Distribution of Phlebotomine Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in the Lombardy Region, Northern Italy

Abstract

This study investigated the species composition and density of sand flies in the Lombardy region (Northern Italy). Sand flies were collected using CDC traps baited with CO2 (CO2–CDC traps) between June and August 2021. A total of 670 sand flies were collected. The specimens were identified as seven species belonging to two genera, Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia, namely, S. minuta, Ph. perniciosus, Ph. perfiliewii, Ph. neglectus, Ph. mascitti, Ph. papatasi, and Ph. ariasi. Phlebotomus perniciosus was the most abundant species (87.76%), followed by Ph. perfiliewii (7.31%), Ph. neglectus (3.13%), S. minuta (0.75%), Ph. mascitti (0.6%), Ph. papatasi (0.3%), and Ph. ariasi, for which only one specimen was identified. Among these identified species, five are considered vectors of Leishmania, which causes cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. As vector presence increases the risk of vector-borne leishmaniasis, these results suggest that Northern Italy could be a potential area of pathogen circulation over the next few years. These preliminary results suggest that the risk of borne leishmaniasis is high in this region of Northern Italy. Monitoring the distribution of sand fly species in areas suitable for their persistence is important for control programs aimed at reducing the risk of leishmaniasis infection.

Ecological setting of phlebotomine sand flies in the Republic of Kosovo

“…Generally, while there are similarities in the habitat preferences of sand flies, our analyses reveal notable differences in environmental tolerances between species. For example, P. neglectus demonstrates a great tolerance for temperature seasonality, temperature annual range, and high humidity levels, which might be reflected by its northern occurrence as far as Northern Italy [ 67 ] or the southern part of Hungary [ 49 ]. Furthermore, our analyses indicated similarities in environmental niches between species with similar geographic distributions, such as P. simici and P. tobbi .…”

Monitoring of Insecticide Resistance Mutations and Pathogen Circulation in Sand Flies from Emilia-Romagna, a Leishmaniasis Endemic Region of Northern Italy

“…This finding could be possibly attributed to microhabitat preferences and/or the slightly different seasonal dynamics the two species exhibit. Indications of these species, along with P. neglectus , colonizing northern-latitude European regions beyond the confined endemic ones [ 5 , 29 ] raise concerns regarding the aggravation of the leishmaniasis epidemiological scenario on the continent.…”

“…L. infantum has been exclusively documented in the surveyed regions in the past, based on specific molecular typing, implying that the isolates herein also belong to this species. In 2012, after almost 30 years, human leishmaniasis re-emerged in northern Italy, with P. perfiliewi “driving” several outbreaks (of canine leishmaniasis, as well) so far [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. Interestingly, Calzolari et al, 2019 [ 31 ] described that L. infantum strains circulating in ER differ genetically based on their reservoir host (humans or dogs), suggesting that two distinct but overlapping Leishmania transmission cycles may occur in the region.…”