Vectorial role of An. dthali (Diptera: Culicidae) as a malaria vector in Jazan region / Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

摘要

Jazan region is known to be the most malarious region in Saudi Arabia accounting for an average of 50% of all local malaria cases recorded in the country. Anopheles dthali Patton (Diptera: Culicidae) is suspected to be a secondary vector of malaria in Jazan region. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of A. dthali as a secondary malaria vector in the region. A cross sectional study was conducted in the Harob and Eledabi malarious areas from Oct. 2014 – Sept. 2015. Adults collected from the study area were subjected to investigation about their vectorial capacity (VC) and other entomological parameters. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique was used to determine the sporozoite rate (SR) and blood meal source (BMS). A. dthali was found to be the most predominant Anopheline species in Jazan region followed by A. arabiensis and A . pretoriensis. A. multicolor was collected only as larvae in the study areas. Laboratory analysis of adult A. dthali for other entomological parameters showed the following findings for Harob and Eledabi, respectively; the anthropophagic index (AI) was 11% and 15%, SR 0.01 and 0.02, entomological inoculation rate (EIR) 0.73 and 1.8, low VC of 0.0001 and 0.0004.