Study of the immune response and microbiota of insect vectors from the Amazon region against infection by pathogens that cause malaria and leishmaniasis

Vector-borne illnesses represent a major global burden. In Brazil, an average of 145,000 cases of malaria and 25,000 cases of leishmaniasis are recorded. Malaria is caused by protozoa of the genus Plasmodium and transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. Most cases are registered in the Amazon region (99.6%), where Plasmodium vivax is the most prevalent species (88%) and Anopheles darlingi is the main vector. Leishmaniasis is caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania, which are transmitted by sandflies, with Nyssomyia umbratilis being the main vector of Leishmania guyanensis, the causative agent of American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL) in the Amazon basin. The susceptibility of insects to pathogens varies along their geographical distribution. Anopheles triannulatus is a vector in Venezuela and Colombia, but not in Brazil. Nyssomyia umbratilis from the northern channel of the Rio Negro becomes infected with Le. (Vi.) guyanensis, but in the southern channel it is not infected, possibly being related to population speciation processes, evidenced by genetic, morphometric and fitness differences. Vectors harbor a diversity of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi and viruses) that make up the microbiota and that can influence their physiology, immunity and infection by parasites in different ways.

Project details

Basic Science
Vector Control

Jan 2021

Brazil