Leishmaniasis transmission in an ecotourism area: potential vectors in Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.
BACKGROUND
The south coast of Rio de Janeiro State, in Brazil, is endemic for cutaneous and visceral leishmaniases and is frequently visited by tourists from different parts of the world. Since the complex epidemiology of leishmaniases demands local studies, the goal of this study was to investigate the phlebotomine sand fly fauna and leishmaniases transmission in Ilha Grande, an ecotourism area of Angra dos Reis municipality.


METHODS
Sand fly fauna was sampled in three monitoring stations using HP light traps in domiciles, peridomiciles and forests. Species abundance was evaluated by the Index of Species Abundance. A Leishmania natural infection survey was done using multiplex PCR and dot blot hybridization.


RESULTS
During 15 consecutive months of sand fly monitoring, 1093 specimens from 16 species were captured. The potential leishmaniases vectors found were Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) intermedia, L. migonei, L. (N.) flaviscutellata, L. (Psychodopygus) ayrozai and L. (Lutzomyia) longipalpis. Five species were new records in Ilha Grande: L. (Sciopemyia) microps, L. termitophila, L. firmatoi, L. rupicola and L. (P.) ayrozai. Higher species richness was found inside forest areas, although potential leishmaniases vectors were present in deforested areas, peridomiciles and inside houses. Lutzomyia (N.) intermedia and L. migonei were the most abundant species. Females of L. migonei showed a high rate (10.3%) of natural infection by Leishmania (Viannia) sp., probably Leishmania (V.) braziliensis.


CONCLUSIONS
The detection of leishmaniases transmission and potential vectors in Ilha Grande is of public health concern, especially because tourists are frequently visiting the island. Besides reinforcing the epidemiological importance of L. (N.) intermedia in Rio de Janeiro State, the role of L. migonei in cutaneous leishmaniasis transmission is highlighted with its high rate of Leishmania natural infection. The finding of L. (L.) longipalpis confirmed the human autochthonous case of visceral leishmaniasis from the island. The presence of L. (N.) flaviscutellata in peridomestic areas is also an important finding, since the species is involved in the transmission of diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis. Health education practices directed to the local community and tourists are important control actions that can be taken in Ilha Grande to reduce the burden of leishmaniases.
Laboratório de Transmissores de Leishmanioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av, Brasil, 4365, Pavilhão Carlos Chagas, 5° andar, sala 43 - Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-360, Brasil. brunomc@ioc.fiocruz.br.
Bruno Moreira
BM
Carvalho
Michele
M
Maximo
Wagner Alexandre
WA
Costa
Antonio Luís Ferreira
AL
de Santana
Simone Miranda
SM
da Costa
Taiana Amancio Neves
TA
da Costa Rego
Daniela
D
de Pita Pereira
Elizabeth Ferreira
EF
Rangel
D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D007891:Leishmania / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D008297:Male; D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D011576:Psychodidae / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000469:parasitology*