Molecular analysis of knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel gene of Aedes aegypti populations from Saudi Arabia

Recent advances in the study of knockdown resistance mutations in Aedes mosquitoes with a focus on several remarkable mutations

The Aedes mosquito, which transmits the dengue fever virus and other viruses, has acquired resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in a naturally selective manner. Massive use of insecticides has led to the worldwide expansion of resistant populations. The major factor in pyrethroid resistance is knockdown resistance (kdr) caused by amino acid mutation(s) in the voltage-gated sodium channel, which is the target site of this insecticide group. Some kdr mutations can lead to a dramatic increase in resistance, and multiple mutations can increase the level of pyrethroid resistance by 10 to several-hundred. In this review, we summarize the kdr identified in Aedes mosquitoes with a focus on the recent advances in the study of kdr.

Population genetic structure of Aedes aegypti subspecies in selected geographical locations in Sudan

Although knowledge of the composition and genetic diversity of disease vectors is important for their management, this is limiting in many instances. In this study, the population structure and phylogenetic relationship of the two Aedes aegypti subspecies namely Aedes aegypti aegypti (Aaa) and Aedes aegypti formosus (Aaf) in eight geographical areas in Sudan were analyzed using seven microsatellite markers. Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) for the two subspecies revealed that Aaa deviated from HWE among the seven microsatellite loci, while Aaf exhibited departure in five loci and no departure in two loci (A10 and M201). The Factorial Correspondence Analysis (FCA) plots revealed that the Aaa populations from Port Sudan, Tokar, and Kassala clustered together (which is consistent with the unrooted phylogenetic tree), Aaf from Fasher and Nyala populations clustered together, and Gezira, Kadugli, and Junaynah populations also clustered together. The Bayesian cluster analysis structured the populations into two groups suggesting two genetically distinct groups (subspecies). Isolation by distance test revealed a moderate to strong significant correlation between geographical distance and genetic variations (p = 0.003, r = 0.391). The migration network created using divMigrate demonstrated that migration and gene exchange between subspecies populations appear to occur based on their geographical proximity. The genetic structure of the Ae. aegypti subspecies population and the gene flow among them, which may be interpreted as the mosquito vector's capacity for dispersal, were revealed in this study. These findings will help in the improvement of dengue epidemiology research including information on the identity of the target vector/subspecies and the arboviruses vector surveillance program.

Microsatellite-based analysis reveals Aedes aegypti populations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia result from colonization by both the ancestral African and the global domestic forms

The Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) mosquito is the main vector of dengue, chikungunya and Zika and is well established today all over the world. The species comprises two forms: the ancestral form found throughout Africa and a global domestic form that spread to the rest of the tropics and subtropics. In Saudi Arabia, A. aegypti has been known in the southwest since 1956, and previous genetic studies clustered A. aegypti from Saudi Arabia with the global domestic form. The purpose of this study was to assess the genetic structure of A. aegypti in Saudi Arabia and determine their geographic origin. Genetic data for 17 microsatellites were collected for A. aegypti ranging from the southwestern highlands of Saudi Arabia on the border of Yemen to the north-west in Madinah region as well as from Thailand and Uganda populations (as representatives of the ancestral African and global domestic forms, respectively). The low but significant level of genetic structuring in Saudi Arabia was consistent with long-distance dispersal capability possibly through road connectivity and human activities, that is, passive dispersal. There are two main genetic groupings in Saudi Arabia, one of which clusters with the Ugandan population and the other with the Thailand population with many Saudi Arabian individuals having mixed ancestry. The hypothesis of genetic admixture of the ancestral African and global domestic forms in Saudi Arabia was supported by approximate Bayesian computational analyses. The extent of admixture varied across Saudi Arabia. African ancestry was highest in the highland area of the Jazan region followed by the lowland Jazan and Sahil regions. Conversely, the western (Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah) and Najran populations corresponded to the global domesticated form. Given potential differences between the forms in transmission capability, ecology and behaviour, the findings here should be taken into account in vector control efforts in Saudi Arabia.

Fine-scale monitoring of insecticide resistance in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) from Sri Lanka and modeling the phenotypic resistance using rational approximation

BACKGROUND

The unplanned and intensified use of insecticides to control mosquito-borne diseases has led to an upsurge of resistance to commonly used insecticides. Aedes aegypti, the main vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus, is primarily controlled through the application of adulticides (pyrethroid insecticides) and larvicides (temephos). Fine spatial-scale analysis of resistance may reveal important resistance-related patterns, and the application of mathematical models to determine the phenotypic resistance status lessens the cost and usage of resources, thus resulting in an enhanced and successful control program.

METHODS

The phenotypic resistance for permethrin, deltamethrin, and malathion was monitored in the Ae. aegypti populations using the World Health Organization (WHO) adult bioassay method. Mosquitoes' resistance to permethrin and deltamethrin was evaluated for the commonly occurring base substitutions in the voltage-gated sodium channel (vgsc) gene. Rational functions were used to determine the relationship between the kdr alleles and the phenotypic resistant percentage of Ae. aegypti in Sri Lanka.

RESULTS

The results of the bioassays revealed highly resistant Ae. aegypti populations for the two pyrethroid insecticides (permethrin and deltamethrin) tested. All populations were susceptible to 5% malathion insecticide. The study also revealed high frequencies of C1534 and G1016 in all the populations studied. The highest haplotype frequency was detected for the haplotype CC/VV, followed by FC/VV and CC/VG. Of the seven models obtained, this study suggests the prediction models using rational approximation considering the C allele frequencies and the total of C, G, and P allele frequencies and phenotypic resistance as the best fits for the area concerned.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to our knowledge to provide a model to predict phenotypic resistance using rational functions considering kdr alleles. The flexible nature of the rational functions has revealed the most suitable association among them. Thus, a general evaluation of kdr alleles prior to insecticide applications would unveil the phenotypic resistance percentage of the wild mosquito population. A site-specific strategy is recommended for monitoring resistance with a mathematical approach and management of insecticide applications for the vector population.

Mitochondrial DNA variation in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Wolbachia (Hertig 1936) (Rickettsiales: Ehrlichiaceae) has emerged as a valuable biocontrol tool in the fight against dengue by suppressing the transmission of the virus through mosquitoes. Monitoring the dynamics of Wolbachia is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of release programs. Mitochondrial (mtDNA) markers serve as important tools for molecular tracking of infected mitochondrial backgrounds over time but require an understanding of the variation in release sites. In this study, we investigated the mitochondrial lineages of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus 1762) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which is a prospective release site for the "wAlbBQ" Wolbachia-infected strain of this mosquito species. We employed a combination of comprehensive mitogenomic analysis (including all protein-coding genes) and mtDNA marker analysis (cox1 and nad5) using data collected from Jeddah. We combined our mitogenome and mtDNA marker data with those from previous studies to place mitochondrial variation in Saudi Arabia into a broader global context. Our findings revealed the presence of 4 subclades that can be broadly categorized into 2 major mitochondrial lineages. Ae. aegypti mosquitoes from Jeddah belonged to both major lineages. Whilst mitogenomic data offered a higher resolution for distinguishing Jeddah mosquitoes from the wAlbBQ strain, the combination of cox1 and nad5 mtDNA markers alone proved to be sufficient. This study provides the first important characterization of Ae. aegypti mitochondrial lineages in Saudi Arabia and offers essential baseline information for planning future molecular monitoring efforts during the release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes.

An overview of the mosquitoes of Saudi Arabia (Diptera: Culicidae), with updated keys to the adult females

Despite the fact that mosquito-borne infections have considerable consequences for public health in Saudi Arabia, there is neither a thorough review of the species that occur in the country nor updated keys for the identification of the adult females. In this study, species accounts are given for 49 Saudi Arabian mosquito species, as well as Aedes albopictus (Skuse), which is not recorded in Saudi Arabia, but is medically important and is found in some countries of the Middle East and North Africa. Taxonomic notes provide additional information for certain taxa and/or aid their identification.

Larvicidal, pupalicidal and adulticidal effects of Artemisia absinthium L. against dengue vector Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in Jazan region, K.S.A

In the current study, the biological effects of various solvents concentrations of Artemisia absinthium were assayed on different stages (larva, pupa and adult) of Aedes aegypti under controlled laboratory conditions. The life initiation and mortality for each insect stage were evaluated. Different lethal concentrations were measured. Aedes aegypti L. was susceptible to all plant extract solvents in different conc. ANOVA test, correlation analysis and simple linear regression were used to evaluate the significance. The results correlated with other comparative studies with different Artemisia sp. to put the studied species in the proper way in Asteraceae family. The study gave A. absinthium L. its bright position as a perfect natural insecticide especially as larvicidal due to the low Lc50 degree. Scientists welcome to use natural insecticide at initial stages of insect not in later ones.

Identification of Wolbachia new strains from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the vector of dengue fever in Jeddah Province

Wolbachia are endosymbiotic bacteria found within many arthropods, including insects. A variety of benefits are provided by these bacteria to human and insect hosts, including protection from viruses and parasites and the ability to kill males. In this study, Wolbachia was identified in Aedes aegypti present in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A population of mosquitoes was collected from eight different areas, processed, and tested for Wolbachia using 16 S rRNA specific to Wolbachia bacteria and Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) under optimized PCR conditions. In five ecologically diverse sites to determine Wolbachia prevalence, we identified eleven diverse novel resident Wolbachia strains within Ae. Aegypti for the first time in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Future studies to evaluate the possible use of Wolbachia as a control agent in Aedes sp. in Saudi Arabia are necessary. Wolbachia prevalence rates and strain characterization through Sanger sequencing with multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and phylogenetic analysis revealed significant diversity. In developing biocontrol strategies, it is beneficial to consider the implications of resident Wolbachia strains.

Resistance development to bioinsecticides in Aedes aegypti (Culicidae: Diptera), the vector of dengue fever in Saudi Arabia

A laboratory strain of Aedes aegypti (L) was subjected repeatedly to larval selection pressure with two bacterial insecticides, spinosad (Saccharopolyspora spinosa) and bacilod (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis). The results indicated that the mosquito Ae. aegypti acquired low resistance to spinosad and bacilod by about 3.1 and 2.4-fold, respectively, due to selection pressure for fifteen successive generations. The slope values of the selected strains were increased gradually from one generation to the next, indicating moderate homogeneity between individuals in their response to the test bio-insecticide. Moreover, larval selection with current bacterial bioinsecticides prolonged the time required to digest a blood meal. It showed an evident decrease in the reproductive potential of adult mosquitoes surviving selected larvae.

Larvicidal effects of some essential oils against Aedes aegypti (L.), the vector of dengue fever in Saudi Arabia

Essential oils are very popular among organic growers because they are ecologically safe, do not have mammalian toxicity, and cannot be resistant to a variety of contaminants. Four essential oils, Lemon, Lavender, Peppermint, and Neem, were tested for larvicide efficacy against the dengue fever vector Aedes aegypti larvae under laboratory conditions using dipping bioassay techniques. Among the essential oils tested, lemon, peppermint, and lavender oils showed high larvicidal activity against larvae of Ae. aegypti. Lemon oil showed the highest effects (LC₅₀ 10.676 ppm), while Peppermint, Lavender and Neem oil showed the lowest effects (LC₅₀ 21.380, 29.818 and 38.058 ppm, respectively). As a result, the mixture of lemon oil (LC₅₀) with Peppermint oil (LC₂₅) showed the highest co-toxicity factor, whereas the mixture of Lemon oil (LC₅₀) with Diesel oil (LC₂₅) showed the lowest co-toxicity factor. Based on the results of this study, it appears that essential oils may be useful as larvicides against Ae. aegypti larvae. In search of new natural larvicides, these compounds may provide an alternative to Synthetic insecticides as these are environmentally safe insecticides.