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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1977

Hepatitis-B virus in bedbugs (Cimex hemipterus) from Senegal.

Bedbugs of the species Cimex hemipterus (F) were collected on four separate occasions from the bedding in the huts of village dwellers in Senegal, West Africa. Hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBSAg) was detected in unengorged nymph and adult bedbugs in each of the first three collections. 3 of 28 such specimens were HBSAg(+) in the first collection and 3 of 17 specimens were positive in the second collection. In the third, 6 of 9 were HBSAg(+) when the bed occupant was known to be HBSAg(+). 2 of these 6 positive insects did not contain human serum proteins. Bedbugs in the fourth collection were captured and kept alive without a blood meal for 30 days. 3 of 89 of these samples were HBSAg(+). These are the highest field infection-rates of hepatitis-B virus reported in any insect species. The bedbug must be considered a potential vector of hepatitis-B virus.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Persistence of hepatitis B surface antigen in the bedbug Cimex hemipterus (Fabr.).

The fate of hepatitis B virus in the bedbug was investigated to assess this insect's potential as a vector. Colony-reared Cimex hemipterus (Fabr.) were fed once on blood positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The insects were sampled at intervals thereafter and tested for HBsAg by radioimmunoassay. HBsAg persisted for up to six weeks in the bedbug's body after a single HBsAg-positive meal, during which time several further HBsAg-negative blood meals were taken. This result explains the high rates of field infection in bedbugs and further supports the hypothesis that bedbugs may play a role in transmission of hepatitis B virus.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Transmission experiments with hepatitis B surface antigen and the common bedbug (Cimex lectularius L).

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive blood meals were fed to a colony of the common bedbug (Cimex lectularius L) in a series of 5 experiments. Antigen persisted in the bugs for at least 7 1/2 weeks, but was undetectable after 18 weeks. Trans-stadial transmission was demonstrated through one moult only, and transovarial transmission did not occur. Antigen was successfully transmitted by adult bugs into 3 out of 35 canisters of HBsAg-negative blood. Antibody of HBsAg was detected in the serum from a rabbit on which HBsAg-positive adult bugs had fed as well as in the serum of 2 out of 10 guinea-pigs on which HBsAg-positive 4th and 5th nymphal instars had fed. The results as a whole indicate that biological multiplication and biological transmission do not occur in C. lectularius, but mechanical transmission has been demonstrated. This is probably an important means of hepatitis B virus transmission among humans in South Africa.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Infection of the common bedbug (Cimex lectularius L) with hepatitis B virus in South Africa.

A total of 1 368 bedbugs of the species Cimex lectularius L were collected mainly from huts in villages or on farms at 6 localities in the northern Transvaal. They were tested in pools of 10 for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). None of 20 pools from Pietersburg was HBsAg-positive, but 32 out of 120 pools from the 5 other localities were HBsAg-positive. Estimated infection rates per 1 000 bugs were 17,1 (Messina), 24,9 (Waterpoort), 28,4 (Letaba), 54,5 (Potgietersrus) and 67,0 (Louis Trichardt), with an overall rate of 30,6. Seventeen out of 57 pools of the engorged bugs (infection rate 34,8) and 14 out of 62 pools of the unengorged bugs (infection rate 25,3) were HBsAg-positive. These very high infection rates, even in unengorged bugs, suggest that C. lectularius could be a vector of hepatitis B virus in the Transvaal, and that the varying degrees of infestation could explain the markedly different HBsAg-positive frequencies previously shown in sera collected from different population groups in that province.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Fate of ingested hepatitis B antigen in blood-sucking insects.

The fate of ingested hepatitis B antigen (HBsAg) in two mosquito species and two Hemiptera species was compared with the rate of blood meal digestion by these insects. In both mosquito species HBsAg was detected by radioimmunoassay for only a few hours after ingestion, disappearing well before the time of blood meal digestion. Production of a protease by the mosquito midgut may have been responsible for destruction of the antigen. In contrast, in the bedbug HBsAg remained detectable throughout a 5-week testing period. Moreover, titers rose during the last week, when blood meal digestion was complete, suggesting possible replication of the antigen. At no time was antigen detected in eggs or feces of any species tested, but juvenile bedbugs fed HBsAg when in the fourth or fifth instar stage still contained antigen after molting. These studies suggest that bedbugs may potentially be a more dangerous source of hepatitis B transmission than mosquitoes.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[A comparative evaluation of the activity of pyrethroid-based insecticidal preparations].

A comparative analysis of the results of experimental trials of 12 new effective insecticide agents synthesized in the USSR and abroad, containing permethrin, deltamethrin, cypermethrin, cyfenothrin, etophenprox and neopinamine as active ingredients, against flies, mosquitos, fleas, bedbugs and cockroaches was made. The LD50 data in microgrammes per g and millilitres per litre and the LC50 data in grammes per sq m are given. All the tested preparations are allowed to use in medical desinsection practice.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Studies of the sensitivity to the usual domestic insecticides on insects of the Anopheles maculipennis group, and Musca domestica, Cimex lectularius and Blattella germanica species].

The present paper was designed to the study of the degree of sensitivity of mosquitoes, flies, bedbugs and cockroaches to organochloride and organophosphoric insecticides produced in Romania. Testing of the sensitivity to insecticides of these species, important as transmitters of human pathogens, showed the effectiveness of the products, which induced a high mortality rate in relatively small concentrations. Against Anopheles labranchiae atroparvus, the insecticides Detox, Carbetox and Lindatox proved efficient in concentrations of 1.0%, 0.5% and 1.0% respectively. Against Musca domestica Lindatox and Detox proved efficient in 1.0% concentration. Cimex lectularius responded with a mortality rate of 100% to 0.5% Lindatox, 1.5% Plotox and 1.0% Dipterex. Against Blattela germanica, 100% mortality was obtained after one hour exposure to Lindatox, Detox and Carbetox in 1.0% concentration, to 3.3% Plotox and 1% Piretrin.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

[Insecticidal properties of sumitrin].

The study of insecticidal properties of sumitrin demonstrated that in contact action it was a highly effective insecticide; in topical application LD50 for domestic flies, bedbugs and cockroaches was 0.47, 1.25 and 3.26 mug/g, respectively. Sumitrin possessed high action selectivity for insects and low toxicity for warm-blooded animals (LD50 for albino mice greater than 7500 mg/kg). In the form of aerosols sumitrin and its mixtures with DDVF were less active than compositions on the neopinamine base.

Aerosols↗
PubMed1976

The asymptomatic HB6-Ag carrier: auto- and heterologous perils.

The asympatomatic carrier--usually discovered on offering to be a blood donor--presents a complex health problem which to date has received only "guarded" attention. These carriers may be dangerous, because they can transmit the HBs-Ag not only by parenteral but also by "nonparenteral" means, due to its presence in urine, feces, saliva, tears, semen, vaginal discharge, menstrual flow, breast milk, joint, ascitic and cerebrospinal fluids. The transmission by sexual contact is well established. Inapparent transmission may also occur from insufficient sterilization of instruments, by tatooing, ear piercing, by barbers, manicurists, dentists and by mosquitoes and bedbugs. Some of the characteristics of an asymptomatic HBs-Ag carrier seem to be: a young male, most often black, from a poor social and hygienic environment with a possible gene dependent immune deficiency state. Our experiences suggest that all newly admitted patients to the hospital personnel should have determinations of the presence of HBs-Ag in their blood, so that adequate steps can be taken to protect their contacts from infection.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Fine structure of the antennal receptors of the bed bug, Cimex lectularius L.

Sensilla on the antenna of the bed bug, Cimex lectularius, were studied with the scanning and transmission electron microscope. Those which display a tubular body in the dendrite ending are presumed to have a mechanoreceptor function (bristles of type A, flat plate of type B). Bristles of type A1 contain additional dendrites which terminate at the tip of the bristle and may be gustatory receptors. Sensilla with pores in the hair wall are supposed to have an offactory, humidity and/or temperature receptor function (pegs and hairs of types C, D, E). Hairs of type E contain receptors for the alarm pheromones of the bed bug. Special attention has been paid to the pore structures and epicuticular layers of these sensilla. Possible differences in stimulus conduction are discussed between (i) sensilla with a simple wall and pores with pore tubules (types D and E) and (ii) the ribbed pegs (type C), which have a complex wall structure and spoke channels. The immersed cones of type F have a peculiar innervation, which has not been described previously. Two dendrites are held closely together by a third flat dendrite which wraps around them in the region of the outer segment. Coupling structures were found between the central dendrites, and between these and the third enveloping dendrite. Possible functions of this unique innervation are discussed. The dendrites innervating type D are grouped in three to eight bundles by multiple sheaths. The term thecogen cell is introduced to denote the innermost of the three sheath cells of a sensillum (the outer being the tormogen and the trichogen cell) which builds the dendrite sheath during ontogeny. Comparative morphometry revealed type-specific differences in the length and diameter of the dendrites. Some axons were found to lack any glial or perineurial sheath. Microorganisms were observed in the antennal tissue of several animals.

Animals↗