Disruption of native gut microbiota compromises survival of Anopheles stephensi after Asaia colonization

Asaia bacteria are symbiotic bacteria used in paratransgenesis strategies for malaria control and can colonize the midgut of Anopheles mosquitoes. In Iran, these bacteria have also been found in the guts of mosquitoes collected from different fields. The aim of this study was to investigate the colonization of Asaia bacteria in the gut of Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes and its effect on mosquito survival. Two groups of mosquitoes were examined. The first group was fed sterile sugar water containing an appropriate concentration of Asaia bacteria. The second group first received antibiotics for ۳ days and was then fed sterile sugar water containing Asaia bacteria. The results showed that the bacteria were able to colonize in the group that did not receive antibiotics, and the mortality rate of mosquitoes was normal (۱۷% mortality rate). In the group with an aseptic mosquito, although Asaia bacteria were able to colonize, the removal of the symbiotic microbiota caused this bacterium to induce much higher mortality in mosquitoes (۷۰% mortality rate). Based on our findings, successful and stable colonization of the mosquito midgut by Asaia appears to depend on interactions with the native gut microbiota. The removal of indigenous symbiotic bacteria may disrupt this microbial balance, and colonization by Asaia alone may trigger an exaggerated immune response and metabolic dysregulation in Anopheles stephensi, ultimately compromising mosquito survival. These findings suggest that the persistence and function of Asaia within the Anopheles midgut rely on its interactions with other resident symbiotic microorganisms. Therefore, the composition and integrity of the native gut microbiota should be carefully considered when designing Asaia-based paratransgenic strategies for malaria control

کلیدواژه ها:

Asaia ، Anopheles stephensi ، Paratransgenesis ، Malaria