@article {pmid30448462, year = {2018}, author = {Hu, L and Huang, M and Tang, M and Yu, J and Zheng, B}, title = {Wolbachia spread dynamics in multi-regimes of environmental conditions.}, journal = {Journal of theoretical biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.jtbi.2018.11.009}, pmid = {30448462}, issn = {1095-8541}, abstract = {Mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever and Zika kill more than 700,000 people each year in the world. A novel strategy to control these diseases employs the bacterium Wolbachia whose infection in mosquitoes blocks virus replication. The prerequisite for this measure is to release Wolbachia -infected mosquitoes to replace wild population. Due to the fluctuation of environmental conditions for mosquito growth, we develop and analyze a model of differential equations with parameters randomly changing over multiple environmental regimes. By comparing the dynamics between the stochastic system and constructed auxiliary systems, combined with other techniques, we provide sharp estimates on the threshold releasing level for Wolbachia fixation. We define the alarm period of disease transmission to measure the risk of mosquito-borne diseases. Our numerical simulations suggest that more frequent inter-regime transitions help reduce the alarm period, and the disease transmission is more sensitive to the average climatic conditions than the number of sub-regimes over a given time period. Further numerical examples also indicate that the reduction in the waiting time to suppress 95% of wild population is more evident when the releasing amount is increased up to a double of the wild population.}, }
@article {pmid30448382, year = {2018}, author = {Herran, B and Cerveau, N and Houdelet, C and Bernier, C and Debenest, C and Delaunay, C and Raimond, M and Bertaux, J and Grève, P}, title = {IGFBP-rP1, a strongly conserved member of the androgenic hormone signalling pathway in Isopoda.}, journal = {General and comparative endocrinology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.11.006}, pmid = {30448382}, issn = {1095-6840}, abstract = {The first protein which has been described to interact with the malacostracan Androgenic Gland Hormone (AGH) is a binding protein called IGFBP-rP1. It has been identified and studied in several species of decapods, in which its interaction with the masculinizing hormone and its expression patterns have been established in several ways. However, this protein remains uncharacterised to date in the other malacostracan orders, like Amphipoda and Isopoda, although they were historically the first ones in which the androgenic gland and the corresponding hormone were respectively described. In this article, we identified the IGFBP-rP1 of isopods and established its implication in the pathway of the AGH with a silencing approach in the model species Armadillidium vulgare. We also showed that this gene is expressed in all the tissues of males and females, with a similar pattern in animals infected with Wolbachia, a feminizing endosymbiont of several isopod species. The expression pattern did not differ during the development of uninfected and infected animals either. We finally studied the evolution of the IGFBP-rP1 in 68 isopod species, looking for conserved motifs and evidence of natural selection. Altogether, our results showed that this gene is constitutively expressed and strongly conserved in isopods, in which it likely constitutes a key element of the insulin/IGF signalling pathway. However, we also illustrated that IGFBP-rP1 is not sufficient on its own to explain the different developmental paths taken by the males and the females or feminized genetic males.}, }
@article {pmid30440032, year = {2018}, author = {Gomes, FM and Barillas-Mury, C}, title = {Infection of anopheline mosquitoes with Wolbachia: Implications for malaria control.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {14}, number = {11}, pages = {e1007333}, doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1007333}, pmid = {30440032}, issn = {1553-7374}, }
@article {pmid30426159, year = {2018}, author = {Mohanty, I and Rath, A and Swain, SP and Pradhan, N and Hazra, RK}, title = {Wolbachia Population in Vectors and Non-vectors: A Sustainable Approach Towards Dengue Control.}, journal = {Current microbiology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1007/s00284-018-1596-8}, pmid = {30426159}, issn = {1432-0991}, support = {0//Lady Tata Memorial Trust/ ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is gram negative obligate endosymbiont known for reproductive manipulation in the host. It is important to study the presence of natural Wolbachia in mosquitoes which can later help in understanding the effect of transfected strain on indigenous strain. With this view, the present study is undertaken to focus on the prevalence, diversity, infection frequencies, phylogeny and density of indigenous Wolbachia strains in wild mosquito species of Odisha. Our study confirms Wolbachia presence in Ae. albopictus, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. vishnui, Cx. gelidus, Ar. subalbatus, Mn. uniformis, and Mn. indiana. Wolbachia in the above mosquitoes were separated into two supergroups (A and B). Ae. albopictus, the major vector of dengue and chikungungunya had both super-infection and mono-infection. The ovaries of Ae. albopictus were highest in density of Wolbachia as compared to midguts or salivary glands. wAlBA and wAlbB density were variable in mosquitoes of F1 generation for both the sex and at different age. We also found that Wolbachia super-infection in females tends to increase whereas wAlbA density reduced completely as compared to wAlbB in males when they grew old. Giemsa stained squashed ovaries revealed pink pleomorphic Wolbachia cells with different shapes and forms. This study is unique in its kind covering the major aspects of the endosymbiont Wolbachia and focusing on its potential as a biocontrol agent in arboviral outbreaks. Knowledge on potential of the indigenous strain and interactions between Wolbachia and viruses can be utilized further to reduce the global burden of vector borne diseases.}, }
@article {pmid30425700, year = {2018}, author = {Hubert, J and Nesvorna, M and Sopko, B and Smrz, J and Klimov, P and Erban, T}, title = {Two Populations of Mites (Tyrophagus putrescentiae) Differ in Response to Feeding on Feces-Containing Diets.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {2590}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2018.02590}, pmid = {30425700}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Background:Tyrophagus putrescentiae is a ubiquitous mite species in soil, stored products and house dust and infests food and causes allergies in people. T. putrescentiae populations harbor different bacterial communities, including intracellular symbionts and gut bacteria. The spread of microorganisms via the fecal pellets of T. putrescentiae is a possibility that has not been studied in detail but may be an important means by which gut bacteria colonize subsequent generations of mites. Feces in soil may be a vector for the spread of microorganisms. Methods: Extracts from used mite culture medium (i.e., residual food, mite feces, and dead mite bodies) were used as a source of feces-inhabiting microorganisms as food for the mites. Two T. putrescentiae populations (L and P) were used for experiments, and they hosted the intracellular bacteria Cardinium and Wolbachia, respectively. The effects of the fecal fraction on respiration in a mite microcosm, mite nutrient contents, population growth and microbiome composition were evaluated. Results: Feces from the P population comprised more than 90% Bartonella-like sequences. Feces from the L population feces hosted Staphylococcus, Virgibacillus, Brevibacterium, Enterobacteriaceae, and Bacillus. The mites from the P population, but not the L population, exhibited increased bacterial respiration in the microcosms in comparison to no-mite controls. Both L- and P-feces extracts had an inhibitory effect on the respiration of the microcosms, indicating antagonistic interactions within feces-associated bacteria. The mite microbiomes were resistant to the acquisition of new bacterial species from the feces, but their bacterial profiles were affected. Feeding of P mites on P-feces-enriched diets resulted in an increase in Bartonella abundance from 6 to 20% of the total bacterial sequences and a decrease in Bacillus abundance. The population growth was fivefold accelerated on P-feces extracts in comparison to the control. Conclusion: The mite microbiome, to a certain extent, resists the acquisition of new bacteria when mites are fed on feces of the same species. However, a Bartonella-like bacteria-feces-enriched diet seems to be beneficial for mite populations with symbiotic Bartonella-like bacteria. Coprophagy on the feces of its own population may be a mechanism of bacterial acquisition in T. putrescentiae.}, }
@article {pmid30422992, year = {2018}, author = {Grobler, Y and Yun, CY and Kahler, DJ and Bergman, CM and Lee, H and Oliver, B and Lehmann, R}, title = {Whole genome screen reveals a novel relationship between Wolbachia levels and Drosophila host translation.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {14}, number = {11}, pages = {e1007445}, doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1007445}, pmid = {30422992}, issn = {1553-7374}, abstract = {Wolbachia is an intracellular bacterium that infects a remarkable range of insect hosts. Insects such as mosquitos act as vectors for many devastating human viruses such as Dengue, West Nile, and Zika. Remarkably, Wolbachia infection provides insect hosts with resistance to many arboviruses thereby rendering the insects ineffective as vectors. To utilize Wolbachia effectively as a tool against vector-borne viruses a better understanding of the host-Wolbachia relationship is needed. To investigate Wolbachia-insect interactions we used the Wolbachia/Drosophila model that provides a genetically tractable system for studying host-pathogen interactions. We coupled genome-wide RNAi screening with a novel high-throughput fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay to detect changes in Wolbachia levels in a Wolbachia-infected Drosophila cell line JW18. 1117 genes altered Wolbachia levels when knocked down by RNAi of which 329 genes increased and 788 genes decreased the level of Wolbachia. Validation of hits included in depth secondary screening using in vitro RNAi, Drosophila mutants, and Wolbachia-detection by DNA qPCR. A diverse set of host gene networks was identified to regulate Wolbachia levels and unexpectedly revealed that perturbations of host translation components such as the ribosome and translation initiation factors results in increased Wolbachia levels both in vitro using RNAi and in vivo using mutants and a chemical-based translation inhibition assay. This work provides evidence for Wolbachia-host translation interaction and strengthens our general understanding of the Wolbachia-host intracellular relationship.}, }
@article {pmid30416203, year = {2018}, author = {Treanor, D and Pamminger, T and Hughes, WOH}, title = {The evolution of caste-biasing symbionts in the social hymenoptera.}, journal = {Insectes sociaux}, volume = {65}, number = {4}, pages = {513-519}, doi = {10.1007/s00040-018-0638-3}, pmid = {30416203}, issn = {0020-1812}, abstract = {The separation of individuals into reproductive and worker castes is the defining feature of insect societies. However, caste determination is itself a complex phenomenon, dependent on interacting genetic and environmental factors. It has been suggested by some authors that widespread maternally transmitted symbionts such as Wolbachia may be selected to interfere with caste determination, whilst others have discounted this possibility on theoretical grounds. We argue that there are in fact three distinct evolutionary scenarios in which maternally transmitted symbionts might be selected to influence the process of caste determination in a social hymenopteran host. Each of these scenarios generate testable predictions which we outline here. Given the increasing recognition of the complexity and multi-faceted nature of caste determination in social insects, we argue that maternally transmitted symbionts should also be considered as possible factors influencing the development of social hymenopterans.}, }
@article {pmid30414119, year = {2019}, author = {Schuler, H and Lopez, JA and Doellman, MM and Hood, GR and Egan, SP and Feder, JL}, title = {Target-Enriched Endosymbiont Sequencing (TEEseq): A New High-Throughput Sequencing Approach Applied to the Comprehensive Characterization of Endosymbionts.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {1858}, number = {}, pages = {195-212}, doi = {10.1007/978-1-4939-8775-7_14}, pmid = {30414119}, issn = {1940-6029}, abstract = {Intracellular bacteria are ubiquitous in the insect world, with perhaps the best-studied example being the alphaproteobacterium, Wolbachia. Like most endosymbionts, Wolbachia cannot be cultivated outside of its host cells, hindering traditional microbial characterization techniques. Furthermore, multiple Wolbachia strains can be present within a single host, and certain strains can be present in densities below the detection limit of current methods. To date, Wolbachia has most commonly been studied using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and Sanger DNA sequencing by targeting specific genes in the bacterium's genome. PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing of multiple Wolbachia strains requires analysis of individually cloned sequences, which is resource and labor intensive. To help mitigate these difficulties, we present a modified double digest restriction site associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq) approach to target and sequence in parallel multiple genes by adding restriction enzyme recognition sites to gene-specific PCR primers. Adopting this strategy allows us to uniquely tag and sequence amplicons from multiple hosts simultaneously on an Illumina MiSeq platform. Our approach represents an efficient and cost-effective method to characterize multiple target genes in population surveys.}, }
@article {pmid30400987, year = {2018}, author = {Niang, EHA and Bassene, H and Makoundou, P and Fenollar, F and Weill, M and Mediannikov, O}, title = {First report of natural Wolbachia infection in wild Anopheles funestus population in Senegal.}, journal = {Malaria journal}, volume = {17}, number = {1}, pages = {408}, doi = {10.1186/s12936-018-2559-z}, pmid = {30400987}, issn = {1475-2875}, support = {Méditerranée Infection 10-IAHU- 03//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Until very recently, Anopheles were considered naturally unable to host Wolbachia, an intracellular bacterium regarded as a potential biological control tool. Their detection in field populations of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato, suggests that they may also be present in many more anopheline species than previously thought.<br><br>RESULTS: Here, is reported the first discovery of natural Wolbachia infections in Anopheles funestus populations from Senegal, the second main malaria vector in Africa. Molecular phylogeny analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene revealed at least two Wolbachia genotypes which were named wAnfu-A and wAnfu-B, according to their close relatedness to the A and B supergroups. Furthermore, both wAnfu genotypes displayed high proximity with wAnga sequences previously described from the An. gambiae complex, with only few nucleotide differences. However, the low prevalence of infection, together with the difficulties encountered for detection, whatever method used, highlights the need to develop an effective and sensitive Wolbachia screening method dedicated to anopheline.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The discovery of natural Wolbachia infection in An. funestus, another major malaria vector, may overcome the main limitation of using a Wolbachia-based approach to control malaria through population suppression and/or replacement.}, }
@article {pmid30190420, year = {2018}, author = {Duneau, D and Sun, H and Revah, J and San Miguel, K and Kunerth, HD and Caldas, IV and Messer, PW and Scott, JG and Buchon, N}, title = {Signatures of Insecticide Selection in the Genome of Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)}, volume = {8}, number = {11}, pages = {3469-3480}, doi = {10.1534/g3.118.200537}, pmid = {30190420}, issn = {2160-1836}, abstract = {Resistance to insecticides has evolved in multiple insect species, leading to increased application rates and even control failures. Understanding the genetic basis of insecticide resistance is fundamental for mitigating its impact on crop production and disease control. We performed a GWAS approach with the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) to identify the mutations involved in resistance to two widely used classes of insecticides: organophosphates (OPs, parathion) and pyrethroids (deltamethrin). Most variation in parathion resistance was associated with mutations in the target gene Ace, while most variation in deltamethrin resistance was associated with mutations in Cyp6a23, a gene encoding a detoxification enzyme never previously associated with resistance. A &quot;nested GWAS&quot; further revealed the contribution of other loci: Dscam1 and trpl were implicated in resistance to parathion, but only in lines lacking WolbachiaCyp6a17, the paralogous gene of Cyp6a23, and CG7627, an ATP-binding cassette transporter, were implicated in deltamethrin resistance. We observed signatures of recent selective sweeps at all of these resistance loci and confirmed that the soft sweep at Ace is indeed driven by the identified resistance mutations. Analysis of allele frequencies in additional population samples revealed that most resistance mutations are segregating across the globe, but that frequencies can vary substantially among populations. Altogether, our data reveal that the widely used OP and pyrethroid insecticides imposed a strong selection pressure on natural insect populations. However, it remains unclear why, in Drosophila, resistance evolved due to changes in the target site for OPs, but due to a detoxification enzyme for pyrethroids.}, }
@article {pmid30387572, year = {2016}, author = {Rakova, VM}, title = {DIROFILARIASIS: CURRENT ASPECTS OF STUDIES.}, journal = {Meditsinskaia parazitologiia i parazitarnye bolezni}, volume = {4}, number = {4}, pages = {48-52}, pmid = {30387572}, issn = {0025-8326}, abstract = {The review touches upon the main directions and some of the most important results of an investigation of dirofilariasis the species of the genus Dirofilaria, their spread, and hosts. It describes cases of human infection with Candidatus Dirofilaria hongkongensis, a study of the prevalence of filariasis using a geographic information system, data on the contamination of Dirofilaria in Europe, and current views on the endosymbiotic relations of Dirofilaria with the Wolbachia bacterium.}, }
@article {pmid30391314, year = {2018}, author = {Konecka, E and Olszanowski, Z}, title = {A new Cardinium group of bacteria found in Achipteria coleoptrata (Acari: Oribatida).}, journal = {Molecular phylogenetics and evolution}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.ympev.2018.10.043}, pmid = {30391314}, issn = {1095-9513}, abstract = {The understanding of the biology of arthropods requires an understanding of their bacterial associates. We determined the distribution of bacteria Wolbachia sp., Rickettsia sp., Cardinium sp., Spiroplasma sp., Arsenophonus sp., Hamiltonella sp., and Flavobacterium in oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida). We identified Cardinium sp. in Achipteria coleoptrata. This is the first report of this bacterium in A. coleoptrata. Approximately 30% of the mite population was infected by Cardinium sp. The Cardinium 16S rDNA was examined for the presence of two sequences unique for this microorganism. One of them was noted in Cardinium sp. of A. coleoptrata. In the second sequence, we found nucleotide substitution in the 7th position: A instead of T. In our opinion, this demonstrated the unique nature of Cardinium sp. of A. coleoptrata. We also determined phylogenetic relationship between Cardinium sp., including the strain found in A. coleoptrata by studying the 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequences. It revealed that Cardinium from A. coleoptrata did not cluster together with strains from groups A, B, C or D, and constituted a separate clade E. These observations make A. coleoptrata a unique Cardinium host in terms of the distinction of the strain.}, }
@article {pmid30382151, year = {2018}, author = {Rosso, F and Tagliapietra, V and Albanese, D and Pindo, M and Baldacchino, F and Arnoldi, D and Donati, C and Rizzoli, A}, title = {Reduced diversity of gut microbiota in two Aedes mosquitoes species in areas of recent invasion.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {16091}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-34640-z}, pmid = {30382151}, issn = {2045-2322}, abstract = {Aedes mosquitoes are considered highly successful global invasive species and vectors of several pathogens of relevance for public health. Their midgut's microbiota can play an important role in affecting not only their vectorial competence but also their fitness, physiology, food digestion, metabolism, immunity and adaptation to new environmental conditions. Using high-throughput sequencing we compared the microbiota of Aedes albopictus collected in Italy with those reported in populations from France and Vietnam. We also analysed Aedes koreicus gut microbiota for the first time. We found remarkable individual difference along with common bacterial taxa in both species. Ae. albopictus collected in Italy had a lower richness and a different composition of microbiota in respect to specimens collected in France and Vietnam. It also showed a core microbiota formed mainly of bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas. Overall, the two Aedes species (Ae. albopictus and Ae. koreicus) collected in Italy, showed a large core microbiota with 75.98% of the identified Operational Taxonomic Units. Furthermore, Ae. albopictus had 2.5% prevalence of Wolbachia and 0.07% of Asaia spp, while Ae. koreicus had 14.42% of Asaia spp. and no Wolbachia. This study provides new informations on the spatial variation of the midgut bacterial communities in mosquitoes of medical relevance within areas of recent invasion and provide the basis for further studies aimed at assessing the effects of such variation on vectorial capacity for a range of pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid30380317, year = {2018}, author = {Strugarek, M and Vauchelet, N and Zubelli, JP}, title = {Quantifying the survival uncertainty of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes in a spatial model.}, journal = {Mathematical biosciences and engineering : MBE}, volume = {15}, number = {4}, pages = {961-991}, doi = {10.3934/mbe.2018043}, pmid = {30380317}, issn = {1551-0018}, abstract = {Artificial releases of Wolbachia-infected Aedes mosquitoes have been under study in the past yearsfor fighting vector-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and zika.Several strains of this bacterium cause cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) and can also affect their host's fecundity or lifespan, while highly reducing vector competence for the main arboviruses. We consider and answer the following questions: 1) what should be the initial condition (i.e. size of the initial mosquito population) to have invasion with one mosquito release source? We note that it is hard to have an invasion in such case. 2) How many release points does one need to have sufficiently high probability of invasion? 3) What happens if one accounts for uncertainty in the release protocol (e.g. unequal spacing among release points)? We build a framework based on existing reaction-diffusion models for the uncertainty quantification in this context,obtain both theoretical and numerical lower bounds for the probability of release successand give new quantitative results on the one dimensional case.}, }
@article {pmid30374735, year = {2018}, author = {Hashmi, TR and Devi, SR and Ahmad, A and Meshram, NM and Prasad, R}, title = {Genetic Status and Endosymbionts Diversity of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) on Hosts Belonging to Family Malvaceae in India.}, journal = {Neotropical entomology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1007/s13744-018-0639-y}, pmid = {30374735}, issn = {1678-8052}, abstract = {A study was instigated to examine the genetic status and distribution of known endosymbionts namely Portiera, Rickettsia, Wolbachia, Cardinium, and Arsenophonus in the populations of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) from three host plants: cotton (Gossypium herbaceum), okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.), and China rose (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) belonging to the family Malvaceae. The presence of four secondary endosymbionts Rickettsia, Wolbachia, Cardinium, and Arsenophonus was checked in Bemisia tabaci populations. Phylogenetic analyses grounded on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene (mtCO1) unveiled the presence of Asia 1, Asia II 1, and Asia II 7 genetic groups for Bemisia tabaci on abovementioned crops. Individuals were examined for symbiotic bacterial infection with specific primers amplifying the 16S rRNA gene for Portiera, Rickettsia, Cardinium, and Wolbachia, and the 23S rRNA gene for Arsenophonus. The results show that Portiera was present in all the Bemisia tabaci samples. However, variations were noted in the circulation frequencies of secondary endosymbionts among the Bemisia tabaci populations. A significant difference was noticed in the distribution frequency of Rickettsia between cotton and China rose or okra with their p values as 0.016 and 0.033 respectively. The uneven incidence of secondary endosymbionts ropes the assumption that each endosymbiotic bacterium not only has a role in the endurance but may contribute to the polyphagous nature of Bemisia tabaci. It also brings an uncomplicated evidence for progressive studies on control measures of this notorious insect pest.}, }
@article {pmid30337547, year = {2018}, author = {Morioka, E and Oida, M and Tsuchida, T and Ikeda, M}, title = {Nighttime activities and peripheral clock oscillations depend on Wolbachia endosymbionts in flies.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {15432}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-33522-8}, pmid = {30337547}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {JP16H04651//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; JP16H04651//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are ubiquitous bacterial endosymbionts of arthropods and affect host gene expression. Although Wolbachia infections were suggested to modulate sleep in flies, their influence on the circadian clock remained obscure. Here, we screened bacterial symbionts in a laboratory Drosophila melanogaster colony, and observed widespread infections of wMel strain Wolbachia. We established a Wolbachia-free strain from a clock gene reporter strain, period-luciferase (per-luc). Temperature (19-29 °C)-compensated free-running periods were detected regardless of infections which may reflect the lack of wMel infections in central circadian pacemaker neurons. However, locomotor activity levels during the night or subjective night were significantly amplified in uninfected flies. Moreover, the behavioral phenotype of F1 offspring of an uninfected female and infected male resembled that of uninfected flies. This trait is consistent with maternal transmission of Wolbachia infection. Interestingly, per-luc activities in headless bodies, as an index of peripheral circadian oscillators, were severely damped in uninfected flies. Additionally, circadian amplitudes of PER immunoreactivities in Malpighian tubules were reduced in uninfected flies. These results demonstrate that Wolbachia boost fly peripheral clock oscillations and diurnal behavioral patterns. Genetic mechanisms underlying behavioral rhythms have been widely analyzed using mutant flies whereas screening of Wolbachia will be necessary for future studies.}, }
@article {pmid30321239, year = {2018}, author = {Bonneau, M and Landmann, F and Labbé, P and Justy, F and Weill, M and Sicard, M}, title = {The cellular phenotype of cytoplasmic incompatibility in Culex pipiens in the light of cidB diversity.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {14}, number = {10}, pages = {e1007364}, doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1007364}, pmid = {30321239}, issn = {1553-7374}, abstract = {Wolbachia are maternally inherited endosymbiotic bacteria, widespread among arthropods thanks to host reproductive manipulations that increase their prevalence into host populations. The most commonly observed manipulation is cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). CI leads to embryonic death in crosses between i) infected males and uninfected females and ii) individuals infected with incompatible Wolbachia strains. CI can be conceptualized as a toxin-antidote system where a toxin deposited by Wolbachia in the sperm would induce embryonic death unless countered by an antidote produced by Wolbachia present in the eggs. In Drosophila melanogaster, transgenic expression of Wolbachia effector cidB revealed its function of CI-inducing toxin. Moreover in Culex pipiens, the diversity of cidB variants present in wPip strains accounts for the diversity in crossing-types. We conducted cytological analyses to determine the CI mechanisms that lead to embryonic death in C. pipiens, and assess whether diversity in crossing-types could be based on variations in these mechanisms. We revealed that paternal chromatin condensation and segregation defects during the first embryonic division are always responsible for embryonic death. The strongest observed defects lead to an exclusion of the paternal chromatin from the first zygotic division, resulting in haploid embryos unable to hatch. The proportion of unhatched haploid embryos, developing with only maternal chromatin, which reflects the frequency of strong defects can be considered as a proxy of CI intensity at the cellular level. We thus studied the putative effect of variations in crossing types and cidB diversification on CI defects intensity. Incompatible crosses involving distinct wPip strains revealed that CI defects intensity depends on the Wolbachia strains hosted by the males and is linked to the diversity of cidB genes harbored in their genomes. These results support that, additionally to its implication in C. pipiens crossing type variability, cidB diversification also influences the strength of CI embryonic defects.}, }
@article {pmid30319574, year = {2018}, author = {Santos-Garcia, D and Juravel, K and Freilich, S and Zchori-Fein, E and Latorre, A and Moya, A and Morin, S and Silva, FJ}, title = {To B or Not to B: Comparative Genomics Suggests Arsenophonus as a Source of B Vitamins in Whiteflies.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {2254}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2018.02254}, pmid = {30319574}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Insect lineages feeding on nutritionally restricted diets such as phloem sap, xylem sap, or blood, were able to diversify by acquiring bacterial species that complement lacking nutrients. These bacteria, considered obligate/primary endosymbionts, share a long evolutionary history with their hosts. In some cases, however, these endosymbionts are not able to fulfill all of their host's nutritional requirements, driving the acquisition of additional symbiotic species. Phloem-feeding members of the insect family Aleyrodidae (whiteflies) established an obligate relationship with Candidatus Portiera aleyrodidarum, which provides its hots with essential amino acids and carotenoids. In addition, many whitefly species harbor additional endosymbionts which may potentially further supplement their host's diet. To test this hypothesis, genomes of several endosymbionts of the whiteflies Aleurodicus dispersus, Aleurodicus floccissimus and Trialeurodes vaporariorum were analyzed. In addition to Portiera, all three species were found to harbor one Arsenophonus and one Wolbachia endosymbiont. A comparative analysis of Arsenophonus genomes revealed that although all three are capable of synthesizing B vitamins and cofactors, such as pyridoxal, riboflavin, or folate, their genomes and phylogenetic relationship vary greatly. Arsenophonus of A. floccissimus and T. vaporariorum belong to the same clade, and display characteristics of facultative endosymbionts, such as large genomes (3 Mb) with thousands of genes and pseudogenes, intermediate GC content, and mobile genetic elements. In contrast, Arsenophonus of A. dispersus belongs to a different lineage and displays the characteristics of a primary endosymbiont-a reduced genome (670 kb) with ~400 genes, 32% GC content, and no mobile genetic elements. However, the presence of 274 pseudogenes suggests that this symbiotic association is more recent than other reported primary endosymbionts of hemipterans. The gene repertoire of Arsenophonus of A. dispersus is completely integrated in the symbiotic consortia, and the biosynthesis of most vitamins occurs in shared pathways with its host. In addition, Wolbachia endosymbionts have also retained the ability to produce riboflavin, flavin adenine dinucleotide, and folate, and may make a nutritional contribution. Taken together, our results show that Arsenophonus hold a pivotal place in whitefly nutrition by their ability to produce B vitamins.}, }
@article {pmid30314399, year = {2018}, author = {Paris, V and Cottingham, E and Ross, PA and Axford, JK and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {Effects of Alternative Blood Sources on Wolbachia Infected Aedes aegypti Females within and across Generations.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {9}, number = {4}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3390/insects9040140}, pmid = {30314399}, issn = {2075-4450}, abstract = {Wolbachia bacteria have been identified as a tool for reducing the transmission of arboviruses transmitted by Aedes aegypti. Research groups around the world are now mass rearing Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti for deliberate release. We investigated the fitness impact of a crucial element of mass rearing: the blood meal required by female Ae. aegypti to lay eggs. Although Ae. aegypti almost exclusively feed on human blood, it is often difficult to use human blood in disease-endemic settings. When females were fed on sheep or pig blood rather than human blood, egg hatch rates decreased in all three lines tested (uninfected, or infected by wMel, or wAlbB Wolbachia). This finding was particularly pronounced when fed on sheep blood, although fecundity was not affected. Some of these effects persisted after an additional generation on human blood. Attempts to keep populations on sheep and pig blood sources only partly succeeded, suggesting that strong adaptation is required to develop a stably infected line on an alternative blood source. There was a decrease in Wolbachia density when Ae. aegypti were fed on non-human blood sources. Density increased in lines kept for multiple generations on the alternate sources but was still reduced relative to lines kept on human blood. These findings suggest that sheep and pig blood will entail a cost when used for maintaining Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti. These costs should be taken into account when planning mass release programs.}, }
@article {pmid30311871, year = {2018}, author = {Taylor, MJ and Bordenstein, SR and Slatko, B}, title = {Microbe Profile: Wolbachia: a sex selector, a viral protector and a target to treat filarial nematodes.}, journal = {Microbiology (Reading, England)}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1099/mic.0.000724}, pmid = {30311871}, issn = {1465-2080}, abstract = {Fig. 1. A selection of the extensive array of Wolbachia's hosts surrounding an electron micrograph of Wolbachia from Brugia malayi and a summary of many of the parasitic and beneficial consequences of the diverse Wolbachia-host associations.Wolbachia is the most widespread genus of endosymbiotic bacteria in the animal world, infecting a diverse range of arthropods and nematodes. A broad spectrum of associations from parasitism to mutualism occur, with a tendency to drive reproductive manipulation or influence host fecundity to spread infection through host populations. These varied effects of Wolbachia are exploited for public health benefits. Notably, the protection of insect hosts from viruses is being tested as a potential control strategy for human arboviruses, and the mutualistic relationship with filarial nematodes makes Wolbachia a target for antibiotic therapy of human and veterinary nematode diseases.}, }
@article {pmid30311439, year = {2018}, author = {Zhu, YX and Song, YL and Hoffmann, AA and Jin, PY and Huo, SM and Hong, XY}, title = {A change in the bacterial community of spider mites decreases fecundity on multiple host plants.}, journal = {MicrobiologyOpen}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {e743}, doi = {10.1002/mbo3.743}, pmid = {30311439}, issn = {2045-8827}, support = {31672035, 31871976//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, abstract = {Bacterial symbionts may influence the fitness of their herbivore hosts, but such effects have been poorly studied across most invertebrate groups. The spider mite, Tetranychus truncatus, is a polyphagous agricultural pest harboring various bacterial symbionts whose function is largely unknown. Here, by using a high-throughput 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing approach, we characterized the bacterial diversity and community composition of spider mites fed on five host plants after communities were modified following tetracycline exposure. We demonstrated that spider mite bacterial diversity and community composition were significantly affected by host plants and antibiotics. In particular, the abundance of the maternally inherited endosymbionts Wolbachia and Spiroplasma significantly differed among spider mites that were reared on different plant species and were completely removed by antibiotics. There was an overall tendency for daily fecundity to be lower in the mites with reduced bacterial diversity following the antibiotic treatment. Our data suggest that host plants and antibiotics can shape spider mite bacterial communities and that bacterial symbionts improve mite performance.}, }
@article {pmid30305458, year = {2018}, author = {Bakovic, V and Schebeck, M and Telschow, A and Stauffer, C and Schuler, H}, title = {Correction to 'Spatial spread of Wolbachia in Rhagoletis cerasi populations'.}, journal = {Biology letters}, volume = {14}, number = {10}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1098/rsbl.2018.0683}, pmid = {30305458}, issn = {1744-957X}, }
@article {pmid30283652, year = {2017}, author = {Kageyama, D and Ohno, M and Sasaki, T and Yoshido, A and Konagaya, T and Jouraku, A and Kuwazaki, S and Kanamori, H and Katayose, Y and Narita, S and Miyata, M and Riegler, M and Sahara, K}, title = {Feminizing Wolbachia endosymbiont disrupts maternal sex chromosome inheritance in a butterfly species.}, journal = {Evolution letters}, volume = {1}, number = {5}, pages = {232-244}, doi = {10.1002/evl3.28}, pmid = {30283652}, issn = {2056-3744}, abstract = {Wolbachia is a maternally inherited ubiquitous endosymbiotic bacterium of arthropods that displays a diverse repertoire of host reproductive manipulations. For the first time, we demonstrate that Wolbachia manipulates sex chromosome inheritance in a sexually reproducing insect. Eurema mandarina butterfly females on Tanegashima Island, Japan, are infected with the wFem Wolbachia strain and produce all-female offspring, while antibiotic treatment results in male offspring. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed that wFem-positive and wFem-negative females have Z0 and WZ sex chromosome sets, respectively, demonstrating the predicted absence of the W chromosome in wFem-infected lineages. Genomic quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis showed that wFem-positive females lay only Z0 eggs that carry a paternal Z, whereas females from lineages that are naturally wFem-negative lay both WZ and ZZ eggs. In contrast, antibiotic treatment of adult wFem females resulted in the production of Z0 and ZZ eggs, suggesting that this Wolbachia strain can disrupt the maternal inheritance of Z chromosomes. Moreover, most male offspring produced by antibiotic-treated wFem females had a ZZ karyotype, implying reduced survival of Z0 individuals in the absence of feminizing effects of Wolbachia. Antibiotic treatment of wFem-infected larvae induced male-specific splicing of the doublesex (dsx) gene transcript, causing an intersex phenotype. Thus, the absence of the female-determining W chromosome in Z0 individuals is functionally compensated by Wolbachia-mediated conversion of sex determination. We discuss how Wolbachia may manipulate the host chromosome inheritance and that Wolbachia may have acquired this coordinated dual mode of reproductive manipulation first by the evolution of female-determining function and then cytoplasmically induced disruption of sex chromosome inheritance.}, }
@article {pmid30275487, year = {2018}, author = {de Moraes, LA and Muller, C and Bueno, RCOF and Santos, A and Bello, VH and De Marchi, BR and Watanabe, LFM and Marubayashi, JM and Santos, BR and Yuki, VA and Takada, HM and de Barros, DR and Neves, CG and da Silva, FN and Gonçalves, MJ and Ghanim, M and Boykin, L and Pavan, MA and Krause-Sakate, R}, title = {Distribution and phylogenetics of whiteflies and their endosymbiont relationships after the Mediterranean species invasion in Brazil.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {14589}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-32913-1}, pmid = {30275487}, issn = {2045-2322}, abstract = {The Bemisia tabaci is a polyphagous insect and a successful vector of plant viruses. B. tabaci is a species complex and in Brazil native species from the New World (NW) group, as well as the invasive species, Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) and Mediterranean (MED) were reported. For better understanding the distribution of the different species four years after the Mediterranean species invasion in Brazil, whiteflies were collected from 237 locations throughout the country between the years of 2013 and 2017, species were identified and the facultative endosymbionts detected. The survey revealed that MEAM1 was the prevalent species found on major crops across Brazil. It is the only species present in North, Northwestern and Central Brazil and was associated with virus-infected plants. MED was found in five States from Southeast to South regions, infesting mainly ornamental plants and was not associated with virus-infected plants. The prevalent endosymbionts identified in MEAM1 were Hamiltonella and Rickettsia; and the mtCOI analysis revealed low genetic diversity for MEAM1. In contrast, several different endosymbionts were identified in MED including Hamiltonella, Rickettsia, Wolbachia and Arsenophonus; and two distinct genetic groups were found based on the mtCOI analysis. Monitoring the distribution of the whiteflies species in Brazil is essential for proper management of this pest.}, }
@article {pmid30274467, year = {2018}, author = {van den Hurk, AF}, title = {From Incriminating Stegomyia fasciata to Releasing Wolbachia pipientis: Australian Research on the Dengue Virus Vector, Aedes aegypti, and Development of Novel Strategies for Its Surveillance and Control.}, journal = {Tropical medicine and infectious disease}, volume = {3}, number = {3}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3390/tropicalmed3030071}, pmid = {30274467}, issn = {2414-6366}, abstract = {Globally, the dengue viruses (DENVs) infect approximately 300 million people annually. Australia has a history of epidemic dengue, with outbreaks in the early decades of the twentieth century responsible for tens of thousands of cases. Seminal experiments conducted by Australian scientists during these outbreaks were the first to incriminate Aedes aegypti as a major vector of dengue viruses. One hundred years later, Australian scientists are playing a lead role in the development of surveillance and suppression strategies that target this mosquito species. Surveillance of Ae. aegypti populations and their associated dengue risk was greatly improved by understanding the contribution of key premises, key containers, and cryptic larval habitats to mosquito productivity, and, more recently, the development of novel adult traps. In terms of mosquito control, targeted indoor residual pyrethroid spraying and community-based biological control utilizing predatory copepods can significantly reduce Ae. aegypti populations. The release of Ae. aegypti transinfected with the virus-blocking bacterium, Wolbachia, provides a promising strategy for limiting DENV transmission. These diverse strategies developed by Australian scientists have the potential to alleviate the burden of dengue in the future, whether it is at the local level or as part of a country-wide program.}, }
@article {pmid30266092, year = {2018}, author = {Pers, D and Lynch, JA}, title = {Ankyrin domain encoding genes from an ancient horizontal transfer are functionally integrated into Nasonia developmental gene regulatory networks.}, journal = {Genome biology}, volume = {19}, number = {1}, pages = {148}, doi = {10.1186/s13059-018-1526-x}, pmid = {30266092}, issn = {1474-760X}, support = {1R03HD087476//National Institutes of Health/ ; 1R03HD078578//National Institutes of Health/ ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: How regulatory networks incorporate additional components and how novel genes are functionally integrated into well-established developmental processes are two important and intertwined questions whose answers have major implications for understanding the evolution of development. We recently discovered a set of lineage-restricted genes with strong and specific expression patterns along the dorsal-ventral (DV) axis of the embryo of the wasp Nasonia that may serve as a powerful system for addressing these questions. We sought to both understand the evolutionary history of these genes and to determine their functions in the Nasonia DV patterning system.<br><br>RESULTS: We have found that the novel DV genes are part of a large family of rapidly duplicating and diverging ankyrin domain-encoding genes that originated most likely by horizontal transfer from a prokaryote in a common ancestor of the wasp superfamily Chalcidoidea. We tested the function of those ankyrin-encoding genes expressed along the DV axis and found that they participate in early embryonic DV patterning. We also developed a new wasp model system (Melittobia) and found that some functional integration of ankyrin genes have been preserved for over 90 million years.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that regulatory networks can incorporate novel genes that then become necessary for stable and repeatable outputs. Even a modest role in developmental networks may be enough to allow novel or duplicate genes to be maintained in the genome and become fully integrated network components.}, }
@article {pmid30261054, year = {2018}, author = {Carpinone, EM and Li, Z and Mills, MK and Foltz, C and Brannon, ER and Carlow, CKS and Starai, VJ}, title = {Identification of putative effectors of the Type IV secretion system from the Wolbachia endosymbiont of Brugia malayi.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {13}, number = {9}, pages = {e0204736}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0204736}, pmid = {30261054}, issn = {1932-6203}, abstract = {Wolbachia is an unculturable, intracellular bacterium that persists within an extremely broad range of arthropod and parasitic nematode hosts, where it is transmitted maternally to offspring via vertical transmission. In the filarial nematode Brugia malayi, a causative agent of human lymphatic filariasis, Wolbachia is an endosymbiont, and its presence is essential for proper nematode development, survival, and pathogenesis. While the elucidation of Wolbachia:nematode interactions that promote the bacterium's intracellular persistence is of great importance, research has been hampered due to the fact that Wolbachia cannot be cultured in the absence of host cells. The Wolbachia endosymbiont of B. malayi (wBm) has an active Type IV secretion system (T4SS). Here, we have screened 47 putative T4SS effector proteins of wBm for their ability to modulate growth or the cell biology of a typical eukaryotic cell, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Five candidates strongly inhibited yeast growth upon expression, and 6 additional proteins showed toxicity in the presence of zinc and caffeine. Studies on the uptake of an endocytic vacuole-specific fluorescent marker, FM4-64, identified 4 proteins (wBm0076 wBm00114, wBm0447 and wBm0152) involved in vacuole membrane dynamics. The WAS(p)-family protein, wBm0076, was found to colocalize with yeast cortical actin patches and disrupted actin cytoskeleton dynamics upon expression. Deletion of the Arp2/3-activating protein, Abp1p, provided resistance to wBm0076 expression, suggesting a role for wBm0076 in regulating eukaryotic actin dynamics and cortical actin patch formation. Furthermore, wBm0152 was found to strongly disrupt endosome:vacuole cargo trafficking in yeast. This study provides molecular insight into the potential role of the T4SS in the Wolbachia endosymbiont:nematode relationship.}, }
@article {pmid30258200, year = {2018}, author = {Kaczmarczyk, A and Kucharczyk, H and Kucharczyk, M and Kapusta, P and Sell, J and Zielińska, S}, title = {First insight into microbiome profile of fungivorous thrips Hoplothrips carpathicus (Insecta: Thysanoptera) at different developmental stages: molecular evidence of Wolbachia endosymbiosis.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {14376}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-32747-x}, pmid = {30258200}, issn = {2045-2322}, abstract = {Insects' exoskeleton, gut, hemocoel, and cells are colonized by various microorganisms that often play important roles in their host life. Moreover, insects are frequently infected by vertically transmitted symbionts that can manipulate their reproduction. The aims of this study were the characterization of bacterial communities of four developmental stages of the fungivorous species Hoplothrips carpathicus (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae), verification of the presence of Wolbachia, in silico prediction of metabolic potentials of the microorganisms, and sequencing its mitochondrial COI barcode. Taxonomy-based analysis indicated that the bacterial community of H. carpathicus contained 21 bacterial phyla. The most abundant phyla were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacterioidetes and Firmicutes, and the most abundant classes were Alphaproteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria and Betaproteobacteria, with different proportions in the total share. For pupa and imago (adult) the most abundant genus was Wolbachia, which comprised 69.95% and 56.11% of total bacterial population respectively. Moreover, similarity analysis of bacterial communities showed that changes in microbiome composition are congruent with the successive stages of H. carpathicus development. PICRUSt analysis predicted that each bacterial community should be rich in genes involved in membrane transport, amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, replication and repair processes.}, }
@article {pmid30250462, year = {2018}, author = {Hegde, S and Khanipov, K and Albayrak, L and Golovko, G and Pimenova, M and Saldaña, MA and Rojas, MM and Hornett, EA and Motl, GC and Fredregill, CL and Dennett, JA and Debboun, M and Fofanov, Y and Hughes, GL}, title = {Microbiome Interaction Networks and Community Structure From Laboratory-Reared and Field-Collected Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, and Culex quinquefasciatus Mosquito Vectors.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {2160}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2018.02160}, pmid = {30250462}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Microbial interactions are an underappreciated force in shaping insect microbiome communities. Although pairwise patterns of symbiont interactions have been identified, we have a poor understanding regarding the scale and the nature of co-occurrence and co-exclusion interactions within the microbiome. To characterize these patterns in mosquitoes, we sequenced the bacterial microbiome of Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, and Culex quinquefasciatus caught in the field or reared in the laboratory and used these data to generate interaction networks. For collections, we used traps that attracted host-seeking or ovipositing female mosquitoes to determine how physiological state affects the microbiome under field conditions. Interestingly, we saw few differences in species richness or microbiome community structure in mosquitoes caught in either trap. Co-occurrence and co-exclusion analysis identified 116 pairwise interactions substantially increasing the list of bacterial interactions observed in mosquitoes. Networks generated from the microbiome of Ae. aegypti often included highly interconnected hub bacteria. There were several instances where co-occurring bacteria co-excluded a third taxa, suggesting the existence of tripartite relationships. Several associations were observed in multiple species or in field and laboratory-reared mosquitoes indicating these associations are robust and not influenced by environmental or host factors. To demonstrate that microbial interactions can influence colonization of the host, we administered symbionts to Ae. aegypti larvae that either possessed or lacked their resident microbiota. We found that the presence of resident microbiota can inhibit colonization of particular bacterial taxa. Our results highlight that microbial interactions in mosquitoes are complex and influence microbiome composition.}, }
@article {pmid30247733, year = {2018}, author = {Ritchie, SA}, title = {Wolbachia and the near cessation of dengue outbreaks in Northern Australia despite continued dengue importations via travellers.}, journal = {Journal of travel medicine}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/jtm/tay084}, pmid = {30247733}, issn = {1708-8305}, }
@article {pmid30244151, year = {2018}, author = {Schön, I and Kamiya, T and Van den Berghe, T and Van den Broecke, L and Martens, K}, title = {Novel Cardinium strains in non-marine ostracod (Crustacea) hosts from natural populations.}, journal = {Molecular phylogenetics and evolution}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.ympev.2018.09.008}, pmid = {30244151}, issn = {1095-9513}, abstract = {Endosymbiotic bacteria are known from many metazoan taxa, where they manipulate host biology and reproduction. Here, we used classic PCR amplification and direct DNA sequencing with universal primers for four different endosymbionts to test for their presence in more than 300 specimens of three recent non-marine ostracod superfamilies from different geographic areas and aquatic habitats. We verified these results with &quot;high throughput&quot; amplicon sequencing of 16S of nine selected specimens and evolutionary placement algorithms. The phylogenetic position of endosymbionts detected in ostracod hosts was compared to known endosymbionts from other metazoans. While Wolbachia, Spiroplasma and Ricketsia are absent, we find evidence for the general presence of Cardinium bacteria in natural populations of various non-marine ostracod species. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on Cardinium 16S data and estimates of genetic distances both indicate that Cardinium from ostracods are distantly related to Cardinium from Diptera and Nematoda but represent novel strains with a monophyletic origin. Cardinium bacteria from different ostracod hosts have genetic distances of up to 3.8%, providing evidence against recent and frequent horizontal transmissions amongst the three ostracod superfamilies. High throughput sequencing reveals more than 400 different 16S amplicon sequence variants in the investigated ostracods as well as the presence of different Cardinium strains within individual Eucypris virens and Heterocypris hosts. These results call for future, more in-depth investigations. Mapping Cardinium infections on COI trees of non-marine ostracod hosts shows that the occurrence of these endosymbionts is not linked to genetic species identity or phylogenetic host groups and, except for one ostracod morphospecies, prevalence never reaches 100%.}, }
@article {pmid30239661, year = {2018}, author = {Guégan, M and Minard, G and Tran, FH and Van, VT and Dubost, A and Moro, CV}, title = {Short-term impacts of anthropogenic stressors on Aedes albopictus mosquito vector microbiota.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/femsec/fiy188}, pmid = {30239661}, issn = {1574-6941}, abstract = {Recent studies have highlighted the potential role of microbiota in the biology of the Aedes albopictus mosquito vector. This species is highly anthropogenic and exhibits marked ecological plasticity, with a resulting high potential to colonize a wide range of habitats-including anthropized areas-under various climatic conditions. We put forward the hypothesis that climate and anthropogenic activities, such as the use of antibiotics in agriculture and human medicine, might affect the mosquito-associated bacterial community. We thus studied the additive impact of a temperature decrease and antibiotic ingestion on the temporal dynamics of Ae. albopictus survival and its associated bacterial communities. The results showed no effects of disturbances on mosquito survival. However, short-term temperature impacts on bacterial diversity were observed, while both the community structure and bacterial diversity were affected by early antibiotic ingestion. The genera Elizabethkingia, Chryseobacterium and Wolbachia, as well as an unclassified member of the Bacteroidales order were particularly affected. Antibiotics negatively impacted Elizabethkingia abundance, while Chryseobacterium was completely eliminated following both disturbances, to the benefit of Wolbachia and the unclassified Bacteroidales species. These results generated fresh insight into the effects of climate and anthropogenic activities such as the use of antibiotics on mosquito microbiota.}, }
@article {pmid30233514, year = {2018}, author = {Guo, Y and Hoffmann, AA and Xu, XQ and Mo, PW and Huang, HJ and Gong, JT and Ju, JF and Hong, XY}, title = {Vertical Transmission of Wolbachia Is Associated With Host Vitellogenin in Laodelphax striatellus.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {2016}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2018.02016}, pmid = {30233514}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Wolbachia in host germ lines are essential for their vertical transmission to the next generation. It is unclear how the regulation of host oocyte development influences Wolbachia location and the mechanistic basis of transmission. Here, we investigated whether vitellogenin influences Wolbachia transmission in Laodelphax striatellus. Wolbachia increased in density and spread from the anterior tropharium to developing oocytes as ovaries developed. Microscopic observations indicated that Wolbachia invaded ovarioles from the tropharium of its anterior side rather than the pedicel side. Wolbachia utilized the host Vg transovarial transportation system to enter the ovaries and were transmitted from the tropharium into the developing oocytes through nutritive cords. These observations were supported by knocking down the Vg transcript, in which low Wolbachia titers were detected in ovaries and fewer Wolbachia were transmitted into oocytes. Our findings establish a link between the Vg-related mode of transovarial transmission and efficient maternal transmission of Wolbachia.}, }
@article {pmid30233221, year = {2018}, author = {Cheng, YH and Lin, YJ and Chen, SC and You, SH and Chen, WY and Hsieh, NH and Yang, YF and Liao, CM}, title = {Assessing health burden risk and control effect on dengue fever infection in the southern region of Taiwan.}, journal = {Infection and drug resistance}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {1423-1435}, doi = {10.2147/IDR.S169820}, pmid = {30233221}, issn = {1178-6973}, abstract = {Background: The high prevalence of dengue in Taiwan and the consecutive large dengue outbreaks in the period 2014-2015 suggest that current control interventions are suboptimal. Understanding the effect of control effort is crucial to inform future control strategies.<br><br>Objectives: We developed a framework to measure season-based health burden risk from 2001 to 2014. We reconstructed various intervention coverage to assess the attributable effect of dengue infection control efforts.<br><br>Materials and methods: A dengue-mosquito-human transmission dynamic was used to quantify the vector-host interactions and to estimate the disease epidemics. We used disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) to assess health burden risk. A temperature-basic reproduction number (R0)-DALYs relationship was constructed to examine the potential impacts of temperature on health burden. Finally, a health burden risk model linked a control measure model to evaluate the effect of dengue control interventions.<br><br>Results: We showed that R0 and DALYs peaked at 25°C with estimates of 2.37 and 1387, respectively. Results indicated that most dengue cases occurred in fall with estimated DALYs of 323 (267-379, 95% CI) at 50% risk probability. We found that repellent spray had by far the largest control effect with an effectiveness of ~71% in all seasons. Pesticide spray and container clean-up have both made important contributions to reducing prevalence/incidence. Repellent, pesticide spray, container clean-up together with Wolbachia infection suppress dengue outbreak by ~90%.<br><br>Conclusion: Our presented modeling framework provides a useful tool to measure dengue health burden risk and to quantify the effect of dengue control on dengue infection prevalence and disease incidence in the southern region of Taiwan.}, }
@article {pmid30226138, year = {2018}, author = {Indriani, C and Ahmad, RA and Wiratama, BS and Arguni, E and Supriyati, E and Sasmono, RT and Kisworini, FY and Ryan, PA and O'Neill, SL and Simmons, CP and Utarini, A and Anders, KL}, title = {Baseline Characterization of Dengue Epidemiology in Yogyakarta City, Indonesia, before a Randomized Controlled Trial of Wolbachia for Arboviral Disease Control.}, journal = {The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.4269/ajtmh.18-0315}, pmid = {30226138}, issn = {1476-1645}, abstract = {Dengue is endemic in Indonesia. Here, we describe the epidemiology of dengue in the city of Yogyakarta, Central Java, as a prelude to implementation of a cluster-randomized trial of Wolbachia for the biocontrol of arboviral transmission. Surveillance records from 2006 to 2016 demonstrate seasonal oscillations of dengue incidence with varying magnitude. Two lines of evidence demonstrate a high force of infection; the hospitalized case burden of patients diagnosed with dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome over the last decade consisted predominantly of children/adolescents, and a serosurvey of 314 healthy children aged 1-10 years found 68% possessed dengue virus-neutralizing antibodies. Finally, a mobility survey indicated children aged 1-10 years, and particularly 1-5 year-olds, spent most of their daytime hours at home. These findings inform the design of clinical trials to measure the impact of novel vector control methods such as Wolbachia introgression into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, by providing baseline data on disease incidence and identifying subpopulations for recruitment into prospective studies of dengue virus infection and disease. The mobility survey findings indicate that in cluster trials of interventions applied at the community level, young children can reasonably be expected to spend most of their exposure time, in epidemiological terms, within the treatment arm to which they were randomized.}, }
@article {pmid30219893, year = {2018}, author = {Zélé, F and Santos, JL and Godinho, DP and Magalhães, S}, title = {Wolbachia both aids and hampers the performance of spider mites on different host plants.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/femsec/fiy187}, pmid = {30219893}, issn = {1574-6941}, abstract = {In the last decades, many studies had revealed the potential role of arthropod bacterial endosymbionts in shaping the host range of generalist herbivores and their performance on different host plants, which, in turn, might affect endosymbiont distribution in herbivores populations. We tested this by measuring the prevalence of endosymbionts in natural populations of the generalist spider mite Tetranychus urticae on different host plants. Focusing on Wolbachia, we then analysed how symbionts affected mite life-history traits on the same host-plants in the laboratory. Overall, the prevalences of Cardinium and Rickettsia were low, whereas that of Wolbachia was high, with the highest values on bean and eggplant and the lowest on morning glory, tomato and zuchini. Although most mite life-history traits were affected by the plant species only, Wolbachia infection was detrimental for egg hatching rate on morning glory and zucchini, and led to a more female-biased sex ratio on morning glory and eggplant. These results suggest that endosymbionts may affect the host range of polyphagous herbivores, both by aiding and hampering their performance, depending on the host plant and on the life-history trait that affects performance the most. Conversely, endosymbiont spread may be facilitated or hindered by the plants on which infected herbivores occur.}, }
@article {pmid30202647, year = {2018}, author = {Pascar, J and Chandler, CH}, title = {A bioinformatics approach to identifying Wolbachia infections in arthropods.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {6}, number = {}, pages = {e5486}, doi = {10.7717/peerj.5486}, pmid = {30202647}, issn = {2167-8359}, abstract = {Wolbachia is the most widespread endosymbiont, infecting >20% of arthropod species, and capable of drastically manipulating the host's reproductive mechanisms. Conventionally, diagnosis has relied on PCR amplification; however, PCR is not always a reliable diagnostic technique due to primer specificity, strain diversity, degree of infection and/or tissue sampled. Here, we look for evidence of Wolbachia infection across a wide array of arthropod species using a bioinformatic approach to detect the Wolbachia genes ftsZ, wsp, and the groE operon in next-generation sequencing samples available through the NCBI Sequence Read Archive. For samples showing signs of infection, we attempted to assemble entire Wolbachia genomes, and in order to better understand the relationships between hosts and symbionts, phylogenies were constructed using the assembled gene sequences. Out of the 34 species with positively identified infections, eight species of arthropod had not previously been recorded to harbor Wolbachia infection. All putative infections cluster with known representative strains belonging to supergroup A or B, which are known to only infect arthropods. This study presents an efficient bioinformatic approach for post-sequencing diagnosis and analysis of Wolbachia infection in arthropods.}, }
@article {pmid30196669, year = {2018}, author = {Liu, Y and He, B and Li, F and Li, K and Zhang, L and Li, X and Zhao, L}, title = {Molecular Identification of Bartonella melophagi and Wolbachia Supergroup F from Sheep Keds in Xinjiang, China.}, journal = {The Korean journal of parasitology}, volume = {56}, number = {4}, pages = {365-370}, doi = {10.3347/kjp.2018.56.4.365}, pmid = {30196669}, issn = {1738-0006}, support = {31460655//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; HS201501//Tarim Animal Husbandry Science and Technology, Xinjiang Production &amp; Construction Corps/ ; HS201801//Tarim Animal Husbandry Science and Technology, Xinjiang Production &amp; Construction Corps/ ; }, abstract = {To confirm that Bartonella and Wolbachia were carried by sheep keds (Melophagus ovinus) in southern Xinjiang of China, 17 M. ovinus samples, which were collected in Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang, were randomly selected. In this study, the Bartonella gltA and Wolbachia 16S rRNA gene were amplified through conventional PCR and the sequence of those amplified products, were analyzed. The results demonstrated that Bartonella was carried by all of the 17 sheep keds and Wolbachia was carried by 15 out of them. Bartonella was identified as B. melophagi. Three strains of Wolbachia were supergroup F and 1 strain has not been confirmed yet. It is the first report about Wolbachia supergroup F was found in sheep keds and provided the molecular evidence that B. melophagi and Wolbachia supergroup F were carried by sheep keds in Aksu Prefecture of southern Xinjiang, China. The 2 pathogens were found in sheep keds around Taklimakan Desert for the first time.}, }
@article {pmid30193778, year = {2018}, author = {Lopez, V and Marie Cortesero, A and Poinsot, D}, title = {Influence of the symbiont Wolbachia on life history traits of the cabbage root fly (Delia radicum).}, journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2018.09.002}, pmid = {30193778}, issn = {1096-0805}, abstract = {Wolbachia is an endocellular bacteria infecting arthropods and nematodes and is only transmitted vertically by females via the cytoplasm of the egg. It is often a manipulator of host reproduction, causing cytoplasmic incompatibility, thelytokous parthenogenesis, feminization or male killing, which all increase the proportion of infected females in the population. However, Wolbachia can modify life history traits of the host without causing the above phenotypes and each species illustrates the variability of relationships between this remarkably versatile symbiont and its many hosts. We have measured maternal transmission and the impact of a natural Wolbachia infection in the cabbage root fly Delia radicum, a major agricultural pest. We used a population that is polymorphic for the infection to ensure similar genetic and microbiome backgrounds between groups. Maternal transmission of the infection was 100% in our sample. We found no evidence of cytoplasmic incompatibility, thelytokous parthenogenesis, feminization nor male killing. Wolbachia infection significantly reduced hatch rate in infected eggs (by 10%) but improved larvo-nymphal viability sufficiently so that infected eggs nevertheless yielded as many adults as uninfected ones, albeit with a 1.5% longer total development time. Starved and infected ovipositing females suffered significantly reduced viability (20% higher mortality during a 3-day oviposition period) than uninfected females, but mortality was not higher in starved virgin females nor in starved males, suggesting that the energetic cost of the infection is only revealed in extreme conditions. Wolbachia had no effect on egg hatch time or offspring size. The apparently 100% vertical transmission and the significant but mutually compensating effects found suggest that infection might be nearly benign in this host and might only drift slowly, which would explain why the infection rate has been stable in our laboratory (approximately 50% individuals infected) for at least 30 generations.}, }
@article {pmid30190541, year = {2018}, author = {Chung, M and Teigen, L and Liu, H and Libro, S and Shetty, A and Kumar, N and Zhao, X and Bromley, RE and Tallon, LJ and Sadzewicz, L and Fraser, CM and Rasko, DA and Filler, SG and Foster, JM and Michalski, ML and Bruno, VM and Dunning Hotopp, JC}, title = {Targeted enrichment outperforms other enrichment techniques and enables more multi-species RNA-Seq analyses.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {13377}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-31420-7}, pmid = {30190541}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {AI110820//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; AI110820//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; AI110820//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; AI110820//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; AI110820//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; AI110820//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; AI110820//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; AI110820//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; AI110820//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; AI110820//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; AI110820//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; AI110820//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; AI110820//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; AI110820//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; AI110820//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; AI110820//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; AI110820//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; }, abstract = {Enrichment methodologies enable the analysis of minor members in multi-species transcriptomic data. We compared the standard enrichment of bacterial and eukaryotic mRNA to a targeted enrichment using an Agilent SureSelect (AgSS) capture for Brugia malayi, Aspergillus fumigatus, and the Wolbachia endosymbiont of B. malayi (wBm). Without introducing significant systematic bias, the AgSS quantitatively enriched samples, resulting in more reads mapping to the target organism. The AgSS-enriched libraries consistently had a positive linear correlation with their unenriched counterparts (r2 = 0.559-0.867). Up to a 2,242-fold enrichment of RNA from the target organism was obtained following a power law (r2 = 0.90), with the greatest fold enrichment achieved in samples with the largest ratio difference between the major and minor members. While using a single total library for prokaryote and eukaryote enrichment from a single RNA sample could be beneficial for samples where RNA is limiting, we observed a decrease in reads mapping to protein coding genes and an increase in multi-mapping reads to rRNAs in AgSS enrichments from eukaryotic total RNA libraries compared to eukaryotic poly(A)-enriched libraries. Our results support a recommendation of using AgSS targeted enrichment on poly(A)-enriched libraries for eukaryotic captures, and total RNA libraries for prokaryotic captures, to increase the robustness of multi-species transcriptomic studies.}, }
@article {pmid30190331, year = {2018}, author = {Leftwich, PT and Edgington, MP and Harvey-Samuel, T and Carabajal Paladino, LZ and Norman, VC and Alphey, L}, title = {Recent advances in threshold-dependent gene drives for mosquitoes.}, journal = {Biochemical Society transactions}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1042/BST20180076}, pmid = {30190331}, issn = {1470-8752}, abstract = {Mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue and chikungunya, cause morbidity and mortality around the world. Recent advances in gene drives have produced control methods that could theoretically modify all populations of a disease vector, from a single release, making whole species less able to transmit pathogens. This ability has caused both excitement, at the prospect of global eradication of mosquito-borne diseases, and concern around safeguards. Drive mechanisms that require individuals to be released at high frequency before genes will spread can therefore be desirable as they are potentially localised and reversible. These include underdominance-based strategies and use of the reproductive parasite Wolbachia Here, we review recent advances in practical applications and mathematical analyses of these threshold-dependent gene drives with a focus on implementation in Aedes aegypti, highlighting their mechanisms and the role of fitness costs on introduction frequencies. Drawing on the parallels between these systems offers useful insights into practical, controlled application of localised drives, and allows us to assess the requirements needed for gene drive reversal.}, }
@article {pmid30175240, year = {2018}, author = {Jeffries, CL and Rogers, ME and Walker, T}, title = {Establishment of a method for Lutzomyia longipalpis sand fly embryo microinjection: The first step towards potential novel control strategies for leishmaniasis.}, journal = {Wellcome open research}, volume = {3}, number = {}, pages = {55}, doi = {10.12688/wellcomeopenres.14555.1}, pmid = {30175240}, issn = {2398-502X}, abstract = {Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne parasitic disease transmitted by sand flies that affects 1.3 million people across 98 countries, with limited control strategies due to the lack of an available vaccine and the emergence of insecticide resistance. Novel control strategies that are being explored for mosquito-borne diseases, such as Wolbachia bacterial inhibition of pathogens and genetically modified insects (e.g. using CRISPR-Cas9 editing), rely on the ability to consistently inject embryos of the target species. Here we present a novel method to obtain and inject preblastoderm sand fly embryos of the genus Lutzomyia (Lu.)longipalpis, the principle vector of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis in South America. The procedures required to obtain sufficiently young Lu. longipalpis colony embryos are described alongside a microinjection technique that permits rapid injection and minimal handling of small sand fly embryos post-injection. Using a strain of Wolbachia as a 'marker' for successful injection, our protocol produced early generation Wolbachia transinfected Lu. longipalpis lines, demonstrating its potential as the first step for use in novel applied strategies for sand fly control.}, }
@article {pmid30165658, year = {2018}, author = {Cevidanes, A and Di Cataldo, S and Vera, F and Lillo, P and Millán, J}, title = {Molecular Detection of Vector-Borne Pathogens in Rural Dogs and Associated Ctenophalides felis Fleas (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) in Easter Island (Chile).}, journal = {Journal of medical entomology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/jme/tjy141}, pmid = {30165658}, issn = {1938-2928}, abstract = {The presence of vector-borne pathogens of veterinary and public health interest have received little attention in Chile. In Easter Island, in particular, a Chilean territory in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, no information is available. To fill this gap, 153 rural dogs were inspected for ectoparasites during a sterilization campaign carried out in 2016. Fleas were observed in 46% of the dogs, and Ctenophalides felis (Bouché, 1835) was the only species present. Morphological identification of fleas was genetically confirmed using conventional polymerase chain reaction targeting the cox2 gene. No tick was observed in any dog. The presence of DNA of Rickettsia sp. (gltA and ompA fragment genes), Anaplasmataceae (16S rRNA), and Bartonella sp. (16S-23S ribosomal RNA intergenic spacer) was investigated in blood samples of 70 of the dogs and in 126 fleas analyzed in 68 pools that included 1-5 fleas. Rickettsial DNA was detected in 97% (n = 66) of the flea pools. Of these, 57 showed between 99 and 100% identity for both genes with published sequences of Candidatus Rickettsia asemboensis (CRa), six with Rickettsia felis, and one with Candidatus Rickettsia senegalensis. For two pools, gltA amplicons were identical to CRa but ompB amplicions showed 99-100% identity with R. felis. Anaplasmataceae DNA was detected in 16% (n = 11) pools. Sequenced amplicons showed highest identity with the endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis. Bartonella DNA, showing 99% identity to Bartonella clarridgeiae, was detected in one pool (1.4%). No positive reaction was observed for any dog. This is the first detection of members of the 'R. felis-like' group other than R. felis in Chile.}, }
@article {pmid30161131, year = {2018}, author = {Bhadra, S and Riedel, TE and Saldaña, MA and Hegde, S and Pederson, N and Hughes, GL and Ellington, AD}, title = {Direct nucleic acid analysis of mosquitoes for high fidelity species identification and detection of Wolbachia using a cellphone.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {12}, number = {8}, pages = {e0006671}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0006671}, pmid = {30161131}, issn = {1935-2735}, abstract = {Manipulation of natural mosquito populations using the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia is being investigated as a novel strategy to reduce the burden of mosquito-borne viruses. To evaluate the efficacy of these interventions, it will be critical to determine Wolbachia infection frequencies in Aedes aegypti mosquito populations. However, current diagnostic tools are not well-suited to fit this need. Morphological methods cannot identify Wolbachia, immunoassays often suffer from low sensitivity and poor throughput, while PCR and spectroscopy require complex instruments and technical expertise, which restrict their use to centralized laboratories. To address this unmet need, we have used loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and oligonucleotide strand displacement (OSD) probes to create a one-pot sample-to-answer nucleic acid diagnostic platform for vector and symbiont surveillance. LAMP-OSD assays can directly amplify target nucleic acids from macerated mosquitoes without requiring nucleic acid purification and yield specific single endpoint yes/no fluorescence signals that are observable to eye or by cellphone camera. We demonstrate cellphone-imaged LAMP-OSD tests for two targets, the Aedes aegypti cytochrome oxidase I (coi) gene and the Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) gene, and show a limit of detection of 4 and 40 target DNA copies, respectively. In a blinded test of 90 field-caught mosquitoes, the coi LAMP-OSD assay demonstrated 98% specificity and 97% sensitivity in identifying Ae. aegypti mosquitoes even after 3 weeks of storage without desiccant at 37°C. Similarly, the wsp LAMP-OSD assay readily identified the wAlbB Wolbachia strain in field-collected Aedes albopictus mosquitoes without generating any false positive signals. Modest technology requirements, minimal execution steps, simple binary readout, and robust accuracy make the LAMP-OSD-to-cellphone assay platform well suited for field vector surveillance in austere or resource-limited conditions.}, }
@article {pmid30157257, year = {2018}, author = {Wenzel, MA and Douglas, A and Piertney, SB}, title = {Microbiome composition within a sympatric species complex of intertidal isopods (Jaera albifrons).}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {13}, number = {8}, pages = {e0202212}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0202212}, pmid = {30157257}, issn = {1932-6203}, abstract = {The increasingly recognised effects of microbiomes on the eco-evolutionary dynamics of their hosts are promoting a view of the &quot;hologenome&quot; as an integral host-symbiont evolutionary entity. For example, sex-ratio distorting reproductive parasites such as Wolbachia are well-studied pivotal drivers of invertebrate reproductive processes, and more recent work is highlighting novel effects of microbiome assemblages on host mating behaviour and developmental incompatibilities that underpin or reinforce reproductive isolation processes. However, examining the hologenome and its eco-evolutionary effects in natural populations is challenging because microbiome composition is considerably influenced by environmental factors. Here we illustrate these challenges in a sympatric species complex of intertidal isopods (Jaera albifrons spp.) with pervasive sex-ratio distortion and ecological and behavioural reproductive isolation mechanisms. We deep-sequence the bacterial 16S rRNA gene among males and females collected in spring and summer from two coasts in north-east Scotland, and examine microbiome composition with a particular focus on reproductive parasites. Microbiomes of all species were diverse (overall 3,317 unique sequences among 3.8 million reads) and comprised mainly Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes taxa typical of the marine intertidal zone, in particular Vibrio spp. However, we found little evidence of the reproductive parasites Wolbachia, Rickettsia, Spiroplasma and Cardinium, suggesting alternative causes of sex-ratio distortion. Notwithstanding, a significant proportion of the variance in microbiome composition among samples was explained by sex (14.1 %), nested within geographic (26.9 %) and seasonal (39.6 %) variance components. The functional relevance of this sex signal was difficult to ascertain given the absence of reproductive parasites, the ephemeral nature of the species assemblages and substantial environmental variability. These results establish the Jaera albifrons species complex as an intriguing system for examining the effects of microbiomes on reproductive processes and speciation, and highlight the difficulties associated with snapshot assays of microbiome composition in dynamic and complex environments.}, }
@article {pmid30150426, year = {2018}, author = {Kostaropoulos, T and Papageorgiou, L and Tsaniras, SC and Vlachakis, D and Eliopoulos, E}, title = {Carcinogenic Pesticide Control via Hijacking Endosymbiosis; The Paradigm of DSB-A from Wolbachia pipientis for the Management of Otiorhynchus singularis.}, journal = {In vivo (Athens, Greece)}, volume = {32}, number = {5}, pages = {1051-1062}, doi = {10.21873/invivo.11346}, pmid = {30150426}, issn = {1791-7549}, abstract = {BACKGROUND/AIM: Pesticides have little, if any specificity, to the pathogen they target in most cases. Wide spectrum toxic chemicals are being used to remove pestcides and salvage crops and economies linked to agriculture. The burden on the environment, public health and economy is huge. Traditional pestcide control is based on administering heavy loads of highly toxic compounds and elements that essentially strip all life from the field. Those chemicals are a leading cause of increased cancer related deaths in countryside. Herein, the Trojan horse of endosymbiosis was used, in an effort to control pests using high specificity compounds in reduced quantities.<br><br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our pipeline has been applied on the case of Otiorhynchus singularis, which is a very widespread pest, whose impact is devastating on a repertoire of crops. To date, there is no specific pesticide nor agent to control it. The deployed strategy involves the inhibition of the key DSB-A enzyme of its endosymbiotic Wolbachia pipientis bacterial strain.<br><br>RESULTS: Our methodology, provides the means to design, test and identify highly specific pestcide control substances that minimize the impact of toxic chemicals on health, economy and the environment.<br><br>CONCLUSION: All in all, in this study a radical computer-based pipeline is proposed that could be adopted under many other similar scenarios and pave the way for precision agriculture via optimized pest control.}, }
@article {pmid30149795, year = {2018}, author = {Brown, AMV}, title = {Endosymbionts of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes.}, journal = {Annual review of phytopathology}, volume = {56}, number = {}, pages = {225-242}, doi = {10.1146/annurev-phyto-080417-045824}, pmid = {30149795}, issn = {1545-2107}, abstract = {Some of the most agriculturally important plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) harbor endosymbionts. Extensive work in other systems has shown that endosymbionts can have major effects on host virulence and biology. This review highlights the discovery, development, and diversity of PPN endosymbionts, incorporating inferences from genomic data. Cardinium, reported from five PPN hosts to date, is characterized by its presence in the esophageal glands and other tissues, with a discontinuous distribution across populations, and genomic data suggestive of horizontal gene exchange. Xiphinematobacter occurs in at least 27 species of dagger nematode in the ovaries and gut epithelial cells, where genomic data suggest it may serve in nutritional supplementation. Wolbachia, reported in just three PPNs, appears to have an ancient history in the Pratylenchidae and displays broad tissue distribution and genomic features intermediate between parasitic and reproductive groups. Finally, a model is described that integrates these insights to explain patterns of endosymbiont replacement.}, }
@article {pmid30148833, year = {2018}, author = {Cerutti, F and Modesto, P and Rizzo, F and Cravero, A and Jurman, I and Costa, S and Giammarino, M and Mandola, ML and Goria, M and Radovic, S and Cattonaro, F and Acutis, PL and Peletto, S}, title = {The microbiota of hematophagous ectoparasites collected from migratory birds.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {13}, number = {8}, pages = {e0202270}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0202270}, pmid = {30148833}, issn = {1932-6203}, abstract = {Arthropod vectors are responsible for the transmission of human pathogens worldwide. Several arthropod species are bird ectoparasites, however, no study to date has characterized their microbiota as a whole. We sampled hematophagous ectoparasites that feed on migratory birds and performed 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding to characterize their microbial community. A total of 194 ectoparasites were collected from 115 avian hosts and classified into three groups: a) Hippoboscidae diptera; b) ticks; c) other arthropods. Metabarcoding showed that endosymbionts were the most abundant genera of the microbial community, including Wolbachia for Hippoboscidae diptera, Candidatus Midichloria for ticks, Wolbachia and Arsenophonus for the other arthropod group. Genera including pathogenic species were: Rickettsia, Borrelia, Coxiella, Francisella, Bartonella, Anaplasma. Co-infection with Borrelia-Rickettsia and Anaplasma-Rickettsia was also observed. A global overview of the microbiota of ectoparasites sampled from migratory birds was obtained with the use of 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding. A novel finding is the first identification of Rickettsia in the common swift louse fly, Crataerina pallida. Given their possible interaction with pathogenic viruses and bacteria, the presence of endosymbionts in arthropods merits attention. Finally, molecular characterization of genera, including both pathogenic and symbiont species, plays a pivotal role in the design of targeted molecular diagnostics.}, }
@article {pmid30139962, year = {2018}, author = {Richardson, KM and Griffin, PC and Lee, SF and Ross, PA and Endersby-Harshman, NM and Schiffer, M and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {A Wolbachia infection from Drosophila that causes cytoplasmic incompatibility despite low prevalence and densities in males.}, journal = {Heredity}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1038/s41437-018-0133-7}, pmid = {30139962}, issn = {1365-2540}, abstract = {Wolbachia bacteria are common insect endosymbionts transmitted maternally and capable of spreading through insect populations by cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) when infected males cause embryo death after mating with uninfected females. Selection in the Wolbachia endosymbiont occurs on female hosts and is expected to favour strong maternal transmission to female offspring, even at the cost of reduced CI. With maternal leakage, nuclear genes are expected to be selected to suppress cytoplasmic incompatibility caused by males while also reducing any deleterious effects associated with the infection. Here we describe a new type of Wolbachia strain from Drosophila pseudotakahashii likely to have arisen from evolutionary processes on host and/or Wolbachia genomes. This strain is often absent from adult male offspring, but always transmitted to females. It leads to males with low or non-detectable Wolbachia that nevertheless show CI. When detected in adult males, the infection has a low density relative to that in females, a phenomenon not previously seen in Wolbachia infections of Drosophila. This Wolbachia strain is common in natural populations, and shows reduced CI when older (infected) males are crossed. These patterns highlight that endosymbionts can have strong sex-specific effects and that high frequency Wolbachia strains persist through effects on female reproduction. Female-limited Wolbachia infections may be of applied interest if the low level of Wolbachia in males reduces deleterious fitness effects on the host.}, }
@article {pmid30124918, year = {2018}, author = {Ali, H and Muhammad, A and Sanda Bala, N and Hou, Y}, title = {The Endosymbiotic Wolbachia and Host COI Gene Enables to Distinguish Between Two Invasive Palm Pests; Coconut Leaf Beetle, Brontispa longissima and Hispid Leaf Beetle, Octodonta nipae.}, journal = {Journal of economic entomology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/jee/toy233}, pmid = {30124918}, issn = {1938-291X}, abstract = {To elucidate taxonomic eminence of identical pest species is essential for many ecological and conservation studies. Without proficient skills, accurate molecular identification and characterization are laborious and time-consuming. The coconut leaf beetle, Brontispa longissima (Gestro) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is biologically and morphologically identical to hispid leaf beetle, Octodonta nipae (Maulik) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), and is known as the most harming nuisances of palm cultivation worldwide. The present examination was to establish Wolbachia genotyping analysis along with host cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene for accurate identification between these individuals of the same family (Chrysomelidae). Here, we have cloned and sequenced a gene coding Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) and COI gene regions amplified from both species by polymerase chain reaction. The nucleotide sequences were directly determined (≈600 bp for wsp and ≈804 bp for COI) and aligned using the multiple alignment algorithms in the ESPript3 package and the MEGA5 program. Comparative sequence analysis indicated that the representative of wsp and COI sequences from these two beetles were highly variable. To ensure this bacterial variation, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of bacterial genes was conducted, and the results vindicated the same trend of variations. Furthermore, the phylogenetic analysis also indicates that B. longissima and O. nipae being the two different species harbors two distinct Wolbachia Hertig and Burt (Rickettsiales: Anaplamataceae) supergroups B and A, respectively. The present outcomes quickly discriminate between these two species. Considering its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, it can be used as a diagnostic tool for discriminating such invasive species particularly B. longissima and O. nipae which has overlapping morphologic characters.}, }
@article {pmid30113326, year = {2018}, author = {Showler, AJ and Nutman, TB}, title = {Imported onchocerciasis in migrants and travelers.}, journal = {Current opinion in infectious diseases}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1097/QCO.0000000000000483}, pmid = {30113326}, issn = {1473-6527}, abstract = {PURPOSE OF REVIEW: With increasing international travel and mass global population migration, clinicians in nonendemic countries must be familiar with imported neglected tropical diseases including onchocerciasis, which is commonly known as 'river blindness'.<br><br>RECENT FINDINGS: Imported onchocerciasis manifests differently in travelers compared with migrants from endemic areas and is likely underdiagnosed in both groups. Recent clinical studies confirm that eosinophilia is not a sensitive marker for Onchocerca volvulus, with one-third of patients having a normal eosinophil count. Novel diagnostics measuring antibodies to multiple recombinant O. volvulus antigens maintain a high sensitivity while improving specificity compared with conventional pan-filarial serologic testing. A 6-week course of doxycycline has macrofilaricidal activity through Wolbachia depletion and may be useful in nonendemic areas in addition to standard serial ivermectin.<br><br>SUMMARY: Recent studies characterizing distinct clinical presentations in travelers and migrants may enable clinicians to better recognize imported onchocerciasis. Although novel diagnostics have improved specificity, most remain restricted to tropical disease reference laboratories and to date there is no marker of cure. Prolonged doxycycline treatment may reduce the need for serial ivermectin, though more potent short-course macrofilaricidal drugs are being developed.}, }
@article {pmid30110391, year = {2018}, author = {Russell, SL and Lemseffer, N and Sullivan, WT}, title = {Wolbachia and host germline components compete for kinesin-mediated transport to the posterior pole of the Drosophila oocyte.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {14}, number = {8}, pages = {e1007216}, doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1007216}, pmid = {30110391}, issn = {1553-7374}, abstract = {Widespread success of the intracellular bacterium Wolbachia across insects and nematodes is due to efficient vertical transmission and reproductive manipulations. Many strains, including wMel from Drosophila melanogaster, exhibit a specific concentration to the germplasm at the posterior pole of the mature oocyte, thereby ensuring high fidelity of parent-offspring transmission. Transport of Wolbachia to the pole relies on microtubules and the plus-end directed motor kinesin heavy chain (KHC). However, the mechanisms mediating Wolbachia's association with KHC remain unknown. Here we show that reduced levels of the host canonical linker protein KLC results in dramatically increased levels of Wolbachia at the oocyte's posterior, suggesting that KLC and some key associated host cargos outcompete Wolbachia for association with a limited amount of KHC motor proteins. Consistent with this interpretation, over-expression of KHC causes similarly increased levels of posteriorly localized Wolbachia. However, excess KHC has no effect on levels of Vasa, a germplasm component that also requires KHC for posterior localization. Thus, Wolbachia transport is uniquely KHC-limited because these bacteria are likely outcompeted for binding to KHC by some host cargo/linker complexes. These results reveal a novel host-symbiont interaction that underscores the precise regulation required for an intracellular bacterium to co-opt, but not disrupt, vital host processes.}, }
@article {pmid30107579, year = {2018}, author = {Flatau, R and Segoli, M and Khokhlova, I and Hawlena, H}, title = {Wolbachia's role in mediating its flea's reproductive success differs according to flea origin.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/femsec/fiy157}, pmid = {30107579}, issn = {1574-6941}, abstract = {Endosymbionts-microbes that live within and engage in prolonged and intimate associations with their hosts-are gaining recognition for their direct impact on plant and animal reproduction. Here we used the overlooked Wolbachia-flea system to explore the possibility that endosymbionts may also play a role as mediators in shaping the reproductive success of their hosts. We simultaneously quantified the Wolbachia density in field- and laboratory-originated fleas that fed and mated on rodents for either five or ten days and assessed their body size and current reproductive success. By combining multigroup analysis and model selection approaches, we teased apart the contribution of the direct effects of the flea's physiological age and body size and the mediation effect of its Wolbachia endosymbionts on flea reproductive success, and we showed that the latter was stronger than the former. However, interestingly, the mediation effect was manifested only in laboratory-originated fleas, for which the increase in Wolbachia with age translated into lower reproductive success. These results suggest that some well-supported phenomena, such as aging effects, may be driven by endosymbionts and show once again that the role of endosymbionts in shaping the reproductive success of their host depends on their selective environment.}, }
@article {pmid30106293, year = {2018}, author = {Kruse, A and Ramsey, JS and Johnson, R and Hall, DG and MacCoss, MJ and Heck, M}, title = {'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' minimally alters expression of immunity and metabolism proteins in the hemolymph of Diaphorina citri, the insect vector of Huanglongbing.}, journal = {Journal of proteome research}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1021/acs.jproteome.8b00183}, pmid = {30106293}, issn = {1535-3907}, abstract = {Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening disease, is the most serious disease of citrus plants. It is associated with the Gram-negative bacterium 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (CLas), which is transmitted between host plants by the hemipteran insect vector Diaphorina citri in a circulative, propagative manner involving specific interactions with various insect tissues, including the hemolymph, fluid that occupies the body cavity akin to insect blood. High resolution quantitative mass spectrometry was performed to investigate the effect of CLas exposure on D. citri hemolymph at the proteome level. In contrast to the broad proteome effects on hundreds of proteins and a diverse array of metabolic pathways previously reported in gut and whole insect proteome analyses, the effect of CLas on the hemolymph was observed to be highly specific, restricted to key immunity and metabolism pathways, and lower in magnitude than that previously observed in the whole insect body and gut. Vitellogenins were abundantly expressed and CLas-responsive. Gene-specific RNA expression analysis suggests that these proteins are expressed in both male and female insects, and may have roles outside of reproductive vitellogenesis. Proteins for fatty acid synthesis were found to be up-regulated, along with metabolic proteins associated with energy production, supported at the organismal level by the previously published observation that D. citri individuals experience a higher level of hunger when reared on CLas-infected plants. Prediction of post-translational modifications identified hemolymph proteins with phosphorylation and acetylation upon CLas exposure. Proteins derived from the three most prominent bacterial endosymbionts of the psyllid were also detected in the hemolymph, and several of these have predicted secretion signals. A DNAK protein, the bacterial HSP70, detected in the hemolymph expressed from Wolbachia pipientis was predicted to encode a eukaryotic nuclear localization signal. Taken together, these data show specific changes to immunity and metabolism in D. citri hemolymph involving host and endosymbiont proteins. These data provide a novel context for proteomic changes seen in other D. citri tissues in response to CLas and align with organismal data on the effects of CLas on D. citri metabolism and reproduction.}, }
@article {pmid30104608, year = {2018}, author = {Mukherjee, S and Joardar, N and Mondal, S and Schiefer, A and Hoerauf, A and Pfarr, K and Babu, SPS}, title = {Quinolone-fused cyclic sulfonamide as a novel benign antifilarial agent.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {12073}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-30610-7}, pmid = {30104608}, issn = {2045-2322}, abstract = {Search of potent antifilarial drugs has been a major thrust area in tropical medicine research over the decades. Herein, we report 4,7-dimethyl-3,4,7,8-tetrahydro-3λ6-[1,2]thiazino[4,3-f]quinoline-3,3,8-trione (8l) as a new class of antifilarial agent which is extremely potent, with lethality against all the developmental stages (oocyte, microfilaria and adult) of the filarial parasite Setaria cervi. Molecular investigation on its mode of action revealed that 8l is a typical inducer of reactive oxygen species that triggers oxidative stress inside the filarid and further signals induction of apoptosis by activating both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. Moreover, 8l is also active against Wolbachia, the essential endosymbiont of several human infectious filarids. Selective toxicity against filarial parasites and non-toxic nature in rat model were found as unique traits of 8l to be a future medicine. Taken en masse, this maiden report on a novel quinolone fused cyclic sulfonamide presents a promising therapeutic lead for lymphatic filariasis in future.}, }
@article {pmid30092356, year = {2018}, author = {Jiang, W and Zhu, J and Wu, Y and Li, L and Li, Y and Ge, C and Wang, Y and Endersby, NM and Hoffmann, AA and Yu, W}, title = {Influence of Wolbachia Infection on Mitochondrial DNA Variation in the Genus Polytremis (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae).}, journal = {Molecular phylogenetics and evolution}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.ympev.2018.08.001}, pmid = {30092356}, issn = {1095-9513}, abstract = {The maternally inherited obligate bacteria Wolbachia is known for infecting the reproductive tissues of a wide range of arthropods and can contribute to phylogenetically discordant patterns between mtDNA and nDNA. In this study, we tested for an association between mito-nuclear discordance in Polytremis and Wolbachia infection. Six of the 17 species of Polytremis were found to be infected with Wolbachia. Overall, 34% (70/204) of Polytremis specimens were Wolbachia positive and three strains of Wolbachia identified using a wsp marker were further characterized as six strains based on MLST markers. Wolbachia acquisition in Polytremis appears to occur mainly through horizontal transmission rather than codivergence based on comparison of the divergence times of Wolbachia and Polytremis species. At the intraspecific level, one of the Wolbachia infections (wNas1) is associated with reduced mtDNA polymorphism in the infected Polytremis population. At the interspecific level, there is one case of mito-nuclear discordance likely caused by introgression of P. fukia mtDNA into P. nascens driven by another Wolbachia strain (wNas3). Based on an absence of infected males, we suspect that one Wolbachia strain (wNas2) affects sex ratio, but the phenotypic effects of the other strains are unclear. These data reveal a dynamic interaction between Polytremis and Wolbachia endosymbionts affecting patterns of mtDNA variation.}, }
@article {pmid30071091, year = {2018}, author = {Johnson, BJ and Rohde, BB and Zeak, N and Staunton, KM and Prachar, T and Ritchie, SA}, title = {A low-cost, battery-powered acoustic trap for surveilling male Aedes aegypti during rear-and-release operations.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {13}, number = {8}, pages = {e0201709}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0201709}, pmid = {30071091}, issn = {1932-6203}, abstract = {The Aedes aegypti mosquito is a primary vector of several serious arboviruses throughout the world and is therefore of great concern to many public health organizations. With vector control methodology pivoting towards rearing and releasing large numbers of genetically modified, sterilized, or Wolbachia-infected male mosquitoes to control vector populations, economical surveillance methods for release tracking becomes increasingly necessary. Previous work has identified that male Ae. aegypti are attracted to female wingbeat frequencies and can be captured through artificial playback of these frequencies, but the tested systems are cost-prohibitive for wide-scale monitoring. Thus, we have developed a simple, low-cost, battery-powered, microcontroller-based sound lure which mimics the wingbeat frequency of female Ae. aegypti, thereby attracting males. We then tested the efficacy of this lure in combination with a passive (non-powered) gravid Aedes trap (GAT) against the current gold-standard, the Biogents Sentinel (BGS) trap, which requires main power (household power) and costs several times what the GAT does. Capture rates of male Ae. aegypti in sound-baited GATs (Sound-GATs) in these field tests were comparable to that of the BGS with no inhibitory effects of sound playback on female capture. We conclude that the Sound-GAT is an effective replacement of the costly BGS for surveillance of male Ae. aegypti mosquitoes, particularly in the developing countries where funding is limited, and has the potential to be adapted to target males of other medically important species.}, }
@article {pmid30069620, year = {2018}, author = {Fallon, AM}, title = {Strain-specific response to ampicillin in Wolbachia-infected mosquito cell lines.}, journal = {In vitro cellular &amp; developmental biology. Animal}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1007/s11626-018-0279-x}, pmid = {30069620}, issn = {1543-706X}, support = {AI081322//National Institutes of Health/ ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis (Rickettsiales; Anaplasmataceae) is an obligate intracellular alpha proteobacterium that occurs in arthropods and filarial worms. Some strains of Wolbachia can be maintained as persistent infections in insect cell lines. C/wStr1 cells from the mosquito Aedes albopictus maintain a robust infection with Wolbachia strain wStr, originally isolated from the planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus. To explore possible functions of penicillin-binding proteins expressed from the wStr genome, C/wStr1 cells were exposed to ampicillin. Absolute levels of Wolbachia increased 3.5-fold in ampicillin-treated cells and fivefold in naive cells newly infected with wStr. Because cell numbers were depressed by ampicillin treatment, Wolbachia yield on a per-cell basis increased by 15-fold. The absence of a similar effect on wAlbB in Aa23 host cells suggests that the Wolbachia strain, the presence/absence of genes encoding penicillin-binding proteins, or the interaction between wAlbB and its host cells may modulate the effects of ampicillin.}, }
@article {pmid30068363, year = {2018}, author = {Callahan, AG and Ross, PA and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {Small females prefer small males: size assortative mating in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {445}, doi = {10.1186/s13071-018-3028-9}, pmid = {30068363}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {1037003//National Health and Medical Research Council/ ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: With Aedes aegypti mosquitoes now being released in field programmes aimed at disease suppression, there is interest in identifying factors influencing the mating and invasion success of released mosquitoes. One factor that can increase release success is size: released males may benefit competitively from being larger than their field counterparts. However, there could be a risk in releasing only large males if small field females avoid these males and instead prefer small males. Here we investigate this risk by evaluating mating success for mosquitoes differing in size.<br><br>RESULTS: We measured mating success indirectly by coupling size with Wolbachia-infected or uninfected mosquitoes and scoring cytoplasmic incompatibility. Large females showed no evidence of a mating preference, whereas small males were relatively more successful than large males when mating with small females, exhibiting an advantage of around 20-25%.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Because field females typically encompass a wide range of sizes while laboratory reared (and released) males typically fall into a narrow size range of large mosquitoes, these patterns can influence the success of release programmes which rely on cytoplasmic incompatibility to suppress populations and initiate replacement invasions. Releases could include some small males generated under low food or crowded conditions to counter this issue, although this would need to be weighed against issues associated with costs of producing males of various size classes.}, }
@article {pmid30064911, year = {2018}, author = {Fukui, T and Kiuchi, T and Shoji, K and Kawamoto, M and Shimada, T and Katsuma, S}, title = {In vivo masculinizing function of the Ostrinia furnacalis Masculinizer gene.}, journal = {Biochemical and biophysical research communications}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.07.111}, pmid = {30064911}, issn = {1090-2104}, abstract = {The Masculinizer gene (Masc) encodes a CCCH tandem zinc finger protein essential for masculinization and dosage compensation in the silkworm Bombyx mori. Previously we identified a Masc orthologue from the crambid Ostrinia furnacalis (OfMasc) and observed its masculinizing activity in the B. mori cultured cell line BmN-4. However, the role of OfMasc in masculinization of O. furnacalis has not been assessed. In this study, we unexpectedly discovered that all of the male larvae that escaped from Wolbachia-induced embryonic male-killing by OfMasc cRNA injection expressed the female-type splicing variants of O. furnacalis doublesex (Ofdsx). To clarify the role of OfMasc in the masculinization process in vivo, we established a system to monitor both sex chromosome- and dsx splicing-based sexes from a single O. furnacalis embryo. Using this system, we investigated the effects of OfMasc knockdown in early embryos on Ofdsx splicing and found that depletion of OfMasc mRNA in male embryos induced the production of the female-type splicing variants of Ofdsx. This result indicates that OfMasc is required for masculinization in O. furnacalis, and that the Masc protein possesses masculinizing activity in an insect species that is phylogenetically distant from Bombycidae.}, }
@article {pmid30061694, year = {2018}, author = {Fisher, ML and Watson, DW and Osborne, JA and Mochizuki, H and Breen, M and Schal, C}, title = {Growth kinetics of endosymbiont Wolbachia in the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {11444}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-29682-2}, pmid = {30061694}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {NCHHU0017-13//U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)/ ; 2013-5-35 MBE//Alfred P. Sloan Foundation/ ; P30ES025128//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)/ ; }, abstract = {The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius harbors the endosymbiotic microorganism, Wolbachia (wCle), in a gonad-associated bacteriome as an obligate nutritional mutualist. The obligatory nature of this association suggests that all individuals in C. lectularius populations would be infected with wCle. However, studies spanning the past several decades have reported variation in both infection frequency and relative abundance of wCle in field-collected samples of bed bugs. Since the growth kinetics of wCle is poorly understood, the objective of this study was to quantify wCle over the life cycle of two strains of C. lectularius. Our results highlight that wCle is dynamic during bed bug development, changing relative to life stage, intermolt stage, and blood-fed status. These results suggest new hypotheses about the coordination of Wolbachia growth and regression with its host's physiology and endocrine events. The observed quantitative modulation of wCle during the bed bug life cycle and during periods of starvation may explain the disparities in wCle infections reported in field-collected C. lectularius.}, }
@article {pmid30060072, year = {2018}, author = {Gillespie, JJ and Driscoll, TP and Verhoeve, VI and Rahman, MS and Macaluso, KR and Azad, AF}, title = {A tangled web: origins of reproductive parasitism.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/gbe/evy159}, pmid = {30060072}, issn = {1759-6653}, abstract = {While typically a flea parasite and opportunistic human pathogen, the presence of Rickettsia felis (strain LSU-Lb) in the non-blood-feeding, parthenogenetically-reproducing booklouse, Liposcelis bostrychophila, provides a system to ascertain factors governing not only host transitions but also obligate reproductive parasitism (RP). Analysis of plasmid pLbAR, unique to <iR>. felis str. LSU-Lb, revealed a toxin-antitoxin module with similar features to prophage-encoded toxin-antitoxin modules utilized by parasitic Wolbachia strains to induce another form of RP, cytoplasmic incompatibility, in their arthropod hosts. Curiously, multiple deubiquitinase and nuclease domains of the large (3841 aa) pLbAR toxin, as well the entire antitoxin, facilitated the detection of an assortment of related proteins from diverse intracellular bacteria, including other reproductive parasites. Our description of these remarkable components of the intracellular mobilome, including their presence in certain arthropod genomes, lends insight on the evolution of RP, while invigorating research on parasite-mediated biocontrol of arthropod-borne viral and bacterial pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid30059498, year = {2018}, author = {Xue, L and Fang, X and Hyman, JM}, title = {Comparing the effectiveness of different strains of Wolbachia for controlling chikungunya, dengue fever, and zika.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {12}, number = {7}, pages = {e0006666}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0006666}, pmid = {30059498}, issn = {1935-2735}, abstract = {Once Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes that spread Chikungunya virus, dengue virus, and Zika virus are infected with Wolbachia, they have reduced egg laying rates, reduced transmission abilities, and shorter lifespans. Since most infected mosquitoes are only infectious in the last few days of their lives, shortening a mosquito's lifespan by a day or two can greatly reduce their abilities to spread mosquito-borne viral diseases, such as Chikungunya, dengue fever, and Zika. We developed a mathematical model to compare the effectiveness of the wMel and wAlbB strains of Wolbachia for controlling the spread of these viruses. The differences among the diseases, mosquitoes, and Wolbachia strains are captured by the model parameters for the mosquito-human transmission cycle. Moreover, the model accounts for the behavior changes of infectious population created by differences in the malaise caused by these viruses. We derived the effective and basic reproduction numbers for the model that are used to estimate the number of secondary infections from the infectious populations. In the same density of Wolbachia-free Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, we observed that wMel and wAlbB strains of Wolbachia can reduce the transmission rates of these diseases effectively.}, }
@article {pmid30056075, year = {2018}, author = {Ciuca, L and Simon, F and Rinaldi, L and Kramer, L and Genchi, M and Cringoli, G and Acatrinei, D and Miron, L and Morchon, R}, title = {Seroepidemiological survey of human exposure to Dirofilaria spp. in Romania and Moldova.}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.07.012}, pmid = {30056075}, issn = {1873-6254}, abstract = {The present study aimed to evaluate the extent of Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens exposure in humans from eastern and southern areas of Romania and central Moldova by serological methods. The serological screening was performed on a total of 450 serum samples (187 from Romania and 263 from Moldova). The sera were collected using a convenience sampling with the help of physicians from the hospitals of the study areas. All samples were analysed by a non-commercial ELISA test for the detection of IgG antibodies against adult somatic antigens of D. immitis and D. repens. The results showed a total of 49 (10.9%; 95% CI = 8.3-14.1%) individuals from Romania and Moldova with a positive response to IgG antibodies against both adult somatic antigens of D. immitis and D. repens. Specifically, 48 (10.7%; 95% CI = 8.0-14.0%) patients were positive for IgG-antibodies against adult somatic antigens of D. immitis, one (0.2%; 95% CI = 0.4-1.2%) against D. repens antigens, and four (0.9%; 95% CI = 0.4-3.3%). were positive for antigens of both parasites. At country level, out of 187 samples from Romania, 13 (6.9%; 95% CI = 4.1-11.5%) were positive for anti-D. immitis IgG with high exposure in the southern part of the country (Bucharest). Of the 263 people from Moldova, 36 (13.7%; 95% CI = 10.0-18.4%) were positive for D. immitis antigens from which three (1.1%, 95% CI = 0.4-3.3%) were positive for the antibodies against antigens of both parasites. Only one sample was found positive for anti-D. repens IgG. Positive IgG-ELISA results were confirmed by Western blot analysis. In addition, for further confirmation, a complementary ELISA was performed for anti-WSP IgG antibodies against Wolbachia endosymbionts. Our findings showed a noticeable exposure of humans from Romania and Moldova to Dirofilaria parasites. Serology can be useful for indicating exposure to Dirofilaria spp. in a healthy population in order to obtain useful data on the epidemiological scenario of human dirofilariosis in Eastern Europe.}, }
@article {pmid30051873, year = {2018}, author = {Shi, M and White, VL and Schlub, T and Eden, JS and Hoffmann, AA and Holmes, EC}, title = {No detectable effect of Wolbachia wMel on the prevalence and abundance of the RNA virome of Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {285}, number = {1883}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1098/rspb.2018.1165}, pmid = {30051873}, issn = {1471-2954}, abstract = {Wolbachia is an endosymbiotic bacterium that can block viral infections in arthropods, generating interest in its potential to control the spread of mosquito-borne disease. Drosophila melanogaster is model organism for Wolbachia infection, and the wMel strain of Wolbachia can improve host survival following viral infection. However, it is unclear whether wMel induces anti-viral blocking against the broader native virome of D. melanogaster, or whether the major effect of Wolbachia is a reduction in viral abundance rather than viral clearance. We examined the effect of Wolbachia on viral abundance by comparing the total transcriptome of wMel-positive and wMel-negative D. melanogaster populations sampled from six locations in Australia. In addition, we examined the impact of wMel on individual flies by obtaining transcriptome data from 20 wMel-positive and 20 wMel-negative D. melanogaster from the location (Melbourne) with highest density of wMel. These data revealed high viral abundance in both Wolbachia-positive and -negative populations and individuals. Notably, none of the viral species identified, representing RNA viruses from at least nine families/floating genera, showed evidence of protection by wMel. Although the viral loads of picorna-like viruses are reduced by wMel under experimental conditions, we observed no such effect here. These data show that D. melanogaster can harbour abundant RNA viruses regardless of its Wolbachia status and imply that the interaction between Wolbachia and viruses in nature is more complex than simple blocking.}, }
@article {pmid30050351, year = {2018}, author = {Ta-Tang, TH and Crainey, JL and Post, RJ and Luz, SL and Rubio, JM}, title = {Mansonellosis: current perspectives.}, journal = {Research and reports in tropical medicine}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {9-24}, doi = {10.2147/RRTM.S125750}, pmid = {30050351}, issn = {1179-7282}, abstract = {Mansonellosis is a filarial disease caused by three species of filarial (nematode) parasites (Mansonella perstans, Mansonella streptocerca, and Mansonella ozzardi) that use humans as their main definitive hosts. These parasites are transmitted from person to person by bloodsucking females from two families of flies (Diptera). Biting midges (Ceratopogonidae) transmit all three species of Mansonella, but blackflies (Simuliidae) are also known to play a role in the transmission of M. ozzardi in parts of Latin America. M. perstans and M. streptocerca are endemic in western, eastern, and central Africa, and M. perstans is also present in the neotropical region from equatorial Brazil to the Caribbean coast. M. ozzardi has a patchy distribution in Latin America and the Caribbean. Mansonellosis infections are thought to have little pathogenicity and to be almost always asymptomatic, but occasionally causing itching, joint pains, enlarged lymph glands, and vague abdominal symptoms. In Brazil, M. ozzardi infections are also associated with corneal lesions. Diagnosis is usually performed by detecting microfilariae in peripheral blood or skin without any periodicity. There is no standard treatment at present for mansonellosis. The combination therapy of diethylcarbamazine plus mebendazole for M. perstans microfilaremia is presently one of the most widely used, but the use of ivermectin has also been proven to be very effective against microfilariae. Recently, doxycycline has shown excellent efficacy and safety when used as an antimicrobial against endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria harbored by some strains of M. perstans and M. ozzardi. Diethylcarbamazine and ivermectin have been used effectively to treat M. streptocerca infection. There are at present no estimates of the disease burden caused by mansonellosis, and thus its importance to many global health professionals and policy makers is presently limited to how it can interfere with diagnostic tools used in modern filarial disease control and elimination programs aimed at other species of filariae.}, }
@article {pmid30032285, year = {2018}, author = {Ahmadi, S and Poorjavad, N}, title = {Behavioral and Biological Effects of Exposure to Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) Sex Pheromone on Several Trichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) Populations.}, journal = {Journal of economic entomology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/jee/toy212}, pmid = {30032285}, issn = {1938-291X}, abstract = {Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the most destructive pests of tomato worldwide. Biological control of the pest using Trichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) wasps can be combined with other practices such as use of synthetic sex pheromones for mating disruption or mass trapping programs. In this study, effects of T. absoluta sex pheromone on behavioral responses and fertility life table parameters of Trichogramma evanescens Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), Wolbachia-uninfected (W-) Trichogramma brassicae Bezdenko (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), and Wolbachia-infected (W+) T. brassicae were investigated under laboratory conditions. Female wasps of T. evanescens and T. brassicae (W+) were attracted to the pest synthetic sex pheromone (around 62%) and calling virgin female moths (around 75%) and their responses were affected by the wasp age and temperature. Exposure to the host synthetic sex pheromone significantly reduced the percentage of adult emergence, longevity, and fecundity of female wasps, as well as the time spent to find a mate and duration of mating. However, tested populations were not affected similarly. Despite the laboratory tests, greenhouse experiments showed that the wasps were not caught in the traps baited with T. absoluta synthetic sex pheromone. Complementary studies are needed to precisely determine possible interference between pheromone application and releasing Trichogramma Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) wasps to achieve a successful integrated control of T. absoluta.}, }
@article {pmid30025503, year = {2018}, author = {Zheng, B and Yu, J}, title = {Characterization of Wolbachia enhancing domain in mosquitoes with imperfect maternal transmission.}, journal = {Journal of biological dynamics}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {596-610}, doi = {10.1080/17513758.2018.1499969}, pmid = {30025503}, issn = {1751-3766}, abstract = {A novel method to reduce the burden of dengue is to seed wild mosquitoes with Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes in dengue-endemic areas. Concerns in current mathematical models are to locate the Wolbachia introduction threshold. Our recent findings manifest that the threshold is highly dependent on the initial population size once Wolbachia infection alters the logistic control death rate of infected females. However, counting mosquitoes is beyond the realms of possibility. A plausible method is to monitor the infection frequency. We propose the concept of Wolbachia enhancing domain in which the infection frequency keeps increasing. A detailed description of the domain is presented. Our results suggest that both the initial population size and the infection frequency should be taken into account for optimal release strategies. Both Wolbachia fixation and extinction permit the oscillation of the infection frequency.}, }
@article {pmid30021000, year = {2018}, author = {, }, title = {Correction: First detection of Wolbachia in the New Zealand biota.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {13}, number = {7}, pages = {e0201151}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0201151}, pmid = {30021000}, issn = {1932-6203}, abstract = {[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195517.].}, }
@article {pmid30020933, year = {2018}, author = {Moretti, R and Yen, PS and Houé, V and Lampazzi, E and Desiderio, A and Failloux, AB and Calvitti, M}, title = {Combining Wolbachia-induced sterility and virus protection to fight Aedes albopictus-borne viruses.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {12}, number = {7}, pages = {e0006626}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0006626}, pmid = {30020933}, issn = {1935-2735}, abstract = {Among the strategies targeting vector control, the exploitation of the endosymbiont Wolbachia to produce sterile males and/or invasive females with reduced vector competence seems to be promising. A new Aedes albopictus transinfection (ARwP-M) was generated by introducing wMel Wolbachia in the ARwP line which had been established previously by replacing wAlbA and wAlbB Wolbachia with the wPip strain. Various infection and fitness parameters were studied by comparing ARwP-M, ARwP and wild-type (SANG population) Ae. albopictus sharing the same genetic background. Moreover, the vector competence of ARwP-M related to chikungunya, dengue and zika viruses was evaluated in comparison with ARwP. ARwP-M showed a 100% rate of maternal inheritance of wMel and wPip Wolbachia. Survival, female fecundity and egg fertility did not show to differ between the three Ae. albopictus lines. Crosses between ARwP-M males and SANG females were fully unfertile regardless of male age while egg hatch in reverse crosses increased from 0 to about 17% with SANG males aging from 3 to 17 days. When competing with SANG males for SANG females, ARwP-M males induced a level of sterility significantly higher than that expected for an equal mating competitiveness (mean Fried index of 1.71 instead of 1). The overall Wolbachia density in ARwP-M females was about 15 fold higher than in ARwP, mostly due to the wMel infection. This feature corresponded to a strongly reduced vector competence for chikungunya and dengue viruses (in both cases, 5 and 0% rates of transmission at 14 and 21 days post infection) with respect to ARwP females. Results regarding Zika virus did not highlight significant differences between ARwP-M and ARwP. However, none of the tested ARwP-M females was capable at transmitting ZIKV. These findings are expected to promote the exploitation of Wolbachia to suppress the wild-type Ae. albopictus populations.}, }
@article {pmid30006543, year = {2018}, author = {Karatepe, B and Aksoy, S and Karatepe, M}, title = {Investigation of Wolbachia spp. and Spiroplasma spp. in Phlebotomus species by molecular methods.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {10616}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-29031-3}, pmid = {30006543}, issn = {2045-2322}, abstract = {The aim of this study was to determine the presence of Wolbachia spp. and Spiroplasma spp. in natural populations of sand flies in Turkey by molecular methods. A total of 40 Phlebotomus specimens (19 female and 21 male) were used in this study. Genomic DNA from whole sand flies was isolated and Wolbachia spp. infection prevalence was investigated by using Wolbachia gene specific primer sets (wsp and GroEL). In addition, the DNA were analyzed for the presence of Spiroplasma infections utilizing bacterium specific 16 S rDNA PCR-amplification primers. Results of this analysis showed a Wolbachia infection prevalence of 70% (28/40). There was no sex-bias in infection prevalence, being 76% (16/21) and 63% (12/19) in males and females, respectively. Analysis of Spiroplasma infections indicated that 26% (5/19) of female sand flies were positive for infection, while none of the screened males (0/21) were positive. Of the 40 sand fly samples, only 2 were found to be positive for both Wolbachia spp. and Spiroplasma spp. The present study demonstrates the presence of Wolbachia and Spiroplasma infections in the natural sand fly populations in Turkey. This is the first report on Spiroplasma infection in the sand flies from Turkey.}, }
@article {pmid29989657, year = {2018}, author = {Guo, Y and Hoffmann, AA and Xu, XQ and Zhang, X and Huang, HJ and Ju, JF and Gong, JT and Hong, XY}, title = {Wolbachia-induced Apoptosis Associated with Increased Fecundity in Laodelphax striatellus (Hemiptera: Delphacidae).}, journal = {Insect molecular biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/imb.12518}, pmid = {29989657}, issn = {1365-2583}, abstract = {Wolbachia influence the fitness of their invertebrate hosts. They have effects on reproductive incompatibility and egg production. Although the former are well characterized, the mechanistic basis of the latter is unclear. Here, we investigate whether apoptosis, which has been implicated in fecundity in model insects, influences the interaction between fecundity and Wolbachia in the planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus. Wolbachia-infected females produced about 30% more eggs than uninfected females. We used TUNEL staining to visualize apoptosis. Microscopic observations indicated that the Wolbachia strain wStri increased the number of ovarioles that contained apoptotic nurse cells in both young and aged adult females. The frequency of apoptosis was much higher in the infected females. The increased fecundity appeared to be due to apoptosis of nurse cells, which provides nutrients to the growing oocytes. In addition, cell apoptosis inhibition by caspase mRNA interference (RNAi) in Wolbachia infected L. striatellus markedly decreased egg numbers. Together, these data suggest that wStri might enhance fecundity by increasing the number of apoptotic cells in the ovaries in a caspase-dependent manner. Our findings establish a link between Wolbachia-induced apoptosis and egg production effects mediated by Wolbachia, although the way that the endosymbiont influences caspase levels remains to be determined. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.}, }
@article {pmid29981933, year = {2018}, author = {Ali, H and Muhammad, A and Sanda Bala, N and Wang, G and Chen, Z and Peng, Z and Hou, Y}, title = {Genomic evaluations of Wolbachia and mtDNA in the population of coconut hispine beetle, Brontispa longissima (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).}, journal = {Molecular phylogenetics and evolution}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.ympev.2018.07.003}, pmid = {29981933}, issn = {1095-9513}, abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis is a diverse, ubiquitous and most prevalent intracellular bacterial group of alpha-Proteobacteria that is concerned with many biological processes in arthropods. The coconut hispine beetle (CHB), Brontispa longissima (Gestro) is an economically important pest of palm cultivation worldwide. In the present study, we comprehensively surveyed the Wolbachia-infection prevalence and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphism in CHB from five different geographical locations, including China's Mainland and Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. A total of 540 sequences were screened in this study through three different genes, i.e., cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), Wolbachia outer surface protein (wsp) and multilocus sequencing type (MLST) genes. The COI genetic divergence ranges from 0.08% to 0.67%, and likewise, a significant genetic diversity (π =0.00082; P=0.049) was noted within and between all analyzed samples. In the meantime, ten different haplotypes (H) were characterized (haplotype diversity = 0.4379) from 21 different locations, and among them, H6 (46 individuals) have shown a maximum number of population clusters than others. Subsequently, Wolbachia-prevalence results indicated that all tested specimens of CHB were found positive (100%), which suggested that CHB was naturally infected with Wolbachia. Wolbachia sequence results (wsp gene) revealed a high level of nucleotide diversity (π =0.00047) under Tajima's D test (P=0.049). Meanwhile, the same trend of nucleotide diversity (π =0.00041) was observed in Wolbachia concatenated MLST locus. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis (wsp and concatenated MLST genes) revealed that all collected samples of CHB attributed to same Wolbachia B-supergroup. Our results strongly suggest that Wolbachia bacteria and mtDNA were highly concordant with each other and Wolbachia can affect the genetic structure and diversity within the CHB populations.}, }
@article {pmid29971900, year = {2018}, author = {Truitt, AM and Kapun, M and Kaur, R and Miller, WJ}, title = {Wolbachia modifies thermal preference in Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.14347}, pmid = {29971900}, issn = {1462-2920}, abstract = {Environmental variation can have profound and direct effects on fitness, fecundity, and host-symbiont interactions. Replication rates of microbes within arthropod hosts, for example, are correlated with incubation temperature but less is known about the influence of host-symbiont dynamics on environmental preference. Hence, we conducted thermal preference (Tp) assays and tested if infection status and genetic variation in endosymbiont bacterium Wolbachia affected temperature choice of Drosophila melanogaster. We demonstrate that isogenic flies infected with Wolbachia preferred lower temperatures compared to uninfected Drosophila. Moreover, Tp varied with respect to three investigated Wolbachia variants (wMel, wMelCS and wMelPop). While uninfected individuals preferred 24.4°C, we found significant shifts of -1.2°C in wMel- and -4°C in flies infected either with wMelCS or wMelPop. We, therefore, postulate that Wolbachia-associated Tp variation within a host species might represent a behavioral accommodation to host-symbiont interactions and trigger behavioral self-medication and bacterial titer regulation by the host. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.}, }
@article {pmid29968550, year = {2018}, author = {Yeap, HL and Endersby-Harshman, NM and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {The Effect of Nonrandom Mating on Wolbachia Dynamics: Implications for Population Replacement and Sterile Releases in Aedes Mosquitoes.}, journal = {The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.4269/ajtmh.18-0178}, pmid = {29968550}, issn = {1476-1645}, abstract = {Wolbachia bacteria are known to cause deviations from random mating and affect sperm competition (SC) in some of their arthropod hosts. Because these effects could influence the effectiveness of Wolbachia in mosquito population replacement and suppression programs, we developed a theoretical framework to investigate them and we collected relevant data for the wMel infection in Aedes aegypti. Using incompatibility patterns as a measure of mating success of infected versus uninfected mosquitoes, we found some evidence that uninfected males sire more offspring than infected males. However, our theoretical framework suggests that this effect is unlikely to hamper Wolbachia invasion and has only minor effects on population suppression programs. Nevertheless, we suggest that mating effects and SC need to be monitored in an ongoing manner in release programs, given the possibility of ongoing selection for altered mating patterns.}, }
@article {pmid29967922, year = {2018}, author = {Nesvorna, M and Bittner, V and Hubert, J}, title = {The Mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae Hosts Population-Specific Microbiomes That Respond Weakly to Starvation.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1007/s00248-018-1224-y}, pmid = {29967922}, issn = {1432-184X}, support = {GA15-09038S//Grantová Agentura České Republiky/ ; }, abstract = {The effect of short-term nutrient deprivation was studied in five populations of the mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae with different microbiomes. The fresh weight, nutrient status, respiration, and population growth of the mites were observed for the five mite population-scale samples. The starvation caused the larvae and nymphs to be eliminated, resulting in a significant increase in the fresh weight of starved adult specimens. Three populations were negatively influenced by starvation, and the starved specimens were characterized by a decrease in nutrient status, respiration, and population growth. One population was not influenced or was slightly influenced by starvation, which had no effect on population growth or nutrient contents but caused a significant decrease in respiration. One population was positively influenced by starvation; the population growth increased in starved specimens, and starvation had no effect on respiration. Although starvation altered the bacterial profiles of the microbiomes, these differences were much smaller than those between the populations. The bacterial profiles of Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Kocuria, Brevibacterium, and unidentified Micrococcaceae and Enterobacteriaceae increased in starved specimens, whereas those of Bartonella and Solitalea-like genera were reduced in the starved mite populations. The profiles of the intracellular symbiont Cardinium decreased in the starved specimens, and the Wolbachia profile changes were dependent on the mite population. In mite populations, when the symbionts were rare, their profiles varied stochastically. Correlations between changes in the profiles of the bacterial taxa and mite fitness parameters, including nutrient status (lipids, proteins, saccharides, and glycogen contents), mite population growth, and respiration, were observed. Although the microbiomes were resistant to the perturbations caused by nutrition deficiency, the responses of the mites differed in terms of their population growth, respiration, and nutrient status.}, }
@article {pmid29966368, year = {2018}, author = {Ross, PA and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {Continued Susceptibility of the wMel Wolbachia Infection in Aedes aegypti to Heat Stress Following Field Deployment and Selection.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {9}, number = {3}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3390/insects9030078}, pmid = {29966368}, issn = {2075-4450}, abstract = {Aedes aegypti mosquitoes infected with the wMel strain of Wolbachia are being deployed to control the spread of arboviruses around the world through blockage of viral transmission. Blockage by Wolbachia in some scenarios may be affected by the susceptibility of wMel to cyclical heat stress during mosquito larval development. We therefore evaluated the potential to generate a heat-resistant strain of wMel in Ae. aegypti through artificial laboratory selection and through exposure to field temperatures across multiple generations. To generate an artificially selected strain, wMel-infected females reared under cyclical heat stress were crossed to wMel-infected males reared at 26 &amp;deg;C. The low proportion of larvae that hatched founded the next generation, and this process was repeated for eight generations. The wMel heat-selected strain (wMel-HS) was similar to wMel (unselected) in its ability to induce cytoplasmic incompatibility and restore compatibility when larvae were reared under cyclical heat stress, but wMel-HS adults exhibited reduced Wolbachia densities at 26 &amp;deg;C. To investigate the effects of field exposure, we compared the response of wMel-infected Ae. aegypti collected from Cairns, Australia where the infection has been established for seven years, to a wMel-infected population maintained in the laboratory for approximately 60 generations. Field and laboratory strains of wMel did not differ in their response to cyclical heat stress or in their phenotypic effects at 26 &amp;deg;C. The capacity for the wMel infection in Ae. aegypti to adapt to high temperatures therefore appears limited, and alternative strains may need to be considered for deployment in environments where high temperatures are regularly experienced in mosquito breeding sites.}, }
@article {pmid29957332, year = {2018}, author = {Ballesteros, C and Geary, JF and Mackenzie, CD and Geary, TG}, title = {Characterization of Divalent Metal Transporter 1 (DMT1) in Brugia malayi suggests an intestinal-associated pathway for iron absorption.}, journal = {International journal for parasitology. Drugs and drug resistance}, volume = {8}, number = {2}, pages = {341-349}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijpddr.2018.06.003}, pmid = {29957332}, issn = {2211-3207}, abstract = {Lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis are neglected parasitic diseases which pose a threat to public health in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Strategies for control and elimination of these diseases by mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns are designed to reduce symptoms of onchocerciasis and transmission of both parasites to eventually eliminate the burden on public health. Drugs used for MDA are predominantly microfilaricidal, and prolonged rounds of treatment are required for eradication. Understanding parasite biology is crucial to unravelling the complex processes involved in host-parasite interactions, disease transmission, parasite immune evasion, and the emergence of drug resistance. In nematode biology, large gaps still exist in our understanding of iron metabolism, iron-dependent processes and their regulation. The acquisition of iron from the host is a crucial determinant of the success of a parasitic infection. Here we identify a filarial ortholog of Divalent Metal Transporter 1 (DMT1), a member of a highly conserved family of NRAMP proteins that play an essential role in the transport of ferrous iron in many species. We cloned and expressed the B. malayi NRAMP ortholog in the iron-deficient fet3fet4 strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, performed qPCR to estimate stage-specific expression, and localized expression of this gene by immunohistochemistry. Results from functional iron uptake assays showed that expression of this gene in the iron transport-deficient yeast strain significantly rescued growth in low-iron medium. DMT1 was highly expressed in adult female and male B. malayi and Onchocerca volvulus. Immunolocalization revealed that DMT1 is expressed in the intestinal brush border, lateral chords, and reproductive tissues of males and females, areas also inhabited by Wolbachia. We hypothesize based on our results that DMT1 in B. malayi functions as an iron transporter. The presence of this transporter in the intestine supports the hypothesis that iron acquisition by adult females requires oral ingestion and suggests that the intestine plays a functional role in at least some aspects of nutrient uptake.}, }
@article {pmid29950416, year = {2018}, author = {Parry, R and Asgari, S}, title = {Aedes anphevirus (AeAV): an insect-specific virus distributed worldwide in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that has complex interplays with Wolbachia and dengue virus infection in cells.}, journal = {Journal of virology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1128/JVI.00224-18}, pmid = {29950416}, issn = {1098-5514}, abstract = {Insect specific viruses (ISVs) of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti have been demonstrated to modulate transmission of arboviruses such as dengue virus (DENV) and West Nile virus by the mosquito. The diversity and composition of the virome of Ae. aegypti, however, remains poorly understood. In this study, we characterised Aedes anphevirus (AeAV), a negative-sense RNA virus from the order Mononegavirales AeAV identified from Aedes cell lines were infectious to both Ae. aegypti and Aedes albopictus cells, but not to three mammalian cell lines. To understand the incidence and genetic diversity of AeAV, we assembled 17 coding-complete and two partial genomes of AeAV from available RNA-Seq data. AeAV appears to transmit vertically and be present in laboratory colonies, wild-caught mosquitoes and cell lines worldwide. Phylogenetic analysis of AeAV strains indicates that as the Ae. aegypti mosquito has expanded into the Americas and Asia-Pacific, AeAV has evolved into monophyletic African, American and Asia-Pacific lineages. The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia pipientis restricts positive-sense RNA viruses in Ae. aegypti Re-analysis of a small RNA library of Ae. aegypti cells co-infected with AeAV and Wolbachia produces an abundant RNAi response consistent with persistent virus replication. We found Wolbachia enhances replication of AeAV when compared to a tetracycline cleared cell line, and AeAV modestly reduces DENV replication in vitro The results from our study improve understanding of the diversity and evolution of the virome of Ae. aegypti and adds to previous evidence that shows Wolbachia does not restrict a range of negative strand RNA viruses.IMPORTANCE The mosquito Aedes aegypti transmits a number of arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) such as dengue virus and Zika virus. Mosquitoes also harbour insect-specific viruses that may affect replication of pathogenic arboviruses in their body. Currently, however, there are only a handful of insect-specific viruses described from Ae. aegypti in the literature. Here, we characterise a novel negative strand virus, Aedes anphevirus (AeAV). Meta-analysis of Ae. aegypti samples showed that it is present in Ae. aegypti mosquitoes worldwide and is vertically transmitted. Wolbachia transinfected mosquitoes are currently being used in biocontrol as they effectively block transmission of several positive sense RNA viruses in mosquitoes. Our results demonstrate that Wolbachia enhances the replication of AeAV and modestly reduces dengue virus replication in a cell line model. This study expands our understanding of the virome in Ae. aegypti as well as providing insight into the complexity of the Wolbachia virus restriction phenotype.}, }
@article {pmid29947761, year = {2018}, author = {Faria, VG and Martins, NE and Schlötterer, C and Sucena, É}, title = {Re-adapting to DCV infection without Wolbachia: frequency changes of Drosophila anti-viral alleles can replace endosymbiont protection.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/gbe/evy137}, pmid = {29947761}, issn = {1759-6653}, abstract = {There is now ample evidence that endosymbionts can contribute to host adaptation to environmental challenges. However, how endosymbiont presence affects the adaptive trajectory and outcome of the host is yet largely unexplored. In Drosophila, Wolbachia confers protection to RNA virus infection, an effect that differs between Wolbachia strains and can be targeted by selection. Adaptation to RNA virus infections is mediated by both Wolbachia and the host, raising the question of whether adaptive genetic changes in the host vary with the presence/absence of the endosymbiont. Here, we address this question using a polymorphic D. melanogaster population previously adapted to DCV infection for 35 generations in the presence of Wolbachia, from which we removed the endosymbiont and followed survival over the subsequent 20 generations of infection. After an initial severe drop, survival frequencies upon DCV selection increased significantly, as seen before in the presence of Wolbachia. Whole-genome sequencing, revealed that the major genes involved in the first selection experiment, pastrel and Ubc-E2H, continued to be selected in Wolbachia-free D. melanogaster, with the frequencies of protective alleles being closer to fixation in the absence of Wolbachia. Our results suggest that heterogeneity in Wolbachia infection status may be sufficient to maintain polymorphisms even in the absence of costs.}, }
@article {pmid29938064, year = {2018}, author = {Amuzu, HE and Tsyganov, K and Koh, C and Herbert, RI and Powell, DR and McGraw, EA}, title = {Wolbachia enhances insect-specific flavivirus infection in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {8}, number = {11}, pages = {5441-5454}, doi = {10.1002/ece3.4066}, pmid = {29938064}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Mosquitoes transmit a diverse group of human flaviviruses including West Nile, dengue, yellow fever, and Zika viruses. Mosquitoes are also naturally infected with insect-specific flaviviruses (ISFs), a subgroup of the family not capable of infecting vertebrates. Although ISFs are not medically important, they are capable of altering the mosquito's susceptibility to flaviviruses and may alter host fitness. Wolbachia is an endosymbiotic bacterium of insects that when present in mosquitoes limits the replication of co-infecting pathogens, including flaviviruses. Artificially created Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are being released into the wild in a series of trials around the globe with the hope of interrupting dengue and Zika virus transmission from mosquitoes to humans. Our work investigated the effect of Wolbachia on ISF infection in wild-caught Ae. aegypti mosquitoes from field release zones. All field mosquitoes were screened for the presence of ISFs using general degenerate flavivirus primers and their PCR amplicons sequenced. ISFs were found to be common and widely distributed in Ae. aegypti populations. Field mosquitoes consistently had higher ISF infection rates and viral loads compared to laboratory colony material indicating that environmental conditions may modulate ISF infection in Ae. aegypti. Surprisingly, higher ISF infection rates and loads were found in Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes compared to the Wolbachia-free mosquitoes. Our findings demonstrate that the symbiont is capable of manipulating the mosquito virome and that Wolbachia-mediated viral inhibition is not universal for flaviviruses. This may have implications for the Wolbachia-based DENV control strategy if ISFs confer fitness effects or alter mosquito susceptibility to other flaviviruses.}, }
@article {pmid29931623, year = {2018}, author = {Arai, H and Hirano, T and Akizuki, N and Abe, A and Nakai, M and Kunimi, Y and Inoue, MN}, title = {Multiple Infection and Reproductive Manipulations of Wolbachia in Homona magnanima (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1007/s00248-018-1210-4}, pmid = {29931623}, issn = {1432-184X}, abstract = {Endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia interacts with host in either a mutualistic or parasitic manner. Wolbachia is frequently identified in various arthropod species, and to date, Wolbachia infections have been detected in different insects. Here, we found a triple Wolbachia infection in Homona magnanima, a serious tea pest, and investigated the effects of three infecting Wolbachia strains (wHm-a, -b, and -c) on the host. Starting with the triple-infected host line (Wabc), which was collected in western Tokyo in 1999 and maintained in laboratory, we established an uninfected line (W-) and three singly infected lines (Wa, Wb, and Wc) using antibiotics. Mating experiments with the host lines revealed that only wHm-b induced cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) in H. magnanima, with the intensities of CI different between the Wb and Wabc lines. Regarding mutualistic effects, wHm-c shortened larval development time and increased pupal weight in both the Wc and Wabc lines to the same extent, whereas no distinct phenotype was observed in lines singly infected with wHm-a. Based on quantitative PCR analysis, Wolbachia density in the Wa line was higher than in the other host lines (p < 0.01, n = 10). Wolbachia density in the Wb line was also higher than in the Wc and Wabc lines, while no difference was observed between the Wc and Wabc lines. These results indicate that the difference in the CI intensity between a single or multiple infection may be attributed to the difference in wHm-b density. However, no correlation was observed between mutualistic effects and Wolbachia density.}, }
@article {pmid29908171, year = {2018}, author = {Goindin, D and Cannet, A and Delannay, C and Ramdini, C and Gustave, J and Atyame, C and Vega-Rúa, A}, title = {Screening of natural Wolbachia infection in Aedes aegypti, Aedes taeniorhynchus and Culex quinquefasciatus from Guadeloupe (French West Indies).}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {185}, number = {}, pages = {314-317}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.06.011}, pmid = {29908171}, issn = {1873-6254}, abstract = {Guadeloupe islands are threatened by several mosquito-borne viruses such as Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika and West Nile virus. It appears essential to look for alternative mosquito control methods such as the incompatible insect technique (ITT) aiming at sterilizing wild females by inundative releases of incompatible males. Before considering the implementation of such a strategy, the characterization of genetic diversity of the endocellular bacterium Wolbachia regarding the local mosquito populations is a critical issue. Here, for the first time, we describe the prevalence and diversity of Wolbachia in natural populations of three mosquito species from Guadeloupe: Aedes aegypti, Aedes taeniorhynchus and Culex quinquefasciatus. The detection of Wolbachia in natural Ae. aegypti, Ae. taeniorhynchus and Cx. quinquefasciatus populations was conducted by studying Wolbachia 16S ribosomal RNA gene using a TaqMan quantitative real-time PCR and results were confirmed by conventional PCR and sequencing. In addition, molecular typing of wPip strains in Cx. quinquefasciatus was done by PCR-RFLP. We did not find Wolbachia infection in any of Ae. aegypti and Ae. taeniorhynchus studied populations. Natural Wolbachia infection was detected in Cx. quinquefasciatus with prevalence varying from 79.2% to 95.8%. In addition, no polymorphism was found between the Wolbachia strains infecting Cx. quinquefasciatus specimens, all carrying an infection from the same Wolbachia genetic wPip-I group. These results pave the way for the evaluation of the feasibility of IIT programs to fight against these medically-important mosquito species in Guadeloupe.}, }
@article {pmid29901734, year = {2018}, author = {Gloria-Soria, A and Chiodo, TG and Powell, JR}, title = {Lack of Evidence for Natural Wolbachia Infections in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae).}, journal = {Journal of medical entomology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/jme/tjy084}, pmid = {29901734}, issn = {1938-2928}, abstract = {Wolbachia is a genus of endosymbiotic bacteria that infects 66% of all insect species. Its major impact on insects is in reproduction: sterility, production of one sex, and/or parthenogenesis. Another effect was discovered when the disease-transmitting mosquito, Aedes aegypti Linnaeus (Diptera: Culicidae), was infected with Wolbachia isolated from Drosophila: infected female mosquitoes became less capable of transmitting diseases such as dengue fever and chikungunya. This has led to releases of Ae. aegypti carrying Wolbachia in an attempt to control disease. An open question is whether there are natural Wolbachia infections of this mosquito. We assayed DNA from 2,663 Ae. aegypti from 27 countries on six continents, 230 from laboratory strains, and 72 Aedes mascarensis MacGregor (Diptera: Culicidae) for presence of Wolbachia DNA. Within the limits of our polymerase chain reaction-based assay, we found no evidence of Wolbachia, suggesting that natural infections of this endosymbiont are unlikely to occur throughout the worldwide distribution of Ae. aegypti.}, }
@article {pmid29897678, year = {2018}, author = {Uribe-Alvarez, C and Chiquete-Félix, N and Morales-García, L and Bohórquez-Hernández, A and Delgado-Buenrostro, NL and Vaca, L and Peña, A and Uribe-Carvajal, S}, title = {Wolbachia pipientis grows in Saccharomyces cerevisiae evoking early death of the host and deregulation of mitochondrial metabolism.}, journal = {MicrobiologyOpen}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {e00675}, doi = {10.1002/mbo3.675}, pmid = {29897678}, issn = {2045-8827}, abstract = {Wolbachia sp. has colonized over 70% of insect species, successfully manipulating host fertility, protein expression, lifespan, and metabolism. Understanding and engineering the biochemistry and physiology of Wolbachia holds great promise for insect vector-borne disease eradication. Wolbachia is cultured in cell lines, which have long duplication times and are difficult to manipulate and study. The yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae W303 was used successfully as an artificial host for Wolbachia wAlbB. As compared to controls, infected yeast lost viability early, probably as a result of an abnormally high mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation activity observed at late stages of growth. No respiratory chain proteins from Wolbachia were detected, while several Wolbachia F1 F0 -ATPase subunits were revealed. After 5 days outside the cell, Wolbachia remained fully infective against insect cells.}, }
@article {pmid29893631, year = {2018}, author = {Vasconcelos, EJR and Billeter, SA and Jett, LA and Meinersmann, RJ and Barr, MC and Diniz, PPVP and Oakley, BB}, title = {Assessing Cat Flea Microbiomes in Northern and Southern California by 16S rRNA Next-Generation Sequencing.}, journal = {Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1089/vbz.2018.2282}, pmid = {29893631}, issn = {1557-7759}, abstract = {Flea-borne diseases (FBDs) impact both human and animal health worldwide. Because adult fleas are obligately hematophagous and can harbor potential pathogens, fleas act as ectoparasites of vertebrates, as well as zoonotic disease vectors. Cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) are important vectors of two zoonotic bacterial genera listed as priority pathogens by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID-USA): Bartonella spp. and Rickettsia spp., causative agents of bartonelloses and rickettsioses, respectively. In this study, we introduce the first microbiome analysis of C. felis samples from California, determining the presence and abundance of relevant pathogenic genera by characterizing the cat flea microbiome through 16S rRNA next-generation sequencing (16S-NGS). Samples from both northern (NoCal) and southern (SoCal) California were assessed to expand current knowledge regarding FBDs in the state. We identified Rickettsia and Bartonella, as well as the endosymbiont Wolbachia, as the most abundant genera, followed by less abundant taxa. In comparison to our previous study screening Californian cat fleas for rickettsiae using PCR/digestion/sequencing of the ompB gene, the 16S-NGS approach applied herein showed a 95% level of agreement in detecting Rickettsia spp. There was no overall difference in microbiome diversity between NoCal and SoCal samples. Bacterial taxa identified by 16S-NGS in this study may help to improve epidemiological investigations, pathogen surveillance efforts, and clinical diagnostics of FBDs in California and elsewhere.}, }
@article {pmid29891919, year = {2018}, author = {Balvín, O and Roth, S and Talbot, B and Reinhardt, K}, title = {Co-speciation in bedbug Wolbachia parallel the pattern in nematode hosts.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {8797}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-25545-y}, pmid = {29891919}, issn = {2045-2322}, abstract = {Wolbachia bacteria, vertically transmitted intracellular endosymbionts, are associated with two major host taxa in which they show strikingly different symbiotic modes. In some taxa of filarial nematodes, where Wolbachia are strictly obligately beneficial to the host, they show complete within- and among-species prevalence as well as co-phylogeny with their hosts. In arthropods, Wolbachia usually are parasitic; if beneficial effects occurs, they can be facultative or obligate, related to host reproduction. In arthropods, the prevalence of Wolbachia varies within and among taxa, and no co-speciation events are known. However, one arthropod species, the common bedbug Cimex lectularius was recently found to be dependent on the provision of biotin and riboflavin by Wolbachia, representing a unique case of Wolbachia providing nutritional and obligate benefits to an arthropod host, perhaps even in a mutualistic manner. Using the presence of presumably functional biotin gene copies, our study demonstrates that the obligate relationship is maintained at least in 10 out of 15 species of the genera Cimex and Paracimex. The remaining five species harboured Wolbachia as well, demonstrating the first known case of 100% prevalence of Wolbachia among higher arthropod taxa. Moreover, we show the predicted co-cladogenesis between Wolbachia and their bedbug hosts, also as the first described case of Wolbachia co-speciation in arthropods.}, }
@article {pmid29890648, year = {2018}, author = {Badawi, M and Moumen, B and Giraud, I and Grève, P and Cordaux, R}, title = {Investigating the Molecular Genetic Basis of Cytoplasmic Sex Determination Caused by Wolbachia Endosymbionts in Terrestrial Isopods.}, journal = {Genes}, volume = {9}, number = {6}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3390/genes9060290}, pmid = {29890648}, issn = {2073-4425}, abstract = {In animals, sexual differences between males and females are usually determined by sex chromosomes. Alternatively, sex may also be determined by vertically transmitted intracellular microbial endosymbionts. The best known cytoplasmic sex manipulative endosymbiont is Wolbachia which can, for instance, feminize genetic males into phenotypic females in the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare. However, the molecular genetic basis of cytoplasmic sex determination is unknown. To identify candidate genes of feminization induced by Wolbachia strain wVulC from A. vulgare, we sequenced the genome of Wolbachia strain wCon from Cylisticus convexus, the most closely related known Wolbachia strain to wVulC that does not induce feminization, and compared it to the wVulC genome. Then, we performed gene expression profiling of the 216 resulting wVulC candidate genes throughout host developmental stages in A. vulgare and the heterologous host C. convexus. We identified a set of 35 feminization candidate genes showing differential expression during host sexual development. Interestingly, 27 of the 35 genes are present in the f element, which is a piece of a feminizing Wolbachia genome horizontally transferred into the nuclear genome of A. vulgare and involved in female sex determination. Assuming that the molecular genetic basis of feminization by Wolbachia and the f element is the same, the 27 genes are candidates for acting as master sex determination genes in A. vulgare females carrying the f element.}, }
@article {pmid29876068, year = {2018}, author = {Zhang, L and Yun, Y and Hu, G and Peng, Y}, title = {Insights into the bacterial symbiont diversity in spiders.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {8}, number = {10}, pages = {4899-4906}, doi = {10.1002/ece3.4051}, pmid = {29876068}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Most spiders are natural enemies of pests, and it is beneficial for the biological control of pests to learn the relationships between symbionts and their spider hosts. Research on the bacterial communities of insects has been conducted recently, but only a few studies have addressed the bacterial communities of spiders. To obtain a complete overview of the microbial communities of spiders, we examined eight species of spider (Pirata subpiraticus, Agelena difficilis, Artema atlanta, Nurscia albofasciata, Agelena labyrinthica, Ummeliata insecticeps, Dictis striatipes, and Hylyphantes graminicola) with high-throughput sequencing based on the V3 and V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene. The bacterial communities of the spider samples were dominated by five types of endosymbionts, Wolbachia, Cardinium, Rickettsia, Spiroplasma, and Rickettsiella. The dominant OTUs (operational taxonomic units) from each of the five endosymbionts were analyzed, and the results showed that different spider species were usually dominated by special OTUs. In addition to endosymbionts, Pseudomonas, Sphingomonas, Acinetobacter, Novosphingobium, Aquabacterium, Methylobacterium, Brevundimonas, Rhizobium, Bradyrhizobium, Citrobacter, Arthrobacter, Pseudonocardia, Microbacterium, Lactobacillus, and Lactococcus were detected in spider samples in our study. Moreover, the abundance of Sphingomonas, Methylobacterium, Brevundimonas, and Rhizobium in the spider D. striatipes was significantly higher (p < .05) than the bacterial abundance of these species in seven other spider species. These findings suggest that same as in insects, co-infection of multiple types of endosymbionts is common in the hosts of the Araneae order, and other bacterial taxa also exist in spiders besides the endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid29868291, year = {2018}, author = {Li, J and Wang, N and Liu, Y and Qiu, S}, title = {Proteomics of Nasonia vitripennis and the effects of native Wolbachia infection on N. vitripennis.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {6}, number = {}, pages = {e4905}, doi = {10.7717/peerj.4905}, pmid = {29868291}, issn = {2167-8359}, abstract = {Background: Nasonia vitripennis, a parasitic wasp, is a good model organism to study developmental and evolutionary genetics and to evaluate the interactions between insect hosts and their symbionts. Wolbachia may be the most prevalent endosymbiont among insect species due to their special ability to improve the fitness of the infected hosts. Transinfection of bacteria or fungi could substantially alter the expression of host immune system components. However, few studies have focused on the effects of native Wolbachia infection. Accordingly, in this study, we evaluated the proteomics of N. vitripennis following Wolbachia infection.<br><br>Methods: We studied the proteomics of N. vitripennis following native Wolbachia infection and in antibiotic-treated Wolbachia-free samples using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, accompanying with some ecological experiments.<br><br>Results: In total, 3,096 proteins were found to be associated with a wide range of biological processes, molecular functions, and cellular components. Interestingly, there were few significant changes in immune or reproductive proteins between samples with and without Wolbachia infection. Differentially expressed proteins were involved in the binding process, catalytic activity, and the metabolic process, as confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.<br><br>Discussion: Invasion of any pathogen or bacterium within a short time can cause an immunoreaction in the host. Our results implied that during the long process of coexistence, the immune system of the host was not as sensitive as when the symbiont initially infected the host, implying that the organisms had gradually adjusted to cohabitation.}, }
@article {pmid29859884, year = {2018}, author = {Hornok, S and Horváth, G and Takács, N and Farkas, R and Szőke, K and Kontschán, J}, title = {Molecular evidence of a badger-associated Ehrlichia sp., a Candidatus Neoehrlichia lotoris-like genotype and Anaplasma marginale in dogs.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {9}, number = {5}, pages = {1302-1309}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.05.012}, pmid = {29859884}, issn = {1877-9603}, abstract = {The family Anaplasmataceae contains pathogenic and endosymbiotic bacteria of veterinary-medical importance. In this study, 90 blood samples from rural dogs, five blood samples from road-killed European badgers and 34 ticks, i.e. 27 Ixodes (Pholeoixodes) canisuga, six I. (Ph.) hexagonus and one Haemaphysalis concinna collected from the badgers were molecularly analysed for members of Anaplasmataceae. Apart from the molecular evidence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in one dog and Wolbachia sp. associated with Dirofilaria repens in five dogs, four species/genotypes not yet known to occur in canine hosts have also been found. These included A. marginale in two dogs, a badger-associated Ehrlichia sp. in one dog, a Candidatus Neoehrlichia lotoris-like genotype in six dogs and the DNA of arthropod-associated wolbachiae in three dogs. In two badgers the DNA from the Candidatus N. lotoris-like genotype was identified. Among ticks, four I. canisuga carried the DNA of the above badger-associated Ehrlichia sp., one I. canisuga contained the Candidatus N. lotoris-like genotype, and in H. concinna Wolbachia DNA was present. In conclusion, results shown here should be interpreted as the first molecular evidence for exposure of dogs to three members of Anaplasmataceae, i.e. A. marginale, a badger-associated Ehrlichia sp. and a Candidatus N. lotoris-like agent. The presence of DNA in the blood of relevant animals may also indicate susceptibility to these bacteria, but in support of this, further studies are needed.}, }
@article {pmid29855331, year = {2018}, author = {Anders, KL and Indriani, C and Ahmad, RA and Tantowijoyo, W and Arguni, E and Andari, B and Jewell, NP and Rances, E and O'Neill, SL and Simmons, CP and Utarini, A}, title = {The AWED trial (Applying Wolbachia to Eliminate Dengue) to assess the efficacy of Wolbachia-infected mosquito deployments to reduce dengue incidence in Yogyakarta, Indonesia: study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial.}, journal = {Trials}, volume = {19}, number = {1}, pages = {302}, doi = {10.1186/s13063-018-2670-z}, pmid = {29855331}, issn = {1745-6215}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Dengue and other arboviruses transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, including Zika and chikungunya, present an increasing public health challenge in tropical regions. Current vector control strategies have failed to curb disease transmission, but continue to be employed despite the absence of robust evidence for their effectiveness or optimal implementation. The World Mosquito Program has developed a novel approach to arbovirus control using Ae. aegypti stably transfected with Wolbachia bacterium, with a significantly reduced ability to transmit dengue, Zika and chikungunya in laboratory experiments. Modelling predicts this will translate to local elimination of dengue in most epidemiological settings. This study protocol describes the first trial to measure the efficacy of Wolbachia in reducing dengue virus transmission in the field.<br><br>METHODS/DESIGN: The study is a parallel, two-arm, non-blinded cluster randomised controlled trial conducted in a single site in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The aim is to determine whether large-scale deployment of Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes leads to a measurable reduction in dengue incidence in treated versus untreated areas. The primary endpoint is symptomatic, virologically confirmed dengue virus infection of any severity. The 26 km2 study area was subdivided into 24 contiguous clusters, allocated randomly 1:1 to receive Wolbachia deployments or no intervention. We use a novel epidemiological study design, the cluster-randomised test-negative design trial, in which dengue cases and arbovirus-negative controls are sampled concurrently from among febrile patients presenting to a network of primary care clinics, with case or control status classified retrospectively based on the results of laboratory diagnostic testing. Efficacy is estimated from the odds ratio of Wolbachia exposure distribution (probability of living in a Wolbachia-treated area) among virologically confirmed dengue cases compared to test-negative controls. A secondary per-protocol analysis allows for individual Wolbachia exposure levels to be assessed to account for movements outside the cluster and the heterogeneity in local Wolbachia prevalence among treated clusters.<br><br>DISCUSSION: The findings from this study will provide the first experimental evidence for the efficacy of Wolbachia in reducing dengue incidence. Together with observational evidence that is accumulating from pragmatic deployments of Wolbachia in other field sites, this will provide valuable data to estimate the effectiveness of this novel approach to arbovirus control, inform future cost-effectiveness estimates, and guide plans for large-scale deployments in other endemic settings.<br><br>TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03055585 . Registered on 14 February 2017.}, }
@article {pmid29851312, year = {2018}, author = {Dahmani, M and Tahir, D and Cabre, O and Raoult, D and Fenollar, F and Davoust, B and Mediannikov, O}, title = {Prevalence of Anaplasmataceae and Filariidae species in unowned and military dogs in New Caledonia.}, journal = {Veterinary medicine and science}, volume = {4}, number = {2}, pages = {140-149}, doi = {10.1002/vms3.97}, pmid = {29851312}, issn = {2053-1095}, abstract = {Dogs are competent reservoir hosts of several zoonotic agents, including Filariidae nematodes and Anaplasmataceae family bacteria. The latter family unites human and veterinary pathogens (Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Neorickettsia bacteria) with Wolbachia, some of which are obligatory endosymbionts of pathogenic filarial nematodes. The epidemiology of Anaplasmataceae and Filariidae species infecting dogs living in kennels in New Caledonia was studied. 64 EDTA blood samples were screened for the presence of Anaplasmataceae and filarial nematodes. Molecular study was conducted using primers and probe targeting the of 23S rRNA long fragment of Anaplasmataceae species. Next, all blood sample was screened for the presence of Filariidae species targeting the primers and probe targeting the COI gene, as well as primers targeting the COI and 5S rRNA genes of all filarial worms. Anaplasma platys was identified in 8/64 (12.5, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.4-20.6%) and Wolbachia endosymbiont of Dirofilaria immitis in 8/64 (12.5%, CI: 4.4-20.6%). Filariidae species investigation was performed and showed that 11/64 (17.2%, CI: 7.9-26.4%) dogs were infected with D. immitis, whereas, 2/64 (3.1%, CI: 0.0-7.3%) were infected with Acanthocheilonema reconditum. Finally, we checked the occurrence of co-infection between Anaplasmataceae and Filariidae species. Co-occurrence with Wolbachia endosymbiont of D. immitis was observed in seven dogs, one dog was co-infected with A. platys and A. reconditum and another was co-infected with Wolbachia endosymbiont of D. immitis and A. reconditum. These results are the first report of Anaplasmataceae and Filariidae occurring in dogs in New Caledonia.}, }
@article {pmid29851149, year = {2018}, author = {Ote, M and Yamamoto, D}, title = {The Wolbachia protein TomO interacts with a host RNA to induce polarization defects in Drosophila oocytes.}, journal = {Archives of insect biochemistry and physiology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {e21475}, doi = {10.1002/arch.21475}, pmid = {29851149}, issn = {1520-6327}, abstract = {Wolbachia is an endosymbiont prevalent in arthropods. To maximize its transmission thorough the female germline, Wolbachia induces in infected hosts male-to-female transformation, male killing, parthenogenesis, and cytoplasmic incompatibility, depending on the host species and Wolbachia strain involved. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these host manipulations by Wolbachia remain largely unknown. The Wolbachia strain wMel, an inhabitant of Drosophila melanogaster, impairs host oogenesis only when transplanted into a heterologous host, for example, Drosophila simulans. We found that egg polarity defects induced by wMel infection in D. simulans can be recapitulated in the natural host D. melanogaster by transgenic overexpression of a variant of the Wolbachia protein Toxic manipulator of oogenesis (TomO), TomOwMel∆HS , in the female germline. RNA immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that TomO physically associates with orb mRNA, which, as a result, fails to interact with the translation repressor Cup. This leads to precocious translation of Orb, a posterior determinant, and thereby to the misspecification of oocytes and accompanying polarity defects. We propose that the ability of TomO to bind to orb mRNA might provide a means for Wolbachia to enter the oocyte located at the posterior end of the egg chamber, thereby accomplishing secure maternal transmission thorough the female germline.}, }
@article {pmid29845544, year = {2018}, author = {O'Neill, SL}, title = {The Use of Wolbachia by the World Mosquito Program to Interrupt Transmission of Aedes aegypti Transmitted Viruses.}, journal = {Advances in experimental medicine and biology}, volume = {1062}, number = {}, pages = {355-360}, doi = {10.1007/978-981-10-8727-1_24}, pmid = {29845544}, issn = {0065-2598}, abstract = {The biological control of mosquito transmission by the use of the naturally occurring insect-specific bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia has been successfully tested in small field trials. The approach has been translated successfully to larger field sites in Townsville, Australia and expanded to more than 10 countries through the Eliminate Dengue Program. The broader application of the program beyond limiting the transmission of dengue and including other Aedes aegypti borne mosquitoes has seen the program growing into a global not-for-profit initiative to be known as the World Mosquito Program.}, }
@article {pmid29843598, year = {2018}, author = {Perry, KD and Baker, GJ and Powis, KJ and Kent, JK and Ward, CM and Baxter, SW}, title = {Cryptic Plutella species show deep divergence despite the capacity to hybridize.}, journal = {BMC evolutionary biology}, volume = {18}, number = {1}, pages = {77}, doi = {10.1186/s12862-018-1183-4}, pmid = {29843598}, issn = {1471-2148}, support = {UA00146//University of Adelaide/ ; DAS00094//Grains Research and Development Corporation/ ; DAS00155//Grains Research and Development Corporation/ ; DAS00155//Grains Research and Development Corporation/ ; DAS00155//Grains Research and Development Corporation/ ; DP120100047//Australian Research Council/ ; FT140101303//Australian Research Council/ ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Understanding genomic and phenotypic diversity among cryptic pest taxa has important implications for the management of pests and diseases. The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L., has been intensively studied due to its ability to evolve insecticide resistance and status as the world's most destructive pest of brassicaceous crops. The surprise discovery of a cryptic species endemic to Australia, Plutella australiana Landry &amp; Hebert, raised questions regarding the distribution, ecological traits and pest status of the two species, the capacity for gene flow and whether specific management was required. Here, we collected Plutella from wild and cultivated brassicaceous plants from 75 locations throughout Australia and screened 1447 individuals to identify mtDNA lineages and Wolbachia infections. We genotyped genome-wide SNP markers using RADseq in coexisting populations of each species. In addition, we assessed reproductive compatibility in crossing experiments and insecticide susceptibility phenotypes using bioassays.<br><br>RESULTS: The two Plutella species coexisted on wild brassicas and canola crops, but only 10% of Plutella individuals were P. australiana. This species was not found on commercial Brassica vegetable crops, which are routinely sprayed with insecticides. Bioassays found that P. australiana was 19-306 fold more susceptible to four commonly-used insecticides than P. xylostella. Laboratory crosses revealed that reproductive isolation was incomplete but directionally asymmetric between the species. However, genome-wide nuclear SNPs revealed striking differences in genetic diversity and strong population structure between coexisting wild populations of each species. Nuclear diversity was 1.5-fold higher in P. australiana, yet both species showed limited variation in mtDNA. Infection with a single Wolbachia subgroup B strain was fixed in P. australiana, suggesting that a selective sweep contributed to low mtDNA diversity, while a subgroup A strain infected just 1.5% of P. xylostella.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Despite sympatric distributions and the capacity to hybridize, strong genomic and phenotypic divergence exists between these Plutella species that is consistent with contrasting colonization histories and reproductive isolation after secondary contact. Although P. australiana is a potential pest of brassicaceous crops, it is of secondary importance to P. xylostella.}, }
@article {pmid29807401, year = {2018}, author = {Ali, H and Muhammad, A and Hou, Y}, title = {Infection Density Dynamics and Phylogeny of Wolbachia Associated with Coconut Hispine Beetle, Brontispa longissima (Gestro) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), by Multilocus Sequence Type (MLST) Genotyping.}, journal = {Journal of microbiology and biotechnology}, volume = {28}, number = {5}, pages = {796-808}, doi = {10.4014/jmb.1712.12019}, pmid = {29807401}, issn = {1738-8872}, abstract = {The intracellular bacterium Wolbachia pipientis is widespread in arthropods. Recently, possibilities of novel Wolbachia-mediated hosts, their distribution, and natural rate have been anticipated, and the coconut leaf beetle Brontispa longissima (Gestro) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), which has garnered attention as a serious pest of palms, was subjected to this interrogation. By adopting Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) and multilocus sequence type (MLST) genotypic systems, we determined the Wolbachia infection density within host developmental stages, body parts, and tissues, and the results revealed that all the tested samples of B. longissima were infected with the same Wolbachia strain (wLog), suggesting complete vertical transmission. The MLST profile elucidated two new alleles (ftsZ-234 and coxA-266) that define a new sequence type (ST-483), which indicates the particular genotypic association of B. longissima and Wolbachia. The quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed a higher infection density in the eggs and adult stage, followed by the abdomen and reproductive tissues, respectively. However, no significant differences were observed in the infection density between sexes. Moreover, the wsp and concatenated MLST alignment analysis of this study with other known Wolbachia-mediated arthropods revealed similar clustering with distinct monophyletic supergroup B. This is the first comprehensive report on the prevalence, infection dynamics, and phylogeny of the Wolbachia endosymbiont in B. longissima, which demonstrated that Wolbachia is ubiquitous across all developmental stages and distributed in the entire body of B. longissima. Understanding the Wolbachia infection dynamics would provide useful insight to build a framework for future investigations, understand its impacts on host physiology, and exploit it as a potential biocontrol agent.}, }
@article {pmid29801436, year = {2018}, author = {Opatovsky, I and Santos-Garcia, D and Ruan, Z and Lahav, T and Ofaim, S and Mouton, L and Barbe, V and Jiang, J and Zchori-Fein, E and Freilich, S}, title = {Modeling trophic dependencies and exchanges among insects' bacterial symbionts in a host-simulated environment.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {19}, number = {1}, pages = {402}, doi = {10.1186/s12864-018-4786-7}, pmid = {29801436}, issn = {1471-2164}, support = {1481/13//Israel Science Foundation/ ; 484/17//Israel Science Foundation/ ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Individual organisms are linked to their communities and ecosystems via metabolic activities. Metabolic exchanges and co-dependencies have long been suggested to have a pivotal role in determining community structure. In phloem-feeding insects such metabolic interactions with bacteria enable complementation of their deprived nutrition. The phloem-feeding whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) harbors an obligatory symbiotic bacterium, as well as varying combinations of facultative symbionts. This well-defined bacterial community in B. tabaci serves here as a case study for a comprehensive and systematic survey of metabolic interactions within the bacterial community and their associations with documented occurrences of bacterial combinations. We first reconstructed the metabolic networks of five common B. tabaci symbionts genera (Portiera, Rickettsia, Hamiltonella, Cardinium and Wolbachia), and then used network analysis approaches to predict: (1) species-specific metabolic capacities in a simulated bacteriocyte-like environment; (2) metabolic capacities of the corresponding species' combinations, and (3) dependencies of each species on different media components.<br><br>RESULTS: The predictions for metabolic capacities of the symbionts in the host environment were in general agreement with previously reported genome analyses, each focused on the single-species level. The analysis suggests several previously un-reported routes for complementary interactions and estimated the dependency of each symbiont in specific host metabolites. No clear association was detected between metabolic co-dependencies and co-occurrence patterns.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The analysis generated predictions for testable hypotheses of metabolic exchanges and co-dependencies in bacterial communities and by crossing them with co-occurrence profiles, contextualized interaction patterns into a wider ecological perspective.}, }
@article {pmid29794009, year = {2018}, author = {Bakovic, V and Schebeck, M and Telschow, A and Stauffer, C and Schuler, H}, title = {Spatial spread of Wolbachia in Rhagoletis cerasi populations.}, journal = {Biology letters}, volume = {14}, number = {5}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1098/rsbl.2018.0161}, pmid = {29794009}, issn = {1744-957X}, abstract = {The bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia has been used to control insect pests owing to its ability to manipulate their life history and suppress infectious diseases. Therefore, knowledge on Wolbachia dynamics in natural populations is fundamental. The European cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cerasi, is infected with the Wolbachia strain wCer2, mainly present in southern and central European populations, and is currently spreading into wCer2-uninfected populations driven by high unidirectional cytoplasmic incompatibility. Here, we describe the distribution of wCer2 along two transition zones where the infection is spreading into wCer2-uninfected R. cerasi populations. Fine-scale sampling of 19 populations in the Czech Republic showed a smooth decrease of wCer2 frequency from south to north within a distance of less than 20 km. Sampling of 12 Hungarian populations, however, showed a sharp decline of wCer2 infection frequency within a few kilometres. We fitted a standard wave equation to our empirical data and estimated a Wolbachia wave speed of 1.9 km yr-1 in the Czech Republic and 1.0 km yr-1 in Hungary. Considering the univoltine life cycle and limited dispersal ability of R. cerasi, our study highlights a rapid Wolbachia spread in natural host populations.}, }
@article {pmid29792944, year = {2018}, author = {Stouthamer, CM and Kelly, S and Hunter, MS}, title = {Enrichment of low-density symbiont DNA from minute insects.}, journal = {Journal of microbiological methods}, volume = {151}, number = {}, pages = {16-19}, doi = {10.1016/j.mimet.2018.05.013}, pmid = {29792944}, issn = {1872-8359}, abstract = {Symbioses between bacteria and insects are often associated with changes in important biological traits that can significantly affect host fitness. To a large extent, studies of these interactions have been based on physiological changes or induced phenotypes in the host, and the genetic mechanisms by which symbionts interact with their hosts have only recently become better understood. Learning about symbionts has been challenging in part due to difficulties such as obtaining enough high quality genomic material for high throughput sequencing technology, especially for symbionts present in low titers, and in small or difficult to rear non-model hosts. Here we introduce a new method that substantially increases the yield of bacterial DNA in minute arthropod hosts, and requires less starting material relative to previous published methods.}, }
@article {pmid29789369, year = {2018}, author = {Schultz, MJ and Tan, AL and Gray, CN and Isern, S and Michael, SF and Frydman, HM and Connor, JH}, title = {Wolbachia wStri Blocks Zika Virus Growth at Two Independent Stages of Viral Replication.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {9}, number = {3}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1128/mBio.00738-18}, pmid = {29789369}, issn = {2150-7511}, abstract = {Mosquito-transmitted viruses are spread globally and present a great risk to human health. Among the many approaches investigated to limit the diseases caused by these viruses are attempts to make mosquitos resistant to virus infection. Coinfection of mosquitos with the bacterium Wolbachia pipientis from supergroup A is a recent strategy employed to reduce the capacity for major vectors in the Aedes mosquito genus to transmit viruses, including dengue virus (DENV), Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), and Zika virus (ZIKV). Recently, a supergroup B Wolbachia wStri, isolated from Laodelphax striatellus, was shown to inhibit multiple lineages of ZIKV in Aedes albopictus cells. Here, we show that wStri blocks the growth of positive-sense RNA viruses DENV, CHIKV, ZIKV, and yellow fever virus by greater than 99.9%. wStri presence did not affect the growth of the negative-sense RNA viruses LaCrosse virus or vesicular stomatitis virus. Investigation of the stages of the ZIKV life cycle inhibited by wStri identified two distinct blocks in viral replication. We found a reduction of ZIKV entry into wStri-infected cells. This was partially rescued by the addition of a cholesterol-lipid supplement. Independent of entry, transfected viral genome was unable to replicate in Wolbachia-infected cells. RNA transfection and metabolic labeling studies suggested that this replication defect is at the level of RNA translation, where we saw a 66% reduction in mosquito protein synthesis in wStri-infected cells. This study's findings increase the potential for application of wStri to block additional arboviruses and also identify specific blocks in viral infection caused by Wolbachia coinfection.IMPORTANCE Dengue, Zika, and yellow fever viruses are mosquito-transmitted diseases that have spread throughout the world, causing millions of infections and thousands of deaths each year. Existing programs that seek to contain these diseases through elimination of the mosquito population have so far failed, making it crucial to explore new ways of limiting the spread of these viruses. Here, we show that introduction of an insect symbiont, Wolbachia wStri, into mosquito cells is highly effective at reducing yellow fever virus, dengue virus, Zika virus, and Chikungunya virus production. Reduction of virus replication was attributable to decreases in entry and a strong block of virus gene expression at the translational level. These findings expand the potential use of Wolbachia wStri to block viruses and identify two separate steps for limiting virus replication in mosquitos that could be targeted via microbes or other means as an antiviral strategy.}, }
@article {pmid29779872, year = {2018}, author = {Funkhouser-Jones, LJ and van Opstal, EJ and Sharma, A and Bordenstein, SR}, title = {The Maternal Effect Gene Wds Controls Wolbachia Titer in Nasonia.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {28}, number = {11}, pages = {1692-1702.e6}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2018.04.010}, pmid = {29779872}, issn = {1879-0445}, support = {R21 HD086833/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/United States ; P60 DK020593/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; P30 DK058404/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; P30 EY008126/EY/NEI NIH HHS/United States ; P30 DK020593/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; P30 CA068485/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; T32 GM008554/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI132581/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; U24 DK059637/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Maternal transmission of intracellular microbes is pivotal in establishing long-term, intimate symbioses. For germline microbes that exert negative reproductive effects on their hosts, selection can theoretically favor the spread of host genes that counteract the microbe's harmful effects. Here, we leverage a major difference in bacterial (Wolbachia pipientis) titers between closely related wasp species with forward genetic, transcriptomic, and cytological approaches to map two quantitative trait loci that suppress bacterial titers via a maternal effect. Fine mapping and knockdown experiments identify the gene Wolbachia density suppressor (Wds), which dominantly suppresses bacterial transmission from mother to embryo. Wds evolved by lineage-specific non-synonymous changes driven by positive selection. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that a genetically simple change arose by positive Darwinian selection in less than a million years to regulate maternally transmitted bacteria via a dominant, maternal effect gene.}, }
@article {pmid29777177, year = {2018}, author = {Flores, HA and O'Neill, SL}, title = {Controlling vector-borne diseases by releasing modified mosquitoes.}, journal = {Nature reviews. Microbiology}, volume = {16}, number = {8}, pages = {508-518}, doi = {10.1038/s41579-018-0025-0}, pmid = {29777177}, issn = {1740-1534}, abstract = {Aedes mosquito-transmitted diseases, such as dengue, Zika and chikungunya, are becoming major global health emergencies while old threats, such as yellow fever, are re-emerging. Traditional control methods, which have focused on reducing mosquito populations through the application of insecticides or preventing breeding through removal of larval habitat, are largely ineffective, as evidenced by the increasing global disease burden. Here, we review novel mosquito population reduction and population modification approaches with a focus on control methods based on the release of mosquitoes, including the release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes and strategies to genetically modify the vector, that are currently under development and have the potential to contribute to a reversal of the current alarming disease trends.}, }
@article {pmid29776407, year = {2018}, author = {Lindsey, ARI and Kelkar, YD and Wu, X and Sun, D and Martinson, EO and Yan, Z and Rugman-Jones, PF and Hughes, DST and Murali, SC and Qu, J and Dugan, S and Lee, SL and Chao, H and Dinh, H and Han, Y and Doddapaneni, HV and Worley, KC and Muzny, DM and Ye, G and Gibbs, RA and Richards, S and Yi, SV and Stouthamer, R and Werren, JH}, title = {Comparative genomics of the miniature wasp and pest control agent Trichogramma pretiosum.}, journal = {BMC biology}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {54}, doi = {10.1186/s12915-018-0520-9}, pmid = {29776407}, issn = {1741-7007}, support = {MCB 1615664//National Science Foundation/ ; 194617//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; DEB 1257053//National Science Foundation/ ; DEB 1501227//National Science Foundation/ ; U54 HG003273//National Human Genome Research Institute/ ; U54 HG003273/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; 2016-67011-24778//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; IOS 1456233//National Science Foundation/ ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Trichogrammatids are minute parasitoid wasps that develop within other insect eggs. They are less than half a millimeter long, smaller than some protozoans. The Trichogrammatidae are one of the earliest branching families of Chalcidoidea: a diverse superfamily of approximately half a million species of parasitoid wasps, proposed to have evolved from a miniaturized ancestor. Trichogramma are frequently used in agriculture, released as biological control agents against major moth and butterfly pests. Additionally, Trichogramma are well known for their symbiotic bacteria that induce asexual reproduction in infected females. Knowledge of the genome sequence of Trichogramma is a major step towards further understanding its biology and potential applications in pest control.<br><br>RESULTS: We report the 195-Mb genome sequence of Trichogramma pretiosum and uncover signatures of miniaturization and adaptation in Trichogramma and related parasitoids. Comparative analyses reveal relatively rapid evolution of proteins involved in ribosome biogenesis and function, transcriptional regulation, and ploidy regulation. Chalcids also show loss or especially rapid evolution of 285 gene clusters conserved in other Hymenoptera, including many that are involved in signal transduction and embryonic development. Comparisons between sexual and asexual lineages of Trichogramma pretiosum reveal that there is no strong evidence for genome degradation (e.g., gene loss) in the asexual lineage, although it does contain a lower repeat content than the sexual lineage. Trichogramma shows particularly rapid genome evolution compared to other hymenopterans. We speculate these changes reflect adaptations to miniaturization, and to life as a specialized egg parasitoid.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The genomes of Trichogramma and related parasitoids are a valuable resource for future studies of these diverse and economically important insects, including explorations of parasitoid biology, symbiosis, asexuality, biological control, and the evolution of miniaturization. Understanding the molecular determinants of parasitism can also inform mass rearing of Trichogramma and other parasitoids for biological control.}, }
@article {pmid29771340, year = {2018}, author = {Schebeck, M and Feldkirchner, L and Marín, B and Krumböck, S and Schuler, H and Stauffer, C}, title = {Reproductive Manipulators in the Bark Beetle Pityogenes chalcographus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)-The Role of Cardinium, Rickettsia, Spiroplasma, and Wolbachia.}, journal = {Journal of insect science (Online)}, volume = {18}, number = {3}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/jisesa/iey044}, pmid = {29771340}, issn = {1536-2442}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reproduction ; Rickettsia/*isolation &amp; purification ; Spiroplasma/*isolation &amp; purification ; *Symbiosis ; Weevils/*microbiology ; Wolbachia/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Heritable bacterial endosymbionts can alter the biology of numerous arthropods. They can influence the reproductive outcome of infected hosts, thus affecting the ecology and evolution of various arthropod species. The spruce bark beetle Pityogenes chalcographus (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) was reported to express partial, unidirectional crossing incompatibilities among certain European populations. Knowledge on the background of these findings is lacking; however, bacterial endosymbionts have been assumed to manipulate the reproduction of this beetle. Previous work reported low-density and low-frequency Wolbachia infections of P. chalcographus but found it unlikely that this infection results in reproductive alterations. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis of an endosymbiont-driven incompatibility, other than Wolbachia, reflected by an infection pattern on a wide geographic scale. We performed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening of 226 individuals from 18 European populations for the presence of the endosymbionts Cardinium, Rickettsia, and Spiroplasma, and additionally screened these individuals for Wolbachia. Positive PCR products were sequenced to characterize these bacteria. Our study shows a low prevalence of these four endosymbionts in P. chalcographus. We detected a yet undescribed Spiroplasma strain in a single individual from Greece. This is the first time that this endosymbiont has been found in a bark beetle. Further, Wolbachia was detected in three beetles from two Scandinavian populations and two new Wolbachia strains were described. None of the individuals analyzed were infected with Cardinium and Rickettsia. The low prevalence of bacteria found here does not support the hypothesis of an endosymbiont-driven reproductive incompatibility in P. chalcographus.}, }
@article {pmid29766491, year = {2018}, author = {Kriesner, P and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {Rapid spread of a Wolbachia infection that does not affect host reproduction in Drosophila simulans cage populations.}, journal = {Evolution; international journal of organic evolution}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/evo.13506}, pmid = {29766491}, issn = {1558-5646}, abstract = {Wolbachia endosymbionts that are maternally inherited can spread rapidly in host populations through inducing sterility in uninfected females, but some Wolbachia infections do not influence host reproduction yet still persist. These infections are particularly interesting because they likely represent mutualistic endosymbionts, spreading by increasing host fitness. Here, we document such a spread in the wAu infection of Drosophila simulans. By establishing multiple replicate cage populations, we show that wAu consistently increased from an intermediate frequency to near fixation, representing an estimated fitness advantage of around 20% for infected females. The effective population size in the cages was estimated from SNP markers to be around a few thousand individuals, precluding large effects of genetic drift in the populations. The exact reasons for the fitness advantage are unclear but viral protection and nutritional benefits are two possibilities.}, }
@article {pmid29765368, year = {2018}, author = {Hu, W and Kuang, F and Lu, Z and Zhang, N and Chen, T}, title = {Killing Effects of an Isolated Serratia marcescens KH-001 on Diaphorina citri via Lowering the Endosymbiont Numbers.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {860}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2018.00860}, pmid = {29765368}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Huanglongbing (HLB) is the most devastating citrus disease worldwide, and suppression of the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) is regarded as an effective method to inhibit the spread of HLB. In this study, we isolated a strain named as Serratia marcescens KH-001 from D. citri nymphs suffering from disease, and evaluated its killing effect on D. citri via toxicity test and effect on microbial community in D. citri using high-throughput sequencing. Our results indicated that S. marcescens KH-001 could effectively kill 83% of D. citri nymphs, while the fermentation products of S. marcescens KH-001 only killed 40% of the D. citrinymphs. High-throughput sequencing results indicated that the S. marcescens KH-001 increased the OTU numbers from 62.5 (PBS buffer) to 81.5, while significantly lowered the Shannon index compared with Escherichia coli DH5α (group E) (p < 0.05). OTU analysis showed that the S. marcescens KH-001 had significantly reduced the relative abundance of endosymbionts Wolbachia, Profftella, and Carsonella in group S compared with that in other groups (p < 0.05). Therefore, the direct killing effect of the fermentation products of S. marcescens KH-001 and the indirect effect via reducing the numbers of endosymbionts (Wolbachia, Profftella, and Carsonella) of D. citri endow S. marcescens KH-001 a sound killing effect on D. citri. Further work need to do before this strain is used as a sound biological control agents.}, }
@article {pmid29761037, year = {2018}, author = {Duplouy, A and Hornett, EA}, title = {Uncovering the hidden players in Lepidoptera biology: the heritable microbial endosymbionts.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {6}, number = {}, pages = {e4629}, doi = {10.7717/peerj.4629}, pmid = {29761037}, issn = {2167-8359}, abstract = {The Lepidoptera is one of the most widespread and recognisable insect orders. Due to their remarkable diversity, economic and ecological importance, moths and butterflies have been studied extensively over the last 200 years. More recently, the relationship between Lepidoptera and their heritable microbial endosymbionts has received increasing attention. Heritable endosymbionts reside within the host's body and are often, but not exclusively, inherited through the female line. Advancements in molecular genetics have revealed that host-associated microbes are both extremely prevalent among arthropods and highly diverse. Furthermore, heritable endosymbionts have been repeatedly demonstrated to play an integral role in many aspects of host biology, particularly host reproduction. Here, we review the major findings of research of heritable microbial endosymbionts of butterflies and moths. We promote the Lepidoptera as important models in the study of reproductive manipulations employed by heritable endosymbionts, with the mechanisms underlying male-killing and feminisation currently being elucidated in moths and butterflies. We also reveal that the vast majority of research undertaken of Lepidopteran endosymbionts concerns Wolbachia. While this highly prevalent bacterium is undoubtedly important, studies should move towards investigating the presence of other, and interacting endosymbionts, and we discuss the merits of examining the microbiome of Lepidoptera to this end. We finally consider the importance of understanding the influence of endosymbionts under global environmental change and when planning conservation management of endangered Lepidoptera species.}, }
@article {pmid29760316, year = {2018}, author = {Katsuma, S and Kiuchi, T and Kawamoto, M and Fujimoto, T and Sahara, K}, title = {Unique sex determination system in the silkworm, Bombyx mori: current status and beyond.}, journal = {Proceedings of the Japan Academy. Series B, Physical and biological sciences}, volume = {94}, number = {5}, pages = {205-216}, doi = {10.2183/pjab.94.014}, pmid = {29760316}, issn = {1349-2896}, abstract = {The silkworm Bombyx mori has been used for silk production for over 5,000 years. In addition to its contribution to sericulture, B. mori has played an important role in the field of genetics. Classical genetic studies revealed that a gene(s) with a strong feminizing activity is located on the W chromosome, but this W-linked feminizing gene, called Feminizer (Fem), had not been cloned despite more than 80 years of study. In 2014, we discovered that Fem is a precursor of a single W chromosome-derived PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA). Fem-derived piRNA binds to PIWI protein, and this complex then cleaves the mRNA of the Z-linked Masculinizer (Masc) gene, which encodes a protein required for both masculinization and dosage compensation. These findings showed that the piRNA-mediated interaction between the two sex chromosomes is the primary signal for the sex determination cascade in B. mori. In this review, we summarize the history, current status, and perspective of studies on sex determination and related topics in B. mori.}, }
@article {pmid29757522, year = {2018}, author = {Morçiçek, B and Taskin, BG and Doğaç, E and Doğaroğlu, T and Taskin, V}, title = {Evidence of natural Wolbachia infections and molecular identification of field populations of Culex pipiens complex (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes in western Turkey.}, journal = {Journal of vector ecology : journal of the Society for Vector Ecology}, volume = {43}, number = {1}, pages = {44-51}, doi = {10.1111/jvec.12281}, pmid = {29757522}, issn = {1948-7134}, abstract = {Establishing reliable risk projection information about the distribution pattern of members of the Culex pipiens complex is of particular interest, as these mosquitoes are competent vectors for certain disease-causing pathogens. Wolbachia, a maternally inherited bacterial symbiont, are distributed in various arthropod species and can induce cytoplasmic incompatibility, i.e., reduced egg hatch, in certain crosses. It is being considered as a tool for population control of mosquito disease vectors. The Aegean region is characterized by highly populated, rural, and agricultural areas and is also on the route of the migratory birds. In this study, a fragment of the 658 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene, which includes the barcode region, was employed to differentiate Cx. pipiens complex species found in this region. Moreover, for the first time, the prevalence of Wolbachia endobacteria in these natural populations was examined using PCR amplification of a specific wsp gene. Our results revealed a widespread (more than 90%, n=121) presence of the highly efficient West Nile virus vector Cx. quinquefasciatus in the region. We also found that Wolbachia infection is widespread; the average prevalence was 62% in populations throughout the region. This study provided valuable information about the composition of Cx. pipiens complex mosquitoes and the prevalence of Wolbachia infection in these populations in the Aegean region. This information will be helpful in tracking mosquito-borne diseases and designing and implementing Wolbachia-based control strategies in the region.}, }
@article {pmid29751814, year = {2018}, author = {Ant, TH and Sinkins, SP}, title = {A Wolbachia triple-strain infection generates self-incompatibility in Aedes albopictus and transmission instability in Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {295}, doi = {10.1186/s13071-018-2870-0}, pmid = {29751814}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {202888, 108508//Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; BB/K004506//Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; ZK/16-021//Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Artificially-introduced transinfections of the intracellular bacterium Wolbachia pipientis have the potential to reduce the vectorial capacity of mosquito populations for viruses such as dengue and chikungunya. Aedes albopictus has two native strains of Wolbachia, but their replacement with the non-native wMel strain blocks transmission of both viruses. The pattern of cytoplasmic incompatiiblity generated by wMel with wild-types is bidirectional. Novel-plus-native-strain co-infection is predicted to lead to a more efficient population spread capacity; from a bi-directional to a uni-directional cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) model.<br><br>RESULTS: A novel-plus-native-strain triple-infection in Ae. albopictus (wAlbAwAlbBwMel) was generated. Although triple-infected females were fully reproductively viable with uninfected males, they displayed self-incompatibility. qPCR of specific strains in dissected tissues suggested that this may be due to the displacement of one of the native strains (wAlbA) from the ovaries of triple-infected females. When the triple strain infection was transferred into Aedes aegypti it displayed an unexpectedly low level of transmission fidelity of the three strains in this species.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that combining Wolbachia strains can lead to co-infection interactions that can affect outcomes of CI and maternal transmission.}, }
@article {pmid29745300, year = {2018}, author = {Karimian, F and Vatandoost, H and Rassi, Y and Maleki-Ravasan, N and Choubdar, N and Koosha, M and Arzamani, K and Moradi-Asl, E and Veysi, A and Alipour, H and Shirani, M and Oshaghi, MA}, title = {wsp-based analysis of Wolbachia strains associated with Phlebotomus papatasi and P. sergenti (Diptera: Psychodidae) main cutaneous leishmaniasis vectors, introduction of a new subgroup wSerg.}, journal = {Pathogens and global health}, volume = {112}, number = {3}, pages = {152-160}, doi = {10.1080/20477724.2018.1471438}, pmid = {29745300}, issn = {2047-7732}, abstract = {Sand flies of Phlebotomus papatasi and P. sergenti are the main vectors of cutaneous leishmanisis (CL) in the old world. We aimed to screen Iranian P. papatasi and P. sergenti for their natural infections with Wolbachia and to determine their phylogenetic association with other species. Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) gene was PCR amplified from DNA extracted from Phlebotomus species, sequenced, and were analysed in combination with wsp sequences related to Phelebtominae and other insects. All Wolbachia-infecting Iranian sand flies of P. papatasi and P. sergenti were classified in the Supergroup A., Wolbachia isolated from P. sergenti were clustered in a new subgroup within Supergroup A so-called wSreg. The Wolbachia strains identified from the P. papatasi clustered mainly in the subgroup wPap and partly in wSerg. Multiple Wholbachia infection within a single population of P.papatasi warrants investigation on existence and intensity of cytoplasmic incompatibility between the wPap and wSerg subgroups.}, }
@article {pmid29732657, year = {2018}, author = {Zheng, Y and Bi, J and Hou, MY and Shen, W and Zhang, W and Ai, H and Yu, XQ and Wang, YF}, title = {Ocnus is essential for male germ cell development in Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {Insect molecular biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/imb.12393}, pmid = {29732657}, issn = {1365-2583}, abstract = {The ocnus (ocn) gene encodes a protein abundant in the testes, implying its role in testis development. When Drosophila melanogaster is infected with the endosymbiont wMel Wolbachia, which affects the spermatogenesis of its hosts, ocn is downregulated in the third-instar larval testes, suggesting a role of ocn in spermatogenesis. In this study, we knocked down ocn in the testes and found that the hatch rates of embryos derived from ocn-knockdown males were significantly decreased, and 84.38% of the testes were much smaller in comparison to controls. Analysis of the smaller testes showed no germ cells but they had an extended hub. Using RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq), we identified 69 genes with at least a twofold change (q-value < 5%) in their expression after ocn knockdown; of these, eight testes-specific and three reproduction-related genes were verified to be significantly downregulated using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. Three genes (orientation disruptor, p24-2 and CG13541) were also significantly downregulated in the presence of Wolbachia. Furthermore, 98 genes were not expressed when ocn was knocked down in testes. These results suggest that ocn plays a crucial role in male germ cell development in Drosophila, possibly by regulating the expression of multiple spermatogenesis-related genes. Our data provide important information to help understand the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying spermatogenesis.}, }
@article {pmid29725059, year = {2018}, author = {Dittmer, J and Bouchon, D}, title = {Feminizing Wolbachia influence microbiota composition in the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {6998}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-25450-4}, pmid = {29725059}, issn = {2045-2322}, abstract = {Wolbachia are widespread heritable endosymbionts of arthropods notorious for their profound effects on host fitness as well as for providing protection against viruses and eukaryotic parasites, indicating that they can interact with other microorganisms sharing the same host environment. Using the terrestrial isopod crustacean Armadillidium vulgare, its highly diverse microbiota (>200 bacterial genera) and its three feminizing Wolbachia strains (wVulC, wVulM, wVulP) as a model system, the present study demonstrates that Wolbachia can even influence the composition of a diverse bacterial community under both laboratory and natural conditions. While host origin is the major determinant of the taxonomic composition of the microbiota in A. vulgare, Wolbachia infection affected both the presence and, more importantly, the abundance of many bacterial taxa within each host population, possibly due to competitive interactions. Moreover, different Wolbachia strains had different impacts on microbiota composition. As such, infection with wVulC affected a higher number of taxa than infection with wVulM, possibly due to intrinsic differences in virulence and titer between these two strains. In conclusion, this study shows that heritable endosymbionts such as Wolbachia can act as biotic factors shaping the microbiota of arthropods, with as yet unknown consequences on host fitness.}, }
@article {pmid29722798, year = {2018}, author = {Li, H and Li, T and Qu, J}, title = {Stochastic processes govern bacterial communities from the blood of pikas and from their arthropod vectors.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology}, volume = {94}, number = {6}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/femsec/fiy082}, pmid = {29722798}, issn = {1574-6941}, abstract = {Vector-borne microbes influence pathogen transmission and blood microbiomes, thereby affecting the emergence of infectious diseases. Thus, understanding the relationship between host and vector microbiomes is of importance. In this study, we investigated the bacterial community composition, diversity and assembly of the flea (Rhadinopsylla dahurica vicina), torsalo (Hypoderma curzonial), and the blood and gut of their shared pika host, Ochotona curzoniae. Bartonella, Sphingomonas and Bradyrhizobium were enriched in blood, while Wolbachia and Fusobacterium were more abundant in fleas and torsaloes. Most of potential pathogenic microbes (belonging to Fusobacterium, Rickettsia, Kingella, Porphyromonas, Bartonella and Mycoplasma) were present in the blood of pikas and their vectors. Blood communities were more similar to those from fleas than other sample types and were independent of host factors or geographical sites. Notably, blood microbes originate mainly from fleas rather than gut or torsaloes. Interestingly, the community assembly of blood, fleas or torsaloes was primarily governed by stochastic processes, while the gut microbiome was determined by deterministic processes. Ecological drift plays a dominant role in the assembly of blood and flea microbiomes. These results reflect the difficulty for predicting and regulating the microbial ecology of fleas for the prevention of potential microbiome-associated diseases.}, }
@article {pmid29720714, year = {2018}, author = {Pereira, TN and Rocha, MN and Sucupira, PHF and Carvalho, FD and Moreira, LA}, title = {Wolbachia significantly impacts the vector competence of Aedes aegypti for Mayaro virus.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {6889}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-25236-8}, pmid = {29720714}, issn = {2045-2322}, abstract = {Wolbachia, an intracellular endosymbiont present in up to 70% of all insect species, has been suggested as a sustainable strategy for the control of arboviruses such as Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya. As Mayaro virus outbreaks have also been reported in Latin American countries, the objective of this study was to evaluate the vector competence of Brazilian field-collected Ae. aegypti and the impact of Wolbachia (wMel strain) upon this virus. Our in vitro studies with Aag2 cells showed that Mayaro virus can rapidly multiply, whereas in wMel-infected Aag2 cells, viral growth was significantly impaired. In addition, C6/36 cells seem to have alterations when infected by Mayaro virus. In vivo experiments showed that field-collected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes are highly permissive to Mayaro virus infection, and high viral prevalence was observed in the saliva. On the other hand, Wolbachia-harboring mosquitoes showed significantly impaired capability to transmit Mayaro virus. Our results suggest that the use of Wolbachia-harboring mosquitoes may represent an effective mechanism for the reduction of Mayaro virus transmission throughout Latin America.}, }
@article {pmid29720706, year = {2018}, author = {Pance, A}, title = {Can Wolbachia save the day?.}, journal = {Nature reviews. Microbiology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1038/s41579-018-0021-4}, pmid = {29720706}, issn = {1740-1534}, }
@article {pmid29709692, year = {2018}, author = {Steiner, FM and Csősz, S and Markó, B and Gamisch, A and Rinnhofer, L and Folterbauer, C and Hammerle, S and Stauffer, C and Arthofer, W and Schlick-Steiner, BC}, title = {Turning one into five: Integrative taxonomy uncovers complex evolution of cryptic species in the harvester ant Messor &quot;structor&quot;.}, journal = {Molecular phylogenetics and evolution}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.ympev.2018.04.005}, pmid = {29709692}, issn = {1095-9513}, abstract = {Seed harvesting ants are ecosystem engineers that shape vegetation, nutrient cycles, and microclimate. Progress in ecological research is, however, slowed down by poor species delimitation. For example, it has not been resolved to date, how many species the European harvester ant Messor &quot;structor&quot; (Latreille, 1798) represents. Since its first description, splitting into additional taxa was often proposed but not accepted later on due to inconsistent support from morphology and ecology. Here, we took an iterative integrative-taxonomy approach - comparing multiple, independent data sets of the same sample - and used traditional morphometrics, Wolbachia symbionts, mitochondrial DNA, amplified fragment length polymorphism, and ecological niche modelling. Using the complementarity of the data sets applied, we resolved multiple, strong disagreements over the number of species, ranging from four to ten, and the allocation of individuals to species. We consider most plausible a five-species hypothesis and conclude the taxonomic odyssey by redescribing Messor structor, M. ibericus Santschi, 1925, and M. muticus (Nylander, 1849) stat.rev., and by describing two new species, M. ponticus sp.n. and M. mcarthuri sp.n. The evolutionary explanations invoked in resolving the various data conflicts include pronounced morphological crypsis, incomplete lineage-sorting or ongoing cospeciation of endosymbionts, and peripatric speciation - these ants' significance to evolutionary biology parallels that to ecology. The successful solution of this particular problem illustrates the usefulness of the integrative approach to other systematic problems of comparable complexity and the importance of understanding evolution to drawing correct conclusions on species' attributes, including their ecology and biogeography.}, }
@article {pmid29701280, year = {2018}, author = {Ote, M and Yamamoto, D}, title = {Enhancing Nanos expression via the bacterial TomO protein is a conserved strategy used by the symbiont Wolbachia to fuel germ stem cell maintenance in infected Drosophila females.}, journal = {Archives of insect biochemistry and physiology}, volume = {98}, number = {3}, pages = {e21471}, doi = {10.1002/arch.21471}, pmid = {29701280}, issn = {1520-6327}, mesh = {Animals ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; Bacterial Proteins/*physiology ; Culex/genetics/microbiology ; Drosophila/*microbiology/physiology ; Drosophila Proteins/*metabolism ; Female ; Germ Cells/*physiology ; Male ; RNA-Binding Proteins/*metabolism ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The toxic manipulator of oogenesis (TomO) protein has been identified in the wMel strain of Wolbachia that symbioses with the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster, as a protein that affects host reproduction. TomO protects germ stem cells (GSCs) from degeneration, which otherwise occurs in ovaries of host females that are mutant for the gene Sex-lethal (Sxl). We isolated the TomO homologs from wPip, a Wolbachia strain from the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus. One of the homologs, TomOwPip 1, exerted the GSC rescue activity in fly Sxl mutants when lacking its hydrophobic stretches. The GSC-rescuing action of the TomOwPip 1 variant was ascribable to its abilities to associate with Nanos (nos) mRNA and to enhance Nos protein expression. The analysis of structure-activity relationships with TomO homologs and TomO deletion variants revealed distinct modules in the protein that are each dedicated to different functions, i.e., subcellular localization, nos mRNA binding or Nos expression enhancement. We propose that modular reshuffling is the basis for structural and functional diversification of TomO protein members.}, }
@article {pmid29694414, year = {2018}, author = {Bridgeman, B and Morgan-Richards, M and Wheeler, D and Trewick, SA}, title = {First detection of Wolbachia in the New Zealand biota.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {13}, number = {4}, pages = {e0195517}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0195517}, pmid = {29694414}, issn = {1932-6203}, abstract = {Wolbachia is one of the most widespread intracellular bacteria on earth, estimated to infect between 40 and 66% of arthropod species in most ecosystems that have been surveyed. Their significance rests not only in their vast distribution, but also in their ability to modify the reproductive biology of their hosts, which can ultimately affect genetic diversity and speciation of infected populations. Wolbachia has yet to be formally identified in the fauna of New Zealand which has high levels of endemic biodiversity and this represents a gap in our understanding of the global biology of Wolbachia. Using High Throughput Sequencing (HTS) of host DNA in conjunction with traditional molecular techniques we identified six endemic Orthoptera species that were positive for Wolbachia infection. In addition, short-sequence amplification with Wolbachia specific primers applied to New Zealand and introduced invertebrates detected a further 153 individuals positive for Wolbachia. From these short-range DNA amplification products sequence data was obtained for the ftsZ gene region from 86 individuals representing 10 host species. Phylogenetic analysis using the sequences obtained in this study reveals that there are two distinct Wolbachia bacteria lineages in New Zealand hosts belonging to recognised Wolbachia supergroups (A and B). These represent the first described instances of Wolbachia in the New Zealand native fauna, including detection in putative parasitoids of infected Orthoptera suggesting a possible transmission path. Our detection of Wolbachia infections of New Zealand species provides the opportunity to study local transmission of Wolbachia and explore their role in the evolution of New Zealand invertebrates.}, }
@article {pmid29691935, year = {2018}, author = {Henry, LP and Newton, ILG}, title = {Mitochondria and Wolbachia titers are positively correlated during maternal transmission.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {27}, number = {11}, pages = {2634-2646}, doi = {10.1111/mec.14700}, pmid = {29691935}, issn = {1365-294X}, abstract = {Mothers provide their offspring with symbionts. Maternally transmitted, intracellular symbionts must disperse from mother to offspring with other cytoplasmic elements, like mitochondria. Here, we investigated how the intracellular symbiont Wolbachia interacts with mitochondria during maternal transmission. Mitochondria and Wolbachia may interact antagonistically and compete as each population tries to ensure its own evolutionary success. Alternatively, mitochondria and Wolbachia may cooperate as both benefit from ensuring the fitness of the mother. We characterized the relationship between mitochondria and Wolbachia titers in ovaries of Drosophila melanogaster. We found that mitochondria and Wolbachia titers are positively correlated in common laboratory genotypes of D. melanogaster. We attempted to perturb this covariation through the introduction of Wolbachia variants that colonize at different titers. We also attempted to perturb the covariation through manipulating the female reproductive tract to disrupt maternal transmission. Finally, we also attempted to disrupt the covariation by knocking down gene expression for two loci involved in mitochondrial metabolism: NADH dehydrogenase and a mitochondrial transporter. Overall, we find that mitochondria and Wolbachia titers are commonly positively correlated, but this positive covariation is disrupted at high titers of Wolbachia. Our results suggest that mitochondria and Wolbachia have likely evolved mechanisms to stably coexist, but the competitive dynamics change at high Wolbachia titers. We provide future directions to better understand how their interaction influences the maintenance of the symbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid29689195, year = {2018}, author = {Foray, V and Pérez-Jiménez, MM and Fattouh, N and Landmann, F}, title = {Wolbachia Control Stem Cell Behavior and Stimulate Germline Proliferation in Filarial Nematodes.}, journal = {Developmental cell}, volume = {45}, number = {2}, pages = {198-211.e3}, doi = {10.1016/j.devcel.2018.03.017}, pmid = {29689195}, issn = {1878-1551}, mesh = {Animals ; Brugia malayi/*growth &amp; development/microbiology ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; Filariasis/metabolism/parasitology/*pathology ; Germ Cells/*cytology/microbiology/physiology ; Helminth Proteins/genetics/*metabolism ; Male ; Stem Cells/cytology/microbiology/*physiology ; *Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Although symbiotic interactions are ubiquitous in the living world, examples of developmental symbioses are still scarce. We show here the crucial role of Wolbachia in the oogenesis of filarial nematodes, a class of parasites of biomedical and veterinary relevance. We applied newly developed techniques to demonstrate the earliest requirements of Wolbachia in the parasite germline preceding the production of faulty embryos in Wolbachia-depleted nematodes. We show that Wolbachia stimulate germline proliferation in a cell-autonomous manner, and not through nucleotide supplementation as previously hypothesized. We also found Wolbachia to maintain the quiescence of a pool of germline stem cells to ensure a constant delivery of about 1,400 eggs per day for many years. The loss of quiescence upon Wolbachia depletion as well as the disorganization of the distal germline suggest that Wolbachia are required to execute the proper germline stem cell developmental program in order to produce viable eggs and embryos.}, }
@article {pmid29686946, year = {2018}, author = {Russell, JE and Nunney, L and Saum, M and Stouthamer, R}, title = {Host and symbiont genetic contributions to fitness in a Trichogramma-Wolbachia symbiosis.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {6}, number = {}, pages = {e4655}, doi = {10.7717/peerj.4655}, pmid = {29686946}, issn = {2167-8359}, abstract = {The fitness effects associated with Wolbachia infection have wide-ranging ecological and evolutionary consequences for host species. How these effects are modulated by the relative influence of host and Wolbachia genomes has been described as a balancing act of genomic cooperation and conflict. For vertically transmitted symbionts, like cytoplasmic Wolbachia, concordant host-symbiont fitness interests would seem to select for genomic cooperation. However, Wolbachia's ability to manipulate host reproductive systems and distort offspring sex ratios presents an evolutionary conflict of interest with infected hosts. In the parthenogenesis-inducing (PI) form of Wolbachia found in many haplodiploid insects, Wolbachia fitness is realized through females and is enhanced by their feminization of male embryos and subsequent parthenogenetic reproduction. In contrast, as long as Wolbachia is not fixed in a population and sexual reproduction persists, fitness for the host species is realized through both male and female offspring production. How these cooperating and competing interests interact and the relative influence of host and Wolbachia genomes were investigated in the egg parasitoid Trichogramma kaykai, where Wolbachia infection has remained at a low frequency in the field. A factorial design in which laboratory cultures of Wolbachia-infected T. kaykai were cured and re-infected with alternative Wolbachia strains was used to determine the relative influence of host and Wolbachia genomes on host fitness values. Our results suggest fitness variation is largely a function of host genetic background, except in the case of offspring sex ratio where a significant interaction between host and Wolbachia genomes was found. We also find a significant effect associated with the horizontal transfer of Wolbachia strains, which we discuss in terms of the potential for coadaptation in PI-Wolbachia symbioses.}, }
@article {pmid29686091, year = {2018}, author = {Shropshire, JD and On, J and Layton, EM and Zhou, H and Bordenstein, SR}, title = {One prophage WO gene rescues cytoplasmic incompatibility in Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {115}, number = {19}, pages = {4987-4991}, doi = {10.1073/pnas.1800650115}, pmid = {29686091}, issn = {1091-6490}, support = {R21 HD086833/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/United States ; P60 DK020593/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; P30 DK058404/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; P30 EY008126/EY/NEI NIH HHS/United States ; P30 DK020593/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; P30 CA068485/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI132581/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; U24 DK059637/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are maternally inherited, intracellular bacteria at the forefront of vector control efforts to curb arbovirus transmission. In international field trials, the cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) drive system of wMel Wolbachia is deployed to replace target vector populations, whereby a Wolbachia-induced modification of the sperm genome kills embryos. However, Wolbachia in the embryo rescue the sperm genome impairment, and therefore CI results in a strong fitness advantage for infected females that transmit the bacteria to offspring. The two genes responsible for the wMel-induced sperm modification of CI, cifA and cifB, were recently identified in the eukaryotic association module of prophage WO, but the genetic basis of rescue is unresolved. Here we use transgenic and cytological approaches to demonstrate that maternal cifA expression independently rescues CI and nullifies embryonic death caused by wMel Wolbachia in Drosophila melanogaster Discovery of cifA as the rescue gene and previously one of two CI induction genes establishes a &quot;Two-by-One&quot; model that underpins the genetic basis of CI. Results highlight the central role of prophage WO in shaping Wolbachia phenotypes that are significant to arthropod evolution and vector control.}, }
@article {pmid29676724, year = {2018}, author = {Monsanto-Hearne, V and Johnson, KN}, title = {Wolbachia-mediated protection of Drosophila melanogaster against systemic infection with its natural viral pathogen Drosophila C virus does not involve changes in levels of highly abundant miRNAs.}, journal = {The Journal of general virology}, volume = {99}, number = {6}, pages = {827-831}, doi = {10.1099/jgv.0.001064}, pmid = {29676724}, issn = {1465-2099}, abstract = {The presence of Wolbachia confers virus protection to insects. The molecular mechanism underlying Wolbachia-mediated protection in this tripartite host-endosymbiont-virus interaction is not yet fully understood. In the bipartite association between Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila C virus (DCV), changes in the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) influence the outcome of viral pathogenesis. Here we examined whether changes in miRNA expression are similarly involved in the Drosophila-Wolbachia-DCV association. The levels of highly abundant miRNAs in D. melanogaster, Wolbachia-mono-infected D. melanogaster, and DCV- and Wolbachia-bi-infected D. melanogaster were quantified using RT-qPCR and compared. The results show that the abundance of the 17 tested D. melanogaster miRNAs is not affected by Wolbachia endosymbiosis or by bi-infection of Wolbachia and DCV. These results suggest that the in vivo protection conferred by Wolbachia to its native host against D. melanogaster's natural pathogen DCV is not likely to be dependent on or associated with changes in the levels of highly expressed miRNAs.}, }
@article {pmid29674896, year = {2018}, author = {Mally, R and Huemer, P and Nuss, M}, title = {Deep intraspecific DNA barcode splits and hybridisation in the Udea alpinalis group (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Crambidae) - an integrative revision.}, journal = {ZooKeys}, volume = {}, number = {746}, pages = {51-90}, doi = {10.3897/zookeys.746.22020}, pmid = {29674896}, issn = {1313-2989}, abstract = {The analysis of mitochondrial COI data for the European-Centroasian montane Udea alpinalis species group finds deep intraspecific splits. Specimens of U. austriacalis and U. rhododendronalis separate into several biogeographical groups. These allopatric groups are not recovered in the analyses of the two nuclear markers wingless and Elongation factor 1-alpha, except for U. austriacalis from the Pyrenees and the French Massif Central. The latter populations are also morphologically distinct and conspecific with Scopula donzelalis Guenée, 1854, which is removed from synonymy and reinstated as Udea donzelalis (Guenée, 1854) stat. rev. Furthermore, Udea altaica (Zerny, 1914), stat. n. from the Mongolian central Altai mountains, U. juldusalis (Zerny, 1914), stat. n. from the Tian Shan mountains of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and NW China, and U. plumbalis (Zerny, 1914), stat. n. from the Sayan Mountains of Northern Mongolia are raised to species level, and lectotypes are designated. Evidence of introgression of U. alpinalis into U. uliginosalis at three localities in the Central Alps is presented. A screening for Wolbachia using the markers wsp, gatB and ftsZ was negative for the U. alpinalis species group, but Wolbachia was found in single specimens of U. fulvalis and U. olivalis (both in the U. numeralis species group). We do not find evidence for the conjecture of several authors of additional subspecies in U. rhododendronalis, and synonymise U. rhododendronalis luquetalis Leraut, 1996, syn. n. and U. r. ventosalis Leraut, 1996, syn. n. with the nominal U. rhododendronalis (Duponchel, 1834).}, }
@article {pmid29666784, year = {2018}, author = {Ahlers, LRH and Goodman, AG}, title = {The Immune Responses of the Animal Hosts of West Nile Virus: A Comparison of Insects, Birds, and Mammals.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {8}, number = {}, pages = {96}, doi = {10.3389/fcimb.2018.00096}, pmid = {29666784}, issn = {2235-2988}, support = {R21 AI128103/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; T32 GM008336/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Vector-borne diseases, including arboviruses, pose a serious threat to public health worldwide. Arboviruses of the flavivirus genus, such as Zika virus (ZIKV), dengue virus, yellow fever virus (YFV), and West Nile virus (WNV), are transmitted to humans from insect vectors and can cause serious disease. In 2017, over 2,000 reported cases of WNV virus infection occurred in the United States, with two-thirds of cases classified as neuroinvasive. WNV transmission cycles through two different animal populations: birds and mosquitoes. Mammals, particularly humans and horses, can become infected through mosquito bites and represent dead-end hosts of WNV infection. Because WNV can infect diverse species, research on this arbovirus has investigated the host response in mosquitoes, birds, humans, and horses. With the growing geographical range of the WNV mosquito vector and increased human exposure, improved surveillance and treatment of the infection will enhance public health in areas where WNV is endemic. In this review, we survey the bionomics of mosquito species involved in Nearctic WNV transmission. Subsequently, we describe the known immune response pathways that counter WNV infection in insects, birds, and mammals, as well as the mechanisms known to curb viral infection. Moreover, we discuss the bacterium Wolbachia and its involvement in reducing flavivirus titer in insects. Finally, we highlight the similarities of the known immune pathways and identify potential targets for future studies aimed at improving antiviral therapeutic and vaccination design.}, }
@article {pmid29662096, year = {2018}, author = {King, JG and Souto-Maior, C and Sartori, LM and Maciel-de-Freitas, R and Gomes, MGM}, title = {Variation in Wolbachia effects on Aedes mosquitoes as a determinant of invasiveness and vectorial capacity.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {1483}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-018-03981-8}, pmid = {29662096}, issn = {2041-1723}, abstract = {Wolbachia has been introduced into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to control the spread of arboviruses, such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika. Studies showed that certain Wolbachia strains (such as wMel) reduce replication of dengue viruses in the laboratory, prompting the release of mosquitoes carrying the bacterium into the field, where vectorial capacity can be realistically assessed in relation to native non-carriers. Here we apply a new analysis to two published datasets, and show that wMel increases the mean and the variance in Ae. aegypti susceptibility to dengue infection when introgressed into Brazil and Vietnam genetic backgrounds. In the absence of other processes, higher mean susceptibility should lead to enhanced viral transmission. The increase in variance, however, widens the basis for selection imposed by unexplored natural forces, retaining the potential for reducing transmission overall.}, }
@article {pmid29657018, year = {2018}, author = {Kramer, L and Crosara, S and Gnudi, G and Genchi, M and Mangia, C and Viglietti, A and Quintavalla, C}, title = {Wolbachia, doxycycline and macrocyclic lactones: New prospects in the treatment of canine heartworm disease.}, journal = {Veterinary parasitology}, volume = {254}, number = {}, pages = {95-97}, doi = {10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.03.005}, pmid = {29657018}, issn = {1873-2550}, abstract = {Melarsomine dihydrochloride (Immiticide®, Merial) is the only approved adulticidal drug for the treatment of canine heartworm disease (HWD). However, in cases where arsenical therapy is not possible or is contraindicated, a monthly heartworm preventive along with doxycycline for a 4-week period, which targets the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia, might be considered. There are published reports on the efficacy of ivermectin and doxycycline in both experimentally and naturally infected dogs, but no data on the use of other macrocyclic lactones (MLs) with a similar treatment regime. Preliminary results of studies in dogs show that a topical formulation of moxidectin, the only ML currently registered as a microfilaricide, is also adulticidal when combined with doxycycline. It is not yet known if the efficacy of these combination therapies is due to pharmacokinetic synergism. A recent study showed that serum levels of doxycycline in dogs treated with the combination protocol were not statistically different compared to dogs treated with doxycycline alone. However, lungs from dogs treated with the combination therapy showed a marked reduction in T regulatory cells, indicating that treatment efficacy may be due to a heightened immune response against the parasite. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the long-term clinical outcome of combination protocols and to establish the most efficient treatment for HWD in dogs.}, }
@article {pmid29643367, year = {2018}, author = {Bonneau, M and Atyame, C and Beji, M and Justy, F and Cohen-Gonsaud, M and Sicard, M and Weill, M}, title = {Author Correction: Culex pipiens crossing type diversity is governed by an amplified and polymorphic operon of Wolbachia.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {1491}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-018-03799-4}, pmid = {29643367}, issn = {2041-1723}, abstract = {In the originally published HTML and PDF versions of this Article, gel images in Figures 7c and 8c were not prepared as per the Nature journal policy. These figure panels have now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.In Fig. 7c, the lane labelled 'Ha' was inappropriately duplicated to represent the lane labelled 'Ich13'. The corrected version of Fig. 7c includes PCR-RFLP on DNA from the Ichkeul 13 line, which had been run on a separate gel. The original unprocessed gel images are provided in Supplementary Figure 1 associated with this correction, with the relevant corresponding bands denoted. A repeat experiment of the PCR-RFLP test is also presented as Supplementary Figure 2.In Fig. 8c, the image was assembled from two separate gels without clear demarcation. The corrected Fig. 8c clearly separates lanes from the two gels, and the original unprocessed gel images are provided in the Supplementary Information associated with this correction.These corrections do not alter the original meaning of the experiments, their results, their interpretation, or the conclusions of the paper. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused to the readers of Nature Communications.}, }
@article {pmid29641562, year = {2018}, author = {Asad, S and Hussain, M and Hugo, L and Osei-Amo, S and Zhang, G and Watterson, D and Asgari, S}, title = {Suppression of the pelo protein by Wolbachia and its effect on dengue virus in Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {12}, number = {4}, pages = {e0006405}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0006405}, pmid = {29641562}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Aedes/genetics/metabolism/*microbiology/*virology ; Animals ; Dengue Virus/*physiology ; Down-Regulation ; Female ; Insect Proteins/*genetics/metabolism ; Insect Vectors/*microbiology/*virology ; MicroRNAs/genetics/metabolism ; Nuclear Proteins/*genetics/metabolism ; Virus Replication ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The endosymbiont Wolbachia is known to block replication of several important arboviruses, including dengue virus (DENV), in the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti. So far, the exact mechanism of this viral inhibition is not fully understood. A recent study in Drosophila melanogaster has demonstrated an interaction between the pelo gene and Drosophila C virus. In this study, we explored the possible involvement of the pelo protein, that is involved in protein translation, in Wolbachia-mediated antiviral response and mosquito-DENV interaction. We found that pelo is upregulated during DENV replication and its silencing leads to reduced DENV virion production suggesting that it facilities DENV replication. However, in the presence of Wolbachia, specifically in female mosquitoes, the pelo protein is downregulated and its subcellular localization is altered, which could contribute to reduction in DENV replication in Ae. aegypti. In addition, we show that the microRNA aae-miR-2940-5p, whose abundance is highly enriched in Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, might mediate regulation of pelo. Our data reveals identification of pelo as a host factor that is positively involved in DENV replication, and its suppression in the presence of Wolbachia may contribute to virus blocking exhibited by the endosymbiont.}, }
@article {pmid29636736, year = {2018}, author = {Paniagua Voirol, LR and Frago, E and Kaltenpoth, M and Hilker, M and Fatouros, NE}, title = {Bacterial Symbionts in Lepidoptera: Their Diversity, Transmission, and Impact on the Host.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {556}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2018.00556}, pmid = {29636736}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {The insect's microbiota is well acknowledged as a &quot;hidden&quot; player influencing essential insect traits. The gut microbiome of butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) has been shown to be highly variable between and within species, resulting in a controversy on the functional relevance of gut microbes in this insect order. Here, we aim to (i) review current knowledge on the composition of gut microbial communities across Lepidoptera and (ii) elucidate the drivers of the variability in the lepidopteran gut microbiome and provide an overview on (iii) routes of transfer and (iv) the putative functions of microbes in Lepidoptera. To find out whether Lepidopterans possess a core gut microbiome, we compared studies of the microbiome from 30 lepidopteran species. Gut bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae, Bacillaceae, and Pseudomonadaceae families were the most widespread across species, with Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Enterobacter, and Enterococcus being the most common genera. Several studies indicate that habitat, food plant, and age of the host insect can greatly impact the gut microbiome, which contributes to digestion, detoxification, or defense against natural enemies. We mainly focus on the gut microbiome, but we also include some examples of intracellular endosymbionts. These symbionts are present across a broad range of insect taxa and are known to exert different effects on their host, mostly including nutrition and reproductive manipulation. Only two intracellular bacteria genera (Wolbachia and Spiroplasma) have been reported to colonize reproductive tissues of Lepidoptera, affecting their host's reproduction. We explore routes of transmission of both gut microbiota and intracellular symbionts and have found that these microbes may be horizontally transmitted through the host plant, but also vertically via the egg stage. More detailed knowledge about the functions and plasticity of the microbiome in Lepidoptera may provide novel leads for the control of lepidopteran pest species.}, }
@article {pmid29634777, year = {2018}, author = {Pike, A and Dimopoulos, G}, title = {Genetic modification of Anopheles stephensi for resistance to multiple Plasmodium falciparum strains does not influence susceptibility to o'nyong'nyong virus or insecticides, or Wolbachia-mediated resistance to the malaria parasite.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {13}, number = {4}, pages = {e0195720}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0195720}, pmid = {29634777}, issn = {1932-6203}, support = {RO1AI061576/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Mosquitoes that have been genetically engineered for resistance to human pathogens are a potential new tool for controlling vector-borne disease. However, genetic modification may have unintended off-target effects that could affect the mosquitoes' utility for disease control. We measured the resistance of five genetically modified Plasmodium-suppressing Anopheles stephensi lines to o'nyong'nyong virus, four classes of insecticides, and diverse Plasmodium falciparum field isolates and characterized the interactions between our genetic modifications and infection with the bacterium Wolbachia. The genetic modifications did not alter the mosquitoes' resistance to either o'nyong'nyong virus or insecticides, and the mosquitoes were equally resistant to all tested P. falciparum strains, regardless of Wolbachia infection status. These results indicate that mosquitoes can be genetically modified for resistance to malaria parasite infection and remain compatible with other vector-control measures without becoming better vectors for other pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid29625205, year = {2018}, author = {Li, Y and Liu, X}, title = {A sex-structured model with birth pulse and release strategy for the spread of Wolbachia in mosquito population.}, journal = {Journal of theoretical biology}, volume = {448}, number = {}, pages = {53-65}, doi = {10.1016/j.jtbi.2018.04.001}, pmid = {29625205}, issn = {1095-8541}, abstract = {Dengue fever is one of the most important diseases causing illness and death all over the world, which brings tremendous threat to peoples' life and property security, especially in the undeveloped areas. The main vector, Aedes aegypti, must be controlled to prevent the transmission of dengue. There are a variety of methods to control it. Wolbachia is an innovative bacterium which breaks the dengue transmission cycle for its characteristics of cytoplasmic incompatibility and maternal transmission. In this paper, a sex-structured model with birth pulse is established to study the spread of Wolbachia in mosquito population. The results show that if the maternal transmission is perfect, Wolbachia will spread successfully. Moreover, all the mosquitoes will be infected with Wolbachia. If the maternal transmission is imperfect, there are two locally asymptotically stable periodic solutions. One is Wolbachia-extinction periodic solution, and the other is part replacement periodic solution. Numerical simulations show that the initial occupancy of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes has an important effect on the success of part replacement strategy. If the initial occupancy is relatively large, the part replacement strategy can be successful. Furthermore, in consideration of the fact that the initial occupancy cannot be always large enough in the wild nature, to release Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes artificially into the wild nature becomes necessary. Therefore, we add a release strategy into the sex-structured model with birth pulse for further analysis. The condition to ensure the stability of the Wolbachia total replacement periodic solution is obtained. Finally, the effect of the release quantity is simulated numerically.}, }
@article {pmid29618379, year = {2018}, author = {Guo, Y and Song, Z and Luo, L and Wang, Q and Zhou, G and Yang, D and Zhong, D and Zheng, X}, title = {Molecular evidence for new sympatric cryptic species of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in China: A new threat from Aedes albopictus subgroup?.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {228}, doi = {10.1186/s13071-018-2814-8}, pmid = {29618379}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {31630011//National Natural Science Foundation of China (CN)/International ; 2013B021800042//Science and Technology Plan Project of Guangdong Province (CN)/International ; 2015A030313784//Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (CN)/International ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse) is an indigenous species and the predominant vector of dengue fever in China. Understanding of genetic diversity and structure of the mosquito would facilitate dengue prevention and vector control. Sympatric cryptic species have been identified in the Ae. albopictus subgroup in Southeast Asia; however, little is known about the presence and distribution of cryptic species in China. This study aimed to examine the genetic diversity, evaluate potential new cryptic sibling species, and assess the prevalence of Wolbachia infections in field populations.<br><br>METHODS: Aedes adult female specimens were collected from five provinces in southern and central China during 2015-2016. Morphological identification was performed under dissection microscope. The mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1, DNA barcoding) locus and the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer region 2 (ITS2) marker were used to examine the genetic variation, evaluate cryptic sibling species, and population structure in the field populations. Screening for the presence of Wolbachia was performed using multiplex PCR.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 140 individual specimens with morphological characteristics similar to Ae. albopictus were sequenced for DNA barcoding. Among these, 129 specimens (92.1%) were confirmed and identified as Ae. albopictus. The remaining 11 specimens, from 2 provinces, were identified as 2 distinct sequence groups, which were confirmed by ITS2 marker sequencing, suggesting the existence of potential cryptic species of Ae. albopictus. In Ae. albopictus, we found significant genetic differentiation and population structure between populations collected from different climate zones. Medium to high frequencies of Wolbachia infections were observed in natural Ae. albopictus populations, whereas Wolbachia was infrequent or absent in cryptic species populations.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the population differentiation by climate zone and the presence of novel, cryptic Aedes species in China. The low prevalence of Wolbachia infections in cryptic species populations could reflect either a recent invasion of Wolbachia in Ae. albopictus or different host immune responses to this symbiont in the cryptic species. The study provides useful information for vector control and host-symbiont coevolution. Further study is needed to investigate the potential for arbovirus infection and disease transmission in the emerged cryptic species.}, }
@article {pmid29608200, year = {2018}, author = {Sseruwagi, P and Wainaina, J and Ndunguru, J and Tumuhimbise, R and Tairo, F and Guo, JY and Vrielink, A and Blythe, A and Kinene, T and De Marchi, B and Kehoe, MA and Tanz, S and Boykin, LM}, title = {The first transcriptomes from field-collected individual whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci, Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae): a case study of the endosymbiont composition.}, journal = {Gates open research}, volume = {1}, number = {}, pages = {16}, doi = {10.12688/gatesopenres.12783.3}, pmid = {29608200}, issn = {2572-4754}, abstract = {Background:Bemisia tabaci species (B. tabaci), or whiteflies, are the world's most devastating insect pests. They cause billions of dollars (US) of damage each year, and are leaving farmers in the developing world food insecure. Currently, all publically available transcriptome data for B. tabaci are generated from pooled samples, which can lead to high heterozygosity and skewed representation of the genetic diversity. The ability to extract enough RNA from a single whitefly has remained elusive due to their small size and technological limitations. Methods: In this study, we optimised a single whitefly RNA extraction procedure, and sequenced the transcriptome of four individual adult Sub-Saharan Africa 1 (SSA1) B. tabaci. Transcriptome sequencing resulted in 39-42 million raw reads. De novo assembly of trimmed reads yielded between 65,000-162,000 Contigs across B. tabaci transcriptomes. Results: Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrion cytochrome I oxidase (mtCOI) grouped the four whiteflies within the SSA1 clade. BLASTn searches on the four transcriptomes identified five endosymbionts; the primary endosymbiont Portieraaleyrodidarum and four secondary endosymbionts: Arsenophonus, Wolbachia, Rickettsia, and Cardinium spp. that were predominant across all four SSA1 B. tabaci samples with prevalence levels of between 54.1 to 75%. Amino acid alignments of the NusG gene of P. aleyrodidarum for the SSA1 B. tabaci transcriptomes of samples WF2 and WF2b revealed an eleven amino acid residue deletion that was absent in samples WF1 and WF2a. Comparison of the protein structure of the NusG protein from P. aleyrodidarum in SSA1 with known NusG structures showed the deletion resulted in a shorter D loop. Conclusions: The use of field-collected specimens means time and money will be saved in future studies using single whitefly transcriptomes in monitoring vector and viral interactions. Our method is applicable to any small organism where RNA quantity has limited transcriptome studies.}, }
@article {pmid29607029, year = {2018}, author = {Fortin, M and Debenest, C and Souty-Grosset, C and Richard, FJ}, title = {Males prefer virgin females, even if parasitized, in the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {8}, number = {6}, pages = {3341-3353}, doi = {10.1002/ece3.3858}, pmid = {29607029}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {In many species, males increase their reproductive success by choosing high-quality females. In natural populations, they interact with both virgin and mated females, which can store sperm in their spermatheca. Therefore, males elaborate strategies to avoid sperm competition. In the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare, females can store sperm and produce several clutches. Moreover, this species can be parasitized by Wolbachia, which feminizes genetic males, transforming them into functional females. Our study compared attractiveness and mate choice when a male is exposed to both virgin and experienced females (i.e., females who have produced offspring and rested for 6 months), with or without Wolbachia. Our results revealed that males are more attracted to virgin females than experienced females, even if these virgin females are parasitized. Moreover, the chemical analysis highlighted different odors in females according to their reproductive and infection (Wolbachia-free or vertically Wolbachia-infected) status. Males attempted copulation more frequently and for longer with virgin females, even if Wolbachia-infected, while experienced females refused further copulation. The evolutionary consequences of both male choice and female resistance on their fitness are discussed in this study.}, }
@article {pmid29603499, year = {2018}, author = {Mariño, YA and Ospina, OE and Verle Rodrigues, JC and Bayman, P}, title = {High diversity and variability in the bacterial microbiota of the coffee berry borer (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), with emphasis on Wolbachia.}, journal = {Journal of applied microbiology}, volume = {125}, number = {2}, pages = {528-543}, doi = {10.1111/jam.13768}, pmid = {29603499}, issn = {1365-2672}, abstract = {AIMS: Variation in microbiota of the coffee berry borer (CBB) Hypothenemus hampei was studied. Diversity, structure and function of bacterial communities were compared between eggs vs adults, CBBs from shade coffee vs sun coffee, CBBs from the field vs raised in the laboratory, and CBBs with and without the antibiotic tetracycline.<br><br>METHODS AND RESULTS: We sequenced the region V4 of the gene 16 S rRNA. Pseudomonadaceae and Enterobacteriaceae, particularly Pseudomonas and Pantoea, dominated microbiotas of the CBB. Comparative functional inferences with PICRUSt suggested that samples from the field were enriched for genes involved in carbohydrate and protein digestion and absorption, while laboratory-reared samples were higher in genes for melanization and caffeine metabolism.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Microbiotas of the CBB were diverse and dominated by the genus Pseudomonas, several species of which have been previously associated with caffeine degradation in this insect. Wolbachia was the only endosymbiont detected with known ability to manipulate host reproduction.<br><br>This study demonstrates that stage of development and origin of samples affected the structure and function of the CBB's bacterial communities. This is the first attempt to predict functional significance of the CBB microbiota in nutrition, reproduction and defence.}, }
@article {pmid29596879, year = {2018}, author = {Ali, H and Muhammad, A and Islam, SU and Islam, W and Hou, Y}, title = {A novel bacterial symbiont association in the hispid beetle, Octodonta nipae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), their dynamics and phylogeny.}, journal = {Microbial pathogenesis}, volume = {118}, number = {}, pages = {378-386}, doi = {10.1016/j.micpath.2018.03.046}, pmid = {29596879}, issn = {1096-1208}, abstract = {The hispid leaf beetle, Octodonta nipae (Maulik), (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a devastating pest of palm cultivation worldwide. Endosymbiotic bacteria in the genus Wolbachia are arguably one of the most abundant bacterial group associated with arthropods. Owing to its critical effects on host reproduction, Wolbachia has garnered much attention as a prospective future tool for insect pest management. However, their association, infection dynamics, and functionality remain unknown in this insect pest. Here, we diagnosis for the first time, the infection prevalence, and occurrence of Wolbachia in O. nipae. Experimental evidence by the exploration of wsp gene vindicate that O. nipae is naturally infected with bacterial symbiont of genus Wolbachia, showing a complete maternal inheritance with shared a common Wolbachia strain (wNip). Moreover, MLST (gatB, fbpA, coxA, ftsZ, and hcpA) analysis enabled the detections of new sequence type (ST-484), suggesting a particular genotypic association of O. nipae and Wolbachia. Subsequently, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay demonstrated variable infection density across different life stages (eggs, larvae, pupae and adult male and female), body parts (head, thorax, abdomen), and tissues (ovaries, testes, and guts). Infection density was higher in egg and female adult stage, as well as abdomen and reproductive tissues as compared to other samples. Interestingly, Wolbachia harbored dominantly in a female than the male adult, while, no significant differences were observed between male and female body parts and tissues. Phylogeny of Wolbachia infection associated with O. nipae rectified from all tested life stages were unique and fall within the same monophyletic supergroup-A of Wolbachia clades. The infection density of symbiont is among the valuable tool to understand their biological influence on hosts, and this latest discovery would facilitate the future investigations to understand the host-symbiont complications and its prospective role as a microbiological agent to reduce pest populations.}, }
@article {pmid29593683, year = {2018}, author = {Di Guardo, G}, title = {Commentary: Zika Virus in the Americas-Yet Another Arbovirus Threat.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {435}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2018.00435}, pmid = {29593683}, issn = {1664-302X}, }
@article {pmid29587626, year = {2018}, author = {Schuler, H and Egan, SP and Hood, GR and Busbee, RW and Driscoe, AL and Ott, JR}, title = {Diversity and distribution of Wolbachia in relation to geography, host plant affiliation and life cycle of a heterogonic gall wasp.}, journal = {BMC evolutionary biology}, volume = {18}, number = {1}, pages = {37}, doi = {10.1186/s12862-018-1151-z}, pmid = {29587626}, issn = {1471-2148}, support = {J-3527-B22//Austrian Science Fund/International ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bayes Theorem ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics ; Female ; *Genetic Variation ; Genetics, Population ; *Geography ; Haplotypes/genetics ; *Life Cycle Stages ; Male ; Phylogeny ; Quercus/*parasitology ; United States ; Wasps/*genetics/*microbiology ; Wolbachia/genetics/*growth &amp; development ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The maternally inherited endosymbiont Wolbachia is widespread in arthropods and nematodes and can play an important role in the ecology and evolution of its host through reproductive manipulation. Here, we survey Wolbachia in Belonocnema treatae, a widely distributed North American cynipid gall forming wasp that exhibits regional host specialization on three species of oaks and alternation of sexually and asexually reproducing generations. We investigated whether patterns of Wolbachia infection and diversity in B. treatae are associated with the insect's geographic distribution, host plant association, life cycle, and mitochondrial evolutionary history.<br><br>RESULTS: Screening of 463 individuals from 23 populations including sexual and asexual generations from all three host plants across the southern U.S. showed an average infection rate of 56% with three common Wolbachia strains: wTre1-3 and an additional rare variant wTre4. Phylogenetic analysis based on wsp showed that these strains are unrelated and likely independently inherited. We found no difference in Wolbachia infection frequency among host plant associated populations or between the asexual and sexual generations, or between males and females of the sexual generation. Partially incomplete Wolbachia transmission rates might explain the occurrence of uninfected individuals. A parallel analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene in B. treatae showed high mtDNA haplotype diversity in both infected and uninfected populations suggesting an ancestral infection by Wolbachia as well as a clear split between eastern and western B. treatae mtDNA clades with a sequence divergence of > 6%. The strain wTre1 was present almost exclusively in the western clade while wTre2 and wTre3 occur almost exclusively in eastern populations. In contrast, the same strains co-occur as double-infections in Georgia and triple-infections in two populations in central Florida.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The diversity of Wolbachia across geographically and genetically distinct populations of B. treatae and the co-occurrence of the same strains within three populations highlights the complex infection dynamics in this system. Moreover, the association of distinct Wolbachia strains with mitochondrial haplotypes of its host in populations infected by different Wolbachia strains suggests a potential role of the endosymbiont in reproductive isolation in B. treatae.}, }
@article {pmid29579215, year = {2018}, author = {Diouf, M and Miambi, E and Mora, P and Frechault, S and Robert, A and Rouland-Lefèvre, C and Hervé, V}, title = {Variations in the relative abundance of Wolbachia in the gut of Nasutitermes arborum across life stages and castes.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology letters}, volume = {365}, number = {7}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/femsle/fny046}, pmid = {29579215}, issn = {1574-6968}, abstract = {There are multiple forms of interactions between termites and bacteria. In addition to their gut microbiota, which has been intensively studied, termites host intracellular symbionts such as Wolbachia. These distinct symbioses have been so far approached independently and mostly in adult termites. We addressed the dynamics of Wolbachia and the microbiota of the eggs and gut for various life stages and castes of the wood-feeding termite, Nasutitermes arborum, using deep-sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Wolbachia was dominant in eggs as expected. Unexpectedly, it persisted in the gut of nearly all stages and castes, indicating a wide somatic distribution in termites. Wolbachia-related sequences clustered into few operational taxonomic units, but these were within the same genotype, acquired maternally. Wolbachia was largely dominant in DNA extracts from the guts of larvae and pre-soldiers (59.1%-99.1% of reads) where gut-resident lineages were less represented and less diverse. The reverse was true for the adult castes. This is the first study reporting the age-dependency of the relative abundance of Wolbachia in the termite gut and its negative correlation with the diversity of the microbiota. The possible mechanisms underlying this negative interaction are discussed.}, }
@article {pmid29573202, year = {2018}, author = {Ren, SL and Li, YH and Ou, D and Guo, YJ and Qureshi, JA and Stansly, PA and Qiu, BL}, title = {Localization and dynamics of Wolbachia infection in Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri, the insect vector of the causal pathogens of Huanglongbing.}, journal = {MicrobiologyOpen}, volume = {7}, number = {3}, pages = {e00561}, doi = {10.1002/mbo3.561}, pmid = {29573202}, issn = {2045-8827}, abstract = {Wolbachia is a group of intracellular bacteria that infect a wide range of arthropods including the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama. This insect is the vector of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the causal pathogen of Huanglongbing or citrus greening disease. Here, we investigated the localization pattern and infection dynamics of Wolbachia in different developmental stages of ACP. Results revealed that all developmental stages of ACP including egg, 1st-5th instar nymphs, and adults of both gender were infected with Wolbachia. FISH visualization of an ACP egg showed that Wolbachia moved from the egg stalk of newly laid eggs to a randomly distributed pattern throughout the egg prior to hatching. The infection rate varied between nymphal instars. The titers of Wolbachia in fourth and fifth instar nymphs were significantly higher than those in the first and second instar nymphs. Wolbachia were scattered in all nymphal stages, but with highest intensity in the U-shaped bacteriome located in the abdomen of the nymph. Wolbachia was confined to two symmetrical organizations in the abdomen of newly emerged female and male adults. The potential mechanisms of Wolbachia infection dynamics are discussed.}, }
@article {pmid29569277, year = {2018}, author = {Dincă, V and Bálint, Z and Vodă, R and Dapporto, L and Hebert, PDN and Vila, R}, title = {Use of genetic, climatic, and microbiological data to inform reintroduction of a regionally extinct butterfly.}, journal = {Conservation biology : the journal of the Society for Conservation Biology}, volume = {32}, number = {4}, pages = {828-837}, doi = {10.1111/cobi.13111}, pmid = {29569277}, issn = {1523-1739}, abstract = {Species reintroductions are increasingly used as means of mitigating biodiversity loss. Besides habitat quality at the site targeted for reintroduction, the choice of source population can be critical for success. The butterfly Melanargia russiae (Esper´s marbled white) was extirpated from Hungary over 100 years ago, and a reintroduction program has recently been approved. We used museum specimens of this butterfly, mitochondrial DNA data (mtDNA), endosymbiont screening, and climatic-similarity analyses to determine which extant populations should be used for its reintroduction. The species displayed 2 main mtDNA lineages across its range: 1 restricted to Iberia and southern France (Iberian lineage) and another found throughout the rest of its range (Eurasian lineage). These 2 lineages possessed highly divergent wsp alleles of the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia. The century-old Hungarian specimens represented an endemic haplotype belonging to the Eurasian lineage, differing by one mutation from the Balkan and eastern European populations. The Hungarian populations of M. russiae occurred in areas with a colder and drier climate relative to most sites with extant known populations. Our results suggest the populations used for reintroduction to Hungary should belong to the Eurasian lineage, preferably from eastern Ukraine (genetically close and living in areas with the highest climatic similarity). Materials stored in museum collections can provide unique opportunities to document historical genetic diversity and help direct conservation.}, }
@article {pmid29569154, year = {2018}, author = {Li, Y and Liu, X and Guo, H}, title = {Variations in Endosymbiont Infection Between Buprofezin-Resistant and Susceptible Strains of Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén).}, journal = {Current microbiology}, volume = {75}, number = {6}, pages = {709-715}, doi = {10.1007/s00284-018-1436-x}, pmid = {29569154}, issn = {1432-0991}, support = {31672027//The National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; cx(16)1001//The Independent Innovation Fund of Agricultural Science and Technology in Jiangsu province, China/ ; }, abstract = {The endosymbionts Wolbachia and Rickettsia have been shown to be correlated with the insecticide resistance of mosquito and whitefly. The small brown planthopper (SBPH), Laodelphax striatellus, harbours many species of endosymbionts, and has developed a high resistance to buprofezin in China. In this study, we examined the species and the infection incidences of endosymbionts in a buprofezin-resistant (BR) strain, a buprofezin-susceptible (BS) strain, and the BR strain after exposure to buprofezin, and we also investigated the change in buprofezin susceptibility after removal of Wolbachia from the BR strain. The results showed that Wolbachia infection incidences were 100% in both the BR and BS strains, but the Wolbachia density in the BR strain was significantly higher than that in the BS strain. There were no significant differences in Arsenophonus infection incidence between the two strains. However, the infection incidence of Serratia and double infection incidence of Serratia + Wolbachia in the BR strain were significantly higher than that in the BS strain. After the BR strain was exposed to 1200 mg/L buprofezin, the infection incidence of Arsenophonus in the surviving individuals increased, and the infection rate of Serratia did not differ, but the double infection incidence of Serratia + Wolbachia decreased. And when a Wolbachia-infected line originating from the BR strain was cleared of Wolbachia, its susceptibility to buprofezin increased. The results suggest that Serratia and Wolbachia infection might improve the buprofezin resistance of SBPH.}, }
@article {pmid29568706, year = {2018}, author = {Kajtoch, Ł and Kotásková, N}, title = {Current state of knowledge on Wolbachia infection among Coleoptera: a systematic review.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {6}, number = {}, pages = {e4471}, doi = {10.7717/peerj.4471}, pmid = {29568706}, issn = {2167-8359}, abstract = {Background: Despite great progress in studies on Wolbachia infection in insects, the knowledge about its relations with beetle species, populations and individuals, and the effects of bacteria on these hosts, is still unsatisfactory. In this review we summarize the current state of knowledge about Wolbachia occurrence and interactions with Coleopteran hosts.<br><br>Methods: An intensive search of the available literature resulted in the selection of 86 publications that describe the relevant details about Wolbachia presence among beetles. These publications were then examined with respect to the distribution and taxonomy of infected hosts and diversity of Wolbachia found in beetles. Sequences of Wolbachia genes (16S rDNA, ftsZ) were used for the phylogenetic analyses.<br><br>Results: The collected publications revealed that Wolbachia has been confirmed in 204 beetle species and that the estimated average prevalence of this bacteria across beetle species is 38.3% and varies greatly across families and genera (0-88% infected members) and is much lower (c. 13%) in geographic studies. The majority of the examined and infected beetles were from Europe and East Asia. The most intensively studied have been two groups of herbivorous beetles: Curculionidae and Chrysomelidae. Coleoptera harbor Wolbachia belonging to three supergroups: F found in only three species, and A and B found in similar numbers of beetles (including some doubly infected); however the latter two were most prevalent in different families. A total of 59% of species with precise data were found to be totally infected. Single infections were found in 69% of species and others were doubly- or multiply-infected. Wolbachia caused numerous effects on its beetle hosts, including selective sweep with host mtDNA (found in 3% of species), cytoplasmic incompatibility (detected in c. 6% of beetles) and other effects related to reproduction or development (like male-killing, possible parthenogenesis or haplodiploidy induction, and egg development). Phylogenetic reconstructions for Wolbachia genes rejected cospeciation between these bacteria and Coleoptera, with minor exceptions found in some Hydraenidae, Curculionidae and Chrysomelidae. In contrast, horizontal transmission of bacteria has been suspected or proven in numerous cases (e.g., among beetles sharing habitats and/or host plants).<br><br>Discussion: The present knowledge about Wolbachia infection across beetle species and populations is very uneven. Even the basic data about infection status in species and frequency of infected species across genera and families is very superficial, as only c. 0.15% of all beetle species have been tested so far. Future studies on Wolbachia diversity in Coleoptera should still be based on the Multi-locus Sequence Typing system, and next-generation sequencing technologies will be important for uncovering Wolbachia relations with host evolution and ecology, as well as with other, co-occurring endosymbiotic bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid29568248, year = {2018}, author = {Nikolouli, K and Colinet, H and Renault, D and Enriquez, T and Mouton, L and Gibert, P and Sassu, F and Cáceres, C and Stauffer, C and Pereira, R and Bourtzis, K}, title = {Sterile insect technique and Wolbachia symbiosis as potential tools for the control of the invasive species Drosophila suzukii.}, journal = {Journal of pest science}, volume = {91}, number = {2}, pages = {489-503}, doi = {10.1007/s10340-017-0944-y}, pmid = {29568248}, issn = {1612-4758}, abstract = {Drosophila suzukii, a vinegar fly originated from Southeast Asia, has recently invaded western countries, and it has been recognized as an important threat of a wide variety of several commercial soft fruits. This review summarizes the current information about the biology and dispersal of D. suzukii and discusses the current status and prospects of control methods for the management of this pest. We highlight current knowledge and ongoing research on innovative environmental-friendly control methods with emphasis on the sterile insect technique (SIT) and the incompatible insect technique (IIT). SIT has been successfully used for the containment, suppression or even eradication of populations of insect pests. IIT has been proposed as a stand-alone tool or in conjunction with SIT for insect pest control. The principles of SIT and IIT are reviewed, and the potential value of each approach in the management of D. suzukii is analyzed. We thoroughly address the challenges of SIT and IIT, and we propose the use of SIT as a component of an area-wide integrated pest management approach to suppress D. suzukii populations. As a contingency plan, we suggest a promising alternative avenue through the combination of these two techniques, SIT/IIT, which has been developed and is currently being tested in open-field trials against Aedes mosquito populations. All the potential limiting factors that may render these methods ineffective, as well as the requirements that need to be fulfilled before their application, are discussed.}, }
@article {pmid29568046, year = {2018}, author = {Chuchuy, A and Rodriguero, MS and Ferrari, W and Ciota, AT and Kramer, LD and Micieli, MV}, title = {Biological characterization of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Argentina: implications for arbovirus transmission.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {5041}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-23401-7}, pmid = {29568046}, issn = {2045-2322}, abstract = {Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) is an invasive mosquito, native to Asia, that has expanded its range worldwide. It is considered to be a public health threat as it is a competent vector of viruses of medical importance, including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. Despite its medical importance there is almost no information on biologically important traits of Ae. albopictus in Argentina. We studied life cycle traits, demographic parameters and analyzed the competence of this mosquito as a virus vector. In addition, we determined the prevalence of Wolbachia strains in Ae. albopictus as a first approach to investigate the potential role of this bacteria in modulating vector competence for arboviruses. We observed low hatch rates of eggs, which led to a negative growth rate. We found that Ae. albopictus individuals were infected with Wolbachia in the F1 but while standard superinfection with wAlbA and wAlbB types was found in 66.7% of the females, 16.7% of the females and 62.5% of the males were single-infected with the wAlbB strain. Finally, despite high levels of infection and dissemination, particularly for chikungunya virus, Ae. albopictus from subtropical Argentina were found to be relatively inefficient vectors for transmission of both chikungunya and dengue viruses.}, }
@article {pmid29563258, year = {2018}, author = {Harumoto, T and Fukatsu, T and Lemaitre, B}, title = {Common and unique strategies of male killing evolved in two distinct Drosophila symbionts.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {285}, number = {1875}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1098/rspb.2017.2167}, pmid = {29563258}, issn = {1471-2954}, abstract = {Male killing is a selfish reproductive manipulation caused by symbiotic bacteria, where male offspring of infected hosts are selectively killed. The underlying mechanisms and the process of their evolution are of great interest not only in terms of fundamental biology, but also their potential applications. The two bacterial Drosophila symbionts, Wolbachia and Spiroplasma, have independently evolved male-killing ability. This raises the question whether the underlying mechanisms share some similarities or are specific to each bacterial species. Here, we analyse pathogenic phenotypes of D. bifasciata infected with its natural male-killing Wolbachia strain and compare them with those of D. melanogaster infected with male-killing Spiroplasma We show that male progeny infected with the Wolbachia strain die during embryogenesis with abnormal apoptosis. Interestingly, male-killing Wolbachia infection induces DNA damage and segregation defects in the dosage-compensated chromosome in male embryos, which are reminiscent of the phenotypes caused by male-killing Spiroplasma in D. melanogaster By contrast, host neural development seems to proceed normally unlike male-killing Spiroplasma infection. Our results demonstrate that the dosage-compensated chromosome is a common target of two distinct male killers, yet Spiroplasma uniquely evolved the ability to damage neural tissue of male embryos.}, }
@article {pmid29561780, year = {2018}, author = {Lindsey, ARI and Bhattacharya, T and Newton, ILG and Hardy, RW}, title = {Conflict in the Intracellular Lives of Endosymbionts and Viruses: A Mechanistic Look at Wolbachia-Mediated Pathogen-blocking.}, journal = {Viruses}, volume = {10}, number = {4}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3390/v10040141}, pmid = {29561780}, issn = {1999-4915}, support = {R21 AI121849/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {At the forefront of vector control efforts are strategies that leverage host-microbe associations to reduce vectorial capacity. The most promising of these efforts employs Wolbachia, a maternally transmitted endosymbiotic bacterium naturally found in 40% of insects. Wolbachia can spread through a population of insects while simultaneously inhibiting the replication of viruses within its host. Despite successes in using Wolbachia-transfected mosquitoes to limit dengue, Zika, and chikungunya transmission, the mechanisms behind pathogen-blocking have not been fully characterized. Firstly, we discuss how Wolbachia and viruses both require specific host-derived structures, compounds, and processes to initiate and maintain infection. There is significant overlap in these requirements, and infection with either microbe often manifests as cellular stress, which may be a key component of Wolbachia's anti-viral effect. Secondly, we discuss the current understanding of pathogen-blocking through this lens of cellular stress and develop a comprehensive view of how the lives of Wolbachia and viruses are fundamentally in conflict with each other. A thorough understanding of the genetic and cellular determinants of pathogen-blocking will significantly enhance the ability of vector control programs to deploy and maintain effective Wolbachia-mediated control measures.}, }
@article {pmid29558974, year = {2018}, author = {Altinli, M and Gunay, F and Alten, B and Weill, M and Sicard, M}, title = {Wolbachia diversity and cytoplasmic incompatibility patterns in Culex pipiens populations in Turkey.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {198}, doi = {10.1186/s13071-018-2777-9}, pmid = {29558974}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {ANR-16-CE02-0006-01//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/International ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia are maternally transmitted bacteria that can manipulate their hosts' reproduction causing cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). CI is a sperm-egg incompatibility resulting in embryonic death. Due to this sterilising effect on mosquitoes, Wolbachia are considered for vector control strategies. Important vectors for arboviruses, filarial nematodes and avian malaria, mosquitoes of Culex pipiens complex are suitable for Wolbachia-based vector control. They are infected with Wolbachia wPip strains belonging to five genetically distinct groups (wPip-I to V) within the Wolbachia B supergroup. CI properties of wPip strongly correlate with this genetic diversity: mosquitoes infected with wPip strains from a different wPip group are more likely to be incompatible with each other. Turkey is a critical spot for vector-borne diseases due to its unique geographical position as a natural bridge between Asia, Europe and Africa. However, general wPip diversity, distribution and CI patterns in natural Cx. pipiens (s.l.) populations in the region are unknown. In this study, we first identified wPip diversity in Turkish Cx. pipiens (s.l.) populations, by assigning them to one of the five groups within wPip (wPip-Ito V). We further investigated CI properties between different wPip strains from this region.<br><br>RESULTS: We showed a wPip fixation in Cx. pipiens (s.l.) populations in Turkey by analysing 753 samples from 59 sampling sites. Three wPip groups were detected in the region: wPip-I, wPip-II and wPip-IV. The most dominant group was wPip-II. While wPip-IV was restricted to only two locations, wPip-I and wPip-II had wider distributions. Individuals infected with wPip-II were found co-existing with individuals infected with wPip-I or wPip-IV in some sampling sites. Two mosquito isofemale lines harbouring either a wPip-I or a wPip-II strain were established from a population in northwestern Turkey. Reciprocal crosses between these lines showed that they were fully compatible with each other but bidirectionally incompatible with wPip-IV Istanbul infected line.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Our findings reveal a high diversity of wPip and CI properties in Cx. pipiens (s.l.) populations in Turkey. Knowledge on naturally occurring CI patterns caused by wPip diversity in Turkey might be useful for Cx. pipiens (s.l.) control in the region.}, }
@article {pmid29558644, year = {2018}, author = {Siozios, S and Gerth, M and Griffin, JS and Hurst, GDD}, title = {Symbiosis: Wolbachia Host Shifts in the Fast Lane.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {28}, number = {6}, pages = {R269-R271}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2018.02.008}, pmid = {29558644}, issn = {1879-0445}, abstract = {The inherited bacterium Wolbachia is an important component of the biology of many arthropods. What makes it so common? An analysis of drosophilids revealed one strain host shifts at a surprisingly high rate, infecting eight species in under 30,000 years.}, }
@article {pmid29558464, year = {2018}, author = {Souto-Maior, C and Sylvestre, G and Braga Stehling Dias, F and Gomes, MGM and Maciel-de-Freitas, R}, title = {Model-based inference from multiple dose, time course data reveals Wolbachia effects on infection profiles of type 1 dengue virus in Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {12}, number = {3}, pages = {e0006339}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0006339}, pmid = {29558464}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology/*virology ; Animals ; Dengue/prevention &amp; control/transmission ; Dengue Virus/*physiology ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; *Models, Biological ; Mosquito Vectors/*microbiology/*virology ; Symbiosis ; Virus Replication ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Infection is a complex and dynamic process involving a population of invading microbes, the host and its responses, aimed at controlling the situation. Depending on the purpose and level of organization, infection at the organism level can be described by a process as simple as a coin toss, or as complex as a multi-factorial dynamic model; the former, for instance, may be adequate as a component of a population model, while the latter is necessary for a thorough description of the process beginning with a challenge with an infectious inoculum up to establishment or elimination of the pathogen. Experimental readouts in the laboratory are often static, snapshots of the process, assayed under some convenient experimental condition, and therefore cannot comprehensively describe the system. Different from the discrete treatment of infection in population models, or the descriptive summarized accounts of typical lab experiments, in this manuscript, infection is treated as a dynamic process dependent on the initial conditions of the infectious challenge, viral growth, and the host response along time. Here, experimental data is generated for multiple doses of type 1 dengue virus, and pathogen levels are recorded at different points in time for two populations of mosquitoes: either carrying endosymbiont bacteria Wolbachia or not. A dynamic microbe/host-response mathematical model is used to describe pathogen growth in the face of a host response like the immune system, and to infer model parameters for the two populations of insects, revealing a slight-but potentially important-protection conferred by the symbiont.}, }
@article {pmid29530790, year = {2018}, author = {Zhang, X and Tang, S and Liu, Q and Cheke, RA and Zhu, H}, title = {Models to assess the effects of non-identical sex ratio augmentations of Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes on the control of dengue disease.}, journal = {Mathematical biosciences}, volume = {299}, number = {}, pages = {58-72}, doi = {10.1016/j.mbs.2018.03.003}, pmid = {29530790}, issn = {1879-3134}, abstract = {The introduction of endosymbiont Wolbachia into laboratory-reared mosquito populations, which are then released to mix with natural populations to prevent the mosquito vectors from reproducing and thus break the transmission cycle of dengue disease, is an innovative new technology. Field trials of Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes have now been implemented in many countries where there have been the outbreaks of dengue disease. A mathematical model is proposed to investigate the effects of non-identical sex ratio releases of Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes on the control of dengue transmission. Firstly, we analyzed the existence and stability of equilibria for the system and proved the existence of forward and backward bifurcations. Secondly, bifurcation diagrams, the basins of attraction of the equilibria and the effects of mosquito augmentation for the system with imperfect and perfect transmission rates were obtained. Thirdly, three possible results for mosquito augmentation were summarized for different parameter regions. Further we explored an uncertainty and sensitivity analysis of solutions to estimate the effects of different parameter values on the success or failure of population replacement. Based on the above analysis, we considered a series of relevant issues such as (a) whether or not mosquito augmentation can ensure the success of population replacement? (b) If not, what are the parameter regions for the success or possible success of population replacement? (c) How does the initial density of natural mosquitoes and the quantity of mosquito augmentations affect the success of population replacement? (d) Whether all population replacements are effective for reducing the spread of dengue virus in the end? The results of this study will be helpful for public health authorities in designing proper strategies of mosquito augmentations for the control of dengue disease.}, }
@article {pmid29526588, year = {2018}, author = {Turelli, M and Cooper, BS and Richardson, KM and Ginsberg, PS and Peckenpaugh, B and Antelope, CX and Kim, KJ and May, MR and Abrieux, A and Wilson, DA and Bronski, MJ and Moore, BR and Gao, JJ and Eisen, MB and Chiu, JC and Conner, WR and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {Rapid Global Spread of wRi-like Wolbachia across Multiple Drosophila.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {28}, number = {6}, pages = {963-971.e8}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2018.02.015}, pmid = {29526588}, issn = {1879-0445}, support = {R01 GM104325/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM124701/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; S10 RR027303/RR/NCRR NIH HHS/United States ; S10 RR029668/RR/NCRR NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Maternally transmitted Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, and Cardinium bacteria are common in insects [1], but their interspecific spread is poorly understood. Endosymbionts can spread rapidly within host species by manipulating host reproduction, as typified by the global spread of wRi Wolbachia observed in Drosophila simulans [2, 3]. However, because Wolbachia cannot survive outside host cells, spread between distantly related host species requires horizontal transfers that are presumably rare [4-7]. Here, we document spread of wRi-like Wolbachia among eight highly diverged Drosophila hosts (10-50 million years) over only about 14,000 years (5,000-27,000). Comparing 110 wRi-like genomes, we find ≤0.02% divergence from the wRi variant that spread rapidly through California populations of D. simulans. The hosts include both globally invasive species (D. simulans, D. suzukii, and D. ananassae) and narrowly distributed Australian endemics (D. anomalata and D. pandora) [8]. Phylogenetic analyses that include mtDNA genomes indicate introgressive transfer of wRi-like Wolbachia between closely related species D. ananassae, D. anomalata, and D. pandora but no horizontal transmission within species. Our analyses suggest D. ananassae as the Wolbachia source for the recent wRi invasion of D. simulans and D. suzukii as the source of Wolbachia in its sister species D. subpulchrella. Although six of these wRi-like variants cause strong cytoplasmic incompatibility, two cause no detectable reproductive effects, indicating that pervasive mutualistic effects [9, 10] complement the reproductive manipulations for which Wolbachia are best known. &quot;Super spreader&quot; variants like wRi may be particularly useful for controlling insect pests and vector-borne diseases with Wolbachia transinfections [11].}, }
@article {pmid29520067, year = {2018}, author = {Woodford, L and Bianco, G and Ivanova, Y and Dale, M and Elmer, K and Rae, F and Larcombe, SD and Helm, B and Ferguson, HM and Baldini, F}, title = {Vector species-specific association between natural Wolbachia infections and avian malaria in black fly populations.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {4188}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-22550-z}, pmid = {29520067}, issn = {2045-2322}, abstract = {Artificial infection of mosquitoes with the endosymbiont bacteria Wolbachia can interfere with malaria parasite development. Therefore, the release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes has been proposed as a malaria control strategy. However, Wolbachia effects on vector competence are only partly understood, as indicated by inconsistent effects on malaria infection reported under laboratory conditions. Studies of naturally-occurring Wolbachia infections in wild vector populations could be useful to identify the ecological and evolutionary conditions under which these endosymbionts can block malaria transmission. Here we demonstrate the occurrence of natural Wolbachia infections in three species of black fly (genus Simulium), which is a main vector of the avian malaria parasite Leucocytozoon. Prevalence of Leucocytozoon was high (25%), but the nature and magnitude of its association with Wolbachia differed between black fly species. Wolbachia infection was positively associated with avian malaria infection in S. cryophilum, negatively associated in S. aureum, and unrelated in S. vernum. These differences suggest that Wolbachia interacts with the parasite in a vector host species-specific manner. This provides a useful model system for further study of how Wolbachia influences vector competence. Such knowledge, including the possibility of undesirable positive association, is required to guide endosymbiont based control methods.}, }
@article {pmid29519772, year = {2018}, author = {Wattanamethanont, J and Kaewthamasorn, M and Tiawsirisup, S}, title = {Natural infection of questing ixodid ticks with protozoa and bacteria in Chonburi Province, Thailand.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {9}, number = {3}, pages = {749-758}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.02.020}, pmid = {29519772}, issn = {1877-9603}, abstract = {Ixodid ticks are important vectors of tick-borne disease agents affecting humans and animals, with wildlife often serving as important reservoirs. This study examined protozoal and bacterial infection in questing ticks in forest habitats in Chonburi Province, Thailand in 2015, using PCR and DNA sequencing techniques. A total of 12,184 ticks were morphologically identified to species and a subset of ticks were confirmed by PCR, targeting the tick mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. Tick species collected included Haemaphysalis lagrangei (92.8%), H. wellingtoni (0.1%), and Rhipicephalus microplus (7.0%). In total, 419 tick pools [ELM(1] [ST2] were examined by PCR amplification of a fragment of the 18S rRNA gene of Babesia and Theileria species, and the 16S rRNA gene of bacteria in the family Anaplasmataceae. Results revealed a tick infection rate for the tick pools of 57.0% (239/419) including four pathogens and one bacterial symbiont. The highest infection rate in H. lagrangei, H. wellingtoni, and R. microplus pools was recorded for Anaplasma spp. at 55.6% (233/419) including three Anaplasma species genotype groups Anaplasma spp. closely related to A. bovis, A. platys, and unidentified Anaplasma spp. Theileria spp. showed a lower infection rate in H. lagrangei at 4.3% (18/419) with three Theileria species genotypes closely related to T. cervi, T. capreoli, and unidentified Theileria spp. Only 0.2% (1/419) of H. lagrangei pools contained Babesia spp., Ehrlichia spp., or Wolbachia spp. [ELM(3] [ST4] These findings provided information on tick species in wildlife habitats and detected protozoa and bacteria in the ticks. The results suggest that these tick species are possible vectors for transmitting tick-borne disease agents in Thailand wildlife habitats.}, }
@article {pmid29516174, year = {2018}, author = {Michalik, A and Szwedo, J and Stroiński, A and Świerczewski, D and Szklarzewicz, T}, title = {Symbiotic cornucopia of the monophagous planthopper Ommatidiotus dissimilis (Fallén, 1806) (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Caliscelidae).}, journal = {Protoplasma}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1007/s00709-018-1234-0}, pmid = {29516174}, issn = {1615-6102}, support = {DS/MND/WBiNoZ/IZ/3/2015//Ministerstwo Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyższego/ ; }, abstract = {In contrast to Cicadomorpha, in which numerous symbiotic bacteria have been identified and characterized, the symbionts of fulgoromorphans are poorly known. Here, we present the results of histological, ultrastructural, and molecular analyses of the symbiotic system of the planthopper Ommatidiotus dissimilis. Amplification, cloning, and sequencing of bacterial 16S RNA genes have revealed that O. dissimilis is host to five types of bacteria. Apart from bacteria Sulcia and Vidania, which are regarded as ancestral symbionts of Fulgoromorpha, three additional types of bacteria belonging to the genera Sodalis, Wolbachia, and Rickettsia have been detected. Histological and ultrastructural investigations have shown that bacteria Sulcia, Vidania, and Sodalis house separate bacteriocytes, whereas bacteria Wolbachia and Rickettsia are dispersed within various insect tissue. Additionally, bacteria belonging to the genus Vidania occupy the bacteriome localized in the lumen of the hindgut. Both molecular and microscopic analyses have revealed that all the symbionts are transovarially transmitted between generations.}, }
@article {pmid29499213, year = {2018}, author = {Bi, J and Sehgal, A and Williams, JA and Wang, YF}, title = {Wolbachia affects sleep behavior in Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {Journal of insect physiology}, volume = {107}, number = {}, pages = {81-88}, doi = {10.1016/j.jinsphys.2018.02.011}, pmid = {29499213}, issn = {1879-1611}, abstract = {Wolbachia are endosymbiotic bacteria present in a wide range of insects. Although their dramatic effects on host reproductive biology have been well studied, the effects of Wolbachia on sleep behavior of insect hosts are not well documented. In this study, we report that Wolbachia infection caused an increase of total sleep time in both male and female Drosophila melanogaster. The increase in sleep was associated with an increase in the number of nighttime sleep bouts or episodes, but not in sleep bout duration. Correspondingly, Wolbachia infection also reduced the arousal threshold of their fly hosts. However, neither circadian rhythm nor sleep rebound following deprivation was influenced by Wolbachia infection. Transcriptional analysis of the dopamine biosynthesis pathway revealed that two essential genes, Pale and Ddc, were significantly upregulated in Wolbachia-infected flies. Together, these results indicate that Wolbachia mediates the expression of dopamine related genes, and decreases the sleep quality of their insect hosts. Our findings help better understand the host-endosymbiont interactions and in particular the Wolbachia's impact on behaviors, and thus on ecology and evolution in insect hosts.}, }
@article {pmid29497475, year = {2018}, author = {Hashmi, TR and Devi, SR and Meshram, NM and Prasad, R}, title = {Assessment of bacterial endosymbionts and the host, Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), using rRNA and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene sequences.}, journal = {Communicative &amp; integrative biology}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {e1433442}, doi = {10.1080/19420889.2018.1433442}, pmid = {29497475}, issn = {1942-0889}, abstract = {Endosymbionts are vital factor for arthropod ecology. The whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a cryptic species complex composed of more than 34 putative species. Moreover to the primary endosymbiont Portiera aleyrodidarum, six secondary endosymbionts Cardinium, Arsenophonus, Rickettsia, Wolbachia, Hamiltonella and Fritschea are known in B. tabaci. Here, we tested four of the six secondary endosymbiont lineages (excluding Fritschea and Hamiltonella) from 180 whitely individuals collected from six host plants belonging to families Solanaceae (Brinjal, Tomato and Potato) and Fabaceae (Soyabean, Mungbean and Subabool). Phylogenetic studies grounded on the mitochondrial cytochrome I gene revealed the presence of Asia 1, Asia II 1 and Asia II 7 genetic groups for B. tabaci. Specific primers targeting 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA gene were used for estimating the bacterial endosymbionts. As a primary endosymbiont Portiera aleyrodidarum was present in all the studied samples; whereas, an uneven distribution of secondary endosymbionts were recorded. Overall our finding exposes the variation and diversity of endosymbionts within the B. tabaci collected from different host plants and outlines the genetic groups of the insect pest. The study delivers a significant information concerning the circulation of secondary endosymbionts with host preferences of B. tabaci and provides suggestion for progressive studies on targeting the specific endosymbionts with respect to host for the control measures.}, }
@article {pmid29494679, year = {2018}, author = {Thomas, S and Verma, J and Woolfit, M and O'Neill, SL}, title = {Wolbachia-mediated virus blocking in mosquito cells is dependent on XRN1-mediated viral RNA degradation and influenced by viral replication rate.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {14}, number = {3}, pages = {e1006879}, doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1006879}, pmid = {29494679}, issn = {1553-7374}, mesh = {Aedes/*immunology/metabolism/microbiology/virology ; Animals ; Dengue/immunology/*prevention &amp; control/virology ; Dengue Virus/physiology ; Exoribonucleases/genetics/*metabolism ; Humans ; Insect Vectors/immunology/microbiology/virology ; MicroRNAs ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins/genetics/*metabolism ; RNA, Viral/genetics/*metabolism ; Symbiosis ; *Virus Replication ; West Nile Fever/immunology/*prevention &amp; control/virology ; West Nile virus/physiology ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is currently being developed as a novel tool to block the transmission of dengue viruses (DENV) by Aedes aegypti. A number of mechanisms have been proposed to explain the DENV-blocking phenotype in mosquitoes, including competition for fatty acids like cholesterol, manipulation of host miRNAs and upregulation of innate immune pathways in the mosquito. We examined the various stages in the DENV infection process to better understand the mechanism of Wolbachia-mediated virus blocking (WMVB). Our results suggest that infection with Wolbachia does not inhibit DENV binding or cell entry, but reduces virus replication. In contrast to a previous report, we also observed a similar reduction in replication of West Nile virus (WNV). This reduced replication is associated with rapid viral RNA degradation in the cytoplasm. We didn't find a role for host miRNAs in WMVB. Further analysis showed that the 3' end of the virus subgenomic RNA was protected and accumulated over time suggesting that the degradation is XRN1-mediated. We also found that sub genomic flavivirus RNA accumulation inactivated XRN1 in mosquito cells in the absence of Wolbachia and led to enhancement of RNA degradation in its presence. Depletion of XRN1 decreased WMVB which was associated with a significant increase in DENV RNA. We also observed that WMVB is influenced by virus MOI and rate of virus replication. A comparatively elevated blocking was observed for slowly replicating DENV, compared to WNV. Similar results were obtained while analysing different DENV serotypes.}, }
@article {pmid29487575, year = {2018}, author = {Aydogan, EL and Moser, G and Müller, C and Kämpfer, P and Glaeser, SP}, title = {Long-Term Warming Shifts the Composition of Bacterial Communities in the Phyllosphere of Galium album in a Permanent Grassland Field-Experiment.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {144}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2018.00144}, pmid = {29487575}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Global warming is currently a much discussed topic with as yet largely unexplored consequences for agro-ecosystems. Little is known about the warming effect on the bacterial microbiota inhabiting the plant surface (phyllosphere), which can have a strong impact on plant growth and health, as well as on plant diseases and colonization by human pathogens. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of moderate surface warming on the diversity and composition of the bacterial leaf microbiota of the herbaceous plant Galium album. Leaves were collected from four control and four surface warmed (+2°C) plots located at the field site of the Environmental Monitoring and Climate Impact Research Station Linden in Germany over a 6-year period. Warming had no effect on the concentration of total number of cells attached to the leaf surface as counted by Sybr Green I staining after detachment, but changes in the diversity and phylogenetic composition of the bacterial leaf microbiota analyzed by bacterial 16S rRNA gene Illumina amplicon sequencing were observed. The bacterial phyllosphere microbiota were dominated by Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria. Warming caused a significant higher relative abundance of members of the Gammaproteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes, and a lower relative abundance of members of the Alphaproteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. Plant beneficial bacteria like Sphingomonas spp. and Rhizobium spp. occurred in significantly lower relative abundance in leaf samples of warmed plots. In contrast, several members of the Enterobacteriaceae, especially Enterobacter and Erwinia, and other potential plant or human pathogenic genera such as Acinetobacter and insect-associated Buchnera and Wolbachia spp. occurred in higher relative abundances in the phyllosphere samples from warmed plots. This study showed for the first time the long-term impact of moderate (+2°C) surface warming on the phyllosphere microbiota on plants. A reduction of beneficial bacteria and an enhancement of potential pathogenic bacteria in the phyllosphere of plants may indicate that this aspect of the ecosystem which has been largely neglected up till now, can be a potential risk for pathogen transmission in agro-ecosystems in the near future.}, }
@article {pmid29471864, year = {2018}, author = {Gesto, JSM and Araki, AS and Caragata, EP and de Oliveira, CD and Martins, AJ and Bruno, RV and Moreira, LA}, title = {In tune with nature: Wolbachia does not prevent pre-copula acoustic communication in Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {109}, doi = {10.1186/s13071-018-2695-x}, pmid = {29471864}, issn = {1756-3305}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Mosquito-borne diseases are rapidly spreading to vast territories, putting at risk most of the world's population. A key player in this scenario is Aedes aegypti, a hematophagous species which hosts and transmits viruses causing dengue and other serious illnesses. Since vector control strategies relying only on insecticides have proven unsustainable, an alternative method involving the release of Wolbachia-harboring individuals has emerged. Its successful implementation vastly depends on how fit the released individuals are in the natural habitat, being able to mate with wild populations and to spread Wolbachia to subsequent generations. In mosquitoes, an important aspect of reproductive fitness is the acoustic communication between males and females, which translates to interactions between harmonic frequencies in close proximity flight. This study aimed to characterize the flight tone produced by individuals harboring Wolbachia, also evaluating their ability to establish stable acoustic interactions.<br><br>METHODS: Wild-type (WT) and Wolbachia-harboring specimens (wMelBr) were thorax-tethered to blunt copper wires and placed at close proximity to sensitive microphones. Wing-beat frequencies (WBFs) were characterized at fundamental and harmonic levels, for both single individuals and couples. Harmonic interactions in homogeneous and heterogeneous couples of WT and wMelBr variants were identified, categorized and quantified accordingly.<br><br>RESULTS: In tethered 'solo' flights, individuals harboring Wolbachia developed WBFs, differing slightly, in a sex-dependent way, from those of the WT strain. To test the ability to form harmonic 'duets', tethered couples of wMelBr and WT individuals were shuffled in different sex pairs and had their flight tones analyzed. All couple types, with WT and/or wMelBr individuals, were able to interact acoustically in the frequency range of 1300-1500 Hz, which translates to the convergence between male's second harmonic and female's third. No significant differences were found in the proportions of interacting couples between the pair types. Surprisingly, spectrograms also revealed the convergence between alternative harmonic frequencies, inside and outside the species putative hearing threshold.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Wolbachia infection leads to small sex-dependent changes on the flight tones of Ae. aegypti, but it does not seem to prevent the stereotyped harmonic interaction between males and females. Therefore, when released in the natural habitat to breed with native individuals, Wolbachia-harboring individuals shall be fit enough to meet the criteria of acoustically-related mating behavior and promote bacteria dispersion effectively.}, }
@article {pmid29468305, year = {2018}, author = {Ramalho, MO and Vieira, AS and Pereira, MC and Moreau, CS and Bueno, OC}, title = {Transovarian Transmission of Blochmannia and Wolbachia Endosymbionts in the Neotropical Weaver Ant Camponotus textor (Hymenoptera, Formicidae).}, journal = {Current microbiology}, volume = {75}, number = {7}, pages = {866-873}, doi = {10.1007/s00284-018-1459-3}, pmid = {29468305}, issn = {1432-0991}, support = {007343/2014-00//CAPES Foundation/ ; 157837/2015-7//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico/ ; }, abstract = {Camponotus is a hyper-diverse ant genus that is associated with the obligate endosymbiont Blochmannia, and often also with Wolbachia, but morphological studies on the location of these bacteria in the queen's ovaries during oogenesis remain limited. In the present study, we used the Neotropical weaver ant Camponotus textor to characterize the ovary using histology (HE) techniques, and to document the location of Blochmannia and Wolbachia during oogenesis through fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). This is the first morphological report of these two bacteria in the same host with polytrophic meroistic ovaries and reveals that Blochmannia is found inside late-stage oocytes and Wolbachia is associated with the nuclei of the nurse cells. Our results provide insights into the developmental sequence of when these bacteria reach the egg, with Blochmannia establishing itself in the egg first, and Wolbachia only reaching the egg shortly before completing egg development. Studies such as this provide understanding about the mechanisms and timing of the establishment of these endosymbionts in the host.}, }
@article {pmid29468014, year = {2018}, author = {Zu Dohna, H and Houry, C and Kambris, Z}, title = {A comparative analysis of Wolbachia-induced host reproductive phenotypes reveals transition rate heterogeneity.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {8}, number = {4}, pages = {1945-1953}, doi = {10.1002/ece3.3789}, pmid = {29468014}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia infects a wide range of arthropods and their relatives. It is an intracellular parasite transmitted through the egg from mother to offspring. Wolbachia can spread and persist through various means of host reproductive manipulation. How these different mechanisms of host manipulation evolved in Wolbachia is unclear. Which host reproductive phenotype is most likely to be ancestral and whether evolutionary transitions between some host phenotypes are more common than others remain unanswered questions. Recent studies have revealed multiple cases where the same Wolbachia strain can induce different reproductive phenotypes in different hosts, raising the question to what degree the induced host phenotype should be regarded as a trait of Wolbachia. In this study, we constructed a phylogenetic tree of Wolbachia and analyzed the patterns of host phenotypes along that tree. We were able to detect a phylogenetic signal of host phenotypes on the Wolbachia tree, indicating that the induced host phenotype can be regarded as a Wolbachia trait. However, we found no clear support for the previously stated hypothesis that cytoplasmic incompatibility is ancestral to Wolbachia in arthropods. Our analysis provides evidence for heterogeneous transition rates between host phenotypes.}, }
@article {pmid29467241, year = {2018}, author = {Kamath, AD and Deehan, MA and Frydman, HM}, title = {Polar cell fate stimulates Wolbachia intracellular growth.}, journal = {Development (Cambridge, England)}, volume = {145}, number = {6}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1242/dev.158097}, pmid = {29467241}, issn = {1477-9129}, mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila/*microbiology ; Female ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Oogenesis/physiology ; Ovary/cytology/microbiology ; Polar Bodies/*microbiology ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; Viral Tropism/*physiology ; Wolbachia/*pathogenicity ; }, abstract = {Bacteria are crucial partners in the development and evolution of vertebrates and invertebrates. A large fraction of insects harbor Wolbachia, bacterial endosymbionts that manipulate host reproduction to favor their spreading. Because they are maternally inherited, Wolbachia are under selective pressure to reach the female germline and infect the offspring. However, Wolbachia infection is not limited to the germline. Somatic cell types, including stem cell niches, have higher Wolbachia loads compared with the surrounding tissue. Here, we show a novel Wolbachia tropism to polar cells (PCs), specialized somatic cells in the Drosophila ovary. During oogenesis, all stages of PC development are easily visualized, facilitating the investigation of the kinetics of Wolbachia intracellular growth. Wolbachia accumulation is triggered by particular events of PC morphogenesis, including differentiation from progenitors and between stages 8 and 9 of oogenesis. Moreover, induction of ectopic PC fate is sufficient to promote Wolbachia accumulation. We found that Wolbachia PC tropism is evolutionarily conserved across most Drosophila species, but not in Culex mosquitos. These findings highlight the coordination of endosymbiont tropism with host development and cell differentiation.}, }
@article {pmid29466376, year = {2018}, author = {Yadav, S and Frazer, J and Banga, A and Pruitt, K and Harsh, S and Jaenike, J and Eleftherianos, I}, title = {Endosymbiont-based immunity in Drosophila melanogaster against parasitic nematode infection.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {13}, number = {2}, pages = {e0192183}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0192183}, pmid = {29466376}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila melanogaster/*immunology/microbiology/parasitology ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; Nematoda/*physiology ; *Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Associations between endosymbiotic bacteria and their hosts represent a complex ecosystem within organisms ranging from humans to protozoa. Drosophila species are known to naturally harbor Wolbachia and Spiroplasma endosymbionts, which play a protective role against certain microbial infections. Here, we investigated whether the presence or absence of endosymbionts affects the immune response of Drosophila melanogaster larvae to infection by Steinernema carpocapsae nematodes carrying or lacking their mutualistic Gram-negative bacteria Xenorhabdus nematophila (symbiotic or axenic nematodes, respectively). We find that the presence of Wolbachia alone or together with Spiroplasma promotes the survival of larvae in response to infection with S. carpocapsae symbiotic nematodes, but not against axenic nematodes. We also find that Wolbachia numbers are reduced in Spiroplasma-free larvae infected with axenic compared to symbiotic nematodes, and they are also reduced in Spiroplasma-containing compared to Spiroplasma-free larvae infected with axenic nematodes. We further show that S. carpocapsae axenic nematode infection induces the Toll pathway in the absence of Wolbachia, and that symbiotic nematode infection leads to increased phenoloxidase activity in D. melanogaster larvae devoid of endosymbionts. Finally, infection with either type of nematode alters the metabolic status and the fat body lipid droplet size in D. melanogaster larvae containing only Wolbachia or both endosymbionts. Our results suggest an interaction between Wolbachia endosymbionts with the immune response of D. melanogaster against infection with the entomopathogenic nematodes S. carpocapsae. Results from this study indicate a complex interplay between insect hosts, endosymbiotic microbes and pathogenic organisms.}, }
@article {pmid29447357, year = {2018}, author = {Jewell, NP and Dufault, S and Cutcher, Z and Simmons, CP and Anders, KL}, title = {Analysis of cluster-randomized test-negative designs: cluster-level methods.}, journal = {Biostatistics (Oxford, England)}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/biostatistics/kxy005}, pmid = {29447357}, issn = {1468-4357}, abstract = {Intervention trials of vector control methods often require community level randomization with appropriate inferential methods. For many interventions, the possibility of confounding due to the effects of health-care seeking behavior on disease ascertainment remains a concern. The test-negative design, a variant of the case-control method, was introduced to mitigate this issue in the assessment of the efficacy of influenza vaccination (measured at an individual level) on influenza infection. Here, we introduce a cluster-randomized test-negative design that includes randomization of the intervention at a group level. We propose several methods for estimation and inference regarding the relative risk (RR). The inferential methods considered are based on the randomization distribution induced by permuting intervention assignment across two sets of randomly selected clusters. The motivating example is a current study of the efficacy of randomized releases of Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to reduce the incidence of dengue in Yogyakarta City, Indonesia. Estimation and inference techniques are assessed through a simulation study.}, }
@article {pmid29443908, year = {2018}, author = {Lim, EXY and Lee, WS and Madzokere, ET and Herrero, LJ}, title = {Mosquitoes as Suitable Vectors for Alphaviruses.}, journal = {Viruses}, volume = {10}, number = {2}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3390/v10020084}, pmid = {29443908}, issn = {1999-4915}, abstract = {Alphaviruses are arthropod-borne viruses and are predominantly transmitted via mosquito vectors. This vector preference by alphaviruses raises the important question of the determinants that contribute to vector competence. There are several tissue barriers of the mosquito that the virus must overcome in order to establish a productive infection. Of importance are the midgut, basal lamina and the salivary glands. Infection of the salivary glands is crucial for virus transmission during the mosquito's subsequent bloodfeed. Other factors that may contribute to vector competence include the microflora and parasites present in the mosquito, environmental conditions, the molecular determinants of the virus to adapt to the vector, as well as the effect of co-infection with other viruses. Though mosquito innate immunity is a contributing factor to vector competence, it will not be discussed in this review. Detailed understanding of these factors will be instrumental in minimising transmission of alphaviral diseases.}, }
@article {pmid29435771, year = {2018}, author = {Zélé, F and Weill, M and Magalhães, S}, title = {Identification of spider-mite species and their endosymbionts using multiplex PCR.}, journal = {Experimental &amp; applied acarology}, volume = {74}, number = {2}, pages = {123-138}, doi = {10.1007/s10493-018-0224-4}, pmid = {29435771}, issn = {1572-9702}, support = {FCT-ANR//BIA-EVF/0013/2012//Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT), Universidade de Lisboa (PT)/ ; FCT-TUBITAK/0001/2014//Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT), Universidade de Lisboa (PT)/ ; SFRH/BPD/125020/2016//Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT), Universidade de Lisboa (PT)/ ; }, abstract = {Spider mites of the genus Tetranychidae are severe crop pests. In the Mediterranean a few species coexist, but they are difficult to identify based on morphological characters. Additionally, spider mites often harbour several species of endosymbiotic bacteria, which may affect the biology of their hosts. Here, we propose novel, cost-effective, multiplex diagnostic methods allowing a quick identification of spider-mite species as well as of the endosymbionts they carry. First, we developed, and successfully multiplexed in a single PCR, primers to identify Tetranychus urticae, T. evansi and T. ludeni, some of the most common tetranychids found in southwest Europe. Moreover, we demonstrated that this method allows detecting multiple species in a single pool, even at low frequencies (up to 1/100), and can be used on entire mites without DNA extraction. Second, we developed another set of primers to detect spider-mite endosymbionts, namely Wolbachia, Cardinium and Rickettsia in a multiplex PCR, along with a generalist spider-mite primer to control for potential failure of DNA amplification in each PCR. Overall, our method represents a simple, cost-effective and reliable method to identify spider-mite species and their symbionts in natural field populations, as well as to detect contaminations in laboratory rearings. This method may easily be extended to other species.}, }
@article {pmid29435238, year = {2018}, author = {Zhang, YK and Yang, K and Zhu, YX and Hong, XY}, title = {Symbiont-conferred reproduction and fitness benefits can favour their host occurrence.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {8}, number = {3}, pages = {1626-1633}, doi = {10.1002/ece3.3784}, pmid = {29435238}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Double infections of Wolbachia and Spiroplasma are frequent in natural populations of Tetranychus truncatus, a polyphagous mite species that has been a dominant species in China since 2009. However, little is known about the causes and ecological importance of such coexistences. In this study, we established T. truncatus strains with different infection types and then inferred the impact of the two endosymbionts on host reproduction and fitness. Double infection induced cytoplasmic incompatibility, which was demonstrated by reduction in egg hatchability of incompatible crosses. However, doubly infected females produced more eggs relative to other strains. Wolbachia and Spiroplasma did not affect host survival, whereas doubly infected females and males developed faster than other strains. Such reproduction and fitness benefits provided by double infections may be associated with the lower densities of each symbiont, and the quantitative results also confirmed competition between Wolbachia and Spiroplasma in doubly infected females. These symbiont-conferred beneficial effects maintain stable prevalence of the symbionts and also help drive T. truncatus outbreaks in combination with other environmental factors.}, }
@article {pmid29429122, year = {2018}, author = {Campo-Duarte, DE and Vasilieva, O and Cardona-Salgado, D and Svinin, M}, title = {Optimal control approach for establishing wMelPop Wolbachia infection among wild Aedes aegypti populations.}, journal = {Journal of mathematical biology}, volume = {76}, number = {7}, pages = {1907-1950}, doi = {10.1007/s00285-018-1213-2}, pmid = {29429122}, issn = {1432-1416}, abstract = {Wolbachia-based biocontrol has recently emerged as a potential method for prevention and control of dengue and other vector-borne diseases. Major vector species, such as Aedes aegypti females, when deliberately infected with Wolbachia become less capable of getting viral infections and transmitting the virus to human hosts. In this paper, we propose an explicit sex-structured population model that describes an interaction of uninfected (wild) male and female mosquitoes and those deliberately infected with wMelPop strain of Wolbachia in the same locality. This particular strain of Wolbachia is regarded as the best blocker of dengue and other arboviral infections. However, wMelPop strain of Wolbachia also causes the loss of individual fitness in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Our model allows for natural introduction of the decision (or control) variable, and we apply the optimal control approach to simulate wMelPop Wolbachia infestation of wild Aedes aegypti populations. The control action consists in continuous periodic releases of mosquitoes previously infected with wMelPop strain of Wolbachia in laboratory conditions. The ultimate purpose of control is to find a tradeoff between reaching the population replacement in minimum time and with minimum cost of the control effort. This approach also allows us to estimate the number of Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes to be released in day-by-day control action. The proposed method of biological control is safe to human health, does not contaminate the environment, does not make harm to non-target species, and preserves their interaction with mosquitoes in the ecosystem.}, }
@article {pmid29428509, year = {2018}, author = {Sahoo, RK and Lohman, DJ and Wahlberg, N and Müller, CJ and Brattström, O and Collins, SC and Peggie, D and Aduse-Poku, K and Kodandaramaiah, U}, title = {Evolution of Hypolimnas butterflies (Nymphalidae): Out-of-Africa origin and Wolbachia-mediated introgression.}, journal = {Molecular phylogenetics and evolution}, volume = {123}, number = {}, pages = {50-58}, doi = {10.1016/j.ympev.2018.02.001}, pmid = {29428509}, issn = {1095-9513}, abstract = {Hypolimnas butterflies (Nymphalidae), commonly known as eggflies, are a popular model system for studying a wide range of ecological questions including mimicry, polymorphism, wing pattern evolution, and Wolbachia-host interactions. The lack of a time-calibrated phylogeny for this group has precluded understanding its evolutionary history. We reconstruct a species-level phylogeny using a nine gene dataset and estimate species divergence times. Based on the resulting tree, we investigate the taxon's historical biogeography, examine the evolution of host plant preferences, and test the hypothesis that the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia mediates gene transfer between species. Our analyses indicate that the species are grouped within three strongly supported, deeply divergent clades. However, relationships among these three clades are uncertain. In addition, many Hypolimnas species are not monophyletic or monophyletic with weak support, suggesting widespread incomplete lineage sorting and/or introgression. Biogeographic analysis strongly indicates that the genus diverged from its ancestor in Africa and subsequently dispersed to Asia; the strength of this result is not affected by topological uncertainties. While the larvae of African species feed almost exclusively on Urticaceae, larvae of species found further east often feed on several additional families. Interestingly, we found an identical mitochondrial haplotype in two Hypolimnas species, H. bolina and H. alimena, and a strong association between this mitotype and the Wolbachia strain wBol1a. Future investigations should explore the plausibility of Wolbachia-mediated introgression between species.}, }
@article {pmid29396201, year = {2018}, author = {Ritchie, SA and van den Hurk, AF and Smout, MJ and Staunton, KM and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {Mission Accomplished? We Need a Guide to the 'Post Release' World of Wolbachia for Aedes-borne Disease Control.}, journal = {Trends in parasitology}, volume = {34}, number = {3}, pages = {217-226}, doi = {10.1016/j.pt.2017.11.011}, pmid = {29396201}, issn = {1471-5007}, abstract = {Historically, sustained control of Aedes aegypti, the vector of dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika viruses, has been largely ineffective. Subsequently, two novel 'rear and release' control strategies utilizing mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia are currently being developed and deployed widely. In the incompatible insect technique, male Aedes mosquitoes, infected with Wolbachia, suppress populations through unproductive mating. In the transinfection strategy, both male and female Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes rapidly infect the wild population with Wolbachia, blocking virus transmission. It is critical to monitor the long-term stability of Wolbachia in host populations, and also the ability of this bacterium to continually inhibit virus transmission. Ongoing release and monitoring programs must be future-proofed should political support weaken when these vectors are successfully controlled.}, }
@article {pmid29390142, year = {2018}, author = {Zélé, F and Santos, I and Olivieri, I and Weill, M and Duron, O and Magalhães, S}, title = {Endosymbiont diversity and prevalence in herbivorous spider mite populations in South-Western Europe.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology}, volume = {94}, number = {4}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/femsec/fiy015}, pmid = {29390142}, issn = {1574-6941}, abstract = {Bacterial endosymbionts are known as important players of the evolutionary ecology of their hosts. However, their distribution, prevalence and diversity are still largely unexplored. To this aim, we investigated infections by the most common bacterial reproductive manipulators in herbivorous spider mites of South-Western Europe. Across 16 populations belonging to three Tetranychus species, Wolbachia was the most prevalent (ca. 61%), followed by Cardinium (12%-15%), while only few individuals were infected by Rickettsia (0.9%-3%), and none carried Arsenophonus or Spiroplasma. These endosymbionts are here reported for the first time in Tetranychus evansi and Tetranychus ludeni, and showed variable infection frequencies between and within species, with several cases of coinfections. Moreover, Cardinium was more prevalent in Wolbachia-infected individuals, which suggests facilitation between these symbionts. Finally, sequence comparisons revealed no variation of the Wolbachia wsp and Rickettsia gtlA genes, but some diversity of the Cardinium 16S rRNA, both between and within populations of the three mite species. Some of the Cardinium sequences identified belonged to distantly-related clades, and the lack of association between these sequences and spider mite mitotypes suggests repeated host switching of Cardinium. Overall, our results reveal a complex community of symbionts in this system, opening the path for future studies.}, }
@article {pmid29375803, year = {2018}, author = {Thongsripong, P and Chandler, JA and Green, AB and Kittayapong, P and Wilcox, BA and Kapan, DD and Bennett, SN}, title = {Mosquito vector-associated microbiota: Metabarcoding bacteria and eukaryotic symbionts across habitat types in Thailand endemic for dengue and other arthropod-borne diseases.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {8}, number = {2}, pages = {1352-1368}, doi = {10.1002/ece3.3676}, pmid = {29375803}, issn = {2045-7758}, support = {P20 RR018727/RR/NCRR NIH HHS/United States ; U54 AI065359/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Vector-borne diseases are a major health burden, yet factors affecting their spread are only partially understood. For example, microbial symbionts can impact mosquito reproduction, survival, and vectorial capacity, and hence affect disease transmission. Nonetheless, current knowledge of mosquito-associated microbial communities is limited. To characterize the bacterial and eukaryotic microbial communities of multiple vector species collected from different habitat types in disease endemic areas, we employed next-generation 454 pyrosequencing of 16S and 18S rRNA amplicon libraries, also known as metabarcoding. We investigated pooled whole adult mosquitoes of three medically important vectors, Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, and Culex quinquefasciatus, collected from different habitats across central Thailand where we previously characterized mosquito diversity. Our results indicate that diversity within the mosquito microbiota is low, with the majority of microbes assigned to one or a few taxa. Two of the most common eukaryotic and bacterial genera recovered (Ascogregarina and Wolbachia, respectively) are known mosquito endosymbionts with potentially parasitic and long evolutionary relationships with their hosts. Patterns of microbial composition and diversity appeared to differ by both vector species and habitat for a given species, although high variability between samples suggests a strong stochastic element to microbiota assembly. In general, our findings suggest that multiple factors, such as habitat condition and mosquito species identity, may influence overall microbial community composition, and thus provide a basis for further investigations into the interactions between vectors, their microbial communities, and human-impacted landscapes that may ultimately affect vector-borne disease risk.}, }
@article {pmid29370307, year = {2018}, author = {Ant, TH and Herd, CS and Geoghegan, V and Hoffmann, AA and Sinkins, SP}, title = {The Wolbachia strain wAu provides highly efficient virus transmission blocking in Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {e1006815}, doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1006815}, pmid = {29370307}, issn = {1553-7374}, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology/*virology ; Alphavirus Infections/microbiology/transmission/virology ; Animals ; Antibiosis/*physiology ; *Dengue Virus/pathogenicity ; Female ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical/*prevention &amp; control/veterinary ; Inheritance Patterns ; Male ; Pest Control, Biological ; Semliki forest virus/pathogenicity/physiology ; Viral Load ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Introduced transinfections of the inherited bacteria Wolbachia can inhibit transmission of viruses by Aedes mosquitoes, and in Ae. aegypti are now being deployed for dengue control in a number of countries. Only three Wolbachia strains from the large number that exist in nature have to date been introduced and characterized in this species. Here novel Ae. aegypti transinfections were generated using the wAlbA and wAu strains. In its native Ae. albopictus, wAlbA is maintained at lower density than the co-infecting wAlbB, but following transfer to Ae. aegypti the relative strain density was reversed, illustrating the strain-specific nature of Wolbachia-host co-adaptation in determining density. The wAu strain also reached high densities in Ae. aegypti, and provided highly efficient transmission blocking of dengue and Zika viruses. Both wAu and wAlbA were less susceptible than wMel to density reduction/incomplete maternal transmission resulting from elevated larval rearing temperatures. Although wAu does not induce cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), it was stably combined with a CI-inducing strain as a superinfection, and this would facilitate its spread into wild populations. Wolbachia wAu provides a very promising new option for arbovirus control, particularly for deployment in hot tropical climates.}, }
@article {pmid29363888, year = {2018}, author = {Liu, QQ and Zhang, TS and Li, CX and Gu, JW and Hou, JB and Dong, H}, title = {Decision-making in a bisexual line and a thelytokous Wolbachia-infected line of Trichogramma dendrolimi Matsumura (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) regarding behavior toward their hosts.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {74}, number = {7}, pages = {1720-1727}, doi = {10.1002/ps.4867}, pmid = {29363888}, issn = {1526-4998}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The use of thelytokous Wolbachia-infected Trichogramma (parasitic wasps) has long been considered as a way to enhance the efficacy of biocontrol. However, Wolbachia can affect the host physiology. We compared decision-making between bisexual and thelytokous Wolbachia-infected lines of Trichogramma dendrolimi Matsumura regarding behavior toward fresh and old eggs of Corcyra cephalonica at 25 ± 1 °C and 70 ± 5% relative humidity.<br><br>RESULTS: The behavioral patterns and sequences of the two lines were basically the same. The durations of various behavioral patterns and values of fitness indicators of the bisexual line on fresh eggs were generally significantly shorter and better, respectively, than on old eggs, whereas the thelytokous line behaved similarly toward the two types of eggs, and differences in most fitness indicators between fresh and old eggs were not significant. On fresh eggs, the durations of various behaviors in the bisexual line were generally significantly shorter than in the thelytokous line and the fitness indicators were generally significantly better.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Wolbachia affected the fitness of T. dendrolimi negatively. The potential of the thelytokous line as a biocontrol agent would not be as good as that of the bisexual line when decision-making only is considered. Therefore, further evaluations need to be carried out before the thelytokous line can be used in practical biocontrol. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.}, }
@article {pmid29358725, year = {2018}, author = {Schmidt, TL and Filipović, I and Hoffmann, AA and Rašić, G}, title = {Fine-scale landscape genomics helps explain the slow spatial spread of Wolbachia through the Aedes aegypti population in Cairns, Australia.}, journal = {Heredity}, volume = {120}, number = {5}, pages = {386-395}, doi = {10.1038/s41437-017-0039-9}, pmid = {29358725}, issn = {1365-2540}, abstract = {The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia suppresses the capacity for arbovirus transmission in the mosquito Aedes aegypti, and can spread spatially through wild mosquito populations following local introductions. Recent introductions in Cairns, Australia have demonstrated slower than expected spatial spread. Potential reasons for this include: (i) barriers to Ae. aegypti dispersal; (ii) higher incidence of long-range dispersal; and (iii) intergenerational loss of Wolbachia. We investigated these three potential factors using genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and an assay for the Wolbachia infection wMel in 161 Ae. aegypti collected from Cairns in 2015. We detected a small but significant barrier effect of Cairns highways on Ae. aegypti dispersal using distance-based redundancy analysis and patch-based simulation analysis. We detected a pair of putative full-siblings in ovitraps 1312 m apart, indicating long-distance female movement likely mediated by human transport. We also found a pair of full-siblings of different infection status, indicating intergenerational loss of Wolbachia in the field. These three factors are all expected to contribute to the slow spread of Wolbachia through Ae. aegypti populations, though from our results it is unclear whether Wolbachia loss and long-distance movement are sufficiently common to reduce the speed of spatial spread appreciably. Our findings inform the strategic deployment of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes during releases, and show how parameter estimates from laboratory studies may differ from those estimated using field data. Our landscape genomics approach can be extended to other host/symbiont systems that are being considered for biocontrol.}, }
@article {pmid29358578, year = {2018}, author = {Bonneau, M and Atyame, C and Beji, M and Justy, F and Cohen-Gonsaud, M and Sicard, M and Weill, M}, title = {Culex pipiens crossing type diversity is governed by an amplified and polymorphic operon of Wolbachia.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {319}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-017-02749-w}, pmid = {29358578}, issn = {2041-1723}, mesh = {Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/*genetics/metabolism ; Base Sequence ; Crosses, Genetic ; Culex/genetics/*microbiology ; Drosophila melanogaster/genetics/*microbiology ; Female ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Host Specificity ; Male ; *Operon ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Sequence Alignment ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Toxin-Antitoxin Systems/genetics ; Wolbachia/*genetics/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Culex pipiens mosquitoes are infected with Wolbachia (wPip) that cause an important diversity of cytoplasmic incompatibilities (CIs). Functional transgenic studies have implicated the cidA-cidB operon from wPip and its homolog in wMel in CI between infected Drosophila males and uninfected females. However, the genetic basis of the CI diversity induced by different Wolbachia strains was unknown. We show here that the remarkable diversity of CI in the C. pipiens complex is due to the presence, in all tested wPip genomes, of several copies of the cidA-cidB operon, which undergoes diversification through recombination events. In 183 isofemale lines of C. pipiens collected worldwide, specific variations of the cidA-cidB gene repertoires are found to match crossing types. The diversification of cidA-cidB is consistent with the hypothesis of a toxin-antitoxin system in which the gene cidB co-diversifies with the gene cidA, particularly in putative domains of reciprocal interactions.}, }
@article {pmid29351633, year = {2018}, author = {Lindsey, ARI and Rice, DW and Bordenstein, SR and Brooks, AW and Bordenstein, SR and Newton, ILG}, title = {Evolutionary Genetics of Cytoplasmic Incompatibility Genes cifA and cifB in Prophage WO of Wolbachia.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {10}, number = {2}, pages = {434-451}, doi = {10.1093/gbe/evy012}, pmid = {29351633}, issn = {1759-6653}, support = {P30 DK058404/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI132581/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 HD086833/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {The bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia manipulates arthropod reproduction to facilitate its maternal spread through host populations. The most common manipulation is cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI): Wolbachia-infected males produce modified sperm that cause embryonic mortality, unless rescued by embryos harboring the same Wolbachia. The genes underlying CI, cifA and cifB, were recently identified in the eukaryotic association module of Wolbachia's prophage WO. Here, we use transcriptomic and genomic approaches to address three important evolutionary facets of the cif genes. First, we assess whether or not cifA and cifB comprise a classic toxin-antitoxin operon in wMel and show that the two genes exhibit striking, transcriptional differences across host development. They can produce a bicistronic message despite a predicted hairpin termination element in their intergenic region. Second, cifA and cifB strongly coevolve across the diversity of phage WO. Third, we provide new domain and functional predictions across homologs within Wolbachia, and show that amino acid sequences vary substantially across the genus. Finally, we investigate conservation of cifA and cifB and find frequent degradation and loss of the genes in strains that no longer induce CI. Taken together, we demonstrate that cifA and cifB exhibit complex transcriptional regulation in wMel, provide functional annotations that broaden the potential mechanisms of CI induction, and report recurrent erosion of cifA and cifB in non-CI strains, thus expanding our understanding of the most widespread form of reproductive parasitism.}, }
@article {pmid29348597, year = {2018}, author = {Aljayyoussi, G and Tyrer, HE and Ford, L and Sjoberg, H and Pionnier, N and Waterhouse, D and Davies, J and Gamble, J and Metuge, H and Cook, DAN and Steven, A and Sharma, R and Guimaraes, AF and Clare, RH and Cassidy, A and Johnston, KL and Myhill, L and Hayward, L and Wanji, S and Turner, JD and Taylor, MJ and Ward, SA}, title = {Author Correction: Short-Course, High-Dose Rifampicin Achieves Wolbachia Depletion Predictive of Curative Outcomes in Preclinical Models of Lymphatic Filariasis and Onchocerciasis.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {1384}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-19723-1}, pmid = {29348597}, issn = {2045-2322}, abstract = {A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML version of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.}, }
@article {pmid29346449, year = {2018}, author = {Chrostek, E and Teixeira, L}, title = {Within host selection for faster replicating bacterial symbionts.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {e0191530}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0191530}, pmid = {29346449}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila melanogaster/*microbiology ; Genes, Bacterial ; *Host-Pathogen Interactions ; *Symbiosis ; Virulence/genetics ; Wolbachia/genetics/*growth &amp; development/pathogenicity ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is a widespread, intracellular symbiont of arthropods, able to induce reproductive distortions and antiviral protection in insects. Wolbachia can also be pathogenic, as is the case with wMelPop, a virulent variant of the endosymbiont of Drosophila melanogaster. An extensive genomic amplification of the 20kb region encompassing eight Wolbachia genes, called Octomom, is responsible for wMelPop virulence. The Octomom copy number in wMelPop can be highly variable between individual D. melanogaster flies, even when comparing siblings arising from a single female. Moreover, Octomom copy number can change rapidly between generations. These data suggest an intra-host variability in Octomom copy number between Wolbachia cells. Since wMelPop Wolbachia with different Octomom copy numbers grow at different rates, we hypothesized that selection could act on this intra-host variability. Here we tested if total Octomom copy number changes during the lifespan of individual Drosophila hosts, revealing selection for different Wolbachia populations. We performed a time course analysis of Octomom amplification in flies whose mothers were controlled for Octomom copy number. We show that despite the Octomom copy number being relatively stable it increases slightly throughout D. melanogaster adult life. This indicates that there is selection acting on the intra-host variation in the Octomom copy number over the lifespan of individual hosts. This within host selection for faster replicating bacterial symbionts may be in conflict with between host selection against highly pathogenic Wolbachia.}, }
@article {pmid29336504, year = {2018}, author = {Osei-Amo, S and Hussein, M and Asad, S and Hugo, L and Asgari, S}, title = {Wolbachia-induced transcription factor GATA4 suppresses ovary-specific genes blastoderm-specific protein 25D and imaginal disc growth factor.}, journal = {Insect molecular biology}, volume = {27}, number = {3}, pages = {295-304}, doi = {10.1111/imb.12371}, pmid = {29336504}, issn = {1365-2583}, abstract = {The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia infects a wide array of insect hosts and has been implicated in a range of biological modifications as a consequence of its infection. Previously, it was shown that the transcription factor GATA4 was significantly induced in Wolbachia wMelPop-CLA strain infected Aedes aegypti whole mosquitoes and cells. Here, we provide evidence that this induction also occurs in mosquito ovaries where the ovary-specific genes blastoderm-specific protein 25D (Bsg25D) and imaginal disc growth factor (Disc) are suppressed by Wolbachia. We further demonstrate that transcriptional depletion of GATA4 results in upregulation of both genes and conversely its overexpression leads to downregulation of the genes, suggesting that Wolbachia-induced GATA4 plays a suppressive regulatory role with regards to Bsg25D and Disc expression in mosquito ovaries. When the Disc gene was silenced in mosquitoes, we did not observe any difference in the number of mature ovarian follicles developed between treatment groups. However, we did find a significant delay in the hatching of eggs that had been laid by Disc knockdown mosquitoes.}, }
@article {pmid29334340, year = {2018}, author = {Amala, M and Rajamanikandan, S and Prabhu, D and Surekha, K and Jeyakanthan, J}, title = {Identification of anti-filarial leads against aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase of Wolbachia endosymbiont of Brugia malayi: combined molecular docking and molecular dynamics approaches.}, journal = {Journal of biomolecular structure &amp; dynamics}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {1-17}, doi = {10.1080/07391102.2018.1427633}, pmid = {29334340}, issn = {1538-0254}, abstract = {Lymphatic filariasis is a debilitating vector borne parasitic disease that infects human lymphatic system by nematode Brugia malayi. Currently available anti-filarial drugs are effective only on the larval stages of parasite. So far, no effective drugs are available for humans to treat filarial infections. In this regard, aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (ASDase) in lysine biosynthetic pathway from Wolbachia endosymbiont Brugia malayi represents an attractive therapeutic target for the development of novel anti-filarial agents. In this present study, molecular modeling combined with molecular dynamics simulations and structure-based virtual screening were performed to identify potent lead molecules against ASDase. Based on Glide score, toxicity profile, binding affinity and mode of interactions with the ASDase, five potent lead molecules were selected. The molecular docking and dynamics results revealed that the amino acid residues Arg103, Asn133, Cys134, Gln161, Ser164, Lys218, Arg239, His246, and Asn321 plays a crucial role in effective binding of Top leads into the active site of ASDase. The stability of the ASDase-lead complexes was confirmed by running the 30 ns molecular dynamics simulations. The pharmacokinetic properties of the identified lead molecules are in the acceptable range. Furthermore, density functional theory and binding free energy calculations were performed to rank the lead molecules. Thus, the identified lead molecules can be used for the development of anti-filarial agents to combat the pathogenecity of Brugia malayi.}, }
@article {pmid29330177, year = {2018}, author = {Zhu, YX and Song, YL and Zhang, YK and Hoffmann, AA and Zhou, JC and Sun, JT and Hong, XY}, title = {Incidence of Facultative Bacterial Endosymbionts in Spider Mites Associated with Local Environments and Host Plants.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {84}, number = {6}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1128/AEM.02546-17}, pmid = {29330177}, issn = {1098-5336}, abstract = {Spider mites are frequently associated with multiple endosymbionts whose infection patterns often exhibit spatial and temporal variation. However, the association between endosymbiont prevalence and environmental factors remains unclear. Here, we surveyed endosymbionts in natural populations of the spider mite, Tetranychus truncatus, in China, screening 935 spider mites from 21 localities and 12 host plant species. Three facultative endosymbiont lineages, Wolbachia, Cardinium, and Spiroplasma, were detected at different infection frequencies (52.5%, 26.3%, and 8.6%, respectively). Multiple endosymbiont infections were observed in most local populations, and the incidence of individuals with the Wolbachia-Spiroplasma coinfection was higher than expected from the frequency of each infection within a population. Endosymbiont infection frequencies exhibited associations with environmental factors: Wolbachia infection rates increased at localities with higher annual mean temperatures, while Cardinium and Spiroplasma infection rates increased at localities from higher altitudes. Wolbachia was more common in mites from Lycopersicon esculentum and Glycine max compared to those from Zea mays This study highlights that host-endosymbiont interactions may be associated with environmental factors, including climate and other geographically linked factors, as well as the host's food plant.IMPORTANCE The aim of this study was to examine the incidence of endosymbiont distribution and the infection patterns in spider mites. The main findings are that multiple endosymbiont infections were more common than expected and that endosymbiont infection frequencies were associated with environmental factors. This work highlights that host-endosymbiont interactions need to be studied within an environmental and geographic context.}, }
@article {pmid29311247, year = {2018}, author = {Mann, M and Fattah-Hosseini, S and Ammar, ED and Stange, R and Warrick, E and Sturgeon, K and Shatters, R and Heck, M}, title = {Diaphorina citri Nymphs Are Resistant to Morphological Changes Induced by &quot;Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus&quot; in Midgut Epithelial Cells.}, journal = {Infection and immunity}, volume = {86}, number = {4}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1128/IAI.00889-17}, pmid = {29311247}, issn = {1098-5522}, abstract = {&quot;Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus&quot; is the causative bacterium associated with citrus greening disease. &quot;Ca Liberibacter asiaticus&quot; is transmitted by Diaphorina citri more efficiently when it is acquired by nymphs rather than adults. Why this occurs is not known. We compared midguts of D. citri insects reared on healthy or &quot;Ca Liberibacter asiaticus&quot;-infected citrus trees using quantitative PCR, confocal microscopy, and mitochondrial superoxide staining for evidence of oxidative stress. Consistent with its classification as propagative, &quot;Ca Liberibacter asiaticus&quot; titers were higher in adults than in nymphs. Our previous work showed that adult D. citri insects have basal levels of karyorrhexis (fragmentation of the nucleus) in midgut epithelial cells, which is increased in severity and frequency in response to &quot;Ca Liberibacter asiaticus.&quot; Here, we show that nymphs exhibit lower levels of early-stage karyorrhexis than adults and are refractory to the induction of advanced karyorrhexis by &quot;Ca Liberibacter asiaticus&quot; in the midgut epithelium. MitoSox Red staining showed that guts of infected adults, particularly males, experienced oxidative stress in response to &quot;Ca Liberibacter asiaticus.&quot; A positive correlation between the titers of &quot;Ca Liberibacter asiaticus&quot; and the Wolbachia endosymbiont was observed in adult and nymph midguts, suggesting an interplay between these bacteria during development. We hypothesize that the resistance of the nymph midgut to late-stage karyorrhexis through as yet unknown molecular mechanisms benefits &quot;Ca Liberibacter asiaticus&quot; for efficient invasion of midgut epithelial cells, which may be a factor explaining the developmental dependency of &quot;Ca Liberibacter asiaticus&quot; acquisition by the vector.}, }
@article {pmid29308790, year = {2018}, author = {Sharma, R and Aljayyoussi, G and Tyrer, HE and Gamble, J and Hayward, L and Guimaraes, AF and Davies, J and Waterhouse, D and Cook, DAN and Myhill, LJ and Clare, RH and Cassidy, A and Steven, A and Johnston, KL and Ford, L and Turner, JD and Ward, SA and Taylor, MJ}, title = {Corrigendum: Minocycline as a re-purposed anti-Wolbachia macrofilaricide: superiority compared with doxycycline regimens in a murine infection model of human lymphatic filariasis.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {8}, number = {}, pages = {46934}, doi = {10.1038/srep46934}, pmid = {29308790}, issn = {2045-2322}, abstract = {This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/srep23458.}, }
@article {pmid29301977, year = {2018}, author = {Dunning Hotopp, JC and Klasson, L}, title = {The Complexities and Nuances of Analyzing the Genome of Drosophila ananassae and Its Wolbachia Endosymbiont.}, journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {373-374}, doi = {10.1534/g3.117.300164}, pmid = {29301977}, issn = {2160-1836}, support = {R01 CA206188/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {In &quot;Retrotransposons Are the Major Contributors to the Expansion of the Drosophila ananassae Muller F Element,&quot; Leung et al. (2017) improved contigs attributed to the Muller F element from the original CAF1 assembly, and used them to conclude that most of the sequence expansion of the fourth chromosome of D. ananassae is due to a higher transposon load than previously thought, but is not due to Wolbachia DNA integrations. While we do not disagree with the first conclusion, the authors base their second conclusion on the lack of homology detected between their improved CAF1 genome assembly attributed to D. ananassae and reference Wolbachia genomes. While the consensus CAF1 genome assembly lacks any sequence similarity to the reference genome of the Wolbachia endosymbiont of Drosophila melanogaster (wMel), numerous studies from multiple laboratories provide experimental support for a large lateral/horizontal gene transfer (LGT) of a Wolbachia genome into this D. ananassae line. As such, we strongly suspect that the original whole genome assembly was either constructed after the removal of all Wolbachia reads, or that Wolbachia sequences were directly removed from the contigs in the CAF1 assembly. Hence, Leung et al. (2017) could not have identified the Wolbachia LGT using the CAF1 assembly. This manuscript by Leung et al. (2017) highlights that an assembly of the Wolbachia sequence reads and their mate pairs was erroneously attributed solely to the Wolbachia endosymbiont, albeit before we understood the extent of LGT in D. ananassae As such, we recommend that the sequences deposited at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) under PRJNA13365 should not be attributed to Wolbachia endosymbiont of D. ananassae, but should have their taxonomy reclassified by NCBI as &quot;Unclassified sequences.&quot; As our knowledge about genome biology improves, we need to reconsider and reanalyze earlier genomes removing the prejudice introduced from now defunct paradigms.}, }
@article {pmid29300732, year = {2018}, author = {Specht, S and Pfarr, KM and Arriens, S and Hübner, MP and Klarmann-Schulz, U and Koschel, M and Sternberg, S and Martin, C and Ford, L and Taylor, MJ and Hoerauf, A}, title = {Combinations of registered drugs reduce treatment times required to deplete Wolbachia in the Litomosoides sigmodontis mouse model.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {e0006116}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0006116}, pmid = {29300732}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*administration &amp; dosage ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drug Therapy, Combination/methods ; Filariasis/*drug therapy ; Filarioidea/*microbiology ; Fluoroquinolones/administration &amp; dosage ; Mice ; Rifampin/administration &amp; dosage/analogs &amp; derivatives ; Tetracyclines/administration &amp; dosage ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Wolbachia/*drug effects ; }, abstract = {Filarial parasites can be targeted by antibiotic treatment due to their unique endosymbiotic relationship with Wolbachia bacteria. This finding has led to successful treatment strategies in both, human onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. A 4-6 week treatment course using doxycycline results in long-term sterility and safe macrofilaricidal activity in humans. However, current treatment times and doxycycline contraindications in children and pregnant women preclude widespread administration of doxycycline in public health control programs; therefore, the search for shorter anti-wolbachial regimens is a focus of ongoing research. We have established an in vivo model for compound screening, using mice infected with Litomosoides sigmodontis. We could show that gold standard doxycycline treatment did not only deplete Wolbachia, it also resulted in a larval arrest. In this model, combinations of registered antibiotics were tested for their anti-wolbachial activity. Administration of rifamycins in combination with doxycycline for 7 days successfully depleted Wolbachia by > 2 log (>99% reduction) and thus resulted in a significant reduction of the treatment duration. Using a triple combination of a tetracycline (doxycycline or minocycline), a rifamycin and a fluoroquinolone (moxifloxacin) led to an even greater shortening of the treatment time. Testing all double combinations that could be derived from the triple combinations revealed that the combination of rifapentine (15mg/kg) and moxifloxacin (2 x 200mg/kg) showed the strongest reduction of treatment time in intraperitoneal and also oral administration routes. The rifapentine plus moxifloxacin combination was equivalent to the triple combination with additional doxycycline (>99% Wolbachia reduction). These investigations suggest that it is possible to shorten anti-wolbachial treatment times with combination treatments in order to achieve the target product profile (TPP) requirements for macrofilaricidal drugs of no more than 7-10 days of treatment.}, }
@article {pmid29297702, year = {2018}, author = {Schultz, MJ and Connor, JH and Frydman, HM}, title = {Group B Wolbachia Strain-Dependent Inhibition of Arboviruses.}, journal = {DNA and cell biology}, volume = {37}, number = {1}, pages = {2-6}, doi = {10.1089/dna.2017.4025}, pmid = {29297702}, issn = {1557-7430}, mesh = {Aedes/virology ; Animals ; Arboviruses/*physiology ; Culicidae/virology ; Dengue Virus/physiology ; Phylogeny ; Virus Replication/physiology ; Wolbachia/*virology ; Zika Virus/physiology ; }, abstract = {Mosquito-borne viruses, including Zika virus (ZIKV) and dengue virus (DENV), are global threats that continue to infect millions annually. Historically, efforts to combat the spread of these diseases have sought to eradicate the mosquito population. This has had limited success. Recent efforts to combat the spread of these diseases have targeted the mosquito population and the mosquito's ability to transmit viruses by altering the mosquito's microbiome. The introduction of particular strains of Wolbachia bacteria into mosquitos suppresses viral growth and blocks disease transmission. This novel strategy is being tested worldwide to reduce DENV and has early indications of success. The Wolbachia genus comprised divergent strains that are divided in major phylogenetic clades termed supergroups. All Wolbachia field trials currently utilize supergroup A Wolbachia in Aedes aegypti mosquitos to limit virus transmission. Here we discuss our studies of Wolbachia strains not yet used in virus control strategies but that show strong potential to reduce ZIKV replication. These strains are important opportunities in the search for novel tools to reduce the levels of mosquito-borne viruses and provide additional models for mechanistic studies.}, }
@article {pmid29297293, year = {2017}, author = {Gruntenko, NЕ and Ilinsky, YY and Adonyeva, NV and Burdina, EV and Bykov, RA and Menshanov, PN and Rauschenbach, IY}, title = {Various Wolbachia genotypes differently influence host Drosophila dopamine metabolism and survival under heat stress conditions.}, journal = {BMC evolutionary biology}, volume = {17}, number = {Suppl 2}, pages = {252}, doi = {10.1186/s12862-017-1104-y}, pmid = {29297293}, issn = {1471-2148}, mesh = {Alkaline Phosphatase/metabolism ; Animals ; Arylalkylamine N-Acetyltransferase/metabolism ; Dihydroxyphenylalanine/pharmacology ; Dopamine/*metabolism ; Drosophila Proteins/metabolism ; Drosophila melanogaster/enzymology/genetics/*microbiology ; Female ; Genotype ; *Hot Temperature ; Male ; *Stress, Physiological/drug effects ; Survival Analysis ; Wolbachia/drug effects/*genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: One of the most widespread prokaryotic symbionts of invertebrates is the intracellular bacteria of Wolbachia genus which can be found in about 50% of insect species. Wolbachia causes both parasitic and mutualistic effects on its host that include manipulating the host reproductive systems in order to increase their transmission through the female germline, and increasing the host fitness. One of the mechanisms, promoting adaptation in biological organisms, is a non-specific neuroendocrine stress reaction. In insects, this reaction includes catecholamines, dopamine, serotonin and octopamine, which act as neurotransmitters, neuromodulators and neurohormones. The level of dopamine metabolism correlates with heat stress resistance in Drosophila adults.<br><br>RESULTS: To examine Wolbachia effect on Drosophila survival under heat stress and dopamine metabolism we used five strains carrying the nuclear background of interbred Bi90 strain and cytoplasmic backgrounds with different genotype variants of Wolbachia (produced by 20 backcrosses of Bi90 males with appropriate source of Wolbachia). Non-infected Bi90 strain (treated with tetracycline for 3 generations) was used as a control group. We demonstrated that two of five investigated Wolbachia variants promote changes in Drosophila heat stress resistance and activity of enzymes that produce and degrade dopamine, alkaline phosphatase and dopamine-dependent arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase. What is especially interesting, wMelCS genotype of Wolbachia increases stress resistance and the intensity of dopamine metabolism, whereas wMelPop strain decreases them. wMel, wMel2 and wMel4 genotypes of Wolbachia do not show any effect on the survival under heat stress or dopamine metabolism. L-DOPA treatment, known to increase the dopamine content in Drosophila, levels the difference in survival under heat stress between all studied groups.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The genotype of symbiont determines the effect that the symbiont has on the stress resistance of the host insect.}, }
@article {pmid29294302, year = {2018}, author = {Liu, T and Xu, Y and Wang, X and Gu, J and Yan, G and Chen, XG}, title = {Antiviral systems in vector mosquitoes.}, journal = {Developmental and comparative immunology}, volume = {83}, number = {}, pages = {34-43}, doi = {10.1016/j.dci.2017.12.025}, pmid = {29294302}, issn = {1879-0089}, abstract = {Mosquito-borne viral diseases represent a major challenge to human public health. As natural vectors of arboviruses, mosquitoes can be infected by a virus, but they have evolved multiple mechanisms to tolerate constant infection and restrict viral replication via their antiviral immune system. In a state of continuous infection, a mosquito can transmit an arbovirus while obtaining a blood meal from a mammalian host. During infection, the virus is mainly inhibited through a small RNA-mediated interference mechanism. Within mosquitoes, the invaded viruses are recognized based on pathogen-associated molecular patterns, leading to the production of cytokines. These cytokines in turn bind pattern recognition receptors and activate Toll, IMD and other immune signalling pathways to expand the immune response and induce antiviral activity via immune effectors. Interestingly, the gut microbiota and Wolbachia also play a role in mosquito antiviral immunity, which is very similar to acquired immunity. This review describes the advances made in understanding various aspects of mosquito antiviral immune molecular mechanisms in detail and explores some of the unresolved issues related to the mosquito immune system.}, }
@article {pmid29287072, year = {2017}, author = {Baughman, T and Peterson, C and Ortega, C and Preston, SR and Paton, C and Williams, J and Guy, A and Omodei, G and Johnson, B and Williams, H and O'Neill, SL and Ritchie, SA and Dobson, SL and Madan, D}, title = {A highly stable blood meal alternative for rearing Aedes and Anopheles mosquitoes.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {11}, number = {12}, pages = {e0006142}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0006142}, pmid = {29287072}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Adenosine Triphosphate/blood/*pharmacology ; Aedes/drug effects/microbiology/*physiology ; Animals ; Anopheles/drug effects/microbiology/*physiology ; Blood Substitutes/chemistry ; Diet ; Dietary Supplements ; Female ; Insect Vectors/drug effects/microbiology/*physiology ; Male ; Ovum ; Pest Control, Biological ; Plasma/*chemistry ; Reproduction/drug effects ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {We investigated alternatives to whole blood for blood feeding of mosquitoes with a focus on improved stability and compatibility with mass rearing programs. In contrast to whole blood, an artificial blood diet of ATP-supplemented plasma was effective in maintaining mosquito populations and was compatible with storage for extended periods refrigerated, frozen, and as a lyophilized powder. The plasma ATP diet supported rearing of both Anopheles and Aedes mosquitoes. It was also effective in rearing Wolbachia-infected Aedes mosquitoes, suggesting compatibility with vector control efforts.}, }
@article {pmid29286204, year = {2017}, author = {Chu, CC and Hoffmann, M and Braswell, WE and Pelz-Stelinski, KS}, title = {Genetic variation and potential coinfection of Wolbachia among widespread Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama) populations.}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.12566}, pmid = {29286204}, issn = {1744-7917}, abstract = {Wolbachia can profoundly influence the survival, reproduction, and defenses of insect hosts. These interactions could potentially be harnessed for managing pests or insect-transmitted diseases. Diaphorina citri Kuwayama is a phloem-feeding pest capable of transmitting the putative causal agent of citrus greening, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas). Like many insects, D. citri is also infected with Wolbachia (wDi). Recent studies indicate that the relative abundance of wDi could be associated with the abundance of CLas, and that wDi may contribute to regulating expression of phage lytic cycle genes in CLas, suggesting the need for better understanding of wDi biology in general. This study investigated the genetic diversity of wDi among D. citri in populations spanning eleven countries and two U.S. territories. Six Wolbachia genes, wsp, coxA, fbpA, ftsZ, gatB, and hcpA, were sequenced and compared across samples. Two prevalent wDi strains were identified across the samples, and screening of clone libraries revealed possible coinfection of wDi strains in specific populations. D. citri mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (mtCOI) were more divergent between D. citri populations that were infected with different wDi strains or had different infection statuses (single infection vs. coinfection). While we could not eliminate the possibility that maternal transmission may contribute to such patterns, it is also possible that wDi may induce cytoplasmic incompatibility in their host. These findings should contribute to the understanding of wDi population ecology, which may facilitate manipulation of this endosymbiont for management of citrus greening disease worldwide.}, }
@article {pmid29282144, year = {2017}, author = {Terradas, G and Allen, SL and Chenoweth, SF and McGraw, EA}, title = {Family level variation in Wolbachia-mediated dengue virus blocking in Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {622}, doi = {10.1186/s13071-017-2589-3}, pmid = {29282144}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {APP1103804//National Health and Medical Research Council/International ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The mosquito vector Aedes aegypti is responsible for transmitting a range of arboviruses including dengue (DENV) and Zika (ZIKV). The global reach of these viruses is increasing due to an expansion of the mosquito's geographic range and increasing urbanization and human travel. Vector control remains the primary means for limiting these diseases. Wolbachia pipientis is an endosymbiotic bacterium of insects that has the ability to block the replication of pathogens, including flaviviruses such as DENV or ZIKV, inside the body of the vector. A strain of Wolbachia called wMel is currently being released into wild mosquito populations to test its potential to limit virus transmission to humans. The mechanism that underpins the virus blocking effect, however, remains elusive.<br><br>METHODS: We used a modified full-sib breeding design in conjunction with vector competence assays in wildtype and wMel-infected Aedes aegypti collected from the field. All individuals were injected with DENV-2 intrathoracically at 5-6 days of age. Tissues were dissected 7 days post-infection to allow quantification of DENV and Wolbachia loads.<br><br>RESULTS: We show the first evidence of family level variation in Wolbachia-mediated blocking in mosquitoes. This variation may stem from either genetic contributions from the mosquito and Wolbachia genomes or environmental influences on Wolbachia. In these families, we also tested for correlations between strength of blocking and expression level for several insect immunity genes with possible roles in blocking, identifying two genes of interest (AGO2 and SCP-2).<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: In this study we show variation in Wolbachia-mediated DENV blocking in Aedes aegypti that may arise from genetic contributions and environmental influences on the mosquito-Wolbachia association. This suggests that Wolbachia-mediated blocking may have the ability to evolve through time or be expressed differentially across environments. The long-term efficacy of Wolbachia in the field will be dependent on the stability of blocking. Understanding the mechanism of blocking will be necessary for successful development of strategies that counter the emergence of evolved resistance or variation in its expression under diverse field conditions.}, }
@article {pmid29279375, year = {2018}, author = {Carrington, LB and Tran, BCN and Le, NTH and Luong, TTH and Nguyen, TT and Nguyen, PT and Nguyen, CVV and Nguyen, HTC and Vu, TT and Vo, LT and Le, DT and Vu, NT and Nguyen, GT and Luu, HQ and Dang, AD and Hurst, TP and O'Neill, SL and Tran, VT and Kien, DTH and Nguyen, NM and Wolbers, M and Wills, B and Simmons, CP}, title = {Field- and clinically derived estimates of Wolbachia-mediated blocking of dengue virus transmission potential in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {115}, number = {2}, pages = {361-366}, doi = {10.1073/pnas.1715788115}, pmid = {29279375}, issn = {1091-6490}, support = {//Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Aedes/microbiology/*virology ; Animals ; Dengue/blood/transmission/*virology ; Dengue Virus/*physiology ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/*virology ; Pest Control, Biological/methods ; Time Factors ; Viremia/blood/virology ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The wMel strain of Wolbachia can reduce the permissiveness of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to disseminated arboviral infections. Here, we report that wMel-infected Ae. aegypti (Ho Chi Minh City background), when directly blood-fed on 141 viremic dengue patients, have lower dengue virus (DENV) transmission potential and have a longer extrinsic incubation period than their wild-type counterparts. The wMel-infected mosquitoes that are field-reared have even greater relative resistance to DENV infection when fed on patient-derived viremic blood meals. This is explained by an increased susceptibility of field-reared wild-type mosquitoes to infection than laboratory-reared counterparts. Collectively, these field- and clinically relevant findings support the continued careful field-testing of wMel introgression for the biocontrol of Ae. aegypti-born arboviruses.}, }
@article {pmid29274498, year = {2018}, author = {Kajtoch, Ł and Montagna, M and Wanat, M}, title = {Species delimitation within the Bothryorrhynchapion weevils: Multiple evidence from genetics, morphology and ecological associations.}, journal = {Molecular phylogenetics and evolution}, volume = {120}, number = {}, pages = {354-363}, doi = {10.1016/j.ympev.2017.12.022}, pmid = {29274498}, issn = {1095-9513}, abstract = {Curculionidae is a hyperdiverse group of beetles, whose taxonomy and phylogenetics are still poorly understood, especially at the genus level. The latest work on the evolution of Apionini showed a noticeable &quot;mess&quot; in the subtribe Oxystomatina, where most of the morphology-based genera were found to be polyphyletic or paraphyletic. These discrepancies between classical taxonomy and molecular phylogenetics implied the need for further taxonomic revision of these groups. Here, we used sets of morphological, molecular and ecological characters to verify the taxonomic statuses and disentangle the phylogenetic relations among the Bothryorrhynchapion apionids, which are classified as a subgenus of Cyanapion. Morphological data including morphometrics, and multilocus molecular analyses confirmed the monophyly of the Bothryorrhynchapion and species statuses of five species. The morphological analyses showed that Cyanapion (Bothryorrhynchapion) protractum (Sharp, 1891) from the southeast Palaearctic is a synonym of C. (B.) gyllenhalii (Kirby). Moreover, ecological features (host plant use and presence/absence of the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia) helped to unravel the relations among the examined weevils. The speciation of Bothryorrhynchapion apionids was probably affected by allopatric distribution, shifts in the preferred host plants (Vicia sp. or Lathyrus sp.) of sympatric taxa, and infection by different strains of Wolbachia. The paper presents the first comprehensive description of the species' morphology, biology and ecology, and includes a key to the species.}, }
@article {pmid29257089, year = {2017}, author = {Poff, KE and Stever, H and Reil, JB and Seabourn, P and Ching, AJ and Aoki, S and Logan, M and Michalski, JR and Santamaria, J and Adams, JW and Eiben, JA and Yew, JY and Ewing, CP and Magnacca, KN and Bennett, GM}, title = {The Native Hawaiian Insect Microbiome Initiative: A Critical Perspective for Hawaiian Insect Evolution.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {8}, number = {4}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3390/insects8040130}, pmid = {29257089}, issn = {2075-4450}, abstract = {Insects associate with a diversity of microbes that can shape host ecology and diversity by providing essential biological and adaptive services. For most insect groups, the evolutionary implications of host-microbe interactions remain poorly understood. Geographically discrete areas with high biodiversity offer powerful, simplified model systems to better understand insect-microbe interactions. Hawaii boasts a diverse endemic insect fauna (~6000 species) characterized by spectacular adaptive radiations. Despite this, little is known about the role of bacteria in shaping this diversity. To address this knowledge gap, we inaugurate the Native Hawaiian Insect Microbiome Initiative (NHIMI). The NHIMI is an effort intended to develop a framework for informing evolutionary and biological studies in Hawaii. To initiate this effort, we have sequenced the bacterial microbiomes of thirteen species representing iconic, endemic Hawaiian insect groups. Our results show that native Hawaiian insects associate with a diversity of bacteria that exhibit a wide phylogenetic breadth. Several groups show predictable associations with obligate microbes that permit diet specialization. Others exhibit unique ecological transitions that are correlated with shifts in their microbiomes (e.g., transition to carrion feeding from plant-feeding in Nysius wekiuicola). Finally, some groups, such as the Hawaiian Drosophila, have relatively diverse microbiomes with a conserved core of bacterial taxa across multiple species and islands.}, }
@article {pmid29250466, year = {2017}, author = {Šochová, E and Husník, F and Nováková, E and Halajian, A and Hypša, V}, title = {Arsenophonus and Sodalis replacements shape evolution of symbiosis in louse flies.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {5}, number = {}, pages = {e4099}, doi = {10.7717/peerj.4099}, pmid = {29250466}, issn = {2167-8359}, abstract = {Symbiotic interactions between insects and bacteria are ubiquitous and form a continuum from loose facultative symbiosis to greatly intimate and stable obligate symbiosis. In blood-sucking insects living exclusively on vertebrate blood, obligate endosymbionts are essential for hosts and hypothesized to supplement B-vitamins and cofactors missing from their blood diet. The role and distribution of facultative endosymbionts and their evolutionary significance as seeds of obligate symbioses are much less understood. Here, using phylogenetic approaches, we focus on the Hippoboscidae phylogeny as well as the stability and dynamics of obligate symbioses within this bloodsucking group. In particular, we demonstrate a new potentially obligate lineage of Sodalis co-evolving with the Olfersini subclade of Hippoboscidae. We also show several likely facultative Sodalis lineages closely related to Sodalis praecaptivus (HS strain) and suggest repeated acquisition of novel symbionts from the environment. Similar to Sodalis, Arsenophonus endosymbionts also form both obligate endosymbiotic lineages co-evolving with their hosts (Ornithomyini and Ornithoica groups) as well as possibly facultative infections incongruent with the Hippoboscidae phylogeny. Finally, we reveal substantial diversity of Wolbachia strains detected in Hippoboscidae samples falling into three supergroups: A, B, and the most common F. Altogether, our results prove the associations between Hippoboscoidea and their symbiotic bacteria to undergo surprisingly dynamic, yet selective, evolutionary processes strongly shaped by repeated endosymbiont replacements. Interestingly, obligate symbionts only originate from two endosymbiont genera, Arsenophonus and Sodalis, suggesting that the host is either highly selective about its future obligate symbionts or that these two lineages are the most competitive when establishing symbioses in louse flies.}, }
@article {pmid29248525, year = {2017}, author = {Huang, M and Luo, J and Hu, L and Zheng, B and Yu, J}, title = {Assessing the efficiency of Wolbachia driven Aedes mosquito suppression by delay differential equations.}, journal = {Journal of theoretical biology}, volume = {440}, number = {}, pages = {1-11}, doi = {10.1016/j.jtbi.2017.12.012}, pmid = {29248525}, issn = {1095-8541}, abstract = {To suppress wild population of Aedes mosquitoes, the primary transmission vector of life-threatening diseases such as dengue, malaria, and Zika, an innovative strategy is to release male mosquitoes carrying the bacterium Wolbachia into natural areas to drive female sterility by cytoplasmic incompatibility. We develop a model of delay differential equations, incorporating the strong density restriction in the larval stage, to assess the delicate impact of life table parameters on suppression efficiency. Through mathematical analysis, we find the sufficient and necessary condition for global stability of the complete suppression state. This condition, combined with the experimental data for Aedes albopictus population in Guangzhou, helps us predict a large range of releasing intensities for suppression success. In particular, we find that if the number of released infected males is no less than four times the number of mosquitoes in wild areas, then the mosquito density in the peak season can be reduced by 95%. We introduce an index to quantify the dependence of suppression efficiency on parameters. The invariance of some quantitative properties of the index values under various perturbations of the same parameter justifies the applicability of this index, and the robustness of our modeling approach. The index yields a ranking of the sensitivity of all parameters, among which the adult mortality has the highest sensitivity and is considerably more sensitive than the natural larvae mortality.}, }
@article {pmid29234308, year = {2017}, author = {Chrostek, E and Pelz-Stelinski, K and Hurst, GDD and Hughes, GL}, title = {Horizontal Transmission of Intracellular Insect Symbionts via Plants.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {8}, number = {}, pages = {2237}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2017.02237}, pmid = {29234308}, issn = {1664-302X}, support = {R21 AI124452/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; U01 CK000512/CK/NCEZID CDC HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Experimental evidence is accumulating that endosymbionts of phytophagous insects may transmit horizontally via plants. Intracellular symbionts known for manipulating insect reproduction and altering fitness (Rickettsia, Cardinium, Wolbachia, and bacterial parasite of the leafhopper Euscelidius variegatus) have been found to travel from infected insects into plants. Other insects, either of the same or different species can acquire the symbiont from the plant through feeding, and in some cases transfer it to their progeny. These reports prompt many questions regarding how intracellular insect symbionts are delivered to plants and how they affect them. Are symbionts passively transported along the insect-plant-insect path, or do they actively participate in the process? How widespread are these interactions? How does symbiont presence influence the plant? And what conditions are required for the new infection to establish in an insect? From an ecological, evolutionary, and applied perspective, this mode of horizontal transmission could have profound implications if occurring frequently enough or if new stable symbiont infections are established. Transmission of symbionts through plants likely represents an underappreciated means of infection, both in terms of symbiont epidemiology and the movement of symbionts to new host species.}, }
@article {pmid29234159, year = {2018}, author = {Zug, R and Hammerstein, P}, title = {Evolution of reproductive parasites with direct fitness benefits.}, journal = {Heredity}, volume = {120}, number = {3}, pages = {266-281}, doi = {10.1038/s41437-017-0022-5}, pmid = {29234159}, issn = {1365-2540}, abstract = {Maternally inherited symbionts such as Wolbachia have long been seen mainly as reproductive parasites, with deleterious effects on host fitness. It is becoming clear, however, that, frequently, these symbionts also have beneficial effects on host fitness, either along with reproductive parasitism or not. Using the examples of cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) and male-killing (MK), we here analyze the effect of direct fitness benefits on the evolution of reproductive parasites. By means of a simple theoretical framework, we synthesize and extend earlier modeling approaches for CI and MK, which usually ignore fitness benefits. Moreover, our framework is not restricted to a particular mechanism underlying the fitness benefit (e.g., protection against pathogens). We derive invasion conditions and equilibrium frequencies for the different infection scenarios. Our results demonstrate the importance of a symbiont's &quot;effective fecundity&quot; (i.e., the product of the relative fecundity of an infected female and her transmission efficiency) for a symbiont's invasion success. In particular, we adopt the concept of effective fecundity to scenarios where CI and MK co-occur in one host population. We confirm that direct fitness benefits substantially facilitate the invasion and spread of infections (for example, by lowering or removing the invasion threshold) or even make invasion possible in the first place (for example, if reproductive parasitism is weak or absent). Finally, we discuss the role of direct fitness benefits in long-term evolutionary dynamics of reproductive phenotypes and highlight their potential to resolve genetic conflicts between maternally inherited symbionts and their hosts.}, }
@article {pmid29216317, year = {2017}, author = {Fraser, JE and De Bruyne, JT and Iturbe-Ormaetxe, I and Stepnell, J and Burns, RL and Flores, HA and O'Neill, SL}, title = {Novel Wolbachia-transinfected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes possess diverse fitness and vector competence phenotypes.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {13}, number = {12}, pages = {e1006751}, doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1006751}, pmid = {29216317}, issn = {1553-7374}, mesh = {Aedes/growth &amp; development/*microbiology/physiology/virology ; Animals ; Communicable Disease Control/methods ; Culex/microbiology ; Dengue Virus/isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology ; Drosophila simulans/microbiology ; Female ; Fertility ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical/*veterinary ; Male ; Mosquito Control/methods ; Mosquito Vectors/*microbiology/physiology/virology ; Organ Specificity ; Ovary/microbiology/physiology ; RNA, Viral/isolation &amp; purification ; Salivary Glands/microbiology/physiology ; Sex Characteristics ; Species Specificity ; Survival Analysis ; Viral Tropism ; Wolbachia/*growth &amp; development/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis from Drosophila melanogaster (wMel) is an endosymbiotic bacterium that restricts transmission of human pathogenic flaviviruses and alphaviruses, including dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses, when introduced into the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti. To date, wMel-infected Ae. aegypti have been released in field trials in 5 countries to evaluate the effectiveness of this strategy for disease control. Despite the success in establishing wMel-infected mosquitoes in wild populations, and the well-characterized antiviral capabilities of wMel, transinfecting different or additional Wolbachia strains into Ae. aegypti may improve disease impact, and perhaps more importantly, could provide a strategy to account for the possible evolution of resistant arboviruses. Here, we report the successful transinfection of Ae. aegypti with the Wolbachia strains wMelCS (D. melanogaster), wRi (D. simulans) and wPip (Culex quinquefasciatus) and assess the effects on Ae. aegypti fitness, cytoplasmic incompatibility, tissue tropism and pathogen blocking in a laboratory setting. The results demonstrate that wMelCS provides a similar degree of protection against dengue virus as wMel following an infectious blood meal, and significantly reduces viral RNA levels beyond that of wMel following a direct challenge with infectious virus in mosquitoes, with no additional fitness cost to the host. The protection provided by wRi is markedly weaker than that of wMelCS, consistent with previous characterisations of these lines in Drosophila, while wPip was found to substantially reduce the fitness of Ae. aegypti. Thus, we determine wMelCS as a key candidate for further testing in field-relevant fitness tests and viremic blood feeding challenges in a clinical setting to determine if it may represent an alternative Wolbachia strain with more desirable attributes than wMel for future field testing.}, }
@article {pmid29215202, year = {2018}, author = {Rock, DI and Smith, AH and Joffe, J and Albertus, A and Wong, N and O'Connor, M and Oliver, KM and Russell, JA}, title = {Context-dependent vertical transmission shapes strong endosymbiont community structure in the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {27}, number = {8}, pages = {2039-2056}, doi = {10.1111/mec.14449}, pmid = {29215202}, issn = {1365-294X}, abstract = {Animal-associated microbiomes are often comprised of structured, multispecies communities, with particular microbes showing trends of co-occurrence or exclusion. Such structure suggests variable community stability, or variable costs and benefits-possibilities with implications for symbiont-driven host adaptation. In this study, we performed systematic screening for maternally transmitted, facultative endosymbionts of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. Sampling across six locales, with up to 5 years of collection in each, netted significant and consistent trends of community structure. Co-infections between Serratia symbiotica and Rickettsiella viridis were more common than expected, while Rickettsia and X-type symbionts colonized aphids with Hamiltonella defensa more often than expected. Spiroplasma co-infected with other endosymbionts quite rarely, showing tendencies to colonize as a single species monoculture. Field estimates of maternal transmission rates help to explain our findings: while Serratia and Rickettsiella improved each other's transmission, Spiroplasma reduced transmission rates of co-infecting endosymbionts. In summary, our findings show that North American pea aphids harbour recurring combinations of facultative endosymbionts. Common symbiont partners play distinct roles in pea aphid biology, suggesting the creation of &quot;generalist&quot; aphids receiving symbiont-based defence against multiple ecological stressors. Multimodal selection, at the host level, may thus partially explain our results. But more conclusively, our findings show that within-host microbe interactions, and their resulting impacts on transmission rates, are an important determinant of community structure. Widespread distributions of heritable symbionts across plants and invertebrates hint at the far-reaching implications for these findings, and our work further shows the benefits of symbiosis research within a natural context.}, }
@article {pmid29214346, year = {2018}, author = {Singhal, K and Mohanty, S}, title = {Comparative genomics reveals the presence of putative toxin-antitoxin system in Wolbachia genomes.}, journal = {Molecular genetics and genomics : MGG}, volume = {293}, number = {2}, pages = {525-540}, doi = {10.1007/s00438-017-1402-5}, pmid = {29214346}, issn = {1617-4623}, mesh = {Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/classification/genetics ; Drosophila/microbiology ; Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology ; Genes, Bacterial/genetics ; Genetic Variation ; Genome, Bacterial/*genetics ; Genomics/*methods ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Toxin-Antitoxin Systems/*genetics ; Wolbachia/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; }, abstract = {Multiple toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are housed in different locations within the bacterial genome and are known to be associated with various cellular processes and stress-related adaptation. In endosymbionts, although, the TA system has scarce occurrence but studies have highlighted its presence in enhancing host-symbiont interactions. Wolbachia, an obligate endosymbiont, has recently been proposed as a biocontrol agent which may be helpful in controlling vector-borne diseases. There are reports suggesting the role of TA system in inducing cytoplasmic incompatibility in case of Wolbachia, however, the underlying mechanism is still not known. The present study, therefore, aims at exploring the diversity of TA system in four novel (sourced from India) and three reference genomes (NCBI) of Wolbachia strains. Interestingly, we found several putative toxins and antitoxins of RelEB family of Type II TA system in these Wolbachia genomes. The results show wMel genome possessed more number of putative TA loci than wRi genome. In addition, searching through the other sequenced Wolbachia genomes in NCBI, a complete absence of TA system was observed in Wolbachia-infected nematodes. The sequence-wide analysis of all the putative RelEB proteins present amongst the Wolbachia endosymbiont and within the free-living bacterial genomes reveal strain-specific similarities and conserved sequences. However, large amount of sequence diversity was observed between Wolbachia and free-living bacteria. Understanding this sequence variation may help shed light on the differences between these two forms of bacteria and could also explain their niche preferences.}, }
@article {pmid29194776, year = {2018}, author = {Kubiak, K and Sielawa, H and Chen, W and Dzika, E}, title = {Endosymbiosis and its significance in dermatology.}, journal = {Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV}, volume = {32}, number = {3}, pages = {347-354}, doi = {10.1111/jdv.14721}, pmid = {29194776}, issn = {1468-3083}, abstract = {Proposed at the beginning of the twentieth century to explain the origin of eukaryotic organelles from prokaryotes, endosymbiosis is now medically defined by various interaction patterns between microorganisms and their residing hosts, best exemplified by the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia identified in arthropods and filarial nematodes, which can influence normal development, reproduction, survival and transmission of the hosts. Based on the transmission modes, vertical or horizontal, and the function of the endosymbionts, the host-symbiont dependence can be divided into primary or secondary. In dermatology, the role of endosymbionts in skin ectoparasitosis has aroused great interests in the past years. Riesia pediculicola is a primary bacterial endosymbiont in body lice Pediculus humanus, and supplement their hosts with vitamin B, especially pantothenic acid. In cimicosis, the Gram-negative Wolbachia can synthesize biotin and riboflavin, which are crucial for the growth and reproduction of the bedbug Cimex lectularius. In human demodicosis and rosacea, further study is required to prove the pathogenic role of the Gram-negative bacteria Bacillus oleronius or the Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus cereus demonstrated in the Demodex mites. The high infection rate of adult female ticks Ixodes ricinus with the Gram-negative bacteria Midichloria mitochondrii present in the mitochondria in diverse ovarian cells, with the high seroprevalence rate in tick-exposed subjects, raises the possibility that this non-pathogenic endosymbiont may play a role in immune response and successful transmission of the tick-borne pathogen. The anaerobic protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis and bacteria Mycoplasma hominis are two obligate parasites in the urogenital epithelium, with partially overlapping symptoms. Intracellular localization of Mycoplasma hominis can avoid host immune response and penetration of antibiotics, while Trichomonas vaginalis infected with Mycoplasma hominis seems to have a higher cytopathic activity and amoeboid transformation rate. Further study on the biology and pathogenesis of different endosymbionts in dermatological parasitosis will help for the development of new treatment modalities.}, }
@article {pmid29188381, year = {2017}, author = {Rahimi-Kaldeh, S and Ashouri, A and Bandani, A and Tomioka, K}, title = {The effect of Wolbachia on diapause, fecundity, and clock gene expression in Trichogramma brassicae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae).}, journal = {Development genes and evolution}, volume = {227}, number = {6}, pages = {401-410}, doi = {10.1007/s00427-017-0597-0}, pmid = {29188381}, issn = {1432-041X}, mesh = {Animals ; CLOCK Proteins/*genetics ; *Diapause ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Insect Proteins/*genetics ; Photoperiod ; RNA, Messenger ; Wasps/*genetics/*physiology ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The short day lengths of late summer in moderate regions are used to induce diapause in various insects. Many studies have shown the maternal effect of photoperiod on diapause induction of Trichogramma wasps, but there is no study to show the relationship between photoperiodic regimes and clock genes in these useful biological control agents. Here, we investigated the role of photoperiods on diapause, fecundity, and clock gene expression (clk, cyc, cry2, per, and timeout) in asexual and sexual Trichogramma brassicae as a model insect to find any differences between two strains. Asexual strain was infected by Wolbachia, an endosymbiont bacterium. The diapause percentage was significantly higher under short days (8 h in sexual and 12 h in the asexual T. brassicae), although the diapause percentage of the sexual strain was significantly higher than the asexual one in all the photoperiods. The ANOVA revealed no significant changes between different photoperiods in the clock gene expression in the sexual strain but significant photoperiodic changes in clk, cyc, and timeout in the asexual strain. Our results showed that the mRNA levels of clock genes of asexual T. brassicae were significantly lower than those of sexual strain. The fecundity was significantly higher in the asexual strain. These results suggest that Wolbachia infection makes disturbance on the clock gene expression which consequently reduces the percentage of diapause but increases the fecundity in asexual T. brassicae.}, }
@article {pmid29187976, year = {2017}, author = {Conner, WR and Blaxter, ML and Anfora, G and Ometto, L and Rota-Stabelli, O and Turelli, M}, title = {Genome comparisons indicate recent transfer of wRi-like Wolbachia between sister species Drosophila suzukii and D. subpulchrella.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {7}, number = {22}, pages = {9391-9404}, doi = {10.1002/ece3.3449}, pmid = {29187976}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Wolbachia endosymbionts may be acquired by horizontal transfer, by introgression through hybridization between closely related species, or by cladogenic retention during speciation. All three modes of acquisition have been demonstrated, but their relative frequency is largely unknown. Drosophila suzukii and its sister species D. subpulchrella harbor Wolbachia, denoted wSuz and wSpc, very closely related to wRi, identified in California populations of D. simulans. However, these variants differ in their induced phenotypes: wRi causes significant cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) in D. simulans, but CI has not been detected in D. suzukii or D. subpulchrella. Our draft genomes of wSuz and wSpc contain full-length copies of 703 of the 734 single-copy genes found in wRi. Over these coding sequences, wSuz and wSpc differ by only 0.004% (i.e., 28 of 704,883 bp); they are sisters relative to wRi, from which each differs by 0.014%-0.015%. Using published data from D. melanogaster, Nasonia wasps and Nomada bees to calibrate relative rates of Wolbachia versus host nuclear divergence, we conclude that wSuz and wSpc are too similar-by at least a factor of 100-to be plausible candidates for cladogenic transmission. These three wRi-like Wolbachia, which differ in CI phenotype in their native hosts, have different numbers of orthologs of genes postulated to contribute to CI; and the CI loci differ at several nucleotides that may account for the CI difference. We discuss the general problem of distinguishing alternative modes of Wolbachia acquisition, focusing on the difficulties posed by limited knowledge of variation in absolute and relative rates of molecular evolution for host nuclear genomes, mitochondria, and Wolbachia.}, }
@article {pmid29186405, year = {2018}, author = {Bleidorn, C and Gerth, M}, title = {A critical re-evaluation of multilocus sequence typing (MLST) efforts in Wolbachia.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology}, volume = {94}, number = {1}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/femsec/fix163}, pmid = {29186405}, issn = {1574-6941}, abstract = {Wolbachia (Alphaproteobacteria, Rickettsiales) is the most common, and arguably one of the most important inherited symbionts. Molecular differentiation of Wolbachia strains is routinely performed with a set of five multilocus sequence typing (MLST) markers. However, since its inception in 2006, the performance of MLST in Wolbachia strain typing has not been assessed objectively. Here, we evaluate the properties of Wolbachia MLST markers and compare it to 252 other single copy loci present in the genome of most Wolbachia strains. Specifically, we investigated how well MLST performs at strain differentiation, at reflecting genetic diversity of strains, and as phylogenetic marker. We find that MLST loci are outperformed by other loci at all tasks they are currently employed for, and thus that they do not reflect the properties of a Wolbachia strain very well. We argue that whole genome typing approaches should be used for Wolbachia typing in the future. Alternatively, if few loci approaches are necessary, we provide a characterisation of 252 single copy loci for a number a criteria, which may assist in designing specific typing systems or phylogenetic studies.}, }
@article {pmid29183717, year = {2018}, author = {Dorigatti, I and McCormack, C and Nedjati-Gilani, G and Ferguson, NM}, title = {Using Wolbachia for Dengue Control: Insights from Modelling.}, journal = {Trends in parasitology}, volume = {34}, number = {2}, pages = {102-113}, doi = {10.1016/j.pt.2017.11.002}, pmid = {29183717}, issn = {1471-5007}, support = {U01 GM110721/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Dengue is the most common arboviral infection of humans, responsible for a substantial disease burden across the tropics. Traditional insecticide-based vector-control programmes have limited effectiveness, and the one licensed vaccine has a complex and imperfect efficacy profile. Strains of the bacterium Wolbachia, deliberately introduced into Aedes aegyptimosquitoes, have been shown to be able to spread to high frequencies in mosquito populations in release trials, and mosquitoes infected with these strains show markedly reduced vector competence. Thus, Wolbachia represents an exciting potential new form of biocontrol for arboviral diseases, including dengue. Here, we review how mathematical models give insight into the dynamics of the spread of Wolbachia, the potential impact of Wolbachia on dengue transmission, and we discuss the remaining challenges in evaluation and development.}, }
@article {pmid29181449, year = {2017}, author = {Mann, E and Stouthamer, CM and Kelly, SE and Dzieciol, M and Hunter, MS and Schmitz-Esser, S}, title = {Transcriptome Sequencing Reveals Novel Candidate Genes for Cardinium hertigii-Caused Cytoplasmic Incompatibility and Host-Cell Interaction.}, journal = {mSystems}, volume = {2}, number = {6}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1128/mSystems.00141-17}, pmid = {29181449}, issn = {2379-5077}, abstract = {Cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is an intriguing, widespread, symbiont-induced reproductive failure that decreases offspring production of arthropods through crossing incompatibility of infected males with uninfected females or with females infected with a distinct symbiont genotype. For years, the molecular mechanism of CI remained unknown. Recent genomic, proteomic, biochemical, and cell biological studies have contributed to understanding of CI in the alphaproteobacterium Wolbachia and implicate genes associated with the WO prophage. Besides a recently discovered additional lineage of alphaproteobacterial symbionts only moderately related to Wolbachia, Cardinium (Bacteroidetes) is the only other symbiont known to cause CI, and genomic evidence suggests that it has very little homology with Wolbachia and evolved this phenotype independently. Here, we present the first transcriptomic study of the CI Cardinium strain cEper1, in its natural host, Encarsia suzannae, to detect important CI candidates and genes involved in the insect-Cardinium symbiosis. Highly expressed transcripts included genes involved in manipulating ubiquitination, apoptosis, and host DNA. Female-biased genes encoding ribosomal proteins suggest an increase in general translational activity of Cardinium in female wasps. The results confirm previous genomic analyses that indicated that Wolbachia and Cardinium utilize different genes to induce CI, and transcriptome patterns further highlight expression of some common pathways that these bacteria use to interact with the host and potentially cause this enigmatic and fundamental manipulation of host reproduction. IMPORTANCE The majority of insects carry maternally inherited intracellular bacteria that are important in their hosts' biology, ecology, and evolution. Some of these bacterial symbionts cause a reproductive failure known as cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). In CI, the mating of symbiont-infected males and uninfected females produces few or no daughters. The CI symbiont then spreads and can have a significant impact on the insect host population. Cardinium, a bacterial endosymbiont of the parasitoid wasp Encarsia in the Bacteroidetes, is the only bacterial lineage known to cause CI outside the Alphaproteobacteria, where Wolbachia and another recently discovered CI symbiont reside. Here, we sought insight into the gene expression of a CI-inducing Cardinium strain in its natural host, Encarsia suzannae. Our study provides the first insights into the Cardinium transcriptome and provides support for the hypothesis that Wolbachia and Cardinium target similar host pathways with distinct and largely unrelated sets of genes.}, }
@article {pmid29178391, year = {2018}, author = {Otten, C and Brilli, M and Vollmer, W and Viollier, PH and Salje, J}, title = {Peptidoglycan in obligate intracellular bacteria.}, journal = {Molecular microbiology}, volume = {107}, number = {2}, pages = {142-163}, doi = {10.1111/mmi.13880}, pmid = {29178391}, issn = {1365-2958}, abstract = {Peptidoglycan is the predominant stress-bearing structure in the cell envelope of most bacteria, and also a potent stimulator of the eukaryotic immune system. Obligate intracellular bacteria replicate exclusively within the interior of living cells, an osmotically protected niche. Under these conditions peptidoglycan is not necessarily needed to maintain the integrity of the bacterial cell. Moreover, the presence of peptidoglycan puts bacteria at risk of detection and destruction by host peptidoglycan recognition factors and downstream effectors. This has resulted in a selective pressure and opportunity to reduce the levels of peptidoglycan. In this review we have analysed the occurrence of genes involved in peptidoglycan metabolism across the major obligate intracellular bacterial species. From this comparative analysis, we have identified a group of predicted 'peptidoglycan-intermediate' organisms that includes the Chlamydiae, Orientia tsutsugamushi, Wolbachia and Anaplasma marginale. This grouping is likely to reflect biological differences in their infection cycle compared with peptidoglycan-negative obligate intracellular bacteria such as Ehrlichia and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, as well as obligate intracellular bacteria with classical peptidoglycan such as Coxiella, Buchnera and members of the Rickettsia genus. The signature gene set of the peptidoglycan-intermediate group reveals insights into minimal enzymatic requirements for building a peptidoglycan-like sacculus and/or division septum.}, }
@article {pmid29169377, year = {2017}, author = {Pagès, N and Muñoz-Muñoz, F and Verdún, M and Pujol, N and Talavera, S}, title = {First detection of Wolbachia-infected Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Europe: Wolbachia and Cardinium infection across Culicoides communities revealed in Spain.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {582}, doi = {10.1186/s13071-017-2486-9}, pmid = {29169377}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {FAU2008-0019//INIA/ ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Biting midges of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) transmit pathogens that cause important diseases. No effective technique has been found to properly control either Culicoides spp. abundance or their likelihood to transmit pathogens. Endosymbionts, particularly Wolbachia, represent powerful alternatives to control arthropods of health interest. In arthropods, Wolbachia can reduce vector fitness and vector's pathogen transmission capacity, thus being a potential target for population reduction and replacement strategies.<br><br>RESULTS: The presence of Wolbachia and Cardinium endosymbionts was screened in Spanish Culicoides spp. populations at livestock premises and natural habitats. The first detection of Wolbachia-infected Culicoides spp. in Europe is reported. The putative Palaearctic vectors for bluetongue and Schmallenberg diseases, C. imicola, C. obsoletus (s.s.) and C. pulicaris (s.l.), were infected with Wolbachia. Four genetic clusters of closely-related Wolbachia strains from A and B supergroups were detected infecting Culicoides. Cardinium strain of the C-group was detected in C. obsoletus (s.l.). Both endosymbionts, Wolbachia and Cardinium, were detected in Culicoides species of minor epidemiological relevance as well. Higher prevalence of Wolbachia infection was detected in natural habitats, while livestock premises lead to higher prevalence of Cardinium. Significant differences in the prevalence of Wolbachia, but not Cardinium, were also detected between some Culicoides species and between locations.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The presence of Wolbachia and Cardinium endosymbionts in Culicoides is expected to trigger new research towards the control of Culicoides-transmitted diseases. The results of the present study could have an impact beyond the Culicoides arena because successful Wolbachia transfection is possible even across genus and species barriers.}, }
@article {pmid29165845, year = {2018}, author = {Audsley, MD and Seleznev, A and Joubert, DA and Woolfit, M and O'Neill, SL and McGraw, EA}, title = {Wolbachia infection alters the relative abundance of resident bacteria in adult Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, but not larvae.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {27}, number = {1}, pages = {297-309}, doi = {10.1111/mec.14436}, pmid = {29165845}, issn = {1365-294X}, abstract = {Insect-symbiont interactions are known to play key roles in host functions and fitness. The common insect endosymbiont Wolbachia can reduce the ability of several human pathogens, including arboviruses and the malaria parasite, to replicate in insect hosts. Wolbachia does not naturally infect Aedes aegypti, the primary vector of dengue virus, but transinfected Ae. aegypti have antidengue virus properties and are currently being trialled as a dengue biocontrol strategy. Here, we assess the impact of Wolbachia infection of Ae. aegypti on the microbiome of wild mosquito populations (adults and larvae) collected from release sites in Cairns, Australia, by profiling the 16S rRNA gene using next-generation sequencing. Our data indicate that Wolbachia reduces the relative abundance of a large proportion of bacterial taxa in Ae. aegypti adults, that is in accordance with the known pathogen-blocking effects of Wolbachia on a variety of bacteria and viruses. In adults, several of the most abundant bacterial genera were found to undergo significant shifts in relative abundance. However, the genera showing the greatest changes in relative abundance in Wolbachia-infected adults represented a low proportion of the total microbiome. In addition, there was little effect of Wolbachia infection on the relative abundance of bacterial taxa in larvae, or on species diversity (accounting for species richness and evenness together) detected in adults or larvae. These results offer insight into the effects of Wolbachia on the Ae. aegypti microbiome in a native setting, an important consideration for field releases of Wolbachia into the population.}, }
@article {pmid29161848, year = {2018}, author = {Zheng, B and Guo, W and Hu, L and Huang, M and Yu, J}, title = {Complex wolbachia infection dynamics in mosquitoes with imperfect maternal transmission.}, journal = {Mathematical biosciences and engineering : MBE}, volume = {15}, number = {2}, pages = {523-541}, doi = {10.3934/mbe.2018024}, pmid = {29161848}, issn = {1551-0018}, abstract = {Dengue, malaria, and Zika are dangerous diseases primarily transmitted by Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, and Anopheles stephensi. In the last few years, a new disease control method, besides pesticide spraying to kill mosquitoes, has been developed by releasing mosquitoes carrying bacterium Wolbachia into the natural areas to infect the wild population of mosquitoes and block disease transmission. The bacterium is transmitted by infected mothers and the maternal transmission was assumed to be perfect in virtually all previous models. However, recent experiments on Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi showed that the transmission can be imperfect. In this work, we develop a model to describe how the imperfect maternal transmission affects the dynamics of Wolbachia spread. We establish two useful identities and employ them to find sufficient and necessary conditions under which the system exhibits monomorphic, bistable, and polymorphic dynamics. These analytical results may help find a plausible explanation for the recent observation that the Wolbachia strain ωMelPop failed to establish in the natural populations in Australia and Vietnam.}, }
@article {pmid29160361, year = {2018}, author = {Almeida, RP and Stouthamer, R}, title = {Phylogeny of the Trichogramma endosymbiont Wolbachia, an alpha-proteobacteria (Rickettsiae).}, journal = {Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia}, volume = {78}, number = {3}, pages = {421-428}, doi = {10.1590/1519-6984.166671}, pmid = {29160361}, issn = {1678-4375}, abstract = {Wolbachia (Hertig) endosymbionts are extensively studied in a wide range of organisms and are known to be transmitted through the egg cytoplasm to the offsping. Wolbachia may cause several types of reproductive modifications in arthropods. In Trichogramma species, parthenogenesis-inducing Wolbachia bacteria allow females wasps to produce daughters from unfertilized eggs and these bacteria are present in at least 9% of all Trichogramma species. Phylogenetic studies have led to the subdivision of the Wolbachia clade in five supergroups (A, B, C, D and E) and Wolbachia from Trichogramma belong to supergroup B. Here, using the wsp gene, four groups of Wolbachia that infect Trichogramma species were distinguished and the addition of a new group &quot;Ato&quot; was suggested due to the addition of Wolbachia from Trichogramma atopovirilia (Oatman and Platner). Specific primers were designed and tested for the &quot;Ato&quot; group. Seventy-five percent of all evaluated Wolbachia strains from Trichogramma fell within &quot;Sib&quot; group.}, }
@article {pmid29157676, year = {2018}, author = {Asad, S and Parry, R and Asgari, S}, title = {Upregulation of Aedes aegypti Vago1 by Wolbachia and its effect on dengue virus replication.}, journal = {Insect biochemistry and molecular biology}, volume = {92}, number = {}, pages = {45-52}, doi = {10.1016/j.ibmb.2017.11.008}, pmid = {29157676}, issn = {1879-0240}, abstract = {Dengue infection along with its related disease conditions poses a significant threat to human health. The pathogen responsible for this infection is dengue virus (DENV) which is primarily transmitted to humans through the bites of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Unavailability of a potent vaccine has recently sparked renewed research endeavours aimed at vector control. To date, Wolbachia as an endosymbiotic bacterium has shown promise as a novel biocontrol agent to restrict DENV replication in the vector, although the underlying antiviral mechanism remains elusive. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential role of Vago as a novel secretory protein involved in cross-talk between the innate immune pathways in Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes to restrict West Nile virus replication. In this study, we have identified two homologs of the Vago protein in Ae. aegypti and looked into their modulation in the case of Wolbachia wMelPop strain infection. Furthermore, we have investigated the role of AeVago1, that is highly induced by Wolbachia, in the context of Wolbachia-mosquito-DENV interactions. Knockdown studies of the AeVago1 gene in Wolbachia-infected cells led to significant increases in DENV replication, with no effect on Wolbachia density. Our results suggest that the Wolbachia-induced AeVago1 in Ae. aegypti may function as a host factor to suppress DENV replication in the mosquito.}, }
@article {pmid29150322, year = {2018}, author = {Van Oosten, AR and Duron, O and Heylen, DJA}, title = {Sex ratios of the tick Ixodes arboricola are strongly female-biased, but there are no indications of sex-distorting bacteria.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {9}, number = {2}, pages = {307-313}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.11.004}, pmid = {29150322}, issn = {1877-9603}, abstract = {Studies on sex ratio are of fundamental importance for understanding the biology of populations and biological control of pests and pathogens. In most Ixodes tick species, only females feed in the adult stage and, hence, contribute to pathogen transmission. The tree-hole tick Ixodes arboricola infests cavity-nesting birds and has limited dispersal possibilities. It plays an important role in the maintenance of zoonotic disease cycles. Here, we quantified the sex ratio of 718 adult I. arboricola ticks obtained from a laboratory stock at nine distinct periods (cohorts) from 2008 to 2015. In addition, we screened 93 specimens, collected from four study sites in 2011 and 2012, for the presence of six maternally inherited bacterial parasites known to manipulate arthropod sex ratios. We found significantly female-biased sex ratios in seven out of nine cohorts. There were no infections with members of the Wolbachia, Arsenophonus or Cardinium bacterial genera, whereas 96.8% of the screened ticks were infected with Rickettsia vini, 22.6% with Rickettsiella sp., and 14.0% with Spiroplasma ixodetis. Male and female I. arboricola were found equally infected. Our results suggest skewed sex ratios in I. arboricola are not caused by these bacterial infections, although there may be other, untested candidates driving sex ratios. Alternatively, female-biased sex ratios may be an adaptation in females to high local densities and low dispersal, where the production of daughters has a selective advantage because a few sons can fertilise all daughters.}, }
@article {pmid29150304, year = {2017}, author = {Lichten, E}, title = {Are the estrogenic hormonal effects of environmental toxins affecting small intestinal bacterial and microfilaria overgrowth?.}, journal = {Medical hypotheses}, volume = {109}, number = {}, pages = {90-94}, doi = {10.1016/j.mehy.2017.09.022}, pmid = {29150304}, issn = {1532-2777}, mesh = {Adult ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Bacterial Infections/pathology ; Colitis, Ulcerative/pathology ; Crohn Disease/pathology ; Endocrine Disruptors/*adverse effects ; Environmental Exposure/*adverse effects ; Estrogens/adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Intestine, Small/*drug effects/*microbiology/*parasitology ; Male ; Microfilariae/growth &amp; development ; Models, Theoretical ; Nematoda/*growth &amp; development ; Rifamycins/therapeutic use ; Testosterone Congeners/pharmacology ; Treatment Outcome ; Wolbachia/growth &amp; development ; }, abstract = {The important role of microfilaria (worms) in human and animal disease remains an area of key disagreement between the naturopathic and allopathic physicians. While microfilaria infections are rampart in undeveloped countries, they rarely rise to identification as a cause of disease in Western countries. New research studies in the diagnosis and treatment of SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) and (IBD) Inflammatory Bowel Diseases of ulcerative colitis, Crohn's Disease and microcytic colitis may make both sides equally correct. A study of rifaximin failures in SIBO positive individuals finds biomarkers of decreased Free Androgen Index (FAI), high incidence of autoimmune disease and elevated Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG). The author hypothesizes that the underlying pathophysiology is increased exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) which hormonally act as xeno-estrogens. These xeno-estrogens increase the host production of SHBG, reduce pituitary stimulation of androgen product and result in a shift to estrogen dominance. Estrogen dominance is associated with autoimmune diseases and catabolic states. Treatment with a mixture of anabolic steroids that raises the FAI and lowers SHBG results in dramatic improvement in the signs and symptoms and recovery of the vast percentage of severe SIBO sufferers the author has treated. Similar results have been seen in severe pre-surgical cases of IBD whom fail all pharmaceutical interventions. Based on the recent recognition of the biological importance of Wolbachia in the occurrence of major diseases in the underdeveloped countries such as onchocerciasis, and the sexual nature of Wolbachia's role in helminths reproduction, the author hypothesizes that the EDCs are shifting the host's hormonal milieu in a more estrogenic direction and increasing reproduction of helminths changing the gastrointestinal microbiota. Present allopathic treatment of onchocerciasis utilizes albendazole and avermectin as therapy against the microfilaria larvae and doxycycline as bactericidal for Wolbachia. The allopathic treatments are unacceptable for pregnancy and children. Both naturopathic and allopathic treatments share a common focus on the suppression of the underlying bacterium Wolbachia infestation. The author hypothesizes that treatment of these two very different gastrointestinal diseases involves first establishing a normal, anabolic hormonal milieu and concurrently controlling an underlying yet unrecognized microfilaria overgrowth through naturopathic and allopathic treatments prescribed to the host. A case report of one such critically ill individual is noted. A thorough case controlled observation of symptoms matched with biological culture colony count and concentration of microfilaria in disease before and after the aforementioned anabolic treatment may answer the hypothesis.}, }
@article {pmid29146940, year = {2017}, author = {Dutra, HLC and Rodrigues, SL and Mansur, SB and de Oliveira, SP and Caragata, EP and Moreira, LA}, title = {Development and physiological effects of an artificial diet for Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, pages = {15687}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-017-16045-6}, pmid = {29146940}, issn = {2045-2322}, abstract = {The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia spreads rapidly through populations of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, and strongly inhibits infection with key human pathogens including the dengue and Zika viruses. Mosquito control programs aimed at limiting transmission of these viruses are ongoing in multiple countries, yet there is a dearth of mass rearing infrastructure specific to Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. One example is the lack of a blood meal substitute, which accounts for the Wolbachia-specific physiological changes in infected mosquitoes, that allows the bacterium to spread, and block viral infections. To that end, we have developed a blood meal substitute specifically for mosquitoes infected with the wMel Wolbachia strain. This diet, ADM, contains milk protein, and infant formula, dissolved in a mixture of bovine red blood cells and Aedes physiological saline, with ATP as a phagostimulant. Feeding with ADM leads to high levels of viable egg production, but also does not affect key Wolbachia parameters including, bacterial density, cytoplasmic incompatibility, or resistance to infection with Zika virus. ADM represents an effective substitute for human blood, which could potentially be used for the mass rearing of wMel-infected A. aegypti, and could easily be optimized in the future to improve performance.}, }
@article {pmid29143669, year = {2017}, author = {Papich, MG}, title = {Considerations for using minocycline vs doxycycline for treatment of canine heartworm disease.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {10}, number = {Suppl 2}, pages = {493}, doi = {10.1186/s13071-017-2449-1}, pmid = {29143669}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*administration &amp; dosage/pharmacokinetics ; Dirofilaria immitis/*microbiology/physiology ; Dirofilariasis/*drug therapy/parasitology ; Dog Diseases/*drug therapy/parasitology ; Dogs ; Doxycycline/*administration &amp; dosage/pharmacokinetics ; Mice ; Minocycline/*administration &amp; dosage/pharmacokinetics ; Wolbachia/*drug effects/physiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Doxycycline has been considered the first drug of choice for treating Wolbachia, a member of the Rickettsiaceae, which has a symbiotic relationship with filarial worms, including heartworms. Wolbachia, is susceptible to tetracyclines, which have been used as adjunctive treatments for heartworm disease. Treatment with doxycycline reduces Wolbachia numbers in all stages of heartworms and improves outcomes and decreased microfilaremia in dogs treated for heartworm disease. The American Heartworm Society recommends treatment with doxycycline in dogs diagnosed with heartworm disease at a dose of 10 mg/kg twice daily for 28 days. If doxycycline is not available, minocycline can be considered as a substitute. However, minocycline has not undergone an evaluation in dogs with heartworm disease, nor has an effective dose been established. Minocycline is an attractive option because of the higher cost of doxycycline and new pharmacokinetic information for dogs that provides guidance for appropriate dosage regimens to achieve pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) targets.<br><br>RESULTS: Published reports from the Anti-Wolbachia Consortium (A-WOL) indicate superior in vitro activity of minocycline over doxycycline. Studies performed in mouse models to measure anti-Wolbachia activity showed that minocycline was 1.7 times more effective than doxycycline, despite a 3-fold lower pharmacokinetic exposure. To achieve the same exposure as achieved in the mouse infection model, a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) analysis was conducted to determine optimal dosages for dogs. The analysis showed that an oral minocycline dose of 3.75 to 5 mg/kg administered twice daily would attain similar targets as observed in mice and predicted for human infections.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: There are potentially several advantages for use of minocycline in animals. It is well absorbed from oral administration, it has less protein binding than doxycycline (65% vs 92%) allowing for better distribution into tissue, and it is approximately two times more lipophilic than doxycycline, which may result in better intracellular penetration. More work is needed to document efficacy of minocycline for treating canine heartworm disease.}, }
@article {pmid29143657, year = {2017}, author = {Nelson, CT and Myrick, ES and Nelson, TA}, title = {Clinical benefits of incorporating doxycycline into a canine heartworm treatment protocol.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {10}, number = {Suppl 2}, pages = {515}, doi = {10.1186/s13071-017-2446-4}, pmid = {29143657}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*administration &amp; dosage ; Clinical Protocols ; Dirofilaria immitis/drug effects/physiology ; Dirofilariasis/*drug therapy/parasitology ; Dog Diseases/*drug therapy/parasitology ; Dogs ; Female ; Filaricides/*administration &amp; dosage ; Ivermectin/administration &amp; dosage ; Male ; Wolbachia/*drug effects/physiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The objective of heartworm treatment is to improve the clinical condition of the patient and to eliminate pre-cardiac, juvenile, and adult worm stages with minimal complications. Pulmonary thromboembolisms are an inevitable consequence of worm death and can result in severe pulmonary reactions and even death of the patient. To minimize these reactions, various treatment protocols involving melarsomine, the only adulticidal drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administrations (FDA), in conjunction with macrocyclic lactone heartworm preventives and glucocorticosteroids have been advocated. The discovery of the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia in Dirofilaria immitis has led to several experimental studies examining the effects of administering doxycycline to reduce or eliminate Wolbachia organism. These studies have shown a decrease in gross and microscopic pathology of pulmonary parenchyma in experimental heartworm infections pretreated with doxycycline before melarsomine administration.<br><br>METHODS: Electronic medical records from a large veterinary practice in northeast Alabama were searched to identify dogs treated for heartworms with melarsomine from January 2005 through December 2012. The search was refined further to select for dogs that met the following criteria: 1) received two or three doses of ivermectin heartworm preventive prior to melarsomine injections, 2) received one injection of melarsomine followed by two injections 4 to 8 weeks later, and 3) were treated with prednisone following melarsomine injections. The dogs were then divided into those that also were treated with doxycycline 10 mg/kg BID for 4 weeks (Group A, n = 47) and those that did not receive doxycycline (Group B, n = 47). The medical notes of all 94 cases were then reviewed for comments concerning coughing, dyspnea, or hemoptysis in the history, physical exam template, or from telephone conversations with clients the week following each visit. Any dog that died within one year of treatment from either cardiovascular or pulmonary problems was noted.<br><br>RESULTS: Dogs from Group A receiving doxycycline had fewer respiratory complications (6.52%) and heartworm disease-related deaths (0%) than Group B (19.14% and 4.25%, respectively).<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Although there are not enough cases to indicate statistical significance, the results strongly suggest that including doxycycline into canine heartworm treatment protocols decreases post-treatment complications and mortality in naturally infected clinical cases.}, }
@article {pmid29141766, year = {2018}, author = {Sarwar, MS and Jahan, N and Shahbaz, F}, title = {Molecular Detection and Characterization of Wolbachia pipientis from Culex quinquefasciatus Collected from Lahore, Pakistan.}, journal = {The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene}, volume = {98}, number = {1}, pages = {154-161}, doi = {10.4269/ajtmh.17-0329}, pmid = {29141766}, issn = {1476-1645}, abstract = {The gram-negative, pleomorphic endosymbiont Wolbachia is known to infect a large number of insects and other arthropods naturally. This bacterium modifies the host biology, mainly causing reproductive alterations including feminization, death of male, parthenogenesis, and importantly cytoplasmic incompatibility. Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility results in nonviable offspring and vector population suppression. In addition, this bacterium rapidly spreads and propagates within the host population. This study is the first report on Wolbachia detection and characterization from Culex quinquefasciatus collected from Lahore, Pakistan. For this purpose, mosquito adults were collected from different localities of Lahore and identified at the species level. A total of 145 pairs of ovaries were individually subjected to DNA isolation, and polymerase chain reaction amplification of three (wsp, 16S rRNA, and ftsZ) genes were investigated. In all, 128 females were found positive, representing 82.3% infection rate. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the detected endosymbiont had 100% homology with Wolbachia pipientis wPip strain and supergroup B. The detection of the local strain of Wolbachia (wPip) will be useful in investigating its potential for the control of dengue vector (Aedes aegypti) and reducing dengue transmission in Pakistan.}, }
@article {pmid29132425, year = {2017}, author = {Zhang, D and Zhang, M and Wu, Y and Gilles, JRL and Yamada, H and Wu, Z and Xi, Z and Zheng, X}, title = {Establishment of a medium-scale mosquito facility: optimization of the larval mass-rearing unit for Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae).}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {569}, doi = {10.1186/s13071-017-2511-z}, pmid = {29132425}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {19115//the Coordinated Research Project D44002 from IAEA/ ; R01AI080597//the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease/ ; No. 311030//the Key Project of Chinese Ministry of Education/ ; No. 2011S009//the Guangdong Innovative Research Team Program/ ; No. 2016-2414//the Scientific and Technological Leading Talents of Guangzhou Development District/ ; No. 2016YFC1200500//National Key R &amp; D Program of China/ ; R01 AI080597/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; 18816//the Coordinated Research Project D42016 from IAEA/ ; }, mesh = {Aedes/genetics/growth &amp; development/microbiology/*physiology ; Animals ; Female ; Larva/growth &amp; development/physiology ; Life Cycle Stages ; Male ; Pupa/growth &amp; development/physiology ; Reproduction ; Wolbachia/physiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Standardized larval rearing units for mosquito production are essential for the establishment of a mass-rearing facility. Two larval rearing units, developed respectively by the Guangzhou Wolbaki Biotech Co. Ltd. (Wolbaki) and Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture (FAO/IAEA-IPCL), are tested to assess their potential uses to mass-rear the larval stages of Aedes albopictus in support of the establishment of a medium-scale mosquito facility for the application of mosquito genetic control strategies.<br><br>METHODS: The triple Wolbachia-infected Ae. albopictus strain (HC strain) was used in this study. The effects of larval densities of two larval rearing trays (corresponding to 2.4, 3.0 and 3.6 larvae/cm2) and tray size/position (top, middle and bottom layers) on the pupae production and larval survival were assessed when trays were stacked within the larval rearing units. The male pupae production, female pupae contamination after sex separation, and male mating competitiveness were also studied by using both larval rearing units in their entirety.<br><br>RESULTS: The optimal larval rearing density for Wolbaki-tray (Wol-tray) was 6,600 larvae (equal to 3.0 larvae/cm2) and 18,000 larvae (3.6 larvae/cm2) for the FAO/IAEA-IPCL tray (IAEA-tray). No significant difference in pupae production was observed when trays were stacked within top, middle or bottom layers for both units. At thirty-four hours after the first pupation, the average male pupae production was (0.89 × 105) for the Wol-unit and (3.16 × 105) for the IAEA-unit. No significant difference was observed in female pupae contamination between these two units. The HC males showed equal male mating competitiveness to wild type males for mating with wild type females in large cages, regardless of whether they were reared in the Wol-unit or IAEA-unit.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The current study has indicated that both the Wol-unit and IAEA-unit are suitable for larvae mass-rearing for Ae. albopictus. However, the IAEA-unit, with higher male production and less space required compared to the Wol-unit, is recommended to be used in support of the establishment of a medium-sized mosquito facility.}, }
@article {pmid29125253, year = {2017}, author = {Tmimi, FZ and Bkhache, M and Mounaji, K and Failloux, AB and Sarih, M}, title = {First report of the endobacteria Wolbachia in natural populations of Culex pipiens in Morocco.}, journal = {Journal of vector ecology : journal of the Society for Vector Ecology}, volume = {42}, number = {2}, pages = {349-351}, doi = {10.1111/jvec.12275}, pmid = {29125253}, issn = {1948-7134}, }
@article {pmid29122518, year = {2017}, author = {Frentiu, FD}, title = {Lipids and Pathogen Blocking by Wolbachia.}, journal = {Trends in parasitology}, volume = {33}, number = {12}, pages = {916-917}, doi = {10.1016/j.pt.2017.10.007}, pmid = {29122518}, issn = {1471-5007}, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology/*virology ; Animals ; Dengue/microbiology/prevention &amp; control/transmission/virology ; Dengue Virus/physiology ; Disease Transmission, Infectious/*prevention &amp; control ; Lipids/*physiology ; Microbial Interactions/*physiology ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/virology ; Wolbachia/*metabolism/*virology ; Zika Virus/physiology ; Zika Virus Infection/microbiology/prevention &amp; control/transmission/virology ; }, abstract = {Mosquito-borne viruses are major human pathogens. Introducing Wolbachia into mosquitoes could reduce disease burdens because these bacteria block virus transmission. How Wolbachia does this is unclear, but new data show that modulation of host-cell lipids is critical.}, }
@article {pmid29116011, year = {2017}, author = {Tsai, CH and Chen, TH and Lin, C and Shu, PY and Su, CL and Teng, HJ}, title = {The impact of temperature and Wolbachia infection on vector competence of potential dengue vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in the transmission of dengue virus serotype 1 in southern Taiwan.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {551}, doi = {10.1186/s13071-017-2493-x}, pmid = {29116011}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Aedes/anatomy &amp; histology/*microbiology/physiology/*virology ; Animals ; Dengue/epidemiology/transmission/virology ; Dengue Virus/*physiology ; Female ; Mosquito Vectors/*microbiology/physiology/*virology ; Salivary Glands/virology ; Taiwan/epidemiology ; Temperature ; Thorax ; Viral Load ; Virus Replication ; Wolbachia/isolation &amp; purification/*physiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: We evaluated the impact of temperature and Wolbachia infection on vector competence of the local Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus populations of southern Taiwan in the laboratory.<br><br>RESULTS: After oral infection with dengue serotype 1 virus (DENV-1), female mosquitoes were incubated at temperatures of 10, 16, 22, 28 and 34 °C. Subsequently, salivary gland, head, and thorax-abdomen samples were analyzed for their virus titer at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 days post-infection (dpi) by real-time RT-PCR. The results showed that Ae. aegypti survived significantly longer and that dengue viral genome levels in the thorax-abdomen (103.25 ± 0.53-104.09 ± 0.71 PFU equivalents/ml) and salivary gland samples (102.67 ± 0.33-103.89 ± 0.58 PFU equivalents/ml) were significantly higher at high temperature (28-34 °C). The survival of Ae. albopictus was significantly better at 16 or 28 °C, but the virus titers from thorax-abdomen (100.70-102.39 ± 1.31 PFU equivalents/ml) and salivary gland samples (100.12 ± 0.05-101.51 ± 0.31 PFU equivalents/ml) were significantly higher at 22-28 °C. Within viable temperature ranges, the viruses were detectable after 10 dpi in salivary glands and head tissues in Ae. aegypti and after 5-10 dpi in Ae. albopictus. Vector competence was measured in Ae. albopictus with and without Wolbachia at 28 °C. Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes survived significantly better and carried lower virus titers than Wolbachia-free mosquitoes. Wolbachia coinfections (92.8-97.2%) with wAlbA and wAlbB strains were commonly found in a wild population of Ae. albopictus.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: In southern Taiwan, Ae. aegypti is the main vector of dengue and Ae. albopictus has a non-significant role in the transmission of dengue virus due to the high prevalence of Wolbachia infection in the local mosquito population of southern Taiwan.}, }
@article {pmid29114401, year = {2017}, author = {Robinson, KM and Hawkins, AS and Santana-Cruz, I and Adkins, RS and Shetty, AC and Nagaraj, S and Sadzewicz, L and Tallon, LJ and Rasko, DA and Fraser, CM and Mahurkar, A and Silva, JC and Dunning Hotopp, JC}, title = {Aligner optimization increases accuracy and decreases compute times in multi-species sequence data.}, journal = {Microbial genomics}, volume = {3}, number = {9}, pages = {e000122}, doi = {10.1099/mgen.0.000122}, pmid = {29114401}, issn = {2057-5858}, support = {R01 CA206188/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; U19 AI110820/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {As sequencing technologies have evolved, the tools to analyze these sequences have made similar advances. However, for multi-species samples, we observed important and adverse differences in alignment specificity and computation time for bwa- mem (Burrows-Wheeler aligner-maximum exact matches) relative to bwa-aln. Therefore, we sought to optimize bwa-mem for alignment of data from multi-species samples in order to reduce alignment time and increase the specificity of alignments. In the multi-species cases examined, there was one majority member (i.e. Plasmodium falciparum or Brugia malayi) and one minority member (i.e. human or the Wolbachia endosymbiont wBm) of the sequence data. Increasing bwa-mem seed length from the default value reduced the number of read pairs from the majority sequence member that incorrectly aligned to the reference genome of the minority sequence member. Combining both source genomes into a single reference genome increased the specificity of mapping, while also reducing the central processing unit (CPU) time. In Plasmodium, at a seed length of 18 nt, 24.1 % of reads mapped to the human genome using 1.7±0.1 CPU hours, while 83.6 % of reads mapped to the Plasmodium genome using 0.2±0.0 CPU hours (total: 107.7 % reads mapping; in 1.9±0.1 CPU hours). In contrast, 97.1 % of the reads mapped to a combined Plasmodium-human reference in only 0.7±0.0 CPU hours. Overall, the results suggest that combining all references into a single reference database and using a 23 nt seed length reduces the computational time, while maximizing specificity. Similar results were found for simulated sequence reads from a mock metagenomic data set. We found similar improvements to computation time in a publicly available human-only data set.}, }
@article {pmid29114059, year = {2017}, author = {Gomes, FM and Hixson, BL and Tyner, MDW and Ramirez, JL and Canepa, GE and Alves E Silva, TL and Molina-Cruz, A and Keita, M and Kane, F and Traoré, B and Sogoba, N and Barillas-Mury, C}, title = {Effect of naturally occurring Wolbachia in Anopheles gambiae s.l. mosquitoes from Mali on Plasmodium falciparum malaria transmission.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {114}, number = {47}, pages = {12566-12571}, doi = {10.1073/pnas.1716181114}, pmid = {29114059}, issn = {1091-6490}, mesh = {Animals ; Anopheles/*microbiology/parasitology ; Female ; *Host-Parasite Interactions ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Insect Vectors/*microbiology/parasitology ; Malaria, Falciparum/epidemiology/parasitology/pathology/*transmission ; Mali/epidemiology ; Oocysts/pathogenicity/physiology ; Phylogeny ; Plasmodium falciparum/*microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Severity of Illness Index ; Sporozoites/pathogenicity/physiology ; Wolbachia/classification/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {A naturally occurring Wolbachia strain (wAnga-Mali) was identified in mosquitoes of the Anopheles gambiae complex collected in the Malian villages of Dangassa and Kenieroba. Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequence of two 16S rRNA regions showed that wAnga-Mali clusters with Wolbachia strains from supergroup A and has the highest homology to a Wolbachia strain isolated from cat fleas (Ctenocephalides). wAnga-Mali is different from two Wolbachia strains previously reported in A. gambiae from Burkina Faso (wAnga_VK5_STP and wAnga_VK5_3.1a). Quantitative analysis of Wolbachia and Plasmodium sporozoite infection in field-collected mosquitoes indicates that the prevalence and intensity of Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite infection is significantly lower in Wolbachia-infected females. The presence of Wolbachia in females from a laboratory Anopheles coluzzii (A. gambiae, M form) colony experimentally infected with P. falciparum (NF54 strain) gametocyte cultures slightly enhanced oocyst infection. However, Wolbachia infection significantly reduced the prevalence and intensity of sporozoite infection, as observed in the field. This indicates that wAnga-Mali infection does not limit early stages of Plasmodium infection in the mosquito, but it has a strong deleterious effect on sporozoites and reduces malaria transmission.}, }
@article {pmid29106651, year = {2018}, author = {Sosa, EJ and Burguener, G and Lanzarotti, E and Defelipe, L and Radusky, L and Pardo, AM and Marti, M and Turjanski, AG and Fernández Do Porto, D}, title = {Target-Pathogen: a structural bioinformatic approach to prioritize drug targets in pathogens.}, journal = {Nucleic acids research}, volume = {46}, number = {D1}, pages = {D413-D418}, doi = {10.1093/nar/gkx1015}, pmid = {29106651}, issn = {1362-4962}, abstract = {Available genomic data for pathogens has created new opportunities for drug discovery and development to fight them, including new resistant and multiresistant strains. In particular structural data must be integrated with both, gene information and experimental results. In this sense, there is a lack of an online resource that allows genome wide-based data consolidation from diverse sources together with thorough bioinformatic analysis that allows easy filtering and scoring for fast target selection for drug discovery. Here, we present Target-Pathogen database (http://target.sbg.qb.fcen.uba.ar/patho), designed and developed as an online resource that allows the integration and weighting of protein information such as: function, metabolic role, off-targeting, structural properties including druggability, essentiality and omic experiments, to facilitate the identification and prioritization of candidate drug targets in pathogens. We include in the database 10 genomes of some of the most relevant microorganisms for human health (Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium leprae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Plasmodium vivax, Toxoplasma gondii, Leishmania major, Wolbachia bancrofti, Trypanosoma brucei, Shigella dysenteriae and Schistosoma Smanosoni) and show its applicability. New genomes can be uploaded upon request.}, }
@article {pmid29099918, year = {2017}, author = {Chung, M and Small, ST and Serre, D and Zimmerman, PA and Dunning Hotopp, JC}, title = {Draft genome sequence of the Wolbachia endosymbiont of Wuchereria bancrofti wWb.}, journal = {Pathogens and disease}, volume = {75}, number = {9}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/femspd/ftx115}, pmid = {29099918}, issn = {2049-632X}, support = {U19 AI110820/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {The draft genome assembly of the Wolbachia endosymbiont of Wuchereria bancrofti (wWb) consists of 1060 850 bp in 100 contigs and contains 961 ORFs, with a single copy of the 5S rRNA, 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA and each of the 34 tRNA genes. Phylogenetic core genome analyses show wWb to cluster with other strains in supergroup D of the Wolbachia phylogeny, while being most closely related to the Wolbachia endosymbiont of Brugia malayi strain TRS (wBm). The wWb and wBm genomes share 779 orthologous clusters with wWb having 101 unclustered genes and wBm having 23 unclustered genes. The higher number of unclustered genes in the wWb genome likely reflects the fragmentation of the draft genome.}, }
@article {pmid29099491, year = {2018}, author = {Pan, X and Pike, A and Joshi, D and Bian, G and McFadden, MJ and Lu, P and Liang, X and Zhang, F and Raikhel, AS and Xi, Z}, title = {The bacterium Wolbachia exploits host innate immunity to establish a symbiotic relationship with the dengue vector mosquito Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {277-288}, doi = {10.1038/ismej.2017.174}, pmid = {29099491}, issn = {1751-7370}, support = {R01 AI080597/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Aedes/immunology/*microbiology ; Animals ; *Immunity, Innate ; Mosquito Vectors/immunology/*microbiology ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; Toll-Like Receptors/metabolism ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {A host's immune system plays a central role in shaping the composition of the microbiota and, in return, resident microbes influence immune responses. Symbiotic associations of the maternally transmitted bacterium Wolbachia occur with a wide range of arthropods. It is, however, absent from the dengue and Zika vector mosquito Aedes aegypti in nature. When Wolbachia is artificially forced to form symbiosis with this new mosquito host, it boosts the basal immune response and enhances the mosquito's resistance to pathogens, including dengue, Zika virus and malaria parasites. The mechanisms involved in establishing a symbiotic relationship between Wolbachia and A. aegypti, and the long-term outcomes of this interaction, are not well understood. Here, we have demonstrated that both the immune deficiency (IMD) and Toll pathways are activated by the Wolbachia strain wAlbB upon its introduction into A. aegypti. Silencing the Toll and IMD pathways via RNA interference reduces the wAlbB load. Notably, wAlbB induces peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP)-LE expression in the carcass of A. aegypti, and its silencing results in a reduction of symbiont load. Using transgenic mosquitoes with stage-specific induction of the IMD and Toll pathways, we have shown that elevated wAlbB infection in these mosquitoes is maintained via maternal transmission. These results indicate that host innate immunity is utilized to establish and promote host-microbial symbiosis. Our results will facilitate a long-term projection of the stability of the Wolbachia-A. aegypti mosquito system that is being developed to control dengue and Zika virus transmission to humans.}, }
@article {pmid29095113, year = {2018}, author = {Moghadam, NN and Thorshauge, PM and Kristensen, TN and de Jonge, N and Bahrndorff, S and Kjeldal, H and Nielsen, JL}, title = {Strong responses of Drosophila melanogaster microbiota to developmental temperature.}, journal = {Fly}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {1-12}, doi = {10.1080/19336934.2017.1394558}, pmid = {29095113}, issn = {1933-6942}, abstract = {Physiological responses to changes in environmental conditions such as temperature may partly arise from the resident microbial community that integrates a wide range of bio-physiological aspects of the host. In the present study, we assessed the effect of developmental temperature on the thermal tolerance and microbial community of Drosophila melanogaster. We also developed a bacterial transplantation protocol in order to examine the possibility of reshaping the host bacterial composition and assessed its influence on the thermotolerance phenotype. We found that the temperature during development affected thermal tolerance and the microbial composition of male D. melanogaster. Flies that developed at low temperature (13°C) were the most cold resistant and showed the highest abundance of Wolbachia, while flies that developed at high temperature (31°C) were the most heat tolerant and had the highest abundance of Acetobacter. In addition, feeding newly eclosed flies with bacterial suspensions from intestines of flies developed at low temperatures changed the heat tolerance of recipient flies. However, we were not able to link this directly to a change in the host bacterial composition.}, }
@article {pmid29094498, year = {2017}, author = {Pierzynowska, K and Skowron Volponi, M and Węgrzyn, G}, title = {Multiple factors correlating with wing malformations in the population of Parnassius apollo (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) restituted from a low number of individuals: A mini review.}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.12554}, pmid = {29094498}, issn = {1744-7917}, abstract = {The Apollo butterfly, Parnassius apollo (Linnaeus), was common in Europe over 100 years ago, but currently it is considered as near threatened. Different conservation programs have promoted the persistence of this species; however, it is still endangered. An example of such programs was the action devoted to reestablish the Apollo butterfly population in Pieniny National Park (Poland) from only 20-30 individuals which had survived till the last decade of the 20th century. This reintroduction has been successful; however, unexpected developmental problems appeared. Butterflies with deformed or reduced wings became frequent in the population living in the natural habitat, and particularly among those reared under seminatural conditions (in the same environment, but fenced by a net). Until recently, reasons for these malformations remained unknown. However, reports published during last months indicated that there are genetic, biochemical, and microbiological factors contributing to this phenomenon. In the malformed individuals, lesions in the wingless gene and dysfunctions of laccase 1 and 2 were found to be significantly more frequent than in normal insects. A large fraction of butterflies with deformed or reduced wings was devoid of the prokaryotic symbiont Wolbachia, which was present in most normal individuals. Moreover, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (Pfeiffer) Smith and Thal, and Serratia sp., bacteria pathogenic to insects, were detected in the biological material from both normal and malformed butterflies from this population. These findings are summarized and discussed in this review, in the light of conservation of insects and restitution of their populations from a low number of individuals.}, }
@article {pmid29093481, year = {2017}, author = {Karakuş, M and Karabey, B and Orçun Kalkan, Ş and Özdemir, G and Oğuz, G and Erişöz Kasap, Ö and Alten, B and Töz, S and Özbel, Y}, title = {Midgut Bacterial Diversity of Wild Populations of Phlebotomus (P.) papatasi, the Vector of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ZCL) in Turkey.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, pages = {14812}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-017-13948-2}, pmid = {29093481}, issn = {2045-2322}, abstract = {Phlebotomine sand flies are hematophagous insects that harbor bacterial, viral and parasitic agents like Bartonella sp., Phleboviruses and Leishmania spp., respectively. There are few reports on bacterial microbiota of Phlebotomus (P.) papatasi but no data available for natural populations of Turkey, where leishmaniasis is endemic. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the midgut bacterial flora of different populations of P. papatasi. Sand flies were collected from different towns (Karaburun, Urla, Ayvacik and Başçayır) located in the western part of Turkey. Laboratory reared P. papatasi were included in the study as an insectarium population. After sterile washing steps, sand flies were dissected and guts were separated. Three pools, (males, unfed females and blood-fed females) were generated for each population. Prokaryotic 16 S rRNA gene was amplified and DGGE was performed. Fourteen different organisms belonging to two Phylum (Proteobactericea and Furmicutes) were identified according to sequence results in the studied pools. The presence of Wolbachia sp. was shown for the first time in the wild-caught sand fly populations of Turkey. This is the first report of gut bacterial flora of wild-caught P. papatasi collected in an endemic area for leishmaniasis in Turkey. Microbiome profiling of wild-caught sand flies will be of great help in the investigating of possible vector control candidates for paratransgenic control approach.}, }
@article {pmid29093474, year = {2017}, author = {Kaur, R and Siozios, S and Miller, WJ and Rota-Stabelli, O}, title = {Insertion sequence polymorphism and genomic rearrangements uncover hidden Wolbachia diversity in Drosophila suzukii and D. subpulchrella.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, pages = {14815}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-017-13808-z}, pmid = {29093474}, issn = {2045-2322}, abstract = {Ability to distinguish between closely related Wolbachia strains is crucial for understanding the evolution of Wolbachia-host interactions and the diversity of Wolbachia-induced phenotypes. A useful model to tackle these issues is the Drosophila suzukii - Wolbachia association. D. suzukii, a destructive insect pest, harbor a non-CI inducing Wolbachia 'wSuz' closely related to the strong CI-inducing wRi strain. Multi locus sequence typing (MLST) suggests presence of genetic homogeneity across wSuz strains infecting European and American D. suzukii populations, although different Wolbachia infection frequencies and host fecundity levels have been observed in both populations. Currently, it is not clear if these differences are due to cryptic wSuz polymorphism, host background, geographical factors or a combination of all of them. Here, we have identified geographical diversity in wSuz in D. suzukii populations from different continents using a highly diagnostic set of markers based on insertion sequence (IS) site polymorphism and genomic rearrangements (GR). We further identified inter-strain diversity between Wolbachia infecting D. suzukii and its sister species D. subpulchrella (wSpc). Based on our results, we speculate that discernible wSuz variants may associate with different observed host phenotypes, a hypothesis that demands future investigation. More generally, our results demonstrate the utility of IS and GRs in discriminating closely related Wolbachia strains.}, }
@article {pmid29084217, year = {2017}, author = {Dodson, BL and Andrews, ES and Turell, MJ and Rasgon, JL}, title = {Wolbachia effects on Rift Valley fever virus infection in Culex tarsalis mosquitoes.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {11}, number = {10}, pages = {e0006050}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0006050}, pmid = {29084217}, issn = {1935-2735}, support = {R01 AI116636/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI128918/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Culex/*microbiology/*virology ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Insect Vectors/microbiology/virology ; Mosquito Control ; Pest Control, Biological/*methods ; Rift Valley fever virus/*physiology ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Innovative tools are needed to alleviate the burden of mosquito-borne diseases, and strategies that target the pathogen are being considered. A possible tactic is the use of Wolbachia, a maternally inherited, endosymbiotic bacterium that can (but does not always) suppress diverse pathogens when introduced to naive mosquito species. We investigated effects of somatic Wolbachia (strain wAlbB) infection on Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) in Culex tarsalis mosquitoes. When compared to Wolbachia-uninfected mosquitoes, there was no significant effect of Wolbachia infection on RVFV infection, dissemination, or transmission frequencies, nor on viral body or saliva titers. Within Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, there was a modest negative correlation between RVFV body titers and Wolbachia density, suggesting that Wolbachia may slightly suppress RVFV in a density-dependent manner in this mosquito species. These results are contrary to previous work in the same mosquito species, showing Wolbachia-induced enhancement of West Nile virus infection rates. Taken together, these results highlight the importance of exploring the breadth of pathogen modulations induced by Wolbachia.}, }
@article {pmid29080766, year = {2017}, author = {Diosdado, A and Gómez, PJ and Morchón, R and Simón, F and González-Miguel, J}, title = {Interaction between Wolbachia and the fibrinolytic system as a possible pathological mechanism in cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis.}, journal = {Veterinary parasitology}, volume = {247}, number = {}, pages = {64-69}, doi = {10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.10.001}, pmid = {29080766}, issn = {1873-2550}, mesh = {Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Dirofilaria immitis/*microbiology ; Dirofilariasis/*parasitology ; Dog Diseases/*parasitology ; Dogs ; Fibrinolysin/metabolism ; Fibrinolysis ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins/genetics/*metabolism ; Models, Molecular ; Recombinant Proteins ; Sequence Alignment/veterinary ; Symbiosis ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator/*metabolism ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Dirofilaria immitis is a mosquito-borne parasite that produces an inflammatory process in the wall of the blood vessels of its definitive host during cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis, known as proliferative endarteritis. Parasite antigens participate in the appearance of this inflammatory event, among other mechanisms through the over-activation of the host fibrinolytic system. Since Wolbachia, endosymbiont bacteria of filarial nematodes, is released into the vertebrate host when worms die, the aim of this work was to analyse the interaction between this bacteria and the host fibrinolytic system to complete the study of this part of the host-parasite relationships. For that purpose, the recombinant form of the major Wolbachia surface protein (rWSP) was cloned, sequenced and expressed and then, its ability to bind plasminogen and enhance the generation of plasmin was assessed. We demonstrated that rWSP is a conserved antigen within the family Onchocercidae with ability to bind plasminogen and stimulate plasmin generation in a tissue-plasminogen activator (t-PA) and lysine residues of the rWSP-dependent manner. These results indicate that the recruitment of plasminogen by Wolbachia and the possible excess of plasmin generated could contribute to exacerbate the pathological events occurred at the vascular level during cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis, as well as in other diseases caused by filarial nematodes that harbour Wolbachia, when the bacteria is released after the death of the worms.}, }
@article {pmid29078351, year = {2017}, author = {Turner, JD and Sharma, R and Al Jayoussi, G and Tyrer, HE and Gamble, J and Hayward, L and Priestley, RS and Murphy, EA and Davies, J and Waterhouse, D and Cook, DAN and Clare, RH and Cassidy, A and Steven, A and Johnston, KL and McCall, J and Ford, L and Hemingway, J and Ward, SA and Taylor, MJ}, title = {Albendazole and antibiotics synergize to deliver short-course anti-Wolbachia curative treatments in preclinical models of filariasis.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {114}, number = {45}, pages = {E9712-E9721}, doi = {10.1073/pnas.1710845114}, pmid = {29078351}, issn = {1091-6490}, support = {MR/L018756/1//Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Albendazole/*pharmacology ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*pharmacology ; Benzimidazoles/pharmacology ; Brugia malayi/microbiology ; Drug Synergism ; Female ; Filariasis/*drug therapy ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Minocycline/pharmacology ; Rifampin/pharmacology ; Wolbachia/*drug effects ; }, abstract = {Elimination of filariasis requires a macrofilaricide treatment that can be delivered within a 7-day period. Here we have identified a synergy between the anthelmintic albendazole (ABZ) and drugs depleting the filarial endosymbiont Wolbachia, a proven macrofilaricide target, which reduces treatment from several weeks to 7 days in preclinical models. ABZ had negligible effects on Wolbachia but synergized with minocycline or rifampicin (RIF) to deplete symbionts, block embryogenesis, and stop microfilariae production. Greater than 99% Wolbachia depletion following 7-day combination of RIF+ABZ also led to accelerated macrofilaricidal activity. Thus, we provide preclinical proof-of-concept of treatment shortening using antibiotic+ABZ combinations to deliver anti-Wolbachia sterilizing and macrofilaricidal effects. Our data are of immediate public health importance as RIF+ABZ are registered drugs and thus immediately implementable to deliver a 1-wk macrofilaricide. They also suggest that novel, more potent anti-Wolbachia drugs under development may be capable of delivering further treatment shortening, to days rather than weeks, if combined with benzimidazoles.}, }
@article {pmid29076805, year = {2018}, author = {Lourenço-de-Oliveira, R and Marques, JT and Sreenu, VB and Atyame Nten, C and Aguiar, ERGR and Varjak, M and Kohl, A and Failloux, AB}, title = {Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes do not support replication of Zika virus.}, journal = {The Journal of general virology}, volume = {99}, number = {2}, pages = {258-264}, doi = {10.1099/jgv.0.000949}, pmid = {29076805}, issn = {1465-2099}, support = {G0801822//Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; MC_UU_12014/8//Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; U01 AI115595/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {The rapid spread of Zika virus (ZIKV) in the Americas raised many questions about the role of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes in transmission, in addition to the key role played by the vector Aedes aegypti. Here we analysed the competence of Cx. quinquefasciatus (with or without Wolbachia endosymbionts) for a ZIKV isolate. We also examined the induction of RNA interference pathways after viral challenge and the production of small virus-derived RNAs. We did not observe any infection nor such small virus-derived RNAs, regardless of the presence or absence of Wolbachia. Thus, Cx. quinquefasciatus does not support ZIKV replication and Wolbachia is not involved in producing this phenotype. In short, these mosquitoes are very unlikely to play a role in transmission of ZIKV.}, }
@article {pmid29076641, year = {2017}, author = {Bhattacharya, T and Newton, ILG}, title = {Mi Casa es Su Casa: how an intracellular symbiont manipulates host biology.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.13964}, pmid = {29076641}, issn = {1462-2920}, support = {R21 AI121849/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis, the most common intracellular infection on the planet, infects 40% of insects as well as nematodes, isopods and arachnids. Wolbachia are obligately intracellular and challenging to study; there are no genetic tools for manipulating Wolbachia nor can they be cultured outside of host cells. Despite these roadblocks, the research community has defined a set of Wolbachia loci involved in host interaction: Wolbachia effectors. Through the use of Drosophila genetics, surrogate systems and biochemistry, the field has begun to define the toolkit Wolbachia use for host manipulation. Below we review recent findings identifying these Wolbachia effectors and point to potential, as yet uncharacterized, links between known phenotypes induced by Wolbachia infection and predicted effectors.}, }
@article {pmid29074653, year = {2017}, author = {Ward, CM and Baxter, SW}, title = {Draft Genome Assembly of a Wolbachia Endosymbiont of Plutella australiana.}, journal = {Genome announcements}, volume = {5}, number = {43}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1128/genomeA.01134-17}, pmid = {29074653}, issn = {2169-8287}, abstract = {Wolbachia spp. are endosymbiotic bacteria that infect around 50% of arthropods and cause a broad range of effects, including manipulating host reproduction. Here, we present the annotated draft genome assembly of Wolbachia strain wAus, which infects Plutella australiana, a cryptic ally of the major Brassica pest Plutella xylostella (diamondback moth).}, }
@article {pmid29071168, year = {2017}, author = {Zhang, L and Zhang, G and Yun, Y and Peng, Y}, title = {Bacterial community of a spider, Marpiss magister (Salticidae).}, journal = {3 Biotech}, volume = {7}, number = {6}, pages = {371}, doi = {10.1007/s13205-017-0994-0}, pmid = {29071168}, issn = {2190-572X}, abstract = {Arthropods are associated with various microorganisms which confer benefits to their hosts. Recently, research has been conducted on bacterial communities of insects to provide an insight into the potential interactions of the symbiotic bacteria and their hosts. Spiders are interesting to study as they are perceived to be natural enemies of pests. The effect of endosymbionts on spiders has been reported, but little is known about the overall bacterial communities present in spiders. Here, we report on the characterization of bacterial communities present in the whole body of the spider Marpiss magister using Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA amplicons. Our study shows that the most abundant phyla of bacteria included Proteobacteria, Tenericutes, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria. At the genus level, the most abundant genera included Rickettsia, Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, and Cardinium. Besides these dominant endosymbionts, our study also showed the existence of bacteria in the genera Arthrobacter, Novosphingobium, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Aquabacterium and Sphingomonas at an abundance ranging from 0.65 to 0.84%, and the existence of bacterial in genera Lactobacillus, Sphingobium, Methylobacterium, Bradyrhizobium, Propionibacterium, Brevundimonas, Achromobacter, Microbacterium, Corynebacterium, and Flavobacterium at a slightly lower abundance ranging from 0.1 to 0.5%. Therefore, our finding indicates that endosymbionts are not the only microbiota present in the spider M. magister, and other bacterial taxa also exist in its bacterial community.}, }
@article {pmid29067008, year = {2017}, author = {Zhukova, M and Sapountzis, P and Schiøtt, M and Boomsma, JJ}, title = {Diversity and Transmission of Gut Bacteria in Atta and Acromyrmex Leaf-Cutting Ants during Development.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {8}, number = {}, pages = {1942}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2017.01942}, pmid = {29067008}, issn = {1664-302X}, support = {323085//European Research Council/International ; }, abstract = {The social Hymenoptera have distinct larval and adult stages separated by metamorphosis, which implies striking remodeling of external and internal body structures during the pupal stage. This imposes challenges to gut symbionts as existing cultures are lost and may or may not need to be replaced. To elucidate the extent to which metamorphosis interrupts associations between bacteria and hosts, we analyzed changes in gut microbiota during development and traced the transmission routes of dominant symbionts from the egg to adult stage in the leaf-cutting ants Acromyrmex echinatior and Atta cephalotes, which are both important functional herbivores in the New World tropics. Bacterial density remained similar across the developmental stages of Acromyrmex, but Atta brood had very low bacterial prevalences suggesting that bacterial gut symbionts are not actively maintained. We found that Wolbachia was the absolute dominant bacterial species across developmental stages in Acromyrmex and we confirmed that Atta lacks Wolbachia also in the immature stages, and had mostly Mollicutes bacteria in the adult worker guts. Wolbachia in Acromyrmex appeared to be transovarially transmitted similar to transmission in solitary insects. In contrast, Mollicutes were socially transmitted from old workers to newly emerged callows. We found that larval and pupal guts of both ant species contained Pseudomonas and Enterobacter bacteria that are also found in fungus gardens, but hardly or not in adult workers, suggesting they are beneficial only for larval growth and development. Our results reveal that transmission pathways for bacterial symbionts may be very different both between developmental stages and between sister genera and that identifying the mechanisms of bacterial acquisition and loss will be important to clarify their putative mutualistic functions.}, }
@article {pmid29066721, year = {2017}, author = {He, S and Zhang, X and Liang, J and Tang, S}, title = {Multiscale modelling the effects of CI genetic evolution in mosquito population on the control of dengue fever.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, pages = {13895}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-017-13896-x}, pmid = {29066721}, issn = {2045-2322}, abstract = {Endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria are widely applied for the control of dengue fever by manipulating the reproductive mechanism of mosquitoes, including maternal inheritance and cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). CI means that the offsprings from the matings between Wolbachia infected males and uninfected females can not be hatched. At present, CI effect is assumed as a constant in most of dynamic systems for the spread of Wolbachia. However, their spread may arouse the evolution of mosquitoes to resist CI. Thus, a multiscale model combining a birth-pulse model with a gene-induced discrete model for the frequencies of alleles is proposed to describe the spread of Wolbachia in mosquito population with resistance allele of CI. The main results indicate that the strategy of population eradication can not be realized, while the strategy of population replacement may be realized with the success of sensitive or resistance allele. If appropriate Wolbachia strains can not be selected, then there is a high probability of the failure of population replacement. Moreover, Wolbachia-induced parameters may arouse the catastrophic shifts among stable states of the model. In addition, the demographic parameters and Wolbachia-induced parameters may affect the level and the speed of population replacement and the density of uninfected mosquitoes.}, }
@article {pmid29065795, year = {2017}, author = {Al-Abd, NM and Nor, ZM and Junaid, QO and Mansor, M and Hasan, MS and Kassim, M}, title = {Antifilarial activity of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on Brugia pahangi in vitro and in vivo.}, journal = {Pathogens and global health}, volume = {111}, number = {7}, pages = {388-394}, doi = {10.1080/20477724.2017.1380946}, pmid = {29065795}, issn = {2047-7732}, mesh = {Animals ; Brugia pahangi/*drug effects ; Caffeic Acids/administration &amp; dosage/*therapeutic use ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Filariasis/*drug therapy/parasitology ; Gerbillinae ; Humans ; Male ; Phenylethyl Alcohol/administration &amp; dosage/*analogs &amp; derivatives/therapeutic use ; Wolbachia/drug effects ; }, abstract = {Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a vector borne disease caused by parasitic worms such as Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and B. timori, which are transmitted by mosquitoes. Current therapeutics to treat LF are mainly microfilarcidal, and lack activity against adult worms. This set back, poses a challenge for the control and elimination of filariasis. Thus, in this study the activities of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) against the filarial worm B. pahangi and its bacterial endosymbiont, Wolbachia were evaluated. Different concentrations (2, 5, 10, 15, 20 μg/ml) of CAPE were used to assess its effects on motility, viability and microfilarial (mf) production of B. pahangi in vitro. Anti-Wolbachial activity of CAPE was measured in worms by quantification of Wolbachial wsp gene copy number using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Our findings show that CAPE was found to significantly reduce adult worm motility, viability, and mf release both in vitro and in vivo. 20 μg/ml of CAPE halts the release of mf in vitro by day 6 of post treatment. Also, the number of adult worms recovered in vivo were reduced significantly during and after treatment with 50 mg/kg of CAPE relative to control drugs, diethylcarbamazine and doxycycline. Real time PCR based on the Wolbachia ftsZ gene revealed a significant reduction in Wolbachia copy number upon treatment. Anti-Wolbachia and antifilarial properties of CAPE require further investigation as an alternative strategy to treat LF.}, }
@article {pmid29063344, year = {2018}, author = {Hornok, S and Ágh, N and Takács, N and Kontschán, J and Hofmann-Lehmann, R}, title = {Haematospirillum and insect Wolbachia DNA in avian blood.}, journal = {Antonie van Leeuwenhoek}, volume = {111}, number = {3}, pages = {479-483}, doi = {10.1007/s10482-017-0961-0}, pmid = {29063344}, issn = {1572-9699}, support = {115854//OTKA/ ; 108571//OTKA/ ; }, mesh = {Alphaproteobacteria/*genetics ; Animals ; Birds/*blood ; *DNA, Bacterial ; Female ; *Genes, Insect ; Male ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Wolbachia/*genetics ; }, abstract = {In this study, blood samples of 259 Acrocephalus sp. warblers were molecularly analysed for Anaplasmataceae and Rhodospirillaceae based on PCR amplification of 16S rRNA gene fragments. One bird blood sample (from Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus) yielded a sequence with 99.8% identity to Haematospirillum jordaniae. This is the first molecular evidence for the occurrence of this species in the blood of any vertebrate other than human. Another bird blood sample (from Marsh Warbler: Acrocephalus palustris) yielded a Wolbachia sequence, closely related to a moth endosymbiont with 99.8% identity. A nematode origin of Wolbachia DNA detected here in avian blood can be excluded, because results of phylogenetic analysis showed its closest alignment with insect wolbachiae. This is the first finding of insect Wolbachia DNA in the circulatory system of birds, which can be explained either by the inoculation of wolbachiae by blood-sucking vectors, or passing of Wolbachia DNA from the gut into the blood of this insectivorous bird species.}, }
@article {pmid29053633, year = {2017}, author = {Skaljac, M and Kanakala, S and Zanic, K and Puizina, J and Pleic, IL and Ghanim, M}, title = {Diversity and Phylogenetic Analyses of Bacterial Symbionts in Three Whitefly Species from Southeast Europe.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {8}, number = {4}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3390/insects8040113}, pmid = {29053633}, issn = {2075-4450}, abstract = {Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood), and Siphoninus phillyreae (Haliday) are whitefly species that harm agricultural crops in many regions of the world. These insects live in close association with bacterial symbionts that affect host fitness and adaptation to the environment. In the current study, we surveyed the infection of whitefly populations in Southeast Europe by various bacterial symbionts and performed phylogenetic analyses on the different symbionts detected. Arsenophonus and Hamiltonella were the most prevalent symbionts in all three whitefly species. Rickettsia was found to infect mainly B. tabaci, while Wolbachia mainly infected both B. tabaci and S. phillyreae. Furthermore, Cardinium was rarely found in the investigated whitefly populations, while Fritschea was never found in any of the whitefly species tested. Phylogenetic analyses revealed a diversity of several symbionts (e.g., Hamiltonella, Arsenophonus, Rickettsia), which appeared in several clades. Reproductively isolated B. tabaci and T. vaporariorum shared the same (or highly similar) Hamiltonella and Arsenophonus, while these symbionts were distinctive in S. phillyreae. Interestingly, Arsenophonus from S. phillyreae did not cluster with any of the reported sequences, which could indicate the presence of Arsenophonus, not previously associated with whiteflies. In this study, symbionts (Wolbachia, Rickettsia, and Cardinium) known to infect a wide range of insects each clustered in the same clades independently of the whitefly species. These results indicate horizontal transmission of bacterial symbionts between reproductively isolated whitefly species, a mechanism that can establish new infections that did not previously exist in whiteflies.}, }
@article {pmid29042606, year = {2017}, author = {Signor, S}, title = {Population genomics of Wolbachia and mtDNA in Drosophila simulans from California.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, pages = {13369}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-017-13901-3}, pmid = {29042606}, issn = {2045-2322}, abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis is an intracellular endosymbiont infecting many arthropods and filarial nematodes. Little is known about the short-term evolution of Wolbachia or its interaction with its host. Wolbachia is maternally inherited, resulting in co-inheritance of mitochondrial organelles such as mtDNA. Here I explore the evolution of Wolbachia, and the relationship between Wolbachia and mtDNA, using a large inbred panel of Drosophila simulans. I compare this to the only other large population genomic Wolbachia dataset from D. melanogaster. I find reduced diversity relative to expectation in both Wolbachia and mtDNA, but only mtDNA shows evidence of a recent selective sweep or population bottleneck. I estimate Wolbachia and mtDNA titre in each genotype, and I find considerable variation in both phenotypes, despite low genetic diversity in Wolbachia and mtDNA. A phylogeny of Wolbachia and of mtDNA suggest a recent origin of the infection derived from a single origin. Using Wolbachia and mtDNA titre as a phenotype, I perform the first association analysis using this phenotype with the nuclear genome and find several implicated regions, including one which contains four CAAX-box protein processing genes. CAAX-box protein processing can be an important part of host-pathogen interactions in other systems, suggesting interesting directions for future research.}, }
@article {pmid29036401, year = {2017}, author = {Santos-Garcia, D and Silva, FJ and Morin, S and Dettner, K and Kuechler, SM}, title = {The All-Rounder Sodalis: A New Bacteriome-Associated Endosymbiont of the Lygaeoid Bug Henestaris halophilus (Heteroptera: Henestarinae) and a Critical Examination of Its Evolution.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {9}, number = {10}, pages = {2893-2910}, doi = {10.1093/gbe/evx202}, pmid = {29036401}, issn = {1759-6653}, abstract = {Hemipteran insects are well-known in their ability to establish symbiotic relationships with bacteria. Among them, heteropteran insects present an array of symbiotic systems, ranging from the most common gut crypt symbiosis to the more restricted bacteriome-associated endosymbiosis, which have only been detected in members of the superfamily Lygaeoidea and the family Cimicidae so far. Genomic data of heteropteran endosymbionts are scarce and have merely been analyzed from the Wolbachia endosymbiont in bed bug and a few gut crypt-associated symbionts in pentatomoid bugs. In this study, we present the first detailed genomic analysis of a bacteriome-associated endosymbiont of a phytophagous heteropteran, present in the seed bug Henestaris halophilus (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Lygaeoidea). Using phylogenomics and genomics approaches, we have assigned the newly characterized endosymbiont to the Sodalis genus, named as Candidatus Sodalis baculum sp. nov. strain kilmister. In addition, our findings support the reunification of the Sodalis genus, currently divided into six different genera. We have also conducted comparative analyses between 15 Sodalis species that present different genome sizes and symbiotic relationships. These analyses suggest that Ca. Sodalis baculum is a mutualistic endosymbiont capable of supplying the amino acids tyrosine, lysine, and some cofactors to its host. It has a small genome with pseudogenes but no mobile elements, which indicates middle-stage reductive evolution. Most of the genes in Ca. Sodalis baculum are likely to be evolving under purifying selection with several signals pointing to the retention of the lysine/tyrosine biosynthetic pathways compared with other Sodalis.}, }
@article {pmid29021316, year = {2017}, author = {Kageyama, D and Yoshimura, K and Sugimoto, TN and Katoh, TK and Watada, M}, title = {Maternally transmitted non-bacterial male killer in Drosophila biauraria.}, journal = {Biology letters}, volume = {13}, number = {10}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1098/rsbl.2017.0476}, pmid = {29021316}, issn = {1744-957X}, abstract = {A maternally inherited, all-female trait is widely found among arthropods, which is caused by bacterial endosymbionts such as Wolbachia, Rickettsia, Spiroplasma and Cardinium We discovered a single female of Drosophila biauraria, collected from Tomakomai, Hokkaido, Japan, that produced all-female offspring. This all-female trait was maternally inherited in the iso-female line (SP12F) by backcrossing with males of a normal line (SP11-20) with a 1 : 1 sex ratio derived from the same population. The all-female trait was not affected by tetracycline treatment performed for two consecutive generations. However, the microinjection of filter-sterilized homogenate of SP12F females into SP11-20 females established all-female matrilines. Our data suggest the role of transmissible agents, most likely viruses, but not bacteria or protists, as the possible cause of the all-female phenotype, which is likely to be achieved by killing of male embryos because egg hatch rates of SP12F were nearly half those of SP11-20. This is the first report in Diptera to demonstrate a maternally inherited virus-like element as the cause of the male-killing phenotype in D. biauraria.}, }
@article {pmid28991902, year = {2017}, author = {de Oliveira, S and Villela, DAM and Dias, FBS and Moreira, LA and Maciel de Freitas, R}, title = {How does competition among wild type mosquitoes influence the performance of Aedes aegypti and dissemination of Wolbachia pipientis?.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {11}, number = {10}, pages = {e0005947}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0005947}, pmid = {28991902}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology ; Animals ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Larva ; Pest Control, Biological/methods ; Population Density ; Species Specificity ; Survival Analysis ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia has been deployed in several countries to reduce transmission of dengue, Zika and chikungunya viruses. During releases, Wolbachia-infected females are likely to lay their eggs in local available breeding sites, which might already be colonized by local Aedes sp. mosquitoes. Therefore, there is an urgent need to estimate the deleterious effects of intra and interspecific larval competition on mosquito life history traits, especially on the duration of larval development time, larval mortality and adult size.<br><br>Three different mosquito populations were used: Ae. aegypti infected with Wolbachia (wMelBr strain), wild Ae. aegypti and wild Ae. albopictus. A total of 21 treatments explored intra and interspecific larval competition with varying larval densities, species proportions and food levels. Each treatment had eight replicates with two distinct food levels: 0.25 or 0.50 g of Chitosan and fallen avocado leaves. Overall, overcrowding reduced fitness correlates of the three populations. Ae. albopictus larvae presented lower larval mortality, shorter development time to adult and smaller wing sizes than Ae. aegypti. The presence of Wolbachia had a slight positive effect on larval biology, since infected individuals had higher survivorship than uninfected Ae. aegypti larvae.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: In all treatments, Ae. albopictus outperformed both wild Ae. aegypti and the Wolbachia-infected group in larval competition, irrespective of larval density and the amount of food resources. The major force that can slow down Wolbachia invasion is the population density of wild mosquitoes. Given that Ae. aegypti currently dominates in Rio, in comparison with Ae. albopictus frequency, additional attention must be given to the population density of Ae. aegypti during releases to increase the likelihood of Wolbachia invasion.}, }
@article {pmid28980839, year = {2017}, author = {Akmal, M and Freed, S and Dietrich, CH and Mehmood, M and Razaq, M}, title = {Patterns of genetic differentiation among populations of Amrasca biguttula biguttula (Shiraki) (Cicadellidae: Hemiptera).}, journal = {Mitochondrial DNA. Part A, DNA mapping, sequencing, and analysis}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {1-8}, doi = {10.1080/24701394.2017.1383405}, pmid = {28980839}, issn = {2470-1408}, abstract = {Cotton leafhopper, Amrasca biguttula biguttula (Shiraki), a serious sucking insect pest of cotton and vegetables is present throughout South and Southeast Asia. Genetic differentiation within A. biguttula biguttula populations collected from 16 cotton growing areas of Punjab, Pakistan, was examined by sequencing the barcode region of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene. The dendrogram obtained by neighbour joining analysis of COI sequences confirmed the presence of single species of cotton leafhopper. The overall average pairwise divergence was 0.01. Very little variation was found among populations from cotton growing areas of Punjab, Pakistan and these were most similar to populations from North India. South Indian populations were grouped together and were generally more divergent. Extensive migration of this pest species among cotton-growing areas in the Indian subcontinent may hinder genetic diversification of cotton leafhopper. Four Pakistani samples of cotton leafhopper tested positive for Wolbachia infection but were not clearly differentiated from non-Wolbachia infected samples, suggesting that Wolbachia did not cause reproductive incompatibilities.}, }
@article {pmid28977708, year = {2017}, author = {Cariou, M and Duret, L and Charlat, S}, title = {The global impact of Wolbachia on mitochondrial diversity and evolution.}, journal = {Journal of evolutionary biology}, volume = {30}, number = {12}, pages = {2204-2210}, doi = {10.1111/jeb.13186}, pmid = {28977708}, issn = {1420-9101}, mesh = {Animals ; Arthropods/*genetics/microbiology ; *Biological Evolution ; DNA, Mitochondrial/*genetics ; Female ; Genetic Variation ; Male ; Phylogeny ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The spread of maternally inherited microorganisms, such as Wolbachia bacteria, can induce indirect selective sweeps on host mitochondria, to which they are linked within the cytoplasm. The resulting reduction in effective population size might lead to smaller mitochondrial diversity and reduced efficiency of natural selection. While documented in several host species, it is currently unclear if such a scenario is common enough to globally impact the diversity and evolution of mitochondria in Wolbachia-infected lineages. Here, we address this question using a mapping of Wolbachia acquisition/extinction events on a large mitochondrial DNA tree, including over 1000 species. Our analyses indicate that on a large phylogenetic scale, other sources of variation, such as mutation rates, tend to hide the effects of Wolbachia. However, paired comparisons between closely related infected and uninfected taxa reveal that Wolbachia is associated with a twofold reduction in silent mitochondrial polymorphism, and a 13% increase in nonsynonymous substitution rates. These findings validate the conjecture that the widespread distribution of Wolbachia infections throughout arthropods impacts the effective population size of mitochondria. These effects might in part explain the disconnection between genetic diversity and demographic population size in mitochondria, and also fuel red-queen-like cytonuclear co-evolution through the fixation of deleterious mitochondrial alleles.}, }
@article {pmid28973572, year = {2017}, author = {Grau, T and Brandt, A and DeLeon, S and Meixner, MD and Strauß, JF and Joop, G and Telschow, A}, title = {A Comparison of Wolbachia Infection Frequencies in Varroa With Prevalence of Deformed Wing Virus.}, journal = {Journal of insect science (Online)}, volume = {17}, number = {3}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/jisesa/iex039}, pmid = {28973572}, issn = {1536-2442}, mesh = {Animals ; Insect Viruses/*isolation &amp; purification ; Varroidae/*virology ; Wolbachia/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are widely distributed bacterial endosymbionts of arthropods and filarial nematodes. These bacteria can affect host fitness in a variety of ways, such as protecting hosts against viruses and other pathogens. Here, we investigate the possible role of Wolbachia in the prevalence of the deformed wing virus (DWV), a highly virulent pathogen of honey bees (Apis mellifera) that is transmitted by parasitic Varroa mites (Varroa destructor). About 180 Varroa mites from 18 beehives were tested for infection with Wolbachia and DWV. We first screened for Wolbachia using two standard primers (wsp and 16S rDNA), and found 26% of the mites to be positive for Wolbachia using the wsp primer and 64% of the mites to be positive using the 16S rDNA primer. Using these intermediate Wolbachia frequencies, we then tested for statistical correlations with virus infection frequencies. The analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between DWV and Wolbachia using the wsp primer, but no significant association between DWV and Wolbachia using the 16S rDNA primer. In conclusion, there is no evidence for an anti-pathogenic effect of Wolbachia in V. destructor, but weak evidence for a pro-pathogenic effect. These results encourage further examination of Wolbachia-virus interactions in Varroa mites since an increased vector competence of the mites may significantly impact disease outbreaks in honey bees.}, }
@article {pmid28969836, year = {2017}, author = {Khowawisetsut, L and Sarasombath, PT and Thammapalo, S and Loymek, S and Korbarsa, T and Nochote, H and Phuakrod, A and Choochote, W and Wongkamchai, S}, title = {Therapeutic trial of doxycyclin plus ivermectin for the treatment of Brugia malayi naturally infected cats.}, journal = {Veterinary parasitology}, volume = {245}, number = {}, pages = {42-47}, doi = {10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.08.009}, pmid = {28969836}, issn = {1873-2550}, mesh = {Animals ; *Brugia malayi ; Cat Diseases/drug therapy/*parasitology ; Cats ; Doxycycline/administration &amp; dosage/*therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Filariasis/drug therapy/parasitology/*veterinary ; Ivermectin/administration &amp; dosage/*therapeutic use ; }, abstract = {Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is one of the neglected tropical diseases which causes permanent and long term disability worldwide. LF is caused by filarial nematode parasites, i.e. Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and B. timori. All available antifilarial drugs currently being used have shown a limited adulticidal activity. Discoveries of endosymbiont rickettsia-like bacterium, Wolbachia in filarial nematodes provided a novel approach for antibiotic use in eradication of filarial diseases. The earlier studies revealed the macrofilaricidal efficacy of doxycycline against filarial nematodes. Chemotherapeutic efficiency of doxycycline has been studied against many filarial parasites, but there are still no therapeutic trials of the drug regimens for B. malayi treatment in naturally infected cats. Thus, this study would be the first attempt to study the efficiency of doxycycline (DOXY) alone or in combination with ivermectin (IVM) for treatment of B. malayi in naturally infected cats. A total of 26 B. malayi-infected cats in the endemic areas were recruited and divided into 3 groups, receiving different treatment regimens; a single dose of ivermectin only (IVM), doxycycline only (DOXY) and a combination of ivermectin and doxycycline (DOXY-IVM). The efficacy of each therapatic regimen was evaluated by detecting the presence of microfilaria using parasitological and molecular techniques monthly up to 2 years after starting the treatment. The IVM treated group had a significant rapid reduction of microfilariae in the first month; however, recurrence of microfilaraemia was observed in some cats. By contrast, the DOXY and DOXY-IVM groups showed a better result with a gradual decrease in microfilariae with no recurrence. These 2 groups were not only virtually deprived of infection but also sustained the sterility of infection through the course of study. These results revealed the advantages of using in B. malayi treatment in cats. Doxycycline showed to have both microfilaricidal and adulticidal effects on lymphatic filariae which maintained the long-term response to control of B. malayi infection in cats.}, }
@article {pmid28959730, year = {2017}, author = {Johnston, KL and Cook, DAN and Berry, NG and David Hong, W and Clare, RH and Goddard, M and Ford, L and Nixon, GL and O'Neill, PM and Ward, SA and Taylor, MJ}, title = {Identification and prioritization of novel anti-Wolbachia chemotypes from screening a 10,000-compound diversity library.}, journal = {Science advances}, volume = {3}, number = {9}, pages = {eaao1551}, doi = {10.1126/sciadv.aao1551}, pmid = {28959730}, issn = {2375-2548}, abstract = {Lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis are two important neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that cause severe disability. Control efforts are hindered by the lack of a safe macrofilaricidal drug. Targeting the Wolbachia bacterial endosymbionts in these parasites with doxycycline leads to a macrofilaricidal outcome, but protracted treatment regimens and contraindications restrict its widespread implementation. The Anti-Wolbachia consortium aims to develop improved anti-Wolbachia drugs to overcome these barriers. We describe the first screening of a large, diverse compound library against Wolbachia. This whole-organism screen, streamlined to reduce bottlenecks, produced a hit rate of 0.5%. Chemoinformatic analysis of the top 50 hits led to the identification of six structurally diverse chemotypes, the disclosure of which could offer interesting avenues of investigation to other researchers active in this field. An example of hit-to-lead optimization is described to further demonstrate the potential of developing these high-quality hit series as safe, efficacious, and selective anti-Wolbachia macrofilaricides.}, }
@article {pmid28957585, year = {2017}, author = {Betelman, K and Caspi-Fluger, A and Shamir, M and Chiel, E}, title = {Identification and characterization of bacterial symbionts in three species of filth fly parasitoids.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology}, volume = {93}, number = {9}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/femsec/fix107}, pmid = {28957585}, issn = {1574-6941}, mesh = {Animals ; Enterobacteriaceae/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Muscidae ; Phylogeny ; Pupa/*growth &amp; development ; Reproduction ; Rickettsia/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; Wasps/*microbiology ; Weevils/*microbiology ; Wolbachia/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Facultative bacterial symbionts are widespread among insects and have diverse effects on their biology. Here, we focused on bacterial symbionts of three ecologically and economically important filth flies parasitoid species-Spalangia cameroni, Spalangia endius and Muscidifurax raptor. Both Spalangia species harbored a Sodalis bacterium that is closely related to Spalangia praecaptivus (a free-living bacterium) and to Sodalis symbionts of weevils. This is the only case of Sodalis infection in the important order Hymenoptera. We also found, for the first time in this parasitoid guild, a Rickettsia infecting the two Spalangia spp., albeit in much higher prevalence in S. cameroni. Molecular and phylogenetic analyses revealed that it is closely related to Rickettsia felis and other Rickettsia species from the 'transitional' group. All three parasitoid species harbored Wolbachia. Using multi-locus sequence typing, we found that M. raptor harbors a single Wolbachia strain whereas the Spalangia spp. have multiple strains. By controlled crossings, we found that Wolbachia infection in S. endius causes incomplete cytoplasmic incompatibility and increased longevity, thereby promoting Wolbachia's spread. In contrast, no effects of Wolbachia on the reproduction and longevity of M. raptor were found. This study underscores the diversity and nature of symbiotic interactions between microbes and insects.}, }
@article {pmid28939989, year = {2017}, author = {Kaiser, L and Dupas, S and Branca, A and Herniou, EA and Clarke, CW and Capdevielle Dulac, C and Obonyo, J and Benoist, R and Gauthier, J and Calatayud, PA and Silvain, JF and Le Ru, BP}, title = {The Cotesia sesamiae story: insight into host-range evolution in a Hymenoptera parasitoid and implication for its use in biological control programs.}, journal = {Genetica}, volume = {145}, number = {6}, pages = {455-468}, doi = {10.1007/s10709-017-9989-3}, pmid = {28939989}, issn = {1573-6857}, support = {ANR-12-ADAP-0001//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; }, mesh = {Adaptation, Biological ; Animals ; *Biological Control Agents ; *Biological Evolution ; Genetic Speciation ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; Kenya ; Plants ; Wasps/*physiology ; }, abstract = {This review covers nearly 20 years of studies on the ecology, physiology and genetics of the Hymenoptera Cotesia sesamiae, an African parasitoid of Lepidoptera that reduces populations of common maize borers in East and South Africa. The first part of the review presents studies based on sampling of C. sesamiae from maize crops in Kenya. From this agrosystem including one host plant and three main host borer species, studies revealed two genetically differentiated populations of C. sesamiae species adapted to their local host community, and showed that their differentiation involved the joint evolution of virulence genes and sensory mechanisms of host acceptance, reinforced by reproductive incompatibility due to Wolbachia infection status and natural inbreeding. In the second part, we consider the larger ecosystem of wild Poales plant species hosting many Lepidoptera stem borer species that are potential hosts for C. sesamiae. The hypothesis of other host-adapted C. sesamiae populations was investigated based on a large sampling of stem borer larvae on various Poales across sub-Saharan Africa. The sampling provided information on the respective contribution of local hosts, biogeography and Wolbachia in the genetic structure of C. sesamiae populations. Molecular evolution analyses highlighted that several bracovirus genes were under positive selection, some of them being under different selection pressure in C. sesamiae populations adapted to different hosts. This suggests that C. sesamiae host races result from co-evolution acting at the local scale on different bracovirus genes. The third part considers the mechanisms driving specialization. C. sesamiae host races are more or less host-specialized. This character is crucial for efficient and environmentally-safe use of natural enemies for biological control of pests. One method to get an insight in the evolutionary stability of host-parasite associations is to characterize the phylogenetic relationships between the so-called host-races. Based on the construction of a phylogeny of C. sesamiae samples from various host- and plant species, we revealed three main lineages. Mechanisms of differentiation are discussed with regard to the geography and ecology of the samples. One of the lineage presented all the hallmarks of a distinct species, which has been morphologically described and is now studied in the perspective of being used as biological control agent against Sesamia nonagrioides Lefèbvre (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a major maize pest in West Africa and Mediterranean countries (see Benoist et al. 2017). The fourth part reviews past and present use of C. sesamiae in biological control, and points out the interest of such molecular ecology studies to reconcile biodiversity and food security stakes in future biological control.}, }
@article {pmid28939962, year = {2018}, author = {Nadin, G and Strugarek, M and Vauchelet, N}, title = {Hindrances to bistable front propagation: application to Wolbachia invasion.}, journal = {Journal of mathematical biology}, volume = {76}, number = {6}, pages = {1489-1533}, doi = {10.1007/s00285-017-1181-y}, pmid = {28939962}, issn = {1432-1416}, abstract = {We study the biological situation when an invading population propagates and replaces an existing population with different characteristics. For instance, this may occur in the presence of a vertically transmitted infection causing a cytoplasmic effect similar to the Allee effect (e.g. Wolbachia in Aedes mosquitoes): the invading dynamics we model is bistable. We aim at quantifying the propagules (what does it take for an invasion to start?) and the invasive power (how far can an invading front go, and what can stop it?). We rigorously show that a heterogeneous environment inducing a strong enough population gradient can stop an invading front, which will converge in this case to a stable front. We characterize the critical population jump, and also prove the existence of unstable fronts above the stable (blocking) fronts. Being above the maximal unstable front enables an invading front to clear the obstacle and propagate further. We are particularly interested in the case of artificial Wolbachia infection, used as a tool to fight arboviruses.}, }
@article {pmid28939497, year = {2017}, author = {Soni, M and Bhattacharya, C and Sharma, J and Khan, SA and Dutta, P}, title = {Molecular typing and phylogeny of Wolbachia: A study from Assam, North-Eastern part of India.}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {176}, number = {}, pages = {421-426}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.09.005}, pmid = {28939497}, issn = {1873-6254}, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology ; Animals ; Anopheles/*microbiology ; Culex/*microbiology ; Drosophila melanogaster/*microbiology ; Female ; India ; Molecular Typing ; Phylogeny ; Wolbachia/*classification/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia are maternally inherited endosymbiotic alphaproteobacteria, infecting 40-75% of arthropod species. Knowledge on distribution of native strains infecting mosquito vectors from endemic regions is essential for successful implementation of vector control interventions utilizing potential strains of Wolbachia. Study identified various native strains of Wolbachia inhabiting different mosquito species from field and colonised conditions of Assam. The fly Drosophila melanogaster was also included in our study.<br><br>METHODS: Different mosquito species collected from field viz; Aedes albopictus, Aedes aegypti, Anopheles hyrcanus, Anopheles annularis, Culex vishnui, Toxorhynchites splendens, Armegeries obturbans and fly Drosophila melanogaster were included in the study. Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus were obtained from RMRC, Dibrugarh mosquito colony y for Wolbachia screening. DNA was extracted from these species, amplified using group specific wsp primers followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.<br><br>RESULTS: Aedes albopictus from Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Sivasagar district showed superinfection with A and B group of Wolbachia but, Aedes albopictus from Tezpur district presented infection with A group only. Our study reports for the first time natural infection of Wolbachia A and B group from colonised Anopheles stephensi mosquito but reported no infection from field collected Anopheles hyrcanus or Anopheles annularis. Similarly Armigeres obturbans and Culex vishnui presented infection with only B group of Wolbachia. Drosophila melanogaster showed superinfection with A and B group. Toxorhynchites splendens, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus reported no infection with Wolbachia.<br><br>CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge this is the first study on Wolbachia screening from Northeast part of India and also first report of natural Wolbachia infection from colonised Anopheles stephensi species. The current understanding on distribution of Wolbachia strains naturally present within insect species from this geographical region should aid future Wolbachia mediated vector control strategies.}, }
@article {pmid28932814, year = {2017}, author = {Simhadri, RK and Fast, EM and Guo, R and Schultz, MJ and Vaisman, N and Ortiz, L and Bybee, J and Slatko, BE and Frydman, HM}, title = {The Gut Commensal Microbiome of Drosophila melanogaster Is Modified by the Endosymbiont Wolbachia.}, journal = {mSphere}, volume = {2}, number = {5}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1128/mSphere.00287-17}, pmid = {28932814}, issn = {2379-5042}, abstract = {Endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria and the gut microbiome have independently been shown to affect several aspects of insect biology, including reproduction, development, life span, stem cell activity, and resistance to human pathogens, in insect vectors. This work shows that Wolbachia bacteria, which reside mainly in the fly germline, affect the microbial species present in the fly gut in a lab-reared strain. Drosophila melanogaster hosts two main genera of commensal bacteria-Acetobacter and Lactobacillus. Wolbachia-infected flies have significantly reduced titers of Acetobacter. Sampling of the microbiome of axenic flies fed with equal proportions of both bacteria shows that the presence of Wolbachia bacteria is a significant determinant of the composition of the microbiome throughout fly development. However, this effect is host genotype dependent. To investigate the mechanism of microbiome modulation, the effect of Wolbachia bacteria on Imd and reactive oxygen species pathways, the main regulators of immune response in the fly gut, was measured. The presence of Wolbachia bacteria does not induce significant changes in the expression of the genes for the effector molecules in either pathway. Furthermore, microbiome modulation is not due to direct interaction between Wolbachia bacteria and gut microbes. Confocal analysis shows that Wolbachia bacteria are absent from the gut lumen. These results indicate that the mechanistic basis of the modulation of composition of the microbiome by Wolbachia bacteria is more complex than a direct bacterial interaction or the effect of Wolbachia bacteria on fly immunity. The findings reported here highlight the importance of considering the composition of the gut microbiome and host genetic background during Wolbachia-induced phenotypic studies and when formulating microbe-based disease vector control strategies. IMPORTANCEWolbachia bacteria are intracellular bacteria present in the microbiome of a large fraction of insects and parasitic nematodes. They can block mosquitos' ability to transmit several infectious disease-causing pathogens, including Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and West Nile viruses and malaria parasites. Certain extracellular bacteria present in the gut lumen of these insects can also block pathogen transmission. However, our understanding of interactions between Wolbachia and gut bacteria and how they influence each other is limited. Here we show that the presence of Wolbachia strain wMel changes the composition of gut commensal bacteria in the fruit fly. Our findings implicate interactions between bacterial species as a key factor in determining the overall composition of the microbiome and thus reveal new paradigms to consider in the development of disease control strategies.}, }
@article {pmid28913925, year = {2018}, author = {Blackwood, JC and Vargas, R and Fauvergue, X}, title = {A cascade of destabilizations: Combining Wolbachia and Allee effects to eradicate insect pests.}, journal = {The Journal of animal ecology}, volume = {87}, number = {1}, pages = {59-72}, doi = {10.1111/1365-2656.12756}, pmid = {28913925}, issn = {1365-2656}, mesh = {Animals ; *Genetic Fitness ; Insecta/microbiology/*physiology ; Models, Biological ; *Pest Control, Biological ; Population Density ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The management of insect pests has long been dominated by the use of chemical insecticides, with the aim of instantaneously killing enough individuals to limit their damage. To minimize unwanted consequences, environmentally friendly approaches have been proposed that utilize biological control and take advantage of intrinsic demographic processes to reduce pest populations. We address the feasibility of a novel pest management strategy based on the release of insects infected with Wolbachia, which causes cytoplasmic incompatibilities in its host population, into a population with a pre-existing Allee effect. We hypothesize that the transient decline in population size caused by a successful invasion of Wolbachia can bring the population below its Allee threshold and, consequently, trigger extinction. We develop a stochastic population model that accounts for Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibilities in addition to an Allee effect arising from mating failures at low population densities. Using our model, we identify conditions under which cytoplasmic incompatibilities and Allee effects successfully interact to drive insect pest populations towards extinction. Based on our results, we delineate control strategies based on introductions of Wolbachia-infected insects. We extend this analysis to evaluate control strategies that implement successive introductions of two incompatible Wolbachia strains. Additionally, we consider methods that combine Wolbachia invasion with mating disruption tactics to enhance the pre-existing Allee effect. We demonstrate that Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility and the Allee effect act independently from one another: the Allee effect does not modify the Wolbachia invasion threshold, and cytoplasmic incompatibilities only have a marginal effect on the Allee threshold. However, the interaction of these two processes can drive even large populations to extinction. The success of this method can be amplified by the introduction of multiple Wolbachia cytotypes as well as the addition of mating disruption. Our study extends the existing literature by proposing the use of Wolbachia introductions to capitalize on pre-existing Allee effects and consequently eradicate insect pests. More generally, it highlights the importance of transient dynamics, and the relevance of manipulating a cascade of destabilizatons for pest management.}, }
@article {pmid28906572, year = {2018}, author = {Leggewie, M and Krumkamp, R and Badusche, M and Heitmann, A and Jansen, S and Schmidt-Chanasit, J and Tannich, E and Becker, SC}, title = {Culex torrentium mosquitoes from Germany are negative for Wolbachia.}, journal = {Medical and veterinary entomology}, volume = {32}, number = {1}, pages = {115-120}, doi = {10.1111/mve.12270}, pmid = {28906572}, issn = {1365-2915}, abstract = {Wolbachia (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) infects a wide range of arthropods, including several mosquito species. The bacterium is known to induce a plethora of phenotypes in its host, examples being the reproductive phenotype cytoplasmic incompatibility or resistance against infection with arboviruses. The latter is especially relevant when assessing the vector competence of mosquito species for emerging arboviruses. Thus, knowledge of Wolbachia infection status is important for the assessment of vector competence. To facilitate Wolbachia screening in mosquito populations, a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay was developed to enable high-throughput analysis of mosquito samples. Using this assay, the Wolbachia infection status of the two most common Culex mosquito species in Germany, Culex pipiens biotype pipiens Linnaeus (Diptera: Culicidae) and Culex torrentium Martini (Diptera: Culicidae), was assessed. About 93% of all tested C. pipiens biotype pipiens individuals were positive for Wolbachia, whereas none of the C. torrentium samples was found to be infected. Furthermore, other applications of the qPCR assay were explored by assessing a potential link between the levels of Wolbachia and West Nile virus (WNV) infections in German C. pipiens biotype pipiens mosquitoes. No relationship was found between the two variables, indicating that a Wolbachia-induced antiviral phenotype in this mosquito population is not exclusively attributable to the general level of bacterial infection.}, }
@article {pmid28905230, year = {2017}, author = {Huber, D and Reil, I and Duvnjak, S and Jurković, D and Lukačević, D and Pilat, M and Beck, A and Mihaljević, Ž and Vojta, L and Polkinghorne, A and Beck, R}, title = {Molecular detection of Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Wolbachia sp. but not Ehrlichia canis in Croatian dogs.}, journal = {Parasitology research}, volume = {116}, number = {11}, pages = {3019-3026}, doi = {10.1007/s00436-017-5611-y}, pmid = {28905230}, issn = {1432-1955}, mesh = {Anaplasma/classification/*isolation &amp; purification ; Anaplasma phagocytophilum/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Anaplasmosis/epidemiology/*microbiology ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Croatia/epidemiology ; Dog Diseases/epidemiology/*microbiology ; Dogs ; Ehrlichia canis/*isolation &amp; purification ; Ehrlichiosis/veterinary ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary ; RNA, Bacterial ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rhipicephalus sanguineus/microbiology ; Rickettsiaceae Infections/epidemiology/microbiology/*veterinary ; Wolbachia/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {The bacteria Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia canis are tick-borne agents that cause canine vector-borne disease. The prevalence of these pathogens in South Eastern Europe is unknown with the exception of an isolated case of A. platys detected in a dog imported into Germany from Croatia. To gain a better insight into their presence and prevalence, PCR-based screening for these bacterial pathogens was performed on domesticated dogs from different regions of Croatia. Blood samples from 1080 apparently healthy dogs from coastal and continental parts of Croatia as well as tissue samples collected from 63 deceased dogs with a history of anaemia and thrombocytopenia were collected for molecular screening by an Anaplasmataceae-specific 16S rRNA conventional PCR. Positive samples were confirmed using a second Anaplasmataceae-specific PCR assay with the PCR product sequenced for the purpose of bacterial species identification. All sequenced isolates were georeferenced and a kernel intensity estimator was used to identify clusters of greater case intensity. 42/1080 (3.8%; CI 2.7-5.0) of the healthy dogs were PCR positive for bacteria in the Anaplasmataceae. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene amplified from these positive samples revealed the presence of A. platys in 2.5% (CI 1.6-3.4%, 27 dogs), A. phagocytophilum in 0.3% (CI 0-0.6%, 3 dogs) and a Wolbachia endosymbiont in 1.1% (CI 0.4-1.6%, 12 dogs) of dogs screened in this study. Necropsied dogs were free from infection. Notably, no evidence of E. canis infection was found in any animal. This survey represents a rare molecular study of Anaplasmataceae in dogs in South Eastern Europe, confirming the presence of A. platys and A. phagocytophilum but not E. canis. The absence of E. canis was surprising given it has been described in all other Mediterranean countries surveyed and raises questions over the regional vector capacity of the Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick.}, }
@article {pmid28904344, year = {2017}, author = {Geoghegan, V and Stainton, K and Rainey, SM and Ant, TH and Dowle, AA and Larson, T and Hester, S and Charles, PD and Thomas, B and Sinkins, SP}, title = {Perturbed cholesterol and vesicular trafficking associated with dengue blocking in Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti cells.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {526}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-017-00610-8}, pmid = {28904344}, issn = {2041-1723}, support = {//Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Aedes/*metabolism/*microbiology/virology ; Animals ; Cholesterol/*metabolism ; Cytoplasmic Vesicles/*metabolism ; Dengue/*transmission/virology ; Dengue Virus/*physiology ; Humans ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are intracellular maternally inherited bacteria that can spread through insect populations and block virus transmission by mosquitoes, providing an important approach to dengue control. To better understand the mechanisms of virus inhibition, we here perform proteomic quantification of the effects of Wolbachia in Aedes aegypti mosquito cells and midgut. Perturbations are observed in vesicular trafficking, lipid metabolism and in the endoplasmic reticulum that could impact viral entry and replication. Wolbachia-infected cells display a differential cholesterol profile, including elevated levels of esterified cholesterol, that is consistent with perturbed intracellular cholesterol trafficking. Cyclodextrins have been shown to reverse lipid accumulation defects in cells with disrupted cholesterol homeostasis. Treatment of Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti cells with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin restores dengue replication in Wolbachia-carrying cells, suggesting dengue is inhibited in Wolbachia-infected cells by localised cholesterol accumulation. These results demonstrate parallels between the cellular Wolbachia viral inhibition phenotype and lipid storage genetic disorders. Wolbachia infection of mosquitoes can block dengue virus infection and is tested in field trials, but the mechanism of action is unclear. Using proteomics, Geoghegan et al. here identify effects of Wolbachia on cholesterol homeostasis and dengue virus replication in Aedes aegypti.}, }
@article {pmid28902190, year = {2017}, author = {Lindsey, ARI and Stouthamer, R}, title = {The effects of outbreeding on a parasitoid wasp fixed for infection with a parthenogenesis-inducing Wolbachia symbiont.}, journal = {Heredity}, volume = {119}, number = {6}, pages = {411-417}, doi = {10.1038/hdy.2017.53}, pmid = {28902190}, issn = {1365-2540}, mesh = {Animals ; Biological Coevolution ; Crosses, Genetic ; Female ; Fertility ; Heterozygote ; Homozygote ; Male ; Models, Genetic ; *Parthenogenesis ; *Sex Ratio ; Symbiosis ; Wasps/*genetics/microbiology ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Trichogramma wasps can be rendered asexual by infection with the maternally inherited symbiont Wolbachia. Previous studies indicate the Wolbachia strains infecting Trichogramma wasps are host-specific, inferred by failed horizontal transfer of Wolbachia to novel Trichogramma hosts. Additionally, Trichogramma can become dependent upon their Wolbachia infection for the production of female offspring, leaving them irreversibly asexual, further linking host and symbiont. We hypothesized Wolbachia strains infecting irreversibly asexual, resistant to horizontal transfer Trichogramma would show adaptation to a particular host genetic background. To test this, we mated Wolbachia-dependent females with males from a Wolbachia-naïve population to create heterozygous wasps. We measured sex ratios and fecundity, a proxy for Wolbachia fitness, produced by heterozygous wasps, and by their recombinant offspring. We find a heterozygote advantage, resulting in higher fitness for Wolbachia, as wasps will produce more offspring without any reduction in the proportion of females. While recombinant wasps did not differ in total fecundity after 10 days, recombinants produced fewer offspring early on, leading to an increased female-biased sex ratio for the whole brood. Despite the previously identified barriers to horizontal transfer of Wolbachia to and from Trichogramma pretiosum, there were no apparent barriers for Wolbachia to induce parthenogenesis in these non-native backgrounds. This is likely due to the route of infection being introgression rather than horizontal transfer, and possibly the co-evolution of Wolbachia with the mitochondria rather than the nuclear genome. These results help to elucidate the mechanisms by which Wolbachia adapt to hosts and the evolution of host-symbiont phenotypes.}, }
@article {pmid28892518, year = {2017}, author = {Rohrscheib, CE and Frentiu, FD and Horn, E and Ritchie, FK and van Swinderen, B and Weible, MW and O'Neill, SL and Brownlie, JC}, title = {Response to: Comment on Rohrscheib et al. 2016 &quot;Intensity of mutualism breakdown is determined by temperature not amplification of Wolbachia genes&quot;.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {13}, number = {9}, pages = {e1006521}, doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1006521}, pmid = {28892518}, issn = {1553-7374}, mesh = {Genome, Bacterial ; Phylogeny ; *Symbiosis ; Temperature ; Wolbachia/*genetics ; }, }
@article {pmid28892498, year = {2017}, author = {Chrostek, E and Teixeira, L}, title = {Comment on Rohrscheib et al. 2016 &quot;Intensity of mutualism breakdown is determined by temperature not amplification of Wolbachia genes&quot;.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {13}, number = {9}, pages = {e1006540}, doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1006540}, pmid = {28892498}, issn = {1553-7374}, }
@article {pmid28878066, year = {2017}, author = {Gebiola, M and Giorgini, M and Kelly, SE and Doremus, MR and Ferree, PM and Hunter, MS}, title = {Cytological analysis of cytoplasmic incompatibility induced by Cardinium suggests convergent evolution with its distant cousin Wolbachia.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {284}, number = {1862}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1098/rspb.2017.1433}, pmid = {28878066}, issn = {1471-2954}, mesh = {Aneuploidy ; Animals ; *Cytophagaceae ; Cytoplasm/*microbiology ; Female ; Male ; Mitosis ; Reproduction ; Symbiosis ; Wasps/*microbiology ; Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is a conditional sterility in numerous arthropods that is caused by inherited, intracellular bacteria such as Wolbachia Matings between males carrying CI-inducing Wolbachia and uninfected females, or between males and females infected with different Wolbachia strains, result in progeny that die during very early embryogenesis. Multiple studies in diploid (Drosophila) and haplodiploid (Nasonia) insects have shown that CI-Wolbachia cause a failure of the paternally derived chromatin from resolving into distinct chromosomes. This leads to the formation of chromatin bridges and other mitotic defects as early as the first mitotic division, and to early mitotic arrest. It is currently unknown if CI-inducing symbionts other than Wolbachia affect similar cellular processes. Here, we investigated CI caused by an unrelated bacterium, Cardinium, which naturally infects a parasitic wasp, Encarsia suzannae CI crosses in this host-symbiont system resulted in early mitotic defects including asynchrony of paternal and maternal chromosome sets as they enter mitosis, chromatin bridges and improper chromosome segregation that spanned across multiple mitotic divisions, triggering embryonic death through accumulated aneuploidy. We highlight small differences with CI-Wolbachia, which could be due to the underlying CI mechanism or host-specific effects. Our results suggest a convergence of CI-related cellular phenotypes between these two unrelated symbionts.}, }
@article {pmid28856446, year = {2018}, author = {Bliman, PA and Aronna, MS and Coelho, FC and da Silva, MAHB}, title = {Ensuring successful introduction of Wolbachia in natural populations of Aedes aegypti by means of feedback control.}, journal = {Journal of mathematical biology}, volume = {76}, number = {5}, pages = {1269-1300}, doi = {10.1007/s00285-017-1174-x}, pmid = {28856446}, issn = {1432-1416}, abstract = {The control of the spread of dengue fever by introduction of the intracellular parasitic bacterium Wolbachia in populations of the vector Aedes aegypti, is presently one of the most promising tools for eliminating dengue, in the absence of an efficient vaccine. The success of this operation requires locally careful planning to determine the adequate number of individuals carrying the Wolbachia parasite that need to be introduced into the natural population. The introduced mosquitoes are expected to eventually replace the Wolbachia-free population and guarantee permanent protection against the transmission of dengue to human. In this study, we propose and analyze a model describing the fundamental aspects of the competition between mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia and mosquitoes free of the parasite. We then use feedback control techniques to devise an introduction protocol that is proved to guarantee that the population converges to a stable equilibrium where the totality of mosquitoes carry Wolbachia.}, }
@article {pmid28855327, year = {2017}, author = {Sullivan, W}, title = {Wolbachia, bottled water, and the dark side of symbiosis.}, journal = {Molecular biology of the cell}, volume = {28}, number = {18}, pages = {2343-2346}, doi = {10.1091/mbc.E17-02-0132}, pmid = {28855327}, issn = {1939-4586}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Obligate endosymbiosis is operationally defined when loss or removal of the endosymbiont from the host results in the death of both. Whereas these relationships are typically viewed as mutualistic, molecular and cellular analysis reveals numerous instances in which these symbiotic relationships are established by alternative, nonmutualistic strategies. The endosymbiont usurps or integrates into core host processes, creating a need where none previously existed. Here I discuss examples of these addictive symbiotic relationships and how they are a likely outcome of all complex evolving systems.}, }
@article {pmid28854601, year = {2017}, author = {Rice, DW and Sheehan, KB and Newton, ILG}, title = {Large-Scale Identification of Wolbachia pipientis Effectors.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {9}, number = {7}, pages = {1925-1937}, doi = {10.1093/gbe/evx139}, pmid = {28854601}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/*metabolism ; Computational Biology/*methods ; Drosophila melanogaster/genetics/metabolism/*microbiology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Genetic Association Studies ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Phylogeny ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics/growth &amp; development ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/genetics/*metabolism ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis is an intracellular symbiont of arthropods well known for the reproductive manipulations induced in the host and, more recently, for the ability of Wolbachia to block virus replication in insect vectors. Since Wolbachia cannot yet be genetically manipulated, and due to the constraints imposed when working with an intracellular symbiont, little is known about mechanisms used by Wolbachia for host interaction. Here we employed a bioinformatics pipeline and identified 163 candidate effectors, potentially secreted by Wolbachia into the host cell. A total of 84 of these candidates were then subjected to a screen of growth defects induced in yeast upon heterologous expression which identified 14 top candidates likely secreted by Wolbachia. These predicted secreted effectors may function in concert as we find that their native expression is correlated and is highly upregulated at specific time points during Drosophila development. In addition, the evolutionary histories of some of these predicted effectors are also correlated, suggesting they may function together, or in the same pathway, during host infection. Similarly, most of these predicted effectors are limited to one or two Wolbachia strains-perhaps reflecting shared evolutionary history and strain specific functions in host manipulation. Identification of these Wolbachia candidate effectors is the first step in dissecting the mechanisms of symbiont-host interaction in this important system.}, }
@article {pmid28845255, year = {2017}, author = {Vi, TT and Kien, DT and Wills, B and Simmons, CP}, title = {A29 Wolbachia for dengue control; will dengue viruses evolve resistance?.}, journal = {Virus evolution}, volume = {3}, number = {Suppl 1}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/ve/vew036.028}, pmid = {28845255}, issn = {2057-1577}, }
@article {pmid28842593, year = {2017}, author = {Ojha, A and Sinha, DK and Padmakumari, AP and Bentur, JS and Nair, S}, title = {Bacterial Community Structure in the Asian Rice Gall Midge Reveals a Varied Microbiome Rich in Proteobacteria.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, pages = {9424}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-017-09791-0}, pmid = {28842593}, issn = {2045-2322}, abstract = {The Asian rice gall midge (ARGM) has emerged as a model gall forming pest of rice. The ARGM infestation of rice results in failure of panicle formation and economic loss. Understanding the molecular basis of ARGM-rice interactions is very crucial in order to control this devastating pest of rice. The current investigation was devised to identify bacterial communities present in the ARGM and in addition the bacterial diversity in the maggots during their interaction with susceptible or resistant rice varieties. Sequencing of 16S rRNA bacterial gene (V3-V4 region) revealed differences in the microflora of the ARGM maggots feeding on susceptible or resistant rice hosts. Results revealed that Wolbachia was the predominant bacterium in pupae and adults while Pseudomonas was predominant in maggots. Further, we observed that members of proteobacteria were predominant across all the samples. There was high species diversity in maggots isolated from susceptible rice and a high representation of unclassified bacteria in maggots isolated from resistant rice. This is the first study that reports variation of microbiome of the ARGM, based on host phenotype from which it was isolated, and results suggest that these variations could have an important role in host's susceptibility.}, }
@article {pmid28841917, year = {2017}, author = {Almeida, F and Suesdek, L}, title = {Effects of Wolbachia on ovarian apoptosis in Culex quinquefasciatus (Say, 1823) during the previtellogenic and vitellogenic periods.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {398}, doi = {10.1186/s13071-017-2332-0}, pmid = {28841917}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Animals ; *Apoptosis ; Culex/*microbiology/*physiology ; Female ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Oocytes/microbiology/pathology ; Oogenesis ; Ovary/cytology/microbiology/ultrastructure ; Vitellogenesis ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that ordinarily occurs in ovarian follicular cells in various organisms. In the best-studied holometabolous insect, Drosophila, this kind of cell death occurs in all three cell types found in the follicles, sometimes leading to follicular atresia and egg degeneration. On the other hand, egg development, quantity and viability in the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus are disturbed by the infection with the endosymbiont Wolbachia. Considering that Wolbachia alters reproductive traits, we hypothesised that such infection would also alter the apoptosis in the ovarian cells of this mosquito. The goal of this study was to comparatively describe the occurrence of apoptosis in Wolbachia-infected and uninfected ovaries of Cx. quinquefasciatus during oogenesis and vitellogenesis. For this, we recorded under confocal microscopy the occurrence of apoptosis in all three cell types of the ovarian follicle. In the first five days of adult life we observed oogenesis and, after a blood meal, the initiation step of vitellogenesis.<br><br>RESULTS: Apoptoses in follicular cells were found at all observation times during both oogenesis and vitellogenesis, and less commonly in nurse cells and the oocyte, as well as in atretic follicles. Our results suggested that apoptosis in follicular cells occurred in greater numbers in infected mosquitoes than in uninfected ones during the second and third days of adult life and at the initiation step of vitellogenesis.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The presence of Wolbachia leads to an increase of apoptosis occurrence in the ovaries of Cx. quinquefasciatus. Future studies should investigate if this augmented apoptosis frequency is the cause of the reduction in the number of eggs laid by Wolbachia-infected females. Follicular atresia is first reported in the previtellogenic period of oogenesis. Our findings may have implications for the use of Wolbachia as a mosquito and pathogens control strategy.}, }
@article {pmid28835430, year = {2017}, author = {Panda, DK and Mohapatra, DP and Mohapatra, MM}, title = {Filarial breast lump.}, journal = {BMJ case reports}, volume = {2017}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1136/bcr-2017-221536}, pmid = {28835430}, issn = {1757-790X}, mesh = {Adult ; Breast Diseases/*diagnosis/diagnostic imaging/drug therapy/surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diethylcarbamazine/administration &amp; dosage/therapeutic use ; Elephantiasis, Filarial/*diagnosis/diagnostic imaging/drug therapy/surgery ; Female ; Filaricides/administration &amp; dosage/therapeutic use ; Humans ; Mammography ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; Pain/etiology ; Wolbachia/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Lymphatic filariasis is one of the most debilitating and disfiguring scourges among all diseases. This report presents a case of a woman with recurrent breast nodularity after being previously operated for a suspected breast neoplasm. We would like to highlight the issue of similar clinical presentation of a filarial breast lump and other breast lesions leading to inappropriate therapy.}, }
@article {pmid28829414, year = {2017}, author = {Ross, PA and Axford, JK and Richardson, KM and Endersby-Harshman, NM and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {Maintaining Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes Infected with Wolbachia.}, journal = {Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE}, volume = {}, number = {126}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3791/56124}, pmid = {28829414}, issn = {1940-087X}, support = {//Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology/physiology ; Animals ; Female ; Larva ; Male ; Oviposition ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Aedes aegypti mosquitoes experimentally infected with Wolbachia are being utilized in programs to control the spread of arboviruses such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika. Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes can be released into the field to either reduce population sizes through incompatible matings or to transform populations with mosquitoes that are refractory to virus transmission. For these strategies to succeed, the mosquitoes released into the field from the laboratory must be competitive with native mosquitoes. However, maintaining mosquitoes in the laboratory can result in inbreeding, genetic drift and laboratory adaptation which can reduce their fitness in the field and may confound the results of experiments. To test the suitability of different Wolbachia infections for deployment in the field, it is necessary to maintain mosquitoes in a controlled laboratory environment across multiple generations. We describe a simple protocol for maintaining Ae. aegypti mosquitoes in the laboratory, which is suitable for both Wolbachia-infected and wild-type mosquitoes. The methods minimize laboratory adaptation and implement outcrossing to increase the relevance of experiments to field mosquitoes. Additionally, colonies are maintained under optimal conditions to maximize their fitness for open field releases.}, }
@article {pmid28824885, year = {2017}, author = {Wilmes, M and Meier, K and Schiefer, A and Josten, M and Otten, CF and Klöckner, A and Henrichfreise, B and Vollmer, W and Hoerauf, A and Pfarr, K}, title = {AmiD Is a Novel Peptidoglycan Amidase in Wolbachia Endosymbionts of Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {7}, number = {}, pages = {353}, doi = {10.3389/fcimb.2017.00353}, pmid = {28824885}, issn = {2235-2988}, mesh = {Amidohydrolases/genetics/immunology/*metabolism ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Arthropods/microbiology ; Cell Wall/metabolism ; Drosophila melanogaster/*microbiology ; Genetic Vectors ; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed ; Nematoda/microbiology ; Peptidoglycan/*biosynthesis/immunology ; Sequence Analysis, Protein ; Symbiosis ; Uridine Diphosphate N-Acetylmuramic Acid/analogs &amp; derivatives/metabolism ; Wolbachia/*enzymology/genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia endobacteria are obligate intracellular bacteria with a highly reduced genome infecting many arthropod and filarial species, in which they manipulate arthropod reproduction to increase their transmission and are essential for nematode development and survival. The Wolbachia genome encodes all enzymes required for the synthesis of the cell wall building block lipid II, although a peptidoglycan-like structure has not been detected. Despite the ability to synthesize lipid II, Wolbachia from arthropods and nematodes have only a subset of genes encoding enzymes involved in the periplasmic processing of lipid II and peptidoglycan recycling, with arthropods having two more than nematodes. We functionally analyzed the activity of the putative cell wall hydrolase AmiD from the Wolbachia endosymbiont of Drosophila melanogaster, an enzyme not encoded by the nematode endobacteria. Wolbachia AmiD has Zn2+-dependent amidase activity and cleaves intact peptidoglycan, monomeric lipid II and anhydromuropeptides, substrates that are generated during bacterial growth. AmiD may have been maintained in arthropod Wolbachia to avoid host immune recognition by degrading cell wall fragments in the periplasm. This is the first description of a wolbachial lipid II processing enzyme putatively expressed in the periplasm.}, }
@article {pmid28824591, year = {2017}, author = {Jacob, F and Melachio, TT and Njitchouang, GR and Gimonneau, G and Njiokou, F and Abate, L and Christen, R and Reveillaud, J and Geiger, A}, title = {Intestinal Bacterial Communities of Trypanosome-Infected and Uninfected Glossina palpalis palpalis from Three Human African Trypanomiasis Foci in Cameroon.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {8}, number = {}, pages = {1464}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2017.01464}, pmid = {28824591}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Glossina sp. the tsetse fly that transmits trypanosomes causing the Human or the Animal African Trypanosomiasis (HAT or AAT) can harbor symbiotic bacteria that are known to play a crucial role in the fly's vector competence. We hypothesized that other bacteria could be present, and that some of them could also influence the fly's vector competence. In this context the objectives of our work were: (a) to characterize the bacteria that compose the G. palpalis palpalis midgut bacteriome, (b) to evidence possible bacterial community differences between trypanosome-infected and non-infected fly individuals from a given AAT and HAT focus or from different foci using barcoded Illumina sequencing of the hypervariable V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Forty G. p. palpalis flies, either infected by Trypanosoma congolense or uninfected were sampled from three trypanosomiasis foci in Cameroon. A total of 143 OTUs were detected in the midgut samples. Most taxa were identified at the genus level, nearly 50% at the species level; they belonged to 83 genera principally within the phyla Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria. Prominent representatives included Wigglesworthia (the fly's obligate symbiont), Serratia, and Enterobacter hormaechei. Wolbachia was identified for the first time in G. p. palpalis. The average number of bacterial species per tsetse sample was not significantly different regarding the fly infection status, and the hierarchical analysis based on the differences in bacterial community structure did not provide a clear clustering between infected and non-infected flies. Finally, the most important result was the evidence of the overall very large diversity of intestinal bacteria which, except for Wigglesworthia, were unevenly distributed over the sampled flies regardless of their geographic origin and their trypanosome infection status.}, }
@article {pmid28821226, year = {2017}, author = {Saucereau, Y and Valiente Moro, C and Dieryckx, C and Dupuy, JW and Tran, FH and Girard, V and Potier, P and Mavingui, P}, title = {Comprehensive proteome profiling in Aedes albopictus to decipher Wolbachia-arbovirus interference phenomenon.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {18}, number = {1}, pages = {635}, doi = {10.1186/s12864-017-3985-y}, pmid = {28821226}, issn = {1471-2164}, mesh = {Aedes/*metabolism/microbiology/virology ; Animals ; Arboviruses/*physiology ; Cell Line ; *Proteomics ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Aedes albopictus is a vector of arboviruses that cause severe diseases in humans such as Chikungunya, Dengue and Zika fevers. The vector competence of Ae. albopictus varies depending on the mosquito population involved and the virus transmitted. Wolbachia infection status in believed to be among key elements that determine viral transmission efficiency. Little is known about the cellular functions mobilized in Ae. albopictus during co-infection by Wolbachia and a given arbovirus. To decipher this tripartite interaction at the molecular level, we performed a proteome analysis in Ae. albopictus C6/36 cells mono-infected by Wolbachia wAlbB strain or Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), and bi-infected.<br><br>RESULTS: We first confirmed significant inhibition of CHIKV by Wolbachia. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by nano liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, we identified 600 unique differentially expressed proteins mostly related to glycolysis, translation and protein metabolism. Wolbachia infection had greater impact on cellular functions than CHIKV infection, inducing either up or down-regulation of proteins associated with metabolic processes such as glycolysis and ATP metabolism, or structural glycoproteins and capsid proteins in the case of bi-infection with CHIKV. CHIKV infection inhibited expression of proteins linked with the processes of transcription, translation, lipid storage and miRNA pathways.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The results of our proteome profiling have provided new insights into the molecular pathways involved in tripartite Ae. albopictus-Wolbachia-CHIKV interaction and may help defining targets for the better implementation of Wolbachia-based strategies for disease transmission control.}, }
@article {pmid28807085, year = {2018}, author = {Karimi, S and Izadi, H and Askari Seyahooei, M and Bagheri, A and Khodaygan, P}, title = {Variation in bacterial endosymbionts associated with the date palm hopper, Ommatissus lybicus populations.}, journal = {Bulletin of entomological research}, volume = {108}, number = {2}, pages = {271-281}, doi = {10.1017/S0007485317000633}, pmid = {28807085}, issn = {1475-2670}, mesh = {Animals ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The date palm hopper, Ommatissus lybicus, is a key pest of the date palm, which is expected to be comprised of many allopatric populations. The current study was carried out to determine bacterial endosymbiont diversity in the different populations of this pest. Ten date palm hopper populations were collected from the main date palm growing regions in Iran and an additional four samples from Pakistan, Oman, Egypt and Tunisia for detection of primary and secondary endosymbionts using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay with their specific primers. The PCR products were directly sequenced and edited using SeqMan software. The consensus sequences were subjected to a BLAST similarity search. The results revealed the presence of 'Candidatus Sulcia muelleri' (primary endosymbiont) and Wolbachia, Arsenophonus and Enterobacter (secondary endosymbionts) in all populations. This assay failed to detect 'Candidatus Nasuia deltocephalinicola' and Serratia in these populations. 'Ca. S. muelleri' exhibited a 100% infection frequency in populations and Wolbachia, Arsenophonus and Enterobacter demonstrated 100, 93.04 and 97.39% infection frequencies, respectively. The infection rate of Arsenophonus and Enterobacter ranged from 75 to 100% and 62.5 to 100%, respectively, in different populations of the insect. The results demonstrated multiple infections by 'Ca. Sulcia muelleri', Wolbachia, Arsenophonus and Enterobacter in the populations and may suggest significant roles for these endosymbionts on date palm hopper population fitness. This study provides an insight to endosymbiont variation in the date palm hopper populations; however, further investigation is needed to examine how these endosymbionts may affect host fitness.}, }
@article {pmid28805637, year = {2017}, author = {Terradas, G and McGraw, EA}, title = {Wolbachia-mediated virus blocking in the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {Current opinion in insect science}, volume = {22}, number = {}, pages = {37-44}, doi = {10.1016/j.cois.2017.05.005}, pmid = {28805637}, issn = {2214-5753}, abstract = {Viruses transmitted by mosquitoes such as dengue, Zika and West Nile cause a threat to global health due to increased geographical range and frequency of outbreaks. The bacterium Wolbachia pipientis may be the solution reducing disease transmission. Though commonly missing in vector species, the bacterium was artificially and stably introduced into Aedes aegypti to assess its potential for biocontrol. When infected with Wolbachia, mosquitoes become refractory to infection by a range of pathogens, including the aforementioned viruses. How the bacterium is conferring this phenotype remains unknown. Here we discuss current hypotheses in the field for the mechanistic basis of pathogen blocking and evaluate the evidence from mosquitoes and related insects.}, }
@article {pmid28805302, year = {2017}, author = {Pilgrim, J and Ander, M and Garros, C and Baylis, M and Hurst, GDD and Siozios, S}, title = {Torix group Rickettsia are widespread in Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), reach high frequency and carry unique genomic features.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {19}, number = {10}, pages = {4238-4255}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.13887}, pmid = {28805302}, issn = {1462-2920}, mesh = {Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cell Wall/metabolism ; Ceratopogonidae/*microbiology ; Female ; Genome, Bacterial/*genetics ; Genomics ; Insect Vectors/*microbiology ; Lipopolysaccharides/genetics ; Pentose Phosphate Pathway/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Rickettsia/*classification/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {There is increasing interest in the heritable bacteria of invertebrate vectors of disease as they present novel targets for control initiatives. Previous studies on biting midges (Culicoides spp.), known to transmit several RNA viruses of veterinary importance, have revealed infections with the endosymbiotic bacteria, Wolbachia and Cardinium. However, rickettsial symbionts in these vectors are underexplored. Here, we present the genome of a previously uncharacterized Rickettsia endosymbiont from Culicoides newsteadi (RiCNE). This genome presents unique features potentially associated with host invasion and adaptation, including genes for the complete non-oxidative phase of the pentose phosphate pathway, and others predicted to mediate lipopolysaccharides and cell wall modification. Screening of 414 Culicoides individuals from 29 Palearctic or Afrotropical species revealed that Rickettsia represent a widespread but previously overlooked association, reaching high frequencies in midge populations and present in 38% of the species tested. Sequence typing clusters the Rickettsia within the Torix group of the genus, a group known to infect several aquatic and hematophagous taxa. FISH analysis indicated the presence of Rickettsia bacteria in ovary tissue, indicating their maternal inheritance. Given the importance of biting midges as vectors, a key area of future research is to establish the impact of this endosymbiont on vector competence.}, }
@article {pmid28803406, year = {2017}, author = {Rahimi-Kaldeh, S and Ashouri, A and Bandani, A}, title = {Does Wolbachia Infection Change the Overwintering Ability of Trichogramma brassicae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)?.}, journal = {Neotropical entomology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1007/s13744-017-0549-4}, pmid = {28803406}, issn = {1678-8052}, abstract = {The overwintering ability of a biological control agent helps predict potential survival and establishment in natural conditions. Here, we compared the overwintering ability in sexual and asexual Trichogramma brassicae Bezdenko, a key natural enemy of Lepidopteran pests in Iran over two consecutive winters in central Alborz Mountains. Our aim was to investigate the effect of Wolbachia infection on the overwintering rate of T. brassicae after emergence in the subsequent year. We also wanted to know whether there is any difference in the overwintering capacity of T. brassicae populations either in terms of exposure date or emergence date. Parasitized host eggs were exposed under outdoor conditions between 8 October and 27 November 2013 and between 8 October and 11 December 2014. Samples were checked weekly until adult emergence of overwintered individuals in the following spring, and proportion of adult emergence was recorded on each exposure date. Our results demonstrated that both populations were able to overwinter in natural conditions of central Alborz Mountains; however, sexual T. brassicae was more successful in overwintering than asexual one. No differences were observed in the emergence date and maximum emergence rate between two populations. Our study clearly identified a potential negative impact of Wolbachia on fitness of T. brassicae by a lower rate of emergence.}, }
@article {pmid28799248, year = {2018}, author = {DA Rocha, NO and Lambert, SM and Dias-Lima, AG and Julião, FS and Souza, BMPS}, title = {Molecular detection of Wolbachia pipientis in natural populations of sandfly vectors of Leishmania infantum in endemic areas: first detection in Lutzomyia longipalpis.}, journal = {Medical and veterinary entomology}, volume = {32}, number = {1}, pages = {111-114}, doi = {10.1111/mve.12255}, pmid = {28799248}, issn = {1365-2915}, abstract = {A polymerase chain reaction-based method was used to screen sandflies for infection with Wolbachia (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), an intracellular bacterial endosymbiont found in many arthropods and filarial hosts. Positive results were obtained in five of 200 field-collected sandflies and were confirmed by sequencing. All sandflies were Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) captured in a region endemic for visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil. This is the first study to identify Wolbachia infection in this Lutzomyia species, which is the main vector of leishmaniasis in the study area. The low infection rate found in this study (2.5%), together with the lack of detection of Wolbachia in previous studies and the diversity found in the sequences analysed, suggests horizontal transmission to these sandflies.}, }
@article {pmid28798323, year = {2017}, author = {Wang, L and Zhao, H and Oliva, SM and Zhu, H}, title = {Modeling the transmission and control of Zika in Brazil.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, pages = {7721}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-017-07264-y}, pmid = {28798323}, issn = {2045-2322}, abstract = {Zika virus, a reemerging mosquito-borne flavivirus, started spread across Central and Southern America and more recently to North America. The most serious impacted country is Brazil. Based on the transmission mechanism of the virus and assessment of the limited data on the reported suspected cases, we establish a dynamical model which allows us to estimate the basic reproduction number R 0 = 2.5020. The wild spreading of the virus make it a great challenge to public health to control and prevention of the virus. We formulate two control models to study the impact of releasing transgenosis mosquitoes (introducing bacterium Wolbachia into Aedes aegypti) on the transmission of Zika virus in Brazil. Our models and analysis suggest that simultaneously releasing Wolbachia-harboring female and male mosquitoes will achieve the target of population replacement, while releasing only Wolbachia-harboring male mosquitoes will suppress or even eradicate wild mosquitoes eventually. We conclude that only releasing male Wolbachia mosquitoes is a better strategy for control the spreading of Zika virus in Brazil.}, }
@article {pmid28793927, year = {2017}, author = {Duan, DY and Liu, GH and Cheng, TY and Wang, YQ}, title = {Microbial population analysis of the midgut of Melophagus ovinus via high-throughput sequencing.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {382}, doi = {10.1186/s13071-017-2323-1}, pmid = {28793927}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Acinetobacter/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Animals ; Bartonella/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; DNA, Bacterial/chemistry ; Digestive System/microbiology ; Diptera/*microbiology ; Female ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Male ; *Microbial Consortia/genetics ; Proteobacteria/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Melophagus ovinus, one of the most common haematophagous ectoparasites of sheep, can cause anaemia and reductions in weight gain, wool growth and hide value. However, no information is available about the microfloral structure of the midgut of this ectoparasite. In the present study, we investigated the microbial community structure of the midgut contents of fully engorged female and male M. ovinus using Illumina HiSeq.<br><br>RESULTS: The phylum showing the highest abundance was Proteobacteria (99.9%). The dominant bacterial genera in females and males were Bartonella, Arsenophonus and Wolbachia. Some less abundant bacterial genera were also detected, including Enterobacter, Acinetobacter, Halomonas, Shewanella, Bacillus and Staphylococcus.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Bartonella, Arsenophonus and Wolbachia were the dominant bacterial genera in the midgut of female and male M. ovinus. Although detected, Enterobacter, Acinetobacter, Halomonas, Shewanella, Bacillus and Staphylococcus showed low abundances. Importantly, this is the first report of the presence of Arsenophonus, Wolbachia, Enterobacter, Halomonas, Shewanella, Bacillus and Staphylococcus in the midgut of M. ovinus.}, }
@article {pmid28789848, year = {2017}, author = {Kageyama, D and Wang, CH and Hatakeyama, M}, title = {Wolbachia infections of the butterfly Eurema mandarina interfere with embryonic development of the sawfly Athalia rosae.}, journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology}, volume = {150}, number = {}, pages = {76-81}, doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2017.08.003}, pmid = {28789848}, issn = {1096-0805}, abstract = {Although maternally transmitted microorganisms such as Wolbachia are well known to have a variety of effects on the reproduction of diverse insect species, little is known about the underlying mechanisms of actions. Artificial transfer of Wolbachia between taxonomically distant host species may provide insights into Wolbachia-induced manipulations of hosts. Here we performed a cross-order transfer of feminizing Wolbachia derived from a butterfly, Eurema mandarina. The Wolbachia were propagated in the Eurema hecabe cell line, called NTU-YB, and then used to inject prepupal/pupal females of a Wolbachia-free hymenopteran sawfly, Athalia rosae. The 14 females that emerged as adults looked morphologically and behaviorally healthy, and ovarian development appeared normal on dissection. However, in contrast to the control, none of the 333 eggs harbored by the seven Wolbachia-injected females developed successfully. Similarly, none of the 140 eggs laid on host plant by the four Wolbachia-injected females, which were mated with males, showed any signs of development. Wolbachia infection was detected from whole-body samples of the inoculated individuals, but not from the eggs they produced. Disruption of embryonic development despite the absence of Wolbachia in the egg cytoplasm may represent a new phenotype involving maternal effects that result in female sterility.}, }
@article {pmid28786370, year = {2018}, author = {Zélé, F and Denoyelle, J and Duron, O and Rivero, A}, title = {Can Wolbachia modulate the fecundity costs of Plasmodium in mosquitoes?.}, journal = {Parasitology}, volume = {145}, number = {6}, pages = {775-782}, doi = {10.1017/S0031182017001330}, pmid = {28786370}, issn = {1469-8161}, abstract = {Vertically transmitted parasites (VTPs) such as Wolbachia are expected not only to minimize the damage they inflict on their hosts, but also to protect their hosts against the damaging effects of coinfecting parasites. By modifying the fitness costs of the infection, VTPs can therefore play an important role in the evolution and epidemiology of infectious diseases.Using a natural system, we explore the effects of a Wolbachia-Plasmodium co-infection on mosquito fecundity. While Plasmodium is known to frequently express its virulence by partially castrating its mosquito vectors, the effects of Wolbachia infections on mosquito fecundity are, in contrast, highly variable. Here, we show that Plasmodium drastically decreases the fecundity of mosquitoes by ca. 20%, and we provide the first evidence that this decrease is independent of the parasite's burden. Wolbachia, on the other hand, increases fecundity by roughly 10%, but does not alter the tolerance (fecundity-burden relationship) of mosquitoes to Plasmodium infection.Although Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes fare overall better than uninfected ones, Wolbachia does not confer a sufficiently high reproductive boost to mosquitoes to compensate for the reproductive losses inflicted by Plasmodium. We discuss the potential mechanisms and implications underlying the conflicting effects of these two parasites on mosquito reproduction.}, }
@article {pmid28776863, year = {2017}, author = {Ikeda, T and Uchiyama, I and Iwasaki, M and Sasaki, T and Nakagawa, M and Okita, K and Masui, S}, title = {Artificial acceleration of mammalian cell reprogramming by bacterial proteins.}, journal = {Genes to cells : devoted to molecular &amp; cellular mechanisms}, volume = {22}, number = {10}, pages = {918-928}, doi = {10.1111/gtc.12519}, pmid = {28776863}, issn = {1365-2443}, mesh = {Animals ; Cell Line ; Cellular Reprogramming/*genetics ; Cytoskeleton/metabolism ; Fibroblasts/cytology/metabolism ; *Genes, Bacterial ; Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/genetics/metabolism ; Mice ; Neural Stem Cells/*cytology/metabolism ; Octamer Transcription Factor-3/genetics/metabolism ; Pluripotent Stem Cells/*cytology/metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc/genetics/metabolism ; SOXB1 Transcription Factors/genetics/metabolism ; Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {The molecular mechanisms of cell reprogramming and differentiation involve various signaling factors. Small molecule compounds have been identified to artificially influence these factors through interacting cellular proteins. Although such small molecule compounds are useful to enhance reprogramming and differentiation and to show the mechanisms that underlie these events, the screening usually requires a large number of compounds to identify only a very small number of hits (e.g., one hit among several tens of thousands of compounds). Here, we show a proof of concept that xenospecific gene products can affect the efficiency of cell reprogramming to pluripotency. Thirty genes specific for the bacterium Wolbachia pipientis were forcibly expressed individually along with reprogramming factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc) that can generate induced pluripotent stem cells in mammalian cells, and eight were found to affect the reprogramming efficiency either positively or negatively (hit rate 26.7%). Mechanistic analysis suggested one of these proteins interacted with cytoskeleton to promote reprogramming. Our results raise the possibility that xenospecific gene products provide an alternative way to study the regulatory mechanism of cell identity.}, }
@article {pmid28770863, year = {2017}, author = {Marris, E}, title = {Bacteria could be key to freeing South Pacific of mosquitoes.}, journal = {Nature}, volume = {548}, number = {7665}, pages = {17-18}, doi = {10.1038/548017a}, pmid = {28770863}, issn = {1476-4687}, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology ; Animals ; Female ; Larva/microbiology ; Male ; Mosquito Vectors/*microbiology ; Pacific Islands ; Survival Rate ; Time Factors ; Wolbachia/classification/*pathogenicity ; }, }
@article {pmid28753988, year = {2017}, author = {Cordaux, R and Gilbert, C}, title = {Evolutionary Significance of Wolbachia-to-Animal Horizontal Gene Transfer: Female Sex Determination and the f Element in the Isopod Armadillidium vulgare.}, journal = {Genes}, volume = {8}, number = {7}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3390/genes8070186}, pmid = {28753988}, issn = {2073-4425}, abstract = {An increasing number of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events from bacteria to animals have been reported in the past years, many of which involve Wolbachia bacterial endosymbionts and their invertebrate hosts. Most transferred Wolbachia genes are neutrally-evolving fossils embedded in host genomes. A remarkable case of Wolbachia HGT for which a clear evolutionary significance has been demonstrated is the &quot;f element&quot;, a nuclear Wolbachia insert involved in female sex determination in the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare. The f element represents an instance of bacteria-to-animal HGT that has occurred so recently that it was possible to infer the donor (feminizing Wolbachia closely related to the wVulC Wolbachia strain of A. vulgare) and the mechanism of integration (a nearly complete genome inserted by micro-homology-mediated recombination). In this review, we summarize our current knowledge of the f element and discuss arising perspectives regarding female sex determination, unstable inheritance, population dynamics and the molecular evolution of the f element. Overall, the f element unifies three major areas in evolutionary biology: symbiosis, HGT and sex determination. Its characterization highlights the tremendous impact sex ratio distorters can have on the evolution of sex determination mechanisms and sex chromosomes in animals and plants.}, }
@article {pmid28747221, year = {2017}, author = {Montoya-Alonso, JA and Morchón, R and Falcón-Cordón, Y and Falcón-Cordón, S and Simón, F and Carretón, E}, title = {Prevalence of heartworm in dogs and cats of Madrid, Spain.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {354}, doi = {10.1186/s13071-017-2299-x}, pmid = {28747221}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Animals ; Antigens, Helminth/blood ; Cat Diseases/*epidemiology/parasitology ; Cats/parasitology ; Cities ; Dirofilaria immitis/isolation &amp; purification ; Dirofilariasis/diagnosis/*epidemiology/parasitology ; Dog Diseases/*epidemiology/parasitology ; Dogs/parasitology ; Female ; Male ; Prevalence ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Spain/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Dirofilaria immitis causes heartworm disease, a chronic and potentially fatal cardiopulmonary disease which mainly affects dogs and cats. It is present in most of Spain, due to favourable climatic factors. Madrid, located in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula, is the most highly populated city in the country. There is a lack of current data on canine heartworm and there are no published epidemiological data regarding feline heartworm in this region, therefore the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and current distribution of canine and feline dirofilariosis in the province of Madrid.<br><br>METHODS: Serum samples from 1716 dogs and 531 cats, from animals living in the metropolitan area of Madrid and adjacent areas, were studied. All the samples, either from cats and dogs, were tested for circulating D. immitis antigens using a commercial immunochromatographic test kit. Furthermore, to establish the seroprevalence of heartworm infection in cats, serological techniques for anti-D. immitis and anti-Wolbachia antibody detection were used.<br><br>RESULTS: Prevalence of D. immitis in the canine population of Madrid was 3%, showing an increase in comparison to previous data. The presence of heartworm in the city centre could be influenced by the presence of Urban Heat Islands, while the positive dogs from metropolitan and adjacent areas were mainly located under the influence of rivers. Regarding cats, 0.2% were positive to the antigens test and 7.3% were seropositive to both anti-D. immitis and Wolbachia surface protein antibodies, which demonstrate the presence of feline heartworm in Madrid. Seropositive cats were present in the same areas where positive dogs were found. Indoor/outdoor cats showed the highest seroprevalence whereas the lowest corresponded to indoor cats, demonstrating that prophylactic treatments should be carried out regardless of lifestyle. Infection was found in 2.2% of dogs and 6.7% of the cats < 1 year-old, which indicates that early preventive campaigns in puppies and kittens should be implemented.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The results point to the need for adequate prophylactic measures through the administration of macrocyclic lactones in animals living in Madrid. Veterinarians should be aware of the presence of this disease and include heartworm in the differential diagnosis when a pet presents with symptoms compatible with D. immitis.}, }
@article {pmid28734268, year = {2017}, author = {Grzywacz, A and Wyborska, D and Piwczyński, M}, title = {DNA barcoding allows identification of European Fanniidae (Diptera) of forensic interest.}, journal = {Forensic science international}, volume = {278}, number = {}, pages = {106-114}, doi = {10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.06.023}, pmid = {28734268}, issn = {1872-6283}, abstract = {In forensic entomology practice, species identification is a prerequisite for any further analysis of collected material. Although morphology-based taxonomy may be hindered by a range of factors, these are not obstacles for a molecular identification approach, so-called DNA barcoding. The Fanniidae are a dipteran family that is attracted to and breeds in decomposing animal carrion and dead human bodies. However, morphological identification of fanniids, both at adult and immature stages, is considered to be difficult, particularly for non-experts. We investigated the usefulness of molecular taxonomy methods as an alternative/supplement for morphology-based identification in European Fanniidae of forensic interest. The material used in this study was collected from various regions in Asia, Europe and North America. We sequenced a barcode region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) in 27 species. For 13 species, including some taxa breeding in dead bodies, this study describes COI sequences for the first time. Our analysis revealed that both mini-barcode and full-length COI barcode sequences give very high specimen identification success. Despite the large number of COI barcode sequences referring to Fanniidae in the BOLD and GenBank databases, previous identification of forensically relevant Fanniidae was hindered by uneven taxonomic sampling. The majority of available sequences refer to species that are not of medico-legal interest, and many species of forensic interest are unrepresented or represented only by a single sequence. Because of erroneous data that are present in depository databases, DNA barcoding must be used with caution and cannot be considered to be the sole alternative to other identification methods. Wolbachia infections in the examined material did not disrupt specimen identification. The obtained results will facilitate precise identification of European Fanniidae of forensic interest, badly preserved material with degraded DNA, as well as matching of unidentified females and immature stages to already described specimens.}, }
@article {pmid28732048, year = {2017}, author = {Silva, JBL and Magalhães Alves, D and Bottino-Rojas, V and Pereira, TN and Sorgine, MHF and Caragata, EP and Moreira, LA}, title = {Wolbachia and dengue virus infection in the mosquito Aedes fluviatilis (Diptera: Culicidae).}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {12}, number = {7}, pages = {e0181678}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0181678}, pmid = {28732048}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology/*virology ; Animals ; Brazil ; Culicidae/*microbiology/*virology ; Dengue/virology ; Dengue Virus/*pathogenicity ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/microbiology ; Insect Vectors/microbiology/virology ; Pest Control, Biological/methods ; Saliva/microbiology/virology ; Symbiosis/physiology ; Viral Load/physiology ; Virus Replication/physiology ; Wolbachia/*pathogenicity ; }, abstract = {Dengue represents a serious threat to human health, with billions of people living at risk of the disease. Wolbachia pipientis is a bacterial endosymbiont common to many insect species. Wolbachia transinfections in mosquito disease vectors have great value for disease control given the bacterium's ability to spread into wild mosquito populations, and to interfere with infections of pathogens, such as dengue virus. Aedes fluviatilis is a mosquito with a widespread distribution in Latin America, but its status as a dengue vector has not been clarified. Ae. fluviatilis is also naturally infected by the wFlu Wolbachia strain, which has been demonstrated to enhance infection with the avian malarial parasite Plasmodium gallinaceum. We performed experimental infections of Ae. fluviatilis with DENV-2 and DENV-3 isolates from Brazil via injection or oral feeding to provide insight into its competence for the virus. We also examined the effect of the native Wolbachia infection on the virus using a mosquito line where the wFlu infection had been cleared by antibiotic treatment. Through RT-qPCR, we observed that Ae. fluviatilis could become infected with both viruses via either method of infection, although at a lower rate than Aedes aegypti, the primary dengue vector. We then detected DENV-2 and DENV-3 in the saliva of injected mosquitoes, and observed that injection of DENV-3-infected saliva produced subsequent infections in naïve Ae. aegypti. However, across our data we observed no difference in prevalence of infection and viral load between Wolbachia-infected and -uninfected mosquitoes, suggesting that there is no effect of wFlu on dengue virus. Our results highlight that Ae. fluviatilis could potentially serve as a dengue vector under the right circumstances, although further testing is required to determine if this occurs in the field.}, }
@article {pmid28724736, year = {2017}, author = {Le Clec'h, W and Dittmer, J and Raimond, M and Bouchon, D and Sicard, M}, title = {Phenotypic shift in Wolbachia virulence towards its native host across serial horizontal passages.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {284}, number = {1859}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1098/rspb.2017.1076}, pmid = {28724736}, issn = {1471-2954}, mesh = {Animals ; Disease Transmission, Infectious ; Isopoda/*microbiology ; Phenotype ; *Symbiosis ; Virulence ; Wolbachia/genetics/*pathogenicity ; }, abstract = {Vertical transmission mode is predicted to decrease the virulence of symbionts. However, Wolbachia, a widespread vertically transmitted endosymbiont, exhibits both negative and beneficial effects on arthropod fitness. This 'Jekyll and Hyde' behaviour, as well as its ability to live transiently outside host cells and to establish new infections via horizontal transmission, may reflect the capacity of Wolbachia to exhibit various phenotypes depending on the prevailing environmental constraints. To study the ability of Wolbachia to readily cope with new constraints, we forced this endosymbiont to spread only via horizontal transmission. To achieve this, we performed serial horizontal transfers of haemolymph from Wolbachia-infected to naive individuals of the isopod Armadillidium vulgare. Across passages, we observed phenotypic changes in the symbiotic relationship: (i) The Wolbachia titre increased in both haemolymph and nerve cord but remained stable in ovaries; (ii) Wolbachia infection was benign at the beginning of the experiment, but highly virulent, killing most hosts after only a few passages. Such a phenotypic shift after recurrent horizontal passages demonstrates that Wolbachia can rapidly change its virulence when facing new environmental constraints. We thoroughly discuss the potential mechanism(s) underlying this phenotypic change, which are likely to be crucial for the ongoing radiation of Wolbachia in arthropods.}, }
@article {pmid28702705, year = {2018}, author = {Duplouy, A and Brattström, O}, title = {Wolbachia in the Genus Bicyclus: a Forgotten Player.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {75}, number = {1}, pages = {255-263}, doi = {10.1007/s00248-017-1024-9}, pmid = {28702705}, issn = {1432-184X}, support = {266021//Suomen Akatemia/ ; }, abstract = {Bicyclus butterflies are key species for studies of wing pattern development, phenotypic plasticity, speciation and the genetics of Lepidoptera. One of the key endosymbionts in butterflies, the alpha-Proteobacterium Wolbachia pipientis, is affecting many of these biological processes; however, Bicyclus butterflies have not been investigated systematically as hosts to Wolbachia. In this study, we screen for Wolbachia infection in several Bicyclus species from natural populations across Africa as well as two laboratory populations. Out of the 24 species tested, 19 were found to be infected, and no double infection was found, but both A- and B-supergroup strains colonise this butterfly group. We also show that many of the Wolbachia strains identified in Bicyclus butterflies belong to the ST19 clonal complex. We discuss the importance of our results in regard to routinely screening for Wolbachia when using Bicyclus butterflies as the study organism of research in eco-evolutionary biology.}, }
@article {pmid28690147, year = {2017}, author = {Soares, HS and Marcili, A and Barbieri, ARM and Minervino, AHH and Malheiros, AF and Gennari, SM and Labruna, MB}, title = {Novel Anaplasma and Ehrlichia organisms infecting the wildlife of two regions of the Brazilian Amazon.}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {174}, number = {}, pages = {82-87}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.07.006}, pmid = {28690147}, issn = {1873-6254}, mesh = {Anaplasma/*genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Animals ; Animals, Wild/*microbiology ; Brazil ; Ehrlichia/*genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Genetic Variation ; Geography ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; }, abstract = {During 2009-2012, wild animals were sampled in the Amazon biome of Brazil. Animal tissues and blood were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays targeting DNA of the bacterial family Anaplasmataceae (genera Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Wolbachia) and the genus Borrelia. Overall, 181 wild animals comprising 36 different species (2 reptiles, 5 birds, and 29 mammals) were sampled. All birds and reptiles were negative by all PCR assays, as well as all mammals for the Borrelia PCR assay. Anaplasmataceae agents were searched by PCR assays targeting two different genes, the ribosomal 16S rRNA gene and the protein-coding dsb gene. Three dsb closely related haplotypes were generated from 3 white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari). In a phylogenetic analysis inferred from dsb partial sequences, these haplotypes grouped with previously reported Ehrlichia haplotypes from jaguar (Panthera onca) and horse from Brazil, suggesting that they could all represent a single species, yet to be properly characterized. A unique dsb haplotype was generated from a sloth (Bradypus tridactylus), and could also represent a different Ehrlichia species. All these dsb haplotypes formed a clade sister to the Ehrlichia ruminantium clade. Three distinct 16S rRNA gene haplotypes were generated from a wild guinea pig (Cavia sp.), a woolly mouse opossum (Micoureus demerarae), and two from robust capuchin monkeys (Sapajus sp.). In a phylogenetic analysis inferred from 16S rRNA gene partial sequence, these haplotypes grouped within the Wolbachia clade, and are likely to represent Wolbachia organisms that were infecting invertebrate metazoarians (e.g., filarids) associated with the sampled mammals. Two deer (Mazama americana) samples yielded two distinct 16S rRNA gene sequences, one identical to several sequences of Anaplasma bovis, and an unique sequence that grouped in a clade with different Anaplasma species. Our results indicate that a variety of genetically distinct Anaplasmataceae organisms, including potentially new Ehrlichia species, circulate under natural conditions in the Amazonian wildlife.}, }
@article {pmid28680117, year = {2017}, author = {Doudoumis, V and Blow, F and Saridaki, A and Augustinos, A and Dyer, NA and Goodhead, I and Solano, P and Rayaisse, JB and Takac, P and Mekonnen, S and Parker, AG and Abd-Alla, AMM and Darby, A and Bourtzis, K and Tsiamis, G}, title = {Challenging the Wigglesworthia, Sodalis, Wolbachia symbiosis dogma in tsetse flies: Spiroplasma is present in both laboratory and natural populations.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, pages = {4699}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-017-04740-3}, pmid = {28680117}, issn = {2045-2322}, abstract = {Profiling of wild and laboratory tsetse populations using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing allowed us to examine whether the &quot;Wigglesworthia-Sodalis-Wolbachia dogma&quot; operates across species and populations. The most abundant taxa, in wild and laboratory populations, were Wigglesworthia (the primary endosymbiont), Sodalis and Wolbachia as previously characterized. The species richness of the microbiota was greater in wild than laboratory populations. Spiroplasma was identified as a new symbiont exclusively in Glossina fuscipes fuscipes and G. tachinoides, members of the palpalis sub-group, and the infection prevalence in several laboratory and natural populations was surveyed. Multi locus sequencing typing (MLST) analysis identified two strains of tsetse-associated Spiroplasma, present in G. f. fuscipes and G. tachinoides. Spiroplasma density in G. f. fuscipes larva guts was significantly higher than in guts from teneral and 15-day old male and female adults. In gonads of teneral and 15-day old insects, Spiroplasma density was higher in testes than ovaries, and was significantly higher density in live versus prematurely deceased females indicating a potentially mutualistic association. Higher Spiroplasma density in testes than in ovaries was also detected by fluorescent in situ hybridization in G. f. fuscipes.}, }
@article {pmid28667411, year = {2018}, author = {Szklarzewicz, T and Kalandyk-Kołodziejczyk, M and Michalik, K and Jankowska, W and Michalik, A}, title = {Symbiotic microorganisms in Puto superbus (Leonardi, 1907) (Insecta, Hemiptera, Coccomorpha: Putoidae).}, journal = {Protoplasma}, volume = {255}, number = {1}, pages = {129-138}, doi = {10.1007/s00709-017-1135-7}, pmid = {28667411}, issn = {1615-6102}, support = {IP2015050374//Ministerstwo Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyższego/ ; }, abstract = {The scale insect Puto superbus (Putoidae) lives in mutualistic symbiotic association with bacteria. Molecular phylogenetic analyses have revealed that symbionts of P. superbus belong to the gammaproteobacterial genus Sodalis. In the adult females, symbionts occur both in the bacteriocytes constituting compact bacteriomes and in individual bacteriocytes, which are dispersed among ovarioles. The bacteriocytes also house a few small, rod-shaped Wolbachia bacteria in addition to the numerous large, elongated Sodalis-allied bacteria. The symbiotic microorganisms are transovarially transmitted from generation to generation. In adult females which have choriogenic oocytes in the ovarioles, the bacteriocytes gather around the basal part of the tropharium. Next, the entire bacteriocytes pass through the follicular epithelium surrounding the neck region of the ovariole and enter the space between oocyte and follicular epithelium (perivitelline space). In the perivitelline space, the bacteriocytes assemble extracellularly in the deep depression of the oolemma at the anterior pole of the oocyte, forming a &quot;symbiont ball&quot;.}, }
@article {pmid28667019, year = {2017}, author = {Leung, W and Shaffer, CD and Chen, EJ and Quisenberry, TJ and Ko, K and Braverman, JM and Giarla, TC and Mortimer, NT and Reed, LK and Smith, ST and Robic, S and McCartha, SR and Perry, DR and Prescod, LM and Sheppard, ZA and Saville, KJ and McClish, A and Morlock, EA and Sochor, VR and Stanton, B and Veysey-White, IC and Revie, D and Jimenez, LA and Palomino, JJ and Patao, MD and Patao, SM and Himelblau, ET and Campbell, JD and Hertz, AL and McEvilly, MF and Wagner, AR and Youngblom, J and Bedi, B and Bettincourt, J and Duso, E and Her, M and Hilton, W and House, S and Karimi, M and Kumimoto, K and Lee, R and Lopez, D and Odisho, G and Prasad, R and Robbins, HL and Sandhu, T and Selfridge, T and Tsukashima, K and Yosif, H and Kokan, NP and Britt, L and Zoellner, A and Spana, EP and Chlebina, BT and Chong, I and Friedman, H and Mammo, DA and Ng, CL and Nikam, VS and Schwartz, NU and Xu, TQ and Burg, MG and Batten, SM and Corbeill, LM and Enoch, E and Ensign, JJ and Franks, ME and Haiker, B and Ingles, JA and Kirkland, LD and Lorenz-Guertin, JM and Matthews, J and Mittig, CM and Monsma, N and Olson, KJ and Perez-Aragon, G and Ramic, A and Ramirez, JR and Scheiber, C and Schneider, PA and Schultz, DE and Simon, M and Spencer, E and Wernette, AC and Wykle, ME and Zavala-Arellano, E and McDonald, MJ and Ostby, K and Wendland, P and DiAngelo, JR and Ceasrine, AM and Cox, AH and Docherty, JEB and Gingras, RM and Grieb, SM and Pavia, MJ and Personius, CL and Polak, GL and Beach, DL and Cerritos, HL and Horansky, EA and Sharif, KA and Moran, R and Parrish, S and Bickford, K and Bland, J and Broussard, J and Campbell, K and Deibel, KE and Forka, R and Lemke, MC and Nelson, MB and O'Keeffe, C and Ramey, SM and Schmidt, L and Villegas, P and Jones, CJ and Christ, SL and Mamari, S and Rinaldi, AS and Stity, G and Hark, AT and Scheuerman, M and Silver Key, SC and McRae, BD and Haberman, AS and Asinof, S and Carrington, H and Drumm, K and Embry, T and McGuire, R and Miller-Foreman, D and Rosen, S and Safa, N and Schultz, D and Segal, M and Shevin, Y and Svoronos, P and Vuong, T and Skuse, G and Paetkau, DW and Bridgman, RK and Brown, CM and Carroll, AR and Gifford, FM and Gillespie, JB and Herman, SE and Holtcamp, KL and Host, MA and Hussey, G and Kramer, DM and Lawrence, JQ and Martin, MM and Niemiec, EN and O'Reilly, AP and Pahl, OA and Quintana, G and Rettie, EAS and Richardson, TL and Rodriguez, AE and Rodriguez, MO and Schiraldi, L and Smith, JJ and Sugrue, KF and Suriano, LJ and Takach, KE and Vasquez, AM and Velez, X and Villafuerte, EJ and Vives, LT and Zellmer, VR and Hauke, J and Hauser, CR and Barker, K and Cannon, L and Parsamian, P and Parsons, S and Wichman, Z and Bazinet, CW and Johnson, DE and Bangura, A and Black, JA and Chevee, V and Einsteen, SA and Hilton, SK and Kollmer, M and Nadendla, R and Stamm, J and Fafara-Thompson, AE and Gygi, AM and Ogawa, EE and Van Camp, M and Kocsisova, Z and Leatherman, JL and Modahl, CM and Rubin, MR and Apiz-Saab, SS and Arias-Mejias, SM and Carrion-Ortiz, CF and Claudio-Vazquez, PN and Espada-Green, DM and Feliciano-Camacho, M and Gonzalez-Bonilla, KM and Taboas-Arroyo, M and Vargas-Franco, D and Montañez-Gonzalez, R and Perez-Otero, J and Rivera-Burgos, M and Rivera-Rosario, FJ and Eisler, HL and Alexander, J and Begley, SK and Gabbard, D and Allen, RJ and Aung, WY and Barshop, WD and Boozalis, A and Chu, VP and Davis, JS and Duggal, RN and Franklin, R and Gavinski, K and Gebreyesus, H and Gong, HZ and Greenstein, RA and Guo, AD and Hanson, C and Homa, KE and Hsu, SC and Huang, Y and Huo, L and Jacobs, S and Jia, S and Jung, KL and Wai-Chee Kong, S and Kroll, MR and Lee, BM and Lee, PF and Levine, KM and Li, AS and Liu, C and Liu, MM and Lousararian, AP and Lowery, PB and Mallya, AP and Marcus, JE and Ng, PC and Nguyen, HP and Patel, R and Precht, H and Rastogi, S and Sarezky, JM and Schefkind, A and Schultz, MB and Shen, D and Skorupa, T and Spies, NC and Stancu, G and Vivian Tsang, HM and Turski, AL and Venkat, R and Waldman, LE and Wang, K and Wang, T and Wei, JW and Wu, DY and Xiong, DD and Yu, J and Zhou, K and McNeil, GP and Fernandez, RW and Menzies, PG and Gu, T and Buhler, J and Mardis, ER and Elgin, SCR}, title = {Retrotransposons Are the Major Contributors to the Expansion of the Drosophila ananassae Muller F Element.}, journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)}, volume = {7}, number = {8}, pages = {2439-2460}, doi = {10.1534/g3.117.040907}, pmid = {28667019}, issn = {2160-1836}, support = {U54 HG003079/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; 52007051/HHMI/Howard Hughes Medical Institute/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Base Composition/genetics ; Base Sequence ; Chromosomes/*genetics ; Codon/genetics ; Drosophila/*genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Genes, Insect ; Histones/metabolism ; Protein Processing, Post-Translational/genetics ; Retroelements/*genetics ; Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {The discordance between genome size and the complexity of eukaryotes can partly be attributed to differences in repeat density. The Muller F element (∼5.2 Mb) is the smallest chromosome in Drosophila melanogaster, but it is substantially larger (>18.7 Mb) in D. ananassae To identify the major contributors to the expansion of the F element and to assess their impact, we improved the genome sequence and annotated the genes in a 1.4-Mb region of the D. ananassae F element, and a 1.7-Mb region from the D element for comparison. We find that transposons (particularly LTR and LINE retrotransposons) are major contributors to this expansion (78.6%), while Wolbachia sequences integrated into the D. ananassae genome are minor contributors (0.02%). Both D. melanogaster and D. ananassae F-element genes exhibit distinct characteristics compared to D-element genes (e.g., larger coding spans, larger introns, more coding exons, and lower codon bias), but these differences are exaggerated in D. ananassae Compared to D. melanogaster, the codon bias observed in D. ananassae F-element genes can primarily be attributed to mutational biases instead of selection. The 5' ends of F-element genes in both species are enriched in dimethylation of lysine 4 on histone 3 (H3K4me2), while the coding spans are enriched in H3K9me2. Despite differences in repeat density and gene characteristics, D. ananassae F-element genes show a similar range of expression levels compared to genes in euchromatic domains. This study improves our understanding of how transposons can affect genome size and how genes can function within highly repetitive domains.}, }
@article {pmid28663939, year = {2017}, author = {Lindsey, ARI and Stouthamer, R}, title = {Penetrance of symbiont-mediated parthenogenesis is driven by reproductive rate in a parasitoid wasp.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {5}, number = {}, pages = {e3505}, doi = {10.7717/peerj.3505}, pmid = {28663939}, issn = {2167-8359}, abstract = {Trichogramma wasps are tiny parasitoids of lepidopteran eggs, used extensively for biological control. They are often infected with the bacterial symbiont Wolbachia, which converts Trichogramma to an asexual mode of reproduction, whereby females develop from unfertilized eggs. However, this Wolbachia-induced parthenogenesis is not always complete, and previous studies have noted that infected females will produce occasional males in the lab. The conditions that reduce penetrance of the parthenogenesis phenotype are not well understood. We hypothesized that more ecologically relevant conditions of limited host access will sustain female-biased sex ratios. After restricting access to host eggs, we found a strong relationship between reproductive rate and sex ratio. By limiting reproduction to one hour a day, wasps could sustain up to 100% effective parthenogenesis for one week, with no significant impact on total fecundity. Reproductive output in the first 24-hours appears to be critical to the total sex ratio of the entire brood. Limiting oviposition in that period resulted in more effective parthenogenesis after one week, again without any significant impact on total fecundity. Our data suggest that this phenomenon may be due to the depletion of Wolbachia when oviposition occurs continuously, whereas Wolbachia titers may recover when offspring production is limited. In addition to the potential to improve mass rearing of Trichogramma for biological control, findings from this study help elucidate the context-dependent nature of a pervasive symbiotic relationship.}, }
@article {pmid28659179, year = {2017}, author = {Faddeeva-Vakhrusheva, A and Kraaijeveld, K and Derks, MFL and Anvar, SY and Agamennone, V and Suring, W and Kampfraath, AA and Ellers, J and Le Ngoc, G and van Gestel, CAM and Mariën, J and Smit, S and van Straalen, NM and Roelofs, D}, title = {Coping with living in the soil: the genome of the parthenogenetic springtail Folsomia candida.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {18}, number = {1}, pages = {493}, doi = {10.1186/s12864-017-3852-x}, pmid = {28659179}, issn = {1471-2164}, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/biosynthesis ; Arthropods/*genetics/metabolism/*physiology ; Gene Rearrangement ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; *Genomics ; Multigene Family/genetics ; Phylogeny ; *Soil ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Folsomia candida is a model in soil biology, belonging to the family of Isotomidae, subclass Collembola. It reproduces parthenogenetically in the presence of Wolbachia, and exhibits remarkable physiological adaptations to stress. To better understand these features and adaptations to life in the soil, we studied its genome in the context of its parthenogenetic lifestyle.<br><br>RESULTS: We applied Pacific Bioscience sequencing and assembly to generate a reference genome for F. candida of 221.7 Mbp, comprising only 162 scaffolds. The complete genome of its endosymbiont Wolbachia, was also assembled and turned out to be the largest strain identified so far. Substantial gene family expansions and lineage-specific gene clusters were linked to stress response. A large number of genes (809) were acquired by horizontal gene transfer. A substantial fraction of these genes are involved in lignocellulose degradation. Also, the presence of genes involved in antibiotic biosynthesis was confirmed. Intra-genomic rearrangements of collinear gene clusters were observed, of which 11 were organized as palindromes. The Hox gene cluster of F. candida showed major rearrangements compared to arthropod consensus cluster, resulting in a disorganized cluster.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The expansion of stress response gene families suggests that stress defense was important to facilitate colonization of soils. The large number of HGT genes related to lignocellulose degradation could be beneficial to unlock carbohydrate sources in soil, especially those contained in decaying plant and fungal organic matter. Intra- as well as inter-scaffold duplications of gene clusters may be a consequence of its parthenogenetic lifestyle. This high quality genome will be instrumental for evolutionary biologists investigating deep phylogenetic lineages among arthropods and will provide the basis for a more mechanistic understanding in soil ecology and ecotoxicology.}, }
@article {pmid28655666, year = {2017}, author = {Pimenta de Oliveira, S and Dantas de Oliveira, C and Viana Sant'Anna, MR and Carneiro Dutra, HL and Caragata, EP and Moreira, LA}, title = {Wolbachia infection in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes alters blood meal excretion and delays oviposition without affecting trypsin activity.}, journal = {Insect biochemistry and molecular biology}, volume = {87}, number = {}, pages = {65-74}, doi = {10.1016/j.ibmb.2017.06.010}, pmid = {28655666}, issn = {1879-0240}, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology/physiology ; Animals ; Blood ; Female ; Food Deprivation ; Gastrointestinal Tract/metabolism/physiology ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Oviposition/*physiology ; Trypsin/metabolism ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Blood feeding in Aedes aegypti is essential for reproduction, but also permits the mosquito to act as a vector for key human pathogens such as the Zika and dengue viruses. Wolbachia pipientis is an endosymbiotic bacterium that can manipulate the biology of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, making them less competent hosts for many pathogens. Yet while Wolbachia affects other aspects of host physiology, it is unclear whether it influences physiological processes associated with blood meal digestion. To that end, we examined the effects of wMel Wolbachia infection in Ae. aegypti, on survival post-blood feeding, blood meal excretion, rate of oviposition, expression levels of key genes involved in oogenesis, and activity levels of trypsin blood digestion enzymes. We observed that wMel infection altered the rate and duration of blood meal excretion, delayed the onset of oviposition and was associated with a greater number of eggs being laid later. wMel-infected Ae. aegypti also had lower levels of key yolk protein precursor genes necessary for oogenesis. However, all of these effects occurred without a change in trypsin activity. These results suggest that Wolbachia infection may disrupt normal metabolic processes associated with blood feeding and reproduction in Ae. aegypti.}, }
@article {pmid28653334, year = {2017}, author = {Joanne, S and Vythilingam, I and Teoh, BT and Leong, CS and Tan, KK and Wong, ML and Yugavathy, N and AbuBakar, S}, title = {Vector competence of Malaysian Aedes albopictus with and without Wolbachia to four dengue virus serotypes.}, journal = {Tropical medicine &amp; international health : TM &amp; IH}, volume = {22}, number = {9}, pages = {1154-1165}, doi = {10.1111/tmi.12918}, pmid = {28653334}, issn = {1365-3156}, mesh = {*Aedes/microbiology/virology ; Animals ; Bacterial Infections/complications ; Dengue/*transmission/virology ; Dengue Virus/classification/*pathogenicity ; Humans ; *Insect Vectors ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; *Serogroup ; *Virus Replication ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To determine the susceptibility status of Aedes albopictus with and without Wolbachia to the four dengue virus serotypes.<br><br>METHODS: Two newly colonised colonies of Ae. albopictus from the wild were used for the study. One colony was naturally infected with Wolbachia while in the other Wolbachia was removed by tetracycline treatment. Both colonies were orally infected with dengue virus-infected fresh blood meal. Dengue virus load was measured using quantitative RT-PCR at four-time intervals in the salivary glands, midguts and ovaries.<br><br>RESULTS: Wolbachia did not significantly affect Malaysian Ae. albopictus dengue infection or the dissemination rate for all four dengue virus serotypes. Malaysian Ae. albopictus had the highest replication kinetics for DENV-1 and the highest salivary gland and midgut infection rate for DENV-4.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Wolbachia, which naturally exists in Malaysian Ae. albopictus, does not significantly affect dengue virus replication. Malaysian Ae. albopictus is susceptible to dengue virus infections and capable of transmitting dengue virus, especially DENV-1 and DENV-4. Removal of Wolbachia from Malaysian Ae. albopictus would not reduce their susceptibility status.}, }
@article {pmid28645313, year = {2017}, author = {Dahmani, M and Davoust, B and Tahir, D and Raoult, D and Fenollar, F and Mediannikov, O}, title = {Molecular investigation and phylogeny of Anaplasmataceae species infecting domestic animals and ticks in Corsica, France.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {302}, doi = {10.1186/s13071-017-2233-2}, pmid = {28645313}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Anaplasmataceae/*classification/genetics ; Anaplasmataceae Infections/epidemiology/microbiology/transmission/*veterinary ; Animals ; Arachnid Vectors/*microbiology ; Cattle ; Cattle Diseases/epidemiology/microbiology/parasitology ; Chaperonin 60/genetics ; DNA, Bacterial/chemistry/isolation &amp; purification ; Dogs ; Female ; France/epidemiology ; Goat Diseases/epidemiology/microbiology ; Goats ; Horses ; Ixodidae/genetics/*microbiology ; Male ; Neglected Diseases/epidemiology/microbiology/veterinary ; *Phylogeny ; Prevalence ; RNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 23S/genetics ; Rhipicephalus/genetics/microbiology ; Sheep ; Sheep Diseases/epidemiology/microbiology ; Tick Infestations/epidemiology/parasitology/*veterinary ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUNDS: Corsica is a French island situated in the Mediterranean Sea. The island provides suitable natural conditions to study disease ecology, especially tick-borne diseases and emerging diseases in animals and ticks. The family Anaplasmataceae is a member of the order Rickettsiales; it includes the genera Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Neorickettsia and Wolbachia. Anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis traditionally refer to diseases caused by obligate intracellular bacteria of the genera Anaplasma and Ehrlichia. The aim of this study was to identify and estimate the prevalence of Anaplasmataceae species infecting domestic animals and ticks in Corsica.<br><br>METHODS: In this study, 458 blood samples from sheep, cattle, horses, goats, dogs, and 123 ticks removed from cattle, were collected in Corsica. Quantitative real-time PCR screening and genetic characterisation of Anaplasmataceae bacteria were based on the 23S rRNA, rpoB and groEl genes.<br><br>RESULTS: Two tick species were collected in the present study: Rhipicephalus bursa (118) and Hyalomma marginatum marginatum (5). Molecular investigation showed that 32.1% (147/458) of blood samples were positive for Anaplasmataceae infection. Anaplasma ovis was identified in 42.3% (93/220) of sheep. Anaplasma marginale was amplified from 100% (12/12) of cattle and two R. bursa (2/123). Several potentially new species were also identified: Anaplasma cf. ovis, &quot;Candidatus Anaplasma corsicanum&quot;, &quot;Candidatus Anaplasma mediterraneum&quot; were amplified from 17.3% (38/220) of sheep, and Anaplasma sp. marginale-like was amplified from 80% (4/5) of goats. Finally, one R. bursa tick was found to harbour the DNA of E. canis. All samples from horses and dogs were negative for Anaplasmataceae infection.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this study is the first epidemiological survey on Anaplasmataceae species infecting animals and ticks in Corsica and contributes toward the identification of current Anaplasmataceae species circulating in Corsica.}, }
@article {pmid28642878, year = {2017}, author = {Simón, F and González-Miguel, J and Diosdado, A and Gómez, PJ and Morchón, R and Kartashev, V}, title = {The Complexity of Zoonotic Filariasis Episystem and Its Consequences: A Multidisciplinary View.}, journal = {BioMed research international}, volume = {2017}, number = {}, pages = {6436130}, doi = {10.1155/2017/6436130}, pmid = {28642878}, issn = {2314-6141}, mesh = {Animals ; Climate ; Culicidae/microbiology/parasitology ; Dirofilaria/microbiology/pathogenicity ; Dog Diseases/epidemiology/*microbiology/parasitology/transmission ; Dogs ; Filariasis/epidemiology/microbiology/*parasitology/transmission ; Humans ; Wolbachia/pathogenicity ; Zoonoses/epidemiology/microbiology/*parasitology/transmission ; }, abstract = {Vector-borne transmitted helminthic zoonosis affects the health and economy of both developing and developed countries. The concept of episystem includes the set of biological, environmental, and epidemiological elements of these diseases in defined geographic and temporal scales. Dirofilariasis caused by different species of the genus Dirofilaria is a disease affecting domestic and wild canines and felines and man, transmitted by different species of culicid mosquitoes. This complexity is increased because Dirofilaria species harbor intracellular symbiont Wolbachia bacteriae, which play a key role in the embryogenesis and development of dirofilariae and in the inflammatory pathology of the disease. In addition, the vector transmission makes the dirofilariasis susceptible to the influence of the climate and its variations. The present review addresses the analysis of dirofilariasis from the point of view of the episystem, analyzing the complex network of interactions established between biological components, climate, and factors related to human activity, as well as the different problems they pose. The progress of knowledge on human and animal dirofilariasis is largely due to the multidisciplinary approach. Nevertheless, different aspects of the disease need to continue being investigated and cooperation between countries and specialists involved should be intensified.}, }
@article {pmid28640457, year = {2017}, author = {Ferla, MP and Brewster, JL and Hall, KR and Evans, GB and Patrick, WM}, title = {Primordial-like enzymes from bacteria with reduced genomes.}, journal = {Molecular microbiology}, volume = {105}, number = {4}, pages = {508-524}, doi = {10.1111/mmi.13737}, pmid = {28640457}, issn = {1365-2958}, mesh = {Alanine/metabolism ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Catalytic Domain ; Enzymes/*genetics ; Escherichia coli/genetics ; Genome/genetics ; Genome, Bacterial/genetics ; Lyases/*genetics/metabolism ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways ; Thermotoga maritima/genetics ; Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {The first cells probably possessed rudimentary metabolic networks, built using a handful of multifunctional enzymes. The promiscuous activities of modern enzymes are often assumed to be relics of this primordial era; however, by definition these activities are no longer physiological. There are many fewer examples of enzymes using a single active site to catalyze multiple physiologically-relevant reactions. Previously, we characterized the promiscuous alanine racemase (ALR) activity of Escherichia coli cystathionine β-lyase (CBL). Now we have discovered that several bacteria with reduced genomes lack alr, but contain metC (encoding CBL). We characterized the CBL enzymes from three of these: Pelagibacter ubique, the Wolbachia endosymbiont of Drosophila melanogaster (wMel) and Thermotoga maritima. Each is a multifunctional CBL/ALR. However, we also show that CBL activity is no longer required in these bacteria. Instead, the wMel and T. maritima enzymes are physiologically bi-functional alanine/glutamate racemases. They are not highly active, but they are clearly sufficient. Given the abundance of the microorganisms using them, we suggest that much of the planet's biochemistry is carried out by enzymes that are quite different from the highly-active exemplars usually found in textbooks. Instead, primordial-like enzymes may be an essential part of the adaptive strategy associated with streamlining.}, }
@article {pmid28636152, year = {2017}, author = {Zhang, H and Guiguet, A and Dubreuil, G and Kisiala, A and Andreas, P and Emery, RJN and Huguet, E and Body, M and Giron, D}, title = {Dynamics and origin of cytokinins involved in plant manipulation by a leaf-mining insect.}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {24}, number = {6}, pages = {1065-1078}, doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.12500}, pmid = {28636152}, issn = {1744-7917}, mesh = {Animals ; Cytokinins/*metabolism ; *Host-Parasite Interactions ; Larva/physiology ; Malus/*metabolism ; Moths/*physiology ; Plant Leaves/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Several herbivorous insects and plant-associated microorganisms control the phytohormonal balance, thus enabling them to successfully exploit the plant by inhibiting plant defenses and withdrawing plant resources for their own benefit. The leaf-mining moth Phyllonorycter blancardella modifies the cytokinin (CK) profile of mined leaf-tissues, and the insect symbiotic bacteria Wolbachia is involved in the plant manipulation to the benefit of the insect host. To gain a deeper understanding into the possible origin and dynamics of CKs, we conducted an extensive characterization of CKs in larvae and in infected apple leaves. Our results show the enhanced CK levels in mines, both on green and yellow leaves, allowing insects to control their nutritional supply under fluctuating environmental conditions. The spatial distribution of CKs within the mined leaves shows that hormone manipulation is strictly limited to the mine suggesting the absence of CK translocation from distant leaf areas toward the insect feeding site. Mass spectrometry analyses reveal that major CK types accumulating in mines and larvae are similar to what is observed for most gall-inducers, suggesting that strategies underlying the plant manipulation may be shared between herbivorous insects with distinct life histories. Results further show that CKs are detected in the highest levels in larvae, reinforcing our hypothesis that CKs accumulating in the mines originate from the insect itself. Presence of bacteria-specific methylthio-CKs is consistent with previous results suggesting that insect bacterial symbionts contribute to the observed phenotype. Our study provides key findings toward the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying this intricate plant-insect-microbe interaction.}, }
@article {pmid28632769, year = {2017}, author = {Kruse, A and Fattah-Hosseini, S and Saha, S and Johnson, R and Warwick, E and Sturgeon, K and Mueller, L and MacCoss, MJ and Shatters, RG and Cilia Heck, M}, title = {Combining 'omics and microscopy to visualize interactions between the Asian citrus psyllid vector and the Huanglongbing pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in the insect gut.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {12}, number = {6}, pages = {e0179531}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0179531}, pmid = {28632769}, issn = {1932-6203}, support = {P30 DK048520/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Apoptosis/genetics ; Citric Acid Cycle/genetics ; Citrus/microbiology ; Digestive System/metabolism/microbiology ; Down-Regulation ; Hemiptera/genetics/*microbiology ; Insect Vectors/microbiology ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Mitochondria/metabolism ; Plant Diseases/microbiology ; Proteome/*analysis ; *Proteomics ; RNA/chemistry/isolation &amp; purification/metabolism ; Rhizobiaceae/*physiology ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; *Transcriptome ; Up-Regulation ; }, abstract = {Huanglongbing, or citrus greening disease, is an economically devastating bacterial disease of citrus. It is associated with infection by the gram-negative bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas). CLas is transmitted by Diaphorina citri, the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). For insect transmission to occur, CLas must be ingested during feeding on infected phloem sap and cross the gut barrier to gain entry into the insect vector. To investigate the effects of CLas exposure at the gut-pathogen interface, we performed RNAseq and mass spectrometry-based proteomics to analyze the transcriptome and proteome, respectively, of ACP gut tissue. CLas exposure resulted in changes in pathways involving the TCA cycle, iron metabolism, insecticide resistance and the insect's immune system. We identified 83 long non-coding RNAs that are responsive to CLas, two of which appear to be specific to the ACP. Proteomics analysis also enabled us to determine that Wolbachia, a symbiont of the ACP, undergoes proteome regulation when CLas is present. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) confirmed that Wolbachia and CLas inhabit the same ACP gut cells, but do not co-localize within those cells. Wolbachia cells are prevalent throughout the gut epithelial cell cytoplasm, and Wolbachia titer is more variable in the guts of CLas exposed insects. CLas is detected on the luminal membrane, in puncta within the gut epithelial cell cytoplasm, along actin filaments in the gut visceral muscles, and rarely, in association with gut cell nuclei. Our study provides a snapshot of how the psyllid gut copes with CLas exposure and provides information on pathways and proteins for targeted disruption of CLas-vector interactions at the gut interface.}, }
@article {pmid28623959, year = {2017}, author = {Pacidônio, EC and Caragata, EP and Alves, DM and Marques, JT and Moreira, LA}, title = {The impact of Wolbachia infection on the rate of vertical transmission of dengue virus in Brazilian Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {296}, doi = {10.1186/s13071-017-2236-z}, pmid = {28623959}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology/virology ; Animals ; Dengue/microbiology/*transmission/virology ; Dengue Virus/*physiology ; Female ; Humans ; *Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Insect Vectors/microbiology/virology ; Larva ; Likelihood Functions ; Viral Load ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia pipientis is a common endosymbiotic bacterium of arthropods that strongly inhibits dengue virus (DENV) infection and transmission in the primary vector, the mosquito Aedes aegypti. For that reason, Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti are currently being released into the field as part of a novel strategy to reduce DENV transmission. However, there is evidence that DENV can be transmitted vertically from mother to progeny, and this may help the virus persist in nature in the absence of regular human transmission. The effect of Wolbachia infection on this process had not previously been examined.<br><br>RESULTS: We challenged Ae. aegypti with different Brazilian DENV isolates either by oral feeding or intrathoracic injection to ensure disseminated infection. We examined the effect of Wolbachia infection on the prevalence of DENV infection, and viral load in the ovaries. For orally infected mosquitoes, Wolbachia decreased the prevalence of infection by 71.29%, but there was no such effect when the virus was injected. Interestingly, regardless of the method of infection, Wolbachia infection strongly reduced DENV load in the ovaries. We then looked at the effect of Wolbachia on vertical transmission, where we observed only very low rates of vertical transmission. There was a trend towards lower rates in the presence of Wolbachia, with overall maximum likelihood estimate of infection rates of 5.04 per 1000 larvae for mosquitoes without Wolbachia, and 1.93 per 1000 larvae for Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, after DENV injection. However, this effect was not statistically significant.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our data support the idea that vertical transmission of DENV is rare in nature, even in the absence of Wolbachia. Indeed, we observed that vertical transmission rates were low even when the midgut barrier was bypassed, which might help to explain why we only observed a trend towards lower vertical transmission rates in the presence of Wolbachia. Nevertheless, the low prevalence of disseminated DENV infection and lower DENV load in the ovaries supports the hypothesis that the presence of Wolbachia in Ae. aegypti would have an effect on the vertical transmission of DENV in the field.}, }
@article {pmid28618183, year = {2017}, author = {Hussain, M and Akutse, KS and Ravindran, K and Lin, Y and Bamisile, BS and Qasim, M and Dash, CK and Wang, L}, title = {Effects of different temperature regimes on survival of Diaphorina citri and its endosymbiotic bacterial communities.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {19}, number = {9}, pages = {3439-3449}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.13821}, pmid = {28618183}, issn = {1462-2920}, mesh = {Animals ; China ; Citrus/*parasitology ; Halomonadaceae/genetics/*growth &amp; development ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; Hot Temperature ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; Wolbachia/genetics/*growth &amp; development ; }, abstract = {The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, is a major pest of citrus and vector of citrus greening (huanglongbing) in Asian. In our field-collected psyllid samples, we discovered that Fuzhou (China) and Faisalabad (Pakistan), populations harbored an obligate primary endosymbiont Candidatus Carsonella (gen. nov.) with a single species, Candidatus Carsonella ruddii (sp. nov.) and a secondary endosymbiont, Wolbachia surface proteins (WSP) which are intracellular endosymbionts residing in the bacteriomes. Responses of these symbionts to different temperatures were examined and their host survival assessed. Diagnostic PCR assays showed that the endosymbionts infection rates were not significantly reduced in both D. citri populations after 24 h exposure to cold or heat treatments. Although quantitative PCR assays showed significant reduction of WSP relative densities at 40°C for 24 h, a substantial decrease occurred as the exposure duration increased beyond 3 days. Under the same temperature regimes, Ca. C. ruddii density was initially less affected during the first exposure day, but rapidly reduced at 3-5 days compared to WSP. However, the mortality of the psyllids increased rapidly as exposure time to heat treatment increased. The responses of the two symbionts to unfavorable temperature regimes highlight the complex host-symbionts interactions between D. citri and its associated endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid28617844, year = {2017}, author = {Bhattacharya, T and Newton, ILG and Hardy, RW}, title = {Wolbachia elevates host methyltransferase expression to block an RNA virus early during infection.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {13}, number = {6}, pages = {e1006427}, doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1006427}, pmid = {28617844}, issn = {1553-7374}, support = {P40 OD018537/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; R01 GM084947/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI121849/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases/genetics/*metabolism ; Drosophila Proteins/genetics/*metabolism ; Drosophila melanogaster/*enzymology/microbiology/physiology/*virology ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Sindbis Virus/*physiology ; Symbiosis ; Virus Replication ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis is an intracellular endosymbiont known to confer host resistance against RNA viruses in insects. However, the causal mechanism underlying this antiviral defense remains poorly understood. To this end, we have established a robust arthropod model system to study the tripartite interaction involving Sindbis virus and Wolbachia strain wMel within its native host, Drosophila melanogaster. By leveraging the power of Drosophila genetics and a parallel, highly tractable D. melanogaster derived JW18 cell culture system, we determined that in addition to reducing infectious virus production, Wolbachia negatively influences Sindbis virus particle infectivity. This is further accompanied by reductions in viral transcript and protein levels. Interestingly, unchanged ratio of proteins to viral RNA copies suggest that Wolbachia likely does not influence the translational efficiency of viral transcripts. Additionally, expression analyses of candidate host genes revealed D. melanogaster methyltransferase gene Mt2 as an induced host factor in the presence of Wolbachia. Further characterization of viral resistance in Wolbachia-infected flies lacking functional Mt2 revealed partial recovery of virus titer relative to wild-type, accompanied by complete restoration of viral RNA and protein levels, suggesting that Mt2 acts at the stage of viral genome replication. Finally, knockdown of Mt2 in Wolbachia uninfected JW18 cells resulted in increased virus infectivity, thus demonstrating its previously unknown role as an antiviral factor against Sindbis virus. In conclusion, our findings provide evidence supporting the role of Wolbachia-modulated host factors towards RNA virus resistance in arthropods, alongside establishing Mt2's novel antiviral function against Sindbis virus in D. melanogaster.}, }
@article {pmid28612849, year = {2017}, author = {Hansen, AK and Skidmore, IH}, title = {Psyllids, It's What's on the Inside That Counts: Community Cross Talk Facilitates Prophage Interactions.}, journal = {mSphere}, volume = {2}, number = {3}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1128/mSphere.00227-17}, pmid = {28612849}, issn = {2379-5042}, abstract = {Despite the availability of massive microbial community data sets (e.g., metagenomes), there is still a lack of knowledge on what molecular mechanisms facilitate cross talk between microbes and prophage within a community context. A study published in mSphere by Jain and colleagues (M. Jain, L. A. Fleites, and D. W. Gabriel, mSphere 2:e00171-17, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1128/mSphereDirect.00171-17) reports on an intriguing new twist of how a prophage of the bacterium &quot;Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus&quot; may have its lytic cycle suppressed partly because of a protein that is expressed by a cooccurring bacterium, Wolbachia. Both of these microbes coexist along with other microbial tenants inside their sap-feeding insect host, a psyllid. Although these results are still preliminary and alternative hypotheses need to be tested, these results suggest an interesting new dimension on how regulation of microbial genomes occurs in a community context.}, }
@article {pmid28611731, year = {2017}, author = {Crainey, JL and Hurst, J and Lamberton, PHL and Cheke, RA and Griffin, CE and Wilson, MD and de Araújo, CPM and Basáñez, MG and Post, RJ}, title = {The Genomic Architecture of Novel Simulium damnosum Wolbachia Prophage Sequence Elements and Implications for Onchocerciasis Epidemiology.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {8}, number = {}, pages = {852}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2017.00852}, pmid = {28611731}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Research interest in Wolbachia is growing as new discoveries and technical advancements reveal the public health importance of both naturally occurring and artificial infections. Improved understanding of the Wolbachia bacteriophages (WOs) WOcauB2 and WOcauB3 [belonging to a sub-group of four WOs encoding serine recombinases group 1 (sr1WOs)], has enhanced the prospect of novel tools for the genetic manipulation of Wolbachia. The basic biology of sr1WOs, including host range and mode of genomic integration is, however, still poorly understood. Very few sr1WOs have been described, with two such elements putatively resulting from integrations at the same Wolbachia genome loci, about 2 kb downstream from the FtsZ cell-division gene. Here, we characterize the DNA sequence flanking the FtsZ gene of wDam, a genetically distinct line of Wolbachia isolated from the West African onchocerciasis vector Simulium squamosum E. Using Roche 454 shot-gun and Sanger sequencing, we have resolved >32 kb of WO prophage sequence into three contigs representing three distinct prophage elements. Spanning ≥36 distinct WO open reading frame gene sequences, these prophage elements correspond roughly to three different WO modules: a serine recombinase and replication module (sr1RRM), a head and base-plate module and a tail module. The sr1RRM module contains replication genes and a Holliday junction recombinase and is unique to the sr1 group WOs. In the extreme terminal of the tail module there is a SpvB protein homolog-believed to have insecticidal properties and proposed to have a role in how Wolbachia parasitize their insect hosts. We propose that these wDam prophage modules all derive from a single WO genome, which we have named here sr1WOdamA1. The best-match database sequence for all of our sr1WOdamA1-predicted gene sequences was annotated as of Wolbachia or Wolbachia phage sourced from an arthropod. Clear evidence of exchange between sr1WOdamA1 and other Wolbachia WO phage sequences was also detected. These findings provide insights into how Wolbachia could affect a medically important vector of onchocerciasis, with potential implications for future control methods, as well as supporting the hypothesis that Wolbachia phages do not follow the standard model of phage evolution.}, }
@article {pmid28609446, year = {2017}, author = {Murray, RL and Herridge, EJ and Ness, RW and Bussière, LF}, title = {Are sex ratio distorting endosymbionts responsible for mating system variation among dance flies (Diptera: Empidinae)?.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {12}, number = {6}, pages = {e0178364}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0178364}, pmid = {28609446}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; Biological Evolution ; Diptera/classification/*microbiology ; Female ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Linear Models ; Male ; Reproduction ; Rickettsia/*physiology ; Sex Ratio ; Species Specificity ; Spiroplasma/*physiology ; *Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Maternally inherited bacterial endosymbionts are common in many arthropod species. Some endosymbionts cause female-biased sex ratio distortion in their hosts that can result in profound changes to a host's mating behaviour and reproductive biology. Dance flies (Diptera: Empidinae) are well known for their unusual reproductive biology, including species with female-specific ornamentation and female-biased lek-like swarming behaviour. The cause of the repeated evolution of female ornaments in these flies remains unknown, but is probably associated with female-biased sex ratios in individual species. In this study we assessed whether dance flies harbour sex ratio distorting endosymbionts that might have driven these mating system evolutionary changes. We measured the incidence and prevalence of infection by three endosymbionts that are known to cause female-biased sex ratios in other insect hosts (Wolbachia, Rickettsia and Spiroplasma) across 20 species of dance flies. We found evidence of widespread infection by all three symbionts and variation in sex-specific prevalence across the taxa sampled. However, there was no relationship between infection prevalence and adult sex ratio measures and no evidence that female ornaments are associated with high prevalences of sex-biased symbiont infections. We conclude that the current distribution of endosymbiont infections is unlikely to explain the diversity in mating systems among dance fly species.}, }
@article {pmid28608866, year = {2017}, author = {Jain, M and Fleites, LA and Gabriel, DW}, title = {A Small Wolbachia Protein Directly Represses Phage Lytic Cycle Genes in &quot;Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus&quot; within Psyllids.}, journal = {mSphere}, volume = {2}, number = {3}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1128/mSphereDirect.00171-17}, pmid = {28608866}, issn = {2379-5042}, abstract = {Huanglongbing (HLB) is a severe disease of citrus caused by an uncultured alphaproteobacterium &quot;Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus&quot; and transmitted by Asian citrus psyllids (Diaphorina citri). Two prophage genomes, SC1 and SC2, integrated in &quot;Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus&quot; strain UF506 were described previously, and very similar prophages are found resident in the majority of &quot;Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus&quot; strains described worldwide. The SC1 lytic cycle is marked by upregulation of prophage late genes, including a functional holin (SC1_gp110); these late genes are activated when &quot;Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus&quot; is in planta, but not when infecting the psyllid host. We previously reported that the holin promoter is strongly and constitutively active in Liberibacter crescens (a cultured proxy for uncultured &quot;Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus&quot;) but is suppressed in a dose-dependent manner by crude aqueous extracts from D. citri applied exogenously. Here we report that the suppressor activity of the crude psyllid extract was heat labile and abolished by proteinase K treatment, indicating a proteinaceous repressor and of a size smaller than 30 kDa. The repressor was affinity captured from D. citri aqueous extracts using biotinylated holin promoter DNA immobilized on magnetic beads and subjected to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Protein database interrogation was used to identify a small DNA-binding protein encoded by a gene carried by Wolbachia strain wDi, a resident endosymbiont of D. citri as the repressor. The in vitro-translated Wolbachia repressor protein was able to penetrate L. crescens cells, bind to &quot;Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus&quot; promoter DNA, and partially suppress holin promoter-driven β-glucuronidase (GUS) activity, indicating potential involvement of an additional interacting partner(s) or posttranslational modification(s) for complete suppression. Expression of the Wolbachia repressor protein appeared to be constitutive irrespective of &quot;Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus&quot; infection status of the insect host. IMPORTANCE Host acquisition of a new microbial species can readily perturb the dynamics of preexisting microbial associations. Molecular cross talk between microbial associates may be necessary for efficient resource allocation and enhanced survival. Classic examples involve quorum sensing (QS), which detects population densities and is both used and coopted to control expression of bacterial genes, including host adaptation factors. We report that a 56-amino-acid repressor protein made by the resident psyllid endosymbiont Wolbachia can enter cells of Liberibacter crescens, a cultured proxy for the uncultured psyllid endosymbiont &quot;Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus&quot; and repress &quot;Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus&quot; phage lytic cycle genes. Such repression in &quot;Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus&quot; may be critical to survival of both endosymbionts, since phage-mediated lysis would likely breach the immunogenic threshold of the psyllid, invoking a systemic and nonspecific innate immune reaction.}, }
@article {pmid28606944, year = {2017}, author = {Emerson, KJ and Glaser, RL}, title = {Cytonuclear Epistasis Controls the Density of Symbiont Wolbachia pipientis in Nongonadal Tissues of Mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus.}, journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)}, volume = {7}, number = {8}, pages = {2627-2635}, doi = {10.1534/g3.117.043422}, pmid = {28606944}, issn = {2160-1836}, mesh = {Animals ; Chromosome Mapping ; Culex/*microbiology ; *Epistasis, Genetic ; Female ; Gonads/*microbiology ; Inheritance Patterns/genetics ; Male ; Quantitative Trait Loci/genetics ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; Wolbachia/*genetics/*growth &amp; development ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis, a bacterial symbiont infecting arthropods and nematodes, is vertically transmitted through the female germline and manipulates its host's reproduction to favor infected females. Wolbachia also infects somatic tissues where it can cause nonreproductive phenotypes in its host, including resistance to viral pathogens. Wolbachia-mediated phenotypes are strongly associated with the density of Wolbachia in host tissues. Little is known, however, about how Wolbachia density is regulated in native or heterologous hosts. Here, we measure the broad-sense heritability of Wolbachia density among families in field populations of the mosquito Culex pipiens, and show that densities in ovary and nongonadal tissues of females in the same family are not correlated, suggesting that Wolbachia density is determined by distinct mechanisms in the two tissues. Using introgression analysis between two different strains of the closely related species C. quinquefasciatus, we show that Wolbachia densities in ovary tissues are determined primarily by cytoplasmic genotype, while densities in nongonadal tissues are determined by both cytoplasmic and nuclear genotypes and their epistatic interactions. Quantitative-trait-locus mapping identified two major-effect quantitative-trait loci in the C. quinquefasciatus genome explaining a combined 23% of variance in Wolbachia density, specifically in nongonadal tissues. A better understanding of how Wolbachia density is regulated will provide insights into how Wolbachia density can vary spatiotemporally in insect populations, leading to changes in Wolbachia-mediated phenotypes such as viral pathogen resistance.}, }
@article {pmid28603242, year = {2017}, author = {Torres-Román, JS and Bazalar-Palacios, J and Ruiz, EF and Avilez, JL and Rodríguez-Morales, AJ}, title = {[New strategies for the eradication of Aedes aegypti: what challenges do we face in Latin America?].}, journal = {Le infezioni in medicina : rivista periodica di eziologia, epidemiologia, diagnostica, clinica e terapia delle patologie infettive}, volume = {25}, number = {2}, pages = {193-194}, pmid = {28603242}, issn = {1124-9390}, mesh = {*Aedes/genetics/microbiology ; Animals ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; Arbovirus Infections/prevention &amp; control/transmission ; Endemic Diseases ; Humans ; *Insect Vectors ; Latin America ; Mosquito Control/economics/*methods ; Pest Control, Biological/economics/*methods ; Wolbachia/physiology ; }, abstract = {Not available.}, }
@article {pmid28600214, year = {2017}, author = {Globisch, D and Eubanks, LM and Shirey, RJ and Pfarr, KM and Wanji, S and Debrah, AY and Hoerauf, A and Janda, KD}, title = {Validation of onchocerciasis biomarker N-acetyltyramine-O-glucuronide (NATOG).}, journal = {Bioorganic &amp; medicinal chemistry letters}, volume = {27}, number = {15}, pages = {3436-3440}, doi = {10.1016/j.bmcl.2017.05.082}, pmid = {28600214}, issn = {1464-3405}, mesh = {Animals ; Biomarkers/urine ; Chromatography, Liquid/methods ; Glucuronides/metabolism/*urine ; Humans ; Limit of Detection ; Mass Spectrometry/*methods ; Metabolomics/methods ; Neglected Diseases/metabolism/*urine ; Onchocerca volvulus/*isolation &amp; purification/metabolism ; Onchocerciasis/metabolism/*urine ; Tyramine/*analogs &amp; derivatives/metabolism/urine ; }, abstract = {The Neglected Tropical Disease onchocerciasis is a parasitic disease. Despite many control programmes by the World Health Organization (WHO), large communities in West and Central Africa are still affected. Besides logistic challenges during biannual mass drug administration, the lack of a robust, point-of-care diagnostic is limiting successful eradication of onchocerciasis. Towards the implementation of a non-invasive and point-of-care diagnostic, we have recently reported the discovery of the biomarker N-acetyltyramine-O-glucuronide (NATOG) in human urine samples using a metabolomics-mining approach. NATOG's biomarker value was enhanced during an investigation in a rodent model. Herein, we further detail the specificity of NATOG in active onchocerciasis infections as well as the co-infecting parasites Loa loa and Mansonella perstans. Our results measured by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) reveal elevated NATOG values in mono- and co-infection samples only in the presence of the nematode Onchocerca volvulus. Metabolic pathway investigation of l-tyrosine/tyramine in all investigated nematodes uncovered an important link between the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia and O. volvulus for the biosynthesis of NATOG. Based on these extended studies, we suggest NATOG as a biomarker for tracking active onchocerciasis infections and provide a threshold concentration value of NATOG for future diagnostic tool development.}, }
@article {pmid28599659, year = {2017}, author = {Duchemin, JB and Mee, PT and Lynch, SE and Vedururu, R and Trinidad, L and Paradkar, P}, title = {Zika vector transmission risk in temperate Australia: a vector competence study.}, journal = {Virology journal}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {108}, doi = {10.1186/s12985-017-0772-y}, pmid = {28599659}, issn = {1743-422X}, mesh = {Animals ; Australia ; Climate ; Disease Transmission, Infectious ; Gastrointestinal Tract/*virology ; Humans ; Mosquito Vectors/*virology ; RNA, Viral/*analysis/genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Risk Assessment ; Saliva/*virology ; Zika Virus/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Zika Virus Infection/transmission ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Zika virus is an emerging pathogen of global importance. It has been responsible for recent outbreaks in the Americas and in the Pacific region. This study assessed five different mosquito species from the temperate climatic zone in Australia and included Aedes albopictus as a potentially invasive species.<br><br>METHODS: Mosquitoes were orally challenged by membrane feeding with Zika virus strain of Cambodia 2010 origin, belonging to the Asian clade. Virus infection and dissemination were assessed by quantitative PCR on midgut and carcass after dissection. Transmission was assessed by determination of cytopathogenic effect of saliva (CPE) on Vero cells, followed by determination of 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) for CPE positive samples. Additionally, the presence of Wolbachia endosymbiont infection was assessed by qPCR and standard PCR.<br><br>RESULTS: Culex mosquitoes were found unable to present Zika virus in saliva, as demonstrated by molecular as well as virological methods. Aedes aegypti, was used as a positive control for Zika infection and showed a high level of virus infection, dissemination and transmission. Local Aedes species, Ae. notoscriptus and, to a lesser degree, Ae. camptorhynchus were found to expel virus in their saliva and contained viral nucleic acid within the midgut. Molecular assessment identified low or no dissemination for these species, possibly due to low virus loads. Ae. albopictus from Torres Strait islands origin was shown as an efficient vector. Cx quinquefasciatus was shown to harbour Wolbachia endosymbionts at high prevalence, whilst no Wolbachia was found in Cx annulirostris. The Australian Ae. albopictus population was shown to harbour Wolbachia at high frequency.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The risk of local Aedes species triggering large Zika epidemics in the southern parts of Australia is low. The potentially invasive Ae. albopictus showed high prevalence of virus in the saliva and constitutes a potential threat if this mosquito species becomes established in mainland Australia. Complete risk analysis of Zika transmission in the temperate zone would require an assessment of the impact of temperature on Zika virus replication within local and invasive mosquito species.}, }
@article {pmid28596296, year = {2017}, author = {Camacho, M and Oliva, M and Serbus, LR}, title = {Dietary saccharides and sweet tastants have differential effects on colonization of Drosophila oocytes by Wolbachia endosymbionts.}, journal = {Biology open}, volume = {6}, number = {7}, pages = {1074-1083}, doi = {10.1242/bio.023895}, pmid = {28596296}, issn = {2046-6390}, support = {R25 GM061347/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia bacteria are widespread, maternally transmitted endosymbionts of insects. Maintenance of sufficient Wolbachia titer in maternal germline cells is required for transmission efficacy. The mechanisms that regulate Wolbachia titer are not well understood; however, dietary sucrose was reported to elevate oocyte Wolbachia titer in Drosophila melanogaster whereas dietary yeast decreased oocyte titer. To further investigate how oocyte Wolbachia titer is controlled, this study analyzed the response of wMel Wolbachia to diets enriched in an array of natural sugars and other sweet tastants. Confocal imaging of D. melanogaster oocytes showed that food enriched in dietary galactose, lactose, maltose and trehalose elevated Wolbachia titer. However, oocyte Wolbachia titers were unaffected by exposure to the sweet tastants lactulose, erythritol, xylitol, aspartame and saccharin as compared to the control. Oocyte size was generally non-responsive to the nutrient-altered diets. Ovary size, however, was consistently smaller in response to all sugar- and sweetener-enriched diets. Furthermore, most dietary sugars administered in tandem with dietary yeast conferred complete rescue of oocyte titer suppression by yeast. All diets dually enriched in yeast and sugar also rescued yeast-associated ovary volume changes. This indicates oocyte colonization by Wolbachia to be a nutritionally sensitive process regulated by multiple mechanistic inputs.}, }
@article {pmid28592678, year = {2017}, author = {Gupta, V and Vasanthakrishnan, RB and Siva-Jothy, J and Monteith, KM and Brown, SP and Vale, PF}, title = {The route of infection determines Wolbachia antibacterial protection in Drosophila.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {284}, number = {1856}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1098/rspb.2017.0809}, pmid = {28592678}, issn = {1471-2954}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Infections/*microbiology ; Disease Resistance ; Drosophila Proteins/physiology ; Drosophila melanogaster/*microbiology ; Male ; *Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Bacterial symbionts are widespread among metazoans and provide a range of beneficial functions. Wolbachia-mediated protection against viral infection has been extensively demonstrated in Drosophila. In mosquitoes that are artificially transinfected with Drosophila melanogaster Wolbachia (wMel), protection from both viral and bacterial infections has been demonstrated. However, no evidence for Wolbachia-mediated antibacterial protection has been demonstrated in Drosophila to date. Here, we show that the route of infection is key for Wolbachia-mediated antibacterial protection. Drosophila melanogaster carrying Wolbachia showed reduced mortality during enteric-but not systemic-infection with the opportunist pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosaWolbachia-mediated protection was more pronounced in male flies and is associated with increased early expression of the antimicrobial peptide Attacin A, and also increased expression of a reactive oxygen species detoxification gene (Gst D8). These results highlight that the route of infection is important for symbiont-mediated protection from infection, that Wolbachia can protect hosts by eliciting a combination of resistance and disease tolerance mechanisms, and that these effects are sexually dimorphic. We discuss the importance of using ecologically relevant routes of infection to gain a better understanding of symbiont-mediated protection.}, }
@article {pmid28587661, year = {2017}, author = {Morrow, JL and Hall, AAG and Riegler, M}, title = {Symbionts in waiting: the dynamics of incipient endosymbiont complementation and replacement in minimal bacterial communities of psyllids.}, journal = {Microbiome}, volume = {5}, number = {1}, pages = {58}, doi = {10.1186/s40168-017-0276-4}, pmid = {28587661}, issn = {2049-2618}, mesh = {Alphaproteobacteria/classification/isolation &amp; purification ; Animals ; Bacteria/*classification/isolation &amp; purification ; Gammaproteobacteria/classification/isolation &amp; purification ; Hemiptera/classification/*growth &amp; development/microbiology ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing/*methods ; Host Specificity ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA/*methods ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Obligate bacterial primary (P-) endosymbionts that are maternally inherited and codiverge with hosts are widespread across insect lineages with nutritionally restricted diets. Secondary (S-) endosymbionts are mostly facultative, but in some hosts, they complement P-endosymbiont function and therefore become obligate. Phylogenetic evidence exists for host switching and replacement of S-endosymbionts. The community dynamics that precede endosymbiont replacement and complementation have been little studied across host species, yet they are fundamental to the evolution of endosymbiosis.<br><br>RESULTS: We performed bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of 25 psyllid species (Hemiptera, Psylloidea) across different developmental stages and ecological niches by focusing on the characterisation of the bacteria other than the universally present P-endosymbiont Carsonella (Gammaproteobacteria). Most species harboured only one dominant representative of diverse gammaproteobacterial S-endosymbionts that was consistently detected across all host individuals and populations (Arsenophonus in eight species, Sodalis or Sodalis-like bacteria in four species, unclassified Enterobacteriaceae in eight species). The identity of this dominant obligate S-endosymbiont varied across closely related host species. Unexpectedly, five psyllid species had two or three co-occurring endosymbiont species other than Carsonella within all host individuals, including a Rickettsiella-like bacterium (Gammaproteobacteria) in one psyllid species. Based on standard and quantitative PCR, all psyllids carried Carsonella, at higher titres than their dominant S-endosymbionts. Some psyllids also had Alphaproteobacteria (Lariskella, Rickettsia, Wolbachia) at varying prevalence. Incidence of other bacteria, including known plant pathogens, was low. Ecological niche of gall-forming, lerp-forming and free-living psyllid species did not impact endosymbiont communities. Two flush-feeding psyllid species had population-specific differences, and this was attributable to the higher endosymbiont diversity in native ranges and the absence of some endosymbionts in invasive ranges.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our data support the hypothesis of strict vertical transmission of minimal core communities of bacteria in psyllids. We also found evidence for S-endosymbiont replacement across closely related psyllid species. Multiple dominant S-endosymbionts present in some host species, including at low titre, constitute potential examples of incipient endosymbiont complementation or replacement. Our multiple comparisons of deep-sequenced minimal insect bacterial communities exposed the dynamics involved in shaping insect endosymbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid28586142, year = {2017}, author = {Rull, J and Tadeo, E and Lasa, R and Rodríguez, CL and Altuzar-Molina, A and Aluja, M}, title = {Experimental hybridization and reproductive isolation between two sympatric species of tephritid fruit flies in the Anastrepha fraterculus species group.}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.12489}, pmid = {28586142}, issn = {1744-7917}, abstract = {Among tephritid fruit flies, hybridization has been found to produce local adaptation and speciation, and in the case of pest species, induce behavioral and ecological alterations that can adversely impact efficient pest management. The fraterculus species group within Anastrepha (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a rapidly radiating aggregate, which includes cryptic species complexes, numerous sister species, and several pest species. Molecular studies have highlighted the possibility of introgression between A. fraterculus and A. obliqua. Reproductive isolation has been studied among morphotypes of the A. fraterculus species complex as a tool for species delimitation. Here we examined the existence and strength of prezygotic and postzygotic isolation between sympatric populations of two closely related species within the highly derived fraterculus group (A. fraterculus and A. obliqua), coexisting in nature. Although adults of both species showed a strong tendency for assortative mating, a small proportion of hybrid pairings in both directions were observed. We also observed asymmetric postzygotic isolation, with one hybrid cross displaying a strong reduction in fecundity and F1 egg fertility. Survival was greater for the progeny of homotypic and hybrid crosses in the maternal host. There was a marked female biased sex ratio distortion for both F1 hybrid adults. Hybridization between A. fraterculus and A. obliqua in nature may be difficult but possible; these two species display stronger reproductive isolation than all pairs of species previously examined in the A. fraterculus species complex. Asymmetric postzygotic isolation is suggestive of Wolbachia mediated cytoplasmic incompatibilities that may be exploited in area-wide pest management.}, }
@article {pmid28579427, year = {2017}, author = {Telschow, A and Grziwotz, F and Crain, P and Miki, T and Mains, JW and Sugihara, G and Dobson, SL and Hsieh, CH}, title = {Infections of Wolbachia may destabilize mosquito population dynamics.}, journal = {Journal of theoretical biology}, volume = {428}, number = {}, pages = {98-105}, doi = {10.1016/j.jtbi.2017.05.016}, pmid = {28579427}, issn = {1095-8541}, mesh = {Aedes/microbiology ; Animals ; Culicidae/*microbiology ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/*microbiology ; Models, Biological ; Nonlinear Dynamics ; Population Dynamics ; Time Factors ; Wolbachia/*growth &amp; development ; }, abstract = {Recent efforts in controlling mosquito-borne diseases focus on biocontrol strategies that incapacitate pathogens inside mosquitoes by altering the mosquito's microbiome. A case in point is the introduction of Wolbachia into natural mosquito populations in order to eliminate Dengue virus. However, whether this strategy can successfully control vector-borne diseases is debated; particularly, how artificial infection affects population dynamics of hosts remains unclear. Here, we show that natural Wolbachia infections are associated with unstable mosquito population dynamics by contrasting Wolbachia-infected versus uninfected cage populations of the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus). By analyzing weekly data of adult mosquito abundances, we found that the variability of the infected populations is significantly higher than that of the uninfected. The elevated population variability is explained by increased instability in dynamics, as quantified by system nonlinearity (i.e., state-dependence). In addition, predictability of infected populations is substantially lower. A mathematical model analysis suggests that Wolbachia may alter mosquito population dynamics by modifying larval competition of hosts. These results encourage examination for effects of artificial Wolbachia establishment on mosquito populations, because an enhancement of population variability with reduced predictability could pose challenges in management. Our findings have implications for application of microbiome alterations in biocontrol programs.}, }
@article {pmid28577575, year = {2017}, author = {Minard, G and Tran Van, V and Tran, FH and Melaun, C and Klimpel, S and Koch, LK and Ly Huynh Kim, K and Huynh Thi Thuy, T and Tran Ngoc, H and Potier, P and Mavingui, P and Valiente Moro, C}, title = {Identification of sympatric cryptic species of Aedes albopictus subgroup in Vietnam: new perspectives in phylosymbiosis of insect vector.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {276}, doi = {10.1186/s13071-017-2202-9}, pmid = {28577575}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Aedes/anatomy &amp; histology/*classification/genetics/*microbiology ; Animals ; Bacteria/*classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Biodiversity ; Culicidae ; Insect Vectors/classification/*microbiology ; Microbiota ; Mitochondria ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Symbiosis ; Vietnam ; Wolbachia/classification/pathogenicity ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus subgroup includes 11 cryptic species of which Ae. albopictus is the most widely distributed. Its global expansion associated with a documented vector competence for several emerging arboviruses raise obvious concerns in the recently colonized regions. While several studies have provided important insights regarding medical importance of Ae. albopicus, the investigations of the other sibling species are scarce. In Asia, indigenous populations within the Ae. albopictus subgroup can be found in sympatry. In the present study, we aimed to describe and compare molecular, morphological and bacterial symbionts composition among sympatric individuals from the Ae. albopictus subgroup inhabiting a Vietnamese protected area.<br><br>RESULTS: Based on morphological structure of the cibarial armarture, we identified a cryptic species in the forest park at Bù Gia Mập in the south-eastern region of Vietnam. Analysis of nuclear (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and mitochondrial (cox1, nad5) markers confirmed the divergence between the cryptic species and Ae. albopictus. Analysis of midgut bacterial microbiota revealed a strong similarity among the two species with a notable difference; contrary to Ae. albopictus, the cryptic species did not harbour any Wolbachia infection.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: These results could reflect either a recent invasion of Wolbachia in Ae. albopictus or alternatively a loss of this symbiont in the cryptic species. We argue that neglected species of the Ae. albopictus subgroup are of main importance in order to estimate variation of host-symbionts interactions across evolution.}, }
@article {pmid28573466, year = {2018}, author = {Zheng, B and Tang, M and Yu, J and Qiu, J}, title = {Wolbachia spreading dynamics in mosquitoes with imperfect maternal transmission.}, journal = {Journal of mathematical biology}, volume = {76}, number = {1-2}, pages = {235-263}, doi = {10.1007/s00285-017-1142-5}, pmid = {28573466}, issn = {1432-1416}, support = {201409945004//China Scholarship Council/ ; 11301103//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 91230104//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 11471085//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 11631005//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 11626246//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; Y12013131//Department of Education of Guangdong Province/ ; IRT_16R16//Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University/ ; }, abstract = {Mosquitoes are primary vectors of life-threatening diseases such as dengue, malaria, and Zika. A new control method involves releasing mosquitoes carrying bacterium Wolbachia into the natural areas to infect wild mosquitoes and block disease transmission. In this work, we use differential equations to describe Wolbachia spreading dynamics, focusing on the poorly understood effect of imperfect maternal transmission. We establish two useful identities and employ them to prove that the system exhibits monomorphic, bistable, and polymorphic dynamics, and give sufficient and necessary conditions for each case. The results suggest that the largest maternal transmission leakage rate supporting Wolbachia spreading does not necessarily increase with the fitness of infected mosquitoes. The bistable dynamics is defined by the existence of two stable equilibria, whose basins of attraction are divided by the separatrix of a saddle point. By exploring the analytical property of the separatrix with some sharp estimates, we find that Wolbachia in a completely infected population could be wiped out ultimately if the initial population size is small. Surprisingly, when the infection shortens the lifespan of infected females that would impede Wolbachia spreading, such a reversion phenomenon does not occur.}, }
@article {pmid28570608, year = {2017}, author = {Jiggins, FM}, title = {The spread of Wolbachia through mosquito populations.}, journal = {PLoS biology}, volume = {15}, number = {6}, pages = {e2002780}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pbio.2002780}, pmid = {28570608}, issn = {1545-7885}, mesh = {Aedes/growth &amp; development/immunology/*microbiology/virology ; Animal Distribution ; Animals ; Biological Control Agents/adverse effects/*immunology/isolation &amp; purification ; California ; Colony Collapse ; Dengue/prevention &amp; control/transmission ; Drosophila simulans/growth &amp; development/immunology/microbiology ; Female ; *Global Health ; Humans ; Male ; Mosquito Vectors/immunology/*microbiology/virology ; Queensland ; Rickettsiaceae Infections/immunology/microbiology/transmission ; *Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/growth &amp; development/*immunology/isolation &amp; purification/pathogenicity ; Zika Virus Infection/prevention &amp; control/transmission ; }, abstract = {In many regions of the world, mosquito-borne viruses pose a growing threat to human health. As an alternative to traditional control measures, the bacterial symbiont Wolbachia has been transferred from Drosophila into the mosquito Aedes aegypti, where it can block the transmission of dengue and Zika viruses. A recent paper has reported large-scale releases of Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti in the city of Cairns, Australia. Wolbachia, which is maternally transmitted, invaded and spread through the populations due to a sperm-egg incompatibility called cytoplasmic incompatibility. Over a period of 2 years, a wave of Wolbachia infection slowly spread out from 2 release sites, demonstrating that it will be possible to deploy this strategy in large urban areas. In line with theoretical predictions, Wolbachia infection at a third, smaller release site collapsed due to the immigration of Wolbachia-free mosquitoes from surrounding areas. This remarkable field experiment has both validated theoretical models of Wolbachia population dynamics and demonstrated that this is a viable strategy to modify mosquito populations.}, }
@article {pmid28566542, year = {2017}, author = {Miyata, M and Konagaya, T and Yukuhiro, K and Nomura, M and Kageyama, D}, title = {Wolbachia-induced meiotic drive and feminization is associated with an independent occurrence of selective mitochondrial sweep in a butterfly.}, journal = {Biology letters}, volume = {13}, number = {5}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1098/rsbl.2017.0153}, pmid = {28566542}, issn = {1744-957X}, mesh = {Animals ; Butterflies ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; Female ; Feminization ; Male ; Mitochondria ; Sex Ratio ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Maternally inherited Wolbachia endosymbionts manipulate arthropod reproduction in various ways. In the butterfly Eurema mandarina, a cytoplasmic incompatibility-inducing Wolbachia strain wCI and the associated mtDNA haplotypes are known to originate from the sister species Eurema hecabe, which offered a good case study for microbe-mediated hybrid introgression. Besides wCI, some females with the Z0 karyotype harbour a distinct Wolbachia strain wFem, which causes all-female production by meiotic drive and feminization. We report that a considerable proportion of E. mandarina females (65.7%) were infected with both wCI and wFem (CF) on Tanegashima Island. While females singly infected with wCI (C) produced offspring at a 1 : 1 sex ratio, CF females produced only females. Although Z-linked sequence polymorphism showed no signs of divergence between C and CF females, mtDNA split into two discrete clades; one consisted of C females and the other CF females, both of which formed a clade with E. hecabe but not with uninfected E. mandarina This suggests that CF matrilines also, but independently, experienced a selective sweep after hybrid introgression from E. hecabe Distinct evolutionary forces were suggested to have caused C and CF matrilines to diverge, which would be irreversible because of the particular phenotype of wFem.}, }
@article {pmid28558804, year = {2017}, author = {Buhagiar, TS and Devine, GJ and Ritchie, SA}, title = {Metofluthrin: investigations into the use of a volatile spatial pyrethroid in a global spread of dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {270}, doi = {10.1186/s13071-017-2219-0}, pmid = {28558804}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Aedes/*drug effects/physiology/virology ; Animals ; Chikungunya Fever/*prevention &amp; control/transmission/virology ; Chikungunya virus/physiology ; Cyclopropanes/chemistry/*pharmacology ; Dengue/prevention &amp; control/*transmission/virology ; Dengue Virus/physiology ; Female ; Fluorobenzenes/chemistry/*pharmacology ; Insect Repellents/*pharmacology ; Insect Vectors/*drug effects/physiology/virology ; Mosquito Control/instrumentation/*methods ; Zika Virus/physiology ; Zika Virus Infection/*prevention &amp; control/transmission/virology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Metofluthrin reduces biting activity in Aedes aegypti through the confusion, knockdown, and subsequent kill of a mosquito. A geographical spread in dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses, increases intervention demands. Response to a Zika outbreak may require a different strategy than dengue, as high-risk individuals, specifically pregnant women, need to be targeted.<br><br>METHODS: In semi-field conditions within a residential property in Cairns, Queensland, the impacts of metofluthrin on biting behaviour of free-flying Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti were evaluated.<br><br>RESULTS: Mortality in Ae. aegypti exposed to metofluthrin over a 22 h period was 100% compared to 2.7% in an untreated room. No biting activity was observed in mosquitoes up to 5 m from the emanator after 10 min of metofluthrin exposure. Use of metofluthrin reduced biting activity up to 8 m, regardless of the host's proximity (near or far) to a dark harbourage area (HA) (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.006), respectively. In the presence or absence of the metofluthrin emanator, the host was most likely bitten when located immediately next to a HA (within 1 m) versus 8 m away from the HA (P = 0.006). The addition of a ceiling fan (0.8 m/s airflow) prevented all biting activity after 10 min of metofluthrin exposure. Previously unexposed Ae. aegypti were less likely to reach the host in a metofluthrin-treated room [Formula: see text]= 31%) compared to an untreated room ([Formula: see text]) (P < 0.0001). In a treated room, if the mosquito had not reached the host within 30 s, they never would. Upon activation, the time required for metofluthrin to infiltrate protected locations within a room causing knockdown in caged mosquitoes, required more time than exposed locations (P < 0.003); however exposed and protected locations do eventually reach equilibrium, affecting mosquitoes equally throughout the room.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Metofluthrin is effective in interrupting indoor host-seeking in Ae. aegypti. Metofluthrin's efficacy is increased by centrally locating the emanator in the room, and by using a fan to increase airflow. Newly treated rooms may require a period of 2-4 h for sufficient distribution of the metofluthrin into protected locations where mosquitoes may be resting.}, }
@article {pmid28557993, year = {2017}, author = {Schmidt, TL and Barton, NH and Rašić, G and Turley, AP and Montgomery, BL and Iturbe-Ormaetxe, I and Cook, PE and Ryan, PA and Ritchie, SA and Hoffmann, AA and O'Neill, SL and Turelli, M}, title = {Local introduction and heterogeneous spatial spread of dengue-suppressing Wolbachia through an urban population of Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {PLoS biology}, volume = {15}, number = {5}, pages = {e2001894}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pbio.2001894}, pmid = {28557993}, issn = {1545-7885}, support = {R01 GM104325/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Aedes/growth &amp; development/*microbiology/physiology/virology ; Animals ; *Biological Control Agents/isolation &amp; purification ; Colony Collapse/microbiology/virology ; Computer Heuristics ; Dengue/*prevention &amp; control/transmission/virology ; Dengue Virus/growth &amp; development/isolation &amp; purification/*physiology ; Disease Vectors ; Female ; Global Health ; Health Transition ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Male ; *Models, Biological ; Parks, Recreational ; Queensland ; Spatio-Temporal Analysis ; *Urbanization ; Wolbachia/growth &amp; development/isolation &amp; purification/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Dengue-suppressing Wolbachia strains are promising tools for arbovirus control, particularly as they have the potential to self-spread following local introductions. To test this, we followed the frequency of the transinfected Wolbachia strain wMel through Ae. aegypti in Cairns, Australia, following releases at 3 nonisolated locations within the city in early 2013. Spatial spread was analysed graphically using interpolation and by fitting a statistical model describing the position and width of the wave. For the larger 2 of the 3 releases (covering 0.97 km2 and 0.52 km2), we observed slow but steady spatial spread, at about 100-200 m per year, roughly consistent with theoretical predictions. In contrast, the smallest release (0.11 km2) produced erratic temporal and spatial dynamics, with little evidence of spread after 2 years. This is consistent with the prediction concerning fitness-decreasing Wolbachia transinfections that a minimum release area is needed to achieve stable local establishment and spread in continuous habitats. Our graphical and likelihood analyses produced broadly consistent estimates of wave speed and wave width. Spread at all sites was spatially heterogeneous, suggesting that environmental heterogeneity will affect large-scale Wolbachia transformations of urban mosquito populations. The persistence and spread of Wolbachia in release areas meeting minimum area requirements indicates the promise of successful large-scale population transformation.}, }
@article {pmid28542621, year = {2017}, author = {Tamura, M and Kageyama, D and Honda, N and Fujimoto, H and Kato, A}, title = {Enzymatic activity necessary to restore the lethality due to Escherichia coli RNase E deficiency is distributed among bacteria lacking RNase E homologues.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {12}, number = {5}, pages = {e0177915}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0177915}, pmid = {28542621}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; Computer Simulation ; Endoribonucleases/chemistry/deficiency/genetics/*metabolism ; Escherichia coli/enzymology/*genetics ; Female ; *Genetic Engineering ; Mutation ; Phenotype ; *Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/enzymology ; }, abstract = {Escherichia coli RNase E (Eco-RNase E), encoded by rne (Eco-rne), is considered the global RNA decay initiator. Although Eco-RNase E is an essential gene product in E. coli, some bacterial species, such as Bacillus subtilis, do not possess Eco-RNase E sequence homologues. B. subtilis instead possesses RNase J1/J2 (Bsu-RNase J1/J2) and RNase Y (Bsu-RNase Y) to execute RNA decay. Here we found that E. coli lacking the Eco-rne gene (Δrne E. coli) was viable conditional on M9 minimal media by introducing Bsu-RNase J1/J2 or Bsu-RNase Y. We also cloned an extremely short Eco-RNase E homologue (Wpi-RNase E) and a canonical sized Bsu-RNase J1/J2 homologue (Wpi-RNase J) from Wolbachia pipientis, an α-proteobacterial endosymbiont of arthropods. We found that Wpi-RNase J restored the colony-forming ability (CFA) of Δrne E. coli, whereas Wpi-RNase E did not. Unexpectedly, Wpi-RNase E restored defective CFA due to lack of Eco-RNase G, a paralogue of Eco-RNase E. Our results indicate that bacterial species that lack Eco-RNase E homologues or bacterial species that possess Eco-RNase E homologues which lack Eco-RNase E-like activities have a modest Eco-RNase E-like function using RNase J and/or RNase Y. These results suggest that Eco-RNase E-like activities might distribute among a wide array of bacteria and that functions of RNases may have changed dynamically during evolutionary divergence of bacterial lineages.}, }
@article {pmid28542240, year = {2017}, author = {Tan, CH and Wong, PJ and Li, MI and Yang, H and Ng, LC and O'Neill, SL}, title = {wMel limits zika and chikungunya virus infection in a Singapore Wolbachia-introgressed Ae. aegypti strain, wMel-Sg.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {11}, number = {5}, pages = {e0005496}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0005496}, pmid = {28542240}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology/*virology ; Animals ; Bacterial Infections ; Chikungunya Fever/*epidemiology ; Chikungunya virus/*isolation &amp; purification ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Tract/virology ; Humans ; Male ; Microbial Interactions ; Salivary Glands/virology ; Singapore/epidemiology ; Viral Load ; Wolbachia/*growth &amp; development ; Zika Virus/*isolation &amp; purification ; Zika Virus Infection/*epidemiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Zika (ZIKV) and Chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses are emerging Aedes-borne viruses that are spreading outside their known geographic range and causing wide-scale epidemics. It has been reported that these viruses can be transmitted efficiently by Ae. aegypti. Recent studies have shown that Ae. aegypti when transinfected with certain Wolbachia strains shows a reduced replication and dissemination of dengue (DENV), Chikungunya (CHIKV), and Yellow Fever (YFV) viruses. The aim of this study was to determine whether the wMel strain of Wolbachia introgressed onto a Singapore Ae. aegypti genetic background was able to limit ZIKV and CHIKV infection in the mosquito.<br><br>Five to seven-day old mosquitoes either infected or uninfected with wMel Wolbachia were orally infected with a Ugandan strain of ZIKV and several outbreak strains of CHIKV. The midgut and salivary glands of each mosquito were sampled at days 6, 9 and 13 days post infectious blood meal to determine midgut infection and salivary glands dissemination rates, respectively. In general, all wild type Ae. aegypti were found to have high ZIKV and CHIKV infections in their midguts and salivary glands, across all sampling days, compared to Wolbachia infected counterparts. Median viral titre for all viruses in Wolbachia infected mosquitoes were significantly lower across all time points when compared to wild type mosquitoes. Most significantly, all but two and one of the wMel infected mosquitoes had no detectable ZIKV and CHIKV, respectively, in their salivary glands at 14 days post-infectious blood meal.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that wMel limits both ZIKV and CHIKV infection when introgressed into a Singapore Ae. aegypti genetic background. These results also strongly suggest that female Aedes aegypti carrying Wolbachia will have a reduced capacity to transmit ZIKV and CHIKV.}, }
@article {pmid28534089, year = {2017}, author = {Hubert, J and Erban, T and Kopecky, J and Sopko, B and Nesvorna, M and Lichovnikova, M and Schicht, S and Strube, C and Sparagano, O}, title = {Comparison of Microbiomes between Red Poultry Mite Populations (Dermanyssus gallinae): Predominance of Bartonella-like Bacteria.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {74}, number = {4}, pages = {947-960}, doi = {10.1007/s00248-017-0993-z}, pmid = {28534089}, issn = {1432-184X}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Bartonella/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Czech Republic ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; *Microbiota ; Mites/growth &amp; development/*microbiology ; RNA, Bacterial/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Species Specificity ; }, abstract = {Blood feeding red poultry mites (RPM) serve as vectors of pathogenic bacteria and viruses among vertebrate hosts including wild birds, poultry hens, mammals, and humans. The microbiome of RPM has not yet been studied by high-throughput sequencing. RPM eggs, larvae, and engorged adult/nymph samples obtained in four poultry houses in Czechia were used for microbiome analyses by Illumina amplicon sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene V4 region. A laboratory RPM population was used as positive control for transcriptome analysis by pyrosequencing with identification of sequences originating from bacteria. The samples of engorged adult/nymph stages had 100-fold more copies of 16S rRNA gene copies than the samples of eggs and larvae. The microbiome composition showed differences among the four poultry houses and among observed developmental stadia. In the adults' microbiome 10 OTUs comprised 90 to 99% of all sequences. Bartonella-like bacteria covered between 30 and 70% of sequences in RPM microbiome and 25% bacterial sequences in transcriptome. The phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed two distinct groups of Bartonella-like bacteria forming sister groups: (i) symbionts of ants; (ii) Bartonella genus. Cardinium, Wolbachia, and Rickettsiella sp. were found in the microbiomes of all tested stadia, while Spiroplasma eriocheiris and Wolbachia were identified in the laboratory RPM transcriptome. The microbiomes from eggs, larvae, and engorged adults/nymphs differed. Bartonella-like symbionts were found in all stadia and sampling sites. Bartonella-like bacteria was the most diversified group within the RPM microbiome. The presence of identified putative pathogenic bacteria is relevant with respect to human and animal health issues while the identification of symbiontic bacteria can lead to new control methods targeting them to destabilize the arthropod host.}, }
@article {pmid28533374, year = {2017}, author = {Takano, SI and Tuda, M and Takasu, K and Furuya, N and Imamura, Y and Kim, S and Tashiro, K and Iiyama, K and Tavares, M and Amaral, AC}, title = {Unique clade of alphaproteobacterial endosymbionts induces complete cytoplasmic incompatibility in the coconut beetle.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {114}, number = {23}, pages = {6110-6115}, doi = {10.1073/pnas.1618094114}, pmid = {28533374}, issn = {1091-6490}, mesh = {Alphaproteobacteria/genetics/metabolism/*pathogenicity ; Animals ; Arthropods/genetics ; Bacteroidetes/genetics ; Biological Control Agents ; Coleoptera/metabolism/*microbiology ; Cytoplasm/microbiology ; Extrachromosomal Inheritance ; Genetic Speciation ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Reproduction ; Reproductive Isolation ; Symbiosis/physiology ; Wolbachia/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Maternally inherited bacterial endosymbionts in arthropods manipulate host reproduction to increase the fitness of infected females. Cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is one such manipulation, in which uninfected females produce few or no offspring when they mate with infected males. To date, two bacterial endosymbionts, Wolbachia and Cardinium, have been reported as CI inducers. Only Wolbachia induces complete CI, which causes 100% offspring mortality in incompatible crosses. Here we report a third CI inducer that belongs to a unique clade of Alphaproteobacteria detected within the coconut beetle, Brontispa longissima This beetle comprises two cryptic species, the Asian clade and the Pacific clade, which show incompatibility in hybrid crosses. Different bacterial endosymbionts, a unique clade of Alphaproteobacteria in the Pacific clade and Wolbachia in the Asian clade, induced bidirectional CI between hosts. The former induced complete CI (100% mortality), whereas the latter induced partial CI (70% mortality). Illumina MiSeq sequencing and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis patterns showed that the predominant bacterium detected in the Pacific clade of B. longissima was this unique clade of Alphaproteobacteria alone, indicating that this endosymbiont was responsible for the complete CI. Sex distortion did not occur in any of the tested crosses. The 1,160 bp of 16S rRNA gene sequence obtained for this endosymbiont had only 89.3% identity with that of Wolbachia, indicating that it can be recognized as a distinct species. We discuss the potential use of this bacterium as a biological control agent.}, }
@article {pmid28506794, year = {2017}, author = {Suh, E and Mercer, DR and Dobson, SL}, title = {Life-shortening Wolbachia infection reduces population growth of Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {172}, number = {}, pages = {232-239}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.05.015}, pmid = {28506794}, issn = {1873-6254}, support = {R01 AI067434/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology/physiology ; Animals ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Larva/microbiology ; Population Growth ; Survival Analysis ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia bacteria are being introduced into natural populations of vector mosquitoes, with the goal of reducing the transmission of human diseases such as Zika and dengue fever. The successful establishment of Wolbachia infection is largely dependent on the effects of Wolbachia infection to host fitness, but the effects of Wolbachia infection on the individual life-history traits of immature mosquitoes can vary. Here, the effects of life-shortening Wolbachia (wMelPop) on population growth of infected individuals were evaluated by measuring larval survival, developmental time and adult size of Aedes aegypti in intra- (infected or uninfected only) and inter-group (mixed with infected and uninfected) larval competition assays. At low larval density conditions, the population growth of wMelPop infected and uninfected individuals was similar. At high larval densities, wMelPop infected individuals had a significantly reduced population growth rate relative to uninfected individuals, regardless of competition type. We discuss the results in relation to the invasion of the wMelPop Wolbachia infection into naturally uninfected populations.}, }
@article {pmid28505369, year = {2017}, author = {Tsugeno, Y and Koyama, H and Takamatsu, T and Nakai, M and Kunimi, Y and Inoue, MN}, title = {Identification of an Early Male-Killing Agent in the Oriental Tea Tortrix, Homona magnanima.}, journal = {The Journal of heredity}, volume = {108}, number = {5}, pages = {553-560}, doi = {10.1093/jhered/esx049}, pmid = {28505369}, issn = {1465-7333}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Japan ; Male ; Moths/drug effects/*microbiology/*physiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; *Sex Ratio ; Spiroplasma/genetics/*physiology ; Symbiosis ; Tetracycline/pharmacology ; Wolbachia/physiology ; }, abstract = {Arthropods are frequently infected with inherited symbionts, which sometimes confer fitness benefits on female hosts or manipulate host reproduction. Early male killing, in which infected males die during embryogenesis, is induced by some bacteria, such as Wolbachia and Spiroplasma. A female-biased sex ratio has been found in Homona magnanima, collected from a tea plantation in Japan. Here, we examined the male-killing trait in H. magnanima and identified the agent that induces early male killing. The sex ratio distortion (SR) strain produced only females and no males, and its egg hatch rate was significantly lower than that of the normal (N) strain. The N strain was infected with only Wolbachia, whereas the SR strain was infected with both Wolbachia and Spiroplasma. Antibiotic treatment with 0.10% tetracycline restored the 1:1 sex ratio in the SR strain. Females treated with 0.05% tetracycline were positive for Spiroplasma but not for Wolbachia and showed a female-biased sex ratio, whereas Wolbachia-positive females did not revert to male killing. When inoculated with a homogenate of the SR strain female, females infected with only Spiroplasma produced female-biased offspring. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that Spiroplasma sp. of H. magnanima belonged to the ixodetis clade. These results indicate that Spiroplasma was responsible for male killing in H. magnanima. Late male killing is induced in H. magnanima by an RNA-like virus, and therefore this is the first case in which different male-killing agents expressed at different times in the life cycle have been found within one host species.}, }
@article {pmid28505238, year = {2017}, author = {Karut, K and Mete Karaca, M and Döker, I and Kazak, C}, title = {Analysis of Species, Subgroups, and Endosymbionts of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) From Southwestern Cotton Fields in Turkey.}, journal = {Environmental entomology}, volume = {46}, number = {4}, pages = {1035-1040}, doi = {10.1093/ee/nvx093}, pmid = {28505238}, issn = {1938-2936}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; *Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; Female ; Gossypium/growth &amp; development ; Hemiptera/*classification/*microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; *Symbiosis ; Turkey ; }, abstract = {Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is one of the most important insect pests worldwide including Turkey. Although there are substantial data regarding species composition of Turkish B. tabaci populations, the situation is still not clear and further investigations are needed. Therefore, in this study, species and subgroups of B. tabaci collected from cotton fields in southwestern part of Turkey (Antalya, Aydın, Denizli, and Muğla) were determined using microsatellite analysis, AluI-based mtCOI polymerase chain reaction-random length polymorphism, and sequencing. Secondary endosymbionts were also determined using diagnostic species-specific PCR. Middle East Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1), Mediterranean (MED) Q1, and MED Q2 were the species and subgroups found in this study. The MED species (85.3%) were found to be more dominant than MEAM1. Species status of B. tabaci varied depending on the location. Although all samples collected from Aydın were found to be Q1, three species and subgroups were found in Muğla. Secondary endosymbionts varied according to species and subgroups. Arsenophonus was found only from Q2, while Hamiltonella was detected in MEAM1 and Q1. In addition, high Rickettsia and low Wolbachia infections were detected in MEAM1 and Q1 populations, respectively. In conclusion, for the first time, we report the presence and symbiotic communities of Q1 from Turkey. We also found that the symbiont complement of the Q1 is more congruent with Q1 from Greece than other regions of the world, which may have some interesting implications for movement of this invasive subgroup.}, }
@article {pmid28490339, year = {2017}, author = {Nugapola, NWNP and De Silva, WAPP and Karunaratne, SHPP}, title = {Distribution and phylogeny of Wolbachia strains in wild mosquito populations in Sri Lanka.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {230}, doi = {10.1186/s13071-017-2174-9}, pmid = {28490339}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Aedes/microbiology ; Animals ; Anopheles/microbiology ; Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/genetics ; Chaperonin 60/genetics ; Culex/microbiology ; Culicidae/*microbiology ; Mosquito Vectors/*microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Sri Lanka ; Wolbachia/*classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia are a group of maternally inherited intracellular bacteria known to be widespread among arthropods. Infections with Wolbachia cause declines of host populations, and also induce host resistance to a wide range of pathogens. Over the past few decades, researchers were curious to use Wolbachia as a biological tool to control mosquito vectors. During the present study, assessment of the prevalence of Wolbachia infections among wild mosquito populations in Sri Lanka where mosquito-borne diseases are a major health concern, was carried out for the first time. DNA was extracted from the abdomens of mosquitoes, collected from seven provinces, and screened for the presence of Wolbachia by PCR using wsp and groE primers. Group-specific and strain-specific primers were used to classify Wolbachia into the supergroups A and B, and into the strains Mel, AlbA and Pip.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 330 individual mosquitoes belonging to 22 species and 7 genera were screened. Eighty-seven mosquitoes (26.36%) belonging to four species (i.e. Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus, Armigeres subalbatus and Mansonia uniformis) were positive for Wolbachia infections. Primary vector of the dengue fever, Ae. aegypti was negative for Wolbachia infections while the secondary vector, Ae. albopictus, showed a very high infection rate. The filarial vector C. quinquefasciatus had a relatively high rate of infection. Japanese encephalitis vectors C. gelidus and C. triteaneorynchus, and the Anopheles vectors of malaria were negative for Wolbachia infections. Nine sequences of Wolbachia-positive PCR products were deposited in the GenBank and compared with other available data. Aedes albopictus was infected with both Wolbachia strains A (AlbA) and B (Pip) supergroups. Phylogenetic analysis of the wsp sequences showed two major branches confirming identities obtained from the PCR screening with strain-specific primers.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Wolbachia infections were found only among four mosquito species in Sri Lanka: Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus, Armigeres subalbatus and Mansonia uniformis. Sequence data showed high haplotype diversity among the Wolbachia strains.}, }
@article {pmid28486424, year = {2017}, author = {Fenner, J and Seltzer, J and Peyton, S and Sullivan, H and Tolson, P and Walsh, RP and Hill, J and Counterman, BA}, title = {Demographic Variation of Wolbachia Infection in the Endangered Mitchell's Satyr Butterfly.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {8}, number = {2}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3390/insects8020050}, pmid = {28486424}, issn = {2075-4450}, abstract = {The Mitchell's satyr, Neonympha mitchellii, is an endangered species that is limited to highly isolated habitats in the northern and southern United States. Conservation strategies for isolated endangered species often implement captive breeding and translocation programs for repopulation. However, these programs risk increasing the spread of harmful pathogens, such as the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia. Wolbachia can manipulate the host's reproduction leading to incompatibilities between infected and uninfected hosts. This study uses molecular methods to screen for Wolbachia presence across the distribution of the Mitchell's satyr and its subspecies, St. Francis satyr, which are both federally listed as endangered and are considered two of the rarest butterflies in North America. The screens confirmed the presence of Wolbachia in the northern and newly discovered southern populations of the Mitchell's satyr, but not in the St. Francis satyr population. These results combined with previous reports of Wolbachia in N. mitchellii, highlight that Wolbachia infection varies both geographically and temporally in satyr populations. The temporal variance shows the importance of continued monitoring of Wolbachia infection during conservation programs. To reduce the risk of reproductive incompatibilities, it is advised that all individuals collected for conservation purposes be screened for Wolbachia and recommended to avoid the use of infected individuals for captive breeding and translocation programs.}, }
@article {pmid28477267, year = {2017}, author = {Toribio-Fernández, R and Bella, JL and Martínez-Rodríguez, P and Funkhouser-Jones, LJ and Bordenstein, SR and Pita, M}, title = {Chromosomal localization of Wolbachia inserts in the genomes of two subspecies of Chorthippus parallelus forming a Pyrenean hybrid zone.}, journal = {Chromosome research : an international journal on the molecular, supramolecular and evolutionary aspects of chromosome biology}, volume = {25}, number = {3-4}, pages = {215-225}, doi = {10.1007/s10577-017-9557-9}, pmid = {28477267}, issn = {1573-6849}, support = {P30 DK058404/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; R21 HD086833/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Chromosomes, Bacterial ; *Genome, Insect ; Grasshoppers/*genetics ; Heterochromatin ; *Hybridization, Genetic ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Male ; *Mutagenesis, Insertional ; *Polytene Chromosomes ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Wolbachia/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are endosymbiotic bacteria of arthropods and nematodes that can manipulate the reproduction of various host organisms to facilitate their own maternal transmission. Moreover, Wolbachia's presence in host germ cells may contribute to the many cases of lateral gene transfer from Wolbachia to host genomes that have been described. A previous study in Chorthippus parallelus, a well-known orthopteroid forming a hybrid zone in the Pyrenees, identified Wolbachia sequences from two major supergroups in the genomes of infected and uninfected Chorthippus parallelus parallelus (Cpp) and Chorthippus parallelus erythropus (Cpe) subspecies. In this study, we map the Wolbachia genomic inserts to specific regions on the chromosomes of Cpp and Cpe by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) using tyramides to increase the accuracy and detection of these insertions. Additionally, we consider some of the possible roles that these bacterial inserts play in the organization and function of the grasshopper genome, as well as how they can serve as markers for phylogenetic relationships of these organisms.}, }
@article {pmid28471518, year = {2017}, author = {Li, S and Zhou, C and Chen, G and Zhou, Y}, title = {Bacterial microbiota in small brown planthopper populations with different rice viruses.}, journal = {Journal of basic microbiology}, volume = {57}, number = {7}, pages = {590-596}, doi = {10.1002/jobm.201700004}, pmid = {28471518}, issn = {1521-4028}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Hemiptera/*microbiology/virology ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Insect Vectors/*microbiology/virology ; *Microbiota/genetics ; Oryza ; Plant Viruses/isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; *Symbiosis ; Tenuivirus/isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; Wolbachia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {The small brown planthopper (SBPH) is an important virus vector, transmitting Rice stripe virus (RSV), and Rice black-streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV). Insect symbionts play an essential role in the insect fitness, however, it is still unclear about their contributions to viral transmission by SBPH. Here, we investigated endosymbiont communities in non-viruliferous, RSV-infected, and RBSDV-infected SBPH populations using Illumina 16S rRNA gene MiSeq sequencing. In total, 281,803 effective sequences of the 16S rRNA gene were generated from different samples. Sequence analysis revealed the percentages of these bacterial groups in different SBPH populations on several taxonomic levels ranging from phyla to genera. The extremely consistent bacterial diversity and abundance indicated that RSV or RBSDV infection did not affect the composition and abundance of symbionts in SBPH. It was notable that Wolbachia was dominant in all populations. The symbiosis between Wolbachia and SBPH might be potentially studied and utilized to control pest SBPH in the future.}, }
@article {pmid28464440, year = {2017}, author = {Martinez, J and Tolosana, I and Ok, S and Smith, S and Snoeck, K and Day, JP and Jiggins, FM}, title = {Symbiont strain is the main determinant of variation in Wolbachia-mediated protection against viruses across Drosophila species.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {26}, number = {15}, pages = {4072-4084}, doi = {10.1111/mec.14164}, pmid = {28464440}, issn = {1365-294X}, support = {//Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 281668//European Research Council/International ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Disease Resistance ; Drosophila/genetics/*microbiology/virology ; Genome, Bacterial ; Genome, Insect ; Phenotype ; *Symbiosis ; Viruses/pathogenicity ; Wolbachia/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is a common heritable bacterial symbiont in insects. Its evolutionary success lies in the diverse phenotypic effects it has on its hosts coupled to its propensity to move between host species over evolutionary timescales. In a survey of natural host-symbiont associations in a range of Drosophila species, we found that 10 of 16 Wolbachia strains protected their hosts against viral infection. By moving Wolbachia strains between host species, we found that the symbiont genome had a much greater influence on the level of antiviral protection than the host genome. The reason for this was that the level of protection depended on the density of the symbiont in host tissues, and Wolbachia rather than the host-controlled density. The finding that virus resistance and symbiont density are largely under the control of symbiont genes in this system has important implications both for the evolution of these traits and for public health programmes using Wolbachia to prevent mosquitoes from transmitting disease.}, }
@article {pmid28446677, year = {2017}, author = {Schultz, MJ and Isern, S and Michael, SF and Corley, RB and Connor, JH and Frydman, HM}, title = {Variable Inhibition of Zika Virus Replication by Different Wolbachia Strains in Mosquito Cell Cultures.}, journal = {Journal of virology}, volume = {91}, number = {14}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1128/JVI.00339-17}, pmid = {28446677}, issn = {1098-5514}, support = {R21 NS101151/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United States ; R56 AI097589/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Aedes ; Animals ; *Antibiosis ; Cell Line ; Protein Biosynthesis ; RNA, Viral/biosynthesis ; Transcription, Genetic ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins/biosynthesis ; *Virus Replication ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; Zika Virus/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Mosquito-borne arboviruses are a major source of human disease. One strategy to reduce arbovirus disease is to reduce the mosquito's ability to transmit virus. Mosquito infection with the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis wMel is a novel strategy to reduce Aedes mosquito competency for flavivirus infection. However, experiments investigating cyclic environmental temperatures have shown a reduction in maternal transmission of wMel, potentially weakening the integration of this strain into a mosquito population relative to that of other Wolbachia strains. Consequently, it is important to investigate additional Wolbachia strains. All Zika virus (ZIKV) suppression studies are limited to the wMel Wolbachia strain. Here we show ZIKV inhibition by two different Wolbachia strains: wAlbB (isolated from Aedes albopictus mosquitoes) and wStri (isolated from the planthopper Laodelphax striatellus) in mosquito cells. Wolbachia strain wStri inhibited ZIKV most effectively. Single-cycle infection experiments showed that ZIKV RNA replication and nonstructural protein 5 translation were reduced below the limits of detection in wStri-containing cells, demonstrating early inhibition of virus replication. ZIKV replication was rescued when Wolbachia was inhibited with a bacteriostatic antibiotic. We observed a partial rescue of ZIKV growth when Wolbachia-infected cells were supplemented with cholesterol-lipid concentrate, suggesting competition for nutrients as one of the possible mechanisms of Wolbachia inhibition of ZIKV. Our data show that wAlbB and wStri infection causes inhibition of ZIKV, making them attractive candidates for further in vitro mechanistic and in vivo studies and future vector-centered approaches to limit ZIKV infection and spread.IMPORTANCE Zika virus (ZIKV) has swiftly spread throughout most of the Western Hemisphere. This is due in large part to its replication in and spread by a mosquito vector host. There is an urgent need for approaches that limit ZIKV replication in mosquitoes. One exciting approach for this is to use a bacterial endosymbiont called Wolbachia that can populate mosquito cells and inhibit ZIKV replication. Here we show that two different strains of Wolbachia, wAlbB and wStri, are effective at repressing ZIKV in mosquito cell lines. Repression of virus growth is through the inhibition of an early stage of infection and requires actively replicating Wolbachia Our findings further the understanding of Wolbachia viral inhibition and provide novel tools that can be used in an effort to limit ZIKV replication in the mosquito vector, thereby interrupting the transmission and spread of the virus.}, }
@article {pmid28439127, year = {2017}, author = {Becking, T and Giraud, I and Raimond, M and Moumen, B and Chandler, C and Cordaux, R and Gilbert, C}, title = {Diversity and evolution of sex determination systems in terrestrial isopods.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, pages = {1084}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-017-01195-4}, pmid = {28439127}, issn = {2045-2322}, abstract = {Sex determination systems are highly variable in many taxa, sometimes even between closely related species. Yet the number and direction of transitions between these systems have seldom been characterized, and the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. Here we generated transcriptomes for 19 species of terrestrial isopod crustaceans, many of which are infected by Wolbachia bacterial endosymbionts. Using 88 single-copy orthologous genes, we reconstructed a fully resolved and dated phylogeny of terrestrial isopods. An original approach involving crossings of sex-reversed individuals allowed us to characterize the heterogametic systems of five species (one XY/XX and four ZW/ZZ). Mapping of these and previously known heterogametic systems onto the terrestrial isopod phylogeny revealed between 3 and 13 transitions of sex determination systems during the evolution of these taxa, most frequently from female to male heterogamety. Our results support that WW individuals are viable in many species, suggesting sex chromosomes are at an incipient stage of their evolution. Together, these data are consistent with the hypothesis that nucleo-cytoplasmic conflicts generated by Wolbachia endosymbionts triggered recurrent turnovers of sex determination systems in terrestrial isopods. They further establish terrestrial isopods as a model to study evolutionary transitions in sex determination systems and pave the way to molecularly characterize these systems.}, }
@article {pmid28435138, year = {2017}, author = {Baldridge, G and Higgins, L and Witthuhn, B and Markowski, T and Baldridge, A and Armien, A and Fallon, A}, title = {Proteomic analysis of a mosquito host cell response to persistent Wolbachia infection.}, journal = {Research in microbiology}, volume = {168}, number = {7}, pages = {609-625}, doi = {10.1016/j.resmic.2017.04.005}, pmid = {28435138}, issn = {1769-7123}, support = {R01 AI081322/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Aedes/genetics/metabolism/*microbiology/virology ; Amino Acids/metabolism ; Animals ; Carbohydrate Metabolism ; Cell Line ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; Energy Metabolism ; Flavivirus/genetics/physiology ; Insect Proteins/genetics/*metabolism ; Lipid Metabolism ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism ; Nucleotides/metabolism ; Proteome ; Proteomics ; Secondary Metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Wolbachia/isolation &amp; purification/*metabolism/virology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis, an obligate intracellular bacterium associated with arthropods and filarial worms, is a target for filarial disease treatment and provides a gene drive agent for insect vector population suppression/replacement. We compared proteomes of Aedes albopictus mosquito C/wStr1 cells persistently infected with Wolbachia strain wStr, relative to uninfected C7-10 control cells. Among approximately 2500 proteins, iTRAQ data identified 815 differentially abundant proteins. As functional classes, energy and central intermediary metabolism proteins were elevated in infected cells, while suppressed proteins with roles in host DNA replication, transcription and translation suggested that Wolbachia suppresses pathways that support host cell growth and proliferation. Vacuolar ATPase subunits were strongly elevated, consistent with high densities of Wolbachia contained individually within vacuoles. Other differential level proteins had roles in ROS neutralization, protein modification/degradation and signaling, including hypothetical proteins whose functions in Wolbachia infection can potentially be manipulated by RNAi interference or transfection. Detection of flavivirus proteins supports further analysis of poorly understood, insect-specific flaviviruses and their potential interactions with Wolbachia, particularly in mosquitoes transinfected with Wolbachia. This study provides a framework for future attempts to manipulate pathways in insect cell lines that favor production of Wolbachia for eventual genetic manipulation, transformation and transinfection of vector species.}, }
@article {pmid28426794, year = {2017}, author = {Monnin, D and Kremer, N and Desouhant, E and Vavre, F}, title = {Impact of Wolbachia on oxidative stress sensitivity in the parasitic wasp Asobara japonica.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {12}, number = {4}, pages = {e0175974}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0175974}, pmid = {28426794}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; *Oxidative Stress ; Symbiosis ; Wasps/*microbiology ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The oxidative homeostasis is the balance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant molecules. In addition to be considered as a key factor underlying life-history traits evolution, the oxidative homeostasis has been shown to be involved in many host-symbiont associations. Previous studies suggest an interaction between the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia and the oxidative homeostasis of some insect hosts. This interaction is likely to exert a strong influence on the host evolution, as it has been proposed in the wasp Asobara tabida, whose dependence upon Wolbachia is due to the evolutionary loss of its ability to regulate the oxidative homeostasis in the absence of the symbiont. Although such cases of complete dependence are rare, cases of insects having lost only a part of their autonomy over the control of the oxidative homeostasis might be more common. If so, one can expect that insects having coevolved with Wolbachia will be more sensitive to oxidative stress when cured of their symbionts. We tested this hypothesis by studying the effects of an experimentally-induced oxidative stress on various life-history traits of Asobara japonica, a species closely related to A. tabida. For most of the life-history traits studied, the sensitivity of the wasps to oxidative stress did not correlate with their infection status. The only exception was the parasitic success. However, contrarily to our expectation, the sensitivity to oxidative stress was increased, rather than decreased, when Wolbachia was present. This result suggests that Wolbachia does not participate to mitigate oxidative stress in A. japonica, and that on the contrary its presence might still be costly in stressful environments.}, }
@article {pmid28421042, year = {2017}, author = {Novakova, E and Woodhams, DC and Rodríguez-Ruano, SM and Brucker, RM and Leff, JW and Maharaj, A and Amir, A and Knight, R and Scott, J}, title = {Mosquito Microbiome Dynamics, a Background for Prevalence and Seasonality of West Nile Virus.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {8}, number = {}, pages = {526}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2017.00526}, pmid = {28421042}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Symbiotic microbial communities augment host phenotype, including defense against pathogen carriage and infection. We sampled the microbial communities in 11 adult mosquito host species from six regions in southern Ontario, Canada over 3 years. Of the factors examined, we found that mosquito species was the largest driver of the microbiota, with remarkable phylosymbiosis between host and microbiota. Seasonal shifts of the microbiome were consistently repeated over the 3-year period, while region had little impact. Both host species and seasonal shifts in microbiota were associated with patterns of West Nile virus (WNV) in these mosquitoes. The highest prevalence of WNV, with a seasonal spike each year in August, was in the Culex pipiens/restuans complex, and high WNV prevalence followed a decrease in relative abundance of Wolbachia in this species. Indeed, mean temperature, but not precipitation, was significantly correlated with Wolbachia abundance. This suggests that at higher temperatures Wolbachia abundance is reduced leading to greater susceptibility to WNV in the subsequent generation of C. pipiens/restuans hosts. Different mosquito genera harbored significantly different bacterial communities, and presence or abundance of Wolbachia was primarily associated with these differences. We identified several operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of Wolbachia that drive overall microbial community differentiation among mosquito taxa, locations and timepoints. Distinct Wolbachia OTUs were consistently found to dominate microbiomes of Cx. pipiens/restuans, and of Coquilletidia perturbans. Seasonal fluctuations of several other microbial taxa included Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus, Methylobacterium, Asaia, Pantoea, Acinetobacter johnsonii, Pseudomonas, and Mycoplasma. This suggests that microbiota may explain some of the variation in vector competence previously attributed to local environmental processes, especially because Wolbachia is known to affect carriage of viral pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid28420428, year = {2017}, author = {Armoo, S and Doyle, SR and Osei-Atweneboana, MY and Grant, WN}, title = {Significant heterogeneity in Wolbachia copy number within and between populations of Onchocerca volvulus.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {188}, doi = {10.1186/s13071-017-2126-4}, pmid = {28420428}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Animals ; *DNA Copy Number Variations ; Ecotype ; Forests ; *Genetic Heterogeneity ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Genome, Helminth ; Grassland ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Ivermectin/pharmacology ; Onchocerca volvulus/genetics/*microbiology ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Wolbachia/*genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia are intracellular bacteria found in arthropods and several filarial nematode species. The filarial Wolbachia have been proposed to be involved in the immunopathology associated with onchocerciasis. Higher Wolbachia-to-nematode ratios have been reported in the savannah-ecotype compared to the forest-ecotype, and have been interpreted as consistent with a correlation between Wolbachia density and disease severity. However, factors such as geographic stratification and ivermectin drug exposure can lead to significant genetic heterogeneity in the nematode host populations, so we investigated whether Wolbachia copy number variation is also associated with these underlying factors.<br><br>METHODS: Genomic DNA was prepared from single adult nematodes representing forest and savannah ecotypes sampled from Togo, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire and Mali. A qPCR assay was developed to measure the number of Wolbachia genome(s) per nematode genome. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was also used to measure relative Wolbachia copy number, and independently verify the qPCR assay.<br><br>RESULTS: Significant variation was observed within the forest (range: 0.02 to 452.99; median: 10.58) and savannah (range: 0.01 to 1106.25; median: 9.10) ecotypes, however, no significant difference between ecotypes (P = 0.645) was observed; rather, strongly significant Wolbachia variation was observed within and between the nine study communities analysed (P = 0.021), independent of ecotype. Analysis of ivermectin-treated and untreated nematodes by qPCR showed no correlation (P = 0.869); however, an additional analysis of a subset of the nematodes by qPCR and NGS revealed a correlation between response to ivermectin treatment and Wolbachia copy number (P = 0.020).<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that extensive within and between population variation exists in the Wolbachia content of individual adult O. volvulus. The origin and functional significance of such variation (up to ~ 100,000-fold between worms; ~10 to 100-fold between communities) in the context of the proposed mutualistic relationship between the worms and the bacteria, and between the presence of Wolbachia and clinical outcome of infection, remains unclear. These data do not support a correlation between Wolbachia copy number and forest or savannah ecotype, and may have implications for the development of anti-Wolbachia drugs as a macrofilaricidal treatment of onchocerciasis. The biological significance of a correlation between variation in Wolbachia copy number and ivermectin response remains unexplained.}, }
@article {pmid28419609, year = {2017}, author = {Russell, JA and Oliver, KM and Hansen, AK}, title = {Band-aids for Buchnera and B vitamins for all.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {26}, number = {8}, pages = {2199-2203}, doi = {10.1111/mec.14047}, pmid = {28419609}, issn = {1365-294X}, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/genetics ; Buchnera/*genetics ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/genetics ; *Vitamin B Complex ; }, abstract = {Evolution lacks foresight, and hence, key adaptations may produce major challenges over the long run. The natural world is rife with examples of long-term 'side effects' associated with quick-fix tinkering, including blind spots in vertebrate eyes. An important question is how nature compensates for imperfections once evolution has set a course. The symbioses associated with sap-feeding insects present a fascinating opportunity to address this issue. On one hand, the substantial diversity and biomass of sap-feeding insects are largely due to ancient acquisitions of nutrient-provisioning bacterial symbionts. Yet, the insularity and small population sizes enforced by intracellular life and strict maternal transfer inevitably result in the degradation of symbiont genomes and, often, the beneficial services that symbionts provide. Stabilization through lateral transfer of bacterial genes into the host nucleus (often from exogenous sources) or replacement of the long-standing symbiont with a new partner are potential solutions to this evolutionary dilemma (Bennett &amp; Moran). A third solution is adoption of a cosymbiont that compensates for specific losses in the original resident. Ancient 'co-obligate' symbiont pairs in mealybugs, leafhoppers, cicadas and spittlebugs show colocalization, codiversification, metabolite exchange and generally nonredundant nutrient biosynthesis (Bennett &amp; Moran). But in this issue, Meseguer et al. () report on a different flavour of cosymbiosis among conifer-feeding Cinara aphids.}, }
@article {pmid28412513, year = {2017}, author = {Ju, JF and Hoffmann, AA and Zhang, YK and Duan, XZ and Guo, Y and Gong, JT and Zhu, WC and Hong, XY}, title = {Wolbachia-induced loss of male fertility is likely related to branch chain amino acid biosynthesis and iLvE in Laodelphax striatellus.}, journal = {Insect biochemistry and molecular biology}, volume = {85}, number = {}, pages = {11-20}, doi = {10.1016/j.ibmb.2017.04.002}, pmid = {28412513}, issn = {1879-0240}, mesh = {Amino Acids/*biosynthesis ; Animals ; Copulation ; Female ; Fertility ; Hemiptera/metabolism/*microbiology ; *Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Insect Proteins/metabolism ; Male ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Testis/metabolism ; Transcriptome ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are endosymbionts that infect many species of arthropods and nematodes. Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is the most common phenotype in affected hosts, involving embryonic lethality in crosses between Wolbachia-infected males and uninfected females. The molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are currently unclear. Here we examine the molecular correlates of the Wolbachia infection in Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén), an important rice pest, where embryonic lethality is strong and almost complete. We compared the gene expression of 4-day-old Wolbachia-infected and uninfected L. striatellus testes to identify candidate genes for paternal-effect embryonic lethality induction. Based on microarray analysis, iLvE was the most down-regulated gene; this gene mediates branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) biosynthesis and participates in many processes related to reproductive performance. After knocking down iLvE by RNAi in uninfected male L. striatellus, male fertility was reduced, leading to a decrease in embryo hatching rates, but fertility was rescued in crosses between these males and Wolbachia-infected females. Removal of BCAA in chemically-defined diets of uninfected males also led to a loss of male fertility. Low amino acid nutrition may enhance exposure time of sperm to Wolbachia in the testes to affect adult reproduction in L. striatellus by reducing the number of sperm transferred per mating by males. These results indicate that Wolbachia may decrease male fertility in L. striatellus by acting on iLvE, a key factor of BCAA biosynthesis, and delaying sperm maturation.}, }
@article {pmid28411063, year = {2017}, author = {Turelli, M and Barton, NH}, title = {Deploying dengue-suppressing Wolbachia : Robust models predict slow but effective spatial spread in Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {Theoretical population biology}, volume = {115}, number = {}, pages = {45-60}, doi = {10.1016/j.tpb.2017.03.003}, pmid = {28411063}, issn = {1096-0325}, support = {R01 GM104325/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Aedes/growth &amp; development/*microbiology/physiology/virology ; Animals ; *Biological Control Agents ; Dengue/*prevention &amp; control/transmission/virology ; Dengue Virus/growth &amp; development/isolation &amp; purification/*physiology ; Disease Vectors ; Female ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Male ; *Models, Biological ; Spatio-Temporal Analysis ; Wolbachia/growth &amp; development/isolation &amp; purification/*physiology ; }, abstract = {A novel strategy for controlling the spread of arboviral diseases such as dengue, Zika and chikungunya is to transform mosquito populations with virus-suppressing Wolbachia. In general, Wolbachia transinfected into mosquitoes induce fitness costs through lower viability or fecundity. These maternally inherited bacteria also produce a frequency-dependent advantage for infected females by inducing cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), which kills the embryos produced by uninfected females mated to infected males. These competing effects, a frequency-dependent advantage and frequency-independent costs, produce bistable Wolbachia frequency dynamics. Above a threshold frequency, denoted pˆ, CI drives fitness-decreasing Wolbachia transinfections through local populations; but below pˆ, infection frequencies tend to decline to zero. If pˆ is not too high, CI also drives spatial spread once infections become established over sufficiently large areas. We illustrate how simple models provide testable predictions concerning the spatial and temporal dynamics of Wolbachia introductions, focusing on rate of spatial spread, the shape of spreading waves, and the conditions for initiating spread from local introductions. First, we consider the robustness of diffusion-based predictions to incorporating two important features of wMel-Aedes aegypti biology that may be inconsistent with the diffusion approximations, namely fast local dynamics induced by complete CI (i.e., all embryos produced from incompatible crosses die) and long-tailed, non-Gaussian dispersal. With complete CI, our numerical analyses show that long-tailed dispersal changes wave-width predictions only slightly; but it can significantly reduce wave speed relative to the diffusion prediction; it also allows smaller local introductions to initiate spatial spread. Second, we use approximations for pˆ and dispersal distances to predict the outcome of 2013 releases of wMel-infected Aedes aegypti in Cairns, Australia, Third, we describe new data from Ae. aegypti populations near Cairns, Australia that demonstrate long-distance dispersal and provide an approximate lower bound on pˆ for wMel in northeastern Australia. Finally, we apply our analyses to produce operational guidelines for efficient transformation of vector populations over large areas. We demonstrate that even very slow spatial spread, on the order of 10-20 m/month (as predicted), can produce area-wide population transformation within a few years following initial releases covering about 20-30% of the target area.}, }
@article {pmid28405268, year = {2017}, author = {Ma, Y and Chen, WJ and Li, ZH and Zhang, F and Gao, Y and Luan, YX}, title = {Revisiting the phylogeny of Wolbachia in Collembola.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {7}, number = {7}, pages = {2009-2017}, doi = {10.1002/ece3.2738}, pmid = {28405268}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {The endosymbiont Wolbachia has been detected in a few parthenogenetic collembolans sampled in Europe and America, including three species of Poduromorpha, two species of Entomobryomorpha, and two species of Neelipleona. Based on 16S rRNA and ftsZ gene sequences, most of the Wolbachia infecting parthenogenetic collembolans were characterized as members of supergroup E and showed concordant phylogeny with their hosts. However, the two neelipleonan symbionts form another unique group, indicating that Wolbachia has infected parthenogenetic collembolans multiple times. In this study, five parthenogenetic collembolan species were identified as hosts of Wolbachia, and four new Wolbachia strains were reported for four collembolan species sampled in China, respectively, including a neelipleonan strain from Megalothorax incertus (wMinc). Our results demonstrated that the Wolbachia multilocus sequence typing (MLST) system is superior to the 16S rRNA + ftsZ approach for phylogenetic analyses of collembolan Wolbachia. The MLST system assigned these Wolbachia of parthenogenetic collembolans to supergroup E as a unique clade, which included wMinc, supporting the monophyletic origin of Wolbachia in parthenogenetic collembolan species. Moreover, our data suggested supergroup E as one of the most divergent lineages in Wolbachia and revealed the discrepancy between the phylogenies of Wolbachia from parthenogenetic collembolans and their hosts, which may result from the high level of genetic divergence between collembolan Wolbachia, in association with the geographic differentiation of their hosts, or the possible horizontal transmission of Wolbachia between different collembolan species.}, }
@article {pmid28405008, year = {2017}, author = {Dunning Hotopp, JC and Slatko, BE and Foster, JM}, title = {Targeted Enrichment and Sequencing of Recent Endosymbiont-Host Lateral Gene Transfers.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, pages = {857}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-017-00814-4}, pmid = {28405008}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {DP2 OD007372/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; U19 AI110820/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Lateral gene transfer (LGT) from microbial symbionts to invertebrate animals is described at an increasing rate, particularly between Wolbachia endosymbionts and their diverse invertebrate hosts. We sought to assess the use of a capture system to cost-effectively sequence such LGT from the host genome. The sequencing depth of Illumina paired end data obtained with a Wolbachia capture system correlated well with that for an Illumina paired end data set used to detect LGT in Wolbachia-depleted B. malayi (p-value: <2e-16). Using a sequencing depth threshold of two or three standard deviations above the mean, 96.9% or 96.7% of positions, respectively, are predicted in the same manner between the two datasets, with 24.7% or 42.5% of the known 49.0 kbp of LGT sequence predicted correctly, respectively. Prior qPCR results for nuwts showed similar correlations for both datasets supporting our conclusion that oligonucleotide-based capture methods can be used to obtain sequences from Wolbachia-host LGT. However, at least 121 positions had a minority of the reads supporting the endosymbiont reference base call using the capture data, illustrating that sequence reads from endosymbiont-host LGTs can confound endosymbiont genome projects, erroneously altering the called consensus genome, a problem that is irrespective to the sequencing technology or platform.}, }
@article {pmid28403439, year = {2017}, author = {Ritchie, SA and Johnson, BJ}, title = {Advances in Vector Control Science: Rear-and-Release Strategies Show Promise… but Don't Forget the Basics.}, journal = {The Journal of infectious diseases}, volume = {215}, number = {suppl_2}, pages = {S103-S108}, doi = {10.1093/infdis/jiw575}, pmid = {28403439}, issn = {1537-6613}, mesh = {Aedes/*physiology/virology ; Animals ; Chikungunya Fever/*prevention &amp; control/transmission ; Dengue/*prevention &amp; control/transmission ; Humans ; Insect Vectors/*physiology/virology ; *Mosquito Control ; Reproduction ; }, abstract = {Both chikungunya and Zika viruses have recently swept from Africa across the Pacific to the Americas, causing major outbreaks of disease in humans. In the meantime, dengue epidemics continue throughout the tropics. Traditional vector control programs based on strategies from 1950s and 1960s have been relatively ineffective in combating recent epidemics. In response, new methods involving the rearing and releasing of large numbers of mosquitoes to eliminate or modify local Aedes populations are being developed, with several currently conducting field releases in high-risk countries. These advances, include the release of Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, for either its virus-blocking capabilities, sterilization by cytoplasmic incompatibility, or both; the release of Aedes carrying dominant lethal genes, such as the OX513A strain of A. aegypti; and other emerging techniques, such as advancing gene-drive technologies, are summarized, as well as current stages of development and primary operational and regulatory hurdles. Although these technologies show great promise, none are ready for widespread rollout for cities of millions of people. Thus, efforts should be made to avoid methods such as space sprays that have failed and improve existing technologies to increase their efficacy.}, }
@article {pmid28403227, year = {2017}, author = {Sumi, T and Miura, K and Miyatake, T}, title = {Wolbachia density changes seasonally amongst populations of the pale grass blue butterfly, Zizeeria maha (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae).}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {12}, number = {4}, pages = {e0175373}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0175373}, pmid = {28403227}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; Butterflies/genetics/*microbiology/physiology ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Female ; Haplotypes ; *Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Japan ; Male ; Phylogeny ; Reproduction ; Rickettsiaceae Infections/veterinary ; Seasons ; Wolbachia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Previous studies showed that the survival rate of Wolbachia decreases under high temperature in incubators. It is also known that a high density of Wolbachia in the host body reduces the host emergence rate, while low densities fail to change reproduction rates. However, few studies have examined the density of Wolbachia in hosts in the field. Here, we focus on Wolbachia infection of the pale grass blue butterfly, Zizeeria maha (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), which is distributed throughout the Japanese islands. We examined the rate and density of Wolbachia infection in the bodies of butterflies at thirteen locations in Japan. At seven of these places, we collected butterflies in different seasons to determine seasonal differences in the infection rate and density and found that Wolbachia density has seasonal differences within the same population. Moreover, to determine whether Wolbachia density has a geographical cline, we compared the infection density of Wolbachia amongst all geographical populations. In addition, we determined the sequences of Wolbachia wsp and host mtDNA CO1 haplotypes of all populations. The results showed that Wolbachia density increased in early summer and decreased in autumn. Further, the density of Wolbachia infecting the same strain of Z. maha varied amongst populations, although no tendency in geographical cline was observed.}, }
@article {pmid28401481, year = {2017}, author = {Carvalho, FD and Moreira, LA}, title = {Why is Aedes aegypti Linnaeus so Successful as a Species?.}, journal = {Neotropical entomology}, volume = {46}, number = {3}, pages = {243-255}, doi = {10.1007/s13744-017-0520-4}, pmid = {28401481}, issn = {1678-8052}, mesh = {*Aedes/microbiology/virology ; Animals ; Brazil ; Humans ; *Insect Vectors ; Insecticides ; Population Dynamics ; Wolbachia ; Zika Virus ; Zika Virus Infection ; }, abstract = {Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes impose enormous burden towards human morbidity and mortality. Over the last three decades, Brazil has suffered from severe Dengue epidemics. In September 2014, this situation is further complicated by the introduction of two other viruses, Zika and Chikungunya, placing Brazil in a triple epidemic. In this article, we discuss the biology of Aedes aegypti Linnaeus, and the principal initiatives currently used to control mosquito populations and the diseases they transmit. Aedes aegypti has broad global distribution and is involved in the transmission of various arboviral diseases such as Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya. Several factors contribute to the success of the species, particularly behavioral plasticity, rapid development, desiccation-resistant eggs, resistance to the principle insecticide classes currently available on the market, preference for the urban environment, and proximity to humans. Vector control programs are the best way to reduce the burden of mosquito-borne diseases. Chemical control is most commonly used in recent times, and unfortunately, the results have not been satisfactory but instead, there is increased vector dispersal and, subsequently, the spread of disease epidemics. Investigations of alternative control methods such as release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes for blocking vector-borne pathogens, release of transgenic mosquitoes carrying a lethal gene for offspring, and the use of insecticide-dispersing mosquitoes are under way in Brazil, and some have shown promising results. Special emphasis should be placed on integrated management of all available tactics, so as to maximize efforts towards mosquito control. Finally, we emphasize that continuous actions and community participation control initiatives are critically important for success.}, }
@article {pmid28386769, year = {2017}, author = {Fromont, C and Riegler, M and Cook, JM}, title = {Relative Abundance and Strain Diversity in the Bacterial Endosymbiont Community of a Sap-Feeding Insect Across Its Native and Introduced Geographic Range.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {74}, number = {3}, pages = {722-734}, doi = {10.1007/s00248-017-0971-5}, pmid = {28386769}, issn = {1432-184X}, support = {HSF 12/10//The Hermon Slade Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Australia ; Bacteria/*classification/genetics ; *Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; Female ; Ficus/growth &amp; development ; Hemiptera/growth &amp; development/*microbiology ; Herbivory ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Male ; *Microbiota ; New Zealand ; Nymph/growth &amp; development/microbiology ; RNA, Bacterial/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Most insects are associated with bacterial symbionts. The bacterial diversity and community composition within hosts may play an important role in shaping insect population biology, ecology and evolution. We focussed on the bacterial microbiome of the Australian fig homotomid Mycopsylla fici (Hemiptera: Psylloidea), which can cause defoliation of its only host tree, Ficus macrophylla. This sap-feeding insect is native to mainland Australia and Lord Howe Island (LHI) but also occurs where its host has been planted, notably in New Zealand. By using a high-throughput 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing approach, we compared the bacterial diversity and community composition in individual adult males of four host populations, Sydney, Brisbane, LHI and Auckland. We also compared males, females and nymphs of the Sydney population. The microbiome of M. fici was simple and consisted mostly of the following three maternally inherited endosymbiont species: the primary endosymbiont Carsonella, a secondary (S-) endosymbiont and Wolbachia. However, the relative abundance of their sequence reads varied between host populations, except for similarities between Sydney and Auckland. In addition, insects from Sydney and Auckland had identical bacterial strains supporting the hypothesis that Sydney is the source population for Auckland. In contrast, mainland and LHI populations harboured the same S-endosymbiont, co-diverged Carsonella but different Wolbachia strains. Besides detecting endosymbiont-specific patterns of either co-evolution or horizontal acquisition, our study highlights that relative abundance of maternally inherited endosymbionts should also be taken into account when studying bacterial communities across host populations, as variations in bacterial density may impact host biology and ecology.}, }
@article {pmid28386418, year = {2017}, author = {Ramsey, JS and Chavez, JD and Johnson, R and Hosseinzadeh, S and Mahoney, JE and Mohr, JP and Robison, F and Zhong, X and Hall, DG and MacCoss, M and Bruce, J and Cilia, M}, title = {Protein interaction networks at the host-microbe interface in Diaphorina citri, the insect vector of the citrus greening pathogen.}, journal = {Royal Society open science}, volume = {4}, number = {2}, pages = {160545}, doi = {10.1098/rsos.160545}, pmid = {28386418}, issn = {2054-5703}, abstract = {The Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) is the insect vector responsible for the worldwide spread of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (CLas), the bacterial pathogen associated with citrus greening disease. Developmental changes in the insect vector impact pathogen transmission, such that D. citri transmission of CLas is more efficient when bacteria are acquired by nymphs when compared with adults. We hypothesize that expression changes in the D. citri immune system and commensal microbiota occur during development and regulate vector competency. In support of this hypothesis, more proteins, with greater fold changes, were differentially expressed in response to CLas in adults when compared with nymphs, including insect proteins involved in bacterial adhesion and immunity. Compared with nymphs, adult insects had a higher titre of CLas and the bacterial endosymbionts Wolbachia, Profftella and Carsonella. All Wolbachia and Profftella proteins differentially expressed between nymphs and adults are upregulated in adults, while most differentially expressed Carsonella proteins are upregulated in nymphs. Discovery of protein interaction networks has broad applicability to the study of host-microbe relationships. Using protein interaction reporter technology, a D. citri haemocyanin protein highly upregulated in response to CLas was found to physically interact with the CLas coenzyme A (CoA) biosynthesis enzyme phosphopantothenoylcysteine synthetase/decarboxylase. CLas pantothenate kinase, which catalyses the rate-limiting step of CoA biosynthesis, was found to interact with a D. citri myosin protein. Two Carsonella enzymes involved in histidine and tryptophan biosynthesis were found to physically interact with D. citri proteins. These co-evolved protein interaction networks at the host-microbe interface are highly specific targets for controlling the insect vector responsible for the spread of citrus greening.}, }
@article {pmid28381207, year = {2017}, author = {Ramalho, MO and Bueno, OC and Moreau, CS}, title = {Microbial composition of spiny ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Polyrhachis) across their geographic range.}, journal = {BMC evolutionary biology}, volume = {17}, number = {1}, pages = {96}, doi = {10.1186/s12862-017-0945-8}, pmid = {28381207}, issn = {1471-2148}, mesh = {Animals ; Ants/genetics/*microbiology ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Biological Evolution ; DNA, Bacterial ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; *Microbiota ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Symbiotic relationships between insects and bacteria are found across almost all insect orders, including Hymenoptera. However there are still many remaining questions about these associations including what factors drive host-associated bacterial composition. To better understand the evolutionary significance of this association in nature, further studies addressing a diversity of hosts across locations and evolutionary history are necessary. Ants of the genus Polyrhachis (spiny ants) are distributed across the Old World and exhibit generalist diets and habits. Using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatics tools, this study explores the microbial community of >80 species of Polyrhachis distributed across the Old World and compares the microbiota of samples and related hosts across different biogeographic locations and in the context of their phylogenetic history.<br><br>RESULTS: The predominant bacteria across samples were Enterobacteriaceae (Blochmannia - with likely many new strains), followed by Wolbachia (with multiple strains), Lactobacillus, Thiotrichaceae, Acinetobacter, Nocardia, Sodalis, and others. We recovered some exclusive strains of Enterobacteriaceae as specific to some subgenera of Polyrhachis, corroborating the idea of coevolution between host and bacteria for this bacterial group. Our correlation results (partial mantel and mantel tests) found that host phylogeny can influence the overall bacterial community, but that geographic location had no effect.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our work is revealing important aspects of the biology of hosts in structuring the diversity and abundance of these host-associated bacterial communities including the role of host phylogeny and shared evolutionary history.}, }
@article {pmid28358880, year = {2017}, author = {Grote, A and Voronin, D and Ding, T and Twaddle, A and Unnasch, TR and Lustigman, S and Ghedin, E}, title = {Defining Brugia malayi and Wolbachia symbiosis by stage-specific dual RNA-seq.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {11}, number = {3}, pages = {e0005357}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0005357}, pmid = {28358880}, issn = {1935-2735}, support = {T32 AI007180/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Brugia malayi/*growth &amp; development/*microbiology ; Female ; *Gene Expression Profiling ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; *Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Filarial nematodes currently infect up to 54 million people worldwide, with millions more at risk for infection, representing the leading cause of disability in the developing world. Brugia malayi is one of the causative agents of lymphatic filariasis and remains the only human filarial parasite that can be maintained in small laboratory animals. Many filarial nematode species, including B. malayi, carry an obligate endosymbiont, the alpha-proteobacteria Wolbachia, which can be eliminated through antibiotic treatment. Elimination of the endosymbiont interferes with development, reproduction, and survival of the worms within the mamalian host, a clear indicator that the Wolbachia are crucial for survival of the parasite. Little is understood about the mechanism underlying this symbiosis.<br><br>To better understand the molecular interplay between these two organisms we profiled the transcriptomes of B. malayi and Wolbachia by dual RNA-seq across the life cycle of the parasite. This helped identify functional pathways involved in this essential symbiotic relationship provided by the co-expression of nematode and bacterial genes. We have identified significant stage-specific and gender-specific differential expression in Wolbachia during the nematode's development. For example, during female worm development we find that Wolbachia upregulate genes involved in ATP production and purine biosynthesis, as well as genes involved in the oxidative stress response.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS/ SIGNIFICANCE: This global transcriptional analysis has highlighted specific pathways to which both Wolbachia and B. malayi contribute concurrently over the life cycle of the parasite, paving the way for the development of novel intervention strategies.}, }
@article {pmid28357366, year = {2016}, author = {Caragata, EP and Dutra, HL and Moreira, LA}, title = {Inhibition of Zika virus by Wolbachia in Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {Microbial cell (Graz, Austria)}, volume = {3}, number = {7}, pages = {293-295}, doi = {10.15698/mic2016.07.513}, pmid = {28357366}, issn = {2311-2638}, abstract = {Through association with cases of microcephaly in 2015, Zika virus (ZIKV) has transitioned from a relatively unknown mosquito-transmitted pathogen to a global health emergency, emphasizing the need to improve existing mosquito control programs to prevent future disease outbreaks. The response to Zika must involve a paradigm shift from traditional to novel methods of mosquito control, and according to the World Health Organization should incorporate the release of mosquitoes infected with the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachiapipientis. In our recent paper [Dutra, HLC et al., Cell Host &amp; Microbe 2016] we investigated the potential of Wolbachia infections in Aedes aegypti to restrict infection and transmission of Zika virus recently isolated in Brazil. Wolbachia is now well known for its ability to block or reduce infection with a variety of pathogens in different mosquito species including the dengue (DENV), yellow fever, and chikungunya viruses, and malaria-causing Plasmodium, and consequently has great potential to control mosquito-transmitted diseases across the globe. Our results demonstrated that the wMel Wolbachia strain in Brazilian Ae. aegypti is a strong inhibitor of ZIKV infection, and furthermore appears to prevent transmission of infectious viral particles in mosquito saliva, which highlights the bacterium's suitability for more widespread use in Zika control.}, }
@article {pmid28344097, year = {2017}, author = {Lefoulon, E and Giannelli, A and Makepeace, BL and Mutafchiev, Y and Townson, S and Uni, S and Verocai, GG and Otranto, D and Martin, C}, title = {Whence river blindness? The domestication of mammals and host-parasite co-evolution in the nematode genus Onchocerca.}, journal = {International journal for parasitology}, volume = {47}, number = {8}, pages = {457-470}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijpara.2016.12.009}, pmid = {28344097}, issn = {1879-0135}, mesh = {Animals ; Animals, Domestic/genetics/*parasitology ; *Biological Coevolution ; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics/metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; Humans ; Mammals/*parasitology ; Onchocerca/*genetics/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The genus Onchocerca includes 34 described species and represents one of the largest genera of the filarial nematodes within the family Onchocercidae. Representative members of this genus are mainly parasites of ungulates, with some exceptions such as Onchocerca lupi and Onchocerca volvulus, infecting carnivores and/or humans. For a long time, the evolutionary relationships amongst onchocercids remained poorly studied, as the systematics of this genus was impaired by the high morphological variability of species included in the taxon. Although some molecular phylogenies were developed, these studies were mainly focused on bovine Onchocerca spp. and O. volvulus, including assessments of Wolbachia endosymbionts. In the present study, we analysed 13 Onchocerca spp. from a larger host spectrum using a panel of seven different genes. Analysis of the coxI marker supports its usefulness for the identification of species within the genus. The evolutionary history of the genus has been herein revised by multi-gene phylogenies, presenting three strongly supported clades of Onchocerca spp. Analyses of co-evolutionary scenarios between Onchocerca and their vertebrate hosts underline the effect of domestication on Onchocerca speciation. Our study indicates that a host switch event occurred between Bovidae, Canidae and humans. Cophylogenetic analyses between Onchocerca and the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia indicate the strongest co-evolutionary pattern ever registered within the filarial nematodes. Finally, this dataset indicates that the clade composed by O. lupi, Onchocerca gutturosa, Onchocerca lienalis, Onchocerca ochengi and O. volvulus derived from recent speciation.}, }
@article {pmid28337184, year = {2017}, author = {Joshi, D and Pan, X and McFadden, MJ and Bevins, D and Liang, X and Lu, P and Thiem, S and Xi, Z}, title = {The Maternally Inheritable Wolbachia wAlbB Induces Refractoriness to Plasmodium berghei in Anopheles stephensi.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {8}, number = {}, pages = {366}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2017.00366}, pmid = {28337184}, issn = {1664-302X}, support = {R01 AI080597/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {The endosymbiont Wolbachia wAlbB induces refractoriness to Plasmodium falciparum in Anopheles stephensi, the primary mosquito vector of human malaria in the Middle East and South Asia. However, it remains unknown whether such refractoriness can be extended to other malaria species. In particular, it was reported that under very specific conditions, wAlbB can enhance Plasmodium infection in some hosts. Here, we measured the impact of wAlbB on the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei in A. stephensi by comparing the load of oocysts and sporozoites in midguts and salivary glands, respectively, between wAlbB-infected and -uninfected mosquitoes. To investigate whether wAlbB modulated mosquito immune defense against parasites, we compared the expression of the immune genes, which were previously reported to involve in antimalarial response, in both midguts and the remaining carcass tissues of mosquitoes. The stable association of wAlbB with A. stephensi resulted in reduction of parasites by more than half at the oocyst stage, and up to 91.8% at the sporzoite stage. The anti-plasmodium immune genes, including TEP1, LRIM1, Toll pathway gene Rel1 and the effector Defensin 1, were induced by wAlbB in different mosquito body tissues. These findings suggest that immune priming is a potential cause of wAlbB-mediated antimalarial response in A. stephensi. More importantly, no evidence was found for any enhancement of Plasmodium infection in A. stephensi stably infected with wAlbB. We discuss these findings with possible implementations of Wolbachia for malaria control in disease endemic areas.}, }
@article {pmid28334388, year = {2017}, author = {Cooper, WR and Garczynski, SF and Horton, DR and Unruh, TR and Beers, EH and Peter, WS and Hilton, RJ}, title = {Bacterial Endosymbionts of the Psyllid Cacopsylla pyricola (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in the Pacific Northwestern United States.}, journal = {Environmental entomology}, volume = {46}, number = {2}, pages = {393-402}, doi = {10.1093/ee/nvx031}, pmid = {28334388}, issn = {1938-2936}, abstract = {Insects often have facultative associations with bacterial endosymbionts, which can alter the insects' susceptibility to parasitism, pathogens, plant defenses, and certain classes of insecticides. We collected pear psylla, Cacopsylla pyricola (Förster) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), from pear orchards in Washington and Oregon, and surveyed them for the presence of bacterial endosymbionts. Adult psyllids were collected on multiple dates to allow us to assay specimens of both the summer (&quot;summerform&quot;) and the overwintering (&quot;winterform&quot;) morphotypes. Two endosymbionts, Arsenophonus and Phytoplasma pyri, were detected in psyllids of both morphotypes in both states. A separate survey revealed similar associations present in psyllids collected in 1987. Arsenophonus was present in 80-100% of psyllids in all growing regions. A slightly lower proportion of summerform than winterform psyllids harbored the bacterium. Arsenophonus was present in the bacteriomes and developing oocytes of most psyllids, indicating that this endosymbiont is transovarially transmitted. This bacterium was also observed in the salivary glands and midguts of some psyllids. Phytoplasma pyri was present in a greater proportion of pear psylla from orchards near Yakima, WA, than from other regions, and was present in a higher proportion of winterforms than summerforms. We did not detect Wolbachia, Profftella, or Liberibacter europaeus, which are associated with other psyllid pests, including other species of Cacopsylla. Our study is the first to survey North American populations of C. pyricola for endosymbionts, and provides a foundation for further research on how bacterial associations may influence the ecology and management of this pest.}, }
@article {pmid28334194, year = {2017}, author = {Clarke, EL and Sundararaman, SA and Seifert, SN and Bushman, FD and Hahn, BH and Brisson, D}, title = {swga: a primer design toolkit for selective whole genome amplification.}, journal = {Bioinformatics (Oxford, England)}, volume = {33}, number = {14}, pages = {2071-2077}, doi = {10.1093/bioinformatics/btx118}, pmid = {28334194}, issn = {1367-4811}, support = {R01 HL113252/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL087115/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R37 AI050529/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; T32 AI007532/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; P30 AI045008/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI091595/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI076342/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI050529/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI097137/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; DNA Primers ; Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology ; Genetics, Population/*methods ; Genome, Bacterial ; Genomics/methods ; Humans ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA/*methods ; *Software ; Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Motivation: Population genomic analyses are often hindered by difficulties in obtaining sufficient numbers of genomes for analysis by DNA sequencing. Selective whole-genome amplification (SWGA) provides an efficient approach to amplify microbial genomes from complex backgrounds for sequence acquisition. However, the process of designing sets of primers for this method has many degrees of freedom and would benefit from an automated process to evaluate the vast number of potential primer sets.<br><br>Results: Here, we present swga , a program that identifies primer sets for SWGA and evaluates them for efficiency and selectivity. We used swga to design and test primer sets for the selective amplification of Wolbachia pipientis genomic DNA from infected Drosophila melanogaster and Mycobacterium tuberculosis from human blood. We identify primer sets that successfully amplify each against their backgrounds and describe a general method for using swga for arbitrary targets. In addition, we describe characteristics of primer sets that correlate with successful amplification, and present guidelines for implementation of SWGA to detect new targets.<br><br>Source code and documentation are freely available on https://www.github.com/eclarke/swga . The program is implemented in Python and C and licensed under the GNU Public License.<br><br>Contact: ecl@mail.med.upenn.edu.<br><br>Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.}, }
@article {pmid28332822, year = {2017}, author = {Khoshmanesh, A and Christensen, D and Perez-Guaita, D and Iturbe-Ormaetxe, I and O'Neill, SL and McNaughton, D and Wood, BR}, title = {Screening of Wolbachia Endosymbiont Infection in Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes Using Attenuated Total Reflection Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy.}, journal = {Analytical chemistry}, volume = {89}, number = {10}, pages = {5285-5293}, doi = {10.1021/acs.analchem.6b04827}, pmid = {28332822}, issn = {1520-6882}, abstract = {Dengue fever is the most common mosquito transmitted viral infection afflicting humans, estimated to generate around 390 million infections each year in over 100 countries. The introduction of the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes has the potential to greatly reduce the public health burden of the disease. This approach requires extensive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of the Wolbachia-infection status of mosquitoes in areas where Wolbachia-A. aegypti are released. Here, we report the first example of small organism mid-infrared spectroscopy where we have applied attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FT-IR) spectroscopy and multivariate modeling methods to determine sex, age, and the presence of Wolbachia (wMel strain) in laboratory mosquitoes and sex and age in field mosquitoes. The prediction errors using partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) discrimination models for laboratory studies on independent test sets ranged from 0 to 3% for age and sex grading and 3% to 5% for Wolbachia infection diagnosis using dry mosquito abdomens while field study results using an artificial neural network yielded a 10% error. The application of FT-IR analysis is inexpensive, easy to use, and portable and shows significant potential to replace the reliance on more expensive and laborious PCR assays.}, }
@article {pmid28303186, year = {2017}, author = {Sazama, EJ and Bosch, MJ and Shouldis, CS and Ouellette, SP and Wesner, JS}, title = {Incidence of Wolbachia in aquatic insects.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {7}, number = {4}, pages = {1165-1169}, doi = {10.1002/ece3.2742}, pmid = {28303186}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Wolbachia is a genus of intracellular bacteria typically found within the reproductive systems of insects that manipulates those systems of their hosts. While current estimates of Wolbachia incidence suggest that it infects approximately half of all arthropod species, these estimates are based almost entirely on terrestrial insects. No systematic survey of Wolbachia in aquatic insects has been performed. To estimate Wolbachia incidence among aquatic insect species, we combined field-collected samples from the Missouri River (251 samples from 58 species) with a global database from previously published surveys. The final database contained 5,598 samples of 2,687 total species (228 aquatic and 2,459 terrestrial). We estimate that 52% (95% CrIs: 44%-60%) of aquatic insect species carry Wolbachia, compared to 60% (58%-63%) of terrestrial insects. Among aquatic insects, infected orders included Odonata, Coleoptera, Trichoptera, Ephemeroptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, and Plecoptera. Incidence was highest within aquatic Diptera and Hemiptera (69%), Odonata (50%), and Coleoptera (53%), and was lowest within Ephemeroptera (13%). These results indicate that Wolbachia is common among aquatic insects, but incidence varies widely across orders and is especially uncertain in those orders with low sample sizes such as Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera.}, }
@article {pmid28303006, year = {2017}, author = {Aljayyoussi, G and Tyrer, HE and Ford, L and Sjoberg, H and Pionnier, N and Waterhouse, D and Davies, J and Gamble, J and Metuge, H and Cook, DAN and Steven, A and Sharma, R and Guimaraes, AF and Clare, RH and Cassidy, A and Johnston, KL and Myhill, L and Hayward, L and Wanji, S and Turner, JD and Taylor, MJ and Ward, SA}, title = {Short-Course, High-Dose Rifampicin Achieves Wolbachia Depletion Predictive of Curative Outcomes in Preclinical Models of Lymphatic Filariasis and Onchocerciasis.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, pages = {210}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-017-00322-5}, pmid = {28303006}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {MR/L018756/1//Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, abstract = {Lymphatic filariasis (LF) and onchocerciasis are priority neglected tropical diseases targeted for elimination. The only safe drug treatment with substantial curative activity against the filarial nematodes responsible for LF (Brugia malayi, Wuchereria bancrofti) or onchocerciasis (Onchocerca volvulus) is doxycycline. The target of doxycycline is the essential endosymbiont, Wolbachia. Four to six weeks doxycycline therapy achieves >90% depletion of Wolbachia in worm tissues leading to blockade of embryogenesis, adult sterility and premature death 18-24 months post-treatment. Long treatment length and contraindications in children and pregnancy are obstacles to implementing doxycycline as a public health strategy. Here we determine, via preclinical infection models of Brugia malayi or Onchocerca ochengi that elevated exposures of orally-administered rifampicin can lead to Wolbachia depletions from filariae more rapidly than those achieved by doxycycline. Dose escalation of rifampicin achieves >90% Wolbachia depletion in time periods of 7 days in B. malayi and 14 days in O. ochengi. Using pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modelling and mouse-human bridging analysis, we conclude that clinically relevant dose elevations of rifampicin, which have recently been determined as safe in humans, could be administered as short courses to filariasis target populations with potential to reduce anti-Wolbachia curative therapy times to between one and two weeks.}, }
@article {pmid28299861, year = {2017}, author = {Ma, WJ and Schwander, T}, title = {Patterns and mechanisms in instances of endosymbiont-induced parthenogenesis.}, journal = {Journal of evolutionary biology}, volume = {30}, number = {5}, pages = {868-888}, doi = {10.1111/jeb.13069}, pmid = {28299861}, issn = {1420-9101}, mesh = {Animals ; Diploidy ; Female ; Hymenoptera ; *Parthenogenesis ; *Symbiosis ; *Wolbachia/genetics/physiology ; }, abstract = {Female-producing parthenogenesis can be induced by endosymbionts that increase their transmission by manipulating host reproduction. Our literature survey indicates that such endosymbiont-induced parthenogenesis is known or suspected in 124 host species from seven different arthropod taxa, with Wolbachia as the most frequent endosymbiont (in 56-75% of host species). Most host species (81%, 100 out of 124) are characterized by haplo-diploid sex determination, but a strong ascertainment bias likely underestimates the frequency of endosymbiont-induced parthenogenesis in hosts with other sex determination systems. In at least one taxon, hymenopterans, endosymbionts are a significant driver of transitions from sexual to parthenogenetic reproduction, with one-third of lineages being parthenogenetic as a consequence of endosymbiont infection. Endosymbiont-induced parthenogenesis appears to facilitate the maintenance of reproductive polymorphism: at least 50% of species comprise both sexual (uninfected) and parthenogenetic (infected) strains. These strains feature distribution differences similar to the ones documented for lineages with genetically determined parthenogenesis, with endosymbiont-induced parthenogens occurring at higher latitudes than their sexual relatives. Finally, although gamete duplication is often considered as the main mechanism for endosymbiont-induced parthenogenesis, it underlies parthenogenesis in only half of the host species studied thus far. We point out caveats in the methods used to test for endosymbiont-induced parthenogenesis and suggest specific approaches that allow for firm conclusions about the involvement of endosymbionts in the origin of parthenogenesis.}, }
@article {pmid28291780, year = {2017}, author = {Luck, AN and Slatko, BE and Foster, JM}, title = {Removing the needle from the haystack: Enrichment of Wolbachia endosymbiont transcripts from host nematode RNA by Cappable-seq™.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {12}, number = {3}, pages = {e0173186}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0173186}, pmid = {28291780}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; Nematoda/*genetics/*microbiology ; RNA, Messenger/genetics ; RNA, Transfer/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, RNA/*methods ; *Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Efficient transcriptomic sequencing of microbial mRNA derived from host-microbe associations is often compromised by the much lower relative abundance of microbial RNA in the mixed total RNA sample. One solution to this problem is to perform extensive sequencing until an acceptable level of transcriptome coverage is obtained. More cost-effective methods include use of prokaryotic and/or eukaryotic rRNA depletion strategies, sometimes in conjunction with depletion of polyadenylated eukaryotic mRNA. Here, we report use of Cappable-seq™ to specifically enrich, in a single step, Wolbachia endobacterial mRNA transcripts from total RNA prepared from the parasitic filarial nematode, Brugia malayi. The obligate Wolbachia endosymbiont is a proven drug target for many human filarial infections, yet the precise nature of its symbiosis with the nematode host is poorly understood. Insightful analysis of the expression levels of Wolbachia genes predicted to underpin the mutualistic association and of known drug target genes at different life cycle stages or in response to drug treatments is typically challenged by low transcriptomic coverage. Cappable-seq resulted in up to ~ 5-fold increase in the number of reads mapping to Wolbachia. On average, coverage of Wolbachia transcripts from B. malayi microfilariae was enriched ~40-fold by Cappable-seq. Additionally, this method has an additional benefit of selectively removing abundant prokaryotic ribosomal RNAs.The deeper microbial transcriptome sequencing afforded by Cappable-seq facilitates more detailed characterization of gene expression levels of pathogens and symbionts present in animal tissues.}, }
@article {pmid28288761, year = {2017}, author = {Serrano-Parreño, B and Carretón, E and Caro-Vadillo, A and Falcón-Cordón, S and Falcón-Cordón, Y and Montoya-Alonso, JA}, title = {Pulmonary hypertension in dogs with heartworm before and after the adulticide protocol recommended by the American Heartworm Society.}, journal = {Veterinary parasitology}, volume = {236}, number = {}, pages = {34-37}, doi = {10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.02.001}, pmid = {28288761}, issn = {1873-2550}, mesh = {Animals ; Antinematodal Agents/*administration &amp; dosage ; Arsenicals/administration &amp; dosage ; Dirofilaria immitis/physiology ; Dirofilariasis/drug therapy/*parasitology/physiopathology ; Dog Diseases/drug therapy/parasitology/*physiopathology ; Dogs ; Doxycycline/administration &amp; dosage ; Echocardiography/veterinary ; Endarteritis/drug therapy/parasitology/physiopathology/*veterinary ; Female ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/drug therapy/parasitology/physiopathology/*veterinary ; Injections, Intramuscular/veterinary ; Ivermectin/administration &amp; dosage ; Male ; Spain ; Triazines/administration &amp; dosage ; }, abstract = {Pulmonary hypertension (pH) is a frequent and severe phenomenon in heartworm disease (Dirofilaria immitis). There is a lack of studies assessing the evolution of the proliferative endarteritis and pH caused by D. immitis after the death of the parasites, so this study evaluated the influence that the elimination of the worms exerts over the pulmonary pressure and therefore evolution of the endarteritis, through the evaluation of the Right Pulmonary Artery Distensibility (RPAD) Index and other echocardiographic measurements in 2D mode, M-mode and Doppler echocardiography in 34 dogs naturally infected by D. immitis on day 0, and one month after the last adulticide dose (day 120). pH, based on the determination of the RPAD Index, was present in 68% of the dogs (n=23) on day 0 and on day 120. No significant differences were observed between the RPAD Index between the two measurements, and only significant differences were found in pulmonary deceleration time, ejection time, and left ventricular internal diameter in telediastole when measurements from day 0 and day 120 were compared. There was not any worsening in the development of pH after the elimination of the parasites, independently of the parasite burden. During the adulticide treatment, the death of the worms causes thromboembolism and tends to worsen the vascular damage and presence of pH . It seems that following the adulticide protocol recommended by the American Heartworm Society with the previous elimination of Wolbachia and reduction of microfilariae followed by the stepped death of the worms did not cause a significant aggravation of the pulmonary damage of the treated dogs. Neither is present any significant improvement in the RPAD Index on day 120; probably, more time is needed before appreciating some positive changes after the elimination of the worms and Wolbachia from the vasculature and further studies are necessary.}, }
@article {pmid28286698, year = {2017}, author = {Yakob, L and Funk, S and Camacho, A and Brady, O and Edmunds, WJ}, title = {Aedes aegypti Control Through Modernized, Integrated Vector Management.}, journal = {PLoS currents}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1371/currents.outbreaks.45deb8e03a438c4d088afb4fafae8747}, pmid = {28286698}, issn = {2157-3999}, support = {MR/J01432X/1//Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; MR/K021680/1//Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: In the context of the ongoing, unprecedented Zika virus outbreak in the Americas, the World Health Organization has expressed its support for developing and up-scaling three novel approaches to controlling the Aedes aegypti mosquito: the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), the Release of Insects carrying Dominant Lethal genes (RIDL) and the release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. Whereas the former two approaches are temporary insect population suppression strategies, Wolbachia infection is a self-sustaining, invasive strategy that uses inherited endosymbiotic bacteria to render natural mosquito populations arbovirus resistant.<br><br>METHODS: A mathematical model is parameterised with new, Brazilian field data informing the mating competitiveness of mass-reared, released insects; and simulations compare and contrast projections of vector control achieved with the alternative approaches.<br><br>RESULTS: Important disadvantages of Wolbachia and SIT are identified: both strategies result in mosquitoes ovipositing non-viable eggs and, by alleviating intense larval competition, can cause an overall increase in survival to the adult stage. However, it is demonstrated that strategically combining the suppression methods with Wolbachia can generate a sustained control while mitigating the risks of inadvertent exacerbation of the wild mosquito population.<br><br>DISCUSSION: This initial analysis demonstrates potential for good synergy when combining novel mosquito approaches in a modernized, integrated vector control programme.}, }
@article {pmid28286343, year = {2017}, author = {Hofer, U}, title = {Symbiosis: Wolbachia's matchmaking secret revealed.}, journal = {Nature reviews. Microbiology}, volume = {15}, number = {4}, pages = {194-195}, doi = {10.1038/nrmicro.2017.25}, pmid = {28286343}, issn = {1740-1534}, mesh = {Humans ; *Symbiosis ; *Wolbachia ; }, }
@article {pmid28267749, year = {2017}, author = {Audsley, MD and Ye, YH and McGraw, EA}, title = {The microbiome composition of Aedes aegypti is not critical for Wolbachia-mediated inhibition of dengue virus.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {11}, number = {3}, pages = {e0005426}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0005426}, pmid = {28267749}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology/*virology ; Animals ; DNA, Bacterial/chemistry/genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal/chemistry/genetics ; Dengue Virus/*growth &amp; development ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; *Microbial Interactions ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Wolbachia/*growth &amp; development ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Dengue virus (DENV) is primarily vectored by the mosquito Aedes aegypti, and is estimated to cause 390 million human infections annually. A novel method for DENV control involves stable transinfection of Ae. aegypti with the common insect endosymbiont Wolbachia, which mediates an antiviral effect. However, the mechanism by which Wolbachia reduces the susceptibility of Ae. aegypti to DENV is not fully understood. In this study we assessed the potential of resident microbiota, which can play important roles in insect physiology and immune responses, to affect Wolbachia-mediated DENV blocking.<br><br>METHODOLOGY/FINDINGS: The microbiome of Ae. aegypti stably infected with Wolbachia strain wMel was compared to that of Ae. aegypti without Wolbachia, using 16s rDNA profiling. Our results indicate that although Wolbachia affected the relative abundance of several genera, the microbiome of both the Wolbachia-infected and uninfected mosquitoes was dominated by Elizabethkingia and unclassified Enterobacteriaceae. To assess the potential of the resident microbiota to affect the Wolbachia-mediated antiviral effect, we used antibiotic treatment before infection with DENV by blood-meal. In spite of a significant shift in the microbiome composition in response to the antibiotics, we detected no effect of antibiotic treatment on DENV infection rates, or on the DENV load of infected mosquitoes.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings indicate that stable infection with Wolbachia strain wMel produces few effects on the microbiome of laboratory-reared Ae. aegypti. Moreover, our findings suggest that the microbiome can be significantly altered without affecting the fundamental DENV blocking phenotype in these mosquitoes. Since Ae. aegypti are likely to encounter diverse microbiota in the field, this is a particularly important result in the context of using Wolbachia as a method for DENV control.}, }
@article {pmid28266601, year = {2017}, author = {Wang, XX and Qi, LD and Jiang, R and Du, YZ and Li, YX}, title = {Incomplete removal of Wolbachia with tetracycline has two-edged reproductive effects in the thelytokous wasp Encarsia formosa (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae).}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {7}, number = {}, pages = {44014}, doi = {10.1038/srep44014}, pmid = {28266601}, issn = {2045-2322}, abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis are intracellular endosymbionts that induce parthenogenesis in the parasitoid Encarsia formosa. Previous studies that focused on effects of Wolbachia on the wasp usually used tetracycline to remove Wolbachia without concern for the joint influences of tetracycline and Wolbachia. Here we treated the wasps (F0 lines) with tetracycline to produce offspring (F1 lines) which were not fed tetracycline to avoid antibiotic influence. The quantitative data and fluorescence in situ hybridization showed that Wolbachia titers were reduced but not totally removed. The Wolbachia that infected the male offspring were unpredictably detected. Low dose tetracycline enhanced the fertility of 2-day-old F0 wasps after 24 h of treatment; however, compared with controls, the oocyte load of 3- to 6-day-old tetracycline-treated wasps decreased day by day, and tetracycline reduced the longevity of the wasps. The fecundity of controls was significantly higher than that of the treated F1-10 and F1-20 generations. Gene expression of vitellogenin reflected the same trend as that of wasp fecundities in both F0 and F1 lines. Moreover, female offspring proportions of F0 and F1 lines were related to the titer of infected Wolbachia, demonstrating that Wolbachia titer affected the sex determination of E. formosa.}, }
@article {pmid28262718, year = {2017}, author = {Terradas, G and Joubert, DA and McGraw, EA}, title = {The RNAi pathway plays a small part in Wolbachia-mediated blocking of dengue virus in mosquito cells.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {7}, number = {}, pages = {43847}, doi = {10.1038/srep43847}, pmid = {28262718}, issn = {2045-2322}, abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis is an insect endosymbiont known to limit the replication of viruses including dengue and Zika in their primary mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti. Wolbachia is being released into mosquito populations globally in a bid to control the diseases caused by these viruses. It is theorized that Wolbachia's priming of the insect immune system may confer protection against subsequent viral infection. Other hypotheses posit a role for competition between Wolbachia and viruses for host cellular resources. Using an A. aegypti cell line infected with Wolbachia, we tested the effects of targeting siRNAs against the major innate immune pathways on dengue virus loads. We show that while Wolbachia infection induces genes in the Toll, JAK/STAT and RNAi pathways, only reduced expression of RNAi leads to a rebound of dengue virus loads in Wolbachia-infected cells. The magnitude of the effect explained less than 10% of the total DENV load, demonstrating that blocking must be dependent on other factors in addition to the expression of RNAi. The findings bode well for the long-term stability of blocking given that immunity gene expression would likely be highly plastic and susceptible to rapid evolution.}, }
@article {pmid28261755, year = {2017}, author = {Ramalho, MO and Martins, C and Silva, LM and Martins, VG and Bueno, OC}, title = {Intracellular Symbiotic Bacteria of Camponotus textor, Forel (Hymenoptera, Formicidae).}, journal = {Current microbiology}, volume = {74}, number = {5}, pages = {589-597}, doi = {10.1007/s00284-017-1201-6}, pmid = {28261755}, issn = {1432-0991}, mesh = {Animals ; Ants/*microbiology ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics ; *Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/classification/genetics ; }, abstract = {This study focuses on the weaver ant, Camponotus textor, Forel which occurs in some areas of the Brazilian Cerrado and Atlantic Forest, and its symbionts: Blochmannia, an obligate symbiont of Camponotus, and Wolbachia, known for causing reproductive alterations in their hosts. The main goal of this study was to investigate the presence, frequency of occurrence, and diversity of Wolbachia and Blochmannia strains in C. textor colonies. We found high infection rates (100%) and the occurrence of at least two distinct strains of Blochmannia (H_1 or H_7) in the same species. The observed haplotype variation within a single species may result from the high mutation rate of the symbiont. Similarly, the Wolbachia was found in all colonies with different rates of infections and a new strain (supergroup A) was deposited in the MLST database. The diversity found in the present study shows that there is still much to explore to understand about these symbiotic interactions.}, }
@article {pmid28248294, year = {2017}, author = {Beckmann, JF and Ronau, JA and Hochstrasser, M}, title = {A Wolbachia deubiquitylating enzyme induces cytoplasmic incompatibility.}, journal = {Nature microbiology}, volume = {2}, number = {}, pages = {17007}, doi = {10.1038/nmicrobiol.2017.7}, pmid = {28248294}, issn = {2058-5276}, support = {R01 GM053756/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; UL1 TR001863/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Culex/*microbiology/*physiology ; Deubiquitinating Enzymes/*metabolism ; Drosophila/*microbiology/*physiology ; Male ; Reproduction ; Spermatozoa/microbiology/physiology ; Wolbachia/*enzymology/growth &amp; development/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are obligate intracellular bacteria1 that infect arthropods, including approximately two-thirds of insect species2. Wolbachia manipulate insect reproduction by enhancing their inheritance through the female germline. The most common alteration is cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI)3-5, where eggs from uninfected females fail to develop when fertilized by sperm from Wolbachia-infected males. By contrast, if female and male partners are both infected, embryos are viable. CI is a gene-drive mechanism impacting population structure6 and causing reproductive isolation7, but its molecular mechanism has remained unknown. We show that a Wolbachia deubiquitylating enzyme (DUB) induces CI. The CI-inducing DUB, CidB, cleaves ubiquitin from substrates and is encoded in a two-gene operon, and the other protein, CidA, binds CidB. Binding is strongest between cognate partners in cidA-cidB homologues. In transgenic Drosophila, the cidA-cidB operon mimics CI when sperm introduce it into eggs, and a catalytically inactive DUB does not induce sterility. Toxicity is recapitulated in yeast by CidB alone; this requires DUB activity but is rescued by coexpressed CidA. A paralogous operon involves a putative nuclease (CinB) rather than a DUB. Analogous binding, toxicity and rescue in yeast were observed. These results identify a CI mechanism involving interacting proteins that are secreted into germline cells by Wolbachia, and suggest new methods for insect control.}, }
@article {pmid28245239, year = {2017}, author = {Muturi, EJ and Ramirez, JL and Rooney, AP and Kim, CH}, title = {Comparative analysis of gut microbiota of mosquito communities in central Illinois.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {11}, number = {2}, pages = {e0005377}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0005377}, pmid = {28245239}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Culicidae/classification/*microbiology/physiology ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Gastrointestinal Tract/microbiology ; Illinois ; Insect Vectors/classification/*microbiology/physiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The composition and structure of microbial communities that inhabit the mosquito midguts are poorly understood despite their well-documented potential to impede pathogen transmission.<br><br>We used MiSeq sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene to characterize the bacterial communities of field-collected populations of 12 mosquito species. After quality filtering and rarefaction, the remaining sequences were assigned to 181 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Approximately 58% of these OTUs occurred in at least two mosquito species but only three OTUs: Gluconobacter (OTU 1), Propionibacterium (OTU 9), and Staphylococcus (OTU 31) occurred in all 12 mosquito species. Individuals of different mosquito species shared similar gut microbiota and it was common for individuals of the same species from the same study site and collection date to harbor different gut microbiota. On average, the microbiota of Aedes albopictus was the least diverse and significantly less even compared to Anopheles crucians, An. quadrimaculatus, Ae. triseriatus, Ae. vexans, Ae. japonicus, Culex restuans, and Culiseta inornata. The microbial community of Cx. pipiens and Ae. albopictus differed significantly from all other mosquitoes species and was primarily driven by the dominance of Wolbachia.<br><br>CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE: These findings expand the range of mosquito species whose gut microbiota has been characterized and sets the foundation for further studies to determine the influence of these microbiota on vector susceptibility to pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid28241782, year = {2017}, author = {Vivero, RJ and Cadavid-Restrepo, G and Herrera, CX and Soto, SI}, title = {Molecular detection and identification of Wolbachia in three species of the genus Lutzomyia on the Colombian Caribbean coast.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {110}, doi = {10.1186/s13071-017-2031-x}, pmid = {28241782}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/genetics ; Caribbean Region ; Colombia ; Genotype ; Insect Vectors/microbiology ; Leishmaniasis/transmission ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Psychodidae/classification/genetics/*microbiology ; Wolbachia/*genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The hematophagous habits of insects belonging to the genus Lutzomyia (Diptera: Psychodidae), as well as their role as biological vectors of Leishmania species, make their presence an indication of infection risk. In the present study, seven species of Lutzomyia were identified and screened for natural infections with Wolbachia.<br><br>METHODS: Collection of sand flies was done in an endemic focus of leishmaniasis on the Colombian Caribbean coast (Department of Sucre, Ovejas municipality). DNA collected from Lutzomyia species was evaluated with PCR for wsp gene amplification to screen for bacterial infection.<br><br>RESULTS: Endosymbiotic Wolbachia was found in three species: Lutzomyia c. cayennensis, Lutzomyia dubitans and Lutzomyia evansi. Two Wolbachia strains (genotypes) were found in Lutzomyia spp. These genotypes were previously unknown in dipteran insects. The wLev strain was found in Lutzomyia dubitans, L. c. cayennensis and L. evansi and the wLcy strain was found only in L. c. cayennensis.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Genetic analysis indicated that the Wolbachia strains wLcy and wLev belong to the B Supergroup. This study provides evidence of infections of more than one strain of Wolbachia in L. c. cayennensis.}, }
@article {pmid28241146, year = {2017}, author = {LePage, DP and Metcalf, JA and Bordenstein, SR and On, J and Perlmutter, JI and Shropshire, JD and Layton, EM and Funkhouser-Jones, LJ and Beckmann, JF and Bordenstein, SR}, title = {Prophage WO genes recapitulate and enhance Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility.}, journal = {Nature}, volume = {543}, number = {7644}, pages = {243-247}, doi = {10.1038/nature21391}, pmid = {28241146}, issn = {1476-4687}, support = {R21 HD086833/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/United States ; P60 DK020593/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; P30 DK058404/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; U2C DK059637/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; P30 EY008126/EY/NEI NIH HHS/United States ; T32 GM007347/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; P30 DK020593/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; P30 CA068485/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI081322/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; T32 GM008554/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; U24 DK059637/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; *Biological Control Agents ; Crosses, Genetic ; Cytoplasm/*genetics/pathology ; Drosophila melanogaster/*cytology/embryology/*microbiology/physiology ; Female ; Genes, Viral/*genetics ; *Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Male ; Prophages/*genetics ; Reproduction ; Sex Ratio ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/classification/*genetics/physiology/virology ; }, abstract = {The genus Wolbachia is an archetype of maternally inherited intracellular bacteria that infect the germline of numerous invertebrate species worldwide. They can selfishly alter arthropod sex ratios and reproductive strategies to increase the proportion of the infected matriline in the population. The most common reproductive manipulation is cytoplasmic incompatibility, which results in embryonic lethality in crosses between infected males and uninfected females. Females infected with the same Wolbachia strain rescue this lethality. Despite more than 40 years of research and relevance to symbiont-induced speciation, as well as control of arbovirus vectors and agricultural pests, the bacterial genes underlying cytoplasmic incompatibility remain unknown. Here we use comparative and transgenic approaches to demonstrate that two differentially transcribed, co-diverging genes in the eukaryotic association module of prophage WO from Wolbachia strain wMel recapitulate and enhance cytoplasmic incompatibility. Dual expression in transgenic, uninfected males of Drosophila melanogaster crossed to uninfected females causes embryonic lethality. Each gene additively augments embryonic lethality in crosses between infected males and uninfected females. Lethality associates with embryonic defects that parallel those of wild-type cytoplasmic incompatibility and is notably rescued by wMel-infected embryos in all cases. The discovery of cytoplasmic incompatibility factor genes cifA and cifB pioneers genetic studies of prophage WO-induced reproductive manipulations and informs the continuing use of Wolbachia to control dengue and Zika virus transmission to humans.}, }
@article {pmid28235879, year = {2017}, author = {Erban, T and Ledvinka, O and Nesvorna, M and Hubert, J}, title = {Experimental Manipulation Shows a Greater Influence of Population than Dietary Perturbation on the Microbiome of Tyrophagus putrescentiae.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {83}, number = {9}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1128/AEM.00128-17}, pmid = {28235879}, issn = {1098-5336}, mesh = {Acaridae/*microbiology ; Animals ; Bacteria/*classification/*genetics ; Cluster Analysis ; DNA, Bacterial/chemistry/genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal/chemistry/genetics ; Diet/*methods ; Feeding Behavior ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; }, abstract = {Tyrophagus putrescentiae is inhabited by bacteria that differ among mite populations (strains) and diets. Here, we investigated how the microbiome and fitness of Tputrescentiae are altered by dietary perturbations and mite populations. Four T. putrescentiae populations, referred to as dog, Koppert, laboratory, and Phillips, underwent a perturbation, i.e., a dietary switch from a rearing diet to two experimental diets. The microbiome was investigated by sequencing the V1-V3 portion of the 16S rRNA gene, and selected bacterial taxa were quantified by quantitative PCR (qPCR) using group/taxon-specific primers. The parameters observed were the changes in mite population growth and nutritional status, i.e., the total glycogen, lipid, saccharide, and protein contents in mites. The effect of diet perturbation on the variability of the microbiome composition and population growth was lower than the effect induced by mite population. In contrast, the diet perturbation showed a greater effect on nutritional status of mites than the mite population. The endosymbionts exhibited high variations among T. putrescentiae populations, including Cardinium in the laboratory population, Blattabacterium-like bacteria in the dog population, and Wolbachia in the dog and Phillips populations. Solitalea-like and Bartonella-like bacteria were present in the dog, Koppert, and Phillips populations in different proportions. The T. putrescentiae microbiome is dynamic and varies based on both the mite population and perturbation; however, the mites remain characterized by robust bacterial communities. Bacterial endosymbionts were found in all populations but represented a dominant portion of the microbiome in only some populations.IMPORTANCE We addressed the question of whether population origin or perturbation exerts a more significant influence on the bacterial community of the stored product mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae The microbiomes of four populations of T. putrescentiae insects subjected to diet perturbation were compared. Based on our results, the bacterial community was more affected by the mite population than by diet perturbation. This result can be interpreted as indicating high stability of the putative intracellular symbionts in response to dietary perturbation. The changes in the absolute and relative numbers of Wolbachia, Blattabacterium-like, Solitalea-like, and Cardinium bacteria in the T. putrescentiae populations can also be caused by neutral processes other than perturbation. When nutritional status is considered, the effect of population appeared less important than the perturbation. We hypothesize that differences in the proportions of the endosymbiotic bacteria result in changes in mite population growth.}, }
@article {pmid28208639, year = {2017}, author = {Huang, YS and Higgs, S and Vanlandingham, DL}, title = {Biological Control Strategies for Mosquito Vectors of Arboviruses.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3390/insects8010021}, pmid = {28208639}, issn = {2075-4450}, abstract = {Historically, biological control utilizes predatory species and pathogenic microorganisms to reduce the population of mosquitoes as disease vectors. This is particularly important for the control of mosquito-borne arboviruses, which normally do not have specific antiviral therapies available. Although development of resistance is likely, the advantages of biological control are that the resources used are typically biodegradable and ecologically friendly. Over the past decade, the advancement of molecular biology has enabled optimization by the manipulation of genetic materials associated with biological control agents. Two significant advancements are the discovery of cytoplasmic incompatibility induced by Wolbachia bacteria, which has enhanced replacement programs, and the introduction of dominant lethal genes into local mosquito populations through the release of genetically modified mosquitoes. As various arboviruses continue to be significant public health threats, biological control strategies have evolved to be more diverse and become critical tools to reduce the disease burden of arboviruses.}, }
@article {pmid28204477, year = {2016}, author = {Lo, WS and Huang, YY and Kuo, CH}, title = {Winding paths to simplicity: genome evolution in facultative insect symbionts.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology reviews}, volume = {40}, number = {6}, pages = {855-874}, doi = {10.1093/femsre/fuw028}, pmid = {28204477}, issn = {1574-6976}, mesh = {Animals ; Enterobacteriaceae/genetics ; *Evolution, Molecular ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal/genetics ; Genome, Bacterial/*genetics ; Insecta/*genetics/*microbiology ; Proteobacteria/genetics ; Spiroplasma/genetics ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Symbiosis between organisms is an important driving force in evolution. Among the diverse relationships described, extensive progress has been made in insect–bacteria symbiosis, which improved our understanding of the genome evolution in host-associated bacteria. Particularly, investigations on several obligate mutualists have pushed the limits of what we know about the minimal genomes for sustaining cellular life. To bridge the gap between those obligate symbionts with extremely reduced genomes and their non-host-restricted ancestors, this review focuses on the recent progress in genome characterization of facultative insect symbionts. Notable cases representing various types and stages of host associations, including those from multiple genera in the family Enterobacteriaceae (class Gammaproteobacteria), Wolbachia (Alphaproteobacteria) and Spiroplasma (Mollicutes), are discussed. Although several general patterns of genome reduction associated with the adoption of symbiotic relationships could be identified, extensive variation was found among these facultative symbionts. These findings are incorporated into the established conceptual frameworks to develop a more detailed evolutionary model for the discussion of possible trajectories. In summary, transitions from facultative to obligate symbiosis do not appear to be a universal one-way street; switches between hosts and lifestyles (e.g. commensalism, parasitism or mutualism) occur frequently and could be facilitated by horizontal gene transfer.}, }
@article {pmid28201740, year = {2017}, author = {Bailly-Bechet, M and Martins-Simões, P and Szöllosi, GJ and Mialdea, G and Sagot, MF and Charlat, S}, title = {How Long Does Wolbachia Remain on Board?.}, journal = {Molecular biology and evolution}, volume = {34}, number = {5}, pages = {1183-1193}, doi = {10.1093/molbev/msx073}, pmid = {28201740}, issn = {1537-1719}, mesh = {Animals ; Arthropods/genetics ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Evolution, Molecular ; Genetic Variation ; Genetics, Population ; Haplotypes ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Wolbachia/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia bacteria infect about half of all arthropods, with diverse and extreme consequences ranging from sex-ratio distortion and mating incompatibilities to protection against viruses. These phenotypic effects, combined with efficient vertical transmission from mothers to offspring, satisfactorily explain the invasion dynamics of Wolbachia within species. However, beyond the species level, the lack of congruence between the host and symbiont phylogenetic trees indicates that Wolbachia horizontal transfers and extinctions do happen and underlie its global distribution. But how often do they occur? And has the Wolbachia pandemic reached its equilibrium? Here, we address these questions by inferring recent acquisition/loss events from the distribution of Wolbachia lineages across the mitochondrial DNA tree of 3,600 arthropod specimens, spanning 1,100 species from Tahiti and surrounding islands. We show that most events occurred within the last million years, but are likely attributable to individual level variation (e.g., imperfect maternal transmission) rather than population level variation (e.g., Wolbachia extinction). At the population level, we estimate that mitochondria typically accumulate 4.7% substitutions per site during an infected episode, and 7.1% substitutions per site during the uninfected phase. Using a Bayesian time calibration of the mitochondrial tree, these numbers translate into infected and uninfected phases of approximately 7 and 9 million years. Infected species thus lose Wolbachia slightly more often than uninfected species acquire it, supporting the view that its present incidence, estimated here slightly below 0.5, represents an epidemiological equilibrium.}, }
@article {pmid28181227, year = {2017}, author = {Nguyen, DT and Morrow, JL and Spooner-Hart, RN and Riegler, M}, title = {Independent cytoplasmic incompatibility induced by Cardinium and Wolbachia maintains endosymbiont coinfections in haplodiploid thrips populations.}, journal = {Evolution; international journal of organic evolution}, volume = {71}, number = {4}, pages = {995-1008}, doi = {10.1111/evo.13197}, pmid = {28181227}, issn = {1558-5646}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteroidetes/*physiology ; Reproduction ; *Symbiosis ; Thysanoptera/*microbiology ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Cardinium and Wolbachia are common maternally inherited reproductive parasites that can coinfect arthropods, yet interactions between both bacterial endosymbionts are rarely studied. For the first time, we report their independent expression of complete cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) in a coinfected host, and CI in a species of the haplodiploid insect order Thysanoptera. In Pezothrips kellyanus, Cardinium-induced CI resulted in a combination of male development (MD) and embryonic female mortality (FM) of fertilized eggs. In contrast, Wolbachia-induced CI resulted in FM together with postembryonic mortality not previously reported as a CI outcome. Both endosymbionts appeared to not influence fecundity but virgins produced more offspring than mated females. In coinfected individuals, Wolbachia density was higher than Cardinium. Wolbachia removal did not impact Cardinium density, suggesting a lack of competition within hosts. Maternal transmission was complete for Wolbachia and high for Cardinium. Our data support theoretical predictions and empirical detection of high endosymbiont prevalence in field populations of the native range of this pest thrips. However, previous findings of more frequent loss of Wolbachia than Cardinium, particularly in field populations of the host's invasive range, suggest that genetic diversity or varying environmental factors between field populations also play a role in shaping host-endosymbiont dynamics.}, }
@article {pmid28172869, year = {2016}, author = {Kraaijeveld, K and Anvar, SY and Frank, J and Schmitz, A and Bast, J and Wilbrandt, J and Petersen, M and Ziesmann, T and Niehuis, O and de Knijff, P and den Dunnen, JT and Ellers, J}, title = {Decay of Sexual Trait Genes in an Asexual Parasitoid Wasp.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {8}, number = {12}, pages = {3685-3695}, doi = {10.1093/gbe/evw273}, pmid = {28172869}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; *Genes, Insect ; Male ; Mutation ; Phenotype ; Phylogeny ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; *Reproduction, Asexual ; Wasps/*genetics/physiology ; }, abstract = {Trait loss is a widespread phenomenon with pervasive consequences for a species’ evolutionary potential. The genetic changes underlying trait loss have only been clarified in a small number of cases. None of these studies can identify whether the loss of the trait under study was a result of neutral mutation accumulation or negative selection. This distinction is relatively clear-cut in the loss of sexual traits in asexual organisms. Male-specific sexual traits are not expressed and can only decay through neutral mutations, whereas female-specific traits are expressed and subject to negative selection. We present the genome of an asexual parasitoid wasp and compare it to that of a sexual lineage of the same species. We identify a short-list of 16 genes for which the asexual lineage carries deleterious SNP or indel variants, whereas the sexual lineage does not. Using tissue-specific expression data from other insects, we show that fifteen of these are expressed in male-specific reproductive tissues. Only one deleterious variant was found that is expressed in the female-specific spermathecae, a trait that is heavily degraded and thought to be under negative selection in L. clavipes. Although the phenotypic decay of male-specific sexual traits in asexuals is generally slow compared with the decay of female-specific sexual traits, we show that male-specific traits do indeed accumulate deleterious mutations as expected by theory. Our results provide an excellent starting point for detailed study of the genomics of neutral and selected trait decay.}, }
@article {pmid28168034, year = {2017}, author = {Johannesen, J}, title = {Tracing the history and ecological context of Wolbachia double infection in a specialist host (Urophora cardui)-parasitoid (Eurytoma serratulae) system.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {7}, number = {3}, pages = {986-996}, doi = {10.1002/ece3.2713}, pmid = {28168034}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia is the most widespread bacteria in insects, yet the ecology of novel acquisitions in natural host populations is poorly understood. Using temporal data separated by 12 years, I tested the hypothesis that immigration of a parasitoid wasp led to transmission of its Wolbachia strain to its dipteran host, resulting in double-strain infection, and I used geographic and community surveys to explore the history of transmission in fly and parasitoid. Double infection in the fly host was present before immigration of the parasitoid. Equal prevalence of double infection in males and females, constant prevalence before and after immigration in two regions, and increase in one region of immigration indicate little if no competition between strains. Double infection was present throughout the fly's distribution range, but proportions varied highly (0-0.71, mean = 0.26). Two fly-specific MLST strains, observed in Eastern and Western Europe, respectively, differed at hcpA only. Flies with either fly-strain could be double infected with the parasitoid's strain. The geographic distribution of double infection implies that it is older than the fly host's extent distribution range and that different proportions of double infection are caused by demographic fluctuations in the fly. The geographic data in combination with community surveys of infections and strains further suggest that the parasitoid strain was the fly's ancestral strain that was transmitted to the parasitoid, that is, the reverse transmission route as first hypothesized. Based on these findings together with a comparison of oviposition strategies of other hosts harboring related Wolbachia strains, I hypothesize that trans-infection during an insect host's puparial metamorphosis might be important in promoting horizontal transmission among diverse holometabolic taxa.}, }
@article {pmid28159754, year = {2017}, author = {White, PM and Serbus, LR and Debec, A and Codina, A and Bray, W and Guichet, A and Lokey, RS and Sullivan, W}, title = {Reliance of Wolbachia on High Rates of Host Proteolysis Revealed by a Genome-Wide RNAi Screen of Drosophila Cells.}, journal = {Genetics}, volume = {205}, number = {4}, pages = {1473-1488}, doi = {10.1534/genetics.116.198903}, pmid = {28159754}, issn = {1943-2631}, support = {R01 GM104486/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; T34 GM007910/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Cell Line ; Drosophila/*genetics/metabolism/microbiology ; Drosophila Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Endoplasmic Reticulum-Associated Degradation ; *Genome, Insect ; Host-Pathogen Interactions/*genetics ; Lipid Metabolism ; Mitochondria/metabolism ; *Proteolysis ; RNA Interference ; Wolbachia/*pathogenicity ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are gram-negative, obligate, intracellular bacteria carried by a majority of insect species worldwide. Here we use a Wolbachia-infected Drosophila cell line and genome-wide RNA interference (RNAi) screening to identify host factors that influence Wolbachia titer. By screening an RNAi library targeting 15,699 transcribed host genes, we identified 36 candidate genes that dramatically reduced Wolbachia titer and 41 that increased Wolbachia titer. Host gene knockdowns that reduced Wolbachia titer spanned a broad array of biological pathways including genes that influenced mitochondrial function and lipid metabolism. In addition, knockdown of seven genes in the host ubiquitin and proteolysis pathways significantly reduced Wolbachia titer. To test the in vivo relevance of these results, we found that drug and mutant inhibition of proteolysis reduced levels of Wolbachia in the Drosophila oocyte. The presence of Wolbachia in either cell lines or oocytes dramatically alters the distribution and abundance of ubiquitinated proteins. Functional studies revealed that maintenance of Wolbachia titer relies on an intact host Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)-associated protein degradation pathway (ERAD). Accordingly, electron microscopy studies demonstrated that Wolbachia is intimately associated with the host ER and dramatically alters the morphology of this organelle. Given Wolbachia lack essential amino acid biosynthetic pathways, the reliance of Wolbachia on high rates of host proteolysis via ubiquitination and the ERAD pathways may be a key mechanism for provisioning Wolbachia with amino acids. In addition, the reliance of Wolbachia on the ERAD pathway and disruption of ER morphology suggests a previously unsuspected mechanism for Wolbachia's potent ability to prevent RNA virus replication.}, }
@article {pmid28156001, year = {2017}, author = {Joob, B and Wiwanitkit, V}, title = {Zika virus infection and Wolbachia (comment on DOI: 10.1002/bies.201600175).}, journal = {BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology}, volume = {39}, number = {4}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1002/bies.201600267}, pmid = {28156001}, issn = {1521-1878}, mesh = {Humans ; *Wolbachia ; Zika Virus ; *Zika Virus Infection ; }, }
@article {pmid28152011, year = {2017}, author = {Tsujimoto, H and Hanley, KA and Sundararajan, A and Devitt, NP and Schilkey, FD and Hansen, IA}, title = {Dengue virus serotype 2 infection alters midgut and carcass gene expression in the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {12}, number = {2}, pages = {e0171345}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0171345}, pmid = {28152011}, issn = {1932-6203}, support = {P20 GM103451/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R15 AI113628/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; SC1 AI109055/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Aedes/microbiology/*virology ; Animals ; *Dengue Virus ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Tract/metabolism/*virology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus is currently an important vector for dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus, and its role in transmission of arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) may increase in the future due to its ability to colonize temperate regions. In contrast to Aedes aegypti, the dominant vector of dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus, genetic responses of Ae. albopictus upon infection with an arbovirus are not well characterized. Here we present a study of the changes in transcript expression in Ae. albopictus exposed to dengue virus serotype 2 via feeding on an artificial bloodmeal.<br><br>We isolated midguts and midgut-free carcasses of Ae. albopictus fed on bloodmeals containing dengue virus as well as controls fed on virus-free control meals at day 1 and day 5 post-feeding. We confirmed infection of midguts from mosquitoes sampled on day 5 post-feeding via RT-PCR. RNAseq analysis revealed dynamic modulation of the expression of several putative immunity and dengue virus-responsive genes, some of whose expression was verified by qRT-PCR. For example, a serine protease gene was up-regulated in the midgut at 1 day post infection, which may potentially enhance mosquito susceptibility to dengue infection, while 14 leucine-rich repeat genes, previously shown to be involved in mosquito antiviral defenses, were down-regulated in the carcass at 5 days post infection. The number of significantly modulated genes decreased over time in midguts and increased in carcasses.<br><br>CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Dengue virus exposure results in the modulation of genes in a time- and site-specific manner. Previous literature on the interaction between mosquitoes and mosquito-borne pathogens suggests that most of the changes that occurred in Ae. albopictus exposed to DENV would favor virus infection. Many genes identified in this study warrant further characterization to understand their role in viral manipulation of and antiviral response of Ae. albopictus.}, }
@article {pmid28135281, year = {2017}, author = {Medeiros, MC and Boothe, EC and Roark, EB and Hamer, GL}, title = {Dispersal of male and female Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes using stable isotope enrichment.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {e0005347}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0005347}, pmid = {28135281}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Aedes/*physiology ; *Animal Distribution ; Animals ; Culex/*physiology ; Female ; Isotope Labeling ; Larva/physiology ; Male ; Mosquito Vectors/*physiology ; Oviposition/physiology ; Texas ; }, abstract = {The dispersal patterns of mosquito vectors are important drivers of vector-borne infectious disease dynamics and understanding movement patterns is pivotal to devise successful intervention strategies. Here, we investigate the dispersal patterns of two globally important mosquito vectors, Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus, by marking naturally-occurring larvae with stable isotopes (13C or 15N). Marked individuals were captured with 32 CDC light trap, 32 gravid trap, and 16 BG Sentinel at different locations within two-kilometer radii of six larval habitats enriched with either 13C or 15N. In total, 720 trap nights from July to August 2013 yielded a total of 32,140 Cx. quinquefasciatus and 7,722 Ae. albopictus. Overall, 69 marked female mosquitoes and 24 marked male mosquitoes were captured throughout the study period. The distance that Cx. quinquefasciatus females traveled differed for host-seeking and oviposition-seeking traps, with females seeking oviposition sites traveling further than those seeking hosts. Our analysis suggests that 41% of Cx. quinquefasciatus females that were host-seeking occurred 1-2 kilometer from their respective natal site, while 59% remained within a kilometer of their natal site. In contrast, 59% of Cx. quinquefasciatus females that were seeking oviposition sites occurred between 1-2 kilometer away from their larval habitat, while 15% occurred > 2 kilometer away from their natal site. Our analysis estimated that approximately 100% of Ae. albopictus females remained within 1 km of their respective natal site, with 79% occurring within 250m. In addition, we found that male Ae. albopictus dispersed farther than females, suggesting male-biased dispersal in this Ae. albopictus population. This study provides important insights on the dispersal patterns of two globally relevant vector species, and will be important in planning next generation vector control strategies that mitigate mosquito-borne disease through sterile insect techniques, novel Wolbachia infection, and gene drive strategies.}, }
@article {pmid28127053, year = {2017}, author = {Pekas, A and Palevsky, E and Sumner, JC and Perotti, MA and Nesvorna, M and Hubert, J}, title = {Comparison of bacterial microbiota of the predatory mite Neoseiulus cucumeris (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and its factitious prey Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acari: Acaridae).}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, pages = {2}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-017-00046-6}, pmid = {28127053}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Acari/*microbiology ; Animals ; Bacteria/*classification/*genetics ; Metagenomics ; *Microbiota ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Neoseiulus cucumeris is a predatory mite used for biological control of arthropod pests. Mass-reared predators are fed with factitious prey mites such as Tyrophagus putrescentiae. Although some information on certain endosymbionts of N. cucumeris and T. putrescentiae exists, it is unclear whether both species share bacterial communities. The bacterial communities in populations of predator and prey mites, as well as the occurence of potential acaropathogenic bacteria were analyzed. The comparisons were based on the following groups: (i) N. cucumeris mass-production; (ii) N. cucumeris laboratory population with disease symptoms; (iii) T. putrescentiae pure populations and; (iv) T. putrescentiae from rearing units of N. cucumeris. Only 15% of OTUs were present in all samples from predatory and prey mite populations (core OTUs): the intracellular symbionts Wolbachia, Cardinium, plus other Blattabacterium-like, Solitalea-like, and Bartonella-like symbionts. Environmental bacteria were more abundant in predatory mites, while symbiotic bacteria prevailed in prey mites. Relative numbers of certain bacterial taxa were significantly different between the microbiota of prey mites reared with and without N. cucumeris. No significant differences were found in the bacterial communities of healthy N. cucumeris compared to N. cucumeris showing disease symptoms. We did not identify any confirmed acaropathogenic bacteria among microbiota.}, }
@article {pmid28118850, year = {2017}, author = {Jha, R and Gangwar, M and Chahar, D and Setty Balakrishnan, A and Negi, MP and Misra-Bhattacharya, S}, title = {Humans from Wuchereria bancrofti endemic area elicit substantial immune response to proteins of the filarial parasite Brugia malayi and its endosymbiont Wolbachia.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {40}, doi = {10.1186/s13071-016-1963-x}, pmid = {28118850}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Animals ; Antibodies, Bacterial/analysis/immunology ; Antibodies, Helminth/analysis/immunology ; Bacterial Proteins/analysis/*immunology ; Brugia malayi/genetics/*immunology/*microbiology ; Elephantiasis, Filarial/*immunology/parasitology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Filariasis/*immunology/parasitology ; Helminth Proteins/analysis/*immunology ; Humans ; Immunity, Humoral ; Immunoblotting ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear/immunology/parasitology ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/*immunology/physiology ; Wuchereria bancrofti/genetics/*immunology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: In the past, immune responses to several Brugia malayi immunodominant antigens have been characterized in filaria-infected populations; however, little is known regarding Wolbachia proteins. We earlier cloned and characterized few B. malayi (trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase, Bm-TPP and heavy chain myosin, BmAF-Myo) and Wolbachia (translation initiation factor-1, Wol Tl IF-1 and NAD+-dependent DNA ligase, wBm-LigA) proteins and investigated the immune responses, which they triggered in animal models. The current study emphasizes on immunological characteristics of these proteins in three major categories of filarial endemic zones: endemic normal (EN, asymptomatic, amicrofilaraemic; putatively immune), microfilariae carriers (MF, asymptomatic but microfilaraemic), and chronic filarial patients (CP, symptomatic and mostly amicrofilaraemic).<br><br>METHODS: Immunoblotting and ELISA were carried out to measure IgG and isotype antibodies against these recombinant proteins in various clinical categories. Involvement of serum antibodies in infective larvae killing was assessed by antibody-dependent cellular adhesion and cytotoxicity assay. Cellular immune response was investigated by in vitro proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in these cells after stimulation.<br><br>RESULTS: Immune responses of EN and CP displayed almost similar level of IgG to Wol Tl IF-1 while other three proteins had higher serum IgG in EN individuals only. Specific IgA, IgG1, IgG3 and IgM to Bm-TPP were high in EN subjects, while BmAF-Myo additionally showed elevated IgG2. Enhanced IgA and IgG3 were detected in both EN and CP individuals in response to Wol Tl IF-1 antigen, but IgG1 and IgM were high only in EN individuals. wBm-LigA and BmAF-Myo exhibited almost similar pattern of antibody responses. PBMC isolated from EN subjects exhibited higher proliferation and ROS generation when stimulated with all three proteins except for Wol Tl IF-1.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these findings display high immunogenicity of all four proteins in human subjects and revealed that the EN population was exposed to both B. malayi and Wolbachia proteins simultaneously. In addition, immune responses to Wol Tl IF-1 suggest possible role of this factor in Wolbachia-induced pathological responses while immune responses to other three proteins suggest that these can be explored further as vaccine candidates.}, }
@article {pmid28118586, year = {2017}, author = {Pontier, SM and Schweisguth, F}, title = {Response to &quot;Does pupal communication influence Wolbachia-mediated cytoplasmic incompatibility?&quot;.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {27}, number = {2}, pages = {R55-R56}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2016.12.013}, pmid = {28118586}, issn = {1879-0445}, abstract = {In a recent Current Biology paper [1], we reported that pheromone communication occurred during metamorphosis in Drosophila melanogaster. Female pheromones appeared to influence various aspects of the physiology and development of adult males. In particular, we observed that this communication regulated testis development and had a positive impact on reproduction, as measured by a difference in the % of eggs developing into larvae in crosses involving adult male flies that had developed at metamorphosis with or without female pupae [1].}, }
@article {pmid28118585, year = {2017}, author = {Jacquet, A and Horard, B and Loppin, B}, title = {Does pupal communication influence Wolbachia-mediated cytoplasmic incompatibility?.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {27}, number = {2}, pages = {R53-R55}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2016.12.012}, pmid = {28118585}, issn = {1879-0445}, abstract = {Wolbachia are widespread endosymbiotic bacteria found in terrestrial arthropods and filarial nematodes [1]. In insects, Wolbachia generally rely on diverse strategies to manipulate their host's reproduction and favor their own vertical transmission through infected eggs [2]. One such mechanism is a sterility syndrome called 'cytoplasmic incompatibility'. Cytoplasmic incompatibility occurs at fertilization, when a spermatozoon from a Wolbachia-infected male fertilizes an uninfected egg. In this case, sperm-derived chromosomes fail to separate normally at the first zygotic division, thus preventing the development of a diploid embryo [3]. Moreover, the presence of Wolbachia in females rescues the integration of paternal chromosomes in the zygote and allows the development of a viable, infected individual. Although the molecular basis of cytoplasmic incompatibility is still unknown, a current model implies the existence of Wolbachia-induced reversible modifications on sperm DNA or chromatin that must be eliminated or neutralized shortly after fertilization by rescuing Wolbachia factors present in infected eggs [4]. In a recent Current Biology paper [5], Stéphanie Pontier and François Schweisguth recently challenged this model by proposing that Wolbachia perturbs a pheromone-based communication between male and female pupae in Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila simulans, which controls the &quot;compatibility range&quot; of male and female gametes. However, we fail to detect any influence of pupal communication on cytoplasmic incompatibility in Drosophila simulans as well as in the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis. Our results thus question the robustness of their model.}, }
@article {pmid28106771, year = {2017}, author = {Staudacher, H and Schimmel, BC and Lamers, MM and Wybouw, N and Groot, AT and Kant, MR}, title = {Independent Effects of a Herbivore's Bacterial Symbionts on Its Performance and Induced Plant Defences.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {18}, number = {1}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3390/ijms18010182}, pmid = {28106771}, issn = {1422-0067}, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Bacteria/*drug effects ; Female ; *Herbivory/drug effects ; Lycopersicon esculentum/immunology/*microbiology/*parasitology ; Male ; Movement ; Plant Growth Regulators/analysis ; Survival Analysis ; *Symbiosis/drug effects ; Tetranychidae/drug effects/*physiology ; }, abstract = {It is well known that microbial pathogens and herbivores elicit defence responses in plants. Moreover, microorganisms associated with herbivores, such as bacteria or viruses, can modulate the plant's response to herbivores. Herbivorous spider mites can harbour different species of bacterial symbionts and exert a broad range of effects on host-plant defences. Hence, we tested the extent to which such symbionts affect the plant's defences induced by their mite host and assessed if this translates into changes in plant resistance. We assessed the bacterial communities of two strains of the common mite pest Tetranychus urticae. We found that these strains harboured distinct symbiotic bacteria and removed these using antibiotics. Subsequently, we tested to which extent mites with and without symbiotic bacteria induce plant defences in terms of phytohormone accumulation and defence gene expression, and assessed mite oviposition and survival as a measure for plant resistance. We observed that the absence/presence of these bacteria altered distinct plant defence parameters and affected mite performance but we did not find indications for a causal link between the two. We argue that although bacteria-related effects on host-induced plant defences may occur, these do not necessarily affect plant resistance concomitantly.}, }
@article {pmid28100819, year = {2017}, author = {Longdon, B and Day, JP and Schulz, N and Leftwich, PT and de Jong, MA and Breuker, CJ and Gibbs, M and Obbard, DJ and Wilfert, L and Smith, SC and McGonigle, JE and Houslay, TM and Wright, LI and Livraghi, L and Evans, LC and Friend, LA and Chapman, T and Vontas, J and Kambouraki, N and Jiggins, FM}, title = {Vertically transmitted rhabdoviruses are found across three insect families and have dynamic interactions with their hosts.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {284}, number = {1847}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1098/rspb.2016.2381}, pmid = {28100819}, issn = {1471-2954}, support = {281668//European Research Council/International ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Butterflies/virology ; Ceratitis capitata/virology ; Drosophila/virology ; *Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Insecta/*virology ; *Rhabdoviridae ; }, abstract = {A small number of free-living viruses have been found to be obligately vertically transmitted, but it remains uncertain how widespread vertically transmitted viruses are and how quickly they can spread through host populations. Recent metagenomic studies have found several insects to be infected with sigma viruses (Rhabdoviridae). Here, we report that sigma viruses that infect Mediterranean fruit flies (Ceratitis capitata), Drosophila immigrans, and speckled wood butterflies (Pararge aegeria) are all vertically transmitted. We find patterns of vertical transmission that are consistent with those seen in Drosophila sigma viruses, with high rates of maternal transmission, and lower rates of paternal transmission. This mode of transmission allows them to spread rapidly in populations, and using viral sequence data we found the viruses in D. immigrans and C. capitata had both recently swept through host populations. The viruses were common in nature, with mean prevalences of 12% in C. capitata, 38% in D. immigrans and 74% in P. aegeria We conclude that vertically transmitted rhabdoviruses may be widespread in a broad range of insect taxa, and that these viruses can have dynamic interactions with their hosts.}, }
@article {pmid28097419, year = {2017}, author = {Farkas, JZ and Gourley, SA and Liu, R and Yakubu, AA}, title = {Modelling Wolbachia infection in a sex-structured mosquito population carrying West Nile virus.}, journal = {Journal of mathematical biology}, volume = {75}, number = {3}, pages = {621-647}, doi = {10.1007/s00285-017-1096-7}, pmid = {28097419}, issn = {1432-1416}, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology/*virology ; Animals ; Female ; Humans ; Insect Vectors/*microbiology/*virology ; Male ; Models, Biological ; Rickettsiaceae Infections/prevention &amp; control/transmission ; Sex Factors ; West Nile Fever/prevention &amp; control/transmission ; West Nile virus/physiology ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is possibly the most studied reproductive parasite of arthropod species. It appears to be a promising candidate for biocontrol of some mosquito borne diseases. We begin by developing a sex-structured model for a Wolbachia infected mosquito population. Our model incorporates the key effects of Wolbachia infection including cytoplasmic incompatibility and male killing. We also allow the possibility of reduced reproductive output, incomplete maternal transmission, and different mortality rates for uninfected/infected male/female individuals. We study the existence and local stability of equilibria, including the biologically relevant and interesting boundary equilibria. For some biologically relevant parameter regimes there may be multiple coexistence steady states including, very importantly, a coexistence steady state in which Wolbachia infected individuals dominate. We also extend the model to incorporate West Nile virus (WNv) dynamics, using an SEI modelling approach. Recent evidence suggests that a particular strain of Wolbachia infection significantly reduces WNv replication in Aedes aegypti. We model this via increased time spent in the WNv-exposed compartment for Wolbachia infected female mosquitoes. A basic reproduction number [Formula: see text] is computed for the WNv infection. Our results suggest that, if the mosquito population consists mainly of Wolbachia infected individuals, WNv eradication is likely if WNv replication in Wolbachia infected individuals is sufficiently reduced.}, }
@article {pmid28087534, year = {2017}, author = {White, PM and Pietri, JE and Debec, A and Russell, S and Patel, B and Sullivan, W}, title = {Mechanisms of Horizontal Cell-to-Cell Transfer of Wolbachia spp. in Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {83}, number = {7}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1128/AEM.03425-16}, pmid = {28087534}, issn = {1098-5336}, support = {R01 GM104486/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R25 GM056765/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Clathrin/metabolism ; Drosophila melanogaster/*cytology/*microbiology/physiology ; Dynamins/metabolism ; Germ Cells/microbiology ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Wolbachia/cytology/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is an intracellular endosymbiont present in most arthropod and filarial nematode species. Transmission between hosts is primarily vertical, taking place exclusively through the female germ line, although horizontal transmission has also been documented. The results of several studies indicate that Wolbachia spp. can undergo transfer between somatic and germ line cells during nematode development and in adult flies. However, the mechanisms underlying horizontal cell-to-cell transfer remain largely unexplored. Here, we establish a tractable system for probing horizontal transfer of Wolbachia cells between Drosophila melanogaster cells in culture using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). First, we show that horizontal transfer is independent of cell-to-cell contact and can efficiently take place through the culture medium within hours. Further, we demonstrate that efficient transfer utilizes host cell phagocytic and clathrin/dynamin-dependent endocytic machinery. Lastly, we provide evidence that this process is conserved between species, showing that horizontal transfer from mosquito to Drosophila cells takes place in a similar fashion. Altogether, our results indicate that Wolbachia utilizes host internalization machinery during infection, and this mechanism is conserved across insect species.IMPORTANCE Our work has broad implications for the control and treatment of tropical diseases. Wolbachia can confer resistance against a variety of human pathogens in mosquito vectors. Elucidating the mechanisms of horizontal transfer will be useful for efforts to more efficiently infect nonnatural insect hosts with Wolbachia as a biological control agent. Further, as Wolbachia is essential for the survival of filarial nematodes, understanding horizontal transfer might provide new approaches to treating human infections by targeting Wolbachia Finally, this work provides a key first step toward the genetic manipulation of Wolbachia.}, }
@article {pmid28085049, year = {2017}, author = {Mariño, YA and Verle Rodrigues, JC and Bayman, P}, title = {Wolbachia Affects Reproduction and Population Dynamics of the Coffee Berry Borer (Hypothenemus hampei): Implications for Biological Control.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3390/insects8010008}, pmid = {28085049}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {P20 RR016470/RR/NCRR NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are widely distributed endosymbiotic bacteria that influence the reproduction and fitness of their hosts. In recent years the manipulation of Wolbachia infection has been considered as a potential tool for biological control. The coffee berry borer (CBB), Hypothenemus hampei, is the most devastating coffee pest worldwide. Wolbachia infection in the CBB has been reported, but until now the role of Wolbachia in CBB reproduction and fitness has not been tested. To address this issue we reared the CBB in artificial diets with and without tetracycline (0.1% w/v) for ten generations. Tetracycline reduced significantly the relative proportion of Wolbachia in the CBB microbiota from 0.49% to 0.04%. This reduction affected CBB reproduction: females fed with tetracycline had significantly fewer progeny, lower fecundity, and fewer eggs per female. Tetracycline also reduced the population growth rate (λ), net reproductive rate (R₀), and mean generation time (T) in CBB; the reduction in population growth was mostly due to variation in fertility, according to life time response experiments (LTREs) analysis. Our results suggest that Wolbachia contribute to the reproductive success of the CBB and their manipulation represents a possible approach to CBB biocontrol mediated by microbiome management.}, }
@article {pmid28082006, year = {2017}, author = {Ilinsky, Y and Kosterin, OE}, title = {Molecular diversity of Wolbachia in Lepidoptera: Prevalent allelic content and high recombination of MLST genes.}, journal = {Molecular phylogenetics and evolution}, volume = {109}, number = {}, pages = {164-179}, doi = {10.1016/j.ympev.2016.12.034}, pmid = {28082006}, issn = {1095-9513}, mesh = {*Alleles ; Animals ; Butterflies/microbiology ; *Genes, Bacterial ; Genetic Loci ; *Genetic Variation ; Geography ; Lepidoptera/*microbiology ; *Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Nucleotides/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Recombination, Genetic/genetics ; Species Specificity ; Wolbachia/*classification/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are common endosymbiotic bacteria of Arthropoda and Nematoda that are ordinarily transmitted vertically in host lineages through the egg cytoplasm. Despite the great interest in the Wolbachia symbiont, many issues of its biology remain unclear, including its evolutionary history, routes of transfer among species, and the molecular mechanisms underlying the symbiont's effect on its host. In this report, we present data relating to Wolbachia infection in 120 species of 13 Lepidoptera families, mostly butterflies, from West Siberian localities based on Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and the wsp locus and perform a comprehensive survey of the distribution of Wolbachia and its genetic diversity in Lepidoptera worldwide. We observed a high infection incidence in the studied region; this finding is probably also true for other temperate latitude regions because many studied species have broad Palearctic and even Holarctic distribution. Although 40 new MLST alleles and 31 new STs were described, there was no noticeable difference in the MLST allele content in butterflies and probably also in moths worldwide. A genetic analysis of Wolbachia strains revealed the MLST allele core in lepidopteran hosts worldwide, viz. the ST-41 allele content. The key finding of our study was the detection of rampant recombination among MLST haplotypes. High rates of homologous recombination between Wolbachia strains indicate a substantial contribution of genetic exchanges to the generation of new STs. This finding should be considered when discussing issues related to the reconstruction of Wolbachia evolution, divergence time, and the routes of Wolbachia transmission across arthropod hosts.}, }
@article {pmid28074180, year = {2016}, author = {Nakao, R and Abe, T and Funayama, S and Sugimoto, C}, title = {Horizontally Transferred Genetic Elements in the Tsetse Fly Genome: An Alignment-Free Clustering Approach Using Batch Learning Self-Organising Map (BLSOM).}, journal = {BioMed research international}, volume = {2016}, number = {}, pages = {3164624}, doi = {10.1155/2016/3164624}, pmid = {28074180}, issn = {2314-6141}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacillus/genetics ; Chromosome Mapping/methods ; *Evolution, Molecular ; *Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; *Genetic Loci ; *Genome ; Tsetse Flies/*genetics/microbiology ; Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) are the primary vectors of trypanosomes, which can cause human and animal African trypanosomiasis in Sub-Saharan African countries. The objective of this study was to explore the genome of Glossina morsitans morsitans for evidence of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) from microorganisms. We employed an alignment-free clustering method, that is, batch learning self-organising map (BLSOM), in which sequence fragments are clustered based on the similarity of oligonucleotide frequencies independently of sequence homology. After an initial scan of HGT events using BLSOM, we identified 3.8% of the tsetse fly genome as HGT candidates. The predicted donors of these HGT candidates included known symbionts, such as Wolbachia, as well as bacteria that have not previously been associated with the tsetse fly. We detected HGT candidates from diverse bacteria such as Bacillus and Flavobacteria, suggesting a past association between these taxa. Functional annotation revealed that the HGT candidates encoded loci in various functional pathways, such as metabolic and antibiotic biosynthesis pathways. These findings provide a basis for understanding the coevolutionary history of the tsetse fly and its microbes and establish the effectiveness of BLSOM for the detection of HGT events.}, }
@article {pmid28057823, year = {2017}, author = {McLaughlin, RN and Malik, HS}, title = {Genetic conflicts: the usual suspects and beyond.}, journal = {The Journal of experimental biology}, volume = {220}, number = {Pt 1}, pages = {6-17}, doi = {10.1242/jeb.148148}, pmid = {28057823}, issn = {1477-9145}, support = {K99 GM112941/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; P50 GM107632/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R01 GM074108/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; /HHMI/Howard Hughes Medical Institute/United States ; }, mesh = {Adaptation, Physiological ; Animals ; Biological Evolution ; DNA Transposable Elements ; *Evolution, Molecular ; Gene-Environment Interaction ; *Genome ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Humans ; Meiosis ; Models, Genetic ; Selection, Genetic ; }, abstract = {Selfishness is pervasive and manifests at all scales of biology, from societies, to individuals, to genetic elements within a genome. The relentless struggle to seek evolutionary advantages drives perpetual cycles of adaptation and counter-adaptation, commonly referred to as Red Queen interactions. In this review, we explore insights gleaned from molecular and genetic studies of such genetic conflicts, both extrinsic (between genomes) and intrinsic (within genomes or cells). We argue that many different characteristics of selfish genetic elements can be distilled into two types of advantages: an over-replication advantage (e.g. mobile genetic elements in genomes) and a transmission distortion advantage (e.g. meiotic drivers in populations). These two general categories may help classify disparate types of selfish genetic elements.}, }
@article {pmid28056065, year = {2017}, author = {Ross, PA and Wiwatanaratanabutr, I and Axford, JK and White, VL and Endersby-Harshman, NM and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {Wolbachia Infections in Aedes aegypti Differ Markedly in Their Response to Cyclical Heat Stress.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {e1006006}, doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1006006}, pmid = {28056065}, issn = {1553-7374}, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology ; Animals ; Environment ; Hot Temperature ; Insect Vectors/microbiology ; Pest Control, Biological/*methods ; Wolbachia/*growth &amp; development ; }, abstract = {Aedes aegypti mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria are currently being released for arbovirus suppression around the world. Their potential to invade populations and persist will depend on interactions with environmental conditions, particularly as larvae are often exposed to fluctuating and extreme temperatures in the field. We reared Ae. aegypti larvae infected with different types of Wolbachia (wMel, wAlbB and wMelPop-CLA) under diurnal cyclical temperatures. Rearing wMel and wMelPop-CLA-infected larvae at 26-37°C reduced the expression of cytoplasmic incompatibility, a reproductive manipulation induced by Wolbachia. We also observed a sharp reduction in the density of Wolbachia in adults. Furthermore, the wMel and wMelPop-CLA infections were not transmitted to the next generation when mosquitoes were exposed to 26-37°C across all life stages. In contrast, the wAlbB infection was maintained at a high density, exhibited complete cytoplasmic incompatibility, and was transmitted from mother to offspring with a high fidelity under this temperature cycle. These findings have implications for the potential success of Wolbachia interventions across different environments and highlight the importance of temperature control in rearing.}, }
@article {pmid28056021, year = {2017}, author = {Klarmann-Schulz, U and Specht, S and Debrah, AY and Batsa, L and Ayisi-Boateng, NK and Osei-Mensah, J and Mubarik, Y and Konadu, P and Ricchiuto, A and Fimmers, R and Arriens, S and Dubben, B and Ford, L and Taylor, M and Hoerauf, A}, title = {Comparison of Doxycycline, Minocycline, Doxycycline plus Albendazole and Albendazole Alone in Their Efficacy against Onchocerciasis in a Randomized, Open-Label, Pilot Trial.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {e0005156}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0005156}, pmid = {28056021}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Adolescent ; Adult ; Albendazole/*administration &amp; dosage ; Animals ; Anthelmintics/*administration &amp; dosage ; Doxycycline/*administration &amp; dosage ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Ghana ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minocycline/*administration &amp; dosage ; Onchocerca volvulus/drug effects/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; Onchocerciasis/*drug therapy/parasitology ; Pilot Projects ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult ; }, abstract = {The search for new macrofilaricidal drugs against onchocerciasis that can be administered in shorter regimens than required for doxycycline (DOX, 200mg/d given for 4-6 weeks), identified minocycline (MIN) with superior efficacy to DOX. Further reduction in the treatment regimen may be achieved with co-administration with standard anti-filarial drugs. Therefore a randomized, open-label, pilot trial was carried out in an area in Ghana endemic for onchocerciasis, comprising 5 different regimens: the standard regimen DOX 200mg/d for 4 weeks (DOX 4w, N = 33), the experimental regimens MIN 200mg/d for 3 weeks (MIN 3w; N = 30), DOX 200mg/d for 3 weeks plus albendazole (ALB) 800mg/d for 3 days (DOX 3w + ALB 3d, N = 32), DOX 200mg/d for 3 weeks (DOX 3w, N = 31) and ALB 800mg for 3 days (ALB 3d, N = 30). Out of 158 randomized participants, 116 (74.4%) were present for the follow-up at 6 months of whom 99 participants (63.5%) followed the treatment per protocol and underwent surgery. Histological analysis of the adult worms in the extirpated nodules revealed absence of Wolbachia in 98.8% (DOX 4w), 81.4% (DOX 3w + ALB 3d), 72.7% (MIN 3w), 64.1% (DOX 3w) and 35.2% (ALB 3d) of the female worms. All 4 treatment regimens showed superiority to ALB 3d (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.002, p = 0.008, respectively), which was confirmed by real-time PCR. Additionally, DOX 4w showed superiority to all other treatment arms. Furthermore DOX 4w and DOX 3w + ALB 3d showed a higher amount of female worms with degenerated embryogenesis compared to ALB 3d (p = 0.028, p = 0.042, respectively). These results confirm earlier studies that DOX 4w is sufficient for Wolbachia depletion and the desired parasitological effects. The data further suggest that there is an additive effect of ALB (3 days) on top of that of DOX alone, and that MIN shows a trend for stronger potency than DOX. These latter two results are preliminary and need confirmation in a fully randomized controlled phase 2 trial.<br><br>TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov #06010453.}, }
@article {pmid28052065, year = {2017}, author = {Joubert, DA and O'Neill, SL}, title = {Comparison of Stable and Transient Wolbachia Infection Models in Aedes aegypti to Block Dengue and West Nile Viruses.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {e0005275}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0005275}, pmid = {28052065}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology ; Animals ; Dengue/microbiology/transmission ; Dengue Virus/*physiology ; Female ; Insect Vectors ; Male ; Models, Theoretical ; Virus Replication/*physiology ; West Nile Fever/microbiology/transmission ; West Nile virus/*physiology ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Pathogen replication and transmission in Wolbachia infected insects are currently studied using three Wolbachia infection systems: naturally infected Wolbachia hosts, hosts transinfected with Wolbachia (stably maintained and inherited infections) and hosts transiently infected with Wolbachia. All three systems have been used to test the effect of Wolbachia on mosquito transmitted pathogens such as dengue virus (DENV), West Nile virus (WNV) and Plasmodium. From these studies it is becoming increasingly clear that the interaction between a particular pathogen and Wolbachia is heavily influenced by the host-Wolbachia interaction and the model of infection. In particular, there is some evidence that under very specific conditions, Wolbachia can enhance pathogen infection in some hosts. In this study, we compared the effect of Wolbachia in two infection models (stable transinfected and transiently infected) on the replication, infection- and transmission rates of two flaviviruses, DENV and WNV (Kunjin strain). Our results indicate that Wolbachia had similar blocking effects in both stable and transient models of infection, however, the magnitude of the blocking effect was significantly lower in mosquitoes transiently infected with Wolbachia. More importantly, no evidence was found for any enhancement of either DENV or WNV (Kunjin strain) infection in Ae. aegypti infected with Wolbachia, supporting a role for Wolbachia as an effective and safe means for restricting transmission of these viruses.}, }
@article {pmid28049921, year = {2017}, author = {Takashima, Y and Onoda, I and Chiou, SP and Kitoh, K}, title = {In vitro canine platelet aggregation caused by Dirofilaria immitis extract.}, journal = {The Journal of veterinary medical science}, volume = {79}, number = {2}, pages = {387-392}, doi = {10.1292/jvms.16-0461}, pmid = {28049921}, issn = {1347-7439}, mesh = {Animals ; Complex Mixtures/pharmacology ; Dirofilaria immitis/*pathogenicity ; *Dogs ; Female ; Hot Temperature ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; *Platelet Aggregation/drug effects ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases/metabolism ; Receptors, Purinergic P2/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Platelet function hyper-activity has been reported in Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm, HW)-infected dogs. Although the mechanism of increased platelet hyper-activity has not yet been elucidated, it is suggested to be mediated by unknown factors, which may be related to adult HW components. This study aims to determine whether adult male HW whole body extract induces canine platelet aggregation in vitro. The results indicate that HW extract caused an aggregation of canine platelets in a concentration-dependent manner. This aggregation ability of the HW extract was not mediated by the adenosine diphosphate receptor. In addition, the mechanisms of aggregation did not require cyclooxygenase-dependent pathways, and the aggregating activity of substances contained in the HW extract was heat stable; therefore, the active substances may be different from collagen. Furthermore, the platelet aggregating activity remained within the molecular weight (MW)≥100,000 fraction obtained by ultrafiltrating the HW extract. In contrast, the MW <100,000 fraction also had a platelet aggregation ability, but the aggregation pattern was reversible and the maximum extent decreased, compared with the MW≥100,000 fraction response. Our experiments have been conducted using a whole body extract from adult HWs to determine with certainty the aggregating activity of HW elements on canine platelets. More studies are necessary to evaluate the effects of the metabolic products released from live adult worms in pulmonary arteries and the symbiont bacterium Wolbachia-derived antigens on canine platelet aggregation.}, }
@article {pmid28049478, year = {2017}, author = {Caragata, EP and Pais, FS and Baton, LA and Silva, JB and Sorgine, MH and Moreira, LA}, title = {The transcriptome of the mosquito Aedes fluviatilis (Diptera: Culicidae), and transcriptional changes associated with its native Wolbachia infection.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {18}, number = {1}, pages = {6}, doi = {10.1186/s12864-016-3441-4}, pmid = {28049478}, issn = {1471-2164}, mesh = {Aedes/*genetics/*microbiology ; Animals ; Computational Biology/methods ; Contig Mapping ; *Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Gene Ontology ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Host-Pathogen Interactions/*genetics ; Molecular Sequence Annotation ; *Transcriptome ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia is a bacterial endosymbiont that naturally infects a wide range of insect species, and causes drastic changes to host biology. Stable infections of Wolbachia in mosquitoes can inhibit infection with medically important pathogens such as dengue virus and malaria-causing Plasmodium parasites. However, some native Wolbachia strains can enhance infection with certain pathogens, as is the case for the mosquito Aedes fluviatilis, where infection with Plasmodium gallinaceum is enhanced by the native wFlu Wolbachia strain. To better understand the biological interactions between mosquitoes and native Wolbachia infections, and to investigate the process of pathogen enhancement, we used RNA-Seq to generate the transcriptome of Ae. fluviatilis with and without Wolbachia infection.<br><br>RESULTS: In total, we generated 22,280,160 Illumina paired-end reads from Wolbachia-infected and uninfected mosquitoes, and used these to make a de novo transcriptome assembly, resulting in 58,013 contigs with a median sequence length of 443 bp and an N50 of 2454 bp. Contigs were annotated through local alignments using BlastX, and associated with both gene ontology and KEGG orthology terms. Through baySeq, we identified 159 contigs that were significantly upregulated due to Wolbachia infection, and 98 that were downregulated. Critically, we saw no changes to Toll or IMD immune gene transcription, but did see evidence that wFlu infection altered the expression of several bacterial recognition genes, and immune-related genes that could influence Plasmodium infection. wFlu infection also had a widespread effect on a number of host physiological processes including protein, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress. We then compared our data set with transcriptomic data for other Wolbachia infections in Aedes aegypti, and identified a core set of 15 gene groups associated with Wolbachia infection in mosquitoes.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: While the scale of transcriptional changes associated with wFlu infection might be small, the scope is rather large, which confirms that native Wolbachia infections maintain intricate molecular relationships with their mosquito hosts even after lengthy periods of co-evolution. We have also identified several potential means through which wFlu infection might influence Plasmodium infection in Ae. fluviatilis, and these genes should form the basis of future investigation into the enhancement of Plasmodium by Wolbachia.}, }
@article {pmid28032096, year = {2016}, author = {Simsek, S and Ciftci, AT}, title = {Serological and Molecular Detection of Dirofilaria Species in Stray Dogs and Investigation of Wolbachia DNA by PCR in Turkey.}, journal = {Journal of arthropod-borne diseases}, volume = {10}, number = {4}, pages = {445-453}, pmid = {28032096}, issn = {2322-1984}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens are the most common species of filarial nematodes described in the dogs. A single-step multiplex PCR was applied to detect and differentiate simultaneously and unequivocally D. immitis and D. repens on DNA extracted from canine peripheral blood and besides to detect the seroprevalance of D. immitis by ELISA in Elazig Province, Turkey. A PCR detection of the Wolbachia, which plays an important role in D. immitis biology and contributes to the inflammatory pathology of the heartworm, was also applied for the first time in Turkey.<br><br>METHODS: A total of 161 whole blood and sera samples were collected from stray dogs and stored at -20 °C until used. After DNA extraction, all samples were processed with Dirofilaria primers by multiplex-PCR and Wolbachia primers by conventional PCR besides ELISA for serology. The amplification was performed using a set of primers designed on a portion of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene of the mitochondrion (12S rDNA).<br><br>RESULTS: Three of the examined dogs (1.8%) were found to be infected with only D. immitis, one (0.6%) with D. repens and three (1.8%) with both parasites. Besides, 10 out of 161 dogs (6.2%) were found infected with Wolbachia sp. Finaly, the seroprevalence of dirofilariosis in the examined dogs was found to be 3.7% (6/161).<br><br>CONCLUSION: Although dirofilariosis is not a serious problem in the region, the stray dogs still continue to be a source of infection.}, }
@article {pmid28028309, year = {2017}, author = {Hofer, U}, title = {Symbiosis: New horizons for Wolbachia.}, journal = {Nature reviews. Microbiology}, volume = {15}, number = {2}, pages = {66-67}, doi = {10.1038/nrmicro.2016.194}, pmid = {28028309}, issn = {1740-1534}, }
@article {pmid28028089, year = {2016}, author = {Schuler, H and Kern, P and Arthofer, W and Vogt, H and Fischer, M and Stauffer, C and Riegler, M}, title = {Wolbachia in Parasitoids Attacking Native European and Introduced Eastern Cherry Fruit Flies in Europe.}, journal = {Environmental entomology}, volume = {45}, number = {6}, pages = {1424-1431}, doi = {10.1093/ee/nvw137}, pmid = {28028089}, issn = {1938-2936}, support = {J 3527//Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Austria ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics ; Germany ; Insect Proteins/genetics ; Introduced Species ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Species Specificity ; Tephritidae/microbiology/*parasitology ; Wasps/*microbiology/*physiology ; Wolbachia/genetics/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The eastern cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cingulata Loew (Diptera: Tephritidae), is an economically important pest of cherries in North America. In 1983 it was first reported in Europe where it shares its ecological niche with the native European cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cerasi L. (Diptera: Tephritidae). Their coexistence in Europe led to the recent horizontal transmission of the Wolbachia strain wCer1 from R. cerasi to R. cingulata Horizontal Wolbachia transmission is mediated by either sharing of ecological niches or by interacting species such as parasitoids. Here we describe for the first time that two braconid wasps, Psyttalia rhagoleticola Sachtleben (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Utetes magnus Fischer (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), naturally parasitizing R. cerasi, use the invasive R. cingulata in Europe as a new host. In contrast, no parasitoids that parasitize R. cingulata in its native American range were detected in the introduced European range. Diagnostic Wolbachia PCR screening and sequence analyses demonstrated that all P. rhagoleticola individuals were infected with the newly described Wolbachia strain wRha while all U. magnus individuals were uninfected. wRha is different from wCer1 but had an Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) gene sequence that was identical to wCer2 of R. cerasi and wCin2 of R. cingulata. However, multi locus sequence typing revealed differences in all loci between wRha and the tephritid's strains. The horizontal transmission of wCer1 between the two tephritid species did not result in fixed heritable infections in the parasitoids. However, the parasitoids may have acted as a transient wCer1 vector.}, }
@article {pmid28026036, year = {2017}, author = {Dutra, HL and Caragata, EP and Moreira, LA}, title = {The re-emerging arboviral threat: Hidden enemies: The emergence of obscure arboviral diseases, and the potential use of Wolbachia in their control.}, journal = {BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology}, volume = {39}, number = {2}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1002/bies.201600175}, pmid = {28026036}, issn = {1521-1878}, mesh = {Animals ; Arbovirus Infections/*therapy ; Arthropod Vectors/*microbiology ; Biological Control Agents/*therapeutic use ; Humans ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Mayaro, Oropouche, and O'Nyong-Nyong share many traits with more prominent arboviruses, like dengue and yellow fever, chikungunya, and Zika. These include severe clinical symptoms, multiple animal hosts, and widespread vector species living in close proximity to human habitats, all of which constitute significant risk factors for more frequent outbreaks in the future, greatly increasing the potential of these hidden enemies to follow Zika and become the next wave of global arboviral threats. Critically, the current dearth of knowledge on these arboviruses might impede the success of future control efforts, including the potential application of Wolbachia pipientis. This bacterium inherently possesses broad anti-pathogen properties and a means of genetic drive that allows it to eliminate or replace target vector populations. We conclude that control of obscure arboviruses with Wolbachia might be possible, but successful implementation will be critically dependent on the ability to transinfect key vector species.}, }
@article {pmid28009851, year = {2016}, author = {Gonzales, KK and Hansen, IA}, title = {Artificial Diets for Mosquitoes.}, journal = {International journal of environmental research and public health}, volume = {13}, number = {12}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3390/ijerph13121267}, pmid = {28009851}, issn = {1660-4601}, support = {R25 GM061222/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; SC1 AI109055/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Aedes/*growth &amp; development ; Animals ; Diet/*methods ; Female ; Humans ; Insect Vectors/*growth &amp; development ; *Research ; }, abstract = {Mosquito-borne diseases are responsible for more than a million human deaths every year. Modern mosquito control strategies such as sterile insect technique (SIT), release of insects carrying a dominant lethal (RIDL), population replacement strategies (PR), and Wolbachia-based strategies require the rearing of large numbers of mosquitoes in culture for continuous release over an extended period of time. Anautogenous mosquitoes require essential nutrients for egg production, which they obtain through the acquisition and digestion of a protein-rich blood meal. Therefore, mosquito mass production in laboratories and other facilities relies on vertebrate blood from live animal hosts. However, vertebrate blood is expensive to acquire and hard to store for longer times especially under field conditions. This review discusses older and recent studies that were aimed at the development of artificial diets for mosquitoes in order to replace vertebrate blood.}, }
@article {pmid28005061, year = {2016}, author = {Gerth, M and Bleidorn, C}, title = {Comparative genomics provides a timeframe for Wolbachia evolution and exposes a recent biotin synthesis operon transfer.}, journal = {Nature microbiology}, volume = {2}, number = {}, pages = {16241}, doi = {10.1038/nmicrobiol.2016.241}, pmid = {28005061}, issn = {2058-5276}, abstract = {The genus Wolbachia (Alphaproteobacteria) comprises the most abundant inherited intracellular bacteria1. Despite their relevance as manipulators of human pathogen transmission2 and arthropod reproduction3, many aspects of their evolutionary history are not well understood4. In arthropods, Wolbachia infections are typically transient on evolutionary timescales5,6 and co-divergence between hosts and Wolbachia is supposedly rare. Consequently, much of our knowledge of Wolbachia genome evolution derives from very recently diverged strains, and a timescale for Wolbachia is lacking. Here, we investigated the genomes of four Wolbachia strains that have persisted within and co-diverged with their host lineage for ∼2 million years. Although the genomes showed very little evolutionary change on a nucleotide level, we found evidence for a recent lateral transfer of a complete biotin synthesis operon that has the potential to transform Wolbachia-host relationships7. Furthermore, this evolutionary snapshot enabled us to calibrate the divergence times of the supergroup A and B Wolbachia lineages using genome-wide data sets and relaxed molecular clock models. We estimated the origin of Wolbachia supergroups A and B to be ∼200 million years ago (Ma), which is considerably older than previously appreciated. This age coincides with the diversification of many insect lineages8 that represent most of Wolbachia's host spectrum.}, }
@article {pmid28004792, year = {2016}, author = {Ajendra, J and Specht, S and Ziewer, S and Schiefer, A and Pfarr, K and Parčina, M and Kufer, TA and Hoerauf, A and Hübner, MP}, title = {NOD2 dependent neutrophil recruitment is required for early protective immune responses against infectious Litomosoides sigmodontis L3 larvae.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {6}, number = {}, pages = {39648}, doi = {10.1038/srep39648}, pmid = {28004792}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine/pharmacology ; Animals ; Cell Wall/immunology ; Cytokines/immunology ; Female ; Filariasis/*immunology ; Filarioidea ; Gene Expression Profiling ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Immune System ; Larva ; Ligands ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Mice, Knockout ; Microbiota ; *Neutrophil Infiltration ; Neutrophils/immunology ; Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein/*immunology ; Signal Transduction ; Skin/microbiology/parasitology ; Thoracic Cavity/parasitology ; }, abstract = {Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2) recognizes muramyl dipeptide (MDP) of bacterial cell walls, triggering NFκB-induced pro-inflammation. As most human pathogenic filariae contain Wolbachia endobacteria that synthesize the MDP-containing cell wall precursor lipid II, NOD2's role during infection with the rodent filaria Litomosoides sigmodontis was investigated. In NFκB reporter-cells, worm-extract containing Wolbachia induced NOD2 and NOD1. NOD2-deficient mice infected with L. sigmodontis had significantly more worms than wildtype controls early in infection. Increased worm burden was not observed after subcutaneous infection, suggesting that protective NOD2-dependent immune responses occur within the skin. Flow cytometry demonstrated that neutrophil recruitment to the skin was impaired in NOD2-/- mice after intradermal injection of third stage larvae (L3), and blood neutrophil numbers were reduced after L. sigmodontis infection. PCR array supported the requirement of NOD2 for recruitment of neutrophils to the skin, as genes associated with neutrophil recruitment and activation were downregulated in NOD2-/- mice after intradermal L3 injection. Neutrophil depletion before L. sigmodontis infection increased worm recovery in wildtype mice, confirming that neutrophils are essential against invading L3 larvae. This study indicates that NOD-like receptors are implemented in first-line protective immune responses against filarial nematodes.}, }
@article {pmid27990558, year = {2017}, author = {Gill, TA and Chu, C and Pelz-Stelinski, KS}, title = {Comparative proteomic analysis of hemolymph from uninfected and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus-infected Diaphorina citri.}, journal = {Amino acids}, volume = {49}, number = {2}, pages = {389-406}, doi = {10.1007/s00726-016-2373-2}, pmid = {27990558}, issn = {1438-2199}, mesh = {Animals ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; Hemolymph/*metabolism/microbiology ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Insect Proteins/*analysis/metabolism ; Proteomics/*methods ; Rhizobiaceae/*pathogenicity ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Hemolymph was characterized from Diaphorina citri adults infected with the phytopathogen, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), and compared with that from uninfected psyllids. This study identified 5531 and 3220 peptides within infected and uninfected hemolymph using nano-LC-MS/MS. A reduced number of proteins were detected for D. citri and all known endosymbionts within infected hemolymph as compared to uninfected hemolymph. A large number of immune defense proteins were absent from D. citri hemolymph; however, a single recognition protein (PGRP), two serine protease inhibitors, three prophenoloxidase (proPO) enzymes, and a single serine protease in an uninfected D. citri were detected. The hemolymph is nearly devoid of nutrient storage proteins. This is the first proteomic analysis of D. citri hemolymph that also analyses the components contributed by all the endosymbionts. By comparing the contribution of each endosymbiont (CCR, CPA, and WB) in the presence and absence of CLas infection, this study offers initial insights regarding the hemolymph response to microbial community shifts associated with D. citri infection status. Our data also present potential protein targets for analysis and disruption of CLas transmission that may facilitate management of huanglongbing (HLB) caused by CLas in citrus.}, }
@article {pmid27988830, year = {2017}, author = {Espinosa, MS and Virla, EG and Cuozzo, S}, title = {Wolbachia Infections Responsible for Thelytoky in Dryinid Wasps. The Case of Gonatopus bonaerensis Virla (Hymenoptera: Dryinidae).}, journal = {Neotropical entomology}, volume = {46}, number = {4}, pages = {409-413}, doi = {10.1007/s13744-016-0475-x}, pmid = {27988830}, issn = {1678-8052}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Male ; *Parthenogenesis ; Reproduction ; Wasps/*microbiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics/pathogenicity ; }, abstract = {We studied the occurrence of Wolbachia in the parasitoid Gonatopus bonaerensis Virla (Hymenoptera: Dryinidae). In order to verify the existence of natural infections in the parasitoid, a field survey was conducted. Identification of Wolbachia was performed on the basis of 16S rDNA, wsp_F1, and wsp_R1-sequences. After the detection of the bacteria, infected specimens of G. bonaerensis were treated with a solution of tetracycline. In Tucumán, parasitoids hold Wolbachia endosymbiont, which seems to control the wasp's reproduction in the nature turning it into thelytokous. The symbiont was identified as the Wolbachia sp. wRi strain. The cure of infected unfertilized females determined the normal arrhenotokous parthenogenesis and the production of male offspring. As a consequence of this procedure, the male of G. bonaerensis is described for the first time.}, }
@article {pmid27982076, year = {2016}, author = {Zhou, XF and Li, ZX}, title = {Establishment of the cytoplasmic incompatibility-inducing Wolbachia strain wMel in an important agricultural pest insect.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {6}, number = {}, pages = {39200}, doi = {10.1038/srep39200}, pmid = {27982076}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; DNA, Bacterial/chemistry/isolation &amp; purification/metabolism ; Drosophila melanogaster/*microbiology ; Female ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Male ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Ovum/microbiology ; *Pest Control, Biological ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Wolbachia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The wMel Wolbachia strain was known for cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI)-induction and blocking the transmission of dengue. However, it is unknown whether it can establish and induce CI in a non-dipteran host insect. Here we artificially transferred wMel from Drosophila melanogaster into the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation demonstrated that wMel had successfully transfected the new host. Reciprocal crossing was conducted with wMel-transfected and wild-type isofemale lines, indicating that wMel could induce a strong CI without imposing significant cost on host fecundity. We then determined the maternal transmission efficiency of wMel in the offspring generations, showing a fluctuating trend over a period of 12 generations. We thus detected the titre of wMel during different developmental stages and in different generations by using real-time quantitative PCR, revealing a similar fluctuating mode, but it was not significantly correlated with the dynamics of transmission efficiency. These results suggest that wMel can be established in B.tabaci, a distantly related pest insect of agricultural importance; moreover, it can induce a strong CI phenotype in the recipient host insect, suggesting a potential for its use in biological control of B. tabaci.}, }
@article {pmid27973604, year = {2016}, author = {Chaplinska, M and Gerritsma, S and Dini-Andreote, F and Falcao Salles, J and Wertheim, B}, title = {Bacterial Communities Differ among Drosophila melanogaster Populations and Affect Host Resistance against Parasitoids.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {11}, number = {12}, pages = {e0167726}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0167726}, pmid = {27973604}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Bacteria/*classification ; Disease Resistance/*genetics ; Drosophila melanogaster/*microbiology/*parasitology ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Founder Effect ; Genetics, Population ; Genotype ; Geography ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; Larva/parasitology ; Microbial Consortia ; *Microbiota ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Species Specificity ; Wasps/physiology ; Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {In Drosophila, diet is considered a prominent factor shaping the associated bacterial community. However, the host population background (e.g. genotype, geographical origin and founder effects) is a factor that may also exert a significant influence and is often overlooked. To test for population background effects, we characterized the bacterial communities in larvae of six genetically differentiated and geographically distant D. melanogaster lines collected from natural populations across Europe. The diet for these six lines had been identical for ca. 50 generations, thus any differences in the composition of the microbiome originates from the host populations. We also investigated whether induced shifts in the microbiome-in this case by controlled antibiotic administration-alters the hosts' resistance to parasitism. Our data revealed a clear signature of population background on the diversity and composition of D. melanogaster microbiome that differed across lines, even after hosts had been maintained at the same diet and laboratory conditions for over 4 years. In particular, the number of bacterial OTUs per line ranged from 8 to 39 OTUs. Each line harboured 2 to 28 unique OTUs, and OTUs that were highly abundant in some lines were entirely missing in others. Moreover, we found that the response to antibiotic treatment differed among the lines and significantly altered the host resistance to the parasitoid Asobara tabida in one of the six lines. Wolbachia, a widespread intracellular endosymbiont associated with parasitoid resistance, was lacking in this line, suggesting that other components of the Drosophila microbiome caused a change in host resistance. Collectively, our results revealed that lines that originate from different population backgrounds show significant differences in the established Drosophila microbiome, outpacing the long-term effect of diet. Perturbations on these naturally assembled microbiomes to some degree influenced the hosts' resistance against natural parasites.}, }
@article {pmid27966221, year = {2017}, author = {Duan, D and Cheng, T}, title = {Determination of the microbial community features of Haemaphysalis flava in different developmental stages by high-throughput sequencing.}, journal = {Journal of basic microbiology}, volume = {57}, number = {4}, pages = {302-308}, doi = {10.1002/jobm.201600557}, pmid = {27966221}, issn = {1521-4028}, mesh = {Acinetobacter/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Adult ; Animals ; Bacteria/*classification/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Coxiella/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Female ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Humans ; Ixodidae/*growth &amp; development/*microbiology ; Larva/microbiology ; Microbial Consortia/*genetics ; Nymph/microbiology ; Ovum/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Pseudomonas/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; }, abstract = {In this study, we analyzed the in vivo microbial community structure and diversity differences of Haemaphysalis flava (H. flava) in four developmental stages (egg, larva, nymph, and adult) to determine which bacterial genera could be propagated through transovarial transmission and transmitted by transstadial transmission during different developmental stages of H. flava. Paired-end sequencing of the V3 region of the 16S ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA) of H. flava in four developmental stage samples was conducted using the Illumina MiSeq sequencing platform. The following operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of H. flava were obtained during the four developmental stages: 89 of egg, 111 of larva, 104 of nymph, and 106 of female adult tick. Sixty-four of these OTUs had high similarity in the four developmental stages of H. flava. Eight bacterial genera had the highest abundances in all developmental stages, namely, Rickettsia, Coxiella, Pseudomonas, Ehrlichia, Escherichia, Acinetobacter, Citrobacter, and Cupriavidus. The nymph had the highest abundance of Coxiella, and the female adult tick had the highest abundance of Rickettsia. Staphylococcus and Wolbachia were detected in all developmental stages except the egg.}, }
@article {pmid27965627, year = {2016}, author = {Wang, GH and Sun, BF and Xiong, TL and Wang, YK and Murfin, KE and Xiao, JH and Huang, DW}, title = {Bacteriophage WO Can Mediate Horizontal Gene Transfer in Endosymbiotic Wolbachia Genomes.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {7}, number = {}, pages = {1867}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2016.01867}, pmid = {27965627}, issn = {1664-302X}, support = {T32 HL007974/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Phage-mediated horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is common in free-living bacteria, and many transferred genes can play a significant role in their new bacterial hosts. However, there are few reports concerning phage-mediated HGT in endosymbionts (obligate intracellular bacteria within animal or plant hosts), such as Wolbachia. The Wolbachia-infecting temperate phage WO can actively shift among Wolbachia genomes and has the potential to mediate HGT between Wolbachia strains. In the present study, we extend previous findings by validating that the phage WO can mediate transfer of non-phage genes. To do so, we utilized bioinformatic, phylogenetic, and molecular analyses based on all sequenced Wolbachia and phage WO genomes. Our results show that the phage WO can mediate HGT between Wolbachia strains, regardless of whether the transferred genes originate from Wolbachia or other unrelated bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid27935594, year = {2017}, author = {Li, SJ and Ahmed, MZ and Lv, N and Shi, PQ and Wang, XM and Huang, JL and Qiu, BL}, title = {Plantmediated horizontal transmission of Wolbachia between whiteflies.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {11}, number = {4}, pages = {1019-1028}, doi = {10.1038/ismej.2016.164}, pmid = {27935594}, issn = {1751-7370}, mesh = {Animals ; Cucumis sativus/microbiology ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Vigna/microbiology ; Wolbachia/genetics/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Maternal transmission is the main transmission pathway of facultative bacterial endosymbionts, but phylogenetically distant insect hosts harbor closely related endosymbionts, suggesting that horizontal transmission occurs in nature. Here we report the first case of plant-mediated horizontal transmission of Wolbachia between infected and uninfected Bemisia tabaci AsiaII7 whiteflies. After infected whiteflies fed on cotton leaves, Wolbachia was visualized, both in the phloem vessels and in some novel 'reservoir' spherules along the phloem by fluorescence in situ hybridization using Wolbachia-specific 16S rRNA probes and transmission electron microscopy. Wolbachia persisted in the plant leaves for at least 50 days. When the Wolbachia-free whiteflies fed on the infected plant leaves, the majority of them became infected with the symbiont and vertically transmitted it to their progeny. Multilocus sequence typing and sequencing of the wsp (Wolbachia surface protein) gene confirmed that the sequence type of Wolbachia in the donor whiteflies, cotton phloem and the recipient whiteflies are all identical (sequence type 388). These results were replicated using cowpea and cucumber plants, suggesting that horizontal transmission is also possible through other plant species. Our findings may help explain why Wolbachia bacteria are so abundant in arthropods, and suggest that in some species, Wolbachia may be maintained in populations by horizontal transmission.}, }
@article {pmid27934910, year = {2016}, author = {Guo, WP and Tian, JH and Lin, XD and Ni, XB and Chen, XP and Liao, Y and Yang, SY and Dumler, JS and Holmes, EC and Zhang, YZ}, title = {Extensive genetic diversity of Rickettsiales bacteria in multiple mosquito species.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {6}, number = {}, pages = {38770}, doi = {10.1038/srep38770}, pmid = {27934910}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Culicidae/*microbiology ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; *Genetic Variation ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rickettsia/classification/*genetics ; Species Specificity ; }, abstract = {Rickettsiales are important zoonotic pathogens, causing severe disease in humans globally. Although mosquitoes are an important vector for diverse pathogens, with the exception of members of the genus Wolbachia little is known about their role in the transmission of Rickettsiales. Herein, Rickettsiales were identified by PCR in five species of mosquitoes (Anopheles sinensis, Armigeres subalbatus, Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus and Cu. tritaeniorhynchus) collected from three Chinese provinces during 2014-2015. Subsequent phylogenetic analyses of the rrs, groEL and gltA genes revealed the presence of Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Candidatus Neoehrlichia, and Rickettsia bacteria in mosquitoes, comprising nine documented and five tentative species bacteria, as well as three symbionts/endosybionts. In addition, bacteria were identified in mosquito eggs, larvae, and pupae sampled from aquatic environments. Hence, these data suggest that Rickettsiales circulate widely in mosquitoes in nature. Also of note was that Ehrlichia and Rickettsia bacteria were detected in each life stage of laboratory cultured mosquitoes, suggesting that Rickettsiales may be maintained in mosquitoes through both transstadial and transovarial transmission. In sum, these data indicate that mosquitoes may have played an important role in the transmission and evolution of Rickettsiales in nature.}, }
@article {pmid27930295, year = {2016}, author = {Leclercq, S and Thézé, J and Chebbi, MA and Giraud, I and Moumen, B and Ernenwein, L and Grève, P and Gilbert, C and Cordaux, R}, title = {Birth of a W sex chromosome by horizontal transfer of Wolbachia bacterial symbiont genome.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {113}, number = {52}, pages = {15036-15041}, doi = {10.1073/pnas.1608979113}, pmid = {27930295}, issn = {1091-6490}, mesh = {Animals ; Biological Evolution ; Crosses, Genetic ; Cytoplasm/metabolism ; Female ; *Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Genotype ; Isopoda/microbiology ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Phylogeny ; *Sex Chromosomes ; Sex Determination Processes ; Sex Ratio ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Sex determination is a fundamental developmental pathway governing male and female differentiation, with profound implications for morphology, reproductive strategies, and behavior. In animals, sex differences between males and females are generally determined by genetic factors carried by sex chromosomes. Sex chromosomes are remarkably variable in origin and can differ even between closely related species, indicating that transitions occur frequently and independently in different groups of organisms. The evolutionary causes underlying sex chromosome turnover are poorly understood, however. Here we provide evidence indicating that Wolbachia bacterial endosymbionts triggered the evolution of new sex chromosomes in the common pillbug Armadillidium vulgare We identified a 3-Mb insert of a feminizing Wolbachia genome that was recently transferred into the pillbug nuclear genome. The Wolbachia insert shows perfect linkage to the female sex, occurs in a male genetic background (i.e., lacking the ancestral W female sex chromosome), and is hemizygous. Our results support the conclusion that the Wolbachia insert is now acting as a female sex-determining region in pillbugs, and that the chromosome carrying the insert is a new W sex chromosome. Thus, bacteria-to-animal horizontal genome transfer represents a remarkable mechanism underpinning the birth of sex chromosomes. We conclude that sex ratio distorters, such as Wolbachia endosymbionts, can be powerful agents of evolutionary transitions in sex determination systems in animals.}, }
@article {pmid27920393, year = {2017}, author = {Ahmad, NA and Vythilingam, I and Lim, YA and Zabari, NZ and Lee, HL}, title = {Detection of Wolbachia in Aedes albopictus and Their Effects on Chikungunya Virus.}, journal = {The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene}, volume = {96}, number = {1}, pages = {148-156}, doi = {10.4269/ajtmh.16-0516}, pmid = {27920393}, issn = {1476-1645}, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology/*virology ; Animals ; Chikungunya virus/*isolation &amp; purification ; Female ; Male ; Mosquito Control ; Phylogeny ; Wolbachia/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia-based vector control strategies have been proposed as a means to augment the currently existing measures for controlling dengue and chikungunya vectors. Prior to utilizing Wolbachia as a novel vector control strategy, it is crucial to understand the Wolbachia-mosquito interactions. In this study, field surveys were conducted to screen for the infection status of Wolbachia in field-collected Aedes albopictus The effects of Wolbachia in its native host toward the replication and dissemination of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) was also studied. The prevalence of Wolbachia-infected field-collected Ae. albopictus was estimated to be 98.6% (N = 142) for females and 95.1% (N = 102) for males in the population studied. The Ae. albopictus were naturally infected with both wAlbA and wAlbB strains. We also found that the native Wolbachia has no impact on CHIKV infection and minimal effect on CHIKV dissemination to secondary organs.}, }
@article {pmid27914738, year = {2017}, author = {Prezotto, LF and Perondini, AL and Hernández-Ortiz, V and Marino, CL and Selivon, D}, title = {Wolbachia strains in cryptic species of the Anastrepha fraterculus complex (Diptera, Tephritidae) along the Neotropical Region.}, journal = {Systematic and applied microbiology}, volume = {40}, number = {1}, pages = {59-67}, doi = {10.1016/j.syapm.2016.11.002}, pmid = {27914738}, issn = {1618-0984}, mesh = {Americas ; Animals ; Cluster Analysis ; *Genetic Variation ; Genotype ; Molecular Typing ; Phylogeny ; Recombination, Genetic ; Tephritidae/*microbiology ; Tropical Climate ; Wolbachia/*classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Infection by Wolbachia was described previously in eleven species of Anastrepha fruit flies some of which are important pests of fruticulture. One such species is the nominal Anastrepha fraterculus, the South American fruit fly, which actually comprises a complex of cryptic species. The suggestions of using Wolbachia for the control of these pest species, make imperative a more precise characterization of the existing strains of the bacteria. In this study, population samples of the A. fraterculus complex from Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico were analyzed for Wolbachia infection. The bacteria were genotyped by the MLST and WSP Typing methodologies. All samples were infected with Wolbachia of supergroup &quot;A&quot;. For each of the five MLST genes, unique as well as already known alleles were detected. Nineteen sequence types for the concatenated sequences of the five MLST genes, and twenty wsp alleles were found in the samples. Host-specific haplotypes, shared strains among distinct hosts, and more than one strain of Wolbachia were found in some population samples. Recombination among the MLST genes and intragenic recombination between wsp haplotypes was rare. Phylogenetic analysis showed a great similarity among the Wolbachia strains in the A. fraterculus complex. However, some strains of Wolbachia are found throughout the Neotropical Region and there are specific strains in determined geographical areas.}, }
@article {pmid27905665, year = {2017}, author = {Valette, V and Durand, S and Bech, N and Grandjean, F and Beltran-Bech, S}, title = {Multiple paternity in a wild population of Armadillidium vulgare: influence of infection with Wolbachia?.}, journal = {Journal of evolutionary biology}, volume = {30}, number = {2}, pages = {235-243}, doi = {10.1111/jeb.13009}, pmid = {27905665}, issn = {1420-9101}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Isopoda/*parasitology ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; *Paternity ; *Sex Ratio ; Wolbachia/*pathogenicity ; }, abstract = {Female multiple mating has been extensively studied to understand how nonobvious benefits, generally thought to be of genetic nature, could overcome heavy costs such as an increased risk of infection during mating. However, the impact of infection itself on multiple mating has rarely been addressed. The interaction between the bacterium Wolbachia and its terrestrial crustacean host, Armadillidium vulgare, is a relevant model to investigate this question. In this association, Wolbachia is able to turn genetic males into functional females (i.e. feminization), thereby distorting the sex ratio and decreasing the number of available males at the population scale. Moreover, in A. vulgare, females have been shown to mate multiply under laboratory conditions and males prefer uninfected females over infected ones. Additionally, different Wolbachia strains are known to infect A. vulgare and these strains differ in their transmission rate and virulence. All these elements suggest a potential impact of different Wolbachia strains on multiple mating. To investigate this assumption, we collected gravid females in a wild A. vulgare population harbouring both uninfected females and females infected with one of two different Wolbachia strains (wVulM and wVulC) and performed paternity analyses on the obtained broods using microsatellite markers. We demonstrate that (i) multiple paternity is common in this wild population of A. vulgare, with a mean number of fathers of 4.48 ± 1.24 per brood and (ii) females infected with wVulC produced broods with a lower multiple paternity level compared with females infected with wVulM and uninfected ones. This work improves our knowledge of the impact of infections on reproductive strategies.}, }
@article {pmid27902358, year = {2016}, author = {Zhang, G and Etebari, K and Asgari, S}, title = {Wolbachia suppresses cell fusing agent virus in mosquito cells.}, journal = {The Journal of general virology}, volume = {97}, number = {12}, pages = {3427-3432}, doi = {10.1099/jgv.0.000653}, pmid = {27902358}, issn = {1465-2099}, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology/physiology/*virology ; Animals ; Cell Fusion ; Cell Line ; Flavivirus/*physiology ; *Virus Replication ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The genus Flavivirus contains a large number of positive-sense ssRNA viruses. While some are transmitted by mosquitoes or other arthropods and are pathogenic to humans and animals (e.g. dengue and Zika viruses), some are insect-specific and do not replicate in vertebrate cells. These are known as insect-specific flaviviruses (ISFs). Cell fusing agent virus (CFAV) was the first described ISF, which was detected in an Aedes aegypti cell line, Aag2. Here, we investigated the effect of Wolbachia, a widespread endosymbiont of many insect species, that is known to block replication of several pathogenic flaviviruses, on CFAV. Our results demonstrated that, in mosquito cells, Wolbachia vastly suppresses replication of CFAV, with significantly less CFAV viral interfering small RNAs produced in the cells. However, removal of Wolbachia with tetracycline led to increased CFAV replication. These results suggest that Wolbachia is also able to suppress an ISF.}, }
@article {pmid27902186, year = {2017}, author = {Cicala, F and Moore, JD and Cáceres-Martínez, J and Del Río-Portilla, MA and Hernández-Rodríguez, M and Vásquez-Yeomans, R and Rocha-Olivares, A}, title = {Multigenetic characterization of 'Candidatus Xenohaliotis californiensis'.}, journal = {International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology}, volume = {67}, number = {1}, pages = {42-49}, doi = {10.1099/ijsem.0.001563}, pmid = {27902186}, issn = {1466-5034}, mesh = {Anaplasmataceae/*classification/genetics ; Animals ; Bacterial Typing Techniques ; Bayes Theorem ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Gastropoda/*microbiology ; Genes, Bacterial ; Likelihood Functions ; Models, Genetic ; *Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; }, abstract = {'Candidatus Xenohaliotis californiensis' (or Ca.Xc) is the aetiological agent of withering syndrome, a chronic wasting disease affecting most if not all North American species of abalone, and has been described as a Rickettsiales-like prokaryote. Genetic data regarding this species are limited to the 16S rRNA gene. The inability to grow it axenically has hindered its genetic and genomic characterization and, in consequence, a thorough analysis of its systematics. Here, we amplified and sequenced five genes (16S rRNA, 23S rRNA, ftsZ, virD4 and virB11) of Ca.Xc from infected abalone to analyse its phylogenetic position. Phylogenies from concatenated DNA and amino acid sequences with representative genera of most Rickettsiales unequivocally place Ca.Xc in the family Anaplasmataceae. Furthermore, the family has two reciprocally monophyletic lineages: one leading to (Neorickettsia, Ca.Xc) and the other to ((Ehrlichia, Anaplasma), Wolbachia)). A molecular-clock Bayesian reconstruction places Ca.Xc as the most basal lineage in Anaplasmataceae. These phylogenetic hypotheses shed light on patterns of host evolution and of ecological transitions. Specifically, Neorickettsia and Ca.Xc inhabit aquatic hosts whereas the remaining Anaplasmataceae are found in terrestrial hosts. Additionally, our evolutionary timeline places the directly transmitted marine Ca.Xc as the basal Anaplasmataceae, ancestral to both freshwater and terrestrial species with adaptations leading to more complex life cycles involving intermediate vectors or reservoir species; this supports the hypothesis of a marine origin for this bacterial family.}, }
@article {pmid27893736, year = {2016}, author = {Caragata, EP and Rezende, FO and Simões, TC and Moreira, LA}, title = {Diet-Induced Nutritional Stress and Pathogen Interference in Wolbachia-Infected Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {10}, number = {11}, pages = {e0005158}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0005158}, pmid = {27893736}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology/parasitology/*physiology/virology ; Animals ; Dengue Virus/physiology ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Insect Vectors/*microbiology/parasitology/*physiology/virology ; Male ; Pest Control, Biological ; Plasmodium gallinaceum/physiology ; Stress, Physiological ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The pathogen interference phenotype greatly restricts infection with dengue virus (DENV) and other pathogens in Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti, and is a vital component of Wolbachia-based mosquito control. Critically, the phenotype's causal mechanism is complex and poorly understood, with recent evidence suggesting that the cause may be species specific. To better understand this important phenotype, we investigated the role of diet-induced nutritional stress on interference against DENV and the avian malarial parasite Plasmodium gallinaceum in Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti, and on physiological processes linked to the phenotype. Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes were fed one of four different concentrations of sucrose, and then challenged with either P. gallinaceum or DENV. Interference against P. gallinaceum was significantly weakened by the change in diet however there was no effect on DENV interference. Immune gene expression and H2O2 levels have previously been linked to pathogen interference. These traits were assayed for mosquitoes on each diet using RT-qPCR and the Amplex Red Hydrogen Peroxide/Peroxidase Assay Kit, and it was observed that the change in diet did not significantly affect immune expression, but low carbohydrate levels led to a loss of ROS induction in Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. Our data suggest that host nutrition may not influence DENV interference for Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, but Plasmodium interference may be linked to both nutrition and oxidative stress. This pathogen-specific response to nutritional change highlights the complex nature of interactions between Wolbachia and pathogens in mosquitoes.}, }
@article {pmid27881553, year = {2016}, author = {Bennuru, S and Cotton, JA and Ribeiro, JM and Grote, A and Harsha, B and Holroyd, N and Mhashilkar, A and Molina, DM and Randall, AZ and Shandling, AD and Unnasch, TR and Ghedin, E and Berriman, M and Lustigman, S and Nutman, TB}, title = {Stage-Specific Transcriptome and Proteome Analyses of the Filarial Parasite Onchocerca volvulus and Its Wolbachia Endosymbiont.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {7}, number = {6}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1128/mBio.02028-16}, pmid = {27881553}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {R24 AG042328/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States ; ZIA AI000512/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI126466/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; 098051//Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Onchocerca volvulus/chemistry/*genetics/*growth &amp; development ; *Proteome ; *Symbiosis ; *Transcriptome ; Wolbachia/chemistry/*genetics/*growth &amp; development ; }, abstract = {Onchocerciasis (river blindness) is a neglected tropical disease that has been successfully targeted by mass drug treatment programs in the Americas and small parts of Africa. Achieving the long-term goal of elimination of onchocerciasis, however, requires additional tools, including drugs, vaccines, and biomarkers of infection. Here, we describe the transcriptome and proteome profiles of the major vector and the human host stages (L1, L2, L3, molting L3, L4, adult male, and adult female) of Onchocerca volvulus along with the proteome of each parasitic stage and of its Wolbachia endosymbiont (wOv). In so doing, we have identified stage-specific pathways important to the parasite's adaptation to its human host during its early development. Further, we generated a protein array that, when screened with well-characterized human samples, identified novel diagnostic biomarkers of O. volvulus infection and new potential vaccine candidates. This immunomic approach not only demonstrates the power of this postgenomic discovery platform but also provides additional tools for onchocerciasis control programs.<br><br>IMPORTANCE: The global onchocerciasis (river blindness) elimination program will have to rely on the development of new tools (drugs, vaccines, biomarkers) to achieve its goals by 2025. As an adjunct to the completed genomic sequencing of O. volvulus, we used a comprehensive proteomic and transcriptomic profiling strategy to gain a comprehensive understanding of both the vector-derived and human host-derived parasite stages. In so doing, we have identified proteins and pathways that enable novel drug targeting studies and the discovery of novel vaccine candidates, as well as useful biomarkers of active infection.}, }
@article {pmid27871813, year = {2017}, author = {Ye, YH and Seleznev, A and Flores, HA and Woolfit, M and McGraw, EA}, title = {Gut microbiota in Drosophila melanogaster interacts with Wolbachia but does not contribute to Wolbachia-mediated antiviral protection.}, journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology}, volume = {143}, number = {}, pages = {18-25}, doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2016.11.011}, pmid = {27871813}, issn = {1096-0805}, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Drosophila melanogaster/*microbiology ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects ; *Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Insect Viruses ; RNA Viruses ; Virus Diseases/*microbiology ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Animals experience near constant infection with microorganisms. A significant proportion of these microbiota reside in the alimentary tract. There is a growing appreciation for the roles gut microbiota play in host biology. The gut microbiota of insects, for example, have been shown to help the host overcome pathogen infection either through direct competition or indirectly by stimulating host immunity. These defenses may also be supplemented by coinfecting maternally inherited microbes such as Wolbachia. The presence of Wolbachia in a host can delay and/or reduce death caused by RNA viruses. Whether the gut microbiota of the host interacts with Wolbachia, or vice versa, the precise role of Wolbachia in antiviral protection is not known. In this study, we used 16S rDNA sequencing to characterise changes in gut microbiota composition in Drosophila melanogaster associated with Wolbachia infection and antibiotic treatment. We subsequently tested whether changes in gut composition via antibiotic treatment altered Wolbachia-mediated antiviral properties. We found that both antibiotics and Wolbachia significantly reduced the biodiversity of the gut microbiota without changing the total microbial load. We also showed that changing the gut microbiota composition with antibiotic treatment enhanced Wolbachia density but did not confer greater antiviral protection against Drosophila C virus to the host. We concluded there are significant interactions between Wolbachia and gut microbiota, but changing gut microbiota composition is not likely to be a means through which Wolbachia conveys antiviral protection to its host.}, }
@article {pmid27869792, year = {2016}, author = {Choi, YJ and Tyagi, R and McNulty, SN and Rosa, BA and Ozersky, P and Martin, J and Hallsworth-Pepin, K and Unnasch, TR and Norice, CT and Nutman, TB and Weil, GJ and Fischer, PU and Mitreva, M}, title = {Genomic diversity in Onchocerca volvulus and its Wolbachia endosymbiont.}, journal = {Nature microbiology}, volume = {2}, number = {}, pages = {16207}, doi = {10.1038/nmicrobiol.2016.207}, pmid = {27869792}, issn = {2058-5276}, support = {//Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; R01 AI081803/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 GM097435/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; U54 HG003079/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Africa, Western ; Animals ; Ecuador ; Gene Flow ; *Genetic Variation ; Genotype ; Onchocerca volvulus/*classification/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification/microbiology ; Phylogeography ; Uganda ; Wolbachia/*classification/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Ongoing elimination efforts have altered the global distribution of Onchocerca volvulus, the agent of river blindness, and further population restructuring is expected as efforts continue. Therefore, a better understanding of population genetic processes and their effect on biogeography is needed to support elimination goals. We describe O. volvulus genome variation in 27 isolates from the early 1990s (before widespread mass treatment) from four distinct locales: Ecuador, Uganda, the West African forest and the West African savanna. We observed genetic substructuring between Ecuador and West Africa and between the West African forest and savanna bioclimes, with evidence of unidirectional gene flow from savanna to forest strains. We identified forest:savanna-discriminatory genomic regions and report a set of ancestry informative loci that can be used to differentiate between forest, savanna and admixed isolates, which has not previously been possible. We observed mito-nuclear discordance possibly stemming from incomplete lineage sorting. The catalogue of the nuclear, mitochondrial and endosymbiont DNA variants generated in this study will support future basic and translational onchocerciasis research, with particular relevance for ongoing control programmes, and boost efforts to characterize drug, vaccine and diagnostic targets.}, }
@article {pmid27869790, year = {2016}, author = {Cotton, JA and Bennuru, S and Grote, A and Harsha, B and Tracey, A and Beech, R and Doyle, SR and Dunn, M and Hotopp, JC and Holroyd, N and Kikuchi, T and Lambert, O and Mhashilkar, A and Mutowo, P and Nursimulu, N and Ribeiro, JM and Rogers, MB and Stanley, E and Swapna, LS and Tsai, IJ and Unnasch, TR and Voronin, D and Parkinson, J and Nutman, TB and Ghedin, E and Berriman, M and Lustigman, S}, title = {The genome of Onchocerca volvulus, agent of river blindness.}, journal = {Nature microbiology}, volume = {2}, number = {}, pages = {16216}, doi = {10.1038/nmicrobiol.2016.216}, pmid = {27869790}, issn = {2058-5276}, support = {DP2 OD007372/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI042328/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI078314/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; U19 AI110820/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Genome, Bacterial ; *Genome, Helminth ; Onchocerca volvulus/*genetics ; Onchocerciasis, Ocular/*parasitology ; Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Human onchocerciasis is a serious neglected tropical disease caused by the filarial nematode Onchocerca volvulus that can lead to blindness and chronic disability. Control of the disease relies largely on mass administration of a single drug, and the development of new drugs and vaccines depends on a better knowledge of parasite biology. Here, we describe the chromosomes of O. volvulus and its Wolbachia endosymbiont. We provide the highest-quality sequence assembly for any parasitic nematode to date, giving a glimpse into the evolution of filarial parasite chromosomes and proteomes. This resource was used to investigate gene families with key functions that could be potentially exploited as targets for future drugs. Using metabolic reconstruction of the nematode and its endosymbiont, we identified enzymes that are likely to be essential for O. volvulus viability. In addition, we have generated a list of proteins that could be targeted by Federal-Drug-Agency-approved but repurposed drugs, providing starting points for anti-onchocerciasis drug development.}, }
@article {pmid27863487, year = {2016}, author = {Cheke, RA}, title = {Analyses of density-dependent effects are needed to understand how and when Wolbachia can control dengue vectors.}, journal = {BMC biology}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {99}, doi = {10.1186/s12915-016-0328-4}, pmid = {27863487}, issn = {1741-7007}, mesh = {Aedes ; Animals ; Dengue ; *Dengue Virus ; Humans ; Insect Vectors ; Pest Control, Biological ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Releases of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes have been shown to be an effective method of controlling Aedes aegypti, the main vector of dengue fever, in Australia. A study in BMC Biology from Penelope Hancock and others shows that incorporation of density-dependent effects into population models can provide major improvements in understanding how and when the infected populations can become established.See research article: https://bmcbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12915-016-0319-5 .}, }
@article {pmid27863033, year = {2017}, author = {Hawlitschek, O and Morinière, J and Lehmann, GUC and Lehmann, AW and Kropf, M and Dunz, A and Glaw, F and Detcharoen, M and Schmidt, S and Hausmann, A and Szucsich, NU and Caetano-Wyler, SA and Haszprunar, G}, title = {DNA barcoding of crickets, katydids and grasshoppers (Orthoptera) from Central Europe with focus on Austria, Germany and Switzerland.}, journal = {Molecular ecology resources}, volume = {17}, number = {5}, pages = {1037-1053}, doi = {10.1111/1755-0998.12638}, pmid = {27863033}, issn = {1755-0998}, mesh = {Animals ; Austria ; *DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics ; Germany ; International Cooperation ; Orthoptera/*classification/*genetics ; Switzerland ; Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {We present a DNA barcoding study on the insect order Orthoptera that was generated in collaboration between four barcoding projects in three countries, viz. Barcoding Fauna Bavarica (Germany), German Barcode of Life, Austrian Barcode of Life and Swiss Barcode of Life. Our data set includes 748 COI sequences from 127 of the 162 taxa (78.4%) recorded in the three countries involved. Ninety-three of these 122 species (76.2%, including all Ensifera) can be reliably identified using DNA barcodes. The remaining 26 caeliferan species (families Acrididae and Tetrigidae) form ten clusters that share barcodes among up to five species, in three cases even across different genera, and in six cases even sharing individual barcodes. We discuss incomplete lineage sorting and hybridization as most likely causes of this phenomenon, as the species concerned are phylogenetically young and hybridization has been previously observed. We also highlight the problem of nuclear mitochondrial pseudogenes (numts), a known problem in the barcoding of orthopteran species, and the possibility of Wolbachia infections. Finally, we discuss the possible taxonomic implications of our barcoding results and point out future research directions.}, }
@article {pmid27862998, year = {2017}, author = {Adam, N and Erler, T and Kallenbach, M and Kaltenpoth, M and Kunert, G and Baldwin, IT and Schuman, MC}, title = {Sex ratio of mirid populations shifts in response to hostplant co-infestation or altered cytokinin signaling .}, journal = {Journal of integrative plant biology}, volume = {59}, number = {1}, pages = {44-59}, doi = {10.1111/jipb.12507}, pmid = {27862998}, issn = {1744-7909}, support = {293926//European Research Council/International ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Cytokinins/*metabolism ; Female ; Hemiptera/microbiology/*physiology ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; Male ; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Oviposition ; Plant Diseases/*parasitology ; Population Dynamics ; Reproduction ; *Sex Ratio ; *Signal Transduction ; Symbiosis ; Tobacco/*parasitology ; Wolbachia/physiology ; }, abstract = {Herbivore species sharing a host plant often compete. In this study, we show that host plant-mediated interaction between two insect herbivores - a generalist and a specialist - results in a sex ratio shift of the specialist's offspring. We studied demographic parameters of the specialist Tupiocoris notatus (Hemiptera: Miridae) when co-infesting the host plant Nicotiana attenuata (Solanaceae) with the generalist leafhopper Empoasca sp. (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). We show that the usually female-biased sex ratio of T. notatus shifts toward a higher male proportion in the offspring on plants co-infested by Empoasca sp. This sex ratio change did not occur after oviposition, nor is it due differential mortality of female and male nymphs. Based on pyrosequencing and PCR of bacterial 16S rRNA amplicons, we concluded that sex ratio shifts were unlikely to be due to infection with Wolbachia or other known sex ratio-distorting endosymbionts. Finally, we used transgenic lines of N. attenuata to evaluate if the sex ratio shift could be mediated by changes in general or specialized host plant metabolites. We found that the sex ratio shift occurred on plants deficient in two cytokinin receptors (irCHK2/3). Thus, cytokinin-regulated traits can alter the offspring sex ratio of the specialist T. notatus.}, }
@article {pmid27859964, year = {2017}, author = {Pontieri, L and Schmidt, AM and Singh, R and Pedersen, JS and Linksvayer, TA}, title = {Artificial selection on ant female caste ratio uncovers a link between female-biased sex ratios and infection by Wolbachia endosymbionts.}, journal = {Journal of evolutionary biology}, volume = {30}, number = {2}, pages = {225-234}, doi = {10.1111/jeb.13012}, pmid = {27859964}, issn = {1420-9101}, mesh = {Animals ; Ants/*parasitology ; Female ; *Sex Ratio ; Social Class ; *Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/*pathogenicity ; }, abstract = {Social insect sex and caste ratios are well-studied targets of evolutionary conflicts, but the heritable factors affecting these traits remain unknown. To elucidate these factors, we carried out a short-term artificial selection study on female caste ratio in the ant Monomorium pharaonis. Across three generations of bidirectional selection, we observed no response for caste ratio, but sex ratios rapidly became more female-biased in the two replicate high selection lines and less female-biased in the two replicate low selection lines. We hypothesized that this rapid divergence for sex ratio was caused by changes in the frequency of infection by the heritable bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia, because the initial breeding stock varied for Wolbachia infection, and Wolbachia is known to cause female-biased sex ratios in other insects. Consistent with this hypothesis, the proportions of Wolbachia-infected colonies in the selection lines changed rapidly, mirroring the sex ratio changes. Moreover, the estimated effect of Wolbachia on sex ratio (~13% female bias) was similar in colonies before and during artificial selection, indicating that this Wolbachia effect is likely independent of the effects of artificial selection on other heritable factors. Our study provides evidence for the first case of endosymbiont sex ratio manipulation in a social insect.}, }
@article {pmid27855218, year = {2016}, author = {Amuzu, HE and McGraw, EA}, title = {Wolbachia-Based Dengue Virus Inhibition Is Not Tissue-Specific in Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {10}, number = {11}, pages = {e0005145}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0005145}, pmid = {27855218}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Aedes/immunology/*microbiology/*virology ; Animals ; Antibiosis ; Dengue/prevention &amp; control/virology ; Dengue Virus/*physiology ; Fat Body/microbiology/virology ; Malpighian Tubules/microbiology/virology ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/virology ; Organ Specificity ; Salivary Glands/microbiology/virology ; *Symbiosis ; Viral Load ; Virus Replication ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Dengue fever, caused by the dengue virus (DENV), is now the most common arbovirus transmitted disease globally. One novel approach to control DENV is to use the endosymbiotic bacterium, Wolbachia pipientis, to limit DENV replication inside the primary mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti. Wolbachia that is naturally present in a range of insects reduces the capacity for viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi to replicate inside insects. Wolbachia's mode of action is not well understood but may involve components of immune activation or competition with pathogens for limited host resources. The strength of Wolbachia-based anti DENV effects appear to correlate with bacterial density in the whole insect and in cell culture. Here we aimed to determine whether particular tissues, especially those with high Wolbachia densities or immune activity, play a greater role in mediating the anti DENV effect.<br><br>METHODOLOGY/FINDINGS: Ae. aegypti mosquito lines with and without Wolbachia (Wildtype) were orally fed DENV 3 and their viral loads subsequently measured over two time points post infection in the midgut, head, salivary glands, Malpighian tubules, fat body and carcass. We did not find correlations between Wolbachia densities and DENV loads in any tissue, nor with DENV loads in salivary glands, the endpoint of infection. This is in contrast with strong positive correlations between DENV loads in a range of tissues and salivary gland loads for Wildtype mosquitoes. Lastly, there was no evidence of a heightened role for tissues with known immune function including the fat body and the Malpighian tubules in Wolbachia's limitation of DENV.<br><br>CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: We conclude that the efficacy of DENV blocking in Wolbachia infected mosquitoes is not reliant on any particular tissue. This work therefore suggests that the mechanism of Wolbachia-based antiviral effects is either systemic or acts locally via processes that are fundamental to diverse cell types. We further conclude that the relationship between DENV blocking and Wolbachia density is not linear in mosquito tissues.}, }
@article {pmid27849636, year = {2017}, author = {Kamtchum-Tatuene, J and Makepeace, BL and Benjamin, L and Baylis, M and Solomon, T}, title = {The potential role of Wolbachia in controlling the transmission of emerging human arboviral infections.}, journal = {Current opinion in infectious diseases}, volume = {30}, number = {1}, pages = {108-116}, doi = {10.1097/QCO.0000000000000342}, pmid = {27849636}, issn = {1473-6527}, support = {RP-PG-0108-10048//Department of Health/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology/virology ; Animals ; Arbovirus Infections/*prevention &amp; control/transmission/virology ; Dengue/prevention &amp; control/transmission ; Dengue Virus/*physiology ; Humans ; Insect Vectors/*microbiology/virology ; *Virus Replication ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Wolbachia is a genus of Gram-negative intracellular bacteria that is naturally found in more than half of all arthropod species. These bacteria cannot only reduce the fitness and the reproductive capacities of arthropod vectors, but also increase their resistance to arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses). This article reviews the evidence supporting a Wolbachia-based strategy for controlling the transmission of dengue and other arboviral infections.<br><br>RECENT FINDINGS: Studies conducted 1 year after the field release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes in Australia have demonstrated the suppression of dengue virus (DENV) replication in and dissemination by mosquitoes. Recent mathematical models show that this strategy could reduce the transmission of DENV by 70%. Consequently, the WHO is encouraging countries to boost the development and implementation of Wolbachia-based prevention strategies against other arboviral infections. However, the evidence regarding the efficacy of Wolbachia to prevent the transmission of other arboviral infections is still limited to an experimental framework with conflicting results in some cases. There is a need to demonstrate the efficacy of such strategies in the field under various climatic conditions, to select the Wolbachia strain that has the best pathogen interference/spread trade-off, and to continue to build community acceptance.<br><br>SUMMARY: Wolbachia represents a promising tool for controlling the transmission of arboviral infections that needs to be developed further. Long-term environmental monitoring will be necessary for timely detection of potential changes in Wolbachia/vector/virus interactions.}, }
@article {pmid27843186, year = {2016}, author = {Mustafa, MS and Rastogi, V and Gupta, RK and Jain, S and Singh, PM and Gupta, A}, title = {Wolbachia: The selfish Trojan Horse in dengue control.}, journal = {Medical journal, Armed Forces India}, volume = {72}, number = {4}, pages = {373-376}, doi = {10.1016/j.mjafi.2015.07.002}, pmid = {27843186}, issn = {0377-1237}, abstract = {Dengue fever has re-emerged as a major public health challenge. Of late, several promising attempts have been made to control the disease with limited success. An innovative method of biological control of dengue is the use of the bacterium Wolbachia. Selected strains of Wolbachia have been introduced into Aedes aegypti to prevent transmission of dengue viruses by the vector. Wolbachia prevents dengue transmission by either directly blocking the virus or by decreasing the lifespan of the vector. The mechanism by which it causes these effects is not clearly understood. The main concern of this technique is the emergence of a new dengue virus serotype which may evade the protection offered by Wolbachia. The technique is environment friendly and holds promise for control of other vector borne diseases.}, }
@article {pmid27834855, year = {2016}, author = {Dietzgen, RG and Mann, KS and Johnson, KN}, title = {Plant Virus-Insect Vector Interactions: Current and Potential Future Research Directions.}, journal = {Viruses}, volume = {8}, number = {11}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3390/v8110303}, pmid = {27834855}, issn = {1999-4915}, mesh = {Animals ; Disease Transmission, Infectious ; Entomology/trends ; *Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Insect Vectors/*physiology/*virology ; Plant Diseases/virology ; Plant Viruses/*physiology ; Virology/trends ; }, abstract = {Acquisition and transmission by an insect vector is central to the infection cycle of the majority of plant pathogenic viruses. Plant viruses can interact with their insect host in a variety of ways including both non-persistent and circulative transmission; in some cases, the latter involves virus replication in cells of the insect host. Replicating viruses can also elicit both innate and specific defense responses in the insect host. A consistent feature is that the interaction of the virus with its insect host/vector requires specific molecular interactions between virus and host, commonly via proteins. Understanding the interactions between plant viruses and their insect host can underpin approaches to protect plants from infection by interfering with virus uptake and transmission. Here, we provide a perspective focused on identifying novel approaches and research directions to facilitate control of plant viruses by better understanding and targeting virus-insect molecular interactions. We also draw parallels with molecular interactions in insect vectors of animal viruses, and consider technical advances for their control that may be more broadly applicable to plant virus vectors.}, }
@article {pmid27831765, year = {2016}, author = {Caragata, EP and Dutra, HL and O'Neill, SL and Moreira, LA}, title = {Zika control through the bacterium Wolbachia pipientis.}, journal = {Future microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {1499-1502}, doi = {10.2217/fmb-2016-0177}, pmid = {27831765}, issn = {1746-0921}, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology ; Animals ; Humans ; Insect Vectors ; *Mosquito Control ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; Zika Virus Infection/*prevention &amp; control/transmission ; }, }
@article {pmid27827425, year = {2016}, author = {Asad, S and Hall-Mendelin, S and Asgari, S}, title = {Downregulation of Aedes aegypti chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 7/Kismet by Wolbachia and its effect on dengue virus replication.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {6}, number = {}, pages = {36850}, doi = {10.1038/srep36850}, pmid = {27827425}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Aedes/enzymology/*microbiology/virology ; Animals ; Cell Line ; DNA Helicases/*genetics ; Dengue Virus/*physiology ; *Down-Regulation ; Female ; Gene Silencing ; Insect Proteins/genetics ; Sex Factors ; Virus Replication ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Dengue virus (DENV) is a mosquito-transmitted virus imposing a significant burden on human health around the world. Since current control strategies are not sufficient, there is an urgent need to find alternative methods to control DENV transmission. It has been demonstrated that introduction of Wolbachia pipientis in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes can impede DENV transmission with the mechanism(s) not fully understood. Recently, a number of studies have found the involvement of chromodomain DNA binding helicases in case of Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Influenza A virus infection. In this study, we have identified three chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein (CHD) genes in Ae. aegypti and looked at their response in the case of Wolbachia and DENV infections. Foremost amongst them we have found that AeCHD7/Kismet is significantly downregulated in the presence of Wolbachia infection only in female mosquitoes. Furthermore, AeCHD7 levels showed significant increase during DENV infection, and AeCHD7 depletion led to severe reduction in the replication of DENV. Our data have identified AeCHD7 as a novel Ae. aegypti host factor that is important for DENV replication, and Wolbachia downregulates it, which may contribute towards the mechanism(s) of limiting DENV replication.}, }
@article {pmid27825343, year = {2016}, author = {Hancock, PA and White, VL and Ritchie, SA and Hoffmann, AA and Godfray, HC}, title = {Predicting Wolbachia invasion dynamics in Aedes aegypti populations using models of density-dependent demographic traits.}, journal = {BMC biology}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {96}, doi = {10.1186/s12915-016-0319-5}, pmid = {27825343}, issn = {1741-7007}, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology ; Animals ; Bayes Theorem ; *Models, Theoretical ; Wolbachia/*pathogenicity ; Zika Virus/pathogenicity ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Arbovirus transmission by the mosquito Aedes aegypti can be reduced by the introduction and establishment of the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia in wild populations of the vector. Wolbachia spreads by increasing the fitness of its hosts relative to uninfected mosquitoes. However, mosquito fitness is also strongly affected by population size through density-dependent competition for limited food resources. We do not understand how this natural variation in fitness affects symbiont spread, which limits our ability to design successful control strategies.<br><br>RESULTS: We develop a mathematical model to predict A. aegypti-Wolbachia dynamics that incorporates larval density-dependent variation in important fitness components of infected and uninfected mosquitoes. Our model explains detailed features of the mosquito-Wolbachia dynamics observed in two independent experimental A. aegypti populations, allowing the combined effects on dynamics of multiple density-dependent fitness components to be characterized. We apply our model to investigate Wolbachia field release dynamics, and show how invasion outcomes can depend strongly on the severity of density-dependent competition at the release site. Specifically, the ratio of released relative to wild mosquitoes required to attain a target infection frequency (at the end of a release program) can vary by nearly an order of magnitude. The time taken for Wolbachia to become established following releases can differ by over 2 years. These effects depend on the relative fitness of field and insectary-reared mosquitoes.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Models of Wolbachia invasion incorporating density-dependent demographic variation in the host population explain observed dynamics in experimental A. aegypti populations. These models predict strong effects of density-dependence on Wolbachia dynamics in field populations, and can assist in the effective use of Wolbachia to control the transmission of arboviruses such as dengue, chikungunya and zika.}, }
@article {pmid27821433, year = {2017}, author = {Cooper, BS and Ginsberg, PS and Turelli, M and Matute, DR}, title = {Wolbachia in the Drosophila yakuba Complex: Pervasive Frequency Variation and Weak Cytoplasmic Incompatibility, but No Apparent Effect on Reproductive Isolation.}, journal = {Genetics}, volume = {205}, number = {1}, pages = {333-351}, doi = {10.1534/genetics.116.196238}, pmid = {27821433}, issn = {1943-2631}, support = {F32 AI114176/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 GM104325/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Africa, Western ; Animals ; Crosses, Genetic ; Cytoplasm/metabolism/microbiology ; Drosophila melanogaster/genetics/metabolism/*microbiology ; Female ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Hybridization, Genetic/*genetics ; Male ; Reproduction/genetics ; Reproductive Isolation ; Sexual Behavior, Animal/physiology ; Species Specificity ; Wolbachia/genetics/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Three hybridizing species-the clade [(Drosophila yakuba, D. santomea), D. teissieri]-comprise the yakuba complex in the D. melanogaster subgroup. Their ranges overlap on Bioko and São Tomé, islands off west Africa. All three species are infected with Wolbachia-maternally inherited, endosymbiotic bacteria, best known for manipulating host reproduction to favor infected females. Previous analyses reported no cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) in these species. However, we discovered that Wolbachia from each species cause intraspecific and interspecific CI. In D teissieri, analyses of F1 and backcross genotypes show that both host genotype and Wolbachia variation modulate CI intensity. Wolbachia-infected females seem largely protected from intraspecific and interspecific CI, irrespective of Wolbachia and host genotypes. Wolbachia do not affect host mating behavior or female fecundity, within or between species. The latter suggests little apparent effect of Wolbachia on premating or gametic reproductive isolation (RI) between host species. In nature, Wolbachia frequencies varied spatially for D. yakuba in 2009, with 76% (N = 155) infected on São Tomé, and only 3% (N = 36) infected on Bioko; frequencies also varied temporally in D. yakuba and D. santomea on São Tomé between 2009 and 2015. These temporal frequency fluctuations could generate asymmetries in interspecific mating success, and contribute to postzygotic RI. However, the fluctuations in Wolbachia frequencies that we observe also suggest that asymmetries are unlikely to persist. Finally, we address theoretical questions that our empirical findings raise about Wolbachia persistence when conditions fluctuate, and about the stable coexistence of Wolbachia and host variants that modulate Wolbachia effects.}, }
@article {pmid27819272, year = {2016}, author = {Li, K and Chen, H and Jiang, J and Li, X and Xu, J and Ma, Y}, title = {Diversity of bacteriome associated with Phlebotomus chinensis (Diptera: Psychodidae) sand flies in two wild populations from China.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {6}, number = {}, pages = {36406}, doi = {10.1038/srep36406}, pmid = {27819272}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {SC1 AI112786/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; SC1 GM109326/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Biodiversity ; Ecosystem ; Enterobacteriaceae/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; *Microbiota ; Phylogeny ; Principal Component Analysis ; Pseudomonas/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Psychodidae/*microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/isolation &amp; purification/metabolism ; Rickettsia/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Wolbachia/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Sand fly Phlebotomus chinensis is a primary vector of transmission of visceral leishmaniasis in China. The sand flies have adapted to various ecological niches in distinct ecosystems. Characterization of the microbial structure and function will greatly facilitate the understanding of the sand fly ecology, which would provide critical information for developing intervention strategy for sand fly control. In this study we compared the bacterial composition between two populations of Ph. chinensis from Henan and Sichuan, China. The phylotypes were taxonomically assigned to 29 genera of 19 families in 9 classes of 5 phyla. The core bacteria include Pseudomonas and enterobacteria, both are shared in the sand flies in the two regions. Interestingly, the endosymbionts Wolbachia and Rickettsia were detected only in Henan, while the Rickettsiella and Diplorickettsia only in Sichuan. The intracellular bacteria Rickettsia, Rickettsiella and Diplorickettsia were reported for the first time in sand flies. The influence of sex and feeding status on the microbial structure was also detected in the two populations. The findings suggest that the ecological diversity of sand fly in Sichuan and Henan may contribute to shaping the structure of associated microbiota. The structural classification paves the way to function characterization of the sand fly associated microbiome.}, }
@article {pmid27811722, year = {2016}, author = {Mock, A and Tajovský, K and Žurovcová, M and Jarošová, A and Kocourek, P and Gruber, J and Angyal, D and Spelda, J}, title = {Hungarosoma bokori Verhoeff, 1928 (Diplopoda: Chordeumatida): new insights into its taxonomy, systematics, molecular genetics, biogeography and ecology.}, journal = {Zootaxa}, volume = {4178}, number = {2}, pages = {234-256}, pmid = {27811722}, issn = {1175-5334}, mesh = {Animals ; Arthropods/*anatomy &amp; histology/*classification/genetics/microbiology ; Caves ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; Ecosystem ; Female ; Hungary ; Male ; Parthenogenesis ; Species Specificity ; Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Hungarosoma bokori Verhoeff, 1928 is a millipede species which was originally classified solely on the basis of a female specimen. Subsequently, a long history of field searching for and surmising about the systematic position of this small, enigmatic species followed. In April 2013, 85 years after its first description, a series of nine specimens were sampled in the type locality, the Abaliget Cave, in southern Hungary. An adult male was collected for the first time, along with females and juveniles. Descriptions of the gonopods and the female vulvae, both important for considerations of the systematic position of the species, are presented for the first time. Revision and re-designation of the type material was made.The cryptic life of the species is connected with its activity in winter, and its known fragmented distribution corresponds with its presence in undisturbed microhabitats having a specific microclimate, often in the soil at cave entrances.Molecular methods showed a positive detection of the intracellular prokaryotic parasite Wolbachia in H. bokori, reflecting its highly probable parthenogenetic character in the main part of its known area of occurrence. This is the first demonstration of Wolbachia in a millipede.The legitimacy of the family Hungarosomatidae Ceuca, 1974, as a separate taxon was analysed using morphological and molecular approaches. Results of both methods confirmed the existence of a distinct phyletic line. DNA barcoding has shown its closest position to Attemsiidae Verhoeff, 1899, or Neoatractosomatidae Verhoeff, 1901. Based on records from Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia, the residual circum-pannonic distribution that the whole genus (family) probably represents is proposed.}, }
@article {pmid27808208, year = {2016}, author = {Callaway, E}, title = {Rio fights Zika with biggest release yet of bacteria-infected mosquitoes.}, journal = {Nature}, volume = {539}, number = {7627}, pages = {17-18}, doi = {10.1038/nature.2016.20878}, pmid = {27808208}, issn = {1476-4687}, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology/*physiology/virology ; Animals ; Australia ; Brazil/epidemiology ; Chikungunya virus/growth &amp; development ; China ; Cities/epidemiology ; Colombia ; Dengue/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control/transmission/virology ; Female ; Fertility ; Humans ; Indonesia ; Male ; Polynesia ; Wolbachia/*pathogenicity ; Zika Virus/*growth &amp; development ; Zika Virus Infection/epidemiology/*prevention &amp; control/*transmission/virology ; }, }
@article {pmid27806047, year = {2016}, author = {Rašić, G and Filipović, I and Callahan, AG and Stanford, D and Chan, A and Lam-Phua, SG and Tan, CH and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {The queenslandensis and the type Form of the Dengue Fever Mosquito (Aedes aegypti L.) Are Genomically Indistinguishable.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {10}, number = {11}, pages = {e0005096}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0005096}, pmid = {27806047}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Aedes/classification/*genetics ; Animals ; Dengue/*transmission ; Female ; Genetic Variation ; Genomics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Insect Vectors/classification/*genetics ; Male ; Phylogeny ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Queensland ; Singapore ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The mosquito Aedes aegypti (L.) is a major vector of viral diseases like dengue fever, Zika and chikungunya. Aedes aegypti exhibits high morphological and behavioral variation, some of which is thought to be of epidemiological significance. Globally distributed domestic Ae. aegypti have often been grouped into (i) the very pale variety queenslandensis and (ii) the type form. Because the two color forms co-occur across most of their range, there is interest in understanding how freely they interbreed. This knowledge is particularly important for control strategies that rely on mating compatibilities between the release and target mosquitoes, such as Wolbachia releases and SIT. To address this question, we analyzed nuclear and mitochondrial genome-wide variation in the co-occurring pale and type Ae. aegypti from northern Queensland (Australia) and Singapore.<br><br>METHODS/FINDINGS: We typed 74 individuals at a 1170 bp-long mitochondrial sequence and at 16,569 nuclear SNPs using a customized double-digest RAD sequencing. 11/29 genotyped individuals from Singapore and 11/45 from Queensland were identified as var. queenslandensis based on the diagnostic scaling patterns. We found 24 different mitochondrial haplotypes, seven of which were shared between the two forms. Multivariate genetic clustering based on nuclear SNPs corresponded to individuals' geographic location, not their color. Several family groups consisted of both forms and three queenslandensis individuals were Wolbachia infected, indicating previous breeding with the type form which has been used to introduce Wolbachia into Ae. aegypti populations.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Aedes aegypti queenslandensis are genomically indistinguishable from the type form, which points to these forms freely interbreeding at least in Australia and Singapore. Based on our findings, it is unlikely that the presence of very pale Ae. aegypti will affect the success of Aedes control programs based on Wolbachia-infected, sterile or RIDL mosquitoes.}, }
@article {pmid27802941, year = {2016}, author = {Mayor, S}, title = {Sixty seconds on . . . Wolbachia.}, journal = {BMJ (Clinical research ed.)}, volume = {355}, number = {}, pages = {i5847}, pmid = {27802941}, issn = {1756-1833}, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology/virology ; Animals ; Chikungunya Fever/transmission ; Dengue/transmission ; Humans ; Insect Vectors/*microbiology/virology ; Virus Diseases/*transmission ; Virus Replication/physiology ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; Zika Virus Infection/transmission ; }, }
@article {pmid27802919, year = {2017}, author = {Budachetri, K and Williams, J and Mukherjee, N and Sellers, M and Moore, F and Karim, S}, title = {The microbiome of neotropical ticks parasitizing on passerine migratory birds.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {170-173}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.10.014}, pmid = {27802919}, issn = {1877-9603}, support = {P20 GM103476/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; P20 RR016476/RR/NCRR NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {*Animal Migration ; Animals ; Bacteria/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Bird Diseases/*parasitology ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; *Microbiota ; Passeriformes/*parasitology ; Tick Infestations/parasitology/*veterinary ; }, abstract = {Seasonal migration of passerine birds between temperate North America and tropical Central and South America is an ecological phenomenon. Migration of birds has been associated with the introduction of ectoparasites like ticks or tick-borne pathogens across the avian migration routes. In this study, the microbial diversity was determined in the ticks and bird DNA samples using 454 pyrosequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA gene. Tick DNA samples showed the dominance of genera Lactococcus, Francisella, Raoultella, Wolbachia and Rickettsia across all the ticks, but birds DNA did not share common microbial diversity with ticks. Furthermore, &quot;Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii&quot; infection in the 91 ticks collected off the songbirds was also quantified by qPCR assay. Interestingly, &quot;Candidatus R. amblyommii&quot; was tested positive in 24 ticks (26% infection), and infection varied from as low as three copies to thousands of copies, but bird blood samples showed no amplification. Our results provide evidence that songbirds serve as transport carrier for immature ticks, and less likely to be a reservoir for &quot;Candidatus R. amblyommii&quot;.}, }
@article {pmid27718295, year = {2016}, author = {Coon, KL and Brown, MR and Strand, MR}, title = {Mosquitoes host communities of bacteria that are essential for development but vary greatly between local habitats.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {25}, number = {22}, pages = {5806-5826}, doi = {10.1111/mec.13877}, pmid = {27718295}, issn = {1365-294X}, support = {R01 AI106892/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; T32 GM007103/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology ; Animals ; Bacteria/*classification ; Ecosystem ; *Microbiota ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Southeastern United States ; }, abstract = {Mosquitoes are insects of interest because several species vector disease-causing pathogens to humans and other vertebrates. We previously reported that mosquitoes from long-term laboratory cultures require living bacteria in their gut to develop, but development does not depend on particular species of bacteria. Here, we focused on three distinct but interrelated areas of study to better understand the role of bacteria in mosquito development by studying field and laboratory populations of Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus from the southeastern United States. Sequence analysis of bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicons showed that bacterial community composition differed substantially in larvae from different collection sites, whereas larvae from the same site shared similarities. Although previously unknown to be infected by Wolbachia, results also indicated that Ae. aegypti from one field site hosted a dual infection. Regardless of collection site or factors like Wolbachia infection, however, each mosquito species required living bacteria in their digestive tract to develop. Results also identified several concerns in using antibiotics to eliminate the bacterial community in larvae in order to study its developmental consequences. Altogether, our results indicate that several mosquito species require living bacteria for development. We also hypothesize these species do not rely on particular bacteria because larvae do not reliably encounter the same bacteria in the aquatic habitats they develop in.}, }
@article {pmid27784636, year = {2016}, author = {Puggioli, A and Calvitti, M and Moretti, R and Bellini, R}, title = {wPip Wolbachia contribution to Aedes albopictus SIT performance: Advantages under intensive rearing.}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {164}, number = {}, pages = {473-481}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.10.014}, pmid = {27784636}, issn = {1873-6254}, mesh = {Aedes/*physiology ; Animals ; Female ; Infertility/physiopathology ; Male ; Mosquito Vectors/*physiology ; Pupa ; Reproduction/*drug effects ; Sexual Behavior, Animal/*drug effects ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {As a part of a project aiming at the suppression of the mosquito vector Aedes albopictus, a specific Ae. albopictus line producing sterile males, ARwP, was tested for its suitability to intense rearing conditions compatible with mass production and field release. This line was developed by the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development thanks to the artificial infection with a heterologous Wolbachia strain, resulting in a bidirectional incompatibility pattern with wild-type Ae. albopictus. ARwP was reared under Standard Operating Procedures at the Centro Agricoltura Ambiente and compared with a wild-type strain in terms of time of pupation onset, production of male pupae in the following 24h and mechanical sexing efficacy. Mating competitiveness of ARwP males was also evaluated in comparison with irradiated wild-type males in large field enclosures. ARwP males demonstrated a significantly shorter time of pupation onset, a higher rate of production of male pupae in the following 24h and a lower percentage of residual contaminant females when applying mechanical sexing procedures. In addition, ARwP males were more efficient than wild-types in competing for wild-type females in large enclosures, thus inducing a level of sterility significantly higher than that expected for an equal mating competitiveness. These results encourage the use of this Ae. albopictus strain as suppression tool against Ae. albopictus based on considerations thoroughly discussed in the manuscript.}, }
@article {pmid27770026, year = {2016}, author = {Lin, Y and Chen, ZX and Oliver, B and Harbison, ST}, title = {Microenvironmental Gene Expression Plasticity Among Individual Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)}, volume = {6}, number = {12}, pages = {4197-4210}, doi = {10.1534/g3.116.035444}, pmid = {27770026}, issn = {2160-1836}, mesh = {Animals ; Cluster Analysis ; Drosophila melanogaster/*genetics ; *Environment ; Female ; Gene Expression Profiling ; *Gene Expression Regulation ; *Gene-Environment Interaction ; Genetic Variation ; Genotype ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Male ; Sex Characteristics ; Sex Factors ; Transcriptome ; }, abstract = {Differences in phenotype among genetically identical individuals exposed to the same environmental condition are often noted in genetic studies. Despite this commonplace observation, little is known about the causes of this variability, which has been termed microenvironmental plasticity. One possibility is that stochastic or technical sources of variance produce these differences. A second possibility is that this variation has a genetic component. We have explored gene expression robustness in the transcriptomes of 730 individual Drosophila melanogaster of 16 fixed genotypes, nine of which are infected with Wolbachia Three replicates of flies were grown, controlling for food, day/night cycles, humidity, temperature, sex, mating status, social exposure, and circadian timing of RNA extraction. Despite the use of inbred genotypes, and carefully controlled experimental conditions, thousands of genes were differentially expressed, revealing a unique and dynamic transcriptional signature for each individual fly. We found that 23% of the transcriptome was differentially expressed among individuals, and that the variability in gene expression among individuals is influenced by genotype. This transcriptional variation originated from specific gene pathways, suggesting a plastic response to the microenvironment; but there was also evidence of gene expression differences due to stochastic fluctuations. These observations reveal previously unappreciated genetic sources of variability in gene expression among individuals, which has implications for complex trait genetics and precision medicine.}, }
@article {pmid27742209, year = {2016}, author = {Wu, CH and Zong, Q and Du, AL and Zhang, W and Yao, HC and Yu, XQ and Wang, YF}, title = {Knockdown of Dynamitin in testes significantly decreased male fertility in Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {Developmental biology}, volume = {420}, number = {1}, pages = {79-89}, doi = {10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.10.007}, pmid = {27742209}, issn = {1095-564X}, mesh = {Animals ; Cell Nucleus/metabolism ; Drosophila Proteins/*metabolism ; Drosophila melanogaster/*physiology ; Dyneins/metabolism ; Fertility ; Gene Expression Regulation ; *Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Intermediate Filament Proteins/*metabolism ; Male ; Mitochondria/metabolism ; Spermatids/metabolism ; Spermatogenesis ; Testis/*physiology ; Tubulin/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Dynamitin (Dmn) is a major component of dynactin, a multiprotein complex playing important roles in a variety of intracellular motile events. We previously found that Wolbachia bacterial infection resulted in a reduction of Dmn protein. As Wolbachia may modify sperm in male hosts, we speculate that Dmn may have a function in male fertility. Here we used nosGal4 to drive Dmn knock down in testes of Drosophila melanogaster to investigate the functions of Dmn in spermatogenesis. We found that knockdown of Dmn in testes dramatically decreased male fertility, overexpression of Dmn in Wolbachia-infected males significantly rescued male fertility, indicating an important role of Dmn in inducing male fertility defects following Wolbachia infection. Some scattered immature sperm with late canoe-shaped head distributed in the end of Dmn knockdown testis and only about half mature sperm were observed in the Dmn knockdown testis relative to those in the control. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) exhibited fused spermatids in cysts and abnormal mitochondrial derivatives. Immunofluorescence staining showed significantly less abundance of tubulin around the nucleus of spermatid and scattered F-actin cones to different extents in the individualization complex (IC) during spermiogenesis in Dmn knockdown testes, which may disrupt the nuclear condensation and sperm individualization. Since dynein-dynactin complex has been shown to mediate transport of many cellular components, including mRNAs and organelles, these results suggest that Dmn may play an important role in Drosophila spermiogenesis by affecting transport of many important cytoplasmic materials.}, }
@article {pmid27702765, year = {2016}, author = {Fromont, C and Riegler, M and Cook, JM}, title = {Phylogeographic analyses of bacterial endosymbionts in fig homotomids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) reveal codiversification of both primary and secondary endosymbionts.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology}, volume = {92}, number = {12}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/femsec/fiw205}, pmid = {27702765}, issn = {1574-6941}, mesh = {Animals ; Base Composition/genetics ; Biological Evolution ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Enterobacteriaceae/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Evolution, Molecular ; Ficus ; Halomonadaceae/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Phylogeography ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; Wolbachia/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {While obligate primary (P-) endosymbionts usually cospeciate with their insect hosts, less is known about codiversification of secondary (S-) endosymbionts that are generally considered facultative. Typically, insects of the superfamily Psylloidea harbour one P- (Carsonella) and at least one S-endosymbiont, thought to compensate for Carsonella genome reduction. Most codiversification studies have used phylogenies of psyllids and their endosymbionts across and within host families or genera, but few have explored patterns within species. We focussed on P- and S-endosymbionts of three Mycopsylla (Homotomidae) species to explore whether they have congruent phylogenies and within-species geographic structures. The P-endosymbiont Carsonella, a S-endosymbiont and Wolbachia all had 100% prevalence, while Arsenophonus was only found in one species at low prevalence. Congruent phylogenies of Mycopsylla and P-endosymbionts across populations and species support strict cospeciation. S-endosymbiont phylogenies were also congruent across host species but low genetic variation in the S-endosymbiont was not correlated with host phylogeography, possibly due to a shorter evolutionary association. Between species, Wolbachia and Mycopsylla phylogenies were incongruent, probably due to horizontal transmission events. Our study is the first to explore endosymbionts of Mycopsylla and further supports the codivergence of Psylloidea hosts and P-endosymbionts, with obligate host interactions for both P- and S-endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid27768689, year = {2016}, author = {Sikulu-Lord, MT and Milali, MP and Henry, M and Wirtz, RA and Hugo, LE and Dowell, FE and Devine, GJ}, title = {Near-Infrared Spectroscopy, a Rapid Method for Predicting the Age of Male and Female Wild-Type and Wolbachia Infected Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {10}, number = {10}, pages = {e0005040}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0005040}, pmid = {27768689}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Aedes/*growth &amp; development/*microbiology ; Animals ; Female ; Insect Control ; Insect Vectors/*growth &amp; development/*microbiology ; Male ; Pest Control, Biological ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared/*methods ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Estimating the age distribution of mosquito populations is crucial for assessing their capacity to transmit disease and for evaluating the efficacy of available vector control programs. This study reports on the capacity of the near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technique to rapidly predict the ages of the principal dengue and Zika vector, Aedes aegypti. The age of wild-type males and females, and males and females infected with wMel and wMelPop strains of Wolbachia pipientis were characterized using this method. Calibrations were developed using spectra collected from their heads and thoraces using partial least squares (PLS) regression. A highly significant correlation was found between the true and predicted ages of mosquitoes. The coefficients of determination for wild-type females and males across all age groups were R2 = 0.84 and 0.78, respectively. The coefficients of determination for the age of wMel and wMelPop infected females were 0.71 and 0.80, respectively (P< 0.001 in both instances). The age of wild-type female Ae. aegypti could be identified as < or ≥ 8 days old with an accuracy of 91% (N = 501), whereas female Ae. aegypti infected with wMel and wMelPop were differentiated into the two age groups with an accuracy of 83% (N = 284) and 78% (N = 229), respectively. Our results also indicate NIRS can distinguish between young and old male wild-type, wMel and wMelPop infected Ae. aegypti with accuracies of 87% (N = 253), 83% (N = 277) and 78% (N = 234), respectively. We have demonstrated the potential of NIRS as a predictor of the age of female and male wild-type and Wolbachia infected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes under laboratory conditions. After field validation, the tool has the potential to offer a cheap and rapid alternative for surveillance of dengue and Zika vector control programs.}, }
@article {pmid27756651, year = {2016}, author = {Wiwatanaratanabutr, I and Grandjean, F}, title = {Impacts of temperature and crowding on sex ratio, fecundity and Wolbachia infection intensity in the copepod, Mesocyclops thermocyclopoides.}, journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology}, volume = {141}, number = {}, pages = {18-23}, doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2016.10.003}, pmid = {27756651}, issn = {1096-0805}, mesh = {Animals ; Copepoda/*microbiology ; Female ; Fertility ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/*veterinary ; Hot Temperature ; Male ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sex Ratio ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are a group of intracellular bacteria that cause reproductive alterations in arthropods. Here, we describe the effects of two environmental factors (crowding and temperature) on phenotypic expression of feminization, the host's fecundity and Wolbachia infection intensity among life cycle stages in the naturally Wolbachia-infected copepod, Mesocyclops thermocyclopoides. The copepod was first found to be co-infected with Wolbachia A- and B-supergroups Wolbachia strains based on wsp primers. The relative Wolbachia infection intensity within individuals was determined using quantitative real-time PCR and was significantly higher in the B-supergroup than in the A-supergroup. Experimental results of temperature effect on bacterial density in each developmental stage revealed a significant decrease in Wolbachia infection intensity following exposure to high temperature (37°C) in both sexes and implied that Wolbachia might survive in room temperature (25°C) better than in high temperature. Experimental results of crowding effects on Wolbachia infection intensity suggested a negative correlation between copepod nauplii and Wolbachia infection intensity. No effect of rearing temperature on the sex ratio was reported although the fecundity was significantly decreased by high temperature. The results showed that Wolbachia infection intensity to be correlated with crowding conditions and was decreased following exposure of elevated temperature.}, }
@article {pmid27760540, year = {2016}, author = {Jiggins, FM}, title = {Open questions: how does Wolbachia do what it does?.}, journal = {BMC biology}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {92}, doi = {10.1186/s12915-016-0312-z}, pmid = {27760540}, issn = {1741-7007}, mesh = {Aedes/microbiology ; Animals ; Female ; *Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Lepidoptera/microbiology ; Male ; Sex Ratio ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {A common symbiont of insects, the bacterium Wolbachia has been implicated in phenomena as diverse as sex determination, pathogen defence and speciation and is being used in public health programs to prevent mosquitoes transmitting disease. Despite decades of research, we know remarkably little about how it exerts its effects.}, }
@article {pmid27760142, year = {2016}, author = {Etebari, K and Asad, S and Zhang, G and Asgari, S}, title = {Identification of Aedes aegypti Long Intergenic Non-coding RNAs and Their Association with Wolbachia and Dengue Virus Infection.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {10}, number = {10}, pages = {e0005069}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0005069}, pmid = {27760142}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Aedes/*genetics/microbiology/virology ; Animals ; Dengue Virus/*physiology ; Genome, Insect ; *Host-Pathogen Interactions/genetics ; Mosquito Vectors/*genetics/microbiology/virology ; Pest Control, Biological ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Long Noncoding/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification/metabolism ; Transcriptome ; Virus Replication ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs) are appearing as an important class of regulatory RNAs with a variety of biological functions. The aim of this study was to identify the lincRNA profile in the dengue vector Aedes aegypti and evaluate their potential role in host-pathogen interaction. The majority of previous RNA-Seq transcriptome studies in Ae. aegypti have focused on the expression pattern of annotated protein coding genes under different biological conditions. Here, we used 35 publically available RNA-Seq datasets with relatively high depth to screen the Ae. aegypti genome for lincRNA discovery. This led to the identification of 3,482 putative lincRNAs. These lincRNA genes displayed a slightly lower GC content and shorter transcript lengths compared to protein-encoding genes. Ae. aegypti lincRNAs also demonstrate low evolutionary sequence conservation even among closely related species such as Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles gambiae. We examined their expression in dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) and Wolbachia infected and non-infected adult mosquitoes and Aa20 cells. The results revealed that DENV-2 infection increased the abundance of a number of host lincRNAs, from which some suppress viral replication in mosquito cells. RNAi-mediated silencing of lincRNA_1317 led to enhancement in viral replication, which possibly indicates its potential involvement in the host anti-viral defense. A number of lincRNAs were also differentially expressed in Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. The results will facilitate future studies to unravel the function of lncRNAs in insects and may prove to be beneficial in developing new ways to control vectors or inhibit replication of viruses in them.}, }
@article {pmid27734242, year = {2016}, author = {Zhang, X and Tang, S and Cheke, RA and Zhu, H}, title = {Modeling the Effects of Augmentation Strategies on the Control of Dengue Fever With an Impulsive Differential Equation.}, journal = {Bulletin of mathematical biology}, volume = {78}, number = {10}, pages = {1968-2010}, doi = {10.1007/s11538-016-0208-7}, pmid = {27734242}, issn = {1522-9602}, support = {//CIHR/Canada ; }, mesh = {Aedes/microbiology/virology ; Animals ; *Biological Control Agents ; Computer Simulation ; Dengue/*prevention &amp; control/transmission ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mathematical Concepts ; Models, Biological ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/virology ; Sex Ratio ; Wolbachia/physiology ; }, abstract = {Dengue fever has rapidly become the world's most common vector-borne viral disease. Use of endosymbiotic Wolbachia is an innovative technology to prevent vector mosquitoes from reproducing and so break the cycle of dengue transmission. However, strategies such as population eradication and replacement will only succeed if appropriate augmentations with Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes that take account of a variety of factors are carried out. Here, we describe the spread of Wolbachia in mosquito populations using an impulsive differential system with four state variables, incorporating the effects of cytoplasmic incompatibility and the augmentation of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes with different sex ratios. We then evaluated (a) how each parameter value contributes to the success of population replacement; (b) how different release quantities of infected mosquitoes with different sex ratios affect the success of population suppression or replacement; and (c) how the success of these two strategies can be realized to block the transmission of dengue fever. Analysis of the system's stability, bifurcations and sensitivity reveals the existence of forward and backward bifurcations, multiple attractors and the contribution of each parameter to the success of the strategies. The results indicate that the initial density of mosquitoes, the quantities of mosquitoes released in augmentations and their sex ratios have impacts on whether or not the strategies of population suppression or replacement can be achieved. Therefore, successful strategies rely on selecting suitable strains of Wolbachia and carefully designing the mosquito augmentation program.}, }
@article {pmid27752109, year = {2016}, author = {Tamarozzi, F and Turner, JD and Pionnier, N and Midgley, A and Guimaraes, AF and Johnston, KL and Edwards, SW and Taylor, MJ}, title = {Wolbachia endosymbionts induce neutrophil extracellular trap formation in human onchocerciasis.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {6}, number = {}, pages = {35559}, doi = {10.1038/srep35559}, pmid = {27752109}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {MR/L018756/1//Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Cell-Derived Microparticles/metabolism ; Doxycycline/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; Extracellular Traps/drug effects/*metabolism ; Female ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Humans ; Lipopeptides/metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Microspheres ; Neutrophil Infiltration/drug effects ; Neutrophils/drug effects/*metabolism ; Onchocerciasis/drug therapy/*microbiology/pathology ; *Symbiosis/drug effects ; Toll-Like Receptor 6/metabolism ; Wolbachia/drug effects/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The endosymbiotic bacteria, Wolbachia, induce neutrophilic responses to the human helminth pathogen Onchocerca volvulus. The formation of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs), has been implicated in anti-microbial defence, but has not been identified in human helminth infection. Here, we demonstrate NETs formation in human onchocerciasis. Extracellular NETs and neutrophils were visualised around O. volvulus in nodules excised from untreated patients but not in nodules from patients treated with the anti-Wolbachia drug, doxycycline. Whole Wolbachia or microspheres coated with a synthetic Wolbachia lipopeptide (WoLP) of the major nematode Wolbachia TLR2/6 ligand, peptidoglycan associated lipoprotein, induced NETosis in human neutrophils in vitro. TLR6 dependency of Wolbachia and WoLP NETosis was demonstrated using purified neutrophils from TLR6 deficient mice. Thus, we demonstrate for the first time that NETosis occurs during natural human helminth infection and demonstrate a mechanism of NETosis induction via Wolbachia endobacteria and direct ligation of Wolbachia lipoprotein by neutrophil TLR2/6.}, }
@article {pmid27748992, year = {2017}, author = {Hunter, MS and Asiimwe, P and Himler, AG and Kelly, SE}, title = {Host nuclear genotype influences phenotype of a conditional mutualist symbiont.}, journal = {Journal of evolutionary biology}, volume = {30}, number = {1}, pages = {141-149}, doi = {10.1111/jeb.12993}, pmid = {27748992}, issn = {1420-9101}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Genetic Variation ; *Genotype ; *Hemiptera ; *Phenotype ; *Rickettsia ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Arthropods commonly carry maternally inherited intracellular bacterial symbionts that may profoundly influence host biology and evolution. The intracellular symbiont Rickettsia sp. nr. bellii swept rapidly into populations of the sweetpotato whitefly Bemisia tabaci in the south-western USA. Previous laboratory experiments showed female-bias and fitness benefits were associated with Rickettsia infection, potentially explaining the high frequencies of infection observed in field populations, but the effects varied with whitefly genetic line. Here, we explored whether host extranuclear or nuclear genes influenced the variation in the Rickettsia-host phenotype in two genetic lines of the whitefly host, each with Rickettsia-infected and uninfected sublines. Introgression between the Rickettsia-infected subline of one genetic line and the Rickettsia-uninfected subline of the other was used to create two new sublines, each with the maternally inherited extranuclear genetic lineages of one line (Rickettsia, two other symbionts and the mitochondria) and the nuclear genotype of the other. Performance assays comparing the original and new lines showed that in addition to Rickettsia, the interaction of Rickettsia infection with host nuclear genotype influenced development time and the sex ratio of the progeny, whereas the extranuclear genotype did not. Host nuclear genotype, but not extranuclear genotype, also influenced the titre of Rickettsia. Our results support the hypothesis that differences in host nuclear genotype alone may explain considerable within-population variation in host-symbiont phenotype and may contribute to the observed variation in Rickettsia-whitefly interactions worldwide.}, }
@article {pmid27738153, year = {2016}, author = {Servick, K}, title = {Winged warriors.}, journal = {Science (New York, N.Y.)}, volume = {354}, number = {6309}, pages = {164-167}, doi = {10.1126/science.354.6309.164}, pmid = {27738153}, issn = {1095-9203}, mesh = {Aedes/*genetics/*microbiology ; Animals ; Animals, Genetically Modified/*genetics ; Brazil ; Chikungunya Fever/prevention &amp; control ; Communicable Disease Control/*methods ; Dengue/prevention &amp; control ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mosquito Control/*methods ; Wolbachia ; Zika Virus Infection/prevention &amp; control ; }, }
@article {pmid27734894, year = {2016}, author = {Brown, AM and Wasala, SK and Howe, DK and Peetz, AB and Zasada, IA and Denver, DR}, title = {Genomic evidence for plant-parasitic nematodes as the earliest Wolbachia hosts.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {6}, number = {}, pages = {34955}, doi = {10.1038/srep34955}, pmid = {27734894}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Biological Evolution ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Female ; Gene Library ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Genomics ; Homeostasis ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Iron/metabolism ; Likelihood Functions ; Male ; Nematoda/*microbiology ; Phenotype ; Phylogeny ; Plants/*parasitology ; *Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia, one of the most widespread endosymbionts, is a target for biological control of mosquito-borne diseases (malaria and dengue virus), and antibiotic elimination of infectious filarial nematodes. We sequenced and analyzed the genome of a new Wolbachia strain (wPpe) in the plant-parasitic nematode Pratylenchus penetrans. Phylogenomic analyses placed wPpe as the earliest diverging Wolbachia, suggesting two evolutionary invasions into nematodes. The next branches comprised strains in sap-feeding insects, suggesting Wolbachia may have first evolved as a nutritional mutualist. Genome size, protein content, %GC, and repetitive DNA allied wPpe with mutualistic Wolbachia, whereas gene repertoire analyses placed it between parasite (A, B) and mutualist (C, D, F) groups. Conservation of iron metabolism genes across Wolbachia suggests iron homeostasis as a potential factor in its success. This study enhances our understanding of this globally pandemic endosymbiont, highlighting genetic patterns associated with host changes. Combined with future work on this strain, these genomic data could help provide potential new targets for plant-parasitic nematode control.}, }
@article {pmid27731327, year = {2017}, author = {Kemp, DJ and Thomson, FE and Edwards, W and Iturbe-Ormaetxe, I}, title = {Incomplete offspring sex bias in Australian populations of the butterfly Eurema hecabe.}, journal = {Heredity}, volume = {118}, number = {3}, pages = {284-292}, doi = {10.1038/hdy.2016.85}, pmid = {27731327}, issn = {1365-2540}, mesh = {Animals ; Australia ; Butterflies/*genetics/microbiology ; Female ; Male ; Pedigree ; *Sex Ratio ; Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Theory predicts unified sex ratios for most organisms, yet biases may be engendered by selfish genetic elements such as endosymbionts that kill or feminize individuals with male genotypes. Although rare, feminization is established for Wolbachia-infected Eurema butterflies. This paradigm is presently confined to islands in the southern Japanese archipelago, where feminized phenotypes produce viable all-daughter broods. Here, we characterize sex bias for E. hecabe in continental Australia. Starting with 186 wild-caught females, we reared >6000 F1-F3 progeny in pedigree designs that incorporated selective antibiotic treatments. F1 generations expressed a consistent bias across 2 years and populations that was driven by an ~5% incidence of broods comprising ⩾80% daughters. Females from biased lineages continued to overproduce daughters over two generations of outcrossing to wild males. Treatment with antibiotics of differential strength influenced sex ratio only in biased lineages by inducing an equivalent incomplete degree of son overproduction. Brood sex ratios were nevertheless highly variable within lineages and across generations. Intriguingly, the cytogenetic signature of female karyotype was uniformly absent, even among phenotypic females in unbiased lineages. Molecular evidence supported the existence of a single Wolbachia strain at high prevalence, yet this was not clearly linked to brood sex bias. In sum, we establish an inherited, experimentally reversible tendency for incomplete offspring bias. Key features of our findings clearly depart from the Japanese feminization paradigm and highlight the potential for more subtle degrees of sex distortion in arthropods.}, }
@article {pmid27727237, year = {2016}, author = {Bordenstein, SR and Bordenstein, SR}, title = {Eukaryotic association module in phage WO genomes from Wolbachia.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {7}, number = {}, pages = {13155}, doi = {10.1038/ncomms13155}, pmid = {27727237}, issn = {2041-1723}, support = {R01 GM085163/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R21 HD086833/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Viruses are trifurcated into eukaryotic, archaeal and bacterial categories. This domain-specific ecology underscores why eukaryotic viruses typically co-opt eukaryotic genes and bacteriophages commonly harbour bacterial genes. However, the presence of bacteriophages in obligate intracellular bacteria of eukaryotes may promote DNA transfers between eukaryotes and bacteriophages. Here we report a metagenomic analysis of purified bacteriophage WO particles of Wolbachia and uncover a eukaryotic association module in the complete WO genome. It harbours predicted domains, such as the black widow latrotoxin C-terminal domain, that are uninterrupted in bacteriophage genomes, enriched with eukaryotic protease cleavage sites and combined with additional domains to forge one of the largest bacteriophage genes to date (14,256 bp). To the best of our knowledge, these eukaryotic-like domains have never before been reported in packaged bacteriophages and their phylogeny, distribution and sequence diversity imply lateral transfers between bacteriophage/prophage and animal genomes. Finally, the WO genome sequences and identification of attachment sites will potentially advance genetic manipulation of Wolbachia.}, }
@article {pmid27726483, year = {2017}, author = {Leite, GL and de Paulo, PD and Zanuncio, JC and Tavares, WS and Alvarenga, AC and Dourado, LR and Bispo, EP and Soares, MA}, title = {Herbicide toxicity, selectivity and hormesis of nicosulfuron on 10 Trichogrammatidae (Hymenoptera) species parasitizing Anagasta (= Ephestia) kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs.}, journal = {Journal of environmental science and health. Part. B, Pesticides, food contaminants, and agricultural wastes}, volume = {52}, number = {1}, pages = {70-76}, doi = {10.1080/03601234.2016.1229476}, pmid = {27726483}, issn = {1532-4109}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Herbicides/*toxicity ; Hormesis/*drug effects ; Hymenoptera/*drug effects ; Lepidoptera/drug effects/*parasitology ; Male ; Moths ; Ovum/drug effects/parasitology ; Pest Control, Biological ; Pyridines/*toxicity ; Sex Ratio ; Sulfonylurea Compounds/*toxicity ; }, abstract = {Selective agrochemicals including herbicides that do not affect non-target organisms such as natural enemies are important in the integrated pest management (IPM) programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the herbicide toxicity, selectivity and hormesis of nicosulfuron, recommended for the corn Zea mays L. (Poaceae) crop, on 10 Trichogrammatidae (Hymenoptera) species. A female of each Trichogramma spp. or Trichogrammatoidea annulata De Santis, 1972 was individually placed in plastic test tubes (no choice) with a cardboard containing 45 flour moth Anagasta (= Ephestia) kuehniella Zeller, 1879 (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs. Parasitism by these natural enemies was allowed for 48 h and the cardboards were sprayed with the herbicide nicosulfuron at 1.50 L.ha-1, along with the control (only distilled water). Nicosulfuron reduced the emergence rate of Trichogramma bruni Nagaraja, 1983 females, but increased that of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, 1879, Trichogramma acacioi Brun, Moraes and Smith, 1984 and T. annulata females. Conversely, this herbicide increased the emergence rate of Trichogramma brasiliensis Ashmead, 1904, T. bruni, Trichogramma galloi Zucchi, 1988 and Trichogramma soaresi Nagaraja, 1983 males and decreased those of T. acacioi, Trichogramma atopovilia Oatman and Platner, 1983 and T. pretiosum males. In addition, nicosulfuron reduced the sex ratio of T. galloi, Trichogramma bennetti Nagaraja and Nagarkatti, 1973 and T. pretiosum and increased that of T. acacioi, T. bruni, T. annulata, Trichogramma demoraesi Nagaraja, 1983, T. soaresi and T. brasiliensis. The herbicide nicosulfuron was &quot;harmless&quot; (class 1, <30% reduction) for females and the sex ratio of all Trichogrammatidae species based on the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC) classification. The possible hormesis effect of nicosulfuron on Trichogrammatidae species and on the bacterium Wolbachia sp. (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) was also discussed.}, }
@article {pmid27721807, year = {2016}, author = {Dittmer, J and van Opstal, EJ and Shropshire, JD and Bordenstein, SR and Hurst, GD and Brucker, RM}, title = {Disentangling a Holobiont - Recent Advances and Perspectives in Nasonia Wasps.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {7}, number = {}, pages = {1478}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2016.01478}, pmid = {27721807}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {The parasitoid wasp genus Nasonia (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) is a well-established model organism for insect development, evolutionary genetics, speciation, and symbiosis. The host-microbiota assemblage which constitutes the Nasonia holobiont (a host together with all of its associated microbes) consists of viruses, two heritable bacterial symbionts and a bacterial community dominated in abundance by a few taxa in the gut. In the wild, all four Nasonia species are systematically infected with the obligate intracellular bacterium Wolbachia and can additionally be co-infected with Arsenophonus nasoniae. These two reproductive parasites have different transmission modes and host manipulations (cytoplasmic incompatibility vs. male-killing, respectively). Pioneering studies on Wolbachia in Nasonia demonstrated that closely related Nasonia species harbor multiple and mutually incompatible Wolbachia strains, resulting in strong symbiont-mediated reproductive barriers that evolved early in the speciation process. Moreover, research on host-symbiont interactions and speciation has recently broadened from its historical focus on heritable symbionts to the entire microbial community. In this context, each Nasonia species hosts a distinguishable community of gut bacteria that experiences a temporal succession during host development and members of this bacterial community cause strong hybrid lethality during larval development. In this review, we present the Nasonia species complex as a model system to experimentally investigate questions regarding: (i) the impact of different microbes, including (but not limited to) heritable endosymbionts, on the extended phenotype of the holobiont, (ii) the establishment and regulation of a species-specific microbiota, (iii) the role of the microbiota in speciation, and (iv) the resilience and adaptability of the microbiota in wild populations subjected to different environmental pressures. We discuss the potential for easy microbiota manipulations in Nasonia as a promising experimental approach to address these fundamental aspects.}, }
@article {pmid27721806, year = {2016}, author = {Bouchon, D and Zimmer, M and Dittmer, J}, title = {The Terrestrial Isopod Microbiome: An All-in-One Toolbox for Animal-Microbe Interactions of Ecological Relevance.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {7}, number = {}, pages = {1472}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2016.01472}, pmid = {27721806}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Bacterial symbionts represent essential drivers of arthropod ecology and evolution, influencing host traits such as nutrition, reproduction, immunity, and speciation. However, the majority of work on arthropod microbiota has been conducted in insects and more studies in non-model species across different ecological niches will be needed to complete our understanding of host-microbiota interactions. In this review, we present terrestrial isopod crustaceans as an emerging model organism to investigate symbiotic associations with potential relevance to ecosystem functioning. Terrestrial isopods comprise a group of crustaceans that have evolved a terrestrial lifestyle and represent keystone species in terrestrial ecosystems, contributing to the decomposition of organic matter and regulating the microbial food web. Since their nutrition is based on plant detritus, it has long been suspected that bacterial symbionts located in the digestive tissues might play an important role in host nutrition via the provisioning of digestive enzymes, thereby enabling the utilization of recalcitrant food compounds (e.g., cellulose or lignins). If this were the case, then (i) the acquisition of these bacteria might have been an important evolutionary prerequisite for the colonization of land by isopods, and (ii) these bacterial symbionts would directly mediate the role of their hosts in ecosystem functioning. Several bacterial symbionts have indeed been discovered in the midgut caeca of terrestrial isopods and some of them might be specific to this group of animals (i.e., Candidatus Hepatoplasma crinochetorum, Candidatus Hepatincola porcellionum, and Rhabdochlamydia porcellionis), while others are well-known intracellular pathogens (Rickettsiella spp.) or reproductive parasites (Wolbachia sp.). Moreover, a recent investigation of the microbiota in Armadillidium vulgare has revealed that this species harbors a highly diverse bacterial community which varies between host populations, suggesting an important share of environmental microbes in the host-associated microbiota. In this review, we synthesize our current knowledge on the terrestrial isopod microbiome and identify future directions to (i) fully understand the functional roles of particular bacteria (both intracellular or intestinal symbionts and environmental gut passengers), and (ii) whether and how the host-associated microbiota could influence the performance of terrestrial isopods as keystone species in soil ecosystems.}, }
@article {pmid27713560, year = {2016}, author = {Kumar, N and Lin, M and Zhao, X and Ott, S and Santana-Cruz, I and Daugherty, S and Rikihisa, Y and Sadzewicz, L and Tallon, LJ and Fraser, CM and Dunning Hotopp, JC}, title = {Efficient Enrichment of Bacterial mRNA from Host-Bacteria Total RNA Samples.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {6}, number = {}, pages = {34850}, doi = {10.1038/srep34850}, pmid = {27713560}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {DP2 OD007372/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; HHSN272200900009C/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI047885/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; U19 AI110820/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Despite numerous advances in genomics and bioinformatics, technological hurdles remain to examine host-microbe transcriptomics. Sometimes the transcriptome of either or both can be ascertained merely by generating more sequencing reads. However, many cases exist where bacterial mRNA needs to be enriched further to enable cost-effective sequencing of the pathogen or endosymbiont. While a suitable method is commercially available for mammalian samples of this type, development of such methods has languished for invertebrate samples. Furthermore, a common method across multiple taxa would facilitate comparisons between bacteria in invertebrate vectors and their vertebrate hosts. Here, a method is described to concurrently remove polyadenylated transcripts, prokaryotic rRNA, and eukaryotic rRNA, including those with low amounts of starting material (e.g. 100 ng). In a Wolbachia-Drosophila system, this bacterial mRNA enrichment yielded a 3-fold increase in Wolbachia mRNA abundance and a concomitant 3.3-fold increase in the percentage of transcripts detected. More specifically, 70% of the genome could be recovered by transcriptome sequencing compared to 21% in the total RNA. Sequencing of similar bacterial mRNA-enriched samples generated from Ehrlichia-infected canine cells covers 93% of the Ehrlichia genome, suggesting ubiquitous transcription across the entire Ehrlichia chaffeensis genome. This technique can potentially be used to enrich bacterial mRNA in many studies of host-microbe interactions.}, }
@article {pmid27708633, year = {2016}, author = {Chen, S and Zhao, J and Joshi, D and Xi, Z and Norman, B and Walker, ED}, title = {Persistent Infection by Wolbachia wAlbB Has No Effect on Composition of the Gut Microbiota in Adult Female Anopheles stephensi.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {7}, number = {}, pages = {1485}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2016.01485}, pmid = {27708633}, issn = {1664-302X}, support = {R37 AI021884/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {The bacteria in the midgut of Anopheles stephensi adult females from laboratory colonies were studied by sequencing the V4 region of 16S rRNA genes, with respect to three experimental factors: stable or cured Wolbachia infection; sugar or blood diet; and age. Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes dominated the community [>90% of operational taxonomic units (OTUs)]; most taxa were in the classes Flavobacteriia, Gammaproteobacteria, and Alphaproteobacteria, and were assigned to Elizabethkingia (46.9%), Asaia (6.4%) and Pseudomonas (6.0%), or unclassified Enterobacteriaceae (37.2%). Bacterial communities were similar between Wolbachia-cured and Wolbachia-infected mosquito lines, indicating that the gut microbiota were not dysregulated in the presence of Wolbachia. The proportion of Enterobacteriaceae was higher in mosquitoes fed a blood meal compared to those provided a sugar meal. Collectively, the bacterial community had a similar structure in older Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes 8 days after the blood meal, as in younger Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes before a blood meal, except that older mosquitoes had a higher proportion of Enterobacteriaceae and lower proportion of Elizabethkingia. Consistent presence of certain predominant bacteria (Elizabethkingia, Asaia, Pseudomonas, and Enterobacteriaceae) suggests they would be useful for paratransgenesis to control malaria infection, particularly when coupled to a Wolbachia-based intervention strategy.}, }
@article {pmid27707863, year = {2016}, author = {van Nouhuys, S and Kohonen, M and Duplouy, A}, title = {Wolbachia increases the susceptibility of a parasitoid wasp to hyperparasitism.}, journal = {The Journal of experimental biology}, volume = {219}, number = {Pt 19}, pages = {2984-2990}, doi = {10.1242/jeb.140699}, pmid = {27707863}, issn = {1477-9145}, mesh = {Animals ; Butterflies/parasitology ; Disease Resistance ; Estonia ; Finland ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Larva/parasitology ; Parasites/*microbiology ; Species Specificity ; Virulence ; Wasps/*microbiology/pathogenicity ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The success of maternally transmitted endosymbiotic bacteria, such as Wolbachia, is directly linked to their host reproduction but in direct conflict with other parasites that kill the host before it reaches reproductive maturity. Therefore, symbionts that have evolved strategies to increase their host's ability to evade lethal parasites may have high penetrance, while detrimental symbionts would be selected against, leading to lower penetrance or extinction from the host population. In a natural population of the parasitoid wasp Hyposoter horticola in the Åland Islands (Finland), the Wolbachia strain wHho persists at an intermediate prevalence (∼50%). Additionally, there is a negative correlation between the prevalence of Wolbachia and a hyperparasitoid wasp, Mesochorus cf. stigmaticus, in the landscape. Using a manipulative field experiment, we addressed the persistence of Wolbachia at this intermediate level, and tested whether the observed negative correlation could be due to Wolbachia inducing either susceptibility or resistance to parasitism. We show that infection with Wolbachia does not influence the ability of the wasp to parasitize its butterfly host, Melitaea cinxia, but that hyperparasitism of the wasp increases in the presence of wHho. Consequently, the symbiont is detrimental, and in order to persist in the host population, must also have a positive effect on fitness that outweighs the costly burden of susceptibility to widespread parasitism.}, }
@article {pmid27706105, year = {2016}, author = {Benelli, G and Jeffries, CL and Walker, T}, title = {Biological Control of Mosquito Vectors: Past, Present, and Future.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {7}, number = {4}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3390/insects7040052}, pmid = {27706105}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {101285//Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, abstract = {Mosquitoes represent the major arthropod vectors of human disease worldwide transmitting malaria, lymphatic filariasis, and arboviruses such as dengue virus and Zika virus. Unfortunately, no treatment (in the form of vaccines or drugs) is available for most of these diseases andvectorcontrolisstillthemainformofprevention. Thelimitationsoftraditionalinsecticide-based strategies, particularly the development of insecticide resistance, have resulted in significant efforts to develop alternative eco-friendly methods. Biocontrol strategies aim to be sustainable and target a range of different mosquito species to reduce the current reliance on insecticide-based mosquito control. In thisreview, weoutline non-insecticide basedstrategiesthat havebeenimplemented orare currently being tested. We also highlight the use of mosquito behavioural knowledge that can be exploited for control strategies.}, }
@article {pmid27703857, year = {2016}, author = {García-Vázquez, D and Ribera, I}, title = {The origin of widespread species in a poor dispersing lineage (diving beetle genus Deronectes).}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {4}, number = {}, pages = {e2514}, doi = {10.7717/peerj.2514}, pmid = {27703857}, issn = {2167-8359}, abstract = {In most lineages, most species have restricted geographic ranges, with only few reaching widespread distributions. How these widespread species reached their current ranges is an intriguing biogeographic and evolutionary question, especially in groups known to be poor dispersers. We reconstructed the biogeographic and temporal origin of the widespread species in a lineage with particularly poor dispersal capabilities, the diving beetle genus Deronectes (Dytiscidae). Most of the ca. 60 described species of Deronectes have narrow ranges in the Mediterranean area, with only four species with widespread European distributions. We sequenced four mitochondrial and two nuclear genes of 297 specimens of 109 different populations covering the entire distribution of the four lineages of Deronectes, including widespread species. Using Bayesian probabilities with an a priori evolutionary rate, we performed (1) a global phylogeny/phylogeography to estimate the relationships of the main lineages within each group and root them, and (2) demographic analyses of the best population coalescent model for each species group, including a reconstruction of the geographical history estimated from the distribution of the sampled localities. We also selected 56 specimens to test for the presence of Wolbachia, a maternally transmitted parasite that can alter the patterns of mtDNA variability. All species of the four studied groups originated in the southern Mediterranean peninsulas and were estimated to be of Pleistocene origin. In three of the four widespread species, the central and northern European populations were nested within those in the northern areas of the Anatolian, Balkan and Iberian peninsulas respectively, suggesting a range expansion at the edge of the southern refugia. In the Mediterranean peninsulas the widespread European species were replaced by vicariant taxa of recent origin. The fourth species (D. moestus) was proven to be a composite of unrecognised lineages with more restricted distributions around the Western and Central Mediterranean. The analysis of Wolbachia showed a high prevalence of infection among Deronectes, especially in the D. aubei group, where all sequenced populations were infected with the only exception of the Cantabrian Mountains, the westernmost area of distribution of the lineage. In this group there was a phylogenetic incongruence between the mitochondrial and the nuclear sequence, although no clear pattern links this discordance to the Wolbachia infection. Our results suggest that, in different glacial cycles, populations that happened to be at the edge of the newly deglaciated areas took advantage of the optimal ecological conditions to expand their ranges to central and northern Europe. Once this favourable ecological window ended populations become isolated, resulting in the presence of closely related but distinct species in the Mediterranean peninsulas.}, }
@article {pmid27693536, year = {2016}, author = {Kuesel, AC}, title = {Research for new drugs for elimination of onchocerciasis in Africa.}, journal = {International journal for parasitology. Drugs and drug resistance}, volume = {6}, number = {3}, pages = {272-286}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijpddr.2016.04.002}, pmid = {27693536}, issn = {2211-3207}, support = {001//World Health Organization/International ; }, mesh = {Africa/epidemiology ; Animals ; *Disease Eradication ; Drug Approval ; Drug Discovery/*trends ; Drug Therapy/*methods ; Filaricides/*isolation &amp; purification/*therapeutic use ; Onchocerciasis/*epidemiology/*prevention &amp; control ; }, abstract = {Onchocerciasis is a parasitic, vector borne disease caused by the filarial nematode Onchocerca volvulus. More than 99% of the population at risk of infection live in Africa. Onchocerciasis control was initiated in West Africa in 1974 with vector control, later complemented by ivermectin mass drug administration and in the other African endemic countries in 1995 with annual community directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI.) This has significantly reduced infection prevalence. Together with proof-of-concept for onchocerciasis elimination with annual CDTI from foci in Senegal and Mali, this has resulted in targeting onchocerciasis elimination in selected African countries by 2020 and in 80% of African countries by 2025. The challenges for meeting these targets include the number of endemic countries where conflict has delayed or interrupted control programmes, cross-border foci, potential emergence of parasite strains with low susceptibility to ivermectin and co-endemicity of loiasis, another parasitic vector borne disease, which slows down or prohibits CDTI implementation. Some of these challenges could be addressed with new drugs or drug combinations with a higher effect on Onchocerca volvulus than ivermectin. This paper reviews the path from discovery of new compounds to their qualification for large scale use and the support regulatory authorities provide for development of drugs for neglected tropical diseases. The status of research for new drugs or treatment regimens for onchocerciasis along the path to regulatory approval and qualification for large scale use is reviewed. This research includes new regimens and combinations of ivermectin and albendazole, antibiotics targeting the O. volvulus endosymbiont Wolbachia, flubendazole, moxidectin and emodepside and discovery of new compounds.}, }
@article {pmid27692043, year = {2016}, author = {Schnettler, E and Sreenu, VB and Mottram, T and McFarlane, M}, title = {Wolbachia restricts insect-specific flavivirus infection in Aedes aegypti cells.}, journal = {The Journal of general virology}, volume = {97}, number = {11}, pages = {3024-3029}, doi = {10.1099/jgv.0.000617}, pmid = {27692043}, issn = {1465-2099}, support = {G0801822//Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; MC_UP_A550_1031//Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; MC_UU_12014/1//Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; MC_UU_12014/8//Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology/*virology ; Animals ; Drosophila/microbiology ; Flavivirus/*physiology ; Insect Vectors/microbiology/virology ; Species Specificity ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Mosquito-borne viruses are known to cause disease in humans and livestock and are often difficult to control due to the lack of specific antivirals and vaccines. The Wolbachia endosymbiont has been widely studied for its ability to restrict positive-strand RNA virus infection in mosquitoes, although little is known about the precise antiviral mechanism. In recent years, a variety of insect-specific viruses have been discovered in mosquitoes and an interaction with mosquito-borne viruses has been reported for some of them; however, nothing is known about the effect of Wolbachia on insect-specific virus infection in mosquitoes. Here, we show that transinfection of the Drosophila-derived wMelPop Wolbachia strain into Aedes aegypti-derived cells resulted in inhibition and even clearance of the persistent cell-fusing agent flavivirus infection in these cells. This broadens the antiviral activity of Wolbachia from acute infections to persistent infections and from arboviruses to mosquito-specific viruses. In contrast, no effect on the Phasi Charoen-like bunyavirus persistent infection in these cells was observed, suggesting a difference in Wolbachia inhibition between positive- and negative-strand RNA viruses.}, }
@article {pmid27684942, year = {2016}, author = {Faria, VG and Martins, NE and Magalhães, S and Paulo, TF and Nolte, V and Schlötterer, C and Sucena, É and Teixeira, L}, title = {Drosophila Adaptation to Viral Infection through Defensive Symbiont Evolution.}, journal = {PLoS genetics}, volume = {12}, number = {9}, pages = {e1006297}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pgen.1006297}, pmid = {27684942}, issn = {1553-7404}, abstract = {Microbial symbionts can modulate host interactions with biotic and abiotic factors. Such interactions may affect the evolutionary trajectories of both host and symbiont. Wolbachia protects Drosophila melanogaster against several viral infections and the strength of the protection varies between variants of this endosymbiont. Since Wolbachia is maternally transmitted, its fitness depends on the fitness of its host. Therefore, Wolbachia populations may be under selection when Drosophila is subjected to viral infection. Here we show that in D. melanogaster populations selected for increased survival upon infection with Drosophila C virus there is a strong selection coefficient for specific Wolbachia variants, leading to their fixation. Flies carrying these selected Wolbachia variants have higher survival and fertility upon viral infection when compared to flies with the other variants. These findings demonstrate how the interaction of a host with pathogens shapes the genetic composition of symbiont populations. Furthermore, host adaptation can result from the evolution of its symbionts, with host and symbiont functioning as a single evolutionary unit.}, }
@article {pmid27681542, year = {2016}, author = {Mohanty, I and Rath, A and Mahapatra, N and Hazra, RK}, title = {Wolbachia: A biological control strategy against arboviral diseases.}, journal = {Journal of vector borne diseases}, volume = {53}, number = {3}, pages = {199-207}, pmid = {27681542}, issn = {0972-9062}, mesh = {Animals ; Antibiosis ; Arbovirus Infections/epidemiology/*prevention &amp; control ; Arboviruses/*growth &amp; development ; Culicidae/*microbiology ; Disease Transmission, Infectious/*prevention &amp; control ; Humans ; Mosquito Control/*methods ; Wolbachia/*growth &amp; development ; }, abstract = {Vector-borne diseases particularly those transmitted by mosquitoes like Dengue are among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in human population. There are no effective vaccines or treatment against dengue fever till date and the control methods are limited. So, new approaches are urgently in need to reverse these trends. Vector control is currently the primary intervention tool. Strategies that reduce or block pathogen transmission by mosquitoes have been proposed as a means of augmenting current control measures to reduce the growing burden of vector-borne diseases. Wolbachia an endosymbiont of arthropod vectors is being explored as a novel ecofriendly control strategy. Studies in Drosophila have shown that Wolbachia can confer resistance to diverse RNA viruses and protect flies from virus-induced mortality. This review was focused on biology of the Wolbachia and its implication as a control measure for arboviral diseases mainly Dengue and Chikungunya.}, }
@article {pmid27680689, year = {2017}, author = {Gunadi, A and Bansal, R and Finer, JJ and Michel, A}, title = {Establishment of in vitro soybean aphids, Aphis glycines (Hemiptera: Aphididae): a tool to facilitate studies of aphid symbionts, plant-insect interactions and insecticide efficacy.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {73}, number = {6}, pages = {1229-1235}, doi = {10.1002/ps.4448}, pmid = {27680689}, issn = {1526-4998}, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/drug effects/microbiology/*physiology ; Buchnera ; Enterobacteriaceae ; Insecticides/*pharmacology ; Neonicotinoids/pharmacology ; Nitro Compounds/pharmacology ; Oxazines/pharmacology ; Soybeans/*physiology ; Symbiosis ; Thiazoles/pharmacology ; Wolbachia ; ortho-Aminobenzoates/pharmacology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Studies on plant-insect interactions of the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines (Matsumura), can be influenced by environmental fluctuations, status of the host plant and variability in microbial populations. Maintenance of aphids on in vitro-grown plants minimizes environmental fluctuations, provides uniform host materials and permits the selective elimination of aphid-associated microbes for more standardized controls in aphid research.<br><br>RESULTS: Aphids were reared on sterile, in vitro-grown soybean seedlings germinated on plant tissue culture media amended with a mixture of antimicrobials. For initiation and maintenance of in vitro aphid colonies, single aphids were inoculated onto single in vitro seedlings. After three rounds of transfer of 'clean' aphids to fresh in vitro seedlings, contamination was no longer observed, and aphids performed equally well when compared with those reared on detached leaves. The addition of the insecticides thiamethoxam and chlorantraniliprole to the culture medium confirmed uptake and caused significant mortality to the in vitro aphids. The use of the antimicrobial mixture removed the associated bacteria Arsenophonus but retained Buchnera and Wolbachia within the in vitro aphids.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The in vitro aphid system is a novel and highly useful tool to understand insecticidal efficacy and expand our knowledge of tritrophic interactions among plants, insects and symbionts. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.}, }
@article {pmid27677378, year = {2016}, author = {Kohl, A and Pondeville, E and Schnettler, E and Crisanti, A and Supparo, C and Christophides, GK and Kersey, PJ and Maslen, GL and Takken, W and Koenraadt, CJ and Oliva, CF and Busquets, N and Abad, FX and Failloux, AB and Levashina, EA and Wilson, AJ and Veronesi, E and Pichard, M and Arnaud Marsh, S and Simard, F and Vernick, KD}, title = {Advancing vector biology research: a community survey for future directions, research applications and infrastructure requirements.}, journal = {Pathogens and global health}, volume = {110}, number = {4-5}, pages = {164-172}, doi = {10.1080/20477724.2016.1211475}, pmid = {27677378}, issn = {2047-7732}, support = {323173//European Research Council/International ; MC_UU_12014/8//Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Arbovirus Infections/*prevention &amp; control/transmission ; Arboviruses/physiology ; Arthropod Vectors/*physiology ; Culicidae/*physiology ; Europe ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Humans ; Malaria/*prevention &amp; control/transmission ; *Pest Control, Biological ; Plasmodium/physiology ; Research ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Ticks/*physiology ; Wolbachia/physiology ; }, abstract = {Vector-borne pathogens impact public health, animal production, and animal welfare. Research on arthropod vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, sandflies, and midges which transmit pathogens to humans and economically important animals is crucial for development of new control measures that target transmission by the vector. While insecticides are an important part of this arsenal, appearance of resistance mechanisms is increasingly common. Novel tools for genetic manipulation of vectors, use of Wolbachia endosymbiotic bacteria, and other biological control mechanisms to prevent pathogen transmission have led to promising new intervention strategies, adding to strong interest in vector biology and genetics as well as vector-pathogen interactions. Vector research is therefore at a crucial juncture, and strategic decisions on future research directions and research infrastructure investment should be informed by the research community. A survey initiated by the European Horizon 2020 INFRAVEC-2 consortium set out to canvass priorities in the vector biology research community and to determine key activities that are needed for researchers to efficiently study vectors, vector-pathogen interactions, as well as access the structures and services that allow such activities to be carried out. We summarize the most important findings of the survey which in particular reflect the priorities of researchers in European countries, and which will be of use to stakeholders that include researchers, government, and research organizations.}, }
@article {pmid27666778, year = {2017}, author = {Dahmani, M and Davoust, B and Rousseau, F and Raoult, D and Fenollar, F and Mediannikov, O}, title = {Natural Anaplasmataceae infection in Rhipicephalus bursa ticks collected from sheep in the French Basque Country.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {18-24}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.09.009}, pmid = {27666778}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Anaplasmataceae/*physiology ; Animals ; Female ; France/epidemiology ; Male ; Rhipicephalus/*microbiology ; Sheep ; Sheep Diseases/epidemiology/*parasitology ; Tick Infestations/epidemiology/*veterinary ; }, abstract = {Rhipicephalus bursa is one of 79 species of the genus Rhipicephalus in the family of Ixodidae. In this study, we investigated Anaplasmataceae bacteria associated with R. bursa collected after an epizootic outbreak of ovine anaplasmosis. 76 adult ticks, (60 male and 16 female ticks), were removed from sheep in two farms and all identified as R. bursa, all females were partially engorged. We found that 50% of the ticks were positive in the initial Anaplasmataceae qPCR screening. Bacterial species was identified by analyzing the sequences of amplicons of 23S rRNA, groEL and rpoB genes. 22.4% of ticks contained DNA of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and 7.9% the DNA of Anaplasma ovis. Based on 23S rRNA and groEL genes analysis, we found that 19.7% of ticks contained a potentially new species of Ehrlichia. We propose the status of Candidatus for this uncultured species and we provisionally name it Candidatus Ehrlichia urmitei. No Wolbachia were identified. These results show that R. bursa can be a carrier of Anaplasmataceae bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid27665524, year = {2016}, author = {Makepeace, BL and Tanya, VN}, title = {25 Years of the Onchocerca ochengi Model.}, journal = {Trends in parasitology}, volume = {32}, number = {12}, pages = {966-978}, doi = {10.1016/j.pt.2016.08.013}, pmid = {27665524}, issn = {1471-5007}, mesh = {Animals ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; Humans ; Insect Vectors/parasitology ; Onchocerca/physiology ; Onchocerciasis/drug therapy/*parasitology/*prevention &amp; control ; Simuliidae/parasitology ; }, abstract = {Although of limited veterinary significance, Onchocerca ochengi has become famous as a natural model or 'analogue' of human onchocerciasis (river blindness), which is caused by Onchocerca volvulus. On the basis of both morphological and molecular criteria, O. ochengi is the closest extant relative of O. volvulus and shares several key natural history traits with the human pathogen. These include exploitation of the same group of insect vectors (blackflies of the Simulium damnosum complex) and formation of collagenous nodules with a similar histological structure to human nodules. Here, we review the contribution of this natural system to drug and vaccine discovery efforts, as well as to our basic biological understanding of Onchocerca spp., over the past quarter-century.}, }
@article {pmid27661080, year = {2016}, author = {Rohrscheib, CE and Frentiu, FD and Horn, E and Ritchie, FK and van Swinderen, B and Weible, MW and O'Neill, SL and Brownlie, JC}, title = {Intensity of Mutualism Breakdown Is Determined by Temperature Not Amplification of Wolbachia Genes.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {12}, number = {9}, pages = {e1005888}, doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1005888}, pmid = {27661080}, issn = {1553-7374}, abstract = {Wolbachia are maternally transmitted intracellular bacterial symbionts that infect approximately 40% of all insect species. Though several strains of Wolbachia naturally infect Drosophila melanogaster and provide resistance against viral pathogens, or provision metabolites during periods of nutritional stress, one virulent strain, wMelPop, reduces fly lifespan by half, possibly as a consequence of over-replication. While the mechanisms that allow wMelPop to over-replicate are still of debate, a unique tandem repeat locus in the wMelPop genome that contains eight genes, referred to as the &quot;Octomom&quot; locus has been identified and is thought to play an important regulatory role. Estimates of Octomom locus copy number correlated increasing copy number to both Wolbachia bacterial density and increased pathology. Here we demonstrate that infected fly pathology is not dependent on an increased Octomom copy number, but does strongly correlate with increasing temperature. When measured across developmental time, we also show Octomom copy number to be highly variable across developmental time within a single generation. Using a second pathogenic strain of Wolbachia, we further demonstrate reduced insect lifespan can occur independently of a high Octomom locus copy number. Taken together, this data demonstrates that the mechanism/s of wMelPop virulence is more complex than has been previously described.}, }
@article {pmid27659038, year = {2016}, author = {Mains, JW and Brelsfoard, CL and Rose, RI and Dobson, SL}, title = {Female Adult Aedes albopictus Suppression by Wolbachia-Infected Male Mosquitoes.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {6}, number = {}, pages = {33846}, doi = {10.1038/srep33846}, pmid = {27659038}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {R43 AI098179/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R44 AI098179/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Dengue, chikungunya and zika viruses are pathogens with an increasing global impact. In the absence of an approved vaccine or therapy, their management relies on controlling the mosquito vectors. But traditional controls are inadequate, and the range of invasive species such as Aedes albopictus (Asian Tiger Mosquito) is expanding. Genetically modified mosquitoes are being tested, but their use has encountered regulatory barriers and public opposition in some countries. Wolbachia bacteria can cause a form of conditional sterility, which can provide an alternative to genetic modification or irradiation. It is unknown however, whether openly released, artificially infected male Ae. albopictus can competitively mate and sterilize females at a level adequate to suppress a field population. Also, the unintended establishment of Wolbachia at the introduction site could result from horizontal transmission or inadvertent female release. In 2014, an Experimental Use Permit from the United States Environmental Protection Agency approved a pilot field trial in Lexington, Kentucky, USA. Here, we present data showing localized reduction of both egg hatch and adult female numbers. The artificial Wolbachia type was not observed to establish in the field. The results are discussed in relation to the applied use of Wolbachia-infected males as a biopesticide to suppress field populations of Ae. albopictus.}, }
@article {pmid27648768, year = {2016}, author = {Mascarenhas, RO and Prezotto, LF and Perondini, AL and Marino, CL and Selivon, D}, title = {Wolbachia in guilds of Anastrepha fruit flies (Tephritidae) and parasitoid wasps (Braconidae).}, journal = {Genetics and molecular biology}, volume = {39}, number = {4}, pages = {600-610}, doi = {10.1590/1678-4685-GMB-2016-0075}, pmid = {27648768}, issn = {1415-4757}, abstract = {The endosymbiont Wolbachia is efficiently transmitted from females to their progenies, but horizontal transmission between different taxa is also known to occur. Aiming to determine if horizontal transmission might have occurred between Anastrepha fruit flies and associated braconid wasps, infection by Wolbachia was screened by amplification of a fragment of the wsp gene. Eight species of the genus Anastrepha were analyzed, from which six species of associated parasitoid wasps were recovered. The endosymbiont was found in seven Anastrepha species and in five species of braconids. The WSP Typing methodology detected eight wsp alleles belonging to Wolbachia supergroup A. Three were already known and five were new ones, among which four were found to be putative recombinant haplotypes. Two samples of Anastrepha obliqua and one sample of Doryctobracon brasiliensis showed multiple infection. Single infection by Wolbachia was found in the majority of samples. The distribution of Wolbachia harboring distinct alleles differed significantly between fruit flies and wasps. However, in nine samples of fruit flies and associated wasps, Wolbachia harbored the same wsp allele. These congruences suggest that horizontal transfer of Wolbachia might have occurred in the communities of fruit flies and their braconid parasitoids.}, }
@article {pmid27628851, year = {2017}, author = {Xue, L and Manore, CA and Thongsripong, P and Hyman, JM}, title = {Two-sex mosquito model for the persistence of Wolbachia.}, journal = {Journal of biological dynamics}, volume = {11}, number = {sup1}, pages = {216-237}, doi = {10.1080/17513758.2016.1229051}, pmid = {27628851}, issn = {1751-3766}, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology ; Animals ; Basic Reproduction Number ; Female ; Male ; *Models, Biological ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {We develop and analyse an ordinary differential equation model to investigate the transmission dynamics of releasing Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes to establish an endemic infection in a population of wild uninfected mosquitoes. Wolbachia is a genus of endosymbiotic bacteria that can infect mosquitoes and reduce their ability to transmit some viral mosquito-transmitted diseases, including dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika. Although the bacterium is transmitted vertically from infected mothers to their offspring, it can be difficult to establish an endemic infection in a wild mosquito population. Our transmission model for the adult and aquatic-stage mosquitoes takes into account Wolbachia-induced fitness change and cytoplasmic incompatibility. We show that, for a wide range of realistic parameter values, the basic reproduction number, [Formula: see text], is less than one. Hence, the epidemic will die out if only a few Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes are introduced into the wild population. Even though the basic reproduction number is less than one, an endemic Wolbachia infection can be established if a sufficient number of infected mosquitoes are released. This threshold effect is created by a backward bifurcation with three coexisting equilibria: a stable zero-infection equilibrium, an intermediate-infection unstable endemic equilibrium, and a high-infection stable endemic equilibrium. We analyse the impact of reducing the wild mosquito population before introducing the infected mosquitoes and observed that the most effective approach to establish the infection in the wild is based on reducing mosquitoes in both the adult and aquatic stages.}, }
@article {pmid27623259, year = {2016}, author = {Sullivan, W}, title = {Endosymbiosis: The Remarkable Healing Powers of Wolbachia.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {26}, number = {17}, pages = {R797-9}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2016.07.045}, pmid = {27623259}, issn = {1879-0445}, mesh = {Animals ; Arthropods ; Germ Cells ; Reproduction ; *Symbiosis ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia, a maternally transmitted bacterium globally present in arthropods, favors its own transmission by producing dramatic changes in host reproduction. Insight into the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms comes from the identification of the Wolbachia effector protein TomO, which maintains host germline stem cells in an undifferentiated state.}, }
@article {pmid27618991, year = {2016}, author = {Vivero, RJ and Jaramillo, NG and Cadavid-Restrepo, G and Soto, SI and Herrera, CX}, title = {Structural differences in gut bacteria communities in developmental stages of natural populations of Lutzomyia evansi from Colombia's Caribbean coast.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {496}, doi = {10.1186/s13071-016-1766-0}, pmid = {27618991}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Animal Distribution ; Animals ; Bacteria/*classification/*isolation &amp; purification ; Colombia ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Tract/*microbiology ; Life Cycle Stages ; Male ; Psychodidae/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Lutzomyia evansi, a phlebotomine insect endemic to Colombia's Caribbean coast, is considered to be the main vector of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis in the region. Although insects of this species can harbor pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms in their intestinal microbiota, there is little information available about the diversity of gut bacteria present in Lutzomyia evansi. In this study, conventional microbiological methods and molecular tools were used to assess the composition of bacterial communities associated with Lutzomyia evansi guts in immature and adult stages of natural populations from the department of Sucre (Caribbean coast of Colombia).<br><br>METHODS: Sand flies were collected from two locations (peri-urban and jungle biotype) in the Department of Sucre (Caribbean coast of Colombia). A total of 752 Lutzomyia evansi intestines were dissected. In this study, 125 bacterial strains were isolated from different culture media (LB Agar, MacConkey Agar). Different methods were used for bacterial identification, including ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (RISA) and analysis of the 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequences. The genetic profiles of the bacterial populations were generated and temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TTGE) was used to compare them with total gut DNA. We also used PCR and DNA sequence analysis to determine the presence of Wolbachia endosymbiont bacteria and Leishmania parasites.<br><br>RESULTS: The culture-dependent technique showed that the dominant intestinal bacteria isolated belong to Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Ochrobactrum, Shinella and Paenibacillus in the larval stage; Lysobacter, Microbacterium, Streptomyces, Bacillus and Rummeliibacillus in the pupal stage; and Staphylococcus, Streptomyces, Brevibacterium, Acinetobacter, Enterobacter and Pantoea in the adult stage. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the fingerprint patterns of the PCR-TTGE bands in bacterial communities from immature and adult stages. Additionally, differences were found in bacterial community structure in fed females, unfed females, males and larvae. The intestinal bacteria detected by PCR-TTGE were Enterobacter cloacae and Bacillus thuringiensis, which were present in different life stages of Lu. evansi, and Burkholderia cenocepacia and Bacillus gibsonii, which were detected only in the larval stage. Wolbachia and Leishmania were not detected in gut samples of Lutzomyia evansi.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The analyses conducted using microbiological and molecular approaches indicated significant variations in the bacterial communities associated with the gut of Lu. evansi, depending on the developmental stage and food source. We propose that these elements affect microbial diversity in L. evansi guts and may in turn influence pathogen transmission to humans bitten by this insect.}, }
@article {pmid27611575, year = {2016}, author = {Shi, P and He, Z and Li, S and An, X and Lv, N and Ghanim, M and Cuthbertson, AG and Ren, SX and Qiu, BL}, title = {Wolbachia Has Two Different Localization Patterns in Whitefly Bemisia tabaci AsiaII7 Species.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {11}, number = {9}, pages = {e0162558}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0162558}, pmid = {27611575}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; Eggs/microbiology ; Female ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Male ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is a cosmopolitan insect species complex that harbors the obligate primary symbiont Portiera aleyrodidarum and several facultative secondary symbionts including Wolbachia, which have diverse influences on the host biology. Here, for the first time, we revealed two different localization patterns of Wolbachia present in the immature and adult stages of B. tabaci AsiaII7 cryptic species. In the confined pattern, Wolbachia was restricted to the bacteriocytes, while in the scattered pattern Wolbachia localized in the bacteriocytes, haemolymph and other organs simultaneously. Our results further indicated that, the proportion of B. tabaci AsiaII7 individuals with scattered Wolbachia were significantly lower than that of confined Wolbachia, and the distribution patterns of Wolbachia were not associated with the developmental stage or sex of whitefly host. This study will provide a new insight into the various transmission routes of Wolbachia in different whitefly species.}, }
@article {pmid27596624, year = {2016}, author = {Hunter, P}, title = {Challenges and options for disease vector control: The outbreak of Zika virus in South America and increasing insecticide resistance among mosquitoes have rekindled efforts for controlling disease vectors.}, journal = {EMBO reports}, volume = {17}, number = {10}, pages = {1370-1373}, doi = {10.15252/embr.201643233}, pmid = {27596624}, issn = {1469-3178}, mesh = {Animals ; Culicidae/microbiology/*virology ; Disease Outbreaks/*prevention &amp; control ; Gene Drive Technology ; Humans ; *Insecticide Resistance ; *Mosquito Control ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/*virology ; South America/epidemiology ; Wolbachia/physiology ; Zika Virus/physiology ; Zika Virus Infection/*epidemiology/prevention &amp; control/transmission/virology ; }, }
@article {pmid27595920, year = {2016}, author = {Bajer, A and Rodo, A and Mierzejewska, EJ and Tołkacz, K and Welc-Faleciak, R}, title = {The prevalence of Dirofilaria repens in cats, healthy dogs and dogs with concurrent babesiosis in an expansion zone in central Europe.}, journal = {BMC veterinary research}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {183}, doi = {10.1186/s12917-016-0816-3}, pmid = {27595920}, issn = {1746-6148}, mesh = {Animals ; Babesiosis/*complications/epidemiology ; Cat Diseases/epidemiology/*parasitology ; Cats ; Coinfection ; Dirofilaria repens/*isolation &amp; purification ; Dirofilariasis/epidemiology/*parasitology ; Dog Diseases/epidemiology/*parasitology ; Dogs ; Poland/epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Wolbachia/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Dirofilaria repens is a mosquito-transmitted, filarial nematode parasitizing dogs, cats and other carnivores. Recently, this parasite has spread in central Europe, including Poland. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of D. repens in cats and dogs in different regions of the country and to investigate the occurrence and consequences of co-infection with another fast-spreading vector-borne parasite, Babesia canis.<br><br>RESULTS: In the period 2013-2015, 147 blood samples from cats from central Poland and 257 blood samples from dogs from central, northern, southern and western Poland were collected. Prevalence of D. repens was determined by amplification and sequencing of the 12S rDNA gene fragment. Among dogs, 94 samples originated from clinically healthy dogs from central Poland (Masovia) and 58 samples originated from dogs that were infected with B. canis. Prevalence of D. repens was compared between these two groups of dogs. For the first time D. repens was identified in a cat from central Europe (0.7 % [95 % CL: 0-4.1 %]). The DNA of the filarial endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia was detected in two cats (1.4 % [95 % CL: 0-5.5 %]). In dogs, the parasite was detected only in samples from central Poland (Masovia) (local prevalence = 38 % [95 % CL: 25.9-51.8 %]). Prevalence of D. repens was significantly higher in dogs with babesiosis (90 % [95 % CL: 81.6-94.5 %]). Co-infections of D. repens and B. canis were confirmed by sequencing in 30 dogs with babesiosis, but no co-infections were identified in healthy dogs from Masovia. Statistical analyses of blood parameters revealed that dogs with co-infections suffered more severe anemia and thrombocytopenia, but presented milder changes in biochemical parameters (i.e. less elevated concentration of alkaline phosphatase [ALP] and serum urea) suggesting lower risk of hepatic or renal failure in comparison to dogs infected only with B. canis.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: These findings are important due to the spread of dirofilariosis and babesiosis in central Europe, as microfilaraemic dogs seem to be more prone to babesiosis. The possible protective effect of the nematode infection against hepatic or renal failure in canine babesiosis and its mechanisms require further investigations.}, }
@article {pmid27591564, year = {2016}, author = {Dumas, E and Atyame, CM and Malcolm, CA and Le Goff, G and Unal, S and Makoundou, P and Pasteur, N and Weill, M and Duron, O}, title = {Molecular data reveal a cryptic species within the Culex pipiens mosquito complex.}, journal = {Insect molecular biology}, volume = {25}, number = {6}, pages = {800-809}, doi = {10.1111/imb.12264}, pmid = {27591564}, issn = {1365-2583}, mesh = {Animals ; *Biological Evolution ; Cell Nucleus/genetics ; Culex/*classification/*genetics/growth &amp; development/microbiology ; DNA/genetics ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Haplotypes ; Larva/classification/genetics ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Phylogeny ; Pupa/classification/genetics ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/physiology ; }, abstract = {The Culex pipiens mosquito complex is a group of evolutionarily closely related species including C. pipiens and Culex quinquefasciatus, both infected by the cytoplasmically inherited Wolbachia symbiont. A Wolbachia-uninfected population of C. pipiens was however described in South Africa and was recently proposed to represent a cryptic species. In this study, we reconsidered the existence of this species by undertaking an extensive screening for the presence of Wolbachia-uninfected C. pipiens specimens and by characterizing their genetic relatedness with known members of the complex. We first report on the presence of Wolbachia-uninfected specimens in several breeding sites. We next confirm that these uninfected specimens unambiguously belong to the C. pipiens complex. Remarkably, all uninfected specimens harbour mitochondrial haplotypes that are either novel or identical to those previously found in South Africa. In all cases, these mitochondrial haplotypes are closely related, but different, to those found in other C. pipiens complex members known to be infected by Wolbachia. Altogether, these results corroborate the presence of a widespread cryptic species within the C. pipiens species complex. The potential role of this cryptic C. pipiens species in the transmission of pathogens remains however to be determined. The designation 'Culex juppi nov. sp.' is proposed for this mosquito species.}, }
@article {pmid27570308, year = {2016}, author = {Saurav, GK and Daimei, G and Rana, VS and Popli, S and Rajagopal, R}, title = {Detection and Localization of Wolbachia in Thrips palmi Karny (Thysanoptera: Thripidae).}, journal = {Indian journal of microbiology}, volume = {56}, number = {2}, pages = {167-171}, doi = {10.1007/s12088-016-0567-7}, pmid = {27570308}, issn = {0046-8991}, abstract = {Thrips palmi Karny is a globally distributed polyphagous agricultural pest. It causes huge economic loss by its biological behaviors like feeding, reproduction and transmission of tospoviruses. Since T. palmi shows close morphological similarities with other thrips species, we employed mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 (mtCO1) gene as a molecular marker. BLAST analysis of this sequence helped us to identify the collected specimen as T. palmi. We observed the female to male ratio of about 3:1 from collected samples and suspected the presence of Wolbachia. The presence of Wolbachia was detected by PCR using genus specific primers of 16S rRNA gene. Further confirmation of Wolbachia strain was achieved by conducting PCR amplification of three ubiquitous genes ftsZ, gatB and groEL. A phylogenetic tree was constructed with concatenated sequences of ftsZ and gatB gene to assign supergroup to Wolbachia. Finally, we localized Wolbachia in abdominal region of the insect using fluorescent in situ hybridization with the help of confocal microscope. Our result confirmed the presence of Wolbachia supergroup B strain for the first time in T. palmi.}, }
@article {pmid27567683, year = {2016}, author = {Ren, T and Wu, M}, title = {PhyloCore: A phylogenetic approach to identifying core taxa in microbial communities.}, journal = {Gene}, volume = {593}, number = {2}, pages = {330-333}, doi = {10.1016/j.gene.2016.08.032}, pmid = {27567683}, issn = {1879-0038}, support = {R01 GM108501/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {*Algorithms ; Microbiota/*genetics ; *Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Identifying core microbiota is an important step for understanding the key components of microbial communities. Traditional approach that identifies core taxa at the OTU level ignores potential ecological coherence of higher rank taxa. There is a need to develop software that can systematically identify core taxa at and above the species level.<br><br>RESULTS: Here we developed PhyloCore, an application that uses a phylogeny-based algorithm to identify core taxa at the proper taxonomic levels. It incorporates a number of features that users can set according to their needs. Using multiple gut microbiota as test cases, we demonstrate that PhyloCore is more powerful and flexible than OTU-based approaches.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: PhyloCore is a flexible and fast application that identifies core taxa at proper taxonomic levels, making it useful to sequence-based microbial ecology studies. The software is freely available at http://wolbachia.biology.virginia.edu/WuLab/Software.html.}, }
@article {pmid27551975, year = {2017}, author = {Chen, F and Coates, B and He, KL and Bai, SX and Zhang, TT and Wang, ZY}, title = {Effects of Wolbachia on mitochondrial DNA variation in populations of Athetis lepigone (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in China.}, journal = {Mitochondrial DNA. Part A, DNA mapping, sequencing, and analysis}, volume = {28}, number = {6}, pages = {826-834}, doi = {10.1080/24701394.2016.1197216}, pmid = {27551975}, issn = {2470-1408}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Infections/*genetics ; China ; *Genetic Variation ; Genome, Insect ; *Genome, Mitochondrial ; Haplotypes ; Moths/*genetics/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are endosymbiotic bacteria that infect arthropods and incompatibility among strains can affect gene flow within host insect populations that can significantly result in host mitochondrial DNA (MtDNA) variation within or among populations. The effects of Wolbachia infection on Athetis lepigone MtDNA variation were studied across 12 geographical populations sampled from North China. Mitochondrial COI gene and Wolbachia wsp gene were both obtained from 423 individuals, including 46 Wolbachia infected and 377 uninfected individuals. Average A. lepigone infection rate was 11% (range: 0 to 26%), and wsp sequence variation defined three distinct Wolbachia strains; wLep1, wLep2, and wLep3, respectively. A haplotype network showed no relationship between A. lepigone MtDNA haplotype and Wolbachia infection. Furthermore, haplotype variation mainly exists within populations, although the proportion of variation is higher within uninfected compared to infected individuals. The lack of correlation between A. lepigone haplotype and Wolbachia strain, suggests symbiont infection may not affect mating compatibility or gene flow within host populations in China.}, }
@article {pmid27543297, year = {2016}, author = {Ramírez-Puebla, ST and Ormeño-Orrillo, E and Vera-Ponce de León, A and Lozano, L and Sanchez-Flores, A and Rosenblueth, M and Martínez-Romero, E}, title = {Genomes of Candidatus Wolbachia bourtzisii wDacA and Candidatus Wolbachia pipientis wDacB from the Cochineal Insect Dactylopius coccus (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae).}, journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)}, volume = {6}, number = {10}, pages = {3343-3349}, doi = {10.1534/g3.116.031237}, pmid = {27543297}, issn = {2160-1836}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Secretion Systems/genetics/metabolism ; Biological Transport ; Energy Metabolism ; Female ; Genetic Variation ; *Genome, Bacterial ; *Genomics/methods ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; RNA, Bacterial ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; Stress, Physiological/genetics ; Symbiosis ; Virulence Factors ; Wolbachia/classification/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Dactylopius species, known as cochineal insects, are the source of the carminic acid dye used worldwide. The presence of two Wolbachia strains in Dactylopius coccus from Mexico was revealed by PCR amplification of wsp and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. A metagenome analysis recovered the genome sequences of Candidatus Wolbachia bourtzisii wDacA (supergroup A) and Candidatus Wolbachia pipientis wDacB (supergroup B). Genome read coverage, as well as 16S rRNA clone sequencing, revealed that wDacB was more abundant than wDacA. The strains shared similar predicted metabolic capabilities that are common to Wolbachia, including riboflavin, ubiquinone, and heme biosynthesis, but lacked other vitamin and cofactor biosynthesis as well as glycolysis, the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway, and sugar uptake systems. A complete tricarboxylic acid cycle and gluconeogenesis were predicted as well as limited amino acid biosynthesis. Uptake and catabolism of proline were evidenced in Dactylopius Wolbachia strains. Both strains possessed WO-like phage regions and type I and type IV secretion systems. Several efflux systems found suggested the existence of metal toxicity within their host. Besides already described putative virulence factors like ankyrin domain proteins, VlrC homologs, and patatin-like proteins, putative novel virulence factors related to those found in intracellular pathogens like Legionella and Mycobacterium are highlighted for the first time in Wolbachia Candidate genes identified in other Wolbachia that are likely involved in cytoplasmic incompatibility were found in wDacB but not in wDacA.}, }
@article {pmid27538532, year = {2016}, author = {Ferdy, JB and Liu, N and Sicard, M}, title = {Transmission modes and the evolution of feminizing symbionts.}, journal = {Journal of evolutionary biology}, volume = {29}, number = {12}, pages = {2395-2409}, doi = {10.1111/jeb.12963}, pmid = {27538532}, issn = {1420-9101}, mesh = {Animals ; *Biological Evolution ; Female ; Male ; *Reproduction ; Sex Characteristics ; Virulence ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Vertically transmitted symbionts can distort their host's reproduction to increase their own transmission. In Wolbachia and some other symbionts, a particular distortion of this sort is feminization, whereby genetic males, which cannot transmit symbionts, are converted during development into functional females, which do transmit symbionts when they reproduce. In this work, we propose a model to study how feminization intensity (i.e. penetrance) can evolve under different ecological constraints in WZ/ZZ hosts. More specifically, our model incorporates both imperfect vertical and horizontal transmission modes. The model shows that for most parameter values feminizing symbionts drive genetic females to extinction, which in turn favours the evolution of maximum feminization penetrance. Once genetic females are extinct, the actual value of feminization penetrance never depends on the efficiency of vertical transmission. Instead, the model shows that in conditions where the reproductive rate is high at demographic equilibrium, higher feminization levels are favoured. One consequence of this can be, for example, that evolutionarily stable feminization penetrance increases with the host's natural death rate, just as the virulence is predicted to do with the host's natural death rate in classic epidemiological models. Finally, we found that horizontal transmission had no impact on how feminization penetrance evolved when genetic females were extinct. However, horizontal transmission can permit genetic females to coexist with symbionts and, in this case, we demonstrate that the presence of genetic females selects symbionts for lower feminization penetrance.}, }
@article {pmid27515668, year = {2016}, author = {Zurita, A and Gutiérrez, SG and Cutillas, C}, title = {Infection Rates of Wolbachia sp. and Bartonella sp. in Different Populations of Fleas.}, journal = {Current microbiology}, volume = {73}, number = {5}, pages = {704-713}, doi = {10.1007/s00284-016-1119-4}, pmid = {27515668}, issn = {1432-0991}, mesh = {Animals ; Bartonella/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/*physiology ; Cat Diseases/parasitology ; Cats ; Dog Diseases/parasitology ; Dogs ; Female ; Flea Infestations/parasitology/*veterinary ; Male ; Siphonaptera/*microbiology ; Wolbachia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/*physiology ; }, abstract = {In the present study, a molecular detection of Bartonella sp. and Wolbachia sp. in Ctenocephalides felis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) isolated from Canis lupus familiaris from different geographical areas of Spain, Iran and South Africa, and in Stenoponia tripectinata tripectinata isolated from Mus musculus from the Canary Islands has been carried out by amplification of the 16S ribosomal RNA partial gene of Wolbachia sp. and intergenic spacer region (its region) of Bartonella sp. A total of 70 % of C. felis analysed were infected by W. pipientis. This percentage of prevalence was considerably higher in female fleas than in male fleas. Bartonella DNA was not detected in C. felis from dogs, while Bartonella elizabethae was detected and identified in S. t. tripectinata from M. musculus from the Canary Islands representing 43.75 % prevalence. This report is the first to identify B. elizabethae in S. t. tripectinata collected in M. musculus from the Canary Islands. Thus, our results demonstrate that this flea is a potential vector of B. elizabethae and might play roles in human infection. The zoonotic character of this bartonellosis emphasizes the need to alert public health authorities and the veterinary community of the risk of infection.}, }
@article {pmid27503142, year = {2016}, author = {Sim, AD and Wheeler, D}, title = {The venom gland transcriptome of the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis highlights the importance of novel genes in venom function.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {17}, number = {}, pages = {571}, doi = {10.1186/s12864-016-2924-7}, pmid = {27503142}, issn = {1471-2164}, mesh = {Animals ; Cluster Analysis ; Computational Biology/methods ; Female ; Gene Expression Profiling ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Ovary/metabolism ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; *Transcriptome ; Wasp Venoms/*genetics ; Wasps/*genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Prior to egg laying the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis envenomates its pupal host with a complex mixture of venom peptides. This venom induces several dramatic changes in the host, including developmental arrest, immunosuppression, and altered metabolism. The diverse and potent bioactivity of N. vitripennis venom provides opportunities for the development of novel acting pharmaceuticals based on these molecules. However, currently very little is known about the specific functions of individual venom peptides or what mechanisms underlie the hosts response to envenomation. Many of the venom peptides also lack bioinformatically derived annotations because no homologs can be identified in the sequences databases. The RNA interference system of N. vitripennis provides a method for functional characterisation of venom protein encoding genes, however working with the current list of 79 candidates represents a daunting task. For this reason we were interested in determining the expression levels of venom encoding genes in the venom gland, as this information could be used to rank candidates for further study. To do this we carried out deep transcriptome sequencing of the venom gland and ovary tissue and used RNA-seq to rank the venom protein encoding genes by expression level. The generation of a specific venom gland transcriptome dataset also provides further opportunities to investigate novel features of this specialised organ.<br><br>RESULTS: RNA-seq revealed that the highest expressed venom encoding gene in the venom gland was 'Venom protein Y'. The highest expressed annotated gene in this tissue was serine protease Nasvi2EG007167, which has previously been implicated in the apoptotic activity of N. vitripennis venom. As expected the RNA-seq confirmed that venom encoding genes are almost exclusively expressed in the venom gland relative to the neighbouring ovary tissue. Novel genes appear to perform key roles in N. vitripennis venom function, with over half of the 15 highest expressed venom encoding loci lacking bioinformatic annotations. The high throughput sequencing data also provided evidence for the existence of an additional 472 previously undescribed transcribed regions in the N. vitripennis genome. Finally, metatranscriptomic analysis of the venom gland transcriptome finds little evidence for the role of Wolbachia in the venom system.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The expression level information provided here for the N. vitripennis venom protein encoding genes represents a valuable dataset that can be used by the research community to rank candidates for further functional characterisation. These candidates represent bioactive peptides valuable in the development of new pharmaceuticals.}, }
@article {pmid27498563, year = {2016}, author = {Ote, M and Ueyama, M and Yamamoto, D}, title = {Wolbachia Protein TomO Targets nanos mRNA and Restores Germ Stem Cells in Drosophila Sex-lethal Mutants.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {26}, number = {17}, pages = {2223-2232}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2016.06.054}, pmid = {27498563}, issn = {1879-0445}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/*genetics/metabolism ; Drosophila Proteins/*genetics/metabolism ; Drosophila melanogaster/*genetics/growth &amp; development/microbiology ; Female ; *Gene Expression Regulation ; Germ Cells/metabolism ; RNA, Messenger/genetics/metabolism ; RNA-Binding Proteins/*genetics/metabolism ; Stem Cells/*metabolism ; Wolbachia/genetics/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia, endosymbiotic bacteria prevalent in invertebrates, manipulate their hosts in a variety of ways: they induce cytoplasmic incompatibility, male lethality, male-to-female transformation, and parthenogenesis. However, little is known about the molecular basis for host manipulation by these bacteria. In Drosophila melanogaster, Wolbachia infection makes otherwise sterile Sex-lethal (Sxl) mutant females capable of producing mature eggs. Through a functional genomic screen for Wolbachia genes with growth-inhibitory effects when expressed in cultured Drosophila cells, we identified the gene WD1278 encoding a novel protein we call toxic manipulator of oogenesis (TomO), which phenocopies some of the Wolbachia effects in