Comparative transmission potential of three Mansonia spp. (Diptera: Culicidae) for filariasis in Sarawak, Malaysia

Abstract

AbstractSubperiodic filariasis (Brugia malayi) infections are endemic in the State of Sarawak, Malaysia, along the coastal villages and rural communities where the mosquitoes Mansonia bonneae Edwards, M. dives (Schiner) and M. uniformis (Theobald) are the main vectors. Two ecologically similar villages, Kampung Ampungan and Kampung Sebangkoi, were selected for comparison of the three Mansonia spp. in terms of their entomological baseline data, namely biting activity, survival and infective rates. Data obtained on their annual transmission potential (ATP), annual infective biting rate (AIBR) and vectorial capacity (C) showed M. bonneae to be the principal vector of B. malayi infections in Sarawak. Survival rates of M. bonneae and M. dives were estimated using both the exponential model of Macdonald which assumes an age-independent survival rate and the Gompertz model which assumes a decrease in the survival rate with advancing age of female mosquitoes.