Abstract

Simple SummaryA group of insecticides, called pyrethroids, are the main strategy for controlling the mosquito vectors of malaria. Pyrethroids are used in all insecticide-treated bednets, and many indoor residual spray programmes (in which insecticides are sprayed on the interior walls of houses). There are different types of pyrethroids within the class (e.g., deltamethrin and permethrin). Across the world, mosquitoes are showing signs of resistance to the pyrethroids, such as reduced mortality following contact. However, it is unclear if this resistance is uniform across the pyrethroid class (i.e., if a mosquito is resistant to deltamethrin, whether it is resistant to permethrin at the same level). In addition, it is not known if switching between different pyrethroids can be used to effectively maintain mosquito control when resistance to a single pyrethroid has been detected. This review examined the evidence from molecular studies, resistance testing from laboratory and field data, and mosquito behavioural assays to answer these questions. The evidence suggested that in areas where pyrethroid resistance exists, different mortality seen between the pyrethroids is not necessarily indicative of an operationally relevant difference in control performance, and there is no reason to rotate between common pyrethroids (i.e., deltamethrin, permethrin, and alpha-cypermethrin) as an insecticide resistance management strategy.Pyrethroid resistance is widespread in malaria vectors. However, differential mortality in discriminating dose assays to different pyrethroids is often observed in wild populations. When this occurs, it is unclear if this differential mortality should be interpreted as an indication of differential levels of susceptibility within the pyrethroid class, and if so, if countries should consider selecting one specific pyrethroid for programmatic use over another. A review of evidence from molecular studies, resistance testing with laboratory colonies and wild populations, and mosquito behavioural assays were conducted to answer these questions. Evidence suggested that in areas where pyrethroid resistance exists, different results in insecticide susceptibility assays with specific pyrethroids currently in common use (deltamethrin, permethrin, α-cypermethrin, and λ-cyhalothrin) are not necessarily indicative of an operationally relevant difference in potential performance. Consequently, it is not advisable to use rotation between these pyrethroids as an insecticide-resistance management strategy. Less commonly used pyrethroids (bifenthrin and etofenprox) may have sufficiently different modes of action, though further work is needed to examine how this may apply to insecticide resistance management.

Highlights

  • Pyrethroids are present in all WHO-prequalified insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), and are used for indoor residual spraying (IRS) [1]

  • Pyrethroid resistance is widespread in malaria vectors [2,3], and differential mortality in discriminating dose bioassays between pyrethroids is often observed during susceptibility monitoring in lab strains and in wild populations

  • When differential mortality is observed in discriminating dose bioassays, it is unclear if this should be interpreted as an indication of differential levels of susceptibility within the pyrethroid class, or if this could arise due to inherent variability in bioassay results or differently calibrated discriminating doses within the pyrethroid class

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Pyrethroids are present in all WHO-prequalified insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), and are used for indoor residual spraying (IRS) [1]. When differential susceptibility is observed, there is a question regarding whether countries can use targeted or preferential use of specific pyrethroid insecticides as an effective resistance management strategy This is important, as maintaining the efficacy of pyrethroids is vital to malaria control while we wait for novel active ingredients (AIs) with new modes of action (MoA) to be developed. To address these questions, this review examined evidence from molecular studies, insecticide resistance patterns and bioassay results from laboratory colonies and field populations, and lessons from behavioural assays

Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call