Presence of Lutzomyia evansi, a vector of American visceral leishmaniasis, in an urban area of the Colombian Caribbean coast.

Artículo digital. ; American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL) is a potentially fatal disease of neotropical countries, chiefly affecting children aged under 5 years, caused by ~ishmania (Leishmanial &a& Cunha & Chapas. which is indisiinguishablk from the ‘Old World’ paiasite Le. (Le.) injuntum Nicolle, of which it may be a synonym. AVL is transmitted to human or other mammalian hosts by the bites of the phlebotomine sandflies Lutzanzyia (Lutzomy&z) Zongt$alpis (Lutz & Neiva) or Lmmnyiu (Lutzomyia) evami (Nufiez-Tovar) (GRIMALDI et al., 1989; TRAVI et al., 1996). Although Lu. longipalpis is the most widespread and important vector of AVL, Lu. evarnsi has been confirmed as a primary vector in rural areas of the Caribbean coast of Colombia and in some areas of Venezuela (AGUIUR et aE., 1995; MONTOYA, 1996; FEIJCLWGELI et al., 19991. While conducting entomological studies in the urbad area of Sincelejo &y (9’ 18’ N. 75” 25’ WI in northern Colombia. we found adults of Lzk. eeransi ih houses and in peridbmiciliary environments. This is the first record of Lu. evansi from an urban area in Colombia. ; American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL) is a potentially fatal disease of neotropical countries, chiefly affecting children aged under 5 years, caused by ~ishmania (Leishmanial &a& Cunha & Chapas. which is indisiinguishablk from the ‘Old World’ paiasite Le. (Le.) injuntum Nicolle, of which it may be a synonym. AVL is transmitted to human or other mammalian hosts by the bites of the phlebotomine sandflies Lutzanzyia (Lutzomy&z) Zongt$alpis (Lutz & Neiva) or Lmmnyiu (Lutzomyia) evami (Nufiez-Tovar) (GRIMALDI et al., 1989; TRAVI et al., 1996). Although Lu. longipalpis is the most widespread and important vector of AVL, Lu. evarnsi has been confirmed as a primary vector in rural areas of the Caribbean coast of Colombia and in some areas of Venezuela (AGUIUR et aE., 1995; MONTOYA, 1996; FEIJCLWGELI et al., 19991. While conducting entomological studies in the urbad area of Sincelejo &y (9’ 18’ N. 75” 25’ WI in northern Colombia. we found adults of Lzk. eeransi ih houses and in peridbmiciliary environments. This is the first record of Lu. evansi from an urban area in Colombia.