Role of gut microbial biofilm of anopheline mosquitoes to control its vectorial attribute: A study in some areas of West Bengal

It has been disclosed that mosquito gut should be focused to keep these vectors from transmitting malaria. Present study indicated that the bacterial populations found from the rural and suburban areas of West Bengal are gram negative and belonging to Enterobacteriaceae family. The growth rate of bacterial isolates of the above-mentioned areas exhibited exponential pattern. The midgut microbial biofilm has been reported to be associated with an inhibitory effect on the sporogonic development of Plasmodium in the intestine of anopheline mosquito. Hence, the identification of the predominant gut microbiota is of prime significance to introduce these within the midgut of Anopheles for the regulation of its vectorial attribute. The present findings also revealed that introduction of some antibiotics have positive impact on fecundity of mosquito. When Anopheles mosquito is treated with streptomycin and ampicilin the fecundity is increased 13-18% respectively. From the data it can be advocated that day-to-day increase of the usage of antibiotics markedly speed-up the disease transmission by escalating the reproductive potential of anopheline vectors.

Automated summary

This study highlights the importance of mosquito gut microbiota in the transmission of malaria, and suggests that certain bacteria can inhibit the development of malaria parasites in the mosquito gut. Additionally, the use of specific antibiotics can increase mosquito fecundity and accelerate disease transmission.