Search Results (76)

Phlebotomine-borne diseases, transmitted by sand flies, cause significant public health burdens worldwide. In Morocco, Phlebotomus papatasi is a primary vector for Leishmania major and phleboviruses. Despite extensive research in other countries, entomopathogenic parasite investigations in P. papatasi have not been conducted in Morocco until now. This study performed proteomic analysis of female P. papatasi collected from four Moroccan localities using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Our analysis revealed that Phlebotomus papatasi peptides were the most abundant, with 884 peptides identified. Additionally, we detected 732 peptides from nematodes, 86 from Leishmania major, 79 from L. infantum, eight from L. tropica, and two peptides associated with phleboviruses. Microscopic examination of 1752 sand flies confirmed P. sergenti female infected with Tetranematidae, Didilia spp. in Imintanout (Z2). This study provides the first report of nematodes in sand flies in Africa and represents the first application of proteomics to identify pathogens carried by P. papatasi. These findings highlight remarkable proteomic differences among localities and generate critical data for understanding parasite-vector interactions. Full article

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne parasitic disease caused by Leishmania spp., transmitted to humans by phlebotomine sand flies. The development of Leishmania into infective metacyclic promastigotes occurs within the sand fly gut, where the bacterial microbiota plays a pivotal role in parasite development and transmission dynamics. This study aimed to characterize the gut bacterial composition of phlebotomine sand flies collected from both endemic (Lalla Aaziza) and non-endemic (Marrakech) regions of leishmaniasis in Morocco. We investigated the microbiota of Phlebotomus papatasi, P. sergenti, P. perniciosus, and P. longicuspis, all proven vectors of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis in the Old World, including Morocco, as well as Sergentomyia minuta, a potential vector in the Mediterranean basin. Gut bacteria were isolated using conventional microbiological techniques and identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Fifteen bacterial strains from three phyla were identified, with Bacillus pumilus being the most frequently detected species. Significant differences in colony-forming unit (CFU) counts and bacterial richness were observed between sand fly species and collection sites. Notably, Bacillus simplex (in P. papatasi), Nocardia ignorata (in P. sergenti), and Serratia spp. (in P. longicuspis) were identified for the first time in these vectors. This study is the first to investigate the gut bacterial composition of sand flies in Morocco, revealing species and locality-dependent differences in microbial communities. The predominance of Bacillus spp., particularly B. pumilus, suggests a potentially influential role in sand fly physiology and vector competence. Furthermore, the novel detection of B. simplex, N. ignorata, and Serratia spp. underscores previously unrecognized microbial associations that warrant further investigation. These findings provide a critical baseline for future studies exploring the microbiota-mediated modulation of sand fly–Leishmania interactions. Full article

Climate change is increasingly recognized as a major driver of emerging infectious diseases, particularly vector-borne diseases (VBDs), which are expanding in range and intensity worldwide. Europe, traditionally considered low-risk for many arboviral infections, is now experiencing autochthonous transmission of pathogens such as dengue, chikungunya, Zika virus, West Nile virus, malaria, and leishmaniasis. Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and milder winters have facilitated the establishment and spread of competent vectors, including Aedes, Anopheles, Phlebotomus, and Culex species, in previously non-endemic areas. These climatic shifts not only impact vector survival and distribution but also influence vector competence and pathogen development, ultimately increasing transmission potential. This narrative review explores the complex relationship between climate change and VBDs, with a particular focus on pediatric populations. It highlights how children may experience distinct clinical manifestations and complications, and how current data on pediatric burden remain limited for several emerging infections. Through an analysis of existing literature and reported outbreaks in Europe, this review underscores the urgent need for enhanced surveillance, integrated vector control strategies, and climate-adapted public health policies. Finally, it outlines research priorities to better anticipate and mitigate future disease emergence in the context of global warming. Understanding and addressing this evolving risk is essential to safeguard public health and to protect vulnerable populations, particularly children, in a rapidly changing climate. Full article

Background/Objectives: Leishmania spp. are protozoan parasites transmitted by female sandflies (Phlebotomus or Lutzomyia). Clinical manifestations depend on species and host immunity. While cutaneous and visceral forms prevail, mucocutaneous involvement—particularly isolated nasal septum leishmaniasis—is rare and frequently misdiagnosed as an inflammatory, infectious, or neoplastic condition. Risk factors associated with mucocutaneous leishmaniasis include systemic or local immunodeficiency, prior renal transplantation, treatment with chronic inhaled steroids, residence in endemic areas or travel to such regions, and previous Leishmania infections. Immunosuppressed patients are at higher risk for atypical presentations and delayed diagnosis, which can result in extensive tissue destruction. Early clinical suspicion, histopathological confirmation, and prompt therapy are essential to prevent permanent mucosal damage. Therefore, a multidisciplinary approach is needed for adequate evaluation and effective treatment. Methods: A 67-year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis on methotrexate reported a two-year history of right-sided nasal obstruction and ulceration that failed to respond to antibiotics. He did not present systemic symptoms. Results: Facial CT revealed a septal deviation; the patient underwent septoplasty, and biopsy confirmed Leishmania amastigotes. Serology (rK39 immunochromatographic test) was positive. He was treated with liposomal amphotericin B at 4 mg/kg/day for five days, followed by miltefosine at 100 mg/day orally for 14 days. At an eight-week follow-up, the nasal mucosa was fully healed, obstruction was resolved, and there was no evidence of recurrence. Conclusions: Although nasal septum leishmaniasis is uncommon, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic nasal lesions, especially in immunocompromised patients or those from endemic regions. Definitive diagnosis requires biopsy with histological or molecular confirmation. Combined liposomal amphotericin B and miltefosine therapy yields high cure rates and prevents mucosal destruction. Early recognition is critical to avoid diagnostic delays and long-term sequelae. Full article

Phlebotomine sandflies are the primary vectors of Leishmania parasites, the causative agents of leishmaniasis. In India, Phlebotomus argentipes is the confirmed vector of Leishmania donovani. The sandfly gut microbiota plays a crucial role in Leishmania development and transmission, yet it remains largely understudied. This study used a metagenomic approach targeting the V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene to compare the gut bacterial communities of P. argentipes and Sergentomyia babu prevalent in Kerala. A total of 18 distinct bacterial phyla were identified in P. argentipes, and 14 in S. babu, both dominated by Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes. A total of 315 genera were identified in P. argentipes, with a high relative abundance of Pseudomonas (6.3%), whereas S. babu harbored 327 genera, with Pseudomonas showing a higher relative abundance of 11%. Unique to P. argentipes, bacterial phyla such as Fusobacteria, Armatimonadetes, Elusimicrobia, Chlamydiae, and Crenarchaeota were identified, whereas Chlorobi was specific to S. babu. Additionally, 145 species were identified in P. argentipes, compared to 164 species in S. babu. These findings provide a comparative baseline of gut microbial diversity between vector and non-vector sandfly species, offering a foundation for future functional investigations into vector competence. Full article

Compounds in sand fly saliva elicit specific immune responses that may play a role in the establishment of canine Leishmania infection. Although canine antibodies to anti-sand fly saliva antigens have been extensively studied, little is known about cellular immune responses against Phlebotomus perniciosus salivary proteins. This study aimed to explore humoral and T-cell-mediated immunity against P. perniciosus salivary proteins in dogs (n = 85) from Mallorca (Spain), a leishmaniosis-endemic area, and find correlations with demographic (age, sex, and breed) and parasite-specific immunological parameters. Anti-sand fly saliva IgG was examined using a P. perniciosus whole salivary gland homogenate (SGH) ELISA and recombinant salivary protein rSP03B ELISA. Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) release whole blood assays with L. infantum soluble antigen (LSA), SGH, and rSP03B were also performed. Positive correlations were found between IgG levels in the SGH and rSP03B tests and between concentrations of SGH IFN-γ and rSP03B IFN-γ. While concentrations of SGH IFN-γ and rSP03B IFN-γ were low and produced only by a minority of dogs (less than 20%), high levels and frequencies of LSA IFN-γ as well as anti-saliva IgG for SGH and rSP03B were detected in a majority of dogs (61% and 75%, respectively). LSA IFN-γ levels were positively correlated with age and Leishmania-specific antibodies. In conclusion, dogs from a leishmaniosis-endemic area presented high humoral immunity against P. perniciosus salivary proteins, but their cellular immunity to these proteins was low and less frequent. Full article

Leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease transmitted by sand flies, poses a significant global health threat. Chemical repellents and insecticides are widely used for protection, but prolonged use has led to resistance, reduced efficacy, and environmental concerns, emphasizing the need for new repellent compounds, ideally from sustainable sources. This study investigated the chemical composition and repellent properties of cumin seed essential oil (EO) from Greece against Phlebotomus papatasi. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified five major constituents, including cumin aldehyde (27.0%), β-pinene (11.4%), and γ-terpinene (10.8%). In addition to cumin seed EO and its major constituents, octanol, and 1-octen-3-ol were tested for comparison, along with transfluthrin and DEET as standard repellents. Using a static air repellency bioassay, cumin seed EO, cumin aldehyde, and octanol exhibited strong spatial repellency (EC₅₀ of 0.34, 0.07, and 0.60 μg/cm² respectively) comparable to transfluthrin (EC₅₀ of 0.04 μg/cm²) at 1 h, and contact repellency, both lasting up to 3 h. This is the first study to evaluate cumin seed EO and cumin aldehyde against sand flies, highlighting their potential as alternatives to conventional repellents. Further research is needed to explore their applicability in vector control strategies. Full article

Background: Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne zoonotic disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania. While it is endemic in the Mediterranean Basin and the Balkans, Romania remains a non-endemic country. However, climate change, increased international travel, and the documented presence of competent vectors (Phlebotomus spp.) have raised concerns about the potential emergence of autochthonous cases. Case Presentation: We report two cases of imported cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) diagnosed in central Romania, a region without previously confirmed human or animal cases. The first case involved a 31-year-old male with a recent travel history to Spain, presenting with erythematous papules and plaques that evolved into ulcerated lesions. The diagnosis was confirmed histopathologically and by a PCR. Treatment with miltefosine was effective, with minimal hepatic toxicity and a sustained response at a six-month follow-up. The second case concerned an 11-year-old boy who had traveled to Elba, Italy. He developed ulcerative lesions that progressed rapidly and were complicated by Pseudomonas aeruginosa superinfection. Despite an initially negative smear, PCR testing of the skin lesion confirmed the presence of CL. Antifungal therapy with fluconazole led to clinical improvement; treatment was ongoing at the time of publication. Discussion: These cases highlight the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with CL in non-endemic settings. The varied clinical evolution underscores the importance of considering leishmaniasis in the differential diagnosis of chronic, non-healing cutaneous lesions, particularly in patients with a travel history to endemic regions. Conclusions: Increased awareness among clinicians, supported by accurate diagnostic tools and public health surveillance, is essential to identify and manage imported leishmaniasis. Given the absence of a licensed vaccine and the growing risk of vector expansion in Eastern Europe, these cases support the WHO’s inclusion of leishmaniasis among the priority neglected tropical diseases targeted for intensified global control efforts by 2030. Full article

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a significant public health concern that affects many countries. This disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania spp. and is transmitted through the sandflies from the genus Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia. The clinical manifestations of CL can vary, often leading to challenges in accurate diagnosis and treatment. In 2022, a 51-year-old male patient presented to a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry, India, with progressively worsening facial lesions and granulomatous plaques. The patient had recently returned from Saudi Arabia, where he likely contracted the infection. Before he visited the tertiary care hospital in Puducherry, the patient had been misdiagnosed and treated for conditions such as Erysipelas and Acute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (ACLE), highlighting the diagnostic challenges associated with CL. Skin scrapings from the patient were subjected to real-time PCR, confirming Leishmania spp.’s presence. Cytological examinations revealed the amastigote-like structures within macrophages, thereby establishing the identity of the parasite. For precise species-level identification, PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and Sanger sequencing of the Internal Transcribed Spacer-1 (ITS-1) region were performed. Molecular techniques confirmed the infection as being caused by Leishmania tropica. Following the accurate diagnosis, the patient was successfully treated with Liposomal Amphotericin B, a treatment known for its efficacy against Leishmania infections. This case underscores the critical importance of considering cutaneous leishmaniasis in the differential diagnosis of travelers returning from endemic areas who present with dermatological manifestations. The initial misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment highlight the need for heightened clinical awareness and the utilization of advanced diagnostic tools for accurate identification. Effective and timely treatment, as demonstrated in this case, is essential for the management and control of the disease. This report emphasizes the necessity of vigilance among healthcare providers to recognize and appropriately address imported cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Full article

Sandflies, small insects primarily from the Psychodidae family, are commonly found in sandy, tropical, and subtropical regions. Most active during dawn and dusk, female sandflies feed on blood to facilitate egg production. In doing so, they can transmit infectious diseases that may cause symptoms such as fever, headaches, muscle pain, anemia, skin rashes, and ulcers. Importantly, sandflies are species-specific in their disease transmission. Determining the gender and species of sandflies typically involves examining their morphology and internal anatomy using established identification keys. However, this process requires expert knowledge and is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and prone to misidentification. In this paper, we develop a highly accurate and efficient convolutional network model that utilizes pharyngeal and genital images of sandfly samples to classify the sex and species of three sandfly species (i.e., Phlebotomus sergenti, Ph. alexandri, and Ph. papatasi). A detailed evaluation of the model’s structure and classification performance was conducted using multiple metrics. The results demonstrate an excellent sex-species classification accuracy exceeding 95%. Hence, it is possible to develop automated artificial intelligence-based systems that serve the entomology community at large and specialized professionals. Full article

Phlebotomus pedifer is a vector of Leishmania aethiopica, the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis. This study assessed the abundance and distribution of P. pedifer in different habitats and human houses situated at varying distances from hyrax (reservoir host) dwellings, in Wolaita Zone, southern Ethiopia. Sandflies were collected from January 2020 to December 2021 using CDC light traps, sticky paper traps, and locally made emergence traps. Sampling was performed in human houses, peri-domestic areas, farmlands, and hyrax dwellings. Houses 200 m and 400 m from hyrax dwellings were selected to study whether distance affects indoor sandfly abundance. A total of 2485 sandflies were captured, with P. pedifer accounting for 86.1% of the catch and Sergentomyia spp. comprising the remaining 13.9%. The abundance of P. pedifer was highest in human houses (72.3%) and lowest in farmlands (4.0%). Temperature showed a positive correlation with sandfly abundance (r = 0.434, p = 0.000), while rainfall (r = −0.424, p = 0.001) and humidity (r = −0.381, p = 0.001) were negatively correlated with abundance. Houses near hyrax dwellings had significantly higher P. pedifer abundance compared to those further away. Soil-emergence trapping yielded only a few P. pedifer specimens, primarily from hyrax dwellings. The findings highlight the increased presence of P. pedifer indoors, particularly in houses close to hyrax habitats, emphasizing the need for targeted indoor vector control strategies to mitigate the risk of cutaneous leishmaniasis transmission. Full article

Although Switzerland is currently not endemic for canine leishmaniosis (CanL), imported cases of this emerging zoonosis are regularly detected. Also, phlebotomine sand flies, vectors of the causative agent Leishmania infantum, are present in the southern part of the country, in Canton Ticino, and endemic foci of CanL have been recently described in neighboring Italian municipalities. In 2022 and 2023, we evaluated the distribution of phlebotomine sand flies and the presence of antibodies against L. infantum in domestic dogs and cats in Ticino and Mesolcina (Canton of Grisons). An entomological survey was also carried out in the northwest of Switzerland (cantons Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft) close to an area in Germany where potential vectors are present. No sand flies were caught there. In Ticino, 15 out of 20 sites surveyed (75%) were positive for phlebotomine sand flies. Phlebotomus perniciosus, a potential vector of L. infantum, was the most abundant species, with site densities ranging from 0.1 to 5.3. The parasite was not detected in females. Leishmania infantum seroprevalences of 3.0% and 1.6% were observed in 101 and 126 dog and cat sera, respectively. Although, at this time, the risk of endemic CanL is extremely low, integrated surveillance and prevention measures should be considered. Full article

Phlebotomus sichuanensis, considered a potential vector for visceral leishmaniasis (VL), is distributed in the southern Gansu and northern Sichuan regions in China. However, the high similarity in the morphology of P. sichuanensis and P. chinensis s.s. poses unresolved taxonomic challenges. In this study, phlebotomine sand flies were collected from three locations in the southern Gansu and northern Sichuan regions (SCB group) and three locations that are the dominant distribution areas of P. chinensis s.s. (ZHB group). Their whole mitochondrial genomes were sequenced and analyzed. The differential analysis revealed that there were 339 fixed differential sites in the mitochondrial genome-coding region of P. chinensis s.s. and P. sichuanensis, among which the COI gene had the most differential sites (57), followed by ND5 (46), ND4 (38), and CYTB (37), while ATP8 had the least differential sites (4). The molecular genetic p-distance was calculated based on 13 protein-coding regions, and the genetic distance ranged from 0.001 to 0.018 in the ZHB group and from 0.001 to 0.006 in the SCB group, while the interspecies molecular genetic distance was 0.464–0.466 between the two groups. A phylogenetic maximum likelihood tree was constructed from 16 samples via tandem sequence of 13 protein-coding regions, and the topology showed that the ZHB and SCB groups formed separate clusters. A real-time PCR method was established based on the differences in the COI fragment, which can identify P. sichuanensis from P. chinensis s.s. effectively. This study presents objective evidence of the genetic differentiation between P. sichuanensis and P. chinensis s.s., and provides a method for identifying these two morphologically highly similar VL-transmitting sandflies. Full article

Eight sandfly-borne phleboviruses were found to circulate in North Africa. Phleboviruses detected in sandflies were Toscana (TOSV), Sandfly Fever Sicilian (SFSV), Sandfly Fever Naples (SFNV), Cyprus (CYPV), Punique (PUNV), Utique, Saddaguia, and Medjerda Valley (MVV) viruses, yielding an overall infection rate of 0.02–0.6%. Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus longicuspis were the most common vector species in the region. TOSV seroprevalence in dogs from Algeria (4.56%) and Tunisia (7.5%) was low and close, unlike SFSV (38.1%) and PUNV (43.5%), which were restricted to Tunisia. SFSV (1.3–21%) and TOSV (3.8–50%) were the most prevalent among humans. TOSV was frequently detected and symptomatically confirmed in both Algeria (3.8%) and Tunisia (12.86%). Other sandfly-borne phleboviruses have also been detected but less importantly, such as SFNV in Morocco (2.9%) and Tunisia (1.1%) and PUNV (8.72%), CYPV (2.9%), and MVV (1.35%) in Tunisia. Their distribution was mainly northern. Overall, 15.9% of the healthy population were seropositive for sandfly-borne phleboviruses, with evidenced cocirculation. Noticeably, studies conducted in Morocco were mostly interested in TOSV in sandflies. Available data from Libya and Egypt were scant or historical. Further elaboration is required to check the sporadic detection of less-prevalent phleboviruses and fully elucidate the epidemiological situation. Full article

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is one of the most commonly diagnosed dermatological condition in travel medicine after diarrhoeal diseases and febrile status. The disease is transmitted by Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia sandflies. It appears in various clinical forms, the most common of which is a painless ulcer with raised edges, usually present on exposed parts of the body on the side where the insect bite occurred. Annually, over a million new cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) cases are reported globally. We present two cases of affliction, the first occurring in Patient 1, who attempted treatment through the Kambo cleanse in South America, which is considered a toxic, even life-threatening, procedure. It involves the subcutaneous application of a substance dangerous to humans derived from the surface mucus of a frog. Patient 2 applied caustic ointments, a fruitarian diet, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy in a private setting. After initial therapeutic failures caused by the patients’ unconventional treatment ideas, the causal treatment effect was satisfactory, demonstrating the efficacy of these treatments in resolving the infection when applied appropriately. Despite the typical CL presentation in both patients, their self-treatment course was unusual. It is worth noting that alternative, sometimes harmful, self-treatment initiatives by patients may be surprising and ineffective. Promoting knowledge about tropical diseases among travellers and medical staff is crucial to improving treatment outcomes. Full article