First Evidence of Co-Circulation of Emerging Leishmania martiniquensis, Leishmania orientalis, and Crithidia sp. in Culicoides Biting Midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), the Putative Vectors for Autochthonous Transmission in Southern Thailand

Since 1996, autochthonous cases of emerging leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis and Leishmania (Mundinia) orientalis have been more frequently reported, especially in the northern and southern parts of Thailand. However, the accurate identification of their natural vectors and reservoirs remains unconfirmed. Previous studies have suggested that these emerging parasites might be transmitted by other non-phlebotomine vectors. Herein, we speculated that Culicoides biting midges might act as the competent vectors responsible for autochthonous leishmaniasis in southern Thailand. In this research, 187 non-engorged, parous and gravid Culicoides females and 47 blood-engorged ones were trapped from the residences of two recently diagnosed visceral leishmaniasis patients in Sadao District and the unaffected site in Rattaphum District, Songkhla Province, southern Thailand. Species diversity and abundance of biting midges varied among the trapping sites. Using ITS1-PCR and BLASTn analysis, L. martiniquensis was predominantly detected in several Culicoides species, including C. peregrinus, C. oxystoma, C. mahasarakhamense, and C. huffi from the vicinity of patients’ houses; and in C. fordae and C. fulvus from the unaffected site. L. orientalis was also co-circulated in C. peregrinus and C. oxystoma caught near the second patient’s house. Additionally, Crithidia sp. were also detected using SSU rRNA-PCR across Culicoides spp. Host blood meal analysis of eight different Culicoides species from the unaffected site also revealed that all trapped Culicoides had fed on cows and goats, indicating the possible role of these mammalian species as reservoir hosts. Essentially, this study is the first entomological investigation, revealing the co-circulation of emerging trypanosomatids among several species of Culicoides biting midges and strongly supporting the potential role of this insect group as the main vectors responsible for the epidemiology of autochthonous leishmaniasis in southern Thailand.