Distribution of sand flies in El-Nekheil province, in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah region, western of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

An entomological survey for sand flies was conducted at an area of cutaneous leishmaniasis--El-Nekheil in Northeast Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia. Standardized sampling with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) light traps and sticky traps was employed to determine monthly trends in species composition, density, sex ratio, and reproductive status and Leishmania infection rate of vector sand flies. A total of 621 sand flies were collected from March 2006 to November 2007. Six species representing two genera were identified, three Phlebotomus species: P. papatasi, P. sergenti, and P. bergeroti; and three Sergentomyia species: S. antennata, S. sergenti, and S. shewtzi. Phlebotomus papatasi was the predominant anthropophagic species found and comprised more than 70% of the sand fly population. A population peak (June) was observed for this species. The density of P. papatasi intra-domiciliary was higher than extra-domiciliary stations and inflated by a greater proportion of female flies. Of 189 dissected Phlebotomus females, 43% were blood-fed. No Leishmania parasites were found. The proportion of gravid P. papatasi increased progressively during the 5-month period from May to September and averaged 38%. Proportions of gravid flies may be a valid indicator of the physiological age and epidemiologic importance of the vector sand fly population at this focus.

Bionomics of phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in the province of Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia

“…The collected species reported here include the most important vectors of CL in the Middle East, which contribute to the persistence of the CL transmission cycle in Saudi Arabia. Here, P. papatasi was relatively less abundant than previously reported (El-Badry et al 2008), which is likely due to the difference in community structure and nature of habitats sampled, i.e., mostly wild. P. papatasi, the proven vector of L. major (Wahba et al 1990, was found to be widely distributed in peridomestic and domestic habitats (Janini et al 1995, Kamal et al 2003).…”

“…Our results suggest that the highest activity of the collected sand fly species occurs between May-August. Such a pattern of seasonal abundance was observed in different localities of Al-Baha by El-Badry et al (2008), in El-Nekheil and by other studies in Asir (Ibrahim & Abdoon 2005) and in Hail (Bakr 1995), Saudi Arabia. Identifying the seasonal abundance of the collected species is of importance for prediction of the period of maximum risk for leishmaniasis transmission and for the successful implementation of a control program.…”

“…The identified species were also reported in many parts of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, such as Riyadh (Morsy & al Seghayer 1992), Asir (Ibrahim & Abdoon 2005), Qasim (el Sibae et al 1993) and Al-Hassa (Al-Gindan et al 1984). Dominance of one or two species of sand flies is a feature of many areas of Saudi Arabia (Ibrahim & Abdoon 2005, El-Badry et al 2008 and of some parts of the Middle East, including Egypt (El Sawaf et al 1987, Iraq (Seccombe et al 1993, Coleman et al 2007, Palestine (Sawalha et al 2003) and Jordan (Kamhawi et al 1991). The collected species reported here include the most important vectors of CL in the Middle East, which contribute to the persistence of the CL transmission cycle in Saudi Arabia.…”

Flebotomíneos (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) no Município de Três Lagoas, área de transmissão intensa de leishmaniose visceral, Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil

“…Diversos estudios han incriminado a los flebótomos como hospederos y transmisores de innumerables otros 2,3,4,5 microorganismos . Cabe recordar que la picada de estos insectos pode causar irritación considerable y 6 reacciones alérgicas en personas sensibles .…”

Zoophilic feeding behaviour of phlebotomine sand flies in the endemic areas of cutaneous leishmaniasis of Sindh Province, Pakistan

“…Because Sergentomyia sand flies are widely distributed in the Old World and more abundant than Phlebotomus species in Africa and rainy temperate areas of South and Southeast Asia (Lewis 1974). Recent studies on distribution and population density of Sergentomyia species are reported in some regions, including Saudi Arabia (El-Badry et al 2008), Nepal (Pandey et al 2008) and Morocco (Boussaa et al 2009). Therefore, continuous studies are required to elucidate the role of Sergentomyia species in the transmission of Leishmania parasites.…”