Characterization of Leclercia adecarboxylata isolated from field collected Anopheles subpictus, Berhampur, Odisha.

Background Objectives: Malaria, a vector-borne diseases caused by Plasmodium species and transmitted by Anopheles species. Among them, Anopheles subpictus has emerged as a potent malarial vector in coastal areas of India. Numerous studies highlighted that bacterial communities within mosquito influence vector competence. The present study was designed to isolate and characterize bacterial microbiota from A. subpictus larvae.

Methods: Isolation and purification of the predominant bacterial strain (AL1). Morphological, biochemical, antibiotic susceptibility and molecular characterization of the isolated bacteria.

Results: Bacterial isolate (AL1) was found to be rod, gram negative, catalase positive and oxidase negative. AL1 was identified as Leclercia adecarboxylata (Accession number: OR649235) through 16S rRNA ribotyping. Further, leaf extract of Nyctanthes arbortristis showed inhibitory effect against AL1.

Interpretation Conclusion: This is the first report on isolation of symbiotic bacteria (L. adecarboxylata) from A. subpictus and its control by leaf extract of Nyctanthes arbortristis. Isolated gram-negative bacterial strain might inhibit the development of mosquito vector and might use for various biological control strategies to combat malaria transmission.