@article {pmid40044916,
year = {2025},
author = {Zheng, B and Yang, H and Elaydi, S and Yu, J},
title = {wStri spread dynamics in Nilaparvata lugens via discrete mathematical models.},
journal = {Journal of mathematical biology},
volume = {90},
number = {4},
pages = {38},
pmid = {40044916},
issn = {1432-1416},
support = {12371484//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 12331017//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/microbiology/physiology/growth & development ; *Wolbachia/physiology/pathogenicity ; *Models, Biological ; *Mathematical Concepts ; *Pest Control, Biological/methods/statistics & numerical data ; Population Dynamics/statistics & numerical data ; Computer Simulation ; Female ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia, an intracellular bacterium, is well-known for inducing cytoplasmic incompatibility, which has become a promising and environmentally sustainable strategy for controlling pest populations. The strain wStri, specifically identified in Nilaparvata lugens (brown planthopper), has shown potential for such biocontrol applications. In this study, we develop a comprehensive discrete mathematical model to analyze the dynamics of wStri spread in a mixed population of wStri-infected, wLug-infected, and uninfected Nilaparvata lugens under both constant and periodically varying environmental conditions. Under a constant environment, the model identifies the critical threshold necessary for the successful establishment of wStri within the population. Our analysis reveals that the model exhibits a strong Allee effect, where a population must exceed a certain critical density-the Allee threshold-for the wStri strain to persist and spread. Below this threshold, the wStri strain is likely to be eliminated, failing in pest control efforts. When the environment varies periodically, the model transforms into a non-autonomous periodic discrete model, introducing additional complexity. In this scenario, we derive sufficient conditions that ensure the composition of finitely many Allee maps continues to function as an Allee map. Furthermore, we prove that a unique periodic orbit exists within such a periodic environment. This orbit is characterized as unstable and acts as a threshold, determining whether wStri will establish itself in the population or die out over time. The findings from this model provide critical insights into the conditions under which wStri can be effectively used to control Nilaparvata lugens, particularly in environments that are not constant but fluctuate periodically. These insights have significant implications for the practical deployment of Wolbachia-based biocontrol methods in pest management strategies.},
}

Animals
*Hemiptera/microbiology/physiology/growth & development
*Wolbachia/physiology/pathogenicity
*Models, Biological
*Mathematical Concepts
*Pest Control, Biological/methods/statistics & numerical data
Population Dynamics/statistics & numerical data
Computer Simulation
Female

@article {pmid40032901,
year = {2025},
author = {Brar, G and Ngor, L and McFrederick, QS and Torson, AS and Rajamohan, A and Rinehart, J and Singh, P and Bowsher, JH},
title = {High abundance of lactobacilli in the gut microbiome of honey bees during winter.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {7409},
pmid = {40032901},
issn = {2045-2322},
mesh = {Animals ; Bees/microbiology ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; *Lactobacillus/genetics/isolation & purification ; *Seasons ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; },
abstract = {Honey bee gut microbiota play specific roles in promoting host growth and physiology by regulating the immune system, behavior, metabolism, and neurological processes. While the gut microbiota of honey bee queens, workers, and larvae has been extensively studied, less is known about the composition of gut microbiota in the winter worker bees. This study investigates the dynamics of the gut microbiota in overwintering adult worker bees, focusing on two commercial bee strains: Bolton™ bees and Mann Lake™ bees. These Apis mellifera strains were investigated under different storage conditions (indoor storage at 6 °C and outdoor storage in natural conditions) during the winter months (October, November, and December). Utilizing 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, we characterized the microbial composition of the whole gut. We observed the Lactobacilli dominated in all the overwintering honey bee guts with a significantly higher abundance of unclassified Lactobacillus species in November, while Lactobacillus apis showed significantly higher abundance in October. Bolton bees exhibited significantly higher abundance levels of Bartonella (denoted as uncultured) and Bifidobacterium, along with an unexpected presence of Wolbachia. In contrast, Mann Lake bees demonstrated an increased abundance of Commensalibacter. Our results suggest that Shannon diversity is influenced by the month rather than by the bee strain or storage conditions. We also found significant differences in Bray Curtis diversity index by month. Overall, taxonomical abundance was not affected by whether the hives were stored outside or in constant temperature indoor storage. However, various bacterial species showed differences in abundance across different months, with slight variations observed between bee strains. Given the potential benefits of the honey bee gut microbiome for health and nutrition, our data suggests that the genus Lactobacillus may play a significant role in bee health during winter and overwintering storage.},
}

Animals
Bees/microbiology
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome
*Lactobacillus/genetics/isolation & purification
*Seasons
*RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics

@article {pmid40023240,
year = {2025},
author = {Diesbourg, EE and Kidd, KA and Perrotta, BG},
title = {Effects of municipal wastewater effluents on the invertebrate microbiomes of an aquatic-riparian food web.},
journal = {Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {125948},
doi = {10.1016/j.envpol.2025.125948},
pmid = {40023240},
issn = {1873-6424},
abstract = {Municipal wastewater effluents (MWWEs) contain antimicrobials and other contaminants that can alter the microbiomes of exposed aquatic animals, potentially negatively impacting host health. Contaminants and nutrients from MWWEs may be transferred across the aquatic - riparian boundary by aquatic insects, potentially altering the microbiomes of both prey and consumers. We evaluated host microbiome compositions of several taxa of freshwater larval and adult insects and riparian spiders at sites upstream and downstream of three wastewater treatment plants. Host microbiome compositions were analyzed by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene and MWWE exposure was assessed using stable carbon (δ[13]C) and nitrogen (δ[15]N) isotopes and effluent-associated bacteria. Most downstream insects and riparian spiders were enriched in δ[13]C and δ[15]N, indicating exposure to MWWEs and transfer of MWWE-derived nutrients to riparian consumers. Within sites, insect microbiomes varied after metamorphosis with a greater proportion of endosymbionts and effluent-associated bacteria and decreased alpha diversity in adults, and the microbiomes of Tetragnathidae spiders were dominated by endosymbionts (mainly Rickettsia and Wolbachia) compared to all other taxa. Downstream, Larval caddisfly (Hydropsychidae) microbiomes had a significantly lower proportion of endosymbionts (Rickettsia) and higher diversity, and Araneidae spiders also had higher diversity. However, there were no significant downstream changes in endosymbiont proportions or alpha diversity of larval and adult chironomids, larval and adult mayflies, larval stoneflies, or Tetragnathidae spiders. Most downstream invertebrates (except larval Chironomidae, adult Diptera, and Tetragnathidae spiders) had altered beta diversity (community compositions); however, host taxonomy explained more of the variation in microbiome composition than site or the interaction between them did. Overall, MWWE bacteria and nutrients were incorporated into most insect larvae and retained throughout metamorphosis, however there were taxa-dependent alterations in downstream insect microbiomes and minimal microbiome alterations to their riparian spider predators.},
}

@article {pmid40024849,
year = {2025},
author = {Calle-Tobón, A and Rojo-Ospina, R and Zuluaga, S and Giraldo-Muñoz, JF and Cadavid, JM},
title = {Corrigendum to "Evaluation of Wolbachia infection in Aedes aegypti suggests low prevalence and highly heterogeneous distribution in Medellín, Colombia" [Acta Tropica, Volume 260, December 2024, 107423].},
journal = {Acta tropica},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {107572},
doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107572},
pmid = {40024849},
issn = {1873-6254},
}

@article {pmid40018116,
year = {2024},
author = {Kumar, G and Baharia, R and Singh, K and Gupta, SK and Joy, S and Sharma, A and Rahi, M},
title = {Addressing challenges in vector control: a review of current strategies and the imperative for novel tools in India's combat against vector-borne diseases.},
journal = {BMJ public health},
volume = {2},
number = {1},
pages = {e000342},
pmid = {40018116},
issn = {2753-4294},
abstract = {Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) exert a substantial burden across the world, especially in tropical countries. Malaria, chikungunya, dengue, visceral leishmaniasis, lymphatic filariasis and Japanese encephalitis are among the public health concerns for India. One of the major pillars for the containment of VBDs is vector control and different tools have been employed for several decades. These range from chemical insecticides used in indoor residual sprays, space sprays, fogging, treated bednets and larvicides to biological control methods such as larvivorus fishes and environmental control and modification measures such as source reduction. However, these methods are increasingly becoming less effective due to several reasons such as insecticide resistance, outdoor biting, behavioural changes in vectors for biting and resting, climate change, movement of population, vector incursion to newer areas and others. It is essential to develop and test new tools for vector control to surmount these challenges. Though focusing on India's public health concerns, the new tools enumerated here can be tested by any country with similar epidemiological and environmental conditions. The promising new vector control tools are insecticide-treated nets with synergist and/or pyrrole chlorfenapyr, alternatives/additions to synthetic pyrethroids like neonicotinoids, clothianidin for indoor residual spray, newer formulations such as Bacillus sphaericus for use in larvicides, attractive toxic sugar baits, especially to curtail outdoor transmission, endectocides like ivermectin for use in animals/humans, insecticidal paints, spatial repellents, insecticide-treated wearables and others. Genetic modification technologies (Sterile Insect Technique/Incompatible Insect Technique/Wolbachia transfection) are also upcoming strategies. Among the six VBDs, India is committed to the elimination of three (malaria, visceral leishmaniasis and lymphatic filariasis) and it will require additional and/or novel tools to overcome the roadblocks in our current journey to the goal of control/elimination of these VBDs.},
}

@article {pmid40012073,
year = {2025},
author = {Chu, Y and Sakamoto, K and Evans, CC and Dzimianski, MT and Fricks, C and Mansour, A and DiCosty, U and McCall, S and McCall, JW and Nelson, CT and Moorhead, AR},
title = {Real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry detection of Wolbachia in adult Dirofilaria immitis from dogs treated with doxycycline and ivermectin.},
journal = {Parasites & vectors},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {78},
pmid = {40012073},
issn = {1756-3305},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia is present in all life stages of Dirofilaria immitis. Wolbachia surface protein (WSP) can be highly immunogenic and induce acute inflammatory reactions in the host upon worm death. To avoid the abrupt release of Wolbachia and its antigens from deceased parasites, the American Heartworm Society (AHS) has recommended using doxycycline (DOXY) and having a 1-month wait period between the DOXY treatment and the adulticidal process for Wolbachia elimination. Studies have shown that the 28 day, 10 mg/kg twice daily (BID) administration of DOXY can effectively clear Wolbachia in the bloodstream of the host. The 1-month wait period is hypothesized to allow for further reduction of Wolbachia. However, the levels of Wolbachia in adult parasites after the DOXY treatment remain unknown.

METHODS: Forty-five purposely bred dogs were intravenously transplanted with 20 Dirofilaria immitis adults, consisting of 12 females and 8 males. The dogs were divided into nine groups of five dogs each. Two groups each received 5, 7.5, or 10 mg/kg DOXY BID orally for 28 days, and ivermectin (IVM) monthly (6 µg/kg.) Three groups remained untreated as controls. Study animals were necropsied on day 0, day 30, and day 60, following the start of treatment. Adult worms were collected at necropsy and preserved for analysis. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry for WSP were performed on worms collected at each time point. The data were analyzed using a linear mixed model (LMM). Multiple comparisons were adjusted using Tukey's test.

RESULTS: The qPCR results showed that all treatment doses significantly reduced Wolbachia levels compared with the control groups at 30 and 60 days. The intradose comparison indicated a significant decrease on day 60 compared with day 30. No significant differences were found between different doses on the two examination dates. Immunohistochemistry indicated the markedly reduced presence of Wolbachia in treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS: All DOXY dosages can be considered effective in reducing Wolbachia on both tested dates (30 and 60 days). On the basis of the further reduction of Wolbachia levels in adult D. immitis, the 1-month rest period in the AHS heartworm treatment guidelines is beneficial. Wolbachia can still be detected on day 60 in all dosage groups.},
}

@article {pmid40009197,
year = {2025},
author = {Kelleher, LA and Ramalho, MO},
title = {Impact of Species and Developmental Stage on the Bacterial Communities of Aphaenogaster Ants.},
journal = {Current microbiology},
volume = {82},
number = {4},
pages = {157},
pmid = {40009197},
issn = {1432-0991},
support = {7513312112//West Chester University/ ; },
mesh = {*Ants/microbiology ; Animals ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Microbiota ; Symbiosis ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Pennsylvania ; Phylogeny ; Ecosystem ; Biodiversity ; },
abstract = {Ants are distributed across the globe and there are currently over 14,000 described species. Due to the high diversity between species, ants are considered vital keystone species to many ecosystems. They provide basic ecosystem services such as: seed dispersal, soil bioturbation, decomposition, and pest control. Within these ecosystems ants form complex symbiotic relationships with plants, fungi, and bacteria. Studying the interaction between ants and their bacteria is important because of the crucial role that microbes play in the overall health of ants. Aphaenogaster Mayr, 1853, which is a globally distributed ant genus, remains understudied in terms of their bacterial community. This study aims to determine the taxonomic composition and abundance of the Aphaenogaster bacterial community and to determine if development stage and species impact the bacterial community composition. For this study, ants from several colonies were collected from the Gordon Natural Area in West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA. DNA was then extracted from the ants in all stages of development and the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequencing following the NGS amplicon approach. The findings from this study reveal that species and development stage have a significant impact upon the bacterial community composition and abundance of Aphaenogaster ants, and Wolbachia is highly associated with these ants.},
}

*Ants/microbiology
Animals
*Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification
*RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
*Microbiota
Symbiosis
DNA, Bacterial/genetics
Pennsylvania
Phylogeny
Ecosystem
Biodiversity

@article {pmid40005669,
year = {2025},
author = {Duan, YX and Zhuang, YH and Wu, YX and Huang, TW and Song, ZR and Du, YZ and Zhu, YX},
title = {Wolbachia Infection Alters the Microbiota of the Invasive Leaf-Miner Liriomyza huidobrensis (Diptera: Agromyzidae).},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {13},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms13020302},
pmid = {40005669},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {BK20231330//Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province/ ; XCX20240707//the 2024 College Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program of Yangzhou University/ ; },
abstract = {Microbe-microbe interactions within a host drive shifts in the host's microbiota composition, profoundly influencing host physiology, ecology, and evolution. Among these microbes, the maternally inherited endosymbiont Wolbachia is widespread in the invasive pest Liriomyza huidorbrensis (Diptera: Agromyzidae). However, its influence on the host microbiota remains largely unexplored. In the study presented herein, we investigated the bacterial communities of Wolbachia wLhui-infected (wLhui+) and -uninfected lines (wLhui-) of L. huidorbrensis using 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing. For both leaf-miner lines, Bacteroidota was the dominant phylum (relative abundance: 59.18%), followed by Pseudomonadota (36.63%), Actinomycetota (2.42%), and Bacillota (0.93%). We found no significant differences in alpha-diversity indices between the wLhui+ and wLhui- lines (p > 0.05). However, principal coordinates analysis revealed significant differences in microbiota composition between the wLhui+ and wLhui- lines (PERMANOVA: p < 0.001), explaining 76.70% of the variance in microbiota composition. Correlation network analysis identified robust negative and positive associations between Wolbachia and several genera, suggesting that Wolbachia shapes microbial composition through competitive or cooperative interactions with specific taxa. Overall, our study suggests that Wolbachia plays a key role in shaping the leaf-miner microbiome, potentially affecting host fitness.},
}

@article {pmid40003849,
year = {2025},
author = {Gwiazdowska, A and Rutkowski, R and Sielezniew, M},
title = {Conservation Genetics of the Endangered Danube Clouded Yellow Butterfly Colias myrmidone (Esper, 1780) in the Last Central European Stronghold: Diversity, Wolbachia Infection and Balkan Connections.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {16},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects16020220},
pmid = {40003849},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {EZ.271.3.7.2021//General Directorate of the Polish State Forests/ ; },
abstract = {The Danube Clouded Yellow (Colias myrmidone) has experienced one of the most dramatic declines among European butterflies. To estimate genetic diversity in the last population in Poland that has survived in the Knyszyn Forest (KF), we analyzed mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear (EF-1α) polymorphisms in individuals sampled in 2014 and 2022. The results were compared with genetic data obtained in 2014 from a recently extirpated nearby population (Czerwony Bór, CB). Because mtDNA polymorphisms in insects can be modulated by endosymbionts, the samples were screened for Wolbachia. The polymorphism of EF-1α indicated that diversity was gradually decreasing. The KF experienced rapid demographic processes, manifested by a significant change in allele frequency. The small differentiation in nuclear markers between the KF and CB in 2014 suggests that the regional population used to be genetically uniform. Four COI haplotypes that were identified in this study probably belong to two different haplogroups. Wolbachia was detected only in individuals with one specific haplotype, and the prevalence was female-biased, suggesting the induction of two reproductive manipulations. The most common COI haplotype found in Poland was the same as that reported from other parts of Europe, not only for C. myrmidone but also C. caucasica. These results allow us to question the distinctiveness of each taxa.},
}

@article {pmid40003778,
year = {2025},
author = {M'madi, SA and Zan Diarra, A and Bérenger, JM and Hasnaoui, B and Parola, P},
title = {Identification of Bed Bugs from Comoros, Using Morphological, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry, and Molecular Biology Tools, and the Detection of Associated Bacteria.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {16},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects16020148},
pmid = {40003778},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {ANR-10- IAHU-03//Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU) Méditerranée Infection, the French National Research Agency under the "Investissements d'avenir" programme/ ; },
abstract = {After virtually disappearing from domestic dwellings in the Western world at the end of the Second World War, bed bugs have re-emerged in recent years. Few studies, however, have been carried out on these insects in tropical islands. In this study, we focussed on describing bed bug specimens collected from dwellings in a high-altitude village in Grande Comore, an island in the Comoros, in the Indian Ocean. We also aimed to detect the bacteria associated with them. Using MALDI-TOF MS coupled with molecular biology, we were able to confirm that the C. hemipterus species (the tropical bug) was the bug infesting these homes. Interestingly, the results also show that MALDI-TOF MS can differentiate between the developmental stages of bed bugs (immature and adult). Screening for bacteria was carried out using qPCR, regular PCR, and sequencing, with only Wolbachia DNA being found. Widespread surveys throughout the country are needed to ascertain the level of bed bug infestation, with a view to implementing appropriate control measures.},
}

@article {pmid40003744,
year = {2025},
author = {Price, G and Simard, A and McGraw, BA},
title = {Evaluation of Bacterial Communities of Listronotus maculicollis Kirby Reared on Primary and Secondary Host Plants.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {16},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects16020114},
pmid = {40003744},
issn = {2075-4450},
abstract = {The annual bluegrass weevil (Listronotus maculicollis Kirby) is a devastating insect pest of annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) and, to a lesser extent, creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) on golf courses. Listronotus maculicollis-reared A. stolonifera, a comparatively tolerant host, incurs fitness costs, including longer developmental periods and reduced larval survivorship. This study sought to characterize microbiota diversity in L. maculicollis adults and larvae reared on P. annua and A. stolonifera cultivars (Penncross & A4) to explore whether intrinsic factors, such as microbial community composition, vary across host plants and developmental stages, potentially influencing host suitability. Alpha diversity analyses showed adults feeding on A4 exhibited higher bacterial species richness than their offspring reared on the same cultivar. Beta diversity analysis revealed significant dissimilarities between L. maculicollis adults and offspring regardless of host. Pseudomonas sp. was consistently abundant in larvae across all turfgrasses, indicating a potential association with larval development. Elevated levels of Wolbachia sp., known for insect reproductive manipulation, were observed in adults, but appear to be unrelated to host plant effects. The most prevalent bacterium detected was Candidatus Nardonella, a conserved endosymbiont essential for cuticular hardening in weevils. Given the role of cuticular integrity in insecticide resistance, further investigations into insect-microbe-plant interactions could guide the development of targeted pest management strategies, reducing resistance and improving control measures for L. maculicollis.},
}

@article {pmid39998220,
year = {2025},
author = {Kwak, Y and Argandona, JA and Miao, S and Son, TJ and Hansen, AK},
title = {A dual insect symbiont and plant pathogen improves insect host fitness under arginine limitation.},
journal = {mBio},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0358824},
doi = {10.1128/mbio.03588-24},
pmid = {39998220},
issn = {2150-7511},
abstract = {Some facultative bacterial symbionts are known to benefit insects, but nutritional advantages are rare among these non-obligate symbionts. Here, we demonstrate that the facultative symbiont Candidatus Liberibacter psyllaurous enhances the fitness of its psyllid insect host, Bactericera cockerelli, by providing nutritional benefits. L. psyllaurous, an unculturable pathogen of solanaceous crops, also establishes a close relationship with its insect vector, B. cockerelli, increasing in titer during insect development, vertically transmitting through eggs, and colonizing various tissues, including the bacteriome, which houses the obligate nutritional symbiont, Carsonella. Carsonella supplies essential amino acids to its insect host but has gaps in some of its essential amino acid pathways that the psyllid complements with its own genes, many of which have been acquired through horizontal gene transfer (HGT) from bacteria. Our findings reveal that L. psyllaurous increases psyllid fitness on plants by reducing developmental time and increasing adult weight. In addition, through metagenomic sequencing, we reveal that L. psyllaurous maintains complete pathways for synthesizing the essential amino acids arginine, lysine, and threonine, unlike the psyllid's other resident microbiota, Carsonella, and two co-occurring Wolbachia strains. RNA sequencing reveals the downregulation of a HGT collaborative psyllid gene (ASL), which indicates a reduced demand for arginine supplied by Carsonella when the psyllid is infected with L. psyllaurous. Notably, artificial diet assays show that L. psyllaurous enhances psyllid fitness on an arginine-deplete diet. These results corroborate the role of L. psyllaurous as a beneficial insect symbiont, contributing to the nutrition of its insect host.IMPORTANCEUnlike obligate symbionts that are permanently associated with their hosts, facultative symbionts rarely show direct nutritional contributions, especially under nutrient-limited conditions. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that Candidatus Liberibacter psyllaurous, a facultative symbiont and a plant pathogen, enhances the fitness of its Bactericera cockerelli host by supplying an essential nutrient arginine that is lacking in the plant sap diet. Our findings reveal how facultative symbionts can play a vital role in helping their insect hosts adapt to nutrient-limited environments. This work provides new insights into the dynamic interactions between insect hosts, their symbiotic microbes, and their shared ecological niches, broadening our understanding of symbiosis and its role in shaping adaptation and survival.},
}

@article {pmid39976626,
year = {2025},
author = {Sharpe, SR and Madhav, M and Klein, MJ and Blasdell, KR and Paradkar, PN and Lynch, SE and Eagles, D and López-Denman, AJ and Ahmed, KA},
title = {Characterisation of the virome of Culicoides brevitarsis Kieffer (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), a vector of bluetongue virus in Australia.},
journal = {The Journal of general virology},
volume = {106},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1099/jgv.0.002076},
pmid = {39976626},
issn = {1465-2099},
mesh = {Animals ; *Ceratopogonidae/virology ; *Virome ; *Bluetongue virus/genetics/classification/isolation & purification ; *Insect Vectors/virology ; *Phylogeny ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Genome, Viral ; Australia ; New South Wales ; RNA, Viral/genetics ; },
abstract = {Culicoides spp., a common biting midge genus, are haematophagous insects that can transmit pathogens to humans and other animals. Some species transmit arboviruses, including bluetongue virus, epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, African horse sickness virus and Schmallenberg virus to vertebrates, which can be detrimental to livestock and wild animals. Culicoides spp. can also have a diversity of insect-specific viruses (ISVs) that can only be transmitted between insects and others related to known arboviruses. For Culicoides brevitarsis and other Culicoides spp. in Australia, the virome is largely unexplored. We used high-throughput sequencing to characterise the virome of C. brevitarsis collected from Casino, New South Wales, Australia. For virus detection, the total RNA was extracted from pools of C. brevitarsis followed by rRNA depletion and Illumina short-read-based RNA sequencing. The reads were quality-checked, filtered and assembled into contigs, compared with the non-redundant protein and conserved domain databases for viral detection and genome organisation, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis was used to further characterise the viruses. We detected new virus diversity including ten viruses belonging to eight different families with complete or near-complete coding regions. Seven of these were novel virus species belonging to the families: Chuviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Peribunyaviridae, Qinviridae, Rhabdoviridae and Solemoviridae. In addition, the novel Peribunyaviridae virus should also be considered part of a new genus. Whilst most of the detected viruses grouped into families with viruses that can infect insects, animals or both, the novel species of Solemoviridae was closely related to an economically important plant pathogen, the sugarcane yellow leaf virus. Our quantitative PCR-based screening confirmed the absence of any Wolbachia endosymbiont within the collected samples. Furthermore, we detected fragments of three more virus families known to infect fungi and plants. The detection of potential arboviruses and ISVs in Culicoides spp. is important in understanding virus epidemiology.},
}

Animals
*Ceratopogonidae/virology
*Virome
*Bluetongue virus/genetics/classification/isolation & purification
*Insect Vectors/virology
*Phylogeny
High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
Genome, Viral
Australia
New South Wales
RNA, Viral/genetics

@article {pmid39975058,
year = {2025},
author = {Johnson, RM and Breban, MI and Nolan, BL and Sodeinde, A and Ott, IM and Ross, PA and Gu, X and Grubaugh, ND and Alex Perkins, T and Brackney, DE and Vogels, CBF},
title = {Implications of successive blood feeding on Wolbachia -mediated dengue virus inhibition in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1101/2025.02.06.636928},
pmid = {39975058},
issn = {2692-8205},
abstract = {Dengue virus (DENV) is a mosquito-borne virus that poses a continued and increasing threat to public health. A promising strategy to mitigate the burden of DENV is introgression of the virus-inhibiting Wolbachia pipientis bacterium into Aedes aegypti populations in the field. While previous studies on Wolbachia -mediated virus inhibition have typically assessed viral replication following a single bloodmeal, the main vector of DENV, Ae. aegypti , feeds frequently, often biting multiple hosts per gonotrophic cycle and promptly attempting to refeed following egg laying. Previously, we demonstrated that successive blood feeding reduces the extrinsic incubation period (EIP) and shortens the time it takes for a mosquito to be able to transmit viruses to a new host. With this in mind, we investigated the impact of successive blood meals on DENV serotype 2 (DENV-2) in Ae. aegypti in the presence or absence of Wolbachia (w AlbB and w MelM). We found that both WT and Wolbachia transinfected had increased DENV-2 dissemination 7 days post-infection as well as higher body titers of DENV-2 in the double-fed groups. Using these empirical data in a binomial regression model, we estimated that successive feeding increased the probability of WT and Wolbachia transinfected mosquitoes surviving the EIP. When we estimated the odds of surviving the EIP for mosquitoes with Wolbachia relative to WT mosquitoes, successive feeding increased the chances of WT mosquitoes surviving the EIP more than in mosquitoes with Wolbachia , indicating a strong inhibitory effect of Wolbachia even in the context of natural frequent blood feeding behavior. Our work shows that mosquito feeding behavior should be considered when assessing the inhibitory effects of Wolbachia on DENV.},
}

@article {pmid39971081,
year = {2025},
author = {Ma, Z and Gao, J and Wang, G and Zhao, M and Xing, D and Zhao, T and Zhang, H},
title = {Effects of Wolbachia on mitochondrial DNA variation in Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae).},
journal = {Acta tropica},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {107561},
doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107561},
pmid = {39971081},
issn = {1873-6254},
abstract = {Wolbachia species are symbiotic bacteria that are commonly found in arthropods and nematodes and live inside their cells. In nature, endosymbiont-host interactions and dynamics are complex, often depending on environmental conditions and evolutionary history. Both Wolbachia and mitochondrial DNA are maternally inherited in cells, and after a long period of coexistence, the presence of Wolbachia may have an impact on mitochondrial sequence diversity, thereby confounding mtDNA-based host phylogeny. The universal and typing primers for the wsp gene were used for PCR amplification, the number of positive samples was counted, and the infection pattern was analysed. The mitochondrial DNA diversity of four groups (Wolbachia-infected and uninfected samples, as well as between singly and double infected samples.) was analysed. PACo and ParaFitGlobal tests were used to explore evolutionary associations. The overall prevalence of Wolbachia in the 22 natural populations was 94.2%, with Type A, Type B and A × B mixed infections detected in Aedes albopictus and coinfection between wAlbA and wAlbB prevalent. The mitochondrial DNA haplotype associated with Wolbachia (Hap1) became the dominant haplotype and was the most abundant and widely distributed in the population. The linkage map showed the predominant haplotype, Hap1, was more closely associated with wAlbA than with wAlbB. Neutral evolution deviated significantly from zero. The diversity of mtDNA COI genes associated with Wolbachia infection was reduced. Wolbachia infection may lead to the selective sweep of mitochondrial DNA in Ae. albopictus.},
}

@article {pmid39966714,
year = {2025},
author = {Jain, A and Li, T and Huston, DC and Kaur, J and Trollip, C and Wainer, J and Hodda, M and Linsell, K and Riley, IT and Toktay, H and Olowu, EA and Edwards, J and Rodoni, B and Sawbridge, T},
title = {Insights from draft genomes of Heterodera species isolated from field soil samples.},
journal = {BMC genomics},
volume = {26},
number = {1},
pages = {158},
pmid = {39966714},
issn = {1471-2164},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The nematode phylum includes many species key to soil food webs with trophic behaviours extending from feeding on microbes to macrofauna and plant roots. Among these, the plant parasitic cyst nematodes retain their eggs in protective cysts prolonging their survival under harsh conditions. These nematodes, including those from the genus Heterodera, cause significant economic losses in agricultural systems. Understanding of nematode diversity and ecology has expanded through application of genomic research, however, for Heterodera species there are very few available whole genome sequences. Sequencing and assembling Heterodera genomes is challenging due to various technical limitations imposed by the biology of Heterodera. Overcoming these limitations is essential for comprehensive insights into Heterodera parasitic interactions with plants, population studies, and for Australian biosecurity implications.

RESULTS: We hereby present draft genomes of six species of which Heterodera australis, H. humuli, H. mani and H. trifolii are presently recorded in Australia and two species, H. avenae and H. filipjevi, currently absent from Australia. The draft genomes were sequenced from genomic DNA isolated from 50 cysts each using an Illumina NovaSeq short read sequencing platform. The data revealed disparity in sequencing yield between species. What was previously identified as H. avenae in Australia using morphological traits is now confirmed as H. australis and may have consequences for wheat breeding programs in Australia that are breeding for resistance to H. avenae. A multigene phylogeny placed the sequenced species into taxonomic phylogenetic perspective. Genomic comparisons within the Avenae species group revealed orthologous gene clusters within the species, emphasising the shared and unique features of the group. The data also revealed the presence of a Wolbachia species, a putative bacterial endosymbiont from Heterodera humuli short read sequencing data.

CONCLUSION: Genomic research holds immense significance for agriculture, for understanding pest species diversity and the development of effective management strategies. This study provides insight into Heterodera, cyst nematode genomics and the associated symbionts and this work will serve as a baseline for further genomic analyses in this economically important nematode group.},
}

@article {pmid39958813,
year = {2025},
author = {Abe, J and Takahashi, JI and Tsuchida, K},
title = {High Microsatellite but No Mitochondrial DNA Variation in an Invasive Japanese Mainland Population of the Parasitoid Wasp Melittobia sosui.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {15},
number = {2},
pages = {e71026},
pmid = {39958813},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {Invasive populations are predicted to have reduced genetic diversity due to bottleneck events. The parasitoid wasp Melittobia sosui was previously identified only in the subtropical area of the southern Japanese islands and Taiwan but was recently found in the temperate area of the Japanese mainland. The distribution of this species may have recently expanded northward due to factors such as climatic events and global warming. The population genetics of both the native and invasive regions were investigated using mitochondrial and nuclear microsatellite DNA. As expected, mitochondrial variation was observed in the native region but not in the invasive region, which had only one haplotype. However, the two regions exhibited similar levels of microsatellite variation, and an average of 43% and 38% of alleles were uniquely found in the native and invasive populations, respectively. The difference in genetic variation between mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA in the invasive populations may be explained by the faster mutation rate of microsatellites, as well as the population structure of Melittobia, in which the subdivision into small inbreeding lineages may facilitate the accumulation of mutations. The high proportion of private alleles suggests that the mainland population diverged from the native populations at least 100 years ago, ruling out the possibility that the mainland population was established recently. The present study suggests that M. sosui might have already existed on the mainland but at a low frequency or that the mainland population was derived from a ghost population that diverged from the native populations more than 100 years ago.},
}

@article {pmid39957355,
year = {2025},
author = {Prabhu, D and Dharshini, MKD and Rajamanikandan, S and Padmavathi, AR and Velusamy, P and Gopinath, SCB},
title = {Potential Anti-Filarial Molecules Against ATP Binding Site of MurE Enzyme: A Molecular Docking and Dynamics Approach to Combat Lymphatic Filariasis.},
journal = {Biotechnology and applied biochemistry},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/bab.2727},
pmid = {39957355},
issn = {1470-8744},
support = {//KAHE-Seed money research Grant/ ; //Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, India/ ; },
abstract = {Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a mosquito-borne disease caused by parasitic nematodes Brugia malayi, Brugia timori, and Wuchereria bancrofti. The drugs available are effective in several cases, and the absence of vaccination is the crucial factor hindering the elimination of LF. The UDP-N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanyl-D-glutamate-2,6-diaminopimelate ligase (MurE) plays an important role in the peptidoglycan biosynthesis of Wolbachia endosymbiont B. malayi, which are reported to be a vital drug target for bacterial and endosymbiotic hosts. Thus, we selected the ATP binding cavity of MurE as the potential site to screen inhibitors. The MurE structure was modeled using AlphaFold due to the absence of an experimental structure. Structure-based screening identified five potent phytochemicals targeting the ATP binding site with higher Glide scores and affinity. The top five phytochemicals CID 311, CID 445713, CID 441626, CID 39077, and CID 10814 showed a docking score of -16.812, -16.117, -15.668, -15.324, and -13.442 kcal/mol, respectively. Further, the molecular dynamics simulations depicted the binding stability of the phytochemical inhibitors bound to the MurE complex. Moreover, ADME assessment and Density Functional Theory analyses of the predicted compounds have shown acceptable pharmacokinetic properties and high reactivity with the drug target of MurE.},
}

@article {pmid39937795,
year = {2025},
author = {Kittayapong, P and Ninphanomchai, S and Thayanukul, P and Yongyai, J and Limohpasmanee, W},
title = {Comparison on the quality of sterile Aedes aegypti mosquitoes produced by either radiation-based sterile insect technique or Wolbachia-induced incompatible insect technique.},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {20},
number = {2},
pages = {e0314683},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0314683},
pmid = {39937795},
issn = {1932-6203},
mesh = {Animals ; *Aedes/microbiology/radiation effects ; *Wolbachia/physiology/radiation effects ; Male ; Female ; *Mosquito Control/methods ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/radiation effects ; Longevity/radiation effects ; Sexual Behavior, Animal/radiation effects ; Infertility, Male/microbiology/etiology ; Pest Control, Biological/methods ; },
abstract = {Novel and alternative vector control approaches using a sterile male-based release to suppress Aedes aegypti mosquito vectors have recently been tested in the field in many countries. These approaches included the sterile insect technique (SIT), incompatible insect technique (IIT), and a combination of both techniques. In this study, we conducted a series of experiments to compare the quality between radiation-based and Wolbachia-induced sterile males in terms of flight ability, sterility, mating competitiveness, survival rate, and longevity. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes irradiated at 50 Gy (SIT) and those trans-infected with wAlbB Wolbachia (IIT) were used for quality comparison. Our results showed that irradiated and Wolbachia trans-infected males were not significantly different in flight ability (p > 0.05) and both could induce sterility in wild-type females. In addition, although irradiation at 50 Gy or Wolbachia trans-infection reduced male mating competitiveness, combined irradiation and Wolbachia wAlbB trans-infection increased male competitiveness at the one-to-one ratio. Increasing the number of sterile males released could compensate for reduced competitiveness but it does not make them more competitive. Irradiation did not affect the survival and longevity of irradiated males, but it showed significant negative impacts on females (p < 0.05); while the opposite was observed in the case of Wolbachia infection, i.e., with significant increase in the survival rate of Wolbachia trans-infected males (p < 0.05), but both survival and longevity were reduced in Wolbachia trans-infected females with no significant impacts (p > 0.05). In conclusion, neither irradiation nor Wolbachia trans-infection significantly affected the quality of sterile males except their mating competitiveness; but this could compensate by increasing the number of sterile males released. Sterility could be induced by either 50 Gy irradiation or wAlbB trans-infection. Mating competitiveness results showed that a higher number of sterile males produced by irradiation need to be released in comparison to those produced by Wolbachia trans-infection. Our results should be useful for planning SIT, IIT, or a combination for Ae. aegypti vector control.},
}

Animals
*Aedes/microbiology/radiation effects
*Wolbachia/physiology/radiation effects
Male
Female
*Mosquito Control/methods
Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/radiation effects
Longevity/radiation effects
Sexual Behavior, Animal/radiation effects
Infertility, Male/microbiology/etiology
Pest Control, Biological/methods

@article {pmid39933580,
year = {2025},
author = {Kaur, R and Bordenstein, SR},
title = {Cytoplasmic incompatibility factor proteins from Wolbachia prophage are costly to sperm development in Drosophila melanogaster.},
journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences},
volume = {292},
number = {2040},
pages = {20243016},
doi = {10.1098/rspb.2024.3016},
pmid = {39933580},
issn = {1471-2954},
support = {/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; //Penn State/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; *Drosophila melanogaster/physiology/microbiology ; Male ; *Spermatozoa/physiology ; *Prophages/physiology/genetics ; Symbiosis ; Female ; Cytoplasm/metabolism ; },
abstract = {The symbiosis between arthropods and Wolbachia bacteria is globally widespread, largely due to selfish-drive systems that favour the fitness of symbiont-transmitting females. The most common drive, cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), is central to arboviral control efforts. In Drosophila melanogaster carrying wMel Wolbachia deployed in mosquito control, two prophage genes in Wolbachia, cifA and cifB, cause CI that results in a paternal-effect lethality of embryos in crosses between Wolbachia-bearing males and aposymbiotic females. While the CI mechanism by which Cif proteins alter sperm development has recently been elucidated in D. melanogaster and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the Cifs' extended impact on male reproductive fitness such as sperm morphology and quantity remains unclear. Here, using cytochemical, microscopic and transgenic assays in D. melanogaster, we demonstrate that both CifA and CifB cause a significant portion of defects in elongating spermatids, culminating in malformed mature sperm nuclei. Males expressing Cifs have reduced spermatid bundles and sperm counts, and transgenic expression of Cifs can occasionally result in no mature sperm formation. We reflect on Cifs' varied functional impacts on the Host Modification model of CI as well as host evolution, behaviour and vector control strategies.},
}

Animals
*Wolbachia/physiology
*Drosophila melanogaster/physiology/microbiology
Male
*Spermatozoa/physiology
*Prophages/physiology/genetics
Symbiosis
Female
Cytoplasm/metabolism

@article {pmid39934832,
year = {2025},
author = {Perlmutter, JI and Atadurdyyeva, A and Schedl, ME and Unckless, RL},
title = {Wolbachia enhances the survival of Drosophila infected with fungal pathogens.},
journal = {BMC biology},
volume = {23},
number = {1},
pages = {42},
pmid = {39934832},
issn = {1741-7007},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia bacteria of arthropods are at the forefront of basic and translational research on multipartite host-symbiont-pathogen interactions. These vertically transmitted microbes are the most widespread endosymbionts on the planet due to factors including host reproductive manipulation and fitness benefits. Importantly, some strains of Wolbachia can inhibit viral pathogenesis within and between arthropod hosts. Mosquitoes carrying the wMel Wolbachia strain of Drosophila melanogaster have a greatly reduced capacity to spread viruses like dengue and Zika to humans. While significant research efforts have focused on viruses, relatively little attention has been given to Wolbachia-fungal interactions despite the ubiquity of fungal entomopathogens in nature.

RESULTS: Here, we demonstrate that Wolbachia increase the longevity of their Drosophila melanogaster hosts when challenged with a spectrum of yeast and filamentous fungal pathogens. We find that this pattern can vary based on host genotype, sex, and fungal species. Further, Wolbachia correlates with higher fertility and reduced pathogen titers during initial fungal infection, indicating a significant fitness benefit. Finally, RNA sequencing results show altered expression of many immune and stress response genes in the context of Wolbachia and fungal infection, suggesting host immunity may be involved in the mechanism.

CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates Wolbachia's protective role in diverse fungal pathogen interactions and determines that the phenotype is broad, but with several variables that influence both the presence and strength of the phenotype. It also is a critical step forward to understanding how symbionts can protect their hosts from a variety of pathogens.},
}

@article {pmid39932664,
year = {2025},
author = {da Fonseca Meireles, S and Ramalho, MO and Montenegro, H and do Nascimento Neto, JF and da Silva, JS and Cruz, DLV and Roque, RA and Rafael, MS},
title = {Do the microbiota of larval breeding site and the blood meal influence the composition and diversity of bacterial communities in the midgut of Mansonia humeralis (Diptera: Culicidae) from the western Amazon?.},
journal = {Brazilian journal of microbiology : [publication of the Brazilian Society for Microbiology]},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {39932664},
issn = {1678-4405},
abstract = {Mansonia humeralis is a neotropical mosquito common in floodplain ecosystems and a potential host of Mayaro virus in the Amazon region. Studies show that bacterial communities associated with the midgut of mosquito vectors can mediate insecticide detoxification and modulate vector competence. Understanding the characteristics of the intestinal microbiota, and the factors that shape them, is essential for effective mosquito control. This study investigated the influence of bacterial communities in water from the larval environment on the composition and bacterial diversity in Ma. humeralis larval intestines and characterized the midgut microbiota of adult females with and without apparent blood. Samples were obtained from the Jirau Hydroelectric Plant, Madeira River, AM, Brazil, and their bacteria characterized using the 16S rRNA molecular marker. A total of 402 bacterial Amplicon Sequencing Variants (ASVs) were identified to genus level. The sample groups (water, larvae, blood + and blood-) had distinct bacterial communities, especially the larvae, probably due to the intense feeding activity which occurs at this stage. The phylum Proteobacteria was dominant in water, blood + and blood- (52.5; 99 and 98%), respectively, while Firmicutes dominated in larvae (45%). The most abundant taxa in water were: ASV Comamonadaceae (11.7%) and hgcI_clade (9.6%), in larvae: ASV Synergistaceae (11.1%) and ASV Rhodocyclaceae (7.8%), in blood-: Serratia (46.9%) and Asaia (12.6%) and, in blood+: ASV Enterobacteriaceae (54.5%) and Serratia (21.1%). Some 19% of the taxonomic groups from water were also recorded in larvae, while 46.7% of blood- microbiota were present in blood+. Wolbachia, Acinetobacter and Enterobacter bacteria were recorded at low frequency in all samples. This result provides a powerful tool for understanding the ecology of the intestinal microbiota of Ma. humeralis and the relationships with the ambient microbiota derived from larval filter, and adult blood, feeding. The results will also be useful for future studies which focusing the development of potential tools for the biological control of this vector.},
}

@article {pmid39925617,
year = {2025},
author = {Halford, G and Maes, D and Yung, CJ and Whiteford, S and Bourn, NAD and Bulman, CR and Goffart, P and Hodgson, JA and Saccheri, IJ},
title = {Genomic Monitoring of a Reintroduced Butterfly Uncovers Contrasting Founder Lineage Survival.},
journal = {Evolutionary applications},
volume = {18},
number = {2},
pages = {e70074},
pmid = {39925617},
issn = {1752-4571},
abstract = {Genetic factors can have a major influence on both short- and long-term success of reintroductions. Genomic monitoring can give a range of insights into the early life of a reintroduced population and ultimately can help to avoid wasting limited conservation resources. In this study, we characterise the genetic diversity of a reintroduced Carterocephalus palaemon (Chequered Skipper butterfly) population in England with respect to the spatial genetic structure and diversity of the source populations in south Belgium. We aim to evaluate the success of the reintroduction, including the effectiveness of the donor sampling strategy, and assess genetic vulnerabilities that may affect the population's future. We also use an isolation-by-distance approach to make quantitative inferences about dispersal, and we explore covariance between host mitochondrial and Wolbachia genomes. We find that, four generations following the initial release, the reintroduced population, founded by 66 wild-caught adults, has an effective size of c. 33, yet has retained similar levels of genomic heterozygosity to those in the source subpopulations in Belgium and shows low levels of inbreeding. However, the restricted number of founders and variance in reproductive success among the surviving families have resulted in a higher level of kinship, likely to result in somewhat higher rates of inbreeding in the future. Furthermore, there is a distinct split between two source landscapes in Belgium, and all genomic evidence suggests that the reintroduced population is descended from only one of these landscapes (called Fagne). We discuss potential causes behind these results, including whether Wolbachia strains are causing genetic incompatibility between clades. We conclude that a conservative strategy for any further translocations would prefer Fagne sites as sources because of the strong evidence of their ability to survive. However, our results warrant further investigation into the reasons for the divergence found in Belgium.},
}

@article {pmid39914231,
year = {2025},
author = {Páez-Triana, L and Martinez, D and Patiño, LH and Muñoz, M and Sandoval-Ramírez, CM and Pinilla León, JC and Ramirez, JD},
title = {Exploring endosymbionts and pathogens in Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Ctenocephalides felis felis with Oxford Nanopore Technology.},
journal = {Research in veterinary science},
volume = {185},
number = {},
pages = {105562},
doi = {10.1016/j.rvsc.2025.105562},
pmid = {39914231},
issn = {1532-2661},
abstract = {Fleas and ticks play a crucial role in public health as vectors of multiple diseases affecting humans and animals. Several rickettsial pathogens and endosymbionts are transmitted by fleas and ticks. Therefore, understanding this group of microorganisms is essential for fully grasping the spectrum of pathogens transmitted by vectors and the interactions between endosymbiotic microorganisms and their hosts. This study evaluated the presence and diversity of Rickettsiales species in fleas and ticks collected from the Santander department in Colombia. For the methodology a 16S gene amplification approach through Oxford Nanopore sequencing technologies in Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Ctenocephalides felis felis was used. Our findings revealed the presence of multiple pathogenic and endosymbiotic microorganisms, particularly from the Rickettsia and Wolbachia groups. We observed a clear association between Rickettsia species and ticks, while Wolbachia was predominantly found in fleas. Additionally, other important microorganisms were identified, including Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia conorii, and different strains of Wolbachia that serve as endosymbionts in various arthropods. These results underscore the importance of fleas and ticks in the transmission of both pathogenic and endosymbiotic microorganisms. The distinct patterns of association between specific pathogens and vectors provide insight into their transmission dynamics. Identifying pathogens such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Rickettsia conorii further highlights the need for continued research into vector-borne diseases in Colombia. Understanding the interactions between endosymbionts and pathogenic microorganisms in these vectors could lead to the development of more effective strategies for controlling diseases transmitted by fleas and ticks.},
}

@article {pmid39909190,
year = {2025},
author = {Carbonara, M and Perles, L and Venco, L and Gabrielli, S and Barrs, VR and Miró, G and Papadopoulos, E and Lima, C and Bouhsira, E and Baneth, G and Pantchev, N and Iatta, R and Mendoza-Roldan, JA and Decaro, N and Schunack, B and Benelli, G and Otranto, D},
title = {Dirofilaria spp. infection in cats from the Mediterranean basin: diagnosis and epidemiology.},
journal = {International journal for parasitology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.01.011},
pmid = {39909190},
issn = {1879-0135},
abstract = {Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens, causing heartworm disease and subcutaneous dirofilariosis, respectively, are zoonotic mosquito-borne filarioids infecting a plethora of hosts including cats. Only fragmented data are available on the diagnosis and epidemiology of feline dirofilariosis. We assessed the occurrence of both nematode infections, their risk factors and clinicopathological abnormalities in cats, from six countries of the Mediterranean Basin. In addition, Wolbachia spp. endosymbionts were assessed in Dirofilaria spp.-positive animals. Blood and sera samples were obtained from cats with outdoor access from Spain (n=354), Portugal (n=287), Italy (n=125), Greece (n=116), Israel (n=101) and France (n=100). Cat sera were tested by both direct antigenic (SNAP test, commercial ELISA kit) and indirect antibodies (in-house ELISA) serological tools, and blood samples by real time and conventional PCR targeting Dirofilaria spp. DNA, followed by sequencing. A statistical analysis was run to assess the link between Dirofilaria spp. infection and independent variables, as well as among feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and/or feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) co-infections, and clinicopathological abnormalities. Overall, 3.8% (i.e., 41/1,083) cats scored positive for Dirofilaria spp. infection with prevalences ranging from 2% in Israel to 7.8% in Greece. Of the 41 positive cats, 16 were infected by D. immitis (by SNAP test and/or PCR) and two by D. repens (by PCR); the remaining animals were antibody-positive for Dirofilaria spp. using the in-house ELISA. Wolbachia DNA was detected in one D. immitis-infected cat. Nematode positivity was significantly associated with age, breed, hyporexia, dandruff, and dyspnoea. This study provides data on the prevalence of Dirofilaria spp. infection in cats from the Mediterranean Basin, as well as new insights on its diagnosis, revealing the importance of performing strategic chemoprophylactic treatments for cats living in areas where the infection is also endemic in dogs.},
}

@article {pmid39896488,
year = {2025},
author = {Chappell, L and Peguero, R and Conner, WR and Fowler, S and Cooper, B and Pfarr, K and Hoerauf, A and Lustigman, S and Sakanari, J and Sullivan, W},
title = {Fexinidazole and Corallopyronin A target Wolbachia -infected sheath cells present in filarial nematodes.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1101/2025.01.23.634442},
pmid = {39896488},
issn = {2692-8205},
abstract = {The discovery of the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia as an obligate symbiont of filarial nematodes has led to antibiotic-based treatments for filarial diseases. While lab and clinical studies have yielded promising results, recent animal studies reveal that Wolbachia levels may rebound following treatment with suboptimal doses of the antibiotic rifampicin. Previous work showed that a likely source of the bacterial rebound in females were dense clusters of Wolbachia in ovarian tissue. The number, size, and density of these Wolbachia clusters were not diminished despite antibiotic treatment. Here we define the cellular characteristics of the Wolbachia clusters in Brugia pahangi (wBp) and identify drugs that also target them. We have evidence that the Wolbachia clusters originate from newly formed sheath cells adjacent to the ovarian Distal Tip Cells. The dramatically enlarged volume of an infected sheath cell is strikingly similar to endosymbiont-induced bacteriocytes found in many insect species. Ultrastructural analysis reveals that the clustered Wolbachia present within the sheath cells exhibit a distinct morphology and form direct connections with the oocyte membrane and possibly the cytoplasm. This includes membrane-based channels providing a connection between Wolbachia -infected sheath cells and oocytes. We also determined that the Wolbachia within the sheath cells are either quiescent or replicating at a very low rate. Screens of known antibiotics and other drugs revealed that two drugs, Fexinidazole and Corallopyronin A, significantly reduced the number of clustered Wolbachia located within the sheath cells.},
}

@article {pmid39892716,
year = {2025},
author = {Dudzic, JP and McPherson, AE and Taylor, KE and Eben, A and Abram, PK and Perlman, SJ},
title = {Candidate DNA and RNA viruses of Drosophila suzukii from Canada and Germany, and their interactions with Wolbachia.},
journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {108274},
doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2025.108274},
pmid = {39892716},
issn = {1096-0805},
abstract = {Some species of insects harbour strains of the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia that do not cause obvious reproductive manipulations, and so it is unclear why they persist in host populations. There is some evidence that some of these endosymbionts may provide their hosts with protection against viruses, which would help to explain their persistence, but few studies have explored associations between Wolbachia and naturally occurring, common viruses in natural populations. Here, we asked whether individuals of the invasive vinegar fly Drosophila suzukii infected with the wSuz strain of Wolbachia were less likely to be infected by naturally occurring viruses in its invaded range, in western North America and in Europe. First, using next-generation sequencing, we conducted a virome survey of adult and larval D. suzukii in British Columbia, Canada, finding eight candidate RNA viruses and two candidate DNA viruses, all but one have not been reported previously. Only the previously described Teise virus, an RNA virus, was abundant in our virome survey. We then screened individual flies from British Columbia and Germany for Teise virus and Wolbachia. Wolbachia-infected D. suzukii from the field were not less likely to be infected by Teise virus. Overall, our results do not provide conclusive evidence that wSuz provides strong protection for D. suzukii against viruses that are common in natural populations. However, the other viruses that we discovered in this study, particularly the novel candidate Drosophila nudivirus, deserve further characterization in terms of their pathogenicity to D. suzukii and the frequency and dynamics of infection in wild populations.},
}

@article {pmid39888481,
year = {2025},
author = {Yao, RK and Gomgnimbou, MK and Coulibaly, IZ and Essoh, CY and Traoré, I and Amara, MF and Ako, BA and Diabate, A and Bilgo, E},
title = {Molecular detection of Wolbachia sp. and Cytoplasmic incompatibility factors (CifA/B) in wild caught mosquitoes in Côte d'Ivoire.},
journal = {Molecular biology reports},
volume = {52},
number = {1},
pages = {181},
pmid = {39888481},
issn = {1573-4978},
support = {ref/letter acceptation CEA/ITECH-MTV du 04/02/2021 à YAO R. Karlhis//CEA/ITECH-MTV/ ; ref/letter acceptation CEA/ITECH-MTV du 04/02/2021 à AMARA Miriam Félicité//CEA/ITECH-MTV/ ; 218771/Z/19/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; },
mesh = {*Wolbachia/genetics/isolation & purification ; Animals ; Cote d'Ivoire ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/genetics ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Culicidae/microbiology ; Aedes/microbiology/genetics ; Culex/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Cytoplasm/microbiology ; Female ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia is an endosymbiont bacterium known to stimulate host immunity against arboviruses and protozoa. Côte d'Ivoire is in a malaria-endemic region, and has experienced several dengue epidemics in recent decades as well. In order to help reduce the transmission of pathogens by mosquito vectors, we studied the prevalence of Wolbachia and the distribution of Cytoplasmic incompatibility factors (Cif) genes in different mosquito species caught in the wild in Cote d'Ivoire.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Mosquitoes of the genera Anopheles, Aedes, Culex, Eretmapodites and Mansonia were captured in five cities. Mosquitoes were collected at larval stage in breeding sites and adults were captured using BG sentinel traps. The mosquitoes were identified morphologically and Wolbachia and Cif were screened using qPCR targeting the 16s rRNA gene and the CifA, B genes. A total of 518 mosquito samples belonging to 15 species and 4 genera were examined. 60% of the species were infected with Wolbachia. The three medically important mosquito species Aedes aegypti, Anopheles gambiae s.l. and Culex quinquefasciatus had a prevalence of 12.84%, 13.46% and 72.64% respectively. The Wolbachia strains infecting the different mosquito species of the genus Culex encoded 98.46% for the CifA gene and 77.69% for the CifB gene.

CONCLUSION: The presence of Wolbachia and CifA, B genes in mosquitoes of different species in Côte d'Ivoire offer a promising opportunity to reduce the competence of mosquito vectors. Characterization of Wolbachia strains and cytoplasmic incompatibility factors will provide a better understanding of these endosymbionts, enabling the development of vector control strategies.},
}

*Wolbachia/genetics/isolation & purification
Animals
Cote d'Ivoire
*Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/genetics
*RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Culicidae/microbiology
Aedes/microbiology/genetics
Culex/microbiology
Symbiosis
Cytoplasm/microbiology
Female

@article {pmid39887637,
year = {2025},
author = {Cagatay, NS and Akhoundi, M and Izri, A and Brun, S and Hurst, GDD},
title = {Prevalence of Heritable Symbionts in Parisian Bedbugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae).},
journal = {Environmental microbiology reports},
volume = {17},
number = {1},
pages = {e70054},
doi = {10.1111/1758-2229.70054},
pmid = {39887637},
issn = {1758-2229},
support = {//TÜBİTAK [The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye]/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Bedbugs/microbiology/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics/isolation & purification/classification ; Paris ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Haplotypes ; Prevalence ; },
abstract = {Like many insects, the biology of bedbugs is impacted by a range of partner heritable microbes. Three maternally inherited symbionts are recognised: Wolbachia (an obligate partner), Symbiopectobacterium purcellii strain SyClec, and Candidatus Tisiphia sp. (facultative symbionts typically present in some but not all individuals). Past work had examined the presence of these heritable microbes from established laboratory lines, but not from broader field samples. We therefore deployed targeted endpoint PCR assays to determine the symbiont infection status for 50 bedbugs collected from 10 districts of Paris during the 2023 outbreak. All three symbionts were found to be broadly present across Cimex lectularius samples, with the Symbiopectobacterium-Candidatus Tisiphia-Wolbachia triple infection most commonly observed. A minority of individuals lacked either one or both facultative symbionts. Five mtDNA haplotypes were observed across the COI barcode region, and triple infections were found in all mtDNA haplotypes, indicating that symbiont infection is not a recent invasion event. We conclude that the Parisian bedbug outbreak was one in which the host's secondary symbionts were present at high-frequency coinfections, and facultative symbionts are an important but uncharacterised component of bedbug populations.},
}

Animals
*Symbiosis
*Bedbugs/microbiology/genetics
*Wolbachia/genetics/isolation & purification/classification
Paris
DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics
Haplotypes
Prevalence

@article {pmid39881623,
year = {2025},
author = {Kryukova, NA and Polenogova, OV and Rotskaya, UN and Zolotareva, KA and Chertkova, EA},
title = {Wolbachia does not give an advantage to the ectoparasitoid Habrobracon hebetor (Say, 1836) when it develops on an infected host.},
journal = {Bulletin of entomological research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-10},
doi = {10.1017/S0007485324000890},
pmid = {39881623},
issn = {1475-2670},
abstract = {The effect of Wolbachia on the viability and antimicrobial activity of the ectoparasitoid Habrobracon hebetor was evaluated in laboratory experiments. Two lines of the parasitoid, Wolbachia-infected (W+) and Wolbachia-free (W-), were used. Parasitoid larvae were fed with a host orally infected with a sublethal dose of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and on the host uninfected with Bt. Parasitoid survival was assessed at developmental stages from second-instar larvae to adults. At all developmental stages, there were no statistically significant differences in survival between lines W+ and W-, regardless of host Bt infection. In both W+ and W- lines, the expression of lysozyme-like proteins, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), and Hsp70 genes was analysed in fourth-instar larvae fed with an infected and uninfected host. In addition, lysozyme-like activity and antibacterial activity were evaluated. The expression of AMPs was significantly higher in W- larvae and did not get induced during the feeding on the Bt-infected host. mRNA expression of lysozyme-like proteins and lysozyme activity were significantly higher in W+ larvae than in W- larvae and did not get induced when the larvae were fed with the infected host. In whole-body homogenates of H. hebetor larvae fed with the uninfected host, antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis) was significantly higher in the W+ line and did not get induced during the feeding with the Bt-infected host. Therefore, there is no obvious immunostimulatory effect of Wolbachia in H. hebetor larvae when they feed on a host infected with an entomopathogenic bacterium.},
}

@article {pmid39865193,
year = {2025},
author = {Chavarria, X and Choi, JH and Oh, S and Kim, M and Kang, D and Lee, IY and Jang, YS and Yi, MH and Yong, TS and Kim, JY},
title = {Metabarcoding for the Monitoring of the Microbiome and Parasitome of Medically Important Mosquito Species in Two Urban and Semi-urban Areas of South Korea.},
journal = {Current microbiology},
volume = {82},
number = {3},
pages = {102},
pmid = {39865193},
issn = {1432-0991},
support = {NRF-2020R1I1A2074562//National Research Foundation of Korea (KR)/ ; 6-2023-0065//Yonsei University College of Medicine/ ; HI23C1527//Ministry of Health and Welfare/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Republic of Korea ; *Microbiota ; *DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; *Aedes/microbiology ; Culex/microbiology ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics ; },
abstract = {Interactions between microbial communities and the host can modulate mosquito biology, including vector competence. Therefore, future vector biocontrol measures will utilize these interactions and require extensive monitoring of the mosquito microbiome. Metabarcoding strategies will be useful for conducting vector monitoring on a large scale. We used 16S and 18S rRNA gene metabarcoding through iSeq100 sequencing to characterize the microbiome and eukaryome of Aedes albopictus (Skuse 1894) and Culex pipiens (Linnaeus 1758), two globally important vectors present in South Korea. Mosquitoes were collected from an urban and a semi-urban location in South Korea. Bacterial alpha and beta diversities varied by population. Pseudomonadota dominated the microbiomes of both species. The microbiome composition varied by population and was dominated by different taxa. At the genus level, Wolbachia sp. was the most enriched genus in Cx. pipiens, followed by Aeromonas sp. In Ae. Albopictus, the most abundant group was Enterococcus sp. The gregarine parasite Ascogregarina taiwanensis was highly prevalent in Ae. Albopictus and its absence was marked by the presence of seven bacterial taxa. To our knowledge, this is the first characterization of the microbiome of Ae. albopictus and Cx. pipiens in these regions of South Korea and contributes to the current information on the microbiome of mosquito species, which can be used in further studies to assess pathogen-microbiome and microbiome-microbiome interactions.},
}

Animals
Republic of Korea
*Microbiota
*DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic
*Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification
*Aedes/microbiology
Culex/microbiology
Mosquito Vectors/microbiology
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics

@article {pmid39859599,
year = {2024},
author = {Fallon, AM},
title = {Resistance of Wolbachia to Trimethoprim: Insights into Genes Encoding Dihydrofolate Reductase, Thymidylate Synthase and Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase in the Rickettsiales.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects16010018},
pmid = {39859599},
issn = {2075-4450},
abstract = {Bacterial and eukaryotic dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) enzymes are essential for DNA synthesis and are differentially sensitive to the competitive inhibitors trimethoprim and methotrexate. Unexpectedly, trimethoprim did not reduce Wolbachia abundance, and the wStri DHFR homolog contained amino acid substitutions associated with trimethoprim resistance in E. coli. A phylogenetic tree showed good association of DHFR protein sequences with supergroup A and B assignments. In contrast, DHFR is not encoded by wFol (supergroup E) and wBm (supergroup D) or by genomes of the closely related genera Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Neorickettsia, and possibly Orientia. In E. coli and humans, DHFR participates in a coupled reactions with the conventional thymidylate synthase (TS) encoded by thyA to produce the dTMP required for DNA synthesis. In contrast, Wolbachia and other Rickettsiales express the unconventional FAD-TS enzyme encoded by thyX, even when folA is present. The exclusive use of FAD-TS suggests that Wolbachia DHFR provides a supplementary rather than an essential function for de novo synthesis of dTMP, possibly reflecting the relative availability of, and competing demands for, FAD and NAD coenzymes in the diverse intracellular environments of its hosts. Whether encoded by thyA or thyX, TS produces dTMP by transferring a methyl group from methylene tetrahydrofolate to dUMP. In the Rickettsiales, serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SMHT), encoded by a conserved glyA gene, regenerates methylene tetrahydrofolate. Unlike thyA, thyX lacks a human counterpart and thus provides a potential target for the treatment of infections caused by pathogenic members of the Rickettsiales.},
}

@article {pmid39845033,
year = {2024},
author = {Luo, QC and Li, YY and Ren, YS and Yang, XH and Zhu, DH},
title = {Phage WO diversity and evolutionary forces associated with Wolbachia-infected crickets.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1499315},
pmid = {39845033},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Phage WO represents the sole bacteriophage identified to infect Wolbachia, exerting a range of impacts on the ecological dynamics and evolutionary trajectories of its host. Given the extensive prevalence of Wolbachia across various species, phage WO is likely among the most prolific phage lineages within arthropod populations. To examine the diversity and evolutionary dynamics of phage WO, we conducted a screening for the presence of phage WO in Wolbachia-infected cricket species from China.

METHODS: The presence of phage WO was detected using a PCR-based methodology. To elucidate the evolutionary forces driving phage WO diversity, analyses of intragenic recombination were conducted employing established recombination techniques, and horizontal transmission was investigated through comparative phylogenetic analysis of the phages and their hosts.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Out of 19 cricket species infected with Wolbachia, 18 species were found to harbor phage WO. Notably, 13 of these 18 cricket species hosted multiple phage types, with the number of types ranging from two to 10, while the remaining five species harbored a single phage type. Twelve horizontal transmission events of phage WO were identified, wherein common phage WO types were shared among different Wolbachia strains. Notably, each phage WO horizontal transfer event was associated with distinct Wolbachia supergroups, specifically supergroups A, B, and F. Previous studies have found that four Wolbachia strains infect two to five species of crickets. However, among these cricket species, in addition to the shared phage WO types, all harbored species-specific phage WO types. This suggests that Wolbachia in crickets may acquire phage WO types through horizontal viral transfer between eukaryotes, independent of Wolbachia involvement. Furthermore, nine putative recombination events were identified across seven cricket species harboring multiple phage types. These findings suggest that horizontal transmission and intragenic recombination have played a significant role in the evolution of the phage WO genome, effectively enhancing the diversity of phage WO associated with crickets.},
}

@article {pmid39840979,
year = {2025},
author = {Lejarre, Q and Scussel, S and Esnault, J and Gaudillat, B and Duployer, M and Mavingui, P and Tortosa, P and Cattel, J},
title = {Development of the Incompatible Insect Technique targeting Aedes albopictus: introgression of a wild nuclear background restores the performance of males artificially infected with Wolbachia.},
journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0235024},
doi = {10.1128/aem.02350-24},
pmid = {39840979},
issn = {1098-5336},
abstract = {The bacterium Wolbachia pipientis is increasingly studied for its potential use in controlling insect vectors or pests due to its ability to induce Cytoplasmic Incompatibility (CI). CI can be exploited by establishing an opportunistic Wolbachia infection in a targeted insect species through trans-infection and then releasing the infected males into the environment as sterilizing agents. Several host life history traits (LHT) have been reported to be negatively affected by artificial Wolbachia infection. Wolbachia is often considered the causative agent of these detrimental effects, and the importance of the host's genetic origins in the outcome of trans-infection is generally overlooked. In this study, we investigated the impact of host genetic background using an Aedes albopictus line recently trans-infected with wPip from the Culex pipiens mosquito, which exhibited some fitness costs. We measured several LHTs including fecundity, egg hatch rate, and male mating competitiveness in the incompatible line after four rounds of introgression aiming at restoring genetic diversity in the nuclear genome. Our results show that introgression with a wild genetic background restored most fitness traits and conferred mating competitiveness comparable to that of wild males. Finally, we show that introgression leads to faster and stronger population suppression under laboratory conditions. Overall, our data support that the host genome plays a decisive role in determining the fitness of Wolbachia-infected incompatible males.IMPORTANCEThe bacterium Wolbachia pipientis is increasingly used to control insect vectors and pests through the Incompatible Insect Technique (IIT) inducing a form of conditional sterility when a Wolbachia-infected male mates with an uninfected or differently infected female. Wolbachia artificial trans-infection has been repeatedly reported to affect mosquitoes LHTs, which may in turn compromise the efficiency of IIT. Using a tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) line recently trans-infected with a Wolbachia strain from Culex pipiens and displaying reduced fitness, we show that restoring genetic diversity through introgression significantly mitigated the fitness costs associated with Wolbachia trans-infection. This was further demonstrated through experimental population suppression, showing that introgression is required to achieve mosquito population suppression under laboratory conditions. These findings are significant for the implementation of IIT programs, as an increase in female fecundity and male performance improves mass rearing productivity as well as the sterilizing capacity of released males.},
}

@article {pmid39836703,
year = {2025},
author = {Sánchez-González, L and Crawford, JE and Adams, LE and Brown, G and Ryff, KR and Delorey, M and Ruiz-Valcarcel, J and Nazario, N and Borrero, N and Miranda, J and Mitchell, SN and Howell, PI and Ohm, JR and Behling, C and Wasson, B and Eldershaw, C and White, BJ and Rivera-Amill, V and Barrera, R and Paz-Bailey, G},
title = {Incompatible Aedes aegypti male releases as an intervention to reduce mosquito population-A field trial in Puerto Rico.},
journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases},
volume = {19},
number = {1},
pages = {e0012839},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0012839},
pmid = {39836703},
issn = {1935-2735},
abstract = {Mosquito-transmitted viruses such as dengue are a global and growing public health challenge. Without widely available vaccines, mosquito control is the primary tool for fighting the spread of these viruses. New mosquito control technologies are needed to complement existing methods, given current challenges with scalability, acceptability, and effectiveness. A field trial was conducted in collaboration with the Communities Organized to Prevent Arboviruses project in Ponce, Puerto Rico, to measure entomological and epidemiological effects of reducing Aedes aegypti populations using Wolbachia incompatible insect technique. We packed and shipped Wolbachia-males from California and released them into 19 treatment clusters from September 2020 to December 2020. Preliminary evaluation revealed sub-optimal Wolbachia-male densities and impact on the wild-type population. In 2021, we shifted to a phased release strategy starting in four clusters, reducing the mosquito population by 49% (CI 29-63%). We describe the investigation into male quality and other factors that may have limited the impact of Wolbachia-male releases. Laboratory assays showed a small but significant impact of packing and shipping on male fitness. However, mark-release-recapture assessments suggest that male daily survival rates in the field may have been significantly impacted. We compared induced-sterility levels and suppression of the wild population and found patterns consistent with mosquito population compensation in response to our intervention. Analysis of epidemiological impact was not possible due to very low viral transmission rates during the intervention period. Our entomological impact data provide evidence that Wolbachia incompatible-male releases reduced Ae. aegypti populations, although efficacy will be maximized when releases are part of an integrated control program. With improvement of shipping vessels and shipped male fitness, packing and shipping male mosquitoes could provide a key solution for expanding access to this technology. Our project underscores the challenges involved in large and complex field effectiveness assessments of novel vector control methods.},
}

@article {pmid39829853,
year = {2025},
author = {Namias, A and Martinez, J and Boussou, I and Terretaz, K and Conner, W and Justy, F and Makoundou, P and Perriat-Sanguinet, M and Labbé, P and Sicard, M and Landmann, F and Weill, M},
title = {Recombination, truncation and horizontal transfer shape the diversity of cytoplasmic incompatibility patterns.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1101/2025.01.06.631454},
pmid = {39829853},
issn = {2692-8205},
abstract = {Wolbachia are endosymbiotic bacteria inducing various reproductive manipulations of which cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is the most common. CI leads to reduced embryo viability in crosses between males carrying Wolbachia and uninfected females or those carrying an incompatible symbiont strain. In the mosquito Culex pipiens , the Wolbachia w Pip causes highly complex crossing patterns. This complexity is linked to the amplification and diversification of the CI causal genes, cidA and cidB , with polymorphism located in the CidA-CidB interaction regions. We previously showed correlations between the identity of gene variants and CI patterns. However, these correlations were limited to specific crosses, and it is still unknown whether c id gene polymorphism in males' and females' Wolbachia can explain and predict the wide range of crossing types observed in C. pipiens . Taking advantage of a new method enabling full-gene acquisition, we sequenced complete cid repertoires from 45 w Pip strains collected worldwide. We demonstrated that the extensive diversity of cid genes arises from recombination and horizontal transfers. We uncovered further cidB polymorphism outside the interface regions and strongly correlated with CI patterns. Most importantly, we showed that in every w Pip genome, all but one cidB variant are truncated. Truncated cidB s located in palindromes are partially or completely deprived of their deubiquitinase domain, crucial for CI. The identity of the sole full-length cidB variant seems to dictate CI patterns, irrespective of the truncated cidBs present. Truncated CidBs exhibit reduced toxicity and stability in Drosophila cells, which potentially hinders their loading into sperm, essential for CI induction.},
}

@article {pmid39824916,
year = {2025},
author = {Wong, WJ and Tan, CH and Verkaik, MG and Ng, LC and Hoffmann, AA and Chong, CS},
title = {Suppression of Aedes aegypti may not affect sympatric Aedes albopictus populations: findings from two years of entomological surveillance in Singapore.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {2253},
pmid = {39824916},
issn = {2045-2322},
mesh = {Animals ; *Aedes/physiology/virology ; Singapore ; *Mosquito Vectors/virology ; *Mosquito Control/methods ; Wolbachia/physiology ; Dengue/transmission/prevention & control ; Dengue Virus/physiology ; },
abstract = {Globally, multiple trials have successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of novel tools, such as the sterile and incompatible insect techniques, in suppressing Aedes aegypti populations. However, there is concern that Aedes albopictus, another arbovirus-competent vector, may occupy the niches vacated by Ae. aegypti in areas where these species occur in sympatry. Here we investigate these concerns within the context of a Wolbachia-based Ae. aegypti suppression programme in highly urban Singapore, where general mosquito management is sustained through environmental management. Using nationally representative and longitudinal Aedes surveillance data, we show (1) no consistent association of increase in Ae. albopictus abundance with Ae. aegypti population suppression within Wolbachia-Aedes release sites, and (2) no significant change in the vertical spatial distribution of Ae. albopictus in high-rise residential apartment blocks even after two years of Ae. aegypti suppression. Finally, we report that dengue viruses were less prevalent in field Ae. albopictus than in Ae. aegypti, which is consistent with previous findings that Ae. albopictus is a lesser vector than Ae. aegypti in Singapore. Together, these results indicate that suppression of Ae. aegypti in the community may not be directly associated with any increase of Ae. albopictus population or capacity. Nonetheless, the risk of increase in Ae. albopictus population is anticipated if the reduction in disease transmission leads to less aggressive source reduction efforts and environmental management for mosquito control.},
}

Animals
*Aedes/physiology/virology
Singapore
*Mosquito Vectors/virology
*Mosquito Control/methods
Wolbachia/physiology
Dengue/transmission/prevention & control
Dengue Virus/physiology

@article {pmid39819374,
year = {2025},
author = {Asselin, A and Johnson, K},
title = {The infectivity of virus particles from Wolbachia-infected Drosophila.},
journal = {BMC microbiology},
volume = {25},
number = {1},
pages = {25},
pmid = {39819374},
issn = {1471-2180},
mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; *Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology/virology ; *Dicistroviridae/physiology/pathogenicity ; *Virus Replication ; Nodaviridae/physiology/pathogenicity ; Virion ; Symbiosis ; Female ; Insect Viruses/physiology/pathogenicity ; },
abstract = {Viruses transmitted by arthropods pose a huge risk to human health. Wolbachia is an endosymbiotic bacterium that infects various arthropods and can block the viral replication cycle of several medically important viruses. As such, it has been successfully implemented in vector control strategies against mosquito-borne diseases, including Dengue virus. Whilst the mechanisms behind Wolbachia-mediated viral blocking are not fully characterised, it was recently shown that viruses grown in the presence of Wolbachia in some Dipteran cell cultures are less infectious than those grown in the absence of Wolbachia. Here, we investigate the breadth of this mechanism by determining if Wolbachia reduces infectivity in a different system at a different scale. To do this, we looked at Wolbachia's impact on insect viruses from two diverse virus families within the whole organism Drosophila melanogaster. Drosophila C virus (DCV; Family Dicistroviridae) and Flock House virus (FHV; Famliy Nodaviridae) were grown in adult D. melanogaster flies with and without Wolbachia strain wMelPop. Measures of the physical characteristics, infectivity, pathogenicity, and replicative properties of progeny virus particles did not identify any impact of Wolbachia on either DCV or FHV. Therefore, there was no evidence that changes in infectivity contribute to Wolbachia-mediated viral blocking in this system. Overall, this is consistent with growing evidence that the mechanisms behind Wolbachia viral blocking are dependent on the unique tripartite interactions occurring between the host, the Wolbachia strain, and the infecting virus.},
}

Animals
*Wolbachia/physiology
*Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology/virology
*Dicistroviridae/physiology/pathogenicity
*Virus Replication
Nodaviridae/physiology/pathogenicity
Virion
Symbiosis
Female
Insect Viruses/physiology/pathogenicity

@article {pmid39809813,
year = {2025},
author = {Mewis, V and Wendt, M and Schmitt, T},
title = {Phylogeographic analyses reveal recent dispersal and multiple Wolbachia infections of the bright-eyed ringlet Erebia oeme within the European mountain systems.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {1956},
pmid = {39809813},
issn = {2045-2322},
mesh = {*Wolbachia/genetics/classification/isolation & purification ; Animals ; *Phylogeography ; *Phylogeny ; Europe ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Genetic Variation ; },
abstract = {The genus Erebia comprises numerous species in Europe. Due to preference of cold environments, most species have disjunct distributions in the European mountain systems. However, their biogeographical patterns may differ significantly. The Bright-eyed ringlet Erebia oeme is widespread in high-altitude grasslands of the European high mountains, hence showing a disjunct distribution pattern. Over its distribution, E. oeme shows high morphological variability indicating pronounced intraspecific differentiation. We analysed two mitochondrial (COI, Cytb) and eight nuclear markers as well as the Wolbachia surface protein-coding gene (WSP). A total of four lineages were identified: two Balkan lineages, one Slovenian lineage as well as one lineage containing all other individuals (Alps, Massif Central, Pyrenees). COI data only indicate a fifth lineage in the southern Carpathians. The region of origin of E. oeme is most likely the western Balkans. From here, E. oeme spread to the eastern Balkan area and further to the southern Carpathians as well as to Slovenia, from where it rapidly crossed the Alps to Massif Central and Pyrenees. Wolbachia was found to be highly prevalent with multiple strains, partly within one population. However, recent Wolbachia impact on the mitochondrial DNA and consequently influence on the intraspecific genetic structure was not detected.},
}

*Wolbachia/genetics/classification/isolation & purification
Animals
*Phylogeography
*Phylogeny
Europe
DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics
Genetic Variation

@article {pmid39794995,
year = {2024},
author = {Glowska-Patyniak, E and Kaszewska-Gilas, K and Laniecka, I and Olechnowicz, J and Ostrowska, K and Dmuchowska, W and Schmidt, BK and Hubert, J and Trzebny, A},
title = {First Detection of Wolbachia in Namibian Bird Ectoparasites (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) with a Description of New Quill Mite Species.},
journal = {Animals : an open access journal from MDPI},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ani15010052},
pmid = {39794995},
issn = {2076-2615},
support = {UMO-2021/03/Y/NZ8/00060//National Science Centre of Poland/ ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia is a common intracellular bacterial genus that infects numerous arthropods and filarial nematodes. In arthropods, it typically acts as a reproductive parasite, leading to various phenotypic effects such as cytoplasmic incompatibility, parthenogenesis, feminization, or male-killing. Quill mites (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) are a group of bird parasites that have recently attracted increasing interest due to the detection of unique phylogenetic lineages of endosymbiotic bacteria and potentially pathogenic taxa. Our study used an unbiased 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing approach to examine several populations of Namibian quill mites for the presence of bacteria that could affect their biology. We detected Wolbachia in two mite populations collected from two species of larks. However, we did not find any other endosymbiotic bacteria or any that could be of epidemiological importance. Since the mite taxa we tested were previously unknown to science, we conducted comprehensive morphological and molecular systematic analyses on them. Our research revealed two new quill mite species of the genus Syringophilopsis Kethley, 1970 which parasitize three sub-Saharan alaudids, i.e., Syringophilopsis erythrochlamys sp. n. from the dune lark Calendulauda erythrochlamys (Strickland, HE) and S. christinae sp. n. from the Karoo long-billed lark Certhilauda subcoronata (Smith) and spike-heeled lark Chersomanes albofasciata (de Lafresnaye, NFAA). In addition, we provided the African reed warbler Acrocephalus baeticatus (Vieillot, LJP) as a new host for S. acrocephali Skoracki, 1999. Our study expands the knowledge on parasite diversity and provides new insights into Wolbachia infection among quill mites in Africa.},
}

@article {pmid39773184,
year = {2025},
author = {Ribeiro, P and Butenko, A and Linke, D and Ghanavi, HR and Meier, JI and Wahlberg, N and Matos-Maraví, P},
title = {Pervasive horizontal transmission of Wolbachia in natural populations of closely related and widespread tropical skipper butterflies.},
journal = {BMC microbiology},
volume = {25},
number = {1},
pages = {5},
pmid = {39773184},
issn = {1471-2180},
support = {n.014/2022/P//Grantová Agentura Jihoceska Univerzita/ ; n.014/2022/P//Grantová Agentura Jihoceska Univerzita/ ; GACR 22-35084J//Grantová Agentura České Republiky/ ; GACR 22-35084J//Grantová Agentura České Republiky/ ; GACR 22-35084J//Grantová Agentura České Republiky/ ; 220540/Z/20/A/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; },
mesh = {*Wolbachia/genetics/classification/isolation & purification ; Animals ; *Butterflies/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Phylogeny ; *Whole Genome Sequencing ; Genome, Bacterial/genetics ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The endosymbiotic relationship between Wolbachia bacteria and insects has been of interest for many years due to their diverse types of host reproductive phenotypic manipulation and potential role in the host's evolutionary history and population dynamics. Even though infection rates are high in Lepidoptera and specifically in butterflies, and reproductive manipulation is present in these taxa, less attention has been given to understanding how Wolbachia is acquired and maintained in their natural populations, across and within species having continental geographical distributions.

RESULTS: We used whole genome sequencing data to investigate the phylogenetics, demographic history, and infection rate dynamics of Wolbachia in four species of the Spicauda genus of skipper butterflies (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae), a taxon that presents sympatric and often syntopic distribution, with drastic variability in species abundance in the Neotropical region. We show that infection is maintained by high turnover rates driven mainly by pervasive horizontal transmissions, while also presenting novel cases of double infection by distantly related supergroups of Wolbachia in S. simplicius.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that Wolbachia population dynamics is host species-specific, with genetic cohesiveness across wide geographical distributions. We demonstrate that low coverage whole genome sequencing data can be used for an exhaustive assessment of Wolbachia infection in natural populations of butterflies, as well as its dynamics in closely related host species. This ultimately leads to a better understanding of the endosymbiotic population dynamics of Wolbachia and its effects on the host's biology and evolution.},
}

*Wolbachia/genetics/classification/isolation & purification
Animals
*Butterflies/microbiology
*Symbiosis
*Phylogeny
*Whole Genome Sequencing
Genome, Bacterial/genetics

@article {pmid39772178,
year = {2024},
author = {Branda, F and Cella, E and Scarpa, F and Slavov, SN and Bevivino, A and Moretti, R and Degafu, AL and Pecchia, L and Rizzo, A and Defilippo, F and Moreno, A and Ceccarelli, G and Alcantara, LCJ and Ferreira, A and Ciccozzi, M and Giovanetti, M},
title = {Wolbachia-Based Approaches to Controlling Mosquito-Borne Viral Threats: Innovations, AI Integration, and Future Directions in the Context of Climate Change.},
journal = {Viruses},
volume = {16},
number = {12},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/v16121868},
pmid = {39772178},
issn = {1999-4915},
mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology ; *Climate Change ; Animals ; *Mosquito Control/methods ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/virology ; *Vector Borne Diseases/prevention & control/transmission ; Humans ; Zika Virus Infection/prevention & control/transmission ; Culicidae/virology/microbiology ; Dengue/prevention & control/transmission ; Aedes/microbiology/virology ; Ecosystem ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia-based mosquito control strategies have gained significant attention as a sustainable approach to reduce the transmission of vector-borne diseases such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. These endosymbiotic bacteria can limit the ability of mosquitoes to transmit pathogens, offering a promising alternative to traditional chemical-based interventions. With the growing impact of climate change on mosquito population dynamics and disease transmission, Wolbachia interventions represent an adaptable and resilient strategy for mitigating the public health burden of vector-borne diseases. Changes in temperature, humidity, and rainfall patterns can alter mosquito breeding habitats and extend the geographical range of disease vectors, increasing the urgency for effective control measures. This review highlights innovations in Wolbachia-based mosquito control and explores future directions in the context of climate change. It emphasizes the integration of Wolbachia with other biological approaches and the need for multidisciplinary efforts to address climate-amplified disease risks. As ecosystems shift, Wolbachia interventions could be crucial in reducing mosquito-borne diseases, especially in vulnerable regions. AI integration in Wolbachia research presents opportunities to enhance mosquito control strategies by modeling ecological data, predicting mosquito dynamics, and optimizing intervention outcomes. Key areas include refining release strategies, real-time monitoring, and scaling interventions. Future opportunities lie in advancing AI-driven approaches for integrating Wolbachia with other vector control measures, promoting adaptive, data-driven responses to climate-amplified disease transmission.},
}

*Wolbachia/physiology
*Climate Change
Animals
*Mosquito Control/methods
*Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/virology
*Vector Borne Diseases/prevention & control/transmission
Humans
Zika Virus Infection/prevention & control/transmission
Culicidae/virology/microbiology
Dengue/prevention & control/transmission
Aedes/microbiology/virology
Ecosystem

@article {pmid39769589,
year = {2024},
author = {Martín-Park, A and Contreras-Perera, Y and Che-Mendoza, A and Pérez-Carrillo, S and Pavía-Ruz, N and Villegas-Chim, J and Trujillo-Peña, E and Bibiano-Marín, W and Medina-Barreiro, A and González-Olvera, G and Navarrete-Carballo, J and Puerta-Guardo, H and Ayora-Talavera, G and Delfín-González, H and Palacio-Vargas, J and Correa-Morales, F and Bezerra, HSDS and Coelho, G and Vazquez-Prokopec, G and Xi, Z and Manrique-Saide, P and Gómez-Dantes, H},
title = {Recommendations for Implementing Innovative Technologies to Control Aedes aegypti: Population Suppression Using a Combination of the Incompatible and Sterile Insect Techniques (IIT-SIT), Based on the Mexican Experience/Initiative.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {15},
number = {12},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects15120987},
pmid = {39769589},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {YUC201703-01-556//Fondo Mixto Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT) (México)-Gobierno del Es-tado de Yucatán/ ; AID-OAA-F-16-00082//U.S. Agency for International Development/ ; APS-7200AA20APS00013//U.S. Agency for International Development/ ; },
abstract = {The future of Aedes aegypti control emphasizes the transition from traditional insecticides toward more sustainable and multisectoral integrated strategies, like using Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes for population suppression or replacement. We reviewed the integration of the successful Mexican initiative, "Mosquitos Buenos", with the key challenges outlined in the PAHO guidelines for incorporating innovative approaches into vector control programs. These challenges include establishing essential infrastructure, training personnel, managing field operations, and fostering community support. Our experience provides critical evidence to support the strategic National Plan for implementing and integrating IIT-SIT technologies to control Ae. aegypti and dengue. Furthermore, this experience serves as a foundation for other countries in the region interested in adopting these technologies. It underscores the importance of strategic planning, multisectoral collaboration, continuous evaluation, and scaling up innovative tools to ensure their long-term effectiveness and sustainability in urban areas where Aedes vectors and the diseases they transmit are endemic.},
}

@article {pmid39763920,
year = {2024},
author = {Arnce, LR and Bubnell, JE and Aquadro, CF},
title = {Comparative Analysis of Drosophila Bam and Bgcn Sequences and Predicted Protein Structural Evolution.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1101/2024.12.17.628990},
pmid = {39763920},
issn = {2692-8205},
abstract = {The protein encoded by the Drosophila melanogaster gene bag of marbles (bam) plays an essential role in early gametogenesis by complexing with the gene product of benign gonial cell neoplasm (bgcn) to promote germline stem cell daughter differentiation in males and females. Here, we compared the AlphaFold2 and AlphaFold Multimer predicted structures of Bam protein and the Bam:Bgcn protein complex between D. melanogaster, D. simulans, and D. yakuba , where bam is necessary in gametogenesis to that in D. teissieri , where it is not. Despite significant sequence divergence, we find very little evidence of significant structural differences in high confidence regions of the structures across the four species. This suggests that Bam structure is unlikely to be a direct cause of its functional differences between species and that Bam may simply not be integrated in an essential manner for GSC differentiation in D. teissieri . Patterns of positive selection and significant amino acid diversification across species is consistent with the Selection, Pleiotropy, and Compensation (SPC) model, where detected selection at bam is consistent with adaptive change in one major trait followed by positively selected compensatory changes for pleiotropic effects (in this case perhaps preserving structure). In the case of bam , we suggest that the major trait could be genetic interaction with the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia pipientis . Following up on detected signals of positive selection and comparative structural analysis could provide insight into the distribution of a primary adaptive change versus compensatory changes following a primary change.},
}

@article {pmid39755093,
year = {2025},
author = {Gao, T and Zhang, Y and Sun, W and Li, Q and Huang, X and Zhi, D and Zi, H and Ji, R and Long, Y and Gong, C and Yang, Y},
title = {The symbiont Wolbachia increases resistance to bifenthrin in Ectropis grisescens by regulating the host detoxification function.},
journal = {Ecotoxicology and environmental safety},
volume = {289},
number = {},
pages = {117666},
doi = {10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.117666},
pmid = {39755093},
issn = {1090-2414},
abstract = {The global issue of insecticide resistance among pests is a major concern. Ectropis grisescens Warren (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), is a highly destructive leaf-eating pest distributed in tea plantations throughout China and Japan, and has exhibited resistance to various insecticides. Recent studies suggest that insect symbionts play a role in influencing insecticide resistance, however, their specific involvement in E. grisescens remains unclear. Here, we initially selected appropriate antibiotic mixtures at a concentration of 300 μg ml[-1]. The bioassay results showed that the insecticide susceptibility of the E. grisescens population treated with antibiotic mixtures significantly increased exposed to bifenthrin. Comparative analysis revealed that the LC50 value, survival rate, P450 enzyme activity, and relative content of Wolbachia in the E. grisescens population treated with 300 μg ml[-1] tetracycline were notably lower than those treated with other antibiotics (ampicillin, gentamicin, and streptomycin). Moreover, the population treated with 2.5 mg ml[-1] tetracycline exhibited even greater reductions in these parameters than the 300 μg ml[-1] tetracycline-treated group. Additionally, 16S rRNA sequencing results showed a significant decrease in xenobiotics metabolism by cytochrome P450 in the E. grisescens population treated with 2.5 mg ml[-1] tetracycline. Transcriptome analysis showed a significant down-regulation of two cytochrome P450 genes in E. grisescens population without Wolbachia. These results suggest that Wolbachia may contribute to the resistance of E. grisescens to bifenthrin by regulating cytochrome P450 genes, providing a foundation for further study on the mechanism of symbiont-mediated host detoxification metabolism in insect pests.},
}

@article {pmid39747462,
year = {2025},
author = {Wu, K and Vu, ED and Ghosh, S and Mishra, R and Bonning, BC},
title = {Continuous cell lines derived from the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, harbor viruses and Wolbachia.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {124},
pmid = {39747462},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {2022-70029-38506//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; },
abstract = {The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), is a major pest of global citriculture. In the Americas and in Asia, D. citri vectors the phloem-limited bacterium, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), which causes the fatal citrus disease huanglongbing, or citrus greening. Cell lines derived from D. citri can provide insight into both the basic biology of this pest and D. citri-associated pathogens including CLas. We previously identified CLG#2 as the optimal medium for long-term growth of D. citri primary cell cultures. Here we report on the establishment and characterization of three continuous D. citri cell lines, Dici1, Dici3, and Dici5, that have been passaged for > 40 times. Based on morphological and transcriptomic data, the Dici1 and Dici3 cell lines include undifferentiated and neurogenic progenitor cells. Dici1 and Dici5 are infected with Wolbachia. Both Dici1 and Dici5 are infected with D. citri reovirus, and Dici5 is also infected with D. citri-associated C virus. Dici3 is free of both Wolbachia and virus infection. These cell lines provide an ideal platform for the study of inter-microbial relationships as well as microbe interaction with host insect cells.},
}

@article {pmid39740726,
year = {2024},
author = {Bhattacharyya, J and Roelke, DL},
title = {Wolbachia-Based Mosquito Control: Environmental Perspectives on Population Suppression and Replacement Strategies.},
journal = {Acta tropica},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {107517},
doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107517},
pmid = {39740726},
issn = {1873-6254},
abstract = {Mosquito-borne diseases pose a significant threat to global health, and traditional mosquito control methods often fall short of effectiveness. A promising alternative is the biological control strategy of transinfecting mosquitoes with Wolbachia, a bacterium capable of outcompeting harmful pathogens and reducing the ability of mosquitoes to transmit diseases. However, Wolbachia infections are sensitive to abiotic environmental factors such as temperature and humidity, which can affect their densities in mosquitoes and, consequently, their ability to block pathogens. This review evaluates the effectiveness of different Wolbachia strains transinfected into mosquitoes in reducing mosquito-borne diseases. It explores how Wolbachia contributes to mosquito population control and pathogen interference, highlighting the importance of mathematical models in understanding Wolbachia transmission dynamics. Additionally, the review addresses the potential impact on arboviral transmission and the challenges posed by environmental fluctuations in mosquito control programs.},
}

@article {pmid39739581,
year = {2024},
author = {Kagemann, CH and Bubnell, JE and Colocho, GM and Arana, D and Aquadro, CF},
title = {Wolbachia pipientis Modulates Germline Stem Cells and Gene Expression Associated with Ubiquitination and Histone Lysine Trimethylation to Rescue Fertility Defects in Drosophila.},
journal = {Genetics},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/genetics/iyae220},
pmid = {39739581},
issn = {1943-2631},
abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis are maternally transmitted endosymbiotic bacteria commonly found in arthropods and nematodes. These bacteria manipulate reproduction of the host to increase their transmission using mechanisms, such as cytoplasmic incompatibility, that favor infected female offspring. The underlying mechanisms of reproductive manipulation by W. pipientis remain unresolved. Interestingly, W. pipientis infection partially rescues female fertility in flies containing hypomorphic mutations of bag of marbles (bam) in D. melanogaster, which plays a key role in germline stem cell (GSC) daughter differentiation. Using RNA-seq, we find W. pipientis infection in bam hypomorphic females results in differential expression of many of bam's genetic and physical interactors and enrichment of ubiquitination and histone lysine methylation genes. We find that W. pipientis also rescues the fertility and GSC functions of a subset of these genes when knocked down with RNAi in a wildtype bam genotype. Our results show that W. pipientis interacts with ubiquitination and histone lysine methylation genes which could be integral to the mechanism by which W. pipientis modulates GSC gene function.},
}

@article {pmid39738989,
year = {2024},
author = {Bassini-Silva, R and Calchi, AC and Castro-Santiago, AC and Marocco, JC and Dorigoni, L and de Quadros, RM and André, MR and Barros-Battesti, DM and Dowling, APG and Labruna, MB and Jacinavicius, FC},
title = {Molecular evidence of Wolbachia in bat-associated mite Periglischrus Iheringi Oudemans, 1902 (Mesostigmata: Spinturnicidae) from Brazil.},
journal = {Veterinary research communications},
volume = {49},
number = {1},
pages = {60},
pmid = {39738989},
issn = {1573-7446},
support = {2020/11755-6//Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo/ ; 2020/07826-5//Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo/ ; 2021/06758-9//Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo/ ; 2022/05615-2//Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo/ ; 2019/19853-0, 2024/01231-0//Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo/ ; #303701/2021-8//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico/ ; #303802/2021-9//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico/ ; 402575/2021-0//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics/isolation & purification/classification ; Brazil ; *Mites/microbiology ; *Phylogeny ; *Chiroptera/microbiology/parasitology ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia is an intracellular endosymbiont bacterium found in nematodes and arthopods. Regarding mites, the Wolbachia supergroup U has been described based on strains found in the genus Spinturnix. In this study, ten specimens of Periglischrus iheringi (Mesostigmata: Spinturnicidae), collected from Artibeus obscurus (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in Santa Catarina State, were found to be infected with Wolbachia. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16 S rRNA gene revealed that the detected Wolbachia strain belongs to Supergroup F, which has also been detected in other ectoparasitic arthropods, such as Columbicola columbae (slender pigeon lice) and Cimex lectularius (bed bug). This study presents the first molecular detection of Wolbachia in P. iheringi.},
}

Animals
*Wolbachia/genetics/isolation & purification/classification
Brazil
*Mites/microbiology
*Phylogeny
*Chiroptera/microbiology/parasitology
*RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics

@article {pmid39737459,
year = {2024},
author = {Ogunlade, ST and Adekunle, AI and McBryde, ES},
title = {Mitigating dengue transmission in Africa: the need for Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes' rollout.},
journal = {Frontiers in public health},
volume = {12},
number = {},
pages = {1506072},
pmid = {39737459},
issn = {2296-2565},
}

@article {pmid39733938,
year = {2024},
author = {Angelella, GM and Foutz, JJ and Galindo-Schuller, J},
title = {Wolbachia infection modifies phloem feeding behavior but not plant virus transmission by a hemipteran host.},
journal = {Journal of insect physiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {104746},
doi = {10.1016/j.jinsphys.2024.104746},
pmid = {39733938},
issn = {1879-1611},
abstract = {Wolbachia-infected and uninfected subpopulations of beet leafhoppers, Circulifer tenellus (Baker) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), co-occur in the Columbia Basin region of Washington and Oregon. While facultative endosymbionts such as Hamiltonella defensa have demonstrably altered feeding/probing behavior in hemipteran hosts, the behavioral phenotypes conferred by Wolbachia to its insect hosts, including feeding/probing, are largely understudied. We studied the feeding/probing behavior of beet leafhoppers with and without Wolbachia using electropenetrography, along with corresponding inoculation rates of beet curly top virus, a phloem-limited plant pathogen vectored by beet leafhoppers. Insects carrying the virus with and without Wolbachia were individually recorded for four hours while interacting with a potato plant, and wavelengths annotated following established conventions. Virus inoculation rates and the duration of phloem salivation events did not vary. Wolbachia-infected insects more than tripled the duration of phloem ingestion, but despite this, Wolbachia infection was linked with marginally lower, not enhanced, acquisition. Regardless, results suggest potential for Wolbachia to increase the acquisition rate of other phloem-limited plant pathogens.},
}

@article {pmid39718247,
year = {2024},
author = {Santos, PKF and de Souza Araujo, N and Françoso, E and Werren, JH and Kapheim, KM and Arias, MC},
title = {The genome of the solitary bee Tetrapedia diversipes (Hymenoptera, Apidae).},
journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/g3journal/jkae264},
pmid = {39718247},
issn = {2160-1836},
support = {001//Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior/ ; 306932/2016-4//CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico/ ; 2013/12530-4//Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)/ ; DEB1257053//USNSF/ ; },
abstract = {Tetrapedia diversipes is a Neotropical solitary bee commonly found in trap-nests, known for its morphological adaptations for floral oil collection and prepupal diapause during the cold and dry season. Here, we present the genome assembly of T. diversipes (332 Mbp), comprising 2,575 scaffolds, with 15,028 predicted protein-coding genes. Repetitive elements constitute 38.68% of the genome, notably Class II transposable elements. An investigation into lateral gene transfers identified a low frequency (0.037%) of nuclear copies of mitochondrial DNA and 18 candidate regions from bacterial origins. Furthermore, the annotation of 3 scaffolds reveals the presence of the Wolbachia endosymbiont genome, confirming the infection by 2 strains in T. diversipes populations. This genome contributes valuable insights into Neotropical bee genomics, offering a resource for comparative studies and enhancing our understanding of the molecular basis of solitary bee adaptations and interactions.},
}

@article {pmid39717715,
year = {2024},
author = {Lai, CT and Hsiao, YT and Wu, LH},
title = {Evidence of horizontal transmission of Wolbachia wCcep in rice moths parasitized by Trichogramma chilonis and its persistence across generations.},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {4},
number = {},
pages = {1519986},
pmid = {39717715},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {The horizontal transmission of endosymbionts between hosts and parasitoids plays a crucial role in biological control, yet its mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigates the dynamics of horizontal transfer of Wolbachia (wCcep) from the rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica, to its parasitoid, Trichogramma chilonis. Through PCR detection and phylogenetic analysis, we demonstrated the presence of identical wCcep strains in both host and parasitoid populations, providing evidence for natural horizontal transmission. To investigate thoroughly, Wolbachia-free colonies were acquired through tetracycline treatment, and the initial density of wCcep in host eggs significantly influences transmission efficiency. High-density wCcep infections led to rapid transmission, with F1 parasitoid titers increasing by as much as 100-fold, while low-density infections exhibited more gradual increases. Additionally, without continuous exposure to infected hosts, wCcep density in T. chilonis diminished over generations. These findings enhance our understanding of Wolbachia's transfer dynamics and have important implications for developing effective and sustainable biological control strategies using parasitoid wasps, particularly in managing Wolbachia-related pest populations in agricultural systems.},
}

@article {pmid39716303,
year = {2024},
author = {da Moura, AJF and Tomaz, F and Melo, T and Seixas, G and Sousa, CA and Pinto, J},
title = {Vector competence of Culex quinquefasciatus from Santiago Island, Cape Verde, to West Nile Virus: exploring the potential effect of the vector native Wolbachia.},
journal = {Parasites & vectors},
volume = {17},
number = {1},
pages = {536},
pmid = {39716303},
issn = {1756-3305},
support = {UID/04413/2020//Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT)/ ; LA/P/0117/2020//LA-REAL/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Culex/virology/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/virology ; *West Nile virus/physiology ; Female ; *West Nile Fever/transmission/virology ; Cabo Verde ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Culex quinquefasciatus plays a crucial role as a vector of West Nile virus (WNV). This mosquito species is widely distributed in Cape Verde, being found in all inhabited islands of the archipelago. However, no data are currently available on the susceptibility of the local mosquito population to WNV. This study aimed to assess the vector competence of Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes from Santiago Island, Cape Verde, for WNV and to explore the potential impact of its native Wolbachia on virus transmission.

METHODS: Wolbachia-infected and uninfected Cx. quinquefasciatus female mosquitoes were exposed to WNV lineage 1 PT6.39 strain using a Hemotek membrane feeding system. Mosquito samples, including the body, legs, wings and saliva, were collected at days 7, 14 and 21 post-infection (dpi) to assess WNV infection through one-step quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR).

RESULTS: Culex quinquefasciatus from Cape Verde exhibited high susceptibility to the tested strain of WNV. Also, treated females without their native Wolbachia exhibited significantly higher WNV load in their bodies and greater dissemination rate at 7 dpi than their wild-type counterparts carrying Wolbachia.

CONCLUSIONS: The high susceptibility to WNV of Cx. quinquefasciatus from Cape Verde poses a potential risk for virus transmission in the archipelago. However, Wolbachia infection in this mosquito species seems to confer protection against WNV dissemination in the early stages of viral infection. Additional research is required to uncover the mechanisms driving this protection and its potential impact on WNV transmission.},
}

Animals
*Culex/virology/microbiology
*Wolbachia/physiology
*Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/virology
*West Nile virus/physiology
Female
*West Nile Fever/transmission/virology
Cabo Verde

@article {pmid39714171,
year = {2024},
author = {Wang, G and Hussain, M and Qi, Z and Asgari, S},
title = {Role of Vigilin and RACK1 in dengue virus-Aedes aegypti-Wolbachia interactions.},
journal = {mSphere},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0048224},
doi = {10.1128/msphere.00482-24},
pmid = {39714171},
issn = {2379-5042},
abstract = {Vigilin is a large and evolutionary conserved RNA-binding protein (RBP), which can interact with RNA through its KH domain. Vigilin is, therefore, a multifunctional protein reported to be associated with RNA transport and metabolism, sterol metabolism, chromosome segregation, carcinogenesis, and heterochromatin-mediated gene silencing. The receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) is another highly conserved protein involved in many cellular pathways. Functional studies in human cells indicated that RACK1 interacts with Vigilin to promote dengue virus (DENV) replication. Both proteins are associated with the endoplasmic reticulum. Here, we investigated the significance of Vigilin and RACK1 homologs in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes concerning DENV replication and Wolbachia infection. We identified the homologs of the two genes in Ae. aegypti (AeVigilin and AeRACK1), which were upregulated in DENV-infected Aag2 cells and mosquitoes, and silencing them in Aag2 cells resulted in reduced DENV replication. Co-immunoprecipitation showed that AeRACK1 and AeVigilin interact in mosquito cells. Interestingly, we also found upregulation of both genes in a Wolbachia-infected cell line (Aag2.wAlbB). Furthermore, silencing AeVigilin and AeRACK1 in Aag2.wAlbB cells reduced DENV replication but increased Wolbachia density. However, we did not find a significant effect on DENV replication after silencing both genes in Ae. aegypti mosquitoes. Overall, our results support the involvement and significance of AeVigilin and AeRACK1 in DENV replication in Ae. aegypti.IMPORTANCEDengue virus (DENV), transmitted mainly by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, poses significant health risks. Identifying factors involved in the virus replication in mosquitoes and human hosts is essential for devising control measures. In this study, we show that Vigilin and the receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1), two proteins shown to play a role in the replication of DENV in human cells, are induced in mosquitoes and cell lines following DENV replication. Both proteins reside in the cytoplasm, where they interact similarly to human cells. Silencing the genes in mosquito cells significantly reduced virus replication. Furthermore, we found that both genes are induced in mosquito cells transinfected with Wolbachia, a bacterium that blocks DENV replication. The results help better understand the role of the common factors supporting DENV replication in mosquitoes and human cells.},
}

@article {pmid39713442,
year = {2024},
author = {Njogu, AK and Logozzo, F and Conner, WR and Shropshire, JD},
title = {Counting rare Wolbachia endosymbionts using digital droplet PCR.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1101/2024.12.10.627731},
pmid = {39713442},
issn = {2692-8205},
abstract = {Wolbachia is the most widespread animal-associated intracellular microbe, living within the cells of over half of insect species. Since they can suppress pathogen replication and spread rapidly through insect populations, Wolbachia is at the vanguard of public health initiatives to control mosquito-borne diseases. Wolbachia's abilities to block pathogens and spread quickly are closely linked to their abundance in host tissues. The most common method for counting Wolbachia is quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), yet qPCR can be insufficient to count rare Wolbachia, necessitating tissue pooling and consequently compromising individual-level resolution of Wolbachia dynamics. Digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) offers superior sensitivity, enabling the detection of rare targets and eliminating the need for sample pooling. Here, we report three ddPCR assays to measure total Wolbachia abundance, Wolbachia abundance adjusted for DNA extraction efficiency, and Wolbachia density relative to host genome copies. Using Drosophila melanogaster with wMel Wolbachia as a model, we show these ddPCR assays can reliably detect as few as 7 to 12 Wolbachia gene copies in a 20 μL reaction. The designed oligos are homologous to sequences from at least 106 Wolbachia strains across Supergroup A and 53 host species from the Drosophila, Scaptomyza, and Zaprionus genera, suggesting broad utility. These highly sensitive ddPCR assays are expected to significantly advance Wolbachia-host interactions research by enabling the collection of molecular data from individual insect tissues. Their ability to detect rare Wolbachia will be especially valuable in applied and natural field settings where pooling samples could obscure important variation.},
}

@article {pmid39709001,
year = {2024},
author = {Mao, B and Wang, YY and Li, SY and Fu, Y and Xiao, YL and Wang, YF},
title = {A potential role for the interaction of Wolbachia surface proteins with the Drosophila microtubulin in maintenance of endosymbiosis and affecting spermiogenesis.},
journal = {Journal of insect physiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {104743},
doi = {10.1016/j.jinsphys.2024.104743},
pmid = {39709001},
issn = {1879-1611},
abstract = {Wolbachia, as a widely infected intracellular symbiotic bacterium in Arthropoda, is able to manipulate the reproduction of insect hosts for facilitating their own transmission. Cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is the most common phenotype that Wolbachia induced in insect hosts where they resulted in the failure of uninfected egg hatch when fertilized with the sperm derived from Wolbachia-infected males, suggesting that the sperm are modified by Wolbachia during spermatogenesis. Although the molecular mechanisms of CI are beginning to be understood, the effects of Wolbachia on the symbiotic relationship and the proper dynamics of spermatogenesis have not yet been fully investigated. We report here that Wolbachia infection induced a significant upregulation of betaTub85D in the testis of Drosophila melanogaster. Knockdown of betaTub85D in fly testes resulted in significant decrease of expression of Wolbachia surface protein gene (wsp), indicating a notable reduction of Wolbachia density. Pull-down analyses revealed that WSP interacted with the betaTub85D of D. melanogaster. Wolbachia infection altered the interactome between betaTub85D and other proteins in the testes, and may thus change the protein synthesis and metabolic pathways. Wolbachia infection induced not only an interaction of betaTub85D with Mst77F but also increase in phosphorylated Mst77F. These results suggest that Wolbachia WSP protein might play important roles in anchoring the endosymbiont to the host's cytoskeleton and consequently interfere the interactions among key proteins involved in spermatogenesis in the insect host testes, resulting in modified sperm.},
}

@article {pmid39703404,
year = {2024},
author = {Huang, K and Zhang, X and Xiong, N and Sun, L and Zhao, X and Zhou, K and Wu, J},
title = {First metagenomic sequencing for the analysis of microbial community populations of adults and pupae of Melophagus ovinus in Xinjiang, China.},
journal = {Frontiers in veterinary science},
volume = {11},
number = {},
pages = {1462772},
pmid = {39703404},
issn = {2297-1769},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Melophagus ovinus, a parasite on the body surface of sheep, directly attacks the host through biting and sucking blood and may also transmit pathogens in the process. There are currently only a few studies on the microbial composition of M. ovinus, while there are no such studies on pupae.

METHODS: In this study, samples AT-1 to AT-4 each contained four M. ovinus individuals, while sample AT-5 comprised four M. ovinus pupae, all used for metagenomic sequencing and analysis. Melophagus ovinus adults and pupae were collected from four regions in Xinjiang, China. DNA was extracted from the samples, amplified, and sequenced using the Illumina Novaseq 6000 System; finally, the sequencing data were analyzed using molecular biology software.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: From all samples, a total of 32 phyla, comprising 372 genera and 1,037 species, were detected. The highest microbial diversity was observed in Kuqa City (AT-2) and Qira County (AT-4). Pupae exhibited 40 unique microbial genera (AT-5) but did not have the highest microbial diversity. Proteobacteria was the dominant phylum in all samples. The dominant genera included Bartonella, Wolbachia, Pseudomonas, and Arsenophonus. This is the first study to report most of the bacteria (e.g., Pseudomonas versuta and Arsenophonus nasoniae), fungi (e.g., Saitoella complicata), viruses (e.g., Orf virus and Wolbachia phage WO), and protozoa (e.g., Trypanosoma theileri and Babesia bigemina) in M. ovinus. This study has enriched the microbial diversity data of M. ovinus, and the pathogens it carries may pose a threat to public health safety and the economy of related industries, necessitating further research to develop effective biological control strategies.},
}

@article {pmid39696847,
year = {2024},
author = {Huang, M and Wang, Z and Nie, Z},
title = {A stage structured model for mosquito suppression with immigration.},
journal = {Mathematical biosciences and engineering : MBE},
volume = {21},
number = {11},
pages = {7454-7479},
doi = {10.3934/mbe.2024328},
pmid = {39696847},
issn = {1551-0018},
mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Male ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; *Mosquito Control/methods ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; Larva/microbiology ; Malaria/prevention & control/transmission ; Culicidae ; Dengue/prevention & control/transmission ; Humans ; Aedes/microbiology ; Computer Simulation ; Models, Biological ; Seasons ; Animal Migration ; Population Dynamics ; Zika Virus Infection/prevention & control/transmission ; },
abstract = {The incompatible insect technique based on Wolbachia is a promising alternative to control mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue fever, malaria, and Zika, which drives wild female mosquitoes sterility through a mechanism cytoplasmic incompatibility. A successful control program should be able to withstand the perturbation induced by the immigration of fertilized females from surrounding uncontrolled areas. In this paper, we formulated a system of delay differential equations, including larval and adult stages, interfered by Wolbachia-infected males. We classified the release number of infected males and immigration number of fertile females, to ensure that the system displays globally asymptotically stable or bistable dynamics. The immigration of fertile females hinders the maximum possible suppression efficiency so that the wild adults cannot be reduced to a level below $ A^*_\infty $. We identified the permitted most migration number to reduce the wild adults to a target level. To reduce up to $ 90\% $ of wild adults in the peak season within two months, an economically viable strategy is to reduce the immigration number of wild females less than $ 0.21\% $ of the carrying capacity of adults in the control area.},
}

Animals
Female
Male
*Wolbachia/physiology
*Mosquito Control/methods
*Mosquito Vectors/microbiology
Larva/microbiology
Malaria/prevention & control/transmission
Culicidae
Dengue/prevention & control/transmission
Humans
Aedes/microbiology
Computer Simulation
Models, Biological
Seasons
Animal Migration
Population Dynamics
Zika Virus Infection/prevention & control/transmission

@article {pmid39695811,
year = {2024},
author = {Jeon, J and Kim, HC and Donnelly, MJ and Choi, KS},
title = {Genetic diversity and Wolbachia infection in the Japanese encephalitis virus vector Culex tritaeniorhynchus in the Republic of Korea.},
journal = {Parasites & vectors},
volume = {17},
number = {1},
pages = {518},
pmid = {39695811},
issn = {1756-3305},
mesh = {Animals ; *Culex/virology/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics/isolation & purification/classification ; *Genetic Variation ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/virology ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; *Encephalitis Virus, Japanese/genetics/classification/isolation & purification ; Phylogeny ; Encephalitis, Japanese/epidemiology/transmission/virology ; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Culex tritaeniorhynchus, a major vector of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), is found across a broad geographical range, including Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe. Understanding the population structure and genetic diversity of pathogen vectors is increasingly seen as important for effective disease control. In China and Japan, two countries in close proximity to the Republic of Korea (ROK), Cx. tritaeniorhynchus has been categorized into two clades based on the DNA barcoding region of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), suggesting the presence of cryptic species. No comprehensive analysis of the genetic diversity in Cx. tritaeniorhynchus has been conducted in the ROK. To address this gap, we investigated the population structure of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the ROK.

METHODS: In Daegu, mosquito collections were conducted over a 2-year period from 2022 to 2023. For all other regions, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus specimens collected in 2023 were used. The COI barcoding region was analyzed to determine the genetic structure of the populations, supplemented with data from the 28S ribosomal DNA region. Each population was also examined for the eventual presence of Wolbachia infection. Finally, a back trajectory analysis was conducted to assess the possibility of international introduction of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus into the ROK.

RESULTS: The analysis of the COI region revealed the presence of two distinct clades within Cx. tritaeniorhynchus; these clades were the same as Cx. tritaeniorhynchus continental type (Ct-C) and C. tritaeniorhynchus Japanese type (Ct-J) previously reported. In contrast, the nuclear 28S region showed no significant genetic differentiation between these clades. Wolbachia infection was confirmed in some populations, but there was no evidence of an association with Wolbachia in Ct-C and Ct-J. It was also confirmed that the ROK is currently dominated by the Ct-J clade, with a possible introduction of Ct-C via air currents.

CONCLUSIONS: Determining the presence of cryptic species is important for preventing vector-borne diseases. The results of this study confirm the existence of two clades of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the ROK, with Ct-J being the dominant clade. Our findings enhance current understanding of the genetic diversity within Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and provide valuable insights for the prevention of JEV outbreaks and the effective management of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus populations in East Asia.},
}

Animals
*Culex/virology/microbiology
*Wolbachia/genetics/isolation & purification/classification
*Genetic Variation
*Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/virology
Republic of Korea/epidemiology
*Encephalitis Virus, Japanese/genetics/classification/isolation & purification
Phylogeny
Encephalitis, Japanese/epidemiology/transmission/virology
Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics
DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic

@article {pmid39681734,
year = {2024},
author = {Rajendran, D and Vinayagam, S and Sekar, K and Bhowmick, IP and Sattu, K},
title = {Symbiotic Bacteria: Wolbachia, Midgut Microbiota in Mosquitoes and Their Importance for Vector Prevention Strategies.},
journal = {Microbial ecology},
volume = {87},
number = {1},
pages = {154},
pmid = {39681734},
issn = {1432-184X},
mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology ; Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; Culicidae/microbiology ; Mosquito Control/methods ; },
abstract = {Mosquito-borne illnesses pose a significant threat to eradication under existing vector management measures. Chemo-based vector control strategies (use of insecticides) raise a complication of resistance and environmental pollution. Biological control methods are an alternative approach to overcoming this complication arising from insecticides. The mosquito gut microbiome is essential to supporting the factors that involve metabolic regulation and metamorphic development (from juvenile to adult), as well as the induction of an immune response. The induced immune response includes the JAK-STAT, IMD, and Toll pathways due to the microbial interaction with the midgut cells (MG cells) that prevent disease transmission to humans. The aforementioned sequel to the review provides information about endosymbiont Wolbachia, which contaminates insect cells, including germline and somatic cytoplasm, and inhibits disease-causing pathogen development and transmission by competing for resources within the cell. Moreover, it reduces the host population via cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), feminization, male killing, and parthenogenesis. Furthermore, the Cif factor in Wolbachia is responsible for CI induction that produces inviable cells with the translocating systems and the embryonic defect-causing protein factor, WalE1 (WD0830), which manipulates the host actin. This potential of Wolbachia can be used to design a paratransgenic system to control vectors in the field. An extracellular symbiotic bacterium such as Asaia, which is grown in the growth medium, is used to transfer lethal genes within itself. Besides, the genetically transferred symbiotic bacteria infect the wild mosquito population and are easily manifold. So, it might be suitable for vector control strategies in the future.},
}

*Wolbachia/physiology
Animals
*Symbiosis
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome
*Mosquito Vectors/microbiology
Culicidae/microbiology
Mosquito Control/methods

@article {pmid39656697,
year = {2024},
author = {Rasool, B and Younis, T and Zafar, S and Parvaiz, A and Javed, Z and Rasool, I and Shakeel, M},
title = {Incidence of endosymbiont bacteria Wolbachia in cowpea weevil Callosobruchus maculatus Fabricius (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae).},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {19},
number = {12},
pages = {e0313449},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0313449},
pmid = {39656697},
issn = {1932-6203},
mesh = {*Wolbachia/genetics/isolation & purification/classification ; Animals ; *Phylogeny ; *Weevils/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; RNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; Coleoptera/microbiology ; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics ; },
abstract = {This study focuses on the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus, a globally distributed grain pest that affects cereals and pulses. Using chemicals to store grains can harm pest control and pose risks to consumers and the environment. The facultative intracellular symbiont bacteria Wolbachia can affect host's reproductive capacities in a variety of ways, which makes it useful in the management of pests such as C. maculatus. The main goal of the study was to identify Wolbachia diversity in the C. maculatus population. Phylogenetic analysis utilized mitochondrial COI and 12S rRNA genes to identify the host C. maculatus, while screening for Wolbachia was conducted using genes (wsp, coxA, and ftsZ) genes. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the Wolbachia genes resulted in one new Wolbachia strain (wCmac1) in C. maculatus populations and contrasting already published data of other Callosobruchus strains. The study discussed the detection of Wolbachia and its phylogenetic comparison with other C. maculatus and Coleopteran populations. It is important to take these findings into account when considering host-pathogen interactions.},
}

*Wolbachia/genetics/isolation & purification/classification
Animals
*Phylogeny
*Weevils/microbiology
*Symbiosis
RNA, Ribosomal/genetics
Coleoptera/microbiology
Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics

@article {pmid39630881,
year = {2024},
author = {Wang, Y and Yu, J},
title = {Dynamics of a non-autonomous delay mosquito population suppression model with Wolbachia-infected male mosquitoes.},
journal = {Journal of biological dynamics},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {2437034},
doi = {10.1080/17513758.2024.2437034},
pmid = {39630881},
issn = {1751-3766},
mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; Male ; *Models, Biological ; *Culicidae/microbiology/physiology ; Population Dynamics ; },
abstract = {In this paper, we develop a non-autonomous delay differential equation model for mosquito population suppression. After establishing the positiveness and boundedness of the solutions, we study the dynamical behaviours of the model with or without Wolbachia-infected male mosquitoes. More specifically, for the model without infected male mosquitoes, we analyse the asymptotic stability of the equilibria and demonstrate that the model undergo Hopf bifurcations under certain conditions. For the model incorporating infected male mosquitoes, we derive sufficient conditions for the global asymptotic stability of the origin. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate and support our theoretical findings.},
}

Animals
*Wolbachia/physiology
Male
*Models, Biological
*Culicidae/microbiology/physiology
Population Dynamics

@article {pmid39629982,
year = {2024},
author = {Ross, PA and Yeatman, E and Berran, MS and Gu, X and Hoffmann, AA and van Heerwaarden, B},
title = {Wolbachia strain wMelM disrupts egg retention by Aedes aegypti females prevented from ovipositing.},
journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0149124},
doi = {10.1128/aem.01491-24},
pmid = {39629982},
issn = {1098-5336},
abstract = {Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are well adapted to dry climates and can retain their eggs for extended periods in the absence of suitable habitat. Wolbachia strains transferred from other insects to mosquitoes can be released to combat dengue transmission by blocking virus replication and spreading through populations, but host fitness costs imposed by Wolbachia, particularly under some environments, can impede spread. We, therefore, assessed the impact of two Wolbachia strains being released for dengue control (wAlbB and wMelM) on fecundity and egg viability following extended egg retention (up to 24 days) under laboratory conditions. Egg viability following retention decreased to a greater extent in females carrying wMelM compared to uninfected or wAlbB females. Fertility fully recovered in uninfected females following a second blood meal after laying retained eggs, while wMelM females experienced only partial recovery. Effects of wMelM on egg retention were similar regardless of whether females were crossed to uninfected or wMelM males, suggesting that fitness costs were triggered by Wolbachia presence in females. The fecundity and hatch proportions of eggs of wMelM females declined with age, regardless of whether females used stored sperm or were recently inseminated. Costs of some Wolbachia strains during egg retention may affect the invasion and persistence of Wolbachia in release sites where larval habitats are scarce and/or intermittent.IMPORTANCEWolbachia mosquito releases are expanding around the world with substantial impacts on dengue transmission. Releases have succeeded in many locations, but the establishment of Wolbachia has been challenging in some environments, and the factors contributing to this outcome remain unresolved. Here, we explore the effects of Wolbachia on a novel trait, egg retention, which is likely to be important for the persistence of mosquito populations in locations with intermittent rainfall. We find substantial impacts of the Wolbachia strain wMelM on the quality of retained eggs but not the wAlbB strain. This cost is driven by the Wolbachia infection status of the female and can partially recover following a second blood meal. The results of our study may help to explain the difficulty in establishing Wolbachia strains at some field release sites and emphasize the need to characterize Wolbachia phenotypes across a variety of traits and strains.},
}

@article {pmid39627857,
year = {2024},
author = {Rahul, A and Reegan, AD and Shriram, AN and Fouque, F and Rahi, M},
title = {Innovative sterile male release strategies for Aedes mosquito control: progress and challenges in integrating evidence of mosquito population suppression with epidemiological impact.},
journal = {Infectious diseases of poverty},
volume = {13},
number = {1},
pages = {91},
pmid = {39627857},
issn = {2049-9957},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Aedes mosquitoes pose a significant global threat as vectors for several debilitating arboviruses, including dengue, Zika, yellow fever, and chikungunya. Their unique breeding habits, behavior, and daytime activity complicate control efforts, prompting the search for innovative solutions. The sterile insect technique (SIT) and incompatible insect technique (IIT) are promising new techniques under investigation. This review synthesizes findings from field trials on SIT and/or IIT for Aedes mosquito control.

METHODS: A scoping review was conducted through comprehensive searches on Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, PubMed, and preprint repositories up to April 25, 2024. Studies were initially screened for relevance based on their titles and abstracts, followed by a full-text review conducted by two independent extractors. Only field trials with control groups were included, with the final assessment focusing on trials reporting epidemiological outcomes. Data were abstracted into templates, emphasizing study design, intervention details, and outcomes. The review adhered to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines.

RESULTS: The search identified 21 field trials in various countries against Aedes mosquitoes. These trials employed diverse methodologies and mosquito release strategies, achieving varying levels of mosquito population suppression. Notably, two SIT and two Wolbachia-based IIT trials reported epidemiological outcomes, including reductions in dengue incidence and associated risk ratios. However, the reliance on national surveillance data for assessing dengue incidence suggests caution due to the potential underreporting of subclinical cases.

CONCLUSIONS: The review underscores the promise of SIT and IIT for controlling Aedes mosquito populations, citing successful reductions in mosquito densities and dengue transmission. However, it calls for more rigorous study designs and standardized methodologies, as well as the adoption of comprehensive frameworks to accurately assess the effectiveness of these interventions. Future research should focus on bridging gaps in real-world effectiveness by addressing factors such as feasibility, acceptability, scalability, and cost, which are crucial for guiding their successful large-scale deployment in any country.},
}

@article {pmid39615475,
year = {2024},
author = {Řezáč, M and Řezáčová, V and Heneberg, P},
title = {Differences in the abundance and diversity of endosymbiotic bacteria drive host resistance of Philodromus cespitum, a dominant spider of central European orchards, to selected insecticides.},
journal = {Journal of environmental management},
volume = {373},
number = {},
pages = {123486},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123486},
pmid = {39615475},
issn = {1095-8630},
abstract = {The ability of tissue endosymbionts to degrade and detoxify agrochemicals is increasingly recognized as a mechanism supporting the survival of arthropods in agroecosystems. Therefore, tissue endosymbionts have the potential to drive insecticide resistance in agrobiont spiders, i.e., in major generalist predators and pest control agents within agroecosystems. We hypothesized that the abundance and diversity of the endosymbiotic bacteria of Philodromus cespitum, a philodromid spider dominating central European apple orchards, vary with regard to differences in predation capacity and drive host insecticide resistance. We provisioned P. cespitum with diets of varying protein and lipid content and topically exposed them to field-relevant doses of commonly used insecticides, namely Mospilan (acetamiprid), Movento (spirotetramat), Gondola (sulfoxaflor), Decis (deltamethrin), Coragen (chlorantraniliprole), and Benevia (cyantraniliprole). The analyses were based on 16S rDNA profiles from lysates of the cephalothorax and legs of the tested spiders. The application of Benevia, Mospilan, and Movento was partially lethal. The spiders that were resistant to the treatments with Benevia, Mospilan, or Movento were associated with the increased relative abundance of Mycoplasmatota by more than one order of magnitude. Additionally, the abundance of other bacteria differed in Mospilan-resistant and Mospilan-sensitive individuals. In contrast, the diet regimens were not associated with any major differences in the microbiome diversity nor the diversity of endosymbionts. Philodromus cespitum hosts assemblages with unexpectedly high beta diversity of endosymbionts. The OTU identified as the alpha proteobacterium endosymbiont of Coelostomidia zealandica was an obligate endosymbiont of the analyzed P. cespitum population. Wolbachia, Rickettsia, and Spiroplasma endosymbionts were also highly prevalent and differed in their responses to the applied treatments. In conclusion, differences in the abundance and diversity of endosymbiotic bacteria drove the resistance of the spider host to selected insecticides.},
}

@article {pmid39615459,
year = {2024},
author = {Chow, JY and Bansal, S and Dickens, BSL and Ma, P and Hoffmann, A and Cheong, YL and Ahmad, NW and Lim, JT},
title = {Assessing the direct and spillover protective effectiveness of Wolbachia-mediated introgression to combat dengue.},
journal = {EBioMedicine},
volume = {110},
number = {},
pages = {105456},
doi = {10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105456},
pmid = {39615459},
issn = {2352-3964},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Dengue remains a global health challenge with limited treatment options, highlighting the need for effective vector control strategies. The introduction of Wolbachia pipientis into Aedes aegypti populations has shown success in reducing dengue transmission across global field trials. However, the spillover effectiveness of the technology on untreated areas is not well-known. This study estimates the spillover protective effectiveness (PE) of Wolbachia-mediated introgression on dengue.

METHODS: We used the synthetic control method (SCM) under assumption of partial interference to evaluate the direct and spillover PEs of Wolbachia-mediated introgression in a long-running operational trial of the intervention in Malaysia. Synthetic controls (SCs), which comprise of a weighted sum of non-spillover controls, were constructed for each directly-treated and spillover site in the pre-intervention period to account for historical imbalances in dengue risk and risk trajectories. SCs were compared to directly/spillover-treated sites to estimate the impact of Wolbachia-introgression on dengue incidence across each site, calendar year and intervention time. Robustness checks, including visual inspections, root-mean-square error (RMSE) calculations, in-space and in-time placebo checks, and permutation tests, were used to inspect the model's ability in attributing dengue incidence reductions to the Wolbachia interventions.

FINDINGS: The direct and spillover PEs of Wolbachia on dengue incidence were expressed as a percentage reduction of dengue incidence, or the absolute case reductions, by comparing SCs to actual intervention/spillover sites. Findings indicate a direct reduction in dengue incidence by 64.35% (95% CI: 63.50-66.71, p < 0.05 using permutation tests) in directly treated areas, corresponding to 1802 (95% CI: 1768-1932) cases averted. Meanwhile, spillover effects contributed to a 37.69% (95% CI: 36.45-38.49, p < 0.05) reduction in adjacent non-intervention areas, accounting for 115 (95% CI: 104-132) absolute cases averted. Tracking PEs by intervention time revealed a dose-response relationship, where PEs increased concomitantly with Wolbachia frequency. Model checks confirmed the robustness of these results, and ascertained that these PEs were not an artefact of poor control selection, pre-trends in dengue incidence or poor predictive ability of the fitted SCs.

INTERPRETATION: Wolbachia-introgression effectively diminished dengue incidence in directly-treated and surrounding spillover regions. This dual effectiveness highlights the potential of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes as a sustainable, cost-effective strategy against dengue.

FUNDING: This research is hosted by CNRS@CREATE and supported by the National Research Foundation, Prime Minister's Office, Singapore, under its Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) program, and is funded by the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine-Ministry of Education Start-Up Grant. The original Hoffmann et al. (2024) study was funded by the Wellcome Trust Awards 226166, 108508, 202888 and the Ministry of Health Malaysia NMRR-16-297-28898.},
}

@article {pmid39614636,
year = {2024},
author = {Jiménez-Florido, P and Aquilino, M and Buckley, D and Bella, JL and Planelló, R},
title = {Differential gene expression in Chorthippus parallelus (Zetterstedt, 1821) (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Gomphocerinae) induced by Wolbachia infection.},
journal = {Insect science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.13481},
pmid = {39614636},
issn = {1744-7917},
support = {PID2019-104952GBI00//Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad/ ; FPU contract 22/02220//Ministerioa de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades/ ; PEJD-2019-POST/AMB-16425//Comunidada de Madrid/European Social Fund/ ; María Zambrano contract//Ministerio de Universidades/Europeana Union-NextGeneration Programme/ ; },
abstract = {Distinct lineages of the grasshopper Chorthippus parallelus (Orthoptera: Acrididae) form well-known hybrid zones (HZs) both in the Pyrenees and the Alps mountain ranges in South Europe. These HZs represent unique experimental systems to identify "key genes" that maintain genetic boundaries between emerging species. The Iberian endemism C. p. erythropus (Cpe) and the subspecies C. p. parallelus (Cpp), widely distributed throughout the rest of Europe, overlap and form the Pyrenean HZ. Both subspecies differ morphologically, as well as in behavioral, mitochondrial, nuclear, and chromosomal traits, and in the strains of the maternally transmitted bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia infecting them. This results in either unidirectional and bidirectional cytoplasmic incompatibility between both grasshopper subspecies, pointing out that Wolbachia clearly affects gene expression in the infected individuals. Here we explore how Wolbachia may modify the expression of some major genes involved in relevant pathways in Cpp in the Pyrenean HZ. We have analyzed, through molecular biomarkers, the physiological responses in C. parallelus individuals infected by Wolbachia, with particular attention to the energy metabolism, the immune system response, and the reproduction. qPCR was used to evaluate the expression of selected genes in the gonads of infected and uninfected adults of both sexes, since this tissue constitutes the main target of Wolbachia infection. Transcriptional analyses also showed differential sex-dependent responses in most of the analyzed biomarkers in infected and noninfected individuals. We identified for the first time new sensitive biomarkers that might be involved in the reproductive barrier induced by Wolbachia in the hybrid zone.},
}

@article {pmid39605481,
year = {2024},
author = {Culotta, J and Lindsey, AR},
title = {A reference genome for Trichogramma kaykai : A tiny desert-dwelling parasitoid wasp with competing sex-ratio distorters.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1101/2024.11.22.624848},
pmid = {39605481},
issn = {2692-8205},
abstract = {The tiny parasitoid wasp Trichogramma kaykai inhabits the Mojave Desert of the southwest United States. Populations of this tiny insect variably host up to two different sex-distorting genetic elements: (1) the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia which induces the parthenogenetic reproduction of females, and (2) a B-chromosome, "Paternal Sex Ratio" (PSR), which converts would-be female offspring to PSR-transmitting males. We report here the genome of a Wolbachia -infected Trichogramma kaykai isofemale colony KSX58. Using Oxford Nanopore sequencing we produced a final genome assembly of 203 Mbp with 45x coverage, consisting of 213 contigs with an N50 of 1.9 Mbp. The assembly is quite complete, with 91.41% complete BUSCOs recovered: a very high score for Trichogrammatids that have been previously characterized for having high levels of core gene losses. We also report a complete mitochondrial genome for T. kaykai, and an assembly of the associated Wolbachia , strain w Tkk. We identified copies of the parthenogenesis-inducing genes pifA and pifB in a remnant prophage region of the w Tkk genome. The Trichogramma kaykai assembly is the highest quality genome assembly for the genus to-date and will serve as a great resource for understanding the evolution of sex and selfish genetic elements.},
}

@article {pmid39597595,
year = {2024},
author = {da Silva, LMI and da Silva, JI and da Silva, AF and Dezordi, FZ and Machado, LC and Qin, S and Fan, H and Tong, Y and Campos, TL and Paiva, MHS and Wallau, GL},
title = {Sequencing and Analysis of Wolbachia Strains from A and B Supergroups Detected in Sylvatic Mosquitoes from Brazil.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {12},
number = {11},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms12112206},
pmid = {39597595},
issn = {2076-2607},
abstract = {Wolbachia are endosymbiotic bacteria that infect a wide range of arthropods and filarial nematodes, often manipulating host reproduction. The efficacy of Wolbachia-based interventions for dengue and chikungunya control has been validated through numerous field studies in recent years. This study aimed to investigate the diversity and prevalence of Wolbachia infections in sylvatic mosquitoes from two locations in Recife, Brazil. Multiple mosquito species were screened for Wolbachia using both target marker gene amplification coupled with Sanger sequencing and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) approaches. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted to classify Wolbachia strains into supergroups and assess their evolutionary relationships. Results revealed the presence of Wolbachia in eleven mosquito species examined, with different infection rates. Both supergroups A and B of Wolbachia strains were identified, with Aedes albopictus showing co-infection by both supergroups through the WGS approach. We also detected indirect evidence of Wolbachia horizontal transmission among mosquitoes and other distant host orders. This study provides valuable insights into the distribution and diversity of Wolbachia in sylvatic mosquitoes from Brazil and adds new important data about Wolbachia detection through target marker gene amplicon coupled with Sanger sequencing and WGS methods, highlighting its complementarity to ascertain the presence of Wolbachia in mosquito samples.},
}

@article {pmid39588098,
year = {2024},
author = {Fukatsu, T and Gottlieb, Y and Tsiamis, G and McGraw, E and Perlman, S and Bouchon, D and Johnson, K and Taylor, MJ},
title = {Editorial: Frontiers in Wolbachia biology 2023.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1513314},
pmid = {39588098},
issn = {1664-302X},
}

@article {pmid39581403,
year = {2024},
author = {Gao, M and Li, B and Zhang, K and Li, D and Chen, R and Elumalai, P and Gao, X and Wang, L and Zhu, X and Luo, J and Ji, J and Cui, J},
title = {Worldwide used bio-insecticides Cry1Ac toxin have no detrimental effects on E. balteatus but alter the symbiotic microbial communities.},
journal = {International journal of biological macromolecules},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {137995},
doi = {10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.137995},
pmid = {39581403},
issn = {1879-0003},
abstract = {Hoverflies, capable of abilities providing dual ecosystem services including pest control and pollination, are exposed to insecticidal proteins from transgenic plants via pollen and prey aphids. However, the effects of such exposures on hoverflies have never been adequately assessed. Here, we investigated impacts of the most widely used biotoxin Cry1Ac on a representative hoverfly species Episyrphus balteatus through food chain transmission and active toxin exposure. The results showed Cry1Ac can be transmitted into E. balteatus through feeding on Aphis gossypii reared by Bt insect-resistant cotton variety expressing the Cry1Ac toxin, but the biological parameters of E. balteatus including survival rate, growth, development, reproductive capacity, and detoxification-related gene expression, were not significantly affected. Furthermore, the exposure to high-dose Cry1Ac toxin (500 μg/mL) resulted in slight increase of 16.67 % in the activity of detoxification and antioxidant enzyme catalase in E. balteatus and inhibited the egg hatching, partially inducing stress responses. Notably, the exposure to Cry1Ac toxin disrupted the microbiota homeostasis in E. balteatus, and the relative abundances of three dominant symbiotic bacterial genera (Cosenzaea, Wolbachia, and Commensalibacter) in E. balteatus exhibited a 10 % ~ 40 % fluctuation under Cry1Ac toxin stress. Taken together, these results suggest Cry1Ac toxin is not lethal to E. balteatus, but it poses a potential threat to its endosymbiotic bacteria.},
}

@article {pmid39576110,
year = {2024},
author = {Hussain, M and Qi, Z and Asgari, S},
title = {Interaction of the Wolbachia surface protein with a novel pro-viral protein from Aedes aegypti.},
journal = {mBio},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0148624},
doi = {10.1128/mbio.01486-24},
pmid = {39576110},
issn = {2150-7511},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Dengue virus (DENV) and other flaviviruses are prevented from replicating in mosquitoes by Wolbachia. To date, several reports have appeared that highlight multiple molecular and cellular pathways involved in the blocking mechanism, which underlines the complicated nature of the mechanism. Here, we developed a hypothesis on whether Wolbachia proteins interact with pro-viral host proteins by using a unique approach to study the antiviral mechanism based on Wolbachia-host protein-protein interaction. We selected Wolbachia surface protein (WSP) for co-immunoprecipitation because of its abundance and possible secretion. We first confirmed WSP's secretion in mosquito cells and found two host proteins, Ae. aegypti serine-threonine kinase (STK) and synaptic vesicle membrane (SVM) protein VAT-1, and one Wolbachia protein (wGroEL) interacting with WSP. We examined the role of STK and SVM genes in relation to DENV replication in Ae. aegypti mosquitoes and mosquito cell lines with and without Wolbachia. In DENV-infected Aag2 cells, the expression of SVM and STK was significantly increased. However, although these genes were induced in Wolbachia-infected Aag2 cells, they were downregulated after DENV infection. Silencing of STK, but not SVM, reduced DENV replication in Aag2 cells and mosquitoes. Conversely, RNA activation of STK, by utilizing promoter induction via short activating oligos, resulted in higher DENV replication in Wolbachia-infected and uninfected cell lines. Overall, our findings suggest that STK is a pro-viral gene, and Wolbachia WSP binds to STK, possibly making it less accessible for DENV replication.

IMPORTANCE: Wolbachia is an endosymbiotic bacterium that blocks the replication of arboviruses in transinfected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. In this study, we focused on identifying the potential interaction of Wolbachia proteins with the host pro-viral proteins. For this, we embarked on identifying the interacting proteins with a major Wolbachia protein, WSP, which is both structural and also secreted into the host cells. An Ae. aegypti STK was identified, which is induced in DENV and Wolbachia-infected cells. Silencing or induction of the gene led to reduced and increased DENV replication in vitro. Consistently, knocking down the gene in mosquitoes resulted in decreased virus replication. We hypothesize that WSP may sequester STK, which is pro-viral, contributing to Wolbachia virus blocking.},
}

@article {pmid39575185,
year = {2024},
author = {Brischetto, C and Rossi, V and Fedele, G},
title = {The microbiome analysis of ripen grape berries supports the complex etiology of sour rot.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1450443},
pmid = {39575185},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Sour rot (SR) is a grapevine disease complex that is not completely understood in its etiology and epidemiology. Recently, SR has received special attention due to its increasing economic importance due to crop losses and reduced wine quality. In this study, the fungal and bacterial microbiota of healthy (i.e., without rot symptoms) and rotten (i.e., exhibiting visual and olfactory SR symptoms) ripe bunches were characterized across 47 epidemics (39 vineyards in six Italian grape-growing areas) over three years. The 16S rRNA gene, ITS high-throughput amplicon sequencing, and quantitative PCR were used to assess the relative abundance and dynamic changes of microorganisms associated with SR. The estimators of genera richness of fungal communities within samples indicated a significantly different diversity between healthy and rotten bunches. For bacterial communities, the healthy and rotten bunches significantly differed in the total number of species, but not in abundance distribution across species. The bunch status (i.e., healthy and rotten) was a significant source of diversity (p < 0.01) when the community composition between samples was evaluated, indicating that microbiome composition varied between healthy and rotten bunches. In particular, healthy and rotten bunches shared 43.1 and 54.8% of fungal and bacterial genera, respectively; 31.3% (fungal) and 26.2% (bacterial) genera were associated with rotten bunches only. The yeast genera Zygosaccharomyces, Zygoascus, Saccharomycopsis, Issatchenkia, and Pichia and the bacterial genera Orbus, Gluconobacter, Komagataeibacter, Gluconacetobacter, and Wolbachia were strongly associated with bunches showing SR symptoms based on a linear discriminant analysis. These microorganisms have been associated with Drosophila insects in literature. The relationships between the microflora associated with SR-affected bunches and the roles of Drosophila in SR development need further investigation, which may open perspectives for more effective disease control.},
}

@article {pmid39574078,
year = {2024},
author = {Lim, PL and Cook, AR and Bansal, S and Chow, JY and Lim, JT},
title = {Wolbachia incompatible insect technique program optimization over large spatial scales using a process-based model of mosquito metapopulation dynamics.},
journal = {BMC biology},
volume = {22},
number = {1},
pages = {269},
pmid = {39574078},
issn = {1741-7007},
mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology ; Animals ; *Mosquito Control/methods ; *Population Dynamics ; Singapore ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/physiology ; Male ; Models, Biological ; Aedes/microbiology/physiology ; Pest Control, Biological/methods ; Culicidae/physiology/microbiology ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia incompatible insect technique (IIT) programs have been shown in field trials to be highly effective in suppressing populations of mosquitoes that carry diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. However, the frequent and repeated release of Wolbachia-infected male mosquitoes makes such programs resource-intensive. While the need for optimization is recognized, potential strategies to optimize releases and reduce resource utilization have not been fully explored.

RESULTS: We developed a process-based model to study the spatio-temporal metapopulation dynamics of mosquitoes in a Wolbachia IIT program, which explicitly incorporates climatic influence in mosquito life-history traits. We then used the model to simulate various scale-down and redistribution strategies to optimize the existing program in Singapore. Specifically, the model was used to study the trade-offs between the intervention efficacy outcomes and resource requirements of various release program strategies, such as the total number of release events and the number of mosquitoes released. We found that scaling down releases in existing sites from twice a week to only once a week yielded small changes in suppression efficacy (from 87 to 80%), while requiring 44% fewer mosquitoes and release events. Additionally, redistributing mosquitoes from already suppressed areas and releasing them in new areas once a week led to a greater total suppressive efficacy (83% compared to 61%) while also yielding a 16% and 14% reduction in the number of mosquitoes and release events required, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Both scale-down and redistribution strategies can be implemented to significantly reduce program resource requirements without compromising the suppressive efficacy of IIT. These findings will inform planners on ways to optimize existing and future IIT programs, potentially allowing for the wider adoption of this method for mosquito-borne disease control.},
}

*Wolbachia/physiology
Animals
*Mosquito Control/methods
*Population Dynamics
Singapore
Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/physiology
Male
Models, Biological
Aedes/microbiology/physiology
Pest Control, Biological/methods
Culicidae/physiology/microbiology

@article {pmid39562330,
year = {2024},
author = {Higashi, CHV and Patel, V and Kamalaker, B and Inaganti, R and Bressan, A and Russell, JA and Oliver, KM},
title = {Another tool in the toolbox: Aphid-specific Wolbachia protect against fungal pathogens.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology},
volume = {26},
number = {11},
pages = {e70005},
doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.70005},
pmid = {39562330},
issn = {1462-2920},
support = {1754302//National Science Foundation/ ; 2109582//National Science Foundation/ ; 2240392//National Science Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {*Aphids/microbiology ; Animals ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; Musa/microbiology ; },
abstract = {Aphids harbor nine common facultative symbionts, most mediating one or more ecological interactions. Wolbachia pipientis, well-studied in other arthropods, remains poorly characterized in aphids. In Pentalonia nigronervosa and P. caladii, global pests of banana, Wolbachia was initially hypothesized to function as a co-obligate nutritional symbiont alongside the traditional obligate Buchnera. However, genomic analyses failed to support this role. Our sampling across numerous populations revealed that more than 80% of Pentalonia aphids carried an M-supergroup strain of Wolbachia (wPni). The lack of fixation further supports a facultative status for Wolbachia, while high infection frequencies in these entirely asexual aphids strongly suggest Wolbachia confers net fitness benefits. Finding no correlation between Wolbachia presence and food plant use, we challenged Wolbachia-infected aphids with common natural enemies. Bioassays revealed that Wolbachia conferred significant protection against a specialized fungal pathogen (Pandora neoaphidis) but not against generalist pathogens or parasitoids. Wolbachia also improved aphid fitness in the absence of enemy challenge. Thus, we identified the first clear benefits for aphid-associated Wolbachia and M-supergroup strains specifically. Aphid-Wolbachia systems provide unique opportunities to merge key models of symbiosis to better understand infection dynamics and mechanisms underpinning symbiont-mediated phenotypes.},
}

*Aphids/microbiology
Animals
*Wolbachia/physiology
*Symbiosis
Musa/microbiology

@article {pmid39556610,
year = {2024},
author = {Garrigós, M and Garrido, M and Ruiz-López, MJ and García-López, MJ and Veiga, J and Magallanes, S and Soriguer, R and Moreno-Indias, I and Figuerola, J and Martínez-de la Puente, J},
title = {Microbiota composition of Culex perexiguus mosquitoes during the West Nile virus outbreak in southern Spain.},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {19},
number = {11},
pages = {e0314001},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0314001},
pmid = {39556610},
issn = {1932-6203},
mesh = {Animals ; Spain/epidemiology ; *West Nile Fever/epidemiology/virology ; *Culex/microbiology/virology ; *Disease Outbreaks ; *West Nile virus/isolation & purification/genetics ; *Microbiota ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/virology ; Humans ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Female ; },
abstract = {West Nile virus (WNV) is a flavivirus naturally circulating between mosquito vectors and birds, occasionally infecting horses and humans and causing epidemiologically relevant outbreaks. In Spain, the first big WNV outbreak was recorded in 2020, resulting in 77 people infected and 8 fatalities, most of them in southern Spain. Culex perexiguus was identified as the primary vector of WNV maintaining its enzootic circulation of the virus. Growing evidence highlights the role of mosquito microbiota as a key component determining the vectorial capacity of mosquitoes, largely contributing to disease epidemiology. Here, we develop, to our knowledge, the first identification of the microbiota composition of this mosquito vector under natural conditions and test for the potential relationship between mosquito microbiota composition and WNV infection. To do so, we collected mosquitoes in a natural area of southern Spain during the 2020 WNV outbreak and identified the microbiota composition of mosquitoes using a 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding approach. The microbiota of Cx. perexiguus was dominated by the phylum Proteobacteria. The most abundant families were Burkholderiaceae and Erwiniaceae, including the genera Burkholderia, Erwinia, and Pantoea. The genus Wolbachia, which use to dominate the microbiota of Cx. pipiens and negatively interact with WNV according to the literature, had a low prevalence and relative abundance in Cx. perexiguus and its abundance did not differ between WNV-positive and WNV-negative mosquito pools. The microbiota diversity and composition of Cx. perexiguus were not significantly related to the WNV infection status. These results provide the first identification of the mosquito microbiota in an endemic area of WNV circulation in Spain.},
}

Animals
Spain/epidemiology
*West Nile Fever/epidemiology/virology
*Culex/microbiology/virology
*Disease Outbreaks
*West Nile virus/isolation & purification/genetics
*Microbiota
*Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/virology
Humans
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Female

@article {pmid39548000,
year = {2024},
author = {Visser, B and Scheifler, M},
title = {Insect Lipid Metabolism in the Presence of Symbiotic and Pathogenic Viruses and Bacteria.},
journal = {Advances in experimental medicine and biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {39548000},
issn = {0065-2598},
abstract = {Insects, like most animals, have intimate interactions with microorganisms that can influence the insect host's lipid metabolism. In this chapter, we describe what is known so far about the role prokaryotic microorganisms play in insect lipid metabolism. We start exploring microbe-insect lipid interactions focusing on endosymbionts, and more specifically the gut microbiota that has been predominantly studied in Drosophila melanogaster. We then move on to an overview of the work done on the common and well-studied endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis, also in interaction with other microbes. Taking a slightly different angle, we then look at the effect of human pathogens, including dengue and other viruses, on the lipids of mosquito vectors. We extend the work on human pathogens and include interactions with the endosymbiont Wolbachia that was identified as a natural tool to reduce the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. Research on lipid metabolism of plant disease vectors is up and coming and we end this chapter by highlighting current knowledge in that field.},
}

@article {pmid39547593,
year = {2024},
author = {Hu, H and Lu, Z and Ma, Y and Song, X and Wang, D and Wu, C and Ma, X and Shan, Y and Ren, X and Ma, Y},
title = {Impact of transinfection of Wolbachia from the planthopper Laodelphax striatellus on reproductive fitness and transcriptome of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci.},
journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {108230},
doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2024.108230},
pmid = {39547593},
issn = {1096-0805},
abstract = {The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is critical global pest threatening crops and leading to agricultural losses. Wolbachia is an intracellular symbiotic bacterium in insects, which can regulate the growth and development of the host through various ways. In a prior study, Wolbachia was found to be transferred to whitefly and induce fitness changes. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms of host-Wolbachia interactions in B. tabaci. In this study, a Wolbachia strain wStri was isolated from the small brown planthopper, Laodelphex striatellus, and transferred to B. tabaci. The distribution of Wolbachia in whiteflies was determined using fluorescence in situ hybridization. Reciprocal crossing experiments demonstrated that wStri did not induce cytoplasmic incompatibility phenotypes in B. tabaci, but prolonged the developmental duration of the offspring. We performed transcriptomic analysis of Wolbachia-infected female and male adults using Illumina-based RNA-Seq. A total of 843 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in infected females, among them 141 were significantly up-regulated and 702 were down-regulated by Wolbachia infection. In infected males, of 511 gene sets, 279 host genes were significantly up-regulated, and 232 were down-regulated by Wolbachia infection. KEGG analysis of DEGs demonstrated significant differences in gene pathway distribution between up-regulated and down-regulated genes. These genes are involved in various biological processes, including, but not limited to, detoxification, oxidation-reduction, metabolic processes, and immunity. The transcriptomic profiling of this study offers valuable information on the differential expression of genes in whiteflies following Wolbachia infection, and enhances our understanding of this host-symbiotic interaction.},
}

@article {pmid39543157,
year = {2024},
author = {Edenborough, K and Supriyati, E and Dufault, S and Arguni, E and Indriani, C and Denton, J and Sasmono, RT and Ahmad, RA and Anders, KL and Simmons, CP},
title = {Dengue virus genomic surveillance in the applying Wolbachia to eliminate dengue trial reveals genotypic efficacy and disruption of focal transmission.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {28004},
pmid = {39543157},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {1173928//National Health and Medical Research Council/ ; 1173928//National Health and Medical Research Council/ ; },
abstract = {Release of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia pipientis (wMel strain) is a biocontrol approach against Ae. aegypti-transmitted arboviruses. The Applying Wolbachia to Eliminate Dengue (AWED) cluster-randomised trial was conducted in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in 2018-2020 and provided pivotal evidence for the efficacy of wMel-Ae. aegypti mosquito population replacement in significantly reducing the incidence of virologically-confirmed dengue (VCD) across all four dengue virus (DENV) serotypes. Here, we sequenced the DENV genomes from 318 dengue cases detected in the AWED trial, with the aim of characterising DENV genetic diversity, measuring genotype-specific intervention effects, and inferring DENV transmission dynamics in wMel-treated and untreated areas of Yogyakarta. Phylogenomic analysis of all DENV sequences revealed the co-circulation of five endemic DENV genotypes: DENV-1 genotype I (12.5%) and IV (4.7%), DENV-2 Cosmopolitan (47%), DENV-3 genotype I (8.5%), and DENV-4 genotype II (25.7%), and one recently imported genotype, DENV-4 genotype I (1.6%). The diversity of genotypes detected among AWED trial participants enabled estimation of the genotype-specific protective efficacies of wMel, which were similar (± 10%) to the point estimates of the respective serotype-specific efficacies reported previously. This indicates that wMel afforded protection to all of the six genotypes detected in Yogyakarta. We show that within this substantial overall viral diversity, there was a strong spatial and temporal structure to the DENV genomic relationships, consistent with highly focal DENV transmission around the home in wMel-untreated areas and a near-total disruption of transmission by wMel. These findings can inform long-term monitoring of DENV transmission dynamics in Wolbachia-treated areas including Yogyakarta.},
}

@article {pmid39533947,
year = {2024},
author = {Serga, S and Kovalenko, PA and Maistrenko, OM and Deconninck, G and Shevchenko, O and Iakovenko, N and Protsenko, Y and Susulovsky, A and Kaczmarek, Ł and Pavlovska, M and Convey, P and Kozeretska, I},
title = {Wolbachia in Antarctic terrestrial invertebrates: Absent or undiscovered?.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology reports},
volume = {16},
number = {6},
pages = {e70040},
doi = {10.1111/1758-2229.70040},
pmid = {39533947},
issn = {1758-2229},
support = {//Ukrainian State Special-Purpose Research Program in Antarctica for 2011-2025/ ; //Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)/ ; 22-28778S//Czech Science Foundation/ ; RVO 67985904//Czech Science Foundation/ ; CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16_019/0000803//OP RDE/ ; EVA4.0//OP RDE/ ; ANR-20-CE02-0011-01//ANR (Agence Nationale de la Recherche Française)/ ; //Scholarship from the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine for Young Scientists/ ; //PAUSE-ANR Ukraine Program/ ; },
mesh = {*Wolbachia/genetics/classification/isolation & purification/physiology ; Animals ; Antarctic Regions ; *Invertebrates/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; Phylogeny ; },
abstract = {Interactions between a host organism and its associated microbiota, including symbiotic bacteria, play a crucial role in host adaptation to changing environmental conditions. Antarctica provides a unique environment for the establishment and maintenance of symbiotic relationships. One of the most extensively studied symbiotic bacteria in invertebrates is Wolbachia pipientis, which is associated with a wide variety of invertebrates. Wolbachia is known for manipulating host reproduction and having obligate or facultative mutualistic relationships with various hosts. However, there is a lack of clear understanding of the prevalence of Wolbachia in terrestrial invertebrates in Antarctica. We present the outcomes of a literature search for information on the occurrence of Wolbachia in each of the major taxonomic groups of terrestrial invertebrates (Acari, Collembola, Diptera, Rotifera, Nematoda, Tardigrada). We also performed profiling of prokaryotes based on three marker genes and Kraken2 in available whole genome sequence data obtained from Antarctic invertebrate samples. We found no reports or molecular evidence of Wolbachia in these invertebrate groups in Antarctica. We discuss possible reasons underlying this apparent absence and suggest opportunities for more targeted future research to confirm bacteria's presence or absence.},
}

*Wolbachia/genetics/classification/isolation & purification/physiology
Animals
Antarctic Regions
*Invertebrates/microbiology
*Symbiosis
Phylogeny

@article {pmid39532731,
year = {2024},
author = {Almeida, L and Bellver-Arnau, J and Privat, Y and Rebelo, C},
title = {Vector-borne disease outbreak control via instant releases.},
journal = {Journal of mathematical biology},
volume = {89},
number = {6},
pages = {63},
pmid = {39532731},
issn = {1432-1416},
support = {754362//H2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions/ ; 44567YH-5460//PHC/FCT Pessoa Program 2020/ ; UIDB/04621/2020//FCT projects/ ; UIDP/04621/2020//FCT projects/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Mathematical Concepts ; *Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control/statistics & numerical data ; *Vector Borne Diseases/prevention & control/epidemiology/transmission ; *Mosquito Vectors/virology/microbiology ; Humans ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; *Models, Biological ; Male ; *Mosquito Control/methods/statistics & numerical data ; Pest Control, Biological/methods/statistics & numerical data ; Algorithms ; Dengue/prevention & control/epidemiology/transmission ; Computer Simulation ; Female ; Malaria/prevention & control/transmission/epidemiology ; Zika Virus Infection/epidemiology/prevention & control/transmission ; },
abstract = {This paper is devoted to the study of optimal release strategies to control vector-borne diseases, such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya and malaria. Two techniques are considered: the sterile insect one (SIT), which consists in releasing sterilized males among wild vectors in order to perturb their reproduction, and the Wolbachia one (presently used mainly for mosquitoes), which consists in releasing vectors, that are infected with a bacterium limiting their vectorial capacity, in order to replace the wild population by one with reduced vectorial capacity. In each case, the time dynamics of the vector population is modeled by a system of ordinary differential equations in which the releases are represented by linear combinations of Dirac measures with positive coefficients determining their intensity. We introduce optimal control problems that we solve numerically using ad-hoc algorithms, based on writing first-order optimality conditions characterizing the best combination of Dirac measures. We then discuss the results obtained, focusing in particular on the complexity and efficiency of optimal controls and comparing the strategies obtained. Mathematical modeling can help testing a great number of scenarios that are potentially interesting in future interventions (even those that are orthogonal to the present strategies) but that would be hard, costly or even impossible to test in the field in present conditions.},
}

Animals
*Mathematical Concepts
*Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control/statistics & numerical data
*Vector Borne Diseases/prevention & control/epidemiology/transmission
*Mosquito Vectors/virology/microbiology
Humans
*Wolbachia/physiology
*Models, Biological
Male
*Mosquito Control/methods/statistics & numerical data
Pest Control, Biological/methods/statistics & numerical data
Algorithms
Dengue/prevention & control/epidemiology/transmission
Computer Simulation
Female
Malaria/prevention & control/transmission/epidemiology
Zika Virus Infection/epidemiology/prevention & control/transmission

@article {pmid39525364,
year = {2023},
author = {Tiley, K and Entwistle, J and Thomas, B and Yakob, L and Brady, O},
title = {Using models and maps to inform Target Product Profiles and Preferred Product Characteristics: the example of Wolbachia replacement.},
journal = {Gates open research},
volume = {7},
number = {},
pages = {68},
pmid = {39525364},
issn = {2572-4754},
mesh = {*Wolbachia ; Animals ; *Aedes/microbiology ; *Dengue/prevention & control/transmission/epidemiology ; Humans ; *Mosquito Control/methods/economics ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The global prevalence of diseases transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, such as dengue, Zika and Yellow Fever, is increasing, but development of promising new mosquito control technologies could reverse this trend. Target Product Profiles (TPPs) and Preferred Product Characteristics (PPCs) documents issued by the World Health Organization can guide the research and development pathways of new products and product combinations transitioning from proof of concept to operational use.

METHODS: We used high resolution global maps of the case and economic burden of dengue to derive programmatic cost targets to support a TPP for Wolbachia replacement. A compartmental entomological model was used to explore how release size, spacing and timing affect replacement speed and acceptability. To support a PPC for a hybrid suppress-then-replace approach we tested whether Wolbachia replacement could be achieved faster, more acceptably or at a lower cost if preceded by a mosquito suppression programme.

RESULTS: We show how models can reveal trade-offs, identify quantitative thresholds and prioritise areas and intervention strategies for further development. We estimate that for Wolbachia replacement to be deployable in enough areas to make major contributions to reducing global dengue burden by 25% (in line with 2030 WHO targets), it must have the potential for cost to be reduced to between $7.63 and $0.24 (USD) per person protected or less. Suppression can reduce the number of Wolbachia mosquitoes necessary to achieve replacement fixation by up to 80%. A hybrid approach can also achieve fixation faster and potentially improve acceptability, but may not justify their cost if they require major new investments in suppression technologies.

CONCLUSIONS: Here we demonstrate the value dedicated modelling can provide for interdisciplinary groups of experts when developing TPPs and PPCs. These models could be used by product developers to prioritise and shape development decisions for new Wolbachia replacement products.},
}

*Wolbachia
Animals
*Aedes/microbiology
*Dengue/prevention & control/transmission/epidemiology
Humans
*Mosquito Control/methods/economics
Mosquito Vectors/microbiology

@article {pmid39506857,
year = {2024},
author = {Bernardini, I and Poggi, C and Porretta, D and Máca, J and Perugini, E and Manzi, S and Gabrielli, S and Pichler, V and Latrofa, MS and Fourie, J and Lia, RP and Beugnet, F and Otranto, D and Pombi, M},
title = {Population dynamics of sympatric Phortica spp. and first record of stable presence of Phortica oldenbergi in a Thelazia callipaeda-endemic area of Italy.},
journal = {Parasites & vectors},
volume = {17},
number = {1},
pages = {455},
pmid = {39506857},
issn = {1756-3305},
mesh = {Animals ; *Drosophilidae/parasitology ; *Population Dynamics ; Italy/epidemiology ; *Thelazioidea/isolation & purification/genetics/physiology ; *Insect Vectors/parasitology ; Seasons ; Male ; Female ; Wolbachia/isolation & purification/genetics ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Five species of the Phortica genus (Diptera: Drosophilidae) are known in Europe and the Middle East. Among these, Phortica variegata and Phortica okadai are better known for their role as vectors of the zoonotic eyeworm Thelazia callipaeda. Other species, such as Phortica semivirgo and Phortica oldenbergi, have been studied less. Given the paucity of data about these Phortica spp. vectors, we explored the population dynamics and ecology of Phortica spp. in an area highly endemic for T. callipeada (Manziana, Rome, Central Italy).

METHODS: Phortica spp. flies were collected over a 3-year period (2018-2020) during their active season (April-October) with a sweep net while hovering around fermenting fruits or a human operator acting as baits. Collected flies were morphologically identified and tested for a T. callipeada infection and for the presence of Wolbachia, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Population dynamics of species collected was associated to environmental drivers through generalized additive models.

RESULTS: Of the 5564 flies collected, 90.8% were P. variegata, 9.1% were P. oldenbergi, 0.05% were P. semivirgo, and one specimen was P. okadai. Only P. variegata scored molecularly infected with T. callipeada throughout the 3-year sampling period (1.8%). Phortica oldenbergi, observed consistently during the entire sampling period, exhibited a marked preference for fruit traps, contrasting with the lachryphagous activity of P. variegata. Analysis of environmental drivers of P. oldenbergi and P. variegata population dynamics indicated temperature, wind speed, and pressure as significant factors. In addition, Wolbachia pipientis endosymbiont was detected in P. oldenbergi and P. okadai.

CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, this study analysed several ecological aspects of Phortica species coexisting in a T. callipeada endemic area, highlighting different behaviors in the same environment and their vectorial role. Notably, this is also the first report of the presence of P. oldenbergi in Italy and P. okadai in Europe, underscoring the importance of extensive sampling for detecting potential vectors and alien species with direct implications for vector-borne disease epidemiology.},
}

Animals
*Drosophilidae/parasitology
*Population Dynamics
Italy/epidemiology
*Thelazioidea/isolation & purification/genetics/physiology
*Insect Vectors/parasitology
Seasons
Male
Female
Wolbachia/isolation & purification/genetics

@article {pmid39498151,
year = {2024},
author = {Dias, YJM and Dezordi, FZ and Wallau, GDL},
title = {EEfinder, a general purpose tool for identification of bacterial and viral endogenized elements in eukaryotic genomes.},
journal = {Computational and structural biotechnology journal},
volume = {23},
number = {},
pages = {3662-3668},
pmid = {39498151},
issn = {2001-0370},
abstract = {Horizontal gene transfer is a phenomenon of genetic material transmission between species with no parental relationship. It has been characterized among several major branches of life, including among prokaryotes, viruses and eukaryotes. The characterization of endogenous elements derived from viruses or bacteria provides a snapshot of past host-pathogen interactions and coevolution as well as reference information to remove false positive results from metagenomic studies. Currently there is a lack of general purpose standardized tools for endogenous elements screening which limits reproducibility and hinder comparative analysis between studies. Here we describe EEfinder, a new general purpose tool for identification and classification of endogenous elements derived from viruses or bacteria found in eukaryotic genomes. The tool was developed to include six common steps performed in this type of analysis: data cleaning, similarity search through sequence alignment, filtering candidate elements, taxonomy assignment, merging of truncated elements and flanks extraction. We evaluated the sensitivity of EEfinder to identify endogenous elements through comparative analysis using data from the literature and showed that EEfinder automatically detected 97 % of the EVEs compared to published results obtained by manual curation and detected an almost exact full integration of a Wolbachia genome described using wet-lab experiments. Therefore, EEfinder can effectively and systematically identify endogenous elements with bacterial/viral origin integrated in eukaryotic genomes. EEfinder is publicly available on https://github.com/WallauBioinfo/EEfinder.},
}

@article {pmid39495807,
year = {2024},
author = {Dodson, BL and Pujhari, S and Brustolin, M and Metz, HC and Rasgon, JL},
title = {Variable effects of transient Wolbachia infections on alphaviruses in Aedes aegypti.},
journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases},
volume = {18},
number = {11},
pages = {e0012633},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0012633},
pmid = {39495807},
issn = {1935-2735},
abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis (= Wolbachia) has promise as a tool to suppress virus transmission by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. However, Wolbachia can have variable effects on mosquito-borne viruses. This variation remains poorly characterized, yet the multimodal effects of Wolbachia on diverse pathogens could have important implications for public health. Here, we examine the effects of transient somatic infection with two strains of Wolbachia (wAlbB and wMel) on the alphaviruses Sindbis virus (SINV), O'nyong-nyong virus (ONNV), and Mayaro virus (MAYV) in Ae. aegypti. We found variable effects of Wolbachia including enhancement and suppression of viral infections, with some effects depending on Wolbachia strain. Both wAlbB- and wMel-infected mosquitoes showed enhancement of SINV infection rates one week post-infection, with wAlbB-infected mosquitoes also having higher viral titers than controls. Infection rates with ONNV were low across all treatments and no significant effects of Wolbachia were observed. The effects of Wolbachia on MAYV infections were strikingly strain-specific; wMel strongly blocked MAYV infections and suppressed viral titers, while wAlbB had more modest effects. The variable effects of Wolbachia on vector competence underscore the importance of further research into how this bacterium impacts the virome of wild mosquitoes including the emergent human pathogens they transmit.},
}

@article {pmid39495046,
year = {2024},
author = {Yang, SY and Lin, YY and Hao, Z and Li, ZJ and Peng, ZQ and Jin, T},
title = {Bacterial communities in Asecodes hispinarum (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and its host Brontispa longissima (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), with comparison of Wolbachia dominance.},
journal = {Journal of economic entomology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jee/toae234},
pmid = {39495046},
issn = {1938-291X},
support = {2021YFD2600405//National Key R&D Program of China/ ; CATASCXTD202311//Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences for Science and Technology Innovation Team/ ; },
abstract = {The endoparasitoid Asecodes hispinarum (Bouček) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) serves as an effective biological control agent against Brontispa longissima (Gestro) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a notorious palm pest. Endosymbionts found in parasitoids and their hosts have attracted significant attention due to their substantial influence on biocontrol efficacy. In this study, we employed 16S rRNA sequencing, polymerase chain reaction, and fluorescence in situ hybridization to assess the symbiotic bacteria composition, diversity, phylogeny, and localization in A. hispinarum and its host B. longissima. Our findings showed significant differences in the richness, diversity, and composition of symbiotic bacteria among different life stages of B. longissima. Notably, the bacterial richness, diversity, and composition of A. hispinarum was similar to that of B. longissima. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the dominant phyla, while Wolbachia was the dominant genera across the parasitoid and host. It was discovered for the first time that Wolbachia was present in A. hispinarum with a high infection rate at ≥ 96.67%. Notably, the Wolbachia strain in A. hispinarum was placed in supergroup A, whereas it was categorized under supergroup B in B. longissima. Furthermore, Wolbachia is concentrated in the abdomen of A. hispinarum, with particularly high levels observed in the ovipositors of female adults. These findings highlight the composition and diversity of symbiotic bacteria in both A. hispinarum and its host B. longissima, providing a foundation for the development of population regulation strategies targeting B. longissima.},
}

@article {pmid39471850,
year = {2024},
author = {Tourani, AH and Katlav, A and Cook, JM and Riegler, M},
title = {Mating receptivity mediated by endosymbiont interactions in a haplodiploid thrips species.},
journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences},
volume = {291},
number = {2033},
pages = {20241564},
doi = {10.1098/rspb.2024.1564},
pmid = {39471850},
issn = {1471-2954},
support = {//University of Western Sydney/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Thysanoptera/physiology ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; Female ; Male ; *Sexual Behavior, Animal ; Bacteroidetes/physiology ; Reproduction ; },
abstract = {Many arthropods carry maternally inherited endosymbionts that cause cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), manifested as embryonic mortality in matings of infected males with uninfected females. Infected females, however, do not suffer this cost. Therefore, in populations with mixed endosymbiont infections, selection is expected to favour mechanisms that enable hosts to avoid or mitigate CI. This may include changes in mating behaviour, such as reduced female receptivity to mating and/or remating when approached by incompatible males. Here, we investigated mating behavioural traits in haplodiploid thrips naturally associated with two CI-inducing endosymbionts, Cardinium and Wolbachia. Compared with females with both endosymbionts, those with only Cardinium showed reduced receptivity to males carrying both. However, surprisingly, females without endosymbionts were not less receptive to incompatible males. Furthermore, in contrast to females without endosymbionts, females with Cardinium were far less likely to remate with incompatible than compatible males irrespective of the compatibility type of the first mating. Our results suggest that endosymbiont-specific sexual selection processes occur, whereby females carrying only Cardinium recognize Wolbachia in coinfected males to avoid CI. This may hinder a CI-driven Wolbachia spread. Endosymbiont-mediated mating behaviours may be crucial for the dynamics of CI-inducing endosymbionts and their application in pest management strategies.},
}

Animals
*Symbiosis
*Thysanoptera/physiology
*Wolbachia/physiology
Female
Male
*Sexual Behavior, Animal
Bacteroidetes/physiology
Reproduction

@article {pmid39458303,
year = {2024},
author = {Clervil, E and Guidez, A and Talaga, S and Carinci, R and Gaborit, P and Lavergne, A and Tirera, S and Duchemin, JB},
title = {Wolbachia Natural Infection of Mosquitoes in French Guiana: Prevalence, Distribution, and Genotyping.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {12},
number = {10},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms12101994},
pmid = {39458303},
issn = {2076-2607},
abstract = {Wolbachia are the most spread bacterial endosymbionts in the world. These bacteria can manipulate host reproduction or block virus transmission in mosquitoes. For this reason, Wolbachia-based strategies for vector control are seriously considered or have already been applied in several countries around the world. In South America, Wolbachia have been studied in human pathogen vectors such as sand flies and mosquitoes. In French Guiana, the diversity and distribution of Wolbachia are not well known in mosquitoes. In this study, we screened for Wolbachia natural infection in mosquitoes in French Guiana by using 16S rRNA, Wolbachia surface protein (WSP), and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) molecular assays. A total of 29 out of 44 (65.9%) mosquito species were positive for natural Wolbachia infection according to the PCR results, and two Wolbachia strains co-infected three specimens of Mansonia titillans. Then, we analyzed the phylogenetic relationships among the Wolbachia detected. All of the tested specimens of Aedes aegypti, the major dengue vector of French Guiana, were negative. These results regarding Wolbachia strain, distribution, and prevalence in mosquitoes from French Guiana highlight Wolbachia-mosquito associations and pave the way for a future Wolbachia-based strategy for vector control in this Amazonian territory.},
}

@article {pmid39455905,
year = {2024},
author = {Aželytė, J and Maitre, A and Abuin-Denis, L and Wu-Chuang, A and Žiegytė, R and Mateos-Hernandez, L and Obregon, D and Palinauskas, V and Cabezas-Cruz, A},
title = {Nested patterns of commensals and endosymbionts in microbial communities of mosquito vectors.},
journal = {BMC microbiology},
volume = {24},
number = {1},
pages = {434},
pmid = {39455905},
issn = {1471-2180},
support = {SGCE-RAPPORT No. 0300//Collectivité de Corse/ ; S-MIP-22-52//Lietuvos Mokslo Taryba/ ; ANR-10-LABX-62-IBEID//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/physiology ; *Culex/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/physiology/genetics ; *Microbiota ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Mosquitoes serve as vectors for numerous pathogens, posing significant health risks to humans and animals. Understanding the complex interactions within mosquito microbiota is crucial for deciphering vector-pathogen dynamics and developing effective disease management strategies. Here, we investigated the nested patterns of Wolbachia endosymbionts and Escherichia-Shigella within the microbiota of laboratory-reared Culex pipiens f. molestus and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. We hypothesized that Wolbachia would exhibit a structured pattern reflective of its co-evolved relationship with both mosquito species, while Escherichia-Shigella would display a more dynamic pattern influenced by environmental factors.

RESULTS: Our analysis revealed different microbial compositions between the two mosquito species, although some microorganisms were common to both. Network analysis revealed distinct community structures and interaction patterns for these bacteria in the microbiota of each mosquito species. Escherichia-Shigella appeared prominently within major network modules in both mosquito species, particularly in module P4 of Cx. pipiens f. molestus, interacting with 93 nodes, and in module Q3 of Cx. quinquefasciatus, interacting with 161 nodes, sharing 55 nodes across both species. On the other hand, Wolbachia appeared in disparate modules: module P3 in Cx. pipiens f. molestus and a distinct module with a single additional taxon in Cx. quinquefasciatus, showing species-specific interactions and no shared taxa. Through computer simulations, we evaluated how the removal of Wolbachia or Escherichia-Shigella affects network robustness. In Cx. pipiens f. molestus, removal of Wolbachia led to a decrease in network connectivity, while Escherichia-Shigella removal had a minimal impact. Conversely, in Cx. quinquefasciatus, removal of Escherichia-Shigella resulted in decreased network stability, whereas Wolbachia removal had minimal effect.

CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to our hypothesis, the findings indicate that Wolbachia displays a more dynamic pattern of associations within the microbiota of Culex pipiens f. molestus and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes, than Escherichia-Shigella. The differential effects on network robustness upon Wolbachia or Escherichia-Shigella removal suggest that these bacteria play distinct roles in maintaining community stability within the microbiota of the two mosquito species.},
}

Animals
*Symbiosis
*Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/physiology
*Culex/microbiology
*Wolbachia/physiology/genetics
*Microbiota
Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification

@article {pmid39453968,
year = {2024},
author = {Szentiványi, T and Takács, N and Sándor, AD and Péter, Á and Boldogh, SA and Kováts, D and Foster, JT and Estók, P and Hornok, S},
title = {Bat-associated ticks as a potential link for vector-borne pathogen transmission between bats and other animals.},
journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases},
volume = {18},
number = {10},
pages = {e0012584},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0012584},
pmid = {39453968},
issn = {1935-2735},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Potentially zoonotic pathogens have been previously detected in bat-associated ticks, but their role in disease transmission and their frequency of feeding on non-bat hosts is poorly known.

We used molecular blood meal analysis to reveal feeding patterns of the bat-associated tick species Ixodes ariadnae, I. simplex, and I. vespertilionis collected from cave and mine walls in Central and Southeastern Europe. Vertebrate DNA, predominantly from bats, was detected in 43.5% of the samples (70 of 161 ticks) but in these ticks we also detected the DNA of non-chiropteran hosts, such as dog, Canis lupus familiaris, wild boar, Sus scrofa, and horse, Equus caballus, suggesting that bat-associated ticks may exhibit a much broader host range than previously thought, including domestic and wild mammals. Furthermore, we detected the zoonotic bacteria Neoehrlichia mikurensis in bat ticks for the first time, and other bacteria, such as Bartonella and Wolbachia.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: In the light of these findings, the role of bat ticks as disease vectors should be urgently re-evaluated in more diverse host systems, as they may contribute to pathogen transmission between bats and non-chiropteran hosts.},
}

@article {pmid39452360,
year = {2024},
author = {Zhu, Y and Wang, X and Wang, S and Song, Z and Du, Y},
title = {No Evidence for Wolbachia Effects on the Thermal Preference of the Invasive Pest Liriomyza huidobrensis.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {15},
number = {10},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects15100784},
pmid = {39452360},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {BK20231330//Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province/ ; },
abstract = {Heritable endosymbiont Wolbachia is prevalent among arthropods, serving multiple functions for their hosts. However, the role of Wolbachia in mediating thermal preference selection remains largely unexplored. In this study, we utilized a custom-built thermal gradient to evaluate the thermal preference (Tp) of 1367 individuals of the invasive leaf-miner Liriomyza huidobrensis with or without Wolbachia wLhui from Yunnan and Xinjiang populations. Under meticulously controlled conditions and with a vast sample size, we found no significant difference in the mean Tp between wLhui-infected and uninfected leaf miners from either population when host age and sex were not considered. Furthermore, generalized linear model (GLM) analysis revealed no significant correlation between average Tp and age, sex, or Wolbachia infection, nor interactions among these factors, except in the Xinjiang population, where Tp was strongly associated with host age. Finally, we discuss the ecological implications of these findings and propose future research directions on Wolbachia-mediated host Tp in the leaf miner. Overall, our findings do not provide evidence that Wolbachia significantly affects the thermal preference of L. huidobrensis. Further studies across different systems are needed to investigate the complex interactions between Wolbachia and insect thermal behavior.},
}

@article {pmid39447296,
year = {2024},
author = {Antonelli, P and Grizard, S and Tran, FH and Lejon, D and Bellemain, A and Van, and Mavingui, P and Roiz, D and Simard, F and Martin, E and Abrouk, D and Vigneron, A and Minard, G and Valiente Moro, C},
title = {Bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and microbiota dynamics across developmental stages of the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus exposed to urban pollutants.},
journal = {Ecotoxicology and environmental safety},
volume = {286},
number = {},
pages = {117214},
doi = {10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117214},
pmid = {39447296},
issn = {1090-2414},
abstract = {Aedes albopictus mosquitoes face numerous anthropic stressors in urban areas. These xenobiotics not only impact mosquito physiology but also shape the composition of their microbiota, which play important roles in host physiological traits. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants known to alter mosquito metabolism, but no studies have yet investigated their impact on microbiota. Using a bespoke indoor mesocosm tailored for Ae. albopictus mosquitoes, we investigated the dynamics of bacterial communities in both mosquitoes and their larval breeding sites following chronic exposure to a cocktail of PAHs consisting of benzo[a]pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, chrysene and benzo[b]fluoranthene. Our findings showed that PAHs have a stage-specific effect on mosquito microbiota, with a higher impact in larvae than in adults, contributing to 12.5 % and 4.5 % of the PAHs-induced variations, respectively. The presence of PAHs in the treated mesocosm led to the enrichment of bacterial families and genera known for their ability to catabolize PAHs, such as Comamonadaceae and Raoultella (increasing from 19 % to 30 % and from 1.2 % to 5.6 %, respectively). Conversely, prevalent taxa found in mosquito microbiota like Wolbachia and Cedecea exhibited a reduction (decreasing from 4 % to 0.8 % and from 12.8 % to 6.4 %, respectively). This reduction could be attributed to the competitive advantage gained by PAH-degrading taxa, or it could reflect a direct sensitivity to PAH exposure. Overall, this indicates a shift in microbiota composition favoring bacteria that can thrive in a PAH-contaminated environment. PAHs persisted in the water of breeding sites only the first 45 days of the experiment. Benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[b]fluoranthene were more susceptible to bioaccumulation in larval tissues over time. Overall, this study enhances our understanding of the impact of pollution on mosquitoes and could facilitate future research on the importance of symbiosis in urban-dwelling insect disease vectors. Given the recent advancements in the generation of axenic (microbe-free) and gnotobiotic (mosquitoes with a defined or specific microbiota) mosquitoes, further studies are needed to explore how changes in microbiota composition could influence mosquito responses to pollution, particularly in relation to host fitness, immunity, and vector competence.},
}

@article {pmid39442642,
year = {2024},
author = {Efon-Ekangouo, A and Nana-Djeunga, HC and Nwane, PB and Nzune-Toche, N and Sondi-Dissake, JC and Sempere, G and Domche, A and Njiokou, F and Kamgno, J and Moundipa-Fewou, P and Geiger, A},
title = {Spatial and temporal diversity of Simulium damnosum s.l. gut microbiota and association with Onchocerca volvulus infection in Cameroon.},
journal = {Infection, genetics and evolution : journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics in infectious diseases},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {105683},
doi = {10.1016/j.meegid.2024.105683},
pmid = {39442642},
issn = {1567-7257},
abstract = {Arthropod microbiota plays an important role in host physiology, and there is growing interest in using vector symbionts to modify vector competence and control parasite transmission. This study aims to characterise the blackfly Simulium damnosum s.l. gut microbiota and to explore possible associations with various bio-ecological determinants of the Onchocerca volvulus establishment and the transmission in blackfly. Adult female blackflies were caught in three Cameroonian health districts belonging to different bioecological zones endemic for onchocerciasis. Flies were dissected and qPCR screened for Onchocerca volvulus infection. The diversity of the blackflies gut microbiota was assessed by high-throughput sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable region of the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA. Subsequent metataxo-genomic, multivariate, and association analysis were used to investigate the variables that influence the microbiota diversity. Transmission index rates ranging from 20.7 to 6.0 % and 6.2-2.0 % for infection and infectivity rates, respectively, indicate ongoing transmission of onchocerciasis across all surveyed health districts. The identified bacterial taxa were clustered into four phyla, five classes, and 23 genera. The S. damnosum s.l. gut microbiota was dominated by Wolbachia and by Rosenbergiella in Wolbachia-free Simulium. Significant differences were observed in the diversity of S. damnosum s.l. microbiota concerning parity status (P = 0.007), health district of origin (P = 0.001), and the presence of the Onchocerca volvulus. Simulium from the Bafia health district also showed increased bacterial diversity between two consecutive years (P = 0.001). Four bacterial taxa, including Serratia, were associated with the absence of the O. volvulus infection. These results indicate that S. damnosum s.l. from different onchocerciasis foci in Cameroon, exhibit distinguishable gut microbial compositions which are dynamic over time. Some bacterial species are associated with the O. volvulus infection and could be further investigated as biological target/tool for vector modified-based onchocerciasis control.},
}

@article {pmid39432669,
year = {2024},
author = {Cruz, MA and Magalhães, S and Bakırdöven, M and Zélé, F},
title = {Wolbachia strengthens the match between pre-mating and early post-mating isolation in spider mites.},
journal = {Evolution; international journal of organic evolution},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/evolut/qpae149},
pmid = {39432669},
issn = {1558-5646},
abstract = {Endosymbiotic reproductive manipulators are widely studied as sources of post-zygotic isolation in arthropods, but their effect on pre-zygotic isolation between genetically differentiated populations has garnered less attention. We tested this using two partially isolated populations of the red and green colour forms of Tetranychus urticae, either uninfected or infected with different Wolbachia strains, one inducing cytoplasmic incompatibility and the other not. We first investigated male and female preferences, and found that, in absence of infection, females were not choosy, but all males preferred red-form females. Wolbachia effects were more subtle, with only the CI-inducing strain slightly strengthening colour-form based preferences. We then performed a double-mating experiment to test how incompatible matings affect subsequent mating behaviour and offspring production, as compared to compatible matings. Females mated with an incompatible male (infected and/or heterotypic) were more attractive and/or receptive to subsequent (compatible) matings, although analyses of offspring production revealed no clear benefit for this re-mating behaviour (i.e., apparently unaltered first male sperm precedence). Finally, by computing the relative contributions of each reproductive barrier to total isolation, we showed that pre-mating isolation matches both host-associated and Wolbachia-induced post-mating isolation, suggesting that Wolbachia could contribute to reproductive isolation in this system.},
}

@article {pmid39431789,
year = {2024},
author = {Bickerstaff, JRM and Walsh, T and Court, L and Pandey, G and Ireland, K and Cousins, D and Caron, V and Wallenius, T and Slipinski, A and Rane, R and Escalona, HE},
title = {Chromosome structural rearrangements in invasive haplodiploid ambrosia beetles revealed by the genomes of Euwallacea fornicatus (Eichhoff) and Euwallacea similis (Ferrari) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae).},
journal = {Genome biology and evolution},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/gbe/evae226},
pmid = {39431789},
issn = {1759-6653},
abstract = {Bark and ambrosia beetles are among the most ecologically and economically damaging introduced plant pests worldwide. Life history traits including polyphagy, haplodiploidy, inbreeding polygyny and symbiosis with fungi contribute to their dispersal and impact. Species vary in their interactions with host trees, with many attacking stressed or recently dead trees, such as the globally distributed E. similis (Ferrari). Other species, like the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) Euwallacea fornicatus (Eichhoff), can attack over 680 host plants and is causing considerable economic damage in several countries. Despite their notoriety, publicly accessible genomic resources for Euwallacea Hopkins species are scarce, hampering our understanding of their invasive capabilities as well as modern control measures, surveillance and management. Using a combination of long and short read sequencing platforms we assembled and annotated high quality (BUSCO > 98% complete) pseudo-chromosome level genomes for these species. Comparative macro-synteny analysis identified an increased number of pseudo-chromosome scaffolds in the haplodiploid inbreeding species of Euwallacea compared to diploid outbred species, due to fission events. This suggests that life history traits can impact chromosome structure. Further, the genome of E. fornicatus had a higher relative proportion of repetitive elements, up to 17% more, than E. similis. Metagenomic assembly pipelines identified microbiota associated with both species including Fusarium fungal symbionts and a novel Wolbachia strain. These novel genomes of haplodiploid inbreeding species will contribute to the understanding of how life history traits are related to their evolution and to the management of these invasive pests.},
}

@article {pmid39411028,
year = {2024},
author = {Angotti, AA and da Silva, JGST and Yonekura, T and Figueiró, MF},
title = {[Rapid review: effectiveness of the Wolbachia strategy for arbovirus controlRevisión sistemática rápida: efectividad de la estrategia de control con Wolbachia en la lucha contra las arbovirosis].},
journal = {Revista panamericana de salud publica = Pan American journal of public health},
volume = {48},
number = {},
pages = {e98},
pmid = {39411028},
issn = {1680-5348},
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To identify and synthesize evidence of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Wolbachia-Aedes methodology for reducing cases of arboviral infection.

METHODOLOGY: Rapid systematic review. A search of five online portals and bibliographic databases was conducted in February 2022. Two reviewers conducted the selection stages, with any disagreements resolved by a third investigator. Data were extracted by one reviewer and subsequently checked by another. The inclusion criteria were studies describing the cost-effectiveness and effectiveness of the Wolbachia-Aedes methodology, based on field interventions, published in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, with no restrictions on date of publication.

RESULTS: Four studies were included: one cluster randomized trial, two quasi-experimental studies, and one pre-post study, published between 2019 and 2021 in four countries. The included studies reported effectiveness for some of the outcomes of interest, such as a reduction in the incidence of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya cases. Although no experimental studies addressing the cost-effectiveness of the Wolbachia-Aedes strategy were identified, some modeling studies have demonstrated potential cost-benefit of this methodology.

CONCLUSION: Considering the results of the included studies, Wolbachia has the potential to be an economically effective strategy that leads to reductions in the incidence of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. Nevertheless, this strategy cannot yet be recommended as a public policy; additional large-scale studies with high methodological quality are still needed to inform political decision-making.},
}

@article {pmid39407097,
year = {2024},
author = {Chow, JY and Geng, L and Bansal, S and Dickens, BSL and Ng, LC and Hoffmann, AA and Lim, JT},
title = {Correction: Evaluating quasi-experimental approaches for estimating epidemiological efficacy of non-randomised field trials: applications in Wolbachia interventions for dengue.},
journal = {BMC medical research methodology},
volume = {24},
number = {1},
pages = {237},
pmid = {39407097},
issn = {1471-2288},
}

@article {pmid39405448,
year = {2024},
author = {},
title = {Correction to: Life history parameters of Ectropis grisescens (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) in different Wolbachia infection states.},
journal = {Journal of economic entomology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jee/toae238},
pmid = {39405448},
issn = {1938-291X},
support = {32371581//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2021YFD1601105//National Key Research and Development Programs/ ; 2023n06020060//Anhui Key Research and Development Program/ ; },
}

@article {pmid39403558,
year = {2024},
author = {Fisher, AM and McKenzie, AV and Price, TAR and Bonsall, MB and Knell, RJ},
title = {Do Sex Ratio Distorting Microbes Inhibit the Evolution of Pesticide Resistance? An Experimental Test.},
journal = {Evolutionary applications},
volume = {17},
number = {10},
pages = {e70003},
pmid = {39403558},
issn = {1752-4571},
abstract = {We are still largely reliant on pesticides for the suppression of arthropod pests which threaten human health and food production, but the recent rise of evolved resistance among important pest species has reduced pesticide efficacy. Despite this, our understanding of strategies that effectively limit the evolution of resistance remains weak. Male-killing sex ratio distorting microbes (SRDMs), such as Wolbachia and Spiroplasma, are common among arthropod species. Previous theoretical work has suggested that they could limit adaptive potential in two ways: first, because by distorting sex ratios they reduce the effective population size, and second, because infected females produce no male offspring which restricts gene flow. Here we present the results of a novel experiment in which we test the extent by which these two mechanisms limit the adaptive response of arthropods to pesticide. Using a fully factorial design, we manipulated the adult sex ratio of laboratory populations of Drosophila melanogaster, both in the presence and absence of SRDMs, and exposed these populations to six generations of pesticide poisoning. This design allows the effects of SRDMs on sex ratio and their effects on gene flow to be estimated separately. After six generations, individuals from populations with even sex ratios displayed a higher resistance to pesticide relative to individuals from female-biased populations. By contrast, we found no effect of the presence of SRDMs in host populations on pesticide resistance independent of sex ratio. In addition, males were more susceptible to pesticide than females-this was true of flies from both naïve and previously exposed populations. These findings provide the first empirical proof of concept that sex ratio distortion arising from SRDMs can limit adaptation to pesticides, but cast doubt on the theoretical effect of male-killers limiting adaptation by disrupting gene flow.},
}