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"Is leishmaniasis possible in Puerto Rico?"
J Murillo-Solis1, J F Maldonado-Moll
1Fundación Educativa Ana G. Méndez, Río Piedras, PR 00928.
Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal
|April 1, 1991
Summary
Lutzomyia sandflies, including Lutzomyia cayennensis puertoricensis and L. c. viequesensis, were found in Puerto Rican arboreal microhabitats. Despite potential introduction, leishmaniasis is unlikely to establish in Puerto Rico.
Area of Science:
- Medical entomology
- Tropical ecology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Phlebotomine sandflies are vectors for Leishmania parasites, causing leishmaniasis.
- Previous studies by Fairchild and co-workers documented sandfly presence in Puerto Rico 40 years prior.
- Ecological conditions and sandfly distribution are crucial for understanding disease transmission potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey the distribution of Lutzomyia cayennensis subspecies in Puerto Rican ecological regions.
- To assess the potential for leishmaniasis introduction and establishment in Puerto Rico.
- To update the understanding of sandfly populations since previous surveys.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a survey across eight ecological regions in Puerto Rico.
- Focused the search on arboreal microhabitats for sandfly collection.
- Identified collected specimens to the subspecies level.
Main Results:
- Lutzomyia cayennensis puertoricensis was detected in five of 24 surveyed sites.
- Lutzomyia c. viequesensis was found in one of 24 surveyed sites.
- These subspecies represent the phlebotomids previously reported in the region.
Conclusions:
- The current distribution of Lutzomyia sandflies in Puerto Rico suggests limited potential for leishmaniasis establishment.
- While introduction from areas like the Dominican Republic is possible, local conditions appear unfavorable for disease transmission.
- Further monitoring may be warranted, but the risk of leishmaniasis establishment seems low.