Environmental conditions of evening activity of synanthropic mosquito species (Diptera: Culicinae) in the Wrocław area

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Temporal variations in the evening activity pattern of adult mosquito females of locally common mosquito were studied at Wroc?aw area using CO2 charged olfactory traps. RESULTS: There has been 4856 synanthropic individuals which belonged to Culex pipiens (L.) i Culiseta annulata (Schrank.) species distinguished from the general population of 5997 individuals caught in the three sampling sites. The number of active mosquito females increased from 4 pm to 9 pm creating one distinct peak during the evening activity maximum. Statistical analysis of the results showed the important correlation between mosquito activity of locally common populations and air relative humidity supported by variation of light intensity.     

Intestinal parasites in inhabitants of Wrocław and Wałbrzych

In the period 1990-1997 several thousand patients from Wroc?aw and Wa?brzych hospitals as well as inhabitants of Wroc?aw city were examined for intestinal parasites. The presence of parasites was noted in 12.3% of 2173 patients from the District Hospital of Infectious Diseases in Wroc?aw, 3.2% of 599 from Wa?brzych Hospital and 39.3% (mostly Enterobius vermicularis) of 746 ambulatory examined persons in the Private Analytical Laboratory in Wroc?aw. Among the intestinal protozoa the most frequent was Giardia intestinalis (from 5.7 to 18.1%) and Entamoeba coli (0.5-0.6%); the remaining amoebas (E. histolytica, E. hartmanni, E. polecki and Endolimax nana) as well as Chilomonas mesnili was present only in single cases. Enterobiosis was observed in nearly half of the total number of examined children (1808); the most rarely found helminths were Opisorchis felineus (! Adult patient), Strongyloides stercoralis (2) and Trichuris trichiura (8); Taenia saginata was found in 56 patients, which constituted 1.6% of the total number of examined cases and Ascaris lumbricoides in 40 (1.2%).     

Biology of Ixodes ricinus (L.) and its pathogens in Wrocław area

Within 2001-2003, a total of 4743 ticks of Ixodes ricinus were trapped from the forest area in Masyw Sliy (Lower Silesia, Poland) near Wroc?aw. Common distribution of ixodid ticks in all examined habitats, located near touristic routes, are potential loci of Lyme borreliosis in these recreational areas. Out of 1108 tick samples examined by the observation in DFM for the presence of spirochetes, 6.7% were positive. The highest percent of infected ticks (13.1%) was found in 2003.     

Trends of faunistic-ecological researches in the Department of Parasitology in Wrocław University

Paper deals with the results of systematic-ecological investigations of host-parasite relationships in the context of 45 year history of the Parasitological Department at the University of Wroc?aw. Achievements are concentrated on the presentations of new taxonomic units and rearrangement of classification of parasitic protozoans and tapeworms (J. Janiszewska), nematodes (A. Okulewicz), lice (J. Z?otorzycka, E. Lonc, M. Modrzejewska). Faunistic and biometrical data of parasitic commities of fishes, birds and mammals, mainly rodents as well as the vector role of ticks and mosquitoes at Wroclaw area are also discussed. Localities of those parasites and their hosts, collected mainly from the Lower Silesia region are rearranged according to new system of physicogeographic differentiation of Poland and its regional position at biogeographical map of world.     

Stanisław Kuczborski (1912-2004): pulmonologist and phtysiatrist

Stanis?aw Kuczborski was born in Lód? on January 31, 1912. In 1937, he got his medical degree at the Medical Department of the Warsaw University. Afterwards, he was employed in a sanitarium in Otwock near Warsaw. As a physician, he was a pulmonary and phtysiatric consultant. After Second World War, Kuczborski performed many managerial duties in Lód?. In the 1950s, he was Deputy Director of the Tuberculosis Institute in Warsaw. He held foreign (Denmark, France) scientific internships and was a member of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease in Paris. In Poland, he received an honorary membership of the Polish Phtysiatry and Pneumonology Association. Kuczborski published 70 works. He died in Lód? on August 23, 2004.     

Wacław Lasocki (1837-1921)--his life in Poland and Siberia

Wac?aw Lasocki was born in Wo?yń in a Polish family of landed gentry in 1837. He graduated from University in Kiev with diploma in medicine in 1859. He took part in insurrection in 1863 and was condemned to death and later to deportation to Siberia by the Russians. He stayed in Siberia from 1864 to 1873 where he gained recognition as an excellent physician. After his return to Poland he contributed to creation of health institution in Na?eczów. He died in 1921.     

Genetic diversity and gene structure of mitochondrial region of Anopheles minimus (Diptera: Culicidae) – major malaria vector of North east India

ObjectiveTo depict mitochondrial genetic variation for the first time among Anopheles minimus (An.minimus) (Diptera: Culicidae) species from two malaria endemic states of NE India.MethodsPhylogeographic analysis was carried at 9 out of 12 sites of An.minimus confirmed malaria endemic places.ResultsAll sequences were Adenine-Thymine rich regions. Transitions were observed in 6 sequences where 5 mutations were synonymous substitutions and in 1 case non synonymous mutation was observed. Three distinct clusters of haplotypes were generated. Haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity were studied. Overall negative values obtained from Tajima's D test and Fu'sF_S test indicate a recent genetic population expansion. Network analysis has explained sequence diversity that was also shown by mutations in 6 sequences.ConclusionsHigh genetic diversity observed within the populations of An.minimus species has several possible implications for vector control in the region.     

Differences in male–female ratios of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) following ultra-low volume adulticide applications

Suppression of Aedes albopictus populations is a substantial challenge for mosquito control programs globally because juveniles of this species are found in numerous kinds of domestic artificial containers that are difficult to detect, access, and eliminate. We conducted a multi-year assessment of the effect of different interventions to control Ae. albopictus near the northernmost geographic boundary of the species in temperate North America and deployed an array of BG-Sentinel traps for adult surveillance. Here we present the results of a comparative examination of adult sex ratios in urban and suburban areas, shifts in sex ratios after control interventions, and a discussion of the critical drivers of population dynamics of Ae. albopictus in our area. We collected significantly more male mosquitoes in urban as compared to suburban areas in June through September, but not in May (p < 0.001). The higher number of male mosquitoes in urban areas could be attributed to a higher number of larval habitats within a closer proximity of the surveillance traps and the lower flight dispersal of males. Following application of adulticides in urban areas, Ae. albopictus male populations were reduced by 88% on average, which was higher than the 69% reduction in female populations. The higher reduction of male mosquitoes could be attributed to the smaller body mass of the males and their higher susceptibility to adulticides. The results of this study are directly relevant to the development of suitable control strategies that depend on manipulation of males, such as the sterile insect technique. The results could also be used to refine mosquito abatement by providing more accurate methods to determine the need and timing of vector control.     

Genetic structure of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) populations in China and relationship with the knockdown resistance mutations

Background Mosquito control is needed to prevent dengue fever, which is mainly spread byAedes albopictus in China. Application of insecticides is one of the main mosquito control methods; however, this approach can fail due to the knockdown resistance (kdr) gene mutation that causes decreased sensitivity to insecticides inAe. albopictus. Thekdr mutation patterns among different regions in China differ significantly. However, the underlying mechanism and factors that influencekdr mutation remain ...     

Situation and strategy of malaria control in the past three years in Guangxi.

According to blood examination of the inhabitants in the past three years, malariaincidence in Guangxi showed a tendency of decrease ranging from 22.2％ to 46.1％.Since 1980, blood examinations for fever cases have been intensified, and the positive     

Prevalence and distribution of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in urban and indigenous schoolchildren in Ortigueira, State of Paranà, Brasil: implications for control

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections represent a major public health problem in poor and developing countries. During the period September-October 1998 we conducted an epidemiological survey of STH infections in schoolchildren of an urban area (group A) and an indigenous reserve (group B), in the Municipality of Ortigueira, State of Paranà, Brazil, to assess potential benefits of mass treatment. Stool samples were examined for helminth eggs by quantitative (Kato-Katz) technique to determine the prevalence and intensity of intestinal parasitic infection. Moreover, we examined the relationship between prevalence and intensity of STH infections and housing/hygienic factors (by means of a 7-item questionnaire). 236 schoolchildren aged 5-15 years were enrolled, 136 in group A and 100 in group B. The prevalence of STH infections was significantly higher in group B (93%) than in group A (22%) (P < 0.001). Detected parasites were: A. lumbricoides (16.1% prevalence in group A, 88% in group B, P < 0.001), hookworms (5.8% in group A, 52% in group B, P < 0.001) and T. trichiura (5.1% in group A, 2% in group B, P = 0.2). Heavy infections were detected in 2.9% and 23% of the children in group A and B, respectively (P < 0.001). Housing/hygienic indicators were significantly poorer in group B. A statistically significant correlation was observed between total prevalence of STH infections and prevalence of high-intensity infections with most housing/hygienic variables. On the basis of these results, mass treatment and educational interventions were suggested for the indigenous community, whereas target treatment and educational interventions were suggested for the urban community. Even in a geographically homogeneous area different epidemiological realities can be found, which in turn can influence infection levels and control programmes.     

Microgeographic Genetic Variation of the Malaria Vector Anopheles darlingi Root (Diptera: Culicidae) from Córdoba and Antioquia,Colombia

Anopheles darlingi is an important vector of Plasmodium spp. in several malaria-endemic regions of Colombia. This study was conducted to test genetic variation of An. darlingi at a microgeographic scale (approximately 100 km) from localities in Córdoba and Antioquia states, in western Colombia, to better understand the potential contribution of population genetics to local malaria control programs. Microsatellite loci: nuclear white and cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences were analyzed. The northern white gene lineage was exclusively distributed in Córdoba and Antioquia and shared COI haplotypes were highly represented in mosquitoes from both states. COI analyses showed these An. darlingi are genetically closer to Central American populations than southern South American populations. Overall microsatellites and COI analysis showed low to moderate genetic differentiation among populations in northwestern Colombia. Given the existence of high gene flow between An. darlingi populations of Córdoba and Antioquia, integrated vector control strategies could be developed in this region of Colombia.     

Spatial dispersion and characterisation of mosquito breeding habitats in urban vegetable-production areas of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

Although urban agriculture (UA) in the developing world may enhance nutrition and local economies, it may also lead to higher densities of mosquito breeding sites and, consequently, to increased transmission of malarial parasites. If targeted interventions against malaria vectors are to be successful in urban areas, the habitats that support Anopheles breeding need to be identified and detected. Mosquito breeding sites have recently been characterised, and the factors associated with productive Anopheles habitats identified, in market gardens of Abidjan, C?te d'Ivoire. Two surveys were conducted in seven vegetable-production areas, one towards the end of the rainy season and one during the dry season. A standardized methodology was used for habitat characterisation and the detection of Anopheles larvae and mosquito pupae. Overall, 454 and 559 potential mosquito-breeding sites were recorded in the rainy-season and dry-season surveys, respectively. In the rainy season, Anopheles larvae and mosquito pupae were found in 29.7% and 5.5% of the potential breeding sites, respectively, whereas the corresponding percentages in the dry season were 24.3% and 8.6%. The potential breeding sites in an agricultural zone on the periphery of Abidjan were those least likely to be positive for Anopheles larvae and mosquito pupae whereas 'agricultural trenches' between seedbeds were the sites most likely to be positive. In a spatially-explicit Bayesian multivariate logistic-regression model, although one out of every five such wells was also found to harbour Anopheles larvae, irrigation wells were found to be the least productive habitats, of those sampled, for pupae. In the study area, simple and cost-effective strategies of larval control should be targeted at agricultural trenches, ideally with the active involvement of local stakeholders (i.e. urban farmers and urban agricultural extension services).