Role of gut inhabitants on vectorial capacity of mosquitoes

• Published in: Journal of vector borne diseases Vol. 55; no. 2; pp. 69 - 78
• Main Authors: Jayakrishnan, Lekshmi, Sudhikumar, Ambalaparambil, Aneesh, Embalil
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer - Medknow Publications 01.04.2018; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Aedes; Anopheles; Culex; gut inhabitants; microbes; mosquito; vectorial capacity; Animals; Bacteria; Bacteria - classification; Bacteria - genetics; Bacteria - isolation & purification; Culicidae - microbiology; Culicidae - physiology; Disease transmission; Distribution; Food; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Gastrointestinal Tract - microbiology; Gram-negative bacteria; Health aspects; Host-bacteria relationships; Keywords; Microbiota (Symbiotic organisms); Mosquito Vectors - microbiology; Mosquito Vectors - physiology; Mosquitoes; Parasites; Tropical diseases; Vector-borne diseases; Vectors (Biology); Anopheles; gut inhabitants; microbes; vectorial capacity; Culex; Aedes; mosquito
• ISSN: 0972-9062
• DOI: 10.4103/0972-9062.242567

Mosquito-borne diseases are spreading at an alarming rate. Globally millions of deaths occur due to the diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, next to AIDS and tuberculosis. Several methods have been used to control these vectors and the diseases caused by them. Earlier studies have shown the potential role of mosquito gut inhabitants on disease transmission. Their findings can be used as an innovative approach for devising strategies to modify the survival of mosquitoes by reducing their lifespan, reproduction and disease transmission abilities. In this study, microbiome of the three genera of mosquitoes, namely Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex along with their vectorial capacity have been reviewed for assessing their role in mosquito control and transmission. Relevant articles were accessed using different databases, including LILACS, Embase, Science Direct and PubMed from inception to June 2017. The search keywords included "Aedes", "Anopheles", "Culex", "gut inhabitants", "vectors", and "mosquito". The titles, abstract, and keywords of the retrieved articles were screened, and eligible research articles were sorted. The review indicates that paratransgenesis may be considered as a versatile and effective strategy to eradicate the spurt of mosquito transmitting diseases. Enterobacter species is the most common type of gram-negative bacteria associated with the gut of all the three genera of mosquitoes. It was found to have a beneficial effect on humans as it helps in destroying dreadful disease-transmitting vectors. These symbiotic qualities of the microbes need to be thoroughly investigated further to reveal their antipathogenic effect on the vector.