Comparative Studies of Different Indices Related to Filarial Vector of a Rural and an Urban Area of West Bengal, India

Abstract

Information about filarial vector was available from different parts of West Bengal in India [5][6][7][8][9][10]. Nevertheless, information on vector related indices from many areas is scanty. Therefore, the present study has been carried out to collect information on different aspects related to the vector such as species composition of mosquitoes, ManHour Density (MHD) of the vector, percent of shelters with infected and infective vector, vector infection and infectivity rates, number of vectors containing different stages of parasites as well as total count of the parasites, age composition of the vector etc. from an urban and a rural area of West Bengal, India, with a comparative view. Materials and MethodsFor the present study, 8 localities in Kolkata (Dum Dum, Park Circus, Topsia, Jadavpur, Kathgola, Ballyganj, South Sealdah and Nawpara) were selected as urban study area and another 8 localities in Tenya gram-panchayet of Murshidabad district (Baidyapur, Powa, Ghosh para, Subhendupur, Pallyshree, Sahapur, Kulu pukur and Gouri nagar) as rural study area. The urban study area is located at the bank of Hooghly river in the Ganges delta, at around 22.62°N and 88.42°E, monotonously plain, with elevation above sea level being about 17 feet. The rural study area is located at the bank of Bhagirathi (upper part of Hooghly) river, at around 23.84°N and 88.18°E, almost plain, with elevation above sea level being about 62 feet.Indoor-resting mosquitoes were captured for 12 minutes from 5 human habitations fixed in each locality of each area, once in a month. AbstractBackground: Despite of all types of efforts, mosquito born disease like lymphatic filariasis seems to cause new disease burden in many countries. Proper information about the vector of these diseases is necessary to stop the transmission, but sometime information on vector is scanty from many areas. Present study is designed to collect comparative information about the filarial vector from rural and urban areas of West Bengal in India.Methods: Regular collection of indoor-resting mosquitoes was done from the human habitations of Kolkata (urban area) and Tenya of Murshidabad district (rural area) for 2 years. Collected mosquitoes were identified and examined for different parameters following standard methods recommended by World Health Organization and pioneer workers of the field. Conclusion:Different indices related to the vector mosquito were much higher in urban area of Kolkata than rural area of Tenya in Murshidabad, which indicates that, situation is more favourable in urban study areas for transmission of lymphatic filariasis than the rural one, though the situation in the rural area cannot be neglected. Available data will help to formulate an effective management strategy in those areas. et al., Trop Med Surg 2013, 1:1 DOI: 10.4172/2329 Results: In both the areas Wuchereria bancrofti was identified as the causative parasite of filariasis and Culex quinquefasciatus as the vector. In the urban area, overall man hour density, infection rate, infec...