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As a precursor to planned arboviral vector incrimination studies, an integrated systematics approach was adopted using morphology and DNA barcoding to examine the Culex fauna present in Turkey. The mitochondrial COI gene (658bp) were sequenced from 185 specimens collected across 11 Turkish provinces, as well as from colony material. Although by morphology only 9 species were recognised, DNA barcoding recovered 13 distinct species including: Cx. (Barraudius) modestus, Cx. (Culex) laticinctus, Cx. (Cux.) mimeticus, Cx. (Cux.) perexiguus, Cx. (Cux.) pipiens, Cx. (Cux.) pipiens form molestus, Cx. (Cux.) quinquefasciatus, Cx. (Cux.) theileri, Cx. (Cux.) torrentium, Cx. (Cux.) tritaeniorhynchus and Cx. (Maillotia) hortensis. The taxon formerly identified as Cx. (Neoculex) territans was shown to comprise two distinct species, neither of which correspond to Cx. territans s.s. These include Cx. (Neo.) impudicus and another uncertain species, which may be Cx. (Neo.) europaeus or Cx. (Neo.) martinii (herein=Cx. (Neo.) sp. 1). Detailed examination of the Pipiens Group revealed Cx. pipiens, Cx. pipiens f. molestus and the widespread presence of the highly efficient West Nile virus vector Cx. quinquefasciatus for the first time. Four new country records are reported, increasing the Culex of Turkey to 15 recognised species and Cx. pipiens f. molestus. A new taxonomic checklist is provided, annotated with respective vector competencies for transmission of arboviruses.

An entomological survey was conducted to determine the spatial distribution of phlebotomine fauna and understand the effect of environmental factors. The entomological survey was carried out during 2006-2007 in a study area in the rural area of Aydin province, near the Kusadasi town where VL, CL, and canine leishmaniasis (CanL) are endemic. In 2006 and 2007, 132 locations were sampled using sticky traps mainly on embankments. Detailed environmental and meteorological information was also collected for each location. The results of entomological studies indicated that the probable vectors are Phlebotomus tobbi and P. neglectus for VL and CanL, and P. similis for CL in this western leishmaniasis focus. The data revealed a correlation between their presence and spatial variables such as altitude, sampling site location, and humidity. The distribution areas of probable vector species in this study area allowed the identification of risk levels, which may provide useful information to guide the leishmaniasis research in endemic regions. Journal of Vector Ecology 36 (Supplement 1): S99-S105. 2011.

An entomological survey for sand flies was conducted from

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West Nile virus (WNV) and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) are among the medically important Flaviviruses that cause significant morbidity and mortality in humans. In this study, seroprevalence of WNV and TBEV in sera from two state medical hospitals from the southeastern part of Turkey was investigated. One hundred eighty-one serum samples were evaluated for WNV immunoglobulin G (IgG) by an indirect immunofluorescence test (IIFT) and for IgG antibodies against TBEV by a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit with enhanced sensitivity and specificity. Sera positive for WNV IgG were further analyzed by plaque reduction neutralization assay (PRNA). TBEV IgM was also investigated by ELISA in all seroreactive samples. Of 181 sera, 29 (16%) were positive for WNV IgG by IIFT and 17 of 179 (9.5%) were confirmed by PRNA. Nineteen of 181 (10.5%) sera were detected to have TBEV IgG. Mean titer of TBEV IgG was 43.0 RU/mL (median, 33.9 RU/mL; cutoff: 20 RU/mL). Four samples with WNV IgG antibodies were also positive for TBEV IgG antibodies. TBEV IgM was detected in 9 of 39 (23%) of all seroreactive sera, where IgM positivity were accompanied by IgG for 6 samples. These results suggest the presence of possible human WNV and TBEV infections in southeastern Turkey where vector activity have previously been detected.

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