Elgun Ismayilova
V.Y.Akhundov Scientific Research Institute of Medical Prevention
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0829-2881
elgunmanafova26@gmail.com
Elmira Hajibeyova
V.Y.Akhundov Scientific Research Institute of Medical Prevention
PhD in Biology
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8668-9424
qadjibekovae@mail.ru
Nigar Sadigova
V.Y.Akhundov Scientific Research Institute of Medical Prevention
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0976-191X
nigarsadikhova67@gmail.com
Aybeniz Gulmammadova
V.Y.Akhundov Scientific Research Institute of Medical Prevention
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0187-1684
aybenizgulmamedova@gmail.com
Gunay Gurbanova
V.Y.Akhundov Scientific Research Institute of Medical Prevention
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4391-5294
qunayqrbnva81@gmail.com
The Methodology for Studying Midges
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a dangerous transmissible parasitic disease that affects humans and animals and is widespread in nearly 100 countries worldwide. The causative agents of the disease were discovered by W. Leishman in 1900 and C. Donovan in 1903. In Azerbaijan, visceral leishmaniasis was identified by A. Q. Gurko in 1912, while cutaneous leishmaniasis was described by N. Arendt in Ganja in 1862.
The main vectors of leishmaniasis are sand flies. They belong to the phylum Arthropoda, class Insecta, and order Diptera, and their body size ranges from 1.5 to 2 mm. Their bodies are covered with dense hairs; females feed on blood, while males feed on plant sap, and they are mostly active during warm months. Studying sand flies is important for determining their species composition and distribution areas.
For this purpose, WHO-recommended methods such as light traps, sticky papers, Disney traps, and aspirators are used. The most common method is the sticky paper trap, as it is both cost-effective and allows for the collection of a large number of specimens. Captured sand flies are preserved in 96% alcohol, then cleaned and prepared using For, chloral-phenol, lacto-phenol, or 5% KOH solutions. The specimens are identified under a microscope based on their morphological characteristics.
In some cases, morphological methods are insufficient; therefore, molecular techniques such as DNA barcoding, PCR analysis of the ribosomal ITS2 region, mitochondrial DNA fragment analysis, and MALDI-TOF technology are applied. Although these methods are not yet widely used in Azerbaijan, their future development is crucial for the accurate identification of leishmaniasis vectors and for strengthening control measures against the disease.
Keywords: leishmania, disease focus, Phlebotomus, specimen preparation, identification