Entomological Techniques in Epidemiological Evaluation

Objectives

After this unit, students should be able to:
1. Define the objectives of a culicideological survey, respective field work directed to mosquito collection;
2. Select mosquito capture methods (adult and immature forms);
3. Choose preservation methods for the transport of specimens to the laboratory;
4. Plan and prepare materials for field work;
5. Carry out a field work, and the selected mosquito collection methods;
6. Process the captured specimens for their identification;
7. Identify morphologically mosquito specimens;
8.P rocess the specimens in agreement with the various objectives of the survey;
9. Organize, process and analyse the results obtained;
10. Discuss critically the results obtained, methods used, and propose adaptations if due.

General characterization

Code

1290026

Credits

2

Responsible teacher

Paulo Almeida

Hours

Weekly - Se a UC for oferecida como opcional, o horário será disponibilizado no 2º semestre

Total - 30,5

Teaching language

Portuguese

Prerequisites

Not applicable

Bibliography

• Wernsdorfer W.H. and McGregor, (1988). Malaria, principles and practice of Malariology. Churchill Livingstone Inc., New York, USA.
• Reiter, P. and Gubler, D. J. (1997). Surveillance and control of urban dengue vectors. Dengue and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (Gubler, D.J. and Kuno, G. eds., pp. 425462). CAB International, Wallingford, UK.
• Ribeiro, H. and Ramos, H.C. (1999). Identification keys of the mosquitoes (Diptera:Culicidae) of Continental Portugal, Açores and Madeira. European Mosquito Bulletin 3: 111.
• Service, M.W. (1993). Mosquitoes (Culicidae) in Medical Insects and Arachnids. (Lane, R.P. and Crosskey, R.W. eds., pp. 120240) Chapman and Hall, UK.
• Service, M.W. (1999). Mosquito Ecology: Field sampling methods. Chapman and Hall, London, UK.

Teaching method

Lectures;
Theoretical-practical training classes;
Laboratorial practical sessions;
Tutorial supervision;
Seminar;
Autonomous work.

Evaluation method

1. Continuous evaluation, based on daily presence and active participation in classes and field work 30%.
2. Seminar 30%.
3. Written report, with circa 2000 words (except graphs and reference list) 40%.

Subject matter

I. Culicideological survey: objectives, planning of respective field work directed to mosquito collection;
II. Selection of mosquito capture methods (adult and immature forms) according to the objectives of the survey. Advantages, disadvantages and limitations;
III. Methods of specimen preservation for the transport to the laboratory, according to survey objectives;
IV. Planning and preparation of materials for field work;
V. Conduction of field work, and execution of selected mosquito collection methods;
VI. Processing of captured specimens for their identification;
VII. Morphological identification of mosquito specimens;
VIII. Processing collected specimens according to the various objectives of the survey;
IX. Organization of data from field and lab work, construction of a data base, and statistical analysis;
X. Critical analysis and discussion of the results obtained, methods used, and proposal of adaptations if due.

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: