The contribution of agricultural insecticide use to increasing insecticide resistance in African malaria vectors.

Molly C Reid,F Ellis Mckenzie

doi:10.1186/s12936-016-1162-4

Abstract

The fight against malaria is increasingly threatened by failures in vector control due to growing insecticide resistance. This review examines the recent primary research that addresses the putative relationship between agricultural insecticide use and trends in insecticide resistance. To do so, descriptive evidence offered by the new research was categorized, and additional factors that impact the relationship between agricultural insecticide use and observed insecticide resistance in malaria vectors were identified. In 23 of the 25 relevant recent publications from across Africa, higher resistance in mosquito populations was associated with agricultural insecticide use. This association appears to be affected by crop type, farm pest management strategy and urban development.

Highlights

Malaria is among the most devastating infections in human history
Vector control for malaria is mainly composed of insecticide-treated net (ITN) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) programmes, which rely on a limited number of insecticides [2]
The World Health Organization Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES) has mandated that ITNs only be treated with pyrethroid pesticides and IRS programmes use pyrethroids, a handful of organophosphates, carbamates, or DDT [3]

Summary

Introduction

Malaria is among the most devastating infections in human history. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported 584,000 deaths due to malaria in 2014, 90 % of which were from sub-Saharan Africa [1]. The World Health Organization Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES) has mandated that ITNs only be treated with pyrethroid pesticides and IRS programmes use pyrethroids, a handful of organophosphates, carbamates, or DDT [3]. Resistance to this small arsenal of insecticides in vector populations poses a real threat to malaria control. In May 2012, WHO and partners issued the Global Plan for Insecticide Resistance Management in malaria vectors (GPIRM), to address this sustained growth in resistance [5] This plan calls for redoubled efforts to manage public health pesticide use, and urges increased monitoring of insecticide resistance in endemic nations and further research into the causes of insecticide resistance

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Conclusion