Filarial infection influences mosquito behaviour and fecundity

Gleave, Katherine, Cook, Darren, Taylor, Mark ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3396-9275 and Reimer, Lisa ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9711-4981 (2016) 'Filarial infection influences mosquito behaviour and fecundity'. Scientific Reports, Vol 6, Issue 36319.

	Text Filarial Infection accepted email LReimer.docx - Other Restricted to Repository staff only Download (14kB)
Preview	Text Filarial infection influences LReimer.pdf - Accepted Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (308kB) | Preview
	Text Sci_Rep_6_36319_Filarial infection influences.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (286kB)

Abstract

Understanding vector-parasite interactions is increasingly important as we move towards the endpoint goals set by the Global Programme for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF), as interaction dynamics may change with reduced transmission pressure. Elimination models used to predict programmatic endpoints include parameters for vector-specific transmission dynamics, despite the fact that our knowledge of the host-seeking behaviour of filariasis infected mosquitoes is lacking. We observed a dynamic, stage-specific and density dependent change in Aedes aegypti behaviour towards host cues when exposed to Brugia malayi filarial parasites. Infected mosquitoes exhibited reduced activation and flight towards a host during the period of larval development (L1/L2), transitioning to a 5 fold increase in activation and flight towards a host when infective stage larvae (L3) were present (p < 0.001). In uninfected control mosquitoes, we observed a reduction in convergence towards a host during the same period. Furthermore, this behaviour was density dependent with non-activated mosquitoes harbouring a greater burden of L1 and L2 larvae while activated mosquitoes harboured a greater number of L3 (p < 0.001). Reductions in fecundity were also density-dependent, and extended to mosquitoes that were exposed to microfilariae but did not support larval development.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	QX Parasitology > Helminths. Annelida > QX 301 Filarioidea QX Parasitology > Insects. Other Parasites > QX 510 Mosquitoes QX Parasitology > Insects. Other Parasites > QX 525 Aedes WC Communicable Diseases > Tropical and Parasitic Diseases > WC 880 Filariasis and related conditions (General)
Faculty: Department:	Biological Sciences > Vector Biology Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1038/srep36319
Depositing User:	Carmel Bates
Date Deposited:	20 Oct 2016 12:00
Last Modified:	16 Sep 2019 09:01
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/6284

Statistics

View details

Actions (login required)

Edit Item