An update on medical entomology

Abstract

Medical Entomologyedited by B.F. Eldridge and J.D. Edman,Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2000.$240 (hbk) (x+659 pages)ISBN 0 7923 63205In 1897, a great landmark in the history of medical entomology was set by Ross, who recorded that ‘dappled-winged’ mosquitoes served as definitive hosts of the causative agent of malaria. Since then, several textbooks concerned with progress in medical entomology have been published, the most famous of which includes the Handbook of Medical Entomology (edited by Riley and Johannsen, 1915) and Medical Entomology (edited by Matheson, 1932). During the past two decades, the invasion of exotic pests and pathogens has resulted in old and new health problems in many countries. Traditional approaches to arthropod control have become more limited, mainly because of the development of resistance to chemical pesticides by arthropod vectors. This has made it necessary to review and update all the information available on medical entomology and bring it to the public's attention, which is the aim of this book.Medical Entomology, edited by Bruce F. Eldridge and John D. Edman, with 22 contributing authors, details all aspects concerning public health and veterinary problems caused by arthropods. In 15 chapters, it offers valuable and well-structured introductory essays, as well as general information, on ‘Medical entomology’, ‘Morphology and systematics of arthropods’ and ‘Direct injury caused by various arthropods’, including interesting historical information and data on the current distribution of arthropod vectors. Also providing general information are the chapters on ‘Arthropod transmission of vertebrate parasites’ and the ‘Epidemiology of arthropod diseases’.Additional chapters offer detailed and specific information on arthropod-borne protozoan diseases, such as malaria, babesiosis, theileriosis, leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis, with filariasis being an example of an arthropod-borne metazoan disease. A carefully elaborated essay on ‘Bacterial and rickettsial diseases’ concentrates on Lyme disease, relapsing fever, plague and tularemia, and the arboviruses are excellently dealt with in a chapter of their own. Valuable information and new data have been carefully compiled with regard to the developing stages of some arthropod vectors and their natural habitats, with current geographical distribution maps of vectors and diseases and clear parasite life-cycle diagrams adding to the importance of this book.The final chapters update on studies of ‘Mechanical transmission of disease agents by arthropods’, on relevant methods for the ‘Surveillance for arthropod diseases’, on the ‘Management of arthropod-borne diseases by vector control’ and the ‘Prevention and control of arthropod-borne diseases’. The chapters on vector control emphasize the chemical and biological control methods against the respective vector groups and offer information on personal prevention and protection. However, the statement concerning the efficiency of vector-control methods (that larval control of phlebotomine sandflies is impractical) might cause controversy among European scientists – it was demonstrated recently in Europe that application of a larvicide onto a sandfly-breeding-area did lead to favorable results.Overall, this work is a valuable update of medical entomology; however, having been written mainly by American authors, the general focus, although somewhat unintentionally, is on this geographical area. However, the book also deals well with arthropod-borne diseases in humans that are becoming problems in Europe, for example, tularemia (currently in Spain), and borreliosis, babesiosis, leishmaniasis and ehrlichiosis (which can be found in humans and in animals). Also covered are diseases that only affect animals, for example theileriosis (in cattle, sheep and goats in Spain) and filariasis, caused by Dirofilaria immitis, which is becoming an increasing problem in dogs in southern Europe, with human cases also having been reported.Despite the highly informative nature of this book and the fact that it is excellent with regards to contents and wording, the numerous errors in the setting, printing and spelling, blurred photos, as well as insufficiently marked figures, are certainly a disappointment in a book of this price. As errors can be found throughout the entire book, the fault does not appear to lie with the editors, and it is hoped that more careful proofreading sessions will be applied to the next edition.