Loss of genetic diversity in Culex quinquefasciatus targeted by a lymphatic filariasis vector control program in Recife, Brazil

• Published in: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Vol. 105; no. 9; pp. 491 - 499
• Main Authors: Cartaxo, Marina F.S., Ayres, Constância F.J., Weetman, David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2011; Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Animals; Bacillus sphaericus; Biological and medical sciences; Brazil - epidemiology; Culex - genetics; Culex quinquefasciatus; Diseases caused by nematodes; Elephantiasis, Filarial - epidemiology; Elephantiasis, Filarial - prevention & control; Filariases; Gene Frequency; General aspects; Genetic Drift; Genetic Variation; Helminthic diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Lymphatic filariases; Lymphatic filariasis; Medical sciences; Microsatellite; Microsatellite Repeats; Mosquito Control; Mutation; Parasitic diseases; Population Density; Receptor gene cqm1; South America; Brazil; America; Brazil, Pernambuco, Recife; Microsatellite; Genetic drift; Lymphatic filariasis; Receptor gene cqm1; Bacillus sphaericus; Culex quinquefasciatus; Receptor gene; Check; Cardiovascular disease; Genetic diversity; Parasitosis; Bacillaceae; Helminthiasis; Receptor gene cqm 1; Lymphatic vessel disease; Infection; Prevention; Bacillales; Nematode disease; Molecular epidemiology; Bacteria; Tropical medicine; Vector
• ISSN: 0035-9203; 1878-3503
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trstmh.2011.05.004

Recife is one of the largest cities in north-eastern Brazil and is endemic for lymphatic filariasis transmitted by Culex quinquefasciatus. Since 2003 a control program has targeted mosquito larvae by elimination of breeding sites and bimonthly application of Bacillus sphaericus. To assess the impact of this program on the local vector population we monitored the genetic diversity and differentiation of Cx. quinquefasciatus using microsatellites and a B. sphaericus-resistance associated mutation ( cqm1 REC ) over a 3-year period. We detected a significant but gradual decline in allelic diversity, which, coupled with subtle temporal genetic structure, suggests a major impact of the control program on the vector population. Selection on cqm1 REC does not appear to be involved with loss of neutral diversity from the population, with no temporal trend in resistant allele frequency and no correlation with microsatellite differentiation. The evidence for short-term genetic drift we detected suggests a low ratio of effective population size: census population size for Cx. quinquefasciatus, perhaps coupled with strong geographically-restricted population structure . Spatial definition of populations will be an important step for success of an expanded vector control program.