title: Natural infections of Dirofilaria immitis in Aedes (Stegomyia) polynesiensis and Aedes (Finlaya) samoanus and their implication in human health in Samoa.
abstract: Dirofilaria immitis infections were observed in Aedes polynesiensis and Ae. samoanus in Samoa, together with Wuchereria bancrofti infections, in a study on sub-periodic bancroftian filariasis during 1978-1980. In the 4 indicator villages, the infection rate in Ae. polynesiensis was 0.46% and the infective rate 0.09% (15,223 mosquitoes were dissected). The infection rate in Ae. samoanus was 0.20% and the infective rate 0.08% (10,089 dissected). In 45 selected villages throughout the country, Ae. polynesiensis infection and infective rates were 0.92% and 0.29% (7575 dissected) and the rates for Ae. samoanus were 0.21% and 0.07% (9093 dissected). Infection with D. immitis was comparable in degree and distribution to that with W. bancrofti. There was a steady and consistent exchange of parasites between the human and canine populations, creating conditions favourable for human dirofilariasis in Samoa. Clinicians are warned against this probable human infection.
authors.affiliation: WHO Samoa Filariasis Research Project, Apia.
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Samarawickrema
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sones
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Paulson
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Cummings
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes / Q000145:classification / Q000469:parasitology*; D000818:Animals; D004183:Dirofilaria immitis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D004605:Elephantiasis, Filarial / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D014905:Independent State of Samoa / Q000453:epidemiology; D007303:Insect Vectors; D014958:Wuchereria bancrofti; D015047:Zoonoses