Activation of mosquito immunity blocks the development of transmission-stage filarial nematodes.

ABSTRACT: Mosquito-borne helminth infections are responsible for a significant worldwide disease burden in both humans and animals. Accordingly, development of novel strategies to reduce disease transmission by targeting these pathogens in the vector are of paramount importance. We found that a strain of Aedes aegypti that is refractory to infection by Dirofilaria immitis, the agent of canine heartworm disease, mounts a stronger immune response during infection than does a susceptible strain. Moreover, activation of the Toll immune signaling pathway in the susceptible strain arrests larval development of the parasite, thereby decreasing the number of transmission-stage larvae. Notably, this strategy also blocks transmission-stage Brugia malayi, an agent of human lymphatic filari

SUBMITTER: Edgerton EB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7035481 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature