Abstract
BackgroundThe occurrence of phlebotomine sand flies in Central Europe was questioned until they were recorded for the first time in Germany in 1999, and ten years later also in Austria. The aim of this study was to investigate sand flies collected in Austria for their carrier status of Leishmania spp.FindingsFrom 2012 to 2013 field studies were conducted in eastern Austria. Altogether, 22 individuals of sand flies were found, all morphologically identified as Phlebotomus (Transphlebotomus) mascittii Grassi, 1908. Twelve non-engorged female specimens with no visible remnants of a blood meal in their bodies were individually investigated for Leishmania spp. by ITS-1 real-time PCR. One out of these was positive for Leishmania, identified as Leishmania infantum by DNA sequencing. This finding suggests that L. infantum is not excreted by P. mascittii and possibly can establish an infection within P. mascittii. Interestingly, an asymptomatic dog living on the farm where this sand fly had been caught was also Leishmania-positive.ConclusionsThis study provides new data on the suspected vector capacity of P. mascittii, being the northernmost sand fly species in Europe and in most central European regions the only sand fly species found. Proven vector capacity of P. mascittii for Leishmania spp. would be of significant medico-veterinary importance, not only with respect to expanding sand fly populations in Central Europe related to global warming, but also in the light of globalization and increasing movements of humans.
Highlights
The occurrence of phlebotomine sand flies in Central Europe was questioned until they were recorded for the first time in Germany in 1999, and ten years later in Austria
This study provides new data on the suspected vector capacity of P. mascittii, being the northernmost sand fly species in Europe and in most central European regions the only sand fly species found
Proven vector capacity of P. mascittii for Leishmania spp. would be of significant medico-veterinary importance, with respect to expanding sand fly populations in Central Europe related to global warming, and in the light of globalization and increasing movements of humans
Summary
The occurrence of phlebotomine sand flies in Central Europe was questioned until they were recorded for the first time in Germany in 1999, and ten years later in Austria. The aim of this study was to investigate sand flies collected in Austria for their carrier status of Leishmania spp. Leishmaniasis is a sand fly-borne disease caused by intracellular protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania, with at least 15 species being pathogenic for humans [1]. According to the World Health Organisation, 98 countries, mostly in tropical and subtropical regions, are considered endemic, with 350 million people living at risk of infection and estimated 1.3 million new cases and 20,000–30,000 deaths annually [2]. Leishmania spp. are transmitted by female phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae). In the Mediterranean region, 1200–2000 human cases of VL and 239,500–393,600
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