-2- 



terms of human suffering and economics (Lainson, 1982). Selection of 

 leishmaniasis by WHO as one of six diseases of man warranting a 

 special program of study has led to increasing interest in sand flies, 

 the only known natural vectors of the disease (Ki 1 1 ick-Kendrick, 1978; 

 WHO, 1981). It should be noted that workers in Oklahoma fed nymphal 

 ticks [ Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latrielle)] on dogs infected with L 

 infantum and found that the ticks remained culture positive for the 

 parasite for at least one month postmolting (Fox, pers. comm., 1984). 

 Culture-positive adult ticks that subsequently fed on uninfected 

 puppies, transfered Leishmania to the puppies. Although this 

 demonstrates that ticks can experimentally transmit leishmaniasis, it 

 may not occur under natural circumstances. 



Previous work on sand flies has been mostly taxonomic. More 

 recently, however, interest has turned to the biology of sand flies, 

 the most important practical aspect being their relationship with 

 leishmanial parasites. The role as vectors of most of the 53 species 

 or subspecies of sand flies thought to transmit leishmaniasis to man 

 requires confirmation (Ki 1 1 ick-Kendrick, 1978). Of the 21 species of 

 New World sand flies reported or suspected as being natural hosts of 

 Leishmania spp. infecting man, only six have been definitely 

 incriminated as vectors (Table 1-1). Prior to this study no 

 anthropophil ic species in the USA had been incriminated in the 

 transmission of leishmaniasis. 



Historical Review of the Incrimination of 

 Major Vectors of Leishmaniasis 



Cutaneous and visceral leishmaniases are apparently ancient 

 afflictions of man. As early as the first century AD, in Central 



