Sand Fly Fauna in Urban Parks in the Brazilian Western Amazon: Potential Areas for American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Transmission

Sand flies are a group of insects (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) in which some species may transmit agents of leishmaniasis. This study aimed to analyze the sand fly fauna in urban parks in Rio Branco, capital of Acre state, addressing its diversity, infection by Leishmania, and food sources in sand fly females. The sand flies were collected with CDC-type automatic light traps installed in three urban parks in Rio Branco: Captain Ciríaco, Horto Florestal and Chico Mendes. For comparison analysis of species richness and diversity between the parks, we analyzed rarefaction and prediction curves. For detection of Leishmania spp., molecular tests were performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using ITS1 as a marker, followed by genetic sequencing. Identification of the blood meal source in engorged females was performed by PCR using a fragment of the cytochrome b gene (cyt b), followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. A total of 2,672 specimens were collected, distributed in 14 genera and 35 species. Of these, Nyssomyia antunesi and Evandromyia walkeri predominated, and important proven and suspected vectors were also found. Horto Florestal was the park with the greatest diversity, richness, and evenness of species, while the Captain Ciríaco presented the lowest diversity and richness. A female of Ny. antunesi was PCR-positive for Leishmania guyanensis. Human blood was the most frequent food source detected, mainly in Ev. walkeri and Ny. antunesi. This research showed that the studied parks of Rio Branco can act as foci for the maintenance of Leishmania, and people who frequent these urban areas may be in risk for contracting leishmaniasis.