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Chen S, Pham S, Terrapon N, Blom J, Walker ED. Elizabethkingia anophelis MSU001 Isolated from Anopheles stephensi: Molecular Characterization and Comparative Genome Analysis. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1079. [PMID: 38930461 PMCID: PMC11206156 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Elizabethkingia anophelis MSU001, isolated from Anopheles stephensi in the laboratory, was characterized by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF/MS), biochemical testing, and genome sequencing. Average nucleotide identity analysis revealed 99% identity with the type species E. anophelis R26. Phylogenetic placement showed that it formed a clade with other mosquito-associated strains and departed from a clade of clinical isolates. Comparative genome analyses further showed that it shared at least 98.6% of genes with mosquito-associated isolates (except E. anophelis As1), while it shared at most 88.8% of common genes with clinical isolates. Metabolites from MSU001 significantly inhibited growth of E. coli but not the mosquito gut symbionts Serratia marcescens and Asaia sp. W12. Insect-associated E. anophelis carried unique glycoside hydrolase (GH) and auxiliary activities (AAs) encoding genes distinct from those of clinical isolates, indicating their potential role in reshaping chitin structure and other components involved in larval development or formation of the peritrophic matrix. Like other Elizabethkingia, MSU001 also carried abundant genes encoding two-component system proteins (51), transcription factor proteins (188), and DNA-binding proteins (13). E. anophelis MSU001 contains a repertoire of antibiotic resistance genes and several virulence factors. Its potential for opportunistic infections in humans should be further evaluated prior to implementation as a paratransgenesis agent (by transgenesis of a symbiont of the vector).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shicheng Chen
- Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, College of Health and Human Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115, USA
| | - Steven Pham
- Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA;
| | - Nicolas Terrapon
- Laboratoire Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques (AFMB), UMR7257 CNRS AMU, USC 1408 INRAE, 13009 Marseille, France;
| | - Jochen Blom
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany;
| | - Edward D. Walker
- Department of Microbiology, Genetics, and Immunology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
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Li JH, Liu XH, Liang GR, Gao HT, Guo SH, Zhou XY, Xing D, Zhao T, Li CX. Microplastics affect mosquito from aquatic to terrestrial lifestyles and are transferred to mammals through mosquito bites. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 917:170547. [PMID: 38296097 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) transfer from the environment to living organisms is a nonignorable global problem. As a complete metamorphosis insect, the larvae and adult Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito live in aquatic and terrestrial environments, respectively, where they easily access MPs. However, little is known about mosquitoes' potential role in MPs accumulation throughout ecosystems. Therefore, we conducted a study with different MPs particle sizes (0.1/1/10 μm) and concentrations (0.5/5/50 μg/mL) on Cx. quinquefasciatus to address this issue. Once exposed at the young larval stage, MPs could accompany the mosquitoes their entire life. The fluorescence signals of MPs in the larvae were mainly located in the intestines. Its intensity increased (from 3.72 × 106 AU to 5.45 × 107 AU) as the concentrations of MPs increases. The fluorescence signals of MPs were also detected in the blood and skin tissues of mice bitten by adult mosquitoes with MPs containing in their bodies. Mosquitos exposed to MPs showed longer larval pupation and eclosion time as well as lower adult body weight. In addition, MPs significantly reduced the lethal effect of pyrethroid insecticides (97.77 % vs. 48.88 %, p < 0.05) with 15.1 % removal of the deltamethrin concentration. After MPs exposure, the relative abundance of the Cx. quinquefasciatus gut microbiome, such as Wolbachia spp., Elizabethkingia spp., and Asaia spp., changed as the MPs size and concentration changes. Mosquitoes provide a new pathway for MPs accumulation and transfer to higher-level living organisms. Moreover, MPs significantly reduce the control effect of deltamethrin, providing new guidelines for mosquito insecticide application in MPs contamination circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Hang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Hui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Guo-Rui Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - He-Ting Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Si-Han Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Xin-Yu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Teng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China.
| | - Chun-Xiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China.
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Abstract
Haematophagous arthropods, including mosquitoes, ticks, flies, triatomine bugs and lice (here referred to as vectors), are involved in the transmission of various pathogens to mammals on whom they blood feed. The diseases caused by these pathogens, collectively known as vector-borne diseases (VBDs), threaten the health of humans and animals. Although the vector arthropods differ in life histories, feeding behaviour as well as reproductive strategies, they all harbour symbiotic microorganisms, known as microbiota, on which they depend for completing essential aspects of their biology, such as development and reproduction. In this Review, we summarize the shared and unique key features of the symbiotic associations that have been characterized in the major vector taxa. We discuss the crosstalks between microbiota and their arthropod hosts that influence vector metabolism and immune responses relevant for pathogen transmission success, known as vector competence. Finally, we highlight how current knowledge on symbiotic associations is being explored to develop non-chemical-based alternative control methods that aim to reduce vector populations, or reduce vector competence. We conclude by highlighting the remaining knowledge gaps that stand to advance basic and translational aspects of vector-microbiota interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China.
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China.
| | - Li Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Serap Aksoy
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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Foo A, Cerdeira L, Hughes GL, Heinz E. Recovery of metagenomic data from the Aedes aegypti microbiome using a reproducible snakemake pipeline: MINUUR. Wellcome Open Res 2023; 8:131. [PMID: 37577055 PMCID: PMC10412942 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.19155.2] [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] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Ongoing research of the mosquito microbiome aims to uncover novel strategies to reduce pathogen transmission. Sequencing costs, especially for metagenomics, are however still significant. A resource that is increasingly used to gain insights into host-associated microbiomes is the large amount of publicly available genomic data based on whole organisms like mosquitoes, which includes sequencing reads of the host-associated microbes and provides the opportunity to gain additional value from these initially host-focused sequencing projects. Methods: To analyse non-host reads from existing genomic data, we developed a snakemake workflow called MINUUR (Microbial INsights Using Unmapped Reads). Within MINUUR, reads derived from the host-associated microbiome were extracted and characterised using taxonomic classifications and metagenome assembly followed by binning and quality assessment. We applied this pipeline to five publicly available Aedes aegypti genomic datasets, consisting of 62 samples with a broad range of sequencing depths. Results: We demonstrate that MINUUR recovers previously identified phyla and genera and is able to extract bacterial metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs) associated to the microbiome. Of these MAGS, 42 are high-quality representatives with >90% completeness and <5% contamination. These MAGs improve the genomic representation of the mosquito microbiome and can be used to facilitate genomic investigation of key genes of interest. Furthermore, we show that samples with a high number of KRAKEN2 assigned reads produce more MAGs. Conclusions: Our metagenomics workflow, MINUUR, was applied to a range of Aedes aegypti genomic samples to characterise microbiome-associated reads. We confirm the presence of key mosquito-associated symbionts that have previously been identified in other studies and recovered high-quality bacterial MAGs. In addition, MINUUR and its associated documentation are freely available on GitHub and provide researchers with a convenient workflow to investigate microbiome data included in the sequencing data for any applicable host genome of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidan Foo
- Vector Biology and Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Louise Cerdeira
- Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Grant L. Hughes
- Vector Biology and Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Eva Heinz
- Vector Biology and Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
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Chen TY, Bozic J, Mathias D, Smartt CT. Immune-related transcripts, microbiota and vector competence differ in dengue-2 virus-infected geographically distinct Aedes aegypti populations. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:166. [PMID: 37208697 PMCID: PMC10199558 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05784-3] [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: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vector competence in Aedes aegypti is influenced by various factors. Crucial new control methods can be developed by recognizing which factors affect virus and mosquito interactions. METHODS In the present study we used three geographically distinct Ae. aegypti populations and compared their susceptibility to infection by dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2). To identify any differences among the three mosquito populations, we evaluated expression levels of immune-related genes and assessed the presence of microbiota that might contribute to the uniqueness in their vector competence. RESULTS Based on the results from the DENV-2 competence study, we categorized the three geographically distinct Ae. aegypti populations into a refractory population (Vilas do Atlântico), a susceptible population (Vero) and a susceptible but low transmission population (California). The immune-related transcripts were highly expressed in the California population but not in the refractory population. However, the Rel-1 gene was upregulated in the Vilas do Atlântico population following ingestion of a non-infectious blood meal, suggesting the gene's involvement in non-viral responses, such as response to microbiota. Screening of the bacteria, fungi and flaviviruses revealed differences between populations, and any of these could be one of the factors that interfere with the vector competence. CONCLUSIONS The results reveal potential factors that might impact the virus and mosquito interaction, as well as influence the Ae. aegypti refractory phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tse-Yu Chen
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL USA
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Jovana Bozic
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL USA
- Department of Entomology, The Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA USA
| | - Derrick Mathias
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL USA
| | - Chelsea T. Smartt
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL USA
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Yuan S, Chen Y, Lin K, Zou L, Lu X, He N, Liu R, Zhang S, Shen D, Song Z, Tong C, Song Y, Zhang W, Chen L, Sun G. Single Cell Raman Spectroscopy Deuterium Isotope Probing for Rapid Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test of Elizabethkingia spp. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:876925. [PMID: 35591987 PMCID: PMC9113537 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.876925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nosocomial infection by multi-drug resistance Elizabethkingia spp. is an emerging concern with severe clinical consequences, particularly in immunocompromised individuals and infants. Efficient control of this infection requires quick and reliable methods to determine the appropriate drugs for treatment. In this study, a total of 31 Elizabethkingia spp., including two standard strains (ATCC 13253 and FMS-007) and 29 clinical isolates obtained from hospitals in China were subjected to single cell Raman spectroscopy analysis coupled with deuterium probing (single cell Raman-DIP). The results demonstrated that single cell Raman-DIP could determine antimicrobial susceptibility of Elizabethkingia spp. in 4 h, only one third of the time required by standard broth microdilution method. The method could be integrated into current clinical protocol for sepsis and halve the report time. The study also confirmed that minocycline and levofloxacin are the first-line antimicrobials for Elizabethkingia spp. infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuying Yuan
- School of Medical Technology and Information Engineering, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanwen Chen
- School of Medical Technology and Information Engineering, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kaicheng Lin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China
| | - Lin Zou
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministries of Education and Health, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinrong Lu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministries of Education and Health, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Na He
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China
| | - Ruijie Liu
- School of Medical Technology and Information Engineering, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shaoxing Zhang
- School of Medical Technology and Information Engineering, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Danfeng Shen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministries of Education and Health, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenju Song
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chaoyang Tong
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yizhi Song
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China
| | - Wenhong Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministries of Education and Health, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guiqin Sun
- School of Medical Technology and Information Engineering, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
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Metabolic interactions between disease-transmitting vectors and their microbiota. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:697-708. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Zajmi A, Teo J, Yeo CC. Epidemiology and Characteristics of Elizabethkingia spp. Infections in Southeast Asia. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10050882. [PMID: 35630327 PMCID: PMC9144721 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10050882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Elizabethkingia spp. is a ubiquitous pathogenic bacterium that has been identified as the causal agent for a variety of conditions such as meningitis, pneumonia, necrotizing fasciitis, endophthalmitis, and sepsis and is emerging as a global threat including in Southeast Asia. Elizabethkingia infections tend to be associated with high mortality rates (18.2–41%) and are mostly observed in neonates and immunocompromised patients. Difficulties in precisely identifying Elizabethkingia at the species level by traditional methods have hampered our understanding of this genus in human infections. In Southeast Asian countries, hospital outbreaks have usually been ascribed to E. meningoseptica, whereas in Singapore, E. anophelis was reported as the main Elizabethkingia spp. associated with hospital settings. Misidentification of Elizabethkingia spp. could, however, underestimate the number of cases attributed to the bacterium, as precise identification requires tools such as MALDI-TOF MS, and particularly whole-genome sequencing, which are not available in most hospital laboratories. Elizabethkingia spp. has an unusual antibiotic resistance pattern for a Gram-negative bacterium with a limited number of horizontal gene transfers, which suggests an intrinsic origin for its multidrug resistance. Efforts to prevent and further understand Elizabethkingia spp. infections and limit its spread must rise to this new challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asdren Zajmi
- Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases and Biotechnology (CeRIDB), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Kuala Terengganu 20400, Malaysia;
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Management and Science University, Seksyen 13, Shah Alam 40100, Malaysia
| | - Jeanette Teo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore 119074, Singapore;
| | - Chew Chieng Yeo
- Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases and Biotechnology (CeRIDB), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Kuala Terengganu 20400, Malaysia;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +60-9-627-5506
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Steven B, Hyde J, LaReau JC, Brackney DE. The Axenic and Gnotobiotic Mosquito: Emerging Models for Microbiome Host Interactions. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:714222. [PMID: 34322111 PMCID: PMC8312643 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.714222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing availability of modern research tools has enabled a revolution in studies of non-model organisms. Yet, one aspect that remains difficult or impossible to control in many model and most non-model organisms is the presence and composition of the host-associated microbiota or the microbiome. In this review, we explore the development of axenic (microbe-free) mosquito models and what these systems reveal about the role of the microbiome in mosquito biology. Additionally, the axenic host is a blank template on which a microbiome of known composition can be introduced, also known as a gnotobiotic organism. Finally, we identify a "most wanted" list of common mosquito microbiome members that show the greatest potential to influence host phenotypes. We propose that these are high-value targets to be employed in future gnotobiotic studies. The use of axenic and gnotobiotic organisms will transition the microbiome into another experimental variable that can be manipulated and controlled. Through these efforts, the mosquito will be a true model for examining host microbiome interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blaire Steven
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Josephine Hyde
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Jacquelyn C. LaReau
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Doug E. Brackney
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT, United States
- Center for Vector Biology and Zoonotic Diseases, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT, United States
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E Silva B, Matsena Zingoni Z, Koekemoer LL, Dahan-Moss YL. Microbiota identified from preserved Anopheles. Malar J 2021; 20:230. [PMID: 34022891 PMCID: PMC8141131 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03754-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mosquito species from the Anopheles gambiae complex and the Anopheles funestus group are dominant African malaria vectors. Mosquito microbiota play vital roles in physiology and vector competence. Recent research has focused on investigating the mosquito microbiota, especially in wild populations. Wild mosquitoes are preserved and transported to a laboratory for analyses. Thus far, microbial characterization post-preservation has been investigated in only Aedes vexans and Culex pipiens. Investigating the efficacy of cost-effective preservatives has also been limited to AllProtect reagent, ethanol and nucleic acid preservation buffer. This study characterized the microbiota of African Anopheles vectors: Anopheles arabiensis (member of the An. gambiae complex) and An. funestus (member of the An. funestus group), preserved on silica desiccant and RNAlater® solution. Methods Microbial composition and diversity were characterized using culture-dependent (midgut dissections, culturomics, MALDI-TOF MS) and culture-independent techniques (abdominal dissections, DNA extraction, next-generation sequencing) from laboratory (colonized) and field-collected mosquitoes. Colonized mosquitoes were either fresh (non-preserved) or preserved for 4 and 12 weeks on silica or in RNAlater®. Microbiota were also characterized from field-collected An. arabiensis preserved on silica for 8, 12 and 16 weeks. Results Elizabethkingia anophelis and Serratia oryzae were common between both vector species, while Enterobacter cloacae and Staphylococcus epidermidis were specific to females and males, respectively. Microbial diversity was not influenced by sex, condition (fresh or preserved), preservative, or preservation time-period; however, the type of bacterial identification technique affected all microbial diversity indices. Conclusions This study broadly characterized the microbiota of An. arabiensis and An. funestus. Silica- and RNAlater®-preservation were appropriate when paired with culture-dependent and culture-independent techniques, respectively. These results broaden the selection of cost-effective methods available for handling vector samples for downstream microbial analyses. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-021-03754-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca E Silva
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Zvifadzo Matsena Zingoni
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown, South Africa
| | - Lizette L Koekemoer
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Yael L Dahan-Moss
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. .,Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.
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