- Professor. Head of the Collaborative Unit for Entomological Bioassays (UCBE) and the Laboratory of Biological Control for Ae. aegyptiUniversidad Autónoma de Yucatánedit
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FIGURE 5. Male genitalia, ventral view. A. Olbiogaster halffteri sp. nov.; B, C. Olbiogaster nuxco sp. nov.; D, E. Olbiogaster puuc sp. nov. Genitalia: A, B, D; cercus: C, E. Scale bar: B, D, E= 0.1 mm; C= 0.16 mm.
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The markedly anthropophilic and endophilic behaviors of Aedes aegypti (L.) make it a very efficient vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. Although a large body of research has investigated the immature habitats and conditions... more
The markedly anthropophilic and endophilic behaviors of Aedes aegypti (L.) make it a very efficient vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. Although a large body of research has investigated the immature habitats and conditions for adult emergence, relatively few studies have focused on the indoor resting behavior and distribution of vectors within houses. We investigated the resting behavior of Ae. aegypti indoors in 979 houses of the city of Acapulco, Mexico, by performing exhaustive indoor mosquito collections to describe the rooms and height at which mosquitoes were found resting. In total, 1,403 adult and 747 female Ae. aegypti were collected, primarily indoors (98% adults and 99% females). Primary resting locations included bedrooms (44%), living rooms (25%), and bathrooms (20%), followed by kitchens (9%). Aedes aegypti significantly rested below 1.5 m of height (82% adults, 83% females, and 87% bloodfed females); the odds of finding adult Ae. aegypti mosquitoes below 1.5 m was 17 times higher than above 1.5 m. Our findings provide relevant information for the design of insecticide-based interventions selectively targeting the adult resting population, such as indoor residual spraying
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The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs and to analyze risk factors associated with infection at Celestun, a coastal locality in southeast Mexico. Blood samples were collected from 279... more
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs and to analyze risk factors associated with infection at Celestun, a coastal locality in southeast Mexico. Blood samples were collected from 279 asymptomatic individuals between August 2007 and March 2008 and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction technique. The association between D. immitis infection and sex, age group, and distance of residence from a wetland of dogs was statistically analyzed. Prevalence of D. immitis infection was of 59.8%. Age of individuals (>2 years) was a risk factor for infection with D. immitis (odds ratio 2.49, confidence interval 1.47-4.23, p=0.001). In conclusion, Celestun can be considered a focus of D. immitis infection with high levels of transmission among the local dog population, as confirmed by the high prevalence reported and the association of age (dogs >2 years) as a risk associated with infection.
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The Chelicerata are the second group of arthropods with the highest diversity after insects and they can inhabit almost all types of environments. The most current classification recognizes 11 orders and estimates in the number of species... more
The Chelicerata are the second group of arthropods with the highest diversity after insects and they can inhabit almost all types of environments. The most current classification recognizes 11 orders and estimates in the number of species vary from 52,000 to 100,000. We have made an extensive literature review on the diversity of arachnids in the Yucatan Peninsula (YP) (excluding spiders and ticks). In Mexico there are 834 known species which represent 6% of the worldwide diversity. In the YP 63 records were found (58 species and 5 genera) of arachnids, which represent 6.8% of the Mexican species. According to our research, 28 of the 58 species (48%) in the YP were also record in other parts of Mexico, the continent and the world. Undoubtedly, the state of Yucatan is the best represented of the YP. In order to have a better understanding of the diversity of arachnid species is important to promote biological compendiums and sampling programs, which will improve the representation of...
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Larval diet is one of the key factors in establishing a mass-rearing/production system for Wolbachia-based approaches that promotes high-quality and high-performance adult mosquitoes at a low/reasonable cost. To identify a suitable larval... more
Larval diet is one of the key factors in establishing a mass-rearing/production system for Wolbachia-based approaches that promotes high-quality and high-performance adult mosquitoes at a low/reasonable cost. To identify a suitable larval diet for Aedes aegypti infected with the Wolbachia line (wMID) and wild-type lab-established line (MID), four diets with different protein sources (ranging from 42 to 75%) were compared: fish food (TIL), bovine liver powder (COW), porcine powder meal (PIG), and a mix standard laboratory diet (MFOOD). The COW diet for wMID and MID (without affecting survival to the pupal stage) showed a shorter time to pupation, and the average time was 6 to 7 days, respectively. No significant differences were observed on pupation for wMID and MID, which ranged between 92 and 95% and 96–98%, respectively. A larger pupae size was observed among the TIL, COW, and MFOOD diets for wMID; no differences were recorded for MID. With the COW diet, wMID (7.90 ± 0.06) and MID...
Research Interests: Animal Science, Biology, Aedes aegypti, Biological Sciences, Biologia, and 3 moreWolbachia, Larva, and Pupa
We report results of susceptibility tests for Aedes taeniorhynchus from 2 localities of Yucatan State, Mexico, to different insecticides. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention bottle bioassays were performed using the active... more
We report results of susceptibility tests for Aedes taeniorhynchus from 2 localities of Yucatan State, Mexico, to different insecticides. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention bottle bioassays were performed using the active ingredients of 3 pyrethroids, 2 organophosphates, and 1 carbamate: permethrin (15 μg/ml), deltamethrin (10 μg/ml), alpha-cypermethrin (10 μg/ml), malathion (50 μg/ml), chlorpyrifos (85 μg/ml), and bendiocarb (12.5 μg/ml). The mortality recorded at the diagnostic time of exposure (30 min) was 100% with all insecticides evaluated and for both populations. These results suggest complete susceptibility to the 3 chemical groups generally used for urban Ae. aegypti mosquito control.
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El loxoscelismo es ocasionado cuando el veneno dermonecrótico producido por las arañas del género Loxosceles, conocidas como “arañas violinistas”, ingresa al organismo de una persona a través de su mordida. En México ocurre un subregistro... more
El loxoscelismo es ocasionado cuando el veneno dermonecrótico producido por las arañas del género Loxosceles, conocidas como “arañas violinistas”, ingresa al organismo de una persona a través de su mordida. En México ocurre un subregistro de los casos de loxoscelismo por la ausencia de pruebas de laboratorio para su diagnóstico y la dificultad del cuadro clínico. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir un caso de loxoscelismo cutáneo ocasionado por mordedura de Loxosceles yucatana en un residente de Yucatán, México. El loxoscelismo cutáneo es el tipo más frecuente y menos severo. El presente caso se diagnosticó por medio de la sintomatología registrada en la historia clínica, la lesión inicial y la identificación de arañas L. yucatana. Este trabajo representa la primera descripción de un caso de loxoscelismo cutáneo con resolución favorable en Yucatán.
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Insecticide-based approaches remain a key pillar for Aedes-borne virus (ABV, dengue, chikungunya, Zika) control, yet they are challenged by the limited effect of traditional outdoor insecticide campaigns responding to reported arboviral... more
Insecticide-based approaches remain a key pillar for Aedes-borne virus (ABV, dengue, chikungunya, Zika) control, yet they are challenged by the limited effect of traditional outdoor insecticide campaigns responding to reported arboviral cases and by the emergence of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes. A three-arm Phase II unblinded entomological cluster randomized trial was conducted in Merida, Yucatan State, Mexico, to quantify the entomological impact of targeted indoor residual spraying (TIRS, application of residual insecticides in Ae. aegypti indoor resting sites) applied preventively 2 months before the beginning of the arbovirus transmission season. Trial arms involved the use of two insecticides with unrelated modes of action (Actellic 300CS, pirimiphos-methyl, and SumiShield 50WG, clothianidin) and a control arm where TIRS was not applied. Entomological impact was quantified by Prokopack adult collections performed indoors during 10 min per house. Regardless of the insect...
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FIGURE 1. Habitus of males, lateral view. A. Psectrosciara ahuatla sp. nov. B. Psectrosciara otumba sp. nov. Scale = 0.5 mm.
Anopheles darlingi is considered the main vector of malaria in the Neotropical region, so knowledge of its distribution in the Americas is highly relevant for the design of strategies for prevention and control of the illness. In Mexico,... more
Anopheles darlingi is considered the main vector of malaria in the Neotropical region, so knowledge of its distribution in the Americas is highly relevant for the design of strategies for prevention and control of the illness. In Mexico, An. darlingi was recorded for the first time in 1943, and currently its distribution covers the states of Campeche, Chiapas, Quintana Roo, and Tabasco. In this study, new distribution data and observations of the abundance of An. darlingi in 14 localities of Quintana Roo, southeastern Mexico, are presented.
Research Interests: Zoology, Biology, Malaria, Ecology, Malaria and other Infectious Diseases, and 10 moreMedicine, Mexico, Anopheles, Mosquitoes and Mosquito-borne diseases, Yucatan Peninsula, Public health systems and services research, Mosquitoes Vectors, MEXICO, Malaria Vector Biology and Control, and Anopheles darlingi
Commercial aerosolized insecticides can be implemented as a community-based approach to targeted indoor residual spraying against Aedes aegypti, but their efficacy on pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes has not yet been evaluated. Two... more
Commercial aerosolized insecticides can be implemented as a community-based approach to targeted indoor residual spraying against Aedes aegypti, but their efficacy on pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes has not yet been evaluated. Two commercial aerosolized products (H24 Poder Fulminante Ultra Eficaz®, carbamate, and Baygon Ultra Verde®, pyrethroid) were sprayed on common indoor surfaces e.g., cement, plywood, and cloth, and tested for their residual efficacy on susceptible and field-derived pyrethroid-resistant Ae. aegypti strains using the WHO cone bioassays. Overall, ≥80% 24-h mortality was observed for both products for at least 4 wk regardless of the mosquito strain or surface type used. H24 Poder Fulminante Ultra Eficaz showed the highest residual potency, sustaining >80% mortality for 7-wk posttreatment regardless of mosquito strain and surface type. For Baygon Ultra Verde, the mean mortality of female Ae. aegypti remained >80% for a shorter period (4-6 wk). Nonpyrethroid c...
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Objetivo. Describir el patron estacional y la distribucion a nivel regional del virus A(H1N1) pdm09 en una region subtropical de Mexico. Materiales y Metodos. Los datos clinicos y epidemiologicos se analizaron de la base de datos de la... more
Objetivo. Describir el patron estacional y la distribucion a nivel regional del virus A(H1N1) pdm09 en una region subtropical de Mexico. Materiales y Metodos. Los datos clinicos y epidemiologicos se analizaron de la base de datos de la Secretaria de Salud. La deteccion del virus de influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 se realizaron de acuerdo al protocolo del Centro de Control y Prevencion de enfermedades de los Estados Unidos (CDC, por sus siglas en ingles). Resultados. El virus A(H1N1)pdm09 se detecto en el 53% de los casos sospechosos. El grupo de individuos entre 5-29 anos fue el mas afectado, con 76% de positividad. A nivel regional, la mayoria de los casos (83%) se presentaron en dos localidades, Merida la capital de estado, y Valladolid. En Yucatan, el virus A(H1N1)pdm09 fue predominante, sin embargo, el virus de influenza AH3 permanecio en circulacion. Conclusion. Se describe el analisis epidemiologico de la influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 en la region subtropical de Yucatan. Este estudio muestra ...
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Abstract. Descriptive evidence of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) spreading across the Yucatan Peninsula, southeastern Mexico, was provided from a survey of medically important mosquitoes and historical data from 2011 to 2019. The species was... more
Abstract. Descriptive evidence of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) spreading across the Yucatan Peninsula, southeastern Mexico, was provided from a survey of medically important mosquitoes and historical data from 2011 to 2019. The species was reported for the first time at Campeche and 15 new localities of Quintana Roo.
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ABSTRACTA survey was carried out to identify the mosquitoes inhabiting human premises in the rural locality of Maxcanú, Yucatán, Mexico. Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention backpack aspirators, simple random sampling was... more
ABSTRACTA survey was carried out to identify the mosquitoes inhabiting human premises in the rural locality of Maxcanú, Yucatán, Mexico. Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention backpack aspirators, simple random sampling was carried out inside of 101 homes during the November 2013 rainy season. A total of 1,492 specimens were collected. Three subfamilies (Anophelinae, Culicinae, and Toxorhynchitinae) and 5 species were identified: Anopheles albimanus, Aedes aegypti, Culex interrogator, Limatus durhamii, and Toxorhynchites theobaldi. The most abundant species was Cx. interrogator (74%) followed by Ae. aegypti (25%). The Chao 1 and Bootstrap species richness estimator indicated that it was possible to collect 90% of the expected species. This is the 1st time that the presence of An. albimanus, Cx. interrogator, Li. durhamii, and Tx. theobaldi has been recorded in Maxcanú.
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A survey was carried out in 51 households within a suburban area of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, for 5 consecutive days. Adult collections were performed using Prokopack aspirators (indoors) and human-landing mosquito catches (HLC) outdoors,... more
A survey was carried out in 51 households within a suburban area of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, for 5 consecutive days. Adult collections were performed using Prokopack aspirators (indoors) and human-landing mosquito catches (HLC) outdoors, and larval sites (artificial containers) were revised for larvae collection. A total of 259 Aedes albopictus were collected, 246 from artificial larval sites, 8 by indoor aspiration, and 5 by HLC. This is the first record of Ae. albopictus in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.
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Research Interests: Medical Microbiology, Biology, Survival Analysis, Medicine, Aedes aegypti, and 15 moreMexico, Insecticides, Insecticide Resistance, Dengue fever, Animals, Mosquito Control, MEXICO, Pyrethroid, Cross Sectional Studies, Biological Assay, Aedes, Bendiocarb, Insect Vectors, Deltamethrin, and Gene frequency
Research Interests: Biology, Aedes aegypti, Biological Sciences, Wa, Qu, and 8 moreDengue fever, Pyrethroid, Aedes, Qx, Knockdown resistance, WC, Deltamethrin, and Permethrin
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Service-learning is a hands-on educational approach where students apply the knowledge they acquire in the classroom, while serving in a community. This paper reports the results of applying this approach at the University of Yucatán.... more
Service-learning is a hands-on educational approach where students apply the knowledge they acquire in the classroom, while serving in a community. This paper reports the results of applying this approach at the University of Yucatán. During 2014, a “Social Project” was developed in the community of Yaxunah (“Green house”, in Mayan language), Yucatán. Students from several disciplines (engineering, architecture, medicine, biology, social service and agro-ecology) followed an ecosystem approach to improve the health and the environment of the community. The specific goal was to improve the backyards (here after referred as patios) of the houses in the community. In the Mayan culture, the patio is the family’s reunion center, since it has several purposes. In this space are located: the kitchen, bathroom, garden, pet area, and, in many instances, livestock. Faculty, students and community partners worked closely together over six months, finding the best ways to improve their patios ...
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Three new species of the genus Olbiogaster Osten Sacken—Olbiogaster halffteri sp. nov., Olbiogaster nuxco sp. nov. and Olbiogaster puuc sp. nov.—are described and illustrated from Mexico, based on adult males and females collected in the... more
Three new species of the genus Olbiogaster Osten Sacken—Olbiogaster halffteri sp. nov., Olbiogaster nuxco sp. nov. and Olbiogaster puuc sp. nov.—are described and illustrated from Mexico, based on adult males and females collected in the states of Guerrero, Puebla and Yucatan. Comments for the species known from Mexico and key are provided.
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The species diversity composition and phenological behaviour of four braconid subfamilies (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Agathidinae, Braconinae, Doryctinae and Macrocentrinae) were monitored in three vegetation communities (dune vegetation,... more
The species diversity composition and phenological behaviour of four braconid subfamilies (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Agathidinae, Braconinae, Doryctinae and Macrocentrinae) were monitored in three vegetation communities (dune vegetation, tropical deciduous forest and savannah) of the Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve (RLBR) in Yucatan, Mexico. Braconid wasps were collected with Malaise traps every 15 days over one year (June 2008 to June 2009). A total of 2,476 specimens were inventoried comprising 233 species and 63 genera. The composition of braconids and their lifestyles differed among the three vegetation communities studied. Doryctinae was the most diverse and abundant subfamily in RLBR (40 genera, 145 species, 990 specimens) and the tropical deciduous forest recorded the maximum abundance and diversity (H’= 4.1; alpha value= 1.059), with 61 exclusive species. Phenological sequence indicates an influence of the rainy season in braconid diversity, but its effects differed among brac...
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Figure 1 from: Cauich-Kumul R, Delfín-González H, Martín-Park A, Manrique-Saide P, López-Martínez V (2018) Beta diversity of four braconid subfamilies (Braconidae, Agathidinae, Braconinae, Doryctinae and Macrocentrinae) of the Ria Lagartos Biosphere reserve in Yucatan, Mexico, with some considera...more
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Dengue is the most prevalent emerging mosquito-borne viral disease, affecting more than 40% of the human population worldwide. Many symptomatic dengue virus (DENV) infections result in a relatively benign disease course known as dengue... more
Dengue is the most prevalent emerging mosquito-borne viral disease, affecting more than 40% of the human population worldwide. Many symptomatic dengue virus (DENV) infections result in a relatively benign disease course known as dengue fever (DF). However, a small proportion of patients develop severe clinical manifestations, englobed in two main categories known as dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Secondary infection with any of the four dengue virus serotypes (DENV1, -2, -3, and -4) is a risk factor to develop severe forms of dengue disease. DSS is primarily characterized by sudden and abrupt endothelial dysfunction, resulting in vascular leak and organ impairment, which may progress to hypovolemic shock and death. Severe DENV disease (DHF/DSS) is thought to follow a complex relationship between distinct immunopathogenic processes involving host and viral factors, such as the serotype cross-reactive antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE), the activatio...
Research Interests: Immunology, Biology, Virology, Dengue Virus, Virus, and 2 moreDengue fever and Cytokine storm(Dengue fever and Cytokine storm)
(Dengue fever and Cytokine storm)
Table S3. Haplotype frequencies for each block at each sampling timepoint. (DOCX 25 kb)
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Table S1. Block-level frequencies of C1534 during all four sampling timepoints. Dry season collections were a combination of in-house adult sampling and adults emerging from ovitraps; sample size from each is indicated. Wet season... more
Table S1. Block-level frequencies of C1534 during all four sampling timepoints. Dry season collections were a combination of in-house adult sampling and adults emerging from ovitraps; sample size from each is indicated. Wet season collections only consisted of in-house adult samples. Significant differences are marked with asterisks after correcting for multiple comparisons. (DOCX 21 kb)
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Data from CDC bottle bioassays at F10 using both permethrin and deltamethrin. Time is in minutes. KD = "knock-down.
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FIGURE 7. Male terminalia. Psectrosciara ahuatla sp. nov. A. Ventral view. B. Lateral view. C. Dorsal view. Abbreviations: ae = aedeagus; ce = cercus; ep = epandrium; goncx = gonocoxite; gonost = gonostyle; pm = paramere; st 10 = sternite... more
FIGURE 7. Male terminalia. Psectrosciara ahuatla sp. nov. A. Ventral view. B. Lateral view. C. Dorsal view. Abbreviations: ae = aedeagus; ce = cercus; ep = epandrium; goncx = gonocoxite; gonost = gonostyle; pm = paramere; st 10 = sternite 10; sv = seminal vesicle.
FIGURE 6. Male terminalia. Psectrosciara ahuatla sp. nov. A. Ventral view. B. Lateral view. Scale = 0.1 mm.
FIGURE 5. Male. Abdominal segments. A, C. Psectrosciara ahuatla sp. nov. B, D. Psectrosciara otumba sp. nov. A, B. Tergite 7, dorsal view. C, D. Sternite 7, ventral view. E. Abdominal segments, dorsal view. Scale = 0.1 mm. Abbreviations:... more
FIGURE 5. Male. Abdominal segments. A, C. Psectrosciara ahuatla sp. nov. B, D. Psectrosciara otumba sp. nov. A, B. Tergite 7, dorsal view. C, D. Sternite 7, ventral view. E. Abdominal segments, dorsal view. Scale = 0.1 mm. Abbreviations: tg 1 = tergite; tg 4 = tergite 4.
FIGURE 3. Male. Legs, lateral view. A–C. Psectrosciara ahuatla sp. nov. D–F. Psectrosciara otumba sp. nov. A, D. Fore leg. B, E. Mid leg. C, F. Hind leg. Scale = 0.1 mm.Abbreviations: cx = coxa; fe = femur; tb = tibia; tr = trochanter;... more
FIGURE 3. Male. Legs, lateral view. A–C. Psectrosciara ahuatla sp. nov. D–F. Psectrosciara otumba sp. nov. A, D. Fore leg. B, E. Mid leg. C, F. Hind leg. Scale = 0.1 mm.Abbreviations: cx = coxa; fe = femur; tb = tibia; tr = trochanter; tsm 1 = tarsomere 1.
FIGURE 9. Olbiogaster puuc sp. nov. Male holotype, Legs, lateral view. A. foreleg, B. midleg, C. hind leg. Abbreviations. cx= coxa; fe= femur; tb= tibia; tr= trochanter; tsm= tarsomere 1 to 5. Scale bar= 0.1 mm.
Research Interests: Taxonomy, Biodiversity, Arthropoda, Insecta, Diptera, and 2 moreAnimalia and Anisopodidae(Animalia and Anisopodidae)
(Animalia and Anisopodidae)
FIGURE 6. Male genitalia, ventral view. A–D. Olbiogaster halffteri sp. nov.; E–G. Olbiogaster nuxco sp. nov.; H–J. Olbiogaster puuc sp. nov. Aedeagal guide: A, B, E, H; gonostylus: C, F, I; sternite X: D, G, J. Scale bar: A, C, D= 0.1 mm;... more
FIGURE 6. Male genitalia, ventral view. A–D. Olbiogaster halffteri sp. nov.; E–G. Olbiogaster nuxco sp. nov.; H–J. Olbiogaster puuc sp. nov. Aedeagal guide: A, B, E, H; gonostylus: C, F, I; sternite X: D, G, J. Scale bar: A, C, D= 0.1 mm; E– J= 0.16 mm.
FIGURE 4. Olbiogaster nuxco sp. nov. Wings paratypes, dorsal view. A. male; B. female. Scale bar= 0.5 mm. Abbreviations. A= anal vein; dc= discal cell; C= costal vein; CuA= anterior branch of cubital veins; CuP= posterior branch of... more
FIGURE 4. Olbiogaster nuxco sp. nov. Wings paratypes, dorsal view. A. male; B. female. Scale bar= 0.5 mm. Abbreviations. A= anal vein; dc= discal cell; C= costal vein; CuA= anterior branch of cubital veins; CuP= posterior branch of cubital vein; h= humeral crossvein; M 1, M 2, M 3 and M 4 = branches of medial vein; m-cu= medial-cubital crossvein; m-m= medial crossvein; ptstg= pterostigma; R 1, R 2+3, R 5 = radial veins; r̅m= radial̅medial crossvein; Rs= radial sector; Sc= subcostal vein.
FIGURE 3. Olbiogaster nuxco sp. nov. Male paratype, A. dorsal view; B. lateral view; C. Legs, top: hind leg, middle: midleg, lower: foreleg, lateral view; D. Abdomen and wing, dorsal view. Scale bar= 1.0 mm.
Research Interests: Taxonomy, Biodiversity, Arthropoda, Insecta, Diptera, and 2 moreAnimalia and Anisopodidae(Animalia and Anisopodidae)
(Animalia and Anisopodidae)
Details on haplotype calculations
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Iron and copper chelation restricts Plasmodium growth in vitro and in mammalian hosts. The parasite alters metal homeostasis in red blood cells to its favor, for example metabolizing hemoglobin to hemozoin. Metal interactions with the... more
Iron and copper chelation restricts Plasmodium growth in vitro and in mammalian hosts. The parasite alters metal homeostasis in red blood cells to its favor, for example metabolizing hemoglobin to hemozoin. Metal interactions with the mosquito have not, however, been studied. Here, we describe the metallomes of Anopheles albimanus and Aedes aegypti throughout their life cycle and following a blood meal. Consistent with previous reports, we found evidence of maternal iron deposition in embryos of Ae. aegypti, but less so in An. albimanus. Sodium, potassium, iron, and copper are present at higher concentrations during larval developmental stages. Two An. albimanus phenotypes that differ in their susceptibility to Plasmodium berghei infection were studied. The susceptible white stripe (ws) phenotype was named after a dorsal white stripe apparent during larval stages 3, 4, and pupae. During larval stage 3, ws larvae accumulate more iron and copper than the resistant brown stripe (bs) ph...
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Insecticide resistance has evolved in disease vectors worldwide, creating the urgent need to either develop new control methods or restore insecticide susceptibility to regain use of existing tools. Here we show that phenotypic... more
Insecticide resistance has evolved in disease vectors worldwide, creating the urgent need to either develop new control methods or restore insecticide susceptibility to regain use of existing tools. Here we show that phenotypic susceptibility can be restored in a highly resistant field-derived strain of <i>Aedes aegypti</i> in only 10 generations through rearing them in the absence of insecticide.
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Research Interests: Zoology, Biology, Ecology, Medicine, Aedes albopictus, and 3 moreCulex, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Aedes
Background Current urban vector control strategies have failed to contain dengue epidemics and to prevent the global expansion of Aedes-borne viruses (ABVs: dengue, chikungunya, Zika). Part of the challenge in sustaining effective ABV... more
Background Current urban vector control strategies have failed to contain dengue epidemics and to prevent the global expansion of Aedes-borne viruses (ABVs: dengue, chikungunya, Zika). Part of the challenge in sustaining effective ABV control emerges from the paucity of evidence regarding the epidemiological impact of any Aedes control method. A strategy for which there is limited epidemiological evidence is targeted indoor residual spraying (TIRS). TIRS is a modification of classic malaria indoor residual spraying that accounts for Aedes aegypti resting behavior by applying residual insecticides on exposed lower sections of walls (< 1.5 m), under furniture, and on dark surfaces. Methods/design We are pursuing a two-arm, parallel, unblinded, cluster randomized controlled trial to quantify the overall efficacy of TIRS in reducing the burden of laboratory-confirmed ABV clinical disease (primary endpoint). The trial will be conducted in the city of Merida, Yucatan State, Mexico (pop...