Net Transition Initiative: Efficacy of Two Next-generation Nets for Control of Malaria in Cote D'Ivoire

The investigator plan to conduct a three-arm cluster-randomized control trial which compares two next generation of long-lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs); Veeralin®LLIN (PBO-py LLIN), Interceptor G2 (chlorfenapyr-py LLIN) to a standard py-LLIN in the department of Tiebissou Southern Bouake city, central Côte d'Ivoire.

The primary objective of the project is to evaluate the efficacy of chlorfenapyr-pyrethroid and piperonyl-butoxide (PBO) synergist-pyrethroid LLINs on malaria case incidence in children aged 6 months to 10 years compared to standard pyrethroid-only LLINs. The secondary objectives are to evaluate the efficacy of the two intervention LLINs compared to the standard LLIN on a) malaria infection prevalence in the general population (both children and adults), b) vector density and c) entomological inoculation rate (EIR) (as a proxy for malaria transmission). In addition, changes in phenotypic resistance intensity and selection for molecular resistance mechanisms at baseline and 12 months post-LLIN distribution, in sentinel villages in each treatment arm will be investigate.

It is vital to demonstrate that these next generation LLINs which are becoming the standard of care in Sub Saharan AFRICA, are superior to standard py-LLIN in the most extreme resistance areas as this is likely where alternative interventions will be most needed to keep malaria control on track. The trial will generate the first epidemiological evidence on the efficacy of PBO nets compared to py-LLIN in West Africa.

Background: The massive scale-up of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) has led to a major reduction in malaria burden in many sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. This progress is threatened by the wide scale selection of insecticide resistant malaria vectors.

Study site: The study will be conducted in the department of Tiebissou (Gbeke Region in Lac district) Southern Bouake city, central Côte d'Ivoire. The Lac district is characterized by intense indoor malaria transmission with a prevalence of malaria reaching 51.3% in 2021 in children of under 5 years of age and extremely high pyrethroid resistance intensity in the main malaria vectors Anopheles gambiae s.s. and An. coluzzii.

Study design: Three-arm superiority, single blinded, cluster-randomised trial with village as the unit of randomisation. The arms consist of; 1/ Veeralin LLIN, a net combining the synergist PBO and the pyrethroid alpha-cypermethrin, 2/Interceptor G2, a mixture LLIN incorporating two adulticides with different modes of action; chlorfenapyr and a pyrethroid (alpha-cypermethrin), and 3/ the control arm: MAGNet LLIN, an alpha-cypermethrin-only LLIN.

Activities/Sample size:

A total of 33 villages (1 village = 1 cluster) with an average of 200 households will be identified and mapped. Nets will be distributed at a central point following national guidelines with 1 net for every 2 people.

To compare incidence of malaria cases between each intervention study arm and the control arm, a cohort of 50 children (45 + 5 to account for loss to follow up) will be recruited per cluster in 33 clusters for 12 months follow up to be able to detect a 35% relative reduction in malaria cases per child per year (rate ratio 0.65) between the intervention and the reference arms, assuming transmission in the control arm is 1.2 malaria cases per year with a coefficient of variation of 0.29 between clusters. The children will be visited twice a month during the transmission season (April to November) and once a month during the dry season.

Malaria infection prevalence cross-sectional surveys will be conducted, at baseline, 6 and 12 months after LLIN distribution. 50 people of all ages will be randomly selected from each of the 33 clusters (11 clusters per arm x 3 arms) and tested for malaria using RDT. The study will have 80% power to detect a relative 35% lower prevalence (prevalence ratio 0.65 in each intervention arm (VEERALLIN or Interceptor G2) relative to standard LLIN, assuming a prevalence of 50% in the control arm and a coefficient of variation of 0.3.

Vector density over 12 months will be followed using Human Landing Collection (HLC) indoor and outdoor with collection in 6 households in every cluster every 2 months. Assuming a mean mosquito density of 28 in the control arm, and a 60% reduction in mosquitoes in the intervention arms, with a coefficient of variation of 0.55 between clusters, this will give 80% power to detect differences at each timepoint.

Insecticide resistance intensity will be monitored at baseline and post intervention using adapted CDC bottle assays. The mechanism involved in resistance to pyrethroid and chlorfenapyr will be screened.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* For adults: willing to participate and provide consent
* For children: Having a parents/adult caregiver willing to provide written consent for the household and clinical survey and assent for children over 10
* Residing in the village over the last 3 months
* Be aged 6 months to 9 years old at time of recruitment (for the cohort)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Children who are expected to be non-resident over the period of study will be excluded (for the cohort)
* Dwelling not found or vacant during the survey (for prevalence and entomological surveys)
* No adult caregiver capable to give informed consent (All activities)
* Habitants/selected participants severely ill