[Elizabeth_Zeibig]_Clinical_Parasitology__A_Practi(z-lib.org)

CHAPTER 13 The Arthropods
315
FIGURE 13-12 Adult mosquito.
TABLE 13-10
Parameter
Body
Head
Neck
Thorax
Abdomen
Antennae
Legs
Wings
Adult Mosquitoes: Typical
Features at a Glance
Description
Three segmented body consisting of
head, thorax and abdomen
Roundish in shape
Slender; connects head and thorax
Elongate
Elongate, comprised of ten segments
One pair: each is long, with three
segments
Three pairs, extending from thorax
region
Two pairs, one smaller than the other
pupa matures further and eventually an adult
mosquito emerges. Adult mosquitoes are ectoparasites
that feed on humans via blood meals.
Epidemiology and Geography
Mosquitoes are found worldwide and are considered
to be the most important group of pathogenic
microorganism transmitters. In addition to
carrying a number of parasites, mosquitoes are
also responsible for the transmission of a variety
of viruses. Areas of mosquito concentration
include those in or near fresh or brackish water.
The geographic distribution of the common
TABLE 13-11
Genera
disease-transmitting mosquitoes and specific
diseases involved are listed in Table 13-11.
Clinical Symptoms
Parasite-Transmitting
Geographic Distribution
and Associated Parasites
Geographic
Distribution
Associated
Parasites
Anopheles Worldwide Plasmodium vivax
Plasmodium
ovale
Plasmodium
malariae
Plasmodium
falciparum
Culex, Aedes,
Anopheles
Anopheles,
Mansonia,
Armigeres,
Aedes
Worldwide,
particularly
the tropics,
subtropics
Parts of Asia
and the
South Pacific
Wuchereria
bancrofti
Brugia malayi
The most notable symptom of a mosquito bite is
the emergence of an irritating dermatitis. Excessive
scratching may also result in a secondary
bacterial infection of the bite wound.