Washington, April 7 (Inditop.com) A team of scientists claim to have found a new method to check the spread of mosquito-born diseases such as dengue and malaria.
A group of American and Australian researchers at the University of Michigan observed that mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria were unable to produce larvae as the infection caused Cytoplasmic Incompatibility (CI), resulting to early death of embryo.
The experiment found premature death of embryo when a Wolbachia-infected male mosquito mated with a female that was not infected or harbouring a different Wolbachia type, Prensa Latina reported quoting PLOS Pathogens magazine.
Experts say since the bacterium does not infect human being, it can be used as shield against diseases caused by mosquito bite. It can help control dengue that affects 2.5 million people mainly in poor countries.
rounak