Distribution of Phlebotomine Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Abstract

Visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis are major endemic diseases in northeast Brazil. The objective of the current study was to determine the species and geographic distribution of potential sand fly vectors of Leishmania in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. Sand flies were captured using CDC light traps in 30 municipalities distributed throughout the 8 geographic zones of the state. Twelve Lutzomyia species were identified. Lutzomyia longipalpis Lutz & Neiva was the most prevalent and accounted for 85.59% of the sand fly captured. The remaining species were distributed as follows: L. evandroi Costa Lima & Antunes (10.83%), L. oswaldoi Mangabeira (0.99%), L. sallesi Galvão & Coutinho (0.58%), L. intermedia Lutz & Neiva (0.53%), L. lenti Mangabeira (0.53%), L. migonei França (0.49%), L. walkeri Newstead (0.24%), L. goiana Martins, Falcão & Silva (0.15%), L. samueli Deane (0.04%), and L. capixaba Dias, Falcão, Silva & Martins (0.03%), and L. peresi Mangabeira (0.01%). L. longipalpis, which is known to be a vector of Leishmania chagasi Cunha & Chagas (L. donovani chagasi), was captured in 93% of municipalities distributed across all geographical areas of the state and its distribution was independent of obvious climatic and topographic parameters. It was identified in all municipalities where human visceral leishmaniasis had been reported. In contrast, climate and topography appeared to be important for other Lutzomyia species. For example, L. intermedia and L. migonei, which are known to transmit Leishmania braziliensis Viana, were geographically restricted. They were captured in municipalities where cases of cutaneous and mucosal leishmaniasis had been reported. The widespread distribution of L. longipalpis, its adaptation to peridomicillary settings, and its ability to transmit L. (d.) chagasi suggest that a large number of persons may be at risk of acquiring visceral leishmaniasis in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.

Discovery of Markers of Exposure Specific to Bites of Lutzomyia longipalpis, the Vector of Leishmania infantum chagasi in Latin America

“…longipalpis salivary proteins, we tested the most reactive human (two) and dog (one) sera against salivary proteins from other sand fly species including Lu. intermedia which transmits CL in South America [24], Lu. verrucarum which transmits CL in Central and South America [25], and Phlebotomus perniciosus which transmits VL in Mediterranean countries [26].…”

“…As such, LJM17 and LJM11 can be considered as potential specific markers of exposure to Lu. longipalpis in areas where other man-biting sand fly species are present in negligible numbers [20],[24],[27]. LJM17 and LJM11 should be tested for specificity against other man-biting sand fly species that are relatively abundant in endemic areas—such as Lutzomyia whitmani [29]—to expand their utility as specific markers of exposure to Lu.…”

Predicting the geographic distribution of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) and visceral leishmaniasis in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

“…longipalpis extends from Mexico to Argentina ( Deane & Deane 1962 , Sherlock 1996 , Souza et al 2009 , Salomón et al 2011 ). This species occurs in areas with different climatic conditions, ranging from the semi-arid areas in the Caatinga biome to wetter areas in other Brazilian biomes and presents great adaptability to different habitats and environmental changes ( Ximenes et al 2000 , Aguiar et al 2003 , Missawa & Lima 2007 ). In MS , Lu.…”

Ecoepidemiology of American Visceral Leishmaniasis in Tocantins State, Brazil: Factors Associated with the Occurrence and Spreading of the Vector Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae)

“…Lutzomyia (L.) longipalpis is also present in areas of different climatic conditions, such as semiarid areas (in the Caatinga biome), and wetter areas, with high adaptability to different habitats and environmental conditions [57][58][59]. Considering that the state of Tocantins covers two distinct biomes, Cerrado and Amazon, the occurrence of L. (L.) longipalpis in both biomes confirms its generalist behavior, being associated with diverse habitats [14].…”