First Report of the L1014F kdr Mutation in Wild Populations of Anopheles Arabiensis in Cabo Verde, West Africa

Abstract BackgroundDue to the lack of vaccines, malaria control mainly involves the control of the incriminated vector, Anopheles spp, using chemical insecticides. However, the prolonged and indiscriminate use of these compounds has led to the emergence of resistance in Anopheles populations from African continent. The surveillance of this resistance is more frequent in other African countries; however, Cabo Verde does not carry out this surveillance in the same way. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the circulation of the L1014F and L1014S alleles in natural populations of Anopheles arabiensis from the city of Praia, Cabo Verde. MethodsLarvae of Anopheles genus were collected in two areas of Praia and reared in the laboratory until maturity. Mosquitoes were morphologically identified by classical taxonomy and then, subjected to molecular species identification using molecular markers. All Anopheles arabiensis were subjected to PCR to screen for mutations associated to resistance in the Nav gene. ResultsA total of 105 mosquitoes, belonging to the Anopheles gambiae complex, were identified by classical taxonomy were also identified by molecular taxonomy. The molecular identification showed that 100% of the An. gambiae s.l. analyzed were An. arabiensis.. Analysis of the Nav gene revealed the presence of L1014S and L1014F alleles with frequencies of 0.14 and 0.23, respectively. ConclusionsOur data demonstrate, for the first time, the presence of the L1014F allele in the An. arabiensis population from Cabo Verde and an increase of the previously found Kdr L1014S allele. The results presented in this study demonstrate the need to establish new approaches in vector control programs in Cabo Verde.