Can mosquitoes transmit AIDS?
Surveys to determine knowledge regarding AIDS have shown in many countries, including Papua New Guinea, that a large proportion of the literate population still mistakenly believe that mosquitoes can transmit the AIDS virus from one person to another. In this paper we review the theoretical mechanisms which would allow blood-sucking insects such as mosquitoes to transmit virus and discuss the evidence against transmission of HIV by mosquitoes. AIDS is a sexually transmitted disease with no scientific evidence for arthropod transmission.
Bockarie
M J
MJ
Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Madang, Papua New Guinea.
Paru
R
R
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000635:transmission*; D000818:Animals; D001179:Arthropod Vectors; D009033:Culicidae; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings; D010219:Papua New Guinea