The hypothesis of this proposal is that parasite-modified mosquito probing behavior can, under certain circumstances, determine the epidemiology of malaria transmission. Probing behavior of mosquitoes if the act of blood location and is enhanced by their saliva. These postulated modifications could have two important public health implications: 1) transmission could be exponentially related to parasite pathology, which could establish an unstable point of equilibrium, or threshold, and 2) parasite transmission could benefit vectors to the extent that the relationship could be labeled mutualistic. In order to investigate these relationships, we shall 1) devise simulation and mathematical models examining the epidemiologic implications of parasite modifications of mosquito salivary function, 2) describe the probing behavior of Plasmodium falciparum- infected Anopheles stephensi and 3) investigate the impact of parasites on salivary components, specifically, apyrase, bacteriolytic activity and the inhibition of mast cell secretion by mosquito salivary gland extracts. The proposal is narrowly focused on mosquito probing behavior and its implications in malaria transmission. The range of techniques, by necessity, is wide, ranging from biochemistry to computer modeling. We anticipate the results to have direct implications in the control of malaria.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Unknown (R22)
Project #
5R22AI027649-02
Application #
3565526
Study Section
Tropical Medicine and Parasitology Study Section (TMP)
Project Start
1988-05-01
Project End
1991-03-31
Budget Start
1989-05-01
Budget End
1990-04-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1989
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Oregon State University
Department
Type
DUNS #
053599908
City
Corvallis
State
OR
Country
United States
Zip Code
97339
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Li, X; Sina, B; Rossignol, P A (1992) Probing behaviour and sporozoite delivery by Anopheles stephensi infected with Plasmodium berghei. Med Vet Entomol 6:57-61
Shieh, J N; Rossingnol, P A (1992) Opposite influences of host anaemia on blood feeding rate and fecundity of mosquitoes. Parasitology 105 ( Pt 2):159-63
Royce, L A; Rossignol, P A; Burgett, D M et al. (1991) Reduction of tracheal mite parasitism of honey bees by swarming. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 331:123-9
Cross, A P; Singer, B (1991) Modelling the development of resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to anti-malarial drugs. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 85:349-55
Pimentel, G E; Rossignol, P A (1990) Age dependence of salivary bacteriolytic activity in adult mosquitoes. Comp Biochem Physiol B 96:549-51
Royce, L A; Rossignol, P A (1990) Honey bee mortality due to tracheal mite parasitism. Parasitology 100 Pt 1:147-51
Rossignol, P A; Rossignol, A M (1988) Simulations of enhanced malaria transmission and host bias induced by modified vector blood location behaviour. Parasitology 97 ( Pt 3):363-72