Oviposition Site Selection by the Dengue Vector Aedes aegypti and Its Implications for Dengue Control

Controlling the mosquito Aedes aegypti is of public health importance because, at present, it is the only means to stop dengue virus transmission. Implementing successful mosquito control programs requires understanding what factors regulate population abundance, as well as anticipating how mosquitoes may adapt to control measures. In some species of mosquitoes, females choose egg-laying sites to improve the survival and growth of their offspring, a behavior that ultimately influences population distribution and abundance. In the current study, we tested whether Ae. aegypti actively choose the containers in which they lay their eggs and determined what cues are most relevant to that process. We also explored whether females select containers that provide the most food for their larval progeny. Surprisingly, egg-laying females were most attracted to sites containing other immature Ae. aegypti, rather than to sites containing the most food. We propose that this behavior may contribute to density-dependent competition for food among larvae and play a larger role than previously thought in regulating Ae. aegypti populations. We recommend that accounting for, and even taking advantage of, this natural behavior will lead to more effective strategies for dengue prevention

Trimethoprim, creatinine and creatinine-based equations

Co-trimoxazole is a frequently prescribed antibiotic worldwide. It is composed of both trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazol (Sfx) and is used in the treatment and prophylaxis of urinary tract and Pneumocystis jirovecii infections. The Sfx component appears to be nephrotoxic at high doses or doses inappropriately adjusted for glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The trimethoprim component, even at recommended doses, inhibits tubular creatinine secretion, leading to a rapid but ultimately reversible increase in serum creatinine independent of any changes in GFR. This translates into a falsely low estimated GFR when creatinine-based equations are used. This review focuses on evidence of the differential effects of trimethoprim and Sfx on serum creatinine concentrations and GFR and their relevance to clinical practice, with particular attention to kidney transplantation