Genetic surveillance of target site mutations and copy number variants associated with the escalating insecticide resistance in Anopheles gambiae (s.l.) in Ghana
- 1University of Ghana
Abstract
The spread of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors poses a major challenge to control programs. As insecticide-based interventions intensify, selection for resistance alleles increases, making it essential to understand the genetic mechanisms underlying resistance in local Anopheles populations. This study characterized target-site resistance mutations and copy number variants (CNVs) in Anopheles gambiae s.l. from nine sites with different malaria vector interventions and ecological contexts. WHO bioassays revealed moderate-to-high pyrethroid resistance (4-65%) at all sites, while Obuasi (IRS) showed markedly elevated organophosphate resistance (1.7%) compared to other locations. The L995F kdr mutation was strongly associated with pyrethroid resistance (P < 0.05) and occurred at high frequencies in IRS and standard LLIN sites (0.82-1.0). Additional kdr variants (L995S, N1570Y, I1527T, V402L) appeared at variable frequencies (0-0.59). The Ace-1 G280S mutation was significantly associated with pirimiphos-methyl resistance (OR=2.20, P<0.001). Ace-1 gene duplications occurred in 22.8% of mosquitoes, predominantly in individuals carrying the G280S resistance allele (P<0.001). Carboxylesterase CNVs were also identified, with Coeaxf_Dup1 (30.4%) significantly associated with pirimiphos-methyl resistance (OR = 1.68, P = 0.02). These findings demonstrate the widespread, multifaceted resistance mechanisms in An. gambiae s.l. across Ghana and highlight the need for locally tailored vector control strategies.
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BibTeX
@misc{abdulai2026genetic,
title = {{Genetic surveillance of target site mutations and copy number variants associated with the escalating insecticide resistance in Anopheles gambiae (s.l.) in Ghana}},
author = {A. Abdulai and I. K. Sraku and C. M. Owusu-Asenso and A. A. Ebuako and Y. Akuamoah-Boateng and A. R. M. Sabtiu and J. Boateng and C. Koranteng and B. C. Obeng and G. Amoateng and F. Aboagye-Antwi and P. F. Ayeh-Kumi and Y. A. Afrane},
howpublished = {bioRxiv},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.64898/2026.10.14.759058},
url = {https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.14.759058v1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Genetic surveillance of target site mutations and copy number variants associated with the escalating insecticide resistance in Anopheles gambiae (s.l.) in Ghana
AU - A. Abdulai
AU - I. K. Sraku
AU - C. M. Owusu-Asenso
AU - A. A. Ebuako
AU - Y. Akuamoah-Boateng
AU - A. R. M. Sabtiu
AU - J. Boateng
AU - C. Koranteng
AU - B. C. Obeng
AU - G. Amoateng
AU - F. Aboagye-Antwi
AU - P. F. Ayeh-Kumi
AU - Y. A. Afrane
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/14
PB - bioRxiv
DO - 10.64898/2026.10.14.759058
UR - https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.14.759058v1
AB - The spread of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors poses a major challenge to control programs. As insecticide-based interventions intensify, selection for resistance alleles increases, making it essential to understand the genetic mechanisms underlying resistance in local Anopheles populations. This study characterized target-site resistance mutations and copy number variants (CNVs) in Anopheles gambiae s.l. from nine sites with different malaria vector interventions and ecological contexts. WHO bioassays revealed moderate-to-high pyrethroid resistance (4-65%) at all sites, while Obuasi (IRS) showed markedly elevated organophosphate resistance (1.7%) compared to other locations. The L995F kdr mutation was strongly associated with pyrethroid resistance (P < 0.05) and occurred at high frequencies in IRS and standard LLIN sites (0.82-1.0). Additional kdr variants (L995S, N1570Y, I1527T, V402L) appeared at variable frequencies (0-0.59). The Ace-1 G280S mutation was significantly associated with pirimiphos-methyl resistance (OR=2.20, P<0.001). Ace-1 gene duplications occurred in 22.8% of mosquitoes, predominantly in individuals carrying the G280S resistance allele (P<0.001). Carboxylesterase CNVs were also identified, with Coeaxf_Dup1 (30.4%) significantly associated with pirimiphos-methyl resistance (OR = 1.68, P = 0.02). These findings demonstrate the widespread, multifaceted resistance mechanisms in An. gambiae s.l. across Ghana and highlight the need for locally tailored vector control strategies.
ER -