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Zeferino TG, Koella JC. Host-specific effects of a generalist parasite of mosquitoes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:18365. [PMID: 39112600 PMCID: PMC11306583 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-69475-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Microsporidians are obligate parasites of many animals, including mosquitoes. Some microsporidians have been proposed as potential agents for the biological control of mosquitoes and the diseases they transmit due to their detrimental impact on larval survival and adult lifespan. To get a more complete picture of their potential use as agents of biological control, we measured the impact of Vavraia culicis on several life-history traits of Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae. We measured the infection dynamics and clearance rate for the two species, and we assessed sexual dimorphism in infection dynamics within each species. Our results show differences in infection dynamics, with Ae. aegypti life-history traits being more affected during its aquatic stage and exhibiting higher clearance of the infection as adults. In contrast, An. gambiae was unable to clear the infection. Additionally, we found evidence of sexual dimorphism in parasite infection in An. gambiae, with males having a higher average parasite load. These findings shed light and improve our knowledge of the infection dynamics of V. culicis, a microsporidian parasite previously recognized as a potential control agent of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago G Zeferino
- Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
| | - Jacob C Koella
- Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
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Schinkel M, Bousema T, van Rij RP. Tripartite interactions between viruses, parasites, and mosquitoes. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 64:101222. [PMID: 38908822 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2024.101222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
Mosquito-borne diseases have a major impact on global human health. Biological agents that colonize the mosquito vector are increasingly explored as an intervention strategy to prevent vector-borne disease transmission. For instance, the release of mosquitoes carrying the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia effectively reduced dengue virus incidence and disease. Insect-specific viruses are likewise considered as biocontrol agents against vector-borne diseases. While most studies focused on insect-specific viruses as an intervention against arthropod-borne viruses, we here consider whether mosquito-specific viruses may affect the transmission of the malaria-causing Plasmodium parasite by Anopheles mosquitoes. Although there is no direct experimental evidence addressing this question, we found that viral infections in dipteran insects activate some of the immune pathways that are antiparasitic in Anopheles. These findings suggest that indirect virus-parasite interactions could occur and that insect-specific viruses may modulate malaria transmission. Tripartite interactions between viruses, parasites, and Anopheles mosquitoes thus merit further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Schinkel
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Teun Bousema
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ronald P van Rij
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
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Hofer LM, Kweyamba PA, Sayi RM, Chabo MS, Mwanga R, Maitra SL, Somboka MM, Schnoz A, Golumbeanu M, Schneeberger PHH, Ross A, Habtewold T, Nsanzabana C, Moore SJ, Tambwe MM. Additional blood meals increase sporozoite infection in Anopheles mosquitoes but not Plasmodium falciparum genetic diversity. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17467. [PMID: 39075150 PMCID: PMC11286785 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67990-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The availability of nutrients from mosquito blood meals accelerates the development of Plasmodium falciparum laboratory strains in artificially infected Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes. The impact of multiple blood meals on the number of P. falciparum genotypes developing from polyclonal natural human malaria infections (field-isolates) remains unexplored. Here, we experimentally infect An. gambiae with P. falciparum field-isolates and measure the impact of an additional non-infectious blood meal on parasite development. We also assess parasite genetic diversity at the blood stage level of the parasite in the human host and of the sporozoites in the mosquito. Additional blood meals increase the sporozoite infection prevalence and intensity, but do not substantially affect the genetic diversity of sporozoites in the mosquito. The most abundant parasite genotypes in the human blood were transmitted to mosquitoes, suggesting that there was no preferential selection of specific genotypes. This study underlines the importance of additional mosquito blood meals for the development of parasite field-isolates in the mosquito host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenz M Hofer
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001, Basel, Switzerland.
- Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU) Ifakara Health Institute, Environmental Health, and Ecological Sciences, P.O. Box 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania.
| | - Prisca A Kweyamba
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001, Basel, Switzerland
- Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU) Ifakara Health Institute, Environmental Health, and Ecological Sciences, P.O. Box 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
| | - Rajabu M Sayi
- Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU) Ifakara Health Institute, Environmental Health, and Ecological Sciences, P.O. Box 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
| | - Mohamed S Chabo
- Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU) Ifakara Health Institute, Environmental Health, and Ecological Sciences, P.O. Box 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
| | - Rehema Mwanga
- Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU) Ifakara Health Institute, Environmental Health, and Ecological Sciences, P.O. Box 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
| | - Sonali L Maitra
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001, Basel, Switzerland
- Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU) Ifakara Health Institute, Environmental Health, and Ecological Sciences, P.O. Box 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
| | - Mariam M Somboka
- Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU) Ifakara Health Institute, Environmental Health, and Ecological Sciences, P.O. Box 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
| | - Annina Schnoz
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Monica Golumbeanu
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pierre H H Schneeberger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Amanda Ross
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tibebu Habtewold
- Departement of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Christian Nsanzabana
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sarah J Moore
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001, Basel, Switzerland
- Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU) Ifakara Health Institute, Environmental Health, and Ecological Sciences, P.O. Box 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
- The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), P.O. Box 447, Tengeru, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Mgeni M Tambwe
- Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU) Ifakara Health Institute, Environmental Health, and Ecological Sciences, P.O. Box 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
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4
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Boanyah GY, Koekemoer LL, Herren JK, Bukhari T. Effect of Microsporidia MB infection on the development and fitness of Anopheles arabiensis under different diet regimes. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:294. [PMID: 38982472 PMCID: PMC11234536 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06365-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microsporidia MB (MB) is a naturally occurring symbiont of Anopheles and has recently been identified as having a potential to inhibit the transmission of Plasmodium in mosquitoes. MB intensity is high in mosquito gonads, with no fitness consequences for the mosquito, and is linked to horizontal (sexual) and vertical (transovarial) transmission from one mosquito to another. Maximising MB intensity and transmission is important for maintaining heavily infected mosquito colonies for experiments and ultimately for mosquito releases. We have investigated how diet affects the MB-Anopheles arabiensis symbiosis phenotypes, such as larval development and mortality, adult size and survival, as well as MB intensity in both larvae and adults. METHODS F1 larvae of G0 females confirmed to be An. arabiensis and infected with MB were either combined (group lines [GLs]) or reared separately (isofemale lines [IMLs]) depending on the specific experiment. Four diet regimes (all mg/larva/day) were tested on F1 GLs: Tetramin 0.07, Tetramin 0.3, Gocat 0.3 and Cerelac 0.3. GLs reared on Tetramin 0.3 mg/larva/day were then fed either a 1% or 6% glucose diet to determine adult survival. Larvae of IMLs were fed Tetramin 0.07 mg and Tetramin 0.3 mg for larval experiments. The mosquitoes in the adult experiments with IMLs were reared on 1% or 6% glucose. RESULTS Amongst the four larval diet regimes tested on An. arabiensis development in the presence of MB, the fastest larval development highest adult emergence, largest body size of mosquitoes, highest prevalence and highest density of MB occurred in those fed Tetramin 0.3 mg/larva/day. Although adult MB-positive mosquitoes fed on 6% glucose survived longer than MB-negative mosquitoes, there was no such effect for those fed on the 1% glucose diet. Development time, wing length and adult survival were not significantly different between MB-infected and uninfected An. arabiensis fed on the Tetramin 0.07 mg/larva/day diet, demonstrating that the MB-conferred fitness advantage was diet-dependent. CONCLUSIONS Microsporidia MB does not adversely impact the development and fitness of An. arabiensis, even under limited dietary conditions. The diet regime of Tetramin 0.3 mg/larva/day + 6% glucose for adults is the superior diet for the mass rearing of MB-infected An. arabiensis mosquitoes. These results are important for rearing MB-infected An. arabiensis in the laboratory for experiments and the mass rearing required for field releases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Godfred Yaw Boanyah
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lizette L Koekemoer
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic & Parasitic Diseases, Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jeremy K Herren
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya.
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Tullu Bukhari
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya.
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Dziuba MK, McIntire KM, Seto K, Davenport ES, Rogalski MA, Gowler CD, Baird E, Vaandrager M, Huerta C, Jaye R, Corcoran FE, Withrow A, Ahrendt S, Salamov A, Nolan M, Tejomurthula S, Barry K, Grigoriev IV, James TY, Duffy MA. Phylogeny, morphology, virulence, ecology, and host range of Ordospora pajunii (Ordosporidae), a microsporidian symbiont of Daphnia spp. mBio 2024; 15:e0058224. [PMID: 38651867 PMCID: PMC11237803 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00582-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The impacts of microsporidia on host individuals are frequently subtle and can be context dependent. A key example of the latter comes from a recently discovered microsporidian symbiont of Daphnia, the net impact of which was found to shift from negative to positive based on environmental context. Given this, we hypothesized low baseline virulence of the microsporidian; here, we investigated the impact of infection on hosts in controlled conditions and the absence of other stressors. We also investigated its phylogenetic position, ecology, and host range. The genetic data indicate that the symbiont is Ordospora pajunii, a newly described microsporidian parasite of Daphnia. We show that O. pajunii infection damages the gut, causing infected epithelial cells to lose microvilli and then rupture. The prevalence of this microsporidian could be high (up to 100% in the lab and 77% of adults in the field). Its overall virulence was low in most cases, but some genotypes suffered reduced survival and/or reproduction. Susceptibility and virulence were strongly host-genotype dependent. We found that North American O. pajunii were able to infect multiple Daphnia species, including the European species Daphnia longispina, as well as Ceriodaphnia spp. Given the low, often undetectable virulence of this microsporidian and potentially far-reaching consequences of infections for the host when interacting with other pathogens or food, this Daphnia-O. pajunii symbiosis emerges as a valuable system for studying the mechanisms of context-dependent shifts between mutualism and parasitism, as well as for understanding how symbionts might alter host interactions with resources. IMPORTANCE The net outcome of symbiosis depends on the costs and benefits to each partner. Those can be context dependent, driving the potential for an interaction to change between parasitism and mutualism. Understanding the baseline fitness impact in an interaction can help us understand those shifts; for an organism that is generally parasitic, it should be easier for it to become a mutualist if its baseline virulence is relatively low. Recently, a microsporidian was found to become beneficial to its Daphnia hosts in certain ecological contexts, but little was known about the symbiont (including its species identity). Here, we identify it as the microsporidium Ordospora pajunii. Despite the parasitic nature of microsporidia, we found O. pajunii to be, at most, mildly virulent; this helps explain why it can shift toward mutualism in certain ecological contexts and helps establish O. pajunii is a valuable model for investigating shifts along the mutualism-parasitism continuum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin K. Dziuba
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Kristina M. McIntire
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Kensuke Seto
- Faculty of Environment and Information Sciences, Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Elizabeth S. Davenport
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Mary A. Rogalski
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Biology Department, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine, USA
| | - Camden D. Gowler
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Emma Baird
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Megan Vaandrager
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Cristian Huerta
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Riley Jaye
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Fiona E. Corcoran
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Alicia Withrow
- Center for Advanced Microscopy, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Steven Ahrendt
- United States Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Asaf Salamov
- United States Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Matt Nolan
- United States Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Sravanthi Tejomurthula
- United States Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Kerrie Barry
- United States Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Igor V. Grigoriev
- United States Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Timothy Y. James
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Meghan A. Duffy
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Khalaf A, Francis O, Blaxter ML. Genome evolution in intracellular parasites: Microsporidia and Apicomplexa. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2024:e13033. [PMID: 38785208 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.13033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Microsporidia and Apicomplexa are eukaryotic, single-celled, intracellular parasites with huge public health and economic importance. Typically, these parasites are studied separately, emphasizing their uniqueness and diversity. In this review, we explore the huge amount of genomic data that has recently become available for the two groups. We compare and contrast their genome evolution and discuss how their transitions to intracellular life may have shaped it. In particular, we explore genome reduction and compaction, genome expansion and ploidy, gene shuffling and rearrangements, and the evolution of centromeres and telomeres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amjad Khalaf
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ore Francis
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
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Agboka KM, Wamalwa M, Mutunga JM, Tonnang HEZ. A mathematical model for mapping the insecticide resistance trend in the Anopheles gambiae mosquito population under climate variability in Africa. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9850. [PMID: 38684842 PMCID: PMC11059405 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60555-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The control of arthropod disease vectors using chemical insecticides is vital in combating malaria, however the increasing insecticide resistance (IR) poses a challenge. Furthermore, climate variability affects mosquito population dynamics and subsequently IR propagation. We present a mathematical model to decipher the relationship between IR in Anopheles gambiae populations and climate variability. By adapting the susceptible-infected-resistant (SIR) framework and integrating temperature and rainfall data, our model examines the connection between mosquito dynamics, IR, and climate. Model validation using field data achieved 92% accuracy, and the sensitivity of model parameters on the transmission potential of IR was elucidated (e.g. μPRCC = 0.85958, p-value < 0.001). In this study, the integration of high-resolution covariates with the SIR model had a significant impact on the spatial and temporal variation of IR among mosquito populations across Africa. Importantly, we demonstrated a clear association between climatic variability and increased IR (width = [0-3.78], α = 0.05). Regions with high IR variability, such as western Africa, also had high malaria incidences thereby corroborating the World Health Organization Malaria Report 2021. More importantly, this study seeks to bolster global malaria combat strategies by highlighting potential IR 'hotspots' for targeted intervention by National malria control programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Komi Mensah Agboka
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), P.O. Box 30772 00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Mark Wamalwa
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), P.O. Box 30772 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - James Mutuku Mutunga
- School of Engineering Design and Innovation Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Henri E Z Tonnang
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), P.O. Box 30772 00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
- School of Agricultural, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 3209, South Africa.
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Bukhari T, Gichuhi J, Mbare O, Ochwal VA, Fillinger U, Herren JK. Willingness to accept and participate in a Microsporidia MB-based mosquito release strategy: a community-based rapid assessment in western Kenya. Malar J 2024; 23:113. [PMID: 38643165 PMCID: PMC11031974 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04941-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microsporidia MB, an endosymbiont naturally found in Anopheles mosquitoes inhibits transmission of Plasmodium and is a promising candidate for a transmission-blocking strategy that may involve mosquito release. A rapid assessment was carried out to develop insight into sociodemographic factors, public health concerns, and malaria awareness, management, and prevention practices with the willingness to accept and participate in Microsporidia MB-based transmission-blocking strategy to develop an informed stakeholder engagement process. METHODS The assessment consisted of a survey conducted in two communities in western Kenya that involved administering a questionnaire consisting of structured, semi-structured, and open questions to 8108 household heads. RESULTS There was an overall high level of willingness to accept (81%) and participate in the implementation of the strategy (96%). Although the willingness to accept was similar in both communities, Ombeyi community was more willing to participate (OR 22, 95% CI 13-36). Women were less willing to accept (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.7-0.9) compared to men due to fear of increased mosquito bites near homes. Household heads with incomplete primary education were more willing to accept (OR 1.6, 95% CI 01.2-2.2) compared to those educated to primary level or higher. Perceiving malaria as a moderate or low public health issue was also associated with a lower willingness to accept and participate. Experience of > 3 malaria cases in the family over the last six months and knowledge that malaria is transmitted by only mosquito bites, increased the willingness to accept but reduced the willingness to participate. Awareness of malaria control methods based on mosquitoes that cannot transmit malaria increases the willingness to participate. CONCLUSION The study showed a high level of willingness to accept and participate in a Microsporidia MB-based strategy in the community, which is influenced by several factors such as community, disease risk perception, gender, education level, knowledge, and experience of malaria. Further research will need to focus on understanding the concerns of women, educated, and employed community members, and factors that contribute to the lower disease risk perception. This improved understanding will lead to the development of an effective communication strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tullu Bukhari
- Human Health, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Joseph Gichuhi
- Human Health, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Oscar Mbare
- Human Health, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Victoria A Ochwal
- Human Health, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ulrike Fillinger
- Human Health, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jeremy K Herren
- Human Health, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
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Ang'ang'o LM, Waweru JW, Makhulu EE, Wairimu A, Otieno FG, Onchuru T, Tastan Bishop Ö, Herren JK. Draft genome of Microsporidia sp. MB-a malaria-blocking microsporidian symbiont of the Anopheles arabiensis. Microbiol Resour Announc 2024; 13:e0090323. [PMID: 38509052 PMCID: PMC11008153 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00903-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
We report the draft whole-genome assembly of Microsporidia sp. MB, a symbiotic malaria-transmission-blocking microsporidian isolated from Anopheles arabiensis in Kenya. The whole-genome sequence of Microsporidia sp. MB has a length of 5,908,979 bp, 2,335 contigs, and an average GC content of 31.12%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian Mbaisi Ang'ang'o
- Research Unit in Bioinformatics (RUBi), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Makhanda, Eastern Cape, South Africa
| | | | | | - Anne Wairimu
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Thomas Onchuru
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Özlem Tastan Bishop
- Research Unit in Bioinformatics (RUBi), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Makhanda, Eastern Cape, South Africa
| | - Jeremy Keith Herren
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
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10
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Trzebny A, Nahimova O, Dabert M. High temperatures and low humidity promote the occurrence of microsporidians (Microsporidia) in mosquitoes (Culicidae). Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:187. [PMID: 38605410 PMCID: PMC11008030 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06254-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the context of climate change, a growing concern is that vector-pathogen or host-parasite interactions may be correlated with climatic factors, especially increasing temperatures. In the present study, we used a mosquito-microsporidian model to determine the impact of environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, wind and rainfall on the occurrence rates of opportunistic obligate microparasites (Microsporidia) in hosts from a family that includes important disease vectors (Culicidae). METHODS In our study, 3000 adult mosquitoes collected from the field over 3 years were analysed. Mosquitoes and microsporidia were identified using PCR and sequencing of the hypervariable V5 region of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene and a shortened fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene, respectively. RESULTS DNA metabarcoding was used to identify nine mosquito species, all of which were hosts of 12 microsporidian species. The prevalence of microsporidian DNA across all mosquito samples was 34.6%. Microsporidian prevalence in mosquitoes was more frequent during warm months (> 19 °C; humidity < 65%), as was the co-occurrence of two or three microsporidian species in a single host individual. During warm months, microsporidian occurrence was noted 1.6-fold more often than during the cold periods. Among the microsporidians found in the mosquitoes, five (representing the genera Enterocytospora, Vairimorpha and Microsporidium) were positively correlated with an increase in temperature, whereas one (Hazardia sp.) was significantly correlated with a decrease in temperature. Threefold more microsporidian co-occurrences were recorded in the warm months than in the cold months. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the susceptibility of mosquitoes to parasite occurrence is primarily determined by environmental conditions, such as, for example, temperatures > 19 °C and humidity not exceeding 62%. Collectively, our data provide a better understanding of the effects of the environment on microsporidian-mosquito interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Trzebny
- Molecular Biology Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Olena Nahimova
- Molecular Biology Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
- Genetics and Cytology Department, School of Biology, V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv, Ukraine
| | - Miroslawa Dabert
- Molecular Biology Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
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11
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Sollelis L, Howick VM, Marti M. Revisiting the determinants of malaria transmission. Trends Parasitol 2024; 40:302-312. [PMID: 38443304 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2024.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Malaria parasites have coevolved with humans over thousands of years, mirroring their migration out of Africa. They persist to this day, despite continuous elimination efforts worldwide. These parasites can adapt to changing environments during infection of human and mosquito, and when expanding the geographical range by switching vector species. Recent studies in the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, identified determinants governing the plasticity of sexual conversion rates, sex ratio, and vector competence. Here we summarize the latest literature revealing environmental, epigenetic, and genetic determinants of malaria transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauriane Sollelis
- Wellcome Center for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection and Immunity University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK; Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Virginia M Howick
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland; Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health, and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Matthias Marti
- Wellcome Center for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection and Immunity University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK; Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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12
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Tersigni J, Tamim El Jarkass H, James EB, Reinke AW. Interactions between microsporidia and other members of the microbiome. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2024:e13025. [PMID: 38561869 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.13025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The microbiome is the collection of microbes that are associated with a host. Microsporidia are intracellular eukaryotic parasites that can infect most types of animals. In the last decade, there has been much progress to define the relationship between microsporidia and the microbiome. In this review, we cover an increasing number of reports suggesting that microsporidia are common components of the microbiome in both invertebrates and vertebrates. These microsporidia infections can range from mutualistic to pathogenic, causing several physiological phenotypes, including death. Infection with microsporidia often causes a disruption in the normal microbiome, with both increases and decreases of bacterial, fungal, viral, and protozoan species being observed. This impact on the microbiome can occur through upregulation and downregulation of innate immunity as well as morphological changes to tissues that impact interactions with these microbes. Other microbes, particularly bacteria, can inhibit microsporidia and have been exploited to control microsporidia infections. These bacteria can function through regulating immunity, secreting anti-microsporidia compounds, and, in engineered versions, expressing double-stranded RNA targeting microsporidia genes. We end this review by discussing potential future directions to further understand the complex interactions between microsporidia and the other members of the microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Tersigni
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Edward B James
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aaron W Reinke
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Ahouandjinou MJ, Sovi A, Sidick A, Sewadé W, Koukpo CZ, Chitou S, Towakinou L, Adjottin B, Hougbe S, Tokponnon F, Padonou GG, Akogbéto M, Messenger LA, Ossè RA. First report of natural infection of Anopheles gambiae s.s. and Anopheles coluzzii by Wolbachia and Microsporidia in Benin: a cross-sectional study. Malar J 2024; 23:72. [PMID: 38468292 PMCID: PMC10926679 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04906-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, bacterial endosymbiont, including Wolbachia and Microsporidia were found to limit the infection of Anopheles mosquitoes with Plasmodium falciparum. This study aimed to investigate the natural presence of key transmission-blocking endosymbionts in Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii in Southern Benin. METHODS The present study was conducted in seven communes (Cotonou, Porto-Novo, Aguégués, Ifangni, Pobè Athiémé, and Grand-Popo) of Southern Benin. Anopheles were collected using indoor/outdoor Human Landing Catches (HLCs) and Pyrethrum Spray Catches (PSCs). Following morphological identification, PCR was used to identify An. gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) to species level and to screen for the presence of both Wolbachia and Microsporidia. Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite infection was also assessed using ELISA. RESULTS Overall, species composition in An. gambiae s.l. was 53.7% An. coluzzii, while the remainder was An. gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.). Combined data of the two sampling techniques revealed a mean infection prevalence with Wolbachia of 5.1% (95% CI 0.90-18.6) and 1.3% (95% CI 0.07-7.8) in An. gambiae s.s. and An. coluzzii, respectively. The mean infection prevalence with Microsporidia was 41.0% (95% CI 25.9-57.8) for An. gambiae s.s. and 57.0% (95% CI 45.4-67.9) for An. coluzzii. Wolbachia was only observed in Ifangni, Pobè, and Cotonou, while Microsporidia was detected in all study communes. Aggregated data for HLCs and PSCs showed a sporozoite rate (SR) of 0.80% (95% CI 0.09-2.87) and 0.69% (95% CI 0.09-2.87) for An. gambiae and An. coluzzii, respectively, with a mean of 0.74% (95% CI 0.20-1.90). Of the four individual mosquitoes which harboured P. falciparum, none were also infected with Wolbachia and one contained Microsporidia. CONCLUSIONS The present study is the first report of natural infections of field-collected An. gambiae s.l. populations from Benin with Wolbachia and Microsporidia. Sustained efforts should be made to widen the spectrum of bacteria identified in mosquitoes, with the potential to develop endosymbiont-based control tools; such interventions could be the game-changer in the control of malaria and arboviral disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arthur Sovi
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin
- Faculté d'Agronomie, Université de Parakou, Parakou, Benin
- Disease Control Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Wilfried Sewadé
- Biology Department, VERG Laboratories, Hacettepe University, Beytepe-Ankara, Turkey
| | | | - Saïd Chitou
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Linda Towakinou
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Bruno Adjottin
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Steve Hougbe
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Filémon Tokponnon
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin
- Ecole Polytechnique d'Abomey-Calavi, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Germain Gil Padonou
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin
- Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Martin Akogbéto
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Louisa A Messenger
- Disease Control Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, 89154, USA
- Parasitology and Vector Biology Laboratory (UNLV PARAVEC Lab), School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Razaki A Ossè
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin
- Ecole de Gestion et d'Exploitation des Systèmes d'Elevage, Université Nationale d'Agriculture, Kétou, Benin
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14
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El-Dougdoug NK, Magistrado D, Short SM. An obligate microsporidian parasite modulates defense against opportunistic bacterial infection in the yellow fever mosquito , Aedes aegypti. mSphere 2024; 9:e0067823. [PMID: 38323845 PMCID: PMC10900900 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00678-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The ability of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to transmit vertebrate pathogens depends on multiple factors, including the mosquitoes' life history traits, immune response, and microbiota (i.e., the microbes associated with the mosquito throughout its life). The microsporidium Edhazardia aedis is an obligate intracellular parasite that specifically infects Ae. aegypti mosquitoes and severely affects mosquito survival and other life history traits critical for pathogen transmission. In this work, we investigated how E. aedis impacts bacterial infection with Serratia marcescens in Ae. aegypti mosquitoes. We measured development, survival, and bacterial load in both larval and adult stages of mosquitoes. In larvae, E. aedis exposure was either horizontal or vertical and S. marcescens was introduced orally. Regardless of the route of transmission, E. aedis exposure resulted in significantly higher S. marcescens loads in larvae. E. aedis exposure also significantly reduced larval survival but subsequent exposure to S. marcescens had no effect. In adult females, E. aedis exposure was only horizontal and S. marcescens was introduced orally or via intrathoracic injection. In both cases, E. aedis infection significantly increased S. marcescens bacterial loads in adult female mosquitoes. In addition, females infected with E. aedis and subsequently injected with S. marcescens suffered 100% mortality which corresponded with a rapid increase in bacterial load. These findings suggest that exposure to E. aedis can influence the establishment and/or replication of other microbes in the mosquito. This has implications for understanding the ecology of mosquito immune defense and potentially disease transmission by mosquito vector species. IMPORTANCE The microsporidium Edhazardia aedis is a parasite of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. This mosquito transmits multiple viruses to humans in the United States and around the world, including dengue, yellow fever, and Zika viruses. Hundreds of millions of people worldwide will become infected with one of these viruses each year. E. aedis infection significantly reduces the lifespan of Ae. aegypti and is therefore a promising novel biocontrol agent. Here, we show that when the mosquito is infected with this parasite, it is also significantly more susceptible to infection by an opportunistic bacterial pathogen, Serratia marcescens. This novel discovery suggests the mosquito's ability to control infection by other microbes is impacted by the presence of the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noha K El-Dougdoug
- Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Benha University, Benha, Egypt
| | - Dom Magistrado
- Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Sarah M Short
- Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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15
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Egyirifa RK, Akorli J. Two promising candidates for paratransgenesis, Elizabethkingia and Asaia, increase in both sexes of Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes after feeding. Malar J 2024; 23:45. [PMID: 38347591 PMCID: PMC10863137 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04870-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The male mosquito microbiome may be important for identifying ideal candidates for disease control. Among other criteria, mosquito-associated symbionts that have high localization in both male and female mosquitoes and are transmissible through both vertical and sexual routes are desirable. However, mosquito microbiome studies have mainly been female-focused. In this study, the microbiota of male and female Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) were compared to identify shared or unique bacteria. METHODS Late larval instars of Anopheles mosquitoes were collected from the field and raised to adults. Equal numbers of males and females of 1-day-old non-sugar-fed, 4-5-day-old sugar-fed and post-blood-fed females were randomly selected for whole-body analyses of bacteria 16S rRNA. RESULTS Results revealed that male and female mosquitoes generally share similar microbiota except when females were blood-fed. Compared to newly emerged unfed mosquitoes, feeding on sugar and/or blood increased variability in microbial composition (⍺-diversity), with a higher disparity among females (39% P = 0.01) than in males (29% P = 0.03). Elizabethkingia meningoseptica and Asaia siamensis were common discriminants between feeding statuses in both males and females. While E. meningoseptica was particularly associated with sugar-fed mosquitoes of both sexes and sustained after blood feeding in females, A. siamensis was also increased in sugar-fed mosquitoes but decreased significantly in blood-fed females (LDA score > 4.0, P < 0.05). Among males, A. siamensis did not differ significantly after sugar meals. CONCLUSIONS Results indicate the opportunities for stable infection in mosquitoes should these species be used in bacteria-mediated disease control. Further studies are recommended to investigate possible host-specific tissue tropism of bacteria species which will inform selection of the most appropriate microbes for effective transmission-blocking strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richardson K Egyirifa
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Jewelna Akorli
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
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Moustapha LM, Sadou IM, Arzika II, Maman LI, Gomgnimbou MK, Konkobo M, Diabate A, Bilgo E. First identification of Microsporidia MB in Anopheles coluzzii from Zinder City, Niger. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:39. [PMID: 38287334 PMCID: PMC10826271 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06059-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria, a disease transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, is a major public health problem causing millions of deaths worldwide, mostly among children under the age of 5 years. Biotechnological interventions targeting parasite-vector interactions have shown that the microsporidian symbiont Microsporidia MB has the potential to disrupt and block Plasmodium transmission. METHODS A prospective cross-sectional survey was conducted in Zinder City (Zinder), Niger, from August to September 2022, using the CDC light trap technique to collect adult mosquitoes belonging to the Anopheles gambiae complex. The survey focused on collecting mosquitoes from three neighborhoods of Zinder (Birni, Kangna and Garin Malan, located in communes I, II and IV, respectively). Collected mosquitoes were sorted and preserved in 70% ethanol. PCR was used to identify host species and detect the presence of Microsporidia MB and Plasmodium falciparum infection. RESULTS Of the 257 Anopheles mosquitoes collected and identified by PCR, Anopheles coluzzii was the most prevalent species, accounting for 97.7% of the total. Microsporidia MB was exclusively detected in A. coluzzii, with a prevalence of 6.8% (17/251) among the samples. No significant difference in prevalence was found among the three neighborhoods. Only one An. coluzzii mosquito tested PCR-positive for P. falciparum. CONCLUSIONS The results confirm the presence of Microsporidia MB in Anopheles mosquitoes in Zinder, Niger, indicating its potential use as a biotechnological intervention against malaria transmission. However, further studies are needed to determine the efficacy of Microsporidia MB to disrupt Plasmodium transmission as well as its impact on vector fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lamine Mahaman Moustapha
- Faculté de Sciences et Techniques de l'Université André Salifou, Zinder, Niger.
- Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire (CERMES), Niamey, Niger.
| | - Illiassou Mamane Sadou
- Centre d'Excellence Africain en Innovations Biotechnologiques pour l'Elimination des Maladies à Transmission Vectorielle (CEA/ITECH-MTV), Université Nazi Boni (UNB), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | | | | | - Michel K Gomgnimbou
- Centre d'Excellence Africain en Innovations Biotechnologiques pour l'Elimination des Maladies à Transmission Vectorielle (CEA/ITECH-MTV), Université Nazi Boni (UNB), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- Centre Muraz, Institut National de Santé Publique (INSP), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Maurice Konkobo
- Centre d'Excellence Africain en Innovations Biotechnologiques pour l'Elimination des Maladies à Transmission Vectorielle (CEA/ITECH-MTV), Université Nazi Boni (UNB), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- Centre Muraz, Institut National de Santé Publique (INSP), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Direction Régionale de l'Ouest, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Abdoulaye Diabate
- Centre d'Excellence Africain en Innovations Biotechnologiques pour l'Elimination des Maladies à Transmission Vectorielle (CEA/ITECH-MTV), Université Nazi Boni (UNB), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- Centre Muraz, Institut National de Santé Publique (INSP), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Direction Régionale de l'Ouest, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Etienne Bilgo
- Centre d'Excellence Africain en Innovations Biotechnologiques pour l'Elimination des Maladies à Transmission Vectorielle (CEA/ITECH-MTV), Université Nazi Boni (UNB), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
- Centre Muraz, Institut National de Santé Publique (INSP), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Direction Régionale de l'Ouest, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
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Makhulu EE, Onchuru TO, Gichuhi J, Otieno FG, Wairimu AW, Muthoni JN, Koekemoer L, Herren JK. Localization and tissue tropism of the symbiont Microsporidia MB in the germ line and somatic tissues of Anopheles arabiensis. mBio 2024; 15:e0219223. [PMID: 38063396 PMCID: PMC10790688 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02192-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Microsporidia MB is a symbiont with a strong malaria transmission-blocking phenotype in Anopheles arabiensis. It spreads in mosquito populations through mother-to-offspring and sexual transmission. The ability of Microsporidia MB to block Plasmodium transmission, together with its ability to spread within Anopheles populations and its avirulence to the host, makes it a very attractive candidate for developing a key strategy to stop malaria transmissions. Here, we report tissue tropism and localization patterns of Microsporidia MB, which are relevant to its transmission. We find that Microsporidia MB accumulates in Anopheles arabiensis tissues, linked to its sexual and vertical transmission. Its prevalence and intensity in the tissues over the mosquito life cycle suggest adaptation to maximize transmission and avirulence in Anopheles arabiensis. These findings provide the foundation for understanding the factors that may affect Microsporidia MB transmission efficiency. This will contribute to the development of strategies to maximize Microsporidia MB transmission to establish and sustain a high prevalence of the symbiont in Anopheles mosquito populations for malaria transmission blocking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward E. Makhulu
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, University of the Witwatersrand, Witwatersrand, South Africa
| | - Thomas O. Onchuru
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Physical and Biological Sciences, Bomet University College, Bomet, Kenya
| | - Joseph Gichuhi
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Fidel G. Otieno
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Anne W. Wairimu
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joseph N. Muthoni
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lizette Koekemoer
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, University of the Witwatersrand, Witwatersrand, South Africa
| | - Jeremy K. Herren
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya
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18
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Trzebny A, Jedut S, Nahimova O, Dabert M. Differences in the proliferation trend of 'Microsporidium' sp. PL03 in Culex pipiens and C. torrentium larvae. J Invertebr Pathol 2023; 201:107990. [PMID: 37690679 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.107990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Our study aimed to examine whether there are differences in the proliferation trend of microsporidia in mosquito larvae of the same genus (Culex spp.). DNA-barcoding and quantitative analyses were used to determine microsporidian rDNA copies in 'early' (L1 + L2) and 'late' (L3 + L4) Culex larvae in a natural population. In the study area, C. pipiens and C. torrentium larvae were infected by 'Microsporidium' sp. PL03 at similar levels. Infection by this microsporidian species probably elicits a notable immune response in C. pipiens, whereas in C. torrentium, it may evade or suppress the host immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Trzebny
- Molecular Biology Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Sylwia Jedut
- Molecular Biology Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
| | - Olena Nahimova
- Molecular Biology Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland; Genetics and Cytology Department, School of Biology, V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv, Ukraine
| | - Miroslawa Dabert
- Molecular Biology Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
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Nattoh G, Onyango B, Makhulu EE, Omoke D, Ang’ang’o LM, Kamau L, Gesuge MM, Ochomo E, Herren JK. Microsporidia MB in the primary malaria vector Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto is avirulent and undergoes maternal and horizontal transmission. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:335. [PMID: 37749577 PMCID: PMC10519057 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05933-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The demonstration that the recently discovered Anopheles symbiont Microsporidia MB blocks malaria transmission in Anopheles arabiensis and undergoes vertical and horizontal transmission suggests that it is a promising candidate for the development of a symbiont-based malaria transmission-blocking strategy. The infection prevalence and characteristics of Microsporidia MB in Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.), another primary vector species of malaria in Kenya, were investigated. METHODS Field-collected females were confirmed to be Microsporidia MB-positive after oviposition. Egg counts of Microsporidia MB-infected and non-infected individuals were used to infer the effects of Microsporidia MB on fecundity. The time to pupation, adult sex ratio and survival were used to determine if Microsporidia MB infection has similar characteristics in the host mosquitoes An. gambiae and An. arabiensis. The intensity of Microsporidia MB infection in tissues of the midgut and gonads, and in carcasses, was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. To investigate horizontal transmission, virgin males and females that were either Microsporidia MB-infected or non-infected were placed in standard cages for 48 h and allowed to mate; transmission was confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction targeting Microsporidia MB genes. RESULTS Microsporidia MB was found to naturally occur at a low prevalence in An. gambiae s.s. collected in western Kenya. Microsporidia MB shortened the development time from larva to pupa, but other fitness parameters such as fecundity, sex ratio, and adult survival did not differ between Microsporidia MB-infected and non-infected hosts. Microsporidia MB intensities were high in the male gonadal tissues. Transmission experiments indicated that Microsporidia MB undergoes both maternal and horizontal transmission in An. gambiae s.s. CONCLUSIONS The findings that Microsporidia MB naturally infects, undergoes maternal and horizontal transmission, and is avirulent in An. gambiae s.s. indicate that many of the characteristics of its infection in An. arabiensis hold true for the former. The results of the present study indicate that Microsporidia MB could be developed as a tool for the transmission-blocking of malaria across different Anopheles species.
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Grants
- I-1-F-5852-1 The International Foundation for Science, Stockholm, Sweden
- Open Philanthropy (SYMBIOVECTOR Track A) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (INV0225840) International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- SMBV-FFT The Childrens' Investment Fund Foundation
- AV/AASS/006 The ANTi-VeC network
- Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
- Open Philanthropy (SYMBIOVECTOR Track A) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (INV0225840)
- The Childrens’ Investment Fund Foundation
- Research Unit in Bioinformatics (RUBi), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development (CBRD), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
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Affiliation(s)
- Godfrey Nattoh
- Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kaimosi Friends University, Kaimosi, Kenya
| | - Brenda Onyango
- Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | | | - Diana Omoke
- Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Lilian Mbaisi Ang’ang’o
- Research Unit in Bioinformatics (RUBi), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
| | - Luna Kamau
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development (CBRD), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Maxwell Machani Gesuge
- Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Eric Ochomo
- Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Jeremy Keith Herren
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
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Akossi RF, Delbac F, El Alaoui H, Wawrzyniak I, Peyretaillade E. The intracellular parasite Anncaliia algerae induces a massive miRNA down-regulation in human cells. Noncoding RNA Res 2023; 8:363-375. [PMID: 37275245 PMCID: PMC10238475 DOI: 10.1016/j.ncrna.2023.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Anncaliia algerae belongs to microsporidia, a group of obligate intracellular parasites related to fungi. These parasites are largely spread in water and food-webs and can infect a wide variety of hosts ranging from invertebrates to vertebrates including humans. In humans, microsporidian infections are mainly opportunistic as immunocompetent hosts can clear parasites naturally. Recent studies however have reported persistent microsporidian infections and have highlighted them as a risk factor in colon cancer. This may be a direct result of cell infection or may be an indirect effect of the infectious microenvironment and the host's response. In both cases, this raises the question of the effects of microsporidian infection at the host and host-cell levels. We aimed to address the question of human host intracellular response to microsporidian infection through a transcriptomic kinetic study of human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF) infected with A.algerae, a human infecting microsporidia with an exceptionally wide host range. We focused solely on host response studying both coding and small non-coding miRNA expression. Our study revealed a generalized down-regulation of cell miRNAs throughout infection with up to 547 different miRNAs downregulated at some timepoints and also transcriptomic dysregulations that could facilitate parasite development with immune and lipid metabolism genes modulation. We also hypothesize possible small nucleic acid expropriation explaining the miRNA downregulation. This work contributes to a better understanding of the dialogue that can occur between an intracellular parasite and its host at the cellular level, and can guide future studies on microsporidian infection biology to unravel the mode of action of these minimalist parasites at the tissue or host levels.We have also generated a kinetic and comprehensive transcriptomic data set of an infectious process that can help support comparative studies in the broader field of parasitology. Lastly, these results may warrant for caution regarding microsporidian exposure and persistent infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reginald Florian Akossi
- Laboratoire “Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement” (LMGE), UMR 6023, Université Clermont Auvergne and CNRS, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Fréderic Delbac
- Laboratoire “Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement” (LMGE), UMR 6023, Université Clermont Auvergne and CNRS, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Hicham El Alaoui
- Laboratoire “Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement” (LMGE), UMR 6023, Université Clermont Auvergne and CNRS, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Ivan Wawrzyniak
- Laboratoire “Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement” (LMGE), UMR 6023, Université Clermont Auvergne and CNRS, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Eric Peyretaillade
- Laboratoire “Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement” (LMGE), UMR 6023, Université Clermont Auvergne and CNRS, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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Mfangnia CNT, Tonnang HEZ, Tsanou B, Herren J. Mathematical modelling of the interactive dynamics of wild and Microsporidia MB-infected mosquitoes. MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES AND ENGINEERING : MBE 2023; 20:15167-15200. [PMID: 37679176 DOI: 10.3934/mbe.2023679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
A recent discovery highlighted that mosquitoes infected with Microsporidia MB are unable to transmit the Plasmodium to humans. Microsporidia MB is a symbiont transmitted vertically and horizontally in the mosquito population, and these transmission routes are known to favor the persistence of the parasite in the mosquito population. Despite the dual transmission, data from field experiments reveal a low prevalence of MB-infected mosquitoes in nature. This study proposes a compartmental model to understand the prevalence of MB-infected mosquitoes. The dynamic of the model is obtained through the computation of the basic reproduction number and the analysis of the stability of the MB-free and coexistence equilibria. The model shows that, in spite of the high vertical transmission efficiency of Microsporidia MB, there can still be a low prevalence of MB-infected mosquitoes. Numerical analysis of the model shows that male-to-female horizontal transmission contributes more than female-to-male horizontal transmission to the spread of MB-infected mosquitoes. Moreover, the female-to-male horizontal transmission contributes to the spread of the symbiont only if there are multiple mating occurrences for male mosquitoes. Furthermore, when fixing the efficiencies of vertical transmission, the parameters having the greater influence on the ratio of MB-positive to wild mosquitoes are identified. In addition, by assuming a similar impact of the temperature on wild and MB-infected mosquitoes, our model shows the seasonal fluctuation of MB-infected mosquitoes. This study serves as a reference for further studies, on the release strategies of MB-infected mosquitoes, to avoid overestimating the MB-infection spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlène N T Mfangnia
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O. Box: 67, Cameroon
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, P.O. Box: 30772, Kenya
| | - Henri E Z Tonnang
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, P.O. Box: 30772, Kenya
| | - Berge Tsanou
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O. Box: 67, Cameroon
- Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - Jeremy Herren
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, P.O. Box: 30772, Kenya
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Hofer LM, Kweyamba PA, Sayi RM, Chabo MS, Maitra SL, Moore SJ, Tambwe MM. Malaria rapid diagnostic tests reliably detect asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infections in school-aged children that are infectious to mosquitoes. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:217. [PMID: 37391770 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05761-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asymptomatic malaria infections (Plasmodium falciparum) are common in school-aged children and represent a disease transmission reservoir as they are potentially infectious to mosquitoes. To detect and treat such infections, convenient, rapid and reliable diagnostic tools are needed. In this study, malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDT), light microscopy (LM) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were used to evaluate their performance detecting asymptomatic malaria infections that are infectious to mosquitoes. METHODS One hundred seventy asymptomatic school-aged children (6-14 years old) from the Bagamoyo district in Tanzania were screened for Plasmodium spp. infections using mRDT (SD BIOLINE), LM and qPCR. In addition, gametocytes were detected using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) for all qPCR-positive children. Venous blood from all P. falciparum positive children was fed to female Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto mosquitoes via direct membrane feeding assays (DMFAs) after serum replacement. Mosquitoes were dissected for oocyst infections on day 8 post-infection. RESULTS The P. falciparum prevalence in study participants was 31.7% by qPCR, 18.2% by mRDT and 9.4% by LM. Approximately one-third (31.2%) of asymptomatic malaria infections were infectious to mosquitoes in DMFAs. In total, 297 infected mosquitoes were recorded after dissections, from which 94.9% (282/297) were derived from infections detected by mRDT and 5.1% (15/297) from subpatent mRDT infections. CONCLUSION The mRDT can be used reliably to detect children carrying gametocyte densities sufficient to infect high numbers of mosquitoes. Subpatent mRDT infections contributed marginally to the pool of oocyts-infected mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenz M Hofer
- Vector Biology Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health, Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001, Basel, Switzerland
- Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU) Ifakara Health Institute, Environmental Health, and Ecological Sciences, 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
| | - Prisca A Kweyamba
- Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU) Ifakara Health Institute, Environmental Health, and Ecological Sciences, 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
| | - Rajabu M Sayi
- Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU) Ifakara Health Institute, Environmental Health, and Ecological Sciences, 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
| | - Mohamed S Chabo
- Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU) Ifakara Health Institute, Environmental Health, and Ecological Sciences, 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
| | - Sonali L Maitra
- Vector Biology Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health, Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001, Basel, Switzerland
- Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU) Ifakara Health Institute, Environmental Health, and Ecological Sciences, 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
| | - Sarah J Moore
- Vector Biology Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health, Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001, Basel, Switzerland
- Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU) Ifakara Health Institute, Environmental Health, and Ecological Sciences, 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
- The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), 447, Tengeru, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Mgeni M Tambwe
- Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU) Ifakara Health Institute, Environmental Health, and Ecological Sciences, 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania.
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Gashururu RS, Maingi N, Githigia SM, Getange DO, Ntivuguruzwa JB, Habimana R, Cecchi G, Gashumba J, Bargul JL, Masiga DK. Trypanosomes infection, endosymbionts, and host preferences in tsetse flies ( Glossina spp.) collected from Akagera park region, Rwanda: A correlational xenomonitoring study. One Health 2023; 16:100550. [PMID: 37363264 PMCID: PMC10288097 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Akagera National Park and its surroundings are home to tsetse flies and a number of their mammalian hosts in Rwanda. A One-health approach is being used in the control and surveillance of both animal and human trypanosomosis in Rwanda. Determination of the infection level in tsetse flies, species of trypanosomes circulating in vectors, the source of tsetse blood meal and endosymbionts is crucial in understanding the epidemiology of the disease in animals and humans in the region. Tsetse flies (n = 1101), comprising Glossina pallidipes (n = 771) and Glossina morsitans centralis (n = 330) were collected from Akagera park and surrounding areas between May 2018 and June 2019. The flies were screened for trypanosomes, vertebrate host DNA to identify sources of blood meal, and endosymbionts by PCR - High Resolution Melting analysis and amplicon sequencing. The feeding frequency and the feeding indices (selection index - W) were calculated to identify the preferred hosts. An overall trypanosome infection rate of 13.9% in the fly's Head and Proboscis (HP) and 24.3% in the Thorax and Abdomen (TA) were found. Eight trypanosome species were identified in the tsetse fly HP and TA, namely: Trypanosoma (T.) brucei brucei, T. congolense Kilifi, T. congolense savannah, T. vivax, T. simiae, T. evansi, T. godfreyi, T. grayi and T. theileri. We found no evidence of human-infective T. brucei rhodesiense. We also identified eighteen species of vertebrate hosts that tsetse flies fed on, and the most frequent one was the buffalo (Syncerus caffer) (36.5%). The frequently detected host by selection index was the rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) (W = 16.2). Most trypanosome infections in tsetse flies were associated with the buffalo blood meal. The prevalence of tsetse endosymbionts Sodalis and Wolbachia was 2.8% and 4.8%, respectively. No Spiroplasma and Salivary Gland Hypertrophy Virus were detected. These findings implicate the buffaloes as the important reservoirs of tsetse-transmitted trypanosomes in the area. This contributes to predicting the main cryptic reservoirs and therefore guiding the effective control of the disease. The study findings provide the key scientific information that supports the current One Health collaboration in the control and surveillance of tsetse-transmitted trypanosomosis in Rwanda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard S Gashururu
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Rwanda, P.O. Box 57, Nyagatare, Rwanda
| | - Ndichu Maingi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Samuel M Githigia
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Dennis O Getange
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jean B Ntivuguruzwa
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Rwanda, P.O. Box 57, Nyagatare, Rwanda
| | - Richard Habimana
- Food and Drugs Assessment and Registration Department, Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), P.O Box 1948, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Giuliano Cecchi
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Animal Production and Health Division, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Joel L Bargul
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Daniel K Masiga
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
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Padonou GG, Zoungbédji DM, Sovi A, Salako AS, Konkon AK, Yovogan B, Adoha CJ, Odjo EM, Osse R, Sina H, Govoétchan R, Kpanou CD, Sagbohan HW, Baba-Moussa L, Akogbéto M. Trophic preferences of Anopheles coluzzii (Diptera: Culicidae): what implications for malaria vector control in Benin? JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 60:554-563. [PMID: 36939048 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjad017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The main objective of the present study is to assess the preferences in terms of vertebrate hosts of Anopheles coluzzii, the main malaria vector in the pastoral area of Malanville, Benin, where rice cultivation and livestock are the main source of income for the populations. Adult mosquitoes were collected through pyrethrum spray catch, and human landing catch in two communes in Benin: Malanville, a pastoral area, and Porto-Novo, a nonpastoral area. Molecular species identification was performed through PCR within the Anopheles gambiae complex. Blood meal origin and P. falciparum sporozoite infection were determined using ELISA blood meal and circumsporozoite protein tests, respectively. Overall, 97% of females of An. gambiae s.l. were An. coluzzii, with biting behavior more pronounced outdoors in the pastoral area. In Malanville, the main vertebrate hosts on which females An. coluzzii blood fed were goats (44%), humans (24.29%), bovines (22%), and pigs (1.4%). Our results also showed that single-host blood meals (human: 24.29% or animal: 68%) were mostly observed compared to mixed blood meals (8.58%). The human biting rate (HBR) and P. falciparum sporozoite rate (SR) of An. coluzzii were 66.25 bites/man/night and 0.77%, respectively. However, in the nonpastoral zone (Porto-novo), 93.98% of samples were An. coluzzii. The latter blood-fed mostly (86.84%) on humans, with an estimated HBR of 21.53 b/m/n and SR of 5.81%. The present study revealed an opportunistic and zoophagic behavior of An. coluzzii in the Malanville area with an overall low mean SR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germain Gil Padonou
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou, Benin
- Faculté des Sciences et Techniques de l'Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - David Mahouton Zoungbédji
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou, Benin
- Faculté des Sciences et Techniques de l'Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Arthur Sovi
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou, Benin
- Faculty of Agronomy, University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Alphonse Keller Konkon
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou, Benin
- Faculté des Sciences et Techniques de l'Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Boulais Yovogan
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou, Benin
- Faculté des Sciences et Techniques de l'Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Constantin Jesukèdè Adoha
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou, Benin
- Faculté des Sciences et Techniques de l'Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Esdras Mahoutin Odjo
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou, Benin
- Faculté des Sciences et Techniques de l'Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Razaki Osse
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou, Benin
- École de gestion et d'exploitation des systèmes d'élevage, Université Nationale d'Agriculture de Porto-Novo, Porto-Novo, Bénin
| | - Haziz Sina
- Faculté des Sciences et Techniques de l'Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
- Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Typing in Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Renaud Govoétchan
- Faculty of Agronomy, University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Casimir Dossou Kpanou
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou, Benin
- Faculté des Sciences et Techniques de l'Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Hermann W Sagbohan
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou, Benin
- Faculté des Sciences et Techniques de l'Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Lamine Baba-Moussa
- Faculté des Sciences et Techniques de l'Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
- Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Typing in Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Martin Akogbéto
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou, Benin
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Gnambani EJ, Bilgo E, Dabiré RK, Belem AMG, Diabaté A. Infection of the malaria vector Anopheles coluzzii with the entomopathogenic bacteria Chromobacterium anophelis sp. nov. IRSSSOUMB001 reduces larval survival and adult reproductive potential. Malar J 2023; 22:122. [PMID: 37055834 PMCID: PMC10103495 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04551-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vector control tools are urgently needed to control malaria transmission in Africa. A native strain of Chromobacterium sp. from Burkina Faso was recently isolated and preliminarily named Chromobacterium anophelis sp. nov. IRSSSOUMB001. In bioassays, this bacterium showed a promising virulence against adult mosquitoes and reduces their blood feeding propensity and fecundity. The current study assessed the entomopathogenic effects of C. anophelis IRSSSOUMB001 on larval stages of mosquitoes, as well as its impacts on infected mosquitoes reproductive capacity and trans-generational effects. METHODS Virulence on larvae and interference with insemination were assayed by co-incubation with C. anophelis IRSSSOUMB001 at a range of 104 to 108 cfu/ml. Trans-generational effects were determined by measuring body size differences of progeny from infected vs. uninfected parent mosquitoes using wing size as a proxy. RESULTS Chromobacterium anophelis IRSSSOUMB001 killed larvae of the pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles coluzzii with LT80 of ~ 1.75 ± 0.14 days at 108 cfu/ml in larval breeding trays. Reproductive success was reduced as a measure of insemination rate from 95 ± 1.99% to 21 ± 3.76% for the infected females. There was a difference in wing sizes between control and infected mosquito offsprings from 2.55 ± 0.17 mm to 2.1 ± 0.21 mm in infected females, and from 2.43 ± 0.13 mm to 1.99 ± 0.15 mm in infected males. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that C. anophelis IRSSSOUMB001 was highly virulent against larvae of insecticide-resistant Anopheles coluzzii, and reduced both mosquito reproduction capacity and offspring fitness. Additional laboratory, field, safety and social acceptance studies are needed to draw firm conclusions about the practical utility of this bacterial strain for malaria vector control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edounou Jacques Gnambani
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS) Direction Régionale de l'Ouest (DRO)/CNRST, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- Institut National de Santé Publique (INSP), Centre Muraz, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- Centre d'Excellence Africain en Innovations Biotechnologiques Pour l'Elimination des Maladies à Transmission Vectorielle (CEA-ITECH/MTV)/Université Nazi Boni (UNB), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Etienne Bilgo
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS) Direction Régionale de l'Ouest (DRO)/CNRST, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
- Institut National de Santé Publique (INSP), Centre Muraz, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
- Centre d'Excellence Africain en Innovations Biotechnologiques Pour l'Elimination des Maladies à Transmission Vectorielle (CEA-ITECH/MTV)/Université Nazi Boni (UNB), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
| | - Roch K Dabiré
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS) Direction Régionale de l'Ouest (DRO)/CNRST, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- Institut National de Santé Publique (INSP), Centre Muraz, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- Centre d'Excellence Africain en Innovations Biotechnologiques Pour l'Elimination des Maladies à Transmission Vectorielle (CEA-ITECH/MTV)/Université Nazi Boni (UNB), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | | | - Abdoulaye Diabaté
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS) Direction Régionale de l'Ouest (DRO)/CNRST, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
- Institut National de Santé Publique (INSP), Centre Muraz, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
- Centre d'Excellence Africain en Innovations Biotechnologiques Pour l'Elimination des Maladies à Transmission Vectorielle (CEA-ITECH/MTV)/Université Nazi Boni (UNB), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
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Microsporidians (Microsporidia) parasitic on mosquitoes (Culicidae) in central Europe are often multi-host species. J Invertebr Pathol 2023; 197:107873. [PMID: 36577478 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2022.107873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Microsporidians (Microsporidia) are a diverse group of obligate and intracellular parasites of eukaryotes. There is evidence that the real species diversity in the phylum could be greatly underestimated, especially for microsporidians parasitic on invertebrates. Mosquitoes (Culicidae) are among very important microsporidian host groups. However, to date, no extensive survey on the prevalence of microsporidians in European mosquitoes has been performed. Here, we used mosquitoes collected in west-central Poland and a metabarcoding approach to examine the prevalence and diversity of microsporidian species among European mosquitoes. We found that up to one-third of mosquitoes in Europe may be infected with at least 13 microsporidian species belonging to the genera Amblyospora, Hazardia, Encephalitozoon, Enterocytospora, and Nosema and the holding genus Microsporidium. The lack of a difference in microsporidian prevalence between mosquito sexes implies that other factors, e.g., temperature or humidity, affect microsporidian occurrence in adult mosquitoes. Each microsporidian species was found in at least three mosquito species, which suggests that these microsporidians are polyxenic rather than monoxenic parasites. The co-occurrence of at least two different microsporidian species was found in 3.6% of host individuals. The abundance of microsporidian DNA sequences suggests interactions between co-occurring parasites; however, these results should be confirmed by microscopic and quantitative methods. In addition, further histological research is required to describe Microsporidium sp. PL01 or match its DNA to that of an already described species.
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Bunn DC, Miller N. Natural Occurrence and Analysis of Nosema sp. Infection in the Adult Population of Western Bean Cutworm in Michigan. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 52:39-46. [PMID: 36469425 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvac102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
An understanding of population dynamics and insect biology is important for effective crop management strategies. Biotic factors such as pathogens play a large role on the fitness and dynamics of insect populations. Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasites that infect more than 150 insect species and range from sublethal and chronic to fast acting and deadly. The western bean cutworm, Striacosta albicosta (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a pest of both corn (Zea maize L. [Poales: Poaceae]) and dry beans (Phaseolus sp L. [Fabales: Fabaceae]) that is infected by a microsporidian parasite from the genus Nosema (Microsporidia: Nosematidae). Unfortunately, little is known about the interactions between the Nosema sp. (Microsporidia: Nosematidae) infecting the western bean cutworm and its prevalence and effects on the host population. This is especially true for the western bean cutworm population that has settled in the Great Lakes region over the last two decades. Using field caught samples and phase contrast microscopy, no consistent trends in pathogen load were observed over the course of the western bean cutworm flight season. A weak, but statistically significant relationship was observed between male body weight and pathogen load. Overall, we found a 100% prevalence of infection in the adult western bean cutworm population in Michigan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dakota C Bunn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL 60616, USA
| | - Nicholas Miller
- Department of Biological Sciences, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL 60616, USA
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Ang’ang’o LM, Herren JK, Tastan Bishop Ö. Structural and Functional Annotation of Hypothetical Proteins from the Microsporidia Species Vittaforma corneae ATCC 50505 Using in silico Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:3507. [PMID: 36834914 PMCID: PMC9960886 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Microsporidia are spore-forming eukaryotes that are related to fungi but have unique traits that set them apart. They have compact genomes as a result of evolutionary gene loss associated with their complete dependency on hosts for survival. Despite having a relatively small number of genes, a disproportionately high percentage of the genes in microsporidia genomes code for proteins whose functions remain unknown (hypothetical proteins-HPs). Computational annotation of HPs has become a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to experimental investigation. This research developed a robust bioinformatics annotation pipeline of HPs from Vittaforma corneae, a clinically important microsporidian that causes ocular infections in immunocompromised individuals. Here, we describe various steps to retrieve sequences and homologs and to carry out physicochemical characterization, protein family classification, identification of motifs and domains, protein-protein interaction network analysis, and homology modelling using a variety of online resources. Classification of protein families produced consistent findings across platforms, demonstrating the accuracy of annotation utilizing in silico methods. A total of 162 out of 2034 HPs were fully annotated, with the bulk of them categorized as binding proteins, enzymes, or regulatory proteins. The protein functions of several HPs from Vittaforma corneae were accurately inferred. This improved our understanding of microsporidian HPs despite challenges related to the obligate nature of microsporidia, the absence of fully characterized genes, and the lack of homologous genes in other systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian Mbaisi Ang’ang’o
- Research Unit in Bioinformatics (RUBi), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6140, South Africa
| | - Jeremy Keith Herren
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
| | - Özlem Tastan Bishop
- Research Unit in Bioinformatics (RUBi), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6140, South Africa
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Trzebny A, Slodkowicz-Kowalska A, Björkroth J, Dabert M. Microsporidian Infection in Mosquitoes (Culicidae) Is Associated with Gut Microbiome Composition and Predicted Gut Microbiome Functional Content. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2023; 85:247-263. [PMID: 34939130 PMCID: PMC9849180 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-021-01944-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The animal gut microbiota consist of many different microorganisms, mainly bacteria, but archaea, fungi, protozoans, and viruses may also be present. This complex and dynamic community of microorganisms may change during parasitic infection. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the presence of microsporidians on the composition of the mosquito gut microbiota and linked some microbiome taxa and functionalities to infections caused by these parasites. We characterised bacterial communities of 188 mosquito females, of which 108 were positive for microsporidian DNA. To assess how bacterial communities change during microsporidian infection, microbiome structures were identified using 16S rRNA microbial profiling. In total, we identified 46 families and four higher taxa, of which Comamonadaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Flavobacteriaceae and Pseudomonadaceae were the most abundant mosquito-associated bacterial families. Our data suggest that the mosquito gut microbial composition varies among host species. In addition, we found a correlation between the microbiome composition and the presence of microsporidians. The prediction of metagenome functional content from the 16S rRNA gene sequencing suggests that microsporidian infection is characterised by some bacterial species capable of specific metabolic functions, especially the biosynthesis of ansamycins and vancomycin antibiotics and the pentose phosphate pathway. Moreover, we detected a positive correlation between the presence of microsporidian DNA and bacteria belonging to Spiroplasmataceae and Leuconostocaceae, each represented by a single species, Spiroplasma sp. PL03 and Weissella cf. viridescens, respectively. Additionally, W. cf. viridescens was observed only in microsporidian-infected mosquitoes. More extensive research, including intensive and varied host sampling, as well as determination of metabolic activities based on quantitative methods, should be carried out to confirm our results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Trzebny
- Molecular Biology Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Anna Slodkowicz-Kowalska
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Johanna Björkroth
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Miroslawa Dabert
- Molecular Biology Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
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de Angeli Dutra D, Salloum PM, Poulin R. Vector microbiome: will global climate change affect vector competence and pathogen transmission? Parasitol Res 2023; 122:11-17. [PMID: 36401142 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07734-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases are among the greatest causes of human suffering globally. Several studies have linked climate change and increasing temperature with rises in vector abundance, and in the incidence and geographical distribution of diseases. The microbiome of vectors can have profound effects on how efficiently a vector sustains pathogen development and transmission. Growing evidence indicates that the composition of vectors' gut microbiome might change with shifts in temperature. Nonetheless, due to a lack of studies on vector microbiome turnover under a changing climate, the consequences for vector-borne disease incidence are still unknown. Here, we argue that climate change effects on vector competence are still poorly understood and the expected increase in vector-borne disease transmission might not follow a relationship as simple and straightforward as past research has suggested. Furthermore, we pose questions that are yet to be answered to enhance our current understanding of the effect of climate change on vector microbiomes, competence, and, ultimately, vector-borne diseases transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Robert Poulin
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Structure of the reduced microsporidian proteasome bound by PI31-like peptides in dormant spores. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6962. [PMID: 36379934 PMCID: PMC9666519 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34691-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteasomes play an essential role in the life cycle of intracellular pathogens with extracellular stages by ensuring proteostasis in environments with limited resources. In microsporidia, divergent parasites with extraordinarily streamlined genomes, the proteasome complexity and structure are unknown, which limits our understanding of how these unique pathogens adapt and compact essential eukaryotic complexes. We present cryo-electron microscopy structures of the microsporidian 20S and 26S proteasome isolated from dormant or germinated Vairimorpha necatrix spores. The discovery of PI31-like peptides, known to inhibit proteasome activity, bound simultaneously to all six active sites within the central cavity of the dormant spore proteasome, suggests reduced activity in the environmental stage. In contrast, the absence of the PI31-like peptides and the existence of 26S particles post-germination in the presence of ATP indicates that proteasomes are reactivated in nutrient-rich conditions. Structural and phylogenetic analyses reveal that microsporidian proteasomes have undergone extensive reductive evolution, lost at least two regulatory proteins, and compacted nearly every subunit. The highly derived structure of the microsporidian proteasome, and the minimized version of PI31 presented here, reinforce the feasibility of the development of specific inhibitors and provide insight into the unique evolution and biology of these medically and economically important pathogens.
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A comprehensive overview of the existing microbial symbionts in mosquito vectors: An important tool for impairing pathogen -transmission. Exp Parasitol 2022; 243:108407. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2022.108407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Paradza VM, Khamis FM, Yusuf AA, Subramanian S, Akutse KS. Efficacy of Metarhizium anisopliae and ( E)-2-hexenal combination using autodissemination technology for the management of the adult greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 2:991336. [PMID: 38646071 PMCID: PMC11027017 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2022.991336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
The efficiency of an autodissemination technique in controlling adult whiteflies, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on tomato, Solunum lycopersicum was investigated with previously identified potent fungal isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae ICIPE 18, ICIPE 62 and ICIPE 69 under screenhouse or semi-field conditions. The autodissemination device was inoculated with dry conidia of the M. anisopliae isolates, while control insects were exposed to a fungus-free device. Sampling for conidia uptake, conidial viability and persistence, and insect mortality was done at 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 days post-exposure, and collected insects were monitored for mortality over ten days. Overall, mortality was higher in insects exposed to ICIPE 18 (62.8%) and ICIPE 69 (61.8%) than in those exposed to ICIPE 62 (42.6%), with median lethal times, (LT50) ranging between 6.73-8.54 days. The control group recorded the lowest mortality rates (18.9%). A general linear reduction in conidial viability with exposure time was observed, although this was more pronounced with M. anisopliae ICIPE 62. Insects exposed to M. anisopliae ICIPE 69 also recorded the highest conidia uptake, hence selected for further evaluation with a T. vaporariorum attractant volatile organic compound, (E)-2-hexenal. The volatile inhibited fungal germination in laboratory compatibility tests, therefore, spatial separation of M. anisopliae ICIPE 69 and (E)-2-hexenal in the autodissemination device was conducted. The inhibitory effects of the volatile were significantly reduced by spatial separation at a distance of 5 cm between the fungus and the volatile, which was found to be more suitable and chosen for the subsequent experiments. Results showed that (E)-2-hexenal did not influence conidia uptake by the insects, while fungal viability and the subsequent mortality variations were more related to duration of exposure. The fungus-volatile compatibility demonstrated with spatial separation provides a basis for the optimisation of the volatile formulation to achieve better T. vaporariorum suppression with an excellent autodissemination efficiency when used in the management of whiteflies under screenhouse conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vongai M. Paradza
- Plant Health Theme, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
| | - Fathiya M. Khamis
- Plant Health Theme, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Abdullahi A. Yusuf
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
- Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
| | - Sevgan Subramanian
- Plant Health Theme, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Komivi S. Akutse
- Plant Health Theme, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
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Muema JM, Bargul JL, Obonyo MA, Njeru SN, Matoke-Muhia D, Mutunga JM. Contemporary exploitation of natural products for arthropod-borne pathogen transmission-blocking interventions. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:298. [PMID: 36002857 PMCID: PMC9404607 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05367-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
An integrated approach to innovatively counter the transmission of various arthropod-borne diseases to humans would benefit from strategies that sustainably limit onward passage of infective life cycle stages of pathogens and parasites to the insect vectors and vice versa. Aiming to accelerate the impetus towards a disease-free world amid the challenges posed by climate change, discovery, mindful exploitation and integration of active natural products in design of pathogen transmission-blocking interventions is of high priority. Herein, we provide a review of natural compounds endowed with blockade potential against transmissible forms of human pathogens reported in the last 2 decades from 2000 to 2021. Finally, we propose various translational strategies that can exploit these pathogen transmission-blocking natural products into design of novel and sustainable disease control interventions. In summary, tapping these compounds will potentially aid in integrated combat mission to reduce disease transmission trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackson M Muema
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), P.O. Box 62000, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya.
| | - Joel L Bargul
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), P.O. Box 62000, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya.,International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
| | - Meshack A Obonyo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536, Egerton, 20115, Kenya
| | - Sospeter N Njeru
- Centre for Traditional Medicine and Drug Research (CTMDR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O. Box 54840, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya
| | - Damaris Matoke-Muhia
- Centre for Biotechnology Research Development (CBRD), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O. Box 54840, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya
| | - James M Mutunga
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mount Kenya University (MKU), P.O. Box 54, Thika, 01000, Kenya.,School of Engineering Design, Technology and Professional Programs, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
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Fofana A, Yerbanga RS, Bilgo E, Ouedraogo GA, Gendrin M, Ouedraogo JB. The Strategy of Paratransgenesis for the Control of Malaria Transmission. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.867104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect-borne diseases are responsible for important burdens on health worldwide particularly in Africa. Malaria alone causes close to half a million deaths every year, mostly in developing, tropical and subtropical countries, with 94% of the global deaths in 2019 occurring in the WHO African region. With several decades, vector control measures have been fundamental to fight against malaria. Considering the spread of resistance to insecticides in mosquitoes and to drugs in parasites, the need for novel strategies to inhibit the transmission of the disease is pressing. In recent years, several studies have focused on the interaction of malaria parasites, bacteria and their insect vectors. Their findings suggested that the microbiota of mosquitoes could be used to block Plasmodium transmission. A strategy, termed paratransgenesis, aims to interfere with the development of malaria parasites within their vectors through genetically-modified microbes, which produce antimalarial effectors inside the insect host. Here we review the progress of the paratransgenesis approach. We provide a historical perspective and then focus on the choice of microbial strains and on genetic engineering strategies. We finally describe the different steps from laboratory design to field implementation to fight against malaria.
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36
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Caragata EP, Short SM. Vector microbiota and immunity: modulating arthropod susceptibility to vertebrate pathogens. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 50:100875. [PMID: 35065286 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2022.100875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Arthropods, including mosquitoes, sand flies, tsetse flies, and ticks are vectors of many bacterial, parasitic, and viral pathogens that cause serious disease in humans and animals. Their microbiota, that is, all microorganisms that dwell within their tissues, can impact vector immunity and susceptibility to pathogen infection. Historically, host-pathogen-microbiota interactions have not been well described, with little known about mechanism. In this review, we highlight recent advances in understanding how individual microorganisms and microbial communities interact with vectors and human pathogens, the mechanisms they utilize to achieve these effects, and the potential for exploiting these interactions to control pathogen transmission. These studies fill important knowledge gaps and further our understanding of the roles that the vector microbiota plays in pathogen transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric P Caragata
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA
| | - Sarah M Short
- Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
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Abstract
Around 57.1% of microsporidia occupy aquatic environments, excluding a further 25.7% that utilise both terrestrial and aquatic systems. The aquatic microsporidia therefore compose the most diverse elements of the Microsporidia phylum, boasting unique structural features, variable transmission pathways, and significant ecological influence. From deep oceans to tropical rivers, these parasites are present in most aquatic environments and have been shown to infect hosts from across the Protozoa and Animalia. The consequences of infection range from mortality to intricate behavioural change, and their presence in aquatic communities often alters the overall functioning of the ecosystem.In this chapter, we explore aquatic microsporidian diversity from the perspective of aquatic animal health. Examples of microsporidian parasitism of importance to an aquacultural ('One Health') context and ecosystem context are focussed upon. These include infection of commercially important penaeid shrimp by Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei and interesting hyperparasitic microsporidians of wild host groups.Out of ~1500 suggested microsporidian species, 202 have been adequately taxonomically described using a combination of ultrastructural and genetic techniques from aquatic and semi-aquatic hosts. These species are our primary focus, and we suggest that the remaining diversity have additional genetic or morphological data collected to formalise their underlying systematics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Bojko
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK.
- National Horizons Centre, Teesside University, Darlington, UK.
| | - Grant D Stentiford
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Weymouth, Dorset, UK
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Molecular phylogeny of heritable symbionts and microbiota diversity analysis in phlebotominae sand flies and Culex nigripalpus from Colombia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009942. [PMID: 34928947 PMCID: PMC8722730 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Secondary symbionts of insects include a range of bacteria and fungi that perform various functional roles on their hosts, such as fitness, tolerance to heat stress, susceptibility to insecticides and effects on reproduction. These endosymbionts could have the potential to shape microbial communites and high potential to develop strategies for mosquito-borne disease control. Methodology/Principal findings The relative frequency and molecular phylogeny of Wolbachia, Microsporidia and Cardinium were determined of phlebotomine sand flies and mosquitoes in two regions from Colombia. Illumina Miseq using the 16S rRNA gene as a biomarker was conducted to examine the microbiota. Different percentages of natural infection by Wolbachia, Cardinium, and Microsporidia in phlebotomines and mosquitoes were detected. Phylogenetic analysis of Wolbachia shows putative new strains of Lutzomyia gomezi (wLgom), Brumptomyia hamata (wBrham), and a putative new group associated with Culex nigripalpus (Cnig) from the Andean region, located in Supergroup A and Supergroup B, respectively. The sequences of Microsporidia were obtained of Pi. pia and Cx. nigripalpus, which are located on phylogeny in the IV clade (terrestrial origin). The Cardinium of Tr. triramula and Ps. shannoni were located in group C next to Culicoides sequences while Cardinium of Mi. cayennensis formed two putative new subgroups of Cardinium in group A. In total were obtained 550 bacterial amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) and 189 taxa to the genus level. The microbiota profiles of Sand flies and mosquitoes showed mainly at the phylum level to Proteobacteria (67.6%), Firmicutes (17.9%) and Actinobacteria (7.4%). High percentages of relative abundance for Wolbachia (30%-83%) in Lu. gomezi, Ev. dubitans, Mi. micropyga, Br. hamata, and Cx. nigripalpus were found. ASVs assigned as Microsporidia were found in greater abundance in Pi. pia (23%) and Cx. nigripalpus (11%). An important finding is the detection of Rickettsia in Pi. pia (58,8%) and Bartonella sp. in Cx. nigripalpus. Conclusions/Significance We found that Wolbachia infection significantly decreased the alpha diversity and negatively impacts the number of taxa on sand flies and Culex nigripalpus. The Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) is consistent, which showed statistically significant differences (PERMANOVA, F = 2.4744; R2 = 0.18363; p-value = 0.007) between the microbiota of sand flies and mosquitoes depending on its origin, host and possibly for the abundance of some endosymbionts (Wolbachia, Rickettsia). The secondary endosymbionts can positively influence the metabolism of many compounds essential for the survival of the insect vectors, provide resistance to pathogens and impact susceptibility to insecticides, as also the tolerance to heat stress. We provide information from new records of natural infection of secondary endosymbionts, such as Wolbachia, Cardinium, Microsporidia, Flavobacterium, and Rickettsia in phlebotomine sand flies and mosquitoes from Colombia. An important finding is the detection of Bartonella sp. in Cx. nigripalpus. Clear differences were found in the composition and diversity of microbiota at the intra-specific and interspecific levels in sand flies and Cx. nigripalpus, which may depend in the of the load of natural infection of endosymbionts (as Wolbachia), the geographical distribution and host.
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Kaczmarek A, Boguś MI. Fungi of entomopathogenic potential in Chytridiomycota and Blastocladiomycota, and in fungal allies of the Oomycota and Microsporidia. IMA Fungus 2021; 12:29. [PMID: 34635188 PMCID: PMC8504053 DOI: 10.1186/s43008-021-00074-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The relationship between entomopathogenic fungi and their insect hosts is a classic example of the co-evolutionary arms race between pathogen and target host. The present review describes the entomopathogenic potential of Chytridiomycota and Blastocladiomycota fungi, and two groups of fungal allies: Oomycota and Microsporidia. The Oomycota (water moulds) are considered as a model biological control agent of mosquito larvae. Due to their shared ecological and morphological similarities, they had long been considered a part of the fungal kingdom; however, phylogenetic studies have since placed this group within the Straminipila. The Microsporidia are parasites of economically-important insects, including grasshoppers, lady beetles, bumblebees, colorado potato beetles and honeybees. They have been found to display some fungal characteristics, and phylogenetic studies suggest that they are related to fungi, either as a basal branch or sister group. The Blastocladiomycota and Chytridiomycota, named the lower fungi, historically were described together; however, molecular phylogenetic and ultrastructural research has classified them in their own phylum. They are considered parasites of ants, and of the larval stages of black flies, mosquitoes and scale insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Kaczmarek
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Mieczysława I Boguś
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818, Warsaw, Poland
- Biomibo, Strzygłowska 15, 04-872, Warsaw, Poland
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Akorli J, Akorli EA, Tetteh SNA, Amlalo GK, Opoku M, Pwalia R, Adimazoya M, Atibilla D, Pi-Bansa S, Chabi J, Dadzie SK. Microsporidia MB is found predominantly associated with Anopheles gambiae s.s and Anopheles coluzzii in Ghana. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18658. [PMID: 34545153 PMCID: PMC8452686 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98268-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A vertically transmitted microsporidian, Microsporidia MB, with the ability to disrupt Plasmodium development was reported in Anopheles arabiensis from Kenya, East Africa. To demonstrate its range of incidence, archived DNA samples from 7575 Anopheles mosquitoes collected from Ghana were screened. MB prevalence was observed at 1.8%. An. gambiae s.s constituted 87% of positive mosquitoes while the remaining were from An. coluzzii. Both sibling species had similar positivity rates (24% and 19%; p = 0.42) despite the significantly higher number of An. gambiae s.s analysed (An. gambiae s.s = 487; An. coluzzii = 94; p = 0.0005). The microsporidian was also more prevalent in emerged adults from field-collected larvae than field-caught adults (p < 0.0001) suggestive of an efficient vertical transmission and/or horizontal transfer among larvae. This is the first report of Microsporidia MB in Anopheles mosquitoes in West Africa. It indicates possible widespread among malaria vector species and warrants investigations into the symbiont’s diversity across sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jewelna Akorli
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
| | - Esinam Abla Akorli
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Seraphim Naa Afoley Tetteh
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Godwin Kwame Amlalo
- Vestergaard-NMIMR Vector Labs, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Millicent Opoku
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Rebecca Pwalia
- Vestergaard-NMIMR Vector Labs, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Michelle Adimazoya
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Dorcas Atibilla
- Entomology Unit, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Kintampo Health Research Centre, P.O. Box 200, Kintampo, Ghana
| | - Sellase Pi-Bansa
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Joseph Chabi
- Vestergaard-NMIMR Vector Labs, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Samuel Kweku Dadzie
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
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Stone CM. Highlights of Medical Entomology, 2020. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:2006-2011. [PMID: 34342359 PMCID: PMC8385844 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Medical Entomology as a field is inherently global - thriving on international and interdisciplinary collaborations and affected dramatically by arthropod and pathogen invasions and introductions. This past year also will be remembered as the year in which the SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 pandemic affected every part of our lives and professional activities and impacted (or changed, sometimes in good ways) our ability to collaborate and detect or respond to invasions. This incredible year is the backdrop for the 2020 Highlights in Medical Entomology. This article highlights the broad scope of approaches and disciplines represented in the 2020 published literature, ranging from sensory and chemical ecology, population genetics, impacts of human-mediated environmental change on vector ecology, life history and the evolution of vector behaviors, to the latest developments in vector surveillance and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris M Stone
- Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1816 S. Oak Drive, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
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Nattoh G, Maina T, Makhulu EE, Mbaisi L, Mararo E, Otieno FG, Bukhari T, Onchuru TO, Teal E, Paredes J, Bargul JL, Mburu DM, Onyango EA, Magoma G, Sinkins SP, Herren JK. Horizontal Transmission of the Symbiont Microsporidia MB in Anopheles arabiensis. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:647183. [PMID: 34394019 PMCID: PMC8355901 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.647183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The recently discovered Anopheles symbiont, Microsporidia MB, has a strong malaria transmission-blocking phenotype in Anopheles arabiensis, the predominant Anopheles gambiae species complex member in many active transmission areas in eastern Africa. The ability of Microsporidia MB to block Plasmodium transmission together with vertical transmission and avirulence makes it a candidate for the development of a symbiont-based malaria transmission blocking strategy. We investigate the characteristics and efficiencies of Microsporidia MB transmission between An. arabiensis mosquitoes. We show that Microsporidia MB is not transmitted between larvae but is effectively transmitted horizontally between adult mosquitoes. Notably, Microsporidia MB was only found to be transmitted between male and female An. arabiensis, suggesting sexual horizontal transmission. In addition, Microsporidia MB cells were observed infecting the An. arabiensis ejaculatory duct. Female An. arabiensis that acquire Microsporidia MB horizontally are able to transmit the symbiont vertically to their offspring. We also investigate the possibility that Microsporidia MB can infect alternate hosts that live in the same habitats as their An. arabiensis hosts, but find no other non-anopheline hosts. Notably, Microsporidia MB infections were found in another primary malaria African vector, Anopheles funestus s.s. The finding that Microsporidia MB can be transmitted horizontally is relevant for the development of dissemination strategies to control malaria that are based on the targeted release of Microsporidia MB infected Anopheles mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Godfrey Nattoh
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- Institute for Basic Sciences Technology and Innovation, Pan African University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Tracy Maina
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Edward E Makhulu
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lilian Mbaisi
- Research Unit in Bioinformatics (RUBi), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
| | - Enock Mararo
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Fidel G Otieno
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Tullu Bukhari
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Thomas O Onchuru
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Physical and Biological Sciences, Bomet University College, Bomet, Kenya
| | - Evan Teal
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Juan Paredes
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joel L Bargul
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- Institute for Basic Sciences Technology and Innovation, Pan African University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - David M Mburu
- Pwani University Biosciences Research Centre (PUBReC), Kilifi, Kenya
| | | | - Gabriel Magoma
- Institute for Basic Sciences Technology and Innovation, Pan African University, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Steven P Sinkins
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Jeremy K Herren
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
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Steven B, Hyde J, LaReau JC, Brackney DE. The Axenic and Gnotobiotic Mosquito: Emerging Models for Microbiome Host Interactions. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:714222. [PMID: 34322111 PMCID: PMC8312643 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.714222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing availability of modern research tools has enabled a revolution in studies of non-model organisms. Yet, one aspect that remains difficult or impossible to control in many model and most non-model organisms is the presence and composition of the host-associated microbiota or the microbiome. In this review, we explore the development of axenic (microbe-free) mosquito models and what these systems reveal about the role of the microbiome in mosquito biology. Additionally, the axenic host is a blank template on which a microbiome of known composition can be introduced, also known as a gnotobiotic organism. Finally, we identify a "most wanted" list of common mosquito microbiome members that show the greatest potential to influence host phenotypes. We propose that these are high-value targets to be employed in future gnotobiotic studies. The use of axenic and gnotobiotic organisms will transition the microbiome into another experimental variable that can be manipulated and controlled. Through these efforts, the mosquito will be a true model for examining host microbiome interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blaire Steven
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Josephine Hyde
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Jacquelyn C. LaReau
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Doug E. Brackney
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT, United States
- Center for Vector Biology and Zoonotic Diseases, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT, United States
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Generation of a Microsporidia Species Attribute Database and Analysis of the Extensive Ecological and Phenotypic Diversity of Microsporidia. mBio 2021; 12:e0149021. [PMID: 34182782 PMCID: PMC8262960 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01490-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Microsporidia are a large group of fungus-related obligate intracellular parasites. Though many microsporidia species have been identified over the past 160 years, depiction of the full diversity of this phylum is lacking. To systematically describe the characteristics of these parasites, we created a database of 1,440 species and their attributes, including the hosts they infect and spore characteristics. We find that microsporidia have been reported to infect 16 metazoan and 4 protozoan phyla, with smaller phyla being underrepresented. Most species are reported to infect only a single host, but those that are generalists are also more likely to infect a broader set of host tissues. Strikingly, polar tubes are threefold longer in species that infect tissues besides the intestine, suggesting that polar tube length is a determinant of tissue specificity. Phylogenetic analysis revealed four clades which each contain microsporidia that infect hosts from all major habitats. Although related species are more likely to infect similar hosts, we observe examples of changes in host specificity and convergent evolution. Taken together, our results show that microsporidia display vast diversity in their morphology and the hosts they infect, illustrating the flexibility of these parasites to evolve new traits.
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Diversity and interactions among triatomine bugs, their blood feeding sources, gut microbiota and Trypanosoma cruzi in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12306. [PMID: 34112903 PMCID: PMC8192545 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91783-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease remains a major neglected disease in Colombia. We aimed to characterize Trypanosoma cruzi transmission networks in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM) region, to shed light on disease ecology and help optimize control strategies. Triatomines were collected in rural communities and analyzed for blood feeding sources, parasite diversity and gut microbiota composition through a metagenomic and deep sequencing approach. Triatoma dimidiata predominated, followed by Rhodnius prolixus, Triatoma maculata, Rhodnius pallescens, Panstrongylus geniculatus and Eratyrus cuspidatus. Twenty-two species were identified as blood sources, resulting in an integrated transmission network with extensive connectivity among sylvatic and domestic host species. Only TcI parasites were detected, predominantly from TcIb but TcIa was also reported. The close relatedness of T. cruzi strains further supported the lack of separate transmission cycles according to habitats or triatomine species. Triatomine microbiota varied according to species, developmental stage and T. cruzi infection. Bacterial families correlated with the presence/absence of T. cruzi were identified. In conclusion, we identified a domestic transmission cycle encompassing multiple vector species and tightly connected with sylvatic hosts in the SNSM region, rather than an isolated domestic transmission cycle. Therefore, integrated interventions targeting all vector species and their contact with humans should be considered.
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Gut Microbiota Dynamics in Natural Populations of Pintomyia evansi under Experimental Infection with Leishmania infantum. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9061214. [PMID: 34199688 PMCID: PMC8228094 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9061214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Pintomyia evansi is recognized by its vectorial competence in the transmission of parasites that cause fatal visceral leishmaniasis in rural and urban environments of the Caribbean coast of Colombia. The effect on and the variation of the gut microbiota in female P. evansi infected with Leishmania infantum were evaluated under experimental conditions using 16S rRNA Illumina MiSeq sequencing. In the coinfection assay with L. infantum, 96.8% of the midgut microbial population was composed mainly of Proteobacteria (71.0%), followed by Cyanobacteria (20.4%), Actinobacteria (2.7%), and Firmicutes (2.7%). In insect controls (uninfected with L. infantum) that were treated or not with antibiotics, Ralstonia was reported to have high relative abundance (55.1–64.8%), in contrast to guts with a high load of infection from L. infantum (23.4–35.9%). ASVs that moderately increased in guts infected with Leishmania were Bacillus and Aeromonas. Kruskal–Wallis nonparametric variance statistical inference showed statistically significant intergroup differences in the guts of P. evansi infected and uninfected with L. infantum (p < 0.05), suggesting that some individuals of the microbiota could induce or restrict Leishmania infection. This assay also showed a negative effect of the antibiotic treatment and L. infantum infection on the gut microbiota diversity. Endosymbionts, such as Microsporidia infections (<2%), were more often associated with guts without Leishmania infection, whereas Arsenophonus was only found in guts with a high load of Leishmania infection and treated with antibiotics. Finally, this is the first report that showed the potential role of intestinal microbiota in natural populations of P. evansi in susceptibility to L. infantum infection.
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Cansado-Utrilla C, Zhao SY, McCall PJ, Coon KL, Hughes GL. The microbiome and mosquito vectorial capacity: rich potential for discovery and translation. MICROBIOME 2021; 9:111. [PMID: 34006334 PMCID: PMC8132434 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-021-01073-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Microbiome research has gained considerable interest due to the emerging evidence of its impact on human and animal health. As in other animals, the gut-associated microbiota of mosquitoes affect host fitness and other phenotypes. It is now well established that microbes can alter pathogen transmission in mosquitoes, either positively or negatively, and avenues are being explored to exploit microbes for vector control. However, less attention has been paid to how microbiota affect phenotypes that impact vectorial capacity. Several mosquito and pathogen components, such as vector density, biting rate, survival, vector competence, and the pathogen extrinsic incubation period all influence pathogen transmission. Recent studies also indicate that mosquito gut-associated microbes can impact each of these components, and therefore ultimately modulate vectorial capacity. Promisingly, this expands the options available to exploit microbes for vector control by also targeting parameters that affect vectorial capacity. However, there are still many knowledge gaps regarding mosquito-microbe interactions that need to be addressed in order to exploit them efficiently. Here, we review current evidence of impacts of the microbiome on aspects of vectorial capacity, and we highlight likely opportunities for novel vector control strategies and areas where further studies are required. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cintia Cansado-Utrilla
- Departments of Vector Biology and Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Serena Y Zhao
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Philip J McCall
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Kerri L Coon
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Grant L Hughes
- Departments of Vector Biology and Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK.
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Willis AR, Zhao W, Sukhdeo R, Wadi L, El Jarkass HT, Claycomb JM, Reinke AW. A parental transcriptional response to microsporidia infection induces inherited immunity in offspring. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/19/eabf3114. [PMID: 33952520 PMCID: PMC8099193 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abf3114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Parental infection can result in the production of offspring with enhanced immunity phenotypes. Critically, the mechanisms underlying inherited immunity are poorly understood. Here, we show that Caenorhabditis elegans infected with the intracellular microsporidian parasite N. parisii produce progeny that are resistant to microsporidia infection. We determine the kinetics of the response and show that intergenerational immunity prevents host-cell invasion by Nematocida parisii and enhances survival to the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa We demonstrate that immunity is induced by the parental transcriptional response to infection, which can be mimicked through maternal somatic depletion of PALS-22 and the retinoblastoma protein ortholog, LIN-35. We find that other biotic and abiotic stresses (viral infection and cadmium exposure) that induce a similar transcriptional response as microsporidia also induce immunity in progeny. Together, our results reveal how a parental transcriptional signal can be induced by distinct stimuli and protect offspring against multiple classes of pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra R Willis
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Winnie Zhao
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ronesh Sukhdeo
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lina Wadi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Julie M Claycomb
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Aaron W Reinke
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Ophir Y, Walter D, Arnon D, Lokmanoglu A, Tizzoni M, Carota J, D'Antiga L, Nicastro E. The Framing of COVID-19 in Italian Media and Its Relationship with Community Mobility: A Mixed-Method Approach. JOURNAL OF HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2021; 26:161-173. [PMID: 33787462 DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2021.1899344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Media framing of epidemics was found to influence public perceptions and behaviors in experiments, yet no research has been conducted on real-world behaviors during public health crises. We examined the relationship between Italian news media coverage of COVID-19 and compliance with stay-at-home orders, which could impact the spread of epidemics. We used a computational method for framing analysis (ANTMN) and combined it with Google's Community Mobility data. A time-series analysis using vector autoregressive models showed that the Italian media used media frames that were largely congruent with ones used by journalists in other countries: A scientific frame focusing on symptoms and health effects, a containment frame focusing on attempts to ameliorate risks, and a social frame, focusing on political and social impact. The prominence of different media frames over time was associated with changes in Italians' mobility patterns. Specifically, we found that the social frame was associated with increased mobility, whereas the containment frame was associated with decreased mobility. The results demonstrate that the ways the news media discuss epidemics can influence changes in community mobility, above and beyond the effect of the number of deaths per day.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yotam Ophir
- Department of Communication, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Dror Walter
- Department of Communication, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Daniel Arnon
- Department of Political Science, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ayse Lokmanoglu
- Department of Communication, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Joëlle Carota
- Department of Communication, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Lorenzo D'Antiga
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Emanuele Nicastro
- Department of Pediatric Hepatology Gastroenterology and Transplantation, Hospital Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
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Nattoh G, Bargul JL, Magoma G, Mbaisi L, Butungi H, Mararo E, Teal E, Herren JK. The fungus Leptosphaerulina persists in Anopheles gambiae and induces melanization. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246452. [PMID: 33617536 PMCID: PMC7899377 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Anopheles mosquitoes are colonized by diverse microorganisms that may impact on host biology and vectorial capacity. Eukaryotic symbionts such as fungi have been isolated from Anopheles, but whether they are stably associated with mosquitoes and transmitted transstadially across mosquito life stages or to subsequent generations remains largely unexplored. Here, we show that a Leptosphaerulina sp. fungus isolated from the midgut of An. gambiae can be stably associated with An. gambiae host and that it imposes low fitness cost when re-introduced through co-feeding. This fungus is transstadially transmitted across An. gambiae developmental stages and to their progeny. It is present in field-caught larvae and adult mosquitoes at moderate levels across geographical regions. We observed that Leptosphaerulina sp. induces a distinctive melanotic phenotype across the developmental stages of mosquito. As a eukaryotic symbiont that is stably associated with An. gambiae Leptosphaerulina sp. can be explored for paratransgenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Godfrey Nattoh
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya
- Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences Technology and Innovation, Nairobi, Kenya
- * E-mail:
| | - Joel L. Bargul
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Gabriel Magoma
- Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences Technology and Innovation, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lilian Mbaisi
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Hellen Butungi
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Enock Mararo
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Evan Teal
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya
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