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PubMed2002

Repellency of IR3535, KBR3023, para-menthane-3,8-diol, and deet to black salt marsh mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Everglades National Park.

IR3535, KBR3023, para-Menthane-3,8-diol (PMD), and deet were evaluated in controlled studies with human subjects (n = 5) for repellency to black salt marsh mosquitoes (Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus Wiedemann), in the Everglades National Park, FL. In tests of 6-h duration, with an average mosquito biting pressure on exposed forearm skin of 19.5 (+/- 13.7) bites per minute, the mean percent repellencies (SE) for IR3535, KBR3023, PDM, and deet was 88.6 (3.2), 97.5 (1.7), 89.2 (2.9), and 94.8 (2.5), respectively. Mean complete protection times (SE) for IR3535, KBR3023, PMD), mean deet were 3.0 (1.0), 5.4 (0.6), 3.8 (1.4), and 5.6 (0.5) h, respectively. Untreated (ethanol) controls provided 0% repellency. When mosquito biting rates on the untreated forearm skin of repellent-treated subjects were compared with biting rates on the forearm skin of control subjects, the former were 23%-40% lower early in tests and as much as 22% higher late in tests. These differences cast doubt on the technical merit of test designs comprising evaluation of more than one repellent at a time on the same human subject while underscoring the importance of untreated subjects as negative controls in field repellent bioassays.

Activity Cycles↗
PubMed2002

Reduction of mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) attacks on a human subject by combination of wind and vapor-phase DEET repellent.

In a Central Michigan wetland setting, air drawn through a DEET-impregnated screen using an electric fan and projected toward a human subject significantly reduced mosquito orientation by 74%, landing by 75%, and probing by 70%, relative to no applied wind or DEET. The DEET vapor effect was significant as revealed by a statistically significant wind/DEET interaction. The wind speed at the downwind human subject was 0.6 m/s and the DEET vapor concentration was estimated at 2 microg/liter air. We suggest a combination of directed wind and volatile repellent might be developed as a mosquito deterrent strategy for the backyard setting.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Mite vectors (Acari: Trombiculidae) of scrub typhus in a new endemic area in northern Kyoto, Japan.

Between 1983 and 1999, 27 human cases of scrub typhus (two fatal) occurred in the Nodagawa River basin of northern Kyoto, Japan, an area where no cases had been previously reported. Antibody screening of infected patients' sera showed that nine of 15 patients had high titers against the Gilliam type of Orientia tsutsugamushi (Hayashi). To determine the vector mite transmitting the disease, we studied rodent and chigger populations in and near a rice field alongside the Nodagawa River between 1996 and 1999. The most common rodent species was Microtus montebelli (Milne-Edwards), representing 73.3% (33/45) of the population. The mite index (average number of mites per infested host) was highest (190.8) in Leptotrombidium pallidum Nagayo, Mitamura & Tamiya parasitizing on M. montebelli, followed by Leptotrombidium intermedium (Nagayo, Mitamura & Tamiya) (174.9) on the same host species. Orientia tsutsugamushi was isolated from 60.5% (23/38) of rodents and from 71.2% (37/52) of pools of engorged L. pallidum. The Gilliam type of O. tsutsugamushi was most prevalent in rodents, and in engorged L. pallidum and it was the only type recovered from 10 isolates inoculated into L 929 cells for indirect immunofluorescence examination. Orientia tsutsugamushi infected 14.3% (181/1263) and 14.8% (306/2066) of engorged and unfed L. pallidum larvae, respectively, and was also detected in 0.055% (2/3634) of unfed L. intermedium, although previous studies suggest that this mite rarely bites humans. These results show that L. pallidum is the primary vector species of scrub typhus in this new endemic area in Japan.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Antimosquito precautions and medical chemoprophylaxis in French children with malaria.

BACKGROUND: France is the European country with the highest number of imported malaria cases (7,500 in 2000). The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the nature and efficacy of prophylactic measures in children under 15 years of age referred for malaria. METHODS: Post travel questionnaires were given to the parents of malarial children in the emergency room. The study took place in two university hospitals in Marseilles, southern France, from August to October 2001. RESULTS: Eighty-eight children under 15 years of age were included in this 3-month period. Most of them had been infected in Comoro archipelago. Almost two-thirds used bed nets, but only 47% did so every night. Sprayed bed nets were used by 23%. Average compliances with cutaneous repellents, bedroom repellents and long-sleeved clothing were 32%, 24% and 26%, respectively. Air conditioners were uncommon. Only 22% of the children used chemoprophylaxis correctly, according to French recommendations. Five percent did not use any chemoprophylaxis, and 61% reported non recommended drug use. Although all the children traveled to chloroquine-resistant areas, chemoprophylaxis with mefloquine was less common than that with chloroquine + proguanil. No child fully complied with French recommendations concerning both anti mosquito measures and chemoprophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS: Insufficient use of antimalaria precautions by traveling families is associated with the high incidence of pediatric imported malaria in southern France. Travelers' education should be increased to allow the optimization of malaria prophylaxis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Natural-based repellent products: efficacy for military and general public uses.

The major points addressed in this article regarding natural- or herbal-based repellents are as follows. 1) It is important to recognize the end user when developing and testing repellents. There is a major difference between repellents suitable for nuisance management by the general public as compared with military or public health uses when battle-field conditions or a disease risk is present. 2) The experimental design used to determine repellent efficacy must also recognize the end user. Pest densities should reflect real-world conditions as much as possible. 3) The experimental design should be directed to the pest population, not at a different product. Remember, we should use scientific logic, not market-driven tactics. 4) There is a need for specific regulatory standards for natural repellents to insure not only quality but the proper and most effective means of application and use. 5) There is a need for increased research and development for natural and synthetic repellents.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Topical insecticide treatments to protect dogs from sand fly vectors of leishmaniasis.

We compared the susceptibility of sand fly vectors to four topical insecticide treatments applied to domestic dogs, a reservoir of human leishmaniasis. Dogs were exposed to sand flies pretreatment and at 1 week, 1 month, and 2 months posttreatment. Sand fly bloodfeeding and survival rate of both fed and unfed flies were significantly reduced by the permethrin, deltamethrin, and fenthion treatments, but diazinon had no effect. The survival rate of bloodfed sand flies was reduced by up to 86% with deltamethrin collars. The antifeeding effect suggests that deltamethrin collars may be recommended to dog owners to protect their pets from sandfly- borne diseases. The combined effects on sand fly feeding and survival indicate that epidemiologic, community-based trials are warranted to test whether deltamethrin collars could reduce the incidence of canine and, hence, human leishmaniasis.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2004

Bartonella spp. DNA associated with biting flies from California.

Bartonella DNA was investigated in 104 horn flies (Haematobia spp.), 60 stable flies (Stomoxys spp.), 11 deer flies (Chrysops spp.), and 11 horse flies (Tabanus spp.) collected on cattle in California. Partial sequencing indicated B. bovis DNA in the horn fly pool and B. henselae type M DNA in one stable fly.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Biting of anthropophilic Culicoides fulvithorax (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), a vector of Mansonella perstans in Nigeria.

Anthropophilic Culicoides were investigated in a rural community endemic for Mansonella perstans in Ijebu North area of western Nigeria between December 2003 and October 2004. Three hundred and fifty-nine adults of Culicoides fulvithorax collected by human bait in the morning were dissected for Mansonella perstans larvae, and 1.95% of infection rate was found. Seasonal abundance of C. fulvithorax was investigated by monthly biting rates, and showed that higher prevalence was observed in rainy season, with peak in September. Culicoides prevalence was positively correlated with rainfall and relative humidity, but not temperature. Human perceptions on the behavior of these biting midges were determined by interviewing 854 self-selected villagers, of which 86.5% of the interviewees confessed having experienced Culicoides bites. Between 76.5 and 99.1% of the various age groups complained body reactions to Culicoides bites. Itching was the most frequent body reaction. No interviewees associated Culicoides with transmission of any parasitic infections. The results showed need to adequately control Culicoides in the community.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Biting patterns and seasonal densities of Anopheles mosquitoes in the Cayo District, Belize, Central America with emphasis on Anopheles darlingi.

The present study utilized an experimental hut to conduct human-baited landing collections for characterizing the all-night biting patterns and seasonal densities of adult Anopheles darlingi in the centrally located Cayo District of Belize, Central America. A total of 25 all-night collections (i.e., sunset to sunrise) were conducted from January 2002 to May 2003, capturing a total of 18,878 An. darlingi females. Anopheles darlingi exhibited a bimodal nightly biting pattern with one predominate peak occurring three h after sunset and a smaller peak occurring one h prior to sunrise. Biting females were collected throughout the night in higher densities indoors (9,611) than outside (9,267) the experimental hut (O:I=1.00:1.04). Seasonal adult collections show An. darlingi densities were highest during the transitional months between the end of the wet and beginning of the dry season (January) and the end of the dry season and beginning of the wet season (May). A total of 2,010 An. darlingi females was captured in 31 two-h, human-baited landing collections performed from January to October 2002. Anopheles darlingi monthly population densities were found to have no significant associations with high or low temperatures, precipitation, or river level. However, qualitative data examination indicates an inverse relationship between river level and An. darlingi adult collections suggesting a disturbance of larval habitats. All-night biting and seasonal distribution patterns for other anopheline species are also described. None of the adult specimens collected throughout the entire study tested positive for Plasmodium spp. infection using the VecTest rapid diagnostic kit.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Insect repellents. What really works?

DEET remains one of the most effective repellents against a wide variety of insects. Although adverse reactions have been reported in the medical literature and magnified in the press, the compound is remarkably safe and has been used by hundreds of millions of people over the past 40 years. Permethrin is a better deterrent of ticks and, like DEET, is remarkably safe. Concomitant use of these two agents provides superior protection. Citronella and a bath oil, Avon Skin-So-Soft, also provide limited protection against some types of flying insects. The promise of new agents or protective strategies is on the horizon. Recently it was shown that retroviral vectors could be used to integrate and express foreign genes in the malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae. Conceivably, a genetically engineered mosquito that is resistant to malaria and other transmissible diseases may one day be developed, obviating some of the need for repellents. Almost certainly, future research will yield additional agents to further protect against mosquitoes.

DEET↗
PubMed2001

Identification, cloning, and recombinant expression of procalin, a major triatomine allergen.

Among the most frequent anaphylactic reactions to insects are those attributed to reduviid bugs. We report the purification and identification of the major salivary allergen of these insects. This 20-kDa protein (procalin) is a member of the lipocalin family, which includes salivary allergens from other invertebrates and mammals. An expression system capable of producing reagent quantities of recombinant allergen was developed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Antisera produced against recombinant protein cross-reacts with ELISA with salivary allergen. Recombinant Ag is also shown to react with sera from an allergic patient but not with control sera. By immunolocalization, the source of the salivary Ag is the salivary gland epithelium and its secretions.

Allergens↗
PubMed2003

Review of blackfly (Diptera: Simuliidae) control in South Africa.

The medical, veterinary and economic importance of blackflies in South Africa, and the historical development of blackfly control programmes in various South African rivers, are reviewed in this paper. In 1996 it was estimated that blackflies can cause more than R 88 million damages per annum along the middle and lower Orange River where Simulium chutteri is considered the main pest species. A clear link between the construction of dams and the spread of the blackfly problem was shown. Four phases characterize the development of blackfly control in South Africa: (1) during the 1960s blackflies in the Vaal River were controlled with DDT; (2), during the 1970s and into the 1980s blackflies were controlled using water-flow manipulation; (3) when used at strategic times, water-flow manipulation could be used to enhance the effect of natural predator populations; and (4) during the 1990s the organophosphate temephos and toxins produced by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis were tested for their efficacy against blackflies. The larvicides temephos and B. thuringiensis proved to be effective and are still used in several control programmes. The latest research focuses on the factors that influence adult blackfly survival and annoyance, as well as the development of methods that can be used to protect sheep from blackfly attacks.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Evaluation of personal protection methods against phlebotomine sand flies including vectors of leishmaniasis in Panama.

Three personal protection methods were evaluated against phlebotomine sand flies in Panama. Skin applications of five selected repellents including deet (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) provided a mean coefficient of protection (CP) of 99.2% against the attack of at least three sand fly species. Deet-treated net jackets also provided good protection, but it was concluded that an additional application of repellent to the unprotected face was necessary for maximum protection. Permethrin-treated clothing did not provide the protection expected. Apparently sand fly behavior and resistance to quick knock-down were responsible for the numbers of bites recorded, and therefore maximum protection from bites would require application of deet or another suitable repellent to the exposed skin when wearing permethrin-treated clothing.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Forest malaria in Bangladesh. II. Transmission by Anopheles dirus.

Seasonal, holoendemic malaria transmission in a small, isolated forest community was studied by doing outdoor and indoor all-night man-biting catches over 21 consecutive months. More than 3.8% of Anopheles dirus (=An. balabacensis s.l.), the most frequently caught anopheline, were infective. One An. annularis was also infective. Transmission occurred only during the 7-month monsoon. In the absence of DDT, An. dirus bit with equal frequency indoors and outdoors. When DDT was present in dwellings, fewer females fed indoors and they fed earlier. Feeding pattern was influenced by the phase of the moon: peak outdoors feeding was sharpest and earliest at first quarter and came later as the moon rose later. An average 31% of biting An. dirus lived long enough to reach infectivity of P. falciparum. Although fewer than 10 females fed per man per night, a resident could have received more than 100 infective bites in 2 years. Correlation between actual and calculated rates of gametocytemia were poorest in months when calculated survival rates of mosquitoes were most suspect.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Assessment of Culicoides barbosai as a vector of Mansonella ozzardi in Haiti.

Studies in the southern peninsula of Haiti showed that the biting midge, Culicoides barbosai, was capable of supporting the development of Mansonella ozzardi to the infective stage. The known vector, Culicoides furens, also was encountered. Both species showed distinct biting site preferences, i.e., 98% of the midges that engorged on the arms and head were C. barbosai whereas C. furens was collected mostly from the lower legs. Nine days after engorgement, 19 infective larvae were recovered from 13 C. barbosai versus six larvae from four C. furens. It was judged that C. barbosai may be as importantly involved in the natural transmission cycle as C. furens in this community.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

The effectiveness of permethrin and deet, alone or in combination, for protection against Aedes taeniorhynchus.

Field tests were conducted to compare the degree of protection from bites by the mosquito Aedes taeniorhynchus (Wiedemann) provided by wearing clothing treated with permethrin [(3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl (+/-) cis/trans 3-(2-dichloroethenyl)2, 2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate] with that provided by applying deet (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) to exposed skin or by applying deet and wearing the treated clothing. Human test subjects were exposed to natural populations of mosquitoes for a 9-hour daytime period (total of 8 days/treatment) while using one or both protection methods. Unprotected test subjects were also exposed for short periods each day as a check to determine the overall biting rate of mosquitoes. The combined use of both protection methods was the most effective treatment in preventing bites, resulting in an average of 1.5 bites/9-hour day, compared with 53.5 and 98.5 bites on subjects protected only with treated clothing or deet, respectively, and 2,287 bites (extrapolated) on subjects who wore untreated clothing during the same time period. Measurements also indicated that the toxic effect of permethrin reduced biting rates by greater than 90% within the immediate area where subjects wore permethrin-treated uniforms for 9 hours.

Animals↗