Molecular Detection of Leishmania (L.) mexicana (Kinetoplastida: Trypanostomatidae) DNA in Culicoides furens (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from an Area with Autochthonous Canine Leishmaniasis in Northwestern Mexico

Mexico is considered endemic for Leishmania; recent reports indicate autochthonous human and canine leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania mexicana in Sinaloa state. Lutzomyia sand fly are the primary vector of parasite, although no records phlebotomine vectors exist from Sinaloa. Other hematophagous dipterans, like Culicoides, could represent possible absence phlebotomines. The known distribution Culicoides includes southern portion state, northwestern Mexico, with furens. However, studies have demonstrated presence C. furens or its participation parasite’s life cycle Mexico. This study, therefore, sought to detect DNA captured an area were CDC light traps, identified morphologically, organized pools. was extracted, used amplify ribosomal ITS1 region Leishmania. PCR products digested HaeIII endonuclease; banding patterns obtained compared reference strains. detected five out nine pools (55%) female study offers first evidence L. furens, where exists fly.