Effect of pharmacokinetically-relevant ivermectin concentrations on survivorship and fecundity of Anopheles coluzzii and Aedes aegypti in Burkina Faso: a laboratory experimental study

Background The control of vector-borne diseases is increasingly challenged by widespread insecticide resistance. Therefore, innovative vector control strategies with alternative modes of action are urgently needed. Ivermectin (IVM), an endectocide, has demonstrated toxicity to mosquito species such as Anopheles and Aedes when they feed on treated humans or livestock. In this study, we conducted a laboratory experiment to assess the effect of IVM, at concentrations equivalent to human plasma levels following mass drug administration (MDA), on the survival and fecundity of Anopheles coluzzii and Aedes aegypti in Burkina Faso. Methods Two laboratory experiments were conducted using 3–5-day old wild-derived female An. coluzzii and Aedes aegypti . Each experiment included four replicates per IVM concentration and was performed on separate dates. Mosquitoes were fed via membrane feeding on rabbit blood treated with five concentrations of IVM (C=112 ng/ml, C2=29 ng/ml, C3=15 ng/ml, C4=6.5 ng/ml, C5=2.5ng/ml), corresponding to the mean human plasma levels at 2, 4, 7, 14, and 28 days post-MDA with IVM at a dose of 300 μg/kg. A negative control (C6=0.0 ng/ml) was also included. Mosquito mortalities were recorded daily for 7 days. Fecundity was measured by counting both laid eggs and developed eggs (via ovary dissection). Results IVM significantly reduced the survival of An. coluzzii compared to the control group ( p<0 . 001 ), with the risk of death increasing from 4.2-fold at the lowest concentration (2.5 ng/ml) to 64.2-fold at the highest (112 ng/ml). In contrast, IVM had no significant effect on Aedes aegypti ( p > 0 . 05 ). Additionally, in An. coluzzii , IVM significantly reduced both egg laying and egg development (p<0.0001 and p0 . 80) . Conclusion Ivermectin concentrations typically achieved in human plasma during mass drug administration campaigns were sufficient to significantly reduce both survival and fecundity of wild type An. coluzzii , but had no measurable effect on recently colonized Ae. aegypti . These findings highlight the species-specific efficacy of ivermectin and support its potential role in integrated vector control strategies targeting malaria vectors in Africa.