Sergentomyia species identification and their screening for possible infection to Leishmania spp. in Kaleybar, East-Azerbaijan province, Iran.

Leishmaniasis is a protozoal and vector-borne disease. World health organization has considered the disease as a neglected tropical disease. and species (order: Diptera, family: Psychodidae) are human leishmaniasis vectors in new and old worlds. spp. (Diptera, Psychodidae) are proven vectors of lizard leishmaniasis. Although some studies have identified human parasites in , their role in parasite circulation is unknown yet. Hence, the parasitological and molecular methods were used to study the possible  infection of  spp., in the human and canine visceral leishmaniasis endemic area in North West of Iran. Even though specimens were caught in a dominant number compared to spp., no promastigote or DNA was detected in live-caught or sticky trap-caught specimens, respectively. spp. are proven vectors of sauroleishmaniasis, and despite several global reports of infection in spp., such findings should be carefully interpreted to avoid false vector incriminations.