title: Sand fly population dynamics and cutaneous leishmaniasis among soldiers in an Atlantic forest remnant in northeastern Brazil.
abstract: Outbreaks of cutaneous leishmaniasis are relatively common among soldiers involved in nocturnal activities in tropical forests. We investigated the population dynamics of sand flies in a military training camp located in a remnant of Atlantic rainforest in northeastern Brazil, where outbreaks of cutaneous leishmaniasis have sporadically been described. From July 2012 to July 2014, light traps were monthly placed in 10 collection sites, being nine sites located near the forest edge and one near a sheep and goat stable. Light traps operated from 5:00 pm to 6:00 am, during four consecutive nights. Leishmania infection in sand flies was assessed using a fast real-time PCR assay. Cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis among soldiers were also investigated. In total, 24,606 sand flies belonging to 25 species were identified. Males (n = 12,683) predominated over females (n = 11,923). Sand flies were present during all months, being more numerous in March (n = 1,691) and April 2013 (n = 3,324). Lutzomyia choti (72.9%) was the most abundant species, followed by Lutzomyia longispina (13.8%), Lutzomyia complexa (5.3%), representing together >90% of the sand flies collected. Forty cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis were recorded among soldiers from January 2012 to December 2014. Leishmania isolates were obtained from eight patients and were all characterized as Leishmania braziliensis. Soldiers and anyone overnighting in Atlantic rainforest remnants should adopt preventative measures such as the use of repellents on bare skin or clothes and insecticide-treated tents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Filipe
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1496-6274
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dantas-Torres
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Kamila Gaudêncio da Silva
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Sales
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Débora Elienai de Oliveira
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernando José
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciana Aguiar
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Figueredo
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Aggeu Magalhães Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fábio Lopes
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: de Melo
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Edileuza Felinto
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: de Brito
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Sandra
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sinval Pinto
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Brandão-Filho
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D065928:Forests; D006801:Humans; D007892:Leishmania braziliensis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011576:Psychodidae / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000469:parasitology*