The L1014F Kdr mutation is associated with a higher prevalence and load of the Plasmodium-blocking symbiont Microsporidia MB In Anopheles Gambiae s.l. In Benin. - 2026
The L1014F Kdr mutation is associated with a higher prevalence and load of the Plasmodium-blocking symbiont Microsporidia MB In Anopheles Gambiae s.l. In Benin.
[en] INTRODUCTION: The Plasmodium transmission-blocking endosymbiont Microsporidia MB was previously identified in Anopheles gambiae s.l., but its association with the carriage of the genotypes of the L1014F kdr mutation, as well as the ecological factors driving its geographical distribution remain understudied. METHODS: Adult mosquitoes were field-collected using human landing catches (HLCs) across 60 villages in the Covè, Ouinhi, and Zangnanado communes of southern Benin. After morphological identification, a sub-sample of An. gambiae s.l. were molecularly speciated, and genotypied for the L1014F kdr mutation by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and qPCR were also used to assess infection with Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites and Microsporidia MB, respectively. The environmental variables that drive the habitat suitability for Microsporidia MB were also assessed using Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) modelling. RESULTS: The An. gambiae complex (N = 1040) was composed of 93.7% An. coluzzii, 4.4% An. gambiae s.s., 0.2% An. gambiae s.s./coluzzii hybrids, while the rest failed to amplify. Infection prevalence with Microsporidia MB was 1.6% (95% CI: 0.7–3.3) in An. coluzzii and 2.2% (95% CI: 0.1–13.2) in An. gambiae s.s. The P. falciparum sporozoite rate was 2% (95% CI: 1.2–3.1, N = 974) in An. coluzzii, and null in An. gambiae s.s. (N = 46). None of the mosquitoes infected with Microsporidia MB were infected with P. falciparum. The frequency of the L1014F kdr mutation was 75.1% (95% CI: 73.1–76.9) in An. coluzzii and 91.3% (95% CI: 83.1–95.9) in An. gambiae s.s. Microsporidia MB was absent in kdr-SS mosquitoes but was present in low proportions in both kdr-RS and kdr-RR mosquitoes (1.9%, 95% CI: 0.6–5.1). The mean load of Microsporidia MB DNA was higher in kdr-RR (23.23 ng/µl, 95% CI: 18.77–28.48) compared to kdr-RS (10.13 ng/µl, 95% CI: 7.36–13.91) mosquitoes. The elevation and soil contributed to explain, at 78% and 20% respectively, the habitat suitability for Microsporidia MB. CONCLUSION: In this study, we demonstrated that An. gambiae s.l. mosquitoes bearing the L1014F kdr resistant allele was associated with a higher prevalence and load of Microsporidia MB than their susceptible counterparts. Moreover, the geographical distribution of Microsporidia MB was found to be influenced by certain environmental conditions, which warrant further large-scale investigations.
Disciplines :
Entomology & pest control
Author, co-author :
Sovi, Arthur; Faculty of Agronomy, University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin ; Disease Control Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
Ahouandjinou, Minassou Juvenal; Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin ; National University of Agriculture, Kétou, Benin
Aïkpon, Rock; National University of Sciences, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics, Abomey, Benin ; National Malaria Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Cotonou, Benin
Totongnon, Gérard S; Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin ; University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
Yovogan, Boulais; Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin
Syme, Thomas; Disease Control Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
Dembélé, Abdramane; University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali. mamadoukamanabdramane@gmail.com
Koukpo, Come Zinsou; Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin
Sagbohan, Hermann; Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin
Ossè, Razaki; Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin ; National University of Agriculture, Kétou, Benin
Agbo-Ola, Andil; Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin ; University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
Gnanguenon, Virgile; Gnanguenon Global Health Consulting, Porto-Novo, Bénin
Toffodji, Ulrick; Laboratory of Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, University of Liège, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Gembloux, 5030, Belgium
Caparros Megido, Rudy ; Université de Liège - ULiège > TERRA Research Centre > Entomologie, Phytopathologie et Productions Innovantes (EPPI)
Hougbe, Steve Zinsou; Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin
Zoungbédji, David Mahouton; Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin
Konkon, Alphonse Keller; Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin
Cook, Jackie; MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
Padonou, Germain Gil; Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin ; University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
Protopopoff, Natacha; Disease Control Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK ; Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland ; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
Akogbéto, Martin C; Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin
Messenger, Louisa A; Disease Control Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK ; Parasitology and Vector Biology (PARAVEC) Laboratory, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA ; Department of Environmental & Global Health, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, 89154, USA
Adoha, Constantin J; Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin
The L1014F Kdr mutation is associated with a higher prevalence and load of the Plasmodium-blocking symbiont Microsporidia MB In Anopheles Gambiae s.l. In Benin.
This study, which is part of a larger project, \u201CThe New Nets Project\u201D, was financially supported by a grant to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine from UNITAID and the Global Fund via the Innovative Vector Control Consortium (IVCC).
-World malaria Report 2024: addressing inequity in the global malaria response 2024 Geneva World Health Organization 10.30875/9789287076120 Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO
N’Guessan R Corbel V Akogbeto M Rowland M Reduced efficacy of insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying for malaria control in pyrethroid resistance area, Benin Emerg Infect Dis 2007 13 199 206 10.3201/eid1302.060631 17479880 2725864
Asidi A NʼGuessan R Akogbeto M Curtis C Rowland M Loss of household protection from use of insecticide-treated nets against pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes, Benin Emerg Infect Dis 2012 18 1101 6 10.3201/eid1807.120218 22709930 3376816
Agossa FR Gnanguenon V Anagonou R Azondekon R Aizoun N Sovi A et al. Impact of insecticide resistance on the effectiveness of pyrethroid-based malaria vectors control tools in Benin: decreased toxicity and repellent effect PLoS One 2015 10 10.1371/journal.pone.0145207 26674643 4682945 e0145207
Moreira LA Iturbe-Ormaetxe I Jeffery JA Lu G Pyke AT Hedges LM et al. A Wolbachia symbiont in Aedes aegypti limits infection with Dengue, Chikungunya, and Plasmodium Cell 2009 10.1016/j.cell.2009.11.042 20064373
Herren JK Mbaisi L Mararo E Makhulu EE Mobegi VA Butungi H et al. A microsporidian impairs Plasmodium falciparum transmission in Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes Nat Commun 2020 11 1:CAS:528:DC%2BB3cXovVChtrs%3D 10.1038/s41467-020-16121-y 32366903 7198529 2187
-Akorli J Akorli EA Tetteh SNA Amlalo GK Opoku M Pwalia R et al. Microsporidia MB is found predominantly associated with Anopheles Gambiae s.s and Anopheles coluzzii in Ghana Sci Rep 2021 11 18658 1:CAS:528:DC%2BB3MXitFagtrrF 10.1038/s41598-021-98268-2 34545153 8452686
-Ribeiro dos Santos G Durovni B Saraceni V Souza Riback TI Pinto SB Anders KL et al. Estimating the effect of the wMel release programme on the incidence of dengue and Chikungunya in Rio de Janeiro, brazil: a Spatiotemporal modelling study Lancet Infect Dis 2022 22 11 1587 95 10.1016/S1473-3099(22)00436-4 36182679 9630156
Indriani C, Tanamas SK, Khasanah U, Ansari MR,Rubangi, Tantowijoyo W, et al. Impact of randomised w mel Wolbachia deployments on notified dengue cases and insecticide fogging for dengue control in Yogyakarta City. Glob Health Action. 2023;16(1):2166650.
Bian G Xu Y Lu P Xie Y Xi Z The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia induces resistance to dengue virus in Aedes aegypti PLoS Pathog 2010 6 4 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000833 20368968 2848556 e1000833
Moustapha LM Mukhtar MM Sanda A-N Adamu S Aliyu YY Einoi HK et al. Spatial distribution of Microsporidia MB along clinal gradient and the impact of its infection on pyrethroid resistance in Anopheles gambiae s.l. mosquitoes from Nigeria and Niger Republic Parasitologia 2025 5 3 10.3390/parasitologia5030031 31
Ahouandjinou MJ Sovi A Sidick A Sewadé W Koukpo CZ Chitou S et al. First report of natural infection of Anopheles gambiae s.s. and Anopheles coluzzii by Wolbachia and Microsporidia in Benin: a cross-sectional study Malar J 2024 23 1 72 1:CAS:528:DC%2BB2cXmt1CktLc%3D 10.1186/s12936-024-04906-1 38468292 10926679
Yovogan B Sovi A Padonou GG Adoha CJ Akinro B Chitou S et al. Pre-intervention characteristics of the mosquito species in Benin in preparation for a randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of dual active-ingredient long-lasting insecticidal nets for controlling insecticide-resistant malaria vectors PLoS One 2021 16 5 1:CAS:528:DC%2BB3MXhtFKhsbnL 10.1371/journal.pone.0251742 34014982 8136630 e0251742
Sovi A Adoha CJ Yovogan B Cross CL Dee DP Konkon AK et al. The effect of next-generation, dual-active-ingredient, long-lasting insecticidal net deployment on insecticide resistance in malaria vectors in Benin: results of a 3-year, three-arm, cluster-randomised, controlled trial Lancet Planet Health 2024 8 11 e894 e905 10.1016/S2542-5196(24)00232-8 39515347
Accrombessi M Cook J Ngufor C Sovi A Dangbenon E Yovogan B et al. Assessing the efficacy of two dual-active ingredients long-lasting insecticidal nets for the control of malaria transmitted by pyrethroid-resistant vectors in Benin: study protocol for a three-arm, single-blinded, parallel, cluster-randomized controlled trial BMC Infect Dis 2021 21 1 194 1:CAS:528:DC%2BB3MXlsFeisbs%3D 10.1186/s12879-021-05879-1 33607958 7892705
Accrombessi M Cook J Dangbenon E Sovi A Yovogan B Assongba L et al. Effectiveness of pyriproxyfen-pyrethroid and chlorfenapyr-pyrethroid long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) compared with pyrethroid-only LLINs for malaria control in the third year post-distribution: a secondary analysis of a cluster-randomised controlled trial in Benin Lancet Infect Dis 2024 24 6 619 628 1:CAS:528:DC%2BB2cXksFKitrw%3D 10.1016/S1473-3099(24)00002-1 38401551
Ngufor C Fagbohoun J Fongnikin A Ahoga J Syme T Ahogni I et al. The attrition, physical and insecticidal durability of two dual active ingredient nets (Interceptor® G2 and Royal Guard®) in Benin, West Africa: results from a durability study embedded in a cluster randomised controlled trial Parasit Vectors 2024 17 1 420 1:CAS:528:DC%2BB2cXitFyhsLjK 10.1186/s13071-024-06504-1 39375740 11459981
Adoha CJ Sovi A Padonou GG Yovogan B Akinro B Accrombessi M et al. Diversity and ecological niche model of malaria vector and non-vector mosquito species in Covè, Ouinhi, and Zangnanado, Southern Benin Sci Rep 2024 14 1 10.1038/s41598-024-67919-5 39043761 11266568 16944
Gillies M De Meillon B A supplement to the Anophelinae of Africa South of the Sahara Publ S Afr Inst Med Res 1987 55 1 143
Coetzee M Key to the females of Afrotropical Anopheles mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) Malar J 2020 19 1 10.1186/s12936-020-3144-9 32054502 7020601 70
-Wirtz R Zavala F Charoenvit Y Campbell G Burkot T et al. Comparative testing of monoclonal antibodies against plasmodium falciparum sporozoites for ELISA development Bull World Health Organ 1987 65 39 1:STN:280:DyaL2s3hs1ekug%3D%3D 3555879 2490858
Santolamazza F Mancini E Simard F Qi Y Tu Z et al. Insertion polymorphisms of SINE200 retrotransposons within speciation islands of Anopheles gambiae molecular forms Malar J 2008 7 10.1186/1475-2875-7-163 18724871 2546427 163
Martinez-Torres D Chandre F Williamson MS Darriet F Berge JB et al. Molecular characterization of pyrethroid knockdown resistance (kdr) in the major malaria vector Anopheles gambiae s.s. Insect Mol Biol 1998 7 179 184 1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXhs1yltL8%3D 10.1046/j.1365-2583.1998.72062.x 9535162
-Nattoh G Onyango B Makhulu EE Omoke D Ang’ang’o LM Kamau L et al. Microsporidia MB in the primary malaria vector Anopheles Gambiae sensu stricto is avirulent and undergoes maternal and horizontal transmission Parasit Vectors 2023 16 1 335 1:CAS:528:DC%2BB3sXhvF2msr7J 10.1186/s13071-023-05933-8 37749577 10519057
Dimopoulos G Richman A Müller HM Kafatos FC Molecular immune responses of the mosquito Anopheles gambiae to bacteria and malaria parasites Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1997 94 11508 11513 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXmslaru7c%3D 10.1073/pnas.94.21.11508 9326640 23521
-Sovi A Yovogan B Adoha CJ Akinro B Accrombessi M Dangbénon E et al. Efficacy of pyrethroid-pyriproxyfen and pyrethroid-chlorfenapyr Nets on entomological indicators of malaria transmission: third year of a randomised controlled trial in Benin Sci Rep 2024 14 1 12958 1:CAS:528:DC%2BB2cXhsVagsrbO 10.1038/s41598-024-63883-2 38839981 11153598
Koukpo CZ Fassinou AJYH Ossè RA Agossa FR Sovi A Sewadé WT et al. The current distribution and characterization of the L1014F resistance allele of the kdr gene in three malaria vectors (Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles coluzzii, Anopheles arabiensis) in Benin (West Africa) Malar J 2019 18 10.1186/s12936-019-2808-9 31113418 6528306 175
-Diabate A Dabire RK Heidenberger K Crawford J Lamp WO et al. Evidence for divergent selection between the molecular forms of Anopheles gambiae: role of predation BMC Evol Biol 2008 8 5 10.1186/1471-2148-8-5 18190719 2217532
Tchigossou G Lontsi-Demano M Tossou E Sovegnon PM Akoton R Adanzounon D et al. Seasonal variation of Microsporidia MB infection in Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii in two different geographical localities in Benin Malar J 2025 24 1 95 1:CAS:528:DC%2BB2MXmvFSmtbw%3D 10.1186/s12936-025-05247-3 40122797 11931768
Otieno FG Barreaux P Belvinos AS Makhulu EE Onchuru TO Wairimu AW et al. The dissemination potential of Microsporidia MB in Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes is modulated by temperature Sci Rep 2025 15 1 1:CAS:528:DC%2BB2MXitVOmt7jJ 10.1038/s41598-025-07414-7 40770271 12328603 28839
-Pelloquin B Kristan M Edi C Meiwald A Clark E Jeffries CL et al. Overabundance of Asaia and Serratia bacteria is associated with deltamethrin insecticide susceptibility in Anopheles coluzzii from Agboville, Côte d’ivoire Microbiol Spectr 2021 9 2 e0015721 10.1128/Spectrum.00157-21 34668745 8528120
Fick SE Hijmans RJ Worldclim 2: new 1-km spatial resolution climate surfaces for global land areas Int J Climatol 2017 37 4302 4315 10.1002/joc.5086