Field surveillance of Cq. crassipes was conducted in an open housing estate near Kuala Lumpur using IMR traps baited with chicken and gerbils. Chicken bait attracted more Cq. crassipes. There was significant difference between chicken and gerbil as bait. The mosquitoes preferred to feed at canopy level. The parous rate was 20.41% and the infection rate for Cardiofilaria nilesi was 2.04%. None of the 120 chicken and 5 ducks, in a village close to the open housing estate, examined for microfilariae were positive. Ar. durhami and Ar. subalbatus did not support development of C. nilesi. However, Cq. crassipes is an extremely efficient vector of C. nilesi.
Filarial infections in 447 cats and 68 dogs from six endemic areas of human filariasis in Peninsular Malaysia were studied as part of the study on the zoonotic transmission of subperiodic Brugia malayi infection. 20.6% of cats and 57.4% of dogs had filarial infections. Cats were infected with subperiodic B. malayi, B. pahangi, Dirofilaria repens and D. immitis. Dogs were infected with B. pahangi and D. immitis. 6.9% of the cats had subperiodic B. malayi infection. The zoonotic implications of these infections and their impact on the filariasis control programme in Peninsular Malaysia were discussed.
Human dirofilariasis due to Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens is a common zoonotic infection in Sri Lanka. Todate 70 cases are on record, and they include 3 expatriates from Russia, England and Korea, who were undoubtedly infected in Sri Lanka. Around 30-60% of dogs are infected with D. repens in various parts of the country and the mosquito vectors are Aedes aegypti, Armigeres subalbatus, Mansonia uniformis and M. annulifera. Unlike in other countries of the old world infection is most common in children under the age of 9 years, the youngest being 4 months old and the scrotum, penis and perianal regions of male children appear to be frequent sites for the worms. Dirofilaria (Dirofilaria) immitis is not present in Sri Lanka though it is present in neighbouring countries like India, and Malaysia.