A simplified system for the detection of antennal responses to host-borne volatile organic compounds in sand flies
Abstract Background Phlebotomus (Larroussius) perniciosus (Diptera: Psychodidae) is the most common and predominant vector of Leishmania infantum in the Western Mediterranean region. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by vertebrates are important cues affecting the behaviour of blood-feeding...
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BMC
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Parasites & Vectors |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06998-3 |
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| author | Onofrio Marco Pistillo Priscilla Farina Marcos Antonio Bezerra-Santos Ilaria D’Isita Petr Volf Domenico Otranto Giovanni Benelli Giacinto Salvatore Germinara |
| author_facet | Onofrio Marco Pistillo Priscilla Farina Marcos Antonio Bezerra-Santos Ilaria D’Isita Petr Volf Domenico Otranto Giovanni Benelli Giacinto Salvatore Germinara |
| author_sort | Onofrio Marco Pistillo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Phlebotomus (Larroussius) perniciosus (Diptera: Psychodidae) is the most common and predominant vector of Leishmania infantum in the Western Mediterranean region. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by vertebrates are important cues affecting the behaviour of blood-feeding insects. Generally, the identification of putative behaviourally active VOCs involves three distinct phases: extraction, chemical characterization and chemoreceptivity evaluation using electrophysiological techniques. Here, we present a simplified gas chromatography–mass spectrometry–electroantennographic detection (GC–MS–EAD) setup adapted for screening bioactive compounds in sand flies, in which the chemical identification and antennal responses are recorded simultaneously. Methods The method integrates: (i) a flow-splitter that balances the flow rate of the two outgoing streams, (ii) GC columns with different lengths and diameters in the two sections splitter-MS and splitter-EAD and (iii) an antennal signal amplifier. The GC–MS–EAD analysis was applied to headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) extracts from a healthy dog, and antennal responses were recorded in female P. perniciosus sand flies. Results The canine VOC profile was predominantly composed of aldehydes, with hexanal and nonanal eliciting the strongest antennal responses in P. perniciosus. Conclusions This simplified GC–MS-EAD system shows promise for broader application in the study of host–vector interactions. Its use across different host–vector pairs may enhance our understanding of these relationships and inform the development of strategies for integrated vector monitoring and control. Graphical Abstract |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-37a0bfb6bde4457ab67f100686097fd3 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1756-3305 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Parasites & Vectors |
| spelling | doaj-art-37a0bfb6bde4457ab67f100686097fd32025-08-24T11:10:30ZengBMCParasites & Vectors1756-33052025-08-011811810.1186/s13071-025-06998-3A simplified system for the detection of antennal responses to host-borne volatile organic compounds in sand fliesOnofrio Marco Pistillo0Priscilla Farina1Marcos Antonio Bezerra-Santos2Ilaria D’Isita3Petr Volf4Domenico Otranto5Giovanni Benelli6Giacinto Salvatore Germinara7Department of Agricultural Sciences, Food, Natural Resources and Engineering, University of FoggiaDepartment of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of PisaDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, University of BariDepartment of Agricultural Sciences, Food, Natural Resources and Engineering, University of FoggiaDepartment of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles UniversityDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, University of BariDepartment of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of PisaDepartment of Agricultural Sciences, Food, Natural Resources and Engineering, University of FoggiaAbstract Background Phlebotomus (Larroussius) perniciosus (Diptera: Psychodidae) is the most common and predominant vector of Leishmania infantum in the Western Mediterranean region. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by vertebrates are important cues affecting the behaviour of blood-feeding insects. Generally, the identification of putative behaviourally active VOCs involves three distinct phases: extraction, chemical characterization and chemoreceptivity evaluation using electrophysiological techniques. Here, we present a simplified gas chromatography–mass spectrometry–electroantennographic detection (GC–MS–EAD) setup adapted for screening bioactive compounds in sand flies, in which the chemical identification and antennal responses are recorded simultaneously. Methods The method integrates: (i) a flow-splitter that balances the flow rate of the two outgoing streams, (ii) GC columns with different lengths and diameters in the two sections splitter-MS and splitter-EAD and (iii) an antennal signal amplifier. The GC–MS–EAD analysis was applied to headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) extracts from a healthy dog, and antennal responses were recorded in female P. perniciosus sand flies. Results The canine VOC profile was predominantly composed of aldehydes, with hexanal and nonanal eliciting the strongest antennal responses in P. perniciosus. Conclusions This simplified GC–MS-EAD system shows promise for broader application in the study of host–vector interactions. Its use across different host–vector pairs may enhance our understanding of these relationships and inform the development of strategies for integrated vector monitoring and control. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06998-3ElectroantennographyHS-SPMEPsychodidaePhlebotominaeLeishmania infantumLeishmaniasis |
| spellingShingle | Onofrio Marco Pistillo Priscilla Farina Marcos Antonio Bezerra-Santos Ilaria D’Isita Petr Volf Domenico Otranto Giovanni Benelli Giacinto Salvatore Germinara A simplified system for the detection of antennal responses to host-borne volatile organic compounds in sand flies Parasites & Vectors Electroantennography HS-SPME Psychodidae Phlebotominae Leishmania infantum Leishmaniasis |
| title | A simplified system for the detection of antennal responses to host-borne volatile organic compounds in sand flies |
| title_full | A simplified system for the detection of antennal responses to host-borne volatile organic compounds in sand flies |
| title_fullStr | A simplified system for the detection of antennal responses to host-borne volatile organic compounds in sand flies |
| title_full_unstemmed | A simplified system for the detection of antennal responses to host-borne volatile organic compounds in sand flies |
| title_short | A simplified system for the detection of antennal responses to host-borne volatile organic compounds in sand flies |
| title_sort | simplified system for the detection of antennal responses to host borne volatile organic compounds in sand flies |
| topic | Electroantennography HS-SPME Psychodidae Phlebotominae Leishmania infantum Leishmaniasis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06998-3 |
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