Geographical distribution of Anopheles stephensi in eastern Ethiopia

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe recent detection of the South Asian malaria vector An. stephensi in Ethiopia and other regions in the Horn of Africa has raised concerns about its potential impact on malaria transmission. We report here findings of survey for this species in eastern Ethiopia using both morphological and molecular methods for species identification.MethodsAdult and larval/pupal collections were conducted at ten sites in eastern Ethiopia and Anopheles specimens’ species were determined using standard morphological keys and genetic analysis.ResultsIn total, 2,231 morphologically identified An. stephensi were collected. A molecular approach incorporating both PCR endpoint assay and sequencing of portions of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) and cytochrome oxidase I (COI) loci confirmed the identity of the An. stephensi in most cases (119/124 of the morphologically identified An. stephensi confirmed molecularly). Additionally, we observed Aedes aegypti larvae and pupae at many of the An. stephensi larval habitats.ConclusionsOur findings show that An. stephensi is widely distributed in eastern Ethiopia and highlight the need for further surveillance in the southern, western and northern parts of the country and throughout the Horn of Africa.

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Tracking of Anopheles stephensi in Ethiopia using mitochondrial DNA reveals pattern of spread

10.1101/2021.04.07.437873 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Tamar E Carter ◽

Solomon Yared ◽

Dejene Getachew ◽

Joseph Spear ◽

Sae Hee Choi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

South Asian ◽

Anopheles Stephensi ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Eastern Ethiopia ◽

Multiple Introductions ◽

Minimum Spanning Network ◽

History Of ◽

Spread Analysis ◽

The Impact

The recent detection of the South Asian malaria vector Anopheles stephensi in the Horn of Africa (HOA) raises concerns about the impact of this mosquito on malaria transmission in the region. The mode and history of introduction is important for predicting the likelihood of continued introduction and future spread. Analysis of An. stephensi genetic diversity and population structure can provide insight into the history of the mosquito in the HOA. We investigated genetic diversity of An. stephensi in eastern Ethiopia where detection suggests a range expansion to this region to understand the history of this invasive population. We sequenced the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and cytochrome B gene (CytB) in 187 An. stephensi collected from 10 sites in Ethiopia in 2018. Phylogenetic analyses using a maximum-likelihood approach and minimum spanning network were conducted for Ethiopian sequences. Molecular identification of bloodmeal sources was also performed using universal vertebrate CytB sequencing. Six COI-CytB haplotypes were observed based on five segregating sites, with the highest number of haplotypes in the northeastern sites (Semera, Bati, and Gewana towns) relative to the southeastern sites (Kebridehar, Godey, and Degehabur) in eastern Ethiopia. In the phylogenetic and network analysis, we observed population differentiation based on the distribution of the haplotypes across the northeastern and central sites (Erer Gota, Dire Dawa, and Awash Sebat Kilo) compared to the southeastern sites and evidence of a South Asian origin of the HOA An. stephensi lineages. The presence of the putative South Asian haplotype of origin at sites closest to Ethiopia's northeastern borders support route of introductions into Ethiopia from the northeast. Finally, molecular bloodmeal analysis revealed evidence of feeding on bovines, goats, dogs, and humans, as well as evidence of multiple (mixed) blood meals. In conclusion, we find support for the hypothesis for the recent expansion of An. stephensi into southeastern Ethiopia with multiple introductions. We also find evidence that supports the hypothesis that HOA An. stephensi populations originate from South Asia rather than the Arabian Peninsula. The evidence of both zoophagic and anthropophagic feeding support the potential for livestock movement to play a role in vector spread in this region.

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Insecticide resistance in Anopheles stephensi in Somali Region, eastern Ethiopia

10.21203/rs.2.18020/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Solomon Yared ◽

Araya Gebressielasie ◽

Lambodhar Damodaran ◽

Victoria Bonnell ◽

Karen Lopez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Insecticide Resistance ◽

Anopheles Stephensi ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

Resistance Mechanisms ◽

World Health ◽

Malaria Vectors ◽

Resistance Locus ◽

Eastern Ethiopia ◽

Pyrethroid Insecticides ◽

Pirimiphos Methyl

Abstract Background The movement of malaria vectors into new areas is a growing concern in the efforts to control malaria. The recent report of Anopheles stephensi in eastern Ethiopia has raised the necessity to understand the insecticide resistance status of the vector in the region to better inform vector-based interventions. The aim of this study was to evaluate insecticide resistance in An. stephensi in eastern Ethiopia using two approaches: 1) World Health Organization (WHO) bioassay tests in An. stephensi; and 2) genetic analysis of insecticide resistance genes in An. stephensi in eastern Ethiopia. Methods Mosquito larvae and pupae were collected from Kebri Dehar. Insecticide susceptibility of An. stephensi was tested withmalathion 5%, bendiocarb 0.1%, propoxur 0.1%, deltamethrin 0.05%, permethrin 0.75%, Pirimiphos-methyl 0.25% and DDT 4%, according to WHO standard protocols. In this study, the knockdown resistance locus (kdr) in the voltage gated sodium channel (vgsc) and ace1R locus in the acetylcholinesterase gene (ace-1) were analysed in An. stephensi. Results All An. stephensi samples were resistant to carbamates, with mortality rates of 23% and 21% for bendiocarb and propoxur, respectively. Adult An. stephensi was also resistant to pyrethroid insecticides with mortality rates 67% for deltamethrin and 53% for permethrin. Resistance to DDT and malathion was detected in An. stephensi with mortality rates of 32% as well as An. stephensi was resistance to pirimiphos-methyl with mortality rates 14%. Analysis of the insecticide resistance loci revealed the absence of kdr L1014F and L1014S mutations and the ace1R G119S mutation. Conclusion Overall, these findings support that An. stephensi is resistant to several classes of insecticides, most notably pyrethroids. However, the absence of the kdr L1014 gene may suggest non-target site resistance mechanisms. Continuous insecticide resistance monitoring should be carried out in the region to confirm the documented resistance and exploring mechanisms conferring resistance in An. stephensi in Ethiopia.

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First record of the Asian malaria vector Anopheles stephensi and its possible role in the resurgence of malaria in Djibouti, Horn of Africa

Acta Tropica ◽

10.1016/j.actatropica.2014.06.016 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 139 ◽

pp. 39-43 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Michael K. Faulde ◽

Leopoldo M. Rueda ◽

Bouh A. Khaireh

Keyword(s):

Malaria Vector ◽

Anopheles Stephensi ◽

First Record ◽

Horn Of Africa

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Insecticide Resistance in Anopheles stephensi in Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia

10.21203/rs.2.18020/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Solomon Yared ◽

Araya Gebressielasie ◽

Lambodhar Damodaran ◽

Victoria Bonnell ◽

Karen Lopez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Insecticide Resistance ◽

Anopheles Stephensi ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

Resistance Mechanisms ◽

World Health ◽

Malaria Vectors ◽

Eastern Ethiopia ◽

Pyrethroid Insecticides ◽

Pirimiphos Methyl ◽

Health Organization

Abstract Background: The movement of malaria vectors into new areas is a growing concern in the efforts to control malaria. The recent report of Anopheles stephensi in eastern Ethiopia has raised the necessity to understand the insecticide resistance status of the vector in the region to better inform vector-based interventions. The aim of this study was to evaluate insecticide resistance in An. stephensi in eastern Ethiopia using two approaches: 1) World Health Organization (WHO) bioassay tests in An. stephensi and 2) genetic analysis of insecticide resistance genes in An. stephensi in eastern Ethiopia. Methods: Mosquito larvae and pupae were collected from Kebridehar. Insecticide susceptibility of An. stephensi was tested with malathion 5%, bendiocarb 0.1%, propoxur 0.1%, deltamethrin 0.05%, permethrin 0.75%, Pirimiphos-methyl 0.25% and DDT 4%, according to WHO standard protocols. Results: All An. stephensi samples were resistant to carbamates, with mortality rates 23% and 21% for bendiocarb and propoxur, respectively. Adult An. stephensi was also resistant to pyrethroid insecticides with mortality rates 67% for deltamethrin and 53% for permethrin. Resistance to DDT and malathion was detected in An. stephensi with mortality rates of 32% as well as An. stephensi was resistance to pirimiphos-methyl with mortality rates 14%. Analysis of the voltage gate sodium channel gene (vgsc) revealed the absence of kdr L1014 mutations. Conclusion: Overall, these findings support that An. stephensi is resistant to several classes of insecticides, most notably pyrethroids. However, the absence of the kdr L1014 gene may suggest non-target site resistance mechanisms. Continuous insecticide resistance monitoring should be carried out in the region to confirm the documented resistance and exploring mechanisms conferring resistance in An. stephensi in Ethiopia.

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COI sequencing as tool for the taxonomic attribution ofPatellaspp. (Gastropoda): the case of morphologically undistinguishable juveniles settled on aPatella ferrugineaadult

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315409991603 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 90 (7) ◽

pp. 1449-1454 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Marco Casu ◽

Daria Sanna ◽

Benedetto Cristo ◽

Tiziana Lai ◽

Gian Luca Dedola ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cluster Analysis ◽

Maximum Likelihood ◽

Genetic Analysis ◽

Dna Barcoding ◽

Western Mediterranean ◽

The Other ◽

Assignment Test ◽

Test Results ◽

Molecular Approach ◽

Patella Ferruginea

Patella ferrugineais an endangered marine gastropod, distributed on the western Mediterranean coasts, whose range has progressively contracted, due to intense human exploitation. A genetic analysis was performed on two unidentified young individuals belonging to the genusPatellafound attached to the shell of an adult ofP. ferruginea, with a twofold aim: (i) to achieve their correct taxonomic attribution by means of the DNA barcoding; and (ii) to shed some light on the hypothesized larval philopatry and/or juveniles phoresis inP. ferruginea. The survey was carried out comparing the sequences of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) Folmer region obtained for the two juveniles with those obtained for adults ofP. ferruginea, P. caerulea, P. rustica, andP. ulyssiponensis, from different sites of the western Mediterranean, by means of maximum likelihood cluster analysis and a Bayesian-based assignment test. Results obtained evidenced that: (i) COI may be used with confidence as DNA barcoding in the genusPatella; and (ii) the two juveniles studied are not conspecific: one belonged toP. ferruginea, the other toP. rustica.The latter finding raises doubts about the juvenile phoresis and about the occurrence of larval philopatry inP. ferruginea, suggesting that an extensive use of a molecular approach for a better evaluation of the recruitment features of this endangered species should be adopted.

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