Vectors of Trypanosomatids (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) in Tabatinga, Amazonas, Brazil

Abstract

The sand flies transmit diseases to humans and animals, such as arboviruses and bartonellosis, besides the leishmaniasis. The objective of this research was identified potential vectors of this disease in the municipality of Tabatinga. Sand flies were captured with Miniature Light Trap and manual collection by aspiration at the bases of trees. In the months of August 2010 and 2011, were captured 4,542 sand flies (♂: 71.9% and ♀: 28.1%) vectors or suspected of trypanosomatids transmission, belonging to 13 species. The most abundant species was Lutzomyia umbratilis with 78.7%. A total of 576 (74,0%) sand flies of the genus Lutzomyia were dissected and natural infection by trypanosomatids was observed in 44 females. Blood in decomposition was detected at the digestive tract in 86.3% insects; being 59,0% of the ovaries in developing. The isoenzymatic analysis of ten isolates showed similar profiles to Leishmania colombiensis and Endotrypanum sp., however, the profile of the locus Malate Dehydrogenase (MDH) showed major similarity to the genus Endotrypanum. This is the first investigation of the fauna entomology and attempt of trypanosomatids isolation in the municipality of Tabatinga, area of triple border with Brazil.