PLoS ONE (Jan 2024)

Species composition, infection rate and feeding preference of Anopheles mosquito species (Diptera: Culicidae) in the west Amhara Region, northwest Ethiopia.

  • Mulat Yimer,
  • Mastewal Worku,
  • Tsehaynesh Gebreyesus,
  • Addisu Melese,
  • Getaneh Alemu,
  • Michael Alehegne,
  • Taye Zeru,
  • Amare Desta,
  • Tesfa Demilie,
  • Abraham Amsalu,
  • Damtie Lankir,
  • Simeneh Ayalew,
  • Fikirte Estifanos,
  • Belay Bezabih,
  • Banchamlak Tegegne

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0307063
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 19, no. 7
p. e0307063

Abstract

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BackgroundReports showed that Amhara Region is accounting for 31% of Ethiopia`s malaria burden. Reports also depicted that despite the existing malaria vector control tools implemented by the regional government, currently there is an increment in malaria prevalence in the region. This might be due to lack of entomological monitoring and comprehensive information on the prevailing species composition, infection rate and feeding presences of An. mosquito species in the study areas. Therefore, this study aimed to address this information.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 18 February to 30 March 2023 at three districts of the west Amhara Region. For this, six CDC light traps (three indoor and three outdoor) were used to collect adult female An. mosquito species. In this study, 261 An. mosquito species comprising seven species were collected. Their morphological identification and abdominal status determination were carried out using standard morphological identification keys under a dissection microscope. While their infection rates and blood meal sources were determined, using circumsporozoite protein-ELISA and blood meal-ELISA based on the standard protocol. Data were entered to SPSS versions 20 for analysis and p- value ResultsIn our study, total of 261 An. mosquito species were identified. An. demeilloni was the most abundant species accounted for 112(42.9%) of all captures. It was also the most predominant species at Ayehu-Guagusa followed by Jabitehnan districts. An. demeilloni and An. cinereus altogether accounting for infection rate of 3(1.1%) for P. vivax parasite. Furthermore, our study showed that more than 50% of An. mosquito species collected fed on cattle blood showing shifting of feeding behaviors.ConclusionsOur study depicted that An. demeilloni and An. cinereus were the most abundant species and infected with P. vivax parasite. Therefore, further comprehensive study should be done in the future.