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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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Carnaghi M, Mandelli F, Feugère L, Joiner J, Belmain SR, Hopkins RJ, Hawkes FM. Protocol for rearing and using mosquitoes for flight path tracking and behavioral characterization in wind tunnel bioassays. STAR Protoc 2024; 5:103180. [PMID: 38980798 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2024.103180] [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: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Mosquito behavioral assays are an important component in vector research and control tool development. Here, we present a protocol for rearing Anopheles mosquitoes, performing host-seeking behavioral bioassays, and collecting 3D flight tracks in a large wind tunnel. We describe steps for setting up host-seeking landing assays, both as a non-choice and as a dual-choice assay, and analyzing flight tracks. This protocol can be applied in the research of several behavioral traits, including nectar seeking, resting, mating, and oviposition behavior. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Carnaghi et al.1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Carnaghi
- Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TB, UK.
| | | | - Lionel Feugère
- Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TB, UK
| | - Jillian Joiner
- Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TB, UK
| | - Steven R Belmain
- Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TB, UK
| | - Richard J Hopkins
- Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TB, UK
| | - Frances M Hawkes
- Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TB, UK
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3
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Girotti JR, Calderón-Fernández GM. Lipid Metabolism in Insect Vectors of Diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38954247 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2024_811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization vector-borne diseases account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases, causing more than 700,000 deaths annually. Vectors are organisms that are able to transmit infectious pathogens between humans, or from animals to humans. Many of these vectors are hematophagous insects, which ingest the pathogen from an infected host during a blood meal, and later transmit it into a new host. Malaria, dengue, African trypanosomiasis, yellow fever, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and many others are examples of diseases transmitted by insects.Both the diet and the infection with pathogens trigger changes in many metabolic pathways, including lipid metabolism, compared to other insects. Blood contains mostly proteins and is very poor in lipids and carbohydrates. Thus, hematophagous insects attempt to efficiently digest and absorb diet lipids and also rely on a large de novo lipid biosynthesis based on utilization of proteins and carbohydrates as carbon source. Blood meal triggers essential physiological processes as molting, excretion, and oogenesis; therefore, lipid metabolism and utilization of lipid storage should be finely synchronized and regulated regarding that, in order to provide the necessary energy source for these events. Also, pathogens have evolved mechanisms to hijack essential lipids from the insect host by interfering in the biosynthesis, catabolism, and transport of lipids, which pose challenges to reproduction, survival, fitness, and other insect traits.In this chapter, we have tried to collect and highlight the current knowledge and recent discoveries on the metabolism of lipids in insect vectors of diseases related to the hematophagous diet and pathogen infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan R Girotti
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (CONICET-UNLP), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina.
| | - Gustavo M Calderón-Fernández
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (CONICET-UNLP), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina.
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4
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Takken W, Charlwood D, Lindsay SW. The behaviour of adult Anopheles gambiae, sub-Saharan Africa's principal malaria vector, and its relevance to malaria control: a review. Malar J 2024; 23:161. [PMID: 38783348 PMCID: PMC11112813 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04982-3] [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: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mosquitoes of the Anopheles gambiae complex are one of the major vectors of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. Their ability to transmit this disease of major public health importance is dependent on their abundance, biting behaviour, susceptibility and their ability to survive long enough to transmit malaria parasites. A deeper understanding of this behaviour can be exploited for improving vector surveillance and malaria control. FINDINGS Adult mosquitoes emerge from aquatic habitats at dusk. After a 24 h teneral period, in which the cuticle hardens and the adult matures, they may disperse at random and search upwind for a mate or to feed. Mating generally takes place at dusk in swarms that form over species-specific 'markers'. Well-nourished females may mate before blood-feeding, but the reverse is true for poorly-nourished insects. Females are monogamous and only mate once whilst males, that only feed on nectar, swarm nightly and can potentially mate up to four times. Females are able to locate hosts by following their carbon dioxide and odour gradients. When in close proximity to the host, visual cues, temperature and relative humidity are also used. Most blood-feeding occurs at night, indoors, with mosquitoes entering houses mainly through gaps between the roof and the walls. With the exception of the first feed, females are gonotrophically concordant and a blood meal gives rise to a complete egg batch. Egg development takes two or three days depending on temperature. Gravid females leave their resting sites at dusk. They are attracted by water gradients and volatile chemicals that provide a suitable aquatic habitat in which to lay their eggs. CONCLUSION Whilst traditional interventions, using insecticides, target mosquitoes indoors, additional protection can be achieved using spatial repellents outdoors, attractant traps or house modifications to prevent mosquito entry. Future research on the variability of species-specific behaviour, movement of mosquitoes across the landscape, the importance of light and vision, reproductive barriers to gene flow, male mosquito behaviour and evolutionary changes in mosquito behaviour could lead to an improvement in malaria surveillance and better methods of control reducing the current over-reliance on the indoor application of insecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willem Takken
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Derek Charlwood
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Hygiene e Medicina Tropical, Lisbon, Portugal
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5
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Dos Santos LV, Silva ERMND, Caiado MS, Rezende SRDF, de Carvalho MG, Pontes EG. Differential expression of brummer and levels of TAG in different developmental stages Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae), including fasted adults. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 115:e22084. [PMID: 38288494 DOI: 10.1002/arch.22084] [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: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Lipid storage in the form of triacylglycerol (TAG) is essential for insect life, as it enables flight, development, and reproduction. The activity of the lipase brummer (bmm) has been shown to be essential to insects' homeostasis. The objective of this study was to evaluate how bmm expression occurs in Aedes aegypti larvae and adults, and to observe TAG levels during fasting in adult females. The bmm sequence was identified in A. aegypti and exhibited a patatin-like phospholipase domain reinforced by the presence of a catalytic dyad with serine and aspartate residues, revealing a high degree of similarity with other organisms. Bmm expression was differentiated in the larvae and adult fat body (FB) following TAG reserve dynamics. Bmm was expressed three times in larval stages L3, L4, and pupae compared with L1 and L2, which could indicate its role in the maturation of these insects. In the postemergence (PE) and post-blood meal (PBM) FB of adult insects, bmm expression varied over several days. PE adults showed a pronounced bmm increase from the third day onward compared with those not subjected to fasting. This was accompanied by a decrease in TAG from the third day onward, suggesting the participation of bmm. Six hours after blood feeding, TAG levels increased in mosquitos reared in the absence of sucrose, suggesting lipid accumulation to guarantee reproduction. Bmm responded positively to fasting, followed by TAG mobilization in adult FB. During the previtellogenic period, bmm levels responded to low TAG levels, unlike the PBM period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luan Valim Dos Santos
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Matheus Silva Caiado
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Mario Geraldo de Carvalho
- Departamento de Química Orgânica, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Emerson Guedes Pontes
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Yan J, Kim CH, Chesser L, Ramirez JL, Stone CM. Nutritional stress compromises mosquito fitness and antiviral immunity, while enhancing dengue virus infection susceptibility. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1123. [PMID: 37932414 PMCID: PMC10628303 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05516-4] [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: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Diet-induced nutritional stress can influence pathogen transmission potential in mosquitoes by impacting life history traits, infection susceptibility, and immunity. To investigate these effects, we manipulate mosquito diets at larval and adult stages, creating two nutritional levels (low and normal), and expose adults to dengue virus (DENV). We observe that egg number is reduced by nutritional stress at both stages and viral exposure separately and jointly, while the likelihood of laying eggs is exclusively influenced by adult nutritional stress. Adult nutritional stress alone shortens survival, while any pairwise combination between both-stage stress and viral exposure have a synergistic effect. Additionally, adult nutritional stress increases susceptibility to DENV infection, while larval nutritional stress likely has a similar effect operating via smaller body size. Furthermore, adult nutritional stress negatively impacts viral titers in infected mosquitoes; however, some survive and show increased titers over time. The immune response to DENV infection is overall suppressed by larval and adult nutritional stress, with specific genes related to Toll, JAK-STAT, and Imd immune signaling pathways, and antimicrobial peptides being downregulated. Our findings underscore the importance of nutritional stress in shaping mosquito traits, infection outcomes, and immune responses, all of which impact the vectorial capacity for DENV transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayue Yan
- Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA.
| | - Chang-Hyun Kim
- Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Leta Chesser
- Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Jose L Ramirez
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Crop Bioprotection Research Unit, Peoria, IL, USA
| | - Chris M Stone
- Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
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7
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Accoti A, Multini LC, Diouf B, Becker M, Vulcan J, Sylla M, Yap DY, Khanipov K, Diallo M, Gaye A, Dickson LB. The influence of the larval microbiome on susceptibility to Zika virus is mosquito genotype-dependent. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011727. [PMID: 37903174 PMCID: PMC10635568 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The microbiome of the mosquito Aedes aegypti is largely determined by the environment and influences mosquito susceptibility for arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses). Larval interactions with different bacteria can have carry-over effects on adult Ae. aegypti replication of arboviruses, but little is known about the role that mosquito host genetics play in determining how larval-bacterial interactions shape Ae aegypti susceptibility to arboviruses. To address this question, we isolated single bacterial isolates and complex microbiomes from Ae. aegypti larvae from various field sites in Senegal. Either single bacterial isolates or complex microbiomes were added to two different genetic backgrounds of Ae. aegypti in a gnotobiotic larval system. Using 16S amplicon sequencing we showed that the bacterial community structure differs between the two genotypes of Ae. aegypti when given identical microbiomes, and the abundance of single bacterial taxa differed between Ae. aegypti genotypes. Using single bacterial isolates or the entire preserved complex microbiome, we tested the ability of specific larval microbiomes to drive differences in infection rates for Zika virus in different genetic backgrounds of Ae. aegypti. We observed that the proportion of Zika virus-infected adults was dependent on the interaction between the larval microbiome and Ae. aegypti host genetics. By using the larval microbiome as a component of the environment, these results demonstrate that interactions between the Ae. aegypti genotype and its environment can influence Zika virus infection. As Ae. aegypti expands and adapts to new environments under climate change, an understanding of how different genotypes interact with the same environment will be crucial for implementing arbovirus transmission control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Accoti
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Laura C. Multini
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Babakar Diouf
- Medical Zoology Unit, Institute Pasteur Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Margaret Becker
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- West African Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Centers for Research in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Julia Vulcan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Massamba Sylla
- Laboratory Vectors & Parasites, Department of Livestock Sciences and Techniques Sine Saloum University El Hadji Ibrahima NIASS (USSEIN), Kaffrine, Senegal
| | - Dianne Y. Yap
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kamil Khanipov
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Mawlouth Diallo
- Medical Zoology Unit, Institute Pasteur Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
- West African Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Centers for Research in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Alioune Gaye
- Medical Zoology Unit, Institute Pasteur Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
- West African Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Centers for Research in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Laura B. Dickson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- West African Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Centers for Research in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Vector-borne and Zoonotic Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
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8
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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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9
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Ayele S, Wegayehu T, Eligo N, Tamiru G, Lindtjørn B, Massebo F. Maize pollen diet enhances malaria mosquito longevity and infectivity to Plasmodium parasites in Ethiopia. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14490. [PMID: 37660195 PMCID: PMC10475124 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41826-7] [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: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Although larval diet quality may affect adult mosquito fitness, its impact on parasite development is scarce. Plant pollen from Zea mays, Typha latifolia, and Prosopis juliflora was ultraviolet-sterilized and examined for effects on larval development, pupation rate, adult mosquito longevity, survival and infectivity. The control larvae were fed Tetramin fish food as a comparator food. Four treatment and two control groups were used for each pollen diet, and each experimental tray had 25 larvae. Female An. arabiensis were starved overnight and exposed to infectious blood using a membrane-feeding system. The Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank test were used for analysis. The Z. mays pollen diet increased malaria mosquito survival and pupation rate (91.3%) and adult emergence (85%). Zea mays and Tetramin fish food had comparable adulthood development times. Adults who emerged from larvae fed Z. mays pollen had the longest average wing length (3.72 mm) and were more permissive to P. vivax (45%) and P. falciparum (27.5%). They also survived longer after feeding on infectious blood and had the highest number of P. vivax oocysts. Zea mays pollen improved larval development, adult mosquito longevity, survival and infectivity to Plasmodium. Our findings suggest that malaria transmission in Z. mays growing villages should be monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilimat Ayele
- Department of Biology, Wachemo University, Hossana, Ethiopia
- Department of Biology, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
| | - Teklu Wegayehu
- Department of Biology, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
| | - Nigatu Eligo
- Department of Biology, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
| | - Girum Tamiru
- Department of Biology, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
| | - Bernt Lindtjørn
- Department of Biology, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
- Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Fekadu Massebo
- Department of Biology, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia.
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10
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Kianifard L, Rafiqi AM, Akcakir O, Aly ASI, Billingsley PF, Uysal S. A recombinant Aspergillus oryzae fungus transmitted from larvae to adults of Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes inhibits malaria parasite oocyst development. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12177. [PMID: 37500682 PMCID: PMC10374630 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38654-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The control of malaria parasite transmission from mosquitoes to humans is hampered by decreasing efficacies of insecticides, development of drug resistance against the last-resort antimalarials, and the absence of effective vaccines. Herein, the anti-plasmodial transmission blocking activity of a recombinant Aspergillus oryzae (A. oryzae-R) fungus strain, which is used in human food industry, was investigated in laboratory-reared Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes. The recombinant fungus strain was genetically modified to secrete two anti-plasmodial effector peptides, MP2 (midgut peptide 2) and EPIP (enolase-plasminogen interaction peptide) peptides. The transstadial transmission of the fungus from larvae to adult mosquitoes was confirmed following inoculation of A. oryzae-R in the water trays used for larval rearing. Secretion of the anti-plasmodial effector peptides inside the mosquito midguts inhibited oocyst formation of P. berghei parasites. These results indicate that A. oryzae can be used as a paratransgenesis model carrying effector proteins to inhibit malaria parasite development in An. stephensi. Further studies are needed to determine if this recombinant fungus can be adapted under natural conditions, with a minimal or no impact on the environment, to target mosquito-borne infectious disease agents inside their vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Kianifard
- Beykoz Institute of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Bezmialem Vakif University, 34820, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ab Matteen Rafiqi
- Beykoz Institute of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Bezmialem Vakif University, 34820, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Osman Akcakir
- Beykoz Institute of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Bezmialem Vakif University, 34820, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ahmed S I Aly
- Beykoz Institute of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Bezmialem Vakif University, 34820, Istanbul, Turkey
- School of Science and Engineering, Al Akhawayn University, Ifrane, 53000, Morocco
| | - Peter F Billingsley
- Sanaria Inc., 9800 Medical Center Dr., Suite A209, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Serdar Uysal
- Beykoz Institute of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Bezmialem Vakif University, 34820, Istanbul, Turkey.
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11
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Tuno N, Farjana T, Uchida Y, Iyori M, Yoshida S. Effects of Temperature and Nutrition during the Larval Period on Life History Traits in an Invasive Malaria Vector Anopheles stephensi. INSECTS 2023; 14:543. [PMID: 37367359 DOI: 10.3390/insects14060543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Anopheles stephensi is an Asian and Middle Eastern malaria vector, and it has recently spread to the African continent. It is needed to measure how the malaria parasite infection in A. stephensi is influenced by environmental factors to predict its expansion in a new environment. Effects of temperature and food conditions during larval periods on larval mortality, larval period, female wing size, egg production, egg size, adult longevity, and malaria infection rate were studied using a laboratory strain. Larval survival and female wing size were generally reduced when reared at higher temperatures and with a low food supply during the larval period. Egg production was not significantly affected by temperature during the larval period. Egg size was generally smaller in females reared at higher temperatures during the larval period. The infection rate of mosquitoes that fed on blood from malaria-infected mice was not affected by rearing temperature or food conditions during the larval period. Higher temperatures may reduce infection. A. stephensi; however, larger individuals can still be infective. We suggest that routinely recording the body size of adults in field surveys is effective in finding productive larval breeding sites and in predicting malaria risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuko Tuno
- Laboratory of Ecology, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Thahsin Farjana
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Yui Uchida
- Laboratory of Ecology, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Iyori
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Shigeto Yoshida
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
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12
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Kolbenschlag S, Bollinger E, Gerstle V, Brühl CA, Entling MH, Schulz R, Bundschuh M. Impact across ecosystem boundaries - Does Bti application change quality and composition of the diet of riparian spiders? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 873:162351. [PMID: 36822417 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Emerging aquatic insects link aquatic and adjacent terrestrial food webs by subsidizing terrestrial predators with high-quality prey. One of the main constituents of aquatic subsidy, the non-biting midges (Chironomidae), showed altered emergence dynamics in response to the mosquito control agent Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti). As riparian spiders depend on aquatic subsidy, they may be affected by such changes in prey availability. Thus, we conducted a field study in twelve floodplain pond mesocosms (FPMs), six were treated with Bti (2.88 × 109 ITU/ha, VectoBac WDG) three times, to investigate if the Bti-induced shift in chironomid emergence dynamics is reflected in their nutritional value and in the diet of riparian spiders. We measured the content of proteins, lipids, glycogen, and carbohydrates in emerged Chironomidae, and determined the stable isotope ratios of female Tetragnatha extensa, a web-building spider living in the riparian vegetation of the FPMs. We analysed the proportion of aquatic prey in spiders' diet, niche size, and trophic position. While the content of nutrients and thus the prey quality was not significantly altered by Bti, effects on the spiders' diet were observed. The trophic position of T. extensa from Bti-treated FPMs was lower compared to the control while the aquatic proportion was only minimally reduced. We assume that spiders fed more on terrestrial prey but also on other aquatic organisms such as Baetidae, whose emergence was unaffected by Bti. In contrast to the partly predaceous Chironomidae, consumption of aquatic and terrestrial primary consumers potentially explains the observed lower trophic position of spiders from Bti-treated FPMs. As prey organisms vary in their quality the suggested dietary shift could transfer previously observed effects of Bti to riparian spiders conceivably affecting their populations. Our results further support that anthropogenic stressors in aquatic ecosystems may translate to terrestrial predators through aquatic subsidy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Kolbenschlag
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fortstr. 7, D-76829 Landau, Germany
| | - Eric Bollinger
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fortstr. 7, D-76829 Landau, Germany
| | - Verena Gerstle
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fortstr. 7, D-76829 Landau, Germany
| | - Carsten A Brühl
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fortstr. 7, D-76829 Landau, Germany
| | - Martin H Entling
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fortstr. 7, D-76829 Landau, Germany
| | - Ralf Schulz
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fortstr. 7, D-76829 Landau, Germany; Eußerthal Ecosystem Research Station, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Birkenthalstr. 13, D-76857 Eußerthal, Germany
| | - Mirco Bundschuh
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fortstr. 7, D-76829 Landau, Germany; Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lennart Hjelms väg 9, SWE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
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13
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Accoti A, Multini LC, Diouf B, Becker M, Vulcan J, Sylla M, Yap DAY, Khanipov K, Weaver SC, Diallo M, Gaye A, Dickson LB. The influence of the larval microbiome on susceptibility to Zika virus is mosquito genotype dependent. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.10.540191. [PMID: 37215022 PMCID: PMC10197687 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.10.540191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The microbiome of the mosquito Aedes aegypti is largely determined by the environment and influences mosquito susceptibility for arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses). Larval interactions with different bacteria can influence adult Ae. aegypti replication of arboviruses, but little is known about the role that mosquito host genetics play in determining how larval-bacterial interactions shape Ae aegypti susceptibility to arboviruses. To address this question, we isolated single bacterial isolates and complex microbiomes from Ae. aegypti larvae from various field sites in Senegal. Either single bacterial isolates or complex microbiomes were added to two different genetic backgrounds of Ae. aegypti in a gnotobiotic larval system. Using 16S amplicon sequencing we show that similarities in bacterial community structures when given identical microbiomes between different genetic backgrounds of Ae. aegypti was dependent on the source microbiome, and the abundance of single bacterial taxa differed between Ae. aegypti genotypes. Using single bacterial isolates or the entire preserved complex microbiome, we tested the ability of specific microbiomes to drive differences in infection rates for Zika virus in different genetic backgrounds of Ae. aegypti . We observed that the proportion of Zika virus-infected adults was dependent on the interaction between the larval microbiome and Ae. aegypti host genetics. By using the larval microbiome as a component of the environment, these results demonstrate that interactions between the Ae. aegypti genotype and its environment can influence Zika virus infection. As Ae. aegypti expands and adapts to new environments under climate change, an understanding of how different genotypes interact with the same environment will be crucial for implementing arbovirus transmission control strategies.
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Jude J, Gunathilaka N, Udayanaga L, Fernando D, Premarathne P, Wickremasinghe R, Abeyewickreme W. Biology, bionomics and life-table studies of Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae) in Sri Lanka and estimating the vectorial potential using mathematical approximations. Parasitol Int 2023; 93:102715. [PMID: 36470340 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2022.102715] [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: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anopheles stephensi is an invasive mosquito in Sri Lanka that can potentially transmit malaria. The transmission intensity is linked with biology, bionomic and behavioral aspects of a vector that are associated with the Vectorial Capacity (VC). However, the influence of larval conditions eventually affects the vectorial potential of An. stephensi are not well understood. METHODS A colony of An. stephensi was established at the Regional Centre of the Open University of Sri Lanka, Jaffna District. The colony was maintained under confined conditions according to standard protocols. Biotypes of An. stephensi were characterized by referring to the number of egg ridges. Information on (a) biological aspects of eggs (duration for egg hatching, egg development and hatchability), (b) larval development time, larval survivorship pupation success, resting depth of larvae), (c) pupae (adult emergence rate, average time for adult emergence) and (d) adults (biting frequency, mating success gonotrophic cycle, fecundity, duration for egg-laying, percentage of sexes, adult survival/longevity) were evaluated under life-table analysis. Further, selected morphometric characters of each life cycle stage were recorded from the eggs (length and breadth), larvae (head length, width of head, length of thorax, width of thorax, length of abdomen, width of abdomen, and the total length of larvae), pupae (cephalothoracic length and width) and adults (length & width of wing, thorax and abdomen). The VC was calculated using a mathematical-based approach. Descriptive statistics, General Linear Model (GLM) and independent-sample t-test were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS All three biotypes were identified based on egg morphology. Mysorensis biotype (47%; n = 470) was predominant followed by type (38.1%; n = 381) and intermediate (14.9%; n = 149). The mean egg length (F(2,997) = 3.56; P = 0.029) and breadth (F(2,997) = 4.57; P = 0.011) denoted significant differences among the three biotypes. The mating success of females observed was 80.7 ± 4.45%. The mean hatching period was 1.9 ± 0.03 days, with a hatching rate of 86.2 ± 0.77%. Overall, 8.0 ± 0.14 days were required for larval development and 30.3 ± 0.14 h were spent in the pupal stage. The pupation success was 94.5 ± 0.37%, and the majority were males (53.1 ± 0.73%). The mean fecundity was 106.5 ± 6.38 eggs and a gonotrophic cycle of 3.4 ± 0.06 days. The female survival rate was 43.2 ± 2.4%, with a mean biting frequency of 66.6 ± 3.5%. The average VC of adult An. stephensi was estimated to be 18.7. CONCLUSIONS The type biotype, which is an effective vector in the Indian subcontinent is present in Sri Lanka. According to the mathematical approximation, An. stephensi found locally has a vectorial capacity of over 18. Therefore, this study warrants the health authorities and vector control programmes to continue the entomological surveys, monitoring of vector densities and implementing appropriate vector control interventions based on biology and bionomic information of vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Jude
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka; Deparment of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Open University, Nawala, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.
| | - Nayana Gunathilaka
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka.
| | - Lahiru Udayanaga
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture & Plantation Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Makadura, Sri Lanka
| | - Deepika Fernando
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
| | - Prasad Premarathne
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Kotelawala Defence University, Rathmalana, Sri Lanka.
| | - Rajitha Wickremasinghe
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | - Wimaladharma Abeyewickreme
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka; Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Kotelawala Defence University, Rathmalana, Sri Lanka
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15
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Adipokinetic hormone signaling in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae facilitates Plasmodium falciparum sporogony. Commun Biol 2023; 6:171. [PMID: 36782045 PMCID: PMC9924834 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04518-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
An obligatory step in the complex life cycle of the malaria parasite is sporogony, which occurs during the oocyst stage in adult female Anopheles mosquitoes. Sporogony is metabolically demanding, and successful oocyst maturation is dependent on host lipids. In insects, lipid energy reserves are mobilized by adipokinetic hormones (AKHs). We hypothesized that Plasmodium falciparum infection activates Anopheles gambiae AKH signaling and lipid mobilization. We profiled the expression patterns of AKH pathway genes and AgAkh1 peptide levels in An. gambiae during starvation, after blood feeding, and following infection and observed a significant time-dependent up-regulation of AKH pathway genes and peptide levels during infection. Depletion of AgAkh1 and AgAkhR by RNAi reduced salivary gland sporozoite production, while synthetic AgAkh1 peptide supplementation rescued sporozoite numbers. Inoculation of uninfected female mosquitoes with supernatant from P. falciparum-infected midguts activated AKH signaling. Clearly, identifying the parasite molecules mediating AKH signaling in P. falciparum sporogony is paramount.
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16
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Hardy H, Hopkins R, Mnyone L, Hawkes FM. Manure and mosquitoes: life history traits of two malaria vector species enhanced by larval exposure to cow dung, whilst chicken dung has a strong negative effect. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:472. [PMID: 36527072 PMCID: PMC9756494 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05601-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria vectors have a strong ecological association with rice agroecosystems, which can provide abundant aquatic habitats for larval development. Climate-adapted rice cultivation practices, such as the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), are gaining popularity in malaria-endemic countries seeking to expand rice production; however, the potential impact of these practices on vector populations has not been well characterised. In particular, SRI encourages the use of organic fertilisers (OFs), such as animal manures, as low-cost and environmentally friendly alternatives to industrially produced inorganic fertilisers. We therefore set out to understand the effects of two common manure-based OFs on the life history traits of two major African malaria vectors, Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.). METHODS Larvae of An. arabiensis and An. gambiae s.s. were reared from first instar to emergence in water containing either cow or chicken dung at one of four concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 g/100 ml), or in a clean water control. Their life history traits were recorded, including survival, development rate, adult production, and adult wing length. RESULTS Exposure to cow dung significantly increased the development rate of An. gambiae s.s. independent of concentration, but did not affect the overall survival and adult production of either species. Chicken dung, however, significantly reduced survival and adult production in both species, with a greater effect as concentration increased. Interestingly, An. arabiensis exhibited a relative tolerance to the lowest chicken dung concentration, in that survival was unaffected and adult production was not reduced to the same extent as in An. gambiae s.s. The effects of chicken dung on development rate were less clear in both species owing to high larval mortality overall, though there was some indication that it may reduce development rate. Adult wing lengths in males and females increased with higher concentrations of both cow and chicken dung. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that manure-based OFs significantly alter the life history traits of An. gambiae s.s. and An. arabiensis. In both species, exposure to cow dung may improve fitness, whereas exposure to chicken dung may reduce it. These findings have implications for understanding vector population dynamics in rice agroecosystems and may inform the use of OFs in SRI, and rice agriculture more widely, to avoid their adverse effects in enhancing vector fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrison Hardy
- grid.36316.310000 0001 0806 5472Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, London, UK
| | - Richard Hopkins
- grid.36316.310000 0001 0806 5472Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, London, UK
| | - Ladslaus Mnyone
- grid.11887.370000 0000 9428 8105Institute of Pest Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania ,grid.463517.20000 0004 0648 0180Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Frances M. Hawkes
- grid.36316.310000 0001 0806 5472Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, London, UK
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17
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Pupal size as a proxy for fat content in laboratory-reared and field-collected Drosophila species. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12855. [PMID: 35896578 PMCID: PMC9329298 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15325-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In arthropods, larger individuals tend to have more fat reserves, but data for many taxa are still missing. For the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster, only few studies have provided experimental data linking body size to fat content. This is rather surprising considering the widespread use of D. melanogaster as a model system in biology. Here, we hypothesized that fat content in D. melanogaster is positively correlated with body size. To test this, we manipulated the developmental environment of D. melanogaster by decreasing food availability. We then measured pupal size and quantified fat content of laboratory-reared D. melanogaster. We subsequently measured pupal size and fat content of several field-caught Drosophila species. Starvation, crowding, and reduced nutrient content led to smaller laboratory-reared pupae that contained less fat. Pupal size was indeed found to be positively correlated with fat content. The same correlation was found for field-caught Drosophila pupae belonging to different species. As fat reserves are often strongly linked to fitness in insects, further knowledge on the relationship between body size and fat content can provide important information for studies on insect ecology and physiology.
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Kahamba NF, Finda M, Ngowo HS, Msugupakulya BJ, Baldini F, Koekemoer LL, Ferguson HM, Okumu FO. Using ecological observations to improve malaria control in areas where Anopheles funestus is the dominant vector. Malar J 2022; 21:158. [PMID: 35655190 PMCID: PMC9161514 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04198-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The most important malaria vectors in sub-Saharan Africa are Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles arabiensis, Anopheles funestus, and Anopheles coluzzii. Of these, An. funestus presently dominates in many settings in east and southern Africa. While research on this vector species has been impeded by difficulties in creating laboratory colonies, available evidence suggests it has certain ecological vulnerabilities that could be strategically exploited to greatly reduce malaria transmission in areas where it dominates. This paper examines the major life-history traits of An. funestus, its aquatic and adult ecologies, and its responsiveness to key interventions. It then outlines a plausible strategy for reducing malaria transmission by the vector and sustaining the gains over the medium to long term. To illustrate the propositions, the article uses data from south-eastern Tanzania where An. funestus mediates over 85% of malaria transmission events and is highly resistant to key public health insecticides, notably pyrethroids. Both male and female An. funestus rest indoors and the females frequently feed on humans indoors, although moderate to high degrees of zoophagy can occur in areas with large livestock populations. There are also a few reports of outdoor-biting by the species, highlighting a broader range of behavioural phenotypes that can be considered when designing new interventions to improve vector control. In comparison to other African malaria vectors, An. funestus distinctively prefers permanent and semi-permanent aquatic habitats, including river streams, ponds, swamps, and spring-fed pools. The species is therefore well-adapted to sustain its populations even during dry months and can support year-round malaria transmission. These ecological features suggest that highly effective control of An. funestus could be achieved primarily through strategic combinations of species-targeted larval source management and high quality insecticide-based methods targeting adult mosquitoes in shelters. If done consistently, such an integrated strategy has the potential to drastically reduce local populations of An. funestus and significantly reduce malaria transmission in areas where this vector species dominates. To sustain the gains, the programmes should be complemented with gradual environmental improvements such as house modification to maintain biting exposure at a bare minimum, as well as continuous engagements of the resident communities and other stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najat F Kahamba
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P. O. Box 53, Ifakara, Tanzania.
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, G128QQ, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Marceline Finda
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P. O. Box 53, Ifakara, Tanzania
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Halfan S Ngowo
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P. O. Box 53, Ifakara, Tanzania
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, G128QQ, Glasgow, UK
| | - Betwel J Msugupakulya
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P. O. Box 53, Ifakara, Tanzania
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Francesco Baldini
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, G128QQ, Glasgow, UK
| | - Lizette L Koekemoer
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Heather M Ferguson
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P. O. Box 53, Ifakara, Tanzania
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, G128QQ, Glasgow, UK
| | - Fredros O Okumu
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P. O. Box 53, Ifakara, Tanzania.
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, G128QQ, Glasgow, UK.
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
- School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania.
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Zettle M, Anderson E, LaDeau SL. Changes in Container-Breeding Mosquito Diversity and Abundance Along an Urbanization Gradient are Associated With Dominance of Arboviral Vectors. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 59:843-854. [PMID: 35388898 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjac023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Environmental conditions associated with urbanization are likely to influence the composition and abundance of mosquito (Diptera, Culicidae) assemblages through effects on juvenile stages, with important consequences for human disease risk. We present six years (2011-2016) of weekly juvenile mosquito data from distributed standardized ovitraps and evaluate how variation in impervious cover and temperature affect the composition and abundance of container-breeding mosquito species in Maryland, USA. Species richness and evenness were lowest at sites with high impervious cover (>60% in 100-m buffer). However, peak diversity was recorded at sites with intermediate impervious cover (28-35%). Four species were observed at all sites, including two recent invasives (Aedes albopictus Skuse, Ae. japonicus Theobald), an established resident (Culex pipiens L), and one native (Cx. restuans Theobald). All four are viral vectors in zoonotic or human transmission cycles. Temperature was a positive predictor of weekly larval abundance during the growing season for each species, as well as a positive predictor of rapid pupal development. Despite being observed at all sites, each species responded differently to impervious cover. Abundance of Ae. albopictus larvae was positively associated with impervious cover, emphasizing that this medically-important vector not only persists in the warmer, impervious urban landscape but is positively associated with it. Positive temperature effects in our models of larval abundance and pupae occurrence in container habitats suggest that these four vector species are likely to continue to be present and abundant in temperate cities under future temperature scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- MyKenna Zettle
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY 12545, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA
| | - Elsa Anderson
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY 12545, USA
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Kaavya K, Tharakan J, Joshi CO, Aneesh EM. Role of vertically transmitted viral and bacterial endosymbionts of Aedes mosquitoes. Does Paratransgenesis influence vector-borne disease control? Symbiosis 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s13199-022-00836-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Morimoto J, Than AT, Nguyen B, Lundbäck I, Dinh H, Ponton F. Density-by-diet interactions during larval development shape adult life-history trait expression and fitness in a polyphagous fly. Am Nat 2022; 199:E170-E185. [DOI: 10.1086/718910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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22
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Nørgaard LS, Álvarez-Noriega M, McGraw E, White CR, Marshall DJ. Predicting the response of disease vectors to global change: The importance of allometric scaling. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:390-402. [PMID: 34674354 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The distribution of disease vectors such as mosquitoes is changing. Climate change, invasions and vector control strategies all alter the distribution and abundance of mosquitoes. When disease vectors undergo a range shift, so do disease burdens. Predicting such shifts is a priority to adequately prepare for disease control. Accurate predictions of distributional changes depend on how factors such as temperature and competition affect mosquito life-history traits, particularly body size and reproduction. Direct estimates of both body size and reproduction in mosquitoes are logistically challenging and time-consuming, so the field has long relied upon linear (isometric) conversions between wing length (a convenient proxy of size) and reproductive output. These linear transformations underlie most models projecting species' distributions and competitive interactions between native and invasive disease vectors. Using a series of meta-analyses, we show that the relationship between wing length and fecundity are nonlinear (hyperallometric) for most mosquito species. We show that whilst most models ignore reproductive hyperallometry (with respect to wing length), doing so introduces systematic biases into estimates of population growth. In particular, failing to account for reproductive hyperallometry overestimates the effects of temperature and underestimates the effects of competition. Assuming isometry also increases the potential to misestimate the efficacy of vector control strategies by underestimating the contribution of larger females in population replenishment. Finally, failing to account for reproductive hyperallometry and variation in body size can lead to qualitative errors via the counter-intuitive effects of Jensen's inequality. For example, if mean sizes decrease, but variance increases, then reproductive outputs may actually increase. We suggest that future disease vector models incorporate hyperallometric relationships to more accurately predict changes in mosquito distribution in response to global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise S Nørgaard
- School of Biological Sciences & Centre for Geometric Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mariana Álvarez-Noriega
- School of Biological Sciences & Centre for Geometric Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elizabeth McGraw
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- Biology Department, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- Entomology Department, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Craig R White
- School of Biological Sciences & Centre for Geometric Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dustin J Marshall
- School of Biological Sciences & Centre for Geometric Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Miranda FR, Fernandes KM, Farder-Gomes CF, Bernardes RC, Oliveira AHD, Arthidoro de Castro MB, Dourado LA, Oliveira LL, Martins GF, Serrão JE. Exposure to copper sulfate impairs survival, post-embryonic midgut development and reproduction in Aedes aegypti. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2022; 97:105185. [PMID: 34920099 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.105185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Aedes aegypti is a vector of several global human viruses responsible for high human morbidity and mortality. The method to prevent the transmission of vector-borne viruses is mainly based on the control of the insect vector using insecticides. Among these chemicals, copper sulfate is a compound widely used in agriculture with the potential to be used as an alternative to control these insects. This study evaluated the effects of the exposure of A. aegypti larvae to copper sulfate on survival, midgut morphology, blood-feeding and fecundity. The exposure to CuSO4 decreased the survival of A. aegypti during the immature phase. Adults obtained from exposed larvae had their lifespan decreased at all tested concentrations. The exposure to CuSO4 impaired the development in the transition from larvae to pupae and from pupae to adult. The number of eggs laid by females developed from larvae treated with CuSO4 was significantly lower than in control. In addition, the egg hatching rates were also negatively affected. The midguts of treated larvae and pupae showed epithelial disorganization. The number of cleaved caspase-3 cells increased in the midgut of exposed pupae compared to control. Moreover, there was a reduction in proliferating cells in treated larvae and pupae compared to the control. In conclusion, the results reveal that CuSO4 exposure has insecticidal activity against A. aegypti, which may be related to the impairment of the midgut metamorphosis and reduced proliferation of stem cells, with the consequent impairment of female mosquito fertility and fecundity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franciane Rosa Miranda
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Kenner Morais Fernandes
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG 36570-900, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Lídia Aparecida Dourado
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG 36570-900, Brazil
| | | | | | - José Eduardo Serrão
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG 36570-900, Brazil.
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Harmonic convergence coordinates swarm mating by enhancing mate detection in the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae. Sci Rep 2021; 11:24102. [PMID: 34916521 PMCID: PMC8677761 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03236-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The mosquito Anopheles gambiae is a major African malaria vector, transmitting parasites responsible for significant mortality and disease burden. Although flight acoustics are essential to mosquito mating and present promising alternatives to insecticide-based vector control strategies, there is limited data on mosquito flight tones during swarming. Here, for the first time, we present detailed analyses of free-flying male and female An. gambiae flight tones and their harmonization (harmonic convergence) over a complete swarm sequence. Audio analysis of single-sex swarms showed synchronized elevation of male and female flight tones during swarming. Analysis of mixed-sex swarms revealed additional 50 Hz increases in male and female flight tones due to mating activity. Furthermore, harmonic differences between male and female swarm tones in mixed-sex swarms and in single-sex male swarms with artificial female swarm audio playback indicate that frequency differences of approximately 50 Hz or less at the male second and female third harmonics (M2:F3) are maintained both before and during mating interactions. This harmonization likely coordinates male scramble competition by maintaining ideal acoustic recognition within mating pairs while acoustically masking phonotactic responses of nearby swarming males to mating females. These findings advance our knowledge of mosquito swarm acoustics and provide vital information for reproductive control strategies.
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Adelman ZN, Kojin BB. Malaria-Resistant Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae); The Principle is Proven, But Will the Effectors Be Effective? JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:1997-2005. [PMID: 34018548 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Over the last few decades, a substantial number of anti-malarial effector genes have been evaluated for their ability to block parasite infection in the mosquito vector. While many of these approaches have yielded significant effects on either parasite intensity or prevalence of infection, just a few have been able to completely block transmission. Additionally, many approaches, while effective against the parasite, also disrupt or alter important aspects of mosquito physiology, leading to corresponding changes in lifespan, reproduction, and immunity. As the most promising approaches move towards field-based evaluation, questions of effector gene robustness and durability move to the forefront. In this forum piece, we critically evaluate past effector gene approaches with an eye towards developing a deeper pipeline to augment the current best candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zach N Adelman
- Department of Entomology and AgriLife Research, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Bianca B Kojin
- Department of Entomology and AgriLife Research, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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Short-Term Selection to Diflubenzuron and Bacillus thuringiensis Var. Israelensis Differentially Affects the Winter Survival of Culex pipiens f. Pipiens and Culex pipiens f. Molestus (Diptera: Culicidae). INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12060527. [PMID: 34204105 PMCID: PMC8228153 DOI: 10.3390/insects12060527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary In Europe, Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquito, the prime vector of West Nile virus, consists of two forms, named pipiens and molestus, that exhibit substantial differences in their biology, including overwintering behavior. Diflubenzuron (DFB) and Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) are among the most widely used larvicides which pose major concerns for resistance development. In temperate areas, winter represents a very challenging period for the survival of many insects, including mosquitoes, and therefore potential fitness costs associated with insecticide selection may reduce their overwintering success. In this context, we investigated how short-term selection of Cx. pipiens f. pipiens and molestus forms to DFB and Bti affect their overwintering success. Our findings revealed that selection to both larvicides induced a high fitness cost in terms of reduced winter survival of Cx. pipiens f. molestus but not of pipiens form, suggesting potential differences in the persistence of the selected individuals in the wild from year to year. Abstract The Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquito is of high medical importance as it is considered the prime vector of West Nile virus. In Europe, this species consists of two forms, named pipiens and molestus, that exhibit substantial differences in their overwintering biology. Diflubenzuron (DFB) and Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) are two of the most used larvicides in mosquito control, including that of Culex pipiens. The high dependency on these two larvicides poses major concerns for resistance development. The evolution and stability of resistance to insecticides has been associated with fitness costs that may be manifested under stressful conditions, such as the winter period. This study investigated how short-term selection of pipiens and molestus forms to both larvicides affect their overwintering success. Larvae from each form were subjected to the same selective pressure (80% mortality) for three successive generations with DFB and Bti. At the end of this process, the winter survival between the selected populations and the controls (colonies without selection) was determined for each form. Selection to both larvicides significantly reduced the winter survival rates of molestus but not of pipiens form, indicating potential differences in the persistence of the selected individuals from year to year between the two forms.
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Mohanty AK, de Souza C, Harjai D, Ghavanalkar P, Fernandes M, Almeida A, Walke J, Manoharan SK, Pereira L, Dash R, Mascarenhas A, Gomes E, Thita T, Chery L, Anvikar AR, Kumar A, Valecha N, Rathod PK, Patrapuvich R. Optimization of Plasmodium vivax sporozoite production from Anopheles stephensi in South West India. Malar J 2021; 20:221. [PMID: 34006297 PMCID: PMC8129701 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03767-2] [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: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Efforts to study the biology of Plasmodium vivax liver stages, particularly the latent hypnozoites, have been hampered by the limited availability of P. vivax sporozoites. Anopheles stephensi is a major urban malaria vector in Goa and elsewhere in South Asia. Using P. vivax patient blood samples, a series of standard membrane-feeding experiments were performed with An. stephensi under the US NIH International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research (ICEMR) for Malaria Evolution in South Asia (MESA). The goal was to understand the dynamics of parasite development in mosquitoes as well as the production of P. vivax sporozoites. To obtain a robust supply of P. vivax sporozoites, mosquito-rearing and mosquito membrane-feeding techniques were optimized, which are described here. METHODS Membrane-feeding experiments were conducted using both wild and laboratory-colonized An. stephensi mosquitoes and patient-derived P. vivax collected at the Goa Medical College and Hospital. Parasite development to midgut oocysts and salivary gland sporozoites was assessed on days 7 and 14 post-feeding, respectively. The optimal conditions for mosquito rearing and feeding were evaluated to produce high-quality mosquitoes and to yield a high sporozoite rate, respectively. RESULTS Laboratory-colonized mosquitoes could be starved for a shorter time before successful blood feeding compared with wild-caught mosquitoes. Optimizing the mosquito-rearing methods significantly increased mosquito survival. For mosquito feeding, replacing patient plasma with naïve serum increased sporozoite production > two-fold. With these changes, the sporozoite infection rate was high (> 85%) and resulted in an average of ~ 22,000 sporozoites per mosquito. Some mosquitoes reached up to 73,000 sporozoites. Sporozoite production could not be predicted from gametocyte density but could be predicted by measuring oocyst infection and oocyst load. CONCLUSIONS Optimized conditions for the production of high-quality P. vivax sporozoite-infected An. stephensi were established at a field site in South West India. This report describes techniques for producing a ready resource of P. vivax sporozoites. The improved protocols can help in future research on the biology of P. vivax liver stages, including hypnozoites, in India, as well as the development of anti-relapse interventions for vivax malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajeet Kumar Mohanty
- Field Unit, National Institute of Malaria Research, Campal, Goa, 403001, India.
| | - Charles de Souza
- Field Unit, National Institute of Malaria Research, Campal, Goa, 403001, India
| | - Deepika Harjai
- Field Unit, National Institute of Malaria Research, Campal, Goa, 403001, India
| | | | - Mezia Fernandes
- Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, Goa, 403202, India.,Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Anvily Almeida
- Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, Goa, 403202, India.,Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Jayashri Walke
- Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, Goa, 403202, India.,Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Suresh Kumar Manoharan
- Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, Goa, 403202, India.,Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Ligia Pereira
- Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, Goa, 403202, India.,Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Rashmi Dash
- Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, Goa, 403202, India.,Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Anjali Mascarenhas
- Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, Goa, 403202, India.,Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Edwin Gomes
- Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, Goa, 403202, India
| | - Thanyapit Thita
- Drug Research Unit for Malaria (DRUM), Center of Excellence in Malaria Research, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Laura Chery
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Anupkumar R Anvikar
- National Institute of Malaria Research (ICMR), Sector 8, Dwarka, New Delhi, 110077, India
| | - Ashwani Kumar
- Field Unit, National Institute of Malaria Research, Campal, Goa, 403001, India.,ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre, Medical Complex, VCRC Road, Indra Nagar, Priyadarshini Nagar, Puducherry, 605006, India
| | - Neena Valecha
- National Institute of Malaria Research (ICMR), Sector 8, Dwarka, New Delhi, 110077, India
| | | | - Rapatbhorn Patrapuvich
- Drug Research Unit for Malaria (DRUM), Center of Excellence in Malaria Research, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
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Carvajal-Lago L, Ruiz-López MJ, Figuerola J, Martínez-de la Puente J. Implications of diet on mosquito life history traits and pathogen transmission. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 195:110893. [PMID: 33607093 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The environment, directly and indirectly, affects many mosquito traits in both the larval and adult stages. The availability of food resources is one of the key factors influencing these traits, although its role in mosquito fitness and pathogen transmission remains unclear. Larvae nutritional status determines their survivorship and growth, having also an impact on adult characteristics like longevity, body size, flight capacity or vector competence. During the adult stage, mosquito diet affects their survival rate, fecundity and host-seeking behaviour. It also affects mosquito susceptibility to infection, which may determine the vectorial capacity of mosquito populations. The aim of this review is to critically revise the current knowledge on the effects that both larval and adult quantity and quality of the diet have on mosquito life history traits, identifying the critical knowledge gaps and proposing future research lines. The quantity and quality of food available through their lifetime greatly determine adult body size, longevity or biting frequency, therefore affecting their competence for pathogen transmission. In addition, natural sugar sources for adult mosquitoes, i.e., specific plants providing high metabolic energy, might affect their host-seeking and vertebrate biting behaviour. However, most of the studies are carried out under laboratory conditions, highlighting the need for studies of feeding behaviour of mosquitoes under field conditions. This kind of studies will increase our knowledge of the impact of diets on pathogen transmission, helping to develop successful control plans for vector-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Carvajal-Lago
- Departamento de Ecología de Humedales, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, CSIC, Spain
| | - María José Ruiz-López
- Departamento de Ecología de Humedales, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, CSIC, Spain
| | - Jordi Figuerola
- Departamento de Ecología de Humedales, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, CSIC, Spain; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain.
| | - Josué Martínez-de la Puente
- Departamento de Ecología de Humedales, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, CSIC, Spain; Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
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Rocha-Santos C, Dutra ACVPL, Fróes Santos R, Cupolillo CDLS, de Melo Rodovalho C, Bellinato DF, Dos Santos Dias L, Jablonka W, Lima JBP, Silva Neto MAC, Atella GC. Effect of Larval Food Availability on Adult Aedes Aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Fitness and Susceptibility to Zika Infection. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:535-547. [PMID: 33219384 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) is a mosquito species of significant medical importance. The use of this vector in research studies usually requires a large number of mosquitoes as well as rearing and maintenance in a laboratory-controlled environment. However, laboratory conditions may be different from field environments, presenting stressful challenges such as low food concentration, especially during larval stages, which may, in turn, impair vector biology. Therefore, we tested herein if larval food availability (0.004, 0.009, 0.020, and 0.070% diets) would affect overall adult insect fitness. We observed slower development in mosquitoes fed a 0.004% diet 15 d post-eclosion (DPE) and shorter mean time in mosquitoes fed a 0.020% diet (7 DPE). Larval diet and adult mosquito weight were positively correlated, and heavier females fed higher larval diets exhibited greater blood feeding capacity and oviposition. In addition, larval diet concentrations led to median adult lifespan variations (male/female in days-0.004%: 30 ± 1.41, 45 ± 1.3; 0.009%: 31.5 ± 1.33, 41 ± 1.43; 0.020%: 26 ± 1.18, 41 ± 1.45; 0.070%: 29 ± 1.07, 44 ± 1.34), reduced tolerance to deltamethrin (1 mg/m2) and changes in detoxification enzyme activities. Moreover, in the larval 0.070% diet, females presented higher Zika susceptibility (plaque-forming unit [PFU]: 1.218 × 106) compared with other diets (0.004%: 1.31 × 105; 0.009%: 2.0 × 105; 0.020%: 1.25 × 105 PFU). Altogether, our study demonstrates that larval diet restriction results not only in larval developmental arrest but also in adult fitness impairment, which must be considered in future assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlucio Rocha-Santos
- Laboratório de Sinalização Celular Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Controle de Artrópodes Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratório de Entomologia, Instituto de Biologia do Exército, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ana Cristina Vieira Paes Leme Dutra
- Laboratório de Sinalização Celular Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Lipídios e Lipoproteínas, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rogério Fróes Santos
- Laboratório de Sinalização Celular Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Fundação CECIERJ/Consórcio CEDERJ, Polo Campo Grande, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Catharina D'Oliveira Loures Schwartz Cupolillo
- Laboratório de Sinalização Celular Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Lipídios e Lipoproteínas, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Cynara de Melo Rodovalho
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Controle de Artrópodes Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratório de Entomologia, Instituto de Biologia do Exército, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Diogo Fernandes Bellinato
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Controle de Artrópodes Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratório de Entomologia, Instituto de Biologia do Exército, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Luciana Dos Santos Dias
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Controle de Artrópodes Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratório de Entomologia, Instituto de Biologia do Exército, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Willy Jablonka
- Laboratório de Sinalização Celular Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Lipídios e Lipoproteínas, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - José Bento Pereira Lima
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Controle de Artrópodes Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratório de Entomologia, Instituto de Biologia do Exército, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mário Alberto Cardoso Silva Neto
- Laboratório de Sinalização Celular Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Georgia Correa Atella
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Lipídios e Lipoproteínas, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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30
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Yan J, Kibech R, Stone CM. Differential effects of larval and adult nutrition on female survival, fecundity, and size of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Front Zool 2021; 18:10. [PMID: 33750400 PMCID: PMC7941737 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-021-00395-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, is the principal vector of medically-important infectious viruses that cause severe illness such as dengue fever, yellow fever and Zika. The transmission potential of mosquitoes for these arboviruses is largely shaped by their life history traits, such as size, survival and fecundity. These life history traits, to some degree, depend on environmental conditions, such as larval and adult nutrition (e.g., nectar availability). Both these types of nutrition are known to affect the energetic reserves and life history traits of adults, but whether and how nutrition obtained during larval and adult stages have an interactive influence on mosquito life history traits remains largely unknown. Results Here, we experimentally manipulated mosquito diets to create two nutritional levels at larval and adult stages, that is, a high or low amount of larval food (HL or LL) during larval stage, and a good and poor adult food (GA or PA, represents normal or weak concentration of sucrose) during adult stage. We then compared the size, survival and fecundity of female mosquitoes reared from these nutritional regimes. We found that larval and adult nutrition affected size and survival, respectively, without interactions, while both larval and adult nutrition influenced fecundity. There was a positive relationship between fecundity and size. In addition, this positive relationship was not affected by nutrition. Conclusions These findings highlight how larval and adult nutrition differentially influence female mosquito life history traits, suggesting that studies evaluating nutritional effects on vectorial capacity traits should account for environmental variation across life stages. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12983-021-00395-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayue Yan
- Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1816 S. Oak St, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA.
| | - Roumaissa Kibech
- Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1816 S. Oak St, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA
| | - Chris M Stone
- Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1816 S. Oak St, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA
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31
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Gallichotte EN, Dobos KM, Ebel GD, Hagedorn M, Rasgon JL, Richardson JH, Stedman TT, Barfield JP. Towards a method for cryopreservation of mosquito vectors of human pathogens. Cryobiology 2021; 99:1-10. [PMID: 33556359 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2021.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Mosquito-borne diseases are responsible for millions of human deaths every year, posing a massive burden on global public health. Mosquitoes transmit a variety of bacteria, parasites and viruses. Mosquito control efforts such as insecticide spraying can reduce mosquito populations, but they must be sustained in order to have long term impacts, can result in the evolution of insecticide resistance, are costly, and can have adverse human and environmental effects. Technological advances have allowed genetic manipulation of mosquitoes, including generation of those that are still susceptible to insecticides, which has greatly increased the number of mosquito strains and lines available to the scientific research community. This generates an associated challenge, because rearing and maintaining unique mosquito lines requires time, money and facilities, and long-term maintenance can lead to adaptation to specific laboratory conditions, resulting in mosquito lines that are distinct from their wild-type counterparts. Additionally, continuous rearing of transgenic lines can lead to loss of genetic markers, genes and/or phenotypes. Cryopreservation of valuable mosquito lines could help circumvent these limitations and allow researchers to reduce the cost of rearing multiple lines simultaneously, maintain low passage number transgenic mosquitoes, and bank lines not currently being used. Additionally, mosquito cryopreservation could allow researchers to access the same mosquito lines, limiting the impact of unique laboratory or field conditions. Successful cryopreservation of mosquitoes would expand the field of mosquito research and could ultimately lead to advances that would reduce the burden of mosquito-borne diseases, possibly through rear-and-release strategies to overcome mosquito insecticide resistance. Cryopreservation techniques have been developed for some insect groups, including but not limited to fruit flies, silkworms and other moth species, and honeybees. Recent advances within the cryopreservation field, along with success with other insects suggest that cryopreservation of mosquitoes may be a feasible method for preserving valuable scientific and public health resources. In this review, we will provide an overview of basic mosquito biology, the current state of and advances within insect cryopreservation, and a proposed approach toward cryopreservation of Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily N Gallichotte
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Karen M Dobos
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Gregory D Ebel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Mary Hagedorn
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Smithsonian Institution, Front Royal, VA, USA; Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii, Kaneohe, HI, USA
| | - Jason L Rasgon
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA; Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA; Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | | | | | - Jennifer P Barfield
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
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Plasmodium oocysts respond with dormancy to crowding and nutritional stress. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3090. [PMID: 33542254 PMCID: PMC7862253 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81574-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria parasites develop as oocysts in the mosquito for several days before they are able to infect a human host. During this time, mosquitoes take bloodmeals to replenish their nutrient and energy reserves needed for flight and reproduction. We hypothesized that these bloodmeals are critical for oocyst growth and that experimental infection protocols, typically involving a single bloodmeal at the time of infection, cause nutritional stress to the developing oocysts. Therefore, enumerating oocysts disregarding their growth and differentiation state may lead to erroneous conclusions about the efficacy of transmission blocking interventions. Here, we examine this hypothesis in Anopheles coluzzii mosquitoes infected with the human and rodent parasites Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium berghei, respectively. We show that oocyst growth and maturation rates decrease at late developmental stages as infection intensities increase; an effect exacerbated at very high infection intensities but fully restored with post infection bloodmeals. High infection intensities and starvation conditions reduce RNA Polymerase III activity in oocysts unless supplemental bloodmeals are provided. Our results suggest that oocysts respond to crowding and nutritional stress with a dormancy-like strategy, which urges the development of alternative methods to assess the efficacy of transmission blocking interventions.
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Akpodiete NO, Tripet F. Laboratory and microcosm experiments reveal contrasted adaptive responses to ammonia and water mineralisation in aquatic stages of the sibling species Anopheles gambiae (sensu stricto) and Anopheles coluzzii. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:17. [PMID: 33407790 PMCID: PMC7789177 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04483-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The sibling species of the malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae (sensu stricto) and Anopheles coluzzii co-exist in many parts of West Africa and are thought to have recently diverged through a process of ecological speciation with gene flow. Divergent larval ecological adaptations, resulting in Genotype-by-Environment (G × E) interactions, have been proposed as important drivers of speciation in these species. In West Africa, An. coluzzii tends to be associated with permanent man-made larval habitats such as irrigated rice fields, which are typically more eutrophic and mineral and ammonia-rich than the temporary rain pools exploited by An. gambiae (s.s.) Methods To highlight G × E interactions at the larval stage and their possible role in ecological speciation of these species, we first investigated the effect of exposure to ammonium hydroxide and water mineralisation on larval developmental success. Mosquito larvae were exposed to two water sources and increasing ammonia concentrations in small containers until adult emergence. In a second experiment, larval developmental success was compared across two contrasted microcosms to highlight G × E interactions under conditions such as those found in the natural environment. Results The first experiment revealed significant G × E interactions in developmental success and phenotypic quality for both species in response to increasing ammonia concentrations and water mineralisation. The An. coluzzii strain outperformed the An. gambiae (s.s.) strain under limited conditions that were closer to more eutrophic habitats. The second experiment revealed divergent crisscrossing reaction norms in the developmental success of the sibling species in the two contrasted larval environments. As expected, An. coluzzii had higher emergence rates in the rice paddy environment with emerging adults of superior phenotypic quality compared to An. gambiae (s.s.), and vice versa, in the rain puddle environment. Conclusions Evidence for such G × E interactions lends support to the hypothesis that divergent larval adaptations to the environmental conditions found in man-made habitats such as rice fields in An. coluzzii may have been an important driver of its ecological speciation. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Nwamaka Oluchukwu Akpodiete
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK
| | - Frédéric Tripet
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK.
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Mang'era CM, Khamis FM, Awuoche EO, Hassanali A, Ombura FLO, Mireji PO. Transcriptomic response of Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto mosquito larvae to Curry tree (Murraya koenigii) phytochemicals. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:1. [PMID: 33388087 PMCID: PMC7777392 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04505-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Insect growth regulators (IGRs) can control insect vector populations by disrupting growth and development in juvenile stages of the vectors. We previously identified and described the curry tree (Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng) phytochemical leaf extract composition (neplanocin A, 3-(1-naphthyl)-L-alanine, lumiflavine, terezine C, agelaspongin and murrayazolinol), which disrupted growth and development in Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto mosquito larvae by inducing morphogenetic abnormalities, reducing locomotion and delaying pupation in the mosquito. Here, we attempted to establish the transcriptional process in the larvae that underpins these phenotypes in the mosquito. METHODS We first exposed third-fourth instar larvae of the mosquito to the leaf extract and consequently the inherent phytochemicals (and corresponding non-exposed controls) in two independent biological replicates. We collected the larvae for our experiments sampled 24 h before peak pupation, which was 7 and 18 days post-exposure for controls and exposed larvae, respectively. The differences in duration to peak pupation were due to extract-induced growth delay in the larvae. The two study groups (exposed vs control) were consequently not age-matched. We then sequentially (i) isolated RNA (whole larvae) from each replicate treatment, (ii) sequenced the RNA on Illumina HiSeq platform, (iii) performed differential bioinformatics analyses between libraries (exposed vs control) and (iv) independently validated the transcriptome expression profiles through RT-qPCR. RESULTS Our analyses revealed significant induction of transcripts predominantly associated with hard cuticular proteins, juvenile hormone esterases, immunity and detoxification in the larvae samples exposed to the extract relative to the non-exposed control samples. Our analysis also revealed alteration of pathways functionally associated with putrescine metabolism and structural constituents of the cuticle in the extract-exposed larvae relative to the non-exposed control, putatively linked to the exoskeleton and immune response in the larvae. The extract-exposed larvae also appeared to have suppressed pathways functionally associated with molting, cell division and growth in the larvae. However, given the age mismatch between the extract-exposed and non-exposed larvae, we can attribute the modulation of innate immune, detoxification, cuticular and associated transcripts and pathways we observed to effects of age differences among the larvae samples (exposed vs control) and to exposures of the larvae to the extract. CONCLUSIONS The exposure treatment appears to disrupt cuticular development, immune response and oxidative stress pathways in Anopheles gambiae s.s larvae. These pathways can potentially be targeted in development of more efficacious curry tree phytochemical-based IGRs against An. gambiae s.s mosquito larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarence M Mang'era
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Egerton University, Njoro Campus, PO Box 536-20115, Egerton, Kenya. .,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Kenyatta University, Ruiru Campus, PO Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Fathiya M Khamis
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Duduville Campus, Kasarani, PO Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Erick O Awuoche
- Department of Biological Sciences, Meru University of Science and Technology, PO Box 972-60200, Meru, Kenya
| | - Ahmed Hassanali
- Department of Chemistry, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Kenyatta University, Ruiru Campus, PO Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Fidelis Levi Odhiambo Ombura
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Duduville Campus, Kasarani, PO Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Paul O Mireji
- Biotechnology Research Institute-Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, PO Box 362-00902, Kikuyu, Kenya.
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Mwingira V, Mboera LEG, Dicke M, Takken W. Exploiting the chemical ecology of mosquito oviposition behavior in mosquito surveillance and control: a review. JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2020; 45:155-179. [PMID: 33207066 DOI: 10.1111/jvec.12387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Vector control is an important component of the interventions aimed at mosquito-borne disease control. Current and future mosquito control strategies are likely to rely largely on the understanding of the behavior of the vector, by exploiting mosquito biology and behavior, while using cost-effective, carefully timed larvicidal and high-impact, low-volume adulticidal applications. Here we review the knowledge on the ecology of mosquito oviposition behavior with emphasis on the potential role of infochemicals in surveillance and control of mosquito-borne diseases. A search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Global Health Archive, and Google Scholar databases was conducted using the keywords mosquito, infochemical, pheromone, kairomone, allomone, synomone, apneumone, attractant, host-seeking, and oviposition. Articles in English from 1974 to 2019 were reviewed to gain comprehensive understanding of current knowledge on infochemicals in mosquito resource-searching behavior. Oviposition of many mosquito species is mediated by infochemicals that comprise pheromones, kairomones, synomones, allomones, and apneumones. The novel putative infochemicals that mediate oviposition in the mosquito subfamilies Anophelinae and Culicinae were identified. The role of infochemicals in surveillance and control of these and other mosquito tribes is discussed with respect to origin of the chemical cues and how these affect gravid mosquitoes. Oviposition attractants and deterrents can potentially be used for manipulation of mosquito behavior by making protected resources unsuitable for mosquitoes (push) while luring them towards attractive sources (pull). In this review, strategies of targeting breeding sites with environmentally friendly larvicides with the aim to develop appropriate trap-and-kill techniques are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Mwingira
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- National Institute for Medical Research, Amani Research Centre, P.O. Box 81, Muheza, Tanzania
| | - Leonard E G Mboera
- SACIDS Foundation for One Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3297 Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Marcel Dicke
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Willem Takken
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Wu W, Li S, Yang M, Lin Y, Zheng K, Akutse KS. Citronellal perception and transmission by Anopheles gambiae s.s. (Diptera: Culicidae) females. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18615. [PMID: 33122679 PMCID: PMC7596511 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75782-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Anopheles gambiae s.s. is a key vector of Plasmodium parasites. Repellents, which may be a promising alternative to pesticides used to control malaria mosquitoes. Although citronellal is a known mosquito repellent, its repellency characteristics are largely unknown. Determining the specific odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and odorant receptors (ORs) that detect and transfer the citronellal molecule in A. gambiae s.s. will help to define the mode of action of this compound. In this research, we assessed the repellent activity of citronellal in A. gambiae s.s. using a Y-tube olfactory meter, screened candidate citronellal-binding OBPs and ORs using reverse molecular docking, clarified the binding properties of predicted proteins for citronellal using fluorescence competition binding assay. Results showed that citronellal had a dosage effect on repelling A. gambiae s.s.. The 50% repellent rate was determined to be 4.02 nmol. Results of simulated molecular docking showed that the only proteins that bound tightly with citronellal were AgamOBP4 and AgamORC7. Fluorescence competitive binding assays confirmed the simulations. This research determined that citronellal was captured by AgamOBP4 and transmitted to AgamORC7 in A. gambiae s.s.. Our study will be beneficial in the further understanding the repellent mechanism of citronellal against A. gambiae s.s..
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijian Wu
- Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Fujian Academy of Agriculture Sciences & Zhangzhou Institute of Technology, Zhangzhou, 363001, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Fujian Academy of Agriculture Sciences & Zhangzhou Institute of Technology, Zhangzhou, 363001, China
| | - Min Yang
- Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Fujian Academy of Agriculture Sciences & Zhangzhou Institute of Technology, Zhangzhou, 363001, China
| | - Yongwen Lin
- Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Fujian Academy of Agriculture Sciences & Zhangzhou Institute of Technology, Zhangzhou, 363001, China.
| | - Kaibin Zheng
- Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Fujian Academy of Agriculture Sciences & Zhangzhou Institute of Technology, Zhangzhou, 363001, China
| | - Komivi Senyo Akutse
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
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Nkahe DL, Kopya E, Djiappi-Tchamen B, Toussile W, Sonhafouo-Chiana N, Kekeunou S, Mimpfoundi R, Awono-Ambene P, Wondji CS, Antonio-Nkondjio C. Fitness cost of insecticide resistance on the life-traits of a Anopheles coluzzii population from the city of Yaoundé, Cameroon. Wellcome Open Res 2020; 5:171. [PMID: 33029560 PMCID: PMC7525343 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16039.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Pyrethroid resistance is rapidly expanding in
An. gambiae s.l. populations across Sub-Saharan Africa. Yet there is still not enough information on the fitness cost of insecticide resistance . In the present study, the fitness cost of insecticide resistance on
Anopheles coluzzii population from the city of Yaoundé was investigated.
Methods: A resistant
An. coluzzii colony was established from field collected mosquitoes resistant to both DDT and pyrethroid and selected for 12 generations with deltamethrin 0.05%. The Ngousso laboratory susceptible strain was used as control. A total of 100 females of each strain were blood fed and allowed for individual eggs laying, and then different life traits parameters such as fecundity, fertility, larval development time, emergence rate and longevity were measured. The TaqMan assay was used to screen for the presence of the L1014F and L1014S
kdr mutations. Results: Field collected mosquitoes from the F0 generation had a mortality rate of 2.05% for DDT, 34.16% for permethrin and 50.23% for deltamethrin. The mortality rate of the F12 generation was 30.48% for deltamethrin, 1.25% for permethrin and 0% for DDT. The number of eggs laid per female was lower in the resistant colony compared to the susceptible (p <0.0001). Insecticide resistant larvae were found with a significantly long larval development time (10.61±0.33 days) compare to susceptible (7.57±0.35 days). The number of emerging females was significantly high in the susceptible group compared to the resistant . The adults lifespan was also significantly high for susceptible (21.73±1.19 days) compared to resistant (14.63±0.68 days). Only the L1014F-
kdr allele was detected in resistant population.. Conclusion: The study suggests that pyrethroid resistance is likely associated with a high fitness cost on
An.coluzzii populations. The addition of new tools targeting specifically larval stages could improve malaria vectors control and insecticide resistance management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane Leslie Nkahe
- Malaria Research Laboratory, OCEAC, Yaoundé, Centre, PO Box 288, Cameroon.,Department of Animal Biology, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Edmond Kopya
- Malaria Research Laboratory, OCEAC, Yaoundé, Centre, PO Box 288, Cameroon.,Department of Animal Biology, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Borel Djiappi-Tchamen
- Malaria Research Laboratory, OCEAC, Yaoundé, Centre, PO Box 288, Cameroon.,Department of Animal Biology, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
| | | | - Nadege Sonhafouo-Chiana
- Malaria Research Laboratory, OCEAC, Yaoundé, Centre, PO Box 288, Cameroon.,Faculty of Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Sevilor Kekeunou
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Remy Mimpfoundi
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | | | | | - Christophe Antonio-Nkondjio
- Malaria Research Laboratory, OCEAC, Yaoundé, Centre, PO Box 288, Cameroon.,Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
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38
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Nkahe DL, Kopya E, Djiappi-Tchamen B, Toussile W, Sonhafouo-Chiana N, Kekeunou S, Mimpfoundi R, Awono-Ambene P, Wondji CS, Antonio-Nkondjio C. Fitness cost of insecticide resistance on the life-traits of a Anopheles coluzzii population from the city of Yaoundé, Cameroon. Wellcome Open Res 2020; 5:171. [DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16039.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Pyrethroid resistance is rapidly expanding in An. gambiae s.l. populations across Sub-Saharan Africa. Yet there is still not enough information on the fitness cost of insecticide resistance . In the present study, the fitness cost of insecticide resistance on Anopheles coluzzii population from the city of Yaoundé was investigated. Methods: A resistant An. coluzzii colony was established from field collected mosquitoes resistant to both DDT and pyrethroid and selected for 12 generations with deltamethrin 0.05%. The Ngousso laboratory susceptible strain was used as control. A total of 100 females of each strain were blood fed and allowed for individual eggs laying, and then different life traits parameters such as fecundity, fertility, larval development time, emergence rate and longevity were measured. The TaqMan assay was used to screen for the presence of the L1014F and L1014S kdr mutations. Results: Field collected mosquitoes from the F0 generation had a mortality rate of 2.05% for DDT, 34.16% for permethrin and 50.23% for deltamethrin. The mortality rate of the F12 generation was 30.48% for deltamethrin, 1.25% for permethrin and 0% for DDT. The number of eggs laid per female was lower in the resistant colony compared to the susceptible (p <0.0001). Insecticide resistant larvae were found with a significantly long larval development time (10.61±0.33 days) compare to susceptible (7.57±0.35 days). The number of emerging females was significantly high in the susceptible group compared to the resistant . The adults lifespan was also significantly high for susceptible (21.73±1.19 days) compared to resistant (14.63±0.68 days). Only the L1014F-kdr allele was detected in resistant population.. Conclusion: The study suggests that pyrethroid resistance is likely associated with a high fitness cost on An.coluzzii populations. The addition of new tools targeting specifically larval stages could improve malaria vectors control and insecticide resistance management.
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Cator LJ, Johnson LR, Mordecai EA, Moustaid FE, Smallwood TRC, LaDeau SL, Johansson MA, Hudson PJ, Boots M, Thomas MB, Power AG, Pawar S. The Role of Vector Trait Variation in Vector-Borne Disease Dynamics. Front Ecol Evol 2020; 8:189. [PMID: 32775339 PMCID: PMC7409824 DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many important endemic and emerging diseases are transmitted by vectors that are biting arthropods. The functional traits of vectors can affect pathogen transmission rates directly and also through their effect on vector population dynamics. Increasing empirical evidence shows that vector traits vary significantly across individuals, populations, and environmental conditions, and at time scales relevant to disease transmission dynamics. Here, we review empirical evidence for variation in vector traits and how this trait variation is currently incorporated into mathematical models of vector-borne disease transmission. We argue that mechanistically incorporating trait variation into these models, by explicitly capturing its effects on vector fitness and abundance, can improve the reliability of their predictions in a changing world. We provide a conceptual framework for incorporating trait variation into vector-borne disease transmission models, and highlight key empirical and theoretical challenges. This framework provides a means to conceptualize how traits can be incorporated in vector borne disease systems, and identifies key areas in which trait variation can be explored. Determining when and to what extent it is important to incorporate trait variation into vector borne disease models remains an important, outstanding question.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren J. Cator
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Ascot, United Kingdom
| | - Leah R. Johnson
- Department of Statistics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Erin A. Mordecai
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Fadoua El Moustaid
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States
- BresMed America Inc, Las Vegas, NV, United States
| | | | - Shannon L. LaDeau
- The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY, United States
| | | | - Peter J. Hudson
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics and Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Michael Boots
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Matthew B. Thomas
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Alison G. Power
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Samraat Pawar
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Ascot, United Kingdom
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Bataillard D, Christe P, Pigeault R. Impact of field-realistic doses of glyphosate and nutritional stress on mosquito life history traits and susceptibility to malaria parasite infection. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:5079-5088. [PMID: 32551083 PMCID: PMC7297737 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Glyphosate is the world's most widely used herbicide. The commercial success of this molecule is due to its nonselectivity and its action, which would supposedly target specific biosynthetic pathways found mainly in plants. Multiple studies have however provided evidence for high sensitivity of many nontarget species to glyphosate and/or to formulations (glyphosate mixed with surfactants). This herbicide, found at significant levels in aquatic systems through surface runoffs, impacts life history traits and immune parameters of several aquatic invertebrates' species, including disease-vector mosquitoes. Mosquitoes, from hatching to emergence, are exposed to aquatic chemical contaminants. In this study, we first compared the toxicity of pure glyphosate to the toxicity of glyphosate-based formulations for the main vector of avian malaria in Europe, Culex pipiens mosquito. Then we evaluated, for the first time, how field-realistic dose of glyphosate interacts with larval nutritional stress to alter mosquito life history traits and susceptibility to avian malaria parasite infection. Our results show that exposure of larvae to field-realistic doses of glyphosate, pure or in formulation, did not affect larval survival rate, adult size, and female fecundity. One of our two experimental blocks showed, however, that exposure to glyphosate decreased development time and reduced mosquito infection probability by malaria parasite. Interestingly, the effect on malaria infection was lost when the larvae were also subjected to a nutritional stress, probably due to a lower ingestion of glyphosate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danaé Bataillard
- Department of Ecology and EvolutionUniversity of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Philippe Christe
- Department of Ecology and EvolutionUniversity of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Romain Pigeault
- Department of Ecology and EvolutionUniversity of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
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Herren JK, Mbaisi L, Mararo E, Makhulu EE, Mobegi VA, Butungi H, Mancini MV, Oundo JW, Teal ET, Pinaud S, Lawniczak MKN, Jabara J, Nattoh G, Sinkins SP. A microsporidian impairs Plasmodium falciparum transmission in Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2187. [PMID: 32366903 PMCID: PMC7198529 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16121-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A possible malaria control approach involves the dissemination in mosquitoes of inherited symbiotic microbes to block Plasmodium transmission. However, in the Anopheles gambiae complex, the primary African vectors of malaria, there are limited reports of inherited symbionts that impair transmission. We show that a vertically transmitted microsporidian symbiont (Microsporidia MB) in the An. gambiae complex can impair Plasmodium transmission. Microsporidia MB is present at moderate prevalence in geographically dispersed populations of An. arabiensis in Kenya, localized to the mosquito midgut and ovaries, and is not associated with significant reductions in adult host fecundity or survival. Field-collected Microsporidia MB infected An. arabiensis tested negative for P. falciparum gametocytes and, on experimental infection with P. falciparum, sporozoites aren't detected in Microsporidia MB infected mosquitoes. As a microbe that impairs Plasmodium transmission that is non-virulent and vertically transmitted, Microsporidia MB could be investigated as a strategy to limit malaria transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy K Herren
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya.
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK.
| | - Lilian Mbaisi
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya
- Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (CEBIB), University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Enock Mararo
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Edward E Makhulu
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Victor A Mobegi
- Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (CEBIB), University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Hellen Butungi
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya
- University of the Witwaterstrand, Wits Research Institute for Malaria, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Maria Vittoria Mancini
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Joseph W Oundo
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Evan T Teal
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Silvain Pinaud
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Mara K N Lawniczak
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Jordan Jabara
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Godfrey Nattoh
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya
- Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences Technology & Innovation, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Steven P Sinkins
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
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Schoelitsz B, Mwingira V, Mboera LEG, Beijleveld H, Koenraadt CJM, Spitzen J, van Loon JJA, Takken W. Chemical Mediation of Oviposition by Anopheles Mosquitoes: a Push-Pull System Driven by Volatiles Associated with Larval Stages. J Chem Ecol 2020; 46:397-409. [PMID: 32240482 PMCID: PMC7205850 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-020-01175-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The oviposition behavior of mosquitoes is mediated by chemical cues. In the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae, conspecific larvae produce infochemicals that affect this behavior. Emanations from first instar larvae proved strongly attractive to gravid females, while those from fourth instars caused oviposition deterrence, suggesting that larval developmental stage affected the oviposition choice of the female mosquito. We examined the nature of these chemicals by headspace collection of emanations of water in which larvae of different stages were developing. Four chemicals with putative effects on oviposition behavior were identified: dimethyldisulfide (DMDS) and dimethyltrisulfide (DMTS) were identified in emanations from water containing fourth instars; nonane and 2,4-pentanedione (2,4-PD) were identified in emanations from water containing both first and fourth instars. Dual-choice oviposition studies with these compounds were done in the laboratory and in semi-field experiments in Tanzania. In the laboratory, DMDS and DMTS were associated with oviposition-deterrent effects, while results with nonane and 2,4-PD were inconclusive. In further studies DMDS and DMTS evoked egg retention, while with nonane and 2,4-PD 88% and 100% of female mosquitoes, respectively, laid eggs. In dual-choice semi-field trials DMDS and DMTS caused oviposition deterrence, while nonane and 2,4-PD evoked attraction, inducing females to lay more eggs in bowls containing these compounds compared to the controls. We conclude that oviposition of An. gambiae is mediated by these four infochemicals associated with conspecific larvae, eliciting either attraction or deterrence. High levels of egg retention occurred when females were exposed to chemicals associated with fourth instar larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Schoelitsz
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA,, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,HAS University of Applied Sciences, Onderwijsboulevard 221, 5223 DE,, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
| | - Victor Mwingira
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA,, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,National Institute for Medical Research, Amani Research Centre, P.O. Box 81, Muheza, Tanzania
| | - Leonard E G Mboera
- SACIDS Foundation for One Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3297, Morogoro, Chuo Kikuu, Tanzania
| | - Hans Beijleveld
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA,, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Bornsesteeg 59B, 6708 PD, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Constantianus J M Koenraadt
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA,, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Spitzen
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA,, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joop J A van Loon
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA,, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Willem Takken
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA,, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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Hauser G, Thiévent K, Koella JC. Consequences of larval competition and exposure to permethrin for the development of the rodent malaria Plasmodium berghei in the mosquito Anopheles gambiae. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:107. [PMID: 32106886 PMCID: PMC7045583 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-3983-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Mosquitoes and other vectors are often exposed to sublethal doses of insecticides. Larvae can be exposed to the run-off of agricultural use, and adults can be irritated by insecticides used against them and move away before they have picked up a lethal dose. This sublethal exposure may affect the success of control of insect-borne diseases, for it may affect the competence of insects to transmit parasites, in particular if the insects are undernourished. Methods We assessed how exposure of larvae and adults to a sublethal dose of permethrin (a pyrethroid) and how larval competition for food affect several aspects of the vector competence of the mosquito Anopheles gambiae for the malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei. We infected mosquitoes with P. berghei and measured the longevity and the prevalence and intensity of infection to test for an effect of our treatments. Results Our general result was that the exposure to the insecticide helped mosquitoes deal with infection by malaria. Exposure of either larvae or adults decreased the likelihood that mosquitoes were infected by about 20%, but did not effect the parasite load. Exposure also increased the lifespan of infected mosquitoes, but only if they had been reared in competition. Larval competition had no effect on the prevalence of infection, but increased parasite load. These effects may be a consequence of the machinery governing oxidative stress, which underlies the responses of mosquitoes to insecticides, to food stress and to parasites. Conclusions We conclude that insecticide residues are likely to affect the ability of mosquitoes to carry and transmit pathogens such as malaria, irrespective of the stage at which they are exposed to the insecticide. Our results stress the need for further studies to consider sublethal doses in the context of vector ecology and vector-borne disease epidemiology.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaël Hauser
- Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
| | - Kevin Thiévent
- 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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Lampe L, Jentzsch M, Kierszniowska S, Levashina EA. Metabolic balancing by miR-276 shapes the mosquito reproductive cycle and Plasmodium falciparum development. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5634. [PMID: 31822677 PMCID: PMC6904670 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13627-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The blood-feeding behavior of Anopheles females delivers essential nutrients for egg development and drives parasite transmission between humans. Plasmodium growth is adapted to the vector reproductive cycle, but how changes in the reproductive cycle impact parasite development remains unclear. Here, we show that the bloodmeal-induced miR-276-5p fine-tunes the expression of branched-chain amino acid transferase to terminate the reproductive cycle. Silencing of miR-276 prolongs high rates of amino acid (AA) catabolism and increases female fertility, suggesting that timely termination of AA catabolism restricts mosquito investment into reproduction. Prolongation of AA catabolism in P. falciparum-infected females also compromises the development of the transmissible sporozoite forms. Our results suggest that Plasmodium sporogony exploits the surplus mosquito resources available after reproductive investment and demonstrate the crucial role of the mosquito AA metabolism in within-vector parasite proliferation and malaria transmission. Plasmodium growth is adapted to the reproductive cycle of mosquitoes, but underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, Lampe et al. show that the blood-meal induced miR-276 balances the termination of the mosquito amino acid catabolism and egg development, providing nutrients for Plasmodium sporozoite development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Lampe
- Vector Biology Unit, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.,Physiology and Metabolism Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, NW1 1AT, London, UK
| | - Marius Jentzsch
- Vector Biology Unit, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Elena A Levashina
- Vector Biology Unit, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
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45
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Aldersley A, Pongsiri A, Bunmee K, Kijchalao U, Chittham W, Fansiri T, Pathawong N, Qureshi A, Harrington LC, Ponlawat A, Cator LJ. Too "sexy" for the field? Paired measures of laboratory and semi-field performance highlight variability in the apparent mating fitness of Aedes aegypti transgenic strains. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:357. [PMID: 31324262 PMCID: PMC6642483 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3617-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evaluating and improving mating success and competitive ability of laboratory-reared transgenic mosquito strains will enhance the effectiveness of proposed disease-control strategies that involve deployment of transgenic strains. Two components of the mosquito rearing process, larval diet quantity and aquatic environment - which are linked to physiological and behavioural differences in adults - are both relatively easy to manipulate. In mosquitoes, as for many other arthropod species, the quality of the juvenile habitat is strongly associated with adult fitness characteristics, such as longevity and fecundity. However, the influence of larval conditioning on mating performance is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the combined effects of larval diet amount and environmental water source on adult male mating success in a genetically modified strain of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in competition with wild-type conspecifics. Importantly, this research was conducted in a field setting using low generation laboratory and wild-type lines. RESULTS By controlling larval diet (high and low) and rearing water source (field-collected and laboratory water), we generated four treatment lines of a genetically modified strain of Ae. aegypti tagged with fluorescent sperm. Laboratory reared mosquitoes were then competed against a low generation wild-type colony in a series of laboratory and semi-field mating experiments. While neither food quantity nor larval aquatic environment were found to affect male mating fitness, the transgenic lines consistently outperformed wild-types in laboratory competition assays, an advantage that was not conferred to semi-field tests. CONCLUSIONS Using a model transgenic system, our results indicate that differences in the experimental conditions of laboratory- and field-based measures of mating success can lead to variation in the perceived performance ability of modified strains if they are only tested in certain environments. While there are many potential sources of variation between laboratory and field lines, laboratory adaptation - which may occur over relatively few generations in this species - may directly impact mating ability depending on the context in which it is measured. We suggest that colony-hybridization with field material can potentially be used to mitigate these effects in a field setting. Release programs utilising mass-produced modified laboratory strains should incorporate comparative assessments of quality in candidate lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Aldersley
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park, Ascot, UK
| | - Arissara Pongsiri
- Vector Biology and Control Section, Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kamonchanok Bunmee
- Department of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Udom Kijchalao
- Vector Biology and Control Section, Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wachiraphan Chittham
- Vector Biology and Control Section, Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thanyalak Fansiri
- Vector Biology and Control Section, Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nattaphol Pathawong
- Vector Biology and Control Section, Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Alima Qureshi
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park, Ascot, UK
| | | | - Alongkot Ponlawat
- Vector Biology and Control Section, Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Lauren J. Cator
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park, Ascot, UK
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46
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Akpodiete NO, Diabate A, Tripet F. Effect of water source and feed regime on development and phenotypic quality in Anopheles gambiae (s.l.): prospects for improved mass-rearing techniques towards release programmes. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:210. [PMID: 31060574 PMCID: PMC6503376 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3465-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In many malaria-endemic sub-Saharan countries, insecticide resistance poses a threat to existing mosquito control measures, underscoring the need for complementary control methods such as sterile and/or genetically-modified mosquito release programmes. The sibling species Anopheles gambiae and An. coluzzii are responsible for malaria transmission in most of this region. In their natural habitat, these species generally breed in clean, soft water and it is believed that divergent preference in their larval breeding sites have played a role in their speciation process. Mosquito release programmes rely on the rearing of mosquitoes at high larval densities. Current rearing protocols often make use of deionised water regardless of the strain reared. They also depend on a delicate balance between the need for adequate feeding and the negative effect of toxic ammonia and food waste build-up on mosquito development, making managing and improving water quality in the insectary imperative. Methods Here, we investigated the impact of water source and feed regimes on emergence rate and phenotypic quality of mosquitoes in the insectary. First-instar larvae of An. gambiae (Kisumu strain) and An. coluzzii (Mopti and VK3 strains) were reared in three water sources with varying degrees of hardness (deionised, mineral and a mix of the two), with a daily water change. Larvae were fed daily using two standardised feeding regimes, solution and powder feed. Results Water source had a significant impact on mosquito size and development time for all strains. Earlier emergence of significantly larger mosquitoes was observed in mineral water with the smallest mosquitoes developing later from deionised water. Wing-length was significantly longer in mineral, mixed water and in powder feed, irrespective of sex, strains or water types. Deionised water was the least favourable for mosquito quality across all strains. Conclusions Mineral water and powder feed should be used in rearing protocols to improve mosquito quality where the optimal quality of mosquitoes is desired. Although results obtained were not significant for improved mosquito numbers, the phenotypic quality of mosquitoes reared was significantly improved in mineral water and mix water. Further studies are recommended on the impact mineral water has on other fitness traits such as longevity, fecundity and mating competitiveness. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-019-3465-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nwamaka O Akpodiete
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK
| | - Abdoulaye Diabate
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Frédéric Tripet
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK.
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47
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Souza RS, Virginio F, Riback TIS, Suesdek L, Barufi JB, Genta FA. Microorganism-Based Larval Diets Affect Mosquito Development, Size and Nutritional Reserves in the Yellow Fever Mosquito Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). Front Physiol 2019; 10:152. [PMID: 31024326 PMCID: PMC6465640 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mosquito larvae feed on organic detritus from the environment, particularly microorganisms comprising bacteria, protozoa, and algae as well as crustaceans, plant debris, and insect exuviae. Little attention has been paid to nutritional studies in Aedes aegypti larvae. Objectives We investigated the effects of yeast, bacteria and microalgae diets on larval development, pupation time, adult size, emergence, survivorship, lifespan, and wing morphology. Materials and Methods Microorganisms (or Tetramin® as control) were offered as the only source of food to recently hatched first instar larvae and their development was followed until the adult stage. Protein, carbohydrate, glycogen, and lipid were analyzed in single larvae to correlate energetic reserve accumulation by larva with the developmental rates and nutritional content observed. FITC-labeled microorganisms were offered to fourth instar larvae, and its ingestion was recorded by fluorescence microscopy and quantitation. Results and Discussion Immature stages developed in all diets, however, larvae fed with bacteria and microalgae showed a severe delay in development rates, pupation time, adult emergence and low survivorship. Adult males emerged earlier as expected and had longer survival than females. Diets with better nutritional quality resulted in adults with bigger wings. Asaia sp. and Escherichia coli resulted in better nutrition and developmental parameters and seemed to be the best bacterial candidates to future studies using symbiont-based control. The diet quality was measured and presented different protein and carbohydrate amounts. Bacteria had the lowest protein and carbohydrate rates, yeasts had the highest carbohydrate amount and microalgae showed the highest protein content. Larvae fed with microalgae seem not to be able to process and store these diets properly. Larvae were shown to be able to process yeast cells and store their energetic components efficiently. Conclusion Together, our results point that Ae. aegypti larvae show high plasticity to feed, being able to develop under different microorganism-based diets. The important role of Ae. aegypti in the spread of infectious diseases requires further biological studies in order to understand the vector physiology and thus to manage the larval natural breeding sites aiming a better mosquito control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Santos Souza
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Flavia Virginio
- Laboratório Especial de Coleções Zoológicas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Lincoln Suesdek
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Bonomi Barufi
- Laboratório de Ficologia, Departamento de Botânica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Fernando Ariel Genta
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Fernando Ariel Genta, ;
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Al-Jaibachi R, Cuthbert RN, Callaghan A. Examining effects of ontogenic microplastic transference on Culex mosquito mortality and adult weight. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 651:871-876. [PMID: 30253369 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.09.236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) continue to proliferate and pollute aquatic and terrestrial environments globally. The impacts of MP pollution on ecosystems and their functioning remain poorly quantified, with most research hitherto focusing on marine ecosystems. There is a paucity of information on the impacts of MPs in freshwater ecosystems, despite the broad range of pathways through which MPs can proliferate and the extensive range of species which actively ingest MPs in these systems. Of particular interest are organisms that bridge aquatic and terrestrial habitats. The present study thus examines the uptake, ontogenic transference and effect of different concentrations (0, 50, 100 and 200 MPs mL-1) and sizes (2 and 15 μm) of polystyrene MPs between aquatic and terrestrial life stages of Culex pipiens complex mosquitoes. Both 2 and 15 μm MPs transferred from the aquatic larval to terrestrial adult stage of Culex mosquitoes, and uptake correlated tightly with initial exposure concentration. However, neither concentration nor size of MPs significantly influenced mortality rates between the aquatic larval and terrestrial adult stage. There was also no impact of MPs on the weight of emerging mosquito adults. We thus demonstrate that MPs can be transferred ontogenically through organisms with complex life histories, presenting a potential pathway for dispersal of MPs into terrestrial environments. We also show that MPs exposure does not affect mortality rates between life stages of freshwater Culex populations. This suggests that MPs do not impact nutritional uptakes, with unhampered development to adulthood facilitating subsequent dispersal of MPs aerially and between freshwater and terrestrial habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Al-Jaibachi
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Harborne Building, Reading RG6 6AS, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Ross N Cuthbert
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Harborne Building, Reading RG6 6AS, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Amanda Callaghan
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Harborne Building, Reading RG6 6AS, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
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Habtewold T, Tapanelli S, Masters EKG, Hoermann A, Windbichler N, Christophides GK. Streamlined SMFA and mosquito dark-feeding regime significantly improve malaria transmission-blocking assay robustness and sensitivity. Malar J 2019; 18:24. [PMID: 30683107 PMCID: PMC6347765 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2663-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The development of malaria transmission-blocking strategies including the generation of malaria refractory mosquitoes to replace the wild populations through means of gene drives hold great promise. The standard membrane feeding assay (SMFA) that involves mosquito feeding on parasitized blood through an artificial membrane system is a vital tool for evaluating the efficacy of transmission-blocking interventions. However, despite the availability of several published protocols, the SMFA remains highly variable and broadly insensitive. Methods The SMFA protocol was optimized through coordinated culturing of Anopheles coluzzii mosquitoes and Plasmodium falciparum parasite coupled with placing mosquitoes under a strict dark regime before, during, and after the gametocyte feed. Results A detailed description of essential steps is provided toward synchronized generation of highly fit An. coluzzii mosquitoes and P. falciparum gametocytes in preparation for an SMFA. A dark-infection regime that emulates the natural vector-parasite interaction system is described, which results in a significant increase in the infection intensity and prevalence. Using this optimal SMFA pipeline, a series of putative transmission-blocking antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) were screened, confirming that melittin and magainin can interfere with P. falciparum development in the vector. Conclusion A robust SMFA protocol that enhances the evaluation of interventions targeting human malaria transmission in laboratory setting is reported. Melittin and magainin are identified as highly potent antiparasitic AMPs that can be used for the generation of refractory Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tibebu Habtewold
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Sofia Tapanelli
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Astrid Hoermann
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
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50
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Gondim KC, Atella GC, Pontes EG, Majerowicz D. Lipid metabolism in insect disease vectors. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 101:108-123. [PMID: 30171905 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
More than a third of the world population is at constant risk of contracting some insect-transmitted disease, such as Dengue fever, Zika virus disease, malaria, Chagas' disease, African trypanosomiasis, and others. Independent of the life cycle of the pathogen causing the disease, the insect vector hematophagous habit is a common and crucial trait for the transmission of all these diseases. This lifestyle is unique, as hematophagous insects feed on blood, a diet that is rich in protein but relatively poor in lipids and carbohydrates, in huge amounts and low frequency. Another unique feature of these insects is that blood meal triggers essential metabolic processes, as molting and oogenesis and, in this way, regulates the expression of various genes that are involved in these events. In this paper, we review current knowledge of the physiology and biochemistry of lipid metabolism in insect disease vectors, comparing with classical models whenever possible. We address lipid digestion and absorption, hemolymphatic transport, and lipid storage by the fat body and ovary. In this context, both de novo fatty acid and triacylglycerol synthesis are discussed, including the related fatty acid activation process and the intracellular lipid binding proteins. As lipids are stored in order to be mobilized later on, e.g. for flight activity or survivorship, lipolysis and β-oxidation are also considered. All these events need to be finely regulated, and the role of hormones in this control is summarized. Finally, we also review information about infection, when vector insect physiology is affected, and there is a crosstalk between its immune system and lipid metabolism. There is not abundant information about lipid metabolism in vector insects, and significant current gaps in the field are indicated, as well as questions to be answered in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia C Gondim
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Georgia C Atella
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Emerson G Pontes
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - David Majerowicz
- Departamento de Biotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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