Leishmaniasis in Sicily (Italy): An investigation of the distribution and prevalence of phlebotomine sandflies in Catania province

Catania province, Sicily, is an important foci for human visceral leishmaniasis. Current data indicate an annual average incidence of 10 registered cases per year during the past 3 years. Of registered cases, more than 20% were among individuals who were also human immunodeficiency virus positive. Since the 1930s, no vector studies have been performed in this area. From May through November 1997, sandflies were collected using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention light traps and a sticky-trap method. Collecting sites were chosen throughout Catania and represent the diversity of the region (rural, semiurban, and sylvan areas). Meteorological data were recorded during the survey. The most common species, of 2,775 specimens collected and identified, was Phlebotomus perniciosus (23.3%), followed by Phlebotomus perfiliewi (1.1%) and Phlebotomus neglectus (0.2%); one specimen of Phlebotomus; papatasi was found at the site. Sergentomyia minuta (72.4%) was found at all sampling sites. None of 137 sandfly females, which were caught at the Brucoli and Sigonella stations and dissected for natural transmission study, contained parasites.