The first implementation of allele-specific primers for detecting the knockdown and acetylcholinesterase target site mutations in malaria vector, Anopheles sacharovi.

Anopheles sacharovi, a primer malaria vector species of Turkey, have a significant public health importance. It is aimed to determine the insecticide resistance status in Anopheles sacharovi populations in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions of Turkey. A total of 1638 individuals were analysed from 15 populations. Bioassay results indicated all An. sacharovi populations were resistant to DDT, malathion, fenitrothion, bendiocarb, propoxur. Many populations have begun to have resistance against permethrin and deltamethrin. Biochemical analyses results revealed that glutathione-S-transferases and P450 monooxygenases might be responsible from the mechanisms of DDT resistance; esterases and acetylcholinesterase might be responsible for organophosphate and carbamate resistance; P450 monooxygenases and esterases might be responsible for pyrethroid resistance into populations sampled from the study area. Allele-specific primers detected L1014F and L1014S mutations that provide kdr resistance against pyrethroids and DDT. Increased acetylcholinesterase insensitivity was detected while Ace-1 G119S mutations were not detected in An. sacharovi populations by using allele-specific primers. Overall results indicate the presence of multiple resistance mechanisms in Turkish An. sacharovi field populations suggesting that populations might gain resistance against all possible insecticide in the future. Therefore, insecticide resistance management strategies are urgently needed for effective vector control implementation.