Wolbachia infection and mitochondrial DNA comparisons among Culex mosquitoes in South West Iran
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1Department of Medical Entomology, School of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Abstract:
The control of mosquito borne diseases needs new methods given widespread insecticide resistance in many mosquito species. The inherited endosymbiont Wolbachia, found in many arthropods, provides a biological system to reduce the transmission of these diseases and replace the population of vectors with non-vectors using cytoplasmic incompatibility. The aim of this study was to understand the rate of Wolbachia infection among Culex species in the region and to see the effect of Wolbachia infection on mitochondrial genome. In this study three species of Culex mosquitoes were collected from Shoushtar in south west of Iran and examined for Wolbachia infection by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). All of the C. quinquefasciatus specimens were infected with Wolbachia, while C. tritaeniorynchus and C. theileri showed no infection with Wolbachia. The 340 bp of AT rich of mtDNA was sequenced from 30 individuals, 10 individuals of each species. Three sequence haplotypes were found in C. tritaeniorynchus and C. theileri while there was only one haplotype in C. quinquefasciatus. The reduction of haplotypes diversity may be result of a sweep of Wolbachia in this species.
Insights
Mosquito-borne disease control requires new strategies due to insecticide resistance. Wolbachia bacteria in Culex mosquitoes may reduce disease transmission and genetic diversity, offering a novel control method.
Area of Science:
- Medical entomology
- Molecular biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Insecticide resistance in mosquitoes necessitates novel control strategies.
- The endosymbiont Wolbachia offers a biological approach to reduce disease transmission via cytoplasmic incompatibility.
- Understanding Wolbachia prevalence and its impact on mosquito genomes is crucial for vector control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine Wolbachia infection rates in Culex mosquitoes from southwestern Iran.
- To investigate the effect of Wolbachia infection on the mitochondrial genome diversity of Culex species.
Main Methods:
- Mosquitoes (Culex species) were collected from Shoushtar, Iran.
- Wolbachia infection was detected using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
- Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was sequenced to analyze genetic diversity (haplotypes).
Main Results:
- All Culex quinquefasciatus specimens tested positive for Wolbachia.
- Culex tritaeniorynchus and Culex theileri showed no Wolbachia infection.
- A single mitochondrial DNA haplotype was observed in Wolbachia-infected C. quinquefasciatus, contrasting with multiple haplotypes in uninfected species.
Conclusions:
- Wolbachia infection is prevalent in Culex quinquefasciatus in the study region.
- Wolbachia infection is associated with reduced mitochondrial genome diversity in Culex mosquitoes.
- This suggests Wolbachia may drive selective sweeps, potentially impacting vector competence and population dynamics.
