Bacteria Lowers Mosquito-Transmission of Malaria, Dengue

Mosquitoes that harbor a soil microbe called have a harder time catching dengue virus and the malarial parasite. Christopher Intagliata reports. October 31, 2014 | |

The human microbiome is the community of tiny organisms that live on us and inside us. These critters play vital roles in our health. They , , even . But if we stop the navel gazing--literally, because some --there's a whole lot to be found in the microbiomes of other organisms too.

Take the pesky mosquito. A few years back, scientists found a soil microbe called living in the guts of mosquitoes in Panama. Upon further study, the researchers say this mosquito-occupant could be a remarkably versatile weapon to fight malaria and dengue fever. Because shortens the lifespan of disease-transmitting mosquito species that harbor it; and kills their larvae outright. It also reduces mosquitoes' ability to catch the dengue virus, or the malarial parasite; and it kills both pathogens in the lab. Those findings are in the journal . [Jose Luis Ramirez et al.: ]

The researchers say this strain could someday guide the development of new drugs. Or serve as a more environmentally-friendly stand-in for pesticides. But they also say that, as with many disease-control strategies, there's no one silver bullet. Drugs, vaccines, and education will still be crucial to keeping mosquito-borne killers in check. Along with good old vector control: in this case, fighting bugs with bugs.

—Christopher Intagliata