Vector species-specific association between natural Wolbachia infections and avian malaria in black fly populations

Woodford, L., Bianco, G., Ivanova, Y., Dale, M., Elmer, K. , Rae, F., Larcombe, S. D., Helm, B., Ferguson, H. M. and Baldini, F. (2018) Vector species-specific association between natural Wolbachia infections and avian malaria in black fly populations. Scientific Reports, 8, 4188. (doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-22550-z) (PMID:29520067) (PMCID:PMC5843599)

Abstract

Artificial infection of mosquitoes with the endosymbiont bacteria Wolbachia can interfere with malaria parasite development. Therefore, the release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes has been proposed as a malaria control strategy. However, Wolbachia effects on vector competence are only partly understood, as indicated by inconsistent effects on malaria infection reported under laboratory conditions. Studies of naturally-occurring Wolbachia infections in wild vector populations could be useful to identify the ecological and evolutionary conditions under which these endosymbionts can block malaria transmission. Here we demonstrate the occurrence of natural Wolbachia infections in three species of black fly (genus Simulium), which is a main vector of the avian malaria parasite Leucocytozoon. Prevalence of Leucocytozoon was high (25%), but the nature and magnitude of its association with Wolbachia differed between black fly species. Wolbachia infection was positively associated with avian malaria infection in S. cryophilum, negatively associated in S. aureum, and unrelated in S. vernum. These differences suggest that Wolbachia interacts with the parasite in a vector host species-specific manner. This provides a useful model system for further study of how Wolbachia influences vector competence. Such knowledge, including the possibility of undesirable positive association, is required to guide endosymbiont based control methods.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Rae, Miss Fiona and Baldini, Dr Francesco and Elmer, Professor Kathryn and Ferguson, Professor Heather and Helm, Dr Barbara and Larcombe, Dr Stephen
• Authors: Woodford, L., Bianco, G., Ivanova, Y., Dale, M., Elmer, K., Rae, F., Larcombe, S. D., Helm, B., Ferguson, H. M., and Baldini, F.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Scientific Reports
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• ISSN: 2045-2322
• ISSN (Online): 2045-2322
• Published Online: 08 March 2018
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Scientific Reports 8:4188
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License