Biological vector control reducing arboviruses, including Dengue and Chikungunya

描述（由申请人提供）：在缺乏有效的、经批准的针对登革热和其他蚊媒病原体的疫苗或治疗措施的情况下，公共卫生工作必须侧重于控制传播所需的蚊媒。遗憾的是，目前还没有有效的控制措施来对付具有入侵性和医学重要性的亚洲虎蚊（白纹伊蚊）。这在很大程度上是由于其生物学;这种蚊子的隐蔽和难以接近的繁殖场所阻止了发现和治疗大部分目标蚊子种群。该项目将进行关键的研究，为发展一个自我交付，物种特异性，生物控制方法对Ae。白纹伊蚊，不涉及转基因生物。简而言之，战略是释放Ae。感染沃尔巴克氏体细菌的雄性白纹伊蚊，这种细菌能有效地使被释放的雄性白纹伊蚊的配偶绝育。雄蚊不咬人、吸血或传播疾病。它们可以被廉价地饲养，并且可以找到土著雌性Ae。白纹伊蚊比使用现有工具的训练有素的专业人员团队更有效。交配后，交配的雌性在其余生中不育。基于沃尔巴克氏体的方法可以与现有的杀虫方法相结合，从而可以同时控制Ae。白纹伊蚊和其他重要的蚊子。在本研究的第一阶段，我们将（1）扩展先前的工作，表征与美国本土蚊子不相容交配导致的卵孵化水平，（2）评估实验室群体的生殖输出，这将允许改进饲养成本的估计，（3）包装和递送的测试方法和（4）评估用沃尔巴克氏体微生物杀虫剂感染的所得雄性的竞争力。这些目标中的每一个对于预期的下游经济模式都很重要。拟议的科学目标将与EPA评估同时进行，该评估正在向实验性使用许可证迈进。在下游，正在开发的方法广泛适用于美国内外的其他重要蚊子。 公共卫生相关性：由于美国缺乏预防登革热和其他蚊媒病原体的疫苗，控制重要的蚊子种群至关重要。该项目支持进一步开发一种针对白纹伊蚊的自我释放、物种特异性生物防治方法，白纹伊蚊是一种入侵蚊子，目前尚无有效的防治方法。正在开发的方法将与现有的杀虫工具兼容，并可同时使用。定义了一种调节途径。此外，该方法将广泛适用于其他蚊媒物种（例如，AE.埃及库蚊、尖音库蚊等）适用于美国以外的地区。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In the absence of effective, approved vaccines or therapeutic measures against dengue and other mosquito borne pathogens, public health efforts must focus on the control of mosquito vectors that are required for transmission. Unfortunately, effective control measures are not available against the invasive and medically important Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus). This is due largely to its biology; the cryptic and inaccessible breeding sites of this mosquito prevent finding and treating a large proportion of the targeted mosquito population. This project will perform critical research required for the development of a self-delivering, species specific, biological control approach against Ae. albopictus, without involving genetically modified organisms. In brief, the strategy is to release Ae. albopictus males that are infected with Wolbachia bacteria, which effectively sterilize the mates of the released males. Male mosquitoes do not bite, blood feed, or transmit disease. They can be reared inexpensively and can find indigenous female Ae. albopictus more effectively than a team of trained professionals using existing tools. Following mating, the mated females are sterile for the remainder of their life. The Wolbachia-based approach can be integrated with existing insecticidal approaches, allowing the simultaneous control of Ae. albopictus and additional important mosquitoes. In Phase I of this study, we will (1) extend prior work characterizing the level of egg hatch resulting from the incompatible matings with USA-derived indigenous mosquitoes, (2) assess the reproductive output of the laboratory colony, which will allow for improved estimate of rearing cost, (3) test methods for packaging and delivery and (4) assess competitiveness of the resulting males infected with the Wolbachia microbial pesticide. Each of these goals is important for the intended downstream economic model. The proposed scientific goals will occur in parallel with an EPA assessment that is in progress toward an Experimental Use Permit. Downstream, the approach being developed is broadly applicable to additional important mosquitoes both within and beyond the USA. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Due to the lack of vaccines for prevention of dengue and additional mosquito borne pathogens in the USA, controlling important mosquito populations is critical. This project supports further development of a self- delivering, species specific, biological control targeting Aedes albopictus, an invasive mosquito for which effective controls are not available. The approach being developed will be compatible with, and can be used simultaneously with, existing insecticidal tools. A regulatory pathway is defined. Moreover, the approach will be broadly applicable to additional mosquito vector species (e.g., Ae. aegypti, Culex pipiens, etc.) and appropriate for areas outside the USA.