scholarly journals Molecular detection and maternal transmission of a bacterial symbiont Asaia species in field-caught Anopheles mosquitoes from Cameroon

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudine Grâce Tatsinkou Maffo ◽  
Maurice Marcel Sandeu ◽  
Amen Nakebang Fadel ◽  
Magellan Tchouakui ◽  
Daniel Nguiffo Nguete ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Nucleotide Sequence ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Sequence Variant ◽  
Maternal Transmission ◽  
Anopheles Mosquitoes ◽  
Low Genetic Diversity

Abstract Background Malaria control relies mainlyon insecticide-based tools. However, the effectiveness of these tools is threatened by widespread insecticide resistance in malaria vectors, highlighting the need for alternative control approaches. The endosymbiont Asaia has emerged as a promising candidate for paratransgenic control of malaria, but its biology and genetics still need to be further analyzed across Africa. Here, we investigated the prevalence of Asaia and its maternal transmission in the natural population of Anopheles mosquitoes in Cameroon. Methods Indoor-resting adult mosquitoes belonging to four species (An. coluzzii, An. arabiensis, An. funestus and An. gambiae) were collected from eight localities across Cameroon from July 2016 to February 2020. PCR was performed on the Asaia-specific 16S ribosomal RNA gene, and samples positive by PCR for Asaia were confirmed by Sanger sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The vertical transmission of Asaia was investigated by screening F1 mosquitoes belonging to F0Asaia-positive females. Results A total of 895 mosquitoes were screened. We found 43% (384) Asaia infection prevalence in four mosquito species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Asaia from Cameroon clustered together with the strains of Asaia isolated from other parts of the world. In addition, seven nucleotide sequence variants were found with low genetic diversity (π = 0.00241) and nucleotide sequence variant diversity (Hd = 0.481). Asaia was vertically transmitted with high frequency (range from 42.5 to 100%). Conclusions This study provides field-based evidence of the presence of Asaia in Anopheles mosquitoes in Cameroon for exploitation as a symbiont in the control of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. Graphical abstract

scholarly journals Impact of sugarcane irrigation on malaria vector Anopheles mosquito fauna, abundance and seasonality in Arjo-Didessa, Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Assalif Demissew Shifera ◽  
Dawit Hawaria ◽  
Solomon Kibret ◽  
Abebe Animut ◽  
Arega Tsegaye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Malaria Vector ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Anopheline Mosquito ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Anopheles Species ◽  
Mosquito Abundance ◽  
Anopheles Mosquitoes ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: Although irrigation activities are increasing in Ethiopia, limited studies evaluated their impact on malaria vector mosquito composition, abundance and seasonality. This study aimed at evaluating the impact of sugarcane irrigation on species composition, abundance and seasonality of malaria vectors. Methods : Adult Anopheles mosquitoes were collected using CDC light traps from three irrigated and three non-irrigated clusters in and around Arjo-Didessa sugarcane irrigation scheme in southwestern Ethiopia. Mosquito collections were conducted in four seasons: two wet and two dry, in 2018 and 2019. Mosquito species composition, abundance and seasonality were compared between irrigated and non-irrigated clusters. Anopheles mosquitoes were identified to species using morphological keys and An. gambiae s.l to sibling species using PCR. Chi-square was used to analyze the association between Anopheles species occurrence and environmental and seasonal parameters. Results: Overall, 2,108 female Anopheles mosquitoes comprising of six species were collected. Of these, 92.7% (n=1954) were from irrigated clusters and 7.3% (n=154) from the non-irrigated. An. gambiae s.l was the most abundant (67.3%) followed by An. coustani complex (25.3 %) and An. pharoensis (5.7%). PCR based identification revealed that 74.7% (n=168) of the An. gambiae s.l were An. arabiensis and 22.7% (n=51) An. amharicus . Density of An. gambiae s.l. (both indoor and outdoor) was higher in irrigated than non-irrigated clusters. The overall anopheline mosquito abundance during the wet seasons (87.2%; n=1837) was higher than the dry seasons (12.8%; n=271). Conclusion : The ongoing sugarcane irrigation activities in Arjo-Didessa created conditions suitable for increased malaria transmitting Anopheles species diversity and abundance. This in turn could drive malaria transmission in Arjo-Didessa and its environs in both dry and wet seasons. Thus, currently practiced malaria vector interventions need to be strengthened and consider larval source management to reduce vector abundance in the irrigated areas. Key Words: Malaria, Irrigation, Anopheles mosquitoes, vector density, An. amharicus , Ethiopia

scholarly journals Novel Wolbachia strains in Anopheles malaria vectors from Sub-Saharan Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire L. Jeffries ◽  
Gena G. Lawrence ◽  
George Golovko ◽  
Mojca Kristan ◽  
James Orsborne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategies ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Amplicon Sequencing ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Endosymbiotic Bacterium ◽  
Prevalence Rates ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Sub Saharan

Background: Wolbachia, a common insect endosymbiotic bacterium that can influence pathogen transmission and manipulate host reproduction, has historically been considered absent from the Anopheles (An.) genera, but has recently been found in An. gambiae s.l. populations.  As there are numerous Anopheles species that have the capacity to transmit malaria, we analysed a range of species to determine Wolbachia prevalence rates, characterise novel Wolbachia strains and determine any correlation between the presence of Plasmodium, Wolbachia and the competing endosymbiotic bacterium Asaia. Methods: Anopheles adult mosquitoes were collected from five malaria-endemic countries: Guinea, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ghana, Uganda and Madagascar, between 2013 and 2017.  Molecular analysis of samples was undertaken using quantitative PCR, Sanger sequencing, Wolbachia multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and high-throughput amplicon sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene.  Results: Novel Wolbachia strains were discovered in five species: An. coluzzii, An. gambiae s.s., An. arabiensis, An. moucheti and An. species ‘A’, increasing the number of Anopheles species known to be naturally infected. Variable prevalence rates in different locations were observed and novel strains were phylogenetically diverse, clustering with Wolbachia supergroup B strains.  We also provide evidence for resident strain variants within An. species ‘A’.  Wolbachia is the dominant member of the microbiome in An. moucheti and An. species ‘A’, but present at lower densities in An. coluzzii.  Interestingly, no evidence of Wolbachia/Asaia co-infections was seen and Asaia infection densities were also shown to be variable and location dependent.  Conclusions: The important discovery of novel Wolbachia strains in Anopheles provides greater insight into the prevalence of resident Wolbachia strains in diverse malaria vectors.  Novel Wolbachia strains (particularly high-density strains) are ideal candidate strains for transinfection to create stable infections in other Anopheles mosquito species, which could be used for population replacement or suppression control strategies.

scholarly journals Genomic and microscopic evidence of stable high density and maternally inherited Wolbachia infections in Anopheles mosquitoes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Walker ◽  
Shannon Quek ◽  
Claire L. Jeffries ◽  
Janvier Bandibabone ◽  
Vishaal Dhokiya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cytoplasmic Incompatibility ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
High Density ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
Independent Evidence ◽  
Anopheles Mosquitoes ◽  
Sub Saharan

AbstractWolbachia, a widespread bacterium that can reduce pathogen transmission in mosquitoes, has been detected within populations of Anopheles (An.) malaria vectors. In the An. gambiae complex, the primary vectors in Sub-Saharan Africa, Wolbachia strains are at low density and infection frequencies in wild populations. PCR-independent evidence is required to determine whether Wolbachia strains are true endosymbionts in Anopheles given most studies to date have used nested-PCR to identify strains. Here we report high-density strains found in geographically diverse populations of An. moucheti and An. demeilloni. Fluorescent in situ hybridization localized a heavy infection in the ovaries of An. moucheti and maternal transmission was observed. Genome sequencing of both strains obtained genome depths and coverages comparable to other known infections. Notably, homologs of cytoplasmic incompatibility factor (cif) genes were present indicating these strains possess the capacity to induce the phenotype cytoplasmic incompatibility which allows Wolbachia to spread through populations. The characteristics of these two strains suggest they are ideal candidates for Wolbachia biocontrol strategies in Anopheles.

scholarly journals Novel Wolbachia strains in Anopheles malaria vectors from Sub-Saharan Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire L. Jeffries ◽  
Gena G. Lawrence ◽  
George Golovko ◽  
Mojca Kristan ◽  
James Orsborne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategies ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Amplicon Sequencing ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Prevalence Rates ◽  
Population Replacement ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Sub Saharan

Background: Wolbachia, a common insect endosymbiotic bacterium that can influence pathogen transmission and manipulate host reproduction, has historically been considered absent from the Anopheles (An.) genera, but has recently been found in An. gambiae s.l. populations in West Africa.  As there are numerous Anopheles species that have the capacity to transmit malaria, we analysed a range of species across five malaria endemic countries to determine Wolbachia prevalence rates, characterise novel Wolbachia strains and determine any correlation between the presence of Plasmodium, Wolbachia and the competing bacterium Asaia. Methods: Anopheles adult mosquitoes were collected from five malaria-endemic countries: Guinea, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ghana, Uganda and Madagascar, between 2013 and 2017.  Molecular analysis was undertaken using quantitative PCR, Sanger sequencing, Wolbachia multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and high-throughput amplicon sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene.  Results: Novel Wolbachia strains were discovered in five species: An. coluzzii, An. gambiae s.s., An. arabiensis, An. moucheti and An. species A, increasing the number of Anopheles species known to be naturally infected. Variable prevalence rates in different locations were observed and novel strains were phylogenetically diverse, clustering with Wolbachia supergroup B strains.  We also provide evidence for resident strain variants within An. species A. Wolbachia is the dominant member of the microbiome in An. moucheti and An. species A but present at lower densities in An. coluzzii.  Interestingly, no evidence of Wolbachia/Asaia co-infections was seen and Asaia infection densities were shown to be variable and location dependent.  Conclusions: The important discovery of novel Wolbachia strains in Anopheles provides greater insight into the prevalence of resident Wolbachia strains in diverse malaria vectors.  Novel Wolbachia strains (particularly high-density strains) are ideal candidate strains for transinfection to create stable infections in other Anopheles mosquito species, which could be used for population replacement or suppression control strategies.

scholarly journals Evidence for natural hybridisation and novel Wolbachia strain superinfections in the Anopheles gambiae complex from Guinea

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire L Jeffries ◽  
Cintia Cansado-Utrilla ◽  
Abdoul H Beavogui ◽  
Caleb Stica ◽  
Eugene K Lama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prevalence Rate ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Wolbachia Strain ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Prevalence Rates ◽  
Anopheles Gambiae Complex ◽  
Natural Hybridisation ◽  
Sub Saharan

1.SummaryWolbachia, a widespread bacterium which can influence mosquito-borne pathogen transmission, has recently been detected within Anopheles (An.) species that are malaria vectors in Sub-Saharan Africa. Although studies have reported Wolbachia strains in the An. gambiae complex, apparent low density and prevalence rates require confirmation. In this study, wild Anopheles mosquitoes collected from two regions of Guinea were investigated. In contrast to previous studies, RNA was extracted from adult females (n=516) to increase the chances for detection of actively expressed Wolbachia genes, determine Wolbachia prevalence rates and estimate relative strain densities. Molecular confirmation of mosquito species and Wolbachia Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) were carried out to analyse phylogenetic relationships of mosquito hosts and newly discovered Wolbachia strains. Strains were detected in An. gambiae s.s. (prevalence rates of 0.0-2.8%) from the Faranah region, An. melas (prevalence rate of 11.6% - 16/138) and hybrids between these two species (prevalence rate of 40.0% - 6/15) from Senguelen in the Maferinyah region. Furthermore, a novel high-density strain, termed wAnsX, was found in an unclassified Anopheles species. The discovery of novel Wolbachia strains (particularly in members, and hybrids, of the An. gambiae complex) provides further candidate strains that could be used for future Wolbachia-based malaria biocontrol strategies.

scholarly journals Associated patterns of insecticide resistance in field populations of malaria vectors across Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (23) ◽  
pp. 5938-5943 ◽  
Author(s):  
Penelope A. Hancock ◽  
Antoinette Wiebe ◽  
Katherine A. Gleave ◽  
Samir Bhatt ◽  
Ewan Cameron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insecticide Resistance ◽  
Vector Control ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Quantitative Information ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Cross Resistance ◽  
Resistance Patterns ◽  
Geostatistical Models ◽  
Sub Saharan

The development of insecticide resistance in African malaria vectors threatens the continued efficacy of important vector control methods that rely on a limited set of insecticides. To understand the operational significance of resistance we require quantitative information about levels of resistance in field populations to the suite of vector control insecticides. Estimation of resistance is complicated by the sparsity of observations in field populations, variation in resistance over time and space at local and regional scales, and cross-resistance between different insecticide types. Using observations of the prevalence of resistance in mosquito species from the Anopheles gambiae complex sampled from 1,183 locations throughout Africa, we applied Bayesian geostatistical models to quantify patterns of covariation in resistance phenotypes across different insecticides. For resistance to the three pyrethroids tested, deltamethrin, permethrin, and λ-cyhalothrin, we found consistent forms of covariation across sub-Saharan Africa and covariation between resistance to these pyrethroids and resistance to DDT. We found no evidence of resistance interactions between carbamate and organophosphate insecticides or between these insecticides and those from other classes. For pyrethroids and DDT we found significant associations between predicted mean resistance and the observed frequency of kdr mutations in the Vgsc gene in field mosquito samples, with DDT showing the strongest association. These results improve our capacity to understand and predict resistance patterns throughout Africa and can guide the development of monitoring strategies.

scholarly journals Characterization of Anopheles stephensi Odorant Receptor 8, an Abundant Component of the Mouthpart Chemosensory Transcriptome

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 593
Author(s):  
Zachary Speth ◽  
Gurlaz Kaur ◽  
Devin Mazolewski ◽  
Rayden Sisomphou ◽  
Danielle Denise C. Siao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Selection ◽  
Odorant Receptor ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Transcript Abundance ◽  
Host Finding ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Host Seeking ◽  
High Transcript Abundance ◽  
Sub Saharan

Several mosquito species within the genus Anopheles are vectors for human malaria, and the spread of this disease is driven by the propensity of certain species to feed preferentially on humans. The study of olfaction in mosquitoes is important to understand dynamics of host-seeking and host-selection; however, the majority of these studies focus on Anopheles gambiae or An. coluzzii, both vectors of malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa. Other malaria vectors may recognize different chemical cues from potential hosts; therefore, in this study, we investigated An. stephensi, the south Asian malaria mosquito. We specifically focused on the mouthparts (primarily the maxillary palp and labella) that have been much less investigated compared to the antennae but are also important for host-seeking. To provide a broad view of chemoreceptor expression, RNAseq was used to examine the transcriptomes from the mouthparts of host-seeking females, blood-fed females, and males. Notably, AsOr8 had a high transcript abundance in all transcriptomes and was, therefore, cloned and expressed in the Drosophila empty neuron system. This permitted characterization with a panel of odorants that were selected, in part, for their presence in the human odor profile. The responsiveness of AsOr8 to odorants was highly similar to An. gambiae Or8 (AgOr8), except for sulcatone, which was detected by AsOr8 but not AgOr8. Subtle differences in the receptor sensitivity to specific odorants may provide clues to species- or strain-specific approaches to host-seeking and host selection. Further exploration of the profile of An. stephensi chemosensory proteins may yield a better understanding of how different malaria vectors navigate host-finding and host-choice.

scholarly journals Chromosome-level genome assemblies of the malaria vectors Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles arabiensis

GigaScience ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton Zamyatin ◽  
Pavel Avdeyev ◽  
Jiangtao Liang ◽  
Atashi Sharma ◽  
Chujia Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anopheles Arabiensis ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Anopheles Coluzzii ◽  
Reference Quality ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Genome Assemblies ◽  
Chromosome Level

Abstract Background Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles arabiensis belong to the Anopheles gambiae complex and are among the major malaria vectors in sub-Saharan Africa. However, chromosome-level reference genome assemblies are still lacking for these medically important mosquito species. Findings In this study, we produced de novo chromosome-level genome assemblies for A. coluzzii and A. arabiensis using the long-read Oxford Nanopore sequencing technology and the Hi-C scaffolding approach. We obtained 273.4 and 256.8 Mb of the total assemblies for A. coluzzii and A. arabiensis, respectively. Each assembly consists of 3 chromosome-scale scaffolds (X, 2, 3), complete mitochondrion, and unordered contigs identified as autosomal pericentromeric DNA, X pericentromeric DNA, and Y sequences. Comparison of these assemblies with the existing assemblies for these species demonstrated that we obtained improved reference-quality genomes. The new assemblies allowed us to identify genomic coordinates for the breakpoint regions of fixed and polymorphic chromosomal inversions in A. coluzzii and A. arabiensis. Conclusion The new chromosome-level assemblies will facilitate functional and population genomic studies in A. coluzzii and A. arabiensis. The presented assembly pipeline will accelerate progress toward creating high-quality genome references for other disease vectors.

scholarly journals The dominant malaria vector, Anopheles funestus from rural south-eastern Tanzania, is more strongly resistant to insecticides than Anopheles arabiensis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Polius Gerazi Pinda ◽  
Claudia Eichenberger ◽  
Halfan S Ngowo ◽  
Dickson S Msaky ◽  
Said Abbasi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Malaria Transmission ◽  
Pyrethroid Resistance ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Anopheles Funestus ◽  
Indoor Residual Spraying ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Insecticide Treated Nets ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Background: Long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) have greatly reduced malaria transmission in sub-Saharan Africa, but are threatened by insecticide resistance in dominant malaria vectors. In south-eastern Tanzania, pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles funestus now transmit more than 80% of malaria infections even in villages where the species occurs at far lower densities than other vectors such as Anopheles arabiensis.Methods: To better understand the dominance of An. funestus in these settings and improve options for its control, this study compared intensities of resistance between females of this species and those of An. arabiensis , using WHO assays with 1×, 5× and 10× insecticide doses. Additional tests were done to assess the reversibility of such resistance using synergists. The mosquitoes were collected from villages across two districts in south-eastern Tanzania.Findings: Both species were resistant to the two pyrethroids (permethrin and deltamethrin) and the organochloride (DDT) but susceptible to the organophosphate (pirimiphos-methyl) at standard baseline doses (1×). However, An. funestus as opposed to An. arabiensis was also resistant to the carbamate (bendiocarb) at standard doses (1×). An. funestus showed strong resistance to pyrethroids, surviving the 5× doses and 10× doses except in one village. Pre-exposure to the synergist, piperonyl butoxide (PBO), reversed the pyrethroid-resistance in both An. arabiensis and An. funestus achieving mortalities >98%, except for An. funestus from two villages for which permethrin-associated mortalities exceeded 90% but not 98%.Conclusions : In these communities where An. funestus now dominates malaria transmission, the species also displays much stronger resistance to pyrethroids than its counterpart, An. arabiensis, and can readily survive more classes of insecticides, including carbamates. The resistance to pyrethroids in both mosquito species appears to be mostly metabolic and can be reversed significantly using synergists such as PBO. These findings may explain the continued persistence and dominance of An. funestus despite widespread use of pyrethroid-treated LLINs, and will also inform future choices of interventions to tackle malaria transmission in this area and other similar settings. Such interventions may include PBO-based LLINs or improved IRS with compounds such as organophosphates against which the vectors are still susceptible.

scholarly journals Ecology of Malaria Vectors in an Endemic Area, Southeast of Iran

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamideh Edalat ◽  
Mehran Mahmoudi ◽  
Mohammad Mehdi Sedaghat ◽  
; Seyed Hassan Moosa-Kazemi ◽  
Sedigheh Kheirandish
Keyword(s):  
Anopheles Stephensi ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Control Program ◽  
World Health ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Anopheles Mosquitoes ◽  
Larval Stages ◽  
Anopheles Fluviatilis ◽  
Vector Control Program ◽  
Health Organization

Background: Malaria has long been regarded as one of the most important public health issues in Iran. Although the country is now in the elimination phase, some endemic foci of malaria are still present in the southeastern areas of the country. In some endemic foci, there are no data on the malaria vectors. To fill this gap, the present study was designed to provide basic entomological data on malaria vectors in the southeastern areas of Iran. Methods: Adult and larval stages of Anopheles mosquitoes were collected by using different catch methods. Resistance of the main malaria vector in the study area to selected insecticides was evaluated using diagnostic doses advised by the World Health Organization in 2013–2014. Results: A total of 3288 larvae and 1055 adult Anopheles mosquitoes were collected, and identified as: Anopheles stephensi (32.1%), Anopheles culicifacies s.l. (23.4%), Anopheles dthali (23.2%), Anopheles superpictus s.l. (12.7%), and Anopheles fluviatilis s.l. (8.6%). Anopheles stephensi was the most predominant mosquito species collected indoors at the study area, with two peaks of activity in May and November. This species was found to be resistant to DDT 4%, tolerant to malathion 5% and susceptible to other tested insecticides. Conclusion: All the five malaria vectors endemic to the south of Iran were collected and identified in the study area. Our findings on the ecology and resting/feeding habitats of these malaria vectors provide information useful for planning vector control program in this malarious area.

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