Natural infection by <i>Trypanosoma</i> spp. (Trypanosomatida: Trypanosomatidae) in <i>Micropygomyia cayennensis cayennens</i> is (Diptera: Psychodidae) on Northern Colombia

In Colombia, sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) are recognized as primary vectors of Leishmania spp. However, there are reports of infections caused by unidentified trypanosomatid parasites in sand flies circulating within leishmaniasis-endemic areas (2017 to 2018). This study aimed to identify trypanosomatid parasites other than Leishmania spp. infecting sand flies in a visceral leishmaniasis focus in northern Colombia. Between March 2017 and March 2018, sand flies were actively collected from tree bases and cavities and subsequently dissected for taxonomic identification and the detection of trypanosomatid parasites, which were identified by sequencing the V7V8 region of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) and the glycosomal glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene (gGAPDH). A total of 1,615 sand flies were captured, and 1,385 females belonging to 5 species of this insect group were dissected. Micropygomyia cayennensis cayennensis (n = 75/974) and Micropygomyia micropyga (n = 6/320) were found to be infected with trypanosomatid parasites along the hindgut. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the sequences of parasites detected in Mi. c. cayennensis belong to the genus Trypanosoma. Within this genus, they formed a strongly supported monophyletic clade, showing a close relationship with a clade of parasites associated with lizards. This finding underscores the need for expanded ecological and molecular studies to assess the epidemiological role of these vectors and determine whether these parasites pose a risk to humans or other vertebrates.