WOLBACHIA
METHOD - SCI & TECH
News: Wolbachia: An unlikely hero
What's
in the news?
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Wolbachia is a genus of bacteria that has
evolved complex relationships with the many insects that can host it.
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It is named for the American pathologist
Simeon Burt Wolbach, who identified it along with Marshall Hertig in 1924.
Wolbachia:
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Wolbachia is a type of intracellular bacteria that infects a wide
range of arthropods, including insects and other invertebrates.
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It has garnered significant attention in
recent years due to its intriguing biological properties and potential
applications in various fields.
Features:
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Wolbachia are natural bacteria present in up to 60% of insect species,
including some mosquitoes.
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However, Wolbachia is not usually found in the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary
species responsible for transmitting human viruses such as Zika, dengue,
chikungunya and yellow fever.
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Wolbachia is safe for humans, animals and the environment.
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The bacteria Wolbachia “inhibits” viral
infection, that is, even if people encounter mosquito bite, they will not be
infected. This happens because bacteria does not allow the virus to replicate
in the mosquito thereby minimizing its number within the mosquito.
Host
Range:
●
Wolbachia infects a diverse array of
hosts, including insects like mosquitoes, ants, and butterflies, as well as
some nematode species.
Applications
and Research:
1.
Vector Control:
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Scientists are investigating the use of
Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes to control the spread of diseases like malaria
and dengue fever.
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These mosquitoes, when released into the
wild, can disrupt the breeding patterns of disease-carrying mosquito
populations.
2.
Biocontrol Agent:
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Wolbachia is being explored as a potential
biocontrol agent to manage agricultural pests.
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By manipulating the reproductive
capabilities of pest insects, it could offer an environmentally friendly
solution to pest management.