First findings and molecular data of phlebotomus mascittii (diptera: Psychodidae) in the cantabrian cornice (northern spain)

Phlebotomus (Transphlebotomus) mascittii Grassi, 1908 (Diptera: Psychodidae) has been found in several European countries. In Spain, sporadic records were reported in the early ''80s in Catalonia (Northeast Spain), and it was never detected again. Recent entomological surveys carried out between 2004 and 2020 revealed the presence of several specimens of P. mascittii in Spain. The species identification was confirmed by both morphological and molecular analyses. The analyzed specimens belonged to the haplotype (COI_2) defined by one polymorphic site compared to other European specimens. Phlebotomus mascittii was found in low population densities in rural areas associated with livestock farms and in an urban cemetery during the summer season. This study provides the first records of this species in various localities along the Cantabrian cornice (Northern Spain) and represents its westernmost observation in the Palearctic region. The implications of the finding of this uncommon species are discussed at different levels, with emphasis on its suspected role in the transmission of leishmaniosis. © The Author(s) 2021

Phlebotomine sand fly survey in the focus of leishmaniasis in Madrid, Spain (2012-2014): seasonal dynamics, Leishmania infantum infection rates and blood meal preferences

BACKGROUND: An unusual increase of human leishmaniasis cases due to Leishmania infantum is occurring in an urban area of southwestern Madrid, Spain, since 2010. Entomological surveys have shown that Phlebotomus perniciosus is the only potential vector. Direct xenodiagnosis in hares (Lepus granatensis) and rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) collected in the focus area proved that they can transmit parasites to colonized P. perniciosus. Isolates were characterized as L. infantum. The aim of the present work was to conduct a comprehensive study of sand flies in the outbreak area, with special emphasis on P. perniciosus. METHODS: Entomological surveys were done from June to October 2012-2014 in 4 stations located close to the affected area. Twenty sticky traps (ST) and two CDC light traps (LT) were monthly placed during two consecutive days in every station. LT were replaced every morning. Sand fly infection rates were determined by dissecting females collected with LT. Molecular procedures applied to study blood meal preferences and to detect L. infantum were performed for a better understanding of the epidemiology of the outbreak. RESULTS: A total of 45,127 specimens belonging to 4 sand fly species were collected: P. perniciosus (75.34%), Sergentomyia minuta (24.65%), Phlebotomus sergenti (0.005%) and Phlebotomus papatasi (0.005%). No Phlebotomus ariasi were captured. From 3203 P. perniciosus female dissected, 117 were infected with flagellates (3.7%). Furthermore, 13.31% and 7.78% of blood-fed and unfed female sand flies, respectively, were found infected with L. infantum by PCR. The highest rates of infected P. perniciosus were detected at the end of the transmission periods. Regarding to blood meal preferences, hares and rabbits were preferred, although human, cat and dog blood were also found. CONCLUSIONS: This entomological study highlights the exceptional nature of the Leishmania outbreak occurring in southwestern Madrid, Spain. It is confirmed that P. perniciosus is the only vector in the affected area, with high densities and infection rates. Rabbits and hares were the main blood meal sources of this species. These results reinforce the need for an extensive and permanent surveillance in this region, and others of similar characteristics, in order to control the vector and regulate the populations of wild reservoirs.This study was partially sponsored and funded by: Dirección General de Salud Pública, Consejería de Sanidad, Comunidad de Madrid; Colegio de Veterinarios de Madrid; Colegio de Biólogos de Madrid and EU grant FP7-261504 EDENext (http://www.edenext.eu).S

Abiotic factors influencing the ecology of wild rabbit fleas in north-eastern Spain

During 1992, the population dynamics of rabbit fleas were compared at two sites in north-eastern Spain. The sites differed mainly in terms of annual rainfall and soil type. All flea species showed seasonal cycles of abundance, although peaks in numbers occurred at different times, reflecting their specific adaptations for coping with climatic variables. Adult Spilopsyllus cuniculi (Dale) (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) were found largely parasitizing rabbits in spring and adult Caenopsylla laptevi (Beaucournu et al. ) (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae) in the autumn. In contrast, monthly flea indices of Xenopsylla cunicularis (Smit) (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) and Echidnophaga iberica (Ribeiro et al. ) (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) peaked in summer. Spilopsyllus cuniculi was present at both sites, but was less common on the drier site, where monthly mean temperature and annual rainfall approached the flea's physiological limits. By contrast, E. iberica, X. cunicularis and C. laptevi, known to be better adapted for dryness, showed the opposite patterns of abundance. Nevertheless, even these arid-adapted species took advantage of the milder and wetter spring (X. cunicularis and E. iberica) or autumn (C. laptevi) for breeding and larval development. Although environmental temperature, rainfall and soil texture will influence the microclimate of the burrows where the flea larvae develop, burrow humidity seems to be more dependent on soil characteristics and past rainfall rather than the humidity of the external air.This study has been financed by Aragón regional government (D. G. A.).Peer reviewe

Factors affecting Dirofilaria immitis prevalence in red foxes in Northeastern Spain

3 pages.-- PMID: 7760485 [PubMed].We determined the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis (Nematoda, Filariidae) among 433 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in northeastern Spain, between 1990 and 1992. Forty-six (11%) of 433 foxes were infected; the intensity ranged from 1 to 36 (mean ± SE; 4.39 ± 0.92) nematodes per host. The prevalence of D. immitis was higher in foxes inhabiting riparian zones of the study area. This population has a very high juvenile/adult ratio. Heartworm prevalences did not differ among host sex, weight, or fat condition categories.The fieldwork was partially financed by the Government of Aragón, Programme 533.1 of Fauna Conservation.Peer reviewe

Vaccine to protect animals against leishmania

Fecha de solicitud: 21-02-2002.- Titular: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)The present invention is generally related to the prevention of leishmaniasis in animals, particularly infection caused by Leishmania sp., based on the use of Leishmania infantum P36 protein or an immunogenic fragment of the latter, or involving an expression system for the mentioned protein or fragment - optionally in combination with a compound stimulating the production of a Th1-type cellular immune response - and comprising various vaccination protocols in application to Leishmania sp. based on the mentioned vaccine.La presente invención queda generalmente relacionado a la prevención del leishmaniasis en animales, particularmente infección causadas por el SP de Leishmania., basado en el uso de la proteína del infantum P36 de Leishmania o un fragmento inmunogénico del más tardío, o de implicar un sistema de expresión para la proteína o el fragmento mencionada - opcionalmente conjuntamente con un compuesto que estimula la producción de una respuesta inmune celular de Th1-type - y de comprender diferentes protocolos de la vacunación según lo dispuesto por el SP de Leishmania. basado en la vacuna mencionada.Peer reviewe

Epidemiology of viral haemorrhagic disease and myxomatosis in a free-living population of wild rabbits

From January 1993 to June 1996, the epidemiology of myxomatosis and viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD) was studied in a free-living population of wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus ) in Spain by means of serological surveys and radiotracking. Myxomatosis was endemic and associated with the breeding period. Its serological pattern was characterised by a 100 per cent prevalence of antibodies in adult rabbits and a rapid increase in antibodies in young rabbits in their first year. No mortality from myxomatosis was detected in adults, and mortality in young rabbits could not be estimated because of interference by predators and scavengers and the deaths of many radiotagged rabbits inside their burrows. VHD was also an endemic disease associated with the breeding period. Adults had a higher prevalence of antibodies against VHD than young rabbits, teaching values of 80 to 90 per cent. During the study, there was an increase in rabbit numbers as a result of a decrease in mortality from predation which was associated with an increase in mortality due to VHD and in the prevalence of antibodies to VHD. Mortality from VHD was lower in rabbits with VHD antibodies than in seronegative rabbits, but some mortality from the disease was also detected in seropositive rabbits. The annual mean mortality rate due to VHD in adult rabbits was estimated to be 21.8 per cent.Funding was provided by the Dirección General de Medio Natural (Gobierno de Aragón) and a postdoctoral fellowship from CSIC-Junta de Andalucía (IFD97–2299) to C. C.Peer reviewe

Short-term negative effects of vaccination campaigns against myxomatosis and viral hemorrhagic disease (VHD) on the survival of European wild rabbits

The capture and handling of live European wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are unavoidable initial steps for immunization by vaccination against viral hemorrhagic disease (VHD) and myxomatosis as a management tool aimed at enhancing wild rabbit populations. We investigated the short-term effects of vaccination campaigns against VHD and myxomatosis on the survival of 206 European wild rabbits in a Spanish population. While no effect was observed on the survival of adult rabbits, young and subadult rabbits (P < 0.001) had higher mortality rates during the first week after handling than in the subsequent 3 weeks. The hazard rate of death from disease was inversely correlated with body condition (P < 0.001) during the first week. Vaccination increased the hazard rate of death due to disease during the first 7 days post-handling, although this detrimental effect was higher in young rabbits (P = 0.012) and modulated by body condition (P = 0.004). The hazard rate of dying from predation during the first week was higher for males than females (P = 0.023) and in subadults compared to young rabbits (P = 0.004). Body condition was inversely related to the predation hazard rate (P = 0.002). Our results suggest that vaccination campaigns had a short-term negative impact caused by the stress of handling in addition to the detrimental effects of vaccination against VHD and myxomatosis. Future studies should consider this negative impact to assess the true efficacy of vaccination campaigns in wild populations.This study was funded by the Dirección General de Medio Natural (Gobierno de Aragón).Peer reviewe

Effects of vaccination against viral haemorrhagic disease and myxomatosis on long-term mortality rates of European wild rabbits

The effects of vaccination against myxomatosis and viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD) on long-term mortality rates in European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were studied from 1993 to 1996 by radiotracking a free-living population of wild rabbits. During the three months after immunisation, unvaccinated young rabbits weighing between 180 and 600 g were 13.6 times more likely to die than vaccinated young rabbits. In adult rabbits, vaccination did not significantly decrease mortality, mainly owing to the high proportion of rabbits which had previously been exposed to the antigens of both diseases. Compared with adult rabbits with natural antibodies to VHD, rabbits without these antibodies were 5.2 times more likely to die of VHD during annual outbreaks.Funding was provided by the Dirección General de Medio Natural (Government of Aragón).Peer reviewe