Culicidae vector ecology in southern Iran: Integrating Faunistics and molecular analysis of blood-feeding preferences to strengthen malaria surveillance in transition zones

IF 2.4 Q3 INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Parasite Epidemiology and Control Pub Date : 2025-09-20 DOI:10.1016/j.parepi.2025.e00460

Mohsen Kalantari, Kourosh Azizi

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Culicidae mosquitoes are pivotal vectors of malaria and arboviral diseases, necessitating continuous surveillance in transitional zones where ecological and anthropogenic factors amplify transmission risks. This study investigated the fauna and blood-feeding preferences of Culicidae in Shiraz, southern Iran—a region adjacent to malaria-endemic provinces—using molecular methods to inform vector control strategies. From April 2023 to January 2024, 1249 adult mosquitoes were collected across urban and rural sites via pyrethrum spray catches, CDC light traps, and manual aspiration. Morphological identification revealed Culex pipiens (39.0 %), Cx. quinquefasciatus (23.6 %), and Aedes caspius (19.6 %) as dominant Culicinae species, while Anopheles dthali (80.6 % of Anophelinae) and An. sacharovi (19.4 %) comprised the primary Anophelinae. PCR-RFLP analysis of mitochondrial “cytochrome b” gene fragments from 50 blood-fed females demonstrated distinct host preferences: Anopheles spp. primarily fed on rodents/dogs (41 %) and humans (28 %), whereas Cx. pipiens exhibited marked anthropophily (54 % human blood meals). Spatial clustering of An. sacharovi in irrigation-rich northern Shiraz (χ² = 12.7, *p* < 0.01) and mixed human-livestock blood meals in Cx. pipiens highlighted ecological overlap favoring zoonotic spillover. These findings underscore the dual role of Cx. pipiens as an important vector for arboviruses and the residual malaria risk posed by Anopheles spp. in transitional zones. Molecular techniques proved critical for precise blood meal identification, surpassing traditional serological limitations. The study advocates for integrated vector management—combining targeted insecticide use, environmental modification, and cross-border surveillance—to mitigate malaria resurgence and emerging arboviral threats. Sustained entomological monitoring, leveraging molecular tools, is essential to safeguard Iran's malaria elimination achievements and address evolving public health challenges.

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伊朗南部库蚊病媒生态：综合吸血偏好的特征和分子分析，加强过渡地区的疟疾监测

库蚊科是疟疾和虫媒病毒性疾病的关键媒介，因此需要在生态和人为因素加大传播风险的过渡区进行持续监测。本研究利用分子方法调查了伊朗南部设拉子（靠近疟疾流行省份的地区）库蚊的区系和吸血偏好，为媒介控制策略提供信息。2023年4月- 2024年1月，采用除虫菊喷雾捕蚊、CDC诱蚊灯诱蚊法和人工吸蚊法，在城市和农村采集成蚊1249只。形态学鉴定发现淡库蚊占39.0%；库蚊科优势种为致倦库蚊（23.6%）和海纹伊蚊（19.6%）；sacharovi（19.4%）为主要按蚊科。对50只吸血雌性按蚊线粒体“细胞色素b”基因片段的PCR-RFLP分析显示出不同的宿主偏好：按蚊主要以啮齿动物/狗（41%）和人类（28%）为食；库蚊表现出明显的亲人性（54%的人血）。安阳的空间聚类。富灌溉的北设拉子（Shiraz）的sacharovi （χ2 = 12.7, *p* < 0.01）和Cx的人畜混合血餐。库蚊强调生态重叠有利于人畜共患病溢出。这些发现强调了Cx的双重作用。库蚊是虫媒病毒的重要传播媒介和过渡带疟蚊残留风险。事实证明，分子技术对精确的血粉鉴定至关重要，超越了传统血清学的局限性。该研究提倡综合的病媒管理——结合有针对性的杀虫剂使用、环境改造和跨境监测——以减轻疟疾死灰复燃和新出现的虫媒病毒威胁。利用分子工具进行持续的昆虫学监测，对于维护伊朗消除疟疾的成就和应对不断变化的公共卫生挑战至关重要。

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来源期刊

Parasite Epidemiology and Control Medicine-Infectious Diseases

CiteScore

5.70

自引率

3.10%

发文量

审稿时长

17 weeks

期刊介绍： Parasite Epidemiology and Control is an Open Access journal. There is an increasing amount of research in the parasitology area that analyses the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations. This epidemiology of parasite infectious diseases is predominantly studied in human populations but also spans other major hosts of parasitic infections and as such this journal will have a broad remit. We will focus on the major areas of epidemiological study including disease etiology, disease surveillance, drug resistance and geographical spread and screening, biomonitoring, and comparisons of treatment effects in clinical trials for both human and other animals. We will also look at the epidemiology and control of vector insects. The journal will also cover the use of geographic information systems (Epi-GIS) for epidemiological surveillance which is a rapidly growing area of research in infectious diseases. Molecular epidemiological approaches are also particularly encouraged.