Isolation and identification of microbiota of Culex quinquefasciatus for their application as paratransgenic tools in vector control

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Although the study on the bacteria residing in the mid-gut, salivary gland, and reproductive organs of insect vectors have drawn appeal to the host-pathogen interactions, we know comparatively less about microbiota that naturally exist in different mosquito organs within Iran.

Materials and Methods: In the current investigation, PCR assay by using 16S rRNA gene amplification and DNA sequenc- ing, in addition to the traditional culture-based approach utilized for the detection of cultivable bacterial assemblages in mid-gut and reproductive tracts of Culex quinquefasciatus.

Results: The identified bacteria isolated from different tissues of 45 individuals were consisted of Achromobacter, Aero- monas, Arthrobacter, Asaia, Enterobacter, Gluconobacter, Klebsiella, Lysinibacillus, Micrococcus, Psuedomonas and Serra- tia. The results showed that Proteobacteria was the most prevalent phylum in both genders' mid-gut and reproductive tracts, and Asaia was the most common bacteria that originated in adult females and males’ tissues.

Conclusion: These outcomes recommend that the discovered microbiome may span through Cx. quinquefasciatus popula- tions. This data can be utilized to interfere with the transmission of pathogens and design new strategies for the control of mosquito-borne diseases.