Spatio-clinal distribution of Microsporidia MB and assessing thermal fitness of its transmission, modulation of Plasmodium refractoriness and its impact on the efficacy of malaria vectors control tools

The discovery of Microsporidia MB (herafter MB), a promising biological agent which inhibits Plasmodium development in malaria vectors has opened another door for malaria control, which if properly exploited may prove as successful as Wolbachia and Bacillus thuringiensis, which are used worldwide for control of mosquito vectors. This is crucially important because, unlike chemical insecticides, biological control agents are more environmentally friendly and less susceptible to resistance. However, information about the frequency of MB in the major malaria vectors Anopheles gambiae s.s. and An. coluzzii is still lacking. Also, it remains to be known how environmental variables, such as temperature and humidity impact the fitness of MB in the field. This study aims to map the prevalence of MB along ecological gradients of increasing aridity, spanning Nigeria and Niger Republic, investigate the impact of temperature on MB survival and effectiveness in blocking Plasmodium transmission, and explore its potential modulation of insecticide resistance in malaria mosquitoes. By generating primary data on the environmental resilience of MB and its interaction with insecticides, this study will provide critical insights into the feasibility of sustainably integrating this biological agent into existing vector control programs, potentially revolutionizing malaria vector control in regions heavily affected.