Malaria Journal

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Insecticide resistance status in Anopheles gambiae in southern Benin

Anges W Yadouleton1*, Gil Padonou1, Alex Asidi3, Nicolas Moiroux1,2, Sahabi Bio-Banganna1, Vincent Corbel1,2, Raphael N'guessan1,3, Dina Gbenou4, Imorou Yacoubou5, Kinde Gazard6 and Martin C Akogbeto1

Author Affiliations

1 Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), 06 BP 2604 Cotonou, République du Bénin

2 Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), UR016, Caractérisation et Contrôle des Populations de Vecteurs, 01 BP 4414 RP Cotonou, République du Bénin

3 London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, London, UK

4 WHO-Benin

5 National Malaria Control Programme, Benin

6 Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Benin

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Malaria Journal 2010, 9:83 doi:10.1186/1475-2875-9-83

Published: 24 March 2010

Abstract

Background

The emergence of pyrethroid resistance in Anopheles gambiae has become a serious concern to the future success of malaria control. In Benin, the National Malaria Control Programme has recently planned to scaling up long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) for malaria prevention. It is, therefore, crucial to monitor the level and type of insecticide resistance in An. gambiae, particularly in southern Benin where reduced efficacy of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and IRS has previously been reported.

Methods

The protocol was based on mosquito collection during both dry and rainy seasons across forty districts selected in southern Benin. Bioassay were performed on adults collected from the field to assess the susceptibility of malaria vectors to insecticide-impregnated papers (permethrin 0.75%, delthamethrin 0.05%, DDT 4%, and bendiocarb 0.1%) following WHOPES guidelines. The species within An. gambiae complex, molecular form and presence of kdr and ace-1 mutations were determined by PCR.

Results

Strong resistance to permethrin and DDT was found in An. gambiae populations from southern Benin, except in Aglangandan where mosquitoes were fully susceptible (mortality 100%) to all insecticides tested. PCR showed the presence of two sub-species of An. gambiae, namely An. gambiae s.s, and Anopheles melas, with a predominance for An. gambiae s.s (98%). The molecular M form of An. gambiae was predominant in southern Benin (97%). The kdr mutation was detected in all districts at various frequency (1% to 95%) whereas the Ace-1 mutation was found at a very low frequency (≤ 5%).

Conclusion

This study showed a widespread resistance to permethrin in An. gambiae populations from southern Benin, with a significant increase of kdr frequency compared to what was observed previously in Benin. The low frequency of Ace-1 recorded in all populations is encouraging for the use of bendiocarb as an alternative insecticide to pyrethroids for IRS in Benin.