Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Parasites and Vectors

Publication Date

2-11-2019

Abstract

Background: In Kenya, malaria remains a major public health menace equally affecting the semi-arid to arid ecologies. However, entomologic knowledge of malaria vectors in such areas remains poor. Methods: Morphologically-identified wild-caught Anopheles funestus (s.l.) specimens trapped outdoors from the semi-arid to arid area of Kacheliba, West Pokot County, Kenya, were analysed by PCR and sequencing for species identification, malaria parasite infection and host blood-meal sources. Results: Three hundred and thirty specimens were analysed to identify sibling species of the An. funestus group, none of which amplified using the available primers; two were infected with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium ovale, separately, while 84% (n = 25) of the blood-fed specimens had fed on humans. Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequences of 55 specimens (Plasmodium-positive, blood-fed and Plasmodium-negative) did not match reference sequences, possibly suggesting a previously unreported species, resolving as two clades. Conclusions: Our findings indicate the existence of yet-to-be identified and described anopheline species with a potential as malaria vectors in Kenya.

Keywords

Anopheles funestus group, Dry ecology, Entomological surveillance, Kenya, Malaria transmission, Molecular approaches

PubMed ID

30744665

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