This is a database of peer-reviewed literature that focuses on Genetic Biocontrol research. The latest are shown here.
Reagent-free detection of Plasmodium falciparum malaria infections in field-collected mosquitoes using mid-infrared spectroscopy and machine learning
Field-derived metrics are critical for effective control of malaria, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where the disease kills over half a million people yearly. One key metric is entomological inoculation rate, a direct measure of transmission intensities, computed as a product of human biting rates and prevalence of Plasmodium sporozoites in mosquitoes. Unfortunately, current methods for identifying infectious mosquitoes are laborious, time-consuming, and may require expensive reagents that are not always readily available.
Mwanga, E.P., Kweyamba, P.A., Siria, D.J. et al. Reagent-free detection of Plasmodium falciparum malaria infections in field-collected mosquitoes using mid-infrared spectroscopy and machine learning. Sci Rep 14, 12100 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-63082-z
Upscaling irradiation protocols of Aedes albopictus pupae within an SIT program in Reunion Island
As part of the up-scaling process towards a SIT pilot trial against Ae. albopictus on La Reunion, the aim of the present study was to develop an efficient upscaled irradiation protocol for a weekly production of 300 000 sterile males of Ae. albopictus with the specificities of the only available irradiator on the island. Using available resources of La Reunion, and according to previous studies to determine optimum factors of sterilization for the species, we assessed the effects of exposure environment, pupae density, quantity of water and irradiation dose on the dose–response of Ae. albopictus male pupae. We also evaluated the effect of sample location within the irradiation canister to ensure a consistent and reproducible sterilization method.
Marquereau, L., Yamada, H., Damiens, D. et al. Upscaling irradiation protocols of Aedes albopictus pupae within an SIT program in Reunion Island. Sci Rep 14, 12117 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-62642-7
Spatio-temporal characterization of phenotypic resistance in malaria vector species
Malaria, a deadly disease caused by Plasmodium protozoa parasite and transmitted through bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, remains a significant public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. Efforts to eliminate malaria have increasingly focused on vector control using insecticides. However, the emergence of insecticide resistance (IR) in malaria vectors pose a formidable obstacle, and the current IR mapping models remain static, relying on fixed coefficients. This study introduces a dynamic spatio-temporal approach to characterize phenotypic resistance in Anopheles gambiae complex and Anopheles arabiensis.
Ibrahim EA, Wamalwa M, Odindi J, Tonnang HEZ. Spatio-temporal characterization of phenotypic resistance in malaria vector species. BMC Biol. 2024 May 20;22(1):117. doi: 10.1186/s12915-024-01915-z. PMID: 38764011; PMCID: PMC11102860.
Comparative analysis of midgut bacterial communities in Chikungunya virus-infected and non-infected Aedes aegypti Thai laboratory strain mosquitoes
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) poses a significant global health threat, re-emerging as a mosquito-transmitted pathogen that caused high fever, rash, and severe arthralgia. In Thailand, a notable CHIKV outbreak in 2019–2020 affected approximately 20,000 cases across 60 provinces, underscoring the need for effective mosquito control protocols. Previous studies have highlighted the role of midgut bacteria in the interaction between mosquito vectors and pathogen infections, demonstrating their ability to protect the insect from invading pathogens. However, research on the midgut bacteria of Aedes (Ae.) aegypti, the primary vector for CHIKV in Thailand remains limited.
Siriyasatien, P., Intayot, P., Chitcharoen, S. et al. Comparative analysis of midgut bacterial communities in Chikungunya virus-infected and non-infected Aedes aegypti Thai laboratory strain mosquitoes. Sci Rep 14, 10814 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-61027-0
Anti-Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein 3 ϒ (PvMSP3 ϒ) antibodies upon natural infection
Merozoite surface protein 3 of Plasmodium vivax (PvMSP3) contains a repertoire of protein members with unique sequence organization. While the biological functions of these proteins await elucidation, PvMSP3 has been suggested to be potential vaccine targets. To date, studies on natural immune responses to this protein family have been confined to two members, PvMSP3α and PvMSP3β. This study analyzed natural IgG antibody responses to PvMSP3γ recombinant proteins derived from two variants: one containing insert blocks (CT1230nF) and the other without insert domain (NR25nF).
Kuamsab, N., Putaporntip, C., Kakino, A. et al. Anti-Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein 3 ϒ (PvMSP3 ϒ) antibodies upon natural infection. Sci Rep 14, 9595 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-59153-w
Scuttle fly Megaselia scalaris (Loew) (Diptera: Phoridae) endoparasitoid as a novel biocontrol agent against adult American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana)
The American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus, 1758) (Blattodea: Blattidae), is one of the most common pests that thrive in diverse environments and carries various pathogens, causing critical threats to public health and the ecosystem. We thus report in this study the first observation of decapitated American cockroaches as a result of infestation with scuttle fly parasitoids. Interestingly, behavioral alterations in the form of zombification-like behavior could be observed in cockroaches reared in the laboratory before being decapitated, implying that the insect targets cockroach heads.
Arafat, E.A., El-Samad, L.M. & Hassan, M.A. Scuttle fly Megaselia scalaris (Loew) (Diptera: Phoridae) endoparasitoid as a novel biocontrol agent against adult American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana). Sci Rep 14, 9762 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-59547-w
The effect of physical barriers under a raised house on mosquito entry: an experimental study in rural Gambia
A total of 1,259 female Anopheles gambiae sensu lato were collected in the hut at ground level, 655 in the hut with an open ground floor, 981 in the hut with air-permeable walls underneath and 873 in the hut with solid walls underneath. Multivariate analysis, adjusting for confounders, showed that a raised hut open underneath had 53% fewer mosquitoes (95% CI 47–58%), those with air-permeable walls underneath 24% fewer (95% CI 9–36%) and huts with solid walls underneath 31% fewer (95% CI 24–37%) compared with a hut on the ground. Similar results were found for Mansonia spp. and total number of female mosquitoes, but not for Culex mosquitoes where hut entry was unaffected by height or barriers. Indoor temperature and carbon dioxide levels were similar in all huts.
Carrasco-Tenezaca M, Jawara M, Bradley J, D’Alessandro U, Jeffries D, Knudsen JB, Lindsay SW. The effect of physical barriers under a raised house on mosquito entry: an experimental study in rural Gambia. Malar J. 2024 Apr 8;23(1):100. doi: 10.1186/s12936-024-04889-z. PMID: 38589884; PMCID: PMC11003187.
Bacterial biota associated with the invasive insect pest Tuta absoluta (Meyrick)
The functional analysis of the microbiome using FAPROTAX showed that denitrification, arsenite oxidation, methylotrophy and methanotrophy as the active functional groups of the adult and larvae microbiomes. Our results have revealed the core taxonomic, functional, and interacting microbiota of T. absoluta and these indicate that the larvae and adults harbor a similar but transitory set of bacteria. The results provide a novel insight and a basis for exploring microbiome-based biocontrol strategy for this invasive insect pest as well as the ecological significance of some of the identified microbiota is discussed.
Lateef, A.A., Azeez, A.A., Ren, W. et al. Bacterial biota associated with the invasive insect pest Tuta absoluta (Meyrick). Sci Rep 14, 8268 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-58753-w
Enhancing biological control of postharvest green mold in lemons: Synergistic efficacy of native yeasts with diverse mechanisms of action
The combined application of native yeasts showed a synergistic effect considering that the multiple mechanisms of action involved could hinder the development of green mold in lemon more efficiently than using single yeasts. Therefore, this work demonstrates that the integration of native yeasts with diverse modes of action can provide new insights to formulate effective microbial consortia. This could lead to the development of tailor-made biofungicides, allowing control of postharvest fungal diseases in lemons while remaining competitive with traditionally used synthetic chemicals.
Pereyra MM, Díaz MA, Vero S, Dib JR. Enhancing biological control of postharvest green mold in lemons: Synergistic efficacy of native yeasts with diverse mechanisms of action. PLoS One. 2024 Apr 5;19(4):e0301584. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301584. PMID: 38578716; PMCID: PMC10997081.
The updated genome of the Hungarian population of Aedes koreicus
Vector-borne diseases pose a potential risk to human and animal welfare, and understanding their spread requires genomic resources. The mosquito Aedes koreicus is an emerging vector that has been introduced into Europe more than 15 years ago but only a low quality, fragmented genome was available. In this study, we carried out additional sequencing and assembled and characterized the genome of the species to provide a background for understanding its evolution and biology. The updated genome was 1.1 Gbp long and consisted of 6099 contigs with an N50 value of 329,610 bp and a BUSCO score of 84%.
Nagy NA, Tóth GE, Kurucz K, Kemenesi G, Laczkó L. The updated genome of the Hungarian population of Aedes koreicus. Sci Rep. 2024 Mar 30;14(1):7545. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-58096-6. PMID: 38555322; PMCID: PMC10981705.