First detection of Leishmania infantum in Phlebotomus kandelakii using molecular methods in north-eastern Islamic Republic of Iran

Abstract

Shirvan district in north-eastern Islamic Republic of Iran is a new focus of visceral leishmaniasis. This study aimed to identify the vector(s), the parasite and the species composition of sand flies in the district during JulySeptember 2009 using polymerase chain reaction techniques. In all, 2088 sand flies were collected from 3 villages. Nine sand fly species were identified: Phlebotomus kandelakii (Shchurenkova), P. major (Annandale), P. halepensis (Theodor), P. papatasi (Scopoli), P. sergenti (Parrot), P. longidactus (Parrot), P. caucasicus (Marzinovsky), Sergentomyia sintoni (Pringle) and S. sumbarica (Perfil'ev). P. sergenti and P. kandelakii were the most prevalent Phlebotomus species at 31.3% and 10.0% respectively. Of 59 female P. kandelakii, 2 (3.4%) were naturally infected with L. infantum. This is the first finding of natural infection of P. kandelakii by L. infantum in this region suggesting P. kandelakii may be the vector of L. infantum in the area although it is the second most prevalent phlebotomine species. Perfil'ev). P. sergenti et P. kandelakii étaient les espèces de phlébotomes les plus répandues (31,3 % et 10 % de l'échantillon respectivement). Sur 59 P. kandelakii femelles, deux (3,4 %) étaient naturellement infectées par L. infantum. Il s'agit de la première détection d'une infection naturelle de P. kandelakii par L. infantum dans la région, suggérant que P. kandelakii pourrait être le vecteur de L. infantum dans la zone, même si elle n'est que la deuxième espèce la plus répandue de phlébotomes.

Seroepidemiological and entomological survey in a new focus of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis in Kars province, Northeastern Turkey

“…In previous studies, natural infection of P. kandelakii and Phlebotomus perfiliewi with Leishmania promastigotes were demonstrated in Ardabil province, the most important focus of VL in northwestern Iran (Rassi et al, 1997). The vectorial status of P. kandelakii have proved by providing evidences of high anthropophily and showing the natural infection of Leishmania infantum In the Meshkinshahr district of Ardabil province (Rassi et al, 1997) and Shirvan district (Rassi et al, 2012) of Iran. These three endemic areas are very close to present study area.…”

Leishmania infantum DNA detection in Phlebotomus tobbi in a new northern focus of visceral leishmaniasis in Iran

“…Some species of sand flies belong to subgenus Larroussius are potential vectors of VL in the Mediterranean basin. Aransay et al in 2000 used this method in Greece for detection of Leishmania infection in Phlebotomus (Larroussius) neglectus, Phlebotomus (Larroussius) tobbi, Phlebotomus (Larroussius) simici, and Paraphlebotomus alexandri using a semi-nested PCR technique [9,10] .…”

“…Three species of sand flies including Phlebotomus kandelakii, Phlebotomus perfiliewi transcaucasicus and Phlebotomus tobbi (P. tobbi) have been reported to be vectors of the disease in north western and north eastern of Iran [6,9,[10][11][12] . The species of Paraphlebotomus alexandri (Sinton) and Phlebotomus (Larroussius) major (Annandale) have been found naturally infected with L. infantum and are the VL vectors in the south part of the country.…”

“…Results: Two species of Phlebotomus sergenti and Phlebotomus tobbi were the most prevalent among 8 zoonotic VL in Iran, however, the disease is endemic in six provinces including Ardebil, East Azerbaijan (Northwestern), Fars, Bushehr, Kerman (South) and Khorassan Shomali (North eastern) of Iran [5][6][7][8][9] . Three species of sand flies including Phlebotomus kandelakii, Phlebotomus perfiliewi transcaucasicus and Phlebotomus tobbi (P. tobbi) have been reported to be vectors of the disease in north western and north eastern of Iran [6,9,[10][11][12] .…”

Ecological and Climatic Factors Affecting on the Abundance and Vector Capacity of the Main Vector of Visceral Leishmaniasis (Ph. Kandlakii) in North-Western of Iran

“…Alexandri and Ph. tobbi [13][14][15][16][17][18]. Regarding the presence of proven vectors and proper reservoirs in Ardebil has made this Province as a high-risk endemic area.…”