The Sandflies of the Satluj river valley, Himachal Pradesh (India): some possible vectors of the parasite causing human cutaneous and visceral leishmaniases in this endemic focus

Background & objectives: The recently recognized endemic focus of leishmaniasis in Satluj rivervalley in Himachal Pradesh (India) lies in north-western Himalayas (30°N, 70°E). This endemicfocus of leishmaniasis appears peculiar where localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) co-existswith visceral leishmaniasis (VL), and Leishmania donovani is predominant pathogen for LCLwhereas only a few cases have been due to Leishmania tropica. This study was carried out to collectsandflies, identify and delineate their habitat and role in transmission of human leishmaniasis inthis endemic focus.Methods: During June 2003 to September 2007, 142 (M–22, F–120) sandflies were collected withaspirators from 10 endemic villages of Kinnaur and Shimla districts.Results & conclusion: Sixty-two of the identified sandflies caught belonged to the genus Phlebotomusspecies, including some species that are known to act as vectors of the parasites causing humanleishmaniasis. The Phlebotomus (Adlerius) chinensis longiductus (Parrot), 1928 (28 sandflies), P.major (8 sandflies), P. (Larroussius) kandelakii burneyi (Lewis), 1967 (8 sandflies) were identified.The identification of the main species of vector sandfly in the region is complicated because it isstill uncertain which Leishmania species cause(s) the local human leishmaniasis. Circumstantiallyit seems likely, however, that Phlebotomus (Adlerius) chinensis longiductus is the main vector.Other species found, such as P. major and P. (Larroussius) kandelakii burneyi, may also be responsiblefor some cases. A more elaborate study is recommended.