Prevalence of bancroftian filariasis in Burdwan district, West Bengal: II. Vector and microfilariae density in colliery and non-colliery areas
Adhikari, P.; Haldar, J.P.
Journal of Communicable Diseases 27(3): 181-185
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5138 PMID: 9163714 Document Number: 442543
The density of Culex quinquefasciatus, Wuchereria bancrofti infection and infectivity rates, microfilariae density and microfilaraemic persons in the colliery and non-colliery areas of Burdwan district, West Bengal, India , are reported. The numbers of C. quinquefasciatus in indoor resting collections were significantly higher in colliery areas (624.33/10 man-h), as compared to non-colliery areas (399.0/10 man-h). 3226 of 46 221 persons examined in colliery areas had microfilariae, as compared to 1255 of 39 753 in non-colliery areas. In colliery areas, 164 of 1746 C. quinquefasciatus dissected were infected, and 54 contained L3 worms; in non-colliery areas, 7 of 849 mosquitoes were infected and only 2 had L3s. The higher vector density in the colliery areas is one of the major reasons for higher prevalence of filariasis in that area, However, the authors suggest that other environmental factors such as exposure of the host to the coal might influence the pathogenesis of filariasis in the colliery areas.