Immunodiagnosis of early dracunculiasis.

The enzymes linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to test human sera from patients with prepatent and patent Dracunculus medinensis infection with adult worm antigen to asses its potential value in the Immunodiagnosis of early asymptomatic guinea worm infection. The serum antibody response of prepatent sera samples from asymptomatic infected individuals showed a progressive increase in antibody level till the appearance of patent infection. It may be possible to detect the infection at least six months before the emergence of worms in an individual by using this test.

Predation efficiency of Mesocyclops leuckarti on first instar mosquito larvae.

This study provides an indication of predatory behaviour of Mesocyclops leuckarti sensu lato against first instar larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus. The predatory potentiality of M. leuckarti was tested by 'No choice' and 'choice' experiments.

Cryopreservation of Angiostrongylus cantonensis third-stage larvae.

An optimum protocol for the cryopreservation of third-stage larvae (L3) of Angiostrongylus cantonensis was determined by: (i) use of different dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) concentrations; (ii) use of different FBS concentrations in RPMI-1640 medium; and (iii) variation in the thawing temperature. Studies showed that with concentrations of DMSO at 4.8% and FBS at 40% and a thawing temperature of 43 degrees C, L3 survival assessed by motility was highest at 56%.

A bioassay to evaluate the efficacy of permethrin-impregnated screens used against phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Baringo District of Kenya.

Control of phlebotomine sandflies remains a difficult problem throughout the world because of the insects' very highly specialized breeding sites. Use of insecticides remains one effective methods for managing sandflies. The present studies were conducted to establish how long permethrin impregnated wall cloth remains effective against sandflies.

Evaluation of the residual efficacy of permethrin-impregnated screens used against mosquitoes in Marigat, Baringo district, Kenya.

Insecticide-impregnated screens and bednets are gradually finding wider use in malaria control programmes. The efficacy of these devices is dependent on the method of application, the acceptability by the people and effectiveness of the insecticide used. The present studies were carried out to determine the duration of the effectiveness of a permethrin-impregnated wall cloth (Mbu cloth) used in the Marigat area of Baringo District, Kenya in order to ensure its effective use.

Seasonal intensity of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in the intermediate host, Laevicaulis alte.

The slug, Laevicaulis alte, is a vector of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in the Greater Bombay area. The seasonal prevalence of A. cantonensis was investigated to determine the maximum intensity of the parasite in a field population occupying an area of approximately 400 m2.

Effect of tissue culture media on multiplication of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro.

To date RPMI-1640 has been the best medium for cultivation of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro. In addition to this medium, several alternative media, essentially the ones used in animal and plant tissue culture, were employed for the cultivation of P. falciparum.

Sero-diagnosis of schistosomiasis by ELISA test in an endemic area of Gimvi village, India.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was carried out in Gimvi village, India, using antigens derived from S. haematobium and S. mansoni adult worms.

Scanning electron microscopy of Setaria cervi adult male worms.

Scanning electron microscopy studies of adult Setaria cervi male worms showed the presence of horn-like lateral appendages and characteristic striated bands on the ventral side of the tail. All other features were indistinguishable from other members of the genus Setaria.

Influence of some growth promoting substances on multiplication of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro.

A number of growth promoting substances used in plant tissue culture were investigated for their effect on cultures of malaria parasites. In all, seven such growth promoting substances were employed. Out of these, only three substances, namely indoleacetic acid, indolebutyric acid and gibberellic acid improved P.

Plasma orosomucoid metabolism and susceptibility to malarial infection in rodents.

The effects of Plasmodium berghei infection on liver function and plasma orosomucoid metabolism were investigated in Wistar rats. Infected rats with 20-25% parasitaemia manifested increased serum transaminase levels, hypoalbuminaemia and hypoproteinaemia. In spite of such indications of deranged liver function, the hepatic synthesis rate (as measured by 14C-amino acid incorporation) of seromucoids predominantly orosomucoid or alpha 1-acid glycoprotein) was increased by 73%.

Distribution and insecticide resistance of the plague flea Xenopsylla cheopis in Maharashtra State, India.

Distributions are reported for commensal rat fleas, predominantly Xenopsylla cheopis (Rothschild), in the State of Maharashtra, India, including the city of Bombay, during 1965-80. The X.cheopis flea index was high in most parts of Maharashtra, but low in Bombay.

Evaluation of Setaria cervi antigen in the diagnosis of human filariasis.

Bovine filariid worm (Setaria cervi) antigen was evaluated for the immunodiagnosis of human filariasis. Patients with manifestations of filarial infection; [1) microfilaremia cases, (2) chronic clinical cases, (3) tropical pulmonary eosinophilia (TPE) cases) were taken for the investigations along with (4) normal endemic and non-endemic human subjects. CIEP, IFAT and ELISA tests were employed for detection of serum antibodies.

Suncus murinus. Observations on ecology, distribution, status to plague in Bombay.

The common house shrew Suncus murinus has been shown to play an important role in maintenance and perpetuation of plague infection by earlier plague workers. With the control of human plague there is no knowledge about foci of plague in small mammals associated with man. Present study was carried out to fill in this Lacuna.

Micro test for assaying sensitivity of Plasmodium vivax in vitro.

A modified Rieckmann test was developed for assessing chloroquine sensitivity of Plasmodium vivax strains. This test envisages the evaluation of parasite growth with different concentrations of the drug and its comparison with controls, at the end of a 48-hour experimental period. Using this test, 16 strains were assessed for their chloroquine sensitivity.

Observations on commensal rats and their status to plague in Bombay.

The distribution pattern of various types of commensal rodents in Bombay city reveals that Bandicota bengalensis constitutes the predominant commensal rodent species followed by R. rattus and Rattus norvegicus. Apart from these three types, Bandicota indica, M.