Molecular detection of Wolbachia sp. and cytoplasmic incompatibility factors (CifA/B) in wild caught mosquitoes in Côte d'Ivoire

Abstract Background: Wolbachia is an endosymbiont bacterium known to stimulate host immunity against arboviruses and protozoa. Côte d'Ivoire is in a malaria-endemic region, and has experienced several dengue epidemics in recent decades as well. In order to help reduce the transmission of pathogens by mosquito vectors, we studied the prevalence of Wolbachia and the distribution of Cif genes in different mosquito species caught in the wild in Cote d’Ivoire. Methods and Results: Mosquitoes of the genera Anophele, Aedes, Culex and Mansonia were captured in five cities. Mosquitoes were collected at larval stage in breeding sites and adults were captured using BG sentinel traps. The mosquitoes were identified morphologically and Wolbachia and cytoplasmic incompatibility factors were screened using qPCR targeting the 16s rRNA gene and the Cif A,B genes. A total of 518 mosquito samples belonging to 15 species and 4 genera were examined. Sixty percent of the species were infected with Wolbachia. The three medically important mosquito species Aedes aegypti, Anopheles gambiae s.l. and Culex quinquefasciatus had a prevalence of 12.84%, 13.46% and 72.64% respectively. The Wolbachia strains infecting the different mosquito species of the genus Culex encoded 98.46% for the Cif A gene and 88.46 % for the Cif B gene. Conclusion: The presence of Wolbachia and Cif A,B genes in mosquitoes of different species in Côte d'Ivoire offer a promising opportunity to reduce the competence of mosquito vectors. Characterization of Wolbachia strains and cytoplasmic incompatibility factors will provide a better understanding of these endosymbionts, enabling the development of vector control strategies.