Glossary

Ph. papatasi

This species is widely distributed across the Palearctic Region, with particular prevalence in the Middle East, India, North Africa, and the Mediterranean Basin. It is a proven vector of Leishmania major in South-West Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East.

Ph. alexandri

This species, distributed from Spain to China and as far south as southern Ethiopia, is a known vector of pathogens within the Leishmania donovani complex.

Ph. sergenti

As the confirmed vector of Leishmania tropica, Phlebotomus sergenti has a broad circum-Mediterranean distribution and also occurs in Central Asia.

Ph. similis

Although closely related to Phlebotomus sergenti, this suspected vector of Leishmania tropica has a restricted distribution in the Balkans, the Greek islands, and Türkiye.

Ph. ariasi

With a restricted distribution in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia, Phlebotomus ariasi is a proven vector of Leishmania infantum.

Ph. major s.l.

The Phlebotomus major complex comprises six morphologically similar and largely allopatric species (Phlebotomus neglectus, Ph. notus, Ph. major, Ph. syriacus, Ph. wenyoni, and Ph. wui). Phlebotomus neglectus, distributed across the Balkans, Italy, Hungary, Türkiye, the Caucasus, and the Middle East, is responsible for the transmission of Leishmania infantum. Ph. syriacus, the suspected vector of Le. infantum, has a more restricted distribution, occurring only in Türkiye and the Middle East. Ph. neglectus and Ph. syriacus, along with formally undescribed members of this complex, are sympatric only in the Middle East, including Türkiye. Toscana virus was isolated from Ph. neglectus in Croatia.

Ph. perniciosus

Distributed mainly in the western Mediterranean countries (Croatia, France, Italy, Montenegro, Portugal, the Republic of North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Spain), Phlebotomus perniciosus is one of the main proven vectors of Le. infantum. Toscana virus was isolated from this species in France, Italy, Morocco, and Spain.

Ph. perfiliewi

Distributed in the eastern Mediterranean countries and North Africa, it is a proven vector of Leishmania infantum. Toscana virus was isolated from this species in Cyprus.

Ph. tobbi

Phlebotomus tobbi is distributed across the Balkans, Türkiye, and the Middle East, and is considered one of the most important proven vectors of the Leishmania donovani complex.

Ph. mascittii

Phlebotomus mascittii has a broad distribution, occurring across most Mediterranean European countries as well as in Algeria and expanding its range into adjacent northern regions, with records from Austria, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Luxembourg, Slovakia, and Switzerland. It is a suspected vector of Leishmania infantum, but its involvement in Leishmania transmission has not been fully proven.

Leishmania infantum

Leishmania infantum is a protozoan parasite transmitted through the bite of infected female phlebotomine sand flies, primarily Phlebotomus species belonging to the Larroussius subgenus, with domestic dogs serving as the primary reservoir host. It is endemic to the Mediterranean basin, Latin America, and parts of the Middle East. Treatment of VL requires systemic therapy, and there is no approved human vaccine.

Leishmania major

Leishmania major is a protozoan parasite transmitted by the bite of infected female phlebotomine sand flies, primarily Phlebotomus papatasi with rodents serving as the primary reservoirs. It is endemic to parts of North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia, with transmission typically occurring during the sand fly activity season.

Leishmania tropica

Leishmania tropica is a protozoan parasite transmitted by infected female phlebotomine sand flies, primarily Phlebotomus sergenti. It is endemic in urban and peri-urban environments in the Middle East, North Africa, parts of South Asia, and the Mediterranean region, with transmission predominantly anthroponotic.

Leishmania donovani

Leishmania donovani is a protozoan parasite transmitted through the bite of infected female phlebotomine sand flies. It is endemic to the Indian subcontinent, East Africa, and parts of the Middle East. Transmission occurs during the sand fly season, which is generally associated with warm, humid conditions. The infection manifests as visceral leishmaniasis (VL), which is characterized by prolonged fever, hepatosplenomegaly, weight loss, and pancytopenia.

Toscana Virus (TOSV)

TOSV is an arthropod-borne virus transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies. It is endemic to the Mediterranean basin, with human cases primarily occurring in Italy. TOSV infections commonly cause fever, headache, and retro-orbital pain, and in some cases, it can lead to neurological complications like meningitis and encephalitis.

Sand fly Fever Sicilian Virus (SFSV)

SFSV is another arthropod-borne virus transmitted by sand flies, particularly Phlebotomus papatasi. It is endemic to the Mediterranean basin, the Middle East, and parts of Europe, and can cause fever, headache, and retro-orbital pain.