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Meirelles LN, Mesquita E, Corrêa TA, Bitencourt RDOB, Oliveira JL, Fraceto LF, Camargo MG, Bittencourt VREP. Encapsulation of entomopathogenic fungal conidia: evaluation of stability and control potential of Rhipicephalus microplus. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102184. [PMID: 37105010 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
The use of chemical acaricides is the primary strategy to control tick infestations. Nonetheless, chemical resistance in ticks has been reported. Thus, complementary methods such as biological control using entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) have been investigated. EPF, although efficient, have their viability compromised when applied under natural conditions, which indicates that formulation development is essential. Some researchers have demonstrated the efficacy of ionic gelation in protecting EPF against deleterious abiotic factors. In the present study, we conducted the ionic gelation technique to encapsulate Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschn.) Sorokin (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) conidia in 2% (EC 2%) and 3% (EC 3%) sodium alginate. Next, the quantity and viability of encapsulated conidia (EC) were determined. The morphology of particles was characterized by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). EC and non-encapsulated conidia (NEC) were stored at room temperature (26.8 °C) and in the freezer (-11.9 °C) to shelf-life testing. For UV-B irradiance tolerance and thermotolerance tests, EC and NEC were exposed to UV-B (6.0 or 8.0 kJ m - 2) and heat (42 ºC). In addition, biological parameters of Rhipicephalus microplus Canestrini (Acari: Ixodidae) engorged females exposed to EC were evaluated. The particles presented a spherical shape, more homogeneous (EC 2%) or heterogeneous (EC 3%). Encapsulation decreased (4.8×) the conidial concentration and did not affect their viability. On the other hand, encapsulation increased the shelf life of conidia at room temperature as well as their UV-B tolerance and thermotolerance (6 h). The fungal particles decreased the biological parameters of females more significantly than the NEC. As far as we know, we reported for the first time the use of the ionic gelation to encapsulate entomopathogenic fungi toward controlling R. microplus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Nobrega Meirelles
- Program in Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Rodovia BR 465, s/n, Seropédica, RJ 23897-000, Brazil.
| | - Emily Mesquita
- Program in Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Rodovia BR 465, s/n, Seropédica, RJ 23897-000, Brazil.
| | - Thaís Almeida Corrêa
- Program in Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Rodovia BR 465, s/n, Seropédica, RJ 23897-000, Brazil.
| | - Ricardo de Oliveira Barbosa Bitencourt
- Program in Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Rodovia BR 465, s/n, Seropédica, RJ 23897-000, Brazil.
| | - Jhones Luiz Oliveira
- Environmental Nanotechnology Laboratory, Institute of Science and Technology of Sorocaba, São Paulo State University, Av. Três de Março, 511 - Alto da Boa Vista, Sorocaba, SP 18087-180, Brazil.
| | - Leonardo Fernandes Fraceto
- Environmental Nanotechnology Laboratory, Institute of Science and Technology of Sorocaba, São Paulo State University, Av. Três de Março, 511 - Alto da Boa Vista, Sorocaba, SP 18087-180, Brazil.
| | - Mariana Guedes Camargo
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Rodovia BR 465, s/n, Seropédica, RJ 23897-000, Brazil.
| | - Vânia Rita Elias Pinheiro Bittencourt
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Rodovia BR 465, s/n, Seropédica, RJ 23897-000, Brazil.
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de Oliveira Barbosa Bitencourt R, de Souza Faria F, Marchesini P, Reis Dos Santos-Mallet J, Guedes Camargo M, Rita Elias Pinheiro Bittencourt V, Guedes Pontes E, Baptista Pereira D, Siqueira de Almeida Chaves D, da Costa Angelo I. Entomopathogenic fungi and Schinus molle essential oil: The combination of two eco-friendly agents against Aedes aegypti larvae. J Invertebr Pathol 2022; 194:107827. [PMID: 36108793 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2022.107827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Aedes aegypti transmits arbovirus, which is a public health concern. Certain filamentous fungi have the potential to control the disease. Here, the effects of Metarhizium anisopliae s.l. CG 153, Beauveria bassiana s.l. CG 206 and Schinus molle L. were investigated against Aedes aegypti larvae. In addition, the effect of essential oil on fungal development was analyzed. Fungal germination was assessed after combination with essential oil at 0.0025 %, 0.0075 %, 0.005 %, or 0.01 %; all of the oil concentrations affected germination except 0.0025 % (v/v). Larvae were exposed to 0.0025 %, 0.0075 %, 0.005 %, or 0.01 % of the essential oil or Tween 80 at 0.01 %; however, only the essential oil at 0.0025 % achieved similar results as the control. Larvae were exposed to fungi at 107 conidia mL-1 alone or in combination with the essential oil at 0.0025 %. Regardless of the combination, M. anisopliae reduced the median survival time of mosquitoes more than B. bassiana. The cumulative survival of mosquitoes exposed to M. anisopliae alone or in combination with essential oil was 7.5 % and 2 %, respectively, and for B. bassiana, it was 75 % and 71 %, respectively. M. anisopliae + essential oil had a synergistic effect against larvae, whereas B. bassiana + essential oil was antagonistic. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and histopathology confirmed that the interaction of M. anisopliae was through the gut and hemocoel. In contrast, the mosquito's gut was the main route for invasion by B. bassiana. Results from gas chromatography studies demonstrated sabinene and bicyclogermacrene as the main compounds of S. molle, and the in-silico investigation found evidence that both compounds affect a wide range of biological activity. For the first time, we demonstrated the potential of S. molle and its interaction with both fungal strains against A. aegypti larvae. Moreover, for the first time, we reported that S. molle might be responsible for significant changes in larval physiology. This study provides new insights into host-pathogen interplay and contributes to a better understanding of pathogenesis in mosquitoes, which have significant consequences for biological control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fernanda de Souza Faria
- Graduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Paula Marchesini
- Graduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Jacenir Reis Dos Santos-Mallet
- Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, IOC-FIOCRUZ-RJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ and FIOCRUZ-PI, Teresina, Piaui, Brazil; Iguaçu University-UNIG, Nova Iguaçu, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mariana Guedes Camargo
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Emerson Guedes Pontes
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Exact Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Debora Baptista Pereira
- Graduate Program in Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Exact Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Douglas Siqueira de Almeida Chaves
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Isabele da Costa Angelo
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil.
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Delivery and effectiveness of entomopathogenic fungi for mosquito and tick control: current knowledge and research challenges. Acta Trop 2022; 234:106627. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Fiorotti J, Urbanová V, Gôlo PS, Bittencourt VREP, Kopáček P. The role of complement in the tick cellular immune defense against the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium robertsii. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 126:104234. [PMID: 34450130 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) have been widely explored for their potential in the biological control of insect pests and as an environmentally friendly alternative to acaricides for limiting tick infestation in the field. The arthropod cuticle is the main barrier against fungal infection, however, an understanding of internal defense mechanisms after EPF intrusion into the invertebrate hemocoel is still rather limited. Using an infection model of the European Lyme borreliosis vector Ixodes ricinus with the EPF Metarhizium robertsii, we demonstrated that ticks are capable of protecting themselves to a certain extent against mild fungal infections. However, tick mortality dramatically increases when the capability of tick hemocytes to phagocytose fungal conidia is impaired. Using RNAi-mediated silencing of tick thioester-containing proteins (TEPs), followed by in vitro and/or in vivo phagocytic assays, we found that C3-like complement components and α2-macroglobulin pan-protease inhibitors secreted to the hemolymph play pivotal roles in M. robertsii phagocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Fiorotti
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Veterinárias, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural Do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - Veronika Urbanová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Patrícia Silva Gôlo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Veterinárias, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural Do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | | | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, Czech Republic.
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Ebani VV, Mancianti F. Entomopathogenic Fungi and Bacteria in a Veterinary Perspective. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10060479. [PMID: 34071435 PMCID: PMC8229426 DOI: 10.3390/biology10060479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Several fungal species are well suited to control arthropods, being able to cause epizootic infection among them and most of them infect their host by direct penetration through the arthropod’s tegument. Most of organisms are related to the biological control of crop pests, but, more recently, have been applied to combat some livestock ectoparasites. Among the entomopathogenic bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis, innocuous for humans, animals, and plants and isolated from different environments, showed the most relevant activity against arthropods. Its entomopathogenic property is related to the production of highly biodegradable proteins. Entomopathogenic fungi and bacteria are usually employed against agricultural pests, and some studies have focused on their use to control animal arthropods. However, risks of infections in animals and humans are possible; thus, further studies about their activity are necessary. Abstract The present study aimed to review the papers dealing with the biological activity of fungi and bacteria against some mites and ticks of veterinary interest. In particular, the attention was turned to the research regarding acarid species, Dermanyssus gallinae and Psoroptes sp., which are the cause of severe threat in farm animals and, regarding ticks, also pets. Their impact on animal and human health has been stressed, examining the weaknesses and strengths of conventional treatments. Bacillus thuringiensis, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae are the most widely employed agents. Their activities have been reviewed, considering the feasibility of an in-field application and the effectiveness of the administration alone or combined with conventional and alternative drugs is reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Virginia Ebani
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
- Interdepartmental Research Center “Nutraceuticals and Food for Health”, University of Pisa, via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-050-221-6968
| | - Francesca Mancianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
- Interdepartmental Research Center “Nutraceuticals and Food for Health”, University of Pisa, via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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Marciano AF, Mascarin GM, Franco RFF, Golo PS, Jaronski ST, Fernandes ÉKK, Bittencourt VREP. Innovative granular formulation of Metarhizium robertsii microsclerotia and blastospores for cattle tick control. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4972. [PMID: 33654152 PMCID: PMC7925645 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84142-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The tick Rhipicephalus microplus poses a serious threat to the cattle industry, resulting in economic losses aggravated by tick resistance to chemical acaricides. Strains of Metarhizium spp., a well-known group of entomopathogenic fungi, can contribute to managing this ectoparasite. We explored two novel granular, microsclerotia- or blastospores-based formulations of Metarhizium robertsii for R. microplus control under semi-field conditions. Fungal persistence in soil was also observed for 336 days. The experiment used pots of Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk grass, treated with 0.25 or 0.5 mg of granular formulation/cm2 (25 or 50 kg/ha) applied to the soil surface prior to transferring engorged tick females onto the treated soil. The fungal granules yielded more conidia with subsequent sporulation under controlled indoor conditions than in the outdoor environment, where the levels of fungus rapidly declined over time. Metarhizium-root colonization ranged from 25 to 66.7% depending on the propagule and rate. Fungal formulations significantly reduced the number of tick larvae during the humid season, reaching at least 64.8% relative efficacy. Microsclerotia or blastospores-granular formulations of M. robertsii can reduce the impact of R. microplus, and thus prove to be a promising tool in the control of ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan Felipe Marciano
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, 23897-000, Brazil.
| | - Gabriel Moura Mascarin
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Embrapa Environment, Jaguariúna, São Paulo, 13918-110, Brazil.
| | - Renato Felipe Ferreira Franco
- Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Goiás, 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Silva Golo
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, 23897-000, Brazil
| | | | - Éverton Kort Kamp Fernandes
- Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Goiás, 74690-900, Brazil
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Bitencourt RDOB, Salcedo-Porras N, Umaña-Diaz C, da Costa Angelo I, Lowenberger C. Antifungal immune responses in mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae): A review. J Invertebr Pathol 2020; 178:107505. [PMID: 33238166 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2020.107505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Mosquitoes transmit many parasites and pathogens to humans that cause significant morbidity and mortality. As such, we are constantly looking for new methods to reduce mosquito populations, including the use of effective biological controls. Entomopathogenic fungi are excellent candidate biocontrol agents to control mosquitoes. Understanding the complex ecological, environmental, and molecular interactions between hosts and pathogens are essential to create novel, effective and safe biocontrol agents. Understanding how mosquitoes recognize and eliminate pathogens such as entomopathogenic fungi may allow us to create insect-order specific biocontrol agents to reduce pest populations. Here we summarize the current knowledge of fungal infection, colonization, development, and replication within mosquitoes and the innate immune responses of the mosquitoes towards the fungal pathogens, emphasizing those features required for an effective mosquito biocontrol agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo de Oliveira Barbosa Bitencourt
- Program in Veterinary Science, Institute of Veterinary Science, Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil; Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby BC V5A 1S6, British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Nicolas Salcedo-Porras
- Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby BC V5A 1S6, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Claudia Umaña-Diaz
- Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby BC V5A 1S6, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Isabele da Costa Angelo
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Veterinary Institute, Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Carl Lowenberger
- Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby BC V5A 1S6, British Columbia, Canada.
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