Spatial and temporal changes in Lutzomyia longipalpis abundance, a Leishmania infantum vector in an urban area in northeastern Argentina

• Autores: Fernández, María Soledad; Santini, María Soledad; Cavia, Regino; Sandoval, Adolfo E; Pérez, Adriana Alicia; Acardi, Soraya Alejandra; Salomón, Oscar Daniel
• Año de publicación: 2013
• Idioma: inglés
• Tipo de recurso: artículo
• Materia: Psychodidae; Leishmaniasis Visceral; Ambiente
• Institución: Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán"

Fil: Fernández, María Soledad. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico e Investigación de Endemo-Epidemias; Argentina
Fil: Santini, María Soledad. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico e Investigación de Endemo-Epidemias; Argentina.
Fil: Cavia, Regino. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.
Fil: Sandoval, Adolfo E. Laboratorio de Control de Vectores, Secretaría de Calidad de Vida de la Municipalidad de Posadas; Argentina.
Fil: Pérez, Adriana Alicia. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires; Argentina.
Fil: Acardi, Soraya Alejandra. Laboratorio de Biología Molecular Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Misiones; Argentina.
Fil: Salomón, Oscar Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.
This study aimed to analyse changes in the spatial distribution of Lutzomyia longipalpis in Posadas, an urban area located in northeastern Argentina. Data were obtained during the summer of 2007 and 2009 through two entomological surveys of peridomiciles distributed around the city. The abundance distribution pattern for 2009 was computed and compared with the previous pattern obtained in 2007, when the first human visceral leishmaniasis cases were reported in the city. Vector abundance was also examined in relation to micro and macrohabitat characteristics. In 2007 and 2009, Lu. longipalpis was distributed among 41.5% and 31% of the households in the study area, respectively. In both years, the abundance rates at most of the trapping sites were below 30 Lu. longipalpis per trap per night; however, for areas exhibiting 30-60 Lu. longipalpis and more than 60 Lu. longipalpis, the areas increased in both size and number from 2007-2009. Lu. longipalpis was more abundant in areas with a higher tree and bush cover (a macrohabitat characteristic) and in peridomiciles with accumulated unused material (a microhabitat characteristic). These results will help to prioritise and focus control efforts by defining which peridomiciles display a potentially high abundance of Lu. longipalpis.