ArticleMalaria journal2025
Maximizing horizontal transmission through mating: increased mating frequency and mating competitiveness associated with Microsporidia MB-infected Anopheles arabiensis males.
Article in Malaria journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Modelling the temporal dynamics of Microsporidia MB prevalence in Anopheles mosquitoes under environmental variability.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- LaboratoryFrontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2026Article
- Monitoring the Capacity ofInsects · 2025Article
- Article
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundMicrosporidia MB is a naturally occurring symbiont in Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes that inhibits the development of Plasmodium. It is transmitted both vertically and horizontally, enabling its spread within mosquito populations. Currently, mating is the only known mechanism for horizontal transmission. Understanding the factors that influence Microsporidia MB transmission during mating is crucial for developing a malaria transmission-blocking strategy based on this symbiont.
methodsThe effect of mosquito age on Microsporidia MB transmission was determined through mating bioassays between infected and uninfected Anopheles arabiensis males and females in three age groups: 3-4 days, 7-8 days, and 10-11 days. Mating bioassays were also conducted to determine if Microsporidia MB infection affects the individual male mating frequencies and mating competitiveness of male mosquitoes. To assess the effect of Microsporidia MB-infection on swarming under field conditions, swarming and non-swarming An. arabiensis male mosquitoes were collected and compared for Microsporidia MB prevalence.
resultsThe age of mosquitoes does not affect the transmission of Microsporidia MB from males to females (χ
conclusionThere is a moderate, although heterogenous, horizontal transmission of Microsporidia MB across all age groups, except from 3-4 days old, infected females to males. Microsporidia MB-infected male mosquitoes were almost twice as competitive in mating as their uninfected counterparts. Therefore, Microsporidia MB infected males can potentially disseminate Microsporidia MB in the natural mosquito populations, thus, contributing to malaria control. However, semi-field studies are required to validate these results in a natural environment.
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