title: [Eco-epidemiological study of Phlebotomus perniciosus in foci of visceral leishmaniasis in Campania].
abstract: An entomological survey was carried out during the sandfly season (June-October) of 1993 in three of the main visceral leishmaniasis (VL) foci of the Campania region of Italy. During the period 1989-1993, 39 VL cases were recorded in the three foci: 19 in Maddaloni, 14 in Ercolano and 6 in Ischia. For each focus, collecting stations representative of sandfly habitats (domestic, peri-domestic and sylvatic) located in urban, peri-urban and rural areas were selected for the sandfly investigation. Three monthly captures by means of sticky traps (20 x 20 cm) were carried out in each station. A total of 2,773 sandfly specimens were caught and identified as belonging to 4 species: Phlebotomus perniciosus (66.2%). P. mascittii (0.4%). P. papatasi (0.2%) and Sergentomyia minuta (33.2%). P. perniciosus, the proven vector of VL in Italy, showed the highest prevalence in all foci studied, Maddaloni (61.0%). Ercolano (62.5%) and Ischia (88.2%); the absolute density of the species (number of specimens/m2 of sticky trap) was not so high in all areas and habitats sampled, the values observed being between 0.14 and 22.05/m2. The relationship between the eco-epidemiological aspects and the distribution of P. perniciosus in the foci investigated is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Fisiologia Generale ed Ambientale, Università di Napoli, Italia.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ascione
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gradoni
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maroli
mesh_terms: D000820:Animal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic / Q000469:parasitology; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000469:parasitology / Q000502:physiology*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D018314:Leishmania infantum / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary; D010691:Phlebotomus / Q000469:parasitology / Q000502:physiology*; D012423:Rural Health; D012621:Seasons; D013045:Species Specificity; D014504:Urban Health