Abstract
In the border region between Brazil and French Guiana, American cutaneous leishmaniasis is a worrisome public health issue, and entomological studies are required there to better identify classical and putative emerging transmission patterns. The present study aimed to detect and characterize Leishmania DNA in the phlebotomine population of Oiapoque (Amapá State, Brazil). Phlebotomines were captured in anthropized and wild environments in the outskirts of Oiapoque municipality, using CDC light traps installed in vertical (ground/canopy level) and horizontal (peridomicile/extradomicile/forest-edge/forest) strata. Captured specimens were identified according to their morphology. Females were processed for Leishmania DNA detection and characterization using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction targeting kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) and the phlebotomine cacophony gene. The kDNA positive samples were characterized by cloning and sequencing the Leishmania 234 bp-hsp70 gene. Among the 3957 phlebotomine specimens captured, 26 pooled female samples were positive for Leishmania (Viannia) spp. DNA. Sequencing analysis allowed species-specific identification of L. (V.) braziliensis DNA in Trichophoromyia ininii, Bichromomyia flaviscutellata, Nyssomyia umbratilis, and Evandromyia infraspinosa, and L. (V.) guyanensis DNA in Ny. umbratilis. A pooled sample of Ny. umbratilis was positive for both L. (V.) braziliensis and L. (V.) guyanensis DNA. The present study provided additional information regarding ACL ecology in Oiapoque, highlighting the presence of L. (V.) braziliensis DNA in different phlebotomine species. The epidemiological implications of these findings and the determinant incrimination of L. (V.) braziliensis as proven vectors in that region must be clarified. In this regard, studies on Leishmania spp. infection and suggestive anthropophilic behavior of associated phlebotomines need to be prioritized in entomological surveillance.
Highlights
Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) are insects of great medical importance owing to their capacity to transmit disease agents, such as Leishmania (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) parasites, the causative agents of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL)[1,2,3]
ACL is endemic to the Amazonian/Guianan region, where it is caused by five parasite species, namely: Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis, L. (V.) braziliensis, L. (Leishmania) amazonensis, L. (V.) lainsoni, and L. (V.) naiffi [7]
The results of the present study provide additional information on ACL ecology in Oiapoque, highlighting the presence L. (V.) braziliensis DNA in different phlebotomine species captured in ecologically distinct environments and strata in the study area
Summary
Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) are insects of great medical importance owing to their capacity to transmit disease agents, such as Leishmania (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) parasites, the causative agents of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL)[1,2,3]. ACL causative agents are maintained in a complex series of transmission cycles involving a variety of vectors and reservoirs [4]. ACL is endemic to the Amazonian/Guianan region, where it is caused by five parasite species, namely: Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis, L. (V.) guyanensis is considered to be the most important causative agent, potential emerging patterns of infection are worth investigation. (V.) braziliensis is considered an emerging cause of ACL; reported to be linked to forest encroachment associated with the gold-mining industry [8]. Epidemiological data on the clinical profile of ACL patients in the Brazilian region revealed sporadic mucosal commitment presumed to be caused by this parasite species, drawing attention to a worrisome public health issue [9]
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