title: WolbachiaBiocontrol Strategies for Arboviral Diseases and the Potential Influence of ResidentWolbachiaStrains in Mosquitoes.
abstract: Arboviruses transmitted by mosquitoes are a major cause of human disease worldwide. The absence of vaccines and effective vector control strategies has resulted in the need for novel mosquito control strategies. The endosymbiotic bacteriumWolbachiahas been proposed to form the basis for an effective mosquito biocontrol strategy. Resident strains ofWolbachiainhibit viral replication inDrosophilafruit flies and induce a reproductive phenotype known as cytoplasmic incompatibility that allows rapid invasion of insect populations. Transinfection ofWolbachiastrains into the principle mosquito vector of dengue virus,Stegomyia aegypti, has resulted in dengue-refractory mosquito lines with minimal effects on mosquito fitness.Wolbachiastrains have now been established in wildSt. aegyptipopulations through open releases in dengue-endemic countries. In this review, we outline the current state ofWolbachia-based biocontrol strategies for dengue and discuss the potential impact of residentWolbachiastrains for additional target mosquito species that transmit arboviruses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT UK.
authors.forename: Claire L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Jeffries
authors.affiliation: Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT UK.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Walker
keywords: Arboviruses; Mosquito biocontrol; Mosquitoes; Wolbachia bacteria