ABSTRACT: In southeast Amazon, Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) flaviscutellata is the incriminated vector of Leishmania (Leishmania)
amazonensis, a causative agent of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). The optimal methods for surveying Lu. flaviscutellata were
investigated in the Bragan?a region, northeast Par? State, Brazil, selected for the presence of Le. amazonensis. The performances of
modified Disney traps and CDC light traps were compared in four ecotopes within and around four village transects during the wet and
dry seasons. The physiological age of female sand flies was estimated and natural infection by flagellates was evaluated by dissection.
Disney traps were better for detecting the presence of Lu. flaviscutellata, while CDC traps performed well for detecting Lutzomyia
(Nyssomyia) antunesi, suspected vector of Leishmania lindenbergi. The former was more abundant during the wet season, when female
flies were naturally infected with Le. amazonensis. These findings identified the environments of local transmission. In order to improve
surveys of Lu. flaviscutellata as part of integrated epidemiological surveillance of CL, our recommendations include focusing vector
surveys with Disney traps on forest fragments where people work, during the seasonal peak of the vector. Further field studies are required
to make model-based predictions of seasonal variations in the vectorial capacity of vector populations
|
