CONTROL OF FILARIASIS INSECT VECTOR IN RECIFE, PERNAMBUCO, NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL
ANDRÉ F. FURTADO, LEDA N. REGIS, WAYNER V. SOUZA AND MARIA DE FATIMA M. ALBUQUERQUE
Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães - Fiocruz, C.P. 7472, 50670-420 Recife, PE
Presented by HELIO B. COUTINHO
Lymphatic filariasis is a major public health problem in the city of Recife. In some urban areas, microfilaraemia prevalence reaches 14%. In this study, a parasitological survey was performed covering 5563 subjects in the districts of Coque and Mustardinha. In both areas, the prevalence of microfilaraemia was 10%. Microfilaraemia was detected by the thick smear technique. 45ml of blood was collected between 20:00 and 24:00h.It is assumed that C. quinquefasciatus is the sole vector of bancroftian filariasis in Recife and that transmission occurs almost entirely in domestic and peridomestic settings.
In addition to breeding ecology, evaluation of imago density were assessed by standard methods such as count of resting mosquitoes and by using CDC miniature light traps settled both inside and outside the houses. The following morning mosquitoes were counted and dissected to determine filarial infection and infectivity indices.
Mass treatment with Dietylcarbamazine (DEC) using low and spaced doses was employed in both areas. In one such instance DEC therapy was associated with vector control using physical measures and periodic treatment of Culex breading sites with the entomopathogen Bacillus sphaericus as larvicide. The vector population density, reaching 60-200 Culex/room/night, before the intervention was drastically reduced to 4-10 Culex/room/night, and maintained at this level for more than two years. Mass treatment with DEC resulted in a drastic reduction of C. quinquefasciatus infection rates in Coque from 3.11%, recorded before the treatment to 0% after the adopted control measures. Microfilaraemia rates were reduced in 99.8% in Coque and 98.7% in Mustardinha. The maintenance of endemic filariasis in Recife is certainly associated with the low quality of life in most of the urban areas. Control strategies must be adapted to existing urban conditions and directed to endemic communities, otherwise the endemic will probably expand in the city in the next few years. ( May 18, 2001 )
Publication Dates
-
Publication in this collection
08 Oct 2001 -
Date of issue
Sept 2001
