Bancroftian filariasis in coastal North Trinidad, West Indies: intensity of transmission by Culex quinquefasciatus.
The intensity of transmission of Wuchereria bancrofti was measured in a coastal community in north Trinidad where 15% of the residents were microfilaraemic. The only significant vector, Culex quinquefasciatus, was studied in detail to determine seasonal abundance, longevity, infection and infectivity rates. Only 2.1% of the indoor biting population and 7.0% of the indoor resting population were infected. The daily mortality rate of the vector increased with age from 27% at four days to 44 to 47% at 12 days and is considered to be an important factor contributing to the low infectivity rate (0.1%). The mean number of C. quinquefasciatus bites received by a resident of the village during the year of observation was estimated to be 17,948 of which 14 were from mosquitoes harbouring infective larvae of W. bancrofti. The results from similar studies elsewhere are outlined, but the need for standardization of procedure is emphasized before more reliable comparisons can be made.
D000818:Animals; D003465:Culex / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000502:physiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005368:Filariasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012621:Seasons; D014300:Trinidad and Tobago; D014958:Wuchereria bancrofti