Blood meal analysis and molecular detection of mammalian Leishmania DNA in wild-caught Sergentomyia spp. from Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.
Parasitol Res
; 122(9): 2181-2191, 2023 Sep.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37449994
ABSTRACT
Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera Phlebotominae) belonging to the genus Phlebotomus are vectors of pathogens such as arboviruses, bacteria, and parasites (Leishmania). Species of the genus Sergentomyia (Se.) transmit Sauroleishmania (Reptile Leishmania) and feed on cold-blooded vertebrates; recently, they have been incriminated in mammalian Leishmania transmission. In addition, they have been reported to feed on warm-blooded vertebrates. This study aimed to (i) screen wild-caught Sergentomyia species for the detection of mammalian Leishmania and (ii) identify the blood meal origin of engorged females. The sand flies were collected using centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) traps, mounted and identified morphologically. Only females of the genus Sergentomyia were screened for Leishmania infection using PCR targeting the 18S ribosomal DNA locus. For positive specimens, Leishmania parasites were typed using nested PCR targeting ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 followed by digestion with HaeIII. The PCR-RFLP results were confirmed through sequencing. Blood meal identification was performed through PCR amplification of the vertebrate cytochrome b gene using degenerate primers followed by sequencing. In total, 6026 sand fly specimens were collected between 2009 and 2018. Among these, 511 belonged to five species of Sergentomyia genus Se. minuta (58.51%), Se. fallax (18.01%), Se. clydei (14.68%), Se. dreyfussi (6.26%), and Se. antennata (2.54%). A total of 256 female Sergentomyia sp. specimens were screened for Leishmania infection. Seventeen (17) were positive (6.64%). Two Leishmania species were identified. Leishmania major DNA was detected in five specimens; this included three Se. fallax, one Se. minuta, and one Se. dreyfussi collected from Tunisia. Leishmania infantum/L. donovani complex was detected in four Se. minuta and three Se. dreyfussi specimens collected from Tunisia. In addition, we identified the blood meal origin of five engorged Se. minuta specimens collected from Tunisia. Sequencing results revealed two blood sources humans (n = 4) and reptiles (n = 1) indicating possible role of Sergentomyia species in the transmission of human Leishmania. In addition, these species could be involved in the life cycle of L. infantum/L. donovani complex and L. major. The results of the blood meal origin showed that Sergentomyia fed on both cold- and warm-blooded vertebrates. These findings enable a better understanding of the behavior of this sand fly genus. Further studies should focus on the role of Sergentomyia in human Leishmania transmission and possible control of this disease.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Phlebotomus
/
Psychodidae
/
Leishmaniose
/
Leishmania major
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Animals
/
Female
/
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
Africa
/
Asia
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Parasitol Res
Assunto da revista:
PARASITOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Tunísia