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Insecticide resistance in Anopheles funestus (Diptera: Culicidae) from Mozambique
S Casimiro1, M Coleman, P Mohloai
1National Malaria Control Program, National Direction of Health, Av. Eduardo Mondlane/Salvador Allende, P.O. Box 264, Maputo, Mozambique.
Journal of Medical Entomology
|April 20, 2006
Summary
Malaria control in Mozambique faces challenges as Anopheles funestus mosquitoes show high pyrethroid resistance, particularly in the south. This metabolic resistance impacts current malaria control strategies.
Area of Science:
- Medical Entomology
- Insecticide Resistance
- Public Health Entomology
Background:
- Current malaria control in Mozambique relies on carbamate indoor residual spraying and pyrethroid-treated nets.
- Insecticide resistance in mosquito populations poses a significant threat to malaria control effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the susceptibility of Anopheles funestus s.s. to key insecticides across Mozambique.
- To investigate the biochemical mechanisms underlying insecticide resistance in An. funestus populations.
Main Methods:
- World Health Organization adult mosquito susceptibility tests were conducted at 19 localities.
- Biochemical assays were performed to detect enzyme activity related to insecticide detoxification.
- Susceptibility to pyrethroids, carbamates, organochlorines, and organophosphates was evaluated.
Main Results:
- Anopheles funestus populations in southern Mozambique exhibited high pyrethroid resistance.
- Resistance to carbamate insecticides (propoxur, bendiocarb) was observed in six localities.
- Elevated cytochrome P450 estimates correlated with pyrethroid resistance in most populations, suggesting metabolic resistance.
- Full susceptibility to DDT and malathion was maintained across all tested localities.
Conclusions:
- Metabolically based pyrethroid resistance in An. funestus is a significant concern for malaria control in Mozambique.
- The absence of cross-resistance with DDT suggests a lack of kdr-type target-site resistance.
- Low levels of acetylcholinesterase insensitivity were detected, but metabolic resistance appears dominant for pyrethroids.
