Distribution of phlebotomine sandflies and the rate of their infection with Leishmania promastigotes in the Algarve, Portugal |
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Authors: | CHRISTIAN F SCHREY C ALVES PIRES D W MACVEAN |
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Institution: | Department of Zoology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523. |
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Abstract: | Four species of sandflies: Phlebotomus (Larroussius) perniciosus Newstead, Sergentomyia minuta (Rondani), Phlebotomus (Paraphlebotomus) sergenti Parrot and Phlebotomus (Larroussius) ariasi Tonnoir, were collected, by aspiration and light traps, from three dog kennels and an area of high prevalence of human and canine visceral leishmaniasis in the Algarve, Portugal. Midgut infections with leishmanial promastigotes were observed only in P. perniciosus with a minimum infection rate of 5%. The engorgement, gravidity, population dynamics and sex ratios of the sandflies, and the temperature, source and altitude of collection sites were examined. Host preferences were noted for P. perniciosus. |
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Keywords: | Sandflies phlebotomus leishmania infection rates population dynamics Algarve Portugal |
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