mosquitoes

Malaria remains one of the most important causes of morbidity and death in sub-Saharan Africa. Along with early diagnosis and treatment of malaria cases and intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp), vector control is an important tool in the reduction of new cases. Alongside the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS), targeting the vector larvae with biological larvicides, such as Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) is gaining importance as a means of reducing the number of mosquito larvae before they emerge to their adult stage. This study presents data corroborating the entomological impact of such an intervention in a rural African environment.

Gene drive mosquitoes are a novel approach to vector control being developed to help tackle malaria. A gene drive increases the frequency of a desired gene and its phenotypic effect into a mosquito population through reproduction in relatively few generations [1]. Combining gene drive with the precision of gene editing, scientists are able to modify the Anopheles mosquito genome and push modifications through natural vector populations. 

Mosquitoes use many cues to assess whether a habitat is conducive for reproduction, possibly including the presence of stimuli from aquatic macrophytes.

Ivermectin has captured the imagination of a small group of global health scientists as one approach to solving the problem of residual transmission of malaria. This old, so-called wonder drug—an endectocide that targets both endoparasites and ectoparasites—was originally identified as a natural substance by Satoshi Ōmura of Kitasato Institute. The drug was further developed by William Campbell of Merck Labs as a potent anthelmintic, originally for use in veterinary health and targeting more than 20 species of helminth.

The proposed bead-beating CSP-ELISA/qPCR methodology considerably increases throughput for the detection of mosquito infection.