ABSTRACT
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 92.3% of An. gambiae s.s, 88.9% of An. funestus s.s., 64.5% of An. rivulorum and 67.7% of 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.
Subject(s)
Anopheles/classification , Insect Vectors/classification , Malaria, Falciparum/epidemiology , Animals , Humans , Insect Bites and Stings/epidemiology , Malaria, Falciparum/transmission , Rural Population/statistics & numerical data , Tanzania/epidemiologyABSTRACT
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
Subject(s)
Anopheles , Culicidae , Malaria , SporozoitesABSTRACT
Sexually transmitted diseases are thought to be important in facilitating transmission of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. This study reports the prevalence of several sexually transmitted diseases in 106 prostitutes in Arusha and Moshi Northern Tanzania. The seroprevalence of HIV was 73% compared with 3% for local blood donors. Over half (51%) of the subjects had evidence of N. gonorrhoeae infection. Seventy-four per cent had a positive TPHA and 27% a positive RPR. Of 47 subjects tested 12 (25%) had Chlamydia trachomatis antigen detected in endocervical swabs. No significant statistical association was found between the presence of any of the STDs investigated and HIV seropositivity.
PIP: In the early 1990s, health workers spoke with, examined, and took blood samples from 106 low income 17-70 year old prostitutes mainly from the Haya tribe in their homes in the towns of Moshi in Kilimanjaro Region and Arusha in Arusha Region in Northern Tanzania (45 from Moshi and 61 from Arusha) to determine the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV. Number of sexual contacts/day ranged from 10-20. 40% did not use condoms at all even though they regularly received condoms as part of a health education campaign. 73% tested positive for HIV which is considerably higher than the seroprevalence in the general population in 1989 (.1-3%). Only 20% thought that they presently had an STD when actually 22-82% had at least 1 STD. About 50% tested positive for syphilis, 47% for gonorrhea, and 25% in Arusha for chlamydia. No significant association existed between HIV seropositivity and STD prevalence. Another study showed that HIV seroprevalence among the general population had only slightly increased since 1987 which suggests that these prostitutes experienced high HIV seroprevalence earlier in the epidemic. These prostitutes represented a reservoir for STDs including HIV. Unless condom use increases among these women, HIV will spread to the general population. Health education campaigns should expand beyond just provision of condoms and find other means to effectively target these women.
Subject(s)
Sex Work/statistics & numerical data , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Female , HIV Seroprevalence , Health Education , Humans , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/blood , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/prevention & control , Tanzania/epidemiologyABSTRACT
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
Subject(s)
AIDS Serodiagnosis , Blood Donors , Diagnosis , HIV Antibodies , HIV Infections , LaboratoriesABSTRACT
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
