Prevention of insect-borne disease: An approach using transgenic symbiotic bacteria

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.94.7.3274
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T14:31:39Z
• Authors: Ravi V. Durvasula; Andrew Gumbs; Anil Panackal; Oleg Kruglov; Serap Aksoy; R. Bruce Merrifield; Frank F. Richards; Charles B. Beard
• Keywords: Symbiotic bacteria; Cecropin; Triatominae; Chagas Disease; Rhodnius; Antiparasitic

Expression of molecules with antiparasitic activity by genetically transformed symbiotic bacteria disease-transmitting insects may serve as a powerful approach to control certain arthropod-borne diseases. The endosymbiont the Chagas disease vector, Rhodnius prolixus , has been express cecropin A, peptide lethal parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi . In carrying bacteria, A expression results in elimination or reduction number T. method devised spread transgenic populations R. manner that mimics their natural coprophagous route symbiont acquisition.