Species Composition and Distribution of Anopheles gambiae Complex Circulating in Kinshasa

Abstract

Understanding the distribution of Anopheles species in a region is an important task in the planning and implementation of malaria control programmes. This study was proposed to evaluate the composition and distribution of cryptic species of the main malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae complex, circulating in different districts of Kinshasa. To study the distribution of members of the An. gambiae complex, Anopheles were sampled by CDC light trap and larva collection across the four districts of Kinshasa city between July 2021 and June 2022. After morphological identification, an equal proportion of Anopheles gambiae s.l. sampled per site were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for identification of cryptic An. gambiae complex species. The Anopheles gambiae complex was widely identified in all sites across the city of Kinshasa, with a significant difference in mean density, captured by CDC light, inside and outside households in Kinshasa (p=0.002). Two species of this complex circulate in Kinshasa: Anopheles gambiae (82.1%) and Anopheles coluzzii (17.9%). In all study sites, Anopheles gambiae was the most prevalent species. Anopheles coluzzii was very prevalent in Tshangu district. No hybrids (Anopheles coluzzii/Anopheles gambiae) were identified. Two cryptic species of the Anopheles gambiae complex circulate in Kinshasa. Anopheles gambiae s.s., present in all districts and Anopheles coluzzii, with a limited distribution. Studies on the ecology of the larval sites are essential to better understand the factors influencing the distribution of members of the An. gambiae complex in this megalopolis.