September 9-13, 2024 – The 11th International Symposium on Phlebotomine Sandflies (ISOPS XI) gathered leading researchers and experts from across the globe in a five-day event focused on the latest advancements in phlebotomine sandfly research.
The symposium, which has become a premier platform for discussing phlebotomine sandflies — the exclusive vectors of leishmaniasis — comes at a critical time when climate change is dramatically altering ecosystems. As the habitats of sandflies expand, so does the incidence and spread of leishmaniasis and other vector-borne diseases. The event underscored the need for innovative, robust research to combat this evolving threat. Over the course of five days, 111 participants representing 27 countries convened at the Faculty of Tourism Studies at the University of Primorska in Portorož. Attendees hailed from nations including Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Laos, Portugal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The symposium attracted prominent biologists, pharmacists, doctors, and veterinarians from around the world, who gathered to share knowledge, innovations, and experiences essential to advancing both human and veterinary medicine.
In his opening remarks, the symposium’s organizer, Vladimir Ivović – CLIMOS Partner – welcomed the attendees, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration in the face of growing environmental challenges. “Research on phlebotomine sandflies is now more important than ever,” said the organizer, highlighting how climate change is shifting the dynamics of disease transmission. “Understanding these changes is essential for developing effective control and prevention strategies.”
The symposium brought together a distinguished assembly of scientists and practitioners, all united in their commitment to advancing phlebotomine sandfly research. Attendees participated in discussions, presentations, and workshops that delved into the latest findings, ranging from vector biology to public health implications. The goal: to foster collective efforts in combating the diseases transmitted by these vectors.
On Thursday, September 12, from 14:00 to 16:00, the symposium hosted a focused session on the CLIMOS project—an initiative aimed at building a Climate Monitoring and Decision Support Framework for Sand Fly-borne Diseases Detection and Mitigation. Chaired by Ozge Erisoz Kasap, the session featured a series of insightful presentations by leading researchers working to address the growing threat of sand fly-borne diseases exacerbated by climate change.
Carla Maia and Suzana Blesić outlined how the CLIMOS project seeks to improve understanding of these drivers, while Vit Dvorak and Gioia Bongiorno discussed sand fly sample collection, and the detection of Leishmania and Phlebovirus in both sand flies and animal samples. Innovative approaches were also shared, such as Jovana Sadlova’s research on the vector competence of European sand flies and Orin Courtenay’s development of a semio-chemical attractant monitoring device. Iva Kolarova presented the creation of recombinant salivary antigens as risk markers, and Sergio Natal introduced an Early Warning System for disease prevention. The session concluded with insights from Yoni Waitz on large-scale data analysis of sand fly populations and Diana Guardado’s emphasis on disseminating sand fly research to wider audiences. Together, these contributions underscored the importance of climate-driven strategies and cross-disciplinary collaboration in tackling the growing challenge of sand fly-borne diseases.
On Friday, September 13th, a session chaired by Vit Dvorak, Eduardo Berriatua presented findings from the CLIMOS project, focusing on assessing sand fly vector distributions in Spain to better predict Leishmania and Phlebovirus infection risks. Another session, chaired by Yusuf Ozbel, featured Katharina Platzgummer’s presentation on the trajectory of sand fly research in Central Europe, covering its past achievements, present challenges, and future directions. Both sessions underscored the importance of understanding sand fly populations for effective disease prevention strategies.
A special note of gratitude was extended to the Organizing Committee, including Katja Adam, Sara Zupan, Jure Jugovic, Vit Dvorak, and Ozge Erisoz Kasap, for their hard work in making the event possible. Their efforts in planning and coordination ensured a conducive environment for insightful presentations and fruitful networking.
As ISOPS XI concluded, participants left with renewed vigor and optimism, spurred by the shared knowledge and new collaborations formed during the symposium. With continued research and international cooperation, the global scientific community aims to make significant strides in protecting public health from the growing threat of vector-borne diseases like leishmaniasis. See you in 4 years, at Bonito, Brazil!
ISOPS XI photo gallery
