First Record of Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) on the Trinational Frontier (Brazil–Peru–Bolivia) of South-Western Amazonia

Abstract

In South America, the main sand fly species involved in the transmission of Leishmania infantum chagasi (Cunha & Chagas, 1937), etiological agent of the visceral leishmaniasis (VL), is Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912). The species has been recorded in Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil, where it is recorded in 24 of the 27 Brazilian states, except Acre, Amazonas, and Santa Catarina. Collections were carried out for one year (April 2013 to March 2014) using modified CDC light traps in different environments in Assis Brasil municipality, state of Acre. Two males of Lu. longipalpis were found in peridomiciliary location in a peri-urban area. This is the first record of the species in Acre. This finding may be considered by the health agencies located in the trinational frontier, and new collections are needed to evaluate the real distribution of the species.

An overview of the sandfly fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae) followed by the detection of Leishmania DNA and blood meal identification in the state of Acre, Amazonian Brazil

“…(2) There are no records of human cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Acre; nevertheless, there is a need for constant monitoring of the phlebotomine fauna and domestic animals, particularly dogs, since the occurrence of Lutzomyia longipalpis, the main vector of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in Brazil, has been recorded in the municipality of Assis Brasil (Acre) and in Bolivia and Peru. (8) Brasiléia is located on the border with Cobija municipality (District of Pando -Bolivia); are highly dependent on commercial activities and represent areas of high endemicity for CL, with great circulation of people between these cities. The present study aims to describe the sandfly fauna found in the municipality of Brasiléia and to evaluate the Leishmania DNA-detection index, followed by the molecular characterisation of the parasite species and, in parallel, the identification of blood meal sources in the captured insects.…”

Visceral Leishmaniasis in Bolivia: Current Status

“…In 2017, Lu. longipalpis presence was recorded in Assis town, Acre state, tri-national border Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru 21 . In 2018, specimens were found in Yacuiba and Tarija (Magne M., pers.com).…”

Multiplex qPCR assay to determine Leishmania infantum load in Lutzomyia longipalpis sandfly samples

“…Sandflies are responsible for the transmission of Leishmania in the Americas, where the main vector species responsible to transmit the etiologic agent for visceral leishmaniasis (VL), Leishmania infantum , is Lutzomyia longipalpis . Despite recent VL cases in Santa Catarina State, L. longipalpis was not found, thus far (Borges et al, 2017). Other sandfly species such as Nyssomyia neivai have been collected in this state and have been detected with L. infantum DNA when evaluated by molecular techniques (Saraiva et al, 2009; Grott et al, 2015).…”