02636nas a2200301   4500000000100000008004100001260002100042653001500063653002400078653003200102100002800134700001600162700001600178700001400194700001400208700001500222700001200237700001500249700002700264700001600291700001700307245014300324856006700467300001100534490000700545520176800552022001402320       2026                            d  c08/2026bMDPI AG10asand flies10aLeishmania infantum10anon-ulcerated leishmaniasis1 aAlcántara-Henríquez E1 aValdivia HO1 aVásquez GM1 aGarcía J1 aGuevara E1 aSanchez JF1 aPalma A1 aHoughton A1 aIzaguirre González AI1 aLaurenti MD1 aSosa-Ochoa W00aDetection of Leishmania infantum DNA in Sand Flies and Assessment of Zoonotic Transmission Risk in Central Honduras: A One Health Approach  uhttps://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/11/8/219/pdf?version=1785912590  a1 - 150 v113 a<jats:p>Integrated One Health studies are essential for assessing the risks of leishmaniasis transmission. In Honduras, the most prevalent clinical presentation of leishmaniasis is the non-ulcerated cutaneous form caused by Leishmania infantum; however, research on its transmission dynamics remains limited. This study aimed to characterize the eco-epidemiology of leishmaniasis and identify potential zoonotic risk factors in the municipality of Ojos de Agua, Department of Comayagua, central Honduras, using a One Health approach. We collected sand flies using CDC light traps placed in intra- and peridomestic settings of households with a history of leishmaniasis. Concurrently, we evaluated domestic dogs and collected blood samples for serological and molecular testing. We also conducted active surveillance among community residents to identify human infections. We collected a total of 644 phlebotomine sand flies, including 186 females. We identified eight sandfly species, with Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) longipalpis as the predominant species, followed by Pintomyia (Pifanomyia) evansi. Among the 64 engorged females screened, the overall PCR positivity rate for Leishmania spp. was 14.1% (9/64). Blood meal analysis of PCR-positive sand flies identified humans and pigs as blood and meal sources. Additionally, 18.6% (8/43) of domestic dogs were seropositive for Leishmania spp., and 23.3% (10/43) tested positive by PCR. DNA sequencing identified the infecting species as Leishmania infantum. We detected no active human cases during the study period. These findings highlight the value of a One Health approach for improving transmission risk monitoring in newly emerging areas with a history of ulcerative cutaneous leishmaniasis in Honduras.</jats:p>  a2414-6366