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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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Appetecchia F, Fabbrizi E, Fiorentino F, Consalvi S, Biava M, Poce G, Rotili D. Transmission-Blocking Strategies for Malaria Eradication: Recent Advances in Small-Molecule Drug Development. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:962. [PMID: 39065810 PMCID: PMC11279868 DOI: 10.3390/ph17070962] [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: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaria drug research and development efforts have resurged in the last decade following the decelerating rate of mortality and malaria cases in endemic regions. The inefficiency of malaria interventions is largely driven by the spreading resistance of the Plasmodium falciparum parasite to current drug regimens and that of the malaria vector, the Anopheles mosquito, to insecticides. In response to the new eradication agenda, drugs that act by breaking the malaria transmission cycle (transmission-blocking drugs), which has been recognized as an important and additional target for intervention, are being developed. These drugs take advantage of the susceptibility of Plasmodium during population bottlenecks before transmission (gametocytes) and in the mosquito vector (gametes, zygotes, ookinetes, oocysts, sporozoites). To date, compounds targeting stage V gametocytes predominate in the chemical library of transmission-blocking drugs, and some of them have entered clinical trials. The targeting of Plasmodium mosquito stages has recently renewed interest in the development of innovative malaria control tools, which hold promise for the application of compounds effective at these stages. In this review, we highlight the major achievements and provide an update on the research of transmission-blocking drugs, with a particular focus on their chemical scaffolds, antiplasmodial activity, and transmission-blocking potential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Giovanna Poce
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.A.); (E.F.); (F.F.); (S.C.); (M.B.)
| | - Dante Rotili
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.A.); (E.F.); (F.F.); (S.C.); (M.B.)
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3
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Gao L, Yang W, Wang J. Implications of mosquito metabolism on vector competence. INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 31:674-682. [PMID: 37907431 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) annually kill nearly half a million people. Due to the lack of effective vaccines and drugs on most MBDs, disease prevention relies primarily on controlling mosquitoes. Despite huge efforts having been put into mosquito control, eco-friendly and sustainable mosquito-control strategies are still lacking and urgently demanded. Most mosquito-transmitted pathogens have lost the capacity of de novo nutrition biosynthesis, and rely on their vertebrate and invertebrate hosts for sustenance during the long-term obligate parasitism process. Therefore, a better understanding of the metabolic interactions between mosquitoes and pathogens will contribute to the discovery of novel metabolic targets or regulators that lead to reduced mosquito populations or vector competence. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the effects of mosquito metabolism on the transmission of multiple pathogens. We also discuss that research in this area remains to be explored to develop multiple biological prevention and control strategies for MBDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenxu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingwen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Kefi M, Cardoso-Jaime V, Saab SA, Dimopoulos G. Curing mosquitoes with genetic approaches for malaria control. Trends Parasitol 2024; 40:487-499. [PMID: 38760256 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2024.04.010] [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: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Malaria remains a persistent global public health challenge because of the limitations of current prevention tools. The use of transgenic mosquitoes incapable of transmitting malaria, in conjunction with existing methods, holds promise for achieving elimination of malaria and preventing its reintroduction. In this context, population modification involves the spread of engineered genetic elements through mosquito populations that render them incapable of malaria transmission. Significant progress has been made in this field over the past decade in revealing promising targets, optimizing genetic tools, and facilitating the transition from the laboratory to successful field deployments, which are subject to regulatory scrutiny. This review summarizes recent advances and ongoing challenges in 'curing' Anopheles vectors of the malaria parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Kefi
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Victor Cardoso-Jaime
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sally A Saab
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - George Dimopoulos
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Chen CY, Chan WY, Ismail A, Oliver SV. Characterization of the Tissue and Strain-Specific Microbiota of Anopheles funestus Giles (Diptera: Culicidae). Trop Med Infect Dis 2024; 9:84. [PMID: 38668545 PMCID: PMC11053693 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed9040084] [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: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The mosquito microbiota is a critical determinant of mosquito life history. It is therefore a target for novel vector control strategies like paratransgenesis. However, the microbiota in Anopheles funestus, a major African malaria vector, is poorly characterized. Thus, the study aimed to investigate the overall bacterial landscape in the salivary glands, ovaries and midguts of three laboratory strains of An. funestus differing in insecticide-resistant phenotype by sequencing the V3-V4 hypervariable region of bacterial 16S rRNA genes. When examining alpha diversity, the salivary glands harbored significantly more bacteria in terms of species richness and evenness compared to ovaries and midguts. On the strain level, the insecticide-susceptible FANG strain had significantly lower bacterial diversity than the insecticide-resistant FUMOZ and FUMOZ-R strains. When looking at beta diversity, the compositions of microbiota between the three tissues as well as between the strains were statistically different. While there were common bacteria across all three tissues and strains of interest, each tissue and strain did exhibit differentially abundant bacterial genera. However, overall, the top five most abundant genera across all tissues and strains were Elizabethkingia, Acinetobacter, Aeromonas, Cedecea and Yersinia. The presence of shared microbiota suggests a core microbiota that could be exploited for paratransgenesis efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Yu Chen
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa;
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
| | - Wai-Yin Chan
- Sequencing Core Facility, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa; (W.-Y.C.); (A.I.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology (BGM), Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
| | - Arshad Ismail
- Sequencing Core Facility, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa; (W.-Y.C.); (A.I.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Shüné V. Oliver
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa;
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
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6
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Chuang YM, Stone H, Abouneameh S, Tang X, Fikrig E. Signaling between mammalian adiponectin and a mosquito adiponectin receptor reduces Plasmodium transmission. mBio 2024; 15:e0225723. [PMID: 38078744 PMCID: PMC10790699 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02257-23] [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: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE When a female mosquito takes a blood meal from a mammalian host, components of the blood meal can affect mosquito fitness and indirectly influence pathogen infectivity. We identified a pathway involving an Anopheles gambiae adiponectin receptor, which, triggered by adiponectin from an incoming blood meal, decreases Plasmodium infection in the mosquito. Activation of this pathway negatively regulates lipophorin expression, an important lipid transporter that both enhances egg development and Plasmodium infection. This is an unrecognized cross-phyla interaction between a mosquito and its vertebrate host. These processes are critical to understanding the complex life cycle of mosquitoes and Plasmodium following a blood meal and may be applicable to other hematophagous arthropods and vector-borne infectious agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Min Chuang
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Helen Stone
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Selma Abouneameh
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Xiaotian Tang
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Erol Fikrig
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Somé BM, Guissou E, Da DF, Richard Q, Choisy M, Yameogo KB, Hien DF, Yerbanga RS, Ouedraogo GA, Dabiré KR, Djidjou-Demasse R, Cohuet A, Lefèvre T. Mosquito ageing modulates the development, virulence and transmission potential of pathogens. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20232097. [PMID: 38166422 PMCID: PMC10762442 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2097] [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: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Host age variation is a striking source of heterogeneity that can shape the evolution and transmission dynamic of pathogens. Compared with vertebrate systems, our understanding of the impact of host age on invertebrate-pathogen interactions remains limited. We examined the influence of mosquito age on key life-history traits driving human malaria transmission. Females of Anopheles coluzzii, a major malaria vector, belonging to three age classes (4-, 8- and 12-day-old), were experimentally infected with Plasmodium falciparum field isolates. Our findings revealed reduced competence in 12-day-old mosquitoes, characterized by lower oocyst/sporozoite rates and intensities compared with younger mosquitoes. Despite shorter median longevities in older age classes, infected 12-day-old mosquitoes exhibited improved survival, suggesting that the infection might act as a fountain of youth for older mosquitoes specifically. The timing of sporozoite appearance in the salivary glands remained consistent across mosquito age classes, with an extrinsic incubation period of approximately 13 days. Integrating these results into an epidemiological model revealed a lower vectorial capacity for older mosquitoes compared with younger ones, albeit still substantial owing to extended longevity in the presence of infection. Considering age heterogeneity provides valuable insights for ecological and epidemiological studies, informing targeted control strategies to mitigate pathogen transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard M. Somé
- Unité Paludisme et Maladies Tropicales Négligées, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), 01 BP 545 Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- Laboratoire Mixte International sur les Vecteurs (LAMIVECT), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- Département de Biochimie, Université Nazi Boni, 01 BP 1091 Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Edwige Guissou
- Unité Paludisme et Maladies Tropicales Négligées, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), 01 BP 545 Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- Laboratoire Mixte International sur les Vecteurs (LAMIVECT), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- Département de Biochimie, Université Nazi Boni, 01 BP 1091 Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- MIVEGEC, IRD, CNRS, University of Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier cedex 5, France
- Ecole Normale Supérieure, BP 376 Koudougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Dari F. Da
- Unité Paludisme et Maladies Tropicales Négligées, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), 01 BP 545 Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Quentin Richard
- IMAG, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Marc Choisy
- Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, 700000, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Koudraogo B. Yameogo
- Unité Paludisme et Maladies Tropicales Négligées, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), 01 BP 545 Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- Laboratoire Mixte International sur les Vecteurs (LAMIVECT), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Domombabele FdS. Hien
- Unité Paludisme et Maladies Tropicales Négligées, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), 01 BP 545 Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- Laboratoire Mixte International sur les Vecteurs (LAMIVECT), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Rakiswende S. Yerbanga
- Unité Paludisme et Maladies Tropicales Négligées, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), 01 BP 545 Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- Laboratoire Mixte International sur les Vecteurs (LAMIVECT), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Georges A. Ouedraogo
- Département de Biochimie, Université Nazi Boni, 01 BP 1091 Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Kounbobr R. Dabiré
- Unité Paludisme et Maladies Tropicales Négligées, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), 01 BP 545 Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- Laboratoire Mixte International sur les Vecteurs (LAMIVECT), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | | | - Anna Cohuet
- Laboratoire Mixte International sur les Vecteurs (LAMIVECT), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- MIVEGEC, IRD, CNRS, University of Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - Thierry Lefèvre
- Unité Paludisme et Maladies Tropicales Négligées, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), 01 BP 545 Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- Laboratoire Mixte International sur les Vecteurs (LAMIVECT), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- MIVEGEC, IRD, CNRS, University of Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier cedex 5, France
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Arora G, Tang X, Cui Y, Yang J, Chuang YM, Joshi J, Sajid A, Dong Y, Cresswell P, Dimopoulos G, Fikrig E. mosGILT controls innate immunity and germ cell development in Anopheles gambiae. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:42. [PMID: 38191283 PMCID: PMC10775533 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09887-0] [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: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Gene-edited mosquitoes lacking a gamma-interferon-inducible lysosomal thiol reductase-like protein, namely (mosGILTnull) have lower Plasmodium infection, which is linked to impaired ovarian development and immune activation. The transcriptome of mosGILTnull Anopheles gambiae was therefore compared to wild type (WT) mosquitoes by RNA-sequencing to delineate mosGILT-dependent pathways. Compared to WT mosquitoes, mosGILTnull A. gambiae demonstrated altered expression of genes related to oogenesis, 20-hydroxyecdysone synthesis, as well as immune-related genes. Serendipitously, the zero population growth gene, zpg, an essential regulator of germ cell development was found to be one of the most downregulated genes in mosGILTnull mosquitoes. These results provide a crucial missing link between two previous studies on the role of zpg and mosGILT in ovarian development. This study further demonstrates that mosGILT has the potential to serve as a target for the biological control of mosquito vectors and to influence the Plasmodium life cycle within the vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunjan Arora
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA.
| | - Xiaotian Tang
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA
| | - Yingjun Cui
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA
| | - Jing Yang
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA
- Current Affiliation: Cuiying Biomedical Research Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730030, China
| | - Yu-Min Chuang
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA
| | - Jayadev Joshi
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, USA
| | - Andaleeb Sajid
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA
| | - Yuemei Dong
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA
| | - Peter Cresswell
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, USA
| | - George Dimopoulos
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA
| | - Erol Fikrig
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA.
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Aravinth A, Dhanasundaram S, Perumal P, Kamaraj C, Khan SU, Ali A, Ragavendran C, Amutha V, Rajaram R, Santhanam P, Luna-Arias JP, Mashwani ZUR. Evaluation of Brown and red seaweeds-extracts as a novel larvicidal agent against the deadly human diseases-vectors, Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. Exp Parasitol 2024; 256:108651. [PMID: 37944660 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108651] [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: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Infectious diseases such as malaria, dengue, and yellow fever are predominantly transmitted by insect vectors like Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti, and Culex quinquefasciatus in tropical regions like India and Africa. In this study, we assessed the larvicidal activity of commonly found seaweeds, including Padina gymnospora, P. pavonica, Gracilaria crassa, Amphiroa fragilissima, and Spatoglossum marginatum, against these mosquito vectors. Our findings indicate that extracts from P. gymnospora Ethyl Acetate (PgEA), P. pavonica Hexane (PpH), and A. fragilissima Ethyl Acetate (AfEA) displayed the highest larval mortality rates for A. stephensi, with LC50 values of 10.51, 12.43, and 6.43 μg/mL, respectively. Additionally, the PgEA extract from P. gymnospora exhibited the highest mortality rate for A. aegypti, with an LC50 of 27.0 μg/mL, while the PgH extract from the same seaweed showed the highest mortality rate for C. quinquefasciatus, with an LC50 of 9.26 μg/mL. Phytochemical analysis of the seaweed extracts revealed the presence of 71 compounds in the solvent extracts. Fourier-transform infrared spectra of the selected seaweeds indicated the presence of functional groups such as alkanes, alcohols, and phenols. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the seaweeds identified major compounds, including hexadecanoic acid in PgEA, tetradecene (e)- in PpEA, octadecanoic acid in GcEA, and 7-hexadecene, (z)-, and trans-7-pentadecene in SmEA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamalai Aravinth
- Department of Marine Science, School of Marine Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, 620 024, India
| | - Sundaramoorthy Dhanasundaram
- Department of Marine Science, School of Marine Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, 620 024, India
| | - Pachiappan Perumal
- Department of Marine Science, School of Marine Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, 620 024, India
| | - Chinnaperumal Kamaraj
- Interdisciplinary Institute of Indian System of Medicine (IIISM), Directorate of Research, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603 203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Safir Ullah Khan
- Department of Zoology, Wildlife & Fisheries, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, 46300, Pakistan.
| | - Amir Ali
- Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Program Center for Research and Advanced Studies, National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City, 07360, Mexico; Department of Zoology, Wildlife & Fisheries, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, 46300, Pakistan
| | - Chinnasamy Ragavendran
- Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600 077, India
| | - Vadivel Amutha
- Department of Entomology, Bioscience Research Foundation, Kandamangalam, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, 602 002, India
| | - Rajendran Rajaram
- Department of Marine Science, School of Marine Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, 620 024, India.
| | - Perumal Santhanam
- Department of Marine Science, School of Marine Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, 620 024, India
| | - Juan Pedro Luna-Arias
- Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Program Center for Research and Advanced Studies, National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City, 07360, Mexico; Department of Zoology, Wildlife & Fisheries, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, 46300, Pakistan
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10
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Carrillo-Bustamante P, Costa G, Lampe L, Levashina EA. Evolutionary modelling indicates that mosquito metabolism shapes the life-history strategies of Plasmodium parasites. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8139. [PMID: 38097582 PMCID: PMC10721866 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43810-1] [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: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Within-host survival and between-host transmission are key life-history traits of single-celled malaria parasites. Understanding the evolutionary forces that shape these traits is crucial to predict malaria epidemiology, drug resistance, and virulence. However, very little is known about how Plasmodium parasites adapt to their mosquito vectors. Here, we examine the evolution of the time Plasmodium parasites require to develop within the vector (extrinsic incubation period) with an individual-based model of malaria transmission that includes mosquito metabolism. Specifically, we model the metabolic cascade of resource allocation induced by blood-feeding, as well as the influence of multiple blood meals on parasite development. Our model predicts that successful vector-to-human transmission events are rare, and are caused by long-lived mosquitoes. Importantly, our results show that the life-history strategies of malaria parasites depend on the mosquito's metabolic status. In our model, additional resources provided by multiple blood meals lead to selection for parasites with slow or intermediate developmental time. These results challenge the current assumption that evolution favors fast developing parasites to maximize their chances to complete their within-mosquito life cycle. We propose that the long sporogonic cycle observed for Plasmodium is not a constraint but rather an adaptation to increase transmission potential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giulia Costa
- Vector Biology Unit, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lena Lampe
- Vector Biology Unit, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Physiology and Metabolism Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, NW11AT, London, UK
| | - Elena A Levashina
- Vector Biology Unit, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
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11
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Pathak AK, Shiau JC, Freitas RC, Kyle DE. Blood meals from 'dead-end' vertebrate hosts enhance transmission potential of malaria-infected mosquitoes. One Health 2023; 17:100582. [PMID: 38024285 PMCID: PMC10665158 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Ingestion of an additional blood meal(s) by a hematophagic insect can accelerate development of several vector-borne parasites and pathogens. Most studies, however, offer blood from the same vertebrate host species as the original challenge (for e.g., human for primary and additional blood meals). Here, we show a second blood meal from bovine and canine hosts can also enhance sporozoite migration in Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes infected with the human- and rodent-restricted Plasmodium falciparum and P. berghei, respectively. The extrinsic incubation period (time to sporozoite appearance in salivary glands) showed more consistent reductions with blood from human and bovine donors than canine blood, although the latter's effect may be confounded by the toxicity, albeit non-specific, associated with the anticoagulant used to collect whole blood from donors. The complex patterns of enhancement highlight the limitations of a laboratory system but are nonetheless reminiscent of parasite host-specificity and mosquito adaptations, and the genetic predisposition of An. stephensi for bovine blood. We suggest that in natural settings, a blood meal from any vertebrate host could accentuate the risk of human infections by P. falciparum: targeting vectors that also feed on animals, via endectocides for instance, may reduce the number of malaria-infected mosquitoes and thus directly lower residual transmission. Since endectocides also benefit animal health, our results underscore the utility of the One Health framework, which postulates that human health and well-being is interconnected with that of animals. We posit this framework will be further validated if our observations also apply to other vector-borne diseases which together are responsible for some of the highest rates of morbidity and mortality in socio-economically disadvantaged populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashutosh K. Pathak
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States of America
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases (CTEGD), University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States of America
- Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases (CEID), University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States of America
- The SporoCore, CTEGD, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States of America
| | - Justine C. Shiau
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States of America
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases (CTEGD), University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States of America
- Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases (CEID), University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States of America
- The SporoCore, CTEGD, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States of America
| | - Rafael C.S. Freitas
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases (CTEGD), University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States of America
- The SporoCore, CTEGD, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States of America
| | - Dennis E. Kyle
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States of America
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases (CTEGD), University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States of America
- The SporoCore, CTEGD, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States of America
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States of America
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12
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Cannet A, Simon-Chane C, Akhoundi M, Histace A, Romain O, Souchaud M, Jacob P, Sereno D, Mouline K, Barnabe C, Lardeux F, Boussès P, Sereno D. Deep learning and wing interferential patterns identify Anopheles species and discriminate amongst Gambiae complex species. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13895. [PMID: 37626130 PMCID: PMC10457333 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41114-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
We present a new and innovative identification method based on deep learning of the wing interferential patterns carried by mosquitoes of the Anopheles genus to classify and assign 20 Anopheles species, including 13 malaria vectors. We provide additional evidence that this approach can identify Anopheles spp. with an accuracy of up to 100% for ten out of 20 species. Although, this accuracy was moderate (> 65%) or weak (50%) for three and seven species. The accuracy of the process to discriminate cryptic or sibling species is also assessed on three species belonging to the Gambiae complex. Strikingly, An. gambiae, An. arabiensis and An. coluzzii, morphologically indistinguishable species belonging to the Gambiae complex, were distinguished with 100%, 100%, and 88% accuracy respectively. Therefore, this tool would help entomological surveys of malaria vectors and vector control implementation. In the future, we anticipate our method can be applied to other arthropod vector-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Cannet
- Direction des Affaires Sanitaires et Sociales de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, Nouméa, France
| | | | | | - Aymeric Histace
- ETIS UMR 8051, ENSEA, CNRS, Cergy Paris University, 95000, Cergy, France
| | - Olivier Romain
- ETIS UMR 8051, ENSEA, CNRS, Cergy Paris University, 95000, Cergy, France
| | - Marc Souchaud
- ETIS UMR 8051, ENSEA, CNRS, Cergy Paris University, 95000, Cergy, France
| | - Pierre Jacob
- CNRS, Bordeaux INP, LaBRI, UMR 5800, Univ. Bordeaux, 33400, Talence, France
| | - Darian Sereno
- InterTryp, IRD-CIRAD, Infectiology, Medical entomology & One Health research group, Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Karine Mouline
- MIVEGEC, CNRS, IRD, Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Christian Barnabe
- InterTryp, IRD-CIRAD, Infectiology, Medical entomology & One Health research group, Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Denis Sereno
- InterTryp, IRD-CIRAD, Infectiology, Medical entomology & One Health research group, Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
- MIVEGEC, CNRS, IRD, Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
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13
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Parres-Mercader M, Pance A, Gómez-Díaz E. Novel systems to study vector-pathogen interactions in malaria. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1146030. [PMID: 37305421 PMCID: PMC10253182 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1146030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Some parasitic diseases, such as malaria, require two hosts to complete their lifecycle: a human and an insect vector. Although most malaria research has focused on parasite development in the human host, the life cycle within the vector is critical for the propagation of the disease. The mosquito stage of the Plasmodium lifecycle represents a major demographic bottleneck, crucial for transmission blocking strategies. Furthermore, it is in the vector, where sexual recombination occurs generating "de novo" genetic diversity, which can favor the spread of drug resistance and hinder effective vaccine development. However, understanding of vector-parasite interactions is hampered by the lack of experimental systems that mimic the natural environment while allowing to control and standardize the complexity of the interactions. The breakthrough in stem cell technologies has provided new insights into human-pathogen interactions, but these advances have not been translated into insect models. Here, we review in vivo and in vitro systems that have been used so far to study malaria in the mosquito. We also highlight the relevance of single-cell technologies to progress understanding of these interactions with higher resolution and depth. Finally, we emphasize the necessity to develop robust and accessible ex vivo systems (tissues and organs) to enable investigation of the molecular mechanisms of parasite-vector interactions providing new targets for malaria control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Parres-Mercader
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPBLN, CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Alena Pance
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Gómez-Díaz
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPBLN, CSIC), Granada, Spain
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14
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Semakula HM, Liang S, Mukwaya PI, Mugagga F, Swahn M, Nseka D, Wasswa H, Kayima P. Determinants of malaria infections among children in refugee settlements in Uganda during 2018-2019. Infect Dis Poverty 2023; 12:31. [PMID: 37032366 PMCID: PMC10084630 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-023-01090-3] [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: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While 5% of 247 million global malaria cases are reported in Uganda, it is also a top refugee hosting country in Africa, with over 1.36 million refugees. Despite malaria being an emerging challenge for humanitarian response in refugee settlements, little is known about its risk factors. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for malaria infections among children under 5 years of age in refugee settlements in Uganda. METHODS We utilized data from Uganda's Malaria Indicator Survey which was conducted between December 2018 and February 2019 at the peak of malaria season. In this national survey, household level information was obtained using standardized questionnaires and a total of 7787 children under 5 years of age were tested for malaria using mainly the rapid diagnostic test. We focused on 675 malaria tested children under five in refugee settlements located in Yumbe, Arua, Adjumani, Moyo, Lamwo, Kiryadongo, Kyegegwa, Kamwenge and Isingiro districts. The extracted variables included prevalence of malaria, demographic, social-economic and environmental information. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify and define the malaria associated risk factors. RESULTS Overall, malaria prevalence in all refugee settlements across the nine hosting districts was 36.6%. Malaria infections were higher in refugee settlements located in Isingiro (98.7%), Kyegegwa (58.6%) and Arua (57.4%) districts. Several risk factors were significantly associated with acquisition of malaria including fetching water from open water sources [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.22, 95% CI: 0.08-0.59, P = 0.002], boreholes (aOR = 2.11, 95% CI: 0.91-4.89, P = 0.018) and water tanks (aOR = 4.47, 95% CI: 1.67-11.9, P = 0.002). Other factors included pit-latrines (aOR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.03-2.13, P = 0.033), open defecation (aOR = 3.29, 95% CI: 1.54-7.05, P = 0.002), lack of insecticide treated bed nets (aOR = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.43-3.13, P = 0.003) and knowledge on the causes of malaria (aOR = 1.09, 95% CI: 0.79-1.51, P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS The persistence of the malaria infections were mainly due to open water sources, poor hygiene, and lack of preventive measures that enhanced mosquito survival and infection. Malaria elimination in refugee settlements requires an integrated control approach that combines environmental management with other complementary measures like insecticide treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying and awareness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Musoke Semakula
- Department of Geography, Geo-informatics and Climatic Sciences, Makerere University, P. O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, 2055 Mowry Rd, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
| | - Song Liang
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, 2055 Mowry Rd, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Paul Isolo Mukwaya
- Department of Geography, Geo-informatics and Climatic Sciences, Makerere University, P. O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Frank Mugagga
- Department of Geography, Geo-informatics and Climatic Sciences, Makerere University, P. O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Monica Swahn
- Wellstar College of Health and Human Services, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, NW, USA
| | - Denis Nseka
- Department of Geography, Geo-informatics and Climatic Sciences, Makerere University, P. O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Hannington Wasswa
- Department of Geography, Geo-informatics and Climatic Sciences, Makerere University, P. O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Patrick Kayima
- Department of Geography, Geo-informatics and Climatic Sciences, Makerere University, P. O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
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15
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Evolutionary consequences of vector-borne transmission: how using vectors shapes host, vector and pathogen evolution. Parasitology 2022; 149:1667-1678. [PMID: 36200511 PMCID: PMC10090782 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182022001378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Transmission mode is a key factor that influences host–parasite coevolution. Vector-borne pathogens are among the most important disease agents for humans and wildlife due to their broad distribution, high diversity, prevalence and lethality. They comprise some of the most important and widespread human pathogens, such as yellow fever, leishmania and malaria. Vector-borne parasites (in this review, those transmitted by blood-feeding Diptera) follow unique transmission routes towards their vertebrate hosts. Consequently, each part of this tri-partite (i.e. parasite, vector and host) interaction can influence co- and counter-evolutionary pressures among antagonists. This mode of transmission may favour the evolution of greater virulence to the vertebrate host; however, pathogen–vector interactions can also have a broad spectrum of fitness costs to the insect vector. To complete their life cycle, vector-borne pathogens must overcome immune responses from 2 unrelated organisms, since they can activate responses in both vertebrate and invertebrate hosts, possibly creating a trade-off between investments against both types of immunity. Here, we assess how dipteran vector-borne transmission shapes the evolution of hosts, vectors and the pathogens themselves. Hosts, vectors and pathogens co-evolve together in a constant antagonistic arms race with each participant's primary goal being to maximize its performance and fitness.
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16
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Yan C, Hii J, Ngoen-Klan R, Saeung M, Chareonviriyaphap T. Semi-field evaluation of human landing catches versus human double net trap for estimating human biting rate of Anopheles minimus and Anopheles harrisoni in Thailand. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13865. [PMID: 36101880 PMCID: PMC9464434 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13865] [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: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Whilst the human landing catch (HLC) technique is considered the 'gold standard' for estimating human-biting rates, it is labor-intensive and fraught with potential risk of exposure to infectious mosquito bites. This study evaluated the feasibility and performance of an alternative method, the human double net trap (HDNT) relative to HLC for monitoring host-seeking malaria vectors of the Anopheles minimus complex in a semi-field system (SFS). Methods HDNT and HLC were positioned in two rooms, 30 m apart at both ends of the SFS. Two human volunteers were rotated between both traps and collected released mosquitoes (n = 100) from 6:00 pm till 6:00 am. Differences in Anopheles mosquito densities among the trapping methods were compared using a generalized linear model based on a negative binomial distribution. Results There were 82.80% (2,136/2,580) of recaptures of wild-caught and 94.50% (2,835/3,000) of laboratory-reared mosquitoes that were molecularly identified as An. harrisoni and An. minimus, respectively. Mean density of An. harrisoni was significantly lower in HNDT (15.50 per night, 95% CI [12.48-18.52]) relative to HLC (25.32 per night (95% CI [22.28-28.36]), p < 0.001). Similarly, the mean density of a laboratory strain of An. minimus recaptured in HDNT was significantly lower (37.87 per night, 95% CI [34.62-41.11]) relative to HLC (56.40 per night, 95% CI [55.37-57.43]), p < 0.001. Relative sampling efficiency analysis showed that HLC was the more efficient trap in collecting the An. minimus complex in the SFS. Conclusion HDNT caught proportionately fewer An. minimus complex than HLC. HDNT was not sensitive nor significantly correlated with HLC, suggesting that it is not an alternative method to HLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanly Yan
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jeffrey Hii
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University of North Queensland, North Queensland, Australia
| | - Ratchadawan Ngoen-Klan
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Manop Saeung
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Theeraphap Chareonviriyaphap
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand,Royal Society of Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand
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Ferreira FC, Videvall E, Seidl CM, Wagner NE, Kilpatrick AM, Fleischer RC, Fonseca DM. Transcriptional response of individual Hawaiian Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes to the avian malaria parasite Plasmodium relictum. Malar J 2022; 21:249. [PMID: 36038897 PMCID: PMC9422152 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04271-x] [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: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Plasmodium parasites that cause bird malaria occur in all continents except Antarctica and are primarily transmitted by mosquitoes in the genus Culex. Culex quinquefasciatus, the mosquito vector of avian malaria in Hawaiʻi, became established in the islands in the 1820s. While the deadly effects of malaria on endemic bird species have been documented for many decades, vector-parasite interactions in avian malaria systems are relatively understudied. Methods To evaluate the gene expression response of mosquitoes exposed to a Plasmodium infection intensity known to occur naturally in Hawaiʻi, offspring of wild-collected Hawaiian Cx. quinquefasciatus were fed on a domestic canary infected with a fresh isolate of Plasmodium relictum GRW4 from a wild-caught Hawaiian honeycreeper. Control mosquitoes were fed on an uninfected canary. Transcriptomes of five infected and three uninfected individual mosquitoes were sequenced at each of three stages of the parasite life cycle: 24 h post feeding (hpf) during ookinete invasion; 5 days post feeding (dpf) when oocysts are developing; 10 dpf when sporozoites are released and invade the salivary glands. Results Differential gene expression analyses showed that during ookinete invasion (24 hpf), genes related to oxidoreductase activity and galactose catabolism had lower expression levels in infected mosquitoes compared to controls. Oocyst development (5 dpf) was associated with reduced expression of a gene with a predicted innate immune function. At 10 dpf, infected mosquitoes had reduced expression levels of a serine protease inhibitor, and further studies should assess its role as a Plasmodium agonist in C. quinquefasciatus. Overall, the differential gene expression response of Hawaiian Culex exposed to a Plasmodium infection intensity known to occur naturally in Hawaiʻi was low, but more pronounced during ookinete invasion. Conclusions This is the first analysis of the transcriptional responses of vectors to malaria parasites in non-mammalian systems. Interestingly, few similarities were found between the response of Culex infected with a bird Plasmodium and those reported in Anopheles infected with human Plasmodium. The relatively small transcriptional changes observed in mosquito genes related to immune response and nutrient metabolism support conclusions of low fitness costs often documented in experimental challenges of Culex with avian Plasmodium. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-022-04271-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco C Ferreira
- Center for Conservation Genomics, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC, USA. .,Center for Vector Biology, Entomology Department, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA.
| | - Elin Videvall
- Center for Conservation Genomics, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC, USA.,Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.,Institute at Brown for Environment and Society, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.,Animal Ecology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Christa M Seidl
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Nicole E Wagner
- Center for Vector Biology, Entomology Department, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - A Marm Kilpatrick
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Robert C Fleischer
- Center for Conservation Genomics, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Dina M Fonseca
- Center for Vector Biology, Entomology Department, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
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18
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Oke CE, Ingham VA, Walling CA, Reece SE. Vector control: agents of selection on malaria parasites? Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:890-903. [PMID: 35981937 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.07.006] [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: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Insect vectors are responsible for spreading many infectious diseases, yet interactions between pathogens/parasites and insect vectors remain poorly understood. Filling this knowledge gap matters because vectors are evolving in response to the deployment of vector control tools (VCTs). Yet, whilst the evolutionary responses of vectors to VCTs are being carefully monitored, the knock-on consequences for parasite evolution have been overlooked. By examining how mosquito responses to VCTs impact upon malaria parasite ecology, we derive a framework for predicting parasite responses. Understanding how VCTs affect the selection pressures imposed on parasites could help to mitigate against parasite evolution that leads to unfavourable epidemiological outcomes. Furthermore, anticipating parasite evolution will inform monitoring strategies for VCT programmes as well as uncovering novel VCT strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine E Oke
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK.
| | - Victoria A Ingham
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology Unit, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69210 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Craig A Walling
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Sarah E Reece
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK; Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK
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19
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Jia X, Liu F, Bai J, Zhang Y, Cui L, Cao Y, Luo E. Phosphatase inhibitors BVT-948 and alexidine dihydrochloride inhibit sexual development of the malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2022; 19:81-88. [PMID: 35792443 PMCID: PMC9260261 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2022.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Background With the emergence of resistance to front-line antimalarials, there is an urgent need to develop new medicines, including those targeting sexual development. This study aimed to assess the activity of a panel of phosphatase inhibitors against the sexual development of Plasmodium berghei and evaluate their potential as transmission-blocking agents. Methods Twenty-five compounds were screened for transmission-blocking activity in vitro using the P. berghei ookinete culture assay. The inhibitory effects on male gametogenesis, gamete-ookinete, and zygote-ookinete formation were evaluated. The transmission-blocking activity of two compounds was evaluated using an in vivo mosquito feeding assay. Their cytotoxic effects were assessed on the human cell line HepG2. Results Twelve compounds inhibited P. berghei ookinete formation with an IC50 < 10 μM. Two compounds, BVT-948 and alexidine dihydrochloride, significantly inhibited different developmental stages from gametogenesis through ookinete maturation. They also showed a substantial in vivo transmission-blocking activity by the mosquito feeding assay. Conclusions Some phosphatase inhibitors effectively inhibited Plasmodium sexual development and exhibited evident transmission-blocking activity, suggesting that phosphatases are valid targets for antimalarial development. BVT-948 and alexidine·2HCl inhibit sexual developmental stages of Plasmodium. BVT-948 and alexidine·2HCl show a substantial transmission-blocking activity. BVT-948 and alexidine·2HCl show a relatively low cytotoxicity to HepG2 cells. Phosphatases are valid targets for antimalarial development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xitong Jia
- Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China
| | - Jie Bai
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China
| | - Yongzhe Zhang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China; Department of Nephrology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, China
| | - Liwang Cui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 3720 Spectrum Boulevard, Suite 304, Tampa, FL, 33612-9415, USA
| | - Yaming Cao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China.
| | - Enjie Luo
- Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China.
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Still enigmatic: Plasmodium oocysts 125 years after their discovery. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:610-613. [PMID: 35715304 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.05.013] [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: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
One hundred and twenty five years ago, in August 1897, Ronald Ross discovered forms of the malaria parasite in the gut of two mosquitoes. Shortly afterwards, Giovanni Battista Grassi established how the transmissive forms of the parasite, sporozoites, develop in these Plasmodium oocysts. Today, we still understand surprisingly little about the molecular processes governing oocyst biology.
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Metabolic interactions between disease-transmitting vectors and their microbiota. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:697-708. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Consalvi S, Tammaro C, Appetecchia F, Biava M, Poce G. Malaria transmission blocking compounds: a patent review. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2022; 32:649-666. [PMID: 35240899 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2022.2049239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite substantial progress in the field, malaria remains a global health issue and currently available control strategies are not sufficient to achieve eradication. Agents able to prevent transmission are likely to have a strong impact on malaria control and have been prioritized as a primary objective to reduce the number of secondary infections. Therefore, there is an increased interest in finding novel drugs targeting sexual stages of Plasmodium and innovative methods to target malaria transmission from host to vector, and vice versa. AREAS COVERED This review covers innovative transmission-blocking inventions patented between 2015 and October 2021. The focus is on chemical interventions which could be used as "chemical vaccines" to prevent transmission (small molecules, carbohydrates, and polypeptides). EXPERT OPINION Even though the development of novel strategies to block transmission still requires fundamental additional research and a deeper understanding of parasite sexual stages biology, the research in this field has significantly accelerated. Among innovative inventions patented over the last six years, the surface-delivery of antimalarial drugs to kill transmission-stages parasites in mosquitoes holds the highest promise for success in malaria control strategies, opening completely new scenarios in malaria transmission-blocking drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Consalvi
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drug, Sapienza University of Rome, piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Tammaro
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drug, Sapienza University of Rome, piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Appetecchia
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drug, Sapienza University of Rome, piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Mariangela Biava
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drug, Sapienza University of Rome, piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Poce
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drug, Sapienza University of Rome, piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Buchanan HD, Goodman CD, McFadden GI. Roles of the apicoplast across the life cycles of rodent and human malaria parasites. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2022; 69:e12947. [PMID: 36070203 PMCID: PMC9828729 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Malaria parasites are diheteroxenous, requiring two hosts-a vertebrate and a mosquito-to complete their life cycle. Mosquitoes are the definitive host where malaria parasite sex occurs, and vertebrates are the intermediate host, supporting asexual amplification and more significant geographic spread. In this review, we examine the roles of a single malaria parasite compartment, the relict plastid known as the apicoplast, at each life cycle stage. We focus mainly on two malaria parasite species-Plasmodium falciparum and P. berghei-comparing the changing, yet ever crucial, roles of their apicoplasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley D. Buchanan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, Melbourne Medical SchoolThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVic.Australia,Faculty of Science, School of BioSciencesThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVic.Australia
| | - Christopher D. Goodman
- Faculty of Science, School of BioSciencesThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVic.Australia
| | - Geoffrey I. McFadden
- Faculty of Science, School of BioSciencesThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVic.Australia
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