Lutzomyia longipalpis

BACKGROUND Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an endemic disease in northeastern Argentina including the Corrientes province, where the presence of the vector and canine cases of VL were recently confirmed in December 2008. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to assess the modelling of micro-and macro-habitat variables to evaluate the urban environmental suitability for the spatial distribution of Lutzomyia longipalpis presence and abundance in an urban scenario. METHODS Sampling of 45 sites distributed throughout Corrientes city (Argentina) was carried out using REDILA-BL minilight traps in December 2013. The sampled specimens were identified according to methods described by . The analysis of variables derived from the processing of satellite images (macro-habitat variables) and from the entomological sampling and surveys (micro-habitat variables) was performed using the statistical software R. Three generalised linear models were constructed composed of micro-and macro-habitat variables to explain the spatial distribution of the abundance of Lu. longipalpis and one composed of micro-habitat variables to explain the occurrence of the vector. FINDINGS A total of 609 phlebotominae belonging to five species were collected, of which 56% were Lu. longipalpis. In addition, the presence of Nyssomyia neivai and Migonemya migonei, which are vectors of tegumentary leishmaniasis, were also documented and represented 34.81% and 6.74% of the collections, respectively. The explanatory variable normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) described the abundance distribution, whereas the presence of farmyard animals was important for explaining both the abundance and the occurrence of the vector. The results contribute to the identification of variables that can be used to establish priority areas for entomological surveillance and provide an efficient transfer tool for the control and prevention of vector-borne diseases.

Lutzomyia longipalpis females received single and mixed infections with Endotrypanum and Leishmania. Two biological parameters were analyzed: the percentage of infected females and the distribution of flagellates in the gut of the females. The principal comparisons were performed between (1) two strains of Endotrypanum, (2) cloned versus primary sample of one strain of Endotrypanum, (3) Endotrypanum versus Leishmania guyanensis, and ( ) the pattern of flagellates behaviour by optical microscopy in females with single or mixed infection versus the identification of parasites isolated from digestive tracts by isoenzyme electrophoresis. Flagellates of Endotrypanum showed distinct patterns of infection suggesting that there is variation between and within strains. The distribution of Endotrypanum and L. guyanensis differed significantly in relation to the colonization of the stomodeal valve. In coinfection with L. guyanensis, a large number of flagellates were seen to be plentifully infecting the stomodeal valve in significantly more specimens than in females infected by Endotrypanum only. However, the electrophoretic profiles of isoenzymes of parasites recovered from all co-infected specimens corresponded to Endotrypanum. This suggests that the mere correlation sand fly infection-biochemical analysis of isolates may induce parasitological incorrect consideration.

Leishmania infantumis the etiological agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the Americas with domestic dogs being its major reservoir hosts. The main VL vector is the sandflyLutzomyia longipalpis, while otherLutzomyiaspecies may play a role in disease transmission. Although the genetic structure ofL. infantumpopulations has been widely evaluated, only a few studies have addressed this subject coupled to the genetic structure of the respective sandfly vectors. In this study, we analyzed the population structure ofL. infantumin three major VL endemic areas in Brazil and associated it withLutzomyia longipalpisgeographic structure.

Lutzomyia longipalpis females received single and mixed infections with Endotrypanum and Leishmania. Two biological parameters were analyzed: the percentage of infected females and the distribution of flagellates in the gut of the females. The principal comparisons were performed between (1) two strains of Endotrypanum, (2) cloned versus primary sample of one strain of Endotrypanum, (3) Endotrypanum versus Leishmania guyanensis, and ( ) the pattern of flagellates behaviour by optical microscopy in females with single or mixed infection versus the identification of parasites isolated from digestive tracts by isoenzyme electrophoresis. Flagellates of Endotrypanum showed distinct patterns of infection suggesting that there is variation between and within strains. The distribution of Endotrypanum and L. guyanensis differed significantly in relation to the colonization of the stomodeal valve. In coinfection with L. guyanensis, a large number of flagellates were seen to be plentifully infecting the stomodeal valve in significantly more specimens than in females infected by Endotrypanum only. However, the electrophoretic profiles of isoenzymes of parasites recovered from all co-infected specimens corresponded to Endotrypanum. This suggests that the mere correlation sand fly infection-biochemical analysis of isolates may induce parasitological incorrect consideration.

Dog domiciled to the margin of the highway BR 153, urban perimeter of Araguaina/TO, male, apathetic, with anorexia, intense paleness of mucous, fingernails lightly grown, presenting an old wound and opened in the height of the right elbow, it was interned in the hospital of the School of Veterinary of Araguaina I TO- UFT, with historical of weakness. Of the puncture aspirative of medulla bony they were observed the presence apprenticeships amastigot of the complex Leishmania donovani. Visceral Leishmaniasis has if spreaded out for great areas of Brazil, being evidenced an urbanization of this disease. Several factors already confirmed the paper of the dog as reservoir and risk factor in the transmission of the disease to the man.

A common pattern in neotropical Leishmania spp transmission is the co-occurrence of several sand fly (SF) species at endemic foci. We collected 13 SF spp. by direct aspiration in natural resting places (NRP) and 10 SF spp. with Shannon traps (ST), totaling 15 spp with both methods, at 6 locations within a semiarid region with endemic visceral leishmaniasis transmission in Falcón State, Northwestern Venezuela. We used null model testing of species co-occurrence and nestedness metrics estimated with our field data to ask whether SF species composition was segregated/aggregated, and if aggregated whether there was nestedness, i.e., whether species composition across sampling locations could be described by ordered subsets of species from the most species rich location in a landscape. Results showed that SF species were aggregated (P<0.05), i.e., most species were present in species rich locations. Similarly, SF species were significantly nested (P<0.05). Differences in pairwise Sørensen and Simpson indices, estimated with the ST data and the combined ST and NRP data, were positively associated with the distance between sampling locations, suggesting that species nestedness might be partially shaped by dispersal limitation. Our data showed that three species of medical importance were common across the sampling locations: Lutzomyia gomezi, Lu. panamensis and Lu. evansi, suporting that vector species do not turnover in the studied setting.

Background: Similar to other hematophagous insects, male and female sand flies must feed on plants to obtain sugar and, subsequently, energy to complete their life cycles. A large number of compounds emitted by plants may act as volatile signals to these insects. Primary alcohols have been detected in some plants, but in small amounts. In a previous report, the attractiveness of saturated primary alcohols with 7 to 9 carbons was evaluated for Lutzomyia longipalpis, the vector of American visceral leishmaniasis, with positive results. Methods: In the present study, a wide range of primary alcohols, 3 to 10 carbons, were tested to investigate their attractiveness to another sand fly species, Nyssomyia neivai, a putative vector of American cutaneous leishmaniasis. The mixture of compounds that induced the best sand fly response was also evaluated. Results: Of the eight compounds evaluated, hexanol and octanol elicited the best attractive responses for sand fly females. Conclusion: Phytochemicals may be an interesting source of search for new sand fly attractants.

Background: Similar to other hematophagous insects, male and female sand flies must feed on plants to obtain sugar and, subsequently, energy to complete their life cycles. A large number of compounds emitted by plants may act as volatile signals to these insects. Primary alcohols have been detected in some plants, but in small amounts. In a previous report, the attractiveness of saturated primary alcohols with 7 to 9 carbons was evaluated for Lutzomyia longipalpis, the vector of American visceral leishmaniasis, with positive results. Methods: In the present study, a wide range of primary alcohols, 3 to 10 carbons, were tested to investigate their attractiveness to another sand fly species, Nyssomyia neivai, a putative vector of American cutaneous leishmaniasis. The mixture of compounds that induced the best sand fly response was also evaluated. Results: Of the eight compounds evaluated, hexanol and octanol elicited the best attractive responses for sand fly females. Conclusion: Phytochemicals may be an interesting source of search for new sand fly attractants.

Background: Tsetse flies are obligate blood-feeding insects that transmit African trypanosomes responsible for human sleeping sickness and nagana in livestock. The tsetse salivary proteome contains a highly immunogenic family of the endonuclease-like Tsal proteins. In this study, a recombinant version of Tsal1 (rTsal1) was evaluated in an indirect ELISA to quantify the contact with total Glossina morsitans morsitans saliva, and thus the tsetse fly bite exposure. Methodology/Principal Findings: Mice and pigs were experimentally exposed to different G. m. morsitans exposure regimens, followed by a long-term follow-up of the specific antibody responses against total tsetse fly saliva and rTsal1. In mice, a single tsetse fly bite was sufficient to induce detectable IgG antibody responses with an estimated half-life of 36-40 days. Specific antibody responses could be detected for more than a year after initial exposure, and a single bite was sufficient to boost anti-saliva immunity. Also, plasmas collected from tsetse-exposed pigs displayed increased anti-rTsal1 and anti-saliva IgG levels that correlated with the exposure intensity. A strong correlation between the detection of anti-rTsal1 and anti-saliva responses was recorded. The ELISA test performance and intra-laboratory repeatability was adequate in the two tested animal models. Cross-reactivity of the mouse IgGs induced by exposure to different Glossina species (G. m. morsitans, G. pallidipes, G. palpalis gambiensis and G. fuscipes) and other hematophagous insects (Stomoxys calcitrans and Tabanus yao) was evaluated. Conclusion: This study illustrates the potential use of rTsal1 from G. m. morsitans as a sensitive biomarker of exposure to a broad range of Glossina species. We propose that the detection of anti-rTsal1 IgGs could be a promising serological indicator of tsetse fly presence that will be a valuable tool to monitor the impact of tsetse control efforts on the African continent.

Background In South America, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) are emerging diseases, expanding in the border area of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Outbreaks of CL were reported since the 1990s, with Nyssomyia whitmani as the main vector in this region. Regarding VL, urban reports started in 2010 with Lutzomyia longipalpis as the main vector. The aim of this study was to evaluate environmental determinants related to the main vectors of leishmaniasis, to contribute to the prevention and control response to the emergence of VL and CL in the Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay border region. Methods The cross-sectional survey includes two cities and two close rural areas in the Argentinean Northeast Region, between November 2014 and January 2015, with a total of 95 sampling sites. REDILA-BL traps were set for three consecutive nights, and a total of 68 meso- and microscale environmental and landscape characteristics were surveyed. The association between vector abun...

Leishmania infantumis the etiological agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the Americas with domestic dogs being its major reservoir hosts. The main VL vector is the sandflyLutzomyia longipalpis, while otherLutzomyiaspecies may play a role in disease transmission. Although the genetic structure ofL. infantumpopulations has been widely evaluated, only a few studies have addressed this subject coupled to the genetic structure of the respective sandfly vectors. In this study, we analyzed the population structure ofL. infantumin three major VL endemic areas in Brazil and associated it withLutzomyia longipalpisgeographic structure.

The immunization of vertebrate hosts with vector components may be an alternative for the control of diseases transmitted by insects. In the present study we evaluated the effects of anti-sandfly antibodies on some of the biological parameters of female Lutzomyia longipalpis, a vector of visceral leishmaniasis. Rabbits were immunized with extracts of gut from blood-fed (GB) or sugar-fed (GS) females, carcass of sugar-fed (CS) or blood-fed (CB) females, and with repeated sandfly bites (BITE). Immune sera showed increased antibody titers compared to pre-immunized animals, and specific bands were detected by Western Blot. An analysis of biological parameters revealed a decline in fecundity in the group of females fed on rabbits immunized with GB and BITE. Longevity and mortality were studied in females with oviposition (parous) and without oviposition (nulliparous). Nulliparous females that fed on rabbits immunized with bites died in the highest percentage. A mortality analysis after e...

Lutzomyia longipalpis females received single and mixed infections with Endotrypanum and Leishmania. Two biological parameters were analyzed: the percentage of infected females and the distribution of flagellates in the gut of the females. The principal comparisons were performed between (1) two strains of Endotrypanum, (2) cloned versus primary sample of one strain of Endotrypanum, (3) Endotrypanum versus Leishmania guyanensis, and (4) the pattern of flagellates behaviour by optical microscopy in females with single or mixed infection versus the identification of parasites isolated from digestive tracts by isoenzyme electrophoresis. Flagellates of Endotrypanum showed distinct patterns of infection suggesting that there is variation between and within strains. The distribution of Endotrypanum and L. guyanensis differed significantly in relation to the colonization of the stomodeal valve. In coinfection with L. guyanensis, a large number of flagellates were seen to be plentifully infecting the stomodeal valve in significantly more specimens than in females infected by Endotrypanum only. However, the electrophoretic profiles of isoenzymes of parasites recovered from all co-infected specimens corresponded to Endotrypanum. This suggests that the mere correlation sand fly infection-biochemical analysis of isolates may induce parasitological incorrect consideration.

An eight-year old boy from Posadas (27º 23' S, 55º 54' W) was diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) during 2006. Lutzomyia longipalpis was discovered in the backyard of his house, while the spread of canine visceral leishmaniasis was confirmed in Posadas. This is the southernmost report of a VL transmission focus and the first in Argentina.

Sand flies in the Lutzomyia longipalpis species complex include the primary vector of Leishmania chagasi, the etiologic agent of visceral leishmaniasis in the Neotropics. Twelve L. longipalpis populations from South and Central America were compared using the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene from the mitochondrial genome. The haplotype profiles for each population revealed that the majority of sequence variation was inter-population (98%) rather than intra-population, suggesting that sequence polymorphisms at the COI locus should provide excellent characters for the study of phylogenetic relationships among populations. Phylogenetic reconstruction using distance (neighbor-joining) and maximum parsimony analysis revealed the existence of four clades among the L. longipalpis populations studied: (1) Laran, (2) Brazilian, (3) cis-Andean and (4) trans-Andean. We suggest that these clades represent species. A biogeographical interpretation of the molecular phylogeny suggests that the process of speciation in the L. longipalpis complex began in the Pliocene, from a sub-Andean-Amazonian gene pool resulting from the Andean orogeny (formation of the East Andean Cordillera). The four clades probably diverged as a result of vicariance events that occurred throughout the late Pliocene and Pleistocene. We propose and discuss several historical scenarios, based on the biogeography and historical geology of Central and South America.

A leishmaniose é uma zoonose parasitária frequentemente fatal, causada pelo protozoário Leishmania spp., mundialmente distribuída. A principal forma de transmissão da enfermidade se dá através do flebotomíneo Lutzomyia spp., porém pode haver outras formas de transmissão, como por transfusão sanguínea. O parasito tem capacidade de causar lesões em diversos órgãos de mamíferos e, apesar de não ser comum, a enfermidade pode levar a desordens cardiocirculatórias, em que o animal apresentará sintomas comuns de cardiopatias, como intolerância ao exercício e dispneia. Dessa forma, é importante avaliar o sistema cardíaco em casos de leishmaniose, através de radiografia torácica, eletrocardiograma, concentrações de tropoinina I cardíaca e de CK-MB. Assim, o presente trabalho objetiva revisar a literatura de acordo com indicadores de lesões cardíacas associados a leishmaniose.

Background In South America, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) are emerging diseases, expanding in the border area of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Outbreaks of CL were reported since the 1990s, with Nyssomyia whitmani as the main vector in this region. Regarding VL, urban reports started in 2010 with Lutzomyia longipalpis as the main vector. The aim of this study was to evaluate environmental determinants related to the main vectors of leishmaniasis, to contribute to the prevention and control response to the emergence of VL and CL in the Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay border region. Methods The cross-sectional survey includes two cities and two close rural areas in the Argentinean Northeast Region, between November 2014 and January 2015, with a total of 95 sampling sites. REDILA-BL traps were set for three consecutive nights, and a total of 68 meso- and microscale environmental and landscape characteristics were surveyed. The association between vector abun...

No presente trabalho, os concelhos de Mação, Proença-a-Nova e Vila de Rei pertencentes à sub-região do Pinhal Interior Sul, constituíram as áreas geográficas alvo de estudo seroepidemiológico. Procedeu-se ao preenchimento de questionário epidemiológico e à análise por ELISA, de amostras de soro de 282 animais, durante o período de campanha de vacinação anti-rábica. Observou-se que, os cães de Proença-a-Nova e de Vila do Rei tinham mais probabilidade de serem seropositivos do que os cães de Mação. A análise de agregados espaciais (“clusters”) permitiu detectar regiões geográficas cujo risco de existir doença é consideravelmente maior do que nas restantes áreas em estudo. Através da análise geoespacial demonstrou-se a distribuição da seroprevalência de leishmaniose nos três concelhos, concluindo-se que existem duas áreas com maior probabilidade de um cão estar seropositivo. Demonstrou-se também, possível relação entre alguns tipos de ocupação do solo e o nível de seroprevalência; ABST...

parum isolates using antigenic polymorphic and drug resistance markers. Methods: 33 pairs samples were collected from two clinical studies, assessing anti-malarial drug resistance in the Chittagong Hill tracts Bangladesh during 2004 and 2005. Blood samples were taken at Day 0 and at the day of recurrent parasitemia during 42 days follow-up and analyzed using PCR-RFLP and Tag-man realtime PCR assay. Results: We found high parasite diversity in the population and polyclonal infection in the host using MSP-1 and GLURP loci.. MSP-1 allelic family K1 was positive in 19 (58%) with, 6 different fragments (150−280 bp)., MAD20 was detected in 25 (76%) with 8 different fragments (130-300 bp) and RO33 allele was detected in 21 (64%) samples with 4 different sizes. The region II of GLURP was present in all 33 (100%) samples with 6 different fragments (600−1100 bp). MAD-20 showed higher numbers of PCR positivity with higher numbers of allele. Molecular analysis of anti-malarial drug resistance marker such as pfcrt and pfmdr-1by PCR-RFLP showed high prevalence of mutan tpfcrt76T (90%) and (80%) of wild pfmdr1N86. Among the 33 paired samplespfmdr1represent 18.2% were heterozygous (N86Y) and 18.2% were mutant (86Y). In the pre-treatment isolates 6 (18%) were CVMNK haplotype and all mixed with SVMNT haplotype. A total of 5 (83%) out of 6 were mixed with CVIET haplotype. In all 33 pre-treatment isolates SVMNT haplotype and 32 of them (97%) CVIET haplotype. In the post-treatment samples 10 (30%) isolates were CVMNK haplotype, 30 (91%) SVMNT haplotype and 24 (73%) CVIET haplotype, all of them mixed with SVMNT haplotype. Conclusion: Genotype using antigenic polymorphic and antimalarial drug resistance markers can be limit misclassification of recurrent parasitemia Analysis of K76T point mutation by PCR-RFLP and real-time PCR showed that both methods are equally proficient in detecting K76 and 76T alleles but Taq-man multiplex real-time is significantly better in detecting both alleles K76 and K76T (uncorrected X2 = 4.12, P = .042).

Background Leishmania is transmitted by Phlebotominae insects that maintain the enzootic cycle by circulating between sylvatic and domestic mammals; humans enter the cycles as accidental hosts due to the vector's search for blood source. In Colombia, leishmaniasis is an endemic disease and 95% of all cases are cutaneous (CL), these cases have been reported in several regions of the country where the intervention of sylvatic areas by the introduction of agriculture seem to have an impact on the rearrangement of new transmission cycles. Our study aimed to update vector species distribution in the country and to analyze the relationship between vectors' distribution, climate, land use and CL prevalence. Methods A database with geographic information was assembled, and ecological niche modeling was performed to explore the potential distribution of each of the 21 species of medical importance in Colombia, using thirteen bioclimatic variables, three topographic and three principal components derived from NDVI. Binary models for each species were obtained and related to both land use coverage, and a CL prevalence map with available epidemiological data. Finally, maps of species potential distribution were summed to define potential species richness in the country. Results In total, 673 single records were obtained with Lutzomyia gomezi, Lutzomyia longipalpis, Psychodopygus panamensis, Psathyromyia shannoni and Pintomyia evansi the species with the highest number of records. Eighteen species had significant models, considering the area under the curve and the jackknife results: L. gomezi and P. panamensis had the widest potential distribution. All sand fly species except for Nyssomyia antunesi are mainly PLOS ONE |

BACKGROUND Leishmania major is an Old World species causing cutaneous leishmaniasis and is transmitted by Phlebotomus papatasi and Phlebotomus duboscqi. In Brazil, two isolates from patients who never left the country were characterised as L. major-like (BH49 and BH121). Using molecular techniques, these isolates were indistinguishable from the L. major reference strain (FV1). OBJECTIVES We evaluated the lipophosphoglycans (LPGs) of the strains and their behaviour in Old and New World sand fly vectors. METHODS LPGs were purified, and repeat units were qualitatively evaluated by immunoblotting. Experimental in vivo infection with L. major-like strains was performed in Lutzomyia longipalpis (New World, permissive vector) and Ph. papatasi (Old World, restrictive or specific vector). FINDINGS The LPGs of both strains were devoid of arabinosylated side chains, whereas the LPG of strain BH49 was more galactosylated than that of strain BH121. All strains with different levels of galactosyl...

Fourteen autochthonous human cases of leishmaniasis with visceral involvement were reported at various times and locations in Argentina from 1925-1989. The primary vector of this disease, Lutzomyia longipalpis, was captured only twice in Argentina during this time period; in both cases, the vectors were captured in localities near the city of Posadas, province of Misiones, where there had been no previous reports of visceral leishmaniasis cases (Salomón et al. 2001). This sparse transmission scenario changed after the southern spread of urban American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL) in Brazil during the last decades of the previous century (Gontijo & Melo 2004, Lainson & Rangel 2005). The incidence of AVL changed from sporadic cases to clustered cases in regions such as the state of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil (

Dengue is an arbovirus transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes and is one of the 15 main public health problems in the world, including Colombia. Where limited financial resources create a problem for management, there is a need for the department to prioritize target areas for public health implementation. This study focuses on a spatio-temporal analysis to determine the targeted area to manage the public health problems related to dengue cases. To this end, three phases at three different scales were carried out. First, for the departmental scale, four risk clusters were identified in Cauca (RR ≥ 1.49) using the Poisson model, and three clusters were identified through Getis-Ord Gi* hotspots analysis; among them, Patía municipality presented significantly high incidence rates in the time window (2014-2018). Second, on the municipality scale, altitude and minimum temperature were observed to be more relevant than precipitation; considering posterior means, no spatial autocorrelation for the Markov Chain Monte Carlo was found (Moran test ˂ 1.0), and convergence was reached for b1-b105 with 20,000 iterations. Finally, on the local scale, a clustered pattern was observed for dengue cases distribution (nearest neighbour index, NNI = 0.202819) and the accumulated number of pupae (G = 0.70007). Two neighbourhoods showed higher concentrations of both epidemiological and entomological hotspots. In conclusion, the municipality of Patía is in an operational scenario of a high transmission of dengue.

A Deus, em primeiro lugar, pelo dom da vida. Sei que sem tua presença, teria sido impossível continuar e chegar aonde cheguei. Agradeço a ti pelas provocações, pois através delas pude amadurecer; pelas lágrimas derramadas, pois elas me tornaram mais fortes; pela ausência das pessoas que amo, pois através dela pude ver o quanto são importantes na minha vida. Obrigada Senhor! Aos meus pais, Gicelda e Márcio, amores da minha vida, que fazem de tudo pela minha felicidade, realizando todos os meus sonhos. Só tenho a agradecer a Deus todos os dias por ter vocês como pais. Obrigada pela compreensão, em suportar pacientemente a distância durante esse tempo. Vocês são a razão de tudo isso, e é a vocês que ofereço esta conquista. Amo vocês. A minha irmã Naiane, pela paciência com a minha "falta de tempo" e por sempre me dar forças para enfrentar meus desafios. Ao meu namorado, Davi, pela paciência, pelas palavras de incentivo, gestos de compreensão, atitudes de segurança e força, mesmo nos períodos de desânimo. Obrigada por caminhar ao meu lado. Obrigada pelo amor, amizade, e pelo companheirismo. A minha orientadora, Dra. Isabel K. F.M Santos, pela oportunidade de fazer parte de seu grupo e por me impulsionar ao caminho da ciência. Sua "fome" por conhecimento sempre será lembrada. Ao Dr. André Sarria, um ser de luz que apareceu em meu caminho e me ensinou muito de ciência, mas também de como ser uma pessoa melhor. Obrigada André pelo exemplo, pela compreensão, dedicação e por sempre me ajudar em qualquer momento.

Lutzomyia longipalpis is the most important vector of AmericanVisceral Leishmaniasis (AVL) due to Leishmania chagasi in the New World. Despite its importance, AVL, a disease primarily of rural areas, has increased its prevalence and became urbanized in some large cities in Brazil and other countries in Latin America. Although the disease is treatable, other control measures include elimination of infected dogs and the use of insecticides to kill the sand flies. A better understanding of vector biology could also account as one more tool for AVL control. A wide variety of papers about L. longipalpis have been published in the recent past years. This review summarizes our current information of this particular sand fly regarding its importance, biology, morphology, pheromones genetics, saliva, gut physiology and parasite interactions.

A leishmaniose visceral (LV) está entre as mais importantes doenças transmitidas por vetores que ocorrem no Brasil, principalmente devido ao seu caráter zoonótico. Atualmente, está presente em quase todo o território brasileiro, e seu controle é um desafio tanto para médicos veterinários como para agentes de saúde pública. O agente etiológico da doença é a Leishmania infantum (syn chagasi), e o principal vetor no Brasil é a Lutzomyia longipalpis. De todos os animais identificados como reservatórios da LV, o cão é considerado o reservatório doméstico mais importante. Apesar da doença já ter sido identificada em gatos, o papel epidemiológico desta espécie animal ainda é incerto. O presente artigo apresenta uma breve revisão sobre a situação epidemiológica da doença, a sua forma de transmissão, os aspectos clínicos nos cães e gatos, bem como possíveis fatores de risco associados à ocorrência da doença no Brasil.

Background: The leishmaniases are important neglected diseases caused by Leishmania spp. which are transmitted by sand flies, Lutzomyia longipalpis being the main vector of visceral leishmaniasis in the Americas. The methodologies for leishmaniasis control are not efficient, causing 1.5 million reported cases annually worldwide, therefore showing the need for development of novel strategies and interventions to control transmission of the disease. The bacterium Wolbachia pipientis is being used to control viruses transmitted by mosquitoes, such as dengue and Zika, and its introduction in disease vectors has been effective against parasites such as Plasmodium. Here we show the first successful establishment of Wolbachia into two different embryonic cell lines from L. longipalpis, LL-5 and Lulo, and analysed its effects on the sand fly innate immune system, followed by in vitro Leishmania infantum interaction. Results: Our results show that LL-5 cells respond to wMel and wMelPop-CLA strains within the first 72 h postinfection, through the expression of antimicrobial peptides and inducible nitric oxide synthase resulting in a decrease of Wolbachia detection in the early stages of infection. In subsequent passages, the wMel strain was not able to infect any of the sand fly cell lines while the wMelPop-CLA strain was able to stably infect Lulo cells and LL-5 at lower levels. In Wolbachia stably infected cells, the expression of immune-related genes involved with downregulation of the IMD, Toll and Jak-Stat innate immune pathways was significantly decreased, in comparison with the uninfected control, suggesting immune activation upon Wolbachia transinfection. Furthermore, Wolbachia transinfection did not promote a negative effect on parasite load in those cells. Conclusions: Initial strong immune responses of LL5 cells might explain the inefficiency of stable infections in these cells while we found that Lulo cells are more permissive to infection with Wolbachia causing an effect on the cell immune system, but not against in vitro L. infantum interaction. This establishes Lulo cells as a good system for the adaptation of Wolbachia in L. longipalpis.

Background In South America, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) are emerging diseases, expanding in the border area of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Outbreaks of CL were reported since the 1990s, with Nyssomyia whitmani as the main vector in this region. Regarding VL, urban reports started in 2010 with Lutzomyia longipalpis as the main vector. The aim of this study was to evaluate environmental determinants related to the main vectors of leishmaniasis, to contribute to the prevention and control response to the emergence of VL and CL in the Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay border region. Methods The cross-sectional survey includes two cities and two close rural areas in the Argentinean Northeast Region, between November 2014 and January 2015, with a total of 95 sampling sites. REDILA-BL traps were set for three consecutive nights, and a total of 68 meso- and microscale environmental and landscape characteristics were surveyed. The association between vector abun...

An eight-year old boy from Posadas (27º 23' S, 55º 54' W) was diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) during 2006. Lutzomyia longipalpis was discovered in the backyard of his house, while the spread of canine visceral leishmaniasis was confirmed in Posadas. This is the southernmost report of a VL transmission focus and the first in Argentina.

The number of visceral leishmaniasis cases has been gradually increasing in Brazil. One of the strategies to reduce the disease transmission is based on vector control. It is therefore of great epidemiological importance to develop more refined methods for monitoring and controlling its vectors, which are the phlebotomine sand flies. The present study evaluates the performance of traps using UV light or conventional incandescent, or white, light in sand flies captures. Traps baited with UV light caught higher numbers of sand flies than traps baited with white light, indicating the potential use of UV light, especially in locations of low sand flies densities.

The number of visceral leishmaniasis cases has been gradually increasing in Brazil. One of the strategies to reduce the disease transmission is based on vector control. It is therefore of great epidemiological importance to develop more refined methods for monitoring and controlling its vectors, which are the phlebotomine sand flies. The present study evaluates the performance of traps using UV light or conventional incandescent, or white, light in sand flies captures. Traps baited with UV light caught higher numbers of sand flies than traps baited with white light, indicating the potential use of UV light, especially in locations of low sand flies densities.

Cão domiciliado à margem da rodovia BR 153, perímetro urbano de Araguaína/TO, macho, apático, caquético, com anorexia, intensa palidez de mucosa, unhas ligeiramente crescidas, apresentando um ferimento antigo e aberto na altura do cotovelo direito, foi internado no hospital da Escola de Veterinária de Araguaína I TO-UFT, com queixa de fraqueza. Da punção aspirativa de medula óssea foram observados estágios amastigota do complexo Leishmania donovani. A leishmaniose visceral tem se alastrado por grandes áreas do Brasil, sendo evidenciada uma urbanização desta doença. Vários fatores já confirmaram o papel do cão como reservatório e fator de risco na transmissão da doença ao homem.

This study aimed to analyse changes in the spatial distribution of Lutzomyia longipalpis in Posadas, an urban area located in northeastern Argentina. Data were obtained during the summer of 2007 and 2009 through two entomological surveys of peridomiciles distributed around the city. The abundance distribution pattern for 2009 was computed and compared with the previous pattern obtained in 2007, when the first human visceral leishmaniasis cases were reported in the city. Vector abundance was also examined in relation to micro and macrohabitat characteristics. In 2007 and 2009, Lu. longipalpis was distributed among 41.5% and 31% of the households in the study area, respectively. In both years, the abundance rates at most of the trapping sites were below 30 Lu. longipalpis per trap per night; however, for areas exhibiting 30-60 Lu. longipalpis and more than 60 Lu. longipalpis, the areas increased in both size and number from 2007-2009. Lu. longipalpis was more abundant in areas with a higher tree and bush cover (a macrohabitat characteristic) and in peridomiciles with accumulated unused material (a microhabitat characteristic). These results will help to prioritise and focus control efforts by defining which peridomiciles display a potentially high abundance of Lu. longipalpis.

An eight-year old boy from Posadas (27º 23' S, 55º 54' W) was diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) during 2006. Lutzomyia longipalpis was discovered in the backyard of his house, while the spread of canine visceral leishmaniasis was confirmed in Posadas. This is the southernmost report of a VL transmission focus and the first in Argentina.

How to cite Complete issue More information about this article Journal's homepage in redalyc.org Scientific Information System Network of Scientific Journals from Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal Non-profit academic project, developed under the open access initiative

Leishmania infection in immunocompromised hosts is reported in the literature, mostly concerning human immunodeficiency virus infected patients. It is not well characterized in the context of stem cell transplantation. We report a rare case clinical case of visceral leishmaniasis after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. A 50-year-old Caucasian male was referred to allogeneic bone marrow transplantation with a high-risk acute lymphoblastic B leukemia in first complete remission. Allogeneic SCT was performed with peripheral blood stem cells from an unrelated Portuguese matched donor. In the following months, patient developed mild fluctuating cytopenias, mostly thrombocytopenia (between 60 and 80∗10(9)/L). The only significant complaint was intermittent tiredness. The common causes for thrombocytopenia in this setting were excluded-no evidence of graft versus host disease, no signs of viral or bacterial infection, and no signs of relapsed disease/dysplastic changes. The bone marr...

This study aimed to analyse changes in the spatial distribution of Lutzomyia longipalpis in Posadas, an urban area located in northeastern Argentina. Data were obtained during the summer of 2007 and 2009 through two entomological surveys of peridomiciles distributed around the city. The abundance distribution pattern for 2009 was computed and compared with the previous pattern obtained in 2007, when the first human visceral leishmaniasis cases were reported in the city. Vector abundance was also examined in relation to micro and macrohabitat characteristics. In 2007 and 2009, Lu. longipalpis was distributed among 41.5% and 31% of the households in the study area, respectively. In both years, the abundance rates at most of the trapping sites were below 30 Lu. longipalpis per trap per night; however, for areas exhibiting 30-60 Lu. longipalpis and more than 60 Lu. longipalpis, the areas increased in both size and number from 2007-2009. Lu. longipalpis was more abundant in areas with a higher tree and bush cover (a macrohabitat characteristic) and in peridomiciles with accumulated unused material (a microhabitat characteristic). These results will help to prioritise and focus control efforts by defining which peridomiciles display a potentially high abundance of Lu. longipalpis.

Embryonic tissue explants of the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva 1912) the main vector of Leishmania chagasi (Cunha and Chagas), were used to obtain a continuous cell line (Lulo). The tissues were seeded in MM/VP12 medium and these were incubated at 28ºC. The first subculture was obtained 45 days after explanting and 96 passages have been made to date. Lulo is composed of epithelioid cells, showed a 0.04 generations/hour exponential growth rate and population doubling time at 24.7 h. The cell line isoenzymatic profiles were determined by using PGI, PGM, MPI and 6-PGDH systems, coinciding with patterns obtained from the same species and colony's pupae and adults. The species karyotype characteristics were recognized (2n = 8), in which pair 1 is subtelocentric and pairs 2, 3 and 4 are metacentric. Lulo was free from bacterial, fungal, mycoplasmic and viral infection. Susceptibility to five arbovirus was determined, the same as Lulo interaction with Leishmania promastigotes.

Leishmania is transmitted by Phlebotominae insects that maintain the enzootic cycle by circulating between sylvatic and domestic mammals; humans enter the cycles as accidental hosts due to the vector&#39;s search for blood source. In Colombia, leishmaniasis is an endemic disease and 95% of all cases are cutaneous (CL), these cases have been reported in several regions of the country where the intervention of sylvatic areas by the introduction of agriculture seem to have an impact on the rearrangement of new transmission cycles. Our study aimed to update vector species distribution in the country and to analyze the relationship between vectors&#39; distribution, climate, land use and CL prevalence. A database with geographic information was assembled, and ecological niche modeling was performed to explore the potential distribution of each of the 21 species of medical importance in Colombia, using thirteen bioclimatic variables, three topographic and three principal components derive...

An eight-year old boy from Posadas (27º 23' S, 55º 54' W) was diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) during 2006. Lutzomyia longipalpis was discovered in the backyard of his house, while the spread of canine visceral leishmaniasis was confirmed in Posadas. This is the southernmost report of a VL transmission focus and the first in Argentina.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a severe systemic disease resulting from infection with Leishmania infantum (syn. Leishmania chagasi). In the Americas, domestic dogs are the main reservoirs of the parasite, which is transmitted mainly by Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) (Gontijo & Melo 2004), a synanthropic sandfly species with a wide geographic distribution in Brazil (Souza et al. 2009). Between 2003-2007, approximately 3,500 VL cases were reported per year in Brazil, which corresponds to 95% of all new cases of VL in the Americas (Alvar et al. 2012). Control measures directed against sandflies have been unsuccessful and the early detection and treatment of human cases remains the most important strategy for reducing case fatalities (Romero & Boelaert 2010). In the state of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), VL was restricted to the municipalities of Corumbá and Ladário until 1993 (Antonialli et al. 2007), but its presence is currently registered in 41 municipalities. An increase in the number of cases diagnosed in urban centres was observed, reflecting both disease expansion and urbanisation in the state as well as representing a threat to public health, considering the mean disease lethality of 7.8% (Oliveira et al. 2006b). The Notifiable Diseases Information System recorded 1,919 cases of VL in MS between 2003-2011, which represents 75% of all cases recorded in Central-West Brazil. Most cases occurred in the municipalities of Aquidauana, Campo Grande and Três Lagoas, which are currently classified as areas of intense transmission of VL, where Lu. longipalpis has also been detected (Silva et al. 2007, MS/SVS 2013). The geographic distribution of Lu. 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. longipalpis is the primary species captured in anthropic environments (Oliveira et al. 2006b, Almeida et al. 2010a, b) and is the principal vector of L. infantum. Transmission, however, can occur by Lutzomyia cruzi in Corumbá in northwest MS (Santos et al. 1998). Ecological niche models (ENM) have been used to predict the occurrence areas of sandflies and leishmaniasis in Brazil. Peterson and Shaw (2003) predicted climate change effects on Nyssomyia whitmani distribution; specifically, under climate change scenarios, an extension of the geographic range of Ny. whitmani was predicted in Southeast Brazil, where cutaneous leishmaniasis appears to be re-emerging. Peterson et al. (2004) demonstrated that elevation and vegetation significantly

Objetivou-se revisar os principais trabalhos científicos, discutindo a participação das imunoglobulinas e as citocinas detectadas nas leishmanioses caninas (LCs) e na vacinação de cães sadios. Nas leishmanioses a resposta imune protetora é regulada por células Th1 e Th17, sendo INF-γ, IL-2, TNF-α, IL-17, IL-21, IL-22, IL-6 e TGF-β, as citocinas características, com consequente aumento na produção de IgG2. Por outro lado, a resposta imune mediada por Th2 e Treg, apresenta padrão de citocinas associadas a IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 e IL-10, as quais inibem a resposta de Th1, aumentando a produção de IgG1, IgA e IgE e o desenvolvimento sintomático de uma severa doença. O perfil de anticorpos associados à produção de IgG1 e IgG2 ainda é conflitante entre os pesquisadores. Sendo assim, a interpretação das imunoglobulinas não poderá funcionar como marcador, quer seja no diagnóstico quer seja no tratamento de animais doentes. A vacinação surgiu como nova estratégia de controle das LCs. As formulações vacinais de primeira e terceira gerações são capazes de induzir uma resposta mediada tanto por INF-γ quanto IL-4, enquanto as de segunda geração são caracterizadas pelo aumento da produção de INF-γ e NO. Nestas situações, há aumento na capacidade de resposta imune celular e na produção de anticorpos. Ressalta-se que antígenos vacinais disponíveis não são capazes de desencadear uma resposta satisfatória mediada por linfócitos T CD4 + de memória. Pode-se concluir que as imunoglobulinas e as citocinas podem ser utilizadas como marcadores das LCs e do efeito vacinal, contudo seu uso na clínica deve ser resguardado.

Background In South America, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) are emerging diseases, expanding in the border area of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Outbreaks of CL were reported since the 1990s, with Nyssomyia whitmani as the main vector in this region. Regarding VL, urban reports started in 2010 with Lutzomyia longipalpis as the main vector. The aim of this study was to evaluate environmental determinants related to the main vectors of leishmaniasis, to contribute to the prevention and control response to the emergence of VL and CL in the Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay border region. Methods The cross-sectional survey includes two cities and two close rural areas in the Argentinean Northeast Region, between November 2014 and January 2015, with a total of 95 sampling sites. REDILA-BL traps were set for three consecutive nights, and a total of 68 meso- and microscale environmental and landscape characteristics were surveyed. The association between vector abun...