Publications

correction: distribution and frequency of kdr mutations within anopheles gambiae s.l. populations and first report of the ace.1g119s mutation in anopheles arabiensis from burkina faso (west africa).		2015	26528719
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
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
the insect growth regulator pyriproxyfen terminates egg diapause in the asian tiger mosquito, aedes albopictus.	the asian tiger mosquito, aedes albopictus, is a highly invasive mosquito species that transmits chikungunya and dengue. this species overwinters as diapausing eggs in temperate climates. early diapause termination may be a beneficial strategy for winter mosquito control; however, a mechanism to terminate the diapause process using chemicals is not known. we tested the hypothesis that a hormonal imbalance caused by the administration of juvenile hormone analog would terminate egg diapause in a. ...	2015	26090954
indoor use of attractive toxic sugar bait (atsb) to effectively control malaria vectors in mali, west africa.	attractive toxic sugar bait (atsb) solutions containing any gut toxins can be either sprayed on plants or used in simple bait stations to attract and kill sugar-feeding female and male mosquitoes. this field study in mali demonstrates the effect of atsb bait stations inside houses as a vector control method that targets and kills endophilic african malaria vectors.	2015	26242186
impregnating hessian strips with the volatile pyrethroid transfluthrin prevents outdoor exposure to vectors of malaria and lymphatic filariasis in urban dar es salaam, tanzania.	semi-field trials using laboratory-reared anopheles arabiensis have shown that, delivering the volatile pyrethroid transfluthrin by absorption into hessian strips, consistently provided > 99% human protective efficacy against bites for 6 months without retreating. here the impact of this approach upon human exposure to wild populations of vectors for both malaria and filariasis under full field conditions is assessed for the first time.	2015	26063216
analysing chemical attraction of gravid anopheles gambiae sensu stricto with modified bg-sentinel traps.	cues that guide gravid anopheles gambiae sensu lato to oviposition sites can be manipulated to create new strategies for monitoring and controlling malaria vectors. however, progress towards identifying such cues is slow in part due to the lack of appropriate tools for investigating long-range attraction to putative oviposition substrates. this study aimed to develop a relatively easy-to-use bioassay system that can effectively analyse chemical attraction of gravid anopheles gambiae sensu strict ...	2015	26036270
predicting scenarios for successful autodissemination of pyriproxyfen by malaria vectors from their resting sites to aquatic habitats; description and simulation analysis of a field-parameterizable model.	large-cage experiments indicate pyriproxifen (ppf) can be transferred from resting sites to aquatic habitats by anopheles arabiensis--malaria vector mosquitoes to inhibit emergence of their own offspring. ppf coverage is amplified twice: (1) partial coverage of resting sites with ppf contamination results in far higher contamination coverage of adult mosquitoes because they are mobile and use numerous resting sites per gonotrophic cycle, and (2) even greater contamination coverage of aquatic hab ...	2015	26186730
stimulating anopheles gambiae swarms in the laboratory: application for behavioural and fitness studies.	male anopheles mosquitoes that swarm rely in part on features of the environment including visual stimuli to locate swarms. swarming is believed to be the primary behaviour during which mating occurs in the field, but is not a common behaviour in the laboratory. features that stimulate male anopheles gambiae g3 strain swarming were created in novel large indoor cages.	2015	26169677
sequence analysis of insecticide action and detoxification-related genes in the insect pest natural enemy pardosa pseudoannulata.	the pond wolf spider pardosa pseudoannulata, an important natural predatory enemy of rice planthoppers, is found widely distributed in paddy fields. however, data on the genes involved in insecticide action, detoxification, and response are very limited for p. pseudoannulata, which inhibits the development and appropriate use of selective insecticides to control insect pests on rice. we used transcriptome construction from adult spider cephalothoraxes to analyze and manually identify genes encon ...	2015	25923714
a venue-based survey of malaria, anemia and mobility patterns among migrant farm workers in amhara region, ethiopia.	mobile populations present unique challenges to malaria control and elimination efforts. each year, a large number of individuals travel to northwest amhara region, ethiopia to seek seasonal employment on large-scale farms. agricultural areas typically report the heaviest malaria burden within amhara thereby placing migrants at high risk of infection. yet little is known about these seasonal migrants and their malaria-related risk factors.	2015	26619114
gains attained in malaria control coverage within settings earmarked for pre-elimination: malaria indicator and prevalence surveys 2012, eritrea.	eritrea, like most countries in sub-saharan africa, has expended much effort towards malaria control with the view of transitioning from reduction of the disease burden to elimination. this paper reports on the level of achievement as highlighted by the follow-on, malaria-endemic area representative, survey that aimed to provide data and to assess progress on malaria indicators and parasite prevalence at household level across the country.	2015	26589786
plasmodium vivax transmission in africa.	malaria in sub-saharan africa has historically been almost exclusively attributed to plasmodium falciparum (pf). current diagnostic and surveillance systems in much of sub-saharan africa are not designed to identify or report non-pf human malaria infections accurately, resulting in a dearth of routine epidemiological data about their significance. the high prevalence of duffy negativity provided a rationale for excluding the possibility of plasmodium vivax (pv) transmission. however, review of v ...	2015	26587988
inflammatory cytokine and humoral responses to plasmodium falciparum glycosylphosphatidylinositols correlates with malaria immunity and pathogenesis.	pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by glycosylphosphatidylinositols (gpis) of plasmodium falciparum contribute to malaria pathogenesis and hence, the naturally acquired anti-gpi antibody thought to provide protection against severe malaria (sm) by neutralizing the stimulatory activity of gpis. in previous studies, the anti-gpi antibody levels increased with age in parallel with the development of acquired immunity, and high levels of anti-gpi antibodies were associated with mild malaria (mm) cas ...	2015	27042299
factors associated with sustained use of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets following a reduction in malaria transmission in southern zambia.	understanding factors influencing sustained use of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (llin) in areas of declining malaria transmission is critical to sustaining control and may facilitate elimination. from 2008 to 2013, 655 households in choma district, zambia, were randomly selected and residents were administered a questionnaire and malaria rapid diagnostic test. mosquitoes were collected concurrently by light trap. in a multilevel model, children and adolescents of 5-17 years of age were ...	2015	26324729
incidence of severe malaria syndromes and status of immune responses among khat chewer malaria patients in ethiopia.	although more emphasis has been given to the genetic and environmental factors that determine host vulnerability to malaria, other factors that might have a crucial role in burdening the disease have not been evaluated yet. therefore, this study was designed to assess the effect of khat chewing on the incidence of severe malaria syndromes and immune responses during malaria infection in an area where the two problems co-exist. clinical, physical, demographic, hematological, biochemical and immun ...	2015	26173100
seasonal associations of climatic drivers and malaria in the highlands of ethiopia.	the impacts of interannual climate fluctuations on vector-borne diseases, especially malaria, have received considerable attention in the scientific literature. these effects can be significant in semi-arid and high-elevation areas such as the highlands of east africa because cooler temperature and seasonally dry conditions limit malaria transmission. many previous studies have examined short-term lagged effects of climate on malaria (weeks to months), but fewer have explored the possibility of ...	2015	26104276
assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice about malaria and itns utilization among pregnant women in shashogo district, southern ethiopia.	malaria causes variety of adverse consequences in pregnant women due to invasion of the placenta by plasmodium. it increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcome for the mother, the foetus and the new-born. therefore, knowledge, attitudes and practices of this vulnerable group about malaria and the effective use of insecticide-treated nets (itns) contribute to sustainable control of the disease and its effects.	2015	26040464
balancing drug resistance and growth rates via compensatory mutations in the plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter.	the widespread use of chloroquine to treat plasmodium falciparum infections has resulted in the selection and dissemination of variant haplotypes of the primary resistance determinant pfcrt. these haplotypes have encountered drug pressure and within-host competition with wild-type drug-sensitive parasites. to examine these selective forces in vitro, we genetically engineered p. falciparum to express geographically diverse pfcrt haplotypes. variant alleles from the philippines (ph1 and ph2, which ...	2015	25898991
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
genetic diversity of plasmodium falciparum isolates based on msp-1 and msp-2 genes from kolla-shele area, arbaminch zuria district, southwest ethiopia.	the genetic diversity of plasmodium falciparum has been extensively studied in various countries. however, limited data are available from ethiopia. this study was conducted to evaluate the extent of genetic diversity of p. falciparum in kolla-shele, in the southwest of ethiopia.	2015	25889847
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
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
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
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
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
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 bacillus thuringiensis israelensis as a control agent for adult anopheles gambiae.	unlike the application of bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (bti) for the control of larval mosquitoes, studies of its effects on adults, for its possible use in attractive toxic sugar baits, have resulted in conflicting results. five species have shown a decrease in adult survival due to bti ingestion, whereas adults of anopheles arabiensis have not. we sought to determine if ingestion of bti by adults of anopheles gambiae, a sibling species of an. arabiensis, increases their mortality. labora ...	2015	26375907
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
estimation of insecticide persistence, biological activity and mosquito resistance to permanet® 2 long-lasting insecticidal nets over three to 32 months of use in ethiopia.	information is needed on the expected durability of insecticidal nets under operational conditions. the persistence of insecticidal efficacy is important to estimate the median serviceable life of nets under field conditions and to plan for net replacement.	2014	24602340
impacts of insecticide treated bed nets on anopheles gambiae s.l. populations in mbita district and suba district, western kenya.	abundance and species composition of sympatric malaria vector species are the important factors governing transmission intensity. a widespread insecticidal bed net coverage may replace endophagic species with exophagic species. however, unique local environments also influence a vector population. this study examined the impacts of insecticidal bed nets on an. gambiae s.l populations in mbita district and suba district.	2014	24517160
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
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
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
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
remotely-sensed, nocturnal, dew point correlates with malaria transmission in southern province, zambia: a time-series study.	plasmodium falciparum transmission has decreased significantly in zambia in the last decade. the malaria transmission is influenced by environmental variables. incorporation of environmental variables in models of malaria transmission likely improves model fit and predicts probable trends in malaria disease. this work is based on the hypothesis that remotely-sensed environmental factors, including nocturnal dew point, are associated with malaria transmission and sustain foci of transmission duri ...	2014	24927747
comprehensive sterilization of malaria vectors using pyriproxyfen: a step closer to malaria elimination.	one of the main challenges to malaria elimination is the resilience of vectors, such as anopheles arabiensis, that evade lethal exposure to insecticidal control measures or express resistance to their active ingredients. this study investigated a novel technology for population control that sterilizes mosquitoes using pyriproxyfen, a juvenile hormone analogue. females of an. arabiensis were released in a semifield system divided into four equal sections, and each section had a mud hut sheltering ...	2014	24639296
effect of combining mosquito repellent and insecticide treated net on malaria prevalence in southern ethiopia: a cluster-randomised trial.	a mosquito repellent has the potential to prevent malaria infection, but there has been few studies demonstrating the effectiveness of combining this strategy with the highly effective long-lasting insecticidal nets (llins). this study aimed to determine the effect of combining community-based mosquito repellent with llins in the reduction of malaria.	2014	24678612
evaluation of the efficacy of ddt indoor residual spraying and long-lasting insecticidal nets against insecticide resistant populations of anopheles arabiensis patton (diptera: culicidae) from ethiopia using experimental huts.	indoor residual spraying (irs) and long-lasting insecticidal nets (llins) are major malaria vector control tools in ethiopia. however, recent reports from different parts of the country showed that populations of anopheles arabiensis, the principal malaria vector, have developed resistance to most families of insecticides recommended for public health use which may compromise the efficacy of both of these key vector control interventions. thus, this study evaluated the efficacy of ddt irs and ll ...	2014	24678605
assessment of risk factors associated with malaria transmission in tubu village, northern botswana.	this study investigated potential risk factors associated with malaria transmission in tubu village, okavango subdistrict, a malaria endemic area in northern botswana. data was derived from a census questionnaire survey, participatory rural appraisal workshop, field observations, and mosquito surveys. history of malaria episodes was associated with several factors: household income (p < 0.05), late outdoor activities (or = 7.016; ci = 1.786-27.559), time spent outdoors (p = 0.051), travel outsid ...	2014	24757573
in vivo antimalarial activity of the crude leaf extract and solvent fractions of croton macrostachyus hocsht. (euphorbiaceae) against plasmodium berghei in mice.	the issue of resistance in malarial infection makes development of novel drugs a necessity. an alternative source for discovering such drugs is natural products. croton macrostachyus h. (euphorbiaceae) is used in ethiopian folklore medicine for the treatment of malaria and found to possess antimalarial activity in vitro. however, no further scientific investigations have been carried out to substantiate the claim. this study therefore aimed at investigating the in vivo antiplasmodial activity of ...	2014	24580778
insect repellent plants traditional usage practices in the ethiopian malaria epidemic-prone setting: an ethnobotanical survey.	the usage of insect repellent plants (irps) is one of the centuries-old practices in africa. in ethiopia, malaria remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, subsequently the majority of people have a tendency to apply various plants as repellents to reduce or interrupt the biting activity of insects. accordingly, this survey was undertaken to document and evaluate knowledge and usage practices of the local inhabitants on irps in the malaria epidemic-prone setting of ethiopia.	2014	24521138
ownership and use of long-lasting insecticidal nets for malaria prevention in butajira area, south-central ethiopia: complex samples data analysis.	despite the encroaching of endemic malaria to highland-fringe areas above 2000 meters above sea level in ethiopia, there is limited information on ownership and use of mosquito nets for malaria prevention. thus, this study was designed to assess long-lasting insecticidal nets (llin) possession and use for malaria prevention in highland-fringe of south-central ethiopia.	2014	24479770
co-occurrence and distribution of east (l1014s) and west (l1014f) african knock-down resistance in anopheles gambiae sensu lato population of tanzania.	insecticide resistance molecular markers can provide sensitive indicators of resistance development in anopheles vector populations. assaying these makers is of paramount importance in the resistance monitoring programme. we investigated the presence and distribution of knock-down resistance (kdr) mutations in anopheles gambiae s.l. in tanzania.	2014	24386946
diversity, differentiation, and linkage disequilibrium: prospects for association mapping in the malaria vector anopheles arabiensis.	association mapping is a widely applied method for elucidating the genetic basis of phenotypic traits. however, factors such as linkage disequilibrium and levels of genetic diversity influence the power and resolution of this approach. moreover, the presence of population subdivision among samples can result in spurious associations if not accounted for. as such, it is useful to have a detailed understanding of these factors before conducting association mapping experiments. here we conducted wh ...	2014	24281424
insecticide resistance in anopheles arabiensis in sudan: temporal trends and underlying mechanisms.	malaria vector control in sudan relies mainly on indoor residual spraying (irs) and the use of long lasting insecticide treated bed nets (llins). monitoring insecticide resistance in the main sudanese malaria vector, anopheles arabiensis, is essential for planning and implementing an effective vector control program in this country.	2014	24886129
zoom in at african country level: potential climate induced changes in areas of suitability for survival of malaria vectors.	predicting anopheles vectors' population densities and boundary shifts is crucial in preparing for malaria risks and unanticipated outbreaks. although shifts in the distribution and boundaries of the major malaria vectors (anopheles gambiae s.s. and an. arabiensis) across africa have been predicted, quantified areas of absolute change in zone of suitability for their survival have not been defined. in this study, we have quantified areas of absolute change conducive for the establishment and sur ...	2014	24885061
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
interplay of population genetics and dynamics in the genetic control of mosquitoes.	some proposed genetics-based vector control methods aim to suppress or eliminate a mosquito population in a similar manner to the sterile insect technique. one approach under development in anopheles mosquitoes uses homing endonuclease genes (hegs)-selfish genetic elements (inherited at greater than mendelian rate) that can spread rapidly through a population even if they reduce fitness. hegs have potential to drive introduced traits through a population without large-scale sustained releases. t ...	2014	24522781
laboratory and experimental hut evaluation of a long-lasting insecticide treated blanket for protection against mosquitoes.	long-lasting insecticide treated blankets (llibs) may provide additional protection against malaria where use of long lasting insecticidal nets (llin) is low or impractical such as in disaster or emergency situations.	2014	24679345
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
ecological niche and potential distribution of anopheles arabiensis in africa in 2050.	the future distribution of malaria in africa is likely to be much more dependent on environmental conditions than the current distribution due to the effectiveness of indoor and therapeutic anti-malarial interventions, such as insecticide-treated nets (itns), indoor residual spraying for mosquitoes (irs), artemisinin-combination therapy (act), and intermittent presumptive treatment (ipt). future malaria epidemiology is therefore expected to be increasingly dominated by anopheles arabiensis, whic ...	2014	24888886
ex vivo anti-malarial drugs sensitivity profile of plasmodium falciparum field isolates from burkina faso five years after the national policy change.	the recent reports on the decreasing susceptibility of plasmodium falciparum to artemisinin derivatives along the thailand and myanmar border are worrying. indeed it may spread to india and then africa, repeating the same pattern observed for chloroquine resistance. therefore, it is essential to start monitoring p. falciparum sensitivity to artemisinin derivatives and its partner drugs in africa. efficacy of al and asaq were tested by carrying out an in vivo drug efficacy test, with an ex vivo s ...	2014	24885950
acceptance of illness and satisfaction with life among malaria patients in rivers state, nigeria.	health condition is one of the basic factors affecting satisfaction with life, and the level of illness acceptance. the purpose of the study was to analyse the level of illness acceptance, the level of satisfaction with life among malaria patients, and the level of trust placed in the physician and the nurse.	2014	24885562
insecticidal and repellent activities of pyrethroids to the three major pyrethroid-resistant malaria vectors in western kenya.	the dramatic success of insecticide treated nets (itns) and long-lasting insecticidal nets (llins) in african countries has been countered by the rapid development of pyrethroid resistance in vector mosquitoes over the past decade. one advantage of the use of pyrethroids in itns is their excito-repellency. use of the excito-repellency of pyrethroids might be biorational, since such repellency will not induce or delay the development of any physiological resistance. however, little is known about ...	2014	24885499
effective autodissemination of pyriproxyfen to breeding sites by the exophilic malaria vector anopheles arabiensis in semi-field settings in tanzania.	malaria vector control strategies that target adult female mosquitoes are challenged by the emergence of insecticide resistance and behavioural resilience. conventional larviciding is restricted by high operational costs and inadequate knowledge of mosquito-breeding habitats in rural settings that might be overcome by the juvenile hormone analogue, pyriproxyfen (ppf). this study assessed the potential for anopheles arabiensis to pick up and transfer lethal doses of ppf from contamination sites t ...	2014	24779515
molasses as a source of carbon dioxide for attracting the malaria mosquitoes anopheles gambiae and anopheles funestus.	most odour baits for haematophagous arthropods contain carbon dioxide (co2). the co2 is sourced artificially from the fermentation of refined sugar (sucrose), dry ice, pressurized gas cylinders or propane. these sources of co2 are neither cost-effective nor sustainable for use in remote areas of sub-saharan africa. in this study, molasses was evaluated as a potential substrate for producing co2 used as bait for malaria mosquitoes.	2014	24767543
high burden of malaria following scale-up of control interventions in nchelenge district, luapula province, zambia.	malaria control interventions have been scaled-up in zambia in conjunction with a malaria surveillance system. although substantial progress has been achieved in reducing morbidity and mortality, national and local information demonstrated marked heterogeneity in the impact of malaria control across the country. this study reports the high burden of malaria in nchelenge district, luapula province, zambia from 2006 to 2012 after seven years of control measures.	2014	24755108
estimating the annual entomological inoculation rate for plasmodium falciparum transmitted by anopheles gambiae s.l. using three sampling methods in three sites in uganda.	the plasmodium falciparum entomological inoculation rate (pfeir) is a measure of exposure to infectious mosquitoes. it is usually interpreted as the number of p. falciparum infective bites received by an individual during a season or annually (apfeir). in an area of perennial transmission, the accuracy, precision and seasonal distribution (i.e., month by month) of apfeir were investigated. data were drawn from three sites in uganda with differing levels of transmission where falciparum malaria i ...	2014	24656206
long-lasting control of anopheles arabiensis by a single spray application of micro-encapsulated pirimiphos-methyl (actellic® 300 cs).	pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes are an increasing threat to malaria vector control. the global plan for insecticide resistance management (gpirm) recommends rotation of non-pyrethroid insecticides for indoor residual spraying (irs). the options from other classes are limited. the carbamate bendiocarb and the organophosphate pirimiphos-methyl (p-methyl) emulsifiable concentrate (ec) have a short residual duration of action, resulting in increased costs due to multiple spray cycles, and user fatig ...	2014	24476070
push by a net, pull by a cow: can zooprophylaxis enhance the impact of insecticide treated bed nets on malaria control?	mass insecticide treated bed net (itn) deployment, and its associated coverage of populations at risk, had "pushed" a decline in malaria transmission. however, it is unknown whether malaria control is being enhanced by zooprophylaxis, i.e., mosquitoes diverted to feed on hosts different from humans, a phenomenon that could further reduce malaria entomological transmission risk in areas where livestock herding is common.	2014	24472517
insecticide resistance mechanisms associated with different environments in the malaria vector anopheles gambiae: a case study in tanzania.	resistance of mosquitoes to insecticides is a growing concern in africa. since only a few insecticides are used for public health and limited development of new molecules is expected in the next decade, maintaining the efficacy of control programmes mostly relies on resistance management strategies. developing such strategies requires a deep understanding of factors influencing resistance together with characterizing the mechanisms involved. among factors likely to influence insecticide resistan ...	2014	24460952
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
monitoring persistence of the entomopathogenic fungus metarhizium anisopliae under simulated field conditions with the aim of controlling adult aedes aegypti (diptera: culicidae).	entomopathogenic fungi are potential candidates for use in integrated vector management, with recent emphasis aimed at developing adult mosquito control methods. here we investigated the persistence of the fungus metarhizium anisopliae when tested against female a. aegypti under field conditions.	2014	24766705
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
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
agent-based modeling of malaria vectors: the importance of spatial simulation.	the modeling of malaria vector mosquito populations yields great insight into drivers of malaria transmission at the village scale. simulation of individual mosquitoes as "agents" in a distributed, dynamic model domain may be greatly beneficial for simulation of spatial relationships of vectors and hosts.	2014	24992942
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
potential causes and consequences of behavioural resilience and resistance in malaria vector populations: a mathematical modelling analysis.	the ability of mosquitoes to evade fatal exposure to insecticidal nets and sprays represents the primary obstacle to eliminating malaria. however, it remains unclear which behaviours are most important for buffering mosquito and parasite populations against vector control.	2014	24629066
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
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
implications of low-density microfilariae carriers in anopheles transmission areas: molecular forms of anopheles gambiae and anopheles funestus populations in perspective.	previous studies have shown a general reduction in annual transmission potential (atp) of anopheles species after mass drug administration (mda) in lymphatic filariasis endemic communities. whereas results obtained from a monitoring programme after three years of mda revealed a decrease in atp of anopheles funestus this was not the same for an. gambiae s.s. in ghana. in this study, the ability of these vectors in transmitting wuchereria bancrofti in nine lymphatic filariasis endemic communities ...	2014	24690378
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
impact of permanet 3.0 on entomological indices in an area of pyrethroid resistant anopheles gambiae in south-western nigeria.	permanet® 3.0 is an insecticide synergist-combination long-lasting insecticidal net designed to have increased efficacy against malaria vectors with metabolic resistance, even when combined with kdr. the current study reports on the impact of this improved tool on entomological indices in an area with pyrethroid-resistant malaria vectors in nigeria.	2014	24886399
a description of malaria sentinel surveillance: a case study in oromia regional state, ethiopia.	in the context of the massive scale up of malaria interventions, there is increasing recognition that the current capacity of routine malaria surveillance conducted in most african countries through integrated health management information systems is inadequate. the timeliness of reporting to higher levels of the health system through health management information systems is often too slow for rapid action on focal infectious diseases such as malaria. the purpose of this paper is to: 1) describe ...	2014	24618105
re-evaluation of microscopy confirmed plasmodium falciparum and plasmodium vivax malaria by nested pcr detection in southern ethiopia.	with 75% of the ethiopian population at risk of malaria, accurate diagnosis is crucial for malaria treatment in endemic areas where plasmodium falciparum and plasmodium vivax co-exist. the present study evaluated the performance of regular microscopy in accurate identification of plasmodium spp. in febrile patients visiting health facilities in southern ethiopia.	2014	24502664
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
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
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
using a near-infrared spectrometer to estimate the age of anopheles mosquitoes exposed to pyrethroids.	we report on the accuracy of using near-infrared spectroscopy (nirs) to predict the age of anopheles mosquitoes reared from wild larvae and a mixed age-wild adult population collected from pit traps after exposure to pyrethroids. the mosquitoes reared from wild larvae were estimated as <7 or ≥7 d old with an overall accuracy of 79%. the age categories of anopheles mosquitoes that were not exposed to the insecticide papers were predicted with 78% accuracy whereas the age categories of resistant, ...	2014	24594705
genomic analyses of three malaria vectors reveals extensive shared polymorphism but contrasting population histories.	anopheles gambiae s.l. are important malaria vectors, but little is known about their genomic variation in the wild. here, we present inter- and intraspecies analysis of genome-wide radseq data, in three anopheles gambiae s.l. species collected from east africa. the mosquitoes fall into three genotypic clusters representing described species (a. gambiae, a. arabiensis, and a. merus) with no evidence of cryptic breeding units. anopheles merus is the most divergent of the three species, supporting ...	2014	24408911
alterations in mosquito behaviour by malaria parasites: potential impact on force of infection.	a variety of studies have reported that malaria parasites alter the behaviour of mosquitoes. these behavioural alterations likely increase transmission because they reduce the risk of vector death during parasite development and increase biting after parasites become infectious.	2014	24885783
use of a semi-field system to evaluate the efficacy of topical repellents under user conditions provides a disease exposure free technique comparable with field data.	before topical repellents can be employed as interventions against arthropod bites, their efficacy must be established. currently, laboratory or field tests, using human volunteers, are the main methods used for assessing the efficacy of topical repellents. however, laboratory tests are not representative of real life conditions under which repellents are used and field-testing potentially exposes human volunteers to disease. there is, therefore, a need to develop methods to test efficacy of rep ...	2014	24767458
entomological and parasitological impacts of indoor residual spraying with ddt, alphacypermethrin and deltamethrin in the western foothill area of madagascar.	in madagascar, indoor residual spraying (irs) with insecticide was part of the national malaria control programme since the middle of the twentieth century. it was mainly employed in the highlands and the foothill areas, which are prone to malaria epidemics. prior to a policy change foreseeing a shift from ddt to pyrethroids, a study was carried out to assess the entomological and parasitological impacts of irs in areas with ddt or pyrethroids and in areas without irs.	2014	24423246