Sergentomyia Species Identification and Their Screening for Possible Infection to Leishmania Spp. in Kaleybar, East-Azerbaijan Province, Iran Publisher



Firouzjaie F¹ ; Vaziri VM¹ ; Zahraeiramazani A² ; Behniafar H³ ; Badakhshan M⁴ ; Spotin A⁵ ; Zarei Z⁶
Source: Veterinary Research Forum Published:2023

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is a protozoal and vector-borne disease. World health organization has considered the disease as a neglected tropical disease. Phlebotomus and Lutzumyia species (order: Diptera, family: Psychodidae) are human leishmaniasis vectors in new and old worlds. Sergentomyia spp. (Diptera, Psychodidae) are proven vectors of lizard leishmaniasis. Although some studies have identified human Leishmania parasites in Sergentomyia, their role in parasite circulation is unknown yet. Hence, the parasitological and molecular methods were used to study the possible Leishmania infection of Sergentomyia spp., in the human and canine visceral leishmaniasis endemic area in North West of Iran. Even though Sergentomyia specimens were caught in a dominant number compared to Phlebotomus spp., no Leishmania promastigote or DNA was detected in live-caught or sticky trap-caught specimens, respectively. Sergentomyia spp. are proven vectors of sauroleishmaniasis, and despite several global reports of Leishmania infection in Sergentomyia spp., such findings should be carefully interpreted to avoid false vector incriminations. © 2023 Urmia University. All rights reserved.