Field trials of synthetic sex pheromone as a tool to reduce visceral leishmaniasis transmission by Lutzomyia longipalpis in Brazil.

Following on from successful field feasibility trials in Brazil (Wellcome Trust University Translation Award 080961/Z/06/Z) we wish to show that the synthetic sex pheromone of the sandfly vector of VL can be deployed in the field to reduce VL incidence and infectiousness in domestic dogs, the reservoir of VL. Other key goals are to improve the synthesis of the sex pheromone to make it more efficient and reduce to an acceptable degree any impurities in the final product prior to registration. In preliminary field experiments we will compare the effect of two lure-and-kill strategies on numbers of sand flies in and around chicken sheds to determine which is the more lethal and sustainable. In one we will combine synthetic pheromone with Olyset? permethrin impregnated mosquito netting and in the other we will combine synthetic pheromone with ë-cyhalothrin applied as a residual spray. We will then, in an 18 month single-blinded cluster randomised intervention trial in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul in Brazil, determine the effect of the technology in reducing VL infection and infectiousness of the reservoir (dogs) and thus transmission to humans. We will also develop and implement a commercial strategy in collaboration with interested stakeholders including commercial entities, the Innovative Vector Control Consortium (IVCC), FioCruz and the Brazilian Health Ministry, to ensure the early exploitation of the technology in the event of a successful outcome to the trial.