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The Survival of Various Microörganisms within the Gastro-Intestinal Tract of Aedes Aegypti

1. In vitro experiments made to test for possible germicidal action of the gastro-intestinal secretions of Aedes aegypti on B. typhosus and B. prodigiosus were negative.

2. In vivo experiments to determine the length of life of B. prodigiosus, B. leprae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Cytoryctes variolae within the gastro-intestinal canal of Aedes aegypti show that these organisms survived for at least twenty-four hours but that they could not be demonstrated after an interval of seven or more days.

3. It seems probable that Aedes aegypti does not regurgitate its midgut contents while feeding.

4. Since no germicidal action could be demonstrated in the gastro-intestinal fluids of Aedes aegypti in vitro, it seems probable that the organisms ingested by the mosquito were not killed as a result of the presence of an active bactericidal principle but they either failed to find a suitable environment for continued development within the insect and were slowly digested, or that they were eliminated with the feces.

5. The disappearance of the organisms tested from the gastrointestinal tract of Aedes aegypti within a short interval of time suggests that the only way in which these organisms could be transferred to the skin of man would be by interrupted feedings repeated at frequent intervals.