Impact of environmental factors on the bionomics of mosquito vectors of zoonotic malaria: A narrative review.

The increasing burden of non-human primates (NHP) malaria, driven primarily by , poses a growing public health threat in many countries across Southeast Asia. Compounding this challenge, the emergence of other NHP species infecting humans, including , introduces additional complexity to malaria elimination efforts, particularly in countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. A complex interplay among human populations, vector dynamics, and environmental factors influences the transmission and prevalence of this disease.

Plasmodium cynomolgi: potential emergence of new zoonotic malaria in Southeast Asia.

The reported cases of Plasmodium cynomolgi in Southeast Asia pose a significant public health concern. Sporadic reports of human Plasmodium cynomolgi infections have increased in the past few years, raising attention regarding its potential impact on human populations. Further compounding this issue are the morphological similarities between P.

A change in circulating chikungunya virus variant impacts Aedes aegypti vector competence and spatiotemporal distribution of disease in Malaysia.

Background: In 2008-2010, Malaysia experienced a nationwide chikungunya virus (CHIKV) outbreak caused by the Indian Ocean lineage E1-226V (valine) variant, adapted to Aedes albopictus. In 2017-2022, transition to an E1-226A (alanine) variant occurred. Ae.

Deforestation and non-human primate malarias will be a threat to malaria elimination in the future: Insights from Southeast Asia.

Malaria continues to be a global public health problem although it has been eliminated from many countries. Sri Lanka and China are two countries that recently achieved malaria elimination status, and many countries in Southeast Asia are currently in the pipeline for achieving the same goal by 2030. However, Plasmodium knowlesi, a non-human primate malaria parasite continues to pose a threat to public health in this region, infecting many humans in all countries in Southeast Asia except for Timor-Leste.

Digital microscope-assisted photography improves the accuracy of mosquito wing measurement.

Wing measurement is an important parameter in many entomological studies. However, the methods of measuring wings vary with studies, and a gold standard method was not available for this procedure. This in turn limits researchers from confidently comparing their research findings with published data collected by other means of measurement.

Spatial analyses of Plasmodium knowlesi vectors with reference to control interventions in Malaysia.

Background: Malaria parasites such as Plasmodium knowlesi, P. inui, and P. cynomolgi are spread from macaques to humans through the Leucosphyrus Group of Anopheles mosquitoes.

Cryptic Diversity and Demographic Expansion of Malaria Vectors in Malaysia.

Although Malaysia is considered free of human malaria, there has been a growing number of cases. This alarming trend highlighted the need for our understanding of this parasite and its associated vectors, especially considering the role of genetic diversity in the adaptation and evolution among vectors in endemic areas, which is currently a significant knowledge gap in their fundamental biology. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity of , , , and -the vectors for malaria in Malaysia.

High transmission efficiency of the simian malaria vectors and population expansion of their parasites Plasmodium cynomolgi and Plasmodium inui.

Background: The elimination of malaria in Southeast Asia has become more challenging as a result of rising knowlesi malaria cases. In addition, naturally occurring human infections with other zoonotic simian malaria caused by Plasmodium cynomolgi and Plasmodium inui adds another level of complexity in malaria elimination in this region. Unfortunately, data on vectors which are responsible for transmitting this zoonotic disease is very limited.

Susceptibility of Aedes albopictus, Ae. aegypti and human populations to Ross River virus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Background: Emerging arboviruses such as chikungunya and Zika viruses have unexpectedly caused widespread outbreaks in tropical and subtropical regions recently. Ross River virus (RRV) is endemic in Australia and has epidemic potential. In Malaysia, Aedes mosquitoes are abundant and drive dengue and chikungunya outbreaks.

Perspectives of vector management in the control and elimination of vector-borne zoonoses.

The complex transmission profiles of vector-borne zoonoses (VZB) and vector-borne infections with animal reservoirs (VBIAR) complicate efforts to break the transmission circuit of these infections. To control and eliminate VZB and VBIAR, insecticide application may not be conducted easily in all circumstances, particularly for infections with sylvatic transmission cycle. As a result, alternative approaches have been considered in the vector management against these infections.

Community surveillance of associated with detection in low-rise residential areas in Selangor, Malaysia.

The study assessed the distribution of Malaysian adults associated with detection in low-rise residential areas using a modified sticky ovitrap (MSO). The relationship between and climatological parameters were also determined. Fifty-two weeks of surveillance using 273 MSOs were conducted in four installation areas of eleven sampling sites.

Plasmodium spp. in macaques, Macaca fascicularis, in Malaysia, and their potential role in zoonotic malaria transmission.

Macaques, Macaca fascicularis, are a known reservoir of Plasmodium knowlesi, the agent of simian malaria which is the predominant zoonotic species affecting humans in Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries. Recently, a naturally acquired human infection of another simian malaria parasite, P. cynomolgi has been reported.

Correction: Pramasivan et al. Multiplex PCR Assay for the Identification of Four Species of the Leucosphyrus Sub-Group in Malaysia. 2022, , 195.

In the original publication [...

Exposure of Primate Reservoir Hosts to Mosquito Vectors in Malaysian Borneo.

Several vector-borne pathogens of primates have potential for human spillover. An example is the simian malaria Plasmodium knowlesi which is now a major public health problem in Malaysia. Characterization of exposure to mosquito vectors is essential for assessment of the force of infection within wild simian populations, however few methods exist to do so.

Spatial dispersal of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes captured by the modified sticky ovitrap in Selangor, Malaysia.

Dengue is a major mosquito-borne disease in many tropical and sub-tropical countries worldwide, with entomological surveillance and control activities as the key management approaches. This study aimed to explore the spatial dispersal of the vector Aedes albopictus, captured by the modified sticky ovitrap (MSO) in residential areas with low-rise buildings in Selangor, Malaysia. Distribution maps were created and shown as temporally distinguished classes based on hotspot analysis by Getis-Ord; spatial autocorrelation assessed by semivariograms using the exponential Kernel function; and universal Kriging showing areas with estimated high and low vector densities.

Zoonotic malaria transmission and land use change in Southeast Asia: what is known about the vectors.

Zoonotic Plasmodium infections in humans in many Southeast Asian countries have been increasing, including in countries approaching elimination of human-only malaria transmission. Most simian malarias in humans are caused by Plasmodium knowlesi, but recent research shows that humans are at risk of many different simian Plasmodium species. In Southeast Asia, simian Plasmodium species are mainly transmitted by mosquitoes in the Anopheles leucosphyrus and Anopheles dirus complexes.

Is there evidence of sustained human-mosquito-human transmission of the zoonotic malaria Plasmodium knowlesi? A systematic literature review.

Background: The zoonotic malaria parasite Plasmodium knowlesi has emerged across Southeast Asia and is now the main cause of malaria in humans in Malaysia. A critical priority for P. knowlesi surveillance and control is understanding whether transmission is entirely zoonotic or is also occurring through human-mosquito-human transmission.

Dengue surveillance using gravid oviposition sticky (GOS) trap and dengue non-structural 1 (NS1) antigen test in Malaysia: randomized controlled trial.

Dengue remains a major public threat and existing dengue control/surveillance programs lack sensitivity and proactivity. More efficient methods are needed. A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted for 18 months to determine the efficacy of using a combination of gravid oviposition sticky (GOS) traps and dengue non-structural 1 (NS1) antigen for early surveillance of dengue among Aedes mosquito.

Blood meal analysis of Anopheles vectors of simian malaria based on laboratory and field studies.

Blood feeding and host-seeking behaviors of a mosquito play an imperative role in determining its vectorial capacity in transmitting pathogens. Unfortunately, limited information is available regarding blood feeding behavior of Anopheles species in Malaysia. Collection of resting Anopheles mosquitoes for blood meal analysis poses a great challenge especially for forest dwelling mosquitoes.

Spatial distribution of Plasmodium knowlesi cases and their vectors in Johor, Malaysia: in light of human malaria elimination.

Background: Plasmodium knowlesi, a simian malaria parasite infection, increases as Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infections decrease in Johor, Malaysia. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the distribution of vectors involved in knowlesi malaria transmission in Johor. This finding is vital in estimating hotspot areas for targeted control strategies.

The vectors of Plasmodium knowlesi and other simian malarias Southeast Asia: challenges in malaria elimination.

Plasmodium knowlesi, a simian malaria parasite of great public health concern has been reported from most countries in Southeast Asia and exported to various countries around the world. Currently P. knowlesi is the predominant species infecting humans in Malaysia.

Natural Plasmodium inui Infections in Humans and Anopheles cracens Mosquito, Malaysia.

We detected 2 natural, asymptomatic Plasmodium inui monoinfections in humans in Malaysia by using nested PCR on concentrated high-volume blood samples. We found a P. inui-positive Anopheles cracens mosquito in the same site as the human infections.