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Medical, Urban, and Veterinary Entomology

On-Demand

On-Demand Posters and Infographics

Analysis of insecticide resistance mechanisms in major leishmaniasis vectors

On-Demand Poster

    Presenting Author(s)

  • John Vontas

    Director IMBB/FORTH Professor Agricultural University of Athens
    Foundation for Research and Technology
    Heraklion, Iraklion, Greece

    • Co-Author(s)

  • KM

    Konstantinos Mavridis

    Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of the Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (IMBB-FORTH).
    Herakion, Iraklion, Greece

  • SB

    Sofia Balaska

    Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of the Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (IMBB-FORTH).
    Heraklion, Iraklion, Greece

  • JC

    Jason Charamis

    Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of the Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (IMBB-FORTH).
    Heraklion, Iraklion, Greece

  • PI

    Panagiotis Ioannidis

    Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (IMBB-FORTH)
    Heraklion, Iraklion, Greece

  • VD

    Vít Dvořák

    Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
    Prague, Hlavni mesto Praha, Czech Republic

  • PV

    Petr Volf

    Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
    Prague, Hlavni mesto Praha, Czech Republic

In the absence of human vaccines, sandfly vector control is a key component of leishmaniasis control efforts. Nevertheless, the reliance on insecticides has triggered the development of resistance, threatening the efficacy of sandfly vector control programs. We aim to uncover the understudied molecular aetiology of resistance in sandflies and produce knowledge helpful for controlling sandfly populations.
We aim to molecularly profile insecticide resistant sandfly populations from epidemiologically relevant foci and functionally validate any promising candidate genes. Lethal time bioassays with pyrethroids, as well as molecular monitoring of knockdown resistance (kdr) (L1014F/S) and super kdr (N1575Y) insecticide resistance mechanisms have been performed in several sandfly populations from Europe and West Asia.
In parallel, the transcriptomes of 11 sandflies populations from major vector species (8 Phlebotomus, 2 Lutzomyia and 1 Sergentomyia) with different geographical distribution have been sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of >1,000 cytochrome P450s (CYPs), a major detoxification enzyme family, uncovered the patterns their diversity and evolution. Phlebotominae-conserved expansions in five CYP3 clan subfamilies were identified, possibly associated with adaptations to environmental challenges and possibly direct or indirect insecticide selection pressure. The genomic resources generated within the frame of this study will facilitate the development of effective control strategies against these Leishmania vectors.