Alterações reprodutivas induzidas por Wolbachia: uma nova abordagem para o controle biológico da dengue

Abstract

Dengue is, among the arboviruses, the one with the highest incidence worldwide occurring mainly in tropical and subtropical regions of the planet being considered a public health problem. About 128 countries are at risk for the disease, registering an annual average of 390 million new cases. Unplanned urbanization, globalization, climate change and in the natural environment have contributed to the global spread of dengue observed in recent years. DENV belongs to the Flaviviridae family, genus Flavivirus and four serotypes have been described: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4. All of them are transmitted to humans by the bite of mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. Currently, dengue prevention and control measures are mainly based on the reduction of insect vector populations through physical and chemical control. However, the current epidemiological scenario reinforces the need for promising new and sustainable methodologies, such as biological control of dengue. In this way, this work of course completion, aimed to perform a bibliographical compilation on the biological control of dengue through the use of a bacterium found naturally in several insects, Wolbachia, to control the populations of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Experimental studies have demonstrated Wolbachia ability to block DENV transmission through phenotypic changes induced by its host. The fact that Wolbachia is transmitted vertically to its offspring confers a self-sustaining character to the method, dispensing with the need for constant interventions or manipulations in the vector insects. In this context, the new technological advances available when associated with existing control methods are capable of enhancing the reach and effectiveness of dengue control and prevention actions.