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R Killick-Kendrick

Publications and source records attributed to R Killick-Kendrick.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Phlebotomine sandflies of Kenya (Diptera: Psychodidae). IV. The armature in the genital atrium of female Larroussius as a means of identification.

Descriptions are given of armatures in the genital atria of the six known Kenyan species of phlebotomine sandflies of the subgenus, Larroussius, namely Phlebotomus aculeatus, P. elgonensis, P. guggisbergi, P. longipes, P. orientalis and P. pedifer. Phlebotomus aculeatus, P. longipes and P. pedifer can be recognized by the shapes of their armatures. Differences in the length and arrangement of the spines in the armature of P. elgonensis and P. longipes are diagnostic features. The distinguishing feature of P. guggisbergi is a wide variation in spine thickness. The most notable feature of P. orientalis is the angle at which the spines lie. The appearance of the base of the spermathecal duct remains the method of choice for the identification of all six but, if this feature is not well displayed in dissected females, they can be distinguished by the armature. It is suggested that descriptions of new species should include an illustration of the armature in the genital atrium.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

The armature in the genital atrium as a new taxonomic character distinguishing females of Phlebotomus papatasi and P. duboscqi (Diptera: Psychodidae).

Descriptions are given of armatures in the genital atria of females of the two morphologically similar sandfly species, Phlebotomus papatasi and P. duboscqi. The species are distinguishable by the size and shape of the armature, the grouping of the spines in the armature and the length and shape of the spines. These characters have been shown to separate females of other closely related species of phlebotomine sandflies.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Cellular and humoral immune responses in dogs experimentally and naturally infected with Leishmania infantum.

In this paper we describe a number of immunological parameters for dogs with a chronic Leishmania infantum infection which exhibit patterns of progressive disease or apparent resistance. The outcome of infection was assessed by isolation of parasites, serum antibody titers to Leishmania antigen, and development of clinical signs of leishmaniasis. Our studies show that 3 years after experimental infection, asymptomatic or resistant dogs responded to L. infantum antigen both in lymphocyte proliferation assays in vitro and in delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction, whereas no serum antibodies to parasite antigen were shown. In contrast, symptomatic or susceptible animals failed to respond to parasite antigen in cell-mediated assays both in vitro and in vivo and showed considerably higher serum antibodies to leishmanial antigens. In addition, significantly higher level of interleukin 2 (IL-2) and tumor necrosis factor were found in supernatants from stimulated peripheral mononuclear cells from asymptomatic dogs compared with those from symptomatic and control uninfected dogs. IL-6 production did not vary significantly among the groups studied. Finally, we observed similar results with a group of mixed-breed dogs with natural Leishmania infections also grouped as asymptomatic or symptomatic on the basis of clinical signs of canine visceral leishmaniasis. These results demonstrate that serum antibody titers, antigen-specific proliferative responses, delayed-type hypersensitivity skin reactions, and IL-2 and tumor necrosis factor production by peripheral mononuclear cells can be used as markers of disease progression.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Phlebotomine sandflies of Kenya (Diptera: Psychodidae). I. The validity of Phlebotomus (Larroussius) elgonensis Ngoka, Madel and Mutinga.

Sandflies collected in Kitum cave on the Kenyan side of Mount Elgon were identified as Phlebotomus (Larroussius) elgonensis Ngoka, Madel and Mutinga, a species synonymized with P. (L.) aculeatus Lewis, Minter and Ashford, by D. J. Lewis. A comparison of the flies from Kitum cave with P. aculeatus from Lake Elmentaita, Kenya, shows marked differences in the lengths of: (a) the spermathecal ducts of the female; (b) the style, coxite, genital pump and aedeagus of the male; and (c) the palpal segments of both sexes. Other notable differences are in the shape of the base of the spermathecal ducts; the position of spines on, and the shape of, the tip of the aedeagus; and the appearance of the pharyngeal armatures of both sexes. Phlebotomus elgonensis is redescribed and it is concluded that it is sufficiently different from P. aculeatus to deserve recognition as a valid species.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Leishmania tropica infection in hamsters and a review of the animal pathogenicity of this species.

Four strains of Leishmania tropica s. st. from Afghanistan were found to be constantly infective to the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), whether inoculated as culture promastigotes from early passages or as amastigotes from the cutaneous lesions. In total, 66 amastigote passages were carried out over 6 passage generations. The footpad lesions were chronic and nonulcerative infiltrates; their evolution is described up to 15 months. No self-healing was observed. Balb/c mice and gerbils were not susceptible. Earlier studies on L. tropica s. st. in laboratory animals, principally by Soviet and French workers, are critically reviewed. This new experimental model of chronic cutaneous leishmaniasis is of special interest for studies on the immunology and chemotherapy of the disease. Some advantages over the commonly used L. major model are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Epidemiology of canine leishmaniasis: prevalence, incidence and basic reproduction number calculated from a cross-sectional serological survey on the island of Gozo, Malta.

Assessment of the resilience of canine leishmaniasis to control or, more ambitiously, the effort needed to eradicate infection, requires an estimate of the basic case reproduction number (R0). This paper applies the theoretical results of Hasibeder, Dye & Carpenter (1992) to data from a cross-sectional survey on the Maltese island of Gozo in which dogs of known age, sex and occupation (pet, guard etc) were subjected to three different serological tests for the presence of specific antibody (IFAT, DAT and ELISA). Difficulties in interpreting these test results, and hence of determining the proportion of dogs infected, present the main obstacle to estimating R0: estimates are critically dependent on the choice of threshold separating seropositives from seronegatives. The data do, however, allow a robust comparative analysis of risk which shows that the force of infection experienced by working dogs is about three times higher than that of pet dogs, a degree of non-homogeneous contact which actually has little effect on estimates of R0. We suggest a cautious point estimate of R0 congruent to 11, and comment briefly on its significance for leishmaniasis control.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1992

A radio controlled box for the remote release of insects.

A description is given of a radio controlled box for the remote release of insects. It consists of a plaster-lined plastic container fitted with a battery and radio receiver which control a servo to open and close the lid. Instructions for construction and use are given.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Attractiveness of vertebrate hosts to Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) and other mosquitoes in Israel.

Host preferences of mosquitoes, mainly Culex pipiens L. and Aedes caspius (Pallas), were studied in Israel using live baits, chemical attractants, light, and suction traps. The feeding habits of Cx. pipiens were opportunistic. This species used a wide range of mammalian and avian hosts; a calf, chickens, turkeys, and sheep were the most attractive baits. A. caspius fed mainly on large mammals and was most attracted to calf and sheep baits. Although sheep were attractive, few Cx. pipiens and no Ae. caspius engorged after entering the traps. In addition to defensive behavior and the mechanical protection afforded by the wool, sheep may possess a close-acting repellent that deters mosquitoes from biting. CO2 was the best attractant for host-seeking Cx. pipiens and Ae. caspius, Aedes detritus (Haliday), Culiseta annulata (Schrank), Culiseta longiareolata (Macquart), and Uranotaenia unguiculata Edwards were caught in small numbers, and their bloodmeal hosts were recorded.

Aedes↗
PubMed1991

The initial establishment of sandfly colonies.

The initiation of laboratory colonies of phlebotomine sandflies is far more difficult than the maintenance of already established colonies. Based on our experience of setting up more than two dozen colonies, we present an account of the methods which we have found most successful. They include: techniques for collection and feeding wild-caught females: transportation in the field: optimum conditions for oviposition: choice and preparation of larval-rearing pots: larval food: handling adults: and the influence of cage size for sandfly copulation in the laboratory.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

The identification of female sandflies of the subgenus Larroussius by the morphology of the spermathecal ducts.

The complete spermathecae of 13 species of Larroussius were dissected and examined. The base of the duct of 4 species (aculeatus, guggisbergi, tobbi, wui) is bell-shaped: they are easily distinguished by differences in shape. Five other species (perniciosus, pedifer, longicuspis, perfiliewi, galilaeus) have lateral structures at the base of the duct: slight differences between perniciosus, pedifer and longicuspis distinguish these species: the structures of perfiliewi and galilaeus are the same. Species of a third group (neglectus, syriacus) have a common duct with no lateral structures: they are distinguishable by minor differences. Two species (ariasi, orientalis) from a fourth group with expanded distal parts of the duct; the size and shape of the expanded parts easily separates the species. The study shows a great variation in the morphology of the base of the spermathecal ducts of Larroussius and confirms the value of this feature in identifying otherwise indistinguishable females of the subgenus.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[Comparison between Phlebotomus duboscqi Neveu-Lemaire, 1906, and Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli, 1786): morphological and isoenzymatic studies].

Phlebotomus duboscqi et P.papatasi are morphologically closely related. Both species can be vectors of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Old World. In some African areas these two species are sympatric. Until now the females of the two species could not be differentiated. The authors investigated morphological characters and isoenzymatic characterization. Constant differences were observed. Moreover three interbreeding attempts were unsuccessful. These two species seemed to be considered as genuine species.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

The life-cycle of Leishmania in the sandfly with special reference to the form infective to the vertebrate host.

A review is given of recent advances in studies on the life-cycles of leishmaniae in phlebotomine sandflies including observations on the morphology and attachment of the parasites, putative genetic exchange in Leishmania, newly found factors affecting the development of the parasite in the fly, and the characteristics of metacyclic promastigotes related to their preadaptation for life in the vertebrate host.

Animals↗