Background Long lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) are one of the core components of global malaria prevention and control. The lifespan of LLIN varies widely depending on the population or environment, and randomized studies are required to compare LLIN inaccording to arbitrary thresholds households under different field conditions. This study investigated survival of different LLIN brands in Senegal. Methods Ten thousand six hundred eight LLINs were distributed in five regions, each stratified by rural and urban setting. As part of the longitudinal follow-up, 2222 nets were randomly sampled and monitored from 6 to 36 months. Using random effects for households, Bayesian models were used to estimate independent survival by net type (Interceptor®, Life Net®, MAGNet™, Netprotect®, Olyset® Net, PermaNet® 2.0 R, PermaNet® 2.0 C, Yorkool® LN) and by area (rural/urban). In addition to survival, median survival time and attrition of each LLIN brand was determined. Attrition was defined as nets that were missing because they were reported given away, destroyed and thrown away, or repurposed. Results Three net types had a proportion of survival above 80% after 24 months: Interceptor®87.8% (95% CI 80–93.4); conical PermaNet® 2.0 86.9% (95% CI 79.3–92.4) and Life Net® 85.6% (95% CI 75–93). At 36 months, conical PermaNet® 2.0 maintained a good survival rate, 79.5% (95% CI 65.9–88.8). The attrition due to redistributed nets showed that the two conical net types (PermaNet® 2.0 and Interceptor®) were more often retained by households and their median retention time was well above 3 years (median survival time = 3.5 years for PermaNet® 2.0 and median survival time = 4 years for Interceptor®). Despite this good retention, Interceptor® had weak physical integrity and its median survival due to wear and tear was below 3 years (median survival time = 2.4 years). The odds ratio of survival was 2.5 times higher in rural settings than in urban settings (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.7–3.7). Conclusions Differences in survival among LLIN may be driven by brand, shape or environmental setting. In this study in Senegal, conical PermaNet® 2.0 were retained in households while rectangular PermaNet® 2.0 had lower retention, suggesting that net shape may play a role in retention and should be further investigated. Distribution of preferred LLIN shape, accompanied by good communication on care and repair, could lead to increased effective lifespan, and allow for longer intervals between universal coverage campaigns.

Background High coverage of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) are the cornerstones of vector control strategy in Senegal where insecticide resistance by the target vectors species is a great of concern. This study explores insecticide susceptibility profile and target-site mutations mechanisms within the Anophelesgambiae complex in southeastern Senegal. Methods Larvae of Anopheles spp. were collected in two sites from southeastern Senegal Kedougou and Wassadou/Badi in October and November 2014, and reared until adult emergence. Wild F0 adult mosquitoes were morphologically identified to species. Susceptibility of 3–5-day-old An. gambiae (s.l.) samples to 11 insecticides belonging to the four insecticide classes was assessed using the WHO insecticide susceptibility bioassays. Tested samples were identified using molecular techniques and insecticide resistance target-site mutations (kdr, ace-1 and rdl) were determined. Results A total of 3742 An.gambiae (s.l.) were exposed to insecticides (2439 from Kedougou and 1303 from Wassadou-Badi). Tests with pyrethroid insecticides and DDT showed high level of resistance in both Kedougou and Wassadou/Badi. Resistance to pirimiphos-methyl and malathion was not detected while resistance to bendoicarb and fenitrothion was confirmed in Kedougou. Of the 745 specimens of An.gambiae (s.l.) genotyped, An.gambiae (s.s.) (71.6%) was the predominant species, followed by An.arabiensis (21.7%), An.coluzzii (6.3%) and hybrids (An. gambiae (s.s.)/An.coluzzii; 0.4%). All target site mutations investigated (Vgsc-1014F, Vgsc-1014S, Ace-1 and Rdl) were found at different frequencies in the species of the Anophelesgambiae complex. Vgsc-1014F mutation was more frequent in An.gambiae (s.s.) and An.coluzzii than An.arabiensis. Vgsc-1014S was present in An.gambiae (s.l.) populations in Wassadou but not in Kedougou. Ace-1 and rdl mutations were more frequent in An.gambiae (s.s.) in comparison to An.arabiensis and An.coluzzii. Conclusions Resistance to all the four insecticide classes tested was detected in southeastern Senegal as well as all target site mutations investigated were found. Data will be used by the national Malaria Control Programme.

Background The preventive and curative strategies of malaria are based on promoting the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and treating confirmed cases with artemisinin-based combination therapy. These strategies have led to a sharp decline in the burden of malaria, which remains a significant public health problem in sub-Saharan countries. The objective of this study was to determine and compare the residual efficacy of LLINs recommended by the World Health Organization. Methods The study was conducted in six villages in two sites in Senegal located in the Sahelo-Sudanian area of the Thiès region, 70 km from Dakar and in Mbagame, a semi-urban zone in the Senegal River Valley. A census was conducted of all sleeping places in each household to be covered by LLINs. Five brands of LLIN were distributed, and every six months, retention rates, net use, maintenance, physical integrity, insecticide chemical content, and biological efficacy were examined for each type of LLIN. Results A total of 3012 LLINs were distributed in 1249 households in both sites, with an average coverage rate of 94% (95% CI 92.68–95.3). After 36 months, the average retention rate was 12.5% and this rate was respectively 20.5%, 15.1%, 10%, 7%, and 3% for Olyset Net®, Dawa Plus® 2.0, PermaNet® 2.0, NetProtect® and Life Net®, respectively. The proportion of LLINs with holes and the average number of holes per mosquito net increased significantly during each follow-up, with a large predominance of size 1 (small) holes for all types of LLINs distributed. During the three-year follow-up, bioassay mortality rates of a susceptible strain of insectary reared Anopheles coluzzii decreased in the following net types: in Dawa Plus® 2.0 (100% to 51.7%), PermaNet® 2.0 (96.6% to 83%), and Olyset Net® (96.6% to 33.3%). Mortality rates remained at 100% in Life Net® over the same time period. After 36 months, the average insecticide content per brand of LLIN decreased by 40.9% for Dawa Plus® 2.0, 31% for PermaNet® 2.0, 39.6% for NetProtect® and 51.9% for Olyset Net® and 40.1% for Life Net. Conclusions Although some net types retained sufficient insecticidal activity, based on all durability parameters measured, none of the net types survived longer than 2 years.

Background: Malaria prevention strategies are based on the use of long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets (LLINs), indoor residual spraying of insecticides (IRS) and seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC). The combination of these strategies with artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACTs) has led to a significant reduction in malaria cases. However, malaria remains a major public health issue in most sub-Saharan African countries. Indeed, the resistance of vectors to most WHO-approved insecticides could jeopardize vector-control strategies. This study examines insecticide resistance and associated genetic mutations among malaria vectors in southeast Senegal. Methods: The study was conducted in October and November 2014 in two sites in southeast Senegal. An. gambiae s.l. populations were sampled from Kedougou (Kedougou district) and Wassadou-Badi (Tambacounda district) and were evaluated for insecticide resistance according to WHO susceptibility tests. Specimens were 3 to 5-day-old adults raised from collected larvae. Eleven insecticides belonging to the four known classes of insecticides were assessed. Mosquito species were identified and mutations associated with insecticide resistance (ace-1, rdl (A296S or A296G), Vgsc-1014F and Vgsc-1014S) were determined. Results: A total of 3,742 An. gambiae s.l. were exposed to insecticides (2,439 from Kedougou and 1,303 from Wassadou-Badi). In both sites, mosquitoes showed high levels of resistance to all the five pyrethroids tested (mortality rates ranged from 42.8 to 81.4% in Kedougou and 52.4 to 86.4% in Wassadou-Badi) as well as to dieldrin (67.8 and 83%) and DDT (12.7 and 55%). The mosquitoes were susceptible to pirimiphos-methyl (mortality rate 100%) and malathion (mortality rates 100% and 99% in Kedougou and Wassadou-Badi respectively). An. gambiae s.l. populations from Kedougou were also resistant to bendiocarb. Of the 745 An. gambiae s.l. genotyped An. gambiae s.s. (71.6%) was the predominant species, followed by An. arabiensis (21.7%), An. coluzzii (6.3%) and hybrids (An. gambiae s.s./An. coluzzii; 0.4%). The Vgsc-1014F kdr mutation was widely distributed and is predominant in An. gambiae s.s. and An. coluzzii in comparison to An. arabiensis. Vgsc-1014S was present in An. gambiae s.l. populations in Wassadou but not in Kedougou. The ace-1 and rdl mutations were more frequent in An. gambiae s.s. compared to An. arabiensis but were not detected in all populations of An. coluzzii.Conclusion: The present study demonstrates the resistance of malaria vectors to pyrethroids and organo chlorines in southeast Senegal as well as the presence of genetic mutations associated with this resistance in An. gambiae s.l. There was no Vgsc-1014S mutation in An. gambiae s.s. population in Kedougou. These findings are key for monitoring and managing the resistance of vectors to insecticides in this region.

Background: High coverage of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) are the cornerstones of vector control strategy in Senegal where insecticide resistance by the target vectors species is a great of concern. This study explore insecticide susceptibility profile and target-site mutations mechanisms within the Anopheles gambiae complex in southeastern Senegal. Methods: Anopheles larvae were collected from Kedougou and Wassadou/Badi, two sites from southeastern Senegal, in October and November 2014, and reared until adult emergence. Wild Fo Adults mosquitoes were morphologically identified to species. Susceptibility of 3-5-day old An. gambiae (s. l.) samples to eleven (11) insecticides belonging to the four insecticide classes was assessed using WHO insecticide susceptibility bioassays. Tested samples were identified using molecular techniques as well as detection of insecticide resistance target-site mutations (kdr, ace-1 and rdl).Results: A total of 3,742 An. gambiae (s.l.) were exposed to insecticides (2,439 from Kedougou and 1,303 from Wassadou-Badi). Tests with pyrethroid insecticides and DDT showed high level of resistance in both Kedougou and Wassadou/Badi. Pirimiphos-methyl and Malathion resistance were not detected while Bendoicarb and Fenitrothion resistance were confirmed in Kedougou. Of the 745 specimens of An. gambiae (s.l.) genotyped, An. gambiae (s.s.) (71.6%) was the predominant species, followed by An. arabiensis (21.7%), An. coluzzii (6.3%) and hybrids (An. gambiae (s.s.) /An. coluzzii; 0.4%). All target site mutations investigated (Vgsc-1014F; Vgsc-1014S, Ace-1 and Rdl) were found at different frequencies in the species of the Anopheles gambiae (s.l.). Vgsc-1014F mutation is more frequent in An. gambiae and An. coluzzii than An. arabiensis. Vgsc-1014S was present in An. gambiae (s.l.) populations in Wassadou but not in Kedougou. Ace-1 and rdl mutations were more frequent in An. gambiae (s.s.) in comparison to An. arabiensis and An. coluzzii. Conclusions: Resistance to all the four insecticide classes tested was detected in southeastern Senegal as well as all target site mutations investigated were found. Data will be used by the national Malaria Control Programme.