Entomological study of Phlebotomine Sand flies in Maceió (Brazil): 2011-2020 analysis

Abstract

Abstract This study investigated the spatiotemporal distribution of phlebotomine sand flies in Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil, over ten years (2011–2020). Maceió, the capital of the State of Alagoas, has a tropical climate with significant seasonal rainfall disparities. Data from the Center for Zoonoses Control (CZC) were analyzed, revealing fluctuations in sand fly populations across different city areas. This study identified 20 sand fly species, and Lutzomyia longipalpis - a vector of Leishmania infantum, the etiological agent of visceral leishmaniasis - found in 15 Maceió areas almost every year during the study period. The species Lu. intermedia, Lu. whitmani and Lu. migonei, which are involved in the epidemiology of cutaneous forms of leishmaniasis, were also found. Additionally, this study reports five species of phlebotomines found for the first time in Alagoas. Despite the high sand fly prevalence in certain areas, no correlation was found between sand fly abundance and climatic factors such as temperature and precipitation. These findings underscore the importance of continuous surveillance for leishmaniasis, given Maceió's high disease burden compared with that of other Alagoas cities. This study suggested that factors other than climatic variables may influence the sand fly distribution, highlighting the need for further research. Overall, this research contributes valuable insights into sand fly ecology and disease transmission dynamics in Maceió, serving as a basis for future studies and public health interventions.

Keywords

• leishmaniasis vectors
• spatiotemporal analysis
• disease surveillance
• sand fly distribution