The established vector responsible for transmission of visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) in the Indian subcontinent is:

• A Phlebotomus papatasi
• B Culicoides sonorensis
• C Lutzomyia longipalpis
• D Phlebotomus argentipes ✓

Explanation

In India and Nepal, kala-azar is transmitted by the female sandfly Phlebotomus argentipes, which breeds in moist soil near cattle sheds and bites at night. P. papatasi is the principal vector of Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis and Lutzomyia longipalpis transmits New World visceral disease, so both are geographically wrong for the Indian subcontinent.

Reference: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21st ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.