Journal of North Khorasan

Abstract Background & objectives: Visceral leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease in children under the age of 10 years that occurs in endemic form in Africa, Asia and Europe and South America. The disease agent transteres by sand fly from caneies to human. In Iran the Leishmania infantum occures in endemic form in provinces of Ardebil, Fars, East Azerbaijan, Bushehr. North Khorasan Province is among the new centers having been reported with cases of the disease in humans and domesticated dogs. This study was conducted to identify species of sand flies, which are involved in disease transmission in this region and consequently to take preventive measures through epidemiological and entomological planning. Materials & Methods: This study was a descriptive study, which was done by random sampling method. During a cross-sectional study in the summer of 2007, after every 15 days in selected villages in cities of Bojnourd and Maneh va samalghan sand flies catching was performed by three methods of sticky traps, Hand catch (aspirator) and Bed net trap with animal bait category (dogs). Sand flies caught in the laboratory were identified after a permanent Monte Diagnosis based on Iranian sand flies key identification. Results: A total of 999 sand flies were caught from the inside or out of cities of Bojnourd and Maneh va samalghan, that P.papatasi (%94) and P.sergenti (%6), were from the city and Phlebotmus.papatasi (%52.8), Sergentomyia.sintoni (%20.1), P.kandelakii (%6.1), S.pawlowski (%6.8), S.dentata(%4.2) , P.sergenti (%1.9) , S.palestinensis (%1) , P.mongelensis (%0.6) , S.clydei (%1.3) , S.christophersi (%0.3), P.perfiliewi (%3.9), S.sumbarica (%0.3), P.alexandrei (%0.6), were caught from out of cities. Conclusion: Among the species caught, P.kandelakii known as causing visceral leishmaniasis was caught with moderate abundance.