Anopheles species composition explains differences in
Plasmodium transmission in La Guajira,northern
Colombia |
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| Authors: | Manuela Herrera-Varela Lorena I Orjuela Cilia Pe?alver Jan E Conn Martha L Qui?ones |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Public Health Department, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia;2. Secretaria Departamental de Salud, La Guajira, Colombia;3. The Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA;4. Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA |
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| Abstract: | Malaria in La Guajira, the most northern state of Colombia, shows two differentepidemiological patterns. Malaria is endemic in the municipality of Dibulla whereasin Riohacha it is characterised by sporadic outbreaks. This study aimed to establishwhether differences in transmission patterns could be attributed to different vectorspecies. The most abundant adult female species were Anophelesaquasalis, exclusive to Riohacha, and Anopheles darlingi,restricted to Dibulla. Anopheles mosquitoes were identifiedusing morphology and the molecular markers internal transcribed spacer 2 andcytochrome c oxidase I. All specimens (n = 1,393) were tested by ELISA to determinenatural infection rates with Plasmodium falciparum andPlasmodium vivax. An. darlingi was positive for P. vivax210, with an infection rate of 0.355% and an entomological inoculation rateof 15.87 infective bites/person/year. Anopheles albimanus larvaewere the most common species in Riohacha, found in temporary swamps; in contrast, inDibulla An. darlingi were detected mainly in permanent streams.Distinctive species composition and larval habitats in each municipality may explainthe differences in Plasmodium transmission and suggest differentlocal strategies should be used for vector control. |
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| Keywords: | Anopheles Plasmodium malaria |
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