Bioprospection of bacteria with antiviral properties from intestinal and ovarian microbiota of Aedes aegypti mosquito

Author(s)

Maria Raquel Gomes Fernandes

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Araraquara. 2023-05-10.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas. Araraquara
• Defense date: 2023-03-28
• Advisor: Jayme Augusto Souza Neto

Abstract

The Aedes aegypti mosquito is the main vector of dengue, Zika, Chikungunya and yellow fever arboviruses and represents a major public health problem. The symbiotic microorganisms from midgut and ovaries microbiota of Ae. aegypti can interfere with the replication of the arbovirus. Consequently, its vectorial competence. However, little is known about the cultivable bacteria from these organs and their role in the antiviral response. The objective from this study was to identify cultivable bacteria from midgut and ovaries microbiota of Ae. aegypti mosquito with antiviral activity against Zika virus (ZIKV). After 24h and 72h of blood meal by female Ae. aegypti, the midguts and ovaries were dissected, seeded on blood agar and chocolate agar and kept at 24ºC and 37ºC for 48h. Bacterial identification was performed via 16S rRNA gene by Sanger sequencing and the sequences were aligned and compared in GenBank, SILVA Ribosomal RNA gene database project and Ribosomal Database Project (RDP). 42 midguts and ovaries were dissected, 31 cultivable bacteria were isolated and identified. There was a predominance of gram-negative bacteria belonging to the phylum Proteobacteria (71%), class Gammaproteobacteria (71%) and order Enterobacteriales (61.3%). Genera Serratia (35.6%) followed by Elizabethkingia (25.8%), Klebsiella (16.2%), Enterobacter (9.6%), Pseudomonas (9.7%) and Staphylococcus (3.2%). All genera were found in both organs, except Staphylococcus which was found only in the ovaries. Bacteria species belonging to the same genera shared between midgut and ovaries showed little divergence between them. Therefore, the composition of the cultivable microbiota from midgut and ovaries was similar. No genera showed reduction or inhibition of ZIKV in vitro. Therefore, cultivable bacteria from midgut and ovaries microbiota did not show anti-ZIKV activity. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/19686-6 - Bioprospection of antiviral bacteria from the Aedes aegypti gut microbiota
• Grantee: Maria Raquel Gomes Fernandes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master