Jun 12 2012: Do you know of, and if so what is your opinion on, potentially using mosquito parasites (such as entomopathic fungi and microsporidia) to make resistant mosquitoes sensitive to insecticide?
From trawling the literature I have found only a couple of studies where an increase in insecticide resistance in mosquitoes has been correlated to an increase in malaria, and even these studies, in my opinion, aren't hugely convincing due to the many confounding factors involved. I found this very surprising seeing that resistance in the mosquito vector has been around for over 50 years.
So my question is, is resistance really a problem?
possible reasons for why it might not be a problem:
1. Resistant mosquitoes might not be as good vectors as "normal" mosquitoes
2. A few studies have shown resistance in the mosquito decreases with age, so maybe they become sensitive before they can transmit malaria?
Or is it just a very difficult thing to prove (needing good malaria and resistance surveillance over a long time period)?
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A reply on Conversation: Join now: What is really needed to have a world without malaria? Live Conversation with Bart Knols
Before the time runs out I'd like to say thanks for setting this up its been very interesting.
A reply on Conversation: Join now: What is really needed to have a world without malaria? Live Conversation with Bart Knols
A comment on Conversation: Join now: What is really needed to have a world without malaria? Live Conversation with Bart Knols
From trawling the literature I have found only a couple of studies where an increase in insecticide resistance in mosquitoes has been correlated to an increase in malaria, and even these studies, in my opinion, aren't hugely convincing due to the many confounding factors involved. I found this very surprising seeing that resistance in the mosquito vector has been around for over 50 years.
So my question is, is resistance really a problem?
possible reasons for why it might not be a problem:
1. Resistant mosquitoes might not be as good vectors as "normal" mosquitoes
2. A few studies have shown resistance in the mosquito decreases with age, so maybe they become sensitive before they can transmit malaria?
Or is it just a very difficult thing to prove (needing good malaria and resistance surveillance over a long time period)?