Insecticide Susceptibility Status of Wild Population of and Collected from Visceral Leishmaniasis Endemic Foci in Northwestern Iran.

BACKGROUND

and sand flies are the vectors of visceral leishmaniasis in Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility of and , collected from an endemic focus of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the northwest of Iran, to different selected insecticides.

METHODS

Sand flies were collected from the villages of Meshkinshahr and Germi Counties using light traps and aspirators from May to October 2019. The sand flies were identified as and using standard identification keys. Susceptibility test was carried out against DDT (4%), Malathion (5%), Propoxur (0.1%) and Lambda-cyhalothrin (0.05%) according to the WHO standard method. MedCalc statistical software was employed to calculate LT and LT and to compare the chances of sand flies surviving the exposure to the studied insecticides.

RESULTS

A total of 1,278 female specimens were used for the susceptibility tests. Out of which 1,063 samples were used for the test and 215 for the control group. The estimated LT values for DDT (4%), Malathion (5%), Propoxur (0.1%), and Lambda-cyhalothrin (0.05%) for were 15.1, 13.4, 15.4 and 5.8 minutes respectively, and for were 11.9, 15.6, 15.9 and 5.8 minutes respectively.

CONCLUSION

This susceptibility studies revealed different LT values for different insecticides efficient against and . The regular monitoring for the resistance of and sand flies seems necessary in diseases control programs in this area.