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.

Parasitological and molecular diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis among indigenous peoples in the state of Roraima, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: We diagnose cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) among indigenous peoples of the state of Roraima, Brazil, and discuss some aspects of its epidemiology. METHODS: Skin imprints, and lesion exudate samples collected on filter paper were examined using parasitological and molecular techniques, respectively. RESULTS: Of 30 indigenous individuals, representing several ethnic groups, with suspected cases of CL, 27 (90%) tested positive for Leishmania spp. by PCR, and 21 (70%) by parasitological microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is indistinctly present among indigenous peoples from different regions of the state of Roraima. Individuals from seven of the ten existing ethnic groups in the state tested positive for CL, demonstrating the need for further investigation of the disease among these ethnic groups.

Parasitological and molecular diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis among indigenous peoples in the state of Roraima, Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: We diagnose cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) among indigenous peoples of the state of Roraima, Brazil, and discuss some aspects of its epidemiology. METHODS: Skin imprints, and lesion exudate samples collected on filter paper were examined using parasitological and molecular techniques, respectively. RESULTS: Of 30 indigenous individuals, representing several ethnic groups, with suspected cases of CL, 27 (90%) tested positive for Leishmania spp. by PCR, and 21 (70%) by parasitological microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is indistinctly present among indigenous peoples from different regions of the state of Roraima. Individuals from seven of the ten existing ethnic groups in the state tested positive for CL, demonstrating the need for further investigation of the disease among these ethnic groups.

Estudo da leishmaniose tegumentar americana na região urbana do município de Timóteo e no Parque Estadual do Rio Doce, Minas Gerais, Brasil

O presente trabalho se caracterizou como estudo descritivo comparando duas áreas: uma área silvestre onde se encontra o Parque Estadual do Rio Doce (PERD) e outra área urbana, situadas no município de Timóteo-MG. Objetivando estudar o ciclo de transmissão dos agentes das leishmanioses nas duas áreas, verificando possíveis alterações no seu padrão de transmissão. Foram realizadas coletas de flebotomíneos com armadilhas luminosas HP, coleta de amostras biológicas de animais silvestres, sinantrópicos e cães, o período de coletas foi entre setembro de 2012 a fevereiro de 2014. Foram realizados estudos de infecção natural por Leishmania spp., utilizando o gene ITS1, em todas as amostras coletas. E por fim um estudo de fonte alimentar em fêmeas alimentadas naturalmente. As análises foram realizadas com técnicas moleculares (PCR/Sequenciamento). Ficou claro que no município de Timóteo há pelo menos três espécies de Leishmania: Leishmania braziliensis, Leishmania amazonensis e Leishmania infantum. Dando evidência a grande presença de Leishmania braziliensis, identificada em amostras biológica de flebotomíneos, roedores, marsupiais e cães. A participação de flebotomíneos e animais, possíveis reservatório, no ciclo da Leishmania spp. no município de Timóteo ficou mais evidente após as observações da presença infecção natural por Leishmania braziliensis. Nyssomyia whitmani foi a espécie mais capturada na área urbana, enquanto no PERD foi Pressatia choti ambas as espécies foram identificadas com infecção natural por Leishmania braziliensis. A presença de Rattus rattus e Mus musculus, com infecção natural, sugerem que sejam possíveis reservatórios de Leishmania spp. no município Preocupante também e a possibilidade da participação de cães, uma vez que tiveram amostras de sangue com infecção natural. E por fim, e não menos importante foi o registro da participação de Gallus gallus (galinha) e Sus scrofa (porco) enquanto fonte alimentar de flebotomíneos, o que ajuda a manter o ciclo de vida dos vetores na área urbana do município