Maximizing horizontal transmission through mating: increased mating frequency and mating competitiveness associated with Microsporidia MB-infected Anopheles arabiensis males
There is a moderate, although heterogenous, horizontal transmission of Microsporidia MB across all age groups, except from 3-4 days old, infected females to males. Microsporidia MB-infected male mosquitoes were almost twice as competitive in mating as their uninfected counterparts. Therefore, Microsporidia MB infected males can potentially disseminate Microsporidia MB in the natural mosquito populations, thus, contributing to malaria control. However, semi-field studies are required to validate these results in a natural environment.
Authors
- Tracy Maina
- Tullu Bukhari (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4291-9619)
- Joseph Gichuhi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3379-2756)
- Joel Ltilitan Bargul (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8573-6807)
- Jeremy K. Herren (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2239-7275)
- Aclaine Shisia
Institutions
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (KE)
- Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (KE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Malaria Journal
- Published
- 2025-04-09
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-025-05354-1
- Citations
- 3
- Primary Topic
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 5.02
Funders
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
- Styrelsen för Internationellt Utvecklingssamarbete
- Children's Investment Fund Foundation
- Government of the Republic of Kenya
- Open Philanthropy Project
- Bundesministerium für Wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung
- Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research