Mosquitoes transmit major communicable diseases such as dengue, malaria, filariasis, Japanese encephalitis, chikungunya, and so on. Vector control is important in epidemic disease situations as there is an urgent need to develop new and improved mosquito control methods that are economical and effective yet safe for non-targeted organisms. In the present study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized from the aqueous leaf extract of neem plant (Azadirachta indica), and their effects on mosquito vectors (Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus) were assessed. The synthesised AgNPs were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The nanoparticles have maximum absorption at 442 ± 1.5 nm with an average size of 41-60 nm. The XRD data showed six well-defined diffraction peaks, corresponding to a relative intensity of the crystal structure of metallic silver 36.42, 100.00, 53.70, 14.20, 16.05, and 6.79, respectively. The FT-IR data showed strong prominent peaks in different ranges, reflecting its complex nature. The mosquito larvae were exposed to varying concentrations of AgNPs synthesized from the neem leaves under investigation (0.07-25 mg/l) for 24 h; this revealed larvicidal activity of AgNPs with LC50 and LC90 values of 0.006 and 0.04 mg/l for A. aegypti, respectively. Further, the LC50 and LC90 values were also identified as 0.047 and 0.23 mg/l for Cx. quinquefasciatus, respectively. The result obtained from this study presents biosynthesized silver nanoparticle from A. indica as the biolarvicidal agent with the most potential for mosquito control.

As ASO was measured in post-infection phase, we relied on the ASO titre for making conclusion. Patients' 3 months recall on ADLA correlates with the ASO titre and therefore, it could be considered as a tool to measure the burden of ADLA in the community. Multicentre community-based studies are needed to ascertain the findings.

Rich clinical experiences indicate that toe web intertrigo is a major predisposing condition for cellulitis/acute dermatolymphango adenitis (ADLA) and the number of lesions is the strongest predictor of frequency of ADLA in lymphedema (LE) patients. However, there is scanty information on the risk factors for the establishment of chronic toe web intertrigo in LE patients. We performed a case-control study recruiting 52 lower limb LE with intertrigo and 52 lower limb LE without intertrigo in community settings and assessed general and local potential risk factors for chronic intertrigo. Analysis of local risk factors revealed that topical application of oil, tingling and numbness of the extremities were associated independently with chronic intertrigo. In multivariate analysis, LE grades III and IV were associated with chronic intertrigo, after adjusting for tingling and numbness, prophylactic antibiotic, age group, and gender. From a public health perspective, LE patients of grades III and IV and patients under antibiotic prophylaxis should be self-motivated to look for the early symptoms of toe web intertrigo to prevent chronic stage and recurrent episodes of cellulitis. Patients with history of tingling and numbness of the periphery need to be monitored for pressure effects leading to poor vascularization and delayed healing of intertrigo.