Effects of anti‐Leishmania compounds in the behavior of the sand fly vector Lutzomyia longipalpis

Abstract

BACKGROUND Leishmaniasis is an infectious parasitic disease caused by pathogens of the genus Leishmania transmitted through the bite of adult female sand flies. To reduce case numbers, it is necessary to combine different control approaches, especially those aimed at the sand fly vectors. Innovative forms of control with the use of attractive sugar baits explored the fact that adult sand flies need to feed on sugars of plant origin. Leishmania parasites develop in the gut of sand flies, interacting with the sugars in the diet of adults. Recent studies have shown that sugar baits containing plant‐derived compounds can reduce sand fly survival, the number of parasites per gut, and the percentage of infected sand flies. Several synthetic compounds produced from naphthoquinones and pterocarpans have anti‐parasitic activity on Leishmania amazonensis and/or Leishmania infantum in cell culture. This work aimed to assess the inclusion of these compounds in sugar baits for blocking transmission, targeting the development of the Leishmania parasite inside the sand fly vector. RESULTS We evaluated the attractant or repellent properties of these compounds, as well as of the reference compound N,N′‐diethyl‐m‐toluamide (DEET), in sugar baits. We also observed changes in feeding preference caused by these compounds, looking for anti‐feeding or stimulation of ingestion. Pterocarpanquinone L4 and pentamidine showed attractant and repellent properties, respectively. CONCLUSION Based on the effects in feeding preference and intake volume, pterocarpanquinone L6, and the pyrazole‐derived compound P8 were chosen as the most promising compounds for the future development of anti‐Leishmania sugar baits. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Quercetin as a Promising Antiprotozoan Phytochemical: Current Knowledge and Future Research Avenues

“…Leishmaniasis is a neglected vector-borne disease, caused by obligate intracellular kinetoplastids of the genus Leishmania [ 15 ]. The pathogen has a dimorphic life cycle that alternates between an invertebrate vector and a mammalian host.…”

“…For instance, Leishmania tropica , Leishmania major , and Leishmania aethiopica are the main causative agents of the Old World CL, while Leishmania donovani and Leishmania infantum (both in the Old World) or Leishmania chagasi (in the New World) can cause a serious visceral disease (commonly known as kala-azar). In the New World, Leishmania braziliensis is responsible for severe forms of cutaneous and mucocutaneous infections [ 15 ].…”

Automated analysis of feeding behaviors of females of the mosquito Aedes aegypti using a modified flyPAD system

“…Dengue and malaria vector control interventions targeting the chemosensory system through attractive toxic sugar baits (ATSB) can potentially reduce transmission by reducing feeding rates 17,18 . Furthermore, baits can also be coupled with anti-parasitic compounds, leading to reduced transmission 19 .Less is known about the taste system than the olfactory system in Ae. aegypti, however, taste is an area of active research for the possibility of using toxic and/or behavioral-changing baits targeting female gustatory receptors (GRs) 20 or other receptors in legs and mouthparts 21 .…”

Evaluation of an ivermectin-based attractive targeted sugar bait (ATSB) against Aedes aegypti in Tanzania.

“…Introduction: "...as well as other sugar-questing vectors such as sand flies..." - Please include the new references on ATSB against sand flies provided, Ferreira et al 2018 1 and 2022 2 ). "...a parameter that highly influences disease transmission" - Missing final dot.…”

“…"...as well as other sugar-questing vectors such as sand flies..." - Please include the new references on ATSB against sand flies provided, Ferreira et al 2018 1 and 2022 2 ).…”