Author(s):

Swastik Mukherjee and Sajal Bhattacharya

Abstract: Over the years it has been known that Acetic Acid Bacteria (AAB) has a role in fermentation. These obligate aerobes oxidize variety of sugars and alcohols. But, despite this role, some acetic acid bacteria too have a role in controlling malaria by regulating the growth and development of Plasmodium falciparum in Anopheles stephensi. These AAB seem to play a role in the stimulation of the immune system and the protection of the host against pathogens. One among them is a α-Proteobacterium, Asaia bogorensis that belong to the Asaia family. Being present in the midgut of Anopheles stephensi, it lowers the load of Plasmodium falciparum pathogen by secreting anti-plasmodium factors like Drosomycin, Cecropin, Defensin and Gambicin. Consequently, it blooms and its growth is not hampered neither by the immune system of the host nor by the pathogen. It also maintains an interconnected relationship with FREP proteins that are present in the abdomen of the insect host to further lower the pathogen concentration by acting as two barriers. Genetically engineered Asaia bogorensis can be injected into male Anopheles stephensi mosquito. While mating, this genetically engineered bacterium gets transferred to the female Anopheles stephensi mosquito in the wild. Through trans-ovarian transmission, this genetically engineered bacterium also passes to the next generation male and female mosquitoes. Thus, this genetically engineered Asaia bogorensis can acts as a tool for the management of falciparum malaria by impeding the development of malaria parasite inside the vector. So, the vector might fail to attain the infective stage for transmission and thereby blocking its transmission to humans. Further studies in this regard are required to prove this hypothesis.

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