Understanding malaria vector dynamics and transmission in the Pouth-Kelle community, Nyong et Kelle division, Centre Region, Cameroon.

Authors

Elisabeth Melaine Ngo Bikoy, Philippe Bienvenu Nwane, Wolfgang Eyisap Ekoko, Serge Eteme Enama, Michael Junior Piameu Chadou, Leo Dilane Alenou, Stanislas Elysée Mandeng, Yannick Niamsi Emalio, Joseph Kamgno, Josiane Désirée Etang

Published in

Frontiers in public health. Volume 14. Pages 1870575. Epub Sep 28, 2026.

Abstract

Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in tropical regions. The disease is driven by multiple Anopheles vector species with varied ecological and behavioral traits. In transitional zones like the forested Pouth-Kelle community, detailed knowledge of vector dynamics and disease transmission remains limited. This study aimed to characterize local Anopheles species composition, biting behavior, and malaria transmission indicators to guide control strategies.
From February 2021 to January 2022, adult mosquitoes were monthly collected indoors and outdoors over two consecutive nights in three dwellings using "human landing catch" method. Morphological and molecular techniques were used for species identification. Entomological indicators were assessed, and an ELISA assay was conducted to detect Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite proteins in order to determine infection rate. Concurrently, residents were screened for malaria by microscopy. Statistical analysis examined the relationship between infection rate, age, and sex.
A total of 790 Anopheles mosquitoes were collected. Of these, An. gambiae s.l. accounted for 64.7% of the sample, with An. gambiae comprising 98% and An. coluzzii 2% of that group. Other species included An. nili (20%), An. funestus (15.2%), and An. paludis (0.1%). An. gambiae s.l. biting rates were 6.86 bites/person/night outdoors and 6.66 bites/person/night indoors; An. funestus had 1.47 bites/person/night outdoors and 1.67 bites/person/night indoors; An. nili registered 2.32 bites/person/night outdoors and 2.00 bites/person/night indoors. Infection rates for An. gambiae s.l. differed significantly by location, with 11.3% indoors compared to 6.48% outdoors (p = 0.039), whereas infection rates for An. funestus and An. nili were similar indoors and outdoors. Entomological inoculation rates (EIR) were consistently higher indoors for all species, particularly for An. gambiae s.l. (0.75 infective bites/person/night indoors vs. 0.45 infective bites/person/night outdoors). Malaria prevalence among humans was 30.8%, with no significant difference between sexes; however, a marked decline in prevalence was observed with increasing age. Children under 10 years had 28.5 times higher odds of infection compared to adults aged 30-40.
Multiple Anopheles species sustain malaria transmission in Pouth-Kelle, exhibiting diverse biting behaviors and varying infection rates both indoors and outdoors. Elevated indoor infection rates and EIR for An. gambiae s.l support maintaining indoor control interventions, while outdoor transmission calls for integrating strategies targeting both environments, prioritizing vulnerable groups, especially children.

PMID:
42865472
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 13 Oct 2026.

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