Temporal and spatial stability of Anopheles gambiae larval habitat distribution in Western Kenya highlands.

BACKGROUND: Localized mosquito larval habitat management and the use of larvicides have been proposed as important control tools in integrated malaria vector management programs. In order to optimize the utility of these tools, detailed knowledge of the spatial distribution patterns of mosquito larval habitats is crucial. However, the spatial and temporal changes of habitat distribution patterns under different climatic conditions are rarely quantified and their implications to larval control are unknown. RESULTS: Using larval habitat data collected in western Kenya highlands during both dry and rainy seasons of 2003-2005, this study analyzed the seasonal and inter-annual changes in the spatial patterns in mosquito larval habitat distributions. We found that the spatial patterns of larval habitats had significant temporal variability both seasonally and inter-annually. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of larval habitats is extremely important to the epidemiology of malaria because it results in spatial heterogeneity in the adult mosquito population and, subsequently, the spatial distribution of clinical malaria cases. Results from this study suggest that larval habitat management activities need to consider the dynamic nature of malaria vector habitats

Crystal structure of tert-butyl (2-(4-oxo-2-thioxo-1,4-dihydroquinazolin-3(2H)-yl)ethyl)carbamate, C15H19N3O3S

Abstract C15H19N3O3S, triclinic, P1̅ (no. 2), a = 8.682(8) Å, b = 9.700(8) Å, c = 11.273(10) Å, α = 90.681(14)°, β = 112.624(13)°, γ = 112.632(13)°, V = 794.5(12) Å3, Z = 2, R gt(F) = 0.0405, wR ref(F 2) = 0.1171, T = 296(2) K

A study of the distribution and abundance of the adult malaria vector in western Kenya highlands

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A sharp rise in the malaria mortality rate has been observed recently in western Kenya. Malaria is transmitted by mosquito vectors. Malaria control strategies can be more successful if the distribution and abundance of mosquito vectors is predicted. However, how mosquito vectors are distributed in space remain poor understood, and this question is rarely studied using spatial methods. This study aims to provide a better understanding of the distribution and abundance of mosquito vectors. To achieve this objective, spatial and non-spatial methods were employed. The data on the distribution of adult mosquitoes, and mosquito breeding habitats in a study area in western Kenya, and environmental variables were analyzed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The models developed using spatial methods outperformed the models developed using non-spatial methods. Houses close to locations where mosquito breeding habitats were repeatedly observed had more abundant adult female mosquitoes. Distance to high-order streams was identified as an effective predictor for the distribution of adult mosquitoes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The spatial method is more effective in modeling the distribution of adult mosquitoes than the non-spatial method. The results of this study can be used to facilitate decision-making related to mosquito surveillance and malaria prevention.</p