Impact of insecticide resistance on malaria vector competence: a literature review

Abstract

Since its first report in Anopheles mosquitoes in 1950s, insecticide resistance has spread very fast to most sub-Saharan African malaria-endemic countries, where it is predicted to seriously jeopardize the success of vector control efforts, leading to rebound of disease cases. Supported mainly by four mechanisms (metabolic resistance, target site resistance, cuticular resistance, and behavioural resistance), this phenomenon is associated with intrinsic changes in the resistant insect vectors that could influence development of invading Plasmodium parasites. A literature review was undertaken using Pubmed database to collect articles evaluating directly or indiretly the impact of insecticide resistance and the associated mechanisms on key determinants of malaria vector competence including sialome composition, anti-Plasmodium immunity, intestinal commensal microbiota, and mosquito longevity. Globally, the evidence gathered is contradictory even though the insecticide resistant vectors seem to be more permissive to Plasmodium infections. The actual body of knowledge on key factors to vectorial competence, such as the immunity and microbiota communities of the insecticide resistant vector is still very insufficient to definitively infer on the epidemiological importance of these vectors against the susceptible counterparts. More studies are needed to fill important knowledge gaps that could help predicting malaria epidemiology in a context where the selection and spread of insecticide resistant vectors is ongoing.

Distribution and insecticide resistance profile of the major malaria vector Anopheles funestus group across the African continent

“…gambiae (Dada et al, 2018; Omoke et al, 2021). Of these mechanisms, target site and metabolic resistances are most likely to lead to control failure because they effectively reduce the effect of insecticides on mosquitoes (Suh et al, 2023). Resistance in An.…”

Prevalence of Plasmodium species in Badr Governorate, Madinah Province, Saudi Arabia using microscopy and rapid diagnostic test

“…Moreover, it is widespread in developing countries due to the absence of available treatments, effective methods to vector and parasite control as well as the spread of drug and pesticide resistance. [9,10] Table 3 Age groups distribution pattern of malarial cases in Badr Governorate, Madinah Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).…”

“…[4,5] The Global incidence of malaria is increasing due to 3 main factors that play an important role in disease transmission; factors due to human immunity, migrations to malaria epidemic areas and imported malaria cases into non-endemic countries, [6][7][8] factors related to the vector increasing breeding possibilities that result from climatic and ecological conditions, such as rainfall patterns, humidity, water reservoirs, presence of plants, change in whether patterns, appearance of new vectors by the continuous broken down of vectors control programs due to lack of quality control and growing insecticide resistance. [5,9] Finally, factors directly related to the parasite, as the appearance of resistance to conventional anti-malarial drugs. [10] Consequently, the levels of transmission risk and incidence of malaria change seasonally at the country and regional levels.…”

Editorial: Frontiers in malaria research

“…However, the pace of progress toward tackling malaria is very slow in Africa- the hub of malaria burden. Further, around the globe malaria control and elimination efforts are at stake by the emergence of multidrug resistant parasite strains (Hamilton et al, 2019 ), insecticide resistant vectors (Suh et al, 2023 ) and frequently changing global climatic conditions affecting vector population and transmission dynamics rapidly (Rocklov and Dubrow, 2020 ; Sinka et al, 2020 ). Malaysia reported no indigenous case due to four human Plasmodium spp.…”