Hosts of Lutzomyia longipalpis in endemic area for visceral leishmaniasis

• Grant number: 17/23436-0
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): September 30, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Cooperation agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal researcher: Trícia Maria Ferreira de Sousa Oliveira
• Grantee: João Augusto Franco Leonel
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Leishmaniasis are important parasitic diseases caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania spp. most of which are affected needy populations in developing countries, where they are of great importance in public health. Vector studies have proven to be an important tool in the study of the epidemiology of the disease. Phlebotomines, vectors of the parasite, are hematophagous dipterans known to be opportunistic, as such, have a large capacity to feed on several vertebrates. Therefore, the study of their feeding habits is a tool of high epidemiological value in the disease cycle. In this context, the aims of this project are to identify the blood sources of Lutzomyia (L.) longipalpis captured in an endemic area for Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL), and determine the presence of Leishmania (L.) infantum in these vectors. Thus, catches of L. (L.) longipalpis females will be carried out in the cities of Ilha Solteira and Andradina, State of São Paulo. The sampled females will be submitted to DNA extraction and subsequent Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for detection of blood meals by amplification of mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene for mammals and birds. In addition, the same samples will be submitted to PCR by Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (ITS-1) region of trypanosomatids. The amplified products in both reactions will be purified and subjected to genetic sequencing. The sequences found will be confronted in "database" (GenBank), to identify the hosts species of the sandfly involved in that blood meal, and to identify Leishmania (L.) infantum in these vectors. The results may contribute with information about the feeding preferences of the vector and the percentage of them infected in the study area, in order to contribute to the epidemiology of VL and to support adequate actions of surveillance and control. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

FRANCO LEONEL, JOAO AUGUSTO; VIOTI, GEOVANNA; ALVES, MARIA LUANA; DA SILVA, DIOGO TIAGO; MENEGHESSO, PEDRO ARMANDO; BENASSI, JULIA CRISTINA; PEREIRA SPADA, JULIO CESAR; GALVIS-OVALLOS, FREDY; SOARES, RODRIGO MARTINS; FERREIRA DE SOUSA OLIVEIRA, TRICIA MARIA. DNA extraction from individual Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) specimens: Which is the method with better results?. Experimental Parasitology, v. 218, NOV 2020. Web of Science Citations: 0.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

. Bioecological aspects of Phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in endemic area for visceral leishmaniasis in São Paulo state. 2019. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ/SBD) São Paulo.