1
|
Maciel-de-Freitas R, Sauer FG, Kliemke K, Garcia GA, Pavan MG, David MR, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Hoffmann A, Lühken R. Wolbachia strains wMel and wAlbB differentially affect Aedes aegypti traits related to fecundity. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0012824. [PMID: 38483475 PMCID: PMC10986601 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00128-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Two Wolbachia strains, wMel and wAlbB, have been transinfected into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes for population replacement with the aim of reducing dengue transmission. Epidemiological data from various endemic sites suggest a pronounced decrease in dengue transmission after implementing this strategy. In this study, we investigated the impact of the Wolbachia strains wMel and wAlbB on Ae. aegypti fitness in a common genetic background. We found that Ae. aegypti females infected with the wMel strain exhibited several significant differences compared with those infected with the wAlbB strain. Specifically, wMel-infected females laid significantly fewer eggs, ingested a lower amount of blood, had a reduced egg production rate, and exhibited a decreased Wolbachia density at a later age compared with mosquitoes infected with the wAlbB strain. Conversely, the wAlbB strain showed only mild negative effects when compared with Wolbachia-uninfected specimens. These differential effects on Ae. aegypti fitness following infection with either wMel or wAlbB may have important implications for the success of population replacement strategies in invading native Ae. aegypti populations in endemic settings. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms responsible for these differences in fitness effects and their potential impact on the long-term efficacy of Wolbachia-based dengue control programs.IMPORTANCEThe transmission of arboviruses such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya is on the rise globally. Among the most promising strategies to reduce arbovirus burden is the release of one out of two strains of Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti: wMel and wAlbB. One critical aspect of whether this approach will succeed involves the fitness cost of either Wolbachia strains on mosquito life history traits. For instance, we found that wMel-infected Ae. aegypti females laid significantly fewer eggs, ingested a lower amount of blood, had a reduced egg production rate, and exhibited a decreased Wolbachia density at a later age compared with mosquitoes infected with the wAlbB strain. Conversely, the wAlbB strain showed only mild negative effects when compared with Wolbachia-uninfected specimens. These differential effects on mosquito fitness following infection with either wMel or wAlbB may have important implications for the success of population replacement strategies in invading native Ae. aegypti populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Maciel-de-Freitas
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Felix G. Sauer
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Gabriela A. Garcia
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Márcio G. Pavan
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mariana R. David
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ary Hoffmann
- Pest and Environmental Adaptation Research Group, School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Renke Lühken
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pavan MG, Garcia GA, David MR, Maciel-de-Freitas R. The double-edged sword effect of expanding Wolbachia deployment in dengue endemic settings. Lancet Reg Health Am 2023; 27:100610. [PMID: 37822704 PMCID: PMC10562904 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2023.100610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Márcio G. Pavan
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gabriela A. Garcia
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mariana R. David
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafael Maciel-de-Freitas
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gómez-Palacio A, Pita S, Abad-Franch F, Monsalve Y, Cantillo-Barraza O, Monteiro FA, Pavan MG, Santos WS, Panzera A, Burgueño-Rodríguez G, Panzera F. Molecular and cytogenetic evidence for sibling species in the Chagas disease vector Triatoma maculata. Med Vet Entomol 2023; 37:316-329. [PMID: 36543747 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Triatoma maculata (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) occurs across dry-to-semiarid ecoregions of northern South America, where it transmits Trypanosoma cruzi, causative agent of Chagas disease. Using 207 field-caught specimens from throughout the species' range, mitochondrial(mt) DNA sequence data, and cytogenetics, we investigated inter-population genetic diversity and the phylogenetic affinities of T. maculata. Mitochondrial DNA sequence analyses (cytb and nd4) disclosed a monophyletic T. maculata clade encompassing three distinct geographic groups: Roraima formation (Guiana shield), Orinoco basin, and Magdalena basin (trans-Andean). Between-group cytb distances (11.0-12.8%) were larger than the ~7.5% expected for sister Triatoma species; the most recent common ancestor of these T. maculata groups may date back to the late Miocene. C-heterochromatin distribution and the sex-chromosome location of 45S ribosomal DNA clusters both distinguished Roraima bugs from Orinoco and Magdalena specimens. Cytb genealogies reinforced that T. maculata is not sister to Triatoma pseudomaculata and probably represents an early (middle-late Miocene) offshoot of the 'South American Triatomini lineage'. In sum, we report extensive genetic diversity and deep phylogeographic structuring in T. maculata, suggesting that it may consist of a complex of at least three sibling taxa. These findings have implications for the systematics, population biology, and perhaps medical relevance of T. maculata sensu lato.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Gómez-Palacio
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Genética Evolutiva - LIGE, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Tunja, Colombia
| | - Sebastián Pita
- Sección Genética Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Fernando Abad-Franch
- Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane - Fiocruz Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Yoman Monsalve
- Grupo de Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas - BCEI, Universidad de Antioquia - UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Omar Cantillo-Barraza
- Grupo de Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas - BCEI, Universidad de Antioquia - UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Fernando A Monteiro
- Laboratorio de Epidemiologia e Sistemática Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Márcio G Pavan
- Laboratorio de Epidemiologia e Sistemática Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratorio de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Walter S Santos
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane - Fiocruz Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil
- Laboratório de Epidemiologia das Leishmanioses, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, Ananindeua, Brazil
| | - Alejandra Panzera
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Gabriela Burgueño-Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Genética Molecular Humana, Centro Universitario Regional (CENUR) Litoral Norte-Sede Salto, Universidad de la República, Salto, Uruguay
| | - Francisco Panzera
- Sección Genética Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Baltar JMC, Pavan MG, Corrêa-Antônio J, Couto-Lima D, Maciel-de-Freitas R, David MR. Gut Bacterial Diversity of Field and Laboratory-Reared Aedes albopictus Populations of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Viruses 2023; 15:1309. [PMID: 37376609 DOI: 10.3390/v15061309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mosquito microbiota impacts different parameters in host biology, such as development, metabolism, immune response and vector competence to pathogens. As the environment is an important source of acquisition of host associate microbes, we described the microbiota and the vector competence to Zika virus (ZIKV) of Aedes albopictus from three areas with distinct landscapes. METHODS Adult females were collected during two different seasons, while eggs were used to rear F1 colonies. Midgut bacterial communities were described in field and F1 mosquitoes as well as in insects from a laboratory colony (>30 generations, LAB) using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. F1 mosquitoes were infected with ZIKV to determine virus infection rates (IRs) and dissemination rates (DRs). Collection season significantly affected the bacterial microbiota diversity and composition, e.g., diversity levels decreased from the wet to the dry season. Field-collected and LAB mosquitoes' microbiota had similar diversity levels, which were higher compared to F1 mosquitoes. However, the gut microbiota composition of field mosquitoes was distinct from that of laboratory-reared mosquitoes (LAB and F1), regardless of the collection season and location. A possible negative correlation was detected between Acetobacteraceae and Wolbachia, with the former dominating the gut microbiota of F1 Ae. albopictus, while the latter was absent/undetectable. Furthermore, we detected significant differences in infection and dissemination rates (but not in the viral load) between the mosquito populations, but it does not seem to be related to gut microbiota composition, as it was similar between F1 mosquitoes regardless of their population. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that the environment and the collection season play a significant role in shaping mosquitoes' bacterial microbiota.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- João M C Baltar
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil
| | - Márcio G Pavan
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil
| | - Jessica Corrêa-Antônio
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil
| | - Dinair Couto-Lima
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rafael Maciel-de-Freitas
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil
- Department of Arbovirology, Bernhard Nocht Institute of Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mariana R David
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Garcia GA, Lord AR, Santos LMB, Kariyawasam TN, David MR, Couto-Lima D, Tátila-Ferreira A, Pavan MG, Sikulu-Lord MT, Maciel-de-Freitas R. Rapid and Non-Invasive Detection of Aedes aegypti Co-Infected with Zika and Dengue Viruses Using Near Infrared Spectroscopy. Viruses 2022; 15:11. [PMID: 36680052 PMCID: PMC9863061 DOI: 10.3390/v15010011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The transmission of dengue (DENV) and Zika (ZIKV) has been continuously increasing worldwide. An efficient arbovirus surveillance system is critical to designing early-warning systems to increase preparedness of future outbreaks in endemic countries. The Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) is a promising high throughput technique to detect arbovirus infection in Ae. aegypti with remarkable advantages such as cost and time effectiveness, reagent-free, and non-invasive nature over existing molecular tools for similar purposes, enabling timely decision making through rapid detection of potential disease. Our aim was to determine whether NIRS can differentiate Ae. aegypti females infected with either ZIKV or DENV single infection, and those coinfected with ZIKV/DENV from uninfected ones. Using 200 Ae. aegypti females reared and infected in laboratory conditions, the training model differentiated mosquitoes into the four treatments with 100% accuracy. DENV-, ZIKV-, and ZIKV/DENV-coinfected mosquitoes that were used to validate the model could be correctly classified into their actual infection group with a predictive accuracy of 100%, 84%, and 80%, respectively. When compared with mosquitoes from the uninfected group, the three infected groups were predicted as belonging to the infected group with 100%, 97%, and 100% accuracy for DENV-infected, ZIKV-infected, and the co-infected group, respectively. Preliminary lab-based results are encouraging and indicate that NIRS should be tested in field settings to evaluate its potential role to monitor natural infection in field-caught mosquitoes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela A. Garcia
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Anton R. Lord
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Spectroscopy and Data Consultants Pty Ltd., Brisbane, QLD 4035, Australia
| | - Lilha M. B. Santos
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Mariana R. David
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Dinair Couto-Lima
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Aline Tátila-Ferreira
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Márcio G. Pavan
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maggy T. Sikulu-Lord
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Rafael Maciel-de-Freitas
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Arbovirology, Bernhard Nocht Institute of Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tátila-Ferreira A, Garcia GA, Dos Santos LMB, Pavan MG, de C Moreira CJ, Victoriano JC, da Silva-Junior R, Dos Santos-Mallet JR, Verly T, Britto C, Sikulu-Lord MT, Maciel-de-Freitas R. Near infrared spectroscopy accurately detects Trypanosoma cruzi non-destructively in midguts, rectum and excreta samples of Triatoma infestans. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23884. [PMID: 34903840 PMCID: PMC8668913 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03465-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi parasite with an estimated 70 million people at risk. Traditionally, parasite presence in triatomine vectors is detected through optical microscopy which can be low in sensitivity or molecular techniques which can be costly in endemic countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of a reagent-free technique, the Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) for rapid and non-invasive detection of T. cruzi in Triatoma infestans body parts and in wet/dry excreta samples of the insect. NIRS was 100% accurate for predicting the presence of T. cruzi infection Dm28c strain (TcI) in either the midgut or the rectum and models developed from either body part could predict infection in the other part. Models developed to predict infection in excreta samples were 100% accurate for predicting infection in both wet and dry samples. However, models developed using dry excreta could not predict infection in wet samples and vice versa. This is the first study to report on the potential application of NIRS for rapid and non-invasive detection of T. cruzi infection in T. infestans in the laboratory. Future work should demonstrate the capacity of NIRS to detect T. cruzi in triatomines originating from the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aline Tátila-Ferreira
- Laboratório de Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gabriela A Garcia
- Laboratório de Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lilha M B Dos Santos
- Laboratório de Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Márcio G Pavan
- Laboratório de Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carlos José de C Moreira
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Juliana C Victoriano
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Vigilância Entomológica de Diptera E Hemiptera, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Renato da Silva-Junior
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Vigilância Entomológica de Diptera E Hemiptera, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Universidade Iguaçu - UNIG, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jacenir R Dos Santos-Mallet
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Vigilância Entomológica de Diptera E Hemiptera, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Universidade Iguaçu - UNIG, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Thaiane Verly
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Constança Britto
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maggy T Sikulu-Lord
- The School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Rafael Maciel-de-Freitas
- Laboratório de Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abad-Franch F, Monteiro FA, Pavan MG, Patterson JS, Bargues MD, Zuriaga MÁ, Aguilar M, Beard CB, Mas-Coma S, Miles MA. Correction to: Under pressure: phenotypic divergence and convergence associated with microhabitat adaptations in Triatominae. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:235. [PMID: 33941246 PMCID: PMC8091700 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04729-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Abad-Franch
- Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil. .,Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Fernando A Monteiro
- Laboratório de Epidemiologia e Sistemática Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. .,Division of Vector Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, USA.
| | - Márcio G Pavan
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hemato-zoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - James S Patterson
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - M Dolores Bargues
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - M Ángeles Zuriaga
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marcelo Aguilar
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador.,Instituto Juan César García, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Charles B Beard
- Division of Vector Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, USA
| | - Santiago Mas-Coma
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Michael A Miles
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Abad-Franch F, Monteiro FA, Pavan MG, Patterson JS, Bargues MD, Zuriaga MÁ, Aguilar M, Beard CB, Mas-Coma S, Miles MA. Under pressure: phenotypic divergence and convergence associated with microhabitat adaptations in Triatominae. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:195. [PMID: 33832518 PMCID: PMC8034103 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04647-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Triatomine bugs, the vectors of Chagas disease, associate with vertebrate hosts in highly diverse ecotopes. It has been proposed that occupation of new microhabitats may trigger selection for distinct phenotypic variants in these blood-sucking bugs. Although understanding phenotypic variation is key to the study of adaptive evolution and central to phenotype-based taxonomy, the drivers of phenotypic change and diversity in triatomines remain poorly understood. Methods/results We combined a detailed phenotypic appraisal (including morphology and morphometrics) with mitochondrial cytb and nuclear ITS2 DNA sequence analyses to study Rhodnius ecuadoriensis populations from across the species’ range. We found three major, naked-eye phenotypic variants. Southern-Andean bugs primarily from vertebrate-nest microhabitats (Ecuador/Peru) are typical, light-colored, small bugs with short heads/wings. Northern-Andean bugs from wet-forest palms (Ecuador) are dark, large bugs with long heads/wings. Finally, northern-lowland bugs primarily from dry-forest palms (Ecuador) are light-colored and medium-sized. Wing and (size-free) head shapes are similar across Ecuadorian populations, regardless of habitat or phenotype, but distinct in Peruvian bugs. Bayesian phylogenetic and multispecies-coalescent DNA sequence analyses strongly suggest that Ecuadorian and Peruvian populations are two independently evolving lineages, with little within-lineage phylogeographic structuring or differentiation. Conclusions We report sharp naked-eye phenotypic divergence of genetically similar Ecuadorian R. ecuadoriensis (nest-dwelling southern-Andean vs palm-dwelling northern bugs; and palm-dwelling Andean vs lowland), and sharp naked-eye phenotypic similarity of typical, yet genetically distinct, southern-Andean bugs primarily from vertebrate-nest (but not palm) microhabitats. This remarkable phenotypic diversity within a single nominal species likely stems from microhabitat adaptations possibly involving predator-driven selection (yielding substrate-matching camouflage coloration) and a shift from palm-crown to vertebrate-nest microhabitats (yielding smaller bodies and shorter and stouter heads). These findings shed new light on the origins of phenotypic diversity in triatomines, warn against excess reliance on phenotype-based triatomine-bug taxonomy, and confirm the Triatominae as an informative model system for the study of phenotypic change under ecological pressure. ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-04647-z.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Abad-Franch
- Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil. .,Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Fernando A Monteiro
- Laboratório de Epidemiologia e Sistemática Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. .,Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, USA.
| | - Márcio G Pavan
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - James S Patterson
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - M Dolores Bargues
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - M Ángeles Zuriaga
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marcelo Aguilar
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador.,Instituto Juan César García, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Charles B Beard
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, USA
| | - Santiago Mas-Coma
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Michael A Miles
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Santos LMB, Mutsaers M, Garcia GA, David MR, Pavan MG, Petersen MT, Corrêa-Antônio J, Couto-Lima D, Maes L, Dowell F, Lord A, Sikulu-Lord M, Maciel-de-Freitas R. High throughput estimates of Wolbachia, Zika and chikungunya infection in Aedes aegypti by near-infrared spectroscopy to improve arbovirus surveillance. Commun Biol 2021; 4:67. [PMID: 33452445 PMCID: PMC7810739 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01601-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Deployment of Wolbachia to mitigate dengue (DENV), Zika (ZIKV) and chikungunya (CHIKV) transmission is ongoing in 12 countries. One way to assess the efficacy of Wolbachia releases is to determine invasion rates within the wild population of Aedes aegypti following their release. Herein we evaluated the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) in estimating the time post death, ZIKV-, CHIKV-, and Wolbachia-infection in trapped dead female Ae. aegypti mosquitoes over a period of 7 days. Regardless of the infection type, time post-death of mosquitoes was accurately predicted into four categories (fresh, 1 day old, 2–4 days old and 5–7 days old). Overall accuracies of 93.2, 97 and 90.3% were observed when NIRS was used to detect ZIKV, CHIKV and Wolbachia in dead Ae. aegypti female mosquitoes indicating NIRS could be potentially applied as a rapid and cost-effective arbovirus surveillance tool. However, field data is required to demonstrate the full capacity of NIRS for detecting these infections under field conditions. Santos et al. demonstrate that the Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) can accurately estimate the death time of trapped female Aedes aegypti and vector infection with Zika virus, Chikungunya virus, or Wolbachia in a 7-day trapping period. This study suggests that NIRS may provide an accurate and inexpensive tool that improves arbovirus surveillance systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lilha M B Santos
- Laboratório de Transmissores de Hematozoários, IOC, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Mathijs Mutsaers
- Laboratório de Transmissores de Hematozoários, IOC, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil.,Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Gabriela A Garcia
- Laboratório de Transmissores de Hematozoários, IOC, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Mariana R David
- Laboratório de Transmissores de Hematozoários, IOC, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Márcio G Pavan
- Laboratório de Transmissores de Hematozoários, IOC, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Martha T Petersen
- Laboratório de Transmissores de Hematozoários, IOC, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Jessica Corrêa-Antônio
- Laboratório de Transmissores de Hematozoários, IOC, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Dinair Couto-Lima
- Laboratório de Transmissores de Hematozoários, IOC, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Louis Maes
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Floyd Dowell
- USDA-ARS, Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, Manhattan, KS, 66502, USA
| | - Anton Lord
- The School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia.,QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Maggy Sikulu-Lord
- The School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Rafael Maciel-de-Freitas
- Laboratório de Transmissores de Hematozoários, IOC, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil. .,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Verly T, Costa S, Lima N, Mallet J, Odêncio F, Pereira M, Moreira CJDC, Britto C, Pavan MG. Vector competence and feeding-excretion behavior of Triatoma rubrovaria (Blanchard, 1843) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) infected with Trypanosoma cruzi TcVI. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008712. [PMID: 32970687 PMCID: PMC7544132 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Several studies addressed changes on the insect vector behavior due to parasite infection, but little is known for triatomine bugs, vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. We assessed infection rates and metacyclogenesis of T. cruzi (TcVI) in fifth-instar nymphs of Triatoma rubrovaria comparing with the primary vector Triatoma infestans. Also, biological parameters related to feeding-excretion behavior were evaluated aiming to identify which variables are most influenced by T. cruzi infection. Methodology/principal findings Fifth-instar nymphs of T. rubrovaria and T. infestans were fed on mice infected with T. cruzi (TcVI). We compared the presence and the number of parasite evolutive forms in excreta of both triatomine species at 30, 60 and 90 days post-infection (dpi) with traditional statistical analyses. Moreover, both species were analyzed through generalized linear models and multinomial logistic regression hypotheses for seven behavioral parameters related to host-seeking and feeding-excretion. Triatoma rubrovaria and T. infestans had similar overall infection and metacyclogenesis rates of T. cruzi TcVI in laboratory conditions. Regarding vector behavior, we confirmed that the triatomine’s tendency is to move away from the bite region after a blood meal, probably to avoid being noticed by the vertebrate host. Interspecific differences were observed on the volume of blood ingested and on the proportion of individuals that excreted after the blood meal, revealing the higher feeding efficiency and dejection rates of T. infestans. The amount of ingested blood and the bite behavior of T. rubrovaria seems to be influenced by TcVI infection. Infected specimens tended to ingest ~25% more blood and to bite more the head of the host. Noteworthy, in two occasions, kleptohematophagy and coprophagy behaviors were also observed in T. rubrovaria. Conclusions/significance Laboratory infections revealed similar rate of T. cruzi TcVI trypomatigotes in excreta of T. rubrovaria and T. infestans, one of the most epidemiological important vectors of T. cruzi. Therefore, TcVI DTU was able to complete its life cycle in T. rubrovaria under laboratory conditions, and this infection changed the feeding behavior of T. rubrovaria. Considering these results, T. rubrovaria must be kept under constant entomological surveillance in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Chagas disease is caused by the etiological agent Trypanosoma cruzi and is mainly transmitted through the excreta of triatomine vectors. It is endemic in Latin America and the Caribbean, affecting ~8 million people. Control programs are based on the elimination of domestic vectors through insecticide-spraying indoors, since there is no vaccine or efficient treatment for chronic patients. However, this strategy is not sustainable where native triatomine species are capable of colonizing peridomestic structures and reinvading human dwellings. Since the ‘virtual’ elimination of Triatomainfestans in Brazil (residual foci remain in Rio Grande do Sul and Bahia), specimens of the native Triatoma rubrovaria have been constantly collected inside human dwellings and peridomiciliary ecotopes in Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil, which might represent a real risk for human infections. Here we analyzed a unique and large dataset through classical and modern statistical methods to evaluate T. cruzi infection in T. rubrovaria and to identify host-seeking, and also feeding/excretion behavioral traits that could be influenced by the parasite. Our results indicated that the parasite infection caused changes in T. rubrovaria feeding behavior that could increase T. cruzi TcVI transmission. Moreover, this vector species had similar infection rate to one of the main important Chagas disease vectors in South America, T. infestans. Therefore, T. rubrovaria must be kept under constant entomological surveillance in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thaiane Verly
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Stephanie Costa
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nathanielly Lima
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Vigilância Entomológica em Diptera e Hemiptera, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jacenir Mallet
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Vigilância Entomológica em Diptera e Hemiptera, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Universidade Iguaçu - UNIG, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Francisco Odêncio
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mirian Pereira
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Constança Britto
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Márcio G. Pavan
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
González MA, Pavan MG, Fernandes RS, Busquets N, David MR, Lourenço-Oliveira R, García-Pérez AL, Maciel-de-Freitas R. Limited risk of Zika virus transmission by five Aedes albopictus populations from Spain. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:150. [PMID: 30922370 PMCID: PMC6440144 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3359-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aedes albopictus, the Asian tiger mosquito, is an exotic invasive species in Europe. It has substantial public health relevance due to its potential role in transmitting several human pathogens. Out of the European countries, Spain has one of the highest risk levels of autochthonous arbovirus transmission due to both the high density of Ae. albopictus and the extensive tourist influx from vector-endemic areas. This study aims to investigate the susceptibility of five Ae. albopictus populations from mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands to a Brazilian Zika virus (ZIKV) strain. METHODS The F1 generation of each Ae. albopictus population was orally challenged with a ZIKV-infected blood meal (1.8 × 106 PFU/ml). At 7 and 14 days post-infection (dpi), mosquito bodies (thorax and abdomen) and heads were individually analysed through RT-qPCR to determine the infection rate (IR) and dissemination rate (DR), respectively. The saliva of infected mosquitoes was inoculated in Vero cells and the transmission rate was assessed by plaque assay or RT-qPCR on ~33 individuals per population. RESULTS The IR and DR ranged between 12-88%, and 0-60%, respectively, suggesting that ZIKV is capable of crossing the midgut barrier. Remarkably, no infectious viral particle was found in saliva samples, indicating a low ability of ZIKV to overcome the salivary gland barrier. A subsequent assay revealed that a second non-infective blood meal 48 h after ZIKV exposure did not influence Ae. albopictus vector competence. CONCLUSIONS The oral experimental ZIKV infections performed here indicate that Ae. albopictus from Spain become infected and disseminate the virus through the body but has a limited ability to transmit the Brazilian ZIKV strain through biting. Therefore, the results suggest a limited risk of autochthonous ZIKV transmission in Spain by Ae. albopictus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mikel A. González
- NEIKER-Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, Derio, Bizkaia Spain
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/ FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Márcio G. Pavan
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/ FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rosilainy S. Fernandes
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/ FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Núria Busquets
- IRTA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Mariana R. David
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/ FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Lourenço-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/ FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana L. García-Pérez
- NEIKER-Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, Derio, Bizkaia Spain
| | - Rafael Maciel-de-Freitas
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/ FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Peretolchina T, Pavan MG, Corrêa-Antônio J, Gurgel-Gonçalves R, Lima MM, Monteiro FA. Phylogeography and demographic history of the Chagas disease vector Rhodnius nasutus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in the Brazilian Caatinga biome. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006731. [PMID: 30248092 PMCID: PMC6195287 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rhodnius nasutus, a vector of the etiological agent Trypanosoma cruzi, is one of the epidemiologically most relevant triatomine species of the Brazilian Caatinga, where it often colonizes rural peridomestic structures such as chicken coops and occasionally invades houses. Historical colonization and determination of its genetic diversity and population structure may provide new information towards the improvement of vector control in the region. In this paper we present thoughtful analyses considering the phylogeography and demographic history of R. nasutus in the Caatinga. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A total of 157 R. nasutus specimens were collected from Copernicia prunifera palm trees in eight geographic localities within the Brazilian Caatinga biome, sequenced for 595-bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (cyt b) and genotyped for eight microsatellite loci. Sixteen haplotypes were detected in the cyt b sequences, two of which were shared among different localities. Molecular diversity indices exhibited low diversity levels and a haplotype network revealed low divergence among R. nasutus sequences, with two central haplotypes shared by five of the eight populations analyzed. The demographic model that better represented R. nasutus population dynamics was the exponential growth model. Results of the microsatellite data analyses indicated that the entire population is comprised of four highly differentiated groups, with no obvious contemporary geographic barriers that could explain the population substructure detected. A complex pattern of migration was observed, in which a western Caatinga population seems to be the source of emigrants to the eastern populations. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE R. nasutus that inhabit C. prunifera palms do not comprise a species complex. The species went through a population expansion at 12-10 ka, during the Holocene, which coincides with end of the largest dry season in South America. It colonized the Caatinga in a process that occurred from west to east in the region. R. nasutus is presently facing an important ecological impact caused by the continuous deforestation of C. prunifera palms in northeast Brazil. We hypothesize that this ecological disturbance might contribute to an increase in the events of invasion and colonization of human habitations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Peretolchina
- Laboratório de Epidemiologia e Sistemática Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular Systematics, Limnological Institute of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Márcio G. Pavan
- Laboratório de Epidemiologia e Sistemática Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jessica Corrêa-Antônio
- Laboratório de Epidemiologia e Sistemática Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Gurgel-Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Médica e Biologia de Vetores, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Marli M. Lima
- Laboratório de Ecoepidemiologia da doença de Chagas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fernando A. Monteiro
- Laboratório de Epidemiologia e Sistemática Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Rivas GBS, Teles-de-Freitas R, Pavan MG, Lima JBP, Peixoto AA, Bruno RV. Effects of Light and Temperature on Daily Activity and Clock Gene Expression in Two Mosquito Disease Vectors. J Biol Rhythms 2018; 33:272-288. [DOI: 10.1177/0748730418772175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo B. S. Rivas
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Entomology and Nematology Department, Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL, USA
| | - Rayane Teles-de-Freitas
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Controle de Artrópodes Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz – Fiocruz & Instituto de Biologia do Exército, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Márcio G. Pavan
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - José B. P. Lima
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Controle de Artrópodes Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz – Fiocruz & Instituto de Biologia do Exército, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM)/CNPq, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alexandre A. Peixoto
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM)/CNPq, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Vieira Bruno
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM)/CNPq, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Roman F, das Chagas Xavier S, Messenger LA, Pavan MG, Miles MA, Jansen AM, Yeo M. Dissecting the phyloepidemiology of Trypanosoma cruzi I (TcI) in Brazil by the use of high resolution genetic markers. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006466. [PMID: 29782493 PMCID: PMC5983858 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi, the causal agent of Chagas disease, is monophyletic but genetically heterogeneous. It is currently represented by six genetic lineages (Discrete Typing Units, DTUs) designated TcI-TcVI. TcI is the most geographically widespread and genetically heterogeneous lineage, this as is evidenced by a wide range of genetic markers applied to isolates spanning a vast geographic range in Latin America. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In total, 78 TcI isolated from hosts and vectors distributed in 5 different biomes of Brazil, were analyzed using 6 nuclear housekeeping genes, 25 microsatellite loci and one mitochondrial marker. Nuclear markers reveal substantial genetic diversity, significant gene flow between biomes, incongruence in phylogenies, and haplotypic analysis indicative of intra-DTU genetic exchange. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on mitochondrial and nuclear loci were incongruent, and consistent with introgression. Structure analysis of microsatellite data reveals that, amongst biomes, the Amazon is the most genetically diverse and experiences the lowest level of gene flow. Investigation of population structure based on the host species/genus, indicated that Didelphis marsupialis might play a role as the main disperser of TcI. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The present work considers a large TcI sample from different hosts and vectors spanning multiple ecologically diverse biomes in Brazil. Importantly, we combine fast and slow evolving markers to contribute to the epizootiological understanding of TcI in five distinct Brazilian biomes. This constitutes the first instance in which MLST analysis was combined with the use of MLMT and maxicircle markers to evaluate the genetic diversity of TcI isolates in Brazil. Our results demonstrate the existence of substantial genetic diversity and the occurrence of introgression events. We provide evidence of genetic exchange in TcI isolates from Brazil and of the relative isolation of TcI in the Amazon biome. We observe the absence of strict associations with TcI genotypes to geographic areas and/or host species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Roman
- Laboratório de Bleiologia de Tripanossomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Samanta das Chagas Xavier
- Laboratório de Bleiologia de Tripanossomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Louisa A. Messenger
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Márcio G. Pavan
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Michael A. Miles
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ana María Jansen
- Laboratório de Bleiologia de Tripanossomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Matthew Yeo
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Fernandes JN, dos Santos LMB, Chouin-Carneiro T, Pavan MG, Garcia GA, David MR, Beier JC, Dowell FE, Maciel-de-Freitas R, Sikulu-Lord MT. Rapid, noninvasive detection of Zika virus in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes by near-infrared spectroscopy. Sci Adv 2018; 4:eaat0496. [PMID: 29806030 PMCID: PMC5966221 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aat0496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The accelerating global spread of arboviruses, such as Zika virus (ZIKV), highlights the need for more proactive mosquito surveillance. However, a major challenge during arbovirus outbreaks has been the lack of rapid and affordable tests for pathogen detection in mosquitoes. We show for the first time that near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a rapid, reagent-free, and cost-effective tool that can be used to noninvasively detect ZIKV in heads and thoraces of intact Aedes aegypti mosquitoes with prediction accuracies of 94.2 to 99.3% relative to quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). NIRS involves simply shining a beam of light on a mosquito to collect a diagnostic spectrum. We estimated in this study that NIRS is 18 times faster and 110 times cheaper than RT-qPCR. We anticipate that NIRS will be expanded upon for identifying potential arbovirus hotspots to guide the spatial prioritization of vector control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jill N. Fernandes
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Lílha M. B. dos Santos
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Thaís Chouin-Carneiro
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Márcio G. Pavan
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Gabriela A. Garcia
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Mariana R. David
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | - John C. Beier
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Floyd E. Dowell
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, 1515 College Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
| | - Rafael Maciel-de-Freitas
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
| | - Maggy T. Sikulu-Lord
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Pavan MG, Corrêa-Antônio J, Peixoto AA, Monteiro FA, Rivas GBS. Rhodnius prolixus and R. robustus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) nymphs show different locomotor patterns on an automated recording system. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:239. [PMID: 27121502 PMCID: PMC4848847 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1482-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circadian rhythms of triatomines, vectors of the etiological agent Trypanosoma cruzi responsible for Chagas disease, have been extensively studied in adults of the two most epidemiologically relevant vector species, Rhodnius prolixus and Triatoma infestans. However, little attention has been dedicated to the activity patterns in earlier developmental stages, even though triatomine nymphs are equally capable of transmitting T. cruzi to humans. Because circadian rhythms may differ even between closely related species, studies that focus on this behavioral trait can also be used to shed light on the taxonomy of controversial taxa, which becomes especially relevant regarding vector species. METHODS We compared the daily locomotor activity patterns of second- and third-instar nymphs of Rhodnius prolixus and Rhodnius robustus in order to unveil possible behavioral differences between these cryptic species. Mitochondrial and nuclear markers were sequenced to confirm species identification. RESULTS Nymphs of both species had a bimodal pattern of locomotion and similar daily activity patterns, but R. prolixus is more active under light/dark cycles and depicts a more pronounced activity rhythm under constant darkness conditions. CONCLUSIONS We describe the implementation of an often-used automated method for the recording of individual locomotor activity to differentiate sibling species of Rhodnius with distinct epidemiological relevance. The higher levels of activity observed in the nymphs of R. prolixus could potentially contribute to increased vector capacity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Márcio G. Pavan
- />Laboratório de Epidemiologia e Sistemática Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- />Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jessica Corrêa-Antônio
- />Laboratório de Epidemiologia e Sistemática Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alexandre A. Peixoto
- />Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- />Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM)/CNPq, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernando A. Monteiro
- />Laboratório de Epidemiologia e Sistemática Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- />Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM)/CNPq, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gustavo B. S. Rivas
- />Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- />Present address: Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Abad-Franch F, Pavan MG, Jaramillo-O N, Palomeque FS, Dale C, Chaverra D, Monteiro FA. Rhodnius barretti, a new species of Triatominae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) from western Amazonia. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2014; 108 Suppl 1:92-9. [PMID: 24473808 PMCID: PMC4109185 DOI: 10.1590/0074-0276130434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhodnius barretti , a new triatomine species, is described based on
adult specimens collected in rainforest environments within the Napo ecoregion of
western Amazonia (Colombia and Ecuador). R. barretti resembles
Rhodnius robustus s.l. , but mitochondrial cytochrome
b gene sequences reveal that it is a strongly divergent member of
the “robustus lineage”, i.e., basal to the clade encompassing Rhodnius
nasutus , Rhodnius neglectus , Rhodnius
prolixus and five members of the R. robustus species
complex. Morphometric analyses also reveal consistent divergence from R.
robustus s.l. , including head and, as previously shown, wing shape and
the length ratios of some anatomical structures. R. barretti occurs,
often at high densities, in Attalea butyracea and Oenocarpus
bataua palms. It is strikingly aggressive and adults may invade houses
flying from peridomestic palms. R. barretti must therefore be
regarded as a potential Trypanosoma cruzi vector in the Napo
ecoregion, where Chagas disease is endemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Abad-Franch
- Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fiocruz, Brasil, ManausAM, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane-Fiocruz, Manaus, AM, Brasil
| | - Márcio G Pavan
- Laboratório de Epidemiologia e Sistemática Molecular, Laboratório de Epidemiologia e Sistemática Molecular
| | - Nicolás Jaramillo-O
- Grupo de Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Biología, Universidad de Antioquia, Colombia, Medellín, Grupo de Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas,Instituto de Biología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Francisco S Palomeque
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Ecuador, Quito, Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Carolina Dale
- Laboratório Nacional e Internacional de Referência em Taxonomia de Triatomíneos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Brasil, Rio de JaneiroRJ, Laboratório Nacional e Internacional de Referência em Taxonomia de Triatomíneos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Duverney Chaverra
- Grupo de Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Biología, Universidad de Antioquia, Colombia, Medellín, Grupo de Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas,Instituto de Biología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Fernando A Monteiro
- Laboratório de Epidemiologia e Sistemática Molecular, Laboratório de Epidemiologia e Sistemática Molecular
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Brasil LS, Juen L, Batista JD, Pavan MG, Cabette HSR. Longitudinal Distribution of the Functional Feeding Groups of Aquatic Insects in Streams of the Brazilian Cerrado Savanna. Neotrop Entomol 2014; 43:421-428. [PMID: 27193952 DOI: 10.1007/s13744-014-0234-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2014] [Accepted: 07/07/2014] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate that the distribution of the functional feeding groups of aquatic insects is related to hierarchical patch dynamics. Patches are sites with unique environmental and functional characteristics that are discontinuously distributed in time and space within a lotic system. This distribution predicts that the occurrence of species will be based predominantly on their environmental requirements. We sampled three streams within the same drainage basin in the Brazilian Cerrado savanna, focusing on waterfalls and associated habitats (upstream, downstream), representing different functional zones. We collected 2,636 specimens representing six functional feeding groups (FFGs): brushers, collector-gatherers, collector-filterers, shredders, predators, and scrapers. The frequency of occurrence of these groups varied significantly among environments. This variation appeared to be related to the distinct characteristics of the different habitat patches, which led us to infer that the hierarchical patch dynamics model can best explain the distribution of functional feeding groups in minor lotic environments, such as waterfalls.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L S Brasil
- Depto de Ciências Biológicas, Univ do Estado de Mato Grosso-UNEMAT, CP 8, 78690-000, Nova Xavantina, MT, Brasil.
| | - L Juen
- Lab de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Univ Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, Brasil
| | - J D Batista
- Depto de Ciências Biológicas, Univ do Estado de Mato Grosso-UNEMAT, CP 8, 78690-000, Nova Xavantina, MT, Brasil
| | - M G Pavan
- Depto de Ciências Biológicas, Univ do Estado de Mato Grosso-UNEMAT, CP 8, 78690-000, Nova Xavantina, MT, Brasil
| | - H S R Cabette
- Depto de Ciências Biológicas, Univ do Estado de Mato Grosso-UNEMAT, CP 8, 78690-000, Nova Xavantina, MT, Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Pavan MG, Mesquita RD, Lawrence GG, Lazoski C, Dotson EM, Abubucker S, Mitreva M, Randall-Maher J, Monteiro FA. A nuclear single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) potentially useful for the separation of Rhodnius prolixus from members of the Rhodnius robustus cryptic species complex (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). Infect Genet Evol 2012; 14:426-33. [PMID: 23219914 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2012.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2012] [Revised: 10/16/2012] [Accepted: 10/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The design and application of rational strategies that rely on accurate species identification are pivotal for effective vector control. When morphological identification of the target vector species is impractical, the use of molecular markers is required. Here we describe a non-coding, single-copy nuclear DNA fragment that contains a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with the potential to distinguish the important domestic Chagas disease vector, Rhodnius prolixus, from members of the four sylvatic Rhodnius robustus cryptic species complex. A total of 96 primer pairs obtained from whole genome shotgun sequencing of the R. prolixus genome (12,626 random reads) were tested on 43 R. prolixus and R. robustus s.l. samples. One of the seven amplicons selected (AmpG) presented a SNP, potentially diagnostic for R. prolixus, on the 280th site. The diagnostic nature of this SNP was then confirmed based on the analysis of 154 R. prolixus and R. robustus s.l. samples representing the widest possible geographic coverage. The results of a 60% majority-rule Bayesian consensus tree and a median-joining network constructed based on the genetic variability observed reveal the paraphyletic nature of the R. robustus species complex, with respect to R. prolixus. The AmpG region is located in the fourth intron of the Transmembrane protein 165 gene, which seems to be in the R. prolixus X chromosome. Other possible chromosomal locations of the AmpG region in the R. prolixus genome are also presented and discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Márcio G Pavan
- Laboratório de Sistemáticae Bioquímica, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Pavan MG, Monteiro FA. A multiplex PCR assay that separates Rhodnius prolixus from members of the Rhodnius robustus cryptic species complex (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). Trop Med Int Health 2007; 12:751-8. [PMID: 17550472 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2007.01845.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Rhodnius prolixus is one of the most important primary vectors of human Chagas disease in Latin America. Its morphology is, however, identical to that of the members of the Rhodnius robustus cryptic species complex, which includes secondary vectors. The correct identification of these taxa with differential vector competence is, therefore, of great epidemiological relevance. We used the alignment of 26 mitochondrial cytochrome b haplotypes (663 bp) to select for PCR-amplifiable species-specific regions. We designed one forward primer on a region conserved across all haplotypes, and three reverse primers that anneal to species-specific regions and amplify fragments of different lengths for R. prolixus (285 bp) and for members of the two major R. robustus lineages: group I (349 bp) and groups II-IV (239 bp). These fragments were easily identifiable on regular 1.5% agarose gels. This multiplex PCR assay was successfully tested on 81 specimens from six Latin American countries, and used to determine the phylogeographic boundaries for each species. It is a simple, objective, and cost-effective assay. Its PCR-based nature makes it applicable to any insect developmental stage, as well as to dried specimens, and insect remains. It should be particularly useful in areas where representatives of these Rhodnius species occur in sympatry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M G Pavan
- Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|