ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the transmitting phlebotomine sandfly in Minfeng County, a newly-identified endemic area of visceral leishmaniasis in the south of Talim Pendi of Xinjiang. METHODS: Sandflies were collected using routine methods in and around the Yatonggusi village of Andier Township. The sandflies were identified to get their composition. Sandfly density was calculated following an observation at a given spot and time-period, and their appearance was recorded at night-time and day-time. Sandflies were dissected to analyze the gonotrophic cycle and to find infection of promastigotes. RESULTS: Phlebotomus wui was identified as the transmitting vector of visceral leishmaniasis in Andier Township, which occupied 99.2% of the sandflies collected. The first and second ten-day period of June was the first peak of its seasonal distribution. Analysis of the gonotrophic cycle revealed that Ph. wui was an exophilic species and appeared nocturnally for feeding with preference to human blood. Natural infection with promastigotes was found in 2 sandflies. CONCLUSION: Phlebotomus wui is the transmitting vector for visceral leishmaniasis in the newly found endemic area of south Xinjiang.
