Journal of Vector Ecology (2005) 30, 115-118

Mohammad R. Yaghoobi-Ershadi, Amir A. Akhavan, Ali R. Zahraei-Ramazani, Ali R. Jalali-Zand and Norair Piazak (2005)
Bionomics of Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae) in an endemic focus of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in central Iran
Journal of Vector Ecology 30 (1), 115-118
Abstract: Following an epidemiological survey of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) in several villages of Badrood, a rural district north of the city of Natanz, central Iran, Phlebotomus (Phlebotomus) papatasi Scopoli were found to be naturally infected with Leishmania (Leishmania) major zymodeme MON-26. Sand flies were collected and dissected biweekly from rodent burrows from May to October 2001. Leptomonad infection rates varied between 6.7% and 22.0%, being greatest in September, coinciding with peak activity of P. papatasi, two-three months before the highest incidence of ZCL human cases in November-December. The leptomonad infection rate was 1.1% of the 94 P. papatasi captured indoors. In ELISA testing of 520 P. papatasi blood meals during Sept. 2001 and Aug. 2002, the proportion giving positive reactions for human, sheep, cow, goat, rodent, and bird were 31.2%, 69.6%, 63%, 38.8%, 24.7%, and 21.8%, respectively. This report thus incriminates P. papatasi as the vector of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in this part of Iran.
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Database assignments for author(s): Mohammad Reza Yaghoobi-Ershadi

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
surveys/sampling/distribution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Phlebotomus papatasi		Iran