The Phylodynamic and Spread of the Invasive Asian Malaria Vectors, Anopheles stephensi, in Sudan

Abubakr, Mustafa; Sami, Hamza; Mahdi, Isam; Altahir, Omnia; Abdelbagi, Hanadi; Mohamed, Nouh Saad; Ahmed, Ayman

doi:10.3390/biology11030409

Cited by 22 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Nonetheless, limited studies showed that at least two strains of CCHFV (Sudan Al-fulah 2018, and Sudan Abyei 2009) are circulating in Sudan and were involved in previous separate epidemics [ 33 , 37 ]. Recent studies about the emergence of the invasive Asian malaria vector Anopheles stephensi in the country have highlighted the importance of using molecular and genomics sequencing tools for the early detection and monitoring of the disease’s vector dynamics [ 38 , 39 , 40 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It was reported in 2012 that the annual cost of zoonotic and food-borne diseases is approximately USD 84 billion, 60% of which is due to the cost of human health, 30% is attributed to animal mortality, and 10% to lost productivity [ 44 ]. Arboviral diseases pose a severe socioeconomic burden, particularly on poor farm-depending communities, yet those of CCHF are understudied [ 6 , 22 , 37 , 38 ]. Therefore, social studies investigating the societal impacts of CCHF and its outbreaks are needed to quantify the cost-effectiveness of prevention and control measures.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Epidemics of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in Sudan between 2010 and 2020

et al. 2022

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Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a zoonotic arboviral disease that poses a great threat to global health in the Old World, and it is endemic in Europe, Asia, and Africa, including Sudan. In this retrospective study, we reviewed previous epidemiological reports about the major epidemics of CCHF throughout Sudan between 2010 and 2020. During these epidemics, the infection of humans with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), the causative agent of CCHF, was diagnosed using qRT-PCR. We have identified 88 cases of CCHF, including 13 fatalities reported during five epidemics that occurred in 2010, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2020. The two epidemics in 2010 and 2011 were by far the largest, with 51 and 27 cases reported, respectively. The majority of cases (78%) were reported in the endemic region of Kordofan. Here, we document that the first emergence of CCHFV in the Darfur region, West Sudan, occurred in 2010. We were not able to investigate outbreak dynamics through phylogenetic analysis due to the limited diagnostic capacity and the lack of sequencing services in the country. These findings call for establishing a genomic-based integrated One Health surveillance and response system for the early preparedness, prevention, and control of CCHF in the country.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemics of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in Sudan between 2010 and 2020

et al. 2022

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“…stephensi is rapidly spreading within Africa. Though this data is limited to national borders, the extensive geographical spread in Ethiopia [ 19 , 31 ] and Sudan [ 5 ] are evidence that the vector species could already have domiciled in many sites distant from the initial port of entry. In the case of Sudan, where An.…”

Section: Understanding and Responding To The Threatmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Subsequent investigations have confirmed the presence of the vector species in multiple sites in Ethiopia [ 2 ], Somalia [ 3 ] and Sudan, where one of the latest discoveries happened serendipitously during an urban search for culicines [ 4 ]. More recent surveys in Sudan have confirmed extensive geographical spread of the vector, including observations in districts bordering six other countries without any prior evidence of the species [ 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anopheles stephensi in Africa requires a more integrated response

Mnzava

Monroe

Okumu

2022

Malar J

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There are increasing reports of the Asian malaria mosquito, Anopheles stephensi invading and spreading in Eastern Africa. We discuss the importance of these invasions in the context of broader challenges facing malaria control in Africa and argue against addressing it as an isolated problem. Anopheles stephensi is only one of multiple biological threats facing malaria control in the region—and is itself an indication of wide-ranging weaknesses in vector surveillance and control programs. Expanded investigations are needed in both urban and rural areas, especially in countries serviced by the Indian Ocean trade routes, to establish the full extent and future trajectories of the problem. More importantly, instead of tackling this vector species as a stand-alone threat, affected countries should adopt more integrated and multi-sectorial initiatives that can sustainably drive and keep out malaria.

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“…The main malaria vectors in Africa belong to three major groups of vectors, the Anopheles gambiae complex, the Anopheles funestus group, and the Anopheles nili complex [ 15 , 16 ]. However, recently the invasive Asian malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi has emerged in the Horn of Africa region and is rapidly spreading in the area [ 17 – 20 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Blood meal profile and positivity rate with malaria parasites among different malaria vectors in Sudan

Altahir

Abdelbagi

Abubakr

et al. 2022

Malar J

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Background Malaria is a life-threatening public health problem globally with particularly heavy burden in the sub-Saharan Africa including Sudan. The understanding of feeding preference of malaria vectors on different hosts is a major challenge for hindering the transmission cycle of malaria. In this study, blood meals taken by blood-fed Anopheles mosquitoes collected from the field in malaria endemic areas of Sudan were analysed for source of blood meal and malaria parasite presence. Methods Anopheles mosquitoes were collected from different regions in Sudan: Khartoum state, Sennar state, Northern state, and El Gedarif state between September 2020 and February 2021. Anopheles mosquitoes were collected using the standard pyrethrum spray catch and back-pack aspirator. Mosquito samples were sorted and morphologically identified to species level using international identification keys. Morphologically identified mosquito species were also confirmed using PCR. Genomic DNA was extracted from mosquitoes for molecular identification of blood meal source and parasite detection. The presence of Plasmodium species DNA in each mosquito sample was investigated using semi-nested PCR. Frequency of each blood meal source, Anopheles mosquito vector, and malaria parasite detected was calculated. Positivity rate of each fed female Anopheles mosquito was calculated for each species. Results A total of 2132 Anopheles mosquitoes were collected. 571 (26.8%) were males and 1561 (73.2%) were females classified based on their abdominal status into 1048 (67.1%) gravid, 274 (17.6%) fed, and 239 (15.3%) unfed females. Among the blood fed Anopheles mosquitoes, 263 (96.0%) were morphologically identified and confirmed using PCR to Anopheles arabiensis, 9 (3.3%) to Anopheles stephensi, and 2 (0.7%) to Anopheles rufipes. Of 274 blood-fed An. arabiensis, 68 (25.9%) fed on mixed blood meals from human and cattle, 8 (3.0%) fed on cattle and goat, and 13 (4.8%) fed on human, cattle and goat. For single blood meal sources, 70 (26.6%) fed on human, 95 (36.1%) fed on cattle, 8 (3.0%) fed on goat, and 1 (0.4%) fed on dog. While An. rufipes and An. stephensi fed on dog (2; 0.75%) and cattle (9; 3.3%), respectively. Plasmodium parasite detection in the blood meals showed that 25/274 (9.1%) An. arabiensis meals were positive for Plasmodium vivax and 19/274 (6.9%) An. arabiensis meals were positive for Plasmodium falciparum. The rate of positivity of An. arabiensis with any Plasmodium species was 16.7%. However, the positivity rate with P. falciparum only was 7.2%, while P. vivax was 9.5%. Both An. rufipes and An. stephensi were having positivity rates of 0.0% each. Conclusions This study which was mainly on blood-fed Anopheles mosquitoes showed a diversity in the type of diet from human, cattle, and goat. Anopheles mosquitoes especially An. arabiensis in Sudan, are opportunistic blood feeders and can feed broadly on both human and cattle. The application of blood meal identification is not only important in malaria vector epidemiological surveillance but also is very useful in areas where arthropods exhibit zoophilic feeding behaviour for mammals.

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The Phylodynamic and Spread of the Invasive Asian Malaria Vectors, Anopheles stephensi, in Sudan

Cited by 22 publications

References 45 publications

Epidemics of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in Sudan between 2010 and 2020

Epidemics of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in Sudan between 2010 and 2020

Anopheles stephensi in Africa requires a more integrated response

Blood meal profile and positivity rate with malaria parasites among different malaria vectors in Sudan

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