Phage Therapy for Mosquito Larval Control: a Proof-of-Principle Study
Chinmay V. Tikhe, George Dimopoulos
Abstract
Mosquitoes are efficient vectors of multiple human and animal pathogens. The biology of mosquitoes is strongly affected by their associated microbiota. Because of the important role of the larval microbiota in mosquito biology, the microbiota can potentially serve as a target for altering mosquito life-history traits. Our study provides proof of principle that bacteriophages can be used as tools to modulate the mosquito larval habitat microbiota and can, in turn, affect larval development and survival. These results highlight the utility of bacteriophages in mosquito microbiota research and also provide a new potential mosquito control tool.
Topics & Concepts
BiologySerratiaEnterobacterLarvaAnophelesSerratia marcescensMicrobiologyPhage therapyBacteriaBacteriophagePseudomonasEcologyMalariaEscherichia coliImmunologyGeneticsGeneInsect symbiosis and bacterial influencesBacteriophages and microbial interactionsMosquito-borne diseases and control