Prevention of insect-borne disease: An approach using transgenic symbiotic bacteria

AUTOR(ES)

Durvasula, Ravi V.

FONTE

The National Academy of Sciences of the USA

RESUMO

Expression of molecules with antiparasitic activity by genetically transformed symbiotic bacteria of disease-transmitting insects may serve as a powerful approach to control certain arthropod-borne diseases. The endosymbiont of the Chagas disease vector, Rhodnius prolixus, has been transformed to express cecropin A, a peptide lethal to the parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi. In insects carrying the transformed bacteria, cecropin A expression results in elimination or reduction in number of T. cruzi. A method has been devised to spread the transgenic bacteria to populations of R. prolixus, in a manner that mimics their natural coprophagous route of symbiont acquisition.

Documentos Relacionados

• Elucidation of the Transmission Patterns of an Insect-Borne Bacterium
• Transmission blocking vaccines to control insect-borne diseases: a review
• Chagas disease prevention through improved housing using an ecosystem approach to health
• Aetiology of coronary artery disease: an historical approach.
• CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE: PREVENTION AND REHABILITATION