1
|
Wijegunawardana NDAD, Gunawardene YINS, Abeyewickreme W, Chandrasena TGAN, Thayanukul P, Kittayapong P. Diversity of Wolbachia infections in Sri Lankan mosquitoes with a new record of Wolbachia Supergroup B infecting Aedes aegypti vector populations. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11966. [PMID: 38796552 PMCID: PMC11127934 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62476-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Wolbachia bacteria are common endosymbionts of insects and have recently been applied for controlling arboviral vectors, especially Aedes aegypti mosquito populations. However, several medically important mosquito species in Sri Lanka were present with limited information for the Wolbachia infection status. Therefore, the screening of Wolbachia in indigenous mosquitoes is required prior to a successful application of Wolbachia-based vector control strategy. In this study, screening of 78 mosquito species collected from various parts of the country revealed that 13 species were positive for Wolbachia infection, giving ~ 17% infection frequency of Wolbachia among the Sri Lankan mosquitoes. Twelve Wolbachia-positive mosquito species were selected for downstream Wolbachia strain genotyping using Multi Locus Sequencing Type (MLST), wsp gene, and 16S rRNA gene-based approaches. Results showed that these Wolbachia strains clustered together with the present Wolbachia phylogeny of world mosquito populations with some variations. Almost 90% of the mosquito populations were infected with supergroup B while the remaining were infected with supergroup A. A new record of Wolbachia supergroup B infection in Ae. aegypti, the main vectors of dengue, was highlighted. This finding was further confirmed by real-time qPCR, revealing Wolbachia density variations between Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus (p = 0.001), and between males and females (p < 0.05). The evidence of natural Wolbachia infections in Ae. aegypti populations in Sri Lanka is an extremely rare incident that has the potential to be used for arboviral vector control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N D A D Wijegunawardana
- Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Phayathai, Thailand
- Department of Bioprocess Technology, Faculty of Technology, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale, Sri Lanka
| | | | - W Abeyewickreme
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, General Sir Johan Kotelawala Defence University, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka
| | - T G A N Chandrasena
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
| | - P Thayanukul
- Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Salaya, Thailand.
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Phayathai, Thailand.
| | - P Kittayapong
- Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Salaya, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Aldridge RL, Gibson S, Linthicum KJ. Aedes aegypti Controls AE. Aegypti: SIT and IIT-An Overview. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MOSQUITO CONTROL ASSOCIATION 2024; 40:32-49. [PMID: 38427588 DOI: 10.2987/23-7154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
The sterile insect technique (SIT) and the incompatible insect technique (IIT) are emerging and potentially revolutionary tools for controlling Aedes aegypti (L.), a prominent worldwide mosquito vector threat to humans that is notoriously difficult to reduce or eliminate in intervention areas using traditional integrated vector management (IVM) approaches. Here we provide an overview of the discovery, development, and application of SIT and IIT to Ae. aegypti control, and innovations and advances in technology, including transgenics, that could elevate these techniques to a worldwide sustainable solution to Ae. aegypti when combined with other IVM practices.
Collapse
|
3
|
Nik Abdull Halim NMH, Mohd Jamili AF, Che Dom N, Abd Rahman NH, Jamal Kareem Z, Dapari R. The impact of radiofrequency exposure on Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) development. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298738. [PMID: 38412167 PMCID: PMC10898727 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Wireless communication connects billions of people worldwide, relying on radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). Generally, fifth-generation (5G) networks shift RF carriers to higher frequencies. Although radio, cell phones, and television have benefitted humans for decades, higher carrier frequencies can present potential health risks. Insects closely associated with humans (such as mosquitoes) can undergo increased RF absorption and dielectric heating. This process inadvertently impacts the insects' behaviour, morphology, and physiology, which can influence their spread. Therefore, this study examined the impact of RF exposure on Ae. aegypti mosquitoes, which are prevalent in indoor environments with higher RF exposure risk. The morphologies of Ae. aegypti eggs and their developments into Ae. aegypti mosquitoes were investigated. METHODS A total of 30 eggs were exposed to RF radiation at three frequencies: baseline, 900 MHz, and 18 GHz. Each frequency was tested in triplicate. Several parameters were assessed through daily observations in an insectarium, including hatching responses, development times, larval numbers, and pupation periods until the emergence of adult insects. RESULTS This study revealed that the hatching rate for the 900 MHz group was the highest (79 ± 10.54%) compared to other exposures (p = 0.87). The adult emergence rate for the 900 MHz group was also the lowest at 33 ± 2.77%. A significant difference between the groups was demonstrated in the statistical analysis (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION This work highlighted the morphology sensitivity of Ae. aegypti eggs and their developments in the aquatic phase to RF radiation, potentially altering their life cycle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nik Muhammad Hanif Nik Abdull Halim
- Centre of Environmental Health & Safety, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), UITM Cawangan Selangor, Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
- Integrated Mosquito Research Group (I-MeRGe), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), UITM Cawangan Selangor, Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Alya Farzana Mohd Jamili
- Centre of Environmental Health & Safety, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), UITM Cawangan Selangor, Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nazri Che Dom
- Centre of Environmental Health & Safety, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), UITM Cawangan Selangor, Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
- Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia
- Setiu District Health Office, Permaisuri, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Nurul Huda Abd Rahman
- Antenna Research Centre, School of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Zana Jamal Kareem
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Qaiwan International University, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
- Kurdistan Institution for Strategic Studies and Scientific Research (KISSR), Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
| | - Rahmat Dapari
- Department of Community Health, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Joseph D, Ramachandran R, Alzabut J, Jose SA, Khan H. A Fractional-Order Density-Dependent Mathematical Model to Find the Better Strain of Wolbachia. Symmetry (Basel) 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/sym15040845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The primary objective of the current study was to create a mathematical model utilizing fractional-order calculus for the purpose of analyzing the symmetrical characteristics of Wolbachia dissemination among Aedesaegypti mosquitoes. We investigated various strains of Wolbachia to determine the most sustainable one through predicting their dynamics. Wolbachia is an effective tool for controlling mosquito-borne diseases, and several strains have been tested in laboratories and released into outbreak locations. This study aimed to determine the symmetrical features of the most efficient strain from a mathematical perspective. This was accomplished by integrating a density-dependent death rate and the rate of cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) into the model to examine the spread of Wolbachia and non-Wolbachia mosquitoes. The fractional-order mathematical model developed here is physically meaningful and was assessed for equilibrium points in the presence and absence of disease. Eight equilibrium points were determined, and their local and global stability were determined using the Routh–Hurwitz criterion and linear matrix inequality theory. The basic reproduction number was calculated using the next-generation matrix method. The research also involved conducting numerical simulations to evaluate the behavior of the basic reproduction number for different equilibrium points and identify the optimal CI value for reducing disease spread.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dianavinnarasi Joseph
- Centre for Nonlinear Systems, Chennai Institute of Technology, Chennai 600069, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Raja Ramachandran
- Ramanujan Centre for Higher Mathematics, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630004, India
- Department of Computer Science and Mathematics, Lebanese American University, Beirut 1102-2801, Lebanon
| | - Jehad Alzabut
- Department of Mathematics and Sciences, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh 11586, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Industrial Engineering, OSTIM Technical University, Ankara 06374, Turkey
| | - Sayooj Aby Jose
- Department of Mathematics, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630004, India
- School of Mathematics & Statistics, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam 686560, Kerala, India
| | - Hasib Khan
- Department of Mathematics and Sciences, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh 11586, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Mathematics, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Sheringal Dir Upper, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 18000, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chen C, Aldridge RL, Gibson S, Kline J, Aryaprema V, Qualls W, Xue RD, Boardman L, Linthicum KJ, Hahn DA. Developing the radiation-based sterile insect technique (SIT) for controlling Aedes aegypti: identification of a sterilizing dose. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:1175-1183. [PMID: 36424673 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sterile insect technique (SIT) is emerging as a tool to supplement traditional pesticide-based control of Aedes aegypti, a prominent mosquito vector of microbes that has increased the global burden of human morbidity and mortality over the past 50 years. SIT relies on rearing, sterilizing and releasing large numbers of male mosquitoes that will mate with fertile wild females, thus reducing production of offspring from the target population. In this study, we investigated the effects of ionizing radiation (gamma) on male and female survival, longevity, mating behavior, and sterility of Ae. aegypti in a dose-response design. This work is a first step towards developing an operational SIT field suppression program against Ae. aegypti in St. Augustine, Florida, USA. RESULTS Exposing late-stage pupae to 50 Gy of radiation yielded 99% male sterility while maintaining similar survival of pupae to adult emergence, adult longevity and male mating competitiveness compared to unirradiated males. Females were completely sterilized at 30 Gy, and when females were dosed with 50 Gy, they had a lower incidence of blood-feeding than unirradiated females. CONCLUSION Our work suggests that an ionizing radiation dose of 50 Gy should be used for future development of operational SIT in our program area because at this dose males are 99% sterile while maintaining mating competitiveness against unirradiated males. Furthermore, females that might be accidentally released with sterile males as a result of errors in sex sorting also are sterile and less likely to blood-feed than unirradiated females at our 50 Gy dose. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Chen
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Robert L Aldridge
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service Center for Medical, Agricultural, & Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Seth Gibson
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service Center for Medical, Agricultural, & Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Jedidiah Kline
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service Center for Medical, Agricultural, & Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | | | - Whitney Qualls
- Anastasia Mosquito Control District, St. Augustine, Florida, USA
| | - Rui-de Xue
- Anastasia Mosquito Control District, St. Augustine, Florida, USA
| | - Leigh Boardman
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences & Center for Biodiversity Research, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Kenneth J Linthicum
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service Center for Medical, Agricultural, & Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Daniel A Hahn
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Soh S, Ho SH, Ong J, Seah A, Dickens BS, Tan KW, Koo JR, Cook AR, Sim S, Tan CH, Ng LC, Lim JT. Strategies to Mitigate Establishment Using the Wolbachia Incompatible Insect Technique. Viruses 2022; 14:v14061132. [PMID: 35746601 PMCID: PMC9229438 DOI: 10.3390/v14061132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Incompatible Insect Technique (IIT) strategy involves the release of male mosquitoes infected with the bacterium Wolbachia. Regular releases of male Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes can lead to the suppression of mosquito populations, thereby reducing the risk of transmission of vector-borne diseases such as dengue. However, due to imperfect sex-sorting under IIT, fertile Wolbachia-infected female mosquitoes may potentially be unintentionally released into the environment, which may result in replacement and failure to suppress the mosquito populations. As such, mitigating Wolbachia establishment requires a combination of IIT with other strategies. We introduced a simple compartmental model to simulate ex-ante mosquito population dynamics subjected to a Wolbachia-IIT programme. In silico, we explored the risk of replacement, and strategies that could mitigate the establishment of the released Wolbachia strain in the mosquito population. Our results suggest that mitigation may be achieved through the application of a sterile insect technique. Our simulations indicate that these interventions do not override the intended wild type suppression of the IIT approach. These findings will inform policy makers of possible ways to mitigate the potential establishment of Wolbachia using the IIT population control strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stacy Soh
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore 138667, Singapore; (S.S.); (S.H.H.); (J.O.); (A.S.); (S.S.); (C.H.T.); (L.C.N.)
| | - Soon Hoe Ho
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore 138667, Singapore; (S.S.); (S.H.H.); (J.O.); (A.S.); (S.S.); (C.H.T.); (L.C.N.)
| | - Janet Ong
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore 138667, Singapore; (S.S.); (S.H.H.); (J.O.); (A.S.); (S.S.); (C.H.T.); (L.C.N.)
| | - Annabel Seah
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore 138667, Singapore; (S.S.); (S.H.H.); (J.O.); (A.S.); (S.S.); (C.H.T.); (L.C.N.)
| | - Borame Sue Dickens
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore 117549, Singapore; (B.S.D.); (K.W.T.); (J.R.K.); (A.R.C.)
| | - Ken Wei Tan
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore 117549, Singapore; (B.S.D.); (K.W.T.); (J.R.K.); (A.R.C.)
| | - Joel Ruihan Koo
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore 117549, Singapore; (B.S.D.); (K.W.T.); (J.R.K.); (A.R.C.)
| | - Alex R. Cook
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore 117549, Singapore; (B.S.D.); (K.W.T.); (J.R.K.); (A.R.C.)
| | - Shuzhen Sim
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore 138667, Singapore; (S.S.); (S.H.H.); (J.O.); (A.S.); (S.S.); (C.H.T.); (L.C.N.)
| | - Cheong Huat Tan
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore 138667, Singapore; (S.S.); (S.H.H.); (J.O.); (A.S.); (S.S.); (C.H.T.); (L.C.N.)
| | - Lee Ching Ng
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore 138667, Singapore; (S.S.); (S.H.H.); (J.O.); (A.S.); (S.S.); (C.H.T.); (L.C.N.)
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Jue Tao Lim
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore 138667, Singapore; (S.S.); (S.H.H.); (J.O.); (A.S.); (S.S.); (C.H.T.); (L.C.N.)
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore 117549, Singapore; (B.S.D.); (K.W.T.); (J.R.K.); (A.R.C.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|