Association of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) population density with climate variables in Montes Claros, an area of American visceral leishmaniasis transmission in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
In the present paper, we evaluate the relationship between climate variables and population density of Lutzomyia longipalpis in Montes Claros, an area of active transmission of American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL) in Brazil. Entomological captures were performed in 10 selected districts of the city, between September 2002-August 2003. A total of 773 specimens of L. longipalpiswere captured in the period and the population density could be associated with local climate variables (cumulative rainfall, average temperature and relative humidity) through a mathematical linear model with a determination coefficient (Rsqr) of 0.752. Although based on an oversimplified statistical analysis, as far as the vector is concerned, this approach showed to be potentially useful as a starting point to guide control measures for AVL in Montes Claros.
Instituto de Pesquisas René Rachou-Fiocruz, Av Augusto de Lima 1715, 30190-002 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
Erika Monteiro
EM
Michalsky
Consuelo Latorre
CL
Fortes-Dias
João Carlos
JC
França-Silva
Marilia Fonseca
MF
Rocha
Ricardo Andrade
RA
Barata
Edelberto Santos
ES
Dias
D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000635:transmission; D008954:Models, Biological; D011156:Population Density; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011576:Psychodidae / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D012621:Seasons