Application of biotechnology in the identification of filarial larva in mosquitoes.

Current methods for detecting and identifying filariae in mosquitoes are laborious and time consuming. With today's technology, we can reasonably expect development of rapid, sensitive and specific assays for detecting and identifying filariae in naturally infected mosquito populations. Progress in developing such assays is reviewed.

Studies on filariasis in the Pacific. 4. The application of the membrane filter concentration technique to a survey of Wuchereria bancrofti filariasis in Kepu district, Jakarta, Indonesia.

A blood survey for filariasis was carried out in the Kepu District of Jakarta. Examination of stained 20 c.mm finger-prick blood thick films and membrane filter concentration (MFC) of 1 ml venous blood. The youngest age group examined, 5-9 years old revealed a mf rate of 17% of which 71% were of a low density character detected by MFC only. The mf rate appears to remain relatively constant from the 10-14 year old group onward, approximately 35%, but at all age groups at least half the infections were of low density. The highest mf rate and density was observed present in the 15-20 year old group.