Journal of Medical Entomology (2012) 49, 967-970

V. Seblova, J. Sadlova, S. Carpenter and P. Volf (2012)
Development of Leishmania parasites in Culicoides nubeculosus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) and implications for screening vector competence
Journal of Medical Entomology 49 (5), 967-970
Abstract: Biting midges of the genus Forcipomyia (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) have recently been implicated as vectors of kinetoplastid parasites in the Leishmania enrietti complex. This study assesses susceptibility of one of the few successfully colonized Ceratopogonidae, Culicoides nubeculosus Meigen, to infection with Leishmania parasites infecting humans. While Leishmania infantum initially developed in the midgut of C. nubeculosus until 2 d postfeeding, parasite populations on day 3 were considerably reduced. Despite this, a polymerase chain reaction-based assay continued to indicate presence of L. infantum for up to 7 d after the bloodmeal. These findings are discussed within the wider context of implicating arthropods as vectors of Leishmania and it is suggested that conventional polymerase chain reaction use in vector-competence studies should be accompanied by direct microscopical observations.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Petr Volf

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Culicoides nubeculosus