Diawo Diallo

Institut Pasteur Paris, Paris, Ile-de-France, France

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Publications (11)30.45 Total impact

  • Article: Bloodfeeding patterns of sylvatic arbovirus vectors in southeastern Senegal.
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    ABSTRACT: Dengue (DENV), yellow fever (YFV) and chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses circulate in sylvatic, enzootic transmission cycles in southeastern Senegal, but understanding of the vector-host interactions involved is limited. The vertebrate hosts of several potential mosquito vectors of the three viruses were identified by PCR amplification and sequencing portions of the cytochrome b gene from bloodmeals of mosquitoes collected in Kedougou, Senegal, June 2010-January 2011. We identified the sources of 65 bloodmeals of 82 engorged mosquitoes. Aedes taylori was the only species that fed on monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus and Papio papio). The majority of the avian-derived bloodmeals were from the Western Plantain-eater (Crinifer piscator). These findings corroborate the importance of Ae. taylori and African monkeys in the sylvatic cycles of YFV, DENV and CHIKV and suggest the possible involvement of other vertebrates.
    Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 03/2013; 107(3):200-3. · 2.16 Impact Factor
  • Article: Larval ecology of mosquitoes in sylvatic arbovirus foci in southeastern Senegal.
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    ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Although adult mosquito vectors of sylvatic arbovirus [yellow fever (YFV), dengue-2 (DENV-2) and chikungunya (CHIKV)] have been studied for the past 40 years in southeastern Senegal, data are still lacking on the ecology of larval mosquitoes in this area. In this study, we investigated the larval habitats of mosquitoes and characterized their seasonal and spatial dynamics in arbovirus foci. METHODS: We searched for wet microhabitats, classified in 9 categories, in five land cover classes (agriculture, forest, savannah, barren and village) from June, 2010 to January, 2011. Mosquito immatures were sampled monthly in up to 30 microhabitats of each category per land cover and bred until adult stage for determination. RESULTS: No wet microhabitats were found in the agricultural sites; in the remaining land covers immature stages of 35 mosquito species in 7 genera were sampled from 9 microhabitats (tree holes, fresh fruit husks, decaying fruit husks, puddles, bamboo holes, discarded containers, tires, rock holes and storage containers). The most abundant species was Aedes aegypti formosus, representing 30.2% of the collections, followed by 12 species, representing each more than 1% of the total, among them the arbovirus vectors Ae. vittatus (7.9%), Ae. luteocephalus (5.7%), Ae. taylori (5.0%), and Ae. furcifer (1.3%). Aedes aegypti, Cx. nebulosus, Cx. perfuscus, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, Er. chrysogster and Ae. vittatus were the only common species collected from all land covers. Aedes furcifer and Ae. taylori were collected in fresh fruit husks and tree holes. Species richness and dominance varied significantly in land covers and microhabitats. Positive associations were found mainly between Ae. furcifer, Ae. taylori and Ae. luteocephalus. A high proportion of potential enzootic vectors that are not anthropophilic were found in the larval mosquito fauna. CONCLUSIONS: In southeastern Senegal, Ae. furcifer and Ae. taylori larvae showed a more limited distribution among both land cover and microhabitat types than the other common species. Uniquely among vector species, Ae. aegypti formosus larvae occurred at the highest frequency in villages. Finally, a high proportion of the potential non-anthropophilic vectors were represented in the larval mosquito fauna, suggesting the existence of unidentified sylvatic arbovirus cycles in southeastern Senegal.
    Parasites & Vectors 12/2012; 5(1):286. · 2.94 Impact Factor
  • Article: Insecticide susceptibility of Aedes aegypti populations from Senegal and Cape Verde Archipelago.
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    ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Two concomitant dengue 3 (DEN-3) epidemics occurred in Cape Verde Archipelago and Senegal between September and October 2009. Aedes aegypti was identified as the vector of these epidemics as several DEN-3 virus strains were isolated from this species in both countries. The susceptibility to pyrethroids, organochlorine, organophosphates and carbamate was investigated in two field strains of Aedes aegypti from both countries using WHO diagnostic bioassay kits in order to monitor their the current status of insecticide susceptibility. FINDINGS: The two tested strains were highly resistant to DDT. The Cape Verde strain was found to be susceptible to all others tested insecticides except for propoxur 0.1%, which needs further investigation. The Dakar strain was susceptible to fenitrothion 1% and permethrin 0.75%, but displayed reduced susceptibility to deltamethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin and propoxur. CONCLUSIONS: As base-line results, our observations stress a careful management of insecticide use for the control of Ae. aegypti. Indeed, they indicate that DDT is no longer efficient for the control of Ae. aegypti populations in Cape Verde and Dakar and further suggest a thorough follow-up of propoxur susceptibility status in both sites and that of deltamethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin in Ae. aegypti populations in Dakar. Thus, regular monitoring of susceptibility is greatly needed as well as the knowing if this observed resistance/susceptibility is focal or not and for observed resistance, the use of biochemical methods is needed with detailed comparison of resistance levels over a large geographic area.KeyswordsAedes aegypti, Insecticides, Susceptibility, Cape Verde, Senegal.
    Parasites & Vectors 10/2012; 5(1):238. · 2.94 Impact Factor
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    Article: Landscape ecology of sylvatic chikungunya virus and mosquito vectors in southeastern Senegal.
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    ABSTRACT: The risk of human infection with sylvatic chikungunya (CHIKV) virus was assessed in a focus of sylvatic arbovirus circulation in Senegal by investigating distribution and abundance of anthropophilic Aedes mosquitoes, as well as the abundance and distribution of CHIKV in these mosquitoes. A 1650 km(2) area was classified into five land cover classes: forest, barren, savanna, agriculture and village. A total of 39,799 mosquitoes was sampled from all classes using human landing collections between June 2009 and January 2010. Mosquito diversity was extremely high, and overall vector abundance peaked at the start of the rainy season. CHIKV was detected in 42 mosquito pools. Our data suggest that Aedes furcifer, which occurred abundantly in all land cover classes and landed frequently on humans in villages outside of houses, is probably the major bridge vector responsible for the spillover of sylvatic CHIKV to humans.
    PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 06/2012; 6(6):e1649. · 4.69 Impact Factor
  • Article: Impact of mosquito bites on asexual parasite density and gametocyte prevalence in asymptomatic chronic Plasmodium falciparum infections and correlation with IgE and IgG titers.
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    ABSTRACT: An immunomodulatory role of arthropod saliva has been well documented, but evidence for an effect on Plasmodium sp. infectiousness remains controversial. Mosquito saliva may orient the immune response toward a Th2 profile, thereby priming a Th2 response against subsequent antigens, including Plasmodium. Orientation toward a Th1 versus a Th2 profile promotes IgG and IgE proliferation, respectively, where the former is crucial for the development of an efficient antiparasite immune response. Here we assessed the direct effect of mosquito bites on the density of Plasmodium falciparum asexual parasites and the prevalence of gametocytes in chronic, asymptomatic infections in a longitudinal cohort study of seasonal transmission. We additionally correlated these parasitological measures with IgE and IgG antiparasite and anti-salivary gland extract titers. The mosquito biting density was positively correlated with the asexual parasite density but not asexual parasite prevalence and was negatively correlated with gametocyte prevalence. Individual anti-salivary gland IgE titers were also negatively correlated with gametocyte carriage and were strongly positively correlated with antiparasite IgE titers, consistent with the hypothesis that mosquito bites predispose individuals to develop an IgE antiparasite response. We provide evidence that mosquito bites have an impact on asymptomatic infections and differentially so for the production of asexual and sexual parasites. An increased research focus on the immunological impact of mosquito bites during asymptomatic infections is warranted, to establish whether strategies targeting the immune response to saliva can reduce the duration of infection and the onward transmission of the parasite.
    Infection and immunity 03/2012; 80(6):2240-6. · 4.21 Impact Factor
  • Article: Temporal distribution and spatial pattern of abundance of the Rift Valley fever and West Nile fever vectors in Barkedji, Senegal.
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    ABSTRACT: The temporal distribution and spatial pattern of abundance of mosquito vectors of Rift Valley fever (RVf) and West Nile fever (WNf) were studied during the 2005 and 2006 rainy seasons at Barkedji, Senegal. Mosquitoes were collected every two weeks with CDC light traps with dry ice at 79 sites including temporary ponds, barren, shrubby savannah, wooded savannah, steppes, and villages at different distances (between 0 and 600 m) from the nearest pond. The temporal distributions of these vectors varied between 2005 and 2006 and were positively correlated with rainfall for Aedes (Aedimorphus) vexans Patton, with rainfall after a lag time of one month for Culex (Culex) poicilipes (Theobald) and Culex (Culex) neavei Theobald. All the vectors had their highest abundances and parity rates between September and November. The highest vector abundances were observed in the barren and temporary ponds. The distance of trap location to the nearest ponds was negatively correlated to the abundance of the vectors. Taking into account the linear regression equations, it was predicted that mosquitoes would not disperse and be collected by the light trap, up to 1,500 m to the nearest ponds. The implications of these findings in the epidemiology and control of RVF and WNF at Barkedji are discussed.
    Journal of Vector Ecology 12/2011; 36(2):426-36. · 0.88 Impact Factor
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    Article: Distribution, host preference and infection rates of malaria vectors in Mauritania.
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    ABSTRACT: This study reports for the first time on the distribution, host preference and infection rates of malaria vectors in Mauritania. It was conducted during an outbreak of Rift valley fever. Three anopheline species were reported. An. arabiensis was the predominant species observed in all regions whereas An. pharoensis and An. funestus were observed along the south border in the Senegal River valley where extensive irrigation schemes are present. The distribution limits of anopheline species were observed from the Senegal River basin in the Trarza region up to the south limit of the Saharan desert in Tidjikja city. Overall, all An. funestus and An. pharoensis were fed respectively on human and ovine hosts whereas the mean anthropophilic rate of An. gambiae s.l. was 53%. A low Plasmodium falciparum infection rate was observed for species of the An. gambiae complex (0.17%) represented mainly by An. arabiensis. Because of the specific nature of this investigation, longitudinal studies are essential to better characterize the malaria vectors and their respective role in malaria transmission.
    Parasites & Vectors 12/2009; 2(1):61. · 2.94 Impact Factor
  • Article: Distribution, host preference and infection rates of malaria vectors in Mauritania
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    ABSTRACT: Abstract This study reports for the first time on the distribution, host preference and infection rates of malaria vectors in Mauritania. It was conducted during an outbreak of Rift valley fever. Three anopheline species were reported. An. arabiensis was the predominant species observed in all regions whereas An. pharoensis and An. funestus were observed along the south border in the Senegal River valley where extensive irrigation schemes are present. The distribution limits of anopheline species were observed from the Senegal River basin in the Trarza region up to the south limit of the Saharan desert in Tidjikja city. Overall, all An. funestus and An. pharoensis were fed respectively on human and ovine hosts whereas the mean anthropophilic rate of An. gambiae s.l. was 53%. A low Plasmodium falciparum infection rate was observed for species of the An. gambiae complex (0.17%) represented mainly by An. arabiensis . Because of the specific nature of this investigation, longitudinal studies are essential to better characterize the malaria vectors and their respective role in malaria transmission.
    Parasites & Vectors. 01/2009;
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    Article: Rift Valley fever outbreak with East-Central African virus lineage in Mauritania, 2003.
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    ABSTRACT: In October 2003, 9 human cases of hemorrhagic fever were reported in 3 provinces of Mauritania, West Africa. Test results showed acute Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) infection, and a field investigation found recent circulation of RVFV with a prevalence rate of 25.5% (25/98) and 4 deaths among the 25 laboratory-confirmed case-patients. Immunoglobulin M against RVFV was found in 46% (25/54) of domestic animals. RVFV was also isolated from the mosquito species Culex poicilipes. Genetic comparison of virion segments indicated little variation among the strains isolated. However, phylogenetic studies clearly demonstrated that these strains belonged to the East-Central African lineage for all segments. To our knowledge, this is the first time viruses of this lineage have been observed in an outbreak in West Africa. Whether these strains were introduced or are endemic in West Africa remains to be determined.
    Emerging infectious diseases 08/2007; 13(7):1016-23. · 6.17 Impact Factor
  • Article: Aspects of bioecology of two Rift Valley Fever Virus vectors in Senegal (West Africa): Aedes vexans and Culex poicilipes (Diptera: Culicidae).
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    ABSTRACT: The dispersal, population dynamics, and age structure of two Rift Valley Fever Virus (Phlebovirus: Bunyaviridae) (RVFV) vectors, Aedes vexans Meigen and Culex poicilipes Theobald, were investigated in northern Senegal. The main objective was to investigate possible factors that mediate RVFV emergence and propagation at a site where humans and livestock live in proximity to temporary surface pools. In mark-release-recapture studies, recapture rates of 0.18% (156/85,500) and 3.46% (201/5,800) were obtained for Ae. vexans and Cx. poicilipes, respectively. The number of mosquitoes recaptured decreased with increasing distance from the release point and over time. The estimated daily survival rate for released females ranged from 91 to 96% for Ae. vexans and 70-79% for Cx. poicilipes. The maximum time after release when marked mosquitoes were collected was 23 and 12 d for Ae. vexans and Cx. poicilipes, respectively. The maximum distances from the release point that marked females were recaptured was 620 and 550 m for Ae vexans and Cx. poicilipes, respectively. Rainfall periodicity was a key factor controlling Ae. vexans population abundance. In contrast, rainfall had no discernible effect on the fluctuation of Cx. poicilipes numbers. The involvement of these two species in the transmission of RVFV is discussed with respect to their longevity and daily survival rate.
    Journal of Medical Entomology 10/2005; 42(5):739-50. · 1.76 Impact Factor
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    Article: Comparisons of human-landing catches and odor-baited entry traps for sampling malaria vectors in Senegal.
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    ABSTRACT: A comparative study of human-landing catches (HLCs) and odor-baited entry traps (OBETs) for sampling malaria vectors was conducted in two different bioclimatic areas of Senegal, the Sahelian and Sudano-Guinean phytogeographic zones, from September to December 2002. Mosquitoes were collected by the two methods both indoors and outdoors. The reliability of OBET samples was tested by comparing the two methods. Overall, HLC was more effective indoors and for surveying the anopheline fauna. Both methods were effective in sampling the four known malaria vectors in Senegal [Anopheles gambiae s.s., An. arabiensis Patton, An. funestus Giles, and An. nili (Theobald) ], and mosquito age structures and infectivity rates did not differ between methods.
    Journal of Medical Entomology 04/2005; 42(2):104-9. · 1.76 Impact Factor