title: Multiplex-PCR for detection of natural Leishmania infection in Lutzomyia spp. captured in an endemic region for cutaneous leishmaniasis in state of Sucre, Venezuela.
abstract: We studied the natural infection of Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) sp. with Leishmania in endemic foci of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Paria peninsula, state of Sucre, Venezuela. Sand flies were collected between March 2001 and June 2003, using Shannon light-traps and human bait. Of the 1291 insects captured, only two species of phlebotomines were identified: L. ovallesi (82.75%) and L. gomezi (17.42%). A sample of the collected sand flies (51 pools of 2-12 individuals) were analyzed by using a multiplex-PCR assay for simultaneous detection of New Word Leishmaniaand Viannia subgenera. The results showed a total of 8 pools (15.68%) infected; of these, 7 were L. ovallesi naturally infected with L. braziliensis (2 pools) and L. mexicana (5 pools) and 1 pool of L. gomezi infected by L. braziliensis.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Oriente, Núcleo de Anzoátegui, Barcelona, Venezuela. alijor@telcel.net.ve
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jorquera
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: Edgar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marchán-Marcano
authors.forename: Milagros
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oviedo
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000469:parasitology*; D007891:Leishmania / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000635:transmission; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011576:Psychodidae / Q000469:parasitology*; D014687:Venezuela
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan