A systematic review: is Anopheles vagus a species complex?

BACKGROUND: Anopheles vagus (subgenus Cellia) has been identified as a vector for malaria, filariasis, and Japanese encephalitis in Asia. Sporozoites of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax have been found in this zoophilic mosquito in Asia and Indonesia. This study systematically reviews publications regarding An. vagus species, variation, bio-ecology, and malaria transmission in various localities in Asia, especially Indonesia, to determine whether the current data support An. vagus as a species complex. METHODS: The databases Pubmed, Scopus, Europe PMC, and Proquest were searched to identify information regarding the morphology, karyotypes, polytene chromosome, cross-mating, ecology, and molecular identification of An. vagus was then evaluated to determine whether there were possible species complexes. RESULTS: Of the 1326 articles identified, 15 studies were considered for synthesis. The Anopheles spp. samples for this study came from Asia. Eleven studies used morphology to identify An. vagus, with singular studies using each of karyotype identification, chromosomal polytene identification, and cross-breeding experiments. Ten studies used molecular techniques to identify Anopheles spp., including An. vagus. Most studies discovered morphological variations of An. vagus either in the same or different areas and ecological settings. In this review, the members of An. vagus sensu lato grouped based on morphology (An. vagus, An. vagus vagus, An. vagus limosus, and An. limosus), karyotyping (form A and B), and molecular (An. vagus genotype A and B, An. vagus AN4 and AN5). Genetic analysis revealed a high conservation of the ITS2 fragment among members except for the An. vagus genotype B, which was, in fact, Anopheles sundaicus. This review also identified that An. vagus limosus and An. vagus vagus were nearly identical to the ITS2 sequence. CONCLUSION: Literature review studies revealed that An. vagus is conspecific despite the distinct morphological characteristic of An. vagus and An. limosus. Further information using another barcoding tool, such as mitochondrial COI and ND6 and experimental cross-mating between the An. vagus and An. limosus may provide additional evidence for the status of An. vagus as a species complex.

Association Between Sebum, Total Cholesterol, and Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol Levels With Post-acne Keloids.

Background Prolonged acne inflammation causes scar formation, one of which is post-acne keloids. Sebum, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level can influence post-acne keloids. This study aims to determine the association between sebum, total cholesterol, and LDL levels with post-acne keloids to better define the predisposing factors for this condition. Methods This study used primary data involving sociodemographics, clinical features, keloid classification, sebum levels, total cholesterol levels, and LDL levels in post-acne keloid patients at the Dermatology, Venereology, and Aesthetics Outpatient Clinics of Dr. Mohammad Hoesin General Hospital Palembang, Indonesia. Study samples were patients who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria by consecutive sampling. The data then underwent univariate and bivariate analyses to show the association between variables. Result A total of 22 patients with post-acne keloids participated. The subjects presented mostly with major keloids based on the classification (59.1%). The patients were predominantly 21-30 years old (50%) and male (90.9%). The keloids had onsets >six months to one year (45.5%), durations of one to five years (77.3%), and multiple presentations (68.2%). Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) assessment showed mainly red vascularity (40.9%), mixed pigmentation (68.2%), >5 mm keloid height (59.1%), and firm pliability (40.9%). Most patients presented with pruritus (86.4%) but without pain (54.5%). Most had low levels of sebum (50%), normal total cholesterol (90.9%), and near-optimal LDL level (40.9%). There were no significant association between sebum (p = 1.000), total cholesterol (p = 1.000), and LDL (p = 0.376) levels with post-acne keloids. However, LDL levels above normal were most found in this study (68.2%). Conclusions There is no association between sebum, total cholesterol, and LDL levels with post-acne keloids. Despite the fact that LDL level was not statistically significant, there has been a rise in LDL level in the research subjects. Further research with a larger number of subjects and consideration of multicenter study through retrospective/prospective methods and complete lipid profile examinations is still required to provide a more representative study.