A mass dissection technique for determining infectivity rate of filariasis vectors.

A mass dissection method is described using an apparatus with a 55 mesh cotton sieve (244 micron pore size), which proved efficient in detecting the infectivity rate of bancroftian filariasis in Culex p. fatigans. A recovery rate of more than 98% was obtained after one hour's settling when a known number of infective larvae was released through the sieve. In the comparative tests of individual- and mass-dissection of mosquitos from the same origin, the number of infective larvae recovered in the mass dissection was almost the same as that in individual dissection. By manual centrifuging of the saline solution, it is possible to concentrate larvae at the bottom of the sedimentation tube.