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Background <p><i>Phlebotomus mascittii</i> is one of the most widespread but least studied sand fly species in Europe, occurring from Mediterranean to Central European regions. Despite its broad distribution, its potential role in <i>Leishmania</i> transmission remains unknown, mainly due to the lack of laboratory colonies. This study provides the first experimental assessment of the vector competence of <i>P. mascittii</i> for <i>Leishmania infantum</i> and <i>Leishmania martiniquensis</i>.</p> Methods <p>Wild-caught <i>P. mascittii</i> females from Styria, Austria, were experimentally infected using membrane feeding with blood containing <i>L. infantum</i> and <i>L. martiniquensis</i> isolates of different geographical origins. Infections were evaluated 7 days post-blood meal (PBM) by microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Morphological forms of <i>L. infantum</i> were quantified and compared with infections in <i>Phlebotomus perniciosus</i>, a known competent vector.</p> Results <p>Fifteen (94% of dissected) <i>P. mascittii</i> females developed <i>L. infantum</i> infections, all showing colonization of the stomodeal valve, whereas <i>L. martiniquensis</i> failed to establish infection. Infection patterns and parasite localization closely resembled those in <i>P. perniciosus</i>. Morphometric analysis revealed a significantly higher proportion of metacyclic and leptomonad forms and fewer nectomonads in <i>P. mascittii</i> than in <i>P. perniciosus</i>.</p> Conclusions <p>Our findings demonstrate that <i>P. mascittii</i> supports full development of <i>L. infantum</i> to the transmissible metacyclic stage and colonization of the stomodeal valve, confirming its potential vector competence. This study provides the first experimental evidence on <i>P. mascittii</i> vectorial competence and highlights its epidemiological relevance in Europe.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

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First experimental assessment of Phlebotomus mascittii vector competence for Leishmania infantum and Leishmania martiniquensis

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月21日

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  • Jovana Sadlova,
  • Anna Hoskova,
  • Katharina Platzgummer,
  • Edwin Kniha,
  • Tomas Becvar,
  • Petr Volf,
  • Vit Dvorak

摘要

Background

Phlebotomus mascittii is one of the most widespread but least studied sand fly species in Europe, occurring from Mediterranean to Central European regions. Despite its broad distribution, its potential role in Leishmania transmission remains unknown, mainly due to the lack of laboratory colonies. This study provides the first experimental assessment of the vector competence of P. mascittii for Leishmania infantum and Leishmania martiniquensis.

Methods

Wild-caught P. mascittii females from Styria, Austria, were experimentally infected using membrane feeding with blood containing L. infantum and L. martiniquensis isolates of different geographical origins. Infections were evaluated 7 days post-blood meal (PBM) by microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Morphological forms of L. infantum were quantified and compared with infections in Phlebotomus perniciosus, a known competent vector.

Results

Fifteen (94% of dissected) P. mascittii females developed L. infantum infections, all showing colonization of the stomodeal valve, whereas L. martiniquensis failed to establish infection. Infection patterns and parasite localization closely resembled those in P. perniciosus. Morphometric analysis revealed a significantly higher proportion of metacyclic and leptomonad forms and fewer nectomonads in P. mascittii than in P. perniciosus.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that P. mascittii supports full development of L. infantum to the transmissible metacyclic stage and colonization of the stomodeal valve, confirming its potential vector competence. This study provides the first experimental evidence on P. mascittii vectorial competence and highlights its epidemiological relevance in Europe.

Graphical Abstract