A microsporidian impairs Plasmodium falciparum transmission in Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes

Jeremy K. Herren (), Lilian Mbaisi, Enock Mararo, Edward E. Makhulu, Victor A. Mobegi, Hellen Butungi, Maria Vittoria Mancini, Joseph W. Oundo, Evan T. Teal, Silvain Pinaud, Mara K. N. Lawniczak, Jordan Jabara, Godfrey Nattoh and Steven P. Sinkins
Additional contact information
Jeremy K. Herren: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE)
Lilian Mbaisi: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE)
Enock Mararo: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE)
Edward E. Makhulu: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE)
Victor A. Mobegi: University of Nairobi
Hellen Butungi: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE)
Maria Vittoria Mancini: MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research
Joseph W. Oundo: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE)
Evan T. Teal: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE)
Silvain Pinaud: Wellcome Sanger Institute
Mara K. N. Lawniczak: Wellcome Sanger Institute
Jordan Jabara: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE)
Godfrey Nattoh: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE)
Steven P. Sinkins: MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract A possible malaria control approach involves the dissemination in mosquitoes of inherited symbiotic microbes to block Plasmodium transmission. However, in the Anopheles gambiae complex, the primary African vectors of malaria, there are limited reports of inherited symbionts that impair transmission. We show that a vertically transmitted microsporidian symbiont (Microsporidia MB) in the An. gambiae complex can impair Plasmodium transmission. Microsporidia MB is present at moderate prevalence in geographically dispersed populations of An. arabiensis in Kenya, localized to the mosquito midgut and ovaries, and is not associated with significant reductions in adult host fecundity or survival. Field-collected Microsporidia MB infected An. arabiensis tested negative for P. falciparum gametocytes and, on experimental infection with P. falciparum, sporozoites aren’t detected in Microsporidia MB infected mosquitoes. As a microbe that impairs Plasmodium transmission that is non-virulent and vertically transmitted, Microsporidia MB could be investigated as a strategy to limit malaria transmission.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16121-y

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