Wolbachia and The Biological Control of Dengue Virus

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By: Elisa Xiao

Introduction

Dengue virus is a mosquito-borne disease that causes an enormous health burden to people living in tropical and subtropical regions. No effective vaccine is yet available. Traditional methods for controlling the spread of mosquito-born disease, such as using bed nets and draining wetlands, failed to control the spread of dengue virus by the Aedes aegytpi mosquitoes because they bit during the days and only occupy urban areas.[1] [2] The transinfection of mosquitos with certain strains of the maternally inherited, endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia seems to be a new approach in controlling the spread of dengue virus. Certain strains of this bacterium can invade and sustain themselves in wild mosquito populations, affect mosquito reproduction, reduce lifespan of its host, and interfere with pathogen replication.

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