Publications

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 ...	25185006
anopheles darlingi polytene chromosomes: revised maps including newly described inversions and evidence for population structure in manaus.	salivary gland polytene chromosomes of 4th instar anopheles darlingi root were examined from multiple locations in the brazilian amazon. minor modifications were made to existing polytene photomaps. these included changes to the breakpoint positions of several previously described paracentric inversions and descriptions of four new paracentric inversions, two on the right arm of chromosome 3 and two on the left arm of chromosome 3 that were found in multiple locations. a total of 18 inversions o ...	27223867
patterns of genomic differentiation between ecologically differentiated m and s forms of anopheles gambiae in west and central africa.	anopheles gambiae m and s are thought to be undergoing ecological speciation by adapting to different larval habitats. toward an improved understanding of the genetic determinants and evolutionary processes shaping their divergence, we used a 400,000 single-nucleotide polymorphism (snp) genotyping array to characterize patterns of genomic differentiation between four geographically paired m and s population samples from west and central africa. in keeping with recent studies based on more limite ...	23132896
insecticide-treated plastic sheeting for emergency malaria prevention and shelter among displaced populations: an observational cohort study in a refugee setting in sierra leone.	a double-blind phase iii malaria prevention trial was conducted in two refugee camps using pre-manufactured insecticide-treated plastic sheeting (itps) or untreated polyethylene sheeting (ups) randomly deployed to defined sectors of each camp. in largo camp the itps or ups was attached to inner walls and ceilings of shelters, whereas in tobanda the itps or ups was used to line only the ceiling and roof. in largo the plasmodium falciparum incidence rate in children up to 3 years of age who were c ...	22855753
coalescent patterns for chromosomal inversions in divergent populations.	chromosomal inversions allow genetic divergence of locally adapted populations by reducing recombination between chromosomes with different arrangements. divergence between populations (or hybridization between species) is expected to leave signatures in the neutral genetic diversity of the inverted region. quantitative expectations for these patterns, however, have not been obtained. here, we develop coalescent models of neutral sites linked to an inversion polymorphism in two locally adapted p ...	22201172
effect of swamp cultivation on distribution of anopheline larval habitats in western kenya.	malaria resurgence in highland regions of east africa has been on increase. the spatio-temporal distribution of larval habitats of malaria vectors determines the distribution of adult vectors, hence, disease transmission. vector's ecology is necessary for strategic vector control through effective plan for source reduction. mapping of the larval habitats is necessary for targeted control measures. the purpose of this study is to assess and compare the spatial and seasonal variations in anophelin ...	22898476
comparative genomics of odorant binding proteins in anopheles gambiae, aedes aegypti, and culex quinquefasciatus.	about 1 million people in the world die each year from diseases spread by mosquitoes, and understanding the mechanism of host identification by the mosquitoes through olfaction is at stake. the role of odorant binding proteins (obps) in the primary molecular events of olfaction in mosquitoes is becoming an important focus of biological research in this area. here, we present a comprehensive comparative genomics study of obps in the three disease-transmitting mosquito species anopheles gambiae, a ...	23292137
seasonal variation in metabolic rate, flight activity and body size of anopheles gambiae in the sahel.	malaria in africa is vectored primarily by the anopheles gambiae complex. although the mechanisms of population persistence during the dry season are not yet known, targeting dry season mosquitoes could provide opportunities for vector control. in the sahel, it appears likely that m-form a. gambiae survive by aestivation (entering a dormant state). to assess the role of eco-physiological changes associated with dry season survival, we measured body size, flight activity and metabolic rate of wil ...	22623189
conquering malaria: enhancing the impact of effective interventions towards elimination in the diverse and changing epidemiology.	malaria remains a major global disease burden causing just under a million deaths each year, mainly of children and pregnant women in sub-saharan africa. it consumes up to 40% of public health expenditure of these poor countries, causing in africa us$ 12 billion in lost gdp every year. this should not be acceptable since malaria is preventable, and there is clear evidence that optimal use of current tools can reduce much of the suffering and deaths. three major factors allowing this to happen in ...	21731304
single-nucleotide polymorphisms for high-throughput genotyping of anopheles arabiensis in east and southern africa.	anopheles arabiensis patton is one of the principal vectors of malaria in sub-saharan africa, occupying a wide variety of ecological zones. this species is increasingly responsible for malaria transmission in africa and is becoming the dominant vector species in some localities. despite its growing importance, little is known about genetic polymorphisms in this species. multiple sequences of various gene fragments from an. arabiensis isolates from cameroon were obtained from genbank. in total, 2 ...	22493848
elastomeric polypeptides.	elastomeric polypeptides are very interesting biopolymers and are characterized by rubber-like elasticity, large extensibility before rupture, reversible deformation without loss of energy, and high resilience upon stretching. their useful properties have motivated their use in a wide variety of materials and biological applications. this chapter focuses on elastin and resilin - two elastomeric biopolymers - and the recombinant polypeptides derived from them (elastin-like polypeptides and resili ...	21826606
influence of the timing of malaria infection during pregnancy on birth weight and on maternal anemia in benin.	abstract. although consequences of malaria in pregnancy are well known, the period of pregnancy in which infection has the highest impact is still unclear. in benin, we followed up a cohort of 1,037 women through pregnancy until delivery. the objective was to evaluate the relationship between the timing of infection and birth weight, and maternal anemia at delivery. at the beginning of pregnancy, peripheral infections were associated with a decrease in mean birth weight (-98.5 g; p = 0.03) and a ...	21813837
genetic diversity of plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein-1 block 2 in sites of contrasting altitudes and malaria endemicities in the mount cameroon region.	the present study analyzed the relationship between the genetic diversity of plasmodium falciparum and parasitologic/entomologic indices in the mount cameroon region by using merozoite surface protein 1 as a genetic marker. blood samples were collected from asymptomatic children from three altitude zones (high, intermediate, and low). parasitologic and entomologic indices were determined by microscopy and landing catch mosquito collection/circumsporozoite protein-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assa ...	22556072
biological transmission of arboviruses: reexamination of and new insights into components, mechanisms, and unique traits as well as their evolutionary trends.	among animal viruses, arboviruses are unique in that they depend on arthropod vectors for transmission. field research and laboratory investigations related to the three components of this unique mode of transmission, virus, vector, and vertebrate host, have produced an enormous amount of valuable information that may be found in numerous publications. however, despite many reviews on specific viruses, diseases, or interests, a systematic approach to organizing the available information on all f ...	16223950
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.	25183156
novel and viable acetylcholinesterase target site for developing effective and environmentally safe insecticides.	insect pests are responsible for human suffering and financial losses worldwide. new and environmentally safe insecticides are urgently needed to cope with these serious problems. resistance to current insecticides has resulted in a resurgence of insect pests, and growing concerns about insecticide toxicity to humans discourage the use of insecticides for pest control. the small market for insecticides has hampered insecticide development; however, advances in genomics and structural genomics of ...	22280344
variation in number and formation of repeat sequences in the rdna its2 region of five sibling species in the anopheles barbirostris complex in thailand.	repeat sequences of approximately 100 base pairs in length were found in the rdna its2 region of anopheles barbirostris van der wulp (diptera: culicidae) species a1, a2, a3, a4, and an. campestris-like in the an. barbirostris complex. variation in the number of repeats was observed among the five sibling species. specifically, 10 repeats were observed in a1, eight in a2, a4, and campestris-like, and three in a3. based on similarities in the sequences of the repeats, related repeats were classifi ...	22233453
mosquitocidal properties of igg targeting the glutamate-gated chloride channel in three mosquito disease vectors (diptera: culicidae).	the glutamate-gated chloride channel (glucl) is a highly sensitive insecticide target of the avermectin class of insecticides. as an alternative to using chemical insecticides to kill mosquitoes, we tested the effects of purified immunoglobulin g (igg) targeting the extracellular domain of glucl from anopheles gambiae (agglucl) on the survivorship of three key mosquito disease vectors: anopheles gambiae s.s., aedes aegypti and culex tarsalis. when administered through a single blood meal, anti-a ...	25994632
phylogeny of anopheline (diptera: culicidae) species in southern africa, based on nuclear and mitochondrial genes.	a phylogeny of anthropophilic and zoophilic anopheline mosquito species was constructed, using the nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 (its2) and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit i (coi) genes. the its2 alignment, typically difficult due to its noncoding nature and large size variations, was aided by using predicted secondary structure, making this phylogenetically useful gene more amenable to investigation. this phylogeny is unique in explicitly including zoophilic, non-vector anophel ...	26047180
evidence for stopping mass drug administration for lymphatic filariasis in some, but not all local government areas of plateau and nasarawa states, nigeria.	an average of six annual rounds of ivermectin and albendazole were distributed in plateau and nasarawa states, nigeria, to eliminate lymphatic filariasis. from 2007 to 2008, population-based surveys were implemented in all 30 local government areas (lgas) of the two states to determine the prevalence of wuchereria bancrofti antigenemia to assess which lga mass drug administration (mda) could be halted. in total, 36,681 persons from 7,819 households were examined for filarial antigen as determine ...	22855758
review of the malaria epidemiology and trends in zambia.	a comprehensive desk review of malaria trends was conducted between 2000-2010 in zambia to study malaria epidemiology and trends to guide strategies and approaches for effective malaria control. this review considered data from the national health information management system, malaria surveys and programme review reports and analyzed malaria in-patient cases and deaths in relation to intervention coverage for all ages. data showed three distinct epidemiological strata after a notable malaria re ...	23593585
draft genome sequences of enterobacter sp. isolate ag1 from the midgut of the malaria mosquito anopheles gambiae.	an isolate of enterobacter sp. was obtained from the microbial community within the gut of the anopheles gambiae mosquito, a major malaria vector in africa. this genome was sequenced and annotated. the genome sequences will facilitate subsequent efforts to characterize the mosquito gut microbiome.	22965099
heterochromatin, histone modifications, and nuclear architecture in disease vectors.	interactions between a pathogen and a vector are plastic and dynamic. such interactions can be more rapidly accommodated by epigenetic changes than by genetic mutations. gene expression can be affected by the proximity to the heterochromatin, by local histone modifications, and by the three-dimensional position within the nucleus. recent studies of disease vectors indicate that gene regulation by these factors can be important for susceptibility to pathogens, reproduction, immunity, development, ...	26097808
infravec: research capacity for the implementation of genetic control of mosquitoes.	mosquitoes represent a major and global cause of human suffering due to the diseases they transmit. these include parasitic diseases, i.e. malaria and filariasis, and viral infections such as dengue, encephalitis, and yellow fever. the threat of mosquito-borne diseases is not limited to tropical and subtropical regions of the world. trade and climate changes have opened new niches to tropical vectors in temperate areas of the world, thus putting previously unaffected regions at risk of disease t ...	24428829
dose and developmental responses of anopheles merus larvae to salinity.	saltwater tolerance is a trait that carries both ecological and epidemiological significance for anopheles mosquitoes that transmit human malaria, as it plays a key role in determining their habitat use and ecological distribution, and thus their local contribution to malaria transmission. here, we lay the groundwork for genetic dissection of this trait by quantifying saltwater tolerance in three closely related cryptic species and malaria vectors from the afrotropical anopheles gambiae complex ...	23966587
diversity and convergence of sodium channel mutations involved in resistance to pyrethroids.	pyrethroid insecticides target voltage-gated sodium channels, which are critical for electrical signaling in the nervous system. the intensive use of pyrethroids in controlling arthropod pests and disease vectors has led to many instances of pyrethroid resistance around the globe. in the past two decades, studies have identified a large number of sodium channel mutations that are associated with resistance to pyrethroids. the purpose of this review is to summarize both common and unique sodium c ...	24019556
competitive displacement and reduction.		17853612
monitoring malaria vector control interventions: effectiveness of five different adult mosquito sampling methods.	long-term success of ongoing malaria control efforts based on mosquito bed nets (long-lasting insecticidal net) and indoor residual spraying is dependent on continuous monitoring of mosquito vectors, and thus on effective mosquito sampling tools. the objective of our study was to identify the most efficient mosquito sampling tool(s) for routine vector surveillance for malaria and lymphatic filariasis transmission in coastal kenya. we evaluated relative efficacy of five collection methods--light ...	24180120