Malaria vectors and transmission dynamics in Goulmoun, a rural city in south-western Chad

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Knowledge of some baseline entomological data such as Entomological Inoculation Rates (EIR) is crucially needed to assess the epidemiological impact of malaria control activities directed either against parasites or vectors. In Chad, most published surveys date back to the 1960's. In this study, anopheline species composition and their relation to malaria transmission were investigated in a dry Sudanian savannas area of Chad.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A 12-month longitudinal survey was conducted in the irrigated rice-fields area of Goulmoun in south western Chad. Human landing catches were performed each month from July 2006 to June 2007 in three compounds (indoors and outdoors) and pyrethrum spray collections were conducted in July, August and October 2006 in 10 randomly selected rooms. Mosquitoes belonging to the <it>Anopheles gambiae </it>complex and to the <it>An. funestus </it>group were identified by molecular diagnostic tools. <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>infection and blood meal sources were detected by ELISA.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Nine anopheline species were collected by the two sampling methods. The most aggressive species were <it>An. arabiensis </it>(51 bites/human/night), <it>An. pharoensis </it>(12.5 b/h/n), <it>An. funestus </it>(1.5 b/h/n) and <it>An. ziemanni </it>(1.3 b/h/n). The circumsporozoite protein rate was 1.4% for <it>An. arabiensis</it>, 1.4% for <it>An. funestus</it>, 0.8% for <it>An. pharoensis </it>and 0.5% for <it>An. ziemanni</it>. Malaria transmission is seasonal, lasting from April to December. However, more than 80% of the total EIR was concentrated in the period from August to October. The overall annual EIR was estimated at 311 bites of infected anophelines/human/year, contributed mostly by <it>An. arabiensis </it>(84.5%) and <it>An. pharoensis </it>(12.2%). <it>Anopheles funestus </it>and <it>An. ziemanni </it>played a minor role. Parasite inoculation occurred mostly after 22:00 hours but around 20% of bites of infected anophelines were distributed earlier in the evening.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The present study revealed the implication of <it>An. pharoensis </it>in malaria transmission in the irrigated rice fields of Goulmoun, complementing the major role played by <it>An. arabiensis</it>. The transmission period did not depend upon irrigation. Correct use of insecticide treated nets in this area may be effective for vector control although additional protective measures are needed to prevent pre-bedtime exposure to the bites of infected anophelines.</p

Insecticide resistance in Anopheles gambiae from south-western Chad, Central Africa

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Indoor residual spraying and insecticide-treated nets (ITN) are essential components of malaria vector control in Africa. Pyrethroids are the only recommended compounds for nets treatment because they are fast-acting insecticides with low mammalian toxicity. However, there is growing concern that pyrethroid resistance may threaten the sustainability of ITN scaling-up programmes. Here, insecticide susceptibility was investigated in <it>Anopheles gambiae </it>sensu lato from an area of large scale ITN distribution programme in south-western Chad.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Susceptibility to 4% DDT, 0.05% deltamethrin, 0.75% permethrin, 0.1% bendiocarb and 5% malathion was assessed using the WHO standard procedures for adult mosquitoes. Tests were carried out with two to four days-old, non-engorged female mosquitoes. The <it>An. gambiae </it>Kisumu strain was used as a reference. Knockdown effect was recorded every 5 min and mortality scored 24 h after exposure. Mosquitoes were identified to species and molecular form by PCR-RFLP and genotypes at the <it>kdr </it>locus were determined in surviving specimens by Hot Oligonucleotide Ligation Assay (HOLA).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>During this survey, full susceptibility to malathion was recorded in all samples. Reduced susceptibility to bendiocarb (mortality rate of 96.1%) was found in one sample out of nine assayed. Increased tolerance to pyrethroids was detected in most samples (8/9) with mortality rates ranging from 70.2 to 96.6% for deltamethrin and from 26.7 to 96.3% for permethrin. Pyrethroid tolerance was not associated with a significant increase of knock-down times. <it>Anopheles arabiensis </it>was the predominant species of the <it>An. gambiae </it>complex in the study area, representing 75 to 100% of the samples. Screening for <it>kdr </it>mutations detected the L1014F mutation in 88.6% (N = 35) of surviving <it>An</it>. <it>gambiae </it>sensu stricto S form mosquitoes. All surviving <it>An. arabiensis </it>(N = 49) and M form <it>An</it>. <it>gambiae </it>s.s. (N = 1) carried the susceptible allele.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This first investigation of malaria vector susceptibility to insecticides in Chad revealed variable levels of resistance to pyrethroid insecticides (permethrin and deltamethrin) in most <it>An</it>. <it>gambiae </it>s.l. populations. Resistance was associated with the L1014F <it>kdr </it>mutation in the S form of <it>An. gambiae </it>s.s.. Alternative mechanisms, probably of metabolic origin are involved in <it>An. arabiensis</it>. These results emphasize the crucial need for insecticide resistance monitoring and in-depth investigation of resistance mechanisms in malaria vectors in Chad. The impact of reduced susceptibility to pyrethroids on ITN efficacy should be further assessed.</p

Type Ia supernova rate at a redshift of ~ 0.1

We present the type Ia rate measurement based on two EROS supernova search campaigns (in 1999 and 2000). Sixteen supernovae identified as type Ia were discovered. The measurement of the detection efficiency, using a Monte Carlo simulation, provides the type Ia supernova explosion rate at a redshift ~ 0.13. The result is $0.125^{+0.044+0.028}_{-0.034-0.028} h_{70}^2$ SNu where 1 SNu = 1 SN / $10^{10} L_{sun}^B$ / century. This value is compatible with the previous EROS measurement (Hardin et al. 2000), done with a much smaller sample, at a similar redshift. Comparison with other values at different redshifts suggests an evolution of the type Ia supernova rate.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics (15 pages, 16 figures

Revealing natural fluorescence in transparent insect wings by linear and nonlinear optical techniques

peer reviewedFor most natural organisms, the physical, chemical and biological aspects of fluorescence emission are poorly understood. For example, to the best of our knowledge, fluorescence from the transparent wings of any of the 3000 known species of cicadas has never been reported in the literature. These wings are known to exhibit anti-reflective properties arising from quasi-periodic arrays of nipples. Our study, using linear and nonlinear optical techniques, including spectrofluorimetry, two-photon fluorescence spectroscopy and Second Harmonic Generation (SHG), reveals the fluorescence properties in the wings the grey and the common cicadas (Cicada orni and Lyristes (Tibicen) plebejus, respectively), as well as the broad-bordered bee hawk-moth (Hemaris fuciformis). The study suggests that fluorescence would be more widespread in transparent insect wings than what was previously believed. Comparing this result to the fluorescence emission from the wings of the Bornean damselfly (Vestalis amabilis), we inferred that this emission probably arises from resilin, a protein reported to enhance wing flexibility. Moreover, the nonlinear optical investigation of the insects’ wings provided further insight into wing structure, indicating that multiphoton techniques add valuable information for the analysis of insect integuments. The strong SHG signal detected from the wing veins implies that these veins are materially organised in a non-centrosymmetric and hence non-random fashion

Grands travaux et maladies à vecteurs au Cameroun

Au début du xxie siècle, le paludisme demeure la première cause de mortalité et de morbidité au Cameroun, comme dans l'ensemble des pays de l'Afrique subsaharienne. Mais pour tout programme de lutte de grande envergure, une analyse de situation de l'endémie se révèle indispensable, comme le souligne l'OMS dans sa nouvelle initiative « Faire reculer le paludisme » ou « Roll back malaria ». C'est pour répondre à cette préoccupation qu'a été menée la présente expertise collégiale. Celle-ci fournit une revue complète de la littérature consacrée à l’impact des projets de développement et des grands aménagements urbains sur l’endémie palustre et sur les autres maladies vectorielles liées à l’eau. Au Cameroun, on constate une dilution des cas de paludisme et de bilharziose en milieu urbain, une stabilisation du paludisme dans l’environnement des périmètres rizicoles, de même qu’une progression des indices onchocerquiens dans les localités proches des chutes d’eau et des rapides ainsi que leur recul en aval, suite au changement du régime des eaux. Mais au-delà de l’exemple camerounais, il ressort de cette expertise que dans tout pays où sévissent les maladies endémiques liées à l’eau, la question de l’impact sanitaire des aménagements hydrauliques et hydro-agricoles doit être posée dès le stade de la conception d’un projet, mais également lors de sa mise en oeuvre et pendant toute sa phase d’exploitation. Ingénieurs, économistes, agents des services spécialisés de santé et d’éducation, sociologues, tous les acteurs du développement doivent oeuvrer ensemble et rester en dialogue permanent avec les communautés concernées. Telle est la condition pour que les populations bénéficient pleinement et sans contrepartie des retombées économiques et sociales attendues de tels projets