Do mosquito-associated bacteria of the genus Asaia circulate in humans?

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2012 Jun;31(6):1137-40. doi: 10.1007/s10096-011-1419-3. Epub 2011 Oct 5.

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.

MeSH terms

  • Acetobacteraceae / isolation & purification*
  • Animals
  • Blood / microbiology*
  • Blood Donors
  • Culicidae / microbiology*
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction