Following the detection of two cases of leishmaniasis in The Gambia, the possible vectors and animal reservoirs were studied. A total of 5, 158 phlebotomine sandflies, in 20 species and subspecies were captured, including 98 males and 61 females of Phlebotomus duboscqi. This species is a vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Senegal and must be suspected as a vector in The Gambia; it was captured close to the dwellings of both patients and from rodent burrows, including those of Mastomys erythroleucus, a known reservoir of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Senegal. We report the first finding in The Gambia of visceral leishmaniasis in a dog captured near the house of the patient with visceral leishmaniasis. This strongly suggests that dogs could be a reservoir of this infection in this area. The vector was not determined.
Psychodopygus yucumensis n.sp., a new species of Phlebotomine sandfly belonging in genus Psychodopygus mang., is described from specimens collected from human bait, in Beni dept., Bolivia. The male is characteristic of the series panamensis, but the female, closely related to P. carrerai carrerai, can be confused with this species ("cryptic species"). Isozyme characterization can determine any specimen of either species, while morphometric analysis shows statistical differences between the two species. P. yucumensis is strongly anthropophilic. A Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis stock was isolated from this new species, indicating that it is one of the vectors of mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis in the lowland subandean area. Psychodopygus yucumensis n.sp., uma nova espécie de flebotomíneo que pertence ao gênero Psychodopygus mang., é descrita das espécies coletadas sobre o homem, no departamento de Beni, na Bolívia. Os indivíduos do sexo masculino são característicos das séries panamensis, mas as fêmeas, muito próximas de p.c. carrerai, podem ser confundidas com esta espécie ("cryptic species"). A caracterização isoenzimática pode determinar cada indivíduo das duas espécies, enquanto que a análise morfométrica demonstra diferenças estatísticas entre as duas espécies. p. yucumensis é fortemente antropofílica. Uma cepa de Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis foi isolada desta nova espécie, indicando que ela é um dos vetores de leishmaniose mucocutânea na região subandina baixa
Leishmaniasis is thought to be rare in The Gambia but in June 1980 two patients with this infection were seen at Fajara, one with cutaneous leishmaniasis and one with visceral leishmaniasis. A possible diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis was considered only late in the course of the illness of the second patient who died a few days after specific chemotherapy was started. Visceral leishmaniasis must be considered as a possible cause of fever and splenomegaly in The Gambia and in adjacent parts of West Africa.
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