A new module for quantitative evaluation of repellent efficacy using human subjects.

A new module for quantitative evaluation of arthropod repellents in human subjects was designed, constructed, and protocols for use of the module were developed. Doses of 3 arthropod repellents, 1-[3-cyclohexen-1-ylcarbonyl] piperidine (AI3-35765), 1-[3-cyclohexen-1-ylcarbonyl]-2-methylpiperidine (AI3-37220), and N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (deet), were evaluated using the mosquito, Anopheles stephensi Liston. Biting responses to varied doses of the repellents on human skin were quantified, and the effectiveness of the 3 repellents was compared. The new module consists of 6 test cells and permits the simultaneous comparison of up to 5 repellent doses or chemical types and a control using a complete randomized block design with minimal treatment interaction and with > or = 6 replicates per human subject.