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Maintaining Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes Infected with Wolbachia
09:23

Maintaining Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes Infected with Wolbachia

Published on: August 14, 2017

The virulent Wolbachia strain wMelPop efficiently establishes somatic infections in the malaria vector Anopheles

Chaoyang Jin1, Xiaoxia Ren, Jason L Rasgon

  • 1The W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|March 31, 2009
PubMed

Insights

The study explored Wolbachia pipientis bacteria for malaria control in Anopheles mosquitoes. Injected Wolbachia survived in adult Anopheles gambiae, suggesting potential for stable infections to combat malaria vectors.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Medical Entomology
  • Vector Control

Background:

  • Wolbachia pipientis are maternally inherited endosymbionts.
  • They are of interest for controlling Anopheles mosquitoes, the vectors of malaria.
  • Wolbachia do not naturally infect Anopheles mosquitoes, but can infect cultured cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential for Wolbachia pipientis to infect Anopheles mosquitoes.
  • To assess the survival and virulence of Wolbachia in Anopheles gambiae adults.

Main Methods:

  • Injection of the virulent Wolbachia strain wMelPop into adult female Anopheles gambiae.
  • Monitoring of Wolbachia survival and replication in vivo.
  • Assessment of infection virulence.

Main Results:

  • The virulent Wolbachia strain wMelPop survived and replicated when injected into adult female Anopheles gambiae.
  • The established somatic infections were avirulent.
  • In vivo data suggest potential for stable Wolbachia infections in Anopheles.

Conclusions:

  • Stable Wolbachia infections in Anopheles mosquitoes may be achievable.
  • This research provides a foundation for developing Wolbachia-based strategies for malaria vector control.

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