Ecology of phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in a focus of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in northeastern Colombia.
(9/209)
The phlebotomine sand fly fauna of two coffee plantations in a Leishmania-endemic area of Norte de Santander, Colombia was studied. Regular insect collections using a variety of methods were made for three and a half years. Information was obtained on diurnal resting sites, host range and seasonal abundance for 17 species, of which five (Lutzomyia spinicrassa, Lu. serrana, Lu. shannoni, Lu. ovallesi and Lu. gomezi) were far more numerous than the others, anthropophilic and present throughout the year. The behaviour of these and the remaining 12 species is discussed in relation to their potential role in transmission of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in the area. (+info)
Research approaches in the development of interventions against vector-borne infection.
(10/209)
The conceptual basis of public health entomology developed at the turn of the twentieth century with the seminal experiments that guided the first vector-directed interventions. Within 50 years, technological advances built confidence in the power of research to resolve threats posed by vector-borne pathogens. Hope that the resulting diseases might be eliminated by time-limited interventions, however, soon became remote, thereby intensifying research efforts in vector biology. Beginning in the 1960s, US investigator-initiated grant proposals in vector biology were reviewed by a panel of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that considered all proposals relating to 'Tropical Medicine and Parasitology' (TMP). Following the recommendation of a conference held in 1978, proposals relating to insect physiology came to be reviewed by TMP. A standing 'ad hoc entomology' study section was formed in 1982 to deal with this influx of proposals. Another conference, held in 1993, encouraged consideration of proposals relating to vector transgenics by that study section. By 1994, this diversion caused the community of US public health entomologists to petition, in vain, for a return to the original concept of vector biology. By 2003, so many molecular proposals were submitted that entomological studies containing a field component were removed to an epidemiological study section distinct from TMP. In 2002, only half as many vector biology training programs could be identified in the US as in 1982, with a proportionate loss of associated faculty. A conference convened by the Institute of Medicine in 2003 concluded that the 'human resource capacity' in the US suitable for dealing with vector-related issues in health should be rebuilt. Although the development of such a discipline would depend largely on the system of investigator-initiated research proposals awarded by NIH, private donors and foundations seem likely to play an important role in this dynamic. The meld of vector biology, insect physiology and vector transgenics that will characterize the faculty that produces this new generation of public health entomologists remains to be defined. (+info)
Evaluation of carbon dioxide- and 1-octen-3-ol-baited Centers for Disease Control Fay-Prince traps to collect Aedes albopictus.
(11/209)
During the summer of 2001, field studies were performed to evaluate the effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) and 1-octen-3-ol (octenol) on the ability to collect Aedes albopictus with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Fay-Prince traps. Results from these studies indicated that Ae. albopictus is significantly more attracted to CO2- or CO2 + octenol-baited CDC Fay-Prince traps than unbaited or octenol-baited traps. However, the difference between the responses to CO2 and CO2 + octenol was not statistically different, indicating that CO2 is driving the response of Ae. albopictus to CDC Fay-Prince traps. (+info)
Design and implementation of a mosquito database through an entomological ontology.
(12/209)
There have been constant changes in the biology and behavior of the vector and parasite involved in the transmission of malaria. There is limited interest in developing new technologies and procedures for controlling the underlying factors of this threat, which poses an enormous challenge to health systems. To understand the various vector species and their interrelations is of prime importance in understanding the transmission mechanisms of malaria in order to react efficiently. To attain this objective, we have used an ontological approach to producing a database that we consider to be our own contribution in helping to control malaria vectors if eradication has been unsuccessful in the previous control campaign. (+info)
Myiasis in pet animals in British Columbia: the potential of forensic entomology for determining duration of possible neglect.
(13/209)
Results of a survey of veterinarians in British Columbia included 25 past cases of myiasis and 10 active cases. Most respondents received at least 5 to 10 cases per year, with some as high as 30 per year. This study revealed some advantages and disadvantages of using forensic entomology in living animals. (+info)
Efficiency of rubidium marking in Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae): preliminary evaluation on persistence of egg labeling, survival, and fecundity of marked female.
(14/209)
Rubidium chloride (RbCl) has been used for the study of vector biology and behavior, although the efficacy of marking, egg production, and survivorship of marked females have been poorly studied. Four concentrations of RbCl were tested, among which 0.025 M was the best for marking Aedes albopictus: more than 80% of egg batches of females fed once with blood containing RbCl were marked; Rb-marked egg batches, interspersed with non marked ones were recovered until 61 days after a blood meal containing RbCl followed by non marked meals; RbCl was essentially detected in the abdomen of marked females, whose egg production and survivorship did not differ from non marked ones, at least in the three weeks following the Rb-marked blood meal. (+info)
Design and implementation of a mosquito database through an entomological ontology.
(15/209)
There have been constant changes in the biology and behavior of the vector and parasite involved in the transmission of malaria. There is limited interest in developing new technologies and procedures for controlling the underlying factors of this threat, which poses an enormous challenge to health systems. To understand the various vector species and their interrelations is of prime importance in understanding the transmission mechanisms of malaria in order to react efficiently. To attain this objective, we have used an ontological approach to produce a database that we consider to be our own contribution in helping to control malarial vectors if eradication has been unsuccessful in the previous control campaign. (+info)
Dispersal pattern of the sand fly Lutzomyia neivai (Diptera: Psychodidae) in a cutaneous leishmaniasis endemic rural area in Southeastern Brazil.
(16/209)
The dispersal pattern of the sand fly Lutzomyia neivai was studied through mark-release-recapture experiments in an American cutaneous leishmaniasis endemic rural area in Southeastern Brazil. Over 6500 specimens were marked with fluorescent powder and released in forest edge and peridomicile habitats from August to November 1999, February and April 2000. Recapture attempts were made using Shannon and CDC traps up to eight successive nights after releases. A total of 493 (7.58%) specimens were recaptured. The number of recaptured males and females of L. neivai in CDC traps was not affected by the distance between the trap and the release points. Approximately 90% of males and females recaptured in CDC traps were caught up to 70 m from the release points. The maximum female flight range recorded was 128 m. The average flight range per day was less than 60 m for males and females. Of the flies released in forest edge, approximately 16% of the recaptured females were caught in Shannon traps in the peridomicile habitat. The results indicate that the movements of L. neivai are spatially focal and the possibility of dispersion from forest to peridomicile habitat may be an important way of contracting leishmaniasis in dwellings. (+info)