Could Phlebotomus mascittii play a role as a natural vector for Leishmania infantum? New data

Abstract

BackgroundThe occurrence of phlebotomine sand flies in Central Europe was questioned until they were recorded for the first time in Germany in 1999, and ten years later also in Austria. The aim of this study was to investigate sand flies collected in Austria for their carrier status of Leishmania spp.FindingsFrom 2012 to 2013 field studies were conducted in eastern Austria. Altogether, 22 individuals of sand flies were found, all morphologically identified as Phlebotomus (Transphlebotomus) mascittii Grassi, 1908. Twelve non-engorged female specimens with no visible remnants of a blood meal in their bodies were individually investigated for Leishmania spp. by ITS-1 real-time PCR. One out of these was positive for Leishmania, identified as Leishmania infantum by DNA sequencing. This finding suggests that L. infantum is not excreted by P. mascittii and possibly can establish an infection within P. mascittii. Interestingly, an asymptomatic dog living on the farm where this sand fly had been caught was also Leishmania-positive.ConclusionsThis study provides new data on the suspected vector capacity of P. mascittii, being the northernmost sand fly species in Europe and in most central European regions the only sand fly species found. Proven vector capacity of P. mascittii for Leishmania spp. would be of significant medico-veterinary importance, not only with respect to expanding sand fly populations in Central Europe related to global warming, but also in the light of globalization and increasing movements of humans.

Modeling the climatic suitability of leishmaniasis vector species in Europe

“…Leishmania infantum and Leishmania tropica are already established in southern European countries 7 . An increase in the introduction of rescued stray dogs, main reservoir hosts of Leishmania parasites, from these areas leads to a spread of the parasites further north 27 . Despite several vector sandfly species and parasitic Leishmania species already established in Europe, leishmaniasis is still a largely understudied topic in Central and Northern Europe.…”

Retrospective Analysis of Canine Vector-borne Diseases (CVBD) in Germany with Emphasis on the Endemicity and Risk Factors of Leishmaniosis

“…Despite isolated findings of P. mascittii in Germany, the vector competence of this sand fly species for Leishmania has not been verified yet. A recent study from Austria found L. infantum DNA in one P. mascittii, but did not provide evidence of metacyclic promastigotes or prove of transmission through experimental infections (Obwaller et al 2016). Prospective examinations were conducted in Urbach and Schwanstetten (location of the two DNA positive dogs presumably infected in Germany) by analyzing conjunctival swabs from 16 and 29 dogs, respectively, presented in the same clinics for various reasons.…”

Leishmania spp. Infection Rate and Feeding Patterns of Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) from a Hyperendemic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Community in Panamá

“…in non-engorged females implies the presence of parasites that survived the blood meal digestion, and which became metacyclic infective forms. 86,87 In this study we did not separate engorged and non-engorged females for Leishmania spp. detection.…”