Metagenomic Analyses of Gut Bacteria of Two Sandfly Species from Western Ghats, India, Differing in Their Vector Competence for Leishmaniasis.

ABSTRACT: Phlebotomine sandflies are the primary vectors of Leishmania parasites, the causative agents of leishmaniasis. In India, Phlebotomus argentipes is the confirmed vector of Leishmania donovani. The sandfly gut microbiota plays a crucial role in Leishmania development and transmission, yet it remains largely understudied. This study used a metagenomic approach targeting the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene to compare the gut bacterial communities of P. argentipes and Sergentomyia babu prevalent in Kerala. A total of 18 distinct bacterial phyla were identified in P. argentipes, and 14 in S. babu, both dominated by Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes. A total of 315 genera were identified in P. argentipe

SUBMITTER: Tom A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12300672 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature