Further characterization of refractoriness in Aedes aegypti (L.) to infection by Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy)

Abstract

Factors which control the expression of the refractory or susceptible condition to infection with Dirofilaria immitis in the mosquito, Aedes aegypti, were investigated using three protocols. (1) Microfilariae and prelarvae were injected into the hemocoel of susceptible A. aegypti. Some microfilariae and prelarvae developed to the L 1 larval stage but they failed to complete development to the infective stage. (2) Enema of microfilariae and prelarvae from infected susceptible and refractory donor females were given into the midgut of uninfected susceptible and refractory recipient females. The results indicate that the conditions which inhibit the initiation of development are present in the Malpighian tubules and not in the midgut of the refractory mosquitoes. (3) Transplants of infected Malpighian tubules from susceptible and refractory donor females were made into the abdominal hemocoel of uninfected susceptible and refractory recipient females. The results showed that the refractory condition depends on the genetic makeup of the donor, not the recipient, mosquito. The above results taken as a whole indicate that the factors which control refractoriness are not present in the midgut but are present in the Malpighian tubule cells of refractory A. aegypti.