Effects of different diets and blood sources on selected biological parameters of Phlebotomus Sergenti and Leishmania Tropica development in its digestive tract.

Background Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the impact of various blood or food sources on specific biological parameters of Phlebotomus sergenti, Parrot, 1917, adult and immature stages, as well as the development of Leishmania tropica Wright 1903.

Methods: Sand flies were collected from a rural district and subsequently reared in an insectary using standard methods. Three larval diets were formulated and administered to the larvae. Adult sand flies were provided with three blood sources: BALB/c mice, humans, and poultry. The infection of sand flies with the parasite was examined to determine the development of Leishmania.

Results: The duration of larval and pupal stage development exhibited significant differences among the three food sources. However, these variations did not significantly affect the overall length of the immature period of Ph. sergenti (P= 0.098) or the mortality rate (P= 0.338) across the groups. The time required for oviposition differed significantly depending on the blood source (P= 0.007). Nevertheless, the fecundity and longevity of sand flies that fed on the three different blood sources did not show statistically significant differences (fecundity (P= 0.106)/longevity (P= 0.209)). Furthermore, no significant disparity was observed among the three types of blood sources concerning their ability to support L. tropica infection within Ph. sergenti's gut.

Interpretation Conclusion: Redirecting the vector, Ph. sergenti, towards these specific food or blood sources as a means to reduce vector population or their vectorial capacity would not be a successful approach for interrupting the transmission cycle.