MALARIA: Genetic and phenotypic variation of the malaria vector Anopheles atroparvus in southern Europe

Malaria Journal 2011, 10:5 doi:10.1186/1475-2875-10-5 : Jose L Vicente et al. Background
There is a growing concern that global climate change will affect the potential for pathogen transmission by insect species that are vectors of human diseases. One of these species is the former European malaria vector, Anopheles atroparvus. Levels of population differentiation of An. atroparvus from southern Europe were characterized as a first attempt to elucidate patterns of population structure of this former malaria vector. Results are discussed in light of a hypothetical situation of re-establishment of malaria transmission.

Methods
Genetic and phenotypic variation was analysed in nine mosquito samples collected from five European countries, using eight microsatellite loci and geometric morphometrics on 21 wing landmarks.

Results
Levels of genetic diversity were comparable to those reported for tropical malaria vectors. Low levels of genetic (0.004< FST <0.086) and phenotypic differentiation were detected among An. atroparvus populations spanning over 3,000 km distance. Genetic differentiation (0.202< FST <0.299) was higher between the sibling species An. atroparvus and Anopheles maculipennis s.s. Differentiation between sibling species was no so evident at the phenotype level.

Conclusions
Levels of population differentiation within An. atroparvus were low and not correlated with geographic distance or with putative physical barriers to gene flow (Alps and Pyrenees). While these results may suggest considerable levels of gene flow, other explanations such as the effect of historical population perturbations can also be hypothesized.
http://www.malariajournal.com/content/10/1/5

MALARIA: 1st indigenous case of malaria in Spain in nearly 50 years

October 10th, 2010
The last time the country of Spain had seen an indigenous case of malaria was 1961, until last month. A patient with no travel history from the Huesca province has been confirmed with an infection with the parasite, Plasmodium vivax.
Spanish health authorities call this an “epidemiological curiosity” and say the case poses no risk to the public.
Health officials say that the individual contracted the through the bite of an Anopheles
atroparvus mosquito.
Reports say that the patient has been treated and is recovering.
Malaria is not rare in Spain with upwards of 500 cases seen annually, however all cases are attributed to traveling abroad and are considered “imported”.
The specific species of malaria in this case, Plasmodium vivax, typically is a relatively mild form of the disease and is not usually fatal.
Malaria was officially declared eradicated in Spain in 1964.
http://www.examiner.com/infectious-disease-in-national/1st-indigenous-case-of-malaria-spain-nearly-50-years