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Lwetoijera, D. W.

Publications and source records attributed to Lwetoijera, D. W..

2 recordsLinked to original sources
bioRxiv2025

Characterization of a new laboratory colony of Anopheles funestus mosquitoes established in Ifakara, Tanzania

BackgroundAnopheles funestus, a major vector of malaria in Africa, has proven difficult to colonize in laboratory settings, impeding research on its biology and control. After several attempts, our team recently succeeded in colonizing a strain of An. funestus from Tanzania (FUTAZ). The objective of this study was to analyse the key fitness and genotypic characteristics of these mosquitoes during multiple filial generations of laboratory adaptation and compare them to wild An. funestus from Tanzania and a pre-existing colony of An. funestus from Mozambique (FUMOZ). MethodsMeasures of mating success (percentage of female mosquitoes inseminated), body size (wing length), fecundity (number of eggs laid per female), and insecticide susceptibility (percentage of 24-hour mortality after exposure to insecticides) were compared between the newly established colonies of Tanzanian An. funestus (FUTAZ colonies), the long-established FUMOZ colonies, and a colony of Anopheles arabiensis maintained in the same laboratory. The maternal lineages of the An. funestus mosquitoes were investigated through a hydrolysis probe analysis of their mitochondrial DNA to identify distinct clades, I and II. Additionally, other intragenomic variations were examined through a PCR analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) on the third domain of 28S ribosomal DNA. These molecular markers were used to compare the FUTAZ colonies, FUMOZ colonies in Tanzania and South Africa, and the wild-collected An. funestus from Tanzania. ResultThe mating success and body size of FUTAZ females declined significantly from filial generations F1 to F6 relative to the founder population (F0), but then increased from F7 onwards eventually matching FUMOZ by F9. Fecundity was similar across all colonies tested. However, it took significantly longer for 50% of the females in the FUTAZ and FUMOZ colonies (over 10 days) to mate compared to females in the An. arabiensis colony (approximately 5 days). Insecticide resistance appeared to be lost during colonization, but this varied with insecticide classes. Majority of mosquitoes in the FUTAZ colony, as well as the wild-caught Tanzanian An. funestus belonged to Clade I (80.4-89.4%) and RFLP type "Y" (90.5-91.4%), while the FUMOZ colonies were mostly Clade II (65.5-88.5%) and RFLP type "MW" (90.5-91.5%). ConclusionThis study suggests that the mating success and body size of An. funestus decreases significantly during the early stages of colonization, then increase as the mosquitoes adapt to laboratory conditions. It is therefore crucial to have a large enough founder population to persist through these early generations in order to achieve stable colonization of An. funestus. The Clade and RFLP genotyping demonstrated the genetic similarities between the FUTAZ mosquitoes and wild-caught Tanzanian An. funestus, but also showed that the new colony can be distinguished from the FUMOZ colony.

ecology↗
bioRxiv2022

Challenges of Proper Disposal of Old Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets and its Alternative Uses in Rural South-Eastern Tanzania

IntroductionInsecticide-treated nets (ITNs) specifically long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are one of the most commonly used, scalable and cost-effective tools for controlling malaria transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. However, multiple alternative uses of retired LLINs have been observed and are associated with poor disposal practices. Nevertheless, the World Health Organisation (WHO) provided guidelines and recommendations for proper management of worn-out LLINs. This study assessed the existing alternative uses and disposal practices of old LLINs. MethodsAn explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach was used to assess LLINs existing alternative uses, disposal practices, knowledge and perceptions regarding WHO recommendations on proper disposal of old LLINs among stakeholders in Kilombero and Ulanga districts, southe-astern Tanzania. A survey questionnaire was administered to 384 respondents, Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and Key Informant Interviews (KII) were conducted to clarify responses regarding existing disposal practices with associated challenges and alternative uses of the LLINs. Findings from both study components were used to draw inferences. ResultsA total of 384 people surveyed, 97% were not aware of the WHO recommendation on proper disposal of old LLINs. The common methods used to dispose LLINs were burning 30.73%, disposing of into garbage pit 14.84% and alternative uses 12.24 %. Of respondents with LLINs (239); 41% had alternative uses while 59% had no alternative uses. The common alternative uses were ropes for tying or covering items 20.92%, garden fencing 7.53%, chicken coops 5.02% and 7.53% for other minor alternative uses. All key informants reported being unaware of the WHO guideline on the proper disposal of the old LLINs. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that despite participants limited knowledge on WHO guidelines for proper disposal of old LLINs, after presenting these guidelines, majority are willing to comply. Comprehensive efforts are therefore needed to address challenges associated with poor disposal, alternative uses and awareness about WHO guidelines among key stakeholders. Collection strategies should be agreed upon within the community members prior to replacement. Since alternative uses sometimes referred to as repurposing of old nets, proper guidelines should be developed to ensure that repurposing of old LLINs do not cause harm to human health and the environment.

ecology↗