title: Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) gemmea, a potential vector of Leishmania siamensis in southern Thailand.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania siamensis, is an emerging disease in Thailand. Although reported cases have been increasing, epidemiological information of the disease including host and vector aspects is not clearly known. This study was a preliminary survey of the potential vector of L. siamensis in an affected area of leishmaniasis, Trang Province, southern Thailand.
  
  
  METHODS
  The collection of sandflies was performed around the area where a case of leishmaniasis was reported using CDC light traps. Species of sandfly were identified based on morphological characteristics according to Lewis's key. PCR amplification and sequencing of the heat shock protein 70 gene (hsp70) was used to identify L. siamensis DNA in sandflies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 146 male and female sandflies were collected in the affected areas. Of 71 female sandflies, four species were identified, i.e., Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) gemmea, S. (Neophlebotomus) iyengari, S. (Parrotomyia) barraudi and Phlebotomus (Anaphlebotomus) stantoni. Among these species, S. (Neophlebotomus) gemmea was the most predominant species in all areas. DNA of L. siamensis was identified in S. (Neophlebotomus) gemmea. Nucleotide sequences of PCR products using DNA extracted from S. (Neophlebotomus) gemmea showed 99.8% identity to L. siamensis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  S. (Neophlebotomus) gemmea might be a potential vector of L. siamensis in an affected area, Trang Province, southern Thailand. However further studies are needed to prove whether these sandflies can be natural vectors of leishmaniasis.
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi Province 11000, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kobkan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kanjanopas
authors.forename: Suradej
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siripattanapipong
authors.forename: Ubolrat
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ninsaeng
authors.forename: Atitaya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hitakarun
authors.forename: Somnat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jitkaew
authors.forename: Preecha
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kaewtaphaya
authors.forename: Peerapan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tan-ariya
authors.forename: Mathirut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mungthin
authors.forename: Chetsuda
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Charoenwong
authors.forename: Saovanee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leelayoova
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000635:transmission; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000469:parasitology*; D007891:Leishmania / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000635:transmission; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011576:Psychodidae / Q000469:parasitology*; D013785:Thailand
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan