ARS | Publication request: Innovative technologies targeting vector populations to mitigate the risk of exposure to leishmaniasis and protect deployed U.S. Military personnel in the Middle East

Submitted to: Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 10, 2011
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Phlebotomine sand flies, including Phlebotomus papatasi, are blood feeders and vectors of significant public health importance because they transmit Leishmania spp., which cause leishmaniasis. Deployed U.S. Military personnel in the Middle East suffer from sand fly bites and are at risk of contracting leishmaniasis. The Deployed War-Fighter Protection Program, which is a USDA-DoD joint research venture, was established to develop more effective sand fly control strategies to protect US War-fighters deployed in the Middle East. As part of its mission, scientific activities at the USDA-ARS Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in Kerrville, Texas support the Deployed War-Fighter Protection Program. The Deployed War-Fighter Protection Program at the USDA-ARS KBUSLIRL focuses on three research areas: (1) laboratory evaluation of both existing and novel insecticides with different modes of action; (2) development of new insecticide formulations that can improve control efficacy against sand flies; and (3) development of rapid molecular diagnostic tools for detection of insecticide resistance in sand flies. This poster summarizes progress on insecticide toxicity bioassays and the molecular characterization of insecticide targets in P. papatasi. This work is supported in part by the USDA-DoD Deployed War-Fighters Protection Program (DWFP). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.