Identification of the transmission cycle of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected disease caused by a parasite. CL affects people from poor countries. It is known that the transmission of CL happens when an infected insect, the sandfly, bites a person or a mammal. In Guatemala, CL cases are mainly in Alta Verapaz. However, the sandfly species transmitting CL in Alta Verapaz are not known, nor is any other entomological information that can help to prevent the disease. This has resulted in the Ministry of Health in Guatemala providing treatment to infected people, but not implementing sandfly control strategies. We are proposing to identify the sandflies involved in the transmission of CL in Guatemala, as well as the Leishmania parasites in human and sandflies using molecular techniques. Also, the blood source of the sandfly gut will be determined. The excepted results will help the Ministry of Health to design strategies for the control of the sandflies.