Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus) as a potential phytoinsecticide: larvicidal activity of crude extracts on Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

@#Plants contain bioactive compounds and are constantly explored as safer alternatives to conventional insecticides. Despite numerous studies on many plants, information on the insecticidal potential of underutilised plants like tiger nut, Cyperus esculentus L., are scant, although their pharmacological potentials are well known. Hence, this study investigated the larvicidal potential of crude aqueous extracts of two C. esculentus varieties (black and yellow) on the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti (L.) and Culex quinquefasciatus (Say). Mosquito larvae were exposed to C. esculentus crude extracts using the larval bioassay technique of the World Health Organization. Differential larvicidal responses were observed in the test mosquitoes and extracts of Black Dried Tiger nuts (BDT) were more larvicidal than Yellow Dried Tiger nuts (YDT). Acute larval toxicity of the extracts was more pronounced on Cx. quinquefasciatus than Ae. aegypti. The results indicate the potential of C. esculentus (particularly BDT) as a source of mosquito bioinsecticide and merits further studies as a safer alternative to conventional insecticide-based vector control.

Genetic structure of the dengue vector Aedes albopictus (Skuse) from different developed settlements in Penang Island, Malaysia based on microsatellite markers

@#The medically important mosquito, Aedes albopictus is native to Asia and has become a major health concern in most Asian countries including Malaysia. Being recognized as a dengue vector, a clearer understanding of how mosquito populations are geographically connected, may therefore represent a profound yet significant understanding of control strategies. There are no documented reports on the genetic structure of Ae. albopictus populations from different developed settlements inferred from microsatellite DNA markers in Malaysia, particularly in Penang Island (Northern Peninsular Malaysia). Here, we assessed the molecular population genetics of Ae. albopictus in terms of their allelic variation, genetic diversity and population structure. A total of 42 mosquitoes were sampled from Jelutong, Batu Maung and Balik Pulau which represented urban, suburban and rural areas in Penang Island respectively and analysed for polymorphism at six microsatellite loci. All of the microsatellite markers were successfully amplified and were polymorphic, showing low genetic structure among geographic populations (FST= 0.0362). It is supported with admixture individuals observed in STRUCTURE and FCA and this suggests that high gene flow has been experienced between populations. These findings implicate passive dispersal through human-aided transportation; as a factor shaping the genetic structure of Ae. albopictus populations in Penang Island.

Xenobiotic-induced expression of detoxification genes, CYP4H28v2 and CYP4H31v2 in the dengue mosquito Aedes aegypti

Synthetic insecticides and other xenobiotic compounds are usually used to abate the effects of insect pests/vectors of agricultural and medical importance by adversely affecting the insects. The xenobiotics are also capable of inducing the expression of detoxification genes such as the cytochrome P450 (CYP) gene in targeted insects like mosquitoes (Feyereisen, 2012). The high expression levels of CYPs in insecticide-resistant and exposed mosquitoes have been linked with a potential role in xenobiotic resistance. This study investigated the induction potential of leaf litter infusions and insecticides on the expressions of CYP4H28v2 and CYP4H31v2 in the dengue mosquito Aedes aegypti using Reverse Transcription-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction. Exposure of Ae. aegypti larvae to leaf litter infusions demonstrated that CYP4H28v2 and CYP4H31v2 were significantly induced by Lagerstroemia speciosa but not Ficus benjamina, Plumeria obtusa, Millettia pinnata and Pithecellobium dulce. None of the genes was significantly highly expressed in adult females exposed to d-allethrin and d-trans allethrin products. CYP4H28v2 was significantly induced in Ae. aegypti exposed to DDT, malathion and permethrin for both 5 and 10 min. DDT, malathion and permethrin significantly induced CYP4H31v2 only in Ae. aegypti exposed to the insecticides for 10 min. Exposure to the insecticides for 5 min displayed different levels of CYP4H31v2 expression with significantly higher (DDT-exposed) and lower (permethrin-exposed) levels in the mosquito. The results show that natural and synthetic xenobiotics can induce significant expression of CYP4H28v2 and CYP4H31v2 in the mosquito, indicating the potential role of the genes in mediating xenobiotic resistance. This may enhance the survival capabilities of the mosquito when in contact with phytotoxins of leaf litter in their natural ecosystem and synthetic insecticides in adulticide spray regimens.

Laboratory evaluation of three commercial coil products for protection efficacy against Anopheles gambiae from southern Ghana: a preliminary study

Residents in irrigated urban agricultural sites face numerous mosquito problems such as increased mosquito populations and reduced insecticides susceptibility due to the creation of mosquito breeding sites and agricultural use of insecticides and hence require effective protective products against them. In this study, the protection effectiveness of three pyrethroid formulated mosquito coils of Malaysian origin against Anopheles gambiae sensu lato from an irrigated urban agricultural site in Ghana were evaluated for their potential use. Sucrose fed An. gambiae s.l. were exposed to insecticide-containing coils in a 70 cm x 70 cm x 70 cm glass chamber to assess the insecticidal effect of the coils. The 0.005% metofluthrin coil caused the most rapid knockdown of 50% of the test mosquitoes. The mean lethal effect of the coils on An. gambiae s.l. were as follows; 0.005% metofluthrin (86%), 0.3% d-allethrin (74.33%), 0.15% d-trans allethrin (72%) and the 0.25% d-allethrin reference coil (69%). The 0.005% metofluthrin coil achieved the highest insecticidal effect on An. gambiae s.l. compared to the other coils and hence performed better than the others as an anti-mosquito product. All the three test coils were effective against An. gambaie s.l. from the irrigated agricultural site compared to the reference coil.

The integron prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase Malaysian teaching hospital

The increased frequency of antibiotic resistance is known to be associated with the dissemination of integrons in the Enterobacteriaceae. This study determined the prevalence and type of integrons amongst 160 extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing enterobacterial isolates kept in our culture collection. Integrons were detected in 98(61.3%) isolates, including 28(62.2%) Escherichia coli, 34(64.2%) Klebsiella spp., 27(61.4%), Enterobacter spp. and 9(50.0%) Citrobacter spp. investigated in this study. Restriction analysis of the integron gene fragments revealed that class I integron was the principal integron detected in 92(57.5%) of our isolates. Class II integron was detected in 6(3.8%) of our isolates, while no class III integron was detected in this study. The high rates of integron prevalence particularly of the class I integron in the E. coli and Klebsiella spp. concur with previous studies in other geographical regions. The higher (>50%) integron prevalence of Citrobacter and Enterobacter isolates comparing to previous studies suggests the potential of these isolates as sources for dissemination of resistance determinants. The finding in this study serves as a basis for further study on the antibiotic resistance mechanisms of enterobacterial species in this teaching hospital.