Molecular Taxonomy of Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) benarrochi (Diptera: Culicidae) and Malaria Epidemiology in Southern Amazonian Peru

Abstract

Abstract. Anopheline specimens were collected in 2011 by human landing catch, Shannon and CDC traps from the malaria endemic localities of Santa Rosa and San Pedro in Madre de Dios Department, Peru. Most specimens were either Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) benarrochi B or An. (Nys.) rangeli, confirmed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism-internal transcribed spacer 2 (PCR-RFLP-ITS2) and, for selected individuals, ITS2 sequences. A few specimens from Lupuna, Loreto Department, northern Amazonian Peru, were also identified as An. benarrochi B. A statistical parsimony network using ITS2 sequences confirmed that all Peruvian An. benarrochi B analyzed were identical to those in GenBank from Putumayo, southern Colombia. Sequences of the mtDNA COI BOLD region of specimens from all three Peruvian localities were connected using a statistical parsimony network, although there were multiple mutation steps between northern and southern Peruvian sequences. A Bayesian inference of concatenated Peruvian sequences of ITS2+COI detected a single clade with very high support for all An. benarrochi B except one individual from Lupuna that was excluded. No samples were positive for Plasmodium by CytB-PCR.

Implications for changes in Anopheles darlingi biting behaviour in three communities in the peri-Iquitos region of Amazonian Peru

“…Anopheles benarrochi B, a member of the An. benarrochi complex, was first reported in Peru recently [ 8 ].…”

“…Anopheles darlingi is the main vector in the region although other species, such as Anopheles benarrochi s.l., may be involved in local transmission [ 7 , 8 ]. In the Iquitos area, Andean snowmelt combined with rainfall increases river levels (up to 10 m), resulting in large seasonal fluctuations in anopheline abundance [ 9 ].…”

Epidemiology of Plasmodium vivax Malaria in Peru

“…darlingi , but to date it has proven difficult to identify breeding sites of this mosquito species within environmental contamination and degradation related to human settlements and mining-related chemical discharges in the malaria-affected areas. Anopheles ( Nyssorhynchus ) benarrochi B and Anopheles ( Nyssorhynchus ) rangeli were also found among anopheline specimens obtained and analyzed in 2011 by human landing catch, Shannon and CDC traps (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA) from the malaria endemic localities of Santa Rosa and San Pedro in Madre de Dios Department, Peru; neither of these potential secondary vectors were found to be positive for Plasmodium infection by cytochromb b (CytB)-PCR, although the sample size was relatively small 52. Research findings in Madre de Dios highlight the unpredictable nature of malaria transmission in areas of Peru where public health policies are difficult to implement, and only control measures based on PCD have been carried out.…”

Accelerating to Zero: Strategies to Eliminate Malaria in the Peruvian Amazon

“… 31 Furthermore, similar research has contributed to the further understanding of the dynamics of antimalarial resistance, particularly in regards to the resistance to chloroquine, 32 sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine, 33 – 36 and mefloquine. 34 Finally, research from Peru has contributed to the study of vector biology and ecology, particularly on the behavior 37 – 40 and population structure 41 – 43 of Anopheles darlingi and Anopheles benarrochi , the two main malaria vectors in the Amazon basin. We anticipate that as a result of the recently developed model of An.…”