In:
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 16, No. 4 ( 2022-4-26), p. e0010324-
Abstract:
The combination of Wolbachia -based incompatible insect technique (IIT) and radiation-based sterile insect technique (SIT) can be used for population suppression of Aedes aegypti . Our main objective was to evaluate whether open-field mass-releases of w AlbB-infected Ae . aegypti males, as part of an Integrated Vector Management (IVM) plan led by the Mexican Ministry of Health, could suppress natural populations of Ae . aegypti in urbanized settings in south Mexico. Methodology/Principal findings We implemented a controlled before-and-after quasi-experimental study in two suburban localities of Yucatan (Mexico): San Pedro Chimay (SPC), which received IIT-SIT, and San Antonio Tahdzibichén used as control. Release of w AlbB Ae . aegypti males at SPC extended for 6 months (July-December 2019), covering the period of higher Ae . aegypti abundance. Entomological indicators included egg hatching rates and outdoor/indoor adult females collected at the release and control sites. Approximately 1,270,000 lab-produced w AlbB-infected Ae . aegypti males were released in the 50-ha treatment area (2,000 w AlbB Ae . aegypti males per hectare twice a week in two different release days, totaling 200,000 male mosquitoes per week). The efficacy of IIT-SIT in suppressing indoor female Ae . aegypti density (quantified from a generalized linear mixed model showing a statistically significant reduction in treatment versus control areas) was 90.9% a month after initiation of the suppression phase, 47.7% two months after (when number of released males was reduced in 50% to match local abundance), 61.4% four months after (when initial number of released males was re-established), 88.4% five months after and 89.4% at six months after the initiation of the suppression phase. A proportional, but lower, reduction in outdoor female Ae . aegypti was also quantified (range, 50.0–75.2% suppression). Conclusions/Significance Our study, the first open-field pilot implementation of Wolbachia IIT-SIT in Mexico and Latin-America, confirms that inundative male releases can significantly reduce natural populations of Ae . aegypti . More importantly, we present successful pilot results of the integration of Wolbachia IIT-SIT within a IVM plan implemented by Ministry of Health personnel.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1935-2735
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010324
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010324.g001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010324.g002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010324.g003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010324.t001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010324.t002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010324.s001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010324.s002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010324.s003
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2022
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2429704-5
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