A dipstick ELISA for rapid detection of human blood meals in mosquitoes.

A dot-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, dot-ELISA, that allows for identification of human blood meals in mosquitoes in less than 2 h is presented. Strips of mylar-backed nitrocellulose paper, the dipstick, may be inoculated with anti-human capture antibody, blocked, dried and stored for at least 3 months before use. The Dipstick ELISA consistently detected human blood meals at 24 h post-blood meal in frozen Anopheles mosquitoes and at 32 h post-blood meal on samples eluted off filter-paper smears.

Evaluations of permethrin-impregnated clothing and three topical repellent formulations of deet against tsetse flies in Zambia.

Permethrin-impregnated clothing and three topical repellent formulations of deet (diethyltoluamide) were field tested against natural populations of tsetse flies, mostly Glossina morsitans centralis Machado, in central Zambia. Volunteers wore different combinations of clothing impregnated with permethrin 0.125 mg ai/cm2 and repellents while riding in a vehicle that was driven slowly (4-6 km/h), with the windows and rear door open, through fly-infested areas.

Effectiveness of permethrin-treated military uniform fabric against human body lice.

Military uniform fabric patches treated with permethrin were evaluated against natural and laboratory strains of human body lice, Pediculus humanus, L. Permethrin-treated fabric was toxic to body lice on contact and quickly affected feeding behavior and the likelihood of disease transmission, even when washed up to 20 times. The use of permethrin-treated clothing offers a new passive approach in human louse control not previously feasible.

Field bioassays of permethrin-treated uniforms and a new extended duration repellent against mosquitoes in Pakistan.

Field bioassays were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of different treatment combinations of permethrin-impregnated clothing and a new extended duration repellent formulation of deet against natural populations of mosquitoes in Islamabad, Pakistan. Tests were initiated 2-2 1/2 hours prior to sunset and volunteers who wore the topical repellent applied it 8 hours earlier. The most effective treatment was a combination of wearing both the permethrin-impregnated clothing and the repellent on exposed skin.