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2. Understanding and predicting the geographic distributions of phlebotomine sand flies in and around EuropeDanyang Wang, Anouschka R. Hof, Kevin D. Matson, Frank van Langevelde, Edwin Kniha, Vít Dvořák, Ognyan Mikov, Ivelina Katerinova, Simona Tchakarova, Maria Antoniou, Jorian Prodhomme, Denis Sereno, Vladimir Ivović, Katja Adam, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Climate and land-use changes influence the transmission of vector-borne diseases by affecting the distribution and survival of disease vectors. Numerous diseases are transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae), including leishmaniasis. Several major sand fly-borne diseases are responsible for high global disease burdens and high socio-economic costs. In Europe, over 20 known sand fly vector species are largely confined to the Mediterranean Basin, yet records of sand fly presence further north increase. Global warming is predicted to drive the spread of sand flies to large areas of Europe in the 21th century, an effect likely to be exacerbated by anthropogenic factors. However, the constraints to the geographic distributions of sand flies are not well understood. This study aims to increase the understanding of the drivers of the geographic distributions of sand flies, using species distribution modelling to systematically test links between sand fly occurrences and climatic, land-use, lithological, biodiversity and human population variables in Europe and adjacent Mediterranean regions. We found that moisture is the most important environmental variable both in explaining and in predicting sand fly occurrences. The projected suitable habitats are larger than the current known sand fly distributions, and these habitats are expected to expand due to changes in climate and land-use.
Ključne besede: climate change, land-use, moisture, phlebotomine sand fly, species distribution modelling, suitable habitat
Objavljeno v RUP: 06.11.2025; Ogledov: 330; Prenosov: 8
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3. Recent advances in Phlebotomine sand fly research : a review based on studies presented at ISOPS XIVladimir Ivović, Gioia Bongiorno, Petr Volf, Yara Traub Cseko, Jeffrey Jon Shaw, Dia Elnaiem, Shaden Kamhawi, Eva Iniguez, Carla Maia, Suzana Blesić, 2025, pregledni znanstveni članek Opis: The 11th International Symposium on Phlebotomine Sand flies (ISOPS XI) took place in Portorož, Slovenia, in September 2024 and brought together experts from around the world to discuss recent advances in the biology, ecology and control of phlebotomine sand flies and the pathogens they transmit. This report summarises the key findings of the symposium and is organised thematically by session. Key topics included the development of refined experimental models of Leishmania transmission, new insights into the interactions between vector, parasite and microbiota, and the detection of Leishmania donovani in new geographic regions. Advances in molecular diagnostics and surveillance technologies were emphasised, as were emerging concerns about insecticide resistance. The potential of paratransgenesis and symbiont-based vector control approaches was also emphasised. In a separate session, the CLIMOS project was presented, which integrates climate monitoring, ecological modelling and public health tools to develop an early warning system (EWS) for sand fly-borne diseases. Overall, the contributions to the symposium reflect the dynamic development of sand fly research in response to global environmental change and emphasise the importance of international collaboration in combating emerging vector-borne diseases.
Ključne besede: Phlebotomine sand flies, vector competence, surveillance, climate change, taxonomy, ISOPS
Objavljeno v RUP: 30.10.2025; Ogledov: 270; Prenosov: 4
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4. Reconstructing the post-glacial spread of the sand fly Phlebotomus mascittii Grassi, 1908 (Diptera: Psychodidae) in EuropeEdwin Kniha, Vít Dvořák, Stephan Koblmüller, Jorian Prudhomme, Vladimir Ivović, Ina Hoxha, Sandra Oerther, Anna Heitmann, Renke Lühken, Anne-Laure Bañuls, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Phlebotominae) are the principal vectors of Leishmania spp. (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae). In Central Europe, Phlebotomus mascittii is the predominant species, but largely understudied. To better understand factors driving its current distribution, we infer patterns of genetic diversity by testing for signals of population expansion based on two mitochondrial genes and model current and past climate and habitat suitability for seven post-glacial maximum periods, taking 19 climatic variables into account. Consequently, we elucidate their connections by environmental-geographical network analysis. Most analyzed populations share a main haplotype tracing back to a single glacial maximum refuge area on the Mediterranean coasts of South France, which is supported by network analysis. The rapid range expansion of Ph. mascittii likely started in the early mid-Holocene epoch until today and its spread possibly followed two routes. The first one was through northern France to Germany and then Belgium, and the second across the Ligurian coast through present-day Slovenia to Austria, toward the northern Balkans. Here we present a combined approach to reveal glacial refugia and post-glacial spread of Ph. mascittii and observed discrepancies between the modelled and the current known distribution might reveal yet overlooked populations and potential further spread.
Ključne besede: Phlebotomus mascittii, modeling, Europe
Objavljeno v RUP: 06.10.2025; Ogledov: 270; Prenosov: 5
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5. First molecular evidence of Leishmania parasites in sand flies (Diptera: Phlebotominae) from SloveniaGioia Bongiorno, Katja Adam, Ilaria Bernardini, Claudia Mangiapelo, Eleonora Fiorentino, Trentina Di Muccio, Vladimir Ivović, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Background Sand flies (Diptera: Phlebotominae) are vectors of Leishmania spp., protozoan parasites that cause leish- maniasis, a zoonosis endemic in the Mediterranean region. Although Slovenia is not considered endemic, its proximity to affected areas and the presence of competent vectors underscore the importance of entomological surveillance. As part of the CLIMOS project, we investigated sand fly species composition, seasonal abundance, and the presence of Leishmania parasites at two sites in southwestern Slovenia: Cetore and Velike Žablje. Methods From May to October 2023, adult sand flies were collected using Centers for Disease Control and Preven- tion (CDC) miniature light traps. Specimens were morphologically identified and screened for Leishmania spp. DNA using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeted kinetoplast DNA, followed by species confirmation with ITS-1 nested PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Results A total of 274 sand flies were collected, predominantly Phlebotomus neglectus, P. perniciosus, and P. mascittii. Abundance peaked in July in Cetore and August in Velike Žablje, likely reflecting local climatic differences. Among 25 pools of female sand flies analyzed, Leishmania DNA was detected in three pools (12.0%), specifically in P. neglectus and P. mascittii. The cycle threshold values (Ct 35–37) indicated low parasite DNA loads. ITS-1 amplification was unsuc- cessful, likely due to low DNA concentration. Conclusions This study provides the first molecular evidence of Leishmania DNA in sand flies from Slovenia. The detection of Leishmania in P. mascittii, a species with uncertain vector competence, is particularly noteworthy and warrants further investigation. Although species identification of the parasite was not possible, the findings suggest potential for autochthonous transmission and highlight the need for continued surveillance and research in the region.
Ključne besede: sand flies, Leishmania, Slovenia, vector surveillance, seasonality
Objavljeno v RUP: 28.08.2025; Ogledov: 497; Prenosov: 4
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6. Variations in the population structure of Phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in relation to the presence of potential dog hostsVladimir Ivović, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: The seasonal and circadian population dynamics of Phlebotomine sandflies depend on many environmental factors, especially temperature and humidity. However, the factors that influence fluctuations in species composition are more uncertain. During the regular monitoring of arthropod vectors in the Slovenian coastal region, an interesting change in the population dynamics of these insects was observed, depending on the presence or absence of domestic dogs. To investigate the changes in species composition, we set traps for adult flies at two different locations (Medljan and Cetore) in the Coastal-Karst region (Izola, Slovenia). The collections were carried out in June and July 2017 and 2018. In total, 632 specimens of four species (Phlebotomus papatasi, P. neglectus, P. perniciosus and P. mascittii) were collected in the study area in both years. The females of all sandfly species were examined for the presence of Leishmania parasites in both years, but no Leishmania DNA was detected. The relocation of hunting dogs as potential reservoir hosts from Cetore to another location in early 2018 significantly changed the species composition of the sandflies. Two species, P. neglectus and P. perniciosus, were no longer present at this site. Changes in the species composition and population dynamics of phlebotomine sandflies are probably related to the presence or absence of the Leishmania reservoir host.
Ključne besede: Phlebotomine sandflies, population dynamics, dogs
Objavljeno v RUP: 07.08.2025; Ogledov: 397; Prenosov: 3
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7. Whole genome sequencing and identification of a new subtype of Borrelia lusitaniae from Ixodes ricinus tick in SloveniaKatja Strašek Smrdel, Andraž Celar Šturm, Alenka Babič, Vladimir Ivović, Eva Ružić-Sabljić, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Background Vector-borne diseases are becoming increasingly important in public health. The incidence of Lyme borreliosis in Slovenia continues to rise. Therefore, screening the prevalence of Borrelia spp. in vectors and their hosts is very important. Rarely, but still, it is possible to discover new species or subtypes in a new region. Methods As part of a master’s thesis, a study group collected ticks in a coastal area of Slovenia. The ticks were incubated in an MKP medium for a possible Borrelia culture. Borrelia DNA was extracted from positive cultures. We performed classical molecular genotyping methods to complement whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis. Results Using classical genotyping, we confirmed previously undetected Borrelia species in a Slovenian tick, Borrelia lusitanie. Using large restriction fragment polymorphisms (LRFP) with the enzyme MluI, we were able to detect a new LRFP subtype of Borrelia lusitanie, namely Mll3. Using WGS, we identified a new MLST type (ST-1154) and reconstructed five linear plasmids (lp17, lp25, lp28–8, lp54 and lp56+38) and two circular plasmids (cp26 and cp32–11+1). Conclusion Regular screening of vectors and their hosts for the presence of Borrelia pathogens is important to detect the spread of different species in new areas. When reconstructing Borrelia plasmids, it is very important to apply different assembly methods and to critically analyse the results in order to select suitable contigs for further trimming and to successfully generate a complete consensus genome of high quality from hybrid read data.
Ključne besede: Slovenia, Borrelia lusitaniae, tick, Ixodes ricinus, WGS, plasmid analysis
Objavljeno v RUP: 05.08.2025; Ogledov: 470; Prenosov: 2
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8. Spatial distribution of Ixodes ricinus in forest habitats : a comparative study of the northern and southern slopes of Mount Slavnik, SloveniaJure Jugovic, Alenka Babič, Ana Kuhelj, Vladimir Ivović, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: While previous studies have examined the elevational limits of Ixodes ricinus in Central Europe, this study is the first to investigate the influence of slope orientation on tick distribution in Slovenia. Our results provide new insights into how two important microclimatic factors, temperature and humidity, vary between the northern and south- ern slopes, and how these differences affect the abundance of I. ricinus, a factor that has not been studied in this region before. We found that nymph density was highest on the southern slope at intermediate elevations (720 m) and increased with temperature. In contrast, fewer adult ticks were found on the southern slope compared to the northern slope, most of them at 720 m elevations. The significantly higher abundance of adult ticks on the northern slope is probably related to the cooler temperatures, higher relative humidity, denser ground vegetation and greater availability of hosts such as roe deer. Although these results are regionally specific, they contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the ecological factors influencing the distribution of I. ricinus in Central Europe.
Ključne besede: tick, elevational distribution, slope orientation, temperature, relative humidity
Objavljeno v RUP: 05.08.2025; Ogledov: 406; Prenosov: 5
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9. Monitoring of sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) and pathogen screening in Slovenia with habitat suitability modelingVladimir Ivović, Peter Glasnović, Sara Zupan, Tea Knapič, Tomi Trilar, Miša Korva, Nataša Knap, Urška Glinšek Biškup, Tatjana Avšič-Županc, Katja Adam, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) are important vectors of pathogens, including Leishmania parasites and phleboviruses, but their distribution and seasonal activity in Slovenia have not been sufficiently studied. This study presents a comprehensive three-year (2020–2022) surveillance programme aimed at assessing the diversity of sandfly species, their distribution, seasonal dynamics and potential role as vectors of pathogens. A total of 1,240 sandflies were collected at 43 sampling sites across Slovenia, identifying Phlebotomus papatasi, P. neglectus, P. perniciosus and P. mascittii. The highest abundance and species diversity were observed in the Mediterranean and Karst regions. Seasonal activity peaked in July, with population fluctuations influenced by climatic conditions. Molecular analyses for Leishmania parasites and phleboviruses showed no positive results, indicating a low prevalence of pathogens in the sampled populations. Predictive habitat models indicate that environmental factors, particularly temperature and precipitation, play a decisive role in the spread of sandflies. While P. mascittii has the largest ecological range, its vector competence remains uncertain. The results provide important insights into the ecology of sandflies in Slovenia and emphasize the need for continuous surveillance in the context of climate change and emerging vector-borne disease risks.
Ključne besede: sandflies, monitoring, distribution, modeling, Slovenia
Objavljeno v RUP: 04.08.2025; Ogledov: 561; Prenosov: 7
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