Exploiting insect-specific viruses as a novel strategy to control vector-borne disease
Edward I Patterson1, Jandouwe Villinger2, Joseph N Muthoni2
1Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Departments of Vector Biology and Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK.
Current Opinion in Insect Science
|April 12, 2020
Summary
Insect-specific viruses (ISVs) show potential for vector control by modulating arboviruses. Further research is needed to understand their biology and transmission for effective application in pest management strategies.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Entomology
- Vector Biology
Background:
- Advances in sequencing reveal novel insect-specific viruses (ISVs) in disease vectors.
- ISVs show potential to modulate pathogenic arboviruses and are maintained via vertical and horizontal transmission.
- ISVs can be exploited for integrated vector management, alongside other symbiont control methods like Wolbachia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of insect-specific viruses (ISVs) as novel tools for vector control.
- To investigate the biological characteristics of ISVs, including their host range and transmission dynamics.
- To assess the impact of ISV infection on vector competence for arboviruses.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on ISV discovery, biology, and vector control potential.
- Analysis of in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrating ISV-arbovirus interactions.
- Examination of evidence for ISV transmission mechanisms in vector populations.
Main Results:
- ISVs are increasingly discovered in key arthropod vectors.
- ISVs can influence the replication and transmission of arboviruses.
- Vertical and horizontal transmission sustain ISV populations in vectors.
Conclusions:
- Insect-specific viruses offer a promising avenue for novel vector control strategies.
- Understanding ISV biology, host range, and transmission is crucial for applied vector control.
- ISVs can be integrated with existing control methods for enhanced efficacy.
