title: Short-term suppression of Aedes aegypti using genetic control does not facilitate Aedes albopictus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Under permit from the National Biosafety Commission for the use of genetically modified organisms, releases of a genetically engineered self-limiting strain of Aedes aegypti (OX513A) were used to suppress urban pest Ae. aegypti in West Panama. Experimental goals were to assess the effects on a coexisting population of Ae. albopictus and examine operational parameters with relevance to environmental impact.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ae. albopictus populations were shown to be increasing year upon year at each of three study sites, potentially reflecting a broader-scale incursion into the area. Ae. albopictus abundance was unaffected by a sustained reduction in Ae. aegypti by up to 93% through repeated releases of OX513A. Males accounted for 99.99% of released OX513A, resulting in a sustained mating fraction of 75%. Mean mating competitiveness of OX513A was 0.14. The proportion of OX513A in the local environment decreased by 95% within 25 days of the final release.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no evidence for species replacement of Ae. aegypti by Ae. albopictus over the course of this study. No unintentional environmental impacts or elevated operational risks were observed. The potential for this emerging technology to mitigate against disease outbreaks before they become established is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Oxitec Limited, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, UK.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gorman
authors.affiliation: Gorgas Memorial Institute for Human Health, Ciudad de Panamá, Panama.
authors.forename: Josué
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Young
authors.affiliation: Gorgas Memorial Institute for Human Health, Ciudad de Panamá, Panama.
authors.forename: Lleysa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pineda
authors.affiliation: Gorgas Memorial Institute for Human Health, Ciudad de Panamá, Panama.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Márquez
authors.affiliation: Gorgas Memorial Institute for Human Health, Ciudad de Panamá, Panama.
authors.forename: Nestor
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sosa
authors.affiliation: Gorgas Memorial Institute for Human Health, Ciudad de Panamá, Panama.
authors.forename: Damaris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bernal
authors.affiliation: Gorgas Memorial Institute for Human Health, Ciudad de Panamá, Panama.
authors.forename: Rolando
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.affiliation: Gorgas Memorial Institute for Human Health, Ciudad de Panamá, Panama.
authors.forename: Yamilitzel
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Soto
authors.affiliation: Oxitec Limited, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, UK.
authors.forename: Renaud
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lacroix
authors.affiliation: Oxitec Limited, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, UK.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Naish
authors.affiliation: Oxitec Limited, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, UK.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kaiser
authors.affiliation: Oxitec Limited, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, UK.
authors.forename: Karla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tepedino
authors.affiliation: Oxitec Limited, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, UK.
authors.forename: Gwilym
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Philips
authors.affiliation: Oxitec Limited, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, UK.
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kosmann
authors.affiliation: Gorgas Memorial Institute for Human Health, Ciudad de Panamá, Panama.
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cáceres
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010176:Panama; D010572:Pest Control, Biological
keywords: OX513A; Panama; chikungunya; dengue; mosquito; transgenic