Occurrence and genetic variability of Phlebotomus papatasi in an urban area of southern Italy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A phlebotomine sand fly was noticed in the second floor of an old building in a highly urbanized area of southern Italy. A short-term entomological survey was carried out in the subsequent weeks to this event, allowing the collection of additional phlebotomine sand flies that were later identified as Phlebotomus papatasi. We assessed the genetic variability among P. papatasi sequences obtained in this study and those available from Italy using a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) fragment (from cytochrome b gene to NADH1) and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) as genetic markers.

Results

From 9 June to 19 July, eight males and seven females (two blood-fed) of P. papatasi were collected in the old town of Bari (southern Italy). The insects were found near the bed and

SUBMITTER: Dantas-Torres F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2936393 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature