scholarly journals Phlebotomine Sand Fly Survey in the Republic of Moldova: Species Composition, Distribution and Host Preferences

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana Sulesco ◽  
Ozge Erisoz Kasap ◽  
Petr Halada ◽  
Gizem Oguz ◽  
Dimian Rusnac ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Protein Profiling ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Republic Of Moldova ◽  
Maldi Tof ◽  
Peptide Mass ◽  
The Republic

Abstract Background: Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodiae) in the Republic of Moldova have been understudied for decades. Our study provides a first update on their occurrence, species composition and bloodmeal sources after fifty years.Methods: During 5 seasons (2013-2017), 58 localities from 20 regions were surveyed for presence of sand flies using CDC light traps and manual aspirators. Species identification was done by a combination of morphological and molecular approaches (DNA barcoding, MALDI-TOF MS protein profiling). In engorged females, host blood was identified by three molecular techniques (RFLP, cytb sequencing and MALDI-TOF peptide mass mapping). Population structure of most abundant species was studied by cox1 haplotyping, phylogenetic analyses of ITS2 and cox1 genetic markers were used to resolve relationships of other detected species.Results: In total, 780 sand flies were collected at 30 (51.7%) localities from 12 regions of Moldova. Three species were identified by an integrative morphological and molecular approach: Phlebotomus papatasi, P. perfiliewi and Adlerius sp., the first being the most abundant and widespread, markedly anthropophilic based of bloodmeal analyses and occurring also indoor, showing low structuring of population with only 5 haplotypes of cox1 detected. Distinct morphological and molecular characters of Adlerius sp. specimens suggest presence of yet undescribed species.Conclusions: Our study revealed a presence of stable sand fly population of three species in Moldova that pose a nuisance by biting as well as potential thread of pathogen transmission and shall be further studied.

scholarly journals Phlebotomine sand fly survey in the Republic of Moldova: species composition, distribution and host preferences

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana Șuleșco ◽  
Ozge Erisoz Kasap ◽  
Petr Halada ◽  
Gizem Oğuz ◽  
Dimian Rusnac ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Protein Profiling ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Republic Of Moldova ◽  
Maldi Tof ◽  
The Republic

Abstract Background Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodiae) in the Republic of Moldova have been understudied for decades. Our study provides a first update on their occurrence, species composition and bloodmeal sources after 50 years. Methods During 5 seasons (2013–2017), 58 localities from 20 regions were surveyed for presence of sand flies using CDC light traps and manual aspirators. Species identification was done by a combination of morphological and molecular approaches (DNA barcoding, MALDI-TOF MS protein profiling). In engorged females, host blood was identified by three molecular techniques (RFLP, cytb sequencing and MALDI-TOF peptide mass mapping). Population structure of most abundant species was studied by cox1 haplotyping; phylogenetic analyses of ITS2 and cox1 genetic markers were used to resolve relationships of other detected species. Results In total, 793 sand flies were collected at 30 (51.7%) localities from 12 regions of Moldova. Three species were identified by an integrative morphological and molecular approach: Phlebotomus papatasi, P. perfiliewi and Phlebotomus sp. (Adlerius), the first being the most abundant and widespread, markedly anthropophilic based on bloodmeal analyses, occurring also indoors and showing low population structure with only five haplotypes of cox1 detected. Distinct morphological and molecular characters of Phlebotomus sp. (Adlerius) specimens suggest the presence of a yet undescribed species. Conclusions Our study revealed the presence of stable sand fly populations of three species in Moldova that represent a biting nuisance as well as a potential threat of pathogen transmission and shall be further studied. Graphical abstract

scholarly journals Ecology, seasonality and host preferences of Austrian Phlebotomus (Transphlebotomus) mascittii Grassi, 1908, populations

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwin Kniha ◽  
Markus Milchram ◽  
Vít Dvořák ◽  
Petr Halada ◽  
Adelheid G. Obwaller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Barometric Pressure ◽  
Protein Profiling ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Protozoan Parasites ◽  
Host Preferences ◽  
Maldi Tof ◽  
Increased Activity ◽  
Blood Meals ◽  
Pressure Analysis

Abstract Background Sand flies are principal vectors of the protozoan parasites Leishmania spp. and are widely distributed in all warmer regions of the world, including the Mediterranean parts of Europe. In Central European countries, the sand fly fauna is still under investigation. Phlebotomus mascittii, a suspected but unproven vector of Leishmania infantum, is regarded as the most widely distributed species in Europe. However, many aspects of its biology and ecology remain poorly known. The aim of this study was to provide new data on the biology and ecology of Ph. mascittii in Austria to better understand its current distribution and potential dispersal. Methods Sand flies were collected by CDC light traps at four localities in Austria for 11 (2018) and 15 weeks (2019) during the active sand fly season. Climatic parameters (temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure and wind speed) were retrospectively obtained for the trapping periods. Sand flies were identified by a combined approach (morphology, DNA barcoding, MALDI-TOF protein profiling), and blood meals of engorged females were analysed by DNA sequencing and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Results In total, 450 individuals of Ph. mascittii were caught. Activity was observed to start at the beginning of June and end at the end of August with peaks in mid-July at three locations and early August at one location. Increased activity was associated with relatively high temperatures and humidity. Also, more individuals were caught on nights with low barometric pressure. Analysis of five identified blood meals revealed chicken (Gallus gallus) and equine (Equus spp.) hosts. Sand fly abundance was generally associated with availability of hosts. Conclusion This study reports unexpectedly high numbers of Ph. mascittii at selected Austrian localities and provides the first detailed analysis of its ecology to date. Temperature and humidity were shown to be good predictors for sand fly activity. Blood meal analyses support the assumption that Ph. mascittii feeds on mammals as well as birds. The study significantly contributes to understanding the ecology of this sand fly species in Central Europe and facilitates prospective entomological surveys.

scholarly journals Integrative Approach to Phlebotomus mascittii Grassi, 1908: First Record in Vienna with New Morphological and Molecular Insights

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1032
Author(s):  
Edwin Kniha ◽  
Vít Dvořák ◽  
Petr Halada ◽  
Markus Milchram ◽  
Adelheid G. Obwaller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
First Record ◽  
Protein Profiling ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Marker Genes ◽  
Morphological Identification ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Maldi Tof Ms ◽  
Maldi Tof ◽  
Tof Ms

Sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) are blood-feeding insects that transmit the protozoan parasites Leishmania spp. and various arthropod-borne (arbo) viruses. While in Mediterranean parts of Europe the sand fly fauna is diverse, in Central European countries including Austria mainly Phlebotomus mascittii is found, an assumed but unproven vector of Leishmania infantum. To update the currently understudied sand fly distribution in Austria, a sand fly survey was performed and other entomological catches were screened for sand flies. Seven new trapping locations of Ph. mascittii are reported including the first record in Vienna, representing also one of the first findings of this species in a city. Morphological identification, supported by fluorescence microscopy, was confirmed by two molecular approaches, including sequencing and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) protein profiling. Sand fly occurrence and activity were evaluated based on surveyed locations, habitat requirements and climatic parameters. Moreover, a first comparison of European Ph. mascittii populations was made by two marker genes, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI), and cytochrome b (cytb), as well as MALDI-TOF mass spectra. Our study provides new important records of Ph. mascittii in Austria and valuable data for prospective entomological surveys. MALDI-TOF MS protein profiling was shown to be a reliable tool for differentiation between sand fly species. Rising temperatures and globalization demand for regular entomological surveys to monitor changes in species distribution and composition. This is also important with respect to the possible vector competence of Ph. mascittii.

scholarly journals An integrative approach to identify sand fly vectors of leishmaniasis in Ethiopia by morphological and molecular techniques

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Myrthe Pareyn ◽  
Vit Dvorak ◽  
Petr Halada ◽  
Natalie Van Houtte ◽  
Nigatu Girma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Identification ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Protein Profiling ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Maldi Tof Ms ◽  
Maldi Tof ◽  
Human Leishmaniasis ◽  
Sand Fly Vectors ◽  
Morphological Assessment ◽  
Tof Ms

Abstract Background Ethiopia is affected by human leishmaniasis caused by several Leishmania species and transmitted by a variety of sand fly vectors of the genus Phlebotomus. The sand fly fauna in Ethiopia is highly diverse and some species are closely related and similar in morphology, resulting in difficulties with species identification that requires deployment of molecular techniques. DNA barcoding entails high costs, requires time and lacks reference sequences for many Ethiopian species. Yet, proper species identification is pivotal for epidemiological surveillance as species differ in their actual involvement in transmission cycles. Recently, protein profiling using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry has been introduced as a promising technique for sand fly identification. Methods In our study, we used an integrative taxonomic approach to identify most of the important sand fly vectors of leishmaniasis in Ethiopia, applying three complementary methods: morphological assessment, sequencing analysis of two genetic markers, and MALDI-TOF MS protein profiling. Results Although morphological assessment resulted in some inconclusive identifications, both DNA- and protein-based techniques performed well, providing a similar hierarchical clustering pattern for the analyzed species. Both methods generated species-specific sequences or protein patterns for all species except for Phlebotomus pedifer and P. longipes, the two presumed vectors of Leishmania aethiopica, suggesting that they may represent a single species, P. longipes Parrot & Martin. All three approaches also revealed that the collected specimens of Adlerius sp. differ from P. (Adlerius) arabicus, the only species of Adlerius currently reported in Ethiopia, and molecular comparisons indicate that it may represent a yet undescribed new species. Conclusions Our study uses three complementary taxonomical methods for species identification of taxonomically challenging and yet medically import Ethiopian sand flies. The generated MALDI-TOF MS protein profiles resulted in unambiguous identifications, hence showing suitability of this technique for sand fly species identification. Furthermore, our results contribute to the still inadequate knowledge of the sand fly fauna of Ethiopia, a country severely burdened with human leishmaniasis.

scholarly journals Sand fly fauna of Crete and the description of Phlebotomus (Adlerius) creticus n. sp. (Diptera: Psychodidae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vít Dvořák ◽  
Nikolaos Tsirigotakis ◽  
Christoforos Pavlou ◽  
Emmanouil Dokianakis ◽  
Mohammad Akhoundi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Field Work ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Protein Profiling ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Specific Sequence ◽  
Maldi Tof ◽  
Morphological Criteria ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Protein Spectra

Abstract Background The Greek island of Crete is endemic for both visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and recently increasing cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). This study summarizes published data on the sand fly fauna of Crete, the results of new sand fly samplings and the description of a new sand fly species. Methods All published and recent samplings were carried out using CDC light traps, sticky traps or mouth aspirators. The specific status of Phlebotomus (Adlerius) creticus n. sp., was assessed by morphological analysis, cytochrome b (cytb) sequencing and MALDI-TOF protein profiling. Results Published data revealed the presence of 10 Phlebotomus spp. and 2 Sergentomyia spp. During presented field work, 608 specimens of 8 species of Phlebotomus and one species of Sergentomyia were collected. Both published data and present samplings revealed that the two most common and abundant species were Phlebotomus neglectus, a proven vector of Leishmania infantum causing VL, and Ph. similis, a suspected vector of L. tropica causing CL. In addition, the field surveys revealed the presence of a new species, Ph. (Adlerius) creticus n. sp. Conclusions The identification of the newly described species is based on both molecular and morphological criteria, showing distinct characters of the male genitalia that differentiate it from related species of the subgenus Adlerius as well as species-specific sequence of cytb and protein spectra generated by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

scholarly journals Seasonal dynamics of Phlebotomus Papatasi (Scopoli, 1786) (Diptera: Psychodidae) population in southern Republic of Moldova

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana Sulesco ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Dynamics ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Phlebotomus Papatasi ◽  
Light Traps ◽  
Phlebotomine Sand Flies ◽  
Republic Of Moldova ◽  
Genus Leishmania

Phlebotomine sand flies are vectors of several infectious pathogens, including parasitic protozoans of the genus Leishmania and phleboviruses. Increasing sand fly biting nuisance reported by residents from southern Republic of Moldova since 2011 initiated this study. Ceadir-Lunga, a semi-urban locality in southern Republic of Moldova was selected for seasonal sand fly collections outdoors and indoors in 2015 and 2017 using CDC light traps and manual aspirators. Continuous trapping showed markedly longer activity of P. papatasi indoors. Specimens were collected from first aspirations in the second half of June until last collections in mid-September, suggesting that the actual indoor activity of P. papatasi may have been longer. Low numbers of trapped specimens do not allow make accurate conclusions regarding the seasonal dynamics.

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.

Influence of Deforestation on the Community Structure of Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Eastern Amazonia

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 1004-1012
Author(s):  
José Manuel Macário Rebêlo ◽  
Jorge Luiz Pinto Moraes ◽  
Gustavo Barbosa Vieira Cruz ◽  
Joudellys Andrade-Silva ◽  
Maria Da Conceição Abreu Bandeira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Significant Influence ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Human Occupation ◽  
Short Term

Abstract Variation in the structure of phlebotomine (sand fly) communities in forest fragments with different degrees of preservation and human occupation (peridomicile) in eastern Amazonia was studied. We identified 43 species of sand flies in our study, of which 38 occurred in both preserved forest areas and in the peridomiciles of short-term settlements, while another 28 species occurred in altered forest fragments and long-term settlements. The composition of the community at each site changed with the type of environment (forest or peridomicile), with the species Lutzomyia evandroi, L. whitmani, L. choti, L. serrana, L. triacantha, L. migonei, L. hirsuta, L. shannoni, and L. brachyphylla accounting for more than 54% of the differences among environments. The quality of the environment exerted a significant influence on the structure of phlebotomine communities, and affected their species composition, richness, and abundance.

scholarly journals Similarity of species composition of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in caves of Quadrilátero Ferrífero, state Minas Gerais, Brasil

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aldenise Martins Campos ◽  
Rodrigo dos Anjos Maia ◽  
Débora Capucci ◽  
Adriano Pereira Paglia ◽  
José Dilermando Andrade Filho
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Minas Gerais ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Dissimilarity Matrix ◽  
Phlebotomine Sand Flies ◽  
Quadrilátero Ferrífero

AbstractCaves, though seemingly inhospitable due to the lack of light in areas furthest from the cave entrance and the low availability and variety of resources, can harbor many species of vertebrates and invertebrates, including phlebotomine sand flies, the vectors of species of parasites of the genus Leishmania that cause leishmaniasis. This study aimed to evaluate the species composition of sand flies in located caves at Moeda Sul (MS) and Parque Estadual Serra do Rola Moça (PESRM), in southeastern Brazil at region of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, state of Minas Gerais. The collections of sand flies were performed with automatic light traps. Were used the Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling based on dissimilarity matrix calculated with the Jaccard índex and Multivariate Analysis of Permutation to evaluate similarity of the species composition of sand flies among entrance, interior, and surroundings environments of each sampled cave at MS and PESRM, and thus to infer biological mechanisms from the patterns of distribution of sand flies among these different cave environments. A total of 375 phlebotomine sand flies were collected from six genera and 14 species. The most abundant species were Evandromyia tupynambai (54.7%), Brumptomyia troglodytes (25.6%), Evandromyia edwardsi, (6.1%) Psathyromyia brasiliensis (4.8%) and Lutzomyia longipalpis (4.3%). In place MS, 30 individuals were collected, 16 inside the MS cave and 14 its surroundings. In place PESRM, five individuals were collected in surroundings of RM38 cave; a total of 190 individuals at RM39 cave (48 in the cave and 142 its surroundings) and 150 individuals at RM40 cave, 42 in the cave and 108 its surroundings. Our results showed rich fauna of sand flies with a species composition of sand flies similar among the entrance, interior, and surroundings environments of each sampled cave, suggesting that both caves and their surroundings are important for the maintenance of sand fly communities.

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