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[Use of entomologic findings in forensic medicine and criminology].

The submitted paper reacts to the unsatisfactory state as regards the literary treatment, and in particular the practical application of entomology in forensic medicine and criminology. The authors draw attention to the relatively wide perspectives of the application of entomological findings in the mentioned disciplines and define more accurately some terminological and oecological problems. The core of the work is a review of important species of necrophilous insects focused on Coleoptera. This part is introduced by an outline of oecological groups of necrophilous insects, whereby emphasis is given to their claims on habitat and food and their biotopical claims. The account of species is based on the chronological sequence as the insect invade the corpse in different stages of its destruction. Attention is paid also to abiotic (in particular climatic) factors which influence the rate of destruction. As to more extensive possible applications of entomology in the above disciplines, at least the following should be mentioned: 1. Application on the basis of the trophic relationship of insects and he corpses (time of death, possibly post-mortem transport based on investigation of the entomofauna of the corpse). 2. Information on restricted hygienic habits of the dead (the presence of ectoparasitic insects). 3. Passive intoxications, possibly active intoxications by poisonous insects. 4. Insects incidentally found on clothes, motor vehicles etc. during examination. In the conclusion the authors emphasize methodical problems of collection and processing of material and outline the prerequisites for extending and improving the application of entomological findings and methods in the mentioned disciplines.

Animals↗

The history of forensic entomology in German-speaking countries.

Megnin's book "La fauna des cadaveres" published in 1894 in France is generally accepted as a mile-stone in forensic entomology. It is hardly known that at the same time this topic was likewise explored in the German-speaking countries. Even PMI estimation based on developmental data of blowflies was performed. After a more descriptive period in the first half of the 20th century the complexity and variability of insects' biological behavior were detected and formally investigated. Improved technical facilities, enhanced comprehension of scientific studies and multidisciplinary cooperation, enabled rapid progress in forensic entomology during the last decades. With the European Association for Forensic Entomology founded in 2002 the frame work for a high standard of competency at an international level was constituted.

Entomology↗

Neglect of the elderly: forensic entomology cases and considerations.

Wounds of living persons are a potential target for the same flies that live, or feed early on corpses. This can lead to complications in estimation of PMI but also allows to determine additional information that might be valuable in a trial, or during the investigations [e.g., M. Benecke, R. Lessig, Child neglect and forensic entomology, Forensic Sci. Int. 120 (2001) 155-159]. With forensic entomology, and forensic entomologists being more and more present, even lower profile cases like the neglect of elderly people (without violence being used against them; i.e., natural death) comes to our attention. Furthermore, much more people grow older than in the past years which leads to increased awareness of malpractice of caregivers in the professional, and personal environment [DPA (German Press Agency), Studie an 17000 Leichen: Jeder Siebte vor Tod falsch gepflegt (Every seventh elderly person not cared for sufficiently), German Press Agency dpa # 051402, Jan 3, Jan 5, 2003] . We briefly sketch three cases in which forensic entomology helped to better understand the circumstances of death, and the type and intensity of neglect before death.

Aged↗

Forensic entomology in Germany.

Forensic entomology (FE) is increasingly gaining international recognition. In Germany, however, the development of FE has been stagnating, mainly because of the lack of cooperation between police, forensic medicine and entomology. In 1997 a co-operative research project 'Forensic Entomology' was started in Frankfurt/Main at the Center of Legal Medicine and the Research Institute Senckenberg. The aim of this project is to establish FE in Germany as a firmly integrated component of the securing of evidence from human cadavers in cases of suspected homicide. For this purpose we developed a forensic insect collecting kit, and policemen are educated for greater acceptance and better application of FE. The scientific programme focuses on the investigation of the insect succession on cadavers in urban and rural habitats. This also includes new indicator groups (e.g. parasitic wasps) for a more precise calculation of the late post mortem interval. Recently a DNA-based reliable and fast identification method especially for the immature stages of necrophagous insects became part of the project. Preliminary results are reported and two case studies presented.

Animals↗

Issues in public health entomology.

Public health entomology focuses on the population biology of vector-borne infections, seeking to understand how such pathogens perpetuate over time and attempting to devise methods for reducing the burden that they impose on human health. As public health entomology passes its centennial, a series of pervasive research themes and spirited debates characterize the discipline, many reflecting a tension between field and laboratory research. In particular, institutional support for population-based research and training programs has fallen behind that for those using modern lab-based approaches. Discussion of modes of intervention against vector-borne infections (such as deployment of genetically modified vectors, the role of DDT in malaria control, host-targeted acaricides for Lyme disease risk reduction, and truck-mounted aerosol spraying against West Nile virus transmission) illustrates the discipline's need for strengthening population-based research programs. Even with the advent of molecular methods for describing population structure, the basis for anophelism without malaria (or its eastern North American counterpart, ixodism without borreliosis) remains elusive. Such methods have not yet been extensively used to examine the phylogeography and geographical origins of zoonoses such as Lyme disease. Basic ecological questions remain poorly explored: What regulates vector populations? How may mixtures of pathogens be maintained by a single vector? What factors might limit the invasion of Asian mosquitoes into North American sites? Putative effects of "global warming" remain speculative given our relative inability to answer such questions. Finally, policy and administrative issues such as the "no-nits" dictum in American schools, the Roll Back Malaria program, and legal liability for risk due to vector-borne infections serve to demonstrate further the nature of the crossroads that the discipline of public health entomology faces at the start of the 21st Century.

Animals↗

[Current problems in medical entomology].

The major problems facing medical entomology as a science and practical health care facilities in the Russian Federations allows to outline the tasks to be solved in order of their priority and significance. These include the study and monitoring of tick-borne infections, resurrecting malaria, gnat-induced diseases, acariases, allergosis and pediculosis. It is emphasized that medical entomology as a science cannot develop since the man-made changes of the environment and the predicted global warming of the Earth climate are not taken into account. The present status of medical entomological service is considered to be poor. Governmental support is required.

Animals↗

Critical appraisal of entomological data of Madhya Pradesh for 1991 and its relevance to the National Malaria Eradication Programme.

Entomological data generated in five entomological zones, of Madhya Pradesh State during 1991 including, Bhopal, Bilaspur, Gwalior, Indore and Raipur were analyzed. The entomological parameters that were studied included per man hour (pmh) density, abdominal physiology and parity status. The inferences were related to i) resting behaviour (exophily/endophily) ii) duration of indoor resting period of mosquitoes iii) man-vector contact iv) efficacy of residual insecticide and v) vulnerability of the area to focal malaria outbreaks. The data chiefly pertains to the putative malaria vector Anopheles culicifacies in all the five zones under study. The studies have brought out that A. culicifacies, traditionally endophilic and endophagic, has demonstrated radical departure in its resting and feeding behaviour. In Gwalior zone the species shows high preference for exophily. In Bhopal and Indore zones there is differential resting behaviour with respect to season. The species shows, for most part of the year exophily but is also endophilic during post monsoon period. In Bilaspur zone the species shows marked exophily and endophagy. Irrigation practices seem to have affected the mosquito population density patterns in these regions as brought out in Indore and Bilaspur zone, where high density pattern is observed between November and February. These findings have obvious implications in selecting the appropriate intervention methods and the period of spray in areas where residual spray is the method of choice for interruption of transmission.

Animals↗

[The concept of medical entomology: the determination of the effect of arthropods on human health].

A new concept of medical entomology is proposed, according to which this discipline should comprehensively study the effects of arthropods on human health and possible control of these effects. Thus, the tasks of medical entomology are markedly widened to embrace cognitively and practically important problems, which have been neglected. This approach does not negate the accepted understanding of medical entomology but includes it as an essential component.

Animals↗

Malaria transmission in Southern Madagascar: influence of the environment and hydro-agricultural works in sub-arid and humid regions. Part 1. Entomological investigations.

A 4-year entomological study was carried out in Southern Madagascar to identify malaria vectors, evaluate the transmission and compare the influence of irrigation in the sub-arid and adjacent humid regions. Three villages were involved in this entomological survey: Androvasoa (located in the natural sub-arid ecosystem), Pépiniére (sited at the centre of an irrigated rice scheme in the sub-arid region) and Esana (bordered with rice fields in the humid region). Mosquitoes were collected inside and outside dwellings when landing on human beings, with light traps and with knockdown indoor sprays. Anopheles arabiensis, Anopheles merus and Anopheles funestus were found in every village while Anopheles gambiae s.s. was only found in the village bordering the rice-fields (Pépiniére) and Anopheles mascarensis, a mosquito native to Madagascar, was only found in the humid region (Esana). In Pépiniére, the annual entomological inoculation rate (EIR) was low (EIR=0.4 infective bites/man/year (IBM)). In the irrigated scheme of the sub-arid region, malaria transmission was 150 times higher (mean EIR=63 IBM) than in the natural ecosystem and A. funestus was the main vector, responsible for 90% of infective bites. In Esana, the level of malaria transmission was high (EIR=41 IBM) and 2/3 of the infective bites were due to A. mascarensis, despite the presence of A. gambiae s.s. and A. funestus. These results are discussed with reference to the impact of irrigation on malaria in Africa ("the paddies paradox").

Animals↗

Relationship between entomological inoculation rate, Plasmodium falciparum prevalence rate, and incidence of malaria attack in rural Gabon.

To assess the relationships between variations of Plasmodium falciparum transmission and those of peripheral parasitaemia prevalence or malaria attack incidence rates in regions with limited fluctuations of transmission, we conducted a follow-up in two Gabonese populations. Entomological surveys were carried out from May 1995 to April 1996 in Dienga, and from May 1998 to April 1999 in Benguia. In Dienga, malaria transmission was seasonal, being not detected during two 3-month periods. Mean entomological inoculation rate (EIR) was 0.28 infective bite/person/night. In Benguia, malaria transmission was perennial with seasonal fluctuations, mean EIR being 0.76 infective bite/person/night. In Dienga, 301 schoolchildren were followed from October 1995 to March 1996. Clinical malaria attack was defined as fever associated with >5000 parasites/microl of blood. P. falciparum prevalence varied from 28 to 42%, and monthly malaria attack incidence from 30 to 169 per thousand. In Benguia, the entire population (122 persons) was followed from November 1998 to April 1999. Prevalence varied from 22 to 50%, and monthly malaria attack incidence from 52 to 179 per thousand. In each area, entomological variations were not related to parasite prevalence, but preceded malaria attack incidence with 1- or 2-month time lag, corresponding to the pre-patency period that differs in the two populations, possibly according to differences in immunity related to parasite transmission.

Adolescent↗

Predicting key malaria transmission factors, biting and entomological inoculation rates, using modelled soil moisture in Kenya.

While malaria transmission varies seasonally, large inter-annual heterogeneity of malaria incidence occurs. Variability in entomological parameters, biting rates and entomological inoculation rates (EIR) have been strongly associated with attack rates in children. The goal of this study was to assess the weather's impact on weekly biting and EIR in the endemic area of Kisian, Kenya. Entomological data collected by the U.S. Army from March 1986 through June 1988 at Kisian, Kenya was analysed with concurrent weather data from nearby Kisumu airport. A soil moisture model of surface-water availability was used to combine multiple weather parameters with landcover and soil features to improve disease prediction. Modelling soil moisture substantially improved prediction of biting rates compared to rainfall; soil moisture lagged two weeks explained up to 45% of An. gambiae biting variability, compared to 8% for raw precipitation. For An. funestus, soil moisture explained 32% variability, peaking after a 4-week lag. The interspecies difference in response to soil moisture was significant (P < 0.00001). A satellite normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI) of the study site yielded a similar correlation (r = 0.42 An. gambiae). Modelled soil moisture accounted for up to 56% variability of An. gambiae EIR, peaking at a lag of six weeks. The relationship between temperature and An. gambiae biting rates was less robust; maximum temperature r2 = -0.20, and minimum temperature r2 = 0.12 after lagging one week. Benefits of hydrological modelling are compared to raw weather parameters and to satellite NDVI. These findings can improve both current malaria risk assessments and those based on El Niño forecasts or global climate change model projections.

Animals↗

Entomological characteristics of malaria transmission in Manhiça, a rural area in southern Mozambique.

From October 1997 to September 1998, an entomological survey was carried out in Manhiça, Mozambique, to describe the anopheline population and intensity of malaria transmission. Ten different huts were randomly selected for entomological surveillance throughout the year. CDC light trap collections were conducted during three nights each month. Additional knockdown spraying catches were carried out in the morning, after the last catch. A total of 17,245 Culicinae and 1,251 Anophelinae were collected during the study. There was substantial house to house variation and seasonality in the distribution of Anophelinae population, with a peak in April towards the end of the warm and rainy season. Four species of genus Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) were described: Anopheles funestus Giles, Anopheles tenebrosus Dönitz, Anopheles arabiensis Patton, and Anopheles merus Dönitz. An. funestus constitutes 72.3% of the anopheline population. The estimated sporozoite rate was 1.2% and the average entomological inoculation rate for the area was 15 infective bites per person per year.

Animals↗

[Entomological surveillance for Chagas disease in the mid-western region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil, from 2000 to 2003].

In Minas Gerais State, Brazil, after the elimination of Triatoma infestans by the Brazilian Chagas Disease Control Program, some triatomine species, such as Panstrongylus megistus, have merited the attention of entomological surveillance authorities. After the decentralization of the Brazilian health system, certain administrative and operational difficulties have been observed in some municipalities (counties). This study aims to evaluate entomological surveillance for Chagas disease in the 54 municipalities supervised by the Division of Decentralized Health Activities in Divinopolis, Minas Gerais, from 2000 to 2003. In 46 municipalities, 1,531 triatomines were captured, of which 94.1% were P. megistus. The infection rate for T. cruzi in the vectors was 1.3%. A total of 850 reports were received and 835 site visits were conducted, showing that the program is active and efficient in the majority of the municipalities analyzed. The importance of the maintenance and improvement of entomological surveillance in the region was demonstrated, since triatomine bugs continue to invade (and can colonize) the domiciliary environment, although with low density.

Animals↗

Entomological evaluation of malaria vectors at different altitudes in Hai district, northeastern Tanzania.

Entomological monitoring in four villages situated along an altitude transect in the Hai District of Northeastern Tanzania identified Anopheles arabiensis Patton as the principal vector of malaria and detected seasonal changes in vector behavior. Over a 13-mo sampling period, 10,557 mosquitoes were collected with CDC light traps, pyrethrum spray catches, and pit traps of which 5,969 (56.5%) wereAn. arabiensis, 762 (7.2%) wereAnopheles funestus Giles s.l., 3,578 (33.9%) were culicines, and 248 (2.3%) were nonvector anophelines. Vector densities declined rapidly with increasing altitude, demonstrating a 50% decrease in annual human biting rate for every 86-m rise in altitude. Light traps were found to be more efficient than spray catches for the collection of An. arabiensis. This observation was attributed to increased exophily of this species, most notably in the wet season, and is supported by seasonal changes in the human blood index and fed/gravid ratio. These results indicate that spray catches may underestimate the abundance of exophilic vectors such as An. arabiensis and that entomological monitoring may require more than one collection method, especially at low vector densities. The annual entomological inoculation rate (EIR) decreased sharply with increasing altitude, with large variation around the estimate at low vector densities. Increased transmission because of unpredictable short rains at low altitudes and spatial clustering of infective mosquitoes may contribute to elevated EIR estimates.

Altitude↗

[Efficacy of permethrin-impregnated Olyset Net mosquito nets in a zone with pyrethroid resistant vectors. I--Entomologic evaluation].

The efficacy of permethrin-treated Olyset Net mosquito nets on malaria transmission and morbidity was studied in Kafine, a village located in the savanna region of the Cote d'Ivoire in Africa. After collecting sociodemographic, entomological, and parasitological data, bednets were distributed first in the southern half of the village and then in the whole village. Throughout the study period, mosquito specimens were captured on the skin of inhabitants at four points in the village between 6 PM and 6 AM both inside (but outside bednets) and outside houses. Prior to distribution of bednets, the mean biting rate (MBR) by Anopheles gambiae was 77.4 bites per man per night (b/m/n). The mean parturity rate (MPR) was 40.6 p. 100, the sporozootic index (SI) was 0.99 p. 100, and the mean entomological inoculation rate (MEIR) was 0.7 infectious bites per man per night (b+/m/n). Six months after distribution of bednets in the southern half of the village, MBR was 80.2 b/m/n, MPR was 32 p. 100, SI was 1.8 p. 100, and MEIR was 0.83 b+/m/n. After extending distribution to the whole village, data from November 1996 to July 1997 were as follows: MBR, 67.8 b/m/n; MPR, 20.1 p. 100; SI, 0.65 p. 100; and MEIR, 0.66 p. 100. From August 1977 to July 1998, data were as follows: MBR, 102.6 b/m/n; MPR, 26.2 p. 100; SI, 1.15 p. 100; and MEIR, 0.74 b+/m/n. Comparative analysis of these data showed that use of bednets had no effect on the bite or entomological inoculation rate. This is in agreement with the documented resistance of vectors in the study zone to permethrin. Despite the known stimulation/repulsion effect of permethrin, use of treated bednets had no real impact on transmission. This inefficacy could be related to the high prevalence (80 p. 100) of the Kdr gene (responsible for resistance) in the savanna form of Anopheles gambiae.

Adolescent↗

Reports of parasitic diseases and entomological cases in the Department of Medical Zoology, Jichi Medical School: accumulated cases from five years.

We summarized the consultation cases of parasitic diseases and entomological cases presented at the Department of Medical Zoology, Jichi Medical School. Among 173 consultations from January 1996 to December 2000, 64 cases were parasitologically or entomologically positive. We primarily diagnosed the cases morphologically and intermittently used sero-diagnosis methods. Ascariasis and diphyllobothriasis due to foods comprised the major consultation cases. Cases of malaria, second in frequency, were all imported from tropical countries. Some rare but important cases, including entomological cases, are discussed.

Animals↗

[Practice of forensic entomology--usability of insect fragments in the estimation of the time of death].

Forensic entomology analyzes and evaluates the presence of necrophagous or necrophilic insects on human corpses to estimate the post-mortem interval. The three cases presented are good examples illustrating that not only the various stages of development of the necrophagous insects from egg via larva to pupa are useful for forensic assessment. Depending on the situation in the individual case, even inconspicuous remains of past insect activity such as empty pupal cases or larval skins may supply important entomological information. For this purpose it is indispensable to preserve such evidence, which may appear only as fragments or pieces at first sight, for proper entomological assessment.

Adult↗

[Transmission of urban malaria in Buenaventrua, Colombia: entomological features].

During the past several years, there has been an increase in the cases of urban malaria in Buenaventura, Colombia, from 576 in 1987 to 3296 in 1991 and 2017 in 1992; therefore, an epidemiological study to identify transmission patterns was carried out in this municipality on Colombia's Pacific coast. This paper describes the entomological findings regarding vectors, potential breeding sites and behavior of Anopheles species during the period from June 1993 to May 1994. Of the 469 potential breeding sites identified in the urban area, 28 were positive for anophelines, while in the neighboring rural zone, 20 out of 80 potential breeding sites were positive for the immature forms of Anopheles. Mining excavations, lakes and breeding ponds for fish or shrimp were the places where A. albimanus was more frequently found. For A. nuñeztovari, the breeding sites were rain puddles and ponds for breeding fish or shrimp. A. neivai was also identified in the urban area and larvae were collected from bromeliaceous plants. Both inside and outside the households mosquito collections were carried out, and 90% of the collected mosquitoes were identified as A. albimanus. Of the female A. albimanus 54.8% were parous. This species was found to have peak peridomiciliary activity between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. The highest biting rate in the peridomiciliary area was 7.1 and was observed during March. It is expected that this entomological information will permit the launching of a strong community participation process and the implementation of control measures in accordance with the entomological findings related to malaria in the urban area of Buenaventura.

Animals↗