Spatial distribution of phlebotomine sand flies in the Aydin Mountains and surroundings: the main focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in western Turkey

Abstract

An entomological survey was conducted to determine the spatial distribution of phlebotomine fauna and understand the effect of environmental factors. The entomological survey was carried out during 2006-2007 in a study area in the rural area of Aydin province, near the Kusadasi town where VL, CL, and canine leishmaniasis (CanL) are endemic. In 2006 and 2007, 132 locations were sampled using sticky traps mainly on embankments. Detailed environmental and meteorological information was also collected for each location. The results of entomological studies indicated that the probable vectors are Phlebotomus tobbi and P. neglectus for VL and CanL, and P. similis for CL in this western leishmaniasis focus. The data revealed a correlation between their presence and spatial variables such as altitude, sampling site location, and humidity. The distribution areas of probable vector species in this study area allowed the identification of risk levels, which may provide useful information to guide the leishmaniasis research in endemic regions. Journal of Vector Ecology 36 (Supplement 1): S99-S105. 2011.

Importance of individual analysis of environmental and climatic factors affecting the density of Leishmania vectors living in the same geographical area: the example of Phlebotomus ariasi and P. perniciosus in northeast Spain

“…Several studies have recently reported the influence of environmental and climatic conditions on the distribution of leishmaniasis vectors (Rossi et al, 2007;Gálvez et al, 2010a;Ozbel et al, 2011;Queiroz et al, 2012;Branco et al, 2013). This study is the first to show the effect of these variables separately on P. ariasi and P. perniciosus living in sympatric conditions when captured with sticky traps in a given region showing a great variation of environmental conditions.…”

“…The abundance of sand fly species was estimated as densities (number of sand flies per m 2 trap) (Gálvez et al, 2010a;Ozbel et al, 2011). The factors and categories considered are shown in the appendix.…”

“…The variables of altitude and bioclimate are closely correlated with changes in vegetation and meteorological conditions (Elnaiem et al, 1998;Guernaoui et al, 2006;Ozbel et al, 2011). The influence of temperature has been considered not only on the biology and ecology of sand flies (rate of egg production, development of the juvenile stages, number of annual generations, feeding activity, period of activity and survival of adults), but also on the development of the parasite inside the vector (Rioux et al, 1969;Elnaiem et al, 1998;Ready, 2008;Martín Sánchez et al, 2009;Hartemink et al, 2011).…”

“…Nevertheless, few studies have been published regarding the factors influencing the development of the L. infantum life cycle in proven vectors such as P. ariasi (Rioux et al, 1985). However, environmental and climatic factors affecting the presence and density of vectors have been reported recently (Gálvez et al, 2010a;Barón et al, 2011;Ozbel et al, 2011).…”

Data collection to characterise the impact of canine leishmaniosis and modelling of the role of animals in spreading Leishmania infantum within the European Union

“…There is evidence that P. papatasi and P. sergenti are specific vectors for L. major and L. tropica respectively (Dostalova and Volf, 2012) and not involved in the transmission of L. infantum. P. similis is also a suspected vector of L. tropica, although the role of this species has yet to be proven (Christodoulou et al, 2012, Ozbel et al, 2011. Figure 32a.…”