First evidence of occurrence of East African knock-down resistance mutation (L1014S): Insecticide resistance and Plasmodium infection in populations of Anopheles arabiensis Patton in Khartoum State, Sudan

Abstract

Continuous monitoring of the susceptibility/resistance status in malaria vectors is important for implementing an effective control program. This study was conducted to assess the susceptibility status, the occurrence of the knock-down resistance gene (kdr) mutation and to detect Plasmodium infection in An. arabiensis in Khartoum State. WHO Insecticide susceptibility tests were conducted in An. arabiensis. The kdr and Plasmodium infection in An. arabiensis were also studied using PCR. Anopheles arabiensis from resistant to malathion, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and permethrin. Both kdr mutant alleles (L1014F and L1014S) and Plasmodium falciparum infection were detected in An. arabiensis as well. This is the first report on occurrence of L1014S allele in An. arabiensis in Khartoum State. The occurrence of the kdr mutation has a negative impact on the malaria control in Sudan since pyrethroids are used for vector control.