Publications

efficacy of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine + artesunate, sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine + amodiaquine, and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine alone in uncomplicated falciparum malaria in mali.	plasmodium falciparum resistance to artemisinin has been reported in south-east asia. long half-life drugs are increasingly being used for malaria prevention. the potential spread of parasite resistance to these regimens is real and makes regular efficacy surveillance a priority.	2015	25889633
modelling sterile insect technique to control the population of anopheles gambiae.	there is a renewed effort to develop novel malaria control strategies as even well-implemented existing malaria control tools may fail to block transmission in some regions. currently, transgenic implementations of the sterile insect technique (sit) such as the release of insects with a dominant lethal, homing endonuclease genes, or flightless mosquitoes are in development. these implementations involve the release of transgenic male mosquitoes whose matings with wild females produce either no v ...	2015	25889145
evaluation of a protocol for remote identification of mosquito vector species reveals bg-sentinel trap as an efficient tool for anopheles gambiae outdoor collection in burkina faso.	feasibility and costs of monitoring efforts aimed to monitor mosquito species are strictly dependent on the presence of skilled entomologists directly in the field. however, in several contexts this is not possible or easy to organize, thus limiting the possibility to obtain crucial information on presence/abundance of potential disease vectors and of new invasive species. digital imaging approaches could be extremely useful in the frame of medical entomology to overcome this limit. this work de ...	2015	25888896
patient adherence to prescribed artemisinin-based combination therapy in garissa county, kenya, after three years of health care in a conflict setting.	current day malaria cases and deaths are indicative of a lack of access to both methods of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment; an important determinant of treatment efficacy is adherence. this study is a follow up to the baseline study of adherence to artemether-lumefantrine (al) carried out in garissa district in 2010. the study presented evaluates any changes in adherence levels which may have occurred in the area during this period and after nearly three years of sustained use of act across ...	2015	25888895
comparison of a pfhrp2-based rapid diagnostic test and pcr for malaria in a low prevalence setting in rural southern zambia: implications for elimination.	rapid diagnostic tests (rdts) detecting histidine-rich protein 2 (pfhrp2) antigen are used to identify individuals with plasmodium falciparum infection even in low transmission settings seeking to achieve elimination. however, these rdts lack sensitivity to detect low-density infections, produce false negatives for p. falciparum strains lacking pfhrp2 gene and do not detect species other than p. falciparum.	2015	25888818
malaria vectors resistance to insecticides in benin: current trends and mechanisms involved.	insecticides are widely used to control malaria vectors and have significantly contributed to the reduction of malaria-caused mortality. in addition, the same classes of insecticides were widely introduced and used in agriculture in benin since 1980s. these factors probably contributed to the selection of insecticide resistance in malaria vector populations reported in several localities in benin. this insecticide resistance represents a threat to vector control tool and should be monitored. the ...	2015	25886599
high morphological and genetic variabilities of ochlerotatus scapularis, a potential vector of filarias and arboviruses.	ochlerotatus scapularis is a potential vector of filarias and arboviruses in the neotropics. this species was once typically associated with sylvatic environments; however, cases of synanthropy and urbanization of this species have been increasingly reported in southeast brazil. despite the medical relevance of oc. scapularis, its populational variability is not yet known. to our knowledge, this is the first report describing the morphological and genetic variabilities of this species.	2015	25885902
discovery of an oviposition attractant for gravid malaria vectors of the anopheles gambiae species complex.	new strategies are needed to manage malaria vector populations that resist insecticides and bite outdoors. this study describes a breakthrough in developing 'attract and kill' strategies targeting gravid females by identifying and evaluating an oviposition attractant for anopheles gambiae s.l.	2015	25885703
sibling species of the anopheles funestus group, and their infection with malaria and lymphatic filarial parasites, in archived and newly collected specimens from northeastern tanzania.	studies on the east african coast have shown a recent dramatic decline in malaria vector density and change in composition of sibling species of the anopheles gambiae complex, paralleled by a major decline in malaria incidence. in order to better understand the ongoing changes in vector-parasite dynamics in the area, and to allow for appropriate adjustment of control activities, the present study examined the composition, and malaria and lymphatic filarial infection, of sibling species of the an ...	2015	25885457
the sterilizing effect of pyriproxyfen on the malaria vector anopheles gambiae: physiological impact on ovaries development.	adult females an. gambiae were exposed in 3 min cone test to treated nets with ppf before or after they were blood fed. the effects of ppf on ovaries development, females oviposition and eggs hatching were assessed. both unfed and fed mosquitoes exposed to ppf exhibited nearly complete inhibition of fecundity (70-100%) and fertility (90-100%). after females have been exposed once to ppf, the sterilizing effect on their fecundity was observed over 3 consecutive blood meals suggesting that ppf mig ...	2015	25880844
malaria in mauritania: retrospective and prospective overview.	malaria has become a major public health problem in mauritania since the 1990s, with an average of 181,000 cases per year and 2,233,066 persons at risk during 1995-2012. this paper provides the first publicly available overview of malaria incidence and distribution in mauritania. information on the burden and malaria species distribution is critical for guiding national efforts in malaria control. as the incidence of malaria changes over time, regular updates of epidemiological data are necessar ...	2015	25880759
development of insecticide resistance in malaria vector anopheles sinensis populations from shandong province in china.	anopheles sinensis is a major vector of malaria and among the dominant species in shandong province of china. insecticide resistance is an important threat to vector-borne disease control. however, there are only few reports about insecticide resistance of an. sinensis populations from shandong province.	2015	25880316
rapid evolution of pyrethroid resistance prevalence in anopheles gambiae populations from the cities of douala and yaoundé (cameroon).	the adaptation of malaria vectors to urban areas is becoming a serious challenge for malaria control. the study presents the evolution of pyrethroid resistance in mosquito populations from the cities of douala and yaoundé between 2010 and 2013.	2015	25879950
early biting and insecticide resistance in the malaria vector anopheles might compromise the effectiveness of vector control intervention in southwestern uganda.	southwestern uganda has high malaria heterogeneity despite moderate vector control and other interventions. moreover, the early biting transmission and increased resistance to insecticides might compromise strategies relying on vector control. consequently, monitoring of vector behaviour and insecticide efficacy is needed to assess the effectiveness of strategies aiming at malaria control. this eventually led to an entomological survey in two villages with high malaria prevalence in this region.	2015	25879539
the activity of the pyrrole insecticide chlorfenapyr in mosquito bioassay: towards a more rational testing and screening of non-neurotoxic insecticides for malaria vector control.	the rapid selection of pyrethroid resistance throughout sub-saharan africa is a serious threat to malaria vector control. chlorfenapyr is a pyrrole insecticide which shows no cross resistance to insecticide classes normally used for vector control and is effective on mosquito nets under experimental hut conditions. unlike neurotoxic insecticides, chlorfenapyr owes its toxicity to disruption of metabolic pathways in mitochondria that enable cellular respiration. a series of experiments explored w ...	2015	25879231
an assessment of participatory integrated vector management for malaria control in kenya.	the world health organization (who) recommends integrated vector management (ivm) as a strategy to improve and sustain malaria vector control. however, this approach has not been widely adopted.	2015	25859686
population-wide malaria testing and treatment with rapid diagnostic tests and artemether-lumefantrine in southern zambia: a community randomized step-wedge control trial design.	reducing the human reservoir of malaria parasites is critical for elimination. we conducted a community randomized controlled trial in southern province, zambia to assess the impact of three rounds of a mass test and treatment (mtat) intervention on malaria prevalence and health facility outpatient case incidence using random effects logistic regression and negative binomial regression, respectively. following the intervention, children in the intervention group had lower odds of a malaria infec ...	2015	25802434
elimination of lymphatic filariasis in the gambia.	the prevalence of wuchereria bancrofti, which causes lymphatic filariasis (lf) in the gambia was among the highest in africa in the 1950s. however, surveys conducted in 1975 and 1976 revealed a dramatic decline in lf endemicity in the absence of mass drug administration (mda). the decline in prevalence was partly attributed to a significant reduction in mosquito density through the widespread use of insecticidal nets. based on findings elsewhere that vector control alone can interrupt lf, we ask ...	2015	25785587
molecular taxonomy provides new insights into anopheles species of the neotropical arribalzagia series.	phylogenetic analysis of partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c subunit i (coi) and nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 (its2) sequences were used to evaluate initial identification and to investigate phylogenetic relationships of seven anopheles morphospecies of the arribalzagia series from colombia. phylogenetic trees recovered highly supported clades for an. punctimaculas.s., an. calderoni, an. malefactor s.l., an. neomaculipalpus, an. apicimacula s.l., an. mattogrossensis and an. perya ...	2015	25774795
insects' rna profiling reveals absence of "hidden break" in 28s ribosomal rna molecule of onion thrips, thrips tabaci.	with an exception of aphids, insects' 28s rrna is thought to harbor a "hidden break" which cleaves under denaturing conditions to comigrate with 18s rrna band to exhibit a degraded appearance on native agarose gels. the degraded appearance confounds determination of rna integrity in laboratories that rely on gel electrophoresis. to provide guidelines for rna profiles, rna from five major insect orders, namely, diptera, hemiptera, thysanoptera, hymenoptera, and lepidoptera, was compared under den ...	2015	25767721
an overview of malaria transmission from the perspective of amazon anopheles vectors.	in the americas, areas with a high risk of malaria transmission are mainly located in the amazon forest, which extends across nine countries. one keystone step to understanding the plasmodium life cycle in anopheles species from the amazon region is to obtain experimentally infected mosquito vectors. several attempts to colonise anopheles species have been conducted, but with only short-lived success or no success at all. in this review, we review the literature on malaria transmission from the ...	2015	25742262
the association of weather variability and under five malaria mortality in kemri/cdc hdss in western kenya 2003 to 2008: a time series analysis.	malaria is among the leading causes of mortality in the younger under-five group of children zero to four years of age. this study aims at describing the relationship between rainfall and temperature on under-five malaria or anaemia mortality in kenya medical research institute and united states centers for disease control (kemri/cdc) health and demographic surveillance system (hdss). this study was conducted through the ongoing kemri and cdc collaboration. a general additive model with a poisso ...	2015	25674784
multisensor earth observations to characterize wetlands and malaria epidemiology in ethiopia.	malaria is a major global public health problem, particularly in sub-saharan africa. the spatial heterogeneity of malaria can be affected by factors such as hydrological processes, physiography, and land cover patterns. tropical wetlands, for example, are important hydrological features that can serve as mosquito breeding habitats. mapping and monitoring of wetlands using satellite remote sensing can thus help to target interventions aimed at reducing malaria transmission. the objective of this ...	2014	25653462
investigating the acceptability of non-mesh, long-lasting insecticidal nets amongst nomadic communities in garissa county, kenya using a prospective, longitudinal study design and cross-sectional household surveys.	north east kenya is an area of semi-arid terrain, prone to malaria epidemics. the distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets (llins) has long been a key malaria intervention, however, for nomadic populations who live and sleep outside, in harsh climates and areas with increasing reports of exophagic behaviour of mosquitoes, traditional llins are often inadequate. this study investigates the acceptability of non-mesh llins, specifically designed to suit nomadic, outdoor sleeping communities.	2015	25652420
biting behaviour of african malaria vectors: 1. where do the main vector species bite on the human body?	malaria control in africa relies heavily on indoor vector management, primarily indoor residual spraying and insecticide treated bed nets. little is known about outdoor biting behaviour or even the dynamics of indoor biting and infection risk of sleeping household occupants. in this paper we explore the preferred biting sites on the human body and some of the ramifications regarding infection risk and exposure management.	2015	25650005
a cohort study of the effectiveness of insecticide-treated bed nets to prevent malaria in an area of moderate pyrethroid resistance, malawi.	insecticide-treated bed nets (itns) are the cornerstone of malaria control in sub-saharan africa but their effectiveness may be compromised by the spread of pyrethroid resistance among malaria vectors. the objective of this investigation was to assess the effectiveness of itns to prevent malaria in an area of malawi with moderate pyrethroid resistance.	2015	25627987
outdoor-sleeping and other night-time activities in northern ghana: implications for residual transmission and malaria prevention.	despite targeted indoor residual spraying (irs) over a six-year period and free mass distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (itns), malaria rates in northern ghana remain high. outdoor sleeping and other night-time social, cultural and economic activities that increase exposure to infective mosquito bites are possible contributors. this study was designed to document these phenomena through direct observation, and to explore the context in which they occur.	2015	25627277
infectiousness of the human population to anopheles arabiensis by direct skin feeding in an area hypoendemic for malaria in senegal.	direct skin feeding experiments are sensitive assays to determine human infectiousness to mosquitoes but are rarely used in malaria epidemiological surveys. we determined the infectiousness of inhabitants of a malaria hypoendemic area in senegal. gametocyte prevalence by microscopy was 13.5% (26 of 192). of all individuals who were gametocyte positive, 44.4% (11 of 25) infected ≥ 1 anopheles arabiensis mosquito and 10.8% (54 of 500) of mosquitoes became infected. of all individuals who were game ...	2015	25624409
evaluating preservation methods for identifying anopheles gambiae s.s. and anopheles arabiensis complex mosquitoes species using near infra-red spectroscopy.	near-infrared spectroscopy (nirs) has been successfully used on fresh and rnalater-preserved members of the anopheles gambiae complex to identify sibling species and age. no preservation methods other than using rnalater have been tested to preserve mosquitoes for species identification using nirs. however, rnalater is not the most practical preservative for field settings because it is expensive, requires basic laboratory conditions for storage and is not widely available in sub-saharan africa. ...	2015	25623484
evaluation of halogenated coumarins for antimosquito properties.	mosquitoes are the major vectors of parasites and pathogens affecting humans and domestic animals. the widespread development of insecticide resistance and negative environmental effects of most synthetic compounds support an interest in finding and developing alternative products against mosquitoes. natural coumarins and synthetic coumarin analogues are known for their several pharmacological properties, including being insecticidal. in the present study halogenated coumarins (3-mono/dibromo ac ...	2014	25610898
colonization of malaria vectors under semi-field conditions as a strategy for maintaining genetic and phenotypic similarity with wild populations.	malaria still accounts for an estimated 207 million cases and 627,000 deaths worldwide each year. one proposed approach to complement existing malaria control methods is the release of genetically-modified (gm) and/or sterile male mosquitoes. as opposed to laboratory colonization, this requires realistic semi field systems to produce males that can compete for females in nature. this study investigated whether the establishment of a colony of the vector anopheles arabiensis under more natural se ...	2015	25604997
remarkable diversity of intron-1 of the para voltage-gated sodium channel gene in an anopheles gambiae/anopheles coluzzii hybrid zone.	genomic differentiation between anopheles gambiae and anopheles coluzzii--the major malaria vectors in sub-saharan africa--is localized into large "islands" toward the centromeres of chromosome-x and the two autosomes. linkage disequilibrium between these genomic islands was first detected between species-specific polymorphisms within ribosomal dna genes (igs-rdna) on the x-chromosome and a single variant at position 702 of intron 1 (int-1702) of the para voltage-gated sodium channel (vgsc) gene ...	2015	25604888
the impact of livestock on the abundance, resting behaviour and sporozoite rate of malaria vectors in southern tanzania.	increases in the coverage of long-lasting insecticidal nets (llins) have significantly reduced the abundance of anopheles gambiae sensu stricto in several african settings, leaving its more zoophagic sibling species anopheles arabiensis as the primary vector. this study investigated the impact of livestock ownership at the household level on the ecology and malaria infection rate of vectors in an area of tanzania where an. arabiensis accounts for most malaria transmission.	2015	25604150
increasing prevalence of plasmodium vivax among febrile patients in nouakchott, mauritania.	the occurrence of plasmodium vivax malaria was reported in nouakchott, mauritania in the 1990s. several studies have suggested the frequent occurrence of p. vivax malaria among nouakchott residents, including those without recent travel history to the southern part of the country where malaria is known to be endemic. to further consolidate the evidence for p. vivax endemicity and the extent of malaria burden in one district in the city of nouakchott, febrile illnesses were monitored in 2012-2013 ...	2015	25582695
adaptive introgression in an african malaria mosquito coincident with the increased usage of insecticide-treated bed nets.	animal species adapt to changes in their environment, including man-made changes such as the introduction of insecticides, through selection for advantageous genes already present in populations or newly arisen through mutation. a possible alternative mechanism is the acquisition of adaptive genes from related species via a process known as adaptive introgression. differing levels of insecticide resistance between two african malaria vectors, anopheles coluzzii and anopheles gambiae, have been a ...	2015	25561525
mosquito genomics. highly evolvable malaria vectors: the genomes of 16 anopheles mosquitoes.	variation in vectorial capacity for human malaria among anopheles mosquito species is determined by many factors, including behavior, immunity, and life history. to investigate the genomic basis of vectorial capacity and explore new avenues for vector control, we sequenced the genomes of 16 anopheline mosquito species from diverse locations spanning ~100 million years of evolution. comparative analyses show faster rates of gene gain and loss, elevated gene shuffling on the x chromosome, and more ...	2014	25554792
trends in the selection of insecticide resistance in anopheles gambiae s.l. mosquitoes in northwest tanzania during a community randomized trial of longlasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spraying.	anopheles gambiae s.l. (diptera: culicidae) in muleba, tanzania has developed high levels of resistance to most insecticides currently advocated for malaria control. the kdr mutation has almost reached fixation in an. gambiae s.s. in muleba. this change has the potential to jeopardize malaria control interventions carried out in the region. trends in insecticide resistance were monitored in two intervention villages using world health organization (who) susceptibility test kits. additional mecha ...	2014	25537754
anopheles arabiensis seasonal densities and infection rates in relation to landscape classes and climatic parameters in a sahelian area of senegal.	the influence of environmental and climatic factors on malaria vector bionomics and transmission is an important topic in the context of climatic change particularly at macro-geographical level. sahelian areas could be particularly affected due to heterogeneous features including high inter-annual variability in rainfall and others associated parameters. therefore, baseline information on the impact of environmental and climatic factors on malaria transmission at micro-geographical level is requ ...	2014	25526645
field evaluation of picaridin repellents reveals differences in repellent sensitivity between southeast asian vectors of malaria and arboviruses.	scaling up of insecticide treated nets has contributed to a substantial malaria decline. however, some malaria vectors, and most arbovirus vectors, bite outdoors and in the early evening. therefore, topically applied insect repellents may provide crucial additional protection against mosquito-borne pathogens. among topical repellents, deet is the most commonly used, followed by others such as picaridin. the protective efficacy of two formulated picaridin repellents against mosquito bites, includ ...	2014	25522134
a genotypically distinct, melanic variant of anopheles arabiensis in sudan is associated with arid environments.	anopheles arabiensis, an important malaria vector in sudan and other countries in sub-saharan africa, exhibits considerable ecological and behavioural plasticity allowing it to survive in the harsh conditions of arid regions. it has been shown that adult populations of an. arabiensis in the semi-desert habitat of western khartoum state survive through the long dry season in a state of partial aestivation, characterized by limited feeding activity and a degree of arrested ovarian development. ano ...	2014	25496059
participation of irradiated anopheles arabiensis males in swarms following field release in sudan.	the success of the sterile insect technique (sit) depends the release of large numbers of sterile males, which are able to compete for mates with the wild male population within the target area. unfortunately, the processes of colonisation, mass production and irradiation may reduce the competitiveness of sterile males through genetic selection, loss of natural traits and somatic damage. in this context, the capacity of released sterile anopheles arabiensis males to survive, disperse and partici ...	2014	25495146
signatures of aestivation and migration in sahelian malaria mosquito populations.	during the long sahelian dry season, mosquito vectors of malaria are expected to perish when no larval sites are available; yet, days after the first rains, mosquitoes reappear in large numbers. how these vectors persist over the 3-6-month long dry season has not been resolved, despite extensive research for over a century. hypotheses for vector persistence include dry-season diapause (aestivation) and long-distance migration (ldm); both are facets of vector biology that have been highly controv ...	2014	25470038
the anopheles arabiensis genetic sexing strain ano ipcl1 and its application potential for the sterile insect technique in integrated vector management programmes.	the anopheles arabiensis genetic sexing strain ano ipcl1 was developed based on a dieldrin resistant mutation. the strain has been shown to be practical and reliable in terms of female elimination by dieldrin treatments at larval stages, but has provided some difficulties when treatments were applied at the egg stage. the high natural sterility of this strain has advantages and disadvantages in both mass rearing and the sterilization process. in addition, its recombination rate, although relativ ...	2015	25438257
mosquito genomics. extensive introgression in a malaria vector species complex revealed by phylogenomics.	introgressive hybridization is now recognized as a widespread phenomenon, but its role in evolution remains contested. here, we use newly available reference genome assemblies to investigate phylogenetic relationships and introgression in a medically important group of afrotropical mosquito sibling species. we have identified the correct species branching order to resolve a contentious phylogeny and show that lineages leading to the principal vectors of human malaria were among the first to spli ...	2014	25431491
mating competitiveness of sterile male anopheles coluzzii in large cages.	understanding the factors that account for male mating competitiveness is critical to the development of the sterile insect technique (sit). here, the effects of partial sterilization with 90 gy of radiation on sexual competitiveness of anopheles coluzzii allowed to mate in different ratios of sterile to untreated males have been assessed. moreover, competitiveness was compared between males allowed one versus two days of contact with females.	2014	25424008
epidemiology of malaria in a village in the rufiji river delta, tanzania: declining transmission over 25 years revealed by different parasitological metrics.	assessments of the epidemiology of malaria over time are needed to understand changes in transmission and guide control and elimination strategies.	2014	25423887
sampling host-seeking anthropophilic mosquito vectors in west africa: comparisons of an active human-baited tent-trap against gold standard methods.	in this study, we characterize the ability of the previously described infoscitex tent (ist) to capture mosquitoes in comparison to either the centers for disease control light trap hung next to individuals under a bed net (ltc) or to human landing catches (hlc). in senegal, the ist caught 6.14 times the number of anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.), and 8.78 times the culex group v mosquitoes as ltc. in one of two locations in burkina faso, the ist caught an. gambiae at a rate not significantly ...	2014	25422393
serological markers for monitoring historical changes in malaria transmission intensity in a highly endemic region of western kenya, 1994-2009.	monitoring local malaria transmission intensity is essential for planning evidence-based control strategies and evaluating their impact over time. anti-malarial antibodies provide information on cumulative exposure and have proven useful, in areas where transmission has dropped to low sustained levels, for retrospectively reconstructing the timing and magnitude of transmission reduction. it is unclear whether serological markers are also informative in high transmission settings, where intervent ...	2014	25416454
are topical insect repellents effective against malaria in endemic populations? a systematic review and meta-analysis.	recommended vector control tools against malaria, such as long-lasting insecticidal nets (llins) and indoor residual spraying (irs), mainly target mosquitoes that rest and feed on human hosts indoors. however, in some malaria-endemic areas, such as southeast asia and south america, malaria vectors primarily bite outdoors meaning that llins and irs may be less effective. in these situations the use of topical insect repellents may reduce outdoor biting and morbidity from malaria. a systematic rev ...	2014	25413142
transmission patterns of plasmodium falciparum by anopheles gambiae in benin.	to better control malaria, the clear and urgent need is for improved data to inform decision makers, but in several african countries, there is a lack of baseline data on vectors and variation in the intensity of malaria transmission. this has resulted in the implementation of vector control efforts that ignore variation in vector behaviour and intensity of transmission, an approach that is most often not cost-effective. this study presents a detailed entomological description of mosquito distri ...	2014	25412948
the behaviour of mosquitoes in relation to humans under holed bednets: the evidence from experimental huts.	the physical integrity of bednets is a concern of national malaria control programs, as it is a key factor in determining the rate of replacement of bednets. it is largely assumed that increased numbers of holes will result in a loss of protection of sleepers from potentially infective bites. experimental hut studies are valuable in understanding mosquito behaviour indoors, particularly as it relates to blood feeding and mortality. this review summarises findings from experimental hut studies, f ...	0	25410994
namibia's path toward malaria elimination: a case study of malaria strategies and costs along the northern border.	low malaria transmission in namibia suggests that elimination is possible, but the risk of imported malaria from angola remains a challenge. this case study reviews the early transition of a program shift from malaria control to elimination in three northern regions of namibia that comprise the trans-kunene malaria initiative (tkmi): kunene, omusati, and ohangwena.	2014	25409682
high-resolution melting analysis reveals low plasmodium parasitaemia infections among microscopically negative febrile patients in western kenya.	microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (rdts) are common tools for diagnosing malaria, but are deficient in detecting low plasmodium parasitaemia. a novel molecular diagnostic tool (npcr-hrm) that combines the sensitivity and specificity of nested pcr (npcr) and direct pcr-high resolution melting analysis (dpcr-hrm) was developed. to evaluate patterns of anti-malarial drug administration when no parasites are detected, npcr-hrm was employed to screen blood samples for low parasitaemia from febril ...	2014	25399409
proposal of thorsellia kenyensis sp. nov. and thorsellia kandunguensis sp. nov., isolated from larvae of anopheles arabiensis, as members of the family thorselliaceae fam. nov.	two gram-negative, rod-shaped strains, t2.1(t) and w5.1.1(t), isolated from larvae of the mosquito anopheles arabiensis, were investigated using a polyphasic approach. on the basis of 16s rrna gene sequence similarity studies, strains t2.1(t) and w5.1.1(t) were shown to belong to the genus thorsellia, both showing 97.8 % similarity to the type strain of thorsellia anophelis, with 98.1 % similarity to each other. chemotaxonomic data supported the allocation of the strains to the genus thorsellia: ...	2015	25385997
plasmodium falciparum infection rates for some anopheles spp. from guinea-bissau, west africa.	presence of plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (csp) was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (elisa) in a sample of anopheles gambiae s.s., a. melas and a. pharoensis collected in guinea-bissau during october and november 2009. the percentage of p. falciparum infected samples (10.2% overall; confidence interval (ci): 7.45-13.6%) was comparable to earlier studies from other sites in guinea-bissau (9.6-12.4%). the majority of the specimens collected were identified as a. gamb ...	2014	25383188
volatile phytochemicals as mosquito semiochemicals.	plant biochemical processes result in the release of an array of volatile chemical substances into the environment, some of which are known to play important plant fitness enhancing functions, such as attracting pollinators, thermal tolerance of photosynthesis, and defense against herbivores. cunningly, phytophagous insects have evolved mechanisms to utilize these volatiles to their own advantage, either to colonize a suitable host for feeding, reproduction and oviposition or avoid an unsuitable ...	0	25383131
an agent-based model of the population dynamics of anopheles gambiae.	agent-based models (abms) have been used to model the behaviour of individual mosquitoes and other aspects of malaria. in this paper, a conceptual entomological model of the population dynamics of anopheles gambiae and the agent-based implementations derived from it are described. hypothetical vector control interventions (hvcis) are implemented to target specific activities in the mosquito life cycle, and their impacts are evaluated.	2014	25373418
first report of an exophilic anopheles arabiensis population in bissau city, guinea-bissau: recent introduction or sampling bias?	the malaria vector anopheles arabiensis exhibits greater behavioural and ecological plasticity than the other major vectors of the anopheles gambiae complex, which presents challenges for major control methods. this study reports for the first time the presence of an. arabiensis in antula, a suburb of bissau city, the capital of guinea bissau, where high levels of hybridization between anopheles coluzzii and an. gambiae have been reported. given that previous surveys in the area, based on indoor ...	2014	25370807
islands and stepping-stones: comparative population structure of anopheles gambiae sensu stricto and anopheles arabiensis in tanzania and implications for the spread of insecticide resistance.	population genetic structures of the two major malaria vectors anopheles gambiae s.s. and an. arabiensis, differ markedly across sub-saharan africa, which could reflect differences in historical demographies or in contemporary gene flow. elucidation of the degree and cause of population structure is important for predicting the spread of genetic traits such as insecticide resistance genes or artificially engineered genes. here the population genetics of an. gambiae s.s. and an. arabiensis in the ...	2014	25353688
a small-scale field trial of pyriproxyfen-impregnated bed nets against pyrethroid-resistant anopheles gambiae s.s. in western kenya.	pyrethroid resistance is becoming a major problem for vector control programs, because at present, there are few suitable chemical substitutes for pyrethroids, as when used on bed nets the insecticide must have low mammalian toxicity as well as high activity to mosquitoes. pyriproxyfen (ppf) is one of the most active chemicals among the juvenile hormone mimic (jhm) group. sterilizing mosquitoes by using ppf could be a potential control measure for pyrethroid-resistant malaria vectors. we investi ...	2014	25333785
nationwide assessment of insecticide susceptibility in anopheles gambiae populations from zimbabwe.	the scale-up of malaria interventions in sub-saharan africa has been accompanied by a dramatic increase in insecticide resistance in anopheles spp. in zimbabwe resistance to pyrethroid insecticides was reported in gokwe district in 2008. this study reports results of the first nation-wide assessment of insecticide susceptibility in wild populations of anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) in zimbabwe, and provides a comprehensive review of the insecticide resistance status of an. gambiae s.l. in s ...	2014	25322726
clinical malaria case definition and malaria attributable fraction in the highlands of western kenya.	in african highland areas where endemicity of malaria varies greatly according to altitude and topography, parasitaemia accompanied by fever may not be sufficient to define an episode of clinical malaria in endemic areas. to evaluate the effectiveness of malaria interventions, age-specific case definitions of clinical malaria needs to be determined. cases of clinical malaria through active case surveillance were quantified in a highland area in kenya and defined clinical malaria for different ag ...	2014	25318705
impact of agriculture on the selection of insecticide resistance in the malaria vector anopheles gambiae: a multigenerational study in controlled conditions.	resistance of mosquitoes to insecticides is mainly attributed to their adaptation to vector control interventions. although pesticides used in agriculture have been frequently mentioned as an additional force driving the selection of resistance, only a few studies were dedicated to validate this hypothesis and characterise the underlying mechanisms. while insecticide resistance is rising dramatically in africa, deciphering how agriculture affects resistance is crucial for improving resistance ma ...	2014	25318645
mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel gene of anophelines and their association with resistance to pyrethroids - a review.	constant and extensive use of chemical insecticides has created a selection pressure and favored resistance development in many insect species worldwide. one of the most important pyrethroid resistance mechanisms is classified as target site insensitivity, due to conformational changes in the target site that impair a proper binding of the insecticide molecule. the voltage-gated sodium channel (nav) is the target of pyrethroids and ddt insecticides, used to control insects of medical, agricultur ...	2014	25292318
experimental hut and bioassay evaluation of the residual activity of a polymer-enhanced suspension concentrate (sc-pe) formulation of deltamethrin for irs use in the control of anopheles arabiensis.	the stockholm convention on persistent organic pollutants (pops) came into effect in 2004; the use of ddt for malaria control has been allowed to continue under exemption since then due to a perceived absence of equally effective and efficient alternatives. alternative classes of insecticide for indoor residual spraying (irs) have a relatively short residual duration of action (2-6 months according to who). in areas of year-round transmission multiple spray cycles are required, resulting in sign ...	2014	25274145
desiccation tolerance as a function of age, sex, humidity and temperature in adults of the african malaria vectors anopheles arabiensis and anopheles funestus.	adult mosquito survival is strongly temperature and moisture dependent. few studies have investigated the interacting effects of these variables on adult survival and how this differs among the sexes and with age, despite the importance of such information for population dynamic models. for these reasons, the desiccation tolerance of anopheles arabiensis patton and anopheles funestus giles males and females of three different ages was assessed under three combinations of temperature and humidity ...	2014	25267846
association between malaria control and paediatric blood transfusions in rural zambia: an interrupted time-series analysis.	blood transfusions can reduce mortality among children with severe malarial anaemia, but there is limited evidence quantifying the relationship between paediatric malaria and blood transfusions. this study explores the extent to which the use of paediatric blood transfusions is affected by the number of paediatric malaria visits and admissions. it assesses whether the scale-up of malaria control interventions in a facility catchment area explains the use of paediatric blood transfusions.	2014	25261276
indoor residual spraying with microencapsulated deet repellent (n, n-diethyl-m-toluamide) for control of anopheles arabiensis and culex quinquefasciatus.	evolution of insecticide resistance in anopheles gambiae complex necessitates evaluation of alternative chemical classes to complement existing insecticides for long lasting insecticidal nets (llin) and indoor residual spraying (irs). microencapsulated (mc) deet (n, n-diethyl-m-toluamide) is a formulation of the popular repellent, which gives long lasting activity when applied to nets. its suitability for irs use has not been evaluated before. this study assessed the efficacy of deet mc, for irs ...	2014	25249021
asymptomatic malaria in refugees living in a non-endemic south african city.	asymptomatic malaria infection in refugees is both a threat to the lives of the individuals and the public in the host country. although south africa has been experiencing an unprecedented influx of refugees since 1994, data on malaria infection among refugees is lacking. such information is critical since south africa is among the countries that have planned to eliminate malaria. the objective of this study was to determine prevalence of asymptomatic malaria infection among a refugee population ...	2014	25237812
the fungal defensin family enlarged.	fungi are an emerging source of peptide antibiotics. with the availability of a large number of model fungal genome sequences, we can expect that more and more fungal defensin-like peptides (fdlps) will be discovered by sequence similarity search. here, we report a total of 69 new fdlps encoded by 63 genes, in which a group of fdlps derived from dermatophytes are defined as a new family (fdef8) according to sequence and phylogenetic analyses. in the oleaginous fungus mortierella alpine, fdlps ha ...	2014	25230677
aquatain® mosquito formulation (amf) for the control of immature anopheles gambiae sensu stricto and anopheles arabiensis: dose-responses, persistence and sub-lethal effects.	persistent monomolecular surface films could benefit larval source management for malaria control by reducing programme costs and managing insecticide resistance. this study evaluated the efficacy of the silicone-based surface film, aquatain® mosquito formulation (amf), for the control of the afrotropical malaria vectors, anopheles gambiae sensu stricto and anopheles arabiensis in laboratory dose-response assays and standardized field tests.	2014	25228256
increased malaria transmission around irrigation schemes in ethiopia and the potential of canal water management for malaria vector control.	irrigation schemes have been blamed for the increase in malaria in many parts of sub-saharan africa. however, proper water management could help mitigate malaria around irrigation schemes in this region. this study investigates the link between irrigation and malaria in central ethiopia.	2014	25218697
parallel evolution or purifying selection, not introgression, explains similarity in the pyrethroid detoxification linked gste4 of anopheles gambiae and an. arabiensis.	insecticide resistance is a major impediment to the control of vectors and pests of public health importance and is a strongly selected trait capable of rapid spread, sometimes even between closely related species. elucidating the mechanisms generating insecticide resistance in mosquito vectors of disease, and understanding the spread of resistance within and between populations and species are vital for the development of robust resistance management strategies. here, we studied the mechanisms ...	2014	25213601
evaluation of universal coverage of insecticide-treated nets in western kenya: field surveys.	mass distribution of insecticide-treated nets (itns) is a cost-effective way to achieve universal coverage, but maintaining this coverage is more difficult. in addition to commonly used indicators, evaluation of universal coverage should include coverage of effective nets and changes in coverage over time.	2014	25187326
metagenomics, paratransgenesis and the anopheles microbiome: a portrait of the geographical distribution of the anopheline microbiota based on a meta-analysis of reported taxa.	anophelines harbour a diverse microbial consortium that may represent an extended gene pool for the host. the proposed effects of the insect microbiota span physiological, metabolic and immune processes. here we synthesise how current metagenomic tools combined with classical culture-dependent techniques provide new insights in the elucidation of the role of the anopheles-associated microbiota. many proposed malaria control strategies have been based upon the immunomodulating effects that the ba ...	2014	25185007
the remarkable journey of adaptation of the plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite to new world anopheline mosquitoes.	plasmodium falciparum originated in africa, dispersed around the world as a result of human migration and had to adapt to several different indigenous anopheline mosquitoes. anophelines from the new world are evolutionary distant form african ones and this probably resulted in a more stringent selection of plasmodium as it adapted to these vectors. it is thought that plasmodium has been genetically selected by some anopheline species through unknown mechanisms. the mosquito immune system can gre ...	0	25185006
the plasmodium bottleneck: malaria parasite losses in the mosquito vector.	nearly one million people are killed every year by the malaria parasite plasmodium. although the disease-causing forms of the parasite exist only in the human blood, mosquitoes of the genus anopheles are the obligate vector for transmission. here, we review the parasite life cycle in the vector and highlight the human and mosquito contributions that limit malaria parasite development in the mosquito host. we address parasite killing in its mosquito host and bottlenecks in parasite numbers that m ...	2014	25185005
larvicidal efficacy of ethiopian ethnomedicinal plant juniperus procera essential oil against afrotropical malaria vector anopheles arabiensis (diptera: culicidae).	to screen the essential oil of juniperus procera (j. procera) (cupressaceae) for larvicidal activity against late third instar larvae of anopheles arabiensis (an. arabiensis) patton, the principle malaria vector in ethiopia.	0	25183156
feasibility of repellent use in a context of increasing outdoor transmission: a qualitative study in rural tanzania.	extensive employment of long-lasting insecticidal nets (llins) and indoor residual spraying (irs) has substantially reduced malaria morbidity and mortality in sub-saharan africa. these tools target indoor resting and biting vectors, and may select for vectors that bite and rest outdoors. thus, to significantly impact this residual malaria transmission outdoors, tools targeting outdoor transmission are required. repellents, used for personal protection, offer one solution. however, the effectiven ...	2014	25182272
effects of the kdr resistance mutation on the susceptibility of wild anopheles gambiae populations to plasmodium falciparum: a hindrance for vector control.	in the context of generalization of insecticide resistance, the hypothesis that insecticide resistance has a positive impact on the capacity of mosquitoes to transmit malaria constitutes a hindrance for malaria elimination. the aim of this study was to investigated populations of anopheles coluzzii and anopheles gambiae s molecular form to assess whether different genotypes at the kdr locus are responsible for different susceptibility to plasmodium falciparum infection.	2014	25176292
comparative assessment of diverse strategies for malaria vector population control based on measured rates at which mosquitoes utilize targeted resource subsets.	eliminating malaria requires vector control interventions that dramatically reduce adult mosquito population densities and survival rates. indoor applications of insecticidal nets and sprays are effective against an important minority of mosquito species that rely heavily upon human blood and habitations for survival. however, complementary approaches are needed to tackle a broader diversity of less human-specialized vectors by killing them at other resource targets.	2014	25168421
the effect of multiple blood-feeding on the longevity and insecticide resistant phenotype in the major malaria vector anopheles arabiensis (diptera: culicidae).	anopheles arabiensis is a major malaria vector in africa. adult females are likely to imbibe multiple blood meals during their lifetime. this results in regular exposure to potential toxins and blood-meal induced oxidative stress. defence responses to these stressors may affect other factors of epidemiological significance, such as insecticide resistance and longevity. the aims of this study were to examine the effect of multiple blood-feeding on insecticide tolerance/resistance with increasing ...	2014	25150975
increasing role of anopheles funestus and anopheles arabiensis in malaria transmission in the kilombero valley, tanzania.	in order to sustain the gains achieved by current malaria control strategies, robust surveillance systems that monitor dynamics of vectors and their roles in malaria transmission over time are essential. this longitudinal study demonstrates the trends in malaria vector dynamics and their relative contribution to malaria transmission in hyperendemic transmission settings in tanzania.	2014	25150840
characterizing, controlling and eliminating residual malaria transmission.	long-lasting insecticidal nets (llins) and indoor residual spraying (irs) interventions can reduce malaria transmission by targeting mosquitoes when they feed upon sleeping humans and/or rest inside houses, livestock shelters or other man-made structures. however, many malaria vector species can maintain robust transmission, despite high coverage of llins/irs containing insecticides to which they are physiologically fully susceptible, because they exhibit one or more behaviours that define the b ...	2014	25149656
preventive effect of permethrin-impregnated long-lasting insecticidal nets on the blood feeding of three major pyrethroid-resistant malaria vectors in western kenya.	since the world health organization (who) adopted the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (llins) as a principal strategy for effective malaria prevention and control, pyrethroids have been the only class of insecticides used for llins. the dramatic success of insecticide-treated nets (itns) and llins in african countries, however, has been threatened by the rapid development of pyrethroid resistance in vector mosquitoes. itns and llins are still used as effective self-protection measures, but ...	2014	25141947
persistently high estimates of late night, indoor exposure to malaria vectors despite high coverage of insecticide treated nets.	it has been speculated that widespread and sustained use of insecticide treated bed nets (itns) for over 10 years in asembo, western kenya, may have selected for changes in the location (indoor versus outdoor) and time (from late night to earlier in the evening) of biting of the predominant species of human malaria vectors (anopheles funestus, anopheles gambiae sensu stricto, and anopheles arabiensis).	2014	25141761
a cluster-randomized controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of using 15% deet topical repellent with long-lasting insecticidal nets (llins) compared to a placebo lotion on malaria transmission.	long-lasting insecticidal nets (llins) have limited effect on malaria transmitted outside of sleeping hours. topical repellents have demonstrated reduction in the incidence of malaria transmitted in the early evening. this study assessed whether 15% deet topical repellent used in combination with llins can prevent greater malaria transmission than placebo and llins, in rural tanzania.	2014	25129515
evaluation of textile substrates for dispensing synthetic attractants for malaria mosquitoes.	the full-scale impact of odour-baited technology on the surveillance, sampling and control of vectors of infectious diseases is partly limited by the lack of methods for the efficient and sustainable dispensing of attractants. in this study we investigated whether locally-available and commonly used textiles are efficient substrates for the release of synthetic odorant blends attracting malaria mosquitoes.	2014	25129505
sodium channel point mutations associated with pyrethroid resistance in chinese strains of culex pipiens quinquefasciatus (diptera: culicidae).	pesticide resistance due to sodium channel point mutations has been well documented in many mosquito species.	2014	25128988
the effects of genetic manipulation, dieldrin treatment and irradiation on the mating competitiveness of male anopheles arabiensis in field cages.	to enable the release of only sterile male anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes for the sterile insect technique, the genetic background of a wild-type strain was modified to create a genetic sexing strain ano ipcl1 that was based on a dieldrin resistance mutation. secondly, the eggs of ano ipcl1 require treatment with dieldrin to allow complete elimination of female l1 larvae from the production line. finally, male mosquito pupae need to be treated with an irradiation dose of 75 gy for sterilization ...	2014	25125089
behavioural responses of females of two anopheline mosquito species to human-occupied, insecticide-treated and untreated bed nets.	insecticide-treated bed nets (itns), used extensively to reduce human exposure to malaria, work through physical and chemical means to block or deter host-seeking mosquitoes. despite the importance of itns, very little is known about how host-seeking mosquitoes behave around occupied bed nets. as a result, evidence-based evaluations of the effects of physical damage on bed net effectiveness are not possible and there is a dearth of knowledge on which to base itn design.	2014	25080389
distribution and frequency of kdr mutations within anopheles gambiae s.l. populations and first report of the ace.1 g119s mutation in anopheles arabiensis from burkina faso (west africa).	an entomological survey was carried out at 15 sites dispersed throughout the three eco-climatic regions of burkina faso (west africa) in order to assess the current distribution and frequency of mutations that confer resistance to insecticides in an. gambiae s.l. populations in the country. both knockdown (kdr) resistance mutation variants (l1014f and l1014s), that confer resistance to pyrethroid insecticides, were identified concomitant with the ace-1 g119s mutation confirming the presence of m ...	2014	25077792
malaria in hadhramout, a southeast province of yemen: prevalence, risk factors, knowledge, attitude and practices (kaps).	yemen is a mediterranean country where 65% of its population is at risk of malaria, with 43% at high risk. yemen is still in the control phase without sustainable reduction in the proportion of malaria cases. a cross-sectional household survey was carried out in different districts in the southeast of the country to determine malaria prevalence and identify factors that impede progress of the elimination phase.	2014	25074325
abc transporters are involved in defense against permethrin insecticide in the malaria vector anopheles stephensi.	proteins from the abc family (atp-binding cassette) represent the largest known group of efflux pumps, responsible for transporting specific molecules across lipid membranes in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. in arthropods they have been shown to play a role in insecticide defense/resistance. the presence of abc transporters and their possible association with insecticide transport have not yet been investigated in the mosquito anopheles stephensi, the major vector of human malaria in ...	2014	25073980
controlling malaria using livestock-based interventions: a one health approach.	where malaria is transmitted by zoophilic vectors, two types of malaria control strategies have been proposed based on animals: using livestock to divert vector biting from people (zooprophylaxis) or as baits to attract vectors to insecticide sources (insecticide-treated livestock). opposing findings have been obtained on malaria zooprophylaxis, and despite the success of an insecticide-treated livestock trial in pakistan, where malaria vectors are highly zoophilic, its effectiveness is yet to b ...	2014	25050703
anti-mosquito plants as an alternative or incremental method for malaria vector control among rural communities of bagamoyo district, tanzania.	plants represent one of the most accessible resources available for mosquito control by communities in tanzania. however, no documented statistics exist for their contribution in the management of mosquitoes and other insects except through verbal and some publications. this study aimed at assessing communities' knowledge, attitudes and practices of using plants as an alternative method for mosquito control among selected communities in a malaria-prone area in tanzania.	2014	25015092
adherence to artemether-lumefantrine drug combination: a rural community experience six years after change of malaria treatment policy in tanzania.	adherence to multidosing is challenging worldwide. this study assessed the extent of adherence to multidosing artemether-lumefantrine (alu) in a rural community in tanzania, six years after switching from single dose policy of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine.	2014	25011682
development and optimization of the suna trap as a tool for mosquito monitoring and control.	monitoring of malaria vector populations provides information about disease transmission risk, as well as measures of the effectiveness of vector control. the suna trap is introduced and evaluated with regard to its potential as a new, standardized, odour-baited tool for mosquito monitoring and control.	2014	24998771
toxicity of six plant extracts and two pyridone alkaloids from ricinus communis against the malaria vector anopheles gambiae.	the african malaria vector, anopheles gambiae s.s., is known to feed selectively on certain plants for sugar sources. however, the adaptive significance of this behaviour especially on how the extracts of such plants impact on the fitness of this vector has not been explored. this study determined the toxicity and larvicidal activity on this vector of extracts from six selected plants found in kenya and two compounds identified from ricinus communis: 3-carbonitrile-4-methoxy-n-methyl-2-pyridone ...	2014	24996560
pyrethroid susceptibility of malaria vectors in four districts of western kenya.	increasing pyrethroid resistance in malaria vectors has been reported in western kenya where long lasting insecticidal nets (llins) and indoor residual spraying (irs) are the mainstays of vector control. to ensure the sustainability of insecticide-based malaria vector control, monitoring programs need to be implemented. this study was designed to investigate the extent and distribution of pyrethroid resistance in 4 districts of western kenya (nyando, rachuonyo, bondo and teso). all four district ...	2014	24996418