Density assessment and reporting for Phlebotomus perniciosus and other sand fly species in periurban residential estates in Spain

Abstract

Green periurban residential areas in Mediterranean countries have flourished in the last decades and become foci for leishmaniasis. To remedy the absence of information on vector ecology in these environments, we examined phlebotomine sand fly distribution in 29 sites in Murcia City over a 3-year period, including the plots of 20 detached houses and nine non-urbanized sites nearby. We collected 5,066 specimens from five species using “sticky” interception and light attraction traps. The relative frequency of the main Leishmania infantum vector Phlebotomus perniciosus in these traps was 32% and 63%, respectively. Sand fly density was widely variable spatially and temporally and greatest in non-urbanized sites, particularly in caves and abandoned buildings close to domestic animal holdings. Phlebotomus perniciosus density in house plots was positively correlated with those in non-urbanized sites, greatest in larger properties with extensive vegetation and non-permanently lived, but not associated to dog presence or a history of canine leishmaniasis. Within house plots, sand fly density was highest in traps closest to walls. Furthermore, the study provides a guideline for insect density assessment and reporting and is envisioned as a building block towards the development of a pan-European database for robust investigation of environmental determinants of sand fly distribution.

High rates of antibodies against Toscana and Sicilian phleboviruses in common quail Coturnix coturnix birds

“…When we consider the known distribution of SFSV in Africa and low seroprevalence of SFSV in Spain, we can speculate Africa as a probable infection region. Entomological surveys introduced two predominance sandfly species: P. papatasi and P. perniciosus in Algeria and Morocco, of the genus Phlebotomus , from which P. papatasi is a known vector of SFSV ( Boudrissa et al, 2012 ; Boussaa et al, 2016 ; Muñoz et al, 2021 ). In addition, SFSV was detected from P. ariasi in field-collected sandflies in Algeria, indicating the virus circulation in North Africa ( Izri et al, 2008 ).…”

“…Also, the immune response was very limited. The authors conclusions were that dogs are not likely to play a decisive role in the natural transmission and maintenance of TOSV or SFSV (Muñoz et al, 2021). Bats also have been suggested as a reservoir of phleboviruses.…”

“…In Spain, twelve species of sandflies have been described (Muñoz et al, 2021), including Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus papatasi, which are a proven vector of TOSV (Remoli et al, 2016). SFSV have been identified in P. papatasi and Phlebotomus ariasi species since now (Izri et al, 2008;Alkan et al, 2013).…”

Exposure to Phlebotomus perniciosus sandfly vectors is positively associated with Toscana virus and Leishmania infantum infection in human blood donors in Murcia Region, southeast Spain

“…The absence of SFSV seropositive individuals suggests that the virus is not common in Murcia region. Its transmission has been traditionally associated to P. papatasi (Alkan et al., 2013 ), and this species represented 10% of sandflies collected in a regionwide study in Murcia (Risueño et al., 2017 ) and 52% of those in a dog kennel outside Murcia city (Muñoz et al., 2021 ). Investigations in other parts of Spain reported a 1–5% SFSV VNT seroprevalence (Mendoza‐Montero et al., 1998 ).…”

Leishmaniasis vectors in the environment of treated leishmaniasis cases in Spain

“…Three sand fly species of Larroussius subgenus have been implicated in the transmission of L. infantum in the Iberian Peninsula and southern France: Phlebotomus perniciosus —the main vector—, Phlebotomus ariasi and Phlebotomus langeroni (Alcover et al., 2014 ; Barón et al., 2011 ; Branco et al., 2013 ; Cotteaux‐Lautard et al., 2016 ; Gálvez et al., 2010 ; González et al., 2021 ; Izri et al., 1992 ; Maia et al., 2013 ; Martín‐Sánchez et al., 1994 ; Morillas Márquez et al., 1983 ; Muñoz et al., 2021 ; Sáez et al., 2018 ). Phlebotomus longicuspis presence in southern Spain has been ruled out (Martín‐Sánchez et al., 2000 ; Pesson et al., 2004 ).…”