Human probing behavior of Aedes aegypti when infected with a life-shortening strain of Wolbachia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mosquitoes are vectors of many serious pathogens in tropical and sub-tropical countries. Current control strategies almost entirely rely upon insecticides, which increasingly face the problems of high cost, increasing mosquito resistance and negative effects on non-target organisms. Alternative strategies include the proposed use of inherited life-shortening agents, such as the Wolbachia bacterium. By shortening mosquito vector lifespan, Wolbachia could potentially reduce the vectorial capacity of mosquito populations. We have recently been able to stably transinfect Aedes aegypti mosquitoes with the life-shortening Wolbachia strain wMelPop, and are assessing various aspects of its interaction with the mosquito host to determine its likely impact on pathogen transmission

SUBMITTER: Moreira LA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2788697 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature