Ecology, biology and susceptibility of Phlebotomus papatasi to Leishmania experimental infection in Suez Governorate.

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) is endemic in Sinai Peninsula. The sand fly and reservoirs were investigated in Suez G., since new settlements and land reclamation programs are ongoing. The results showed that Phlebotomus papatasi reached its highest density in September. The successfully colonized P. papatasi facilitated its biology and competence study. An autogenous trait was proven within P. papatasi population indicating its ability to survive and breed during adverse conditions. The vector competence was carried out under laboratory condition through feeding on lesion of a L. major experimentally infected hamster and by membrane feeding technique. Both hamsters and BALB-c mice inoculated with L. major developed ZCL lesions.