Microspatial distributional patterns of vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis in pernambuco, northeastern Brazil.
The purpose of this study is to analyze the spatial distribution and population trends through time of Lutzomyia species in a long-term focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis transmission in an Atlantic Forest area, northeastern Brazil. Sand fly populations of different ecological niches were monitored spatiotemporally in 2009. To summarize vegetation characteristics and phenology, we calculated the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index from Landsat images. Using niche modeling approaches, we assessed suites of environmental factors to identify areas of transmission risk. Although 12 species were detected, L. whitmani was the most abundant and broadly distributed across the area, particularly in peridomiciliary locations, and associated negatively with denser vegetation areas. On the other hand, L. complexa, L. sordelli, and L. tupynambai were found almost exclusively in forested areas (P < 0.05), and associated positively with denser vegetation. Lutzomyia species' occurrences are related to specific environmental combinations (with contrast among species) in the region.
Departmento de Medicina Preventiva e Social, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, UNICAMP, Rua Tessalia Vieira de Camargo 126, 13083-887, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
Maria Rita
MR
Donalisio
A Townsend
AT
Peterson
Pietra Lemos
PL
Costa
Fernando José
FJ
da Silva
Hélio França
HF
Valença
Jeffrey J
JJ
Shaw
Sinval P
SP
Brandão Filho