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Reuss F, Kreß A, Braun M, Magdeburg A, Pfenninger M, Müller R, Mehring M. Knowledge on exotic mosquitoes in Germany, and public acceptance and effectiveness of Bti and two self-prepared insecticides against Aedes japonicus japonicus. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18901. [PMID: 33144626 PMCID: PMC7641113 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75780-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne diseases are a continuous challenge to public health. To prevent transmission, Integrated Vector Management (IVM) applies preventive, control, and communicational strategies that should be feasible, environmentally benign, and sustainable. IVM shows higher efficiency when being supported by local communities. Accordingly, we applied a social-ecological approach to identify the public acceptance of control measures and effectiveness of Eurocent coins containing copper, clove essential oil (EO) and Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti). We performed field and laboratory experiments to demonstrate the toxicity of alternative substances against Aedes japonicus japonicus. In expert interviews, we asked for (1) knowledge on exotic mosquitoes in Germany, (2) potential chances of alternative substances in future mosquito control, and (3) their needs for further clarification before application. We assessed potential users' (4) awareness of exotic mosquitoes and (5) willingness to apply the substances. Self-prepared copper coins and EO were clearly preferred by potential users over Bti. However, 100% mortality of the sensitive first stage could not be reached with the number of ten 5-Eurocent coins showing limited toxicity. Clove EO was shown to work as oviposition deterrent and larvicide with a LC50 of 17 mg l-1 (95% CI: 15-19 mg l-1). This study shows the importance of potential users' perspectives in IVM and the need for authorised insecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Reuss
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), Georg-Voigt-Straße 14-16, 60325, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Aljoscha Kreß
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Markus Braun
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Axel Magdeburg
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), Georg-Voigt-Straße 14-16, 60325, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Markus Pfenninger
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), Georg-Voigt-Straße 14-16, 60325, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- LOEWE TBG (Translational Biodiversity Genomics), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution (iOME), Johannes Gutenberg University, Gresemundweg 2, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ruth Müller
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marion Mehring
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), Georg-Voigt-Straße 14-16, 60325, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- ISOE - Institute for Social-Ecological Research, Biodiversity and People, Hamburger Allee 45, 60486, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Kramer IM, Kreß A, Klingelhöfer D, Scherer C, Phuyal P, Kuch U, Ahrens B, Groneberg DA, Dhimal M, Müller R. Does winter cold really limit the dengue vector Aedes aegypti in Europe? Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:178. [PMID: 32264941 PMCID: PMC7140351 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04054-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aedes aegypti is a potential vector for several arboviruses including dengue and Zika viruses. The species seems to be restricted to subtropical/tropical habitats and has difficulties in establishing permanent populations in southern Europe, probably due to constraints during the winter season. The aim of this study was to systematically analyze the cold tolerance (CT) of Ae. aegypti in its most cold-resistant life stage, the eggs. METHODS The CT of Ae. aegypti eggs was compared with that of Ae. albopictus which is well established in large parts of Europe. By systematically studying the literature (meta-analysis), we recognized that CT has been rarely tested in Ae. aegypti eggs, but eggs can survive at zero and sub-zero temperatures for certain exposure periods. To overcome potential bias from experimental differences between studies, we then conducted species comparisons using a harmonized high-resolution CT measuring method. From subtropical populations of the same origin, the survival (hatching in %) and emergence of adults of both species were measured after zero and sub-zero temperature exposures for up to 9 days (3 °C, 0 °C and - 2 °C: ≤ 9 days; - 6 °C: ≤ 2 days). RESULTS Our data show that Ae. aegypti eggs can survive low and sub-zero temperatures for a short time period similar to or even better than those of Ae. albopictus. Moreover, after short sub-zero exposures of eggs of both species, individuals still developed into viable adults (Ae. aegypti: 3 adults emerged after 6 days at - 2 °C, Ae. albopictus: 1 adult emerged after 1 day at - 6 °C). CONCLUSIONS Thus, both the literature and the present experimental data indicate that a cold winter may not be the preventing factor for the re-establishment of the dengue vector Ae. aegypti in southern Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle M. Kramer
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Aljoscha Kreß
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Doris Klingelhöfer
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Christian Scherer
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Parbati Phuyal
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ulrich Kuch
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Bodo Ahrens
- Institute for Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - David A. Groneberg
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Ruth Müller
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Unit Entomology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
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Müller R, Knautz T, Vollroth S, Berger R, Kreß A, Reuss F, Groneberg DA, Kuch U. Larval superiority of Culex pipiens to Aedes albopictus in a replacement series experiment: prospects for coexistence in Germany. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:80. [PMID: 29394910 PMCID: PMC5797359 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2665-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is an extremely invasive, globally distributed and medically important vector of various human and veterinary pathogens. In Germany, where this species was recently introduced, its establishment may become modulated by interspecific competition from autochthonous mosquito species, especially Culex pipiens (s.l.). While competitive superiority of Ae. albopictus to Cx. pipiens (s.l.) has been described elsewhere, it has not been assessed in the epidemiological conditions of Germany. The present study aimed to determine if such superiority exists under the physicochemical and microclimatic conditions typical for container habitats in Germany. Methods In a replacement series experiment, the larval and pupal responses of Ae. albopictus and Cx. pipiens (s.l.) (mortality, development time, growth) to interspecific interaction (five larval ratios) at (sub-)optimal temperatures (15, 20 and 25 °C) and differing food supply (3 and 6 mg animal-based food larva-1) were investigated using a randomized split-plot design. In addition to physicochemical measurements of the test media, natural physicochemical conditions were determined for comparative analyses in mosquito breeding sites across the Rhine-Main metropolitan region of Germany. Results Under the physicochemical and microclimatic conditions similar to the breeding sites of the Rhine-Main region, competitive superiority of Cx. pipiens (s.l.) to Ae. albopictus in terms of larval survival was more frequently observed than balanced coexistence. Food regime and multifactorial interactions, but not temperature alone, were controlling factors for interspecific competition. Larval food regime and the larval ratio of Ae. albopictus influenced the physicochemistry and algal growth at 15 °C, with increased Ae. albopictus mortality linked to a decreasing number of Scenedesmus, Oocystis and Anabaena algae. Conclusions Under the present environmental conditions, the spread of Ae. albopictus from isolated foci in Germany may generally be slowed by biotic interactions with the ubiquitous Cx. pipiens (s.l.) (and potentially other container-breeding mosquito species) and by limnic microalgae in microhabitats with high resource levels. Detailed knowledge of the context dependency in temperate mosquito ecology, and interrelations of physicochemistry and phycology may help to achieve a better understanding of the upcoming Ae. albopictus colonization processes in central and northern Europe. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-2665-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Müller
- Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Institute for Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Theodor-Stern-Kai 9, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Timm Knautz
- Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Max-von-Laue-Straße 13, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Simone Vollroth
- Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Max-von-Laue-Straße 13, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Robert Berger
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Aljoscha Kreß
- Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Institute for Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Theodor-Stern-Kai 9, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Max-von-Laue-Straße 13, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Friederike Reuss
- Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Institute for Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Theodor-Stern-Kai 9, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - David A Groneberg
- Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Institute for Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Theodor-Stern-Kai 9, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ulrich Kuch
- Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Institute for Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Theodor-Stern-Kai 9, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Kreß A, Oppold AM, Kuch U, Oehlmann J, Müller R. Cold tolerance of the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus and its response to epigenetic alterations. J Insect Physiol 2017; 99:113-121. [PMID: 28396211 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2017.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity is considered as one of the key traits responsible for the establishment of populations of the invasive mosquito Aedes albopictus, an important vector of viral and parasitic pathogens. The successful spread of this species to higher altitudes and latitudes may be explained by its ability to rapidly induce a heritable low-temperature phenotype (cold hardiness in eggs). As a result of the low genetic diversity of founder populations, an epigenetic short-term mechanism has been suggested as the driver of this diversification. We investigated if random epigenetic alterations promoted the cold hardiness of Ae. albopictus eggs from a transgenerational study of two epigenetic agents (genistein and vinclozolin). To this end, we evaluated changes in lethal time for 50% of pharate larvae (Lt50) from eggs exposed to -2°C in two subsequent generations that used a new dose-response test design. We detected a significant diversification of the cold hardiness of eggs (up to 64.5%) that was associated with the epigenetic change in the two subsequent offspring generations. An effect size of epigenetically modulated cold hardiness of this magnitude is likely to have an impact on the spatial distribution of this species. Our results provide a framework for further research on epigenetic temperature adaptation of invasive species to better explain and predict their rapid range expansions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aljoscha Kreß
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Department Adaptation and Climate, Georg-Voigt-Str. 14-16, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Institute for Ecology, Evolution & Diversity, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Ann-Marie Oppold
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Department Adaptation and Climate, Georg-Voigt-Str. 14-16, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Molecular Ecology Group, Institute for Ecology, Evolution & Diversity, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ulrich Kuch
- Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jörg Oehlmann
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Department Adaptation and Climate, Georg-Voigt-Str. 14-16, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Institute for Ecology, Evolution & Diversity, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ruth Müller
- Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Kreß A, Kuch U, Oehlmann J, Müller R. Effects of diapause and cold acclimation on egg ultrastructure: new insights into the cold hardiness mechanisms of the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus. J Vector Ecol 2016; 41:142-150. [PMID: 27232137 DOI: 10.1111/jvec.12206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae, SKUSE), is an important threat to public health due to its rapid spread and its potential as a vector. The eggs of Ae. albopictus are the most cold resistant life stage and thus, the cold hardiness of eggs is used to predict the future occurrence of the species in distribution models. However, the mechanism of cold hardiness has yet to be revealed. To address this question, we analyzed the layers of diapausing and cold acclimatized eggs of a temperate population of Ae. albopictus in a full factorial test design using transmission electron microscopy. We reviewed the hypotheses that a thickened wax layer or chorion is the cause of cold hardiness but found no evidence. As a result of the induced diapause, the thickness of the dark endochorion as a layer of high electron density and thus an assumed location for waxes was decreasing. We therefore hypothesized a qualitative alteration of the wax layer due to compaction. Cold acclimation was causing an increase in the thickness of the middle serosa cuticle indicating a detachment of serosa membrane from the endochorion as a potential adaptation strategy to isolate inoculating ice formations in the inter-membranous space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aljoscha Kreß
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiKF), Department Climate and Adaptation, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Ulrich Kuch
- Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jörg Oehlmann
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiKF), Department Climate and Adaptation, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ruth Müller
- Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Oppold A, Kreß A, Vanden Bussche J, Diogo JB, Kuch U, Oehlmann J, Vandegehuchte MB, Müller R. Epigenetic alterations and decreasing insecticide sensitivity of the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2015; 122:45-53. [PMID: 26188644 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.06.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Revised: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 06/25/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
A range of environmental factors, including chemicals, can affect epigenetic processes in organisms leading to variations in phenotype. Thus, epigenetics displays an important environmentally responsive element. The transgenerational impact of environmental stressors on DNA methylation and phenotype was the focus of this study. The influence of two known DNA methylation-changing agents, the phytoestrogen genistein and the fungicide vinclozolin, on the overall DNA methylation level in the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus was investigated. The experiment comprised four generations in a full life-cycle design with an exposed parental generation and three consecutive non-exposed offspring generations. Application of the methylation agents to the parental generation of the study led to an alteration of the global DNA methylation level of the exposed individuals and those in two subsequent generations. The phenotypic variability of the offspring generations was assessed by examining their insecticide sensitivity. Here, a significant decrease in sensitivity (p<0.01) towards the model insecticide imidacloprid revealed alterations of the mosquito's phenotype in two subsequent generations. Thus, the evaluation of A. albopictus from an epigenetic perspective can contribute important information to the study of the high adaptability of this invasive disease vector to new environments, and its underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Oppold
- Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiKF), Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - A Kreß
- Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiKF), Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - J Vanden Bussche
- Laboratory of Chemical Analysis, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - J B Diogo
- Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiKF), Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - U Kuch
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, Haus 9b, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - J Oehlmann
- Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiKF), Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - M B Vandegehuchte
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology (GhEnToxLab), Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Jozef Plateaustraat 22, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - R Müller
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, Haus 9b, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Dhimal M, Gautam I, Kreß A, Müller R, Kuch U. Spatio-temporal distribution of dengue and lymphatic filariasis vectors along an altitudinal transect in Central Nepal. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e3035. [PMID: 25078276 PMCID: PMC4117448 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2014] [Accepted: 06/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rapidly increasing temperatures in the mountain region of Nepal and recent reports of dengue fever and lymphatic filariasis cases from mountainous areas of central Nepal prompted us to study the spatio-temporal distribution of the vectors of these two diseases along an altitudinal transect in central Nepal. Methodology/Principal Findings We conducted a longitudinal study in four distinct physiographical regions of central Nepal from September 2011 to February 2012. We used BG-Sentinel and CDC light traps to capture adult mosquitoes. We found the geographical distribution of the dengue virus vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus along our study transect to extend up to 1,310 m altitude in the Middle Mountain region (Kathmandu). The distribution of the lymphatic filariasis vector Culex quinquefasciatus extended up to at least 2,100 m in the High Mountain region (Dhunche). Statistical analysis showed a significant effect of the physiographical region and month of collection on the abundance of A. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus only. BG-Sentinel traps captured significantly higher numbers of A. aegypti than CDC light traps. The meteorological factors temperature, rainfall and relative humidity had significant effects on the mean number of A. aegypti per BG-Sentinel trap. Temperature and relative humidity were significant predictors of the number of C. quinquefasciatus per CDC light trap. Dengue fever and lymphatic filariasis cases had previously been reported from all vector positive areas except Dhunche which was free of known lymphatic filariasis cases. Conclusions/Significance We conclude that dengue virus vectors have already established stable populations up to the Middle Mountains of Nepal, supporting previous studies, and report for the first time the distribution of lymphatic filariasis vectors up to the High Mountain region of this country. The findings of our study should contribute to a better planning and scaling-up of mosquito-borne disease control programmes in the mountainous areas of Nepal. Dengue fever, a viral disease transmitted by the bites of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, has been rapidly spreading in Nepal since it was first reported in this country in 2004. Similarly, lymphatic filariasis, a parasitic disease transmitted by Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes in Nepal, is a public health problem in terms of morbidity and impact on the social and economic status of poor people living in rural and slum areas. Evidence for more pronounced temperature rises in higher altitudes of Nepal and an increasing frequency of dengue fever and lymphatic filariasis cases reported from mountain areas, in the absence of recent data on the mosquito vectors of these diseases, prompted us to investigate their distribution and abundance in this country. In our study, we document the distribution of A. aegypti and A. albopictus from the lowlands up to 1,310 m altitude in Kathmandu, and the distribution of C. quinquefasciatus up to Dhunche (2,100 m altitude), the highest locality included in this study. The wide distribution of these important disease vectors in the mountains, previously considered non-endemic for dengue fever and lymphatic filariasis, calls for an extension and scaling-up of vector-borne disease surveillance and control programmes in Nepal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghnath Dhimal
- Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC), Ministry of Health and Population Complex, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute for Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences (IAU), Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Ishan Gautam
- Natural History Museum, Tribhuvan University, Swayambhu, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Aljoscha Kreß
- Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ruth Müller
- Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ulrich Kuch
- Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Volgmann T, Kreß A, Köhler G. Auswirkungen einer zweizeitigen Interruptio auf die folgende Schwangerschaft, Geburt und Nachgeburtsphase. Z Geburtshilfe Neonatol 2004. [DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-818326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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