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Biomedical subjects

S Kamhawi

Publications and source records attributed to S Kamhawi.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Intraspecific variation in the cuticular hydrocarbons of the sandfly Phlebotomus perfiliewi from Italy.

The cuticular hydrocarbons of Phlebotomus perfiliewi Parrot from representative localities on both sides of Italy show contrasts which support the view of Ward et al., (1981) that there are distinguishable populations of this sandfly on the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian coasts. It is suggested that the Appennine mountains form a barrier between the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian populations. A third distinct hydrocarbon type of P. perfiliewi was detected in Calabria, southern Italy, where contact between the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian types of flies is most likely to occur. P. perfiliewi from a trans-Appennine pass were also of the Calabrian hydrocarbon type. These hydrocarbon contrasts between allopatric populations of P. perfiliewi may result from clinical variation across the Appennines, associated with different host preferences, or they may represent apomictic populations with differential mate recognition systems.

Animals↗

The distribution of phlebotomine sandflies in the principal ecological zones of Jordan.

A survey of the sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) of Jordan increased the number of species known from the country from three to thirteen. Composition of the phlebotomine fauna and the relative abundance of sandfly species differ among the six climatic zones, with a general distinction between the dry desert zones and the more humid Mediterranean zones. Species of Phlebotomus predominate in the former and Sergentomyia in the latter. Within the desert zone some species are restricted to the eastern desert and others to the Jordan Valley in the west.

Animals↗

Two populations of Phlebotomus ariasi in the Cévennes focus of leishmaniasis in the south of France revealed by analysis of cuticular hydrocarbons.

Two distinct populations of Phlebotomus ariasi Tonnoir have been identified in the Cévennes focus of leishmaniasis in the south of France using gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) of cuticular hydrocarbons extracted from individual dried female flies. Results were obtained after analysis of flies collected from CDC light traps from a domestic and a sylvatic site separated by a distance of 900 m. Flies were provided for GLC analysis as six blind samples. Using cluster and discriminant analysis techniques, five of the samples were shown to form two distinct groups, while a sixth was identified as a mixture. These findings were subsequently confirmed to correspond exactly with the way the samples had been presented. Samples grouped together on the basis of the flies' cuticular hydrocarbon profiles had been taken from the same site, while the ungrouped sample had been deliberately mixed. Using a jack-knifed estimator, it is shown that specimens can be correctly allocated to the population to which they belong with a 92% success rate. These results confirm the value of the technique for the identification of populations of medical vectors. The implication of the findings for the epidemiology of leishmaniasis is discussed with special reference to the need to determine if both populations are vectors and to study differences in behaviour. In addition to adults, profiles of larval sandflies have been obtained for the first time.

Animals↗

A new focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania tropica in northern Jordan.

An endemic focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania tropica was identified in the district of Bani Kinana, northern Jordan. Fifty-five autochthonous cases were detected from February to September 1994 in a population of about 50,000. Most cases (74.5%) were from the villages of Malka and Um-Quais. The lesions were typically small, dry and mostly located on the face and extremities. Multiple lesions were common. Incidence was higher in females than in males and familial clustering of cases was observed in houses on the outskirts of villages. A leishmanin survey showed a 23.3% positivity rate in the populations of Malka and Um-Quais. The rate of positivity was low in the younger age groups and increased with age. There was some evidence that the disease is a zoonosis in this focus.

Adolescent↗

Environmental manipulation in the control of a zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis focus.

An investigation is currently underway to assess the efficiency and practicality of combined burrow destruction and removal of chenopods in the control of a zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) focus. Karameh and Sweimeh, situated in the southern Jordan Valley, are stable endemic foci for ZCL. Control measures have been initiated in Karameh and will be maintained for two years. Sweimeh will be used as control. Karameh combines a desert habitat with a high water table created by extensive irrigation. This resulted in an unnatural abundance of chenopods and active rodent colonies throughout the year. Some 50 Psammomys obesus and 6 Meriones tristrami were captured from various colonies. At present, chenopods are being uprooted and burrows destroyed to a depth of 0.5 to 1 meter within a perimeter of 2 Km from Karameh. However, man-made changes of the topography has made the application of control measures more difficult. The effect of control will be assessed through comparison of leishmanin skin tests (LST) positivity in children below the age of six years, from both foci, prior to and post control. Precontrol LST have shown a positivity rate of 33.3% in Karameh and 80.2% in Sweimeh.

Animals↗