Anopheles diversity, biting behaviour and transmission potential in forest and farm environments of Gia Lai province, Vietnam

• Published in: Malaria Journal
• Main Authors: Nguyen Van Dung, Nguyen Quang Thieu, Hoang Dinh Canh, Bui Le Duy, Vu Viet Hung, Nguyen Thi Hong Ngoc, Nguyen Vu Tuyet Mai, Ngo Thi Van Anh, Le Duy Son, Win Han Oo, Win Htike, May Chan Oo, Naw Hkawng Galau, Kaung Myat Thu, Aung Khine Zaw, Ei Phyu Htwe, Julia C. Cutts, Ellen A. Kearney, Bangyuan Wang, Paul A. Agius, Freya J. I. Fowkes, Katherine O’Flaherty
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2023
• Subjects: Anopheles; Diversity; Plasmodium; Malaria; Vector; Vietnam; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-023-04631-1; https://doaj.org/article/35624f3610d64e27ae6117b58380164a

Abstract Background Despite recent reductions in Vietnam, malaria transmission persists in some areas in forests and farmlands where a high density of Anopheles mosquitoes relative to other environments occurs. To inform effective malaria control measures, it is important to understand vector bionomics and the malaria transmission role of Anopheles spp. in the highland regions of Vietnam. This study was conducted to quantify the abundance, composition and biting behaviour of the Anopheles mosquito population, and the proportion of Plasmodium spp. infected mosquitoes collected from forest and agricultural farm sites in Gia Lai province, Vietnam. Methods Forest and agricultural farm sites in Gia Lai province were selected for mosquito collections (total eight sites). Mosquito collection was performed by Human-baited Double Net Trap (HDNT), animal-baited traps (ABT) using cattle, and CDC light traps. Captured mosquitoes were identified morphologically, and salivary glands of Anopheles mosquitoes were examined for sporozoites using microscopy. Plasmodium infection was determined by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and identification of blood meal type was determined by PCR and diffuse serum agglutination assay. Results A total of 1815 Anopheles mosquitoes belonging to 19 species were collected by ABT (n = 1169), HDNT (n = 471) and CDC light trap (n = 175). Anopheles abundance and diversity varied by district and environment. Capture by HDNT of Anopheles of vectorial concern was observed between early evening and early morning. Plasmodium vivax infection was determined by PCR in two Anopheles dirus specimens captured by HDNT in forest sites. Blood from a range of hosts could, including human blood, could be detected in species considered primary and secondary vectors An. dirus, and Anopheles aconitus, and Anopheles maculatus, respectively. Conclusions A low number of Anopheles spp. considered primary vectors of concern and very low numbers of Plasmodium spp. infected Anopheles mosquitoes were captured at the end of ...