Lutzomyia longipalpis is the main vector of Leishmania infantum chagasi, the causative agent of American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL). Although there is strong evidence that Lu. longipalpis is a species complex, not all data concerning populations from Brazil support this hypothesis. The issue is still somewhat controversial for this large part of Lu. longipalpis distribution range even though that it is the Latin American region contributing to most of the cases of AVL. In this mini-review we consider in detail the current data for the Brazilian populations and conclude that Lu. longipalpis is a complex of incipient vector species with a complexity similar to Anopheles gambiae s.s. in Africa.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s0074-02762007000100001 | DOI Listing |
J Insect Physiol
January 2025
Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil. Electronic address:
Lutzomyia longipalpis Lutz & Neiva, 1912 (Diptera, Psychodidae), is the primary vector of Leishmania infantum Nicole, 1908, the etiological agent of American visceral leishmaniasis. During their development, sandfly larvae pass through four instars, consuming soil particles enriched with microorganisms and decomposing organic material. In numerous insect species, the intestinal epithelium not only secretes digestive enzymes and absorbs digested nutrients but also carries out additional functions, such as regulating luminal pH and facilitating the absorption or secretion of ions and water.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMol Microbiol
January 2025
Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Patógenos (LBMP), Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp), São Paulo, Brazil.
Leishmania presents a complex life cycle that involves both invertebrate and vertebrate hosts. By regulating gene expression, protein synthesis, and metabolism, the parasite can adapt to various environmental conditions. This regulation occurs mainly at the post-transcriptional level and may involve epitranscriptomic modifications of RNAs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRev Saude Publica
November 2024
Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Saúde Pública. Departamento de Epidemiologia. São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) constitutes the most epidemiologically relevant vector of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the New World. On October 25, 2023, the Macapá Center for Strategic Information in Health Surveillance registered a case of VL in the Km9 neighborhood, in Macapá. This study aimed to describe the Phlebotominae species in this area to assist the confirmation of the autochthony of the case.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFParasit Vectors
November 2024
Post Graduate Program in Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasilia, Distrito Federal, Brazil.
Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zoonotic disease caused by Leishmania infantum and transmitted by the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis. Dogs are the major domestic reservoir of L. infantum.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
October 2024
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague, 128 00, Czech Republic.
We investigated gene expression patterns in Lutzomyia and Phlebotomus sand fly vectors of leishmaniases. Using quantitative PCR, we assessed the expression stability of potential endogenous control genes commonly used in dipterans. We analyzed Lutzomyia longipalpis and Phlebotomus papatasi samples from L3 and L4 larval stages, adult sand flies of different sexes, diets, dsRNA injection, and Leishmania infection.
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