Vector competence of Glossina palpalis gambiensis for Trypanosoma brucei s.l. and genetic diversity of the symbiont Sodalis glossinidius.
Tsetse flies transmit African trypanosomes, responsible for sleeping sickness in humans and nagana in animals. This disease affects many people with considerable impact on public health and economy in sub-Saharan Africa, whereas trypanosomes' resistance to drugs is rising. The symbiont Sodalis glossinidius is considered to play a role in the ability of the fly to acquire trypanosomes. Different species of Glossina were shown to harbor genetically distinct populations of S. glossinidius. We therefore investigated whether vector competence for a given trypanosome species could be linked to the presence of specific genotypes of S. glossinidius. Glossina palpalis gambiensis individuals were fed on blood infected either with Trypanosoma brucei gambiense or Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The genetic diversity of S. glossinidius strains isolated from infected and noninfected dissected flies was investigated using amplified fragment length polymorphism markers. Correspondence between occurrence of these markers and parasite establishment was analyzed using multivariate analysis. Sodalis glossinidius strains isolated from T. brucei gambiense-infected flies clustered differently than that isolated from T. brucei brucei-infected individuals. The ability of T. brucei gambiense and T. brucei brucei to establish in G. palpalis gambiensis insect midgut is statistically linked to the presence of specific genotypes of S. glossinidius. This could explain variations in Glossina vector competence in the wild. Then, assessment of the prevalence of specific S. glossinidius genotypes could lead to novel risk management strategies.
Geiger
Anne
A
UMR 17, IRD-CIRAD, CIRAD TA 207/G, Campus International de Baillarguet, Montpellier, France. anne.geiger@mpl.ird.fr
Ravel
Sophie
S
Mateille
Thierry
T
Janelle
Jérome
J
Patrel
Delphine
D
Cuny
Gérard
G
Frutos
Roger
R
D000818:Animals; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000502:physiology*; D010802:Phylogeny; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D013559:Symbiosis; D014346:Trypanosoma brucei brucei / Q000502:physiology*; D014370:Tsetse Flies / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000502:physiology*