Abstract

Field-based research on malaria parasite transmission is vital to the success of internationally-coordinated initiatives in malaria control. There is a need for new strategies and tools for vector control that can be used in integrated approaches for fighting malaria at the community level. With input from Tulane University from the past 3 years, the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) in Nairobi has developed a unique Malaria Vector program comprised of investigators from ICIPE, the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), the Ministry of Health (MOH), and local universities. One of the goals, in developing a Center of Excellence at ICIPE for malaria vector research in Africa, is to provide research, technical support, and training for the National Malaria Control program in Kenya and other surrounding countries in East Africa. This proposal will strengthen the current ICIPE/KEMRI/MOH program in 3 areas. Project 1-Larval Ecology of African Malaria Vectors: environmental and climate-driven sources of spatial and temporal heterogeneity in vector populations of mosquitos and associated malaria prevalence will be identified in field studies throughout Kenya. Project 2-Behavior of African Malaria Vectors: compounds identified through chemical ecology studies at ICIPE at being associated with mosquito-host attraction, repellency, mating, and oviposition will be tested further at the ICIPE Mbita Point Field Station in western Kenya in outdoor green-house insectaries and at nearby field sites. Project 3-Vector Competence of African Malaria Vectors: colony- reared Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes infected with Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites by membrane-feeding will be used to determine environmental and genetic factors that critically influence sporogonic development and mosquito susceptibility to malaria parasites. Research and training activities for the 3 projects will be integrated and continually focused on the development of new approaches and tools for controlling malaria at the community level in Africa.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Program--Cooperative Agreements (U19)
Project #
3U19AI045511-03S1
Application #
6555676
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAI1 (M1))
Program Officer
Rao, Malla R
Project Start
1999-09-01
Project End
2004-08-31
Budget Start
2002-02-15
Budget End
2002-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$76,005
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Tulane University
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
City
New Orleans
State
LA
Country
United States
Zip Code
70118

  Publications

Mwangangi, Joseph M; Mbogo, Charles M; Orindi, Benedict O et al. (2013) Shifts in malaria vector species composition and transmission dynamics along the Kenyan coast over the past 20 years. Malar J 12:13
Muiruri, Samuel K; Mwangangi, Joseph M; Carlson, John et al. (2013) Effect of predation on Anopheles larvae by five sympatric insect families in coastal Kenya. J Vector Borne Dis 50:45-50
Mireji, Paul O; Keating, Joseph; Hassanali, Ahmed et al. (2010) Expression of metallothionein and alpha-tubulin in heavy metal-tolerant Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (Diptera: Culicidae). Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 73:46-50
Carlson, John C; Dyer, Lee A; Omlin, Francois X et al. (2009) Diversity cascades and malaria vectors. J Med Entomol 46:460-4
Magalhaes, T; Brackney, D E; Beier, J C et al. (2008) Silencing an Anopheles gambiae catalase and sulfhydryl oxidase increases mosquito mortality after a blood meal. Arch Insect Biochem Physiol 68:134-43
Sumba, Leunita A; Ogbunugafor, C Brandon; Deng, Arop L et al. (2008) Regulation of oviposition in Anopheles gambiae s.s.: role of inter- and intra-specific signals. J Chem Ecol 34:1430-6
Impoinvil, Daniel E; Keating, Joseph; Mbogo, Charles M et al. (2008) Abundance of immature Anopheles and culicines (Diptera: Culicidae) in different water body types in the urban environment of Malindi, Kenya. J Vector Ecol 33:107-16
Impoinvil, Daniel E; Mbogo, Charles M; Keating, Joseph et al. (2008) The role of unused swimming pools as a habitat for Anopheles immature stages in urban Malindi, Kenya. J Am Mosq Control Assoc 24:457-9
Mireji, Paul O; Keating, Joseph; Hassanali, Ahmed et al. (2008) Heavy metals in mosquito larval habitats in urban Kisumu and Malindi, Kenya, and their impact. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 70:147-53
Mwangangi, Joseph M; Mbogo, Charles M; Muturi, Ephantus J et al. (2007) Influence of biological and physicochemical characteristics of larval habitats on the body size of Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) along the Kenyan coast. J Vector Borne Dis 44:122-7

Showing the most recent 10 out of 68 publications