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Barroso P, Zanet S, Ferroglio E. Meteorological, demographic, and environmental risk factors for Leishmania infantum in wildlife. Res Vet Sci 2024; 173:105288. [PMID: 38718544 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Leishmania infantum is an important and neglected vector-borne zoonotic protozoa endemic in the Mediterranean basin. Several wild and domestic mammals can contribute to maintaining its circulation but their importance as effective reservoirs is still under discussion and varies depending on local ecological communities. By combining environmental, climatic, and individual information, this study assessed the presence of L. infantum DNA in a set of wild species from Northwestern Italy and the potential ecological factors related to the risk of infection. From 2020 to 2022, 304 free-ranging wild animals were analyzed for the detection of L. infantum DNA in the spleen and popliteal lymph node (when available). The prevalence obtained in wild boar (Sus scrofa) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) was higher than those previously reported (% ± confidence interval 95%; 42.9 ± 18.4% and 27 ± 6.6% in wild boar and roe deer, respectively), and this is the first report of this parasite infecting the coypu Myocastor coypus (60 ± 34.7%). L. infantum DNA was detected in all the seasons including those free of adult sandflies and seasonal differences were minimal, suggesting a long course of infection. The models revealed that animals from rainy areas with higher greenness during the summer, highly populated by humans and predominantly covered by water surfaces had a higher risk of L. infantum. This study contributes to confirming previous findings on the existence of a sylvatic cycle for L. infantum in certain regions of Italy, as well as on the potential epidemiological role of roe deer for this parasite given the elevated prevalence found.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Barroso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco, Turin, Italy; Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leon, 24071 Leon, Spain.
| | - S Zanet
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco, Turin, Italy
| | - E Ferroglio
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco, Turin, Italy
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Díaz-Sáez V, Morillas-Mancilla MJ, Corpas-López V, Rodríguez-Granger J, Sampedro A, Morillas-Márquez F, Martín-Sánchez J. Leishmaniasis vectors in the environment of treated leishmaniasis cases in Spain. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:3247-3255. [PMID: 35943318 PMCID: PMC10087936 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Transmission of leishmaniasis in endemic areas is characterized by microfocality related to the presence of the vector. Most entomological studies in southwestern Europe have focused on sylvatic areas and town outskirts, very few have sampled town or urban centres, and no survey has investigated inside households. The aim of this study was to determine the sand fly species diversity and vector density in the surroundings of human leishmaniasis cases compared with environments in which there was no association. Sand flies were captured in 26 households associated with recently treated leishmaniasis patients, 15 neighbouring houses without associated cases, and in others environments. Overall 7495 sand flies belonging to six species were captured. The highest sand fly density was found in farmhouses where there is a great availability of blood sources and breeding sites. In the environment of human leishmaniasis cases, Sergentomyia minuta was the most prevalent species followed by Phlebotomus perniciosus. Nevertheless, lower Leishmania infantum infection rates and lower intensity of infection were detected in S. minuta sand flies than in P. perniciosus. The density of P. perniciosus in households with recently treated leishmaniasis patients varies between 0 and 108 sand flies per light trap/night, with the maximum values corresponding to farmhouses. This species appears to be adapted to both indoors and outdoors domestic biotopes, including urban households.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoriano Díaz-Sáez
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | | | | | - Javier Rodríguez-Granger
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - Antonio Sampedro
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
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Mendoza-Roldan JA, Mendoza-Roldan MA, Otranto D. Reptile vector-borne diseases of zoonotic concern. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2021; 15:132-142. [PMID: 34026483 PMCID: PMC8121771 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Reptile vector-borne diseases (RVBDs) of zoonotic concern are caused by bacteria, protozoa and viruses transmitted by arthropod vectors, which belong to the subclass Acarina (mites and ticks) and the order Diptera (mosquitoes, sand flies and tsetse flies). The phyletic age of reptiles since their origin in the late Carboniferous, has favored vectors and pathogens to co-evolve through millions of years, bridging to the present host-vector-pathogen interactions. The origin of vector-borne diseases is dated to the early cretaceous with Trypanosomatidae species in extinct sand flies, ancestral of modern protozoan hemoparasites of zoonotic concern (e.g., Leishmania and Trypanosoma) associated to reptiles. Bacterial RVBDs are represented by microorganisms also affecting mammals of the genera Aeromonas, Anaplasma, Borrelia, Coxiella, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia, most of them having reptilian clades. Finally, reptiles may play an important role as reservoirs of arborivuses, given the low host specificity of anthropophilic mosquitoes and sand flies. In this review, vector-borne pathogens of zoonotic concern from reptiles are discussed, as well as the interactions between reptiles, arthropod vectors and the zoonotic pathogens they may transmit.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
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Michelutti A, Toniolo F, Bertola M, Grillini M, Simonato G, Ravagnan S, Montarsi F. Occurrence of Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in the northeastern plain of Italy. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:164. [PMID: 33761950 PMCID: PMC7992963 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04652-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent climate and environmental changes have resulted in the geographical expansion of Mediterranean Leishmania infantum vectors towards northern latitudes and higher altitudes in different European countries, including Italy, where new foci of canine leishmaniasis have been observed in the northern part of the country. Northern Italy is also an endemic area for mosquito-borne diseases. During entomological surveillance for West Nile virus, mosquitoes and other hematophagous insects were collected, including Phlebotomine sand flies. In this study, we report the results of Phlebotomine sand fly identification during the entomological surveillance conducted from 2017 to 2019. METHODS The northeastern plain of Italy was divided by a grid with a length of 15 km, and a CO2-CDC trap was placed in each geographical unit. The traps were placed ~ 15 km apart. For each sampling site, geographical coordinates were recorded. The traps were operated every two weeks, from May to November. Sand flies collected by CO2-CDC traps were identified by morphological and molecular analysis. RESULTS From 2017 to 2019, a total of 303 sand flies belonging to the species Phlebotomus perniciosus (n = 273), Sergentomyia minuta (n = 5), P. mascittii (n = 2) and P. perfiliewi (n = 2) were collected, along with 21 unidentified specimens. The trend for P. perniciosus collected during the entomological surveillance showed two peaks, one in July and a smaller one in September. Sand flies were collected at different altitudes, from -2 m above sea level (a.s.l.) to 145 m a.s.l. No correlation was observed between altitude and sand fly abundance. CONCLUSIONS Four Phlebotomine sand fly species are reported for the first time from the northeastern plain of Italy. Except for S. minuta, the sand fly species are competent vectors of Leishmania parasites and other arboviruses in the Mediterranean Basin. These findings demonstrate the ability of sand flies to colonize new environments previously considered unsuitable for these insects. Even though the density of the Phlebotomine sand fly population in the plain areas is consistently lower than that observed in hilly and low mountainous areas, the presence of these vectors could herald the onset of epidemic outbreaks of leishmaniasis and other arthropod-borne diseases in areas previously considered non-endemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Michelutti
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Micology and Medical Entomology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Delle Venezie, Legnaro (PD), Italy.
| | - Federica Toniolo
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Micology and Medical Entomology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Delle Venezie, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Michela Bertola
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Micology and Medical Entomology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Delle Venezie, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Marika Grillini
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Giulia Simonato
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Silvia Ravagnan
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Micology and Medical Entomology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Delle Venezie, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Fabrizio Montarsi
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Micology and Medical Entomology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Delle Venezie, Legnaro (PD), Italy
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Oliveira RS, Pimentel KBA, Moura ML, Aragão CF, Guimarães-E-Silva AS, Bezerra JMT, Melo MN, Pinheiro VCS. Clinical, epidemiological and climatic factors related to the occurrence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in an endemic area in northeastern Brazil. BRAZ J BIOL 2021; 81:557-565. [PMID: 32876165 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.224937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease with a wide distribution in the Americas. Brazil is an endemic country and present cases in all states. This study aimed to describe the occurrence, the underlying clinical and epidemiological factors, and the correlation of climatic variables with the frequency of reported CL cases in the municipality of Caxias, state of Maranhão, Brazil. This is a retrospective and descriptive epidemiological study based on data extracted from the Brazilian Information System of Diseases Notification, from 2007 to 2017. Maximum and minimum temperature, precipitation, and relative air humidity data were provided by the Brazilian National Institute of Meteorology. A total of 201 reported autochthonous CL cases were analyzed. The predominance of cases was observed in males (70.1%). The age range between 31 and 60 years old was the most affected, with 96 cases (47.9%). Of the total number of registered cases, 38.8% of the affected individuals were engaged in agriculture-related activities. The georeferenced distribution revealed the heterogeneity of disease occurrence, with cases concentrated in the Western and Southern regions of the municipality. An association was detected between relative air humidity (monthly mean) and the number of CL cases per month (p = 0.04). CL continues to be a concerning public health issue in Caxias. In this context, there is a pressing need to strengthen measures of prevention and control of the disease through the network of health services of the municipality, considering local and regional particularities.
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Affiliation(s)
- R S Oliveira
- Curso de Medicina, Departamento de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão - UEMA, Campus Caxias - Anexo Saúde, Rua Quinhinha Pires, 746, Centro, CEP 65602-050, Caxias, MA, Brasil
| | - K B A Pimentel
- Programa de Pós-graduação Strictu Sensu em Saúde e Ambiente, Universidade Federal do Maranhão - UFMA, Praça Madre Deus, 02, Madre Deus, CEP 65025-560, São Luís, MA, Brasil
| | - M L Moura
- Curso de Medicina, Departamento de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão - UEMA, Campus Caxias - Anexo Saúde, Rua Quinhinha Pires, 746, Centro, CEP 65602-050, Caxias, MA, Brasil
| | - C F Aragão
- Programa de Pós-graduação Strictu Sensu em Virologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas - IEC, Rodovia BR 316, Km 07, s/n, Levilândia, CEP 67030-000, Ananideua, PA, Brasil
| | - A S Guimarães-E-Silva
- Programa de Pós-graduação Strictu Sensu em Biodiversidade, Ambiente e Saúde, Laboratório de Entomologia Médica, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão - UEMA, Campus Caxias, Praça Duque de Caxias, s/n, Morro do Alecrim, CEP 65604-380, Caxias, MA, Brasil
| | - J M T Bezerra
- Curso de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão - UEMA, Campus Lago da Pedra, Avenida Roseana Sarney, s/n, Vila Rocha, CEP 65715-000, Lago da Pedra, MA, Brasil
| | - M N Melo
- Laboratório de Biologia de Leishmania, Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - V C S Pinheiro
- Programa de Pós-graduação Strictu Sensu em Biodiversidade, Ambiente e Saúde, Laboratório de Entomologia Médica, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão - UEMA, Campus Caxias, Praça Duque de Caxias, s/n, Morro do Alecrim, CEP 65604-380, Caxias, MA, Brasil
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First detection of Leishmania infantum in common urban bats Pipistrellus pipistrellus in Europe. Res Vet Sci 2020; 132:172-176. [PMID: 32593861 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania infantum is a protozoan causing leishmaniasis in humans and in dogs, among other animals, which is an endemic disease in the Mediterranean basin. In recent years, the role of wildlife as a possible reservoir of the disease was analyzed and several species of carnivores were reported to have the highest infection rates, with foxes and wolves being the more widely studied species; the role of rabbits and hares as reservoirs of leishmaniasis has also been described. In addition, several studies highlighted the role of bats as suitable hosts for Leishmania species (L. braziliensis, L. major, L. mexicana, and L. tropica) in South and Central America and Africa, but no Leishmania spp. infection in Chiroptera has been reported in Europe. In this study, samples from spleen, hair, and blood were analyzed to detect L. infantum DNA in bats from the Community of Madrid (Spain). Infection by L. infantum was detected in 59.2% of the bats studied (n = 16/27), with the spleen being selected as the site for detection, yielding 14/16 positive results (87.5% sensitivity), followed by hair (n = 7/16) and blood (n = 6/16). In two animals, samples from all three anatomical sites tested positive (7.4% of the total animals), while in four animals the spleen and hair samples tested positive (14.8%), in one animal the blood and hair samples tested positive (3.7%), and in another animal the blood sample only tested positive (3.7%). This is the first report of L. infantum detection in the common urban bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) in Europe.
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Pérez-Cutillas P, Muñoz C, Martínez-De La Puente J, Figuerola J, Navarro R, Ortuño M, Bernal LJ, Ortiz J, Soriguer RC, Berriatua E. A spatial ecology study in a high-diversity host community to understand blood-feeding behaviour in Phlebotomus sandfly vectors of Leishmania. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 34:164-174. [PMID: 31930740 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 11/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Molecular studies indicate that Phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) blood feed on many vertebrate species, of which only a few are proven parasite reservoirs. Investigating sandfly vector feeding preferences is therefore important and requires taking into account the availability and accessibility of host species. In terms of the latter, it is necessary to consider the metabolic cost to the insect of reaching the host and moving on to a suitable breeding site. The present study used statistical modelling to compare the feeding patterns of Phlebotomus perniciosus (n = 150), Phlebotomus papatasi (n = 35) and Phlebotomus ariasi (n = 7) on each of an average of 30 host species in a wildlife park in Murcia, Spain. Sandfly feeding movement costs were estimated as a function of the distance and altitude gradients saved by the insect, assuming that they displayed 'site fidelity'. Most (87%) engorged females were caught <100 m from the host on which they had fed. Although the percentage of bloodmeals was highest on fallow deer (Dama dama) (30%) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) (26%), the predicted feeding probability after considering movement cost was highest for red deer and common eland (Taurotragus oryx), and positively associated with host census. These results suggest that, under similar circumstances, sandflies prefer to feed on some host species more than on others.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Pérez-Cutillas
- Grupo de Erosión y Conservación de Suelos, Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CEBAS-CSIC), Murcia, Spain
- Departamento de Geografía, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - C Muñoz
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional 'Campus Mare Nostrum', Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - J Martínez-De La Puente
- Departamentode Etología y Conservación de la Biodiversidad, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (EBD-CSIC), C/ Américo Vespucio, Seville, Spain
- Ciber de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Seville, Spain
| | - J Figuerola
- Departamentode Etología y Conservación de la Biodiversidad, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (EBD-CSIC), C/ Américo Vespucio, Seville, Spain
- Ciber de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Seville, Spain
| | - R Navarro
- Sección Veterinaria, Parque Zoológico Terra Natura Murcia, C/ Regidor Cayetano Gago, s/n, Murcia, Spain
| | - M Ortuño
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional 'Campus Mare Nostrum', Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - L J Bernal
- Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional 'Campus Mare Nostrum', Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - J Ortiz
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional 'Campus Mare Nostrum', Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - R C Soriguer
- Departamentode Etología y Conservación de la Biodiversidad, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (EBD-CSIC), C/ Américo Vespucio, Seville, Spain
- Ciber de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Seville, Spain
| | - E Berriatua
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional 'Campus Mare Nostrum', Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Epidemiology of Toscana virus in South Tuscany over the years 2011-2019. J Clin Virol 2020; 128:104452. [PMID: 32474372 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2020.104452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toscana virus (TOSV) is a Phlebovirus transmitted to humans by phlebotomines and represent an etiological agent of acute aseptic meningitis (AAM) in countries where the virus is endemic, including Italy. Incidence of TOSV infections is closely associated with the geographical distribution of the phlebotomine vectors which in turn is affected by climate changes that determine survival and spread. As a result, TOSV infections show a seasonal trend with a peak of incidence in summer months. OBJECTIVES To measure the prevalence of TOSV infections in AAM patients in central Italy and evaluate the climate changes in phlebotomine vectors ecology and virus propagation. STUDY DESIGN One thousand and seventy-three cerebrospinal fluid samples (CSFs), collected from patients with suspected viral meningitis, were collected over nine years (2011-2019) during the May to October period and tested for viruses most commonly associated with AAM. Serum samples addressed to the Microbiology and Virology Unit of "S. Maria delle Scotte" Hospital for confirmation acute TOSV infection (n = 324) were tested for TOSV-specific IgM and IgG. RESULTS Among the CSF samples, 1.3% were positive for Enteroviruses; 0.9% for Varicella zoster virus, 1.9% for Herpes simplex virus type-1/2 and 4.6% for TOSV. Serum IgM analyses disclosed TOSV-specific IgM in 27.1% of sera suggesting the predominant involvement of TOSV in neuroinvasive infections. CONCLUSIONS This data confirms the predominant role of TOSV as causative agent of AAM during the summer time in endemic countries. Moreover, climate changes affecting phlebotomine vectors persistence, reproduction and activity could be involved in the cyclic nature of TOSV infection reported during the last nine years.
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Muñoz C, Martínez-de la Puente J, Figuerola J, Pérez-Cutillas P, Navarro R, Ortuño M, Bernal LJ, Ortiz J, Soriguer R, Berriatua E. Molecular xenomonitoring and host identification of Leishmania sand fly vectors in a Mediterranean periurban wildlife park. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 66:2546-2561. [PMID: 31376338 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The epidemiological cycle of zoonotic phlebotomine-borne Leishmania infantum is a complex system in which domestic animals and wildlife interact and participate in its maintenance and transmission. In this study, we combined entomological surveillance, xenomonitoring of L. infantum and identification of host feeding sources of engorged females to investigate the potential contribution of a periurban wildlife park to leishmaniosis in neighbouring residential areas. Overall, 7,309 sand flies were collected in 111 trap-days during the summers of 2016-2018 in an endemic area in south-east Spain. Five different sand fly species were captured, with Phlebotomus perniciosus, the main L. infantum vector in this region, representing the most common species. Sand fly distribution was spatially heterogeneous in terms of species, sexes and female physiological stage (unfed, gravid and engorged females) and related to host distribution and management, and environmental features. None of the 602 sand flies analysed for L. infantum infection by kinetoplast real-time PCR were positive. We used molecular tools to identify the vertebrate hosts of sand flies and identified 17 host species, mainly mammals. Human DNA was not identified in engorged sand flies. This study provides evidence that wildlife parks in south-east Spain are ideal grounds for sand fly vectors but do not necessarily increase L. infantum infection risk to humans and dogs living in surrounding residential areas. This is probably because vectors feed mostly on non-L. infantum competent hosts and this should be investigated for a better understanding of the contribution of wildlife parks to the local epidemiology of L. infantum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Muñoz
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Josué Martínez-de la Puente
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain.,Ciber de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Seville, Spain
| | - Jordi Figuerola
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain.,Ciber de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Seville, Spain
| | - Pedro Pérez-Cutillas
- Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CEBAS-CSIC), Murcia, Spain.,Departamento de Geografía, Facultad de Letras, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - María Ortuño
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Luis J Bernal
- Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Juana Ortiz
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Ramón Soriguer
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain.,Ciber de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Seville, Spain
| | - Eduardo Berriatua
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Bennai K, Tahir D, Lafri I, Bendjaballah-Laliam A, Bitam I, Parola P. Molecular detection of Leishmania infantum DNA and host blood meal identification in Phlebotomus in a hypoendemic focus of human leishmaniasis in northern Algeria. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006513. [PMID: 29958283 PMCID: PMC6042794 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmania parasites are transmitted by female phlebotomine sand flies that maintain the enzootic cycle by circulating between sylvatic and domestic mammals. Humans are part of this cycle as accidental hosts due to the vector's search for a source of blood. In Algeria, Human Leishmaniases (HL) are endemic and represent a serious public health problem because of their high annual incidence and their spread across the country. The aim of this study is to identify sand fly species fauna (vectors of Leishmania), determine their infection rate and identify their feeding preferences using molecular tools in a hypoendemic focus of HL located in the province of Tipaza, northern Algeria. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS An entomological survey using CDC light traps was conducted between July and October of 2015 in four HL affected peri-urban locations in the province of Tipaza, northern Algeria. Sand flies were identified using the morphological criteria of the genitalia for the males and spermathecae for the females. Leishmania DNA was detected in pooled female sand flies (N = 81 pools with 8-10 specimens per pool) using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) targeting two different genes: kDNA-PCR and 18S rRNA. To identify their blood meal sources, blood-fed female sand flies were analyzed by PCR-sequencing targeting the vertebrate cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene. A total of 4,045 sand flies were caught, of which 3,727 specimens were morphologically identified. Seven species were recorded: P. (L.) perniciosus (50.28%), P. (L.) perfiliewi (26.13%), P. (L.) longicuspis (21.92%), Sergentomyia (S.) minuta (0.85%), P. (P.) papatasi (0.42%), P. (L.) langeroni (0.32%) and P. (L.) ariasi (0.05%). Afterwards, 740 female specimens were randomly selected and divided into 81 pools and were then screened to investigate the presence of Leishmania spp. L. infantum DNA was detected in three pools, corresponding to three sand fly specimens (one each). The infection rate was 0.33% (2/600) for P. (L.) perniciosus and 2.56% (1/39) for P. (L.) perfiliewi. Analysis of the blood feeding sources (N = 88 specimens) revealed that sand flies belonging to Larroussius subgenera, mainly (71.5%) feed on small ruminants. Human blood is the second feeding source (17%), eight specimens (9%) were found to feed on equines and no domestic reservoir (dog) blood was found. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The presence of human leishmaniasis cases, the high abundance of Phlebotomus (Larroussius) species which are proven or suspected vectors of L. infantum, and the detection of L. infantum DNA from its natural vectors (P. (L.) perniciosus, P. (L.) perfiliewi), in addition to the blood-feeding of positive females for L. infantum on humans blood, prove that the major elements of the epidemiological transmission cycle of L. infantum are present and indicate risk factors for an outbreak of the disease in the province of Tipaza.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kahina Bennai
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Laboratoire de Valorisation et Conservation des Ressources Biologiques (VALCOR), Faculté des Sciences, Université M’Hamed Bougara, Boumerdes, Algérie
| | - Djamel Tahir
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Ismail Lafri
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Institut des Sciences Vétérinaires, Université Blida 1, Blida, Algérie
| | | | - Idir Bitam
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Laboratoire Biodiversité et Environnement, Université des Sciences et Technologies Houari Boumediene, Alger, Algérie
- Ecole Supérieure des Sciences de l'Aliment et des Industries Agro-Alimentaires, Alger, Algérie
| | - Philippe Parola
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
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11
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Bouhsira E, Deuster K, Lienard E, Le Sueur C, Franc M. Evaluation of the anti-feeding and insecticidal effects of a topically administered combination of imidacloprid and permethrin (Advantix®) against Phlebotomus (Larroussius) perniciosus (Newstead, 1911) in dogs following monthly administration. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:120. [PMID: 29499732 PMCID: PMC5834874 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2690-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Two laboratory experiments (Studies 1 and 2) were conducted to confirm the efficacy of an imidacloprid and permethrin combination (Advantix® Spot-on, Bayer) to repel and kill Phlebotomus (Larroussius) perniciosus sand flies when applied once a month topically to dogs. METHODS Both studies compared dogs treated with a combination containing 100 mg/ml imidacloprid + 500 mg/ml permethrin (Advantix® Spot-on, Bayer) to placebo treated dogs. The treatments were applied topically on Day -28 (Study 2) and Day 0 (Studies 1 and 2). Sand fly exposures with 80 unfed females were performed before the first treatment for allocation purposes and post-treatment on study days (SDs) 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 (following first or second monthly treatment for Studies 1 and 2, respectively). After 60 min, sand flies were assessed for mortality and engorgement status. RESULTS Repellent evaluation (anti-feeding effect) on all days post-infestation showed efficacies that ranged between 88.1-99.3% during the first month and 92.2-98.9% during the second. Analyses of the comparison of fed sand fly counts for each treatment group resulted in a highly significant reduction (P < 0.0001) at all post-infestation time points for those dogs treated with Advantix®. A significant (P < 0.0001 for all time points) insecticidal effect was equally demonstrated. No treatment related adverse events were observed during the study. CONCLUSIONS In the present studies Advantix® Spot-on demonstrated to be safe and to provide excellent four-week sand fly (P. perniciosus) repellency of ≥88.1% and ≥92.2% after a first and second monthly treatment, respectively. A significant insecticidal effect was also observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Bouhsira
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 31076, Toulouse Cedex, France
| | | | - Emmanuel Lienard
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 31076, Toulouse Cedex, France
| | | | - Michel Franc
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 31076, Toulouse Cedex, France
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12
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Detection of Leishmania DNA and blood meal sources in phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in western of Spain: Update on distribution and risk factors associated. Acta Trop 2016; 164:414-424. [PMID: 27720626 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Revised: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum is present in Mediterranean countries, with high prevalence in areas of the center and south of Spain. However, in some regions such as Extremadura (in southwest of Spain), data has not been updated since 1997. The aim of this work was (i) to provide information about the distribution of phlebotomine sand fly species in western of Spain (Extremadura region), (ii) to determine risk factors for the presence of sand fly vectors and (iii) to detect Leishmania DNA and identify blood meal sources in wild caught females. During 2012-2013, sand flies were surveyed using CDC miniature light-traps in 13 of 20 counties in Extremadura. Specimens were identified morphologically and females were used for molecular detection of Leishmania DNA by kDNA, ITS-1 and cyt-B. In addition, blood meals origins were analyzed by a PCR based in vertebrate cyt b gene. A total of 1083 sand flies of both gender were captured and identified. Five species were collected, Phlebotomus perniciosus (60.76%), Sergentomyia minuta (29.92%), P. ariasi (7.11%), P. papatasi (1.48%) and P. sergenti (0.74%). The last three species constitute the first report in Badajoz, the most southern province of Extremadura region. Leishmania DNA was detected in three out of 435 females (one P. pernicious and two S. minuta). Characterization of obtained DNA sequences by phylogenetic analyses revealed close relatedness with Leishmania tarentolae in S. minuta and L. infantum in P. perniciosus. Haematic preferences showed a wide range of hosts, namely: swine, humans, sheep, rabbits, horses, donkeys and turkeys. The simultaneous presence of P. perniciosus and P. ariasi vectors, the analysis of blood meals, together with the detection of L. infantum and in S. minuta of L. tarentolae, confirms the ideal conditions for the transmission of this parasitosis in the western of Spain. These results improve the epidemiological knowledge of leishmaniosis and its vectors in this part of Spain, highlighting the need for ongoing entomological and parasitological surveillance.
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13
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Dahmani M, Alwassouf S, Grech-Angelini S, Marié JL, Davoust B, Charrel RN. Seroprevalence of Toscana virus in dogs from Corsica, France. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:381. [PMID: 27368162 PMCID: PMC4930604 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1665-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toscana virus (TOSV) is an arbovirus belonging to the Bunyaviridae, a family of negative-stranded, enveloped RNA viruses. The virus can be transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected female sand fly of the genus Phlebotomus. Infections are usually asymptomatic but the virus is known to cause aseptic meningitis and/or meningo-encephalitis in the Mediterranean countries. Dogs are good sentinels for detection of viral circulation and are more easily accessible than wild animals. FINDINGS In 2013 and 2014, we collected sera from 231 adult dogs living in 26 counties in two departments in Corsica, a French island in the Mediterranean. The virus microneutralization-based seroprevalence assay revealed a seropositivity of 3.9 % dogs on the eastern coast of Corsica. CONCLUSIONS Our study confirms the circulation of TOSV in Corsica. Accordingly, in geographical areas where dogs possess TOSV neutralizing antibodies, direct and indirect TOSV diagnosis should be implemented in patients presenting with febrile illnesses and central nervous system infections such as meningitis and encephalitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustapha Dahmani
- Research Unit of Emerging Infectious and Tropical Diseases (URMITE) UMR CNRS 7278 IRD 198 INSERM U1015, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France. .,Fondation Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Marseille, France.
| | - Sulaf Alwassouf
- UMR "Emergence des Pathologies Virales" (EPV: Aix-Marseille University - IRD 190 - Inserm 1207 - EHESP), Marseille, France.,Fondation Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Marseille, France
| | | | - Jean-Lou Marié
- Working Group of Animal Epidemiology of French Army Health Service, DRSSA Toulon, French Military Health Service Academy - École du Val-de-Grâce, Paris, France
| | - Bernard Davoust
- Research Unit of Emerging Infectious and Tropical Diseases (URMITE) UMR CNRS 7278 IRD 198 INSERM U1015, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France.,Fondation Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Marseille, France.,French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), LRDE UR045, Corte, France
| | - Rémi N Charrel
- UMR "Emergence des Pathologies Virales" (EPV: Aix-Marseille University - IRD 190 - Inserm 1207 - EHESP), Marseille, France.,Fondation Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Marseille, France
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14
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Chen H, Li K, Shi H, Zhang Y, Ha Y, Wang Y, Jiang J, Wang Y, Yang Z, Xu J, Ma Y. Ecological niches and blood sources of sand fly in an endemic focus of visceral leishmaniasis in Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan, China. Infect Dis Poverty 2016; 5:33. [PMID: 27075573 PMCID: PMC4831150 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-016-0126-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sand fly Phlebotomus chinensis is a principle vector for the visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in China with a wide geographic distribution. Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan is a mountain type endemic area of VL in China. Long term effective control efforts in the region have successfully reduced VL transmission. To assess the current status of the sand flies and their ecological aspects in the region, a survey was conducted in the summer of 2014 and 2015. Methods Sand fly specimens were collected by light traps in a village and blood sources were identified by PCR and sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Results In a rock cave, 65.2 %–79.8 % of collected sand flies were male. On a rabbit farm, 92.9 %–98.8 % of specimens were female. In pig pens, 61.1 % of specimens were female. Some females had visible blood residues. The feeding rate was 49.4 % from the pig pens, 12.3 % from the cave, and only 1.7 % from the rabbit farm. Pig, rabbit, chicken, dog, and human blood were detected in the fed specimens. Swine blood, present in all tested samples, was a preferred blood source, while chicken and dog blood were present in a third of the samples. Conclusions In Jiuzhaigou County, Sichuan Province of China, the considerable sandfly density and the peridomestic feeding behavior all increases the risk of VL transmission, and insecticide spraying in animal sheds could be exploited to reduce sand fly populations in human surroundings. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40249-016-0126-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiying Chen
- Department of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Kaili Li
- Department of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Hua Shi
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of PLA, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Jiuzhaigou Center of Disease Control and Prevention, Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan, 623400, China
| | - Yu Ha
- Jiuzhaigou Center of Disease Control and Prevention, Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan, 623400, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Jinjin Jiang
- Biology Department, Molecular Biology Program, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, 88003, USA
| | - Yubin Wang
- Center of Disease Control and Prevention, General Equipment Department of PLA, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Zhenzhou Yang
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of PLA, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Jiannong Xu
- Biology Department, Molecular Biology Program, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, 88003, USA.
| | - Yajun Ma
- Department of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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15
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Alten B, Maia C, Afonso MO, Campino L, Jiménez M, González E, Molina R, Bañuls AL, Prudhomme J, Vergnes B, Toty C, Cassan C, Rahola N, Thierry M, Sereno D, Bongiorno G, Bianchi R, Khoury C, Tsirigotakis N, Dokianakis E, Antoniou M, Christodoulou V, Mazeris A, Karakus M, Ozbel Y, Arserim SK, Erisoz Kasap O, Gunay F, Oguz G, Kaynas S, Tsertsvadze N, Tskhvaradze L, Giorgobiani E, Gramiccia M, Volf P, Gradoni L. Seasonal Dynamics of Phlebotomine Sand Fly Species Proven Vectors of Mediterranean Leishmaniasis Caused by Leishmania infantum. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004458. [PMID: 26900688 PMCID: PMC4762948 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The recent geographical expansion of phlebotomine vectors of Leishmania infantum in the Mediterranean subregion has been attributed to ongoing climate changes. At these latitudes, the activity of sand flies is typically seasonal; because seasonal phenomena are also sensitive to general variations in climate, current phenological data sets can provide a baseline for continuing investigations on sand fly population dynamics that may impact on future scenarios of leishmaniasis transmission. With this aim, in 2011–2013 a consortium of partners from eight Mediterranean countries carried out entomological investigations in sites where L. infantum transmission was recently reported. Methods/Principal Findings A common protocol for sand fly collection included monthly captures by CDC light traps, complemented by sticky traps in most of the sites. Collections were replicated for more than one season in order to reduce the effects of local weather events. In each site, the trapping effort was left unchanged throughout the survey to legitimate inter-seasonal comparisons. Data from 99,000 collected specimens were analyzed, resulting in the description of seasonal dynamics of 56,000 sand flies belonging to L. infantum vector species throughout a wide geographical area, namely P. perniciosus (Portugal, Spain and Italy), P. ariasi (France), P. neglectus (Greece), P. tobbi (Cyprus and Turkey), P. balcanicus and P. kandelakii (Georgia). Time of sand fly appearance/disappearance in collections differed between sites, and seasonal densities showed variations in each site. Significant correlations were found between latitude/mean annual temperature of sites and i) the first month of sand fly appearance, that ranged from early April to the first half of June; ii) the type of density trend, varying from a single peak in July/August to multiple peaks increasing in magnitude from May through September. A 3-modal trend, recorded for P. tobbi in Cyprus, represents a novel finding for a L. infantum vector. Adults ended the activity starting from mid September through November, without significant correlation with latitude/mean annual temperature of sites. The period of potential exposure to L.infantum in the Mediterranean subregion, as inferred by adult densities calculated from 3 years, 37 sites and 6 competent vector species, was associated to a regular bell-shaped density curve having a wide peak center encompassing the July-September period, and falling between early May to late October for more than 99% of values. Apparently no risk for leishmaniasis transmission took place from December through March in the years considered. We found a common pattern of nocturnal females activity, whose density peaked between 11 pm and 2 am. Conclusions Despite annual variations, multiple collections performed over consecutive years provided homogeneous patterns of the potential behavior of leishmaniasis vectors in selected sites, which we propose may represent sentinel areas for future monitoring. In the investigated years, higher potential risk for L. infantum transmission in the Mediterranean was identified in the June-October period (97% relative vector density), however such risk was not equally distributed throughout the region, since density waves of adults occurred earlier and were more frequent in southern territories. Recent projections on global warming indicate a constant rise of temperatures in the Mediterranean subregion in the near-mid future. While this phenomenon already caused geographical expansion of several arthropod-borne diseases, it is likely to affect also temporal parameters of seasonally transmitted diseases such as leishmaniasis, a protozoan infection spread by the bite of phlebotomine sand flies. Phenology of sand flies consists in the periods of emergence of adults and their disappearance from collections following an activity period during warm months, which can be characterized by peaks of abundance. Current phenological observations can be important for continuing investigations on sand fly dynamics that may impact on leishmaniasis transmission in the future. With this aim, partners from eight Mediterranean countries identified sites with documented Leishmania infantum transmission by six different vector species and performed multiannual trappings. From the high number of 56,000 specimens collected throughout an area spanning from Portugal at west to Georgia at east, the current seasonal dynamics of Mediterranean vectors was obtained. Both, period of adults emergence and type of density trend were found to be significantly correlated with latitude or mean annual temperature of trapping sites. At the southernmost latitudes, vector activity started as early as begin of April and ended by late November, showing that the no-risk period of potential exposure to L. infantum lasted only 4 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bulent Alten
- Department of Biology, Ecology Division, HUESRL-VERG laboratories, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Carla Maia
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Unidade Parasitologia Médica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria Odete Afonso
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Unidade Parasitologia Médica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Lenea Campino
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Unidade Parasitologia Médica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maribel Jiménez
- Centro Nacional de Microbiologia, Servicio de Parasitología, Unidad de Entomología Médica, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Estela González
- Centro Nacional de Microbiologia, Servicio de Parasitología, Unidad de Entomología Médica, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ricardo Molina
- Centro Nacional de Microbiologia, Servicio de Parasitología, Unidad de Entomología Médica, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anne Laure Bañuls
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, MIVEGEC, Montpellier, France
| | - Jorian Prudhomme
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, MIVEGEC, Montpellier, France
| | - Baptiste Vergnes
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, MIVEGEC, Montpellier, France
| | - Celine Toty
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, MIVEGEC, Montpellier, France
| | - Cécile Cassan
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, MIVEGEC, Montpellier, France
| | - Nil Rahola
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, MIVEGEC, Montpellier, France
| | - Magali Thierry
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, MIVEGEC, Montpellier, France
| | - Denis Sereno
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, MIVEGEC, Montpellier, France
| | - Gioia Bongiorno
- M.I.P.I. Department, Unit of Vector-borne Diseases and International Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Bianchi
- M.I.P.I. Department, Unit of Vector-borne Diseases and International Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Khoury
- M.I.P.I. Department, Unit of Vector-borne Diseases and International Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Nikolaos Tsirigotakis
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology, Parasitology, Zoonoses and Geographical Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Dokianakis
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology, Parasitology, Zoonoses and Geographical Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Maria Antoniou
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology, Parasitology, Zoonoses and Geographical Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | | | | | - Mehmet Karakus
- Department of Parasitology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Yusuf Ozbel
- Department of Parasitology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Suha K. Arserim
- Vocational School of Health Sciences, Cela Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Ozge Erisoz Kasap
- Department of Biology, Ecology Division, HUESRL-VERG laboratories, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Filiz Gunay
- Department of Biology, Ecology Division, HUESRL-VERG laboratories, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Gizem Oguz
- Department of Biology, Ecology Division, HUESRL-VERG laboratories, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sinan Kaynas
- Veterinary Faculty, Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Burdur, Turkey
| | | | | | | | - Marina Gramiccia
- M.I.P.I. Department, Unit of Vector-borne Diseases and International Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Luigi Gradoni
- M.I.P.I. Department, Unit of Vector-borne Diseases and International Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail:
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