1. 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: 313; Prenosov: 4
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2. 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: 546; Prenosov: 4
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3. Re-emergence of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Greek island of CreteVasiliki Christodoulou, Maria Antoniou, Pantelis Ntais, Ippokratis Messaritakis, Vladimir Ivović, Jean-Pierre Dedet, Francine Pratlong, Vít Dvořák, Yiannis Tselentis, 2012, izvirni znanstveni članek Ključne besede: Leishmania tropica MON-300, L. infantum, Phlebotomine sand flies, Crete
Objavljeno v RUP: 15.10.2015; Ogledov: 4059; Prenosov: 120
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