Epidemiological Studies on Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Domestic and Peridomestic Sandfly Fauna

Abstract

Sandflies were caught in CDC light traps at 2 sites in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, during 1986 and the early part of 1987. One site (Itaipu) was peridomestic in character, while the other (Rio Bonito) was rural. Traps were set in chicken houses, horse and pig shelters and catches were also made directly on these animals. Catches were also made on the walls of human dwellings and from the inhabitants of these houses. Catches were made at 18.00-21.00 h (occasionally at 18.00-06.00 h). A total of 2918 specimens of 10 species was obtained. Of these, 471 females were dissected and examined for Leishmania infection (444 Lutzomyia intermedia, 25 L. migonei and 2 L. fischeri). The dissected flies were all caught in houses where cutaneous leishmaniasis had been diagnosed: none were infected with Leishmania spp.