Vector Species Composition and Malaria Infectivity Rates in Mkuzi; Muheza District; North-Eastern Tanzania

Entomological surveys were conducted in Mkuzi village in Muheza District; north-east Tanzania from April to September 2003. The objectives were to determine the species composition and infectivity rates of mosquitoes in Mkuzi village. Mosquito collection was done using CDC light trap and pyrethrum spray catch (PSC) techniques. The light trap: spray catch ratio was 2.2:1. A total of 2157 mosquitoes were collected (light trap= 1483; PSC= 674). Anopheles gambiae s.s. accounted for 56.7(N=1224) of all mosquitoes collected. Other species were An. funestus complex (19.2) and Culex quinquefasciatus (24.1).The mosquito density per room was 74.15 and 33.7 for light trap and PSC techniques; respectively. A total of 1637 Anopheles mosquitoes were tested for circumsporozoite protein by Enzyme linked Immunosobent Assay (ELISA). The overall infectivity rate for circumsporozoite protein for P. falciparum in Anopheles mosquitoes was 21.14(346/1637). Species-specific infectivity rates were 22.7(278/1224) in An. gambiae s.s. and 24.0(68/283) in An. funestus funestus; 0(0/80) for An. rivulorum and 0(0/50) for An.parensis. Blood meal analysis indicated that 92.3of An. gambiae s.s; 88.9of An. funestus s.s.; 64.5of An. rivulorum and 67.7of An. parensis had taken blood meal from human hosts. In conclusion; malaria transmission in Mkuzi area of Muheza district is mainly by the highly anthropophagic An. gambiae s.s. and An. funestus s.s. More studies are needed to identify the seasonal variation of species composition and transmission dynamics in this village

Evaluation of rapid tests for HIV antibody screening of blood donors

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is currently the most accepted method used to screen for antibodies to HIV Conventional ELISA assays require from 1.5 to 3.5 hours to complete and an optical density (OD) reader to record results. We have therefore considered the applicability of using rapid tests for the screening of blood donors. The Testpack method is quick to perform; easy to interpret and sensitive. Results indicate that the Testpack method is suitable for the screening of blood donors and in emergency situations

Evaluation of rapid tests for HIV antibody screening of blood donors

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is currently the most accepted method used to screen for antibodies to HIV. Conventional ELISA assays require from 1.5 to 3.5 hours to complete and an optical density (OD) reader to record results. We have therefore considered the applicability of using rapid tests for the screening of blood donors. The Testpack method is quick to perform; easy to interpret and sensitive. Results indicate that the Testpack method is suitable for the screening of blood donors and in emergency situations