Search

Despite the fact that over a 100 anopheline mosquito species have been identified as human malaria vectors, little is known about ungulate malaria vectors. Consequently, we focused on investigating the bionomics and genetic characterizations of anopheline mosquitoes in goat malaria-endemic regions. We also attempted to screen for ungulate malaria potential vectors. A total of 1019 female anopheline mosquitoes were collected from six goat farms in four provinces of Thailand from 2020 to 2021. Mosquitoes were morphologically identified and subsequently confirmed using the mitochondrial DNA barcoding region-cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (MtDNA-COI), mitochondrial DNA-cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (MtDNA-COII), and ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer 2 (rDNA-ITS2) sequences. The current study reveals the genetic characteristics and distribution of nine mosquito species within the Anopheles and Cellia subgenera. Four dominant species, including Anopheles peditaeniatus, Anopheles subpictus, Anopheles vagus, and Anopheles aconitus exhibited significant intraspecific gene flow within their corresponding species. Although malaria parasites were not found in 126 mosquito pools, meaning more investigation is necessary, the current study adds to the existing DNA barcoding data collection and improves the current understanding of the genetic structure and distribution of anopheline mosquito species, which could be useful for effective control of mosquito-borne diseases., (© 2023 Royal Entomological Society.)

Ungulate malaria parasites and their vectors are among the least studied when compared to other medically important species. As a result, a thorough understanding of ungulate malaria parasites, hosts, and mosquito vectors has been lacking, necessitating additional research efforts. This study aimed to identify the vector(s) of Plasmodium bubalis. A total of 187 female mosquitoes (133 Anopheles spp., 24 Culex spp., 24 Aedes spp., and 6 Mansonia spp. collected from a buffalo farm in Thailand where concurrently collected water buffalo samples were examined and we found only Anopheles spp. samples were P. bubalis positive. Molecular identification of anopheline mosquito species was conducted by sequencing of the PCR products targeting cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1), cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 (cox2), and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) markers. We observed 5 distinct groups of anopheline mosquitoes: Barbirostris, Hyrcanus, Ludlowae, Funestus, and Jamesii groups. The Barbirostris group (Anopheles wejchoochotei or Anopheles campestris) and the Hyrcanus group (Anopheles peditaeniatus) were positive for P. bubalis. Thus, for the first time, our study implicated these anopheline mosquito species as probable vectors of P. bubalis in Thailand., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

(B) The landscape of mosquito sampling sites in a buffalo farm in Chachoengsao. The red triangle indicates blood sample collection sites, while the yellow triangle indicates mosquito sampling sites. [Extracted from the article]

The Plasmodium parasites transmitted through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes cause malaria in humans. Despite extensive research on the malaria parasite in ungulates, its occurrence in goats in Indonesia, particularly in the Kaligesing and Girimulyo border areas, has yet to be reported. This study aimed to investigate the presence of malaria parasites in goats from these regions. We collected 81 blood samples from goats of different ages and sexes. Blood samples were drawn from the jugular vein and preserved using EDTA tubes. We evaluated the overall clinical status of the goats by monitoring their rectal temperature and capillary refill time (CRT). Microscopic analysis was carried out by observing blood smears under a microscope, but the Plasmodium parasite was not detected. Next, we employed a molecular method to detect Plasmodium DNA using a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method that targeted the cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. The results confirmed the presence of Plasmodium DNA in 5 out of the 81 samples tested. The obtained data were analyzed descriptively, and Wilson's confidence interval method was used to calculate confidence limits for the sample proportions. This study provides the first molecular detection of previously undocumented malaria parasites in goats within the Girimulyo region of Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Identifying Plasmodium sp. using molecular techniques highlights the need for continued surveillance and management strategies to prevent the spread of malaria in animals and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]