Author:
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Bates, Paul A.; Depaquit, Jerôme; Galati, Eunice A.; Kamhawi, Shaden; Maroli, Michele; McDowell, Mary Ann; Picado, Albert; Ready, Paul D; Salomon, O. Daniel; Shaw, Jeffrey J.; Traub-Cseko, Yara M.; Warburg, Alon
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Abstract:
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Phlebotomine sand flies are the subject of much research because
of the role of their females as the only proven natural vectors
of Leishmania species, the parasitic protozoans that are the
causative agents of the neglected tropical disease
leishmaniasis. Activity in this field was highlighted by the
eighth International Symposium on Phlebotomine Sand flies
(ISOPS) held in September 2014, which prompted this review
focusing on vector control. Topics reviewed include: Taxonomy
and phylogenetics, Vector competence, Genetics, genomics and
transcriptomics, Eco-epidemiology, and Vector control. Research
on sand flies as leishmaniasis vectors has revealed a diverse
array of zoonotic and anthroponotic transmission cycles, mostly
in subtropical and tropical regions of Africa, Asia and Latin
America, but also in Mediterranean Europe. The challenge is to
progress beyond descriptive eco-epidemiology, in order to
separate vectors of biomedical importance from the sand fly
species that are competent vectors but lack the vectorial
capacity to cause much human disease. Transmission modelling is
required to identify the vectors that are a public health
priority, the ones that must be controlled as part of the
integrated control of leishmaniasis. Effective modelling of
transmission will require the use of entomological indices more
precise than those usually reported in the leishmaniasis
literature. |