Purpose

Sand flies are vectors of medical and veterinary concern, responsible for the transmission of Leishmania parasites. These invertebrates are widely distributed throughout the world and their abundance and diversity is dependent on several biotic and physical factors. Based on the epidemiological importance of these insects, the aim of this study was to assess the sand fly fauna of a new area of occurrence of leishmaniasis.

Methods

From October 2018 to September 2019, samplings were performed using CDC light traps at six different collection points located in a high altitude area in the municipality of Garanhuns, Northeastern Brazil. Geographic coordinates were recorded using the satellite remote sensing Global Positioning System (GPS) Garmin Etrex20. The spatial distribution of sand flies was evaluated using kernel density estimation (KDE). Engorged females (n = 12) were molecularly processed to search for Leishmania DNA.

Results

A total of 138 sand fly specimens were collected during the study period, with 100% (138/138) identified as Lutzomyia evandroi. Climatic conditions did not influence the number of sand flies (males and females) collected monthly, but a statistically significant difference was observed between the number of specimens and different collections points. The kernel map showed a heterogeneous spatial distribution of sand flies in the municipality of Garanhuns with a hotspot in the south of the region.

Conclusion

Data presented herein are pivotal in filling the gap on the epidemiology of leishmaniasis in this high altitude area, serving as an alert to local health authorities. It also indicated that the putative role of L. evandroi in the transmission of Leishmania parasites should be clarified.

中文翻译：

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利什曼病新发地区的伊兹氏杆菌。

目的

沙蝇是医学和兽医的媒介，负责传播利什曼原虫的寄生虫。这些无脊椎动物广泛分布于世界各地，其丰富度和多样性取决于几种生物和物理因素。基于这些昆虫的流行病学重要性，本研究的目的是评估利什曼病新发地区的沙蝇动物区系。

方法

从2018年10月到2019年9月，使用CDC光阱在巴西东北部Garanhuns市高海拔地区的六个不同收集点进行了采样。使用卫星遥感全球定位系统（GPS）Garmin Etrex20记录了地理坐标。沙蝇的空间分布使用核密度估计（KDE）进行评估。对成年雌性（n  = 12）进行分子加工以寻找利什曼原虫DNA。

结果

在研究期间，总共收集了138个沙蝇标本，其中100％（138/138）被鉴定为伊兹海藻。气候条件不影响每月收集的沙蝇（雄性和雌性）的数量，但在标本数量和不同收集点之间观察到统计学上的显着差异。内核图显示了Garanhuns市内沙蝇的异质空间分布，该地区南部是一个热点。

结论

本文提供的数据对于填补这一高海拔地区利什曼病流行病学方面的空白至关重要，可提醒当地卫生部门。它还表明，应阐明埃文氏杆菌在利什曼原虫寄生虫传播中的假定作用。