Climatic factors influencing the abundance of Phle-botomus papatasi [Scopoli] [diptera: Psychodidae] in the Nile Delta

Ecological studies on sand flies were carried out in two villages of the Nile Delta Governorates namely; Kafr Tahla [Qalyubiya] and el Quantara el Beida [Kafr el-Sheikh] from September 2003 to August 2005. Sand flies were collected weekly from around houses, stables and near rodent burrows using sticky paper traps. A total of 9529 sand flies were collected from the two villages, all of which were identified as Phlebotomus papatasi. Sand fly activity started from April to December with a bimodal annual pattern. The sex ratio of collected sand flies was significantly male biased. Data analyses revealed that sand fly densities were strongly correlated to temperature but not to relative humidity or wind velocity. Variation in the densities of P. papatasi in both villages did not show a significant effect due to lunar phases. However, sand fly activity was highly positively correlated to fraction illumination

Attachment of leishmania major and leishmania infantum in the midgut of their respective sand fly vectors phlebotomus papatasi and phlebotomus langeroni [diptera: psychodidae]

The attachment of Leishmania infantum and Leishmania major in the midgut of experimentally infected Phlebotomus langeroni and Ph-lebotonius papatasi was examined by transmission electron microscopy. Cellular damage in the midgut of infected flies as a byproduct of infection was observed in both species. A difference in the mode of attachment of flagella to the midgut of their respective sand fly vectors suggested higher adaptation between L. major/P. papatasi compared to L. infantum/P. langeroni

Studies on rodents role as reservoir hosts of leishmaniasis with specical referance to their ectoparasites in Suez governorate

The distribution of rodents was studied in three different habitats. Seven rodent species were identified: Rattus norvegicus, R. alexandrinus, R. frugivorous, Mus musculus, Acoins russatus, Meriones sacramenti and Gerbillus pyramidum. The species distribution varied with the habitat type. The highest density of rodents was in July and August and the lowest one was in January. However, some species were collected all the year round. The rodents were investigated for the endo- and ecto-parasites. No Leishmania parasites were found. The ectoparasites were: Xenopsylla vita cheopis, Leptopsylla segnis and Ctenocephalides felis, Polyplax spinulos, Hyalomma dromedarii [nymph] and Echinolaelaps echidninus and Hemolaelaps glassgowi. Ecto-parasites were on rodents all year-round in domestic habitat and peridomestic habitats. In wild one, ecto-parasites activity was from March to December. The rodents' role as reservoir for L. najor was experimentally studied. Rodents inoculated with L. major together with hamster and BALB-c mice developed cutaneous lesions. The active lesions, the rodents' ecological habitats and the presence of insect-vector may pave the way to an epidemic zoonotic leishmaniasis role

Ecology, Biology and susceptibility of phlebotomus papatasi to leishmania experimental infection in Suez Governorate

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis [ZCL] is endemic in Sinai Peninsula. The sand fly and reservoirs were investigated in Suez G., since new settlements and land reclamation programs are ongoing. The results showed that Phlebotomus papatasi reached its highest density in September. The successfully colonized P. papatasi facilitated its biology and competence study. An autogenous trait was proven within P. papatasi population indicating its ability to survive and breed during adverse conditions. The vector competence was carried out under laboratory condition through feeding on lesion of a L. major experimentally infected hamster and by membrane feeding technique. Both hamsters and BALB-c mice inoculated with L. major developed ZCL lesions

Spectral and landscape characterization of filarious and non-filarious villages in Egypt

Filarial disease is endemic in Egypt in some villages of Nile Delta governorates where it is transmitted by Culex pipiens female. GIS functions are used to identify environmental indicators of high-risk village as indicated by mosquito density, human infection rate, vector species composition, mean life expectancy "e0" and environmental variables [geology, hydrology, soil types, etc] as well as meteorological factors [temperature, RH and rainfall] in relation to filaria transmission risk. Remote-sensing technology was used to distinguish between the two studied villages as high and non-infected, as defined by microfilarial prevalence. The results indicate that filaria transmission risk is higher at an area characterized by highly productive aquifers, silt clay soil, receiving little amount of rain with low relative humidity [RH]. The results indicate that the most important landscape elements associated with preva1ence are Water and different vegetation. This work showed that the integration between GIS and remote sensing technologies to analyze and identify the environmental factors, associated with the disease, did not only allow mapping current spatial patterns, but also predicting its distribution under expected future developmental and environmental changes

Human zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis and associated sand flies [Diptera: psychodidae] in Sheikh Atiya village, southern Sinai, Egypt

During entomological surveys conducted in Southern Sinai in the summers of 1997-1999, a clinically confirmed zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis [ZCL] case was encountered for the first time in Sheikh Atiya Village in June 1999. The parasite was isolated and identified as L. major using cellulose acetate electrophoresis. A total of 784 phlebotomine sand flies was collected. Sand fly species composition at Sheikh Atiya Village showed that P. papatasi and P. alexandri were the most abundant species in the area and each comprises about 47% of the collected files. P. sergenti and P. kazeruni occurred in very low numbers. All the female flies dissected [N = 304] were negative for any Leishmania-like flagellates. When the identified isolate was inoculated in the footpads of a clean laboratory colonized Acomys cahirinus dimidiatus, a lesion was developed on the site of inoculation nine months post-injection

Sandflies [diptera: psychodidae] in Mersa Matrouh and Siwa Oasis, AR Egypt

Sandflies were surveyed 3 times during 1989 in Mersa Matruh city and Siwa oasis to investigate their status. Only Phlebotomus papatasi was identified from inside houses and outdoor sites. More flies were collected in Mersa Matruh than in Siwa. Results document for the first time the presence of P. papatasi in Mersa Matruh and verify its presence in Siwa oasis

In situ inhibition of cholinesterase in anopheles pharoenisis and culex pipiens by malathion and fenitrothion

Inhibition of cholinesterase after poisoning of Anopheles pharoensis and Culex pipiens with 1c50[s] of malathion and fenitrothion was studied histochemically. The pattern of inhibition of both insecticides was similar. Inhibition was to a greater or less extent confined to the peripheral region of the thoracic ganglia, while the brain and abdominal ganglia showed partial inhibition of the neuropiles. The data provided evidence that if death is caused by inhibition of cholinesterase of the nervous system it is due to local inhibition and not to generalized inhibition

Histochemical localization of cholinesterases in some developmental stages of anopheles pharoensis and culex pipiens [Diptera: culicidae]

The distribution of cholinesterase in the larvae, pupae and adults of Anopheles pharoensis and Culex pipiens was investigated histochemically. Cholinesterase was found throughout the central nervous system and in peripheral nerves. Nonnervous tissues, such as gastric caeca, Malpighian tubules, longitudinal muscles, salivary glands sometimes exhibited faint cholinesterase reactions. Eserine sulphate and iso-OMPA were used as inhibitors in an attempt to characterize the enzyme as either acetylcholinesterase or pseudocholinesterase

Response of human sera from Faiyum Governorate, Egypt, to three plasmodium antigens using the IFA technique

A group of human sera collected from Faiyum governorate in 1976, were allowed to react with three Plasmodium antigens: P. falciparum, P. fieldi and P. brasilianum, using the IFA technique, in an attempt to select a suitable antigen to be used as a general purpose antigen. P. fieldi antigen is recommended for the study of antibody profile of the Egyptian human sera

In vitro cultivation of Egyptian plasmodium falciparum

A procedure for establishing culture of the Egyptian Plasmodium falciparum was developed. Two culture experiments were subsequently conducted using blood from different individuals. In each experiment the level of parasitemia in the donor was less than 0.3%, at the termination of the experiment the level of parasitemia in the culture dish increased about 10 times and healthy parasites were present