Herren, J. K. et al. (2020) A microsporidian impairs Plasmodium falciparum transmission in Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes. Nature Communications, 11, 2187. (doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-16121-y) (PMID:32366903) (PMCID:PMC7198529)
|
Text
214052.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. 4MB |
Abstract
A possible malaria control approach involves the dissemination in mosquitoes of inherited symbiotic microbes to block Plasmodium transmission. However, in the Anopheles gambiae complex, the primary African vectors of malaria, there are limited reports of inherited symbionts that impair transmission. We show that a vertically transmitted microsporidian symbiont (Microsporidia MB) in the An. gambiae complex can impair Plasmodium transmission. Microsporidia MB is present at moderate prevalence in geographically dispersed populations of An. arabiensis in Kenya, localized to the mosquito midgut and ovaries, and is not associated with significant reductions in adult host fecundity or survival. Field-collected Microsporidia MB infected An. arabiensis tested negative for P. falciparum gametocytes and, on experimental infection with P. falciparum, sporozoites aren’t detected in Microsporidia MB infected mosquitoes. As a microbe that impairs Plasmodium transmission that is non-virulent and vertically transmitted, Microsporidia MB could be investigated as a strategy to limit malaria transmission.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Sinkins, Professor Steven and Makhulu, Mr Edward and Herren, Dr Jeremy and Mancini, Dr Maria Vittoria |
| Authors: | Herren, J. K., Mbaisi, L., Mararo, E., Makhulu, E. E., Mobegi, V. A., Butungi, H., Mancini, M. V., Oundo, J. W., Teal, E. T., Pinaud, S., Lawniczak, M. K.N., Jabara, J., Nattoh, G., and Sinkins, S. P. |
| College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine |
| Journal Name: | Nature Communications |
| Publisher: | Nature Research |
| ISSN: | 2041-1723 |
| ISSN (Online): | 2041-1723 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2020 The Authors |
| First Published: | First published in Nature Communications 11:2187 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence |
University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record
Funder and Project Information
Funder and Project Information