Samrerng Prummongkol. Bionomics of Culex sitiens in Tsunami affected areas of Phang Nga province and its susceptibility to Brugia malayi . Master's Degree(Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2007.
Bionomics of Culex sitiens in Tsunami affected areas of Phang Nga province and its susceptibility to Brugia malayi
Abstract:
A preliminary survey in the tsunami affected areas of Ta Kua Pa district, Phang Nga
province was conducted during February to April 2005. The thirty-three water sites in the
area were explored randomly and it was revealed that after the tidal-wave impact, some
freshwater sites had changed into brackish-water sites due to coverage with seawater. Soil
residues and clay contamination from the sea blocked water drainage routes formed
denatured and polluted water sites which had become breeding areas for Cx. sitiens and An.
sundaicus. Therefore, Cx. sitiens, larvae were observed in every water site at moderate to
high densities, and were increasing irregularly. Adult mosquitoes had also increased
greatly in number, caused annoyance, nuisance biting, and dermatitis. This mosquito has
been reported as a potential vector of Japanese encephalitis and is a potential filariasis
carrier. In addition, many Myanmar workers, considered carriers of disease were still in
the area. Therefore, the bionomics of Cx. sitiens was studied by investigation of breeding
places, biting activity, biology and susceptibility to Brugia malayi. A survey of areas at
Phang Nga Naval Base, Ban Keuk Kuk, Ban Bang Ka Ya and Ban Nam Khem, Phang Nga
province, in November–December, 2005 found Cx. sitiens to be the most dominant species,
and larvae of this mosquito were found in almost every stagnant, brackish-water site in full
sunlight. However, it prefers to breed in putrefied water with garbage. Its biting cycle
determined by human landing catch was nocturnal, with a single peak at 1900-2000 hr.
The maximum rate was 108 mosquitoes per person / hour. The biology of the mosquitoes
was studied by colonization in natural water under laboratory conditions. The mean
number of eggs per raft was 158.1±31.7, hatchability 96.6±4.1%, survival from 1st instar
larvae to adult was 8.8-11.7 days, and longevity of adult males was 6.3-41.3 days and
females 11.0-52.7 days. The ratio of adult males to adult females was 1:1.1±0.2. To
determine the susceptibility of Cx. sitiens to B. malayi, using female mosquitoes fed on a
cat infected with B. malayi, mosquitoes were dissected individually at 14 days post feeding;
the result indicated that this strain of Cx. sitiens was not susceptible to B. malayi. This is
conclusive evidence that Cx. sitiens cannot be a vector for B. malayi. However, Ae.togoi
was highly susceptible and the infective stage larvae were confirmed to be B. malayi by
PCR method. The knowledge gained from this investigation could provide basic
information beneficial for further research studies on the Cx. sitiens mosquito.