Survey of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in an environmentally protected area in Brazil

PLoS One. 2015 Aug 12;10(8):e0134845. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0134845. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Brazil is one of the most important endemic areas for leishmaniasis worldwide. Protected areas that are tourist attractions likely present an important risk of transmission of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Furthermore, with the geographical expansion of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), several studies have recorded the occurrence of its vector, Lutzomyia longipalpis, and cases of human and canine VL in such tourist areas. The Parque Estadual do Sumidouro is an environmentally protected area located in the Brazilian Cerrado biome and in an important area endemic for leishmaniasis in the state of Minas Gerais. The purpose of this study was to monitor the sand fly fauna in areas of tourist activity in the park. Sampling was performed every month, from September 2011 to August 2013, using CDC light traps at six sites of differing environmental characteristics. Sampled specimens were identified following Galati (2003), and females were submitted to molecular techniques for the detection and identification of Leishmania DNA. A total of 4,675 sand fly specimens of 25 species belonging to nine genera were collected. The most abundant species were Micropygomyia quinquefer, Lutzomyia renei and Pintomyia pessoai, although only Pi. pessoai is implicated in the transmission of Leishmania braziliensis. The species accumulation curve reached saturation on the 16th sampling event. Species richness, diversity and evenness differed among the sampled areas. The seasonal curve was not determined by a single unique species, and no single species was the most abundant in all environments sampled. The main vector of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum, Lutzomyia longipalpis, accounted for only 5.35% of the specimens collected. Proven or suspected vectors of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis were recorded, and one female of the cortellezzii complex tested positive for Le. braziliensis DNA. Even with a low infection rate (0.62%), these data indicate the circulation of the parasite and reinforce the need for entomological and epidemiological surveillance in the park and its surroundings.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brazil
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA / isolation & purification
  • Dogs
  • Humans
  • Insect Vectors / genetics
  • Insect Vectors / parasitology
  • Leishmania infantum / genetics
  • Leishmania infantum / pathogenicity*
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / genetics
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / parasitology
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / transmission*
  • Psychodidae / genetics
  • Psychodidae / parasitology*
  • Psychodidae / pathogenicity*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • DNA

Grants and funding

We are indebted to the Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa—CNPq (140585/2011-7) and Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais – FAPEMIG—for scholarships. Technical and logistical support from Fundação Oswaldo Cruz – FIOCRUZ—Minas and Instituto Estadual de Florestas do Estado de Minas Gerais – IEF—are gratefully acknowledged.