Population genetic analysis of Anisakis simplex s.l. and Anisakis pegreffii (Nematoda, Anisakidae) from parapatric areas and their contact zone.

Genetic markers (ribosomal DNA and mitochondrial DNA) were used for molecular dissection of the Anisakis simplex sensu lato (s.l). complex populations. Host fish were caught off Moroccan coasts, where only Anisakis pegreffii is present, the sympatric area comprising Spanish coasts, and the Little Sole Bank fishing area from Nordeast Atlantic Ocean where the only present species is A. simplex sensu stricto(s.s.). Sequence variations in the amplification products were then assessed indirectly by digestion with restriction endonucleases or directly by sequencing for 623 L3 larvae. The sequences were used to infer the relationships between the two species under study using various methodological approaches. We reveal the high genetic diversity of Anisakis simplex s.s. and A. pegreffii in both mitochondrial and nuclear genes. We detected 10 and 2 fixed differences between A. simplex s.s and A. pegreffii in the Cox2 and ITS1, respectively. We found a proportion of putative hybrids below 20% with similar figures on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. Moroccan hybrids were more similar to A. pegreffii reflecting backcrosses between these mixed genotypes and his ancestor A. pegreffii. We discuss the possible interpretation of these putative hybrids.

Predicting the risk of an endemic focus of Leishmania tropica becoming established in South-Western Europe through the presence of its main vector, Phlebotomus sergenti Parrot, 1917.

The aim of the study was the construction of risk maps for exposure to Phlebotomus sergenti, the main vector of Leishmania tropica, with a view to identifying hot spots for the potential establishment of this parasite in the southwest of Europe. Data were collected on the presence/absence of this vector and the ecological and climatic characteristics of 662 sampling sites located in the southeast, centre and northeast of the Iberian Peninsula (south-western Europe). The environmental factors associated with the distribution of P. sergenti were determined. The best predictors for the presence of this dipteran were 'altitude', 'land use', 'land surface temperature', 'aspect', 'adjacent land cover', 'absence of vegetation in wall' and the 'absence of PVC pipes in the drainage holes of retaining walls'. Risk maps for exposure to the vector were drawn up based on these variables. The validation of the predictive risk model confirmed its usefulness in the detection of areas with a high risk of P. sergenti being present. These locations represent potential hot spots for an autochthonous focus of L. tropica becoming established. The risk maps produced for P. sergenti presence revealed several areas in the centre and south of the Iberian Peninsula to be the most prone to this process, which would make it possible for the disease to enter south-western Europe.

Risk maps for the presence and absence of Phlebotomus perniciosus in an endemic area of leishmaniasis in southern Spain: implications for the control of the disease.

The aim of this study was to construct risk maps for the presence of the dominant Leishmania infantum vector, P. perniciosus, and check its usefulness (a) to predict the risk of canine leishmaniasis and (b) to define effective leishmaniasis control measures. We obtained data for the presence/absence of P. perniciosus at 167 sampling sites in southern Spain, from which we also took a series of ecological and climate-related data. The probability of P. perniciosus presence was estimated as a function of these environmental variables and generated spatial risk maps. Altitude, land use and drainage hole features (with or without PVC piping) were retained as the only predictors for the distribution of this vector species. Drainage hole features in retaining walls, with or without PVC piping, produce significant variations in the probability of P. perniciosus presence, varying from 2·3 to 91·8% if PVC piping is absent and from 0·4 to 66·5% if all holes have PVC piping. It was concluded that the use of PVC piping in drainage holes could help to reduce leishmaniasis transmission.

Situación de la leishmaniosis en Granada (Sur de España) después de 25 años de estudio / Current status of leishmaniasis in Granada (Southern Spain) after 25 years of study

INTRODUCCIÓN: En España, Leishmania infantum es la única especie responsable de la leishmaniosis cutánea (LC) y visceral (LV) humanas, así como de la leishmaniosis canina (L Ca).Como vectores actúan dípteros nematóceros del género Phlebotomus (Diptera, Phlebotomidae), con las especies Phlebotomus perniciosus y P. ariasi actuando en condiciones simpátricas en un mismo foco. OBJETIVO: Pretendemos analizar los cambios acaecidos en la epidemiología de la leishmaniosis en la provincia de Granada durante los últimos 25 años, prestando atención a la incidencia de la enfermedad humana, la prevalencia de la leishmaniosis canina y la densidad de los vectores. METODOLOGÍA: se han recopilado los casos de leishmaniosis humana declarados entre 1984 y2005. En el caso del reservorio, se ha realizado un estudio epidemiológico de la leishmaniosis canina en 20 pueblos de la Alpujarra, que fueron estudiados previamente hace 22 años. Los cambios en las poblaciones de vectores se han determinado haciendo capturas con papeles adhesivos. RESULTADOS Y DISCUSIÓN: En el periodo 1984-2005, la media de la tasa de incidencia de la leishmaniosis humana en la provincia de Granada ha sido de 0,4 casos anuales/100.000 habitantes, observándose un ligero aumento del número de casos a lo largo de los años. Con respecto a la L Ca, hemos observado un incremento progresivo de la seroprevalencia en el piso bioclimático Mesomediterráneo. La densidad de P.perniciosus y P. ariasi ha quedado constante en el Termomediterráneo y ha caído en el Mesomediterráneo; sin embargo se ha incrementado el periodo de actividad de P. perniciosus(AU)

Introduction: The human and canine leishmaniosis are endemic in Granada province (South Spain)since the beginning of 20th century. Object: to study the variation of the rate of human leishmaniosis, the seroprevalence of canine leishmaniosis, and the density of vectors (phlebotomine sandflies).Methodology: we have compiled the reported cases of human leishmaniosis in the period 1984-2004,we have analysed, by IFAT, the dogs of 20 villages of the Alpujarra region, and the results were compared with those obtained 22 years ago. In the same way, the vectors populations were studied using sticky traps. Results and discussion: we have observed a net increase in the rate of human leishmaniosis, and in the seroprevalence of canine leishmaniosis. Respect the vector there is a increase in the activity period but not in the density(AU)