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Ebhodaghe FI, Sanchez-Vargas I, Isaac C, Foy BD, Hemming-Schroeder E. Sibling species of the major malaria vector Anopheles gambiae display divergent preferences for aquatic breeding sites in southern Nigeria. Malar J 2024; 23:60. [PMID: 38413961 PMCID: PMC10900747 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04871-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND When integrated with insecticide-treated bed nets, larval control of Anopheles mosquitoes could fast-track reductions in the incidence of human malaria. However, larval control interventions may deliver suboptimal outcomes where the preferred breeding places of mosquito vectors are not well known. This study investigated the breeding habitat choices of Anopheles mosquitoes in southern Nigeria. The objective was to identify priority sites for mosquito larval management in selected urban and periurban locations where malaria remains a public health burden. METHODS: Mosquito larvae were collected in urban and periurban water bodies during the wet-dry season interface in Edo, Delta, and Anambra States. Field-collected larvae were identified based on PCR gel-electrophoresis and amplicon sequencing, while the associations between Anopheles larvae and the properties and locations of water bodies were assessed using a range of statistical methods. RESULTS Mosquito breeding sites were either man-made (72.09%) or natural (27.91%) and mostly drainages (48.84%) and puddles (25.58%). Anopheles larvae occurred in drainages, puddles, stream margins, and a concrete well, and were absent in drums, buckets, car tires, and a water-holding iron pan, all of which contained culicine larvae. Wild-caught Anopheles larvae comprised Anopheles coluzzii (80.51%), Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.) (11.54%), and Anopheles arabiensis (7.95%); a species-specific PCR confirmed the absence of the invasive urban malaria vector Anopheles stephensi among field-collected larvae. Anopheles arabiensis, An. coluzzii, and An. gambiae s.s. displayed preferences for turbid, lowland, and partially sunlit water bodies, respectively. Furthermore, An. arabiensis preferred breeding sites located outside 500 m of households, whereas An. gambiae s.s. and An. coluzzii had increased detection odds in sites within 500 m of households. Anopheles gambiae s.s. and An. coluzzii were also more likely to be present in natural water bodies; meanwhile, 96.77% of An. arabiensis were in man-made water bodies. Intraspecific genetic variations were little in the dominant vector An. coluzzii, while breeding habitat choices of populations made no statistically significant contributions to these variations. CONCLUSION Sibling malaria vectors in the An. gambiae complex display divergent preferences for aquatic breeding habitats in southern Nigeria. The findings are relevant for planning targeted larval control of An. coluzzii whose increasing evolutionary adaptations to urban ecologies are driving the proliferation of the mosquito, and An. arabiensis whose adults typically evade the effects of treated bed nets due to exophilic tendencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faith I Ebhodaghe
- Center for Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Irma Sanchez-Vargas
- Center for Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Clement Isaac
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria
| | - Brian D Foy
- Center for Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Elizabeth Hemming-Schroeder
- Center for Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
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Rants’o TA, van Greunen DG, van der Westhuizen CJ, Riley DL, Panayides JL, Koekemoer LL, van Zyl RL. The in silico and in vitro analysis of donepezil derivatives for Anopheles acetylcholinesterase inhibition. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277363. [PMID: 36350894 PMCID: PMC9645637 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Current studies on Anopheles anticholinesterase insecticides are focusing on identifying agents with high selectivity towards Anopheles over mammalian targets. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from electric eel is often used as the bioequivalent enzyme to study ligands designed for activity and inhibition in human. In this study, previously identified derivatives of a potent AChE, donepezil, that have exhibited low activity on electric eel AChE were assessed for potential AChE-based larvicidal effects on four African malaria vectors; An. funestus, An. arabiensis, An. gambiae and An. coluzzii. This led to the identification of four larvicidal agents with a lead molecule, 1-benzyl-N-(thiazol-2-yl) piperidine-4-carboxamide 2 showing selectivity for An. arabiensis as a larvicidal AChE agent. Differential activities of this molecule on An. arabiensis and electric eel AChE targets were studied through molecular modelling. Homology modelling was used to generate a three-dimensional structure of the An. arabiensis AChE for this binding assay. The conformation of this molecule and corresponding interactions with the AChE catalytic site was markedly different between the two targets. Assessment of the differences between the AChE binding sites from electric eel, human and Anopheles revealed that the electric eel and human AChE proteins were very similar. In contrast, Anopheles AChE had a smaller cysteine residue in place of bulky phenylalanine group at the entrance to the catalytic site, and a smaller aspartic acid residue at the base of the active site gorge, in place of the bulky tyrosine residues. Results from this study suggest that this difference affects the ligand orientation and corresponding interactions at the catalytic site. The lead molecule 2 also formed more favourable interactions with An. arabiensis AChE model than other Anopheles AChE targets, possibly explaining the observed selectivity among other assessed Anopheles species. This study suggests that 1-benzyl-N-(thiazol-2-yl) piperidine-4-carboxamide 2 may be a lead compound for designing novel insecticides against Anopheles vectors with reduced toxic potential on humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thankhoe A. Rants’o
- Pharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- WITS Research Institute for Malaria (WRIM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Divan G. van Greunen
- Department of Chemistry, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Tshwane, South Africa
| | - C. Johan van der Westhuizen
- Department of Chemistry, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Tshwane, South Africa
- Pharmaceutical Technologies, CSIR Future Production: Chemicals, Tshwane, South Africa
| | - Darren L. Riley
- Department of Chemistry, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Tshwane, South Africa
| | - Jenny-Lee Panayides
- Pharmaceutical Technologies, CSIR Future Production: Chemicals, Tshwane, South Africa
| | - Lizette L. Koekemoer
- WITS Research Institute for Malaria (WRIM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Robyn L. van Zyl
- Pharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- WITS Research Institute for Malaria (WRIM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Akoniyon OP, Adewumi TS, Maharaj L, Oyegoke OO, Roux A, Adeleke MA, Maharaj R, Okpeku M. Whole Genome Sequencing Contributions and Challenges in Disease Reduction Focused on Malaria. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:587. [PMID: 35453786 PMCID: PMC9027812 DOI: 10.3390/biology11040587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Malaria elimination remains an important goal that requires the adoption of sophisticated science and management strategies in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. The advent of next generation sequencing (NGS) is making whole genome sequencing (WGS) a standard today in the field of life sciences, as PCR genotyping and targeted sequencing provide insufficient information compared to the whole genome. Thus, adapting WGS approaches to malaria parasites is pertinent to studying the epidemiology of the disease, as different regions are at different phases in their malaria elimination agenda. Therefore, this review highlights the applications of WGS in disease management, challenges of WGS in controlling malaria parasites, and in furtherance, provides the roles of WGS in pursuit of malaria reduction and elimination. WGS has invaluable impacts in malaria research and has helped countries to reach elimination phase rapidly by providing required information needed to thwart transmission, pathology, and drug resistance. However, to eliminate malaria in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with high malaria transmission, we recommend that WGS machines should be readily available and affordable in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olusegun Philip Akoniyon
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa; (O.P.A.); (T.S.A.); (L.M.); (O.O.O.); (A.R.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Taiye Samson Adewumi
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa; (O.P.A.); (T.S.A.); (L.M.); (O.O.O.); (A.R.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Leah Maharaj
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa; (O.P.A.); (T.S.A.); (L.M.); (O.O.O.); (A.R.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Olukunle Olugbenle Oyegoke
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa; (O.P.A.); (T.S.A.); (L.M.); (O.O.O.); (A.R.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Alexandra Roux
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa; (O.P.A.); (T.S.A.); (L.M.); (O.O.O.); (A.R.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Matthew A. Adeleke
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa; (O.P.A.); (T.S.A.); (L.M.); (O.O.O.); (A.R.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Rajendra Maharaj
- Office of Malaria Research, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town 7505, South Africa;
| | - Moses Okpeku
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa; (O.P.A.); (T.S.A.); (L.M.); (O.O.O.); (A.R.); (M.A.A.)
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Barreaux P, Koella JC, N'Guessan R, Thomas MB. Use of novel lab assays to examine the effect of pyrethroid-treated bed nets on blood-feeding success and longevity of highly insecticide-resistant Anopheles gambiae s.l. mosquitoes. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:111. [PMID: 35346334 PMCID: PMC8962112 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05220-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is a pressing need to improve understanding of how insecticide resistance affects the functional performance of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). Standard WHO insecticide resistance monitoring assays are designed for resistance surveillance and do not necessarily provide insight into how different frequencies, mechanisms or intensities of resistance affect the ability of ITNs to reduce malaria transmission. Methods The current study presents some novel laboratory-based assays that attempt to better simulate realistic exposure of mosquitoes to ITNs and to quantify impact of exposure not only on instantaneous mortality, but also on blood-feeding and longevity, two traits that are central to transmission. The assays evaluated the performance of a standard ITN (Permanet® 2.0; Vestergaard Frandsen), a ‘next generation’ combination ITN with a resistance-breaking synergist (Permanet® 3.0) and an untreated net (UTN), against field-derived Anopheles gambiae sensu lato mosquitoes from Côte d’Ivoire exhibiting a 1500-fold increase in pyrethroid resistance relative to a standard susceptible strain. Results The study revealed that the standard ITN induced negligible instantaneous mortality against the resistant mosquitoes, whereas the resistance-breaking net caused high mortality and a reduction in blood-feeding. However, both ITNs still impacted long-term survival relative to the UTN. The impact on longevity depended on feeding status, with blood-fed mosquitoes living longer than unfed mosquitoes following ITN exposure. Exposure to both ITNs also reduced the blood-feeding success, the time spent on the net and blood-feeding duration, relative to the untreated net. Conclusion Although a standard ITN did not have as substantial instantaneous impact as the resistance-breaking net, it still had significant impacts on traits important for transmission. These results highlight the benefit of improved bioefficacy assays that allow for realistic exposure and consider sub- or pre-lethal effects to help assess the functional significance of insecticide resistance. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05220-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscille Barreaux
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK. .,Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA. .,University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
| | | | - Raphael N'Guessan
- London School of Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Vector Control Product Evaluation Centre, Institute Pierre Richet, Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Matthew B Thomas
- Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA.,University of York, York, UK
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Thabet HS, TagEldin RA, Fahmy NT, Diclaro JW, Alaribe AA, Ezedinachi E, Nwachuku NS, Odey FO, Arimoto H. Spatial Distribution of PCR-Identified Species of Anopheles gambiae senu lato (Diptera: Culicidae) Across Three Eco-Vegetational Zones in Cross River State, Nigeria. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 59:576-584. [PMID: 35064267 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Anopheles gambiae sensu lato complex (An. gambiae s.l.) describes a group of nine morphologically indistinguishable members that vary in their distribution, ability to transmit malaria, and susceptibility to pyrethroids. Here, we recorded the spatial patterns of PCR-identified An. gambiae s.l. complex species collected from four sites in Cross River State, Nigeria that represented three different ecological zones. Trapping was conducted between October 2015 and June 2016. Anopheles gambiae s.l. complex species identification was performed using species-specific primers followed by An. gambiae and An. coluzzii differentiation using the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify ecological and seasonal variables closely associated with An. coluzzii and An. gambiae distribution. Out of 1,388 An. gambiae s.l. successfully amplified, 1,074 (77.4%) were An. coluzzii, 278 (20%) were An. gambiae, and 25 (1.8%) were hybrids (An. coluzzii/An. gambiae). A very small number of An. arabiensis (0.8%, n = 11) were also collected. Statistical analysis indicated that An. coluzzii is predominant in Guinea-savannah and tropical rainforest, and is highly associated with rainy seasons, while, An. gambiae is prevalent in mangrove swamp forest during dry seasons. Only 13 An. gambiae s.l. females were infected with Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum). The sporozoite infection rate was higher in mangrove swamp forest (53.8%, n = 7) than in rain forest (38.5%, n = 5) followed by Guinea-savannah (7.7%, n = 1) ecological zones. These results provide important insights for strategic planning of malaria control programs in Nigeria.
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Affiliation(s)
- H S Thabet
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3 (NAMRU-3), Cairo Detachment, Egypt
| | - R A TagEldin
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3 (NAMRU-3), Cairo Detachment, Egypt
| | - N T Fahmy
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3 (NAMRU-3), Cairo Detachment, Egypt
| | - J W Diclaro
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3 (NAMRU-3), Cairo Detachment, Egypt
- Navy Entomology Center of Excellence (NECE), Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - A A Alaribe
- Calabar Institute of Tropical Diseases Research and Prevention (CITDRP), University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
| | - E Ezedinachi
- Calabar Institute of Tropical Diseases Research and Prevention (CITDRP), University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
| | - N S Nwachuku
- Calabar Institute of Tropical Diseases Research and Prevention (CITDRP), University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
| | - F O Odey
- Calabar Institute of Tropical Diseases Research and Prevention (CITDRP), University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
| | - H Arimoto
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3 (NAMRU-3), Cairo Detachment, Egypt
- Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine Unit Five, San Diego, CA, USA
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