Study of breeding habitats of sandflies--preliminary approach
Kesari, S.; Palit, A.; Kishore, K.
Journal of Communicable Diseases 24(1): 62-63
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5138 PMID: 1296958 Document Number: 390931
Soil samples were collected from the corners of human dwellings and cowsheds of kala-azar affected households in the village of Sabnema (Patna district), Bihar, India. A total of 204 soil samples was examined both microscopically and by the sugar flotation technique. The 11 samples found positive for the presence of larval/pupal exuviae of phlebotomine sandflies (probably from Phlebotomus argentipes, the local vector of kala-azar, and from P. papatasi) were examined chemically. The positive soil samples were found to be rich in silicon, aluminium and iron, and their pH values were in the range 7.2-8.5.