Absence of phlebotominae sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) and allochthonous canine leishmaniasis cases in the Santa Catarina Plateau, Brazil

Abstract Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by Leishmania spp., transmitted to hosts through the bite of female phlebotomine sandflies, with domestic dogs serving as reservoirs for the disease. Understanding the entomofauna is crucial for effective control of vector-borne diseases, such as leishmaniasis, because various environmental and climatic factors can influence sandfly presence and distribution. This study aimed to conduct a quantitative and qualitative survey of the entomofauna in urban and peri-urban areas of Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil, and to analyze documented cases of canine leishmaniasis in the city, in response to the rising number of non-autochthonous cases in dogs. The lack of prior studies on this fauna in the municipality raises concerns for public health services. Nine areas were monitored over the course of one year, and clinical and epidemiological records of canine leishmaniasis in the city were analyzed. A total of 10,638 insects were collected, with no phlebotomine sandflies identified. All evaluated cases of canine leishmaniasis were classified as non-autochthonous based on the movement history of these animals and the absence of the disease vector in the municipality. This information may guide further control and prevention measures for leishmaniasis in the region, aligned with a One Health perspective.