The sandflies of the Satluj river valley, Himachal Pradesh (India): some possible vectors of the parasite causing human cutaneous and visceral leishmaniases in this endemic focus.

Abstract

Sixty-two of the identified sandflies caught belonged to the genus Phlebotomus species, including some species that are known to act as vectors of the parasites causing human leishmaniasis. The Phlebotomus (Adlerius) chinensis longiductus (Parrot), 1928 (28 sandflies), P. major (8 sandflies), P. (Larroussius) kandelakii burneyi (Lewis), 1967 (8 sandflies) were identified. The identification of the main species of vector sandfly in the region is complicated because it is still uncertain which Leishmania species cause(s) the local human leishmaniasis. Circumstantially it seems likely, however, that Phlebotomus (Adlerius) chinensis longiductus is the main vector. Other species found, such as P. major and P. (Larroussius) kandelakii burneyi, may also be responsible for some cases. A more elaborate study is recommended.