Coffee-growing Regions Research Articles

Estudio preliminar de los flebótomos de Villeta y Quebradanegra, Cundinamarca: sus implicaciones en salud pública

To predetermine the possible vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis, a pilot-study was carried out in the urban and peripheral areas of Villeta, a small town in the central Colombian coffee-growing region, to investigate the composition and distribution of sandflies of the genus Lutzomyia. Sandflies were sampled at night using Shannon trap, CDC light trap and mouth aspirator on human and animal bait. Day-time resting sites were sampled by mouth aspirator. Eight species were found amongst the 497 sandflies collected; Lu. ovallesi (48.7%), Lu. gomezi (38.5%) and Lu. lichyi @%), being the most abundant, are known to be anthrophophilic species and have already been reported as being vectors or suspected vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Lu. gomezi was the most abundant in collections using human bait, having high preference for peridomestic habitats. Thus, this species may be implicated in disease transmission in the studied area. Lu. ovallesi was the most abundant in the less disturbed forests of the adjacent rural areas and so, this species may be the main vector in this area. Lu. lichyi was present mainly in forests, although a few individuals were found in the peridomiciliary samples. Finally, it is necessary to initiate studies to define the role that these vectors may have within Villeta and the surrounding rural zones.