Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background Early evening and outdoor biting by vector mosquitoes undermines the effectiveness of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), as users of nets are exposed to vector biting whilst not under a net, both outdoors and indoors. This study assessed exposure to malaria vector bites amongst users and non-users of ITNs in southwestern Mali. Methods Using cross-sectional household survey data of human behaviour and malaria infection prevalence, along with mosquito human landing catch (HLC) data collected in 30 separate communities, the average number of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) mosquito bites per person per night (bppn) received outdoors and indoors were estimated for each survey respondent. The proportion of bites that were not preventable by using a net, the relative contributions of outdoor and indoor residual biting, and the risk factors for exposure to vector bites were estimated. Results Despite very high use of nets (93.2%), malaria infection prevalence was 34% overall. A large proportion of respondents (78%) reported being outdoors at 8 pm, but by midnight, 98% were indoors. Net users were exposed to indoor biting for 1 h, on average, between going indoors and going to bed. For 91%, the net used was an ITN. Human biting rates peaked between 2 and 4 am, when most people (90%) were in bed. Individuals using a net received 11.2 bppn in total, of which 7.1 bppn (63%) occurred outdoors. Those not using a net received almost 10 times the number of bites indoors as net users (38.4 bppn versus 4.0 bppn). The total number of bites received by net users was about one third the total number of bites received by non-net users, indicating the proportion of bites not preventable by use of a net alone. Risk factors for biting exposure included not using a net, going indoors late, location near the river and age over 15 years. Conclusions ITNs substantially reduce exposure to indoor biting, but in this setting, net users still received a large number of Anopheles mosquito bites, giving rise to high malaria infection prevalence despite near-universal net use. Most residual biting occurred outdoors, but about a third still occurred with individuals indoors before going under a net. Effective interventions that reduce residual outdoor and indoor biting are necessary to reduce the high malaria burden in settings like southwestern Mali. Graphical Abstract

Background The climate variables that directly influence vector-borne diseases’ ecosystems are mainly temperature and rainfall. This is not only because the vectors bionomics are strongly dependent upon these variables, but also because most of the elements of the systems are impacted, such as the host behavior and development and the pathogen amplification. The impact of the climate changes on the transmission patterns of these diseases is not easily understood, since many confounding factors are acting together. Consequently, knowledge of these impacts is often based on hypothesis derived from mathematical models. Nevertheless, some direct evidences can be found for several vector-borne diseases. Main body Evidences of the impact of climate change are available for malaria, arbovirus diseases such as dengue, and many other parasitic and viral diseases such as Rift Valley Fever, Japanese encephalitis, human African trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis. The effect of temperature and rainfall change as well as extreme events, were found to be the main cause for outbreaks and are alarming the global community. Among the main driving factors, climate strongly influences the geographical distribution of insect vectors, which is rapidly changing due to climate change. Further, in both models and direct evidences, climate change is seen to be affecting vector-borne diseases more strikingly in fringe of different climatic areas often in the border of transmission zones, which were once free of these diseases with human populations less immune and more receptive. The impact of climate change is also more devastating because of the unpreparedness of Public Health systems to provide adequate response to the events, even when climatic warning is available. Although evidences are strong at the regional and local levels, the studies on impact of climate change on vector-borne diseases and health are producing contradictory results at the global level. Conclusions In this paper we discuss the current state of the results and draw on evidences from malaria, dengue and other vector-borne diseases to illustrate the state of current thinking and outline the need for further research to inform our predictions and response.

Many factors, such as the resistance to pesticides and a lack of knowledge of the morphology and molecular structure of malaria vectors, have made it more challenging to eradicate malaria in numerous malaria-endemic areas of the globe. The primary goal of this review is to discuss malaria vector control methods and the significance of identifying species in vector control initiatives. This was accomplished by reviewing methods of molecular identification of malaria vectors and genetic marker classification in relation to their use for species identification. Due to its specificity and consistency, molecular identification is preferred over morphological identification of malaria vectors. Enhanced molecular capacity for species identification will improve mosquito characterization, leading to accurate control strategies/treatment targeting specific mosquito species, and thus will contribute to malaria eradication. It is crucial for disease epidemiology and surveillance to accurately identify the Plasmodium spp. that are causing malaria in patients. The capacity for disease surveillance will be significantly increased by the development of more accurate, precise, automated, and high-throughput diagnostic techniques. In conclusion, although morphological identification is quick and achievable at a reduced cost, molecular identification is preferred for specificity and sensitivity. To achieve the targeted malaria elimination goal, proper identification of vectors using accurate techniques for effective control measures should be prioritized.

Objective: Anopheles maculatus is recognized as an important malaria vector in Thailand and other countries within the Greater Mekong Subregion. This study employed both landmark and outline-based geometric morphometrics (GM) approaches to assess seasonal variation in the wing structure and wing contour of A. maculatus from malaria hotspots in western Thailand across three seasons: hot, wet, and dry. Materials and Methods: We analyzed seasonal variation in wing structure and contour using landmark-based and outline-based GM approaches, respectively, applied to the same image set of wing samples. Statistical differences in size and shape among seasonal populations were evaluated using a non-parametric analysis of variance (1,000 replicates), followed by a Bonferroni post hoc test. A p-value of less than 0.05 was used as the criterion for statistical significance in all analyses. Results: The size analyses revealed a significant difference in wing structure between the hot and dry seasons (p < 0.05), while no significant differences (p > 0.05) in wing contour across seasonal populations were detected. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in wing structure based on shape were detected between A. maculatus populations in the dry and hot seasons, as well as between populations in the dry and wet seasons. Wing contour analysis based on shape showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) only between the populations from the dry and wet seasons. Conclusion: These findings provide us with valuable information about the seasonal adaptation of A. maculatus, thus enhancing our understanding of vector population dynamics and potentially improving malaria surveillance strategies.

Background: Malaria is the main vector–borne disease worldwide. There are several reports of insecticide resistant in malaria vectors worldwide due to using different insecticides. The aim of this study was to evaluate different native plant extortions against main malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi in Iran for choosing the appropriate plant for formula­tion and use for vector control. Methods: The larvae of An. stephensi were reared in insectary, extraction of plants were carried out at department of Pharmacology. The standard WHO method for biological tests was used for calculation of LC50 and LC90. Probit regra­tion lines were plotted for calculation of LC50 and LC90. Results: In this study several plants including: Mentha spicata, Cymbopogon olivieri, Azadirachta indica, Melia azeda­rach, Lagetes minuta, Calotropis procera, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Cupressus arizonica, Thymus vulgaris, Lawsonia inermis, Cedrus deodara, Cionura erecta, Bunium persicum, Carum carvi, Artemisia dracunculus, Rosmarinus offici­nalis were used. Results showed that Mentha spicata and Eucalyptus camaldulensis, had the lowest and highest LC50 respectively. Conclusion: Results indicated that Mentha spicata and Eucalyptus camaldulensis, had the lowest and highest LC50 re­spectively. Several other plant extract also showed significant mortality. The formulation of these plants should be pre­pared and evaluate at the field condition against malaria vectors.  

Background: Malaria has long been regarded as one of the most important public health issues in Iran. Although the country is now in the elimination phase, some endemic foci of malaria are still present in the southeastern areas of the country. In some endemic foci, there are no data on the malaria vectors. To fill this gap, the present study was designed to provide basic entomological data on malaria vectors in the southeastern areas of Iran. Methods: Adult and larval stages of Anopheles mosquitoes were collected by using different catch methods. Resistance of the main malaria vector in the study area to selected insecticides was evaluated using diagnostic doses advised by the World Health Organization in 2013–2014. Results: A total of 3288 larvae and 1055 adult Anopheles mosquitoes were collected, and identified as: Anopheles stephensi (32.1%), Anopheles culicifacies s.l. (23.4%), Anopheles dthali (23.2%), Anopheles superpictus s.l. (12.7%), and Anopheles fluviatilis s.l. (8.6%). Anopheles stephensi was the most predominant mosquito species collected indoors at the study area, with two peaks of activity in May and November. This species was found to be resistant to DDT 4%, tolerant to malathion 5% and susceptible to other tested insecticides. Conclusion: All the five malaria vectors endemic to the south of Iran were collected and identified in the study area. Our findings on the ecology and resting/feeding habitats of these malaria vectors provide information useful for planning vector control program in this malarious area.

Background: Among the blood-sucking insects, Anopheles mosquitoes have a very special position, because they transmit parasites of the genus Plasmodium, which cause malaria as one of the main vector-borne disease worldwide. The aim of this review study was to evaluate utility of complete mitochondrial genomes in phylogenetic classification of the species of Anopheles. Methods: The complete mitochondrial genome sequences belonging to 28 species of the genus Anopheles (n=32) were downloaded from NCBI. The phylogenetic trees were constructed using the ML, NJ, ME, and Bayesian inference methods. Results: In general, the results of the present survey revealed that the complete mitochondrial genomes act very accu- rately in recognition of the taxonomic and phylogenetic status of these species and provide a higher level of support than those based on individual or partial mitochondrial genes so that by using them, we can meticulously reconstruct and modify Anopheles classification. Conclusion: Understanding the taxonomic position of Anopheles, can be a very effective step in better planning for controlling these malaria vectors in the world and will improve our knowledge of their evolutionary biology.

The emergence of the Asian invasive malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi , has been identified in Khartoum, the capital city of Sudan. This is the first report that confirms the geographical expansion of this urban mosquito into Central Sudan. We urgently recommend the launch of a national entomological survey to determine the distribution of this invasive disease vector and to generate essential information about its bionomics and susceptibility to available malaria control measures. Graphical Abstract

Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes are urban malaria vectors in Asia that have recently invaded the Horn of Africa. We detected emergence of An. stephensi mosquitoes in 2 noncontiguous states of eastern Sudan. Results of mitochondrial DNA sequencing suggest the possibility of distinct invasions, potentially from a neighboring country.

Background The Zanzibar Malaria Elimination Programme relies on insecticide-treated nets as the principal vector control method, supplemented by reactive focal indoor residual spraying. Despite the success, local malaria transmission persists, and the underlying reasons for sustained transmission remain unclear, yet critical to optimizing vector control for elimination. Entomological characterization of transmission dynamics was conducted to identify the gaps with existing interventions and opportunities for complementary interventions. Methods Adult malaria vectors were collected monthly for two consecutive nights at ten sentinel sites (6 Unguja, 4 Pemba) from October 2022 to September 2023. Hourly indoor and outdoor human landing catch method was used for collecting mosquitoes from 18:00 to 06:00 h. Results Anopheles arabiensis was the predominant malaria vector species across all the sentinel sites, except in the urban district of Unguja, where Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto was predominant. Malaria parasite-infected An. arabiensis bites were distributed disproportionately between indoors ( n  = 4), 22:00 to 02:00 h, and outdoors ( n  = 10) earlier in the evenings, 1800 to 2100 h. Conclusion The outdoor catches of malaria-parasite infected mosquitoes before typical sleeping hours highlight the potential risk of human exposure to outdoor transmission.