Annual Research Symposium (ARS)
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Item Species succession of malaria vector mosquitoes and physicochemical factors affecting their abundance in rice ecosystems in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka(University of Kelaniya, 2013) Gunathilaka, P.A.D.H.N.; Ranathunge, R.M.T.B.; Fernando, M.A.S.T.; Hapugoda, M.D.; Wijeyerathne, P.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.; Abeyewickreme, W.Background: Mosquito-borne diseases are a major public health threat in Asia. The present investigation was carried out to study the ecology of vector mosquitoes in Sri Lanka, in order to explore effective mosquito control strategies in rice ecosystems from the ecological point of view. Method: As part of investigations on potential linkages between irrigation and malaria transmission, all surface water bodies in and around 20 selected villages along an irrigation distributary in the District of Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, were surveyed for anopheline mosquito larvae (Diptera: Culicidae) from January 2012 - June 2013. Breeding sites were characterized according to exposure to sunlight, substratum, and presence of vegetation, fauna, inorganic matter and physical water condition (clear/turbid). Dissolved Oxygen (DO), conductivity, salinity, pH, temperature, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and turbidity were recorded. Results: A total of 3914 Anopheles larvae of twelve morphological types were collected from 685 breeding habitats. Anopheles peditaeniatus (n= 1041), was the most abundant, followed by An. subpictus (n= 893), An. nigerrimus (n= 808), An. barbirostris (n= 581), An. pallidus (n= 184), An. annularis (n=124), An. jamesii (n= 80), An. varuna (n= 76), An. vagus (n= 56), An. barbumbrosus (n= 48). An. culicifacies (n= 22) and An. aconitus (n= 1). The four most abundant species were significantly associated with waterlogged paddy fields. Anopheles culicifacies was noted only from irrigational canals with vegetation. Conductivity, salinity, and TDS were positively correlated with larval densities of An. peditaeniatus (Pearson correlations= 0.04, 0.17, 0.33: P= 0.94, 0.77, 0.58), An. subpictus (Pearson correlations= 0.6, 0.68, 0.56: P= 0.19, 0.20, 0.31), and An. vagus (Pearson correlations= 0.6, 0.42, 0.17: P= 0.28, 0.47, 0.77). However all physicochemical variables were negatively correlated with An. culicifacies densities. Conclusion: Major malaria vector of An. culicifacies complex occurred at relatively low densities, mainly in irrigated and waterlogged fields. These findings support understanding of mosquito ecology and will support future mosquito control strategies in rice ecosystems in Sri Lanka.Item Resting behavior of malaria vectors in Mannar District of Sri Lanka with reference to zooprophylaxis(University of Kelaniya, 2013) Gunathilaka, P.A.D.H.N.; Fernando, M.A.S.T.; Hapugoda, M.D.; Wijeyerathne, P.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.; Abeyewickreme, W.Background: The most important factors for effective zooprophylaxis in reducing malaria transmission are the presence of predominate populations of a strongly zoophilic mosquitoes and domestic animals for their blood-meal. Methods: Resting behavior of anopheline mosquitoes was evaluated using indoor and outdoor mosquito collection techniques. Mosquitoes were captured using 389 outdoor cattle-baited traps and indoor hand catches in 5672 houses at 12 possible malaria sensitive areas situated 12 km apart; Pesali, Keeri, Erukkallampeddi, Moor, Vankalai, Narawallikulam, Vanchiyankulam, Arvanum, Arrippu, Kokkupadayan, Koolankulam and Pandaraveilli for 12 months (June 2012 to June 2013) on a weekly basis. These areas had mostly homogenous characteristics in vegetations and house type. All collected mosquitoes were identified using standard taxonomic keys. A hypothesis test was conducted to determine whether there is a difference between indoor and outdoor collections. Results: A total of 3986 anopheline mosquitoes were collected from both indoor (n= 3122) and outdoor (n= 864) collection techniques. Anopheles subpictus was found to account for over 97.5% (n= 3887) of Anopheles species collected in the study areas. Other species were; 1.4% An. peditaeniatus (n= 57), 0.6% An. varuna (n= 22), 0.3% An. pallidus (n= 10), 0.2% An. nigerrimus (n= 7), 0.05% An. tessellatus (n= 2), and 0.03% An. aconitus (n= 1). Only 3 species namely, An. subpictus (n= 485), An. tessellatus (n= 2) and An. aconitus (n= 1) were recorded from indoor hand catches. In experimental cattle-baited hut trials, An. subpictus (n= 3026) was found to have the highest exophilic tendency (96.9%) compared to other anophelines encountered. The hypothesis test suggests that there was a significant difference of An. subpictus attracted to cattle-baited traps and human dwellings (P = 0.008). Although the main vector An. culicifacies was absent, the presence of the secondary vector An. subpictus was observed in high numbers in the District. Conclusion: Exophilic and zoophilic tendencies of An. subpictus are conducive for zooprophylaxis. The study further indicates that zooprophylaxis may be a potential strategy for malaria control. It is recommended that in areas with a predominant An. subpictus population, cattle could be kept close to human dwellings to maximize the effects of zooprophylaxis.Item Breeding of Anopheles culicifacies in different waterbodies in the district of Trincomalee(University of Kelaniya, 2012) Gunathilaka, P.A.D.H.N.; Fernando, M.A.S.T.; Hapugoda, M.D.; Wijeyerathne, P.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.; Abeyewickreme, W.Introduction: Anopheles culicifacies (Diptera: Culicidae), the major vector of malaria in Sri Lanka is known to breed in clean and clear water. This study was focused to understand the larval habitats of the major malaria vector with the eco system changes in the Trincomalee district of the Eastern Province. Method: Potential larval habitats for Anopheles mosquitoes were surveyed on a monthly basis for 17 months (January 2011 –June 2012) in 4 different selected sampling sites (Murthankulam, Kommnaimottai, Paranamadawachchiya and Kokmotawewa). Collected larvae were identified using standard taxonomic keys. The species Distribution (C) and Density (D) were calculated. Results: A total of 2996 larval specimens representing 13 Anopheles species were reported from 16 different breeding habitats namely, waste water (n= 635), built well (n= 1229), earth well (n=149), agricultural well (n=9), rain water collection (n=89), animal hoof print (n=17), burrow pit (n=256), rock pool (n=10), canal (n=15), irrigation canal (n=27), lake margin (n=27), tank margin (n=448), pond margin (n=15), marshy land (n=13), paddy field (n=15) and slow moving water (n=42). An. culicifacies was observed as the most predominant species throughout the survey. According to Density criterion, An. culicifacies (44.0%), An. subpictus (19.2%), An. barbirostris (13.2%), An. peditaeniatus (10.28%) and An. nigerrimus (8.7%) were within the dominant class; (D > 5%). Two species (An. vagus, An. pallidus) were in the subdominant class (1< D <5%). Only An. annularis, An. varuna, An. barbumbrosus, An. pseudojamesi, An. jamesii and An. tessellatus were the satellite species (D < 1%). An. nigerrimus, An. subpictus and An. peditaeniatus can be regarded as constant according to distribution (C= 80.1-100%). Only An. vagus was the most frequently reported (C= 60.1 – 80%) species. All other Anopheles including An. culicifacies were observed as infrequent species (C= 20.1 – 40%) and no species was identified as sporadic appearance (C= 0 – 20%). Most productive breeding site for An. culicifacies were drains covered with waste water (Density= 81.57%) in remote areas. Interpretation & conclusion: These results indicate that An. culicifacies has adapted to breed in a wide range of water bodies including waste water collections although they are considered to breed in clean and clear water. The survival of the major vector mosquito in widespread water bodies could be responsible for the increase in the incidence of malaria in the future.Item Susceptibility of malaria vectors to insecticides in Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee & Mannar districts of Sri Lanka(University of Kelaniya, 2012) Gunathilaka, P.A.D.H.N.; Fernando, M.A.S.T.; Hapugoda, M.D.; Wijeyerathne, P.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.; Abeyewickreme, W.Background: The current status of insecticide resistance was studied for potential malaria vectors in four districts namely Ampara, Batticaloa, Mannar and Trincomalee of Sri Lanka. Methods: Insecticide-susceptibility tests were carried out using WHO standard kits against various chemical compounds at ambient room temperature of 27+1oC and relative humidity of 75-80% for adult and larvae separately. A total of 3629 adult female Anopheles mosquitoes belong to nine species (An. subpictus, An. vagus, An. nigerrimus, An. peditaeniatus, An. pallidus, An. annularis, An. jamesii, An. pseudojamesi and An. barbirostris) were exposed to cyfluthrin- 0.15%, etofenofrox- 0.5%, bendiocarb- 0.01%, malathion – 5%, deltamethrin – 0.05%, permethrin – 0.75%, λ- cyhalothrin– 0.05%, fenitrothion – 1.0% and propoxur – 0.1%. A total of 610 larvae belong to five Anopheles species (An. subpictus, An. vagus, An. barbirostris and An. peditaeniatus) were exposed to 0.0025, 0.005, 0.125 and 0.625 mg/l of viz. temephos (Abate). Results: All of the mosquito larvae or adult species used for the study were susceptible for selected insecticides (Mortality 98-100%). Adult Anopheles species showed a possibility of developing resistance to some chemicals (Mortality 97- 80%): An. nigerrimus (lambdacyhalothrin and permethrin), An. peditaeniatus (malathion, deltamethrin and cyfluthrin) An. subpictus (deltamethrin, permethrin, propoxur, cyfluthrin, and etofenprox), An. vagus (deltamethrin, permethrin and etofenprox) and An. pallidus (deltamethrin). Anopheles larvae of An. subpictus, An. barbirostris and An. peditaeniatus showed the potential of developing resistance (Mortality 97-80%). Interpretation & conclusion: As a result of resettlements and expanding commercial agriculture there can be a potentiality of developing insecticide resistance in mosquito individuals. Therefore, proper use of chemicals as pesticides should be adopted in these areas.Item Blood-feeding patterns of Anopheles mosquitoes in malaria-endemic areas of Sri Lanka(University of Kelaniya, 2012) Gunathilaka, P.A.D.H.N.; Fernando, M.A.S.T.; Hapugoda, M.D.; Wijeyerathne, P.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.; Abeyewickreme, W.Background: Studies on host preference patterns in blood-feeding of anopheline mosquitoes are crucial for incriminating them as malaria vectors. However, little information is available on the host preferences of Anopheles mosquitoes in Sri Lanka. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine the hematophagic tendency of the anophelines. Methods: Adult Anopheles mosquitoes were collected using Cattle Baited Trap Collection (CBTC), Cattle Baited Net Collection (CBNC), Window Trap Collection (WTC), and Hand Collection (HC) from selected sentinel sites in Mannnar (3) and Trincomalee (5) Districts during June 2011- June 2012. Each blood fed mosquito was processed in to 9 cm whatman filter papers within 24 hours after blood meal has taken. DNA was extracted using the dried blood meal protocol of the QIAmp DNA mini kit. A multiplexed, Real Time Polymerase Reaction (RT- PCR) assay targeting 8 animals was developed for two panels (Panel 1: Bovine, cat, pig, monkey: Panel 2: Human, rat, dog, chicken) to identify the host meal of Anopheles. Human Blood Index (HBI), Forage Ratio (FR) and Host Feeding Index (HFI) were calculated. Results: A total of 216 field caught freshly engorged females mosquitoes belonging to 12 Anopheles species was analyzed. The host preference of anophelines observed in this study was bovine (86.17%), human (1.84%), cat (0.46%) and pig (0.46%). Only 6.91 % was positive for both human and bovine. In addition 5.0 % of the total samples tested were unknown. The overall HBI and HFI in the present study were low indicating the humans were not the preferred host for the tested anopheline species. Nevertheless, a small proportion engorged An. aconitus (0.37), An. culicifacies (0.27), An. barbirostris (0.2), An. annularis (0.125) and An. subpictus (0.12), An. peditaeniatus (0.08), An. pseudojamesi (0.04) and An. barbumbrosus (0.04) contained human blood, The FRs for human were <1.0 for most of the anophelines, except An. aconitus (1.04). Conclusion: The presence of human blood, in mosquito species indicates the possibility of them transmitting malaria. Hence, further studies on vector competence are needed to determine the role of each of the above anopheline species currently as efficient vectors of malaria.Item Prevalence of Anopheline species in Ampara district, Sri Lanka(University of Kelaniya, 2012) Fernando, M.A.S.T.; Gunathilaka, P.A.D.H.N.; Hapugoda, M.D.; de Silva, B.G.D.N.K.; Wijeyerathne, P.; Abeyewickreme, W.Introduction: Investigating the presence of primary and secondary vectors of malaria in the selected areas where no entomological surveillance was carried out for about 30 years due to ethnic conflict. Objective: To study prevalence of malaria vector in Ampara District and to assess the risk of malaria in the area. Method: Surveillance was preformed from January 2011 to June 2012 in 4 selected areas (i.e. Panama, Thirukkovil, Mahaoya and Dehiattakandiya) in Ampara District. From each area 4 localities (total 16 localities) were selected for the sample collection in order to ensure full coverage of the District. Cattle Baited Hut Collection (CBHC) and Cattle Baited Net Collection (CBNC) were performed as sample collecting methods on monthly basis throughout the surveillance period. Results: Mosquito densities for each collected Anopheles species were calculated as density per hut or net for CBHT and CBNT respectively. 14 Anopheles species were recorded from CBHC with high prevalence for An. subpictus (68.58%), An. nigerrimus (14.02%) and An. vagus (6.73%). 16 Anopheles species were recorded from CBNC with high prevelance of An. nigerrimus (50.07%), An. peditaeniatus (16.12%), An. pseudojemesi (9.21%) and An. subpictus (7.68%). An. culicifacies (primary malaria vector in Sri Lanka) recorded with lesser densities but An. subpictus, the secondary vector for malaria in Sri Lanka was predominant thorough out this study. Conclusions: The presence of primary and secondary malaria vectors in the area may cause a malaria epidemic in these areas. Hence, it is essential to study the seasonal prevalence of Anopheles species in order to initiate timely controlling measures in Ampara District.Item Morphological differences among Anopheles subpictus sibling species B breeding in waste water habitats in Mannar District, Sri Lanka(University of Kelaniya, 2011) Gunathilaka, P.A.D.H.N.; Fernando, M.A.S.T.; Premasiri, D.S.; Hapugoda, M.D.; Wijeyerathne, P.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.; Abeyewickreme, W.Anopheles culicifacies and An. subpictus are considered as the principal and subsidiary vector for malaria in Sri Lanka respectively. An. subpictus sibling species B has been specifically implicated in transmitting malaria in the coastal areas in the west coast of Sri Lanka. The main objective of this study was to identify morphological similarities and differences of An. subpictus B, breeding in waste water habitats in Mannar District. Waste water breeding habitats in three sampling sites having a radius of 20 km in Mannar District were studied for one year (June 2010 to July 2011). These sampling sites were Mannar town, Vankalai and Silawathura. Anopheles larvae and water samples were collected from each breeding site. Larvae were reared until the adults emerged and identified to the species level by taxonomic keys. Densities of Anopheles larvae were calculated. Adult An. subpictus were prepared for egg laying. Sibling status was basically determined based on the number of ridges in the floats of egg with reference to the available keys. Further, other morphological characters were also examined. Water samples were checked for fourteen abiotic variables (pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, hardness, free Ammonia, total dissolved solids, colour, odour, suspended solids, alkalinity, conductivity, chloride, total iron and salinity). Breeding of Anopheles species in waste water habitats was observed only in Silawathura and Vankalai sampling sites. A considerable number of Anopheles larvae were collected (n=1197): An. subpictus (96.6%), An. nigerrimus (2.25%), An. barbirostris (0.67%) and An. pallidus (0.5%). According to standards available for surface waters, qualities of water in selected habitats were in the ranges of third class quality. Egg character based on similarities in number of ridges in the egg, all An. subpictus belong to sibling species B. Although they belong to the same sibling species, they showed some morphological differences in their proboscis and palps. Some mosquitoes showed stunted lebellum in the proboscis and their palps had extended more than the length of proboscis (n= 632). Other members had extended lebellum in their proboscis compared to the length of pals (n=357). With ecological changes mosquito sibling species may shift their breeding habitats in order to reduce competition and to attain a wide dissemination in the environment. It is difficult to determine sibling species status using morphological characters. The existing morphological variations and their use for identifying closely related anopheline mosquitoes, especially when they exist as species complexes, are imprecise and need to be replaced with DNA sequence-based techniques.Item Study on house dwelling Anopheline species in Batticaloa District, Sri Lanka(University of Kelaniya, 2011) Fernando, M.A.S.T.; Gunathilaka, P.A.D.H.N.; Hapugoda, M.D.; Abeyewickreme, W.; de Silva, B.G.D.N.K.; Wijeyerathne, P.Even though the malaria cases are less, vectors which transmit the disease are still present. No proper vector surveys have been carried out in the eastern area of Sri Lanka for more than 30 years, due to the ethnic conflict. The objective is to study house dwelling Anopheline densities to assess the risk of malaria prior to eliminating malaria, and implementing vector control strategies. Surveillance was preformed from July 2010 to December 2010 in 3 selected areas (i.e. Mandur, Vakanery, and Vakarai) in Batticaloa District. Each area was divided into 4 sub sampling sites attaining a total of 12 sub sites in order to ensure full coverage of the whole district. Hand Catch and Window Trap collections were continued to collect mosquito specimens from 44 randomly selected houses in each sub site (n= 528) on a weekly basis. Mosquito densities for each collected Anopheles species were calculated as density per man hour and density per trap for both Hand Catch and Window Trap Collection respectively. Four species were recorded from Hand Catch (i.e. An. barbirostris (0.002), An. nigerrimus (0.081), An. subpictus (1.813) and An. vagus (0.005)). Four species observed from Window Trap Collection (i.e. An. nigerrimus (0.067), An. subpictus (0.700), An. vagus (0.010) and An. varuna (0.174)). An. subpictus, the secondary vector for Malaria in Sri Lanka was predominant throughout this study. The presence of some Anopheline mosquitoes which can act as potential malaria vectors may cause malaria epidemics in these areas. Hence, it is essential to continue more surveillance related to Larval and Trap collections to get the entire picture of Vector composition and prevalence in Batticaloa District.Item Density of Aedes aegypti and Aedes Albopictus in some dengue endemic areas(University of Kelaniya, 2000) Hapugoda, G.P.G.M.D.; de Silva, N.R.; Abeyewickreme, W.; Rajamanthri, R.Item Aedes albopictus the “underrated” Asian Tiger(University of Kelaniya, 2010) Jayasooriya, D.H.S.W.; Gunawardene, Y.I.N.S.; Manamperi, A.; de Silva, H.J.; Abeyewickreme, W.Introduction The mosquito Aedes aegypti was thought to be the main vector responsible for virtually all dengue epidemics; while Aedes albopictus was considered a vector in which the virus is maintained but does not cause epidemics. Objective The study was conducted covering three endemic districts in Sri Lanka to determine the role of genus Aedes during dengue transmission. Methods and Material Mosquitoes were collected within a 350m radius from the location of the positive patients. Heads and abdomens of 63 pools were tested for DENV RNA with and RT-PCR-LH-(P32) assays Results Discussion Ae. albopictus was present in majority of the locations in all districts surveyed. Ae. albopictus was found in 13/17 (76.47%), 24/25 (96%)and 19/22 (86.36%) sites in Colombo, Gampaha and Kurunegala respectively. The RT-PCR-LH-(P32) assays indicated that 5/25 (20%) sites in Gampaha, 2/17 (11.76%) in Colombo and 6/22 (27.27%) in Kurunegala were positive for DENV. In Gampaha and Colombo there were 3 and 1 of DEN-2 positive pools respectively, while there were 2 and 1 of DEN-3 positive pools respectively. A higher number of positive pools (4/1or 21.05%) for DEN-1 and 1/1(5.26 %) for DEN-4 were found in Kurunegala. In Kurunegala one pool was positive for both DEN-2 and DEN-4 indicating the circulation of multiple serotypes within close proximity. Moreover one of the three DEN-2 positive pools in Gampaha consisting of only male Ae. albopictus mosquitoes is supportive of the belief of vertical transmission of DENV. In a DEN-4 positive location in Kurunegala HI was found to be10%, BI= 1and CI= 5.88 %while anotherDEN-2 positive site in Wattala showed HI of 5.55%and a BI of 5.55 suggesting active transmission. The abundance of Ae. albopictus in all districts and the findings indicating that100% of the positive pools were made of Ae. albopictus in this study highlights the importance of Ae. albopictus in the transmission dynamics dengue. The ability of Ae. albopictus to be infected with low viremia and the degree to which it permits replication within the mosquito itself could have an impact on the transmission and these verity of the disease. Co-circulation of two or more serotypes in a single pool or in different pools of mosquitoes within the same district is suggestive of hyper endemic transmission dengue in the three districts. The greater susceptibility of Ae. albopictus to infection by DENV is said to lead to greater virus adaptation. Sri Lanka as a whole would be at serious risks for multiple outbreaks in future. Our results indicate that Ae. albopictus is more efficient in dengue transmission than previously thought. The results shed light on the efficiency of Ae. albopictus as a vector in transmitting DENV in the absence or low abundance of Ae. aegypti in Sri Lanka. The present study suggests that Ae. albopictus sp is underrated in terms of transmission potential during peak transmission periods of dengue in Sri Lanka. Key words: RT-PCR-LH-(P32) RT-PCR-Liquid Hybridization with P32 radio isotope, HI-House hold Index, BI- Breteau Index, CI-Container Index,DENV-Dengue Virus Authors wish to acknowledge the financial assistance rendered by the NSF Sri Lanka (GrantNo:SIDA/2006/BT/02)and the IAEA (Grant NoTC SRL 6/028).