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Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical... 2023is a genus of parasites that comprises different species. The species and are known to cause a vector-borne illness called malaria, and among these, is known to... (Review)
Review
is a genus of parasites that comprises different species. The species and are known to cause a vector-borne illness called malaria, and among these, is known to cause major complications. The vector, the Anopheles mosquito, is commonly found in warmer regions close to the equator, and hence transmission and numbers of cases tend to be higher in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Central America. The number of cases of malaria in the United States has remained stable over the years with low transmission rates, and the disease is mostly seen in the population with a recent travel history to endemic regions. The main reason behind this besides the weather conditions is that economically developed countries have eliminated mosquitos. However, there have been reports of locally reported cases with in areas such as Florida and Texas in patients with no known travel history. This paper aims to familiarize US physicians with the pathophysiology, clinical features, and diagnostic modalities of malaria, as well as available treatment options.
PubMed: 37829240
DOI: 10.1080/08998280.2023.2255514 -
Cold Spring Harbor Protocols Mar 2024mosquitoes can transmit several human pathogens, including viruses such as o'nyong-nyong and parasites including spp. and spp., which cause malaria and filariasis,...
mosquitoes can transmit several human pathogens, including viruses such as o'nyong-nyong and parasites including spp. and spp., which cause malaria and filariasis, respectively. Rearing species of medical importance under laboratory conditions allows researchers to carry out experiments to better understand their genetics, physiology, and behavior. However, species vary in how easily they can be reared in the laboratory, and some species have been difficult to colonize. Once established, members of the important African complex thrive following a standard protocol and are predictable in growth and development rates. Here, we provide useful basic information and guidance to successfully maintain colonies of and other species of in a laboratory setting. We also provide an example of a 3-wk rearing schedule that produces sufficient numbers of mosquitoes while minimizing the work required during weekends. In the accompanying protocols, we detail efficient methods and techniques suitable for several species of this genus at the egg, larva, pupae, and adult stages; however, it will be necessary for researchers to adjust methods as needed based on site-specific rearing observations of their particular strains.
Topics: Animals; Anopheles
PubMed: 37160331
DOI: 10.1101/pdb.top107802 -
Parasites & Vectors Jan 2022Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a tool that has revolutionised clinical microbiology and has recently been...
BACKGROUND
Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a tool that has revolutionised clinical microbiology and has recently been described as an innovative and effective approach to arthropod identification.
METHODS
In this study, mosquitoes were captured in Vietnam using four different methods (human landing catch, CDC light traps, BG-Sentinel traps, animal-baited net traps). A total of 4215 mosquitoes were captured and morphologically identified as belonging to three genera: Aedes, Anopheles and Culex. We randomly selected 1253 mosquitoes, including 662 specimens of 14 Anopheles species, 200 specimens of two Aedes species and 391 morphologically unidentified Culex specimens, for molecular and MALDI-TOF MS analysis. The DNA from 98 mosquitoes (69 Anopheles specimens, 23 Culex specimens and six Aedes sp. specimens) was subjected to molecular analysis, either to confirm our morphological identification or the MALDI-TOF MS results, as well as to identify the Culex species that were morphologically identified at the genus level and to resolve the discrepancies between the morphological identification and the MALDI-TOF MS identification.
RESULTS
High-quality MS spectra were obtained for 1058 of the 1253 specimens (84%), including 192/200 for Aedes, 589/662 for Anopheles and 277/391 for Culex. The blind test showed that 986/997 (99%) of the specimens were correctly identified by MALDI-TOF MS, with log score values ranging from 1.708 to 2.843. Eleven specimens of Culex could not be identified based on morphological features, MALDI-TOF MS or molecular analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
This study enabled us to identify several species of mosquitoes from Vietnam using MALDI-TOF MS, and to enrich our database of MALDI-TOF MS reference spectra.
Topics: Animals; Culicidae; DNA; Species Specificity; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
PubMed: 35090542
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05149-2 -
Infectious Diseases of Poverty Mar 2023Malaria is caused by multiple parasitic species of the genus Plasmodium. Plasmodium vivax is the most geographically widespread and poses challenges in elimination due...
BACKGROUND
Malaria is caused by multiple parasitic species of the genus Plasmodium. Plasmodium vivax is the most geographically widespread and poses challenges in elimination due to its unique biological and epidemiological characteristics. The aim of study was to highlight the practices and experience targeting vivax malaria control and elimination in China.
MAIN BODY
P. vivax malaria was historically endemic in more than 70% of counties in China, with reported vivax malaria cases as high as 26 million a year. After around 70 years of effort, China was certified as malaria-free in June of 2021. The key insights into China's vivax malaria control and elimination were offered, including radical cure strategies, comprehensive but adaptive strategies targeting species of Plasmodium and Anopheles, mass drug administration, and case-/focus-centred surveillance and response systems.
CONCLUSION
The complete global eradication of P. vivax and eventually malaria will be more difficult, and China's practices and experience could be a valuable reference in this campaign.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Malaria, Vivax; Malaria; Plasmodium vivax; China; Anopheles
PubMed: 36941701
DOI: 10.1186/s40249-023-01077-0 -
Toxins Jun 2023Malaria is an infectious disease caused by spp. and it is mainly transmitted to humans by female mosquitoes of the genus . Malaria is an important global public health... (Review)
Review
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by spp. and it is mainly transmitted to humans by female mosquitoes of the genus . Malaria is an important global public health problem due to its high rates of morbidity and mortality. At present, drug therapies and vector control with insecticides are respectively the most commonly used methods for the treatment and control of malaria. However, several studies have shown the resistance of to drugs that are recommended for the treatment of malaria. In view of this, it is necessary to carry out studies to discover new antimalarial molecules as lead compounds for the development of new medicines. In this sense, in the last few decades, animal venoms have attracted attention as a potential source for new antimalarial molecules. Therefore, the aim of this review was to summarize animal venom toxins with antimalarial activity found in the literature. From this research, 50 isolated substances, 4 venom fractions and 7 venom extracts from animals such as anurans, spiders, scorpions, snakes, and bees were identified. These toxins act as inhibitors at different key points in the biological cycle of and may be important in the context of the resistance of to currently available antimalarial drugs.
Topics: Female; Humans; Animals; Antimalarials; Venoms; Mosquito Vectors; Plasmodium; Malaria; Toxins, Biological; Anopheles; Plasmodium falciparum
PubMed: 37368676
DOI: 10.3390/toxins15060375 -
BioMed Research International 2022Malaria parasites are only transmitted by female mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles; hence, the disease's distribution is linked to that of the vector mosquitoes. As...
Malaria parasites are only transmitted by female mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles; hence, the disease's distribution is linked to that of the vector mosquitoes. As such, the goal of this study was to find out the spatial and temporal distribution of Anopheles mosquito adults in the research sites. This was a repeated cross-sectional ecological study that took place in Morogoro and Dodoma, Tanzania. Vacuum aspiration was used to collect mosquitoes both outside and inside human dwellings. All mosquito-related data was collected and entered into appropriate data collection forms. Female mosquitoes were recognized morphologically using Gillies and Coetzee morphological criteria, followed by PCR. In total, about 2742 mosquitoes with an average collection of 18.21 ± 1.12 per day were collected outside human houses of which 1717 (10.51 ± 1.17) and 1025 (8.42 ± 1.41) were collected from Morogoro and Dodoma, respectively. Of the captured mosquitoes, 89.0%, 10.0%, and 1.0% were recognized as , , and , respectively. The distribution varied significantly with seasons, whereby 302 (4.72 ± 1.04) and 2440 (12.96 ± 1.52) mosquitoes were captured in the cold-dry and warm-wet season, respectively ( < 0.0001). Of the captured mosquitoes, 42.33%, 16.33%, 14.96%, and 4.27 were found on the ceiling, stored junks, verandas, and barks/tree, respectively. In malaria-endemic countries, vector control forms an important component of the malaria control efforts. This study found significant variation of Anopheles mosquito abundance in time and space with being the most predominant malaria vector. This signifies the need to introduce mosquito control methods that will target the less anthropophilic or the immature aquatic stages. The study further found that underbeds, store room/piled bags, and undisturbed curtains were the most preferred resting places by mosquitoes signifying to be the most effective strategic sites for spraying insecticides during the implementation of indoor residual spraying (IRS).
Topics: Animals; Anopheles; Female; Humans; Malaria; Mosquito Control; Mosquito Vectors; Tanzania
PubMed: 35047638
DOI: 10.1155/2022/6098536 -
Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira de... 2022Malaria is a global health problem and is transmitted by the Anopheles species. Due to the epidemiological importance of the genus, studies on biological, phylogenetic,...
BACKGROUND
Malaria is a global health problem and is transmitted by the Anopheles species. Due to the epidemiological importance of the genus, studies on biological, phylogenetic, and evolutionary aspects have contributed to the understanding of adaptation, vector capacity, and resistance to insecticides. The latter may result from different causes such as mutations in the gene that encodes the sodium channel (NaV).
METHODS
In this study, the NaV subunit I scaffold of 17 anopheline species was used to infer phylogenetic relationships of the genus Anopheles using Bayesian inference. The evolutionary phylogenetic tree of the NaV gene was aligned in the AliView program and analyzed utilizing Bayesian inference, using the software MrBayes.
RESULTS
The anophelines were grouped into five well-supported clusters: 1 - Anopheles darlingi and Anopheles albimanus; 2 - Anopheles sinensis and Anopheles atroparvus; 3 - Anopheles dirus; 4 - Anopheles minimus, Anopheles culicifacies, Anopheles funestus, Anopheles maculatus, and Anopheles stephensi; and 5 - Anopheles christyi, Anopheles epiroticus, Anopheles merus, Anopheles melas, Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles coluzzii, and Anopheles arabiensis.
CONCLUSIONS
The topology confirms the phylogenetic relationships proposed in studies based on the genome of some anophelines and reflects the current taxonomy of the genus, which suggests that NaV undergoes selection pressure during the evolution of the species. These data are useful tools for inferring their ability to resist insecticides and also help in better understanding the evolutionary processes of the genus Anopheles.
Topics: Animals; Anopheles; Phylogeny; Insecticides; Bayes Theorem; Mosquito Vectors; Sodium Channels
PubMed: 36287479
DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0701-2021 -
Insect Biochemistry and Molecular... Jul 2022The D7 proteins are highly expressed in the saliva of hematophagous Nematocera and bind biogenic amines and eicosanoid compounds produced by the host during blood...
The D7 proteins are highly expressed in the saliva of hematophagous Nematocera and bind biogenic amines and eicosanoid compounds produced by the host during blood feeding. These proteins are encoded by gene clusters expressing forms having one or two odorant-binding protein-like domains. Here we examine functional diversity within the D7 group in the genus Anopheles and make structural comparisons with D7 proteins from culicine mosquitoes in order to understand aspects of D7 functional evolution. Two domain long form (D7L) and one domain short form (D7S) proteins from anopheline and culicine mosquitoes were characterized to determine their ligand selectivity and binding pocket structures. We previously showed that a D7L protein from Anopheles stephensi, of the subgenus Cellia, could bind eicosanoids at a site in its N-terminal domain but could not bind biogenic amines in its C-terminal domain as does a D7L1 ortholog from the culicine species Aedes aegypti, raising the question of whether anopheline D7L proteins had lost their ability to bind biogenic amines. Here we find that D7L from anopheline species belonging to two other subgenera, Nyssorhynchus and Anopheles, can bind biogenic amines and have a structure much like the Ae. aegypti ortholog. The unusual D7L, D7L3, can also bind serotonin in the Cellia species An. gambiae. We also show through structural comparisons with culicine forms that the biogenic amine binding function of single domain D7S proteins in the genus Anopheles may have evolved through gene conversion of structurally similar proteins, which did not have biogenic amine binding capability. Collectively, the data indicate that D7L proteins had a biogenic amine and eicosanoid binding function in the common ancestor of anopheline and culicine mosquitoes, and that the D7S proteins may have acquired a biogenic amine binding function in anophelines through a gene conversion process.
Topics: Aedes; Animals; Anopheles; Biogenic Amines; Eicosanoids; Salivary Proteins and Peptides
PubMed: 35568118
DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103785 -
Heliyon Jan 2022In Iran, the prospect of malaria control relies mainly on insecticides used against the genus (Diptera: Culicidae) as important vectors of malaria, arboviruses, and so... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
In Iran, the prospect of malaria control relies mainly on insecticides used against the genus (Diptera: Culicidae) as important vectors of malaria, arboviruses, and so on. Only eight out of 30 malaria mosquito vectors ( species) have been examined for insecticide resistance in Iran. This study aimed to review articles related to the incremental trend in insecticide resistance and their mechanisms among anopheline malaria vectors in Iran.
METHODS
A literature review was conducted based on such search engines as Iran doc, Web of Science, SID, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar websites using the following keywords: "," "Malaria," "Resistance," "Vectors," "Insecticide Resistance," and "Iran" for data collection. Published papers in English or Persian covering 1980 to 2020 were reviewed.
RESULTS
A total of 1125 articles were screened, only 16 of which were filtered to be pertinent in this review. While most of the mosquito vectors of malaria, such as were resistant to DDT, dieldrin, malathion, and becoming less susceptible to deltamethrin and other synthetic pyrethroid insecticides, few like s. l. were susceptible to all insecticides. A disseminating trend in insecticide resistance among different anopheline mosquito vector species was evident. Metabolic and insecticide target-site resistance mechanisms were involved with organochlorines and pyrethroids, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Insecticide resistance is becoming a severe scourge to the effectiveness of vector-borne disease management measures. This event is especially critical in developing and marginalized communities that applied chemical-based vector elimination programs for malaria; therefore, it is crucial to monitor insecticide resistance in malaria vectors in Iran using biochemical and molecular tools.
PubMed: 35128113
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e08830 -
Cureus Jul 2023Malaria is a vector-borne tropical infection caused by protozoa of the genus and is transmitted by the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. The disease is commonly... (Review)
Review
Malaria is a vector-borne tropical infection caused by protozoa of the genus and is transmitted by the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. The disease is commonly characterized by fever, edema, thrombocytopenia, hypoglycemia, anemia, and myalgias; however, the infection's cutaneous presentations are not commonly emphasized and tend to be overlooked. A literature search was conducted that focused on the various skin pathologies that malaria patients have been noted to present with using case reports and currently available literature. We describe the various skin manifestations associated with malaria, such as purpura fulminans, febrile urticaria, cutaneous leishmaniasis co-infections, urticaria infectiosum, vivax-induced severe thrombocytopenia petechiae, acral skin necrosis, and reticulated erythema, and how each of these skin manifestations may provide insight into the patient's prognosis. Documentation and vigilance regarding these cutaneous manifestations must be emphasized as they may lead to better patient outcomes and a stronger understanding of the patient's underlying malaria.
PubMed: 37575836
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.41706