A low-cost repellent for malaria vectors in the Americas: results of two field trials in Guatemala and Peru

Moore, Sarah J.; Darling, Samuel T.; Sihuincha, Moisés; Padilla, Norma; Devine, Gregor J.

Abstract

Background: The cost of mosquito repellents in Latin America has discouraged their wider use among the poor. To address this problem, a low-cost repellent was developed that reduces the level of expensive repellent actives by combining them with inexpensive fixatives that appear to slow repellent evaporation. The chosen actives were a mixture of para-menthane-diol (PMD) and lemongrass oil (LG). Methods: To test the efficacy of the repellent, field trials were staged in Guatemala and Peru. Repellent efficacy was determined by human-landing catches on volunteers who wore the experimental repellents, control, or 15% DEET. The studies were conducted using a balanced Latin Square design with volunteers, treatments, and locations rotated each night. Results: In Guatemala, collections were performed for two hours, commencing three hours after repellent application. The repellent provided >98% protection for five hours after application, with a biting pressure of >100 landings per person/hour. The 15% DEET control provided lower protection at 92% (p < 0.0001). In Peru, collections were performed for four hours, commencing two hours after repellent application. The PMD/LG repellent provided 95% protection for six hours after application with a biting pressure of >46 landings per person/hour. The 20% DEET control provided significantly lower protection at 64% (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: In both locations, the PMD/LG repellent provided excellent protection up to six hours after application against a wide range of disease vectors including Anopheles darlingi. The addition of fixatives to the repellent extended its longevity while enhancing efficacy and significantly reducing its cost to malaria-endemic communities.

Citation

Moore, S. J., Darling, S. T., Sihuincha, M., Padilla, N., & Devine, G. J. (2007). A low-cost repellent for malaria vectors in the Americas: results of two field trials in Guatemala and Peru. Malaria Journal, 6, Article 101. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-6-101

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Aug 1, 2007
• Deposit Date: Aug 26, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 26, 2015
• Journal: Malaria Journal
• Electronic ISSN: 1475-2875
• Publisher: BioMed Central
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 6
• Article Number: 101
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-6-101
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1532917