Morphological and molecular description of a new species of sandfly, Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) ashwanii sp. nov. (Diptera: Psychodidae) from Western Ghats, India

Objective:To report a new species of sandfly,Sergentomyia(Neophlebotomus)ashwanii sp.nov.(Diptera:Psychodidae)from Western Ghats,India.Methods:A systematic sandfly survey was conducted in the Thrissur and Kollam districts of Kerala,India using mechanical aspirators,light and sticky traps,both indoor and outdoor habitats,for a period of one year.Deoxyribonucleic acid barcoding of samples was performed targeting mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I(COI)gene and sequence generated was subjected to phylogenetic analysis.Results:Sergentomyia(Neophlebotomus)ashwanii,a new sandfly species is recorded and described in this communication.A single row of 10-12 pointed teeth in the cibarium with 4-6 small denticles or fore-teeth are the key characteristics that is distinctive from other members of the subgenus Neophlebotomus.Mitochondrial COI barcode followed by phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequence confirms that specimens of the species belong to the same taxonomic group while the genetic distance(14.2%)with the congeners established it to be a different species.Conclusions:The Western Ghats'being an important biodiversity hotspot and has dearth of systematic entomological surveys on sandflies.The current study tried to fill the void and also report a new sandfly species.

Sandfly fauna and ecological analysis of Phlebotomus orientalis and Phlebotomus martini in the lowland foci of visceral leishmaniasis in Somali Regional State, southeast Ethiopia

Objective:To identify the sandfly fauna and analyze ecology of sandfly vector(s)of visceral leishmaniasis in three districts of Somali Regional State,southeast Ethiopia.Methods:Sandflies were collected from four sampling habitats,including indoor,peri-domestic,farm field and mixed forest using light and sticky traps in July 2016,and February and April 2017 in Liben and Dawa zones in the Somali Regional State,southeastern Ethiopia.Results:In total,4367 sandfly specimens,belonging to 12 species(three Phlebotomus spp.and nine Sergentomyia spp.)were identified.Phlebotomus(P.)heischi,P.orientalis,and P.martini constituted 45.7%,31.1%,and 23.1%of the sandfly collection,respectively.There were significant differences in the median number of P.orientalis,and P.martini captured per CDC trap/night between the three sampling districts(P<0.05).In light trap capture,collection habitats had significant effects on the abundance of P.orientalis,and P.martini(P<0.05).More median numbers of P.orientalis,and P.martini species were collected in agricultural fields followed by mixed forest and peri-domestic habitats.P.orientalis and P.martini were caught more in outdoor than indoor habitats,suggesting exophilic behaviour.Conclusions:The study demonstrated that the presence of P.orientalis and P.martini are probable vectors of visceral leishmaniasis in this new focus.The findings of our study will improve the understanding of the dynamics of visceral leishmaniasis transmission and will facilitate the implementation of integrated disease control measures based on ecological knowledge of visceral leishmaniasis vector in Liben and Dawa zones and its surrounding regions.

A comprehensive overview on sandfly fever

Sandfly fever is a febrile emerging arboviral illness which is a huge threat posed to public health.Sandfly fever viruses(Sicilian,Naples,and Toscana)are endemic to the Mediterranean region.Evidence suggests an increase in the activity of sandfly-borne phleboviruses and their extension to other places.The infection is relatively benign but may cause severe clinical manifestations and complications.Sandfly fever viruses belongs to the genus Phlebovirus(family Bunyaviridae),and the four main serotypes include sandfly fever Sicilian virus,sandfly fever Naples virus,sandfly fever Cyprus virus,and Toscana virus.Sandfly fever has flu-like symptoms such as fever,headache,photophobia,malaise,myalgia,and retro-orbital pain.The incubation period of the disease is 4-8 days,and the patient usually recovers within a week.The first infection provides the host with immunity.Sandfly fever viruses are transmitted through the bites of infected female sandflies,thus,the epidemiology of sandfly fever is closely related to the presence and activity of sandfly species that act as the vectors for transmission.Cases and outbreaks of the disease have been reported worldwide for more than 100 years.All in all,this disease is important for non-endemic countries because it is a travel-related and/or imported illness.

Faunal richness and checklist of sandflies (Diptera: Pyschodidae) in India

This review aims to fill the voids and to update the checklist of sandfly fauna along with its spatial distribution in India.Resource databases i.e.either online or offline were searched to deduce the information to systematize the Indian sandfly fauna.Articles/data retrieved were screened and analysed to further update the available latest checklist.The species name and authorship were given in accord with the International Code for Zoological Nomenclature.We compiled an updated checklist of reported Indian sandfly species along with their state-wise distribution till 2022 as per published literature.Kerala has maximum number of species reports when compared to other endemic states and states with pockets of transmission.Phlebotomus argentipes is the most widely distributed,recorded so far,followed by other Sergentomiya and Phlebotomus species in India.In this review,we have also described the vector and non-vector species of sandfly prevalent in different parts of the country.Phlebotoiella eoindianensis,an amber fossil sandfly species recorded from Gujarat might be older than other records of Indian sandfly fauna.So far 69 species(4 genera and 15 subgenera/groups)of Phlebotomine sandflies have been recorded in India.Proper knowledge of species diversity and its distribution is a prerequisite for planning a systematic vector control strategy and disease management.

Emerging leishmaniasis in southern Himalayas:A mini-review

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne parasitic disease affecting millions of people worldwide.However,in the last decade,the number of cases has been reduced from well-documented endemic parts,but sporadic cases have been reported widely from various non-endemic areas,especially from the southern Himalayan zone.This raises concerns about the emergence of new ecological niches.This warrants a critical evaluation of key factors causing this rapid spread and possibly indigenous transmission.This mini-review article is aimed to briefly address the parasite,the vector,and the environmental aspects in the transmission of leishmaniasis in these new foci against a background of worldwide endemic leishmaniasis with a special focus on the southern Himalayan zone.As the lack of knowledge about the causative parasites,vectors,reservoir hosts,atypical presentations,and their management make the problem serious and may lead to the emergence of public health issues.The present works also reviewed the existing information regarding clinical variations,diagnostic methods,treatment,its outcome,and ignite for further research in these aspects of the disease.

GIS-Based Situational Analysis of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Disease (CLD) in Sri Lanka

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a severe health problem and a parasitic disease on human dermal and widely pervades tropical and subtropical developing counties. The study is mainly focused on Geographic Information System (GIS) based Situational Analysis (SA). The clinically recorded 394 CL patients’ information was obtained from the District General Hospital of Polonnaruwa (DGHP) for 2017 and 2018. The spatial distribution of these patients was collected using Global Positing System (GPS). Moran’s I Index spatial autocorrelation technique and Getis-Ord Gi were used to identify the study site’s hot spot and cold spot areas. More than 75% of the CL patients’ population were highly involved with agricultural activities, and they are the highly exposed group of the CL in the study area. Also, 75% of the CL population were men, and the highly vulnerable age group was 35 - 39 men and 40 - 44 women. The generated Moran’s I Index indicates 0.0321, representing a randomly distributed pattern of CL patients over the District, and the Getis-Ord Gi Z Score value was >1.96 (p < 0.05). It is revealed that, during and in the post-harvesting periods of paddy cultivation, farmers are highly exposed to sandflies becoming CL patients. Due to this situation, the researchers observed that the highest number of patients have reported in May of both years and the infection period is two to four weeks earlier than the reported month. Hence to prevent the disease spread, it is essential to implement an awareness program regarding sandflies’ behaviour and CLD.

Worldwide risk factors in leishmaniasis

Recently, Vector-borne parasitic diseases such as leishmaniasis have been emerged or reemerged in many geographical areas and resulted in global health and economic concerns that involve humans, domestic animals and wild life. The ecology and epidemiology of leishmaniasis are affected by the between host, reservoir and vector(human, animal and sandfly) and the environment. Important drivers for the emergence and spread of leishmaniasis include environmental factors such as alterations in temperature and water storage, irrigation habits, deforestation, climate changes, immunosuppression by HIV or organ transplant, development of drug resistance, increase traveling to endemic regions and dog importation. War, poor socio-economic status and low level household are also major contributors to the spread of this disease. Health education via the public media and training should be implemented by international organizations and governmental agencies in collaboration with research institutions. During transmission season, fully protection can be mentioned by using bednets and insecticides and reservoirs' control in the planning. Based on the findings of the recent studies and high prevalence of leishmaniasis, it is concluded that serious public health monitoring should be considered.

Molecular characterization of sandflies and Leishmania detection in main vector of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Abarkouh district of Yazd province,Iran

Ohjective:To assess molecular characterization,distribution,seasonal activities of sandfly species and Leishmania parasites infecting them for this zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis focus.Methods:The collections were carried out in 2009-2011 using CDC traps,Sticky Papers and manual aspirator in and around the villages in Abarkouh district.Individual sandflies were characterized by PCR amplification and sequencing of fragments of their mitochondrial cytochrome b gene.Leishmania parasite infections within sandflies were performed by targeting Cyt b,ITS-rDNA,k-DNA and microsatellite genes.Results:The PCR assays detected only Leishmania major(L.major).All infections(30)were found in the abundant and widespread vector Phlebolomus papalasi(P.papatasi).Small numbers of other sandfly species were also screened for infections,but none was found.Sergentomyia sinloni and P.papalasi were the predominant members in all locations of this district and in all habitats throughout the trapping season.Only five other sandfly species were found,namely Phlebolomus ansari,Phlebotomus caucasicus,Phlebotomus sergenti,Sergentomyia dentata and Sergentomyia merviney.Conclusions:In the current survey,the only infections detected are of L.major in females of P.papatasi(30 out of190).The rates of infection of P.papalasi by L.major are not significantly different in compare with other locations in Iran with no diversity of parasite strains.Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis may have emerged only recently in Abarkouh district,and the reason may well be the instability of the transmission cycles there.

Emergence of Toscana virus in the mediterranean area

Toscana virus(TOSV) is an arthropod-borne virus, identified in 1971, from Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus perfiliewi in central Italy. TOSV belongs to the Phlebovirus genus within the Bunyaviridae family. As other bunyaviruses, the genome of TOSV consists of 3 segments(S for small, M for Medium, and L for Large) respectively encoding non structural and capsid proteins, envelope structural proteins, and the viral RNA-dependant RNA-polymerase. It is transmitted by sand flies. Therefore its distribution is dictated by that of the arthropod vectors, and virus circulation peaks during summertime when sandfly populations are active. Here, we reviewed the epidemiology of TOSV in the old world. First evidence of its pathogenicity for humans, specifically its propensity to cause central nervous system(CNS) infections such as meningitis and encephalitis, was reported in central Italy. After 2000, it was recognized that TOSV had a much larger geographic distribution than initially believed, and was present in most of the Western European countries located on the northern border of the Mediterranean Sea(Portugal, Spain, France, Greece, Croatia) as well as eastern countries such as Cyprus and Turkey. In the countries where TOSV is present, it is among the three most prevalent viruses in meningitis during the warm seasons, together with enteroviruses and herpesviruses. Up to now, epidemiological data concerning Northern Africa and other countries located south of the Mediterranean are scarce. TOSV must be considered an emerging pathogen. Despite the important role played by TOSV in CNS infections, it remains a neglected agent and is rarely considered by physicians in diagnostic algorithms of CNS infections and febrile illness during the warm season, probably because of the lack of information.

Relative abundance of Phlebotominae sandflies with emphasis on vectors of kala-azar

Objective:To identify potential vectors of kala-azar from Northern plains of Uttar Pradesh, India.Methods:The collections were made using sticky paper traps,CDC light-traps,and aspirators from outdoors as well as indoors.All female sandflies were dissected and identified. Results:During January 2009 to July 2009,528 phlebotomine specimens were collected including 329 males(62.3%) and 199 females(37.7%),approximately 238(45%) of them were captured from indoor and 290(55%) from outdoor resting places.Five species belonging to the genera Phlebotomus(8%) and Sergentomyia(92%) were recorded.Conclusions:Public health measures such as case detection and treatment,the control of sandflies,the conjunction elimination of infected stray dogs and health education can be effective in controlling the disease.

Taxonomic studies of Phlebotomus sergenti (parrot) (diptera:psychodidae) and its evolutionary relationship with its closest allies

In the survey,the work was done to develop taxonomic record of sand fly Phlebotomus(paaphlebotomus) sergenti (Parrot) collected for the first time from new epidemic localities of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Dera Ghazi Khan(Pakistan).In view of the published reports about the detection of Leishmania major,the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis from this species in many countries,the correct identification of this species becomes of significant value in the study of epidemiology of leishmaniasis.Therefore,in order to facilitate zoologists and medical researchers in its correct identification,taxonomic characters of P.sergenti(parrot) is studied in details with special reference to its mouth parts,male and female genitalia.A key is also given to P. sergentii(parrot) and its closest allies.In this light its relationships with its closest allies is also briefly discussed.

Re-isolation of Wuxiang Virus from Wild Sandflies Collected from Yangquan County, China

We previously isolated a new species of the genus Phlebovirus from wild sandflies collected from Wuxiang County in central China,which named the Wuxiang virus(WUXV).In this study,we re-isolated the WUXV from wild sandflies collected from two villages in Yangquan County,China in 2019.Four virus isolates that caused cytopathic effects in BHK-21 cells were successfully isolated from sandfly specimens collected from chicken pens and sheep pens.Phylogenetic analyses of the L,M and S gene segments of the viruses revealed that the four virus strains represented the previously isolated WUXV.The minimum infection rate(MIR)of the virus isolated from the sheep pen was 3.21,and the MIR of the virus isolated from the chicken pen was 3.45.The positive rates of Wuxiang virus neutralizing antibodies in serum samples of local healthy people and domestic chickens were 8.7%(4/46)and 100%(4/4),respectively,suggesting that Wuxiang virus can infect human and animal.In view of the fact that Wuxiang virus is infectious to humans and animals and has a relatively wide geographical distribution in China,it is of great public health significance to strengthen the investigation and study on the infection status of Wuxiang virus in humans and animals.

Climate change and its association with the expansion of vectors and vector-borne diseases in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region:A systematic synthesis of the literature

Observed weather and projected climate change suggest an increase in the transmission of vector-borne diseases(VBDs)in the Hindu Kush Himalayan(HKH)region.In this study,we systematically explore the literature for empiric associations between the climate variables and specific VBDs and their vectors in the HKH region.We conducted a systematic synthesis of the published literature on climate variables,VBDs and vectors in the HKH region until the 8th of December 2020.The majority of studies show significant positive associations of VBDs with climatic factors,such as temperature,precipitation,relative humidity,etc.This systematic review allowed us to identify the most significant variables to be considered for evidence-based trend estimates of the effects of climate change on VBDs and their vectors in the HKH region.This evidence-based trend was set into the context of climate change as well as the observed expansion of VBDs and disease vectors in the HKH region.The geographic range of VBDs expanded into previously considered non-endemic areas of highlands(mountains)in the HKH region.B ased on scarce,but clear evidence of a positive relationship of most climate variables and VBDs and the observed climatic changes,we strongly recommend an expansion of vector control and surveillance programmes in areas of the HKH region that were previously considered to be non-endemic.

Insecticide resistance in phlebotomine sandflies in Southeast Asia with emphasis on the Indian subcontinent

Background:Visceral leishmaniasis,commonly known as kala-azar in India,is a global public health problem.In Southeast Asia,Bangladesh,Bhutan,India,Nepal,Sri Lanka and Thailand are endemic for visceral leishmaniasis.The role of sandflies as the vector of kala-azar was first confirmed in 1942 in India.Insecticide resistance in Phlebotomus argentipes Annandale and Brunetti,the vector of kala-azar in the Indian subcontinent,was first reported in 1987 in Bihar,India.This article provides a scoping review of the studies undertaken from 1959 to 2015 on insecticide resistance in P.argentipes and P.papatasi(Scopoli),the vectors of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis respectively,in Southeast Asia,mainly in Bangladesh,India,Nepal and Sri Lanka.Results:Studies undertaken in areas of Bihar and West Bengal in India where kala-azar is endemic have reported resistance of P.argentipes to DDT,while in non-endemic areas it has been reported to be susceptible.In areas of Nepal bordering India,there are indications of resistance to DDT;biochemical resistance has been reported in Sri Lanka.No laboratory studies have been undertaken in Bangladesh;however,the sandfly vector is reported to be still susceptible to pyrethroids in all kala-azar endemic areas in the aforementioned countries.Conclusions:Studies are needed to determine the resistance of sandfly vectors to all available classes of potential insecticides in kala-azar endemic areas.There is a need to assess the impact of indoor residual spraying with DDT and pyrethroids on the incidence of kala-azar in India where 54 districts remain endemic for the disease,strengthen entomological surveillance capacity,and develop and implement an insecticide management plan.Alpha-cypermethrin indoor residual spraying has been introduced in 33 kala-azar endemic districts in Bihar State of India in a pilot trial;the outcomes should be used to inform decisions on expanding coverage with alpha-cypermethrin in all remaining endemic districts to achieve the revised goal of elimination of visceral leishmaniasis by 2020.