Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39385178›Full record

ArticleParasites & vectors2024

Molecular xenomonitoring reveals Anopheles funestus and An. rivulorum as the primary vectors of lymphatic filariasis in coastal Kenya.

Brian Bartilol, Lawrence Babu, Karisa Garama, Jonathan Karisa, Alice Kamau, Charles Mwandawiro, Caroline Wanjiku, Charles Mbogo, Marta Maia, Joseph Mwangangi and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Parasites & vectors, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Meta-analysis of the prevalence ofFrontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2025
    Pooled it
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Brian BartilolKEMRI-Centre for Geographic Medicine Research Coast, Kilifi, Kenya. bbartilol@kemri-wellcome.org.
Lawrence BabuKEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya.
Karisa GaramaKEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya.
Jonathan KarisaKEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya.
Alice KamauLiverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK.
Charles MwandawiroEastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Nairobi, Kenya.
Caroline WanjikuKEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya.
Charles MbogoPan-African Mosquito Control Association, Nairobi, Kenya.
Marta MaiaKEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya.
Joseph MwangangiKEMRI-Centre for Geographic Medicine Research Coast, Kilifi, Kenya.
Martin Kibet RonoKEMRI-Centre for Geographic Medicine Research Coast, Kilifi, Kenya. mrono@kemri-wellcome.org.

Funding

Kenya Medical Research Institute KEMRI\IRG\NN02Royal Society FLR\R1\190497
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundLymphatic filariasis (LF) is an infectious neglected tropical disease caused by mosquito-borne nematodes such as Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori. Globally, LF affects 51 million people, with approximately 863 million at risk in 47 countries. In Kenya, filariasis is endemic along the entire coastal strip, and more recently, at the Kenya-Ugandan border. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends mass drug administration to reduce disease transmission and morbidity. Monitoring the effectiveness of such interventions relies on robust surveillance, achieved through microscopic examination of microfilariae in nighttime blood, detection of circulating filarial antigens (CFA), and molecular xenomonitoring. We focused on molecular xenomonitoring along the Kenyan coast due to its noninvasive nature and the opportunity to identify new vectors.

methodsIn 2022, mosquitoes were collected from Kilifi, Kwale, and Taita-Taveta counties located within the LF endemic region in Kenya. Subsequently, genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (gDNA) was extracted from these mosquitoes for speciation and analysis of Wuchereria bancrofti infection rates. The impact of sociodemographic and household attributes on infection rates was assessed using generalized estimating equations.

resultsA total of 18,121 mosquitoes belonging to Culicinae (63.0%, n = 11,414) and Anophelinae (37.0%, n = 6707) subfamilies were collected. Morphological identification revealed that Anopheline mosquitoes were dominated by An. funestus (45.4%, n = 3045) and An. gambiae (42.8%, n = 2873). Wuchereria bancrofti infection rates were highest in Kilifi (35.4%; 95% CI 28.0-43.3%, n = 57/161) and lowest in Taita Taveta (5.3%; 95% CI 3.3-8.0%, n = 22/412). The major vectors incriminated are An. rivulorum, An. funestus sensu stricto, and An. arabiensis. Mosquitoes of the An. funestus complex were significantly associated with LF transmission (OR 18.0; 95% CI 1.80-180; p = 0.014). Additionally, a higher risk of transmission was observed outdoors (OR 1.74; 95% CI 1.08-2.82; p = 0.024) and in homesteads that owned livestock (OR 2.00; 95% CI 1.09-3.66; p = 0.025).

conclusionsIn this study, we identified An. funestus s.l. sibling species, An. rivulorum and An. funestus s.s., as the primary vectors of lymphatic filariasis along the Kenyan coast. These findings also highlight that a significant portion of disease transmission potentially occurs outdoors where indoor-based vector control tools, including long-lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spray, may not be effective. Therefore, control measures targeting outdoor resting mosquitoes such as zooprophylaxis, larval source management, and attractive sugar baits may have potential for LF transmission reduction.

Indexed as

AnophelesElephantiasis, FilarialMosquito VectorsWuchereria bancroftiAnimalsFemaleHumansKenyaMaleAnopheles funestusKenyaLymphatic filariasisXenomonitoring

Identifiers

PMID39385178
PMCPMC11462847

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.