108, 11.1%). Leishmania DNA was detected in sand flies collected from Yangquan with minimum infection rate of 1.00%. The ITS1 sequences were conserved with the Leishmania donovani complex. The positive rate of Leishmania specific antibodies in dogs was 5.97%. Conclusions This study detected the blood sources and Leishmania parasites infection of sand flies by molecular methods in the extension region of Loess Plateau, China. A high epidemic risk of leishmaniasis is currently indicated by the results as the infection of Leishmania in sand flies, the extensive blood sources of sand flies including humans, and positive antibody of Leishmania in local dog sera. Given the recent increase of VL cases, asymptomatic patients, dogs and other potential infected animals should be screened and treated. Furthermore, the density of sand flies needs to be controlled and personal protection should be strengthened.

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Second Blood Meal by Female Lutzomyia longipalpis: Enhancement by Oviposition and Its Effects on Digestion, Longevity, and Leishmania Infection

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2018/2472508 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

C. S. Moraes ◽

K. Aguiar-Martins ◽

S. G. Costa ◽

P. A. Bates ◽

R. J. Dillon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Meal ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Sand Fly ◽

Leishmania Infection ◽

Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽

Sand Flies ◽

Gonotrophic Cycle ◽

Trypsin Activity ◽

The Impact ◽

Blood Meals

Lutzomyia longipalpis is the main vector of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in America. Physiological and molecular mechanisms of Leishmania infection in sand flies have been studied during the first gonotrophic cycle. There are few studies about these interactions during the second gonotrophic cycle mainly because of the difficulties maintaining sand flies through sequential feeds. Here we standardized conditions to perform the second blood feed efficiently, and our results show that oviposition is an essential factor for the success of multiple feeds. We evaluated the impact of the second blood meal on longevity, protein digestion, trypsin activity, and Leishmania mexicana development within L. longipalpis gut. Mortality of blood-fed females increases after second blood meal as compared to sugar-fed females. Trypsin activity was lower during the second gonotrophic cycle. However, no difference in protein intake was observed between blood meals. There was no difference in the population size of Leishmania in the gut after both blood meals. In this work, we presented an optimized protocol for obtaining sufficient numbers of sand fly females fed on a second blood meal, and we described some physiological and parasitological aspects of the second gonotrophic cycle which might influence the vectorial competence of sand flies.

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

10.21203/rs.2.17551/v4 ◽

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

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RNA-sequencing of the Nyssomyia neivai sialome: a sand fly-vector from a Brazilian endemic area for tegumentary leishmaniasis and pemphigus foliaceus

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-74343-y ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sebastian Vernal ◽

Fabiano Oliveira ◽

Wanderson H. C. Oliveira ◽

Thais M. Goulart ◽

James Oristian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New World ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Sand Fly ◽

Southeastern Brazil ◽

Salivary Proteins ◽

Pemphigus Foliaceus ◽

Sand Flies ◽

Endemic Region ◽

Vector Vaccine ◽

Tegumentary Leishmaniasis

Abstract Leishmaniasis encompasses a spectrum of diseases caused by a protozoan belonging to the genus Leishmania. The parasite is transmitted by the bite of sand flies, which inoculate the promastigote forms into the host’s skin while acquiring a blood meal. Nyssomyia neivai is one of the main vectors of tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) in Brazil. Southeastern Brazil is an endemic region for TL but also overlaps with an endemic focus for pemphigus foliaceus (PF), also known as Fogo Selvagem. Salivary proteins of sand flies, specifically maxadilan and LJM11, have been related to pemphigus etiopathogenesis in the New World, being proposed as an environmental trigger for autoimmunity. We present a comprehensive description of the salivary transcriptome of the N. neivai, using deep sequencing achieved by the Illumina protocol. In addition, we highlight the abundances of several N. neivai salivary proteins and use phylogenetic analysis to compare with Old- and New-World sand fly salivary proteins. The collection of protein sequences associated with the salivary glands of N. neivai can be useful for monitoring vector control strategies as biomarkers of N. neivai, as well as driving vector-vaccine design for leishmaniasis. Additionally, this catalog will serve as reference to screen for possible antigenic peptide candidates triggering anti-Desmoglein-1 autoantibodies.

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