Response of wild Anopheles funestus to repellent-protected volunteers is unaffected by malaria infection of the vector

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to compare the biting behavior of Plasmodium falciparum-infected and uninfected Anopheles on humans using mosquito repellents. Repellent formulations (5% [wt/vol] N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide [deet] or 5% [wt/vol] AI3-37220, a piperidine compound, both in 100% ethanol, or 100% ethanol alone [as a control]) were applied to the lower legs of 3 collectors in each of 4 houses. Collectors caught mosquitoes over 6 collection nights. Mosquitoes were collected into vials after they initiated probing on the leg of a collector. Infected females made up the same proportion of the Anopheles funestus populations biting either repellent-protected or unprotected individuals. We conclude that repellent formulations are equally effective against Plasmodium-infected and uninfected An. funestus.