Molecular identification of Lutzomyia migonei (Diptera: Psychodidae) as a potential vector for Leishmania infantum (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae)

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Brazil is caused by the protozoan Leishmania infantum. This parasite is transmitted by the bite of a female sand fly. The most important sand fly species in VL transmission is Lutzomyia longipalpis. In Fortaleza, the capital of Ceará State, Brazil, the simultaneous occurrence of Lutzomyia migonei and L. longipalpis was detected in localities where VL transmission is observed. The purpose of this study was to determine conclusively if L. migonei can be found naturally infected with L. infantum in key focus in Fortaleza. Using a CDC traps we performed phlebotomine capture during one year. External morphological features and qPCR targeting species-specific gene sequences of Lutzomyia species were used to identify the female phlebotomine sand flies. The molecular identification of the Leishmania species was performed using qPCR targeting species-specific gene sequences of L. infantum and Leishmania braziliensis. The males L. migonei abundance was higher in the rainy season. Humidity and rainfall positively correlated with males L. migonei abundance, while temperature showed a negative correlation. The correlation between the density of L. migonei female with rainfall, relative air humidity, and temperature were not statistically significant. According to the molecular data produced by qPCR amplifications, three positive sand flies were identified as L. longipalpis, and one was identified as L. migonei. The infection rate was 0.35% and 0.18%, respectively. The parasite load was 32,492±2572 L. infantum in L. migonei while the L. longipalpis had parasite loads between 2,444,964.6±116,000 and 6,287,130±124,277. Our findings confirm L. migonei as a potential vector of VL in Fortaleza at a molecular level.

Epidemiological aspects of Leishmaniasis in the Pantanal region of Mato Grosso

“…Lutzomyia flaviscutellata is a wild phlebotomine sandfly found at ground level that feeds on a wide variety of animals, including marsupials and birds, but is strongly attracted to rodents (CARVALHO et al, 2015). In Cáceres there was also a record of L. migonei, a species mainly related to tegumentary leishmaniasis (RANGEL & LAINSON, 2009), but with evidence of L. infantum transmission in La Banda in Argentina, São Vicente Férrer in Pernambuco and Fortaleza in Ceará (SILVA et al, 2014;RODRIGUES et al, 2016).…”

Visceral leishmaniasis in an environmentally protected area in southeastern Brazil: Epidemiological and laboratory cross-sectional investigation of phlebotomine fauna, wild hosts and canine cases

“…Some authors suggested that this species could act as a potential vector in VL transmission, particularly in areas where Lu . longipalpis is absent [50,51]. It is important to note that recent studies have demonstrated the high susceptibility of Mg .…”

Current status and management of canine leishmaniasis in Latin America

“…longipalpis, is absent, as well as the finding of other sand flies naturally infected with this agent have suggested that there are other vectors in Latin America (Table 2) (de Araújo-Pereira et al, 2010;Belo et al, 2013b;Bejarano et al, 2001;Carvalho et al, 2010;Feliciangeli et al, 1999;Galvis-Ovallos et al, 2017;González et al, 2014;Guimarães et al, 2016;Lainson and Rangel, 2005;Missawa et al, 2011;Moya et al, 2015Moya et al, , 2017Paternina-Gómez et al, 2013;Pita-Pereira et al, 2008;Rodrigues et al, 2016;Romero and Boelaert, 2010;Salomón et al, 2010;Travi et al, 1990;Zerpa et al, 2003); however, for only some of them has vectorial capacity been proven (Saraiva et al, 2009(Saraiva et al, , 2010).…”