Historical perspective and new avenues to control the myiasis-causing fly Cochliomyia hominivorax in Uruguay

Fresia, Pablo; Pimentel, Sabrina; Iriarte, Victoria; Marques, Laura; Durán, Verónica; Saravia, Anderson; Novas, Rossina; Basika, Tatiana; Ferenczi, Alejandra; Castells, D.; Saporiti, Tatiana; Cuore, U.; Losiewicz, Santiago; Fernández, Federico; Ciappesoni, Gabriel; Rizza, Marco Dalla; Menchaca, A.

doi:10.31285/agro.25.974

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 98 publications

(126 reference statements)

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“…Myiasis causes severe damage to livestock, generating great economic losses to the livestock industry by animal mortality and the cost of control mechanisms that are not efficient (i.e., insecticides, veterinary care, inspection). In Uruguay, economic losses, because of this pest, oscillate between USD 40 and 154 million annually (revised by Fresia et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We previously established the first protocol to generate site‐specific modifications in the NWS fly genome using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, targeting and disrupting the transformer and brown body (yellow) genes (Paulo et al, 2019). In addition, the recently published whole‐genome assembly of the NWS fly (Scott et al, 2020; Tandonnet et al, 2023) and other ongoing projects could allow the identification of other potential target genes, which could be used in future genetic control programs based on CRISPR/Cas9 (Fresia et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Identification and functional analysis of Cochliomyia hominivoraxU6 gene promoters

Novas,

Basika,

Williamson

et al. 2023

Insect Molecular Biology

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The New World screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax, is an obligate parasite, which is a major pest of livestock. While the sterile insect technique was used very successfully to eradicate C. hominivorax from North and Central America, more cost‐effective genetic methods will likely be needed in South America. The recent development of CRISPR/Cas9‐based genetic approaches, such as homing gene drive, could provide a very efficient means for the suppression of C. hominivorax populations. One component of a drive system is the guide RNA(s) driven by a U6 gene promoter. Here, we have developed an in vivo assay to evaluate the activity of the promoters from seven C. hominivorax U6 genes. Embryos from the related blowfly Lucilia cuprina were injected with plasmid DNA containing a U6‐promoter‐guide RNA construct and a source of Cas9, either protein or plasmid DNA. Activity was assessed by the number of site‐specific mutations in the targeted gene in hatched larvae. One promoter, Chom U6_b, showed the highest activity. These U6 gene promoters could be used to build CRISPR/Cas9‐based genetic systems for the control of C. hominivorax.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification and functional analysis of Cochliomyia hominivoraxU6 gene promoters

Novas,

Basika,

Williamson

et al. 2023

Insect Molecular Biology

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“…The eradication of a pest raises questions about the species role in the environments it inhabits, its ecological interactions network and, ultimately, what harmful effects the control program could cause on the ecosystems. Currently, the eradication of the New World Screwworm (NWS) fly (1) , Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae), an obligatory ectoparasite that causes myiasis in warm-blooded vertebrates, including humans (2) , is being discussed in Uruguay. The economic losses due to myiasis for the Uruguayan livestock sector were evaluated through different strategies, and estimated as USD 40-45 million per year (1) .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Currently, the eradication of the New World Screwworm (NWS) fly (1) , Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae), an obligatory ectoparasite that causes myiasis in warm-blooded vertebrates, including humans (2) , is being discussed in Uruguay. The economic losses due to myiasis for the Uruguayan livestock sector were evaluated through different strategies, and estimated as USD 40-45 million per year (1) . In addition, more than 800 human cases annually, mainly among the rural population, are projected based on epidemiological data from the National Livestock Services (DGSG, MGAP) (3)(4)(5) .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A preliminary risk analysis of the environmental impact of an NWS fly eradication program in Uruguay indicated that it would not result in significant alterations on ecosystems and ecological interactions (1) . As a complement, in this paper we describe the ecological interactions network that the NWS integrates, and assess whether secondary extinctions or cascading effects are likely to occur as a consequence of NWS eradication in Uruguay.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Revisión de las interacciones ecológicas de la mosca Cochliomyia hominivorax y evaluación de los posibles impactos ecológicos de su erradicación en Uruguay

Etchevers¹,

Iriarte

Marques

et al. 2022

Agrocienc Urug

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Controlling a pest species raises questions about the harmful effects its eradication could cause in ecosystems. Currently, in Uruguay are being analyzed strategies to eradicate the New World Screwworm (NWS), Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae), an obligatory ectoparasite that causes myiasis in warm-blooded vertebrates, including humans. The loss of a species implies a risk of secondary extinctions and cascading effects that depend on the ecological function of the species and the capacity of the rest of the species with which it interacts to compensate for its loss. To assess the ecological impact of the NWS eradication, we analyzed its ecological redundancy, its effect as an indirect regulatory agent for other species, and its participation in critical ecosystem functions. We conclude that the NWS presents high functional redundancy in most ecological interactions. It does not play an essential role as a regulatory agent of other species and does not play an important role in critical ecosystem functions. Without ignoring the information gaps that certainly exist about the ecological interactions network of the NWS in Uruguay, we estimate that its eradication is unlikely to cause secondary extinctions or cascading effects in the networks it integrates. In order to timely detect possible impacts during the course of the program, it is recommended to monitor the ecosystems using indicators related to direct and indirect partners in the ecological interactions of the NWS.

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Insights into the genetic landscape and presence of Cochliomyia hominivorax in the Caribbean

2022

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Historical perspective and new avenues to control the myiasis-causing fly Cochliomyia hominivorax in Uruguay

Abstract: Historical perspective and new avenues to control the myiasis-causing fly Cochliomyia hominivorax in Uruguay. Agrociencia Uruguay [Internet]. 2021 [cited dd mmm yyyy];25(2):e974.

Cited by 4 publications

References 98 publications

Identification and functional analysis of Cochliomyia hominivoraxU6 gene promoters

Identification and functional analysis of Cochliomyia hominivoraxU6 gene promoters

Revisión de las interacciones ecológicas de la mosca Cochliomyia hominivorax y evaluación de los posibles impactos ecológicos de su erradicación en Uruguay

Insights into the genetic landscape and presence of Cochliomyia hominivorax in the Caribbean

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