Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) gemmea, a potential vector of Leishmania siamensis in southern Thailand

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Background</jats:title> <jats:p>Leishmaniasis, caused by <jats:italic>Leishmania siamensis</jats:italic>, is an emerging disease in Thailand. Although reported cases have been increasing, epidemiological information of the disease including host and vector aspects is not clearly known. This study was a preliminary survey of the potential vector of <jats:italic>L. siamensis</jats:italic> in an affected area of leishmaniasis, Trang Province, southern Thailand.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Methods</jats:title> <jats:p>The collection of sandflies was performed around the area where a case of leishmaniasis was reported using CDC light traps. Species of sandfly were identified based on morphological characteristics according to Lewis’s key. PCR amplification and sequencing of the heat shock protein 70 gene (<jats:italic>hsp</jats:italic>70) was used to identify <jats:italic>L. siamensis</jats:italic> DNA in sandflies.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Results</jats:title> <jats:p>A total of 146 male and female sandflies were collected in the affected areas. Of 71 female sandflies, four species were identified, i.e., <jats:italic>Sergentomyia</jats:italic> (<jats:italic>Neophlebotomus</jats:italic>) <jats:italic>gemmea</jats:italic>, <jats:italic>S.</jats:italic> (<jats:italic>Neophlebotomus</jats:italic>) <jats:italic>iyengari, S. (Parrotomyia) barraudi</jats:italic> and <jats:italic>Phlebotomus (Anaphlebotomus) stantoni</jats:italic>. Among these species, <jats:italic>S.</jats:italic> (<jats:italic>Neophlebotomus</jats:italic>) <jats:italic>gemmea</jats:italic> was the most predominant species in all areas. DNA of <jats:italic>L. siamensis</jats:italic> was identified in <jats:italic>S.</jats:italic> (<jats:italic>Neophlebotomus</jats:italic>) <jats:italic>gemmea.</jats:italic> Nucleotide sequences of PCR products using DNA extracted from <jats:italic>S.</jats:italic> (<jats:italic>Neophlebotomus</jats:italic>) <jats:italic>gemmea</jats:italic> showed 99.8% identity to <jats:italic>L. siamensis.</jats:italic> </jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title> <jats:p> <jats:italic>S.</jats:italic> (<jats:italic>Neophlebotomus</jats:italic>) <jats:italic>gemmea</jats:italic> might be a potential vector of <jats:italic>L. siamensis</jats:italic> in an affected area, Trang Province, southern Thailand. However further studies are needed to prove whether these sandflies can be natural vectors of leishmaniasis.</jats:p> </jats:sec>