The sandfly fauna, anthropophily and the seasonal activities of Pintomyia spinicrassa (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in a focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in northeastern Colombia

This study was conducted to identify the sandfly fauna and the anthropophilic species in a coffee-growing area of Villanueva, Norte de Santander, Colombia, a focus of American cutaneous leishmaniasis, and to analyse the relationship between the most frequent species and rainfall, relative humidity and temperature, with the aim of contributing to epidemiological surveillance in the area. Sandfly collections were performed fortnightly between February 2006-September 2007 using automatic light traps, Shannon traps, protected human bait and aspiration in resting places. A total of 7,051 sandflies belonging to 12 species were captured. Pintomyia spinicrassa (95.7%) predominated. Pintomyia oresbia and Lutzomyia sp. of Pichinde were found in the state of Norte de Santander for the first time. Pi. spinicrassa, Pintomyia nuneztovari, Micropygomyia venezuelensis, Lutzomyia (Helcocyrtomyia) scorzai and Lu. (Helcocyrtomyia) sp. were captured on the protected human bait. A significant association between Pi. spinicrassa abundance and the total rainfall and the average temperature and humidity 10 days before the collection was observed. The dominance of Pi. spinicrassa, a recognised vector of Leishmania braziliensis, especially during the dry periods, indicates that the risk of parasite transmission may increase.Instituto de Física de Líquidos y Sistemas Biológico

The transmission of visceral leishmaniasis in the municipality of Guarujá, on the Coast of São Paulo state, Brazil

OBJECTIVE: To perform an entomological survey, evaluating the circulation of Leishmania spp. in sand flies captured from the new foci of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the coastal region of São Paulo state. METHODS: Sand flies were captured from November 2016 to September 2018 using light traps of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in the neighborhood where VL cases were reported. Leishmania spp. circulation was evaluated by gut dissection and molecular analysis of the females captured. RESULTS: Nyssomyia intermedia was the more frequent species (90,7%) within the 1,203 sand flies captured. We found no flagellates in dissected females, but two pools containing females of Ny. Intermedia presented DNA of L. infantum. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that Ny. intermedia might be involved in the establishment of this new VL focus in Sao Paulo. However, before incriminating this species as a L. infantum vector, further studies should investigate other vectorial capacity parameters, including competence, survival, and feeding habits

The sandfly fauna, anthropophily and the seasonal activities of Pintomyia spinicrassa (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in a focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in northeastern Colombia

This study was conducted to identify the sandfly fauna and the anthropophilic species in a coffee-growing area of Villanueva, Norte de Santander, Colombia, a focus of American cutaneous leishmaniasis, and to analyse the relationship between the most frequent species and rainfall, relative humidity and temperature, with the aim of contributing to epidemiological surveillance in the area. Sandfly collections were performed fortnightly between February 2006-September 2007 using automatic light traps, Shannon traps, protected human bait and aspiration in resting places. A total of 7,051 sandflies belonging to 12 species were captured. Pintomyia spinicrassa (95.7%) predominated. Pintomyia oresbia and Lutzomyia sp. of Pichinde were found in the state of Norte de Santander for the first time. Pi. spinicrassa, Pintomyia nuneztovari, Micropygomyia venezuelensis, Lutzomyia (Helcocyrtomyia) scorzai and Lu. (Helcocyrtomyia) sp. were captured on the protected human bait. A significant association between Pi. spinicrassa abundance and the total rainfall and the average temperature and humidity 10 days before the collection was observed. The dominance of Pi. spinicrassa, a recognised vector of Leishmania braziliensis, especially during the dry periods, indicates that the risk of parasite transmission may increase.Instituto de Física de Líquidos y Sistemas Biológico

A prospective cohort study to assess seroprevalence, incidence, knowledge, attitudes and practices, willingness to pay for vaccine and related risk factors in dengue in a high incidence setting

Abstract Background Dengue is one of the most important vector-borne diseases in the world, causing significant morbidity and economic impact. In Colombia, dengue is a major public health problem. Departments of La Guajira, Cesar and Magdalena are dengue endemic areas. The objective of this research is to determine the seroprevalence and the incidence of dengue virus infection in the participating municipalities from these Departments, and also establish the association between individual and housing factors and vector indices with seroprevalence and incidence. We will also assess knowledge, attitudes and practices, and willingness-to-pay for dengue vaccine. Methods A cohort study will be assembled with a clustered multistage sampling in 11 endemic municipalities. Approximately 1000 homes will be visited to enroll people older than one year who living in these areas, who will be followed for 1 year. Dengue virus infections will be evaluated using IgG indirect ELISA and IgM and IgG capture ELISA. Additionally, vector indices will be measured, and adult mosquitoes will be captured with aspirators. Ovitraps will be used for continuous estimation of vector density. Discussion This research will generate necessary knowledge to design and implement strategies with a multidimensional approach that reduce dengue morbidity and mortality in La Guajira and other departments from Colombian Caribbean

American Visceral Leishmaniasis: Evalutation of parameters related to the vectorial capacity of Lutzomyia longipalpis in the urban area of Panorama municipality, São Paulo state, Brasil.

Introdução: A leishmaniose visceral (LV) é um importante problema de saúde pública no Brasil, com cerca 3000 mil casos notificados anualmente. Nos últimos anos, a LV tem ampliado sua distribuição em vários estados do país, associada principalmente aos processos socioambientais, antrópicos e migratórios. A LV é causada pela infecção com Leishmania infantum chagasi, transmitida, principalmente, por Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae). Este flebotomíneo apresenta ampla distribuição nas Américas, todavia, evidências sugerem que se constitui em um complexo de espécies crípticas. A dinâmica de transmissão da LV é modulada por fatores ecológicos locais que influenciam a interação entre populações do patógeno, do vetor e dos hospedeiros vertebrados. Portanto, o estudo das variáveis associadas a esta interação pode contribuir para elucidar aspectos dos elos epidemiológicos e contribuir para a tomada de decisões em saúde pública. Objetivo: Avaliar parâmetros relacionados à capacidade vetorial da população de Lu. longipalpis presente em área urbana do município de Panorama, estado de São Paulo. Métodos: Foram realizadas capturas mensais durante 48 meses para avaliar a distribuição espaço-temporal de Lu. longipalpis e investigar a circulação de Le. i. chagasi. Também foram realizados os seguintes experimentos com o vetor: captura-marcação-soltura-recaptura para estimar a sobrevida da população e a duração do seu ciclo gonotrófico, a atratividade dos hospedeiros mais frequentes em áreas urbanas, a proporção de repasto em cão, infecção experimental e competência vetorial. Resultados: Observou-se que no município de Panorama, Lu. longipalpis apresentou as frequências mais elevadas na estação chuvosa (entre outubro e março), maior densidade em áreas com presença de vegetação e criação de animais domésticos, locais aonde também foi demonstrada a circulação natural de espécimes de Lu. longipalpis infectados com Le. i. chagasi. Além disto, foi corroborado que a população de Lu. longipalpis apresentou hábito hematofágico eclético, altas taxas de sobrevivência e que foi competente para transmitir o agente da LV. Nos experimentos de laboratório foi evidenciada a heterogeneidade na infecção de fêmeas de Lu. longipalpis desafiadas a se alimentarem em cães comprovadamente infectados por L. i. chagasi e o rápido desenvolvimento do parasita neste vetor natural. Conclusões. As observações do presente estudo corroboram a capacidade vetora de Lu. longipalpis para transmitir a Le. i. chagasi e ressaltam a importância da espécie na transmissão do agente etiológico da LV. Ações de manejo ambiental, educação e promoção à saúde são recomendadas às autoridades municipais para diminuir o risco potencial de infecção na população humana e canina, considerando-se o elevado potencial vetor de Lu. longipalpis e a presença de condições que favorecem a interação dos componentes da tríade epidemiológica da LV.Introduction: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an important public health problem in Brazil, where annually about 3000 cases are notified. In the later years VL has spread through some states, associated mainly to environmental, anthropic and migratory process. Visceral leishmaniasis is caused by the infection with Leishmania infantum chagasi transmitted by the sand fly species Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae). This species have a broad distribution in the Americas, however, there are evidences suggesting that it constitutes a cryptic species complex. The VL transmission dynamic is modulated by focal ecological factors that influence the pathogen-vector-host interactions. Thus, the analyses of variables associated to this interaction could contributes to elucidate the epidemiological links and to the public health decision-making. Objective: To evaluate parameters related to the vectorial capacity of Lutzomyia longipalpis in the Panorama municipality, São Paulo state, Brazil. Methods: Monthly captures of sand flies were undertaken during 48 months to evaluate the spatial and temporal distribution of Lu. longipalpis and its natural infection with Le. i. chagasi. Experiments of capture-mark-release-recapture to estimate the population survival, the gonotrophic cycle duration and the attractiveness of the most frequent host to Lu. longipalpis were also performed. Additionally experiments to evaluate the blood feeding rate of Lu. longipalpis on dog, experimental infection and the vectorial competence were undertaken. Results: In the Panorama municipality, Lu. longipalpis presents the highest frequencies during the rainy season (October - March) with high densities in areas with vegetation near to the domiciles and with the animal husbandry. In this areas was also demonstrated the circulation of sand flies naturally infected with Le. i. chagasi. Besides, it was corroborated that Lu. longipalpis presents eclectic haematophagic habit, high survival rates and it is competent to transmit Le. i. chagasi. It was also observed the heterogeneity of the female infection rates after them take the blood meal on infected dogs and a short time to complete the extrinsic incubation period. Conclusions: the observations of this study corroborate the vectorial capacity of Lu. longipalpis and reinforce the epidemiological importance of this species in the transmission of Le. i. chagasi. Considering the high vectorial efficiency of Lu. longipalpis and the presence of conditions favoring the interaction of the VL ecological components (competent vectors, infected hosts and susceptible humans), environmental management as well as educational and health promotion measures are recommended to the municipality authorities to reduce the potential risk of human infections

Study of the vectorial capacity of Migonemyia migonei (França) and of Pintomyia fischeri (Pinto) (Diptera: Psychodidae) as regards Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi Cunha & Chagas

Introdução - A leishmaniose visceral no Estado de São Paulo vem acometendo populações caninas e humanas de vários centros urbanos e encontra-se em franca expansão. Desde a sua introdução no Estado de São Paulo, novas áreas na região metropolitana da Grande São Paulo têm sido identificadas com a infecção na população canina e felina, sem que a espécie vetora comprovada, Lutzomyia longipalpis, tenha sido encontrada. Diferentemente de outras áreas, onde a transmissão da leishmaniose visceral se dá em ambiente urbano consolidado, na Grande São Paulo, ocorre em ambiente de transição urbano-rural. Neste ocorrem resíduos de matas nos quais os flebotomíneos antropofílicos, Pintomyia fischeri e Migonemyia migonei se desenvolvem. A capacidade vetorial é definida como a taxa diária de picadas potencialmente infectivas que a população de um vetor levará a cabo ao se alimentar em um único tipo de hospedeiro (REISEN, 1989). Objetivo Comparar a capacidade vetorial de Pintomyia fischeri e Migonemyia migonei oriundas de foco de leishmaniose visceral canina da Grande São Paulo e compará-la com a de Lu. longipalpis, proveniente de área endêmica, Campo Grande, estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, para a transmissão do agente, Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi, da leishmaniose visceral americana. Métodos A sobrevida infectiva de cada espécie de flebotomíneo foi calculada por meio da estimativa vertical (tábua de vida) de fêmeas de primeira geração cultivadas em laboratório. Os demais parâmetros compreenderam: atratividade do cão doméstico aos flebotomíneos (dado de campo); e, em condições de laboratório: infecção experimental dos flebotomíneos pela L. (L.) i. chagasi após sua alimentação em cães infectados, período de incubação extrínseca do parasita e duração do ciclo gonotrófico. Resultados Em relação aos parâmetros estudados, observou-se respectivamente para Lu. longipalpis, Pi. fischeri e Mg. migonei: densidade de fêmeas/cão/dia 3,5, 5,5 e 0,04; proporção de fêmeas alimentando-se no cão 0,71, 0,64 e 0,70; períodos de incubação extrínseca estimados (dias) 7, 4 e 7; mediana do ciclo gonotrófico (dias) 5, 6 e 7, e sobrevida infectiva (dias) 4,13, 0,74 e 2,14. A capacidade vetorial da população de Lutzomyia longipalpis foi de 2,02 novas infecções por dia de exposição de um cão infectado. Para Pintomyia fischeri este valor compreendeu 0,108 e para Migonemyia migonei, 0,0024. Conclusões. Lu. longipalpis apresenta a capacidade vetorial em relação a Leishmania infantum chagasi 18,7 vezes à de Pi. fischeri e esta espécie 45 vezes à de Mg. migonei. Portanto, no foco de leishmaniose visceral canina da região Embu/Cotia, se demonstrada a competência para as duas espécies de flebotomíneos, Pi. fischeri poderia atuar na transmissão desta Leishmania em virtude da sua densidade elevada e infecção experimental, enquanto que a participação de Mg. migonei parece pouco provávelIntroduction - Visceral leishmaniasis has been affecting canine and human populations in various urban centers in São Paulo state and the area of its distribution has been growing steadily. Since its introduction into the state, the infection has been identified in canine and feline populations of Greater São Paulo. Differently from other areas, where the transmission of visceral leishmaniasis occurs in a consolidated urban environment, in Greater São Paulo it takes place in a transitional urban-rural environment, where in the residual forests the anthropophilic sandflies Pintomyia fischeri and Migonemyia migonei are found. Vectorial capacity is defined as the daily rate of the potentially infectious bites that a vector population will inflict on one single type of host while feeding on it (REISEN, 1989). Objective To compare the vectorial capacity of Pintomyia fischeri and Migonemyia migonei from a focus of visceral canine leishmaniasis of Greater São Paulo to that of Lu. longipalpis from Campo Grande, an endemic area of the Mato Grosso do Sul state, in terms of the transmission of Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi, the agent of American visceral leishmaniasis. Methods The infective survival time of each phlebotomine species was calculated by means of vertical estimation (life table) of first generation females bred in the laboratory. The other parameters included: the attractiveness of the domestic dog to phlebotomines (field data) and; under laboratory conditions: the experimental infection of phlebotomines by L. (L.) i. chagasi after being fed on infected dogs; the extrinsic incubation period of the parasite and the duration of the gonotrophic cycle. Results As regards the studied parameters were respectively observed for Lu. longipalpis, Pi. fischeri and Mg. migonei: the density of females/dog/day 3.5, 5.5 and 0.04; the proportion of females that fed on the dog 0.71, 0.64 and 0.70; the extrinsic incubation period (days) 7, 4 and 7 (estimated); the median gonotrophic cycle (days) 5, 6 and 7, and the infective survival period(days) 4.13, 0.74 and 2.14. The vectorial capacity of the Lutzomyia longipalpis population was calculated as 2.02 new infections per day of the exposure of an infected dog. For Pintomyia fischeri this value was 0.108 and for Migonemyia migonei, 0.0024. Conclusions. The vectorial capacity of Lu. longipalpis in relation to Leishmania infantum chagasi was 18.7 times that of Pi. fischeri and that of this latter species was 45 times that of Mg. migonei. Thus, in the focus of visceral canine leishmaniasis in the Embu/Cotia region, if the vectorial competence of the two species be demonstrated, Pi. fischeri might be active in the transmission of this leishmania by virtue of its greater density and higher experimental infection rate, whereas the participation of Mg. migonei seems unlikel

Description of Two New Sand Fly Species Related to Nyssomyia antunesi (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae)

Both sexes of two new Brazilian phlebotomine sand flies of the genus Nyssomyia Barretto 1962 [= Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) sensu Barretto], Nyssomyia delsionatali n. sp. and Nyssomyia urbinattii n. sp., presenting close affinity with Nyssomyia antunesi (Coutinho), are described and illustrated. N. delsionatali n. sp was captured on the edge of a riparian Amazonian forest on the Juruena river in the northwest of Mato Grosso state and N. urbinattii n. sp in a riparian Amazonian forest on the Teles Pires river between Mato Grosso and Para states. Some measurements of both sexes of N. antunesi and illustration of the male genitalia and the female spermathecae as well as an identi_cation key for males and females of the genus Nyssomyia are provided.CNPqCNP

Ecological aspects of phlebotomine fauna (Diptera, Psychodidae) of Serra da Cantareira, Greater Sao Paulo Metropolitan region, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Human cases of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) have been recorded in Serra da Cantareira, in the Greater São Paulo Metropolitan Region, where two conservation units are situated, the Parque Estadual da Cantareira and the Parque Estadual Alberto Löfgren. The present study aimed to identify the sandfly fauna and some of its ecological aspects in these two parks and their surrounding area to investigate Leishmania sp. vectors. The captures were undertaken monthly from January to December 2009, from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., with automatic light traps installed in forests and peridomicile areas and with modified black/white Shannon traps in the peridomicile. A total of 12 species and 5,436 sandflies were captured: with automatic light traps (141), Shannon traps (5,219) and attempting to bite the researchers while they were conducting the collection in Shannon traps (76). Pintomyia fischeri and Migonemyia migonei were the most abundant species. Pi. fischeri predominated in all three kinds of captures (49%, 88.8% and 65.8%, respectively). Mg. migonei was the second most prevalent in Shannon traps (10.0%) and attempting to bite the researchers (22.4%). Pi. fischeri females were significantly more attracted to black and those of Mg. migonei to white Shannon traps. A positive and significant correlation was observed between the numbers of Pi. fischeri and the mean of minimum relative humidity values on the fifteen days prior to capture, while there was a negative and significant correlation between the relative humidity on the capture day and the two most abundant species. The anthropophilia and high frequencies of Pi. fischeri and Mg. migonei suggest that both species may be transmitting ACL agents in this region

A field study of the survival and dispersal pattern of Lutzomyia longipalpis in an endemic area of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil.

Zoonotic Visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) is a neglected tropical disease that in the Americas is caused by the infection of Leishmania infantum and the domestic dog (Canis familiaris) is the main parasite reservoir in urban areas. The parasite is mainly transmitted by populations of the sibling species Lutzomyia longipalpis that has been spreading in countries including Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and more recently Uruguay. Although bionomic parameters such as population survival and the duration of the gonotrophic cycle are critical in evaluating vector capacity, field studies have rarely been applied to sand fly populations. The present study sought to evaluate basic bionomic parameters related to the vectorial capacity of the (S)-9-methylgermacrene-B population of the Lu. longipalpis complex in a visceral leishmaniasis area of Sao Paulo state. The daily survival rate, the duration of the gonotrophic cycle and the dispersal pattern were evaluated through the mark- release-recapture method. A total of 1,547 males and 401 females were marked and released in five experiments carried out between February 2013 and February 2014. The higher recapture rates occurred within 100 meters of the release point and the estimated daily survival rates varied between 0.69 and 0.89 for females and between 0.69 and 0.79 for males. The minimum duration of the gonotrophic cycle observed was five days. The absolute population size, calculated ranged from 900 to 4,857 females and from 2,882 to 9,543 males. Our results demonstrate a high survival rate of this vector population and low dispersal that could be associated with the presence of all necessary conditions for its establishment and maintenance in the peridomiciles of this area. Our findings contribute to the basic data necessary for the understanding of ZVL dynamics and the evaluation of the implementation of prevention and control measures

Ecological aspects of phlebotomine fauna (Diptera, Psychodidae) of Serra da Cantareira, Greater São Paulo Metropolitan region, state of São Paulo, Brazil Aspectos ecológicos da fauna flebotomínea (Diptera, Psychodidae) da Serra da Cantareira, Região metropolitana da Grande São Paulo, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Human cases of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) have been recorded in Serra da Cantareira, in the Greater S&#227;o Paulo Metropolitan Region, where two conservation units are situated, the Parque Estadual da Cantareira and the Parque Estadual Alberto L&#246;fgren. The present study aimed to identify the sandfly fauna and some of its ecological aspects in these two parks and their surrounding area to investigate Leishmania sp. vectors. The captures were undertaken monthly from January to December 2009, from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., with automatic light traps installed in forests and peridomicile areas and with modified black/white Shannon traps in the peridomicile. A total of 12 species and 5,436 sandflies were captured: with automatic light traps (141), Shannon traps (5,219) and attempting to bite the researchers while they were conducting the collection in Shannon traps (76). Pintomyia fischeri and Migonemyia migonei were the most abundant species. Pi. fischeri predominated in all three kinds of captures (49%, 88.8% and 65.8%, respectively). Mg. migonei was the second most prevalent in Shannon traps (10.0%) and attempting to bite the researchers (22.4%). Pi. fischeri females were significantly more attracted to black and those of Mg. migonei to white Shannon traps. A positive and significant correlation was observed between the numbers of Pi. fischeri and the mean of minimum relative humidity values on the fifteen days prior to capture, while there was a negative and significant correlation between the relative humidity on the capture day and the two most abundant species. The anthropophilia and high frequencies of Pi. fischeri and Mg. migonei suggest that both species may be transmitting ACL agents in this region.<br>Casos humanos de leishmaniose tegumentar americana (LTA) t&#234;m sido registrados na Serra da Cantareira, regi&#227;o da Grande S&#227;o Paulo, onde se situam o Parque Estadual da Cantareira e o Parque Estadual Alberto L&#246;fgren. O estudo teve como objetivo identificar a fauna flebotom&#237;nea e alguns de seus aspectos ecol&#243;gicos nos dois parques e &#225;rea adjacente, para investigar vetores de Leishmania sp. As capturas ocorreram de janeiro a dezembro de 2009, das 18 &#224;s 06 horas, com armadilhas autom&#225;ticas luminosas instaladas em matas e peridomic&#237;lios, e com armadilhas de Shannon modificadas, nas cores branca e preta, em peridomic&#237;lio. Foram capturadas 12 esp&#233;cies e 5.436 flebotom&#237;neos por armadilhas autom&#225;ticas luminosas (141), armadilhas de Shannon (5.219) e tentando picar os pesquisadores enquanto coletavam na armadilha de Shannon (76). Pintomyia fischeri e Migonemyia migonei foram as mais abundantes. Pi. fischeri predominou nos tr&#234;s m&#233;todos de coleta com 49,0%, 88,8% e 65,8%, respectivamente, e Mg. migonei foi a segunda mais prevalente na Shannon (10,0%) e tentando picar os pesquisadores (22,4%). F&#234;meas de Pi. fischeri foram significativamente mais atra&#237;das &#224; Shannon preta e Mg. migonei &#224; branca. Houve correla&#231;&#227;o positiva e significante entre o n&#250;mero de Pi. fischeri e a m&#233;dia das m&#237;nimas da umidade relativa nos 15 dias anteriores ao dia da coleta, e negativa e significante para as duas esp&#233;cies mais abundantes em rela&#231;&#227;o a umidade relativa no dia da coleta. Altas frequ&#234;ncias e antropofilia de Pi. fischeri e de Mg. migonei sugerem que ambas podem estar atuando na transmiss&#227;o da LTA na &#225;rea