Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) as potential vectors for Leishmania martiniquensis and Trypanosoma sp. in northern Thailand

Abstract

Biting midges of genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are the vectors of several pathogenic arboviruses and parasites of humans and animals. Several reports have suggested that biting midges might be a potential vector of Leishmania parasites. In this study, we screened for Leishmania and Trypanosoma DNA in biting midges collected from near the home of a leishmaniasis patient in Lamphun province, northern Thailand by using UV-CDC light traps. The identification of biting midge species was based on morphological characters and confirmed using the Cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. The detection of Leishmania and Trypanosoma DNA was performed by amplifying the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) and small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) genes, respectively. All the amplified PCR amplicons were cloned and sequenced. The collected 223 biting midges belonged to seven species (Culicoides mahasarakhamense, C. guttifer, C. innoxius, C. sumatrae, C. huffi, C. oxystoma, and C. palpifer). The dominant species found in this study was C. mahasarakhamense (47.53%). Leishmania martiniquensis DNA was detected in three samples of 106 specimens of C. mahasarakhamense tested indicating a field infection rate of 2.83%, which is comparable to reported rates in local phlebotomines. Moreover, we also detected Trypanosoma sp. DNA in one sample of C. huffi. To our knowledge, this is the first molecular detection of L. martiniquensis in C. mahasarakhamense as well as the first detection of avian Trypanosoma in C. huffi. Blood meal analysis of engorged specimens of C. mahasarakhamense, C. guttifer, and C. huffi revealed that all specimens had fed on avian, however, further studies of the host ranges of Culicoides are needed to gain a better insight of potential vectors of emerging leishmaniasis. Clarification of the vectors of these parasites is also important to provide tools to establish effective disease prevention and control programs in Thailand.

Microsporidia, a Highly Adaptive Organism and Its Host Expansion to Humans

“…Apart from cross-species vectors, the case of cross-genus vectors is observed for Leishmania spp. Leishmania parasites were recently reported in Culicoides biting midges apart from the widely known Phlebotomine sand flies in various countries, as well as Thailand ( Dougall et al., 2011 ; Sunantaraporn et al., 2021 ). The cross-genus finding has highlighted the parasite’s adaptability and/or the host’s competence.…”

First Report of Anuran Trypanosoma DNA in Flat-Tailed House Geckos (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) Collected from Southern Thailand: No Evidence as a Reservoir for Human Trypanosomatids

“…Recently, certain species of biting midges, Culicoides Latreille, have also, for the first time, been reported to be the potential vectors of L. martiniquensis and Trypanosoma sp. in Thailand [6].…”

Population Genetic Structure and Population History of the Biting Midge Culicoides mahasarakhamense (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

“…Culicoides mahasarakhamense Pramual, Jomkumsing, Piraonapicha, Jumpato has recently been described from Maha Sarakham province, northeastern Thailand [ 16 ]. They have now been recorded in several locations in northeastern, central [ 17 ], and northern [ 18 ] regions of the country. Molecular blood meal analysis indicated that this midge is a chicken biter [ 19 ].…”

“…These plasmodium species can cause avian malaria which reduces the productivity of poultry [ 20 ]. Furthermore, a recent study found that C. mahasarakhamense was also a potential vector of the flagellated protozoan, Leishmania martiniquensis [ 18 ], the causative agent of Leishmaniasis. Therefore, this biting midge species is potentially a significant vector of disease agents transmitted to humans and other animals.…”

“…was detected in one location from the northeast (Maha Sarakham (MK) province) and Plasmodium juxtanucleare and P. gallinaceum were found in another location (Roi Et (RE) province), also in the northeast of Thailand [ 17 ]. So far, the, flagellated protozoa, Leishmania martiniquensis has been found only in Lamphun province, northern Thailand [ 18 ]. Therefore, understanding the genetic diversity and genetic differentiation of C. mahasarakhamense will be useful for monitoring the spread of parasitic disease agents that might possibly be transmitted by this biting midge species.…”