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Malaria Journal
Published in: Malaria Journal 1/2009

Open Access 01-12-2009 | Research

Coquillettidia (Culicidae, Diptera) mosquitoes are natural vectors of avian malaria in Africa

Authors: Kevin Y Njabo, Anthony J Cornel, Ravinder NM Sehgal, Claire Loiseau, Wolfgang Buermann, Ryan J Harrigan, John Pollinger, Gediminas Valkiūnas, Thomas B Smith

Published in: Malaria Journal | Issue 1/2009

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Abstract

Background

The mosquito vectors of Plasmodium spp. have largely been overlooked in studies of ecology and evolution of avian malaria and other vertebrates in wildlife.

Methods

Plasmodium DNA from wild-caught Coquillettidia spp. collected from lowland forests in Cameroon was isolated and sequenced using nested PCR. Female Coquillettidia aurites were also dissected and salivary glands were isolated and microscopically examined for the presence of sporozoites.

Results

In total, 33% (85/256) of mosquito pools tested positive for avian Plasmodium spp., harbouring at least eight distinct parasite lineages. Sporozoites of Plasmodium spp. were recorded in salivary glands of C. aurites supporting the PCR data that the parasites complete development in these mosquitoes. Results suggest C. aurites, Coquillettidia pseudoconopas and Coquillettidia metallica as new and important vectors of avian malaria in Africa. All parasite lineages recovered clustered with parasites formerly identified from several bird species and suggest the vectors capability of infecting birds from different families.

Conclusion

Identifying the major vectors of avian Plasmodium spp. will assist in understanding the epizootiology of avian malaria, including differences in this disease distribution between pristine and disturbed landscapes.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Coquillettidia (Culicidae, Diptera) mosquitoes are natural vectors of avian malaria in Africa
Authors
Kevin Y Njabo
Anthony J Cornel
Ravinder NM Sehgal
Claire Loiseau
Wolfgang Buermann
Ryan J Harrigan
John Pollinger
Gediminas Valkiūnas
Thomas B Smith
Publication date
01-12-2009
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Malaria Journal / Issue 1/2009
Electronic ISSN: 1475-2875
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-8-193

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