Molecular Detection of Leishmania (L.) mexicana (Kinetoplastida: Trypanostomatidae) DNA in Culicoides furens (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from an Area with Autochthonous Canine Leishmaniasis in Northwestern Mexico

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.

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“…In addition, several reports have found Leishmania parasites in wild-collected Culicoides spp. [ 24 – 26 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2021

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“…infantum DNA was already detected in a wild-caught C . imicola specimen in Tunisia [ 62 ], as well as other species of Leishmania from biting midges [ 63 , 64 ]. Noteworthy, the PCR detection of Leishmania spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leishmania spp. in equids and their potential vectors in endemic areas of canine leishmaniasis

Carbonara,

Mendoza-Roldan,

Bezerra-Santos

et al. 2024

PLoS Negl Trop Dis

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Equids may be infected by zoonotic Leishmania spp., including Leishmania infantum, in regions where canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is endemic, and Leishmania martiniquensis, which has been reported in horses from Central Europe. This study was designed to evaluate the occurrence of both Leishmania spp. among equids living in CanL endemic areas of Italy, as well as to identify dipteran vectors from the same habitats. From March to October 2023, blood, serum and tissue samples from skin lesions were collected from equids (n = 98; n = 56 donkeys and n = 42 horses) living in Italy, as well as sand flies and biting midges. Blood samples (n = 98) and skin lesions (n = 56) were tested for Leishmania spp. by conventional and real time PCRs and sera were tested by immunofluorescence antibody tests (IFAT) for both L. infantum and L. martiniquensis. Insects were morphologically identified, and female specimens (n = 268 sand flies, n = 7 biting midges) analyzed for Leishmania DNA, as well as engorged sand flies (n = 16) for blood-meal detection. Two animals with skin lesions (i.e., one donkey and one horse) scored positive for Leishmania spp. DNA, and 19 animals (i.e., 19.4%; n = 13 donkeys and n = 6 horses) were seropositive for L. infantum, with five of them also for L. martiniquensis. Most seropositive animals had no dermatological lesions (i.e., 68.4%) while both animals molecularly positive for Leishmania spp. scored seronegative. Of the 356 sand flies collected, 12 females (i.e., n = 8 Sergentomyia minuta; n = 3 Phlebotomus perniciosus, n = 1 Phlebotomus perfiliewi) were positive for Leishmania spp. DNA, and one out of seven biting midges collected was DNA-positive for L. infantum. Moreover, engorged sand flies scored positive for human and equine DNA. Data suggest that equids living in CanL endemic areas are exposed to Leishmania spp., but their role in the circulation of the parasite needs further investigations.

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“…Associated pathogens. Mansonella ozzardi ( Lowrie and Raccurt 1984 ), Leishmania mexicana ( Ríos-Tostado et al 2021 ).…”

Section: Genus Culicoides Latreille 1809mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Associated pathogens. Mansonella ozzardi ( Buckley 1934 ), Tetrapetalonema marmosetae ( Lowrie et al 1978 ), Leishmania mexicana ( Ríos-Tostado et al 2021 ).…”

Section: Genus Culicoides Latreille 1809mentioning

confidence: 99%

An updated catalogue of biting midges of the genus Culicoides Latreille, 1809 (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) of Mexico and their known distribution by state

MENDEZ-ANDRADE¹,

Ibáñez-Bernal²

2023

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Molecular Detection of Leishmania (L.) mexicana (Kinetoplastida: Trypanostomatidae) DNA in Culicoides furens (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from an Area with Autochthonous Canine Leishmaniasis in Northwestern Mexico

Cited by 8 publications

References 15 publications

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

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

Leishmania spp. in equids and their potential vectors in endemic areas of canine leishmaniasis

An updated catalogue of biting midges of the genus Culicoides Latreille, 1809 (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) of Mexico and their known distribution by state

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Molecular Detection of Leishmania (L.) mexicana (Kinetoplastida: Trypanostomatidae) DNA in Culicoides furens (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from an Area with Autochthonous Canine Leishmaniasis in Northwestern Mexico

Cited by 8 publications

References 15 publications

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

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

Leishmania spp. in equids and their potential vectors in endemic areas of canine leishmaniasis

﻿An updated catalogue of biting midges of the genus Culicoides Latreille, 1809 (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) of Mexico and their known distribution by state

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Product

Resources

About

An updated catalogue of biting midges of the genus Culicoides Latreille, 1809 (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) of Mexico and their known distribution by state