Plan de vigilancia entomológica en zona de operaciones. Aproximación al estudio de anofelinos (Diptera: Culicidae) y riesgo entomológico asociado en las bases de Herat y Qala I Naw / Entomological surveillance program in area of operations: approach to the study of anopheline (Diptera: Culicidae) and entomological risk at the bases of Herat and Qala i Naw

Introducción: Cualquier información obtenida para contribuir a la evaluación del riesgo de aparición de brotes de malaria en la fuerza desplegada en zonas de operaciones es de máximo interés para los servicios de medicina preventiva. Tras un estudio piloto de vigilancia entomológica, realizado en la base de Herat (Afganistán) en 2008, se han realizado ahora nuevos estudios protocolizados y con más medios en dicha base, así como en la situada en Qala i Naw (Afganistán). Material y métodos: Entre junio y octubre de 2010 se realizaron muestreos entomológicos en las bases de Herat y Qala i Naw, empleando trampas luminosas de succión tipo mini CDC con luz blanca y ultravioleta, así como una trampa de succión tipo BG-Sentinel de BioGents GmbH con atrayente químico. Las hembras de anofelinos se analizaron mediante la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) en busca de su posible infección por Plasmodium spp. Resultados: Se capturaron culícidos pertenecientes a diversos géneros, entre ellos del género Anopheles. Todas las hembras de anofelinos fueron analizadas mediante PCR a tiempo real, siendo todas negativas a Plasmodium spp. Discusión: Entre los ejemplares capturados, Anopheles hyrcanus es un potencial vector de malaria en la zona. Dada su presencia en la base de Herat, habría que valorar la posible existencia de reservorios de Plasmodium spp. en las zonas habitadas cercanas a la misma, y la influencia de factores externos, tales como los vientos predominantes en esa región, que pueden empujar a los mosquitos infectados hacia la base, desde esas zonas. Con los resultados obtenidos se puede establecer un protocolo sencillo de evaluación del riesgo de padecer malaria detectando mosquitos portadores potenciales (riesgo medio) y reales (riesgo alto) (AU)

Introduction: Any information obtained to contribute to the assessment of the risk of malaria outbreaks in the force deployed in area of operations is of greatest interest to preventive medicine services. Following a pilot study of entomological surveillance, carried out at the base of Herat (Afghanistan) in 2008, further protocolised research was recently performed also in Qala i Naw base. Material and methods: Between June and September 2010 an entomological survey took place at the bases of Herat and Qala i Naw (Afghanistan), using for the purpose CDC traps with white and ultraviolet light, as well as a Sentinel trap type with specific chemical attractant BG-Lure®. The females of Anopheles were analysed with the real-time polymerasa chain reaction (PCR) in order to look for the possible infection with Plasmodium spp. Results: Mosquitoes belonging to various genera were captured. All anopheline females were analysed by real-time PCR and all of them were negative to Plasmodium spp. Discussion: Among the captured specimens, Anopheles hyrcanus is a potential vector of malaria in the area. Due to its presence in the base of Herat, we should assess the possible presence of reservoirs of Plasmodium spp. in inhabited areas close to the base, as well as the influence of external factors, such as prevailing winds in this region that could drive infected mosquitoes toward the base from those areas. With the obtained results we could establish a simple protocol to assess the risk of malaria, detecting potential vectors (medium risk) and real vectors (high risk) (AU)

Muestreo entomológico en zona de operaciones: ensayo piloto en la base de apoyo avanzado de Herat (Afganistán) / Entomological sampling in Area of Operations: pilot survey in Forward Support Base, Herat (Afghanistan)

Introducción. Las enfermedades transmitidas por vectores constituyen un riesgo sanitario de gran relevancia a considerar en la protección sanitaria del personal desplegado en Zona de Operaciones (ZO). En este sentido, una de las enfermedades más preocupantes es el paludismo y en concreto su incidencia en el despliegue de la Fuerza en Afganistán. El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido realizar una aproximación al estudio de posibles vectores del paludismo en la Base de Apoyo Avanzado de Herat en Afganistán. Material y métodos. En octubre de 2008 se realizó un muestreo entomológico en la Base de Apoyo Avanzado de Herat, empleando trampas de luz tipo CDC (Centers for Disease Control). Resultados. Se capturaron diversas especies de culícidos, concretamente Culex pipiens, Uranotaenia unguiculata, Culiseta sp, Anopheles dthali, Anopheles barianensis y Anopheles peditaeniatus .Discusión y conclusiones. Los culícidos no pertenecientes al género Anopheles capturados pueden encontrarse también en Territorio Nacional (TN), y exceptuando la especie Culex pipiens, no tienen relevancia como potenciales vectores de enfermedades. En relación a los anofelinos hallados, sólo uno de ellos, Anopheles dthali aparece citado como vector secundario del paludismo en el vecino Irán. Aunque las tres especies encontradas ya habían sido descritas en Afganistán, no existían referencias de su presencia en la provincia de Herat. Consideramos que este ensayo debe continuarse en el futuro con muestreos entomológicos adecuadamente protocolizados extendiéndose a todas las ZO, y cuyo objetivo final debe ir encaminado a la valoración del riesgo de exposición a patógenos transmitidos por vectores (AU)

Introduction. Vector-borne diseases are a relevant health risk to take into consideration for the health protection of the personnel deployed in the Area of Operations. In relation to the above, one of the most worrying disease is malaria and in particular its effects over the deployment of the Forces in Afghanistan. The purpose of this project is to make an approach to potential malaria vectors in the Forward Support Base (FSB) Herat (Afghanistan). Materials and methods. In October of 2008 an entomological survey was made in the FSB, Herat, using CDC (Centers for Disease Control) light traps. Results. Several Culicidae species were captured, such as Culex pipiens, Uranotaenia unguiculata, Culiseta sp, Anopheles dthali, Anopheles barianensis y Anopheles peditaeniatus. Discussion and conclusions. Captured Culicidae species not belonging to the Anopheles genus can be found also in home nation, and except to Culex pipiens species, they are not relevant as potential vector diseases. In relation to the anophelines species found, only one of them, Anopheles dthali is mentioned as secondary malaria vector in Iran. Although the three species found had already been described in Afghanistan, there were not references regarding their presence in Herat province. We think that this survey should be continued in the future with entomological sampling properly standardized covering all the Area of Operations, and with a final purpose of the risk evaluation of exposure to pathogens transmitted by vectors (AU)

Initial distribution assessment of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Barcelona, Spain, area.

The invasive species Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse 1894) (Diptera: Culicidae) has reached several European countries, including Albania, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and recently Spain (Med. Vet. Entomol. 20: 150-152, 2006). Here, we present the initial characterization of the distribution of Ae. albopictus in the municipality of Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain, where it was found for the first time in the Iberian Peninsula. An ovitrap sampling campaign was developed from September to December 2004 to assess the spatial distribution and abundance of Ae. albopictus to evaluate the potential of an eradication attempt. The population of Ae. albopictus in the whole area was shown to be widespread within the municipality, and it included at least another one neighboring town, so authorities were advised to develop large-scale control measures. Some indirect evidence was collected on the introduction means and date.

First description of the pupa of Ochlerotatus gilcolladoi.

The pupa of Ochlerotatus gilcolladoi is described and illustrated for the first time. Specimens were caught near Madrid. A table lists the range and mode of the branches of each pupal seta.

A survey of mosquitoes breeding in used tires in Spain for the detection of imported potential vector species.

The used tire trade has facilitated the introduction, spread, and establishment of the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, and other mosquito species in several countries of America, Africa, Oceania, and Europe. A strategy for detecting these imported mosquito vectors was developed in Spain during 2003-2004 by EVITAR (multidisciplinary network for the study of viruses transmitted by arthropods and rodents). A survey in 45 locations found no invasive species. Eight autochthonous species of mosquitoes were detected in used tires, including Culex pipiens, Cx. hortensis, Cx. modestus, Anopheles atroparvus, An. claviger, Culiseta longiareolata, Cs. annulata, and Aedes caspius. Dominant species were Cx. pipiens and Cs. longiareolata. Aedes caspius was found in only once, near its natural breeding habitat. Considering the recent discovery of an established population of Ae. albopictus in Catalonia, the increasing commerce of used tires in Spain for recycling, storage, and recapping might greatly contribute to the rapid spread of this species across the Iberian Peninsula.

Larvae stage description of Anopheles (Cellia) carnevalei from adult individuals collected in Equatorial Guinea.

This is the first description of 3rd and 4th instars of Anopheles (Cellia) carnevalei. Adults were caught in the mainland region (Rio Muni) of Equatorial Guinea. Larvae present characteristic palmate setae different from Anopheles nili.