Phenotypic segregation of Aedes aegypti for immune antibacterial activity and resistance to filariae

Journal article

We report the phenotypic selection of two lines of Aedes aegypti, from a filariae susceptible parental stock (Refm). This selection was based upon the level of inducible anti-gram negative EScherichia coli activity within the haemolymph following E. coli infection. These lines, denoted ‘high’ and 'low ’, demonstrated significant differences in anti-E. coli responses throughout. However no difference was observed in the anti-gram positive Micrococcus luteus response following E. coli challenge. F₄, F₆ and F₉ mosquitoes were experimentally infected with Brugia pahangi microfilariae. Reductions of between 53 and 82% in the mean number of larvae completing development in the ‘high’ compared with the 'low’ responding line were observed. Corresponding reductions of between 30 and 50% in the mosquito infection rates also occurred between these lines. These reductions were significant for trials on the F₆ and F₉ generations. We have therefore selected for Ae. aegypti possessing significant refractoriness to filaria infection. Importantly, this ‘high’ line has not been exposed to selection pressure using filariae development as a phenotypic selective marker.

Authors: Ham, PJ; Yang, H; Nolan, GP

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Royal Society
• Journal: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
• Volume: 263
• Issue: 1374
• Pages: 1205-1210
• Publication date: 1996-09-22
• Acceptance date: 1996-06-05
• DOI: 10.1098/rspb.1996.0177
• EISSN: 1471-2954
• ISSN: 0962-8452
• Language: English