Molecular Detection of Leishmania ( Leishmania ) mexicana in Sandflies from the State of Yucatan, Mexico

Background: Leishmaniases are a group of vector-borne zoonotic diseases of public health relevance within the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The state of Yucatan is a vulnerable and receptive area to localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) due to its proximity to the high-transmission endemic states of Campeche and Quintana Roo. Autochthonous cases of LCL caused by Leishmania ( Leishmania ) mexicana have been documented in the state, showing a geographical expansion of the disease. Materials and Methods: Using CO 2 -supplemented Centers for Disease Control and Prevention light traps and Shannon traps, we captured anthropophilic sandflies in the surroundings of a locality with recent records of autochthonous cases of LCL. Sandflies carrying Leishmania DNA were evidenced using PCR. Results: A total of 140 Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psychodidae) females of four species were captured: Lutzomyia ( Tricholateralis ) cruciata (Coquillett), Psathyromyia ( Psathyromyia ) shannoni (Dyar), Lutzomyia ( Lutzomyia ) longipalpis (Lutz and Neiva), and Dampfomyia ( Coromyia ) deleoni (Fairchild and Hertig). Molecular results showed that 6.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.3–12.9%) of Lu. cruciata and 43.8% (95% CI = 19.8–70.1%) of Pa. shannoni showed evidence of carrying L. ( L. ) mexicana DNA. Conclusion: We provide evidence of anthropophilic sandflies carrying L. mexicana DNA in a municipality with recorded autochthonous cases of LCL caused by this parasite species in the state of Yucatan, suggesting the emergence of new focus of LCL in Mexico.