engleski

Outspread of leishmaniasis and its potential vectors in South-East Europe.

The distribution of vector-borne re-emerging parasitic diseases, including currently neglected leishmaniasis, is influenced by factors linked to both human activity and climatic changes. Although in the Mediterranean region leishmaniasis is generally associated with Leishmania infantum, new species, such as L. donovani and L. tropica, may colonize European sand fly vectors. Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) are exclusive vectors of Leishmania spp., and have been shown to carry and transmit other zoonoses. The region of South-East Europe hosts the richest number of sand fly species in the Mediterranean, currently about 15 recorded. Some, including Phlebotomus neglectus, P. tobbi and P. sergenti, are confirmed vectors of L. infantum, and others are very likely to turn out to be. Generally, most species belonging to the subgenus Larroussius are potential vectors, and evidently due to rapid climatic changes, two of these (P. kandelakii and P. neglectus) are showing rapid aerial expansion. In 2003, the westernmost point of the range of P. kandelakii was Montenegro while in 2008, we have collected it further to the west, at the coast of Croatia (Krk island). A yet more important vector, P. neglectus, regularly situated in the Balkans, has recently been found near Budapest (Hungary). Changes in the environment and migrations which lead to changes in the range and densities of the vector and reservoir populations, result in increased human exposure to infected sand flies, and a subsequent reemergence of leishmaniasis and other vector-borne diseases may be expected.

leishmania; vectors; phlebotominae

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