The Phylodynamic and Spread of the Invasive Asian Malaria Vectors, Anopheles stephensi, in Sudan

Mustafa Abubakr; Hamza Sami; Isam Mahdi; Omnia Altahir; Hanadi Abdelbagi; Nouh Saad Mohamed; Ayman Ahmed

doi:10.3390/biology11030409

The Phylodynamic and Spread of the Invasive Asian Malaria Vectors, Anopheles stephensi, in Sudan

Biology (Basel). 2022 Mar 7;11(3):409. doi: 10.3390/biology11030409.

Authors

Mustafa Abubakr¹, Hamza Sami¹, Isam Mahdi¹, Omnia Altahir², Hanadi Abdelbagi², Nouh Saad Mohamed², Ayman Ahmed^{1

2

3

4

5}

Affiliations

¹ Directorate of the Integrated Vector Management (IVM), Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum 11111, Sudan.
² Molecular Biology Unit, Sirius Training and Research Centre, Khartoum 11111, Sudan.
³ Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum 11111, Sudan.
⁴ Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.
⁵ Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001 Basel, Switzerland.

Abstract

Anopheles stephensi is an invasive Asian malaria vector that initially emerged in Africa in 2012 and was reported in Sudan in 2019. We investigated the distribution and population structure of An. stephensi throughout Sudan by using sequencing and molecular tools. We confirmed the presence of An. stephensi in eight border-states, identifying both natural and human-made breeding sites. Our analysis revealed the presence of 20 haplotypes with different distributions per state. This study revealed a countrywide spread of An. stephensi in Sudan, with confirmed presence in borders states with Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, Republic of Central Africa, and South Sudan. Detection of An. stephensi at points of entry with these countries, particularly Chad, Libya, and South Sudan, indicates the rapid previously undetected spread of this invasive vector. Our phylogenetic and haplotype analysis suggested local establishment and evolutionary adaptation of the vector to different ecological and environmental conditions in Sudan. Urgent engagement of the global community is essential to control and prevent further spread into Africa.

Keywords: Africa; Anopheles stephensi; International Health Regulations; climate change; haplotypes analysis; invasive disease vector; malaria epidemics; phylogenetic analysis; vector control and surveillance.