bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determinants of the domiciliary density of Triatoma infestans, vector of Chagas disease
Authors: GÜRTLER RICARDO E. , CECERE MARIA C. , RUBEL DIANA N. , SCHWEIGMANN NICOLAS J. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. In two heavily infested rural villages of Santiago del Estero, Argentina, where no indoor‐spraying with residual insecticides had ever been carried out by official control services, we studied the influence of roof and wall structure, domestic use of insecticide, family size and the number of domestic dogs, on the domiciliary density of Triatoma infestans (Klug). Bug density was significantly associated with (1) the interaction between insecticide use and type of roof, (2) the structure of indoor walls, (3) the number of dogs sharing sleeping areas of people (room‐mate dogs), and (4) the number of people plus room‐mate dogs, but not with just the number of people resident in the house.The interaction between insecticide use and a roof made of ‘simbol’, a locally available grass (Pennisetum sp.), also reflected a younger age structure of domestic bug populations. In infested houses, the density of bugs infected with Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas was significantly correlated with overall bug density. Our data suggest that the application of environmental management measures by the affected people, such as plastering of walls and modification of roofs, coupled with keeping dogs away from bedrooms and application of insecticides, should limit the domestic population density of T.infestans and thus reduce the transmission of T.cruzi to people.
Tick infection rates with Borrelia Ixodes ricinus versus Haemaphysalis concinna and Dermacentor reticulatus in two locations in eastern Germany
Authors: KAHL OLAF , JANETZKI CLAUDIA , GRAY JEREMY S. , STEIN JÜRGEN , BAUCH ROLF J. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractUnfed nymphal Ixodes ricinus, Haemaphysalis concinna, and adult Dermacentor reticulatus were collected in two locations of Saxony in July and September 1991 by flagging. In July, the abundance of nymphal I. ricinus was about 2–3 times higher than that of nymphal H.concinna, a time of the year when nymphs of both species are reported to have a seasonal peak of activity. No D.reticulatus were flagged concurrently. In September, host‐seeking activity of nymphal I.ricinus was again quite high as was that of adult D.reticulatus but only low numbers of nymphal H.concinna were collected. The flagged ticks were individually examined for Borrelia by an indirect immunofluorescence assay {I.ricinus: n = 414; H.concinna: n = 96; D.reticulatus: n= 116). The prevalence of Borrelia (probably B.burgdorferi) in I.ricinus varied from 12.1% to 21.0%. No borreliae were found in H. concinna. Of the examined D. reticulatus from one site (n= 97) 11.3% contained either B. burgdorferi or a related Borrelia. This may be the first finding of Borrelia in an Eurasian Dermacentor species.
DNA probes for the identification of members of the Simulium damnosum complex (Diptera: Simuliidae)
Authors: POST R. J. , FLOOK P. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractGenomic libraries in plasmid have been constructed from various sibling species of blackflies of the Simulium damnosum complex from West Africa. Three cloned repetitive sequences, which show variation in copy number between sibling species, have been isolated. These clones can be used as probes for the dot‐blot identification of larvae, pupae or adults into the three main West African subcomplexes, i.e. damnosum, squamosum and sanctipauli subcom‐plexes. The sequences also show some intraspecific variation in copy number.
Identification of phlebotomine sandfly bloodmeals from Baringo district, Kenya, by direct enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
Authors: NGUMBI PHILIP M. , LAWYER PHILLIP G. , JOHNSON RICHARD N. , KIILU GABRIEL , ASIAGO CHARLES 
Published: March 2008

AbstractDirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to identify the sources of bloodmeals in phlebotomine sandflies from Baringo District, Rift Valley Province, Kenya. Some bloodmeals had been stored for over 4 years before being analysed. Among 356 sandflies identified, 62.9% were Phlebotomus martini, 14.8%Sergentomyia antennatus, 10%S.schwetzi, 6%S.clydei, 1.9%S.adleri, 1.6%P.duboscqi, 1.4%S.africanus and 0.8%S.bedfordi. Out of 224 P.martini bloodmeals, host source was identified for 69. The order of host preference for P.martini was: goat 28.5%, rabbit 22.7%, human 8.9% and others 8.9%. Evidence of mixed feeding was shown by four species comprising sixteen specimens, twelve of which were P.martini. The most effective methods for trapping bloodfed P.martini were sticky paper traps in termite hills, followed by light‐traps. Of the 224 P.martini trapped, 58.9% were collected with traps in termite hills, and 22.7% with light traps. Roles of the three most popular hosts for P.martini should be investigated to ascertain whether they act as reservoirs in the transmission of Leishmania donovani causing visceral leishmaniasis in Kenya.
Characterization and description of a virus causing salivary gland hyperplasia in the housefly, Musca domestica
Authors: COLER R. R. , BOUCIAS D. G. , FRANK J. H. , MARUNIAK J. E. , GARCIA‐CANEDO A. , PENDLAND J. C. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. A double‐stranded DNA virus was isolated from hyperplasic salivary glands of male and female houseflies, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), collected from a dairy in Alachua County, Florida, U.S.A.Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) of this housefly salivary gland hyperplasia (SGH) virus revealed the presence of two major and eight minor structural polypeptides. Restriction endonuclease analysis indicated that the c. 137 kilobase pair DNA was double‐stranded.Weekly sweep‐net sampling of the fly population throughout the season (May‐October, 1991) showed that 1.5‐18.5% of the dissected flies possessed hyperplasic salivary glands. The virus replicated within the nuclei of the salivary gland cells and was transmitted per os to newly‐emerged healthy adult flies.
Barrier spraying to control the malaria vector Anopheles albimanus: laboratory and field evaluation in the Dominican Republic
Authors: PERICH M. J. , TIDWELL M. A. , DOBSON S. E. , SARDELIS M. R. , ZAGLUL A. , WILLIAMS D. C. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. To develop a new strategy for control of exophilic/exophagic malaria vectors which rest on peridomestic foliage, Anopheles albimanus was used for laboratory bioassays of mosquito adulticides applied to various vegetation types. Of the three classes of insecticide tested, the pyrethroid (permethrin at 112 g/ha) showed greater foliar persistence than either the carbamate (bendiocarb at 340g/ha) or the organophosphorus compound (malathion at 277g/ha).Field evaluation of barrier spraying against An.albimanus was evaluated in rural villages of southwest Dominican Republic during 1989. The pyrethroid deltamethrin was sprayed aerially for ultra‐low volume application at treatment rates of 17‐19ga.i./ha in a radius of 500m around two villages. An.albimanus were monitored by light‐traps and human bait collections at both treated villages, compared with two similar untreated villages, up to 9 nights post‐treatment. Densities of female An.albimanus were significantly reduced in the sprayed villages for at least 8 or 9 nights. Further evaluation of barrier spraying is recommended to determine optimal pyrethroid formulations and applications rates, their impact on non‐target fauna and efficacy against malaria transmission.
Factors influencing nuisance blackfly (Diptera: Simuliidae) activity in the Scottish Highlands
Authors: COUPLAND J. B. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract.The nuisance activity of blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) was investigated in several habitats on Speyside, near Kincraig (57o08'N, 3o56'W), Invernesshire, in central Scotland during May‐October 1987‐89.The main blackfly species caught landing/biting on humans wereSimulium reptans, S. argyreatum, S. variegetumand theS. tuberosumcomplex, in order of prevalence. Blackfly biting activity occurred from mid‐May to mid‐September. Numbers of female blackflies attracted to volunteers were correlated with their body posture, habitat and the season. Overall,Simuliumactivity was greatest in mixed birch/juniper forest, least in spruce plantations and at intermediate levels on pasture, moorland and in Scots Pine forest.Compared with an adult, a child experienced twice as manySimuliumbites per hour (12.2 v 6.3) in the birch forest. On the child's body, 69% of blackfiies landed on the head, neck and back, whereas the majority landed on the legs (48%) and arms (28%) of adults. Bending over, especially during the exertion of gardening, was more attractive to anthropophilic blackfiies than standing or kneeling.
Identification of electrophysiologically‐active compounds for New World screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax, in larval wound fluid
Authors: CORK ALAN 
Published: March 2008

Abstract Acidic and non‐acidic fractions from extracts of fluid from sheep wounds infested with larvae of Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) were analysed by linked gas chromatography and electroantennography in order to detect electrophysiologically‐active compounds that could be potential attractants. Responses to twenty‐six electrophysiologically‐active compounds were observed and, on the basis of electron impact and chemical ionization mass spectrometry and co‐chromatography with authentic compounds, twenty‐five of these compounds were characterized. The most abundant compounds identified in the larval wound fluid were straight and methyl‐branched aliphatic carboxylic acids, ranging from C2‐ to C5‐carbon chain length. Butanoic acid, for example, was found to be present at approximately 0.45mg/ml. Aliphatic carboxylic acids with longer chain lengths were also observed but in trace amounts. Three aromatic carboxylic acids, benzoic, phenylethanoic and 3‐phenylpropanoic acids were also present but only phenylethanoic and 3‐phenylpropanoic acids elicited electroantennographic responses. Phenol and indole were by far the most abundant components of the non‐acid fraction of the larval wound fluid with all other components, except δ‐valerolactam, present at levels of less than 5% that of phenol which was present at a concentration of 0.05 mg/ml.Electroantennographic studies of straight‐chain aliphatic carboxylic acids showed that pentanoic acid elicited the strongest response from C. hominivorax. Similar studies showed that 1‐octen‐3‐ol elicited stronger responses than 3‐methylphenol, indole, phenol or dimethyldisulphide. 3‐Methylindole, which was not found in the wound fluid, also elicited a strong response.The potential behavioural significance of these compounds is discussed in relation to that of known attractants of C. hominivorax and other dipteran pests of mammals.
Cattle‐tsetse contact in relation to the daily activity patterns of Glossina morsitans submorsitans in The Gambia
Authors: RAWLINGS P. , WACHER T. J. , SNOW W. F. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. The daily flight activity patterns of one of the main vectors of animal trypanosomiasis in West Africa, Glossina morsitans submorsitans, were assessed using four different methods. Results from all the methods showed that there was some flight activity nearly every hour in all seasons but they differed in the level of contact between grazing cattle herds and G.m.submorsitans. In the late dry season, trap data indicated that there was negligible activity from midday to late afternoon, whereas observations of tsetse contact with cattle herds or hand‐net collections on herd followings showed no fall in attack rates on the cattle by G.m.submorsitans.Differences between trap and animal‐baited collection data may be attributable to the type of G.m.submorsitans sampled by each method. Male G.m.submorsitans captured by traps were more fat depleted than those caught on ox‐baited flyrounds or by hand‐net collections on herd followings. All methods showed that male G.m.submorsitans were most fat depleted in the late dry season and least in the early dry season. It was concluded that the traps were mainly sampling the spontaneous flights of G.m.submorsitans. Hunger and endogenous rhythms increase the likelihood of spontaneous flights towards dusk, particularly in conditions such as those at midday in the very hot, late dry season. However, the presence of cattle herds in infested habitats probably activated nearby G.m.submorsitans and the continual movement through the grazing areas ensured contact with tsetse throughout grazing.The data indicated that strategic management of herd grazing times cannot eliminate the risk of trypanosomiasis transmission occurring, irrespective of the harshness of the dry season climate. An assessment of the level of this risk could only be measured suitably by collecting tsetse using animal‐baited methods, not from trap data.
Morphological and chromosomal descriptions of new species in the Anopheles subpictus complex
Authors: SUGUNA S. G. , RATHINAM K. GOPALA , RAJAVEL A. R. , DA V. D HAN 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Anopheles subpictus Grassi is shown to comprise four reproductively distinct species, designated A, B, C and D, occurring sympatrically in villages of Pondicherry, southeast India.Adult females were reared individually from wild larvae and examined for their morphological and chromosomal characters. Paracentric fixed inversions on the X‐chromosome serve to distinguish the species cytogenetically, with no inversion heterozygotes (i.e. no interspecific hybrids) among totals of 717 species A (X+a,+b), 1863 species B (Xa, b), 869 species C (Xa,+b) and 1365 species D (X +a,b) identified.Morphologically, diagnostic characters for each of the four species are seen in the egg float ridge number, larval mesothoracic seta 4, pupal seta 7‐1 and the palpi of female adults. Species A. C and D immatures inhabit freshwater, whereas the malaria vector species B breeds in saltwater and was found only in coastal villages.
Seasonal abundance, biting cycle and parity of the mosquito Haemagogus leucocelaenus in Trinidad, West Indies
Authors: CHADEE DAVE D. , GANESH R. , HINGWAN J. O. , TIKASINGH E. S. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAdult female populations of Haemagogus leucocelaenus (Dyar and Shannon), the sylvan vector of yellow fever, were monitored weekly during 1981–82 by human collectors on the ground at Point Gourde in Chaguaramas Forest, 16 km west of Port of Spain, Trinidad. Hg.leucocelaenus showed only diurnal landing activity, from 06.00 to 18.00 hours (sunrise to sunset, universal time), with a single peak of activity between 10.00 and 14.00 hours.Densities of Hg.leucocelaenus during the wet season (May–November) were about double the level recorded during the dry season (December–April).Monthly parous rates averaged 53.9% (range 25–90%) and some females were up to five‐pars. Retained eggs (range 2–6, mean 4/female) were found in the ovaries of 0.34% of landing females, all of which had stage 1 ovarian follicles for the next gonotrophic cycle. Therefore blood‐feeding is not inhibited by egg retention. Hg. leucocelaenus vector potential is reappraised in the light of these findings.
Incrimination of Phiebotomus papatasi as vector of Leishmania major in the southern Jordan Valley
Authors: JANINI RENÉE , SALIBA ELIAS , KHOURY SAMI , OUMEISH OUMEISH , ADWAN SALEH , KAMAHAWI SHADEN 
Published: March 2008

Abstracthe status of sandflies as vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the southern Jordan Valley was investigated during 1992. Sandflies were collected from domestic habitats and from burrows of Psammomys obesus. Of 686 Phlebotomus papatasi females collected from burrows, fourteen harboured promastigotes in their guts. On the other hand, none of 1446 P.papatasi females collected from domestic habitats were found infected. The highest infection rate (5.5%) was recorded in November at the end of the sandfly season. Six leishmanial stocks isolated from P.papatasi females were typed by cellulose acetate electrophoresis using the six enzymes G6PDH, 6PGDH, PGI, PGM, FK and ME. Five of the leishmanial stocks were identical to a Leishmania major reference strain (MHOMISU/73/5‐ASKH). The sixth isolate was a 6PGDH variant of L.major. These findings present the first direct evidence of the role of P.papatasi as a vector of L.major in Jordan.
Cytogenetical analysis of the Simulium damnosum complex (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Guinea Bissau
Authors: CHARALAMBOUS M. , SHELLEY A. J. , GRÁCIO A. J. DOS SANTOS , RAYBOULD J. N. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. In a 3‐year study during 1990–92, larval collections of the Simulium damnosum complex from the River Corubal system in Guinea Bissau revealed that the only sibling species present were S. sirbanum and the Konkouré form of S. konkourense, but not S. damnosum s.s. which had been found at some of the localities (Saltinho and Cusselinta) in a previous survey by Quillévéréet at. (1981). Their differential distributions were seasonally consistent between years. S. sirbanum was concentrated in the upper reaches of the Corubal, moving downstream at the end of the dry season to exploit new breeding grounds, whereas S. konkourense seemed to be concentrated in the lower reaches and moved upstream in the middle of the dry season.Since the previous survey, it appears that S. konkourense has largely replaced S. sirbanum and S. damnosum s.s. in the lower reaches of the Corubal. S. sirbanum was consistently associated with man‐biting behaviour and, although infection studies were not performed, it is likely that S. sirbanum is the main vector of onchocerciasis in Guinea Bissau as S. konkourense does not seen to be anthropophilic.Among five polymorphic inversions in S. sirbanum, the frequency of inversion IL‐B increased during the dry season; IL‐2 and IIL‐7 showed homozygous disadvantage whereas IIL‐3 and IIIL‐6 did not; IS‐2 tended to be fixed in all populations. Simulium konkourense populations in the River Corubal differ from those found upstream in its tributary the River Koumba, in the Fouta Djallon of Guinea, by their sex chromosomes (having no sex‐linked inversions) and biting preferences, indicating that the populations are not freely interbreeding. Inversion IIIL‐X was found for the first time in populations of S. konkourense outside the Fouta Djallon area and a new inversion IIL‐Y was identified in samples from the Rivers Corubal and Féfiné.
Mosquito control in Dar es Salaam.
Authors: CHAVASSE D. C. , LINES J. D. , ICHIMORI K. , MAJALA A. R. , MINJAS J. N. , MARIJANI J. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. In two contrasting areas of Dar es Salaam (Ilala and Mikocheni) all enclosed breeding sites of Culex quinquefasciatus, such as latrines and septic tanks, were treated with a floating layer of expanded polystyrene beads. 7 months later checks in both study areas revealed only one site (from which the polystyrene had been removed during emptying) containing immature stages of Cx quinquefasciatus.Open breeding sites such as areas of flooded land and blocked drains were treated with pyriproxyfen (an insect growth regulator) at a concentration of 0.1 ppm. Emergence of Cx quinquefasciatus adults from these sites was inhibited for 4 weeks during the rainy season and for up to 11 weeks during the dry season.The problem of mosquito breeding sites caused by bathroom sullage water was addressed through a combination of health education and indirect pressure from the Urban Malaria Control Project (UMCP) via local community leaders. Households responsible for these sites were encouraged to eliminate them by diverting the water into an enclosed drainage structure, usually a pit latrine. After two weekly visits 64.7% of households had complied and 93.4% had complied after five visits. 5 months later, only 15.7% had reverted to allowing sullage water to collect into puddles.Densities of Cx quinquefasciatus adults dropped by 76.7% in Mikocheni and by 46.2% in Ilala following intervention, but increased by 84.9% and 25.6% in two untreated comparison areas. The reasons for differential success of the combined interventions in the two treated areas are discussed.
Long‐term use of permethrin‐impregnated nets does not increase Anopheles gambiae permethrin tolerance
Authors: VULULE J. M. , BEACH R. F. , ATIELI F. K. , MOUNT D. L. , ROBERTS J. M. , MWANGI R. W. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Previous use of permethrin‐impregnated bednets (mosquito nets) and curtains in four Kenyan villages for one year, 1990‐91, raised the permethrin LT50 of Anopheles gambiae to 2.4‐fold above its baseline value, designated permethrin tolerance (PT), as measured by exposure to 0.25% permethrin‐impregnated papers in W.H.O. test‐kits. During 1992‐93, with ongoing use of permethrin‐impregnated nets and curtains, PT regressed slightly compared with the contemporary susceptibility level of An. gambiae from non‐intervention villages, to 1.8‐fold in 1992 and only 1.6‐fold in 1993. Thus the selection pressure of impregnated nets for PT in Angambiae appears to be minimal in our study villages, although the impact of permethrin was demonstrated by a significantly lower parous‐rate of Angambiae females in the intervention (63–66%) than in non‐intervention (79%) villages, and by reduced malaria transmission (reported elsewhere).In a selected stock of An. gambiae from the study area, PT did not affect the susceptibility to deltamethrin, fenitrothion, propoxur or DDT. Bioassays described herein provide easy procedures for field‐monitoring of mosquito susceptibility/tolerance/resistance to insecticides used for net impregnation in operational programmes.
A self‐medicating applicator for control of ticks on deer
Authors: SONENSHINE DANIEL E. , ALLAN SANDRA A. , NORVAL R. ANDREW I. , BURRIDGE MICHAEL J. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. A self‐medicating applicator for killing ticks on deer and domestic ungulates by passive transfer of acaricides during feeding is described. The applicator consists of a barrel divided into a food bin (above) and a sealed self‐contained acaricide reservoir (below) with a vertical, centrally‐located ceramic column that extends from the reservoir into the food bin. Acaricide is drawn up the column from the sealed reservoir by absorption. Animals attracted to the food in the device acquire the acaricide during feeding when they contact the uppermost portion of the column.White‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) readily utilize the applicator in penned and natural conditions. In a field study, examination of hunter‐killed deer demonstrated that animals from a treated site were infested with many fewer Ixodes scapularis (3.4 ± 1.1) than those from a control site (10.8 ± 3.0). Chromatographic analysis of hair samples revealed traces of permethrin on three of the four animals examined, suggesting use of applicators by these deer. In a study using penned goats {Capra hircus) infested with Amblyomma americanum ticks, treatment efficacy reached 86.4% within 4 days of exposure to the applicators. Visual observations confirmed that all animals used the applicators. Gas chromatographic analysis of goat hair samples indicated that permethrin was detectable on all of the treated animals exposed to the device.