[Eco-epidemiological study of Phlebotomus perniciosus in foci of visceral leishmaniasis in Campania].

An entomological survey was carried out during the sandfly season (June-October) of 1993 in three of the main visceral leishmaniasis (VL) foci of the Campania region of Italy. During the period 1989-1993, 39 VL cases were recorded in the three foci: 19 in Maddaloni, 14 in Ercolano and 6 in Ischia. For each focus, collecting stations representative of sandfly habitats (domestic, peri-domestic and sylvatic) located in urban, peri-urban and rural areas were selected for the sandfly investigation. Three monthly captures by means of sticky traps (20 x 20 cm) were carried out in each station. A total of 2,773 sandfly specimens were caught and identified as belonging to 4 species: Phlebotomus perniciosus (66.2%). P. mascittii (0.4%). P. papatasi (0.2%) and Sergentomyia minuta (33.2%). P. perniciosus, the proven vector of VL in Italy, showed the highest prevalence in all foci studied, Maddaloni (61.0%). Ercolano (62.5%) and Ischia (88.2%); the absolute density of the species (number of specimens/m2 of sticky trap) was not so high in all areas and habitats sampled, the values observed being between 0.14 and 22.05/m2. The relationship between the eco-epidemiological aspects and the distribution of P. perniciosus in the foci investigated is discussed.