TITLE:
Characterization of Species of the Anopheles gambiae Complex in Kintele and Djoumouna (Brazzaville, Congo)
AUTHORS:
Grace Odera Tainsie Nianga Bikouta, Dia Ibrahima, Patrick Bitsindou, Mireille Belle Mbou Okassa, Valentin Dibangou, Mawlouth Diallo, Arsene Lenga
KEYWORDS:
Malaria, An. gambiae, An. coluzzii, An. arabiensis, Hybrid, Transmission, LLIN, Vector, EIR, Congo
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.13 No.2,
February
3,
2026
ABSTRACT: The effectiveness of implementing vector control strategies for malaria is assessed by monitoring vector dynamics and their role in malaria transmission. This study was carried out between September 2016 and August 2017 in Kintele and Djoumouna, and in August 2019 in Djoumouna alone. The objective of this study was to identify the Anopheles species involved in malaria transmission, their dynamics over time, and to evaluate the entomological indices based on the types of bedrooms investigated. Anopheles mosquitoes were collected manually from the residual fauna in the morning. Entomological indices were determined following the dissection of the Anopheles mosquitoes. Collections were performed in 541 bedrooms. The collected Anopheles species included Anopheles gambiae s.l. (1130), Culex quinquefasciatus (681), Mansonia uniformis (5), Aedes albopictus (1) and Anopheles funestus (1). Out of the 343 female An. gambiae s.l. mosquitoes whose DNA was amplified by PCR, the identified species from the An. gambiae s.l. complex consisted of An. gambiae (248), An. coluzzii (93), An. arabiensis (1) and one hybrid (1). These species were shown to be involved in malaria transmission, with higher intensity observed in sleeping rooms without Long-Lasting Insecticide Impregnated Mosquito Net (LLINs), particularly in Djoumouna. In these bedrooms, an individual received an average of 1 infectious bite every 27 days. Monitoring the status of LLINs and vectors proved to be necessary for maintaining knowledge about the effectiveness of LLINs.