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[Sand flies in Timóteo, Minas Gerais, Brazil]
Andrade Filho JD1, Carneiro, Lima
1Laboratório de Leishmanioses, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30190-002, Brasil.
Cadernos De Saude Publica
|July 8, 2000
Summary
Sporadic tegumentary leishmaniasis cases in Timóteo, Brazil, prompted a sand fly study. Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) whitmani and Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) intermedia were most frequent and likely involved in disease transmission.
Area of Science:
- Medical Entomology
- Parasitology
- Public Health
Background:
- Sporadic tegumentary leishmaniasis cases have been reported in Timóteo, Minas Gerais State, primarily affecting the rural population.
- Understanding the local sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) population is crucial for disease control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the sand fly species composition and abundance in Timóteo, Minas Gerais State.
- To identify potential vectors of tegumentary leishmaniasis in the region.
Main Methods:
- New Jersey light traps were deployed in seven neighborhoods over several months (June-October 1994, December 1994, January-March 1995).
- A total of 4,396 sand flies were captured and identified to species level.
- Sampling effort totaled 3,240 hours per trap.
Main Results:
- A diverse sand fly fauna was documented, comprising 4,396 individuals from two genera and twenty species.
- Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) whitmani was the most abundant species (52.12% of total captures).
- Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) intermedia was the second most frequent species (34.10% of total captures).
Conclusions:
- The high prevalence of Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) whitmani and Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) intermedia suggests their significant role in the transmission cycle of tegumentary leishmaniasis in Timóteo.
- Further research is warranted to confirm the vector competence of these dominant species.
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