Hosts of Lutzomyia shannoni (Diptera: Psychodidae) in relation to vesicular stomatitis virus on Ossabaw Island, Georgia, U.S.A.
Abstract: Hosts of Lutzomyia shannoni Dyar, a suspected biological vector of the New Jersey serotype of vesicular stomatitis (VSNJ) virus, were determined using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of 333 blood-fed female sandflies collected from their diurnal resting shelters on Ossabaw Island, Georgia, U.S.A. Sandflies had fed primarily on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) (81%) and to a lesser extent on feral swine (Sus scrofa) (16%), two species of host infected annually with VSNJ. Other hosts were raccoons (Procyon lotor) and horses (Equus caballus) or donkeys (E. asinus), with only two (< 1%) mixed bloodmeals from deer/raccoon and deer/swine. A larger proportion of feedings on feral swine was detected in maritime live oak forests than in mixed hardwood forests. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that L.shannoni is a primary vector of VSNJ virus on Ossabaw Island.
Publication Date: 1994-10-01 PubMed ID: 7841487DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2915.1994.tb00096.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
Summary
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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.
Cite This Article
APA
Comer JA, Irby WS, Kavanaugh DM.
(1994).
Hosts of Lutzomyia shannoni (Diptera: Psychodidae) in relation to vesicular stomatitis virus on Ossabaw Island, Georgia, U.S.A.
Med Vet Entomol, 8(4), 325-330.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2915.1994.tb00096.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens 30602.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Wild
- Deer / parasitology
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Female
- Georgia
- Horses / parasitology
- Insect Vectors
- Psychodidae / physiology
- Psychodidae / virology
- Raccoons / parasitology
- Swine / parasitology
- Vesiculovirus / isolation & purification
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- DeWinter S, Nichol GK, Fernandez-Prada C, Greer AL, Weese JS, Clow KM. Assessing current and future areas of ecological suitability for Lutzomyia shannoni in North America. Parasit Vectors 2025 Apr 25;18(1):154.
- D'Agostino ERR, Vivero R, Romero L, Bejarano E, Hurlbert AH, Comeault AA, Matute DR. Phylogenetic climatic niche conservatism in sandflies (Diptera: Phlebotominae) and their relatives. Evolution 2022 Oct;76(10):2361-2374.
- Boggiatto PM, Gibson-Corley KN, Metz K, Gallup JM, Hostetter JM, Mullin K, Petersen CA. Transplacental transmission of Leishmania infantum as a means for continued disease incidence in North America. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2011 Apr 12;5(4):e1019.
- Petersen CA. New means of canine leishmaniasis transmission in north america: the possibility of transmission to humans still unknown. Interdiscip Perspect Infect Dis 2009;2009:802712.
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