Interspecific Hybridization Yields Strategy for South Pacific Filariasis Vector Elimination

Abstract

BackgroundLymphatic filariasis (LF) is a leading cause of disability in South Pacific regions, where >96% of the 1.7 million population are at risk of LF infection. As part of current global campaign, mass drug administration (MDA) has effectively reduced lymphatic filiariasis prevalence, but mosquito vector biology can complicate the MDA strategy. In some regions, there is evidence that the goal of LF elimination cannot be attained via MDA alone. Obligate vector mosquitoes provide additional targets for breaking the LF transmission cycle, but existing methods are ineffective for controlling the primary vector throughout much of the South Pacific, Aedes polynesiensis.Methodology/Principal FindingsHere we demonstrate that interspecific hybridization and introgression results in an A. polynesiensis strain (‘CP’ strain) that is stably infected with the endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria from Aedes riversi. The CP strain is bi-directionally incompatible with naturally infected mosquitoes, resulting in female sterility. Laboratory assays demonstrate that CP males are equally competitive, resulting in population elimination when CP males are introduced into wild type A. polynesiensis populations.Conclusions/SignificanceThe findings demonstrate strategy feasibility and encourage field tests of the vector elimination strategy as a supplement to ongoing MDA efforts.

Pathogenicity of Life-Shortening Wolbachia in Aedes albopictus after Transfer from Drosophila melanogaster

“…Two primer sets were used to confirm wMelPop infection status: wMelPop-specific primers (VNTR141F/141R) (33) and general Wolbachia wsp primers (81F/691R) (44). DNA was extracted from adult mosquitoes as described previously (5). PCR amplification was performed in 20-l reaction volumes using Taq DNA polymerase (Invitrogen Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA) according to the manufacturer's instructions.…”

Interaction ofWolbachiaand Bloodmeal Type in Artificially InfectedAedes albopictus(Diptera: Culicidae)

“…DNA was extracted from adult mosquitoes as described previously (Brelsfoard et al 2008). Three primer sets were used to detect triple Wolbachia infections; wMelPop (IS5F/IS5R; McMeniman et al 2008), wAlbA (328F/691R) and wAlbB (183F/691R) (Zhou et al 1998).…”

Population dynamics and rapid spread of Cardinium, a bacterial endosymbiont causing cytoplasmic incompatibility in Encarsia pergandiella (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)

“…In this way, infected females experience a reproductive advantage relative to that of uninfected females, and rapid spread of the CI symbiont can result (Caspari and Watson, 1959;Turelli and Hoffmann, 1991;Engelstadter and Telschow, 2009). The ability of CI symbionts to spread has many potential applications, including population suppression or the introduction of beneficial genes into an insect population (Sinkins et al, 1997;Zabalou et al, 2004;Xi et al, 2005;Brelsfoard et al, 2008;McMeniman et al, 2009).…”