Background: Adult mosquitoes of the genus anopheles are important vectors of Plasmodium parasites, causative agents of malaria. Despite the synthesis of malaria entomological data from 1930-2000, entomological profile of malaria in Ethiopia is limited since 2001. This review aimed to synthesize the overall and species specific sporozoite infection rate of anopheles species in the last two decades.

Methods: Comprehensive searching was conducted using databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus) between December 10, 2021 and January 15, 2022. Original articles conducted in Ethiopia, published in English language between January 01/2001 and December 31/2021, and reported sporozoite infection statuses were included. Data were extracted from text and table using a standardized data extraction tool. The quality of each original study was assessed using standard quality assessment tool adapted from JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist. This study was registered in PROSPERO ID: CRD42022299078.

Result: A search for published articles produced a total of 2723 articles, of which 34 met the inclusion criteria. A total of 129,410 anophelines comprising 25 species were captured of which, 48,365 comprising 21 species were tested for sporozoite. The overall sporozoite infection rate was 0.87%. The mean overall sporozoite rate among 34 studies was 0.92%. An.arabiensis, An.pharoensis, An.coustani, An. funestus, An.demeilloni, An.stephensi and An. cinereus were sporozoite positive species. Highest numbers of the tested and infected anophelines were recorded in Central Ethiopia. The majority of studies have used Direct/Sandwich ELISA to detect sporozoite. Highest frequency was noticed in P.falciparum sporozoite. Only one anopheles sample (notably An. arabiensis) was found infected with both P.vivax and P.falciparum.

Conclusion: Seven anopheles species were sporozoite positive in the last 21 years. Anopheles demeilloni, An.stephensi and An. cinereus were the newly emerging malaria vectors. Attention should be paid on emerging vectors and extensive entomological investigation should be carried out in Northern and Eastern Ethiopia.