<i>Wolbachia</i> Natural Infection of Mosquitoes in French Guiana: Prevalence, Distribution, and Genotyping
<i>Wolbachia</i> are the most spread bacterial endosymbionts in the world. These bacteria can manipulate host reproduction or block virus transmission in mosquitoes. For this reason, <i>Wolbachia</i>-based strategies for vector control are seriously considered or have already...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-09-01
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| Series: | Microorganisms |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/10/1994 |
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| Summary: | <i>Wolbachia</i> are the most spread bacterial endosymbionts in the world. These bacteria can manipulate host reproduction or block virus transmission in mosquitoes. For this reason, <i>Wolbachia</i>-based strategies for vector control are seriously considered or have already been applied in several countries around the world. In South America, <i>Wolbachia</i> have been studied in human pathogen vectors such as sand flies and mosquitoes. In French Guiana, the diversity and distribution of <i>Wolbachia</i> are not well known in mosquitoes. In this study, we screened for <i>Wolbachia</i> natural infection in mosquitoes in French Guiana by using 16S rRNA, <i>Wolbachia</i> 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 <i>Wolbachia</i> infection according to the PCR results, and two <i>Wolbachia</i> strains co-infected three specimens of <i>Mansonia titillans</i>. Then, we analyzed the phylogenetic relationships among the <i>Wolbachia</i> detected. All of the tested specimens of <i>Aedes aegypti</i>, the major dengue vector of French Guiana, were negative. These results regarding <i>Wolbachia</i> strain, distribution, and prevalence in mosquitoes from French Guiana highlight <i>Wolbachia</i>–mosquito associations and pave the way for a future <i>Wolbachia</i>-based strategy for vector control in this Amazonian territory. |
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| ISSN: | 2076-2607 |