Phlebotomine sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) fauna, blood meal source, and detection of Leishmania (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) DNA in the Gurupi Biological Reserve, Eastern Amazon, Brazil.

This study was conducted in the Gurupi Biological Reserve (REBIO-Gurupi), the largest area of Amazon rainforest in Maranhão State, Brazil. The objectives were to survey the sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) fauna of REBIO-Gurupi, identify blood meal sources, and investigate the presence of Leishmania (Ross, 1903) (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) DNA. Individuals were collected using Centers for Disease Control (CDC) light traps and black and white Shannon traps in May and Jun 2022 and Jan 2023.

Spatial-temporal risk clusters, social vulnerability, and identification of priority areas for surveillance and control of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Maranhão, Brazil: an ecological study.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected disease widely distributed in Maranhão, Brazil and presents a significant public health problem. However, its transmission dynamics and determining factors are not clearly understood. In this context, geospatial technologies help interpret the process.

Spatiotemporal Distribution of Leishmaniasis in an Endemic Area of Northeast Brazil: Implications for Intervention Actions.

This study aimed to analyze the spatiotemporal distribution of leishmaniases, and contribute to the knowledge of their epidemiological dynamics from 2007 to 2017 in the municipality of Caxias, Maranhão, Northeast Brazil. Data on American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) and human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL) were obtained in the Epidemiological Surveillance Sector of Caxias, while data on canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) were obtained in the Zoonoses Surveillance Unit. For data analysis and spatial representation of leishmaniasis cases, the geoprocessing of the data was performed, and the geometric features of the state of Maranhão, Caxias, and the disease registration sites were obtained from the shapefile database of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics.

Predominance of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis DNA in Lutzomyia longipalpis sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) from an endemic area for leishmaniasis in Northeastern Brazil.

Leishmaniasis is a serious public health concern in the Northeastern region of Brazil, where the sand fly fauna is well studied, although few species have been identified as competent vectors. The detection of Leishmania spp. parasites in wild-caught sand flies could help sanitary authorities draw strategies to avoid the transmission of the parasites and, therefore, the incidence of leishmaniases.

Occurrence of Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Urban Leishmaniasis Transmission Foci in North-Eastern Brazil.

In this study, we analyzed species composition, richness, and monthly and seasonal abundance of sand flies in an urban area, municipality Caxias, state Maranhão, endemic for American visceral and tegumentary leishmaniasis. Sand flies were caught using Center for Disease Control (CDC) light traps in peridomicile (animal shelter) and extradomicile (forest) environments twice a month for 1 yr. A total of 16,332 specimens belonging to 20 species were captured.

Leishmania infection and blood food sources of phlebotomines in an area of Brazil endemic for visceral and tegumentary leishmaniasis.

The aims of the study were to determine the blood feeding preferences of sandflies and to identify species of Leishmania that infected phlebotomines in Caxias, Maranhão, Brazil, an area that is highly endemic for leishmaniasis. Sandflies were captured in light traps located in the peridomiciliary environments of randomly selected houses in urban and rural settings between 1800 and 0600 hours on new moon days between March 2013 and February 2015. DNA extracts from 982 engorged female sandflies were submitted to fragment length polymorphism analysis to identify infecting species of Leishmania, and blood sources were identified for 778 of these specimens.

Spatial dynamics of urban populations of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Caxias, State of Maranhão, Brazil.

Introduction: In this paper, we report the ecology of Lutzomyia longipalpis in Caxias City, located in the eastern part of State of Maranhão, Brazil and highlight its seasonal and geographical distribution by environment. In addition, we discuss natural Leishmania infection and its relationship with visceral leishmaniasis.

Methods: Between September 2007 and August 2009, the collection of sandflies was performed using Center for Disease Control (CDC) light traps from 15 houses in 5 selected neighborhoods.