Comparative Testing of Susceptibility Levels of Phlebotomus sergenti, the Main Vector of Anthroponotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, to Conventional Insecticides Using Two Capture Methods in Kerman City, Southeastern Iran

Yavar Rassi; Shahla Ebrahimi; Mohammad Reza Abai; Hassan Vatandoost; Amir Ahmad  Akhavan; Abass  Aghaie Afshar

doi:10.18502/jad.v15i1.6488

Yavar Rassi Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Shahla Ebrahimi Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Reza Abai Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Hassan Vatandoost Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Amir Ahmad Akhavan Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abass Aghaie Afshar Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jad.v15i1.6488

Keywords: Phlebotomus sergenti; Susceptibility; Insecticides; Baited traps; Hand catch

Abstract

Background: Collecting live sand flies from indoor sites is a major challenge for researchers in large cities due to the reluctance of families to survey their homes. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of two methods for col-lecting sand flies for use in susceptibility tests in the urban area of Kerman, southeastern Iran.

Methods: Sandflies were mainly collected using both baited traps and hand catch methods from outdoor and indoor sites. Susceptibility tests were separately done according to the standard World Health Organization testing protocol on Phlebotomus sergenti, including 60-minute exposure to DDT 4.0%, propoxur 0.1%, deltamethrin 0.05%, and malathion 5.0%.

Results: During this research, the natural habitats and suitable indoor sites were selected to predict the density of live sand fly with perfect accuracy. The number of live Ph. sergenti caught by hand catch and baited traps methods was 42 and 361 in indoor and outdoor sites, respectively. The mortality rate of Ph. sergenti exposed to DDT 4%, deltamethrin 0.05, malathion 5%, and propoxur was 100%.

Conclusion: The baited traps showed a significant efficiency compared to hand catch for collecting live Ph. sergenti for use in susceptibility tests in urban areas. The Ph. sergenti collected from both indoor and outdoor sites were susceptible to all insecticides.