Biological vector control reducing arboviruses, including Dengue and Chikungunya

描述（由申请人提供）：在缺乏有效的、经批准的药物或疫苗的情况下，病媒控制仍然是许多人预防蚊媒疾病的唯一干预手段。随着最近发现的多种外来蚊子和蚊媒病原体，这一问题变得更加复杂。此外，气候条件的变化预计会改变本土蚊子的传统活动范围。一个值得注意的例子是白纹伊蚊，亚洲虎蚊，在20世纪80年代中期被引入美国，这种入侵物种已经蔓延到整个东南部，随着冬天的温暖，它的活动范围现在正在向纽约和其他北部州移动，在那里它已经成为主要的叮咬蚊子。2011年在加州发现了一种稳定的虫害，尽管正在进行消灭运动，但它仍然存在。这种蚊子的隐蔽性使得传统的杀虫方法难以发现和治疗。白纹伊蚊除了是一种重要的叮咬滋扰物外，还是二十多种病原体的有效媒介。流行病学模型显示，感染基孔肯雅病毒的返回旅行者有感染白纹伊蚊并从当地开始的风险

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In the absence of effective, approved drugs or vaccines, vector control remains the only means of intervention for many against mosquito-borne diseases. This problem grows more complex with the recent establishment of multiple exotic mosquito species and mosquito-borne pathogens. Furthermore, changing climate conditions are predicted to alter the traditional range for native mosquitoes. A notable example is Aedes albopictus, the Asian Tiger mosquito, introduced into the USA in the mid-1980s, this invasive species has spread throughout the southeast, and with warmer winters, its range is now moving into New York and other northern states, where it has become the primary biting mosquito. A stable infestation was discovered in California in 2011, which persists despite an ongoing elimination campaign. The cryptic biology of this mosquito makes it difficult to find and treat using traditional insecticidal approaches. In addition to its importance as a biting nuisance A. albopictus is a competent vector of over twenty pathogens. Epidemiological models show risk of returning travelers, infected with chikungunya virus, infecting A. albopictus and starting local transmission. This hypothesized event would be similar to recent epidemics that have occurred in Europe, India, Sri Lanka and La Reunion. Our discussions with major mosquito control districts around the country (California, Florida, New York) demonstrate the need and commercial opportunity for new approaches against A. albopictus and an interest in the our product. Our Phase I results demonstrate feasibility of a Wolbachia biopesticide approach. Repeated releases of Wolbachia- infected males cause a form of conditional sterility, capable of eliminating an A. albopictus population within eight weeks. In the proposed Phase II work, we will continue the research and development of the Wolbachia biopesticide approach, with the major goals of (1) demonstrating a prototype mass production unit, (2) providing field performance data for Wolbachia-infected A. albopictus males, and (3) measuring the pesticidal effect of Wolbachia- infected A. albopictus males against an indigenous field population.