Regular monitoring of mosquito vector populations is an integral component of most vector control programmes. Contemporary data on mosquito species composition, infection status, and resistance to insecticides are a prerequisite for effective intervention. For this purpose we, with funding from the Innovative Vector Control Consortium (IVCC), have developed a suite of high-throughput assays based on a single “closed-tube” platform that collectively comprise the “Vector Population Monitoring Tool” (VPMT). The VPMT can be used to screen mosquito disease vector populations for a number of traits including Anopheles gambiae s.l. and Anopheles funestus species identification, detection of infection with Plasmodium parasites, and identification of insecticide resistance mechanisms. In this paper we focus on the Anopheles-specific assays that comprise the VPMT and include details of a new assay for resistance todieldrin Rdl detection. The application of these tools, general and specific guidelines on their use based on field testing in Africa, and plans for further development are discussed. 1. Introduction A key component of most malaria control strategies is effective control of the mosquito vector. Indeed the World Health Organization supports vector control as the most generally effective measure to prevent malaria transmission and promotes a strategic approach to vector control known as Integrated Vector Management (IVM) [1]. IVM is defined as “a rational decision-making process for the optimal use of resources in the management of vector populations, so as to reduce or interrupt transmission of vector-borne diseases” [1]. An essential part of IVM is the gathering of contemporary information on vector populations. Data, such as which mosquito species occur in the local population, their infection status, and whether they are resistant to insecticides are essential for effective intervention strategies. This type of monitoring requires high-throughput sensitive diagnostic assays, and a large number of different methods have been described for this purpose. In many cases, these methods have garnered wide-spread acceptance and are now considered “gold standards”; however, in other cases, potentially serious deficiencies have been described [2, 3]. In addition, previous methods have been based on a multitude of platforms including, but not limited to, allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR), PCR-RFLP, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Sequence Specific Oligonucleotide Probe-Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (SSOP-ELISA), PCR-Dot Blot and Heated Oligonucleotide
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