Using Transgenic Entomopathogenic Fungi to Prevent Dengue Fever: Current Status, Challenges and Perspectives

Over the last few decades, dengue fever epidemics have increased in frequency and intensity worldwide, making it a major global concern for public health. Its prevention, which is essentially vector-based control, is already being compromised by reports of resistance of the main vector Aedes aegypti to insecticides. To tackle the rapid increase in insecticide resistance and outbreaks, the biological vector control is a promising approach. One of the strategies of this approach is the use of entomopathogenic fungi because of their great efficacy and their eco-friendly aspects. However, some aspects of their use, such as the low efficiency, the high cost of production and the sensitivity to various adverse conditions, need to be addressed for their successful large-scale application. Therefore, innovative technologies based on strains of transgenic fungi with improved biocontrol potentials by genetic engineering are actively pursued. Although these modified mycoinsecticides are acclaimed for their better effectiveness against target insects, the main concern remains their potential adverse effects on the environment and human health. The present review is dedicated to giving an update on recent developments in transgenic entomopathogenic fungi (TEF) for Aedes mosquito control. Future perspectives are also proposed to address the safety concerns related to the release of transgenic entomopathogenic fungi into the environment.