Effective Interfering RNA Lure-and-Kill-Baited Ovitraps for Biorational Aedes Zika Vector Mosquito Control
Abstract
This research proposal corresponds to the emerging infectious disease topic area and to the targeted management of Aedes aegypti and minimization of arboviral risk areas of encouragement. Mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue and Zika are spread primarily through the bite of infected female Aedes mosquitoes. Military members are stationed across the globe and often have prolonged outdoor exposure, putting them at high risk for contracting mosquito-borne diseases. Dengue is one of the most significant mosquito-borne illnesses in the tropics and subtropics. More than a third of the world?s population is at risk for contracting dengue virus, and as many as 400 million people are infected annually. Zika, which was recently designated a public health emergency of international concern, can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus, resulting in severe birth defects. Cases of Zika, which has also been linked to serious neurological disorders, are currently occurring in many countries in the Americas. Approximately 28,000 cases of Zika have been reported in the U.S. and U.S. territories since 2015, and local transmission of Zika virus was recently reported in Florida. There are presently no medicines to cure or vaccines to prevent dengue or Zika. Controlling mosquitoes is the primary means of preventing these and other mosquito-borne illnesses. Aedes mosquitoes lay eggs in water-filled containers located within or close to human dwellings. This preference for container breeding sites provides the opportunity to both monitor and control Aedes mosquitoes through the use of ovitraps, dark colored containers filled with water and attractants to lure and kill egg-laying female mosquitoes and their offspring. Ovitraps, which are effective, inexpensive, easily deployed, and non-invasive, are often treated with pesticides to kill juvenile mosquitoes that emerge from eggs laid in the water. Unfortunately, mosquitoes are becoming increasingly resistant to commonly used insecticides, reducing the effectiveness of these ovitraps. Public concerns over the undesirable environmental impacts of pesticides on humans and non-target organisms have also grown. New and environmentally safe pesticides for mosquito control are urgently needed. The proposed research investigation will test ovitraps treated with interfering RNA pesticides, a novel class of environmentally safe insecticides for control of mosquitoes. The insecticides target genes that are present in mosquitoes but are not found in humans or other organisms. This new class of ovitraps will be tested in laboratory studies as well as in studies to be conducted in Belize, Central America, a country with ongoing transmission of mosquito-borne illnesses transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. This research will test different pesticides and also a variety of different delivery strategies, including nanoparticles and microbes such as baker?s yeast that the mosquitoes will eat, to get the pesticides inside mosquitoes that hatch from eggs laid in the ovitraps. Ready-to-use formulations, such as dried tablets that are both simple to use and affordable, will be developed. This will make it easier for both military personnel and civilians to maintain the ovitraps. Consumer surveys, interviews, and community engagement events will be used to evaluate consumer acceptance of the modified ovitraps. These studies will facilitate rapid decision-making on the efficacy, feasibility, and acceptance of introducing interfering RNA ovitraps into mosquito control programs for the protection of both military personnel and private citizens. It is anticipated that these modified ovitraps, which utilize a biorational alternative to chemical insecticides, can be seamlessly integrated with ongoing control measures. Rapid deployment of ovitraps containing the new insecticides will combat the emergence of mosquito strains resistant to conventional pesticides. A large arsenal of interfering RNA ins
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 07, 2017
- Source ID
- W81XWH1710294
Entities
People
- Molly Duman Scheel
Organizations
- Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis
- United States Army