TY - JOUR
KW - sand flies
KW - Leishmania infantum
KW - non-ulcerated leishmaniasis
AU - Alcántara-Henríquez E
AU - Valdivia HO
AU - Vásquez GM
AU - García J
AU - Guevara E
AU - Sanchez JF
AU - Palma A
AU - Houghton A
AU - Izaguirre González AI
AU - Laurenti MD
AU - Sosa-Ochoa W
AB - <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>
BT - Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
DA - 08/2026
DO - 10.3390/tropicalmed11080219
IS - 8
LA - ENG
M3 - Article 
N2 - <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>
PB - MDPI AG
PY - 2026
SP - 1 
EP -  15
T2 - Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
TI - Detection of Leishmania infantum DNA in Sand Flies and Assessment of Zoonotic Transmission Risk in Central Honduras: A One Health Approach
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/11/8/219/pdf?version=1785912590
VL - 11
SN - 2414-6366
ER -