Abstract
Recent discoveries of Microsporidia MB in Anopheles mosquitoes and its demonstrated capacity to block malaria transmission suggest that it could be a promising candidate for a symbiont-based malaria control strategy. However, the diversity of Microsporidia MB, particularly in major malaria vector such as An. coluzzii, remains unstudied in Cameroon. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and phylogenetic analysis of Microsporidia MB, along with its maternal transmission in natural populations of Anopheles mosquitoes in Cameroon. An entomological survey was conducted across four localities in Cameroon. PCR targeting the ribosomal RNA gene was used to detect the Microsporidia MB 18S sequence. Positive samples were validated by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Subsequently, the maternal transmission of Microsporidia MB was assessed by detecting its presence in F1 mosquitoes derived from F0 females that tested positive. Additionally, we examined the potential correlation between Microsporidia MB and P. falciparum. A total of 2559 mosquitoes, belonging to three species (An. coluzzii, An. arabiensis, and An. gambiae) were collected. Microsporidia MB infection was detected exclusively in An. coluzzii from Gounougou, with a prevalence of 1.13% (n = 29). Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Microsporidia MB strains detected in Cameroon were closely related to those found in Kenya. Evidence of vertical transmission was confirmed, with rates ranging from 50 to 100%, from F0 parents to F1 offspring, regardless of sex. Notably, none of the Microsporidia MB-positive mosquitoes carried P. falciparum. This study provides field-based evidence of Microsporidia MB presence in Anopheles mosquitoes in Cameroon. Further research should explore the stability of vertical transmission and the influence of this Microsporidia MB symbiont on Plasmodium development.
Acknowledgements
We sincerely thank all the homeowners in the study localities for their participation during mosquito collections, as well as the local authorities, whose support was instrumental to the successful completion of this study.
Funding
This work was funded by the UK government Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), through the ANTI-VeC programme: Application of Novel Transgenic technology & Inherited symbionts to Vector Control (Grant number AV/AASS/017). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
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Verbal community acceptance was obtained from the village local council representatives. Oral informed consent for sampling inside houses was obtained from household owners before collection.
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Sandeu, M.M., Tamko Mella, G.F., Maffo Tatsinkou, C.G. et al. Molecular detection and maternal transmission of Microsporidia MB in the field-caught Anopheles coluzzii in Cameroon.
Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-50804-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-50804-8
Keywords
- Malaria
Anopheles
Microsporidia MB
- Phylogenetic analysis
- Maternal transmission
Plasmodium detection- Cameroon
Source: Ecology - nature.com
