Nocturnal activity and biting rhythm of sand flies [diptera; psychodidae] in Al-Agool, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia

The study of phlebotomine sand flies activity and biting rhythms are of vital importance determining the period of maximum risk of Leishmania infection, prevention of transmission, and in successful control. This study was carried out aiming to reach a better understanding of the phlebotomine sandflies activity and biting rhythms in Al-Agool village, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia, an area of zonootic cutaneous leishmaniasis. Three collection methods were used to collect sand flies; CDC miniature light traps, sticky traps and aspirator collection off human bait, for six nights [12 hours each] in May and June, 2007. Four species were detected; Phlebotomus papatasi, P sergenti, Sergentomyia cyldei and S. antennata. P. papatasi was found to be the most abundant species [81%]. Sticky traps sampled the greater number of phlebotomine flies [43.4%], followed by light traps [31%], catching all of the 4 collected species. Human bait sampled 25.6%, only Phlebotomus species were collected by this method. Both sexes of collected sand flies displayed nocturnal activity with different patterns; the females nocturnal activity was repuscu1ar, exhibiting two peaks of activity, a larger one after dusk and a smaller one before dawn, whereas t of males was clearly nocturnal. Also, females biting rhythms follow that of nocturnal activity. This poses a greater risk for humans to be bitten and infected by the 'various sand fly-borne pathogens. This is especially important in intra-domiciliary settings during the night, in particular, after dusk and before dawn

study on culex species and culex transmitted diseases in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia

Culex mosquitoes transmit bancroftian filariasis and arboviruses as West Nile Virus in the Middle East including Saudi Arabia. However, the prevalent Culex species in Al-Madinah region have not been reported and their role in disease transmission remains to be clarified. This work aimed to investigate the role of Culex in transmission of Wuchereria bancrofti, West Nile virus, Saint Louis encephalitis and Eastern Equine encephalitis in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Also, it was done to document the prevalent Culex species and to shed light on their bionomics and habits. Culex mosquitoes were collected using spray sheets and CDC light traps with CO2 release from July 2007 till June 2008. Also, Culex larvae were collected for 8 months during that period. Culex seasonal distribution and bionomics were documented and taxonomical identification was done. Females were dissected and microscopically examined for filarial stages. In addition, they were screened by the Vec-Test for West Nile virus, Saint Louis encephalitis and Eastern Equine encephalitis. A total of 3.6% human rooms and 4.7% of animal sheds were positive for Culex; more in the period of January-June 2008, compared to July-December 2007. Seven Culex species were found, two of which were recorded for the first time in the region; C. duttoni and C. decens. C. pipiens and C. quinquefasciatus were the most abundant; 59.3% of collected adults were C. pipiens, while C. quinquefasciatus constituted 22.1%. As for collected larvae, C. pipiens constituted 60% of them, whereas C. quinquefasciatus totalled 20%. Only C. pipie/Is was found to harbor West Nile Virus. In contrast, no other viruses or W bancrfoti stages were detected in the examined mosquitoes. There is a potential danger of the transmission of West Nile Virus in Al-Madinah especially by C. pipiens. Also, the possibility of future transmission of W. bancrofti, and the establishment of new endemic foci of bancroftian filariasis in the region, couldn't be overruled