Fungal pathogen reduces potential for malaria transmission.

Science

Institutes of Evolution, Immunology, and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, Ashworth Laboratories, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JT Scotland, UK.

Published: June 2005

AI Article Synopsis

  • A rodent malaria study showed that mosquitoes exposed to surfaces treated with fungal pathogens significantly reduced malaria transmission by about 80%.
  • Fungal infections led to over 90% mortality in mosquitoes, especially around the time when malaria parasites mature.
  • Using fungal biopesticides could be a sustainable alternative to chemical insecticides for malaria control, especially in regions facing insecticide resistance.

Article Abstract

Using a rodent malaria model, we found that exposure to surfaces treated with fungal entomopathogens following an infectious blood meal reduced the number of mosquitoes able to transmit malaria by a factor of about 80. Fungal infection, achieved through contact with both solid surfaces and netting for durations well within the typical post-feed resting periods, was sufficient to cause >90% mortality. Daily mortality rates escalated dramatically around the time of sporozoite maturation, and infected mosquitoes showed reduced propensity to blood feed. Residual sprays of fungal biopesticides might replace or supplement chemical insecticides for malaria control, particularly in areas of high insecticide resistance.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1108423DOI Listing

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