Population dynamics of phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in cutaneous leishmaniasis endemic areas of Kurunegala District, Sri Lanka.

Sand flies are the primary vectors of leishmaniasis. Disease management with effective vector control depends on the knowledge of vector population dynamics. In Sri Lanka, despite few isolated entomological collections, long-term studies are not reported to date.

Diversity of midgut bacteria in larvae and females of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus from Gampaha District, Sri Lanka.

Background: The midgut microbiota of mosquitoes maintain basal immune activity and immune priming. In recent years, scientists have focused on the use of microbial communities for vector control interventions. In the present study, the midgut bacteria of larvae and adults of Aedes aegypti and Ae.

Molecular Characterization of Culturable Aerobic Bacteria in the Midgut of Field-Caught , , and Mosquitoes in the Gampaha District of Sri Lanka.

Background: Larval and adult mosquito stages harbor different extracellular microbes exhibiting various functions in their digestive tract including host-parasite interactions. Midgut symbiotic bacteria can be genetically exploited to express molecules within the vectors, altering vector competency and potential for disease transmission. Therefore, identification of mosquito gut inhabiting microbiota is of ample importance before developing novel vector control strategies that involve modification of vectors.

The Diversity of Midgut Bacteria among Wild-Caught (Psychodidae: Phlebotominae), the Vector of Leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka.

is the main suspected vector for leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka. Investigations on the presence of aerobic bacteria in the gut of sand flies which evidence a potential approach to control leishmaniasis transmission through a paratransgenic strategy are still not available for the local sand fly populations. Field-caught unfed female sand flies collected from three selected Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas (Polpithigama, Maho, and Galgamuwa) in Kurunegala District, Sri Lanka from August to December 2018 were used.

Socioeconomic, demographic and landscape factors associated with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Kurunegala District, Sri Lanka.

Background: Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease that affects countries in the developing world. In Sri Lanka, cutaneous leishmaniasis is the most common form of the disease. It is prevalent in dry and intermediate zones, mostly associated with rural settings.

Potential Challenges of Controlling Leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka at a Disease Outbreak.

The present works reviewed the existing information on leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka and in other countries, focusing on challenges of controlling leishmaniasis in the country, in an outbreak. Evidence from recent studies suggests that there is a possibility of a leishmaniasis outbreak in Sri Lanka in the near future. Difficulty of early diagnosis due to lack of awareness and unavailability or inadequacy of sensitive tests are two of the main challenges for effective case management.