Identification of the onchocerciasis vector in the Kakoi-Koda focus of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Conclusions/SignificanceSimulium dentulosum currently appears to be the main vector of human onchocerciasis within the Kakoi-Koda focus, andS.vorax may be a secondary vector. It remains possible thatS.neavei was the main (or only) vector in the past having now become rare as a result of the removal of tree-cover and land-use changes.Simulium vorax has previously been shown to support the development ofO.volvulus in the laboratory, but this is the first time thatS.dentulosum has been implicated as a probable vector of onchocerciasis, and this raises the possibility that other blackfly species which are not generally considered to be anthropophilic vectors might become vectors under suitable conditions. BecauseS.dentulosum is not a vector in endemic areas surrounding the Kakoi-Koda focus, it is probable that the Kakoi-Koda focus is significantly isolated.
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Source Type: research