%0 Journal Article
%T The paratransgenic sand fly: A platform for control of Leishmania transmission
%A Ivy Hurwitz
%A Heidi Hillesland
%A Annabeth Fieck
%A Pradeep Das
%A Ravi Durvasula
%J Parasites & Vectors
%D 2011
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1756-3305-4-82
%X Addition of B. subtilis to larval chow did not affect sand fly emergence rates. B. cereus and Lys fusiformis were identified at each developmental stage, revealing transstadial passage of endogenous microbes. Larvae exposed to an exogenous bolus of B. subtilis harbored significantly larger numbers of bacteria. Bacterial load decreased to a range comparable to sand flies from control pots, suggesting an upper limit to the number of bacteria harbored. Emerging flies reared in larval chow containing transformed B. subtilis carried large numbers of these bacteria in their gut lumens. Strong GFP expression was detected in these paratransgenic flies with no spread of transformed bacteria to other compartments of the insects. This is the first demonstration of paratransgenic manipulation of P. argentipes.Paratransgenic manipulation of P. argentipes appears feasible. Expression of leishmanicidal molecules via commensal bacteria commonly found at breeding sites of P. argentipes could render adult sand flies refractory to L. donovani infection.Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in India, also known as kala azar, is caused by the parasite Leishmania donovani and transmitted by the sand fly Phlebotomus argentipes. Many rural regions in the Indian state of Bihar are endemic for VL, with conservative estimates of nearly 100,000 deaths per year attributable to this disease. For decades, control of regional epidemics of leishmaniasis has relied on spraying with DDT in areas of dense human habitation, agriculture and animal husbandry. However, rapid evolution of DDT resistance amongst target sand fly populations [1] coupled with limited resources to sustain vector eradication efforts confound this approach. Toxicity to humans, water sources, farmland and livestock renders these vector elimination strategies dangerous.Novel approaches to control vectorial transmission of L. donovani are required. Our laboratory is developing paratransgenic strategies for control of Trypanosoma cruzi transmi
%U http://www.parasitesandvectors.com/content/4/1/82