Species Composition and Blood Meal Preference of Sandfly (Diptera: Psychodidae) Populations in Bobo-Dioulasso and Larama, Two <i>Leishmania</i> Circulating Areas in Western Burkina Faso

The aim of this study was to examine sandfly population patterns in Bobo-Dioulasso and Larama, Burkina Faso, where canine and cutaneous leishmaniasis still occur. We characterized the species composition, blood meal origin, and infection status of a sample of sandflies obtained from cross-sectional surveys. Adult sandflies were collected using CDC light traps placed indoors and outdoors of human dwellings and also using morning pyrethrum spray collections. A subsample from each setting was morphologically identified using the keys of Abonnenc. The Leishmania infection status of sandfly females was assessed by Polymerase Chain Reaction, and the blood meal sources of blood-fed females were characterized using ELISA. A total of 976 sandflies were collected at the two sites, predominantly from Larama (944 vs. 32 in Bobo-Dioulasso). Three species of Phlebotomus were identified: Ph. duboscqi, Ph. bergeroti, and Ph. rodhaini. Eighteen species of Sergentomyia were identified, with Se. schwetzi being the most frequent (43.75%). Females of both genera fed on a mix of human and animal blood. None of the female sandflies tested were infected with Leishmania at either site. This study reports the presence of Ph. rodhaini in Burkina Faso for the first time. Although no infected sandflies were detected, it is still possible that infected females or existing reservoirs could maintain disease transmission. Therefore, an integrated approach using multiple strategies, including a One Health approach, is needed to better survey and control sandfly-borne diseases.