Open AccessHeat Sensitivity of wMel Wolbachia during Aedes aegypti Development
Author(s) -
Jill N. Ulrich,
John C. Beier,
Gregor J. Devine,
Leon E. Hugo
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
plos neglected tropical diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.99
H-Index - 135
eISSN - 1935-2735
pISSN - 1935-2727
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004873
Subject(s) - wolbachia , aedes aegypti , dengue fever , biology , vector (molecular biology) , outbreak , aedes , zika virus , dengue virus , virology , larva , mosquito control , zoology , virus , ecology , immunology , malaria , host (biology) , genetics , recombinant dna , gene
The w Mel strain of Wolbachia bacteria is known to prevent dengue and Zika virus transmission in the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti . Accordingly, the release of w Mel-infected A . aegypti in endemic regions has been recommended by the World Health Organization as a potential strategy for controlling dengue and Zika outbreaks. However, the utility of this approach could be limited if high temperatures in the aquatic habitats where A . aegypti develop are detrimental to Wolbachia . We exposed w Mel-infected A . aegypti eggs and larvae to fluctuating daily temperatures of 30–40°C for three, five, or seven days during their development. We found that Wolbachia levels in females emerging from heat treatments were significantly lower than in the controls that had developed at 20–30°C. Notably, seven days of high temperatures starting at the egg stage reduced Wolbachia levels in emerging females to less than 0.1% of the w Mel control levels. However, after adult females returned to 20–30°C for 4–7 days, they experienced differing degrees of Wolbachia recovery. Our findings suggest that the spread of Wolbachia in wild A . aegypti populations and any consequent protection from dengue and Zika viruses might be limited in ecosystems that experience periods of extreme heat, but Wolbachia levels recover partially after temperatures return to normal.