Analysis of Phlebotomine sandflies in Laos from 2014–2024: Inventory, description of a new species, screening for Leishmania and detection of Trypanosoma
This study reveals a notable diversity of sandfly species across seven provinces in Laos, with the highest species richness observed in karstic cave environments. While no Leishmania DNA was detected, the unexpected identification of unknown Trypanosoma species in Chinius eunicegalatiae and Idiophlebotomus longiforceps suggests the potential presence of unrecognized trypanosomatid in the region. These findings underscore the need for broader geographic surveillance and increased sampling efforts to improve our understanding of sandfly ecology and the pathogens they may carry in Laos.
Authors
- Matthew Robinson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0709-1219)
- Jodi M. Fiorenzano (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0779-1031)
- Andrew G. Letizia
- Aphaphone Adsamouth
- Philippe Buchy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1372-3008)
- Irina V. Etobayeva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6896-2052)
- Somsanith Chonephetsarath
- Phonesavanh Luangamath
- Khaithong Lakeomany
- Tamalee Roberts (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8599-737X)
- Veaky Vungkyly
- Paul T. Brey
- Jerôme Dépaquit
- Fano José Randrianambinintsoa
- Noel Cote
- Khamsing Vongphayloth
Institutions
- Naval Medical Research Command (US)
- Mahosot Hospital (LA)
- University of Oxford (GB)
- Ministry of Health (LA)
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Reims (FR)
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LA)
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne (FR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- PLoS neglected tropical diseases
- Published
- 2026-01-02
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0013641
- Primary Topic
- Research on Leishmaniasis Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00