Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Peiling Geng, Puying Zhao, Xiaofu Wan, Jacques Mahillon, Yifeng Hu, Yunfei Gong, Xiaomin Hu
Summary: This study sequenced and characterized a 144-kb plasmid, pTAND672-2, from Bacillus thuringiensis serovar israelensis strain TAND672, and found that it is a potential integrative and conjugative element (ICE) that can transfer horizontally and integrate into the chromosome of Lysinibacillus sphaericus. The occurrence of pTAND672-2-like plasmids within the Bacillus cereus group was also explored, indicating their diverse plasmid sizes and conjugative capability.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Nantipat Chimkhan, Sutticha Na-Ranong Thammasittirong, Sittiruk Roytrakul, Sucheewin Krobthong, Anon Thammasittirong
Summary: This study investigated the molecular responses of Aedes aegypti larvae to green synthesized silver/silver chloride nanoparticles (Ag/AgCl NPs). The results showed that Ag/AgCl NPs could cause mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA and protein damage, inhibition of cell proliferation, and cell apoptosis in A. aegypti larvae. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms of action of Ag/AgCl NPs on the control of A. aegypti larvae.
Article
Microbiology
Lixin Huang, Guangjie Han, Neil Crickmore, Chuanming Li, Yang Xia, Fuping Song, Jian Xu
Summary: In this study, a novel cell wall hydrolase gene cwlE involved in mother cell lysis was characterized from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti) strain Bt-59. The study elucidates the mechanism of Bti mother cell lysis and provides an effective strategy for mosquito control using Bt products with increased persistence.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. Ferraguti, J. Martinez-de la Puente, S. Brugueras, J. P. Millet, C. Rius, A. Valsecchi, J. Figuerola, T. Montalvo
Summary: Mosquitoes, including invasive species, are a significant nuisance and vectors for diseases in urban areas. This study focused on the impact of water infrastructure characteristics and climatic conditions on mosquito occurrence and control measures. The presence of larvae was influenced by sewer types and vegetation in fountains, and larvicidal treatment reduced larvae presence. Climatic conditions played a critical role, with mosquito occurrence increasing at intermediate temperatures and rainfall levels.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Steven Gowelo, Paola Meijer, Tinashe Tizifa, Tumaini Malenga, Monicah M. Mburu, Alinune N. Kabaghe, Dianne J. Terlouw, Michele van Vugt, Kamija S. Phiri, Themba Mzilahowa, Constantianus J. M. Koenraadt, Henk van den Berg, Lucinda Manda-Taylor, Robert S. McCann, Willem Takken
Summary: Larval source management (LSM) is an effective strategy to reduce malaria transmission, and involving communities in LSM can increase intervention coverage and promote sustainability. In this study, community-led LSM activities were carried out in 26 villages in Malawi, resulting in a reduction in anopheline larval densities. However, the impact of community-led LSM could not be detected due to low mosquito densities after the scale-up of core malaria control interventions. The study highlights the potential benefits of increasing community knowledge about malaria and its control methods.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Juan Manuel Gutierrez-Villagomez, Geraldine Patey, Tuan Anh To, Molly Lefebvre-Raine, Linda Ramona Lara-Jacobo, Jerome Comte, Bert Klein, Valerie S. Langlois
Summary: The research revealed that while Bti biopesticides had limited impact on certain parameters of Lithobates sylvaticus and Anaxyrus americanus tadpoles, they might affect the time to metamorphosis and the intestinal microbiota composition.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hadi Loutfi, Nancy Fayad, Fabrice Pellen, Bernard Le Jeune, Maissa Chakroun, Dalel Benfarhat, Roger Lteif, Mireille Kallassy, Guy Le Brun, Marie Abboud
Summary: This paper reports a morphological study of crystals and spores synthesized by seven different strains of Bacillus thuringiensis, revealing variations in size distribution and morphology among the strains. The research suggests that there may be unexplored differences between strains of the same serovar, indicating that they may be less identical than previously believed.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
L. Huang, L. Xu, G. Han, N. Crickmore, F. Song, J. Xu
Summary: Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti) has been proven to efficiently control mosquitoes, with the larvicidal action attributed to the parasporal crystals formed in the sporulating cells. The study characterized the sporulation-specific cwlC gene in Bti strain Bt-59, which was found to be essential for cell lysis during sporulation. Transcriptional analyses revealed the late-stage expression of cwlC, controlled by SigK, along with the identification of two other cell wall hydrolase genes, cwlB and cwlE.
LETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Omkar U. Kinkar, Arpit Prashar, Beena Yadav, Ashwani Kumar, Ashok B. Hadapad, Ramesh S. Hire, Ravindra D. Makde
Summary: Recombinant Cry11Aa was successfully purified and found to be active against larvae of tropical disease vectors. Detailed biophysical characterization provided crucial insights into the stability and in-vitro behavior of Cry11Aa.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Verena Gerstle, Alessandro Manfrin, Sara Kolbenschlag, Maximilian Gerken, A. S. M. Mufachcher Ul Islam, Martin H. Entling, Mirco Bundschuh, Carsten A. Bruehl
Summary: This study found that Bti may indirectly affect the abundance of dragonflies by reducing the number of chironomid larvae, and also have an impact on the composition of aquatic macroinvertebrate communities. As dragonflies include species of conservation concern, the necessity of Bti applications in habitats such as floodplains should be carefully evaluated.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Lea Schaefer, Frank Volk, Regina G. Kleespies, Johannes A. Jehle, Jorg T. Wennmann
Summary: Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. tenebrionis (Btt) produces a coleopteran-specific crystal protoxin protein (Cry3Aa delta-endotoxin). The strain NB125 was registered in 1990 for controlling the Colorado potato beetle, and gamma-irradiation resulted in the strain NB176-1 with higher cry3Aa production. Comparative genome analysis of NB125, NB176-1, and NB176 revealed differences in the cry3Aa gene and a chromosomal deletion in NB176.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
L. H. Wu, Y. Z. Chen, Feng-Chia Hsieh, C. T. Lai, Chienyan Hsieh
Summary: This study evaluated a new biopesticide containing different combinations of Photorhabdus luminescens and Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai for their insecticidal activity against Plutella xylostella. The results highlight the potential of Photorhabdus luminescens as a potent bioinsecticide.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Valerie M. Anderson, Grace F. H. Sward, Christopher M. Ranger, Michael E. Reding, Luis Canas
Summary: The study showed that incorporating Bti into straw substrate can effectively reduce the population of fungus gnats, while S. feltiae was generally ineffective. Bti did not have a negative impact on the growth of oyster mushrooms.
Article
Parasitology
Norbert Becker, Sophie Min Langentepe-Kong, Artin Tokatlian Rodriguez, Thin Thin Oo, Dirk Reichle, Renke Luehken, Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit, Peter Luethy, Arianna Puggioli, Romeo Bellini
Summary: This study shows that an integrated control program consisting of community participation, door-to-door intervention, and the sterile insect technique can effectively control the population of Aedes albopictus. The use of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis-based fizzy tablets and water-dispersible granular formulation is the most effective intervention in reducing the population, while the mass release of sterile male mosquitoes also yields good results.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Brigitte Poulin, Gaetan Lefebvre, Samuel Hilaire, Laurence Despres
Summary: This study investigates the fate of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti) in the environment. The research finds that spore density of Bti significantly increases in treated Mediterranean marshes, with an unexpected recrudescence in spring. It takes three to four years for spore density to return to normal levels after mosquito-control interruption. The importance of this study lies in demonstrating that the environmental effects of mosquito-control using Bti can surpass its short-term efficacy and should be addressed from a one-health perspective.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
