Detection of supergroup B Wolbachia strains and their co-infection with Plasmodium falciparum in wild Anopheles funestus in southeastern Tanzania: implications for malaria control
Unlike findings from the previous study, this study demonstrates that An. funestus s.l. in southeastern Tanzania are infected with Wolbachia, at a surprisingly high prevalence. This study also provides the first report on Wolbachia-P. falciparum co-infection status in An. funestus s.l. in Tanzania. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the association between native Wolbachia and P. falciparum in wild An. funestus s.l. in southeastern Tanzania.
Authors
- Gustav Mkandawile
- Faraji Abilahi
- Dickson Msaky
- Saidi Abbasi
- Letus L. Muyaga
- Yohana A. Mwalugelo
- Abdallah R. Kipekepeke
- Francis A. Tumbo
- Francesco Baldini
- Emmanuel W. Kaindoa
- Reuben E. Mmweteni
- Fredros O. Okumu
- Salum Milonge
- Jamal Msemo
- Anitha B. Philbert
Institutions
- Ifakara Health Institute (TZ)
- University of Dar es Salaam (TZ)
- University of the Witwatersrand (ZA)
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases
- University of Glasgow (GB)
- Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (TZ)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Parasites & Vectors
- Published
- 2026-03-17
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07330-3
- Primary Topic
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00