blog




  • Essay / Approaches to Control and Prevention of Malaria Transmission

    Table of ContentsNatural Plant ProductsPersonal Protection MethodsEnvironmental ManagementFuture TrendsGenetic ManipulationGenetic EngineeringSterile Insect TechniqueFew Success StoriesConclusionPredators, especially fish like Gambusia, Tilapia, Poeciellia and Aphanius disappear. Even viruses can be used to kill mosquitoes. These viruses are beneficial because they are species specific, nontoxic to humans, and easy to spread. Protozoa, microsporidia, Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria tenella, Lagenidium giganteum and Chrysosprium lobatum. All of the pathogens mentioned above are effective larvicides. Scholte et al. reported that adult A. gambiae is susceptible to Beauveria bassiana and M. anisopliae, and that M. anisopliae 892 was effective against larvae of A. stephensi.Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay. Other biological control agents include the nematode Romanomermis culci-vorax and the Azolla plant. Tadpole stages of amphibians are one of the natural predators of mosquitoes as they feed on mosquito larvae. Frogs, planktivorous fish, dragonfly naiads, hemipteran water bugs, such as Notonecta and Anisopus, dytiscid beetles, such as Rhantus, Ilybius and Agabus spp. malacostracans, anostracans, cyclopoid copepods, and triclad flatworms can also control malaria by feeding on adult mosquitoes. According to a study conducted by Jennings et al. 1995, larval stages of mosquitoes are absent in aquatic habitats where Mesocyclops longisetus is present. Natural plant products Phytochemicals are alternatives to synthetic chemical insecticides. Few products which can be used as phytochemicals are crude aqueous extract of fruit pods of Swartzia madagascariensis against A. gambiae, and petroleum ether extract of six plants Acorus calamus, Ageratum conyzoides, Annonasquamosa, Bambusa arundanasia, Madhuca longifolia and Citrus media against A. gambiae. Yuccaaloifolia crude extract is toxic to A. stephensi. The crude extract of the fruit of Solanum xanthocarpum and the aqueous extract of the roots of Hibiscus abelmoschus were found to be toxic to the larvae of A. culicifacies. Spilanthes acmella Murr flower head extract. against Anopheles spp.Personal protection methodsThere are many methods of protection against mosquitoes like repellent oils, smoking coils, spray mats, repellent creams, liquid spray, etc. Their effectiveness lasts 5 to 7 hours and they offer 60 to 80% protection. Allethrin and bioallethrin, important constituents of synthetic pyrethroids, are toxic with prolonged use. Essential oils extracted from Mentha piper are 84.5-100% effective against A. culicifacies and turmeric, gingili and mustard oil are effective against A. fluviatilis. Other useful oils are neem oil from Azadiracta indica seeds, lemongrass and citronella oils. Neem oil is found to be the most effective among all other oils. Neem oil mats are also very effective against mosquitoes. Scent baits are very beneficial in endemic areas because they have a long-lasting effect and a slow release of their contents. One of the most popular odorbaists is DEET-N, N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide. About 200 million people have used DEET for 50 years as a mosquito repellent. The malaria epidemic in South Africa is being controlled by using DEET among the affected population. Environmental managementEnvironmental management is the modification of the vector's habitat, creating an environment that is not suitable for larvae to mature. There are three main groups in environmental management, namely environmental modification, environmental manipulation and modification of human habitats (WHO, 1982). In open water marsh management (OWMM), shallow ditches are created in marshes, which allow drainage of small mosquito habitats into large ponds or canals. In these canals or ponds, fish feed on these larvae. As a result, the number of adult mosquitoes is reduced. Another strategy is rotational pond management (RIM). In this strategy, large pumps and culverts equipped with gates are used to control the water level in the marsh. The gates allow fish, shellfish and other native marsh organisms to move through. This strategy is successful in Florida. Development in the social, environmental and economic fields has an indirect effect on malaria transmission. In Tanzania, replacing thatched roofs with corrugated iron roofs led to a reduction in the number of indoor mosquitoes. Regular drainage of rice fields and cleaning of fish ponds have shown the disappearance of malaria in Java, Indonesia. Future Trends In the integrated vector control approach, many tools are used together to control malaria transmission. Chemical control is mainly used at the last stage due to the dangers and damage it poses to the ecosystem. Chemical vector control methods are used to bring malaria below the threshold during epidemics. The integrated vector control approach is eco-sensitive. It includes the coordination of several sectors, including health, water, solid waste and wastewater disposal, housing and agriculture (WHO 2004). The integrated vector control approach combined with malaria vaccines is very effective in eliminating malaria. Genetic manipulation The availability of complete mosquito genome sequences has aided in genetic manipulation. Many powerful bioinformatics tools, combined with successfully sequenced insect genomes, are helping to reduce malaria transmission rates. Genetic engineering and sterile insect technique are the two genetic manipulation techniques tested. Genetic engineering In genetic engineering technology, foreign DNA (antiparasitic macromolecules) is introduced into the genome of mosquitoes, making them resistant to parasites or reduces the lifespan of vectors. These modified vectors are called transgenic organisms. They can be produced in two ways: biological and physical. To introduce foreign DNA into mosquitoes, physical methods such as microinjection, biolistics, electroporation and biological methods such as viruses, symbiotic microorganisms and mobile genetic elements can be used. Over the past decade, many tools such as refractory genes, promoters, regulatory elements and effector molecules to create refractory mosquitoes. Transposable elements, such as piggyBac, minos, mariner and hermes, are developed and have contributed to progress. Microinjection is one of the standardized techniques and is useful for genome editing via embryos. Modification of the Akt gene, involved in signaling activities, decreased the invasion of the malaria parasite by increasing its resistance and decreasing its lifespan. Although transgenic technology is an alternative to current methods of vector control, it is accompanied by alimitation of stable integration of the transgene into the germ line. As an alternative to transgenic technology, paratransgenesis has emerged. In this technique, foreign DNA is introduced into the mosquito system via obligate endosymbiont microorganisms, and vertical transmission is possible. It is currently used in Anopheles mosquitoes. A study conducted by Beard et al. in 1998, showed that paratransgenesis technology was successful in controlling the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi by Rhodniusprolixus. The identification and isolation of novel target genes can be achieved by recombinant DNA and RNAi technology in combination with genetic transformation. It is difficult to develop transgenic variants for all vectors and the limitation lies in their introduction into the wild population. Sterile Insect Technique The sterile insect technique involves the breeding, sterilization and release of genetically modified male mosquitoes to control the female population. Sterile insects can be produced using chemicals, radiation and genetic engineering technologies. Few important concerns in sterile insect technique are placement of equipped production units, large scale production of sterile insects, trained human resources and sexing of mosquitoes. Fluorescent molecular markers are needed to sort mosquitoes in their early stages. In this technique, the main objective is to identify the genes that kill the mosquito based on sex. Pilot studies on sterile mosquitoes are underway in Sudan with the assistance of the International Atomic Energy Agency. There are few other genetic control techniques like cytoplasmic incompatibility, incompatibility due to chromosomal factors, chromosomal translocations, conditional lethality, meiotic compound chromosome, etc. these techniques are not widely tested. When using any of the new technologies, risk assessment and environmental needs must be considered. Due to the development of transgenic technology, one of the concerns that arises is whether genetically modified insects are environmentally friendly or not. If they prove harmful, methods to control the deleterious effects must be known beforehand. As malaria vectors are region specific, the technology used must be adapted to local conditions. The technology used to sort mosquitoes based on sex is expensive, so current research continues to find a cost-effective and less technologically demanding solution. Few success stories. The Integrated Malaria Control Program in Tanzania has shown increasing acceptance of the Malaria Control Program in Tanzania. the community using polystyrene beads (EPBS). In India, the use of indoor residual spraying and larviciding fish has shown a reduction in mosquito numbers. In Indonesia, mosquitoes have disappeared thanks to the periodic draining of rice fields and cleaning of fish ponds. Effective control of malaria can be achieved by using several tools simultaneously or by complementing each other. In China, malaria has been reduced by 99% through the use of IRS, high-quality locally produced medicines, social mobilization, mosquito nets and artemisinin-based traditional medicine. Vietnam's mortality rate from malaria was reduced by 97% by following techniques similar to those in China. Significant successes have been achieved in eradication.