Entomological Survey for Sand Fly Fauna in Imamoglu Province (Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Endemic Region) of Adana, Turkey

Abstract

Leishmaniasis, presenting in two clinical forms, cutaneous and visceral in Turkey, is widespread in most of the countries in the Mediterranean Basin. An average of 10 to 13% of cases are reported from Adana every year. This paper presents the results of an entomological survey in an endemic focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Imamoglu province of Adana in Turkey.We collected 654 sand fly specimen using 100 light traps in 20 nights in August 2013 and July 2014. Several keys and previous drawings were used in the identification of the species. In total, six Phlebotomus species were identified; Phlebotomus tobbi (50.3%), Phlebotomus papatasi (34%), Phlebotomus perfiliewi (2.9%), Phlebotomus sergenti (0.4%), Phlebotomus neglectus/syriacus (0.8%), and Sergentomyia spp. (11.5%). In addition, the female/male rate was found to be 0.84.Collected sand flies (44 pools of 1-10 individuals) were analyzed microscopically, and no promastigotes were found in the midgut specimens. Using a genus specific real time-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for simultaneous detection of Old Word Leishmania. We detected only 3 of the 44 pools with Leishmania by genus-specific real-time PCR assay.P. tobbi was found to be dominant species in spite of the differences in sand fly fauna composition. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study for sand fly fauna including 15 villages where endemic focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Imamoglu, Adana Province, Turkey.