Browsing by Subject "Phlebotomus perniciosus"

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    Investigations of Phlebotomus perniciosus sand flies in rural Spain reveal strongly aggregated and gender-specific spatial distributions and advocate use of light-attraction traps
    (Wiley, Royal Entomological Society, 2017-11-07) Muñoz, C.; Risueño, J.; Yilmaz, A.; Pérez Cutillas, Pedro; Goyena Salgado, María Elena; Ortuño, M.; Bernal, L. J.; Ortiz Sánchez, Juana; Alten, B.; Berriatua, E.; Sanidad Animal
    The spatial and temporal distribution of Phlebotomus perniciosus (Diptera: Psychodidae) (Newstead, 1911), the sand fly vector of pathogens of public and animal health importance, was investigated in a high sand fly density rural area in Spain using light-attraction and sticky-interception traps. Traps were placed inside animal buildings and outside at increasing distance from animals. A total of 8506 sand flies were collected, 87% with light traps. Species frequency differed between trap types. The abundance of P. perniciosus decreased exponentially with increasing distance to animals and, while females were most common in the animal enclosure, males predominated in adjoining storage places. Increasing CO2 concentration had an additional positive effect on female abundance only. Both male and female density increased with rising temperature, and there was some indication that females were more active than males at higher relative humidity. The study confirms that P. perniciosus aggregates around animal premises, although male and female distributions differ and should be analysed separately to account for biological and behavioural differences. This provides further evidence that light traps offer an accurate estimation of the relative spatial and temporal abundance of P. perniciosus, conferring an added value for the study of this species and the risk of pathogen transmission.
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    The role of zoological centers as reservoirs of Leishmaniosis in urban áreas
    (BioMed Central, 2017-04-19) Risueño, José; Muñoz, Clara; Pérez Cutillas, Pedro; Goyena, Elena; Gonzálvez, Moisés; Ortuño, María; Bernal, Luis Jesús; Ortiz Sánchez, Juana; Alten, Bulent; Berriatua, Eduardo; Sanidad Animal
    Background Leishmaniosis is associated with Phlebotomus sand fly vector density, but our knowledge of the environmental framework that regulates highly overdispersed vector abundance distributions is limited. We used a standardized sampling procedure in the bioclimatically diverse Murcia Region in Spain and multilevel regression models for count data to estimate P. perniciosus abundance in relation to environmental and anthropic factors. Methods Twenty-five dog and sheep premises were sampled for sand flies using adhesive and light-attraction traps, from late May to early October 2015. Temperature, relative humidity and other animal- and premise-related data recorded on site and other environmental data were extracted from digital databases using a geographical information system. The relationship between sand fly abundance and explanatory variables was analysed using binomial regression models. Results The total number of sand flies captured, mostly with light-attraction traps, was 3,644 specimens, including 80% P. perniciosus, the main L. infantum vector in Spain. Abundance varied between and within zones and was positively associated with increasing altitude from 0 to 900 m above sea level, except from 500 to 700 m where it was low. Populations peaked in July and especially during a 3-day heat wave when relative humidity and wind speed plummeted. Regression models indicated that climate and not land use or soil characteristics have the greatest impact on this species density on a large geographical scale. In contrast, micro-environmental factors such as animal building characteristics and husbandry practices affect sand fly population size on a smaller scale. Conclusions A standardised sampling procedure and statistical analysis for highly overdispersed distributions allow reliable estimation of P. perniciosus abundance and identification of environmental drivers. While climatic variables have the greatest impact at macro-environmental scale, anthropic factors may be determinant at a micro-geographical scale. These finding may be used to elaborate predictive distribution maps useful for vector and pathogen control programs.
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    Understanding Phlebotomus perniciosus abundance in south-east Spain: assessing the role of environmental and anthropic factors
    (BioMed Central, 2017-04-19) Risueño, José; Muñoz, Clara; Pérez Cutillas, Pedro; Goyena Salgado, María Elena; Gonzálvez, Moisés; Ortuño, María; Jesús Bernal, Luis; Ortiz, Juana; Alten, Bulent; Berriatua Fernández de Larrea, Eduardo; Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas
    Background: Leishmaniosis is associated with Phlebotomus sand fly vector density, but our knowledge of the environmental framework that regulates highly overdispersed vector abundance distributions is limited. We used a standardized sampling procedure in the bioclimatically diverse Murcia Region in Spain and multilevel regressionmodels for count data to estimate P. perniciosus abundance in relation to environmental and anthropic factors. Methods: Twenty-five dog and sheep premises were sampled for sand flies using adhesive and light-attraction traps, from late May to early October 2015. Temperature, relative humidity and other animal- and premise-related data recorded on site and other environmental data were extracted from digital databases using a geographical information system. The relationship between sand fly abundance and explanatory variables was analysed using binomial regression models. Results: The total number of sand flies captured, mostly with light-attraction traps, was 3,644 specimens, including 80% P. perniciosus, the main L. infantum vector in Spain. Abundance varied between and within zones and was positively associated with increasing altitude from 0 to 900 m above sea level, except from 500 to 700 m where it was low. Populations peaked in July and especially during a 3-day heat wave when relative humidity and wind speed plummeted. Regression models indicated that climate and not land use or soil characteristics have the greatest impact on this species density on a large geographical scale. In contrast, micro-environmental factors such as animal building characteristics and husbandry practices affect sand fly population size on a smaller scale. Conclusions: A standardised sampling procedure and statistical analysis for highly overdispersed distributions allow reliable estimation of P. perniciosus abundance and identification of environmental drivers. While climatic variables have the greatest impact at macro-environmental scale, anthropic factors may be determinant at a microgeographical scale. These finding may be used to elaborate predictive distribution maps useful for vector and pathogen control programs.