Advances in the genetic characterization of the malaria vector, Anopheles funestus, and implications for improved surveillance and control

Malaria Journal

Review

David Weetman¹  Ismail H. Nambunga²  Joel O. Odero³  Heather M. Ferguson³  Fredros O. Okumu⁴  Dimitri W. Wangrawa⁵  Athanase Badolo⁵  Francesco Baldini⁶  Lizette L. Koekemoer⁷ 

[1] Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, L3 5QA, Liverpool, UK;Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, Ifakara, Tanzania;Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, Ifakara, Tanzania;School of Biodiversity, One Health, and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Glasgow, UK;Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, Ifakara, Tanzania;School of Biodiversity, One Health, and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Glasgow, UK;School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa;School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania;Laboratoire d’Entomologie Fondamentale et Appliquée, Université Joseph ZEBRO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso;School of Biodiversity, One Health, and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Glasgow, UK;Wits Research Institute for Malaria, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa;Centre for Emerging Zoonotic Parasitic Diseases, Vector Control Reference Laboratory, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa;

关键词: Anopheles funestus;    Species identification;    Insecticide resistance;    Population genetics;    Gene flow;    Genetic control;    Malaria;    Vector surveillance;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12936-023-04662-8

 received in 2022-12-16, accepted in 2023-07-28,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

Anopheles mosquitoes present a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa; notably, as vectors of malaria that kill over half a million people annually. In parts of the east and southern Africa region, one species in the Funestus group, Anopheles funestus, has established itself as an exceptionally dominant vector in some areas, it is responsible for more than 90% of all malaria transmission events. However, compared to other malaria vectors, the species is far less studied, partly due to difficulties in laboratory colonization and the unresolved aspects of its taxonomy and systematics. Control of An. funestus is also increasingly difficult because it has developed widespread resistance to public health insecticides. Fortunately, recent advances in molecular techniques are enabling greater insights into species identity, gene flow patterns, population structure, and the spread of resistance in mosquitoes. These advances and their potential applications are reviewed with a focus on four research themes relevant to the biology and control of An. funestus in Africa, namely: (i) the taxonomic characterization of different vector species within the Funestus group and their role in malaria transmission; (ii) insecticide resistance profile; (iii) population genetic diversity and gene flow, and (iv) applications of genetic technologies for surveillance and control. The research gaps and opportunities identified in this review will provide a basis for improving the surveillance and control of An. funestus and malaria transmission in Africa.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature 2023

【 图 表 】

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