American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) has been increasing in Pernambuco, thus becoming an important problem for Public Health. The incindence is predominant in the region called 'Zona da Mata', in the east of this state. This region corresponds geographically to the primitive area of the Atlantic forest. In order to characterize the eco-epidemiology expression of ACL in this region, two localities situated in the municipalities of Amaraji e Cortes have been selected by the criterion of higher incindence of human cases. Five stocks of patients were characterized and identified on the basis of enzyme profiles as a new variant of Leishmania (V.) braziliensis. A survey of wild and domestic animals was carried out by means of a parasitological and serological diagnosis. Through the analysis of the spleen and liver imprints, were detected amastigotes compatible with Leishmania in five Nectomys s. squamipes, five Bolomys 1. pixuna, two Rattus r. alexandrinus and one Rattus r. frugivorus. For two years we carried out monthly sandflies captures using CDC light traps as well as manual captures. Lutzomyia whitmani was predominant, which accounted for 97.4% of the total. These data indicate a strong evidence on the vector and the potential reservoirs of L. braziliensis in this region.

The aim of this study was to identify the fauna of phlebotomine sandflies in an area with incidence of American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL) in São Vicente Férrer, a municipality (county) located in the northern Zona da Mata in Pernambuco State, Brazil. Sandfly captures were conducted monthly for four nights/month from December 2002 to November 2003, by means of manual captures (with a Shannon trap) and by CDC light traps. A total of 23,156 specimens of phlebotomines sandflies were collected in a remnant of the Atlantic rainforest, houses, and animal shelters. Lutzomyia complexa was the most prevalent species, with a frequency of 62.5% (14,445/23,156), followed by Lutzomyia migonei, with 33.2% (7,677/23,156). No Lutzomyia longipalpis (the main vector of Leishmania chagasi in Brazil and the Americas) was found in the target area. Some specimens were dissected, but no Leishmania parasites were found.

The aim of this study was to characterize the sandfly fauna in a military training area situated in the "Zona da Mata" region of Pernambuco State, Brazil, where human cases of American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) had been observed, caused by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. The occurrence of 16 sandfly species in the Marshall Newton Cavalcanti Military Training Camp (CIMNC) indicates an important diversity of sandfly species in this study area. Lutzomyia complexa was the most common species (51.36%) followed by L. choti (43.54%). All the captures were made in areas where training activities were conducted and where clinical cases had been detected in individuals performing training, following this period. The data relating the sandfly behavior to previous data in the same area provides strong evidence for the occurrence of an enzootic cycle of the parasite, and outbreaks followed the period of training activities in the remaining Atlantic Rain Forest and secondary forest areas.

We have recently found a high prevalence of anti-Leishmania We have recently found a high prevalence of anti-Leishmania We have recently found a high prevalence of anti-antibodies among pet dogs in an Leishmania antibodies among pet dogs in an Leishmania urban area of the municipality of Paulista, coast of Pernambuco State, where cases of visceral leishmaniosis have sporadically been reported. In the present communication, preliminary notes on the phlebotomine sandfl ies (Diptera: Psychodidae) of Paulista are given.

Lutzomyia naftalekatzi, a new phlebotomine sand fly belonging to the L. aragaoi species group, is described from specimens collected in Zona da Mata region of Pernambuco, Brazil.Key words: Lutzomyia naftalekatzi n. sp. -Phlebotominae -sand fly -Brazil A new species was discovered among specimens of phlebotomine sand flies collected during studies on the eco-epidemiology and transmission of Leishmania in Zona da Mata, State of Pernambuco, Brazil (Felinto de Brito et al. 1993, Brandão-Filho et al. 1994). This species belongs to the Lutzomyia aragaoi (Costa Lima) species group and is named for Dr Naftale Katz of the Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Belo Horizonte, in recognition of his long and significant contribution to tropical medicine in Brazil. The description is based on characters proposed by the CIPA group (1990). All measurements are given in mm. Ventrocervical sensillae absent from cervix. Thorax: notum, pleurae and legs dark brown, pleurae somewhat paler than notum. Fore and hind femurs of equal length 1.125 (1.072 ± 0.035; n = 13) and 1.125 (1.068 ± 0.037; n =10), respectively. Middle femur shorter, length 1.042 (0.996 ± 0.044; n = 12). Ratio basitarsus 1/basitarsi 2+3+4+5 of foreleg 1.00 (0.98; n = 13); median leg 1.06 (1.03; n = 12) and hindleg 1.15 (1.10; n = 9). Wing broad, maximum width 0.878 (0.814 ± 0.043; n = 13). Length of principal wing sections: α (lR2) -0.686 (0.657 ± 0.042; n = 13); β (R2 + 3) -0.315 (0.310 ± 0.023; n = 13); γ (R2 + 3 + 4) -0.315 (0.318 ± 0.019; n = 13); δ (part of R1 extending beyond junction of R2 + R3) -0.302 (0.234 ± 0.033; n = 13); R5 -1.591 (1.511 ± 0.057; n =13).Katepisternum without anterior cerdae. Abdomen: coxite length 0.470 (0.454 ± 0.014; n = 13), maximum width 0.167 with tuft of approximately 70 (60-90; n =13) fine setae located from middle of structure to distal region. Style length