Genetic characterization of the Anopheles maculipennis complex (Diptera: Culicidae) in Morocco: a fundamental tool for malaria control.

Genetic characterization of the Anopheles maculipennis complex (Diptera: Culicidae) in Morocco: a fundamental tool for malaria control. East Mediterr Health J. 2018 Mar 05;23(12):809-814 Authors: Trari B, Dakki M Abstract The Anopheles maculipennis complex has been implicated in the transmission of malaria, which was endemic in Morocco until 2010. Climate change, intensification of international travel and the permanent presence of the vector increase the risk of malaria re-emergence. Using polymerase chain reaction assay (PCR), this study attempts to identify the possible presence of the Maculipennis complex in several areas of Morocco, based on the concept of risk. Eighty-six mosquito specimens were analyzed using PCR amplification of the ITS2 (Internal Transcribed Spacer 2) sequence of ribosomal DNA. The ITS2 sequences of the mosquitoes were compared to those of the 7 species of the Maculipennis complex available in GenBank. The results obtained confirm the presence of Anopheles labranchiae. In order to enable technology transfer, DNA extraction and amplification steps are presented for the first time in detail, given the fact that the technique is still unknown to several Moroccan peripheral laboratories. PMID: 29528090 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal - Category: Middle East Health Tags: East Mediterr Health J Source Type: research