Entomological survey of phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in a focus of visceral leishmaniasis in central Iran

Background & objectives: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a major vector-borne disease in Iran. A focus of VL is present in Shahreza county, Isfahan province, central Iran. The main objective of this study was to determine the probable vectors in this area. Methods: Sand flies were collected biweekly using sticky paper traps, CDC light-traps, and aspirators from outdoors as well as indoors. All female sand flies were dissected and identified. Promastigotes were inoculated to hamsters and detected by Nested PCR. Approximately 7528 sand flies representing 12 species were collected from April 2003 to October 2004. Phlebotomus (Phlebotomus) papatasi Scopoli, Phlebotomus (Larroussious) major Annandale and Sergentomyia (Sergentomyia) sintoni Pringle were the predominant species. Two percent of P. major was found with natural promastigote infections. Interpretation & conclusion: This is the first report of natural promastigote infection in P. major in central Iran. The activity of P. major started from April and ended in October with a peak in September. The parasites were identified as Leishmania infantum using standard PCR. P. major is a possible vector of leishmaniasis and is susceptible to DDT in this area. Key words Iran – Leishmania infantum – leishmaniasis vectors – Phlebotomus (Larroussious) major – Shahreza –Viscera