Detection of Wolbachia and Leishmania DNA in sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) from a focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Tabasco, Mexico.

Phlebotomine sand flies are the main vectors of Leishmania genus species worldwide; therefore, the detection of some reproductive parasites, such as Wolbachia, has been considered a possible strategy for biological control. In Mexico, leishmaniasis cases have been recorded in 25 states, yet only two sand fly species have been related to Wolbachia spp. Although the state of Tabasco has a high number of leishmaniasis cases, only few studies have been done on sand fly species. The aim of this study was to analyze the diversity of sand fly species and to detect Wolbachia spp. and/or Leishmania spp. in the captured specimens. Sand flies were collected at the locality of Huimango, Tabasco, Mexico, during October 2019, using nine light traps (CDC) and two Shannon traps per night. The specimens were identified and females were analyzed by PCR for the DNA detection for pathogens. A total of 193 sand fly specimens belonging to five species were morphologically identified. Pintomyia ovallesi was the most abundant species (76.84%), followed by Micropygomyia cayennensis (6.40%). Furthermore, first records of four sand fly species were established for the state of Tabasco, thereby increasing the species richness in the state from four to eight. We observed a natural infection rate of 9.7% (10/103) for Leishmania and 0.91% (1/103) for Wolbachia. The importance of conducting entomological surveys in endemic areas of leishmaniasis in Mexico is highlighted, to determine whether other sand fly species may be potential vectors of Leishmania spp., and if some Wolbachia strains could be relevant for the control of leishmaniasis.

Integrated Tools for American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Surveillance and Control: Intervention in an Endemic Area in Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is a focal disease whose surveillance and control require complex actions. The present study aimed to apply integrated tools related to entomological surveillance, environmental management, and health education practices in an ACL-endemic area in Rio de Janeiro city, RJ, Brazil. The distribution of the disease, the particular characteristics of the localities, and entomological data were used as additional information about ACL determinants. Environmental management actions were evaluated after health education practices. The frequency of ACL vectors Lutzomyia (N.) intermedia and L. migonei inside and outside houses varied according to environment characteristics, probably influenced by the way of life of the popular groups. In this kind of situation environmental management and community mobilization become essential, as they help both specialists and residents create strategies that can interfere in the dynamics of vector's population and the contact between man and vectors.

Lutzomyia (Pintomyia) fischeri (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae), a probable vector of American cutaneous leishmaniasis: detection of natural infection by Leishmania (Viannia) DNA in specimens from the municipality of Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil, using multiplex PCR assay.

In order to determine natural Leishmania (Viannia) infection in Lutzomyia (Pintomyia) fischeri, a multiplex PCR methodology coupled to non-isotopic hybridization was adopted for the analysis of sand fly samples collected by CDC light traps in an endemic area of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) in the periurban region of the municipality of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. We analyzed by PCR methodology 560 specimens of Lutzomyia (Pintomyia) fischeri (520 females and 40 males). The wild sand flies were grouped into 56 pools (52 females and 4 males) of 10 each, and positive results were detected in 2 of the 52 female pools, representing a minimum infection rate of 0.38% based on the presence of at least 1 infected insect in the pool. This result associated with some local evidence such as anthopophily, spatial distribution in accordance with the transmission area and human case incidence, suggests that L. (P.)fischeri may be considered as a secondary vector of ACL in the studied locality.

First report of Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) neivai (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) naturally infected by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in a periurban area of south Brazil using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay.

To identify Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) neivai naturally infected by Leishmania a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for the analysis of 450 specimens (270 females, 180 males) collected in an endemic periurban area of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Insects were grouped into pools of 10 and positive results were achieved in 3/27 Lu. (N.) neivai female pools. Infection by L. (Viannia) braziliensis was confirmed after hybridizing PCR products with a subgenus-specific biotinylated probe. Considering the detection of three positive pools with at least one infected insect in each, an infection rate of 1.1% was estimated. Our results associated with epidemiologic data suggest a potential ability of Lu. (N.) neivai in transmitting L. braziliensis in Porto Alegre, where the first notifications of autochthonous cutaneous leishmaniasis in humans occurred in 2002, with an increase in the number of cases in recent years possibly as a consequence of deforestation and agricultural activities in the area.