Hosts of Lutzomyia shannoni (Diptera: Psychodidae) in relation to vesicular stomatitis virus on Ossabaw Island, Georgia, U.S.A.

This research study explores the hosts of the Lutzomyia shannoni sandfly, which is considered a probable carrier of the New Jersey serotype of the vesicular stomatitis virus, focusing on the specimen obtained from Ossabaw Island, Georgia, USA. The main findings underscore deer and feral pigs as the most common feeding sources for these sandflies, with the distribution appearing dependent on the type of forest habitat.

Methodology and Primary Findings

• The researchers identified the sources of blood meals for a specific sandfly species, Lutzomyia shannoni Dyar, by using a scientific technique known as an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
• A total of 333 gravid female sandflies from their daytime resting sites on Ossabaw Island in Georgia, USA, were sampled for this study.
• The evidence showed that the sandflies had mainly fed on white-tailed deer (81%), and to a lesser extent on wild pigs (16%). These animal species are noted as being hosts annually infected with the New Jersey serotype of the vesicular stomatitis (VSNJ) virus.

Secondary Findings and Hypothesis

• Besides deer and swines, the researchers also identified other hosts like raccoons, horses and donkeys, with less than 1% of mixed blood meals coming from combinations of these animals.
• The analysis also suggested that the uptake of blood meals from wild pigs was higher in maritime live oak forests as compared to mixed hardwood forests.
• These revelations are concurrent with the hypothesis of the study stating that L. shannoni could be a main vector of the VSNJ virus on Ossabaw Island.

Implications of the Study

• Through a comprehensive analysis of the sandflies’ feeding patterns and the prevalence of Vesicular stomatitis virus in their host animals, the study advances our understanding of the behavior and disease transmission pathways of Lutzomyia shannoni.
• The research findings could potentially inform control strategies for the spread of vesicular stomatitis virus in susceptible animal populations, by targeting specific habitats and host species to curb the proliferation of the Lutzomyia shannoni sandfly.