Autoradiographic studies on mosquitoes and filarial parasites in mosquitoes
Simpson, M. G;
(1977)
Autoradiographic studies on mosquitoes and filarial parasites in mosquitoes.
PhD thesis, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17037/PUBS.00682399
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Aspects of the host parasite relationships
which exist
between larvae
of
the filarial nematode Brugia patei and two
mosquito
intermediate
hosts
are explored with the aid of an autoradiographic
technique
and
selected
histochemical staining methods.
In Aedes togoi normal development of the
worm occurs
following
a
blood
meal taken from a domestic cat
infected
with
microfilariae of
Brugia
patei.
Conversely Anopheles labranchiae atroparvus
is
refractory to
infection
with Brugia patei and it has been
established previously
that
in
the
latter
mosquito the parasite exhibits a number
of abnormalities
in its
pattern
of growth, and it rarely develops successfully to the
second
larval
stage.
The present study therefore concentrates
largely
on the
principal
histological events which
take
place
in
both the
parasite
and
its two
mosquito hosts during this early
critical
period of
development.
The results describe the incorporation of
[H3]-labelled
nucleosides,
amino acids and carbohydrates
in
normal
and abnormal
worms and
include
autoradiographic and histochemical features
of the
host
reaction
elicited by Brugia patei when parasitic
in
Anopheles labranchiae
atroparvus.
Autoradiographic observations are
also
recorded
for
both
host
mosquitoes.
Particular emphasis is given to the
alimentary
canal,
fat
body,
heart,
pericardial cells and female reproductive tract
during the
period
when
the mosquito is parasitised
by the
nematode.
Differences between
parasitised individuals and uninfected
controls
are noted.
These findings are discussed in
relation to
our
general
understanding
of
host parasite relationships
in insects
and
entomophilic
nematodes.