Investigating the molecular basis of multiple insecticide resistance in a major malaria vector Anopheles funestus (sensu stricto) from Akaka-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Background: Understanding the mechanisms used by Anopheles mosquitoes to survive insecticide exposure is key to manage existing insecticide resistance and develop more suitable insecticide-based malaria vector control interventions as well as other alternative integrated tools. To this regard, the molecular basis of permethrin, DDT and dieldrin resistance in Anopheles funestus (sensu stricto) at Akaka-Remo was investigated.

Methods: Bioassays were conducted on 3-5-day-old adult An.

Impact of PermaNet 3.0 on entomological indices in an area of pyrethroid resistant Anopheles gambiae in south-western Nigeria.

Background: PermaNet® 3.0 is an insecticide synergist-combination long-lasting insecticidal net designed to have increased efficacy against malaria vectors with metabolic resistance, even when combined with kdr. The current study reports on the impact of this improved tool on entomological indices in an area with pyrethroid-resistant malaria vectors in Nigeria.

Abundance and diversity of Anopheles species (Diptera: Culicidae) associated with malaria transmission in human dwellings in rural and urban communities in Oyo State, Southwestern Nigeria.

Mosquito samples were collected from rural and urban communities in three selected major towns in Southwestern Nigeria to determine the impact of urbanization on the diversity and abundance of Anopheles species associated with malaria transmission in human habitations. A total of ten Anopheles species were identified in the rural communities, while eight Anopheles species were identified in the urban communities. Out of the ten Anopheles species identified, only four species, Anopheles gambiae (Giles), Anopheles funestus (Giles), Anopheles moucheti (Evans), and Anopheles nili (Theobald), were established to be vectors of malaria occurring in greater than 50% of the rural communities.

Coartemether induced oxidative and hepatic damage in Plasmodium berghei strain Anka infected mice.

This study investigated the effect of coartemether on antioxidant and hepatotoxic biomarkers in Plasmodium berghei infected mice. Erythrocyte, hepatic and renal superoxide dismutase (2.71 ± 0.

Studies on the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of Parquetina nigrescens leaf extract.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Parquetina nigrescens is a shrub that is commonly used in different parts of West Africa for the treatment of several ailments which includes pain, fever and inflammatory conditions.

Aim Of The Study: The present study was designed to investigate the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of the aqueous extract of Parquetina nigrescens leaves in rats.

Materials And Methods: Five groups were used for each study, groups 1 and 5 served as control (saline) and reference (indomethacine) respectively, while groups 2-4 received the extract (50-200 mg/kg) orally.

Dynamics of knockdown pyrethroid insecticide resistance alleles in a field population of Anopheles gambiae s.s. in southwestern Nigeria.

Background & Objectives: Pyrethroid insecticide resistance in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae Giles is mainly associated with reduced target site sensitivity arising from a single point mutation in the sodium channel gene, often referred to as knockdown resistance (kdr). This resistance mechanism is widespread in West Africa and was reported for the first time in Nigeria in 2002. Here we present changes in the susceptibility/resistance status of the molecular 'M' and 'S' forms of An.

Behaviour and population dynamics of the major anopheline vectors in a malaria endemic area in southern Nigeria.

Background & Objectives: Anopheline mosquitoes consist of a large number of species each of which differs from another in population, resting and feeding behaviour in relation to the prevailing conditions in the locality. A longitudinal study was carried out to investigate the population dynamics, resting and feeding behaviour of the major anopheline species found in a rain forest zone of Nigeria.

Methods: Mosquitoes resting and biting indoors were collected using WHO standard techniques and supplemented with outdoor-biting collections in the study areas between January and December 2004.

Impact of urbanisation on bionomics and distribution of malaria vectors in Lagos, southwestern Nigeria.

Background & Objectives: The patterns of annual, rainfall as well as average daily temperature have not changed drastically in the study area since 1960 when detailed baseline entomological surveys were carried out. However, the increase in human population from 1.2 to 10 million has resulted in both expansion of land and tremendous ecological and environmental change.

Distribution of the molecular forms of Anopheles gambiae and pyrethroid knock down resistance gene in Nigeria.

We investigated the distribution of the molecular M and S forms of Anopheles gambiae and the knock down resistance (kdr) gene associated with pyrethroid and DDT resistance in A. gambiae s.s.

Identification of three members of the Anopheles funestus (Diptera: Culicidae) group and their role in malaria transmission in two ecological zones in Nigeria.

The role of the Anopheles funestus group in malaria transmission was investigated in two ecological zones in Nigeria. Sampling was carried out at four sites each around Ibadan (forest) and Ilorin (savanna). Human landing catches were supplemented with indoor and outdoor resting collections.