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Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
Abstract
Microsporidia MB (MB), a promising biological control agent, suppresses Plasmodium falciparum transmission in Anopheles mosquitoes. This study examined the spatial distribution
of MB infection in natural populations of An. gambiae s.l. mosquitoes collected in Nigeria
and Niger Republic, and its association with insecticide susceptibility in the mosquitoes.
Microsporidia MB has wide geographic distribution across Nigeria and Niger Republic. The
overall prevalence of MB in F0 mosquitoes was 12.25% (95% CI: 7.76–16.75%); 25 mosquitoes
out of 204 were positive. Geographic variation was observed, with a higher prevalence
(5/15 mosquitoes) in Ebonyi State (33.33%, CI: 9.48–57.19%, Fisher’s exact test, p = 0.008).
Infection rates were higher in An. coluzzii mosquitoes (21/133 mosquitoes), estimated at
15.79% (CI: 9.59–21.99%) compared to An. gambiae s.s. mosquitoes (4/71), with approximately 5.63% (CI: 0.27–11.00%, χ
2 = 4.44; df = 1, p = 0.035). Resistant mosquitoes had a
significantly higher prevalence of MB infection than susceptible mosquitos at 28.57% (CI:
16.74–40.40%) with an odds ratio of 3.33 (CI: 1.23–9.03, p = 0.017). These findings suggests
that MB can be exploited as an alternative for vector control in Nigeria and Niger, but its
possible association with pyrethroid resistance suggests that it should be taken into account
as a potential confounder when designing insecticide resistance management strategies
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Citation
Moustapha, L.M.; Mukhtar, M.M.; Sanda, A.-N.H.; Adamu, S.; Aliyu, Y.Y.; Einoi, H.K.; Maigari, M.U.; Okeke, P.C.; Nwele, D.E.; Obembe, A.; 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, 31. https://doi.org/10.3390/ parasitologia5030031