A microsporidian impairs Plasmodium falciparum transmission in Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16121-y
• Publication Date: 2020-05-04T10:05:01Z
• Authors: Jeremy K. Herren; Lilian Mbaisi; Enock Mararo; Edward E. Makhulu; Victor A. Mobegi; Hellen Butungi; Maria Vittoria Ma...; Joseph W. Oundo; Evan T. Teal; Silvain Pinaud; Mara K. N. Lawniczak; Jordan Jabara; Godfrey Nattoh; Steven P. Sinkins
• Keywords: Anopheles gambiae; Plasmodium (life cycle)

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