%0 Journal Article
%T Studying the Interaction between <i>Chromobacterium</i> <i>anophelis</i> and the Entomopathogenic Fungus <i>Metarhizium</i> <i>pingshaense</i> in <i>Aedes</i> <i>aegypti</i>, the Dengue Vector in Burkina Faso
%A Etienne M. Bilgo
%A Djibril K. Traor&#233
%A Jacques E. Gnambani
%A Abdoulaye Diabat&#233
%J Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology
%P 1-12
%@ 2156-8502
%D 2025
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/abb.2025.161001
%X Insect-bacteria associations can influence vector competence in multiple ways. <i>Chromobacterium</i> <i>anophelis</i>, a bacterium known to be pathogenic to mosquitoes, may also act as an anti-pathogen by inhibiting the development of other pathogens within mosquitoes. The mechanism behind this inhibition remains unclear, with two hypotheses: the bacterium either boosts the mosquito&#8217;s immunity or directly targets other pathogens within the mosquito. The objective of this study is to elucidate the mechanism behind this pathogen-inhibition effect in mosquitoes. Bioassays (assessing longevity, fecundity, and fertility) were conducted on mosquitoes infected with the bacterium and an entomopathogenic fungus, <i>Metarhizium</i> <i>pingshaense</i>, whose hyphae grow on mosquitoes after killing them. The prevalence of hyphal growth was evaluated. The longevity of mosquitoes co-infected with <i>Chromobacterium</i> <i>anophelis</i> and <i>Metarhizium</i> <i>pingshaense</i> was significantly higher than those infected solely with the more virulent microorganism, which was <i>Chromobacterium</i> <i>anophelis</i>. Hyphae were observed on 100% of mosquitoes infected only with the fungus, whereas mosquitoes co-infected with the bacterium exhibited a lower prevalence of fungal hyphal growth. The number of eggs laid by infected mosquitoes was approximately the same, within the typical range (50 - 150). However, the number of larvae observed from co-infected mosquitoes was significantly higher than those produced by mosquitoes exposed to the microorganism that most reduced egg hatch rates. These results align with the hypothesis that <i>Chromobacterium</i> <i>anophelis</i> inhibits the development of other pathogens within mosquitoes by directly targeting them.
%K Biological Control
%K Vector Control
%K Anti-Pathogen Activity
%K <i>Chromobacterium</i> <i>anophelis</i>
%K <i>Metarhizium</i> <i>pingshaense</i>
%K <i>Aedes</i> <i>aegypti</i>
%K Dengue
%K Burkina Faso
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=140397