Susceptibility of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) to Acanthamoeba polyphaga (Sarcomastigophora: Acanthamoebidae)

Parasitol Res. 2010 Jun;107(1):195-8. doi: 10.1007/s00436-010-1843-9. Epub 2010 Apr 9.

Abstract

To date there is no report on mosquitoes infected with free-living amoebae. For this reason, the aim of this study was to verify if Aedes aegypti could be susceptible to Acanthamoeba polyphaga under laboratory conditions, so trophozoites were offered as a unique food resource for larvae of first instar. The results show that those amoebae are able to infect and colonize the mosquito gut and could be re-isolated of all stages of the mosquito (larvae, pupae, and adults).

MeSH terms

  • Acanthamoeba / growth & development
  • Acanthamoeba / isolation & purification
  • Acanthamoeba / pathogenicity*
  • Aedes / parasitology*
  • Animals
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / parasitology
  • Larva / parasitology
  • Microscopy
  • Pupa / parasitology