Abstract
Symbiotic bacteria of the genus Asaia have been proposed as tools for control of mosquito-borne diseases, specifically malaria. However, safety issues are a major concern for paratransgenesis strategies. The aim of this study is to investigate, with immunofluorescence assays and quantitative PCR experiments, whether Asaia spp. is circulating among humans. All human sera and whole blood samples analyzed were negative for Asaia spp., thus suggesting that this organism could be utilized, in the future, as a malaria control tool.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Favia G, Ricci I, Damiani C, Raddadi N, Crotti E, Marzorati M, Rizzi A, Urso R, Brusetti L, Borin S, Mora D, Scuppa P, Pasqualini L, Clementi E, Genchi M, Corona S, Negri I, Grandi G, Alma A, Kramer L, Esposito F, Bandi C, Sacchi L, Daffonchio D (2007) Bacteria of the genus Asaia stably associate with Anopheles stephensi, an Asian malarial mosquito vector. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 104:9047–9051
Chouaia B, Rossi P, Montagna M, Ricci I, Crotti E, Damiani C, Epis S, Faye I, Sagnon N, Alma A, Favia G, Daffonchio D, Bandi C (2010) Typing of Asaia spp. bacterial symbionts in four mosquito species: molecular evidence for multiple infections. Appl Environ Microbiol 76:7444–7450
Damiani C, Ricci I, Crotti E, Rossi P, Rizzi A, Scuppa P, Esposito F, Bandi C, Daffonchio D, Favia G (2008) Paternal transmission of symbiotic bacteria in malaria vectors. Curr Biol 18:R1087–R1088
Beard CB, Cordon-Rosales C, Durvasula RV (2002) Bacterial symbionts of the triatominae and their potential use in control of Chagas disease transmission. Annu Rev Entomol 47:123–141
Abdel-Haq N, Savaşan S, Davis M, Asmar BI, Painter T, Salimnia H (2009) Asaia lannaensis bloodstream infection in a child with cancer and bone marrow transplantation. J Med Microbiol 58:974–976
Alauzet C, Teyssier C, Jumas-Bilak E, Gouby A, Chiron R, Rabaud C, Counil F, Lozniewski A, Marchandin H (2010) Gluconobacter as well as Asaia species, newly emerging human opportunistic pathogens among acetic acid bacteria. J Clin Microbiol 48:3935–3942
Juretschko S, Beavers-May TK, Stovall SH (2010) Nosocomial infection with Asaia lannensis in two paediatric patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. J Med Microbiol 59:848–852
Tuuminen T, Heinäsmäki T, Kerttula T (2006) First report of bacteremia by Asaia bogorensis, in a patient with a history of intravenous-drug abuse. J Clin Microbiol 44:3048–3050
Snyder RW, Ruhe J, Kobrin S, Wasserstein A, Doline C, Nachamkin I, Lipschutz JH (2004) Asaia bogorensis peritonitis identified by 16S ribosomal RNA sequence analysis in a patient receiving peritoneal dialysis. Am J Kidney Dis 44:e15–e17
Gaibani P, Vocale C, Ambretti S, Cavrini F, Izard J, Miragliotta L, Pellegrino MT, Sambri V (2010) Killing of Treponema denticola by mouse peritoneal macrophages. J Dent Res 89:521–526
Cavrini F, Pepa ME, Gaibani P, Pierro AM, Rossini G, Landini MP, Sambri V (2011) A rapid and specific real-time RT-PCR assay to identify Usutu virus in human plasma, serum, and cerebrospinal fluid. J Clin Virol 50:221–223
Moore JE, McCalmont M, Xu J, Millar BC, Heaney N (2002) Asaia sp., an unusual spoilage organism of fruit-flavored bottled water. Appl Environ Microbiol 68:4130–4131
Transparency declaration
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Epis, S., Gaibani, P., Ulissi, U. et al. Do mosquito-associated bacteria of the genus Asaia circulate in humans?. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 31, 1137–1140 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-011-1419-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-011-1419-3