Short report: distribution and feeding preference of the sand flies Phlebotomus sergenti and P. papatasi in a cutaneous leishmaniasis focus in Sanliurfa, Turkey.
Sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) and rodents were collected in the endemic focus of urban cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sanliurfa, Turkey. Phlebotomus sergenti and P. papatasi represented 99% of the sand fly population. These flies were trapped in highest numbers in animal sheds, followed by cellars. However, P. sergenti was relatively more abundant in rooms. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of the gut contents from blood-fed females detected immunoglobulins specific to birds and mammals, suggesting that both species are opportunistic feeders, although poultry is a frequent blood source of P. sergenti. Blood sources include black rats (Rattus rattus) and house mice (Mus domesticus); these rodents are abundant inside houses, and might have a role in parasite circulation.
Svobodová
Milena
M
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. milena@natur.cuni.cz
Sádlová
Jovana
J
Chang
K P
KP
Volf
Petr
P
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005849:Gerbillinae; D006041:Goats; D006736:Horses; D006798:Housing; D006799:Housing, Animal; D006813:Humidity; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000502:physiology*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009115:Muridae; D010691:Phlebotomus / Q000502:physiology*; D011200:Poultry; D051381:Rats; D012377:Rodentia; D012756:Sheep; D012788:Shrews; D013696:Temperature; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health