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A previously unreported potential malaria vector in a dry ecology of Kenya.


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.

SUBMITTER: Ogola EO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6369554 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A previously unreported potential malaria vector in a dry ecology of Kenya.

Ogola Edwin O EO   Chepkorir Edith E   Sang Rosemary R   Tchouassi David P DP  

Parasites & vectors 20190211 1


<h4>Background</h4>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.<h4>Methods</h4>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  ...[more]

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