Vector-Focused Approaches to Curb Malaria Transmission in the Brazilian Amazon: An Overview of Current and Future Challenges and Strategies

Abstract

In Brazil, malaria transmission is mostly confined to the Amazon, where substantial progress has been made towards disease control in the past decade. Vector control has been historically considered a fundamental part of the main malaria control programs implemented in Brazil. However, the conventional vector-control tools have been insufficient to control or eliminate local vector populations due to the complexity of the Amazonian rainforest environment and ecological features of malaria vector species in the Amazon, especially Anopheles darlingi. Malaria elimination in Brazil and worldwide eradication will require a combination of conventional and new approaches that takes into account the regional specificities of vector populations and malaria transmission dynamics. Here we present an overview on both conventional and novel promising vector-focused tools to curb malaria transmission in the Brazilian Amazon. If well designed and employed, vector-based approaches may improve the implementation of malaria-control programs, particularly in remote or difficult-to-access areas and in regions where existing interventions have been unable to eliminate disease transmission. However, much effort still has to be put into research expanding the knowledge of neotropical malaria vectors to set the steppingstones for the optimization of conventional and development of innovative vector-control tools.

Comparative assessment of the bacterial communities associated with Anopheles darlingi immature stages and their breeding sites in the Brazilian Amazon

“…Anopheles darlingi is the main malaria vector in South America, transmitting Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax in the endemic areas of Amazonian countries [ 21 – 23 ]. Since this mosquito exhibits a high degree of plasticity in its biting behavior, switching from increased exophagy due to repellency to insecticide-treated nets and subsequently reverting to increased endophagy as nets become worn, it is challenging to control using standard methods, i.e., long-lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spraying [ 24 ].…”

Assessment of antibiotic treatment on Anopheles darlingi survival and susceptibility to Plasmodium vivax

“…Because P. vivax is so virulent, new strategies for vivax malaria prevention have been developed to block malaria transmission in endemic areas ( Vallejo et al, 2016 ). However, control of malaria transmission in the Amazon will require specific, vector-focused approaches based on a thorough investigation of Neotropical anopheline biology ( Rocha et al, 2020 ) and the complex interactions of P. vivax with its primary mosquito vector, which, in Brazil, is An. darlingi .…”

Genetic Technologies for Sustainable Management of Insect Pests and Disease Vectors

“…Tropical and subtropical regions, where a great proportion of the population struggle with poverty and malnutri tion, are among the most affected by agricultural pests and vector-borne diseases [2]. Furthermore, globalization, population growth, and climate change, along with forest degradation and urbanization, have exacerbated the burden of insect vectors [3]. For instance, an increase in frequency and severity of extreme climate events has caused crop damages with consequent loss of food productivity, and has affected the ecosystems, causing a shift of species distribution and prolonged disease transmission seasons [4].…”