Dose-Dependent Blood-Feeding Activity and Ovarian Alterations to PM<sub>2.5</sub> in <i>Aedes aegypti</i>

High levels of fine particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) air pollution are a concern for human health. Several studies have examined the effects of air pollution on human and animal health. However, there is a lack of knowledge about its effects on arbovirus vectors. Thus, we investigat...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Thipruethai Phanitchat, Sumate Ampawong, Artit Yawootti, Thammanitchpol Denpetkul, Napid Wadmanee, Mongkhon Sompornrattanaphan, Chaisith Sivakorn
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-10-01
Series:Insects
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/12/10/948
Description
Summary:High levels of fine particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) air pollution are a concern for human health. Several studies have examined the effects of air pollution on human and animal health. However, there is a lack of knowledge about its effects on arbovirus vectors. Thus, we investigated whether PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentration alters the blood-feeding activity of <i>Ae. aegypti</i> mosquitoes. We investigated the effect on the females’ propensity to blood feed at eight concentrations of PM<sub>2.5</sub> ranging from 100 to 1000 μg/m<sup>3</sup>. Correlation analysis showed blood-feeding activity had a significant strong negative correlation with concentration of PM<sub>2.5</sub> (<i>r<sub>p</sub></i> = −0.85; <i>p</i> ≤ 0.00001). Exploratory linear and non-linear models showed an exponential decay relationship was the best fitting model (corrected Akaike’s information criterion, 193.0; Akaike’s weight, 0.766; adjusted R<sup>2</sup>, 0.780). Ultrastructural study demonstrated PM<sub>2.5</sub> did not obstruct the respiratory system, but some fine particles were present on the antenna and abdominal body parts. Ovaries showed a dose–response relationship between PM<sub>2.5</sub> level and vacuolated degeneration. In conclusion, the blood-feeding behavior of <i>Ae. aegypti</i> females may have an exponential decay relationship with PM<sub>2.5</sub> level, and their ovaries may demonstrate dose-dependent degeneration. These findings may be important in understanding the vector’s biology and disease transmission in settings with high PM<sub>2.5</sub> levels. These results are important to understand blood-feeding and feeding pattern of mosquitoes during PM<sub>2.5</sub> pollution, which is important for disease transmission and vector control.
ISSN:2075-4450