Mécanisme de la traversée de la paroi stomacale par les microfilaires chez Anopheles stephensi et Simulium damnosum

Abstract

M écanism e de la traversée de la paroi stom acale par les m icrofilaires chez Anopheles stephensi et Simulium damnosum. M ise en évidence d' un séjour des m icrofilaires dans l' épithélium digestif (1) par O. B A IN et B. PH ILIPPON

Micro‐CT imaging of Onchocerca infection of Simulium damnosum s.l. blackflies and comparison of the peritrophic membrane thickness of forest and savannah flies

“…In onchocerciasis studies it remains unclear why some species are good vectors and others are inefficient at or incapable of transmission (Adler et al ., 2010; Cheke & Garms, 2013). The peritrophic membrane (PM: note that Terra et al ., 2019, recommend avoiding the use of the term peritrophic matrix) is one potential anatomical structure in the blackfly that could have a role to play in infection post blood‐meal as the ingested microfilariae have to pass through it towards the ecto‐peritrophic space and beyond to establish an infection (Bain & Philippon, 1970; Basáñez et al ., 2009). The rate of hardening of the PM and its final thickness are considered likely to influence the vector capacity of the blackfly (Ramos et al ., 1994).…”

“…The rate of hardening of the PM and its final thickness are considered likely to influence the vector capacity of the blackfly (Ramos et al ., 1994). The membrane forms within 30 s after a blood meal, enveloping the ingested blood and often trapping ingested microfilariae of Onchocerca , which die and are digested within it (Bain & Philippon, 1970; Lewis, 1953). One hypothesis is that the PM is thicker and better sealed in savannah than in forest members of the S. damnosum complex, such that the latter can support more Onchocerca larvae (Bain et al ., 1976; Philippon, 1977).…”