4 research outputs found
Vector competence of Culex quinquefasciatus say from different regions of Brazil to Dirofilaria immitis
The vector competence of Culex quinquefasciatus from five localities in
Brazil to Dirofilaria immitis was evaluated experimentally. Females
from each locality were fed on an infected dog (~ 6 microfilariae/l
blood). A sample of blood fed mosquitoes were dissected approximately 1
h after blood meal. These results demonstrated that all had ingested
microfilariae (mean, 4.8 to 24.6 microfilariae/mosquito). Fifteen days
after the infected blood meal, the infection and infective rates were
low in all populations of Cx. quinquefasciatus. The mean number of
infective larvae detected in the head and proboscis of these mosquitoes
was 1-1.5. The vector efficiency, the number of microfilariae
ingested/number of infective larvae, was low for all populations of Cx.
quinquefasciatus. However, the survival rate for all populations was
high (range 50-75%). The survival rate of Aedes aegypti assayed
simultaneously for comparison was low (24.7%), while the vector
efficiency was much higher than for Cx. quinquefasciatus. These data
suggest that the vector competence of all assayed populations of Cx.
quinquefasciatus to D. immitis in Brazil is similar and that this
species is a secondary vector due to its low susceptibility.
Nevertheless, vector capacity may vary between populations due to
differences in biting frequency on dogs that has been reported in
Brazil