| Diversity and altitudinal distribution of Phlebotomus species (Diptera: Psychodidae) in 3 counties of Kerman province, Iran |
| Paper ID : 1035-3IICE (R1) |
| Authors: |
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Mohammad Saaid Dayer *, Ismail Amiri Ghannat Saman Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology |
| Abstract: |
| Introduction and Objectives: Leishmaniasis remains one of challenging health problems in Iran. Kerman province includes endemic foci of leishmaniasis caused by L. tropica, L. major and L. infantum. This study aimed to investigate phlebotomine biodiversity and geographical distribution in relation to the changing ecological profile of leishmaniasis in three provincial counties. Methods: Phlebotomines were collected from Bam, Dehbakri, Jiroft, Mohammad-Abad, Darb-e-Behesht and Rostam-Abad by sticky traps, slide-mounted and identified using Iranian morphological keys. Diversity indices including Shannon and Simpson indices as well as Simpson's and Berger–Parker dominance were calculated and compared using Excel Software version 2016. Results: Our 6-month survey resulted in collection of 2,498 sandflies from sites located at altitudes ranging from 670 to 2608 m above the sea level. The highest and lowest richness were recorded in Dehbakri (2000m) and Jiroft (680m) respectively. While Mohammad-Abad included three sandflies, both Bam and Rostam-Abad accommodated two species. No phlebotomine was caught in Darb-e-Behesht, but plenty midges of Ceratopogonidae family. The exponential of Shannon entropy index were higher for lowland cities of Rostam-Abad and Bam, whereas rarefaction analysis and Simpson’s dominance index indicated higher figures for highland city of Dehbakri. P. papatasi and P. sergenti were the most abundant phlebotomines in all sites. Conclusion: Bam and Rostam-Abad remain active foci of both ZCL and ACL, although not necessarily with equal endemicity rates. This is due to coexistence of causative agents, vectors and reservoir hosts under suitable local ecosystem. Mohammad-Abad and Dehbakri are prone to leishmaniasis particularly to visceral type, given the occurrence of P. major and vicinity to VL focus of Baft . We failed to trace P. sergenti in Jiroft, hence the lack of reports on indigenous ACL cases. No sand flies were caught in Derb-e-Behesht due probably to high elevation and cold climate. Rapid urbanization, global warming and prevailing canine and rodent reservoirs in Kerman are risk factors for leishmaniasis which entail scrutiny of distribution pattern of phlebotomine vectors. |
| Keywords: |
| Leishmaniasis, Phlebotomines, Species diversity, Kerman province, Iran |
| Status : Paper Accepted (Oral Presentation) |
