Vectorial competence of Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae) to transmit two old world Leishmania species: Leishmania major and L. Tropica.

The vectorial competence of Phlebotomus papatasi for two old world Leishmania species, L. major & L. tropica was investigated. Phlebotomus papatasi originally collected from Suez Governorate, were membrane fed on homogenized hamster's lesion infected with L. major, MHOM/EG/06/RTC-63, and L. tropica, MGER/EG/06/RTC-74 identified from patients with suspected CL in Northern Sinai, Egypt. Fed flies were dissected at different time intervals and examined microscopically to determine the infection rate and parasite intensity. The feeding rate of P. papatasi on L. major (58.69%) was found higher than on L. tropica (45.99%). Infection rate with L. major (60.19%) was significantly higher than that with L. tropica (39.73%). Transmission by bites in case of P. papatasi/L. tropica failed. A characteristic L. major lesion was developed on the foot pads region 120 days post infective bites on healthy hamster. It is therefore concluded that P. papatasi is a much more effective vector for L. major than for L. tropica.

Synthesis and comparative anti-phlogistic potency of new proteinogenic amino acid conjugates of 2-[2,6-dichlorophenyl-1-amino]phenyl acetic acid "diclofenac".

New proteinogenic amino acids conjugates of 2-[2,6-dichlorophenyl-1-amino]phenyl acetic acid "Diclofenac", [I] were synthesized. Glycine methyl ester and L-methionine ethyl ester were coupled with [I] via the active ester method to give the corresponding 2-[2,6-dichlorophenyl-1-amino]benzyl carboxy N-amino acid ester of the type [IIa, b], respectively, which were hydrolyzed in alkaline medium to yield the free amino acids [IIIa, b]. Condensation of IIIa with glycine methyl ester using a modified classical carbodiimide (DCCI) method gave the corresponding, "Diclofenac" glycylglycine methyl ester [IVa]. Hydrolysis of compounds IVa gives the corresponding acid Va. Thionation of compounds IIb and IVa by reaction with Lewesson's Reagent (LR), afforded the corresponding thio-analogues (VIa and IVb). Interestingly, while retaining considerable comparative anti-phlogistic activity (anti-inflammatory and analgesic), the synthesized candidates proved to be practically nonulcerogenic in rats.

Mosquito age as a factor influencing the transmission of Wuchereria bancrofti.

Two mosquito species; Culex pipiens and Aedes caspius of different ages were experimentally infected with moderate microfilarial densities of Wuchereria bancrofti and examined for their vector potential to transmit this parasite. Tested age groups of Cx. pipiens supported the development of the infective stage of the parasite (L3) but those of Ae. caspius arrested its development especially aged mosquitoes. For Cx. pipiens, infection rates and the mean number of microfilaria (mf) were found decreased with insect age groups while their survival was not affected. Also, proportion of mosquitoes harbouring L3 of the parasite was quite similar for the examined age groups, however; the 4 days-old group was the highest. On the other hand, Ae. caspius capability to respond against W. bancrofti was decreased in older mosquitoes. The observed results may indicate certain influence of mosquito aging on the development of W. bancrofti which differ according to mosquito species.

Melanization response of two mosquito species against Wuchereria bancrofti.

The melanization response of two mosquito against Wuchereria bancrofti was studied under different conditions of temperatures, adult age and feeding regimes. The two mosquito species were Culex pipiens, a susceptible species for W. bancrofti transmission and Aedes Caspius, a refractory one.