Compatibility of<i> Serratia ureylitica </i>Su_YN1, a Malaria Blocking Bacterium, with the <i>Anopheles aquasalis</i> Vector

Malaria continues to affect millions of people around the world. Current control strategies have not been sufficient, and additional tools are required for malaria elimination. A promising approach is the use of bacteria from the mosquito microbiota, such as the Su_YN1 Serratia ureilytica bacterium, that was shown to strongly impair development of P. falciparum and P. berghei in Anopheles mosquitoes. To evaluate the potential of the S. ureilytica Su_YN1 bacterium as a blocker of the Plasmodium parasite in South American vectors, we investigated its effects on mosquito fitness and survival. We found that this bacterium does not affect longevity, blood feeding, fecundity and fertility of Anopheles aquasalis, an important South American vector. Overall, our results provide baseline support for the potential implementation of Su_YN1 for the control malaria transmission in South America.