Editorial Material
Ecology
Peter A. Armbruster
Summary: An innovative isotopic labelling strategy reveals that malaria mosquitoes in the West-African Sahel region can survive in a dormant state during the prolonged dry season. These findings have implications for efforts to control malaria transmission in Africa.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Robert H. Zimmerman, Allan K. R. Galardo, L. Philip Lounibos, Clicia Galardo, A. Kadir Bahar, Edzard van Santen
Summary: This study reveals the complexity and epidemiological characteristics of malaria transmission in the Amazon River Basin by investigating the vector species in neighboring villages. Different vector species and parasite species exhibit significant differences in vectorial capacity in different seasons and locations.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Rahim Ali Ahmed, Hari Shankar, Syed Shah Areeb Hussain, Ananta Swargiary, Avdhesh Kumar, Mohammad Tarique, Pankaj Prabhakar, Harpal Singh Suri, Kuldeep Singh, Joy Kumar Chakma, Jyoti Singh, Afluza Begum
Summary: This passage discusses the transmission and factors contributing to malaria in the Dolonibasti sub-center of India. Through data collection and surveys, it was found that the tea tribe population group experienced a sudden increase in malaria cases, highlighting issues of low levels of education and lack of awareness about malaria prevention measures.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jan E. Conn, Sara A. Bickersmith, Marlon P. Saavedra, Juliana A. Morales, Freddy Alava, Gloria A. Diaz Rodriguez, Clara R. del Aguila Morante, Carlos G. Tong, Carlos Alvarez-Antonio, Jesus M. Daza Huanahui, Joseph M. Vinetz, Dionicia Gamboa
Summary: Malaria hotspots persist in Datem del Maranon Province, Peru. Vector control units collaborated with the Amazonian International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research in order to identify the main vectors in riverine villages with high annual parasite indices. Four vector species were identified, with Nyssorhynchus benarrochi B being the most abundant. The study highlights the risk of malaria transmission by these vectors even during the dry season.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Katharine A. Collins, Sukai Ceesay, Sainabou Drammeh, Fatou K. Jaiteh, Marc-Antoine Guery, Kjerstin Lanke, Lynn Grignard, Will Stone, David J. Conway, Umberto D'Alessandro, Teun Bousema, Antoine Claessens
Summary: In areas with seasonal Plasmodium falciparum malaria, a reservoir of blood-stage infection during the dry season is crucial for initiating transmission in the wet season. A study in The Gambia found that a significant proportion of individuals infected at the end of the wet season continued to have detectable infections until the end of the dry season. These persistent infections were more likely to have higher parasite densities and be multiclonal compared to short-lived infections. Screening and treating asymptomatic infections during the dry season may help reduce the reservoir of malaria responsible for transmission in the wet season.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Charles Whittaker, Arran Hamlet, Ellie Sherrard-Smith, Peter Winskill, Gina Cuomo-Dannenburg, Patrick G. T. Walker, Marianne Sinka, Samuel Pironon, Ashwani Kumar, Azra Ghani, Samir Bhatt, Thomas S. Churcher
Summary: The invasion of the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi in the Horn of Africa poses a threat to malaria control efforts across the continent. This study finds that the seasonal dynamics of An. stephensi are not well predicted by rainfall patterns, but are associated with temperature and land use. Timing entomological surveys to coincide with rainy periods is unlikely to improve the detection of An. stephensi, and indoor residual spraying campaigns during peak rainfall offer little improvement in reducing disease burden.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Elizabeth Pretorius, Mojca Kristan, John Bradley, Eunice Teixeira da Silva, Harry Hutchins, Fatucha Barri, Ansumane Cassama, Sainey Ceesay, Mamadou Ousmane Ndiath, Amabelia Rodrigues, James G. G. Logan, Anna Last, Robert T. T. Jones
Summary: This study validated a methodology that uses dried mosquito specimens to assess the age structure of mosquito populations, providing a cost-effective and logistical solution for remote areas. The results showed high agreement between assessors and demonstrated the feasibility of using this method in field conditions.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Roy Faiman, Alpha S. Yaro, Adama Dao, Zana L. Sanogo, Moussa Diallo, Djibril Samake, Ousmane Yossi, Laura M. Veru, Leland C. Graber, Abigail R. Conte, Cedric Kouam, Benjamin J. Krajacich, Tovi Lehmann
Summary: The study finds that aestivation is a major persistence mechanism for Anopheles coluzzii mosquitoes in the Sahel region, allowing them to survive during the dry season and maintain a stable population at the onset of rains. This finding could have implications for mosquito control and malaria elimination efforts.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Saumya Gupta, Adam J. Blake, Jeffrey A. Riffell
Summary: A new study reveals a distinct pattern of preference for human-associated olfactory cues that informs the selective behavior of malaria-transmitting mosquitoes.
Article
Parasitology
Pilate N. Kwi, Elvis E. Ewane, Marcel N. Moyeh, Livinus N. Tangi, Vincent N. Ntui, Francis Zeukeng, Denis D. Sofeu-Feugaing, Eric A. Achidi, Fidelis Cho-Ngwa, Alfred Amambua-Ngwa, Jude D. Bigoga, Tobias O. Apinjoh
Summary: The vectorial diversity, dynamics, and infectivity of mosquitoes in the slopes of Mount Cameroon vary across different seasons and altitudes, which has implications for malaria transmission and control.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Godfrey Nattoh, Tracy Maina, Edward E. Makhulu, Lilian Mbaisi, Enock Mararo, Fidel G. Otieno, Tullu Bukhari, Thomas O. Onchuru, Evan Teal, Juan Paredes, Joel L. Bargul, David M. Mburu, Everline A. Onyango, Gabriel Magoma, Steven P. Sinkins, Jeremy K. Herren
Summary: The recently discovered Anopheles symbiont, Microsporidia MB, has a strong malaria transmission-blocking phenotype in Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes and can be transmitted horizontally between adult mosquitoes. It is also vertically transmitted to offspring and can potentially infect alternate hosts like Anopheles funestus s.s. This finding is relevant for the development of dissemination strategies to control malaria by releasing Microsporidia MB infected Anopheles mosquitoes.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Himanshu Gupta, Samuel C. Wassmer
Summary: Despite progress made in the past decade, malaria remains a major global health challenge, with early diagnosis being crucial for positive outcomes. Current tools are unable to detect severe malaria-related organ dysfunction, emphasizing the importance of identifying cheap and reliable early biomarkers. miRNAs show promise as potential biomarkers, highlighting the need for further evaluation in human populations.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Letter
Immunology
Ayman Ahmed, Patricia Pignatelli, Arwa Elaagip, Muzamil M. Abdel Hamid, Omnia Fateh Alrahman, David Weetman
Summary: Research has identified the emergence of Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes in eastern Sudan, suggesting potential distinct invasions from neighboring countries.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Claire L. Jeffries, Cintia Cansado-Utrilla, Abdoul H. Beavogui, Caleb Stica, Eugene K. Lama, Mojca Kristan, Seth R. Irish, Thomas Walker
Summary: This study detected novel Wolbachia strains in wild Anopheles mosquitoes from two regions in Guinea, with strains found in An. melas and hybrids between An. melas and An. gambiae sensu stricto, as well as in an unclassified Anopheles species. These novel findings provide potential candidate strains for future Wolbachia-based malaria biocontrol strategies.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Ismail H. Nambunga, Betwel J. Msugupakulya, Emmanuel E. Hape, Issa H. Mshani, Najat F. Kahamba, Gustav Mkandawile, Daniel M. Mabula, Rukiyah M. Njalambaha, Emmanuel W. Kaindoa, Letus L. Muyaga, Marie R. G. Hermy, Frederic Tripet, Heather M. Ferguson, Halfan S. Ngowo, Fredros O. Okumu
Summary: Wild populations of An. funestus and An. arabiensis in these study villages can mate both inside and outside human dwellings. Most of the mating clearly happens before the mosquitoes enter houses, but additional mating happens indoors. The ecological significance of indoor mating remains to be determined.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)