Publications by authors named "Laura Posada-Lopez"
Article Synopsis
- Defining phlebotomine sand flies as disease vectors is complicated due to the need for specific criteria, where successful transmission is the highest priority.
- Potential vectors are identified based on factors like frequency in transmission areas, preference for humans, and genetic evidence in samples, but ecological variables that affect transmission are often overlooked.
- This study grades Colombian sand fly species into five levels based on their potential as vectors for Leishmaniinae parasites, highlighting the importance of understanding regional behaviors for effective disease control.
A new sand fly species, Trichophoromyia jariensis n. sp. Cavalcante, Rodrigues, & Galati, from the state of Amapá, Brazil, is described based on both male and female morphology and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I DNA barcodes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSand fly species are traditionally identified using morphological traits, though this method is hampered by the presence of cryptic species. DNA barcoding is a widely used tool in the case of insects of medical importance, where it is necessary to know quickly which species are present in a transmission area. Here, we assess the usefulness of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) DNA barcoding as a practical tool for species identification, correct assignment of isomorphic females, and to evaluate the detection of cryptic diversity that occurs in the same species.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The transmission dynamics of leishmaniasis are complex. There is also a lack of information about the ecological relationships between the vector/host/parasite at a more local and specific level. The Andean region concentrates more than 50% of Colombia's cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) cases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe community structure of sand flies indicates the level of adaptation of vector species in a region, and in the context of vector management and control, this information allows for identifying the potential risks of pathogen transmission. This study aimed to analyze sand fly diversity and spatial-temporal distribution in an endemic area of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The study was carried out in the Carrizales hamlet (Caldas), between September 2019 and October 2021.
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