@article{fdi:010037961,
  title = {{L}arval habitats of {A}nopheles gambiae s.s. ({D}iptera : {C}ulicidae) influences vector competence to {P}lasmodium falciparum parasites - art. no. 50},
  author = {{O}kech, {B}. {A}. and {G}ouagna, {L}ouis-{C}l{\'e}ment and {Y}an, {G}. {Y}. and {G}ithure, {J}. {I}. and {B}eier, {J}. {C}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{B}ackground: {T}he origin of highly competent malaria vectors has been linked to productive larval habitats in the field, but there isn't solid quantitative or qualitative data to support it. {T}o test this, the effect of larval habitat soil substrates on larval development time, pupation rates and vector competence of {A}nopheles gambiae to {P}lasmodium falciparum were examined. {M}ethods: {S}oils were collected from active larval habitats with sandy and clay substrates from field sites and their total organic matter estimated. {A}n. gambiae larvae were reared on these soil substrates and the larval development time and pupation rates monitored. {T}he emerging adult mosquitoes were then artificially fed blood with infectious {P}. falciparum gametocytes from human volunteers and their midguts examined for oocyst infection after seven days. {T}he wing sizes of the mosquitoes were also measured. {T}he effect of autoclaving the soil substrates was also evaluated. {R}esults: {T}he total organic matter was significantly different between clay and sandy soils after autoclaving ( {P} = 0.022). {A} generalized liner model ( {GLM}) analysis identified habitat type ( clay soil, sandy soil, or lake water) and autoclaving ( that reduces presence of microbes) as significant factors affecting larval development time and oocyst infection intensities in adults. {A}utoclaving the soils resulted in the production of significantly smaller sized mosquitoes ( {P} = 0.008). {A}utoclaving clay soils resulted in a significant reduction in {P}lasmodium falciparum oocyst intensities ( {P} = 0.041) in clay soils ( unautoclaved clay soils ( 4.28 +/- 0.18 oocysts/midgut; autoclaved clay soils = 1.17 +/- 0.55 oocysts/midgut) although no difference ( {P} = 0.480) in infection rates was observed between clay soils ( 10.4%), sandy soils ( 5.3%) or lake water ( 7.9%). {C}onclusion: {T}his study suggests an important nutritional role for organic matter and microbial fauna on mosquito fitness and vector competence. {I}t shows that the quality of natural aquatic habitats of mosquito larvae may influence malaria parasite transmission potential by {A}n. gambiae. {T}his information can be important in targeting larval habitats for malaria control.},
  keywords = {},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{M}alaria {J}ournal},
  volume = {6},
  numero = {},
  pages = {{NIL}_1--{NIL}_7},
  ISSN = {1475-2875},
  year = {2007},
  DOI = {10.1186/1475-2875-6-50},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010037961},
}