Infectivity of Simulium damnosum s.l. and therapeutic coverage of ivermectin distribution 10 years post treatment around Owena Dam, Ondo state, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Background: Studies related to infectivity status of insect vectors are seen as necessities in understanding the epidemiology of vector-borne diseases and planning effective control measures. This study assessed the infectivity ofSimulium damnosum s.l. around Owena River as well as evaluated therapeutic coverage of Ivermectin distribution in the area. Method: Human landing sampling method was used to collect adult flies on human attractants from 07:00 to 18:00 for two consecutive days a month for three months (July 2016 - September 2016). Parity assessment was conducted to determine the age of fly populations. Parous flies were further dissected to detect the presence or absence ofOnchocerca larvae. Biting rates and transmission potentials were calculated using standard methods. A quantitative survey was carried out to determine the therapeutic coverage and compliance to ivermectin treatment for the control of Onchocerciasis in the study area using standard household coverage questionnaires. Results: A total of 914 adult female flies were collected during the study period. The daily biting rate (DBR) varied from 146 fly per man day (FMD) in July to 162.5 FMD in August. The monthly biting rate (MBR) was lowest in September (2170 bites per man per month) but highest in August (3358.3 bites per man per month). MBD ranged from 13.23 fly per man hour (FMH) in July to 14.77 FMH in August. The results indicated that the majority of the flies collected at the sampling points were nulliparous [685 (74.95%)] while others were parous [229 (25.05%)]. The biting activity of the flies showed a marked decrease in population in August compared to July which later increased in September. Infection rates varied from 2 (0.7%) in July to 7 (2.2%) in August while the infectivity rate during the study ranged from zero (July and September) to 3 (1.0%) in August. Conclusion: Despite the years of treatment of onchocerciasis in Owena community, there were still some infective flies capable of transmitting O. volvolus. This could be due to the low rate of therapeutic coverage as a result of non-compliance in the community for various reasons earlier stated.

Presencia y distribución espacial de Simulium sp. (Díptera: Simuliidae) en dos provincias de Angola / Presence and spatial distribution of Simuliumsp.(Diptera: Simuliidae) in two provinces of Angola

En el oeste de África los miembros del complejo Simulium damnosum son los vectores de la oncocercosis. El objetivo es obtener datos sobre la presencia y distribución de simúlidos en dos provincias de Angola. El trabajo se realizó en las provincias de Huambo y Bié donde se muestrearon 24 cuerpos de agua entre julio y agosto, 2015. Todos los sitios se localizaron por encima de una altitud de 1 000 m y solo tres resultaron negativos a la presencia de simúlidos. Estos resultados constituyen los primeros que se obtienen sobre la presencia y distribución espacial de Simulium sp. en Angola de gran importancia, pues la superposición de los mapas de distribución de la infección humana y los vectores permiten localizar áreas con peligro de transmisión(AU)

In West Africa Simuliumdamnosum complex members are the main vectors of onchocerciasis. The objective of this paper was to collect data on the presence and spatial distribution of black flies in two provinces of Angola. The research work was conducted in Huambo and Bié provinces where 24 water bodies were sampled between July and August 2015. All the studied sites were located above 1 000 m of altitude and only three of them were found to be negative for the presence of black flies. These were the first results obtained on the presence and spatial distribution of Simulium sp. in Angola and are of great importance because overlapping the distribution maps of human infection and of vectors allows finding the areas at risk of transmission(AU)

Transmission de l'onchocercose par Simulium squamosum (Diptera : Simuliidae) dans le foyer urbain de Kinsuka a Kinshasa/Republique democratique du Congo

Contexte. Les etudes realisees dans le foyer de Kinsuka entre 1985 et 2001 ont montre une tendance a la reemergence de la transmission de l'onchocercose dans ce foyer. Le but de la presente etude exploratoire etait de determiner le niveau actuel de la transmission de cette parasitose; en vue d'apprehender des facteurs explicatifs du niveau d'endemicite constate. Methodes. Les simulies ont ete capturees dans deux points de capture (P1 et P2); pour une periode de 12 mois (mars 2008-fevrier 2009); par le procede classique de capture sur appats humains. Dans l'ensemble; 82;1des simulies capturees ont ete dissequees pour la determination de la parite; et toutes les simulies pares ont ete dissequees pour denombrer les larves d'O. volvulus. Les autres especes de simulies ont ete inventoriees; et les supports larvaires ont ete prospectes. Resultats. Au total; 12282 simulies ont ete capturees dont 5018 au S1; et 7264 au S2. Le cycle d'agressivite journaliere a presente une courbe concave avec deux pics; dont un mineur entre 8 et 9 heures; et un majeur entre 17h et 18h. Dans l'ensemble de simulies dissequees; 42;4etaient pares. Seules 25 simulies pares etaient infectees par les larves d'O. volvulus; dont 14 au S1; et 11 au S2. Une seule simulie etait infectante. Les taux annuels de piqures (TAP) etaient de 564453; et 78111 piqures par personne par an respectivement. Le potentiel de transmission est pratiquement nul : 0 au S1; et 28 larves infectantes par personne par an au S2. Conclusion. Le taux d'agressivite est environ 12 fois plus eleve que celui observe il y a 27 ans; dans le meme site. Le taux observe est en partie du a l'influence des activites realisees par la nouvelle entreprise d'exploitation de moellons dans la carriere de Kinsuka. Ces activites ont provoque entre autres; le retrecissement du lit du fleuve pendant la saison seche; qui entraine une augmentation du niveau du fleuve; creant une grande disponibilite des supports larvaires. La transmission de l'onchocercose est presque nulle. Des etudes ulterieures permettront d'en identifier les determinants

Estudo da glândula salivar do principal vetor da oncocercose no Brasil, Thyrsopelma guianense (Diptera: Simuliidae): Aspectos morfológicos, bioquímicos e moleculares

O simulídeo Thyrsopelma guianense é o principal vetor da oncocercose no Brasil, e pouco se conhece sobre a composição e função da saliva em simulídeos. Artrópodes hematófagos contém uma “poção mágica” para interagir com à hemostase, inflamação e imunidade de seus hospedeiros. A glândula salivar de fêmeas de T. guianense é constituída de dois lobos idênticos contendo uma glândula principal (envolvida com a alimentação com sangue) e uma acessória (envolvida com a alimentação com açúcar), a última similar à glândula de macho. A análise histoquímica demonstrou uma saliva é rica em polissacarídeos, proteínas e lipídios principalmente na glândula principal. Essa região contém cavidades secretoras elétron-densas, enquanto, o lúmen da glândula acessória é elétron-lucente. Os homogenados salivares inibiram a coagulação sanguínea, atuando em fXa mas não em trombina. Esses homogenados também apresentaram atividade enzimática de lisozima em pH 7,0.

O sialotranscriptoma isolou e identificou 1.772 transcritos, classificados como secretores (S) (74,7%), celulares (C) (16,2%), produtos de função desconhecida (U) (9%) e elementos de transposição (0,1%). Esse sialotranscriptoma identificou famílias de proteínas ubíquas como antígeno-5, Yellow, domínios ML, lipocalina, lisozima, cecropina, serpina, domínios Kunitz, serino proteases, hialuronidase, apirase, glicosidases, adenosina deaminase e destabilase, além de famílias de proteínas específicas para insetos como Aegyptina e a superfamília D7/OBP. Cerca de 63,4% dos produtos secretores corresponderam a famílias de proteínas encontradas somente em Simulium, como SVEP/Marydilan, proteínas ácidas ricas em His, Sv 7,8 kDa, mucinas, tipo-colágeno, básicas 7-13 kDa, Sv 7,8 kDa, 4,8 kDa, básicas 7,4 kDa, básica 13 kDa e família 5-Cys. Várias famílias de proteínas foram deorfanizadas do sialotranscriptoma de S. nigrimanum como Sn 8-10 Cys W, ácida 28 kDa, básica 28 kD, 19 kDa, básica 8 kDa e Sn básica 4,4 kDa. Transcritos com similaridade para kunitoxina foram encontrados em T. guianense. Observamos um aumento na expressão de transcritos para a classe S e expecionalmente em SVEP, e nos subgrupos síntese de proteína e metabolismo energético da classe C, em relação a outros sialotranscriptomas de Simulium. O proteoma confirmou 28 das 32 famílias de proteínas encontradas no transcriptoma e disponibilizamos 101 sequências de proteínas de interesse para o NCBI. Essa é a primeira descrição de um sialoma (do grego Greek Sialo=saliva) de um vetor de oncocercose. Assim, nossos resultados ajudam no entendimento do papel da saliva de Simulium na transmissão de Onchocerca volvulus e para a evolução de proteínas salivares em simulídeos, além de consistir numa plataforma de novos compostos antihemostáticos e candidatos a vacina contra oncocercose.

Estudo da glândula salivar do principal vetor da oncocercose no Brasil, Thyrsopelma guianense (Diptera: Simuliidae): Aspectos morfológicos, bioquímicos e moleculares / Study of salivary gland main vector of onchocerciasis in Brazil, Guyana Thyrsopelma (Diptera: Simuliidae): Morphological, biochemical and molecular

O simulídeo Thyrsopelma guianense é o principal vetor da oncocercose no Brasil, e pouco se conhece sobre a composição e função da saliva em simulídeos. Artrópodes hematófagos contém uma “poção mágica” para interagir com à hemostase, inflamação e imunidade de seus hospedeiros. A glândula salivar de fêmeas de T. guianense é constituída de dois lobos idênticos contendo uma glândula principal (envolvida com a alimentação com sangue) e uma acessória (envolvida com a alimentação com açúcar), a última similar à glândula de macho. A análise histoquímica demonstrou uma saliva é rica em polissacarídeos, proteínas e lipídios principalmente na glândula principal. Essa região contém cavidades secretoras elétron-densas, enquanto, o lúmen da glândula acessória é elétron-lucente. Os homogenados salivares inibiram a coagulação sanguínea, atuando em fXa mas não em trombina. Esses homogenados também apresentaram atividade enzimática de lisozima em pH 7,0.

O sialotranscriptoma isolou e identificou 1.772 transcritos, classificados como secretores (S) (74,7%), celulares (C) (16,2%), produtos de função desconhecida (U) (9%) e elementos de transposição (0,1%). Esse sialotranscriptoma identificou famílias de proteínas ubíquas como antígeno-5, Yellow, domínios ML, lipocalina, lisozima, cecropina, serpina, domínios Kunitz, serino proteases, hialuronidase, apirase, glicosidases, adenosina deaminase e destabilase, além de famílias de proteínas específicas para insetos como Aegyptina e a superfamília D7/OBP. Cerca de 63,4% dos produtos secretores corresponderam a famílias de proteínas encontradas somente em Simulium, como SVEP/Marydilan, proteínas ácidas ricas em His, Sv 7,8 kDa, mucinas, tipo-colágeno, básicas 7-13 kDa, Sv 7,8 kDa, 4,8 kDa, básicas 7,4 kDa, básica 13 kDa e família 5-Cys. Várias famílias de proteínas foram deorfanizadas do sialotranscriptoma de S. nigrimanum como Sn 8-10 Cys W, ácida 28 kDa, básica 28 kD, 19 kDa, básica 8 kDa e Sn básica 4,4 kDa. Transcritos com similaridade para kunitoxina foram encontrados em T. guianense. Observamos um aumento na expressão de transcritos para a classe S e expecionalmente em SVEP, e nos subgrupos síntese de proteína e metabolismo energético da classe C, em relação a outros sialotranscriptomas de Simulium. O proteoma confirmou 28 das 32 famílias de proteínas encontradas no transcriptoma e disponibilizamos 101 sequências de proteínas de interesse para o NCBI. Essa é a primeira descrição de um sialoma (do grego Greek Sialo=saliva) de um vetor de oncocercose. Assim, nossos resultados ajudam no entendimento do papel da saliva de Simulium na transmissão de Onchocerca volvulus e para a evolução de proteínas salivares em simulídeos, além de consistir numa plataforma de novos compostos antihemostáticos e candidatos a vacina contra oncocercose.

Anticoagulant activity in salivary gland homogenates of Thyrsopelma guianense (Diptera: Simuliidae), the primary vector of onchocerciasis in the Brazilian Amazon

In this study, anticoagulant activity was detected in salivary gland homogenates (SGHs) of Thyrsopelma guianense (Diptera: Simuliidae). The SGH yielded 1.07 ìg ± 0.03 (n = 15) of total soluble protein per pair of glands. In addition, following SDS-PAGE (12.5 percent gel) and silver nitrate staining, 12 polypeptides with molecular weights ranging from 14-69 kDa were detected in all physiological ages analyzed (12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h following emergence). Coagulation bioassays showed that the SGHs had activities that interacted at all levels of coagulation (the intrinsic, extrinsic and common pathways), by extending the plasma recalcification time, prothrombin time, thrombin time. This is the first report on the activity of salivary gland proteins from the main vector of onchocerciasis in Brazil. We also suggest detailed studies on the morphology and function of the salivary glands in order to understand the role of these proteins in host/vector interactions.

Transmission dynamics of Simulium damnosum in rural communities of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Onchocerciasis is endemic in some parts of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. This study describes the entomological parameters of transmission in three rural communities of Akwa Ibom State, prior to ivermectin intervention in 2004. METHODS: Blackflies were caught using human bait and 90% of the flies were dissected for parity. All parous flies were further dissected for the presence of filaria larvae. Monthly and annual biting rate, and transmission potential were calculated using standard methods. RESULTS: A total of 4296 adult Simulium damnosum were caught on human bait, 4119 were dissected of which 208 (5.1%) were infected with Onchocerca volvulus larvae. Transmission parameters varied significantly (p < 0.05) in the three villages. Annual biting rates, ranged from 9490 to 11,218 bites per person per year. The annual transmission potential ranged from 131 to 189 infective larvae per person per year, monthly biting rate and monthly transmission potential varied significantly (p < 0.05) in the three villages. Transmission was highly seasonal occurring during the peak of rainy season from August to October. There was no transmission during the dry periods--November to March, and the early rainy periods--April to May. The diurnal biting activity of the fly exhibited a bimodal pattern with a morning peak (0900-1000 hrs) and a more marked evening peak (1600-1700 hrs). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The results indicate that there is a temporal and spatial variation in the transmission dynamics of S. damnosum in the study area.

Detection of Onchocerca volvulus (Nematoda: Onchocercidae) infection in vectors from Amazonian Brazil following mass Mectizan™ distribution

Detection of Onchocerca volvulus in Simulium populations is of primary importance in the assessment of the effectiveness of onchocerciasis control programs. In Brazil, the main focus of onchocerciasis is in the Amazon region, in a Yanomami reserve. The main onchocerciasis control strategy in Brazil is the semi-annually mass distribution of the microfilaricide ivermectin. In accordance with the control strategy for the disease, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied in pools of simuliids from the area to detect the helminth infection in the vectors, as recommended by the Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas and the World Health Organization. Systematic sampling was performed monthly from September 1998 to October 1999, and a total of 4942 blackflies were collected from two sites (2576 from Balawaú and 2366 from Toototobi). The molecular methodology was found to be highly sensitive and specific for the detection of infected and/or infective blackflies in pools of 50 blackflies. The results from the material collected under field conditions showed that after the sixth cycle of distribution of ivermectin, the prevalence of infected blackflies with O. volvulus had decreased from 8.6 to 0.3 percent in Balawaú and from 4 to 0.1 percent in Toototobi.

Simulium cuasiexiguum, a new blackfly species (Diptera: Simuliidae) from the Minaçu area in the State of Goiás, Central Brazil

During studies of Simuliidae at a suspected new focus of human onchocerciasis in central Brazil a new species of Simulium was found. Full descriptions of the adults and pupae of this species, S. cuasiexiguum, are described here, its affinities to closely related species in the subgenus Notolepria are discussed and its distribution in Brazil recorded

Cytological and isoenzyme analysis of the Bucay and Quevedo cytotypes of the onchocerciasis vector Simulium exiguum (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Ecuador

Four cytotypes of Simulium exiguum occur in Ecuador, where this morphospecies is the primary vector of onchocerciasis. In this paper, we give the first full description of the banding pattern of the larval polytene chromosomes of the Quevedo cytotypes differ from the chromosomal standard sequence (of the Cayapa cytotype) by the fixed inversions IIL-5 and IIL-6. The Quevedo cytotype additionally differs from the standard and Bucay cytotypes by processing a differentiated X chromosome, wich is indicated by the inversion IIS-A. As the degree of reproductive isolation between the Bucay and Quevedo cytotypes has not yet been estabilished, they must be regarded as intraspecific variants of the same species. In fact, isoenzyme characterizations showed that the Bucay and Quevedo cytotypes are differentiated only to the extent expected of incipient species or geographical populations. Moreover, the sibiling species status previously given to the Bucay cytotype needs be reassessed, there being inadequate analysis from areas in Ecuador where Bucay occurs in sympatry with the standard Cayapa cytotype. No isoenzyme electromorphs were discovered that identified all or mostadult females of any one (cytotype-pure) collection

Transmission of onchocerca volvulus by simulium damnosum S.L. in four villages in the Gorama Chiefdom; Kono district; Sierra Leone

Quantitative studies on the transmission of onchocerca volvulus; including monthly and annual biting densities; age composition; parity rates; infection and infective rates of the similium damnosum s.l. population; were carried out for a year in a tropical rain-forest zone in Sierra Leone. In all 19;432 s. damnosum s.l. female flies were acught and 8;755 dissected; of which 6.307 were parous. The annual biting rate (ABR) varied between 20;787 and 39;188; 5.4 per cent of all flies were infected with O. volvulus; 3.6 per cent carried infective larvae in the head capsule; with mean of 2.5 per fly. The annual transmission potential (ATP) varied between 1;138 and 2;081. The ATPs for Bunabu; Matama; Kangama and Moimandu villages were 2;081; 1;403; 1;138 and 1;498 respectively; with most of the infection occuring during the months of May and August. The prevalences of skin microfilariae (mf) in Bunabu; Matama; Kangama and Moimandu villages were 79.0 per cent; 51.3 per cent; 78.0 per cent and 80.0 per cent respectively

Onchocerciasis in Ecuador: the situation in 1989

Details are given of the prevalence rates of onchocerciasis from the most recent surveys (1989) conducted in northern Ecuador. The disease has intensified and dispersed considerably due to migration of infected individuals and the presence of a highly efficient vector. Comparison of these data with those from two previous surveys carried out in 1982/83 and 1986 and correlated with entomological findings highly the danger of the formation of new foci of onchocerciasis in areas currently free of the disease. Recommendations are made for further entomological studies in areas either recently or likely to be affected by the disease where potential vectors are unknown or different to those registred in the Santiago focus. Invermectin treatment with local vector control in specific areas is advocated to reduce the disease to a low level of public health importance

Entomología de la oncocercosis en el Soconusco, Chiapas, México. VII. Variaciones cuantitativas de transmisión de Onchocerca volvulus (Nematoda: Filaroiidea) según espacio de actividad humana / Entomology of onchocerciasis in Soconusco, Chiapas, México. VII. Quantitative variations in the transmission of Onchocerca volvulus (Nematoda: Filaroiidea) according to human activity space

En esta investigación se trató de demostrar diferencias en níveles de transmisión de la oncocercosis por Simulium ochraceum en diferentes espacios de actividad humana en la comunidad de Golondrinas, Municipio de Acacoyagua en Soconusco. Chiapas. Para ello se realizaron capturas de hembras adultas de esa especie en el centro de población, dentro del cafetal y sembradíos de maíz-frijol, entre 7 y 10 días sucesivos de los meses de junio, agosto, noviembre y diciembre de 1983, y enero, marzo y mayo de 1984. Las capturas diarias fueron de 7:00 a 11:00h, empleando una pareja (cebo humano y capturador) por cada espacio. Las variaciones de densidad de S.ochraceum no mostraron diferencias estadísticas signifcativas entre los espacios de actividad, aunque hubo predominancia en el centro de población en casi todos los períodos. Tampoco hubo diferencias con significancia estadística en el número de hembras paríparas; sin embargo, otra vez el centro de población exhibió mayores porcentajes (43,5%), en comparación al cafetal ((37,3%) y al maíz-frijol (33,8%). En relación a las tasas de infección-infectividad, sólo a las tasas de infección-infectividad, sólo en la infectividad (simúlidos con L3) hubo significancia estadística en las diferencias obtenidas en los tres espacios, siendo más alta en el centro de población. Finalmente, los potenciales de transmisión fueron: centro de población 28.5 L3/hombre/período, cafetal 7,3 L3/hombre/período; maíz-frijol 5,8 L3/hombrre/período. Se discute que las diferencias en densidad entre distintos espacios podría depender de la variación de criaderos, movilidad o permanencia de individuos en las horas de mayor actividad de S. ochraceum y del viento y la luz. Variaciones en la paridad probablemente dependerían de mayores concentraciones de pobladores según ciclos agrícolas, debiéndose a esto mismo las mayores intensidades de transmisión en el centro de población y cafetal. Se concluye que la mayor transmisión de la oncocercosis se presenta en el centro de población y durante la época seca tardía

Biosyslematics and distribution of Simuliid vectors of human onchocerciasis in South America

Biossistemática e distribuiçäo de simulídeos vetores da oncocercose humana na América do Sul - é dado um pequeno resumo sobre a posiçäo taxonômica, biologia, importância médica e distribuiçäo dos transmissores da oncocercose humana na América Latina. Säo citados como referência trabalhos com chaves taxonômicas e apresentados mapas sobre a distribuiçäo de cada espécie vetora em relaçäo aos foco de oncocercose ja conhecidos

Revisión de la familia simuliidae (Diptera, Nematocera) en Venezuela / Review of the simuliidae family (Diptera, Nematocera) in Venezuela

En la presente revisión, se hace una exposición cronológica de los estudios sobre taxonomía y sistemática de simúlidos que se han llavado a cabo hasta el presente en Venesuela. Se acompaña un mapa indicando la distribución geográfica de los vectores y fondos de oncocercosis y mansonelosis en el país. Del género Simulium Latreille, 1902, se sañalan 51 especies y 7 del género Gigantodax Enderlein, 1925. Se presenta una lista sobre la distribución geográfica por entidades de las 59 especies de la familia Simuliidae Schiner, 1864, sañalando un total de 14 sinonimos en Venezuela

Identification of vector species (Diptera: Simuliidae) of human onchocerciasis in the Amazonia focus of Brazil and Venezuela

Revisamos as posiçöes taxonômicas de três espécies de simulídeos da Amazônia, Simulium guianense Wise, S. oyapockense Flock & Abonnenc e S. yarzabali Ramirez Perez. Sinonimizamos S. cuasisanguineum Ramires Perez, Yarzabal & Peterson com S. oyapockense, revalidamos S. yarzabali que estava em sinonímia com S. incrustatum. Discutimos os papéis destas três espécies na transmissäo de oncocercose e mansonelose humana na Amazônia