Eco-epidemiological study on sandflies and environmental aspects related to the transmission of leishmaniasis in a municipality of Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2015-2016

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate Leishmania vectors and investigate the environmental and climatic characteristics related to their transmission. This was a prospective eco-epidemiological study involving the systematic collection of sandflies and a canine serological survey in areas of municipality in Brazil. Blood samples from 1,752 dogs were examined to test for canine visceral leishmaniasis (VL). An entomological evaluation was carried out using 24 light traps in the peridomicile and intradomicile areas of 12 households for 12 months. Climate variables were analyzed using a simple Spearman correlation and a spatial analysis via the fuzzy logic method and K function. The prevalence rate of canine VL was 4.1% and 7.1% in the two areas that were studied, respectively. The entomological study resulted in the capture of 431 sandflies. Most (74%) of the specimens were captured in the peridomiciliary area, and 5.6% of the samples that were analyzed using molecular biology were positive for Leishmania spp. In particular, Leishmania infantum was found in 100% of the positive samples. The spatial analysis showed that one particular area presented a higher concentration of high-density overlapping points of Lutzomyia longipalpis and seropositive dog populations, indicating a higher risk of the concomitant occurrence of both events. The results show that a parasite-reservoir-vector interface is active in the studied areas.