Malaria is a growing public health problem. Many countries in the Caribbean region that launched successful malaria eradication programs in the 1950s and 1960s are now experiencing sporadic outbreaks of falciparum an vivax malaria. These countries remain receptive to malaria due to their indigenous Anopheles mosquitoes. Currently, it is impossible to predict the potential for malaria re-introductions and epidemics because there is only limited, recent information on the status of anopheline mosquito populations and ecologic factors affecting site- specific receptivity for malaria parasite transmission. This proposal seeks to investigate how Anopheles mosquito species in Trinidad differ in their innate vector competence and natural potentials for parasite transmission The situation in Trinidad provides a good example of how malaria-free countries must now re-establish malaria surveillance and control operations in response to sporadic malaria outbreaks generated by an increasing number of imported malaria cases, including drug- resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains, from diverse areas of the world. Species of Anopheles mosquitoes indigenous to Trinidad will be experimentally infected with in vitro cultured gametocytes of P. falciparum, the most pathogenic human malaria. Parameters of parasite development for each anopheline species, determined by quantifying each major sporogonic stage over 20 days, will be related to infections in a reference species included in each experiment. Corresponding profiles of vector blood-feeding behavior and digestive physiology will be developed for each anopheline species. These studies will define Anopheles species differences in susceptibility and parasite development. Associated field studies will examine key aspects of vectorial capacity for natural populations of competent vector species to identify areas of Trinidad which are receptive to malaria re-introductions and potential epidemics. These collaborative studies on malaria vectors in Trinidad will provide opportunities for exploring how basic information on vector- malaria parasite relationships can be applied to strengthen malaria surveillance and control operations in the Caribbean region.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Fogarty International Center (FIC)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
5R03TW000240-02
Application #
2291720
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (SRC (01))
Project Start
1993-07-01
Project End
1996-06-30
Budget Start
1994-07-01
Budget End
1994-11-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1994
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
045911138
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21218
Chadee, D D; Beier, J C; Mohammed, R T (1998) Laboratory studies of diel oviposition, fecundity, survival, and gonotrophic cycles in Anopheles homunculus. J Am Mosq Control Assoc 14:153-8
Chadee, D D; Beier, J C (1997) Factors influencing the duration of blood-feeding by laboratory-reared and wild Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) from Trinidad, West Indies. Ann Trop Med Parasitol 91:199-207
Chadee, D D; Mohammed, R T (1996) Diel rhythms of oviposition and fecundity of Anopheles aquasalis (Diptera:Culicidae) under laboratory conditions. J Med Entomol 33:686-8
Chadee, D D; Beier, J C (1996) Diel oviposition and fecundity of Anopheles oswaldoi in Trinidad, West Indies. J Am Mosq Control Assoc 12:402-5
Chadee, D D; Beier, J C (1995) Blood-digestion kinetics of four Anopheles species from Trinidad, West Indies. Ann Trop Med Parasitol 89:531-40
Chadee, D D (1995) Diel oviposition patterns of Anopheles albitarsis in Trinidad, West Indies. J Am Mosq Control Assoc 11:103-6
Chadee, D D; Beier, J C (1995) Blood-engorgement kinetics of four anopheline mosquitoes from Trinidad, West Indies. Ann Trop Med Parasitol 89:55-62
Chadee, D D (1994) Seasonal abundance, biting cycle, and parity of the mosquito Anopheles homunculus in Trinidad, West Indies. J Am Mosq Control Assoc 10:522-6
Chadee, D D; Mendis, C; Beier, J C (1993) Diel oviposition periodicity of anopheline mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from the Americas: Anopheles albimanus Wieldemann and Anopheles freeborni Aitken. Ann Trop Med Parasitol 87:501-7