Publications

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wuchereria bancrofti transmission pattern in southern mali prior to and following the institution of mass drug administration.the global programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (gpelf) was launched in 2000 with the goal of stopping transmission of lymphatic filariasis (lf) through yearly mass drug administration (mda). although preliminary surveys of the human population in mali suggested that wuchereria bancrofti infection was highly endemic in the sikasso district, baseline entomological data were required to confirm high levels of transmission prior to the selection of villages in this region for a study of the ...201323981378
health effects of drought: a systematic review of the evidence.introduction. climate change projections indicate that droughts will become more intense in the 21 century in some areas of the world. the el niño southern oscillation is associated with drought in some countries, and forecasts can provide advance warning of the increased risk of adverse climate conditions. the most recent available data from emdat estimates that over 50 million people globally were affected by drought in 2011. documentation of the health effects of drought is difficult, given t ...201323787891
mitochondrial genome sequences reveal deep divergences among anopheles punctulatus sibling species in papua new guinea.members of the anopheles punctulatus group (ap group) are the primary vectors of human malaria in papua new guinea. the ap group includes 13 sibling species, most of them morphologically indistinguishable. understanding why only certain species are able to transmit malaria requires a better comprehension of their evolutionary history. in particular, understanding relationships and divergence times among anopheles species may enable assessing how malaria-related traits (e.g. blood feeding behavio ...201323405960
novel selective and irreversible mosquito acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for controlling malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases.we reported previously that insect acetylcholinesterases (aches) could be selectively and irreversibly inhibited by methanethiosulfonates presumably through conjugation to an insect-specific cysteine in these enzymes. however, no direct proof for the conjugation has been published to date, and doubts remain about whether such cysteine-targeting inhibitors have desirable kinetic properties for insecticide use. here we report mass spectrometric proof of the conjugation and new chemicals that irrev ...201323323211
arbonematodes - nematode infections transmissible by arthropods: arbeitskreis blut, untergruppe «bewertung blutassoziierter krankheitserreger»*. 201323637651
the residual life of bendiocarb on different substrates under laboratory and field conditions in benin, western africa.the efficacy of bendiocarb against pyrethroid resistant an. gambiae and the residual life of this insecticide on different substrates were evaluated under laboratory and field conditions.201324220151
living on the edge: a longitudinal study of anopheles funestus in an isolated area of mozambique.understanding the survival strategies of malaria vectors at the edges of their distribution, where they are under stress from environmental conditions, may lead to the development of novel control techniques and may help predict the effects of climate change on these mosquitoes.201323773359
impact of operational effectiveness of long-lasting insecticidal nets (llins) on malaria transmission in pyrethroid-resistant areas.a dynamic study on the transmission of malaria was conducted in two areas (r⁺ area: low resistance area; r⁺⁺⁺ area: high resistance area) in the department of plateau in south eastern benin, where the population is protected by long lasting insecticidal nets (llins). the aim of this study was to determine if the resistance of malaria vectors to insecticides has an impact on their behavior and on the effectiveness of llins in the reduction of malaria transmission.201324499508
agro-ecosystems impact malaria prevalence: large-scale irrigation drives vector population in western ethiopia.development strategies in ethiopia have largely focused on the expansion of irrigated agriculture in the last decade to reduce poverty and promote economic growth. however, such irrigation schemes can worsen the socio-economic state by aggravating the problem of mosquito-borne diseases. in this study, the effect of agro-ecosystem practices on malaria prevalence and the risk of malaria transmission by the primary vector mosquito, anopheles arabiensis, in ethiopia were investigated.201324083353
standardizing operational vector sampling techniques for measuring malaria transmission intensity: evaluation of six mosquito collection methods in western kenya.operational vector sampling methods lack standardization, making quantitative comparisons of malaria transmission across different settings difficult. human landing catch (hlc) is considered the research gold standard for measuring human-mosquito contact, but is unsuitable for large-scale sampling. this study assessed mosquito catch rates of cdc light trap (cdc-lt), ifakara tent trap (itt), window exit trap (wet), pot resting trap (prt), and box resting trap (brt) relative to hlc in western keny ...201323631641
new insights into the population structure of anopheles gambiae s.s. in the gulf of guinea islands revealed by herves transposable elements.transposable elements (tes) are mobile portions of dna that are able to replicate and spread in the genome of many organisms. tes can be used as a means to insert transgenes in insects, being stably inherited throughout generations. anopheles gambiae is the main vector of human malaria in sub-saharan africa. given the extraordinary burden this disease imposes, the mosquito became a choice target for genetic control approaches with the purpose of reducing malaria transmission. in this study, we i ...201323638171
response of anopheles gambiae s.l. (diptera: culicidae) to larval habitat age in western kenya highlands.larval control is of paramount importance in the reduction of vector populations. previous observations have suggested that, larvae of anopheles gambiae s.l occur more often in small temporary habitats while other studies showed that long-lasting stable habitats are more productive than unstable habitats. in addition, the physical and biological conditions and stability of larval habitats can change rapidly in natural conditions. therefore, we examined the effect of larval habitat age on product ...201323324330
evaluation of polyethylene-based long lasting treated bed net netprotect on anopheles mosquitoes, malaria incidence, and net longivity in western kenya.we studied the effect on malaria incidence, mosquito abundance, net efficacy, net use rate, chemical analysis, and holes of a long lasting insecticide treated bed net (netprotect) in western kenya, 2007-2010. nets were hung in 150 households 6 months before they were hung in a second, 2 km away. indoor resting densities were monitored by pyrethrum spray catch and malaria cases by passive detection using clinical manifestations and rapid diagnostic test. the probability of finding an. arabiensis ...201324194770
the effect of screening doors and windows on indoor density of anopheles arabiensis in south-west ethiopia: a randomized trial.screening of houses might have impact on density of indoor host-seeking anopheles mosquitoes. a randomized trial of screening windows and doors with metal mesh, and closing openings on eves and walls by mud was conducted to assess if reduce indoor densities of biting mosquitoes.201324028542
entomological surveillance of behavioural resilience and resistance in residual malaria vector populations.the most potent malaria vectors rely heavily upon human blood so they are vulnerable to attack with insecticide-treated nets (itns) and indoor residual spraying (irs) within houses. mosquito taxa that can avoid feeding or resting indoors, or by obtaining blood from animals, mediate a growing proportion of the dwindling transmission that persists as itns and irs are scaled up.201323577656
shifts in malaria vector species composition and transmission dynamics along the kenyan coast over the past 20 years.over the past 20 years, numerous studies have investigated the ecology and behaviour of malaria vectors and plasmodium falciparum malaria transmission on the coast of kenya. substantial progress has been made to control vector populations and reduce high malaria prevalence and severe disease. the goal of this paper was to examine trends over the past 20 years in anopheles species composition, density, blood-feeding behaviour, and p. falciparum sporozoite transmission along the coast of kenya.201323297732
dose-response tests and semi-field evaluation of lethal and sub-lethal effects of slow release pyriproxyfen granules (sumilarv®0.5g) for the control of the malaria vectors anopheles gambiae sensu lato.recently research has shown that larviciding can be an effective tool for integrated malaria vector control. nevertheless, the uptake of this intervention has been hampered by the need to re-apply larvicides frequently. there is a need to explore persistent, environmentally friendly larvicides for malaria vector control to reduce intervention efforts and costs by reducing the frequency of application. in this study, the efficacy of a 0.5% pyriproxyfen granule (surmilarv®0.5g, sumitomo chemicals) ...201323497149
blood meal sources and entomological inoculation rates of anophelines along a highland altitudinal transect in south-central ethiopia.the role of anophelines in transmitting malaria depends on their distribution, preference to feed on humans and also their susceptibility to plasmodium gametocytes, all of which are affected by local environmental conditions. blood meal source and entomological inoculation rate of anophelines was assessed along a highland altitudinal transect in south- central ethiopia.201323433348
malaria control in south sudan, 2006-2013: strategies, progress and challenges.south sudan has borne the brunt of years of chronic warfare and probably has the highest malaria burden in sub-saharan africa. however, effective malaria control in post-conflict settings is hampered by a multiplicity of challenges. this manuscript reports on the strategies, progress and challenges of malaria control in south sudan and serves as an example epitome for programmes operating in similar environments and provides a window for leveraging resources.201324160336
the mitochondrial genome of elodia flavipalpis aldrich (diptera: tachinidae) and the evolutionary timescale of tachinid flies.tachinid flies are natural enemies of many lepidopteran and coleopteran pests of forests, crops, and fruit trees. in order to address the lack of genetic data in this economically important group, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of the palaearctic tachinid fly elodia flavipalpis aldrich, 1933. usually found in northern china and japan, this species is one of the primary natural enemies of the leaf-roller moths (tortricidae), which are major pests of various fruit trees. the 14,932 ...201323626734
genetic diversity and signatures of selection of drug resistance in plasmodium populations from both human and mosquito hosts in continental equatorial guinea.in plasmodium, the high level of genetic diversity and the interactions established by co-infecting parasite populations within the same host may be a source of selection on pathogen virulence and drug resistance. as different patterns have already been described in humans and mosquitoes, parasite diversity and population structure should be studied in both hosts to properly assess their effects on infection and transmission dynamics. this study aimed to characterize the circulating populations ...201323537170
plasmodium falciparum infection during dry season: igg responses to anopheles gambiae salivary gsg6-p1 peptide as sensitive biomarker for malaria risk in northern senegal.the northern part of senegal is characterized by a low and seasonal transmission of malaria. however, some plasmodium falciparum infections and malaria clinical cases are reported during the dry season. this study aims to assess the relationship between igg antibody (ab) responses to gsg6-p1 mosquito salivary peptide and the prevalence of p. falciparum infection in children during the dry season in the senegal river valley. the positive association of the ab response to gsg6-p1, as biomarker of ...201323988032
incorporating the effects of humidity in a mechanistic model of anopheles gambiae mosquito population dynamics in the sahel region of africa.low levels of relative humidity are known to decrease the lifespan of mosquitoes. however, most current models of malaria transmission do not account for the effects of relative humidity on mosquito survival. in the sahel, where relative humidity drops to levels <20% for several months of the year, we expect relative humidity to play a significant role in shaping the seasonal profile of mosquito populations. here, we present a new formulation for anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) mosquito surv ...201323938022
antibodies to a single, conserved epitope in anopheles apn1 inhibit universal transmission of plasmodium falciparum and plasmodium vivax malaria.malaria transmission-blocking vaccines (tbvs) represent a promising approach for the elimination and eradication of this disease. anapn1 is a lead tbv candidate that targets a surface antigen on the midgut of the obligate vector of the plasmodium parasite, the anopheles mosquito. in this study, we demonstrated that antibodies targeting anapn1 block transmission of plasmodium falciparum and plasmodium vivax across distantly related anopheline species in countries to which malaria is endemic. usin ...201324478095
transinfection: a method to investigate wolbachia-host interactions and control arthropod-borne disease.the bacterial endosymbiont wolbachia manipulates arthropod host biology in numerous ways, including sex ratio distortion and differential offspring survival. these bacteria infect a vast array of arthropods, some of which pose serious agricultural and human health threats. wolbachia-mediated phenotypes such as cytoplasmic incompatibility and/or pathogen interference can be used for vector and disease control; however, many medically important vectors and important agricultural species are uninfe ...201324329998
positive selection drives accelerated evolution of mosquito salivary genes associated with blood-feeding.the saliva of bloodsucking animals contains dozens to hundreds of proteins that counteract their hosts' haemostasis, inflammation and immunity. it was previously observed that salivary proteins involved in haematophagy are much more divergent in their primary sequence than those of housekeeping function, when comparisons were made between closely related organisms. while this pattern of evolution could result from relaxed selection or drift, it could alternatively be the result of positive selec ...201324237399
evaluation of the long-lasting insecticidal net interceptor ln: laboratory and experimental hut studies against anopheline and culicine mosquitoes in northeastern tanzania.long lasting insecticidal nets (ln) are a primary method of malaria prevention. before new types of ln are approved they need to meet quality and efficacy standards set by the who pesticide evaluation scheme. the process of evaluation has three phases. in phase i the candidate ln must meet threshold bioassay criteria after 20 standardized washes. in phase ii washed and unwashed lns are evaluated in experimental huts against wild, free flying anopheline mosquitoes. in phase iii the ln are distrib ...201324499488
a unique y gene in the asian malaria mosquito anopheles stephensi encodes a small lysine-rich protein and is transcribed at the onset of embryonic development.in many organisms the y chromosome initiates sex determination and regulates male fertility and mating behaviour. however, molecular characterization of y genes is rare outside of a few model species because it is difficult to clone and analyse repeat-rich heterochromatic y sequences. in insects, y genes are only well characterized in a small number of drosophila species. here we report the discovery of guy1 (gene unique to the y), a gene unique to the y chromosome in the asian malaria mosquito, ...201323683123
netting barriers to prevent mosquito entry into houses in southern mozambique: a pilot study.one of the best ways to control the transmission of malaria is by breaking the vector-human link, either by reducing the effective population size of mosquitoes or avoiding infective bites. reducing house entry rates in endophagic vectors by obstructing openings is one simple way of achieving this. mosquito netting has previously been shown to have this effect. more recently different materials that could also be used have come onto the market. therefore, a pilot study was conducted to investiga ...201323497325
large fluctuations in the effective population size of the malaria mosquito anopheles gambiae s.s. during vector control cycle.on bioko island, equatorial guinea, indoor residual spraying (irs) has been part of the bioko island malaria control project since early 2004. despite success in reducing childhood infections, areas of high transmission remain on the island. we therefore examined fluctuations in the effective population size (n e ) of the malaria vector anopheles gambiae in an area of persistent high transmission over two spray rounds. we analyzed data for 13 microsatellite loci from 791 an. gambiae specimens co ...201324478799
do topical repellents divert mosquitoes within a community? health equity implications of topical repellents as a mosquito bite prevention tool.repellents do not kill mosquitoes--they simply reduce human-vector contact. thus it is possible that individuals who do not use repellents but dwell close to repellent users experience more bites than otherwise. the objective of this study was to measure if diversion occurs from households that use repellents to those that do not use repellents.201324376852
comparative field evaluation of combinations of long-lasting insecticide treated nets and indoor residual spraying, relative to either method alone, for malaria prevention in an area where the main vector is anopheles arabiensis.long-lasting insecticidal nets (llins) and indoor residual spraying (irs) are commonly used together in the same households to improve malaria control despite inconsistent evidence on whether such combinations actually offer better protection than nets alone or irs alone.201323433393
country-level operational implementation of the global plan for insecticide resistance management.malaria control is reliant on the use of long-lasting pyrethroid-impregnated nets and/or indoor residual spraying (irs) of insecticide. the rapid selection and spread of operationally significant pyrethroid resistance in african malaria vectors threatens our ability to sustain malaria control. establishing whether resistance is operationally significant is technically challenging. routine monitoring by bioassay is inadequate, and there are limited data linking resistance selection with changes i ...201323696658
overexpression of multiple detoxification genes in deltamethrin resistant laodelphax striatellus (hemiptera: delphacidae) in china.the small brown planthopper (sbph), laodelphax striatellus (fallén), is one of the major rice pests in asia and has developed resistance to multiple classes of insecticides. understanding resistance mechanisms is essential to the management of this pest. biochemical and molecular assays were performed in this study to systematically characterize deltamethrin resistance mechanisms with laboratory-selected resistant and susceptible strains of sbph.201324324548
overexpression of phosphatase and tensin homolog improves fitness and decreases plasmodium falciparum development in anopheles stephensi.the insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling (iis) cascade is highly conserved and regulates diverse physiological processes such as metabolism, lifespan, reproduction and immunity. transgenic overexpression of akt, a critical regulator of iis, was previously shown to shorten mosquito lifespan and increase resistance to the human malaria parasite plasmodium falciparum. to further understand how iis controls mosquito physiology and resistance to malaria parasite infection, we overexpressed an ...201323774695
why so many unknown genes? partitioning orphans from a representative transcriptome of the lone star tick amblyomma americanum.genomic resources within the phylum arthropoda are largely limited to the true insects but are beginning to include unexplored subphyla, such as the crustacea and chelicerata. investigations of these understudied taxa uncover high frequencies of orphan genes, which lack detectable sequence homology to genes in pre-existing databases. the ticks (acari: chelicerata) are one such understudied taxon for which genomic resources are urgently needed. ticks are obligate blood-feeders that vector major d ...201323445305
six novel y chromosome genes in anopheles mosquitoes discovered by independently sequencing males and females.y chromosomes are responsible for the initiation of male development, male fertility, and other male-related functions in diverse species. however, y genes are rarely characterized outside a few model species due to the arduous nature of studying the repeat-rich y.201323617698
maternal germline-specific genes in the asian malaria mosquito anopheles stephensi: characterization and application for disease control.anopheles stephensi is a principal vector of urban malaria on the indian subcontinent and an emerging model for molecular and genetic studies of mosquito biology. to enhance our understanding of female mosquito reproduction, and to develop new tools for basic research and for genetic strategies to control mosquito-borne infectious diseases, we identified 79 genes that displayed previtellogenic germline-specific expression based on rna-seq data generated from 11 life stage-specific and sex-specif ...201425480960
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.201424423246
perceptions and recommendations by scientists for a potential release of genetically modified mosquitoes in nigeria.the use of genetically modified mosquitoes (gmms) for the control of malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases has been proposed in malaria-endemic countries, such as nigeria, which has the largest burden in africa. scientists are major stakeholders whose opinions and perceptions can adversely affect the success of the trials of gmms if they are not involved early. unfortunately, information on the awareness of nigerians scientists and their overall perception of the gmms is practically non-exis ...201424758165
igg1 and igg4 antibody responses to the anopheles gambiae salivary protein gsg6 in the sympatric ethnic groups mossi and fulani in a malaria hyperhendemic area of burkina faso.human antibody response to the anopheles gambiae salivary protein gsg6 has recently emerged as a potentially useful tool for malaria epidemiological studies and for the evaluation of vector control interventions. however, the current understanding of the host immune response to mosquito salivary proteins and of the possible crosstalk with early response to plasmodium parasites is still very limited. we report here the analysis of igg1 and igg4 subclasses among anti-gsg6 igg responders belonging ...201424760038
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 ...201425554792
mass spectrometry based proteomic analysis of salivary glands of urban malaria vector anopheles stephensi.salivary gland proteins of anopheles mosquitoes offer attractive targets to understand interactions with sporozoites, blood feeding behavior, homeostasis, and immunological evaluation of malaria vectors and parasite interactions. to date limited studies have been carried out to elucidate salivary proteins of an. stephensi salivary glands. the aim of the present study was to provide detailed analytical attributives of functional salivary gland proteins of urban malaria vector an. stephensi. a pro ...201425126571
vectorbase: an updated bioinformatics resource for invertebrate vectors and other organisms related with human diseases.vectorbase is a national institute of allergy and infectious diseases supported bioinformatics resource center (brc) for invertebrate vectors of human pathogens. now in its 11th year, vectorbase currently hosts the genomes of 35 organisms including a number of non-vectors for comparative analysis. hosted data range from genome assemblies with annotated gene features, transcript and protein expression data to population genetics including variation and insecticide-resistance phenotypes. here we d ...201425510499
de novo transcriptome sequencing and sequence analysis of the malaria vector anopheles sinensis (diptera: culicidae).anopheles sinensis is the major malaria vector in china and southeast asia. vector control is one of the most effective measures to prevent malaria transmission. however, there is little transcriptome information available for the malaria vector. to better understand the biological basis of malaria transmission and to develop novel and effective means of vector control, there is a need to build a transcriptome dataset for functional genomics analysis by large-scale rna sequencing (rna-seq).201425000941
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.201424629066
de novo transcriptome of the hemimetabolous german cockroach (blattella germanica).the german cockroach, blattella germanica, is an important insect pest that transmits various pathogens mechanically and causes severe allergic diseases. this insect has long served as a model system for studies of insect biology, physiology and ecology. however, the lack of genome or transcriptome information heavily hinder our further understanding about the german cockroach in every aspect at a molecular level and on a genome-wide scale. to explore the transcriptome and identify unique sequen ...201425265537
full-genome characterisation of orungo, lebombo and changuinola viruses provides evidence for co-evolution of orbiviruses with their arthropod vectors.the complete genomes of orungo virus (oruv), lebombo virus (lebv) and changuinola virus (cglv) were sequenced, confirming that they each encode 11 distinct proteins (vp1-vp7 and ns1-ns4). phylogenetic analyses of cell-attachment protein 'outer-capsid protein 1' (oc1), show that orbiviruses fall into three large groups, identified as: vp2(oc1), in which oc1 is the 2nd largest protein, including the culicoides transmitted orbiviruses; vp3(oc1), which includes the mosquito transmitted orbiviruses; ...201424475112
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 ...201425422393
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 ...201424618105
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.201424502664
spatial distribution of the sibling species of anopheles gambiae sensu lato (diptera: culicidae) and malaria prevalence in bayelsa state, nigeria.much of the confusing ecophenotypic plasticity of anopheles gambiae sensu lato is attributable to the differential biological traits of the sibling species, with their heterogeneous geographical distribution, behavioral dissimilarities and divergent population dynamics. these differences are critical to their roles in malaria transmission. studies were, therefore, undertaken on the spatial distribution of these species and malaria prevalence rates in bayelsa state, september, 2008-august 2010.201424438675
micro-encapsulated pirimiphos-methyl shows high insecticidal efficacy and long residual activity against pyrethroid-resistant malaria vectors in central côte d'ivoire.the wide-scale implementation of insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying (irs) has contributed to a considerable decrease of malaria morbidity and mortality in sub-saharan africa over the last decade. due to increasing resistance in anopheles gambiae sensu lato mosquitoes to dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (ddt) and pyrethroids, alternative insecticide formulations for irs with long-lasting residual activity are required to sustain the gains obtained in most malaria-endemic countr ...201425152326
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.201425150840
differential effects of inbreeding and selection on male reproductive phenotype associated with the colonization and laboratory maintenance of anopheles gambiae.effective mating between laboratory-reared males and wild females is paramount to the success of vector control strategies aiming to decrease disease transmission via the release of sterile or genetically modified male mosquitoes. however mosquito colonization and laboratory maintenance have the potential to negatively affect male genotypic and phenotypic quality through inbreeding and selection, which in turn can decrease male mating competitiveness in the field. to date, very little is known a ...201424418094
contrasting plasmodium infection rates and insecticide susceptibility profiles between the sympatric sibling species anopheles parensis and anopheles funestus s.s: a potential challenge for malaria vector control in uganda.although the an. funestus group conceals one of the major malaria vectors in africa, little is known about the dynamics of members of this group across the continent. here, we investigated the species composition, infection rate and susceptibility to insecticides of this species group in uganda.201424533773
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 ...201424690378
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.201424998771
behavioural divergence of sympatric anopheles funestus populations in burkina faso.in burkina faso, two chromosomal forms of the malaria vector anopheles funestus, folonzo and kiribina, are distinguished by contrasting frequencies of shared polymorphic chromosomal inversions. sympatric and synchronous populations of folonzo and kiribina mate assortatively, as indicated by a significant deficit of heterokaryotypes, and genetic associations among inversions on independently segregating chromosome arms. the present study aimed to assess, by intensive longitudinal sampling, whethe ...201424559382
multigene phylogenetics reveals temporal diversification of major african malaria vectors.the major vectors of malaria in sub-saharan africa belong to subgenus cellia. yet, phylogenetic relationships and temporal diversification among african mosquito species have not been unambiguously determined. knowledge about vector evolutionary history is crucial for correct interpretation of genetic changes identified through comparative genomics analyses. in this study, we estimated a molecular phylogeny using 49 gene sequences for the african malaria vectors an. gambiae, an. funestus, an. ni ...201424705448
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 ...201425412948
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 ...201425495146
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 ...201425370807
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.201425218697
anopheles ziemanni a locally important malaria vector in ndop health district, north west region of cameroon.malaria transmission in cameroon is mediated by a plethora of vectors that are heterogeneously distributed across the country depending on the biotope. to effectively guide malaria control operations, regular update on the role of local anopheles species is essential. therefore, an entomological survey was conducted between august 2010 and may 2011 to evaluate the role of the local anopheline population in malaria transmission in three villages of the ndop health district in the northwest region ...201424903710
evidence for perennial malaria in rural and urban areas under the sudanian climate of kandi, northeastern benin.in arid settings, droughts usually lead to periods of very low or no malaria transmission. however, in rural kandi (sonsoro) in northeastern benin, several malaria cases are often diagnosed during dry seasons. the underlying factors accounting for this phenomenon remain unknown.201424564957
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 ...201425149656
molecular biology of insect sodium channels and pyrethroid resistance.voltage-gated sodium channels are essential for the initiation and propagation of the action potential in neurons and other excitable cells. because of their critical roles in electrical signaling, sodium channels are targets of a variety of naturally occurring and synthetic neurotoxins, including several classes of insecticides. this review is intended to provide an update on the molecular biology of insect sodium channels and the molecular mechanism of pyrethroid resistance. although mammalian ...201424704279
field evaluation of natural human odours and the biogent-synthetic lure in trapping aedes aegypti, vector of dengue and chikungunya viruses in kenya.methods currently used in sampling adult aedes aegypti, the main vector of dengue and chikungunya viruses are limited for effective surveillance of the vector and accurate determination of the extent of virus transmission during outbreaks and inter - epidemic periods. here, we document the use of natural human skin odours in baited traps to improve sampling of adult ae. aegypti in two different endemic areas of chikungunya and dengue in kenya - kilifi and busia counties. the chemistry of the vol ...201425246030
an experimental hut study to quantify the effect of ddt and airborne pyrethroids on entomological parameters of malaria transmission.current malaria vector control programmes rely on insecticides with rapid contact toxicity. however, spatial repellents can also be applied to reduce man-vector contact, which might ultimately impact malaria transmission. the aim of this study was to quantify effects of airborne pyrethroids from coils and ddt used an indoor residual spray (irs) on entomological parameters that influence malaria transmission.201424693934
a cost-effective, community-based, mosquito-trapping scheme that captures spatial and temporal heterogeneities of malaria transmission in rural zambia.monitoring mosquito population dynamics is essential to guide selection and evaluation of malaria vector control interventions but is typically implemented by mobile, centrally-managed teams who can only visit a limited number of locations frequently enough to capture longitudinal trends. community-based (cb) mosquito trapping schemes for parallel, continuous monitoring of multiple locations are therefore required that are practical, affordable, effective, and reliable.201424906704
field study site selection, species abundance and monthly distribution of anopheline mosquitoes in the northern kruger national park, south africa.knowledge of the ecology and behaviour of a target species is a prerequisite for the successful development of any vector control strategy. before the implementation of any strategy it is essential to have comprehensive information on the bionomics of species in the targeted area. the aims of this study were to conduct regular entomological surveillance and to determine the relative abundance of anopheline species in the northern kruger national park. in addition to this, the impact of weather c ...201424460920
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 ...201425496059
modeling larval malaria vector habitat locations using landscape features and cumulative precipitation measures.predictive models of malaria vector larval habitat locations may provide a basis for understanding the spatial determinants of malaria transmission.201424903736
biting by anopheles funestus in broad daylight after use of long-lasting insecticidal nets: a new challenge to malaria elimination.malaria control is mainly based on indoor residual spraying and insecticide-treated bed nets. the efficacy of these tools depends on the behaviour of mosquitoes, which varies by species. with resistance to insecticides, mosquitoes adapt their behaviour to ensure their survival and reproduction. the aim of this study was to assess the biting behaviour of anopheles funestus after the implementation of long-lasting insecticidal nets (llins).201424678587
habitat discrimination by gravid anopheles gambiae sensu lato--a push-pull system.the non-random distribution of anopheline larvae in natural habitats suggests that gravid females discriminate between habitats of different quality. whilst physical and chemical cues used by culex and aedes vector mosquitoes for selecting an oviposition site have been extensively studied, those for anopheles remain poorly explored. here the habitat selection by anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.), the principal african malaria vector, was investigated when presented with a choice of two infusio ...201424693951
reemergence of anopheles funestus as a vector of plasmodium falciparum in western kenya after long-term implementation of insecticide-treated bed nets.historically, the malaria vectors in western kenya have been anopheles funestus, anopheles gambiae s.s., and anopheles arabiensis. of these species, an. funestus populations declined the most after the introduction of insecticide-treated bed nets (itns) in the 1990s in asembo, and collections of an. funestus in the region remained low until at least 2008. contrary to findings during the early years of itn use in asembo, the majority of the anopheles collected here in 2010 and 2011 were an. funes ...201424470562
daily blood feeding rhythms of laboratory-reared north american culex pipiens.blood feeding by free-living insect vectors of disease is rhythmic and can be used to predict when infectious bites will occur. these daily rhythms can also be targeted by control measures, as in insecticide-treated nets. culex pipiens form pipiens and c.p. f. molestus are two members of the culex pipiens assemblage and vectors of west nile virus throughout north america. although culex species vector human pathogens and parasites, the daily blood feeding rhythms of c.p. f. molestus, to our know ...201424450879
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 ...201425292318
ecophysiology of anopheles gambiae s.l.: persistence in the sahel.the dry-season biology of malaria vectors is poorly understood, especially in arid environments when no surface waters are available for several months, such as during the dry season in the sahel. here we reappraise results on the dry-season physiology of members of the anopheles gambiae s.l. complex in the broad context of dormancy in insects and especially in mosquitoes. we examine evidence on seasonal changes in reproduction, metabolism, stress tolerance, nutrition, molecular regulation, and ...201424933461
pirna pathway gene expression in the malaria vector mosquito anopheles stephensi.the ability of transposons to mobilize to new places in a genome enables them to introgress rapidly into populations. the pirna pathway has been characterized recently in the germ line of the fruit fly, drosophila melanogaster, and is responsible for downregulating transposon mobility. transposons have been used as tools in mosquitoes to genetically transform a number of species including anopheles stephensi, a vector of human malaria. these mobile genetic elements also have been proposed as too ...201424947897
a global assembly of adult female mosquito mark-release-recapture data to inform the control of mosquito-borne pathogens.pathogen transmission by mosquitos is known to be highly sensitive to mosquito bionomic parameters. mosquito mark-release-recapture (mmrr) experiments are a standard method for estimating such parameters including dispersal, population size and density, survival, blood feeding frequency and blood meal host preferences.201424946878
genome sequence analysis of in vitro and in vivo phenotypes of bunyamwera and ngari virus isolates from northern kenya.biological phenotypes of tri-segmented arboviruses display characteristics that map to mutation/s in the s, m or l segments of the genome. plaque variants have been characterized for other viruses displaying varied phenotypes including attenuation in growth and/or pathogenesis. in order to characterize variants of bunyamwera and ngari viruses, we isolated individual plaque size variants; small plaque (sp) and large plaque (lp) and determined in vitro growth properties and in vivo pathogenesis in ...201425153316
made-to-measure malaria vector control strategies: rational design based on insecticide properties and coverage of blood resources for mosquitoes.eliminating malaria from highly endemic settings will require unprecedented levels of vector control. to suppress mosquito populations, vector control products targeting their blood hosts must attain high biological coverage of all available sources, rather than merely high demographic coverage of a targeted resource subset, such as humans while asleep indoors. beyond defining biological coverage in a measurable way, the proportion of blood meals obtained from humans and the proportion of bites ...201424739261
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 ...201425185007
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 ...201424476070
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.201424472517
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 ...201424460952
control of malaria and other vector-borne protozoan diseases in the tropics: enduring challenges despite considerable progress and achievements.vector-borne protozoan diseases represent a serious public health challenge, especially in the tropics where poverty together with vector-favorable climates are the aggravating factors. each of the various strategies currently employed to face these scourges is seriously inadequate. despite enormous efforts, vaccines-which represent the ideal weapon against these parasitic diseases-are yet to be sufficiently developed and implemented. chemotherapy and vector control are therefore the sole effect ...201424401663
monitoring, characterization and control of chronic, symptomatic malaria infections in rural zambia through monthly household visits by paid community health workers.active, population-wide mass screening and treatment (msat) for chronic plasmodium falciparum carriage to eliminate infectious reservoirs of malaria transmission have proven difficult to apply on large national scales through trained clinicians from central health authorities.201424678631
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 ...201424656206
transmission of malaria in relation to distribution and coverage of long-lasting insecticidal nets in central côte d'ivoire.the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (llins) is an effective malaria control strategy. however, there are challenges to achieve high coverage, such as distribution sustainability, and coverage keep-up. this study assessed the effect of llins coverage and contextual factors on entomological indicators of malaria in rural côte d'ivoire.201424645751
comparative analysis of response to selection with three insecticides in the dengue mosquito aedes aegypti using mrna sequencing.mosquito control programmes using chemical insecticides are increasingly threatened by the development of resistance. such resistance can be the consequence of changes in proteins targeted by insecticides (target site mediated resistance), increased insecticide biodegradation (metabolic resistance), altered transport, sequestration or other mechanisms. as opposed to target site resistance, other mechanisms are far from being fully understood. indeed, insecticide selection often affects a large n ...201424593293
cuticular differences associated with aridity acclimation in african malaria vectors carrying alternative arrangements of inversion 2la.principal malaria vectors in africa, an. gambiae and an. coluzzii, share an inversion polymorphism on the left arm of chromosome 2 (2la/2l+a) that is distributed non-randomly in the environment. genomic sequencing studies support the role of strong natural selection in maintaining steep clines in 2la inversion frequency along environmental gradients of aridity, and physiological studies have directly implicated 2la in heat and desiccation tolerance, but the precise genetic basis and the underlyi ...201424721548
assessing the optimal virulence of malaria-targeting mosquito pathogens: a mathematical study of engineered metarhizium anisopliae.metarhizium anisopliae is a naturally occurring fungal pathogen of mosquitoes. recently, metarhizium has been engineered to act against malaria by directly killing the disease agent within mosquito vectors and also effectively blocking onward transmission. it has been proposed that efforts should be made to minimize the virulence of the fungal pathogen, in order to slow the development of resistant mosquitoes following an actual deployment.201424397503
molecular and functional characterization of anopheles gambiae inward rectifier potassium (kir1) channels: a novel role in egg production.inward rectifier potassium (kir) channels play essential roles in regulating diverse physiological processes. although kir channels are encoded in mosquito genomes, their functions remain largely unknown. in this study, we identified the members of the anopheles gambiae kir gene family and began to investigate their function. notably, we sequenced the a. gambiae kir1 (agkir1) gene and showed that it encodes all the canonical features of a kir channel: an ion pore that is composed of a pore helix ...201424855023
underpinning sustainable vector control through informed insecticide resistance management.there has been rapid scale-up of malaria vector control in the last ten years. both of the primary control strategies, long-lasting pyrethroid treated nets and indoor residual spraying, rely on the use of a limited number of insecticides. insecticide resistance, as measured by bioassay, has rapidly increased in prevalence and has come to the forefront as an issue that needs to be addressed to maintain the sustainability of malaria control and the drive to elimination. zambia's programme reported ...201424932861
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 ...201424888886
how the malaria vector anopheles gambiae adapts to the use of insecticide-treated nets by african populations.insecticide treated bed nets have been recommended and proven efficient as a measure to protect african populations from malaria mosquito vector anopheles spp. this study evaluates the consequences of bed nets use on vectors resistance to insecticides, their feeding behavior and malaria transmission in dielmo village, senegal, were llins were offered to all villagers in july 2008.201424892677
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 ...201424885950
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