Assessing density dependence in the transmission of lymphatic filariasis: uptake and development of Wuchereria bancrofti microfilariae in the vector mosquitoes

Understanding density dependence in the transmission of lymphatic filariasis is essential for assessing the prospects of elimination. This study seeks to quantify the relationship between microfilaria (Mf) density in human blood and the number of third stage (L3) larvae developing in the mosquito vectors Aedes polynesiensis Marks and Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae) after blood-feeding. Two types of curves are fitted to previously published data. Fitting a linearized power curve through the data allows for correction for measurement error in human Mf counts. Ignoring measurement error leads to overestimation of the strength of density dependence; the degree of overestimation depends on the accuracy of measurement of Mf density. For use in mathematical models of transmission of lymphatic filariasis, a hyperbolic saturating function is preferable. This curve explicitly estimates the Mf uptake and development at lowest Mf densities and the average maximum number of L3 that can develop in mosquitoes. This maximum was estimated at 23 and 4 for Ae. polynesiensis and Cx. quinquefasciatus, respectively.     

Rhythmic Behaviour of W. Bancrofti Microfilaraemia in Human Population at Raipur

The temporal dynamics of microfilariae (mf) in human blood, and the biting activity and mf density in the vector were studied. Finger-prick blood samples (in duplicate) were collected from 14 microfilaraemic subjects at two-hourly intervals over a single 24-hour timescale. Samples were taken from 39 subjects at 22:00 in the first week of every month for a period of 17 consecutive months. The blood slides were dried, stained and examined for presence of microfilariae. Data were analyzed with cosinor rhythmometry. A statistically validated circadian rhythm was detected in mf density in 86% of the microfilaraemic subjects. For the circannual rhythm, the peak timing for microfilariae density was recorded in July, although the spread of the peak between subjects was quite wide, extending between May 17 and September 07. In a separate study, temporal variations in biting activity, mf density in the vector and in human blood were studied. The dynamics of parasite transmission were found to be sequential, with the peaks in the circadian rhythms appearing in the order: mf in human blood, biting activity and mf density in the vector. The biting periodicity appeared to be much more stable in all subjects; the peak appeared at 02:37 with a range between 00:39 and 03:22. The peak in mf frequency was earlier by 3 hours and 25 minutes, whereas the peak in mf frequency in the vector was later by about 2 hours 4 minutes. The observed synchronization between the rhythms of vector and host appears to be essential for effective transmission of diseases. Therefore, the application of chronobiologic principles may have a bearing in the success and failure of any future strategies aimed at the prevention, cure and management of filariasis.     

斑氏丝虫感染Scid小鼠模型的建立

采用人工感染法,对严重联合免疫缺陷小鼠(Scid 小鼠) 进行夜现周期性斑氏丝虫实验感染研究。结果表明,斑氏丝虫经人工感染后能在Scid 小鼠体内发育成熟并产生微丝蚴,且虫体回收率较高为6～30% ,平均14-8% 。感染的10 只小鼠均在外周血中检获出微丝蚴,及解剖收集到成虫,感染成功率高达100% 。作者认为Scid 小鼠由于T、B淋巴细胞功能缺如,不能产生相应的抗丝虫感染抗体,是一种易于感染成功、潜伏期短、微丝蚴密度及成虫回收率高的较理想的实验动物。     

云南省致乏库蚊对四种杀虫剂的敏感性调查

云南省分别在１９７８—１９８１ 年和１９９２—１９９４ 年间开展了致乏库蚊对杀虫剂的敏感性调查。根据剂量死亡率回归线和区分剂量线相交点所处的位置, 判定１９７８ —１９８１ 年的抗性等级（ＬＣ５０ 测定） , 再与同一监测点１９９２—１９９４ 年抗性级（区分剂量法） 比较, 评估其敏感性。结果云南大部份地区致乏库蚊对ＤＤＴ、杀螟硫磷和敌百虫, 由敏感（Ｓ） 或初步抗性（Ｍ） 发展为初步抗性或抗性（Ｒ）, 原来的Ｒ种群仍保持不变; 但对马拉硫磷仍象１０ 多年前一样敏感。     

光活化多炔类化合物对蚊幼虫的毒力

采用自制的光活化实验装置,测定了11个合成的多炔类化合物对致倦库蚊Culex quinquefasciatus 4龄幼虫的光活化毒力,发现部分化合物在近紫外光照射条件下,能明显地提高光活化毒杀效应,测得化合物5(1-苯基-4-(3,4-亚甲基二氧)苯基-丁二炔)光照与未光照处理LC₅₀分别是0.35 μg/mL和8.89 μg/mL。实验中发现蚊虫先接触药后,再进行光照处理,才能较好地发挥毒效,而且毒杀效应与光照时间呈正相关。模拟田间试验表明,太阳光能显著提高化合物5毒杀蚊幼虫的药效。利用抗氧化剂进行猝灭作用试验,间接地证明化合物5的光活毒杀机理是与过氧化作用有关。分析结构与活性关系,发现二苯基-丁二炔衍生物比二烷基取代丁二炔活性高,苯基上不同取代基也影响光活毒杀效果,它们的活性顺序是：亚甲基二氧基>甲氧基>邻硝基>间硝基>甲基酯。     

Detection of Wuchereria bancrofti DNA in paired serum and urine samples using polymerase chain reaction-based systems

The Global Program for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) aims toeliminate this disease by the year 2020. However, the development of more specificand sensitive tests is important for the success of the GPELF. The present studyaimed to standardise polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based systems for the diagnosisof filariasis in serum and urine. Twenty paired biological urine and serum samplesfrom individuals already known to be positive for Wuchereria bancroftiwere collected during the day. Conventional PCR and semi-nested PCR assayswere optimised. The detection limit of the technique for purified W.bancrofti DNA extracted from adult worms was 10 fg for the internalsystems (WbF/Wb2) and 0.1 fg by using semi-nested PCR. The specificity of the primerswas confirmed experimentally by amplification of 1 ng of purified genomic DNA fromother species of parasites. Evaluation of the paired urine and serum samples by thesemi-nested PCR technique indicated only two of the 20 tested individuals werepositive, whereas the simple internal PCR system (WbF/Wb2), which has highlypromising performance, revealed that all the patients were positive using bothsamples. This study successfully demonstrated the possibility of using the PCRtechnique on urine for the diagnosis of W. bancrofti infection.     

我国海南省杀蚊球形芽孢杆菌的分离和分布

在我国海南省共采集158个各种类型的泥土样品,采用选择性培养基（PBMYS）进行样品分离,并结合形态学观察、血清学鉴定和生物测定,获得对致倦库蚊（Culexquinquefasciatus）幼虫有毒性的球形芽孢杆菌（Bacillussphaericus）73株,有毒株的分离率占样品总数的342％。血清学试验表明,新分离菌株有71株属H5a5b型,两株属在我国首次分离出比型菌株。许多球形芽bqn杆菌新菌株对致倦库蚊幼虫具有很强的毒杀作用。其中228－2和117－1菌株的丙酮粉剂效     

Distribution of intramembranous particles and filipin-sterol complexes in the spermatid and spermatozoon of Culex quinquefasciatus (Culicidae).

A freeze-fracture study was carried out on spermatid and spermatozoon of the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus. In the spermatid plasma membrane few and randomly distributed intramembranous particles were observed. In the spermatozoon the density of intramembranous particles was higher on the P- than on the E-fracture face of the plasma membrane. Two populations of particles were observed. Large particles (about 15 nm in diameter) are regularly arranged in double rows as a zipper-line, longitudinally oriented in relation to the main cell axis. These strands of particles were observed in the posterior head region, mainly associated with the E-fracture face. Filipin was used to analyse the presence and distribution of cholesterol in thin sections and freeze-fracture replicas. Filipin-sterol complexes were not homogeneously distributed throughout the spermatozoon plasma membrane. They were more abundant on the P-fracture face of the membrane lining the nuclear region. The results obtained show that Culex spermatozoon differs from those of other species in that its plasma membrane exhibits only a membrane domain, the zipper-line, localized in the postacrosomal region.     

Vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus in Culex quinquefasciatus

An investigation of the vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Culex quinquefasciatus Say revealed the presence of low levels of the virus in adult F1 progeny from the first ovarian cycle of mosquitoes infected by feeding on HBV positive human blood. HBV was not transmitted vertically during the second, third and fourth ovarian cycles nor to the F2 generation. The salivary glands, ovaries and faeces of the F1 generation did not contain detectable levels of HBV. Progeny of female Cx quinquefasciatus mated with F1 males were negative for HBV.