Expanding the knowledge about Leishmania species in wild mammals and dogs in the Brazilian savannah

Background: Wild, synanthropic and domestic mammals act as hosts and/or reservoirs of several Leishmania spp. Studies on possible reservoirs of Leishmania in different areas are fundamental to understand host-parasite interactions and develop strategies for the surveillance and control of leishmaniasis. In the present study, we evaluated the Leishmania spp. occurrence in mammals in two conservation units and their surroundings in Brasília, Federal District (FD), Brazil. Methods: Small mammals were captured in Brasília National Park (BNP) and Contagem Biological Reserve (CBR) and dogs were sampled in residential areas in their vicinity. Skin and blood samples were evaluated by PCR using different molecular markers (D7 24Sα rRNA and rDNA ITS1). Leishmania species were identified by sequencing of PCR products. Dog blood samples were subjected to the rapid immunochromatographic test (DPP) for detection of anti-Leishmania infantum antibodies. Results: 179 wild mammals were studied and 20.1% had Leishmania DNA successfully detected in at least one sample. Six mammal species were considered infected: Clyomys laticeps, Necromys lasiurus, Nectomys rattus, Rhipidomys macrurus, Didelphis albiventris and Gracilinanus agilis. No significant difference, comparing the proportion of individuals with Leishmania spp., was observed between the sampled areas and wild mammal species. Most of the positive samples were collected from the rodent N. lasiurus, infected by L. amazonensis or L. braziliensis. Moreover, infections by Trypanosoma spp. were detected in N. lasiurus and G. agilis. All 19 dog samples were positive by DPP; however, only three (15.8%) were confirmed by PCR assays. DNA sequences of ITS1 dog amplicons showed 100% identity with L. infantum sequence. Conclusions: The results suggest the participation of six species of wild mammals in the enzootic transmission of Leishmania spp. in FD. This is the first report of L. amazonensis in N. lasiurus

Ocorrência de flebotomíneos (Diptera: Psychodidae) em matas de galeria no Distrito Federal, Brasil

We analyzed the occurrence of phlebotomine sand flies in the gallery forests of the Federal District (FD), in different seasons, forest strata and conservation status. The samples were collected in three areas in the Água Limpa Farm, University of Brasília. In each area the occurrence data were analyzed in 20 collection sites visited on two months, November 2012 (rainy season) and May 2013 (dry season). HP light traps were installed at 1.5 m and 10 m above the ground operating from 17:00 to 7:00 h, during three consecutive days. We set 359 trap-nights during the rainy season and 291 during the dry season. None sand fly was caught during the rainy season. In the dry season 250 sand flies were captured. The identified species were Psathyromyia runoides (Fairchild & Hertig) (79.9%), Pintomyia monticola (Costa Lima) (9.7%), Micropygomyia quinquefer (Dyar) (3.7%), Psathyromyia shannoni (Dyar) (3%), Bichromomyia flaviscutellata (Mangabeira) (0.7%), Brumptomyia sp. (0.7%), Pintomyia kuscheli (Le Pont, Martinez, Torrez-Espejo & Dujardin) (0.7%), Psathyromyia lutziana (Costa Lima) (0.7%), and Sciopemyia sordellii (Shannon & Del Ponte) (0.7%). The results indicated that in the gallery forests of the FD there is a higher occurrence of sand flies in the dry season, at ground level and in preserved areas. Pa runoides, Pi. kuscheli and Mi. quinquefer were recorded for the first time in the FD.O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a ocorrência de flebotomíneos em matas de galeria do Distrito Federal (DF), em diferentes estações climáticas, estratos verticais e condições de preservação das matas. As capturas foram realizadas em três áreas na Fazenda Água Limpa da Universidade de Brasília. Em cada área foi analisada a ocorrência de flebotomíneos em 20 pontos visitados em dois meses, novembro de 2012 (estação chuvosa) e maio de 2013 (estação seca). Armadilhas luminosas HP foram instaladas a 1,5 m e a 10 m de altura do solo, operando entre 17:00 e 07:00 h, por três dias consecutivos. Foram instaladas 359 armadilhas-noite na estação chuvosa e 291 na seca. Nenhum flebotomíneo foi capturado na estação chuvosa. Na estação seca foram capturados 250 exemplares. As espécies identificadas foram Psathyromyia runoides (Fairchild & Hertig) (79,9%), Pintomyia monticola (Costa Lima) (9,7%), Micropygomyia quinquefer (Dyar) (3,7%), Psathyromyia shannoni (Dyar) (3%), Bichromomyia flaviscutellata (Mangabeira) (0,7%), Brumptomyia sp. (0,7%), Pintomyia kuscheli (Le Pont, Martinez, Torrez-Espejo & Dujardin) (0,7%), Psathyromyia lutziana (Costa Lima) (0.7%) e Sciopemyia sordellii (Shannon & Del Ponte) (0,7%). Os resultados indicam que em matas de galeria do DF há uma maior ocorrência de flebotomíneos na estação seca, no nível do solo e em áreas preservadas. Registra-se pela primeira vez Pa. runoides, Pi. kuscheli e Mi. quinquefer no DF