It has become difficult in recent years to conduct the direct feeding of mosquitoes on animals because of ethical considerations related to animal experimentation. Thus, the artificial feeding of mosquitoes on blood meals is an important technique in studies on the oral infection of mosquitoes to agents. Since Rutledge et al. (1964) devised the artificial membrane-feeding technique, several artificial membrane-feeding methods have been developed to increase the feeding rates of mosquitoes on blood meals. The purpose of the present study is to develop a simple and convenient device for the artificial feeding of mosquitoes. We designed a device using Kimwipe®, a coverglass, the lid of a plastic dish and a 50 ml Erlenmeyer flask. The efficacy was assessed by the infection rate of mosquitoes to Brugia pahangi microfilariae (MF) derived from the peritoneal cavity of Mongolian jirds. Immediately after the feeding of mosquitoes on MF by the new device, the MF infection rate of mosquitoes was 50 - 81%. On day 14 post-feeding, 51 - 94% of mosquitoes harbored third-stage infective larvae. The components needed to construct the device for artificial feeding of mosquitoes are generally available in laboratories. Furthermore, no elaborate modification of materials is necessary in making the feeding device. Therefore, this simple and convenient artificial feeding device promises to be applicable for experimental infection of mosquitoes not only with B. pahangi MF but also with other agents such as malaria and viruses.

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Although Mefloquine is commonly used as a prophylactic drug for travelers to malaria endemic areas, there are only limited reports about its adverse effects in Japanese travelers. We carried out a prospective observation study of 107 travelers who were prescribed mefloquine as chemoprophylaxis against malaria prior to their departure from November 2004 to October 2006. We carefully sought the appropriate prescription for each client according to the guidelines for Japanese overseas travelers. The clients consisted of 71 men and 36 women of whom we were able to follow 65 travelers until the end of their prophylactic procedure. Of the 65, 47 travelers completed their full course of chemoprophylaxis. Different adverse effects were reported in 19 travelers of them such as fatigue (n=9), dizziness (n=6), headache (n=3), nausea (n=3), drowsiness (n=2), strange dreams (n=2), anxiety (n=2), fever (n=1) and skin rash (n=1). Three travelers were incapable of continuing chemoprophylaxis due to the adverse effects, but no serious events were noted. Through our study, mefloquine chemoprophylaxis seemed tolerable for Japanese travelers. We believe that our detailed consultation and careful monitoring reduced the incidence of severe adverse effects and maintained the high rate of adherence to chemoprophylaxis.

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