Evaluating insecticide-resistance in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae and its implications for malaria transmission

Abstract

Insecticide resistance, in the mosquito vector, threatens the efficacy of current methods to control malaria. Yet evidence of control failure due to insecticide resistance is sparse, despite over 50 years since resistance was identified in the mosquito. In this thesis, laboratory experiments with mosquitoes, as well as mathematical modelling, are used to improve our understanding of how insecticide resistance might impact malaria transmission.

Firstly, demographic and environmental effects on the phenotypic expression of resistance are investigated. Decreasing expression of resistance with age and malaria infection, suggest resistance may not be as large a problem as once believed. Further factors that affect the phenotypic expression of resistance, such as infection by the microsporidian Vavria culicis and quantity of larval food, suggest that the phenotypic expression of resistance may even be manipulated to reduce its impact on disease transmission.

Secondly, costs of resistance are explored as they may reduce the ability of a mosquito to transmit malaria. It is demonstrated that, under environmental stress from parasites, costs to longevity can be increased. Mosquito longevity is a key parameter in malaria transmission so any reduction in longevity, due to costs of resistance, will reduce the ability of the mosquito to transmit malaria. Finally, the thesis examines if the behavioural avoidance of insecticides can be changed through environmental manipulation.

In summary, the phenotypic expression of resistance and the costs of resistance are two factors that will determine the threat insecticide-resistance poses to malaria control. It is demonstrated, in the laboratory, that these two factors can vary due to environmental and demographic factors, but to fully understand the threat of resistance these ideas have to be investigated in the field.