Roadmap for Vector Transmission Control (VTC)

What are we trying to achieve and why? What is the problem we are trying to solve?

Control of vectors through their natural pathogens

What are the scientific and technological challenges (knowledge gaps needing to be addressed)?

• Identification of vector viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, helminths that reduce viability of survival of the vector (E.g., test how agriculture fungi could be used in ticks/other vectors) but don’t also target useful species
• Determine the natural variation from ticks in response to entomopathogenic exposure
• Regulatory issues (legislation and regulation) for delivering entomopathogens for cattle need to be considered
• Research into human inhalation of fungus when using enviro-spray
• Determine whether there could be variation in effect of entomopathogenic fungi on tick colonies (lab bred) compared to wild tick populations – thicker exoskeleton
• Formulation needed to maintain the shelf life to keep entomopathogenic spores viable for travel and to be UV tolerant and thermostable.
• Gain an understanding of the impact of these control methods on different lifecycle stages of the vectors
• Determine how to mass rear parasitoids of ticks

What approaches could/should be taken to address the research question?

• Release entomopathogenic fungi including field trials to spray on cattle in farm and/or environmentally sprayed as well. Strains of fungi more selective to target ticks than other arthropods could reduce unplanned impact.
• Test vector specific viruses
• Bacterial – immerse ticks (Lora Mendez, Manuel Fernandez 2010)
• After establishing the natural predators of the vector need predator production and release of the predators of the vector. For example, parasitoids of ticks can be very specific and eat tick larvae

What else needs to be done before we can solve this need?

Improved understanding of vector ecology

Existing knowledge including successes and failures

Paul Allen School at Washington State University has a great program on artificial feeding of ticks
Fiorotti J. and Isabelle Santos (Sao Paulo):

• Used fungi to control ticks but problem is host (I.e., tick) immunity to them is generated.
• Are making fungi that are ROS resistant. Showed had more catalase and SOD and PR1 (enter cuticle of tick) activity.
• Vaccinated animals with 13 antigens and integrated these fungi with vaccinated animals and found it reduced tick infestation.
• Some Ags are part of the tick immune system