Population structure analysis of Plasmodium vivax in areas of iran with different malaria endemicity

To obtain the genetic structure of Plasmodium vivax populations in the northern and southern malaria-endemic areas in Iran, which differ in endemicity, sequence diversity in the variable block 5 and the C-terminal part of P. vivax merozoite surface protein 1 (Pvmsp 1) was analyzed. The variable block 5 fragment from 52 northern and 94 southern isolates was amplified and sequenced. Type 1, type 2, and recombinant type 3 allelic variants were found in both northern and southern isolates, with type 1 predominant in parasites from the north and type 2 in those from the south. A total of 7 and 27 distinct variants were detected among northern and southern isolates, respectively. A single variant predominated (71%) in the northern isolates, whereas variants were evenly distributed among southern isolates, with only two exceeding 10%. Thus, parasites from the southern malaria-endemic area were more polymorphic than those circulating in the northern area, where malaria is a re-emerging disease. Sequence alignments showed that although some variants were found only in northern or southern isolates, some were common to both and had also been observed in parasites from Azerbaijan, Turkey, Thailand, Bangladesh, and China. The Pvmsp 1 fragment corresponding to the C-terminal region was also amplified and the sequences derived from 20 northern and 50 southern isolates were identical. This high degree of conservation reinforces the potential of this polypeptide fragment for inclusion in synthetic vaccines being developed against P. vivax.     

Genetic structures of geographically distinct Plasmodium vivax populations assessed by PCR/RFLP analysis of the merozoite surface protein 3beta gene

The recent resurgence of Plasmodium vivax malaria requires close epidemiological surveillance and monitoring of the circulating parasite populations. In this study, we developed a combination of polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR/RFLP) method to investigate the genetic diversity of the P. vivax merozoite surface protein 3beta (PvMSP3beta) gene among four Asian parasite populations representing both tropical and temperate strains with dramatic divergent relapse patterns (N = 143). Using P. vivax field isolates from symptomatic patients, we have validated the feasibility of this protocol in distinguishing parasite genotypes. We have shown that PCR alone could detect three major size polymorphisms of the PvMSP3beta gene, and restriction analysis detected a total of 12 alleles within these Asian samples. Samples from different geographical areas differed dramatically in their PvMSP3beta allele composition and frequency, indicating that complex, yet different parasite genotypes were circulating in different endemic areas. This protocol allowed easy detections of multiple infections, which reached 20.5% in the samples from Thailand. It is interesting to note that samples from one temperate site in China collected during a recent outbreak of the disease also showed a high level of genetic diversity with multiple infections accounting for 5.6% of the samples. When combined with the PvMSP3alpha locus, this method provides better capability in distinguishing P. vivax genotypes and detecting mixed genotype infections.     

我国间日疟原虫基因型种群结构及其地理分布

目的　用分子技术调查中国间日疟原虫种群结构与地理分布。　方法　用滤纸血滴法采集我国 10个省 (自治区 )间日疟现症病人血样 ,用套式 、半套式 等位特异PCR基因分型法鉴定其型、族归属及其CSP基因型 ,并作流行病学统计分析。　结果　在 384个间日疟原虫分离株中 ,检出温带族 2 5 8株 ,分为 14个不同的(等位变异 )基因型 ,遍布全国各省 ,其中主带≤ 731bp的基因型仅见于南方 5省 ;热带族 79株 ,分为 5个不同基因型 ,分布于北纬 2 5°以南的 5个省 (自治区 ) ;PV 2型 16株 ,包括 2个基因型 ;另 33个分离株为不同型(族 )或不同基因型虫株的重复 (混合 )感染。　结论　目前我国北纬 2 5°以北各省是单一温带族间日疟原虫分布区 ,北纬 2 5°以南地区是温带族与热带族间日疟原虫重叠分布区 ,其中海南和云南两省局部地区同时尚存在PV 2型 ;温带族内存在地理分布明显不同的 2个基因类群。     

The population dynamics in mosquitoes and humans of two Plasmodium vivax polymorphs distinguished by different circumsporozoite protein repeat regions.

The population dynamics of two Plasmodium vivax polymorphs were studied over a two-year period in a village in a hyperendemic area of Papua New Guinea in both the mosquito and human populations. Strains of P. vivax were distinguished by different circumsporozoite (CS) protein repeats, the VK210 (classic) and the VK247 (variant) polymorphs. In 1986, 34% of P. vivax CS protein-positive mosquitoes were of the VK247 type. Although the proportion of P. vivax sporozoite antigen-positive mosquitoes compared with all sporozoite-positive mosquitoes did not change from 1986 to 1987, the proportion of P. vivax-positive mosquitoes of the VK247 polymorph decreased significantly from 34% to 11% (5 of 45) in 1987. In 1986, 61% (47 of 77) of humans tested had IgGs that recognized the VK247 CS repeat, while only 26% (22 of 84) had IgGs that recognized the VK210 CS repeat. The observed fluctuation in the proportion of the two P. vivax CS protein polymorphs recorded in the mosquito population from 1986 to 1987 is consistent with a hypothesis of selection by humoral immune pressure on the VK247 strain.     

The analysis of circumsporozoite-protein gene sequences from South Korean isolates of Plasmodium vivax

The amino-acid sequences corresponding to the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) of Plasmodium vivax fall into two main types, VK210 and VK247, each of which has a characteristic tandem repeat. When the repetitive domains of the CSP gene from six isolates of P. vivax from South Korea were sequenced they were found to show a total of 20 tandem amino-acid repeats, and repeat patterns that are regular and distinct from those of other P. vivax isolates. The amino-acid sequences of the South Korean parasites were found to be most similar to those of three isolates from China (CH-3, CH-4, and CH-5) and, particularly, to one from North Korea. A sequence (AGGNAANKKAEDAGGNA) and two repeats of the sequence GGNA found in the North Korean parasites were found in all six isolates from South Korea. The South Korean parasites investigated appear phylogenetically identical and unique to the Korean peninsula.     

云南省不同感染来源间日疟原虫环子孢子蛋白基因多态和种群结构分析

目的分析云南省不同感染来源间日疟原虫环子孢子蛋白(Pvcsp)基因序列,揭示当地Pvcsp基因的种群结构和遗传多样性。方法收集中国疾病预防控制中心传染病网络直报系统中2014-2017年报告的云南省本地和输入性间日疟病例流行病学资料及血样。提取血样中疟原虫基因组DNA,巢式PCR扩增并测序。采用MEGA 5.04、Arlequin 3.5.2.2软件进行单倍型、期望杂合度(He)分析,DnaSP 5.10计算核苷酸多样性(TT)、同义置换率(Ks)、错义置换率(Ka)及群体间遗传分化指数(Fst)。结果共检测间日疟病例血样969份,扩增获得650~750 bp大小的目的条带759份,包括云南本地感染者血样39份、非洲16份、缅甸688份、老挝13份、柬埔寨2份、巴基斯坦1份。单倍型分析结果显示,759条Pvcsp基因序列存在90个单倍型,其中29个为PV-I型温带族(类似VK210型),50个为PV-Ⅰ型热带族(类似VK210型),11个为PV-Ⅱ型(类似VK247型);3种基因型所占比例分别为51.4%(390/759)、41.1%(312/759)、7.5%(57/759),分布于云南本地感染、缅甸输入性病例中,但非洲、老挝及其他地区的输入性病例只表现为PV-Ⅰ型。PV-Ⅰ型、PV-Ⅱ型氨基酸序列突变分别发生在29、10个位点。759份病例血样的He为0.224,π为0.075,Ka/Ks为0.48。除去柬埔寨和巴基斯坦,Pvcsp基因在老挝输入性病例中的遗传多样性最高(He=0.422,π=0.03),云南本地与非洲输入性病例中的遗传分化最高(Fst=0.082),与缅甸输入性病例的遗传分化最低(Fst=0.002);Pvcsp基因在非洲与东南亚地区输入病例中属中等程度的遗传分化,在东南亚地区输入病例中遗传分化很小。结论云南省不同感染来源间日疟原虫环子孢子蛋白基因存在3种基因型,以PV-Ⅰ型温带族为优势虫株,不同基因型的种群结构和遗传分化不同。     

Serologic and genetic characterization of Plasmodium vivax from whole blood-impregnated filter paper discs.

The presence in the New World of a variant strain of Plasmodium vivax (VK247) containing a unique circumsporozoite (CS) repeat domain was determined by the detection of antibodies to the variant CS protein and by genetic analysis of the CS gene from field isolates. Whole blood specimens were collected on filter paper from patients infected with P. vivax in Mexico and Peru. Plasmodium vivax DNA was eluted from filter paper samples and the CS gene was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and analyzed for the presence of VK247 or VK210 DNA by oligoprobe hybridization. Sera eluted from a companion filter paper sample were screened for antibodies reactive with the predominant and variant repeat peptides by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and with sporozoites by the immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test. All 24 patients were positive by PCR and oligoprobe hybridization for either VK210 (16 of 24), VK247 (3 of 24), or both (5 of 24). Mixed infections were common (5 of 7) in Peru, but were not observed in the Mexican isolates (0 of 17). All three VK247 infections from Mexico occurred in residents of the foothills above Tapachula (P = 0.02). Of patients with smear-positive P. vivax infection, 42% (10 of 24) had detectable antibodies eluted from dried blood dots that were reactive with the CS protein by IFA or ELISA. These findings establish the widespread distribution of the P. vivax variant CS protein in the New World and indicate that dried blood filter paper samples represent a valuable source of material for the serologic and molecular analysis of plasmodial infections.     

Genetic structure of Plasmodium vivax isolates from two malaria endemic areas in Afghanistan

In this study, the nature and extent of genetic diversity of Plasmodium vivax populations circulating in Afghanistan have been investigated by analyzing three genetic markers: csp, msp-1, and msp-3α. Blood samples (n = 202) were collected from patients presenting with vivax malaria from south-western (Herat) and south-eastern (Nangarhar) parts of Afghanistan, and analysed using nested-PCR/RFLP and sequencing methods. Genotyping pvmsp-1 revealed type 1, type 2 and recombinant type 3 allelic variants, with type 1 predominant in parasites in both study areas. The sequence analysis of 57 P. vivax isolates identified a total of 26 distinct alleles. Genotyping pvcsp gene showed that VK210 type (86.6%) is predominant in Afghanistan. Moreover, three major types of the pvmsp-3α locus: type A, type B and type C were distinguished among Afghani isolates. The predominant fragments among Nangarhar and Herat parasites were type A (70.8% and 67.9%, respectively). PCR/RFLP products with Hha I and Alu I were detected 52 and 38 distinct variants among Nangarhar and Herat isolates, respectively. These results strongly indicate that the P. vivax populations in Afghanistan are highly diverse.     

Different prevalences of Plasmodium vivax phenotypes VK210 and VK247 associated with the distribution of Anopheles albimanus and Anopheles pseudopunctipennis in Mexico

The geographic distribution of Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite protein phenotypes from patient blood used to infect colonized Anopheles albimanus and An. pseudopunctipennis was investigated in southern Mexico. Parasite phenotype types were determined in blood samples by a polymerase chain reaction and oligoprobe hybridization or by immunofluorescent assay of sporozoites. The proportion of infected mosquitoes and the number of oocysts per mosquito confirmed previous in vitro observations indicating that An. albimanus is more susceptible to VK210 and that An. pseudopunctipennis is more susceptible to VK247. All patients living on the coast were infected with VK210 and most patients living above 170 meters above sea level had VK247. Both phenotypes infected patients from intermediate altitudes. These results concur with the distribution of the anophelines, indicating that An. albimanus is the main vector of the phenotype VK210, but that An. pseudopunctipennis transmits both phenotypes. These conditions have direct implications on parasite transmission rates and malaria epidemiology in Mexico.     

Genetic diversity of transmission blocking vaccine candidate (Pvs25 and Pvs28) antigen in Plasmodium vivax clinical isolates from Iran

The leading candidates for a Transmission Blocking Vaccine (TBV) in Plasmodium vivax parasite are the ookinete surface protein 25 (Pvs25) and Pvs28, which their phase I clinical trial is ongoing. Therefore, we carried out survey of polymorphisms of the pvs25 and pvs28 genes in P. vivax populations that are circulating in the two malaria areas of contrasting endemicity in Iran, before field application of the TBV. To characterize the polymorphisms of pvs25 and pvs28 genes, 50 isolates were analyzed by sequencing method and their gene structure was compared with parasite populations from India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand, Mexico and Brazil. Three mutations were detected in pvs25 and pvs28 including Q87K, E97Q, I130T and M52L, T65K, T140S with two and four distinct haplotypes, in comparison with the Sal I sequence type, respectively. Both haplotypes of Pvs25 were found among northern and southern P. vivax isolates; however, only two and three of the Pvs28 variants were observed among the northern and southern isolates, respectively. In conclusion, the present results show the limited sequence polymorphism of the pvs25 and pvs28 genes among field P. vivax population in Iran. These results highly encourage with respect to applicability of Pvs25 and Pvs28-based vaccine against P. vivax infection in the region, where these parasites are prevalent, whether these occur in the temperate or tropical zones.     

Genetic complexity of Plasmodium vivax parasites in individual human infections analyzed with monoclonal antibodies against variant epitopes on a single parasite protein.

Monoclonal antibodies against variant epitopes of a highly polymorphic protein (PV200) in schizonts of Plasmodium vivax have been used to analyze the variety of genetically distinct populations of parasites present in the peripheral blood of individual P. vivax infections in Sri Lanka. In 9 out of 10 isolates of freshly drawn P. vivax infected blood from different individuals, parasites of only 1 PV200 serotype was found within each individual infection, even though parasites were serotypically distinct between individuals. In 1 isolate parasite population, 3 distinct PV200 serotypes were identified. Thus, most P. vivax infections appeared to consist of a single genetically homogeneous population of parasites within the detection limits of the technique. The prevalence of P. vivax infections in an area of malaria transmission in southern Sri Lanka and the densities of oocysts in mosquitoes fed on P. vivax infected individuals indicated that parasite populations would be transmitted many times before encountering parasites of other origins, and that individual populations would tend to reduce to genetic homogeneity during transmission. These expectations are consistent with the high proportion of genetically homogeneous P. vivax isolates observed.     

Malaria epidemiology in low-endemicity areas of the Atlantic Forest in the Vale do Ribeira, São Paulo, Brazil

We describe a seroepidemiological survey of malaria prevalence in two areas of low endemicity: Intervales State Park and Alto Ribeira State Tourist Park (PETAR). Both are located in the Vale do Ribeira in the state of S?o Paulo, Brazil. In this study, 318 subjects from both areas had their blood analyzed for the presence of malaria parasites by thin and thick blood smears. One hundred and sixty-three (51.2%) of the subjects were from Intervales State Park and 155 (48.7%) were from PETAR. We analyzed all the samples by indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA) to detect antibodies against asexual forms of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium malariae and enzyme immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the presence of antibodies against circumsporozoite proteins (CSP) from P. vivax VK210, human P. vivax-like/Plasmodium simiovale, P. vivax VK247 and Plasmodium brasilianum/P. malariae. The presence of Plasmodium species was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Eighteen of the subjects analyzed had positive IFA results for IgM against P. malariae antigens, and three others were positive for P. vivax antigens. Positivity of IgG antibodies against P. vivax detected by IFA was high in samples from both Intervales State Park and PETAR (32.0% and 49.0%, respectively), while positivity for P. malariae was lower (16.0% and 19.3% in Intervales State Park and PETAR, respectively). ELISA tests showed a higher prevalence of antibodies against P. vivax VK210 (35.0%) in samples from Intervales State Park and against human P. vivax-like (29.7%) in samples from PETAR. PCR reactions revealed the presence of parasites in several of the samples analyzed. In Intervales State Park, one subject was infected by P. malariae and two by Plasmodium falciparum, while in PETAR, one subject was positive for P. falciparum and three for both P. falciparum and P. vivax parasites. The areas where these parks are located belong to the Atlantic Forest habitat, and inhabitants frequently, see monkeys. Our data suggest that monkeys may constitute a natural reservoir for malaria in both areas.     

Genetic diversity and multiple infections of Plasmodium vivax malaria in Western Thailand

Using two polymorphic genetic markers, the merozoite surface protein-3alpha (MSP-3alpha) and the circumsporozoite protein (CSP), we investigated the population diversity of Plasmodium vivax in Mae Sod, Thailand from April 2000 through June 2001. Genotyping the parasites isolated from 90 malaria patients attending two local clinics for the dimorphic CSP gene revealed that the majority of the parasites (77%) were the VK210 type. Genotyping the MSP3-alpha gene indicated that P. vivax populations exhibited an equally high level of polymorphism as those from Papua New Guinea, a hyperendemic region. Based on the length of polymerase chain reaction products, three major types of the MSP-3alpha locus were distinguished, with frequencies of 74.8%, 18.7%, and 6.5%, respectively. The 13 alleles distinguished by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis did not show a significant seasonal variation in frequency. Genotyping the MSP-3alpha and CSP genes showed that 19.3% and 25.6% of the patients had multiple infections, respectively, and the combined rate was 35.6%. Comparisons of MSP-3alpha sequences from nine clones further confirmed the high level of genetic diversity of the parasite and also suggested that geographic isolation may exist. These results strongly indicate that P. vivax populations are highly diverse and multiple clonal infections are common in this malaria-hypoendemic region of Thailand.     

Genetic diversity of Plasmodium vivax Pvcsp and Pvmsp1 in Guyana, South America

Approximately 55% of malaria infections in the Guyana Amazon region are attributed to Plasmodium falciparum while the other 45% are attributed to non-falciparum, mostly Plasmodium vivax. However, little is known about the P. vivax strain types circulating in the region. Using PCR for Plasmodium detection and two genetic markers specific to P. vivax to detect the polymorphic circumsporozoite protein (CSP) and the conserved 19-kDa region of the merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1), we investigated the overall Plasmodium strain distribution and population diversity within P. vivax in isolates collected from the blood of infected individuals in the interior Amazon region of Guyana, South America. Out of a total of 250 samples positive for Plasmodium, P. vivax was detected in 30% (76/250) and P. falciparum was detected in 76% (189/250). Mixed infections containing both P. falciparum and P. vivax constituted 6% (15/250) of the total positive samples. Further analysis of P. vivax strains showed that 92% (56/61) of the P. vivax samples hybridized with a probe specific to type VK210, 39% (24/61) hybridized with a probe specific for type VK247, and 25% (15/61) hybridized with a probe specific for the P. vivax-like CS genotype. DNA sequencing of the 19-kDa C-terminal domain in block 13 of MSP-1 amplified from 61 samples from patients infected with P. vivax demonstrated that this region is highly conserved, and all samples were identical at the nucleotide level to the Belem and Salvador-1 types. No synonymous or nonsynonymous mutations were observed in this region of the gene, indicating that current vaccine-development efforts based on the MSP-1(19) fragment would be applicable in Guyana.     

Role of the prevalent Anopheles species in the transmission of Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax in Assam state, north-eastern India

In north-eastern India, Anopheles minimus, An. dirus and An. fluviatilis are considered the three major vectors of the parasites causing human malaria. The role in transmission of the other Anopheles species present in this region is not, however, very clear. To examine the vectorial role of the more common anopheline mosquitoes, the heads and thoraces of 4126 female Anopheles belonging to 16 species (collected using miniature light traps set in human dwellings in a foothill village in the Jorhat district of Assam state) were tested, in ELISA, for the circumsporozoite proteins (CSP) of Plasmodium falciparum or the VK-210 and VK-247 polymorphs of P. vivax. Sixty-five pools of head-thorax homogenates, representing 10 different species of Anopheles, were found reactive, giving an overall minimum prevalence of infection (MPI) of 1.58%, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.21%-2.0%. Among the CSP-reactive pools of mosquitoes, 31% were positive only for P. falciparum, 45% only for P. vivax VK 247, 6% only for P. vivax VK 210, and 18% for both P. falciparum and P. vivax VK 247. The results indicate that not only the proven vector, An. minimus s.l. (MPI = 0.71%), but also several species of Anopheles previously considered unimportant in the epidemiology of malaria, especially An. aconitus (MPI = 3.95%), An. annularis (MPI = 5.8%), the An. hyrcanus group (MPI = 0.48%), An. kochi (MPI = 1.28%), the An. philippinensis-nivipes complex (MPI = 0.94%), and An. vagus (MPI = 3.87%), are important vectors in the foothills of Assam.     

Plasmodium vivax: recent world expansion and genetic identity to Plasmodium simium

Plasmodium vivax causes the most geographically widespread human malaria, accounting annually for 70-80 million clinical cases throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world's continents. We have analyzed the DNA sequences of the Csp (circumsporozoite protein) gene in 24 geographically representative strains of P. vivax and 2 of P. simium, which parasitizes several species of New World monkeys. The Csp sequences are of two types, VK210 and VK247, which differ by three diagnostic amino acid replacements, one in each of the 5' and 3' terminal regions [5' nonrepeat (NR) and 3' NR] of the gene and in an insertion sequence that precedes the 3' NR region. The central region of the gene consists of approximately 38 repetitive "motifs," which are alternatively four and five amino acids long, which also are diagnostically different between the VK210 and VK247 types. There are very few synonymous substitutions within and between the two types of strains, which we hypothesize reflects that the worldwide spread of P. vivax is very recent. The two P. simium Csp sequences belong one to each of the two VK types and are genetically indistinguishable from the corresponding P. vivax strains, suggesting that at least two host transfers have occurred between humans and New World monkeys. We exclude as unlikely the possibility that the two types of sequences could have independently arisen in humans and platyrrhines by natural selection. There are reasons favoring each of the two possible directions of host transfer between humans and monkeys.     

HLA class II and antibody responses to circumsporozoite protein repeats of P. vivax (VK210, VK247 and P. vivax-like) in individuals naturally exposed to malaria

We studied the seroreactivity against the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) repeats of Plasmodium vivax variants in individuals living in malaria-endemic area of the Brazilian Amazon region (Candeias do Jamari - RO). The prevalence of IgG antibodies for at least one of the P. vivax CSP repeats was 49%. Among these positive individuals, 34.2% were positive for the standard repeat sequence VK210, 24% for the VK247 and 31.5% for the P. vivax-like sequence. HLA typing showed an association between antibody responses to the CS repeats of VK247 and the presence of HLA-DR16 and between HLA-DR7 and the absence of antibody responses to the CS repeats of VK210. We also investigated the potential relationship between HLA-DQB1 allele profile and antibody response to the CSP repeats of P. vivax but no segregation with responding profile was evidenced. The observed findings indicate that antibody responses to the CSP repeats of P. vivax variants appear to be modulated by HLA class II molecules in malaria naturally exposed individuals.     

Malaria vector incrimination in three rural riverine villages in the Brazilian Amazon

Vector incrimination studies were conducted from April 2003 to February 2005 at three riverine villages 1.5 km to 7.0 km apart, along the Matapi River, Amapa State, Brazil. A total of 113,117 mosquitoes were collected and placed in pools of 相似文献   

我国南方五省间日疟原虫环子孢子蛋白基因型与疟疾防治效果关系的探讨

目的 探讨我国南方间日疟原虫环子孢子蛋白（CSP）基因型种群结构、疟区分类及其防治意义。 方法 应用单管-套式/多重PCR对采自海南、云南、广西、广东、贵州等5省（自治区）共346份间日疟原虫阳性患者滤纸血样作环子孢子蛋白（CSP）基因型鉴定， 结合5省（自治区）疟疾历史资料和近年流行状况进行分析。 结果 广东、广西和贵州等3省（自治区）疟原虫PV-1型温带族虫株均占90% 以上，热带族仅有个别发现，未见PV-2型；云南省疟原虫PV-1温带族占71.4%、 热带族占28.6%，PV-2型仅个别发现；而海南省PV-1型温带族、热带族和PV-2型等3大基因型类群分别约占1/3。 结论 广东、广西和贵州等3省（自治区）间日疟原虫PV-1型温带族占绝对优势, 疟疾控制效果好, 而海南、云南两省间日疟原虫基因型类群较复杂，疟疾控制难度大，说明间日疟原虫种群基因型结构复杂性和多重感染程度是影响当地间日疟流行势态及其防治效果的重要因素，是防治与监测中重要的流行病学指征之一。     

Natural infectivity of Anopheles species from the Pacific and Atlantic Regions of Colombia

Malaria is an important public health problem in Colombia. Among the major vectors in Colombia, Anopheles albimanus is recognized for its importance on the Pacific Coast where it is the predominant species; it is also found in the Atlantic Coast, although its vectorial role in this region is not clear. We examined the occurrence of An. albimanus in four localities of the Pacific and three of the Atlantic Coast. Morphological identification of problematic specimens was confirmed by a molecular assay. All identified mosquitoes at these sites, including An. albimanus, were also tested for malaria parasite infection. From 12,189 anophelines collected, 6370 were from the Pacific Coast, and corresponded to 99% An. albimanus, 0.8% Anopheles neivai, and three other species at <0.2%. From the Atlantic Coast we identified 5819 specimens with 61% An. albimanus, 36% Anopheles triannulatus s.l. and five other species at <2%. In both coasts, species present at lower percentages included several incriminated as vectors in neighboring countries. Six Pacific Coast specimens were infected with malaria parasites: four An. albimanus, two with Plasmodium vivax VK247, one with P. vivax VK210 and one with Plasmodium falciparum; two An. neivai with P. falciparum. Our data support the continued predominance of An. albimanus in the Pacific Coast, and demonstrate that this species is the most abundant in the Atlantic Coast as well.