Investigation of the bacterial communities associated with females of Lutzomyia sand fly species from South America.

ABSTRACT: Phlebotomine sand flies are vectors of Leishmania that are acquired by the female sand fly during blood feeding on an infected mammal. Leishmania parasites develop exclusively in the gut lumen during their residence in the insect before transmission to a suitable host during the next blood feed. Female phlebotomine sand flies are blood feeding insects but their life style of visiting plants as well as animals, and the propensity for larvae to feed on detritus including animal faeces means that the insect host and parasite are exposed to a range of microorganisms. Thus, the sand fly microbiota may interact with the developing Leishmania population in the gut. The aim of the study was to investigate and identify the bacterial diversity associated with wild adult female Lutzomyia sand flies f

SUBMITTER: Sant'Anna MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3411800 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature