Investigating patterns of insecticide resistance in Central African populations of Anopheles funestus a major malaria vector (360G-Wellcome-096437_Z_11_Z)

DDT and dieldrin resistance was recently observed in a Cameroonian An. funestus population. The resistance status to the pyrethroid insecticides, used to treat bednets, is unknown. There are also fears that unless barriers to gene flow exist, these resistances could spread rapidly throughout Cameroon and neighbouring countries such as Gabon and Congo and disrupt malaria control programs in Central Africa. However, little is known about the extent, distribution and mechanisms of insecticide resistance in An. funestus throughout the country and Central Africa. Such information is crucial for a successful implementation and management of control programs against this important malaria vector. Therefore, to improve our ability to control malaria in Central Africa, the aim of this proposal is to characterise insecticide resistance in field populations of An. funestus in this region. The project encompasses three aims: Aim 1 is to assess the susceptibility status of An. funestus populations to main insecticide classes in different regions in Cameroon and neighbouring countries. Aim 2 is to characterise resistance mechanisms in An. funestus populations from Cameroon through target-site detection and microarray. Aim 3 is to assess and predict levels of gene flow between An. funestus populations in Central Africa using microsatellites and DNA sequence polymorphism analysis.