Detection Molecular of Leishmania Spp. And Blood Source in Female Sand Flies in the Parque Estadual Do Rio Doce and in the Municipality of Timóteo, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Abstract Background: Leishmaniasis is a set of diseases caused by protozoa of the Leishmania genus (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) and transmitted by the bite of female sand fly insects (Diptera: Psychodidae). The present work was characterized as a descriptive study comparing two areas: a wild area where the Parque Estadual do Rio Doce (PERD) is located and another urban area, located in the municipality of Timóteo-MG (AUT). Aiming to identify the presence of Leishmania spp. and the blood source of collected female sand flies. Methods: Sand flies were collected with CDC light trap model HP, between September 2012 and February 2014. We used 19 traps in the Urban Area of ​​Timóteo and 12 in the Rio Doce State Park. For molecular studies of Leishmania spp. DNA we used ITS1 gene and in the search of blood source, with naturally fed females, the CytB gene was used and positive samples were sequenced. Results: It was clear that in the municipality of Timóteo there are at least three species of Leishmania: Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis and Leishmania (V.) guyanensis. A large presence of Leishmania braziliensis DNA was identified in female sand flies. Nyssomyia whitmani was the most captured species in the urban area, while in the PERD it was Pressatia choti, both species were positive for the presence of Leishmania braziliensis DNA. And last but not least was the record of the participation of Gallus gallus (chicken) and Sus scrofa (pig) as a blood source for sandflies, which helps to maintain the life cycle of vectors in the urban area of ​​the municipality.Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that Leishmania braziliensis is the main tegumentary leishmaniasis transmitter agent in the study area, with effective participation of Nyssomyia whitmani as a vector. And it draws attention to the possibility that Gallus gallus (chicken) and Sus scrofa (pig) are fundamental in maintaining the cycle in urban areas.