GIS-based survey on bionomics of sand flies in Fars province, southern Iran, during 2012 to 2014

Background: About 100 species of sand flies are known as probable or proven vectors of human leishmaniases in the worldwide. Phlebotomus and Sergentomya species transmit the parasite through different mammalian and reptile hosts. Iranian sand flies belong to three regions of the Afrotropical, the Oriental, and the Palearctic zones.Objectives: Due to the high incidence of leishmaniasis in Fars province, comprehensive study was required on vectors of the disease in this province.Materials and Methods: Based on environmental factors, the de martonne climate method was used and climate was considered as an important environmental factors for determination of vector distribution. Therefore, 14 sample sites were finally selected from 10 foci in the plain and mountainous areas of Fars province.Results: A total of 19648 sand flies were collected from different villages of the studied areas in this province during 2012 to 2014. Phlebotomus papatasi and Sergentomyia antennata were the most common species which were caught from in/out door areas. However, some species of Phlebotomus and/or Sergentomyia were restricted to the Palearctic or the Oriental zones.Conclusion: Because of wide distribution of Phlebotomine sand flies, GIS tools were very useful to identify endemic vectors of CL in the studied areas. Moreover, the information of the present study would help better controlling of various leishmaniases in other similar areas.

Keywords:

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis , Sand flies , Phlebotomus papatasi , Geographic Information System