Seasonality of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) and Leishmania DNA detection in vector species in an area with endemic visceral leishmaniasis.
BACKGROUND
Leishmaniases are a serious health problem in southeast Brazil, including the city of Belo Horizonte (BH), Minas Gerais state (MG), where there are high rates of incidence and mortality due to visceral leishmaniases. BH is divided into nine sanitary districts (SD) of which one, the Venda Nova SD, was selected for this study because it has high rates of positivity for canine leishmaniasis and high incidence of human leishmaniasis.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to survey the sand fly fauna in Venda Nova SD from August 2011 to July 2013 and perform a descriptive analysis of the vector population.


METHODS
The sampling was carried out using automatic HP light traps at all covered areas of the Venda Nova SD, in a total of eighteen light traps. Sampled specimens were identified following Galati (2003), and females were submitted to molecular techniques for the detection and identification of Leishmania DNA. A simple environmental description was done for it area and Kernel estimation was used to infer vector density for each study site.


RESULTS
A total of 2,427 sand fly specimens belonging to eight species and five genera were collected of which 95.3% were Lutzomyia longipalpis. The seasonal variation curve was delineated by this species. Lu. longipalpis was the most abundant at all collection points and in all months of the study, and exhibited a natural infection rate of 1.01% for Leishmania infantum and 1.77% for Leishmania braziliensis.


CONCLUSIONS
The results show the presence and adaptation of Lu. longipalpis to the anthropic environment of BH and reinforces its role as the main vector of L. infantum in the region.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Grupo de Estudos em Leishmanioses, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
Lara
L
Saraiva
Prefeitura Municipal de Belo Horizonte, Gerência de Controle de Zoonoses, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
Camila Gonçalves
CG
Leite
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Grupo de Estudos em Leishmanioses, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
Ana Cristina Vianna Mariano da Rocha
AC
Lima
Prefeitura Municipal de Belo Horizonte, Gerência de Controle de Zoonoses, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
Luiz Otávio Alves de
LO
Carvalho
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Grupo de Estudos em Leishmanioses, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
Agnes Antônia Sampaio
AA
Pereira
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Grupo de Estudos em Leishmanioses, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
Jerônimo Marteleto Nunes
JM
Rugani
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Grupo de Estudos em Leishmanioses, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
Felipe Dutra
FD
Rego
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Grupo de Estudos em Leishmanioses, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
Célia Maria Ferreira
CM
Gontijo
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Grupo de Estudos em Leishmanioses, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
José Dilermando
JD
Andrade
D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000145:classification / Q000469:parasitology*; D007891:Leishmania / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000635:transmission; D008297:Male; D011156:Population Density; D011576:Psychodidae / Q000145:classification / Q000469:parasitology*; D012621:Seasons
D016054:DNA, Protozoan