Identification and molecular characterization of Wolbachia strains and natural infection for Leishmania sp. in neotropical Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psychodidae) species, leishmaniasis vectors.

Recently, Wolbachia infection has been described in leishmaniasis vector sandflies. This endosymbiont bacterium is present in 60% of insects, and has been suggested as a mechanism of biological control of vector insects, because it causes a series of changes in the invertebrate host. In addition, recent studies have shown that this bacterium can prevent the development of parasites in vector insects. In this context, the present study aims to molecularly characterize the circulating strain of this bacterium in sandflies in the State of Bahia, Brazil, as well as the natural infection rate of Leishmania sp., and to evaluate the coinfection between Wolbachia and Leishmania. Seven hundred and forty-five (745) specimens of sandflies were collected in nine municipalities of Bahia, belonging to two species, Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz and Neiva, 1912) and Nyssomyia whitmani (Antunes and Coutinho, 1939). The results confirm infection by the protozoan Leishmania infantum and Wolbachia in both species collected. The identified strain of Wolbachia in sandflies was wStv MI, known to lead to a phenotype of cytoplasmic incompatibility in vector insects.

Predictive modeling of sand fly distribution incriminated in the transmission of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and the incidence of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the state of Paraná, Brazil.

Southern Brazil concentrates a considerable number of cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis reported since 1980, and Paraná is the state that most records CL cases in the region. The main sand fly species incriminated as vectors of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis (Vianna,1911) are Migonemyia (Migonemyia) migonei (França, 1920), Nyssomyia (Nyssomyia) neivai (Pinto, 1926) and Nyssomyia (Nyssomyia) whitmani (Antunes & Coutinho, 1936). In this study, we evaluated areas with climatic suitability for the distribution of these vectors and correlated these data with CL incidence in the state. The occurrence points of Mg. migonei, Ny. neivai, and Ny. whitmani were extracted from a literature review and field data. For CL analysis in the state of Paraná, data were obtained from the Informatics Department of the Unified Health System of Brazil (DATASUS), covering the period from 2001 to 2019. The layers of bioclimatic variables from the WorldClim database were used in the study. Species distribution modeling was developed using the MaxEnt Software version 3.4.4. ArcGIS software version 10.5 was used to develop suitability maps and the graphical representation of disease incidence. The AUC values were acceptable for all models (> 0,8). Bioclimatic variables BIO13 and BIO14 were the most influential in the distribution of Mg. migonei, while BIO19 and BIO6 were the variables that most influenced the distribution of Ny. neivai, and Ny. whitmani was most influenced by variables BIO5 and BIO9. During 19 years, 4992 cases of CL were reported in the state by 286 municipalities (71,6%). Northern Paraná showed the highest number of areas with very high and high climatic suitability for the occurrence of these species, coinciding with the highest number of CL cases. The modeling tools allowed analyzing the association between climatic variables and the geographical distribution of CL in the state. Moreover, they provided a better understanding of the climatic conditions related to the distribution of different species, favoring the monitoring of risk areas, the implementation of preventive measures, risk awareness, early and accurate diagnosis, and consequent timely treatment.

Multiscale environmental determinants of Leishmania vectors in the urban-rural context.

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 abundance with different variables was evaluated using a generalized linear model with zero-inflated negative binomial distribution. We analyzed females for detection of Leishmania DNA. RESULTS: The analysis for Lu. longipalpis indicates an excess of absences when the mean NDWI around the sites were higher. The abundance of Lu. longipalpis at mesoscale level was higher when more urban services were present, and when blood sources such as chickens or dogs at the microscale level were present. For Ny. whitmani, no variable was found to be associated with the absences, while its abundance increased in association with the following variables: percentage of tree cover, presence of garbage collection service, hosted people and, at microscale, the presence of poultry. Leshmania infantum DNA was detected in 2/49 (4%) Lu. longipalpis. CONCLUSIONS: The abundance of both species is influenced by variables at different scales, their influence probably has a hierarchy and they are acting on different aspects of the biology of these vectors. The urban spatial segregation of Lu. longipalpis and the peri-urban and rural segregation of N. whitmani increase the risk of VL and CL. The selection of the better variables for each scale will allow the design of appropriate control strategies depending on species.

Variation of the Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) Assemblage in Response to Land Use Changes in an Endemic Area of Leishmania Transmission in Northeast Argentina.

Leishmaniases are a global health problem and in Argentina are considered emerging diseases. The new transmission scenarios of tegumentary leishmaniasis are especially important given that large areas of forest are being transformed into rural and urban systems. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of the construction of a large public building and a neighborhood on the assemblage of Phlebotominae in a rural area with forest remnants and to correlate the changes observed in the species assemblage with characteristics of the environment. Entomological surveys with light traps were conducted on the construction campus in the northeastern region of Argentina at six sites representing different environmental situations. Structural environmental characteristics and meteorological conditions were recorded and analyzed. At least 16 species of Phlebotominae sand flies were collected, the most prevalent being Nyssomyia whitmani (Antunes & Coutinho), followed by the genus Brumptomyia (França & Parrot) and Migonemyia migonei (França). Our study provides evidence of how the structure of the assemblages and prevalent species respond to anthropogenic disturbances. As the construction progressed, both Ny. whitmani and the genus Brumptomyia were favored. The genus Brumptomyia was favored at sites surrounded by high proportions of forest, within patches of remnant vegetation, and relatively far from anthropogenic disturbances, while Ny. whitmani, the main vector of tegumentary leishmaniasis in the region, increases their abundant at short and intermediate distances from vegetation margins and areas close to anthropogenic disturbances, therefore increasing the risk of human exposure to vectors.

Comparison of BG-Lure and BG-Sweetscents attractants for field sampling of phlebotomine sand flies.

Phlebotomines are important vectors of bacteria, viruses and protozoan parasites. Protozoans of the genus Leishmania which cause visceral and cutaneous leishmaniases, are among the most important etiologic agents transmitted by sand flies. Different blends of human and animal volatiles have been evaluated for use in surveillance and/or control of hematophagous insects. With regard to phlebotomine sand flies there are few records of attraction under laboratory and field conditions. This study was carried out at two collecting sites located in a Brazilian town with a high prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of adding two kinds of commercial bait which mimic human odors to light traps to attract sand flies and compare the results with those of light traps without any additional bait. The commercial baits, BG-Lure® and BG-Sweetscent®, were developed to catch anthropophilic mosquitoes. Three treatments were evaluated: 1 - HP light trap with BG-Lure® added; 2 - HP light trap with BG-Sweetscent® added and 3- HP light trap without any attractant. A total of 3,682 sand flies were collected during the study. Constrained correspondence analysis was applied to perform ordination of the captured community of sand fly species that could be explained by attractant, sampling site and sex. The most abundant species: Pintomyia nevesi, Nyssomyia whitmani and Nyssomyia antunesi were further investigated by fitting generalized linear mixed models. Only Ny. whitmani showed a slight indication of an increase in catches with BG-Lure®.

Ecology of phlebotomine sand flies in a Brazilian area with recent leishmaniasis transmission (Itaúna, in Minas Gerais state)

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Leishmaniasis constitutes a serious but neglected tropical disease. Recently, socio-environmental, biological and physical changes have altered the range of leishmaniasis, causing it to spread into urban areas. In Minas Gerais, the disease is endemic, exhibiting regional differences and reaching urban centers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate entomological aspects related to the ecoepidemiology of leishmaniasis in Itaúna. METHODS: Monthly catches with HP traps were carried out from June 2017 to May 2018, in three ecological areas (urban, rural, and forest). The adaptability of the species to anthropic environments was assessed using the synanthropy index (SI). RESULTS: We collected 1306 specimens of phlebotomine sand flies. Of the species of medical importance, Lutzomyia longipalpis, the vector of Leishmania infantum, represented 90.4% of the specimens identified at species level (n=1260). Nyssomyia whitmani, the vector of Leishmania braziliensis, represented 1.6% of the total. Lu. longipalpis displayed an SI of +95.8, a value that denotes a marked preference for human environments. For Ny. whitmani, the SI was -25, expressing the tendency of this species to occupy uninhabited areas. The population of the three most numerous species captured increased with rain, high temperatures, and high relative humidity. Although captured at low numbers, Ny. whitmani showed a different profile concerning the climate variables analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the epidemiology of the disease may assist the health services in formulating effective control measures for improving community health and contributing to the establishment of a dynamic relationship and a global awareness of the health/disease process.

High molecular prevalence of Leishmania in phlebotomine sand flies fed on chicken blood in Brazil.

Leishmaniases are endemic in Brazil, where Leishmania infantum has been detected in humans, dogs, cats, and phlebotomine vectors. Monitoring synanthropic vector populations is critical for leishmaniasis control-surveillance in such transmission-prone areas. Here, a suite of molecular approaches were used to assess Leishmania infection prevalence and to identify blood-meal sources in a large sample of sand flies collected in anthropic environments of a Leishmania-transmission area in Mato Grosso do Sul State (Rio Verde de Mato Grosso municipality), Central-West Brazil. We sampled sand flies monthly (January-June 2014 and 2016) in one peri-domestic site within each of six neighborhoods with recent records of human visceral and/or tegumentary leishmaniasis. kDNA-qPCR plus rDNA ITS-sequencing were used to detect and identify Leishmania in pooled female sand flies. Individual engorged females (n = 58) were used for blood-meal analyses through High-Resolution Melting (HRM) targeting the mtDNA cytb gene. Overall, 90.5% of 420 CDC trap-nights yielded vectors, for a total catch of 24,989 sand flies. We sub-sampled and identified 3088 sand flies of 12 species, including 2775 Lutzomyia longipalpis (the most abundant species at all sampling sites) and 297 Nyssomyia whitmani. Female sand flies (n = 1261) were grouped in 159 pools, of which 92 Lu. longipalpis (minimum infection rate [MIR] 8%) and 7 Ny. whitmani pools (MIR 7%) were Leishmania kDNA-positive. Most positive Lu. longipalpis were collected in the 2016 rainy season. Sequencing confirmed L. infantum in Lu. longipalpis samples. HRM analyses identified chicken DNA in 57 sand flies (98.3%), 37 of which were Leishmania DNA-positive (64.9%); human blood was found in just one (Leishmania-negative) female. Our data show ongoing risk of L. infantum transmission to humans in the study area, where Leishmania-infected sandfly vectors are common and heavily rely on chicken blood in the peri-domestic environment.

Assessment of the role of small mammals in the transmission cycle of tegumentary leishmaniasis and first report of natural infection with Leishmania braziliensis in two sigmodontines in northeastern Argentina.

To contribute to the knowledge of the role of small mammals in the transmission cycle of tegumentary leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania braziliensis, we studied the small mammal community and its temporal and spatial association with phlebotominae, as well as small mammal infection by Leishmania spp. by PCR-RFLP analyses in an endemic area of northeastern Argentina. Ten small mammal samplings were conducted (2007-2009, 7506 Sherman trap nights and 422 cage trap nights). In two of these samplings, 16 capture stations each one consisting of a CDC light trap to capture phlebotominae, two to four Sherman traps and two cage traps were placed. We found co-occurrence of phlebotominae and small mammal captures in four stations, which were all the stations with small mammal captures and yielded 97% (2295 specimens, including 21 gravid females) of the total phlebotominae captures, suggesting that small mammals may provide a potential source of blood for phlebotominae females. One Didelphis albiventris and two Rattus rattus were associated with high captures of Nyssomyia whitmani, vector of L. braziliensis in the study area. The PCR-RFLP analyses confirm the presence of L. braziliensis in two sigmodontine small mammals (Akodon sp. and Euryoryzomys russatus) for the first time in Argentina, to our knowledge.

The role of gallery forests in maintaining Phlebotominae populations: potential Leishmania spp. vectors in the Brazilian savanna

BACKGROUND Knowledge on synanthropic phlebotomines and their natural infection by Leishmania is necessary for the identification of potential areas for leishmaniasis occurrence. OBJECTIVE To analyse the occurrence of Phlebotominae in gallery forests and household units (HUs) in the city of Palmas and to determine the rate of natural infection by trypanosomatids. METHODS Gallery forests and adjacent household areas were sampled on July (dry season) and November (rainy season) in 2014. The total sampling effort was 960 HP light traps and eight Shannon traps. Trypanosomatids were detected in Phlebotominae females through the amplification of the SSU rDNA region, and the positive samples were used in ITS1-PCR. Trypanosomatid species were identified using sequencing. FINDINGS A total of 1,527 sand flies representing 30 species were captured in which 949 (28 spp.) and 578 (22 spp.) were registered in July and November, respectively. In July, more specimens were captured in the gallery forests than in the HUs, and Nyssomyia whitmani was particularly frequent. In November, most of the specimens were found in the HUs, and again, Ny. whitmani was the predominant species. Lutzomyia longipalpis was commonly found in domestic areas, while Bichromomyia flaviscutellata was most frequent in gallery forests. Molecular analysis of 154 pools of females (752 specimens) identified Leishmania amazonensis, L. infantum, and Crithidia fasciculata in Ny. whitmani, as well as L. amazonensis in Lu. longipalpis, Trypanosoma sp. and L. amazonensis in Pintomyia christenseni, and L. amazonensis in both Psathyromyia hermanlenti and Evandromyia walkeri. MAIN CONCLUSIONS These results show the importance of gallery forests in maintaining Phlebotominae populations in the dry month, as well as their frequent occurrence in household units in the rainy month. This is the first study to identify Leishmania, Trypanosoma, and Crithidia species in Phlebotominae collected in Palmas, Tocantins, Brazil.

Leishmania infantum DNA detected in phlebotomine species from Puerto Iguazú City, Misiones province, Argentina.

In Puerto Iguazú City, Argentina, human and canine Visceral Leishmaniasis cases have been recorded since the year 2010, with Leishmania infantum as the etiological agent and Lutzomyia longipalpis as its main vector. In the present study, polymerase chain reaction and sequencing were used to detect L. infantum DNA in 3.9% of the female sandflies captured in Puerto Iguazú City. This is the first report of L. infantum DNA detection in Micropygomyia quinquefer, and the second one in Lu. longipalpis and Nyssomyia whitmani for Argentina. Although the detection of Leishmania DNA itself is not enough to determine a Phlebotomine species as a vector, these results are significant in setting the direction of further investigations of vectorial competence and capacity, necessary to define the roles of different sandflies species as specific or permissive vectors in the transmission VL cycle.

Performance of light-emitting diode traps for collecting sand flies in entomological surveys in Argentina.

The performance of two light-emitting diode traps with white and black light for capturing phlebotomine sand flies, developed by the Argentinean Leishmaniasis Research Network (REDILA-WL and REDILA-BL traps), were compared with the traditional CDC incandescent light trap. Entomological data were obtained from six sand fly surveys conducted in Argentina in different environments. Data analyses were conducted for the presence and the abundance of Lutzomyia longipalpis, Migonemyia migonei, and Nyssomyia whitmani (106 sites). No differences were found in presence/absence among the three types of traps for all sand fly species (p>0.05). The collection mean of Lu. longipalpis from the REDILA-BL didn´t differ from the CDC trap means, nor were differences seen between the REDILA-WL and the CDC trap collection means (p>0.05), but collections were larger from the REDILA-BL trap compared to the REDILA-WL trap (p<0.05). For Mg. migonei and Ny. whitmani, no differences were found among the three types of traps in the number of individuals captured (p>0.05). These results suggest that both REDILA traps could be used as an alternative capture tool to the original CDC trap for surveillance of these species, and that the REDILA-BL will also allow a comparable estimation of the abundance of these flies to the CDC light trap captures. In addition, the REDILA-BL has better performance than the REDILA-WL, at least for Lu. longipalpis.

First description of Migonemyia migonei (França) and Nyssomyia whitmani (Antunes & Coutinho) (Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) natural infected by Leishmania infantum in Argentina.

Leishmania infantum is the etiological agent of the Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) disease in America, with Lutzomyia longipalpis phlebotomine sandflies as its proven vectors in Argentina, and infected dogs as its main urban reservoir. In Puerto Iguazú City (Misiones province, Argentina), human and canine cases of VL were recorded. Additionally, in the rural area known as "2000 Hectáreas", less than 10km away from the city, several human cases of Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (TL) were registered determining an endemic area with Leishmania braziliensis as the etiological agent. Because of this, several phlebotomine captures were done in this site showing that Nyssomyia whitmani is the most abundant sandfly followed by Migonemyia migonei. In this study, three of the sandflies captured were found infected whit L. infantum parasites, detected by PCR and sequencing. Two of them were N. whitmani and the other one was a M. migonei specimen, being this the first report of L. infantum natural infection for Argentina in these sandfly species. N. whitmani is the main vector of L. braziliensis in this area, and M. migonei has been suggested as a putative vector in other locations where human and canine cases of VL where reported with L. longipalpis apparently absent. In this context, we consider necessary further studies that could define the role of M. migonei and N. whitmani as specific or permissive vectors of L. infantum, their vectorial competence and capacity, and their actual role in the transmission of both Tegumentary and Visceral Leishmaniasis in the study area.

DETECTION OF Leishmania (Viannia) IN Nyssomyia neivai AND Nyssomyia whitmani BY MULTIPLEX POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION, IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL / Detecção de Leishmania (Viannia) em Nyssomyia neivai e Nyssomyia whitmani por Multiplex Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase, no sul do Brasil

Sandflies transmit pathogens of leishmaniasis. The natural infection of sandflies by Leishmania (Viannia) was assessed in municipalities, in the state of Paraná, in Southern Brazil. Sandflies were collected with Falcão and Shannon traps. After dissection in search of flagellates in digestive tubes and identification of the species, female sandflies were submitted to the Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (multiplex PCR) for detection of the fragment of the kDNA of Leishmania (Viannia) and the fragment from the IVS6 cacophony gene region of the phlebotomine insects. The analysis was performed in pools containing seven to 12 guts from females of the same species. A total of 510 female sandflies were analyzed, including nine Migonemyia migonei, 17 Pintomyia fischeri, 216 Nyssomyia neivai, and 268 Nyssomyia whitmani. Although none of the females was found naturally infected by flagellates through dissection, the fragment of DNA from Leishmania (Viannia) was shown by multiplex PCR in one sample of Ny. neivai (0.46%) and three samples of Ny. whitmani (1.12%). It was concluded that Ny. neivai and Ny. whitmani are susceptible to Leishmania infection, and that multiplex PCR can be used in epidemiological studies to detect the natural infection of the sandfly vector, because of its sensitivity, specificity and feasibility.

Flebotomíneos transmitem os patógenos das leishmanioses. Foi avaliada a infecção natural de flebotomíneos por Leishmania (Viannia) em municípios do Estado do Paraná, sul do Brasil. Os flebotomíneos foram coletados com armadilhas de Falcão e Shannon. Após dissecação para pesquisa de flagelados no tubo digestório e identificação das espécies, as fêmeas de flebotomíneos foram submetidas a Multiplex Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (multiplex PCR) para a detecção do fragmento do kDNA de Leishmania (Viannia) e do fragmento do gene IVS6 da cacofonia de flebotomíneos. A análise foi realizada em pools contendo sete a 12 tubos digestórios de fêmeas da mesma espécie. Um total de 510 fêmeas foram analisadas, incluindo nove Migonemyia migonei, 17 Pintomyia fischeri, 216 Nyssomyia neivai e 268 Nyssomyia whitmani. Embora nenhuma fêmea tenha sido encontrada naturalmente infectada com flagelados pela dissecação, o fragmento de DNA de Leishmania (Viannia) foi mostrado por multiplex PCR em uma amostra de Ny. neivai (0,46%) e três amostras de Ny. whitmani (1,12%). Conclui-se que Ny. neivai e Ny. whitmani são suscetíveis à infecção por Leishmania, e que multiplex PCR, devido à sua sensibilidade, especificidade e viabilidade, pode ser utilizada em estudos epidemiológicos para a detecção da infecção natural do inseto vetor.

The phlebotomine fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae) of Guarai, state of Tocantins, with an emphasis on the putative vectors of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in rural settlement and periurban areas

Phlebotomine sandflies were captured in rural settlement and periurban areas of the municipality of Guaraí in the state of Tocantins (TO), an endemic area of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL). Forty-three phlebotomine species were identified, nine of which have already been recognised as ACL vectors. Eleven species were recorded for the first time in TO. Nyssomyia whitmani was the most abundant species, followed by Evandromyia bourrouli, Nyssomyia antunesi and Psychodopygus complexus. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index and the evenness index were higher in the rural settlement area than in the periurban area. The evaluation of different ecotopes within the rural area showed the highest frequencies of Ev. bourrouli and Ny. antunesi in chicken coops, whereas Ny. whitmani predominated in this ecotope in the periurban area. In the rural settlement area, Ev. bourrouli was the most frequently captured species in automatic light traps and Ps. complexus was the most prevalent in Shannon trap captures. The rural settlement environment exhibited greater phlebotomine biodiversity than the periurban area. Ps. complexus and Psychodopygus ayrozai naturally infected with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis were identified. The data identified Ny. whitmani as a potential ACL vector in the periurban area, whereas Ps. complexus was more prevalent in the rural environment associated with settlements.

Phlebotomine sandflies fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae) at rural settlements in the municipality of Cáceres, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil / Fauna flebotomínica (Diptera: Psychodidae) em assentamentos rurais no Município de Cáceres, Estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil

INTRODUCTION: Leishmaniasis is expanding across Brazil, including the State of Mato Grosso (MT). The aim of this study was to characterize the phlebotomine sandfly fauna at threerural settlements located in the municipality of Cáceres, MT, from August 2010 to July 2011. METHODS: Sandfly captures were conducted at the forest border and in intra and peridomicile areas with automatic light traps, biweekly, from 5pm to 6am. RESULTS: Of the 630 sandflies collected, 348 were female, and 282 were male. Captured specimens were distributed across 11 genera - Brumptomyia, Evandromyia, Expapillata, Lutzomyia, Martinsmyia, Micropygomyia, Nyssomyia, Pintomyia, Psathyromyia, Psychodopygus, and Sciopemyia - and 28 species. Among these, six species had not been marked yet in MT (Brumptomyia avellari, Br. mangabeirai, Evandromyia aldafalcaoae, Micropygomyia echinatopharynx, Micropygomyia peresi, and Pa. campograndensis). Nyssomyia whitmani was the most abundant species across ecotopes at all settlements. Interestingly, Lutzomyia longipalpis and Lutzomyia cruzi were found in sympatry. CONCLUSIONS: The disorganized occupation of the environment that is happening at the rural settlements of Mata Comprida, Laranjeira I and II could provide opportunities for the domiciliation of wild populations of phlebotomine, including vectors of leishmaniasis. Therefore, more studies are needed to understand the epidemiology of the disease in these areas and its impact on the human population.

INTRODUÇÃO: As leishmanioses encontram-se em expansão no Brasil, inclusive no Estado de Mato Grosso (MT). A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo estudar a fauna flebotomínica emtrês assentamentos rurais localizados no município de Cáceres, MT, entre agosto de 2010 e julhode 2011. MÉTODOS: As coletas foram realizadas na margem da mata, no intra e peridomicílio com armadilhas automáticas luminosas, quinzenalmente, das 17h às 6h. RESULTADOS: Foram coletados 630 exemplares, sendo 348 fêmeas e 282 machos. Os espécimes foramdistribuídos em 11 gêneros: Brumptomyia, Evandromyia, Expapillata, Lutzomyia, Martinsmyia,Micropygomyia, Nyssomyia, Pintomyia, Psathyromyia, Psychodopygus e Sciopemyia e 28 espécies, sendo que dentre estas, seis não haviam sido assinaladas em MT (Brumptomyia avellari, Br. mangabeirai, Evandromyia aldafalcaoae, Micropygomyia echinatopharynx, Micropygomyia peresi e Pa. campograndensis). Ressalta-se o encontro de Nyssomyia whitmani, espécie mais abundante nos diferentes ecótopos em todos os assentamentos. Destaca-se também a presençadas espécies Lutzomyia longipalpis e Lutzomyia cruzi em simpatria. CONCLUSÕES: A ocupação desordenada do ambiente, como vem ocorrendo nos assentamentos Mata Comprida, LaranjeiraI e II, pode proporcionar a domiciliação de populações selváticas de flebotomíneos, dentre estes os vetores das leishmanioses, tornando-se necessários maiores estudos para entender a dinâmica de transmissão dessas morbidades nestes locais.

Fauna de flebotomíneos em municípios do norte pioneiro do estado do Paraná, Brasil / Sandfly fauna in counties of the pioneer north of Paraná state, Brazil

São apresentados no presente estudo os resultados de coletas de flebotomíneos com armadilhas de Falcão e Shannon, em 53 localidades rurais de 19 municípios do Estado do Paraná. Foram coletados 27.441 flebotomíneos de 13 espécies, com predomínio de Nyssomyia whitmani. Constatou-se que há grande concentração de flebotomíneos nos abrigos de animais domésticos e nas matas.

Avaliação de medidas de controle de flebotomíneos / Evaluation of sandfly control measures

Realizou-se coletas de flebotomíneos de maio de 2005 a abril de 2006. Os resultados foram comparados com os das coletas realizadas entre abril de 2001 e setembro de 2002, para avaliar as medidas empregadas para diminuir a densidade destes insetos, no Recanto Marista, município de Doutor Camargo, Estado do Paraná. As coletas foram feitas com armadilhas de Falcão, em domicílios e galinheiros, das 22 às 2 horas, semanalmente, quatro vezes ao mês. Em 2005 e 2006, coletaram-se 213.195 flebotomíneos, 1.113,8 em média por hora (MH) e em 2001 e 2002, 199.821 (MH=1.653,5). Nyssomyia neivai prevaleceu (75,4 por cento) em todos os ecótopos que, juntamente com Nyssomyia whitmani (23,4 por cento), Migonemyia migonei (0,8 por cento) e Pintomyia fischeri (0,4 por cento), representaram 99,7 por cento do total coletado. Nos ecótopos representados por galinheiros foram coletados 88,7 por cento dos flebotomíneos. Constatou-se que houve queda na densidade de flebotomíneos no período de coletas 2005 e 2006 em relação à de 2001 e 2002, especialmente no domicílio.

Collections of sandflies were made between May 2005 and April 2006. The results were compared with those from collections undertaken between April 2001 and September 2002, in order to evaluate the measures used to decrease the density of these insects in Recanto Marista, municipality of Doutor Camargo, State of Paraná. The collections were carried out by Falcão traps inside domiciles and hen sheds, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. once a week, four times a month. In 2005 and 2006, 213,195 sandflies were collected (average of 1,113.8 per hour), compared with 199,821 (average of 1,653.5 per hour) in 2001 and 2002. Nyssomyia neivai predominated (75.4 percent) in all the ecotopes. Nyssomyia neivai, Nyssomyia whitmani, Migonemyia migonei and Pintomyia fischeri accounted for 99.7 percent of all the sandflies collected. The ecotope of hencoops accounted for 88.7 percent of the sandflies collected. It was observed that the sandfly density had decreased between the 2001-2002 and 2005-2006 collections, especially in homes.

Pesquisa de infecção natural de flebotomíneos por Leishmania, no Estado do Paraná / Research of natural infection of phlebotomines for Leishmania, in the State of Paraná

A leishmaniose tegumentar americana tem sido notificada em todos os estados do Brasil e no Paraná essa doença é endêmica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi detectar a infecção natural de flebotomíneos para verificar a competência vetorial destes insetos e a identificação da espécie parasitária. Os flebotomíneos foram coletados com armadilhas de Falcão e Shannon, nos municípios de Doutor Camargo, Fênix e Mandaguari, de novembro de 2005 a agosto de 2006. Coletaram-se 12.930 flebotomíneos, dos quais 2.487 fêmeas foram dissecadas e destes 1.230 fêmeas foram submetidas à reação em cadeia da polimerase. Pelo método da dissecação, foi detectada uma fêmea de Nyssomyia whitmani com infecção natural por flagelados e pela reação em cadeia da polimerase não se detectou a presença de DNA de Leishmania em nenhuma das fêmeas. Apesar de não ter sido detectada a infecção natural de Nyssomyia neivai nas localidades em apreço e ainda que os requisitos de incriminação vetorial não tenham sido atendidos, não se deve negligenciar o potencial vetorial desta espécie.

American cutaneous leishmaniasis has been reported in all Brazilian states and in the Paraná this disease is endemic. The objective of this work was to detect natural infections in phlebotomines to verify the vector competence of these insects and the identification of the parasite species. Phlebotomines were collected using Falcão and Shannon traps, in the municipalities of Doutor Camargo, Fênix and Mandaguari, between November 2005 and August 2006. from 12,930 phlebotomines were collected, 2,487 females were dissected and 1,230 dissected females had been submitted to polymerase chain reaction. Flagellates were detected in a female Nyssomyia whitmani that had been dissected and for polymerase chain reaction failed to detect Leishmania DNA in any females. Even though flagellates were not detected in Nyssomyia neivai it should still be considered as a potencial vector.