Climatic factors and population density ofLutzomyia longipalpis(Lutz & Neiva, 1912) in an urban endemic area of visceral leishmaniasis in midwest Brazil

Abstract

The life cycle of vectors and the reservoirs that participate in the chain of infectious diseases have a strong relationship with the environmental dynamics of the ecosystems in which they live. Oscillations in population abundance and seasonality of insects can be explained by factors inherent in each region and time period. Therefore, knowledge of the relationship and influence of environmental factors on the population of Lutzomyia longipalpis is necessary because of the high incidence of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Brazil. This study evaluates the influence of abiotic variables on the population density and seasonal behavior of L. longipalpis in an urban endemic area of VL in Brazil. The sand fly captures were performed every two months between November, 2009 and November, 2010 in the peridomicile of 13 randomly selected residences. We captured 1,367 specimens of L. longipalpis, and the ratio of male/female flies was 2.86:1. The comparison of the total male specimens in the two seasons showed a statistical difference in the wet season, but there was no significant difference when considering the total females. With respect to climatic variables, a significant negative association was observed only with wind speed. During periods of high wind speeds, the population density of this vector decreased. The presence of L. longipalpis was found in all months of the study with bimodal behavior and population peaks during the wet season. Journal of Vector Ecology 38 (2): 224-228. 2013.

Capacidade vetorial de Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) cruzi (Diptera: Psychodidae) para Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum

“…Essa tendência de altas abundâncias na estação chuvosa tem sido relatada em algumas partes do Brasil, como as regiões Nordeste, Centro-Oeste e Sudeste para Lutzomyia longipalpis JERALDO et al, 2012;MARGONARI et al, 2006;OLIVEIRA et al, 2013aREBÊLO, 2001;RESENDE et al; e para Lu. cruzi em Corumbá (GALATI et al, 1997) e em Jaciara, MT (BRITO et al, 2014).…”

“…Por isso, neste trabalhou foi adotada uma abordagem diferente, que considera as aferições climáticas no dia de cada coleta, como uma alternativa de verificar condições que pudessem afetar a frequência e comportamento dos adultos durante a coleta, como o a velocidade do vento, conforme relatado por outros autores (GARMS et al, 1979;KAKITANI et al, 2003;OLIVEIRA et al, 2013a .…”

“…Variáveis como temperatura, umidade e precipitação pluviométrica, podem influenciar diretamente uma população de flebotomíneos, dependendo da região, do tempo e das espécies analisadas OLIVEIRA et al, , 2013a (ANDRADE et al, 2014;CROSS et al, 1996;ELNAIEM et al, 1998;ÖZBEL et al, 2011 …”

Epidemiological survey of Lutzomyia longipalpis infected by Leishmania infantum in an endemic area of Brazil

“…In eastern Costa Rica, an area with warm weather and low rainfall that is endemic for VL, similar to the northeast of Brazil, the highest abundance of L. longipalpis occurs in the dry season (ZELEDÓN et al, 1984). According to Oliveira et al (2013), L. longipalpis can be found during each month of the year, although the presence of a large number of sandflies coincides with the periods before and after the rainy season. However, in other states of Brazil, such as Mato Grosso do Sul, Maranhão and Minas Gerais, there are more sandflies during the rainy season (GALATI et al, 1997;REBÊLO, 2001;RESENDE et al, 2006).…”

Monthly Distribution of Phlebotomine Sand Flies, and Biotic and Abiotic Factors Related to Their Abundance, in an Urban Area to Which Visceral Leishmaniasis Is Endemic in Corumbá, Brazil

“…Temperature, humidity, and rainfall exert a direct influence on sand fly populations, with effects being dependent on the region, weather, and species analyzed [1–4]. …”