Effects of irradiation, presence of females, and sugar supply on the longevity of sterile males Aedes albopictus (Skuse) under semi-field conditions on Reunion Island.

BACKGROUND: The development of the sterile insect technique (SIT) for reducing populations of Aedes albopictus (Skuse), (the vector of Chikungunya and Dengue fever), was studied in Reunion Island. For some mosquito species the sterilization process and mating activity may alter male survival. Most previous studies were carried out in the laboratory and may inadequately reflect the field situation. We conducted a semi-field experiment to evaluate the impact of sugar supply and mating activity under natural climatic conditions on wild and sterile male Ae. albopictus longevity, using large cages set up in an open clearing between trees and shrubs in Reunion Island. RESULTS: Wild males had a mean longevity of 15.5 days in the absence of females and with an immediate sugar supply; longevity in sterile males was similar. The presence of females greatly reduced both wild and especially sterile male lifespan; however, an immediate sugar supply could counteract this effect and allow sterile males to live an average of 11.6 days. CONCLUSION: The outcomes indicate that sugar feeding could compensate for sterilization-induced damage, and that mating activity is not deleterious for well-fed males. This study stresses the critical importance of providing suitable sugar sources prior to release during SIT programmes.

[Relation of disease patterns and dental care services]. / Relacionamento entre padrões de doença e serviços de atenção odontológica.

Oral care services are examined as one of the variables related to the oral disease patterns of a population as well as other factors such as social and economic level, culture, nutrition patterns and the degree of global development of each country which play a more important role in determining the level of health in the community is analysed. The dramatic situation in the developing countries, which have emulated the oral care services and human resources training models of industrialized countries (large numbers of professionals who render services only to those who can pay for them), which have led to an increasing prevalence of oral diseases, is described. It shows that the main challenge to the profession at the present time is the building up of dental services rooted in social issues and aimed at the population at large.