Could Phlebotomus mascittii play a role as a natural vector for Leishmania infantum? New data. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Obwaller, Adelheid; Karakus, Mehmet; Poeppl, Wolfgang; Töz, Seray; Özbel, Yusuf; Aspöck, Horst; Walochnik, Julia
• Is Part Of: Parasites & vectors. Volume 9:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 6
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Phlebotomine sand fly -- Phlebotomus mascittii -- Leishmania infantum -- Natural infection -- Central Europe -- Austria; Parasitism -- Periodicals; Parasites -- Periodicals; Vector-pathogen relationships -- Periodicals; Animals as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; Insects as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; 616.96
• DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1750-8
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-3305

Abstract

Abstract Background 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 also in Austria. The aim of this study was to investigate sand flies collected in Austria for their carrier status ofLeishmania spp. Findings From 2012 to 2013 field studies were conducted in eastern Austria. Altogether, 22 individuals of sand flies were found, all morphologically identified asPhlebotomus (Transphlebotomus )mascittii Grassi, 1908. Twelve non-engorged female specimens with no visible remnants of a blood meal in their bodies were individually investigated forLeishmania spp. by ITS-1 real-time PCR. One out of these was positive forLeishmania, identified asLeishmania infantum by DNA sequencing. This finding suggests thatL. infantum is not excreted byP. mascittii and possibly can establish an infection withinP. mascittii . Interestingly, an asymptomatic dog living on the farm where this sand fly had been caught was alsoLeishmania -positive. Conclusions This study provides new data on the suspected vector capacity ofP. mascittii, being the northernmost sand fly species in Europe and in most central European regions the only sand fly species found. Proven vector capacity ofP. mascittii forLeishmania 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.