Sandflies (Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) survey in an urban transmission area of visceral leishmaniasis, Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a major public health challenge in Brazil, especially in states where it is endemic. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of sand fly population density with environmental variables (temperature, rainfall and relative humidity) in urban areas of the city of Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Northeastern Brazil. Sand flies were captured with Center Disease Control (CDC) traps installed monthly in the intra and peridomicile of three houses. Data analysis was based on the chi-square test and linear regression. A total of 7,347 sand flies were captured, being 93.85% Lutzomyia longipalpis and 6.15% Lutzomyia evandroi. Sand flies were more commonly found in the peridomicile and there was no difference between the number of males and females. The variables rainy season as well as relative humidity and rainfall, alone or together, did not have an effect on sand fly population density. However, high temperatures had a negative effect. The study of the behavior of sand flies in specific units of endemic areas can provide input to public health authorities for planning appropriate VL vector control measures.

Classificação orientada a objeto de imagens de sensoriamento remoto em estudos epidemiológicos sobre leishmaniose visceral em área urbana

“…Estudos realizados com imagens de média resolução espacial e métodos tradicionais de classificação foram capazes de identificar alguns elementos relativos à cobertura vegetal, ao uso do solo e a padrões de ocupação urbana associados ao risco de LV 25,30,35,36,37 . Contudo, a aplicação da classificação orientada a objeto às imagens de média resolução espacial pode apresentar vantagens potenciais em relação a esses métodos, como uma maior reprodutibilidade, flexibilidade e utilização de informações contextuais para além das espectrais 9 .…”

Spatial and spatiotemporal occurrence of human visceral leishmaniasis in Adamantina, State of São Paulo, Brazil

“…In the Americas, the transmission cycle is characterized by the bite of a female sand fl y, Lutzomyia longipalpis, infected with Leishmania infantum chagasi (1) .…”

Awareness of visceral leishmaniasis and its relationship to canine infection in riverside endemic areas in Northeastern Brazil

“…Previous studies performed in Mossoró reported the presence of the VL vector in different areas of the city throughout the year 7 . The riverside areas in this study included favorable conditions for sand fl ies and dogs infected with L. infantum; thus, we assumed that this population is vulnerable to VL, as confi rmed by previous surveys 20, 21 .…”

“…Previous studies have demonstrated the relationship between environmental variables and the density of vectors 7,8 ; in particular, areas that fl ood during the rainy season due to their proximity to rivers are more vulnerable to VL because they have a higher insect density, particularly around homes 9 .…”