@article {pmid42274908,
year = {2026},
author = {Díaz-Nieto, LM and Palladini, A and Moyano, A and Coria, C and Murúa, F and Pantano, V and Rull, J},
title = {Wolbachia in Tephritid Populations from Argentina: New Hosts and First Report of Multiple Infections in Rhagoletotrypeta pastranai.},
journal = {Neotropical entomology},
volume = {55},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {42274908},
issn = {1678-8052},
support = {PICT 2018-02837//Fondo para la Investigación Científica y Tecnológica/ ; PIPE 2022//Secretaria de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación de San Juan (SECITI)/ ; Exp. SECITI N°1400-000101-2022//Secretaria de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación de San Juan (SECITI)/ ; PIBAA-CONICET DD812//Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET)/ ; },
abstract = {The Tephritidae family comprises agriculturally important insect pests that cause significant economic losses worldwide. Interest in eco-friendly pest control methods is growing, and novel strategies involving symbiotic microorganisms are under investigation. Strategies involving the bacterium Wolbachia have been proposed for managing pest insects and disease vectors. However, they have not yet been used for tephritid pest control. The aim of this study was to detect and characterize Wolbachia strains in tephritid flies from Argentina that could be proposed for use in area-wide programs applying the incompatible insect technique. We also aimed to identify and analyze Wolbachia strains in little-studied species of no economic importance. Infested fruits were collected from different localities in two provinces of Argentina. Adults were identified and the presence of Wolbachia strains was evaluated using the wsp surface protein primer. Genotyping was performed through multilocus sequence typing (MLST). When multiple infections were suspected, the obtained amplification products were cloned into P-GEN. Two new Wolbachia hosts were identified, Rhagoletis blanchardi Aczél and Rhagoletotrypeta pastranai Aczél from Tucumán. Interestingly, we found a multiple infection by Wolbachia in R. pastranai, detecting three different strains. The Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) strains were similar to haplotypes previously described in Argentina. Our results provide the first records of Wolbachia strains in new tephritid hosts from Argentina. The phenotypic effects of these strains on their hosts should be further investigated to evaluate their potential for Wolbachia-based control strategies.},
}

@article {pmid36835753,
year = {2023},
author = {Rodpai, R and Boonroumkaew, P and Sadaow, L and Sanpool, O and Janwan, P and Thanchomnang, T and Intapan, PM and Maleewong, W},
title = {Microbiome Composition and Microbial Community Structure in Mosquito Vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Northeastern Thailand, a Dengue-Endemic Area.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {14},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {36835753},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {The Fundamental Fund of Khon Kaen University from the National Science, Research and Innovation Fund (NSRF)//Khon Kaen University/ ; },
abstract = {Bacterial content in mosquito larvae and adults is altered by dynamic interactions during life and varies substantially in variety and composition depending on mosquito biology and ecology. This study aimed to identify the microbiota in Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus and in water from their breeding sites in northeastern Thailand, a dengue-endemic area. Bacterial diversity in field-collected aquatic larvae and subsequently emerged adults of both species from several locations were examined. The microbiota was characterized based on analysis of DNA sequences from the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene and exhibited changes during development, from the mosquito larval stage to the adult stage. Aedes aegypti contained a significantly higher number of bacterial genera than did Ae. albopictus, except for the genus Wolbachia, which was present at significantly higher frequencies in male Ae. albopictus (p < 0.05). Our findings also indicate likely transstadial transmission from larva to adult and give better understanding of the microbial diversity in these mosquitoes, informing future control programs against mosquito-borne diseases.},
}

@article {pmid36844098,
year = {2023},
author = {Li, T and Yang, G and Li, Q and Jiang, Y and Kang, D and Fan, Z and Gong, Z and Lu, R and Zhou, G and Wu, Y and Lu, C},
title = {Population dynamics of migrant wheat aphids in China's main wheat production region and their interactions with bacterial symbionts.},
journal = {Frontiers in plant science},
volume = {14},
number = {},
pages = {1103236},
pmid = {36844098},
issn = {1664-462X},
abstract = {Sitobion miscanthi, Rhopalosiphum padi, and Schizaphis graminum are the three main pests in Chinese wheat-producing regions. In 2020, they are classified into the Chinese Class I list of agricultural diseases and pests, due to their severe harm to wheat plantings. S. miscanthi, R. padi, and S. graminum are migrant pests, and understanding their migration patterns and simulating their migration trajectories would improve forecasting and controlling them. Furthermore, the bacterial community of the migrant wheat aphid is also less known. In this study, we employed a suction trap to uncover the migration patterns of the three wheat aphid species in Yuanyang county, Henan province, during 2018 to 2020. And then the migration trajectories of S. miscanthi and R. padi were simulated using the NOAA HYSPLIT model. The interactions between wheat aphids and bacteria were further revealed by specific PCR and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The results showed that the population dynamics of migrant wheat aphids was varied. Most of the trapped samples were identified to be R. padi, and S. graminum was the least collected sample. Typically, R. padi had two migration peaks in the 3 years, whereas S. miscanthi and S. graminum only exhibited one migration peak in 2018 and 2019. Moreover, the aphid migration trajectories varied over the years. Generally, the aphids originated from the south and migrated to the north. Herein, the infections of three main aphid facultative bacterial symbionts, Serratia symbiotica, Hamiltonella defensa, and Regiella insercticola, were detected in S. miscanthi and R. padi with specific PCR. Rickettsiella, Arsenophonus, Rickettsia, and Wolbachia were further identified with 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Biomarker searching indicated that Arsenophonus was significantly enriched in R. padi. Furthermore, diversity analyses showed that the bacterial community of R. padi had a higher richness and evenness than that of S. miscanthi. In conclusion, this study expands our knowledge about the migration patterns of aphids in the main wheat plant region of China and reveals the interactions between bacterial symbionts and migrant aphids.},
}

@article {pmid36844640,
year = {2023},
author = {Algamdi, AG and Shaher, FM and Mahyoub, JA},
title = {Biological comparative study between Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti mosquito and Wolbachia-uninfected strain, Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia.},
journal = {Saudi journal of biological sciences},
volume = {30},
number = {3},
pages = {103581},
pmid = {36844640},
issn = {1319-562X},
abstract = {In this study, samples of Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were collected from Al-Safa district in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia. The presence of Wolbachia bacteria in mosquitoes was confirmed by PCR technique and they were reared and propagated in the laboratory. Comparative studies were conducted between Wolbachia-infected A. Aegypti and the Wolbachia-uninfected laboratory strain in terms of their ability to withstand drought, resist two types of insecticides and the activities of pesticide detoxification enzymes. The Wolbachia-infected A. aegypti strain proved less able to withstand the drought period, as the egg-hatching rate of the Wolbachia-uninfected strain was greater than that of the Wolbachia-infected strain after one, two and three months of dry periods. Compared to the Wolbachia-uninfected strain, the Wolbachia-infected strain demonstrated a relatively greater resistance to tested pesticides, namely Baton 100EC and Fendure 25EC which may be attributed to the higher levels of the detoxification enzymes glutathione-S-transferase and catalase and the lower levels of esterase and acetylcholine esterase.},
}

@article {pmid36850014,
year = {2023},
author = {Latrofa, MS and Varotto-Boccazzi, I and Louzada-Flores, VN and Iatta, R and Mendoza-Roldan, JA and Roura, X and Zatelli, A and Epis, S and Bandi, C and Otranto, D},
title = {Interaction between Wolbachia pipientis and Leishmania infantum in heartworm infected dogs.},
journal = {Parasites & vectors},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {77},
pmid = {36850014},
issn = {1756-3305},
mesh = {Female ; Animals ; Dogs ; *Dirofilaria immitis ; *Wolbachia ; *Leishmania infantum ; Cytokines ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia is a Gram-negative endosymbiont associated with several species of arthropods and filarioid nematodes, including Dirofilaria immitis. This endosymbiont may elicit a Th1 response, which is a component of the immunity against Leishmania infantum.

METHODS: To investigate the interactions between Wolbachia of D. immitis and L. infantum in naturally infected dogs and cytokine circulation, dogs without clinical signs (n = 187) were selected. Dogs were tested for microfilariae (mfs) by Knott, for female antigens of D. immitis by SNAP, and for anti-L. infantum antibodies by IFAT and assigned to four groups. Dogs of group 1 (G1) and 2 (G2) were positive for D. immitis and positive or negative to L. infantum, respectively. Dogs of group 3 (G3) and 4 (G4) were negative to D. immitis and positive or negative to L. infantum, respectively. Wolbachia and L. infantum DNA was quantified by real-time PCR (qPCR) in dog blood samples. A subset of dogs (n = 65) was examined to assess pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production using an ELISA test.

RESULTS: Of 93 dogs positive to D. immitis with circulating mfs, 85% were positive to Wolbachia, with the highest amount of DNA detected in G1 and the lowest in dogs with low mfs load in G1 and G2. Among dogs positive to L. infantum, 66% from G1 showed low antibody titer, while 48.9% from G3 had the highest antibody titer. Of 37 dogs positive to Wolbachia from G1, 26 (70.3%) had low antibody titers to L. infantum (1:160). Among cytokines, TNFα showed the highest mean concentration in G1 (246.5 pg/ml), IFNγ being the one most represented (64.3%). IL-10 (1809.5 pg/ml) and IL-6 (123.5 pg/ml) showed the highest mean concentration in dogs from G1. A lower percentage of dogs producing IL-4 was observed in all groups examined, with the highest mean concentration (2794 pg/ml) recorded in G2.

CONCLUSION: Results show the association of D. immitis and Wolbachia with the lower antibody titers of L. infantum in co-infected dogs, suggesting the hypothesis that the endosymbiont may affect the development of the patent leishmaniosis. However, due to the limitations associated with the heterogeneity of naturally infected dogs in field conditions, results should be validated by investigation on experimental models.},
}

Female
Animals
Dogs
*Dirofilaria immitis
*Wolbachia
*Leishmania infantum
Cytokines

@article {pmid36857313,
year = {2023},
author = {Frantz, SI and Small, CM and Cresko, WA and Singh, ND},
title = {Ovarian transcriptional response to Wolbachia infection in D. melanogaster in the context of between-genotype variation in gene expression.},
journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)},
volume = {13},
number = {5},
pages = {},
pmid = {36857313},
issn = {2160-1836},
mesh = {Animals ; *Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Genotype ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Transcriptome ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia is a maternally transmitted endosymbiotic bacteria that infects a wide variety of arthropod and nematode hosts. The effects of Wolbachia on host biology are far-reaching and include changes in host gene expression. However, previous work on the host transcriptional response has generally been investigated in the context of a single host genotype. Thus, the relative effect of Wolbachia infection versus vs. host genotype on gene expression is unknown. Here, we explicitly test the relative roles of Wolbachia infection and host genotype on host gene expression by comparing the ovarian transcriptomes of 4 strains of Drosophila melanogaster (D. melanogaster) infected and uninfected with Wolbachia. Our data suggest that infection explains a small amount of transcriptional variation, particularly in comparison to variation in gene expression among strains. However, infection specifically affects genes related to cell cycle, translation, and metabolism. We also find enrichment of cell division and recombination processes among genes with infection-associated differential expression. Broadly, the transcriptomic changes identified in this study provide novel understanding of the relative magnitude of the effect of Wolbachia infection on gene expression in the context of host genetic variation and also point to genes that are consistently differentially expressed in response to infection among multiple genotypes.},
}

Animals
*Drosophila melanogaster/genetics
*Wolbachia/genetics
Genotype
Gene Expression Profiling
Transcriptome
Symbiosis

@article {pmid36861014,
year = {2023},
author = {Cheema, HA and Mujtaba, RS and Siddiqui, A and Vohra, LI and Shahid, A and Shah, J and Nashwan, AJ and Howard, N},
title = {Singapore's Dengue Outbreak Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic: Challenges, Responses, and Lessons.},
journal = {Infection and drug resistance},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1081-1085},
pmid = {36861014},
issn = {1178-6973},
abstract = {Dengue outbreaks have been documented in Singapore since 1901, occurring almost annually in the 1960s and disproportionately affecting the paediatric population. In January 2020, virological surveillance detected a shift from DENV-2, which was the previous dominant strain, to DENV-3. As of 20 September 2022, 27,283 cases have been reported in 2022. Singapore is currently also responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, overcoming another wave of infections with 281,977 cases recorded in the past two months as of 19 September 2022. While Singapore has adopted several policies and interventions to combat dengue, primarily through environmental control but also innovations such as the Wolbachia mosquito programme, there is a need for further efforts to deal with the dual threat of dengue and COVID-19. Drawing lessons from Singapore's experience, countries facing such dual epidemics should enact clear policy responses, including establishing a multisectoral dengue action committee and action plan prior to potential outbreaks. Key indicators should be agreed upon and tracked at all healthcare levels as part of dengue surveillance and incorporated into the national health information system. Digitizing dengue monitoring systems and implementing telemedicine solutions are innovative measures that would facilitate the response to dengue in the context of restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic that hinder the detection and response to new cases. There is a need for greater international collaboration in reducing or eradicating dengue in endemic countries. Further research is also required on how best to establish integrated early warning systems and extend our knowledge of the effects of COVID-19 on dengue transmission in affected countries.},
}

@article {pmid36869841,
year = {2023},
author = {Cooper, WR and Walker, WB and Angelella, GM and Swisher Grimm, KD and Foutz, JJ and Harper, SJ and Nottingham, LB and Northfield, TD and Wohleb, CH and Strausbaugh, CA},
title = {Bacterial Endosymbionts Identified From Leafhopper (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) Vectors of Phytoplasmas.},
journal = {Environmental entomology},
volume = {52},
number = {2},
pages = {243-253},
doi = {10.1093/ee/nvad015},
pmid = {36869841},
issn = {1938-2936},
mesh = {Male ; Animals ; *Hemiptera/genetics ; *Phytoplasma/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Insect Vectors/microbiology ; Plant Diseases/microbiology ; },
abstract = {Insects often harbor bacterial endosymbionts that provide them with nutritional benefit or with protection against natural enemies, plant defenses, insecticides, and abiotic stresses. Certain endosymbionts may also alter acquisition and transmission of plant pathogens by insect vectors. We identified bacterial endosymbionts from four leafhopper vectors (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma' species by direct sequencing 16S rDNA and confirmed endosymbiont presence and identity by species-specific conventional PCR. We examined three vectors of Ca. Phytoplasma pruni, causal agent of cherry X-disease [Colladonus geminatus (Van Duzee), Colladonus montanus reductus (Van Duzee), Euscelidius variegatus (Kirschbaum)] - and a vector of Ca. Phytoplasma trifolii, the causal agent of potato purple top disease [Circulifer tenellus (Baker)]. Direct sequencing of 16S identified the two obligate endosymbionts of leafhoppers, 'Ca. Sulcia' and 'Ca. Nasuia', which are known to produce essential amino acids lacking in the leafhoppers' phloem sap diet. About 57% of C. geminatus also harbored endosymbiotic Rickettsia. We identified 'Ca. Yamatotoia cicadellidicola' in Euscelidius variegatus, providing just the second host record for this endosymbiont. Circulifer tenellus harbored the facultative endosymbiont Wolbachia, although the average infection rate was only 13% and all males were Wolbachia-uninfected. A significantly greater percentage of Wolbachia-infected Ci. tenellus adults than uninfected adults carried Ca. P. trifolii, suggesting that Wolbachia may increase this insect's ability to tolerate or acquire this pathogen. Results of our study provide a foundation for continued work on interactions between leafhoppers, bacterial endosymbionts, and phytoplasma.},
}

Male
Animals
*Hemiptera/genetics
*Phytoplasma/genetics
Bacteria/genetics
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Insect Vectors/microbiology
Plant Diseases/microbiology

@article {pmid36877376,
year = {2023},
author = {Zhang, Z and Chang, L and Huang, Q and Yan, R and Zheng, B},
title = {A mosquito population suppression model with a saturated Wolbachia release strategy in seasonal succession.},
journal = {Journal of mathematical biology},
volume = {86},
number = {4},
pages = {51},
pmid = {36877376},
issn = {1432-1416},
mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Male ; Seasons ; *Wolbachia ; *Culicidae ; Cytoplasm ; Cytosol ; },
abstract = {Releasing Wolbachia-infected male mosquitoes to suppress wild female mosquitoes through cytoplasmic incompatibility has shown great promise in controlling and preventing mosquito-borne diseases. To make the release logistically and economically feasible, we propose a saturated release strategy, which is only implemented during the epidemic season of mosquito-borne diseases. Under this assumption, the model becomes a seasonally switching ordinary differential equation model. The seasonal switch brings rich dynamics, including the existence of a unique periodic solution or exactly two periodic solutions, which are proved by using the qualitative property of the Poincaré map. Sufficient conditions are also obtained for determining the stability of the periodic solutions.},
}

Animals
Female
Male
Seasons
*Wolbachia
*Culicidae
Cytoplasm
Cytosol

@article {pmid36883556,
year = {2023},
author = {Bueno-Marí, R and Domínguez-Santos, R and Trelis, M and Garrote-Sánchez, E and Cholvi, M and Quero de Lera, F and Khoubbane, M and Marcilla, A and Gil, R},
title = {[Wolbachia pipientis infections in populations of Aedes albopictus in the city of València (Spain): implications for mosquito control].},
journal = {Revista espanola de salud publica},
volume = {97},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {36883556},
issn = {2173-9110},
mesh = {Adult ; Male ; Animals ; Humans ; *Aedes ; Mosquito Control ; Spain/epidemiology ; *Wolbachia ; },
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: The presence of Aedes albopictus, of high sanitary and social impact, was first reported in Valencia (Eastern Spain) in 2015. Innovative tools for its control include the use of the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia pipientis. The release of mosquito males infected with the wPip strain, has proven very promising for large-scale Incompatible Insect Technique (IIT) applications. Before this strategy can be implemented in Valencia, it is important to know whether the natural local mosquito populations are Wolbachia-infected and, if so, identifying the infecting strains/supergroups, these being the objectives of the present work.

METHODS: Eggs were collected from the 19 districts of the València city between May and October 2019. A total of 50 lab-reared adult Ae. albopictus individuals were processed and analyzed for Wolbachia detection and molecular characterization. These actions took place within the framework of a collaboration established with the Department of Health and Consumer Affairs of the city council of Valencia. Fisher's exact test was used to detect the statistical significance of the differences between groups.

RESULTS: Our study revealed that 94% of the analyzed samples were naturally infected with Wolbachia. Both wAlbA and wAlbB supergroups were identified, with most samples (72% of the infected ones) carrying co-infections.

CONCLUSIONS: These data provide the first characterization of the Wolbachia presence in natural populations of Ae. albopictus in the Mediterranean area of Spain. This information is relevant to evaluate the potential use of Wolbachia strains in order to achieve the suppression of the Asian tiger mosquito populations through massive release of artificially-infected males.},
}

Adult
Male
Animals
Humans
*Aedes
Mosquito Control
Spain/epidemiology
*Wolbachia

@article {pmid36889142,
year = {2023},
author = {Hussain, M and Etebari, K and Asgari, S},
title = {Analysing inhibition of dengue virus in Wolbachia-infected mosquito cells following the removal of Wolbachia.},
journal = {Virology},
volume = {581},
number = {},
pages = {48-55},
doi = {10.1016/j.virol.2023.02.017},
pmid = {36889142},
issn = {1096-0341},
mesh = {Animals ; *Dengue Virus/physiology ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; Virus Replication ; *RNA Viruses/genetics ; *Aedes ; *Dengue ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis is known to block replication of positive sense RNA viruses. Previously, we created an Aedes aegypti Aag2 cell line (Aag2.wAlbB) transinfected with the wAlbB strain of Wolbachia and a matching tetracycline-cured Aag2.tet cell line. While dengue virus (DENV) was blocked in Aag2.wAlbB cells, we found significant inhibition of DENV in Aag2.tet cells. RNA-Seq analysis of the cells confirmed removal of Wolbachia and lack of expression of Wolbachia genes that could have been due to lateral gene transfer in Aag2.tet cells. However, we noticed a substantial increase in the abundance of phasi charoen-like virus (PCLV) in Aag2.tet cells. When RNAi was used to reduce the PCLV levels, DENV replication was significantly increased. Further, we found significant changes in the expression of antiviral and proviral genes in Aag2.tet cells. Overall, the results reveal an antagonistic interaction between DENV and PCLV and how PCLV-induced changes could contribute to DENV inhibition.},
}

Animals
*Dengue Virus/physiology
*Wolbachia/physiology
Virus Replication
*RNA Viruses/genetics
*Aedes
*Dengue

@article {pmid36889655,
year = {2023},
author = {Zhu, X and Liu, T and He, A and Zhang, L and Li, J and Li, T and Miao, X and You, M and You, S},
title = {Diversity of Wolbachia infection and its influence on mitochondrial DNA variation in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella.},
journal = {Molecular phylogenetics and evolution},
volume = {182},
number = {},
pages = {107751},
doi = {10.1016/j.ympev.2023.107751},
pmid = {36889655},
issn = {1095-9513},
mesh = {Animals ; *Moths/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Phylogeny ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Mitochondria/genetics ; },
abstract = {Plutella xylostella is a pest that severely damages cruciferous vegetables worldwide and has been shown to be infected with the maternally inherited bacteria Wolbachia, with the main infected strain was plutWB1. In this study, we performed a large-scale global sampling of P. xylostella and amplified 3 mtDNA genes of P. xylostella and 6 Wolbachia genes to analyze the infection status, diversity of Wolbachia in P. xylostella, and its effect on mtDNA variation in P. xylostella. This study provides a conservative estimate of Wolbachia infection rates in P. xylostella, which was found to be 7% (104/1440). The ST 108 (plutWB1) was shared among butterfly species and the moth species P. xylostella, revealing that Wolbachia strain plutWB1 acquisition in P. xylostella may be through horizontal transmission. The Parafit analyses indicated a significant association between Wolbachia and Wolbachia-infected P. xylostella individuals, and individuals infected with plutWB1 tended to cluster in the basal positions of the phylogenetic tree based on the mtDNA data. Additionally, Wolbachia infections were associated with increased mtDNA polymorphism in the infected P. xylostella population. These data suggest that Wolbachia endosymbionts may have a potential effect on mtDNA variation of P. xylostella.},
}

Animals
*Moths/genetics
*Wolbachia/genetics
Phylogeny
DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics
Mitochondria/genetics

@article {pmid36897930,
year = {2023},
author = {Davison, HR and Hurst, GDD and Siozios, S},
title = {'Candidatus Megaira' are diverse symbionts of algae and ciliates with the potential for defensive symbiosis.},
journal = {Microbial genomics},
volume = {9},
number = {3},
pages = {},
pmid = {36897930},
issn = {2057-5858},
mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Ciliophora ; Phylogeny ; },
abstract = {Symbiotic microbes from the genus 'Candidatus Megaira' (Rickettsiales) are known to be common associates of algae and ciliates. However, genomic resources for these bacteria are scarce, limiting our understanding of their diversity and biology. We therefore utilize Sequence Read Archive and metagenomic assemblies to explore the diversity of this genus. We successfully extract four draft 'Ca. Megaira' genomes including one complete scaffold for a 'Ca. Megaira' and identify an additional 14 draft genomes from uncategorized environmental metagenome-assembled genomes. We use this information to resolve the phylogeny for the hyper-diverse 'Ca. Megaira', with hosts broadly spanning ciliates, and micro- and macro-algae, and find that the current single genus designation 'Ca. Megaira' significantly underestimates their diversity. We also evaluate the metabolic potential and diversity of ''Ca. Megaira' from this new genomic data and find no clear evidence of nutritional symbiosis. In contrast, we hypothesize a potential for defensive symbiosis in 'Ca. Megaira'. Intriguingly, one symbiont genome revealed a proliferation of ORFs with ankyrin, tetratricopeptide and leucine-rich repeats such as those observed in the genus Wolbachia where they are considered important for host–symbiont protein–protein interactions. Onward research should investigate the phenotypic interactions between 'Ca. Megaira' and their various potential hosts, including the economically important Nemacystus decipiens, and target acquisition of genomic information to reflect the diversity of this massively variable group.},
}

*Symbiosis
*Ciliophora
Phylogeny

@article {pmid36907292,
year = {2023},
author = {Ruiz, A and Gutiérrez-Bugallo, G and Rodríguez-Roche, R and Pérez, L and González-Broche, R and Piedra, LA and Martínez, LC and Menéndez, Z and Vega-Rúa, A and Bisset, JA},
title = {First report of natural Wolbachia infections in mosquitoes from Cuba.},
journal = {Acta tropica},
volume = {242},
number = {},
pages = {106891},
doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106891},
pmid = {36907292},
issn = {1873-6254},
mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Cuba ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; *Aedes/microbiology ; },
abstract = {Mosquitoes are extensively responsible for the transmission of pathogens. Novel strategies using Wolbachia could transform that scenario, since these bacteria manipulate mosquito reproduction, and can confer a pathogen transmission-blocking phenotype in culicids. Here, we screened the Wolbachia surface protein region by PCR in eight Cuban mosquito species. We confirmed the natural infections by sequencing and assessed the phylogenetic relationships among the Wolbachia strains detected. We identified four Wolbachia hosts: Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus, Mansonia titillans, and Aedes mediovittatus (first report worldwide). Knowledge of Wolbachia strains and their natural hosts is essential for future operationalization of this vector control strategy in Cuba.},
}

Animals
*Wolbachia/genetics
Phylogeny
Cuba
Mosquito Vectors/microbiology
*Aedes/microbiology

@article {pmid36909520,
year = {2023},
author = {Martin, M and Newton, ILG},
title = {The Wolbachia WalE1 effector alters Drosophila endocytosis.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {36909520},
issn = {2692-8205},
support = {R01 AI144430/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {The most common intracellular bacterial infection is Wolbachia pipientis, a microbe that manipulates host reproduction and is used in control of insect vectors. Phenotypes induced by Wolbachia have been studied for decades and range from sperm-egg incompatibility to male killing. How Wolbachia alters host biology is less well understood. Previously, we characterized the first Wolbachia effector - WalE1, which encodes a synuclein domain at the N terminus. Purified WalE1 sediments with and bundles actin and when heterologously expressed in flies, increases Wolbachia titer in the developing oocyte. In this work, we first identify the native expression WalE1 by Wolbachia infecting both fly cells and whole animals. WalE1 appears as aggregates, separate from Wolbachia cells. We next show that WalE1 co-immunoprecipitates with the host protein Past1 and that WalE1 manipulates host endocytosis. Yeast expressing WalE1 show deficiency in uptake of FM4-64 dye, and flies harboring mutations in Past1 or overexpressing WalE1 are sensitive to AgNO3, a hallmark of endocytosis defects. Finally, we also show that Past1 null flies harbor more Wolbachia overall and in late egg chambers. Our results identify interactions between a Wolbachia secreted effector and a host protein and point to yet another important host cell process impinged upon by Wolbachia.},
}

@article {pmid36911919,
year = {2023},
author = {Radousky, YA and Hague, MTJ and Fowler, S and Paneru, E and Codina, A and Rugamas, C and Hartzog, G and Cooper, BS and Sullivan, W},
title = {Distinct Wolbachia localization patterns in oocytes of diverse host species reveal multiple strategies of maternal transmission.},
journal = {Genetics},
volume = {224},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {36911919},
issn = {1943-2631},
support = {R35 GM124701/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM139595/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Drosophila melanogaster ; Oocytes ; Oogenesis ; Drosophila/genetics ; },
abstract = {A broad array of endosymbionts radiate through host populations via vertical transmission, yet much remains unknown concerning the cellular basis, diversity, and routes underlying this transmission strategy. Here, we address these issues, by examining the cellular distributions of Wolbachia strains that diverged up to 50 million years ago in the oocytes of 18 divergent Drosophila species. This analysis revealed 3 Wolbachia distribution patterns: (1) a tight clustering at the posterior pole plasm (the site of germline formation); (2) a concentration at the posterior pole plasm, but with a significant bacteria population distributed throughout the oocyte; and (3) a distribution throughout the oocyte, with none or very few located at the posterior pole plasm. Examination of this latter class indicates Wolbachia accesses the posterior pole plasm during the interval between late oogenesis and the blastoderm formation. We also find that 1 Wolbachia strain in this class concentrates in the posterior somatic follicle cells that encompass the pole plasm of the developing oocyte. In contrast, strains in which Wolbachia concentrate at the posterior pole plasm generally exhibit no or few Wolbachia in the follicle cells associated with the pole plasm. Taken together, these studies suggest that for some Drosophila species, Wolbachia invade the germline from neighboring somatic follicle cells. Phylogenomic analysis indicates that closely related Wolbachia strains tend to exhibit similar patterns of posterior localization, suggesting that specific localization strategies are a function of Wolbachia-associated factors. Previous studies revealed that endosymbionts rely on 1 of 2 distinct routes of vertical transmission: continuous maintenance in the germline (germline-to-germline) or a more circuitous route via the soma (germline-to-soma-to-germline). Here, we provide compelling evidence that Wolbachia strains infecting Drosophila species maintain the diverse arrays of cellular mechanisms necessary for both of these distinct transmission routes. This characteristic may account for its ability to infect and spread globally through a vast range of host insect species.},
}

Animals
*Wolbachia/genetics
Drosophila melanogaster
Oocytes
Oogenesis
Drosophila/genetics

@article {pmid36913994,
year = {2023},
author = {Junsiri, W and Kamkong, P and Chinkangsadarn, T and Ouisuwan, S and Taweethavonsawat, P},
title = {Molecular identification and genetic diversity of equine ocular setariasis in Thailand based on the COI, 12S rDNA, and ITS1 regions.},
journal = {Infection, genetics and evolution : journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics in infectious diseases},
volume = {110},
number = {},
pages = {105425},
doi = {10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105425},
pmid = {36913994},
issn = {1567-7257},
mesh = {Animals ; Horses/genetics ; *Setariasis/diagnosis ; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; Thailand/epidemiology ; Phylogeny ; *Genetic Variation ; },
abstract = {Equine ocular setariasis is mainly caused by Setaria digitata, and the identification of this filarial nematode is based on morphology. However, morphological characterization alone is insufficient for the detection and differentiation of S. digitata from its congeners. In Thailand, the molecular detection of S. digitata is lacking and its genetic diversity is still unknown. This study aimed to phylogenetically characterize equine S. digitata from Thailand based on sequences derived from the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI), the mitochondrial small subunit ribosomal DNA (12S rDNA), the nuclear internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) and Wolbachia surface protein (wsp). Five samples of S. digitata were characterized, submitted to the NCBI database, and used for phylogenetic analysis as well as the assessment of similarity, entropy, and haplotype diversity. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the S. digitata Thai strain was similar to S. digitata from China and Sri Lanka, with 99 to 100% similarity. The entropy and haplotype diversity indicated that the S. digitata Thai isolate was conserved and closely related to S. digitata worldwide. This is the first report on the molecular detection of equine ocular setariasis caused by S. digitata in Thailand.},
}

Animals
Horses/genetics
*Setariasis/diagnosis
DNA, Ribosomal/genetics
Thailand/epidemiology
Phylogeny
*Genetic Variation

@article {pmid36914655,
year = {2023},
author = {Kageyama, D and Harumoto, T and Nagamine, K and Fujiwara, A and Sugimoto, TN and Jouraku, A and Tamura, M and Katoh, TK and Watada, M},
title = {A male-killing gene encoded by a symbiotic virus of Drosophila.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {1357},
pmid = {36914655},
issn = {2041-1723},
support = {P40 OD018537/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {*Drosophila melanogaster/embryology/virology ; *Insect Viruses/genetics ; *Genes, Viral/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; Male ; Animals ; Embryonic Development ; RNA, Viral/physiology ; RNA, Double-Stranded/physiology ; Evolution, Molecular ; Open Reading Frames/genetics ; *Sex Ratio ; Sex Characteristics ; Female ; },
abstract = {In most eukaryotes, biparentally inherited nuclear genomes and maternally inherited cytoplasmic genomes have different evolutionary interests. Strongly female-biased sex ratios that are repeatedly observed in various arthropods often result from the male-specific lethality (male-killing) induced by maternally inherited symbiotic bacteria such as Spiroplasma and Wolbachia. However, despite some plausible case reports wherein viruses are raised as male-killers, it is not well understood how viruses, having much smaller genomes than bacteria, are capable of inducing male-killing. Here we show that a maternally inherited double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) virus belonging to the family Partitiviridae (designated DbMKPV1) induces male-killing in Drosophila. DbMKPV1 localizes in the cytoplasm and possesses only four genes, i.e., one gene in each of the four genomic segments (dsRNA1-dsRNA4), in contrast to ca. 1000 or more genes possessed by Spiroplasma or Wolbachia. We also show that a protein (designated PVMKp1; 330 amino acids in size), encoded by a gene on the dsRNA4 segment, is necessary and sufficient for inducing male-killing. Our results imply that male-killing genes can be easily acquired by symbiotic viruses through reassortment and that symbiotic viruses are hidden players in arthropod evolution. We anticipate that host-manipulating genes possessed by symbiotic viruses can be utilized for controlling arthropods.},
}

*Drosophila melanogaster/embryology/virology
*Insect Viruses/genetics
*Genes, Viral/physiology
*Symbiosis
Male
Animals
Embryonic Development
RNA, Viral/physiology
RNA, Double-Stranded/physiology
Evolution, Molecular
Open Reading Frames/genetics
*Sex Ratio
Sex Characteristics
Female

@article {pmid36928089,
year = {2023},
author = {Terretaz, K and Horard, B and Weill, M and Loppin, B and Landmann, F},
title = {Functional analysis of Wolbachia Cid effectors unravels cooperative interactions to target host chromatin during replication.},
journal = {PLoS pathogens},
volume = {19},
number = {3},
pages = {e1011211},
pmid = {36928089},
issn = {1553-7374},
mesh = {Animals ; Male ; Chromatin/metabolism ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; Semen/metabolism ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; Drosophila/metabolism ; Cytoplasm/metabolism ; Centromere Protein A/metabolism ; *Drosophila Proteins/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia are common bacteria among terrestrial arthropods. These endosymbionts transmitted through the female germline manipulate their host reproduction through several mechanisms whose most prevalent form called Cytoplasmic Incompatibility -CI- is a conditional sterility syndrome eventually favoring the infected progeny. Upon fertilization, the sperm derived from an infected male is only compatible with an egg harboring a compatible Wolbachia strain, this sperm leading otherwise to embryonic death. The Wolbachia Cif factors CidA and CidB responsible for CI and its neutralization function as a Toxin-Antitoxin system in the mosquito host Culex pipiens. However, the mechanism of CidB toxicity and its neutralization by the CidA antitoxin remain unexplored. Using transfected insect cell lines to perform a structure-function analysis of these effectors, we show that both CidA and CidB are chromatin interactors and CidA anchors CidB to the chromatin in a cell-cycle dependent-manner. In absence of CidA, the CidB toxin localizes to its own chromatin microenvironment and acts by preventing S-phase completion, independently of its deubiquitylase -DUB- domain. Experiments with transgenic Drosophila show that CidB DUB domain is required together with CidA during spermatogenesis to stabilize the CidA-CidB complex. Our study defines CidB functional regions and paves the way to elucidate the mechanism of its toxicity.},
}

Animals
Male
Chromatin/metabolism
*Wolbachia/physiology
Semen/metabolism
Animals, Genetically Modified
Drosophila/metabolism
Cytoplasm/metabolism
Centromere Protein A/metabolism
*Drosophila Proteins/metabolism

@article {pmid36929176,
year = {2023},
author = {Eugénio, AT and Marialva, MSP and Beldade, P},
title = {Effects of Wolbachia on Transposable Element Expression Vary Between Drosophila melanogaster Host Genotypes.},
journal = {Genome biology and evolution},
volume = {15},
number = {3},
pages = {},
pmid = {36929176},
issn = {1759-6653},
mesh = {Animals ; *Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; DNA Transposable Elements ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Evolution, Molecular ; Genotype ; },
abstract = {Transposable elements (TEs) are repetitive DNA sequences capable of changing position in host genomes, thereby causing mutations. TE insertions typically have deleterious effects but they can also be beneficial. Increasing evidence of the contribution of TEs to adaptive evolution further raises interest in understanding what factors impact TE activity. Based on previous studies associating the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia with changes in the abundance of piRNAs, a mechanism for TE repression, and to transposition of specific TEs, we hypothesized that Wolbachia infection would interfere with TE activity. We tested this hypothesis by studying the expression of 14 TEs in a panel of 25 Drosophila melanogaster host genotypes, naturally infected with Wolbachia and annotated for TE insertions. The host genotypes differed significantly in Wolbachia titers inside individual flies, with broad-sense heritability around 20%, and in the number of TE insertions, which depended greatly on TE identity. By removing Wolbachia from the target host genotypes, we generated a panel of 25 pairs of Wolbachia-positive and Wolbachia-negative lines in which we quantified transcription levels for our target TEs. We found variation in TE expression that was dependent on Wolbachia status, TE identity, and host genotype. Comparing between pairs of Wolbachia-positive and Wolbachia-negative flies, we found that Wolbachia removal affected TE expression in 21.1% of the TE-genotype combinations tested, with up to 2.3 times differences in the median level of transcript. Our data show that Wolbachia can impact TE activity in host genomes, underscoring the importance this endosymbiont can have in the generation of genetic novelty in hosts.},
}

Animals
*Drosophila melanogaster/genetics
DNA Transposable Elements
*Wolbachia/genetics
Evolution, Molecular
Genotype

@article {pmid36933571,
year = {2023},
author = {Oladipupo, SO and Carroll, JD and Beckmann, JF},
title = {Convergent Aedes and Drosophila CidB interactomes suggest cytoplasmic incompatibility targets are conserved.},
journal = {Insect biochemistry and molecular biology},
volume = {155},
number = {},
pages = {103931},
doi = {10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.103931},
pmid = {36933571},
issn = {1879-0240},
mesh = {Animals ; Male ; Drosophila ; Drosophila melanogaster ; *Aedes ; Semen ; Cytoplasm/metabolism ; *Wolbachia ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia-mediated cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is a conditional embryonic lethality induced when Wolbachia-modified sperm fertilizes an uninfected egg. The Wolbachia proteins, CidA and CidB control CI. CidA is a rescue factor that reverses lethality. CidA binds to CidB. CidB contains a deubiquitinating enzyme and induces CI. Precisely how CidB induces CI and what it targets are unknown. Likewise, how CidA prevents sterilization by CidB is not clear. To identify CidB substrates in mosquitos we conducted pull-down assays using recombinant CidA and CidB mixed with Aedes aegypti lysates to identify the protein interactomes of CidB and the CidB/CidA protein complex. Our data allow us to cross compare CidB interactomes across taxa for Aedes and Drosophila. Our data replicate several convergent interactions, suggesting that CI targets conserved substrates across insects. Our data support a hypothesis that CidA rescues CI by tethering CidB away from its substrates. Specifically, we identify ten convergent candidate substrates including P32 (protamine-histone exchange factor), karyopherin alpha, ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, and bicoid stabilizing factor. Future analysis on how these candidates contribute to CI will clarify mechanisms.},
}

Animals
Male
Drosophila
Drosophila melanogaster
*Aedes
Semen
Cytoplasm/metabolism
*Wolbachia

@article {pmid36934294,
year = {2023},
author = {Allman, MJ and Lin, YH and Joubert, DA and Addley-Cook, J and Mejía-Torres, MC and Simmons, CP and Flores, HA and Fraser, JE},
title = {Enhancing the scalability of Wolbachia-based vector-borne disease management: time and temperature limits for storage and transport of Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti eggs for field releases.},
journal = {Parasites & vectors},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {108},
pmid = {36934294},
issn = {1756-3305},
mesh = {Animals ; Temperature ; *Aedes ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Wolbachia ; Eggs ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Introgression of the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia into Aedes aegypti populations is a biocontrol approach being used to reduce arbovirus transmission. This requires mass release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. While releases have been conducted using a variety of techniques, egg releases, using water-soluble capsules containing mosquito eggs and larval food, offer an attractive method due to its potential to reduce onsite resource requirements. However, optimisation of this approach is required to ensure there is no detrimental impact on mosquito fitness and to promote successful Wolbachia introgression.

METHODS: We determined the impact of storage time and temperature on wild-type (WT) and Wolbachia-infected (wMel or wAlbB strains) Ae. aegypti eggs. Eggs were stored inside capsules over 8 weeks at 18 °C or 22 °C and hatch rate, emergence rate and Wolbachia density were determined. We next examined egg quality and Wolbachia density after exposing eggs to 4-40 °C to determine how eggs may be impacted if exposed to extreme temperatures during shipment.

RESULTS: Encapsulating eggs for 8 weeks did not negatively impact egg viability or resulting adult emergence and Wolbachia density compared to controls. When eggs were exposed to temperatures within 4-36 °C for 48 h, their viability and resulting adult Wolbachia density were maintained; however, both were significantly reduced when exposed to 40 °C.

CONCLUSIONS: We describe the time and temperature limits for maintaining viability of Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti eggs when encapsulated or exposed to extreme temperatures. These findings could improve the efficiency of mass releases by providing transport and storage constraints to ensure only high-quality material is utilised during field releases.},
}

Animals
Temperature
*Aedes
Mosquito Vectors
*Wolbachia
Eggs

@article {pmid36944122,
year = {2023},
author = {Čisovská Bazsalovicsová, E and Víchová, B and Oboňa, J and Radačovská, A and Blažeková, V and Králová-Hromadová, I},
title = {Bird Louse Flies Ornithomya spp. (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) as Potential Vectors of Mammalian Babesia and Other Pathogens.},
journal = {Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)},
volume = {23},
number = {5},
pages = {275-283},
doi = {10.1089/vbz.2022.0088},
pmid = {36944122},
issn = {1557-7759},
mesh = {Humans ; Male ; Female ; Animals ; *Babesia/genetics ; *Diptera ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; Birds ; Mammals ; *Anoplura ; },
abstract = {Background: Birds and mammals share various ectoparasites, which are responsible for the transmission of a wide range of pathogens. The louse flies (family Hippoboscidae) are ectoparasitic dipterans feeding strictly on the blood of mammals and birds. Both sexes of the louse flies are obligatory hematophagous and are known to act as the vectors of infectious agents. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 specimens of Ornithomya sp. were collected by hand on birds caught in nets or by hand from humans in two localities in Eastern Slovakia in 2021. The DNA samples were individually screened by species-specific PCRs for the presence of selected vector-borne pathogens. Results: Taxonomic identification folowed by molecular analyses revealed two louse fly species of Ornithomya spp. (O. avicularia and O. biloba). The molecular screening provided negative PCR results for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Rickettsia spp., Bartonella spp., and Hepatozoon canis. In contrast, positive PCR results were obtained for Babesia spp., Wolbachia spp., and Trypanosoma corvi. Conclusions: Of epidemiological importance is that the louse flies can presumably spread Babesia and other pathogens by host switching which facilitates the transmission and spread of numerous pathogens.},
}

Humans
Male
Female
Animals
*Babesia/genetics
*Diptera
*Rickettsia/genetics
Birds
Mammals
*Anoplura

@article {pmid36947547,
year = {2023},
author = {Richardson, KM and Ross, PA and Cooper, BS and Conner, WR and Schmidt, TL and Hoffmann, AA},
title = {A male-killing Wolbachia endosymbiont is concealed by another endosymbiont and a nuclear suppressor.},
journal = {PLoS biology},
volume = {21},
number = {3},
pages = {e3001879},
pmid = {36947547},
issn = {1545-7885},
support = {R35 GM124701/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Male ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Reproduction ; Drosophila/genetics ; Phenotype ; Insecta ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Bacteria that live inside the cells of insect hosts (endosymbionts) can alter the reproduction of their hosts, including the killing of male offspring (male killing, MK). MK has only been described in a few insects, but this may reflect challenges in detecting MK rather than its rarity. Here, we identify MK Wolbachia at a low frequency (around 4%) in natural populations of Drosophila pseudotakahashii. MK Wolbachia had a stable density and maternal transmission during laboratory culture, but the MK phenotype which manifested mainly at the larval stage was lost rapidly. MK Wolbachia occurred alongside a second Wolbachia strain expressing a different reproductive manipulation, cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). A genomic analysis highlighted Wolbachia regions diverged between the 2 strains involving 17 genes, and homologs of the wmk and cif genes implicated in MK and CI were identified in the Wolbachia assembly. Doubly infected males induced CI with uninfected females but not females singly infected with CI-causing Wolbachia. A rapidly spreading dominant nuclear suppressor genetic element affecting MK was identified through backcrossing and subsequent analysis with ddRAD SNPs of the D. pseudotakahashii genome. These findings highlight the complexity of nuclear and microbial components affecting MK endosymbiont detection and dynamics in populations and the challenges of making connections between endosymbionts and the host phenotypes affected by them.},
}

Animals
Male
*Wolbachia/genetics
Reproduction
Drosophila/genetics
Phenotype
Insecta
Symbiosis

@article {pmid36947551,
year = {2023},
author = {Bourne, ME and Gloder, G and Weldegergis, BT and Slingerland, M and Ceribelli, A and Crauwels, S and Lievens, B and Jacquemyn, H and Dicke, M and Poelman, EH},
title = {Parasitism causes changes in caterpillar odours and associated bacterial communities with consequences for host-location by a hyperparasitoid.},
journal = {PLoS pathogens},
volume = {19},
number = {3},
pages = {e1011262},
pmid = {36947551},
issn = {1553-7374},
mesh = {Animals ; Odorants ; Larva ; *Butterflies/parasitology ; *Wasps/parasitology ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; },
abstract = {Microorganisms living in and on macroorganisms may produce microbial volatile compounds (mVOCs) that characterise organismal odours. The mVOCs might thereby provide a reliable cue to carnivorous enemies in locating their host or prey. Parasitism by parasitoid wasps might alter the microbiome of their caterpillar host, affecting organismal odours and interactions with insects of higher trophic levels such as hyperparasitoids. Hyperparasitoids parasitise larvae or pupae of parasitoids, which are often concealed or inconspicuous. Odours of parasitised caterpillars aid them to locate their host, but the origin of these odours and its relationship to the caterpillar microbiome are unknown. Here, we analysed the odours and microbiome of the large cabbage white caterpillar Pieris brassicae in relation to parasitism by its endoparasitoid Cotesia glomerata. We identified how bacterial presence in and on the caterpillars is correlated with caterpillar odours and tested the attractiveness of parasitised and unparasitised caterpillars to the hyperparasitoid Baryscapus galactopus. We manipulated the presence of the external microbiome and the transient internal microbiome of caterpillars to identify the microbial origin of odours. We found that parasitism by C. glomerata led to the production of five characteristic volatile products and significantly affected the internal and external microbiome of the caterpillar, which were both found to have a significant correlation with caterpillar odours. The preference of the hyperparasitoid was correlated with the presence of the external microbiome. Likely, the changes in external microbiome and body odour after parasitism were driven by the resident internal microbiome of caterpillars, where the bacterium Wolbachia sp. was only present after parasitism. Micro-injection of Wolbachia in unparasitised caterpillars increased hyperparasitoid attraction to the caterpillars compared to untreated caterpillars, while no differences were found compared to parasitised caterpillars. In conclusion, our results indicate that host-parasite interactions can affect multi-trophic interactions and hyperparasitoid olfaction through alterations of the microbiome.},
}

Animals
Odorants
Larva
*Butterflies/parasitology
*Wasps/parasitology
Host-Parasite Interactions

@article {pmid36949814,
year = {2023},
author = {Ou, D and Qiu, JH and Su, ZQ and Wang, L and Qiu, BL},
title = {The phylogeny and distribution of Wolbachia in two pathogen vector insects, Asian citrus psyllid and Longan psyllid.},
journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology},
volume = {13},
number = {},
pages = {1121186},
pmid = {36949814},
issn = {2235-2988},
mesh = {*Hemiptera/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Citrus/microbiology ; Animals ; Phylogeny ; Sapindaceae ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia is the most abundant bacterial endosymbiont among insects. It can play a prominent role in the development, reproduction and immunity of its given insect host. To date, Wolbachia presence is well studied within aphids, whiteflies and planthoppers, but relatively few studies have investigated its presence in psyllids.

METHODS: Here, the infection status of Wolbachia in five species of psyllid, including Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri and longan psyllid Cornegenapsylla sinica was investigated. The phylogenetic relationships of different Wolbachia lines and their infection density and patterns in D. citri and C. sinica from different countries was also examined.

RESULTS: The infection rates of Wolbachia in D. citri and C. sinica were both 100%, and their sequencing types are ST173 and ST532 respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Wolbachia lines in D. citri and C. sinica both belong to the Con subgroup of Wolbachia supergroup B. In addition, Wolbachia displayed a scattered localization pattern in the 5th instar nymphs and in the reproductive organs of both D. citri and C. sinica but differed in other tissues; it was highest in the midgut, lowest in the salivary glands and medium in both the testes and ovaries.

CONCLUSION: Our findings assist in further understanding the coevolution of Wolbachia and its psyllid hosts. Given that Wolbachia could play an important role in insect pest control and pathogen transmission inhibition, our findings may also provide new insights for development of control strategies for D. citri and C. sinica.},
}

*Hemiptera/microbiology
*Wolbachia/genetics
*Citrus/microbiology
Animals
Phylogeny
Sapindaceae

@article {pmid36950155,
year = {2023},
author = {Moore, C and Breitschwerdt, EB and Kim, L and Li, Y and Ferris, K and Maggi, R and Lashnits, E},
title = {The association of host and vector characteristics with Ctenocephalides felis pathogen and endosymbiont infection.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {14},
number = {},
pages = {1137059},
pmid = {36950155},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Surveillance of the fleas and flea-borne pathogens infecting cats is important for both human and animal health. Multiple zoonotic Bartonella and Rickettsia species are known to infect the most common flea infesting cats and dogs worldwide: Ctenocephalides felis, the cat flea. The ability of other flea species to transmit pathogens is relatively unexplored. We aimed to determine cat host and flea factors independently associated with flea Bartonella and Rickettsia infection. We also assessed flea and cat infection by flea-host pair and location. To accomplish these aims, we performed qPCR for the detection of Bartonella, hemotropic Mycoplasma, Rickettsia, and Wolbachia DNA using paired cat and flea samples obtained from free-roaming cats presenting for spay or neuter across four locations in the United States. A logistic regression model was employed to identify the effect of cat (sex, body weight, geographic location, and Bartonella, hemotropic Mycoplasma, and Rickettsia spp., infection) and flea (clade and Rickettsia and Wolbachia infection) factors on C. felis Bartonella clarridgeiae infection. From 189 free roaming cats, we collected 84 fleas: Ctenocephalides felis (78/84), Cediopsylla simplex (4/84), Orchopeas howardi (1/84), and Nosopsyllus fasciatus (1/84). Ctenocephalides felis were phylogenetically assigned to Clades 1, 4, and 6 by cox1 gene amplification. Rickettsia asembonensis (52/84) and B. clarridgeiae (16/84) were the most common pathogenic bacteria detected in fleas. Our model identified host cat sex and weight as independently associated with B. clarridgeiae infection in fleas. Rickettsia asembonensis (52/84), Rickettsia felis (7/84) and Bartonella henselae (7/84) were detected in specific clades: R. felis was detected only in Clades 1 and 6 while B. henselae and R. asembonensis were detected only in Clade 4. Wolbachia spp., also displayed clade specificity with strains other than Wolbachia wCfeT only infecting fleas from Clade 6. There was poor flea and host agreement for Bartonella spp., infection; however, there was agreement in the Bartonella species detected in cats and fleas by geographic location. These findings reinforce the importance of considering reservoir host attributes and vector phylogenetic diversity in epidemiological studies of flea-borne pathogens. Widespread sampling is necessary to identify the factors driving flea-borne pathogen presence and transmission.},
}

@article {pmid36958587,
year = {2023},
author = {Verhulst, EC and Pannebakker, BA and Geuverink, E},
title = {Variation in sex determination mechanisms may constrain parthenogenesis-induction by endosymbionts in haplodiploid systems.},
journal = {Current opinion in insect science},
volume = {56},
number = {},
pages = {101023},
doi = {10.1016/j.cois.2023.101023},
pmid = {36958587},
issn = {2214-5753},
mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Parthenogenesis ; *Wolbachia ; *Arthropods ; Sex Determination Processes ; },
abstract = {Endosymbionts are maternally transmitted, and therefore benefit from maximizing female offspring numbers. Parthenogenesis-induction (PI) is the most effective type of manipulation for transmission, but has solely been detected in haplodiploid species, whereas cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is detected frequently across the arthropod phylum, including haplodiploids. This puzzling observation led us to hypothesize that the molecular sex-determination mechanism of the haplodiploid host may be a constraining factor in the ability of endosymbionts to induce parthenogenesis. Recent insights indicate that PI-endosymbionts may be able to directly manipulate sex-determination genes to induce the necessary steps required for PI in haplodiploids. However, sex-determination cascades vary extensively, so PI-induction would require a specialized and host-dependent tool set. Contrastingly, CI-related genes target conserved cell-cycle mechanisms, are located on mobile elements, and spread easily. Finally, endosymbiont-manipulations may have a strong impact on the effectiveness of haplodiploid biocontrol agents, but can also be used to enhance their efficacy.},
}

Animals
Female
Parthenogenesis
*Wolbachia
*Arthropods
Sex Determination Processes

@article {pmid36958642,
year = {2023},
author = {Detcharoen, M and Jiggins, FM and Schlick-Steiner, BC and Steiner, FM},
title = {Wolbachia endosymbiotic bacteria alter the gut microbiome in the fly Drosophila nigrosparsa.},
journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology},
volume = {198},
number = {},
pages = {107915},
doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2023.107915},
pmid = {36958642},
issn = {1096-0805},
mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila/microbiology ; *Wolbachia ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Reproduction ; Bacteria ; Symbiosis ; Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia are known to cause reproductive manipulations and in some arthropod species, Wolbachia were reported to cause changes in gut microbiome. However, the effects of Wolbachia bacteria on the microbiomes of their hosts, including Drosophila flies, have not been fully accessed. Here, we checked the bacterial microbiome in guts of Wolbachia-uninfected and of Wolbachia-infected Drosophila nigrosparsa, both separated into a bleach-only (embryos bleached) and a gnotobiotic (embryos bleached and inoculated with bacteria) treatment. We observed a clear separation between the Wolbachia-infected and the Wolbachia-uninfected samples, and the infected samples had higher variation in alpha diversity than the uninfected ones. There were reductions in the abundances of Proteobacteria (Pseudomonadota), especially Acetobacter, in the infected samples of both treatments. These findings highlight that Wolbachia change the gut microbiome in D. nigrosparsa as well as that the interactions between Wolbachia and bacteria like Acetobacter need to be investigated.},
}

Animals
Drosophila/microbiology
*Wolbachia
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome
Reproduction
Bacteria
Symbiosis
Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology

@article {pmid36962069,
year = {2021},
author = {Soh, S and Ho, SH and Seah, A and Ong, J and Dickens, BS and Tan, KW and Koo, JR and Cook, AR and Tan, KB and Sim, S and Ng, LC and Lim, JT},
title = {Economic impact of dengue in Singapore from 2010 to 2020 and the cost-effectiveness of Wolbachia interventions.},
journal = {PLOS global public health},
volume = {1},
number = {10},
pages = {e0000024},
pmid = {36962069},
issn = {2767-3375},
abstract = {The release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes is a promising disease intervention strategy that aims to control dengue and other arboviral infections. While early field trials and modelling studies suggest promising epidemiological and entomological outcomes, the overall cost effectiveness of the technology is not well studied in a resource rich setting nor under the suppression approach that aims to suppress the wild-type mosquito population through the release of Wolbachia-infected males. We used economical and epidemiological data from 2010 to 2020 to first ascertain the economic and health costs of dengue in Singapore, a high income nation where dengue is hyper-endemic. The hypothetical cost effectiveness of a national Wolbachia suppression program was then evaluated historically from 2010 to 2020. We estimated that the average economic impact of dengue in Singapore from 2010 to 2020 in constant 2010US$ ranged from $1.014 to $2.265 Billion. Using empirically derived disability weights, we estimated a disease burden of 7,645-21,262 DALYs from 2010-2020. Under an assumed steady-state running cost of a national Wolbachia suppression program in Singapore, we conservatively estimate that Wolbachia would cost an estimated $50,453-$100,907 per DALYs averted and would lead to an estimated $329.40 Million saved in economic costs over 2010 to 2020 under 40% intervention efficacy. Wolbachia releases in Singapore are expected to be highly cost-effective and its rollout must be prioritised to reduce the onward spread of dengue.},
}

@article {pmid36975996,
year = {2023},
author = {Jiang, RX and Shang, F and Jiang, HB and Dou, W and Cernava, T and Wang, JJ},
title = {Environmental Factors Affect the Bacterial Community in Diaphorina citri, an Important Vector of "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus".},
journal = {Microbiology spectrum},
volume = {11},
number = {2},
pages = {e0529822},
pmid = {36975996},
issn = {2165-0497},
support = {2021YFD1400800//MOST | National Key Research and Development Program of China (NKPs)/ ; //Supported by China Agriculture Research System of MOF and MARA/ ; },
abstract = {Insects are associated with diverse microbial communities that can have substantial effects on hosts. Here, we characterized the bacterial communities in the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), a major vector of the devastating pathogen "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus," which causes citrus Huanglongbing (HLB). In total, 256 ACP individuals across 15 field sites and one laboratory population in China were sequenced. The results showed that the bacterial community diversity was the highest in the Guilin population (average Shannon index, 1.27), and the highest value for richness was found in the Chenzhou population (average Chao1 index, 298). The bacterial community structures of the field-collected populations were significantly different, and all of them harbored Wolbachia, which was assigned to strain ST-173. Structural equation models revealed that the dominant Wolbachia strain had a significantly negative correlation with the annual mean temperature. In addition, the results obtained with populations infected with "Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus" indicated that in total, 140 bacteria could be involved in interactions with this bacterium. The ACP field populations harbored a more diverse bacterial community than the laboratory population, and the relative occurrences of some symbionts differed significantly. However, the bacterial community of the ACP laboratory colony was connected in a more complex network structure (average degree, 54.83) than that of the field populations (average degree, 10.62). Our results provide evidence that environmental factors can influence the bacterial community structure and bacterial relative abundance in ACP populations. This is likely due to the adaptation of ACPs to local environments. IMPORTANCE The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is an important vector of the HLB pathogen, which is a major threat to citrus production around the world. Bacterial communities harbored by insects could be affected by different environmental factors. Understanding these factors that affect the bacterial community of the ACP could be important for the better management of HLB transmission. This work surveyed ACP field populations in mainland China in order to explore the bacterial community diversity of different populations and the potential relationships between environmental factors and predominant symbionts. We have assessed the differences in ACP bacterial communities and identified the prevalent Wolbachia strains in the field. In addition, we compared the bacterial communities of ACP field-collected and laboratory populations. Comparing populations subjected to contrasting conditions could help us to better understand how the ACP adapts to local environmental conditions. Our study provides new insights into how environmental factors influence the bacterial community of the ACP.},
}

@article {pmid36977163,
year = {2023},
author = {Florez, D and Young, AJ and Bernabé, KJ and Hyman, JM and Qu, Z},
title = {Modeling Sustained Transmission of Wolbachia among Anopheles Mosquitoes: Implications for Malaria Control in Haiti.},
journal = {Tropical medicine and infectious disease},
volume = {8},
number = {3},
pages = {},
pmid = {36977163},
issn = {2414-6366},
support = {New Faculty Startup Funds//The University of Texas at San Antonio/ ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia infection in Anopheles albimanus mosquitoes can render mosquitoes less capable of spreading malaria. We developed and analyzed a mechanistic compartmental ordinary differential equation model to evaluate the effectiveness of Wolbachia-based vector control strategies among wild Anopheles mosquitoes in Haiti. The model tracks the mosquito life stages, including egg, larva, and adult (male and female). It also accounts for critical biological effects, such as the maternal transmission of Wolbachia through infected females and cytoplasmic incompatibility, which effectively sterilizes uninfected females when they mate with infected males. We derive and interpret dimensionless numbers, including the basic reproductive number and next-generation numbers. The proposed system presents a backward bifurcation, which indicates a threshold infection that needs to be exceeded to establish a stable Wolbachia infection. The sensitivity analysis ranks the relative importance of the epidemiological parameters at baseline. We simulate different intervention scenarios, including prerelease mitigation using larviciding and thermal fogging before the release, multiple releases of infected populations, and different release times of the year. Our simulations show that the most efficient approach to establishing Wolbachia is to release all the infected mosquitoes immediately after the prerelease mitigation process. Moreover, the model predicts that it is more efficient to release during the dry season than the wet season.},
}

@article {pmid36985289,
year = {2023},
author = {Huynh, LN and Diarra, AZ and Pham, QL and Berenger, JM and Ho, VH and Nguyen, XQ and Parola, P},
title = {Identification of Vietnamese Flea Species and Their Associated Microorganisms Using Morphological, Molecular, and Protein Profiling.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {11},
number = {3},
pages = {},
pmid = {36985289},
issn = {2076-2607},
abstract = {Fleas are obligatory blood-sucking ectoparasites of medical and veterinary importance. The identification of fleas and associated flea-borne microorganisms, therefore, plays an important role in controlling and managing these vectors. Recently, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been reported as an innovative and effective approach to the identification of arthropods, including fleas. This study aims to use this technology to identify ethanol-preserved fleas collected in Vietnam and to use molecular biology to search for microorganisms associated with these fleas. A total of 502 fleas were collected from wild and domestic animals in four provinces in Vietnam. Morphological identification led to the recognition of five flea species, namely Xenopsylla cheopis, Xenopsylla astia, Pulex irritans, Ctenocephalides canis, and Ctenocephalides felis. The cephalothoraxes of 300 individual, randomly selected fleas were tested using MALDI-TOF MS and molecular analysis for the identification and detection of microorganisms. A total of 257/300 (85.7%) of the obtained spectra from the cephalothoraxes of each species were of good enough quality to be used for our analyses. Our laboratory MALDI-TOF MS reference database was upgraded with spectra achieved from five randomly selected fleas for every species of Ctenocephalides canis and Ctenocephalides felis. The remaining spectra were then queried against the upgraded MALDI-TOF MS database, which showed 100% correspondence between morphology and MALDI-TOF MS identification for two flea species (Ctenocephalides canis and Ctenocephalides felis). The MS spectra of the remaining species (three P. irritans, five X. astia, and two X. cheopis) were visually generated low-intensity MS profiles with high background noise that could not be used to update our database. Bartonella and Wolbachia spp. were detected in 300 fleas from Vietnam using PCR and sequencing with primers derived from the gltA gene for Bartonella and the 16S rRNA gene for Wolbachia, including 3 Bartonella clarridgeiae (1%), 3 Bartonella rochalimae (1%), 1 Bartonella coopersplainsensis (0.3%), and 174 Wolbachia spp. endosymbionts (58%).},
}

@article {pmid36985370,
year = {2023},
author = {Remmal, I and Bel Mokhtar, N and Maurady, A and Reda Britel, M and El Fakhouri, K and Asimakis, E and Tsiamis, G and Stathopoulou, P},
title = {Characterization of the Bacterial Microbiome in Natural Populations of Barley Stem Gall Midge, Mayetiola hordei, in Morocco.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {11},
number = {3},
pages = {},
pmid = {36985370},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {MIS 5010952//Hellenic Ministry of Rural Development and Food/ ; 00//European Union Erasmus+ Programme/ ; },
abstract = {Mayetiola hordei (Kieffer), known as barley stem gall midge, is one of the most destructive barley pests in many areas around the world, inflicting significant qualitative and quantitative damage to crop production. In this study, we investigate the presence of reproductive symbionts, the effect of geographical origin on the bacterial microbiome's structure, and the diversity associated with natural populations of M. hordei located in four barley-producing areas in Morocco. Wolbachia infection was discovered in 9% of the natural populations using a precise 16S rDNA PCR assay. High-throughput sequencing of the V3-V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene indicated that the native environments of samples had a substantial environmental impact on the microbiota taxonomic assortment. Briefly, 5 phyla, 7 classes, and 42 genera were identified across all the samples. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the bacterial composition of M. hordei natural populations. The presence of Wolbachia infection may assist in the diagnosis of ideal natural populations, providing a new insight into the employment of Wolbachia in the control of barley midge populations, in the context of the sterile insect technique or other biological control methods.},
}

@article {pmid36986288,
year = {2023},
author = {Moore, C and Lashnits, E and Neupane, P and Herrin, BH and Lappin, M and André, MR and Breitschwerdt, EB},
title = {Feeding on a Bartonella henselae Infected Host Triggers Temporary Changes in the Ctenocephalides felis Microbiome.},
journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {12},
number = {3},
pages = {},
pmid = {36986288},
issn = {2076-0817},
support = {FAPESP Process 2019/09464-6//Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo/ ; },
abstract = {The effect of Bartonella henselae on the microbiome of its vector, Ctenocephalides felis (the cat flea) is largely unknown, as the majority of C. felis microbiome studies have utilized wild-caught pooled fleas. We surveyed the microbiome of laboratory-origin C. felis fed on B. henselae-infected cats for 24 h or 9 days to identify changes to microbiome diversity and microbe prevalence compared to unfed fleas, and fleas fed on uninfected cats. Utilizing Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) on the Illumina platform, we documented an increase in microbial diversity in C. felis fed on Bartonella-infected cats for 24 h. These changes returned to baseline (unfed fleas or fleas fed on uninfected cats) after 9 days on the host. Increased diversity in the C. felis microbiome when fed on B. henselae-infected cats may be related to the mammalian, flea, or endosymbiont response. Poor B. henselae acquisition was documented with only one of four infected flea pools having B. henselae detected by NGS. We hypothesize this is due to the use of adult fleas, flea genetic variation, or lack of co-feeding with B. henselae-infected fleas. Future studies are necessary to fully characterize the effect of endosymbionts and C. felis diversity on B. henselae acquisition.},
}

@article {pmid36989319,
year = {2023},
author = {Wimalasiri-Yapa, BMCR and Huang, B and Ross, PA and Hoffmann, AA and Ritchie, SA and Frentiu, FD and Warrilow, D and van den Hurk, AF},
title = {Differences in gene expression in field populations of Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes with varying release histories in northern Australia.},
journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases},
volume = {17},
number = {3},
pages = {e0011222},
pmid = {36989319},
issn = {1935-2735},
mesh = {Animals ; *Aedes ; *Dengue Virus/physiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Zika Virus/genetics ; *Zika Virus Infection ; Australia ; Gene Expression ; },
abstract = {Aedes aegypti is the principal mosquito vector of dengue, yellow fever, Zika and chikungunya viruses. The wMel strain of the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia pipientis was introduced into the vector as a novel biocontrol strategy to stop transmission of these viruses. Mosquitoes with Wolbachia have been released in the field in Northern Queensland, Australia since 2011, at various locations and over several years, with populations remaining stably infected. Wolbachia infection is known to alter gene expression in its mosquito host, but whether (and how) this changes over the long-term in the context of field releases remains unknown. We sampled mosquitoes from Wolbachia-infected populations with three different release histories along a time gradient and performed RNA-seq to investigate gene expression changes in the insect host. We observed a significant impact on gene expression in Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes versus uninfected controls. Fewer genes had significantly upregulated expression in mosquitoes from the older releases (512 and 486 from the 2011 and 2013/14 release years, respectively) versus the more recent releases (1154 from the 2017 release year). Nonetheless, a fundamental signature of Wolbachia infection on host gene expression was observed across all releases, comprising upregulation of immunity (e.g. leucine-rich repeats, CLIPs) and metabolism (e.g. lipid metabolism, iron transport) genes. There was limited downregulation of gene expression in mosquitoes from the older releases (84 and 71 genes from the 2011 and 2013/14 release years, respectively), but significantly more in the most recent release (509 from the 2017 release year). Our findings indicate that at > 8 years post-introgression into field populations, Wolbachia continues to profoundly impact expression of host genes, such as those involved in insect immune response and metabolism. If Wolbachia-mediated virus blocking is underpinned by these differential gene expression changes, our results suggest it may remain stable long-term.},
}

Animals
*Aedes
*Dengue Virus/physiology
*Wolbachia/genetics
Mosquito Vectors
*Zika Virus/genetics
*Zika Virus Infection
Australia
Gene Expression

@article {pmid36992487,
year = {2023},
author = {Ferreira, QR and Lemos, FFB and Moura, MN and Nascimento, JOS and Novaes, AF and Barcelos, IS and Fernandes, LA and Amaral, LSB and Barreto, FK and Melo, FF},
title = {Role of the Microbiome in Aedes spp. Vector Competence: What Do We Know?.},
journal = {Viruses},
volume = {15},
number = {3},
pages = {},
pmid = {36992487},
issn = {1999-4915},
mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Humans ; *Aedes ; *Chikungunya Fever ; *Arboviruses/genetics ; *Yellow Fever ; *Zika Virus Infection ; *Zika Virus ; *Microbiota ; },
abstract = {Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are the vectors of important arboviruses: dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever. Female mosquitoes acquire arboviruses by feeding on the infected host blood, thus being able to transmit it to their offspring. The intrinsic ability of a vector to infect itself and transmit a pathogen is known as vector competence. Several factors influence the susceptibility of these females to be infected by these arboviruses, such as the activation of the innate immune system through the Toll, immunodeficiency (Imd), JAK-STAT pathways, and the interference of specific antiviral response pathways of RNAi. It is also believed that the presence of non-pathogenic microorganisms in the microbiota of these arthropods could influence this immune response, as it provides a baseline activation of the innate immune system, which may generate resistance against arboviruses. In addition, this microbiome has direct action against arboviruses, mainly due to the ability of Wolbachia spp. to block viral genome replication, added to the competition for resources within the mosquito organism. Despite major advances in the area, studies are still needed to evaluate the microbiota profiles of Aedes spp. and their vector competence, as well as further exploration of the individual roles of microbiome components in activating the innate immune system.},
}

Animals
Female
Humans
*Aedes
*Chikungunya Fever
*Arboviruses/genetics
*Yellow Fever
*Zika Virus Infection
*Zika Virus
*Microbiota

@article {pmid36993585,
year = {2023},
author = {Beckmann, J and Gillespie, J and Tauritz, D},
title = {Modelling Emergence of Wolbachia Toxin-Antidote Protein Functions with an Evolutionary Algorithm.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {36993585},
issn = {2692-8205},
support = {R21 AI146773/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI156762/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI166832/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {Evolutionary algorithms (EAs) simulate Darwinian evolution and adeptly mimic natural evolution. Most EA applications in biology encode high levels of abstraction in top-down ecological population models. In contrast, our research merges protein alignment algorithms from bioinformatics into codon based EAs that simulate molecular protein string evolution from the bottom up. We apply our EA to reconcile a problem in the field of Wolbachia induced cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). Wolbachia is a microbial endosymbiont that lives inside insect cells. CI is conditional insect sterility that operates as a toxin antidote (TA) system. Although, CI exhibits complex phenotypes not fully explained under a single discrete model. We instantiate in-silico genes that control CI, CI factors (cifs), as strings within the EA chromosome. We monitor the evolution of their enzymatic activity, binding, and cellular localization by applying selective pressure on their primary amino acid strings. Our model helps rationalize why two distinct mechanisms of CI induction might coexist in nature. We find that nuclear localization signals (NLS) and Type IV secretion system signals (T4SS) are of low complexity and evolve fast, whereas binding interactions have intermediate complexity, and enzymatic activity is the most complex. Our model predicts that as ancestral TA systems evolve into eukaryotic CI systems, the placement of NLS or T4SS signals can stochastically vary, imparting effects that might impact CI induction mechanics. Our model highlights how preconditions, genetic diversity, and sequence length can bias evolution of cifs towards one mechanism or another.},
}

@article {pmid36996252,
year = {2023},
author = {Hornett, EA and Hurst, GDD},
title = {One strain may hide another: Cryptic male-killing Wolbachia.},
journal = {PLoS biology},
volume = {21},
number = {3},
pages = {e3002076},
pmid = {36996252},
issn = {1545-7885},
mesh = {Animals ; Male ; *Wolbachia ; Insecta ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Host Microbial Interactions ; },
abstract = {While heritable symbionts are common in insects, strains that act as male-killers are considered rare. A new study in PLOS Biology identifies a novel male-killer hidden by coinfection and host resistance, highlighting the complexity of host-microbial interactions in natural systems.},
}

Animals
Male
*Wolbachia
Insecta
Host-Pathogen Interactions
Host Microbial Interactions

@article {pmid37000335,
year = {2023},
author = {Rohlfing, K and Yue, L and Franke, S and Zeng, C and Podsiadlowski, L and Dobler, S},
title = {When does the female bias arise? Insights from the sex determination cascade of a flea beetle with a strongly skewed sex ratio.},
journal = {Functional & integrative genomics},
volume = {23},
number = {2},
pages = {112},
pmid = {37000335},
issn = {1438-7948},
mesh = {Animals ; Male ; Female ; *Coleoptera/genetics ; Sex Ratio ; *Siphonaptera/genetics ; Larva ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; RNA, Messenger ; },
abstract = {Reproduction-manipulating bacteria like Wolbachia can shift sex ratios in insects towards females, but skewed sex ratios may also arise from genetic conflicts. The flea beetle Altica lythri harbors three main mtDNA strains that are coupled to three different Wolbachia infections. Depending on the mtDNA types, the females produce either offspring with a balanced sex ratio or exclusively daughters. To obtain markers that can monitor when sex bias arises in the beetle's ontogeny, we elucidated the sex determination cascade of A. lythri. We established a RT-PCR method based on length variants of dsx (doublesex) transcripts to determine the sex of morphologically indistinguishable eggs and larvae. In females of one mtDNA type (HT1/HT1*) known to produce only daughters, male offspring were already missing at the egg stage while for females of another type (HT2), the dsx splice variants revealed a balanced sex ratio among eggs and larvae. Our data suggest that the sex determination cascade in A. lythri is initiated by maternally transmitted female-specific tra (transformer) mRNA as primary signal. This tra mRNA seems to be involved in a positive feedback loop that maintains the production of the female splice variant, as known for female offspring in Tribolium castaneum. The translation of the maternally transmitted female tra mRNA must be inhibited in male offspring, but the underlying primary genetic signal remains to be identified. We discuss which differences between the mtDNA types can influence sex determination and lead to the skewed sex ratio of HT1.},
}

Animals
Male
Female
*Coleoptera/genetics
Sex Ratio
*Siphonaptera/genetics
Larva
DNA, Mitochondrial
RNA, Messenger

@article {pmid37001324,
year = {2023},
author = {Romano, DMM and Pereira, TN and Almeida, IB and Coelho, CSG and Duarte, FC and Harakava, R and Cassiano, LL and Mendes, MC},
title = {First molecular evidence of Wolbachia occurrence in Amblyomma sculptum (Acari: Ixodidae).},
journal = {Veterinary parasitology},
volume = {317},
number = {},
pages = {109907},
doi = {10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.109907},
pmid = {37001324},
issn = {1873-2550},
mesh = {Animals ; *Ixodidae/microbiology ; *Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever/epidemiology/microbiology/veterinary ; Amblyomma/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Brazil/epidemiology ; *Ticks/microbiology ; *Rickettsia ; },
abstract = {As the main vector for the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii in Brazil, the tick Amblyomma sculptum is a parasite of great public health importance in this country. Wolbachia is an endosymbiont bacterium highly widespread among invertebrates and because of its impact on its hosts' biology, form a powerful alternative for pests and disease control. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of this bacterium in A. sculptum. For this, 187 adult ticks collected in two municipalities in the interior of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, were analyzed using molecular techniques and bioinformatics tools. A total of 15 ticks were positive for the presence of Wolbachia. Phylogenetic analysis on the 16S rRNA gene indicated that the Wolbachia DNA sequences obtained in this investigation belonged to different clades, probably in supergroups B and F. This was the first study to report the occurrence of Wolbachia in A. sculptum and it enriches knowledge about the susceptibility of ticks to this bacterium. Now that we know that Wolbachia can be found in A. sculptum, the objective for a next study must be to investigate Wolbachia's possible origin in this tick.},
}

Animals
*Ixodidae/microbiology
*Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever/epidemiology/microbiology/veterinary
Amblyomma/genetics
*Wolbachia/genetics
Phylogeny
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Brazil/epidemiology
*Ticks/microbiology
*Rickettsia

@article {pmid37007535,
year = {2023},
author = {Alomar, AA and Pérez-Ramos, DW and Kim, D and Kendziorski, NL and Eastmond, BH and Alto, BW and Caragata, EP},
title = {Native Wolbachia infection and larval competition stress shape fitness and West Nile virus infection in Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {14},
number = {},
pages = {1138476},
pmid = {37007535},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Wolbachia transinfections established in key mosquito vectors, including Aedes aegypti are typically associated with pathogen blocking-reduced susceptibility to infection with key pathogens and reduced likelihood those pathogens are transmitted to new hosts. Host-symbiont-virus interactions are less well understood in mosquitoes like Culex quinquefasciatus, which naturally harbor Wolbachia, with pathogen blocking observed in some populations but not others, potentially due to innate differences in their Wolbachia load. In nature, mosquito larvae are often subject to developmental stresses associated with larval competition, which can lead to reduced body size and differential susceptibility to arbovirus infection.

METHODS: In this study, we sought to understand whether competition stress and Wolbachia infection in Cx. quinquefasciatus combine to impact host fitness and susceptibility to infection with West Nile virus. We reared Wolbachia-infected and uninfected Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae under three competition stress levels, increasing larval density without increasing the amount of food supplied. We then monitored larval development and survival, measured wing length and quantified Wolbachia density in adults, and then challenged mosquitoes from each treatment group orally with West Nile virus.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: We observed that high competition stress extended development time, decreased the likelihood of eclosion, decreased body size, and increased susceptibility to West Nile virus (WNV) infection. We also observed that Wolbachia infection reduced WNV load under low competition stress, and significantly improved the rate of survival for larval reared under higher competition stress. Consequently, our data suggest that native Wolbachia infection in Cx. quinquefasciatus has differential consequences for host fitness and susceptibility to WNV infection depending on competition stress.},
}

@article {pmid37022600,
year = {2023},
author = {Caputo, B and Moretti, R and Virgillito, C and Manica, M and Lampazzi, E and Lombardi, G and Serini, P and Pichler, V and Beebe, NW and Della Torre, A and Calvitti, M},
title = {A bacterium against the tiger: further evidence of the potential of noninundative releases of males with manipulated Wolbachia infection in reducing fertility of Aedes albopictus field populations in Italy.},
journal = {Pest management science},
volume = {79},
number = {9},
pages = {3167-3176},
doi = {10.1002/ps.7495},
pmid = {37022600},
issn = {1526-4998},
support = {MUR PNRR Extended Partnership initiative on Emerging Infectious Diseases (project no. PE00000007, INF-ACT, research node 2).//Ministero della RIcerca/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Male ; Female ; *Aedes ; *Wolbachia ; Mosquito Control/methods ; Fertility ; Italy ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Incompatible insect technique (IIT) is a population suppression approach based on the release of males with manipulated Wolbachia infection inducing egg inviability in wild females. We here present results of multiple field releases of incompatible ARwP males carried out in 2019 in a 2.7-ha green area within urban Rome (Italy) to assess the effect on Aedes albopictus egg viability. Data are compared with results obtained in 2018, when the approach was tested for the first time in Europe.

RESULTS: An average of 4674 ARwP males were released weekly for 7 weeks, resulting in a mean ARwP:wild male ratio of 1.1:1 (versus 0.7:1 in 2018). Egg-viability dynamics in ovitraps significantly varied between treated and control sites, with an estimated overall reduction of 35% (versus 15% in 2018). The estimated proportion of females classified as mated with ARwP males was 41.8% and the viability rate of eggs laid by these females (9.5%) was on average significantly lower than that of females only mated with wild males (87.8%); however, high variability in fertility was observed. Values of ARwP male competitiveness were 0.36 and 0.73 based on the overall viability rate of eggs in ovitraps and on female fertility, respectively; thus, well above the conventional 0.2 threshold for an effective suppressive impact in the field.

CONCLUSIONS: Results further support the potential of IIT as a tool to contribute to Ae. albopictus control in the urban context, stressing the need for larger field trials to evaluate the cost-efficacy of the approach in temperate regions. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.},
}

Animals
Male
Female
*Aedes
*Wolbachia
Mosquito Control/methods
Fertility
Italy

@article {pmid37027941,
year = {2023},
author = {Liu, W and Nasir, M and Yan, M and Zhu, X and Iqbal, MS and Wang, L and Zhang, K and Li, D and Ji, J and Gao, X and Luo, J and Cui, J},
title = {Response of the Pardosa astrigera bacterial community to Cry1B protein.},
journal = {Ecotoxicology and environmental safety},
volume = {256},
number = {},
pages = {114855},
doi = {10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.114855},
pmid = {37027941},
issn = {1090-2414},
mesh = {Female ; Male ; Humans ; Animals ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/metabolism ; *Bacteria ; *Spiders/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; Proteobacteria ; },
abstract = {While genetically modified (GM) crops bring economic benefits to human beings, their impact on non-target organisms has become an important part of environmental safety assessments. Symbiotic bacteria play an important role in eukaryotic biological functions and can adjust host communities to adapt to new environments. Therefore, this study examined the effects of Cry1B protein on the growth and development of non-target natural enemies of Pardosa astrigera (L. Koch) from the perspective of symbiotic bacteria. Cry1B protein had no significant effect on the health indicators of P. astrigera (adults and 2nd instar spiderlings). 16S rRNA sequencing results revealed that Cry1B protein did not change the symbiotic bacteria species composition of P. astrigera, but did reduce the number of OTU and species diversity. In 2nd instar spiderlings, neither the dominant phylum (Proteobacteria) nor the dominant genus (Acinetobacter) changed, but the relative abundance of Corynebacterium-1 decreased significantly; in adult spiders, the dominant bacteria genera of females and males were different. The dominant bacterial genera were Brevibacterium in females and Corynebacterium-1 in males, but Corynebacterium-1 was the dominant bacteria in both females and males feeding on Cry1B. The relative abundance of Wolbachia also increased significantly. In addition, bacteria in other genera varied significantly by sex. KEGG results showed that Cry1B protein only altered the significant enrichment of metabolic pathways in female spiders. In conclusion, the effects of Cry1B protein on symbiotic bacteria vary by growth and development stage and sex.},
}

Female
Male
Humans
Animals
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/metabolism
*Bacteria
*Spiders/metabolism
Symbiosis
Proteobacteria

@article {pmid37032902,
year = {2023},
author = {Wangwiwatsin, A and Kulwong, S and Phetcharaburanin, J and Namwat, N and Klanrit, P and Loilome, W and Maleewong, W and Reid, AJ},
title = {Toward novel treatment against filariasis: Insight into genome-wide co-evolutionary analysis of filarial nematodes and Wolbachia.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {14},
number = {},
pages = {1052352},
pmid = {37032902},
issn = {1664-302X},
support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; },
abstract = {Infectious diseases caused by filarial nematodes are major health problems for humans and animals globally. Current treatment using anti-helminthic drugs requires a long treatment period and is only effective against the microfilarial stage. Most species of filarial nematodes harbor a specific strain of Wolbachia bacteria, which are essential for the survival, development, and reproduction of the nematodes. This parasite-bacteria obligate symbiosis offers a new angle for the cure of filariasis. In this study, we utilized publicly available genome data and putative protein sequences from seven filarial nematode species and their symbiotic Wolbachia to screen for protein-protein interactions that could be a novel target against multiple filarial nematode species. Genome-wide in silico screening was performed to predict molecular interactions based on co-evolutionary signals. We identified over 8,000 pairs of gene families that show evidence of co-evolution based on high correlation score and low false discovery rate (FDR) between gene families and obtained a candidate list that may be keys in filarial nematode-Wolbachia interactions. Functional analysis was conducted on these top-scoring pairs, revealing biological processes related to various signaling processes, adult lifespan, developmental control, lipid and nucleotide metabolism, and RNA modification. Furthermore, network analysis of the top-scoring genes with multiple co-evolving pairs suggests candidate genes in both Wolbachia and the nematode that may play crucial roles at the center of multi-gene networks. A number of the top-scoring genes matched well to known drug targets, suggesting a promising drug-repurposing strategy that could be applicable against multiple filarial nematode species.},
}

@article {pmid37035661,
year = {2023},
author = {Michalik, A and Franco, DC and Deng, J and Szklarzewicz, T and Stroiński, A and Kobiałka, M and Łukasik, P},
title = {Variable organization of symbiont-containing tissue across planthoppers hosting different heritable endosymbionts.},
journal = {Frontiers in physiology},
volume = {14},
number = {},
pages = {1135346},
pmid = {37035661},
issn = {1664-042X},
abstract = {Sap-feeding hemipteran insects live in associations with diverse heritable symbiotic microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) that provide essential nutrients deficient in their hosts' diets. These symbionts typically reside in highly specialized organs called bacteriomes (with bacterial symbionts) or mycetomes (with fungal symbionts). The organization of these organs varies between insect clades that are ancestrally associated with different microbes. As these symbioses evolve and additional microorganisms complement or replace the ancient associates, the organization of the symbiont-containing tissue becomes even more variable. Planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha) are ancestrally associated with bacterial symbionts Sulcia and Vidania, but in many of the planthopper lineages, these symbionts are now accompanied or have been replaced by other heritable bacteria (e.g., Sodalis, Arsenophonus, Purcelliella) or fungi. We know the identity of many of these microbes, but the symbiont distribution within the host tissues and the bacteriome organization have not been systematically studied using modern microscopy techniques. Here, we combine light, fluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy with phylogenomic data to compare symbiont tissue distributions and the bacteriome organization across planthoppers representing 15 families. We identify and describe seven primary types of symbiont localization and seven types of the organization of the bacteriome. We show that Sulcia and Vidania, when present, usually occupy distinct bacteriomes distributed within the body cavity. The more recently acquired gammaproteobacterial and fungal symbionts generally occupy separate groups of cells organized into distinct bacteriomes or mycetomes, distinct from those with Sulcia and Vidania. They can also be localized in the cytoplasm of fat body cells. Alphaproteobacterial symbionts colonize a wider range of host body habitats: Asaia-like symbionts often colonize the host gut lumen, whereas Wolbachia and Rickettsia are usually scattered across insect tissues and cell types, including cells containing other symbionts, bacteriome sheath, fat body cells, gut epithelium, as well as hemolymph. However, there are exceptions, including Gammaproteobacteria that share bacteriome with Vidania, or Alphaproteobacteria that colonize Sulcia cells. We discuss how planthopper symbiont localization correlates with their acquisition and replacement patterns and the symbionts' likely functions. We also discuss the evolutionary consequences, constraints, and significance of these findings.},
}

@article {pmid37043515,
year = {2023},
author = {Novelo, M and Dutra, HL and Metz, HC and Jones, MJ and Sigle, LT and Frentiu, FD and Allen, SL and Chenoweth, SF and McGraw, EA},
title = {Dengue and chikungunya virus loads in the mosquito Aedes aegypti are determined by distinct genetic architectures.},
journal = {PLoS pathogens},
volume = {19},
number = {4},
pages = {e1011307},
pmid = {37043515},
issn = {1553-7374},
support = {R01 AI143758/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Chikungunya virus/physiology ; *Aedes ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Chikungunya Fever ; *Dengue ; },
abstract = {Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of the arboviruses dengue (DENV) and chikungunya (CHIKV). These viruses exhibit key differences in their vector interactions, the latter moving more quicky through the mosquito and triggering fewer standard antiviral pathways. As the global footprint of CHIKV continues to expand, we seek to better understand the mosquito's natural response to CHIKV-both to compare it to DENV:vector coevolutionary history and to identify potential targets in the mosquito for genetic modification. We used a modified full-sibling design to estimate the contribution of mosquito genetic variation to viral loads of both DENV and CHIKV. Heritabilities were significant, but higher for DENV (40%) than CHIKV (18%). Interestingly, there was no genetic correlation between DENV and CHIKV loads between siblings. These data suggest Ae. aegypti mosquitoes respond to the two viruses using distinct genetic mechanisms. We also examined genome-wide patterns of gene expression between High and Low CHIKV families representing the phenotypic extremes of viral load. Using RNAseq, we identified only two loci that consistently differentiated High and Low families: a long non-coding RNA that has been identified in mosquito screens post-infection and a distant member of a family of Salivary Gland Specific (SGS) genes. Interestingly, the latter gene is also associated with horizontal gene transfer between mosquitoes and the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia. This work is the first to link the SGS gene to a mosquito phenotype. Understanding the molecular details of how this gene contributes to viral control in mosquitoes may, therefore, also shed light on its role in Wolbachia.},
}

Animals
*Chikungunya virus/physiology
*Aedes
Mosquito Vectors
*Chikungunya Fever
*Dengue

@article {pmid37043605,
year = {2023},
author = {Dobson, KL and Blore, K and Henke, JA and Hung, KY and Morgan, T and Posey, T and Sun, S and Sypes, O and Tremblay, NP and Dobson, SL},
title = {Satellite Rearing of Aedes Mosquito Eggs: Synchronized Empirical Test of a Novel Mass Rearing Model.},
journal = {Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association},
volume = {39},
number = {1},
pages = {12-17},
doi = {10.2987/22-7104},
pmid = {37043605},
issn = {1943-6270},
mesh = {Animals ; Male ; *Aedes ; Humidity ; Mosquito Control/methods ; },
abstract = {Mosquito suppression strategies based on "rear and release" of male mosquitoes are attracting renewed interest from governments, municipalities, and private businesses. These include irradiation-based sterile insect technique, Wolbachia-based technologies, and genetic modification. Each of these approaches requires the mass rearing and release of adult male mosquitoes, which typically is accomplished via a rearing facility near the release site. Although some release programs have relied on centralized rearing and shipment of adult males, adult male mosquitoes are relatively fragile, and their fitness can be diminished by temperature fluctuations, humidity, nutritional deficiencies, and other stresses that occur during shipment. Furthermore, expensive, expedited shipment is typically used to maximize the amount of adult lifetime in the field following the release. In contrast, Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus eggs can be desiccated and stored for long periods. They are small, and many millions of eggs can be shipped without specialized environmental conditions and using less expensive means. Here we examine a model in which mosquito eggs are centrally produced and then mailed to satellite rearing facilities. As a control, a replicate set of eggs was reared at the factory of origin. At each of the rearing sites, cloud-based software was used to track and compare rearing at the different locations. The results demonstrate similar rearing outcomes (i.e., egg hatch, immature development, and number of adult males) at each of the different sites for both species. We discuss the outcome in relation to downstream applications and potential future studies.},
}

Animals
Male
*Aedes
Humidity
Mosquito Control/methods

@article {pmid37052365,
year = {2023},
author = {Xu, J and Tan, JB and Li, YD and Xu, YH and Tang, A and Zhou, HK and Shi, PQ},
title = {Diversity and dynamics of endosymbionts in a single population of sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius (Coleoptera: Brentidae): a preliminary study.},
journal = {Journal of insect science (Online)},
volume = {23},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {37052365},
issn = {1536-2442},
mesh = {Animals ; *Weevils ; *Coleoptera ; *Ipomoea batatas ; Reproduction ; },
abstract = {Endosymbionts live symbiotically with insect hosts and play important roles in the evolution, growth, development, reproduction, and environmental fitness of hosts. Weevils are one of the most abundant insect groups that can be infected by various endosymbionts, such as Sodalis, Nardonella, and Wolbachia. The sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius (Coleoptera: Brentidae), is a notorious pest in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) cultivation. Currently, little is known about the presence of endosymbionts in C. formicarius. Herein, we assessed the endosymbiont load of a single geographic population of C. formicarius. The results showed that Nardonella and Rickettsia could infect C. formicarius at different rates, which also varied according to the developmental stages of C. formicarius. The relative titer of Nardonella was significantly related to C. formicarius developmental stages. The Nardonella-infecting sweet potato weevils were most closely related to the Nardonella in Sphenophorus levis (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). The Rickettsia be identified in bellii group. These results preliminarily revealed the endosymbionts in C. formicarius and helped to explore the diversity of endosymbionts in weevils and uncover the physiological roles of endosymbionts in weevils.},
}

Animals
*Weevils
*Coleoptera
*Ipomoea batatas
Reproduction

@article {pmid37055642,
year = {2023},
author = {Lozano-Sardaneta, YN and Marina, CF and Torres-Monzón, JA and Sánchez-Cordero, V and Becker, I},
title = {Molecular detection of Wolbachia and Bartonella as part of the microbiome of phlebotomine sand flies from Chiapas, Mexico.},
journal = {Parasitology research},
volume = {122},
number = {6},
pages = {1293-1301},
pmid = {37055642},
issn = {1432-1955},
support = {6682//Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología/ ; CRISP-CONACYT-FOSSIS-69530//Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología/ ; IG201221//Programa de Apoyo a Proyectos de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica (PAPIIT)/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Psychodidae/parasitology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Bartonella/genetics ; Mexico ; Phylogeny ; Retrospective Studies ; *Phlebotomus ; *Leishmania ; *Microbiota ; Bacteria ; },
abstract = {Phlebotomine sand flies are dipterans of relevance due to their role as vectors of several pathogens worldwide. Bacteria in the gut of sand flies possibly affect their vectorial capacity and competence to transmit parasites. A retrospective study was performed in sand fly specimens that had previously been collected in four localities of the state of Chiapas during the period 2009-2011 to detect Wolbachia and Bartonella and their possible coinfection with Leishmania. For the molecular detection of bacteria, we used primers and conditions that had previously been reported. A total of 531 sand fly specimens of 10 species were analyzed. Four Wolbachia strains were detected in five sand fly species, showing a prevalence of 8.6%. All the Wolbachia strains had previously been reported in other taxa. In one sand fly species, we also detected a new lineage of Bartonella evidenced by a phylogenetic analysis. No sand fly specimens showed coinfections of these bacteria and Leishmania. The bacteria found in the phlebotomine sand flies are possibly transmitted by plant-mediated horizontal transmission and during blood meal feeding.},
}

Animals
*Psychodidae/parasitology
*Wolbachia/genetics
*Bartonella/genetics
Mexico
Phylogeny
Retrospective Studies
*Phlebotomus
*Leishmania
*Microbiota
Bacteria

@article {pmid37060070,
year = {2023},
author = {Li, Y and Sun, Y and Zou, J and Zhong, D and Liu, R and Zhu, C and Li, W and Zhou, Y and Cui, L and Zhou, G and Lu, G and Li, T},
title = {Characterizing the Wolbachia infection in field-collected Culicidae mosquitoes from Hainan Province, China.},
journal = {Parasites & vectors},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {128},
pmid = {37060070},
issn = {1756-3305},
support = {YSPTZX202004//Research project of Hainan academician innovation platform/ ; 82060379//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2022NHCTDCKFKT31002//Open Foundation of NHC Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Hainan Medical University/ ; ZDKJ202003//Major Science and Technology Program of Hainan Province/ ; U19 AI089672/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; XRC220012//Talent Introduction Fund of Hainan Medical University/ ; 820RC653//Hainan Provincial Natural Science Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Culicidae ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Mosquito Vectors/genetics ; *Aedes/genetics ; *Culex/genetics ; China/epidemiology ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Mosquitoes are vectors of many pathogens, such as malaria, dengue virus, yellow fever virus, filaria and Japanese encephalitis virus. Wolbachia are capable of inducing a wide range of reproductive abnormalities in their hosts, such as cytoplasmic incompatibility. Wolbachia has been proposed as a tool to modify mosquitoes that are resistant to pathogen infection as an alternative vector control strategy. This study aimed to determine natural Wolbachia infections in different mosquito species across Hainan Province, China.

METHODS: Adult mosquitoes were collected using light traps, human landing catches and aspirators in five areas in Hainan Province from May 2020 to November 2021. Species were identified based on morphological characteristics, species-specific PCR and DNA barcoding of cox1 assays. Molecular classification of species and phylogenetic analyses of Wolbachia infections were conducted based on the sequences from PCR products of cox1, wsp, 16S rRNA and FtsZ gene segments.

RESULTS: A total of 413 female adult mosquitoes representing 15 species were identified molecularly and analyzed. Four mosquito species (Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus, Armigeres subalbatus and Culex gelidus) were positive for Wolbachia infection. The overall Wolbachia infection rate for all mosquitoes tested in this study was 36.1% but varied among species. Wolbachia types A, B and mixed infections of A × B were detected in Ae. albopictus mosquitoes. A total of five wsp haplotypes, six FtsZ haplotypes and six 16S rRNA haplotypes were detected from Wolbachia infections. Phylogenetic tree analysis of wsp sequences classified them into three groups (type A, B and C) of Wolbachia strains compared to two groups each for FtsZ and 16S rRNA sequences. A novel type C Wolbachia strain was detected in Cx. gelidus by both single locus wsp gene and the combination of three genes.

CONCLUSION: Our study revealed the prevalence and distribution of Wolbachia in mosquitoes from Hainan Province, China. Knowledge of the prevalence and diversity of Wolbachia strains in local mosquito populations will provide part of the baseline information required for current and future Wolbachia-based vector control approaches to be conducted in Hainan Province.},
}

Animals
Humans
*Culicidae
*Wolbachia/genetics
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Phylogeny
Mosquito Vectors/genetics
*Aedes/genetics
*Culex/genetics
China/epidemiology

@article {pmid37073332,
year = {2023},
author = {Ye, Z and Bishop, T and Wang, Y and Shahriari, R and Lynch, M},
title = {Evolution of sex determination in crustaceans.},
journal = {Marine life science & technology},
volume = {5},
number = {1},
pages = {1-11},
pmid = {37073332},
issn = {2662-1746},
support = {R35 GM122566/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {Sex determination (SD) involves mechanisms that determine whether an individual will develop into a male, female, or in rare cases, hermaphrodite. Crustaceans harbor extremely diverse SD systems, including hermaphroditism, environmental sex determination (ESD), genetic sex determination (GSD), and cytoplasmic sex determination (e.g., Wolbachia controlled SD systems). Such diversity lays the groundwork for researching the evolution of SD in crustaceans, i.e., transitions among different SD systems. However, most previous research has focused on understanding the mechanism of SD within a single lineage or species, overlooking the transition across different SD systems. To help bridge this gap, we summarize the understanding of SD in various clades of crustaceans, and discuss how different SD systems might evolve from one another. Furthermore, we review the genetic basis for transitions between different SD systems (i.e., Dmrt genes) and propose the microcrustacean Daphnia (clade Branchiopoda) as a model to study the transition from ESD to GSD.},
}

@article {pmid37075471,
year = {2023},
author = {Che Lah, EF and Ahamad, M and Dmitry, A and Md-Zain, BM and Yaakop, S},
title = {Metagenomic profile of the bacterial communities associated with Ixodes granulatus (Acari: Ixodidae): a potential vector of tick-borne diseases.},
journal = {Journal of medical entomology},
volume = {60},
number = {4},
pages = {753-768},
doi = {10.1093/jme/tjad044},
pmid = {37075471},
issn = {1938-2928},
mesh = {Humans ; Female ; Animals ; *Ixodes/microbiology ; *Ixodidae/microbiology ; Rickettsiales ; Ehrlichia ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Borrelia/genetics ; *Tick-Borne Diseases/microbiology ; },
abstract = {Ixodes granulatus Supino, 1897 (Acari: Ixodida) is one of Malaysia's most common hard ticks and is a potential vector for tick-borne diseases (TBDs). Despite its great public health importance, research on I. granulatus microbial communities remains largely unexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the bacterial communities of on-host I. granulatus collected from three different recreational areas on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia using high throughput Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). A total of 9 females on-host I. granulatus were subjected to metabarcoding analysis targeting V3-V4 regions of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) using the Illumina MiSeq platform. This study identified 15 bacterial phyla corresponding to 19 classes, 54 orders, and 90 families from 435 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), revealing a diverse bacterial community profile. Together with 130 genera assigned, local I. granulatus harbored 4 genera of pathogens, i.e., Rickettsia da Rocha Lima, 1916 (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) (58.6%), Borrelia Swellengrebel 1907 (Spirochaetales: Borreliaceae) (31.6%), Borreliella Adeolu and Gupta 2015 (Spirochaetales: Borreliaceae) (0.6%), and Ehrlichia Cowdria Moshkovski 1947 (Rickettsiales: Ehrlichiaceae) (39.9%). Some endosymbiont bacteria, such as Coxiella (Philip, 1943) (Legionellales: Coxiellaceae), Wolbachia Hertig 1936 (Rickettsiales: Ehrlichiaceae), and Rickettsiella Philip, 1956 (Legionellales: Coxiellaceae), were also detected at very low abundance. Interestingly, this study reported the co-infection of Borrelia and Ehrlichia for the first time, instilling potential health concerns in the context of co-transmission to humans, especially in areas with a high population of I. granulatus. This study successfully characterized the tick microbiome and provided the first baseline data of I. granulatus bacterial communities in Malaysia. These results support the need for way-forward research on tick-associated bacteria using NGS, focusing on medically important species toward TBD prevention.},
}

Humans
Female
Animals
*Ixodes/microbiology
*Ixodidae/microbiology
Rickettsiales
Ehrlichia
*Rickettsia/genetics
*Borrelia/genetics
*Tick-Borne Diseases/microbiology

@article {pmid37079598,
year = {2023},
author = {Choubdar, N and Karimian, F and Koosha, M and Nejati, J and Shabani Kordshouli, R and Azarm, A and Oshaghi, MA},
title = {Wolbachia infection in native populations of Blattella germanica and Periplaneta americana.},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {18},
number = {4},
pages = {e0284704},
pmid = {37079598},
issn = {1932-6203},
mesh = {Animals ; *Periplaneta/microbiology ; *Blattellidae/genetics/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Phylogeny ; *Cockroaches/microbiology ; Allergens ; },
abstract = {Cockroaches are significant pests worldwide, being important in medical, veterinary, and public health fields. Control of cockroaches is difficult because they have robust reproductive ability and high adaptability and are resistant to many insecticides. Wolbachia is an endosymbiont bacterium that infects the reproductive organs of approximately 70% of insect species and has become a promising biological agent for controlling insect pests. However, limited data on the presence or strain typing of Wolbachia in cockroaches are available. PCR amplification and sequencing of the wsp and gltA genes were used to study the presence, prevalence and molecular typing of Wolbachia in two main cockroach species, Blattella germanica (German cockroach) and Periplaneta americana (American cockroach), from different geographical locations of Iran. The Wolbachia endosymbiont was found only in 20.6% of German cockroaches while it was absent in American cockroach samples. Blast search and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Wolbachia strain found in the German cockroach belongs to Wolbachia supergroup F. Further studies should investigate the symbiotic role of Wolbachia in cockroaches and determine whether lack of Wolbachia infection may increase this insect's ability to tolerate or acquire various pathogens. Results of our study provide a foundation for continued work on interactions between cockroaches, bacterial endosymbionts, and pathogens.},
}

Animals
*Periplaneta/microbiology
*Blattellidae/genetics/microbiology
*Wolbachia/genetics
Phylogeny
*Cockroaches/microbiology
Allergens

@article {pmid37094148,
year = {2023},
author = {Gu, X and Ross, PA and Gill, A and Yang, Q and Ansermin, E and Sharma, S and Soleimannejad, S and Sharma, K and Callahan, A and Brown, C and Umina, PA and Kristensen, TN and Hoffmann, AA},
title = {A rapidly spreading deleterious aphid endosymbiont that uses horizontal as well as vertical transmission.},
journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America},
volume = {120},
number = {18},
pages = {e2217278120},
pmid = {37094148},
issn = {1091-6490},
mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/microbiology ; *Coxiellaceae/genetics ; Bacteria ; Phenotype ; Reproduction ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Endosymbiotic bacteria that live inside the cells of insects are typically only transmitted maternally and can spread by increasing host fitness and/or modifying reproduction in sexual hosts. Transinfections of Wolbachia endosymbionts are now being used to introduce useful phenotypes into sexual host populations, but there has been limited progress on applications using other endosymbionts and in asexual populations. Here, we develop a unique pathway to application in aphids by transferring the endosymbiont Rickettsiella viridis to the major crop pest Myzus persicae. Rickettsiella infection greatly reduced aphid fecundity, decreased heat tolerance, and modified aphid body color, from light to dark green. Despite inducing host fitness costs, Rickettsiella spread rapidly through caged aphid populations via plant-mediated horizontal transmission. The phenotypic effects of Rickettsiella were sensitive to temperature, with spread only occurring at 19 °C and not 25 °C. Body color modification was also lost at high temperatures despite Rickettsiella maintaining a high density. Rickettsiella shows the potential to spread through natural M. persicae populations by horizontal transmission and subsequent vertical transmission. Establishment of Rickettsiella in natural populations could reduce crop damage by modifying population age structure, reducing population growth and providing context-dependent effects on host fitness. Our results highlight the importance of plant-mediated horizontal transmission and interactions with temperature as drivers of endosymbiont spread in asexual insect populations.},
}

Animals
*Aphids/microbiology
*Coxiellaceae/genetics
Bacteria
Phenotype
Reproduction
Symbiosis

@article {pmid37098535,
year = {2023},
author = {da Moura, AJF and Valadas, V and Da Veiga Leal, S and Montalvo Sabino, E and Sousa, CA and Pinto, J},
title = {Screening of natural Wolbachia infection in mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from the Cape Verde islands.},
journal = {Parasites & vectors},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {142},
pmid = {37098535},
issn = {1756-3305},
support = {PhD fellowship//Camões I.P/ ; PTDC/BIA-OUT/29477/2017//Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Culicidae/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Cabo Verde ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; *Culex/genetics ; *Aedes/genetics ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia pipientis is an endosymbiont bacterium that induces cytoplasmic incompatibility and inhibits arboviral replication in mosquitoes. This study aimed to assess Wolbachia prevalence and genetic diversity in different mosquito species from Cape Verde.

METHODS: Mosquitoes were collected on six islands of Cape Verde and identified to species using morphological keys and PCR-based assays. Wolbachia was detected by amplifying a fragment of the surface protein gene (wsp). Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was performed with five housekeeping genes (coxA, gatB, ftsZ, hcpA, and fbpA) and the wsp hypervariable region (HVR) for strain identification. Identification of wPip groups (wPip-I to wPip-V) was performed using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay on the ankyrin domain gene pk1.

RESULTS: Nine mosquito species were collected, including the major vectors Aedes aegypti, Anopheles arabiensis, Culex pipiens sensu stricto, and Culex quinquefasciatus. Wolbachia was only detected in Cx. pipiens s.s. (100% prevalence), Cx. quinquefasciatus (98.3%), Cx. pipiens/quinquefasciatus hybrids (100%), and Culex tigripes (100%). Based on the results of MLST and wsp hypervariable region typing, Wolbachia from the Cx. pipiens complex was assigned to sequence type 9, wPip clade, and supergroup B. PCR/RFLP analysis revealed three wPip groups in Cape Verde, namely wPip-II, wPip-III, and wPip-IV. wPip-IV was the most prevalent, while wPip-II and wPip-III were found only on Maio and Fogo islands. Wolbachia detected in Cx. tigripes belongs to supergroup B, with no attributed MLST profile, indicating a new strain of Wolbachia in this mosquito species.

CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence and diversity of Wolbachia was found in species from the Cx. pipiens complex. This diversity may be related to the mosquito's colonization history on the Cape Verde islands. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to detect Wolbachia in Cx. tigripes, which may provide an additional opportunity for biocontrol initiatives.},
}

Animals
*Culicidae/genetics
*Wolbachia/genetics
Multilocus Sequence Typing
Cabo Verde
Mosquito Vectors/microbiology
*Culex/genetics
*Aedes/genetics

@article {pmid37098937,
year = {2023},
author = {Arai, H and Takamatsu, T and Lin, SR and Mizutani, T and Omatsu, T and Katayama, Y and Nakai, M and Kunimi, Y and Inoue, MN},
title = {Diverse Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Microbe-Inducing Male Killing in the Moth Homona magnanima.},
journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology},
volume = {89},
number = {5},
pages = {e0209522},
pmid = {37098937},
issn = {1098-5336},
mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Male ; *Moths ; Symbiosis ; Larva/microbiology ; Reproduction ; Apoptosis ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Spiroplasma/genetics ; },
abstract = {Male killing (MK) is a type of reproductive manipulation induced by microbes, where sons of infected mothers are killed during development. MK is a strategy that enhances the fitness of the microbes, and the underlying mechanisms and the process of their evolution have attracted substantial attention. Homona magnanima, a moth, harbors two embryonic MK bacteria, namely, Wolbachia (Alphaproteobacteria) and Spiroplasma (Mollicutes), and a larval MK virus, Osugoroshi virus (OGV; Partitiviridae). However, whether the three distantly related male killers employ similar or different mechanisms to accomplish MK remains unknown. Here, we clarified the differential effects of the three male killers on the sex-determination cascades and development of H. magnanima males. Reverse transcription-PCR demonstrated that Wolbachia and Spiroplasma, but not OGVs, disrupted the sex-determination cascade of males by inducing female-type splice variants of doublesex (dsx), a downstream regulator of the sex-determining gene cascade. We also found that MK microbes altered host transcriptomes in different manners; Wolbachia impaired the host dosage compensation system, whereas Spiroplasma and OGVs did not. Moreover, Wolbachia and Spiroplasma, but not OGVs, triggered abnormal apoptosis in male embryos. These findings suggest that distantly related microbes employ distinct machineries to kill males of the identical host species, which would be the outcome of the convergent evolution. IMPORTANCE Many microbes induce male killing (MK) in various insect species. However, it is not well understood whether microbes adopt similar or different MK mechanisms. This gap in our knowledge is partly because different insect models have been examined for each MK microbe. Here, we compared three taxonomically distinct male killers (i.e., Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, and a partiti-like virus) that infect the same host. We provided evidence that microbes can cause MK through distinct mechanisms that differ in the expression of genes involved in sex determination, dosage compensation, and apoptosis. These results imply independent evolutionary scenarios for the acquisition of their MK ability.},
}

Animals
Female
Male
*Moths
Symbiosis
Larva/microbiology
Reproduction
Apoptosis
*Wolbachia/genetics
*Spiroplasma/genetics

@article {pmid37103136,
year = {2023},
author = {Heffernan, E and Markee, A and Truglio, MR and Barkdull, M and Steele Cabrera, S and Daniels, J},
title = {Population Genetic Structure of a Rare Butterfly in a Fragmented South Florida Ecosystem.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {14},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {37103136},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {NA//Disney Conservation Fund/ ; },
abstract = {We investigated the genetic structure and diversity between populations of a rare butterfly, the Florida duskywing (Ephyriades brunnea floridensis E. Bell and W. Comstock, 1948) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) across a network of South Florida pine rockland habitat fragments. Based on 81 individuals from seven populations and using multiple polymorphic microsatellite loci, our analyses support the presence of mainland Florida (peninsular) and Florida Keys (island) population groupings, with a moderate, asymmetrical gene flow connecting them, and the presence of private alleles providing unique identities to each. We additionally found that despite a prevalence in many Lepidoptera, the presence of Wolbachia was not identified in any of the samples screened. Our findings can be used to inform conservation and recovery decisions, including population monitoring, organism translocation, and priority areas for management, restoration or stepping-stone creation to help maintain the complex genetic structure of separate populations.},
}

@article {pmid37103172,
year = {2023},
author = {Karpova, EK and Bobrovskikh, MA and Deryuzhenko, MA and Shishkina, OD and Gruntenko, NE},
title = {Wolbachia Effect on Drosophila melanogaster Lipid and Carbohydrate Metabolism.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {14},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {37103172},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {19-04-00458//Russian Foundation for Basic Research/ ; },
abstract = {The effect of maternally inherited endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia on triglyceride and carbohydrate metabolism, starvation resistance and feeding behavior of Drosophila melanogaster females was studied. Eight D. melanogaster lines of the same nuclear background were investigated; one had no infection and served as the control, and seven others were infected with different Wolbachia strains pertaining to wMel and wMelCS groups of genotypes. Most of the infected lines had a higher overall lipid content and triglyceride level than the control line and their expression of the bmm gene regulating triglyceride catabolism was reduced. The glucose content was higher in the infected lines compared to that in the control, while their trehalose levels were similar. It was also found that the Wolbachia infection reduced the level of tps1 gene expression (coding for enzyme for trehalose synthesis from glucose) and had no effect on treh gene expression (coding for trehalose degradation enzyme). The infected lines exhibited lower appetite but higher survival under starvation compared to the control. The data obtained may indicate that Wolbachia foster their hosts' energy exchange through increasing its lipid storage and glucose content to ensure the host's competitive advantage over uninfected individuals. The scheme of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism regulation under Wolbachia's influence was suggested.},
}

@article {pmid37103189,
year = {2023},
author = {Cheong, YL and Nazni, WA and Lee, HL and NoorAfizah, A and MohdKhairuddin, IC and Kamarul, GMR and Nizam, NMN and Arif, MAK and NurZatilAqmar, ZM and Irwan, SM and Khadijah, K and Paid, YM and Topek, O and Hasnor, AH and AbuBakar, R and Singh Gill, B and Fadzilah, K and Tahir, A and Sinkins, SP and Hoffmann, AA},
title = {Spatial Distribution and Long-Term Persistence of Wolbachia-Infected Aedes aegypti in the Mentari Court, Malaysia.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {14},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {37103189},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {MC_UU_12014/8/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; 108508/A/15/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; Wellcome Trust Award 108508 and Wellcome Trust Award 108508/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 202888/Z/16/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; MC_UU_00034/4/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; },
abstract = {Dengue is endemic in Malaysia, and vector control strategies are vital to reduce dengue transmission. The Wolbachia strain wAlbB carried by both sexes of Ae. aegypti was released in Mentari Court, a high-rise residential site, in October 2017 and stopped after 20 weeks. Wolbachia frequencies are still being monitored at multiple traps across this site, providing an opportunity to examine the spatiotemporal distribution of Wolbachia and mosquito density with respect to year, residential block, and floor, using spatial interpolation in ArcGIS, GLMs, and contingency analyses. In just 12 weeks, Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes were established right across the Mentari Court site with an overall infection frequency of >90%. To date, the Wolbachia frequency of Ae. aegypti has remained high in all areas across the site despite releases finishing four years ago. Nevertheless, the Wolbachia invaded more rapidly in some residential blocks than others, and also showed a relatively higher frequency on the eighth floor. The Ae. aegypti index tended to differ somewhat between residential blocks, whilst the Ae. albopictus index was relatively higher at the top and bottom floors of buildings. In Mentari Court, only a short release period was required to infiltrate Wolbachia completely and stably into the natural population. The results inform future releases in comparable sites in a dengue control programme.},
}

@article {pmid37103216,
year = {2023},
author = {Lv, N and Peng, J and He, ZQ and Wen, Q and Su, ZQ and Ali, S and Liu, CZ and Qiu, BL},
title = {The Dynamic Distribution of Wolbachia and Rickettsia in AsiaII1 Bemisia tabaci.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {14},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {37103216},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {32060250//the National Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia and Rickettsia are bacterial endosymbionts that can induce a number of reproductive abnormalities in their arthropod hosts. We screened and established the co-infection of Wolbachia and Rickettsia in Bemisia tabaci and compared the spatial and temporal distribution of Wolbachia and Rickettsia in eggs (3-120 h after spawning), nymphs, and adults of B. tabaci by qPCR quantification and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). The results show that the titer of Wolbachia and Rickettsia in the 3-120 h old eggs showed a "w" patterned fluctuation, while the titers of Wolbachia and Rickettsia had a "descending-ascending descending-ascending" change process. The titers of Rickettsia and Wolbachia nymphal and the adult life stages of Asia II1 B. tabaci generally increased with the development of whiteflies. However, the location of Wolbachia and Rickettsia in the egg changed from egg stalk to egg base, and then from egg base to egg posterior, and finally back to the middle of the egg. These results will provide basic information on the quantity and localization of Wolbachia and Rickettsia within different life stages of B. tabaci. These findings help to understand the dynamics of the vertical transmission of symbiotic bacteria.},
}

@article {pmid37103495,
year = {2023},
author = {Towett-Kirui, S and Morrow, JL and Close, S and Royer, JE and Riegler, M},
title = {Bacterial Communities Are Less Diverse in a Strepsipteran Endoparasitoid than in Its Fruit Fly Hosts and Dominated by Wolbachia.},
journal = {Microbial ecology},
volume = {86},
number = {3},
pages = {2120-2132},
pmid = {37103495},
issn = {1432-184X},
support = {IC150100026//Australian Research Council (ARC) Industrial Transformation Training Centre (ITTC) Fruit Fly Biosecurity Innovation/ ; },
mesh = {*Wolbachia/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Microbiota ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; },
abstract = {Microbiomes play vital roles in insect fitness and health and can be influenced by interactions between insects and their parasites. Many studies investigate the microbiome of free-living insects, whereas microbiomes of endoparasitoids and their interactions with parasitised insects are less explored. Due to their development in the constrained environment within a host, endoparasitoids are expected to have less diverse yet distinct microbiomes. We used high-throughput 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to characterise the bacterial communities of Dipterophagus daci (Strepsiptera) and seven of its tephritid fruit fly host species. Bacterial communities of D. daci were less diverse and contained fewer taxa relative to the bacterial communities of the tephritid hosts. The strepsipteran's microbiome was dominated by Pseudomonadota (formerly Proteobacteria) (> 96%), mainly attributed to the presence of Wolbachia, with few other bacterial community members, indicative of an overall less diverse microbiome in D. daci. In contrast, a dominance of Wolbachia was not found in flies parasitised by early stages of D. daci nor unparasitised flies. Yet, early stages of D. daci parasitisation resulted in structural changes in the bacterial communities of parasitised flies. Furthermore, parasitisation with early stages of D. daci with Wolbachia was associated with a change in the relative abundance of some bacterial taxa relative to parasitisation with early stages of D. daci lacking Wolbachia. Our study is a first comprehensive characterisation of bacterial communities in a Strepsiptera species together with the more diverse bacterial communities of its hosts and reveals effects of concealed stages of parasitisation on host bacterial communities.},
}

*Wolbachia/genetics
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Bacteria/genetics
*Microbiota
High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing

@article {pmid37105498,
year = {2023},
author = {Gong, JT and Li, TP and Wang, MK and Hong, XY},
title = {Wolbachia-based strategies for control of agricultural pests.},
journal = {Current opinion in insect science},
volume = {57},
number = {},
pages = {101039},
doi = {10.1016/j.cois.2023.101039},
pmid = {37105498},
issn = {2214-5753},
mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; *Aedes ; *Wolbachia ; Population Dynamics ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia-based incompatible insect technique (IIT) and pathogen blocking technique (PBT) have been shown to be effective at protecting humans from mosquito-borne diseases in the past decades. Population suppression based on IIT and population replacement based on PBT have become major field application strategies that have continuously been improved by the translational research on Wolbachia-transinfected mosquitoes. Similarly, Wolbachia-based approaches have been proposed for the protection of plants from agricultural pests and their associated diseases. However, a bottleneck in Wolbachia-based strategies for the control of agricultural pests is the need for methods to establish Wolbachia-transinfected insect lines. As a first step in this direction, we compare field control strategies for mosquitos with the potential strategies for agricultural pests based on Wolbachia. Our results show that there is a critical need for establishing productive insect lines and accumulating field test data.},
}

Humans
Animals
*Aedes
*Wolbachia
Population Dynamics

@article {pmid37112932,
year = {2023},
author = {Petersen, MT and Couto-Lima, D and Garcia, GA and Pavan, MG and David, MR and Maciel-de-Freitas, R},
title = {Dengue Exposure and Wolbachia wMel Strain Affects the Fertility of Quiescent Eggs of Aedes aegypti.},
journal = {Viruses},
volume = {15},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {37112932},
issn = {1999-4915},
mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; Female ; *Dengue Virus ; *Aedes ; *Wolbachia ; Fertility ; *Dengue ; },
abstract = {(1) Background: The deployment of the bacterium Wolbachia to reduce arbovirus transmission is ongoing in several countries worldwide. When Wolbachia-carrying Aedes aegypti are released and established in the field, females may feed on dengue-infected hosts. The effects of simultaneous exposure on life-history traits of Ae. aegypti to Wolbachia wMel strain and dengue-1 virus DENV-1 remain unclear. (2) Methods: We monitored 4 groups (mosquitoes with either DENV-1 or Wolbachia, coinfected with DENV-1 and Wolbachia, as well as negative controls) to estimate Ae. aegypti survival, oviposition success, fecundity, collapsing and fertility of quiescent eggs for 12 weeks. (3) Results: Neither DENV-1 nor Wolbachia had a significant impact on mosquito survival nor on mosquito fecundity, although the last parameter showed a tendency to decrease with ageing. There was a significant decrease in oviposition success in individuals carrying Wolbachia. Wolbachia infection and storage time significantly increased egg collapse parameter on the egg viability assay, while DENV-1 had a slight protective effect on the first four weeks of storage. (4) Conclusions: Despite limitations, our results contribute to better understanding of the tripartite interaction of virus, bacteria and mosquito that may take place in field conditions and aid in guaranteeing the Wolbachia strategy success.},
}

Humans
Animals
Female
*Dengue Virus
*Aedes
*Wolbachia
Fertility
*Dengue

@article {pmid37117271,
year = {2023},
author = {Řezáč, M and Řezáčová, V and Gloríková, N and Némethová, E and Heneberg, P},
title = {Food provisioning to Pardosa spiders decreases the levels of tissue-resident endosymbiotic bacteria.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {13},
number = {1},
pages = {6943},
pmid = {37117271},
issn = {2045-2322},
mesh = {Animals ; *Spiders/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; *Coxiellaceae ; Host Specificity ; Drosophila ; *Rickettsia ; },
abstract = {The diversity, host specificity, and physiological effects of endosymbiotic bacteria in spiders (Araneae) are poorly characterized. We used 16S rDNA sequencing to evaluate endosymbionts in the cephalothorax and legs of a wolf spider Pardosa agrestis. We tested the effects of feeding once or twice daily with fruit flies, aphids, or starved and compared them to those of syntopically occurring Pardosa palustris. The feeding increased traveled distance up to five times in some of the groups provisioned with food relative to the starved control. The Shannon diversity t-test revealed significant differences between these component communities of the two spider species. The increased frequency of feeding with fruit flies, but not aphids, increased the dominance and decreased the alpha diversity of OTUs. The obligate or facultative endosymbionts were present in all analyzed spider individuals and were represented mostly by Rickettsiella, Rhabdochlamydia, Spiroplasma, and the facultative intracellular parasite Legionella. Vertically transmitted endosymbionts were less common, represented by Wolbachia pipientis and Rickettsia sp. H820. The relative abundance of Mycoplasma spp. was negatively correlated with provisioned or killed aphids. In conclusion, the tissues of Pardosa spiders host tremendously diverse assemblages of bacteria, including obligate or facultative endosymbionts, with yet unknown phenotypic effects.},
}

Animals
*Spiders/microbiology
Symbiosis
*Coxiellaceae
Host Specificity
Drosophila
*Rickettsia

@article {pmid37117399,
year = {2023},
author = {Ghousein, A and Tutagata, J and Schrieke, H and Etienne, M and Chaumeau, V and Boyer, S and Pages, N and Roiz, D and Eren, AM and Cambray, G and Reveillaud, J},
title = {pWCP is a widely distributed and highly conserved Wolbachia plasmid in Culex pipiens and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes worldwide.},
journal = {ISME communications},
volume = {3},
number = {1},
pages = {40},
pmid = {37117399},
issn = {2730-6151},
support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 220211/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 948135//EC | EC Seventh Framework Programm | FP7 Ideas: European Research Council (FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific Programme: "Ideas" Implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities (2007 to 2013))/ ; },
abstract = {Mosquitoes represent the most important pathogen vectors and are responsible for the spread of a wide variety of poorly treatable diseases. Wolbachia are obligate intracellular bacteria that are widely distributed among arthropods and collectively represents one of the most promising solutions for vector control. In particular, Wolbachia has been shown to limit the transmission of pathogens, and to dramatically affect the reproductive behavior of their host through its phage WO. While much research has focused on deciphering and exploring the biocontrol applications of these WO-related phenotypes, the extent and potential impact of the Wolbachia mobilome remain poorly appreciated. Notably, several Wolbachia plasmids, carrying WO-like genes and Insertion Sequences (IS), thus possibly interrelated to other genetic units of the endosymbiont, have been recently discovered. Here we investigated the diversity and biogeography of the first described plasmid of Wolbachia in Culex pipiens (pWCP) in several islands and continental countries around the world-including Cambodia, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Thailand, and Mexico-together with mosquito strains from colonies that evolved for 2 to 30 years in the laboratory. We used PCR and qPCR to determine the presence and copy number of pWCP in individual mosquitoes, and highly accurate Sanger sequencing to evaluate potential variations. Together with earlier observation, our results show that pWCP is omnipresent and strikingly conserved among Wolbachia populations within mosquitoes from distant geographies and environmental conditions. These data suggest a critical role for the plasmid in Wolbachia ecology and evolution, and the potential of a great tool for further genetic dissection and possible manipulation of this endosymbiont.},
}

@article {pmid37121168,
year = {2023},
author = {Biney, C and Graham, GE and Asiedu, E and Sakyi, SA and Kwarteng, A},
title = {Wolbachia Ferrochelatase as a potential drug target against filarial infections.},
journal = {Journal of molecular graphics & modelling},
volume = {122},
number = {},
pages = {108490},
doi = {10.1016/j.jmgm.2023.108490},
pmid = {37121168},
issn = {1873-4243},
mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/metabolism ; Ferrochelatase/metabolism/therapeutic use ; *Filariasis/drug therapy/parasitology ; *Brugia malayi ; Heme/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Filarial infections are among the world's most disturbing diseases caused by 3 major parasitic worms; Onchocerca volvulus, Wuchereria bancrofti, and Brugia malayi, affecting more than 500 million people worldwide. Currently used drugs for mass drug administration (MDA) have been met with several challenges including the development of complications in individuals with filaria co-infections and parasitic drug resistance. The filarial endosymbiont, Wolbachia, has emerged as an attractive therapeutic target for filariasis elimination, due to the dependence of the filaria on this endosymbiont for survival. Here, we target an important enzyme in the Wolbachia heme biosynthetic pathway (ferrochelatase), using high-throughput virtual screening and molecular dynamics with MM-PBSA calculations. We identified four drug candidates; Nilotinib, Ledipasvir, 3-benzhydryloxy-8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane, and 2-(4-Amino-piperidin-1-yl)-ethanol as potential small molecules inhibitors as they could compete with the enzyme's natural substrate (Protoporphyrin IX) for active pocket binding. This prevents the worm from receiving the heme molecule from Wolbachia for their growth and survival, resulting in their death. This study which involved targeting enzymes in biosynthetic pathways of the parasitic worms' endosymbiont (Wolbachia), has proven to be an alternative therapeutic option leading to the discovery of new drugs, which will help facilitate the elimination of parasitic infections.},
}

Animals
*Wolbachia/metabolism
Ferrochelatase/metabolism/therapeutic use
*Filariasis/drug therapy/parasitology
*Brugia malayi
Heme/metabolism

@article {pmid37124042,
year = {2023},
author = {Rodi, M and Gross, C and Sandri, TL and Berner, L and Marcet-Houben, M and Kocak, E and Pogoda, M and Casadei, N and Köhler, C and Kreidenweiss, A and Agnandji, ST and Gabaldón, T and Ossowski, S and Held, J},
title = {Whole genome analysis of two sympatric human Mansonella: Mansonella perstans and Mansonella sp "DEUX".},
journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology},
volume = {13},
number = {},
pages = {1159814},
pmid = {37124042},
issn = {2235-2988},
mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Mansonella/genetics ; Phylogeny ; *Sympatry ; DNA, Ribosomal ; Amino Acid Sequence ; },
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Mansonella species are filarial parasites that infect humans worldwide. Although these infections are common, knowledge of the pathology and diversity of the causative species is limited. Furthermore, the lack of sequencing data for Mansonella species, shows that their research is neglected. Apart from Mansonella perstans, a potential new species called Mansonella sp "DEUX" has been identified in Gabon, which is prevalent at high frequencies. We aimed to further determine if Mansonella sp "DEUX" is a genotype of M. perstans, or if these are two sympatric species.

METHODS: We screened individuals in the area of Fougamou, Gabon for Mansonella mono-infections and generated de novo assemblies from the respective samples. For evolutionary analysis, a phylogenetic tree was reconstructed, and the differences and divergence times are presented. In addition, mitogenomes were generated and phylogenies based on 12S rDNA and cox1 were created.

RESULTS: We successfully generated whole genomes for M. perstans and Mansonella sp "DEUX". Phylogenetic analysis based on annotated protein sequences, support the hypothesis of two distinct species. The inferred evolutionary analysis suggested, that M. perstans and Mansonella sp "DEUX" separated around 778,000 years ago. Analysis based on mitochondrial marker genes support our hypothesis of two sympatric human Mansonella species.

DISCUSSION: The results presented indicate that Mansonella sp "DEUX" is a new Mansonella species. These findings reflect the neglect of this research topic. And the availability of whole genome data will allow further investigations of these species.},
}

Animals
Humans
*Mansonella/genetics
Phylogeny
*Sympatry
DNA, Ribosomal
Amino Acid Sequence

@article {pmid37138629,
year = {2023},
author = {Tan, Y and Gong, B and Zhang, Q and Li, C and Weng, J and Zhou, X and Jin, L},
title = {Diversity of endosymbionts in camellia spiny whitefly, Aleurocanthus camelliae (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), estimated by 16S rRNA analysis and their biological implications.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {14},
number = {},
pages = {1124386},
pmid = {37138629},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Camellia spiny whitefly, Aleurocanthus camelliae (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a major pest in tea, which poses a serious threat to tea production. Similar to many insects, various bacterial symbioses inside A. camelliae may participate in the reproduction, metabolism, and detoxification of the host. However, few reports included research on the microbial composition and influence on A. camelliae growth. We first applied high-throughput sequencing of the V4 region in the 16S rRNA of symbiotic bacteria to study its component and effect on the biological trait of A. camelliae by comparing it with the antibiotic treatment group. The population parameters, survival rate, and fecundity rate of A. camelliae were also analyzed using the age-stage two-sex life table. Our results demonstrated that phylum Proteobacteria (higher than 96.15%) dominated the whole life cycle of A. camelliae. It unveiled the presence of Candidatus Portiera (primary endosymbiont) (67.15-73.33%), Arsenophonus (5.58-22.89%), Wolbachia (4.53-11.58%), Rickettsia (0.75-2.59%), and Pseudomonas (0.99-1.88%) genus. Antibiotic treatment caused a significant decrease in the endosymbiont, which negatively affected the host's biological properties and life process. For example, 1.5% rifampicin treatment caused a longer preadult stage in the offspring generation (55.92 d) compared to the control (49.75d) and a lower survival rate (0.36) than the control (0.60). The decreased intrinsic rate of increase (r), net reproductive rate (R 0), and prolonged mean generation time (T) were signs of all disadvantageous effects associated with symbiotic reduction. Our findings confirmed the composition and richness of symbiotic bacteria in larva and adult of A. camelliae by an Illumina NovaSeq 6000 analysis and their influence on the development of the host by demographic research. Together, the results suggested that symbiotic bacteria play an important role in manipulating the biological development of their hosts, which might help us for developing new pest control agents and technologies for better management of A. camelliae.},
}

@article {pmid37154102,
year = {2023},
author = {Sinha, A and Li, Z and Poole, CB and Ettwiller, L and Lima, NF and Ferreira, MU and Fombad, FF and Wanji, S and Carlow, CKS},
title = {Multiple lineages of nematode-Wolbachia symbiosis in supergroup F and convergent loss of bacterioferritin in filarial Wolbachia.},
journal = {Genome biology and evolution},
volume = {15},
number = {5},
pages = {},
pmid = {37154102},
issn = {1759-6653},
abstract = {The intracellular endosymbiotic proteobacteria Wolbachia have evolved across the phyla nematoda and arthropoda. In Wolbachia phylogeny, supergroup F is the only clade known so far with members from both arthropod and filarial nematode hosts and therefore can provide unique insights into their evolution and biology. In this study, 4 new supergroup F Wolbachia genomes have been assembled using a metagenomic assembly and binning approach, wMoz and wMpe from the human filarial parasites Mansonella ozzardi and Mansonella perstans, and wOcae and wMoviF from the blue mason bee Osmia caerulescens and the sheep ked Melophagus ovinus respectively. A comprehensive phylogenomic analysis revealed two distinct lineages of filarial Wolbachia in supergroup F, indicating multiple horizontal transfer events between arthropod and nematode hosts. The analysis also reveals that the evolution of Wolbachia-filaria symbioses is accompanied by a convergent pseudogenization and loss of the bacterioferritin gene, a phenomenon found to be shared by all filarial Wolbachia, even those outside supergroup F. These observations indicate that differences in heme metabolism might be a key feature distinguishing filarial and arthropod Wolbachia. The new genomes provide a valuable resource for further studies on symbiosis, evolution, and the discovery of new antibiotics to treat mansonellosis.},
}

@article {pmid37156379,
year = {2023},
author = {Chang, G and Xue, H and Ji, J and Wang, L and Zhu, X and Zhang, K and Li, D and Gao, X and Niu, L and Gao, M and Luo, J and Cui, J},
title = {Risk assessment of predatory lady beetle Propylea japonica's multi-generational exposure to three non-insecticidal agrochemicals.},
journal = {The Science of the total environment},
volume = {886},
number = {},
pages = {163931},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163931},
pmid = {37156379},
issn = {1879-1026},
mesh = {Female ; Male ; Animals ; Bees ; *Coleoptera/physiology ; Bacteria ; Risk Assessment ; },
abstract = {The effects of non-insecticidal agrochemicals on pest natural predators remain largely unexplored except bees and silkworm. The herbicide quizalofop-p-ethyl (QpE), fungicide thiophanate-methyl (TM), and plant growth regulator mepiquat chloride (MC) have been extensively applied as non-insecticidal agrochemicals. Here, we systematically evaluated multiple effects of these 3 non-insecticidal agrochemicals on three generations of Propylea japonica, an important agroforestry predatory beetle, including the effects on its development, reproduction, enterobacteria, and transcriptomic response. The results showed that QpE exhibited a hormetic effect on P. japonica, thus significantly increasing the survival rate of generation 2 (F2) females, generation 3 (F3) females, and F3 males and body weight of F3 males. However, three successive generations exposed to TM and MC had no significant effect on longevity, body weight, survival rate, pre-oviposition period, and fecundity of P. japonica. Additionally, we investigated the effects of MC, TM, and QpE exposure on gene expression and gut bacterial community of F3 P. japonica. Under MC, TM, and QpE exposure, the overwhelming genes of P. japonica (99.90 %, 99.45 %, and 99.7 %) remained unaffected, respectively. Under TM and MC exposure, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were not significantly enriched in any KEGG pathway, indicating TM and MC did not significantly affect functions of P. japonica, but under QpE exposure, the expression levels of drug metabolism-related genes were down-regulated. Although QpE treatment did not affect gut dominant bacterial community composition, it significantly increased relative abundances of detoxification metabolism-related bacteria such as Wolbachia, Pseudomonas and Burkholderia in P. japonica. However, TM and MC had no significant effect on the gut bacterial community composition and relative abundance in P. japonica. This study revealed for the first time the mechanism by which P. japonica might compensate for gene downregulation-induced detoxification metabolism decline through altering symbiotic bacteria under QpE exposure. Our findings provide reference for the rational application of non-insecticidal agrochemicals.},
}

Female
Male
Animals
Bees
*Coleoptera/physiology
Bacteria
Risk Assessment

@article {pmid37176154,
year = {2023},
author = {Guo, W and Zhang, M and Lin, L and Zeng, C and Zhang, Y and He, X},
title = {Bacterial Community Survey of Wolbachia-Infected Parthenogenetic Parasitoid Trichogramma pretiosum (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) Treated with Antibiotics and High Temperature.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {24},
number = {9},
pages = {},
pmid = {37176154},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {2022KJ113//Innovation Team Project of Modern Agricultural Industrial Technology System of Guangdong Province/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Male ; *Hymenoptera ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Temperature ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Parthenogenesis ; *Wasps/microbiology ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia has been shown to induce thelytokous parthenogenesis in Trichogramma species, which have been widely used as biological control agents around the world. Little is known about the changes of bacterial community after restoring arrhenotokous or bisexual reproduction in the T. pretiosum. Here, we investigate the emergence of males of T. pretiosum through curing experiments (antibiotics and high temperature), crossing experiments, and high-throughput 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing (rRNA-seq). The results of curing experiments showed that both antibiotics and high temperatures could cause the thelytokous T. pretiosum to produce male offspring. Wolbachia was dominant in the thelytokous T. pretiosum bacterial community with 99.01% relative abundance. With the relative abundance of Wolbachia being depleted by antibiotics, the diversity and relative content of other endosymbiotic bacteria increased, and the reproductive mode reverted from thelytoky to arrhenotoky in T. pretiosum. Although antibiotics did not eliminate Wolbachia in T. pretiosum, sulfadiazine showed an advantage in restoring entirely arrhenotokous and successive bisexual reproduction. This study was the first to demonstrate the bacterial communities in parthenogenetic Trichogramma before and after antibiotics or high-temperature treatment. Our findings supported the hypothesis that Wolbachia titer-dependence drives a reproduction switch in T. pretiosum between thelytoky and arrhenotoky.},
}

Animals
Male
*Hymenoptera
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
Temperature
*Wolbachia/genetics
Parthenogenesis
*Wasps/microbiology

@article {pmid37186167,
year = {2023},
author = {Shi, H and Yu, X and Cheng, G},
title = {Impact of the microbiome on mosquito-borne diseases.},
journal = {Protein & cell},
volume = {14},
number = {10},
pages = {743-761},
pmid = {37186167},
issn = {1674-8018},
support = {2021YFC2300200//National Key R&D Program of China/ ; 32188101//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 202005AF150034//Yunnan Chenggong expert workstation/ ; 202105AE160020//Innovation Team Project of Yunnan Science and Technology Department/ ; 2022THFS6124//Tsinghua-Foshan Innovation Special Fund/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Culicidae/microbiology ; *Vector Borne Diseases ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; *Wolbachia ; },
abstract = {Mosquito-borne diseases present a significant threat to human health, with the possibility of outbreaks of new mosquito-borne diseases always looming. Unfortunately, current measures to combat these diseases such as vaccines and drugs are often either unavailable or ineffective. However, recent studies on microbiomes may reveal promising strategies to fight these diseases. In this review, we examine recent advances in our understanding of the effects of both the mosquito and vertebrate microbiomes on mosquito-borne diseases. We argue that the mosquito microbiome can have direct and indirect impacts on the transmission of these diseases, with mosquito symbiotic microorganisms, particularly Wolbachia bacteria, showing potential for controlling mosquito-borne diseases. Moreover, the skin microbiome of vertebrates plays a significant role in mosquito preferences, while the gut microbiome has an impact on the progression of mosquito-borne diseases in humans. As researchers continue to explore the role of microbiomes in mosquito-borne diseases, we highlight some promising future directions for this field. Ultimately, a better understanding of the interplay between mosquitoes, their hosts, pathogens, and the microbiomes of mosquitoes and hosts may hold the key to preventing and controlling mosquito-borne diseases.},
}

Animals
Humans
*Culicidae/microbiology
*Vector Borne Diseases
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome
*Wolbachia

@article {pmid37194361,
year = {2023},
author = {Li, J and Dong, B and Zhong, Y and Li, ZX},
title = {Transinfected Wolbachia strains induce a complex of cytoplasmic incompatibility phenotypes: Roles of CI factor genes.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology reports},
volume = {15},
number = {5},
pages = {370-382},
pmid = {37194361},
issn = {1758-2229},
mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Cytoplasm ; Base Sequence ; Phenotype ; *Hemiptera ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia can modulate the reproductive development of their hosts in multiple modes, and cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is the most well-studied phenotype. The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is highly receptive to different Wolbachia strains: wCcep strain from the rice moth Corcyra cephalonica and wMel strain from the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster could successfully establish and induce CI in transinfected whiteflies. Nevertheless, it is unknown what will happen when these two exogenous Wolbachia strains are co-transinfected into a new host. Here, we artificially transinferred wCcep and wMel into the whitefly and established double- and singly-transinfected B. tabaci isofemale lines. Reciprocal crossing experiments showed that wCcep and wMel induced a complex of CI phenotypes in the recipient host, including unidirectional and bidirectional CI. We next sequenced the whole genome of wCcep and performed a comparative analysis of the CI factor genes between wCcep and wMel, indicating that their cif genes were phylogenetically and structurally divergent, which can explain the crossing results. The amino acid sequence identity and structural features of Cif proteins may be useful parameters for predicting their function. Structural comparisons between CifA and CifB provide valuable clues for explaining the induction or rescue of CI observed in crossing experiments between transinfected hosts.},
}

Animals
Drosophila melanogaster/genetics
*Wolbachia/genetics
Cytoplasm
Base Sequence
Phenotype
*Hemiptera

@article {pmid37196858,
year = {2023},
author = {Ward, MCE and Barrios, MC and Fallon, AM},
title = {Paraquat is toxic to the soil-dwelling arthropod, Folsomia candida (Collembola: Isotomidae), and has potential effects on its Wolbachia endosymbiont.},
journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology},
volume = {198},
number = {},
pages = {107936},
doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2023.107936},
pmid = {37196858},
issn = {1096-0805},
mesh = {Female ; Animals ; *Arthropods ; Paraquat ; *Wolbachia ; Soil ; Charcoal ; Reproduction ; },
abstract = {The springtail, Folsomia candida, is a soil arthropod commonly used to evaluate environmental toxins. Conflicting data on the toxicity of the herbicide paraquat prompted re-evaluation of its effects on F. candida survival and reproduction. Paraquat has an LC50 of about 80 μM when tested in the absence of charcoal; charcoal, often used in test arenas to facilitate visualization of the white Collembola, has a protective effect. Survivors of paraquat treatment fail to resume molting and oviposition, suggesting an irreversible effect on the Wolbachia symbiont that restores diploidy during parthenogenetic reproduction of this species.},
}

Female
Animals
*Arthropods
Paraquat
*Wolbachia
Soil
Charcoal
Reproduction

@article {pmid37213490,
year = {2023},
author = {Jackson, R and Patapiou, PA and Golding, G and Helanterä, H and Economou, CK and Chapuisat, M and Henry, LM},
title = {Evidence of phylosymbiosis in Formica ants.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {14},
number = {},
pages = {1044286},
pmid = {37213490},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Insects share intimate relationships with microbes that play important roles in their biology. Yet our understanding of how host-bound microbial communities assemble and perpetuate over evolutionary time is limited. Ants host a wide range of microbes with diverse functions and are an emerging model for studying the evolution of insect microbiomes. Here, we ask whether phylogenetically related ant species have formed distinct and stable microbiomes.

METHODS: To answer this question, we investigated the microbial communities associated with queens of 14 Formica species from five clades, using deep coverage 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing.

RESULTS: We reveal that Formica species and clades harbor highly defined microbial communities that are dominated by four bacteria genera: Wolbachia, Lactobacillus, Liliensternia, and Spiroplasma. Our analysis reveals that the composition of Formica microbiomes mirrors the phylogeny of the host, i.e., phylosymbiosis, in that related hosts harbor more similar microbial communities. In addition, we find there are significant correlations between microbe co-occurrences.

DISCUSSION: Our results demonstrate Formica ants carry microbial communities that recapitulate the phylogeny of their hosts. Our data suggests that the co-occurrence of different bacteria genera may at least in part be due to synergistic and antagonistic interactions between microbes. Additional factors potentially contributing to the phylosymbiotic signal are discussed, including host phylogenetic relatedness, host-microbe genetic compatibility, modes of transmission, and similarities in host ecologies (e.g., diets). Overall, our results support the growing body of evidence that microbial community composition closely depends on the phylogeny of their hosts, despite bacteria having diverse modes of transmission and localization within the host.},
}

@article {pmid37214831,
year = {2023},
author = {Mfopit, YM and Weber, JS and Chechet, GD and Ibrahim, MAM and Signaboubo, D and Achukwi, DM and Mamman, M and Balogun, EO and Shuaibu, MN and Kabir, J and Kelm, S},
title = {Molecular detection of Sodalis glossinidius, Spiroplasma and Wolbachia endosymbionts in wild population of tsetse flies collected in Cameroon, Chad and Nigeria.},
journal = {Research square},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {37214831},
issn = {2693-5015},
support = {K43 TW012015/TW/FIC NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {Background Tsetse flies are cyclical vectors of African trypanosomiasis. They have established symbiotic associations with different bacteria, which influence certain aspects of their physiology. The vector competence of tsetse flies for different trypanosome species is highly variable and is suggested to be affected by various factors, amongst which are bacterial endosymbionts. Symbiotic interactions may provide an avenue for the disease control. The current study provided the prevalence of 3 tsetse symbionts in Glossina species from Cameroon, Chad and Nigeria. Results Tsetse flies were collected from five different locations and dissected. DNA was extracted and polymerase chain reaction PCR was used to detect the presence of Sodalis glossinidius , Spiroplasma sp and Wolbachia using specific primers. A total of 848 tsetse samples were analysed: Glossina morsitans submorsitans (47.52%), Glossina palpalis palpalis (37.26%), Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (9.08%) and Glossina tachinoides (6.13%). Only 95 (11.20%) were infected with at least one of the 3 symbionts. Among the infected, 6 (6.31%) were carrying mixed infection (Wolbachia and Spiroplasma). The overall symbiont prevalence was 0.88%, 3.66% and 11.00% respectively, for Sodalis , Spiroplasma and Wolbachia . Prevalence varied between countries and tsetse species. No Spiroplasma was detected in samples from Cameroon and no Sodalis was found in samples from Nigeria. Conclusion The present study revealed for the first time, the presence of infection by Spiroplasma in tsetse in Chad and Nigeria. These findings provide useful information to the repertoire of bacterial flora of tsetse flies and incite to more investigations to understand their implication in the vector competence of tsetse flies.},
}

@article {pmid37214959,
year = {2023},
author = {Moldovan, OT and Carrell, AA and Bulzu, PA and Levei, E and Bucur, R and Sitar, C and Faur, L and Mirea, IC and Enilă, M and Cadar, O and Podar, M},
title = {The gut microbiome mediates adaptation to scarce food in Coleoptera.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1101/2023.05.12.540564},
pmid = {37214959},
issn = {2692-8205},
abstract = {Beetles are ubiquitous cave invertebrates worldwide that adapted to scarce subterranean resources when they colonized caves. Here, we investigated the potential role of gut microbiota in the adaptation of beetles to caves from different climatic regions of the Carpathians. The beetles' microbiota was host-specific, reflecting phylogenetic and nutritional adaptation. The microbial community structure further resolved conspecific beetles by caves suggesting microbiota-host coevolution and influences by local environmental factors. The detritivore species hosted a variety of bacteria known to decompose and ferment organic matter, suggesting turnover and host cooperative digestion of the sedimentary microbiota and allochthonous-derived nutrients. The cave Carabidae, with strong mandibulae adapted to predation and scavenging of animal and plant remains, had distinct microbiota dominated by symbiotic lineages Spiroplasma or Wolbachia . All beetles had relatively high levels of fermentative Carnobacterium and Vagococcus involved in lipid accumulation and a reduction of metabolic activity, and both features characterize adaptation to caves.},
}

@article {pmid37231093,
year = {2023},
author = {Bruner-Montero, G and Jiggins, FM},
title = {Wolbachia protects Drosophila melanogaster against two naturally occurring and virulent viral pathogens.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {13},
number = {1},
pages = {8518},
pmid = {37231093},
issn = {2045-2322},
mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Drosophila melanogaster ; *Wolbachia ; *Viruses ; *RNA Viruses ; Antiviral Agents/pharmacology ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia is a common endosymbiont that can protect insects against viral pathogens. However, whether the antiviral effects of Wolbachia have a significant effect on fitness remains unclear. We have investigated the interaction between Drosophila melanogaster, Wolbachia and two viruses that we recently isolated from wild flies, La Jolla virus (LJV; Iflaviridae) and Newfield virus (NFV; Permutotetraviridae). Flies infected with these viruses have increased mortality rates, and NFV partially sterilizes females. These effects on fitness were reduced in Wolbachia-infected flies, and this was associated with reduced viral titres. However, Wolbachia alone also reduces survival, and under our experimental conditions these costs of the symbiont can outweigh the benefits of antiviral protection. In contrast, protection against the sterilizing effect of NFV leads to a net benefit of Wolbachia infection after exposure to the virus. These results support the hypothesis that Wolbachia is an important defense against the natural pathogens of D. melanogaster. Furthermore, by reducing the cost of Wolbachia infection, the antiviral effects of Wolbachia may aid its invasion into populations and help explain why it is so common in nature.},
}

Animals
Female
Drosophila melanogaster
*Wolbachia
*Viruses
*RNA Viruses
Antiviral Agents/pharmacology
Symbiosis

@article {pmid37231184,
year = {2023},
author = {Zheng, R and Wang, Q and Wu, R and Paradkar, PN and Hoffmann, AA and Wang, GH},
title = {Holobiont perspectives on tripartite interactions among microbiota, mosquitoes, and pathogens.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {17},
number = {8},
pages = {1143-1152},
pmid = {37231184},
issn = {1751-7370},
mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Culicidae ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Microbiota/physiology ; *Malaria ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; },
abstract = {Mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and malaria cause a significant global health burden. Unfortunately, current insecticides and environmental control strategies aimed at the vectors of these diseases are only moderately effective in decreasing disease burden. Understanding and manipulating the interaction between the mosquito holobiont (i.e., mosquitoes and their resident microbiota) and the pathogens transmitted by these mosquitoes to humans and animals could help in developing new disease control strategies. Different microorganisms found in the mosquito's microbiota affect traits related to mosquito survival, development, and reproduction. Here, we review the physiological effects of essential microbes on their mosquito hosts; the interactions between the mosquito holobiont and mosquito-borne pathogen (MBP) infections, including microbiota-induced host immune activation and Wolbachia-mediated pathogen blocking (PB); and the effects of environmental factors and host regulation on the composition of the microbiota. Finally, we briefly overview future directions in holobiont studies, and how these may lead to new effective control strategies against mosquitoes and their transmitted diseases.},
}

Animals
Humans
*Culicidae
Mosquito Vectors
*Microbiota/physiology
*Malaria
*Wolbachia/physiology

@article {pmid37247378,
year = {2023},
author = {Oladipupo, SO and Laidoudi, Y and Beckmann, JF and Hu, XP and Appel, AG},
title = {The prevalence of Wolbachia in multiple cockroach species and its implication for urban insect management.},
journal = {Journal of economic entomology},
volume = {116},
number = {4},
pages = {1307-1316},
doi = {10.1093/jee/toad098},
pmid = {37247378},
issn = {1938-291X},
mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Biotin/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Prevalence ; Insecta ; *Bedbugs ; *Blattellidae ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Cockroach management relies heavily on the use of conventional insecticides in urban settings, which no longer provide the anticipated level of control. Knowledge of cockroach endosymbionts, like Wolbachia, might provide novel avenues for control. Therefore, we screened 16 cockroach species belonging to 3 families (Ectobiidae, Blattidae, and Blaberidae) for the presence of Wolbachia. We mapped the evolution of Wolbachia-cockroach relationships based on maximum likelihood phylogeny and phylogenetic species clustering on a multi-loci sequence dataset (i.e., coxA, virD4, hcpA, and gatB) of Wolbachia genes. We confirmed the previous report of Wolbachia in 1 Ectobiid species; Supella longipalpa (Fab.), and detected the presence of Wolbachia in 2 Ectobiid species; Balta notulata (Stål) and Pseudomops septentrionalis Hebard, and 1 Blaberid species; Gromphadorhina portentosa (Schaum). All cockroach-associated Wolbachia herein detected were clustered with the ancestor of F clade Wolbachia of Cimex lectularius L. (bed bugs). Since Wolbachia provision C. lectularius with biotin vitamins that confer reproductive fitness, we screened the cockroach-associated Wolbachia for the presence of biotin genes. In toto, our results reveal 2 important findings: (i) Wolbachia is relatively uncommon among cockroach species infecting about 25% of species investigated, and (ii) cockroach-associated Wolbachia have biotin genes that likely provide nutritional benefits to their hosts. Thus, we discuss the potential of exploring Wolbachia as a tool for urban insect management.},
}

Animals
*Wolbachia/genetics
Biotin/genetics
Phylogeny
Prevalence
Insecta
*Bedbugs
*Blattellidae
Symbiosis

@article {pmid37250803,
year = {2023},
author = {Arai, H and Anbutsu, H and Nishikawa, Y and Kogawa, M and Ishii, K and Hosokawa, M and Lin, SR and Ueda, M and Nakai, M and Kunimi, Y and Harumoto, T and Kageyama, D and Takeyama, H and Inoue, MN},
title = {Combined actions of bacteriophage-encoded genes in Wolbachia-induced male lethality.},
journal = {iScience},
volume = {26},
number = {6},
pages = {106842},
pmid = {37250803},
issn = {2589-0042},
abstract = {Some Wolbachia endosymbionts induce male killing, whereby male offspring of infected females are killed during development; however, the origin and diversity of the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we identified a 76 kbp prophage region specific to male-killing Wolbachia hosted by the moth Homona magnanima. The prophage encoded a homolog of the male-killing gene oscar in Ostrinia moths and the wmk gene that induces various toxicities in Drosophila melanogaster. Upon overexpressing these genes in D. melanogaster, wmk-1 and wmk-3 killed all males and most females, whereas Hm-oscar, wmk-2, and wmk-4 had no impact on insect survival. Strikingly, co-expression of tandemly arrayed wmk-3 and wmk-4 killed 90% of males and restored 70% of females, suggesting their conjugated functions for male-specific lethality. While the male-killing gene in the native host remains unknown, our findings highlight the role of bacteriophages in male-killing evolution and differences in male-killing mechanisms among insects.},
}

@article {pmid37253037,
year = {2023},
author = {Turner, HC and Quyen, DL and Dias, R and Huong, PT and Simmons, CP and Anders, KL},
title = {An economic evaluation of Wolbachia deployments for dengue control in Vietnam.},
journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases},
volume = {17},
number = {5},
pages = {e0011356},
pmid = {37253037},
issn = {1935-2735},
support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; MR/R015600/1/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; *Dengue/epidemiology/prevention & control ; *Wolbachia ; Vietnam/epidemiology ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Aedes/microbiology ; },
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Dengue is a major public health challenge and a growing problem due to climate change. The release of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes infected with the intracellular bacterium Wolbachia is a novel form of vector control against dengue. However, there remains a need to evaluate the benefits of such an intervention at a large scale. In this paper, we evaluate the potential economic impact and cost-effectiveness of scaled Wolbachia deployments as a form of dengue control in Vietnam-targeted at the highest burden urban areas.

METHODS: Ten settings within Vietnam were identified as priority locations for potential future Wolbachia deployments (using a population replacement strategy). The effectiveness of Wolbachia deployments in reducing the incidence of symptomatic dengue cases was assumed to be 75%. We assumed that the intervention would maintain this effectiveness for at least 20 years (but tested this assumption in the sensitivity analysis). A cost-utility analysis and cost-benefit analysis were conducted.

RESULTS: From the health sector perspective, the Wolbachia intervention was projected to cost US$420 per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted. From the societal perspective, the overall cost-effectiveness ratio was negative, i.e. the economic benefits outweighed the costs. These results are contingent on the long-term effectiveness of Wolbachia releases being sustained for 20 years. However, the intervention was still classed as cost-effective across the majority of the settings when assuming only 10 years of benefits.

CONCLUSION: Overall, we found that targeting high burden cities with Wolbachia deployments would be a cost-effective intervention in Vietnam and generate notable broader benefits besides health gains.},
}

Animals
Humans
Cost-Benefit Analysis
*Dengue/epidemiology/prevention & control
*Wolbachia
Vietnam/epidemiology
Mosquito Vectors
*Aedes/microbiology

@article {pmid37254297,
year = {2023},
author = {Matsufuji, T and Seirin-Lee, S},
title = {The optimal strategy of incompatible insect technique (IIT) using Wolbachia and the application to malaria control.},
journal = {Journal of theoretical biology},
volume = {569},
number = {},
pages = {111519},
doi = {10.1016/j.jtbi.2023.111519},
pmid = {37254297},
issn = {1095-8541},
mesh = {Animals ; Male ; Humans ; Female ; *Aedes ; *Wolbachia ; Mosquito Vectors ; Reproduction ; Mosquito Control/methods ; *Malaria/prevention & control ; },
abstract = {For decades, techniques to control vector population with low environmental impact have been widely explored in both field and theoretical studies. The incompatible insect technique (IIT) using Wolbachia, based on cytoplasmic incompatibility, is a technique that Wolbachia-infected male mosquitoes are incapable of producing viable offspring after mating with wild-type female mosquitoes. While the IIT method experimentally ensured its effectiveness in several field works, the failure of female mosquito population control by replacement owing to the accidental contamination of Wolbachia-infected female mosquitoes has been a concern and an obstacle in implementing the IIT method in nature. In this study, we develop a population-based IIT mathematical model using cytoplasmic incompatibility and evaluate the effectiveness of the IIT method in scenarios where contamination is present or absent. In addition, by extending the model to assess the disease infection status of the human population with malaria, we evaluate the optimal release strategy and cost for successful disease control. Our study proves that IIT could be a promising method to control mosquito-borne diseases without perfect suppression of vector mosquito population regardless of contamination.},
}

Animals
Male
Humans
Female
*Aedes
*Wolbachia
Mosquito Vectors
Reproduction
Mosquito Control/methods
*Malaria/prevention & control

@article {pmid37266040,
year = {2023},
author = {Rodrigues, J and Lefoulon, E and Gavotte, L and Perillat-Sanguinet, M and Makepeace, B and Martin, C and D'Haese, CA},
title = {Wolbachia springs eternal: symbiosis in Collembola is associated with host ecology.},
journal = {Royal Society open science},
volume = {10},
number = {5},
pages = {230288},
pmid = {37266040},
issn = {2054-5703},
abstract = {Wolbachia are endosymbiotic alpha-proteobacteria infecting a wide range of arthropods and nematode hosts with diverse interactions, from reproductive parasites to obligate mutualists. Their taxonomy is defined by lineages called supergroups (labelled by letters of the alphabet), while their evolutionary history is complex, with multiple horizontal transfers and secondary losses. One of the least recently derived, supergroup E, infects springtails (Collembola), widely distributed hexapods, with sexual and/or parthenogenetic populations depending on species. To better characterize the diversity of Wolbachia infecting springtails, the presence of Wolbachia was screened in 58 species. Eleven (20%) species were found to be positive, with three Wolbachia genotypes identified for the first time in supergroup A. The novel genotypes infect springtails ecologically and biologically different from those infected by supergroup E. To root the Wolbachia phylogeny, rather than distant other Rickettsiales, supergroup L infecting plant-parasitic nematodes was used here. We hypothesize that the ancestor of Wolbachia was consumed by soil-dwelling nematodes, and was transferred horizontally via plants into aphids, which then infected edaphic arthropods (e.g. springtails and oribatid mites) before expanding into most clades of terrestrial arthropods and filarial nematodes.},
}

@article {pmid37269018,
year = {2023},
author = {Peña-Espinoza, M and Em, D and Shahi-Barogh, B and Berer, D and Duscher, GG and van der Vloedt, L and Glawischnig, W and Rehbein, S and Harl, J and Unterköfler, MS and Fuehrer, HP},
title = {Molecular pathogen screening of louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) from domestic and wild ruminants in Austria.},
journal = {Parasites & vectors},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {179},
pmid = {37269018},
issn = {1756-3305},
support = {Austrian Barcode of Life - Hochschulraum-Strukturmittel//Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; Sheep ; Cattle ; *Diptera ; *Deer/parasitology ; Austria/epidemiology ; Phylogeny ; Ruminants ; *Bartonella/genetics ; *Anoplura ; *Anaplasmataceae/genetics ; *Piroplasmida ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Hippoboscid flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae), also known as louse flies or keds, are obligate blood-sucking ectoparasites of animals, and accidentally of humans. The potential role of hippoboscids as vectors of human and veterinary pathogens is being increasingly investigated, but the presence and distribution of infectious agents in louse flies is still unknown in parts of Europe. Here, we report the use of molecular genetics to detect and characterize vector-borne pathogens in hippoboscid flies infesting domestic and wild animals in Austria.

METHODS: Louse flies were collected from naturally infested cattle (n = 25), sheep (n = 3), and red deer (n = 12) across Austria between 2015 and 2019. Individual insects were morphologically identified to species level and subjected to DNA extraction for molecular pathogen screening and barcoding. Genomic DNA from each louse fly was screened for Borrelia spp., Bartonella spp., Trypanosomatida, Anaplasmataceae, Filarioidea and Piroplasmida. Obtained sequences of Trypanosomatida and Bartonella spp. were further characterized by phylogenetic and haplotype networking analyses.

RESULTS: A total of 282 hippoboscid flies corresponding to three species were identified: Hippobosca equina (n = 62) collected from cattle, Melophagus ovinus (n = 100) from sheep and Lipoptena cervi (n = 120) from red deer (Cervus elaphus). Molecular screening revealed pathogen DNA in 54.3% of hippoboscids, including infections with single (63.39%), two (30.71%) and up to three (5.90%) distinct pathogens in the same individual. Bartonella DNA was detected in 36.9% of the louse flies. Lipoptena cervi were infected with 10 distinct and previously unreported Bartonella sp. haplotypes, some closely associated with strains of zoonotic potential. DNA of trypanosomatids was identified in 34% of hippoboscids, including the first description of Trypanosoma sp. in H. equina. Anaplasmataceae DNA (Wolbachia spp.) was detected only in M. ovinus (16%), while < 1% of the louse flies were positive for Borrelia spp. and Filarioidea. All hippoboscids were negative for Piroplasmida.

CONCLUSIONS: Molecular genetic screening confirmed the presence of several pathogens in hippoboscids infesting domestic and wild ruminants in Austria, including novel pathogen haplotypes of zoonotic potential (e.g. Bartonella spp.) and the first report of Trypanosoma sp. in H. equina, suggesting a potential role of this louse fly as vector of animal trypanosomatids. Experimental transmission studies and expanded monitoring of hippoboscid flies and hippoboscid-associated pathogens are warranted to clarify the competence of these ectoparasites as vectors of infectious agents in a One-Health context.},
}

Humans
Animals
Sheep
Cattle
*Diptera
*Deer/parasitology
Austria/epidemiology
Phylogeny
Ruminants
*Bartonella/genetics
*Anoplura
*Anaplasmataceae/genetics
*Piroplasmida

@article {pmid37270375,
year = {2023},
author = {Chaisiri, K and Linsuwanon, P and Makepeace, BL},
title = {The chigger microbiome: big questions in a tiny world.},
journal = {Trends in parasitology},
volume = {39},
number = {8},
pages = {696-707},
doi = {10.1016/j.pt.2023.05.002},
pmid = {37270375},
issn = {1471-5007},
mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; *Trombiculidae/microbiology ; *Orientia tsutsugamushi ; *Scrub Typhus/microbiology ; *Rickettsia ; Zoonoses ; },
abstract = {'Chiggers' (trombiculid mite larvae) are best known as vectors of rickettsial pathogens, Orientia spp., which cause a zoonosis, scrub typhus. However, several other pathogens (e.g., Hantaan orthohantavirus, Dabie bandavirus, Anaplasma spp., Bartonella spp., Borrelia spp., and Rickettsia spp.) and bacterial symbionts (e.g., Cardinium, Rickettsiella, and Wolbachia) are being reported from chiggers with increasing frequency. Here, we explore the surprisingly diverse chigger microbiota and potential interactions within this microcosm. Key conclusions include a possible role for chiggers as vectors of viral diseases; the dominance in some chigger populations of unidentified symbionts in several bacterial families; and increasing evidence for vertical transmission of potential pathogens and symbiotic bacteria in chiggers, suggesting intimate interactions and not simply incidental acquisition of bacteria from the environment or host.},
}

Humans
Animals
*Trombiculidae/microbiology
*Orientia tsutsugamushi
*Scrub Typhus/microbiology
*Rickettsia
Zoonoses

@article {pmid37278210,
year = {2023},
author = {Xu, X and Hoffmann, AA and Umina, PA and Ward, SE and Coquilleau, MP and Malipatil, MB and Ridland, PM},
title = {Molecular identification of hymenopteran parasitoids and their endosymbionts from agromyzids.},
journal = {Bulletin of entomological research},
volume = {113},
number = {4},
pages = {481-496},
doi = {10.1017/S0007485323000160},
pmid = {37278210},
issn = {1475-2670},
support = {MT20005//Hort Innovation/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Phylogeny ; *Wasps/genetics ; *Diptera/genetics ; Australia ; Crops, Agricultural ; DNA ; },
abstract = {Three polyphagous pest Liriomyza spp. (Diptera: Agromyzidae) have recently invaded Australia and are damaging horticultural crops. Parasitic wasps are recognized as effective natural enemies of leafmining species globally and are expected to become important biocontrol agents in Australia. However, the hymenopteran parasitoid complex of agromyzids in Australia is poorly known and its use hindered due to taxonomic challenges when based on morphological characters. Here, we identified 14 parasitoid species of leafminers based on molecular and morphological data. We linked DNA barcodes (5' end cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences) to five adventive eulophid wasp species (Chrysocharis pubicornis (Zetterstedt), Diglyphus isaea (Walker), Hemiptarsenus varicornis (Girault), Neochrysocharis formosa (Westwood), and Neochrysocharis okazakii Kamijo) and two braconid species (Dacnusa areolaris (Nees) and Opius cinerariae Fischer). We also provide the first DNA barcodes (5' end COI sequences) with linked morphological characters for seven wasp species, with three identified to species level (Closterocerus mirabilis Edwards & La Salle, Trigonogastrella parasitica (Girault), and Zagrammosoma latilineatum Ubaidillah) and four identified to genus (Aprostocetus sp., Asecodes sp., Opius sp. 1, and Opius sp. 2). Phylogenetic analyses suggest C. pubicornis, D. isaea, H. varicornis, and O. cinerariae are likely cryptic species complexes. Neochrysocharis formosa and Aprostocetus sp. specimens were infected with Rickettsia. Five other species (Cl. mirabilis, D. isaea, H. varicornis, Opius sp. 1, and Opius sp. 2) were infected with Wolbachia, while two endosymbionts (Rickettsia and Wolbachia) co-infected N. okazakii. These findings provide background information about the parasitoid fauna expected to help control the leafminers.},
}

Animals
Phylogeny
*Wasps/genetics
*Diptera/genetics
Australia
Crops, Agricultural
DNA

@article {pmid37285552,
year = {2023},
author = {Hochstrasser, M},
title = {Molecular Biology of Cytoplasmic Incompatibility Caused by Wolbachia Endosymbionts.},
journal = {Annual review of microbiology},
volume = {77},
number = {},
pages = {299-316},
doi = {10.1146/annurev-micro-041020-024616},
pmid = {37285552},
issn = {1545-3251},
mesh = {Female ; Male ; Humans ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Semen ; Reproduction/genetics ; Cytoplasm ; Molecular Biology ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Among endosymbiotic bacteria living within eukaryotic cells, Wolbachia is exceptionally widespread, particularly in arthropods. Inherited through the female germline, it has evolved ways to increase the fraction of bacterially infected offspring by inducing parthenogenesis, feminization, male killing, or, most commonly, cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). In CI, Wolbachia infection of males causes embryonic lethality unless they mate with similarly infected females, creating a relative reproductive advantage for infected females. A set of related Wolbachia bicistronic operons encodes the CI-inducing factors. The downstream gene encodes a deubiquitylase or nuclease and is responsible for CI induction by males, while the upstream product when expressed in females binds its sperm-introduced cognate partner and rescues viability. Both toxin-antidote and host-modification mechanisms have been proposed to explain CI. Interestingly, male killing by either Spiroplasma or Wolbachia endosymbionts involves deubiquitylases as well. Interference with the host ubiquitin system may therefore be a common theme among endosymbiont-mediated reproductive alterations.},
}

Female
Male
Humans
*Wolbachia/genetics
Semen
Reproduction/genetics
Cytoplasm
Molecular Biology
Symbiosis

@article {pmid37286189,
year = {2023},
author = {Yang, Q and Gill, A and Robinson, KL and Umina, PA and Ross, PA and Zhan, D and Brown, C and Bell, N and MacMahon, A and Hoffmann, AA},
title = {A diversity of endosymbionts across Australian aphids and their persistence in aphid cultures.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology},
volume = {25},
number = {10},
pages = {1988-2001},
doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16432},
pmid = {37286189},
issn = {1462-2920},
mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/genetics/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Australia ; Enterobacteriaceae ; Serratia/genetics ; },
abstract = {There is increasing interest in the use of endosymbionts in pest control, which will benefit from the identification of endosymbionts from potential donor species for transfer to pest species. Here, we screened for endosymbionts in 123 Australian aphid samples across 32 species using 16S DNA metabarcoding. We then developed a qPCR method to validate the metabarcoding data set and to monitor endosymbiont persistence in aphid cultures. Pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) were frequently coinfected with Rickettsiella and Serratia, and glasshouse potato aphids (Aulacorthum solani) were coinfected with Regiella and Spiroplasma; other secondary endosymbionts detected in samples occurred by themselves. Hamiltonella, Rickettsia and Wolbachia were restricted to a single aphid species, whereas Regiella was found in multiple species. Rickettsiella, Hamiltonella and Serratia were stably maintained in laboratory cultures, although others were lost rapidly. The overall incidence of secondary endosymbionts in Australian samples tended to be lower than recorded from aphids overseas. These results indicate that aphid endosymbionts probably exhibit different levels of infectivity and vertical transmission efficiency across hosts, which may contribute to natural infection patterns. The rapid loss of some endosymbionts in cultures raises questions about factors that maintain them under field conditions, while endosymbionts that persisted in laboratory culture provide candidates for interspecific transfers.},
}

Animals
*Aphids/genetics/microbiology
Symbiosis
Australia
Enterobacteriaceae
Serratia/genetics

@article {pmid37289079,
year = {2023},
author = {Tarabai, H and Floriano, AM and Zima, J and Filová, N and Brown, JJ and Roachell, W and Smith, RL and Beatty, NL and Vogel, KJ and Nováková, E},
title = {Microbiomes of Blood-Feeding Triatomines in the Context of Their Predatory Relatives and the Environment.},
journal = {Microbiology spectrum},
volume = {11},
number = {4},
pages = {e0168123},
pmid = {37289079},
issn = {2165-0497},
mesh = {Animals ; Phylogeny ; *Triatoma ; *Trypanosoma cruzi ; *Microbiota ; Bacteria/genetics ; },
abstract = {The importance of gut microbiomes has become generally recognized in vector biology. This study addresses microbiome signatures in North American Triatoma species of public health significance (vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi) linked to their blood-feeding strategy and the natural habitat. To place the Triatoma-associated microbiomes within a complex evolutionary and ecological context, we sampled sympatric Triatoma populations, related predatory reduviids, unrelated ticks, and environmental material from vertebrate nests where these arthropods reside. Along with five Triatoma species, we have characterized microbiomes of five reduviids (Stenolemoides arizonensis, Ploiaria hirticornis, Zelus longipes, and two Reduvius species), a single soft tick species, Ornithodoros turicata, and environmental microbiomes from selected sites in Arizona, Texas, Florida, and Georgia. The microbiomes of predatory reduviids lack a shared core microbiota. As in triatomines, microbiome dissimilarities among species correlate with dominance of a single bacterial taxon. These include Rickettsia, Lactobacillus, "Candidatus Midichloria," and Zymobacter, which are often accompanied by known symbiotic genera, i.e., Wolbachia, "Candidatus Lariskella," Asaia, Gilliamella, and Burkholderia. We have further identified a compositional convergence of the analyzed microbiomes in regard to the host phylogenetic distance in both blood-feeding and predatory reduviids. While the microbiomes of the two reduviid species from the Emesinae family reflect their close relationship, the microbiomes of all Triatoma species repeatedly form a distinct monophyletic cluster highlighting their phylosymbiosis. Furthermore, based on environmental microbiome profiles and blood meal analysis, we propose three epidemiologically relevant and mutually interrelated bacterial sources for Triatoma microbiomes, i.e., host abiotic environment, host skin microbiome, and pathogens circulating in host blood. IMPORTANCE This study places microbiomes of blood-feeding North American Triatoma vectors (Reduviidae) into a broader evolutionary and ecological context provided by related predatory assassin bugs (Reduviidae), another unrelated vector species (soft tick Ornithodoros turicata), and the environment these arthropods coinhabit. For both vectors, microbiome analyses suggest three interrelated sources of bacteria, i.e., the microbiome of vertebrate nests as their natural habitat, the vertebrate skin microbiome, and the pathobiome circulating in vertebrate blood. Despite an apparent influx of environment-associated bacteria into the arthropod microbiomes, Triatoma microbiomes retain their specificity, forming a distinct cluster that significantly differs from both predatory relatives and ecologically comparable ticks. Similarly, within the related predatory Reduviidae, we found the host phylogenetic distance to underlie microbiome similarities.},
}

Animals
Phylogeny
*Triatoma
*Trypanosoma cruzi
*Microbiota
Bacteria/genetics

@article {pmid37291670,
year = {2023},
author = {García-Rodríguez, SN and Costa-Rodríguez, N and Matos, JI and Falcón-Cordón, Y and Morchón, R and Carretón, E and Montoya-Alonso, JA},
title = {Feline heartworm disease and environmental allergens hypersensitivity: is there a link?.},
journal = {Parasites & vectors},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {192},
pmid = {37291670},
issn = {1756-3305},
support = {PIFULPGC-2020-2-CCSALUD-2//Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria/ ; PIFULPGC-2017-CCSALUD-3//Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria/ ; TESIS2021010010//Agencia Canaria de Investigación, Innovación y Sociedad de la Información/ ; CN-240/030/158//MERCK SHARP & DOHME ANIMAL HEALTH, S.L/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; Cats ; Animals ; *Dirofilariasis/parasitology ; Allergens ; *Dirofilaria immitis ; *Hypersensitivity/epidemiology/veterinary ; Antibodies ; *Cat Diseases/epidemiology ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Cats can be infected by Dirofilaria immitis, the causative agent of heartworm disease, characterized by respiratory signs, airway hyperreactivity, remodelling and inflammation. Allergy is a multifactorial pathology, and the role of a number of helminth parasites in the development of allergies in humans and other species has been demonstrated in many studies. The aim of the present study was to verify whether cats seropositive for D. immitis present hypersensitivity to some environmental allergens.

METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 120 cats and tested for the presence of specific immunoglobulin G antibodies against D. immitis and for hypersensitivity to 20 allergens, using commercial allergen test kits.

RESULTS: Of the 120 cats tested, 72 (60.0%) were seropositive for anti-D. immitis IgG and 55 (45.8%) showed clinical signs of heartworm disease of a respiratory nature. The results of testing with the allergen kits showed that 50.8% of cats were seropositive for ≥ 1 allergens, with the most common allergens being Dermatophagoides farinae (25.8%), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (20.0%), Malassezia (17.5%) and Ctenocephalides felis (14.2%). The prevalence of allergies was significantly higher-by almost threefold-in cats seropositive for D. immitis (68.1% vs. 25%). There were no significant differences between the prevalence of allergic cats and presence/absence of symptoms, and the results confirmed that symptoms were not a decisive factor for the presence of allergies. The risk for developing allergies was 6.3-fold higher in cats seropositive for D. immitis than in cats that were seronegative, confirming that seropositivity for D. immitis is a risk factor.

CONCLUSIONS: Cats with confirmed heartworm can develop serious respiratory signs, potentially leading to progression to permanent lung injury and predisposing cats to hyperresponsive airway disease. Previous studies have shown that seropositivity for D. immitis and Wolbachia is related to the presence of bronchoconstriction and bronchospasm in the affected cat. The results support the suspicion that contact with D. immitis may be a risk factor for the presence of allergies.},
}

Humans
Cats
Animals
*Dirofilariasis/parasitology
Allergens
*Dirofilaria immitis
*Hypersensitivity/epidemiology/veterinary
Antibodies
*Cat Diseases/epidemiology

@article {pmid37293262,
year = {2023},
author = {Yang, F and Li, Y and Gao, M and Xia, Q and Wang, Q and Tang, M and Zhou, X and Guo, H and Xiao, Q and Sun, L},
title = {Comparative expression profiles of carboxylesterase orthologous CXE14 in two closely related tea geometrid species, Ectropis obliqua Prout and Ectropis grisescens Warren.},
journal = {Frontiers in physiology},
volume = {14},
number = {},
pages = {1194997},
pmid = {37293262},
issn = {1664-042X},
abstract = {Insect carboxylesterases (CXEs) can be expressed in multiple tissues and play crucial roles in detoxifying xenobiotic insecticides and degrading olfactory cues. Therefore, they have been considered as an important target for development of eco-friendly insect pest management strategies. Despite extensive investigation in most insect species, limited information on CXEs in sibling moth species is currently available. The Ectropis obliqua Prout and Ectropis grisescens Warren are two closely related tea geometrid species, which share the same host of tea plant but differ in geographical distribution, sex pheromone composition, and symbiotic bacteria abundance, providing an excellent mode species for studies of functional diversity of orthologous CXEs. In this study, we focused on EoblCXE14 due to its previously reported non-chemosensory organs-biased expression. First, the EoblCXE14 orthologous gene EgriCXE14 was cloned and sequence characteristics analysis showed that they share a conserved motif and phylogenetic relationship. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was then used to compare the expression profiles between two Ectropis spp. The results showed that EoblCXE14 was predominately expressed in E. obliqua larvae, whereas EgriCXE14 was abundant in E. grisescens at multiple developmental stages. Interestingly, both orthologous CXEs were highly expressed in larval midgut, but the expression level of EoblCXE14 in E. obliqua midgut was significantly higher than that of EgriCXE14 in E. grisescens midgut. In addition, the potential effect of symbiotic bacteria Wolbachia on the CXE14 was examined. This study is the first to provide comparative expression profiles of orthologous CXE genes in two sibling geometrid moth species and the results will help further elucidate CXEs functions and identify a potential target for tea geometrid pest control.},
}

@article {pmid37298356,
year = {2023},
author = {Mioduchowska, M and Konecka, E and Gołdyn, B and Pinceel, T and Brendonck, L and Lukić, D and Kaczmarek, Ł and Namiotko, T and Zając, K and Zając, T and Jastrzębski, JP and Bartoszek, K},
title = {Playing Peekaboo with a Master Manipulator: Metagenetic Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Wolbachia Supergroups in Freshwater Invertebrates.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {24},
number = {11},
pages = {},
pmid = {37298356},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {2017/01/X/NZ8/01873//National Science Centre/ ; 2017/27/B/NZ8/01056//National Science Centre/ ; 2021/43/D/NZ8/00344//National Science Centre/ ; 538/L260/B149/18//Young Scientists competition of University of Gdansk, Poland/ ; 1220/146/2021//UGrants-first of University of Gdansk, Poland/ ; 7862//European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)/ ; 2017-04951//Vetenskapsrådets Grant/ ; CA18239//COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology)/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Male ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Ecosystem ; *Arthropods ; Bacteria ; Crustacea ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {The infamous "master manipulators"-intracellular bacteria of the genus Wolbachia-infect a broad range of phylogenetically diverse invertebrate hosts in terrestrial ecosystems. Wolbachia has an important impact on the ecology and evolution of their host with documented effects including induced parthenogenesis, male killing, feminization, and cytoplasmic incompatibility. Nonetheless, data on Wolbachia infections in non-terrestrial invertebrates are scarce. Sampling bias and methodological limitations are some of the reasons limiting the detection of these bacteria in aquatic organisms. In this study, we present a new metagenetic method for detecting the co-occurrence of different Wolbachia strains in freshwater invertebrates host species, i.e., freshwater Arthropoda (Crustacea), Mollusca (Bivalvia), and water bears (Tardigrada) by applying NGS primers designed by us and a Python script that allows the identification of Wolbachia target sequences from the microbiome communities. We also compare the results obtained using the commonly applied NGS primers and the Sanger sequencing approach. Finally, we describe three supergroups of Wolbachia: (i) a new supergroup V identified in Crustacea and Bivalvia hosts; (ii) supergroup A identified in Crustacea, Bivalvia, and Eutardigrada hosts, and (iii) supergroup E infection in the Crustacea host microbiome community.},
}

Animals
Male
*Wolbachia/genetics
Phylogeny
Ecosystem
*Arthropods
Bacteria
Crustacea
Symbiosis

@article {pmid37298563,
year = {2023},
author = {Fiutek, N and Couger, MB and Pirro, S and Roy, SW and de la Torre, JR and Connor, EF},
title = {Genomic Assessment of the Contribution of the Wolbachia Endosymbiont of Eurosta solidaginis to Gall Induction.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {24},
number = {11},
pages = {},
pmid = {37298563},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {IRGEN_RG_2021-1345/IRGEN/IRGEN/United States ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Tryptophan ; *Tephritidae/metabolism ; Insecta/metabolism ; Indoleacetic Acids/metabolism ; Cytokinins ; Genomics ; Organophosphorus Compounds ; Hemiterpenes ; },
abstract = {We explored the genome of the Wolbachia strain, wEsol, symbiotic with the plant-gall-inducing fly Eurosta solidaginis with the goal of determining if wEsol contributes to gall induction by its insect host. Gall induction by insects has been hypothesized to involve the secretion of the phytohormones cytokinin and auxin and/or proteinaceous effectors to stimulate cell division and growth in the host plant. We sequenced the metagenome of E. solidaginis and wEsol and assembled and annotated the genome of wEsol. The wEsol genome has an assembled length of 1.66 Mbp and contains 1878 protein-coding genes. The wEsol genome is replete with proteins encoded by mobile genetic elements and shows evidence of seven different prophages. We also detected evidence of multiple small insertions of wEsol genes into the genome of the host insect. Our characterization of the genome of wEsol indicates that it is compromised in the synthesis of dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP) and S-adenosyl L-methionine (SAM), which are precursors required for the synthesis of cytokinins and methylthiolated cytokinins. wEsol is also incapable of synthesizing tryptophan, and its genome contains no enzymes in any of the known pathways for the synthesis of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) from tryptophan. wEsol must steal DMAPP and L-methionine from its host and therefore is unlikely to provide cytokinin and auxin to its insect host for use in gall induction. Furthermore, in spite of its large repertoire of predicted Type IV secreted effector proteins, these effectors are more likely to contribute to the acquisition of nutrients and the manipulation of the host's cellular environment to contribute to growth and reproduction of wEsol than to aid E. solidaginis in manipulating its host plant. Combined with earlier work that shows that wEsol is absent from the salivary glands of E. solidaginis, our results suggest that wEsol does not contribute to gall induction by its host.},
}

Animals
*Wolbachia/genetics
Tryptophan
*Tephritidae/metabolism
Insecta/metabolism
Indoleacetic Acids/metabolism
Cytokinins
Genomics
Organophosphorus Compounds
Hemiterpenes

@article {pmid37314477,
year = {2023},
author = {An, Y and Braga, MP and Garcia, SL and Grudzinska-Sterno, M and Hambäck, PA},
title = {Host Phylogeny Structures the Gut Bacterial Community Within Galerucella Leaf Beetles.},
journal = {Microbial ecology},
volume = {86},
number = {4},
pages = {2477-2487},
pmid = {37314477},
issn = {1432-184X},
support = {#2019-4980//The Swedish Research Council Vetenskapsrådet to PAH/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Coleoptera/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Insecta ; Bacteria/genetics ; },
abstract = {Gut microbes play important roles for their hosts. Previous studies suggest that host-microbial systems can form long-term associations over evolutionary time and the dynamic changes of the intestinal system may represent major driving forces and contribute to insect dietary diversification and speciation. Our study system includes a set of six closely related leaf beetle species (Galerucella spp.) and our study aims to separate the roles of host phylogeny and ecology in determining the gut microbial community and to identify eventual relationship between host insects and gut bacteria. We collected adult beetles from their respective host plants and quantified their microbial community using 16S rRNA sequencing. The results showed that the gut bacteria community composition was structured by host beetle phylogeny, where more or less host-specific gut bacteria interact with the different Galerucella species. For example, the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia was found almost exclusively in G. nymphaea and G. sagittariae. Diversity indicators also suggested that α- and β-diversities of gut bacteria communities varied among host beetle species. Overall, our results suggest a phylogenetically controlled co-occurrence pattern between the six closely related Galerucella beetles and their gut bacteria, indicating the potential of co-evolutionary processes occurring between hosts and their gut bacterial communities.},
}

Animals
*Coleoptera/microbiology
Phylogeny
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Insecta
Bacteria/genetics

@article {pmid37317119,
year = {2023},
author = {Santos, NACD and Carvalho, VR and Souza-Neto, JA and Alonso, DP and Ribolla, PEM and Medeiros, JF and Araujo, MDS},
title = {Bacterial Microbiota from Lab-Reared and Field-Captured Anopheles darlingi Midgut and Salivary Gland.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {11},
number = {5},
pages = {},
pmid = {37317119},
issn = {2076-2607},
abstract = {Anopheles darlingi is a major malaria vector in the Amazon region and, like other vectors, harbors a community of microorganisms with which it shares a network of interactions. Here, we describe the diversity and bacterial composition from the midguts and salivary glands of lab-reared and field-captured An. darlingi using metagenome sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The libraries were built using the amplification of the region V3-V4 16S rRNA gene. The bacterial community from the salivary glands was more diverse and richer than the community from the midguts. However, the salivary glands and midguts only showed dissimilarities in beta diversity between lab-reared mosquitoes. Despite that, intra-variability was observed in the samples. Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas were dominant in the tissues of lab-reared mosquitoes. Sequences of Wolbachia and Asaia were both found in the tissue of lab-reared mosquitoes; however, only Asaia was found in field-captured An. darlingi, but in low abundance. This is the first report on the characterization of microbiota composition from the salivary glands of An. darlingi from lab-reared and field-captured individuals. This study can provide invaluable insights for future investigations regarding mosquito development and interaction between mosquito microbiota and Plasmodium sp.},
}

@article {pmid37318795,
year = {2023},
author = {Zhang, DJ and Sun, Y and Yamada, H and Wu, Y and Wang, G and Feng, QD and Paerhande, D and Maiga, H and Bouyer, J and Qian, J and Wu, ZD and Zheng, XY},
title = {Effects of radiation on the fitness, sterility and arbovirus susceptibility of a Wolbachia-free Aedes albopictus strain for use in the sterile insect technique.},
journal = {Pest management science},
volume = {79},
number = {11},
pages = {4186-4196},
doi = {10.1002/ps.7615},
pmid = {37318795},
issn = {1526-4998},
support = {//Guangzhou Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation/ ; //IAEA Coordinated Research Project/ ; //IAEA Department of Technical Cooperation/ ; //National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; //National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; //NSFC-BMGF/ ; //Nuclear Energy R & D Project/ ; //Open Foundation of NHC Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Hainan Medical University/ ; //Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province, China/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Aedes/radiation effects/virology/physiology/microbiology/genetics ; Male ; Female ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; *Pest Control, Biological/methods ; *Mosquito Control/methods ; *Arboviruses/physiology ; *Genetic Fitness/radiation effects ; Mosquito Vectors/virology/radiation effects ; Infertility ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The sterile insect technique (SIT) is a green and species-specific insect pest control technique that suppresses target populations by releasing factory-reared, radiosterilized males into the wild. Once released, it is important to be able to distinguish the released males from the wild males for monitoring purposes. Several methods to mark the sterile males exist. However, most have limitations due to monetary, process efficiency, or insect quality. Aedes albopictus is naturally infected with Wolbachia at a high prevalence, therefore the elimination of Wolbachia can serve as a biomarker to distinguish factory-reared male mosquitoes from wild conspecifics.

RESULTS: In this study, a Wolbachia-free Ae. albopictus GT strain was developed and its fitness evaluated, which was found to be comparable to the wild GUA strain. In addition, GT male mosquitoes were irradiated at the adult stage and a dose of 20 Gy or more induced over 99% sterility. Moreover, a dose of 30 Gy (almost completely sterilizing male and female mosquitoes) had limited effects on the mating competitiveness of GT males and the vector competence of GT females, respectively. However, radiation reduced mosquito longevity, regardless of sex.

CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the Ae. albopictus GT strain can be distinguished from wild mosquitoes based on Wolbachia status and shows similar fitness, radio-sensitivity and arbovirus susceptibility to the GUA strain, indicating that it is feasible to use the GT strain to suppress Ae. albopictus populations for SIT programmes. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.},
}

Animals
*Aedes/radiation effects/virology/physiology/microbiology/genetics
Male
Female
*Wolbachia/physiology
*Pest Control, Biological/methods
*Mosquito Control/methods
*Arboviruses/physiology
*Genetic Fitness/radiation effects
Mosquito Vectors/virology/radiation effects
Infertility

@article {pmid37324163,
year = {2023},
author = {Zhu, X and Zhang, L and Li, J and He, A and You, M and You, S},
title = {Effects of Antibiotic Treatment on the Development and Bacterial Community of the Wolbachia-Infected Diamondback Moth.},
journal = {Evolutionary bioinformatics online},
volume = {19},
number = {},
pages = {11769343231175269},
pmid = {37324163},
issn = {1176-9343},
abstract = {Based on the important role of antibiotic treatment in the research of the interaction between Wolbachia and insect hosts, this study aimed to identify the most suitable antibiotic and concentration for Wolbachia elimination in the P. xylostella, and to investigate the effect of Wolbachia and antibiotic treatment on the bacterial community of P. xylostella. Our results showed that the Wolbachia-infected strain was plutWB1 of supergroup B in the P. xylostella population collected in Nepal in this study; 1 mg/mL rifampicin could remove Wolbachia infection in P. xylostella after 1 generation of feeding treatment and the toxic effect was relatively low; among the 29 samples of adult P. xylostella in our study (10 WU samples, 10 WA samples, and 9 WI samples), 52.5% of the sequences were of Firmicutes and 47.5% were of Proteobacteria, with the dominant genera being mainly Carnobacterium (46.2%), Enterobacter (10.1%), and Enterococcus (6.2%); Moreover, antibiotic removal of Wolbachia infection in P. xylostella and transfer to normal conditions for 10 generations no longer significantly affected the bacterial community of P. xylostella. This study provides a theoretical basis for the elimination method of Wolbachia in the P. xylostella, as well as a reference for the elimination method of Wolbachia in other Wolbachia-infected insect species, and a basis for the study of the extent and duration of the effect of antibiotic treatment on the bacterial community of the P. xylostella.},
}

@article {pmid37347285,
year = {2023},
author = {Ehlers, LP and Slaviero, M and De Lorenzo, C and Fagundes-Moreira, R and de Souza, VK and Perles, L and Baggio-Souza, V and Bezerra-Santos, MA and Modrý, D and Benovics, M and Panziera, W and Driemeier, D and Pavarini, SP and Soares, JF and Otranto, D and Sonne, L},
title = {Pathological findings associated with Dipetalonema spp. (Spirurida, Onchocercidae) infection in two species of Neotropical monkeys from Brazil.},
journal = {Parasitology research},
volume = {122},
number = {9},
pages = {1973-1982},
pmid = {37347285},
issn = {1432-1955},
mesh = {Animals ; *Dipetalonema/genetics ; *Spirurida/genetics ; Brazil/epidemiology ; Haplorhini/genetics ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Filarioidea/genetics ; *Dipetalonema Infections/parasitology ; *Nematoda/genetics ; },
abstract = {Among vector-borne helminths, filarioids of the genus Dipetalonema (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) localize in several tissues and body cavities of several animal species, causing mild to moderate lesions. The pathological findings associated with Dipetalonema spp. infection in Neotropical monkeys from southern Brazil are herein described, along with a fatal case due to filarial polyserositis and entrapment of an intestinal segment. At necropsy, nematodes were observed in abdominal and thoracic cavities, or in the pericardium of 37 (31.3%) out of the 118 individuals examined (i.e., 35 Alouatta guariba clamitans and two Sapajus nigritus). In addition, at histology, 27.0% of positive animals presented microfilarie (inside blood vessels of lung, spleen, liver, and brain) and 8.1% presented adult nematodes in the heart, lung, and liver. In two cases, cross-sections of filarioids were associated with areas of epicardial thickening with intense fibrosis and pyogranulomatous inflammation in the brain, heart, liver, lungs, or spleen. The DNA fragment was amplify using the cox1 gene, sequenced and analyzed to identify the nematode species collected; presence of Wolbachia was assessed in the filarioids using the 16S rRNA gene. At BLAST analysis of the cox1 gene, 10 sequences showed 91.7% nucleotide identity with Dipetalonema gracile, and two with D. gracile (98.5%) and Dipetalonema graciliformis (98.3%). Phylogenetic analyses clustered sequences of the cox1 obtained in this study in two clades corresponding with the host species. Wolbachia sp. endosymbiont was detected in four samples. Data herein reported provide a description of pathological lesions associated with the infection by Dipetalonema spp., suggesting that they may cause disease in Neotropical monkeys. In addition, a better understanding of diversity and biology of Dipetalonema spp. in South America is needed to assess the impact they may cause in native non-human primates from Brazil.},
}

Animals
*Dipetalonema/genetics
*Spirurida/genetics
Brazil/epidemiology
Haplorhini/genetics
Phylogeny
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
*Filarioidea/genetics
*Dipetalonema Infections/parasitology
*Nematoda/genetics