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First experimental assessment of Phlebotomus mascittii vector competence for Leishmania infantum and Leishmania martiniquensis
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First experimental assessment of Phlebotomus mascittii vector competence for Leishmania infantum and Leishmania martiniquensis
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Journal Article
First experimental assessment of Phlebotomus mascittii vector competence for Leishmania infantum and Leishmania martiniquensis
2026
Overview
Background
Phlebotomus mascittii
is one of the most widespread but least studied sand fly species in Europe, occurring from Mediterranean to Central European regions. Despite its broad distribution, its potential role in
Leishmania
transmission remains unknown, mainly due to the lack of laboratory colonies. This study provides the first experimental assessment of the vector competence of
P. mascittii
for
Leishmania infantum
and
Leishmania martiniquensis
.
Methods
Wild-caught
P. mascittii
females from Styria, Austria, were experimentally infected using membrane feeding with blood containing
L. infantum
and
L. martiniquensis
isolates of different geographical origins. Infections were evaluated 7 days post-blood meal (PBM) by microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Morphological forms of
L. infantum
were quantified and compared with infections in
Phlebotomus perniciosus
, a known competent vector.
Results
Fifteen (94% of dissected)
P. mascittii
females developed
L. infantum
infections, all showing colonization of the stomodeal valve, whereas
L. martiniquensis
failed to establish infection. Infection patterns and parasite localization closely resembled those in
P. perniciosus
. Morphometric analysis revealed a significantly higher proportion of metacyclic and leptomonad forms and fewer nectomonads in
P. mascittii
than in
P. perniciosus
.
Conclusions
Our findings demonstrate that
P. mascittii
supports full development of
L. infantum
to the transmissible metacyclic stage and colonization of the stomodeal valve, confirming its potential vector competence. This study provides the first experimental evidence on
P. mascittii
vectorial competence and highlights its epidemiological relevance in Europe.
Graphical Abstract
Publisher
BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
Subject
/ Animals
/ Austria
/ Biomedical and Life Sciences
/ Blood
/ Europe
/ Female
/ Females
/ Insect Vectors - parasitology
/ Leishmania - isolation & purification
/ Leishmania infantum - isolation & purification
/ Leishmania infantum - physiology
/ Leishmaniasis, Visceral - transmission
/ Protozoa
/ species
/ Valves
/ Veterinary Medicine/Veterinary Science
/ Virology
