Host preference pattern of phlebotomine sandflies of Borkhar rural district, Isfahan province, Iran.

Blood meals from 400 engorged Phlebotomine sandflies belonging to three species collected in 6 villages from Borkhar rural district were identified by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Out of 388 blood meals of Phlebotomus papatasi 29.6-44.6% were human blood, 8.4% dogs' blood and 0.6% cows' blood, indicating a strong preference for man. Double blood meals of human-dog and human-cow were observed in 0.9% and 3.08% P. papatasi respectively. Phlebotomus caucasicus was relatively anthropophilic and the human blood index in this species was 20%. Sergentomyia sintoni was negative for man and cow blood. Phlebotomus papatasi appears to be predominantly anthropophilic and makes the central part of Iran an area of high risk for leishmaniasis.