APPROACHES TO VECTOR CONTROL - NEW AND TRUSTED .1. HUMORAL IMMUNE-RESPONSES IN BLACKFLY AND MOSQUITO VECTORS OF FILARIAE

The vectors of filariasis, mosquitoes and blackflies, are capable of m ounting a defence response to the infection. This selective review des cribes the molecules that are involved in these immune systems. Severa l antibacterial peptides are known to be induced and secreted into the haemolymph by the fat body and the circulating haemocytes. In additio n, haemagglutinating lectins with carbohydrate specificities to the su rface of the developing filarial larvae appear. Activation of a range of proteases occurs rapidly as does activation of the prophenoloxidase pathway. The possible roles of these and other molecules is discussed , together with mention of a working hypothesis as to how these molecu les may be regulated.