{
  "abstract": "BackgroundUnexplained spatial heterogeneity in field-observed Human Blood Index (HBI) hinders vector-borne disease control. We synthesized micro-morphological sensory structure densities across primary disease vectors to formulate a novel Proboscis Sensory Index (PSI) from micro-morphological sensory structure densities to evaluate its capacity to predict vector anthropophily, zooprophylactic modulation, and spatial transmission risk across Northern Nigeria.\n\nMethodsA systematic review of 42 studies (N = 18,647 blood-fed mosquitoes across 126 georeferenced sites, 2005-2025) synthesized baseline species-specific PSI metrics from electron microscopy sensilla counts. A multi-variable binomial Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) evaluated interactions between PSI, livestock, human density, and environmental covariates. Predictive accuracy was validated against field-derived Entomological Inoculation Rates (EIR) and historical outbreak records.\n\nResultsThe overall pooled HBI was 0.642 (95% CI: 0.588 - 0.694), exhibiting significant variation across the Sudan (0.728), Guinea (0.615), and Sahel (0.584) savannas. Species-specific PSI values graded from Anopheles gambiae s.s. (8.91 {+/-} 0.34), Anopheles funestus (8.12 {+/-} 0.38), and Anopheles arabiensis (7.68 {+/-} 0.41) to Culex quinquefasciatus (4.87 {+/-} 0.52). In GLMM analysis, PSI was the strongest predictor of anthropophily ({beta} = 0.89, aOR = 2.44, 95% CI: 2.32 - 2.56, p < 0.001), with fixed effects explaining 78% of total field variance (Marginal R2 = 0.78). High-PSI species maintained elevated anthropophily regardless of livestock availability, whereas low-PSI species displayed steep zooprophylactic diversion ({Delta}HBI = -0.71, p < 0.001) under high cattle density. Incorporating PSI reduced localized EIR prediction error by 64.2% (RMSE = 15.0 vs. 41.8 infective bites/person/month), and high-resolution (1 km2) predictive mapping correctly identified 87.1% (27/31) of historically documented outbreak Local Government Areas.\n\nConclusionMicro-sensory organ density dictates vector host preference and livestock-mediated zooprophylactic potential. Integrating PSI into spatial models resolves localized transmission heterogeneity, guiding targeted vector control prioritizing indoor residual spraying and dual-ingredient nets in high-PSI foci, while leveraging endectocides and larval management in low-PSI pastoral corridors.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "University of Maiduguri"
  ],
  "article_type": "PUBLISHAHEADOFPRINT",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 2,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "R. K. Njapdze"
    },
    {
      "name": "I. B. Ekerette"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5vngj7dx450bn.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.09.07.26362427",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.07.26362427v1.full",
  "id": "5vngj7dx450bn",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.07.26362427v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "medrxiv",
      "public and global health"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2739|Malaria Research and Control"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7212086451",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.07.26362427v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-07",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5vngj7dx450bn.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:18:04Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.09.07.26362427",
      "source": "medrxiv",
      "url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.07.26362427v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "medrxiv:public and global health",
      "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health"
    }
  ],
  "title": "THE PROBOSCIS SENSORY INDEX PREDICTS VECTOR ANTHROPOPHILY AND HOST SELECTION IN NORTHERN NIGERIA",
  "title_text": "THE PROBOSCIS SENSORY INDEX PREDICTS VECTOR ANTHROPOPHILY AND HOST SELECTION IN NORTHERN NIGERIA",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:18:04Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5vngj7dx450bn",
  "venue": "medRxiv",
  "versions": []
}