Ecological aspects of the sandfly fauna (Diptera, Psychodidae) in an American cutaneous leishmaniasis endemic area under the influence of hydroelectric plants in Paranapanema river, State of Paraná, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: An epidemiological study was undertaken to identify determinant factors in the occurrence of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in areas under the influence of hydroelectric plants in Paranapanema River, State of Paraná, Brazil. The ecological aspects of the phlebotomine fauna were investigated. Methods: Sandflies were sampled with automatic light traps from February 2004 to June 2006 at 25 sites in the urban and rural areas of Itambaracá, and in Porto Almeida and São Joaquim do Pontal. Results: A total of 3,187 sandflies of 15 species were captured. Nyssomyia neivai predominated (34.4%), followed by Pintomyia pessoai (32.6%), Migonemyia migonei (11.6%), Nyssomyia whitmani (8.8%), and Pintomyia fischeri (2.7%), all implicated in the transmission of Leishmania. Males predominated for Ny. neivai, and females for the other vector species, with significant statistical differences (p < 0.001). Nyssomyia neivai, Pi. pessoai, Ny. whitmani, Brumptomyia brumpti, Mg. migonei, and Pi. fischeri presented the highest values for the Standardized Species Abundance Index (SSAI). The highest frequencies and diversities were found in the preserved forest in Porto Almeida, followed by forests with degradation in São Joaquim do Pontal and Vila Rural. Conclusions: Sandflies were captured in all localities, with the five vectors predominating. Ny. neivai had its highest frequencies in nearby peridomestic environments and Pi. pessoai in areas of preserved forests. The highest SSAI values of Ny. neivai and Pi. pessoai reflect their wider dispersion and higher frequencies compared with other species, which seems to indicate that these two species may be transmitting leishmaniasis in the area.

Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in an Endemic Area of Leishmaniasis in Aquidauana Municipality, Pantanal of Mato Grosso Do Sul , Brazil

“…This behavior, as described in several other reports, shows the sand flies' preference for environments with the presence of domestic or farmed animals 52 , 54 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 . Actually, some authors emphasize the insects' preference for farmed animals with respect to animals in natural habitats 95 , 96 .…”

“…A higher attraction for birds, especially chickens, and dogs have also been demonstrated 19 , 52 , 75 , 76 , 98 . Other domestic mammals such as cats, equines, goats, cattle and swine have also been evidenced as part of these insects diet 52 , 75 , 76 , 95 , 98 .…”

Sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in rural and urban environments in an endemic area of cutaneous leishmaniasis in southern Brazil

“…The predominance of Ny. neivai and its greater abundance have also been observed in the municipality of Itambaracá, which borders Bandeirantes (Cruz et al 2012). In other studies, different results have been found for PR, where Ny.…”

“…pessoai (6.5%) was also close to that observed in the present study. These three species are considered vectors of ACL (Pessôa & Coutinho 1941, de Queiroz et al 1994, Rangel & Lainson 2003, PitaPereira et al 2005, Andrade Filho et al 2007, Cruz et al 2012. The predominance of Ny.…”

Leishmania in synanthropic rodents (Rattus rattus): new evidence for the urbanization of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis

“…A recent study (CARVALHO et al, 2014) using ecological niche modeling predicts southward expansion of L. flaviscutellata in South America because of climate change. Several studies have investigated phlebotomine fauna in Paraná State (GOMES & GALATI, 1977;TEODORO et al, 1993;TEODORO et al, 1999;OLIVEIRA et al, 2000;DIAS-SVERSUTTI et al, 2007;SILVA et al, 2008;CERINO et al, 2009;REIS et al, 2011;CRUZ et al, 2012;SANTOS et al, 2012;MEMBRIVE et al, 2012;CRUZ et al, 2013;MELO et al, 2013); none reported L. (L.) amazonensis vectors. Taking into account two autochthonous cases (one human and one canine) of leishmaniasis by L. (L.) amazonensis in North Paraná, more studies about phlebotomine fauna must be made in this region, now using Disney traps with rodents as baits (DORVAL et al, 2007), because L. flaviscutellata is strongly attracted to rodents (LAINSON & SHAW, 1968;SHAW & LAINSON, 1972;CARVALHO et al, 2014).…”