Detection of Leishmania infantum DNA in Pintomyia evansi and Lutzomyia longipalpis in an endemic area of Non-ulcerative cutaneous leishmaniasis from 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