Efeito da infeccao com Wuchereira bancrofti (Cobbald, 1877) (Nematoda : Onchocercidae) sobre a capacidade reprodutiva de Culex quiquefasciatus (Say, 1823) (Diptera : Culicidae)

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2000

RESUMO

Lymphatic filariasis is one of the most important human diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. Understanding of vector/parasite interactions is essential for rational development of filariasis control. This study was undertaken in order to determine whether the filarial parasite would interfere with the reproductive fitness of the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus, vector of Wuchereria bancrofti in Metropolitan Zone of Recife (Brazil). Other factors related fitness reproductive of mosquitoes, such as, female body size, fertility, intake of blood and mortality were also assessed. Mosquitoes, emerged from pupa collected in the field, were infected via a membrane feeding procedure, using blood with parasitaemia ranging from 724-2.900 mf/ml. Fecundity was measured as total number of eggs produced and fertility was considered as total number of larvae hatched. The amount of blood ingested was expressed as the amount of excreted haematin during 3 days post feeding. Mosquito size was estimated by the wing length determined under microscopic. A significantly increase in egg production was observed in infected groups when females were fed on blood containing less than 1.150 mf/ml. In contrast at parasitaemia levels above 1.500 mf/ml a reduction in eggs laid was registered. No difference in fertility and blood ingestion was found when infected and uninfected females were compared. A positive correlation was observed between mosquito size and egg production in uninfected females. However no relationship was found between infected groups. These results suggest that fecundity of C. quinquefasciatus infected with Wuchereria bancrofti is influenced by parasite density and mosquito size

ASSUNTO(S)

infecÃÃo wucheriana culex quinquefasciatus anatomia animal capacidade reprodutiva ciÃncias biolÃgicas

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

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