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Leishmania in Kenyan Phlebotomine Sandflies—III

Advances in the Investigations of Vectorial Capacity and Vector-Parasite Relationships of Various Species of Sandflies in Kenya

  • Special Section Leishmaniasis Epidemiology
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Abstract

The paper reviews advances in our understanding of the vectorial capacity and vector-parasite relationship in Kenyan sandflies since the early 1900s (when sandflies were first reported in Kenya). Of the 38 species of sandflies known to occur in Kenya to date, three (Phlebotomus pedifer, P. martini and P. duboscqi) can naturally carry biochemically and serologically confirmed Leishmania (aethiopica, donovani and major, respectively) and 12 (Phlebotomus rhodhaini, Sergentomyia garnhami, S. squamipleuris, S. africanus, S. kirki, S. ingrami, S. antennatus, S. bedfordi, S. schwetzi, S. affinis, S. graingeri and S. clydei) carry various flagellates of biochemically or serologically unknown character.

Current research on naturally infected wild-caught sandflies indicates that L. aethiopica promastigotes have close association with structures resembling a peritrophic membrane and invade P. pedifer gut cells. Promastigotes invade the malpighian tubules of S. garnhami and S. antennatus.

Studies on laboratory-reared sandflies show that P. martini is susceptible to L. donovani amastigotes and that cultured promastigotes of L. donovani can survive in the guts of S. schwetzi, S. ingrami and S. adleri.

Experimental infection of sandflies with Leishmania is discussed and priorities for laboratory work set.

Résumé

Cette étude est portée sur le progrès faite dans la comprehension des rapports entre vecteurs et parasites et sur la capacité vectorielle des phlébotomes Kenyans depuis le début du 19ème siècle (première decouverte des phlébotomes au Kénya).

Sur les 38 espèces de phlébotomes existant au Kenya à l’heure actuelle, trois espèces (Phlébotomus pedifer, P. martini et P. duboscqi) sont porteuses respectivement de Leishmania aethopica, L. donovani et L. major; ceci est confirmé par analyses biochimiques et sérologiques, et 12 autres espèces (P. rhodhiani, Sergentomyia garnhami, S. squamipleuris, S. africanus, S. kirki, S. ingrami, S. antennatus, S. bedfordi, S. schwetzi, S. affinis, S. graingeri et S. clydei) sont porteuses de différentes flagelles dont les caratéristiques biochimiques et sérologiques sont encore inconnues.

La recherche actuelle sur les phlébotomes capturés, à l’état sauvage et naturellement infectés, démontre que les promastigotes L. aethiopica ont des structures semblables à une membrane péritrophique et qu’ils envahissent les noyaux céllulaires des P. pédifer. Les promastigotes envahissent les tubules malpighiennes des S. garnhami et S. antennatus.

Des études sur les phlébotomes élevés en laboratoire montrent que le P. martini est sensible aux amastigotes L. donovani et que les promastigotes cultivés de L. donovani peuvent survivre dans les noyaux céllulaires de S. schwetzi, S. ingrami, et S. adleri.

L’infection expérimentale des phlébotomes avec les Leishmania est discutée et des priorités pour la recherche en laboratoire sont proposées.

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  1. International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya

    John B. Kaddu

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Kaddu, J.B. Leishmania in Kenyan Phlebotomine Sandflies—III. Int J Trop Insect Sci 7, 207–212 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400008973

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400008973

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