Biochemical, molecular and microscopic studies on mosquitoes with special emphasis on Wolbachia infections, diagnostic assessment of Dengue viruses and biological control of Dengue vectors

Abstract

Mosquitoes are threatening the human population as vectors of debilitating diseases such as malaria, dengue, yello and west nile fever as well as lymphatic filariasis. The knowledge on the biology of mosquitoes, pathogens and parasites transmitted by them is essential for a better control of both insects and diseases they are transmitting. This dissertation aims to increase the knowldege on the biology of vector mosquitoes as well as the pathogens. The research includes the following topics, namely: 1)protein electrophoretic studies on mosquitoes; 2) studies on ovaries of mosquitoes using light, trasmission and scanning electron microscopy; 3) molecular and electron microscopic identification of Wolbachia sp. in populations of the Culex Pipiens Complex from the Upper Rhine Valley, germany and Cebu City, Philippines; 4) assessment of dengue viruses by IgG-Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of serum samples from Filipino patients, Cebu City, Philippines; and 5) the efficacy of tablets based on Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (B.t.i.) against the larvae of dengue fever vector, Aedes aegypti.