Large-scale releases and establishment of wMel Wolbachia in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes throughout the Cities of Bello, Medellín and Itagüí, Colombia.

BACKGROUND: The wMel strain of Wolbachia has been successfully introduced into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and has been shown to reduce the transmission of dengue and other Aedes-borne viruses. Here we report the entomological results from phased, large-scale releases of Wolbachia infected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes throughout three contiguous cities located in the Aburrá Valley, Colombia. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Local wMel Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes were generated and then released in an initial release pilot area in 2015-2016, which resulted in the establishment of Wolbachia in the local mosquito populations. Subsequent large-scale releases, mainly involving vehicle-based releases of adult mosquitoes along publicly accessible roads and streets, were undertaken across 29 comunas throughout Bello, Medellín and Itagüí Colombia between 2017-2022. In 9 comunas these were supplemented by egg releases that were undertaken by staff or community members. By the most recent monitoring, Wolbachia was found to be stable and established at consistent levels in local mosquito populations (>60% prevalence) in the majority (67%) of areas. CONCLUSION: These results, from the largest contiguous releases of wMel Wolbachia mosquitoes to date, highlight the operational feasibility of implementing the method in large urban settings. Based on results from previous studies, we expect that Wolbachia establishment will be sustained long term. Ongoing monitoring will confirm Wolbachia persistence in local mosquito populations and track its establishment in the remaining areas.

Pyriproxyfen-treated bed nets reduce reproductive fitness and longevity of pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles gambiae under laboratory and field conditions.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) containing the insect growth regulator pyriproxyfen (PPF) and pyrethroid insecticides (PPF-ITNs) is being assessed in clinical trials to determine whether they provide greater protection from malaria than standard pyrethroid-treated ITNs in areas where mosquitoes are resistant to pyrethroids. Understanding the entomological mode of action of this new ITN class will aide interpretation of the results from these trials. METHODS: Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) mosquitoes from a susceptible laboratory strain were exposed to PPF-treated netting 24 h, 6 h, and immediately prior to, or 24 h post blood feeding, and the impact on fecundity, fertility and longevity recorded. Pyrethroid-resistant populations were exposed to nets containing permethrin and PPF (PPF-ITNs) in cone bioassays and daily mortality recorded. Mosquitoes were also collected from inside houses pre- and post-distribution of PPF-ITNs in a clinical trial conduced in Burkina Faso; female An. gambiae s.l. were then assessed for fecundity and fertility. RESULTS: PPF exposure reduced the median adult lifespan of insecticide-susceptible mosquitoes by 4 to 5 days in all exposure times (p < 0.05) other than 6 h pre-blood meal and resulted in almost complete lifelong sterilization. The longevity of pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes was also reduced by at least 5 days after exposure to PPF-ITNs compared to untreated nets, but was unaffected by exposure to standard pyrethroid only ITNs. A total of 386 blood-fed or gravid An. gambiae s.l. females were collected from five villages between 1 and 12 months before distribution of PPF-ITNs. Of these mosquitoes, 75% laid eggs and the remaining 25% appeared to have normal ovaries upon dissection. In contrast, only 8.6% of the 631 blood-fed or gravid An. gambiae s.l. collected post PPF-ITN distribution successfully oviposited; 276 (43.7%) did not oviposit but had apparently normal ovaries upon dissection, and 301 (47.7%) did not oviposit and had abnormal eggs upon dissection. Egg numbers were also significantly lower (average of 138/female prior distribution vs 85 post distribution, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Exposure to a mixture of PPF and pyrethroids on netting shortens the lifespan of mosquitoes and reduces reproductive output. Sterilization of vectors lasted at least one year under operational conditions. These findings suggest a longer effective lifespan of PPF-pyrethroid nets than reported previously.

Absence of knockdown mutations in pyrethroid and DDT resistant populations of the main malaria vectors in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Knockdown resistance (kdr) is a well-characterized target-site insecticide resistance mechanism that is associated with DDT and pyrethroid resistance. Even though insecticide resistance to pyrethroids and DDT have been reported in Anopheles albimanus, Anopheles benarrochi sensu lato (s.l.), Anopheles darlingi, Anopheles nuneztovari s.l., and Anopheles pseudopunctipennis s.l. malaria vectors in Latin America, there is a knowledge gap on the role that kdr resistance mechanisms play in this resistance. The aim of this study was to establish the role that kdr mechanisms play in pyrethroid and DDT resistance in the main malaria vectors in Colombia, in addition to previously reported metabolic resistance mechanisms, such as mixed function oxidases (MFO) and nonspecific esterases (NSE) enzyme families. METHODS: Surviving (n = 62) and dead (n = 67) An. nuneztovari s.l., An. darlingi and An. albimanus mosquitoes exposed to diagnostic concentrations of DDT and pyrethroid insecticides were used to amplify and sequence a ~ 225 bp fragment of the voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSC) gene. This fragment spanning codons 1010, 1013 and 1014 at the S6 segment of domain II to identify point mutations, which have been associated with insecticide resistance in different species of Anopheles malaria vectors. RESULTS: No kdr mutations were detected in the coding sequence of this fragment in 129 samples, 62 surviving mosquitoes and 67 dead mosquitoes, of An. darlingi, An. nuneztovari s.l. and An. albimanus. CONCLUSION: Mutations in the VGSC gene, most frequently reported in other species of the genus Anopheles resistant to pyrethroid and DDT, are not associated with the low-intensity resistance detected to these insecticides in some populations of the main malaria vectors in Colombia. These results suggest that metabolic resistance mechanisms previously reported in these populations might be responsible for the resistance observed.

A high throughput multi-locus insecticide resistance marker panel for tracking resistance emergence and spread in Anopheles gambiae.

The spread of resistance to insecticides in disease-carrying mosquitoes poses a threat to the effectiveness of control programmes, which rely largely on insecticide-based interventions. Monitoring mosquito populations is essential, but obtaining phenotypic measurements of resistance is laborious and error-prone. High-throughput genotyping offers the prospect of quick and repeatable estimates of resistance, while also allowing resistance markers to be tracked and studied. To demonstrate the potential of highly-mulitplexed genotypic screening for measuring resistance-association of mutations and tracking their spread, we developed a panel of 28 known or putative resistance markers in the major malaria vector Anopheles gambiae, which we used to screen mosquitoes from a wide swathe of Sub-Saharan Africa (Burkina Faso, Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Kenya). We found resistance association in four markers, including a novel mutation in the detoxification gene Gste2 (Gste2-119V). We also identified a duplication in Gste2 combining a resistance-associated mutation with its wild-type counterpart, potentially alleviating the costs of resistance. Finally, we describe the distribution of the multiple origins of kdr resistance, finding unprecedented diversity in the DRC. This panel represents the first step towards a quantitative genotypic model of insecticide resistance that can be used to predict resistance status in An. gambiae.

Efficacy of Olyset Duo, a bednet containing pyriproxyfen and permethrin, versus a permethrin-only net against clinical malaria in an area with highly pyrethroid-resistant vectors in rural Burkina Faso: a cluster-randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Substantial reductions in malaria incidence in sub-Saharan Africa have been achieved with massive deployment of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), but pyrethroid resistance threatens control. Burkina Faso is an area with intense malaria transmission and highly pyrethroid-resistant vectors. We assessed the effectiveness of bednets containing permethrin, a pyrethroid, and pyriproxyfen, an insect growth regulator, versus permethrin-only (standard) LLINs against clinical malaria in children younger than 5 years in Banfora, Burkina Faso. METHODS: In this two-group, step-wedge, cluster-randomised, controlled, superiority trial, standard LLINs were incrementally replaced with LLINs treated with permethrin plus pyriproxyfen (PPF) in 40 rural clusters in Burkina Faso. In each cluster, 50 children (aged 6 months to 5 years) were followed up by passive case detection for clinical malaria. Cross-sectional surveys were done at the start and the end of the transmission seasons in 2014 and 2015. We did monthly collections from indoor light traps to estimate vector densities. Primary endpoints were the incidence of clinical malaria, measured by passive case detection, and the entomological inoculation rate. Analyses were adjusted for clustering and for month and health centre. This trial is registered as ISRCTN21853394. FINDINGS: 1980 children were enrolled in the cohort in 2014 and 2157 in 2015. At the end of the study, more than 99% of children slept under a bednet. The incidence of clinical malaria was 2·0 episodes per child-year in the standard LLIN group and 1·5 episodes per child-year in the PPF-treated LLIN group (incidence rate ratio 0·88 [95% CI 0·77-0·99; p=0·04]). The entomological inoculation rate was 85 (95% CI 63-108) infective bites per transmission season in the standard LLIN group versus 42 (32-52) infective bites per transmission season in the PPF-treated LLIN group (rate ratio 0·49, 95% CI 0·32-0·66; p<0·0001). INTERPRETATION: PPF-treated LLINs provide greater protection against clinical malaria than do standard LLINs and could be used as an alternative to standard LLINs in areas with intense transmission of Plasmodium falciparum malaria and highly pyrethroid-resistant vectors. FUNDING: EU Seventh Framework Programme.

Pyriproxyfen is metabolized by P450s associated with pyrethroid resistance in An. gambiae.

Pyrethroid resistance is widespread in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae leading to concerns about the future efficacy of bednets with pyrethroids as the sole active ingredient. The incorporation of pyriproxyfen (PPF), a juvenile hormone analogue, into pyrethroid treated bednets is being trialed in Africa. Pyrethroid resistance is commonly associated with elevated levels of P450 expression including CYPs 6M2, 6P2, 6P3, 6P4, 6P5, 6Z2 and 9J5. Having expressed these P450s in E. coli we find all are capable of metabolizing PPF. Inhibition of these P450s by permethrin, deltamethrin and PPF was also examined. Deltamethrin and permethrin were moderate inhibitors (IC50 1-10 µM) of diethoxyfluorescein (DEF) activity for all P450s apart from CYP6Z2 (IC50 > 10 µM), while PPF displayed weaker inhibition of all P450s (IC50 > 10 µM) except CYP's 6Z2 and 6P2 (IC50 1-10 µM). We found evidence of low levels of cross resistance between PPF and other insecticide classes by comparing the efficacy of PPF in inhibiting metamorphosis and inducing female sterility in an insecticide susceptible strain of An. gambiae and a multiple resistant strain from Cote d'Ivoire.

When a discriminating dose assay is not enough: measuring the intensity of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines from the World Health Organization for monitoring insecticide resistance in disease vectors recommend exposing insects to a predetermined discriminating dose of insecticide and recording the percentage mortality in the population. This standardized methodology has been widely adopted for malaria vectors and has provided valuable data on the spread and prevalence of resistance. However, understanding the potential impact of this resistance on malaria control requires a more quantitative measure of the strength or intensity of this resistance. METHODS: Bioassays were adapted to quantify the level of resistance to permethrin in laboratory colonies and field populations of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato. WHO susceptibility tube assays were used to produce data on mortality versus exposure time and CDC bottle bioassays were used to generate dose response data sets. A modified version of the CDC bottle bioassay, known as the Resistance Intensity Rapid Diagnostic Test (I-RDT), was also used to measure the knockdown and mortality after exposure to different multipliers of the diagnostic dose. Finally cone bioassays were used to assess mortality after exposure to insecticide treated nets. RESULTS: The time response assays were simple to perform but not suitable for highly resistant populations. After initial problems with stability of insecticide and bottle washing were resolved, the CDC bottle bioassay provided a reproducible, quantitative measure of resistance but there were challenges performing this under field conditions. The I-RDT was simple to perform and interpret although the end point selected (immediate knockdown versus 24 h mortality) could dramatically affect the interpretation of the data. The utility of the cone bioassays was dependent on net type and thus appropriate controls are needed to interpret the operational significance of these data sets. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporating quantitative measures of resistance strength, and utilizing bioassays with field doses of insecticides, will help interpret the possible impact of resistance on vector control activities. Each method tested had different benefits and challenges and agreement on a common methodology would be beneficial so that data are generated in a standardized format. This type of quantitative data are an important prerequisite to linking resistance strength to epidemiological outcomes.

Temephos resistance in Aedes aegypti in Colombia compromises dengue vector control.

BACKGROUND: Control and prevention of dengue relies heavily on the application of insecticides to control dengue vector mosquitoes. In Colombia, application of the larvicide temephos to the aquatic breeding sites of Aedes aegypti is a key part of the dengue control strategy. Resistance to temephos was recently detected in the dengue-endemic city of Cucuta, leading to questions about its efficacy as a control tool. Here, we characterize the underlying mechanisms and estimate the operational impact of this resistance. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Larval bioassays of Ae. aegypti larvae from Cucuta determined the temephos LC50 to be 0.066 ppm (95% CI 0.06-0.074), approximately 15× higher than the value obtained from a susceptible laboratory colony. The efficacy of the field dose of temephos at killing this resistant Cucuta population was greatly reduced, with mortality rates <80% two weeks after application and <50% after 4 weeks. Neither biochemical assays nor partial sequencing of the ace-1 gene implicated target site resistance as the primary resistance mechanism. Synergism assays and microarray analysis suggested that metabolic mechanisms were most likely responsible for the temephos resistance. Interestingly, although the greatest synergism was observed with the carboxylesterase inhibitor, DEF, the primary candidate genes from the microarray analysis, and confirmed by quantitative PCR, were cytochrome P450 oxidases, notably CYP6N12, CYP6F3 and CYP6M11. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: In Colombia, resistance to temephos in Ae. aegypti compromises the duration of its effect as a vector control tool. Several candidate genes potentially responsible for metabolic resistance to temephos were identified. Given the limited number of insecticides that are approved for vector control, future chemical-based control strategies should take into account the mechanisms underlying the resistance to discern which insecticides would likely lead to the greatest control efficacy while minimizing further selection of resistant phenotypes.

[Genetic differentiation of three Colombian populations of Triatoma dimidiata (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) by ND4 mitochondrial gene molecular analysis]. / Diferenciación genética de tres poblaciones colombianas de Triatoma dimidiata (Latreille, 1811) mediante análisis molecular del gen mitocondrial ND4.

INTRODUCTION: Triatoma dimidiata is the second most important vector of Chagas disease in Colombia after Rhodnius prolixus. Population genetic studies are essential for the adequate design and implementation of vector control and surveillance strategies. OBJECTIVE: The level of genetic variability and population differentiation was surveyed among three Colombian populations of T. dimidiata from different geographic locations and ecotopes, using ND4 mitochondrial gene. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Genetic comparison was made between two wild populations from La Guajira (n=10) and Santander (n=10) provinces, and one intra (n=15) and one peridomiciliary (n=5) population from the Cesar province. The polymorphism frequencies of the ND4 mitochondrial gene sequence were analyzed to deduce population structure based on the 40 samples. RESULTS: Colombian T. dimidiata showed a high nucleotide (π: 0.034) and haplotype diversity (Hd: 0.863), as well as significant population subdivision (fST: 0.761) and a low migration rate (Nm: 0.157). Genetic distances and variability differences among populations indicate distinct population subdivision amongst the three provinces. CONCLUSION: ND4 proved useful in elucidating the significant genetic differentiation that has occurred among T. dimidiata populations from La Guajira, Cesar and Santander. The analysis suggested a relationship between population subdivision and some eco-epidemiological attributes of this vector from the central eastern and northwestern regions of Colombia.

Diferenciación genética de tres poblaciones colombianas de Triatoma dimidiata (Latreille, 1811) mediante análisis molecular del gen mitocondrial ND4 / Genetic differentiation of three Colombian populations of Triatoma dimidiata (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) by ND4 mitochondrial gene molecular analysis

Introducción. Triatoma dimidiata es el segundo vector más importante de la enfermedad de Chagas en Colombia, después de Rhodnius prolixus. El conocimiento de la composición genética y la diferenciación de poblaciones es fundamental para el adecuado diseño e implementación de estrategias de control y vigilancia vectorial. Objetivo. Determinar el nivel de variabilidad y diferenciación genética en tres poblaciones colombianas de T. dimidiata provenientes de distintas localidades y hábitats, mediante el análisis molecular de un fragmento del gen mitocondrial ND4. Materiales y métodos. Se analizó el nivel de polimorfismo y la estructura genética de dos poblaciones silvestres de los departamentos de La Guajira (n=10) y Santander (n=10), y de una población intradomiciliaria (n=15) y peridomiciliaria (n=5) del Cesar. Para tal fin, se analizaron las secuencias de nucleótidos de un fragmento del gen mitocondrial ND4. Resultados. T. dimidiata en Colombia demostró tener gran diversidad genética, tanto a nivel de nucleótidos (π: 0,034) como de haplotipo (Hd: 0,863), además de una significativa estructuración de población (fST: 0,761) con un bajo número de migrantes (Nm: 0,157). Las distancias genéticas y las diferencias en los niveles de variabilidad genética entre las tres poblaciones fueron coherentes con una posible subdivisión de población.Conclusión. Este trabajo demostró diferenciación genética entre las poblaciones de T. dimidiata de La Guajira, Cesar y Santander. Se sugiere una posible relación entre tal subdivisión y algunas características eco-epidemiológicas que posee T. dimidiata en el centro-oriente y en el norte de Colombia. Finalmente, este trabajo describe, por primera vez, la utilidad del ND4 como un marcador molecular para el estudio de poblaciones naturales de T. dimidiata.

Introduction. Triatoma dimidiata is the second most important vector of Chagas disease in Colombia after Rhodnius prolixus. Population genetic studies are essential for the adequate design and implementation of vector control and surveillance strategies. Objective. The level of genetic variability and population differentiation was surveyed among three Colombian populations of T. dimidiata from different geographic locations and ecotopes, using ND4 mitochondrial gene. Materials and methods. Genetic comparison was made between two wild populations from La Guajira (n=10) and Santander (n=10) provinces, and one intra (n=15) and one peridomiciliary (n=5) population from the Cesar province. The polymorphism frequencies of the ND4 mitochondrial gene sequence were analyzed to deduce population structure based on the 40 samples. Results. Colombian T. dimidiata showed a high nucleotide (π: 0.034) and haplotype diversity (Hd: 0.863), as well as significant population subdivision (fST: 0.761) and a low migration rate (Nm: 0.157). Genetic distances and variability differences among populations indicate distinct population subdivision amongst the three provinces. Conclusion. ND4 proved useful in elucidating the significant genetic differentiation that has occurred among T. dimidiata populations from La Guajira, Cesar and Santander. The analysis suggested a relationship between population subdivision and some eco-epidemiological attributes of this vector from the central eastern and northwestern regions of Colombia.