A previously unreported potential malaria vector in a dry ecology of Kenya.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In Kenya, malaria remains a major public health menace equally affecting the semi-arid to arid ecologies. However, entomologic knowledge of malaria vectors in such areas remains poor.

Methods

Morphologically-identified wild-caught Anopheles funestus (s.l.) specimens trapped outdoors from the semi-arid to arid area of Kacheliba, West Pokot County, Kenya, were analysed by PCR and sequencing for species identification, malaria parasite infection and host blood-meal sources.

Results

Three hundred and thirty specimens were analysed to identify sibling species of the An. funestus group, none of which amplified using the available primers; two were infected with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium ovale, separately, while 84% (n = 25) of the blood-fed specimens h

SUBMITTER: Ogola EO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6369554 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature