Leishmaniamamazonensis DNA in wild females of Lutzomyia cruzi (Diptera: Psychodidae) in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

• Published in: Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz Vol. 110; no. 8
• Main Authors: Oliveira, Everton Falcão de, Casaril, Aline Etelvina, Mateus, Nathália Lopes Fontoura, Murat, Paula Guerra, Fernandes, Wagner Souza, Oshiro, Elisa Teruya, Oliveira, Alessandra Gutierrez de, Galati, Eunice Aparecida Bianchi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz 10-07-2016
• Subjects: dissection; Leishmania amazonensis; Lutzomyia cruzi; molecular biology; natural infection; polymerase chain reaction
• ISSN: 1678-8060

Studies on natural infection by Leishmania spp of sandflies collected
in endemic and nonendemic areas can provide important information on
the distribution and intensity of the transmission of these parasites.
This study sought to investigate the natural infection by Leishmania in
wild female sandflies. The specimens were caught in the city of
Corumbá, state of Mato Grosso do Sul (Brazil) between October
2012-March 2014, and dissected to investigate flagellates and/or
submitted to molecular analysis to detect Leishmania DNA. A total of
1,164 females (77.56% of which were Lutzomyia cruzi ) representing 11
species were investigated using molecular analysis; 126 specimens of
Lu. cruzi were dissected and also submitted to molecular analysis. The
infection rate based on the presence of Leishmania DNA considering all
the sandfly species analysed was 0.69%; only Leishmania (Leishmania)
amazonensis was identified in Lu. cruzi by the molecular analysis. The
dissections were negative for flagellates. This is the first record of
the presence of L. (L.) amazonensis DNA in Lu. cruzi, and the first
record of this parasite in this area. These findings point to the need
for further investigation into the possible role of this sandfly as
vector of this parasite.