Although once associated only with rural areas, the American
leishmaniasis vectors now appear to be associated also with urban and suburban
areas of the Neotropics. Following the appearance of the first autochthonous
visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis cases in the urban area of the city
of Sincelejo, Colombia, a preliminary entomological survey of the sand fly
species composition was performed using Shannon and CDC light traps. A total
of 486 sand flies representing six
Lutzomyia
species were collected.
L.
evansi
,
L.
panamensis
and
L.
gomezi
, known vectors of
Leishmania
spp. were the predominant sand fly species around dwellings. The finding
of these species in relation to the appearance of the first cases of leishmaniasis
in the city mentioned is discussed.