Leishmaniasis in Tuscany (Italy): (I) An Investigation on Phlebotomine Sandflies in Grosseto Province

A survey of phlebotomines has been made in the area of the Province of Grosseto (Tuscany, Italy) where human cases of both visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis have recently occurred. 12 collecting stations, placed around the leishmaniasis foci, were divided into three groups of localities, the Argentario Promontory, coastal plains territory and hilly inland territory. Sandflies were collected with lit and unlit oil traps, and by hand. A total of 11,032 specimens (57% males) were caught and identified. Of these, 86.6% were Phlebotomus perfiliewi, 10.8% P. perniciosus and 2.3% Sergentomyia minuta; only a few specimens were P. papatasi and P. mascittii. In the first group of localities, P. perniciosus was very abundant (87.8%) and S. minuta scarce (12.0%); in the second group, P. perfiliewi was the only species collected; in the third group, P. perfiliewi was very abundant (98.0%), S. minuta was vert scarce (1.1%) and P. perniciosus even more so (0.7%). P. perniciosus is thought to be the probable vector of visceral leishmaniasis in the area of the Monte Argentario and P. perfiliewi is strongly suspected of playing a role in transmission of the cutaneous form in the third group of localities. The species responsible for transmitting visceral leishmaniasis in some of the foci in this area is yet to be found.