Elimination of lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem in Malawi.

Background: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes, causing severe pain, disfiguring, and disabling clinical conditions such as lymphoedema and hydrocoele. LF is a global public health problem affecting 72 countries, primarily in Africa and Asia. Since 2000, the World Health Organization (WHO) has led the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) to support all endemic regions.

Marked aggravation of pyrethroid resistance in major malaria vectors in Malawi between 2014 and 2021 is partly linked with increased expression of P450 alleles.

Background: Increased intensity of pyrethroid resistance is threatening the effectiveness of insecticide-based interventions to control malaria in Africa. Assessing the extent of this aggravation and its impact on the efficacy of these tools is vital to ensure the continued control of major vectors. Here we took advantage of 2009 and 2014 data from Malawi to establish the extent of the resistance escalation in 2021 and assessed its impact on various bed nets performance.

Restriction to gene flow is associated with changes in the molecular basis of pyrethroid resistance in the malaria vector Anopheles funestus.

Resistance to pyrethroids, the sole insecticide class recommended for treating bed nets, threatens the control of major malaria vectors, including Anopheles funestus Effective management of resistance requires an understanding of the dynamics and mechanisms driving resistance. Here, using genome-wide transcription and genetic diversity analyses, we show that a shift in the molecular basis of pyrethroid resistance in southern African populations of this species is associated with a restricted gene flow. Across the most highly endemic and densely populated regions in Malawi, An.

Increasing insecticide resistance in Anopheles funestus and Anopheles arabiensis in Malawi, 2011-2015.

Background: Susceptibility of principal Anopheles malaria vectors to common insecticides was monitored over a 5-year period across Malawi to inform and guide the national malaria control programme.

Methods: Adult blood-fed Anopheles spp. and larvae were collected from multiple sites in sixteen districts across the country between 2011 and 2015.

Rise of multiple insecticide resistance in Anopheles funestus in Malawi: a major concern for malaria vector control.

Background: Deciphering the dynamics and evolution of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors is crucial for successful vector control. This study reports an increase of resistance intensity and a rise of multiple insecticide resistance in Anopheles funestus in Malawi leading to reduced bed net efficacy.

Methods: Anopheles funestus group mosquitoes were collected in southern Malawi and the species composition, Plasmodium infection rate, susceptibility to insecticides and molecular bases of the resistance were analysed.