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PubMed2003

Survey of personal protection measures against mosquitoes among Australian defense force personnel deployed to East Timor.

A questionnaire was completed by 955 Australian Defense Force soldiers from two battalion groups to determine their usage of mosquito repellents and bed nets during peacekeeping duties in East Timor. The survey showed that most soldiers (84%) used repellents, but only 19% used them daily. The soldiers used a number of repellent formulations; however, few soldiers used the Australian Defense Force deet (diethyl methylbenzamide) formulation containing 35% deet in a gel. Most soldiers preferred several commercial formulations, which contained 7 to 80% deet. The occurrence of mosquito-borne disease in soldiers was not affected by repellent usage, as the use of repellents was comparable between infected and noninfected individuals. The overall frequency of bed net usage differed in the two battalion groups. The occurrence of malaria in soldiers from one battalion group who did not sleep under a bed net every night of their deployment was significantly (p = 0.007) higher than those who did.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Evaluation of a novel removal trap system to reduce biting midge (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) populations in Florida backyards.

A removal trapping method that employed individual lure-baited insect suction traps for the reduction of adult biting midges (Culicoides spp.) was evaluated in a coastal residential neighborhood of northwestern Florida during 2000. Six backyards were used in the study. Lure-baited traps consisted of one ABC PRO insect suction trap (fitted with a 30 by 30-mesh polyester screen bag) baited with carbon dioxide (500 ml/min) and a 4:1:8 mixture of 1 octen-3-ol, 3-n-propylphenol, and 4-methylphenol (5.39 +/- 0.54 mg/h) placed in each of three backyards. Lure-baited traps ran continuously during the 4-mo study. Three backyards without lure-baited traps served as controls. Adult midge populations were monitored twice weekly for 24-h in each backyard using an additional ABC PRO trap baited with carbon dioxide (500 ml/min) only. Five species of biting midges were collected from all traps in each backyard (in descending order): Culicoides mississippiensis, C. barbosai, C. melleus, C. furens, and C. hollensis. Overall reduction was not consistent in lure-baited backyards and ranged from 2.3% to 70.6% on 16 of the 30 sample dates. But when biting midge populations seasonally declined to a weekly average of < 500 midges per lure-baited trap, reduction occurred more frequently. Midge reduction did not appear to be species specific.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[Evaluation of the efficacity of coconut (Cocos nucifera), palm nut (Eleais guineensis) and gobi (Carapa procera) lotions and creams in indivirual protection against Simulium damnosum s.l. bites in Côte d'Ivoire].

With the interruption of larva treatments done by OCP as part of onchocerciasis control in West Africa, Simulium came back in abundance in forest regions and savannah fertile valleys. In addition to the severe discomfort, nuisance by Simulium is in certain cases incompatible with land use. Since ground treatment of larval breading sites using insecticides is not always possible or efficient, it is therefore a necessity to develop other methods among which individual protection against Simulium bites. The general objective of our study was to evaluate different vegetable oil compound repellent formulas against Simulium bites. Activities were carried out in savannah zone (Niakaramandougou) and in forest zone (Soubré) in Côte d'Ivoire. The methodology consisted in catching blackflies on volunteers whose legs were rubbed with a repellent. Gobi raw oil and coconut, palm nut and gobi formulas (lotions and creams) were tested. During each session, which lasted from 07:00 am to 12:00 and from 03:00 pm to 06:00 pm, one person did not apply any repellent and was used as the control person. The results of our experimentations show that for a given zone (savannah, forest), a repellent (coconut, palm nut, gobi) and a compound (shea butter, vaseline), there is no significant difference between protection rates obtained with lotions (maximum: 21 bites/person/day) and those obtained with creams (maximum: 30 bites/person/day). In other respects, the lotion of a given repellent seems to be efficient in savannah as in the forest, in protecting against Simulium bites. It is the same situation with creams. So, repellents can be an efficient solution against Simulium nuisance. However, experimentations should continue to confirm the high repellency of tested formulas, proceed to the identification of principles and evaluate the toxicity and irritant effect of repellents to be applied on the skin.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed2003

Identification of the people from whom engorged Aedes aegypti took blood meals in Florida, Puerto Rico, using polymerase chain reaction-based DNA profiling.

We used polymerase chain reaction-based DNA profiling to construct allelic profiles for residents and visitors of 22 houses in Florida, Puerto Rico, and human DNA from blood meals in Aedes aegypti that were collected in those homes. Complete profiles were obtained for < or = 2 days after blood ingestion. Eighteen percent of the meals came from two different people. There was no evidence of meals from > or = 2 people. Eighty percent of the meal sources were identified, > 70% were taken from residents of the collection house, and > 90% were from residents of the study community. Across the community, feeding was non-random with a bias towards young adults and males. Three people accounted for 56% of the meals. Our results confirm that multiple feeding on different people is an important component in the role of Ae. aegypti in dengue virus transmission and help explain the spatial distribution of dengue cases in a previous epidemic in Florida, Puerto Rico.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Spatial and temporal heterogeneity of Anopheles mosquitoes and Plasmodium falciparum transmission along the Kenyan coast.

The seasonal dynamics and spatial distributions of Anopheles mosquitoes and Plasmodium falciparum parasites were studied for one year at 30 villages in Malindi, Kilifi, and Kwale Districts along the coast of Kenya. Anopheline mosquitoes were sampled inside houses at each site once every two months and malaria parasite prevalence in local school children was determined at the end of the entomologic survey. A total of 5,476 Anopheles gambiae s.l. and 3,461 An. funestus were collected. Species in the An. gambiae complex, identified by a polymerase chain reaction, included 81.9% An. gambiae s.s., 12.8% An. arabiensis, and 5.3% An. merus. Anopheles gambiae s.s. contributed most to the transmission of P. falciparum along the coast as a whole, while An. funestus accounted for more than 50% of all transmission in Kwale District. Large spatial heterogeneity of transmission intensity (< 1 up to 120 infective bites per person per year) resulted in correspondingly large and significantly related variations in parasite prevalence (range = 38-83%). Thirty-two percent of the sites (7 of 22 sites) with malaria prevalences ranging from 38% to 70% had annual entomologic inoculation rates (EIR) less than five infective bites per person per year. Anopheles gambiae s.l. and An. funestus densities in Kwale were not significantly influenced by rainfall. However, both were positively correlated with rainfall one and three months previously in Malindi and Kilifi Districts, respectively. These unexpected variations in the relationship between mosquito populations and rainfall suggest environmental heterogeneity in the predominant aquatic habitats in each district. One important conclusion is that the highly non-linear relationship between EIRs and prevalence indicates that the consistent pattern of high prevalence might be governed by substantial variation in transmission intensity measured by entomologic surveys. The field-based estimate of entomologic parameters on a district level does not provide a sensitive indicator of transmission intensity in this study.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

DEET-based insect repellents: safety implications for children and pregnant and lactating women.

Reducing the risk of mosquito bites is currently the only way to reduce the risk of West Nile virus infection. Methods for avoiding mosquito bites include limiting the time spent outdoors at dawn and dusk, wearing protective clothing and using an insect repellent. Repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, also known as N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) are the most effective and most widely used. However, concerns have been raised over the risk of adverse toxic effects, especially in young children and pregnant and lactating women. In this article, we review the available evidence on the effectiveness and safety of DEET-based products. The evidence does not support increased risk in young children.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Biting rhythm & biting activity of phlebotomid sandflies.

The biting behaviour of Phlebotomid sandflies was studied in a rural village of Pondicherry through all night collections for a period of one year, using human volunteers and cattle as baits. Phlebotomus papatasi was caught only on human bait, showing anthropophily while Ph. argentipes was caught on cattle baits, showing zoophily. The biting activity was seen throughout the night, reaching a peak of 0100 h in Ph. papatasi and 0200 h in Ph. argentipes.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Entomology of onchocercosis in Soconusco, Chiapas. 6. Quantitative studies of the transmission of Onchocerca volvulus by 3 species of Simuliidae in a community with high endemicity].

In Guatemala, there is no doubt about the participation of Simulium ochraceum as vector of Onchocerciasis. However, in Mexico practically there are not studies focussed to determine the role of this species in the transmission. The objective of the present investigation was to determine which of the 3 species of Simulium founded in the Soconusco region of Chiapas, is the main, and which were secondary in the transmission of Onchocerciasis in that area. The locality of Morelos, in the Huixtla "municipio" of Chiapas, localized a 1200 meters over the sea level (mosl) were selected to carried out the present study. According to own parasitological studies, this locality is considered as highly endemic (more than 66% prevalence). From March 1979 to March, 1981, we performed captures of Simulium sp caught on human bait. Quantitative studies and of transmission potentials were also performed. The following results were obtained: a) Absolute black flies densities (nulliparous and pariparous) and infected black flies (with L1 and L2 larvae): S. ochraceum, S. metallicum and S. callidum, in that order was the distribution of densities. Infected black flies were obtained in the 3 species. However, in despite of an irregular distribution in all the year, it was possible to identify 2 peaks of maximum infection of S. ochraceum in March, 1979 and March 1981. b) Monthly bite densities and infective bites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Study on natural infection, biting and transovarial transmission of epidemic haemorrhagic fever virus in Leptotrombidium (L.) scutellare].

In order to clarify the significance of Leptotrombidium (L.) scutellare in transmitting EHF, from Oct. to Nov. 1988, lungs of rodents captured in endemic areas of EHF in Shangxi Province were taken for detecting EHF antigen by IFAT, Twenty-six out of 459 lungs were positive (5.7%). Six strains of EHFV were isolated from L. (L.) scutellare collected from the rodents. In Oct. 1989, 28 Apodemus captured from areas without reported cases of EHF were placed on grassland in endemic areas, free L. (L.) scutellare were lured in all mice and 3 strains of EHFV were isolated. The above results demonstrate that L. (L.) scutellare can naturally be infected by EHFV and can be transmitted via bites. It is also suggested that this species of mites could transmit the disease transovarially. These results further indicate that L. (L.) scutellare can serve as a transmitting vector of EHF.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Biting activity of mosquitos (Diptera: Culicidae) at a malarious site in Palawan, Republic of The Philippines.

Fifty-one species of mosquitos were collected at a malarious site in western Palawan, Philippines. Anopheles flavirostris, which is the primary malaria vector, was mildly exophagic and zoophilic, and had a peak biting activity from 0030-0130 hours. An. balabacensis, a secondary vector, was endophagic, anthropophilic, and was primarily active between 2000-0030. Of the 3 main genera, Culex were the most zoophilic, Aedes were the most anthropophilic, and Anopheles had species in both extremes. An. annularis, Ae. vexans, and Cx. vishnui showed similar biting activity patterns during both the rainy or dry seasons.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

An allergist looks at urticaria.

Some etiologic possibilities which must be considered are foods, drugs, infection, inhalant sensitivity, psychic factors, physical agents, underlying connective tissue disease or neoplasm, insect bite or stings and genetic abnormalities. A painstaking history and a complete physical examination are, of course, mandatory. These are followed by appropriate studies for whatever etiologic factors are suggested by the history and physical examination. Certain routine or more sophisticated studies might be indicated including a complete blood count, urinalysis, stools for ova and parasites, antinuclear antibody titer, complete complement, sedimentation rate, sinus, chest and dental X rays and any other specified test depending on where the clues lead. O'Loughlin described a practical approach in the use of laboratory studies for the diagnosis of chronic urticaria. Skin tests can be helpful especially for inhalants, but food tests are usually not reliable in the diagnosis of chronic urticaria. The acute urticaria reaction to a food is clinically obvious and this type of patient does not usually seek medical attention or need extensive investigation. Treatment includes a few basic medications. Hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril), which combines tranquilizer and antihistamine action, is frequently effective. Cyproheptadine HCL (Periactin) both a serotonin and histamine antagonist with anticholinergic effect, is also helpful--especially in combination with hydroxyzine. Antihistamines, ephedrine, epinephrine, aminophyllin and occasionally corticosteroids are helpful. Immunotherapy with inhalants is occasionally indicated. Eliminating possible offending foods, dyes or drugs has been previously discussed. Anti-candidal therapy and low yeast diet is effective when indicated. The final aspect of the investigation and treatment process might best be described as "patient support"--patience on the part of the physician. It should be realized that in 75% of the cases of chronic urticaria, no convincing etiology is found. It should also be realized that urticaria all too frequently "settles down" due as much to the natural course as to the careful ministrations of the physician.

Dermatitis, Atopic↗
PubMed1992

Mosquito repellent activity of oils from Vitex negundo Linn. leaves.

Oil obtained from stream distillate of V. negundo leaves was fractionated by column chromatography. Mosquito repellence activity, as evaluated against Aedes aegypti was mainly confined to the most polar fractions. The protection period against mosquito bites by polar fractions ranged between 1-3 h. However, the mean protection period values of these fractions did not show significant increase in the subsequent subfractions.

Aedes↗