Micro-CT visualisation of the parasite-host interface in sandflies and blackflies
29 Jan 2020
Leishmaniasis and onchocerciasis are neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) vectored by sandflies and blackflies, respectively. Both NTDs are associated with poverty and impose a significant health, welfare and economic burden on many tropical countries. Current methods to visualise infections within the vectors rely on invasive methods. However, using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) techniques, without interference from tissue manipulation, this study visualised in 3-D for the first time:
- Leishmania mexicana infections and their impact on laboratory reared Lutzomia longipalpis sandflies;
- an L1 larva of an Onchocerca species within the thoracic musculature of a blackfly, Simulium damnosum, naturally infected in Ghana.