Identification of Blood Meal of Sand Flies in a Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Endemic Area, Volta Region-Ghana

Background: Vector incrimination is of utmost importance in the transmission of Leishmania species identified in the Volta region of Ghana. The feeding preference of sand flies provides valuable information about the vector-host interactions, including reservoir host. Objective: The main aim of this study was to identify the blood meal in collected sand flies and its source from three villages in a cutaneous leishmaniasis endemic area in the Ho Municipality. Method: Sand flies was collected using CDC light straps and sticky paper traps from Lume Atsiame, Dodome Dogblome and Dodome Awuiasu. They were morphologically identified by taxonomic keys. DNA was extracted from the individual sand flies using the potassium acetate extraction method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of cytochrome b gene (cyt b) fragment was carried out and subsequently DNA sequenced. Results: Of a total of three hundred and sixty-three (363) female sand flies that were analysed, eighty-four (84) representing 23.14% were positive for blood meal presence with an amplified DNA of the expected size, 359bp. Out of the number that was sequenced, the cyt b sequencing revealed that four (4) blood fed females fed on bloodmeal from human (Homo sapiens) and house mouse (Mus musculus). Conclusion: The blood meal presence was more predominant in Sergentomyia ghesquierei and least in Sergentomyia schwetzi. This may aid in the development of effective strategies to control cutaneous leishmaniasis in the endemic areas.