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Assessing the optimal virulence of malaria-targeting mosquito pathogens: a mathematical study of engineered Metarhizium anisopliae.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Metarhizium anisopliae is a naturally occurring fungal pathogen of mosquitoes. Recently, Metarhizium has been engineered to act against malaria by directly killing the disease agent within mosquito vectors and also effectively blocking onward transmission. It has been proposed that efforts should be made to minimize the virulence of the fungal pathogen, in order to slow the development of resistant mosquitoes following an actual deployment. RESULTS: Two mathematical models were developed and analysed to examine the efficacy of the fungal pathogen. It was found that, in many plausible scenarios, the best effects are achieved with a reduced or minimal pathogen virulence, even if the likelihood of resistance to the fungus is negligible. The results for both models depend on the interplay between two main effects: the ability of the fungus to reduce the mosquito population, and the ability of fungus-infected mosquitoes to compete for resources with non-fungus-infected mosquitoes. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that there is no obvious choice of virulence for engineered Metarhizium or similar pathogens, and that all available information regarding the population ecology of the combined mosquito-fungus system should be carefully considered. The models provide a basic framework for examination of anti-malarial mosquito pathogens that should be extended and improved as new laboratory and field data become available.

SUBMITTER: Konrad BP

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3893513 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Assessing the optimal virulence of malaria-targeting mosquito pathogens: a mathematical study of engineered Metarhizium anisopliae.

Konrad Bernhard P BP Lindstrom Michael M Gumpinger Anja A Zhu Jielin J Coombs Daniel D

Malaria journal 20140108

<h4>Background</h4>Metarhizium anisopliae is a naturally occurring fungal pathogen of mosquitoes. Recently, Metarhizium has been engineered to act against malaria by directly killing the disease agent within mosquito vectors and also effectively blocking onward transmission. It has been proposed that efforts should be made to minimize the virulence of the fungal pathogen, in order to slow the development of resistant mosquitoes following an actual deployment.<h4>Results</h4>Two mathematical mode ...[more]

PMID: 24397503

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Project description:BACKGROUND:The fungal toxin acts as effective, low-cost chemical substances for pest control worldwide and also an alternative to synthetic insecticides. This study assessed the larvicidal potential of Metarhizium anisopliae fungi derived metabolites against Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi, Culex quinquefasciatus and non-targeted organisms at 24hr post treatment. METHOD:Isolation of entomopathogenic fungi M. anisopliae from natural traps confirmed by using 18s rDNA biotechnological tools. Crude extracts from M. anisopliae solvent extraction and their secondary metabolites were bio-assayed following WHO standard procedures against Ae. aegypti, An. stephensi and Cx. quinquefasciatus, Artemia nauplii, Eudrilus eugeniae, and Solanum lycopersicum after 24 hr exposure. Histopathological analysis of E. eugeniae treated with fungi metabolites toxicity compared to those treated with Monocrotophos after 24hrpost-treatment. M. anisopliae metabolites were characterized using GC-MS and FT-IR analysis. RESULTS:The larvicidal activity was recorded in highest concentration of 75?g/ml, with 85%, 97% and 89% mortality in Ae. aegypti, An. stephensi and Cx. quinquefasciatus respectively. M. anisopliae metabolites produced LC50 values in Ae. aegypti, 59.83?g/ml, in An. stephensi, 50.16?g/ml and in Cx. quinquefasciatus, 51.15?g/ml respectively. M. anisopliae metabolites produced lower toxic effects on A. nauplii, LC50 values were, 54.96?g/ml respectively. Bio-indicator toxicity results show 18% and 58% mortality was recorded in E. eugeniae and A. nauplii and also there is no phytotoxicity that was observed on S. lycopersicum L. under semi-field condition. E. eugeniae histopathological studies shows fungal metabolites showed lower sub-lethal effects compared to synthetic chemical pesticide at 24hrs of the treatment. The GC-MS and FT-IR analysis identified five major components of active ingredients. CONCLUSION:Findings of this study indicate that, M. anisopliae ethyl acetate derived secondary metabolites are effective against larvae of Ae. aegypti, An. stephensi and Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquito species, lower toxicity effects were observed on non-target organisms such as, Artemia nauplii, Eudrilus eugeniae as well as, no toxicity effect were observed on Solanum lycopersicum. Further research should be conducted in laboratory for separation of single pure molecule and be tested semifield conditions.

Dataset Information

Assessing the optimal virulence of malaria-targeting mosquito pathogens: a mathematical study of engineered Metarhizium anisopliae.

Publications

Assessing the optimal virulence of malaria-targeting mosquito pathogens: a mathematical study of engineered Metarhizium anisopliae.

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