Korean J Parasitol.  2006 Mar;44(1):67-72. 10.3347/kjp.2006.44.1.67.

Biting of anthropophilic Culicoides fulvithorax (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), a vector of Mansonella perstans in Nigeria

• Agbolade O
• Akinboye D
• Olateju TM
• Ayanbiyi O
• Kuloyo OO
• Fenuga OO

• KMID: 1091839
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2006.44.1.67

Abstract

Anthropophilic Culicoides were investigated in a rural community endemic for Mansonella perstans in Ijebu North area of western Nigeria between December 2003 and October 2004. Three hundred and fifty-nine adults of Culicoides fulvithorax collected by human bait in the morning were dissected for Mansonella perstans larvae, and 1.95% of infection rate was found. Seasonal abundance of C. fulvithorax was investigated by monthly biting rates, and showed that higher prevalence was observed in rainy season, with peak in September. Culicoides prevalence was positively correlated with rainfall and relative humidity, but not temperature. Human perceptions on the behavior of these biting midges were determined by interviewing 854 self-selected villagers, of which 86.5% of the interviewees confessed having experienced Culicoides bites. Between 76.5 and 99.1% of the various age groups complained body reactions to Culicoides bites. Itching was the most frequent body reaction. No interviewees associated Culicoides with transmission of any parasitic infections. The results showed need to adequately control Culicoides in the community.

Keyword

anthropophilic Culicoides; midge; biting rates; human perceptions; itching; swelling; ignorance; Nigeria

MeSH Terms

Seasons
Rural Health
Rain
Questionnaires
Perception
Nigeria/epidemiology
Middle Aged
Mansonelliasis/*transmission
*Mansonella/isolation & purification
Insect Vectors/parasitology/*physiology
Insect Bites and Stings/*epidemiology
Humidity
Humans
Cross-Sectional Studies
Child
Chi-Square Distribution
Ceratopogonidae/parasitology/*physiology
Animals
Adult
Adolescent