The chemotactic effect of Phlebotomus duboscqi (diptera: psychodidae) salivary gland lysates to murine monocytes

The possibility that salivary gland lysates of Phlebotomus duboscqi are able to attract vertebrate monocytes was investigated. In vitro studies showed that salivary gland lysates of P. duboscqi, the vector of Leishmania major in Kenya, are chemotactic to mouse peritoneal monocytes. This attraction of monocytes by vector salivary gland lysates may form part of the mechanisms through which sandfly saliva ensures successful parasitization of macrophages in a susceptible host by Leishmania parasites.