Bloodthirsty bites: host-feeding patterns of phlebotomine sand flies from two localities in the Aegean Region of Türkiye.

Background: This study determined the blood-feeding patterns of different wild-caught sandflies collected from Aydin and Mugla provinces located in the Aegean region, Türkiye. Adult sand fly specimens (194 females and 86 males, 280 in total) were collected from two different villages using three CDC light traps in August and October 2024. Of the 194 female specimens, 38 were found to be blood-fed, 137 were non-blood-fed, and 19 were gravid. Among the blood fed, 23 specimens comprising 20 Phlebotomus papatasi and 3 P. tobbi were from Aydin and 15 specimens comprising 14 P. major s.l., 1 P. alexandri were from Mugla. Blood-feeding patterns of these species was determined using direct ELISA technique and multiplex PCR method.

Results: All the samples collected from Aydin blood fed from Bos taurus whereas females sampled from Mugla locality blood-fed from Canis lupus (8/15) and Gallus domesticus (7/15). These findings validated using both PCR and ELISA. Although both methods commonly used in blood meal analysis have inherent limitations and disadvantages, all samples in this study were successfully analyzed, and the results from both methods showed a high level of agreement. The efficacy of the methods was compared using McNemar's test.

Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in the region to compare ELISA and PCR methodologies in determining the host feeding patterns of sand flies. The detection of blood meal in field-caught sand flies has the potential to facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of the eco-epidemiology of vector-borne diseases, thereby contributing to the planning of strategic control methods.