Molecular Detection of Leishmania spp. and Blood Source of Female Sand Flies in the Parque Estadual do Rio Doce and Municipality of Timóteo, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Leishmaniasis is a group of diseases caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania and is transmitted by the bite female sand fly. The present work is characterized as a descriptive study in two areas: a forest area located in the Parque Estadual do Rio Doce, and another urban area located in the municipality of Timóteo-MG, with the objective of identifying the presence of Leishmania spp. and the blood source of the collected female sand flies. Part of the females were obtained from the Parque Estadual do Rio Doce, and part was collected using 19 ligth traps distributed in residences of Timóteo. For molecular studies of Leishmania spp. DNA, the ITS1 gene was used, and in the search for blood source, the CytB gene was used and positive samples were sequenced. The study demonstrated that there are at least three species of Leishmania circulating in the study areas: Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis, and Leishmania (V.) guyanensis. Nyssomyia whitmani was the predominant sand fly species in the urban area of Timóteo with a positive diagnosis for the presence of Leishmania braziliensis DNA. We found the presence of blood from Gallus gallus (Chicken) and Sus scrofa (Pig) in sand flies. The present study demonstrates that Leishmania braziliensis is the main agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the study area, with the effective participation of Nyssomyia whitmani as the vector and both Gallus gallus and Sus scrofa acting as a food source for female sand flies, and helping maintaining the sand fly life.

Diversity, Leishmania detection, and blood meal sources of sand flies from Iguatama, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

This study investigated the sand fly fauna of the municipality Iguatama, in the Midwest Region of Minas Gerais state, Brazil, including Leishmania infection rates and blood meal sources. Sand flies were collected during four periods over the course of a single year, encompassing both dry and rainy seasons, using CDC light traps placed in peridomiciles where dogs were seropositive for visceral leishmaniasis (VL). A total of 762 sand fly specimens, representing 12 species across seven genera, were collected. Lutzomyia longipalpis was the most abundant species, comprising 57.6% of the collected specimens, followed by Nyssomyia neivai (19.6%) and Nyssomyia whitmani (10.5%). Species richness and diversity varied among collection periods, with the highest diversity observed in January 2019. Molecular analysis detected Leishmania DNA in 12.5% of the sand fly specimens, with Le. infantum being the predominant species. Blood meal analysis revealed feeding on multiple vertebrate species, including humans, rats, dogs, and chickens. The presence of Leishmania DNA in sand flies, and the identification of human blood meals, highlight the potential role of these species in VL transmission. These findings underscore the importance of continued surveillance and control measures to prevent the spread of VL and reduce transmission risk in the region.

Natural infection of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) by Leishmania infantum in a municipality with a high incidence of visceral leishmaniasis in the Brazilian Midwest.

BACKGROUND: Here, Leishmania presence in sand flies from Três Lagoas, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, after visceral leishmaniasis (VL) was investigated. METHODS: In April 2022, two light traps were deployed within and around the residence for two days post-VL case report. RESULTS: A total of 120 Lutzomyia longipalpis were collected. Suprapyloric flagellates were found in a female sand fly with eggs and residual blood during midgut dissection. Sequencing of ITS1 and cytb fragments confirmed Leishmania infantum DNA and identified Homo sapiens as the blood source, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasizes the importance of monitoring sand flies in VL endemic areas.

Molecular detection of Leishmania and blood meal analysis in sand flies from Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

In this study, we investigated the presence of Leishmania in sand flies collected from a peridomestic area in Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul, after an autochthonous case of cutaneous leishmaniasis was confirmed. A total of 1,542 sand flies belonging to seven species were collected, with Lu. cruzi being the most prevalent (94.3%). We detected the presence of DNA from Le. infantum (7 pools) and Le. braziliensis (3 pools) by sequencing the ITS1 amplicon in ten pools, all of which were composed of engorged (3) and non-engorged (7) females of Lu. cruzi. We collected 24 engorged females, with Homo sapiens being the most common blood meal source (91.6%), followed by Dasyprocta azarae and Canis lupus familiaris (4.2% each). To our knowledge, this is the first molecular evidence of Le. braziliensis in wild-caught Lu. cruzi in Brazil, suggesting its potential role as a vector for this parasite.

Ecology and natural infection of phlebotomine sand flies in different ecotopes and environments in the municipality of Pains, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Phlebotomines (Diptera: Psychodidae) are vectors of protozoa of the genus Leishmania and distributed throughout Brazil, formerly restricted to rural areas, have expanded including to periurban and urban regions, been recorded in different habitats. This study aimed to understand the dynamics of sand flies in different ecotopes in the municipality of Pains. Sand flies were captured during thirty samplings using HP light traps installed in seven different ecotopes for two consecutive nights, once a month, from August 2018 to July 2019. A total of 1,352 sand flies were captured, representing 24 species belong to ten genera. Evandromyia edwardsi was the most abundant species, followed by Evandromyia lenti and Micropygomyia quinquefer. Leishmania DNA was detected in seven female sand flies in four ecotopes, for an infection rate of 0.9%. Sand flies were collected in all seven ecotopes, although forest (23.04%), cave (20.88%) and pasture (17.75%) had higher abundance and richness. Similarity was found among ecotopes, indicating that they are all important for the maintenance of the sand fly community. Spatial analysis indicated high densities of sand flies in areas with natural characteristics. All ecotopes in the municipality were evidenced to have an adequate and harmonious epidemiological profile for the transmission and expansion of leishmaniasis throughout the territory. Because of the increasing environmental changes and deforestation in the municipality, the risk of generating ecological imbalance and increased cases of leishmaniasis is imminent, which highlights the importance of developing preventive and control strategies.

Natural infection of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) by Leishmania infantum in a municipality with a high incidence of visceral leishmaniasis in the Brazilian Midwest

ABSTRACT Background: Here, Leishmania presence in sand flies from Três Lagoas, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, after visceral leishmaniasis (VL) was investigated. Methods: In April 2022, two light traps were deployed within and around the residence for two days post-VL case report. Results: A total of 120 Lutzomyia longipalpis were collected. Suprapyloric flagellates were found in a female sand fly with eggs and residual blood during midgut dissection. Sequencing of ITS1 and cytb fragments confirmed Leishmania infantum DNA and identified Homo sapiens as the blood source, respectively. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the importance of monitoring sand flies in VL endemic areas.

Publishing data to support the fight against human vector-borne diseases.

Vector-borne diseases are responsible for more than 17% of human cases of infectious diseases. In most situations, effective control of debilitating and deadly vector-bone diseases (VBDs), such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, Zika and Chagas requires up-to-date, robust and comprehensive information on the presence, diversity, ecology, bionomics and geographic spread of the organisms that carry and transmit the infectious agents. Huge gaps exist in the information related to these vectors, creating an essential need for campaigns to mobilise and share data. The publication of data papers is an effective tool for overcoming this challenge. These peer-reviewed articles provide scholarly credit for researchers whose vital work of assembling and publishing well-described, properly-formatted datasets often fails to receive appropriate recognition. To address this, GigaScience's sister journal GigaByte partnered with the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) to publish a series of data papers, with support from the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), hosted by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Here we outline the initial results of this targeted approach to sharing data and describe its importance for controlling VBDs and improving public health.

Revisiting the cave-dwelling sand flies (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) from Brazil: Diversity and potential role in the transmission of Leishmania Ross, 1903 (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae).

Brazilian caves, one of the many tourist attractions of the country, may act as a shelter for insects, such as sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae), natural hosts of various microorganisms including parasites of the genus Leishmania Ross, 1903. In the last decades, with the increasing global need for sustainable development, ecotourism has emerged as one of the major activities in Brazil. However, the constant monitoring in environmentally protected areas is not often carried out, endangering visitors and professionals, especially due to the occurrence of zoonoses. Several sand fly species have already been recorded in Brazilian caves, drawing attention to the possibility of Leishmania transmission at this ecotope. Indeed, this current systematic review summarizes the fauna of cave-dwelling sand flies in Brazil, focusing on their biological behaviour and the occurrence of potential vectors of Leishmania parasites.

Sand fly bioecological aspects and risk mapping of leishmaniasis by geographical information systems approach in a mineral exploration area of Brazil.

Epidemiological studies of leishmaniasis in areas of great human influence and environmental change serve as important tools for the implementation of effective control plans. Mining is currently a major economic activity in Brazil with the municipality of Pains, in the state of Minas Gerais, being one of the main lime producing municipalities in the country. This study aimed to map areas of potential transmission risks within the municipality of Pains using an epidemiological approach in association with the ecological study of sand flies. Twelve samplings carried out between May 2015 and April 2016 collected a total of 12,728 sandflies, comprising 2,854 females (22.42%) and 9,874 males (77.58%), of 20 species belonging to ten genera. The most abundant species was Lutzomyia longipalpis (80%). Leishmania DNA was detected in seven pools of female sand flies with an infection rate of 0.37%. Geoprocessing and the use of maps revealed that vector sand flies are distributed throughout the urban area, as are cases of canine and human leishmaniasis. However, the greatest abundances of sand flies were at sampling points at the border of the urban area. Higher densities of sand flies and the presence of Leishmania DNA may be correlated with extensive degradation by limestone mining. Integrated and multidisciplinary research approaches are necessary to better understand how the impacts of environmental change influence these insect vectors of leishmaniasis.

Online catalogue of the Coleção de Flebotomíneos (FIOCRUZ/COLFLEB), a biological collection of American sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) held at Fiocruz Minas, Brazil.

The Coleção de Flebotomíneos ("Phlebotomine Collection"; FIOCRUZ/COLFLEB) held at Fiocruz Minas is a curated biological collection comprising approximately 80 000 individual specimens of 370 species of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae, Phlebotominae). These were mostly collected from the Americas in the last 80 years by entomologists interested in understanding and controlling the vector-borne disease leishmaniases. Since 2010, the metadata of each biological specimen held in FIOCRUZ/COLFLEB, including the back catalogue of those deposited in previous decades, has been digitized. Here, we present the resulting electronic catalog containing records for 72,624 of the specimens, including all of the available provenance information associated with each specimen. The catalog is published online through the speciesLink network and the Sistema de Informação sobre a Biodiversidade Brasileira (SiBBr).

Phlebotominae Fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae) and Molecular Detection of Leishmania (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) in Urban Caves of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Sand flies are often collected in urban areas, which has several implications for the risk of transmission of Leishmania Ross, 1903, to humans and other mammals. Given this scenario, we describe the sand fly fauna of caves and their surroundings in Mangabeiras Municipal Park (MMP) and Paredão Serra do Curral Park (PSCP), both located in the urban area of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, an endemic focus of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis. Collections were conducted monthly from November 2011 to October 2012, using CDC light traps exposed for two consecutive nights in four caves and their surroundings. Nonsystematized collections using Shannon traps and active searches were also performed around the caves. The presence of Leishmania DNA in collected female sand flies was evaluated by ITS1-PCR. A total of 857 sand flies representing fourteen species were collected in MMP, of which Evandromyia edwardsi (Mangabeira, 1941) was the most abundant. Leishmania amazonensis was detected in Brumptomyia nitzulescui (Costa Lima, 1932) and Ev. edwardsi, with the latter also having Leishmania braziliensis, Leishmania infantum, and Leishmania sp. A total of 228 sand flies representing four species were collected in PSCP, of which Sciopemyia microps (Mangabeira, 1942) was the most abundant. No females from PSCP were positive for Leishmania-DNA. Studies aimed at describing sand fly faunas of cave environments and detecting Leishmania are essential to understanding the relationship between these insects and this ecotope and assessing and monitoring areas that may pose risks to the health of visitors and employees.

Sand fly behavior: much more than weak-flying.

BACKGROUND: Leishmaniases are diseases transmitted by some species of sand flies and are widely distributed throughout the tropical regions of the planet. Despite the low mobility of these vectors, the geographical distributions of some species are quite extensive, which hinders control and surveillance measures in endemic areas. OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated the flying capacity of sand flies. METHODS: Four Hoover Penido (HP)-type light traps were positioned in the centre of the Velhas' River, about 80 metres equidistant from each other. We also realised capture/release/recapture attempts to assess possible capacity of phlebotomine fly uninterrupted up to 150 metres. Captured sand flies from one side of the river were marked using fluorescent powder (Luminous Paint kit, Bioquip®) and released on the other side, approximately 150 m distant. Recapture attempts were made on river's bank up to 30 days post-release. FINDINGS: Six sand flies of the species Nyssomyia neivai (n = 4), Ny. intermedia (n = 1) and Evandromyia lenti (n = 1) were captured in the centre of the river. There were no recaptures of the 1,450 marked-and-released sand flies. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained disagree with data found in the literature regarding the flight capacity of sand fly vectors of leishmaniasis.

The sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) fauna of the urban area of Lassance, Northeast Minas Gerais, Brazil.

The present study aimed to check the sand flies' fauna on the municipality of Lassance, Minas Gerais, Brazil and detect the presence of Leishmania DNA on the female captured and determine the risk areas of the municipality. Sand flies were collected monthly from May 2018 to April 2019 using automatic light traps for 3 consecutive nights. Eight houses were selected as sample points due its previous reports of tegumentary leishmaniasis and/or canine leishmaniasis. The sand fly's fauna found on the present study it's represented by several medical importance species and the most abundant species found were Lutzomyia longipalpis (77.09%) and Nyssomyia intermedia (10.06%). Leishmania infantum DNA was detected in a pool of Lu. longipalpis resulting on a 2.81% of infection rate. By the frequency of the two most abundant species on this study, we developed a risk area map and it draws attention to sample point 6 due to disparate abundance of sand flies at this site (81.81%). Statistical overview shows Lu. longipalpis as dominant species and, still, Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling analysis reveal high similarity on fauna's diversity on the study area. Our findings suggest that the diversity of sand flies from the municipality of Lassance may promote the circulation of Leishmania infantum parasites putting in risk the habitants and other mammal's species. Still, our study reinforces the necessity of specific studies focused on breed sites of phlebotomine and its' ecology to expand the knowledge about the behaviour of this group of insects applying directly to leishmaniases' epidemiology.

Large-scale Degradation of the Tocantins-Araguaia River Basin.

The Tocantins-Araguaia Basin is one of the largest river systems in South America, located entirely within Brazilian territory. In the last decades, capital-concentrating activities such as agribusiness, mining, and hydropower promoted extensive changes in land cover, hydrology, and environmental conditions. These changes are jeopardizing the basin's biodiversity and ecosystem services. Threats are escalating as poor environmental policies continue to be formulated, such as environmentally unsustainable hydropower plants, large-scale agriculture for commodity production, and aquaculture with non-native fish. If the current model persists, it will deepen the environmental crisis in the basin, compromising broad conservation goals and social development in the long term. Better policies will require thought and planning to minimize growing threats and ensure the basin's sustainability for future generations.

Sand fly behavior: much more than weak-flying

BACKGROUND Leishmaniases are diseases transmitted by some species of sand flies and are widely distributed throughout the tropical regions of the planet. Despite the low mobility of these vectors, the geographical distributions of some species are quite extensive, which hinders control and surveillance measures in endemic areas. OBJECTIVES The present study investigated the flying capacity of sand flies. METHODS Four Hoover Penido (HP)-type light traps were positioned in the centre of the Velhas' River, about 80 metres equidistant from each other. We also realised capture/release/recapture attempts to assess possible capacity of phlebotomine fly uninterrupted up to 150 metres. Captured sand flies from one side of the river were marked using fluorescent powder (Luminous Paint kit, Bioquip®) and released on the other side, approximately 150 m distant. Recapture attempts were made on river's bank up to 30 days post-release. FINDINGS Six sand flies of the species Nyssomyia neivai (n = 4), Ny. intermedia (n = 1) and Evandromyia lenti (n = 1) were captured in the centre of the river. There were no recaptures of the 1,450 marked-and-released sand flies. MAIN CONCLUSIONS The results obtained disagree with data found in the literature regarding the flight capacity of sand fly vectors of leishmaniasis.

Level of Knowledge and Risk Factors for Visceral Leishmaniasis in a Mining Area of Minas Gerais State, Brazil.

Aiming to optimize and adjust leishmaniasis prevention and control measures for the resident population of Pains, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, a structured questionnaire containing conceptual questions and questions about household characteristics was used to evaluate knowledge level and exposure risk. A total of 396 individuals were interviewed revealing unscientific and fragmented knowledge about the subject for most of the studied population. The female population was found to have 1.68 times more chance of knowing about the disease than the male population, while highly educated individuals were found to have 2.92 times more chances of knowing about leishmaniasis compared to basic educated individuals. All of the respondents reported the presence of, at least, one risk factor, while ages ≥40 years were considered a protective factor compared to younger ages, indicating that older individuals are more likely to recognize risks and protect themselves against leishmaniasis. These results will contribute to the production of didactic materials for the population with respect to their previous knowledge and will provide a basis for control and prophylactic measures.

Diversity of phlebotomine sand flies and molecular detection of trypanosomatids in Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

This study aimed to describe the sand fly fauna and detect trypanosomatids in these insects from Casa Branca, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, an endemic area of both visceral (VL) and tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL). Sand flies were collected bimonthly from May 2013 to July 2014, using automatic light traps exposed for three consecutive nights in peridomiciliary areas of nine houses with previous reports of VL and TL. ITS1-PCR and DNA sequencing were performed for trypanosomatids identification. A total of 16,771 sand flies were collected belonging to 23 species. The most abundant species was Nyssomyia whitmani (Antunes & Coutinho, 1939) (70.9%), followed by Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) (15.2%) and Migonemyia migonei (França, 1920) (9.1%). Leishmania amazonensis DNA was detected in Ny. whitmani (four pools) and Le. braziliensis DNA was detected in Psychodopygus lloydi (one pool). In seven pools of Ny. whitmani and in one pool of Lu. longipalpis positive for Leishmania DNA, the parasite species was not determined due to the low quality of the sequences. Moreover, DNA of Herpetomonas spp. was detected in Ny. whitmani (two pools) and Cortelezzii complex (one pool). DNA of Crithidia spp. was detected in Ny. whitmani and Ps. lloydi (both one pool). Our results suggest that Ny. whitmani may be involved in the transmission of Le. amazonensis in the study area. The molecular detection of Le. amazonensis suggests the presence of this species in a sylvatic cycle between vertebrate and invertebrate hosts in the region of Casa Branca. Our data also reveal the occurrence of other non-Leishmania trypanosomatids in sand flies in Casa Branca District.

Potential Vectors of Leishmania Parasites in a Recent Focus of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Neighborhoods of Porto Alegre, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

In view of recent cases of human and canine visceral leishmaniasis reported in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, we investigated the sand fly fauna inhabiting the neighborhoods of Morro Santana and Jardim Carvalho, Brazil, continuing a series of entomological surveys aimed to identify potential vectors of Leishmania (Ross, 1903) parasites. Sand flies were collected monthly from October 2016 to October 2017 using CDC light traps in the intradomiciliary and peridomiciliary environments of seven residences. Sand fly abundance was correlated to climatic variables. Females were pooled by species, location, and date for Leishmania DNA molecular screening using ITS1 and kDNA polymerase chain reaction. In total, 501 sand flies from five species were collected in which Lutzomyia gaminarai (Cordero, Vogelsang & Cossio, 1928) (Diptera: Psychodidae) (78%) was the most abundant species in the intradomiciliary sites while Migonemyia migonei (Franca, 1920) (Diptera: Psychodidae) (43.3%) was the most abundant in the peridomiciliary sites. A higher number of sand flies were collected during the warmest months, from December to March (Mann-Whitney statistical test - P < 0.001). Leishmania infantum DNA was detected in Lu. gaminarai (2), Pintomyia fischeri (Pinto, 1926) (1) and Mg. migonei (1). Leishmania braziliensis DNA was detected in Lu. gaminarai (1) and Pi. fischeri (1). Our results add support to the possible vector role of Pi. fischeri in the epidemiological cycle of Le. infantum in Brazil. Furthermore, the first documented detection of Leishmania DNA in Lu. gaminarai may be indicative of multiple vectors being involved in the Leishmania cycle within Porto Alegre.

Species composition of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in caves of Quadrilátero Ferrífero, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Caves are extreme and inhospitable environments that can harbor several species of vertebrate and invertebrate animals. Among these animals are phlebotomine sand flies, vectors of parasites of the genus Leishmania that cause leishmaniasis. This study aimed to evaluate the species composition of sand flies of four caves, a cave located at Moeda Sul (MS) and three at Parque Estadual Serra do Rola Moça (PESRM), in the region of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero in the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. Sand flies were collected with automatic light traps. Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling, using a dissimilarity matrix calculated with the Jaccard index, and Multivariate Permutation Analysis were used to evaluate sand fly species composition among entrance, interior, and the surrounding environments of each sampled cave and to infer biological mechanisms from patterns of distribution among these different cave environments. A total of 375 phlebotomine sand flies representing 14 species and six genera were collected. The most abundant species were Evandromyia tupynambai (54.7%), Brumptomyia troglodytes (25.6%), Evandromyia edwardsi (6.1%), Psathyromyia brasiliensis (4.8%) and Lutzomyia longipalpis (4.3%). Thirty individuals were collected at MS, 16 inside the cave and 14 from its surroundings. At PESRM, five individuals were collected from the surroundings of cave RM38, 190 individuals from cave RM39 (48 in the cave and 142 from its surroundings) and 150 individuals from cave RM40 (42 in the cave and 108 from its surroundings). The results revealed a rich sand fly fauna with similar species compositions among the entrance, interior, and surrounding environments of each sampled cave, suggesting that both caves and their surroundings are important for maintaining sand fly communities.

Biodiversity of Hematophagous Diptera (Culicidae and Psychodidae) in a Small Hydroelectric Power Station and Surrounding Area in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Hydroelectric power stations may affect the population dynamics of mosquitoes and sand flies, a group with impact on public health due to the possibility to transmit pathogens to humans. This work characterized and compared the fauna of mosquitoes and sand flies in a hydroelectric power station and peridomicile areas in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Insect collections were performed in August 2015 at dry season and February 2016 in rainy season. Ten HP light traps were set at each of two sites for three consecutive days in each of two seasons (dry and rainy). Furthermore, collections with Shannon traps were made in each sampling area (hydropower plant and peridomicile area) from 4:00 p.m. being shut down at 8:00 p.m. for two consecutive days in each of two seasons (dry and rainy). In total, 1,222 insects from 13 genera and 27 species were collected. The most plentiful species were respectively Culex declarator (Dyar and Knab, 1906) and Pintomyia pessoai (Coutinho & Barretto, 1940). A high number of insects (78.5%) were collected during the rainy period (P < 0.05). About equitability, statistical significance was observed in the peridomicile area (dry season J = 0.75 and rainy season J = 0.82). The highest values of species diversity were observed in the hydropower plant (H = 2.68) and peridomicile area (H = 2.38) both in the rainy season with statistical significance comparing with dry season. Our results demonstrate that the occurrence of vector species in this region increases the potential risk of transmission of pathogens, especially arbovirus and Leishmania Ross, 1903.