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PubMed1977

Studies on the epidemiology of sandfly fever in Iran. II. The prevalence of human and animal infection with five phlebotomus fever virus serotypes in Isfahan province.

Human and animal sera from an endemic area of sandfly fever in Iran were tested by plaque reduction neutralization method against five different Phlebotomus fever virus serotypes (Naples, Sicilian, Karimabad, Salehabad, and I-47). The overall prevalence of Naples, Sicilian, and Karimabad virus antibodies among the human population was 17%, 25%, and 66%, respectively. All sera were negative against Salehabad and I-47 viruses. Age-specific antibody rates suggested that Sicilian and Karimabad viruses were endemic in the study area but that Naples virus activity was sporadic. These observations were confirmed by isolations of Sicilian and Karimabad viruses from sandflies collected in the study area. Among the animal sera tested, evidence of Phlebotomus fever virus infection was detected only in gerbils. Of 38 Rhombomys opimus tested, 34% had neutralizing antibodies against Sicilian virus and 32% against Karimabad. These results indicate that gerbils are infected with these two viruses and possibly might serve as reservoirs or amplifying hosts. The serologic studies also suggest that the ecology of Sicilian and Karimabad viruses involves chiefly sandflies, gerbils, and man, an epidemiologic pattern previously demonstrated for cutaneous leishmaniasis in the same region of Iran.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Morphological characteristics of the antennal flagellum and its sensilla chaetica with character displacement in the sandfly Phlebotomus argentipes Annandale and Brunetti sensu lato (Diptera: psychodidae).

Using light microscope and scanning electron microscope, the external morphological characteristics of the antennal flagellum and its sensilla are described in the sandfly, Phlebotomus argentipes Annandale and Brunetti sensu lato, a well known vector of visceral leishmaniasis in India. A revised terminology is given for the antennal segments to bring phlebotomine more in line with other subfamilies and families while a description of antennal sensilla is provided for the first time in phlebotomine sandflies. Each flagellum consists of scape, pedicel, flagellomeres I to XIII and apiculus. The antennal segments contain scales and sensilla and the latter consist of sensilla trichodea, s. basiconica, s. auricillica, s. coeloconica and s. chaetica and their putative functions are discussed. The sensilla chaeticum hitherto known as antennal ascoid in the phlebotomine sandflies was used to differentiate within and between species. Differences in its relative size to the flagellomere between the populations of P. argentipes collected from the endemic and non-endemic areas in Tamil Nadu state, southern India were established. These differences are considered to be a character displacement as means of premating reproductive isolating mechanism among the populations/members of species complex.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Sandfly survey in Nainital and Almora districts of Uttaranchal with particular reference to Phlebotomus argentipes, vector of kala-azar.

Kala-azar continues to pose a major public health problem in Bihar, West Bengal and parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh in India causing great deal of morbidity and mortality. During 1998, several kala-azar cases from Sub-Himalayan region were treated in Delhi hospitals. And a suspected focus of kala-azar was subsequently reported from this area. Therefore a preliminary sandfly survey was carried out during October, 1999 in 18 randomly selected villages at different altitudes in Nainital & Almora districts of Kumaon region Uttaranchal. The surveys revealed relative preponderance of vector sandfly Ph. argentipes as 77%; mainly confined to cattlesheds and mixed dwellings in the villages at an altitude ranging from 350-960 metres main sea level. The other sandfly species encountered were: Ph. papatasi 6.9%, Ph. major 2.9% and 13.2% Sergentomyia spp. 17.4% Ph. argentipes reacted positive with human antisera and 82.6% with bovine but none reacted with goat, pig dog and bird antisera indicating that Ph. argentipes in the area is mainly zoophilic. Ph. argentipes was found to be highly susceptible to DDT; mortality ranging from 98-100%.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

[Ultrastructural study on pharyngeal armature of seven species of sandflies in china by scanning electron microscopy].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the ultrastructure of pharyngeal armature of 7 species of sandflies in China. METHODS: The pharyngeal armature of various sandflies were studied by scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: The pharyngeal armature of sandfly consisted of pointed-teeth with various shape, number and arrangement among different species. CONCLUSION: Such differences may provide the morphological proof for identification of species.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[A natural focus of sandfly fever in the Republic of Afghanistan].

The serological study of persons contacting dengue-like fever in 1987 in Afghanistan (in Rukha, Parwān Province) revealed that in 74% of cases an increase in the titers of antibodies to Sicilian and Neapolitan sandfly [correction of mosquito-borne] fever viruses was registered. Considering that such diseases appeared here for a number of years and were linked in time with the activity of sandflies [correction of mosquitoes] of the species Phlebotomus papatasii, the suggestion was made on the existence of a stable natural focus of sandfly [correction of mosquito-borne] fevers in the region of Rukha.

Afghanistan↗
PubMed1991

Host preference pattern of phlebotomine sandflies of Bikaner city.

Host preference pattern of phlebotomine sandflies was ascertained using the precipitin test. Engorged sandflies from endemic localities revealed that out of 126 blood meals 88.8 per cent were human blood, 7.3 per cent bovine blood and 3.9 per cent mixed for both human and bovine. Four of five Sergentomyia babu were positive for human blood and the remaining one for bovine. Two S. baghdadis collected had only human blood, of two S. punjabensis collected, one had human blood. Mixed human and bovine blood meal was detected in the other one. Phlebotomus papatasi appears to be the most common vector of leishmaniasis and another important observation was the repeated feeding by sandflies within a short period and anthropophilic nature of Sergentomyia species.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Urbanization--how does it affect the behaviour of sandflies?

The effect of building activities on the abundance of sandflies was investigated in Jordan. A total of 3442 sandflies were collected. The largest collections were made from natural habitats, uninhabited and inhabited houses. Collections from the latter two often included a larger number of Phlebotomus species. It was evident from this study that sandfly populations are able to recover to, and often exceed their original natural densities in man-made artificial habitats.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Sugars in sandflies.

The evidence for the acquisition of different types of sugars by wild caught sandflies is reviewed and the recent results summarised. Studies on Phlebotomus ariasi, P. perfiliewi and P. perniciosus in the Mediterranean region has shown that these sandflies take honeydew derived sugars from aphids or coccids; in a similar study in the New World, Lutzomyia peruensis has also been shown to have taken sugar from such sources. The use of High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) as a technique for identification of such sugars is used as a more sensitive method for identifying trisaccharides and disaccharides; this method should supersede the van Handel cold anthrone test for sugar identification which only identifies the presence of fructose moieties. The possible significance of sugar feeding in the biology of sandflies and for the transmission of Leishmania are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Molecular approaches applied to the analysis of sympatric sandfly populations in endemic areas of western Venezuela.

To understand the epidemiology of cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis in three distinct endemic foci of Tachira state, Western Venezuela, we aim to improve vector identification methods by developing species-specific sandfly DNA probes. These probes will be able to distinguish between sympatric sandfly populations thereby providing epidemiological data for determining the significance of individual sandfly groups related to their vectorial capacity.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Transmission and scanning EM-immunogold labeling of Leishmania major lipophosphoglycan in the sandfly Phlebotomus papatasi.

Previous studies using immunostaining and light microscopy demonstrated expression of Leishmania major lipophosphoglycan (LPG) on parasites developing in the sandfly gut from 2 days post infection. By days 4 to 7 post infection, there appeared to be large amounts of parasite-free LPG deposited on/in the microvilli and epithelial cells lining the thoracic midgut, while forward migration of parasites and the morphological changes which accompany metacyclogenesis were associated with developmental modification of the LPG molecules. Studies presented here examine this process with much greater precision using electron microscopy and immunogold labeling techniques to study the different developmental forms (nectomonads, haptomonads, paramastigotes, and metacyclics) of promastigotes in the sandfly gut. Results obtained using LPG-specific monoclonal antibodies (WIC79.3, 45D3 and the metacyclic-specific 3F12) show (1) gold labeling over the cell surface, within the flagellar pocket, and extending along the entire length of the flagellum of electron-dense nectomonads observed in the abdominal and thoracic midgut regions on days 4 and 7 post infection, and of electron-lucid haptomonads in the foregut, (2) dense labeling around the flagellar tips, by which nectomonad forms bind to the midgut microvilli, but not on the microvilli themselves or within the epithelial cells lining the midgut, (3) significant metacyclic-specific (3F12) labeling on nectomonad forms in the lumen of the midgut and attached to the microvilli, and (4) dense labeling on the cell surface of electron-lucid paramastigotes in the esophagus and in the filamentous matrix surrounding paramastigote and metacyclic forms in the esophagus and pharynx. These results are discussed in the light of the proposed roles for LPG in parasite attachment to, and survival in, the sandfly gut.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Leishmania-sandfly interactions: an empirical field study.

Phlebotomus papatasi is the sandfly vector of Leishmania major in the Jordan Valley. The objective of this study was to characterize vector-parasite relations in an active zoonotic focus. Seasonality and intensity of promastigote infection rates in female sandflies and the developmental stage of these hosts were established. On 153 trap-nights, 641 female P. papatasi were caught and examined. Of these, 48 (7.4%, range 12.9-4.8%) were infected with L. major promastigotes. Correlating the number of parasites with the gonotrophic age of the vector revealed that most infections initially are light ones, and those that survive in the vector generally prosper and proliferate. Comparing infection rates in parous and gravid flies revealed that similar proportions of gravid and parous flies are found infected. Thus, Leishmania infections do not appear to affect sandfly survival.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis infection resulting from the importation of sandflies via transportation means].

78 cases of a rural skin leishmaniasis type registered in the Tadjik SSR over a 10-year period have been divided into 3 groups according to the nature of epidemiological chain: 1) imported infection, when the inhabitants of Tadjikistan were infected in the southern parts of the Uzbek and Turkmen SSR; 2) infection of patients in borderline regions caused by sandflies [correction of mosquitoes] carried from Afghanistan by dust storms and strong winds; 3) local infection as a result of exploration of new lands in deserted areas of southern Tadjikistan previously known for endemic foci. 6 other cases are described: one case (1983), when a woman, citizen of Dushanbe, was infected by sandflies [correction of mosquitoes] brought in a helicopter from Afghanistan and the other familial case, when 5 persons were infected by sandflies [correction of mosquitoes] brought in a car from a borderland to an Afghanistan area.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Epidemiology of leishmaniases in Kenya: V. Wider search for breeding habitats of phlebotomine sandflies in three kala-azar endemic foci.

Intensive investigations on the breeding sites of phebotomine sandflies were undertaken in Kitui, Machakos and Baringo foci of leishmaniases in Kenya. A total of 473 soil samples weighing approximately 4,244 kg were collected from termite hills, animal burrows, tree hole, human dwellings, animal enclosures, under tree canopy, open ground, chicken coop and rock crevices habitats and incubated in the field laboratories. 267 samples weighing approximately 3002 kg were positive, producing 6419 sandflies comprising 17 different species. This study resulted in the identification of both perennial and seasonal breeding sites of most of the phlebotomine sandfly species found in these three leishmaniases foci.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Comparative electron microscopy study of Leishmania major and L. tropica in experimental infestation of the sandfly Phlebotomus papatasi].

For the first time comparative study was conducted of the ultrastructure of promastigotes of Leishmania major and L. tropica in the organism of Phlebotomus papatasi which for the first species of Leishmania is and for the second species is not a natural invertebrate host. During the bloodsucking on Mesocricetus auratus experimentally infected with Leishmania sandflies perceive amastigotes of both L. major and L. tropica. In the midgut of the sandfly both species of Leishmania pass into the stage of promastigote (therefore, this phenomenon is not defined by species-specific factors). However, further fate of promastigotes of L. major and L. tropica in Ph. papatasi is different. L. major has its normal cycle of development in the intestine of the sandfly and preserves its all ultrastructural peculiarities. Promastigotes of L. tropica, on the contrary, display in the midgut of Ph. papatasi signs of degeneration which are expressed in break of their normal ultrastructure (changes in the shape of cells, break in cell division, thickening or thinning of intracytoplasmatic formations, especially of mitochondria, intensified vacuolisation of cytoplasm, changes in the structure of nucleus and kinetoplast; and others). All these data indicate in an indirect way that the intestine of Ph. papatasi is a favourable medium for L. major and unfavourable one for L. tropica.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Leishmaniasis in the lowlands of Bolivia. Entomological studies on sandflies of the "Valle del Sacta". Tropical Carrasco of the Department of Cochabamba.

Up to 1987, through the LEISHBOL project (CEE-STD1) studies on sandflies were performed in the rain forests of Yapacani, a region of the Department of Santa Cruz. In another set of studies, also carried out within the LEISHBOLPE project (CEE-STD2), sandflies were studied in the rain forests of the "Valle del Sacta, Prov. Carrasco" of the Departament of Cochabamba, to determine the composition of the species, its density, the anthropophilic species, and its infection by flagellates. 18 species were identified, from those collected in the Valle del Sacta, one of which was a new species now being described as Lutzomyia lerayi n-sp. Only 7 species are common with those identified in Yapacani, in spite of the proximity and of the apparent similarity of the biotopes. Lu. shawi was the only species captured practically year round, and highest densities were identified in October with 7.6 "females/hour/shannon trap". The lowest monthly density occurred in July with "0.2 female/hour/shannon trap." In relation to the altitudinal density of Lu. shawi, it was higher at 5 meters (5.5 females/night/CDC in October) than at 1 meter (2.3 females/night/CDC-trap in November) above ground level. The following species was detected as anthropophilic: Lu. shawi, Lu. amazonensis, Lu. evangelistai and Lu. sherlocki. 4.5% (7 of 154) of Lu. shawi were found to be infected by flagellates in suprapiloric position. The composition of the sandfly species of Valle del Sacta is different than that of Yacapani. The most important species of Valle del Sacta is Lu. shawi, instead of Lu. yucumensis of Yapacani.

Altitude↗
PubMed1994

A comparative study on the optimum time and method of collection of Phlebotomus argentipes and other sandflies. (Diptera: Psychodidae).

A uniform method of collection is imperative for generating comparable entomological data in connection with studies on efficacy of vector control measures against sandflies. Two commonly employed methods for sandfly collections i.e. hand collection by aspirator and sticky paper traps were compared under similar ecological conditions to determine the optimum time and method for generating data on relevant indices. Only two P. argentipes male specimens were collected at dusk time from 12 cattle sheds and 40 human dwelling by aspirator method. By sticky traps placed in the same resting shelters, 243 P. argentipes and 58 specimens of 5 other species were collected. However, the collection by sticky traps comprised only males and unfed females. In the morning collection by aspirators 268 sandflies of 8 species in all stages of gonotropic cycle were collected. It is concluded that morning collections by aspirator method can provide objective assessment of control measures. Sticky traps may be useful as additional method for confirming presence of P. argentipes in sprayed areas.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The use of radioisotope labelling for studying the feeding of sandflies (Phlebotominae) and their move into colonies of the greater gerbil (Rhombomys opimus Licht.)].

The fly off and distribution of sandflies, vectors of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis after meal on great gerbils were studied by means of radioisotope techniques. The experiments were carried out near the town of Mubarek (Uzbekistan). Three Rhombomys opimus were marked by intraperitoneal injection of 14C-glycine solution. Then they were allowed to come back to their burrows. The sandflies were radioactively labelled during bloodsucking on the rodents. Fifty-seven labeled female sandflies were caught on the surface of burrows with the marked R. opimus and on 5 colony burrows at a distance of 70-280 m from it for 6 nights. Seventeen females were Phlebotomus papatasi (0.9% of all the caught females of this species) and 40 females belonged to the Paraphlebotomus subgenus (7.0%). The fly off occurred both before and against the wind. The labeled females were found on all burrows where sticky papers were placed, but their density was 16 times lower at a distance of 280 m than in the burrow colony of their release.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

The susceptibility of the sandfly Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva), diptera, phlebotomidae, to laboratory infection with bluetongue virus.

Bluetongue virus multiplied in the sandfly Lutzomyia longipalpis after intrathoracic inoculation but not after oral ingestion of virus. The level of virus multiplication was lower than that observed in similar experiments with the North American vector of bluetongue, Culicoides variipennis. Inoculated sandflies did not transmit virus after 6 to 9 days incubation at 25 degrees C. It is unlikely that L. longipalpis would be important in the maintenance of bluetongue virus in the wild.

Animals↗