Organophosphate Resistance in Aedes aegypti: Study from Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Endemic Subdistrict in Riau, Indonesia

Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a significant health problem. The high number of cases requires preventions, including controlling the dengue vector, Aedes aegypti mosquito. One of the control methods is the use of insecticides containing organophosphate. This study aims to detect organophosphate resistance in Aedes aegypti from DHF endemic subdistrict, Riau, Indonesia by a sensitivity test of temephos and 5% malathion and measuring the activity of non-specific alpha and beta esterase enzymes.

This observational study determined Aedes aegypti resistance from larvae to adult in one DHF endemic subdistrict in Riau, Indonesia. The bioassay was used for temephos sensitivity of Aedes aegypti larvae. The LC99 value was analyzed using probit and compared with the diagnostic value from WHO. The WHO susceptibility test was conducted to determine 5% malathion resistance from adult mosquitoes. The mortality of less than 90% was declared as resistant. Measurement of alpha and beta esterase levels used Lee's microplate assay technique based on visual identification and absorbance value (AV).

The results showed that Aedes aegypti were resistant to temephos. It also showed that adult mosquitoes were resistant to 5% malathion. Based on the alpha esterase activity test, it was found that most of the mosquitoes showed very sensitive meanwhile, based on the beta esterase activity test, most of the mosquitoes were moderate resistance.

This study suggests that Aedes aegypti population from DHF endemic subdistrict in Riau, Indonesia are indicated to develop resistance to organophosphate.