Effect of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors on Anopheles albimanus larvae (Diptera: Culicidae)

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) catalyzes the reversible conversion of CO2 to bicarbonate and participates in mechanisms of alkalinization in the intestine of mosquitoes. The toxicity of four CA inhibitors (CAI): acetazolamide (AZM), methazolamide (MZM), ethoxolamide (ETX) and dorzolamide (DZA) were evaluated in larvae of Anopheles albimanus by monitoring mortality 24, 48 and 72 hours post application, at a concentration of 50 ug/ml diluted in dimethyl sulfoxide previously. All IAC reduced the population of larvae in variable proportions. ETX showed the highest toxicity, achieving more than 80% mortality after 24 hours and 98% after 72 hours of application. The CAI, AZM, MZM and DZA showed less toxicity (<50% mortality). Our results indicate that the CAI, including ETX in particular, is a worthy candidate as an alternative for the control of An. albimanus, which is considered a primary vector of malaria in Colombia.