scholarly journals Broader Geographical Distribution of Toscana Virus in the Mediterranean Region Suggests the Existence of Larger Varieties of Sand Fly Vectors

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nazli Ayhan ◽  
Jorian Prudhomme ◽  
Lison Laroche ◽  
Anne-Laure Bañuls ◽  
Remi N. Charrel
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Toscana Virus ◽  
Natural Conditions ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Sand Fly Vectors

Toscana virus (TOSV) is endemic in the Mediterranean basin, where it is transmitted by sand flies. TOSV can infect humans and cause febrile illness as well as neuroinvasive infections affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems. Although TOSV is a significant human pathogen, it remains neglected and there are consequently many gaps of knowledge. Recent seroepidemiology studies and case reports showed that TOSV’s geographic distribution is much wider than was assumed a decade ago. The apparent extension of the TOSV circulation area raises the question of the sandfly species that are able to transmit the virus in natural conditions. Phlebotomus (Ph.) perniciosus and Ph. perfiliewi were historically identified as competent species. Recent results suggest that other species of sand flies could be competent for TOSV maintenance and transmission. Here we organize current knowledge in entomology, epidemiology, and virology supporting the possible existence of additional phlebotomine species such as Ph. longicuspis, Ph. sergenti, Ph. tobbi, Ph. neglectus, and Sergentomyia minuta in TOSV maintenance. We also highlight some of the knowledge gaps to be addressed in future studies.

scholarly journals Do Different LED Colours Influence Sand Fly Collection by Light Trap in the Mediterranean?

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriella Gaglio ◽  
Ettore Napoli ◽  
Francesca Arfuso ◽  
Jessica Maria Abbate ◽  
Salvatore Giannetto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Light Trap ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Light Traps ◽  
Trap Design ◽  
Phlebotomine Sand Flies ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Uv Led ◽  
The Mediterranean

Light traps represent the most used attractive system to collect and monitor phlebotomine sand flies. Recent studies have suggested that light traps can be easily upgraded by the use of light-emitting diode (LED) with positive effects on trap design, weight, and battery life. However, scant data on the effect of different LED colours on the attractiveness to phlebotomine sand fly species are available in literature. In this study, the capture performances of light traps equipped with different LED colours on phlebotomine sand fly species indigenous in the Mediterranean area were evaluated. Phlebotomine sand fly collections were performed using a classical light trap (CLT), equipped with a traditional incandescent lamp, and five Laika 4.0 light traps supplied, each with LED of different colours and wavelengths: (i) white; (ii) red; (iii) green; (iv) blue; (v) UV. Light traps were set for three consecutive nights fortnightly from May to October 2017 and climate data recorded using a meteorological station. A total of 411 phlebotomine sand flies (191 males and 220 females), belonging to three different species, namely, Phlebotomus perniciosus (n= 298, 141 males and 157 females), Sergentomyia minuta (n=110, 48 males and 62 females), and Phlebotomus neglectus (n=3, 2 males and 1 females) were collected. Abundance of capture was influenced by colours of LED and time. The highest number of phlebotomine sand flies was captured on June (P<0.01) and by UV LED (P<0.01). As regard to species, P. perniciosus was mainly captured by UV LED on June (P<0.01). No effect of time (P>0.05) or LED colour (P>0.05) was recorded for S. minuta and P. neglectus. According to the results of the present study light trap equipped with UV LED can represent an effective tool for the capture of sand fly species in the Mediterranean area.

scholarly journals MOLECULAR DETECTION OF Leishmania IN PHLEBOTOMINE SAND FLIES IN A CUTANEOUS AND VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS ENDEMIC AREA IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 357-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Cristina Fitipaldi Veloso Guimarães ◽  
Pietra Lemos Costa ◽  
Fernando José da Silva ◽  
Fábio Lopes de Melo ◽  
Filipe Dantas-Torres ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Detection ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Phlebotomine Sand Flies ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Specific Pcr ◽  
Pcr Targeting ◽  
First Time ◽  
Genus Leishmania

Several phlebotomine sand fly species have been regarded as putative or proven vectors of parasites of the genus Leishmania in Brazil, but data for the northeastern region remains incipient. In this study, a total of 600 phlebotomine sand flies were grouped in pools of 10 specimens each and tested by a Leishmania genus-specific PCR and by a PCR targeting Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum. Fourteen out of 60 pools were positive by the genus-specific PCR, being five pools of L. migonei, seven of L. complexa, one of L. sordellii and one of L. naftalekatzi, which correspond to a minimal infection rate of 2.3% (14/600). Our results, associated with their known anthropophily and their abundance, suggest the participation of L. migonei and L. complexa as vectors of Leishmania in northeastern Brazil. Remarkably, this is the first time in this country that the detection of Leishmania DNA in L. sordellii and L. naftalekatzi has been reported, but future studies are necessary to better understand the significance of these findings.

scholarly journals Binding of Leishmania infantum LPG to the midgut is not sufficient to define vector competence in Lutzomyia longipalpis sand flies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iliano V. Coutinho-Abreu ◽  
James Oristian ◽  
Waldionê de Castro ◽  
Timothy R. Wilson ◽  
Claudio Meneses ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Late Stage ◽  
Leishmania Infantum ◽  
Vector Competence ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Parasite Development ◽  
Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Survival And Development ◽  
Sand Fly Vectors

AbstractThe major surface lipophosphoglycan (LPG) of Leishmania parasites is critical to vector competence in restrictive sand fly vectors by mediating Leishmania attachment to the midgut epithelium, considered essential to parasite survival and development. However, the relevance of LPG for sand flies that harbor multiple species of Leishmania remains elusive. We tested binding of Leishmania infantum wild type (WT), LPG-defective (Δlpg1 mutants) and add-back lines (Δlpg1 + LPG1) to sand fly midguts in vitro and their survival in Lutzomyia longipalpis sand flies in vivo. Le. infantum WT parasites attached to the Lu. longipalpis midgut in vitro with late-stage parasites binding to midguts in significantly higher numbers compared to early-stage stage promastigotes. Δlpg1 mutants did not bind to Lu. longipalpis midguts, and this was rescued in the Δlpg1 + LPG1 lines, indicating that midgut binding is mediated by LPG. When Lu. longipalpis sand flies were infected with either Le. infantum WT, Δlpg1, or Δlpg1 + LPG1 of the BH46 or BA262 strains, the BH46 Δlpg1 mutant, but not the BA262 Δlpg1 mutant, survived and grew to similar numbers as the WT and Δlpg1 + LPG1 lines. Exposure of BH46 and BA262 Δlpg1 mutants to blood engorged midgut extracts led to the mortality of the BA262 Δlpg1 but not the BH46 Δlpg1 parasites. These findings suggest that Le. infantum LPG protects parasites on a strain-specific basis early in infection, likely against toxic components of blood digestion, however, it is not necessary to prevent Le. infantum evacuation along with the feces in the permissive vector Lu. longipalpis.IMPORTANCEIt is well established that LPG is sufficient to define the vector competence of restrictive sand fly vectors to Leishmania parasites. However, the permissiveness of other sand flies to multiple Leishmania species suggests that other factors might define vector competence for these vectors. In this study, we investigated the underpinnings of Leishmania infantum survival and development in its natural vector Lutzomyia longipalpis. We found out that LPG-mediated midgut binding persists in late-stage parasites. This observation is paradigm-changing and suggests that only a subset of infective metacyclics lose their ability to attach to the midgut with implications for parasite transmission dynamics. However, our data also demonstrate that LPG is not a determining factor in Leishmania infantum retention in the midgut of Lutzomyia longipalpis, a permissive vector. Rather, LPG appears to be more important in protecting some parasite strains from the toxic environment generated during blood meal digestion in the insect gut. Thus, the relevance of LPG in parasite development in permissive vectors appears to be complex and should be investigated on a strain-specific basis.

scholarly journals Genetic diversity and population structure of Phlebotomus argentipes: Vector of Leishmania donovani in Sri Lanka

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0256819
Author(s):  
Dulani Ruwanika K. Pathirage ◽  
Thilini C. Weeraratne ◽  
Sanath C. Senanayake ◽  
S. H. P. Parakrama Karunaratne ◽  
Nadira D. Karunaweera
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Population Genetic ◽  
Leishmania Donovani ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Phlebotomus Argentipes ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Sand Fly Vectors ◽  
Cox 1

Phlebotomus argentipes is the vector of Leishmania donovani which causes the disease leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease and a growing health problem in Sri Lanka. A proper understanding of the population genetic structure of sand fly vectors is considered important prior to planning and implementation of a successful vector control program. Thus, the present study was conducted to determine the population genetic structure of sand fly vectors in Sri Lanka. Two mitochondrial genes namely Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (Cox 1) and Cytochrome b (Cytb), and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region from the nuclear ribosomal DNA were used for molecular characterization. Analyses included maximum likelihood method, network analysis and DNA polymorphisms. The outcome revealed unique sequences of all genomic regions studied except the cox 1 gene had a relationship with sand flies isolated previously from Sri Lanka, India and Israel and cytb gene of 4 sand flies that aligned with those isolated earlier from Sri Lanka and 3 from Madagascar. Furthermore, cox 1 gene and ITS 2 region analyses based on FST values indicated a possible gene flow between the study sites whereas cytb gene analysis favoured the existence of genetically distinct populations of P. argentipes in each of the study sites. Poor population differentiation of P. argentipes, a possible consequence of a gene flow, is indeed of concern due to the risk imposed by promoting the spread of functionally important phenotypes such as insecticide resistance across the country, making future vector control efforts challenging.

scholarly journals Ornamental plants as climatic indicators of arthropod vectors

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Àkos Bede-Fazekas ◽  
Attila Jànos Tràjer
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Ornamental Plants ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Mediterranean Plant ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Sand Fly Vectors

Abstract The importance and risk of vector-borne diseases (e.g., leishmaniasis, West Nile Virus, Lyme borreliosis) is going to increase in the European temperate areas due to climate change. Our previous studies have shown that the potential distribution of Leishmania infantum and some Phlebotomus (sand fly) species - a parasite of leishmaniasis, and its vectors - may be expanded even to the southern coastline of the Baltic Sea by the end of the 21st century. The lowland areas of the Carpathian Basin and the main part of Hungary are projected to be suitable for the studied sand fly vectors in the near future. It is important to find some indicator plants to examine whether the sand flies are able to live in a certain climate at a certain time. We studied several Mediterranean and Sub-Mediterranean plant species, and we found that the aggregated distribution of three ligneous species (Juniperus oxycedrus L., Quercus ilex L. and Pinus brutia Ten.) shows high correlation with the union distribution of five sand flies (Phlebotomus ariasi Tonn., Ph. neglectus Tonn., Ph. perfiliewi Parrot, Ph. perniciosus Newst. and Ph. tobbi Adler, Theodor et Lourie). Since these Mediterranean species are highly tolerant of the edaphic characteristics of the planting site, they may prove to be good indicators. The present and upcoming climate of Hungary is seen to be suitable for the selected indicator plant species, and it draws attention to and verifies the potential of the expansion of sand flies, which has been proved by some recent observations of the vectors in Southern Hungary.

scholarly journals Ecuador Paraiso Escondido Virus, a New Flavivirus Isolated from New World Sand Flies in Ecuador, Is the First Representative of a Novel Clade in the Genus Flavivirus

2015 ◽  
Vol 89 (23) ◽  
pp. 11773-11785 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cigdem Alkan ◽  
Sonia Zapata ◽  
Laurence Bichaud ◽  
Grégory Moureau ◽  
Philippe Lemey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Yellow Fever ◽  
New World ◽  
Yellow Fever Virus ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Fever Virus ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Surprising Result ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTA new flavivirus, Ecuador Paraiso Escondido virus (EPEV), named after the village where it was discovered, was isolated from sand flies (Psathyromyia abonnenci, formerlyLutzomyia abonnenci) that are unique to the New World. This represents the first sand fly-borne flavivirus identified in the New World. EPEV exhibited a typical flavivirus genome organization. Nevertheless, the maximum pairwise amino acid sequence identity with currently recognized flaviviruses was 52.8%. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete coding sequence showed that EPEV represents a distinct clade which diverged from a lineage that was ancestral to the nonvectored flaviviruses Entebbe bat virus, Yokose virus, and Sokoluk virus and also theAedes-associated mosquito-borne flaviviruses, which include yellow fever virus, Sepik virus, Saboya virus, and others. EPEV replicated in C6/36 mosquito cells, yielding high infectious titers, but failed to reproduce either in vertebrate cell lines (Vero, BHK, SW13, and XTC cells) or in suckling mouse brains. This surprising result, which appears to eliminate an association with vertebrate hosts in the life cycle of EPEV, is discussed in the context of the evolutionary origins of EPEV in the New World.IMPORTANCEThe flaviviruses are rarely (if ever) vectored by sand fly species, at least in the Old World. We have identified the first representative of a sand fly-associated flavivirus, Ecuador Paraiso Escondido virus (EPEV), in the New World. EPEV constitutes a novel clade according to current knowledge of the flaviviruses. Phylogenetic analysis of the virus genome showed that EPEV roots theAedes-associated mosquito-borne flaviviruses, including yellow fever virus. In light of this new discovery, the New World origin of EPEV is discussed together with that of the other flaviviruses.

scholarly journals Serological Evidence of Phleboviruses in Domestic Animals on the Pre-Apennine Hills (Northern Italy)

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1577
Author(s):  
Davide Lelli ◽  
Vittorio Scanferla ◽  
Ana Moreno ◽  
Enrica Sozzi ◽  
Valentina Ravaioli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Neutralization Assay ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Toscana Virus ◽  
Virus Neutralization Assay

Phleboviruses are arboviruses transmitted by sand flies, mosquitoes and ticks. Some sand fly-borne phleboviruses cause illnesses in humans, such as the summer fevers caused by the Sicilian and Naples viruses or meningitis caused by the Toscana virus. Indeed, traces of several phleboviral infections have been serologically detected in domestic animals, but their potential pathogenic role in vertebrates other than humans is still unclear, as is the role of vertebrates as potential reservoirs of these viruses. In this study, we report the results of a serological survey performed on domestic animals sampled in Northern Italy, against four phleboviruses isolated from sand flies in the same area. The sera of 23 dogs, 165 sheep and 23 goats were tested with a virus neutralization assay for Toscana virus, Fermo virus, Ponticelli I virus and Ponticelli III virus. Neutralizing antibodies against one or more phleboviruses were detected in four out of 23 dogs, 31 out of 165 sheep and 12 out of 23 goats. This study shows preliminary evidence for the distribution pattern of phleboviral infections in different animal species, highlighting the potential infection of the Toscana virus in dogs and the Fermo virus in goats.

scholarly journals Leishmania, microbiota and sand fly immunity

Parasitology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 145 (10) ◽  
pp. 1336-1353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erich Loza Telleria ◽  
Andrea Martins-da-Silva ◽  
Antonio Jorge Tempone ◽  
Yara Maria Traub-Csekö
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Gut Contents ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Public Health Importance

AbstractIn this review, we explore the state-of-the-art of sand fly relationships with microbiota, viruses and Leishmania, with particular emphasis on the vector immune responses. Insect-borne diseases are a major public health problem in the world. Phlebotomine sand flies are proven vectors of several aetiological agents including viruses, bacteria and the trypanosomatid Leishmania, which are responsible for diseases such as viral encephalitis, bartonellosis and leishmaniasis, respectively. All metazoans in nature coexist intimately with a community of commensal microorganisms known as microbiota. The microbiota has a fundamental role in the induction, maturation and function of the host immune system, which can modulate host protection from pathogens and infectious diseases. We briefly review viruses of public health importance present in sand flies and revisit studies done on bacterial and fungal gut contents of these vectors. We bring this information into the context of sand fly development and immune responses. We highlight the immunity mechanisms that the insect utilizes to survive the potential threats involved in these interactions and discuss the recently discovered complex interactions among microbiota, sand fly, Leishmania and virus. Additionally, some of the alternative control strategies that could benefit from the current knowledge are considered.

Survey of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in Guajará-Mirim State Park forest reserve, near the Brazil-Bolivian border, with a description of Pintomyia fiocruzi, a new sand fly species

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4691 (3) ◽  
pp. 270-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANTONIO MARQUES JÚNIOR PEREIRA ◽  
ERIC FABRÍCIO MARIALVA ◽  
GENIMAR REBOUÇAS JULIÃO ◽  
FELIPE ARLEY COSTA PESSOA ◽  
JANSEN FERNANDES MEDEIROS
Keyword(s):  
Amazon Basin ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Forest Reserve ◽  
Phlebotomine Sand Flies ◽  
Protected Forests ◽  
Sand Fly Vectors ◽  
Apical Area

Rondônia State has been subject to a higher percentage of deforestation than any other Brazilian state in the Amazon basin. Rondônia’s protected forests are extremely important because their biodiversity attests to the species richness that has been lost to human encroachment. Phlebotomine sand flies are Leishmania vectors that have the potential to function as environmental bioindicators. A sand fly survey was conducted near the Brazil-Bolivian border, in a protected ombrophylous forest in Guajará-Mirim State Park, which is located between the municipalities of Guajará-Mirim and Nova Mamoré, in Rondônia State, Brazil. A total of 6,341 specimens were collected and 59 species were identified; the most abundant species were Trichophoromyia auraensis (Mangabeira), Nyssomyia antunesi (Coutinho) and Trichophoromyia ubiquitalis (Mangabeira). Additionally, a new sand fly species of the genus Pintomyia (Lima) was discovered and is described herein. This new species belongs to the Pifanomyia Ortiz & Scorza subgenus, Serrana group, and is characterized by parameres with a basal area that is clearly more dilated than the apical area. The high diversity and abundance of sand fly vectors observed in this study, such as Ny. antunesi, Th. auraensis and Th. ubiquitalis, indicate that these species are probable vectors within Rondônia State. In addition, the discovery of a new Pintomyia species increases the number of sand fly species in Rondônia to 136, which demonstrates that high sand fly diversity within the region holds great potential for yielding important new discoveries. 

scholarly journals Antibody Response to Toscana Virus and Sandfly Fever Sicilian Virus in Cats Naturally Exposed to Phlebotomine Sand Fly Bites in Portugal

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 339
Author(s):  
André Pereira ◽  
Nazli Ayhan ◽  
José Manuel Cristóvão ◽  
Hugo Vilhena ◽  
Ângela Martins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Exposure ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Clinical Impact ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Toscana Virus ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression ◽  
Leishmania Spp ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

Phlebotomine sand fly-borne pathogens such as Leishmania spp. and phleboviruses are emerging threats to humans and animals worldwide. The aim of this work was to evaluate the exposure of cats from Portugal to Toscana virus (TOSV) and Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus (SFSV) and assess the associated risk factors. The possible association between exposure to Phlebotomus perniciosus saliva with TOSV and SFSV was also investigated. Out of 369 cats tested, 18 (4.9%, n = 365) were seropositive for TOSV, and eight (2.2%, n = 367) were seropositive for SFSV. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that cats presenting clinical signs that were compatible with leishmaniosis and antibodies to TOSV had a significantly higher risk of being SFSV seropositive. The presence of antibodies to sand fly-borne viruses in cats indicate that these animals are frequently exposed to sand flies and transmitted pathogens. Data suggest that cats can be used to qualitatively monitor human exposure to TOSV and SFSV in endemic areas. The clinical impact of SFSV in cats’ health should be investigated. The identification of the sand fly species responsible for the circulation of TOSV and SFSV in nature and the evaluation of the vectorial competence of P. perniciosus to SFSV should also be addressed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document