No abstract

Filariasis is a mosquito borne disease which caused by filarial worm. In addition, beside causing ahigh morbidity rate and socioeconomic losses, the disease may also decrease the human productivity. Thecontrol efforts have been done by vector control program, yet still not effective. This is due to a lack ofunderstanding of the biology of mosquito vector. The aim of this research was to determine diversity ofmosquitoes, density, behavior, characteristic habitat and their role of filariasis transmission. The researchwas conducted from Januari to April 2015 in Hamarung and Hukai Villages, Juai Subdistrict, BalanganDistrict, South Kalimantan Province. Collection of mosquitoes was done by bare leg bait indoor collectionmethod and outdoor collection method from 06.00 pm–06.00 am. In additon, larvae were collected in theirpotencial habitats. There were 15 species mosquitoes comprising of 5 genera i.e. genus of Culex, Mansonia,Anopheles, Armigeres, and Aedes. There were 5 dominant species of mosquitoes i.e. Cx. tritaeniorhynchus(36.80%), Cx. quinquefasciatus (29.60%), Ma. dives (11.73%), Ma. annulata (10.04%) dan Ma. uniformis(4.62%). The peak activity of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and Cx. quinquefasciatus in both villages occurred at21.00–00.45. Based on the habitat of mosquitoes, genus of Culex, Mansonia and Anopheles were found inswamps. Mosquitoes dissection did not show any microfilaria stages (L1, L2, L3).

Background: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) marked by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of seventeen Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) which can be eliminated. Giemsa-stained blood smear remained as the standard method to detect microfilariae, albeit this method has many weaknesses. The PCR method has long been proposed to replace it, but PCR is seldom used in a routine examination. Objective: This study aimed to examine the sensitivity and specificity of standard examination compared to PCR in post-therapy subjects. Methods: As many as 21 subjects, who had received Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) for 10 days, were enrolled in the study. The capillary blood sample was taken 6 months after the therapy. Half of the blood samples was examined using Giemsa –stained blood smear, and the other half using the PCR. Results: From 6 positive samples, the PCR only confirmed 4 of them. The sensitivity of the blood smear was 100% and the specificity was 88%. Conclusion: The Giemsa-stained capillary blood smear has a better sensitivity and specificity compared to the PCR. Thus, it remains the gold standard to check microfilaria in routine field examination. A PCR can be used as an alternative.

Abstract. Supriyomo, Soviana S, Novianto D, Musyaffa MF, Tan S, Hadi UK. 2022. Morphological characteristic of malaria vector Anopheles aconitus (Family: Culicidae) revealed by advanced light and scanning electron microscope. Biodiversitas 23: 3546-3552. Anopheles aconitus (An. aconitus) is one of the primary vectors for malaria in several areas in Indonesia, especially in Java Island. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) is a powerful tool that can differentiate Anopheles spp. Morphology that is difficult to identify by using a light microscope only. The adult of An. aconitus used in this study have been reared in the laboratory. This research is conducted to better understand the Anopheles aconitus' external morphology, such as the head, proboscis, wings, thorax and legs, using advanced light and SEM. Results from an advanced light microscope showed that An. aconitus has palpus with the same length as proboscis with one narrow basal end and two broad distal ends; meanwhile, the apical half of proboscis is pale. Anopheles aconitus has wings with four pale spots on the costa side. Legs are uniformly dark with only very narrow, rather faint pale bands at the joining of segments. Using SEM, we found several types of sensilla trichodea: short-sharp tipped, short-blunt tipped, and long-shaped tipped in antenna, apical proboscis, maxillary palps, abdomen, and legs. Antenna is also covered with microtrichia and sensilla. This research is important for basic necessity in fully understanding and determining of mosquito bionomic due to the development of effective and efficient mosquito vector control strategies.

Background and Aim: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a lesser-known parasitic disease, which contributes to significant decreases in overall health. This study investigated the presence of Brugia malayi in mosquitoes collected in the South Borneo Province, Indonesia. Materials and Methods: Mosquitoes were collected through bare leg collection methods after sunset in several areas of the Hukai and Gulinggang villages in the Balangan District. The collected mosquitoes were identified based on morphological features and dissected to find microfilaria and then pooled through species for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) microfilaria detection. Results: A total of 837 female mosquitoes consisting of at least 14 species were selected; they were dissected, and no microfilariae were found. Mosquitoes were divided into 69 pools for PCR analysis. PCR revealed that 8.7% (6/69) of the pools were positive for B. malayi, including Mansonia annulifera (4 pools), Aedes albopictus (1 pool), and Culex tritaeniorhynchus (1 pool). Conclusion: These results suggested that mosquito dissection was not an optimum method for finding microfilaria. M. annulifera, C. tritaeniorhynchus, and A. albopictus mosquitoes might play an important role in the transmission of LF in the Balangan District. Information from this study could be used for the prevention of transmission or vector control programs in Indonesia.