@article {pmid39627857, year = {2024}, author = {Rahul, A and Reegan, AD and Shriram, AN and Fouque, F and Rahi, M}, title = {Innovative sterile male release strategies for Aedes mosquito control: progress and challenges in integrating evidence of mosquito population suppression with epidemiological impact.}, journal = {Infectious diseases of poverty}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {91}, pmid = {39627857}, issn = {2049-9957}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Aedes mosquitoes pose a significant global threat as vectors for several debilitating arboviruses, including dengue, Zika, yellow fever, and chikungunya. Their unique breeding habits, behavior, and daytime activity complicate control efforts, prompting the search for innovative solutions. The sterile insect technique (SIT) and incompatible insect technique (IIT) are promising new techniques under investigation. This review synthesizes findings from field trials on SIT and/or IIT for Aedes mosquito control.<br><br>METHODS: A scoping review was conducted through comprehensive searches on Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, PubMed, and preprint repositories up to April 25, 2024. Studies were initially screened for relevance based on their titles and abstracts, followed by a full-text review conducted by two independent extractors. Only field trials with control groups were included, with the final assessment focusing on trials reporting epidemiological outcomes. Data were abstracted into templates, emphasizing study design, intervention details, and outcomes. The review adhered to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines.<br><br>RESULTS: The search identified 21 field trials in various countries against Aedes mosquitoes. These trials employed diverse methodologies and mosquito release strategies, achieving varying levels of mosquito population suppression. Notably, two SIT and two Wolbachia-based IIT trials reported epidemiological outcomes, including reductions in dengue incidence and associated risk ratios. However, the reliance on national surveillance data for assessing dengue incidence suggests caution due to the potential underreporting of subclinical cases.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The review underscores the promise of SIT and IIT for controlling Aedes mosquito populations, citing successful reductions in mosquito densities and dengue transmission. However, it calls for more rigorous study designs and standardized methodologies, as well as the adoption of comprehensive frameworks to accurately assess the effectiveness of these interventions. Future research should focus on bridging gaps in real-world effectiveness by addressing factors such as feasibility, acceptability, scalability, and cost, which are crucial for guiding their successful large-scale deployment in any country.}, }
@article {pmid39615475, year = {2024}, author = {Řezáč, M and Řezáčová, V and Heneberg, P}, title = {Differences in the abundance and diversity of endosymbiotic bacteria drive host resistance of Philodromus cespitum, a dominant spider of central European orchards, to selected insecticides.}, journal = {Journal of environmental management}, volume = {373}, number = {}, pages = {123486}, doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123486}, pmid = {39615475}, issn = {1095-8630}, abstract = {The ability of tissue endosymbionts to degrade and detoxify agrochemicals is increasingly recognized as a mechanism supporting the survival of arthropods in agroecosystems. Therefore, tissue endosymbionts have the potential to drive insecticide resistance in agrobiont spiders, i.e., in major generalist predators and pest control agents within agroecosystems. We hypothesized that the abundance and diversity of the endosymbiotic bacteria of Philodromus cespitum, a philodromid spider dominating central European apple orchards, vary with regard to differences in predation capacity and drive host insecticide resistance. We provisioned P. cespitum with diets of varying protein and lipid content and topically exposed them to field-relevant doses of commonly used insecticides, namely Mospilan (acetamiprid), Movento (spirotetramat), Gondola (sulfoxaflor), Decis (deltamethrin), Coragen (chlorantraniliprole), and Benevia (cyantraniliprole). The analyses were based on 16S rDNA profiles from lysates of the cephalothorax and legs of the tested spiders. The application of Benevia, Mospilan, and Movento was partially lethal. The spiders that were resistant to the treatments with Benevia, Mospilan, or Movento were associated with the increased relative abundance of Mycoplasmatota by more than one order of magnitude. Additionally, the abundance of other bacteria differed in Mospilan-resistant and Mospilan-sensitive individuals. In contrast, the diet regimens were not associated with any major differences in the microbiome diversity nor the diversity of endosymbionts. Philodromus cespitum hosts assemblages with unexpectedly high beta diversity of endosymbionts. The OTU identified as the alpha proteobacterium endosymbiont of Coelostomidia zealandica was an obligate endosymbiont of the analyzed P. cespitum population. Wolbachia, Rickettsia, and Spiroplasma endosymbionts were also highly prevalent and differed in their responses to the applied treatments. In conclusion, differences in the abundance and diversity of endosymbiotic bacteria drove the resistance of the spider host to selected insecticides.}, }
@article {pmid39615459, year = {2024}, author = {Chow, JY and Bansal, S and Dickens, BSL and Ma, P and Hoffmann, A and Cheong, YL and Ahmad, NW and Lim, JT}, title = {Assessing the direct and spillover protective effectiveness of Wolbachia-mediated introgression to combat dengue.}, journal = {EBioMedicine}, volume = {110}, number = {}, pages = {105456}, doi = {10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105456}, pmid = {39615459}, issn = {2352-3964}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Dengue remains a global health challenge with limited treatment options, highlighting the need for effective vector control strategies. The introduction of Wolbachia pipientis into Aedes aegypti populations has shown success in reducing dengue transmission across global field trials. However, the spillover effectiveness of the technology on untreated areas is not well-known. This study estimates the spillover protective effectiveness (PE) of Wolbachia-mediated introgression on dengue.<br><br>METHODS: We used the synthetic control method (SCM) under assumption of partial interference to evaluate the direct and spillover PEs of Wolbachia-mediated introgression in a long-running operational trial of the intervention in Malaysia. Synthetic controls (SCs), which comprise of a weighted sum of non-spillover controls, were constructed for each directly-treated and spillover site in the pre-intervention period to account for historical imbalances in dengue risk and risk trajectories. SCs were compared to directly/spillover-treated sites to estimate the impact of Wolbachia-introgression on dengue incidence across each site, calendar year and intervention time. Robustness checks, including visual inspections, root-mean-square error (RMSE) calculations, in-space and in-time placebo checks, and permutation tests, were used to inspect the model's ability in attributing dengue incidence reductions to the Wolbachia interventions.<br><br>FINDINGS: The direct and spillover PEs of Wolbachia on dengue incidence were expressed as a percentage reduction of dengue incidence, or the absolute case reductions, by comparing SCs to actual intervention/spillover sites. Findings indicate a direct reduction in dengue incidence by 64.35% (95% CI: 63.50-66.71, p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05 using permutation tests) in directly treated areas, corresponding to 1802 (95% CI: 1768-1932) cases averted. Meanwhile, spillover effects contributed to a 37.69% (95% CI: 36.45-38.49, p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05) reduction in adjacent non-intervention areas, accounting for 115 (95% CI: 104-132) absolute cases averted. Tracking PEs by intervention time revealed a dose-response relationship, where PEs increased concomitantly with Wolbachia frequency. Model checks confirmed the robustness of these results, and ascertained that these PEs were not an artefact of poor control selection, pre-trends in dengue incidence or poor predictive ability of the fitted SCs.<br><br>INTERPRETATION: Wolbachia-introgression effectively diminished dengue incidence in directly-treated and surrounding spillover regions. This dual effectiveness highlights the potential of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes as a sustainable, cost-effective strategy against dengue.<br><br>FUNDING: This research is hosted by CNRS@CREATE and supported by the National Research Foundation, Prime Minister's Office, Singapore, under its Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) program, and is funded by the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine-Ministry of Education Start-Up Grant. The original Hoffmann et&#xa0;al. (2024) study was funded by the Wellcome Trust Awards 226166, 108508, 202888 and the Ministry of Health Malaysia NMRR-16-297-28898.}, }
@article {pmid39614636, year = {2024}, author = {Jiménez-Florido, P and Aquilino, M and Buckley, D and Bella, JL and Planelló, R}, title = {Differential gene expression in Chorthippus parallelus (Zetterstedt, 1821) (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Gomphocerinae) induced by Wolbachia infection.}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.13481}, pmid = {39614636}, issn = {1744-7917}, support = {PID2019-104952GBI00//Ministerio&#xa0;de Econom&#xed;a&#xa0;y Competitividad/ ; FPU contract 22/02220//Ministerioa&#xa0;de Ciencia, Innovaci&#xf3;n y Universidades/ ; PEJD-2019-POST/AMB-16425//Comunidada&#xa0;de Madrid/European Social Fund/ ; Mar&#xed;a Zambrano contract//Ministerio de Universidades/Europeana&#xa0;Union-NextGeneration Programme/ ; }, abstract = {Distinct lineages of the grasshopper Chorthippus parallelus (Orthoptera: Acrididae) form well-known hybrid zones (HZs) both in the Pyrenees and the Alps mountain ranges in South Europe. These HZs represent unique experimental systems to identify "key genes" that maintain genetic boundaries between emerging species. The Iberian endemism C. p. erythropus (Cpe) and the subspecies C. p. parallelus (Cpp), widely distributed throughout the rest of Europe, overlap and form the Pyrenean HZ. Both subspecies differ morphologically, as well as in behavioral, mitochondrial, nuclear, and chromosomal traits, and in the strains of the maternally transmitted bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia infecting them. This results in either unidirectional and bidirectional cytoplasmic incompatibility between both grasshopper subspecies, pointing out that Wolbachia clearly affects gene expression in the infected individuals. Here we explore how Wolbachia may modify the expression of some major genes involved in relevant pathways in Cpp in the Pyrenean HZ. We have analyzed, through molecular biomarkers, the physiological responses in C. parallelus individuals infected by Wolbachia, with particular attention to the energy metabolism, the immune system response, and the reproduction. qPCR was used to evaluate the expression of selected genes in the gonads of infected and uninfected adults of both sexes, since this tissue constitutes the main target of Wolbachia infection. Transcriptional analyses also showed differential sex-dependent responses in most of the analyzed biomarkers in infected and noninfected individuals. We identified for the first time new sensitive biomarkers that might be involved in the reproductive barrier induced by Wolbachia in the hybrid zone.}, }
@article {pmid39605481, year = {2024}, author = {Culotta, J and Lindsey, AR}, title = {A reference genome for Trichogramma kaykai : A tiny desert-dwelling parasitoid wasp with competing sex-ratio distorters.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1101/2024.11.22.624848}, pmid = {39605481}, issn = {2692-8205}, abstract = {The tiny parasitoid wasp Trichogramma kaykai inhabits the Mojave Desert of the southwest United States. Populations of this tiny insect variably host up to two different sex-distorting genetic elements: (1) the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia which induces the parthenogenetic reproduction of females, and (2) a B-chromosome, "Paternal Sex Ratio" (PSR), which converts would-be female offspring to PSR-transmitting males. We report here the genome of a Wolbachia -infected Trichogramma kaykai isofemale colony KSX58. Using Oxford Nanopore sequencing we produced a final genome assembly of 203 Mbp with 45x coverage, consisting of 213 contigs with an N50 of 1.9 Mbp. The assembly is quite complete, with 91.41% complete BUSCOs recovered: a very high score for Trichogrammatids that have been previously characterized for having high levels of core gene losses. We also report a complete mitochondrial genome for T. kaykai, and an assembly of the associated Wolbachia , strain w Tkk. We identified copies of the parthenogenesis-inducing genes pifA and pifB in a remnant prophage region of the w Tkk genome. The Trichogramma kaykai assembly is the highest quality genome assembly for the genus to-date and will serve as a great resource for understanding the evolution of sex and selfish genetic elements.}, }
@article {pmid39597595, year = {2024}, author = {da Silva, LMI and da Silva, JI and da Silva, AF and Dezordi, FZ and Machado, LC and Qin, S and Fan, H and Tong, Y and Campos, TL and Paiva, MHS and Wallau, GL}, title = {Sequencing and Analysis of Wolbachia Strains from A and B Supergroups Detected in Sylvatic Mosquitoes from Brazil.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {12}, number = {11}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3390/microorganisms12112206}, pmid = {39597595}, issn = {2076-2607}, abstract = {Wolbachia are endosymbiotic bacteria that infect a wide range of arthropods and filarial nematodes, often manipulating host reproduction. The efficacy of Wolbachia-based interventions for dengue and chikungunya control has been validated through numerous field studies in recent years. This study aimed to investigate the diversity and prevalence of Wolbachia infections in sylvatic mosquitoes from two locations in Recife, Brazil. Multiple mosquito species were screened for Wolbachia using both target marker gene amplification coupled with Sanger sequencing and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) approaches. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted to classify Wolbachia strains into supergroups and assess their evolutionary relationships. Results revealed the presence of Wolbachia in eleven mosquito species examined, with different infection rates. Both supergroups A and B of Wolbachia strains were identified, with Aedes albopictus showing co-infection by both supergroups through the WGS approach. We also detected indirect evidence of Wolbachia horizontal transmission among mosquitoes and other distant host orders. This study provides valuable insights into the distribution and diversity of Wolbachia in sylvatic mosquitoes from Brazil and adds new important data about Wolbachia detection through target marker gene amplicon coupled with Sanger sequencing and WGS methods, highlighting its complementarity to ascertain the presence of Wolbachia in mosquito samples.}, }
@article {pmid39588098, year = {2024}, author = {Fukatsu, T and Gottlieb, Y and Tsiamis, G and McGraw, E and Perlman, S and Bouchon, D and Johnson, K and Taylor, MJ}, title = {Editorial: Frontiers in Wolbachia biology 2023.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1513314}, pmid = {39588098}, issn = {1664-302X}, }
@article {pmid39581403, year = {2024}, author = {Gao, M and Li, B and Zhang, K and Li, D and Chen, R and Elumalai, P and Gao, X and Wang, L and Zhu, X and Luo, J and Ji, J and Cui, J}, title = {Worldwide used bio-insecticides Cry1Ac toxin have no detrimental effects on E. balteatus but alter the symbiotic microbial communities.}, journal = {International journal of biological macromolecules}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {137995}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.137995}, pmid = {39581403}, issn = {1879-0003}, abstract = {Hoverflies, capable of abilities providing dual ecosystem services including pest control and pollination, are exposed to insecticidal proteins from transgenic plants via pollen and prey aphids. However, the effects of such exposures on hoverflies have never been adequately assessed. Here, we investigated impacts of the most widely used biotoxin Cry1Ac on a representative hoverfly species Episyrphus balteatus through food chain transmission and active toxin exposure. The results showed Cry1Ac can be transmitted into E. balteatus through feeding on Aphis gossypii reared by Bt insect-resistant cotton variety expressing the Cry1Ac toxin, but the biological parameters of E. balteatus including survival rate, growth, development, reproductive capacity, and detoxification-related gene expression, were not significantly affected. Furthermore, the exposure to high-dose Cry1Ac toxin (500 μg/mL) resulted in slight increase of 16.67 % in the activity of detoxification and antioxidant enzyme catalase in E. balteatus and inhibited the egg hatching, partially inducing stress responses. Notably, the exposure to Cry1Ac toxin disrupted the microbiota homeostasis in E. balteatus, and the relative abundances of three dominant symbiotic bacterial genera (Cosenzaea, Wolbachia, and Commensalibacter) in E. balteatus exhibited a 10 % ~ 40 % fluctuation under Cry1Ac toxin stress. Taken together, these results suggest Cry1Ac toxin is not lethal to E. balteatus, but it poses a potential threat to its endosymbiotic bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid39576110, year = {2024}, author = {Hussain, M and Qi, Z and Asgari, S}, title = {Interaction of the Wolbachia surface protein with a novel pro-viral protein from Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {e0148624}, doi = {10.1128/mbio.01486-24}, pmid = {39576110}, issn = {2150-7511}, abstract = {UNLABELLED: Dengue virus (DENV) and other flaviviruses are prevented from replicating in mosquitoes by Wolbachia. To date, several reports have appeared that highlight multiple molecular and cellular pathways involved in the blocking mechanism, which underlines the complicated nature of the mechanism. Here, we developed a hypothesis on whether Wolbachia proteins interact with pro-viral host proteins by using a unique approach to study the antiviral mechanism based on Wolbachia-host protein-protein interaction. We selected Wolbachia surface protein (WSP) for co-immunoprecipitation because of its abundance and possible secretion. We first confirmed WSP's secretion in mosquito cells and found two host proteins, Ae. aegypti serine-threonine kinase (STK) and synaptic vesicle membrane (SVM) protein VAT-1, and one Wolbachia protein (wGroEL) interacting with WSP. We examined the role of STK and SVM genes in relation to DENV replication in Ae. aegypti mosquitoes and mosquito cell lines with and without Wolbachia. In DENV-infected Aag2 cells, the expression of SVM and STK was significantly increased. However, although these genes were induced in Wolbachia-infected Aag2 cells, they were downregulated after DENV infection. Silencing of STK, but not SVM, reduced DENV replication in Aag2 cells and mosquitoes. Conversely, RNA activation of STK, by utilizing promoter induction via short activating oligos, resulted in higher DENV replication in Wolbachia-infected and uninfected cell lines. Overall, our findings suggest that STK is a pro-viral gene, and Wolbachia WSP binds to STK, possibly making it less accessible for DENV replication.<br><br>IMPORTANCE: Wolbachia is an endosymbiotic bacterium that blocks the replication of arboviruses in transinfected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. In this study, we focused on identifying the potential interaction of Wolbachia proteins with the host pro-viral proteins. For this, we embarked on identifying the interacting proteins with a major Wolbachia protein, WSP, which is both structural and also secreted into the host cells. An Ae. aegypti STK was identified, which is induced in DENV and Wolbachia-infected cells. Silencing or induction of the gene led to reduced and increased DENV replication in vitro. Consistently, knocking down the gene in mosquitoes resulted in decreased virus replication. We hypothesize that WSP may sequester STK, which is pro-viral, contributing to Wolbachia virus blocking.}, }
@article {pmid39575185, year = {2024}, author = {Brischetto, C and Rossi, V and Fedele, G}, title = {The microbiome analysis of ripen grape berries supports the complex etiology of sour rot.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1450443}, pmid = {39575185}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Sour rot (SR) is a grapevine disease complex that is not completely understood in its etiology and epidemiology. Recently, SR has received special attention due to its increasing economic importance due to crop losses and reduced wine quality. In this study, the fungal and bacterial microbiota of healthy (i.e., without rot symptoms) and rotten (i.e., exhibiting visual and olfactory SR symptoms) ripe bunches were characterized across 47 epidemics (39 vineyards in six Italian grape-growing areas) over three years. The 16S rRNA gene, ITS high-throughput amplicon sequencing, and quantitative PCR were used to assess the relative abundance and dynamic changes of microorganisms associated with SR. The estimators of genera richness of fungal communities within samples indicated a significantly different diversity between healthy and rotten bunches. For bacterial communities, the healthy and rotten bunches significantly differed in the total number of species, but not in abundance distribution across species. The bunch status (i.e., healthy and rotten) was a significant source of diversity (p < 0.01) when the community composition between samples was evaluated, indicating that microbiome composition varied between healthy and rotten bunches. In particular, healthy and rotten bunches shared 43.1 and 54.8% of fungal and bacterial genera, respectively; 31.3% (fungal) and 26.2% (bacterial) genera were associated with rotten bunches only. The yeast genera Zygosaccharomyces, Zygoascus, Saccharomycopsis, Issatchenkia, and Pichia and the bacterial genera Orbus, Gluconobacter, Komagataeibacter, Gluconacetobacter, and Wolbachia were strongly associated with bunches showing SR symptoms based on a linear discriminant analysis. These microorganisms have been associated with Drosophila insects in literature. The relationships between the microflora associated with SR-affected bunches and the roles of Drosophila in SR development need further investigation, which may open perspectives for more effective disease control.}, }
@article {pmid39574078, year = {2024}, author = {Lim, PL and Cook, AR and Bansal, S and Chow, JY and Lim, JT}, title = {Wolbachia incompatible insect technique program optimization over large spatial scales using a process-based model of mosquito metapopulation dynamics.}, journal = {BMC biology}, volume = {22}, number = {1}, pages = {269}, pmid = {39574078}, issn = {1741-7007}, mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology ; Animals ; *Mosquito Control/methods ; *Population Dynamics ; Singapore ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/physiology ; Male ; Models, Biological ; Aedes/microbiology/physiology ; Pest Control, Biological/methods ; Culicidae/physiology/microbiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia incompatible insect technique (IIT) programs have been shown in field trials to be highly effective in suppressing populations of mosquitoes that carry diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. However, the frequent and repeated release of Wolbachia-infected male mosquitoes makes such programs resource-intensive. While the need for optimization is recognized, potential strategies to optimize releases and reduce resource utilization have not been fully explored.<br><br>RESULTS: We developed a process-based model to study the spatio-temporal metapopulation dynamics of mosquitoes in a Wolbachia IIT program, which explicitly incorporates climatic influence in mosquito life-history traits. We then used the model to simulate various scale-down and redistribution strategies to optimize the existing program in Singapore. Specifically, the model was used to study the trade-offs between the intervention efficacy outcomes and resource requirements of various release program strategies, such as the total number of release events and the number of mosquitoes released. We found that scaling down releases in existing sites from twice a week to only once a week yielded small changes in suppression efficacy (from 87 to 80%), while requiring 44% fewer mosquitoes and release events. Additionally, redistributing mosquitoes from already suppressed areas and releasing them in new areas once a week led to a greater total suppressive efficacy (83% compared to 61%) while also yielding a 16% and 14% reduction in the number of mosquitoes and release events required, respectively.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Both scale-down and redistribution strategies can be implemented to significantly reduce program resource requirements without compromising the suppressive efficacy of IIT. These findings will inform planners on ways to optimize existing and future IIT programs, potentially allowing for the wider adoption of this method for mosquito-borne disease control.}, }
@article {pmid39562330, year = {2024}, author = {Higashi, CHV and Patel, V and Kamalaker, B and Inaganti, R and Bressan, A and Russell, JA and Oliver, KM}, title = {Another tool in the toolbox: Aphid-specific Wolbachia protect against fungal pathogens.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {26}, number = {11}, pages = {e70005}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.70005}, pmid = {39562330}, issn = {1462-2920}, support = {1754302//National Science Foundation/ ; 2109582//National Science Foundation/ ; 2240392//National Science Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {*Aphids/microbiology ; Animals ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; Musa/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Aphids harbor nine common facultative symbionts, most mediating one or more ecological interactions. Wolbachia pipientis, well-studied in other arthropods, remains poorly characterized in aphids. In Pentalonia nigronervosa and P. caladii, global pests of banana, Wolbachia was initially hypothesized to function as a co-obligate nutritional symbiont alongside the traditional obligate Buchnera. However, genomic analyses failed to support this role. Our sampling across numerous populations revealed that more than 80% of Pentalonia aphids carried an M-supergroup strain of Wolbachia (wPni). The lack of fixation further supports a facultative status for Wolbachia, while high infection frequencies in these entirely asexual aphids strongly suggest Wolbachia confers net fitness benefits. Finding no correlation between Wolbachia presence and food plant use, we challenged Wolbachia-infected aphids with common natural enemies. Bioassays revealed that Wolbachia conferred significant protection against a specialized fungal pathogen (Pandora neoaphidis) but not against generalist pathogens or parasitoids. Wolbachia also improved aphid fitness in the absence of enemy challenge. Thus, we identified the first clear benefits for aphid-associated Wolbachia and M-supergroup strains specifically. Aphid-Wolbachia systems provide unique opportunities to merge key models of symbiosis to better understand infection dynamics and mechanisms underpinning symbiont-mediated phenotypes.}, }
@article {pmid39556610, year = {2024}, author = {Garrigós, M and Garrido, M and Ruiz-López, MJ and García-López, MJ and Veiga, J and Magallanes, S and Soriguer, R and Moreno-Indias, I and Figuerola, J and Martínez-de la Puente, J}, title = {Microbiota composition of Culex perexiguus mosquitoes during the West Nile virus outbreak in southern Spain.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {19}, number = {11}, pages = {e0314001}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0314001}, pmid = {39556610}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; Spain/epidemiology ; *West Nile Fever/epidemiology/virology ; *Culex/microbiology/virology ; *Disease Outbreaks ; *West Nile virus/isolation &amp; purification/genetics ; *Microbiota ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/virology ; Humans ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Female ; }, abstract = {West Nile virus (WNV) is a flavivirus naturally circulating between mosquito vectors and birds, occasionally infecting horses and humans and causing epidemiologically relevant outbreaks. In Spain, the first big WNV outbreak was recorded in 2020, resulting in 77 people infected and 8 fatalities, most of them in southern Spain. Culex perexiguus was identified as the primary vector of WNV maintaining its enzootic circulation of the virus. Growing evidence highlights the role of mosquito microbiota as a key component determining the vectorial capacity of mosquitoes, largely contributing to disease epidemiology. Here, we develop, to our knowledge, the first identification of the microbiota composition of this mosquito vector under natural conditions and test for the potential relationship between mosquito microbiota composition and WNV infection. To do so, we collected mosquitoes in a natural area of southern Spain during the 2020 WNV outbreak and identified the microbiota composition of mosquitoes using a 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding approach. The microbiota of Cx. perexiguus was dominated by the phylum Proteobacteria. The most abundant families were Burkholderiaceae and Erwiniaceae, including the genera Burkholderia, Erwinia, and Pantoea. The genus Wolbachia, which use to dominate the microbiota of Cx. pipiens and negatively interact with WNV according to the literature, had a low prevalence and relative abundance in Cx. perexiguus and its abundance did not differ between WNV-positive and WNV-negative mosquito pools. The microbiota diversity and composition of Cx. perexiguus were not significantly related to the WNV infection status. These results provide the first identification of the mosquito microbiota in an endemic area of WNV circulation in Spain.}, }
@article {pmid39548000, year = {2024}, author = {Visser, B and Scheifler, M}, title = {Insect Lipid Metabolism in the Presence of Symbiotic and Pathogenic Viruses and Bacteria.}, journal = {Advances in experimental medicine and biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {39548000}, issn = {0065-2598}, abstract = {Insects, like most animals, have intimate interactions with microorganisms that can influence the insect host's lipid metabolism. In this chapter, we describe what is known so far about the role prokaryotic microorganisms play in insect lipid metabolism. We start exploring microbe-insect lipid interactions focusing on endosymbionts, and more specifically the gut microbiota that has been predominantly studied in Drosophila melanogaster. We then move on to an overview of the work done on the common and well-studied endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis, also in interaction with other microbes. Taking a slightly different angle, we then look at the effect of human pathogens, including dengue and other viruses, on the lipids of mosquito vectors. We extend the work on human pathogens and include interactions with the endosymbiont Wolbachia that was identified as a natural tool to reduce the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. Research on lipid metabolism of plant disease vectors is up and coming and we end this chapter by highlighting current knowledge in that field.}, }
@article {pmid39547593, year = {2024}, author = {Hu, H and Lu, Z and Ma, Y and Song, X and Wang, D and Wu, C and Ma, X and Shan, Y and Ren, X and Ma, Y}, title = {Impact of transinfection of Wolbachia from the planthopper Laodelphax striatellus on reproductive fitness and transcriptome of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci.}, journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {108230}, doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2024.108230}, pmid = {39547593}, issn = {1096-0805}, abstract = {The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is critical global pest threatening crops and leading to agricultural losses. Wolbachia is an intracellular symbiotic bacterium in insects, which can regulate the growth and development of the host through various ways. In a prior study, Wolbachia was found to be transferred to whitefly and induce fitness changes. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms of host-Wolbachia interactions in B. tabaci. In this study, a Wolbachia strain wStri was isolated from the small brown planthopper, Laodelphex striatellus, and transferred to B. tabaci. The distribution of Wolbachia in whiteflies was determined using fluorescence in situ hybridization. Reciprocal crossing experiments demonstrated that wStri did not induce cytoplasmic incompatibility phenotypes in B. tabaci, but prolonged the developmental duration of the offspring. We performed transcriptomic analysis of Wolbachia-infected female and male adults using Illumina-based RNA-Seq. A total of 843 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in infected females, among them 141 were significantly up-regulated and 702 were down-regulated by Wolbachia infection. In infected males, of 511 gene sets, 279 host genes were significantly up-regulated, and 232 were down-regulated by Wolbachia infection. KEGG analysis of DEGs demonstrated significant differences in gene pathway distribution between up-regulated and down-regulated genes. These genes are involved in various biological processes, including, but not limited to, detoxification, oxidation-reduction, metabolic processes, and immunity. The transcriptomic profiling of this study offers valuable information on the differential expression of genes in whiteflies following Wolbachia infection, and enhances our understanding of this host-symbiotic interaction.}, }
@article {pmid39543157, year = {2024}, author = {Edenborough, K and Supriyati, E and Dufault, S and Arguni, E and Indriani, C and Denton, J and Sasmono, RT and Ahmad, RA and Anders, KL and Simmons, CP}, title = {Dengue virus genomic surveillance in the applying Wolbachia to eliminate dengue trial reveals genotypic efficacy and disruption of focal transmission.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {28004}, pmid = {39543157}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {1173928//National Health and Medical Research Council/ ; 1173928//National Health and Medical Research Council/ ; }, abstract = {Release of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia pipientis (wMel strain) is a biocontrol approach against Ae. aegypti-transmitted arboviruses. The Applying Wolbachia to Eliminate Dengue (AWED) cluster-randomised trial was conducted in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in 2018-2020 and provided pivotal evidence for the efficacy of wMel-Ae. aegypti mosquito population replacement in significantly reducing the incidence of virologically-confirmed dengue (VCD) across all four dengue virus (DENV) serotypes. Here, we sequenced the DENV genomes from 318 dengue cases detected in the AWED trial, with the aim of characterising DENV genetic diversity, measuring genotype-specific intervention effects, and inferring DENV transmission dynamics in wMel-treated and untreated areas of Yogyakarta. Phylogenomic analysis of all DENV sequences revealed the co-circulation of five endemic DENV genotypes: DENV-1 genotype I (12.5%) and IV (4.7%), DENV-2 Cosmopolitan (47%), DENV-3 genotype I (8.5%), and DENV-4 genotype II (25.7%), and one recently imported genotype, DENV-4 genotype I (1.6%). The diversity of genotypes detected among AWED trial participants enabled estimation of the genotype-specific protective efficacies of wMel, which were similar (± 10%) to the point estimates of the respective serotype-specific efficacies reported previously. This indicates that wMel afforded protection to all of the six genotypes detected in Yogyakarta. We show that within this substantial overall viral diversity, there was a strong spatial and temporal structure to the DENV genomic relationships, consistent with highly focal DENV transmission around the home in wMel-untreated areas and a near-total disruption of transmission by wMel. These findings can inform long-term monitoring of DENV transmission dynamics in Wolbachia-treated areas including Yogyakarta.}, }
@article {pmid39533947, year = {2024}, author = {Serga, S and Kovalenko, PA and Maistrenko, OM and Deconninck, G and Shevchenko, O and Iakovenko, N and Protsenko, Y and Susulovsky, A and Kaczmarek, &#x141; and Pavlovska, M and Convey, P and Kozeretska, I}, title = {Wolbachia in Antarctic terrestrial invertebrates: Absent or undiscovered?.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology reports}, volume = {16}, number = {6}, pages = {e70040}, doi = {10.1111/1758-2229.70040}, pmid = {39533947}, issn = {1758-2229}, support = {//Ukrainian State Special-Purpose Research Program in Antarctica for 2011-2025/ ; //Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)/ ; 22-28778S//Czech Science Foundation/ ; RVO 67985904//Czech Science Foundation/ ; CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16_019/0000803//OP RDE/ ; EVA4.0//OP RDE/ ; ANR-20-CE02-0011-01//ANR (Agence Nationale de la Recherche Fran&#xe7;aise)/ ; //Scholarship from the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine for Young Scientists/ ; //PAUSE-ANR Ukraine Program/ ; }, mesh = {*Wolbachia/genetics/classification/isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; Animals ; Antarctic Regions ; *Invertebrates/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Interactions between a host organism and its associated microbiota, including symbiotic bacteria, play a crucial role in host adaptation to changing environmental conditions. Antarctica provides a unique environment for the establishment and maintenance of symbiotic relationships. One of the most extensively studied symbiotic bacteria in invertebrates is Wolbachia pipientis, which is associated with a wide variety of invertebrates. Wolbachia is known for manipulating host reproduction and having obligate or facultative mutualistic relationships with various hosts. However, there is a lack of clear understanding of the prevalence of Wolbachia in terrestrial invertebrates in Antarctica. We present the outcomes of a literature search for information on the occurrence of Wolbachia in each of the major taxonomic groups of terrestrial invertebrates (Acari, Collembola, Diptera, Rotifera, Nematoda, Tardigrada). We also performed profiling of prokaryotes based on three marker genes and Kraken2 in available whole genome sequence data obtained from Antarctic invertebrate samples. We found no reports or molecular evidence of Wolbachia in these invertebrate groups in Antarctica. We discuss possible reasons underlying this apparent absence and suggest opportunities for more targeted future research to confirm bacteria's presence or absence.}, }
@article {pmid39532731, year = {2024}, author = {Almeida, L and Bellver-Arnau, J and Privat, Y and Rebelo, C}, title = {Vector-borne disease outbreak control via instant releases.}, journal = {Journal of mathematical biology}, volume = {89}, number = {6}, pages = {63}, pmid = {39532731}, issn = {1432-1416}, support = {754362//H2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions/ ; 44567YH-5460//PHC/FCT Pessoa Program 2020/ ; UIDB/04621/2020//FCT projects/ ; UIDP/04621/2020//FCT projects/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Mathematical Concepts ; *Disease Outbreaks/prevention &amp; control/statistics &amp; numerical data ; *Vector Borne Diseases/prevention &amp; control/epidemiology/transmission ; *Mosquito Vectors/virology/microbiology ; Humans ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; *Models, Biological ; Male ; *Mosquito Control/methods/statistics &amp; numerical data ; Pest Control, Biological/methods/statistics &amp; numerical data ; Algorithms ; Dengue/prevention &amp; control/epidemiology/transmission ; Computer Simulation ; Female ; Malaria/prevention &amp; control/transmission/epidemiology ; Zika Virus Infection/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control/transmission ; }, abstract = {This paper is devoted to the study of optimal release strategies to control vector-borne diseases, such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya and malaria. Two techniques are considered: the sterile insect one (SIT), which consists in releasing sterilized males among wild vectors in order to perturb their reproduction, and the Wolbachia one (presently used mainly for mosquitoes), which consists in releasing vectors, that are infected with a bacterium limiting their vectorial capacity, in order to replace the wild population by one with reduced vectorial capacity. In each case, the time dynamics of the vector population is modeled by a system of ordinary differential equations in which the releases are represented by linear combinations of Dirac measures with positive coefficients determining their intensity. We introduce optimal control problems that we solve numerically using ad-hoc algorithms, based on writing first-order optimality conditions characterizing the best combination of Dirac measures. We then discuss the results obtained, focusing in particular on the complexity and efficiency of optimal controls and comparing the strategies obtained. Mathematical modeling can help testing a great number of scenarios that are potentially interesting in future interventions (even those that are orthogonal to the present strategies) but that would be hard, costly or even impossible to test in the field in present conditions.}, }
@article {pmid39525364, year = {2023}, author = {Tiley, K and Entwistle, J and Thomas, B and Yakob, L and Brady, O}, title = {Using models and maps to inform Target Product Profiles and Preferred Product Characteristics: the example of Wolbachia replacement.}, journal = {Gates open research}, volume = {7}, number = {}, pages = {68}, pmid = {39525364}, issn = {2572-4754}, mesh = {*Wolbachia ; Animals ; *Aedes/microbiology ; *Dengue/prevention &amp; control/transmission/epidemiology ; Humans ; *Mosquito Control/methods/economics ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The global prevalence of diseases transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, such as dengue, Zika and Yellow Fever, is increasing, but development of promising new mosquito control technologies could reverse this trend. Target Product Profiles (TPPs) and Preferred Product Characteristics (PPCs) documents issued by the World Health Organization can guide the research and development pathways of new products and product combinations transitioning from proof of concept to operational use.<br><br>METHODS: We used high resolution global maps of the case and economic burden of dengue to derive programmatic cost targets to support a TPP for Wolbachia replacement. A compartmental entomological model was used to explore how release size, spacing and timing affect replacement speed and acceptability. To support a PPC for a hybrid suppress-then-replace approach we tested whether Wolbachia replacement could be achieved faster, more acceptably or at a lower cost if preceded by a mosquito suppression programme.<br><br>RESULTS: We show how models can reveal trade-offs, identify quantitative thresholds and prioritise areas and intervention strategies for further development. We estimate that for Wolbachia replacement to be deployable in enough areas to make major contributions to reducing global dengue burden by 25% (in line with 2030 WHO targets), it must have the potential for cost to be reduced to between $7.63 and $0.24 (USD) per person protected or less. Suppression can reduce the number of Wolbachia mosquitoes necessary to achieve replacement fixation by up to 80%. A hybrid approach can also achieve fixation faster and potentially improve acceptability, but may not justify their cost if they require major new investments in suppression technologies.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Here we demonstrate the value dedicated modelling can provide for interdisciplinary groups of experts when developing TPPs and PPCs. These models could be used by product developers to prioritise and shape development decisions for new Wolbachia replacement products.}, }
@article {pmid39506857, year = {2024}, author = {Bernardini, I and Poggi, C and Porretta, D and Máca, J and Perugini, E and Manzi, S and Gabrielli, S and Pichler, V and Latrofa, MS and Fourie, J and Lia, RP and Beugnet, F and Otranto, D and Pombi, M}, title = {Population dynamics of sympatric Phortica spp. and first record of stable presence of Phortica oldenbergi in a Thelazia callipaeda-endemic area of Italy.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {17}, number = {1}, pages = {455}, pmid = {39506857}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Animals ; *Drosophilidae/parasitology ; *Population Dynamics ; Italy/epidemiology ; *Thelazioidea/isolation &amp; purification/genetics/physiology ; *Insect Vectors/parasitology ; Seasons ; Male ; Female ; Wolbachia/isolation &amp; purification/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Five species of the Phortica genus (Diptera: Drosophilidae) are known in Europe and the Middle East. Among these, Phortica variegata and Phortica okadai are better known for their role as vectors of the zoonotic eyeworm Thelazia callipaeda. Other species, such as Phortica semivirgo and Phortica oldenbergi, have been studied less. Given the paucity of data about these Phortica spp. vectors, we explored the population dynamics and ecology of Phortica spp. in an area highly endemic for T. callipeada (Manziana, Rome, Central Italy).<br><br>METHODS: Phortica spp. flies were collected over a 3-year period (2018-2020) during their active season (April-October) with a sweep net while hovering around fermenting fruits or a human operator acting as baits. Collected flies were morphologically identified and tested for a T. callipeada infection and for the presence of Wolbachia, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Population dynamics of species collected was associated to environmental drivers through generalized additive models.<br><br>RESULTS: Of the 5564 flies collected, 90.8% were P. variegata, 9.1% were P. oldenbergi, 0.05% were P. semivirgo, and one specimen was P. okadai. Only P. variegata scored molecularly infected with T. callipeada throughout the 3-year sampling period (1.8%). Phortica oldenbergi, observed consistently during the entire sampling period, exhibited a marked preference for fruit traps, contrasting with the lachryphagous activity of P. variegata. Analysis of environmental drivers of P. oldenbergi and P. variegata population dynamics indicated temperature, wind speed, and pressure as significant factors. In addition, Wolbachia pipientis endosymbiont was detected in P. oldenbergi and P. okadai.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, this study analysed several ecological aspects of Phortica species coexisting in a T. callipeada endemic area, highlighting different behaviors in the same environment and their vectorial role. Notably, this is also the first report of the presence of P. oldenbergi in Italy and P. okadai in Europe, underscoring the importance of extensive sampling for detecting potential vectors and alien species with direct implications for vector-borne disease epidemiology.}, }
@article {pmid39498151, year = {2024}, author = {Dias, YJM and Dezordi, FZ and Wallau, GDL}, title = {EEfinder, a general purpose tool for identification of bacterial and viral endogenized elements in eukaryotic genomes.}, journal = {Computational and structural biotechnology journal}, volume = {23}, number = {}, pages = {3662-3668}, pmid = {39498151}, issn = {2001-0370}, abstract = {Horizontal gene transfer is a phenomenon of genetic material transmission between species with no parental relationship. It has been characterized among several major branches of life, including among prokaryotes, viruses and eukaryotes. The characterization of endogenous elements derived from viruses or bacteria provides a snapshot of past host-pathogen interactions and coevolution as well as reference information to remove false positive results from metagenomic studies. Currently there is a lack of general purpose standardized tools for endogenous elements screening which limits reproducibility and hinder comparative analysis between studies. Here we describe EEfinder, a new general purpose tool for identification and classification of endogenous elements derived from viruses or bacteria found in eukaryotic genomes. The tool was developed to include six common steps performed in this type of analysis: data cleaning, similarity search through sequence alignment, filtering candidate elements, taxonomy assignment, merging of truncated elements and flanks extraction. We evaluated the sensitivity of EEfinder to identify endogenous elements through comparative analysis using data from the literature and showed that EEfinder automatically detected 97 % of the EVEs compared to published results obtained by manual curation and detected an almost exact full integration of a Wolbachia genome described using wet-lab experiments. Therefore, EEfinder can effectively and systematically identify endogenous elements with bacterial/viral origin integrated in eukaryotic genomes. EEfinder is publicly available on https://github.com/WallauBioinfo/EEfinder.}, }
@article {pmid39495807, year = {2024}, author = {Dodson, BL and Pujhari, S and Brustolin, M and Metz, HC and Rasgon, JL}, title = {Variable effects of transient Wolbachia infections on alphaviruses in Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {18}, number = {11}, pages = {e0012633}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0012633}, pmid = {39495807}, issn = {1935-2735}, abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis (= Wolbachia) has promise as a tool to suppress virus transmission by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. However, Wolbachia can have variable effects on mosquito-borne viruses. This variation remains poorly characterized, yet the multimodal effects of Wolbachia on diverse pathogens could have important implications for public health. Here, we examine the effects of transient somatic infection with two strains of Wolbachia (wAlbB and wMel) on the alphaviruses Sindbis virus (SINV), O'nyong-nyong virus (ONNV), and Mayaro virus (MAYV) in Ae. aegypti. We found variable effects of Wolbachia including enhancement and suppression of viral infections, with some effects depending on Wolbachia strain. Both wAlbB- and wMel-infected mosquitoes showed enhancement of SINV infection rates one week post-infection, with wAlbB-infected mosquitoes also having higher viral titers than controls. Infection rates with ONNV were low across all treatments and no significant effects of Wolbachia were observed. The effects of Wolbachia on MAYV infections were strikingly strain-specific; wMel strongly blocked MAYV infections and suppressed viral titers, while wAlbB had more modest effects. The variable effects of Wolbachia on vector competence underscore the importance of further research into how this bacterium impacts the virome of wild mosquitoes including the emergent human pathogens they transmit.}, }
@article {pmid39495046, year = {2024}, author = {Yang, SY and Lin, YY and Hao, Z and Li, ZJ and Peng, ZQ and Jin, T}, title = {Bacterial communities in Asecodes hispinarum (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and its host Brontispa longissima (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), with comparison of Wolbachia dominance.}, journal = {Journal of economic entomology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/jee/toae234}, pmid = {39495046}, issn = {1938-291X}, support = {2021YFD2600405//National Key R&amp;D Program of China/ ; CATASCXTD202311//Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences for Science and Technology Innovation Team/ ; }, abstract = {The endoparasitoid Asecodes hispinarum (Bouček) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) serves as an effective biological control agent against Brontispa longissima (Gestro) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a notorious palm pest. Endosymbionts found in parasitoids and their hosts have attracted significant attention due to their substantial influence on biocontrol efficacy. In this study, we employed 16S rRNA sequencing, polymerase chain reaction, and fluorescence in situ hybridization to assess the symbiotic bacteria composition, diversity, phylogeny, and localization in A. hispinarum and its host B. longissima. Our findings showed significant differences in the richness, diversity, and composition of symbiotic bacteria among different life stages of B. longissima. Notably, the bacterial richness, diversity, and composition of A. hispinarum was similar to that of B. longissima. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the dominant phyla, while Wolbachia was the dominant genera across the parasitoid and host. It was discovered for the first time that Wolbachia was present in A. hispinarum with a high infection rate at ≥ 96.67%. Notably, the Wolbachia strain in A. hispinarum was placed in supergroup A, whereas it was categorized under supergroup B in B. longissima. Furthermore, Wolbachia is concentrated in the abdomen of A. hispinarum, with particularly high levels observed in the ovipositors of female adults. These findings highlight the composition and diversity of symbiotic bacteria in both A. hispinarum and its host B. longissima, providing a foundation for the development of population regulation strategies targeting B. longissima.}, }
@article {pmid39471850, year = {2024}, author = {Tourani, AH and Katlav, A and Cook, JM and Riegler, M}, title = {Mating receptivity mediated by endosymbiont interactions in a haplodiploid thrips species.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {291}, number = {2033}, pages = {20241564}, doi = {10.1098/rspb.2024.1564}, pmid = {39471850}, issn = {1471-2954}, support = {//University of Western Sydney/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Thysanoptera/physiology ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; Female ; Male ; *Sexual Behavior, Animal ; Bacteroidetes/physiology ; Reproduction ; }, abstract = {Many arthropods carry maternally inherited endosymbionts that cause cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), manifested as embryonic mortality in matings of infected males with uninfected females. Infected females, however, do not suffer this cost. Therefore, in populations with mixed endosymbiont infections, selection is expected to favour mechanisms that enable hosts to avoid or mitigate CI. This may include changes in mating behaviour, such as reduced female receptivity to mating and/or remating when approached by incompatible males. Here, we investigated mating behavioural traits in haplodiploid thrips naturally associated with two CI-inducing endosymbionts, Cardinium and Wolbachia. Compared with females with both endosymbionts, those with only Cardinium showed reduced receptivity to males carrying both. However, surprisingly, females without endosymbionts were not less receptive to incompatible males. Furthermore, in contrast to females without endosymbionts, females with Cardinium were far less likely to remate with incompatible than compatible males irrespective of the compatibility type of the first mating. Our results suggest that endosymbiont-specific sexual selection processes occur, whereby females carrying only Cardinium recognize Wolbachia in coinfected males to avoid CI. This may hinder a CI-driven Wolbachia spread. Endosymbiont-mediated mating behaviours may be crucial for the dynamics of CI-inducing endosymbionts and their application in pest management strategies.}, }
@article {pmid39458303, year = {2024}, author = {Clervil, E and Guidez, A and Talaga, S and Carinci, R and Gaborit, P and Lavergne, A and Tirera, S and Duchemin, JB}, title = {Wolbachia Natural Infection of Mosquitoes in French Guiana: Prevalence, Distribution, and Genotyping.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {12}, number = {10}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3390/microorganisms12101994}, pmid = {39458303}, issn = {2076-2607}, abstract = {Wolbachia are the most spread bacterial endosymbionts in the world. These bacteria can manipulate host reproduction or block virus transmission in mosquitoes. For this reason, Wolbachia-based strategies for vector control are seriously considered or have already been applied in several countries around the world. In South America, Wolbachia have been studied in human pathogen vectors such as sand flies and mosquitoes. In French Guiana, the diversity and distribution of Wolbachia are not well known in mosquitoes. In this study, we screened for Wolbachia natural infection in mosquitoes in French Guiana by using 16S rRNA, Wolbachia surface protein (WSP), and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) molecular assays. A total of 29 out of 44 (65.9%) mosquito species were positive for natural Wolbachia infection according to the PCR results, and two Wolbachia strains co-infected three specimens of Mansonia titillans. Then, we analyzed the phylogenetic relationships among the Wolbachia detected. All of the tested specimens of Aedes aegypti, the major dengue vector of French Guiana, were negative. These results regarding Wolbachia strain, distribution, and prevalence in mosquitoes from French Guiana highlight Wolbachia-mosquito associations and pave the way for a future Wolbachia-based strategy for vector control in this Amazonian territory.}, }
@article {pmid39455905, year = {2024}, author = {Aželytė, J and Maitre, A and Abuin-Denis, L and Wu-Chuang, A and Žiegytė, R and Mateos-Hernandez, L and Obregon, D and Palinauskas, V and Cabezas-Cruz, A}, title = {Nested patterns of commensals and endosymbionts in microbial communities of mosquito vectors.}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {24}, number = {1}, pages = {434}, pmid = {39455905}, issn = {1471-2180}, support = {SGCE-RAPPORT No. 0300//Collectivit&#xe9; de Corse/ ; S-MIP-22-52//Lietuvos Mokslo Taryba/ ; ANR-10-LABX-62-IBEID//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/physiology ; *Culex/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/physiology/genetics ; *Microbiota ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Mosquitoes serve as vectors for numerous pathogens, posing significant health risks to humans and animals. Understanding the complex interactions within mosquito microbiota is crucial for deciphering vector-pathogen dynamics and developing effective disease management strategies. Here, we investigated the nested patterns of Wolbachia endosymbionts and Escherichia-Shigella within the microbiota of laboratory-reared Culex pipiens f. molestus and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. We hypothesized that Wolbachia would exhibit a structured pattern reflective of its co-evolved relationship with both mosquito species, while Escherichia-Shigella would display a more dynamic pattern influenced by environmental factors.<br><br>RESULTS: Our analysis revealed different microbial compositions between the two mosquito species, although some microorganisms were common to both. Network analysis revealed distinct community structures and interaction patterns for these bacteria in the microbiota of each mosquito species. Escherichia-Shigella appeared prominently within major network modules in both mosquito species, particularly in module P4 of Cx. pipiens f. molestus, interacting with 93 nodes, and in module Q3 of Cx. quinquefasciatus, interacting with 161 nodes, sharing 55 nodes across both species. On the other hand, Wolbachia appeared in disparate modules: module P3 in Cx. pipiens f. molestus and a distinct module with a single additional taxon in Cx. quinquefasciatus, showing species-specific interactions and no shared taxa. Through computer simulations, we evaluated how the removal of Wolbachia or Escherichia-Shigella affects network robustness. In Cx. pipiens f. molestus, removal of Wolbachia led to a decrease in network connectivity, while Escherichia-Shigella removal had a minimal impact. Conversely, in Cx. quinquefasciatus, removal of Escherichia-Shigella resulted in decreased network stability, whereas Wolbachia removal had minimal effect.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to our hypothesis, the findings indicate that Wolbachia displays a more dynamic pattern of associations within the microbiota of Culex pipiens f. molestus and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes, than Escherichia-Shigella. The differential effects on network robustness upon Wolbachia or Escherichia-Shigella removal suggest that these bacteria play distinct roles in maintaining community stability within the microbiota of the two mosquito species.}, }
@article {pmid39453968, year = {2024}, author = {Szentiványi, T and Takács, N and Sándor, AD and Péter, &#xc1; and Boldogh, SA and Kováts, D and Foster, JT and Estók, P and Hornok, S}, title = {Bat-associated ticks as a potential link for vector-borne pathogen transmission between bats and other animals.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {18}, number = {10}, pages = {e0012584}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0012584}, pmid = {39453968}, issn = {1935-2735}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Potentially zoonotic pathogens have been previously detected in bat-associated ticks, but their role in disease transmission and their frequency of feeding on non-bat hosts is poorly known.<br><br>We used molecular blood meal analysis to reveal feeding patterns of the bat-associated tick species Ixodes ariadnae, I. simplex, and I. vespertilionis collected from cave and mine walls in Central and Southeastern Europe. Vertebrate DNA, predominantly from bats, was detected in 43.5% of the samples (70 of 161 ticks) but in these ticks we also detected the DNA of non-chiropteran hosts, such as dog, Canis lupus familiaris, wild boar, Sus scrofa, and horse, Equus caballus, suggesting that bat-associated ticks may exhibit a much broader host range than previously thought, including domestic and wild mammals. Furthermore, we detected the zoonotic bacteria Neoehrlichia mikurensis in bat ticks for the first time, and other bacteria, such as Bartonella and Wolbachia.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: In the light of these findings, the role of bat ticks as disease vectors should be urgently re-evaluated in more diverse host systems, as they may contribute to pathogen transmission between bats and non-chiropteran hosts.}, }
@article {pmid39452360, year = {2024}, author = {Zhu, Y and Wang, X and Wang, S and Song, Z and Du, Y}, title = {No Evidence for Wolbachia Effects on the Thermal Preference of the Invasive Pest Liriomyza huidobrensis.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3390/insects15100784}, pmid = {39452360}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {BK20231330//Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province/ ; }, abstract = {Heritable endosymbiont Wolbachia is prevalent among arthropods, serving multiple functions for their hosts. However, the role of Wolbachia in mediating thermal preference selection remains largely unexplored. In this study, we utilized a custom-built thermal gradient to evaluate the thermal preference (Tp) of 1367 individuals of the invasive leaf-miner Liriomyza huidobrensis with or without Wolbachia wLhui from Yunnan and Xinjiang populations. Under meticulously controlled conditions and with a vast sample size, we found no significant difference in the mean Tp between wLhui-infected and uninfected leaf miners from either population when host age and sex were not considered. Furthermore, generalized linear model (GLM) analysis revealed no significant correlation between average Tp and age, sex, or Wolbachia infection, nor interactions among these factors, except in the Xinjiang population, where Tp was strongly associated with host age. Finally, we discuss the ecological implications of these findings and propose future research directions on Wolbachia-mediated host Tp in the leaf miner. Overall, our findings do not provide evidence that Wolbachia significantly affects the thermal preference of L. huidobrensis. Further studies across different systems are needed to investigate the complex interactions between Wolbachia and insect thermal behavior.}, }
@article {pmid39447296, year = {2024}, author = {Antonelli, P and Grizard, S and Tran, FH and Lejon, D and Bellemain, A and Van,  and Mavingui, P and Roiz, D and Simard, F and Martin, E and Abrouk, D and Vigneron, A and Minard, G and Valiente Moro, C}, title = {Bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and microbiota dynamics across developmental stages of the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus exposed to urban pollutants.}, journal = {Ecotoxicology and environmental safety}, volume = {286}, number = {}, pages = {117214}, doi = {10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117214}, pmid = {39447296}, issn = {1090-2414}, abstract = {Aedes albopictus mosquitoes face numerous anthropic stressors in urban areas. These xenobiotics not only impact mosquito physiology but also shape the composition of their microbiota, which play important roles in host physiological traits. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants known to alter mosquito metabolism, but no studies have yet investigated their impact on microbiota. Using a bespoke indoor mesocosm tailored for Ae. albopictus mosquitoes, we investigated the dynamics of bacterial communities in both mosquitoes and their larval breeding sites following chronic exposure to a cocktail of PAHs consisting of benzo[a]pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, chrysene and benzo[b]fluoranthene. Our findings showed that PAHs have a stage-specific effect on mosquito microbiota, with a higher impact in larvae than in adults, contributing to 12.5 % and 4.5 % of the PAHs-induced variations, respectively. The presence of PAHs in the treated mesocosm led to the enrichment of bacterial families and genera known for their ability to catabolize PAHs, such as Comamonadaceae and Raoultella (increasing from 19 % to 30 % and from 1.2 % to 5.6 %, respectively). Conversely, prevalent taxa found in mosquito microbiota like Wolbachia and Cedecea exhibited a reduction (decreasing from 4 % to 0.8 % and from 12.8 % to 6.4 %, respectively). This reduction could be attributed to the competitive advantage gained by PAH-degrading taxa, or it could reflect a direct sensitivity to PAH exposure. Overall, this indicates a shift in microbiota composition favoring bacteria that can thrive in a PAH-contaminated environment. PAHs persisted in the water of breeding sites only the first 45 days of the experiment. Benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[b]fluoranthene were more susceptible to bioaccumulation in larval tissues over time. Overall, this study enhances our understanding of the impact of pollution on mosquitoes and could facilitate future research on the importance of symbiosis in urban-dwelling insect disease vectors. Given the recent advancements in the generation of axenic (microbe-free) and gnotobiotic (mosquitoes with a defined or specific microbiota) mosquitoes, further studies are needed to explore how changes in microbiota composition could influence mosquito responses to pollution, particularly in relation to host fitness, immunity, and vector competence.}, }
@article {pmid39442642, year = {2024}, author = {Efon-Ekangouo, A and Nana-Djeunga, HC and Nwane, PB and Nzune-Toche, N and Sondi-Dissake, JC and Sempere, G and Domche, A and Njiokou, F and Kamgno, J and Moundipa-Fewou, P and Geiger, A}, title = {Spatial and temporal diversity of Simulium damnosum s.l. gut microbiota and association with Onchocerca volvulus infection in Cameroon.}, journal = {Infection, genetics and evolution : journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics in infectious diseases}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {105683}, doi = {10.1016/j.meegid.2024.105683}, pmid = {39442642}, issn = {1567-7257}, abstract = {Arthropod microbiota plays an important role in host physiology, and there is growing interest in using vector symbionts to modify vector competence and control parasite transmission. This study aims to characterise the blackfly Simulium damnosum s.l. gut microbiota and to explore possible associations with various bio-ecological determinants of the Onchocerca volvulus establishment and the transmission in blackfly. Adult female blackflies were caught in three Cameroonian health districts belonging to different bioecological zones endemic for onchocerciasis. Flies were dissected and qPCR screened for Onchocerca volvulus infection. The diversity of the blackflies gut microbiota was assessed by high-throughput sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable region of the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA. Subsequent metataxo-genomic, multivariate, and association analysis were used to investigate the variables that influence the microbiota diversity. Transmission index rates ranging from 20.7 to 6.0 % and 6.2-2.0 % for infection and infectivity rates, respectively, indicate ongoing transmission of onchocerciasis across all surveyed health districts. The identified bacterial taxa were clustered into four phyla, five classes, and 23 genera. The S. damnosum s.l. gut microbiota was dominated by Wolbachia and by Rosenbergiella in Wolbachia-free Simulium. Significant differences were observed in the diversity of S. damnosum s.l. microbiota concerning parity status (P = 0.007), health district of origin (P = 0.001), and the presence of the Onchocerca volvulus. Simulium from the Bafia health district also showed increased bacterial diversity between two consecutive years (P = 0.001). Four bacterial taxa, including Serratia, were associated with the absence of the O. volvulus infection. These results indicate that S. damnosum s.l. from different onchocerciasis foci in Cameroon, exhibit distinguishable gut microbial compositions which are dynamic over time. Some bacterial species are associated with the O. volvulus infection and could be further investigated as biological target/tool for vector modified-based onchocerciasis control.}, }
@article {pmid39432669, year = {2024}, author = {Cruz, MA and Magalhães, S and Bakırdöven, M and Zélé, F}, title = {Wolbachia strengthens the match between pre-mating and early post-mating isolation in spider mites.}, journal = {Evolution; international journal of organic evolution}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/evolut/qpae149}, pmid = {39432669}, issn = {1558-5646}, abstract = {Endosymbiotic reproductive manipulators are widely studied as sources of post-zygotic isolation in arthropods, but their effect on pre-zygotic isolation between genetically differentiated populations has garnered less attention. We tested this using two partially isolated populations of the red and green colour forms of Tetranychus urticae, either uninfected or infected with different Wolbachia strains, one inducing cytoplasmic incompatibility and the other not. We first investigated male and female preferences, and found that, in absence of infection, females were not choosy, but all males preferred red-form females. Wolbachia effects were more subtle, with only the CI-inducing strain slightly strengthening colour-form based preferences. We then performed a double-mating experiment to test how incompatible matings affect subsequent mating behaviour and offspring production, as compared to compatible matings. Females mated with an incompatible male (infected and/or heterotypic) were more attractive and/or receptive to subsequent (compatible) matings, although analyses of offspring production revealed no clear benefit for this re-mating behaviour (i.e., apparently unaltered first male sperm precedence). Finally, by computing the relative contributions of each reproductive barrier to total isolation, we showed that pre-mating isolation matches both host-associated and Wolbachia-induced post-mating isolation, suggesting that Wolbachia could contribute to reproductive isolation in this system.}, }
@article {pmid39431789, year = {2024}, author = {Bickerstaff, JRM and Walsh, T and Court, L and Pandey, G and Ireland, K and Cousins, D and Caron, V and Wallenius, T and Slipinski, A and Rane, R and Escalona, HE}, title = {Chromosome structural rearrangements in invasive haplodiploid ambrosia beetles revealed by the genomes of Euwallacea fornicatus (Eichhoff) and Euwallacea similis (Ferrari) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae).}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/gbe/evae226}, pmid = {39431789}, issn = {1759-6653}, abstract = {Bark and ambrosia beetles are among the most ecologically and economically damaging introduced plant pests worldwide. Life history traits including polyphagy, haplodiploidy, inbreeding polygyny and symbiosis with fungi contribute to their dispersal and impact. Species vary in their interactions with host trees, with many attacking stressed or recently dead trees, such as the globally distributed E. similis (Ferrari). Other species, like the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) Euwallacea fornicatus (Eichhoff), can attack over 680 host plants and is causing considerable economic damage in several countries. Despite their notoriety, publicly accessible genomic resources for Euwallacea Hopkins species are scarce, hampering our understanding of their invasive capabilities as well as modern control measures, surveillance and management. Using a combination of long and short read sequencing platforms we assembled and annotated high quality (BUSCO > 98% complete) pseudo-chromosome level genomes for these species. Comparative macro-synteny analysis identified an increased number of pseudo-chromosome scaffolds in the haplodiploid inbreeding species of Euwallacea compared to diploid outbred species, due to fission events. This suggests that life history traits can impact chromosome structure. Further, the genome of E. fornicatus had a higher relative proportion of repetitive elements, up to 17% more, than E. similis. Metagenomic assembly pipelines identified microbiota associated with both species including Fusarium fungal symbionts and a novel Wolbachia strain. These novel genomes of haplodiploid inbreeding species will contribute to the understanding of how life history traits are related to their evolution and to the management of these invasive pests.}, }
@article {pmid39411028, year = {2024}, author = {Angotti, AA and da Silva, JGST and Yonekura, T and Figueiró, MF}, title = {[Rapid review: effectiveness of the Wolbachia strategy for arbovirus controlRevisión sistemática rápida: efectividad de la estrategia de control con Wolbachia en la lucha contra las arbovirosis].}, journal = {Revista panamericana de salud publica = Pan American journal of public health}, volume = {48}, number = {}, pages = {e98}, pmid = {39411028}, issn = {1680-5348}, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To identify and synthesize evidence of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Wolbachia-Aedes methodology for reducing cases of arboviral infection.<br><br>METHODOLOGY: Rapid systematic review. A search of five online portals and bibliographic databases was conducted in February 2022. Two reviewers conducted the selection stages, with any disagreements resolved by a third investigator. Data were extracted by one reviewer and subsequently checked by another. The inclusion criteria were studies describing the cost-effectiveness and effectiveness of the Wolbachia-Aedes methodology, based on field interventions, published in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, with no restrictions on date of publication.<br><br>RESULTS: Four studies were included: one cluster randomized trial, two quasi-experimental studies, and one pre-post study, published between 2019 and 2021 in four countries. The included studies reported effectiveness for some of the outcomes of interest, such as a reduction in the incidence of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya cases. Although no experimental studies addressing the cost-effectiveness of the Wolbachia-Aedes strategy were identified, some modeling studies have demonstrated potential cost-benefit of this methodology.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Considering the results of the included studies, Wolbachia has the potential to be an economically effective strategy that leads to reductions in the incidence of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. Nevertheless, this strategy cannot yet be recommended as a public policy; additional large-scale studies with high methodological quality are still needed to inform political decision-making.}, }
@article {pmid39407097, year = {2024}, author = {Chow, JY and Geng, L and Bansal, S and Dickens, BSL and Ng, LC and Hoffmann, AA and Lim, JT}, title = {Correction: Evaluating quasi-experimental approaches for estimating epidemiological efficacy of non-randomised field trials: applications in Wolbachia interventions for dengue.}, journal = {BMC medical research methodology}, volume = {24}, number = {1}, pages = {237}, pmid = {39407097}, issn = {1471-2288}, }
@article {pmid39405448, year = {2024}, author = {}, title = {Correction to: Life history parameters of Ectropis grisescens (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) in different Wolbachia infection states.}, journal = {Journal of economic entomology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/jee/toae238}, pmid = {39405448}, issn = {1938-291X}, support = {32371581//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2021YFD1601105//National Key Research and Development Programs/ ; 2023n06020060//Anhui Key Research and Development Program/ ; }, }
@article {pmid39403558, year = {2024}, author = {Fisher, AM and McKenzie, AV and Price, TAR and Bonsall, MB and Knell, RJ}, title = {Do Sex Ratio Distorting Microbes Inhibit the Evolution of Pesticide Resistance? An Experimental Test.}, journal = {Evolutionary applications}, volume = {17}, number = {10}, pages = {e70003}, pmid = {39403558}, issn = {1752-4571}, abstract = {We are still largely reliant on pesticides for the suppression of arthropod pests which threaten human health and food production, but the recent rise of evolved resistance among important pest species has reduced pesticide efficacy. Despite this, our understanding of strategies that effectively limit the evolution of resistance remains weak. Male-killing sex ratio distorting microbes (SRDMs), such as Wolbachia and Spiroplasma, are common among arthropod species. Previous theoretical work has suggested that they could limit adaptive potential in two ways: first, because by distorting sex ratios they reduce the effective population size, and second, because infected females produce no male offspring which restricts gene flow. Here we present the results of a novel experiment in which we test the extent by which these two mechanisms limit the adaptive response of arthropods to pesticide. Using a fully factorial design, we manipulated the adult sex ratio of laboratory populations of Drosophila melanogaster, both in the presence and absence of SRDMs, and exposed these populations to six generations of pesticide poisoning. This design allows the effects of SRDMs on sex ratio and their effects on gene flow to be estimated separately. After six generations, individuals from populations with even sex ratios displayed a higher resistance to pesticide relative to individuals from female-biased populations. By contrast, we found no effect of the presence of SRDMs in host populations on pesticide resistance independent of sex ratio. In addition, males were more susceptible to pesticide than females-this was true of flies from both naïve and previously exposed populations. These findings provide the first empirical proof of concept that sex ratio distortion arising from SRDMs can limit adaptation to pesticides, but cast doubt on the theoretical effect of male-killers limiting adaptation by disrupting gene flow.}, }
@article {pmid39402267, year = {2024}, author = {Kaczmarczyk-Ziemba, A and Wagner, GK and Staniec, B and Zagaja, M and Pietrykowska-Tudruj, E and Iorgu, EI and Iorgu, I&#x15e;}, title = {Intraspecific diversity of Myrmecophilus acervorum (Orthoptera: Myrmecophilidae) indicating an ongoing cryptic speciation.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {23984}, pmid = {39402267}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics/classification/isolation &amp; purification ; *Phylogeny ; *Genetic Variation ; Genetic Speciation ; Male ; Female ; Orthoptera/genetics/classification ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Poland ; Symbiosis ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Europe ; Gryllidae ; }, abstract = {Myrmecophilus acervorum, previously considered a parthenogenetic species widely-distributed in Europe, has been observed to have both sexes in populations inhabiting the central part of the distribution range. Specimens from those heterosexual populations have been found being infected with Wolbachia. New mitochondrial data (COI and 16S markers) revealed the well-supported differentiation of M. acervorum populations inhabiting western Polesie (Poland) and southern Europe. In turn, analyses of EF1α marker support the hypothesis on the unfinished lineage sorting at the nuclear DNA level. Interestingly, we found that parthenogenetic populations inhabiting western Polesie are infected with Wolbachia belonging to supergroup A, while endosymbionts occurring in sexual populations of M. acervorum observed in Romania belong to supergroup B. Furthermore, new and potentially diagnostic characteristics in the external structures of the eyes of M. acervorum were identified. The surface of ommatidia in specimens occurring in southern Europe was smooth. In contrast, the ommatidia surface of individuals collected in Poland was visibly sculptured. To sum up, the significant genetic variability found in the present case, and the differentiating morphological character, are almost certainly effects of cryptic species being present within M. acervorum. This is indicative of ongoing speciation within the populations of this insect, and of simultaneous unfinished lineage sorting at the nuclear DNA level.}, }
@article {pmid39400605, year = {2024}, author = {Ma, X and Su, Y}, title = {Wolbachia Invasion in Mosquitoes with Incomplete CI, Imperfect Maternal Transmission and Maturation Delay.}, journal = {Bulletin of mathematical biology}, volume = {86}, number = {12}, pages = {137}, pmid = {39400605}, issn = {1522-9602}, support = {12371164//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 11971129//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology/pathogenicity ; Animals ; *Mathematical Concepts ; *Models, Biological ; Female ; *Computer Simulation ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; Cytoplasm/microbiology ; Male ; Culicidae/microbiology ; Maternal Inheritance ; }, abstract = {The mechanism of cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is important in the study of Wolbachia invasion in wild mosquitoes. Su et al. (Bull Math Biol 84(9):95, 2022) proposed a delay differential equation model by relating the CI effect to maturation delay. In this paper, we investigate the dynamics of this model by allowing the same density-dependent death rate and distinct density-independent death rates. Through analyzing the existence and stability of equilibria, we obtain the parameter conditions for Wolbachia successful invasion if the maternal transmission is perfect. While if the maternal transmission is imperfect, we give the ranges of parameters to ensure failure invasion, successful invasion and partially suppressing, respectively. Meanwhile, numerical simulations indicate that the system may exhibit monostable and bistable dynamics when parameters vary. Particularly, in the bistable situation an unstable separatrix, like a line, exists when choosing constant functions as initial values; and the maturation delay affects this separatrix in an interesting way.}, }
@article {pmid39386366, year = {2024}, author = {Kaur, T and Brown, AMV}, title = {Discovery of a novel Wolbachia in Heterodera expands nematode host distribution.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1446506}, pmid = {39386366}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Bioinformatics sequence data mining can reveal hidden microbial symbionts that might normally be filtered and removed as contaminants. Data mining can be helpful to detect Wolbachia, a widespread bacterial endosymbiont in insects and filarial nematodes whose distribution in plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) remains underexplored. To date, Wolbachia has only been reported a few PPNs, yet nematode-infecting Wolbachia may have been widespread in the evolutionary history of the phylum based on evidence of horizontal gene transfers, suggesting there may be undiscovered Wolbachia infections in PPNs. The goal of this study was to more broadly sample PPN Wolbachia strains in tylenchid nematodes to enable further comparative genomic analyses that may reveal Wolbachia's role and identify targets for biocontrol. Published whole-genome shotgun assemblies and their raw sequence data from 33 Meloidogyne spp. assemblies, seven Globodera spp. assemblies, and seven Heterodera spp. assemblies were analyzed to look for Wolbachia. No Wolbachia was found in Meloidogyne spp. and Globodera spp., but among seven genome assemblies for Heterodera spp., an H. schachtii assembly from the Netherlands was found to have a large Wolbachia-like sequence that, when re-assembled from reads, formed a complete, circular genome. Detailed analyses comparing read coverage, GC content, pseudogenes, and phylogenomic patterns clearly demonstrated that the H. schachtii Wolbachia represented a novel strain (hereafter, denoted wHet). Phylogenomic tree construction with PhyloBayes showed wHet was most closely related to another PPN Wolbachia, wTex, while 16S rRNA gene analysis showed it clustered with other Heterodera Wolbachia assembled from sequence databases. Pseudogenes in wHet suggested relatedness to the PPN clade, as did the lack of significantly enriched GO terms compared to PPN Wolbachia strains. It remains unclear whether the lack of Wolbachia in other published H. schachtii isolates represents the true absence of the endosymbiont from some hosts.}, }
@article {pmid39382727, year = {2024}, author = {Chuchuy, A and Rodriguero, MS and Alonso, AC and Stein, M and Micieli, MV}, title = {Wolbachia infection in natural mosquito populations from Argentina.}, journal = {Parasitology research}, volume = {123}, number = {10}, pages = {343}, pmid = {39382727}, issn = {1432-1955}, support = {2015-0665//Agencia Nacional de Promoci&#xf3;n Cient&#xed;fica y Tecnol&#xf3;gica/ ; 2015-0665//Agencia Nacional de Promoci&#xf3;n Cient&#xed;fica y Tecnol&#xf3;gica/ ; 2015-0665//Agencia Nacional de Promoci&#xf3;n Cient&#xed;fica y Tecnol&#xf3;gica/ ; 2015-0665//Agencia Nacional de Promoci&#xf3;n Cient&#xed;fica y Tecnol&#xf3;gica/ ; 2015-0665//Agencia Nacional de Promoci&#xf3;n Cient&#xed;fica y Tecnol&#xf3;gica/ ; 584//Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cient&#xed;ficas y T&#xe9;cnicas/ ; 584//Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cient&#xed;ficas y T&#xe9;cnicas/ ; 584//Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cient&#xed;ficas y T&#xe9;cnicas/ ; 584//Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cient&#xed;ficas y T&#xe9;cnicas/ ; 584//Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cient&#xed;ficas y T&#xe9;cnicas/ ; }, mesh = {*Wolbachia/isolation &amp; purification/genetics ; Animals ; Argentina ; *Aedes/microbiology/virology ; Culex/microbiology ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; Female ; }, abstract = {The increasing spread of mosquito vectors has made mosquito-borne arboviral diseases a global threat to public health, leading to the urgent need for effective population control methods. Strategies based in the intracellular bacterium Wolbachia Hertig, 1936 are considered environmentally friendly, safe for humans, and potentially cost-effective for controlling arboviral diseases. To minimize undesirable side effects, it is relevant to assess whether Wolbachia is present in the area and understand the diversity associated with native infections before implementing these strategies. With this purpose, we investigated Wolbachia infection status, diversity, and prevalence in populations of Aedes albifasciatus (Macquart, 1838), Aedes fluviatilis (Lutz, 1904), and hybrids of the Culex pipiens (Linnaeus, 1758) complex from Argentina. Aedes albifasciatus and C. pipiens complex samples were collected in the province of Buenos Aires, and A. fluviatilis in the province of Misiones. Aedes albifasciatus was found to be uninfected, while infections with strains wFlu and wPip were detected in A. fluviatilis and hybrids of the C. pipiens complex, respectively. All strains were fixed or close to fixation and clustered within supergroup B. These finding provides valuable information on Wolbachia strains found in natural mosquito populations in Argentina that might be used in heterologous infections in the future or be considered when designing control strategies based on Wolbachia infection.}, }
@article {pmid39366500, year = {2024}, author = {Tobón, AC and Rojo-Ospina, R and Zuluaga, S and Giraldo-Muñoz, JF and Cadavid, JM}, title = {Evaluation of Wolbachia Infection in Aedes aegypti suggests low prevalence and highly heterogeneous distribution in Medellín, Colombia.}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {107423}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107423}, pmid = {39366500}, issn = {1873-6254}, abstract = {Dengue virus, transmitted mainly by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, is a significant public health challenge in tropical and subtropical countries, with an incidence that is growing at an alarming rate. The release of Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes has been suggested as a strategy to reduce the incidence of multiple arboviruses. In Medellín, Colombia, large-scale releases of Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes were performed between 2017 and 2022 by the World Mosquito Program to facilitate population replacement. In this study, we evaluated the prevalence and distribution of Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti two years after completion of these releases. We conducted the sampling across 19 communes in Medellín, using 416 ovitraps to collect Ae. aegypti eggs from epidemiological weeks 26 to 41 in 2023. Upon hatching the collected eggs, we identified and pooled adult female Ae. aegypti for DNA extraction. Subsequently, we conducted PCR assays for the detection of Wolbachia infection in these mosquitoes. We used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) and Bayesian methods to estimate the prevalence of Wolbachia infection, while using QGIS to analyze spatial distribution of infection in the region. A total of 774 female Ae. aegypti mosquitoes from 182 pools were evaluated. We detected Wolbachia in 33.5% of pools, with an estimated individual minimum infection rate of 9.5% and a maximum of 33.2%. The prevalence varied significantly across communes, with the highest rates observed in the northeastern and southwestern areas. Spatial analysis revealed a highly heterogeneous island-like distribution of Wolbachia across Medellín with a few hotspots. The observed Wolbachia prevalence in this work was lower than previously reported. We suspect a decline in the prevalence of Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes in Medellín following the completion of their release.}, }
@article {pmid39353088, year = {2024}, author = {Wang, GH and Hoffmann, A and Champer, J}, title = {Gene Drive and Symbiont Technologies for Control of Mosquito-Borne Diseases.}, journal = {Annual review of entomology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1146/annurev-ento-012424-011039}, pmid = {39353088}, issn = {1545-4487}, abstract = {Mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue and malaria, pose a significant burden to global health. Current control strategies with insecticides are only moderately effective. Scalable solutions are needed to reduce the transmission risk of these diseases. Symbionts and genome engineering-based mosquito control strategies have been proposed to address these problems. Bacterial, fungal, and viral symbionts affect mosquito reproduction, reduce mosquito lifespan, and block pathogen transmission. Field tests of endosymbiont Wolbachia-based methods have yielded promising results, but there are hurdles to overcome due to the large-scale rearing and accurate sex sorting required for Wolbachia-based suppression approaches and the ecological impediments to Wolbachia invasion in replacement approaches. Genome engineering-based methods, in which mosquitoes are genetically altered for the modification or suppression of wild populations, offer an additional approach for control of mosquito-borne diseases. In particular, the use of gene drive alleles that bias inheritance in their favor is a potentially powerful approach. Several drives are frequency dependent, potentially giving them broadly similar population dynamics to Wolbachia. However, public acceptance and the behavior of released drives in natural mosquito populations remain challenges. We summarize the latest developments and discuss the knowledge gaps in both symbiont- and gene drive-based methods.}, }
@article {pmid39356896, year = {2024}, author = {Lima-Camara, TN}, title = {Dengue is a product of the environment: an approach to the impacts of the environment on the Aedes aegypti mosquito and disease cases.}, journal = {Revista brasileira de epidemiologia = Brazilian journal of epidemiology}, volume = {27}, number = {}, pages = {e240048}, doi = {10.1590/1980-549720240048}, pmid = {39356896}, issn = {1980-5497}, mesh = {*Dengue/transmission/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; *Aedes/virology ; Animals ; Humans ; Brazil/epidemiology ; *Climate Change ; *Mosquito Vectors ; Mosquito Control/methods ; Environment ; Socioeconomic Factors ; }, abstract = {Dengue is an arbovirus infection whose etiologic agent is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Since the early 1980s, when the circulation of the dengue virus (DENV) was confirmed in Brazil, the disease has become a growing multifactorial public health problem. This article presented the main factors that have contributed to the frequent dengue epidemics in recent years, such as the behavior of the vector, climate change, and social, political, and economic aspects. The intersection between these different factors in the dynamics of the disease is highlighted, including the increase in the mosquito population due to higher temperatures and rainy periods, as well as the influence of socioeconomic conditions on the incidence of dengue. Some mosquito control strategies are also addressed, including the use of innovative technologies such as drones and the Wolbachia bacterium, as well as the hope represented by the dengue vaccine. Nevertheless, the need for integrated and effective public policies to reduce social inequalities and the impacts of climate change on the spread of dengue is emphasized.}, }
@article {pmid39349234, year = {2024}, author = {Montenegro-López, D and Cortés-Cortés, G and Balbuena-Alonso, MG and Warner, C and Camps, M}, title = {Wolbachia-Based Emerging Strategies for Control of Vector-Transmitted Disease.}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {107410}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107410}, pmid = {39349234}, issn = {1873-6254}, abstract = {Dengue fever is a mosquito-transmitted disease of great public health importance. Dengue lacks adequate vaccine protection and insecticide-based methods of mosquito control are proving increasingly ineffective. Here we review the emerging use of mosquitoes transinfected with the obligate intracellular bacterium Wolbachia pipientis for vector control. Wolbachia often induces cytoplasmic incompatibility in its mosquito hosts, resulting in infertile progeny between an infected male and an uninfected female. Wolbachia infection also suppresses the replication of pathogens in the mosquito, a process known as "pathogen blocking". Two strategies have emerged. The first one releases Wolbachia-carriers (both male and female) to replace the wild mosquito population, a process driven by cytoplasmic incompatibility and that becomes irreversible once a threshold is reached. This suppresses disease transmission mainly by pathogen blocking and frequently requires a single intervention. The second strategy floods the field population with an exclusively male population of Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes to generate infertile hybrid progeny. In this case, transmission suppression depends largely on decreasing the population density of mosquitoes caused by infertility and requires continued mosquito release. The efficacy of both Wolbachia-based approaches has been conclusively demonstrated by randomized and non-randomized studies of deployments across the world. However, results conducted in one setting cannot be directly or easily extrapolated to other settings because dengue incidence is highly affected by the conditions into which the mosquitoes are released. Compared to traditional methods, Wolbachia-based approaches are much more environmentally friendly and can be effective in the medium/long term. On the flip side, they are much more complex and cost-intensive operations, requiring a substantial investment, infrastructure, trained personnel, coordination between agencies, and community engagement. Finally, we discuss recent evidence suggesting that transinfected Wolbachia in released mosquitoes has a moderate potential risk of spreading genes in the environment.}, }
@article {pmid39342132, year = {2024}, author = {Mfopit, YM and Bilgo, E and Boma, S and Somda, MB and Gnambani, JE and Konkobo, M and Diabate, A and Dayo, GK and Mamman, M and Kelm, S and Balogun, EO and Shuaibu, MN and Kabir, J}, title = {Symbiotic bacteria Sodalis glossinidius, Spiroplasma sp and Wolbachia do not favour Trypanosoma grayi coexistence in wild population of tsetse flies collected in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {24}, number = {1}, pages = {373}, pmid = {39342132}, issn = {1471-2180}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Tsetse flies, the biological vectors of African trypanosomes, have established symbiotic associations with different bacteria. Their vector competence is suggested to be affected by bacterial endosymbionts. The current study provided the prevalence of three tsetse symbiotic bacteria and trypanosomes in Glossina species from Burkina Faso.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 430 tsetse flies were captured using biconical traps in four different collection sites around Bobo-Dioulasso (Bama, Bana, Nasso, and Peni), and their guts were removed. Two hundred tsetse were randomly selected and their guts were screened by PCR for the presence of Sodalis glossinidius, Spiroplasma sp., Wolbachia and trypanosomes. Of the 200 tsetse, 196 (98.0%) were Glossina palpalis gambiensis and 4 (2.0%) Glossina tachinoides. The overall symbiont prevalence was 49.0%, 96.5%, and 45.0%, respectively for S. glossinidius, Spiroplasma and Wolbachia. Prevalence varied between sampling locations: S. glossinidius (54.7%, 38.5%, 31.6%, 70.8%); Spiroplasma (100%, 100%, 87.7%, 100%); and Wolbachia (43.4%, 38.5%, 38.6%, 70.8%), respectively in Bama, Bana, Nasso and Peni. Noteworthy, no G. tachnoides was infected by S. glossinidius and Wolbachia, but they were all infected by Spiroplasma sp. A total of 196 (98.0%) harbored at least one endosymbionts. Fifty-five (27.5%) carried single endosymbiont. Trypanosomes were found only in G. p. gambiensis, but not G. tachinoides. Trypanosomes were present in flies from all study locations with an overall prevalence of 29.5%. In Bama, Bana, Nasso, and Peni, the trypanosome infection rate was respectively 39.6%, 23.1%, 8.8%, and 37.5%. Remarkably, only Trypanosoma grayi was present. Of all trypanosome-infected flies, 55.9%, 98.3%, and 33.9% hosted S. glossinidius, Spiroplasma sp and Wolbachia, respectively. There was no association between Sodalis, Spiroplasma and trypanosome presence, but there was a negative association with Wolbachia presence. We reported 1.9 times likelihood of trypanosome absence when Wolbachia was present.<br><br>CONCLUSION: This is the first survey reporting the presence of Trypanosoma grayi in tsetse from Burkina Faso. Tsetse from these localities were highly positive for symbiotic bacteria, more predominantly with Spiroplasma sp. Modifications of symbiotic interactions may pave way for disease control.}, }
@article {pmid39341970, year = {2024}, author = {Shirozu, T and Regilme, MAF and Ote, M and Sasaki, M and Soga, A and Bochimoto, H and Kawabata, H and Umemiya-Shirafuji, R and Kanuka, H and Fukumoto, S}, title = {Wolbachia infection in Aedes aegypti does not affect its vectorial capacity for Dirofilaria immitis.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {22528}, pmid = {39341970}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {22H02510//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; }, abstract = {Mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and filariasis are a growing public health concern in endemic countries. Biological approaches, such as the trans-infection of Wolbachia pipientis in mosquitoes, are an alternative vector control strategy, especially for arthropod-borne viruses such as dengue. In the present study, the effect of Wolbachia (wMel strain) on the vectorial capacity of Aedes aegypti for Dirofilaria immitis was studied. Our results showed that Wolbachia does not affect the phenotype of mosquito survival or the prevalence, number, and molting rate of third-stage larvae in both susceptible and resistant strains of Ae. aegypti. RNA-seq analysis of Malpighian tubules at 2 days post-infection with D. immitis showed the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with and without wMel infection. No characteristic immune-related gene expression patterns were observed among the DEGs. No significant change in the amount of Wolbachia was observed in the Ae. aegypti after D. immitis infection. Our results suggest that infection of D. immitis in Ae. aegypti populations will not interfere with Wolbachia-based vector control strategies in dengue-endemic areas where cases of D. immitis are present. This study demonstrated the veterinary medical validity of a dengue control program using Wolbachia.}, }
@article {pmid39338567, year = {2024}, author = {Salvioni Recalde, OD and Rolón, MS and Velázquez, MC and Kowalewski, MM and Alfonso Ruiz Diaz, JJ and Rojas de Arias, A and Moraes, MO and Magdinier Gomes, H and de Azevedo Baêta, B and Dias Cordeiro, M and Vega Gómez, MC}, title = {Diversity of Anaplasmataceae Transmitted by Ticks (Ixodidae) and the First Molecular Evidence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Candidatus Anaplasma boleense in Paraguay.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {12}, number = {9}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3390/microorganisms12091893}, pmid = {39338567}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {COF N&#xb0;03/11//Organization for the Structural Convergence in the Mercosur Region FOCEM/ ; 14-INV-052 and PINV18-178//National Council of Science and Technology CONACYT-Paraguay/ ; }, abstract = {Anaplasmataceae bacteria are emerging infectious agents transmitted by ticks. The aim of this study was to identify the molecular diversity of this bacterial family in ticks and hosts, both domestic and wild, as well as blood meal sources of free-living ticks in northeastern Paraguay. The bacteria were identified using PCR-HRM, a method optimized for this purpose, while the identification of ticks and their blood meal was performed using conventional PCR. All amplified products were subsequently sequenced. The bacteria detected in the blood hosts included Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma platys, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Candidatus Anaplasma boleense, and Wolbachia spp., which had not been previously reported in the country. Free-living and parasitic ticks on dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and wild armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) were collected and identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Amblyomma spp. The species E. canis, A. platys, A. phagocytophilum, and Ca. A. boleense were detected in domestic dog ticks, and E. canis and A. platys were found for the first time in armadillos and free-living ticks. Blood feeding sources detected in free-living ticks were rodents, humans, armadillos and dogs. Results show a high diversity of tick-borne pathogens circulating among domestic and wild animals in the northeastern region of Paraguay.}, }
@article {pmid39336695, year = {2024}, author = {Li, J and Tian, X and Hsiang, T and Yang, Y and Shi, C and Wang, H and Li, W}, title = {Microbial Community Structure and Metabolic Function in the Venom Glands of the Predatory Stink Bug, Picromerus lewisi (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {15}, number = {9}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3390/insects15090727}, pmid = {39336695}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {(ZK [2023] 023)//Key Project of Guizhou Provincial Science and Technology Foundation/ ; (ZK-2021-Key036, Qiankehe Talent Platform - CXTD [2023]021)//Guizhou Science Technology Foundation/ ; (GCC[2022]028-1)//Hundred' Level Innovative Talent Foundation of Guizhou Province/ ; }, abstract = {The predatory stink bug, Picromerus lewisi (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an important and valuable natural enemy of insect pests in their ecosystems. While insects are known to harbor symbiotic microorganisms, and these microbial symbionts play a crucial role in various aspects of the host's biology, there is a paucity of knowledge regarding the microbiota present in the venom glands of P. lewisi. This study investigated the venom glands of adult bugs using both traditional in vitro isolation and cultural methods, as well as Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology. Additionally, the carbon metabolism of the venom gland's microorganisms was analyzed using Biolog ECO metabolic phenotyping technology. The results showed 10 different culturable bacteria where the dominant ones were Enterococcus spp. and Lactococcus lactis. With high-throughput sequencing, the main bacterial phyla in the microbial community of the venom glands of P. lewisi were Proteobacteria (78.1%) and Firmicutes (20.3%), with the dominant bacterial genera being Wolbachia, Enterococcus, Serratia, and Lactococcus. At the fungal community level, Ascomycota accounted for the largest proportion (64.1%), followed by Basidiomycota (27.6%), with Vishniacozyma, Cladosporium, Papiliotrema, Penicillium, Fusarium, and Aspergillus as the most highly represented fungal genera. The bacterial and fungal community structure of the venom glands of P. lewisi exhibited high species richness and diversity, along with a strong metabolism of 22 carbon sources. Functional prediction indicated that the primary dominant function of P. lewisi venom-gland bacteria was metabolism. The dominant eco-functional groups of the fungal community included undefined saprotroph, fungal parasite-undefined saprotroph, unassigned, endophyte-plant pathogen, plant pathogen-soil saprotroph-wood saprotroph, animal pathogen-endophyte-plant pathogen-wood saprotroph, plant pathogen, and animal pathogen-endophyte-epiphyte-plant pathogen-undefined saprotroph. These results provide a comprehensive characterization of the venom-gland microbiota of P. lewisi and demonstrate the stability (over one week) of the microbial community within the venom glands. This study represents the first report on the characterization of microbial composition from the venom glands of captive-reared P. lewisi individuals. The insights gained from this study are invaluable for future investigations into P. lewisi's development and the possible interactions between P. lewisi's microbiota and some Lepidopteran pests.}, }
@article {pmid39336625, year = {2024}, author = {Kepngop, LRK and Wosula, EN and Amour, M and Ghomsi, PGT and Wakam, LN and Kansci, G and Legg, JP}, title = {Genetic Diversity of Whiteflies Colonizing Crops and Their Associated Endosymbionts in Three Agroecological Zones of Cameroon.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {15}, number = {9}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3390/insects15090657}, pmid = {39336625}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {S/CMR21-10//Arturo Falaschi ICGEB fellowships program/ ; N/A//The CGIAR Trust Fund: https://www.cgiar.org/funders through the CGIAR Initiative on Plant Health and Rapid Response to Protect Food Security and Livelihoods (Plant Health Initiative)./ ; }, abstract = {Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is as a major pest of vegetable crops in Cameroon. These sap-sucking insects are the main vector of many viruses infecting plants, and several cryptic species have developed resistance against insecticides. Nevertheless, there is very little information about whitefly species on vegetable crops and the endosymbionts that infect them in Cameroon. Here, we investigated the genetic diversity of whiteflies and their frequency of infection by endosymbionts in Cameroon. Ninety-two whitefly samples were collected and characterized using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) markers and Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP). The analysis of mtCOI sequences of whiteflies indicated the presence of six cryptic species (mitotypes) of Bemisia tabaci, and two distinct clades of Bemisia afer and Trialeurodes vaporariorum. Bemisia tabaci mitotypes identified included: MED on tomato, pepper, okra, and melon; and SSA1-SG1, SSA1-SG2, SSA1-SG5, SSA3, and SSA4 on cassava. The MED mitotype predominated in all regions on the solanaceous crops, suggesting that MED is probably the main phytovirus vector in Cameroonian vegetable cropping systems. The more diverse cassava-colonizing B. tabaci were split into three haplogroups (SNP-based grouping) including SSA-WA, SSA4, and SSA-ECA using KASP genotyping. This is the first time that SSA-ECA has been reported in Cameroon. This haplogroup is predominant in regions currently affected by the severe cassava mosaic virus disease (CMD) and cassava brown streak virus disease (CBSD) pandemics. Three endosymbionts including Arsenophonus, Rickettsia, and Wolbachia were present in female whiteflies tested in this study with varying frequency. Arsenophonus, which has been shown to influence the adaptability of whiteflies, was more frequent in the MED mitotype (75%). Cardinium and Hamiltonella were absent in all whitefly samples. These findings add to the knowledge on the diversity of whiteflies and their associated endosymbionts, which, when combined, influence virus epidemics and responses to whitefly control measures, especially insecticides.}, }
@article {pmid39336607, year = {2024}, author = {Lilja, T and Lindström, A and Hernández-Triana, LM and Di Luca, M and Lwande, OW}, title = {European Culex pipiens Populations Carry Different Strains of Wolbachia pipientis.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {15}, number = {9}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3390/insects15090639}, pmid = {39336607}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {2020-01056//Formas, Sweden/ ; }, abstract = {The mosquito Culex pipiens occurs in two ecotypes differing in their mating and overwintering behavior: pipiens mate in open environments and diapause, and molestus also mate in small spaces and is active throughout the year. Cx. pipiens carry Wolbachia endosymbionts of the wPip strain, but the frequency of infection differs between studied populations. Wolbachia infection affects the host reproductive success through cytoplasmic incompatibility. wPip Wolbachia is divided into five types, wPip I-V. The type of wPip carried varies among Cx. pipiens populations. In northern European locations different wPip types are found in the two ecotypes, whereas in southern locations, they often carry the same type, indicating differences in hybridization between ecotypes. In this study, Cx. pipiens specimens of both ecotypes were collected from Sweden and compared to specimens from Norway, England, Italy, and the Netherlands, as well as Cx. quinquefasciatus from Mali and Thailand. The abundance varied, but all specimens were infected by Wolbachia, while the tested specimens of other mosquito species were often uninfected. The wPip strains were determined through the sequence analysis of Wolbachia genes ank2 and pk1, showing that Cx. pipiens ecotypes in Scandinavia carry different wPip strains. The observed differences in wPip strains indicate that hybridization is not frequent and may contribute to barriers against hybridization of the ecotypes in Sweden and Norway.}, }
@article {pmid39325838, year = {2024}, author = {Liang, Y and Liu, J and Wu, Y and Wu, Y and Xi, Z}, title = {Stable introduction of Wolbachia wPip into invasive Anopheles stephensi for potential malaria control.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {18}, number = {9}, pages = {e0012523}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0012523}, pmid = {39325838}, issn = {1935-2735}, abstract = {The spread and invasion of the urban malaria vector Anopheles stephensi has emerged as a significant threat to ongoing malaria control and elimination efforts, particularly in Africa. The successful use of the maternally inherited endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia for arbovirus control has inspired the exploration of similar strategies for managing malaria vectors, necessitating the establishment of a stable Wolbachia-Anopheles symbiosis. In this study, we successfully transferred Wolbachia wPip into An. stephensi, resulting in the establishment of a stable transinfected HP1 line with 100% maternal transmission efficiency. We demonstrate that wPip in the HP1 line induces nearly complete unidirectional cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) and maintains high densities in both somatic and germline tissues. Despite a modest reduction in lifespan and female reproductive capacity, our results suggest the Wolbachia infection in the HP1 line has little impact on life history traits, body size, and male mating competitiveness, as well as the ability of its larvae to tolerate rearing temperatures up to 38°C, although wPip densities moderately decrease when larvae are exposed to a constant 33°C and diurnal cyclic temperatures of 27-36°C and 27-38°C. These findings highlight the potential of the HP1 line as a robust candidate for further development in malaria control.}, }
@article {pmid39325836, year = {2024}, author = {Holt, CI and Dunning Hotopp, JC}, title = {Updated annotation and meta-analysis of Brugia malayi transcriptomics data reveals consistent transcriptional profiles across time and space with some study-specific differences in adult female worm transcriptional profiles.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {18}, number = {9}, pages = {e0012511}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0012511}, pmid = {39325836}, issn = {1935-2735}, abstract = {Genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics have significantly advanced our understanding of obligately host-associated microbes, where interrogation of the biology is often limited by the complexity of the biological system and limited tools. This includes the causative agents of many neglected tropical diseases, including filarial nematodes. Therefore, numerous transcriptomics studies have been undertaken on filarial nematodes. Most of these transcriptomics studies focus on Brugia malayi, which causes lymphatic filariasis and is a laboratory model for human filarial disease. Here, we undertook a meta-analysis of the publicly available B. malayi transcriptomics data enabling the direct cross comparison of samples from almost a dozen studies. This reanalysis highlights the consistency of transcriptomics results across many different studies and experimental designs from across the globe for over a decade of research, across many different generations of a sequencing technology, library preparation protocols, and differential expression tools. Males and microfilariae across samples had similar expression profiles. However, female samples were clustered into two differential expression patterns that were significantly different from one another. Largely, we confirm previous results for all studies reanalyzed including tissue-specific gene expression and anti-Wolbachia doxycycline treatment of microfilaria. However, we did not detect previously reported differential expression upon in vitro or in vivo treatment with ivermectin, albendazole, and DEC, instead identifying a consistent lack of transcriptomic change upon exposure to these anthelminthic drugs. Updated annotation has been provided that denotes poorly supported genes including those overlapping rRNAs.}, }
@article {pmid39321893, year = {2024}, author = {Behrmann, LV and Lämmer, C and Schiefer, A and Neufeld, H and Grosse, M and Stadler, M and Bierbaum, G and Hoerauf, A and Pfarr, K}, title = {No resistance development against corallopyronin A in Wolbachia in C6/36 cell culture.}, journal = {International journal of antimicrobial agents}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {107344}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2024.107344}, pmid = {39321893}, issn = {1872-7913}, }
@article {pmid39320534, year = {2024}, author = {Elsawy, BSM and Abdel-Ghany, HSM and Alzan, HF and Abdel-Shafy, S and Shahein, YE}, title = {Molecular screening of piroplasms and Anaplasmataceae agents in Hyalomma dromedarii ticks from camels over different seasons in Egypt.}, journal = {Experimental &amp; applied acarology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {39320534}, issn = {1572-9702}, abstract = {Piroplasmosis, a disease of domestic and wild animals, is caused by tick-borne protozoa of the genera Babesia and Theileria, while anaplasmosis is caused by tick-borne bacteria of genera Anaplasma. Hyalomma dromedarii is the most dominant tick species infesting camels in Egypt and act as a vector of piroplasms, Anaplasma, Rickettsia and Ehrlichia spp. The available information concerning the detection of these pathogens in H. dromedarii infesting camels is limited. The present study aimed to evaluate the status of these pathogens in H. dromedarii ticks over four seasons of a year, in addition to investigate the infections of piroplasms and Anaplasmataceae besides their genetic diversity starting from June 2021 till April 2022. A total of 275 semi-engorged females of H. dromedarii were collected from different slaughtered camels, Toukh city slaughterhouse then investigated by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to detect piroplasms (Babesia spp., Theileria spp.) and Anaplasmataceae DNA targeting 18 S rRNA and 16 S rRNA genes, respectively followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Overall, piroplasms were detected in 38 ticks (13.8%), Babesia spp. was detected in 35 ticks (12.7%), while Theileria spp. was detected in one tick (0.4%). Anaplasmataceae was detected in 57 ticks (20.7%). Mixed infections of piroplasms and Anaplasmataceae were detected in 13 ticks (5%). Single infection either with piroplasms or Anaplasmataceae was detected in 25 (9%) and 44 (16%) ticks, respectively. The highest monthly rate of piroplasms was in April (spring) and Anaplasmataceae was in July (summer). Sequence analysis revealed that Babesia bigemina, Wolbachia spp. and Anaplasma marginale are the most dominant species in the examined tick samples. To the best of our knowledge, this study confirms the presence of B. bigemina, Wolbachia spp. and A. marginale in H. dromedarii in Egypt by sequencing.}, }
@article {pmid39319953, year = {2024}, author = {Gurgel-Gonçalves, R and Oliveira, WK and Croda, J}, title = {The greatest Dengue epidemic in Brazil: Surveillance, Prevention, and Control.}, journal = {Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical}, volume = {57}, number = {}, pages = {e002032024}, doi = {10.1590/0037-8682-0113-2024}, pmid = {39319953}, issn = {1678-9849}, mesh = {*Dengue/prevention &amp; control/epidemiology ; Humans ; Brazil/epidemiology ; *Mosquito Control/methods ; Animals ; *Aedes/virology ; *Epidemics/prevention &amp; control ; *Mosquito Vectors ; Dengue Vaccines/administration &amp; dosage ; Population Surveillance ; }, abstract = {In this review, we discuss dengue surveillance, prevention, and control measures in Brazil. Data on dengue epidemics between 2000 and 2024 indicates an increase in the number of dengue cases and deaths. Global climate change is a key driver of this growth. Over the past 25 years, nearly 18 million Brazilians have been infected with the dengue virus, and the highest number of dengue cases in Brazil's history is projected to reach 2024. Dengue mortality in Brazil increased geographically over time. As of June, there were approximately 6 million probable cases and 4,000 confirmed deaths in Brazil, which represents the greatest dengue epidemic to date. Several technologies have been developed to control Aedes aegypti, including the deployment of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, indoor residual spraying, sterile insect techniques, and mosquito-disseminated insecticides. The Ministry of Health recommends integrating these technologies into health services. Brazil is the first country to incorporate the Takeda vaccine into its public health system, and the Butantan vaccine is currently undergoing Phase 3 clinical trials. Increasing the vaccination coverage and implementing novel Ae. aegypti control technologies could reduce the number of dengue cases in Brazil in the coming years. Community activities such as home cleaning and elimination of potential mosquito breeding sites, facilitated by social media and health education initiatives, must continue to achieve this reduction. Ultimately, a multisectoral approach encompassing sanitary improvements, mosquito control, vaccination, and community mobilization is crucial in the fight against dengue epidemics.}, }
@article {pmid39313916, year = {2024}, author = {Zhu, YX and Zhang, YY and Wang, XY and Yin, Y and Du, YZ}, title = {Wolbachia modify host cell metabolite profiles in response to short-term temperature stress.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology reports}, volume = {16}, number = {5}, pages = {e70013}, doi = {10.1111/1758-2229.70013}, pmid = {39313916}, issn = {1758-2229}, support = {BK20231330//The Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province/ ; }, mesh = {*Wolbachia/metabolism/physiology/genetics ; Animals ; *Stress, Physiological ; *Temperature ; Cell Line ; *Metabolome ; Drosophila/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Diptera/microbiology ; Fatty Acids/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are common heritable endosymbionts that influence many aspects of ecology and evolution in various insects, yet Wolbachia-mediated intracellular metabolic responses to temperature stress have been largely overlooked. Here, we introduced the Wolbachia strain wLhui from the invasive Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) into a Drosophila Schneider 2 cell line (S2) and investigated the metabolite profile of wLhui-infected (S2_wLhui) and uninfected cell lines (S2_wu) under short-term exposure to either high (37°C), moderate (27°C), or low (7 and 17°C) temperatures. We find that Wolbachia infection, temperature stress, and their interactions significantly affect cellular metabolic profiles. Most significantly, when comparing the changes in metabolites between S2_wLhui and S2_wu, glycerophospholipids, amino acids, and fatty acids associated with metabolic pathways, microbial metabolism in diverse environments, and other pathways were significantly accumulated at either low or high temperatures. Our findings suggest Wolbachia-induced cellular physiological responses to short-term temperature stress, which may in turn affect the fitness and adaptive ability of its host as an invasive species.}, }
@article {pmid39310793, year = {2024}, author = {Lečić, S and Wolfe, TM and Ghosh, A and Satar, S and Souza Beraldo, C and Smith, E and Dombroskie, JJ and Jernigan, E and Hood, GR and Schuler, H and Stauffer, C}, title = {Spatially Varying Wolbachia Frequencies Reveal the Invasion Origin of an Agricultural Pest Recently Introduced From Europe to North America.}, journal = {Evolutionary applications}, volume = {17}, number = {9}, pages = {e70016}, pmid = {39310793}, issn = {1752-4571}, abstract = {The introduction of non-native species across the world represents a major global challenge. Retracing invasion origin is an important first step in understanding the invasion process, often requiring detailed sampling within the native range. Insect species frequently host Wolbachia, a widespread endosymbiotic bacterium that manipulates host reproduction to increase infected female fitness. Here, we draw on the spatial variation in infection frequencies of an actively spreading Wolbachia strain wCer2 to investigate the invasion origin of the European cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cerasi. This pest of cherries was introduced from Europe to North America within the last decade. First, we screen the introduced fly population for the presence of Wolbachia. The introduced populations lack the wCer2 strain and the strongly associated mitochondrial haplotype, suggesting strain absence due to founder effects with invading individuals originating from wCer2-uninfected native population(s). To narrow down geographic regions of invasion origin, we perform spatial interpolation of the wCer2 infection frequency across the native range and predict the infection frequency in unsampled regions. For this, we use an extensive dataset of R. cerasi infection covering 238 populations across Europe over 25 years, complemented with 14 additional populations analyzed for this study. We find that R. cerasi was unlikely introduced from wCer2-infected populations in Central and Western Europe. We propose wCer2-uninfected populations from Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean region as the most likely candidates for the invasion origin. This work utilizes Wolbachia as an indirect instrument to provide insights into the invasion source of R. cerasi in North America, revealing yet another application for this multifaceted heritable endosymbiont. Given the prevalence of biological invasions, rapidly uncovering invasion origins gives fundamental insights into how invasive species adapt to new environments.}, }
@article {pmid39298440, year = {2024}, author = {Hafsia, S and Barbar, T and Alout, H and Baudino, F and Lebon, C and Gomard, Y and Wilkinson, DA and Fourié, T and Mavingui, P and Atyame, C}, title = {Vector competence of Aedes albopictus field populations from Reunion Island exposed to local epidemic dengue viruses.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {19}, number = {9}, pages = {e0310635}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0310635}, pmid = {39298440}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aedes/virology/microbiology ; *Dengue Virus/physiology ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; *Dengue/transmission/epidemiology/virology ; Reunion/epidemiology ; *Mosquito Vectors/virology/microbiology ; Viral Load ; Humans ; Insect Vectors/virology/microbiology ; Female ; }, abstract = {Dengue virus (DENV) is the most prevalent mosquito-borne Flavivirus that affects humans worldwide. Aedes albopictus, which is naturally infected with the bacteria Wolbachia, is considered to be a secondary vector of DENV. However, it was responsible for a recent DENV outbreak of unprecedented magnitude in Reunion Island, a French island in the South West Indian Ocean. Moreover, the distribution of the cases during this epidemic showed a spatially heterogeneous pattern across the island, leading to questions about the differential vector competence of mosquito populations from different geographic areas. The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of the vector competence of the Ae. albopictus populations from Reunion Island for local DENV epidemic strains, while considering their infection by Wolbachia. Experimental infections were conducted using ten populations of Ae. albopictus sampled across Reunion Island and exposed to three DENV strains: one strain of DENV serotype 1 (DENV-1) and two strains of DENV serotype 2 (DENV-2). We analyzed three vector competence parameters including infection rate, dissemination efficiency and transmission efficiency, at different days post-exposition (dpe). We also assessed whether there was a correlation between the density of Wolbachia and viral load/vector competence parameters. Our results show that the Ae. albopictus populations tested were not able to transmit the two DENV-2 strains, while transmission efficiencies up to 40.79% were observed for the DENV-1 strain, probably due to difference in viral titres. Statistical analyses showed that the parameters mosquito population, generation, dpe and area of sampling significantly affect the transmission efficiencies of DENV-1. Although the density of Wolbachia varied according to mosquito population, no significant correlation was found between Wolbachia density and either viral load or vector competence parameters for DENV-1. Our results highlight the importance of using natural mosquito populations for a better understanding of transmission patterns of dengue.}, }
@article {pmid39296285, year = {2024}, author = {Wang, X and Huangfu, N and Chen, L and Zhang, K and Li, D and Gao, X and Li, B and Wang, L and Zhu, X and Ji, J and Luo, J and Cui, J}, title = {Effects of developmental stages, sex difference, and diet types of the host marmalade hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus) on symbiotic bacteria.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1433909}, pmid = {39296285}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Symbiotic bacteria play key roles in a variety of important life processes of insects such as development, reproduction and environmental adaptation, and the elucidation of symbiont population structure and dynamics is crucial for revealing the underlying regulatory mechanisms. The marmalade hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus) is not only a remarkable aphid predator, but also a worldwide pollinator second to honeybees. However, its symbiont composition and dynamics remain unclear.<br><br>METHODS: Herein, we investigate the symbiotic bacterial dynamics in marmalade hoverfly throughout whole life cycle, across two sexes, and in its prey Megoura crassicauda by 16S rRNA sequencing.<br><br>RESULTS: In general, the dominant phyla were Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, and the dominant genera were Serratia and Wolbachia. Serratia mainly existed in the larval stage of hoverfly with the highest relative abundance of 86.24% in the 1st instar larvae. Wolbachia was found in adults and eggs with the highest relative abundance of 62.80% in eggs. Significant difference in species diversity was observed between the adults feeding on pollen and larvae feeding on M. crassicauda, in which the dominant symbiotic bacteria were Asaia and Serratia, respectively. However, between two sexes, the symbionts exhibited high similarity in species composition. In addition, our results suggested that E. balteatus obtainded Serratia mainly through horizontal transmission by feeding on prey aphids, whereas it acquired Wolbachia mainly through intergeneration vertical transmission. Taken together, our study revealed the effects of development stages, diet types and genders of E. balteatus on symbionts, and explored transmission modes of dominant bacteria Serratia and Wolbachia.<br><br>DISCUSSION: Our findings lay a foundation for further studying the roles of symbiotic bacteria in E. balteatus life cycle, which will benefit for revealing the co-adaptation mechanisms of insects and symbiotic bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid37941933, year = {2023}, author = {Caamal-Chan, MG and Barraza, A and Loera-Muro, A and Montes-Sánchez, JJ and Castellanos, T and Rodríguez-Pagaza, Y}, title = {Bacterial communities of the psyllid pest Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae) Central haplotype of tomato crops cultivated at different locations of Mexico.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {e16347}, pmid = {37941933}, issn = {2167-8359}, mesh = {Animals ; Haplotypes ; *Solanum lycopersicum ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Hemiptera/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Mexico ; Bacteria/genetics ; Liberibacter/genetics ; Crops, Agricultural/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli, is an insect vector of 'Candidatus Liberibacter' causing "Zebra chip" disease that affects potato and other Solanaceae crops worldwide. In the present study, we analyzed the bacterial communities associated with the insect vector Bactericera cockerelli central haplotype of tomato crop fields in four regions from Mexico.<br><br>METHODS: PCR was used to amplify the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene (mtCOI) and then analyze the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and phylogenetic analysis for haplotype identification of the isolated B. cockerelli. Moreover, we carried out the microbial diversity analysis of several B. cockerelli collected from four regions of Mexico through the NGS sequencing of 16S rRNA V3 region. Finally, Wolbachia was detected by the wsp gene PCR amplification, which is the B. cockerelli facultative symbiont. Also we were able to confirm the relationship with several Wolbachia strains by phylogenetic analysis.<br><br>RESULTS: Our results pointed that B. cockerelli collected in the four locations from Mexico (Central Mexico: Queretaro, and Northern Mexico: Sinaloa, Coahuila, and Nuevo Leon) were identified, such as the central haplotype. Analyses of the parameters of the composition, relative abundance, and diversity (Shannon index: 1.328 &#xb1; 0.472; Simpson index 0.582 &#xb1; 0.167), showing a notably relatively few microbial species in B. cockerelli. Analyses identified various facultative symbionts, particularly the Wolbachia (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) with a relative abundance higher. In contrast, the genera of Sodalis and 'Candidatus Carsonella' (Gammaproteobacteria: Oceanospirillales: Halomonadaceae) were identified with a relatively low abundance. On the other hand, the relative abundance for the genus 'Candidatus Liberibacter' was higher only for some of the locations analyzed. PCR amplification of a fragment of the gene encoding a surface protein (wsp) of Wolbachia and phylogenetic analysis corroborated the presence of this bacterium in the central haplotype. Beta-diversity analysis revealed that the presence of the genus 'Candidatus Liberibacter' influences the microbiota structure of this psyllid species.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our data support that the members with the highest representation in microbial community of B. cockerelli central haplotype, comprise their obligate symbiont, Carsonella, and facultative symbionts. We also found evidence that among the factors analyzed, the presence of the plant pathogen affects the structure and composition of the bacterial community associated with B. cockerelli.}, }
@article {pmid39288812, year = {2024}, author = {Castelli, M and Nardi, T and Giovannini, M and Sassera, D}, title = {Addictive manipulation: a perspective on the role of reproductive parasitism in the evolution of bacteria-eukaryote symbioses.}, journal = {Biology letters}, volume = {20}, number = {9}, pages = {20240310}, doi = {10.1098/rsbl.2024.0310}, pmid = {39288812}, issn = {1744-957X}, mesh = {*Symbiosis ; Animals ; *Biological Evolution ; *Reproduction ; Eukaryota/physiology ; Arthropods/microbiology/physiology ; Wolbachia/physiology/genetics ; Toxin-Antitoxin Systems/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia bacteria encompass noteworthy reproductive manipulators of their arthropod hosts. which influence host reproduction to favour their own transmission, also exploiting toxin-antitoxin systems. Recently, multiple other bacterial symbionts of arthropods have been shown to display comparable manipulative capabilities. Here, we wonder whether such phenomena are truly restricted to arthropod hosts. We focused on protists, primary models for evolutionary investigations on eukaryotes due to their diversity and antiquity, but still overall under-investigated. After a thorough re-examination of the literature on bacterial-protist interactions with this question in mind, we conclude that such bacterial 'addictive manipulators' of protists do exist, are probably widespread, and have been overlooked until now as a consequence of the fact that investigations are commonly host-centred, thus ineffective to detect such behaviour. Additionally, we posit that toxin-antitoxin systems are crucial in these phenomena of addictive manipulation of protists, as a result of recurrent evolutionary repurposing. This indicates intriguing functional analogy and molecular homology with plasmid-bacterial interplays. Finally, we remark that multiple addictive manipulators are affiliated with specific bacterial lineages with ancient associations with diverse eukaryotes. This suggests a possible role of addictive manipulation of protists in paving the way to the evolution of bacteria associated with multicellular organisms.}, }
@article {pmid39275847, year = {2024}, author = {MacDonald, ZG and Schoville, S and Escalona, M and Marimuthu, MPA and Nguyen, O and Chumchim, N and Fairbairn, CW and Seligmann, W and Toffelmier, E and Gillespie, T and Shaffer, HB}, title = {A genome assembly for the Chryxus Arctic (Oeneis chryxus), the highest butterfly in North America.}, journal = {The Journal of heredity}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/jhered/esae051}, pmid = {39275847}, issn = {1465-7333}, abstract = {We describe a highly contiguous and complete diploid genome assembly for the Chryxus Arctic, Oeneis chryxus (E. Doubleday, [1849]), a butterfly species complex spanning much of northern and western North America. One subspecies, the Ivallda Arctic (O. c. ivallda), is endemic to California's Sierra Nevada and of particular biogeographic interest and conservation concern. Extreme alpine habitats occupied by this subspecies include the summit of Mt. Whitney, California, representing the highest elevation butterfly population in North America. The assembly presented here consists of two haplotypes, 738.92 and 770.85 Mb in length, with contig N50 values of 10.49 and 10.13 Mb, scaffold N50 values of 25.35 and 25.69 Mb, scaffold L50 values of 13 and 14, and BUSCO completeness scores of 96.5 and 98.3%, respectively. More than 97% of the assembly is organized into 29 scaffolds, which likely represent whole chromosomes. This assembly is the first major genomic resource for Oeneis, providing a foundational reference for future genomic studies on the taxonomy, evolutionary history, and conservation of the genus. As part of the California Conservation Genomics Project, we will use this assembly in conjunction with short-read resequencing to resolve patterns of evolutionary differentiation, adaptive genomic variation, and gene flow among remaining O. c. ivallda populations. These data can and will be used to inform the subspecies' conservation as warming climatic conditions continue to lead to the loss and fragmentation of alpine habitats. We also provide genome assemblies for the O. chryxus mitochondrion and a Wolbachia endosymbiont.}, }
@article {pmid39270964, year = {2024}, author = {Giannotta, MM and Smith, I and Michie, M and Blasdell, K and Dunn, M and Nicholls, J and Heath, ACG and Rodriguez, J and Gofton, AW}, title = {Molecular characterisation of Australasian Ixodiphagus (Hymenoptera; Encyrtidae; Encyrtinae) reveals unexpected diversity and a potential novel host switch.}, journal = {International journal for parasitology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijpara.2024.09.001}, pmid = {39270964}, issn = {1879-0135}, abstract = {Ticks are important medical and veterinary parasites that represent a substantial health threat to humans, companion animals, and livestock. Ixodiphagus wasps (Hymenoptera; Encyrtidae) are known endoparasitoids of ixodid (hard) and argasid (soft) ticks, with potential utility as natural biocontrol agents. Two species, Ixodiphagus brunneus and Ixodiphagus mysorensis, are previously recorded from Australia, however, the genus lacks formal revisionary work in Australia, and the validity and host ranges of these species remain uncertain. This work aimed to investigate the diversity of Ixodiphagus in Australasia and provide a molecular data resource for future work on these understudied endoparasitoids. We extracted DNA from archival Ixodiphagus specimens from Australian and New Zealand insect collections and performed high-throughput sequencing which resulted in complete or mostly complete mitochondrial genome sequences from 11 specimens, including I. brunneus, Ixodiphagus taiaroaensis, and a novel Ixodiphagus sp. reared from Rhipicephalus linnaei from Townsville, Australia. In addition, approximately 70% of the genome of the Wolbachia endosymbiont of I. brunneus was recovered. Finally, we screened 178 recently collected pooled tick samples from southern New South Wales, Australia, for Ixodiphagus spp. using 28S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1(COI) gene PCR, and recovered 14 positive samples. Phylogenetic analysis of Australasian Ixodiphagus spp. based on 28S rRNA and complete mitochondrial genome sequences determined that members of the Australasian fauna are distinct from Ixodiphagus hookeri (the only other Ixodiphagus species for which genetic data exists), and that at least two distinct species are present in Australia; I. brunneus identified from Ixodes holocyclus and Haemaphysalis bancrofti ticks, and an uncharacterised Ixodiphagus sp. found in Rhipicephalus linnaei ticks from northern Queensland. Furthermore, there was substantial genetic diversity at the 28S rRNA loci among I. brunneus samples, which may represent normal genetic variability or a secondary cryptic species. The molecular data generated here represents the first known for the genus Ixodiphagus in Australasia, doubling that of the world fauna, and provides the first known complete mitochondrial genomes for these important tick parasitoids.}, }
@article {pmid39270602, year = {2024}, author = {González, MA and Ruiz-Arrondo, I and Magallanes, S and Oboňa, J and Ruiz-López, MJ and Figuerola, J}, title = {Molecular and morphological analysis revealed a new Lipoptena species (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) in southern Spain harbouring Coxiella burnetii and bacterial endosymbionts.}, journal = {Veterinary parasitology}, volume = {332}, number = {}, pages = {110300}, doi = {10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110300}, pmid = {39270602}, issn = {1873-2550}, abstract = {Hippoboscid flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) are obligate bloodsucking ectoparasites of animals. In Europe, limited research has been conducted on this family until the recent introduction of the deer ked Lipoptena fortisetosa Maa, 1965. A new species of the genus Lipoptena, Lipoptena andaluciensis sp. nov., was found in southern Spain after extensive sampling with carbon-dioxide baited suction traps. A total of 52 females and 32 males were collected at 29 out of 476 sites examined over eight months in 2023. Lipoptena andaluciensis sp. nov. was characterized morphologically and molecularly. The new Lipoptena species can be differentiated from the closely related L. fortisetosa by size, chaetotaxy of the dorsal and ventral thorax, abdominal plates, and genitalia. Based on DNA-barcoding, our specimens showed the highest similarity with Melophagus ovinus (Linnaeus, 1758) (88.4 %) and with L. fortisetosa (86-88 %). Individual screening of Lipoptena specimens (n = 76) for seven important zoonotic pathogens such as bacteria (Anaplasmataceae family: Bartonella spp., Borrelia spp., Coxiella burnetii and Rickettsia spp.) and protozoans (Babesia spp. and Theileria spp.) by conventional PCR and RT-PCR was performed. DNA of C. burnetii was detected in one specimen, while two other specimens harboured Anaplasmataceae (Wolbachia spp., 100 % homology and another endosymbiont probably related to Arsenophonus sp., 95.3 % homology, respectively), all representing the first records of these bacteria in the Lipoptena spp. from Europe. Carbon dioxide traps probed its effectiveness as a reliable passive method for keds surveillance. Our study highlights the existence of a new Lipoptena species, presumably widely distributed in southern Spain. The role of this species in the transmission cycle of pathogens of medical-veterinary relevance needs to be considered in the area.}, }
@article {pmid39266798, year = {2024}, author = {Kang, SF and Chen, Y and Chen, J}, title = {Wolbachia of phylogenetic supergroup K identified in oribatid mite Nothrus anauniensis (Acari: Oribatida: Nothridae).}, journal = {Experimental &amp; applied acarology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {39266798}, issn = {1572-9702}, abstract = {Heritable endosymbionts widely occur in arthropod and nematode hosts. Among these endosymbionts, Wolbachia has been extensively detected in many arthropods, such as insects and crustaceans. Maternal inheritance is the most basic and dominant mode of transmission of Wolbachia, and it might regulate the reproductive system of the host in four ways: feminization, parthenogenesis, male killing, and cytoplasmic incompatibility. There is a relatively high percentage (10%) of thelytokous species in Oribatida, a suborder under the subclass Acari of arthropods, but the study of the endosymbionts in oribatid mites is almost negligible. In this paper, we detected endosymbiotic bacteria in two parthenogenetic oribatid species, Nothrus anauniensis Canestrini and Fanzago, 1877, which has never been tested for endosymbionts, and Oppiella nova, in which Wolbachia and Cardinium have been reported before. The results showed that Wolbachia was first found in N. anauniensis with an infection rate of 100% across three populations. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Wolbachia in N. anauniensis belonged to the supergroup K, marking the second supergroup of Wolbachia found in oribatid mites. Unlike previous studies, our study did not detect Wolbachia in O. nova, leading to the exclusion of Wolbachia's role in mediating thelytoky in this species.}, }
@article {pmid39264945, year = {2024}, author = {Zang, C and Wang, X and Liu, Y and Wang, H and Sun, Q and Cheng, P and Zhang, Y and Gong, M and Liu, H}, title = {Wolbachia and mosquitoes: Exploring transmission modes and coevolutionary dynamics in Shandong Province, China.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {18}, number = {9}, pages = {e0011944}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0011944}, pmid = {39264945}, issn = {1935-2735}, abstract = {Vector-borne diseases leave a large footprint on global health. Notable culprits include West Nile virus (WNV), St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV), and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), all transmitted by Culex mosquitoes. Chemical insecticides have been widely used to reduce the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. Still, mosquitoes are becoming more and more resistant to most chemical insecticides which cause particular harm to the ecology. Wolbachia belongs to the family Ehrlichiaceae in the order Rickettsiales and is a matrilineally inherited endosymbiont present in 60% of insects in nature. Wolbachia is capable of inducing a wide range of reproductive abnormalities in its hosts, such as cytoplasmic incompatibility, and can alter mosquito resistance to pathogen infection. Wolbachia has been proposed as a biological alternative to chemical vector control, and specific research progress and effectiveness have been achieved. Despite the importance of Wolbachia, this strategy has not been tested in Culex pipiens pallens, the most prevalent mosquito species in Shandong Province, China. Little is known about how the mass release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes may impact the genetic structure of Culex pipiens pallens, and how the symbiotic bacterium Wolbachia interacts with mitochondria during host mosquito transmission. Based on the population genetic structure of Culex pipiens pallens in Shandong Province, this study investigated the infection rate and infection type of Wolbachia in Shandong Province and jointly analysed the evolutionary relationship between the host mosquito and the symbiotic bacterium Wolbachia. Our study showed that Wolbachia naturally infected by Culex pipiens pallens in Shandong Province was less homologous to Wolbachia infected by Aedes albopictus released from mosquito factory in Guangzhou. Our results also show that Culex pipiens pallens is undergoing demographic expansion in Shandong Province. The overall Wolbachia infection rate of Culex pipiens pallens was 92.8%, and a total of 15 WSP haplotypes were detected. We found that the genetic diversity of Wolbachia was low in Culex pipiens pallens from Shandong Province, and the mosquitoes were infected only with type B Wolbachia. Visualizing the relationship between Culex pipiens pallens and Wolbachia using a tanglegram revealed patterns of widespread associations. A specific coevolutionary relationship exists between the host mosquito and Wolbachia. Knowledge of this mosquito-Wolbachia relationship will provide essential scientific information required for Wolbachia-based vector control approaches in Shandong Province and will lead to a better understanding of the diversity and evolution of Wolbachia for its utility as a biocontrol agent.}, }
@article {pmid39264544, year = {2024}, author = {Wannassi, T and Sayadi, A and Abbes, K and Djebbi, S and Naccache, C and Khemakhem, MM and Chermiti, B}, title = {Prevalence of Wolbachia infection in field natural population of the apricot seed wasp Eurytoma samsonowi (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae).}, journal = {International microbiology : the official journal of the Spanish Society for Microbiology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {39264544}, issn = {1618-1905}, abstract = {Obligate endosymbiont bacteria associated with insects are naturally providing their hosts with essential nutrients such as vitamins and amino acids and biological services including protection from pathogens. In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of Wolbachia infection among males and females of the parasitic apricot seed wasp (ASW) Eurytoma samsonowi Vassiliev (Vassiliev Petrograd 11: 1-15, 1915) (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), a very harmful pest of apricot (Prunus armeniaca), in the oasis of Gafsa, Southern-West of Tunisia. The detection of Wolbachia infection was assessed based on the amplification of the Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) gene and a multilocus sequence typing (MLST) as a universal genotyping tool for Wolbachia involving the analyses of genes gatB, coxA, hcpA, fbpA, and ftsz. Confirming the screening results, Wolbachia was detected in the natural apricot wasp for the first time, with a significant difference between males (5%) and females (59%) based on wsp gene. All Wolbachia strains identified in E. samsonowi were clustered among supergroups B of Wolbachia.}, }
@article {pmid39258303, year = {2024}, author = {Silva, NNP and Carvalho, VR and Silva, CB and Bomfim, JPA and Ramos, GS and Oliveira, RC}, title = {First report of the association between Wolbachia and Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): effect on life history parameters of the parasitoid.}, journal = {Bulletin of entomological research}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {1-8}, doi = {10.1017/S0007485324000361}, pmid = {39258303}, issn = {1475-2670}, abstract = {The symbiosis between microorganisms and host arthropods can cause biological, physiological, and reproductive changes in the host population. The present study aimed to survey facultative symbionts of the genera Wolbachia, Arsenophonus, Cardinium, Rickettsia, and Nosema in Cotesia flavipes (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in the laboratory and evaluate the influence of infection on the fitness of these hosts. For this purpose, 16S rDNA primers were used to detect these facultative symbionts in the host species, and the hosts' biological and morphological features were evaluated for changes resulting from the infection caused by these microorganisms. The bacterial symbionts studied herein were not detected in the D. saccharalis samples analysed, but the endosymbiont Wolbachia was detected in C. flavipes and altered the biological and morphological aspects of this parasitoid insect. The results of this study may help to elucidate the role of Wolbachia in maintaining the quality of populations/lineages of C. flavipes.}, }
@article {pmid39257987, year = {2024}, author = {Mfopit, YM and Bilgo, E and Boma, S and Somda, MB and Gnambani, JE and Konkobo, M and Diabate, A and Dayo, GK and Mamman, M and Kelm, S and Balogun, EO and Shuaibu, MN and Kabir, J}, title = {Symbiotic bacteria Sodalis glossinidius, Spiroplasma sp and Wolbachia do not favour Trypanosoma grayi coexistence in wild population of tsetse flies collected in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.}, journal = {Research square}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {39257987}, issn = {2693-5015}, support = {K43 TW012015/TW/FIC NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Tsetse flies, the biological vectors of African trypanosomes, have established symbiotic associations with different bacteria. Their vector competence is suggested to be affected by bacterial endosymbionts. The current study provided the prevalence of three tsetse symbiotic bacteria and trypanosomes in Glossina species from Burkina Faso.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 430 tsetse flies were captured using biconical traps in four different collection sites around Bobo-Dioulasso (Bama, Bana, Nasso, and Peni), and their guts were removed. Two hundred tsetse were randomly selected and their guts were screened byPCR for the presence of Sodalis glossinidius, Spiroplasmasp., Wolbachia and trypanosomes. Of the 200 tsetse, 196 (98.0%) were Glossina palpalis gambienseand 4 (2.0%) Glossina tachinoides. The overall symbiont prevalence was 49.0%, 96.5%, and 45.0%, respectively for S. glossinidius, Spiroplasma and Wolbachia. Prevalence varied between sampling locations: S. glossinidius(54.7%, 38.5%, 31.6%, 70.8%); Spiroplasma (100%, 100%, 87.7%, 100%); and Wolbachia(43.4%, 38.5%, 38.6%, 70.8%),respectively in Bama, Bana, Nasso and Peni. Noteworthy, no G. tachhnoideswas infected by S. glossinidius and Wolbachia, but they were all infected by Spiroplasma sp. A total of 196 (98.0 %) harbored at least one endosymbionts. Fifty-five (27.5%) carried single endosymbiont. Trypanosomes were found only in G.p. gambiense, but not G. tachinoides. Trypanosomes were present in flies from all study locations with an overall prevalence of 29.5%. In Bama, Bana, Nasso, and Peni, the trypanosome infection rate was respectively 39.6%, 23.1%, 8.8%, and 37.5%. Remarkably, only Trypanosoma grayi was present. Of all trypanosome-infected flies, 55.9%, 98.3%, and 33.9% hosted S. glossinidius, Spiroplasma sp and Wolbachia, respectively. There was no association between Sodalis, Spiroplasma and trypanosome presence, but there was a negative association with Wolbachia presence. We reported1.9 times likelihood of trypanosome absence when Wolbachia was present.<br><br>CONCLUSION: This is the first survey reporting the presence of Trypanosoma grayi in tsetse from Burkina Faso. Tsetse from these localities were highly positive for symbiotic bacteria, more predominantly with Spiroplasma sp. Modifications of symbiotic interactions may pave way for disease control.}, }
@article {pmid39248324, year = {2024}, author = {Cash, EI and Escalona, M and Ward, PS and Sahasrabudhe, R and Miller, C and Toffelmier, E and Fairbairn, C and Seligmann, W and Shaffer, HB and Tsutsui, ND}, title = {"The Reference Genome Of The Kidnapper Ant, Polyergus Mexicanus".}, journal = {The Journal of heredity}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/jhered/esae047}, pmid = {39248324}, issn = {1465-7333}, abstract = {Polyergus kidnapper ants are widely distributed, but relatively uncommon, throughout the Holarctic, spanning an elevational range from sea level to over 3000 m. These species are well known for their obligate social parasitism with various Formica ant species, which they kidnap in dramatic, highly coordinated raids. Kidnapped Formica larvae and pupae become integrated into the Polyergus colony where they develop into adults and perform nearly all of the necessary colony tasks for the benefit of their captors. In California, Polyergus mexicanus is the most widely distributed Polyergus, but recent evidence has identified substantial genetic polymorphism within this species, including genetically divergent lineages associated with the use of different Formica host species. Given its unique behavior and genetic diversity, Polyergus mexicanus plays a critical role in maintaining ecosystem balance by influencing the population dynamics and genetic diversity of its host ant species, Formica, highlighting its conservation value and importance in the context of biodiversity preservation. Here, we present a high-quality genome assembly of P. mexicanus from a sample collected in Plumas County, CA, USA, in the foothills of the central Sierra Nevada. This genome assembly consists of 364 scaffolds spanning 252.31 Mb, with contig N50 of 481,250 kb, scaffold N50 of 10.36 Mb, and BUSCO completeness of 95.4%. We also assembled the genome of the Wolbachia endosymbiont of P. mexicanus - a single, circular contig spanning 1.23 Mb. These genome sequences provide essential resources for future studies of conservation genetics, population genetics, speciation, and behavioral ecology in this charismatic social insect.}, }
@article {pmid39243881, year = {2024}, author = {Depeux, C and Branger, A and Paulhac, H and Pigeault, R and Beltran-Bech, S}, title = {Deleterious effects of Wolbachia on life history and physiological traits of common pill woodlice.}, journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology}, volume = {207}, number = {}, pages = {108187}, doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2024.108187}, pmid = {39243881}, issn = {1096-0805}, abstract = {Most of eukaryotic organisms live in close interaction with micro-organisms called symbionts. Symbiotic interactions underpin the evolution of biological complexity, the health of organisms and, ultimately, the proper functioning of ecosystems. While some symbionts confer adaptive benefits on their host (mutualistic symbionts) and others clearly induce costs (parasitic symbionts), a number of micro-organisms are difficult to classify because they have been described as conferring both benefits and costs on their host. This is particularly true of the most widespread animal endosymbiont, Wolbachia pipientis. In this study, we investigated the influence of Wolbachia infection on a broad spectrum of ecological and physiological parameters of one of its native hosts, Armadillidium vulgare. The aim was to gain as complete a picture as possible of the influence of this endosymbiont on its host. Our results showed that the presence of Wolbachia resulted in a decrease in individual reproductive success and survival. Host immune cells density decreased and β-galactosidase activity (ageing biomarker) increased with the presence of Wolbachia, suggesting a negative impact of this endosymbiont on woodlice health. While previous studies have shown that Wolbachia can have a positive impact on the immunocompetence of A. vulgare, here we shed more light on the costs of infection. Our results illustrate the complex dynamics that exist between Wolbachia and its arthropod host and therefore offer valuable insights into the intricate interplay of symbiotic relationships in ecological systems.}, }
@article {pmid39243778, year = {2024}, author = {Bansal, S and Lim, JT and Chong, CS and Dickens, B and Ng, Y and Deng, L and Lee, C and Tan, LY and Kakani, EG and Yoong, Y and Du Yu, D and Chain, G and Ma, P and Sim, S and Ng, LC and Tan, CH}, title = {Effectiveness of Wolbachia-mediated sterility coupled with sterile insect technique to suppress adult Aedes aegypti populations in Singapore: a synthetic control study.}, journal = {The Lancet. Planetary health}, volume = {8}, number = {9}, pages = {e617-e628}, doi = {10.1016/S2542-5196(24)00169-4}, pmid = {39243778}, issn = {2542-5196}, mesh = {*Aedes/microbiology ; Animals ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; Singapore ; *Mosquito Control/methods ; Male ; Female ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; Pest Control, Biological/methods ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Incompatible insect technique (IIT) coupled with sterile insect technique (SIT) via the release of sterile male Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes is a promising tool for Aedes-borne disease control. Yet, real-world evidence on the suppressive effectiveness of IIT-SIT on mosquito abundance remains mostly limited to small semi-rural village and suburban localities over short trial durations. However, a large proportion of Aedes-borne diseases occur in dense, urban, and high-rise locations, limiting the applicability of previous studies for these settings with high disease burden. The sustainability and use of this technology over multiple years is also unknown.<br><br>METHODS: In this synthetic control study, we conducted a large-scale, field trial of IIT-SIT targeting Aedes aegypti among high-rise public housing estates in Singapore, an equatorial city state. Routinely collected data from a large, nationwide surveillance system of 57&#x2008;990 unique mosquito traps, combined with a high-dimensional set of anthropogenic and environmental confounders were collected to ascertain mosquito abundance and its key drivers. Four townships were selected as the intervention groups (approximate population size of 607&#x2008;872 residents as of 2022), wherein interventions that combined ITT with SIT over the course of the study period were conducted. Townships were subject to releases of wAlbB-SG male A aegypti mosquitoes twice a week. Data were assessed over the course of epidemiological weeks (EWs), which provide the finest temporal resolution of recorded Wolbachia release schedule and mosquito abundance data. A novel synthetic control framework was then developed to account for the non-randomised and staggered adoption setting of the intervention across trial sectors to identify the direct suppressive effectiveness of IIT-SIT on female A aegypti populations, the spillover effects in non-release areas, and the effect of the intervention on other mosquito populations such as Aedes albopictus. Furthermore, we recalculated effectiveness in terms of calendar time, time since intervention, and over multiple sites to examine heterogeneities in IIT-SIT effectiveness.<br><br>FINDINGS: Between EW27 2018 and EW26 2022, Wolbachia releases were conducted across 117 sectors, of which 97 had sufficient trap data, which were collected between EW8 2019 and EW26 2022. We found that Wolbachia-based IIT-SIT reduced wild-type female A aegypti populations by a mean of 62&#xb7;01% (95% CI 60&#xb7;68 to 63&#xb7;26) by 3 months, 78&#xb7;40% (77&#xb7;56 to 79&#xb7;18) by 6 months, and 91&#xb7;32% (90&#xb7;95 to 91&#xb7;66) by at least 18 months of releases. We also found a smaller but non-negligible spillover suppression effect that gradually increased over time (mean spillover intervention effectiveness 61&#xb7;02% [95% CI 57&#xb7;89 to 63&#xb7;72] in adjacent, non-intervention sectors). Although no consistent change in A albopictus populations was seen across the four intervention townships after Wolbachia releases, the average intervention effectiveness on the A albopictus population across all release sectors was -25&#xb7;80% (95% CI -30&#xb7;93 to -21&#xb7;05), which was driven by increases in two towns.<br><br>INTERPRETATION: Our results demonstrate the potential of IIT-SIT for strengthening long-term, large-scale vector control in tropical cities, where dengue burden is the greatest. The effect of these interventions in different geographical settings should be assessed in future work.<br><br>FUNDING: Singapore's Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, National Environment Agency, and National Robotics Program.}, }
@article {pmid39238888, year = {2024}, author = {Grève, P and Moumen, B and Bouchon, D}, title = {Three feminizing Wolbachia strains in a single host species: comparative genomics paves the way for identifying sex reversal factors.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1416057}, pmid = {39238888}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Endosymbiotic bacteria in the genus Wolbachia have evolved numerous strategies for manipulating host reproduction in order to promote their own transmission. This includes the feminization of males into functional females, a well-studied phenotype in the isopod Armadillidium vulgare. Despite an early description of this phenotype in isopods and the development of an evolutionary model of host sex determination in the presence of Wolbachia, the underlying genetic mechanisms remain elusive.<br><br>METHODS: Here we present the first complete genomes of the three feminizing Wolbachia (wVulC, wVulP, and wVulM) known to date in A. vulgare. These genomes, belonging to Wolbachia B supergroup, contain a large number of mobile elements such as WO prophages with eukaryotic association modules. Taking advantage of these data and those of another Wolbachia-derived feminizing factor integrated into the host genome (f element), we used a comparative genomics approach to identify putative feminizing factors.<br><br>RESULTS: This strategy has enabled us to identify three prophage-associated genes secreted by the Type IV Secretion System: one ankyrin repeat domain-containing protein, one helix-turn-helix transcriptional regulator and one hypothetical protein. In addition, a latrotoxin-related protein, associated with phage relic genes, was shared by all three genomes and the f element.<br><br>CONCLUSION: These putative feminization-inducing proteins shared canonical interaction features with eukaryotic proteins. These results pave the way for further research into the underlying functional interactions.}, }
@article {pmid39232089, year = {2024}, author = {Melo, T and Sousa, CA and Delacour-Estrella, S and Bravo-Barriga, D and Seixas, G}, title = {Characterization of the microbiome of Aedes albopictus populations in different habitats from Spain and São Tomé.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {20545}, pmid = {39232089}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aedes/microbiology ; Spain ; *Microbiota ; *Wolbachia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; Female ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; Ecosystem ; Male ; }, abstract = {The mosquito microbiome significantly influences vector competence, including in Aedes albopictus, a globally invasive vector. Describing the microbiome and Wolbachia strains of Ae. albopictus from different regions can guide area-specific control strategies. Mosquito samples from Spain and São Tomé were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metagenomic sequencing. Wolbachia infection patterns were observed by sex and population. Female mosquitoes were blood-fed, a factor considered in analyzing their microbiota. Results revealed a dominance of dual Wolbachia infections, strains A and B, in the microbiome of both populations of Ae. albopictus, especially among females. Both populations shared a core microbiome, although 5 and 9 other genera were only present in Spain and São Tomé populations, respectively. Genera like Pelomonas and Nevskia were identified for the first time in Aedes mosquitoes. This study is the first to describe the Ae. albopictus bacteriome in Spain and São Tomé, offering insights for the development of targeted mosquito control strategies. Understanding the specific microbiome composition can help in designing more effective interventions, such as microbiome manipulation and Wolbachia-based approaches, to reduce vector competence and transmission potential of these mosquitoes.}, }
@article {pmid39228812, year = {2024}, author = {Arai, H and Herran, B and Sugimoto, TN and Miyata, M and Sasaki, T and Kageyama, D}, title = {Cell-based assays and comparative genomics revealed the conserved and hidden effects of Wolbachia on insect sex determination.}, journal = {PNAS nexus}, volume = {3}, number = {9}, pages = {pgae348}, pmid = {39228812}, issn = {2752-6542}, abstract = {It is advantageous for maternally transmitted endosymbionts to skew the sex ratio of their hosts toward females. Some endosymbiotic bacteria, such as Wolbachia, cause their insect hosts to exclusively produce female offspring through male killing (MK) or feminization. In some lepidopteran insects, MK is achieved by affecting the sex-determining process in males, and a unique mechanism of MK and its functional link with feminization have been implicated. However, comparative analysis of these phenotypes is often difficult because they have been analyzed in different host-symbiont systems, and transinfection of Wolbachia across different hosts is often challenging. In this study, we demonstrated the effects of nine Wolbachia strains on the splicing of sex-determining genes in Lepidoptera by fixing the host genetic background using a cell culture system. Cell transinfection assays confirmed that three MK-inducing Wolbachia strains and one feminization-inducing Wolbachia strain increased the female-type splicing products of the core sex-determining genes doublesex, masculinizer, and zinc finger protein 2. Regarding Wolbachia strains that do not induce MK/feminization, three had no effect on these sex-determining genes, whereas two strains induced female-type splicing of masculinizer and doublesex but not zinc finger protein 2. Comparative genomics confirmed that homologs of oscar, the Wolbachia gene responsible for MK in Ostrinia, were encoded by four MK/feminizing Wolbachia strains, but not by five non-MK/nonfeminizing strains. These results support the conserved effects underlying MK and feminization induced by oscar-bearing Wolbachia and suggested other potential mechanisms that Wolbachia might employ to manipulate host sex.}, }
@article {pmid39227968, year = {2024}, author = {Liu, Y and Wang, M and Yu, N and Zhao, W and Wang, P and Zhang, H and Sun, W and Jin, N and Lu, H}, title = {Trends and insights in dengue virus research globally: a bibliometric analysis (1995-2023).}, journal = {Journal of translational medicine}, volume = {22}, number = {1}, pages = {818}, pmid = {39227968}, issn = {1479-5876}, mesh = {Humans ; *Bibliometrics ; *Dengue Virus ; Dengue/epidemiology/virology ; Animals ; Biomedical Research/trends ; History, 21st Century ; History, 20th Century ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Dengue virus (DENV) is the most widespread arbovirus. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared dengue one of the top 10 global health threats in 2019. However, it has been underrepresented in bibliometric analyses. This study employs bibliometric analysis to identify research hotspots and trends, offering a comprehensive overview of the current research dynamics in this field.<br><br>RESULTS: We present a report spanning from 1995 to 2023 that provides a unique longitudinal analysis of Dengue virus (DENV) research, revealing significant trends and shifts not extensively covered in previous literature. A total of 10,767 DENV-related documents were considered, with a notable increase in publications, peaking at 747 articles in 2021. Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases has become the leading journal in Dengue virus research, publishing 791 articles in this field-the highest number recorded. Our bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive mapping of DENV research across multiple dimensions, including vector ecology, virology, and emerging therapies. The study delineates a complex network of immune response genes, including IFNA1, DDX58, IFNB1, STAT1, IRF3, and NFKB1, highlighting significant trends and emerging themes, particularly the impacts of climate change and new outbreaks on disease transmission. Our findings detail the progress and current status of key vaccine candidates, including the licensed Dengvaxia, newer vaccines such as Qdenga and TV003, and updated clinical trials. The study underscores significant advancements in antiviral therapies and vector control strategies for dengue, highlighting innovative drug candidates such as AT-752 and JNJ-1802, and the potential of drug repurposing with agents like Ribavirin, Remdesivir, and Lopinavir. Additionally, it discusses biological control methods, including the introduction of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes and gene-editing technologies.<br><br>CONCLUSION: This bibliometric study underscores the critical role of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing DENV research, identifying key trends and areas needing further exploration, including host-virus dynamics, the development and application of antiviral drugs and vaccines, and the use of artificial intelligence. It advocates for strengthened partnerships across various disciplines to effectively tackle the challenges posed by DENV.}, }
@article {pmid39226386, year = {2024}, author = {Amaya Romero, JE and Chenal, C and Ben Chehida, Y and Miles, A and Clarkson, CS and Pedergnana, V and Wertheim, B and Fontaine, MC}, title = {Mitochondrial Variation in Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii: Phylogeographic Legacy and Mitonuclear Associations With Metabolic Resistance to Pathogens and Insecticides.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {16}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {39226386}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anopheles/genetics ; *Phylogeography ; *Phylogeny ; *DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; *Insecticide Resistance/genetics ; Genome, Mitochondrial ; Evolution, Molecular ; Genetic Variation ; Insecticides/pharmacology ; Mitochondria/genetics ; Africa ; }, abstract = {Mitochondrial DNA has been a popular marker in phylogeography, phylogeny, and molecular ecology, but its complex evolution is increasingly recognized. Here, we investigated mitochondrial DNA variation in Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii, in relation to other species in the Anopheles gambiae complex, by assembling the mitogenomes of 1,219 mosquitoes across Africa. The mitochondrial DNA phylogeny of the Anopheles gambiae complex was consistent with previously reported highly reticulated evolutionary history, revealing important discordances with the species tree. The three most widespread species (An. gambiae, An. coluzzii, and Anopheles arabiensis), known for extensive historical introgression, could not be discriminated based on mitogenomes. Furthermore, a monophyletic clustering of the three saltwater-tolerant species (Anopheles merus, Anopheles melas, and Anopheles bwambae) in the Anopheles gambiae complex also suggested that introgression and possibly selection shaped mitochondrial DNA evolution. Mitochondrial DNA variation in An. gambiae and An. coluzzii across Africa revealed significant partitioning among populations and species. A peculiar mitochondrial DNA lineage found predominantly in An. coluzzii and in the hybrid taxon of the African "far-west" exhibited divergence comparable to the interspecies divergence in the Anopheles gambiae complex, with a geographic distribution matching closely An. coluzzii's geographic range. This phylogeographic relict of the An. coluzzii and An. gambiae split was associated with population and species structure, but not with the rare Wolbachia occurrence. The lineage was significantly associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms in the nuclear genome, particularly in genes associated with pathogen and insecticide resistance. These findings underline potential mitonuclear coevolution history and the role played by mitochondria in shaping metabolic responses to pathogens and insecticides in Anopheles.}, }
@article {pmid39223450, year = {2024}, author = {Valerio, F and Martel, C and Stefanescu, C and van Nouhuys, S and Kankare, M and Duplouy, A}, title = {Wolbachia strain diversity in a complex group of sympatric cryptic parasitoid wasp species.}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {24}, number = {1}, pages = {319}, pmid = {39223450}, issn = {1471-2180}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics/classification/isolation &amp; purification ; *Wasps/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Phylogeny ; Sympatry ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Genetic Variation ; Lepidoptera/microbiology/parasitology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Maternally-inherited symbionts can induce pre-mating and/or post-mating reproductive isolation between sympatric host lineages, and speciation, by modifying host reproductive phenotypes. The large parasitoid wasp genus Cotesia (Braconidae) includes a diversity of cryptic species, each specialized in parasitizing one to few related Lepidoptera host species. Here, we characterized the infection status of an assemblage of 21 Cotesia species from 15 countries by several microbial symbionts, as a first step toward investigating whether symbionts may provide a barrier to gene flow between these parasitoid host lineages.<br><br>RESULTS: The symbiotic microbes Arsenophonus, Cardinium, Microsporidium and Spiroplasma were not detected in the Cotesia wasps. However, the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia was present in at least eight Cotesia species, and hence we concentrated on it upon screening additional DNA extracts and SRAs from NCBI. Some of the closely related Cotesia species carry similar Wolbachia strains, but most Wolbachia strains showed patterns of horizontal transfer between phylogenetically distant host lineages.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The lack of co-phylogenetic signal between Wolbachia and Cotesia suggests that the symbiont and hosts have not coevolved to an extent that would drive species divergence between the Cotesia host lineages. However, as the most common facultative symbiont of Cotesia species, Wolbachia may still function as a key-player in the biology of the parasitoid wasps. Its precise role in the evolution of this complex clade of cryptic species remains to be experimentally investigated.}, }
@article {pmid39221028, year = {2024}, author = {Wilastonegoro, NN and Andriani, S and Sebong, PH and Agarwal-Harding, P and Shepard, DS}, title = {Estimating dengue disease and economic burden to inform municipal-level policymakers: Method for a pragmatic city-level observational cohort study.}, journal = {Gates open research}, volume = {8}, number = {}, pages = {3}, pmid = {39221028}, issn = {2572-4754}, mesh = {Humans ; *Dengue/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control/economics ; Indonesia/epidemiology ; *Cost of Illness ; Prospective Studies ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Cities/epidemiology ; Male ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Recent trials have confirmed the effectiveness of promising dengue control technologies - two vaccines and Wolbachia. These would generally be applied at the municipal level. To help local officials decide which, if any, control strategy to implement, they need affordable, timely, and accurate data on dengue burden. Building on our previous work in Mexico, Indonesia, and Thailand, we developed a streamlined prospective method to estimate dengue burden at the municipal level quickly, accurately, and efficiently.<br><br>METHODS: The method entails enrolling and repeatedly interviewing 100 patients with laboratory-confirmed dengue. They will be selected after screening and testing about 1,000 patients with clinical dengue. The method will capture both acute and chronic effects relating to disease, economic burden, and psychological impacts (presenteeism). The total time requirements are 1.5 years, comprised of 0.25 years for planning and approvals, 1 year for data collection (a full dengue cycle), and 0 .25 years for data cleaning and analysis. A collaboration with municipal and academic colleagues in the city of Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia shows how the method could be readily applied in Indonesia's eighth largest city (population 1.8 million).<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Many surveillance studies gather only information on numbers of cases. This proposed method will provide a comprehensive picture of the dengue burden to the health system, payers, and households at the local level.}, }
@article {pmid39205310, year = {2024}, author = {Lefteri, DA and Rainey, SM and Murdochy, SM and Sinkins, SP}, title = {Bunyamwera Virus Infection of Wolbachia-Carrying Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes Reduces Wolbachia Density.}, journal = {Viruses}, volume = {16}, number = {8}, pages = {}, pmid = {39205310}, issn = {1999-4915}, mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology ; Animals ; *Aedes/microbiology/virology ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/virology ; *Bunyamwera virus ; Female ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia symbionts introduced into Aedes mosquitoes provide a highly effective dengue virus transmission control strategy, increasingly utilised in many countries in an attempt to reduce disease burden. Whilst highly effective against dengue and other positive-sense RNA viruses, it remains unclear how effective Wolbachia is against negative-sense RNA viruses. Therefore, the effect of Wolbachia on Bunyamwera virus (BUNV) infection in Aedes aegypti was investigated using wMel and wAlbB, two strains currently used in Wolbachia releases for dengue control, as well as wAu, a strain that typically persists at a high density and is an extremely efficient blocker of positive-sense viruses. Wolbachia was found to reduce BUNV infection in vitro but not in vivo. Instead, BUNV caused significant impacts on density of all three Wolbachia strains following infection of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes. The ability of Wolbachia to successfully persist within the mosquito and block virus transmission is partially dependent on its intracellular density. However, reduction in Wolbachia density was not observed in offspring of infected mothers. This could be due in part to a lack of transovarial transmission of BUNV observed. The results highlight the importance of understanding the complex interactions between multiple arboviruses, mosquitoes and Wolbachia in natural environments, the impact this can have on maintaining protection against diseases, and the necessity for monitoring Wolbachia prevalence at release sites.}, }
@article {pmid39204291, year = {2024}, author = {Liu, H and Yin, J and Huang, X and Zang, C and Zhang, Y and Cao, J and Gong, M}, title = {Mosquito Gut Microbiota: A Review.}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {13}, number = {8}, pages = {}, pmid = {39204291}, issn = {2076-0817}, support = {No. tsqn202312373//the Taishan Scholars Project of Shandong Province/ ; NHCKFKT2021-02//the Open Project of NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology/ ; 230726153807227//the Ministry of Education Industry-University Cooperative Education Project/ ; GWVI-11.2-XD34//the Innovation Project of Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences; and the Three-Year Initiative Plan for Strengthening Public Health System Construction in Shanghai (2023-2025) Principal Investigator Project/ ; 202201-041 to XDH//Science Foundation of Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences)/ ; }, abstract = {Mosquitoes are vectors of many important human diseases. The prolonged and widespread use of insecticides has led to the development of mosquito resistance to these insecticides. The gut microbiota is considered the master of host development and physiology; it influences mosquito biology, disease pathogen transmission, and resistance to insecticides. Understanding the role and mechanisms of mosquito gut microbiota in mosquito insecticide resistance is useful for developing new strategies for tackling mosquito insecticide resistance. We searched online databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE, SciELO, Web of Science, and the Chinese Science Citation Database. We searched all terms, including microbiota and mosquitoes, or any specific genera or species of mosquitoes. We reviewed the relationships between microbiota and mosquito growth, development, survival, reproduction, and disease pathogen transmission, as well as the interactions between microbiota and mosquito insecticide resistance. Overall, 429 studies were included in this review after filtering 8139 search results. Mosquito gut microbiota show a complex community structure with rich species diversity, dynamic changes in the species composition over time (season) and across space (environmental setting), and variation among mosquito species and mosquito developmental stages (larval vs. adult). The community composition of the microbiota plays profound roles in mosquito development, survival, and reproduction. There was a reciprocal interaction between the mosquito midgut microbiota and virus infection in mosquitoes. Wolbachia, Asaia, and Serratia are the three most studied bacteria that influence disease pathogen transmission. The insecticide resistance or exposure led to the enrichment or reduction in certain microorganisms in the resistant mosquitoes while enhancing the abundance of other microorganisms in insect-susceptible mosquitoes, and they involved many different species/genera/families of microorganisms. Conversely, microbiota can promote insecticide resistance in their hosts by isolating and degrading insecticidal compounds or altering the expression of host genes and metabolic detoxification enzymes. Currently, knowledge is scarce about the community structure of mosquito gut microbiota and its functionality in relation to mosquito pathogen transmission and insecticide resistance. The new multi-omics techniques should be adopted to find the links among environment, mosquito, and host and bring mosquito microbiota studies to the next level.}, }
@article {pmid39194765, year = {2024}, author = {Yen, TY and Cheng, CF and Tseng, LF and Carvalho, RMCA and Tsai, KH}, title = {Nationwide Inventory of Mosquitoes and the Distribution of Invasive Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse, 1894) on the Islands of Sao Tome and Principe in Central Africa.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {15}, number = {8}, pages = {}, pmid = {39194765}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {103-2314-B-002 -036 -MY2//Taiwan Ministry of Science and Technology/ ; }, abstract = {Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894), a mosquito originating in Asia, has been introduced to Africa since the 2000s. The mosquito is not only a nuisance but is capable of transmitting various arboviruses. The current study summarized our entomological surveys in the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe during 2000 to 2016. Adult mosquitoes were collected by sweep nets, human landing catches, and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) light traps, and the immatures were collected from water-filled habitats at 15 sentinel sites and reared to adulthood. Species identification was performed based on morphologic characteristics. Fragments of the cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) and the Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) genes were amplified for mosquitoes collected in Principe. New records of four mosquito species were reported. Aedes albopictus was identified in 2015. The larvae were found distributed over the nation and were predominately in artificial water-holding containers (488/2698, 18.1%). The highest positive rate was observed in used tires in Príncipe (114/250, 45.6%). Mitochondrial DNA analysis revealed low genetic diversity among the invasive populations, but all tested specimens were superinfected by Wolbachia. The ability of Ae. albopictus to adapt to new environments and its involvement in disease transmission make the surveillance and control of this species particularly important.}, }
@article {pmid39194189, year = {2024}, author = {Miao, Y-h and Dou, W-h and Liu, J and Huang, D-w and Xiao, J-h}, title = {Single-cell transcriptome sequencing reveals that Wolbachia induces gene expression changes in Drosophila ovary cells to favor its own maternal transmission.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {e0147324}, doi = {10.1128/mbio.01473-24}, pmid = {39194189}, issn = {2150-7511}, abstract = {Wolbachia is an obligate endosymbiont that is maternally inherited and widely distributed in arthropods and nematodes. It remains in the mature eggs of female hosts over generations through multiple strategies and manipulates the reproduction system of the host to enhance its spreading efficiency. However, the transmission of Wolbachia within the host's ovaries and its effects on ovarian cells during oogenesis, have not been extensively studied. We used single-cell RNA sequencing to comparatively analyze cell-typing and gene expression in Drosophila ovaries infected and uninfected with Wolbachia. Our findings indicate that Wolbachia significantly affects the transcription of host genes involved in the extracellular matrix, cytoskeleton organization, and cytomembrane mobility in multiple cell types, which may make host ovarian cells more conducive for the transmission of Wolbachia from extracellular to intracellular. Moreover, the genes nos and orb, which are related to the synthesis of ribonucleoprotein complexes, are specifically upregulated in early germline cells of ovaries infected with Wolbachia, revealing that Wolbachia can increase the possibility of its localization to the host oocytes by enhancing the binding with host ribonucleoprotein-complex processing bodies (P-bodies). All these findings provide novel insights into the maternal transmission of Wolbachia between host ovarian cells.IMPORTANCEWolbachia, an obligate endosymbiont in arthropods, can manipulate the reproduction system of the host to enhance its maternal transmission and reside in the host's eggs for generations. Herein, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing of ovaries from Drosophila melanogaster and observed the effects of Wolbachia (strain wMel) infection on different cell types to discuss the potential mechanism associated with the transmission and retention of Wolbachia within the ovaries of female hosts. It was found that the transcriptions of multiple genes in the ovary samples infected with Wolbachia are significantly altered, which possibly favors the maternal transmission of Wolbachia. Meanwhile, we also discovered that Wolbachia may flexibly regulate the expression level of specific host genes according to their needs rather than rigidly changing the expression level in one direction to achieve a more suitable living environment in the host's ovarian cells. Our findings contribute to a further understanding of the maternal transmission and possible universal effects of Wolbachia within the host.}, }
@article {pmid39181959, year = {2024}, author = {Alkathiri, B and Lee, S and Ahn, K and Cho, YS and Youn, SY and Seo, K and Umemiya-Shirafuji, R and Xuan, X and Kwak, D and Shin, S and Lee, SH}, title = {16S rRNA metabarcoding for the identification of tick-borne bacteria in ticks in the Republic of Korea.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {19708}, pmid = {39181959}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {Z-1543081-2021-22-02//Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency/ ; Z-1543081-2021-22-02//Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency/ ; 2021R1F1A1061795//National Research Foundation of Korea/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Republic of Korea ; *DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic/methods ; *Bacteria/genetics/classification/isolation &amp; purification ; *Ticks/microbiology ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Wolbachia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/classification ; Phylogeny ; Rickettsia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/classification ; }, abstract = {Ticks are blood-sucking ectoparasites that act as vectors for transmission of various pathogens. The purpose of this study was to assess tick-borne bacteria, whether pathogenic or not, in ticks distributed in Korea using 16S rRNA metabarcoding and to confirm the results by PCR. Questing ticks were collected from four provinces in Korea in 2021 using the flagging method. After pooling the DNAs from the 61 tick pools (including 372 ticks), the bacterial 16S rRNA V3-V4 hypervariable region was amplified and sequenced using the MiSeq platform. Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, and the endosymbiont Wolbachia were confirmed by conventional PCR and molecular analysis. In total, 6907 ticks (534 pools) were collected and identified as belonging to five species (Haemaphysalis spp., H. longicornis, H. flava, I. nipponensis, and A. testudinarium). Through 16S rRNA metabarcoding, 240 amplicon sequence variants were identified. The dominant taxa were Rickettsiella and Coxiella. Additionally, pathogenic bacteria such as Rickettsia and Ehrlichia, endosymbiotic bacteria such as Wolbachia and Spiroplasma were identified. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to confirm the presence of Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, Bartonella, and Wolbachia in individual ticks. Overall, 352 (65.92%) of 534 pools tested positive for at least one of the screened tick-borne bacteria. Rickettsia was the most prevalent (61.42%), followed by Wolbachia (5.05%). Ehrlichia was detected in 4.86% of tested samples, whereas Bartonella was not detected. In this study, 16S rRNA metabarcoding revealed the presence of Rickettsia, Wolbachia, and Ehrlichia, in that order of abundance, while showing absence of Bartonella. These results were confirmed to exhibit the same trend as that of the conventional PCR. Therefore, large-scale screening studies based on pooling, as applied in this study, will be useful for examining novel or rare pathogens present in various hosts and vectors.}, }
@article {pmid39176079, year = {2024}, author = {Mushtaq, I and Sarwar, MS and Munzoor, I}, title = {A comprehensive review of Wolbachia-mediated mechanisms to control dengue virus transmission in Aedes aegypti through innate immune pathways.}, journal = {Frontiers in immunology}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1434003}, pmid = {39176079}, issn = {1664-3224}, mesh = {*Aedes/immunology/virology/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/physiology/immunology ; Animals ; *Dengue Virus/immunology/physiology ; *Immunity, Innate ; *Dengue/immunology/transmission/virology ; *Mosquito Vectors/immunology/virology/microbiology ; Host-Pathogen Interactions/immunology ; Humans ; Signal Transduction/immunology ; }, abstract = {The Dengue virus (DENV), primarily spread by Aedes aegypti and also by Aedes albopictus in some regions, poses significant global health risks. Alternative techniques are urgently needed because the current control mechanisms are insufficient to reduce the transmission of DENV. Introducing Wolbachia pipientis into Ae. aegypti inhibits DENV transmission, however, the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. Innate immune effector upregulation, the regulation of autophagy, and intracellular competition between Wolbachia and DENV for lipids are among the theories for the mechanism of inhibition. Furthermore, mainly three immune pathways Toll, IMD, and JAK/STAT are involved in the host for the suppression of the virus. These pathways are activated by Wolbachia and DENV in the host and are responsible for the upregulation and downregulation of many genes in mosquitoes, which ultimately reduces the titer of the DENV in the host. The functioning of these immune pathways depends upon the Wolbachia, host, and virus interaction. Here, we summarize the current understanding of DENV recognition by the Ae. aegypti's immune system, aiming to create a comprehensive picture of our knowledge. Additionally, we investigated how Wolbachia regulates the activation of multiple genes associated with immune priming for the reduction of DENV.}, }
@article {pmid39165109, year = {2024}, author = {Gloder, G and Bourne, ME and Cuny, MAC and Verreth, C and Crauwels, S and Dicke, M and Poelman, EH and Jacquemyn, H and Lievens, B}, title = {Caterpillar-parasitoid interactions: species-specific influences on host microbiome composition.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/femsec/fiae115}, pmid = {39165109}, issn = {1574-6941}, abstract = {There is increasing evidence that host-parasitoid interactions can have a pronounced impact on the microbiome of host insects, but it is unclear to what extent this is caused by the host and/or parasitoid. Here, we compared the internal and external microbiome of caterpillars of Pieris brassicae and Pieris rapae parasitised by Cotesia glomerata or Cotesia rubecula with non-parasitised caterpillars. Additionally, we investigated the internal and external microbiome of the parasitoid larvae. Both internal and external bacterial densities were significantly higher for P. brassicae than P. rapae, while no differences were found between parasitised and non-parasitised caterpillars. In contrast, parasitism significantly affected the composition of the internal and external microbiome of the caterpillars and the parasitoid larvae, but the effects were dependent on the host and parasitoid species. Irrespective of host species, a Wolbachia species was exclusively found inside caterpillars parasitised by C. glomerata, as well as in the corresponding developing parasitoid larvae. Similarly, a Nosema species was abundantly present inside parasitised caterpillars and the parasitoid larvae, but this was independent of the host and the parasitoid species. We conclude that parasitism has pronounced effects on host microbiomes, but the effects depend on both the host and parasitoid species.}, }
@article {pmid39157806, year = {2024}, author = {Kagemann, CH and Colocho, GM and Aquadro, CF}, title = {Non-ovarian Wolbachia pipientis titer correlates with fertility rescue of a Drosophila melanogaster bag of marbles hypomorph.}, journal = {microPublication biology}, volume = {2024}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {39157806}, issn = {2578-9430}, support = {R01 GM095793/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; S10 OD018516/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Bag of marbles (bam) is an essential gene that regulates germline stem cell maintenance and germline stem cell daughter cell differentiation in Drosophila melanogaster . When bam is partially functional (hypomorphic), the introduction of Wolbachia pipientis rescues the mutant fertility phenotype that would otherwise result in partial sterility. Infection by different W. pipientis variants results in differential rescue of the bam hypomorph fertility phenotype. We were intrigued by the varying degrees of rescue exhibited in the bam hypomorph when exposed to different W. pipientis variants, prompting us to investigate whether this phenomenon is attributable to variations in the titers of W. pipientis variants. We found no significant difference in ovarian titer between two W. pipientis variant groups, w Mel-like (low bam hypomorph fertility rescue) and w MelCS-like variants (higher bam hypomorph fertility rescue), at bam hypomorph peak fertility. However, carcass (whole flies without the ovaries) titer between w Mel-like and w MelCS-like infected bam hypomorph differed during peak fertility rescue. A positive correlation emerged between the combined titers of ovarian and carcass infections and fertility, implying a more extensive influence that extends beyond ovarian infection alone.}, }
@article {pmid39150623, year = {2024}, author = {Gao, S and Niu, YD and Chen, L and Chen, MF and Bing, XL and Hong, XY}, title = {Transcriptomic landscapes reveal development-related physiological processes in the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae.}, journal = {Experimental &amp; applied acarology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {39150623}, issn = {1572-9702}, support = {BK20221003//Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province/ ; 202310307177Y//Jiangsu Students' Platform for innovation and entrepreneurship training program/ ; 202310307177Y//Jiangsu Students' Platform for innovation and entrepreneurship training program/ ; 32372528, 32020103011//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32372528, 32020103011//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; TJ-2023-038//Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by Jiangsu Association for Science and Technology/ ; }, abstract = {The two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch, TSSM) is recognized as one of the most problematic spider mite pests. However, the precise gene expression patterns across its key developmental stages remain elusive. Here, we performed a comprehensive transcriptome analysis of TSSM eggs, nymphs and adult females using publicly available RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data to elucidate the overarching transcriptomic differences between these developmental stages. Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis unveiled distinct separations among samples across different developmental stages, regardless of their Wolbachia infection status. Differential expression analysis revealed 4,089,2,762, and 1,282 core genes specifically enriched in eggs, nymphs, and adults, respectively. KEGG and GO enrichment analyses showed upregulation of genes in eggs are associated with proteolysis, Wnt signaling pathway, DNA transcription, RNA biosynthetic and metabolic processes, as well as protein folding, sorting, and degradation pathways. Meanwhile, nymphs exhibited increased abundance of genes related to chitin/amino sugar metabolic processes, G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathways, monoatomic ion transport, and neurotransmitter transport pathways. Pathways involving sphingolipid and carbohydrate metabolic processes, proteolysis, lipid transport, and localization were particularly enriched in older females. Altogether, our findings suggest that the egg stage exhibits higher activity in cell differentiation processes, the nymph stage is more involved in chitin development, and the adult stage shows increased metabolic and reproductive activity. This study enhances our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying TSSM development and paves the way for further research into the intricate physiological processes of TSSM.}, }
@article {pmid39135725, year = {2024}, author = {Rohlfing, K and Grewoldt, M and Cordellier, M and Dobler, S}, title = {Evidence for feminized genetic males in a flea beetle using newly identified X-linked markers.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {14}, number = {8}, pages = {e70123}, pmid = {39135725}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {The equilibrium of sex ratios in sexually reproducing species is often disrupted by various environmental and genetic factors, including endosymbionts like Wolbachia. In this study, we explore the highly female-biased sex ratio observed in the flea beetle, Altica lythri, and its underlying mechanisms. Ancient hybridization events between Altica species have led to mitochondrial DNA introgression, resulting in distinct mitochondrial haplotypes that go along with different Wolbachia infections (HT1-wLytA1, HT1*- uninfected, HT2-wLytA2, and HT3-wLytB). Notably, beetles with some haplotypes exclusively produce female offspring, suggesting potential Wolbachia-induced phenomena such as feminization of genetic males. However, the observed female bias could also be a consequence of the ancient hybridization resulting in nuclear-cytoplasmic conflicts between introgressed mtDNA and nuclear genes. Through transcriptomic analysis and the program SEX-DETector, we established markers for genotypic sex differentiation for A. lythri, enabling genetic sexing via qPCR. Our findings suggest that feminization of genetic males is contributing to the skewed sex ratios, highlighting the intricate dynamics of sex determination and reproductive strategies in this flea beetle. This study provides valuable insights into the dynamics of genetic conflicts, endosymbionts, and sex ratios, revealing the novel phenomenon of genetic male feminization in the flea beetle A. lythri.}, }
@article {pmid39129654, year = {2024}, author = {Mostoufi, SL and Singh, ND}, title = {Pathogen infection alters the gene expression landscape of transposable elements in Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)}, volume = {14}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {39129654}, issn = {2160-1836}, mesh = {Animals ; *DNA Transposable Elements ; *Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; Host-Pathogen Interactions/genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Male ; Female ; Gene Expression Profiling ; }, abstract = {Transposable elements make up substantial proportions of eukaryotic genomes and many are thought to be remnants of ancient viral infections. Current research has begun to highlight the role transposable elements can play in the immune system response to infections. However, most of our knowledge about transposable element expression during infection is limited by the specific host and pathogen factors from each study, making it difficult to compare studies and develop broader patterns regarding the role of transposable elements during infection. Here, we use the tools and resources available in the model, Drosophila melanogaster, to analyze multiple gene expression datasets of flies subject to bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. We analyzed differences in pathogen species, host genotype, host tissue, and sex to understand how these factors impact transposable element expression during infection. Our results highlight both shared and unique transposable element expression patterns between pathogens and suggest a larger effect of pathogen factors over host factors for influencing transposable element expression.}, }
@article {pmid39119885, year = {2024}, author = {Augustijnen, H and Lucek, K}, title = {Beyond gene flow: (non)-parallelism of secondary contact in a pair of highly differentiated sibling species.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {33}, number = {17}, pages = {e17488}, doi = {10.1111/mec.17488}, pmid = {39119885}, issn = {1365-294X}, support = {//Burckhardt-B&#xfc;rgin foundation/ ; 310030_184934//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur F&#xf6;rderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung/ ; PCEFP3_202869//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur F&#xf6;rderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung/ ; //Freiwillige Akademische Gesellschaft Basel/ ; }, mesh = {*Gene Flow ; Animals ; *Butterflies/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Genetic Speciation ; *Hybridization, Genetic ; *Reproductive Isolation ; *Genetics, Population ; }, abstract = {Replicated secondary contact zones can provide insights into the barriers to gene flow that are important during speciation and can reveal to which degree secondary contact may result in similar evolutionary outcomes. Here, we studied two secondary contact zones between highly differentiated Alpine butterflies of the genus Erebia using whole-genome resequencing data. We assessed the genomic relationships between populations and species and found hybridization to be rare, with no to little current or historical introgression in either contact zone. There are large similarities between contact zones, consistent with an allopatric origin of interspecific differentiation, with no indications for ongoing reinforcing selection. Consistent with expected reduced effective population size, we further find that scaffolds related to the Z-chromosome show increased differentiation compared to the already high levels across the entire genome, which could also hint towards a contribution of the Z chromosome to species divergence in this system. Finally, we detected the presence of the endosymbiont Wolbachia, which can cause reproductive isolation between its hosts, in all E. cassioides, while it appears to be fully or largely absent in contact zone populations of E. tyndarus. We discuss how this rare pattern may have arisen and how it may have affected the dynamics of speciation upon secondary contact.}, }
@article {pmid39119296, year = {2024}, author = {Kang, K and Wang, L and Gong, J and Tang, Y and Wei, K}, title = {Diversity analyses of bacterial symbionts in four Sclerodermus (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) parasitic wasps, the dominant biological control agents of wood-boring beetles in China.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1439476}, pmid = {39119296}, issn = {2235-2988}, mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Wasps/microbiology/physiology ; China ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Biological Control Agents ; Coleoptera/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Microbiota ; Bacteroides/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/classification ; Firmicutes/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/classification ; Wolbachia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/classification/physiology ; Biodiversity ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: Sclerodermus wasps are important biocontrol agents of a class of wood borers. Bacterial symbionts influence the ecology and biology of their hosts in a variety of ways, including the formation of life-long beneficial or detrimental parasitic infections. However, only a few studies have explored the species and content of the symbionts in the Sclerodermus species.<br><br>METHODS: Here, a high-throughput sequencing study of the V3-V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene revealed a high level of microbial variety in four Sclerodermus waps, and their diversities and functions were also predicted.<br><br>RESULTS: The three most prevalent phyla of microorganisms in the sample were Firmicutes, Bacteroides, and Proteus. The KEEG pathways prediction results indicated that the three pathways with the highest relative abundances in the S. sichuanensis species were translation, membrane transport, and nucleotide metabolism. These pathways differed from those observed in S. guani, S. pupariae, and S. alternatusi, which exhibited carbohydrate metabolism, membrane transport, and amino acid metabolism, respectively. Bacteroides were found to be abundant in several species, whereas Wolbachia was the most abundant among S. sichuanensis, with a significant negative correlation between temperature and carriage rate.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: These results offer insights into the microbial communities associated with the bethylid wasps, which is crucial for understanding how to increase the reproductive capacity of wasps, enhance their parasitic effects, and lower cost in biocontrol.}, }
@article {pmid39109809, year = {2024}, author = {Li, Q and Ji, R and Zi, H and Sun, W and Zhang, Y and Wu, X and Long, Y and Yang, Y}, title = {Life history parameters of Ectropis grisescens (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) in different Wolbachia infection states.}, journal = {Journal of economic entomology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/jee/toae174}, pmid = {39109809}, issn = {1938-291X}, support = {32371581//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2021YFD1601105//National Key Research and Development/ ; 2023n06020060//Anhui Key Research and Development/ ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia, a prevalent intracellular symbiotic bacterium in insects, plays a significant role in insect biology. Ectropis grisescens (Warren; Lepidoptera: Geometridae) is a devastating chewing pest distributed in tea plantations throughout China. However, it is unclear how Wolbachia titers affect the fitness and reproduction of E. grisescens. In this study, the impacts of 3 different infection lines, naturally Wolbachia-infected, Wolbachia-uninfected, and Wolbachia transinfected, regarding the life history traits of E. grisescens, were evaluated using the age-stage, 2-sex life table. Wolbachia infection significantly shortened preadult duration and preoviposition periods and notably increased the fecundity, net reproductive rate, and finite rate of increase. Meanwhile, population projection indicated that E. grisescens population size with Wolbachia infection can increase faster than without. These results indicate that Wolbachia plays a regulatory role in the fitness of E. grisescens. It is also noted that the life history parameters of E. grisescens may positively correlate with Wolbachia titers. These findings could aid in pest management in tea gardens.}, }
@article {pmid39107710, year = {2024}, author = {Chow, JY and Geng, L and Bansal, S and Dickens, BSL and Ng, LC and Hoffmann, AA and Lim, JT}, title = {Evaluating quasi-experimental approaches for estimating epidemiological efficacy of non-randomised field trials: applications in Wolbachia interventions for dengue.}, journal = {BMC medical research methodology}, volume = {24}, number = {1}, pages = {170}, pmid = {39107710}, issn = {1471-2288}, mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology ; *Dengue/prevention &amp; control/epidemiology ; Animals ; *Aedes/microbiology/virology ; Humans ; Brazil/epidemiology ; Singapore/epidemiology ; Malaysia/epidemiology ; Incidence ; Mosquito Control/methods ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Pest Control, Biological/methods/statistics &amp; numerical data ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia symbiosis in Aedes aegypti is an emerging biocontrol measure against dengue. However, assessing its real-world efficacy is challenging due to the non-randomised, field-based nature of most intervention studies. This research re-evaluates the spatial-temporal impact of Wolbachia interventions on dengue incidence using a large battery of quasi-experimental methods and assesses each method's validity.<br><br>METHODS: A systematic search for Wolbachia intervention data was conducted via PUBMED. Efficacy was reassessed using commonly-used quasi-experimental approaches with extensive robustness checks, including geospatial placebo tests and a simulation study. Intervention efficacies across multiple study sites were computed using high-resolution aggregations to examine heterogeneities across sites and study periods. We further designed a stochastic simulation framework to assess the methods' ability to estimate intervention efficacies (IE).<br><br>RESULTS: Wolbachia interventions in Singapore, Malaysia, and Brazil significantly decreased dengue incidence, with reductions ranging from 48.17% to 69.19%. IEs varied with location and duration. Malaysia showed increasing efficacy over time, while Brazil exhibited initial success with subsequent decline, hinting at operational challenges. Singapore's strategy was highly effective despite partial saturation. Simulations identified Synthetic Control Methods (SCM) and its variant, count Synthetic Control Method (cSCM), as superior in precision, with the smallest percentage errors in efficacy estimation. These methods also demonstrated robustness in placebo tests.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Wolbachia interventions exhibit consistent protective effects against dengue. SCM and cSCM provided the most precise and robust estimates of IEs, validated across simulated and real-world settings.}, }
@article {pmid39107546, year = {2024}, author = {Durand, S and Pigeault, R and Giraud, I and Loisier, A and Bech, N and Grandjean, F and Rigaud, T and Peccoud, J and Cordaux, R}, title = {Temporal stability of sex ratio distorter prevalence in natural populations of the isopod Armadillidium vulgare.}, journal = {Heredity}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {39107546}, issn = {1365-2540}, support = {ANR-15-CE32-0006//Agence Nationale de la Recherche (French National Research Agency)/ ; ANR-15-CE32-0006//Agence Nationale de la Recherche (French National Research Agency)/ ; ANR-20-CE02-0004//Agence Nationale de la Recherche (French National Research Agency)/ ; }, abstract = {In the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare, many females produce progenies with female-biased sex ratios due to two feminizing sex ratio distorters (SRD): Wolbachia endosymbionts and a nuclear non-mendelian locus called the f element. To investigate the potential impact of these SRD on the evolution of host sex determination, we analyzed their temporal distribution in six A. vulgare populations sampled between 2003 and 2017, for a total of 29 time points. SRD distribution was heterogeneous among populations despite their close geographic locations, so that when one SRD was frequent in a population, the other SRD was rare. In contrast with spatial heterogeneity, our results overall did not reveal substantial temporal variability in SRD prevalence within populations, suggesting equilibria in SRD evolutionary dynamics may have been reached or nearly so. Temporal stability was also generally reflected in mitochondrial and nuclear variation. Nevertheless, in a population, a Wolbachia strain replacement coincided with changes in mitochondrial composition but no change in nuclear composition, thus constituting a typical example of mitochondrial sweep caused by endosymbiont rise in frequency. Rare incongruence between Wolbachia strains and mitochondrial haplotypes suggested the occurrence of intraspecific horizontal transmission, making it a biologically relevant parameter for Wolbachia evolutionary dynamics in A. vulgare. Overall, our results provide an empirical basis for future studies on SRD evolutionary dynamics in the context of multiple sex determination factors co-existing within a single species, to ultimately evaluate the impact of SRD on the evolution of host sex determination mechanisms and sex chromosomes.}, }
@article {pmid39106844, year = {2024}, author = {Sarasombath, PT and Sitthinamsuwan, P and Wijit, S and Panyasu, K and Roongruanchai, K and Silpa-Archa, S and Suwansirikul, M and Chortrakarnkij, P and Ruenchit, P and Preativatanyou, K and Wongkamchai, S}, title = {Integrated Histological and Molecular Analysis of Filarial Species and Associated Wolbachia Endosymbionts in Human Filariasis Cases Presenting Atypically in Thailand.}, journal = {The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.4269/ajtmh.24-0147}, pmid = {39106844}, issn = {1476-1645}, abstract = {Atypical presentations of filariasis have posed diagnostic challenges due to the complexity of identifying the causative species and the difficulties in both diagnosis and treatment. In this study, we present the integrative histological and molecular analysis of seven atypical filariasis cases observed in regions of nonendemicity of Thailand. All filariasis cases were initially diagnosed based on histological findings. To confirm the causative species, molecular characterization based on both filarial mitochondrial (mt 12S rRNA and COI genes) and nuclear ITS1 markers was performed, together with the identification of associated Wolbachia bacterial endosymbionts. Among the cases studied, Brugia pahangi (N = 3), Brugia malayi (N = 1), Dirofilaria sp. "hongkongensis" (N = 2), and a suspected novel filarial species genetically related to Pelecitus copsychi (N = 1) were identified. By targeting the 16S rRNA gene, Wolbachia was also molecularly amplified in two cases of infection with Dirofilaria sp. "hongkongensis." Phylogenetic analysis further revealed that the detected Wolbachia could be classified into supergroups C and F, indicating the high genetic diversity of this endosymbiont in Dirofilaria sp. "hongkongensis." Furthermore, this study demonstrates the consistency between histological findings and species identification based on mitochondrial loci rather than on the nuclear ITS1. This suggests the utility of mitochondrial markers, particularly COI, as a highly sensitive and reliable diagnostic tool for the detection and differentiation of filarial species in clinical specimens. Precise identification of the causative species will facilitate accurate diagnosis and treatment and is also essential for the development of epidemiological and preventive strategies for filariasis.}, }
@article {pmid39106433, year = {2024}, author = {Tan, Y and Aravind, L and Zhang, D}, title = {Genomic Underpinnings of Cytoplasmic Incompatibility: CIF Gene-Neighborhood Diversification Through Extensive Lateral Transfers and Recombination in Wolbachia.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {16}, number = {8}, pages = {}, pmid = {39106433}, issn = {1759-6653}, support = {//Saint Louis University/ ; //Intramural Research Program of the NIH/ ; /LM/NLM NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {*Wolbachia/genetics ; *Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; *Recombination, Genetic ; Evolution, Molecular ; Phylogeny ; Genome, Bacterial ; Cytoplasm/genetics ; Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; }, abstract = {Cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), a non-Mendelian genetic phenomenon, involves the manipulation of host reproduction by Wolbachia, a maternally transmitted alphaproteobacterium. The underlying mechanism is centered around the CI Factor (CIF) system governed by two genes, cifA and cifB, where cifB induces embryonic lethality, and cifA counteracts it. Recent investigations have unveiled intriguing facets of this system, including diverse cifB variants, prophage association in specific strains, copy number variation, and rapid component divergence, hinting at a complex evolutionary history. We utilized comparative genomics to systematically classify CIF systems, analyze their locus structure and domain architectures, and reconstruct their diversification and evolutionary trajectories. Our new classification identifies ten distinct CIF types, featuring not just versions present in Wolbachia, but also other intracellular bacteria, and eukaryotic hosts. Significantly, our analysis of CIF loci reveals remarkable variability in gene composition and organization, encompassing an array of diverse endonucleases, variable toxin domains, deubiquitinating peptidases (DUBs), prophages, and transposons. We present compelling evidence that the components within the loci have been diversifying their sequences and domain architectures through extensive, independent lateral transfers and interlocus recombination involving gene conversion. The association with diverse transposons and prophages, coupled with selective pressures from host immunity, likely underpins the emergence of CIF loci as recombination hotspots. Our investigation also posits the origin of CifB-REase domains from mobile elements akin to CR (Crinkler-RHS-type) effectors and Tribolium Medea1 factor, which is linked to another non-Mendelian genetic phenomenon. This comprehensive genomic analysis offers novel insights into the molecular evolution and genomic foundations of Wolbachia-mediated host reproductive control.}, }
@article {pmid39105274, year = {2024}, author = {Lim, JT and Mailepessov, D and Chong, CS and Dickens, B and Lai, YL and Ng, Y and Deng, L and Lee, C and Tan, LY and Chain, G and Ho, SH and Chang, CC and Ma, P and Bansal, S and Lee, V and Sim, S and Tan, CH and Ng, LC}, title = {Assessing Wolbachia-mediated Sterility for Dengue Control: Emulation of a Cluster Randomized Target Trial in Singapore.}, journal = {Journal of travel medicine}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/jtm/taae103}, pmid = {39105274}, issn = {1708-8305}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Matings between male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes infected with wAlbB strain of Wolbachia and wildtype females yield non-viable eggs. We evaluated the efficacy of releasing wAlbB-infected Ae. aegypti male mosquitoes to suppress dengue.<br><br>METHODS: We specified the protocol of a two-arm cluster-randomized test-negative controlled trial (cRCT) and emulated it using a nationally representative test-negative/positive database of individuals reporting for febrile illness to any public hospital, general practitioner or polyclinic. We retrospectively built a cohort of individuals who reside in Wolbachia locations versus a comparator control group who do not reside in Wolbachia locations, using a nationally representative database of all individuals whom report for febrile illness and were tested for dengue at the Environmental Health Institute/hospital laboratories/commercial diagnostic laboratories, through general practitioner clinic, polyclinic or public/private hospital from EW1 2019-EW 262022. We emulated a constrained randomization protocol used in cRCTs to balance dengue risk between intervention and control arms in the pre-intervention period. We used the inverse-probability weighting approach to further balance the intervention and control groups using a battery of algorithmically selected sociodemographic, environmental and anthropogenic variables. Intention-to-treat analyses was conducted to estimate the risk reduction of dengue given Wolbachia exposure.<br><br>RESULTS: Intention-to-treat analyses revealed that, compared with controls, Wolbachia releases for 3, 6, 12 or more months was associated to 47%(95%CI:25-69%), 44%(33-77%) and 61%(38-78%) protective efficacy against dengue, respectively. When exposed to 12 or more months of Wolbachia releases, protective efficacies ranged from 49%(13-72%) to 77%(60-94%) across years. The proportion of virologically confirmed dengue cases was lower overall in the intervention arm. Protective efficacies were found across all years, age and sex subgroups, with higher durations of Wolbachia exposure associated to greater risk reductions of dengue.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Results demonstrated that Wolbachia-mediated sterility can strengthen dengue control in tropical cities, where dengue burden is the greatest.}, }
@article {pmid39102421, year = {2024}, author = {Kilpatrick, AM and Seidl, CM and Ipsaro, IJ and Garrison, CE and Fabbri, G and Howell, PI and McGowan, AG and White, BJ and Mitchell, SN}, title = {Transinfection of Wolbachia wAlbB into Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes does not alter vector competence for Hawaiian avian malaria (Plasmodium relictum GRW4).}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {20}, number = {8}, pages = {e1012052}, pmid = {39102421}, issn = {1553-7374}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Male ; Aedes/microbiology ; *Culex/microbiology/parasitology ; Hawaii ; *Malaria, Avian/transmission ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/parasitology ; *Plasmodium ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; }, abstract = {Avian malaria is expanding upslope with warmer temperatures and driving multiple species of Hawaiian birds towards extinction. Methods to reduce malaria transmission are urgently needed to prevent further declines. Releasing Wolbachia-infected incompatible male mosquitoes could suppress mosquito populations and releasing Wolbachia-infected female mosquitoes (or both sexes) could reduce pathogen transmission if the Wolbachia strain reduced vector competence. We cleared Culex quinquefasciatus of their natural Wolbachia pipientis wPip infection and transinfected them with Wolbachia wAlbB isolated from Aedes albopictus. We show that wAlbB infection was transmitted transovarially, and demonstrate cytoplasmic incompatibility with wild-type mosquitoes infected with wPip from Oahu and Maui, Hawaii. We measured vector competence for avian malaria, Plasmodium relictum, lineage GRW4, of seven mosquito lines (two with wAlbB; three with natural wPip infection, and two cleared of Wolbachia infection) by allowing them to feed on canaries infected with recently collected field isolates of Hawaiian P. relictum. We tested 73 groups (Ntotal = 1176) of mosquitoes for P. relictum infection in abdomens and thoraxes 6-14 days after feeding on a range of parasitemias from 0.028% to 2.49%, as well as a smaller subset of salivary glands. We found no measurable effect of Wolbachia on any endpoint, but strong effects of parasitemia, days post feeding, and mosquito strain on both abdomen and thorax infection prevalence. These results suggest that releasing male wAlbB-infected C. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes could suppress wPip-infected mosquito populations, but would have little positive or negative impact on mosquito vector competence for P. relictum if wAlbB became established in local mosquito populations. More broadly, the lack of Wolbachia effects on vector competence we observed highlights the variable impacts of both native and transinfected Wolbachia infections in mosquitoes.}, }
@article {pmid39097980, year = {2024}, author = {Bilgo, E and Mancini, MV and Gnambani, JE and Dokpomiwa, HAT and Murdochy, S and Lovett, B and St Leger, R and Sinkins, SP and Diabate, A}, title = {Wolbachia confers protection against the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium pingshaense in African Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology reports}, volume = {16}, number = {4}, pages = {e13316}, pmid = {39097980}, issn = {1758-2229}, support = {202888/Z/16/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; AV/PP0025/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; /WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 108508/Z/15/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 226166/Z/22/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology/genetics ; Animals ; *Metarhizium/physiology ; *Aedes/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Pest Control, Biological ; Burkina Faso ; Mosquito Control/methods ; Fertility ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; Female ; Longevity ; }, abstract = {Symbiotic and pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi represent promising alternatives to chemical insecticides to respond to the rapid increase of insecticide resistance and vector-borne disease outbreaks. This study investigated the interaction of two strains of Wolbachia, wAlbB and wAu, with the natural entomopathogenic fungi from Burkina Faso Metarhizium pingshaense, known to be lethal against Anopheles mosquitoes. In addition to showing the potential of Metarhizium against African Aedes aegypti wild-type populations, our study shows that the wAlbB and wAu provide a protective advantage against entomopathogenic fungal infections. Compared to controls, fungal-infected wAu and wAlbB-carrying mosquitoes showed higher longevity, without any significant impact on fecundity and fertility phenotypes. This study provides new insights into the complex multipartite interaction among the mosquito host, the Wolbachia endosymbiont and the entomopathogenic fungus that might be employed to control mosquito populations. Future research should investigate the fitness costs of Wolbachia, as well as its spread and prevalence within mosquito populations. Additionally, evaluating the impact of Wolbachia on interventions involving Metarhizium pingshaense through laboratory and semi-field population studies will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of this combined approach.}, }
@article {pmid39097253, year = {2024}, author = {Pandey, GS and Manandhar, P and Shrestha, BK and Sadaula, A and Hayashi, N and Abdelbaset, AE and Silwal, P and Tsubota, T and Kwak, ML and Nonaka, N and Nakao, R}, title = {Detection and characterization of vector-borne parasites and Wolbachia endosymbionts in greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Nepal.}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {258}, number = {}, pages = {107344}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107344}, pmid = {39097253}, issn = {1873-6254}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/isolation &amp; purification/genetics ; Nepal ; *Perissodactyla/microbiology/parasitology ; *Symbiosis ; Male ; Theileria/isolation &amp; purification/genetics ; Female ; Vector Borne Diseases ; Filarioidea/isolation &amp; purification/genetics/microbiology ; Filariasis/veterinary/parasitology/transmission/epidemiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Prevalence ; Disease Vectors ; }, abstract = {Vector-borne parasite infections affect both domestic and wild animals. They are often asymptomatic but can result in fatal outcomes under natural and human-induced stressors. Given the limited availability of molecular data on vector-borne parasites in Rhinoceros unicornis (greater one-horned rhinoceros), this study employed molecular tools to detect and characterize the vector-borne parasites in rescued rhinoceros in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Whole blood samples were collected from thirty-six R. unicornis during rescue and treatment operations. Piroplasmida infections were first screened using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting 18S ribosomal RNA gene. Wolbachia was detected by amplifying 16S rRNA gene, while filarial nematodes were detected through amplification of 28S rRNA, COI, myoHC and hsp70 genes. Our results confirmed the presence of Theileria bicornis with a prevalence of 75% (27/36) having two previously unreported haplotypes (H8 and H9). Wolbachia endosymbionts were detected in 25% (9/36) of tested samples and belonged to either supergroup C or F. Filarial nematodes of the genera Mansonella and Onchocerca were also detected. There were no significant association between T. bicornis infections and the age, sex, or location from which the animals were rescued. The high prevalence of Theileria with novel haplotypes along with filarial parasites has important ecological and conservational implications and highlights the need to implement parasite surveillance programs for wildlife in Nepal. Further studies monitoring vector-borne pathogens and interspecies transmission among wild animals, livestock and human are required.}, }
@article {pmid39094393, year = {2024}, author = {Turco, S and Brugneti, F and Giubilei, I and Silvestri, C and Petrović, M and Drais, MI and Cristofori, V and Speranza, S and Mazzaglia, A and Contarini, M and Rossini, L}, title = {A bud's life: Metabarcoding analysis to characterise hazelnut big buds microbiome biodiversity.}, journal = {Microbiological research}, volume = {287}, number = {}, pages = {127851}, doi = {10.1016/j.micres.2024.127851}, pmid = {39094393}, issn = {1618-0623}, mesh = {*Corylus/microbiology ; *Microbiota ; Animals ; *DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; *Biodiversity ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Fungi/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Mites/microbiology ; Plant Tumors/microbiology ; Fusarium/genetics/classification/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Despite Corylus avellana L. being an economically important shrub species known for its resilience to adverse environmental conditions, it constantly faces attacks from a plethora of biotic entities. Among these, the mite pest Phytoptus avellanae is gaining importance, causing economic losses every year. This mite colonises the new generative and vegetative buds, leading them to become swollen and reddish, and drastically reducing hazelnut production. The biology behind gall formation is still poorly understood. This study provides a qualitative and quantitative description of the microbiome in both healthy and infested buds of two economically important hazelnut cultivars through metabarcoding of fungal ITS and bacterial 16 S. Potentially pathogenic genera such as Fusarium and Pseudomonas were predominant in the infested buds, along with the obligate intracellular bacterial genus Wolbachia. Akanthomyces muscarius was instead isolated from culture-based methods only from the infested buds. These findings could improve the understanding of gall ecology, supporting the management of mite populations, and they could also serve as a milestone for further studies on low-impact, monitoring-driven, and genetically targeted control strategies.}, }
@article {pmid39091298, year = {2024}, author = {Behrmann, LV and Meier, K and Vollmer, J and Chiedu, CC and Schiefer, A and Hoerauf, A and Pfarr, K}, title = {In vitro extracellular replication of Wolbachia endobacteria.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1405287}, pmid = {39091298}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Obligate intracellular endobacteria of the genus Wolbachia are widespread in arthropods and several filarial nematodes. Control programs for vector-borne diseases (dengue, Zika, malaria) and anti-filarial therapy with antibiotics are based on this important endosymbiont. Investigating Wolbachia, however, is impeded by the need for host cells. In this study, the requirements for Wolbachia wAlbB growth in a host cell-free in vitro culture system were characterized via qPCRs. A cell lysate fraction from Aedes albopictus C6/36 insect cells containing cell membranes and medium with fetal bovine serum were identified as requisite for cell-free replication of Wolbachia. Supplementation with the membrane fraction of insect cell lysate increased extracellular Wolbachia replication by 4.2-fold. Replication rates in the insect cell-free culture were lower compared to Wolbachia grown inside insect cells. However, the endobacteria were able to replicate for up to 12 days and to infect uninfected C6/36 cells. Cell-free Wolbachia treated with the lipid II biosynthesis inhibitor fosfomycin had an enlarged phenotype, seen previously for intracellular Wolbachia in C6/36 cells, indicating that the bacteria were unable to divide. In conclusion, we have developed a cell-free culture system in which Wolbachia replicate for up to 12 days, providing an in vitro tool to elucidate the biology of these endobacteria, e.g., cell division by using compounds that may not enter the C6/36 cells. A better understanding of Wolbachia biology, and in particular host-symbiont interactions, is key to the use of Wolbachia in vector control programs and to future drug development against filarial diseases.}, }
@article {pmid39090271, year = {2024}, author = {Jacobs, J and Nakamoto, A and Mastoras, M and Loucks, H and Mirchandani, C and Karim, L and Penunuri, G and Wanket, C and Russell, SL}, title = {Complete de novo assembly of Wolbachia endosymbiont of Drosophila willistoni using long-read genome sequencing.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {17770}, pmid = {39090271}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {R00 GM135583/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; T32 HG012344/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; T32HG012344/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; R00GM135583/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {*Wolbachia/genetics ; Animals ; *Drosophila/microbiology/genetics ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Phylogeny ; Whole Genome Sequencing/methods ; Genomics/methods ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is an obligate intracellular α-proteobacterium, which commonly infects arthropods and filarial nematodes. Different strains of Wolbachia are capable of a wide range of regulatory manipulations in their diverse hosts, including the modulation of host cellular differentiation to influence host reproduction. The genetic basis for the majority of these phenotypes is unknown. The wWil strain from the neotropical fruit fly, Drosophila willistoni, exhibits a remarkably high affinity for host germline-derived cells relative to the somatic cells. This trait could be leveraged for understanding how Wolbachia influences the host germline and for controlling host populations in the field. To further the use of this strain in biological and biomedical research, we sequenced the genome of the wWil strain isolated from host cell culture cells. Here, we present the first high quality Nanopore assembly of wWil, the Wolbachia endosymbiont of D. willistoni. Our assembly resulted in a circular genome of 1.27 Mb with a BUSCO completeness score of 99.7%. Consistent with other insect-associated Wolbachia strains, comparative genomic analysis revealed that wWil has a highly mosaic genome relative to the closely related wMel and wAu strains from Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila simulans, respectively.}, }
@article {pmid39084490, year = {2024}, author = {Yadav, P and Borges, RM}, title = {Oviposition decisions under environment-induced physiological stress in parasitoids.}, journal = {Current opinion in insect science}, volume = {65}, number = {}, pages = {101240}, doi = {10.1016/j.cois.2024.101240}, pmid = {39084490}, issn = {2214-5753}, mesh = {Animals ; *Oviposition ; *Stress, Physiological ; *Host-Parasite Interactions ; Environment ; Female ; }, abstract = {Parasitoids constantly evaluate their environment to optimise oviposition host utilisation based on their life history parameters and host characteristics, including density. Any factors impairing chemosensory perception, learning and memory of oviposition decisions negatively impact fitness. In the Anthropocene, stressors, for example, elevated temperatures, Wolbachia infection (likely modulated by temperature), pesticides, light pollution and water deficits in plants that provide resources for parasitoid hosts, impact parasitoid oviposition. Such physiological stressors often induce superparasitism since parasitoids are unable to remember prior oviposition on hosts or cause impaired offspring sex ratio. While the effect of these stressors on parasitoid oviposition has been examined individually, their combined effects remain unexplored. Since parasitoids are exposed to these stressors simultaneously, future work must examine their cumulative impact.}, }
@article {pmid39083579, year = {2024}, author = {Crawford, JE}, title = {Virus-blocking mosquitoes take flight in the fight against dengue.}, journal = {Science robotics}, volume = {9}, number = {92}, pages = {eadr0224}, doi = {10.1126/scirobotics.adr0224}, pmid = {39083579}, issn = {2470-9476}, mesh = {Animals ; *Dengue/prevention &amp; control/transmission ; *Dengue Virus/physiology ; *Mosquito Vectors/virology ; *Mosquito Control/methods ; *Aedes/virology/microbiology/physiology ; Humans ; Wolbachia/physiology ; Pest Control, Biological/methods ; Aircraft ; Robotics/instrumentation ; Culicidae/virology/physiology ; }, abstract = {Drone-based mosquito releases facilitate the introduction of dengue-blocking bacteria in wild mosquito populations.}, }
@article {pmid39083575, year = {2024}, author = {Lin, YH and Joubert, DA and Kaeser, S and Dowd, C and Germann, J and Khalid, A and Denton, JA and Retski, K and Tavui, A and Simmons, CP and O'Neill, SL and Gilles, JRL}, title = {Field deployment of Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti using uncrewed aerial vehicle.}, journal = {Science robotics}, volume = {9}, number = {92}, pages = {eadk7913}, doi = {10.1126/scirobotics.adk7913}, pmid = {39083575}, issn = {2470-9476}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aedes/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; *Mosquito Control/methods ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; Indonesia ; Female ; Dengue/prevention &amp; control/transmission ; Humans ; Robotics/instrumentation ; Male ; Pest Control, Biological/methods ; }, abstract = {Over the past 50 years, there has been a marked increase in diseases like dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika. The World Mosquito Program (WMP) has developed an approach that, instead of attempting to eliminate vector species, introduces Wolbachia into native Aedes aegypti populations through the release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. Using this approach, a randomized controlled study recently demonstrated a 77% reduction in dengue across a treatment area within Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Existing release methods use the ground-based release of mosquito eggs or adults that are labor-intensive, are logistically challenging to scale up, and can be restrictive in areas where staff safety is a concern. To overcome these limitations, we developed a fully automated mosquito dosing release system that released smaller cohorts of mosquitoes over a wide area and integrated it into an uncrewed aerial vehicle. We established the effectiveness of this system using an aerial mark, release, and recapture approach. We then demonstrated that using only the aerial release method, we can establish Wolbachia infection in a naive Ae. aegypti population. In both cases, the use of aerial releases demonstrated comparable outcomes to ground-based releases without the required labor or risk. These two trials demonstrated the feasibility of using an aerial release approach for large-scale mosquito releases.}, }
@article {pmid39079670, year = {2024}, author = {Owashi, Y and Arai, H and Adachi-Hagimori, T and Kageyama, D}, title = {Rickettsia induces strong cytoplasmic incompatibility in a predatory insect.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {291}, number = {2027}, pages = {20240680}, pmid = {39079670}, issn = {1471-2954}, mesh = {Animals ; *Rickettsia/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; Female ; *Hemiptera/microbiology/physiology ; *Phylogeny ; Male ; Cytoplasm ; Wolbachia/physiology ; }, abstract = {Rickettsia, a group of intracellular bacteria found in eukaryotes, exhibits diverse lifestyles, with some acting as vertebrate pathogens transmitted by arthropod vectors and others serving as maternally transmitted arthropod endosymbionts, some of which manipulate host reproduction for their own benefit. Two phenotypes, namely male-killing and parthenogenesis induction are known as Rickettsia-induced host reproductive manipulations, but it remains unknown whether Rickettsia can induce other types of host manipulation. In this study, we discovered that Rickettsia induced strong cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), in which uninfected females produce no offspring when mated with infected males, in the predatory insect Nesidiocoris tenuis (Hemiptera: Miridae). Molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Rickettsia strain was related to Rickettsia bellii, a common insect endosymbiont. Notably, this strain carried plasmid-encoded homologues of the CI-inducing factors (namely cifA-like and cifB-like genes), typically found in Wolbachia, which are well-known CI-inducing endosymbionts. Protein domain prediction revealed that the cifB-like gene encodes PD-(D/E)XK nuclease and deubiquitinase domains, which are responsible for Wolbachia-induced CI, as well as ovarian tumour-like (OTU-like) cysteine protease and ankyrin repeat domains. These findings suggest that Rickettsia and Wolbachia endosymbionts share underlying mechanisms of CI and that CI-inducing ability was acquired by microbes through horizontal plasmid transfer.}, }
@article {pmid39077840, year = {2024}, author = {Duran-Ahumada, S and Karrer, L and Cheng, C and Roeske, I and Pilchik, J and Jimenez-Vallejo, D and Smith, E and Roy, K and Kirstein, OD and Martin-Park, A and Contreras-Perera, Y and Che-Mendoza, A and Gonzalez-Olvera, G and Puerta-Guardo, HN and Uribe-Soto, SI and Manrique-Saide, P and Vazquez-Prokopec, G}, title = {Wolbachia pipientis (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) mediated effects on the fitness and performance of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) under variable temperatures and initial larval densities.}, journal = {Journal of medical entomology}, volume = {61}, number = {5}, pages = {1155-1167}, doi = {10.1093/jme/tjae088}, pmid = {39077840}, issn = {1938-2928}, support = {00116467//Emory University/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Aedes/microbiology/growth &amp; development/physiology ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; *Larva/growth &amp; development/microbiology ; Female ; *Temperature ; Male ; Population Density ; Fertility ; Genetic Fitness ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis (Hertig, 1936), also referred as Wolbachia, is a bacterium present across insect taxa, certain strains of which have been demonstrated to impact the fitness and capacity to transmit viruses in mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762). Most studies examine these impacts in limited sets of environmental regimes. Here we seek to understand the impacts of environmentally relevant conditions such as larval density, temperature, and their interaction on wAlbB-infected A. aegypti. Using a factorial design, we measured wAlbB stability (relative density, post-emergence in females, and in progeny), the ability for wAlbB to induce cytoplasmic incompatibility, and bacterial effects on mosquito fitness (fecundity, fertility, and body mass) and performance (adult survival and time to pupation) across 2 temperature regimes (fluctuating and constant) and 2 initial larval densities (low and high). Fluctuating daily regimes of temperature (27 to 40 °C) led to decreased post-emergence wAlbB density and increased wAlbB density in eggs compared to constant temperature (27 °C). An increased fecundity was found in wAlbB-carrying females reared at fluctuating temperatures compared to uninfected wild-type females. wAlbB-carrying adult females showed significantly increased survival than wild-type females. Contrarily, wAlbB-carrying adult males exhibited a significantly lower survival than wild-type males. We found differential effects of assessed treatments (Wolbachia infection status, temperature, and larval density) across mosquito sexes and life stages. Taken together, our results indicate that realistic conditions may not impact dramatically the stability of wAlbB infection in A. aegypti. Nonetheless, understanding the ecological consequence of A. aegypti-wAlbB interaction is complex due to life history tradeoffs under conditions faced by natural populations.}, }
@article {pmid39076777, year = {2024}, author = {Frost, CL and Mitchell, R and Smith, JE and Hughes, WOH}, title = {Genotypes and phenotypes in a Wolbachia-ant symbiosis.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {e17781}, pmid = {39076777}, issn = {2167-8359}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/physiology/genetics ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; *Ants/microbiology/genetics ; *Genotype ; *Phenotype ; Female ; Male ; }, abstract = {The fitness effects of overt parasites, and host resistance to them, are well documented. Most symbionts, however, are more covert and their interactions with their hosts are less well understood. Wolbachia, an intracellular symbiont of insects, is particularly interesting because it is thought to be unaffected by the host immune response and to have fitness effects mostly focussed on sex ratio manipulation. Here, we use quantitative PCR to investigate whether host genotype affects Wolbachia infection density in the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex echinatior, and whether Wolbachia infection density may affect host morphology or caste determination. We found significant differences between host colonies in the density of Wolbachia infections, and also smaller intracolonial differences in infection density between host patrilines. However, the density of Wolbachia infections did not appear to affect the morphology of adult queens or likelihood of ants developing as queens. The results suggest that both host genotype and environment influence the host-Wolbachia relationship, but that Wolbachia infections carry little or no physiological effect on the development of larvae in this system.}, }
@article {pmid39072896, year = {2024}, author = {Li, Y and Peng, J and Li, H and Zhang, R and Chen, J and Hou, X and Yang, G}, title = {Integrating pyriproxyfen into the incompatible insect technique enhances mosquito population suppression efficiency and eliminates the risk of population replacement.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1002/ps.8339}, pmid = {39072896}, issn = {1526-4998}, support = {82102430//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 12171112//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2020M672573//China Postdoctoral Science Foundation/ ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The incompatible insect technique (IIT) has been used for Aedes mosquito population suppression to curb the transmission of dengue. However, its wide application is limited owing to the low output of male mosquitoes and the risk of population replacement from the release of fertile Wolbachia-infected females. This study aims to improve IIT efficiency for broader adoption.<br><br>RESULTS: We assessed the impact of 10% pyriproxyfen (PPF) sticky powder exposure on Wolbachia (from Culex molestus)-transinfected Aedes albopictus Guangzhou line (GUA line) (GC) mosquitoes. We found that the exposure caused chronic toxicity in adult mosquitoes without affecting the cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI)-inducing capability of males. The PPF-contaminated GC females exhibited significant sterilization and the ability to disseminate lethal doses of PPF to breeding sites. Subsequently, we conducted a field trial combining PPF with IIT aiming to suppress the Ae.&#x2009;albopictus population. This combined approach, termed boosted IIT (BIIT), showed a notable enhancement in population suppression efficiency. The improved efficacy of BIIT was attributed to the dispersion of PPF particles in the field via the released PPF-contaminated male mosquitoes. During the BIIT field trial, no Wolbachia wPip-positive Ae.&#x2009;albopictus larvae were detected, indicating the effective elimination of the risk of Wolbachia-induced population replacement. Additionally, the field trial of BIIT against Ae.&#x2009;albopictus resulted in the suppression of the nontarget mosquito species Culex quinquefasciatus.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Our results highlight the remarkable efficiency and feasibility of combining IIT with PPF in suppressing mosquito populations, facilitating the widespread implementation of IIT-based management of mosquito-borne diseases. &#xa9; 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.}, }
@article {pmid39066296, year = {2024}, author = {Madhav, M and Blasdell, KR and Trewin, B and Paradkar, PN and López-Denman, AJ}, title = {Culex-Transmitted Diseases: Mechanisms, Impact, and Future Control Strategies using Wolbachia.}, journal = {Viruses}, volume = {16}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {39066296}, issn = {1999-4915}, mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology ; Animals ; *Culex/microbiology/virology ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/virology ; Humans ; *Mosquito Control/methods ; }, abstract = {Mosquitoes of the Culex genus are responsible for a large burden of zoonotic virus transmission globally. Collectively, they play a significant role in the transmission of medically significant diseases such as Japanese encephalitis virus and West Nile virus. Climate change, global trade, habitat transformation and increased urbanisation are leading to the establishment of Culex mosquitoes in new geographical regions. These novel mosquito incursions are intensifying concerns about the emergence of Culex-transmitted diseases and outbreaks in previously unaffected areas. New mosquito control methods are currently being developed and deployed globally. Understanding the complex interaction between pathogens and mosquitoes is essential for developing new control strategies for Culex species mosquitoes. This article reviews the role of Culex mosquitos as vectors of zoonotic disease, discussing the transmission of viruses across different species, and the potential use of Wolbachia technologies to control disease spread. By leveraging the insights gained from recent successful field trials of Wolbachia against Aedes-borne diseases, we comprehensively discuss the feasibility of using this technique to control Culex mosquitoes and the potential for the development of next generational Wolbachia-based control methods.}, }
@article {pmid39057829, year = {2024}, author = {Collado-Cuadrado, M and Alarcón-Torrecillas, C and Rodríguez-Escolar, I and Balmori-de la Puente, A and Infante González-Mohino, E and Pericacho, M and Morchón, R}, title = {Wolbachia Promotes an Anti-Angiogenic Response Using an In Vitro Model of Vascular Endothelial Cells in Relation to Heartworm Disease.}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {13}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {39057829}, issn = {2076-0817}, support = {//General Foundation of University of Salamanca/ ; //Margarita-Salas as postdoctoral scholarship/ ; //University of Salamanca-Banco Santander/ ; }, abstract = {Heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis is a vector-borne zoonotic disease responsible for the infection of mainly domestic dogs and cats, or these are those for which the most data are known. Humans are an accidental host where a benign, asymptomatic pulmonary nodule may originate. Dirofilaria immitis also harbours the endosymbiont bacteria of the genus Wolbachia, which play a role in moulting, embryogenesis, inflammatory pathology, and immune response. When Wolbachia sp. is released into the bloodstream, endothelial and pulmonary damage is exacerbated, further encouraging thrombus formation and pulmonary hypertension, facilitating congestive heart failure and death of the animal. Previous studies have shown that parasite excretory/secretory products are able to activate the pro-angiogenic pathway (formation of new vessels) to facilitate parasite survival. The aim of this study was to analyse the role of Wolbachia sp. and its relationship with the cellular processes and the angiogenic pathway in a model of human endothelial cells in vitro. The use of recombinant Wolbachia Surface Protein (rWSP) showed that its stimulation exerted an anti-angiogenic effect by detecting an increase in the production of VEGFR-1/sFlt1 and sEndoglin and did not affect the production of VEGFR-2 and mEndoglin (pro-angiogenic molecules). Furthermore, it did not stimulate cell proliferation or migration, although it did negatively stimulate the formation of pseudocapillaries, slowing down this process. These cellular processes are directly related to the angiogenic pathway so, with these results, we can conclude that Wolbachia sp. is related to the stimulation of the anti-angiogenic pathway, not facilitating the survival of D. immitis in vascular endothelium.}, }
@article {pmid39057258, year = {2024}, author = {Sakamoto, JM and Shikano, I and Rasgon, JL}, title = {Microbiomes of Two Pest Fly Species of Pennsylvania Mushroom Houses.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {15}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {39057258}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {Project #PEN04912 (Accession #7006384) and Project #PEN04769 (Accession #1010032)//United States Department of Agriculture/ ; NA//Giorgi Mushroom Fund/ ; }, abstract = {Mushroom cultivation vastly improves the yield of mushrooms under optimized, controlled conditions, but may be susceptible to opportunistic colonization by pest species that can establish themselves, as well as the pathogens and pests they may transmit. Here, we describe our investigation into the bacterial communities of adult Lycoriella ingenua (Diptera: Sciaridae) and Megaselia halterata (Diptera: Phoridae) collected from button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) production houses in Pennsylvania. We collected adult flies and sequenced the hypervariable v4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA using the Illumina MiSeq. The most abundant bacterial genus detected in both species was Wolbachia, but phylogenetic analysis revealed that the infections are from different clades. Future studies include the characterization of Wolbachia infections on fly behavior and biology, comparison of microbial diversity of fly species colonizing wild mushrooms, and other microbiota that may contribute to the success of certain pest fly species.}, }
@article {pmid39054929, year = {2024}, author = {Singh, R and Suresh, S and Fewell, JH and Harrison, JF and Linksvayer, TA}, title = {Wolbachia-infected pharaoh ant colonies have higher egg production, metabolic rate and worker survival.}, journal = {The Journal of experimental biology}, volume = {227}, number = {16}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1242/jeb.247168}, pmid = {39054929}, issn = {1477-9145}, support = {IOS-1452520//National Science Foundation/ ; //National Science Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; *Ants/microbiology/physiology ; Female ; *Longevity ; Oviposition/physiology ; Symbiosis ; Ovum/microbiology/physiology ; Reproduction ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is a widespread maternally transmitted endosymbiotic bacteria with diverse phenotypic effects on its insect hosts, ranging from parasitic to mutualistic. Wolbachia commonly infects social insects, where it faces unique challenges associated with its host's caste-based reproductive division of labor and colony living. Here, we dissect the benefits and costs of Wolbachia infection on life-history traits of the invasive pharaoh ant, Monomorium pharaonis, which are relatively short lived and show natural variation in Wolbachia infection status between colonies. We quantified the effects of Wolbachia infection on the lifespan of queen and worker castes, the egg-laying rate of queens across queen lifespan, and the metabolic rates of whole colonies and colony members. Infected queens laid more eggs than uninfected queens but had similar metabolic rates and lifespans. Interestingly, infected workers outlived uninfected workers. At the colony level, infected colonies were more productive as a consequence of increased queen egg-laying rates and worker longevity, and infected colonies had higher metabolic rates during peak colony productivity. While some effects of infection, such as elevated colony-level metabolic rates, may be detrimental in more stressful natural conditions, we did not find any costs of infection under relatively benign laboratory conditions. Overall, our study emphasizes that Wolbachia infection can have beneficial effects on ant colony growth and worker survival in at least some environments.}, }
@article {pmid39052691, year = {2024}, author = {Mirchandani, C and Wang, P and Jacobs, J and Genetti, M and Pepper-Tunick, E and Sullivan, WT and Corbett-Detig, R and Russell, SL}, title = {Mixed Wolbachia infections resolve rapidly during in vitro evolution.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {20}, number = {7}, pages = {e1012149}, pmid = {39052691}, issn = {1553-7374}, support = {R00 GM135583/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM128932/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM139595/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; T32 HG012344/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology ; Animals ; *Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; Biological Evolution ; Drosophila simulans/microbiology ; Cell Line ; }, abstract = {The intracellular symbiont Wolbachia pipientis evolved after the divergence of arthropods and nematodes, but it reached high prevalence in many of these taxa through its abilities to infect new hosts and their germlines. Some strains exhibit long-term patterns of co-evolution with their hosts, while other strains are capable of switching hosts. This makes strain selection an important factor in symbiont-based biological control. However, little is known about the ecological and evolutionary interactions that occur when a promiscuous strain colonizes an infected host. Here, we study what occurs when two strains come into contact in host cells following horizontal transmission and infection. We focus on the faithful wMel strain from Drosophila melanogaster and the promiscuous wRi strain from Drosophila simulans using an in vitro cell culture system with multiple host cell types and combinatorial infection states. Mixing D. melanogaster cell lines stably infected with wMel and wRi revealed that wMel outcompetes wRi quickly and reproducibly. Furthermore, wMel was able to competitively exclude wRi even from minuscule starting quantities, indicating that this is a nearly deterministic outcome, independent of the starting infection frequency. This competitive advantage was not exclusive to wMel's native D. melanogaster cell background, as wMel also outgrew wRi in D. simulans cells. Overall, wRi is less adept at in vitro growth and survival than wMel and its in vivo state, revealing differences between the two strains in cellular and humoral regulation. These attributes may underlie the observed low rate of mixed infections in nature and the relatively rare rate of host-switching in most strains. Our in vitro experimental framework for estimating cellular growth dynamics of Wolbachia strains in different host species and cell types provides the first strategy for parameterizing endosymbiont and host cell biology at high resolution. This toolset will be crucial to our application of these bacteria as biological control agents in novel hosts and ecosystems.}, }
@article {pmid39041013, year = {2024}, author = {Henry, LP and Fernandez, M and Wolf, S and Abhyankar, V and Ayroles, JF}, title = {Wolbachia impacts microbiome diversity and fitness-associated traits for Drosophila melanogaster in a seasonally fluctuating environment.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {14}, number = {7}, pages = {e70004}, pmid = {39041013}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {The microbiome contributes to many different host traits, but its role in host adaptation remains enigmatic. The fitness benefits of the microbiome often depend on ecological conditions, but theory suggests that fluctuations in both the microbiome and environment modulate these fitness benefits. Moreover, vertically transmitted bacteria might constrain the ability of both the microbiome and host to respond to changing environments. Drosophila melanogaster provides an excellent system to investigate the impacts of interactions between the microbiome and the environment. To address this question, we created field mesocosms of D. melanogaster undergoing seasonal environmental change with and without the vertically transmitted bacteria, Wolbachia pipientis. Sampling temporal patterns in the microbiome revealed that Wolbachia constrained microbial diversity. Furthermore, Wolbachia and a dominant member of the microbiome, Commensalibacter, were associated with differences in two higher-order fitness traits, starvation resistance and lifespan. Our work here suggests that the interplay between the abiotic context and microbe-microbe interactions may shape key host phenotypes that underlie adaptation to changing environments. We conclude by exploring the consequences of complex interactions between Wolbachia and the microbiome for our understanding of eco-evolutionary processes that shape host-microbiome interactions.}, }
@article {pmid39031863, year = {2024}, author = {Lombardi, G and Lampazzi, E and Calvitti, M}, title = {Incompatible insect technique: insights on potential outcomes of releasing contaminant females: a proof of concept under semi-field conditions.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1002/ps.8263}, pmid = {39031863}, issn = {1526-4998}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Releasing large numbers of Aedes albopictus males, carrying the artificially introduced Wolbachia 'wPip' strain, results in a decrease in the reproductive capacity of wild females due to a phenomenon known as cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). This vector control strategy is referred to as the incompatible insect technique (IIT). However, its widespread implementation faces various challenges, including the complexity of removing fertile females from the males intended for release. Here, we present the results of semi-field experiments comparing the impact of minimal female co-release on two IIT modes: unidirectional CI-based (UnCI IIT) and bidirectional CI-based (BiCI IIT), specifically targeting Ae. albopictus.<br><br>RESULTS: The contamination of 'wPip' infected females (2%) during male releases significantly weakened the overall effectiveness of IIT, emphasizing the need for thorough sex separation. Specifically, with UnCI IIT, despite the low rate of co-released females, there was a gradual rise in 'wPip' infection frequency, resulting in more compatible mating and subsequently higher rates of egg hatching. Conversely, this pattern was effectively mitigated in BiCI IIT owing to the reciprocal sterility between the wild-type and the 'wPip' infected populations.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Through an experimental approach, conducted in a semi-field setting, we have contributed to advancing scientific understanding regarding the potential outcomes of implementing the IIT strategy in the absence of a complete sexing system. The results suggest that safety measures for mitigating the potential impacts of co-released females can be tailored according to the specific type of IIT being utilized. &#xa9; 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.}, }
@article {pmid39029846, year = {2024}, author = {Mathimaran, A and Nagarajan, H and Mathimaran, A and Huang, YC and Chen, CJ and Vetrivel, U and Jeyaraman, J}, title = {Deciphering the pH-dependent oligomerization of aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase from Wolbachia endosymbiont of Brugia malayi: An in vitro and in silico approaches.}, journal = {International journal of biological macromolecules}, volume = {276}, number = {Pt 2}, pages = {133977}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133977}, pmid = {39029846}, issn = {1879-0003}, mesh = {*Brugia malayi/enzymology/microbiology ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Animals ; *Aspartate-Semialdehyde Dehydrogenase/metabolism/chemistry/genetics ; *Protein Multimerization ; *Wolbachia/enzymology ; Molecular Dynamics Simulation ; Computer Simulation ; Symbiosis ; NADP/metabolism ; }, abstract = {The enzyme aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (ASDH) plays a pivotal role in the amino acid biosynthesis pathway, making it an attractive target for the development of new antimicrobial drugs due to its absence in humans. This study aims to investigate the presence of ASDH in the filarial parasite Wolbachia endosymbiont of Brugia malayi (WBm) using both in vitro and in silico approaches. The size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and Native-PAGE analysis demonstrate that WBm-ASDH undergoes pH-dependent oligomerization and dimerization. To gain a deeper understanding of this phenomenon, the modelled monomer and dimer structures were subjected to pH-dependent dynamics simulations in various conditions. The results reveal that residues Val240, Gln161, Thr159, Tyr160, and Trp316 form strong hydrogen bond contacts in the intersurface area to maintain the structure in the dimeric form. Furthermore, the binding of NADP[+] induces conformational changes, leading to an open or closed conformation in the structure. Importantly, the binding of NADP[+] does not disturb either the dimerization or oligomerization of the protein, a finding confirmed through both in vitro and in silico analysis. These findings shed light on the structural characteristics of WBm-ASDH and offer valuable insights for the development of new inhibitors specific to WBm, thereby contributing to the development of potential therapies for filarial parasitic infections.}, }
@article {pmid39019394, year = {2024}, author = {Santana, TDD and Rodrigues, TM and Andrade, LA and Santos, ER and Ardisson-Araújo, DMP}, title = {Three picorna-like viruses found associated with the spider mite, Tetranychus truncatus (Acari: Tetranychidae).}, journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology}, volume = {206}, number = {}, pages = {108169}, doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2024.108169}, pmid = {39019394}, issn = {1096-0805}, mesh = {Animals ; *Tetranychidae/virology ; *Picornaviridae/genetics/classification ; Phylogeny ; Genome, Viral ; }, abstract = {Herbivorous arthropods, such as mites and insects, host a variety of microorganisms that significantly influence their ecology and evolution. While insect viruses have been extensively studied, our understanding of the diversity and composition of mite viromes and the interactions with mite hosts remains limited. The Asian spider mite, Tetranychus truncatus Ehara (Acari: Tetranychidae), a major agricultural pest, has not yet been reported to harbor any viruses. Here, using publicly available RNA-Seq data, we identified and characterized three picorna-like viruses associated with T. truncatus: Tetranychus truncatus-associated iflavirus 1 (TtAIV-1), Tetranychus truncatus-associated picorna-like virus 1 (TtAV-1), and Tetranychus truncatus-associated picorna-like virus 2 (TtAV-2). TtAIV-1 has a typical Iflaviridae genome structure with a single ORF, representing the first iflavirus associated with the Tetranychus genus. TtAV-1 and TtAV-2 exhibit bicistronic arrangements similar to dicistroviruses and other picorna-like viruses, with complex secondary structures in their non-coding regions. Phylogenetic analysis places TtAIV-1 within Iflaviridae, possibly as a new species, while TtAV-1 and TtAV-2 form distinct clades within unclassified picorna-like viruses, suggesting new families within Picornavirales. We analyzed in silico the presence and abundance of these viruses in T. truncatus across four bioproject SRAs, mostly finding them co-associated, with viral reads reaching up to 30% of total reads. Their presence and abundance varied by mite treatment and origin, with no significant impact from Wolbachia infection or abamectin exposure, although TtAV-2 was absent in abamectin-treated mites. Temperature influenced virus abundance, and variations were observed among Chinese mite populations based on geography and host plant association. Our findings offer insights into picorna-like virus diversity and dynamics in T. truncatus, revealing potential roles in mite biology and suggesting applications for mite population control, thereby enhancing agricultural productivity and food security.}, }
@article {pmid39009178, year = {2024}, author = {Power, RI and Doyle, SR and Šlapeta, J}, title = {Whole genome amplification and sequencing of individual Dirofilaria immitis microfilariae.}, journal = {Experimental parasitology}, volume = {263-264}, number = {}, pages = {108806}, doi = {10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108806}, pmid = {39009178}, issn = {1090-2449}, mesh = {Animals ; *Dirofilaria immitis/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Dogs ; *Genome, Helminth ; *Dog Diseases/parasitology ; *Dirofilariasis/parasitology ; *Microfilariae/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; *Whole Genome Sequencing ; *DNA, Helminth/isolation &amp; purification/chemistry ; Female ; Male ; }, abstract = {Dirofilaria immitis is a filarial parasitic nematode of veterinary significance. With the emergence of drug-resistant isolates in the USA, it is imperative to determine the likelihood of resistance occurring in other regions of the world. One approach is to conduct population genetic studies across an extensive geographical range, and to sequence the genomes of individual worms to understand genome-wide genetic variation associated with resistance. The immature life stages of D. immitis found in the host blood are more accessible and less invasive to sample compared to extracting adult stages from the host heart. To assess the use of immature life stages for population genetic analyses, we have performed whole genome amplification and whole-genome sequencing on nine (n = 9) individual D. immitis microfilaria samples isolated from dog blood. On average, less than 1% of mapped reads aligned to each D. immitis genome (nuclear, mitochondrial, and Wolbachia endosymbiont). For the dog genome, an average of over 99% of mapped reads aligned to the nuclear genome and less than 1% aligned to the mitochondrial genome. The average coverage for all D. immitis genomes and the dog nuclear genome was less than 1, while the dog mitochondrial genome had an average coverage of 2.87. The overwhelming proportion of sequencing reads mapping to the dog host genome can be attributed to residual dog blood cells in the microfilariae samples. These results demonstrate the challenges of conducting genome-wide studies on individual immature parasite life stages, particularly in the presence of extraneous host DNA.}, }
@article {pmid39004260, year = {2024}, author = {Tischer, M and Bleidorn, C}, title = {Further evidence of low infection frequencies of Wolbachia in soil arthropod communities.}, journal = {Infection, genetics and evolution : journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics in infectious diseases}, volume = {123}, number = {}, pages = {105641}, doi = {10.1016/j.meegid.2024.105641}, pmid = {39004260}, issn = {1567-7257}, mesh = {*Wolbachia/genetics/classification ; Animals ; *Arthropods/microbiology ; *Phylogeny ; *Soil Microbiology ; Germany/epidemiology ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; }, abstract = {Endosymbiotic Alphaproteobacteria of the genus Wolbachia are exclusively transferred maternally from mother to offspring, but horizontal transfer across species boundaries seems to be frequent as well. However, the (ecological) mechanisms of how these bacteria are transferred between distantly related arthropod hosts remain unclear. Based on the observation that species that are part of the same ecological community often also share similar Wolbachia strains, host ecology has been hypothesized as an important factor enabling transmission and a key factor in explaining the global distribution of Wolbachia lineages. In this study, we focus on the diversity and abundance of Wolbachia strains in soil arthropods, a so far rather neglected community. We screened 82 arthropod morphotypes collected in the beech forest (dominated by Fagus sp.) soil in the area of Göttingen in central Germany for the presence of Wolbachia. By performing a PCR screen with Wolbachia-MLST markers (coxA, dnaA, fbpA, ftsZ, gatB, and hcpA), we found a rather low infection frequency of 12,2%. Additionally, we performed metagenomic screening of pooled individuals from the same sampling site and could not find evidence that this low infection frequency is an artefact due to PCR-primer bias. Phylogenetic analyses of the recovered Wolbachia strains grouped them in three known supergroups (A, B, and E), with the first report of Wolbachia in Protura (Hexapoda). Moreover, Wolbachia sequences from the pseudoscorpion Neobisium carcinoides cluster outside the currently known supergroup diversity. Our screening supports results from previous studies that the prevalence of Wolbachia infections seems to be lower in soil habitats than in above-ground terrestrial habitats. The reasons for this pattern are not completely understood but might stem from the low opportunity of physical contact and the prevalence of supergroups that are less suited for horizontal transfer.}, }
@article {pmid38997103, year = {2024}, author = {Lau, MJ and Nie, S and Ross, PA and Endersby-Harshman, NM and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {Long-term impacts of egg quiescence and Wolbachia infection on lipid profiles in Aedes aegypti: Ovarian roles in lipid synthesis during reproduction.}, journal = {Journal of insect physiology}, volume = {157}, number = {}, pages = {104674}, doi = {10.1016/j.jinsphys.2024.104674}, pmid = {38997103}, issn = {1879-1611}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aedes/microbiology/metabolism/physiology ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; Female ; *Ovary/microbiology/metabolism ; Ovum/microbiology/metabolism ; Reproduction ; Lipids/biosynthesis ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipidomics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia, an endosymbiotic bacterium, relies on nutrients from its host to complete its life cycle. The presence of Wolbachia strain wAlbB in the mosquito Aedes aegypti during egg or larval stages affects the host's development, leading to the absence of developed and visible ovaries in adult mosquito females. In this study, we investigated the impacts of egg quiescence and Wolbachia infection on lipid profiles of adult Ae. aegypti females, and discerned the role of ovaries in lipid synthesis in the reproductive process. The lipidomes of Wolbachia infected and uninfected female individuals at various developmental stages were quantitatively analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Lipidomic change patterns were systematically further investigated in wAlbB-infected fertile females and infertile females following blood feeding. Prolonged egg quiescence induced a shortage of acyl-carnitine (CAR) and potentially impacted some molecules of diacyl-phospholipid (diacyl-PL) and sphingolipid (SL) in young adult mosquitoes. After the first gonotrophic cycle, infertile females accumulated more CAR and lyso-phospholipid (lyso-PL) than fertile females. Then in the second gonotrophic cycle, the patterns of different lipid groups remained similar between fertile and infertile females. Only a small proportion of molecules of triglyceride (TG), phospholipid (lyso-PL and diacyl-PL) and ceramide (Cer) increased exclusively in fertile females from 0 h to 16 h post blood meal, suggesting that the generation or prescence of these lipids rely on ovaries. In addition, we found cardiolipins (CL) might be impacted by Wolbachia infection at the egg stage, and infected mosquitoes also showed distinct patterns between fertile and infertile females at their second gonotrophic cycle. Our study provides new insights into the long-term influence of Wolbachia on lipid profiles throughout various life stages of mosquitoes. Additionally, it suggests a role played by ovaries in lipid synthesis during mosquito reproduction.}, }
@article {pmid38992783, year = {2024}, author = {Klimov, PB and Hubert, J and Erban, T and Alejandra Perotti, M and Braig, HR and Flynt, A and He, Q and Cui, Y}, title = {Genomic and metagenomic analyses of the domestic mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae identify it as a widespread environmental contaminant and a host of a basal, mite-specific Wolbachia lineage (supergroup Q).}, journal = {International journal for parasitology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijpara.2024.07.001}, pmid = {38992783}, issn = {1879-0135}, abstract = {Tyrophagus putrescentiae (mould mite) is a global, microscopic trophic generalist that commonly occurs in various human-created habitats, causing allergies and damaging stored food. Its ubiquity and extraordinary ability to penetrate research samples or cultures through air currents or by active walking through tights spaces (such as treads of screw caps) may lead to sample contamination and introduction of its DNA to research materials in the laboratory. This prompts a thorough investigation into potential sequence contamination in public genomic databases. The trophic success of T. putrescentiae is primarily attributed to the symbiotic bacteria housed in specialized internal mite structures, facilitating adaptation to varied nutritional niches. However, recent work suggests that horizontal transfer of bacterial/fungal genes related to nutritional functionality may also contribute to the mite's trophic versatility. This aspect requires independent confirmation. Additionally, T. putrescentiae harbors an uncharacterized and genetically divergent bacterium, Wolbachia, displaying blocking and microbiome-modifying effects. The phylogenomic position and supergroup assignment of this bacterium are unknown. Here, we sequenced and assembled the T. putrescentiae genome, analyzed its microbiome, and performed detailed phylogenomic analyses of the mite-specific Wolbachia. We show that T. putrescentiae DNA is a substantial source of contamination of research samples. Its DNA may inadvertently be co-extracted with the DNA of the target organism, eventually leading to sequence contamination in public databases. We identified a diversity of bacterial species associated with T. putrescentiae, including those capable of rapidly developing antibiotic resistance, such as Escherichia coli. Despite the presence of diverse bacterial communities in T. putrescentiae, we did not detect any recent horizontal gene transfers in this mite species and/or in astigmatid (domestic) mites in general. Our phylogenomic analysis of Wolbachia recovered a basal, mite-specific lineage (supergroup Q) represented by two Wolbachia spp. from the mould mite and a gall-inducing plant mite. Fluorescence in situ hybridization confirmed the presence of Wolbachia inside the mould mite. The discovery of an early derivative Wolbachia lineage (supergroup Q) in two phylogenetically unrelated and ecologically dissimilar mites suggests that this endosymbiotic bacterial lineage formed a long-term association with mites. This finding provides a unique insight into the early evolution and host associations of Wolbachia. Further discoveries of Wolbachia diversity in acariform mites are anticipated.}, }
@article {pmid38985862, year = {2024}, author = {Hoffmann, G and Lukarska, M and Clare, RH and Masters, EKG and Johnston, KL and Ford, L and Turner, JD and Ward, SA and Taylor, MJ and Jensen, MR and Palencia, A}, title = {Targeting a microbiota Wolbachian aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase to block its pathogenic host.}, journal = {Science advances}, volume = {10}, number = {28}, pages = {eado1453}, pmid = {38985862}, issn = {2375-2548}, mesh = {*Wolbachia/drug effects ; Humans ; *Microbiota ; Animals ; Leucine-tRNA Ligase/metabolism/antagonists &amp; inhibitors ; Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases/metabolism/antagonists &amp; inhibitors ; Crystallography, X-Ray ; Boron Compounds/pharmacology/chemistry ; Symbiosis ; Models, Molecular ; }, abstract = {The interplay between humans and their microbiome is crucial for various physiological processes, including nutrient absorption, immune defense, and maintaining homeostasis. Microbiome alterations can directly contribute to diseases or heighten their likelihood. This relationship extends beyond humans; microbiota play vital roles in other organisms, including eukaryotic pathogens causing severe diseases. Notably, Wolbachia, a bacterial microbiota, is essential for parasitic worms responsible for lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis, devastating human illnesses. Given the lack of rapid cures for these infections and the limitations of current treatments, new drugs are imperative. Here, we disrupt Wolbachia's symbiosis with pathogens using boron-based compounds targeting an unprecedented Wolbachia enzyme, leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LeuRS), effectively inhibiting its growth. Through a compound demonstrating anti-Wolbachia efficacy in infected cells, we use biophysical experiments and x-ray crystallography to elucidate the mechanism behind Wolbachia LeuRS inhibition. We reveal that these compounds form adenosine-based adducts inhibiting protein synthesis. Overall, our study underscores the potential of disrupting key microbiota to control infections.}, }
@article {pmid38982550, year = {2024}, author = {Du, CH and Xiang, R and Bie, SS and Yang, X and Yang, JH and Yao, MG and Zhang, Y and He, ZH and Shao, ZT and Luo, CF and Pu, EN and Li, YQ and Wang, F and Luo, Z and Du, CB and Zhao, J and Li, M and Cao, WC and Sun, Y and Jiang, JF}, title = {Genetic diversity and prevalence of emerging Rickettsiales in Yunnan Province: a large-scale study.}, journal = {Infectious diseases of poverty}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {54}, pmid = {38982550}, issn = {2049-9957}, support = {U200221//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2019YFC1200501//Key Technologies Research and Development Program/ ; 2022YFC2305001//Key Technologies Research and Development Program/ ; }, mesh = {China/epidemiology ; Animals ; *Genetic Variation ; *Phylogeny ; Prevalence ; *Rickettsiales/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/classification ; *Ticks/microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics/analysis ; Livestock/microbiology ; Rickettsia Infections/epidemiology/microbiology/veterinary ; Rickettsia/isolation &amp; purification/genetics/classification ; Mammals/microbiology ; Humans ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Rickettsia and related diseases have been identified as significant global public health threats. This study involved comprehensive field and systematic investigations of various rickettsial organisms in Yunnan Province.<br><br>METHODS: Between May 18, 2011 and November 23, 2020, field investigations were conducted across 42 counties in Yunnan Province, China, encompassing small mammals, livestock, and ticks. Preliminary screenings for Rickettsiales involved amplifying the 16S rRNA genes, along with additional genus- or species-specific genes, which were subsequently confirmed through sequencing results. Sequence comparisons were carried out using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). Phylogenetic relationships were analyzed using the default parameters in the Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (MEGA) program. The chi-squared test was used to assess the diversities and component ratios of rickettsial agents across various parameters.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 7964 samples were collected from small mammals, livestock, and ticks through Yunnan Province and submitted for screening for rickettsial organisms. Sixteen rickettsial species from the genera Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Neoehrlichia, and Wolbachia were detected, with an overall prevalence of 14.72%. Among these, 11 species were identified as pathogens or potential pathogens to humans and livestock. Specifically, 10 rickettsial organisms were widely found in 42.11% (24 out of 57) of small mammal species. High prevalence was observed in Dremomys samples at 5.60%, in samples from regions with latitudes above 4000&#xa0;m or alpine meadows, and in those obtained from Yuanmou County. Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis were broadly infecting multiple genera of animal hosts. In contrast, the small mammal genera Neodon, Dremomys, Ochotona, Anourosorex, and Mus were carrying individually specific rickettsial agents, indicating host tropism. There were 13 rickettsial species detected in 57.14% (8 out of 14) of tick species, with the highest prevalence (37.07%) observed in the genus Rhipicephalus. Eight rickettsial species were identified in 2375 livestock samples. Notably, six new Rickettsiales variants/strains were discovered, and Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii was unambiguously identified.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This large-scale survey provided further insight into the high genetic diversity and overall prevalence of emerging Rickettsiales within endemic hotspots in Yunnan Province. The potential threats posed by these emerging tick-borne Rickettsiales to public health warrant attention, underscoring the need for effective strategies to guide the prevention and control of emerging zoonotic diseases in China.}, }
@article {pmid38976758, year = {2024}, author = {Lau, MJ and Valdez, AR and Jones, MJ and Aranson, I and Hoffmann, AA and McGraw, EA}, title = {The effect of repeat feeding on dengue virus transmission potential in Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti following extended egg quiescence.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {18}, number = {7}, pages = {e0012305}, pmid = {38976758}, issn = {1935-2735}, support = {R56 AI155573/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {*Aedes/microbiology/virology/physiology ; Animals ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; *Dengue Virus/physiology ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/virology/physiology ; *Dengue/transmission ; Female ; *Feeding Behavior ; Viral Load ; Ovum/virology/microbiology ; }, abstract = {As Wolbachia pipientis is more widely being released into field populations of Aedes aegypti for disease control, the ability to select the appropriate strain for differing environments is increasingly important. A previous study revealed that longer-term quiescence in the egg phase reduced the fertility of mosquitoes, especially those harboring the wAlbB Wolbachia strain. This infertility was also associated with a greater biting rate. Here, we attempt to quantify the effect of this heightened biting behavior on the transmission potential of the dengue virus using a combination of assays for fitness, probing behavior, and vector competence, allowing repeat feeding, and incorporate these effects in a model of R0. We show that Wolbachia-infected infertile mosquitoes are more interested in feeding almost immediately after an initial blood meal relative to wild type and Wolbachia-infected fertile mosquitoes and that these differences continue for up to 8 days over the period we measured. As a result, the infertile Wolbachia mosquitoes have higher virus prevalence and loads than Wolbachia-fertile mosquitoes. We saw limited evidence of Wolbachia-mediated blocking in the disseminated tissue (legs) in terms of prevalence but did see reduced viral loads. Using a previously published estimate of the extrinsic incubation period, we demonstrate that the effect of repeat feeding/infertility is insufficient to overcome the effects of Wolbachia-mediated blocking on R0. These estimates are very conservative, however, and we posit that future studies should empirically measure EIP under a repeat feeding model. Our findings echo previous work where periods of extensive egg quiescence affected the reproductive success of Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti. Additionally, we show that increased biting behavior in association with this infertility in Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes may drive greater vector competence. These relationships require further exploration, given their ability to affect the success of field releases of Wolbachia for human disease reduction in drier climates where longer egg quiescence periods are expected.}, }
@article {pmid38971773, year = {2024}, author = {Mosi, FA and Rutha, I and Velez, R and Swai, JK and Mlacha, YP and Marques, J and Silveira, H and Tarimo, BB}, title = {Effects of a blood-free mosquito diet on fitness and gonotrophic cycle parameters of laboratory reared Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {17}, number = {1}, pages = {289}, pmid = {38971773}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anopheles/physiology ; Female ; *Fertility ; *Diet/veterinary ; Male ; Cattle ; Mosquito Control/methods ; Genetic Fitness ; Blood ; Mosquito Vectors/physiology/genetics ; Reproduction ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The current rise of new innovative tools for mosquito control, such as the release of transgenic mosquitoes carrying a dominant lethal gene and Wolbachia-based strategies, necessitates a massive production of mosquitoes in the insectary. However, currently laboratory rearing depends on vertebrate blood for egg production and maintenance. This practice raises ethical concerns, incurs logistical and cost limitations, and entails potential risk associated with pathogen transmission and blood storage. Consequently, an artificial blood-free diet emerges as a desirable alternative to address these challenges. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a previously formulated artificial blood-free diet (herein referred to as BLOODless) on Anopheles gambiae (An. gambiae s.s.; IFAKARA) gonotrophic parameters and fitness compared with bovine blood.<br><br>METHODS: The study was a laboratory-based comparative evaluation of the fitness, fecundity and fertility of An. gambiae s.s. (IFAKARA) reared on BLOODless versus vertebrate blood from founder generation (F0) to eighth generation (F8). A total of 1000 female mosquitoes were randomly selected from F0, of which 500 mosquitoes were fed with bovine blood (control group) and the other 500 mosquitoes were fed with BLOODless diet (experimental group). The feeding success, number of eggs per female, hatching rate and pupation rate were examined post-feeding. Longevity and wing length were determined as fitness parameters for adult male and female mosquitoes for both populations.<br><br>RESULTS: While blood-fed and BLOODless-fed mosquitoes showed similar feeding success, 92.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) 89.7-94.9] versus 93.6% (95% CI 90.6-96.6), respectively, significant differences emerged in their reproductive parameters. The mean number of eggs laid per female was significantly higher for blood-fed mosquitoes (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001) whereas BLOODless-fed mosquitoes had significantly lower hatching rates [odds ratio (OR) 0.17, 95% CI 0.14-0.22, P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001]. Wing length and longevity were similar between both groups.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the potential of the BLOODless diet as a viable and ethical alternative to vertebrate blood feeding for rearing An. gambiae s.s. This breakthrough paves the way for more efficient and ethical studies aimed at combating malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases.}, }
@article {pmid38971524, year = {2024}, author = {Shannon, DM and Richardson, N and Lahondère, C and Peach, D}, title = {Mosquito floral visitation and pollination.}, journal = {Current opinion in insect science}, volume = {65}, number = {}, pages = {101230}, doi = {10.1016/j.cois.2024.101230}, pmid = {38971524}, issn = {2214-5753}, mesh = {Animals ; *Pollination ; *Flowers/physiology ; *Culicidae/physiology ; Cues ; }, abstract = {We often consider mosquitoes through an 'anthropocentric lens' that disregards their interactions with nonhuman and nonpathogenic organisms, even though these interactions can be harnessed for mosquito control. Mosquitoes have been recognized as floral visitors, and pollinators, for more than a century. However, we know relatively little about mosquito-plant interactions, excepting some nutrition and chemical ecology-related topics, compared with mosquito-host interactions, and frequently use flawed methodology when investigating them. Recent work demonstrates mosquitoes use multimodal sensory cues to locate flowers, including ultraviolet visual cues, and we may underestimate mosquito pollination. This review focuses on current knowledge of how mosquitoes locate flowers, floral visitation assay methodology, mosquito pollination, and implications for technologies such as sterile male mosquito release through genetic control programs or Wolbachia infection.}, }
@article {pmid38969975, year = {2024}, author = {Zhang, Y and Wang, H and Du, J and Wang, Y and Zang, C and Cheng, P and Liu, L and Zhang, C and Lou, Z and Lei, J and Wu, J and Gong, M and Liu, H}, title = {Population genetic structure of Culex tritaeniorhynchus in different types of climatic zones in China.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {25}, number = {1}, pages = {673}, pmid = {38969975}, issn = {1471-2164}, support = {81871685//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 81871685//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 81871685//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 81871685//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; tsqn202312373//Taishan Scholars Project of Shandong Province/ ; tsqn202312373//Taishan Scholars Project of Shandong Province/ ; tsqn202312373//Taishan Scholars Project of Shandong Province/ ; No.230726153807227//Ministry of Education industry-university cooperative education project/ ; No.230726153807227//Ministry of Education industry-university cooperative education project/ ; No.230726153807227//Ministry of Education industry-university cooperative education project/ ; No.230726153807227//Ministry of Education industry-university cooperative education project/ ; No.230726153807227//Ministry of Education industry-university cooperative education project/ ; No.230726153807227//Ministry of Education industry-university cooperative education project/ ; No.230726153807227//Ministry of Education industry-university cooperative education project/ ; No.230726153807227//Ministry of Education industry-university cooperative education project/ ; No.230726153807227//Ministry of Education industry-university cooperative education project/ ; No.230726153807227//Ministry of Education industry-university cooperative education project/ ; No.230726153807227//Ministry of Education industry-university cooperative education project/ ; 2019QL005//Academic promotion programme of Shandong First Medical University/ ; 2019QL005//Academic promotion programme of Shandong First Medical University/ ; 2019QL005//Academic promotion programme of Shandong First Medical University/ ; 2019QL005//Academic promotion programme of Shandong First Medical University/ ; 2019QL005//Academic promotion programme of Shandong First Medical University/ ; 2019QL005//Academic promotion programme of Shandong First Medical University/ ; 2019QL005//Academic promotion programme of Shandong First Medical University/ ; NHCKFKT2021-02//NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology/ ; NHCKFKT2021-02//NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology/ ; NHCKFKT2021-02//NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology/ ; NHCKFKT2021-02//NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology/ ; NHCKFKT2021-02//NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology/ ; NHCKFKT2021-02//NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology/ ; NHCKFKT2021-02//NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology/ ; NHCKFKT2021-02//NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology/ ; }, mesh = {*Culex/genetics/virology/microbiology ; Animals ; China ; *Phylogeny ; *Haplotypes ; Climate ; Genetic Variation ; Genetics, Population ; Wolbachia/genetics ; Mosquito Vectors/genetics/virology/microbiology ; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Culex tritaeniorhynchus is widely distributed in China, from Hainan Island in the south to Heilongjiang in the north, covering tropical, subtropical, and temperate climate zones. Culex tritaeniorhynchus carries 19 types of arboviruses. It is the main vector of the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), posing a serious threat to human health. Understanding the effects of environmental factors on Culex tritaeniorhynchus can provide important insights into its population structure or isolation patterns, which is currently unclear.<br><br>RESULTS: In total, 138 COI haplotypes were detected in the 552 amplified sequences, and the haplotype diversity (Hd) value increased from temperate (0.534) to tropical (0.979) regions. The haplotype phylogeny analysis revealed that the haplotypes were divided into two high-support evolutionary branches. Temperate populations were predominantly distributed in evolutionary branch II, showing some genetic isolation from tropical/subtropical populations and less gene flow between groups. The neutral test results of HNQH (Qionghai) and HNHK(Haikou) populations were negative (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05), indicating many low-frequency mutations in the populations and that the populations might be in the process of expansion. Moreover, Wolbachia infection was detected only in SDJN (Jining) (2.24%), and all Wolbachia genotypes belonged to supergroup B. To understand the influence of environmental factors on mosquito-borne viruses, we examined the prevalence of Culex tritaeniorhynchus infection in three ecological environments in Shandong Province. We discovered that the incidence of JEV infection was notably greater in Culex tritaeniorhynchus from lotus ponds compared to those from irrigation canal regions. In this study, the overall JEV infection rate was 15.27 per 1000, suggesting the current risk of Japanese encephalitis outbreaks in Shandong Province.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Tropical and subtropical populations of Culex tritaeniorhynchus showed higher genetic diversity and those climatic conditions provide great advantages for the establishment and expansion of Culex tritaeniorhynchus. There are differences in JEV infection rates in wild populations of Culex tritaeniorhynchus under different ecological conditions. Our results suggest a complex interplay of genetic differentiation, population structure, and environmental factors in shaping the dynamics of Culex tritaeniorhynchus. The low prevalence of Wolbachia in wild populations may reflect the recent presence of Wolbachia invasion in Culex tritaeniorhynchus.}, }
@article {pmid38969648, year = {2024}, author = {Jia, H and Tan, S and Cai, Y and Guo, Y and Shen, J and Zhang, Y and Ma, H and Zhang, Q and Chen, J and Qiao, G and Ruan, J and Zhang, YE}, title = {Low-input PacBio sequencing generates high-quality individual fly genomes and characterizes mutational processes.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {5644}, pmid = {38969648}, issn = {2041-1723}, support = {32325014//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; *DNA Transposable Elements/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Genome, Insect/genetics ; *Mutation ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing/methods ; Sequence Analysis, DNA/methods ; Genomics/methods ; Gene Conversion ; }, abstract = {Long-read sequencing, exemplified by PacBio, revolutionizes genomics, overcoming challenges like repetitive sequences. However, the high DNA requirement (> 1 µg) is prohibitive for small organisms. We develop a low-input (100 ng), low-cost, and amplification-free library-generation method for PacBio sequencing (LILAP) using Tn5-based tagmentation and DNA circularization within one tube. We test LILAP with two Drosophila melanogaster individuals, and generate near-complete genomes, surpassing preexisting single-fly genomes. By analyzing variations in these two genomes, we characterize mutational processes: complex transpositions (transposon insertions together with extra duplications and/or deletions) prefer regions characterized by non-B DNA structures, and gene conversion of transposons occurs on both DNA and RNA levels. Concurrently, we generate two complete assemblies for the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia in these flies and similarly detect transposon conversion. Thus, LILAP promises a broad PacBio sequencing adoption for not only mutational studies of flies and their symbionts but also explorations of other small organisms or precious samples.}, }
@article {pmid38957696, year = {2024}, author = {Ross, PA and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {Revisiting Wolbachia detections: Old and new issues in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and other insects.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {14}, number = {7}, pages = {e11670}, pmid = {38957696}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Wolbachia continue to be reported in species previously thought to lack them, particularly Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The presence of Wolbachia in this arbovirus vector is considered important because releases of mosquitoes with transinfected Wolbachia are being used around the world to suppress pathogen transmission and these efforts depend on a lack of Wolbachia in natural populations of this species. We previously assessed papers reporting Wolbachia in natural populations of Ae. aegypti and found little evidence that seemed convincing. However, since our review, more and more papers are emerging on Wolbachia detections in this species. Our purpose here is to evaluate these papers within the context of criteria we previously established but also new criteria that include the absence of releases of transinfections within the local areas being sampled which has contaminated natural populations in at least one case where novel detections have been reported. We also address the broader issue of Wolbachia detection in other insects where similar issues may arise which can affect overall estimates of this endosymbiont more generally. We note continuing shortcomings in papers purporting to find natural Wolbachia in Ae. aegypti which are applicable to other insects as well.}, }
@article {pmid38952690, year = {2024}, author = {de Mello, VVC and de Oliveira, LB and Coelho, TFSB and Lee, DAB and das Neves, LF and Franco, EO and Mongruel, ACB and Machado, RZ and André, MR}, title = {Diversity of Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp. and Neorickettsia spp. in vampire bats.}, journal = {Current research in parasitology &amp; vector-borne diseases}, volume = {5}, number = {}, pages = {100182}, pmid = {38952690}, issn = {2667-114X}, abstract = {Although bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) act as natural reservoirs for many zoonotic pathogens around the world, few studies have investigated the occurrence of Anaplasmataceae agents in bats, especially vampire bats. The family Anaplasmataceae (order Rickettsiales) encompasses obligate intracellular bacteria of the genera Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Neorickettsia, Neoehrlichia, Wolbachia, and Allocryptoplasma. The present study aimed to investigate, using molecular techniques, the presence of species of Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Neorickettsia in vampire bats sampled in northern Brazil. Between 2017 and 2019, spleen samples were collected from vampire bats belonging to two species, Desmodus rotundus (n = 228) from the states of Pará (n = 207), Amazonas (n = 1), Roraima (n = 18) and Amapá (n = 3), and Diaemus youngii (n = 1) from Pará. Positivity rates of 5.2% (12/229), 3% (7/229), and 10.9% (25/229) were found in PCR assays for Anaplasma spp. (16S rRNA gene), Ehrlichia spp. (dsb gene) and Neorickettsia spp. (16S rRNA gene), respectively. The present study revealed, for the first time, the occurrence of Anaplasma spp. and different genotypes of Ehrlichia spp. in vampire bats from Brazil. While phylogenetic analyses based on the dsb and ftsZ genes of Ehrlichia and 16S rRNA of Anaplasma spp. revealed phylogenetic proximity of the genotypes detected in vampire bats with Anaplasmataceae agents associated with domestic ruminants, phylogenetic inferences based on the gltA and groEL genes evidenced the occurrence of genotypes apparently exclusive to bats. Neorickettsia sp. phylogenetically associated with N. risticii was also detected in vampire bats sampled in northern Brazil.}, }
@article {pmid38946980, year = {2024}, author = {Jacobs, J and Nakamoto, A and Mastoras, M and Loucks, H and Mirchandani, C and Karim, L and Penunuri, G and Wanket, C and Russell, SL}, title = {Complete de novo assembly of Wolbachia endosymbiont of Drosophila willistoni using long-read genome sequencing.}, journal = {Research square}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38946980}, issn = {2693-5015}, support = {R00 GM135583/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; T32 HG012344/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is an obligate intracellular α-proteobacterium which commonly infects arthropods and filarial nematodes. Different strains of Wolbachia are capable of a wide range of regulatory manipulations in many hosts and modulate host cellular differentiation to influence host reproduction. The genetic basis for the majority of these phenotypes is unknown. The wWil strain from the neotropical fruit fly, Drosophila willistoni, exhibits a remarkably high affinity for host germline-derived cells relative to the soma. This trait could be leveraged for understanding how Wolbachia influences the host germline and for controlling host populations in the field. To further the use of this strain in biological and biomedical research, we sequenced the genome of the wWil strain isolated from host cell culture cells. Here, we present the first high quality nanopore assembly of wWil, the Wolbachia endosymbiont of D. willistoni. Our assembly resulted in a circular genome of 1.27 Mb with a BUSCO completeness score of 99.7%. Consistent with other insect-associated Wolbachia strains, comparative genomic analysis revealed that wWil has a highly mosaic genome relative to the closely related wMel strain from Drosophila melanogaster.}, }
@article {pmid38940615, year = {2024}, author = {Hrdina, A and Serra Canales, M and Arias-Rojas, A and Frahm, D and Iatsenko, I}, title = {The endosymbiont Spiroplasma poulsonii increases Drosophila melanogaster resistance to pathogens by enhancing iron sequestration and melanization.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {15}, number = {8}, pages = {e0093624}, pmid = {38940615}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {IA 81/2-1//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Spiroplasma/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology/immunology ; *Iron/metabolism ; Melanins/metabolism ; Staphylococcus aureus/physiology/immunology ; Providencia/metabolism/physiology/genetics ; Disease Resistance ; }, abstract = {UNLABELLED: Facultative endosymbiotic bacteria, such as Wolbachia and Spiroplasma species, are commonly found in association with insects and can dramatically alter their host physiology. Many endosymbionts are defensive and protect their hosts against parasites or pathogens. Despite the widespread nature of defensive insect symbioses and their importance for the ecology and evolution of insects, the mechanisms of symbiont-mediated host protection remain poorly characterized. Here, we utilized the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and its facultative endosymbiont Spiroplasma poulsonii to characterize the mechanisms underlying symbiont-mediated host protection against bacterial and fungal pathogens. Our results indicate a variable effect of S. poulsonii on infection outcome, with endosymbiont-harboring flies being more resistant to Rhyzopus oryzae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Providencia alcalifaciens but more sensitive or as sensitive as endosymbiont-free flies to the infections with Pseudomonas species. Further focusing on the protective effect, we identified Transferrin-mediated iron sequestration induced by Spiroplasma as being crucial for the defense against R. oryzae and P. alcalifaciens. In the case of S. aureus, enhanced melanization in Spiroplasma-harboring flies plays a major role in protection. Both iron sequestration and melanization induced by Spiroplasma require the host immune sensor protease Persephone, suggesting a role of proteases secreted by the symbiont in the activation of host defense reactions. Hence, our work reveals a broader defensive range of Spiroplasma than previously appreciated and adds nutritional immunity and melanization to the defensive arsenal of symbionts.<br><br>IMPORTANCE: Defensive endosymbiotic bacteria conferring protection to their hosts against parasites and pathogens are widespread in insect populations. However, the mechanisms by which most symbionts confer protection are not fully understood. Here, we studied the mechanisms of protection against bacterial and fungal pathogens mediated by the Drosophila melanogaster endosymbiont Spiroplasma poulsonii. We demonstrate that besides the previously described protection against wasps and nematodes, Spiroplasma also confers increased resistance to pathogenic bacteria and fungi. We identified Spiroplasma-induced iron sequestration and melanization as key defense mechanisms. Our work broadens the known defense spectrum of Spiroplasma and reveals a previously unappreciated role of melanization and iron sequestration in endosymbiont-mediated host protection. We propose that the mechanisms we have identified here may be of broader significance and could apply to other endosymbionts, particularly to Wolbachia, and potentially explain their protective properties.}, }
@article {pmid38938126, year = {2024}, author = {Pan, Q and Yu, SJ and Lei, S and Zhang, SH and Ding, LL and Liu, L and Li, SC and Wang, XF and Lou, BH and Ran, C}, title = {Bacterial Symbionts Contribute to Insecticide Susceptibility of Diaphorina citri via Changing the Expression Level of Host Detoxifying Genes.}, journal = {Journal of agricultural and food chemistry}, volume = {72}, number = {27}, pages = {15164-15175}, doi = {10.1021/acs.jafc.4c03049}, pmid = {38938126}, issn = {1520-5118}, mesh = {*Symbiosis ; Animals ; *Insecticides/pharmacology ; *Hemiptera/microbiology/genetics/drug effects ; Insect Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Insecticide Resistance/genetics ; Wolbachia/drug effects/genetics ; Pyrethrins/pharmacology ; Bacteria/genetics/drug effects/classification/isolation &amp; purification/metabolism ; Inactivation, Metabolic/genetics ; }, abstract = {Insecticide susceptibility is mainly determined by the insect host, but symbiotic bacteria are also an important affecting factor. In this study, we investigate the relationship between the structure of gut bacterial symbionts and insecticide susceptibility in Diaphorina citri, the important carrier of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the causal agent of Huanglongbing (HLB). Our results indicated that antibiotic treatment significantly increased the susceptibility of D. citri to bifenthrin and thiamethoxam, and significantly decreased the relative abundance of Wolbachia and Profftella, enzyme activities of CarEs, and expression level of multiple CarE genes. The relative loads of Wolbachia and Profftella were positively correlated with DcitCCE13, DcitCCE14, DcitCCE15, and DcitCCE16. RNAi and prokaryotic expression revealed that DcitCCE15 is associated with bifenthrin metabolism. These results revealed that bacterial symbionts might regulate DcitCCE15 expression, which is involved in the susceptibility of D. citri to bifenthrin.}, }
@article {pmid38934782, year = {2024}, author = {Amini, S and Fathipour, Y and Hoffmann, A and Mehrabadi, M}, title = {Wolbachia affect female mate preference and offspring fitness in a parasitoid wasp.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1002/ps.8272}, pmid = {38934782}, issn = {1526-4998}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia are widespread intracellular bacteria in insects that often have high rates of spread due to their impact on insect reproduction. These bacteria may also affect the mating behavior of their host with impacts on the fitness of host progeny. In this study, we investigated the impact of Wolbachia on a preference for mating with young or old males in the parasitoid wasp Habrobracon hebetor.<br><br>RESULTS: Our results showed that uninfected females from a tetracycline-treated line preferred to mate with young males, whereas Wolbachia-infected females had no preference. Time to mating was relatively shorter in the infected lines. Regardless of Wolbachia infection status, progeny resulting from matings with young males showed higher fitness than those from crosses with old males, and infected females crossed with infected young males showed the highest performance.<br><br>CONCLUSION: These results suggest an impact of Wolbachia on female mate preference and offspring fitness although it is unclear how this phenomenon increases Wolbachia transmission of infected wasps. &#xa9; 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.}, }
@article {pmid38934580, year = {2024}, author = {Mendel, BM and Asselin, AK and Johnson, KN and McGuigan, K}, title = {Effects of spontaneous mutations on survival and reproduction of Drosophila serrata infected with Drosophila C virus.}, journal = {Evolution; international journal of organic evolution}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/evolut/qpae101}, pmid = {38934580}, issn = {1558-5646}, abstract = {The impact of selection on host immune function genes has been widely documented. However, it remains essentially unknown how mutation influences the quantitative immune traits that selection acts on. Applying a classical mutation accumulation (MA) experimental design in Drosophila serrata, we found the mutational variation in susceptibility (median time of death, LT50) to Drosophila C virus (DCV) was of similar magnitude to that reported for intrinsic survival traits. Mean LT50 did not change as mutations accumulated, suggesting no directional bias in mutational effects. Maintenance of genetic variance in immune function is hypothesised to be influenced by pleiotropic effects on immunity and other traits that contribute to fitness. To investigate this, we assayed female reproductive output for a subset of MA lines with relatively long or short survival times under DCV infection. Longer survival time tended to be associated with lower reproductive output, suggesting that mutations affecting susceptibility to DCV had pleiotropic effects on investment in reproductive fitness. Further studies are needed to uncover the general patterns of mutational effect on immune responses and other fitness traits, and to determine how selection might typically act on new mutations via their direct and pleiotropic effects.}, }
@article {pmid38924387, year = {2024}, author = {Devereux, G and Bula, M and Tripp, K and Fitzgerald, R and Eraut, N and Alam, MS and Moriyama, T and Shinkyo, R and Walker, L and Wang, D and Gusovsky, F and van der Velde, J and Turner, JD and Hong, WD and O'Neill, PM and Taylor, MJ and Ward, SA}, title = {A Phase 1, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Single Ascending Dose Trial of AWZ1066S, an Anti-Wolbachia Candidate Macrofilaricide.}, journal = {Clinical pharmacology in drug development}, volume = {13}, number = {9}, pages = {1071-1081}, doi = {10.1002/cpdd.1441}, pmid = {38924387}, issn = {2160-7648}, mesh = {Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; *Wolbachia/drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Elephantiasis, Filarial/drug therapy ; Healthy Volunteers ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacokinetics/administration &amp; dosage/adverse effects ; Administration, Oral ; Onchocerciasis/drug therapy ; }, abstract = {AWZ1066S has been developed as a potential treatment for the neglected tropical diseases lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis. AWZ1066S targets the Wolbachia bacterial endosymbiont present in the causative nematode parasites. This phase 1, first-in-human study aimed to assess the safety and pharmacokinetics of AWZ1066S in healthy human participants. In a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose study, healthy adults received a single oral dose of AWZ1066S (or placebo) and were followed up for 10 days. The planned single doses of AWZ1066S ranged from 100 to 1600 mg, and each dose was administered to a cohort of 8 participants (6 AWZ1066S and 2 placebo). In total 30 people participated, 18 (60%) female, median age 30.0 years (minimum 20, maximum 61). The cohorts administered 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg of AWZ1066S progressed unremarkably. After single 700-mg doses all 4 participants developed symptoms of acute gastritis and transient increases in liver enzymes. The severity of these adverse events ranged from mild to severe, with 1 participant needing hospital admission. Pharmacokinetic analysis indicated that AWZ1066S is rapidly absorbed with predictable pharmacokinetics. In conclusion, safety concerns prevented this study from reaching the human exposures needed for AWZ1066S to be clinically effective against lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis.}, }
@article {pmid38923204, year = {2024}, author = {Pratelli, A and Riparbelli, MG and Callaini, G}, title = {Axonemal tubules in the distal sperm tail of Wolbachia-infected Drosophila simulans males contain ring-like intraluminal structures that persist after axoneme fragmentation.}, journal = {Cytoskeleton (Hoboken, N.J.)}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1002/cm.21891}, pmid = {38923204}, issn = {1949-3592}, support = {2020CLZ5XW//Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Universit&#xe0; e della Ricerca/ ; 2022TLYYPS_003//Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Universit&#xe0; e della Ricerca/ ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are obligate intracellular alphaproteobacteria that enhance their spreading by altering the reproductive mechanisms of several invertebrates. Among the reproductive alterations, Wolbachia also causes cytoplasmic incompatibility that leads to embryo death when infected males are crossed with uninfected females, thus selecting infected females. However, the presence of Wolbachia has important fitness costs and infected Drosophila simulans males produce less sperm than their uninfected counterparts. Such sperm suffer, indeed, of some structural alterations that hinder their proper function. We took advantage of the fact that several sperm have abnormal distal regions of the tail, in which the plasma membrane is broken and the axonemal components splayed, making the ultrastructural aspects clearly observable. We found that axoneme reduction in the distal region of the sperm does not follow a unique pattern as observed in other insects, but occurs by losing accessory tubules or peripheral doublets. The axonemal tubules contain distinct coaxial ring-like structures that are still observed after axoneme fragmentation and form large clusters of several units.}, }
@article {pmid38915450, year = {2024}, author = {Trouche, B and Schrieke, H and Duron, O and Eren, AM and Reveillaud, J}, title = {Wolbachia populations across organs of individual Culex pipiens: highly conserved intra-individual core pangenome with inter-individual polymorphisms.}, journal = {ISME communications}, volume = {4}, number = {1}, pages = {ycae078}, pmid = {38915450}, issn = {2730-6151}, abstract = {Wolbachia is a maternally inherited intracellular bacterium that infects a wide range of arthropods including mosquitoes. The endosymbiont is widely used in biocontrol strategies due to its capacity to modulate arthropod reproduction and limit pathogen transmission. Wolbachia infections in Culex spp. are generally assumed to be monoclonal but the potential presence of genetically distinct Wolbachia subpopulations within and between individual organs has not been investigated using whole genome sequencing. Here we reconstructed Wolbachia genomes from ovary and midgut metagenomes of single naturally infected Culex pipiens mosquitoes from Southern France to investigate patterns of intra- and inter-individual differences across mosquito organs. Our analyses revealed a remarkable degree of intra-individual conservancy among Wolbachia genomes from distinct organs of the same mosquito both at the level of gene presence-absence signal and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Yet, we identified several synonymous and non-synonymous substitutions between individuals, demonstrating the presence of some level of genomic heterogeneity among Wolbachia that infect the same C. pipiens field population. Overall, the absence of genetic heterogeneity within Wolbachia populations in a single individual confirms the presence of a dominant Wolbachia that is maintained under strong purifying forces of evolution.}, }
@article {pmid38911346, year = {2024}, author = {Zimmermann, IR and Alves Fernandes, RR and Santos da Costa, MG and Pinto, M and Peixoto, HM}, title = {Simulation-based economic evaluation of the Wolbachia method in Brazil: a cost-effective strategy for dengue control.}, journal = {Lancet regional health. Americas}, volume = {35}, number = {}, pages = {100783}, pmid = {38911346}, issn = {2667-193X}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Dengue virus (DENV) is an arbovirus transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which can cause severe conditions such as hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. These conditions are associated with adverse social, clinical, and economic consequences in Brazil. Herein, the Wolbachia mosquito replacement method is a promising dengue control strategy.<br><br>METHODS: We estimated the economic impact of implementing the Wolbachia mosquito replacement method in seven Brazilian cities. A mathematical microsimulation model tracked nearly 23 million inhabitants over a 20-year period, considering the transitions between five different health states (susceptible, inapparent, outpatient, hospitalised and death). Direct costs included local dengue control programs, Wolbachia implementation and dengue care. Indirect costs related to death and productivity loss, as well as disability-adjusted life-years (DALY) averted were also considered.<br><br>FINDINGS: Without Wolbachia, the model projected 1,762,688 reported dengue cases over 20 years. Implementing the Wolbachia method would avert at least 1,295,566 dengue cases, resulting in lower costs and greater effectiveness in all simulated cities. On average, for every 1000 inhabitants followed for 20 years, the Wolbachia method yielded a cost difference of USD 538,233.68 (BRL 2,691,168.40) and averted 5.56 DALYs. Net monetary benefits (NMB) were positive in all seven cities, ranging from USD 110.72 (BRL 553.59) to USD 1399.19 (BRL 6995.95) per inhabitant. Alternative scenarios have also shown a favourable return on investment with a positive benefit-cost ratio (BCR).<br><br>INTERPRETATION: Wolbachia is likely a cost-effective strategy in the Brazilian context, consistent with international studies. Sensitivity analysis and alternative scenarios confirmed the robustness of the results.<br><br>FUNDING: This study was funded by the Wellcome Trust under a grant (224459/Z/21/Z).}, }
@article {pmid38908822, year = {2024}, author = {Schinkel, M and Bousema, T and van Rij, RP}, title = {Tripartite interactions between viruses, parasites, and mosquitoes.}, journal = {Current opinion in insect science}, volume = {64}, number = {}, pages = {101222}, doi = {10.1016/j.cois.2024.101222}, pmid = {38908822}, issn = {2214-5753}, mesh = {Animals ; *Mosquito Vectors/virology/physiology ; *Anopheles/virology/parasitology ; Insect Viruses/physiology ; Malaria/transmission ; Plasmodium/physiology ; }, abstract = {Mosquito-borne diseases have a major impact on global human health. Biological agents that colonize the mosquito vector are increasingly explored as an intervention strategy to prevent vector-borne disease transmission. For instance, the release of mosquitoes carrying the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia effectively reduced dengue virus incidence and disease. Insect-specific viruses are likewise considered as biocontrol agents against vector-borne diseases. While most studies focused on insect-specific viruses as an intervention against arthropod-borne viruses, we here consider whether mosquito-specific viruses may affect the transmission of the malaria-causing Plasmodium parasite by Anopheles mosquitoes. Although there is no direct experimental evidence addressing this question, we found that viral infections in dipteran insects activate some of the immune pathways that are antiparasitic in Anopheles. These findings suggest that indirect virus-parasite interactions could occur and that insect-specific viruses may modulate malaria transmission. Tripartite interactions between viruses, parasites, and Anopheles mosquitoes thus merit further investigation.}, }
@article {pmid38903791, year = {2024}, author = {Tafesh-Edwards, G and Kyza Karavioti, M and Markollari, K and Bunnell, D and Chtarbanova, S and Eleftherianos, I}, title = {Wolbachia endosymbionts in Drosophila regulate the resistance to Zika virus infection in a sex dependent manner.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1380647}, pmid = {38903791}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Drosophila melanogaster has been used extensively for dissecting the genetic and functional bases of host innate antiviral immunity and virus-induced pathology. Previous studies have shown that the presence of Wolbachia endosymbionts in D. melanogaster confers resistance to infection by certain viral pathogens. Zika virus is an important vector-borne pathogen that has recently expanded its range due to the wide geographical distribution of the mosquito vector. Here, we describe the effect of Wolbachia on the immune response of D. melanogaster adult flies following Zika virus infection. First, we show that the presence of Wolbachia endosymbionts promotes the longevity of uninfected D. melanogaster wild type adults and increases the survival response of flies following Zika virus injection. We find that the latter effect is more pronounced in females rather than in males. Then, we show that the presence of Wolbachia regulates Zika virus replication during Zika virus infection of female flies. In addition, we demonstrate that the antimicrobial peptide-encoding gene Drosocin and the sole Jun N-terminal kinase-specific MAPK phosphatase Puckered are upregulated in female adult flies, whereas the immune and stress response gene TotM is upregulated in male individuals. Finally, we find that the activity of RNA interference and Toll signaling remain unaffected in Zika virus-infected female and male adults containing Wolbachia compared to flies lacking the endosymbionts. Our results reveal that Wolbachia endosymbionts in D. melanogaster affect innate immune signaling activity in a sex-specific manner, which in turn influences host resistance to Zika virus infection. This information contributes to a better understanding of the complex interrelationship between insects, their endosymbiotic bacteria, and viral infection. Interpreting these processes will help us design more effective approaches for controlling insect vectors of infectious disease.}, }
@article {pmid38902790, year = {2024}, author = {Lim, JT and Mailepessov, D and Chong, CS and Chang, CC and Dickens, B and Lai, YL and Deng, L and Lee, C and Tan, LY and Chain, G and Ho, SH and Zulkifli, MF and Liew, J and Vasquez, K and Lee, V and Wong, JCC and Sim, S and Tan, CH and Ng, LC}, title = {Update to: Assessing the efficacy of male Wolbachia-infected mosquito deployments to reduce dengue incidence in Singapore.}, journal = {Trials}, volume = {25}, number = {1}, pages = {400}, pmid = {38902790}, issn = {1745-6215}, mesh = {*Dengue/prevention &amp; control/epidemiology/transmission ; Animals ; *Wolbachia ; Singapore/epidemiology ; Male ; *Aedes/microbiology/virology ; Humans ; Incidence ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/virology ; *Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Mosquito Control/methods ; Female ; Pest Control, Biological/methods ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: This trial is a parallel, two-arm, non-blinded cluster randomised controlled trial that is under way in Singapore, with the aim of measuring the efficacy of male Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti deployments in reducing dengue incidence in an endemic setting with all four dengue serotypes in circulation. The trial commenced in July 2022 and is expected to conclude in September 2024. The original study protocol was published in December 2022. Here, we describe amendments that have been made to the study protocol since commencement of the trial.<br><br>METHODS: The key protocol amendments are (1) addition of an explicit definition of Wolbachia exposure for residents residing in intervention sites based on the duration of Wolbachia exposure at point of testing, (2) incorporation of a high-dimensional set of anthropogenic and environmental characteristics in the analysis plan to adjust for baseline risk factors of dengue transmission, and (3) addition of alternative statistical analyses for endpoints to control for post hoc imbalance in cluster-based environmental and anthropogenic characteristics.<br><br>DISCUSSION: The findings from this study will provide the first experimental evidence for the efficacy of releasing male-Wolbachia infected mosquitoes to reduce dengue incidence in a cluster-randomised controlled trial. The trial will conclude in 2024 and results will be reported shortly thereafter.<br><br>TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT05505682. Registered on 16 August 2022. Retrospectively registered. Last updated 11 November 2023.}, }
@article {pmid38899428, year = {2024}, author = {Laifi-Necibi, N and Amor, N and Merella, P and Mohammed, OB and Medini, L}, title = {DNA barcoding reveals cryptic species in the sea slater Ligia italica (Crustacea, Isopoda) from Tunisia.}, journal = {Mitochondrial DNA. Part A, DNA mapping, sequencing, and analysis}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {1-11}, doi = {10.1080/24701394.2024.2363350}, pmid = {38899428}, issn = {2470-1408}, abstract = {Barcoding studies have provided significant insights into phylogenetic relationships among species belonging to the genus Ligia (Crustacea, Isopoda). Herein the diversity of the Italian sea slater Ligia italica from Tunisia is studied for the first time. Samples were collected from 18 localities in Tunisia, and the analysis included previously published sequences from Italy and Greece available in GenBank. Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analyses were carried out using a fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene. Putative cryptic species were explored using the 'barcode gap' approach in the software ASAP. A genetic landscape shape analysis was carried out using the program Alleles in Space. The analyses revealed highly divergent and well-supported clades of L. italica dispersed across Tunisia (Clades A1 and A2), Greece (Clade B) and Italy (Clades C1 and C2). High genetic dissimilarity among clades suggested that L. italica constitute a cryptic species complex. Divergence among different L. italica lineages (Clades A, B and C) occurred around 7-4.5 Ma. The detected high genetic distances among clades did not result from atypical mitochondrial DNAs or intracellular infection by Wolbachia bacteria. The complex history of the Mediterranean Sea appears to have played a significant role in shaping the phylogeographic pattern of Ligia italica. Additional morphological and molecular studies are needed to confirm the existence of cryptic species in Ligia italica in Mediterranean.}, }
@article {pmid38885278, year = {2024}, author = {She, L and Shi, M and Cao, T and Yuan, H and Wang, R and Wang, W and She, Y and Wang, C and Zeng, Q and Mao, W and Zhang, Y and Wang, Y and Xi, Z and Pan, X}, title = {Wolbachia mediates crosstalk between miRNA and Toll pathways to enhance resistance to dengue virus in Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {20}, number = {6}, pages = {e1012296}, pmid = {38885278}, issn = {1553-7374}, support = {R01 AI080597/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology ; *Aedes/microbiology/virology/immunology ; Animals ; *MicroRNAs/genetics/metabolism ; *Dengue Virus/immunology ; *Dengue/immunology/virology ; Toll-Like Receptors/metabolism/immunology ; Mosquito Vectors/virology/microbiology/immunology ; Signal Transduction ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics/immunology ; Immunity, Innate ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The obligate endosymbiont Wolbachia induces pathogen interference in the primary disease vector Aedes aegypti, facilitating the utilization of Wolbachia-based mosquito control for arbovirus prevention, particularly against dengue virus (DENV). However, the mechanisms underlying Wolbachia-mediated virus blockade have not been fully elucidated. Here, we report that Wolbachia activates the host cytoplasmic miRNA biogenesis pathway to suppress DENV infection. Through the suppression of the long noncoding RNA aae-lnc-2268 by Wolbachia wAlbB, aae-miR-34-3p, a miRNA upregulated by the Wolbachia strains wAlbB and wMelPop, promoted the expression of the antiviral effector defensin and cecropin genes through the Toll pathway regulator MyD88. Notably, anti-DENV resistance induced by Wolbachia can be further enhanced, with the potential to achieve complete virus blockade by increasing the expression of aae-miR-34-3p in Ae. aegypti. Furthermore, the downregulation of aae-miR-34-3p compromised Wolbachia-mediated virus blockade. These findings reveal a novel mechanism by which Wolbachia establishes crosstalk between the cytoplasmic miRNA pathway and the Toll pathway via aae-miR-34-3p to strengthen antiviral immune responses against DENV. Our results will aid in the advancement of Wolbachia for arbovirus control by enhancing its virus-blocking efficiency.}, }
@article {pmid38877196, year = {2024}, author = {Hague, MTJ and Wheeler, TB and Cooper, BS}, title = {Comparative analysis of Wolbachia maternal transmission and localization in host ovaries.}, journal = {Communications biology}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, pages = {727}, pmid = {38877196}, issn = {2399-3642}, support = {R35 GM124701/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; 2145195//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; R35GM124701//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)/ ; }, mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology/genetics ; Animals ; Female ; *Ovary/microbiology ; *Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology ; *Aedes/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Temperature ; Oocytes/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Many insects and other animals carry microbial endosymbionts that influence their reproduction and fitness. These relationships only persist if endosymbionts are reliably transmitted from one host generation to the next. Wolbachia are maternally transmitted endosymbionts found in most insect species, but transmission rates can vary across environments. Maternal transmission of wMel Wolbachia depends on temperature in natural Drosophila melanogaster hosts and in transinfected Aedes aegypti, where wMel is used to block pathogens that cause human disease. In D. melanogaster, wMel transmission declines in the cold as Wolbachia become less abundant in host ovaries and at the posterior pole plasm (the site of germline formation) in mature oocytes. Here, we assess how temperature affects maternal transmission and underlying patterns of Wolbachia localization across 10 Wolbachia strains diverged up to 50 million years-including strains closely related to wMel-and their natural Drosophila hosts. Many Wolbachia maintain high transmission rates across temperatures, despite highly variable (and sometimes low) levels of Wolbachia in the ovaries and at the developing germline in late-stage oocytes. Identifying strains like closely related wMel-like Wolbachia with stable transmission across variable environmental conditions may improve the efficacy of Wolbachia-based biocontrol efforts as they expand into globally diverse environments.}, }
@article {pmid38869236, year = {2024}, author = {Taprogge, M and Grath, S}, title = {Modelling suggests Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility in oak gall wasps with cyclical parthenogenesis.}, journal = {Journal of evolutionary biology}, volume = {37}, number = {8}, pages = {926-934}, doi = {10.1093/jeb/voae077}, pmid = {38869236}, issn = {1420-9101}, mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology ; Animals ; *Wasps/microbiology/physiology ; Female ; *Parthenogenesis ; Male ; Quercus/microbiology ; Models, Biological ; Symbiosis ; Cytoplasm ; }, abstract = {Oak gall wasps typically exhibit a life cycle with one sexual and one asexual generation each year. These wasps can carry various endosymbionts, one of which is the maternally inherited bacterium Wolbachia that can induce several reproductive manipulations on its host. Cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) has been described as the most prominent of these manipulations. CI leads to embryonic mortality in the hosts' offspring when infected males mate with either uninfected females or with females that harbour different Wolbachia strains. It has been hypothesized that Wolbachia can induce CI in oak gall wasps. To address this hypothesis, we derived a mathematical model to investigate the spread of a bacterial infection in naive populations and to determine the plausibility of CI occurrence. To validate our model, we used published data from Wolbachia-infected Belonocnema kinseyi populations in two approaches. Our first approach uses measurements of infection frequencies and maternal transmission in the sexual generation. For the second approach, we extended the model to compare predictions to estimates of mtDNA-haplotypes, which, like Wolbachia, are maternally inherited, and can therefore be associated with the infection. Both approaches indicate that CI is present in these populations. Our model can be generalized to investigate the occurrence of CI not only for oak gall wasps but also for other species.}, }
@article {pmid38860195, year = {2023}, author = {Naseri-Karimi, N and Vatandoost, H and Mehdi Sedaghat, M and Moosa-Kazemi, SH and Amidi, F and Ali Oshaghi, M}, title = {Drosophila melanogaster Laboratory Rearing for Wolbachia-Based Control Programs, a Component of Dengue Control.}, journal = {Journal of arthropod-borne diseases}, volume = {17}, number = {3}, pages = {214-228}, pmid = {38860195}, issn = {2322-1984}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Drosophila melanogaster flies are smooth, low upkeep and safe model organisms, they can be effortlessly used in different fields of life sciences like genomics, biotechnology, genetics, disease model, and Wolbachia-based approaches to fight vectors and the pathogens they transmit.<br><br>METHODS: Fruit fly specimens were collected in 25 districts (14 provinces) of Iran and their morphological recognition was proven by molecular analysis based on sequence homology of mitochondrial COI barcode region. Essential information and specific requirements were provided for laboratory rearing of D. melanogaster.<br><br>RESULTS: Drosophila melanogaster colonies were found in 23 out of 25 districts. Also, five related species coincident with D. melanogaster were reported in this study including D. ananassae/D. parapallidosa, D. hydei, D. repleta, Zaprionus indianus (Diptera: Drosophilidae), and Megaselia scalaris (Diptera: Phoridae). The Iranian D. melanogaster molecular signature and their rearing techniques have been described here. The complete life cycle, from (egg to adult), takes approximately 8 days at 25 &#xb0;C. Some biological points have been presented with highlighting capturing, rearing, culturing, and embryo collection along with primitive recognition and segregation between females and males have been presented. A recipe for culture media and the quantity of various ingredients have been provided.<br><br>CONCLUSION: This is the first report on the D. repleta and D. ananassae/D. parapallidosa species for the country. Results of this study provide efficient and effective rearing procedures which are requirement for both small-scale for facilitating entomological research and large-scale use in justifiable vector control management such as disease model or Dengue control.}, }
@article {pmid38857820, year = {2024}, author = {Kumar, T and Maitra, S and Rai, R and Priyanka,  and Maitra, S and Tirkey, NN and Kumari, R}, title = {The dichotomy between probiotic lactic acid bacteria and Plasmodium: A promising therapeutic avenue.}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {257}, number = {}, pages = {107284}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107284}, pmid = {38857820}, issn = {1873-6254}, mesh = {*Probiotics/administration &amp; dosage/therapeutic use ; Humans ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects ; *Malaria/prevention &amp; control/drug therapy/parasitology ; Animals ; *Lactobacillales/physiology ; *Plasmodium/physiology/drug effects ; }, abstract = {Our understanding of gut microbial populations and their immense influence on host immunity, health, and diseases has increased deeply in recent years. Numerous reports have identified the role of mosquito and mammalian gut microbiota in the modulation of host susceptibility to Plasmodium infection. Artemisinin resistance in malaria-endemic regions necessitates the development of new, safer, and more affordable treatments to supplement existing therapies. In this review, we compiled a colossal amount of data from numerous studies that have assessed the roles played by gut microbial communities in Plasmodium infection, progression, transmission, and severity. Most interestingly, our study points to the overwhelming evidence from experimental studies in mural malaria to human trials, suggesting that the presence of lactic acid bacteria in the gut microbiota of mammalian hosts provides a great degree of protection against malaria. Therefore, our study provides a compelling narrative for probiotic administration as an adjunct therapy for combatting malaria.}, }
@article {pmid38855918, year = {2024}, author = {Mulio, S&#xc5; and Zwolińska, A and Klejdysz, T and Prus-Frankowska, M and Michalik, A and Kolasa, M and Łukasik, P}, title = {Limited variation in microbial communities across populations of Macrosteles leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae).}, journal = {Environmental microbiology reports}, volume = {16}, number = {3}, pages = {e13279}, pmid = {38855918}, issn = {1758-2229}, support = {PPN/PPO/2018/1/00015//Narodowa Agencja Wymiany Akademickiej/ ; RGP 0024/2015//Human Frontier Science Program/ ; 2018/30/E/NZ8/00880//Narodowe Centrum Nauki/ ; 2021/41/B/NZ8/04526//Narodowe Centrum Nauki/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Microbiota ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Phylogeny ; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics ; }, abstract = {Microbial symbionts play crucial roles in insect biology, yet their diversity, distribution, and temporal dynamics across host populations remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the spatio-temporal distribution of bacterial symbionts within the widely distributed and economically significant leafhopper genus Macrosteles, with a focus on Macrosteles laevis. Using host and symbiont marker gene amplicon sequencing, we explored the intricate relationships between these insects and their microbial partners. Our analysis of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene data revealed several intriguing findings. First, there was no strong genetic differentiation across M. laevis populations, suggesting gene flow among them. Second, we observed significant levels of heteroplasmy, indicating the presence of multiple mitochondrial haplotypes within individuals. Third, parasitoid infections were prevalent, highlighting the complex ecological interactions involving leafhoppers. The 16S rRNA data confirmed the universal presence of ancient nutritional endosymbionts-Sulcia and Nasuia-in M. laevis. Additionally, we found a high prevalence of Arsenophonus, another common symbiont. Interestingly, unlike most previously studied species, M. laevis exhibited only occasional cases of infection with known facultative endosymbionts and other bacteria. Notably, there was no significant variation in symbiont prevalence across different populations or among sampling years within the same population. Comparatively, facultative endosymbionts such as Rickettsia, Wolbachia, Cardinium and Lariskella were more common in other Macrosteles species. These findings underscore the importance of considering both host and symbiont dynamics when studying microbial associations. By simultaneously characterizing host and symbiont marker gene amplicons in large insect collections, we gain valuable insights into the intricate interplay between insects and their microbial partners. Understanding these dynamics contributes to our broader comprehension of host-microbe interactions in natural ecosystems.}, }
@article {pmid38834927, year = {2024}, author = {Guo, W and Zhu, W and Jia, L and Tao, Y}, title = {Unique microbial communities of parasitic fleas on wild animals from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.}, journal = {Environmental science and pollution research international}, volume = {31}, number = {28}, pages = {40916-40924}, pmid = {38834927}, issn = {1614-7499}, support = {2020-ZJ-788//Applied Basic Research Project of Science and Technology Department of Qinghai Province/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Siphonaptera/microbiology ; Tibet ; Animals, Wild ; Microbiota ; China ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Fleas, one of the most significant ectoparasites, play a crucial role as vectors in spreading zoonotic diseases globally. The Qinghai Province, as part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is one of the provinces in China with the largest number of flea species. In this study, we characterized the microbial communities of eighty-five adult fleas, belonging to nineteen species within four families (Ceratophyllidae, Ctenophthalmidae, Leptopsyllidae, and Pulicidae). We identified a total of 1162 unique operational taxonomic units at the genus level, with flea-borne pathogens such as Wolbachia, Bartonella, Rickettsia being the members of top abundant taxa. Except for comparison between Ctenophthalmidae and Leptopsyllidae families, the analyses of both alpha- and beta- diversity indicators suggested that bacterial diversity varied among flea families. This could be attributed to flea phylogeny, which also influenced by their geographical sites and animal hosts. Results of Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) indicated that 29 genera in Ceratophylloidea, 11 genera in Ctenophthalmidae, 15 genera in Leptopsyllidae, and 22 genera in Pulicidae were significantly responsible for explaining the differences among the four flea families (linear discriminant analysis score > 2, P < 0.05). Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt2) analyses showed that the functional pathways varied significantly across flea families, which was supported by the significant correlation between the functional pathways and the microbial communities.}, }
@article {pmid38834030, year = {2024}, author = {Engl, T}, title = {Reproductive manipulation: Wolbachia induce host parthenogenesis using a stolen transformer.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {34}, number = {11}, pages = {R547-R549}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.076}, pmid = {38834030}, issn = {1879-0445}, mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology/genetics ; *Parthenogenesis ; Animals ; *Wasps/microbiology/physiology ; Female ; Reproduction ; }, abstract = {The Wolbachia strain that infects the parasitoid wasp Encarsia formosa induces female-producing parthenogenesis. A new study shows that a Wolbachia-encoded gene has replaced the use of the ancestral wasp homologue that normally controls sexual reproduction, resulting in parthenogenesis.}, }
@article {pmid38833496, year = {2024}, author = {Chen, J and Lin, G and Ma, K and Li, Z and Liégeois, S and Ferrandon, D}, title = {A specific innate immune response silences the virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a latent infection model in the Drosophila melanogaster host.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {20}, number = {6}, pages = {e1012252}, pmid = {38833496}, issn = {1553-7374}, mesh = {Animals ; *Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology/immunology ; *Pseudomonas aeruginosa/pathogenicity/immunology ; *Immunity, Innate ; *Pseudomonas Infections/immunology/microbiology ; Virulence ; Disease Models, Animal ; Host-Pathogen Interactions/immunology ; }, abstract = {Microbial pathogenicity often depends on the route of infection. For instance, P. aeruginosa or S. marcescens cause acute systemic infections when low numbers of bacteria are injected into D. melanogaster flies whereas flies succumb much slower to the continuous ingestion of these pathogens, even though both manage to escape from the gut compartment and reach the hemocoel. Here, we have developed a latent P. aeruginosa infection model by feeding flies on the bacteria for a short period. The bacteria stably colonize internal tissues yet hardly cause any damage since latently-infected flies live almost as long as noninfected control flies. The apparently dormant bacteria display particular characteristics in terms of bacterial colony morphology, composition of the outer cell wall, and motility. The virulence of these bacteria can however be reactivated upon wounding the host. We show that melanization but not the cellular or the systemic humoral response is the predominant host defense that establishes latency and may coerce the bacteria to a dormant state. In addition, the lasting activation of the melanization responses in latently-infected flies provides a degree of protection to the host against a secondary fungal infection. Latent infection by an ingested pathogen protects against a variety of homologous or heterologous systemic secondary infectious challenges, a situation previously described for the endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria, a guard against viral infections.}, }
@article {pmid38832111, year = {2024}, author = {Cantin, LJ and Gregory, V and Blum, LN and Foster, JM}, title = {Dual RNA-seq in filarial nematodes and Wolbachia endosymbionts using RNase H based ribosomal RNA depletion.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1418032}, pmid = {38832111}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Lymphatic filariasis is caused by parasitic nematodes and is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Many filarial worms contain the bacterium Wolbachia as an obligate endosymbiont. RNA sequencing is a common technique used to study their molecular relationships and to identify potential drug targets against the nematode and bacteria. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is the most abundant RNA species, accounting for 80-90% of the RNA in a sample. To reduce sequencing costs, it is necessary to remove ribosomal reads through poly-A enrichment or ribosomal depletion. Bacterial RNA does not contain a poly-A tail, making it difficult to sequence both the nematode and Wolbachia from the same library preparation using standard poly-A selection. Ribosomal depletion can utilize species-specific oligonucleotide probes to remove rRNA through pull-down or degradation methods. While species-specific probes are commercially available for many commonly studied model organisms, there are currently limited depletion options for filarial parasites. Here, we performed total RNA sequencing from Brugia malayi containing the Wolbachia symbiont (wBm) and designed ssDNA depletion probes against their rRNA sequences. We compared the total RNA library to poly-A enriched, Terminator 5'-Phosphate-Dependent Exonuclease treated, NEBNext Human/Bacteria rRNA depleted and our custom nematode probe depleted libraries. The custom nematode depletion library had the lowest percentage of ribosomal reads across all methods, with a 300-fold decrease in rRNA when compared to the total RNA library. The nematode depletion libraries also contained the highest percentage of Wolbachia mRNA reads, resulting in a 16-1,000-fold increase in bacterial reads compared to the other enrichment and depletion methods. Finally, we found that the Brugia malayi depletion probes can remove rRNA from the filarial worm Dirofilaria immitis and the majority of rRNA from the more distantly related free living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. These custom filarial probes will allow for future dual RNA-seq experiments between nematodes and their bacterial symbionts from a single sequencing library.}, }
@article {pmid38828283, year = {2024}, author = {Turner, HC}, title = {Cost-effectiveness of a Wolbachia-based replacement strategy for dengue control in Brazil.}, journal = {Lancet regional health. Americas}, volume = {35}, number = {}, pages = {100789}, pmid = {38828283}, issn = {2667-193X}, }
@article {pmid38800519, year = {2024}, author = {Jeffries, CL and Tantely, LM and Kadriaj, P and Blagrove, MSC and Lytra, I and Orsborne, J and Al-Amin, HM and Mohammed, AR and Alam, MS and Girod, R and Afrane, YA and Bino, S and Robert, V and Boyer, S and Baylis, M and Velo, E and Hughes, GL and Walker, T}, title = {Mitochondrial and microbial diversity of the invasive mosquito vector species Culex tritaeniorhynchus across its extensive inter-continental geographic range.}, journal = {Wellcome open research}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {18}, pmid = {38800519}, issn = {2398-502X}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Culex (Cx.) tritaeniorhynchus is an invasive mosquito species with an extensive and expanding inter-continental distribution, currently reported across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and now Australia. It is an important vector of medical and veterinary pathogens which cause significant morbidity and mortality in human and animal populations. Across regions endemic for Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), Cx. tritaeniorhynchus is considered the major vector and has also been shown to contribute to the transmission of several other zoonotic arboviruses including Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) and West Nile virus (WNV).<br><br>METHODS: In this study, we used laboratory vector competence experiments to determine if Cx. tritaeniorhynchus from a Southern European population were competent JEV vectors. We also obtained samples from multiple geographically dispersed Cx. tritaeniorhynchus populations from countries within Europe, Africa, Eurasia and Asia to perform phylogenetic analysis to measure the level of mitochondrial divergence using the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) gene. We also undertook bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to determine microbial diversity and used multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) to determine any evidence for the presence of strains of the naturally occurring endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia.<br><br>RESULTS: Cx. tritaeniorhynchus from a Greek population were shown be be competent vectors of JEV with high levels of virus present in saliva. We found a signficant level of mitochondrial genetic diversity using the mosquito CO1 gene between geographically dispersed populations. Furthermore, we report diverse microbiomes identified by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing within and between geographical populations. Evidence for the detection of the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia was confirmed using Wolbachia-specific PCR and MLST.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This study enhances our understanding of the diversity of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and the associated microbiome across its inter-continental range and highlights the need for greater surveillance of this invasive vector species in Europe.}, }
@article {pmid38796552, year = {2024}, author = {Wijegunawardana, NDAD and Gunawardene, YINS and Abeyewickreme, W and Chandrasena, TGAN and Thayanukul, P and Kittayapong, P}, title = {Diversity of Wolbachia infections in Sri Lankan mosquitoes with a new record of Wolbachia Supergroup B infecting Aedes aegypti vector populations.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {11966}, pmid = {38796552}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; *Aedes/microbiology/virology ; Sri Lanka ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; *Phylogeny ; Female ; Male ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Multilocus Sequence Typing/methods ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia bacteria are common endosymbionts of insects and have recently been applied for controlling arboviral vectors, especially Aedes aegypti mosquito populations. However, several medically important mosquito species in Sri Lanka were present with limited information for the Wolbachia infection status. Therefore, the screening of Wolbachia in indigenous mosquitoes is required prior to a successful application of Wolbachia-based vector control strategy. In this study, screening of 78 mosquito species collected from various parts of the country revealed that 13 species were positive for Wolbachia infection, giving ~ 17% infection frequency of Wolbachia among the Sri Lankan mosquitoes. Twelve Wolbachia-positive mosquito species were selected for downstream Wolbachia strain genotyping using Multi Locus Sequencing Type (MLST), wsp gene, and 16S rRNA gene-based approaches. Results showed that these Wolbachia strains clustered together with the present Wolbachia phylogeny of world mosquito populations with some variations. Almost 90% of the mosquito populations were infected with supergroup B while the remaining were infected with supergroup A. A new record of Wolbachia supergroup B infection in Ae. aegypti, the main vectors of dengue, was highlighted. This finding was further confirmed by real-time qPCR, revealing Wolbachia density variations between Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus (p = 0.001), and between males and females (p < 0.05). The evidence of natural Wolbachia infections in Ae. aegypti populations in Sri Lanka is an extremely rare incident that has the potential to be used for arboviral vector control.}, }
@article {pmid38792834, year = {2024}, author = {Moerbeck, L and Parreira, R and Szczotko, M and Seixas, G and Velez, R and Dmitryjuk, M and Santos, AS and Domingos, A and Antunes, S}, title = {Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens Circulating in Peri-Domestic Areas in Mainland Portugal.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {12}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {38792834}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {2022.14376.BD//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o para a Ci&#xea;ncia e Tecnologia/ ; }, abstract = {Over the years, tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) have garnered significant interest due to their medical, veterinary and economic importance. Additionally, TBPs have drawn attention to how these microorganisms interact with their own vectors, increasing the risk to human and animal infection of emerging and reemerging zoonoses. In this sense, ticks, which are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites, have a key role in maintaining and transmitting TBPs among humans and animals. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of neglected TBPs in mainland Portugal, namely Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., Ehrlichia spp. and Neoehrlichia mikurensis. DNA fragments were detected in questing ticks collected from five different ecological areas under investigation. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study reports new worldwide findings, including B. bigemina infecting Ixodes frontalis, Ixodes ricinus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Additionally, it presents new findings in Portugal of N. mikurensis infecting I. ricinus and of presumably Wolbachia endosymbionts being detected in I. ricinus. Overall, there were 208 tick samples that were negative for all screened TBPs. The results herein obtained raise concerns about the circulation of neglected TBPs in mainland Portugal, especially in anthropophilic ticks, highlighting the importance of adopting a One Health perspective.}, }
@article {pmid38786149, year = {2024}, author = {Löckener, I and Behrmann, LV and Reuter, J and Schiefer, A and Klöckner, A and Krannich, S and Otten, C and Mölleken, K and Ichikawa, S and Hoerauf, A and Schneider, T and Pfarr, KM and Henrichfreise, B}, title = {The MraY Inhibitor Muraymycin D2 and Its Derivatives Induce Enlarged Cells in Obligate Intracellular Chlamydia and Wolbachia and Break the Persistence Phenotype in Chlamydia.}, journal = {Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {13}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {38786149}, issn = {2079-6382}, support = {398967434 - TRR261//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation)/ ; N.a.//BONFOR intramural funding program, Medical Faculty of Bonn University/ ; N.a.//J&#xfc;rgen Manchot foundation/ ; N.a.//FEMHABIL, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn/ ; JP22H02738//JSPS KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)/ ; JP22ama121039//AMED/ ; N.a.//Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes/ ; }, abstract = {Chlamydial infections and diseases caused by filarial nematodes are global health concerns. However, treatment presents challenges due to treatment failures potentially caused by persisting Chlamydia and long regimens against filarial infections accompanied by low compliance. A new treatment strategy could be the targeting of the reduced peptidoglycan structures involved in cell division in the obligate intracellular bacteria Chlamydia and Wolbachia, the latter being obligate endosymbionts supporting filarial development, growth, and survival. Here, cell culture experiments with C. trachomatis and Wolbachia showed that the nucleoside antibiotics muraymycin and carbacaprazamycin interfere with bacterial cell division and induce enlarged, aberrant cells resembling the penicillin-induced persistence phenotype in Chlamydia. Enzymatic inhibition experiments with purified C. pneumoniae MraY revealed that muraymycin derivatives abolish the synthesis of the peptidoglycan precursor lipid I. Comparative in silico analyses of chlamydial and wolbachial MraY with the corresponding well-characterized enzyme in Aquifex aeolicus revealed a high degree of conservation, providing evidence for a similar mode of inhibition. Muraymycin D2 treatment eradicated persisting non-dividing C. trachomatis cells from an established penicillin-induced persistent infection. This finding indicates that nucleoside antibiotics may have additional properties that can break bacterial persistence.}, }
@article {pmid38784793, year = {2024}, author = {, }, title = {Erratum: Genetic diversity of endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia infecting two mosquito species of the genus Eretmapodites occurring in sympatry in the Comoros archipelago.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1425304}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2024.1425304}, pmid = {38784793}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1343917.].}, }
@article {pmid38776328, year = {2024}, author = {Khosravi, G and Akbarzadeh, K and Karimian, F and Koosha, M and Saeedi, S and Oshaghi, MA}, title = {A survey of Wolbachia infection in brachyceran flies from Iran.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {19}, number = {5}, pages = {e0301274}, pmid = {38776328}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {*Wolbachia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Animals ; Iran ; *Diptera/microbiology ; *Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is a maternally inherited intracellular bacterium that is considered to be the most plentiful endosymbiont found in arthropods. It reproductively manipulates its host to increase the chances of being transmitted to the insect progeny; and it is currently used as a means of suppressing disease vector populations or controlling vector-borne diseases. Studies of the dissemination and prevalence of Wolbachia among its arthropod hosts are important for its possible use as a biological control agent. The molecular identification of Wolbachia relies on different primers sets due to Wolbachia strain variation. Here, we screened for the presence of Wolbachia in a broad range of Brachycera fly species (Diptera), collected from different regions of Iran, using nine genetic markers (wsp, ftsZ, fbpA, gatB, CoxA, gltA, GroEL dnaA, and 16s rRNA), for detecting, assessing the sensitivity of primers for detection, and phylogeny of this bacterium. The overall incidence of Wolbachia among 22 species from six families was 27.3%. The most commonly positive fly species were Pollenia sp. and Hydrotaea armipes. However, the bacterium was not found in the most medically important flies or in potential human disease vectors, including Musca domestica, Sarcophaga spp., Calliphora vicinia, Lucilia sericata, and Chrysomya albiceps. The primer sets of 16s rRNA with 53.0% and gatB with 52.0% were the most sensitive primers for detecting Wolbachia. Blast search, phylogenetic, and MLST analysis of the different locus sequences of Wolbachia show that all the six distantly related fly species likely belonging to supergroup A. Our study showed some primer sets generated false negatives in many of the samples, emphasizing the importance of using different loci in detecting Wolbachia. The study provides the groundwork for future studies of a Wolbachia-based program for control of flies.}, }
@article {pmid38774500, year = {2024}, author = {Poulain, M and Rosinski, E and Henri, H and Balmand, S and Delignette-Muller, ML and Heddi, A and Lasseur, R and Vavre, F and Zaidman-Rémy, A and Kremer, N}, title = {Development, feeding, and sex shape the relative quantity of the nutritional obligatory symbiont Wolbachia in bed bugs.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1386458}, pmid = {38774500}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, is a hemipteran insect that feeds only on blood, and whose bites cause public health issues. Due to globalization and resistance to insecticides, this pest has undergone a significant and global resurgence in recent decades. Blood is an unbalanced diet, lacking notably sufficient B vitamins. Like all strict hematophagous arthropods, bed bugs host a nutritional symbiont supplying B vitamins. In C. lectularius, this nutritional symbiont is the intracellular bacterium Wolbachia (wCle). It is located in specific symbiotic organs, the bacteriomes, as well as in ovaries. Experimental depletion of wCle has been shown to result in longer nymphal development and lower fecundity. These phenotypes were rescued by B vitamin supplementation. Understanding the interaction between wCle and the bed bug may help to develop new pest control methods targeting the disruption of this symbiotic interaction. The objective of this work was thus to quantify accurately the density of wCle over the life cycle of the host and to describe potential associated morphological changes in the bacteriome. We also sought to determine the impact of sex, feeding status, and aging on the bacterial population dynamics. We showed that the relative quantity of wCle continuously increases during bed bug development, while the relative size of the bacteriome remains stable. We also showed that adult females harbor more wCle than males and that wCle relative quantity decreases slightly in adults with age, except in weekly-fed males. These results are discussed in the context of bed bug ecology and will help to define critical points of the symbiotic interaction during the bed bug life cycle.}, }
@article {pmid38773487, year = {2024}, author = {Connolly, JB and Burt, A and Christophides, G and Diabate, A and Habtewold, T and Hancock, PA and James, AA and Kayondo, JK and Lwetoijera, DW and Manjurano, A and McKemey, AR and Santos, MR and Windbichler, N and Randazzo, F}, title = {Considerations for first field trials of low-threshold gene drive for malaria vector control.}, journal = {Malaria journal}, volume = {23}, number = {1}, pages = {156}, pmid = {38773487}, issn = {1475-2875}, mesh = {*Mosquito Control/methods ; *Mosquito Vectors/genetics ; *Malaria/prevention &amp; control/transmission ; Animals ; *Anopheles/genetics ; *Gene Drive Technology/methods ; }, abstract = {Sustainable reductions in African malaria transmission require innovative tools for mosquito control. One proposal involves the use of low-threshold gene drive in Anopheles vector species, where a 'causal pathway' would be initiated by (i) the release of a gene drive system in target mosquito vector species, leading to (ii) its transmission to subsequent generations, (iii) its increase in frequency and spread in target mosquito populations, (iv) its simultaneous propagation of a linked genetic trait aimed at reducing vectorial capacity for Plasmodium, and (v) reduced vectorial capacity for parasites in target mosquito populations as the gene drive system reaches fixation in target mosquito populations, causing (vi) decreased malaria incidence and prevalence. Here the scope, objectives, trial design elements, and approaches to monitoring for initial field releases of such gene dive systems are considered, informed by the successful implementation of field trials of biological control agents, as well as other vector control tools, including insecticides, Wolbachia, larvicides, and attractive-toxic sugar bait systems. Specific research questions to be addressed in initial gene drive field trials are identified, and adaptive trial design is explored as a potentially constructive and flexible approach to facilitate testing of the causal pathway. A fundamental question for decision-makers for the first field trials will be whether there should be a selective focus on earlier points of the pathway, such as genetic efficacy via measurement of the increase in frequency and spread of the gene drive system in target populations, or on wider interrogation of the entire pathway including entomological and epidemiological efficacy. How and when epidemiological efficacy will eventually be assessed will be an essential consideration before decisions on any field trial protocols are finalized and implemented, regardless of whether initial field trials focus exclusively on the measurement of genetic efficacy, or on broader aspects of the causal pathway. Statistical and modelling tools are currently under active development and will inform such decisions on initial trial design, locations, and endpoints. Collectively, the considerations here advance the realization of developer ambitions for the first field trials of low-threshold gene drive for malaria vector control within the next 5 years.}, }
@article {pmid38772333, year = {2024}, author = {Miyata, M and Nomura, M and Kageyama, D}, title = {Rapid spread of a vertically transmitted symbiont induces drastic shifts in butterfly sex ratio.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {34}, number = {10}, pages = {R490-R492}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.027}, pmid = {38772333}, issn = {1879-0445}, mesh = {Animals ; *Sex Ratio ; *Wolbachia/physiology/genetics ; *Symbiosis ; *Butterflies/microbiology/physiology/genetics ; Female ; Male ; }, abstract = {The causes and consequences of sex-ratio dynamics constitutes a pivotal subject in evolutionary biology[1]. Under conditions of evolutionary equilibrium, the male-to-female ratio tends to be approximately 1:1; however, this equilibrium is susceptible to distortion by selfish genetic elements exemplified by driving sex chromosomes and cytoplasmic elements[2][,][3]. Although previous studies have documented instances of these genetic elements distorting the sex ratio, studies specifically tracking the process with which these distorters spread within populations, leading to a transition from balanced parity to a skewed, female-biased state, are notably lacking. Herein, we present compelling evidence documenting the rapid spread of the cytoplasmic endosymbiont Wolbachia within a localized population of the pierid butterfly Eurema hecabe (Figure 1A). This spread resulted in a shift in the sex ratio from near parity to an exceedingly skewed state overwhelmingly biased toward females, reaching 93.1% within a remarkably brief period of 4 years.}, }
@article {pmid38771858, year = {2024}, author = {Maleki-Ravasan, N and Ghafari, SM and Najafzadeh, N and Karimian, F and Darzi, F and Davoudian, R and Farshbaf Pourabad, R and Parvizi, P}, title = {Characterization of bacteria expectorated during forced salivation of the Phlebotomus papatasi: A neglected component of sand fly infectious inoculums.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {18}, number = {5}, pages = {e0012165}, pmid = {38771858}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Animals ; *Phlebotomus/microbiology ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Phylogeny ; *Saliva/microbiology ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Iran ; Insect Vectors/microbiology/physiology ; Female ; Microbiota ; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/transmission/microbiology/parasitology ; Male ; }, abstract = {The infectious inoculum of a sand fly, apart from its metacyclic promastigotes, is composed of factors derived from both the parasite and the vector. Vector-derived factors, including salivary proteins and the gut microbiota, are essential for the establishment and enhancement of infection. However, the type and the number of bacteria egested during salivation is unclear. In the present study, sand flies of Phlebotomus papatasi were gathered from three locations in hyperendemic focus of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) in Isfahan Province, Iran. By using the forced salivation assay and targeting the 16S rRNA barcode gene, egested bacteria were characterized in 99 (44%) out of 224 sand flies. Culture-dependent and culture-independent methods identified the members of Enterobacter cloacae and Spiroplasma species as dominant taxa, respectively. Ten top genera of Spiroplasma, Ralstonia, Acinetobacter, Reyranella, Undibacterium, Bryobacter, Corynebacterium, Cutibacterium, Psychrobacter, and Wolbachia constituted >80% of the saliva microbiome. Phylogenetic analysis displayed the presence of only one bacterial species for the Spiroplasma, Ralstonia, Reyranella, Bryobacter and Wolbachia, two distinct species for Cutibacterium, three for Undibacterium and Psychrobacter, 16 for Acinetobacter, and 27 for Corynebacterium, in the saliva. The abundance of microbes in P. papatasi saliva was determined by incorporating the data on the read counts and the copy number of 16S rRNA gene, about 9,000 bacterial cells, per sand fly. Both microbiological and metagenomic data indicate that bacteria are constant companions of Leishmania, from the intestine of the vector to the vertebrate host. This is the first forced salivation experiment in a sand fly, addressing key questions on infectious bite and competent vectors.}, }
@article {pmid38769579, year = {2024}, author = {Muharromah, AF and Carvajal, TM and Regilme, MAF and Watanabe, K}, title = {Fine-scale adaptive divergence and population genetic structure of Aedes aegypti in Metropolitan Manila, Philippines.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {17}, number = {1}, pages = {233}, pmid = {38769579}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aedes/genetics/classification/physiology ; Philippines ; Female ; Male ; *Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; *Microsatellite Repeats/genetics ; *Genetics, Population ; *Mosquito Vectors/genetics/physiology ; Ecosystem ; Genetic Variation ; Dengue/transmission ; Adaptation, Physiological/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The adaptive divergence of Aedes aegypti populations to heterogeneous environments can be a driving force behind the recent expansion of their habitat distribution and outbreaks of dengue disease in urbanized areas. In this study, we investigated the population genomics of Ae. aegypti at a regional scale in Metropolitan Manila, Philippines.<br><br>METHODS: We used the Pool-Seq double digestion restriction-site association DNA sequencing (ddRAD-Seq) approach to generate a high number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), with the aim to determine local adaptation and compare the population structure with 11 microsatellite markers. A total of 217 Ae. aegypti individuals from seven female and seven male populations collected from Metropolitan Manila were used in the assays.<br><br>RESULTS: We detected 65,473 SNPs across the populations, of which 76 were non-neutral SNPs. Of these non-neutral SNPs, the multivariate regression test associated 50 with eight landscape variables (e.g. open space, forest, etc.) and 29 with five climate variables (e.g. air temperature, humidity, etc.) (P-value range&#x2009;0.005-0.045) in female and male populations separately. Male and female populations exhibited contrasting spatial divergence, with males exhibiting greater divergence than females, most likely reflecting the different dispersal abilities of male and female mosquitoes. In the comparative analysis of the same Ae. aegypti individuals, the pairwise FST values of 11 microsatellite markers were lower than those of the neutral SNPs, indicating that the neutral SNPs generated via pool ddRAD-Seq were more sensitive in terms of detecting genetic differences between populations at fine-spatial scales.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our study demonstrates the utility of pool ddRAD-Seq for examining genetic differences in Ae. aegypti populations in areas at fine-spatial scales that could inform vector control programs such as Wolbachia-infected mosquito mass-release programs. This in turn would provide information on mosquito population dispersal patterns and the potential barriers to mosquito movement within and around the release area. In addition, the potential of environmental adaptability observed in Ae. aegypti could help population control efforts.}, }
@article {pmid38760668, year = {2024}, author = {Bell-Sakyi, L and Haines, LR and Petrucci, G and Beliavskaia, A and Hartley, C and Khoo, JJ and Makepeace, BL and Abd-Alla, AMM and Darby, AC}, title = {Establishment and partial characterisation of a new cell line derived from adult tissues of the tsetse fly Glossina morsitans morsitans.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {17}, number = {1}, pages = {231}, pmid = {38760668}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {BB/P024270/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; AV/PP0021/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; BB/P024270/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; BB/P024270/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; BB/P024270/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; BB/P024270/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; 223743/Z/21/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 204806/Z/16/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 223743/Z/21/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 223743/Z/21/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 223743/Z/21/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 223743/Z/21/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 223743/Z/21/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; Joint FAO/IAEA Insect Pest Control Subprogramme//FAO/IAEA/ ; Joint FAO/IAEA Insect Pest Control Subprogramme//FAO/IAEA/ ; }, mesh = {*Tsetse Flies/parasitology ; Animals ; Cell Line ; Female ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Karyotyping ; Insect Vectors/virology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Insect cell lines play a vital role in many aspects of research on disease vectors and agricultural pests. The tsetse fly Glossina morsitans morsitans is an important vector of salivarian trypanosomes in sub-Saharan Africa and, as such, is a major constraint on human health and agricultural development in the region.<br><br>METHODS: Here, we report establishment and partial characterisation of a cell line, GMA/LULS61, derived from tissues of adult female G. m. morsitans. GMA/LULS61 cells, grown at 28&#xa0;&#xb0;C in L-15 (Leibovitz) medium supplemented with foetal bovine serum and tryptose phosphate broth, have been taken through 23 passages to date and can be split 1:1 at 2-week intervals. Karyotyping at passage 17 revealed a predominantly haploid chromosome complement. Species origin and absence of contaminating bacteria were confirmed by PCR amplification and sequencing of fragments of the COI gene and pan-bacterial 16S rRNA gene respectively. However, PCR screening of RNA extracted from GMA/LULS61 cells confirmed presence of the recently described Glossina morsitans morsitans iflavirus and Glossina morsitans morsitans negevirus, but absence of Glossina pallipides salivary gland hypertrophy virus. GMA/LULS61 cells supported infection and growth of 6/7 different insect-derived strains of the intracellular bacterial symbiont Wolbachia.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The GMA/LULS61 cell line has potential for application in a variety of studies investigating the biology of G. m. morsitans and its associated pathogenic and symbiotic microorganisms.}, }
@article {pmid38755197, year = {2024}, author = {Dufault, SM and Tanamas, SK and Indriani, C and Ahmad, RA and Utarini, A and Jewell, NP and Simmons, CP and Anders, KL}, title = {Reanalysis of cluster randomised trial data to account for exposure misclassification using a per-protocol and complier-restricted approach.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {11207}, pmid = {38755197}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *Wolbachia ; *Aedes/microbiology ; Animals ; *Dengue/prevention &amp; control/transmission ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Cluster Analysis ; Mosquito Control/methods ; Female ; }, abstract = {The intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis of the Applying Wolbachia to Eliminate Dengue (AWED) trial estimated a protective efficacy of 77.1% for participants resident in areas randomised to receive releases of wMel-infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, an emerging dengue preventive intervention. The limiting assumptions of ITT analyses in cluster randomised trials and the mobility of mosquitoes and humans across cluster boundaries indicate the primary analysis is likely to underestimate the full public health benefit. Using spatiotemporally-resolved data on the distribution of Wolbachia mosquitoes and on the mobility of AWED participants (n = 6306), we perform complier-restricted and per-protocol re-examinations of the efficacy of the Wolbachia intervention. Increased intervention efficacy was estimated in all analyses by the refined exposure measures. The complier-restricted analysis returned an estimated efficacy of 80.7% (95% CI 65.9, 89.0) and the per-protocol analysis estimated 82.7% (71.7, 88.4) efficacy when comparing participants with an estimated wMel exposure of ≥ 80% compared to those with <20%. These reanalyses demonstrate how human and mosquito movement can lead to underestimation of intervention effects in trials of vector interventions and indicate that the protective efficacy of Wolbachia is even higher than reported in the primary trial results.}, }
@article {pmid38754459, year = {2024}, author = {Idro, R and Ogwang, R and Anguzu, R and Akun, P and Ningwa, A and Abbo, C and Giannoccaro, MP and Kubofcik, J and Mwaka, AD and Nakamya, P and Opar, B and Taylor, M and Nutman, TB and Elliott, A and Vincent, A and Newton, CR and Marsh, K}, title = {Doxycycline for the treatment of nodding syndrome: a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial.}, journal = {The Lancet. Global health}, volume = {12}, number = {7}, pages = {e1149-e1158}, pmid = {38754459}, issn = {2214-109X}, support = {Z01 AI000439/ImNIH/Intramural NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Child ; Adolescent ; Female ; Male ; *Doxycycline/therapeutic use ; *Nodding Syndrome/drug therapy ; Double-Blind Method ; Uganda ; Treatment Outcome ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Onchocerca volvulus/drug effects ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Nodding syndrome is a poorly understood neurological disorder that predominantly occurs in Africa. We hypothesised that nodding syndrome is a neuroinflammatory disorder, induced by antibodies to Onchocerca volvulus or its Wolbachia symbiont, cross-reacting with host neuronal proteins (HNPs), and that doxycycline can be used as treatment.<br><br>METHODS: In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial, we recruited participants from districts affected by nodding syndrome in northern Uganda. We included children and adolescents aged 8-18 years with nodding syndrome, as defined by WHO consensus criteria. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either 100 mg doxycycline daily or placebo for 6 weeks via a computer-generated schedule stratified by skin microscopy results, and all parties were masked to group assignment. Diagnoses of O volvulus and antibodies to HNPs were made using luciferase immunoprecipitation system assays and immunohistochemistry. The primary outcome was change in the proportion with antibodies to HNPs, assessed at 24 months. All participants were included in safety analyses, and surviving participants (those with samples at 24 months) were included in primary analyses. Secondary outcomes were: change in concentrations of antibodies to HNPs at 24 months compared with baseline; proportion of participants testing positive for antibodies to O volvulus-specific proteins and concentrations of Ov16 or OVOC3261 antibodies at 24 months compared with baseline; change in seizure burden, proportion achieving seizure freedom, and the proportions with interictal epileptiform discharges on the diagnostic EEG; overall quality of life; disease severity at 24 months; and incidence of all-cause adverse events, serious adverse events, and seizure-related mortality by 24 months. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02850913.<br><br>FINDINGS: Between Sept 1, 2016, and Aug 31, 2018, 329 children and adolescents were screened, of whom 240 were included in the study. 140 (58%) participants were boys and 100 (42%) were girls. 120 (50%) participants were allocated to receive doxycycline and 120 (50%) to receive placebo. At recruitment, the median duration of symptoms was 9 years (IQR 6-10); 232 (97%) participants had O volvulus-specific antibodies and 157 (65%) had autoantibodies to HNPs. The most common plasma autoantibodies were to human protein deglycase DJ-1 (85 [35%] participants) and leiomodin-1 (77 [32%] participants) and, in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), to human DJ-1 (27 [11%] participants) and leiomodin-1 (14 [6%] participants). On immunohistochemistry, 46 (19%) participants had CSF autoantibodies to HNPs, including leiomodin-1 (26 [11%]), &#x3b3;-aminobutyric acid B receptors (two [<1%]), CASPR2 (one [<1%]), or unknown targets (28 [12%]). At 24 months, 161 (72%) of 225 participants had antibodies to HNPs compared with 157 (65%) of 240 at baseline. 6 weeks of doxycycline did not affect the concentration of autoantibodies to HNPs, seizure control, disease severity, or quality of life at the 24-month follow-up but substantially decreased Ov16 antibody concentrations; the median plasma signal-to-noise Ov16 ratio was 16&#xb7;4 (95% CI 6&#xb7;4-38&#xb7;4), compared with 27&#xb7;9 (8&#xb7;2-65&#xb7;8; p=0&#xb7;033) for placebo. 14 (6%) participants died and, other than one traffic death, all deaths were seizure-related. Acute seizure-related hospitalisations (rate ratio [RR] 0&#xb7;43 [95% CI 0&#xb7;20-0&#xb7;94], p=0&#xb7;028) and deaths (RR 0&#xb7;46 [0&#xb7;24-0&#xb7;89], p=0&#xb7;028) were significantly lower in the doxycycline group. At 24 months, 96 (84%) of 114 participants who received doxycycline tested positive for antibodies to Ov16, compared with 97 (87%) of 111 on placebo (p=0&#xb7;50), and 74 (65%) participants on doxycycline tested positive for antibodies to OVOC3261, compared with 57 (51%) on placebo (p=0&#xb7;039). Doxycycline was safe; there was no difference in the incidence of grade 3-5 adverse events across the two groups.<br><br>INTERPRETATION: Nodding syndrome is strongly associated with O volvulus and the pathogenesis is probably mediated through an O volvulus induced autoantibody response to multiple proteins. Although it did not reverse disease symptoms, doxycycline or another prophylactic antibiotic could be considered as adjunct therapy to antiseizure medication, as it might reduce fatal complications from acute seizures and status epilepticus induced by febrile infections.<br><br>FUNDING: Medical Research Council (UK).<br><br>TRANSLATION: For the Luo translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.}, }
@article {pmid38742876, year = {2024}, author = {De Coninck, L and Soto, A and Wang, L and De Wolf, K and Smitz, N and Deblauwe, I and Mbigha Donfack, KC and Müller, R and Delang, L and Matthijnssens, J}, title = {Lack of abundant core virome in Culex mosquitoes from a temperate climate region despite a mosquito species-specific virome.}, journal = {mSystems}, volume = {9}, number = {6}, pages = {e0001224}, pmid = {38742876}, issn = {2379-5077}, support = {11L1323N//Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (FWO)/ ; C14/20/108//KU Leuven/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Culex/virology/microbiology ; *Virome/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Belgium ; Species Specificity ; Mosquito Vectors/virology/microbiology ; Metagenomics ; Insect Viruses/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Climate ; }, abstract = {In arthropod-associated microbial communities, insect-specific viruses (ISVs) are prevalent yet understudied due to limited infectivity outside their natural hosts. However, ISVs might play a crucial role in regulating mosquito populations and influencing arthropod-borne virus transmission. Some studies have indicated a core virome in mosquitoes consisting of mostly ISVs. Employing single mosquito metagenomics, we comprehensively profiled the virome of native and invasive mosquito species in Belgium. This approach allowed for accurate host species determination, prevalence assessment of viruses and Wolbachia, and the identification of novel viruses. Contrary to our expectations, no abundant core virome was observed in Culex mosquitoes from Belgium. In that regard, we caution against rigidly defining mosquito core viromes and encourage nuanced interpretations of other studies. Nonetheless, our study identified 45 viruses of which 28 were novel, enriching our understanding of the mosquito virome and ISVs. We showed that the mosquito virome in this study is species-specific and less dependent on the location where mosquitoes from the same species reside. In addition, because Wolbachia has previously been observed to influence arbovirus transmission, we report the prevalence of Wolbachia in Belgian mosquitoes and the detection of several Wolbachia mobile genetic elements. The observed prevalence ranged from 83% to 92% in members from the Culex pipiens complex.IMPORTANCECulex pipiens mosquitoes are important vectors for arboviruses like West Nile virus and Usutu virus. Virome studies on individual Culex pipiens, and on individual mosquitoes in general, have been lacking. To mitigate this, we sequenced the virome of 190 individual Culex and 8 individual Aedes japonicus mosquitoes. We report the lack of a core virome in these mosquitoes from Belgium and caution the interpretation of other studies in this light. The discovery of new viruses in this study will aid our comprehension of insect-specific viruses and the mosquito virome in general in relation to mosquito physiology and mosquito population dynamics.}, }
@article {pmid38732070, year = {2024}, author = {Zhang, J and Liu, Q and Dai, L and Zhang, Z and Wang, Y}, title = {Pan-Genome Analysis of Wolbachia, Endosymbiont of Diaphorina citri, Reveals Independent Origin in Asia and North America.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {25}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {38732070}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {2021YFD1400805//Nation Key R &amp; D Program of China/ ; 31672031//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32272537//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, mesh = {*Wolbachia/genetics/classification ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Animals ; *Phylogeny ; Asia ; North America ; Hemiptera/microbiology/genetics ; Diptera/microbiology/genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia, a group of Gram-negative symbiotic bacteria, infects nematodes and a wide range of arthropods. Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, the vector of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) that causes citrus greening disease, is naturally infected with Wolbachia (wDi). However, the interaction between wDi and D. citri remains poorly understood. In this study, we performed a pan-genome analysis using 65 wDi genomes to gain a comprehensive understanding of wDi. Based on average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis, we classified the wDi strains into Asia and North America strains. The ANI analysis, principal coordinates analysis (PCoA), and phylogenetic tree analysis supported that the D. citri in Florida did not originate from China. Furthermore, we found that a significant number of core genes were associated with metabolic pathways. Pathways such as thiamine metabolism, type I secretion system, biotin transport, and phospholipid transport were highly conserved across all analyzed wDi genomes. The variation analysis between Asia and North America wDi showed that there were 39,625 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 2153 indels, 10 inversions, 29 translocations, 65 duplications, 10 SV-based insertions, and 4 SV-based deletions. The SV-based insertions and deletions involved genes encoding transposase, phage tail tube protein, ankyrin repeat (ANK) protein, and group II intron-encoded protein. Pan-genome analysis of wDi contributes to our understanding of the geographical population of wDi, the origin of hosts of D. citri, and the interaction between wDi and its host, thus facilitating the development of strategies to control the insects and huanglongbing (HLB).}, }
@article {pmid38730102, year = {2024}, author = {Taglialegna, A}, title = {A mosquito symbiont controls flaviviruses.}, journal = {Nature reviews. Microbiology}, volume = {22}, number = {7}, pages = {387}, pmid = {38730102}, issn = {1740-1534}, mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Flavivirus/genetics/physiology/classification ; Mosquito Vectors/virology ; Culicidae/virology ; Humans ; Aedes/virology ; Wolbachia/physiology ; Flavivirus Infections/virology/transmission ; }, }
@article {pmid38725798, year = {2024}, author = {Setegn, A and Amare, GA and Mihret, Y}, title = {Wolbachia and Lymphatic Filarial Nematodes and Their Implications in the Pathogenesis of the Disease.}, journal = {Journal of parasitology research}, volume = {2024}, number = {}, pages = {3476951}, pmid = {38725798}, issn = {2090-0023}, abstract = {Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is an infection of three closely related filarial worms such as Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori. These worms can cause a devastating disease that involves acute and chronic lymphoedema of the extremities, which can cause elephantiasis in both sexes and hydroceles in males. These important public health nematodes were found to have a mutualistic relationship with intracellular bacteria of the genus Wolbachia, which is essential for the development and survival of the nematode. The host's inflammatory response to parasites and possibly also to the Wolbachia endosymbiont is the cause of lymphatic damage and disease pathogenesis. This review tried to describe and highlight the mutualistic associations between Wolbachia and lymphatic filarial nematodes and the role of bacteria in the pathogenesis of lymphatic filariasis. Articles for this review were searched from PubMed, Google Scholar, and other databases. Article searching was not restricted by publication year; however, only English version full-text articles were included.}, }
@article {pmid38716193, year = {2024}, author = {Mushtaq, I and Sarwar, MS and Chaudhry, A and Shah, SAH and Ahmad, MM}, title = {Updates on traditional methods for combating malaria and emerging Wolbachia-based interventions.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1330475}, pmid = {38716193}, issn = {2235-2988}, mesh = {*Wolbachia ; *Malaria/prevention &amp; control ; Animals ; Humans ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; Mosquito Control/methods ; Pakistan ; }, abstract = {The escalating challenge of malaria control necessitates innovative approaches that extend beyond traditional control strategies. This review explores the incorporation of traditional vector control techniques with emerging Wolbachia-based interventions. Wolbachia, a naturally occurring bacteria, offers a novel approach for combatting vector-borne diseases, including malaria, by reducing the mosquitoes' ability to transmit these diseases. The study explores the rationale for this integration, presenting various case studies and pilot projects that have exhibited significant success. Employing a multi-dimensional approach that includes community mobilization, environmental modifications, and new biological methods, the paper posits that integrated efforts could mark a turning point in the struggle against malaria. Our findings indicate that incorporating Wolbachia-based strategies into existing vector management programs not only is feasible but also heightens the efficacy of malaria control initiatives in different countries especially in Pakistan. The paper concludes that continued research and international collaboration are imperative for translating these promising methods from the laboratory to the field, thereby offering a more sustainable and effective malaria control strategy.}, }
@article {pmid38705185, year = {2024}, author = {Łukasik, P and Kolasa, MR}, title = {With a little help from my friends: the roles of microbial symbionts in insect populations and communities.}, journal = {Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences}, volume = {379}, number = {1904}, pages = {20230122}, pmid = {38705185}, issn = {1471-2970}, mesh = {Animals ; *Insecta/microbiology/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Microbiota/physiology ; Biodiversity ; }, abstract = {To understand insect abundance, distribution and dynamics, we need to understand the relevant drivers of their populations and communities. While microbial symbionts are known to strongly affect many aspects of insect biology, we lack data on their effects on populations or community processes, or on insects' evolutionary responses at different timescales. How these effects change as the anthropogenic effects on ecosystems intensify is an area of intense research. Recent developments in sequencing and bioinformatics permit cost-effective microbial diversity surveys, tracking symbiont transmission, and identification of functions across insect populations and multi-species communities. In this review, we explore how different functional categories of symbionts can influence insect life-history traits, how these effects could affect insect populations and their interactions with other species, and how they may affect processes and patterns at the level of entire communities. We argue that insect-associated microbes should be considered important drivers of insect response and adaptation to environmental challenges and opportunities. We also outline the emerging approaches for surveying and characterizing insect-associated microbiota at population and community scales. This article is part of the theme issue 'Towards a toolkit for global insect biodiversity monitoring'.}, }
@article {pmid38701242, year = {2024}, author = {Roldán, EL and Stelinski, LL and Pelz-Stelinski, KS}, title = {Reduction of Wolbachia in Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) increases phytopathogen acquisition and decreases fitness.}, journal = {Journal of economic entomology}, volume = {117}, number = {3}, pages = {733-749}, doi = {10.1093/jee/toae089}, pmid = {38701242}, issn = {1938-291X}, support = {2021-70029-36053//United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; 2021-70029-36053//U.S. Department of Agriculture/ ; 2021-70029-36053//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; Female ; *Doxycycline/pharmacology ; Male ; *Genetic Fitness ; Nymph/microbiology/growth &amp; development ; Liberibacter ; Plant Diseases/microbiology/prevention &amp; control ; Symbiosis ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Citrus/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis is a maternally inherited intracellular bacterium that infects a wide range of arthropods. Wolbachia can have a significant impact on host biology and development, often due to its effects on reproduction. We investigated Wolbachia-mediated effects in the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, which transmits Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the causal agent of citrus greening disease. Diaphorina citri are naturally infected with Wolbachia; therefore, investigating Wolbachia-mediated effects on D. citri fitness and CLas transmission required artificial reduction of this endosymbiont with the application of doxycycline. Doxycycline treatment of psyllids reduced Wolbachia infection by approximately 60% in both male and female D. citri. Psyllids treated with doxycycline exhibited higher CLas acquisition in both adults and nymphs as compared with negative controls. In addition, doxycycline-treated psyllids exhibited decreased fitness as measured by reduced egg and nymph production as well as adult emergence as compared with control lines without the doxycycline treatment. Our results indicate that Wolbachia benefits D. citri by improving fitness and potentially competes with CLas by interfering with phytopathogen acquisition. Targeted manipulation of endosymbionts in this phytopathogen vector may yield disease management tools.}, }
@article {pmid38692276, year = {2024}, author = {Li, C and Li, CQ and Chen, ZB and Liu, BQ and Sun, X and Wei, KH and Li, CY and Luan, JB}, title = {Wolbachia symbionts control sex in a parasitoid wasp using a horizontally acquired gene.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {34}, number = {11}, pages = {2359-2372.e9}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.035}, pmid = {38692276}, issn = {1879-0445}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/physiology/genetics ; *Wasps/physiology/microbiology/genetics ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; Female ; Male ; *Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Parthenogenesis/genetics ; Insect Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Sex Determination Processes/genetics ; }, abstract = {Host reproduction can be manipulated by bacterial symbionts in various ways. Parthenogenesis induction is the most effective type of reproduction manipulation by symbionts for their transmission. Insect sex is determined by regulation of doublesex (dsx) splicing through transformer2 (tra2) and transformer (tra) interaction. Although parthenogenesis induction by symbionts has been studied since the 1970s, its underlying molecular mechanism is unknown. Here we identify a Wolbachia parthenogenesis-induction feminization factor gene (piff) that targets sex-determining genes and causes female-producing parthenogenesis in the haplodiploid parasitoid Encarsia formosa. We found that Wolbachia elimination repressed expression of female-specific dsx and enhanced expression of male-specific dsx, which led to the production of wasp haploid male offspring. Furthermore, we found that E. formosa tra is truncated and non-functional, and Wolbachia has a functional tra homolog, termed piff, with an insect origin. Wolbachia PIFF can colocalize and interact with wasp TRA2. Moreover, Wolbachia piff has coordinated expression with tra2 and dsx of E. formosa. Our results demonstrate the bacterial symbiont Wolbachia has acquired an insect gene to manipulate the host sex determination cascade and induce parthenogenesis in wasps. This study reveals insect-to-bacteria horizontal gene transfer drives the evolution of animal sex determination systems, elucidating a striking mechanism of insect-microbe symbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid38691215, year = {2024}, author = {Tokash-Peters, AG and Niyonzima, JD and Kayirangwa, M and Muhayimana, S and Tokash, IW and Jabon, JD and Lopez, SG and Kearns, PJ and Woodhams, DC}, title = {Mosquito Microbiomes of Rwanda: Characterizing Mosquito Host and Microbial Communities in the Land of a Thousand Hills.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {87}, number = {1}, pages = {64}, pmid = {38691215}, issn = {1432-184X}, support = {DGE 1249946//Directorate for Biological Sciences/ ; 1950051//Directorate for Biological Sciences/ ; 1947684//National Science Foundation/ ; 1947684//National Science Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Rwanda ; Animals ; *Microbiota ; *Culicidae/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/classification ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; Female ; Male ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Serratia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/classification ; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; }, abstract = {Mosquitoes are a complex nuisance around the world and tropical countries bear the brunt of the burden of mosquito-borne diseases. Rwanda has had success in reducing malaria and some arboviral diseases over the last few years, but still faces challenges to elimination. By building our understanding of in situ mosquito communities in Rwanda at a disturbed, human-occupied site and at a natural, preserved site, we can build our understanding of natural mosquito microbiomes toward the goal of implementing novel microbial control methods. Here, we examined the composition of collected mosquitoes and their microbiomes at two diverse sites using Cytochrome c Oxidase I sequencing and 16S V4 high-throughput sequencing. The majority (36 of 40 species) of mosquitoes captured and characterized in this study are the first-known record of their species for Rwanda but have been characterized in other nations in East Africa. We found significant differences among mosquito genera and among species, but not between mosquito sexes or catch method. Bacteria of interest for arbovirus control, Asaia, Serratia, and Wolbachia, were found in abundance at both sites and varied greatly by species.}, }
@article {pmid38683843, year = {2024}, author = {Hernández, AM and Alcaraz, LD and Hernández-Álvarez, C and Romero, MF and Jara-Servín, A and Barajas, H and Ramírez, CM and Peimbert, M}, title = {Revealing the microbiome diversity and biocontrol potential of field Aedes ssp.: Implications for disease vector management.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {19}, number = {4}, pages = {e0302328}, pmid = {38683843}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {*Aedes/microbiology ; Animals ; *Microbiota ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Wolbachia/genetics/physiology/isolation &amp; purification ; Larva/microbiology ; Metagenomics/methods ; Mexico ; Mosquito Control/methods ; }, abstract = {The mosquito Aedes spp. holds important relevance for human and animal health, as it serves as a vector for transmitting multiple diseases, including dengue and Zika virus. The microbiome's impact on its host's health and fitness is well known. However, most studies on mosquito microbiomes have been conducted in laboratory settings. We explored the mixed microbial communities within Aedes spp., utilizing the 16S rRNA gene for diversity analysis and shotgun metagenomics for functional genomics. Our samples, which included Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, spanned various developmental stages-eggs, larvae, and adults-gathered from five semiurban areas in Mexico. Our findings revealed a substantial diversity of 8,346 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), representing 967 bacterial genera and 126,366 annotated proteins. The host developmental stage was identified as the primary factor associated with variations in the microbiome composition. Subsequently, we searched for genes and species involved in mosquito biocontrol. Wolbachia accounted for 9.6% of the 16S gene sequences. We observed a high diversity (203 OTUs) of Wolbachia strains commonly associated with mosquitoes, such as wAlb, with a noticeable increase in abundance during the adult stages. Notably, we detected the presence of the cifA and cifB genes, which are associated with Wolbachia's cytoplasmic incompatibility, a biocontrol mechanism. Additionally, we identified 221 OTUs related to Bacillus, including strains linked to B. thuringiensis. Furthermore, we discovered multiple genes encoding insecticidal toxins, such as Cry, Mcf, Vip, and Vpp. Overall, our study contributes to the understanding of mosquito microbiome biodiversity and metabolic capabilities, which are essential for developing effective biocontrol strategies against this disease vector.}, }
@article {pmid38681850, year = {2024}, author = {Junsiri, W and Kamkong, P and Phojun, A and Taweethavonsawat, P}, title = {Unveiling zoonotic threats: molecular identification of Brugia sp. infection in a lion.}, journal = {Frontiers in veterinary science}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {1376208}, pmid = {38681850}, issn = {2297-1769}, abstract = {Brugia malayi and B. pahangi, potential zoonotic pathogens transmitted by mosquitoes, are believed to primarily infect dogs and cats as reservoir hosts. Although previous studies have indicated nematode infections in lions, particularly in zoo environments where human contact with these reservoirs is possible, limited documentation exists regarding Brugia sp. infections in lions in Thailand. This study aims to investigate a case of Brugia infection in a lion from a zoo in Thailand. The blood sample was collected and examined from a female lion, using staining methods to morphologically identify microfilaria at the genus level. Subsequently, the PCR was employed targeting specific genes, including mitochondrial 12S rDNA, 18S rDNA, cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and Wolbachia surface protein (wsp), to confirm the species of the filarial nematode parasite. The genetic sequencing results revealed a high similarity (99-100%) to B. malayi for the 12S rDNA, 18S rDNA, COI and wsp genes. Phylogenetic analysis based on nucleotide sequences from the 12S rDNA, 18S rDNA, COI and wsp genes showed that the sequences from this study belong to different clusters. This marks the inaugural documentation of molecular identification of Brugia infection in a lion, signifying that lions could function as reservoirs for this parasite and present a potential public health risk in the region. Our research underscores the effectiveness of molecular techniques and phylogenetic analysis in discerning and comprehending the evolution of filarial parasites. Additionally, it emphasizes the significance of these methods in enhancing the diagnosis, control, and prevention of zoonotic filarial nematode infections.}, }
@article {pmid38680182, year = {2024}, author = {Andreenkova, OV and Adonyeva, NV and Efimov, VM and Gruntenko, NE}, title = {Fertility differences between two wild-type Drosophila melanogaster lines correlate with differences in the expression of the Jheh1 gene, which codes for an enzyme degrading juvenile hormone.}, journal = {Vavilovskii zhurnal genetiki i selektsii}, volume = {28}, number = {2}, pages = {185-189}, doi = {10.18699/vjgb-24-22}, pmid = {38680182}, issn = {2500-0462}, abstract = {Juvenile hormone plays a "status quo" role in Drosophila melanogaster larvae, preventing the untimely metamorphosis, and performs a gonadotropic function in imagoes, ensuring the ovaries' preparedness for vitellogenesis. The decreased level of juvenile hormone results in reproductive disorders in D. melanogaster females including a delay in the oviposition onset and a fertility decrease. Another factor that can affect the insect reproduction is an infection with the maternally inherited symbiotic α-proteobacterium Wolbachia. The present study is devoted to the analysis of the expression of two juvenile hormone metabolism genes encoding enzymes of its synthesis and degradation, juvenile hormone acid O-methyltransferase (jhamt) and juvenile hormone epoxide hydrase (Jheh1), respectively, in four wild-type D. melanogaster lines, two of them being infected with Wolbachia. Lines w153 and Bi90 were both derived from an individual wild-caught females infected with Wolbachia, while lines w153T and Bi90T were derived from them by tetracycline treatment and are free of infection. Line Bi90 is known to be infected with the Wolbachia strain wMel, and line w153, with the Wolbachia strain wMelPlus belonging to the wMelCS genotype. It was found that infection with either Wolbachia strain does not affect the expression of the studied genes. At the same time, it was shown that the w153 and w153T lines differ from the Bi90 and Bi90T lines by an increased level of the Jheh1 gene expression and do not differ in the jhamt gene expression level. Analysis of the fertility of these four lines showed that it does not depend on Wolbachia infection either, but differs between lines with different nuclear genotypes: in w153 and w153T, it is significantly lower than in lines Bi90 and Bi90T. The data obtained allow us to reasonably propose that the inter-line D. melanogaster polymorphism in the metabolism of the juvenile hormone is determined by its degradation (not by its synthesis) and correlates with the fertility level.}, }
@article {pmid38678110, year = {2024}, author = {Wan, H and Wu, Y and Fan, G and Li, D}, title = {Wolbachia invasion dynamics of a random mosquito population model with imperfect maternal transmission and incomplete CI.}, journal = {Journal of mathematical biology}, volume = {88}, number = {6}, pages = {72}, doi = {10.1007/s00285-024-02094-9}, pmid = {38678110}, issn = {1432-1416}, support = {11971240//national natural science foundation of china/ ; 12171003; 11801209//national natural science foundation of china/ ; }, mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology/pathogenicity ; Animals ; *Mathematical Concepts ; *Models, Biological ; Female ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; Population Dynamics/statistics &amp; numerical data ; Cytoplasm/microbiology ; Culicidae/microbiology ; Male ; Computer Simulation ; Maternal Inheritance ; }, abstract = {In this work, we formulate a random Wolbachia invasion model incorporating the effects of imperfect maternal transmission and incomplete cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). Under constant environments, we obtain the following results: Firstly, the complete invasion equilibrium of Wolbachia does not exist, and thus the population replacement is not achievable in the case of imperfect maternal transmission; Secondly, imperfect maternal transmission or incomplete CI may obliterate bistability and backward bifurcation, which leads to the failure of Wolbachia invasion, no matter how many infected mosquitoes would be released; Thirdly, the threshold number of the infected mosquitoes to be released would increase with the decrease of the maternal transmission rate or the intensity of CI effect. In random environments, we investigate in detail the Wolbachia invasion dynamics of the random mosquito population model and establish the initial release threshold of infected mosquitoes for successful invasion of Wolbachia into the wild mosquito population. In particular, the existence and stability of invariant probability measures for the establishment and extinction of Wolbachia are determined.}, }
@article {pmid38677361, year = {2024}, author = {Tuñon, A and García, J and Carrera, LC and Chaves, LF and Lenhart, AE and Loaiza, JR}, title = {Chemical control of medically important arthropods in Panama: A systematic literature review of historical efforts.}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {255}, number = {}, pages = {107217}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107217}, pmid = {38677361}, issn = {1873-6254}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; Aedes/drug effects ; Anopheles/drug effects ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; Insecticide Resistance ; *Insecticides/pharmacology ; *Mosquito Control/methods ; *Mosquito Vectors/drug effects ; Panama ; *Vector Borne Diseases/prevention &amp; control ; }, abstract = {Vector-borne diseases are a major source of morbidity in Panama. Herein, we describe historical usage patterns of synthetic insecticides to control arthropod disease vectors in this country. We examine the influence of interventions by vector control programs on the emergence of insecticide resistance. Chemical control has traditionally focused on two mosquito species: Anopheles albimanus, a major regional malaria vector, and Aedes aegypti, a historical vector of yellow fever, and current vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. Countrywide populations of An. albimanus depict hyperirritability to organochlorine insecticides administered by indoor residual spraying, although they appear susceptible to these insecticides in bioassays settings, as well as to organophosphate and carbamate insecticides in field tests. Populations of Ae. aegypti show resistance to pyrethroids, particularly in areas near Panama City, but the spread of resistance remains unknown in Ae. aegypti and Aedes albopictus. A One Health approach is needed in Panama to pinpoint the insecticide resistance mechanisms including the frequency of knockdown mutations and behavioral plasticity in populations of Anopheles and Aedes mosquitoes. This information is necessary to guide the sustainable implementation of chemical control strategies and the use of modern vector control technologies such as genetically modified mosquitoes, and endosymbiont Wolbachia-based biological control.}, }
@article {pmid38667347, year = {2024}, author = {Liu, Y and Zhang, L and Cai, X and Rutikanga, A and Qiu, B and Hou, Y}, title = {The Diversity of Wolbachia and Other Bacterial Symbionts in Spodoptera frugiperda.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {15}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {38667347}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {2022YFC2601400//the National Key R &amp; D Program of China/ ; NT2021003//the project of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture/ ; 2017YFC1200605//the National Key Research and Development Programme of China/ ; 2017NZ0003-1-6//the Science and Technology Major Project of Fujian/ ; 202102021290//the Guangzhou Basic and Applied Basic Research Program, China/ ; }, abstract = {Bacterial symbionts associated with insects can be crucial in insect nutrition, metabolism, immune responses, development, and reproduction. However, the bacterial symbionts of the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda remain unclear. S. frugiperda is an invasive polyphagous pest that severely damages many crops, particularly maize and wheat. Here, we investigated the infection, composition, abundance, and diversity of bacterial symbionts, especially Wolbachia, in different tissues of S. frugiperda female adults. The infection prevalence frequencies of Wolbachia in five provinces of China, namely Pu'er, Yunnan; Nanning, Guangxi; Sanya, Hainan; Yunfu, Guangdong; and Nanping, Fujian, were assessed. The results indicated that Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes were the three most dominant bacterial phyla in S. frugiperda adults. At the genus level, the abundant microbiota, which included Enterobacter and Enterococcus, varied in abundance between tissues of S. frugiperda. Wolbachia was found in the ovaries and salivary glands of S. frugiperda adults, and was present in 33.33% of the Pu'er, Yunnan, 23.33% of the Nanning, Guangxi, and 13.33% of the Sanya, Hainan populations, but Wolbachia was absent in the Yunfu, Guangdong and Nanping, Fujian populations. Further phylogenetic analyses revealed that all of the Wolbachia strains from the different S. frugiperda populations belonged to the supergroup B and were named the wFru strain. Since there were Wolbachia strains inducing cytoplasmic incompatibility in supergroup B, these findings may provide a foundation for developing potential biocontrol techniques against S. frugiperda.}, }
@article {pmid38646734, year = {2024}, author = {Ng, IK}, title = {Wastewater surveillance and Wolbachia-aedes method to combat Zika virus outbreaks in tropical countries.}, journal = {Tropical doctor}, volume = {54}, number = {3}, pages = {295}, doi = {10.1177/00494755241246019}, pmid = {38646734}, issn = {1758-1133}, mesh = {*Zika Virus Infection/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; Humans ; *Wolbachia ; *Disease Outbreaks/prevention &amp; control ; *Aedes/virology/microbiology ; *Zika Virus ; *Wastewater/microbiology/virology ; Animals ; Tropical Climate ; Mosquito Vectors/virology/microbiology ; }, }
@article {pmid38645127, year = {2024}, author = {Penunuri, G and Wang, P and Corbett-Detig, R and Russell, SL}, title = {A Structural Proteome Screen Identifies Protein Mimicry in Host-Microbe Systems.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1101/2024.04.10.588793}, pmid = {38645127}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {R00 GM135583/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; T32 HG012344/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Host-microbe systems are evolutionary niches that produce coevolved biological interactions and are a key component of global health. However, these systems have historically been a difficult field of biological research due to their experimental intractability. Impactful advances in global health will be obtained by leveraging in silico screens to identify genes involved in mediating interspecific interactions. These predictions will progress our understanding of these systems and lay the groundwork for future in vitro and in vivo experiments and bioengineering projects. A driver of host-manipulation and intracellular survival utilized by host-associated microbes is molecular mimicry, a critical mechanism that can occur at any level from DNA to protein structures. We applied protein structure prediction and alignment tools to explore host-associated bacterial structural proteomes for examples of protein structure mimicry. By leveraging the Legionella pneumophila proteome and its many known structural mimics, we developed and validated a screen that can be applied to virtually any host-microbe system to uncover signals of protein mimicry. These mimics represent candidate proteins that mediate host interactions in microbial proteomes. We successfully applied this screen to other microbes with demonstrated effects on global health, Helicobacter pylori and Wolbachia , identifying protein mimic candidates in each proteome. We discuss the roles these candidates may play in important Wolbachia -induced phenotypes and show that Wobachia infection can partially rescue the loss of one of these factors. This work demonstrates how a genome-wide screen for candidates of host-manipulation and intracellular survival offers an opportunity to identify functionally important genes in host-microbe systems.}, }
@article {pmid38644035, year = {2024}, author = {Pardinilla, LM and Aljaberi, S and Procter, M and Hamdan, L and Pasha, SK and Al Aiyan, A and Qablan, MA}, title = {The prevalence of selected vector-borne diseases in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in the United Arab Emirates.}, journal = {Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports}, volume = {50}, number = {}, pages = {101006}, doi = {10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101006}, pmid = {38644035}, issn = {2405-9390}, mesh = {Animals ; United Arab Emirates/epidemiology ; *Camelus/parasitology ; Prevalence ; *Vector Borne Diseases/epidemiology/parasitology/veterinary/microbiology ; Female ; Male ; Babesia/isolation &amp; purification/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Trypanosoma/isolation &amp; purification/genetics/classification ; Anaplasmataceae/isolation &amp; purification/genetics ; Babesiosis/epidemiology/parasitology ; Risk Factors ; }, abstract = {Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) affecting dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) have considerable importance in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) because of the consequences associated with production decline and economic losses. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of selected VBDs in camels in the UAE and identify risk factors. This research is currently affected by the low number of epidemiological molecular surveys addressing this issue. Blood samples were obtained from 425 dromedary camels from different locations across the UAE. Whole genomic DNA was isolated, and PCR screening was done to detect piroplasmids (Babesia/Theileria spp.), Trypanosoma spp., and Anaplasmataceae spp. (Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Neorickettsia and Wolbachia spp.). Amplicons were sequenced, and phylogenetic trees were constructed. Trypanosoma sequences were identified as T. brucei evansi, whereas Anaplasmataceae sequences were identified as A. platys-like. All camels were negative for Babesia/Theileria spp. (0%); however, 18 camels were positive for T. b. evansi (4%) and 52 were positive for A. platys-like (12%). Mixed infection with T. b. evansi and A. platys-like was found in one camel. Statistical analyses revealed that camels with a brown coat colour were significantly more prone to acquire the A. platys-like strain compared with those having a clearer coat. A similar finding was observed when comparing urban moving camels with desert indoor and urban indoor camels. Continuous disease surveillance is required to ensure and maintain the good health status of the camels in the UAE. Nonetheless, the risk of disease outbreak remains if the misuse of drugs continues.}, }
@article {pmid38642566, year = {2024}, author = {Salje, H and Jiggins, FM}, title = {Risks of releasing imperfect Wolbachia strains for arbovirus control.}, journal = {The Lancet. Microbe}, volume = {5}, number = {7}, pages = {622-623}, doi = {10.1016/S2666-5247(24)00072-7}, pmid = {38642566}, issn = {2666-5247}, mesh = {*Wolbachia/genetics ; Animals ; *Arboviruses ; *Arbovirus Infections/transmission/prevention &amp; control ; Humans ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/virology ; }, }
@article {pmid38633519, year = {2024}, author = {Wei, X and Zhu, J and Hoffmann, AA and Jia, J and Xiao, M and Duan, F and Zhang, Y and Zhong, H and Ge, J and Yu, W and Zhang, L and Jiang, W}, title = {Wolbachia infection status and molecular diversity in the species of tribe Tagiadini Mabille, 1878 (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) collected in China.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {14}, number = {4}, pages = {e11279}, pmid = {38633519}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Wolbachia, one of the most ubiquitous heritable symbionts in lepidopteran insects, can cause mitochondrial introgression in related host species. We recently found mito-nuclear discordance in the Lepidopteran tribe Tagiadini Mabille 1878 from which Wolbachia has not been reported. In this study, we found that 13 of the 46 species of Tagiadini species tested were positive for Wolbachia. Overall, 14% (15/110) of Tagiadini specimens were infected with Wolbachia and nine new STs were found from 15 isolates. A co-phylogenetic comparison, divergence time estimation and Wolbachia recombination analysis revealed that mito-nuclear discordance in Tagiadini species is not mediated by Wolbachia, but Wolbachia acquisition in Tagiadini appears to have occurred mainly through horizontal transmission rather than codivergence.}, }
@article {pmid38632506, year = {2024}, author = {Alkathiry, HA and Alghamdi, SQ and Sinha, A and Margos, G and Stekolnikov, AA and Alagaili, AN and Darby, AC and Makepeace, BL and Khoo, JJ}, title = {Microbiome and mitogenomics of the chigger mite Pentidionis agamae: potential role as an Orientia vector and associations with divergent clades of Wolbachia and Borrelia.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {25}, number = {1}, pages = {380}, pmid = {38632506}, issn = {1471-2164}, mesh = {Animals ; *Borrelia/genetics ; DNA ; *Microbiota ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Orientia ; *Orientia tsutsugamushi/genetics ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rodentia/genetics ; Saudi Arabia ; *Scrub Typhus/epidemiology/microbiology ; *Trombiculidae/genetics/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Trombiculid mites are globally distributed, highly diverse arachnids that largely lack molecular resources such as whole mitogenomes for the elucidation of taxonomic relationships. Trombiculid larvae (chiggers) parasitise vertebrates and can transmit bacteria (Orientia spp.) responsible for scrub typhus, a zoonotic febrile illness. Orientia tsutsugamushi causes most cases of scrub typhus and is endemic to the Asia-Pacific Region, where it is transmitted by Leptotrombidium spp. chiggers. However, in Dubai, Candidatus Orientia chuto was isolated from a case of scrub typhus and is also known to circulate among rodents in Saudi Arabia and Kenya, although its vectors remain poorly defined. In addition to Orientia, chiggers are often infected with other potential pathogens or arthropod-specific endosymbionts, but their significance for trombiculid biology and public health is unclear.<br><br>RESULTS: Ten chigger species were collected from rodents in southwestern Saudi Arabia. Chiggers were pooled according to species and screened for Orientia DNA by PCR. Two species (Microtrombicula muhaylensis and Pentidionis agamae) produced positive results for the htrA gene, although Ca. Orientia chuto DNA was confirmed by Sanger sequencing only in P. agamae. Metagenomic sequencing of three pools of P. agamae provided evidence for two other bacterial associates: a spirochaete and a Wolbachia symbiont. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA and multi-locus sequence typing genes placed the spirochaete in a clade of micromammal-associated Borrelia spp. that are widely-distributed globally with no known vector. For the Wolbachia symbiont, a genome assembly was obtained that allowed phylogenetic localisation in a novel, divergent clade. Cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) barcodes for Saudi Arabian chiggers enabled comparisons with global chigger diversity, revealing several cases of discordance with classical taxonomy. Complete mitogenome assemblies were obtained for the three P. agamae pools and almost 50 SNPs were identified, despite a common geographic origin.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: P. agamae was identified as a potential vector of Ca. Orientia chuto on the Arabian Peninsula. The detection of an unusual Borrelia sp. and a divergent Wolbachia symbiont in P. agamae indicated links with chigger microbiomes in other parts of the world, while COI barcoding and mitogenomic analyses greatly extended our understanding of inter- and intraspecific relationships in trombiculid mites.}, }
@article {pmid38631561, year = {2024}, author = {Orozco-Gonzales, JL and Dos Santos Benedito, A and Cardona-Salgado, D and Ferreira, CP and de Oliveira Florentino, H and Sepulveda-Salcedo, LS and Vasilieva, O}, title = {Comparing the long-term persistence of different Wolbachia strains after the release of bacteria-carrying mosquitoes.}, journal = {Mathematical biosciences}, volume = {372}, number = {}, pages = {109190}, doi = {10.1016/j.mbs.2024.109190}, pmid = {38631561}, issn = {1879-3134}, mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology/pathogenicity ; Animals ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; Culicidae/microbiology ; Models, Biological ; Mathematical Concepts ; }, abstract = {This paper proposes a bidimensional modeling framework for Wolbachia invasion, assuming imperfect maternal transmission, incomplete cytoplasmic incompatibility, and direct infection loss due to thermal stress. Our model adapts to various Wolbachia strains and retains all properties of higher-dimensional models. The conditions for the durable coexistence of Wolbachia-carrying and wild mosquitoes are expressed using the model's parameters in a compact closed form. When the Wolbachia bacterium is locally established, the size of the remanent wild population can be assessed by a direct formula derived from the model. The model was tested for four Wolbachia strains undergoing laboratory and field trials to control mosquito-borne diseases: wMel, wMelPop, wAlbB, and wAu. As all these bacterial strains affect the individual fitness of mosquito hosts differently and exhibit different levels of resistance to temperature variations, the model helped to conclude that: (1) the wMel strain spreads faster in wild mosquito populations; (2) the wMelPop exhibits lower resilience but also guarantees the smallest size of the remanent wild population; (3) the wAlbB strain performs better at higher ambient temperatures than others; (4) the wAu strain is not sustainable and cannot persist in the wild mosquito population despite its resistance to high temperatures.}, }
@article {pmid38630673, year = {2024}, author = {Durrance-Bagale, A and Hoe, N and Lai, J and Liew, JWK and Clapham, H and Howard, N}, title = {Dengue vector control in high-income, city settings: A scoping review of approaches and methods.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {18}, number = {4}, pages = {e0012081}, pmid = {38630673}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Adult ; Animals ; Humans ; *Dengue Virus ; *Dengue/epidemiology ; Mosquito Vectors ; Mosquito Control/methods ; Cities ; *Aedes ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Dengue virus (DENV) is endemic to many parts of the world and has serious health and socioeconomic effects even in high-income countries, especially with rapid changes in the climate globally. We explored the literature on dengue vector control methods used in high-income, city settings and associations with dengue incidence, dengue prevalence, or mosquito vector densities.<br><br>METHODS: Studies of any design or year were included if they reported effects on human DENV infection or Aedes vector indices of dengue-specific vector control interventions in high-income, city settings.<br><br>RESULTS: Of 24 eligible sources, most reported research in the United States (n = 8) or Australia (n = 5). Biocontrol (n = 12) and chemical control (n = 13) were the most frequently discussed vector control methods. Only 6 sources reported data on the effectiveness of a given method in reducing human DENV incidence or prevalence, 2 described effects of larval and adult control on Aedes DENV positivity, 20 reported effectiveness in reducing vector density, using insecticide, larvicide, source reduction, auto-dissemination of pyriproxyfen and Wolbachia, and only 1 described effects on human-vector contact.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: As most studies reported reductions in vector densities, rather than any effects on human DENV incidence or prevalence, we can draw no clear conclusions on which interventions might be most effective in reducing dengue in high-income, city areas. More research is needed linking evidence on the effects of different DENV vector control methods with dengue incidence/prevalence or mosquito vector densities in high-income, city settings as this is likely to differ from low-income settings. This is a significant evidence gap as climate changes increase the global reach of DENV. The importance of community involvement was clear in several studies, although it is impossible to tease out the relative contributions of this from other control methods used.}, }
@article {pmid38628128, year = {2024}, author = {Scussel, S and Gaudillat, B and Esnault, J and Lejarre, Q and Duployer, M and Lebon, C and Benlali, A and Mavingui, P and Tortosa, P and Cattel, J}, title = {Combining transinfected Wolbachia and a genetic sexing strain to control Aedes albopictus in laboratory-controlled conditions.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {291}, number = {2021}, pages = {20240429}, pmid = {38628128}, issn = {1471-2954}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Male ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Artificial Intelligence ; *Aedes/genetics ; *Culex ; }, abstract = {The global expansion of Aedes albopictus has stimulated the development of environmentally friendly methods aiming to control disease transmission through the suppression of natural vector populations. Sterile male release programmes are currently being deployed worldwide, and are challenged by the availability of an efficient sex separation which can be achieved mechanically at the pupal stage and/or by artificial intelligence at the adult stage, or through genetic sexing, which allows separating males and females at an early development stage. In this study, we combined the genetic sexing strain previously established based on the linkage of dieldrin resistance to the male locus with a Wolbachia transinfected line. For this, we introduced either the wPip-I or the wPip-IV strain from Culex pipiens in an asymbiotic Wolbachia-free Ae. albopictus line. We then measured the penetrance of cytoplasmic incompatibility and life-history traits of both transinfected lines, selected the wPip-IV line and combined it with the genetic sexing strain. Population suppression experiments demonstrated a 90% reduction in population size and a 50% decrease in hatching rate. Presented results showed that such a combination has a high potential in terms of vector control but also highlighted associated fitness costs, which should be reduced before large-scale field assay.}, }
@article {pmid38609398, year = {2024}, author = {Mowery, MA and Rosenwald, LC and Chapman, E and Lubin, Y and Segoli, M and Khoza, T and Lyle, R and White, JA}, title = {Endosymbiont diversity across native and invasive brown widow spider populations.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {8556}, pmid = {38609398}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {1953223//National Science Foundation/ ; 1020740//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Adult ; Animals ; Female ; *Animals, Poisonous ; *Chlamydiales ; Eggs ; *Spiders ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {The invasive brown widow spider, Latrodectus geometricus (Araneae: Theridiidae), has spread in multiple locations around the world and, along with it, brought associated organisms such as endosymbionts. We investigated endosymbiont diversity and prevalence across putative native and invasive populations of this spider, predicting lower endosymbiont diversity across the invasive range compared to the native range. First, we characterized the microbial community in the putative native (South Africa) and invasive (Israel and the United States) ranges via high throughput 16S sequencing of 103 adult females. All specimens were dominated by reads from only 1-3 amplicon sequence variants (ASV), and most individuals were infected with an apparently uniform strain of Rhabdochlamydia. We also found Rhabdochlamydia in spider eggs, indicating that it is a maternally-inherited endosymbiont. Relatively few other ASV were detected, but included two variant Rhabdochlamydia strains and several Wolbachia, Spiroplasma and Enterobacteriaceae strains. We then diagnostically screened 118 adult female spiders from native and invasive populations specifically for Rhabdochlamydia and Wolbachia. We found Rhabdochlamydia in 86% of individuals and represented in all populations, which suggests that it is a consistent and potentially important associate of L. geometricus. Wolbachia was found at lower overall prevalence (14%) and was represented in all countries, but not all populations. In addition, we found evidence for geographic variation in endosymbiont prevalence: spiders from Israel were more likely to carry Rhabdochlamydia than those from the US and South Africa, and Wolbachia was geographically clustered in both Israel and South Africa. Characterizing endosymbiont prevalence and diversity is a first step in understanding their function inside the host and may shed light on the process of spread and population variability in cosmopolitan invasive species.}, }
@article {pmid38608996, year = {2024}, author = {Akintola, AA and Hwang, UW}, title = {Microbiome profile of South Korean vector mosquitoes.}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {255}, number = {}, pages = {107213}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107213}, pmid = {38608996}, issn = {1873-6254}, mesh = {Animals ; Republic of Korea ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Aedes/microbiology ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Female ; *Culex/microbiology ; Anopheles/microbiology ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Microbiota/genetics ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Wolbachia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/classification ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; }, abstract = {This research offers a comprehensive exploration of the microbial communities associated with vector mosquitoes from South Korea. Aedes albopictus, Anopheles sinensis, and Culex molestus are vectors of pathogens, and understanding the intricacies of their microbiome profile is paramount for unraveling their roles in disease transmission dynamics. In this study, we characterized the microbiome of the midguts of adult female vector mosquitoes collected from different locations in South Korea. After DNA extraction from dissected mosquito midguts, we used the Illumina MiSeq next-generation sequencing to obtain sequences spanning the V4 hypervariable region of the bacteria 16S rRNA. Morphological and molecular characterization using 506-bp mitochondrial 16S rRNA was used to identify the mosquito species before amplicon sequencing. Across the three vector mosquitoes surveyed, 21 bacteria genera belonging to 20 families and 5 phyla were discovered. Proteobacteria and Bacteriodota were the major phyla of bacteria associated with the three mosquito species. There were significant differences in the gut microbiome genera composition between the species and little variation in the gut microbiome between individuals of the same mosquito species. Wolbachia is the most dominant genus in Aedes while Aeromonas, Acinetobacter, and unassigned taxa are the most common in An. sinensis. In addition to that, Chromobacterium, Chryseobacterium, and Aeromonas are dominant in Cx. molestus. This study sheds light on the complex interactions between mosquitoes and their microbiome, revealing potential implications for vector competence, disease transmission, and vector control strategies.}, }
@article {pmid38604685, year = {2024}, author = {Lei, J and Lü, W and Wang, W and Wang, H and Guo, X and Cheng, P and Gong, M and Liu, L}, title = {[Comparison of the microbiota diversity between autogenous and anautogenous Culex pipiens pallens].}, journal = {Zhongguo xue xi chong bing fang zhi za zhi = Chinese journal of schistosomiasis control}, volume = {36}, number = {1}, pages = {52-58}, doi = {10.16250/j.32.1374.2023204}, pmid = {38604685}, issn = {1005-6661}, support = {81902096//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 81871685//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; //Medical Science and Technology Innovation Project of Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Culex/genetics ; *Culicidae/genetics ; *Microbiota/genetics ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To investigate the microbiota composition and diversity between autogenous and anautogenous Culex pipiens pallens, so as to provide insights into unraveling the pathogenesis of autogeny in Cx. pipiens pallens.<br><br>METHODS: Autogenous and anautogenous adult Cx. pipiens pallens samples were collected at 25 &#x2103;, and the hypervariable regions of the microbial 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene was sequenced on the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 sequencing platform. The microbiota abundance and diversity were evaluated using the alpha diversity index, and the difference in the microbiota structure was examined using the beta diversity index. The microbiota with significant differences in the abundance between autogenous and anautogenous adult Cx. pipiens pallens samples was identified using the linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe).<br><br>RESULTS: The microbiota in autogenous and anautogenous Cx. pipiens pallens samples belonged to 18 phyla, 28 classes, 70 orders, 113 families, and 170 genera, and the dominant phyla included Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and so on. At the genus level, Wolbachia was a common dominant genus, and the relative abundance was (77.6 &#xb1; 11.3)% in autogenous Cx. pipiens pallens samples and (47.5 &#xb1; 8.5)% in anautogenous mosquito samples, while Faecalibaculum (0.4% &#xb1; 0.1%), Dubosiella (0.5% &#xb1; 0.0%) and Massilia (0.5% &#xb1; 0.1%) were specific species in autogenous Cx. pipiens pallens samples. Alpha diversity analysis showed that higher Chao1 index and ACE index in autogenous Cx. pipiens pallens samples than in anautogenous samples (both P values > 0.05), and lower Shannon index (P > 0.05) and Simpson index (P < 0.05) in autogenous Cx. pipiens pallens samples than in anautogenous samples. LEfSe analysis showed a total of 48 significantly different taxa between autogenous and anautogenous Cx. pipiens pallens samples (all P values < 0.05).<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant difference in the microbiota diversity between autogenous and anautogenous Cx. pipiens pallens.}, }
@article {pmid38604562, year = {2024}, author = {Song, G and Shin, D and Kim, JS}, title = {Microbiome changes in Akanthomyces attenuatus JEF-147-infected two-spotted spider mites.}, journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology}, volume = {204}, number = {}, pages = {108102}, doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2024.108102}, pmid = {38604562}, issn = {1096-0805}, mesh = {Animals ; *Tetranychidae/microbiology/physiology ; *Microbiota ; Female ; Pest Control, Biological ; }, abstract = {The two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) is an agriculturally serious polyphagous pest that has acquired strong resistance against acaricides because of its short life cycle and continuous exposure to acaricides. As an alternative, mite-pathogenic fungi with different modes of action could be used to control the mites. The spider mite has symbiotic microorganisms that could be involved in the physiological and ecological adaptations to biotic stresses. In this study, mite-pathogenic fungi were used to control female adults, and the microbiomes changes in the fungus-infected mites were analyzed. The acaricidal activity of 77 fungal isolates was tested, and Akanthomyces attenuatus JEF-147 exhibited the highest acaricidal activity. Subsequently a dose-response assay and morphological characterization was undertaken For microbiome analysis in female adults infected with A. attenuatus JEF-147, 16S rDNA and ITS1 were sequenced using Illumina Miseq. Infected mite showed a higher Shannon index in bacterial diversity but lower index in fungal diversity. In beta diversity using principal component analysis, JEF-147-treated mites were significantly different from non-treated controls in both bacteria and fungi. Particularly in bacterial abundance, arthropod defense-related Rickettsia increased, but arthropod reproduction-associated Wolbachia decreased. The change in major bacterial abundance in the infected mites could be explained by a trade-off between reproduction and immunity against the early stage of fungal attack. In fungal abundance, Akanthomyces showed up as expected. Foremost, this work reports microbiome changes in a fungus-infected mite and suggests a possible trade-off in mites against fungal pathogens. Future studies will focus on gene-based investigations related to this topic.}, }
@article {pmid38601925, year = {2024}, author = {Gomard, Y and Hafsia, S and Lebon, C and Rabarison, P and Idaroussi, AB and Yssouf, A and Boussès, P and Mavingui, P and Atyame, C}, title = {Genetic diversity of endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia infecting two mosquito species of the genus Eretmapodites occurring in sympatry in the Comoros archipelago.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1343917}, pmid = {38601925}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: The influence of Wolbachia on mosquito reproduction and vector competence has led to renewed interest in studying the genetic diversity of these bacteria and the phenotypes they induced in mosquito vectors. In this study, we focused on two species of Eretmapodites, namely Eretmapodites quinquevittatus and Eretmapodites subsimplicipes, from three islands in the Comoros archipelago (in the Southwestern Indian Ocean).<br><br>METHODS: Using the COI gene, we examined the mitochondrial genetic diversity of 879 Eretmapodites individuals from 54 sites. Additionally, we investigated the presence and genetic diversity of Wolbachia using the wsp marker and the diversity of five housekeeping genes commonly used for genotyping through Multiple Locus Sequence Typing (MLST).<br><br>RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Overall, Er. quinquevittatus was the most abundant species in the three surveyed islands and both mosquito species occurred in sympatry in most of the investigated sites. We detected a higher mitochondrial genetic diversity in Er. quinquevittatus with 35 reported haplotypes (N = 615 specimens, Hd = 0.481 and &#x3c0; = 0.002) while 13 haplotypes were found in Er. subsimplicipes (N = 205 specimens, Hd = 0.338 and &#x3c0; = 0.001), this difference is likely due to the bias in sampling size between the two species. We report for the first time the presence of Wolbachia in these two Eretmapodites species. The prevalence of Wolbachia infection varied significantly between species, with a low prevalence recorded in Er. quinquevittatus (0.8%, N = 5/627) while infection was close to fixation in Er. subsimplicipes (87.7%, N = 221/252). Both male and female individuals of the two mosquito species appeared to be infected. The analysis of MLST genes revealed the presence of two Wolbachia strains corresponding to two new strain types (STs) within the supergroups A and B, which have been named wEretA and wEretB. These strains were found as mono-infections and are closely related, phylogenetically, to Wolbachia strains previously reported in Drosophila species. Finally, we demonstrate that maternal transmission of Wolbachia is imperfect in Er. subsimplicipes, which could explain the presence of a minority of uninfected individuals in the field.}, }
@article {pmid38598552, year = {2024}, author = {Vandana, V and Dong, S and Sheth, T and Sun, Q and Wen, H and Maldonado, A and Xi, Z and Dimopoulos, G}, title = {Wolbachia infection-responsive immune genes suppress Plasmodium falciparum infection in Anopheles stephensi.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {20}, number = {4}, pages = {e1012145}, pmid = {38598552}, issn = {1553-7374}, support = {R01 AI158615/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI182096/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI168873/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Anopheles/parasitology/microbiology/immunology ; *Wolbachia/immunology ; *Plasmodium falciparum/immunology ; *Malaria, Falciparum/immunology/parasitology ; Mosquito Vectors/parasitology/microbiology/immunology ; Insect Proteins/genetics/metabolism/immunology ; Transcriptome ; Female ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia, a maternally transmitted symbiotic bacterium of insects, can suppress a variety of human pathogens in mosquitoes, including malaria-causing Plasmodium in the Anopheles vector. However, the mechanistic basis of Wolbachia-mediated Plasmodium suppression in mosquitoes is not well understood. In this study, we compared the midgut and carcass transcriptomes of stably infected Anopheles stephensi with Wolbachia wAlbB to uninfected mosquitoes in order to discover Wolbachia infection-responsive immune genes that may play a role in Wolbachia-mediated anti-Plasmodium activity. We show that wAlbB infection upregulates 10 putative immune genes and downregulates 14 in midguts, while it upregulates 31 putative immune genes and downregulates 15 in carcasses at 24 h after blood-fed feeding, the time at which the Plasmodium ookinetes are traversing the midgut tissue. Only a few of these regulated immune genes were also significantly differentially expressed between Wolbachia-infected and non-infected midguts and carcasses of sugar-fed mosquitoes. Silencing of the Wolbachia infection-responsive immune genes TEP 4, TEP 15, lysozyme C2, CLIPB2, CLIPB4, PGRP-LD and two novel genes (a peritrophin-44-like gene and a macro domain-encoding gene) resulted in a significantly greater permissiveness to P. falciparum infection. These results indicate that Wolbachia infection modulates mosquito immunity and other processes that are likely to decrease Anopheles permissiveness to Plasmodium infection.}, }
@article {pmid38597256, year = {2024}, author = {Fox, T and Sguassero, Y and Chaplin, M and Rose, W and Doum, D and Arevalo-Rodriguez, I and Villanueva, G}, title = {Wolbachia-carrying Aedes mosquitoes for preventing dengue infection.}, journal = {The Cochrane database of systematic reviews}, volume = {4}, number = {4}, pages = {CD015636}, pmid = {38597256}, issn = {1469-493X}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Aedes/microbiology ; *Wolbachia ; *Dengue Virus ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; *Dengue/prevention &amp; control ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Dengue is a global health problem of high significance, with 3.9 billion people at risk of infection. The geographic expansion of dengue virus (DENV) infection has resulted in increased frequency and severity of the disease, and the number of deaths has increased in recent years. Wolbachia,an intracellular bacterial endosymbiont, has been under investigation for several years as a novel dengue-control strategy. Some dengue vectors (Aedes mosquitoes) can be transinfected with specific strains of Wolbachia, which decreases their fitness (ability to survive and mate) and their ability to reproduce, inhibiting the replication of dengue. Both laboratory and field studies have demonstrated the potential effect of Wolbachia deployments on reducing dengue transmission, and modelling studies have suggested that this may be a self-sustaining strategy for dengue prevention, although long-term effects are yet to be elucidated.<br><br>OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of Wolbachia-carrying Aedes speciesdeployments (specifically wMel-, wMelPop-, and wAlbB- strains of Wolbachia) for preventing dengue virus infection.<br><br>SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, four other databases, and two trial registries up to 24 January 2024.<br><br>SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), including cluster-randomized controlled trials (cRCTs), conducted in dengue endemic or epidemic-prone settings were eligible. We sought studies that investigated the impact of Wolbachia-carrying Aedes deployments on epidemiological or entomological dengue-related outcomes, utilizing either the population replacement or population suppression strategy.<br><br>DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently selected eligible studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. We used odds ratios (OR) with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) as the effect measure for dichotomous outcomes. For count/rate outcomes, we planned to use the rate ratio with 95% CI as the effect measure. We used adjusted measures of effect for cRCTs. We assessed the certainty of evidence using GRADE.<br><br>MAIN RESULTS: One completed cRCT met our inclusion criteria, and we identified two further ongoing cRCTs. The included trial was conducted in an urban setting in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It utilized a nested test-negative study design, whereby all participants aged three to 45 years who presented at healthcare centres with a fever were enrolled in the study provided they had resided in the study area for the previous 10 nights. The trial showed that wMel-Wolbachia infected Ae aegypti deployments probably reduce the odds of contracting virologically confirmed dengue by 77% (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.35; 1 trial, 6306 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). The cluster-level prevalence of wMel Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes remained high over two years in the intervention arm of the trial, reported as 95.8% (interquartile range 91.5 to 97.8) across 27 months in clusters receiving wMel-Wolbachia Ae aegypti deployments, but there were no reliable comparative data for this outcome. Other primary outcomes were the incidence of virologically confirmed dengue, the prevalence of dengue ribonucleic acid in the mosquito population, and mosquito density, but there were no data for these outcomes. Additionally, there were no data on adverse events.<br><br>AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The included trial demonstrates the potential significant impact of wMel-Wolbachia-carrying Ae aegypti mosquitoes on preventing dengue infection in an endemic setting, and supports evidence reported in non-randomized and uncontrolled studies. Further trials across a greater diversity of settings are required to confirm whether these findings apply to other locations and country settings, and greater reporting of acceptability and cost are important.}, }
@article {pmid38594795, year = {2024}, author = {Machado, FN and Draper, ADK and Monteiro Fernandes, A and Dos Santos, FBA and Mali, MA and Pereira Tilman, AJ and Soares da Silva, E and Hornay, E and Salles de Sousa, A and Oakley, T and Cruz, ED and Sarmento, N and Niha, MAV and Soares, AF and Cardoso Gomes, EE and de Deus Alves, J and Soares, JP and Francis, JR and Yan, J and Monteiro, MA}, title = {The first confirmed outbreak of chikungunya reported in Timor-Leste, 2024.}, journal = {Communicable diseases intelligence (2018)}, volume = {48}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.33321/cdi.2024.48.17}, pmid = {38594795}, issn = {2209-6051}, support = {001/WHO_/World Health Organization/International ; }, mesh = {Male ; Animals ; Humans ; Infant ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Female ; *Chikungunya Fever/epidemiology ; Timor-Leste/epidemiology ; Australia/epidemiology ; *Chikungunya virus/genetics ; *Zika Virus ; Disease Outbreaks ; *Zika Virus Infection/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; }, abstract = {Timor-Leste is a mountainous, half-island nation with a population of 1.3 million, which shares a land border with Indonesia and is 550 km from Darwin, Australia. Since independence in 2002, Timor-Leste has achieved significant development; however, high levels of poverty remain. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is endemic in over 100 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and in the Americas. It is transmitted by the bite of infected Aedes aegypti or Ae. albopictus mosquitoes, which are present in Timor-Leste and which contribute to annual rainy-season dengue virus (DENV) outbreaks. Symptomatic people typically suffer from acute onset of fever, usually accompanied by severe arthritis or arthralgia. Joint pain can be debilitating for several days, and may sometimes last for weeks, months or years. Unlike DENV infection which has significant mortality, most people recover completely. Between 2002 and 2023, there were 26 cases of CHIKV notified in Australia who acquired their infection in Timor-Leste; however, laboratory testing capability for CHIKV in Timor-Leste only became available in 2021 using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The first locally diagnosed case was notified in November 2023. In January 2024, an outbreak of CHIKV was recognised in Timor-Leste for the first time, with 195 outbreak cases reported during 1-31 January 2024; all were PCR positive. There were no cases hospitalised, and no deaths. The median age of cases was 17 years (range 1-76 years); 51% were males. Cases were reported across the country; most (88/195) were from Dili, although the highest incidence was seen in the neighbouring municipality of Ermera (monthly incidence rate of 58.8 cases per 100,000 population). This first reported outbreak of CHIKV in Timor-Leste highlights the need for improved mosquito-borne illness control and response strategies, including minimising breeding sites and promoting early presentation for treatment and differential diagnosis from DENV, and consideration of the deployment of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, particularly as they have shown to reduce the transmission of CHIKV, DENV and Zika virus, all of which pose threats in Timor-Leste.}, }
@article {pmid38594794, year = {2024}, author = {Machado, FN and Draper, ADK and Dos Santos, FBA and Mali, MA and Pereira Tilman, AJ and Soares da Silva, E and Soares, NG and Sarmento, N and Niha, MAV and Soares, AF and Taal, A and Francis, JR and Yan, J and Miller, M and Flint, J}, title = {A brief description of the epidemiology of dengue in Dili, Timor-Leste, 2018-2022.}, journal = {Communicable diseases intelligence (2018)}, volume = {48}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.33321/cdi.2024.48.16}, pmid = {38594794}, issn = {2209-6051}, support = {001/WHO_/World Health Organization/International ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Dengue Virus ; Timor-Leste/epidemiology ; Pandemics ; Australia/epidemiology ; *Dengue/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {Dengue virus (DENV) infection causes 390 million infections per year and 40,000 deaths globally. It is endemic in many countries in Asia, Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, and Oceania. Dengue is endemic in Timor-Leste year-round, but peak transmission occurs during the rainy season. We briefly describe the epidemiology of DENV in the Municipality of Dili between 2018 and 2022. There were 6,234 cases notified, with a mean annual incidence rate of 330 cases per 100,000 population. There were 55 deaths (case fatality rate 0.9%). The peak annual incidence (3,904 cases) occurred in 2022 after an outbreak was declared in January of that year; this outbreak included 760 cases of dengue haemorrhagic fever and 35 deaths. The number of outbreak cases requiring hospital treatment exceeded the usual capacity, but facilities established for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) isolation and treatment were repurposed to meet this demand. Existing strategies of vector control, minimising breeding sites and promoting early presentation for treatment should continue, as should the utilisation of surveillance systems and treatment facilities established during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, dengue incidence remains high, and other dengue control strategies-including the deployment of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes-should be considered in Timor-Leste.}, }
@article {pmid38591028, year = {2024}, author = {Sharmin, Z and Samarah, H and Aldaya Bourricaudy, R and Ochoa, L and Serbus, LR}, title = {Cross-validation of chemical and genetic disruption approaches to inform host cellular effects on Wolbachia abundance in Drosophila.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1364009}, pmid = {38591028}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria are widespread in nature, present in half of all insect species. The success of Wolbachia is supported by a commensal lifestyle. Unlike bacterial pathogens that overreplicate and harm host cells, Wolbachia infections have a relatively innocuous intracellular lifestyle. This raises important questions about how Wolbachia infection is regulated. Little is known about how Wolbachia abundance is controlled at an organismal scale.<br><br>METHODS: This study demonstrates methodology for rigorous identification of cellular processes that affect whole-body Wolbachia abundance, as indicated by absolute counts of the Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) gene.<br><br>RESULTS: Candidate pathways, associated with well-described infection scenarios, were identified. Wolbachia-infected fruit flies were exposed to small molecule inhibitors known for targeting those same pathways. Sequential tests in D. melanogaster and D. simulans yielded a subset of chemical inhibitors that significantly affected whole-body Wolbachia abundance, including the Wnt pathway disruptor, IWR-1 and the mTOR pathway inhibitor, Rapamycin. The implicated pathways were genetically retested for effects in D. melanogaster, using inducible RNAi expression driven by constitutive as well as chemically-induced somatic GAL4 expression. Genetic disruptions of armadillo, tor, and ATG6 significantly affected whole-body Wolbachia abundance.<br><br>DISCUSSION: As such, the data corroborate reagent targeting and pathway relevance to whole-body Wolbachia infection. The results also implicate Wnt and mTOR regulation of autophagy as important for regulation of Wolbachia titer.}, }
@article {pmid38588812, year = {2024}, author = {Nascimento da Silva, J and Conceição, CC and Ramos de Brito, GC and Renato de Oliveira Daumas Filho, C and Walter Nuno, AB and Talyuli, OAC and Arcanjo, A and de Oliveira, PL and Moreira, LA and Vaz, IDS and Logullo, C}, title = {Immunometabolic crosstalk in Aedes fluviatilis and Wolbachia pipientis symbiosis.}, journal = {The Journal of biological chemistry}, volume = {300}, number = {6}, pages = {107272}, pmid = {38588812}, issn = {1083-351X}, mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology/metabolism ; *Symbiosis ; *Aedes/microbiology/immunology/metabolism ; Animals ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta/metabolism/genetics ; Insect Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; Glycogen/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis is a maternally transmitted symbiotic bacterium that mainly colonizes arthropods, potentially affecting different aspects of the host's physiology, e.g., reproduction, immunity, and metabolism. It has been shown that Wolbachia modulates glycogen metabolism in mosquito Aedes fluviatilis (Ae. fluviatilis). Glycogen synthesis is controlled by the enzyme GSK3, which is also involved in immune responses in both vertebrate and invertebrate organisms. Here we investigated the mechanisms behind immune changes mediated by glycogen synthase kinase β (GSK3β) in the symbiosis between Ae. fluviatilis and W. pipientis using a GSK3β inhibitor or RNAi-mediated gene silencing. GSK3β inhibition or knockdown increased glycogen content and Wolbachia population, together with a reduction in Relish2 and gambicin transcripts. Furthermore, knockdown of Relish2 or Caspar revealed that the immunodeficiency pathway acts to control Wolbachia numbers in the host. In conclusion, we describe for the first time the involvement of GSK3β in Ae. fluviatilis immune response, acting to control the Wolbachia endosymbiotic population.}, }
@article {pmid38585949, year = {2024}, author = {Mirchandani, C and Wang, P and Jacobs, J and Genetti, M and Pepper-Tunick, E and Sullivan, WT and Corbett-Detig, R and Russell, SL}, title = {Mixed Wolbachia infections resolve rapidly during in vitro evolution.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38585949}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {R00 GM135583/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM128932/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM139595/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; T32 HG012344/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {The intracellular symbiont Wolbachia pipientis evolved after the divergence of arthropods and nematodes, but it reached high prevalence in many of these taxa through its abilities to infect new hosts and their germlines. Some strains exhibit long-term patterns of co-evolution with their hosts, while other strains are capable of switching hosts. This makes strain selection an important factor in symbiont-based biological control. However, little is known about the ecological and evolutionary interactions that occur when a promiscuous strain colonizes an infected host. Here, we study what occurs when two strains come into contact in host cells following horizontal transmission and infection. We focus on the faithful wMel strain from Drosophila melanogaster and the promiscuous wRi strain from Drosophila simulans using an in vitro cell culture system with multiple host cell types and combinatorial infection states. Mixing D. melanogaster cell lines stably infected with wMel and wRi revealed that wMel outcompetes wRi quickly and reproducibly. Furthermore, wMel was able to competitively exclude wRi even from minuscule starting quantities, indicating that this is a nearly deterministic outcome, independent of the starting infection frequency. This competitive advantage was not exclusive to wMel's native D. melanogaster cell background, as wMel also outgrew wRi in D. simulans cells. Overall, wRi is less adept at in vitro growth and survival than wMel and its in vivo state, revealing differences between cellular and humoral regulation. These attributes may underlie the observed low rate of mixed infections in nature and the relatively rare rate of host-switching in most strains. Our in vitro experimental framework for estimating cellular growth dynamics of Wolbachia strains in different host species, tissues, and cell types provides the first strategy for parameterizing endosymbiont and host cell biology at high resolution. This toolset will be crucial to our application of these bacteria as biological control agents in novel hosts and ecosystems.}, }
@article {pmid38571791, year = {2024}, author = {Fisher, AM and Knell, RJ and Price, TAR and Bonsall, MB}, title = {Sex ratio distorting microbes exacerbate arthropod extinction risk in variable environments.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {14}, number = {4}, pages = {e11216}, pmid = {38571791}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Maternally-inherited sex ratio distorting microbes (SRDMs) are common among arthropod species. Typically, these microbes cause female-biased sex ratios in host broods, either by; killing male offspring, feminising male offspring, or inducing parthenogenesis. As a result, infected populations can experience drastic ecological and evolutionary change. The mechanism by which SRDMs operate is likely to alter their impact on host evolutionary ecology; despite this, the current literature is heavily biased towards a single mechanism of sex ratio distortion, male-killing. Furthermore, amidst the growing concerns surrounding the loss of arthropod diversity, research into the impact of SRDMs on the viability of arthropod populations is generally lacking. In this study, using a theoretical approach, we model the epidemiology of an understudied mechanism of microbially-induced sex ratio distortion-feminisation-to ask an understudied question-how do SRDMs impact extinction risk in a changing environment? We constructed an individual-based model and measured host population extinction risk under various environmental and epidemiological scenarios. We also used our model to identify the precise mechanism modulating extinction. We find that the presence of feminisers increases host population extinction risk, an effect that is exacerbated in highly variable environments. We also identified transmission rate as the dominant epidemiological trait responsible for driving extinction. Finally, our model shows that sex ratio skew is the mechanism driving extinction. We highlight feminisers and, more broadly, SRDMs as important determinants of the resilience of arthropod populations to environmental change.}, }
@article {pmid38570719, year = {2024}, author = {Rawle, DJ and Hugo, LE and Cox, AL and Devine, GJ and Suhrbier, A}, title = {Generating prophylactic immunity against arboviruses in vertebrates and invertebrates.}, journal = {Nature reviews. Immunology}, volume = {24}, number = {9}, pages = {621-636}, pmid = {38570719}, issn = {1474-1741}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Arboviruses/immunology ; *Arbovirus Infections/immunology/prevention &amp; control ; Vertebrates/immunology ; Viral Vaccines/immunology ; Invertebrates/immunology ; Mosquito Vectors/immunology/virology ; }, abstract = {The World Health Organization recently declared a global initiative to control arboviral diseases. These are mainly caused by pathogenic flaviviruses (such as dengue, yellow fever and Zika viruses) and alphaviruses (such as chikungunya and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses). Vaccines represent key interventions for these viruses, with licensed human and/or veterinary vaccines being available for several members of both genera. However, a hurdle for the licensing of new vaccines is the epidemic nature of many arboviruses, which presents logistical challenges for phase III efficacy trials. Furthermore, our ability to predict or measure the post-vaccination immune responses that are sufficient for subclinical outcomes post-infection is limited. Given that arboviruses are also subject to control by the immune system of their insect vectors, several approaches are now emerging that aim to augment antiviral immunity in mosquitoes, including Wolbachia infection, transgenic mosquitoes, insect-specific viruses and paratransgenesis. In this Review, we discuss recent advances, current challenges and future prospects in exploiting both vertebrate and invertebrate immune systems for the control of flaviviral and alphaviral diseases.}, }
@article {pmid38569988, year = {2024}, author = {Amala, M and Nagarajan, H and Ahila, M and Nachiappan, M and Veerapandiyan, M and Vetrivel, U and Jeyakanthan, J}, title = {Unveiling the intricacies of allosteric regulation in aspartate kinase from the Wolbachia endosymbiont of Brugia Malayi: Mechanistic and therapeutic insights.}, journal = {International journal of biological macromolecules}, volume = {267}, number = {Pt 1}, pages = {131326}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131326}, pmid = {38569988}, issn = {1879-0003}, mesh = {*Brugia malayi/enzymology/microbiology ; Allosteric Regulation ; *Wolbachia ; Animals ; *Molecular Dynamics Simulation ; *Aspartate Kinase/metabolism/genetics/chemistry ; Symbiosis ; Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism ; Lysine/chemistry/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Aspartate kinase (AK), an enzyme from the Wolbachia endosymbiont of Brugia malayi (WBm), plays a pivotal role in the bacterial cell wall and amino acid biosynthesis, rendering it an attractive candidate for therapeutic intervention. Allosteric inhibition of aspartate kinase is a prevalent mode of regulation across microorganisms and plants, often modulated by end products such as lysine, threonine, methionine, or meso-diaminopimelate. The intricate and diverse nature of microbial allosteric regulation underscores the need for rigorous investigation. This study employs a combined experimental and computational approach to decipher the allosteric regulation of WBmAK. Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations elucidate that ATP (cofactor) and ASP (substrate) binding induce a closed conformation, promoting enzymatic activity. In contrast, the binding of lysine (allosteric inhibitor) leads to enzyme inactivation and an open conformation. The enzymatic assay demonstrates the optimal activity of WBmAK at 28 °C and a pH of 8.0. Notably, the allosteric inhibition study highlights lysine as a more potent inhibitor compared to threonine. Importantly, this investigation sheds light on the allosteric mechanism governing WBmAK and imparts novel insights into structure-based drug discovery, paving the way for the development of effective inhibitors against filarial pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid38562961, year = {2024}, author = {Reyes, JIL and Suzuki, T and Suzuki, Y and Watanabe, K}, title = {Detection and quantification of natural Wolbachia in Aedes aegypti in Metropolitan Manila, Philippines using locally designed primers.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1360438}, pmid = {38562961}, issn = {2235-2988}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Aedes/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Philippines ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Mosquito Vectors ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The Philippines bears health and economic burden caused by high dengue cases annually. Presently, the Philippines still lack an effective and sustainable vector management. The use of Wolbachia, a maternally transmitted bacterium, that mitigate arbovirus transmission has been recommended. Cytoplasmic incompatibility and viral blocking, two characteristics that make Wolbachia suitable for vector control, depend on infection prevalence and density. There are no current Wolbachia release programs in the Philippines, and studies regarding the safety of this intervention. Here, we screened for Wolbachia in Aedes aegypti collected from Metropolitan Manila, Philippines. We designed location-specific primers for qPCR to test whether this improved Wolbachia detection in Ae. aegypti. We explored if host sex and Wolbachia strain could be potential factors affecting Wolbachia density.<br><br>METHODS: Ae. aegypti mosquitoes (n=429) were screened for natural Wolbachia by taqman qPCR using location-specific Wolbachia surface protein primers (wspAAML) and known 16S rRNA primers. Samples positive for wspAAML (n=267) were processed for Sanger sequencing. We constructed a phylogenetic tree using IQ-TREE 2 to further characterize Wolbachia present in the Philippine Ae. aegypti. We then compared Wolbachia densities between Wolbachia groups and host sex. Statistical analyses were done using GraphPad Prism 9.0.<br><br>RESULTS: Wolbachia prevalence for 16S rRNA (40%) and wspAAML (62%) markers were high. Wolbachia relative densities for 16S rRNA ranged from -3.84 to 2.71 and wspAAML from -4.02 to 1.81. Densities were higher in male than female mosquitoes. Wolbachia strains detected in Ae. aegypti clustered into supergroup B. Some 54% (123/226) of these sequences clustered under a group referred to here as "wAegML," that belongs to the supergroup B, which had a significantly lower density than wAegB/wAlbB, and wAlbA strains.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Location-specific primers improved detection of natural Wolbachia in Ae. aegypti and allowed for relative quantification. Wolbachia density is relatively low, and differed between host sexes and Wolbachia strains. An economical way of confirming sporadic or transient Wolbachia in Ae. aegypti is necessary while considering host sex and bacterial strain.}, }
@article {pmid38558489, year = {2024}, author = {Ferguson, LF and Ross, PA and van Heerwaarden, B}, title = {Wolbachia infection negatively impacts Drosophila simulans heat tolerance in a strain- and trait-specific manner.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {26}, number = {4}, pages = {e16609}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16609}, pmid = {38558489}, issn = {1462-2920}, support = {DE230100067//Australian Research Council/ ; FT200100025//Australian Research Council/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; Drosophila/physiology ; Drosophila simulans/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Thermotolerance ; Fertility ; }, abstract = {The susceptibility of insects to rising temperatures has largely been measured by their ability to survive thermal extremes. However, the capacity for maternally inherited endosymbionts to influence insect heat tolerance has been overlooked. Further, while some studies have addressed the impact of heat on traits like fertility, which can decline at temperatures below lethal thermal limits, none have considered the impact of endosymbionts. Here, we assess the impact of three Wolbachia strains (wRi, wAu and wNo) on the survival and fertility of Drosophila simulans exposed to heat stress during development or as adults. The effect of Wolbachia infection on heat tolerance was generally small and trait/strain specific. Only the wNo infection significantly reduced the survival of adult males after a heat shock. When exposed to fluctuating heat stress during development, the wRi and wAu strains reduced egg-to-adult survival but only the wNo infection reduced male fertility. Wolbachia densities of all three strains decreased under developmental heat stress, but reductions occurred at temperatures above those that reduced host fertility. These findings emphasize the necessity to account for endosymbionts and their effect on both survival and fertility when investigating insect responses to heat stress.}, }
@article {pmid38553514, year = {2024}, author = {Konecka, E and Szymkowiak, P}, title = {Wolbachia supergroup A in Enoplognatha latimana (Araneae: Theridiidae) in Poland as an example of possible horizontal transfer of bacteria.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {7486}, pmid = {38553514}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Poland ; *Spiders/genetics ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia (phylum Pseudomonadota, class Alfaproteobacteria, order Rickettsiales, family Ehrlichiaceae) is a maternally inherited bacterial symbiont infecting more than half of arthropod species worldwide and constituting an important force in the evolution, biology, and ecology of invertebrate hosts. Our study contributes to the limited knowledge regarding the presence of intracellular symbiotic bacteria in spiders. Specifically, we investigated the occurrence of Wolbachia infection in the spider species Enoplognatha latimana Hippa and Oksala, 1982 (Araneae: Theridiidae) using a sample collected in north-western Poland. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Wolbachia infection in E. latimana. A phylogeny based on the sequence analysis of multiple genes, including 16S rRNA, coxA, fbpA, ftsZ, gatB, gltA, groEL, hcpA, and wsp revealed that Wolbachia from the spider represented supergroup A and was related to bacterial endosymbionts discovered in other spider hosts, as well as insects of the orders Diptera and Hymenoptera. A sequence unique for Wolbachia supergroup A was detected for the ftsZ gene. The sequences of Wolbachia housekeeping genes have been deposited in publicly available databases and are an important source of molecular data for comparative studies. The etiology of Wolbachia infection in E. latimana is discussed.}, }
@article {pmid38547310, year = {2024}, author = {Martin, M and López-Madrigal, S and Newton, ILG}, title = {The Wolbachia WalE1 effector alters Drosophila endocytosis.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {20}, number = {3}, pages = {e1011245}, pmid = {38547310}, issn = {1553-7374}, support = {P40 OD018537/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI144430/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Male ; Animals ; *Drosophila/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/metabolism ; Seeds ; Reproduction ; Endocytosis ; Drosophila melanogaster ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {The most common intracellular bacterial infection is Wolbachia pipientis, a microbe that manipulates host reproduction and is used in control of insect vectors. Phenotypes induced by Wolbachia have been studied for decades and range from sperm-egg incompatibility to male killing. How Wolbachia alters host biology is less well understood. Previously, we characterized the first Wolbachia effector-WalE1, which encodes an alpha-synuclein domain at the N terminus. Purified WalE1 sediments with and bundles actin and when heterologously expressed in flies, increases Wolbachia titer in the developing oocyte. In this work, we first identify the native expression of WalE1 by Wolbachia infecting both fly cells and whole animals. WalE1 appears as aggregates in the host cell cytosol. We next show that WalE1 co-immunoprecipitates with the host protein Past1, although might not directly interact with it, and that WalE1 manipulates host endocytosis. Yeast expressing WalE1 show deficiency in uptake of FM4-64 dye, and flies harboring mutations in Past1 or overexpressing WalE1 are sensitive to AgNO3, a hallmark of endocytosis defects. We also show that flies expressing WalE1 suffer from endocytosis defects in larval nephrocytes. Finally, we also show that Past1 null flies harbor more Wolbachia overall and in late egg chambers. Our results identify interactions between Wolbachia and a host protein involved in endocytosis and point to yet another important host cell process impinged upon by Wolbachia's WalE1 effector.}, }
@article {pmid38547237, year = {2024}, author = {Kaur, R and Meier, CJ and McGraw, EA and Hillyer, JF and Bordenstein, SR}, title = {The mechanism of cytoplasmic incompatibility is conserved in Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes deployed for arbovirus control.}, journal = {PLoS biology}, volume = {22}, number = {3}, pages = {e3002573}, pmid = {38547237}, issn = {1545-7885}, support = {R01 AI132581/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI143725/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R56 AI155573/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Male ; *Aedes ; Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; *Wolbachia ; Histones/genetics ; *Arboviruses ; Mosquito Vectors ; Semen ; Drosophila/genetics ; Chromatin ; Protamines/genetics ; }, abstract = {The rising interest and success in deploying inherited microorganisms and cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) for vector control strategies necessitate an explanation of the CI mechanism. Wolbachia-induced CI manifests in the form of embryonic lethality when sperm from Wolbachia-bearing testes fertilize eggs from uninfected females. Embryos from infected females however survive to sustain the maternally inherited symbiont. Previously in Drosophila melanogaster flies, we demonstrated that CI modifies chromatin integrity in developing sperm to bestow the embryonic lethality. Here, we validate these findings using wMel-transinfected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes released to control vector-borne diseases. Once again, the prophage WO CI proteins, CifA and CifB, target male gametic nuclei to modify chromatin integrity via an aberrant histone-to-protamine transition. Cifs are not detected in the embryo, and thus elicit CI via the nucleoprotein modifications established pre-fertilization. The rescue protein CifA in oogenesis localizes to stem cell, nurse cell, and oocyte nuclei, as well as embryonic DNA during embryogenesis. Discovery of the nuclear targeting Cifs and altered histone-to-protamine transition in both Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and D. melanogaster flies affirm the Host Modification Model of CI is conserved across these host species. The study also newly uncovers the cell biology of Cif proteins in the ovaries, CifA localization in the embryos, and an impaired histone-to-protamine transition during spermiogenesis of any mosquito species. Overall, these sperm modification findings may enable future optimization of CI efficacy in vectors or pests that are refractory to Wolbachia transinfections.}, }
@article {pmid38543596, year = {2024}, author = {Ilbeigi Khamseh Nejad, M and Cappelli, A and Damiani, C and Falcinelli, M and Catapano, PL and Nanfack-Minkeu, F and Mayi, MPA and Currà, C and Ricci, I and Favia, G}, title = {Wolbachia and Asaia Distribution among Different Mosquito Vectors Is Affected by Tissue Localization and Host Species.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {12}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {38543596}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {PRIN 2022 PNRR MUR P20225TJWB//European Union - NextGenerationEU/ ; }, abstract = {Microbial communities play an important role in the fitness of mosquito hosts. However, the factors shaping microbial communities in wild populations, with regard to interactions among microbial species, are still largely unknown. Previous research has demonstrated that two of the most studied mosquito symbionts, the bacteria Wolbachia and Asaia, seem to compete or not compete, depending on the genetic background of the reference mosquito host. The large diversity of Wolbachia-Asaia strain combinations that infect natural populations of mosquitoes may offer a relevant opportunity to select suitable phenotypes for the suppression of pathogen transmission and for the manipulation of host reproduction. We surveyed Wolbachia and Asaia in 44 mosquito populations belonging to 11 different species of the genera Anopheles, Aedes, and Culex using qualitative PCR. Through quantitative PCR, the amounts of both bacteria were assessed in different mosquito organs, and through metagenomics, we determined the microbiota compositions in some selected mosquito populations. We show that variation in microbial community structure is likely associated with the species/strain of mosquito, its geographical position, and tissue localization. Together, our results shed light on the interactions among different bacterial species in the microbial communities of mosquito vectors, and this can aid the development and/or improvement of methods for symbiotic control of insect vectors.}, }
@article {pmid38535401, year = {2024}, author = {Cholvi, M and Trelis, M and Bueno-Marí, R and Khoubbane, M and Gil, R and Marcilla, A and Moretti, R}, title = {Wolbachia Infection through Hybridization to Enhance an Incompatible Insect Technique-Based Suppression of Aedes albopictus in Eastern Spain.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {15}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {38535401}, issn = {2075-4450}, abstract = {The emergence of insecticide resistance in arbovirus vectors is putting the focus on the development of new strategies for control. In this regard, the exploitation of Wolbachia endosymbionts is receiving increasing attention due to its demonstrated effectiveness in reducing the vectorial capacity of Aedes mosquitoes. Here, we describe the establishment of a naïve Wolbachia infection in a wild Aedes albopictus population of eastern Spain through a hybridization approach to obtain males capable of sterilizing wild females. The obtained lines were compared with the Wolbachia donor, Ae. albopictus ARwP, previously artificially infected with Wolbachia wPip, regarding immature and adult survival, female fecundity, egg fertility, and level of induced sterility. Our results did not show significant differences between lines in any of the biological parameters analyzed, indicating the full suitability of the hybrids to be used as a control tool against Ae. albopictus. In particular, hybrid males induced 99.9% sterility in the eggs of wild females without the need for any preliminary treatment. Being harmless to non-target organisms and the environment, the use of this bacterium for the control of Ae. albopictus deserves further exploration. This is especially relevant in areas such as eastern Spain, where this mosquito species has recently spread and may represent a serious threat due to its competence as a vector for dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses.}, }
@article {pmid38534451, year = {2024}, author = {Miranda, LS and Rudd, SR and Mena, O and Hudspeth, PE and Barboza-Corona, JE and Park, HW and Bideshi, DK}, title = {The Perpetual Vector Mosquito Threat and Its Eco-Friendly Nemeses.}, journal = {Biology}, volume = {13}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {38534451}, issn = {2079-7737}, support = {na//an Internal Research Grant through the Office of the Provost and the Faculty Development Committee at California Baptist University./ ; }, abstract = {Mosquitoes are the most notorious arthropod vectors of viral and parasitic diseases for which approximately half the world's population, ~4,000,000,000, is at risk. Integrated pest management programs (IPMPs) have achieved some success in mitigating the regional transmission and persistence of these diseases. However, as many vector-borne diseases remain pervasive, it is obvious that IPMP successes have not been absolute in eradicating the threat imposed by mosquitoes. Moreover, the expanding mosquito geographic ranges caused by factors related to climate change and globalization (travel, trade, and migration), and the evolution of resistance to synthetic pesticides, present ongoing challenges to reducing or eliminating the local and global burden of these diseases, especially in economically and medically disadvantaged societies. Abatement strategies include the control of vector populations with synthetic pesticides and eco-friendly technologies. These "green" technologies include SIT, IIT, RIDL, CRISPR/Cas9 gene drive, and biological control that specifically targets the aquatic larval stages of mosquitoes. Regarding the latter, the most effective continues to be the widespread use of Lysinibacillus sphaericus (Ls) and Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti). Here, we present a review of the health issues elicited by vector mosquitoes, control strategies, and lastly, focus on the biology of Ls and Bti, with an emphasis on the latter, to which no resistance has been observed in the field.}, }
@article {pmid38534421, year = {2024}, author = {Hyder, M and Lodhi, AM and Wang, Z and Bukero, A and Gao, J and Mao, R}, title = {Wolbachia Interactions with Diverse Insect Hosts: From Reproductive Modulations to Sustainable Pest Management Strategies.}, journal = {Biology}, volume = {13}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {38534421}, issn = {2079-7737}, support = {32202276//National Science Foundation of China/ ; 2022GDASZH-2022010106, 2022GDASZH-2022030501-08//GDAS Special Project of Science and Technology Development/ ; KTP20210352//Guangdong Province Rural Science and Technology Commissioner Project/ ; 2023SDZG06//Top Ten Critical Priorities of Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation for the 14th Five-Year Plan of Guangdong Province/ ; }, abstract = {Effective in a variety of insect orders, including dipteran, lepidopteran, and hemipteran, Wolbachia-based control tactics are investigated, noting the importance of sterile and incompatible insect techniques. Encouraging approaches for controlling Aedes mosquitoes are necessary, as demonstrated by the evaluation of a new SIT/IIT combination and the incorporation of SIT into Drosophila suzukii management. For example, Wolbachia may protect plants from rice pests, demonstrating its potential for agricultural biological vector management. Maternal transmission and cytoplasmic incompatibility dynamics are explored, while Wolbachia phenotypic impacts on mosquito and rice pest management are examined. The importance of host evolutionary distance is emphasised in recent scale insect research that addresses host-shifting. Using greater information, a suggested method for comprehending Wolbachia host variations in various contexts emphasises ecological connectivity. Endosymbionts passed on maternally in nematodes and arthropods, Wolbachia are widely distributed around the world and have evolved both mutualistic and parasitic traits. Wolbachia is positioned as a paradigm for microbial symbiosis due to advancements in multiomics, gene functional assays, and its effect on human health. The challenges and opportunities facing Wolbachia research include scale issues, ecological implications, ethical conundrums, and the possibility of customising strains through genetic engineering. It is thought that cooperative efforts are required to include Wolbachia-based therapies into pest management techniques while ensuring responsible and sustainable ways.}, }
@article {pmid38530785, year = {2024}, author = {Fricke, LC and Lindsey, ARI}, title = {Identification of Parthenogenesis-Inducing Effector Proteins in Wolbachia.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {16}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {38530785}, issn = {1759-6653}, support = {R35 GM150991/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35GM150991/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Male ; Animals ; Female ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Parthenogenesis/genetics ; *Wasps/genetics ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; Genomics ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Bacteria in the genus Wolbachia have evolved numerous strategies to manipulate arthropod sex, including the conversion of would-be male offspring to asexually reproducing females. This so-called "parthenogenesis induction" phenotype can be found in a number of Wolbachia strains that infect arthropods with haplodiploid sex determination systems, including parasitoid wasps. Despite the discovery of microbe-mediated parthenogenesis more than 30 yr ago, the underlying genetic mechanisms have remained elusive. We used a suite of genomic, computational, and molecular tools to identify and characterize two proteins that are uniquely found in parthenogenesis-inducing Wolbachia and have strong signatures of host-associated bacterial effector proteins. These putative parthenogenesis-inducing proteins have structural homology to eukaryotic protein domains including nucleoporins, the key insect sex determining factor Transformer, and a eukaryotic-like serine-threonine kinase with leucine-rich repeats. Furthermore, these proteins significantly impact eukaryotic cell biology in the model Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We suggest that these proteins are parthenogenesis-inducing factors and our results indicate that this would be made possible by a novel mechanism of bacterial-host interaction.}, }
@article {pmid38528862, year = {2024}, author = {Soo, WF and Gunasekaran, K and Ng, DX and Kwek, K and Tan, NC}, title = {Literacy and attitude of Asian youths on dengue and its prevention in an endemic developed community.}, journal = {Frontiers in public health}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {1361717}, pmid = {38528862}, issn = {2296-2565}, mesh = {Young Adult ; Humans ; Adolescent ; Female ; Male ; *Literacy ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; *Dengue/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Regression Analysis ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Over the past few decades, the incidence of dengue fever has considerably increased. Effective vector control strategies and specific protection using dengue vaccine are thought to be the key elements to combat dengue. The dengue incidence among the Singapore youths (15-24 years) was second only to that of adults (25-44 years). This study evaluated the knowledge and attitude of Singapore youths on dengue and its preventive measures.<br><br>METHODS: A cross-sectional study using online-based questionnaire survey was conducted among Singapore youths from September to November 2022. Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics whereas Chi-squared test, linear regression analysis and Pearson correlation were used to determine the association between demographic factors and youth's attitude on dengue prevention using Rstudio.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 624 respondents completed the survey out of 1822 surveys distributed nation-wide, with a response rate of 34.2% (mean age 17.4&#x2009;years &#xb1; 1.84; 59.3% female; 89.9% Chinese). The mean dengue knowledge scores of participants were 14.1 &#xb1;2.8. Univariate analysis showed that teenagers (15-19&#x2009;years) had significantly higher knowledge score than the young adults (20-24&#x2009;years) (&#x3b2;=0.82,95%CI&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.13-1.51, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.021). Majority of them were aware of the Mozzie Wipeout campaign (90.2%) followed by the release of Wolbachia mosquitos (69.1%). Two-thirds of the youths who were aware of Wolbachia and Gravitrap considered that it was effective in reducing dengue infection rates. Participants suggested information about the current dengue infection rate (71.9%) as the most effective of the five proposed strategies to improve uptake of dengue preventive measures. In comparison to young adults, teenagers were more likely to uptake dengue preventive measures if widespread mosquito control practices were implemented (69.1% vs. 42.3%).<br><br>CONCLUSION: The overall knowledge of the youths on dengue and its prevention was satisfactory. Future health promotion campaigns targeting the youths should focus on transforming the knowledge into practice.}, }
@article {pmid38525276, year = {2024}, author = {Guse, K and Pietri, JE}, title = {Endosymbiont and gut bacterial communities of the brown-banded cockroach, Supella longipalpa.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {e17095}, pmid = {38525276}, issn = {2167-8359}, support = {R01 AI171014/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Male ; Animals ; Female ; Adult ; Humans ; *Blattellidae/genetics ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Flavobacteriaceae/genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {The brown-banded cockroach (Supella longipalpa) is a widespread nuisance and public health pest. Like the German cockroach (Blattella germanica), this species is adapted to the indoor biome and completes the entirety of its life cycle in human-built structures. Recently, understanding the contributions of commensal and symbiotic microbes to the biology of cockroach pests, as well as the applications of targeting these microbes for pest control, have garnered significant scientific interest. However, relative to B. germanica, the biology of S. longipalpa, including its microbial associations, is understudied. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to quantitatively examine and characterize both the endosymbiont and gut bacterial communities of S. longipalpa for the first time. To do so, bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was conducted on DNA extracts from whole adult females and males, early instar nymphs, and late instar nymphs. The results demonstrate that the gut microbiome is dominated by two genera of bacteria known to have beneficial probiotic effects in other organisms, namely Lactobacillus and Akkermansia. Furthermore, our data show a significant effect of nymphal development on diversity and variation in the gut microbiome. Lastly, we reveal significant negative correlations between the two intracellular endosymbionts, Blattabacterium and Wolbachia, as well as between Blattabacterium and the gut microbiome, suggesting that Blattabacterium endosymbionts could directly or indirectly influence the composition of other bacterial populations. These findings have implications for understanding the adaptation of S. longipalpa to the indoor biome, its divergence from other indoor cockroach pest species such as B. germanica, the development of novel control approaches that target the microbiome, and fundamental insect-microbe interactions more broadly.}, }
@article {pmid38507220, year = {2024}, author = {Hollingsworth, BD and Cho, C and Vella, M and Roh, H and Sass, J and Lloyd, AL and Brown, ZS}, title = {Economic optimization of Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti release to prevent dengue.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {80}, number = {8}, pages = {3829-3838}, doi = {10.1002/ps.8086}, pmid = {38507220}, issn = {1526-4998}, mesh = {*Aedes/microbiology/virology ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; Animals ; *Dengue/prevention &amp; control/transmission ; *Mosquito Control/methods/economics ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Dengue virus, primarily transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, is a major public health concern affecting ≈3.83 billion people worldwide. Recent releases of Wolbachia-transinfected Ae. aegypti in several cities worldwide have shown that it can reduce dengue transmission. However, these releases are costly, and, to date, no framework has been proposed for determining economically optimal release strategies that account for both costs associated with disease risk and releases.<br><br>RESULTS: We present a flexible stochastic dynamic programming framework for determining optimal release schedules for Wolbachia-transinfected mosquitoes that balances the cost of dengue infection with the costs of rearing and releasing transinfected mosquitoes. Using an ordinary differential equation model of Wolbachia and dengue in a hypothetical city loosely describing areas at risk of new dengue epidemics, we determined that an all-or-nothing release strategy that quickly brings Wolbachia to fixation is often the optimal solution. Based on this, we examined the optimal facility size, finding that it was inelastic with respect to the mosquito population size, with a 100% increase in population size resulting in a 50-67% increase in optimal facility size. Furthermore, we found that these results are robust to mosquito life-history parameters and are mostly determined by the mosquito population size and the fitness costs associated with Wolbachia.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: These results reinforce that Wolbachia-transinfected mosquitoes can reduce the cost of dengue epidemics. Furthermore, they emphasize the importance of determining the size of the target population and fitness costs associated with Wolbachia before releases occur. &#xa9; 2024 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley &amp; Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.}, }
@article {pmid38504126, year = {2024}, author = {Du Toit, A}, title = {Drosophila sperm sabotage by Wolbachia prophage.}, journal = {Nature reviews. Microbiology}, volume = {22}, number = {5}, pages = {257}, pmid = {38504126}, issn = {1740-1534}, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; *Drosophila ; *Wolbachia ; Prophages ; Semen ; Spermatozoa ; Drosophila melanogaster ; }, }
@article {pmid38502456, year = {2024}, author = {Singh, AS and Pathak, D and Devi, MS and Anifowoshe, AT and Nongthomba, U}, title = {Antibiotic alters host's gut microbiota, fertility, and antimicrobial peptide gene expression vis-à-vis ampicillin treatment on model organism Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {International microbiology : the official journal of the Spanish Society for Microbiology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38502456}, issn = {1618-1905}, support = {DBT-RA/2022/January NE/994//Department of Biotechnology, Government of India./ ; DBT-RA/2022/January NE/994//Department of Biotechnology, Government of India./ ; }, abstract = {Antibiotics are commonly used to treat infectious diseases; however, persistence is often expressed by the pathogenic bacteria and their long-term relative effect on the host have been neglected. The present study investigated the impact of antibiotics in gut microbiota (GM) and metabolism of host. The effect of ampicillin antibiotics on GM of Drosophila melanogaster was analyzed through deep sequencing of 16S rRNA amplicon gene. The dominant phyla consisted of Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Planctomycetes, Chloroflexi, Euryarchaeota, Acedobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, and Cyanobacteria. It was found that the composition of GM was significantly altered on administration of antibiotics. On antibiotic treatments, there were decline in relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, while there were increase in relative abundance of Chlorophyta and Bacteroidota. High abundance of 14 genera, viz., Wolbachia, Lactobacillus, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Thiolamprovum, Pseudoalteromonas, Vibrio, Romboutsia, Staphylococcus, Alteromonas, Clostridium, Lysinibacillus, Litoricola, and Cellulophaga were significant (p ≤ 0.05) upon antibiotic treatment. Particularly, the abundance of Acetobacter was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) declined but increased for Wolbachia. Further, a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in Wolbachia endosymbiont of D. melanogaster, Wolbachia endosymbiont of Curculio okumai, and Wolbachia pipientis and a decrease in the Acinetobacter sp. were observed. We observed an increase in functional capacity for biosynthesis of certain nucleotides and the enzyme activities. Further, the decrease in antimicrobial peptide production in the treated group and potential effects on the host's defense mechanisms were observed. This study helps shed light on an often-overlooked dimension, namely the persistence of antibiotics' effects on the host.}, }
@article {pmid38496649, year = {2024}, author = {Hague, MTJ and Wheeler, TB and Cooper, BS}, title = {Comparative analysis of Wolbachia maternal transmission and localization in host ovaries.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38496649}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {R35 GM124701/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Many insects and other animals carry microbial endosymbionts that influence their reproduction and fitness. These relationships only persist if endosymbionts are reliably transmitted from one host generation to the next. Wolbachia are maternally transmitted endosymbionts found in most insect species, but transmission rates can vary across environments. Maternal transmission of wMel Wolbachia depends on temperature in natural Drosophila melanogaster hosts and in transinfected Aedes aegypti, where wMel is used to block pathogens that cause human disease. In D. melanogaster, wMel transmission declines in the cold as Wolbachia become less abundant in host ovaries and at the posterior pole plasm (the site of germline formation) in mature oocytes. Here, we assess how temperature affects maternal transmission and underlying patterns of Wolbachia localization across 10 Wolbachia strains diverged up to 50 million years-including strains closely related to wMel-and their natural Drosophila hosts. Many Wolbachia maintain high transmission rates across temperatures, despite highly variable (and sometimes low) levels of Wolbachia in the ovaries and at the developing germline in late-stage oocytes. Identifying strains like closely related wMel-like Wolbachia with stable transmission across variable environmental conditions may improve the efficacy of Wolbachia-based biocontrol efforts as they expand into globally diverse environments.}, }
@article {pmid38493661, year = {2024}, author = {González, MA and Ruiz-Arrondo, I and Bravo-Barriga, D and Cervera-Acedo, C and Santibáñez, P and Oteo, JA and Miranda, M&#xc1; and Barceló, C}, title = {Surveillance and screening of Stomoxyinae flies from Mallorca Island (Spain) reveal the absence of selected pathogens but confirm the presence of the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia pipientis.}, journal = {Research in veterinary science}, volume = {171}, number = {}, pages = {105206}, doi = {10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105206}, pmid = {38493661}, issn = {1532-2661}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Spain ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Muscidae/genetics/microbiology/parasitology ; Bacteria/genetics ; }, abstract = {Adult brachycera biting flies can significantly impact livestock through both direct effects (reduction of food intake, disturbance, painful bites, and blood loss) and indirect effects (pathogen transmission), leading to substantial economic losses and production damage. This study aimed to assess the presence of blood-sucking flies in six mixed-animal farm environments on the island of Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain) by employing multiple trapping methods. Additionally, distribution maps of brachycera biting fly species recorded in Spain were created, based on data extracted thorough review of scientific literature and citizen digital databases. Investigation of several pathogens, including equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV), Anaplasmataceae bacteria, and piroplasm protozoa, was carried out using different PCR targets (18S rRNA, 16S rRNA, groESL, and tat genes). Citizen science databases and literature review corroborated the consistent distribution trend for two Stomoxyinae species, underscoring the importance of citizen collaboration as a complement to traditional entomological surveillance. Our study confirmed the presence of two biting Stomoxyinae species: the prevalent stable fly Stomoxys calcitrans across all sampled farms, and the horn fly Haematobia irritans, which turned out to be less abundant. DNA barcoding techniques validated the identification of the two species. Neither EIAV nor bacterial/protozoan pathogens were detected using the selected PCR targets in either fly species. However, Wolbachia pipientis (clustered in the supergroup A together with the only sequence of W. pipientis from the USA) was identified through PCR targeting 16S rRNA, groESL and wsp genes in all pools of H. irritans (n = 13) collected from two of the examined farms. This study represents the first attempt to investigate pathogens in Stomoxyinae biting flies in Spain. The discovery of the endosymbiotic Wolbachia organism in H. irritans represents the first record in Spain and the second from Europe. This finding holds significant implications for future research on the applications of this bacterium in biocontrol programs.}, }
@article {pmid38489098, year = {2024}, author = {Calleros-González, P and Ibarra-Juarez, A and Lamelas, A and Suárez-Moo, P}, title = {How host species and body part determine the microbial communities of five ambrosia beetle species.}, journal = {International microbiology : the official journal of the Spanish Society for Microbiology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38489098}, issn = {1618-1905}, abstract = {The ambrosia beetles are farming insects that feed mainly on their cultivated fungi, which in some occasions are pathogens from forest and fruit trees. We used a culture-independent approach based on 16S and 18S rRNA gene metabarcoding analysis to investigate the diversity and composition of the bacterial and fungal communities associated with five ambrosia beetle species: four species native to America (Monarthrum dimidiatum, Dryocoetoides capucinus, Euwallacea discretus, Corthylus consimilis) and an introduced species (Xylosandrus morigerus). For the bacterial community, the beetle species hosted a broad diversity with 1,579 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) and 66 genera, while for the fungal community they hosted 288 ASVs and 39 genera. Some microbial groups dominated the community within a host species or a body part (Wolbachia in the head-thorax of E. discretus; Ambrosiella in the head-thorax and abdomen of X. morigerus). The taxonomic composition and structure of the microbial communities appeared to differ between beetle species; this was supported by beta-diversity analysis, which indicated that bacterial and fungal communities were clustered mainly by host species. This study characterizes for the first time the microbial communities associated with unexplored ambrosia beetle species, as well as the factors that affect the composition and taxonomic diversity per se, contributing to the knowledge of the ambrosia beetle system.}, }
@article {pmid38484041, year = {2024}, author = {Simmons, CP and Donald, W and Tagavi, L and Tarivonda, L and Quai, T and Tavoa, R and Noran, T and Manikaoti, E and Kareaua, L and Abwai, TT and Chand, D and Rama, V and Deo, V and Deo, KK and Tavuii, A and Valentine, W and Prasad, R and Seru, E and Naituku, L and Ratu, A and Hesketh, M and Kenny, N and Beebe, SC and Goundar, AA and McCaw, A and Buntine, M and Green, B and Frossard, T and Gilles, JRL and Joubert, DA and Wilson, G and Duong, LQ and Bouvier, JB and Stanford, D and Forder, C and Duyvestyn, JM and Pacidônio, EC and Flores, HA and Wittmeier, N and Retzki, K and Ryan, PA and Denton, JA and Smithyman, R and Tanamas, SK and Kyrylos, P and Dong, Y and Khalid, A and Hodgson, L and Anders, KL and O'Neill, SL}, title = {Successful introgression of wMel Wolbachia into Aedes aegypti populations in Fiji, Vanuatu and Kiribati.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {18}, number = {3}, pages = {e0012022}, pmid = {38484041}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Dengue Virus ; *Aedes/genetics/microbiology ; Mosquito Vectors/genetics/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Fiji/epidemiology ; Vanuatu ; *Zika Virus Infection ; *Zika Virus ; *Dengue ; }, abstract = {Pacific Island countries have experienced periodic dengue, chikungunya and Zika outbreaks for decades. The prevention and control of these mosquito-borne diseases rely heavily on control of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which in most settings are the primary vector. Introgression of the intracellular bacterium Wolbachia pipientis (wMel strain) into Ae. aegypti populations reduces their vector competence and consequently lowers dengue incidence in the human population. Here we describe successful area-wide deployments of wMel-infected Ae. aegypti in Suva, Lautoka, Nadi (Fiji), Port Vila (Vanuatu) and South Tarawa (Kiribati). With community support, weekly releases of wMel-infected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes for between 2 to 5 months resulted in wMel introgression in nearly all locations. Long term monitoring confirmed a high, self-sustaining prevalence of wMel infecting mosquitoes in almost all deployment areas. Measurement of public health outcomes were disrupted by the Covid19 pandemic but are expected to emerge in the coming years.}, }
@article {pmid38483475, year = {2024}, author = {Maciel-de-Freitas, R and Sauer, FG and Kliemke, K and Garcia, GA and Pavan, MG and David, MR and Schmidt-Chanasit, J and Hoffmann, A and Lühken, R}, title = {Wolbachia strains wMel and wAlbB differentially affect Aedes aegypti traits related to fecundity.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {12}, number = {4}, pages = {e0012824}, pmid = {38483475}, issn = {2165-0497}, support = {MA 9541/1-1//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)/ ; NEED 01Kl2022//Bundesministerium f&#xfc;r Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)/ ; E-14/2019//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo &#xe0; Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; *Aedes ; *Wolbachia ; *Zika Virus ; *Zika Virus Infection ; Fertility ; *Dengue/prevention &amp; control ; }, abstract = {Two Wolbachia strains, wMel and wAlbB, have been transinfected into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes for population replacement with the aim of reducing dengue transmission. Epidemiological data from various endemic sites suggest a pronounced decrease in dengue transmission after implementing this strategy. In this study, we investigated the impact of the Wolbachia strains wMel and wAlbB on Ae. aegypti fitness in a common genetic background. We found that Ae. aegypti females infected with the wMel strain exhibited several significant differences compared with those infected with the wAlbB strain. Specifically, wMel-infected females laid significantly fewer eggs, ingested a lower amount of blood, had a reduced egg production rate, and exhibited a decreased Wolbachia density at a later age compared with mosquitoes infected with the wAlbB strain. Conversely, the wAlbB strain showed only mild negative effects when compared with Wolbachia-uninfected specimens. These differential effects on Ae. aegypti fitness following infection with either wMel or wAlbB may have important implications for the success of population replacement strategies in invading native Ae. aegypti populations in endemic settings. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms responsible for these differences in fitness effects and their potential impact on the long-term efficacy of Wolbachia-based dengue control programs.IMPORTANCEThe transmission of arboviruses such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya is on the rise globally. Among the most promising strategies to reduce arbovirus burden is the release of one out of two strains of Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti: wMel and wAlbB. One critical aspect of whether this approach will succeed involves the fitness cost of either Wolbachia strains on mosquito life history traits. For instance, we found that wMel-infected Ae. aegypti females laid significantly fewer eggs, ingested a lower amount of blood, had a reduced egg production rate, and exhibited a decreased Wolbachia density at a later age compared with mosquitoes infected with the wAlbB strain. Conversely, the wAlbB strain showed only mild negative effects when compared with Wolbachia-uninfected specimens. These differential effects on mosquito fitness following infection with either wMel or wAlbB may have important implications for the success of population replacement strategies in invading native Ae. aegypti populations.}, }
@article {pmid38470882, year = {2024}, author = {Auguste, A and Ris, N and Belgaidi, Z and Kremmer, L and Mouton, L and Fauvergue, X}, title = {Insect population dynamics under Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility: Puzzle more than buzz in Drosophila suzukii.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {19}, number = {3}, pages = {e0300248}, pmid = {38470882}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; *Drosophila ; *Wolbachia ; Cytoplasm ; Population Dynamics ; Insecta ; }, abstract = {In theory, the introduction of individuals infected with an incompatible strain of Wolbachia pipientis into a recipient host population should result in the symbiont invasion and reproductive failures caused by cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). Modelling studies combining Wolbachia invasion and host population dynamics show that these two processes could interact to cause a transient population decline and, in some conditions, extinction. However, these effects could be sensitive to density dependence, with the Allee effect increasing the probability of extinction, and competition reducing the demographic impact of CI. We tested these predictions with laboratory experiments in the fruit fly Drosophila suzukii and the transinfected Wolbachia strain wTei. Surprisingly, the introduction of wTei into D. suzukii populations at carrying capacity did not result in the expected wTei invasion and transient population decline. In parallel, we found no Allee effect but strong negative density dependence. From these results, we propose that competition interacts in an antagonistic way with Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility on insect population dynamics. If future models and data support this hypothesis, pest management strategies using Wolbachia-induced CI should target populations with negligible competition but a potential Allee effect, for instance at the beginning of the reproductive season.}, }
@article {pmid38469495, year = {2023}, author = {Field, EN and Smith, RC}, title = {Seasonality influences key physiological components contributing to Culex pipiens vector competence.}, journal = {Frontiers in insect science}, volume = {3}, number = {}, pages = {1144072}, pmid = {38469495}, issn = {2673-8600}, abstract = {Mosquitoes are the most important animal vector of disease on the planet, transmitting a variety of pathogens of both medical and veterinary importance. Mosquito-borne diseases display distinct seasonal patterns driven by both environmental and biological variables. However, an important, yet unexplored component of these patterns is the potential for seasonal influences on mosquito physiology that may ultimately influence vector competence. To address this question, we selected Culex pipiens, a primary vector of the West Nile virus (WNV) in the temperate United States, to examine the seasonal impacts on mosquito physiology by examining known immune and bacterial components implicated in mosquito arbovirus infection. Semi-field experiments were performed under spring, summer, and late-summer conditions, corresponding to historically low-, medium-, and high-intensity periods of WNV transmission, respectively. Through these experiments, we observed differences in the expression of immune genes and RNA interference (RNAi) pathway components, as well as changes in the distribution and abundance of Wolbachia in the mosquitoes across seasonal cohorts. Together, these findings support the conclusion that seasonal changes significantly influence mosquito physiology and components of the mosquito microbiome, suggesting that seasonality may impact mosquito susceptibility to pathogen infection, which could account for the temporal patterns in mosquito-borne disease transmission.}, }
@article {pmid38468292, year = {2024}, author = {Ahouandjinou, MJ and Sovi, A and Sidick, A and Sewadé, W and Koukpo, CZ and Chitou, S and Towakinou, L and Adjottin, B and Hougbe, S and Tokponnon, F and Padonou, GG and Akogbéto, M and Messenger, LA and Ossè, RA}, title = {First report of natural infection of Anopheles gambiae s.s. and Anopheles coluzzii by Wolbachia and Microsporidia in Benin: a cross-sectional study.}, journal = {Malaria journal}, volume = {23}, number = {1}, pages = {72}, pmid = {38468292}, issn = {1475-2875}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; Benin/epidemiology ; *Anopheles ; *Wolbachia ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Malaria, Falciparum/epidemiology ; *Pyrethrins ; Sporozoites ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Recently, bacterial endosymbiont, including Wolbachia and Microsporidia were found to limit the infection of Anopheles mosquitoes with Plasmodium falciparum. This study aimed to investigate the natural presence of key transmission-blocking endosymbionts in Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii in Southern Benin.<br><br>METHODS: The present study was conducted in seven communes (Cotonou, Porto-Novo, Agu&#xe9;gu&#xe9;s, Ifangni, Pob&#xe8; Athi&#xe9;m&#xe9;, and Grand-Popo) of Southern Benin. Anopheles were collected using indoor/outdoor Human Landing Catches (HLCs) and Pyrethrum Spray Catches (PSCs). Following morphological identification, PCR was used to identify An. gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) to species level and to screen for the presence of both Wolbachia and Microsporidia. Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite infection was also assessed using ELISA.<br><br>RESULTS: Overall, species composition in An. gambiae s.l. was 53.7% An. coluzzii, while the remainder was An. gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.). Combined data of the two sampling techniques revealed a mean infection prevalence with Wolbachia of 5.1% (95% CI 0.90-18.6) and 1.3% (95% CI 0.07-7.8) in An. gambiae s.s. and An. coluzzii, respectively. The mean infection prevalence with Microsporidia was 41.0% (95% CI 25.9-57.8) for An. gambiae s.s. and 57.0% (95% CI 45.4-67.9) for An. coluzzii. Wolbachia was only observed in Ifangni, Pob&#xe8;, and Cotonou, while Microsporidia was detected in all study communes. Aggregated data for HLCs and PSCs showed a sporozoite rate (SR) of 0.80% (95% CI 0.09-2.87) and 0.69% (95% CI 0.09-2.87) for An. gambiae and An. coluzzii, respectively, with a mean of 0.74% (95% CI 0.20-1.90). Of the four individual mosquitoes which harboured P. falciparum, none were also infected with Wolbachia and one contained Microsporidia.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The present study is the first report of natural infections of field-collected An. gambiae s.l. populations from Benin with Wolbachia and Microsporidia. Sustained efforts should be made to widen the spectrum of bacteria identified in mosquitoes, with the potential to develop endosymbiont-based control tools; such interventions could be the game-changer in the control of malaria and arboviral disease transmission.}, }
@article {pmid38461924, year = {2024}, author = {Ateutchia-Ngouanet, S and Nanfack-Minkeu, F and Mavridis, K and Wanji, S and Demanou, M and Vontas, J and Djouaka, R}, title = {Monitoring Aedes populations for arboviruses, Wolbachia, insecticide resistance and its mechanisms in various agroecosystems in Benin.}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {253}, number = {}, pages = {107178}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107178}, pmid = {38461924}, issn = {1873-6254}, support = {001/WHO_/World Health Organization/International ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Insecticides/pharmacology ; Insecticide Resistance/genetics ; *Pyrethrins/pharmacology ; *Aedes ; *Arboviruses/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Permethrin/pharmacology ; Benin ; *Zika Virus Infection ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Zika Virus ; Mutation ; }, abstract = {Aedes mosquitoes are the main vectors of arboviruses in Benin. Cases of dengue have been reported in Benin with all four serotypes of the virus actively circulating in this region. Some agricultural settings are known to harbor Aedes vectors responsible for the transmission of arboviruses. The massive use of certain insecticides in agricultural settings has probably contributed to insecticide resistance in these vectors. In Benin, the susceptibility of arbovirus vectors to insecticides is poorly studied. In addition, the distribution of Wolbachia spp., which is used against some arboviruses is unknown. Moreover, there is limited information regarding the vectors responsible for the transmission of arboviruses in Benin. This present study monitored the species composition, arboviruses, and Wolbachia symbiont status, as well as the phenotypic and molecular insecticide resistance profile of Aedes populations from three agroecosystems in Benin. Aedes species identification was performed morphologically and confirmed using qPCR. (RT)-qPCR assay was applied for monitoring the presence of DENV, CHIKV, ZIKV, and WNV pathogens as well as for naturally occurring Wolbachia symbionts. Insecticide resistance was assessed phenotypically, by permethrin (0.75%) exposure of Adults (F0) using World Health Organization (WHO) bioassay protocols, and at the molecular level, using TaqMan (RT)-qPCR assays for assessing knock-down resistance (kdr) mutations (F1534C, V1016G/I, and S989P) and the expression levels of eight detoxification genes (P450s from the CYP9 and CYP6 families, carboxylesterases and glutathione-S-transferases). Aedes aegypti (Ae. aegypti) mosquitoes were the most abundant (93.9%) in the three agroecosystems studied, followed by Aedes albopictus (Ae. albopictus) mosquitoes (6.1%). No arboviruses were detected in the study's mosquito populations. Naturally occurring Wolbachia symbionts were present in 7 pools out of 15 pools tested. This could influence the effectiveness of vector control strategies based on exogenously introduced Wolbachia, all present in the three agroecosystems. Full susceptibility to permethrin was observed in all tested populations of Ae. albopictus. On the contrary, Ae. aegypti were found to be resistant in all three agroecosystem sites except for banana plantation sites, where full susceptibility was observed. Molecular analysis revealed that individual target site resistance kdr mutations F1534C and V1016G/I were detected in most Ae. aegypti populations. Additionally, double mutant (F1534C + V1016G/I) mosquitoes were found in some populations, and in one case, triple mutant (F1534C + V1016G/I + S989P) mosquitoes were detected. Metabolic resistance, as reflected by overexpression of three P450 genes (CYP6BB2, CYP9J26, and CYP9J32), was also detected in Ae. aegypti mosquitoes. Our study provides information that could be used to strategize future vector control strategies and highlights the importance of continuing vector surveillance. Future studies should assess the effect of piperonyl butoxide (PBO) on metabolic resistance and identify the different strains of Wolbachia spp., to choose the best vector control strategies in Benin.}, }
@article {pmid38460359, year = {2024}, author = {Zurita, A and Trujillo, I and Cutillas, C}, title = {New records of pathogenic bacteria in different species of fleas collected from domestic and peridomestic animals in Spain. A potential zoonotic threat?.}, journal = {Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases}, volume = {107}, number = {}, pages = {102153}, doi = {10.1016/j.cimid.2024.102153}, pmid = {38460359}, issn = {1878-1667}, mesh = {Animals ; Dogs ; *Siphonaptera/microbiology ; Spain/epidemiology ; *Ctenocephalides/genetics ; *Rickettsia felis/genetics ; *Flea Infestations/epidemiology/veterinary/microbiology ; *Bartonella/genetics ; *Rickettsia ; *Felis ; }, abstract = {Climate change is causing many vectors of infectious diseases to expand their geographic distribution as well as the pathogens they transmit are also conditioned by temperature for their multiplication. Within this context, it is worth highlighting the significant role that fleas can play as vectors of important pathogenic bacteria. For this purpose, our efforts focused on detecting and identifying a total of 9 bacterial genera (Rickettsia sp.; Bartonella sp.; Yersinia sp.; Wolbachia sp., Mycobacterium sp., Leishmania sp., Borrelia sp., Francisella sp. and Coxiella sp.) within fleas isolated from domestic and peridomestic animals in the southwestern region of Spain (Andalusia). Over a 19-months period, we obtained flea samples from dogs, cats and hedgehogs. A total of 812 fleas was collected for this study. Five different species were morphologically identified, including C. felis, C. canis, S. cuniculi, P. irritans, and A. erinacei. Wolbachia sp. was detected in all five species identified in our study which a total prevalence of 86%. Within Rickettsia genus, two different species, R. felis and R. asembonensis were mainly identified in C. felis and A. erinacei, respectively. On the other hand, our results revealed a total of 131 fleas testing positive for the presence of Bartonella sp., representing a prevalence rate of 16% for this genus identifying two species B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae. Lastly, both Y. pestis and L. infantum were detected in DNA of P. irritans and C. felis, respectively isolated from dogs. With these data we update the list of bacterial zoonotic agents found in fleas in Spain, emphasizing the need to continue conducting future experimental studies to assess and confirm the potential vectorial role of certain synanthropic fleas.}, }
@article {pmid38458883, year = {2024}, author = {Moore, CO and André, MR and Šlapeta, J and Breitschwerdt, EB}, title = {Vector biology of the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis.}, journal = {Trends in parasitology}, volume = {40}, number = {4}, pages = {324-337}, pmid = {38458883}, issn = {1471-5007}, support = {T32 GM133366/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Cats ; *Ctenocephalides/microbiology ; *Flea Infestations/veterinary/epidemiology/microbiology ; *Rickettsia ; *Bartonella ; Biology ; *Felis ; *Rickettsia felis/genetics ; *Cat Diseases ; *Siphonaptera/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Ctenocephalides felis, the cat flea, is among the most prevalent and widely dispersed vectors worldwide. Unfortunately, research on C. felis and associated pathogens (Bartonella and Rickettsia spp.) lags behind that of other vectors and vector-borne pathogens. Therefore, we aimed to review fundamental aspects of C. felis as a vector (behavior, epidemiology, phylogenetics, immunology, and microbiome composition) with an emphasis on key techniques and research avenues employed in other vector species. Future laboratory C. felis experimental infections with Bartonella, Rickettsia, and Wolbachia species/strains should examine the vector-pathogen interface utilizing contemporary visualization, transcriptomic, and gene-editing techniques. Further environmental sampling will inform the range and prevalence of C. felis and associated pathogens, improving the accuracy of vector and pathogen modeling to improve infection/infestation risk assessment and diagnostic recommendations.}, }
@article {pmid38454541, year = {2024}, author = {Carlassara, M and Khorramnejad, A and Oker, H and Bahrami, R and Lozada-Chávez, AN and Mancini, MV and Quaranta, S and Body, MJA and Lahondère, C and Bonizzoni, M}, title = {Population-specific responses to developmental temperature in the arboviral vector Aedes albopictus: Implications for climate change.}, journal = {Global change biology}, volume = {30}, number = {3}, pages = {e17226}, doi = {10.1111/gcb.17226}, pmid = {38454541}, issn = {1365-2486}, support = {//2022J45MLL/ ; PE00000007//NextGeneration EU-MUR PNRR Extended Partnership/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Climate Change ; Temperature ; *Aedes/physiology ; Global Warming ; Larva/physiology ; }, abstract = {The increase of environmental temperature due to current global warming is not only favouring the expansion of the distribution range of many insect species, but it is also changing their phenology. Insect phenology is tightly linked to developmental timing, which is regulated by environmental temperatures. However, the degree to which the effects of developmental temperatures extend across developmental stages and their inter-stage relationships have not been thoroughly quantified in mosquitoes. Here, we used the mosquito Aedes albopictus, which is an aggressive invasive species and an arboviral vector, to study how developmental temperature influences fitness across developmental stages, thermal traits, energy reserves, transcriptome and Wolbachia prevalence in laboratory-reared populations originally collected from either temperate or tropical regions. We show that hatchability, larval and pupal viability and developmental speed are strongly influenced by temperature, and these effects extend to wing length, body mass, longevity and content of water, protein and lipids in adults in a population-specific manner. On the contrary, neither adult thermal preference nor heat resistance significantly change with temperature. Wolbachia density was generally lower in adult mosquitoes reared at 18°C than at other tested temperatures, and transcriptome analysis showed enrichment for functions linked to stress responses (i.e. cuticle proteins and chitin, cytochrome p450 and heat shock proteins) in mosquitoes reared at both 18 and 32°C. Our data showed an overall reduced vector fitness performance when mosquitoes were reared at 32°C, and the absence of isomorphy in the relationship between developmental stages and temperature in the laboratory population deriving from larvae collected in northern Italy. Altogether, these results have important implications for reliable model projections of the invasion potentials of Ae. albopictus and its epidemiological impact.}, }
@article {pmid38452081, year = {2024}, author = {Kaur, R and McGarry, A and Shropshire, JD and Leigh, BA and Bordenstein, SR}, title = {Prophage proteins alter long noncoding RNA and DNA of developing sperm to induce a paternal-effect lethality.}, journal = {Science (New York, N.Y.)}, volume = {383}, number = {6687}, pages = {1111-1117}, pmid = {38452081}, issn = {1095-9203}, support = {F32 AI140694/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI132581/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI143725/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; Cytoplasm/metabolism ; DNA/metabolism ; *Prophages/genetics/metabolism ; *RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism ; *Spermatozoa/growth &amp; development/metabolism ; *Wolbachia/metabolism/virology ; *Paternal Inheritance ; *Viral Proteins/metabolism ; *Drosophila melanogaster/genetics/microbiology ; *Bacterial Proteins/metabolism ; *Deoxyribonucleases/metabolism ; }, abstract = {The extent to which prophage proteins interact with eukaryotic macromolecules is largely unknown. In this work, we show that cytoplasmic incompatibility factor A (CifA) and B (CifB) proteins, encoded by prophage WO of the endosymbiont Wolbachia, alter long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and DNA during Drosophila sperm development to establish a paternal-effect embryonic lethality known as cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). CifA is a ribonuclease (RNase) that depletes a spermatocyte lncRNA important for the histone-to-protamine transition of spermiogenesis. Both CifA and CifB are deoxyribonucleases (DNases) that elevate DNA damage in late spermiogenesis. lncRNA knockdown enhances CI, and mutagenesis links lncRNA depletion and subsequent sperm chromatin integrity changes to embryonic DNA damage and CI. Hence, prophage proteins interact with eukaryotic macromolecules during gametogenesis to create a symbiosis that is fundamental to insect evolution and vector control.}, }
@article {pmid38450861, year = {2024}, author = {Urakova, N and Joseph, RE and Huntsinger, A and Macias, VM and Jones, MJ and Sigle, LT and Li, M and Akbari, OS and Xi, Z and Lymperopoulos, K and Sayre, RT and McGraw, EA and Rasgon, JL}, title = {Alpha-mannosidase-2 modulates arbovirus infection in a pathogen- and Wolbachia-specific manner in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.}, journal = {Insect molecular biology}, volume = {33}, number = {4}, pages = {362-371}, pmid = {38450861}, issn = {1365-2583}, support = {1645331//National Science Foundation/ ; R01 AI151004/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; HR0011-17-2-0047//Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/ ; R01AI150251/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; //Pebble Labs/ ; //Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Endowment/ ; R01 AI143758/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01AI116636/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI156078/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI150251/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI116636/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01AI143758/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; R21AI156078/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; R01AI151004/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; AID-OAA-F-16-00082//United States Agency for International Development/ ; DP2 AI152071/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; DP2AI152071/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Aedes/microbiology/virology/genetics ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; *alpha-Mannosidase/metabolism/genetics ; Dengue Virus/physiology ; Arboviruses/physiology ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/virology/genetics ; Female ; Arbovirus Infections/transmission ; Insect Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; CRISPR-Cas Systems ; }, abstract = {Multiple Wolbachia strains can block pathogen infection, replication and/or transmission in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes under both laboratory and field conditions. However, Wolbachia effects on pathogens can be highly variable across systems and the factors governing this variability are not well understood. It is increasingly clear that the mosquito host is not a passive player in which Wolbachia governs pathogen transmission phenotypes; rather, the genetics of the host can significantly modulate Wolbachia-mediated pathogen blocking. Specifically, previous work linked variation in Wolbachia pathogen blocking to polymorphisms in the mosquito alpha-mannosidase-2 (αMan2) gene. Here we use CRISPR-Cas9 mutagenesis to functionally test this association. We developed αMan2 knockouts and examined effects on both Wolbachia and virus levels, using dengue virus (DENV; Flaviviridae) and Mayaro virus (MAYV; Togaviridae). Wolbachia titres were significantly elevated in αMan2 knockout (KO) mosquitoes, but there were complex interactions with virus infection and replication. In Wolbachia-uninfected mosquitoes, the αMan2 KO mutation was associated with decreased DENV titres, but in a Wolbachia-infected background, the αMan2 KO mutation significantly increased virus titres. In contrast, the αMan2 KO mutation significantly increased MAYV replication in Wolbachia-uninfected mosquitoes and did not affect Wolbachia-mediated virus blocking. These results demonstrate that αMan2 modulates arbovirus infection in A. aegypti mosquitoes in a pathogen- and Wolbachia-specific manner, and that Wolbachia-mediated pathogen blocking is a complex phenotype dependent on the mosquito host genotype and the pathogen. These results have a significant impact for the design and use of Wolbachia-based strategies to control vector-borne pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid38450576, year = {2024}, author = {Mancini, MV and Murdochy, SM and Bilgo, E and Ant, TH and Gingell, D and Gnambani, EJ and Failloux, AB and Diabate, A and Sinkins, SP}, title = {Wolbachia strain wAlbB shows favourable characteristics for dengue control use in Aedes aegypti from Burkina Faso.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {26}, number = {3}, pages = {e16588}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16588}, pmid = {38450576}, issn = {1462-2920}, support = {AV/PP0025/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; 108508/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 226166/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Burkina Faso/epidemiology ; *Aedes ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Asia ; *Dengue/prevention &amp; control ; }, abstract = {Dengue represents an increasing public health burden worldwide. In Africa, underreporting and misdiagnosis often mask its true epidemiology, and dengue is likely to be both more widespread than reported data suggest and increasing in incidence and distribution. Wolbachia-based dengue control is underway in Asia and the Americas but has not to date been deployed in Africa. Due to the genetic heterogeneity of African Aedes aegypti populations and the complexity of the host-symbiont interactions, characterization of key parameters of Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes is paramount for determining the potential of the system as a control tool for dengue in Africa. The wAlbB Wolbachia strain was stably introduced into an African Ae. aegypti population by introgression, and showed high intracellular density in whole bodies and different mosquito tissues; high intracellular density was also maintained following larval rearing at high temperatures. No effect on the adult lifespan induced by Wolbachia presence was detected. Moreover, the ability of this strain to strongly inhibit DENV-2 dissemination and transmission in the host was also demonstrated in the African background. Our findings suggest the potential of harnessing Wolbachia for dengue control for African populations of Ae. aegypti.}, }
@article {pmid38446807, year = {2024}, author = {Pérez-Guerra, CL and Rosado-Santiago, C and Ramos, SA and Marrero-Santos, KM and González-Zeno, G and Partridge, SK and Rivera-Amill, V and Paz-Bailey, G and Sánchez-González, L and Hayden, MH}, title = {Acceptability of emergent Aedes aegypti vector control methods in Ponce, Puerto Rico: A qualitative assessment.}, journal = {PLOS global public health}, volume = {4}, number = {3}, pages = {e0002744}, pmid = {38446807}, issn = {2767-3375}, support = {U01 CK000580/CK/NCEZID CDC HHS/United States ; U01CK000437/ACL/ACL HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Aedes aegypti control has been fraught with challenges in Puerto Rico. The government has implemented commonly used vector control methods, but arboviral epidemics still occur. It is necessary to explore new Ae. aegypti control methods. This study aimed to understand the perceptions of community members in Ponce, Puerto Rico about emergent and traditional Ae. aegypti vector control methods and determine their acceptability and support for these methods. We identified the type of information needed to increase support for emergent vector control methods, and the preferred strategies to disseminate this information. Four group discussions were conducted with a total of 32 participants representing eight of the 14 clusters participating in the Communities Organized for the Prevention of Arboviruses (COPA), a project designed to mobilize communities in Ponce, Puerto Rico to prevent diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. Group discussions began with an overview of different methods used for controlling Ae. aegypti mosquitoes. These overviews facilitated participant understanding of the mosquito control methods presented. Use of source reduction, autocidal gravid ovitraps (AGO), and manual application of larvicide for arboviral mosquito control received support from almost all participants. Vector control methods that use more familiar techniques in Puerto Rico such as truck-mounted larvicide spraying (TMLS) and insecticide residual spraying received support from most participants. More than half of participants supported the use of emergent mosquito control methods including Wolbachia suppression, Wolbachia replacement, or genetically modified mosquitoes (GMM). Participants preferred to receive vector control information through house-to-house visits with the distribution of written materials, followed by dissemination of information through traditional (i.e., radio, television) and social media. The detailed information resulting from this study was used to develop messages for a communications campaign to garner future community support. Community acceptance and support are critical for the success of vector control programs using emergent mosquito control methods.}, }
@article {pmid38437189, year = {2024}, author = {Dye, D and Cain, JW}, title = {Efficacy of Wolbachia-based mosquito control: Predictions of a spatially discrete mathematical model.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {19}, number = {3}, pages = {e0297964}, pmid = {38437189}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Female ; Humans ; Animals ; Male ; *Wolbachia ; *Aedes ; *Charadriiformes ; Cytoplasm ; Cytosol ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is an endosymbiont bacterium present in many insect species. When Wolbachia-carrying male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes mate with non-carrier females, their embryos are not viable due to cytoplasmic incompatibility. This phenomenon has been exploited successfully for the purpose of controlling mosquito populations and the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses: Wolbachia carriers are bred and released into the environment. Because Wolbachia is not harmful to humans, this method of mosquito control is regarded as a safer alternative to pesticide spraying. In this article, we introduce a mathematical framework for exploring (i) whether a one-time release of Wolbachia carriers can elicit a sustained presence of carriers near the release site, and (ii) the extent to which spatial propagation of carriers may allow them to establish fixation in other territories. While some prior studies have formulated mosquito dispersal models using advection-reaction-diffusion PDEs, the predictive power of such models requires careful ecological mapping: advection and diffusion coefficients exhibit significant spatial dependence due to heterogeneity of resources and topography. Here, we adopt a courser-grained view, regarding the environment as a network of discrete, diffusively-coupled "habitats"-distinct zones of high mosquito density such as stagnant ponds. We extend two previously published single-habitat mosquito models to multiple habitats, and calculate rates of migration between pairs of habitats using dispersal kernels. Our primary results are quantitative estimates regarding how the success of carrier fixation in one or more habitats is determined by: the number of carriers released, sizes of habitats, distances between habitats, and the rate of migration between habitats. Besides yielding sensible and potentially useful predictions regarding the success of Wolbachia-based control, our framework applies to other approaches (e.g., gene drives) and contexts beyond the realm of insect pest control.}, }
@article {pmid38431055, year = {2024}, author = {Walt, HK and King, JG and Sheele, JM and Meyer, F and Pietri, JE and Hoffmann, FG}, title = {Do bed bugs transmit human viruses, or do humans spread bed bugs and their viruses? A worldwide survey of the bed bug RNA virosphere.}, journal = {Virus research}, volume = {343}, number = {}, pages = {199349}, pmid = {38431055}, issn = {1872-7492}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Bedbugs ; Feeding Behavior ; Disease Vectors ; *Arthropods ; *Viruses ; }, abstract = {BED BUGS: (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) are a globally distributed hematophagous pest that routinely feed on humans. Unlike many blood-sucking arthropods, they have never been linked to pathogen transmission in a natural setting, and despite increasing interest in their role as disease vectors, little is known about the viruses that bed bugs naturally harbor. Here, we present a global-scale survey of the bed bug RNA virosphere. We sequenced the metatranscriptomes of 22 individual bed bugs (Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus) from 8 locations around the world. We detected sequences from two known bed bug viruses (Shuangao bedbug virus 1 and Shuangao bedbug virus 2) which extends their geographical range. We identified three novel bed bug virus sequences from a tenui-like virus (Bunyavirales), a toti-like virus (Ghabrivirales), and a luteo-like virus (Tolivirales). Interestingly, some of the bed bug viruses branch near to insect-transmitted plant-infecting viruses, opening questions regarding the evolution of plant virus infection. When we analyzed the viral sequences by their host's collection location, we found unexpected patterns of geographical diversity that may reflect humans' role in bed bug dispersal. Additionally, we investigated the effect that Wolbachia, the primary bed bug endosymbiont, may have on viral abundance and found that Wolbachia infection neither promotes nor inhibits viral infection. Finally, our results provide no evidence that bed bugs transmit any known human pathogenic viruses.}, }
@article {pmid38427588, year = {2024}, author = {Aldridge, RL and Gibson, S and Linthicum, KJ}, title = {Aedes aegypti Controls AE. Aegypti: SIT and IIT-An Overview.}, journal = {Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association}, volume = {40}, number = {1}, pages = {32-49}, doi = {10.2987/23-7154}, pmid = {38427588}, issn = {1943-6270}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Aedes ; Mosquito Control/methods ; *Wolbachia ; Mosquito Vectors ; Insecta ; }, abstract = {The sterile insect technique (SIT) and the incompatible insect technique (IIT) are emerging and potentially revolutionary tools for controlling Aedes aegypti (L.), a prominent worldwide mosquito vector threat to humans that is notoriously difficult to reduce or eliminate in intervention areas using traditional integrated vector management (IVM) approaches. Here we provide an overview of the discovery, development, and application of SIT and IIT to Ae. aegypti control, and innovations and advances in technology, including transgenics, that could elevate these techniques to a worldwide sustainable solution to Ae. aegypti when combined with other IVM practices.}, }
@article {pmid38426058, year = {2024}, author = {Cantin, LJ and Dunning Hotopp, JC and Foster, JM}, title = {Improved metagenome assemblies through selective enrichment of bacterial genomic DNA from eukaryotic host genomic DNA using ATAC-seq.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1352378}, pmid = {38426058}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Genomics can be used to study the complex relationships between hosts and their microbiota. Many bacteria cannot be cultured in the laboratory, making it difficult to obtain adequate amounts of bacterial DNA and to limit host DNA contamination for the construction of metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs). For example, Wolbachia is a genus of exclusively obligate intracellular bacteria that live in a wide range of arthropods and some nematodes. While Wolbachia endosymbionts are frequently described as facultative reproductive parasites in arthropods, the bacteria are obligate mutualistic endosymbionts of filarial worms. Here, we achieve 50-fold enrichment of bacterial sequences using ATAC-seq (Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin using sequencing) with Brugia malayi nematodes, containing Wolbachia (wBm). ATAC-seq uses the Tn5 transposase to cut and attach Illumina sequencing adapters to accessible DNA lacking histones, typically thought to be open chromatin. Bacterial and mitochondrial DNA in the lysates are also cut preferentially since they lack histones, leading to the enrichment of these sequences. The benefits of this include minimal tissue input (<1 mg of tissue), a quick protocol (<4 h), low sequencing costs, less bias, correct assembly of lateral gene transfers and no prior sequence knowledge required. We assembled the wBm genome with as few as 1 million Illumina short paired-end reads with >97% coverage of the published genome, compared to only 12% coverage with the standard gDNA libraries. We found significant bacterial sequence enrichment that facilitated genome assembly in previously published ATAC-seq data sets from human cells infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and C. elegans contaminated with their food source, the OP50 strain of E. coli. These results demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of using ATAC-seq to easily obtain bacterial genomes to aid in symbiosis, infectious disease, and microbiome research.}, }
@article {pmid38412904, year = {2024}, author = {Liu, K and Fang, S and Li, Q and Lou, Y}, title = {Effectiveness evaluation of mosquito suppression strategies on dengue transmission under changing temperature and precipitation.}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {253}, number = {}, pages = {107159}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107159}, pmid = {38412904}, issn = {1873-6254}, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; *Dengue/epidemiology ; Temperature ; *Aedes ; Mosquito Control ; Models, Theoretical ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Widespread resurgence of dengue outbreaks has seriously threatened the global health. Due to lack of treatments and vaccines, one key strategy in dengue control is to reduce the vector population size. As an environment-friendly mosquito control approach, releasing male mosquitoes transinfected with specific Wolbachia strain into the field to suppress the wild mosquito population size has become wildly accepted. The current study evaluates the effectiveness of this suppression strategy on dengue control under changing temperature and precipitation profiles. We formulate a mathematical model which includes larval intra-specific competition, the maturation period for mosquitoes, the extrinsic incubation period (EIP) and intrinsic incubation period (IIP). The persistence of mosquitoes and disease is discussed in terms of two basic reproduction numbers (RM and R0) and the release ratio pw. Further numerical simulations are carried out to not only validate theoretical results, but also provide interesting quantitative observations. Sensitivity analysis on the reproduction numbers, peak size, peak time and the final epidemic size is performed with respect to model parameters, which highlights effective control measures against dengue transmission. Moreover, by assuming temperature and precipitation dependent mosquito-related parameters, the model can be used to project the effectiveness of releasing Wolbachia-carrying males under climatic variations. It is shown that the effectiveness of various control strategies is highly dependent on the changing temperature and precipitation profiles. In particular, the model projects that it is most challenging to control the disease at the favorable temperature (around 27∼30[∘]C) and precipitation (5∼8mm/day) range, during which the basic reproduction number R0 is very high and more Wolbachia-infected males should be released.}, }
@article {pmid38404602, year = {2024}, author = {Yan, J and Green, K and Noel, K and Kim, CH and Stone, CM}, title = {Effects of seasonality and developed land cover on Culex mosquito abundance and microbiome diversity.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1332970}, pmid = {38404602}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {The vectorial capacity of mosquitoes, which influences the dynamics of vector-borne disease transmission, is intricately linked to mosquito abundance and the composition and diversity of their associated microbiomes. However, the influence of environmental factors on mosquito populations and microbiome diversity remains underexplored. Here we examined the effects of seasonality and developed land cover on Culex mosquito abundance and bacterial diversity. Biweekly field sampling of female Culex mosquitoes was conducted using gravid and CDC light traps, spanning summer to autumn across varying developed land cover levels in two urban areas in Central Illinois. Mosquito abundance was assessed by the number of mosquitoes captured per trap night and compared across seasons and developed levels. The mean mosquito abundance for gravid and light traps was 12.96 ± 2.15 and 7.67 ± 1.44, respectively. Notably, higher levels of developed land cover exhibited higher Culex abundance than the low level for light traps, but no significant difference was found between summer and early autumn. In gravid traps, no significant differences were detected across seasons or developed levels. Microbial analysis of the mosquito microbiome revealed that Proteobacteria and Wolbachia, with a mean relative abundance of 80.77 and 52.66% respectively, were identified as the most dominant bacterial phylum and genus. Their relative abundance remained consistent across seasons and developed land cover levels, with negligible variations. Alpha diversity, as measured by observed species, Chao1, Shannon, and Simpson, showed slightly higher values in early-autumn compared to late-summer. A notable pattern of bacterial diversity, as indicated by all four diversity indexes, is evident across varying levels of land development. Significantly, high or intermediate developed levels consistently showed reduced alpha diversity when compared to the lower level. This underscores the pronounced impact of anthropogenic ecological disturbances in shaping mosquito microbiomes. Beta diversity analysis revealed no significant dissimilarities in bacterial community composition across seasons and developed levels, although some separation was noted among different levels of developed land cover. These findings highlight the significant role of environmental factors in shaping mosquito abundance and their associated microbiomes, with potential implications for the vectorial capacity in the transmission of vector-borne diseases.}, }
@article {pmid38399990, year = {2024}, author = {Corrêa-Antônio, J and David, MR and Couto-Lima, D and Garcia, GA and Keirsebelik, MSG and Maciel-de-Freitas, R and Pavan, MG}, title = {DENV-1 Titer Impacts Viral Blocking in wMel Aedes aegypti with Brazilian Genetic Background.}, journal = {Viruses}, volume = {16}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {38399990}, issn = {1999-4915}, support = {E26/2001.844/2017//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo &#xe0; Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro/ ; E26/210.335/2022//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo &#xe0; Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro/ ; E26/201.370/2022//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo &#xe0; Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro/ ; E26/211.159/2019//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo &#xe0; Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro/ ; finance code 001//Coordena&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de N&#xed;vel Superior/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Aedes ; *Dengue Virus/genetics ; Brazil ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Zika Virus ; *Zika Virus Infection ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Dengue ; }, abstract = {Several countries have been using Wolbachia deployments to replace highly competent native Aedes aegypti populations with Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes with lower susceptibility to arboviruses such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. In Rio de Janeiro, Wolbachia deployments started in 2015 and still present a moderate introgression with a modest reduction in dengue cases in humans (38%). Here, we evaluated the vector competence of wild-type and wMel-infected Ae. aegypti with a Brazilian genetic background to investigate whether virus leakage could contribute to the observed outcomes in Brazil. We collected the specimens in three areas of Rio de Janeiro with distinct frequencies of mosquitoes with wMel strain and two areas with wild Ae. aegypti. The mosquitoes were orally exposed to two titers of DENV-1 and the saliva of DENV-1-infected Ae. aegypti was microinjected into wMel-free mosquitoes to check their infectivity. When infected with the high DENV-1 titer, the presence of wMel did not avoid viral infection in mosquitoes' bodies and saliva but DENV-1-infected wMel mosquitoes produced lower viral loads than wMel-free mosquitoes. On the other hand, wMel mosquitoes infected with the low DENV-1 titer were less susceptible to virus infection than wMel-free mosquitoes, although once infected, wMel and wMel-free mosquitoes exhibited similar viral loads in the body and the saliva. Our results showed viral leakage in 60% of the saliva of wMel mosquitoes with Brazilian background; thus, sustained surveillance is imperative to monitor the presence of other circulating DENV-1 strains capable of overcoming the Wolbachia blocking phenotype, enabling timely implementation of action plans.}, }
@article {pmid38399310, year = {2024}, author = {Voronin, D and Tricoche, N and Peguero, R and Kaminska, AM and Ghedin, E and Sakanari, JA and Lustigman, S}, title = {Repurposed Drugs That Activate Autophagy in Filarial Worms Act as Effective Macrofilaricides.}, journal = {Pharmaceutics}, volume = {16}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {38399310}, issn = {1999-4923}, support = {R21AI153649//National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/ ; ZIA-AI001322//Division of Intramural Research of the NIAID/NIH/ ; }, abstract = {Onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis are two neglected tropical diseases caused by filarial nematodes that utilize insect vectors for transmission to their human hosts. Current control strategies are based on annual or biannual mass drug administration (MDA) of the drugs Ivermectin or Ivermectin plus Albendazole, respectively. These drug regimens kill the first-stage larvae of filarial worms (i.e., microfilariae) and interrupt the transmission of infections. MDA programs for these microfilaricidal drugs must be given over the lifetime of the filarial adult worms, which can reach 15 years in the case of Onchocerca volvulus. This is problematic because of suboptimal responses to ivermectin in various endemic regions and inefficient reduction of transmission even after decades of MDA. There is an urgent need for the development of novel alternative treatments to support the 2030 elimination goals of onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. One successful approach has been to target Wolbachia, obligatory endosymbiotic bacteria on which filarial worms are dependent for their survival and reproduction within the human host. A 4-6-week antibiotic therapy with doxycycline, for example, resulted in the loss of Wolbachia that subsequently led to extensive apoptosis of somatic cells, germline, embryos, and microfilariae, as well as inhibition of fourth-stage larval development. However, this long-course regimen has limited use in MDA programs. As an alternative approach to the use of bacteriostatic antibiotics, in this study, we focused on autophagy-inducing compounds, which we hypothesized could disturb various pathways involved in the interdependency between Wolbachia and filarial worms. We demonstrated that several such compounds, including Niclosamide, an FDA-approved drug, Niclosamide ethanolamine (NEN), and Rottlerin, a natural product derived from Kamala trees, significantly reduced the levels of Wolbachia in vitro. Moreover, when these compounds were used in vivo to treat Brugia pahangi-infected gerbils, Niclosamide and NEN significantly decreased adult worm survival, reduced the release of microfilariae, and decreased embryonic development depending on the regimen and dose used. All three drugs given orally significantly reduced Wolbachia loads and induced an increase in levels of lysosome-associated membrane protein in worms from treated animals, suggesting that Niclosamide, NEN, and Rottlerin were effective in causing drug-induced autophagy in these filarial worms. These repurposed drugs provide a new avenue for the clearance of adult worms in filarial infections.}, }
@article {pmid38394822, year = {2024}, author = {Zhang, X and Ferree, PM}, title = {PSRs: Selfish chromosomes that manipulate reproductive development.}, journal = {Seminars in cell &amp; developmental biology}, volume = {159-160}, number = {}, pages = {66-73}, doi = {10.1016/j.semcdb.2024.01.008}, pmid = {38394822}, issn = {1096-3634}, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; Male ; Female ; *Wasps/genetics ; Semen ; Chromosomes/genetics ; Genome ; Base Sequence ; }, abstract = {B chromosomes are intriguing "selfish" genetic elements, many of which exhibit higher-than-Mendelian transmission. This perspective highlights a group of B chromosomes known as Paternal Sex Ratio chromosomes (PSRs), which are found in several insects with haplo-diploid reproduction. PSRs harshly alter the organism's reproduction to facilitate their own inheritance. A manifestation of this effect is the conversion of female destined individuals into males. Key to this conversion is the mysterious ability of PSRs to cause elimination of the sperm-inherited half of the genome during zygote formation. Here we discuss how PSRs were discovered, what is known about how they alter paternal chromatin dynamics to cause sex conversion, and how PSR-induced genome elimination is different from other forms of programmed genome elimination in different insects. PSRs also stand out because their DNA sequence compositions differ in remarkable ways from their insect's essential chromosomes, a characteristic suggestive of interspecies origins. Broadly, we also highlight poorly understood aspects of PSR dynamics that need to be investigated.}, }
@article {pmid38392845, year = {2024}, author = {Lamichhane, B and Brockway, C and Evasco, K and Nicholson, J and Neville, PJ and Levy, A and Smith, D and Imrie, A}, title = {Metatranscriptomic Sequencing of Medically Important Mosquitoes Reveals Extensive Diversity of RNA Viruses and Other Microbial Communities in Western Australia.}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {13}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {38392845}, issn = {2076-0817}, abstract = {Mosquitoes harbor a wide diversity of microorganisms, including viruses that are human pathogens, or that are insect specific. We used metatranscriptomics, an unbiased high-throughput molecular approach, to describe the composition of viral and other microbial communities in six medically important mosquito species from across Western Australia: Aedes vigilax, Culex annulirostris, Cx. australicus, Cx. globocoxitus, Cx. pipiens biotype molestus, and Cx. quinquefasciatus. We identified 42 viral species, including 13 novel viruses, from 19 families. Culex mosquitoes exhibited a significantly higher diversity of viruses than Aedes mosquitoes, and no virus was shared between the two genera. Comparison of mosquito populations revealed a heterogenous distribution of viruses between geographical regions and between closely related species, suggesting that geography and host species may play a role in shaping virome composition. We also detected bacterial and parasitic microorganisms, among which Wolbachia bacteria were detected in three members of the Cx. pipiens complex, Cx. australicus, Cx. pipiens biotype molestus, and Cx. quinquefasciatus. In summary, our unbiased metatranscriptomics approach provides important insights into viral and other microbial diversity in Western Australian mosquitoes that vector medically important viruses.}, }
@article {pmid38392551, year = {2024}, author = {Zhu, X and Li, J and He, A and Gurr, GM and You, M and You, S}, title = {Developmental Shifts in the Microbiome of a Cosmopolitan Pest: Unraveling the Role of Wolbachia and Dominant Bacteria.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {15}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {38392551}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {2022J06013//The Fujian Natural Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars/ ; 2022L3087//Central&#xa0;Guided&#xa0;Local Science&#xa0;and&#xa0;Technology Development Project/ ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia bacteria (phylum Proteobacteria) are ubiquitous intracellular parasites of diverse invertebrates. In insects, coevolution has forged mutualistic associations with Wolbachia species, influencing reproduction, immunity, development, pathogen resistance, and overall fitness. However, the impact of Wolbachia on other microbial associates within the insect microbiome, which are crucial for host fitness, remains less explored. The diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella), a major pest of cruciferous vegetables worldwide, harbors the dominant Wolbachia strain plutWB1, known to distort its sex ratio. This study investigated the bacterial community diversity and dynamics across different developmental life stages and Wolbachia infection states in P. xylostella using high-throughput 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing. Proteobacteria and Firmicutes dominated the P. xylostella microbiome regardless of life stage or Wolbachia infection. However, the relative abundance of dominant genera, including an unclassified genus of Enterobacteriaceae, Wolbachia, Carnobacterium, and Delftia tsuruhatensis, displayed significant stage-specific variations. While significant differences in bacterial diversity and composition were observed across life stages, Wolbachia infection had no substantial impact on overall diversity. Nonetheless, relative abundances of specific genera differed between infection states. Notably, Wolbachia exhibited a stable, high relative abundance across all stages and negatively correlated with an unclassified genus of Enterobacteriaceae, Delftia tsuruhatensis, and Carnobacterium. Our findings provide a foundational understanding of the complex interplay between the host, Wolbachia, and the associated microbiome in P. xylostella, paving the way for a deeper understanding of their complex interactions and potential implications for pest control strategies.}, }
@article {pmid38392506, year = {2024}, author = {Budrys, E and Orlovskytė, S and Budrienė, A}, title = {Ecological Speciation without Morphological Differentiation? A New Cryptic Species of Diodontus Curtis (Hymenoptera, Pemphredonidae) from the Centre of Europe.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {15}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {38392506}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {Contract No S-MIP-20-23//Lietuvos Mokslo Taryba/ ; }, abstract = {Upon exploring the mitotype diversity of the aphid-hunting wasp, Diodontus tristis, we revealed specimens with highly divergent mitotypes from two localities in Lithuania and nesting in clayey substrate, while the specimens with typical mitotypes were found nesting in sandy sites. The comparison of inter- and intra-specific distances and application of delimitation algorithms supported the species status of the clay-nesting populations. Using a set of DNA markers that included complete or partial sequences of six mitochondrial genes, three markers of ribosomal operon, two homeobox genes, and four other nuclear genes, we clarified the phylogenetic relationships of the new cryptic species. The endosymbiotic bacteria infestation was checked, considering the option that the divergent populations may represent clades isolated by Wolbachia infection; however, it did not demonstrate any specificity. We found only subtle morphological differences in the new clay-nesting species, D. argillicola sp. nov.; the discriminant analysis of morphometric measurements did not reliably segregate it as well. Thus, we provide the molecular characters of the cryptic species, which allow confident identification, its phylogenetic position within the genus, and an updated identification key for the D. tristis species group.}, }
@article {pmid38392339, year = {2024}, author = {Reese, C and Graber, LC and Ramalho, MO and Moreau, CS}, title = {The Diversity of Wolbachia across the Turtle Ants (Formicidae: Cephalotes spp.).}, journal = {Biology}, volume = {13}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {38392339}, issn = {2079-7737}, support = {DGE-1650441; NSF DEB 1900357//National Science Foundation/ ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is a widespread and well-known bacterium that can induce a wide range of changes within its host. Ants specifically harbor a great deal of Wolbachia diversity and are useful systems to study endosymbiosis. The turtle ants (Cephalotes) are a widespread group of tropical ants that rely on gut microbes to support their herbivorous diet for their survival, yet little is known of the extent of this diversity. Therefore, studying their endosymbionts and categorizing the diversity of bacteria within Cephalotes hosts could help to delimit species and identify new strains and can help lead to a further understanding of how the microbiome leads to survival and speciation in the wild. In our study, 116 individual samples were initially tested for positive infection with the wsp gene. Of the initial 116 samples, 9 samples were infected with only one strain of Wolbachia, and 7 were able to be used successfully for multilocus sequence typing (MLST). We used the new MLST data to infer a phylogeny with other Formicidae samples from the MLST online database to identify new Wolbachia strains and related genes, of which only one came back as an exact match. The 18 Wolbachia-positive samples ranged across 15 different species and 7 different countries, which we further test for species identity and geographic correlation. This study is the first comprehensive look into the diversity of Wolbachia in the turtle ants, providing insight into how endosymbionts are oriented in widespread species and providing a strong foundation for further research in host-microbe interactions.}, }
@article {pmid38388801, year = {2024}, author = {Ye, QT and Gong, X and Liu, HH and Wu, BX and Peng, CW and Hong, XY and Bing, XL}, title = {The symbiont Wolbachia alleviates pesticide susceptibility in the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae through enhanced host detoxification pathways.}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.13341}, pmid = {38388801}, issn = {1744-7917}, support = {32020103011//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32372528//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; TJ-2023-038//Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by Jiangsu Association for Science and Technology/ ; BK20211213//Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province/ ; }, abstract = {The two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) is one of the most well-known pesticide-resistant agricultural pests, with resistance often attributed to changes such as target-site mutations and detoxification activation. Recent studies show that pesticide resistance can also be influenced by symbionts, but their involvement in this process in spider mites remains uncertain. Here, we found that infection with Wolbachia, a well-known bacterial reproductive manipulator, significantly increased mite survival after exposure to the insecticides abamectin, cyflumetofen, and pyridaben. Wolbachia-infected (WI) mites showed higher expression of detoxification genes such as P450, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), ABC transporters, and carboxyl/cholinesterases. RNA interference experiments confirmed the role of the two above-mentioned detoxification genes, TuCYP392D2 and TuGSTd05, in pesticide resistance. Increased GST activities were also observed in abamectin-treated WI mites. In addition, when wild populations were treated with abamectin, WI mites generally showed better survival than uninfected mites. However, genetically homogeneous mites with different Wolbachia strains showed similar survival. Finally, abamectin treatment increased Wolbachia abundance without altering the mite's bacterial community. This finding highlights the role of Wolbachia in orchestrating pesticide resistance by modulating host detoxification. By unraveling the intricate interplay between symbionts and pesticide resistance, our study lays the groundwork for pioneering strategies to combat agricultural pests.}, }
@article {pmid38381797, year = {2024}, author = {Mendoza-Roldan, JA and Perles, L and Filippi, E and Szafranski, N and Montinaro, G and Carbonara, M and Scalera, R and de Abreu Teles, PP and Walochnik, J and Otranto, D}, title = {Parasites and microorganisms associated with the snakes collected for the "festa Dei serpari" in Cocullo, Italy.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {18}, number = {2}, pages = {e0011973}, pmid = {38381797}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Parasites ; *Cryptosporidiosis ; *Tick-Borne Diseases/microbiology ; *Cryptosporidium ; *Rickettsia ; Italy/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {While in much of the Western world snakes are feared, in the small, rural, mountainous town of Cocullo, in the middle of central Italy, snakes are annually collected and celebrated in a sacro-profane ritual. Every 1st of May, Serpari (snake catchers) capture and showcase dozens of non-venomous snakes to celebrate the ritual of San Domenico. In order to detect potential zoonotic pathogens within this unique epidemiological context, parasites and microorganisms of snakes harvested for the "festa dei serpari" ritual were investigated. Snakes (n = 112) were examined and ectoparasites collected, as well as blood and feces sampled. Ectoparasites were identified morpho-molecularly, and coprological examination conducted through direct smear and flotation. Molecular screenings were performed to identify parasites and microorganisms in collected samples (i.e., Mesostigmata mites, Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp., Rickettsia spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Coxiella burnetii, Babesia/Theileria spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp., Leishmania spp. and helminths). Overall, 28.5% (32/112) of snakes were molecularly positive for at least one parasite and/or microorganism. Endosymbiont Wolbachia bacteria were identified from Macronyssidae mites and zoonotic vector-borne pathogens (e.g., Rickettsia, Leishmania), as well as orally transmitted pathogens (i.e., Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas), were detected from blood and feces. Thus, given the central role of the snakes in the tradition of Cocullo, surveys of their parasitic fauna and associated zoonotic pathogens may aid to generate conservation policies to benefit the human-snake interactions, whilst preserving the cultural patrimony of this event.}, }
@article {pmid38380092, year = {2024}, author = {Pramono, AK and Hidayanti, AK and Tagami, Y and Ando, H}, title = {Bacterial community and genome analysis of cytoplasmic incompatibility-inducing Wolbachia in American serpentine leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1304401}, pmid = {38380092}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Liriomyza trifolii, an agricultural pest, is occasionally infected by Wolbachia. A Wolbachia strain present in Liriomyza trifolii is associated with cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) effects, leading to the death of embryos resulting from incompatible crosses between antibiotic-treated or naturally Wolbachia-free strain females and Wolbachia-infected males. In this study, high-throughput sequencing of hypervariable rRNA genes was employed to characterize the bacterial community in Wolbachia-infected L. trifolii without antibiotic treatment. The analysis revealed that Wolbachia dominates the bacterial community in L. trifolii, with minor presence of Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, and Limnobacter. To elucidate the genetic basis of the CI phenotype, metagenomic sequencing was also conducted to assemble the genome of the Wolbachia strain. The draft-genome of the Wolbachia strain wLtri was 1.35 Mbp with 34% GC content and contained 1,487 predicted genes. Notably, within the wLtri genome, there are three distinct types of cytoplasmic incompatibility factor (cif) genes: Type I, Type III, and Type V cifA;B. These genes are likely responsible for inducing the strong cytoplasmic incompatibility observed in L. trifolii.}, }
@article {pmid38374896, year = {2024}, author = {Mazel, F and Pitteloud, C and Guisan, A and Pellissier, L}, title = {Contrasted host specificity of gut and endosymbiont bacterial communities in alpine grasshoppers and crickets.}, journal = {ISME communications}, volume = {4}, number = {1}, pages = {ycad013}, pmid = {38374896}, issn = {2730-6151}, abstract = {Bacteria colonize the body of macroorganisms to form associations ranging from parasitic to mutualistic. Endosymbiont and gut symbiont communities are distinct microbiomes whose compositions are influenced by host ecology and evolution. Although the composition of horizontally acquired symbiont communities can correlate to host species identity (i.e. harbor host specificity) and host phylogeny (i.e. harbor phylosymbiosis), we hypothesize that the microbiota structure of vertically inherited symbionts (e.g. endosymbionts like Wolbachia) is more strongly associated with the host species identity and phylogeny than horizontally acquired symbionts (e.g. most gut symbionts). Here, using 16S metabarcoding on 336 guts from 24 orthopteran species (grasshoppers and crickets) in the Alps, we observed that microbiota correlated to host species identity, i.e. hosts from the same species had more similar microbiota than hosts from different species. This effect was ~5 times stronger for endosymbionts than for putative gut symbionts. Although elevation correlated with microbiome composition, we did not detect phylosymbiosis for endosymbionts and putative gut symbionts: closely related host species did not harbor more similar microbiota than distantly related species. Our findings indicate that gut microbiota of studied orthopteran species is more correlated to host identity and habitat than to the host phylogeny. The higher host specificity in endosymbionts corroborates the idea that-everything else being equal-vertically transmitted microbes harbor stronger host specificity signal, but the absence of phylosymbiosis suggests that host specificity changes quickly on evolutionary time scales.}, }
@article {pmid38362501, year = {2024}, author = {Hegde, S and Marriott, AE and Pionnier, N and Steven, A and Bulman, C and Gunderson, E and Vogel, I and Koschel, M and Ehrens, A and Lustigman, S and Voronin, D and Tricoche, N and Hoerauf, A and Hübner, MP and Sakanari, J and Aljayyoussi, G and Gusovsky, F and Dagley, J and Hong, DW and O'Neill, P and Ward, SA and Taylor, MJ and Turner, JD}, title = {Combinations of the azaquinazoline anti-Wolbachia agent, AWZ1066S, with benzimidazole anthelmintics synergise to mediate sub-seven-day sterilising and curative efficacies in experimental models of filariasis.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1346068}, pmid = {38362501}, issn = {1664-302X}, support = {MC_PC_18055/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, abstract = {Lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis are two major neglected tropical diseases that are responsible for causing severe disability in 50 million people worldwide, whilst veterinary filariasis (heartworm) is a potentially lethal parasitic infection of companion animals. There is an urgent need for safe, short-course curative (macrofilaricidal) drugs to eliminate these debilitating parasite infections. We investigated combination treatments of the novel anti-Wolbachia azaquinazoline small molecule, AWZ1066S, with benzimidazole drugs (albendazole or oxfendazole) in up to four different rodent filariasis infection models: Brugia malayi-CB.17 SCID mice, B. malayi-Mongolian gerbils, B. pahangi-Mongolian gerbils, and Litomosoides sigmodontis-Mongolian gerbils. Combination treatments synergised to elicit threshold (>90%) Wolbachia depletion from female worms in 5 days of treatment, using 2-fold lower dose-exposures of AWZ1066S than monotherapy. Short-course lowered dose AWZ1066S-albendazole combination treatments also delivered partial adulticidal activities and/or long-lasting inhibition of embryogenesis, resulting in complete transmission blockade in B. pahangi and L. sigmodontis gerbil models. We determined that short-course AWZ1066S-albendazole co-treatment significantly augmented the depletion of Wolbachia populations within both germline and hypodermal tissues of B. malayi female worms and in hypodermal tissues in male worms, indicating that anti-Wolbachia synergy is not limited to targeting female embryonic tissues. Our data provides pre-clinical proof-of-concept that sub-seven-day combinations of rapid-acting novel anti-Wolbachia agents with benzimidazole anthelmintics are a promising curative and transmission-blocking drug treatment strategy for filarial diseases of medical and veterinary importance.}, }
@article {pmid38348307, year = {2023}, author = {Yang, K and Zhang, HY and Wang, P and Jin, GX and Chu, D}, title = {Both symbionts and environmental factors contribute to shape the microbiota in a pest insect, Sogatella furcifera.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1336345}, pmid = {38348307}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Bacterial symbionts are prevalent in arthropods globally and play a vital role in the fitness and resistance of hosts. While several symbiont infections have been identified in the white-backed planthopper Sogatella furcifera, the impact of environmental factors on the microbiota within S. furcifera remains elusive.<br><br>METHODS: In this study, a total of 142 S. furcifera individuals from 18 populations were collected from 14 locations across six countries (China, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos) analyzed with 2bRAD-M sequencing, to examine the effects of symbionts on the microbiota in the S. furcifera population, as well as the vital effects of environmental factors on the bacterial communities.<br><br>RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Based on the results, in S. furcifera, the presence of symbionts Wolbachia and Cardinium negatively influenced the abundance of other bacteria, including Enterobacter, Acinetobacter, and Lysinibacillus, while Wolbachia infection significantly decreased the diversity of the microbial community. Moreover, several environmental factors, including longitude, latitude, temperature, and precipitation, affected the abundance of symbionts and microbiota diversity in S. furcifera. These results collectively highlight the vital role of Wolbachia in S. furcifera microbiota, as well as the intricate effects of environmental factors on the bacterial communities of S. furcifera.}, }
@article {pmid38342109, year = {2024}, author = {Lim, JT and Bansal, S and Chong, CS and Dickens, B and Ng, Y and Deng, L and Lee, C and Tan, LY and Chain, G and Ma, P and Sim, S and Tan, CH and Cook, AR and Ng, LC}, title = {Efficacy of Wolbachia-mediated sterility to reduce the incidence of dengue: a synthetic control study in Singapore.}, journal = {The Lancet. Microbe}, volume = {5}, number = {5}, pages = {e422-e432}, doi = {10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00397-X}, pmid = {38342109}, issn = {2666-5247}, mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology ; *Dengue/prevention &amp; control/epidemiology/transmission ; Singapore/epidemiology ; Animals ; *Aedes/microbiology/virology ; Incidence ; Female ; Male ; *Mosquito Control/methods ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/virology ; Humans ; Dengue Virus ; Pest Control, Biological/methods ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Due to the absence of available therapeutics and good vaccines, vector control solutions are needed to mitigate the spread of dengue. Matings between male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes infected with the wAlbB strain of Wolbachia and wildtype females yield non-viable eggs. We evaluated the efficacy of releasing wAlbB-infected A aegypti male mosquitoes to suppress dengue incidence.<br><br>METHODS: In this synthetic control study, we conducted large-scale field trials in Singapore involving release of wAlbB-infected A&#xa0;aegypti male mosquitoes for dengue control via vector population suppression, from epidemiological week (EW) 27, 2018, to EW 26, 2022. We selected two large towns (Yishun and Tampines) to adopt an expanding release strategy and two smaller towns (Bukit Batok and Choa Chu Kang) to adopt a targeted-release approach. Releases were&#xa0;conducted two times a week in high-rise public housing estates. All intervention and control locations practised the same baseline dengue control protocol. The main outcome was weekly dengue incidence rate caused by any dengue&#xa0;virus serotype. We used incidence data collected by the Singapore Ministry of Health to assess the efficacy of the&#xa0;interventions. To compare interventions, we used the synthetic control method to generate appropriate counterfactuals for the intervention towns using a weighted combination of 30 control towns between EW 1, 2014 and EW 26,&#xa0;2022.<br><br>FINDINGS: Our study comprised an at-risk population of 607&#x2009;872 individuals living in intervention sites and 3&#x2009;894&#x2009;544 individuals living in control sites. Interventions demonstrated up to 77&#xb7;28% (121/156, 95% CI 75&#xb7;81-78&#xb7;58) intervention efficacy despite incomplete coverage across all towns until EW 26, 2022. Intervention efficacies increased as release coverage increased across all intervention sites. Releases led to 2242 (95% CI 2092-2391) fewer cases per 100&#x2009;000 people in intervention sites during the study period. Secondary analysis showed that these intervention effects were replicated across all age groups and both sexes for intervention sites.<br><br>INTERPRETATION: Our results demonstrated the potential of Wolbachia-mediated incompatible insect technique for strengthening dengue control in tropical cities, where dengue burden is the greatest.<br><br>FUNDING: Singapore Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Sustainability, and the National Environment Agency, and the Singapore National Robotics Program.}, }
@article {pmid38327789, year = {2024}, author = {Hoffmann, AA and Ahmad, NW and Keong, WM and Ling, CY and Ahmad, NA and Golding, N and Tierney, N and Jelip, J and Putit, PW and Mokhtar, N and Sandhu, SS and Ming, LS and Khairuddin, K and Denim, K and Rosli, NM and Shahar, H and Omar, T and Ridhuan Ghazali, MK and Aqmar Mohd Zabari, NZ and Abdul Karim, MA and Saidin, MI and Mohd Nasir, MN and Aris, T and Sinkins, SP}, title = {Introduction of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes carrying wAlbB Wolbachia sharply decreases dengue incidence in disease hotspots.}, journal = {iScience}, volume = {27}, number = {2}, pages = {108942}, pmid = {38327789}, issn = {2589-0042}, support = {MC_UU_00034/4/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; 108508/A/15/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 202888/Z/16/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; MC_UU_12014/8/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; /WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, abstract = {Partial replacement of resident Aedes aegypti mosquitoes with introduced mosquitoes carrying certain strains of inherited Wolbachia symbionts can result in transmission blocking of dengue and other viruses of public health importance. Wolbachia strain wAlbB is an effective transmission blocker and stable at high temperatures, making it particularly suitable for hot tropical climates. Following trial field releases in Malaysia, releases using wAlbB Ae. aegypti have become operationalized by the Malaysian health authorities. We report here on an average reduction in dengue fever of 62.4% (confidence intervals 50-71%) in 20 releases sites when compared to 76 control sites in high-rise residential areas. Importantly the level of dengue reduction increased with Wolbachia frequency, with 75.8% reduction (61-87%) estimated at 100% Wolbachia frequency. These findings indicate large impacts of wAlbB Wolbachia invasions on dengue fever incidence in an operational setting, with incidence expected to further decrease as wider areas are invaded.}, }
@article {pmid38327358, year = {2023}, author = {Liu, Y and Zhao, L and Qiu, Z and Yuan, H}, title = {The gut microbiota diversity of five Orthoptera (Insecta, Polyneoptera) insects determined by DNA metabarcoding.}, journal = {Biodiversity data journal}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {e98162}, pmid = {38327358}, issn = {1314-2828}, abstract = {Most orthopteran insects are phytophagous and some are important pests in agriculture and forests. Many intestinal microflora of Orthoptera insects have been reported, primarily from Acridoidea and there have been few reports of other taxa. In this study, we collected 15 individuals representing five species (Ruspolialineosa, Tetrixjaponica, Erianthusversicolor, Gryllotalpaorientalis and Teleogryllusemma) belonging to five orthopteran superfamilies (Tettigonioidea, Tetrigoidea, Eumastacoidea, Gryllotalpoidea and Grylloidea) to characterise and compare the gut microbiota with greater taxonomic width by performing sequencing analysis of the 16S rRNA V4 region in gut material. A total of 606,053 high-quality sequences and 3,105 OTUs were acquired from 15 gut samples representing 24 phyla, 48 classes, 69 orders, 133 families and 219 genera. Firmicutes and bacteria were the most abundant phyla, followed by Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, Actinobacteria and Acidobacteria. At the genus level, Serratia, Citrobacter, Wolbachia, Lactobacillus and Parabacteroides were the most predominant genera in R.lineosa, T.japonica, E.versicolor, G.orientalis and T.emma, respectively. Both Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) and heatmap results revealed significant differences in bacterial community composition across species. Additionally, alpha diversity analysis indicated the bacterial richness was significantly different amongst the five species.}, }
@article {pmid38315724, year = {2024}, author = {Namias, A and Ngaku, A and Makoundou, P and Unal, S and Sicard, M and Weill, M}, title = {Intra-lineage microevolution of Wolbachia leads to the emergence of new cytoplasmic incompatibility patterns.}, journal = {PLoS biology}, volume = {22}, number = {2}, pages = {e3002493}, pmid = {38315724}, issn = {1545-7885}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Male ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Antidotes/metabolism ; Mosquito Vectors/genetics ; Cytoplasm ; *Culex ; }, abstract = {Mosquitoes of the Culex pipiens complex are worldwide vectors of arbovirus, filarial nematodes, and avian malaria agents. In these hosts, the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia induce cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), i.e., reduced embryo viability in so-called incompatible crosses. Wolbachia infecting Culex pipiens (wPip) cause CI patterns of unparalleled complexity, associated with the amplification and diversification of cidA and cidB genes, with up to 6 different gene copies described in a single wPip genome. In wPip, CI is thought to function as a toxin-antidote (TA) system where compatibility relies on having the right antidotes (CidA) in the female to bind and neutralize the male's toxins (CidB). By repeating crosses between Culex isofemale lines over a 17 years period, we documented the emergence of a new compatibility type in real time and linked it to a change in cid genes genotype. We showed that loss of specific cidA gene copies in some wPip genomes results in a loss of compatibility. More precisely, we found that this lost antidote had an original sequence at its binding interface, corresponding to the original sequence at the toxin's binding interface. We showed that these original cid variants are recombinant, supporting a role for recombination rather than point mutations in rapid CI evolution. These results strongly support the TA model in natura, adding to all previous data acquired with transgenes expression.}, }
@article {pmid38296097, year = {2024}, author = {Li, JH and Liu, XH and Liang, GR and Gao, HT and Guo, SH and Zhou, XY and Xing, D and Zhao, T and Li, CX}, title = {Microplastics affect mosquito from aquatic to terrestrial lifestyles and are transferred to mammals through mosquito bites.}, journal = {The Science of the total environment}, volume = {917}, number = {}, pages = {170547}, doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170547}, pmid = {38296097}, issn = {1879-1026}, mesh = {Animals ; Mice ; Microplastics ; Plastics ; Ecosystem ; *Insect Bites and Stings ; *Insecticides/toxicity ; Larva ; Mammals ; Mosquito Control ; *Culex ; *Nitriles ; *Pyrethrins ; }, abstract = {Microplastics (MPs) transfer from the environment to living organisms is a nonignorable global problem. As a complete metamorphosis insect, the larvae and adult Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito live in aquatic and terrestrial environments, respectively, where they easily access MPs. However, little is known about mosquitoes' potential role in MPs accumulation throughout ecosystems. Therefore, we conducted a study with different MPs particle sizes (0.1/1/10 μm) and concentrations (0.5/5/50 μg/mL) on Cx. quinquefasciatus to address this issue. Once exposed at the young larval stage, MPs could accompany the mosquitoes their entire life. The fluorescence signals of MPs in the larvae were mainly located in the intestines. Its intensity increased (from 3.72 × 10[6] AU to 5.45 × 10[7] AU) as the concentrations of MPs increases. The fluorescence signals of MPs were also detected in the blood and skin tissues of mice bitten by adult mosquitoes with MPs containing in their bodies. Mosquitos exposed to MPs showed longer larval pupation and eclosion time as well as lower adult body weight. In addition, MPs significantly reduced the lethal effect of pyrethroid insecticides (97.77 % vs. 48.88 %, p < 0.05) with 15.1 % removal of the deltamethrin concentration. After MPs exposure, the relative abundance of the Cx. quinquefasciatus gut microbiome, such as Wolbachia spp., Elizabethkingia spp., and Asaia spp., changed as the MPs size and concentration changes. Mosquitoes provide a new pathway for MPs accumulation and transfer to higher-level living organisms. Moreover, MPs significantly reduce the control effect of deltamethrin, providing new guidelines for mosquito insecticide application in MPs contamination circumstances.}, }
@article {pmid38287029, year = {2024}, author = {McNamara, CJ and Ant, TH and Harvey-Samuel, T and White-Cooper, H and Martinez, J and Alphey, L and Sinkins, SP}, title = {Transgenic expression of cif genes from Wolbachia strain wAlbB recapitulates cytoplasmic incompatibility in Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {869}, pmid = {38287029}, issn = {2041-1723}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; MC_UU_00034/4/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; MC_UU_12014/8/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; Female ; *Aedes ; *Wolbachia ; Mosquito Vectors/genetics ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; *Infertility ; }, abstract = {The endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia can invade insect populations by modifying host reproduction through cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), an effect that results in embryonic lethality when Wolbachia-carrying males mate with Wolbachia-free females. Here we describe a transgenic system for recreating CI in the major arbovirus vector Aedes aegypti using CI factor (cif) genes from wAlbB, a Wolbachia strain currently being deployed to reduce dengue transmission. CI-like sterility is induced when cifA and cifB are co-expressed in testes; this sterility is rescued by maternal cifA expression, thereby reproducing the pattern of Wolbachia-induced CI. Expression of cifB alone is associated with extensive DNA damage and disrupted spermatogenesis. The strength of rescue by maternal cifA expression is dependent on the comparative levels of cifA/cifB expression in males. These findings are consistent with CifB acting as a toxin and CifA as an antitoxin, with CifA attenuating CifB toxicity in both the male germline and in developing embryos. These findings provide important insights into the interactions between cif genes and their mechanism of activity and provide a foundation for the building of a cif gene-based drive system in Ae. aegypti.}, }
@article {pmid38278818, year = {2024}, author = {Piccinno, R and Tatti, A and Avosani, S and Galla, G and Lazazzara, V and Pedrazzoli, F and Zadra, N and Rodeghiero, M and Seljak, G and Özgen, &#x130; and Hauffe, HC and Verrastro, V and Stacconi, MVR and Mazzoni, V and Rota-Stabelli, O}, title = {A multidisciplinary approach to tackling invasive species: barcoding, morphology, and metataxonomy of the leafhopper Arboridia adanae.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {2229}, pmid = {38278818}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; *Introduced Species ; *Hemiptera ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Greece ; }, abstract = {The leafhopper genus Arboridia includes several species that feed on Vitis vinifera and cause leaf chlorosis. We report the first alien Arboridia infestation in Italy in 2021 in an Apulian vineyard. To confirm the taxonomic status of the species responsible for crop damage, and reconstruct its demographic history, we barcoded individuals from Apulia together with Arboridia spp. from Crete (Greece), A. adanae from Central Turkey and other specimens of the presumed sister species, A. dalmatina from Dalmatia (Croatia). Molecular phylogenies and barcoding gap analysis identified clades not associated with sampling locations. This result is incongruent with classical specimen assignment and is further supported by morphological analyses, which did not reveal significant differences among the populations. Therefore, we propose A. dalmatina as a junior synonym of A. adanae, which would become the only grapevine-related Arboridia species in the eastern Mediterranean. To further characterise A. adanae evolution, we performed a molecular clock analysis that suggested a radiation during the Pleistocene glaciations. Finally, to assess whether the Apulian individuals carried microorganisms of agricultural relevance, we sequenced their bacterial microbiota using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing identifying three phytopathogens not generally associated with Arboridia activities as well as Wolbachia in one Apulian haplogroup. We discuss the agricultural implications of this infestation.}, }
@article {pmid38257815, year = {2024}, author = {Rainey, SM and Lefteri, DA and Darby, C and Kohl, A and Merits, A and Sinkins, SP}, title = {Evidence of Differences in Cellular Regulation of Wolbachia-Mediated Viral Inhibition between Alphaviruses and Flaviviruses.}, journal = {Viruses}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {38257815}, issn = {1999-4915}, support = {108508/A/15/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; WT094664MA/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 108508/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; /WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 202888/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; MC_UU_00034/4/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; MC_UU_12014/8/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; 202888/Z/16/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Alphavirus ; *Flavivirus ; *Wolbachia ; *Aedes ; *Zika Virus ; Cholesterol ; Antiviral Agents/pharmacology ; *Zika Virus Infection ; }, abstract = {The intracellular bacterium Wolbachia is increasingly being utilised in control programs to limit the spread of arboviruses by Aedes mosquitoes. Achieving a better understanding of how Wolbachia strains can reduce viral replication/spread could be important for the long-term success of such programs. Previous studies have indicated that for some strains of Wolbachia, perturbations in lipid metabolism and cholesterol storage are vital in Wolbachia-mediated antiviral activity against the flaviviruses dengue and Zika; however, it has not yet been examined whether arboviruses in the alphavirus group are affected in the same way. Here, using the reporters for the alphavirus Semliki Forest virus (SFV) in Aedes albopictus cells, we found that Wolbachia strains wMel, wAu and wAlbB blocked viral replication/translation early in infection and that storage of cholesterol in lipid droplets is not key to this inhibition. Another alphavirus, o'nyong nyong virus (ONNV), was tested in both Aedes albopictus cells and in vivo in stable, transinfected Aedes aegypti mosquito lines. The strains wMel, wAu and wAlbB show strong antiviral activity against ONNV both in vitro and in vivo. Again, 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (2HPCD) was not able to rescue ONNV replication in cell lines, suggesting that the release of stored cholesterol caused by wMel is not able to rescue blockage of ONNV. Taken together, this study shows that alphaviruses appear to be inhibited early in replication/translation and that there may be differences in how alphaviruses are inhibited by Wolbachia in comparison to flaviviruses.}, }
@article {pmid38254452, year = {2024}, author = {Cheng, Z and Liu, Q and Huang, X}, title = {Partial Correspondence between Host Plant-Related Differentiation and Symbiotic Bacterial Community in a Polyphagous Insect.}, journal = {Animals : an open access journal from MDPI}, volume = {14}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {38254452}, issn = {2076-2615}, support = {31970446//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, abstract = {Host plants play a vital role in insect population differentiation, while symbiotic associations between bacteria and insects are ubiquitous in nature. However, existing studies have given limited attention to the connection between host-related differentiation and symbiotic bacterial communities in phytophagous insects. In this study, we collected 58 samples of Aphis odinae from different host plants in southern China and constructed phylogenetic trees to investigate their differentiation in relation to host plants. We also selected aphid samples from the five most preferred host plants and analyzed their symbiotic bacterial composition using Illumina sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene. The phylogeny and symbiotic bacterial community structure of A. odinae populations on different host plants showed that samples from Triadica sebifera (Euphorbiaceae) had a consistent presence of Wolbachia as the predominant secondary symbiont and suggested the possibility of undergoing differentiation. Conversely, although differentiation was observed in samples from Rhus chinensis (Anacardiaceae), no consistent presence of predominant secondary symbionts was found. Additionally, the samples from Heptapleurum heptaphyllum (Araliaceae) consistently carried Serratia, but no host differentiation was evident. In summary, this study reveals a partial correspondence between symbiotic bacterial communities and host-related differentiation in A. odinae. The findings contribute to our understanding of the microevolutionary influencing the macroevolutionary relationships between bacterial symbionts and phytophagous insects. The identification of specific symbionts associated with host-related differentiation provides valuable insights into the intricate dynamics of insect-bacteria interactions.}, }
@article {pmid38243558, year = {2024}, author = {Sohail, A and Anders, KL and McGuinness, SL and Leder, K}, title = {The epidemiology of imported and locally acquired dengue in Australia, 2012-2022.}, journal = {Journal of travel medicine}, volume = {31}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {38243558}, issn = {1708-8305}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 224459/Z/21/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; Australia/epidemiology ; *Arbovirus Infections/epidemiology ; Queensland/epidemiology ; *Culicidae ; *Dengue/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Dengue is the most important arboviral disease globally and poses ongoing challenges for control including in non-endemic countries with competent mosquito vectors at risk of local transmission through imported cases. We examined recent epidemiological trends in imported and locally acquired dengue in Australia, where the Wolbachia mosquito population replacement method was implemented throughout dengue-prone areas of northern Queensland between 2011 and 2019.<br><br>METHODS: We analysed dengue cases reported to the Australian National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System between January 2012 and December 2022, and Australian traveller movement data.<br><br>RESULTS: Between 2012 and 2022, 13&#x2009;343 dengue cases were reported in Australia (median 1466 annual cases); 12&#x2009;568 cases (94.2%) were imported, 584 (4.4%) were locally acquired and 191 (1.4%) had no origin recorded. Locally acquired cases decreased from a peak in 2013 (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;236) to zero in 2021-22. Annual incidence of imported dengue ranged from 8.29/100&#x2009;000 (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;917 cases) to 22.10/100&#x2009;000 (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;2203) annual traveller movements between 2012 and 2019, decreased in 2020 (6.74/100&#x2009;000 traveller movements; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;191) and 2021 (3.32/100&#x2009;000 traveller movements; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;10) during COVID-19-related border closures, then rose to 34.79/100&#x2009;000 traveller movements (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;504) in 2022. Imported cases were primarily acquired in Southeast Asia (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;9323; 74%), Southern and Central Asia (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;1555; 12%) and Oceania (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;1341; 11%). Indonesia (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;5778; 46%) and Thailand (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;1483; 12%) were top acquisition countries. DENV-2 (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;2147; 42%) and DENV-1 (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;1526; 30%) were predominant serotypes.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Our analysis highlights Australia's successful control of locally acquired dengue with Wolbachia. Imported dengue trends reflect both Australian travel destinations and patterns and local epidemiology in endemic countries.}, }
@article {pmid38235434, year = {2023}, author = {Mantilla-Granados, JS and Castellanos, JE and Velandia-Romero, ML}, title = {A tangled threesome: understanding arbovirus infection in Aedes spp. and the effect of the mosquito microbiota.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1287519}, pmid = {38235434}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Arboviral infections transmitted by Aedes spp. mosquitoes are a major threat to human health, particularly in tropical regions but are expanding to temperate regions. The ability of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus to transmit multiple arboviruses involves a complex relationship between mosquitoes and the virus, with recent discoveries shedding light on it. Furthermore, this relationship is not solely between mosquitoes and arboviruses, but also involves the mosquito microbiome. Here, we aimed to construct a comprehensive review of the latest information about the arbovirus infection process in A. aegypti and A. albopictus, the source of mosquito microbiota, and its interaction with the arbovirus infection process, in terms of its implications for vectorial competence. First, we summarized studies showing a new mechanism for arbovirus infection at the cellular level, recently described innate immunological pathways, and the mechanism of adaptive response in mosquitoes. Second, we addressed the general sources of the Aedes mosquito microbiota (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) during their life cycle, and the geographical reports of the most common microbiota in adults mosquitoes. How the microbiota interacts directly or indirectly with arbovirus transmission, thereby modifying vectorial competence. We highlight the complexity of this tripartite relationship, influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic conditions at different geographical scales, with many gaps to fill and promising directions for developing strategies to control arbovirus transmission and to gain a better understanding of vectorial competence. The interactions between mosquitoes, arboviruses and their associated microbiota are yet to be investigated in depth.}, }
@article {pmid38230418, year = {2024}, author = {Nindrea, RD}, title = {Wolbachia: New Hopes for the Prevention of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever in Indonesia.}, journal = {Asia-Pacific journal of public health}, volume = {36}, number = {2-3}, pages = {280}, doi = {10.1177/10105395231226296}, pmid = {38230418}, issn = {1941-2479}, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; *Severe Dengue ; *Wolbachia ; Indonesia/epidemiology ; *Dengue/prevention &amp; control ; *Dengue Virus ; *Aedes ; }, }
@article {pmid38204789, year = {2024}, author = {Arai, H and Watada, M and Kageyama, D}, title = {Two male-killing Wolbachia from Drosophila birauraia that are closely related but distinct in genome structure.}, journal = {Royal Society open science}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {231502}, pmid = {38204789}, issn = {2054-5703}, abstract = {Insects harbour diverse maternally inherited bacteria and viruses, some of which have evolved to kill the male progeny of their hosts (male killing: MK). The fly species Drosophila biauraria carries a maternally transmitted MK-inducing partiti-like virus, but it was unknown if it carries other MK-inducing endosymbionts. Here, we identified two male-killing Wolbachia strains (wBiau1 and wBiau2) from D. biauraria and compared their genomes to elucidate their evolutionary processes. The two strains were genetically closely related but had exceptionally different genome structures with considerable rearrangements compared with combinations of other Wolbachia strains. Despite substantial changes in the genome structure, the two Wolbachia strains did not experience gene losses that would disrupt the male-killing expression or persistence in the host population. The two Wolbachia-infected matrilines carried distinct mitochondrial haplotypes, suggesting that wBiau1 and wBiau2 have invaded D. biauraria independently and undergone considerable genome changes owing to unknown selective pressures in evolutionary history. This study demonstrated the presence of three male-killers from two distinct origins in one fly species and highlighted the diverse and rapid genome evolution of MK Wolbachia in the host.}, }
@article {pmid38196945, year = {2023}, author = {Côrtes, N and Lira, A and Prates-Syed, W and Dinis Silva, J and Vuitika, L and Cabral-Miranda, W and Durães-Carvalho, R and Balan, A and Cabral-Marques, O and Cabral-Miranda, G}, title = {Integrated control strategies for dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya virus infections.}, journal = {Frontiers in immunology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1281667}, pmid = {38196945}, issn = {1664-3224}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Zika Virus ; *Chikungunya Fever/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Zika Virus Infection/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; Antiviral Agents ; *Dengue/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; }, abstract = {Arboviruses are a major threat to public health in tropical regions, encompassing over 534 distinct species, with 134 capable of causing diseases in humans. These viruses are transmitted through arthropod vectors that cause symptoms such as fever, headache, joint pains, and rash, in addition to more serious cases that can lead to death. Among the arboviruses, dengue virus stands out as the most prevalent, annually affecting approximately 16.2 million individuals solely in the Americas. Furthermore, the re-emergence of the Zika virus and the recurrent outbreaks of chikungunya in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, with one million cases reported annually, underscore the urgency of addressing this public health challenge. In this manuscript we discuss the epidemiology, viral structure, pathogenicity and integrated control strategies to combat arboviruses, and the most used tools, such as vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, treatment, etc., in addition to presenting future perspectives for the control of arboviruses. Currently, specific medications for treating arbovirus infections are lacking, and symptom management remains the primary approach. However, promising advancements have been made in certain treatments, such as Chloroquine, Niclosamide, and Isatin derivatives, which have demonstrated notable antiviral properties against these arboviruses in vitro and in vivo experiments. Additionally, various strategies within vector control approaches have shown significant promise in reducing arbovirus transmission rates. These encompass public education initiatives, targeted insecticide applications, and innovative approaches like manipulating mosquito bacterial symbionts, such as Wolbachia. In conclusion, combatting the global threat of arbovirus diseases needs a comprehensive approach integrating antiviral research, vaccination, and vector control. The continued efforts of research communities, alongside collaborative partnerships with public health authorities, are imperative to effectively address and mitigate the impact of these arboviral infections on public health worldwide.}, }
@article {pmid38193019, year = {2024}, author = {Mat Udin, AS and Uni, S and Rodrigues, J and Martin, C and Junker, K and Agatsuma, T and Low, VL and Saijuntha, W and Omar, H and Zainuri, NA and Fukuda, M and Matsubayashi, M and Kimura, D and Takaoka, H and Ramli, R}, title = {Redescription, molecular characterisation and Wolbachia endosymbionts of Mansonella (Tupainema) dunni (Mullin &amp; Orihel, 1972) (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) from the common treeshrew Tupaia glis Diard &amp; Duvaucel (Mammalia: Scandentia) in Peninsular Malaysia.}, journal = {Current research in parasitology &amp; vector-borne diseases}, volume = {5}, number = {}, pages = {100154}, pmid = {38193019}, issn = {2667-114X}, abstract = {The genus Mansonella Faust, 1929 includes 29 species, mainly parasites of platyrrhine monkeys in South America and anthropoid apes in Africa. In Malaysia, Mansonella (Tupainema) dunni (Mullin &amp; Orihel, 1972) was described from the common treeshrew Tupaia glis Diard &amp; Duvaucel (Scandentia). In a recent classification of the genus Mansonella, seven subgenera were proposed, with M. (Tup.) dunni as a monotypic species in the subgenus Tupainema. In this study, we collected new material of M. (Tup.) dunni from common treeshrews in Peninsular Malaysia and redescribed the morphological features of this species. We found that M. (Tup.) dunni differs from M. (Cutifilaria) perforata Uni et al., 2004 from sika deer Cervus nippon (Cetartiodactyla) in Japan, with regards to morphological features and predilection sites in their respective hosts. Based on multi-locus sequence analyses, we examined the molecular phylogeny of M. (Tup.) dunni and its Wolbachia genotype. Species of the genus Mansonella grouped monophyletically in clade ONC5 and M. (Tup.) dunni was placed in the most derived position within this genus. Mansonella (Tup.) dunni was closely related to M. (M.) ozzardi (Manson, 1897) from humans in Central and South America, and most distant from M. (C.) perforata. The calculated p-distances between the cox1 gene sequences for M. (Tup.) dunni and its congeners were 13.09% for M. (M.) ozzardi and 15.6-16.15% for M. (C.) perforata. The molecular phylogeny of Mansonella spp. thus corroborates their morphological differences. We determined that M. (Tup.) dunni harbours Wolbachia endosymbionts of the supergroup F genotype, in keeping with all other Mansonella species screened to date.}, }
@article {pmid38192184, year = {2024}, author = {Strunov, A and Schönherr, C and Kapun, M}, title = {Wolbachia effects on thermal preference of natural Drosophila melanogaster are influenced by host genetic background, Wolbachia type, and bacterial titer.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {26}, number = {2}, pages = {e16579}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16579}, pmid = {38192184}, issn = {1462-2920}, support = {FWF P32275//Austrian Science Fund/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Drosophila/genetics/microbiology ; Reproduction ; Biological Evolution ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Temperature plays a fundamental role in the fitness of all organisms. In particular, it strongly affects metabolism and reproduction in ectotherms that have limited physiological capabilities to regulate their body temperature. The influence of temperature variation on the physiology and behaviour of ectotherms is well studied but we still know little about the influence of symbiotic interactions on thermal preference (Tp) of the host. A growing number of studies focusing on the Wolbachia-Drosophila host-symbiont system found that Wolbachia can influence Tp in Drosophila laboratory strains. Here, we investigated the effect of Wolbachia on Tp in wild-type D. melanogaster flies recently collected from nature. Consistent with previous data, we found reduced Tp compared to an uninfected control in one of two fly strains infected with the wMelCS Wolbachia type. Additionally, we, for the first time, found that Wolbachia titer variation influences the thermal preference of the host fly. These data indicate that the interaction of Wolbachia and Drosophila resulting in behavioural variation is strongly influenced by the genetic background of the host and symbiont. More studies are needed to better understand the evolutionary significance of Tp variation influenced by Wolbachia in natural Drosophila populations.}, }
@article {pmid38172384, year = {2024}, author = {Volpe, HXL and Carmo-Sousa, M and Luvizotto, RAG and de Freitas, R and Esperança, V and Darolt, JC and Pegoraro, AAL and Magalhães, DM and Favaris, AP and Wulff, NA and Miranda, MP and Bento, JMS and Leal, WS}, title = {The greening-causing agent alters the behavioral and electrophysiological responses of the Asian citrus psyllid to a putative sex pheromone.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {455}, pmid = {38172384}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {201600147//National Institute of Science and Technology of Semiochemicals in Agriculture (INCT)/ ; 2014/50871-0//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Amparo &#xe0; Pesquisa do Estado de S&#xe3;o Paulo/ ; 201600147//FUNDECITRUS/ University of California-Davis Research Agreement/ ; }, mesh = {Female ; Male ; Animals ; *Hemiptera/physiology ; *Sex Attractants/pharmacology ; Brazil ; *Citrus/microbiology ; *Citrus sinensis ; *Wolbachia ; *Rhizobiaceae/physiology ; Acetates ; Plant Diseases/microbiology ; }, abstract = {The Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri, is a vector of the pathological bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), which causes the most devastating disease to the citrus industry worldwide, known as greening or huanglongbing (HLB). Earlier field tests with an acetic acid-based lure in greening-free, 'Valencia' citrus orange groves in California showed promising results. The same type of lures tested in São Paulo, Brazil, showed unsettling results. During the unsuccessful trials, we noticed a relatively large proportion of females in the field, ultimately leading us to test field-collected males and females for Wolbachia and CLas. The results showed high rates of Wolbachia and CLas infection in field populations. We then compared the olfactory responses of laboratory-raised, CLas-free, and CLas-infected males to acetic acid. As previously reported, CLas-uninfected males responded to acetic acid at 1 µg. Surprisingly, CLas-infected males required 50 × higher doses of the putative sex pheromone, thus explaining the failure to capture CLas-infected males in the field. CLas infection was also manifested in electrophysiological responses. Electroantennogram responses from CLas-infected ACP males were significantly higher than those obtained with uninfected males. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a pathogen infection affecting a vector's response to a sex attractant.}, }
@article {pmid38162582, year = {2023}, author = {Muharromah, AF and Reyes, JIL and Kagia, N and Watanabe, K}, title = {Genome-wide detection of Wolbachia in natural Aedes aegypti populations using ddRAD-Seq.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {1252656}, pmid = {38162582}, issn = {2235-2988}, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; Male ; Female ; *Aedes/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Philippines ; Ribosomal Proteins ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia, an endosymbiotic bacterium, is globally used to control arboviruses because of its ability to block arboviral replication and manipulate the reproduction of Wolbachia host, Aedes aegypti. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based Wolbachia detection has been recently reported from natural Ae. aegypti populations. However, due to the technical limitations of PCR, such as primer incompatibility, PCR-based assays are not sufficiently reliable or accurate. In this study, we examined double digestion restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-Seq) efficiency and limitations in Wolbachia detection and quantification in field-collected Ae. aegypti natural populations in Metro Manila, the Philippines, compared with PCR-based assays.<br><br>METHODS: A total of 217 individuals Ae. aegypti were collected from Metropolitan Manila, Philippines. We separated it into 14 populations consisting of 7 female and male populations. We constructed a library for pool ddRAD-Seq per population and also screened for Wolbachia by PCR assays using wsp and 16S rRNA. Wolbachia density per population were measured using RPS17 as the housekeeping gene.<br><br>RESULTS: From 146,239,637 sequence reads obtained, 26,299 and 43,778 reads were mapped across the entire Wolbachia genome (with the wAlbA and wAlbB strains, respectively), suggesting that ddRAD-Seq complements PCR assays and supports more reliable Wolbachia detection from a genome-wide perspective. The number of reads mapped to the Wolbachia genome per population positively correlated with the number of Wolbachia-infected individuals per population based on PCR assays and the relative density of Wolbachia in the Ae. aegypti populations based on qPCR, suggesting ddRAD-Seq-based semi-quantification of Wolbachia by ddRAD-Seq. Male Ae. aegypti exhibited more reads mapped to the Wolbachia genome than females, suggesting higher Wolbachia prevalence rates in their case. We detected 150 single nucleotide polymorphism loci across the Wolbachia genome, allowing for more accurate the detection of four strains: wPip, wRi, TRS of Brugia malayi, and wMel.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our results demonstrate the feasibility of ddRAD-Seq-based Wolbachia detection from field-collected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes.}, }
@article {pmid38157329, year = {2023}, author = {, }, title = {Expression of Concern: A Potential Role for the Interaction of Wolbachia Surface Proteins with the Brugia malayi Glycolytic Enzymes and Cytoskeleton in Maintenance of Endosymbiosis.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {17}, number = {12}, pages = {e0011860}, pmid = {38157329}, issn = {1935-2735}, }
@article {pmid38143905, year = {2023}, author = {Mouillaud, T and Berger, A and Buysse, M and Rahola, N and Daron, J and Agbor, JP and Sango, SN and Neafsey, DE and Duron, O and Ayala, D}, title = {Limited association between Wolbachia and Plasmodium falciparum infections in natural populations of the major malaria mosquito Anopheles moucheti.}, journal = {Evolutionary applications}, volume = {16}, number = {12}, pages = {1999-2006}, pmid = {38143905}, issn = {1752-4571}, support = {U19 AI110818/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Since the discovery of natural malaria vector populations infected by the endosymbiont bacterium Wolbachia, a renewed interest has arisen for using this bacterium as an alternative for malaria control. Among naturally infected mosquitoes, Anopheles moucheti, a major malaria mosquito in Central Africa, exhibits one of the highest prevalences of Wolbachia infection. To better understand whether this maternally inherited bacterium could be used for malaria control, we investigated Wolbachia influence in An. moucheti populations naturally infected by the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. To this end, we collected mosquitoes in a village from Cameroon, Central Africa, where this mosquito is the main malaria vector. We found that the prevalence of Wolbachia bacterium was almost fixed in the studied mosquito population, and was higher than previously recorded. We also quantified Wolbachia in whole mosquitoes and dissected abdomens, confirming that the bacterium is also elsewhere than in the abdomen, but at lower density. Finally, we analyzed the association of Wolbachia presence and density on P. falciparum infection. Wolbachia density was slightly higher in mosquitoes infected with the malaria parasite than in uninfected mosquitoes. However, we observed no correlation between the P. falciparum and Wolbachia densities. In conclusion, our study indicates that naturally occurring Wolbachia infection is not associated to P. falciparum development within An. moucheti mosquitoes.}, }
@article {pmid38139239, year = {2023}, author = {Gruntenko, NE and Deryuzhenko, MA and Andreenkova, OV and Shishkina, OD and Bobrovskikh, MA and Shatskaya, NV and Vasiliev, GV}, title = {Drosophila melanogaster Transcriptome Response to Different Wolbachia Strains.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {24}, pages = {}, pmid = {38139239}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {21-14-00090//Russian Science Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; *Drosophila melanogaster/physiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Transcriptome ; Genotype ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is a maternally inherited, intercellular bacterial symbiont of insects and some other invertebrates. Here, we investigated the effect of two different Wolbachia strains, differing in a large chromosomal inversion, on the differential expression of genes in D. melanogaster females. We revealed significant changes in the transcriptome of the infected flies compared to the uninfected ones, as well as in the transcriptome of flies infected with the Wolbachia strain, wMelPlus, compared to flies infected with the wMelCS[112] strain. We linked differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from two pairwise comparisons, "uninfected-wMelPlus-infected" and "uninfected-wMelCS[112]-infected", into two gene networks, in which the following functional groups were designated: "Proteolysis", "Carbohydrate transport and metabolism", "Oxidation-reduction process", "Embryogenesis", "Transmembrane transport", "Response to stress" and "Alkaline phosphatases". Our data emphasized similarities and differences between infections by different strains under study: a wMelPlus infection results in more than double the number of upregulated DEGs and half the number of downregulated DEGs compared to a wMelCS[112] infection. Thus, we demonstrated that Wolbachia made a significant contribution to differential expression of host genes and that the bacterial genotype plays a vital role in establishing the character of this contribution.}, }
@article {pmid38132636, year = {2024}, author = {Loterio, RK and Monson, EA and Templin, R and de Bruyne, JT and Flores, HA and Mackenzie, JM and Ramm, G and Helbig, KJ and Simmons, CP and Fraser, JE}, title = {Antiviral Wolbachia strains associate with Aedes aegypti endoplasmic reticulum membranes and induce lipid droplet formation to restrict dengue virus replication.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {15}, number = {2}, pages = {e0249523}, pmid = {38132636}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {DP220102997//Department of Education and Training | Australian Research Council (ARC)/ ; APP1182432//DHAC | National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Dengue Virus/physiology ; *Aedes ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; Lipid Droplets ; Virus Replication ; *Dengue ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; Antiviral Agents ; Lipids ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are a genus of insect endosymbiotic bacteria which includes strains wMel and wAlbB that are being utilized as a biocontrol tool to reduce the incidence of Aedes aegypti-transmitted viral diseases like dengue. However, the precise mechanisms underpinning the antiviral activity of these Wolbachia strains are not well defined. Here, we generated a panel of Ae. aegypti-derived cell lines infected with antiviral strains wMel and wAlbB or the non-antiviral Wolbachia strain wPip to understand host cell morphological changes specifically induced by antiviral strains. Antiviral strains were frequently found to be entirely wrapped by the host endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane, while wPip bacteria clustered separately in the host cell cytoplasm. ER-derived lipid droplets (LDs) increased in volume in wMel- and wAlbB-infected cell lines and mosquito tissues compared to cells infected with wPip or Wolbachia-free controls. Inhibition of fatty acid synthase (required for triacylglycerol biosynthesis) reduced LD formation and significantly restored ER-associated dengue virus replication in cells occupied by wMel. Together, this suggests that antiviral Wolbachia strains may specifically alter the lipid composition of the ER to preclude the establishment of dengue virus (DENV) replication complexes. Defining Wolbachia's antiviral mechanisms will support the application and longevity of this effective biocontrol tool that is already being used at scale.IMPORTANCEAedes aegypti transmits a range of important human pathogenic viruses like dengue. However, infection of Ae. aegypti with the insect endosymbiotic bacterium, Wolbachia, reduces the risk of mosquito to human viral transmission. Wolbachia is being utilized at field sites across more than 13 countries to reduce the incidence of viruses like dengue, but it is not well understood how Wolbachia induces its antiviral effects. To examine this at the subcellular level, we compared how different strains of Wolbachia with varying antiviral strengths associate with and modify host cell structures. Strongly antiviral strains were found to specifically associate with the host endoplasmic reticulum and induce striking impacts on host cell lipid droplets. Inhibiting Wolbachia-induced lipid redistribution partially restored dengue virus replication demonstrating this is a contributing role for Wolbachia's antiviral activity. These findings provide new insights into how antiviral Wolbachia strains associate with and modify Ae. aegypti host cells.}, }
@article {pmid38132616, year = {2023}, author = {Shapoval, NA and Kir'yanov, AV and Krupitsky, AV and Yakovlev, RV and Romanovich, AE and Zhang, J and Cong, Q and Grishin, NV and Kovalenko, MG and Shapoval, GN}, title = {Phylogeography of Two Enigmatic Sulphur Butterflies, Colias mongola Alphéraky, 1897 and Colias tamerlana Staudinger, 1897 (Lepidoptera, Pieridae), with Relations to Wolbachia Infection.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {14}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {38132616}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {22-24-01086//Russian Science Foundation/ ; }, abstract = {The genus Colias Fabricius, 1807 includes numerous taxa and forms with uncertain status and taxonomic position. Among such taxa are Colias mongola Alphéraky, 1897 and Colias tamerlana Staudinger, 1897, interpreted in the literature either as conspecific forms, as subspecies of different but morphologically somewhat similar Colias species or as distinct species-level taxa. Based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers, we reconstructed a phylogeographic pattern of the taxa in question. We recover and include in our analysis DNA barcodes of the century-old type specimens, the lectotype of C. tamerlana deposited in the Natural History Museum (Museum für Naturkunde), Berlin, Germany (ZMHU) and the paralectotype of C. tamerlana and the lectotype of C. mongola deposited in the Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia (ZISP). Our analysis grouped all specimens within four (HP_I-HP_IV) deeply divergent but geographically poorly structured clades which did not support nonconspecifity of C. mongola-C. tamerlana. We also show that all studied females of the widely distributed haplogroup HP_II were infected with a single Wolbachia strain belonging to the supergroup B, while the males of this haplogroup, as well as all other investigated specimens of both sexes, were not infected. Our data highlight the relevance of large-scale sampling dataset analysis and the need for testing for Wolbachia infection to avoid erroneous phylogenetic reconstructions and species misidentification.}, }
@article {pmid38132601, year = {2023}, author = {Adonyeva, NV and Efimov, VM and Gruntenko, NE}, title = {The Effect of Genotype Combinations of Wolbachia and Its Drosophila melanogaster Host on Fertility, Developmental Rate and Heat Stress Resistance of Flies.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {14}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {38132601}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {21-14-00090//Russian Science Foundation/ ; }, abstract = {The best-known effect of the intracellular bacterium Wolbachia is its mostly negative influence on the reproduction of the host. However, there is evidence of a positive influence of Wolbachia on the host's resistance to stress, pathogens, and viruses. Here, we analyzed the effects of two Wolbachia strains belonging to wMel and wMelCS genotypes on D. melanogaster traits, such as fertility, survival under acute heat stress, and developmental rate. We found that D. melanogaster lines under study differ significantly in the above-mentioned characteristics, both when the natural infection was preserved, and when it was eliminated. One of Wolbachia strains, wMel, did not affect any of the studied traits. Another strain, wMelPlus, had a significant effect on the development time. Moreover, this effect is observed not only in the line in which it was discovered but also in the one it was transferred to. When transferred to a new line, wMelPlus also caused changes in survival under heat stress. Thus, it could be concluded that Wolbachia-Drosophila interaction depends on the genotypes of both the host and the symbiont, but some Wolbachia effects could depend not on the genotypes, but on the fact of recent transfer of the symbiont.}, }
@article {pmid38132578, year = {2023}, author = {Zadra, N and Tatti, A and Silverj, A and Piccinno, R and Devilliers, J and Lewis, C and Arnoldi, D and Montarsi, F and Escuer, P and Fusco, G and De Sanctis, V and Feuda, R and Sánchez-Gracia, A and Rizzoli, A and Rota-Stabelli, O}, title = {Shallow Whole-Genome Sequencing of Aedes japonicus and Aedes koreicus from Italy and an Updated Picture of Their Evolution Based on Mitogenomics and Barcoding.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {14}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {38132578}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {PRIN 2022 Prot. n 2022YNL8ZH//Partially funded by the European Union under NextGenerationEU/ ; }, abstract = {Aedes japonicus and Aedes koreicus are two invasive mosquitoes native to East Asia that are quickly establishing in temperate regions of Europe. Both species are vectors of arboviruses, but we currently lack a clear understanding of their evolution. Here, we present new short-read, shallow genome sequencing of A. japonicus and A. koreicus individuals from northern Italy, which we used for downstream phylogenetic and barcode analyses. We explored associated microbial DNA and found high occurrences of Delftia bacteria in both samples, but neither Asaia nor Wolbachia. We then assembled complete mitogenomes and used these data to infer divergence times estimating the split of A. japonicus from A. koreicus in the Oligocene, which was more recent than that previously reported using mitochondrial markers. We recover a younger age for most other nodes within Aedini and other Culicidae. COI barcoding and phylogenetic analyses indicate that A. japonicus yaeyamensis, A. japonicus amamiensis, and the two A. koreicus sampled from Europe should be considered as separate species within a monophyletic species complex. Our studies further clarify the evolution of A. japonicus and A. koreicus, and indicate the need to obtain whole-genome data from putative species in order to disentangle their complex patterns of evolution.}, }
@article {pmid38132308, year = {2023}, author = {Lin, YJ and Yeh, CH and Wu, CZ and Wu, LH}, title = {Climate and Wolbachia Impacts on Anoplolepis gracilipes (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).}, journal = {Biology}, volume = {12}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {38132308}, issn = {2079-7737}, support = {111-2313-B-020-003-MY3//National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan/ ; 112AS-5.5.3-BQ-B1//Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency (APHIA), Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), Taiwan/ ; }, abstract = {The yellow crazy ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes (Smith, 1857)) is a prominent invasive species exhibiting variable population dynamics. Through collecting long-term climate data and validating field surveys with MaxEnt SDM projections, our results indicated that winter temperature and precipitation accumulation strongly influence the population dynamics. An aggression analysis showed that A. gracilipes nests with higher aggression levels (over 2.5 scores) experienced a higher mean maximum temperature (31.84 ± 0.43 °C) and lower prevalence of wAgra (84.8 ± 4.70%) in A. gracilipes from June to October. The nest manipulation and aggression experiments confirmed that temperature increases aggression (1.3 to 2.8 scores) among A. gracilipes workers due to the reduced prevalence of wAgra. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of a notable reduction in the prevalence of Wolbachia (100 to 66%) within a colony of A. gracilipes while maintaining stable nests for further experiments.}, }
@article {pmid38125201, year = {2024}, author = {Ochieng, FO}, title = {SEIRS model for malaria transmission dynamics incorporating seasonality and awareness campaign.}, journal = {Infectious Disease Modelling}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {84-102}, pmid = {38125201}, issn = {2468-0427}, abstract = {Malaria, a devastating disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite and transmitted through the bites of female Anopheles mosquitoes, remains a significant public health concern, claiming over 600,000 lives annually, predominantly among children. Novel tools, including the application of Wolbachia, are being developed to combat malaria-transmitting mosquitoes. This study presents a modified susceptible-exposed-infectious-recovered-susceptible (SEIRS) compartmental mathematical model to evaluate the impact of awareness-based control measures on malaria transmission dynamics, incorporating mosquito interactions and seasonality. Employing the next-generation matrix approach, we calculated a basic reproduction number (R0) of 2.4537, indicating that without robust control measures, the disease will persist in the human population. The model equations were solved numerically using fourth and fifth-order Runge-Kutta methods. The model was fitted to malaria incidence data from Kenya spanning 2000 to 2021 using least squares curve fitting. The fitting algorithm yielded a mean absolute error (MAE) of 2.6463 when comparing the actual data points to the simulated values of infectious human population (Ih). This finding indicates that the proposed mathematical model closely aligns with the recorded malaria incidence data. The optimal values of the model parameters were estimated from the fitting algorithm, and future malaria dynamics were projected for the next decade. The research findings suggest that social media-based awareness campaigns, coupled with specific optimization control measures and effective management methods, offer the most cost-effective approach to managing malaria.}, }
@article {pmid38105949, year = {2024}, author = {Shropshire, JD and Conner, WR and Vanderpool, D and Hoffmann, AA and Turelli, M and Cooper, BS}, title = {Rapid host switching of Wolbachia and even more rapid turnover of their phages and incompatibility-causing loci.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38105949}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {R35 GM124701/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {About half of all insect species carry maternally inherited Wolbachia alphaproteobacteria, making Wolbachia the most common endosymbionts known in nature. Often Wolbachia spread to high frequencies within populations due to cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), a Wolbachia-induced sperm modification caused by prophage-associated genes (cifs) that kill embryos without Wolbachia. Several Wolbachia variants also block viruses, including wMel from Drosophila melanogaster when transinfected into the mosquito Aedes aegypti. CI enables the establishment and stable maintenance of pathogen-blocking wMel in natural Ae. aegypti populations. These transinfections are reducing dengue disease incidence on multiple continents. While it has long been known that closely related Wolbachia occupy distantly related hosts, the timing of Wolbachia host switching and molecular evolution has not been widely quantified. We provide a new, conservative calibration for Wolbachia chronograms based on examples of co-divergence of Wolbachia and their insect hosts. Synthesizing publicly available and new genomic data, we use our calibration to demonstrate that wMel-like variants separated by only about 370,000 years have naturally colonized holometabolous dipteran and hymenopteran insects that diverged approximately 350 million years ago. Data from Wolbachia variants closely related to those currently dominant in D. melanogaster and D. simulans illustrate that cifs are rapidly acquired and lost among Wolbachia genomes, on a time scale of 10[4]-10[5] years. This turnover occurs with and without the Wovirus prophages that contain them, with closely related cifs found in distantly related phages and distantly related cifs found in closely related phages. We present evidence for purifying selection on CI rescue function and on particular Cif protein domains. Our results quantify the tempo and mode of rapid host switching and horizontal gene transfer that underlie the spread and diversity of Wolbachia sampled from diverse host species. The wMel variants we highlight from hosts in different climates may offer new options for broadening Wolbachia-based biocontrol of diseases and pests.}, }
@article {pmid38105374, year = {2023}, author = {Cain, JL and Norris, JK and Swan, MP and Nielsen, MK}, title = {A diverse microbial community and common core microbiota associated with the gonad of female Parascaris spp.}, journal = {Parasitology research}, volume = {123}, number = {1}, pages = {56}, pmid = {38105374}, issn = {1432-1955}, mesh = {Animals ; Horses ; Female ; *Ascaridoidea/genetics ; *Horse Diseases/parasitology ; *Ascaridida Infections/veterinary/parasitology ; Drug Resistance ; Feces/parasitology ; *Parasites ; *Helminths ; Gonads ; }, abstract = {The microbiome plays an important role in health, where changes in microbiota composition can have significant downstream effects within the host, and host-microbiota relationships can be exploited to affect health outcomes. Parasitic helminths affect animals globally, but an exploration of their microbiota has been limited, despite the development of anti-Wolbachia drugs to help control infections with some filarial nematodes. The equine ascarids, Parascaris spp., are considered the most pathogenic nematodes affecting juvenile horses and are also the only ascarid parasite to have developed widespread anthelmintic resistance. The aim of this study was to characterize the microbiota of this helminth, focusing on the female gonad, determine a core microbiota for this organ, identify bacterial species, and show bacterial localization to the female gonad via in situ hybridization (ISH). A total of 22 gonads were isolated from female Parascaris spp. collected from three foals, and 9 female parasites were formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded for ISH. Next-generation sequencing was performed using V3-V4 primers as well as the Swift Amplicon™ 16S+ ITS Panel. Overall, ten genera were identified as members of the Parascaris spp. female gonad and twelve bacterial species were identified. The most prevalent genus was Mycoplasma, followed by Reyranella, and there were no differences in alpha diversity between parasites from different horses. Specific eubacteria staining was identified in both the intestine and within the gonad using ISH. Overall, this study provided in-depth information regarding the female Parascaris spp. microbiota and was the first to identify the core microbiota within a specific parasite organ.}, }
@article {pmid38104431, year = {2024}, author = {Lau, DC and Power, RI and Šlapeta, J}, title = {Exploring multiplex qPCR as a diagnostic tool for detecting microfilarial DNA in dogs infected with Dirofilaria immitis: A comparative analysis with the modified Knott's test.}, journal = {Veterinary parasitology}, volume = {325}, number = {}, pages = {110097}, doi = {10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.110097}, pmid = {38104431}, issn = {1873-2550}, mesh = {Animals ; Dogs ; *Dirofilaria immitis/genetics ; Microfilariae/genetics ; Australia ; *Dog Diseases/diagnosis ; *Dirofilariasis/diagnosis ; DNA ; Lactones ; }, abstract = {Current recommendations to diagnose cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis in dogs caused by Dirofilaria immitis involves tandem antigen and circulating microfilariae tests. The modified Knott's test is an important tool in heartworm diagnosis, allowing identification of circulating microfilariae. However, the subjective nature of the modified Knott's test affects its accuracy and diagnostic laboratories usually do not provide a quantitative outcome. Quantitative enumeration of microfilariae enables clinicians to track treatment progress and acts as a proxy for detecting emerging macrocyclic lactone resistance. There is a need for better diagnostic tools suitable for routine use to efficiently and accurately quantify the presence of D. immitis microfilaremia. The aim of this study was to determine whether the quantitative modified Knott's test can be substituted by multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) targeting D. immitis and associated Wolbachia endosymbiont DNA in canine blood samples. To do this, genomic DNA samples (n = 161) from Australian dogs, collected as part of a previous 2021 study, were assessed in a TaqMan qPCR targeting DNA of D. immitis, Wolbachia sp. and Canis lupus familiaris. Of the 161 genomic DNA samples, eight were considered positive for D. immitis microfilariae. The qPCR assay demonstrated good efficiency (E = 90 to 110%, R[2] > 0.94). Considering the performance and efficient use of bench time, this TaqMan qPCR assay is a suitable alternative to the modified Knott's test for quantitative enumeration of microfilariae (Cohen's kappa coefficient [κ]: κ = 1 using D. immitis qPCR marker, κ = 0.93 using Wolbachia qPCR marker). The qPCR data demonstrated a comparable result to that of the quantitative modified Knott's test in a 2022 survey of D. immitis in Australian dogs (n = 23) before and after macrocyclic lactone (ML) administration. Improving the detection and diagnosis of canine heartworm infections will assist veterinarians in better managing and controlling disease outcomes and will be valuable for tracking the spread of ML resistance in Australia.}, }
@article {pmid38100392, year = {2023}, author = {Malavige, GN and Sjö, P and Singh, K and Piedagnel, JM and Mowbray, C and Estani, S and Lim, SCL and Siquierra, AM and Ogg, GS and Fraisse, L and Ribeiro, I}, title = {Facing the escalating burden of dengue: Challenges and perspectives.}, journal = {PLOS global public health}, volume = {3}, number = {12}, pages = {e0002598}, pmid = {38100392}, issn = {2767-3375}, support = {MC_UU_00008/5/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; MC_UU_00036/2/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, abstract = {Dengue is the most rapidly emerging mosquito-borne infection and, due to climate change and unplanned urbanization, it is predicted that the global burden of dengue will rise further as the infection spreads to new geographical locations. Dengue-endemic countries are often unable to cope with such increases, with health care facilities becoming overwhelmed during each dengue season. Furthermore, although dengue has been predominantly a childhood illness in the past, it currently mostly affects adults in many countries, with higher incidence of severe disease and mortality rates in pregnant women and in those with comorbidities. As there is currently no specific treatment for dengue and no early biomarker to identify those who will progress to develop vascular leakage, all individuals with dengue are closely monitored in case they need fluid management. Furthermore, diagnosing patients with acute dengue is challenging due to the similarity of clinical symptoms during early illness and poor sensitivity and specificity of point-of-care diagnostic tests. Novel vector control methods, such as the release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, have shown promising results by reducing vector density and dengue incidence in clinical trial settings. A new dengue vaccine, TAK-003, had an efficacy of 61.2% against virologically confirmed dengue, 84.1% efficacy against hospitalizations and a 70% efficacy against development of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) at 54 months. While vaccines and mosquito control methods are welcome, they alone are unlikely to fully reduce the burden of dengue, and a treatment for dengue is therefore essential. Several novel antiviral drugs are currently being evaluated along with drugs that inhibit host mediators, such as mast cell products. Although viral proteins such as NS1 contribute to the vascular leak observed in severe dengue, the host immune response to the viral infection also plays a significant role in progression to severe disease. There is an urgent need to discover safe and effective treatments for dengue to prevent disease progression.}, }
@article {pmid38076953, year = {2023}, author = {Fricke, LC and Lindsey, AR}, title = {Identification of parthenogenesis-inducing effector proteins in Wolbachia.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38076953}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {R35 GM150991/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Bacteria in the genus Wolbachia have evolved numerous strategies to manipulate arthropod sex, including the conversion of would-be male offspring to asexually reproducing females. This so-called "parthenogenesis-induction" phenotype can be found in a number of Wolbachia strains that infect arthropods with haplodiploid sex determination systems, including parasitoid wasps. Despite the discovery of microbe-mediated parthenogenesis more than 30 years ago, the underlying genetic mechanisms have remained elusive. We used a suite of genomic, computational, and molecular tools to identify and characterize two proteins that are uniquely found in parthenogenesis-inducing Wolbachia and have strong signatures of host-associated bacterial effector proteins. These putative parthenogenesis-inducing proteins have structural homology to eukaryotic protein domains including nucleoporins, the key insect sex-determining factor Transformer, and a eukaryotic-like serine-threonine kinase with leucine rich repeats. Furthermore, these proteins significantly impact eukaryotic cell biology in the model, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We suggest these proteins are parthenogenesis-inducing factors and our results indicate this would be made possible by a novel mechanism of bacterial-host interaction.}, }
@article {pmid38071646, year = {2024}, author = {Urairi, C and Fujito, S}, title = {Interbiotype hybridization between biotypes A and B of Liriomyza chinensis (Diptera: Agromyzidae).}, journal = {Journal of economic entomology}, volume = {117}, number = {1}, pages = {240-250}, doi = {10.1093/jee/toad223}, pmid = {38071646}, issn = {1938-291X}, mesh = {Female ; Male ; Animals ; *Diptera/genetics ; *Hemiptera ; Reproduction ; Hybridization, Genetic ; Fertility ; }, abstract = {Liriomyza chinensis (Kato) is a formidable pest of Allium species, especially the Japanese bunching onion Allium fistulosum L. Recently, a novel biotype of L. chinensis (biotype B) has emerged, which causes more severe damage than the native biotype A. It has been reported that biotype B has frequently displaced biotype A in the Japanese bunching onion fields in Japan. As interbiotype hybridization is a possible factor that influences such displacement, interbiotype hybridization was conducted between L. chinensis biotypes A and B. Eggs were not laid under one-by-one crossing conditions; however, adult hybrid progeny of both sexes emerged from no-choice mating combinations-when multiple males and females were present. The fertility of F1 hybrid adults was also investigated, and backcrossed adults emerged from F1 females in both mating combinations. F1 males might have exhibited reproductive abnormalities because only a small number of backcross progeny emerged from the mating combinations using F1 males. Additionally, 3 representative endosymbionts (Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, and Cardinium) were investigated, and both biotypes were found to be infected by the same strain of Wolbachia. In addition, the courtship signals (tapping) of male adults differed between biotypes A and B as well as between F1 hybrids; the F1 males exhibited tapping behavior that was intermediate between biotypes A and B. Therefore, mating sounds serve as a form of premating reproductive isolation between biotypes A and B.}, }
@article {pmid38070178, year = {2024}, author = {Arai, H and Ueda, M and Hirano, T and Akizuki, N and Lin, SR and Hanh, DK and Widada, J and Rohman, MS and Nakai, M and Kunimi, Y and Vang, LV and Wijonarko, A and Inoue, MN}, title = {Conserved infections and reproductive phenotypes of Wolbachia symbionts in Asian tortrix moths.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology reports}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {e13219}, pmid = {38070178}, issn = {1758-2229}, support = {19J13123//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 21J00895//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 21KK0105//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 1539057329//JSPS Overseas Challenge Program for Young Researchers (2019) with RISTEK Foreign Research Permit/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Male ; *Moths/genetics/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Reproduction ; Phenotype ; Bacteria ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is a ubiquitous endosymbiotic bacterium that manipulates insect reproduction. A notable feature of Wolbachia is male killing (MK), whereby sons of infected females are killed during development; however, the evolutionary processes by which Wolbachia acquired the MK ability remain unclear. The tea tortrix moth Homona magnanima (Tortricidae) harbours three non-MK Wolbachia strains (wHm-a, wHm-b and wHm-c) and an MK strain wHm-t. Although wHm-t and wHm-c are closely related, only wHm-t has an MK-associated prophage region. To understand the evolutionary processes underlying the emergence of MK wHm-t, we examined Wolbachia infections and phenotypes in 62 tortricid species collected from 39 localities across Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam and Indonesia. PCR assays detected wHm-c relatives in 51 species and triple infection of wHm-a, wHm-b and wHm-c in 31 species. Apart from Taiwanese H. magnanima, no species exhibited the MK phenotype and were positive for the wHm-t-specific prophage. While wHm-t infection was dominant in Taiwanese H. magnanima, wHm-a, wHm-b and wHm-c were dominant in Japanese H. magnanima populations. These results suggest that wHm-a, wHm-b and wHm-c strains descended from a common ancestor with repeated infection loss and that wHm-t evolved from the wHm-c acquiring MK ability in allopatric populations of H. magnanima.}, }
@article {pmid38060903, year = {2023}, author = {Valdez-Delgado, KM and Ríos-Delgado, JC and Nettel-Cruz, JA and Angulo-Kladt, R and Villarreal-Treviño, C}, title = {Aerial release of Aedes aegypti male mosquitoes using an unmanned aerial vehicle: a novel control strategy.}, journal = {Salud publica de Mexico}, volume = {65}, number = {4, jul-ago}, pages = {387-393}, doi = {10.21149/14466}, pmid = {38060903}, issn = {1606-7916}, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; Female ; Male ; *Aedes ; Unmanned Aerial Devices ; Temperature ; Sexual Behavior ; *Wolbachia ; Mosquito Control/methods ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To development of a methodology for the chilling, handling, transport, and release of male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, reared in insectary conditions to release in the field with unmanned vehicles to compete sexually with wild males in the field.<br><br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: A population of Ae. aegypti from different areas in Tapachula, Chiapas, was used. Laboratory tests were conducted: Effect of temperature and cooling time on the knockdown, recovery of males, and copulatory success.<br><br>RESULTS: The chilling temperature of 3 &#xb1; 1&#xba;C for 30 min, was used as a knockdown temperature before handling, packing, transportation, and aerial release. The males subjected to the entire process, including the semi-field aerial release test, showed normal sexual behavior activity, obtaining 100% of females inseminated.<br><br>CONCLUSION: These results present the feasibility of applying a new control methodology using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) as support for the sterile insect release technique (SIT), use of Wolbachia or both, in male Ae. aegypti, for the design of strategies to control their populations.}, }
@article {pmid38060854, year = {2023}, author = {López-Ordóñez, T and Díaz-Rodarte, KI and Torres-Monzón, JA and Casas-Martínez, M and Danis-Lozano, R and Mosso-González, C}, title = {[Not Available].}, journal = {Salud publica de Mexico}, volume = {65}, number = {2 mar-abr}, pages = {136-143}, doi = {10.21149/14154}, pmid = {38060854}, issn = {1606-7916}, abstract = {OBJETIVO: Analizar la expresión diferencial de proteínas de Aedes aegypti infectados con Wolbachia y su asociación con el ciclo viral del virus dengue (DENV). Material y métodos. Se revisó una base de datos de proteínas de Ae. aegypti infec-tados y no infectados con Wolbachia, cepa wMel y se buscaron estas en revistas indizadas, que hablaran de la proteína y el ciclo viral de DENV.<br><br>RESULTADOS: La expresi&#xf3;n diferencial de prote&#xed;nas de los mosquitos durante la infecci&#xf3;n con Wolbachia intervienen en los procesos de entrada, replicaci&#xf3;n y salida del DENV.<br><br>CONCLUSIONES: Existen cambios en la expresi&#xf3;n de prote&#xed;nas de c&#xe9;lulas infectadas con Wolbachia, que son necesarias para el ciclo de replicaci&#xf3;n de DENV, explicando porque algunos mosquitos infectados con Wolbachia son refractarios a la infecci&#xf3;n por DENV.}, }
@article {pmid38052643, year = {2023}, author = {Liu, Z and Zhou, T}, title = {The effect of migration on transmission of Wolbachia in Nilaparvata lugens.}, journal = {Mathematical biosciences and engineering : MBE}, volume = {20}, number = {11}, pages = {20213-20244}, doi = {10.3934/mbe.2023895}, pmid = {38052643}, issn = {1551-0018}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia ; *Hemiptera ; Insecta ; *Oryza ; }, abstract = {Brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens, which can transmit rice ragged stunt virus, is a serious and damaging pest to rice plants. Rice plants can protect themselves from the associated diseases of N.lugens by either suppressing or replacing N.lugens by releasing N.lugens infected by a special strain of Wolbachia wStri. The long-distance migration habit of N.lugens is one of the important precursors leading up to the large-scale occurrence of N.lugens. To study the effect of migration on the transmission of Wolbachia in N.lugens, a Wolbachia spreading dynamics model with migration of N.lugens between two patches is put forward. The existence and local stability conditions of equilibrium points of the system and its subsystems are obtained. Moreover, the effects of migration on the dynamic properties and the control of N.lugens are analyzed; the results show that the system can exhibit a bistable phenomenon, and the migration can change the stability of equilibrium infected with wStri from stable to unstable. The quantitative control methods for the migration of the insect N.lugens are proposed, which provide a theoretical guidance for future field experiments. Lastly, we use the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method to estimate the parameters of the wild N.lugens migration model based on limited observational data; the numerical simulation results show that migration can increase the quantity of N.lugens, which is consistent with the relevant experimental results.}, }
@article {pmid38047691, year = {2024}, author = {Nakabachi, A and Suzaki, T}, title = {Ultrastructure of the bacteriome and bacterial symbionts in the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {e0224923}, pmid = {38047691}, issn = {2165-0497}, support = {21687020, 26292174, 20H02998//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera ; Bacteria/genetics ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Omics analyses suggested a mutually indispensable tripartite association among the host D. citri and organelle-like bacteriome associates, Carsonella and Profftella, which are vertically transmitted through host generations. This relationship is based on the metabolic complementarity among these organisms, which is partly enabled by horizontal gene transfer between partners. However, little was known about the fine morphology of the symbionts and the bacteriome, the interface among these organisms. As a first step to address this issue, the present study performed transmission electron microscopy, which revealed previously unrecognized ultrastructures, including aggregations of ribosomes in Carsonella, numerous tubes and occasional protrusions of Profftella, apparently degrading Profftella, and host organelles with different abundance and morphology in distinct cell types. These findings provide insights into the behaviors of the symbionts and host cells to maintain the symbiotic relationship in D. citri.}, }
@article {pmid38037192, year = {2023}, author = {Lühken, R and Brattig, N and Becker, N}, title = {Introduction of invasive mosquito species into Europe and prospects for arbovirus transmission and vector control in an era of globalization.}, journal = {Infectious diseases of poverty}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {109}, pmid = {38037192}, issn = {2049-9957}, support = {01Kl2022//Bundesministerium f&#xfc;r Bildung und Forschung/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Arboviruses ; Introduced Species ; Europe/epidemiology ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Aedes ; *Zika Virus ; *Zika Virus Infection ; Mosquito Control ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Mosquito research in Europe has a long history, primarily focused on malaria vectors. In recent years, invasive mosquito species like the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) and the spread of arboviruses like dengue virus, chikungunya virus or bluetongue virus have led to an intensification of research and monitoring in Europe. The risk of further dissemination of exotic species and mosquito-borne pathogens is expected to increase with ongoing globalization, human mobility, transport geography, and climate warming. Researchers have conducted various studies to understand the ecology, biology, and effective control strategies of mosquitoes and associated pathogens.<br><br>MAIN BODY: Three invasive mosquito species are established in Europe: Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), Japanese bush mosquito (Ae. japonicus), and Korean bush mosquito (Aedes koreicus). Ae. albopictus is the most invasive species and has been established in Europe since 1990. Over the past two decades, there has been an increasing number of outbreaks of infections by mosquito-borne viruses in particular chikungunya virus, dengue virus or Zika virus in Europe primary driven by Ae. albopictus. At the same time, climate change with rising temperatures results in increasing threat of invasive mosquito-borne viruses, in particular Usutu virus and West Nile virus transmitted by native Culex mosquito species. Effective mosquito control programs require a high level of community participation, going along with comprehensive information campaigns, to ensure source reduction and successful control. Control strategies for container breeding mosquitoes like Ae. albopictus or&#xa0;Culex species involve community participation, door-to-door control activities in private areas. Further measures can involve integration of sterile insect techniques, applying indigenous copepods, Wolbachia sp. bacteria, or genetically modified mosquitoes, which is very unlike to be practiced as standard method in the near future.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Climate change and globalization resulting in the increased establishment of invasive mosquitoes in particular of the Asian tiger mosquito Ae. albopictus in Europe within the last 30&#xa0;years and increasing outbreaks of infections by mosquito-borne viruses warrants intensification of research and monitoring. Further, effective future mosquito control programs require increase in intense community and private participation, applying physical, chemical, biological, and genetical control activities.}, }
@article {pmid38036023, year = {2024}, author = {Ngnindji-Youdje, Y and Lontsi-Demano, M and Diarra, AZ and Makaila, AM and Tchuinkam, T and Berenger, JM and Parola, P}, title = {Morphological, molecular, and MALDI-TOF MS identification of bed bugs and associated Wolbachia species from Cameroon.}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {249}, number = {}, pages = {107086}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107086}, pmid = {38036023}, issn = {1873-6254}, mesh = {Male ; Animals ; Female ; *Bedbugs/genetics/microbiology ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Cameroon ; *Ectoparasitic Infestations ; }, abstract = {After vanishing from the public eye for more than 50 years, bed bugs have resurged to become one of the most widely discussed and heavily researched insect pests in the world. This study presents the basic information of infestations of tropical bed bugs, Cimex hemipterus (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), in Cameroon. A total of 248 immature stage and adult bed bug specimens were collected from households and a travel agency in Yaoundé and Douala, Cameroon. The ability of MALDI-TOF MS to identify bed bugs was tested using heads for adults and cephalothoraxes for immature stages. Microorganism screening was performed by qPCR and confirmed by regular PCR and sequencing. Based on morphometrical criteria, four stages of immature bed bugs are represented. Of the 248 bed bug specimens morphologically identified as Cimex hemipterus, 246 (77 males, 65 females and 104 immature specimens) were submitted to MALDI-TOF MS analysis. Of the 222 adults and immature specimens tested, 122 (59.9 %) produced good quality MALDI-TOF MS spectra (35 adults and 87 immature specimens). Blind testing allowed species level identification of 98.21 % of adult and immature C. hemipterus. Among the bacteria tested, only Wolbachia DNA was found in 12/246 (4.8 %) bed bugs. More surveys in the country are warranted to assess the true level of bed bug infestations, in order to take appropriate action for their control.}, }
@article {pmid38032857, year = {2023}, author = {Velez, ID and Tanamas, SK and Arbelaez, MP and Kutcher, SC and Duque, SL and Uribe, A and Zuluaga, L and Martínez, L and Patiño, AC and Barajas, J and Muñoz, E and Mejia Torres, MC and Uribe, S and Porras, S and Almanza, R and Pulido, H and O'Neill, SL and Santacruz-Sanmartin, E and Gonzalez, S and Ryan, PA and Denton, JA and Jewell, NP and Dufault, SM and Simmons, CP and Anders, KL}, title = {Reduced dengue incidence following city-wide wMel Wolbachia mosquito releases throughout three Colombian cities: Interrupted time series analysis and a prospective case-control study.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {17}, number = {11}, pages = {e0011713}, pmid = {38032857}, issn = {1935-2735}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Wolbachia ; Colombia/epidemiology ; *Dengue Virus ; Cities/epidemiology ; Incidence ; Interrupted Time Series Analysis ; Case-Control Studies ; Reproducibility of Results ; Pest Control, Biological/methods ; *Aedes ; *Dengue/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; Mosquito Vectors ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The introduction of Wolbachia (wMel strain) into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes reduces their capacity to transmit dengue and other arboviruses. Randomised and non-randomised studies in multiple countries have shown significant reductions in dengue incidence following field releases of wMel-infected Ae. aegypti. We report the public health outcomes from phased, large-scale releases of wMel-Ae. aegypti mosquitoes throughout three contiguous cities in the Aburrá Valley, Colombia.<br><br>Following pilot releases in 2015-2016, staged city-wide wMel-Ae. aegypti deployments were undertaken in the cities of Bello, Medell&#xed;n and Itag&#xfc;&#xed; (3.3 million people) between October 2016 and April 2022. The impact of the Wolbachia intervention on dengue incidence was evaluated in two parallel studies. A quasi-experimental study using interrupted time series analysis showed notified dengue case incidence was reduced by 95% in Bello and Medell&#xed;n and 97% in Itag&#xfc;&#xed;, following establishment of wMel at &#x2265;60% prevalence, compared to the pre-intervention period and after adjusting for seasonal trends. A concurrent clinic-based case-control study with a test-negative design was unable to attain the target sample size of 63 enrolled virologically-confirmed dengue (VCD) cases between May 2019 and December 2021, consistent with low dengue incidence throughout the Aburr&#xe1; Valley following wMel deployments. Nevertheless, VCD incidence was 45% lower (OR 0.55 [95% CI 0.25, 1.17]) and combined VCD/presumptive dengue incidence was 47% lower (OR 0.53 [95% CI 0.30, 0.93]) among participants resident in wMel-treated versus untreated neighbourhoods.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Stable introduction of wMel into local Ae. aegypti populations was associated with a significant and sustained reduction in dengue incidence across three Colombian cities. These results from the largest contiguous Wolbachia releases to-date demonstrate the real-world effectiveness of the method across large urban populations and, alongside previously published results, support the reproducibility of this effectiveness across different ecological settings.<br><br>TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03631719.}, }
@article {pmid38032856, year = {2023}, author = {Velez, ID and Uribe, A and Barajas, J and Uribe, S and Ángel, S and Suaza-Vasco, JD and Mejia Torres, MC and Arbeláez, MP and Santacruz-Sanmartin, E and Duque, L and Martínez, L and Posada, T and Patiño, AC and Gonzalez, SM and Velez, AL and Ramírez, J and Salazar, M and Gómez, S and Osorio, JE and Iturbe-Ormaetxe, I and Dong, Y and Muzzi, FC and Rances, E and Johnson, PH and Smithyman, R and Col, B and Green, BR and Frossard, T and Brown-Kenyon, J and Joubert, DA and Grisales, N and Ritchie, SA and Denton, JA and Gilles, JRL and Anders, KL and Kutcher, SC and Ryan, PA and O'Neill, SL}, title = {Large-scale releases and establishment of wMel Wolbachia in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes throughout the Cities of Bello, Medellín and Itagüí, Colombia.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {17}, number = {11}, pages = {e0011642}, pmid = {38032856}, issn = {1935-2735}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Aedes ; *Wolbachia ; Cities ; Colombia ; Environment ; Mosquito Vectors ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The wMel strain of Wolbachia has been successfully introduced into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and has been shown to reduce the transmission of dengue and other Aedes-borne viruses. Here we report the entomological results from phased, large-scale releases of Wolbachia infected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes throughout three contiguous cities located in the Aburrá Valley, Colombia.<br><br>Local wMel Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes were generated and then released in an initial release pilot area in 2015-2016, which resulted in the establishment of Wolbachia in the local mosquito populations. Subsequent large-scale releases, mainly involving vehicle-based releases of adult mosquitoes along publicly accessible roads and streets, were undertaken across 29 comunas throughout Bello, Medell&#xed;n and Itag&#xfc;&#xed; Colombia between 2017-2022. In 9 comunas these were supplemented by egg releases that were undertaken by staff or community members. By the most recent monitoring, Wolbachia was found to be stable and established at consistent levels in local mosquito populations (>60% prevalence) in the majority (67%) of areas.<br><br>CONCLUSION: These results, from the largest contiguous releases of wMel Wolbachia mosquitoes to date, highlight the operational feasibility of implementing the method in large urban settings. Based on results from previous studies, we expect that Wolbachia establishment will be sustained long term. Ongoing monitoring will confirm Wolbachia persistence in local mosquito populations and track its establishment in the remaining areas.}, }
@article {pmid38021190, year = {2023}, author = {Bawm, S and Khaing, Y and Chel, HM and Hmoon, MM and Win, SY and Bo, M and Naing, T and Htun, LL}, title = {Molecular detection of Dirofilaria immitis and its Wolbachia endosymbionts in dogs from Myanmar.}, journal = {Current research in parasitology &amp; vector-borne diseases}, volume = {4}, number = {}, pages = {100148}, pmid = {38021190}, issn = {2667-114X}, abstract = {Heartworm disease in dogs and cats caused by Dirofilaria immitis continues to be a major clinical issue globally. This study focused on dogs suspicious of having tick-borne diseases (TBD) brought to a clinic and a veterinary teaching hospital in Myanmar. Blood samples were collected and initially screened using SNAP® 4Dx® Plus test kit. All dog blood samples were subjected to conventional PCR to detect both Dirofilaria spp. (cox1 gene) and Wolbachia spp. (16S rDNA) infections. Infection with D. immitis was detected in 14 (28.0%) of 50 examined samples, while the detection rate of TBD causative agents, including Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia canis, was 26.0% (13/50) and 26.0% (13/50), respectively, as determined by ELISA rapid test. In this study, D. immitis infection was moderately but significantly correlated with TBD infections (Pearson's r = 0.397, P = 0.008). Comparative sequence and phylogenetic analyses provided molecular identification of D. immitis in Myanmar and confirmed the identity of its Wolbachia endosymbiont with Wolbachia endosymbionts isolated from D. immitis, Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Aedes aegypti. The present study contributes to our understanding of the coexistence of D. immitis and Wolbachia endosymbiosis in dogs, and the findings may benefit the future prevention and control of dirofilariasis in dogs.}, }
@article {pmid38020682, year = {2023}, author = {McPherson, AE and Abram, PK and Curtis, CI and Wannop, ER and Dudzic, JP and Perlman, SJ}, title = {Dynamic changes in Wolbachia infection over a single generation of Drosophila suzukii, across a wide range of resource availability.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {13}, number = {11}, pages = {e10722}, pmid = {38020682}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Wolbachia bacteria are maternally inherited symbionts that commonly infect terrestrial arthropods. Many Wolbachia reach high frequencies in their hosts by manipulating their reproduction, for example by causing reproductive incompatibilities between infected male and uninfected female hosts. However, not all strains manipulate reproduction, and a key unresolved question is how these non-manipulative Wolbachia persist in their hosts, often at intermediate to high frequencies. One such strain, wSuz, infects the invasive fruit pest Drosophila suzukii, spotted-wing drosophila. Here, we tested the hypothesis that wSuz infection provides a competitive benefit when resources are limited. Over the course of one season, we established population cages with varying amounts of food in a semi-field setting and seeded them with a 50:50 mixture of flies with and without Wolbachia. We predicted that Wolbachia-infected individuals should have higher survival and faster development than their uninfected counterparts when there was little available food. We found that while food availability strongly impacted fly fitness, there was no difference in development times or survival between Wolbachia-infected and uninfected flies. Interestingly, however, Wolbachia infection frequencies changed dramatically, with infections either increasing or decreasing by as much as 30% in a single generation, suggesting the possibility of unidentified factors shaping Wolbachia infection over the course of the season.}, }
@article {pmid38018822, year = {2023}, author = {Dai, X and Quan, Q and Jiao, J}, title = {Modelling and analysis of periodic impulsive releases of the Nilaparvata lugens infected with wStri-Wolbachia.}, journal = {Journal of biological dynamics}, volume = {17}, number = {1}, pages = {2287077}, doi = {10.1080/17513758.2023.2287077}, pmid = {38018822}, issn = {1751-3766}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia ; Models, Biological ; Population Dynamics ; *Hemiptera ; }, abstract = {In this paper, we formulate a population suppression model and a population replacement model with periodic impulsive releases of Nilaparvata lugens infected with wStri. The conditions for the stability of wild-N.lugens-eradication periodic solution of two systems are obtained by applying the Floquet theorem and comparison theorem. And the sufficient conditions for the persistence in the mean of wild N.lugens are also given. In addition, the sufficient conditions for the extinction and persistence of the wild N.lugens in the subsystem without wLug are also obtained. Finally, we give numerical analysis which shows that increasing the release amount or decreasing the release period are beneficial for controlling the wild N.lugens, and the efficiency of population replacement strategy in controlling wild populations is higher than that of population suppression strategy under the same release conditions.}, }
@article {pmid38016137, year = {2024}, author = {Azarm, A and Koosha, M and Dalimi, A and Zahraie-Ramazani, A and Akhavan, AA and Saeidi, Z and Mohebali, M and Azam, K and Vatandoost, H and Oshaghi, MA}, title = {Association Between Wolbachia Infection and Susceptibility to Deltamethrin Insecticide in Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae), the Main Vector of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.}, journal = {Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)}, volume = {24}, number = {3}, pages = {159-165}, doi = {10.1089/vbz.2023.0085}, pmid = {38016137}, issn = {1557-7759}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Phlebotomus/microbiology ; *Psychodidae ; *Insecticides/pharmacology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/veterinary ; *Nitriles ; *Pyrethrins ; }, abstract = {Background: Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae) is the main vector of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis. Wolbachia is a symbiotic alphaproteobacteria of arthropods that can be involved in susceptibility or resistance. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Wolbachia and Deltamethrin susceptibility/resistance in Ph. papatasi. Deltamethrin filter papers (0.00002%) were used to test sand fly field collected from southern Iran. After the test, PCR amplification of the Wolbachia surface protein gene (wsp) was used to measure Wolbachia infection rate in the killed, surviving, and control groups. Result: The rates of infection by Wolbachia strain (wPap, super group A) differed between killed (susceptible) and surviving (resistant) Ph. papatasi specimens. The rate of Wolbachia infection in susceptible individuals was more than twice (2.3) (39% vs. 17%) in resistant individuals with the same genetic background. This difference was highly significant (p < 0.001), indicating a positive association between Wolbachia infection and susceptibility to Deltamethrin. In addition, the results showed that Deltamethrin can act as a PCR inhibitor during detection of Wolbachia in Ph. papatasi. Conclusion: Results of this study show that Wolbachia is associated with Deltamethrin susceptibility level in Ph. papatasi. Also, as Deltamethrin has been identified as a PCR inhibitor, great care must be taken in interpreting Wolbachia infection status in infected populations. The results of this study may provide information for a better understanding of the host-symbiont relationship, as well as application of host symbiosis in pest management.}, }
@article {pmid38012718, year = {2023}, author = {Zhang, H and Trueman, E and Hou, X and Chew, X and Deng, L and Liew, J and Chia, T and Xi, Z and Tan, CH and Cai, Y}, title = {Different mechanisms of X-ray irradiation-induced male and female sterility in Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {BMC biology}, volume = {21}, number = {1}, pages = {274}, pmid = {38012718}, issn = {1741-7007}, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; Male ; Female ; *Infertility, Female ; X-Rays ; *Aedes ; Mosquito Vectors ; Mosquito Control/methods ; *Wolbachia ; Insecta ; *Zika Virus ; *Zika Virus Infection ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Aedes aegypti (Ae. aegypti) is the major vector that transmits many diseases including dengue, Zika, and filariasis in tropical and subtropical regions. Due to the growing resistance to chemical-based insecticides, biological control methods have become an emerging direction to control mosquito populations. The sterile insect technique (SIT) deploys high doses of ionizing radiation to sterilize male mosquitoes before the release. The Wolbachia-based population suppression method of the incompatible insect technique (IIT) involves the release of Wolbachia-infected males to sterilize uninfected field females. Due to the lack of perfect sex separation tools, a low percentage of female contamination is detected in the male population. To prevent the unintentional release of these Wolbachia-infected females which might result in population replacement, a low dose of X-ray irradiation is deployed to sterilize any female escapees. However, it remains unclear whether these irradiation-induced male and female sterilizations share common mechanisms.<br><br>RESULTS: In this work, we set out to define the minimum dose of X-ray radiation required for complete female sterilization in Ae. aegypti (NEA-EHI strain). Further results showed that this minimum dose of X-ray irradiation for female sterilization significantly reduced male fertility. Similar results have been reported previously in several operational trials. By addressing the underlying causes of the sterility, our results showed that male sterility is likely due to chromosomal damage in the germ cells induced by irradiation. In contrast, female sterility appears to differ and is likely initiated by the elimination of the somatic supporting cells, which results in the blockage of the ovariole maturation. Building upon these findings, we identified the minimum dose of X-ray irradiation on the Wolbachia-infected NEA-EHI (wAlbB-SG) strain, which is currently being used in the IIT-SIT field trial. Compared to the uninfected parental strain, a lower irradiation dose could fully sterilize wAlbB-SG females. This suggests that Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes are more sensitive to irradiation, consistent with a previous report showing that a lower irradiation dose fully sterilized Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti females (Brazil and Mexican strains) compared to those uninfected controls.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our findings thus reveal the distinct mechanisms of ionizing X-ray irradiation-induced male or female sterility in Ae. aegypti mosquitoes, which may help the design of X-ray irradiation-based vector control methods.}, }
@article {pmid38011160, year = {2023}, author = {Oliveira, TMP and Rojas, MVR and Amorim, JA and Alonso, DP and de Carvalho, DP and Ribeiro, KAN and Sallum, MAM}, title = {Bacterial diversity on larval and female Mansonia spp. from different localities of Porto Velho, Rondonia, Brazil.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {18}, number = {11}, pages = {e0293946}, pmid = {38011160}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Female ; Animals ; Larva/microbiology ; Brazil ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Culicidae/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; }, abstract = {Studies based on the bacterial diversity present in Mansonia spp. are limited; therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the bacterial diversity in females and larvae of Mansonia spp., describe the differences between the groups identified, and compare the microbiota of larvae from different collection sites. Sequences of the 16S rRNA region from the larvae and females of Mansonia spp. were analyzed. Diversity analyzes were performed to verify the possible bacterial differences between the groups and the collection sites. The results showed Pseudomonas was the most abundant genus in both females and larvae, followed by Wolbachia in females and Rikenellaceae and Desulfovibrio in larvae. Desulfovibrio and Sulfurospirillum, sulfate- and sulfur-reducing bacteria, respectively, were abundant on the larvae. Aminomonas, an amino acid-degrading bacterium, was found only in larvae, whereas Rickettsia was identified in females. Bacterial diversity was observed between females and larvae of Mansonia and between larvae from different collection sites. In addition, the results suggest that the environment influenced bacterial diversity.}, }
@article {pmid38006562, year = {2024}, author = {Serbus, LR}, title = {A Light in the Dark: Uncovering Wolbachia-Host Interactions Using Fluorescence Imaging.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2739}, number = {}, pages = {349-373}, pmid = {38006562}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Arthropods/microbiology ; *Nematoda ; Symbiosis ; Optical Imaging ; }, abstract = {The success of microbial endosymbionts, which reside naturally within a eukaryotic "host" organism, requires effective microbial interaction with, and manipulation of, the host cells. Fluorescence microscopy has played a key role in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of endosymbiosis. For 30 years, fluorescence analyses have been a cornerstone in studies of endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria, focused on host colonization, maternal transmission, reproductive parasitism, horizontal gene transfer, viral suppression, and metabolic interactions in arthropods and nematodes. Fluorescence-based studies stand to continue informing Wolbachia-host interactions in increasingly detailed and innovative ways.}, }
@article {pmid38006561, year = {2024}, author = {Bordenstein, SR}, title = {Isolation of Phage WO Particles from Wolbachia-Infected Arthropods.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2739}, number = {}, pages = {337-348}, pmid = {38006561}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Animals ; *Arthropods ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Bacteriophages/genetics ; Prophages ; Myoviridae ; }, abstract = {Nearly all arthropod-associated Wolbachia contain intact and/or genomic remnants of phage WO, temperate bacteriophages that facilitate horizontal gene transfer, genomic rearrangement of the bacterial chromosome, and symbiotic interactions between Wolbachia and their arthropod hosts. Integrated prophage WO genomes produce active, lytic particles; but the lack of a cell-free culturing system for Wolbachia render them difficult to purify and study. This chapter describes polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation of phage particles from Wolbachia-infected arthropods, followed by confirmation of phage WO isolation and purification using electron microscopy and PCR.}, }
@article {pmid38006560, year = {2024}, author = {Murphy, RO and Beckmann, JF}, title = {Using Baker's Yeast to Determine Functions of Novel Wolbachia (and Other Prokaryotic) Effectors.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2739}, number = {}, pages = {321-336}, pmid = {38006560}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics/metabolism ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Genome ; Protein Interaction Mapping ; Insecta/genetics ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Yeasts are single-celled eukaryotic organisms classified as fungi, mostly in the phylum Ascomycota. Of about 1500 named species, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, also known as baker's yeast, domesticated by humans in the context of cooking and brewing, is a profound genetic tool for exploring functions of novel effector proteins from Wolbachia and prokaryotes in general. Wolbachia is a Gram-negative alpha-proteobacterium that infects up to ~75% of all insects as an obligate intracellular microbe (Jeyaprakash A, Hoy MA, Insect Mol Biol 9:393-405, 2000). Wolbachia's lifestyle presents unique challenges for researchers. Wolbachia cannot be axenically cultured and has never been genetically manipulated. Furthermore, many Wolbachia genes have no known function or well-annotated orthologs in other genomes. Yet given the effects of Wolbachia on host phenotypes, which have considerable practical applications for pest control, they undoubtedly involve secreted effector proteins that interact with host gene products. Studying these effectors is challenging with Wolbachia's current genetic limitations. However, some of the constraints to working with Wolbachia can be overcome by expressing candidate proteins in S. cerevisiae. This approach capitalizes on yeast's small genome (~6500 genes), typical eukaryotic cellular organization, and the sophisticated suite of genetic tools available for its manipulation in culture. Thus, yeast can serve as a powerful mock eukaryotic host background to study Wolbachia effector function. Specifically, yeast is used for recombinant protein expression, drug discovery, protein localization studies, protein interaction mapping (yeast two-hybrid system), modeling chromosomal evolution, and examining interactions between proteins responsible for complex phenotypes in less tractable prokaryotic systems. As an example, the paired genes responsible for Wolbachia-mediated cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) encode novel proteins with limited homology to other known proteins, and no obvious function. This article details how S. cerevisiae was used as an initial staging ground to explore the molecular basis of one of Wolbachia's trademark phenotypes (CI).}, }
@article {pmid38006559, year = {2024}, author = {Cortez, CT and Murphy, RO and Owens, IM and Beckmann, JF}, title = {Use of Drosophila Transgenics to Identify Functions for Symbiont Effectors.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2739}, number = {}, pages = {301-320}, doi = {10.1007/978-1-0716-3553-7_18}, pmid = {38006559}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Animals ; *Drosophila ; Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; Biological Evolution ; Insecta ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia, one of the most successful and studied insect symbionts, and Drosophila, one of the most understood model insects, can be exploited as complementary tools to unravel mechanisms of insect symbiosis. Although Wolbachia itself cannot be grown axenically as clonal isolates or genetically manipulated by standard methods, its reproductive phenotypes, including cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), have been elucidated using well-developed molecular tools and precise transgenic manipulations available for Drosophila melanogaster. Current research only scratches the surface of how Drosophila can provide a tool for understanding Wolbachia's evolutionary success and the molecular roles of its genetic elements. Here, we briefly outline basic methodologies inherent to transgenic Drosophila systems that have already contributed significant advances in understanding CI, but may be unfamiliar to those who lack experience in Drosophila genetics. In the future, these approaches will continue providing significant insights into Wolbachia that undoubtedly will be extended to other insect symbionts and their biological capabilities.}, }
@article {pmid38006558, year = {2024}, author = {Valerio, F and Twort, VG and Duplouy, A}, title = {A Worked Example of Screening Genomic Material for the Presence of Wolbachia Infection.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2739}, number = {}, pages = {275-299}, doi = {10.1007/978-1-0716-3553-7_17}, pmid = {38006558}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Genome, Bacterial ; Genomics ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {This chapter gives a brief overview of how to screen existing host genomic data for the presence of endosymbionts, such as Wolbachia. The various programs used provide test examples, and the corresponding manuals and discussion boards provide invaluable information. Please do consult these resources.}, }
@article {pmid38006557, year = {2024}, author = {Valerio, F and Twort, VG and Duplouy, A}, title = {Screening Host Genomic Data for Wolbachia Infections.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2739}, number = {}, pages = {251-274}, pmid = {38006557}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {*Wolbachia/genetics ; Genome, Bacterial ; Genomics ; Base Sequence ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Less than a decade ago, the production of Wolbachia genomic assemblies was tedious, time-consuming, and expensive. The production of Wolbachia genomic DNA free of contamination from host DNA, as required for Wolbachia-targeted sequencing, was then only possible after the amplification and extraction of a large amount of clonal Wolbachia DNA. However, as an endosymbiotic bacterium, Wolbachia does not grow outside the host cell environment, and large-scale recovery of the bacteria required mass rearing of their host, preferably clones of a single individual to avoid strain genetic diversity, or amplification of cell cultures infected with a single Wolbachia strain. Bacterial DNA could be separated from host DNA based on genomic size. Nowadays, the production of full Wolbachia genomes does not require the physical isolation of the bacterial strains from their respective hosts, and the bacterium is often sequenced as a by-catch of host genomic projects. Here, we provide a step-by-step protocol to (1) identify whether host genome projects contain reads from associated Wolbachia and (2) isolate/retrieve the Wolbachia reads from the rest of the sequenced material. We hope this simple protocol will support many projects aiming at studying diverse Wolbachia genome assemblies.}, }
@article {pmid38006555, year = {2024}, author = {Chrostek, E}, title = {Procedures for the Detection of Wolbachia-Conferred Antiviral Protection in Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2739}, number = {}, pages = {219-237}, pmid = {38006555}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Host-Pathogen Interactions/genetics ; *Virus Diseases ; Antiviral Agents ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Spread of Wolbachia infections in host populations may be enhanced by Wolbachia-conferred protection from viral pathogens. Wolbachia-infected Drosophila melanogaster survive the pathogenic effects of positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus infections at a higher rate than the flies without Wolbachia. The protection can occur with or without detectable reduction in virus titer. For the comparisons to be meaningful, Wolbachia-harboring and Wolbachia-free insects need to be genetically matched, and original populations of gut microbiota need to be restored after the removal of Wolbachia using antibiotics. Here, I describe the procedures needed to detect Wolbachia-conferred antiviral protection against Drosophila C virus measured as the difference in survival and viral titer between flies with and without Wolbachia.}, }
@article {pmid38006554, year = {2024}, author = {Walker, T}, title = {Detection of Natural Wolbachia Strains in Anopheles Mosquitoes.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2739}, number = {}, pages = {205-218}, pmid = {38006554}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Anopheles/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Malaria ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is an endosymbiotic bacterium that naturally infects many insect species, including mosquitoes that transmit human diseases. Wolbachia strains have been shown to inhibit the transmission of both arboviruses and malaria Plasmodium parasites. The existence of natural strains in wild Anopheles (An.) mosquitoes, the vectors of malaria parasites, in an endosymbiotic relationship is still to be fully determined. Although Wolbachia has been reported to be present in wild populations of the An. gambiae complex, the primary vectors of malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa, Wolbachia DNA sequence density and infection frequencies are low. As most studies have used highly sensitive nested PCR as the only detection method, more robust evidence is required to determine whether Wolbachia strains are established as endosymbionts in Anopheles species. Techniques such as fluorescent in situ hybridization, microbiome sequencing, and Wolbachia whole genome sequencing have provided concrete evidence for genuine Wolbachia strains in two mosquito species: An. moucheti and An. demeilloni. In this chapter, the current methodology used to determine if resident strains exist in Anopheles mosquitoes will be reviewed, including both PCR- and non-PCR-based protocols.}, }
@article {pmid38006553, year = {2024}, author = {Ross, PA}, title = {Measuring Host Fitness Effects and Transmission of Wolbachia Strains in Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2739}, number = {}, pages = {189-203}, pmid = {38006553}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; *Aedes ; *Wolbachia ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Arboviruses ; }, abstract = {Lines of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes infected with heritable Wolbachia bacteria are being developed and released for arbovirus control. Coordinated releases of lab-reared Wolbachia mosquitoes have reduced local disease incidence by spreading virus-blocking Wolbachia strains and by crashing mosquito populations through incompatible male releases. The phenotypic effects of Wolbachia are diverse and depend on both genetics and the environment. Accurate assessments of Wolbachia effects in mosquitoes are essential, as such effects can make the difference between success and failure of a Wolbachia release program. This chapter provides guidelines for testing key Wolbachia host effects and transmission in Aedes aegypti: the most important arbovirus vector and the most common target of Wolbachia release programs. The protocols should be useful for evaluating mosquito strains prior to field release.}, }
@article {pmid38006552, year = {2024}, author = {Zhang, M and Xi, Z}, title = {Wolbachia Transinfection Via Embryonic Microinjection.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2739}, number = {}, pages = {175-188}, pmid = {38006552}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Animals ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Wolbachia ; Microinjections ; Cytoplasm ; Cytosol ; *Aedes ; Insecta ; }, abstract = {The process of transferring Wolbachia from one species to another to establish a stable, maternally inherited infection in the target species is known as transinfection. The success of transinfection is primarily achieved through embryonic microinjection, which is the most direct and efficient means of delivering Wolbachia into the germline of the target species and establishing stable maternal transmission. For the fundamental studies, transinfection is often used to characterize Wolbachia-host interactions, including Wolbachia host range, the role of host or bacterial factors in symbiosis, and evolution of Wolbachia-host associations. For the applied studies, use of transinfection to generate a novel infection in the target species is the first step to build the weapon for both population replacement and population suppression for controlling insect pests or their transmitted diseases. For the primary dengue vector Aedes aegypti and Anopheles vectors of malaria, which either do not naturally carry Wolbachia or are infected with strains that lack necessary features for implementation, transinfection can be established by introducing a novel strain capable of inducing both cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) and pathogen blocking. For A. albopictus and Culex mosquito species, which naturally harbor CI-inducing Wolbachia, transinfection can be achieved by either introducing a novel strain to generate superinfection or replacing the native infection with a different Wolbachia strain in a symbiont-free line, which is derived from antibiotic treatment of the wild type. Here, we use A. aegypti as an example to describe the Wolbachia transinfection method, which can be adapted to other insect species, such as planthoppers, according to their specific developmental requirements.}, }
@article {pmid38006551, year = {2024}, author = {Fallon, AM}, title = {Preparation of Infectious Wolbachia from a Mosquito Cell Line.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2739}, number = {}, pages = {157-171}, pmid = {38006551}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Mitomycin ; Cell Line ; *Aedes ; }, abstract = {Eventual genetic engineering of Wolbachia will require maximizing recovery of infectious bacteria, maintaining Wolbachia in a viable state for efficient manipulation, and reinfection of host cells for propagation and expansion of recombinant progeny. Challenges to manipulating Wolbachia arise from its obligate intracellular lifestyle and inability to divide outside a host cell, requiring modifications of standard bacteriological methods. The Aedes albopictus C7-10 cell line has proven to be a good recipient for the Wolbachia supergroup B strain, wStri, from the planthopper Laodelphax striatellus; the persistently infected C/wStri1 population provides a source of wStri inoculum that can be used systematically to explore conditions that increase yields of infectious material from input Wolbachia and identify conditions conducive to Wolbachia replication. After reintroduction into naive, uninfected C7-10 cells, wStri recovery, relative to the input inoculum, is influenced by diverse conditions, such as the cell cycle arrest that follows treatment of infected host cells with the insect steroid hormone, 20-hydroxyecdysone. Pretreatment of recipient cells with mitomycin C, which cross-links DNA and inhibits host cell replication, can improve recovery from low levels of input Wolbachia. This protocol describes preparation of infectious inoculum from Aedes albopictus C/wStri1 cells and amplification of Wolbachia in mitomycin C-treated, uninfected C7-10 cells, followed by a brief description of conditions used for various small-scale manipulations of Wolbachia in infected cells.}, }
@article {pmid38006550, year = {2024}, author = {Bishop, C and Asgari, S}, title = {Use of Antibiotics to Eliminate Wolbachia from Mosquitoes and Cell Culture.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2739}, number = {}, pages = {147-156}, pmid = {38006550}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Aedes ; Cell Line ; Cell Culture Techniques ; }, abstract = {Removal of Wolbachia from infected insects is required in most experimental settings when the effects of Wolbachia on biological traits, pathogen blocking, reproduction, and fitness are assessed. This is to ensure that the genetic backgrounds of Wolbachia-infected and uninfected insects are the same. Here, we describe methodologies used for the elimination of Wolbachia from insects and insect cell lines with antibiotics.}, }
@article {pmid38006549, year = {2024}, author = {Madhav, M and James, P}, title = {Developing Wolbachia-Infected Cell Lines from Insects.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2739}, number = {}, pages = {137-145}, pmid = {38006549}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia ; Insecta ; Cell Line ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia, an intracellular bacterium of arthropods, is an ideal candidate for use in the biological control of insect pests. The inability of Wolbachia to grow in the extracellular environment requires maintenance in live insects or insect cell cultures. Growing and adapting high-density Wolbachia in the targeted host cells improves the possibility of cross-species transinfection. Here, we describe a method for the establishment of a primary cell culture from insect embryos and its transinfection with Wolbachia.}, }
@article {pmid38006548, year = {2024}, author = {Kaur, A and Brown, AMV}, title = {Detection and Analysis of Wolbachia in Plant-Parasitic Nematodes and Insights into Wolbachia Evolution.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2739}, number = {}, pages = {115-134}, pmid = {38006548}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Nematoda/genetics ; Plants/parasitology ; Genomics ; Metagenomics ; }, abstract = {Since the discovery of Wolbachia in plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs), there has been increased interest in this earliest branching clade that may hold important clues to early transitions in Wolbachia function in the Ecdysozoa. However, due to the specialized skills and equipment of nematology and the difficulty in culturing most PPNs, these PPN-type Wolbachia remain undersampled and poorly understood. To date, there are few established laboratory methods for working with PPN-type Wolbachia strains, and most research has relied on chance discovery and comparative genomics. Here, we address this challenge by providing detailed methods to assist researchers with more efficiently collecting PPNs and screen these communities, populations, or single nematodes with a newly developed PPN-type Wolbachia-specific PCR assay. We provide an overview of the typical yields and outcomes of these methods, to facilitate further targeted cultivation or experimental methods, and finally we provide a short introduction to some of the specific challenges and solutions in following through with comparative or population genomics on PPN-type Wolbachia strains.}, }
@article {pmid38006547, year = {2024}, author = {Kakumanu, ML and Hickin, ML and Schal, C}, title = {Detection, Quantification, and Elimination of Wolbachia in Bed Bugs.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2739}, number = {}, pages = {97-114}, pmid = {38006547}, issn = {1940-6029}, support = {P30 ES025128/ES/NIEHS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Bedbugs/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is an obligatory nutritional symbiont of the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, providing B-vitamins to its host. The biological significance of Wolbachia to bed bugs is investigated primarily by eliminating the symbiont with antibiotics, which is followed by confirmation with molecular assays. In this chapter, we describe a protocol for eliminating Wolbachia in bed bugs using the ansamycin antibiotic rifampicin (also known as rifampin) and three molecular methods to accurately detect and quantify the Wolbachia gene copies in bed bug samples. We describe the digital droplet PCR (ddPCR), a highly sensitive technique for absolute quantification of low abundance target genes, which has proven to be a valuable technique for confirmation of the elimination of Wolbachia.}, }
@article {pmid38006546, year = {2024}, author = {Bertaux, J and Raimond, M and Grève, P}, title = {Pillbug: A Toolbox for Feminisation.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2739}, number = {}, pages = {69-95}, pmid = {38006546}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; Humans ; Female ; *Isopoda/genetics/metabolism ; Feminization ; *Butterflies ; Sex Differentiation ; Androgens/metabolism ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia-induced feminisation is an extended phenotype that has been observed in only three models: isopods, butterflies and leafhoppers. Even among these, the process of feminisation differs markedly, especially since sexual differentiation is coordinated body-wide by a hormone in isopods, whereas in insects it is a chromosomally determined process and enforced cell by cell. For isopods, Armadillidium vulgare has contributed substantially to an understanding of Wolbachia-mediated feminisation, because a wide array of know-how and methods has been tailored to this model. Here, we describe establishment and maintenance of Wolbachia-infected laboratory lineages from animals collected in the field, the grafting of an androgenic gland to demonstrate the mode of action of Wolbachia (i.e. the disruption of the Androgenic Hormone pathway), and transinfection of naïve adults with Wolbachia. Finally, we describe selection of a ZZ genetic background in lineages created from transinfected WZ females, which is necessary to benefit from a property intrinsic to the naturally infected lineages: In a ZZ background, the vertical transmission rate of Wolbachia directly equates to the female ratio in the progeny. These protocols provide the essential framework for investigating molecular aspects of Wolbachia-induced feminisation.}, }
@article {pmid38006545, year = {2024}, author = {Fricke, LC and Lindsey, ARI}, title = {Examining Wolbachia-Induced Parthenogenesis in Hymenoptera.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2739}, number = {}, pages = {55-68}, pmid = {38006545}, issn = {1940-6029}, support = {R35 GM150991/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; Female ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Parthenogenesis/genetics ; *Wasps/genetics ; Reproduction ; }, abstract = {The maternally transmitted reproductive manipulator Wolbachia can impact sex ratios of its arthropod host by different mechanisms, ultimately promoting the spread of infection across a population. One of these reproductive phenotypes, parthenogenesis induction (PI), is characterized by the asexual production of female offspring, which in many cases results in an entirely female population. Cases of Wolbachia-mediated PI are most common in the order Hymenoptera, specifically in parasitoid wasps. The complex sex determination pathways of hymenopterans, their diverse life histories, the multiple cytogenetic mechanisms of PI, and the lack of males make functional studies of parthenogenesis induction challenging. Here, we describe the mechanisms of PI, outline methods to recognize and cure PI-Wolbachia infection, and note possible complications when working with PI-Wolbachia strains and their parthenogenetic hosts.}, }
@article {pmid38006544, year = {2024}, author = {Schedl, ME and Nguyen, NH and Unckless, RL and Perlmutter, JI}, title = {Maintenance and Evaluation of Wolbachia Male-Killers of Dipterans.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2739}, number = {}, pages = {29-53}, pmid = {38006544}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Male ; Animals ; *Wolbachia ; Drosophila ; Sex Ratio ; Embryonic Development ; }, abstract = {As research on Wolbachia male-killers of dipterans increases over time, several standard methods have emerged for the validation and characterization of these Wolbachia strains. Here, we describe typical steps for maintenance and evaluation of male-killers in the laboratory. Drosophila that host Wolbachia male-killers include both mushroom-feeders and flies reared on standard media, which require different maintenance protocols. In addition, male killing in flies typically occurs during embryonic development, and as such, many experiments require embryo tissue samples. We provide step-by-step instructions for standard methods of isolation, rearing, confirmation of Wolbachia male-killing as the basis of a sex ratio bias, and collection of embryos from these species. Thus, anyone intending to study a male-killer in the lab will have the complete set of protocols necessary to collect and rear them, validate them, and collect embryonic tissue for further study.}, }
@article {pmid38006543, year = {2024}, author = {Namias, A and Atyame, C and Pasteur, N and Sicard, M and Weill, M}, title = {Investigation of Cytoplasmic Incompatibility Patterns in Culex pipiens: From Field Samples to Laboratory Isofemale Lines.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2739}, number = {}, pages = {17-27}, pmid = {38006543}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Animals ; *Culex/genetics ; Cytoplasm ; Cytosol ; }, abstract = {This protocol describes approaches to qualify Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) patterns (compatible, uni or bidirectional) in crosses between two or more Culex pipiens isofemale lines, hosting different Wolbachia (wPip) strains. Here, we describe how to (1) collect the larvae in the field and grow them to the adult stage in the insectary, (2) set up isofemale lines in the insectary, (3) genetically characterize the wPip group of these lines, and (4) perform reciprocal crosses to qualify CI.}, }
@article {pmid38006542, year = {2024}, author = {Fallon, AM}, title = {Wolbachia: Advancing into a Second Century.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2739}, number = {}, pages = {1-13}, pmid = {38006542}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Filarioidea ; *Arthropods ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis had its scientific debut nearly a century ago and has recently emerged as a target for therapeutic treatment of filarial infections and an attractive tool for control of arthropod pests. Wolbachia was known as a biological entity before DNA was recognized as the molecule that carries the genetic information on which life depends, and before arthropods and nematodes were grouped in the Ecdysozoa. Today, some investigators consider Wolbachia the most abundant endosymbiont on earth, given the numbers of its hosts and its diverse mutualistic, commensal, and parasitic roles in their life histories. Recent advances in molecular technologies have revolutionized our understanding of Wolbachia and its associated reproductive phenotypes. New models have emerged for its investigation, and substantial progress has been made towards Wolbachia-based interventions in medicine and agriculture. Here I introduce Wolbachia, with a focus on aspects of its biology that are covered in greater detail in subsequent chapters.}, }
@article {pmid38003752, year = {2023}, author = {Garrigós, M and Garrido, M and Panisse, G and Veiga, J and Martínez-de la Puente, J}, title = {Interactions between West Nile Virus and the Microbiota of Culex pipiens Vectors: A Literature Review.}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {12}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {38003752}, issn = {2076-0817}, support = {PID2020-118205GB-I00//Ministerio Espa&#xf1;ol de Ciencia e Innovaci&#xf3;n/ ; PRE2021-098544//Ministerio Espa&#xf1;ol de Ciencia e Innovaci&#xf3;n/ ; FJC2021-048057-I//Ministerio Espa&#xf1;ol de Ciencia e Innovaci&#xf3;n/ ; Mar&#xed;a Zambrano//Ministerio Espa&#xf1;ol de Universidades/ ; Margarita Salas//Ministerio Espa&#xf1;ol de Universidades/ ; P21_00049//Junta de Andaluc&#xed;a, Consejer&#xed;a de Universidad, Investigaci&#xf3;n e Innovaci&#xf3;n/ ; }, abstract = {The flavivirus West Nile virus (WNV) naturally circulates between mosquitoes and birds, potentially affecting humans and horses. Different species of mosquitoes play a role as vectors of WNV, with those of the Culex pipiens complex being particularly crucial for its circulation. Different biotic and abiotic factors determine the capacity of mosquitoes for pathogen transmission, with the mosquito gut microbiota being recognized as an important one. Here, we review the published studies on the interactions between the microbiota of the Culex pipiens complex and WNV infections in mosquitoes. Most articles published so far studied the interactions between bacteria of the genus Wolbachia and WNV infections, obtaining variable results regarding the directionality of this relationship. In contrast, only a few studies investigate the role of the whole microbiome or other bacterial taxa in WNV infections. These studies suggest that bacteria of the genera Serratia and Enterobacter may enhance WNV development. Thus, due to the relevance of WNV in human and animal health and the important role of mosquitoes of the Cx. pipiens complex in its transmission, more research is needed to unravel the role of mosquito microbiota and those factors affecting this microbiota on pathogen epidemiology. In this respect, we finally propose future lines of research lines on this topic.}, }
@article {pmid37999039, year = {2023}, author = {El Yamlahi, Y and Bel Mokhtar, N and Maurady, A and Britel, MR and Batargias, C and Mutembei, DE and Nyingilili, HS and Malulu, DJ and Malele, II and Asimakis, E and Stathopoulou, P and Tsiamis, G}, title = {Characterization of the Bacterial Profile from Natural and Laboratory Glossina Populations.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {14}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {37999039}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {URT-22658//FAO/IAEA Agriculture and Biotechnology Laboratories/ ; }, abstract = {Tsetse flies (Glossina spp.; Diptera: Glossinidae) are viviparous flies that feed on blood and are found exclusively in sub-Saharan Africa. They are the only cyclic vectors of African trypanosomes, responsible for human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) and animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT). In this study, we employed high throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene to unravel the diversity of symbiotic bacteria in five wild and three laboratory populations of tsetse species (Glossina pallidipes, G. morsitans, G. swynnertoni, and G. austeni). The aim was to assess the dynamics of bacterial diversity both within each laboratory and wild population in relation to the developmental stage, insect age, gender, and location. Our results indicated that the bacterial communities associated with the four studied Glossina species were significantly influenced by their region of origin, with wild samples being more diverse compared to the laboratory samples. We also observed that the larval microbiota was significantly different than the adults. Furthermore, the sex and the species did not significantly influence the formation of the bacterial profile of the laboratory colonies once these populations were kept under the same rearing conditions. In addition, Wigglesworthia, Acinetobacter, and Sodalis were the most abundant bacterial genera in all the samples, while Wolbachia was significantly abundant in G. morsitans compared to the other studied species. The operational taxonomic unit (OTU) co-occurrence network for each location (VVBD insectary, Doma, Makao, and Msubugwe) indicated a high variability between G. pallidipes and the other species in terms of the number of mutual exclusion and copresence interactions. In particular, some bacterial genera, like Wigglesworthia and Sodalis, with high relative abundance, were also characterized by a high degree of interactions.}, }
@article {pmid37995370, year = {2023}, author = {Strunov, A and Kirchner, S and Schindelar, J and Kruckenhauser, L and Haring, E and Kapun, M}, title = {Historic Museum Samples Provide Evidence for a Recent Replacement of Wolbachia Types in European Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {Molecular biology and evolution}, volume = {40}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {37995370}, issn = {1537-1719}, support = {P 32275/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Museums ; Biological Evolution ; Reproduction ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is one of the most common bacterial endosymbionts, which is frequently found in numerous arthropods and nematode taxa. Wolbachia infections can have a strong influence on the evolutionary dynamics of their hosts since these bacteria are reproductive manipulators that affect the fitness and life history of their host species for their own benefit. Host-symbiont interactions with Wolbachia are perhaps best studied in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster, which is naturally infected with at least 5 different variants among which wMel and wMelCS are the most frequent ones. Comparisons of infection types between natural flies and long-term lab stocks have previously indicated that wMelCS represents the ancestral type, which was only very recently replaced by the nowadays dominant wMel in most natural populations. In this study, we took advantage of recently sequenced museum specimens of D. melanogaster that have been collected 90 to 200 yr ago in Northern Europe to test this hypothesis. Our comparison to contemporary Wolbachia samples provides compelling support for the replacement hypothesis. Our analyses show that sequencing data from historic museum specimens and their bycatch are an emerging and unprecedented resource to address fundamental questions about evolutionary dynamics in host-symbiont interactions. However, we also identified contamination with DNA from crickets that resulted in co-contamination with cricket-specific Wolbachia in several samples. These results underpin the need for rigorous quality assessments of museomic data sets to account for contamination as a source of error that may strongly influence biological interpretations if it remains undetected.}, }
@article {pmid37994906, year = {2023}, author = {Meyer, DF and Moumène, A and Rodrigues, V}, title = {Microbe Profile: Ehrlichia ruminantium - stealthy as it goes.}, journal = {Microbiology (Reading, England)}, volume = {169}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {37994906}, issn = {1465-2080}, mesh = {*Ehrlichia ruminantium ; }, abstract = {Ehrlichia ruminantium is an obligate intracellular pathogenic bacterium that causes heartwater, a fatal disease of ruminants in tropical areas. Some human cases have also been reported. This globally important pathogen is primarily transmitted by ticks of the Amblyomma genus and threatens American mainland. E. ruminantium replicates within eukaryotic mammal or tick cell is a membrane-bound vacuole, where it undergoes a biphasic developmental growth cycle and differentiates from noninfectious replicative form into infectious elementary bodies. The ability of E. ruminantium to hijack host cellular processes and avoid innate immunity is a fundamental, but not yet fully understood, virulence trait of this stealth pathogen in the genomic era.}, }
@article {pmid37989350, year = {2023}, author = {Bannister-Tyrrell, M and Hillman, A and Indriani, C and Ahmad, RA and Utarini, A and Simmons, CP and Anders, KL and Sergeant, E}, title = {Utility of surveillance data for planning for dengue elimination in Yogyakarta, Indonesia: a scenario-tree modelling approach.}, journal = {BMJ global health}, volume = {8}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {37989350}, issn = {2059-7908}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Dengue Virus ; Indonesia/epidemiology ; *Aedes/microbiology ; Incidence ; *Dengue/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; }, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Field trials and modelling studies suggest that elimination of dengue transmission may be possible through widespread release of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes infected with the insect bacterium Wolbachia pipientis (wMel strain), in conjunction with routine dengue control activities. This study aimed to develop a modelling framework to guide planning for the potential elimination of locally acquired dengue in Yogyakarta, a city of almost 400 000 people in Java, Indonesia.<br><br>METHODS: A scenario-tree modelling approach was used to estimate the sensitivity of the dengue surveillance system (including routine hospital-based reporting and primary-care-based enhanced surveillance), and time required to demonstrate elimination of locally acquired dengue in Yogyakarta city, assuming the detected incidence of dengue decreases to zero in the future. Age and gender were included as risk factors for dengue, and detection nodes included the probability of seeking care, probability of sample collection and testing, diagnostic test sensitivity and probability of case notification. Parameter distributions were derived from health system data or estimated by expert opinion. Alternative simulations were defined based on changes to key parameter values, separately and in combination.<br><br>RESULTS: For the default simulation, median surveillance system sensitivity was 0.131 (95% PI 0.111 to 0.152) per month. Median confidence in dengue elimination reached 80% after a minimum of 13 months of zero detected dengue cases and 90% confidence after 25 months, across different scenarios. The alternative simulations investigated produced relatively small changes in median system sensitivity and time to elimination.<br><br>CONCLUSION: This study suggests that with a combination of hospital-based surveillance and enhanced clinic-based surveillance for dengue, an acceptable level of confidence (80% probability) in the elimination of locally acquired dengue can be reached within 2&#x2009;years. Increasing the surveillance system sensitivity could shorten the time to first ascertainment of elimination of dengue and increase the level of confidence in elimination.}, }
@article {pmid37985236, year = {2024}, author = {Fukui, T and Kiuchi, T and Tomihara, K and Muro, T and Matsuda-Imai, N and Katsuma, S}, title = {Expression of the Wolbachia male-killing factor Oscar impairs dosage compensation in lepidopteran embryos.}, journal = {FEBS letters}, volume = {598}, number = {3}, pages = {331-337}, doi = {10.1002/1873-3468.14777}, pmid = {37985236}, issn = {1873-3468}, support = {2023//G-7 Scholarship Foundation/ ; 17H06431//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 22H00366//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; JP21J12325//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; *Wolbachia/genetics/metabolism ; *Moths/genetics/metabolism ; *Bombyx/genetics/metabolism ; Insect Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Gene Expression Profiling ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are intracellular bacteria in insects that can manipulate the sexual development and reproduction by male killing or other methods. We have recently identified a Wolbachia protein named Oscar that acts as a male-killing factor for lepidopteran insects. Oscar interacts with the Masculinizer (Masc) protein, which is required for both masculinization and dosage compensation (DC) in lepidopteran insects. Embryonic expression of Oscar inhibits masculinization and causes male killing in two lepidopteran species, Ostrinia furnacalis and Bombyx mori. However, it remains unknown whether Oscar-induced male killing is caused by a failure of DC. Here, we performed a transcriptome analysis of Oscar complementary RNA-injected O. furnacalis and B. mori embryos, and found that Oscar primarily targets the Masc protein, resulting in male killing by interfering with DC in lepidopteran insects.}, }
@article {pmid37978413, year = {2023}, author = {Pascar, J and Middleton, H and Dorus, S}, title = {Aedes aegypti microbiome composition covaries with the density of Wolbachia infection.}, journal = {Microbiome}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {255}, pmid = {37978413}, issn = {2049-2618}, support = {R21 HD088910/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; Female ; *Dengue Virus ; *Aedes ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology ; *Microbiota ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia is a widespread bacterial endosymbiont that can inhibit vector competency when stably transinfected into the mosquito, Aedes aegypti, a primary vector of the dengue virus (DENV) and other arboviruses. Although a complete mechanistic understanding of pathogen blocking is lacking, it is likely to involve host immunity induction and resource competition between Wolbachia and DENV, both of which may be impacted by microbiome composition. The potential impact of Wolbachia transinfection on host fitness is also of importance given the widespread release of mosquitos infected with the Drosophila melanogaster strain of Wolbachia (wMel) in wild populations. Here, population-level genomic data from Ae. aegypti was surveyed to establish the relationship between the density of wMel infection and the composition of the host microbiome.<br><br>RESULTS: Analysis of genomic data from 172 Ae. aegypti females across six populations resulted in an expanded and quantitatively refined, species-level characterization of the bacterial, archaeal, and fungal microbiome. This included 844 species of bacteria across 23 phyla, of which 54 species were found to be ubiquitous microbiome members across these populations. The density of wMel infection was highly variable between individuals and negatively correlated with microbiome diversity. Network analyses revealed wMel as a hub comprised solely of negative interactions with other bacterial species. This contrasted with the large and highly interconnected network of other microbiome species that may represent members of the midgut microbiome community in this population.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Our bioinformatic survey provided a species-level characterization of Ae. aegypti microbiome composition and variation. wMel load varied substantially across populations and individuals and, importantly, wMel was a major hub of a negative interactions across the microbiome. These interactions may be an inherent consequence of heightened pathogen blocking in densely infected individuals or, alternatively, may result from antagonistic Wolbachia-incompatible bacteria that could impede the efficacy of wMel as a biological control agent in future applications. The relationship between wMel infection variation and the microbiome warrants further investigation in the context of developing wMel as a multivalent control agent against other arboviruses. Video Abstract.}, }
@article {pmid37968789, year = {2023}, author = {Valdivia, C and Newton, JA and von Beeren, C and O'Donnell, S and Kronauer, DJC and Russell, JA and Łukasik, P}, title = {Microbial symbionts are shared between ants and their associated beetles.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {25}, number = {12}, pages = {3466-3483}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16544}, pmid = {37968789}, issn = {1462-2920}, support = {//"Excellence Initiative - Research University" at the Faculty of Biology of the Jagiellonian University in Krak&#xf3;w, Poland/ ; PPN/PPO/2018/1/00015//Narodowa Agencja Wymiany Akademickiej/ ; 2018/31/B/NZ8/01158//Narodowe Centrum Nauki/ ; 1050360//National Science Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Ants/genetics/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; *Coleoptera ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Larva ; *Microbiota ; Bacteria/genetics ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The transmission of microbial symbionts across animal species could strongly affect their biology and evolution, but our understanding of transmission patterns and dynamics is limited. Army ants (Formicidae: Dorylinae) and their hundreds of closely associated insect guest species (myrmecophiles) can provide unique insights into interspecific microbial symbiont sharing. Here, we compared the microbiota of workers and larvae of the army ant Eciton burchellii with those of 13 myrmecophile beetle species using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. We found that the previously characterized specialized bacterial symbionts of army ant workers were largely absent from ant larvae and myrmecophiles, whose microbial communities were usually dominated by Rickettsia, Wolbachia, Rickettsiella and/or Weissella. Strikingly, different species of myrmecophiles and ant larvae often shared identical 16S rRNA genotypes of these common bacteria. Protein-coding gene sequences confirmed the close relationship of Weissella strains colonizing army ant larvae, some workers and several myrmecophile species. Unexpectedly, these strains were also similar to strains infecting dissimilar animals inhabiting very different habitats: trout and whales. Together, our data show that closely interacting species can share much of their microbiota, and some versatile microbial species can inhabit and possibly transmit across a diverse range of hosts and environments.}, }
@article {pmid37957741, year = {2023}, author = {Moldovan, OT and Carrell, AA and Bulzu, PA and Levei, E and Bucur, R and Sitar, C and Faur, L and Mirea, IC and Șenilă, M and Cadar, O and Podar, M}, title = {The gut microbiome mediates adaptation to scarce food in Coleoptera.}, journal = {Environmental microbiome}, volume = {18}, number = {1}, pages = {80}, pmid = {37957741}, issn = {2524-6372}, support = {R01 DE024463/DE/NIDCR NIH HHS/United States ; R01DE024463/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Beetles are ubiquitous cave invertebrates worldwide that adapted to scarce subterranean resources when they colonized caves. Here, we investigated the potential role of gut microbiota in the adaptation of beetles to caves from different climatic regions of the Carpathians. The beetles' microbiota was host-specific, reflecting phylogenetic and nutritional adaptation. The microbial community structure further resolved conspecific beetles by caves suggesting microbiota-host coevolution and influences by local environmental factors. The detritivore species hosted a variety of bacteria known to decompose and ferment organic matter, suggesting turnover and host cooperative digestion of the sedimentary microbiota and allochthonous-derived nutrients. The cave Carabidae, with strong mandibula, adapted to predation and scavenging of animal and plant remains, had distinct microbiota dominated by symbiotic lineages Spiroplasma or Wolbachia. All beetles had relatively high levels of fermentative Carnobacterium and Vagococcus involved in lipid accumulation and a reduction of metabolic activity, and both features characterize adaptation to caves.}, }
@article {pmid37952351, year = {2024}, author = {El Hamss, H and Maruthi, MN and Omongo, CA and Wang, HL and van Brunschot, S and Colvin, J and Delatte, H}, title = {Microbiome diversity and composition in Bemisia tabaci SSA1-SG1 whitefly are influenced by their host's life stage.}, journal = {Microbiological research}, volume = {278}, number = {}, pages = {127538}, doi = {10.1016/j.micres.2023.127538}, pmid = {37952351}, issn = {1618-0623}, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; *Microbiota ; Life Cycle Stages ; }, abstract = {Within the Bemisia tabaci group of cryptic whitefly species, many are damaging agricultural pests and plant-virus vectors, conferring upon this group the status of one of the world's top 100 most invasive and destructive species, affecting farmers' income and threatening their livelihoods. Studies on the microbiome of whitefly life stages are scarce, although their composition and diversity greatly influence whitefly fitness and development. We used high-throughput sequencing to understand microbiome diversity in different developmental stages of the B. tabaci sub-Saharan Africa 1 (SSA1-SG1) species of the whitefly from Uganda. Endosymbionts (Portiera, Arsenophonus, Wolbachia, and Hemipteriphilus were detected but excluded from further statistical analysis as they were not influenced by life stage using Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance Using Distance Matrices (ADONIS, p = 0.925 and Bray, p = 0.903). Our results showed significant differences in the meta microbiome composition in different life stages of SSA1-SG1. The diversity was significantly higher in eggs (Shannon, p = 0.024; Simpson, p = 0.047) than that in nymphs and pupae, while the number of microbial species observed by the amplicon sequence variant (ASV) was not significant (n(ASV), p = 0.094). At the phylum and genus levels, the dominant constituents in the microbiome changed significantly during various developmental stages, with Halomonas being present in eggs, whereas Bacillus and Caldalkalibacillus were consistently found across all life stages. These findings provide the first description of differing meta microbiome diversity in the life stage of whiteflies, suggesting their putative role in whitefly development.}, }
@article {pmid37949964, year = {2024}, author = {Bickerstaff, JRM and Jordal, BH and Riegler, M}, title = {Two sympatric lineages of Australian Cnestus solidus share Ambrosiella symbionts but not Wolbachia.}, journal = {Heredity}, volume = {132}, number = {1}, pages = {43-53}, pmid = {37949964}, issn = {1365-2540}, mesh = {Animals ; *Weevils/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Australia ; *Ascomycota/genetics ; }, abstract = {Sympatric lineages of inbreeding species provide an excellent opportunity to investigate species divergence patterns and processes. Many ambrosia beetle lineages (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) reproduce by predominant inbreeding through sib mating in nests excavated in woody plant parts wherein they cultivate symbiotic ambrosia fungi as their sole source of nutrition. The Xyleborini ambrosia beetle species Cnestus solidus and Cnestus pseudosolidus are sympatrically distributed across eastern Australia and have overlapping morphological variation. Using multilocus sequencing analysis of individuals collected from 19 sites spanning their sympatric distribution, we assessed their phylogenetic relationships, taxonomic status and microbial symbionts. We found no genetic differentiation between individuals morphologically identified as C. solidus and C. pseudosolidus confirming previous suggestions that C. pseudosolidus is synonymous to C. solidus. However, within C. solidus we unexpectedly discovered the sympatric coexistence of two morphologically indistinguishable but genetically distinct lineages with small nuclear yet large mitochondrial divergence. At all sites except one, individuals of both lineages carried the same primary fungal symbiont, a new Ambrosiella species, indicating that fungal symbiont differentiation may not be involved in lineage divergence. One strain of the maternally inherited bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia was found at high prevalence in individuals of the more common lineage but not in the other, suggesting that it may influence host fitness. Our data suggest that the two Australian Cnestus lineages diverged allopatrically, and one lineage then acquired Wolbachia. Predominant inbreeding and Wolbachia infection may have reinforced reproductive barriers between these two lineages after their secondary contact contributing to their current sympatric distribution.}, }
@article {pmid37948354, year = {2024}, author = {Hussain, M and Zhong, Y and Tao, T and Xiu, B and Ye, F and Gao, J and Mao, R}, title = {Effect of tree height and spraying methods on Diaphorina citri kuwayama endosymbionts in the context of Huanglongbing disease management in citrus orchards.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {80}, number = {3}, pages = {1484-1500}, doi = {10.1002/ps.7880}, pmid = {37948354}, issn = {1526-4998}, support = {2021GDASYL-20210103051//The GDAS Special Project of Science and Technology Development/ ; 2022GDASZH-2022030501//The GDAS Special Project of Science and Technology Development/ ; QN2022030005//Foreign Youth Talent Programs/ ; 2023SDZG06//the open competition program of top ten critical priorities of Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation for the 14th Five-year plan of Guangdong province/ ; 2022SDZG06//the open competition program of top ten critical priorities of Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation for the 14th Five-year plan of Guangdong province/ ; 20220610043//the Research Programs of Guangzhou/ ; 202103000065//the Research Programs of Guangzhou/ ; KTP20210352//Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Trees ; *Citrus ; *Hemiptera ; Disease Management ; Plant Diseases ; *Rhizobiaceae ; *Liberibacter ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Huanglongbing (HLB) (caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus) is the most damaging disease of citrus around the world. This study investigated the effects of citrus tree height on Diaphorina citri Kuwayama mortality, endosymbiont responses, and HLB distribution.<br><br>RESULTS: The results reveal that the age of citrus trees plays a significant role in psyllid mortality. Interestingly, the cumulative mean mortality (%) of psyllids over the seven-day observation period was higher (31.50&#xb1;0.03) when four-year-old (501A1, 502A2, 501A3) citrus trees were sprayed with a US-SMART mechanical sprayer. In contrast, the psyllids mortality was 0.09&#xb1;0.23 for the 13-year-old citrus trees (104A2, 104A3, 104C1) sprayed with a US-SMART mechanical sprayer and 9.10&#xb1;0.05 for 13-year-old (502A2, 502B2, 502D1) citrus trees sprayed with a fixed US-SMART mechanical sprayer. Our findings also revealed that psyllids from both four- and 13-year-old citrus trees carried Candidatus Carsonella ruddii species and Wolbachia, the primary and secondary endosymbionts, respectively. Surprisingly, infection rates of these endosymbionts remained consistent across different age groups, as confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. Furthermore, our study highlights the significance of tree height as a proxy for tree age in influencing HLB occurrence. Specifically, four-year-old citrus trees subjected to the US-SMART mechanical sprayer for citrus psyllid control demonstrated effective disease management compared to 13-year-old (104A2, 104A3, 104C1) citrus trees sprayed with US-SMART mechanical&#xa0;sprayers. Additionally, the investigation explored the impact of tree height on HLB distribution. In four-year-old trees, no significant correlation between HLB disease and tree height was observed, potentially due to effective spray coverage with US-SMART mechanical sprayer. However, in 13-year-old (104A2, 104A3, 104C1) citrus tree sprayed with US-SMART mechanical sprayer, a positive correlation between tree height and HLB disease was evident.<br><br>CONCLUSION: This research provides valuable insights into the complex interaction between citrus tree age, psyllid endosymbionts responses, and HLB distribution. These results emphasize effective HLB management strategies, especially in orchards with diverse tree age populations, ultimately contributing to the long-term sustainability of citrus cultivation. &#xa9; 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.}, }
@article {pmid37936139, year = {2023}, author = {Hakobyan, A and Velte, S and Sickel, W and Quandt, D and Stoll, A and Knief, C}, title = {Tillandsia landbeckii phyllosphere and laimosphere as refugia for bacterial life in a hyperarid desert environment.}, journal = {Microbiome}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {246}, pmid = {37936139}, issn = {2049-2618}, mesh = {Humans ; Soil Microbiology ; *Tillandsia ; Refugium ; *Microbiota ; Bacteria/genetics ; Plants/microbiology ; Soil ; Desert Climate ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The lack of water is a major constraint for microbial life in hyperarid deserts. Consequently, the abundance and diversity of microorganisms in common habitats such as soil are strongly reduced, and colonization occurs primarily by specifically adapted microorganisms that thrive in particular refugia to escape the harsh conditions that prevail in these deserts. We suggest that plants provide another refugium for microbial life in hyperarid deserts. We studied the bacterial colonization of Tillandsia landbeckii (Bromeliaceae) plants, which occur in the hyperarid regions of the Atacama Desert in Chile, one of the driest and oldest deserts on Earth.<br><br>RESULTS: We detected clear differences between the bacterial communities being plant associated to those of the bare soil surface (PERMANOVA, R[2]&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.187, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.001), indicating that Tillandsia plants host a specific bacterial community, not only dust-deposited cells. Moreover, the bacterial communities in the phyllosphere were distinct from those in the laimosphere, i.e., on buried shoots (R[2]&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.108, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.001), indicating further habitat differentiation within plant individuals. The bacterial taxa detected in the phyllosphere are partly well-known phyllosphere colonizers, but in addition, some rather unusual taxa (subgroup2 Acidobacteriae, Acidiphilum) and insect endosymbionts (Wolbachia, "Candidatus Uzinura") were found. The laimosphere hosted phyllosphere-associated as well as soil-derived taxa. The phyllosphere bacterial communities showed biogeographic patterns across the desert (R[2]&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.331, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.001). These patterns were different and even more pronounced in the laimosphere (R[2]&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.467, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.001), indicating that different factors determine community assembly in the two plant compartments. Furthermore, the phyllosphere microbiota underwent temporal changes (R[2]&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.064, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.001).<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that T. landbeckii plants host specific bacterial communities in the phyllosphere as well as in the laimosphere. Therewith, these plants provide compartment-specific refugia for microbial life in hyperarid desert environments. The bacterial communities show biogeographic patterns and temporal variation, as known from other plant microbiomes, demonstrating environmental responsiveness and suggesting that bacteria inhabit these plants as viable microorganisms. Video Abstract.}, }
@article {pmid37928691, year = {2023}, author = {André, MR and Ikeda, P and Lee, DAB and do Amaral, RB and Carvalho, LAL and Pinheiro, DG and Torres, JM and de Mello, VVC and Rice, GK and Cer, RZ and Lourenço, EC and Oliveira, CE and Herrera, HM and Barros-Battesti, DM and Machado, RZ and Bishop-Lilly, KA and Dalgard, CL and Dumler, JS}, title = {Characterization of the bacterial microbiome of non-hematophagous bats and associated ectoparasites from Brazil.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1261156}, pmid = {37928691}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Bats, along with their ectoparasites, harbor a wide diversity of symbiotic and potential pathogenic bacteria. Despite the enormous diversity of bats (181 species), few studies aimed to investigate the bacterial microbiome of Brazilian chiropterans and associated ectoparasites. This study aimed to characterize the bacterial microbiome of non-hematophagous bats and associated Streblidae flies and Macronyssidae and Spinturnicidae mites in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, midwestern Brazil.<br><br>METHODS: Oral and rectal swabs were collected from 30 bats (Artibeus lituratus [n&#x2009;=&#x2009;13], Artibeus planirostris [n&#x2009; =&#x2009; 9], Eptesicus furinalis [n&#x2009;=&#x2009;5], Carollia perspicillata [n&#x2009;=&#x2009;2], and Platyrrhinus lineatus [n&#x2009;=&#x2009;1]). In addition, a total of 58 mites (15 Macronyssidae and 43 Spinturnicidae) and 48 Streblidae bat flies were collected from the captured bats. After DNA extraction and purification, each sample's bacterial composition was analyzed with metagenomic sequencing.<br><br>RESULTS: The microbiome composition of both oral and rectal bat swab samples showed that Gammaproteobacteria was the most abundant bacterial class. Spiroplasma, Wolbachia and Bartonella represented the most abundant genera in Streblidae flies. While Wolbachia (Alphaproteobacteria) was the most abundant genus found in Spinturnicidae, Arsenophonus (Gammaproteobacteria) was found in high abundance in Macronyssidae mites. In addition to characterizing the microbiome of each sample at the class and genus taxonomic levels, we identified medically significant bacteria able to infect both animals and humans in oral (Streptococcus and Anaplasma) and rectal swabs (Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Escherichia, Enterococcus, Streptococcus), Macronyssidae (Anaplasma, Bartonella, Ehrlichia) and Spinturnicidae (Anaplasma, Bartonella) mites as well as Streblidae flies (Spiroplasma, Bartonella).<br><br>DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Besides expanding the knowledge on the bacterial microbiome of non-hematophagous bats and Streblidae flies from Brazil, the present work showed, for the first time, the bacterial community of bat-associated Macronyssidae and Spinturnicidae mites.}, }
@article {pmid37928198, year = {2023}, author = {Mee, L and Barribeau, SM}, title = {Influence of social lifestyles on host-microbe symbioses in the bees.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {13}, number = {11}, pages = {e10679}, pmid = {37928198}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Microbiomes are increasingly recognised as critical for the health of an organism. In eusocial insect societies, frequent social interactions allow for high-fidelity transmission of microbes across generations, leading to closer host-microbe coevolution. The microbial communities of bees with other social lifestyles are less studied, and few comparisons have been made between taxa that vary in social structure. To address this gap, we leveraged a cloud-computing resource and publicly available transcriptomic data to conduct a survey of microbial diversity in bee samples from a variety of social lifestyles and taxa. We consistently recover the core microbes of well-studied corbiculate bees, supporting this method's ability to accurately characterise microbial communities. We find that the bacterial communities of bees are influenced by host location, phylogeny and social lifestyle, although no clear effect was found for fungal or viral microbial communities. Bee genera with more complex societies tend to harbour more diverse microbes, with Wolbachia detected more commonly in solitary tribes. We present a description of the microbiota of Euglossine bees and find that they do not share the "corbiculate core" microbiome. Notably, we find that bacteria with known anti-pathogenic properties are present across social bee genera, suggesting that symbioses that enhance host immunity are important with higher sociality. Our approach provides an inexpensive means of exploring microbiomes of a given taxa and identifying avenues for further research. These findings contribute to our understanding of the relationships between bees and their associated microbial communities, highlighting the importance of considering microbiome dynamics in investigations of bee health.}, }
@article {pmid37926475, year = {2023}, author = {Liu, Y and Wang, D and He, Z and Qian, D and Liu, Y and Yang, C and Lu, D and Zhang, H}, title = {[Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of Wolbachia infection in common mosquito species in Henan Province].}, journal = {Zhongguo xue xi chong bing fang zhi za zhi = Chinese journal of schistosomiasis control}, volume = {35}, number = {4}, pages = {389-393}, doi = {10.16250/j.32.1374.2023033}, pmid = {37926475}, issn = {1005-6661}, support = {LHGJ20220178//Henan Provincial Medical Science and Technology Research Project/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; Phylogeny ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Culex/genetics ; *Aedes/genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To investigate the infection and genotypes of Wolbachia in common mosquito species in Henan Province, so as to provide insights into management of mosquito-borne diseases.<br><br>METHODS: Aedes, Culex and Anopheles samples were collected from cowsheds, sheepfolds and human houses in Puyang, Nanyang City and Xuchang cities of Henan Province from July to September, 2022, and the infection of Wolbachia was detected. The 16S rDNA and wsp genes of Wolbachia were amplified and sequenced. Sequence alignment was performed using the BLAST software, and the obtained 16S rDNA gene sequence was compared with the sequence of the 16S rDNA gene in GenBank database. In addition, the phylogenetic trees were created based on 16S rDNA and wsp gene sequences using the software MEGA 11.0.<br><br>RESULTS: A total 506 female adult mosquitoes were collected from three sampling sites in Nanyang, Xuchang City and Puyang cities from July to September, 2022. The overall detection of Wolbachia was 45.1% (228/506) in mosquitoes, with a higher detection rate in A. albopictus than in Cx. pipiens pallens [97.9% (143/146) vs. 50.6% (85/168); &#x3c7;[2] = 88.064, P < 0.01]. The detection of Wolbachia in Cx. pipiens pallens was higher in Xuchang City (96.8%, 62/64) than in Nanyang (15.6%, 7/45) and Puyang cities (27.1%, 16/59) (&#x3c7;[2] = 89.950, P < 0.01). The homologies of obtained Wolbachia 16S rDNA and wsp gene sequences were 95.3% to 100.0% and 81.7% to 99.8%. Phylogenetic analysis based on wsp gene sequences showed Wolbachia supergroups A and B in mosquito samples, with wAlbA and wMors strains in supergroup A and wPip and wAlbB strains in supergroup B. Wolbachia strain wAlbB infection was detected in A. albopictus in Puyang and Nanyang Cities, while Wolbachia strain wPip infection was identified in A. albopictus in Xuchang City. Wolbachia strain wAlbA infection was detected in Cx. pipiens pallens sampled from three cities, and one Cx. pipiens pallens was found to be infected with Wolbachia strain wMors in Nanyang City.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Wolbachia infection is commonly prevalent in Ae. albopictus and Cx. pipiens pallens from Henan Province, and Wolbachia strains wAlbB and wAlbA are predominant in Ae. albopictus, while wPip strain is predominant in Cx. pipiens pallens. This is the first report to present Wolbachia wMors strain infection in Cx. pipiens pallens in Henan Province.}, }
@article {pmid37926385, year = {2024}, author = {Rodríguez-Rojas, JJ and Lozano-Sardaneta, YN and Fernández-Salas, I and Sánchez-Casas, RM and Becker, I}, title = {Species diversity, barcode, detection of pathogens and blood meal pattern in Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psychodidae) from northeastern Mexico.}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {249}, number = {}, pages = {107064}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107064}, pmid = {37926385}, issn = {1873-6254}, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; Female ; Humans ; *Psychodidae/parasitology ; Mexico ; Insect Vectors/parasitology ; *Leishmania/genetics ; *Leishmaniasis ; Feeding Behavior ; }, abstract = {More than 90 species of phlebotomines are vectors of parasites, bacteria, and viruses, which cause disease in animals and humans. Therefore, their study is necessary to establish prevention and control strategies. Mexico is an endemic country for leishmaniasis, mostly in the center and southern regions of the country, yet only few studies have been conducted in the northern part of the country. The present study aims to: (a) assess the alpha diversity of Phlebotominae in an annual cycle, (b) to correlate climatic variables with abundance, (c) to generate barcodes of these insects as part of the integrative taxonomy, and (d) to detect Leishmania, Wolbachia and blood sources in an area close to where a case of autochthonous leishmaniasis has been detected in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. A systematic sampling was conducted during three consecutive nights from 17:00 to 22:00 h., placing Shannon traps, CDC traps with incandescent light, and BG Sentinel 2 + BG Lure traps. A total catch effort of 660 nights/traps/hours was achieved, in which a total number of 707 phlebotomines (58% female and 42% male) of six species were collected and identified. The most abundant species were Psathyromyia cratifer (57%) and Psathyromyia shannoni sensu stricto (26%). The highest abundance (72%; 507/707) was collected during March, April and May 2021. Barcodes were generated for four species of phlebotomines, which represent new records for Mexico. For the molecular detection of microorganisms, 302 specimens were analyzed, although no specimens were positive for Leishmania spp. Wolbachia strains were detected in phlebotomines with an infection rate of 1.32% (4/302) and found in Pa. cratifer and Lu. cruciata. Likewise, human DNA was identified in female Lu. cruciata and Pa. cratifer phlebotomines. These findings indicate the presence of potential vector species of the parasite Leishmania spp. This result shows the need for further entomological surveillance to elucidate the transmission mechanisms in these northern areas of the country.}, }
@article {pmid37926187, year = {2024}, author = {Badger, JH and Giordano, R and Zimin, A and Wappel, R and Eskipehlivan, SM and Muller, S and Donthu, R and Soto-Adames, F and Vieira, P and Zasada, I and Goodwin, S}, title = {Direct sequencing of insect symbionts via nanopore adaptive sampling.}, journal = {Current opinion in insect science}, volume = {61}, number = {}, pages = {101135}, doi = {10.1016/j.cois.2023.101135}, pmid = {37926187}, issn = {2214-5753}, support = {P30 CA045508/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Nanopores ; *Buchnera/genetics ; DNA Transposable Elements ; Insecta/genetics ; }, abstract = {Insect symbionts can alter their host phenotype and their effects can range from beneficial to pathogenic. Moreover, many insects exhibit co-infections, making their study more challenging. Less than 1% of insect species have high-quality referenced genomes available and fewer still also have their symbionts sequenced. Two methods are commonly used to sequence symbionts: whole-genome sequencing to concomitantly capture the host and bacterial genomes, or isolation of the symbiont's genome before sequencing. These methods are limited when dealing with rare or poorly characterized symbionts. Long-read technology is an important tool to generate high-quality genomes as they can overcome high levels of heterozygosity, repeat content, and transposable elements that confound short-read methods. Oxford Nanopore (ONT) adaptive sampling allows a sequencing instrument to select or reject sequences in real time. We describe a method based on ONT adaptive sampling (subtractive) approach that readily permitted the sequencing of the complete genomes of mitochondria, Buchnera and its plasmids (pLeu, pTrp), and Wolbachia genomes in two aphid species, Aphis glycines and Pentalonia nigronervosa. Adaptive sampling is able to retrieve organelles such as mitochondria and symbionts that have high representation in their hosts such as Buchnera and Wolbachia, but is less successful at retrieving symbionts in low concentrations.}, }
@article {pmid37923779, year = {2023}, author = {Flores, GAM and Lopez, RP and Cerrudo, CS and Perotti, MA and Consolo, VF and Berón, CM}, title = {Wolbachia dominance influences the Culex quinquefasciatus microbiota.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {18980}, pmid = {37923779}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aedes/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Culex/genetics ; *Microbiota ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Microorganisms present in mosquitoes and their interactions are key factors affecting insect development. Among them, Wolbachia is closely associated with the host and affects several fitness parameters. In this study, the bacterial and fungal microbiota from two laboratory Culex quinquefasciatus isolines (wild type and tetracycline-cured) were characterized by metagenome amplicon sequencing of the ITS2 and 16S rRNA genes at different developmental stages and feeding conditions. We identified 572 bacterial and 61 fungal OTUs. Both isolines presented variable bacterial communities and different trends in the distribution of diversity among the groups. The lowest bacterial richness was detected in sugar-fed adults of the cured isoline, whereas fungal richness was highly reduced in blood-fed mosquitoes. Beta diversity analysis indicated that isolines are an important factor in the differentiation of mosquito bacterial communities. Considering composition, Penicillium was the dominant fungal genus, whereas Wolbachia dominance was inversely related to that of Enterobacteria (mainly Thorsellia and Serratia). This study provides a more complete overview of the mosquito microbiome, emphasizing specific highly abundant components that should be considered in microorganism manipulation approaches to control vector-borne diseases.}, }
@article {pmid37921460, year = {2023}, author = {Zhang, Y and Liu, S and Huang, X-y and Zi, H-b and Gao, T and Ji, R-j and Sheng, J and Zhi, D and Zhang, Y-l and Gong, C-m and Yang, Y-q}, title = {Altitude as a key environmental factor shaping microbial communities of tea green leafhoppers (Matsumurasca onukii).}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {11}, number = {6}, pages = {e0100923}, pmid = {37921460}, issn = {2165-0497}, support = {No.2021YFD1601105//MOST | National Key Research and Development Program of China (NKPs)/ ; No.32172635//MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera ; Altitude ; Tea ; }, abstract = {Host-associated microbial communities play an important role in the fitness of insect hosts. However, the factors shaping microbial communities in wild populations, including environmental factors and interactions among microbial species, remain largely unknown. The tea green leafhopper has a wide geographical distribution and is highly adaptable, providing a suitable model for studying the effect of ecological drivers on microbiomes. This is the first large-scale culture-independent study investigating the microbial communities of M. onukii sampled from different locations. Altitude as a key environmental factor may have shaped microbial communities of M. onukii by affecting the relative abundance of endosymbionts, especially Wolbachia. The results of this study, therefore, offer not only an in-depth view of the microbial diversity of this species but also an insight into the influence of environmental factors.}, }
@article {pmid37914998, year = {2023}, author = {Liu, W and Xia, X and Hoffmann, AA and Ding, Y and Fang, JC and Yu, H}, title = {Evolution of Wolbachia reproductive and nutritional mutualism: insights from the genomes of two novel strains that double infect the pollinator of dioecious Ficus hirta.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {24}, number = {1}, pages = {657}, pmid = {37914998}, issn = {1471-2164}, support = {2021A1515110981//Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation/ ; 2022ZB773//Jiangsu Funding Program for Excellent Postdoctoral Talent/ ; 2022VBA0002//The Chinese Academy of Sciences PIFI Fellowship for Visiting Scientists/ ; 2023YFE0100540//National Key R &amp; D Program of China/ ; 202206010058//Guangzhou Collaborative Innovation Center on Science-tech of Ecology and Landscape/ ; }, mesh = {*Ficus/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Biotin/genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Phylogeny ; DNA Transposable Elements/genetics ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Prophages/genetics ; Reproduction ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is a genus of maternally inherited endosymbionts that can affect reproduction of their hosts and influence metabolic processes. The pollinator, Valisia javana, is common in the male syconium of the dioecious fig Ficus hirta. Based on a high-quality chromosome-level V. javana genome with PacBio long-read and Illumina short-read sequencing, we discovered a sizeable proportion of Wolbachia sequences and used these to assemble two novel Wolbachia strains belonging to supergroup A. We explored its phylogenetic relationship with described Wolbachia strains based on MLST sequences and the possibility of induction of CI (cytoplasmic incompatibility) in this strain by examining the presence of cif genes known to be responsible for CI in other insects. We also identified mobile genetic elements including prophages and insertion sequences, genes related to biotin synthesis and metabolism. A total of two prophages and 256 insertion sequences were found. The prophage WOjav1 is cryptic (structure incomplete) and WOjav2 is relatively intact. IS5 is the dominant transposon family. At least three pairs of type I cif genes with three copies were found which may cause strong CI although this needs experimental verification; we also considered possible nutritional effects of the Wolbachia by identifying genes related to biotin production, absorption and metabolism. This study provides a resource for further studies of Wolbachia-pollinator-host plant interactions.}, }
@article {pmid37907954, year = {2023}, author = {Pfarr, KM and Krome, AK and Al-Obaidi, I and Batchelor, H and Vaillant, M and Hoerauf, A and Opoku, NO and Kuesel, AC}, title = {The pipeline for drugs for control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases: 2. Oral anti-infective drugs and drug combinations for off-label use.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {394}, pmid = {37907954}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {001/WHO_/World Health Organization/International ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *Ivermectin/therapeutic use ; Rifampin ; Doxycycline ; Fluconazole ; Off-Label Use ; *Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use ; Drug Combinations ; Neglected Diseases/drug therapy/prevention &amp; control ; }, abstract = {In its 'Road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021-2030', the World Health Organization outlined its targets for control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and research needed to achieve them. For many NTDs, this includes research for new treatment options for case management and/or preventive chemotherapy. Our review of small-molecule anti-infective drugs recently approved by a stringent regulatory authority (SRA) or in at least Phase 2 clinical development for regulatory approval showed that this pipeline cannot deliver all new treatments needed. WHO guidelines and country policies show that drugs may be recommended for control and elimination for NTDs for which they are not SRA approved (i.e. for 'off-label' use) if efficacy and safety data for the relevant NTD are considered sufficient by WHO and country authorities. Here, we are providing an overview of clinical research in the past 10 years evaluating the anti-infective efficacy of oral small-molecule drugs for NTD(s) for which they are neither SRA approved, nor included in current WHO strategies nor, considering the research sponsors, likely to be registered with a SRA for that NTD, if found to be effective and safe. No such research has been done for yaws, guinea worm, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), rabies, trachoma, visceral leishmaniasis, mycetoma, T. b. rhodesiense HAT, echinococcosis, taeniasis/cysticercosis or scabies. Oral drugs evaluated include sparfloxacin and acedapsone for leprosy; rifampicin, rifapentin and moxifloxacin for onchocerciasis; imatinib and levamisole for loiasis; itraconazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, ravuconazole and disulfiram for Chagas disease, doxycycline and rifampicin for lymphatic filariasis; arterolane, piperaquine, artesunate, artemether, lumefantrine and mefloquine for schistosomiasis; ivermectin, tribendimidine, pyrantel, oxantel and nitazoxanide for soil-transmitted helminths including strongyloidiasis; chloroquine, ivermectin, balapiravir, ribavirin, celgosivir, UV-4B, ivermectin and doxycycline for dengue; streptomycin, amoxicillin, clavulanate for Buruli ulcer; fluconazole and isavuconazonium for mycoses; clarithromycin and dapsone for cutaneous leishmaniasis; and tribendimidine, albendazole, mebendazole and nitazoxanide for foodborne trematodiasis. Additional paths to identification of new treatment options are needed. One promising path is exploitation of the worldwide experience with 'off-label' treatment of diseases with insufficient treatment options as pursued by the 'CURE ID' initiative.}, }
@article {pmid37901801, year = {2023}, author = {Minwuyelet, A and Petronio, GP and Yewhalaw, D and Sciarretta, A and Magnifico, I and Nicolosi, D and Di Marco, R and Atenafu, G}, title = {Symbiotic Wolbachia in mosquitoes and its role in reducing the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases: updates and prospects.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1267832}, pmid = {37901801}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, West Nile virus, chikungunya, Zika fever, and filariasis have the greatest health and economic impact. These mosquito-borne diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in tropical and sub-tropical areas. Due to the lack of effective vector containment strategies, the prevalence and severity of these diseases are increasing in endemic regions. Nowadays, mosquito infection by the endosymbiotic Wolbachia represents a promising new bio-control strategy. Wild-infected mosquitoes had been developing cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), phenotypic alterations, and nutrition competition with pathogens. These reduce adult vector lifespan, interfere with reproduction, inhibit other pathogen growth in the vector, and increase insecticide susceptibility of the vector. Wild, uninfected mosquitoes can also establish stable infections through trans-infection and have the advantage of adaptability through pathogen defense, thereby selectively infecting uninfected mosquitoes and spreading to the entire population. This review aimed to evaluate the role of the Wolbachia symbiont with the mosquitoes (Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex) in reducing mosquito-borne diseases. Global databases such as PubMed, Web of Sciences, Scopus, and pro-Quest were accessed to search for potentially relevant articles. We used keywords: Wolbachia, Anopheles, Aedes, Culex, and mosquito were used alone or in combination during the literature search. Data were extracted from 56 articles' texts, figures, and tables of the included article.}, }
@article {pmid37891252, year = {2023}, author = {Lenharo, M}, title = {Dengue rates drop after release of modified mosquitoes in Colombia.}, journal = {Nature}, volume = {623}, number = {7986}, pages = {235-236}, pmid = {37891252}, issn = {1476-4687}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Aedes/microbiology/virology ; Colombia/epidemiology ; *Dengue/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control/transmission/virology ; *Dengue Virus ; *Wolbachia ; *Biological Control Agents ; }, }
@article {pmid37887819, year = {2023}, author = {Xoconostle-Cázares, B and Ramírez-Pool, JA and Núñez-Muñoz, LA and Calderón-Pérez, B and Vargas-Hernández, BY and Bujanos-Muñiz, R and Ruiz-Medrano, R}, title = {The Characterization of Melanaphis sacchari Microbiota and Antibiotic Treatment Effect on Insects.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {14}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37887819}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {grant CF-2023-G-731//Consejo Nacional de Humanidades Ciencias y Tecnologias/ ; }, abstract = {Insects are under constant selective pressure, which has resulted in adaptations to novel niches such as crops. This is the case of the pest Melanaphis sacchari, the sugarcane aphid, native to Africa and currently spreading worldwide. The aphid undergoes successful parthenogenesis, causing important damage to a variety of crops and leading to important economic losses for farmers. A natural M. sacchari population grown in sorghum was studied to identify its microbiome through the sequencing of its 16S rDNA metagenome. A high proportion of Proteobacteria, followed by Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria, was observed. We also detected Wolbachia, which correlates with the asexual reproduction of its host. M. sacchari was challenged in a bioassay with the antibiotics oxytetracycline and streptomycin, resulting in a dose-dependent decay of its survival rate. The possibility of controlling this pest by altering its microbiota is proposed.}, }
@article {pmid37887804, year = {2023}, author = {Liu, Y and Liu, J and Zhang, X and Yun, Y}, title = {Diversity of Bacteria Associated with Guts and Gonads in Three Spider Species and Potential Transmission Pathways of Microbes within the Same Spider Host.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {14}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37887804}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {2018YFA0901101//The National Key Technology R&amp;D Program of China/ ; 2016AHB003//Key Scientific and Technological Projects of Hubei/ ; }, abstract = {Microbial symbiosis plays a crucial role in the ecological and evolutionary processes of animals. It is well known that spiders, with their unique and diverse predatory adaptations, assume an indispensable role in maintaining ecological balance and the food chain. However, our current understanding of spider microbiomes remains relatively limited. The gut microbiota and gonad microbiota of spiders can both potentially influence their physiology, ecology, and behavior, including aspects such as digestion, immunity, reproductive health, and reproductive behavior. In the current study, based on high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA V3 and V4 regions, we detected the gut and gonad microbiota communities of three spider species captured from the same habitat, namely, Eriovixia cavaleriei, Larinioides cornutus, and Pardosa pseudoannulata. In these three species, we observed that, at the phylum level classification, the gut and gonad of E. cavaleriei are primarily composed of Proteobacteria, while those of L. cornutus and P. pseudoannulata are primarily composed of Firmicutes. At the genus level of classification, we identified 372 and 360 genera from the gut and gonad bacterial communities. It is noteworthy that the gut and gonad bacterial flora of E. cavaleriei and L. cornutus were dominated by Wolbachia and Spiroplasma. Results show that there were no differences in microbial communities between females and males of the same spider species. Furthermore, there is similarity between the gut and ovary microbial communities of female spiders, implying a potential avenue for microbial transmission between the gut and gonad within female spiders. By comprehensively studying these two microbial communities, we can establish the theoretical foundation for exploring the relationship between gut and gonad microbiota and their host, as well as the mechanisms through which microbes exert their effects.}, }
@article {pmid37882523, year = {2023}, author = {Głowska, E and Gerth, M}, title = {Draft genome sequence of a Wolbachia endosymbiont from Syringophilopsis turdi (Fritsch, 1958) (Acari, Syringophilidae).}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {12}, number = {11}, pages = {e0060523}, pmid = {37882523}, issn = {2576-098X}, support = {UMO-2015/19/D/NZ8/00191//Narodowe Centrum Nauki (NCN)/ ; GE 2824/1-1//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)/ ; }, abstract = {We present the draft genome of a Wolbachia endosymbiont from quill mites. This is the first representative of a recently discovered distinct Wolbachia lineage (supergroup P). We hope the genome will be a useful resource for comparative evolutionary and genomic studies across the globally distributed symbiont Wolbachia.}, }
@article {pmid37874788, year = {2023}, author = {Russell, SL and Castillo, JR and Sullivan, WT}, title = {Wolbachia endosymbionts manipulate the self-renewal and differentiation of germline stem cells to reinforce fertility of their fruit fly host.}, journal = {PLoS biology}, volume = {21}, number = {10}, pages = {e3002335}, pmid = {37874788}, issn = {1545-7885}, support = {K99 GM135583/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R00 GM135583/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM139595/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia ; Drosophila/metabolism ; Fertility ; Cell Differentiation ; Germ Cells/metabolism ; Stem Cells/metabolism ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism ; Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics ; *Drosophila Proteins/metabolism ; }, abstract = {The alphaproteobacterium Wolbachia pipientis infects arthropod and nematode species worldwide, making it a key target for host biological control. Wolbachia-driven host reproductive manipulations, such as cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), are credited for catapulting these intracellular bacteria to high frequencies in host populations. Positive, perhaps mutualistic, reproductive manipulations also increase infection frequencies, but are not well understood. Here, we identify molecular and cellular mechanisms by which Wolbachia influences the molecularly distinct processes of germline stem cell (GSC) self-renewal and differentiation. We demonstrate that wMel infection rescues the fertility of flies lacking the translational regulator mei-P26 and is sufficient to sustain infertile homozygous mei-P26-knockdown stocks indefinitely. Cytology revealed that wMel mitigates the impact of mei-P26 loss through restoring proper pMad, Bam, Sxl, and Orb expression. In Oregon R files with wild-type fertility, wMel infection elevates lifetime egg hatch rates. Exploring these phenotypes through dual-RNAseq quantification of eukaryotic and bacterial transcripts revealed that wMel infection rescues and offsets many gene expression changes induced by mei-P26 loss at the mRNA level. Overall, we show that wMel infection beneficially reinforces host fertility at mRNA, protein, and phenotypic levels, and these mechanisms may promote the emergence of mutualism and the breakdown of host reproductive manipulations.}, }
@article {pmid37873081, year = {2023}, author = {Perlmutter, JI and Atadurdyyeva, A and Schedl, ME and Unckless, RL}, title = {Wolbachia enhances the survival of Drosophila infected with fungal pathogens.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37873081}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {P20 GM103418/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI139154/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia bacteria of arthropods are at the forefront of basic and translational research on multipartite host-symbiont-pathogen interactions. These microbes are vertically inherited from mother to offspring via the cytoplasm. They are the most widespread endosymbionts on the planet due to their infamous ability to manipulate the reproduction of their hosts to spread themselves in a population, and to provide a variety of fitness benefits to their hosts. Importantly, some strains of Wolbachia can inhibit viral pathogenesis within and between arthropod hosts. Mosquitoes carrying the wMel Wolbachia strain of Drosophila melanogaster have a greatly reduced capacity to spread viruses like dengue and Zika to humans. Therefore, Wolbachia are the basis of several global vector control initiatives. While significant research efforts have focused on viruses, relatively little attention has been given to Wolbachia-fungal interactions despite the ubiquity of fungal entomopathogens in nature. Here, we demonstrate that Wolbachia increase the longevity of their Drosophila melanogaster hosts when challenged with a spectrum of yeast and filamentous fungal pathogens. We find that this pattern can vary based on host genotype, sex, and fungal species. Further, Wolbachia correlates with higher fertility and reduced pathogen titers during initial fungal infection, indicating a significant fitness benefit. This study demonstrates Wolbachia's role in diverse fungal pathogen interactions and determines that the phenotype is broad, but with several variables that influence both the presence and strength of the phenotype. These results enhance our knowledge of the strategies Wolbachia uses that likely contribute to such a high global symbiont prevalence.}, }
@article {pmid37871129, year = {2023}, author = {Wenzel, M and Aquadro, CF}, title = {Wolbachia infection at least partially rescues the fertility and ovary defects of several new Drosophila melanogaster bag of marbles protein-coding mutants.}, journal = {PLoS genetics}, volume = {19}, number = {10}, pages = {e1011009}, pmid = {37871129}, issn = {1553-7404}, support = {R01 GM095793/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; S10 OD018516/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Male ; *Drosophila melanogaster/genetics/microbiology ; *Drosophila Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Fertility/genetics ; Ovary/metabolism ; *Wolbachia/genetics/metabolism ; }, abstract = {The D. melanogaster protein coding gene bag of marbles (bam) plays a key role in early male and female reproduction by forming complexes with partner proteins to promote differentiation in gametogenesis. Like another germline gene, Sex lethal, bam genetically interacts with the endosymbiont Wolbachia, as Wolbachia rescues the reduced fertility of a bam hypomorphic mutant. Here, we explored the specificity of the bam-Wolbachia interaction by generating 22 new bam mutants, with ten mutants displaying fertility defects. Nine of these mutants trend towards rescue by the wMel Wolbachia variant, with eight statistically significant at the fertility and/or cytological level. In some cases, fertility was increased a striking 20-fold. There is no specificity between the rescue and the known binding regions of bam, suggesting wMel does not interact with one singular bam partner to rescue the reproductive phenotype. We further tested if wMel interacts with bam in a non-specific way, by increasing bam transcript levels or acting upstream in germline stem cells. A fertility assessment of a bam RNAi knockdown mutant reveals that wMel rescue is specific to functionally mutant bam alleles and we find no obvious evidence of wMel interaction with germline stem cells in bam mutants.}, }
@article {pmid37860089, year = {2023}, author = {Rushidi, MNA and Azhari, MLH and Yaakop, S and Hazmi, IR}, title = {Detection and Characterisation of Endosymbiont Wolbachia (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) in Elaeidobius kamerunicus (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea), Pollinating Agent of Oil Palm, and Its Relationships between Populations.}, journal = {Tropical life sciences research}, volume = {34}, number = {3}, pages = {95-111}, pmid = {37860089}, issn = {1985-3718}, abstract = {Elaeidobius kamerunicus is the most efficient pollinator of oil palm. Wolbachia is an endosymbiotic bacteria associated with E. kamerunicus that has a potential to affect the fecundity and fitness of the E. kamerunicus. Despite their importance, no studies have been conducted to investigate its prevalence in E. kamerunicus. The objectives of this study were to detect and characterise Wolbachia in E. kamerunicus and determine the phylogenetic relationship of Wolbachia strains that infect E. kamerunicus by using three genetic markers namely Filamenting temperature-sensitive mutant Z (ftsZ), Chaperonin folding protein (groEL), and Citrate Synthase Coding Gene (gltA). DNA was extracted from 210 individuals of E. kamerunicus and the Wolbachia infections were detected using the wsp marker. The infected samples (n = 25, 11.9%) were then sequenced using ftsZ, gltA and groEL markers for strain characterization. In this study, a combination of four markers was used to construct the phylogeny of Wolbachia. Similar topologies were shown in all trees; Neighbour-Joining (NJ), Maximum Parsimony (MP), and Bayesian Inference (BI), which showed the mixing of individuals that harbor Wolbachia between populations. Interestingly, Wolbachia on E. kamerunicus was claded together with the species Drosophila simulans under supergroup B. This is the first report of Wolbachia infecting E. kamerunicus which is very valuable and significant as one of the parameters to evaluate the quality of the E. kamerunicus population for sustaining its function as a great pollinator for oil palm.}, }
@article {pmid37859959, year = {2023}, author = {Ridha, MR and Marlinae, L and Zubaidah, T and Fadillah, NA and Widjaja, J and Rosadi, D and Rahayu, N and Ningsih, M and Desimal, I and Sofyandi, A}, title = {Control methods for invasive mosquitoes of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Indonesia.}, journal = {Veterinary world}, volume = {16}, number = {9}, pages = {1952-1963}, pmid = {37859959}, issn = {0972-8988}, abstract = {The two invasive mosquito species in Indonesia are Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus. These mosquitoes are a serious nuisance to humans and are also the primary vectors of several foreign pathogens, such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses. Efforts must be made to reduce the possibility of mosquito bites and the potential for disease transmission. Given the invasion of these two Aedes species, this approach should be considered as part of an integrated strategy to manage them. This review discusses existing and developing control techniques for invasive Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, with an emphasis on those that have been and are being used in Indonesia. Environmental, mechanical, biological (e.g., Bacillus thuringiensis and Wolbachia), and chemical (e.g., insect growth regulators and pyrethroids) approaches are discussed in this review, considering their effectiveness, sustainability, and control methods.}, }
@article {pmid37838705, year = {2023}, author = {Sounart, H and Voronin, D and Masarapu, Y and Chung, M and Saarenpää, S and Ghedin, E and Giacomello, S}, title = {Miniature spatial transcriptomics for studying parasite-endosymbiont relationships at the micro scale.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {6500}, pmid = {37838705}, issn = {2041-1723}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Humans ; *Parasites/genetics ; Transcriptome ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/metabolism ; Gene Expression Profiling ; *Communicable Diseases ; *Wolbachia/genetics/metabolism ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Several important human infectious diseases are caused by microscale-sized parasitic nematodes like filarial worms. Filarial worms have their own spatial tissue organization; to uncover this tissue structure, we need methods that can spatially resolve these miniature specimens. Most filarial worms evolved a mutualistic association with endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia. However, the mechanisms underlying the dependency of filarial worms on the fitness of these bacteria remain unknown. As Wolbachia is essential for the development, reproduction, and survival of filarial worms, we spatially explored how Wolbachia interacts with the worm's reproductive system by performing a spatial characterization using Spatial Transcriptomics (ST) across a posterior region containing reproductive tissue and developing embryos of adult female Brugia malayi worms. We provide a proof-of-concept for miniature-ST to explore spatial gene expression patterns in small sample types, demonstrating the method's ability to uncover nuanced tissue region expression patterns, observe the spatial localization of key B. malayi - Wolbachia pathway genes, and co-localize the B. malayi spatial transcriptome in Wolbachia tissue regions, also under antibiotic treatment. We envision our approach will open up new avenues for the study of infectious diseases caused by micro-scale parasitic worms.}, }
@article {pmid37830551, year = {2023}, author = {Riparbelli, MG and Pratelli, A and Callaini, G}, title = {Wolbachia Induces Structural Defects Harmful to Drosophila simulans Riverside Spermiogenesis.}, journal = {Cells}, volume = {12}, number = {19}, pages = {}, pmid = {37830551}, issn = {2073-4409}, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; *Drosophila simulans ; Drosophila ; *Wolbachia ; Semen ; Spermatogenesis ; }, abstract = {The relationship between cytoplasmic incompatibility and the obligate intracellular alphaproteobacteria Wolbachia has for a long time been reported. Although the molecular mechanisms responsible for this reproductive alteration are beginning to be understood, the effects of Wolbachia on germ cell structure and dynamics have not yet been fully investigated. We report here that the presence of Wolbachia in infected cysts of elongating spermatids is associated with major structural defects that become more evident in mature sperm. We find mitochondrial defects, an improper axoneme structure, reduced sperm numbers, and individualization failures. The large heterogeneous variety of the ultrastructural defects found in elongating spermatids and mature sperm provide the first cytological evidence for the reduced fertility associated with Wolbachia infection in Drosophila simulans males. The observed abnormalities could be the result of the mechanical stress induced by the high bacteria numbers during the process of spermatid elongation, rather than the result of the released factors affecting the proper morphogenesis of the germ cells. Moreover, high Wolbachia densities in male germ cells may not be appropriate for causing cytoplasmic incompatibility as the bacteria are harmful for spermatid differentiation, leading to abnormal sperm that is unlikely to be functional.}, }
@article {pmid37822704, year = {2023}, author = {Pavan, MG and Garcia, GA and David, MR and Maciel-de-Freitas, R}, title = {The double-edged sword effect of expanding Wolbachia deployment in dengue endemic settings.}, journal = {Lancet regional health. Americas}, volume = {27}, number = {}, pages = {100610}, pmid = {37822704}, issn = {2667-193X}, }
@article {pmid37819592, year = {2023}, author = {Haghshenas-Gorgabi, N and Poorjavd, N and Khajehali, J and Wybouw, N}, title = {Cardinium symbionts are pervasive in Iranian populations of the spider mite Panonychus ulmi despite inducing an infection cost and no demonstrable reproductive phenotypes when Wolbachia is a symbiotic partner.}, journal = {Experimental &amp; applied acarology}, volume = {91}, number = {3}, pages = {369-380}, pmid = {37819592}, issn = {1572-9702}, mesh = {Female ; Male ; Animals ; *Wolbachia ; *Tetranychidae/genetics ; Iran ; Seeds ; Reproduction ; Symbiosis ; Bacteroidetes ; }, abstract = {Maternally transmitted symbionts such as Cardinium and Wolbachia are widespread in arthropods. Both Cardinium and Wolbachia can cause cytoplasmic incompatibility, a reproductive phenotype that interferes with the development of uninfected eggs that are fertilized by infected sperm. In haplodiploid hosts, these symbionts can also distort sex allocation to facilitate their spread through host populations. Without other fitness effects, symbionts that induce strong reproductive phenotypes tend to spread to high and stable infection frequencies, whereas variants that induce weak reproductive phenotypes are typically associated with intermediate and variable frequencies. To study the spread of Cardinium in a haplodiploid host, we sampled Iranian populations of the economically important spider mite Panonychus ulmi in apple orchards. Within several field populations, we also studied the Wolbachia infection frequencies. All P. ulmi field populations carried a Cardinium infection and exhibited high infection frequencies. In contrast, Wolbachia frequency ranged between ca. 10% and ca. 70% and was only found in co-infected mites. To test whether Cardinium induce reproductive phenotypes in P. ulmi, a Cardinium-cured derived line was generated by antibiotic treatment from a co-infected field population. Genetic crosses indicated that Cardinium do not induce demonstrable levels of cytoplasmic incompatibility and sex allocation distortion in co-infected P. ulmi. However, Cardinium infection was associated with a longer developmental time and reduced total fecundity for co-infected females. We hypothesize that Cardinium spread through P. ulmi populations via uncharacterized fitness effects and that co-infection with Wolbachia might impact these drive mechanisms.}, }
@article {pmid37811984, year = {2023}, author = {Edwards, B and Ghedin, E and Voronin, D}, title = {Wolbachia interferes with Zika virus replication by hijacking cholesterol metabolism in mosquito cells.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {11}, number = {6}, pages = {e0218023}, pmid = {37811984}, issn = {2165-0497}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Zika Virus ; *Wolbachia ; *Aedes/microbiology ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; *Zika Virus Infection ; *Arboviruses ; Virus Replication ; Cholesterol ; }, abstract = {Arthropod-borne viruses are emerging pathogens that are spread widely by mosquitos. Zika virus is an arbovirus that can infect humans and be transmitted from an infected mother to the fetus, potentially leading to microcephaly in infants. One promising strategy to prevent disease caused by arboviruses is to target the insect vector population. Recent field studies have shown that mosquito populations infected with Wolbachia bacteria suppress arbovirus replication and transmission. Here, we describe how intracellular bacteria redirect resources within their host cells and suppress Zika virus replication at the cellular level. Understanding the mechanism behind Wolbachia-induced interference of arbovirus replication could help advance strategies to control arbovirus pathogens in insect vectors and human populations.}, }
@article {pmid37808371, year = {2023}, author = {Sharma, AK and Som, A}, title = {Assigning new supergroups V and W to the Wolbachia diversity.}, journal = {Bioinformation}, volume = {19}, number = {3}, pages = {336-340}, pmid = {37808371}, issn = {0973-2063}, abstract = {Wolbachia are endosymbiotic and alphaproteobacteria that belong to the order Rickettsiales. They are known to infect half of the insect population and cause host manipulation, and have been categorized into 19 monophyletic lineages called supergroups. Recently, two strains, wCfeJ and wCfeT were isolated from cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis), but their supergroup relationships were not assigned. In this article, we have attempted to classify these two novel strains and establish their evolutionary lineage (i.e., supergroup designation). For this we performed 16S rRNA similarity analysis and reconstructed 16S rRNA phylogeny of 52 Wolbachia strains (including two novel strains) belong to 19 supergroups. We also performed average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) studies to measure genomic similarity between the two novel genomes. The results revealed that 16S rRNA similarity between the two novel strains is 97.94%, which is below the threshold value of 98.6% and phylogeny shows that they are placed at the two different positions (i.e., showing distinct evolutionary lineages). Further, genomic similarity analysis revealed that the novel genomes have ANI and dDDH values 79% and 22.4% respectively, which were below the threshold value of ANI (95%) and dDDH (70%). These results suggested that the novel strains neither shared a species boundary between them nor with any other previously identified supergroups, which designate them as two new supergroups, namely supergroup V (strain wCfeJ) and supergroup W (strain wCfeT).}, }
@article {pmid37808301, year = {2023}, author = {Cui, X and Liu, Y and Zhang, J and Hu, P and Zheng, Z and Deng, X and Xu, M}, title = {Variation of endosymbiont and citrus tristeza virus (CTV) titers in the Huanglongbing insect vector, Diaphorina citri, on CTV-infected plants.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1236731}, pmid = {37808301}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {"Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus" (CLas) is a notorious agent that causes Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB), which is transmitted by Diaphorina citri (D. citri). We recently found that the acquisition and transmission of CLas by D. citri was facilitated by Citrus tristeza virus (CTV), a widely distributed virus in the field. In this study, we further studied whether different CTV strains manipulate the host preference of D. citri, and whether endosymbionts variation is related to CTV strains in D. citri. The results showed that the non-viruliferous D. citri preferred to select the shoots infected with CTV, without strain differences was observed in the selection. However, the viruliferous D. citri prefered to select the mixed strain that is similar to the field's. Furthermore, D. citri effectively acquired the CTV within 2-12 h depending on the strains of the virus. The persistence period of CTV in D. citri was longer than 24 days, without reduction of the CTV titers being observed. These results provide a foundation for understanding the transmission mode of D. citri on CTV. During the process of CTV acquisition and persistence, the titers of main endosymbionts in D. citri showed similar variation trend, but their relative titers were different at different time points. The titers of the "Candidatus Profftella armatura" and CTV tended to be positively correlated, and the titers of Wolbachia and "Candidatus Carsonella ruddii" were mostly negatively related with titers of CT31. These results showed the relationship among D. citri, endosymbionts, and CTV and provided useful information for further research on the interactions between D. citri and CLas, which may benefit the development of approaches for the prevention of CLas transmission and control of citrus HLB.}, }
@article {pmid37808105, year = {2023}, author = {Pikula, J and Piacek, V and Bandouchova, H and Bartlova, M and Bednarikova, S and Burianova, R and Danek, O and Jedlicka, P and Masova, S and Nemcova, M and Seidlova, V and Zukalova, K and Zukal, J}, title = {Case report: Filarial infection of a parti-coloured bat: Litomosa sp. adult worms in abdominal cavity and microfilariae in bat semen.}, journal = {Frontiers in veterinary science}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {1284025}, pmid = {37808105}, issn = {2297-1769}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Filarial infections have been understudied in bats. Likewise, little is known about pathogens associated with the reproductive system in chiropterans. While semen quality is critical for reproductive success, semen-borne pathogens may contribute to reproductive failure.<br><br>METHODS: For the first time we performed electroejaculation and used computer-assisted semen analysis to provide baseline data on semen quality in a parti-coloured bat (Vespertilio murinus).<br><br>RESULTS: The semen quality values measured in the V. murinus male appeared high (semen concentration&#x2009;=&#x2009;305.4&#x2009;&#xd7;&#x2009;10[6]/mL; progressive and motile sperm&#x2009;=&#x2009;46.58 and 60.27%, respectively). As an incidental finding, however, microfilariae were observed in the bat semen examined. At necropsy, eight adult filarial worms, later genetically identified as Litomosa sp., were found in the peritoneal cavity, close to the stomach, of the same particoloured bat male dying as a result of dysmicrobia and haemorrhagic gastroenteritis in a wildlife rescue centre. Histopathology revealed microfilariae in the testicular connective tissue and the epidydimal connective and fat tissues. A PCR assay targeting cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 confirmed that adult worms from the peritoneal cavity and testicular microfilariae were of the same filarial species. Mildly engorged argasid mite larvae attached to the bat skin proved negative for filarial DNA and the adult filarial worms proved negative for endosymbiont Wolbachia.<br><br>CONCLUSION: While the standard filarial life cycle pattern involves a vertebrate definitive host and an invertebrate vector, represented by a blood-sucking ectoparasite, our finding suggests that microfilariae of this nematode species may also be semen-borne, with transmission intensity promoted by the polygynous mating system of vespertilionid bats in which an infected male mates with many females during the autumn swarming. Presence of microfilariae may be expected to decrease semen quality and transmission via this route may challenge the success of reproductive events in females after mating. Further investigation will be necessary to better understand the bat-parasite interaction and the life cycle of this filarial worm.}, }
@article {pmid37804520, year = {2023}, author = {Sri-Pathmanathan, C and Bao, H and Diluka, PAE and Mee, A and Andari, B and Saunders, E and Wijegunawardana, A and Weerasinghe, I and Hetti, NP and Samaraweera, S and Tang, W and Tucker, JD}, title = {Enhancing Community Participation in Dengue Control Through Digital Crowdsourcing: An Analysis of a World Mosquito Program Digital Open Call in Sri Lanka.}, journal = {The Journal of infectious diseases}, volume = {228}, number = {11}, pages = {1482-1490}, doi = {10.1093/infdis/jiad439}, pmid = {37804520}, issn = {1537-6613}, support = {//World Mosquito Program/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Adult ; *Culicidae ; *Crowdsourcing/methods ; Sri Lanka/epidemiology ; Community Participation ; *Dengue/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; Mosquito Control ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Two crowdsourcing open calls were created to enhance community engagement in dengue control in Sri Lanka. We analyzed the process and outcomes of these digital crowdsourcing open calls.<br><br>METHODS: We used standard World Health Organization methods to organize the open calls, which used exclusively digital methods because of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We collected and analyzed sociodemographic information and digital engagement metrics from each submission. Submissions in the form of textual data describing community-led strategies for mosquito release were coded using grounded theory.<br><br>RESULTS: The open calls received 73 submissions. Most people who submitted ideas spoke English, lived in Sri Lanka, and were 18 to 34 years old. The total Facebook reach was initially limited (16 161 impressions), prompting expansion to a global campaign, which reached 346 810 impressions over 14 days. Diverse strategies for the distribution of Wolbachia-infected mosquito boxes were identified, including leveraging traditional festivals, schools, and community networks. Fifteen submissions (21%) suggested the use of digital tools for monitoring and evaluation, sharing instructions, or creating networks. Thirteen submissions (18%) focused on social and economic incentives to prompt community engagement and catalyze community-led distribution.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our project demonstrates that digital crowdsourcing open calls are an effective way to solicit creative and innovative ideas in a resource-limited setting.}, }
@article {pmid37803282, year = {2023}, author = {Somia, ES and Ullah, I and Alyahya, HS and Mahyoub, JA}, title = {Identification of Wolbachia new strains from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the vector of dengue fever in Jeddah Province.}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {23}, number = {1}, pages = {287}, pmid = {37803282}, issn = {1471-2180}, mesh = {Male ; Animals ; Humans ; *Aedes ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Dengue/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are endosymbiotic bacteria found within many arthropods, including insects. A variety of benefits are provided by these bacteria to human and insect hosts, including protection from viruses and parasites and the ability to kill males. In this study, Wolbachia was identified in Aedes aegypti present in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A population of mosquitoes was collected from eight different areas, processed, and tested for Wolbachia using 16 S rRNA specific to Wolbachia bacteria and Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) under optimized PCR conditions. In five ecologically diverse sites to determine Wolbachia prevalence, we identified eleven diverse novel resident Wolbachia strains within Ae. Aegypti for the first time in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Future studies to evaluate the possible use of Wolbachia as a control agent in Aedes sp. in Saudi Arabia are necessary. Wolbachia prevalence rates and strain characterization through Sanger sequencing with multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and phylogenetic analysis revealed significant diversity. In developing biocontrol strategies, it is beneficial to consider the implications of resident Wolbachia strains.}, }
@article {pmid37799509, year = {2023}, author = {Mercant Osuna, A and Gidley, A and Mayi, MPA and Bamou, R and Dhokiya, V and Antonio-Nkondjio, C and Jeffries, CL and Walker, T}, title = {Diverse novel Wolbachia bacteria strains and genera-specific co-infections with Asaia bacteria in Culicine mosquitoes from ecologically diverse regions of Cameroon.}, journal = {Wellcome open research}, volume = {8}, number = {}, pages = {267}, pmid = {37799509}, issn = {2398-502X}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, abstract = {Background: The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia infects numerous species of insects and Wolbachia transinfection of Aedes mosquito species is now being used for biocontrol programs as Wolbachia strains can both inhibit arboviruses and invade wild mosquito populations. The discovery of novel, resident Wolbachia strains in mosquito species warrants further investigation as potential candidate strains for biocontrol strategies. Methods: We obtained mosquito specimens from diverse Culicine mosquitoes from Cameroon including ecologically diverse locations in the Central and West Regions. Wolbachia prevalence rates were assessed in addition to the environmentally acquired bacterial species Asaia in major Culicine genera. PCR-based methods were also used with phylogenetic analysis to confirm identities of host mosquito species and Wolbachia strains were classified using multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). Results: We report high Wolbachia prevalence rates for Culicine species, including in a large cohort of Aedes africanus collected from west Cameroon in which 100% of mono-specific pools were infected. Furthermore, co-infections with Asaia bacteria were observed across multiple genera, demonstrating that these two bacteria can co-exist in wild mosquito populations. Wolbachia strain MLST and phylogenetic analysis provided evidence for diverse Wolbachia strains in 13 different mosquito species across seven different genera. Full or partial MLST profiles were generated from resident Wolbachia strains in six Culex species (quinquefasciatus, watti, cinerus, nigripalpus, perexiguus and rima), two Aedes species (africanus and denderensis) and in Mansonia uniformis, Catageiomyia argenteopunctata, Lutzia tigripes, Eretmapodites chrysogaster and Uranotaenia bilineata. Conclusions: Our study provides further evidence that Wolbachia is widespread within wild mosquito populations of diverse Culicine species and provides further candidate strains that could be investigated as future options for Wolbachia-based biocontrol to inhibit arbovirus transmission.}, }
@article {pmid37794084, year = {2023}, author = {Hettiarachchi, A and Cnockaert, M and Joossens, M and Gekière, A and Meeus, I and Vereecken, NJ and Michez, D and Smagghe, G and Vandamme, P}, title = {The wild solitary bees Andrena vaga, Anthophora plumipes, Colletes cunicularius, and Osmia cornuta microbiota are host specific and dominated by endosymbionts and environmental microorganisms.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {86}, number = {4}, pages = {3013-3026}, pmid = {37794084}, issn = {1432-184X}, mesh = {Bees ; Animals ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Microbiota ; *Mycobiome ; Bacteria ; *Spiroplasma ; }, abstract = {We characterized the microbial communities of the crop, midgut, hindgut, and ovaries of the wild solitary bees Andrena vaga, Anthophora plumipes, Colletes cunicularius, and Osmia cornuta through 16S rRNA gene and ITS2 amplicon sequencing and a large-scale isolation campaign. The bacterial communities of these bees were dominated by endosymbionts of the genera Wolbachia and Spiroplasma. Bacterial and yeast genera representing the remaining predominant taxa were linked to an environmental origin. While only a single sampling site was examined for Andrena vaga, Anthophora plumipes, and Colletes cunicularius, and two sampling sites for Osmia cornuta, the microbiota appeared to be host specific: bacterial, but not fungal, communities generally differed between the analyzed bee species, gut compartments and ovaries. This may suggest a selective process determined by floral and host traits. Many of the gut symbionts identified in the present study are characterized by metabolic versatility. Whether they exert similar functionalities within the bee gut and thus functional redundancy remains to be elucidated.}, }
@article {pmid37782672, year = {2023}, author = {Boehm, EC and Jaeger, AS and Ries, HJ and Castañeda, D and Weiler, AM and Valencia, CC and Weger-Lucarelli, J and Ebel, GD and O'Connor, SL and Friedrich, TC and Zamanian, M and Aliota, MT}, title = {Wolbachia-mediated resistance to Zika virus infection in Aedes aegypti is dominated by diverse transcriptional regulation and weak evolutionary pressures.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {17}, number = {10}, pages = {e0011674}, pmid = {37782672}, issn = {1935-2735}, support = {P51 RR000167/RR/NCRR NIH HHS/United States ; T32 AI083196/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI132563/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI131454/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; P51 OD011106/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Zika Virus/genetics ; *Zika Virus Infection ; *Aedes/physiology ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; *Dengue Virus/physiology ; Mosquito Vectors ; }, abstract = {A promising candidate for arbovirus control and prevention relies on replacing arbovirus-susceptible Aedes aegypti populations with mosquitoes that have been colonized by the intracellular bacterium Wolbachia and thus have a reduced capacity to transmit arboviruses. This reduced capacity to transmit arboviruses is mediated through a phenomenon referred to as pathogen blocking. Pathogen blocking has primarily been proposed as a tool to control dengue virus (DENV) transmission, however it works against a range of viruses, including Zika virus (ZIKV). Despite years of research, the molecular mechanisms underlying pathogen blocking still need to be better understood. Here, we used RNA-seq to characterize mosquito gene transcription dynamics in Ae. aegypti infected with the wMel strain of Wolbachia that are being released by the World Mosquito Program in Medellín, Colombia. Comparative analyses using ZIKV-infected, uninfected tissues, and mosquitoes without Wolbachia revealed that the influence of wMel on mosquito gene transcription is multifactorial. Importantly, because Wolbachia limits, but does not completely prevent, replication of ZIKV and other viruses in coinfected mosquitoes, there is a possibility that these viruses could evolve resistance to pathogen blocking. Therefore, to understand the influence of Wolbachia on within-host ZIKV evolution, we characterized the genetic diversity of molecularly barcoded ZIKV virus populations replicating in Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes and found that within-host ZIKV evolution was subject to weak purifying selection and, unexpectedly, loose anatomical bottlenecks in the presence and absence of Wolbachia. Together, these findings suggest that there is no clear transcriptional profile associated with Wolbachia-mediated ZIKV restriction, and that there is no evidence for ZIKV escape from this restriction in our system.}, }
@article {pmid37779725, year = {2023}, author = {Guo, Y and Shao, J and Wu, Y and Li, Y}, title = {Using Wolbachia to control rice planthopper populations: progress and challenges.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1244239}, pmid = {37779725}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Wolbachia have been developed as a tool for protecting humans from mosquito populations and mosquito-borne diseases. The success of using Wolbachia relies on the facts that Wolbachia are maternally transmitted and that Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility provides a selective advantage to infected over uninfected females, ensuring that Wolbachia rapidly spread through the target pest population. Most transinfected Wolbachia exhibit a strong antiviral response in novel hosts, thus making it an extremely efficient technique. Although Wolbachia has only been used to control mosquitoes so far, great progress has been made in developing Wolbachia-based approaches to protect plants from rice pests and their associated diseases. Here, we synthesize the current knowledge about the important phenotypic effects of Wolbachia used to control mosquito populations and the literature on the interactions between Wolbachia and rice pest planthoppers. Our aim is to link findings from Wolbachia-mediated mosquito control programs to possible applications in planthoppers.}, }
@article {pmid37768955, year = {2023}, author = {Chebbah, D and Hamarsheh, O and Sereno, D and Elissa, N and Brun, S and Jan, J and Izri, A and Akhoundi, M}, title = {Molecular characterization and genetic diversity of Wolbachia endosymbionts in bed bugs (Hemiptera; Cimicidae) collected in Paris.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {18}, number = {9}, pages = {e0292229}, pmid = {37768955}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; *Bedbugs/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Nymph ; Genetic Variation ; }, abstract = {PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity of Wolbachia in field-caught bed bug species in Paris areas.<br><br>METHODS: The bed bug specimens were captured from various infested localities in Paris and surrounding cities. They belonged to diverse life stages, including egg, nymph, and adult. They were then identified using morphological and molecular approaches. Furthermore, Wolbachia was detected, and its genetic diversity was investigated by conventional PCR of 16S-rRNA and Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) genes.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 256 bed bug specimens belonging to various life stages [adult (183 specimens), nymph (48), and egg (25)] were captured from seven private apartments, five social apartments, three houses, two immigrant residences, and one retirement home situated in 10 districts of Paris and 8 surrounding cities. They were identified as Cimex lectularius (237 specimens) and C. hemipterus (19) using morphological and molecular approaches. The presence and diversity of Wolbachia were ascertained by targeting 16S-rRNA and wsp genes. Based on molecular analysis, 182 and 148 out of 256 processed specimens were positive by amplifying 16S-rRNA and wsp fragments, respectively. The inferred phylogenetic analysis with 16S-rRNA and wsp sequences displayed monophyletic Wolbachia strains clustering each one in three populations. The median-joining network, including the Wolbachia 16S-rRNA and wsp sequences of C. lectularius and C. hemipterous specimens, indicated a significant genetic differentiation among these populations in Paris areas which was consent with Neighbor-Joining analyses. A phylogenetic analysis of our heterogenic Wolbachia sequences with those reported from other arthropod species confirmed their belonging to supergroup F. Moreover, no difference between Wolbachia sequences from eggs, nymphs, and adults belonging to the same clade and between Wolbachia sequences of C. lectularius and C. hemipterus were observed after sequence alignment. Furthermore, no significant correlation was found between multiple geographical locations (or accomodation type) where bed bugs were collected and the genetic diversity of Wolbachia.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: We highlight a significant heterogeneity within Wolbachia symbionts detected in C. lectularius and C. hemipterus. No correlation between Wolbachia species and bed bug species (C. lectularius versus C. hemipterus), physiological stages (egg, nymph, and adult), and sampling location was recorded in this study.}, }
@article {pmid37744653, year = {2023}, author = {Thi Hue Kien, D and Edenborough, K and da Silva Goncalves, D and Thuy Vi, T and Casagrande, E and Thi Le Duyen, H and Thi Long, V and Thi Dui, L and Thi Tuyet Nhu, V and Thi Giang, N and Thi Xuan Trang, H and Lee, E and Donovan-Banfield, I and Thi Thuy Van, H and Minh Nguyet, N and Thanh Phong, N and Van Vinh Chau, N and Wills, B and Yacoub, S and Flores, H and Simmons, C}, title = {Genome evolution of dengue virus serotype 1 under selection by Wolbachia pipientis in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.}, journal = {Virus evolution}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {vead016}, pmid = {37744653}, issn = {2057-1577}, abstract = {The introgression of antiviral strains of Wolbachia into Aedes aegypti mosquito populations is a public health intervention for the control of dengue. Plausibly, dengue virus (DENV) could evolve to bypass the antiviral effects of Wolbachia and undermine this approach. Here, we established a serial-passage system to investigate the evolution of DENV in Ae. aegypti mosquitoes infected with the wMel strain of Wolbachia. Using this system, we report on virus genetic outcomes after twenty passages of serotype 1 of DENV (DENV-1). An amino acid substitution, E203K, in the DENV-1 envelope protein was more frequently detected in the consensus sequence of virus populations passaged in wMel-infected Ae. aegypti than wild-type counterparts. Positive selection at residue 203 was reproducible; it occurred in passaged virus populations from independent DENV-1-infected patients and also in a second, independent experimental system. In wild-type mosquitoes and human cells, the 203K variant was rapidly replaced by the progenitor sequence. These findings provide proof of concept that wMel-associated selection of virus populations can occur in experimental conditions. Field-based studies are needed to explore whether wMel imparts selective pressure on DENV evolution in locations where wMel is established.}, }
@article {pmid37738428, year = {2024}, author = {Thia, JA and Endersby-Harshman, N and Collier, S and Nassar, MS and Tawfik, EA and Alfageeh, MB and Elfekih, S and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {Mitochondrial DNA variation in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.}, journal = {Journal of medical entomology}, volume = {61}, number = {1}, pages = {250-256}, pmid = {37738428}, issn = {1938-2928}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aedes ; Saudi Arabia ; Prospective Studies ; Mutation ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Mosquito Vectors/genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia (Hertig 1936) (Rickettsiales: Ehrlichiaceae) has emerged as a valuable biocontrol tool in the fight against dengue by suppressing the transmission of the virus through mosquitoes. Monitoring the dynamics of Wolbachia is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of release programs. Mitochondrial (mtDNA) markers serve as important tools for molecular tracking of infected mitochondrial backgrounds over time but require an understanding of the variation in release sites. In this study, we investigated the mitochondrial lineages of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus 1762) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which is a prospective release site for the "wAlbBQ" Wolbachia-infected strain of this mosquito species. We employed a combination of comprehensive mitogenomic analysis (including all protein-coding genes) and mtDNA marker analysis (cox1 and nad5) using data collected from Jeddah. We combined our mitogenome and mtDNA marker data with those from previous studies to place mitochondrial variation in Saudi Arabia into a broader global context. Our findings revealed the presence of 4 subclades that can be broadly categorized into 2 major mitochondrial lineages. Ae. aegypti mosquitoes from Jeddah belonged to both major lineages. Whilst mitogenomic data offered a higher resolution for distinguishing Jeddah mosquitoes from the wAlbBQ strain, the combination of cox1 and nad5 mtDNA markers alone proved to be sufficient. This study provides the first important characterization of Ae. aegypti mitochondrial lineages in Saudi Arabia and offers essential baseline information for planning future molecular monitoring efforts during the release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes.}, }
@article {pmid37729233, year = {2023}, author = {Soto, A and De Coninck, L and Devlies, AS and Van De Wiele, C and Rosales Rosas, AL and Wang, L and Matthijnssens, J and Delang, L}, title = {Belgian Culex pipiens pipiens are competent vectors for West Nile virus while Culex modestus are competent vectors for Usutu virus.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {17}, number = {9}, pages = {e0011649}, pmid = {37729233}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Humans ; *West Nile virus/genetics ; *Culex ; Belgium ; *Flavivirus/genetics ; *Culicidae ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Arboviruses ; *West Nile Fever ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are emerging arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) in Europe transmitted by Culex mosquitoes. In Belgium, it is currently unknown which Culex species are competent vectors for WNV or USUV and if these mosquitoes carry Wolbachia, an endosymbiotic bacterium that can block arbovirus transmission. The aims of our study were to measure the vector competence of Belgian Culex mosquitoes to WNV and USUV and determine if a naturally acquired Wolbachia infection can influence virus transmission.<br><br>Female Culex mosquitoes were captured from urban and peri-urban sites in Leuven, Belgium and offered an infectious bloodmeal containing WNV lineage 2, USUV European (EU) lineage 3, or USUV African (AF) lineage 3. Blood-fed females were incubated for 14 days at 25&#xb0;C after which the body, head, and saliva were collected to measure infection, dissemination, and transmission rates as well as transmission efficiency. Mosquito species were identified by qRT-PCR or Sanger sequencing, the presence of infectious virus in mosquitoes was confirmed by plaque assays, and viral genome copies were quantified by qRT-PCR. Culex pipiens pipiens were able to transmit WNV (4.3% transmission efficiency, n = 2/47) but not USUV (EU lineage: n = 0/56; AF lineage: n = 0/37). In contrast, Culex modestus were able to transmit USUV (AF lineage: 20% transmission efficiency, n = 1/5) but not WNV (n = 0/6). We found that the presence or absence of Wolbachia was species-dependent and did not associate with virus transmission.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first report that Belgian Culex mosquitoes can transmit both WNV and USUV, forewarning the risk of human transmission. More research is needed to understand the potential influence of Wolbachia on arbovirus transmission in Culex modestus mosquitoes.}, }
@article {pmid37720159, year = {2023}, author = {Giordano, R and Weber, EP and Mitacek, R and Flores, A and Ledesma, A and De, AK and Herman, TK and Soto-Adames, FN and Nguyen, MQ and Hill, CB and Hartman, GL}, title = {Patterns of asexual reproduction of the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines (Matsumura), with and without the secondary symbionts Wolbachia and Arsenophonus, on susceptible and resistant soybean genotypes.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1209595}, pmid = {37720159}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Plant breeding is used to develop crops with host resistance to aphids, however, virulent biotypes often develop that overcome host resistance genes. We tested whether the symbionts, Arsenophonus (A) and Wolbachia (W), affect virulence and fecundity in soybean aphid biotypes Bt1 and Bt3 cultured on whole plants and detached leaves of three resistant, Rag1, Rag2 and Rag1 + 2, and one susceptible, W82, soybean genotypes. Whole plants and individual aphid experiments of A. glycines with and without Arsenophonus and Wolbachia did not show differences in overall fecundity. Differences were observed in peak fecundity, first day of deposition, and day of maximum nymph deposition of individual aphids on detached leaves. Bt3 had higher fecundity than Bt1 on detached leaves of all plant genotypes regardless of bacterial profile. Symbionts did not affect peak fecundity of Bt1 but increased it in Bt3 (A+W+) and all Bt3 strains began to deposit nymphs earlier than the Bt1 (A+W-). Arsenophonus in Bt1 delayed the first day of nymph deposition in comparison to aposymbiotic Bt1 except when reared on Rag1 + 2. For the Bt1 and Bt3 strains, symbionts did not result in a significant difference in the day they deposited the maximum number of nymphs nor was there a difference in survival or variability in number of nymphs deposited. Variability of number of aphids deposited was higher in aphids feeding on resistant plant genotypes. The impact of Arsenophonus on soybean aphid patterns of fecundity was dependent on the aphid biotype and plant genotype. Wolbachia alone had no detectable impact but may have contributed to the increased fecundity of Bt3 (A+W+). An individual based model, using data from the detached leaves experiment and with intraspecific competition removed, found patterns similar to those observed in the greenhouse and growth chamber experiments including a significant interaction between soybean genotype and aphid strain. Combining individual data with the individual based model of population growth isolated the impact of fecundity and host resistance from intraspecific competition and host health. Changes to patterns of fecundity, influenced by the composition and concentration of symbionts, may contribute to competitive interactions among aphid genotypes and influence selection on virulent aphid populations.}, }
@article {pmid37716961, year = {2023}, author = {Mfopit, YM and Engel, JS and Chechet, GD and Ibrahim, MAM and Signaboubo, D and Achukwi, DM and Mamman, M and Balogun, EO and Shuaibu, MN and Kabir, J and Kelm, S}, title = {Molecular detection of Sodalis glossinidius, Spiroplasma species and Wolbachia endosymbionts in wild population of tsetse flies collected in Cameroon, Chad and Nigeria.}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {23}, number = {1}, pages = {260}, pmid = {37716961}, issn = {1471-2180}, support = {K43 TW012015/TW/FIC NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Tsetse Flies ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Cameroon ; Chad ; Nigeria ; *Glossinidae ; *Trypanosomiasis, African ; *Spiroplasma/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Tsetse flies are cyclical vectors of African trypanosomiasis (AT). The flies have established symbiotic associations with different bacteria that influence certain aspects of their physiology. Vector competence of tsetse flies for different trypanosome species is highly variable and is suggested to be affected by bacterial endosymbionts amongst other factors. Symbiotic interactions may provide an avenue for AT control. The current study provided prevalence of three tsetse symbionts in Glossina species from Cameroon, Chad and Nigeria.<br><br>RESULTS: Tsetse flies were collected and dissected from five different locations. DNA was extracted and polymerase chain reaction used to detect presence of Sodalis glossinidius, Spiroplasma species and Wolbachia endosymbionts, using species specific primers. A total of 848 tsetse samples were analysed: Glossina morsitans submorsitans (47.52%), Glossina palpalis palpalis (37.26%), Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (9.08%) and Glossina tachinoides (6.13%). Only 95 (11.20%) were infected with at least one of the three symbionts. Among infected flies, six (6.31%) had Wolbachia and Spiroplasma mixed infection. The overall symbiont prevalence was 0.88, 3.66 and 11.00% respectively, for Sodalis glossinidius, Spiroplasma species and Wolbachia endosymbionts. Prevalence varied between countries and tsetse fly species. Neither Spiroplasma species nor S. glossinidius were detected in samples from Cameroon and Nigeria respectively.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The present study revealed, for the first time, presence of Spiroplasma species infections in tsetse fly populations in Chad and Nigeria. These findings provide useful information on repertoire of bacterial flora of tsetse flies and incite more investigations to understand their implication in the vector competence of tsetse flies.}, }
@article {pmid37715236, year = {2023}, author = {ElKraly, OA and Awad, M and El-Saadany, HM and Hassanein, SE and Elrahman, TA and Elnagdy, SM}, title = {Impact of gut microbiota composition on black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (hufnagel) metabolic indices and pesticide degradation.}, journal = {Animal microbiome}, volume = {5}, number = {1}, pages = {44}, pmid = {37715236}, issn = {2524-4671}, abstract = {Endosymbionts are known to have significant effects on their insect hosts, including nutrition, reproduction, and immunity. Insects gut microbiota is a critical component that affects their physiological and behavioral characteristics. The black cutworm (BCW), Agrotis ipsilon, is an economically important lepidopteran pest that has a diverse gut microbiome composed of nine species belonging to three phyla: Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes. This study was conducted to investigate the diversity of gut bacteria isolated from BCW larvae and moths and their effects on metabolism and pesticide degradation. The bacterial isolates were identified using the 16 S rRNA gene. The study showed that the gut microbiome composition significantly affected the metabolism of BCW larvae. Based on the screening results of synthesis of digestive enzymes and pesticide degradation, Brachybacterium conglomeratum and Glutamicibacter sp were selected to perform the remaining experiments as single isolates and consortium. The consortium-fed larvae showed high metabolic indices compared to antibiotic-fed larvae and the control. The gut bacteria were also shown to degrade three pesticide groups. Concerns regarding the health risk of chlorpyrifos have been raised due to its extensive use in agriculture. The isolated B. conglomeratum was more effective in chlorpyrifos degradation than the consortium. Furthermore, the study also examined the presence of sex related endosymbionts (Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, and Rickettsia) in the reproductive tissues of adults. The outcomes demonstrated that none of the examined endosymbionts existed. In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of the gut microbiome in insect physiology and behavior and its potential applications in biotechnology. It provides insights into developing eco-friendly pest control and bioremediation strategies using gut bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid37706052, year = {2023}, author = {Vinayagam, S and Nirmolia, T and Chetry, S and Kumar, NP and Saini, P and Bhattacharyya, DR and Bhowmick, IP and Sattu, K and Patgiri, SJ}, title = {Molecular Evidence of Wolbachia Species in Wild-Caught Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes in Four States of Northeast India.}, journal = {Journal of tropical medicine}, volume = {2023}, number = {}, pages = {6678627}, pmid = {37706052}, issn = {1687-9686}, abstract = {Wolbachia, a Gram-negative intracellular bacterium, naturally infects many arthropods, including mosquito vectors responsible for the spread of arboviral diseases such as Zika, chikungunya, and dengue fever. Certain Wolbachia strains are involved in inhibiting arbovirus replication in mosquitoes, and this phenomenon is currently being studied to combat disease vectors. A study was conducted in four states in north-eastern India to investigate the presence of natural Wolbachia infection in wild-caught Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the established vectors of dengue. The detection of a Wolbachia infection was confirmed by nested PCR and sequencing in the two mosquito species Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. Positivity rates observed in Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus pools were 38% (44 of 115) and 85% (41 of 48), respectively, and the difference was significant (chi-square = 28.3174, p = 0.00000010). Sequencing revealed that all detected Wolbachia strains belonged to supergroup B. Although Wolbachia infection in Ae. aegypti has been previously reported from India, no such reports are available from north-eastern India. Data on naturally occurring Wolbachia strains are essential for selecting the optimal strain for the development of Wolbachia-based control measures. This information will be helpful for the future application of Wolbachia-based vector control measures in this part of the country.}, }
@article {pmid37696983, year = {2023}, author = {Ogunlade, ST and Adekunle, AI and Meehan, MT and McBryde, ES}, title = {Quantifying the impact of Wolbachia releases on dengue infection in Townsville, Australia.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {14932}, pmid = {37696983}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia ; Mosquito Vectors ; Australia/epidemiology ; Queensland/epidemiology ; *Culicidae ; *Dengue/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; }, abstract = {From October 2014 to February 2019, local authorities in Townsville, North Queensland, Australia continually introduced Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes to control seasonal outbreaks of dengue infection. In this study, we develop a mathematical modelling framework to estimate the effectiveness of this intervention as well as the relative dengue transmission rates of Wolbachia-infected and wild-type mosquitoes. We find that the transmission rate of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes is reduced approximately by a factor of 20 relative to the uninfected wild-type population. In addition, the Townsville Wolbachia release program led to a 65% reduction in predicted dengue incidence during the release period and over 95% reduction in the 24 months that followed. Finally, to investigate the potential impact of other Wolbachia release programs, we use our estimates of relative transmissibility to calculate the relationship between the reproductive number of dengue and the proportion of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes in the vector population.}, }
@article {pmid37695720, year = {2023}, author = {Kryukova, NA and Kryukov, VY and Polenogova, OV and Chertkova, &#x415;&#x410; and Tyurin, MV and Rotskaya, UN and Alikina, T and Kabilov, &#x41c;R and Glupov, VV}, title = {The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia (Rickettsiales) alters larval metabolism of the parasitoid Habrobracon hebetor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).}, journal = {Archives of insect biochemistry and physiology}, volume = {114}, number = {4}, pages = {e22053}, doi = {10.1002/arch.22053}, pmid = {37695720}, issn = {1520-6327}, support = {//Federal Fundamental Scientific Research Program/ ; //Russian Science Foundation/ ; 23-24-00259//The Russian Science Foundation/ ; 1021051703454-5-1.6.12//The Federal Fundamental Scientific Research Program/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Larva/metabolism ; *Hymenoptera ; *Wasps/metabolism ; *Wolbachia ; Rickettsiales ; *Moths/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Infection of intestinal tissues with Wolbachia has been found in Habrobracon hebetor. There are not many studies on the relationship between Habrobracon and Wolbachia, and they focus predominantly on the sex index of an infected parasitoid, its fertility, and behavior. The actual role of Wolbachia in the biology of Habrobracon is not yet clear. The method of complete eradication of Wolbachia in the parasitoid was developed here, and effects of the endosymbiont on the host's digestive metabolism were compared between two lines of the parasitoid (Wolbachia-positive and Wolbachia-negative). In the gut of Wolbachia[+] larvae, lipases' activity was higher almost twofold, and activities of acid proteases, esterases, and trehalase were 1.5-fold greater than those in the Wolbachia[-] line. Analyses of larval homogenates revealed that Wolbachia[+] larvae accumulate significantly more lipids and have a lower amount of pyruvate as compared to Wolbachia[-] larvae. The presented results indicate significant effects of the intracellular symbiotic bacterium Wolbachia on the metabolism of H. hebetor larvae and on the activity of its digestive enzymes.}, }
@article {pmid37693004, year = {2023}, author = {Ning, SF and Huo, LX and Lv, L and Wang, Y and Zhang, LS and Che, WN and Dong, H and Zhou, JC}, title = {The identification and expression pattern of the sex determination genes and their sex-specific variants in the egg parasitoid Trichogramma dendrolimi Matsumura (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae).}, journal = {Frontiers in physiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1243753}, pmid = {37693004}, issn = {1664-042X}, abstract = {Introduction: Trichogramma wasps are egg parasitoids of agricultural lepidopteran pests. The sex of Trichogramma is determined by its ploidy as well as certain sex ratio distorters, such as the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia spp. and the paternal sex ratio (PSR) chromosome. The sex determination systems of hymenopterans, such as Trichogramma spp., involve cascades of the genes transformer (tra), transformer-2 (tra2), and doublesex (dsx) and are associated with sex-specific tra and dsx splicing. First, these genes and their sex-specific variants must be identified to elucidate the interactions between the sex ratio disorders and the sex determination mechanism of Trichogramma. Methods: Here, we characterized the sex determination genes tra, tra2, and dsx in Trichogramma dendrolimi. Sex-specific tra and dsx variants were detected in cDNA samples obtained from both male and female Trichogramma wasps. They were observed in the early embryos (1-10 h), late embryos (12-20 h), larvae (32 h and 48 h), pre-pupae (96 h), and pupae (144 h, 168 h, 192 h, and 216 h) of both male and female T. dendrolimi offspring. Results: We detected female-specific tra variants throughout the entire early female offspring stage. The male-specific variant began to express at 9-10 h as the egg was not fertilized. However, we did not find any maternally derived, female-specific tra variant in the early male embryo. This observation suggests that the female-specific tra variant expressed in the female embryo at 1-9 h may not have originated from the maternal female wasp. Discussion: The present study might be the first to identify the sex determination genes and sex-specific gene splicing in Trichogramma wasps. The findings of this study lay the foundation for investigating the sex determination mechanisms of Trichogramma and other wasps. They also facilitate sex identification in immature T. dendrolimi and the application of this important egg parasitoid in biological insect pest control programs.}, }
@article {pmid37686049, year = {2023}, author = {Zhang, Z and Zhang, J and Chen, Q and He, J and Li, X and Wang, Y and Lu, Y}, title = {Complete De Novo Assembly of Wolbachia Endosymbiont of Frankliniella intonsa.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {17}, pages = {}, pmid = {37686049}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {31672031, 32272537//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2021C02003//Key Research and Development Program of Zhejiang Province, China/ ; 2022YFD1401204, 2022YFC2601405//Key R&amp;D Program of China/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Thysanoptera ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Flowers ; *Nanopores ; Prophages ; RNA, Ribosomal ; }, abstract = {As an endosymbiont, Wolbachia exerts significant effects on the host, including on reproduction, immunity, and metabolism. However, the study of Wolbachia in Thysanopteran insects, such as flower thrips Frankliniella intonsa, remains limited. Here, we assembled a gap-free looped genome assembly of Wolbachia strain wFI in a length of 1,463,884 bp (GC content 33.80%), using Nanopore long reads and Illumina short reads. The annotation of wFI identified a total of 1838 protein-coding genes (including 85 pseudogenes), 3 ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), 35 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and 1 transfer-messenger RNA (tmRNA). Beyond this basic description, we identified mobile genetic elements, such as prophage and insertion sequences (ISs), which make up 17% of the entire wFI genome, as well as genes involved in riboflavin and biotin synthesis and metabolism. This research lays the foundation for understanding the nutritional mutualism between Wolbachia and flower thrips. It also serves as a valuable resource for future studies delving into the intricate interactions between Wolbachia and its host.}, }
@article {pmid37680477, year = {2023}, author = {Yeo, H and Tan, HZ and Tang, Q and Tan, TRH and Puniamoorthy, N and Rheindt, FE}, title = {Dense residential areas promote gene flow in dengue vector mosquito Aedes albopictus.}, journal = {iScience}, volume = {26}, number = {9}, pages = {107577}, pmid = {37680477}, issn = {2589-0042}, abstract = {Aedes albopictus is a successful disease vector due to its ability to survive in a wide range of habitats. Despite its ubiquity and impact on public health, little is known about its differential gene flow capabilities across different city habitats. We obtained a comprehensive dataset of >27,000 genome-wide DNA markers across 105 wild-caught Ae. albopictus individuals from Singapore, a dengue-endemic tropical city with heterogeneous landscapes from densely populated urban areas to forests. Despite Singapore's challenging small-scale heterogeneity, our landscape-genomic approach indicated that dense urban areas are characterized by higher Aedes gene flow rates than managed parks and forests. We documented the incidence of Wolbachia infections of Ae. albopictus involving two strains (wAlbA and wAlbB). Our results dispel the misconception that substantial dispersal of Ae. albopictus is limited to urban greenery, with wide implications for vector management and critical insights into urban planning strategies to combat dengue transmission.}, }
@article {pmid37669272, year = {2023}, author = {Lau, MJ and Dutra, HLC and Jones, MJ and McNulty, BP and Diaz, AM and Ware-Gilmore, F and McGraw, EA}, title = {Jamestown Canyon virus is transmissible by Aedes aegypti and is only moderately blocked by Wolbachia co-infection.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {17}, number = {9}, pages = {e0011616}, pmid = {37669272}, issn = {1935-2735}, support = {R01 AI143758/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Aedes ; *Encephalitis Virus, California ; *Deer ; *Wolbachia ; *Coinfection ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Zika Virus ; *Zika Virus Infection ; }, abstract = {Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV), a negative-sense arbovirus, is increasingly common in the upper Midwest of the USA. Transmitted by a range of mosquito genera, JCV's primary amplifying host is white-tailed deer. Aedes aegypti is responsible for transmitting various positive-sense viruses globally including dengue (DENV), Zika, chikungunya, and Yellow Fever. Ae. aegypti's distribution, once confined to the tropics, is expanding, in part due to climate change. Wolbachia, an insect endosymbiont, limits the replication of co-infecting viruses inside insects. The release and spread of the symbiont into Ae. aegypti populations have been effective in reducing transmission of DENV to humans, although the mechanism of Wolbachia-mediated viral blocking is still poorly understood. Here we explored JCV infection potential in Ae. aegypti, the nature of the vector's immune response, and interactions with Wolbachia infection. We show that Ae. aegypti is highly competent for JCV, which grows to high loads and rapidly reaches the saliva after an infectious blood meal. The mosquito immune system responds with strong induction of RNAi and JAK/STAT. Neither the direct effect of viral infection nor the energetic investment in immunity appears to affect mosquito longevity. Wolbachia infection blocked JCV only in the early stages of infection. Wolbachia-induced immunity was small compared to that of JCV, suggesting innate immune priming does not likely explain blocking. We propose two models to explain why Wolbachia's blocking of negative-sense viruses like JCV may be less than that of positive-sense viruses, relating to the slowdown of host protein synthesis and the triggering of interferon-like factors like Vago. In conclusion, we highlight the risk for increased human disease with the predicted future overlap of Ae. aegypti and JCV ranges. We suggest that with moderate Wolbachia-mediated blocking and distinct biology, negative-sense viruses represent a fruitful comparator model to other viruses for understanding blocking mechanisms in mosquitoes.}, }
@article {pmid37658881, year = {2023}, author = {Owashi, Y and Minami, T and Kikuchi, T and Yoshida, A and Nakano, R and Kageyama, D and Adachi-Hagimori, T}, title = {Microbiome of Zoophytophagous Biological Control Agent Nesidiocoris tenuis.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {86}, number = {4}, pages = {2923-2933}, pmid = {37658881}, issn = {1432-184X}, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; Biological Control Agents ; *Hemiptera/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Spiroplasma ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Microbiota ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Many insects are associated with endosymbionts that influence the feeding, reproduction, and distribution of their hosts. Although the small green mirid, Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae), a zoophytophagous predator that feeds on plants as well as arthropods, is a globally important biological control agent, its microbiome has not been sufficiently studied. In the present study, we assessed the microbiome variation in 96 N. tenuis individuals from 14 locations throughout Japan, based on amplicon sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Nine major bacteria associated with N. tenuis were identified: Rickettsia, two strains of Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, Providencia, Serratia, Pseudochrobactrum, Lactococcus, and Stenotrophomonas. Additionally, a diagnostic PCR analysis for three typical insect reproductive manipulators, Rickettsia, Wolbachia, and Spiroplasma, was performed on a larger sample size (n = 360) of N. tenuis individuals; the most prevalent symbiont was Rickettsia (69.7%), followed by Wolbachia (39.2%) and Spiroplasma (6.1%). Although some symbionts were co-infected, their prevalence did not exhibit any specific tendency, such as a high frequency in specific infection combinations. The infection frequency of Rickettsia was significantly correlated with latitude and temperature, while that of Wolbachia and Spiroplasma was significantly correlated with host plants. The predominance of these bacteria and the absence of obligate symbionts suggested that the N. tenuis microbiome is typical for predatory arthropods rather than sap-feeding insects. Rickettsia and Wolbachia were vertically transmitted rather than horizontally transmitted from the prey. The functional validation of each symbiont would be warranted to develop N. tenuis as a biological control agent.}, }
@article {pmid37653429, year = {2023}, author = {Duong Thi Hue, K and da Silva Goncalves, D and Tran Thuy, V and Thi Vo, L and Le Thi, D and Vu Tuyet, N and Nguyen Thi, G and Huynh Thi Xuan, T and Nguyen Minh, N and Nguyen Thanh, P and Yacoub, S and Simmons, CP}, title = {Wolbachia wMel strain-mediated effects on dengue virus vertical transmission from Aedes aegypti to their offspring.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {308}, pmid = {37653429}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Female ; Animals ; *Aedes ; *Dengue Virus ; *Wolbachia ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Laboratories ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1 to -4) can be transmitted vertically in Aedes aegpti mosquitoes. Whether infection with the wMel strain of the endosymbiont Wolbachia can reduce the incidence of vertical transmission of DENV from infected females to their offspring is not well understood.<br><br>METHODS: A laboratory colony of Vietnamese Ae. aegypti, both with and without wMel infection, were infected with DENV-1 by intrathoracic injection (IT) to estimate the rate of vertical transmission (VT) of the virus. VT in the DENV-infected mosquitoes was calculated via the infection rate estimation from mosquito pool data using maximum likelihood estimation (MLE).<br><br>RESULTS: In 6047 F1 Vietnamese wild-type Ae. aegypti, the MLE of DENV-1 infection was 1.49 per 1000 mosquitoes (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.73-2.74). In 5500&#xa0;wMel-infected Ae. aegypti, the MLE infection rate was 0 (95% CI 0-0.69). The VT rates between mosquito lines showed a statistically significant difference.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The results reinforce the view that VT is a rare event in wild-type mosquitoes and that infection with wMel is effective in reducing VT.}, }
@article {pmid37652566, year = {2023}, author = {Cavany, S and Huber, JH and Wieler, A and Tran, QM and Alkuzweny, M and Elliott, M and España, G and Moore, SM and Perkins, TA}, title = {Does ignoring transmission dynamics lead to underestimation of the impact of interventions against mosquito-borne disease?.}, journal = {BMJ global health}, volume = {8}, number = {8}, pages = {}, pmid = {37652566}, issn = {2059-7908}, support = {R35 GM143029/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Vector Borne Diseases/prevention &amp; control/transmission ; Culicidae ; Bias ; Models, Biological ; }, abstract = {New vector-control technologies to fight mosquito-borne diseases are urgently needed, the adoption of which depends on efficacy estimates from large-scale cluster-randomised trials (CRTs). The release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes is one promising strategy to curb dengue virus (DENV) transmission, and a recent CRT reported impressive reductions in dengue incidence following the release of these mosquitoes. Such trials can be affected by multiple sources of bias, however. We used mathematical models of DENV transmission during a CRT of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes to explore three such biases: human movement, mosquito movement and coupled transmission dynamics between trial arms. We show that failure to account for each of these biases would lead to underestimated efficacy, and that the majority of this underestimation is due to a heretofore unrecognised bias caused by transmission coupling. Taken together, our findings suggest that Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes could be even more promising than the recent CRT suggested. By emphasising the importance of accounting for transmission coupling between arms, which requires a mathematical model, we highlight the key role that models can play in interpreting and extrapolating the results from trials of vector control interventions.}, }
@article {pmid37649415, year = {2023}, author = {Martínez-Burgos, M and Lozano-Sardaneta, YN and Rodríguez-Rojas, JJ and Gómez-Rivera, &#xc1;S and Canto-Mis, KL and Flores-Escobar, E and Mis-Ávila, PC and Correa-Morales, F and Becker, I}, title = {Species diversity and detection of pathogens in phlebotomine sand flies collected from forest management areas of Quintana Roo, Mexico.}, journal = {Medical and veterinary entomology}, volume = {37}, number = {4}, pages = {845-858}, doi = {10.1111/mve.12691}, pmid = {37649415}, issn = {1365-2915}, mesh = {Animals ; *Psychodidae ; Mexico ; Insect Vectors ; *Phlebotomus ; Forests ; }, abstract = {Sand flies have expanded their areas of distribution, thereby increasing the risk of pathogen transmission in non-endemic areas. To establish efficient prevention and control strategies for the transmission of vector-borne pathogens, it is important to understand seasonal dynamics of their vectors. In Mexico, there are several areas where the contact between sand flies, hosts and reservoirs favours the transmission of the pathogen. We compared sand fly communities in a forest management area and a conserved area in Noh-Bec, Quintana Roo, Mexico. The analysis included species diversity, activity peaks and molecular detection of pathogens. Sand flies were collected from November to December 2021 and April to May 2022, during 84 night-traps. The conserved area showed higher numbers and greater species heterogeneity of sand flies as compared with the other sites. The β-diversity analysis revealed that sites disturbed by logging (S1, S2, S3) had greater similarity (90%) in their sand fly species composition than a conserved area (S4) (similarity = 36%). Although none of the specimens were infected with Leishmania, we detected Wolbachia (19.4%) in all four sites, as well as Bartonella (3.25%) only in the disturbed sites. Further studies on the dynamics of sand fly populations and their association with pathogens are necessary.}, }
@article {pmid37647311, year = {2023}, author = {Wei, TL and Zheng, YP and Wang, ZH and Shang, YX and Pei, MS and Liu, HN and Yu, YH and Shi, QF and Jiang, DM and Guo, DL}, title = {Comparative microbiome analysis reveals the variation in microbial communities between 'Kyoho' grape and its bud mutant variety.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {18}, number = {8}, pages = {e0290853}, pmid = {37647311}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {*Chlorobi ; *Vitis ; *Microbiota/genetics ; *Anaplasmataceae ; Enterobacteriaceae ; }, abstract = {Microbes are an important part of the vineyard ecosystem, which significantly influence the quality of grapes. Previously, we identified a bud mutant variety (named 'Fengzao') from 'Kyoho' grapes. The variation of microbial communities in grape and its bud mutant variety has not been studied yet. So, in this study, with the samples of both 'Fengzao' and 'Kyoho', we conducted high-throughput microbiome sequencing and investigated their microbial communities in different tissues. Obvious differences were observed in the microbial communities between 'Fengzao' and 'Kyoho'. The fruit and the stem are the tissues with relatively higher abundance of microbes, while the leaves contained less microbes. The fruit and the stem of 'Kyoho' and the stem of 'Fengzao' had relatively higher species diversity based on the alpha diversity analysis. Proteobacteria, Enterobacteriaceae and Rhodobacteraceae had significantly high abundance in 'Fengzao'. Firmicutes and Pseudomonas were highly abundant in the stems of 'Kyoho', and family of Spirochaetaceae, Anaplasmataceae, Chlorobiaceae, and Sphingomonadaceae, and genera of Spirochaeta, Sphingomonas, Chlorobaculum and Wolbachia were abundant in the fruits of 'Kyoho'. These identified microbes are main components of the microbial communities, and could be important regulators of grapevine growth and development. This study revealed the differences in the microbial compositions between 'Kyoho' and its bud mutant, and these identified microbes will be significant resources for the future researches on the quality regulation and disease control of grapevines.}, }
@article {pmid37645949, year = {2023}, author = {Wenzel, M and Aquadro, CF}, title = {Wolbachia infection at least partially rescues the fertility and ovary defects of several new Drosophila melanogaster bag of marbles protein-coding mutants.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1101/2023.03.20.532813}, pmid = {37645949}, issn = {2692-8205}, abstract = {UNLABELLED: The D. melanogaster protein coding gene bag of marbles (bam) plays a key role in early male and female reproduction by forming complexes with partner proteins to promote differentiation in gametogenesis. Like another germline gene, Sex lethal , bam genetically interacts with the endosymbiont Wolbachia , as Wolbachia rescues the reduced fertility of a bam hypomorphic mutant. Here, we explored the specificity of the bam-Wolbachia interaction by generating 22 new bam mutants, with ten mutants displaying fertility defects. Nine of these mutants trend towards rescue by the w Mel Wolbachia variant, with eight statistically significant at the fertility and/or cytological level. In some cases, fertility was increased a striking 20-fold. There is no specificity between the rescue and the known binding regions of bam , suggesting w Mel does not interact with one singular bam partner to rescue the reproductive phenotype. We further tested if w Mel interacts with bam in a non-specific way, by increasing bam transcript levels or acting upstream in germline stem cells. A fertility assessment of a bam RNAi knockdown mutant reveals that w Mel rescue is specific to functionally mutant bam alleles and we find no obvious evidence of w Mel interaction with germline stem cells in bam mutants.<br><br>AUTHOR SUMMARY: Reproduction in the Drosophila melanogaster fruit fly is dependent on the bag of marbles (bam) gene, which acts early in the process of generating eggs and sperm. Mutations to this gene negatively impact the fertility of the fly, causing it to be sterile or have fewer progeny. Interestingly, we find that the bacteria Wolbachia , which resides within reproductive cells across a wide range of insects, partially restores the fertility and ovary phenotype of several bam mutants of which the resultant Bam protein is altered from wildtype. The protein function of Bam is further suggested to be important by the lack of rescue for a fly that has a fertility defect due to low expression of a non-mutated bam gene. Previous work makes similar conclusions about Wolbachia with another reproductive gene, Sex lethal (Sxl), highlighting the potential for rescue of fertility mutants to occur in a similar way across different genes. An understanding of the ways in which Wolbachia can affect host reproduction provides us with context with which to frame Wolbachia 's impact on host genes, such as bam and Sxl, and consider the evolutionary implications of Wolbachia 's infection in D. melanogaster fruit flies.}, }
@article {pmid37630471, year = {2023}, author = {Chao, LL and Shih, CM}, title = {First Detection and Genetic Identification of Wolbachia Endosymbiont in Field-Caught Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes Collected from Southern Taiwan.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {11}, number = {8}, pages = {}, pmid = {37630471}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {MOST 111-2314-B-037-031//Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan/ ; }, abstract = {The prevalence and genetic character of Wolbachia endosymbionts in field-collected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were examined for the first time in Taiwan. A total of 665 Ae. aegypti were screened for Wolbachia infection using a PCR assay targeting the Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) gene. In general, the prevalence of Wolbachia infection was detected in 3.3% Ae. aegypti specimens (2.0% female and 5.2% male). Group-specific Wolbachia infection was detected with an infection rate of 1.8%, 0.8% and 0.8% in groups A, B and A&amp;B, respectively. Genetic analysis demonstrated that all Wolbachia strains from Taiwan were phylogenetically affiliated with Wolbachia belonging to the supergroups A and B, with high sequence similarities of 99.4-100% and 99.2-100%, respectively. Phylogenetic relationships can be easily distinguished by maximum likelihood (ML) analysis and were congruent with the unweighted pair group with the arithmetic mean (UPGMA) method. The intra- and inter-group analysis of genetic distance (GD) values revealed a lower level within the Taiwan strains (GD < 0.006 for group A and GD < 0.008 for group B) and a higher level (GD > 0.498 for group A and GD > 0.286 for group B) as compared with other Wolbachia strains. Our results describe the first detection and molecular identification of Wolbachia endosymbiont in field-caught Ae. aegypti mosquitoes collected from Taiwan, and showed a low Wolbachia infection rate belonging to supergroups A and B in Ae. aegypti mosquitoes.}, }
@article {pmid37628597, year = {2023}, author = {Corpuz, RL and Bellinger, MR and Veillet, A and Magnacca, KN and Price, DK}, title = {The Transmission Patterns of the Endosymbiont Wolbachia within the Hawaiian Drosophilidae Adaptive Radiation.}, journal = {Genes}, volume = {14}, number = {8}, pages = {}, pmid = {37628597}, issn = {2073-4425}, mesh = {Female ; Animals ; *Ecosystem ; Hawaii ; Phylogeny ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Drosophila/genetics ; }, abstract = {The evolution of endosymbionts and their hosts can lead to highly dynamic interactions with varying fitness effects for both the endosymbiont and host species. Wolbachia, a ubiquitous endosymbiont of arthropods and nematodes, can have both beneficial and detrimental effects on host fitness. We documented the occurrence and patterns of transmission of Wolbachia within the Hawaiian Drosophilidae and examined the potential contributions of Wolbachia to the rapid diversification of their hosts. Screens for Wolbachia infections across a minimum of 140 species of Hawaiian Drosophila and Scaptomyza revealed species-level infections of 20.0%, and across all 399 samples, a general infection rate of 10.3%. Among the 44 Wolbachia strains we identified using a modified Wolbachia multi-locus strain typing scheme, 30 (68.18%) belonged to supergroup B, five (11.36%) belonged to supergroup A, and nine (20.45%) had alleles with conflicting supergroup assignments. Co-phylogenetic reconciliation analysis indicated that Wolbachia strain diversity within their endemic Hawaiian Drosophilidae hosts can be explained by vertical (e.g., co-speciation) and horizontal (e.g., host switch) modes of transmission. Results from stochastic character trait mapping suggest that horizontal transmission is associated with the preferred oviposition substrate of the host, but not the host's plant family or island of occurrence. For Hawaiian Drosophilid species of conservation concern, with 13 species listed as endangered and 1 listed as threatened, knowledge of Wolbachia strain types, infection status, and potential for superinfection could assist with conservation breeding programs designed to bolster population sizes, especially when wild populations are supplemented with laboratory-reared, translocated individuals. Future research aimed at improving the understanding of the mechanisms of Wolbachia transmission in nature, their impact on the host, and their role in host species formation may shed light on the influence of Wolbachia as an evolutionary driver, especially in Hawaiian ecosystems.}, }
@article {pmid37622600, year = {2023}, author = {Ciocchetta, S and Frentiu, FD and Montarsi, F and Capelli, G and Devine, GJ}, title = {Investigation on key aspects of mating biology in the mosquito Aedes koreicus.}, journal = {Medical and veterinary entomology}, volume = {37}, number = {4}, pages = {826-833}, doi = {10.1111/mve.12687}, pmid = {37622600}, issn = {1365-2915}, mesh = {Female ; Male ; Animals ; *Aedes ; Reproduction ; Insemination ; Italy ; Biology ; Introduced Species ; Mosquito Vectors ; }, abstract = {Aedes koreicus Edwards, 1917 (Hulecoetomyia koreica) is a mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) from Northeast Asia with a rapidly expanding presence outside its original native range. Over the years, the species has been discovered in several new countries, either spreading after first introduction or remaining localised to limited areas. Notably, recent studies have demonstrated the ability of the species to transmit zoonotic parasites and viruses both in the field and in laboratory settings. Combined with its invasive potential, the possible role of Ae. koreicus in pathogen transmission highlights the public health risks resulting from its invasion. In this study, we used a recently established population from Italy to investigate aspects of biology that influence reproductive success in Ae. koreicus: autogeny, mating behaviour, mating disruption by the sympatric invasive species Aedes albopictus Skuse, 1894, and the presence of the endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis Hertig, 1936. Our laboratory population did not exhibit autogenic behaviour and required a bloodmeal to complete its ovarian cycle. When we exposed Ae. koreicus females to males of Ae. albopictus, we observed repeated attempts at insemination and an aggressive, disruptive mating behaviour initiated by male Ae. albopictus. Despite this, no sperm was identified in Ae. koreicus spermathecae. Wolbachia, an endosymbiotic bacterium capable of influencing mosquito reproductive behaviour, was not detected in this Ae. koreicus population and, therefore, had no effect on Ae. koreicus reproduction.}, }
@article {pmid37612420, year = {2023}, author = {Strunov, A and Schoenherr, C and Kapun, M}, title = {Wolbachia has subtle effects on thermal preference in highly inbred Drosophila melanogaster which vary with life stage and environmental conditions.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {13792}, pmid = {37612420}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {P 32275/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila melanogaster ; *Wolbachia ; Drosophila ; *Arthropods ; Body Temperature ; }, abstract = {Temperature fluctuations are challenging for ectotherms which are not able to regulate body temperature by physiological means and thus have to adjust their thermal environment via behavior. However, little is yet known about whether microbial symbionts influence thermal preference (Tp) in ectotherms by modulating their physiology. Several recent studies have demonstrated substantial effects of Wolbachia infections on host Tp in different Drosophila species. These data indicate that the direction and strength of thermal preference variation is strongly dependent on host and symbiont genotypes and highly variable among studies. By employing highly controlled experiments, we investigated the impact of several environmental factors including humidity, food quality, light exposure, and experimental setup that may influence Tp measurements in adult Drosophila melanogaster flies. Additionally, we assessed the effects of Wolbachia infection on Tp of Drosophila at different developmental stages, which has not been done before. We find only subtle effects of Wolbachia on host Tp which are strongly affected by experimental variation in adult, but not during juvenile life stages. Our in-depth analyses show that environmental variation has a substantial influence on Tp which demonstrates the necessity of careful experimental design and cautious interpretations of Tp measurements together with a thorough description of the methods and equipment used to conduct behavioral studies.}, }
@article {pmid37612118, year = {2023}, author = {Maruyama, J and Inoue, H and Hirose, Y and Nakabachi, A}, title = {16S rRNA Gene Sequencing of Six Psyllid Species of the Family Carsidaridae Identified Various Bacteria Including Symbiopectobacterium.}, journal = {Microbes and environments}, volume = {38}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {37612118}, issn = {1347-4405}, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Genes, rRNA ; Bacteria/genetics ; Enterobacteriaceae/genetics ; *Gammaproteobacteria/genetics ; }, abstract = {Psyllids (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Psylloidea) are plant sap-sucking insects that are closely associated with various microbes. To obtain a more detailed understanding of the ecological and evolutionary behaviors of microbes in Psylloidea, the bacterial populations of six psyllid species, belonging to the family Carsidaridae, were analyzed using high-throughput amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The majority of the secondary symbionts identified in the present study were gammaproteobacteria, particularly those of the order Enterobacterales, including Arsenophonus and Sodalis, which are lineages found in a wide variety of insect hosts. Additionally, Symbiopectobacterium, another Enterobacterales lineage, which has recently been recognized and increasingly shown to be vertically transmitted and mutualistic in various invertebrates, was identified for the first time in Psylloidea. This lineage is closely related to Pectobacterium spp., which are plant pathogens, but forms a distinct clade exhibiting no pathogenicity to plants. Non-Enterobacterales gammaproteobacteria found in the present study were Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas (both Pseudomonadales), Delftia, Comamonas (both Burkholderiales), and Xanthomonas (Xanthomonadales), a putative plant pathogen. Regarding alphaproteobacteria, three Wolbachia (Rickettsiales) lineages belonging to supergroup B, the major group in insect lineages, were detected in four psyllid species. In addition, a Wolbachia lineage of supergroup O, a minor group recently found for the first time in Psylloidea, was detected in one psyllid species. These results suggest the pervasive transfer of bacterial symbionts among animals and plants, providing deeper insights into the evolution of the interactions among these organisms.}, }
@article {pmid37604924, year = {2023}, author = {Osorio, J and Villa-Arias, S and Camargo, C and Ramírez-Sánchez, LF and Barrientos, LM and Bedoya, C and Rúa-Uribe, G and Dorus, S and Alfonso-Parra, C and Avila, FW}, title = {wMel Wolbachia alters female post-mating behaviors and physiology in the dengue vector mosquito Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {Communications biology}, volume = {6}, number = {1}, pages = {865}, pmid = {37604924}, issn = {2399-3642}, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; Female ; Humans ; *Aedes ; Proteomics ; *Wolbachia ; Semen ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Dengue/prevention &amp; control ; }, abstract = {Globally invasive Aedes aegypti disseminate numerous arboviruses that impact human health. One promising method to control Ae. aegypti populations is transinfection with Wolbachia pipientis, which naturally infects ~40-52% of insects but not Ae. aegypti. Transinfection of Ae. aegypti with the wMel Wolbachia strain induces cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), allows infected individuals to invade native populations, and inhibits transmission of medically relevant arboviruses by females. Female insects undergo post-mating physiological and behavioral changes-referred to as the female post-mating response (PMR)-required for optimal fertility. PMRs are typically elicited by male seminal fluid proteins (SFPs) transferred with sperm during mating but can be modified by other factors, including microbiome composition. Wolbachia has modest effects on Ae. aegypti fertility, but its influence on other PMRs is unknown. Here, we show that Wolbachia influences female fecundity, fertility, and re-mating incidence and significantly extends the longevity of virgin females. Using proteomic methods to examine the seminal proteome of infected males, we found that Wolbachia moderately affects SFP composition. However, we identified 125 paternally transferred Wolbachia proteins, but the CI factor proteins (Cifs) were not among them. Our findings indicate that Wolbachia infection of Ae. aegypti alters female PMRs, potentially influencing control programs that utilize Wolbachia-infected individuals.}, }
@article {pmid37603352, year = {2023}, author = {Zhu, Z and Hui, Y and Hu, L}, title = {The impact of predators of mosquito larvae on Wolbachia spreading dynamics.}, journal = {Journal of biological dynamics}, volume = {17}, number = {1}, pages = {2249024}, doi = {10.1080/17513758.2023.2249024}, pmid = {37603352}, issn = {1751-3766}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia ; Models, Biological ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Culicidae ; Larva ; }, abstract = {Dengue fever creates more than 390 million cases worldwide yearly. The most effective way to deal with this mosquito-borne disease is to control the vectors. In this work we consider two weapons, the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia and predators of mosquito larvae, for combating the disease. As Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes are less able to transmit dengue virus, releasing infected mosquitoes to invade wild mosquito populations helps to reduce dengue transmission. Besides this measure, the introduction of predators of mosquito larvae can control mosquito population. To evaluate the impact of the predators on Wolbachia spreading dynamics, we develop a stage-structured five-dimensional model, which links the predator-prey dynamics with the Wolbachia spreading. By comparatively analysing the dynamics of the models without and with predators, we observe that the introduction of the predators augments the number of coexistence equilibria and impedes Wolbachia spreading. Some numerical simulations are presented to support and expand our theoretical results.}, }
@article {pmid37602844, year = {2023}, author = {Cull, B and Wang, XR}, title = {Methods for the Study of Ticks, Mosquitoes, and their Transmitted Pathogens: Toward a Greater Understanding of Vector Biology and Arthropod-Microbe Interactions.}, journal = {Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE}, volume = {}, number = {193}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3791/64986}, pmid = {37602844}, issn = {1940-087X}, support = {R01 AI049424/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Arthropods ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Ixodes ; *Aedes ; Biology ; }, abstract = {Chen, L., Xiao, Q., Shi, M., Cheng, J., Wu, J. Detecting Wolbachia strain wAlbB in Aedes albopictus cell lines. Journal of Visualized Experiments. (184), e63662 (2022). Haziqah-Rashid, A. et al. Determining temperature preference of mosquitoes and other ectotherms. Journal of Visualized Experiments. (187), e64356 (2022). Huang, D. et al. Mosquito-associated virus isolation from field-collected mosquitoes. Journal of Visualized Experiments. (186), e63852 (2022). Khoo, B., Cull, B., Oliver, J. D. Tick artificial membrane feeding for Ixodes scapularis. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 64553 (2022). Leal-Galvan, B., Harvey, C., Thomas, D., Saelao, P., Oliva Chavez, A. S. Isolation of microRNAs from tick ex vivo salivary gland cultures and extracellular vesicles. Journal of Visualized Experiments. (182), e63618 (2022). Liang, Q. et al. Control of Aedes albopictus mosquito larvae with Carpesium abrotanoides L. Journal of Visualized Experiments. (186), e63976 (2022). Wang, F. et al. Experimental viral infection in adult mosquitoes by oral feeding and microinjection. Journal of Visualized Experiments. (185), e63830 (2022). Wang, X. R., Burkhardt, N. Y., Price, L. D., Munderloh, U. G. An electroporation method to transform Rickettsia spp. with a fluorescent protein-expressing shuttle vector in tick cell lines. Journal of Visualized Experiments. (188), e64562 (2022).}, }
@article {pmid37601442, year = {2023}, author = {Archer, J and Hurst, GDD and Hornett, EA}, title = {Male-killer symbiont screening reveals novel associations in Adalia ladybirds.}, journal = {Access microbiology}, volume = {5}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {37601442}, issn = {2516-8290}, abstract = {While male-killing bacteria are known to infect across arthropods, ladybird beetles represent a hotspot for these symbioses. In some host species, there are multiple different symbionts that vary in presence and frequency between populations. To further our understanding of spatial and frequency variation, we tested for the presence of three male-killing bacteria: Wolbachia , Rickettsia and Spiroplasma , in two Adalia ladybird species from a previously unexplored UK population. The two-spot ladybird, A. bipunctata, is known to harbour all three male-killers, and we identified Spiroplasma infection in the Merseyside population for the first time. However, in contrast to previous studies on two-spot ladybirds from continental Europe, evidence from egg-hatch rates indicates the Spiroplasma strain present in the Merseyside population does not cause embryonic male-killing. In the related ten-spot ladybird, A. decempunctata, there is only one previous record of a male-killing symbiont, a Rickettsia , which we did not detect in the Merseyside sample. However, PCR assays indicated the presence of a Spiroplasma in a single A. decempunctata specimen. Marker sequence indicated that this Spiroplasma was divergent from that found in sympatric A. bipunctata. Genome sequencing of the Spiroplasma -infected A. decempunctata additionally revealed the presence of cobionts in the form of a Centistes parasitoid wasp and the parasitic fungi Beauveria. Further study of A. decempunctata from this population is needed to resolve whether it is the ladybird or wasp cobiont that harbours Spiroplasma , and to establish the phenotype of this strain. These data indicate first that microbial symbiont phenotype should not be assumed from past studies conducted in different locations, and second that cobiont presence may confound screening studies aimed to detect the frequency of a symbiont in field collected material from a focal host species.}, }
@article {pmid37584011, year = {2023}, author = {Perles, L and Otranto, D and Barreto, WTG and de Macedo, GC and Lia, RP and Mendoza-Roldan, JA and Herrera, HM and de Oliveira, CE and Machado, RZ and André, MR}, title = {Mansonella sp. and associated Wolbachia endosymbionts in ring-tailed coatis (Nasua nasua) in periurban areas from Midwestern Brazil.}, journal = {International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife}, volume = {22}, number = {}, pages = {14-19}, pmid = {37584011}, issn = {2213-2244}, abstract = {Coatis (Nasua nasua) are wild carnivorous well adapted to anthropized environments especially important because they act as reservoirs hosts for many arthropod-borne zoonotic pathogens. Information about filarioids from coatis and associated Wolbachia spp. in Brazil is scant. To investigate the diversity of filarial nematodes, blood samples (n = 100 animals) were obtained from two urban areas in midwestern Brazil and analyzed using blood smears and buffy coats and cPCR assays based on the cox1, 12S rRNA, 18S rRNA, hsp70 and myoHC genes for nematodes and 16S rRNA for Wolbachia. When analyzing coati blood smears and buffy coats, 30% and 80% of the samples presented at least one microfilaria, respectively. Twenty-five cox1 sequences were obtained showing 89% nucleotide identity with Mansonella ozzardi. Phylogenetic analyses clustered cox1 sequences herein obtained within the Mansonella spp. clade. Sequences of both myoHC and two hsp70 genes showed 99.8% nucleotide identity with Mansonella sp. and clustered into a clade within Mansonella sp., previously detected in coatis from Brazil. Two blood samples were positive for Wolbachia, with a 99% nucleotide identity with Wolbachia previously found in Mansonella perstans, Mansonella ozzardi and Mansonella atelensis and in ectoparasites of the genus Pseudolynchia, Melophagus and Cimex. The study showed a high prevalence of Mansonella sp. in the coati population examined, suggesting that this animal species play a role as reservoirs of a novel, yet to be described, species within the Onchocercidae family.}, }
@article {pmid37577425, year = {2023}, author = {Garrido, M and Veiga, J and Garrigós, M and Martínez-de la Puente, J}, title = {The interplay between vector microbial community and pathogen transmission on the invasive Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus: current knowledge and future directions.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1208633}, pmid = {37577425}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {The invasive Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is nowadays broadly distributed with established populations in all continents except Antarctica. In the invaded areas, this species represents an important nuisance for humans and, more relevant, it is involved in the local transmission of pathogens relevant under a public health perspective. Aedes albopictus is a competent vector of parasites such as Dirofilaria and viruses including dengue virus, Zika virus, and chikungunya virus, among others. The mosquito microbiota has been identified as one of the major drivers of vector competence, acting upon relevant vector functions as development or immunity. Here, we review the available literature on the interaction between Ae. albopictus microbiota and pathogen transmission and identify the knowledge gaps on the topic. Most studies are strictly focused on the interplay between pathogens and Wolbachia endosymbiont while studies screening whole microbiota are still scarce but increasing in recent years, supported on Next-generation sequencing tools. Most experimental trials use lab-reared mosquitoes or cell lines, exploring the molecular mechanisms of the microbiota-pathogen interaction. Yet, correlational studies on wild populations are underrepresented. Consequently, we still lack sufficient evidence to reveal whether the microbiota of introduced populations of Ae. albopictus differ from those of native populations, or how microbiota is shaped by different environmental and anthropic factors, but especially, how these changes affect the ability of Ae. albopictus to transmit pathogens and favor the occurrence of outbreaks in the colonized areas. Finally, we propose future research directions on this research topic.}, }
@article {pmid37567493, year = {2023}, author = {Kamkong, P and Jitsamai, W and Thongmeesee, K and Ratthawongjirakul, P and Taweethavonsawat, P}, title = {Genetic diversity and characterization of Wolbachia endosymbiont in canine filariasis.}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {246}, number = {}, pages = {107000}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107000}, pmid = {37567493}, issn = {1873-6254}, mesh = {Animals ; Dogs ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Phylogeny ; *Dirofilariasis ; *Dirofilaria immitis/genetics ; Dirofilaria ; *Filarioidea/genetics ; *Heart Diseases ; Genetic Variation ; *Dog Diseases ; }, abstract = {Canine filariasis is caused by nematodes from the family Onchocercidae, which is transmitted by arthropod vectors. The disease is commonly found in Southeast Asia and exists worldwide. Some filarial nematodes are associated with intracellular bacteria of the genus Wolbachia, which plays an important role in embryogenesis, molting, and the long-term survival of adult worms. This study aims to characterize Wolbachia sp. and determine the association between Wolbachia and canine filarial nematode species in Thailand. A total of 46 dog blood samples that were naturally infected with filarial nematodes were obtained to identify filarial nematode species by Giemsa stained under a light microscope and confirmed using the molecular technique. In order to characterize Wolbachia sp., the nested PCR assay targeting the 16S rRNA gene showed that all samples of Dirofilaria immitis and fifteen samples of Candidatus Dirofilaria hongkongensis were grouped into Wolbachia supergroup C. In addition, all samples of Brugia spp. and five samples of Candidatus Dirofilaria hongkongensis were classified into Wolbachia supergroup D. The genetic diversity analysis conducted using the 16S rRNA gene revealed a similar result when analyzed through phylogenetic tree analysis. This is the first genetic diversity study of Wolbachia of Candidatus Dirofilaria hongkongensis in infected dogs in Thailand.}, }
@article {pmid37546688, year = {2023}, author = {Vásquez, VN and Kueppers, LM and Rašić, G and Marshall, JM}, title = {wMel replacement of dengue-competent mosquitoes is robust to near-term change.}, journal = {Nature climate change}, volume = {13}, number = {8}, pages = {848-855}, pmid = {37546688}, issn = {1758-678X}, support = {R01 AI143698/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Rising temperatures are impacting the range and prevalence of mosquito-borne diseases. A promising biocontrol technology replaces wild mosquitoes with those carrying the virus-blocking Wolbachia bacterium. Because the most widely used strain, wMel, is adversely affected by heat stress, we examined how global warming may influence wMel-based replacement. We simulated interventions in two locations with successful field trials using Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 climate projections and historical temperature records, integrating empirical data on wMel's thermal sensitivity into a model of Aedes aegypti population dynamics to evaluate introgression and persistence over one year. We show that in Cairns, Australia, climatic futures necessitate operational adaptations for heatwaves exceeding two weeks. In Nha Trang, Vietnam, projected heatwaves of three weeks and longer eliminate wMel under the most stringent assumptions of that symbiont's thermal limits. We conclude that this technology is generally robust to near-term (2030s) climate change. Accelerated warming may challenge this in the 2050s and beyond.}, }
@article {pmid37533804, year = {2023}, author = {Namias, A and Sahlin, K and Makoundou, P and Bonnici, I and Sicard, M and Belkhir, K and Weill, M}, title = {Nanopore sequencing of PCR products enables multicopy gene family reconstruction.}, journal = {Computational and structural biotechnology journal}, volume = {21}, number = {}, pages = {3656-3664}, pmid = {37533804}, issn = {2001-0370}, abstract = {The importance of gene amplifications in evolution is more and more recognized. Yet, tools to study multi-copy gene families are still scarce, and many such families are overlooked using common sequencing methods. Haplotype reconstruction is even harder for polymorphic multi-copy gene families. Here, we show that all variants (or haplotypes) of a multi-copy gene family present in a single genome, can be obtained using Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing of PCR products, followed by steps of mapping, SNP calling and haplotyping. As a proof of concept, we acquired the sequences of highly similar variants of the cidA and cidB genes present in the genome of the Wolbachia wPip, a bacterium infecting Culex pipiens mosquitoes. Our method relies on a wide database of cid genes, previously acquired by cloning and Sanger sequencing. We addressed problems commonly faced when using mapping approaches for multi-copy gene families with highly similar variants. In addition, we confirmed that PCR amplification causes frequent chimeras which have to be carefully considered when working on families of recombinant genes. We tested the robustness of the method using a combination of bioinformatics (read simulations) and molecular biology approaches (sequence acquisitions through cloning and Sanger sequencing, specific PCRs and digital droplet PCR). When different haplotypes present within a single genome cannot be reconstructed from short reads sequencing, this pipeline confers a high throughput acquisition, gives reliable results as well as insights of the relative copy numbers of the different variants.}, }
@article {pmid37532686, year = {2023}, author = {Hasnaoui, B and Bérenger, JM and Delaunay, P and Diarra, AZ and Ndiaye, EHI and M'madi, SA and Masotti, N and Sevestre, J and Parola, P}, title = {Survey of bed bug infestations in homeless shelters in southern France.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {12557}, pmid = {37532686}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Bedbugs ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Public Health ; *Ectoparasitic Infestations ; France ; *Ill-Housed Persons ; }, abstract = {Bed bug has become a major public health pest worldwide. Infestation may result in numerous negative health effects. Homeless shelters are one of the most habitats that can be infested with bed bugs, a few studies have focused on bed bug infestations in these settings. We conducted a survey of infestations of bed bugs in a homeless shelter in southern France, using an innovative seven-level scale (0-6) to assess the degree of infestation, MALDI TOF-MS to identify bed bugs, and a biomolecular tool to detect bacteria. Bed bug infestations were documented in 13% (9/68) of investigated rooms. A total of 184 bed bugs were collected and morphologically identified as Cimex lectularius. MALDI TOF-MS analysis allowed us to obtain high-quality MS spectra for all 184 specimens, to correctly identify all specimens, and included 178/184 (97%) Log Score Values higher than 1.8. Among the bacteria tested, Wolbachia sp. DNA was found in 149/184 (81%) of the bed bugs, and one sample was positive for Coxiella burnetii, the agent of Q fever. Our study is the first of its kind that offers new perspectives for increasing public awareness of the conditions in homeless shelters.}, }
@article {pmid37525959, year = {2023}, author = {Kolasa, M and Kajtoch, &#x141; and Michalik, A and Maryańska-Nadachowska, A and Łukasik, P}, title = {Till evolution do us part: The diversity of symbiotic associations across populations of Philaenus spittlebugs.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {25}, number = {11}, pages = {2431-2446}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16473}, pmid = {37525959}, issn = {1462-2920}, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Enterobacteriaceae/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; Symbiosis/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Symbiotic bacteria have played crucial roles in the evolution of sap-feeding insects and can strongly affect host function. However, their diversity and distribution within species are not well understood; we do not know to what extent environmental factors or associations with other species may affect microbial community profiles. We addressed this question in Philaenus spittlebugs by surveying both insect and bacterial marker gene amplicons across multiple host populations. Host mitochondrial sequence data confirmed morphology-based identification of six species and revealed two divergent clades of Philaenus spumarius. All of them hosted the primary symbiont Sulcia that was almost always accompanied by Sodalis. Interestingly, populations and individuals often differed in the presence of Sodalis sequence variants, suggestive of intra-genome 16S rRNA variant polymorphism combined with rapid genome evolution and/or recent additional infections or replacements of the co-primary symbiont. The prevalence of facultative endosymbionts, including Wolbachia, Rickettsia, and Spiroplasma, varied among populations. Notably, cytochrome I oxidase (COI) amplicon data also showed that nearly a quarter of P. spumarius were infected by parasitoid flies (Verralia aucta). One of the Wolbachia operational taxonomic units (OTUs) was exclusively present in Verralia-parasitized specimens, suggestive of parasitoids as their source and highlighting the utility of host gene amplicon sequencing in microbiome studies.}, }
@article {pmid37524915, year = {2023}, author = {Lee, H and Seo, P and Teklay, S and Yuguchi, E and Benetta, ED and Werren, JH and Ferree, PM}, title = {Ability of a selfish B chromosome to evade genome elimination in the jewel wasp, Nasonia vitripennis.}, journal = {Heredity}, volume = {131}, number = {3}, pages = {230-237}, pmid = {37524915}, issn = {1365-2540}, mesh = {*Genome, Insect ; Animals ; *Chromosomes, Insect ; Protamines/genetics/metabolism ; Histones/genetics/metabolism ; Male ; Female ; Genes, rRNA ; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics/metabolism ; Genetic Loci ; }, abstract = {B chromosomes are non-essential, extra chromosomes that can exhibit transmission-enhancing behaviors, including meiotic drive, mitotic drive, and induction of genome elimination, in plants and animals. A fundamental but poorly understood question is what characteristics allow B chromosomes to exhibit these extraordinary behaviors. The jewel wasp, Nasonia vitripennis, harbors a heterochromatic, paternally transmitted B chromosome known as paternal sex ratio (PSR), which causes complete elimination of the sperm-contributed half of the genome during the first mitotic division of fertilized embryos. This genome elimination event may result from specific, previously observed alterations of the paternal chromatin. Due to the haplo-diploid reproduction of the wasp, genome elimination by PSR causes female-destined embryos to develop as haploid males that transmit PSR. PSR does not undergo self-elimination despite its presence with the paternal chromatin until the elimination event. Here we performed fluorescence microscopic analyses aimed at understanding this unexplained property. Our results show that PSR, like the rest of the genome, participates in the histone-to-protamine transition, arguing that PSR does not avoid this transition to escape self-elimination. In addition, PSR partially escapes the chromatin-altering activity of the intracellular bacterium, Wolbachia, demonstrating that this ability to evade chromatin alteration is not limited to PSR's own activity. Finally, we observed that the rDNA locus and other unidentified heterochromatic regions of the wasp's genome also seem to evade chromatin disruption by PSR, suggesting that PSR's genome-eliminating activity does not affect heterochromatin. Thus, PSR may target an aspect of euchromatin to cause genome elimination.}, }
@article {pmid37491306, year = {2023}, author = {Moorhead, AR and Evans, CC and Sakamoto, K and Dzimianski, MT and Mansour, A and DiCosty, U and Fricks, C and McCall, S and Carson, B and Nelson, CT and McCall, JW}, title = {Effects of doxycycline dose rate and pre-adulticide wait period on heartworm-associated pathology and adult worm mass.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {251}, pmid = {37491306}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Animals ; Dogs ; *Dirofilaria immitis ; Doxycycline ; *Dirofilariasis/drug therapy ; *Filaricides ; *Dog Diseases/drug therapy ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The American Heartworm Society canine guidelines recommend treatment with doxycycline prior to adulticide administration to reduce levels of Wolbachia and its associated metabolites, which are known to be a leading cause of pulmonary pathology. Studies have determined that doxycycline administered at 10 mg/kg BID for 28 days is an effective dose for eliminating Wolbachia, but what has not been determined is the clinical relevance of this elimination. The current guidelines also recommend a 30-day wait period following administration of doxycycline to allow for clearance of metabolites, such as Wolbachia surface protein, and for further reduction in heartworm biomass before administration of adulticide. Reducing the doxycycline dose and eliminating the wait period may carry practical benefits for the animal, client, and practitioner.<br><br>METHODS: To investigate these treatment practices, Dirofilaria immitis adults were surgically transplanted into each of 45 dogs, which were divided into nine study groups of five dogs each. Seventy-five days after transplantation, two groups each were administered 5, 7.5, or 10&#xa0;mg/kg BID doxycycline orally for 28&#xa0;days and 6&#xa0;&#xb5;g/kg ivermectin monthly, with three untreated groups serving as controls. Study animals were necropsied and examined prior to treatment as well as 30 and 60&#xa0;days post-treatment.<br><br>RESULTS: Mean worm weight was unaffected by dosage but exhibited a significant increase at 30&#xa0;days and significant decrease at 60&#xa0;days post-treatment, including in control groups. Histopathology lesion scores did not significantly differ among groups, with the exception of the lung composite score for one untreated group. Liver enzymes, the levels of which are a concern in doxycycline treatment, were also examined, with no abnormalities in alanine aminotransferase or alkaline phosphatase observed.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: No consistent worsening of tissue lesions was observed with or without the AHS-recommended 30-day wait period, nor did reduced dosages of doxycycline lead to worsening of pathology or any change in efficacy in depleting worm weight. Mean worm weight did significantly increase prior to, and decrease following, the wait period. Future work that also includes adulticide treatment (i.e. melarsomine) will study treatment recommendations that may improve both animal health and owner compliance.}, }
@article {pmid37484687, year = {2023}, author = {Adams, GJ and O'Brien, PA}, title = {The unified theory of sleep: Eukaryotes endosymbiotic relationship with mitochondria and REM the push-back response for awakening.}, journal = {Neurobiology of sleep and circadian rhythms}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {100100}, pmid = {37484687}, issn = {2451-9944}, abstract = {The Unified Theory suggests that sleep is a process that developed in eukaryotic animals from a relationship with an endosymbiotic bacterium. Over evolutionary time the bacterium evolved into the modern mitochondrion that continues to exert an effect on sleep patterns, e.g. the bacterium Wolbachia establishes an endosymbiotic relationship with Drosophila and many other species of insects and is able to change the host's behaviour by making it sleep. The hypothesis is supported by other host-parasite relationships, e.g., Trypanosoma brucei which causes day-time sleepiness and night-time insomnia in humans and cattle. For eukaryotes such as Monocercomonoids that don't contain mitochondria we find no evidence of them sleeping. Mitochondria produce the neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), and ornithine a precursor of the neurotransmitter GABA, together with substances such as 3,4dihydroxy phenylalanine (DOPA) a precursor for the neurotransmitter dopamine: These substances have been shown to affect the sleep/wake cycles in animals such as Drosophilia and Hydra. Eukaryote animals have traded the very positive side of having mitochondria providing aerobic respiration for them with the negative side of having to sleep. NREM (Quiet sleep) is the process endosymbionts have imposed upon their host eukaryotes and REM (Active sleep) is the push-back adaptation of eukaryotes with brains, returning to wakefulness.}, }
@article {pmid37477269, year = {2023}, author = {Ferreira, MU and Crainey, JL and Gobbi, FG}, title = {The search for better treatment strategies for mansonellosis: an expert perspective.}, journal = {Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy}, volume = {24}, number = {15}, pages = {1685-1692}, doi = {10.1080/14656566.2023.2240235}, pmid = {37477269}, issn = {1744-7666}, mesh = {Adult ; Animals ; Humans ; *Mansonelliasis/complications/drug therapy ; Mansonella ; Ivermectin/therapeutic use ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; *Anthelmintics/therapeutic use ; Arthralgia/complications/drug therapy ; }, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Four species of the Mansonella genus infect millions of people across sub-Saharan Africa and Central and South America. Most infections are asymptomatic, but mansonellosis can be associated with nonspecific clinical manifestations such as fever, headache, arthralgia, and ocular lesions (M. ozzardi); pruritus, arthralgia, abdominal pain, angioedema, skin rash, and fatigue (M. perstans and perhaps Mansonella sp. 'DEUX'); and pruritic dermatitis and chronic lymphadenitis (M. perstans).<br><br>AREAS COVERED: We searched the PubMed and SciELO databases for publications on mansonelliasis in English, Spanish, Portuguese, or French that appeared until 1 May 2023. Literature data show that anthelmintics - single-dose ivermectin for M. ozzardi, repeated doses of mebendazole alone or in combination with diethylcarbamazine (DEC) for M. perstans, and DEC alone for M. streptocerca - are effective against microfilariae. Antibiotics that target Wolbachia endosymbionts, such as doxycycline, are likely to kill adult worms of most, if not all, Mansonella species, but the currently recommended 6-week regimen is relatively impractical. New anthelmintics and shorter antibiotic regimens (e.g. with rifampin) have shown promise in experimental filarial infections and may proceed to clinical trials.<br><br>EXPERT OPINION: We recommend that human infections with Mansonella species be treated, regardless of any apparent clinical manifestations. We argue that mansonellosis, despite being widely considered a benign infection, may represent a direct or indirect cause of significant morbidity that remains poorly characterized at present.}, }
@article {pmid37474590, year = {2023}, author = {Rainey, SM and Geoghegan, V and Lefteri, DA and Ant, TH and Martinez, J and McNamara, CJ and Kamel, W and de Laurent, ZR and Castello, A and Sinkins, SP}, title = {Differences in proteome perturbations caused by the Wolbachia strain wAu suggest multiple mechanisms of Wolbachia-mediated antiviral activity.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {11737}, pmid = {37474590}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {108508/A/15/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 202888/Z/16/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; MC_UU_12014/8/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; 108508/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; /WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 202888/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; MC_UU_00034/4/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Dengue Virus/physiology ; Proteome ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; Antiviral Agents ; Proteomics ; Lipids ; *Aedes ; }, abstract = {Some strains of the inherited bacterium Wolbachia have been shown to be effective at reducing the transmission of dengue virus (DENV) and other RNA viruses by Aedes aegypti in both laboratory and field settings and are being deployed for DENV control. The degree of virus inhibition varies between Wolbachia strains. Density and tissue tropism can contribute to these differences but there are also indications that this is not the only factor involved: for example, strains wAu and wAlbA are maintained at similar intracellular densities but only wAu produces strong DENV inhibition. We previously reported perturbations in lipid transport dynamics, including sequestration of cholesterol in lipid droplets, with strains wMel/wMelPop in Ae. aegypti. To further investigate the cellular basis underlying these differences, proteomic analysis of midguts was carried out on Ae. aegypti lines carrying strains wAu and wAlbA: with the hypothesis that differences in perturbations may underline Wolbachia-mediated antiviral activity. Surprisingly, wAu-carrying midguts not only showed distinct proteome perturbations when compared to non-Wolbachia carrying and wAlbA-carrying midguts but also wMel-carrying midguts. There are changes in RNA processing pathways and upregulation of a specific set of RNA-binding proteins in the wAu-carrying line, including genes with known antiviral activity. Lipid transport and metabolism proteome changes also differ between strains, and we show that strain wAu does not produce the same cholesterol sequestration phenotype as wMel. Moreover, in contrast to wMel, wAu antiviral activity was not rescued by cyclodextrin treatment. Together these results suggest that wAu could show unique features in its inhibition of arboviruses compared to previously characterized Wolbachia strains.}, }
@article {pmid37464886, year = {2023}, author = {Shen, R and Wenzel, M and Messer, PW and Aquadro, CF}, title = {Evolution under a model of functionally buffered deleterious mutations can lead to positive selection in protein-coding genes.}, journal = {Evolution; international journal of organic evolution}, volume = {77}, number = {10}, pages = {2200-2212}, pmid = {37464886}, issn = {1558-5646}, support = {R01 GM095793/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; Evolution, Molecular ; Drosophila/genetics ; Selection, Genetic ; Mutation ; Amino Acids/genetics ; RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics ; *Drosophila Proteins/genetics ; }, abstract = {Selective pressures on DNA sequences often result in departures from neutral evolution that can be captured by the McDonald-Kreitman (MK) test. However, the nature of such selective forces often remains unknown to experimentalists. Amino acid fixations driven by natural selection in protein-coding genes are commonly associated with a genetic arms race or changing biological purposes, leading to proteins with new functionality. Here, we evaluate the expectations of population genetic patterns under a buffering mechanism driving selective amino acids to fixation, which is motivated by an observed phenotypic rescue of otherwise deleterious nonsynonymous substitutions at bag of marbles (bam) and Sex lethal (Sxl) in Drosophila melanogaster. These two genes were shown to experience strong episodic bursts of natural selection potentially due to infections of the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia observed among multiple Drosophila species. Using simulations to implement and evaluate the evolutionary dynamics of a Wolbachia buffering model, we demonstrate that selectively fixed amino acid replacements will occur, but that the proportion of adaptive amino acid fixations and the statistical power of the MK test to detect the departure from an equilibrium neutral model are both significantly lower than seen for an arms race/change-in-function model that favors proteins with diversified amino acids. We find that the observed selection pattern at bam in a natural population of D. melanogaster is more consistent with an arms race model than with the buffering model.}, }
@article {pmid37443389, year = {2023}, author = {Wybouw, N and Van Reempts, E and Zarka, J and Zélé, F and Bonte, D}, title = {Egg provisioning explains the penetrance of symbiont-mediated sex allocation distortion in haplodiploids.}, journal = {Heredity}, volume = {131}, number = {3}, pages = {221-229}, pmid = {37443389}, issn = {1365-2540}, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; Female ; Reproduction/physiology ; Penetrance ; *Tetranychidae/genetics ; Bacteroidetes ; Cytoplasm ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Sex Ratio ; }, abstract = {Maternally transmitted symbionts such as Wolbachia can alter sex allocation in haplodiploid arthropods. By biasing population sex ratios towards females, these changes in sex allocation may facilitate the spread of symbionts. In contrast to symbiont-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), the mechanisms that underpin sex allocation distortion remain poorly understood. Using a nuclear genotype reference panel of the haplodiploid mite Tetranychus urticae and a single Wolbachia variant that is able to simultaneously induce sex allocation distortion and CI, we unraveled the mechanistic basis of Wolbachia-mediated sex allocation distortion. Host genotype was an important determinant for the strength of sex allocation distortion. We further show that sex allocation distortion by Wolbachia in haplodiploid mites is driven by increasing egg size, hereby promoting egg fertilization. This change in reproductive physiology was also coupled to increased male and female adult size. Our results echo previous work on Cardinium symbionts, suggesting that sex allocation distortion by regulating host investment in egg size is a common strategy among symbionts that infect haplodiploids. To better understand the relevance that sex allocation distortion may have for the spread of Wolbachia in natural haplodiploid populations, we parametrized a model based on generated phenotypic data. Our simulations show that empirically derived levels of sex allocation distortion can be sufficient to remove invasion thresholds, allowing CI to drive the spread of Wolbachia independently of the initial infection frequency. Our findings help elucidate the mechanisms that underlie the widespread occurrence of symbionts in haplodiploid arthropods and the evolution of sex allocation.}, }
@article {pmid37432953, year = {2023}, author = {Medina, P and Russell, SL and Corbett-Detig, R}, title = {Deep data mining reveals variable abundance and distribution of microbial reproductive manipulators within and among diverse host species.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {18}, number = {7}, pages = {e0288261}, pmid = {37432953}, issn = {1932-6203}, support = {R35 GM128932/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; T32 HG008345/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; *Arthropods ; Data Mining ; Ecology ; Reproduction ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Bacterial symbionts that manipulate the reproduction of their hosts are important factors in invertebrate ecology and evolution, and are being leveraged for host biological control. Infection prevalence restricts which biological control strategies are possible and is thought to be strongly influenced by the density of symbiont infection within hosts, termed titer. Current methods to estimate infection prevalence and symbiont titers are low-throughput, biased towards sampling infected species, and rarely measure titer. Here we develop a data mining approach to estimate symbiont infection frequencies within host species and titers within host tissues. We applied this approach to screen ~32,000 publicly available sequence samples from the most common symbiont host taxa, discovering 2,083 arthropod and 119 nematode infected samples. From these data, we estimated that Wolbachia infects approximately 44% of all arthropod and 34% of all nematode species, while other reproductive manipulators only infect 1-8% of arthropod and nematode species. Although relative titers within hosts were highly variable within and between arthropod species, a combination of arthropod host species and Wolbachia strain explained approximately 36% of variation in Wolbachia titer across the dataset. To explore potential mechanisms for host control of symbiont titer, we leveraged population genomic data from the model system Drosophila melanogaster. In this host, we found a number of SNPs associated with titer in candidate genes potentially relevant to host interactions with Wolbachia. Our study demonstrates that data mining is a powerful tool to detect bacterial infections and quantify infection intensities, thus opening an array of previously inaccessible data for further analysis in host-symbiont evolution.}, }
@article {pmid37430172, year = {2023}, author = {Porter, J and Sullivan, W}, title = {The cellular lives of Wolbachia.}, journal = {Nature reviews. Microbiology}, volume = {21}, number = {11}, pages = {750-766}, pmid = {37430172}, issn = {1740-1534}, mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology ; Animals ; *Symbiosis ; Arthropods/microbiology ; Host Microbial Interactions/physiology ; Filarioidea/microbiology/physiology ; Insecta/microbiology ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are successful Gram-negative bacterial endosymbionts, globally infecting a large fraction of arthropod species and filarial nematodes. Efficient vertical transmission, the capacity for horizontal transmission, manipulation of host reproduction and enhancement of host fitness can promote the spread both within and between species. Wolbachia are abundant and can occupy extraordinary diverse and evolutionary distant host species, suggesting that they have evolved to engage and manipulate highly conserved core cellular processes. Here, we review recent studies identifying Wolbachia-host interactions at the molecular and cellular levels. We explore how Wolbachia interact with a wide array of host cytoplasmic and nuclear components in order to thrive in a diversity of cell types and cellular environments. This endosymbiont has also evolved the ability to precisely target and manipulate specific phases of the host cell cycle. The remarkable diversity of cellular interactions distinguishes Wolbachia from other endosymbionts and is largely responsible for facilitating its global propagation through host populations. Finally, we describe how insights into Wolbachia-host cellular interactions have led to promising applications in controlling insect-borne and filarial nematode-based diseases.}, }
@article {pmid37428804, year = {2023}, author = {Alami, N and Carter, DC and Kwatra, NV and Zhao, W and Snodgrass, L and Porcalla, AR and Klein, CE and Cohen, DE and Gallenberg, L and Neenan, M and Carr, RA and Marsh, KC and Kempf, DJ}, title = {A Phase-I pharmacokinetic, safety and food-effect study on flubentylosin, a novel analog of Tylosin-A having potent anti-Wolbachia and antifilarial activity.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {17}, number = {7}, pages = {e0011392}, pmid = {37428804}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Adult ; Humans ; Tylosin ; *Wolbachia ; *Onchocerciasis ; Double-Blind Method ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacokinetics ; Macrolides ; Area Under Curve ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Administration, Oral ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The parasitic filariae responsible for onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis are host to an endosymbiotic bacterium, Wolbachia, which is essential to the fertility and development of the parasites. We performed a Phase-I pharmacokinetic, safety and food-effect study on single and multiple ascending doses of flubentylosin (ABBV-4083), a macrolide antibacterial with activity against Wolbachia, intended to sterilize and eliminate the parasites.<br><br>METHODS: Seventy-eight healthy adults were exposed to flubentylosin; 36 were exposed to single ascending 40, 100, 200, 400 or 1000 mg doses; 12 received 1000 mg in the food-effect part; and 30 received multiple ascending daily doses of 100 mg for 7 days, 200 mg for 7 or 14 days, or 400 mg for 7 or 14 days. Twenty-two subjects received placebo.<br><br>RESULTS: Maximum concentrations (Cmax) of flubentylosin were reached after 1-2 hours, with a half-life < 4 hours at doses &#x2264; 400 mg. Cmax and AUC increased in a more than dose-proportional manner, with similar exposure after multiple dose administration. The most frequently reported adverse events were nausea (8/78, 10%) and headache (6/78, 8%). Two subjects given a single dose of flubentylosin 1000 mg in the food-effect part experienced reversible asymptomatic ALT and AST elevations at Grade 2 or Grade 4, with no elevation in bilirubin, deemed related to study drug. The effect of food on exposure parameters was minimal. No treatment-related serious adverse events were reported.<br><br>DISCUSSION: Flubentylosin 400 mg for 14 days was the maximum tolerated dose in this first-in-human, Phase-I study in healthy adults. Based on preclinical pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling, flubentylosin 400 mg once daily for 7 or 14 days is expected to be an effective dose. A Phase-II, proof-of-concept study with flubentylosin using these regimens is currently ongoing in patients with onchocerciasis in Africa.}, }
@article {pmid37426014, year = {2023}, author = {Marriott, AE and Dagley, JL and Hegde, S and Steven, A and Fricks, C and DiCosty, U and Mansour, A and Campbell, EJ and Wilson, CM and Gusovsky, F and Ward, SA and Hong, WD and O'Neill, P and Moorhead, A and McCall, S and McCall, JW and Taylor, MJ and Turner, JD}, title = {Dirofilariasis mouse models for heartworm preclinical research.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1208301}, pmid = {37426014}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Dirofilariasis, including heartworm disease, is a major emergent veterinary parasitic infection and a human zoonosis. Currently, experimental infections of cats and dogs are used in veterinary heartworm preclinical drug research.<br><br>METHODS: As a refined alternative in vivo heartworm preventative drug screen, we assessed lymphopenic mouse strains with ablation of the interleukin-2/7 common gamma chain (&#x3b3;c) as susceptible to the larval development phase of Dirofilaria immitis.<br><br>RESULTS: Non-obese diabetic (NOD) severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)&#x3b3;c[-/-] (NSG and NXG) and recombination-activating gene (RAG)2[-/-]&#x3b3;c[-/-] mouse strains yielded viable D. immitis larvae at 2-4 weeks post-infection, including the use of different batches of D. immitis infectious larvae, different D. immitis isolates, and at different laboratories. Mice did not display any clinical signs associated with infection for up to 4 weeks. Developing larvae were found in subcutaneous and muscle fascia tissues, which is the natural site of this stage of heartworm in dogs. Compared with in vitro-propagated larvae at day 14, in vivo-derived larvae had completed the L4 molt, were significantly larger, and contained expanded Wolbachia endobacteria titres. We established an ex vivo L4 paralytic screening system whereby assays with moxidectin or levamisole highlighted discrepancies in relative drug sensitivities in comparison with in vitro-reared L4 D. immitis. We demonstrated effective depletion of Wolbachia by 70%-90% in D. immitis L4 following 2- to 7-day oral in vivo exposures of NSG- or NXG-infected mice with doxycycline or the rapid-acting investigational drug, AWZ1066S. We validated NSG and NXG D. immitis mouse models as a filaricide screen by in vivo treatments with single injections of moxidectin, which mediated a 60%-88% reduction in L4 larvae at 14-28 days.<br><br>DISCUSSION: Future adoption of these mouse models will benefit end-user laboratories conducting research and development of novel heartworm preventatives via increased access, rapid turnaround, and reduced costs and may simultaneously decrease the need for experimental cat or dog use.}, }
@article {pmid37425681, year = {2023}, author = {Boehm, EC and Jaeger, AS and Ries, HJ and Castañeda, D and Weiler, AM and Valencia, CC and Weger-Lucarelli, J and Ebel, GD and O'Connor, SL and Friedrich, TC and Zamanian, M and Aliota, MT}, title = {Wolbachia -mediated resistance to Zika virus infection in Aedes aegypti is dominated by diverse transcriptional regulation and weak evolutionary pressures.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37425681}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {P51 RR000167/RR/NCRR NIH HHS/United States ; T32 AI083196/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI132563/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI131454/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; P51 OD011106/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {UNLABELLED: A promising candidate for arbovirus control and prevention relies on replacing arbovirus-susceptible Aedes aegypti populations with mosquitoes that have been colonized by the intracellular bacterium Wolbachia and thus have a reduced capacity to transmit arboviruses. This reduced capacity to transmit arboviruses is mediated through a phenomenon referred to as pathogen blocking. Pathogen blocking has primarily been proposed as a tool to control dengue virus (DENV) transmission, however it works against a range of viruses, including Zika virus (ZIKV). Despite years of research, the molecular mechanisms underlying pathogen blocking still need to be better understood. Here, we used RNA-seq to characterize mosquito gene transcription dynamics in Ae. aegypti infected with the w Mel strain of Wolbachia that are being released by the World Mosquito Program in Medellín, Colombia. Comparative analyses using ZIKV-infected, uninfected tissues, and mosquitoes without Wolbachia revealed that the influence of w Mel on mosquito gene transcription is multifactorial. Importantly, because Wolbachia limits, but does not completely prevent, replication of ZIKV and other viruses in coinfected mosquitoes, there is a possibility that these viruses could evolve resistance to pathogen blocking. Therefore, to understand the influence of Wolbachia on within-host ZIKV evolution, we characterized the genetic diversity of molecularly barcoded ZIKV virus populations replicating in Wolbachia -infected mosquitoes and found that within-host ZIKV evolution was subject to weak purifying selection and, unexpectedly, loose anatomical bottlenecks in the presence and absence of Wolbachia . Together, these findings suggest that there is no clear transcriptional profile associated with Wolbachia -mediated ZIKV restriction, and that there is no evidence for ZIKV escape from this restriction in our system.<br><br>AUTHOR SUMMARY: When Wolbachia bacteria infect Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, they dramatically reduce the mosquitoes' susceptibility to infection with a range of arthropod-borne viruses, including Zika virus (ZIKV). Although this pathogen-blocking effect has been widely recognized, its mechanisms remain unclear. Furthermore, because Wolbachia limits, but does not completely prevent, replication of ZIKV and other viruses in coinfected mosquitoes, there is a possibility that these viruses could evolve resistance to Wolbachia -mediated blocking. Here, we use host transcriptomics and viral genome sequencing to examine the mechanisms of ZIKV pathogen blocking by Wolbachia and viral evolutionary dynamics in Ae. aegypti mosquitoes. We find complex transcriptome patterns that do not suggest a single clear mechanism for pathogen blocking. We also find no evidence that Wolbachia exerts detectable selective pressures on ZIKV in coinfected mosquitoes. Together our data suggest that it may be difficult for ZIKV to evolve Wolbachia resistance, perhaps due to the complexity of the pathogen blockade mechanism.}, }
@article {pmid37424778, year = {2023}, author = {Zhou, JC and Dong, QJ and Shang, D and Ning, SF and Zhang, HH and Wang, Y and Che, WN and Dong, H and Zhang, LS}, title = {Posterior concentration of Wolbachia during the early embryogenesis of the host dynamically shapes the tissue tropism of Wolbachia in host Trichogramma wasps.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {1198428}, pmid = {37424778}, issn = {2235-2988}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; *Wasps/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Embryonic Development ; Parthenogenesis ; }, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: The bacterial endosymbiont, Wolbachia spp. induce thelytokous parthenogenesis in certain parasitoid wasps, such as the egg parasitoid wasps Trichogramma spp. To complete the cycle of vertical transmission, Wolbachia displays efficient transovarial transmission by targeting the reproductive tissues and often exhibits strong tissue-specific tropism in their host.<br><br>METHOD: The present study aimed to describe the basic Wolbachia distribution patterns that occur during the development of Wolbachia-infected, thelytokous Trichogramma dendrolimi, and T. pretiosum. We used fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to investigate Wolbachia signal dynamics during early embryogenesis (from 30 to 120 min). Wolbachia titers and distributions from the embryo to adult stages of Trichogramma after early embryogenesis were detected by absolute quantitative polymerase chain reaction (AQ-PCR) and FISH. The symmetry ratios (SR) of the Wolbachia signals were calculated using the SR odds ratios in the anterior and posterior parts of the host. The SR was determined to describe Wolbachia tropism during early embryogenesis and various developmental stages of Trichogramma.<br><br>RESULTS: Wolbachia was concentrated in the posterior part of the embryo during early embryogenesis and the various developmental stages of both T. dendrolimi and T. pretiosum. Wolbachia density increased with the number of nuclei and the initial mitotic division frequency during early embryogenesis. The total Wolbachia titer increased with postembryogenesis development in both T. dendrolimi and T. pretiosum. However, the Wolbachia densities relative to body size were significantly lower at the adult and pupal stages than they were at the embryonic stage.<br><br>DISCUSSION: The present work revealed that posterior Wolbachia concentration during early host embryogenesis determined Wolbachia localization in adult wasps. By this mechanism, Wolbachia exhibits efficient vertical transmission across generations by depositing only female Wolbachia-infected offspring. The results of this study describe the dynamics of Wolbachia during the development of their Trichogramma host. The findings of this investigation helped clarify Wolbachia tropism in Trichogramma wasps.}, }
@article {pmid37417698, year = {2023}, author = {Yang, J and Chen, Z and Tan, Y and Liu, Z and Cheke, RA}, title = {Threshold dynamics of a stochastic mathematical model for Wolbachia infections.}, journal = {Journal of biological dynamics}, volume = {17}, number = {1}, pages = {2231967}, doi = {10.1080/17513758.2023.2231967}, pmid = {37417698}, issn = {1751-3766}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aedes/microbiology ; *Wolbachia ; Models, Biological ; *Dengue/epidemiology ; Models, Theoretical ; }, abstract = {A stochastic mathematical model is proposed to study how environmental heterogeneity and the augmentation of mosquitoes with Wolbachia bacteria affect the outcomes of dengue disease. The existence and uniqueness of the positive solutions of the system are studied. Then the V-geometrically ergodicity and stochastic ultimate boundedness are investigated. Further, threshold conditions for successful population replacement are derived and the existence of a unique ergodic steady-state distribution of the system is explored. The results show that the ratio of infected to uninfected mosquitoes has a great influence on population replacement. Moreover, environmental noise plays a significant role in control of dengue fever.}, }
@article {pmid37417166, year = {2023}, author = {Tharsan, A and Sivabalakrishnan, K and Arthiyan, S and Eswaramohan, T and Raveendran, S and Ramasamy, R and Surendran, SN}, title = {Wolbachia infection is widespread in brackish and fresh water Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in the coastal Jaffna peninsula of northern Sri Lanka.}, journal = {Journal of vector borne diseases}, volume = {60}, number = {2}, pages = {172-178}, doi = {10.4103/0972-9062.361165}, pmid = {37417166}, issn = {0972-9062}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aedes/physiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Sri Lanka ; Phylogeny ; Mosquito Vectors/physiology ; Fresh Water ; *Dengue/prevention &amp; control ; Membrane Proteins/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND &amp; OBJECTIVES: Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti are important vectors of dengue and many other arboviral diseases in tropical and sub-tropical locations. Both vectors are tolerant of salinity in the dengue-endemic coastal Jaffna peninsula of northern Sri Lanka. Aedes albopictus pre-imaginal stages are found in field brackish water habitats of up to 14 parts per thousand (ppt, gL[-1]) salt in the Jaffna peninsula. Salinity-tolerance in Aedes is characterized by significant genetic and physiological changes. Infection with the wMel strain of the endosymbiont bacterium Wolbachia pipientis reduces dengue transmission in the field by Ae. aegypti, and the same approach is also being considered for Ae. albopictus. In this context, we investigated natural Wolbachia infections in brackish and fresh water field isolates of Ae. albopictus in the Jaffna district.<br><br>METHODS: Aedes albopictus collected as pre-imaginal stages using conventional ovitraps in the Jaffna peninsula and adjacent islands of the Jaffna district were screened by PCR utilizing strain-transcending primers for the presence of Wolbachia. Wolbachia strains were then further identified by PCR using strain-specific primers for the Wolbachia surface protein gene wsp. The Jaffna wsp sequences were compared by phylogenetic analysis with other wsp sequences available in Genbank.<br><br>RESULTS: Aedes albopictus were found to be widely infected with the wAlbA and wAlbB strains of Wolbachia in Jaffna. The partial wAlbB wsp surface protein gene sequence in Jaffna Ae. albopictus was identical to a corresponding sequence from South India but different from that in mainland Sri Lanka.<br><br>Widespread infection of salinity-tolerant Ae. albopictus with Wolbachia is a factor to be considered when developing Wolbachia-based dengue control in coastal areas like the Jaffna peninsula.}, }
@article {pmid37416893, year = {2023}, author = {Wenzel, M and Aquadro, CF}, title = {Wolbachia genetically interacts with the bag of marbles germline stem cell gene in male D. melanogaster.}, journal = {microPublication biology}, volume = {2023}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37416893}, issn = {2578-9430}, support = {R01 GM095793/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {The bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia manipulates reproduction of its arthropod hosts to promote its own maternal vertical transmission. In female D. melanogaster , Wolbachia has been shown to genetically interact with three key reproductive genes (bag of marbles (bam) , Sex-lethal, and mei-P26) , as it rescues the reduced female fertility or fecundity phenotype seen in partial loss-of-function mutants of these genes . Here, we show that Wolbachia also partially rescues male fertility in D. melanogaster carrying a new, largely sterile bam allele when in a bam null genetic background. This finding shows that the molecular mechanism of Wolbachia 's influence on its hosts' reproduction involves interaction with genes in males as well as females, at least in D. melanogaster .}, }
@article {pmid37415819, year = {2023}, author = {Dong, L and Li, Y and Yang, C and Gong, J and Zhu, W and Huang, Y and Kong, M and Zhao, L and Wang, F and Lu, S and Pu, J and Yang, J}, title = {Species-level microbiota of ticks and fleas from Marmota himalayana in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1188155}, pmid = {37415819}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Ticks and fleas, as blood-sucking arthropods, carry and transmit various zoonotic diseases. In the natural plague foci of China, monitoring of Yersinia pestis has been continuously conducted in Marmota himalayana and other host animals, whereas other pathogens carried by vectors are rarely concerned in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.<br><br>METHODS: In this study, we investigated the microbiota of ticks and fleas sampling from M. himalayana in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China by metataxonomics combined with metagenomic methods.<br><br>RESULTS: By metataxonomic approach based on full-length 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing and operational phylogenetic unit (OPU) analyses, we described the microbiota community of ticks and fleas at the species level, annotated 1,250 OPUs in ticks, including 556 known species and 492 potentially new species, accounting for 48.50% and 41.71% of the total reads in ticks, respectively. A total of 689 OPUs were detected in fleas, consisting of 277 known species (40.62% of the total reads in fleas) and 294 potentially new species (56.88%). At the dominant species categories, we detected the Anaplasma phagocytophilum (OPU 421) and potentially pathogenic new species of Wolbachia, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, and Bartonella. Using shotgun sequencing, we obtained 10 metagenomic assembled genomes (MAGs) from vector samples, including a known species (Providencia heimbachae DFT2), and six new species affliated to four known genera, i.e., Wolbachia, Mumia, Bartonella, and Anaplasma. By the phylogenetic analyses based on full-length 16S rRNA genes and core genes, we identified that ticks harbored pathogenic A. phagocytophilum. Moreover, these potentially pathogenic novel species were more closely related to Ehrlichia muris, Ehrlichia muris subsp. eauclairensis, Bartonella rochalimae, and Rickettsia limoniae, respectively. The OPU 422 Ehrlichia sp1 was most related to Ehrlichia muris and Ehrlichia muris subsp. eauclairensis. The OPU 230 Bartonella sp1 and Bartonella spp. (DTF8 and DTF9) was clustered with Bartonella rochalimae. The OPU 427 Rickettsia sp1 was clustered with Rickettsia limoniae.<br><br>DISCUSSION: The findings of the study have advanced our understanding of the potential pathogen groups of vectors in marmot (Marmota himalayana) in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.}, }
@article {pmid37399133, year = {2023}, author = {Beliavskaia, A and Tan, KK and Sinha, A and Husin, NA and Lim, FS and Loong, SK and Bell-Sakyi, L and Carlow, CKS and AbuBakar, S and Darby, AC and Makepeace, BL and Khoo, JJ}, title = {Metagenomics of culture isolates and insect tissue illuminate the evolution of Wolbachia, Rickettsia and Bartonella symbionts in Ctenocephalides spp. fleas.}, journal = {Microbial genomics}, volume = {9}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {37399133}, issn = {2057-5858}, support = {BB/P024378/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; BB/P024270/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; 223743/Z/21/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Bartonella/genetics ; *Siphonaptera/microbiology ; *Ctenocephalides/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Metagenomics ; Insecta ; }, abstract = {While fleas are often perceived simply as a biting nuisance and a cause of allergic dermatitis, they represent important disease vectors worldwide, especially for bacterial zoonoses such as plague (transmitted by rodent fleas) and some of the rickettsioses and bartonelloses. The cosmopolitan cat (Ctenocephalides felis) and dog (Ctenocephalides canis) fleas, as well as Ctenocephalides orientis (restricted to tropical and subtropical Asia), breed in human dwellings and are vectors of cat-scratch fever (caused by Bartonella spp.) and Rickettsia spp., including Rickettsia felis (agent of flea-borne spotted fever) and Rickettsia asembonensis , a suspected pathogen. These Rickettsia spp. are members of a phylogenetic clade known as the ‘transitional group’, which includes both human pathogens and arthropod-specific endosymbionts. The relatively depauperate flea microbiome can also contain other endosymbionts, including a diverse range of Wolbachia strains. Here, we present circularized genome assemblies for two C. orientis-derived pathogens (Bartonella clarridgeiae and R. asembonensis) from Malaysia, a novel Wolbachia strain (wCori), and the C. orientis mitochondrion; all were obtained by direct metagenomic sequencing of flea tissues. Moreover, we isolated two Wolbachia strains from Malaysian C. felis into tick cell culture and recovered circularized genome assemblies for both, one of which (wCfeF) is newly sequenced. We demonstrate that the three Wolbachia strains are representatives of different major clades (‘supergroups’), two of which appear to be flea-specific. These Wolbachia genomes exhibit unique combinations of features associated with reproductive parasitism or mutualism, including prophage WO, cytoplasmic incompatibility factors and the biotin operon of obligate intracellular microbes. The first circularized assembly for R. asembonensis includes a plasmid with a markedly different structure and gene content compared to the published plasmid; moreover, this novel plasmid was also detected in cat flea metagenomes from the USA. Analysis of loci under positive selection in the transitional group revealed genes involved in host–pathogen interactions that may facilitate host switching. Finally, the first B. clarridgeiae genome from Asia exhibited large-scale genome stability compared to isolates from other continents, except for SNPs in regions predicted to mediate interactions with the vertebrate host. These findings highlight the paucity of data on the genomic diversity of Ctenocephalides-associated bacteria and raise questions regarding how interactions between members of the flea microbiome might influence vector competence.}, }
@article {pmid37397989, year = {2023}, author = {Pujhari, S and Hughes, GL and Pakpour, N and Suzuki, Y and Rasgon, JL}, title = {Wolbachia-induced inhibition of O'nyong nyong virus in Anopheles mosquitoes is mediated by Toll signaling and modulated by cholesterol.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37397989}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {R01 AI116636/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Enhanced host immunity and competition for metabolic resources are two main competing hypotheses for the mechanism of Wolbachia-mediated pathogen inhibition in arthropods. Using an Anopheles mosquito - somatic Wolbachia infection - O'nyong nyong virus (ONNV) model, we demonstrate that the mechanism underpinning Wolbachia-mediated virus inhibition is up-regulation of the Toll innate immune pathway. However, the viral inhibitory properties of Wolbachia were abolished by cholesterol supplementation. This result was due to Wolbachia-dependent cholesterol-mediated suppression of Toll signaling rather than competition for cholesterol between Wolbachia and virus. The inhibitory effect of cholesterol was specific to Wolbachia-infected Anopheles mosquitoes and cells. These data indicate that both Wolbachia and cholesterol influence Toll immune signaling in Anopheles mosquitoes in a complex manner and provide a functional link between the host immunity and metabolic competition hypotheses for explaining Wolbachia-mediated pathogen interference in mosquitoes. In addition, these results provide a mechanistic understanding of the mode of action of Wolbachia-induced pathogen blocking in Anophelines, which is critical to evaluate the long-term efficacy of control strategies for malaria and Anopheles-transmitted arboviruses.}, }
@article {pmid37391513, year = {2023}, author = {Abel, SM and Hong, Z and Williams, D and Ireri, S and Brown, MQ and Su, T and Hung, KY and Henke, JA and Barton, JP and Le Roch, KG}, title = {Small RNA sequencing of field Culex mosquitoes identifies patterns of viral infection and the mosquito immune response.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {10598}, pmid = {37391513}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {U01CK000516/ACL/ACL HHS/United States ; S10 OD026929/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; U01 CK000516/CK/NCEZID CDC HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; *Culex ; *Culicidae ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Virus Diseases ; Antiviral Agents ; }, abstract = {Mosquito-borne disease remains a significant burden on global health. In the United States, the major threat posed by mosquitoes is transmission of arboviruses, including West Nile virus by mosquitoes of the Culex genus. Virus metagenomic analysis of mosquito small RNA using deep sequencing and advanced bioinformatic tools enables the rapid detection of viruses and other infecting organisms, both pathogenic and non-pathogenic to humans, without any precedent knowledge. In this study, we sequenced small RNA samples from over 60 pools of Culex mosquitoes from two major areas of Southern California from 2017 to 2019 to elucidate the virome and immune responses of Culex. Our results demonstrated that small RNAs not only allowed the detection of viruses but also revealed distinct patterns of viral infection based on location, Culex species, and time. We also identified miRNAs that are most likely involved in Culex immune responses to viruses and Wolbachia bacteria, and show the utility of using small RNA to detect antiviral immune pathways including piRNAs against some pathogens. Collectively, these findings show that deep sequencing of small RNA can be used for virus discovery and surveillance. One could also conceive that such work could be accomplished in various locations across the world and over time to better understand patterns of mosquito infection and immune response to many vector-borne diseases in field samples.}, }
@article {pmid37381006, year = {2023}, author = {Zeb, J and Song, B and Khan, MA and Senbill, H and Aziz, MU and Hussain, S and Waris, A and E-Tabor, A and Sparagano, OA}, title = {Genetic diversity of vector-borne pathogens in ixodid ticks infesting dogs from Pakistan with notes on Ehrlichia canis, Rickettsia raoultii and Dirofilaria immitis detection.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {214}, pmid = {37381006}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {9380108//Olivier Andre Sparagano/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Dogs ; Animals ; Ehrlichia canis/genetics ; *Dirofilaria immitis ; Pakistan/epidemiology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Ixodidae ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; Ehrlichia/genetics ; *Canidae ; Dirofilaria ; Genetic Variation ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Vector-/tick-borne pathogens (V/TBPs) pose a potential threat to human and animal health globally. Information regarding canine V/TBPs is scarce and no specific study has been conducted so far to explore the microbial diversity within ticks infesting dogs from Pakistan. Herein, this knowledge gap is addressed by assessing the genetic diversity and prevalence pattern of V/TBPs in ixodid ticks with special implications for public and canine health.<br><br>METHODS: A total of 1150 hard ticks were collected from 300 dogs across central Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. After morpho-molecular identification, 120 tick samples were screened for the presence of V/TBPs by amplifying 16S rRNA/gltA (Rickettsia/Ehrlichia and Wolbachia sp.), 18S rRNA (Theileria sp.) and cox1 (Dirofilaria sp.) genes through PCR followed by sequencing and phylogenetic study.<br><br>RESULTS: In toto, 50 ixodid ticks (50/120, 41.7%) were found positive for V/TBPs DNA. The detected V/TBPs were categorized into five genera and eight species, viz. Ehrlichia (E. canis and Ehrlichia sp.), Rickettsia (R. massiliae, R. raoultii and Rickettsia sp.), Theileria (T. annulata), Dirofilaria (D. immitis) and Wolbachia (Wolbachia sp.). The pathogen prevalence patterns showed that R. massiliae was the most prevalent zoonotic V/TBP (19.5%), followed by E. canis (10.8%), Rickettsia sp. (7.5%), R. raoultii (6.7%), T. annulata (5.8%), D. immitis (5.8%), Wolbachia sp. (4.2%) and Ehrlichia sp. (3.3%), respectively. Among the screened tick species, most Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato samples were found positive for V/TBP DNA (20/20,100%) followed by Rh. turanicus sensu stricto (13/20, 65%), Hyalomma dromedarii (8/20, 40%), Rh. haemaphysaloides (6/20, 30%), Hy. excavatum (2/20, 10%) and Rh. microplus (1/20, 5%). Co-occurrence of V/TBP was also detected in tick specimens (single V/TBP infection: 32 ticks; double and triple: 13 and 5 tick samples). The detected pathogens shared a phylogenetic relationship with similar isolates published in NCBI GenBank from Old and New World countries.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Ixodid ticks infesting dogs harbor a diverse array of V/TBPs including zoonotic agents from Pakistan. Furthermore, the presence of D. immitis in ticks that infest dogs raises the possibility that this parasite has either attained its dead-end host (i.e. the tick) while feeding on dogs or has expanded its range of intermediate/paratenic hosts. Further research work is needed to investigate the epidemiology and confirm the vector competence of screened tick species for these pathogens from Pakistan.}, }
@article {pmid37376609, year = {2023}, author = {Baltar, JMC and Pavan, MG and Corrêa-Antônio, J and Couto-Lima, D and Maciel-de-Freitas, R and David, MR}, title = {Gut Bacterial Diversity of Field and Laboratory-Reared Aedes albopictus Populations of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.}, journal = {Viruses}, volume = {15}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {37376609}, issn = {1999-4915}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; *Aedes ; *Zika Virus/genetics ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; *Zika Virus Infection ; Brazil ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Mosquito Vectors ; Bacteria/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The mosquito microbiota impacts different parameters in host biology, such as development, metabolism, immune response and vector competence to pathogens. As the environment is an important source of acquisition of host associate microbes, we described the microbiota and the vector competence to Zika virus (ZIKV) of Aedes albopictus from three areas with distinct landscapes.<br><br>METHODS: Adult females were collected during two different seasons, while eggs were used to rear F1 colonies. Midgut bacterial communities were described in field and F1 mosquitoes as well as in insects from a laboratory colony (>30 generations, LAB) using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. F1 mosquitoes were infected with ZIKV to determine virus infection rates (IRs) and dissemination rates (DRs). Collection season significantly affected the bacterial microbiota diversity and composition, e.g., diversity levels decreased from the wet to the dry season. Field-collected and LAB mosquitoes' microbiota had similar diversity levels, which were higher compared to F1 mosquitoes. However, the gut microbiota composition of field mosquitoes was distinct from that of laboratory-reared mosquitoes (LAB and F1), regardless of the collection season and location. A possible negative correlation was detected between Acetobacteraceae and Wolbachia, with the former dominating the gut microbiota of F1 Ae. albopictus, while the latter was absent/undetectable. Furthermore, we detected significant differences in infection and dissemination rates (but not in the viral load) between the mosquito populations, but it does not seem to be related to gut microbiota composition, as it was similar between F1 mosquitoes regardless of their population.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the environment and the collection season play a significant role in shaping mosquitoes' bacterial microbiota.}, }
@article {pmid37375183, year = {2023}, author = {Han, MJ and Pan, M and Xiao, G and Yuan, Y and Chen, S and Zou, Z}, title = {Assessing Boron-Pleuromutilin AN11251 for the Development of Antibacterial Agents.}, journal = {Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {28}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {37375183}, issn = {1420-3049}, support = {0/GATES/Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation/United States ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry ; Boron ; *Diterpenes/chemistry ; *Polycyclic Compounds/pharmacology ; *Onchocerciasis/drug therapy ; Bacteria ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Pleuromutilins ; }, abstract = {Pleuromutilins are a group of antibiotics derived from the naturally occurring compound. The recent approval of lefamulin for both intravenous and oral doses in humans to treat community-acquired bacterial pneumonia has prompted investigations in modifying the structure to broaden the antibacterial spectrum, enhance the activity, and improve the pharmacokinetic properties. AN11251 is a C(14)-functionalized pleuromutilin with a boron-containing heterocycle substructure. It was demonstrated to be an anti-Wolbachia agent with therapeutic potential for Onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. Here, the in vitro and in vivo PK parameters of AN11251 were measured including PPB, intrinsic clearance, half-life, systemic clearance, and volume of distribution. The results indicate that the benzoxaborole-modified pleuromutilin possesses good ADME and PK properties. AN11251 has potent activities against the Gram-positive bacterial pathogens tested, including various drug-resistant strains, and against the slow-growing mycobacterial species. Finally, we employed PK/PD modeling to predict the human dose for treatment of disease caused by Wolbachia, Gram-positive bacteria, or Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which might facilitate the further development of AN11251.}, }
@article {pmid37370177, year = {2023}, author = {Angstmann, H and Pfeiffer, S and Kublik, S and Ehrhardt, B and Uliczka, K and Rabe, KF and Roeder, T and Wagner, C and Schloter, M and Krauss-Etschmann, S}, title = {The microbial composition of larval airways from Drosophila melanogaster differ between specimens from laboratory and natural habitats.}, journal = {Environmental microbiome}, volume = {18}, number = {1}, pages = {55}, pmid = {37370177}, issn = {2524-6372}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster lives in natural habitats and has also long been used as a model organism in biological research. In this study, we used a molecular barcoding approach to analyse the airways microbiome of larvae of D. melanogaster, which were obtained from eggs of flies of the laboratory strain w[1118] and from immune deficient flies (NF-kB-K), and from wild-caught flies. To assess intergenerational transmission of microbes, all eggs were incubated under the same semi-sterile conditions.<br><br>RESULTS: The airway microbiome of larvae from both lab-strains was dominated by the two families Acetobacteraceae and Lactobacillaceae, while larvae from wild-caught flies were dominated by Lactobacillaceae, Anaplasmataceae and Leuconostocaceae. Barcodes linked to Anaplasmataceae could be further assigned to Wolbachia sp., which is a widespread intracellular pathogen in arthropods. For Leuconostoceae, the most abundant reads were assigned to Weissella sp. Both Wolbachia and Weissella affect the development of the insects. Finally, a relative high abundance of Serratia sp. was found in larvae from immune deficient relish[-/-] compared to w[1118] and wild-caught fly airways.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our results show for the first time that larvae from D. melanogaster harbor an airway microbiome, which is of low complexity and strongly influenced by the environmental conditions and to a lesser extent by the immune status. Furthermore, our data indicate an intergenerational transmission of the microbiome as shaped by the environment.}, }
@article {pmid37367374, year = {2023}, author = {Hu, D and Li, W and Wang, J and Peng, Y and Yun, Y and Peng, Y}, title = {Interaction of High Temperature Stress and Wolbachia Infection on the Biological Characteristic of Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {14}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {37367374}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {2019020701011464//Wuhan Science and Technology Bureau/ ; 2018FY100400//National Science and Technology Basic Research Program of China/ ; }, abstract = {It was reported that temperature affects the distribution of Wolbachia in the host, but only a few papers reported the effect of the interaction between high temperature and Wolbachia on the biological characteristic of the host. Here, we set four treatment Drosophila melanogaster groups: Wolbachia-infected flies in 25 °C (W[+]M), Wolbachia-infected flies in 31 °C (W[+]H), Wolbachia-uninfected flies in 25 °C (W[-]M), Wolbachia-uninfected flies in 31 °C (W[-]H), and detected the interaction effect of temperature and Wolbachia infection on the biological characteristic of D. melanogaster in F1, F2 and F3 generations. We found that both temperature and Wolbachia infection had significant effects on the development and survival rate of D. melanogaster. High temperature and Wolbachia infection had interaction effect on hatching rate, developmental durations, emergence rate, body weight and body length of F1, F2 and F3 flies, and the interaction effect also existed on oviposition amount of F3 flies, and on pupation rate of F2 and F3 flies. High temperature stress reduced the Wolbachia vertical transmission efficiency between generations. These results indicated that high temperature stress and Wolbachia infection had negative effects on the morphological development of D. melanogaster.}, }
@article {pmid37367332, year = {2023}, author = {Fallon, AM and Carroll, EM}, title = {Virus-like Particles from Wolbachia-Infected Cells May Include a Gene Transfer Agent.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {14}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {37367332}, issn = {2075-4450}, abstract = {Wolbachia are obligate intracellular bacteria that occur in insects and filarial worms. Strains that infect insects have genomes that encode mobile genetic elements, including diverse lambda-like prophages called Phage WO. Phage WO packages an approximately 65 kb viral genome that includes a unique eukaryotic association module, or EAM, that encodes unusually large proteins thought to mediate interactions between the bacterium, its virus, and the eukaryotic host cell. The Wolbachia supergroup B strain, wStri from the planthopper Laodelphax striatellus, produces phage-like particles that can be recovered from persistently infected mosquito cells by ultracentrifugation. Illumina sequencing, assembly, and manual curation of DNA from two independent preparations converged on an identical 15,638 bp sequence that encoded packaging, assembly, and structural proteins. The absence of an EAM and regulatory genes defined for Phage WO from the wasp, Nasonia vitripennis, was consistent with the possibility that the 15,638 bp sequence represents an element related to a gene transfer agent (GTA), characterized by a signature head-tail region encoding structural proteins that package host chromosomal DNA. Future investigation of GTA function will be supported by the improved recovery of physical particles, electron microscopic examination of potential diversity among particles, and rigorous examination of DNA content by methods independent of sequence assembly.}, }
@article {pmid37363264, year = {2023}, author = {Gashururu, RS and Maingi, N and Githigia, SM and Getange, DO and Ntivuguruzwa, JB and Habimana, R and Cecchi, G and Gashumba, J and Bargul, JL and Masiga, DK}, title = {Trypanosomes infection, endosymbionts, and host preferences in tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) collected from Akagera park region, Rwanda: A correlational xenomonitoring study.}, journal = {One health (Amsterdam, Netherlands)}, volume = {16}, number = {}, pages = {100550}, pmid = {37363264}, issn = {2352-7714}, abstract = {Akagera National Park and its surroundings are home to tsetse flies and a number of their mammalian hosts in Rwanda. A One-health approach is being used in the control and surveillance of both animal and human trypanosomosis in Rwanda. Determination of the infection level in tsetse flies, species of trypanosomes circulating in vectors, the source of tsetse blood meal and endosymbionts is crucial in understanding the epidemiology of the disease in animals and humans in the region. Tsetse flies (n = 1101), comprising Glossina pallidipes (n = 771) and Glossina morsitans centralis (n = 330) were collected from Akagera park and surrounding areas between May 2018 and June 2019. The flies were screened for trypanosomes, vertebrate host DNA to identify sources of blood meal, and endosymbionts by PCR - High Resolution Melting analysis and amplicon sequencing. The feeding frequency and the feeding indices (selection index - W) were calculated to identify the preferred hosts. An overall trypanosome infection rate of 13.9% in the fly's Head and Proboscis (HP) and 24.3% in the Thorax and Abdomen (TA) were found. Eight trypanosome species were identified in the tsetse fly HP and TA, namely: Trypanosoma (T.) brucei brucei, T. congolense Kilifi, T. congolense savannah, T. vivax, T. simiae, T. evansi, T. godfreyi, T. grayi and T. theileri. We found no evidence of human-infective T. brucei rhodesiense. We also identified eighteen species of vertebrate hosts that tsetse flies fed on, and the most frequent one was the buffalo (Syncerus caffer) (36.5%). The frequently detected host by selection index was the rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) (W = 16.2). Most trypanosome infections in tsetse flies were associated with the buffalo blood meal. The prevalence of tsetse endosymbionts Sodalis and Wolbachia was 2.8% and 4.8%, respectively. No Spiroplasma and Salivary Gland Hypertrophy Virus were detected. These findings implicate the buffaloes as the important reservoirs of tsetse-transmitted trypanosomes in the area. This contributes to predicting the main cryptic reservoirs and therefore guiding the effective control of the disease. The study findings provide the key scientific information that supports the current One Health collaboration in the control and surveillance of tsetse-transmitted trypanosomosis in Rwanda.}, }
@article {pmid37362913, year = {2023}, author = {Beckmann, J and Gillespie, J and Tauritz, D}, title = {Modeling emergence of Wolbachia toxin-antidote protein functions with an evolutionary algorithm.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1116766}, pmid = {37362913}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Evolutionary algorithms (EAs) simulate Darwinian evolution and adeptly mimic natural evolution. Most EA applications in biology encode high levels of abstraction in top-down population ecology models. In contrast, our research merges protein alignment algorithms from bioinformatics into codon based EAs that simulate molecular protein string evolution from the bottom up. We apply our EA to reconcile a problem in the field of Wolbachia induced cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). Wolbachia is a microbial endosymbiont that lives inside insect cells. CI is conditional insect sterility that operates as a toxin antidote (TA) system. Although, CI exhibits complex phenotypes not fully explained under a single discrete model. We instantiate in-silico genes that control CI, CI factors (cifs), as strings within the EA chromosome. We monitor the evolution of their enzymatic activity, binding, and cellular localization by applying selective pressure on their primary amino acid strings. Our model helps rationalize why two distinct mechanisms of CI induction might coexist in nature. We find that nuclear localization signals (NLS) and Type IV secretion system signals (T4SS) are of low complexity and evolve fast, whereas binding interactions have intermediate complexity, and enzymatic activity is the most complex. Our model predicts that as ancestral TA systems evolve into eukaryotic CI systems, the placement of NLS or T4SS signals can stochastically vary, imparting effects that might impact CI induction mechanics. Our model highlights how preconditions and sequence length can bias evolution of cifs toward one mechanism or another.}, }
@article {pmid37360524, year = {2023}, author = {Ratnayake, OC and Chotiwan, N and Saavedra-Rodriguez, K and Perera, R}, title = {The buzz in the field: the interaction between viruses, mosquitoes, and metabolism.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {1128577}, pmid = {37360524}, issn = {2235-2988}, support = {R01 AI121211/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI151166/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Dengue Virus/physiology ; *Aedes ; *Arboviruses ; *Zika Virus ; *Zika Virus Infection ; }, abstract = {Among many medically important pathogens, arboviruses like dengue, Zika and chikungunya cause severe health and economic burdens especially in developing countries. These viruses are primarily vectored by mosquitoes. Having surmounted geographical barriers and threat of control strategies, these vectors continue to conquer many areas of the globe exposing more than half of the world's population to these viruses. Unfortunately, no medical interventions have been capable so far to produce successful vaccines or antivirals against many of these viruses. Thus, vector control remains the fundamental strategy to prevent disease transmission. The long-established understanding regarding the replication of these viruses is that they reshape both human and mosquito host cellular membranes upon infection for their replicative benefit. This leads to or is a result of significant alterations in lipid metabolism. Metabolism involves complex chemical reactions in the body that are essential for general physiological functions and survival of an organism. Finely tuned metabolic homeostases are maintained in healthy organisms. However, a simple stimulus like a viral infection can alter this homeostatic landscape driving considerable phenotypic change. Better comprehension of these mechanisms can serve as innovative control strategies against these vectors and viruses. Here, we review the metabolic basis of fundamental mosquito biology and virus-vector interactions. The cited work provides compelling evidence that targeting metabolism can be a paradigm shift and provide potent tools for vector control as well as tools to answer many unresolved questions and gaps in the field of arbovirology.}, }
@article {pmid37349802, year = {2023}, author = {Benkacimi, L and Diarra, AZ and Bompar, JM and Bérenger, JM and Parola, P}, title = {Microorganisms associated with hedgehog arthropods.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {211}, pmid = {37349802}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Arthropods/microbiology ; Hedgehogs/parasitology ; *Rickettsia ; *Bartonella ; Mammals ; *Siphonaptera/microbiology ; *Ticks/microbiology ; *Flea Infestations ; }, abstract = {Hedgehogs are small synanthropic mammals that live in rural areas as well as in urban and suburban areas. They can be reservoirs of several microorganisms, including certain pathogenic agents that cause human and animal public health issues. Hedgehogs are often parasitized by blood-sucking arthropods, mainly hard ticks and fleas, which in turn can also carry various vector-born microorganisms of zoonotic importance. Many biotic factors, such as urbanization and agricultural mechanization, have resulted in the destruction of the hedgehog's natural habitats, leading these animals to take refuge near human dwellings, seeking food and shelter in parks and gardens and exposing humans to zoonotic agents that can be transmitted either directly by them or indirectly by their ectoparasites. In this review, we focus on the microorganisms detected in arthropods sampled from hedgehogs worldwide. Several microorganisms have been reported in ticks collected from these animals, including various Borrelia spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Rickettsia spp. species as well as Coxiella burnetii and Leptospira spp. As for fleas, C. burnetii, Rickettsia spp., Wolbachia spp., Mycobacterium spp. and various Bartonella species have been reported. The detection of these microorganisms in arthropods does not necessarily mean that they can be transmitted to humans and animals. While the vector capacity and competence of fleas and ticks for some of these microorganisms has been proven, in other cases the microorganisms may have simply been ingested with blood taken from an infected host. Further investigations are needed to clarify this issue. As hedgehogs are protected animals, handling them is highly regulated, making it difficult to conduct epidemiological studies on them. Their ectoparasites represent a very interesting source of information on microorganisms circulating in populations of these animals, especially vector-born ones.}, }
@article {pmid37347767, year = {2023}, author = {Ho, SH and Lim, JT and Ong, J and Hapuarachchi, HC and Sim, S and Ng, LC}, title = {Singapore's 5 decades of dengue prevention and control-Implications for global dengue control.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {17}, number = {6}, pages = {e0011400}, pmid = {37347767}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Aged ; Animals ; Humans ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Singapore/epidemiology ; *Aedes ; Climate Change ; *Dengue/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; }, abstract = {This paper summarises the lessons learnt in dengue epidemiology, risk factors, and prevention in Singapore over the last half a century, during which Singapore evolved from a city of 1.9 million people to a highly urban globalised city-state with a population of 5.6 million. Set in a tropical climate, urbanisation among green foliage has created ideal conditions for the proliferation of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, the mosquito vectors that transmit dengue. A vector control programme, largely for malaria, was initiated as early as 1921, but it was only in 1966 that the Vector Control Unit (VCU) was established to additionally tackle dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) that was first documented in the 1960s. Centred on source reduction and public education, and based on research into the bionomics and ecology of the vectors, the programme successfully reduced the Aedes House Index (HI) from 48% in 1966 to <5% in the 1970s. Further enhancement of the programme, including through legislation, suppressed the Aedes HI to around 1% from the 1990s. The current programme is characterised by 4 key features: (i) proactive inter-epidemic surveillance and control that is stepped up during outbreaks; (ii) risk-based prevention and intervention strategies based on advanced data analytics; (iii) coordinated inter-sectoral cooperation between the public, private, and people sectors; and (iv) evidence-based adoption of new tools and strategies. Dengue seroprevalence and force of infection (FOI) among residents have substantially and continuously declined over the 5 decades. This is consistent with the observation that dengue incidence has been delayed to adulthood, with severity highest among the elderly. Paradoxically, the number of reported dengue cases and outbreaks has increased since the 1990s with record-breaking epidemics. We propose that Singapore's increased vulnerability to outbreaks is due to low levels of immunity in the population, constant introduction of new viral variants, expanding urban centres, and increasing human density. The growing magnitude of reported outbreaks could also be attributed to improved diagnostics and surveillance, which at least partially explains the discord between rising trend in cases and the continuous reduction in dengue seroprevalence. Changing global and local landscapes, including climate change, increasing urbanisation and global physical connectivity are expected to make dengue control even more challenging. The adoption of new vector surveillance and control tools, such as the Gravitrap and Wolbachia technology, is important to impede the growing threat of dengue and other Aedes-borne diseases.}, }
@article {pmid37347285, year = {2023}, author = {Ehlers, LP and Slaviero, M and De Lorenzo, C and Fagundes-Moreira, R and de Souza, VK and Perles, L and Baggio-Souza, V and Bezerra-Santos, MA and Modrý, D and Benovics, M and Panziera, W and Driemeier, D and Pavarini, SP and Soares, JF and Otranto, D and Sonne, L}, title = {Pathological findings associated with Dipetalonema spp. (Spirurida, Onchocercidae) infection in two species of Neotropical monkeys from Brazil.}, journal = {Parasitology research}, volume = {122}, number = {9}, pages = {1973-1982}, pmid = {37347285}, issn = {1432-1955}, mesh = {Animals ; *Dipetalonema/genetics ; *Spirurida/genetics ; Brazil/epidemiology ; Haplorhini/genetics ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Filarioidea/genetics ; *Dipetalonema Infections/parasitology ; *Nematoda/genetics ; }, abstract = {Among vector-borne helminths, filarioids of the genus Dipetalonema (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) localize in several tissues and body cavities of several animal species, causing mild to moderate lesions. The pathological findings associated with Dipetalonema spp. infection in Neotropical monkeys from southern Brazil are herein described, along with a fatal case due to filarial polyserositis and entrapment of an intestinal segment. At necropsy, nematodes were observed in abdominal and thoracic cavities, or in the pericardium of 37 (31.3%) out of the 118 individuals examined (i.e., 35 Alouatta guariba clamitans and two Sapajus nigritus). In addition, at histology, 27.0% of positive animals presented microfilarie (inside blood vessels of lung, spleen, liver, and brain) and 8.1% presented adult nematodes in the heart, lung, and liver. In two cases, cross-sections of filarioids were associated with areas of epicardial thickening with intense fibrosis and pyogranulomatous inflammation in the brain, heart, liver, lungs, or spleen. The DNA fragment was amplify using the cox1 gene, sequenced and analyzed to identify the nematode species collected; presence of Wolbachia was assessed in the filarioids using the 16S rRNA gene. At BLAST analysis of the cox1 gene, 10 sequences showed 91.7% nucleotide identity with Dipetalonema gracile, and two with D. gracile (98.5%) and Dipetalonema graciliformis (98.3%). Phylogenetic analyses clustered sequences of the cox1 obtained in this study in two clades corresponding with the host species. Wolbachia sp. endosymbiont was detected in four samples. Data herein reported provide a description of pathological lesions associated with the infection by Dipetalonema spp., suggesting that they may cause disease in Neotropical monkeys. In addition, a better understanding of diversity and biology of Dipetalonema spp. in South America is needed to assess the impact they may cause in native non-human primates from Brazil.}, }
@article {pmid37324163, year = {2023}, author = {Zhu, X and Zhang, L and Li, J and He, A and You, M and You, S}, title = {Effects of Antibiotic Treatment on the Development and Bacterial Community of the Wolbachia-Infected Diamondback Moth.}, journal = {Evolutionary bioinformatics online}, volume = {19}, number = {}, pages = {11769343231175269}, pmid = {37324163}, issn = {1176-9343}, abstract = {Based on the important role of antibiotic treatment in the research of the interaction between Wolbachia and insect hosts, this study aimed to identify the most suitable antibiotic and concentration for Wolbachia elimination in the P. xylostella, and to investigate the effect of Wolbachia and antibiotic treatment on the bacterial community of P. xylostella. Our results showed that the Wolbachia-infected strain was plutWB1 of supergroup B in the P. xylostella population collected in Nepal in this study; 1 mg/mL rifampicin could remove Wolbachia infection in P. xylostella after 1 generation of feeding treatment and the toxic effect was relatively low; among the 29 samples of adult P. xylostella in our study (10 WU samples, 10 WA samples, and 9 WI samples), 52.5% of the sequences were of Firmicutes and 47.5% were of Proteobacteria, with the dominant genera being mainly Carnobacterium (46.2%), Enterobacter (10.1%), and Enterococcus (6.2%); Moreover, antibiotic removal of Wolbachia infection in P. xylostella and transfer to normal conditions for 10 generations no longer significantly affected the bacterial community of P. xylostella. This study provides a theoretical basis for the elimination method of Wolbachia in the P. xylostella, as well as a reference for the elimination method of Wolbachia in other Wolbachia-infected insect species, and a basis for the study of the extent and duration of the effect of antibiotic treatment on the bacterial community of the P. xylostella.}, }
@article {pmid37318795, year = {2023}, author = {Zhang, DJ and Sun, Y and Yamada, H and Wu, Y and Wang, G and Feng, QD and Paerhande, D and Maiga, H and Bouyer, J and Qian, J and Wu, ZD and Zheng, XY}, title = {Effects of radiation on the fitness, sterility and arbovirus susceptibility of a Wolbachia-free Aedes albopictus strain for use in the sterile insect technique.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {79}, number = {11}, pages = {4186-4196}, doi = {10.1002/ps.7615}, pmid = {37318795}, issn = {1526-4998}, support = {//Guangzhou Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation/ ; //IAEA Coordinated Research Project/ ; //IAEA Department of Technical Cooperation/ ; //National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; //National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; //NSFC-BMGF/ ; //Nuclear Energy R &amp; D Project/ ; //Open Foundation of NHC Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Hainan Medical University/ ; //Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province, China/ ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The sterile insect technique (SIT) is a green and species-specific insect pest control technique that suppresses target populations by releasing factory-reared, radiosterilized males into the wild. Once released, it is important to be able to distinguish the released males from the wild males for monitoring purposes. Several methods to mark the sterile males exist. However, most have limitations due to monetary, process efficiency, or insect quality. Aedes albopictus is naturally infected with Wolbachia at a high prevalence, therefore the elimination of Wolbachia can serve as a biomarker to distinguish factory-reared male mosquitoes from wild conspecifics.<br><br>RESULTS: In this study, a Wolbachia-free Ae. albopictus GT strain was developed and its fitness evaluated, which was found to be comparable to the wild GUA strain. In addition, GT male mosquitoes were irradiated at the adult stage and a dose of 20&#x2009;Gy or more induced over 99% sterility. Moreover, a dose of 30&#x2009;Gy (almost completely sterilizing male and female mosquitoes) had limited effects on the mating competitiveness of GT males and the vector competence of GT females, respectively. However, radiation reduced mosquito longevity, regardless of sex.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the Ae. albopictus GT strain can be distinguished from wild mosquitoes based on Wolbachia status and shows similar fitness, radio-sensitivity and arbovirus susceptibility to the GUA strain, indicating that it is feasible to use the GT strain to suppress Ae. albopictus populations for SIT programmes. &#xa9; 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley &amp; Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.}, }
@article {pmid37317119, year = {2023}, author = {Santos, NACD and Carvalho, VR and Souza-Neto, JA and Alonso, DP and Ribolla, PEM and Medeiros, JF and Araujo, MDS}, title = {Bacterial Microbiota from Lab-Reared and Field-Captured Anopheles darlingi Midgut and Salivary Gland.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {11}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {37317119}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {INV-003970/GATES/Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation/United States ; }, abstract = {Anopheles darlingi is a major malaria vector in the Amazon region and, like other vectors, harbors a community of microorganisms with which it shares a network of interactions. Here, we describe the diversity and bacterial composition from the midguts and salivary glands of lab-reared and field-captured An. darlingi using metagenome sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The libraries were built using the amplification of the region V3-V4 16S rRNA gene. The bacterial community from the salivary glands was more diverse and richer than the community from the midguts. However, the salivary glands and midguts only showed dissimilarities in beta diversity between lab-reared mosquitoes. Despite that, intra-variability was observed in the samples. Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas were dominant in the tissues of lab-reared mosquitoes. Sequences of Wolbachia and Asaia were both found in the tissue of lab-reared mosquitoes; however, only Asaia was found in field-captured An. darlingi, but in low abundance. This is the first report on the characterization of microbiota composition from the salivary glands of An. darlingi from lab-reared and field-captured individuals. This study can provide invaluable insights for future investigations regarding mosquito development and interaction between mosquito microbiota and Plasmodium sp.}, }
@article {pmid37314477, year = {2023}, author = {An, Y and Braga, MP and Garcia, SL and Grudzinska-Sterno, M and Hambäck, PA}, title = {Host Phylogeny Structures the Gut Bacterial Community Within Galerucella Leaf Beetles.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {86}, number = {4}, pages = {2477-2487}, pmid = {37314477}, issn = {1432-184X}, support = {#2019-4980//The Swedish Research Council Vetenskapsr&#xe5;det to PAH/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Coleoptera/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Insecta ; Bacteria/genetics ; }, abstract = {Gut microbes play important roles for their hosts. Previous studies suggest that host-microbial systems can form long-term associations over evolutionary time and the dynamic changes of the intestinal system may represent major driving forces and contribute to insect dietary diversification and speciation. Our study system includes a set of six closely related leaf beetle species (Galerucella spp.) and our study aims to separate the roles of host phylogeny and ecology in determining the gut microbial community and to identify eventual relationship between host insects and gut bacteria. We collected adult beetles from their respective host plants and quantified their microbial community using 16S rRNA sequencing. The results showed that the gut bacteria community composition was structured by host beetle phylogeny, where more or less host-specific gut bacteria interact with the different Galerucella species. For example, the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia was found almost exclusively in G. nymphaea and G. sagittariae. Diversity indicators also suggested that α- and β-diversities of gut bacteria communities varied among host beetle species. Overall, our results suggest a phylogenetically controlled co-occurrence pattern between the six closely related Galerucella beetles and their gut bacteria, indicating the potential of co-evolutionary processes occurring between hosts and their gut bacterial communities.}, }
@article {pmid37298563, year = {2023}, author = {Fiutek, N and Couger, MB and Pirro, S and Roy, SW and de la Torre, JR and Connor, EF}, title = {Genomic Assessment of the Contribution of the Wolbachia Endosymbiont of Eurosta solidaginis to Gall Induction.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {37298563}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {IRGEN_RG_2021-1345/IRGEN/IRGEN/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Tryptophan ; *Tephritidae/metabolism ; Insecta/metabolism ; Indoleacetic Acids/metabolism ; Cytokinins ; Genomics ; }, abstract = {We explored the genome of the Wolbachia strain, wEsol, symbiotic with the plant-gall-inducing fly Eurosta solidaginis with the goal of determining if wEsol contributes to gall induction by its insect host. Gall induction by insects has been hypothesized to involve the secretion of the phytohormones cytokinin and auxin and/or proteinaceous effectors to stimulate cell division and growth in the host plant. We sequenced the metagenome of E. solidaginis and wEsol and assembled and annotated the genome of wEsol. The wEsol genome has an assembled length of 1.66 Mbp and contains 1878 protein-coding genes. The wEsol genome is replete with proteins encoded by mobile genetic elements and shows evidence of seven different prophages. We also detected evidence of multiple small insertions of wEsol genes into the genome of the host insect. Our characterization of the genome of wEsol indicates that it is compromised in the synthesis of dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP) and S-adenosyl L-methionine (SAM), which are precursors required for the synthesis of cytokinins and methylthiolated cytokinins. wEsol is also incapable of synthesizing tryptophan, and its genome contains no enzymes in any of the known pathways for the synthesis of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) from tryptophan. wEsol must steal DMAPP and L-methionine from its host and therefore is unlikely to provide cytokinin and auxin to its insect host for use in gall induction. Furthermore, in spite of its large repertoire of predicted Type IV secreted effector proteins, these effectors are more likely to contribute to the acquisition of nutrients and the manipulation of the host's cellular environment to contribute to growth and reproduction of wEsol than to aid E. solidaginis in manipulating its host plant. Combined with earlier work that shows that wEsol is absent from the salivary glands of E. solidaginis, our results suggest that wEsol does not contribute to gall induction by its host.}, }
@article {pmid37298356, year = {2023}, author = {Mioduchowska, M and Konecka, E and Gołdyn, B and Pinceel, T and Brendonck, L and Lukić, D and Kaczmarek, &#x141; and Namiotko, T and Zając, K and Zając, T and Jastrzębski, JP and Bartoszek, K}, title = {Playing Peekaboo with a Master Manipulator: Metagenetic Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Wolbachia Supergroups in Freshwater Invertebrates.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {37298356}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {2017/01/X/NZ8/01873//National Science Centre/ ; 2017/27/B/NZ8/01056//National Science Centre/ ; 2021/43/D/NZ8/00344//National Science Centre/ ; 538/L260/B149/18//Young Scientists competition of University of Gdansk, Poland/ ; 1220/146/2021//UGrants-first of University of Gdansk, Poland/ ; 7862//European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)/ ; 2017-04951//Vetenskapsr&#xe5;dets Grant/ ; CA18239//COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Ecosystem ; *Arthropods ; Bacteria ; Crustacea ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The infamous "master manipulators"-intracellular bacteria of the genus Wolbachia-infect a broad range of phylogenetically diverse invertebrate hosts in terrestrial ecosystems. Wolbachia has an important impact on the ecology and evolution of their host with documented effects including induced parthenogenesis, male killing, feminization, and cytoplasmic incompatibility. Nonetheless, data on Wolbachia infections in non-terrestrial invertebrates are scarce. Sampling bias and methodological limitations are some of the reasons limiting the detection of these bacteria in aquatic organisms. In this study, we present a new metagenetic method for detecting the co-occurrence of different Wolbachia strains in freshwater invertebrates host species, i.e., freshwater Arthropoda (Crustacea), Mollusca (Bivalvia), and water bears (Tardigrada) by applying NGS primers designed by us and a Python script that allows the identification of Wolbachia target sequences from the microbiome communities. We also compare the results obtained using the commonly applied NGS primers and the Sanger sequencing approach. Finally, we describe three supergroups of Wolbachia: (i) a new supergroup V identified in Crustacea and Bivalvia hosts; (ii) supergroup A identified in Crustacea, Bivalvia, and Eutardigrada hosts, and (iii) supergroup E infection in the Crustacea host microbiome community.}, }
@article {pmid37293262, year = {2023}, author = {Yang, F and Li, Y and Gao, M and Xia, Q and Wang, Q and Tang, M and Zhou, X and Guo, H and Xiao, Q and Sun, L}, title = {Comparative expression profiles of carboxylesterase orthologous CXE14 in two closely related tea geometrid species, Ectropis obliqua Prout and Ectropis grisescens Warren.}, journal = {Frontiers in physiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1194997}, pmid = {37293262}, issn = {1664-042X}, abstract = {Insect carboxylesterases (CXEs) can be expressed in multiple tissues and play crucial roles in detoxifying xenobiotic insecticides and degrading olfactory cues. Therefore, they have been considered as an important target for development of eco-friendly insect pest management strategies. Despite extensive investigation in most insect species, limited information on CXEs in sibling moth species is currently available. The Ectropis obliqua Prout and Ectropis grisescens Warren are two closely related tea geometrid species, which share the same host of tea plant but differ in geographical distribution, sex pheromone composition, and symbiotic bacteria abundance, providing an excellent mode species for studies of functional diversity of orthologous CXEs. In this study, we focused on EoblCXE14 due to its previously reported non-chemosensory organs-biased expression. First, the EoblCXE14 orthologous gene EgriCXE14 was cloned and sequence characteristics analysis showed that they share a conserved motif and phylogenetic relationship. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was then used to compare the expression profiles between two Ectropis spp. The results showed that EoblCXE14 was predominately expressed in E. obliqua larvae, whereas EgriCXE14 was abundant in E. grisescens at multiple developmental stages. Interestingly, both orthologous CXEs were highly expressed in larval midgut, but the expression level of EoblCXE14 in E. obliqua midgut was significantly higher than that of EgriCXE14 in E. grisescens midgut. In addition, the potential effect of symbiotic bacteria Wolbachia on the CXE14 was examined. This study is the first to provide comparative expression profiles of orthologous CXE genes in two sibling geometrid moth species and the results will help further elucidate CXEs functions and identify a potential target for tea geometrid pest control.}, }
@article {pmid37291670, year = {2023}, author = {García-Rodríguez, SN and Costa-Rodríguez, N and Matos, JI and Falcón-Cordón, Y and Morchón, R and Carretón, E and Montoya-Alonso, JA}, title = {Feline heartworm disease and environmental allergens hypersensitivity: is there a link?.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {192}, pmid = {37291670}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {PIFULPGC-2020-2-CCSALUD-2//Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria/ ; PIFULPGC-2017-CCSALUD-3//Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria/ ; TESIS2021010010//Agencia Canaria de Investigaci&#xf3;n, Innovaci&#xf3;n y Sociedad de la Informaci&#xf3;n/ ; CN-240/030/158//MERCK SHARP &amp; DOHME ANIMAL HEALTH, S.L/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Cats ; Animals ; *Dirofilariasis/parasitology ; Allergens ; *Dirofilaria immitis ; *Hypersensitivity/epidemiology/veterinary ; Antibodies ; *Cat Diseases/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Cats can be infected by Dirofilaria immitis, the causative agent of heartworm disease, characterized by respiratory signs, airway hyperreactivity, remodelling and inflammation. Allergy is a multifactorial pathology, and the role of a number of helminth parasites in the development of allergies in humans and other species has been demonstrated in many studies. The aim of the present study was to verify whether cats seropositive for D. immitis present hypersensitivity to some environmental allergens.<br><br>METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 120 cats and tested for the presence of specific immunoglobulin G antibodies against D. immitis and for hypersensitivity to 20 allergens, using commercial allergen test kits.<br><br>RESULTS: Of the 120 cats tested, 72 (60.0%) were seropositive for anti-D. immitis IgG and 55 (45.8%) showed clinical signs of heartworm disease of a respiratory nature. The results of testing with the allergen kits showed that 50.8% of cats were seropositive for &#x2265; 1 allergens, with the most common allergens being Dermatophagoides farinae (25.8%), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (20.0%), Malassezia (17.5%) and Ctenocephalides felis (14.2%). The prevalence of allergies was significantly higher-by almost threefold-in cats seropositive for D. immitis (68.1% vs. 25%). There were no significant differences between the prevalence of allergic cats and presence/absence of symptoms, and the results confirmed that symptoms were not a decisive factor for the presence of allergies. The risk for developing allergies was 6.3-fold higher in cats seropositive for D. immitis than in cats that were seronegative, confirming that seropositivity for D. immitis is a risk factor.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Cats with confirmed heartworm can develop serious respiratory signs, potentially leading to progression to permanent lung injury and predisposing cats to hyperresponsive airway disease. Previous studies have shown that seropositivity for D. immitis and Wolbachia is related to the presence of bronchoconstriction and bronchospasm in the affected cat. The results support the suspicion that contact with D. immitis may be a risk factor for the presence of allergies.}, }
@article {pmid37289079, year = {2023}, author = {Tarabai, H and Floriano, AM and Zima, J and Filová, N and Brown, JJ and Roachell, W and Smith, RL and Beatty, NL and Vogel, KJ and Nováková, E}, title = {Microbiomes of Blood-Feeding Triatomines in the Context of Their Predatory Relatives and the Environment.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {11}, number = {4}, pages = {e0168123}, pmid = {37289079}, issn = {2165-0497}, mesh = {Animals ; Phylogeny ; *Triatoma ; *Trypanosoma cruzi ; *Microbiota ; Bacteria/genetics ; }, abstract = {The importance of gut microbiomes has become generally recognized in vector biology. This study addresses microbiome signatures in North American Triatoma species of public health significance (vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi) linked to their blood-feeding strategy and the natural habitat. To place the Triatoma-associated microbiomes within a complex evolutionary and ecological context, we sampled sympatric Triatoma populations, related predatory reduviids, unrelated ticks, and environmental material from vertebrate nests where these arthropods reside. Along with five Triatoma species, we have characterized microbiomes of five reduviids (Stenolemoides arizonensis, Ploiaria hirticornis, Zelus longipes, and two Reduvius species), a single soft tick species, Ornithodoros turicata, and environmental microbiomes from selected sites in Arizona, Texas, Florida, and Georgia. The microbiomes of predatory reduviids lack a shared core microbiota. As in triatomines, microbiome dissimilarities among species correlate with dominance of a single bacterial taxon. These include Rickettsia, Lactobacillus, "Candidatus Midichloria," and Zymobacter, which are often accompanied by known symbiotic genera, i.e., Wolbachia, "Candidatus Lariskella," Asaia, Gilliamella, and Burkholderia. We have further identified a compositional convergence of the analyzed microbiomes in regard to the host phylogenetic distance in both blood-feeding and predatory reduviids. While the microbiomes of the two reduviid species from the Emesinae family reflect their close relationship, the microbiomes of all Triatoma species repeatedly form a distinct monophyletic cluster highlighting their phylosymbiosis. Furthermore, based on environmental microbiome profiles and blood meal analysis, we propose three epidemiologically relevant and mutually interrelated bacterial sources for Triatoma microbiomes, i.e., host abiotic environment, host skin microbiome, and pathogens circulating in host blood. IMPORTANCE This study places microbiomes of blood-feeding North American Triatoma vectors (Reduviidae) into a broader evolutionary and ecological context provided by related predatory assassin bugs (Reduviidae), another unrelated vector species (soft tick Ornithodoros turicata), and the environment these arthropods coinhabit. For both vectors, microbiome analyses suggest three interrelated sources of bacteria, i.e., the microbiome of vertebrate nests as their natural habitat, the vertebrate skin microbiome, and the pathobiome circulating in vertebrate blood. Despite an apparent influx of environment-associated bacteria into the arthropod microbiomes, Triatoma microbiomes retain their specificity, forming a distinct cluster that significantly differs from both predatory relatives and ecologically comparable ticks. Similarly, within the related predatory Reduviidae, we found the host phylogenetic distance to underlie microbiome similarities.}, }
@article {pmid37286189, year = {2023}, author = {Yang, Q and Gill, A and Robinson, KL and Umina, PA and Ross, PA and Zhan, D and Brown, C and Bell, N and MacMahon, A and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {A diversity of endosymbionts across Australian aphids and their persistence in aphid cultures.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {25}, number = {10}, pages = {1988-2001}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16432}, pmid = {37286189}, issn = {1462-2920}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/genetics/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Australia ; Enterobacteriaceae ; Serratia/genetics ; }, abstract = {There is increasing interest in the use of endosymbionts in pest control, which will benefit from the identification of endosymbionts from potential donor species for transfer to pest species. Here, we screened for endosymbionts in 123 Australian aphid samples across 32 species using 16S DNA metabarcoding. We then developed a qPCR method to validate the metabarcoding data set and to monitor endosymbiont persistence in aphid cultures. Pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) were frequently coinfected with Rickettsiella and Serratia, and glasshouse potato aphids (Aulacorthum solani) were coinfected with Regiella and Spiroplasma; other secondary endosymbionts detected in samples occurred by themselves. Hamiltonella, Rickettsia and Wolbachia were restricted to a single aphid species, whereas Regiella was found in multiple species. Rickettsiella, Hamiltonella and Serratia were stably maintained in laboratory cultures, although others were lost rapidly. The overall incidence of secondary endosymbionts in Australian samples tended to be lower than recorded from aphids overseas. These results indicate that aphid endosymbionts probably exhibit different levels of infectivity and vertical transmission efficiency across hosts, which may contribute to natural infection patterns. The rapid loss of some endosymbionts in cultures raises questions about factors that maintain them under field conditions, while endosymbionts that persisted in laboratory culture provide candidates for interspecific transfers.}, }
@article {pmid37285552, year = {2023}, author = {Hochstrasser, M}, title = {Molecular Biology of Cytoplasmic Incompatibility Caused by Wolbachia Endosymbionts.}, journal = {Annual review of microbiology}, volume = {77}, number = {}, pages = {299-316}, doi = {10.1146/annurev-micro-041020-024616}, pmid = {37285552}, issn = {1545-3251}, mesh = {Female ; Male ; Humans ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Semen ; Reproduction/genetics ; Cytoplasm ; Molecular Biology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Among endosymbiotic bacteria living within eukaryotic cells, Wolbachia is exceptionally widespread, particularly in arthropods. Inherited through the female germline, it has evolved ways to increase the fraction of bacterially infected offspring by inducing parthenogenesis, feminization, male killing, or, most commonly, cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). In CI, Wolbachia infection of males causes embryonic lethality unless they mate with similarly infected females, creating a relative reproductive advantage for infected females. A set of related Wolbachia bicistronic operons encodes the CI-inducing factors. The downstream gene encodes a deubiquitylase or nuclease and is responsible for CI induction by males, while the upstream product when expressed in females binds its sperm-introduced cognate partner and rescues viability. Both toxin-antidote and host-modification mechanisms have been proposed to explain CI. Interestingly, male killing by either Spiroplasma or Wolbachia endosymbionts involves deubiquitylases as well. Interference with the host ubiquitin system may therefore be a common theme among endosymbiont-mediated reproductive alterations.}, }
@article {pmid37278210, year = {2023}, author = {Xu, X and Hoffmann, AA and Umina, PA and Ward, SE and Coquilleau, MP and Malipatil, MB and Ridland, PM}, title = {Molecular identification of hymenopteran parasitoids and their endosymbionts from agromyzids.}, journal = {Bulletin of entomological research}, volume = {113}, number = {4}, pages = {481-496}, doi = {10.1017/S0007485323000160}, pmid = {37278210}, issn = {1475-2670}, support = {MT20005//Hort Innovation/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Phylogeny ; *Wasps/genetics ; *Diptera/genetics ; Australia ; Crops, Agricultural ; DNA ; }, abstract = {Three polyphagous pest Liriomyza spp. (Diptera: Agromyzidae) have recently invaded Australia and are damaging horticultural crops. Parasitic wasps are recognized as effective natural enemies of leafmining species globally and are expected to become important biocontrol agents in Australia. However, the hymenopteran parasitoid complex of agromyzids in Australia is poorly known and its use hindered due to taxonomic challenges when based on morphological characters. Here, we identified 14 parasitoid species of leafminers based on molecular and morphological data. We linked DNA barcodes (5' end cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences) to five adventive eulophid wasp species (Chrysocharis pubicornis (Zetterstedt), Diglyphus isaea (Walker), Hemiptarsenus varicornis (Girault), Neochrysocharis formosa (Westwood), and Neochrysocharis okazakii Kamijo) and two braconid species (Dacnusa areolaris (Nees) and Opius cinerariae Fischer). We also provide the first DNA barcodes (5' end COI sequences) with linked morphological characters for seven wasp species, with three identified to species level (Closterocerus mirabilis Edwards &amp; La Salle, Trigonogastrella parasitica (Girault), and Zagrammosoma latilineatum Ubaidillah) and four identified to genus (Aprostocetus sp., Asecodes sp., Opius sp. 1, and Opius sp. 2). Phylogenetic analyses suggest C. pubicornis, D. isaea, H. varicornis, and O. cinerariae are likely cryptic species complexes. Neochrysocharis formosa and Aprostocetus sp. specimens were infected with Rickettsia. Five other species (Cl. mirabilis, D. isaea, H. varicornis, Opius sp. 1, and Opius sp. 2) were infected with Wolbachia, while two endosymbionts (Rickettsia and Wolbachia) co-infected N. okazakii. These findings provide background information about the parasitoid fauna expected to help control the leafminers.}, }
@article {pmid37270375, year = {2023}, author = {Chaisiri, K and Linsuwanon, P and Makepeace, BL}, title = {The chigger microbiome: big questions in a tiny world.}, journal = {Trends in parasitology}, volume = {39}, number = {8}, pages = {696-707}, doi = {10.1016/j.pt.2023.05.002}, pmid = {37270375}, issn = {1471-5007}, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; *Trombiculidae/microbiology ; *Orientia tsutsugamushi ; *Scrub Typhus/microbiology ; *Rickettsia ; Zoonoses ; }, abstract = {'Chiggers' (trombiculid mite larvae) are best known as vectors of rickettsial pathogens, Orientia spp., which cause a zoonosis, scrub typhus. However, several other pathogens (e.g., Hantaan orthohantavirus, Dabie bandavirus, Anaplasma spp., Bartonella spp., Borrelia spp., and Rickettsia spp.) and bacterial symbionts (e.g., Cardinium, Rickettsiella, and Wolbachia) are being reported from chiggers with increasing frequency. Here, we explore the surprisingly diverse chigger microbiota and potential interactions within this microcosm. Key conclusions include a possible role for chiggers as vectors of viral diseases; the dominance in some chigger populations of unidentified symbionts in several bacterial families; and increasing evidence for vertical transmission of potential pathogens and symbiotic bacteria in chiggers, suggesting intimate interactions and not simply incidental acquisition of bacteria from the environment or host.}, }
@article {pmid37269018, year = {2023}, author = {Peña-Espinoza, M and Em, D and Shahi-Barogh, B and Berer, D and Duscher, GG and van der Vloedt, L and Glawischnig, W and Rehbein, S and Harl, J and Unterköfler, MS and Fuehrer, HP}, title = {Molecular pathogen screening of louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) from domestic and wild ruminants in Austria.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {179}, pmid = {37269018}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {Austrian Barcode of Life - Hochschulraum-Strukturmittel//Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; Sheep ; Cattle ; *Diptera ; *Deer/parasitology ; Austria/epidemiology ; Phylogeny ; Ruminants ; *Bartonella/genetics ; *Anoplura ; *Anaplasmataceae/genetics ; *Piroplasmida ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Hippoboscid flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae), also known as louse flies or keds, are obligate blood-sucking ectoparasites of animals, and accidentally of humans. The potential role of hippoboscids as vectors of human and veterinary pathogens is being increasingly investigated, but the presence and distribution of infectious agents in louse flies is still unknown in parts of Europe. Here, we report the use of molecular genetics to detect and characterize vector-borne pathogens in hippoboscid flies infesting domestic and wild animals in Austria.<br><br>METHODS: Louse flies were collected from naturally infested cattle (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;25), sheep (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;3), and red deer (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;12) across Austria between 2015 and 2019. Individual insects were morphologically identified to species level and subjected to DNA extraction for molecular pathogen screening and barcoding. Genomic DNA from each louse fly was screened for Borrelia spp., Bartonella spp., Trypanosomatida, Anaplasmataceae, Filarioidea and Piroplasmida. Obtained sequences of Trypanosomatida and Bartonella spp. were further characterized by phylogenetic and haplotype networking analyses.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 282 hippoboscid flies corresponding to three species were identified: Hippobosca equina (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;62) collected from cattle, Melophagus ovinus (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;100) from sheep and Lipoptena cervi (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;120) from red deer (Cervus elaphus). Molecular screening revealed pathogen DNA in 54.3% of hippoboscids, including infections with single (63.39%), two (30.71%) and up to three (5.90%) distinct pathogens in the same individual. Bartonella DNA was detected in 36.9% of the louse flies. Lipoptena cervi were infected with 10 distinct and previously unreported Bartonella sp. haplotypes, some closely associated with strains of zoonotic potential. DNA of trypanosomatids was identified in 34% of hippoboscids, including the first description of Trypanosoma sp. in H. equina. Anaplasmataceae DNA (Wolbachia spp.) was detected only in M. ovinus (16%), while < 1% of the louse flies were positive for Borrelia spp. and Filarioidea. All hippoboscids were negative for Piroplasmida.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Molecular genetic screening confirmed the presence of several pathogens in hippoboscids infesting domestic and wild ruminants in Austria, including novel pathogen haplotypes of zoonotic potential (e.g. Bartonella spp.) and the first report of Trypanosoma sp. in H. equina, suggesting a potential role of this louse fly as vector of animal trypanosomatids. Experimental transmission studies and expanded monitoring of hippoboscid flies and hippoboscid-associated pathogens are warranted to clarify the competence of these ectoparasites as vectors of infectious agents in a One-Health context.}, }
@article {pmid37266040, year = {2023}, author = {Rodrigues, J and Lefoulon, E and Gavotte, L and Perillat-Sanguinet, M and Makepeace, B and Martin, C and D'Haese, CA}, title = {Wolbachia springs eternal: symbiosis in Collembola is associated with host ecology.}, journal = {Royal Society open science}, volume = {10}, number = {5}, pages = {230288}, pmid = {37266040}, issn = {2054-5703}, abstract = {Wolbachia are endosymbiotic alpha-proteobacteria infecting a wide range of arthropods and nematode hosts with diverse interactions, from reproductive parasites to obligate mutualists. Their taxonomy is defined by lineages called supergroups (labelled by letters of the alphabet), while their evolutionary history is complex, with multiple horizontal transfers and secondary losses. One of the least recently derived, supergroup E, infects springtails (Collembola), widely distributed hexapods, with sexual and/or parthenogenetic populations depending on species. To better characterize the diversity of Wolbachia infecting springtails, the presence of Wolbachia was screened in 58 species. Eleven (20%) species were found to be positive, with three Wolbachia genotypes identified for the first time in supergroup A. The novel genotypes infect springtails ecologically and biologically different from those infected by supergroup E. To root the Wolbachia phylogeny, rather than distant other Rickettsiales, supergroup L infecting plant-parasitic nematodes was used here. We hypothesize that the ancestor of Wolbachia was consumed by soil-dwelling nematodes, and was transferred horizontally via plants into aphids, which then infected edaphic arthropods (e.g. springtails and oribatid mites) before expanding into most clades of terrestrial arthropods and filarial nematodes.}, }
@article {pmid37254297, year = {2023}, author = {Matsufuji, T and Seirin-Lee, S}, title = {The optimal strategy of incompatible insect technique (IIT) using Wolbachia and the application to malaria control.}, journal = {Journal of theoretical biology}, volume = {569}, number = {}, pages = {111519}, doi = {10.1016/j.jtbi.2023.111519}, pmid = {37254297}, issn = {1095-8541}, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; Humans ; Female ; *Aedes ; *Wolbachia ; Mosquito Vectors ; Reproduction ; Mosquito Control/methods ; *Malaria/prevention &amp; control ; }, abstract = {For decades, techniques to control vector population with low environmental impact have been widely explored in both field and theoretical studies. The incompatible insect technique (IIT) using Wolbachia, based on cytoplasmic incompatibility, is a technique that Wolbachia-infected male mosquitoes are incapable of producing viable offspring after mating with wild-type female mosquitoes. While the IIT method experimentally ensured its effectiveness in several field works, the failure of female mosquito population control by replacement owing to the accidental contamination of Wolbachia-infected female mosquitoes has been a concern and an obstacle in implementing the IIT method in nature. In this study, we develop a population-based IIT mathematical model using cytoplasmic incompatibility and evaluate the effectiveness of the IIT method in scenarios where contamination is present or absent. In addition, by extending the model to assess the disease infection status of the human population with malaria, we evaluate the optimal release strategy and cost for successful disease control. Our study proves that IIT could be a promising method to control mosquito-borne diseases without perfect suppression of vector mosquito population regardless of contamination.}, }
@article {pmid37253037, year = {2023}, author = {Turner, HC and Quyen, DL and Dias, R and Huong, PT and Simmons, CP and Anders, KL}, title = {An economic evaluation of Wolbachia deployments for dengue control in Vietnam.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {17}, number = {5}, pages = {e0011356}, pmid = {37253037}, issn = {1935-2735}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; MR/R015600/1/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; *Dengue/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; *Wolbachia ; Vietnam/epidemiology ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Aedes/microbiology ; }, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Dengue is a major public health challenge and a growing problem due to climate change. The release of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes infected with the intracellular bacterium Wolbachia is a novel form of vector control against dengue. However, there remains a need to evaluate the benefits of such an intervention at a large scale. In this paper, we evaluate the potential economic impact and cost-effectiveness of scaled Wolbachia deployments as a form of dengue control in Vietnam-targeted at the highest burden urban areas.<br><br>METHODS: Ten settings within Vietnam were identified as priority locations for potential future Wolbachia deployments (using a population replacement strategy). The effectiveness of Wolbachia deployments in reducing the incidence of symptomatic dengue cases was assumed to be 75%. We assumed that the intervention would maintain this effectiveness for at least 20 years (but tested this assumption in the sensitivity analysis). A cost-utility analysis and cost-benefit analysis were conducted.<br><br>RESULTS: From the health sector perspective, the Wolbachia intervention was projected to cost US$420 per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted. From the societal perspective, the overall cost-effectiveness ratio was negative, i.e. the economic benefits outweighed the costs. These results are contingent on the long-term effectiveness of Wolbachia releases being sustained for 20 years. However, the intervention was still classed as cost-effective across the majority of the settings when assuming only 10 years of benefits.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Overall, we found that targeting high burden cities with Wolbachia deployments would be a cost-effective intervention in Vietnam and generate notable broader benefits besides health gains.}, }
@article {pmid37250803, year = {2023}, author = {Arai, H and Anbutsu, H and Nishikawa, Y and Kogawa, M and Ishii, K and Hosokawa, M and Lin, SR and Ueda, M and Nakai, M and Kunimi, Y and Harumoto, T and Kageyama, D and Takeyama, H and Inoue, MN}, title = {Combined actions of bacteriophage-encoded genes in Wolbachia-induced male lethality.}, journal = {iScience}, volume = {26}, number = {6}, pages = {106842}, pmid = {37250803}, issn = {2589-0042}, abstract = {Some Wolbachia endosymbionts induce male killing, whereby male offspring of infected females are killed during development; however, the origin and diversity of the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we identified a 76 kbp prophage region specific to male-killing Wolbachia hosted by the moth Homona magnanima. The prophage encoded a homolog of the male-killing gene oscar in Ostrinia moths and the wmk gene that induces various toxicities in Drosophila melanogaster. Upon overexpressing these genes in D. melanogaster, wmk-1 and wmk-3 killed all males and most females, whereas Hm-oscar, wmk-2, and wmk-4 had no impact on insect survival. Strikingly, co-expression of tandemly arrayed wmk-3 and wmk-4 killed 90% of males and restored 70% of females, suggesting their conjugated functions for male-specific lethality. While the male-killing gene in the native host remains unknown, our findings highlight the role of bacteriophages in male-killing evolution and differences in male-killing mechanisms among insects.}, }
@article {pmid37247378, year = {2023}, author = {Oladipupo, SO and Laidoudi, Y and Beckmann, JF and Hu, XP and Appel, AG}, title = {The prevalence of Wolbachia in multiple cockroach species and its implication for urban insect management.}, journal = {Journal of economic entomology}, volume = {116}, number = {4}, pages = {1307-1316}, doi = {10.1093/jee/toad098}, pmid = {37247378}, issn = {1938-291X}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Biotin/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Prevalence ; Insecta ; *Bedbugs ; *Blattellidae ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Cockroach management relies heavily on the use of conventional insecticides in urban settings, which no longer provide the anticipated level of control. Knowledge of cockroach endosymbionts, like Wolbachia, might provide novel avenues for control. Therefore, we screened 16 cockroach species belonging to 3 families (Ectobiidae, Blattidae, and Blaberidae) for the presence of Wolbachia. We mapped the evolution of Wolbachia-cockroach relationships based on maximum likelihood phylogeny and phylogenetic species clustering on a multi-loci sequence dataset (i.e., coxA, virD4, hcpA, and gatB) of Wolbachia genes. We confirmed the previous report of Wolbachia in 1 Ectobiid species; Supella longipalpa (Fab.), and detected the presence of Wolbachia in 2 Ectobiid species; Balta notulata (Stål) and Pseudomops septentrionalis Hebard, and 1 Blaberid species; Gromphadorhina portentosa (Schaum). All cockroach-associated Wolbachia herein detected were clustered with the ancestor of F clade Wolbachia of Cimex lectularius L. (bed bugs). Since Wolbachia provision C. lectularius with biotin vitamins that confer reproductive fitness, we screened the cockroach-associated Wolbachia for the presence of biotin genes. In toto, our results reveal 2 important findings: (i) Wolbachia is relatively uncommon among cockroach species infecting about 25% of species investigated, and (ii) cockroach-associated Wolbachia have biotin genes that likely provide nutritional benefits to their hosts. Thus, we discuss the potential of exploring Wolbachia as a tool for urban insect management.}, }
@article {pmid37231184, year = {2023}, author = {Zheng, R and Wang, Q and Wu, R and Paradkar, PN and Hoffmann, AA and Wang, GH}, title = {Holobiont perspectives on tripartite interactions among microbiota, mosquitoes, and pathogens.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {17}, number = {8}, pages = {1143-1152}, pmid = {37231184}, issn = {1751-7370}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Culicidae ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Microbiota/physiology ; *Malaria ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; }, abstract = {Mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and malaria cause a significant global health burden. Unfortunately, current insecticides and environmental control strategies aimed at the vectors of these diseases are only moderately effective in decreasing disease burden. Understanding and manipulating the interaction between the mosquito holobiont (i.e., mosquitoes and their resident microbiota) and the pathogens transmitted by these mosquitoes to humans and animals could help in developing new disease control strategies. Different microorganisms found in the mosquito's microbiota affect traits related to mosquito survival, development, and reproduction. Here, we review the physiological effects of essential microbes on their mosquito hosts; the interactions between the mosquito holobiont and mosquito-borne pathogen (MBP) infections, including microbiota-induced host immune activation and Wolbachia-mediated pathogen blocking (PB); and the effects of environmental factors and host regulation on the composition of the microbiota. Finally, we briefly overview future directions in holobiont studies, and how these may lead to new effective control strategies against mosquitoes and their transmitted diseases.}, }
@article {pmid37231093, year = {2023}, author = {Bruner-Montero, G and Jiggins, FM}, title = {Wolbachia protects Drosophila melanogaster against two naturally occurring and virulent viral pathogens.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {8518}, pmid = {37231093}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Drosophila melanogaster ; *Wolbachia ; *Viruses ; *RNA Viruses ; Antiviral Agents/pharmacology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is a common endosymbiont that can protect insects against viral pathogens. However, whether the antiviral effects of Wolbachia have a significant effect on fitness remains unclear. We have investigated the interaction between Drosophila melanogaster, Wolbachia and two viruses that we recently isolated from wild flies, La Jolla virus (LJV; Iflaviridae) and Newfield virus (NFV; Permutotetraviridae). Flies infected with these viruses have increased mortality rates, and NFV partially sterilizes females. These effects on fitness were reduced in Wolbachia-infected flies, and this was associated with reduced viral titres. However, Wolbachia alone also reduces survival, and under our experimental conditions these costs of the symbiont can outweigh the benefits of antiviral protection. In contrast, protection against the sterilizing effect of NFV leads to a net benefit of Wolbachia infection after exposure to the virus. These results support the hypothesis that Wolbachia is an important defense against the natural pathogens of D. melanogaster. Furthermore, by reducing the cost of Wolbachia infection, the antiviral effects of Wolbachia may aid its invasion into populations and help explain why it is so common in nature.}, }
@article {pmid37214959, year = {2023}, author = {Moldovan, OT and Carrell, AA and Bulzu, PA and Levei, E and Bucur, R and Sitar, C and Faur, L and Mirea, IC and Enilă, M and Cadar, O and Podar, M}, title = {The gut microbiome mediates adaptation to scarce food in Coleoptera.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1101/2023.05.12.540564}, pmid = {37214959}, issn = {2692-8205}, abstract = {Beetles are ubiquitous cave invertebrates worldwide that adapted to scarce subterranean resources when they colonized caves. Here, we investigated the potential role of gut microbiota in the adaptation of beetles to caves from different climatic regions of the Carpathians. The beetles' microbiota was host-specific, reflecting phylogenetic and nutritional adaptation. The microbial community structure further resolved conspecific beetles by caves suggesting microbiota-host coevolution and influences by local environmental factors. The detritivore species hosted a variety of bacteria known to decompose and ferment organic matter, suggesting turnover and host cooperative digestion of the sedimentary microbiota and allochthonous-derived nutrients. The cave Carabidae, with strong mandibulae adapted to predation and scavenging of animal and plant remains, had distinct microbiota dominated by symbiotic lineages Spiroplasma or Wolbachia . All beetles had relatively high levels of fermentative Carnobacterium and Vagococcus involved in lipid accumulation and a reduction of metabolic activity, and both features characterize adaptation to caves.}, }
@article {pmid37214831, year = {2023}, author = {Mfopit, YM and Weber, JS and Chechet, GD and Ibrahim, MAM and Signaboubo, D and Achukwi, DM and Mamman, M and Balogun, EO and Shuaibu, MN and Kabir, J and Kelm, S}, title = {Molecular detection of Sodalis glossinidius, Spiroplasma and Wolbachia endosymbionts in wild population of tsetse flies collected in Cameroon, Chad and Nigeria.}, journal = {Research square}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37214831}, issn = {2693-5015}, support = {K43 TW012015/TW/FIC NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Background Tsetse flies are cyclical vectors of African trypanosomiasis. They have established symbiotic associations with different bacteria, which influence certain aspects of their physiology. The vector competence of tsetse flies for different trypanosome species is highly variable and is suggested to be affected by various factors, amongst which are bacterial endosymbionts. Symbiotic interactions may provide an avenue for the disease control. The current study provided the prevalence of 3 tsetse symbionts in Glossina species from Cameroon, Chad and Nigeria. Results Tsetse flies were collected from five different locations and dissected. DNA was extracted and polymerase chain reaction PCR was used to detect the presence of Sodalis glossinidius , Spiroplasma sp and Wolbachia using specific primers. A total of 848 tsetse samples were analysed: Glossina morsitans submorsitans (47.52%), Glossina palpalis palpalis (37.26%), Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (9.08%) and Glossina tachinoides (6.13%). Only 95 (11.20%) were infected with at least one of the 3 symbionts. Among the infected, 6 (6.31%) were carrying mixed infection (Wolbachia and Spiroplasma). The overall symbiont prevalence was 0.88%, 3.66% and 11.00% respectively, for Sodalis , Spiroplasma and Wolbachia . Prevalence varied between countries and tsetse species. No Spiroplasma was detected in samples from Cameroon and no Sodalis was found in samples from Nigeria. Conclusion The present study revealed for the first time, the presence of infection by Spiroplasma in tsetse in Chad and Nigeria. These findings provide useful information to the repertoire of bacterial flora of tsetse flies and incite to more investigations to understand their implication in the vector competence of tsetse flies.}, }
@article {pmid37213490, year = {2023}, author = {Jackson, R and Patapiou, PA and Golding, G and Helanterä, H and Economou, CK and Chapuisat, M and Henry, LM}, title = {Evidence of phylosymbiosis in Formica ants.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1044286}, pmid = {37213490}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Insects share intimate relationships with microbes that play important roles in their biology. Yet our understanding of how host-bound microbial communities assemble and perpetuate over evolutionary time is limited. Ants host a wide range of microbes with diverse functions and are an emerging model for studying the evolution of insect microbiomes. Here, we ask whether phylogenetically related ant species have formed distinct and stable microbiomes.<br><br>METHODS: To answer this question, we investigated the microbial communities associated with queens of 14 Formica species from five clades, using deep coverage 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing.<br><br>RESULTS: We reveal that Formica species and clades harbor highly defined microbial communities that are dominated by four bacteria genera: Wolbachia, Lactobacillus, Liliensternia, and Spiroplasma. Our analysis reveals that the composition of Formica microbiomes mirrors the phylogeny of the host, i.e., phylosymbiosis, in that related hosts harbor more similar microbial communities. In addition, we find there are significant correlations between microbe co-occurrences.<br><br>DISCUSSION: Our results demonstrate Formica ants carry microbial communities that recapitulate the phylogeny of their hosts. Our data suggests that the co-occurrence of different bacteria genera may at least in part be due to synergistic and antagonistic interactions between microbes. Additional factors potentially contributing to the phylosymbiotic signal are discussed, including host phylogenetic relatedness, host-microbe genetic compatibility, modes of transmission, and similarities in host ecologies (e.g., diets). Overall, our results support the growing body of evidence that microbial community composition closely depends on the phylogeny of their hosts, despite bacteria having diverse modes of transmission and localization within the host.}, }
@article {pmid37196858, year = {2023}, author = {Ward, MCE and Barrios, MC and Fallon, AM}, title = {Paraquat is toxic to the soil-dwelling arthropod, Folsomia candida (Collembola: Isotomidae), and has potential effects on its Wolbachia endosymbiont.}, journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology}, volume = {198}, number = {}, pages = {107936}, doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2023.107936}, pmid = {37196858}, issn = {1096-0805}, mesh = {Female ; Animals ; *Arthropods ; Paraquat ; *Wolbachia ; Soil ; Charcoal ; Reproduction ; }, abstract = {The springtail, Folsomia candida, is a soil arthropod commonly used to evaluate environmental toxins. Conflicting data on the toxicity of the herbicide paraquat prompted re-evaluation of its effects on F. candida survival and reproduction. Paraquat has an LC50 of about 80 μM when tested in the absence of charcoal; charcoal, often used in test arenas to facilitate visualization of the white Collembola, has a protective effect. Survivors of paraquat treatment fail to resume molting and oviposition, suggesting an irreversible effect on the Wolbachia symbiont that restores diploidy during parthenogenetic reproduction of this species.}, }
@article {pmid37194361, year = {2023}, author = {Li, J and Dong, B and Zhong, Y and Li, ZX}, title = {Transinfected Wolbachia strains induce a complex of cytoplasmic incompatibility phenotypes: Roles of CI factor genes.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology reports}, volume = {15}, number = {5}, pages = {370-382}, pmid = {37194361}, issn = {1758-2229}, mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Cytoplasm ; Base Sequence ; Phenotype ; *Hemiptera ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia can modulate the reproductive development of their hosts in multiple modes, and cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is the most well-studied phenotype. The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is highly receptive to different Wolbachia strains: wCcep strain from the rice moth Corcyra cephalonica and wMel strain from the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster could successfully establish and induce CI in transinfected whiteflies. Nevertheless, it is unknown what will happen when these two exogenous Wolbachia strains are co-transinfected into a new host. Here, we artificially transinferred wCcep and wMel into the whitefly and established double- and singly-transinfected B. tabaci isofemale lines. Reciprocal crossing experiments showed that wCcep and wMel induced a complex of CI phenotypes in the recipient host, including unidirectional and bidirectional CI. We next sequenced the whole genome of wCcep and performed a comparative analysis of the CI factor genes between wCcep and wMel, indicating that their cif genes were phylogenetically and structurally divergent, which can explain the crossing results. The amino acid sequence identity and structural features of Cif proteins may be useful parameters for predicting their function. Structural comparisons between CifA and CifB provide valuable clues for explaining the induction or rescue of CI observed in crossing experiments between transinfected hosts.}, }
@article {pmid37186167, year = {2023}, author = {Shi, H and Yu, X and Cheng, G}, title = {Impact of the microbiome on mosquito-borne diseases.}, journal = {Protein &amp; cell}, volume = {14}, number = {10}, pages = {743-761}, pmid = {37186167}, issn = {1674-8018}, support = {2021YFC2300200//National Key R&amp;D Program of China/ ; 32188101//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 202005AF150034//Yunnan Chenggong expert workstation/ ; 202105AE160020//Innovation Team Project of Yunnan Science and Technology Department/ ; 2022THFS6124//Tsinghua-Foshan Innovation Special Fund/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Culicidae/microbiology ; *Vector Borne Diseases ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Mosquito-borne diseases present a significant threat to human health, with the possibility of outbreaks of new mosquito-borne diseases always looming. Unfortunately, current measures to combat these diseases such as vaccines and drugs are often either unavailable or ineffective. However, recent studies on microbiomes may reveal promising strategies to fight these diseases. In this review, we examine recent advances in our understanding of the effects of both the mosquito and vertebrate microbiomes on mosquito-borne diseases. We argue that the mosquito microbiome can have direct and indirect impacts on the transmission of these diseases, with mosquito symbiotic microorganisms, particularly Wolbachia bacteria, showing potential for controlling mosquito-borne diseases. Moreover, the skin microbiome of vertebrates plays a significant role in mosquito preferences, while the gut microbiome has an impact on the progression of mosquito-borne diseases in humans. As researchers continue to explore the role of microbiomes in mosquito-borne diseases, we highlight some promising future directions for this field. Ultimately, a better understanding of the interplay between mosquitoes, their hosts, pathogens, and the microbiomes of mosquitoes and hosts may hold the key to preventing and controlling mosquito-borne diseases.}, }
@article {pmid37176154, year = {2023}, author = {Guo, W and Zhang, M and Lin, L and Zeng, C and Zhang, Y and He, X}, title = {Bacterial Community Survey of Wolbachia-Infected Parthenogenetic Parasitoid Trichogramma pretiosum (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) Treated with Antibiotics and High Temperature.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {37176154}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {2022KJ113//Innovation Team Project of Modern Agricultural Industrial Technology System of Guangdong Province/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; *Hymenoptera ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Temperature ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Parthenogenesis ; *Wasps/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia has been shown to induce thelytokous parthenogenesis in Trichogramma species, which have been widely used as biological control agents around the world. Little is known about the changes of bacterial community after restoring arrhenotokous or bisexual reproduction in the T. pretiosum. Here, we investigate the emergence of males of T. pretiosum through curing experiments (antibiotics and high temperature), crossing experiments, and high-throughput 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing (rRNA-seq). The results of curing experiments showed that both antibiotics and high temperatures could cause the thelytokous T. pretiosum to produce male offspring. Wolbachia was dominant in the thelytokous T. pretiosum bacterial community with 99.01% relative abundance. With the relative abundance of Wolbachia being depleted by antibiotics, the diversity and relative content of other endosymbiotic bacteria increased, and the reproductive mode reverted from thelytoky to arrhenotoky in T. pretiosum. Although antibiotics did not eliminate Wolbachia in T. pretiosum, sulfadiazine showed an advantage in restoring entirely arrhenotokous and successive bisexual reproduction. This study was the first to demonstrate the bacterial communities in parthenogenetic Trichogramma before and after antibiotics or high-temperature treatment. Our findings supported the hypothesis that Wolbachia titer-dependence drives a reproduction switch in T. pretiosum between thelytoky and arrhenotoky.}, }
@article {pmid37156379, year = {2023}, author = {Chang, G and Xue, H and Ji, J and Wang, L and Zhu, X and Zhang, K and Li, D and Gao, X and Niu, L and Gao, M and Luo, J and Cui, J}, title = {Risk assessment of predatory lady beetle Propylea japonica's multi-generational exposure to three non-insecticidal agrochemicals.}, journal = {The Science of the total environment}, volume = {886}, number = {}, pages = {163931}, doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163931}, pmid = {37156379}, issn = {1879-1026}, mesh = {Female ; Male ; Animals ; Bees ; *Coleoptera/physiology ; Bacteria ; Risk Assessment ; }, abstract = {The effects of non-insecticidal agrochemicals on pest natural predators remain largely unexplored except bees and silkworm. The herbicide quizalofop-p-ethyl (QpE), fungicide thiophanate-methyl (TM), and plant growth regulator mepiquat chloride (MC) have been extensively applied as non-insecticidal agrochemicals. Here, we systematically evaluated multiple effects of these 3 non-insecticidal agrochemicals on three generations of Propylea japonica, an important agroforestry predatory beetle, including the effects on its development, reproduction, enterobacteria, and transcriptomic response. The results showed that QpE exhibited a hormetic effect on P. japonica, thus significantly increasing the survival rate of generation 2 (F2) females, generation 3 (F3) females, and F3 males and body weight of F3 males. However, three successive generations exposed to TM and MC had no significant effect on longevity, body weight, survival rate, pre-oviposition period, and fecundity of P. japonica. Additionally, we investigated the effects of MC, TM, and QpE exposure on gene expression and gut bacterial community of F3 P. japonica. Under MC, TM, and QpE exposure, the overwhelming genes of P. japonica (99.90 %, 99.45 %, and 99.7 %) remained unaffected, respectively. Under TM and MC exposure, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were not significantly enriched in any KEGG pathway, indicating TM and MC did not significantly affect functions of P. japonica, but under QpE exposure, the expression levels of drug metabolism-related genes were down-regulated. Although QpE treatment did not affect gut dominant bacterial community composition, it significantly increased relative abundances of detoxification metabolism-related bacteria such as Wolbachia, Pseudomonas and Burkholderia in P. japonica. However, TM and MC had no significant effect on the gut bacterial community composition and relative abundance in P. japonica. This study revealed for the first time the mechanism by which P. japonica might compensate for gene downregulation-induced detoxification metabolism decline through altering symbiotic bacteria under QpE exposure. Our findings provide reference for the rational application of non-insecticidal agrochemicals.}, }
@article {pmid37154102, year = {2023}, author = {Sinha, A and Li, Z and Poole, CB and Ettwiller, L and Lima, NF and Ferreira, MU and Fombad, FF and Wanji, S and Carlow, CKS}, title = {Multiple lineages of nematode-Wolbachia symbiosis in supergroup F and convergent loss of bacterioferritin in filarial Wolbachia.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {15}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {37154102}, issn = {1759-6653}, abstract = {The intracellular endosymbiotic proteobacteria Wolbachia have evolved across the phyla nematoda and arthropoda. In Wolbachia phylogeny, supergroup F is the only clade known so far with members from both arthropod and filarial nematode hosts and therefore can provide unique insights into their evolution and biology. In this study, 4 new supergroup F Wolbachia genomes have been assembled using a metagenomic assembly and binning approach, wMoz and wMpe from the human filarial parasites Mansonella ozzardi and Mansonella perstans, and wOcae and wMoviF from the blue mason bee Osmia caerulescens and the sheep ked Melophagus ovinus respectively. A comprehensive phylogenomic analysis revealed two distinct lineages of filarial Wolbachia in supergroup F, indicating multiple horizontal transfer events between arthropod and nematode hosts. The analysis also reveals that the evolution of Wolbachia-filaria symbioses is accompanied by a convergent pseudogenization and loss of the bacterioferritin gene, a phenomenon found to be shared by all filarial Wolbachia, even those outside supergroup F. These observations indicate that differences in heme metabolism might be a key feature distinguishing filarial and arthropod Wolbachia. The new genomes provide a valuable resource for further studies on symbiosis, evolution, and the discovery of new antibiotics to treat mansonellosis.}, }
@article {pmid37138629, year = {2023}, author = {Tan, Y and Gong, B and Zhang, Q and Li, C and Weng, J and Zhou, X and Jin, L}, title = {Diversity of endosymbionts in camellia spiny whitefly, Aleurocanthus camelliae (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), estimated by 16S rRNA analysis and their biological implications.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1124386}, pmid = {37138629}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Camellia spiny whitefly, Aleurocanthus camelliae (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a major pest in tea, which poses a serious threat to tea production. Similar to many insects, various bacterial symbioses inside A. camelliae may participate in the reproduction, metabolism, and detoxification of the host. However, few reports included research on the microbial composition and influence on A. camelliae growth. We first applied high-throughput sequencing of the V4 region in the 16S rRNA of symbiotic bacteria to study its component and effect on the biological trait of A. camelliae by comparing it with the antibiotic treatment group. The population parameters, survival rate, and fecundity rate of A. camelliae were also analyzed using the age-stage two-sex life table. Our results demonstrated that phylum Proteobacteria (higher than 96.15%) dominated the whole life cycle of A. camelliae. It unveiled the presence of Candidatus Portiera (primary endosymbiont) (67.15-73.33%), Arsenophonus (5.58-22.89%), Wolbachia (4.53-11.58%), Rickettsia (0.75-2.59%), and Pseudomonas (0.99-1.88%) genus. Antibiotic treatment caused a significant decrease in the endosymbiont, which negatively affected the host's biological properties and life process. For example, 1.5% rifampicin treatment caused a longer preadult stage in the offspring generation (55.92 d) compared to the control (49.75d) and a lower survival rate (0.36) than the control (0.60). The decreased intrinsic rate of increase (r), net reproductive rate (R 0), and prolonged mean generation time (T) were signs of all disadvantageous effects associated with symbiotic reduction. Our findings confirmed the composition and richness of symbiotic bacteria in larva and adult of A. camelliae by an Illumina NovaSeq 6000 analysis and their influence on the development of the host by demographic research. Together, the results suggested that symbiotic bacteria play an important role in manipulating the biological development of their hosts, which might help us for developing new pest control agents and technologies fo