Frequency and diversity of phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Sinop, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Understanding the diversity of sand flies is important for the epidemiology and control of leishmaniasis. This study aimed to understand the frequency, diversity, and seasonality of medically important sand flies in the municipality of Sinop, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Methods: The study was conducted in an urban area, including four ecotypes with different levels of urbanization. The sand flies were collected using light traps for three nights per month, from May 2014 to April 2015. Results: A total of 62,745 sand flies was collected, 52.34% of which were female. The frequency and diversity of sand flies was the highest in areas of permanent preservation (APPs) (96.85%), and was lower in more urbanized areas. Lutzomyia dasypodogeton was the most frequent species in the APPs. Lutzomyia antunesi was the most frequent in neighborhoods with forest fragments and neighborhoods around APPs, and L. aragaoi was the most frequent in completely urbanized neighborhoods. A higher frequency and diversity of sand flies was observed in the rainy season (87.92%) than in the dry season (12.08%). Eight medically important species were captured, and Lutzomyia antunesi, which is associated with American cutaneous leishmaniasis and visceral leishmaniasis, was observed in all ecotypes throughout the year. Conclusions: We observed a high frequency and diversity of sand flies in all urban areas, and some species collected were major vectors of leishmaniasis. These results support the need for further studies of the natural rates of infection of these insects and the circulation of the disease in hosts and vectors.

Hyperendemicity, heterogeneity and spatial overlap of leprosy and cutaneous leishmaniasis in the southern Amazon region of Brazil

“…In fact, the demographic pattern demonstrates a concentration of infections among males, particularly in the productive age group and among rural residents, which strongly suggests a relationship between CL and exposure to outdoor activities, as already reported from the Brazilian states of Acre (Melchior et al, 2017) and Paraná (Melo et al, 2017). In contrast, the CL cases among children, the elderly and women suggest the presence of a peri-domestic transmission cycle, possibly due to adaptation of sand fly species to these relatively new environments and the existence of suscepti-ble reservoirs in or around habitations (Thies et al, 2016).…”

Leishmaniasis: a review

“…In an epidemiological study in Matto Grosso (Brazil), Thies et al . showed that the frequency and diversity of sand flies were higher in rural areas with no deforestation (areas of permanent preservation [96.85%]) than in urban areas 26 . Lutzomyia dasypodogeton was the most frequent species in areas of preservation, Lutzomyia antunesi was more frequent in neighborhoods with forest fragments and semi-urban areas, and Lutzomyia aragaoi was the most frequent species in completely urbanized neighborhoods; 87.92% of frequency and diversity of sand flies was observed in the rainy season versus 12.08% in the dry season.…”

Canine Leishmaniosis in Greece: An Updated Countrywide Serological Study and Associated Risk Factors

“…A total annual rainfall that exceeds 544 mm was identified as an environmental parameter related to an increased risk of a seropositive status. In the same frame, a greater frequency and diversity of sandflies were noted in the rainy season (87.9%) than in the dry season (12.1%) in Brazil [ 79 ]. Higher precipitation may directly increase sandfly populations [ 80 ].…”