Species composition, larval habitats, seasonal occurrence and distribution of potential malaria vectors and associated species of Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) from the Republic of Korea

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Larval mosquito habitats of potential malaria vectors and related species of <it>Anopheles </it>from three provinces (Gyeonggi, Gyeongsangbuk, Chungcheongbuk Provinces) of the Republic of Korea were surveyed in 2007. This study aimed to determine the species composition, seasonal occurrence and distributions of <it>Anopheles </it>mosquitoes. Satellite derived normalized difference vegetation index data (NDVI) was also used to study the seasonal abundance patterns of <it>Anopheles </it>mosquitoes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Mosquito larvae from various habitats were collected using a standard larval dipper or a white plastic larval tray, placed in plastic bags, and were preserved in 100% ethyl alcohol for species identification by PCR and DNA sequencing. The habitats in the monthly larval surveys included artificial containers, ground depressions, irrigation ditches, drainage ditches, ground pools, ponds, rice paddies, stream margins, inlets and pools, swamps, and uncultivated fields. All field-collected specimens were identified to species, and relationships among habitats and locations based on species composition were determined using cluster statistical analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In about 10,000 specimens collected, eight species of <it>Anopheles </it>belonging to three groups were identified: Hyrcanus Group - <it>Anopheles sinensis</it>, <it>Anopheles kleini</it>, <it>Anopheles belenrae</it>, <it>Anopheles pullus</it>, <it>Anopheles lesteri</it>, <it>Anopheles sineroides</it>; Barbirostris Group - <it>Anopheles koreicus</it>; and Lindesayi Group - <it>Anopheles lindesayi japonicus</it>. Only <it>An. sinensis </it>was collected from all habitats groups, while <it>An. kleini, An. pullus </it>and <it>An. sineroides </it>were sampled from all, except artificial containers. The highest number of <it>Anopheles </it>larvae was found in the rice paddies (34.8%), followed by irrigation ditches (23.4%), ponds (17.0%), and stream margins, inlets and pools (12.0%). <it>Anopheles sinensis </it>was the dominant species, followed by <it>An. kleini, An. pullus </it>and <it>An. sineroides</it>. The monthly abundance data of the <it>Anopheles </it>species from three locations (Munsan, Jinbo and Hayang) were compared against NDVI and NDVI anomalies.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The species composition of <it>Anopheles </it>larvae varied in different habitats at various locations. <it>Anopheles </it>populations fluctuated with the seasonal dynamics of vegetation for 2007. Multi-year data of mosquito collections are required to provide a better characterization of the abundance of these insects from year to year, which can potentially provide predictive capability of their population density based on remotely sensed ecological measurements.</p

Association of influenza epidemics with global climate variability

The reasons for the seasonality and annual changes in the impact of influenza epidemics remain poorly understood. We investigated the covariations between a major component of climate, namely the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and indicators of the impact of influenza, as measured by morbidity, excess mortality and viral subtypes collected in France during the period 1971–2002. We show that both the circulating subtype and the magnitude of ENSO are associated with the impact of influenza epidemics. Recognition of this association could lead to better understanding of the mechanisms of emergence of influenza epidemics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/42662/1/10654_2004_Article_DO00002450.pd