Molecular characterization of Anopheles gambiae s.l. from three senatorial districts in Enugu State, Southeastern Nigeria

A study of molecular characterization of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato, from three senatorial districts in Enugu State, was conducted between May, 2019 and June, 2020. The aim was to determine the siblings’ species of the mosquito complex and the distribution of the S (Savannah) and M (Mopti) molecular forms within the An. gambiae sensu stricto in the area. Three randomly selected communities; Awkunanaw (Enugu East), Obukpa (Enugu North) and Awgu (Enugu West senatorial districts) were used as sampling sites. Anopheles gambiae s.l. larvae were collected by dip method and reared to adult for the study. A total of 450(100%) An. gambiae s.l. mosquitoes were subjected to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Of this number, 150(33.33%) were randomly selected from bulk of An. gambiae s.l. mosquitoes collected from each of the three communities. All the 450(100%) were identified as An. gambiae s.s. The Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) was done on the 450(100%) An. gambiae s.s. A total of 300(66.67%) from Awkunanaw and Obukpa Nsukka communities were An. gambiae S-form while 150(33.33%) from Awgu were identified as An. gambiae M-form. The study has revealed that An. gambiae s.s. is the dominant malaria vector within the complex in the area. Integrated vector control is recommended.