Transmission of Microsporidian Parasites of Mosquitoes.
Abstract
Life cycles of five species of microsporidian parasites of mosquitoes were studied. One of these has been described as a new species, Microsporidum fimbriatum. Extensive studies were conducted on the life cycle and host-parasite relationship of Amblyospora sp. in Culex salinarius. It was demonstrated that sporulation may be induced in the absence of a host blood meal by application of the hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone which is known to be secreted naturally by the ovaries after a blood meal. The first enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for a microsporidian was developed. The assay detects as little as 2 ng of spore homogenate protein and as few as 2000 intact spores. Several timesaving and reagent-conserving modifications of traditional ELISA protocols are employed. Individuals of 103 taxa of aquatic animals were surveyed as possible intermediate hosts for Amblyospora. No successful transmissions were achieved with any of these animals. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA129709
Entities
People
- Donald W. Hall
- Edwin I. Hazard
Organizations
- University of Florida