Quantitative Sequencing for the Determination of Kdr-type Resistance Allele (V419L, L925I, I936F) Frequencies in Common Bed Bug (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) Populations Collected from Israel.
Human bed bug infestations have dramatically increased worldwide since the mid-1990s. A similar phenomenon was also observed in Israel since 2005, when infestations were reported from all over the country. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (V419L and L925I) in the bed bug voltage-sensitive sodium channel confer kdr-type resistance to pyrethroids. Using quantitative sequencing (QS), the resistance allele frequencies of Israeli bed bug populations from across the country were determined. Genomic DNA was extracted from samples of 12 populations of bed bugs collected from Israel and DNA fragments containing the V419L or L925I and I936F mutations sites were PCR amplified. The PCR products were analyzed by QS and the nucleotide signal ratios calculated and used to predict the resistance allele frequencies of the unknown populations. Results of the genetic analysis show that resistant nucleotide signals are highly correlated to resistance allele frequencies for both mutations. Ten of the 12 tested populations had 100% of the L925I mutation and 0% of the V419L mutation. One population was heterogeneous for the L925I mutation and had 0% of the V419L mutation and another population was heterogeneous for the V419L mutation and had 100% of the L925I mutation. I936F occurred only at low levels. These results indicate that bed bugs in Israel are genetically resistant to pyrethroids. Thus, pyrethroids should only be used for bed bug management with caution using effective application and careful monitoring procedures. Additionally, new and novel-acting insecticides and nonchemical means of controlling bed bugs should be explored.
Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003.
Daniel J
DJ
Palenchar
Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003.
Kyle J
KJ
Gellatly
Department of Biological Sciences and Environmental Sciences Program, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL 62026.
Kyong Sup
KS
Yoon
Parasitology Unit, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, the Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, the Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel 91120.
Kosta Y
KY
Mumcuoglu
Divison of Pest Surveillance and Control, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Jerusalem, Israel 91120.
Uri
U
Shalom
Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003. Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003. jclark@vasci.umass.edu.
J Marshall
JM
Clark
D000818:Animals; D001511:Bedbugs / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005787:Gene Frequency; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D007305:Insecticide Resistance; D007306:Insecticides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007557:Israel; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011722:Pyrethrins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D061566:Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D019476:Insect Proteins; D007306:Insecticides; D011722:Pyrethrins; D061566:Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels
Cimex lectularius; Israel; common bed bug; knockdown resistance (kdr); pyrethroid