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Giraldo D, McMeniman CJ. Quantifying Mosquito Host Preference. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2024; 2024:107663. [PMID: 37612146 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.top107663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
The most dangerous mosquito species for human health are those that blood feed preferentially and frequently on humans (anthropophilic mosquitoes). These include prolific disease vectors such as the African malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae and yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti The chemosensory basis for anthropophilic behavior exhibited by these disease vectors, as well as the factors that drive interindividual differences in human attractiveness to mosquitoes, remain largely uncharacterized. Here, we concisely review established methods to quantify mosquito interspecific and intraspecific host preference in the laboratory, as well as semi-field and field environments. Experimental variables for investigator consideration during assays of mosquito host preference across these settings are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Giraldo
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Conor J McMeniman
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
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Giraldo D, Rankin-Turner S, Corver A, Tauxe GM, Gao AL, Jackson DM, Simubali L, Book C, Stevenson JC, Thuma PE, McCoy RC, Gordus A, Mburu MM, Simulundu E, McMeniman CJ. Human scent guides mosquito thermotaxis and host selection under naturalistic conditions. Curr Biol 2023; 33:2367-2382.e7. [PMID: 37209680 PMCID: PMC10824255 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.04.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The African malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae exhibits a strong innate drive to seek out humans in its sensory environment, classically entering homes to land on human skin in the hours flanking midnight. To gain insight into the role that olfactory cues emanating from the human body play in generating this epidemiologically important behavior, we developed a large-scale multi-choice preference assay in Zambia with infrared motion vision under semi-field conditions. We determined that An. gambiae prefers to land on arrayed visual targets warmed to human skin temperature during the nighttime when they are baited with carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reflective of a large human over background air, body odor from one human over CO2, and the scent of one sleeping human over another. Applying integrative whole body volatilomics to multiple humans tested simultaneously in competition in a six-choice assay, we reveal high attractiveness is associated with whole body odor profiles from humans with increased relative abundances of the volatile carboxylic acids butyric acid, isobutryic acid, and isovaleric acid, and the skin microbe-generated methyl ketone acetoin. Conversely, those least preferred had whole body odor that was depleted of carboxylic acids among other compounds and enriched with the monoterpenoid eucalyptol. Across expansive spatial scales, heated targets without CO2 or whole body odor were minimally or not attractive at all to An. gambiae. These results indicate that human scent acts critically to guide thermotaxis and host selection by this prolific malaria vector as it navigates towards humans, yielding intrinsic heterogeneity in human biting risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Giraldo
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Stephanie Rankin-Turner
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Abel Corver
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Genevieve M Tauxe
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Anne L Gao
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Dorian M Jackson
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | | | - Christopher Book
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Macha Research Trust, Choma District, PO Box 630166, Zambia
| | - Jennifer C Stevenson
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Macha Research Trust, Choma District, PO Box 630166, Zambia
| | - Philip E Thuma
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Macha Research Trust, Choma District, PO Box 630166, Zambia
| | - Rajiv C McCoy
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Andrew Gordus
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | | | | | - Conor J McMeniman
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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Genetic analysis and population structure of the Anopheles gambiae complex from different ecological zones of Burkina Faso. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2020; 81:104261. [PMID: 32092481 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The Anopheles gambiae complex (Diptera: Culicidae) is the most important vector for malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa, besides other vectors such as Anopheles funestus. Malaria vector control should encompass specific identification, genetic diversity and population structure of An. gambiae to design vector control strategies. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of sibling species of the An. gambiae complex according to climatic regions related to cotton-growing or cotton-free areas by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Then, variation in mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) was used to assess the genetic structure within and between populations from our selected ecological zones. At the sibling species level, the following proportions were found across all samples (n = 180): An. coluzzii 65.56%, An. gambiae stricto sensu (s.s). 21.11%, and An. arabiensis 3.33%. Hybrids between An. gambiae s.s. and An. coluzzii (7.78%) and hybrids between An. coluzzii and An. arabiensis (2.22%) were found. The phylogenetic tree and Integer Neighbour-Joining (IntNJ) haplotype network did not reveal any distinct genetic structure pattern related to climatic or agricultural conditions in Burkina Faso. The Fst (Wright's F-statistic) values close to zero showed a free gene flow and no differentiation in An. gambiae complex populations. Furthermore, neutrality indices calculated by Tajima's D, Fu and Li's D⁎, Fu and Li's F⁎, Fu's Fs tests suggested an excess of rare mutations in the populations. Overall, variation in the proportions of An. gambiae s.s., An. coluzzii and An. arabiensis was found according to climatic regions, but COI analysis did not evidence any population structuring of the An. gambiae complex. These scientific contributions can be used as a basis for further in-depth study of the genetic diversity of the An. gambiae complex for epidemiological risk assessment of malaria in Burkina Faso.
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Verhulst NO, Umanets A, Weldegergis BT, Maas JPA, Visser TM, Dicke M, Smidt H, Takken W. Do apes smell like humans? The role of skin bacteria and volatiles of primates in mosquito host selection. J Exp Biol 2018; 221:jeb.185959. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.185959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Anthropophilic mosquitoes are effective vectors of human diseases because of their biting preference. To find their host, these mosquitoes are guided by human odours, primarily produced by human skin bacteria. By analysing the skin bacterial and skin volatile profiles of humans, bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas, lemurs and cows, we investigated whether primates that are more closely related to humans have a skin bacterial community and odour profile that is similar to humans. We then investigated whether this affected discrimination between humans and closely related primates by anthropophilic and zoophilic mosquitoes that search for hosts. Humans had a lower skin bacterial diversity than the other animals and their skin bacterial composition was more similar to the other primates than to the skin bacterial composition of cows. Like the skin bacterial profiles, the volatile profiles of the animal groups were clearly different from each other. The cow and lemur volatile profiles were more closely related to the human profiles than expected. Human volatiles were indeed preferred above cow volatiles by anthropophilic mosquitoes and no preference was observed when tested against non-human primate odour, except for bonobo volatiles that were preferred over human volatiles. Unravelling the differences between mosquito hosts and their effect on host selection is important for a better understanding of cross-species transmission of vector-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels O. Verhulst
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science (Vetsuisse), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Umanets
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 8033, 6700 EH, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Berhane T. Weldegergis
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jeroen P. A. Maas
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Tessa M. Visser
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Marcel Dicke
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Hauke Smidt
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science (Vetsuisse), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Willem Takken
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
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Takken W, Verhulst NO. Chemical signaling in mosquito-host interactions: the role of human skin microbiota. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2017; 20:68-74. [PMID: 28602238 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2017.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Revised: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Anthropophilic mosquitoes use host-derived volatile compounds for host seeking. Recently it has become evident that many of these compounds are of microbial origin. Host seeking of mosquitoes is, therefore, a tritrophic relationship and suggests co-evolution between blood hosts and their microbial community to the benefit of the mosquito. Chemical analysis of bacterial headspace resulted in discovery of several compounds that make up the attractive blend to which mosquitoes respond. Future studies should determine which host factors shape the skin microbial community and attractive volatiles produced. It is argued that skin microbial volatiles can be exploited for the control of mosquitoes and hence as a tool for mosquito-borne disease control and thus aid in the elimination of vector-borne disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willem Takken
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Niels O Verhulst
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
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King KC, Stelkens RB, Webster JP, Smith DF, Brockhurst MA. Hybridization in Parasites: Consequences for Adaptive Evolution, Pathogenesis, and Public Health in a Changing World. PLoS Pathog 2015; 11:e1005098. [PMID: 26336070 PMCID: PMC4559376 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kayla C. King
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Joanne P. Webster
- Department of Pathology and Pathogen Biology, Centre for Emerging, Endemic and Exotic Diseases (CEEED), Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, United Kingdom
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Hodges TK, Cosme LV, Athrey G, Pathikonda S, Takken W, Slotman MA. Species-specific chemosensory gene expression in the olfactory organs of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:1089. [PMID: 25495232 PMCID: PMC4299676 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-1089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae has a high preference for human hosts, a characteristic that contributes greatly to its capacity for transmitting human malaria. A sibling species, An. quadriannulatus, has a quite different host preference and feeds mostly on bovids. For this reason it does not contribute to human malaria transmission. Host seeking in mosquitoes is modulated by the olfactory system, which is primarily housed in the antennae and maxillary palps. Therefore, the detection of differing host odors by sibling species may be reflected in the expression level of the olfactory genes involved. Accordingly, we compared the transcriptomes of the antennae and maxillary palps of An. gambiae and An. quadriannulatus. Results We identified seven relatively abundant olfactory receptors, nine ionotropic receptors and three odorant binding proteins that are substantially up-regulated in An. gambiae antennae. Interestingly, we find that the maxillary palps of An. gambiae contain a species-specific olfactory receptor, Or52, and five An. gambiae-specific gustatory receptors (AgGr48-52) that are relatively abundant. These five gustatory receptors are also expressed in An. gambiae antennae, although at lower level, indicating a likely role in olfaction, rather than gustation. We also document an approximately three-fold higher overall expression of olfaction genes in the maxillary palps of An. quadriannulatus, indicating an important role of this organ in the olfaction system of this species. Finally, the expression of the CO2 receptor genes is five to six-fold higher in the zoophilic An. quadriannulatus, implying a much higher sensitivity for detecting CO2. Conclusions These results identify potential human host preference genes in the malaria vector An. gambiae. Interestingly, species-specific expression of several gustatory receptors in the olfactory organs indicate a role in olfaction rather than gustation. Additionally, a more expansive role for maxillary palps in olfaction is implicated than previously thought, albeit more so in the zoophilic An. quadriannulatus. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-1089) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Michel A Slotman
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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