scholarly journals Anopheles gambiae Genome Conservation as a Resource for Rational Gene Drive Target Site Selection

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
Nace Kranjc ◽  
Andrea Crisanti ◽  
Tony Nolan ◽  
Federica Bernardini
Keyword(s):  
Anopheles Gambiae ◽  
Data Storage ◽  
Genomic Variation ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Anopheles Coluzzii ◽  
Structural Constraints ◽  
Gene Drive ◽  
Genetic Traits ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Insight Into

The increase in molecular tools for the genetic engineering of insect pests and disease vectors, such as Anopheles mosquitoes that transmit malaria, has led to an unprecedented investigation of the genomic landscape of these organisms. The understanding of genome variability in wild mosquito populations is of primary importance for vector control strategies. This is particularly the case for gene drive systems, which look to introduce genetic traits into a population by targeting specific genomic regions. Gene drive targets with functional or structural constraints are highly desirable as they are less likely to tolerate mutations that prevent targeting by the gene drive and consequent failure of the technology. In this study we describe a bioinformatic pipeline that allows the analysis of whole genome data for the identification of highly conserved regions that can point at potential functional or structural constraints. The analysis was conducted across the genomes of 22 insect species separated by more than hundred million years of evolution and includes the observed genomic variation within field caught samples of Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii, the two most dominant malaria vectors. This study offers insight into the level of conservation at a genome-wide scale as well as at per base-pair resolution. The results of this analysis are gathered in a data storage system that allows for flexible extraction and bioinformatic manipulation. Furthermore, it represents a valuable resource that could provide insight into population structure and dynamics of the species in the complex and benefit the development and implementation of genetic strategies to tackle malaria.

scholarly journals Spatial modelling for population replacement of mosquito vectors at continental scale

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas J. Beeton ◽  
Andrew Wilkins ◽  
Adrien Ickowicz ◽  
Keith R. Hayes ◽  
Geoffrey R. Hosack
Keyword(s):  
Anopheles Gambiae ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Drive System ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Anopheles Coluzzii ◽  
Gene Drive ◽  
Continental Scale ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Sub Saharan

AbstractMalaria is one of the deadliest vector-borne diseases in the world. Researchers are developing new genetic and conventional vector control strategies to attempt to limit its burden. To be deployed responsibly and successfully, proposed novel control strategies require detailed safety assessment. Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.) and Anopheles coluzzii, two closely related subspecies within the species complex Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.), are among the dominant malaria vectors in sub-Saharan Africa. These two subspecies readily hybridise and compete in the wild and are also known to have distinct niches, each with spatially and temporally varying carrying capacities driven by precipitation and land use factors.We model the spread and persistence of a population-modifying gene drive system in these subspecies across sub-Saharan Africa, by simulating introductions of genetically modified mosquitoes across the African mainland as well as on some offshore islands. We explore transmission of the gene drive between the subspecies, different hybridisation mechanisms, the effects of both local dispersal and potential wind-aided migration to the spread, and the development of resistance to the gene drive. We find that given best current available knowledge on the subspecies’ life histories, an introduced gene drive system with typical characteristics can plausibly spread from even distant offshore islands to the African mainland with the aid of wind-driven migration, with resistance taking over within a decade. Our model demonstrates a range of realistic dynamics including the effect of prevailing wind on spread and spatio-temporally varying carrying capacities for subspecies. We thus show both the plausibility and importance of accounting for a wide range of mechanisms from regional to continental scales.

scholarly journals Phenotypic Insecticide Resistance in Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae): Specific Characterization of Underlying Resistance Mechanisms Still Matters

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adandé A Medjigbodo ◽  
Luc S Djogbenou ◽  
Aubin A Koumba ◽  
Laurette Djossou ◽  
Athanase Badolo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insecticide Resistance ◽  
Anopheles Gambiae ◽  
Resistance Mechanisms ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Anopheles Coluzzii ◽  
Anopheles Gambiae S.S ◽  
Diagnostic Dose ◽  
Pirimiphos Methyl ◽  
Old Adult

Abstract An effective control of malaria vectors requires an extensive knowledge of mechanisms underlying the resistance-phenotypes developed by these vectors against insecticides. We investigated Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes from Benin and Togo for their intensity of insecticide resistance and we discussed the involvement of genotyped mechanisms in the resistance-phenotypes observed. Three- to five-day-old adult mosquitoes emerged from field and laboratory An. gambiae larvae were assayed using WHO tube intensity tests against various doses of deltamethrin: 1× (0.05%); 2× (0.1%); 5× (0.25%); 7.5× (0.375%) and those of pirimiphos-methyl: 0.5× (0.125%); 1× (0.25%). Members of An. gambiae complex were screened in field populations using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. The presence of kdrR(1014F/1014S) and ace-1R(119S) mutations was also investigated using TaqMan and PCR-RFLP techniques, respectively. Anopheles gambiae from field were very resistant to deltamethrin, whereas KisKdr and AcerKdrKis strains displayed 100% mortality rates at 2× the diagnostic dose. In contrast, the field mosquitoes displayed a low resistance-intensity against 1× the diagnostic dose of pirimiphos-methyl, whereas AcerKis and AcerKdrKis strains showed susceptibility at 0.5× the diagnostic dose. Anopheles gambiae s.s., Anopheles coluzzii, and Anopheles arabiensis were identified. Allelic frequencies of kdrR (1014F) and ace-1R (119S) mutations in the field populations varied from 0.65 to 1 and 0 to 0.84, respectively. The field An. gambiae displayed high-resistance levels against deltamethrin and pirimiphos-methyl when compared with those of the laboratory An. gambiae-resistant strains. These results exhibit the complexity of underlying insecticide resistance mechanisms in these field malaria vectors.

scholarly journals Rapid high throughput SYBR green assay for identifying the malaria vectors Anopheles arabiensis, Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles gambiae s.s. Giles

PLoS ONE ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. e0215669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Chabi ◽  
Arjen Van’t Hof ◽  
Louis K. N’dri ◽  
Alex Datsomor ◽  
Dora Okyere ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anopheles Gambiae ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Anopheles Arabiensis ◽  
Sybr Green ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Anopheles Coluzzii ◽  
Anopheles Gambiae S.S ◽  
Sybr Green Assay

scholarly journals Effect of bendiocarb based (Ficam® 80% WP) Indoor Residual Spraying on feeding patterns from malaria vectors in Burkina Faso, West Africa.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sawdetuo Aristide HIEN ◽  
Dieudonné Diloma Soma ◽  
Simon Pengwende Sawadogo ◽  
Serge Bèwadéyir Poda ◽  
Moussa Namountougou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Anopheles Gambiae ◽  
Malaria Transmission ◽  
Malaria Vector ◽  
Indoor Residual Spraying ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Anopheles Coluzzii ◽  
Transmission Season ◽  
Density Methods

Abstract Background The fight against vector is essential in malaria prevention strategies in several endemic countries in Africa. In Burkina Faso, malaria transmission is seasonal in most parts of country, so a single round of spraying should provide effective protection against malaria, provided the insecticide remains effective over the entire malaria transmission season. The outcomes of indoor residual spraying towards curtailing malaria transmission are firstly to decrease the life span of vector mosquitoes and also to reduce the malaria vectors density. Methods CDC light trap and early morning collections by pyrethrum spray catches were performed monthly to determine the change in malaria vector indices in sprayed (Diebougou) and unsprayed sites (Dano). The female’s malaria vectors collected by both methods were used to determine their blood feeding, biting and sporozoites rate and malaria transmission risk estimated by entomological inoculation rate. Results Anopheles gambiae complex composed to Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles arabiensis were present throughout the transmission season, but An. gambiae was the predominant species collected (P =0.0005), comprising 88% of the total collected and the most infected species. Malaria vectors densities were significantly lower in sprayed villages (n=4,303) compared with unsprayed villages (n=12,569) during post-spraying period (P = 0.0012). In addition, mean human biting rate of An. gambiae sl and An . funestus ss were significantly lower in sprayed areas compared to unsprayed areas (P<0.05). Overall, malaria vector transmission risk was significant lower in villages which received IRS (P=0.0001) whatever the malaria vectors species ( An. gambiae sl and An. funestus ss). Conclusions The results showed that in the sprayed area (Diebougou), vector densities, human biting rates and malaria transmission risks were very lower than unsprayed areas (Dano). The findings also showed a change in vector behavior especially within An. funestus which became more zoophagic following IRS. The indoor residual spraying could be recommanded as control tool in areas where malaria transmission occured a given period of year.

scholarly journals Natural diversity of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Insecticide Resistance ◽  
Anopheles Gambiae ◽  
Malaria Control ◽  
Mosquito Control ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Target Space ◽  
Anopheles Coluzzii ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Gene Drive

The sustainability of malaria control in Africa is threatened by rising levels of insecticide resistance, and new tools to prevent malaria transmission are urgently needed. To gain a better understanding of the mosquito populations that transmit malaria, we sequenced the genomes of 765 wild specimens of Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii sampled from 15 locations across Africa. The data reveal high levels of genetic diversity, with over 50 million single nucleotide polymorphisms across the 230 Mbp genome. We observe complex patterns of population structure and marked variations in local population size, some of which may be due at least in part to malaria control interventions. Insecticide resistance genes show strong signatures of recent selection associated with multiple independent mutations spreading over large geographical distances and between species. The genetic variability of natural populations substantially reduces the target space for novel gene-drive strategies for mosquito control. This large dataset provides a foundation for tracking the emergence and spread of insecticide resistance and developing new vector control tools.

High Levels of Knockdown Resistance in Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae), Major Malaria Vectors in Togo, West Africa: A 2011 Monitoring Report

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 1159-1164
Author(s):  
Koffi Mensah Ahadji-Dabla ◽  
Adjovi Djifa Amoudji ◽  
Seth Wolali Nyamador ◽  
Georges Yawo Apétogbo ◽  
Joseph Chabi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Anopheles Gambiae ◽  
National Malaria Control Programme ◽  
Control Programme ◽  
World Health ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Malaria Control Programme ◽  
Anopheles Coluzzii ◽  
Knockdown Resistance ◽  
Anopheles Gambiae S.S

Abstract A survey of susceptibility to DDT, deltamethrin, bendiocarb, and chlorpyrifos-methyl was conducted in five localities in 2011 in Togo, West Africa, to assess the insecticide resistance status of Anopheles gambiae s.l. (Diptera: Culicidae). Female populations of An. gambaie s.l. emerged from collected larvae (F0) were exposed to insecticide-impregnated papers using World Health Organization test kits for adult mosquitoes; the susceptible reference strain Kisumu was used as a control. Resistance to DDT and deltamethrin was observed within the mosquito populations tested. Anopheles gambiae s.s. and Anopheles coluzzii represented the only species recorded in the study sites. The frequency of knockdown resistance (kdr L1014F) mutation determined using polymerase chain reaction diagnostic tests was lower in An. gambiae than in An. coluzzii in all of the localities except Kolokopé. Further investigations of An. gambiae s.l. resistance are needed in Togo to help the National Malaria Control Programme in vector control decision making and implementation of resistance management strategy.

scholarly journals Malaria Transmission, Vector Diversity, and Insecticide Resistance at a Peri-Urban Site in the Forest Zone of Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaw Akuamoah-Boateng ◽  
Ruth C. Brenyah ◽  
Sandra A. Kwarteng ◽  
Patrick Obuam ◽  
Isaac Owusu-Frimpong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insecticide Resistance ◽  
Anopheles Gambiae ◽  
Malaria Transmission ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
World Health ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Urban Site ◽  
Human Landing Catch ◽  
Anopheles Coluzzii ◽  
Anopheles Gambiae S.S

IntroductionRecent surge of Anopheles resistance to major classes of World Health Organization (WHO)-approved insecticides globally necessitates the need for information about local malaria vector populations. It is believed that insecticide efficacy loss may lead to operational failure of control interventions and an increase in malaria infection transmission. We investigated the susceptibility levels of malaria vectors to all classes of WHO-approved vector control insecticides and described the dynamics of malaria transmission in a peri-urban setting.MethodsFit 3–5-day-old adults that emerged from Anopheles larvae collected from several different sites in the study area were subjected to the WHO bioassay for detecting insecticide resistance. The knockdown resistance gene (kdr) mutations within the vector populations were detected using PCR. Entomological inoculation rates were determined using the human landing catch technique and Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite ELISA.ResultsThe malaria vectors from the study area were resistant to all classes of insecticides tested. Out of the 284 Anopheles complex specimen assayed for the resistance study, 265 (93.30%) were identified as Anopheles gambiae s.s. The kdr gene was detected in 90% of the Anopheles gambiae s.s. assayed. In an area where Anopheles coluzzii resistance to insecticides had never been reported, the kdr gene was detected in 78% of the Anopheles coluzzii sampled. The entomological inoculation rate (EIR) for the dry season was 1.44 ib/m/n, whereas the EIR for the rainy season was 2.69 ib/m/n.ConclusionsThis study provides information on the high parasite inoculation rate and insecticide resistance of malaria vectors in a peri-urban community, which is critical in the development of an insecticide resistance management program for the community.

scholarly journals Evolution of the Pyrethroids Target-Site Resistance Mechanisms in Senegal: Early Stage of the Vgsc-1014F and Vgsc-1014S Allelic Frequencies Shift

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1948
Author(s):  
Moussa Diallo ◽  
Majidah Hamid-Adiamoh ◽  
Ousmane Sy ◽  
Pape Cheikh Sarr ◽  
Jarra Manneh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insecticide Resistance ◽  
Anopheles Gambiae ◽  
Pyrethroid Resistance ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Resistance Mechanisms ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Malaria Control Programme ◽  
Anopheles Coluzzii ◽  
Resistance Mutations

The evolution and spread of insecticide resistance mechanisms amongst malaria vectors across the sub-Saharan Africa threaten the effectiveness and sustainability of current insecticide-based vector control interventions. However, a successful insecticide resistance management plan relies strongly on evidence of historical and contemporary mechanisms circulating. This study aims to retrospectively determine the evolution and spread of pyrethroid resistance mechanisms among natural Anopheles gambiae s.l. populations in Senegal. Samples were randomly drawn from an existing mosquito sample, collected in 2013, 2017, and 2018 from 10 sentinel sites monitored by the Senegalese National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP). Molecular species of An. gambiae s.l. and the resistance mutations at the Voltage-gated Sodium Channel 1014 (Vgsc-1014) locus were characterised using PCR-based assays. The genetic diversity of the Vgsc gene was further analyzed by sequencing. The overall species composition revealed the predominance of Anopheles arabiensis (73.08%) followed by An. gambiae s.s. (14.48%), Anopheles coluzzii (10.94%) and Anopheles gambiae–coluzii hybrids (1.48%). Both Vgsc-1014F and Vgsc-1014S mutations were found in all studied populations with a spatial variation of allele frequencies from 3% to 90%; and 7% to 41%, respectively. The two mutations have been detected since 2013 across all the selected health districts, with Vgsc-L1014S frequency increasing over the years while Vgsc-1014F decreasing. At species level, the Vgsc-1014F and Vgsc-1014S alleles were more frequent amongst An. gambiae s.s. (70%) and An. arabiensis (20%). The Vgsc gene was found to be highly diversified with eight different haplotypes shared between Vgsc-1014F and Vgsc-1014S. The observed co-occurrence of Vgsc-1014F and Vgsc-1014S mutations suggest that pyrethroid resistance is becoming a widespread phenomenon amongst malaria vector populations, and the NMCP needs to address this issue to sustain the gain made in controlling malaria.

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