Description of Evandromyia cristacapita sp. nov., a new sand fly species of the Argentinian Chaco.

A new species of phlebotomine sand fly collected in the rural and peri-urban areas of wet and dry subregions of the Chaco Province, Argentina, is described. Illustrations of male and female adults are presented. Morphological characters allow the inclusion of the new species within the Evandromyia genus, Barrettomyia subgenus, Cortelezzii series (Diptera: Psychodidae). Furthermore, we present an identification key for the Cortelezzii series of the Barrettomyia subgenus with a new distinct species complex for its correct identification. The species was denominated as Evandromyia cristacapita sp. nov.

Vaccine effectiveness and use of collar impregnated with insecticide for reducing incidence of Leishmania infection in dogs in an endemic region for visceral leishmaniasis, in Brazil.

Although a national programme for control of visceral leishmaniosis (VL) is being run in Brazil, the disease continues to spread. This programme is essentially based on culling infected dogs from endemic regions. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop other control measures against VL to deter its advance. Here, a subunit vaccine, a recombinant vaccine, an insecticide-impregnated collar and the associations between these measures were evaluated for reducing the incidence of Leishmania infection in dogs. This was through a cohort study conducted in an endemic region of Brazil, considering the incidence and time of total exposure over a period of 1 year. The incidence of VL was estimated by means of serological and molecular diagnostic tests, 180 and 360 days after the application of the control measures. The estimates of the effectiveness (EF) were not significant in any cohort. The EF of the subunit vaccine, the recombinant vaccine and the collar were 26.4%, 32.8% and 57.7% and the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval for EF were 63.7%, 67.9% and 82.5%, respectively. In conclusion, under the conditions of this study, none of the immunogens for VL control was sufficiently effective to protect dogs against infection. On the other hand, use of collars impregnated with insecticide seems to constitute a method with better prognosis, corroborating other studies in this field.

Description of Evandromyia piperiformis sp. nov. (Diptera: Psychodidae).

Brazil presents great sand fly species diversity, with new species constantly being described, as new areas are surveyed to monitor sand flies. In captures undertaken in Porto Velho, Rondônia state-Brazil, a new species, Evandromyia (Aldamyia) piperiformissp. nov. (Godoy, Cunha & Galati 2017), was found and is here described. Both sexes of this new species may be distinguished from those of the Aldamyia subgenus through morphometric and morphological characters. Further, we present an identification key for the subgenus Aldamyia.

Description of Trichophoromyia velezbernali, a New Sand Fly Species (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) from Colombian Amazonia.

A new species of phlebotomine sand fly, Trichophoromyia velezbernali sp. n. Posada-López, Galvis & Galati, from Colombian Amazonia is described with illustrations and images of male and female adults.

The role of wing geometric morphometrics in the identification of sandflies within the subgenus Lutzomyia.

The Lutzomyia subgenus (Diptera: Psychodidae) includes sibling species with morphologically indistinguishable females. The aims of this study were to analyse variations in the size and shape of wings of species within the Lutzomyia subgenus and to assess whether these analyses might be useful in their identification. Wings (n = 733) of 18 species deposited in Brazilian collections were analysed by geometric morphometrics, using other genera and subgenera as outgroups. Shape variation was summarized in multivariate analyses and differences in wing size among species were tested by analysis of variance. The results showed significant variation in the sizes and shapes of wings of different Lutzomyia species. Two clusters within the Lutzomyia subgenus were distinguished in analyses of both males and females. In Cluster 1 (Lutzomyia ischnacantha, Lutzomyia cavernicola, Lutzomyia almerioi, Lutzomyia forattinii, Lutzomyia renei and Lutzomyia battistinii), scores for correct reclassification were high (females, kappa = 0.91; males, kappa = 0.90), whereas in Cluster 2 (Lutzomyia alencari, Lutzomyia ischyracantha, Lutzomyia cruzi, Lutzomyia longipalpis, Lutzomyia gaminarai and Lutzomyia lichyi), scores for correct reclassification were low (females, kappa = 0.42; males, kappa = 0.48). Wing geometry was useful in the identification of some species of the Lutzomyia subgenus, but did not allow the identification of sibling species such as L. longipalpis and L. cruzi.

Serological and molecular diagnostic tests for canine visceral leishmaniasis in Brazilian endemic area: one out of five seronegative dogs are infected.

Euthanasia of infected dogs is one of the measures adopted in Brazil to control visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in endemic areas. To detect infected dogs, animals are screened with the rapid test DPP® Visceral Canine Leishmaniasis for detection of antibodies against K26/K39 fusion antigens of amastigotes (DPP). DPP-positives are confirmed with an immunoenzymatic assay probing soluble antigens of promastigotes (ELISA), while DPP-negatives are considered free of infection. Here, 975 dogs from an endemic region were surveyed by using DPP, ELISA and real-time PCR (qPCR) for the diagnosis of VL. When DPP-negative dogs were tested by qPCR applied in blood and lymph node aspirates, 174/887 (19·6%) were positive in at least one sample. In a second sampling using 115 cases, the DPP-negative dogs were tested by qPCR in blood, lymph node and conjunctival swab samples, and 36/79 (45·6%) were positive in at least one sample. Low-to-moderate pairwise agreement was observed between all possible pair of tests. In conclusion, the official diagnosis of VL in dogs in Brazilian endemic areas failed to accuse an expressive number of infected animals and the impact of the low accuracy of serological tests in the success of euthanasia-based measure for VL control need to be assessed.

A New Species of Sand Fly, Psathyromyia elizabethdorvalae sp. n. (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae), From Brazil.

A new species of phlebotomine sand fly, Psathyromyia elizabethdorvalae sp. n. Brilhante, Sábio & Galati from Xapuri, Acre state, Brazil, is described, with illustrations of male and female adults.

Revalidation of Nyssomyia fraihai (Martins, Falcão & Silva 1979) (Diptera: Psychodidae).

Lutzomyia fraihai (Martins, Falcão & Silva 1979), described from Três Braços municipality (Bahia state, Brazil), is closely related to Nyssomyia yuilli yuilli (Young & Porter, 1972), described from Rio Anori, Antioquia, Colombia. The former species, despite the morphological differences reported by its authors, was included as a junior synonym of Ny. yuilli yuilli, and this status has been accepted by sand fly-taxonomists. However, we had an opportunity to examine both taxa, and a clear difference was noted in their male genitalia. In this study, the morphometric/morphologic characters of specimens that had been identified as Ny. yuilli yuilli from different localities (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia) and type material of both Ny. yuilli yuilli and Lu. fraihai were analyzed. The results revealed that males from Brazil (Bahia, Acre, Pará, and Rondônia states) and Peru present statistically significant differences in the ratio between paramere rectangular and digitiform areas as well as for the cercus length and width of the aedeagal ducts tips, when compared with the type specimens of Ny. yuilli yuilli, but are statistically similar to those characters of Lu. fraihai However, females of the two species are indistinguishable. Thus, based on the male morphology, Ny. fraihai STAT REV N COM: was resurrected from the synonymy of Ny. yuilli yuilli. The specimens from the Atlantic forest biome and the Amazon biome in Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia in fact belong to Ny. fraihai This species presents a cis-Andean distribution, while Ny. yuilli yuilli has been found in both Andean and Trans-Andean areas.

Canine cutaneous leishmaniasis by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in an agricultural settlement, endemic area for leishmaniasis / Leishmaniose tegumentar canina por Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis em um assentamento agrícola, área endêmica para leishmanioses

Cutaneous leishmaniasis has several species of Leishmania as agents, and a wide variety of wild and domestic animals as hosts and different species of phlebotomines as vectors. A case of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a dog coming from an agricultural settlement is described. This is the first report of parasitism in a dog by Le. (Viannia) braziliensis in Mato Grosso do Sul State. Attention is called to the importance of including this protozoonosis in the differential diagnosis of dermopathies in dogs as also the need to assess the importance of the domestic dog as a possible reservoir of Le. braziliensis.(AU)

As leishmanioses tegumentares são antropozoonoses metaxênicas de importância em saúde pública. Possuem como agentes etiológicos várias espécies de Leishmania, com ampla variedade de hospedeiros, como animais selvagens e domésticos, e diferentes espécies de flebotomíneos como vetores. Um caso de leishmaniose tegumentar em um cão procedente de um assentamento agrícola em Mato Grosso do Sul é descrito, sendo este o primeiro relato de parasitismo em cão doméstico nesse estado por Le. (Viannia) braziliensis. Alerta-se para a importância de se incluir essa protozoonose no diagnóstico diferencial de dermopatias em cães e para a necessidade de se avaliar o papel do cão doméstico como reservatório de Le. (Vi.) braziliensis.(AU)

On the Synonyms of Psathyromyia (Psathyromyia) shannoni (Dyar, 1929) and Pa. bigeniculata (Floch & Abonnenc, 1941) and the Resuscitation of Pa. pifanoi (Ortiz, 1972) With the Description of Its Female (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae).

Psathyromyia shannoni until recently presented several taxa: Phlebotomus limai, Ph. bigeniculatus, Ph. pifanoi, and Ph. microcephalus as its junior synonyms. In a previous study, the two former synonyms were resurrected and here a revision based on morphological characters of the taxonomic status of Ph. microcephalus and Ph. pifanoi is presented. Psathyromyia pifanoistat. rev.; comb. n. is resurrected from the synonymy of Pa. shannoni and its female is described. Phlebotomus microcephalus is removed from the synonymy of Pa. shannoni and proposed as a new synonym of Pa. bigeniculata. Lutzomyia cuzquenasyn. n., occurring in the Amazon region, is designated as a junior synonym of Pa. pifanoi. The geographical distributions of Pa. shannoni, Pa. bigeniculata, and Pa. pifanoi in the Americas are presented.

Description of Psathyromyia (Psathyromyia) baratai sp. n. (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) From Cantareira State Park, São Paulo, Brazil.

The Shannoni complex consists of a group of sand fly species included in the subgenus Psathyromyia (Psathyromyia) Barretto, 1962, in which the females have banana-shaped spermathecae and the males have terminalia with digitiform parameres. The species included in the complex present morphological similarity, mainly among the females, and the males contribute most clearly to species differentiation. We describe a newspecies in the Shannoni complex, Psathyromyia baratai sp. n., on the basis of morphological and morphometric characters, a species which due to its great morphological similarity with Psathyromyia abonnenci, Psathyromyia limai, and Psathyromyia shannoni has been erroneously identified with one or other of them for >60 yr.

Alternative Method for the Mass Rearing of Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) cruzi (Diptera: Psychodidae) in a Laboratory Setting.

The understanding of the transmission dynamics of Leishmania spp. Ross as well as the epidemiology and spread of leishmaniasis is related to parasite-vector-host interactions. These interactions can be studied using specimens of a sand fly population reared in the laboratory, exposing individuals to experimental infection for the investigation of vector competence and parameters of the vectorial capacity of the species. The present study sought to describe an alternative method for the implantation of a Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) cruzi colony with wild specimens captured in the municipality of Corumbá, Brazil. With Method 1, engorged females were individualized for oviposition. The eggs were transferred to an acrylic petri dish with a layer of plaster on the bottom, on which food was placed after hatching of the first larvae. With Method 2, females were kept in groups for oviposition in containers, in which soil and food were placed on their bottom for the larvae. In addition, the exposure time of the larvae to light was reduced in comparison with Method 1. With Method 2, a significantly greater number of specimens of Lu. cruzi was obtained. The ratio between the number of emerged adults and the females followed for oviposition was 0.42 with Method 1 and 2.75 with Method 2. The optimization of the rearing conditions for Lu. cruzi will enable the establishment of a colony providing a sufficient number of specimens to develop experimental infection by Leishmania as well as vectorial competence and some parameters of the vectorial capacity of this sand fly.

A new species of Evandromyia (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) from Minas Gerais State, Brazil.

A new species of phlebotomine sand fly found in Minas Gerais state, Brazil, is described and illustrated based on male and female morphological characteristics. The new species belongs to the rupicola series within the subgenus Evandromyia Mangabeira. Both sexes are morphologically close to Evandromyia rupicola (Martins, Godoy & Silva) and Evandromyia grimaldii Andrade Filho, Pinto, Santos & Carvalho and the characteristics for their classification are here presented.

Description of the female of Evandromyia rupicola (Martins, Godoy & Silva) with a review of the rupicola series (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae).

The rupicola series was proposed initially for Evandromyia rupicola (Martins et al) and Evandromyia correalimai (Martins et al), and recently extended with the inclusion of Evandromyia gaucha Andrade-Filho et al and Evandromyia grimaldii Andrade-Filho et al. The female of E. rupicola is here described and illustrated for the first time and its male is redescribed and drawn on the basis of specimens captured in forest on the coast of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The head and genitalia of both sexes of E. correalimai are also illustrated. The distinctive traits among females of the four species and of males of E. rupicola, E. correalimai and E. grimaldii, and the distribution range of these species are commented.

Species-specific identification of Leishmania in naturally infected sand flies captured in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil.

An increase in cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis cases has been reported in recent years in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, and little is known to date about their etiological agents. An investigation into natural Leishmania infection of sand flies captured in this state between December 2003 and August 2004 was carried out. Mini-exon sequences were used as targets to identify Leishmania, and an RFLP technique was employed for those identified as belonging to the Viannia subgenus. Calculation of the minimal infection rate (MR) revealed that 1.6% of sand flies captured in the forest, peridomicile and intradomicile were positive. Six species were found to be infected by Leishmania (V.) braziliensis. Interestingly, two of the six species, Lutzomyia longipalpis and Nyssomyia whitmani, were captured in anthropic environments. The findings of this study constitute a useful tool for planning control measures against this disease in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul.

Detection and identification of Leishmania species in field-captured phlebotomine sandflies based on mini-exon gene PCR.

Leishmaniasis is one of the most diverse and complex of all vector-borne diseases. Because it involves several overlapping species and sandfly vectors, the disease has a complex ecology and epidemiology. Adequate therapy and follow-up depend on parasitological diagnosis, but classical methods present several constraints when identifying species. We describe a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which uses primers designed from mini-exon repetitive sequences that are specific for subgenus LeishmaniaViannia (PV), as well as sequences with specificity for genus (PG) that can distinguish between Leishmania species from other insect flagellates with minor differences in PCR products. For standardization, these PCR were tested in experimentally infected sandflies, and Leishmania infection in these insects was successfully confirmed. This methodology identified a 3.9% infection rate in field-captured phlebotomine sandflies from an endemic region in Brazil. Natural infection by Leishmania species was identified in three samples of Lutzomyia longipalpis, of which two were Leishmania (L.) chagasi and one Leishmania (L.) amazonensis. Irrespective of specific epidemiological conclusions, the method used in this study was able to identify Leishmania infections both in experimentally infected and field-captured phlebotomine sandflies, and could be a useful tool in epidemiological studies and strategic planning for the control of human leishmaniasis.

Attractiveness of black Shannon trap for phlebotomines.

A white Shannon-type trap was used for captures of female sand flies in the search for natural infection with flagellates, however, due to its low productivity and as a large number of phlebotomines settled on the researchers' black clothes, we decided to compare the relative attractiveness of black and white Shannon-type traps for sand flies. Several pairs of black and white traps were placed side by side in front of caves in four areas in the Serra da Bodoquena, Bonito county, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, for a total of 12 observations and 44 h of capture. The experiment resulted in 889 phlebotomines captured, 801 on the black and 88 on the white trap, representing 13 species. The hourly Williams' means were 8.67 and 1.24, respectively, and the black/white ratio was 7.0:1.0. Lutzomyia almerioi, an anthropophilic species closely associated with caves, was predominant (89%). Only two other species, Nyssomyia whitmani and Psathyromyia punctigeniculata, also anthropophilic, were significantly attracted to the black rather than to the white trap (chi(2) test; p < or = 0.01). The difference between the diversity index of the two traps was not significant at level 0.05. The black trap in these circumstances was much more productive than the white, especially for anthropophilic species.

[Presence of Loxosceles similis Moenkhaus, 1898 (Araneae, Sicariidae) in Serra da Bodoquena, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil]. / Presença de Loxosceles similis Moenkhaus, 1898 (Araneae, Sicariidae) na Serra da Bodoquena, Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil.

The venom of Loxosceles spiders causes dermonecrotic lesion and induces complement-dependent intravascular haemolysis that characterizes a severe systemic effect. In Brazil, L. gaucho, L. intermedia and L. laeta, present in the anthropic environment, have been pointed out as the most important agents of the loxoscelism. Besides these species there are others that, by predominating in the natural environment, have not been evaluated regarding human health risk, as in the case of Loxosceles similis. The development of a research project in Bodoquena Range, for ecological observation and identification of insects of medical interest, enabled the capture of Loxosceles similis specimens in the "Pitangueiras" cave and "Lago Azul" cave, in Bodoquena Range, municipality of Bonito, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The objectives of this study were to define the parameters for identification, environmental features of the habitat of this species, as well as an update of its geographical distribution.

[Occurrence of canine visceral leishmaniasis in an agricultural settlement in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil]. / Ocorrência de leishmaniose visceral canina em assentamento agrícola no Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil.

During previous research on phlebotomine fauna in a settlement of the Brazilian National Agrarian Reform Institute (INCRA) on the Bodoquena Range, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, dogs were observed with clinical aspects suggestive of visceral leishmaniasis. A serological survey to leishmaniasis in 97 dogs, by indirect immunofluorescence test, showed 23 (23.7%) serum positive dogs. Samples of the parasites were identified as Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi.

Attractiveness of black Shannon trap for phlebotomines

A white Shannon-type trap was used for captures of female sand flies in the search for natural infection with flagellates, however, due to its low productivity and as a large number of phlebotomines settled on the researchers' black clothes, we decided to compare the relative attractiveness of black and white Shannon-type traps for sand flies. Several pairs of black and white traps were placed side by side in front of caves in four areas in the Serra da Bodoquena, Bonito county, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, for a total of 12 observations and 44 h of capture. The experiment resulted in 889 phlebotomines captured, 801 on the black and 88 on the white trap, representing 13 species. The hourly Williams' means were 8.67 and 1.24, respectively, and the black/white ratio was 7.0:1.0. Lutzomyia almerioi, an anthropophilic species closely associated with caves, was predominant (89 percent). Only two other species, Nyssomyia whitmani and Psathyromyia punctigeniculata, also anthropophilic, were significantly attracted to the black rather than to the white trap (chi2 test; p <= 0.01). The difference between the diversity index of the two traps was not significant at level 0.05. The black trap in these circumstances was much more productive than the white, especially for anthropophilic species