The potential for use of haematological and anti-IgE humoral responses as phenotypic markers for tick resistance in cattle.

Approximately 80% of the global cattle population is at risk of infestation and infection by ticks and tick-borne diseases (TTBDs). The economic losses from animal mortality, reduced production, vector control costs and animal treatment are very substantial, hence there is an urgent need to develop and deploy alternative vector control strategies. Breeding for host tick resistance has the potential for sustainable large-scale TTBD control especially in cattle.

Insecticidal decay effects of long-lasting insecticide nets and indoor residual spraying on Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles arabiensis in Western Kenya.

Background: Indoor residual spraying (IRS) and long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are the first-line tools for malaria prevention and control in Africa. Vector resistance to insecticides has been extensively studied, however the insecticidal effects of the nets and sprayed walls on pyrethroid resistant mosquitoes has not been studied thoroughly. We evaluated the bioefficacy of LLINs of different ages and lambda-cyhalothrin (ICON 10cs) on the sprayed mud walls for a period of time on malaria vector survivorship.

Physical, chemical and biological characteristics in habitats of high and low presence of anopheline larvae in western Kenya highlands.

Background: Characteristics of aquatic habitats determine whether mosquitoes will oviposit, hatch, develop, pupate and successfully emerge into adults or not, thus influencing which mosquito species will occupy a habitat. This study determined whether physiochemical and biological characteristics differ between habitats with high and low presence of anopheline larvae.

Methods: Physical, chemical and biological characteristics were evaluated in selected habitats twice per month within three highland valleys in western Kenya.

Productivity of malaria vectors from different habitat types in the western Kenya highlands.

Background: Mosquito Larval Source Management (LSM) could be a valuable additional tool for integrated malaria vector control especially in areas with focal transmission like the highlands of western Kenya if it were not for the need to target all potential habitats at frequent intervals. The ability to determine the productivity of malaria vectors from identified habitats might be used to target LSM only at productive ones.

Methods: Each aquatic habitat within three highland sites in western Kenya was classified as natural swamp, cultivated swamp, river fringe, puddle, open drain or burrow pit.