Recently, a homologue of PpSP32 (PsSP44 (HM569368)) has been explained in anotherPhlebotomusspecies,P.sergenti, subgenusParaphlebotomus[30]. papatasibites and established that humans uncovered toP.perniciosusbites do not recognize it. == Methodology/Principal Findings == Herein, we have validated, in a large cohort of 522 individuals, the use of thePhlebotomus papatasirecombinant salivary protein PpSP32 (rPpSP32) as an alternative method for screening exposure to the bite of this sand fly. We also exhibited that screening for total anti-rPpSP32 IgG antibodies is sufficient, being comparable in efficacy to the screening for IgG2, IgG4 and IgE antibodies against rPpSP32. Additionally, sera obtained from dogs immunized with saliva ofP.perniciosus, a sympatric and widely distributed sand travel in Tunisia, did not recognize rPpSP32 demonstrating its suitability as a marker of exposure toP.papatasisaliva. == Conclusions/Significance == Our data show that rPpSP32 constitutes a useful epidemiological tool to monitor the spatial distribution ofP.papatasiin a particular region, to direct control steps against Erlotinib zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis, to assess the efficiency of vector control interventions and perhaps to assess the risk of contracting the disease. == Author Summary == Leishmaniasis results from an infection byLeishmaniaparasites that are transmitted through the bites of infected sand flies. This disease affects millions of people worldwide. Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis Erlotinib is usually common in Central Tunisia and constitutes an actual public health problem.Leishmania major, the etiological agent, is transmitted by the sand fly vectorPhlebotomus papatasi. Saliva of sand flies contains several pharmacologically active components that play a key role in the acquisition of the blood meal and the establishment of the parasites, thus enhancing the infection. Some of these molecules are able to elicit the production of specific antibodies, which can be used as markers of exposure to the vectors bite. Herein, using a large cohort of individuals, we have validated the use ofP.papatasirecombinant salivary protein PpSP32 (rPpSP32) as an alternative method to standard entomological studies for testing exposure to the bite of this sand fly in humans. rPpSP32 represents a encouraging epidemiological tool to monitor the spatial distribution ofP.papatasi, direct control steps against zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis, evaluate the efficiency of vector control interventions and potentially assess the risk of contracting the disease. == Introduction == Leishmaniasis affects millions of people worldwide. It is a heterogeneous group of diseases caused byLeishmaniaparasites. Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) is the most prevalent form in North Africa and is common in Central Tunisia. With an annual incidence of ~5,000 cases, it constitutes an actual public health problem [1,2].Leishmania major, an Old WorldLeishmaniaspecies is the etiological agent which is transmitted by the sand fly vector,Phlebotomus (P.) papatasi[3]. As they bite mammalian host skin, phlebotomine sand flies inject a range of salivary molecules that facilitate blood meal acquisition [4]. Moreover, the co-inoculation ofLeishmaniaparasites with saliva during an infected bite enhances disease progression through the action of immunomodulatory molecules [57]. Humans and animals exposed to sand travel bites or experimentally immunized with saliva develop antibodies that specifically target most sand fly salivary proteins [817]. The level of anti-saliva antibodies has been frequently correlated not only to the number of bites received [911,15] but also to the risk of acquiring leishmaniasis, particularly cutaneous forms of the disease [1617]. Thus, antibodies directed against sand fly saliva have been proposed as useful epidemiological markers Rabbit Polyclonal to ERD23 of vector exposure in leishmaniasis endemic areas [12,13,1820]. Serological assessments using total sand travel salivary gland extracts to assess vector exposure are challenging due to the difficulty of obtaining large and reproducible salivary gland preparations. Another limitation is the potential lack of specificity. Antibodies Erlotinib generated against saliva of a particular species may cross react with salivary protein homologues present in different species [2122]. Thus, the use of recombinant proteins exhibiting predominant species-specificity may overcome such issues [11,12,19,23,24]. We have recently recognized PpSP32 as the immunodominant salivary protein fromP.papatasisaliva as this protein is targeted by antibodies in the majority of people living in an endemic area of ZCL in Tunisia. We have also established that humans bitten byP.perniciosus, the vector ofLeishmania infantum (L.infantum)in Tunisia do not recognize PpSP32 although this species is abundant in areas whereP.papatasiis prevalent. Moreover, we have exhibited the suitability of using the recombinant form of this protein in a serological test [24]. Herein, we aimed to validate the use of the recombinant salivary protein PpSP32 (rPpSP32) as.