Status of Probable Vectors of Visceral Leishmaniosis in Endemic Focus of Kalibar County in East Azerbaijan, Iran in 1998.

Visceral Leishmaniosis cases (Kala-Azar) have been increased in borderline of Iran and Republic of Azerbaijan in recent years. There were no practical information on the causes and vectors of this disease in the region. This study was designated in order to focus on various aspects of the vectors including; fauna, seasonal activity, host preference, collecting methods as well as infection of the vectors with the parasite.Using sticky traps, CDC light traps and direct collections, it was found that the following species are present in the region: Ph. perfiliewi, Ph. sergenti, Ph. papatasi, Ph. tohbi, Ph. major, Ph. halepnsis, Ph. alexandri, Ph. balcanicus, Ph. longidactus, Ph. kandelakaii, Ph. ansarii, Ph. Brevis and Ph. wenyoni. The above mentioned sandflies systematically belong to the genus of phlebotomus. Four species including Sergentomyia powloskyi, S. dentata, S. sintoni and S. squamipleuris have been added to the fauna which are categorized in Sergentomyia genus. It was found that the light trap is more efficient than the sticky traps for the female adult collection.The field results exhibited that Ph. perfiliewi is a dominant vector in the area. They are active from Mid-June to Late-September and their peak of activity occurs in August.Anthropophilicity and zoophilicity indices employing ELIZA test revealed that 24.07% were positive with the human and only 4.7(Yr, with the dog anticerurn, indicating the human hlood preference of the main vector. Dissection of 51 specimens of semi and blood-teed Ph. Perfiliewi resulted in no infection with the parasite.