Article
Environmental Sciences
Camille Morlighem, Celia Chaiban, Stefanos Georganos, Oscar Brousse, Jonas Van de Walle, Nicole P. M. van Lipzig, Eleonore Wolff, Sebastien Dujardin, Catherine Linard
Summary: Remote sensing technology plays a crucial role in predicting malaria risk in African cities, but there is still room for improvement in terms of predictive power.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Carlos Alberto Montenegro-Quinonez, Valerie R. Louis, Olaf Horstick, Raman Velayudhan, Peter Dambach, Silvia Runge-Ranzinger
Summary: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of structural housing interventions against Aedes mosquitoes and dengue. The results showed that interventions at the household level had positive effects on the immature mosquito stages, but performed less effectively against adult mosquitoes. The meta-analysis did not find a statistically significant reduction in seroconversion outcomes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
William Wint, Peter Jones, Moritz Kraemer, Neil Alexander, Francis Schaffner
Summary: This study uses historical records and climatic data to construct historical and present distribution models of the yellow fever mosquito in southern Europe, revealing significant changes in its distribution over the past 100 years. The predicted future distribution based on historical models contradicts the predictions based on present day distributions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Raphael N'Guessan, Serge-Brice Assi, Alphonsine Koffi, Phamien Ludovic Ahoua Alou, Anatole Mian, Nicole L. Achee, Benedicte Fustec, John P. Grieco, Fang Liu, Santosh Kumar, Matthew Noffsinger, Ashley Hudson, Tim W. R. Mohlmann, Marit Farenhorst
Summary: Long-lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spraying have been effective tools for malaria prevention in sub-Saharan Africa, but insecticide resistance has reduced their efficacy. In2Care(R) EaveTubes offer a new and affordable solution by using heat and odor cues to attract and kill malaria vectors.
Article
Biology
Bernard W. T. Coetzee, Ashley M. Burke, Lizette L. Koekemoer, Mark P. Robertson, Izak P. J. Smit
Summary: There is growing interest in the interaction between artificial light at night and disease vectors, particularly mosquitoes. Most studies have been conducted in laboratories, so it is still unclear how artificial light affects disease vector risk. This article identifies five priorities to evaluate the impact of artificial light on disease vectors in socio-ecological systems.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biology
Alice Namias, Ndey Bassin Jobe, Krijn Petrus Paaijmans, Silvie Huijben
Summary: Monitoring mosquito populations for insecticide resistance is crucial for disease control; however, standard testing conditions do not accurately reflect field conditions, making efficacy evaluation challenging. Additional testing guidelines are needed to determine practical resistance for programmatic impact.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shailabh Kumar, Felix J. H. Hol, Sujit Pujhari, Clayton Ellington, Haripriya Vaidehi Narayanan, Hongquan Li, Jason L. Rasgon, Manu Prakash
Summary: The Vectorchip is a low-cost microfluidic platform that enables high-throughput analysis of individual mosquito bites, allowing detection of mosquito-carried DNA, RNA, and viral particles. This technology provides a promising approach for laboratory and field characterization of vector-pathogen communities.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Oleksii Skorokhod, Ekaterina Vostokova, Gianfranco Gilardi
Summary: Vector-borne infectious diseases, such as malaria, have a significant impact on global health and economy. Prevention through vector control is crucial, although there is growing resistance to insecticides. Utilizing natural inhibitors/blockers of vector enzymes and host enzymes, specifically cytochromes P450, can contribute to greener insecticides and disease control.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jayanta Mondal, Arijit Das, Rumki Khatun
Summary: This study reveals the correlation between climate variables and vector-borne diseases in different districts of West Bengal, showing that temperature and rainfall are significant factors for the development of vector-borne diseases. A novel forecasting approach has been introduced to predict the spread of these diseases in West Bengal for the upcoming years, indicating a potential increase in disease risk due to climate variability.
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2022)
Review
Biophysics
Rina Marina, Jusniar Ariati, Athena Anwar, Endang Puji Astuti, Pandji Wibawa Dhewantara
Summary: This study conducted a systematic literature review on the relationship between climate variability and vector-borne diseases (VBD) in Indonesia. The majority of the reviewed studies focused on dengue, and rainfall, mean temperature, and relative humidity were commonly studied climatic factors. However, there is a lack of long-term studies and variation in methodology, which limits the generalizability of the findings. A unified framework is needed for future research to provide reliable evidence for policymaking.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
DeAnna J. Friedman-Klabanoff, Megan Birkhold, Mara T. Short, Timothy R. Wilson, Claudio R. Meneses, Joshua R. Lacsina, Fabiano Oliveira, Shaden Kamhawi, Jesus G. Valenzuela, Sally Hunsberger, Allyson Mateja, Gregory Stoloff, Olga Pleguezuelos, Matthew J. Memoli, Matthew B. Laurens
Summary: This study evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of a mosquito salivary peptide vaccine in healthy adults. The results showed that the vaccine had a favorable safety profile and induced robust immune responses. Further research will determine if the vaccine translates into clinical efficacy against mosquito-borne diseases.
Article
Virology
Cruz S. Sebastiao, Celestina Gaston, Joana Paula Paixao, Euclides N. M. Sacomboio, Zoraima Neto, Jocelyne Neto de Vasconcelos, Joana Morais
Summary: Simultaneous co-epidemics, such as SARS-CoV-2 and vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue, can impose additional challenges on healthcare systems. A cross-sectional study conducted in Luanda, Angola found a co-infection rate of 11.4% between SARS-CoV-2 and VBD, with higher odds of co-infection in males and urbanized areas. Integrating VBD screening into SARS-CoV-2 testing algorithms and adjusting treatment protocols may be necessary based on these findings. Further research is needed to better understand the relationship between COVID-19 and vector-borne diseases in Angola.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Amy C. Morrison, Robert C. Reiner, William H. Elson, Helvio Astete, Carolina Guevara, Clara del Aguila, Isabel Bazan, Crystyan Siles, Patricia Barrera, Anna B. Kawiecki, Christopher M. Barker, Gissella M. Vasquez, Karin Escobedo-Vargas, Carmen Flores-Mendoza, Alfredo A. Huaman, Mariana Leguia, Maria E. Silva, Sarah A. Jenkins, Wesley R. Campbell, Eugenio J. Abente, Robert D. Hontz, Valerie A. Paz-Soldan, John P. Grieco, Neil F. Lobo, Thomas W. Scott, Nicole L. Achee
Summary: This study provides conclusive evidence from a clinical trial that a transfluthrin-based spatial repellent significantly reduces ABV infection and has a significant impact on the population and blood-fed rates of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Devojit Kumar Sarma, Manoj Kumar, Jigyasa Dhurve, Namrata Pal, Poonam Sharma, Meenu Mariya James, Deepanker Das, Sweta Mishra, Swasti Shubham, Manoj Kumawat, Vinod Verma, Rajnarayan R. Tiwari, Ravinder Nagpal, Francesco Marotta
Summary: This study characterized the gut microbiota composition of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and found an association between human-blood feeding behavior and changes in the gut microbiota. The results suggest that human blood feeding may alter the gut microbiota of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes. Further research is needed to understand how these changes affect the vectorial capacity of Ae. aegypti.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Erik Neff, Guha Dharmarajan
Summary: Copper pollution can significantly impact the fitness and disease transmission ability of mosquitoes, as well as transfer contaminants between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Exposure to sublethal levels of copper alters adult female fecundity and vector competence in mosquito larvae, indicating potential implications for public health and environmental dynamics. This study provides valuable insights into the complex interactions between metal exposure, vector-borne disease dynamics, and contaminant transfer in mosquito-parasite systems.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biology
Steven W. Lindsay, Michael Davies, Graham Alabaster, Hector Altamirano, Ebrima Jatta, Musa Jawara, Majo Carrasco-Tenezaca, Lorenz von Seidlein, Fiona C. Shenton, Lucy S. Tusting, Anne L. Wilson, Jakob Knudsen
Summary: The transmission of mosquito-borne diseases in sub-Saharan Africa mainly occurs within or around houses. By implementing simple changes to the built environment, such as screening doors and windows, closing eaves, using insecticide-treated nets, and maintaining environmental cleanliness, the risk of exposure to these diseases can be greatly reduced. The DELIVER package provides a combination of interventions to effectively combat mosquito-transmitted diseases and prevent their re-emergence after elimination.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Henry Ddumba Mawejje, Maxwell Kilama, Simon P. Kigozi, Alex K. Musiime, Moses Kamya, Jo Lines, Steven W. Lindsay, David Smith, Grant Dorsey, Martin J. Donnelly, Sarah G. Staedke
Summary: This study in Uganda found that LLINs and IRS had differential impacts on Anopheles species composition and density in areas with different transmission intensities. The combination of LLINs and multiple rounds of IRS in high transmission areas nearly eliminated An. gambiae s.s. and An. funestus s.l., leading to a shift in predominant vector species. Developing interventions targeted at outdoor biting remains a priority for malaria control efforts.
Review
Parasitology
David L. Smith, Alex K. Musiime, Kilama Maxwell, Steven W. Lindsay, Samson Kiware
Summary: Killing adult mosquitoes can reduce the proportion of old mosquitoes and have a significant impact on malaria transmission; The effectiveness of vector control can be compared using sporozoite rates and human biting rates; Human biting rates provide more useful information for planning, monitoring and evaluating vector control.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Lucy S. Tusting, Sandy Cairncross, Ramona Ludolph, Raman Velayudhan, Anne L. Wilson, Steven W. Lindsay
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jean Baptiste Yaro, Alphonse Ouedraogo, Amidou Diarra, Salif Sombie, Z. Amidou Ouedraogo, Issa Nebie, Chris Drakeley, Sodiomon B. Sirima, Alfred B. Tiono, Steven W. Lindsay, Anne L. Wilson
Summary: The prevalence of P. falciparum infection among pregnant women remains high in Burkina Faso, although the use of IPTp-SP and ITNs can reduce the odds of infection. However, compliance with IPTp-SP is far below that recommended by the National Malaria Control Programme and World Health Organization.
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Steve W. Lindsay, Matthew B. Thomas, Immo Kleinschmidt
Summary: Insecticide-treated bednets (ITNs) have been effective in reducing malaria morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa from 2004 to 2019, but the decline in malaria cases and deaths has stalled recently. It is important to consider factors beyond insecticide resistance, such as access to nets, use of nets, bioefficacy, and durability, in evaluating the effectiveness of ITNs. To improve the impact of ITNs, efforts should focus on increasing net coverage, funding for programmes, strategies to increase ITN uptake, and developing novel vector control tools.
LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jean Baptiste Yaro, Alfred B. Tiono, Antoine Sanou, Hyacinthe K. Toe, John Bradley, Alphonse Ouedraogo, Z. Amidou Ouedraogo, Moussa W. Guelbeogo, Efundem Agboraw, Eve Worrall, N. 'Fale Sagnon, Steven W. Lindsay, Anne L. Wilson
Summary: The study revealed that having a metal roof on the child's sleeping space was associated with fewer malaria vectors inside the home, with a 45% lower rate compared to thatch roofs. Improvements in house construction, including installation of metal roofs, should be considered in endemic areas of Africa to reduce the burden of malaria.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jean Baptiste Yaro, Alfred B. Tiono, Alphonse Ouedraogo, Ben Lambert, Z. Amidou Ouedraogo, Amidou Diarra, Adama Traore, Malik Lankouande, Issiaka Soulama, Antoine Sanou, Eve Worrall, Efundem Agboraw, N'Fale Sagnon, Hilary Ranson, Thomas S. Churcher, Steve W. Lindsay, Anne L. Wilson
Summary: Burkina Faso has a high burden of malaria despite the implementation of malaria control measures. A study conducted in the country found that malaria infections were highest in children aged 5 to 15 years, despite the use of insecticide-treated nets. The study also showed that administering seasonal malaria chemoprevention to children aged 10 and 15 could significantly reduce malaria cases.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Majo Carrasco-Tenezaca, Musa Jawara, Mahamed Y. Abdi, John Bradley, Otis Sloan Brittain, Sainey Ceesay, Umberto D'Alessandro, David Jeffries, Margaret Pinder, Hannah Wood, Jakob B. Knudsen, Steve W. Lindsay
Summary: The study found that raising buildings off the ground can effectively reduce malaria transmission in rural Gambia, as most malaria mosquitoes fly close to the ground and showed significantly reduced entry when buildings were elevated.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY INTERFACE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ebrima Jatta, Majo Carrasco-Tenezaca, Musa Jawara, John Bradley, Sainey Ceesay, Umberto D'Alessandro, David Jeffries, Balla Kandeh, Daniel Sang-Hoon Lee, Margaret Pinder, Anne L. Wilson, Jakob Knudsen, Steve W. Lindsay
Summary: In sub-Saharan Africa, improved ventilation through screened windows or doors can reduce indoor temperature, decrease malaria mosquito house entry, and enhance the effectiveness of insecticide-treated bednets. This study demonstrates that increased ventilation not only cools houses and makes them more comfortable, but also significantly reduces the density of malaria mosquitoes entering houses by weakening CO2 plumes.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY INTERFACE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Margaret Pinder, John Bradley, Musa Jawara, Muna Affara, Lesong Conteh, Simon Correa, David Jeffries, Caroline Jones, Balla Kandeh, Jakob Knudsen, Yekini Olatunji, Elisa Sicuri, Umberto D'Alessandro, Steve W. Lindsay
Summary: In a study conducted in The Gambia, improved housing did not provide protection against clinical malaria. Despite high coverage of insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, and seasonal malaria chemoprevention, no significant effect was observed in an area with low seasonal transmission.
LANCET PLANETARY HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Fitsum G. Tadesse, Temesgen Ashine, Hiwot Teka, Endashaw Esayas, Louisa A. Messenger, Wakweya Chali, Lisette Meerstein-Kessel, Thomas Walker, Sinknesh Wolde Behaksra, Kjerstin Lanke, Roel Heutink, Claire L. Jeffries, Daniel Abebe Mekonnen, Elifaged Hailemeskel, Surafel K. Tebeje, Temesgen Tafesse, Abrham Gashaw, Tizita Tsegaye, Tadele Emiru, Kigozi Simon, Eyuel Asemahegn Bogale, Gedeon Yohannes, Soriya Kedir, Girma Shumie, Senya Asfer Sabir, Peter Mumba, Dereje Dengela, Jan H. Kolaczinski, Anne Wilson, Thomas S. Churcher, Sheleme Chibsa, Matthew Murphy, Meshesha Balkew, Seth Irish, Chris Drakeley, Endalamaw Gadisa, Teun Bousema
Summary: Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes, efficient vectors in parts of Asia and Africa, were found in high numbers in Awash Sebat Kilo, Ethiopia, and are highly susceptible to Plasmodium infection, posing a challenge for malaria control in the Horn of Africa.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
