Abstract

LACASA NAVARRO, J. et al. Entomological surveillance program in area of operations: approach to the study of anopheline (Diptera: Culicidae) and entomological risk at the bases of Herat and Qala i Naw. Sanid. Mil. [online]. 2012, vol.68, n.4, pp.205-210. ISSN 1887-8571.

Introduction: Any information obtained to contribute to the assessment of the risk of malaria outbreaks in the force deployed in area of operations is of greatest interest to preventive medicine services. Following a pilot study of entomological surveillance, carried out at the base of Herat (Afghanistan) in 2008, further protocolised research was recently performed also in Qala i Naw base. Material and methods: Between June and September 2010 an entomological survey took place at the bases of Herat and Qala i Naw (Afghanistan), using for the purpose CDC traps with white and ultraviolet light, as well as a Sentinel trap type with specific chemical attractant BG-Lure^®. The females of Anopheles were analysed with the real-time polymerasa chain reaction (PCR) in order to look for the possible infection with Plasmodium spp. Results: Mosquitoes belonging to various genera were captured. All anopheline females were analysed by real-time PCR and all of them were negative to Plasmodium spp. Discussion: Among the captured specimens, Anopheles hyrcanus is a potential vector of malaria in the area. Due to its presence in the base of Herat, we should assess the possible presence of reservoirs of Plasmodium spp. in inhabited areas close to the base, as well as the influence of external factors, such as prevailing winds in this region that could drive infected mosquitoes toward the base from those areas. With the obtained results we could establish a simple protocol to assess the risk of malaria, detecting potential vectors (medium risk) and real vectors (high risk).

Keywords : Entomological surveillance; Area of operations; Afghanistan; Culicidae; Anopheles; Plasmodium; PCR.

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