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Maintaining Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes Infected with Wolbachia
Published on: August 14, 2017
Using Wolbachia-based release for suppression of Aedes mosquitoes: insights from genetic data and population
Abstract:
A novel strategy for suppressing disease transmission by Aedes aegypti, the main vector of dengue, uses releases of mosquitoes infected with the bacterium Wolbachia pipientis. Wolbachia are currently released to interfere with viral transmission, but there is also potential to use strains in mosquito suppression and elimination programs via the deleterious effects of the bacterium on the host. Mosquito suppression depends on target areas being relatively isolated to prevent reinvasion and on local climatic conditions. Here we explored the opportunity for suppression of A. aegypti in central Queensland, Australia, by using microsatellite data and simulations based on CIMSiM models of local weather conditions and breeding container data. Our results indicate that Wolbachia-induced extinctions in central Queensland are possible, although they may eventually be compromised by ongoing mosquito migration between towns until these sources are also suppressed. The results highlight a novel use of deleterious Wolbachia infections to achieve ecological as well as disease-related endpoints.
Insights
Releasing mosquitoes with Wolbachia can suppress Aedes aegypti populations, potentially eliminating dengue vectors in isolated areas. However, mosquito migration may eventually compromise suppression efforts.
Area of Science:
- Vector-borne disease control
- Medical entomology
- Microbial control of insects
Background:
- Aedes aegypti mosquitoes transmit dengue, a significant global health concern.
- The bacterium Wolbachia pipientis is explored for its potential to control disease vectors.
- Wolbachia can interfere with viral transmission and also harm the mosquito host.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of using deleterious Wolbachia infections for Aedes aegypti suppression in central Queensland, Australia.
- To assess the impact of local climatic conditions and mosquito migration on suppression success.
Main Methods:
- Utilized microsatellite data to analyze mosquito population dynamics.
- Employed CIMSiM models incorporating local weather and breeding site data for simulations.
- Modeled the potential for Wolbachia-induced mosquito population extinctions.
Main Results:
- Simulations indicated that Wolbachia-induced extinctions of Aedes aegypti are possible in central Queensland.
- Ongoing mosquito migration between towns poses a potential challenge to long-term suppression.
- Suppression success is contingent on the isolation of target areas and local environmental factors.
Conclusions:
- Deleterious Wolbachia infections offer a novel strategy for achieving ecological control of Aedes aegypti.
- This approach has the potential for both disease-related and broader ecological benefits.
- Sustained suppression requires addressing mosquito migration and potentially expanding control to interconnected areas.
