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PubMed1996

Activity of insecticides applied to turfgrass to control adult cat fleas (Siphonaptera:Pulicidae).

A bioassay was developed to determine the efficacy of insecticides against adult cat fleas, Ctenocephalides felis (Bouché), on turfgrass. Activity was assessed by exposing adult fleas to treated and untreated disks of turf for 24 h, 1 and 7 d after treatment. Filter paper, a representative nonwaxy, porous substrate was bioassayed in similar fashion 1 d after treatment to confirm insecticide activity. Results demonstrated the relative efficacy of insecticides applied to turf at different rates as well as differences among insecticides. Of 10 insecticides tested, chlorpyrifos wettable powder and emulsifiable concentrates consistently provided greatest kill of adult fleas. Although initially active, pyrethroid insecticides and diazinon generally showed significant declines in residual activity by day 7. Possible reasons for differences in activity are discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Insecticide resistance issues in vector-borne disease control.

Vector-borne diseases are an increasing cause of death and suffering worldwide. Efforts to control these diseases have been focused on the use of chemical pesticides, but arthropod resistance (whether physiological, biochemical, or behavioral) to pesticides is now an immense practical problem. The pharmacokinetic interactions of pesticides with arthropods, mechanisms of resistance, and the strengths and shortcomings of different resistance test methods are briefly reviewed. Using malaria control as an example, the differences between the efficacy of insecticide-sprayed houses in reducing malaria transmission, and the actual effect of such treatments on vectors are discussed. Reduced malaria transmission as a result of spraying house walls occurs through some combination of killing vectors that land on sprayed walls (insecticidal effect) and by preventing vectors from entering or remaining inside long enough to bite (behavioral effects). Both insecticidal and behavioral effects of insecticides are important, but the relative importance of one versus the other is controversial. Field studies in Africa, India, Brazil, and Mexico provide persuasive evidence for strong behavioral avoidance of DDT by the primary vector species. This avoidance behavior, exhibited when malaria vectors avoid insecticides by not entering or by rapidly exiting sprayed houses, should raise serious questions about the overall value of current physiological and biochemical resistance tests. The continued efficacy of DDT in Africa, India, Brazil, and Mexico, where 69% of all reported cases of malaria occur and where vectors are physiologically resistant to DDT (excluding Brazil), serves as one indicator that repellency is very important in preventing indoor transmission of malaria. This experience with DDT has implications for future control efforts because pyrethroids also stimulate avoidance behaviors in arthropods. Each chemical should be studied early (before broad-scale use) to define types of action against vector species by geographic area, especially for impregnated bed net applications. The problems for vector control created by use of insecticides in agriculture and the potential for management of resistance in both agriculture and vector-borne disease control are discussed.

Agrochemicals↗

PubMed1996

Use of a new rapid bioluminescence method for screening organophosphate and N-Methylcarbamate insecticides in processed baby foods.

An enzyme with high specific affinity for organophosphate and N-methylcarbamate insecticides has been incorporated into a new test for detection of these insecticides at the level of parts per billion (ppb) (commercially available as the Charm Pesticide Test). To measure the extent of insecticide inhibition of the enzyme, a specific bioluminescent substrate is used. The signal is counterproportional to the amount of insecticides. Random sampling of four baby food brands and testing for the cumulative levels of organophosphate and N-methylcarbamate insecticides found carbaryl to be the most common residue. Out of the 155 samples tested there were 132 negative samples (85.2%) and 23 suspected positive samples (14.2%). The suspected positive samples were further analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Carbaryl was confirmed in 18 of the samples. One of the samples contained an active metabolite of tetrachlorvinphos and in 3 of the positive samples an insecticide could not be identified by GC/MS. One positive sample was not processed for confirmation due to high fat content.

Carbamates↗

PubMed1988

A case-referent study of soft-tissue sarcoma and Hodgkin's disease. Farming and insecticide use.

A population-based case-referent study in Kansas examined the relationship between exposure to insecticides and the development of soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) and Hodgkin's disease (HD). Data from telephone interviews for 133 STS cases, 121 HD cases, and 948 referents indicated that STS was associated with use of insecticides on animals, but not on crops. HD was not significantly associated with either use. STS risk was higher among the farmers who themselves mixed or applied insecticides to animals than among farmers who did not. Farmers who failed to use any protective equipment to reduce insecticide exposure were at a significantly elevated risk of STS. Risk rose with early calendar year of first use. The excess risk appeared to be primarily among fibrous and myomatous sarcomas with little association seen for lipomatous or other STS neoplasms. Myomatous sarcomas increased significantly with duration and time since first use of insecticides on animals. If the reported association between STS and insecticides is causal, the data suggest that exposure to the agent(s) responsible may have been reduced in the mid-1950s or the agent(s) have an average latency period for STS of at least 20 years.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Control of dengue fever with active surveillance and the use of insecticidal aerosol cans.

An interventional study was conducted in southern Vietnam to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a new approach to control dengue fever. The approach consisted of active surveillance of dengue patients and the use of insecticidal aerosol cans. Febrile patients were tested serologically at local health centers and insecticidal aerosol cans were given to the family and employed in the neighborhood of dengue patients instead of ultra low volume (ULV) fogging with insecticide. The number of dengue IgM antibody positive cases among febrile patients, the number of reported dengue hemorrhagic fever patients and the total cost were compared in the 2 approaches (prompt focal ULV fogging and the use of insecticidal aerosol cans) in 1997. The aerosol cans were employed 5 times (in June, July, August, September and October) in the study area. ULV fogging in the control area was performed 5 times (in March, May, July, August and September). Twenty-two serologically positive cases were found in the study area which was about half that found in the control area (43 cases). A total of 16 dengue hemorrhagic fever patients was reported in the study area and 43 in the control area. Compared with the reported numbers of the previous year, the reduction rate in the number of dengue hemorrhagic fever cases was 71.4% in the study area and 51.7% in the control area. There were statistically significant differences in the morbidity of dengue fever and the reduction rate of dengue hemorrhagic fever. The cost of the insecticidal aerosol cans was US$393 which was lower than the cost of US$553 for ULV fogging. The findings suggest that insecticidal aerosol cans were effective and feasible for dengue fever control.

Aerosols↗

PubMed1991

Neurotoxicology of pyrethrin and the pyrethroid insecticides.

Natural pyrethrin and synthetic pyrethroid insecticides have been considered among the safest classes of insecticides available. Pyrethrins and pyrethroids are classified on the basis of their chemical structures and their toxicologic, neurophysiologic and pharmacologic effects. Cellular effects of pyrethrin and pyrethroid insecticides have been postulated to involve interactions with sodium channels, receptor-ionophore complexes, neurotransmitters, and ATPases. Toxicity is a function of chemical structure, metabolism, route of exposure, and the presence or absence of synergists. Pyrethroid insecticides are neurotoxic, and the development and severity of clinical signs is proportional to the nervous tissue pyrethroid concentration. Type I pyrethroid poisoning in mice and rats produces a syndrome characterized by tremors, prostration and altered startle reflexes. Type II pyrethroid poisoning in mice and rats causes ataxia, convulsions, hyperactivity, choreoathetosis and profuse salivation. A presumptive diagnosis of pyrethrin/pyrethroid poisoning is based upon history of exposure, development of appropriate clinical signs, and chemical analysis for insecticide residues. Treatment of pyrethrin and pyrethroid toxicosis involves basic life support, seizure control when needed, and the prevention of further insecticide absorption.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Acute toxicity of certain organochlorine, organophosphorus, synthetic pyrethroid and microbial insecticides to the mosquito fish Gambusia affinis (Baird and Girard).

Acute toxicity of certain organochlorine, organophosphorus, synthetic pyrethroid and microbial insecticides to the mosquito fish Gambusia affinis were determined to collect baseline data for selecting the resistant strains of the fish. The synthetic pyrethroid, Lambdacyhalothrin was most toxic to the fish (LC50 = 0.0022 ppm), followed by deltamethrin, cypermethrin and fenvalerate. Organochlorine insecticides, DDT and gamma-HCH, were less toxic than the pyrethroids, and these were followed by organophosphorus insecticides, malathion, fenthion, monocrotophos and temephos. The last two insecticides were least toxic among the different chemical insecticides (LC50 greater than 80 ppm ai). The microbial insecticide ABG-6262 (Vectolex 2.5 AS), a Bacillus sphaericus preparation, was totally harmless to the fish at 2500 microliters/l up to one week.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Studies on the effect of translocation of chemical insecticides in Eicchornia host plant on Mansonia mosquitos--a potential control method.

A novel method for the control of Mansonia larvae was developed and tested. In this method, foliar absorption and translocation of a chemical insecticide, monocrotophos, a known systemic insecticide was studied in the Eicchornia plant. Acetone solution of the insecticide was painted onto leaves of the plant. At daily intervals, stems were severed and divided into equal sections which were introduced into bowls. Larvae of Aedes aegypti were tested for the presence of monocrotophos. It was found that translocation of the insecticide occurred at different rates in the stems and in some plants the chemical was also released into the surrounding water. Based on these results, 2 insecticides namely, monocrotophos and temephos were painted onto leaves of the host plant and their translocation to the root and water environment was examined by testing with Mansonia and Aedes aegypti larvae. The results again confirmed the translocation process and it was found that the insecticides were secreted into the surrounding water, thereby killing the larvae. However, in leaves painted with permethrin (synthetic pyrethroid) or flufenoxuron (chitin synthesis inhibitor), such a process was not detected. The potential of this new concept in Mansonia larval control is examined.

Aedes↗

PubMed1996

[Effects of 3 insecticide formulations in the removal and hatching of oothecae of Blatella germanica (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae)].

Different insecticide formulations used for the control of German Cockroach, Blatella germanica (L.) were studied to know their effects on the gravid females of this species. The insecticides assayed were baygon 20% EC, diazinon 60 EC, and licon 2.5% EC. Exposure to each insecticide showed an effect on the oothecal drop (p < 0.001). Gravid females treated with baygon had the highest percent of oothecae detached (71%); whereas diazinon caused the lowest percent (33.5%). Doses of baygon, diazinon, and icon used showed that among the oothecas detached hatching occurred only in 19.01%; 34.2% and 39.11%, respectively. Of the oothecas retained by treated females, the lowest hatching percent was produced by baygon (13.79%) compared with diazinon and icon insecticides, which presented the highest hatching percentages with 39.84 and 47.82, respectively. Therefore, the effects of insecticides on females bearing oothecas may be considered at the time of selecting an insecticide to control the German cockroach.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Vip3A, a novel Bacillus thuringiensis vegetative insecticidal protein with a wide spectrum of activities against lepidopteran insects.

A novel vegetative insecticidal gene, vip3A(a), whose gene product shows activity against lepidopteran insect larvae including black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon), fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua), tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens), and corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea) has been isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis strain AB88. VIP3-insecticidal gene homologues have been detected in approximately 15% of Bacillus strains analyzed. The sequence of the vip3A(b) gene, a homologue of vip3A(a) isolated from B. thuringiensis strain AB424 is also reported. Vip3A(a) and (b) proteins confer upon Escherichia coli insecticidal activity against the lepidopteran insect larvae mentioned above. The sequence of the gene predicts a 791-amino acid (88.5 kDa) protein that contains no homology with known proteins. Vip3A insecticidal proteins are secreted without N-terminal processing. Unlike the B. thuringiensis 5-endotoxins, whose expression is restricted to sporulation, Vip3A insecticidal proteins are expressed in the vegetative stage of growth starting at mid-log phase as well as during sporulation. Vip3A represents a novel class of proteins insecticidal to lepidopteran insect larvae.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1994

The effect of multiple soil applications of disulfoton on enhanced microbial degradation in soil and subsequent uptake of insecticidal chemicals by potato plants.

Potatoes were grown during 1992 in 2 m2 plots of loam which had received 1, 2 or 3 annual treatments of Di-Syston 15G, equivalent to 3.36 kg AI/ha, in furrow at planting. The presence of enhanced degradative activity to the sulfoxide and sulfone metabolites of disulfoton in the soil treated in the previous two years was confirmed by laboratory tests prior to the 1992 treatments. Soil, seed potato and foliage from the three treatments were analyzed for disulfoton and its sulfoxide and sulfone metabolites for 12 wk following planting/treatment. Disulfoton was the major insecticidal component of the soil, a minor component of the seed piece and was not detected (< 0.02 ppm) in potato foliage. Disulfoton concentrations in each of the three substrates sampled were similar for the three treatments. Disulfoton sulfoxide and sulfone were the major insecticidal components of the seed piece and foliage. Their maximum concentrations in 1st year soil, seed pieces and foliage were ca. 2x, 2x and 6x, respectively, those measured in the 2nd and 3rd year treatments. The results demonstrate that enhanced microbial degradation of relatively minor insecticidal compounds in the soil can profoundly affect insecticide levels in the plant when these compounds are the major insecticidal components accumulated. The broader implications for crop protection using soil-applied systemic insecticides are discussed.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed1981

Persistence of four pyrethroid insecticides in a mineral and an organic soil.

Permethrin, cypermethrin, fenpropanate and fenvalerate (emulsifiable concentrates) were applied at 280 g AI/ha and incorporated into mineral and organic soil contained in small field plots. Radishes and carrots were grown to serve as indicators of insecticide uptake. Similar plots were treated with the same insecticides at 140 g AI/ha and the soil surface was left undisturbed following application. Soil cores were removed at appropriate intervals and the crops were harvested when mature. The insecticide concentration in all samples was determined by gas-liquid chromatography. The amount of insecticide in the soil declined rapidly to less than 50% of the initial value in 1 month or less for most material-soil-treatment combinations and within 2 months for all cases. Concentrations remained in excess of 0.01 ppm in the organic soil for at least six months for all material-treatment combinations but fell below this level over 2-5 months in the mineral soils. Organic soil incorporated fenvalerate was the most persistent combination overall with 25, 17 and 7% remaining at 6, 18 and 28 months respectively. The trans-isomers of permethrin and cypermethrin disappeared more quickly than the cis-isomers but the insecticidally active IR isomers were not preferentially degraded relative to the inactive 1S. No residues (less than 0.01 ppm) were found in the radish or carrot crops. First order disappearance rates were not constant for any of the combinations. A comparison of partial rate constants showed: 1) 0-1 mo rates were generally greater in mineral than organic soil, 2) 1-6 mo rates in organic soil were lower than 0-1 mo rates, 3) 1-6 mo rates for surface applications to organic soil were generally less than for incorporated applications. In laboratory experiments, 0-1 mo rates for fenvalerate disappearance in a mineral soil were 2-3x greater for 0.5 ppm than for 10 ppm while 1-6 mo rates were independent of insecticide concentration but were 1.5x greater for 0.5% moisture than for 5%.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed1992

[Modification and expression of insecticidal protein structural gene of Bacillus thuringiensis var. aizawai 7-29].

The regulative region (181bp) and the fifth toxic active domain (217bp) were removed from the insecticidal protein gene of Bacillus thuringiensis var. aizawai 7-29. After the synthesis of the adaptor (15bp) that contains initiation codon (ATG) and the PCR synthesis of the fifth toxic active domain (229bp) that contains stop codon (TAA), were inserted into on 5' truncated and 3' truncated of the coding fod N-terminal peptid's DNA fragment, that to become a modified structural gene. The modified structural gene can be play initiatic translation-function and stop translation-function during translation of insecticidal protein. The insecticidal protein was determined by western blotting, showed the expression of modified structural gene in Escherichia coli JM 103. The bioassay of insecticidal proteins showed the 3' truncated and 5' truncated of insecticidal gene was higher toxic active than the 3' truncated of insecticidal gene in Escherichia coli JM 103.

Bacillus thuringiensis↗

PubMed1999

Comparative effect of fenitrothion treatment on intracellular protease activities in insecticide-resistant and susceptible strains of Musca domestica L.

In order to further elucidate the biochemical mechanisms responsible for insecticide resistance in insects, we have determined changes in the activity levels of a comprehensive range of proteolytic enzymes (cytoplasmic and lysosomal proteinases and peptidases, which play a key role in normal cell functioning) in fenitrothion-resistant (571ab) and susceptible (Cooper) strains of Musca domestica following in vivo exposure to the insecticide fenitrothion. Untreated insects of the resistant strain had significantly higher levels (20-100%) of activity for many protease types compared to the susceptible strain (whole body analysis). Exposure to fenitrothion resulted in further activity increases for most proteases at some point during the subsequent 24 h period in resistant strain insects; susceptible strain insects were also capable of similar increases in protease activities. We therefore suggest that it must be the combination of intrinsically higher protease levels (prior to pesticide exposure), together with the capacity to further increase protease activities following insecticide exposure, which is important in the mechanism by which proteases may confer survival advantages in insecticide resistant insects. We further speculate that this mechanism may involve increased supply of precursor amino acids from proteolytic degradation products to the intracellular pool, prior to de novo synthesis of detoxifying enzymes following insecticide exposure.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

The insect voltage-gated sodium channel as target of insecticides.

Examination of the function, chemistry, and pharmacology of the voltage-gated insect sodium channel (ISC) reveals that the ISC closely resembles its vertebrate counterpart in electrophysiology and ion conductance, primary structure and allocation of all functional domains, and its pharmacological diversity and flexibility exhibited by the occurrence of different allosterically coupled receptor-binding sites for various neurotoxicants. The toxicants include several groups of insecticides, namely DDT and its analogues, pyrethroids, N-alkylamides, and dihydropyrazoles, which affect channel gating and ion permeability. Despite their similarity, the insect and vertebrate channels are pharmacologically distinguishable, as revealed by the responsiveness of the heterologously expressed Drosophila para clone to channel modifiers and blockers and the occurrence of the insect-selective sodium channel neurotoxins derived from arachnid venoms presently used for the design of recombinant baculovirus-mediated selective bioinsecticides. The pharmacological specificity of the ISC may lead to the design of insect-selective toxicants, and its pharmacological flexibility may direct the use of ISC insecticides for resistance management. Insecticide resistance [such as knockdown resistance (KDR)] is acquired by natural selection and operated by increased metabolism, channel mutagenesis, or both. The resistance issue can be dealt with in several ways. One is by simultaneous application of low doses of synergistic, allosterically coupled mixtures (thus delaying or preventing the onset of resistance). An alternative is to replace an insecticide to which resistance was acquired by channel mutation with a different ISC toxicant to which increased susceptibility was conferred by the same mutation. Such a possibility was exemplified by a significant increase in susceptibility to N-alkylamides, as well as an insect-selective neurotoxin revealed by KDR insects. Third, both of these methods can be combined. Thus owing to its pharmacological uniqueness, the ISC may serve as a high-priority target for future selective and resistance-manageable insecticides.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of insecticide resistance and biochemical mechanisms in a population of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) from São Paulo, Brazil.

To establish an insecticidal resistance surveillance program, Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes from São Paulo, Brazil, were colonized (PIN95 strain) and analyzed for levels of resistance. The PIN95 strain showed low levels of resistance to organophosphates [malathion (3.3-fold), fenitrothion (11.2-fold)] and a carbamate [propoxur (3.0-fold)]. We also observed an increase of 7.4 and 9.9 in alpha and beta esterase activities, respectively, when compared with the reference IAL strain. An alteration in the sensitivity of acetylcholinesterase to insecticide inhibition was also found in the PIN95 mosquitoes. The resistant allele (Ace.1R), however, was found at low frequencies (0.12) and does not play an important role in the described insecticide resistance. One year later, Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes were collected (PIN96 strain) at the same site and compared to the PIN95 strain. The esterase activity patterns observed for the PIN96 strain were similar to those of the PIN95 mosquitoes. However the occurrence of the Ace.1R allele was statistically higher in the PIN96 strain. The results show that esterase-based insecticide resistance was established in the PIN95 Cx. quinquefasciatus population and that an acethylcholinesterase based resistant mechanism has been selected for. A continuous monitoring of this phenomenon is fundamental for rational mosquito control and insecticide application programs.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Susceptibility status of malaria vectors to insecticides in India.

The use of chemical insecticides for control of malaria vector populations continues to be the mainstay of malaria control strategy in India. Monitoring vector susceptibility to chemical insecticides is an important activity under the National Malaria Eradication Programme to ensure judicious and effective use of chemical Insecticides. 72 entomological zones were established under NMEP in 1977 for undertaking entomological studies in the malaria problematic areas. These zones have been generating insecticide susceptibility data in respect of the various malaria vectors. In this paper the insecticide susceptibility data, in respect of major vectors of malaria as on 1997, is presented.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

What role for insecticides in vector control programs?

Vector-borne diseases including dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, malaria, leishmaniasis, and filariasis remain severe public health problems in most of the countries in which they are endemic. In some cases, their incidence is increasing and they are spreading to new geographic areas. For a number of the infections, the most effective manner of controlling their transmission is through control of their vectors. However, in some instances, such as dengue and Chagas' disease, there is no alternative. Most countries that are endemic for vector-borne diseases maintain vector control services, and most large tropical and semitropical cities also have pest control programs, mainly against pest mosquitoes. Virtually all of the vector and pest control programs depend on the use of insecticides formulated as larvicides, adulticides, baits, or insecticide impregnated bed nets. For many years, the development of new insecticides for use in public health programs was encouraged and supported by multilateral and bilateral health agencies, including the implementation of field trials in endemic areas. Due to the development of insecticide resistance, toxicologic and environmental considerations, and the cost of development and of registration, the number of compounds available for use has declined while the number of new insecticides submitted for laboratory and field trials to the World Health Organization has dwindled even more. The recrudescence of vector-borne diseases, the rapid pace of urbanization, lagging development of environmental services in many tropical cities, and difficulties encountered in ensuring the community's cooperation in its own protection through environmental measures make imperative the continued availability of pesticides for public health use. Since only the pesticide manufacturing industry has the combination of technical and financial resources to promulgate the research and development of new pesticides and pesticide groups, it is suggested that governments, bilateral, and multilateral organizations explore the manner in which they can assist industry in the development of new compounds and guarantee the continued availability of effective and safe pesticides for vector-control programs.

Animals↗