MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research

Wolbachia for controlling Dengue Virus

Dengue fever is the most important mosquito-borne viral disease globally. Each year there are around 90 million symptomatic cases and if progressing to severe dengue, haemorrhage or shock syndrome are life-threatening.  

Dengue virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of female mosquitoes and the primary vector species is Aedes aegypti. CVR researchers have generated lines of Ae. aegypti carrying various strains of the inherited intracellular symbiont Wolbachia and showed that they can be used to prevent dengue transmission very effectively.  

Working with partners in Malaysian Institute for Medical Researchand the Malaysian Ministry of Health, Wolbachia mosquito releases have been tested for dengue control across the country. Dengue incidence was reduced at all release sites vs. control sites, with 40-80% reductions in cases observed, and Wolbachia remaining at high frequency post-intervention.  

Overall dengue incidence reduction across 27 Wolbachia release sites was reported to be around 75% when Wolbachia is at high frequency. Further rollout in several Provinces in Malaysia have been planned and a licence has been granted to a Malaysian Company for production. Wolbachia dengue control programmes using CVR-generated lines are also underway in Paraguay and Burkina Faso. 

Gloved hands using fine tools under a microscope in a laboratory.

Queens Anniversary Prize: Use of Wolbachia infected mosquitoes to control dengue infection

Queens Anniversary Prize: Use of Wolbachia infected mosquitoes to control dengue infection

In 2021, the CVR was announced as one of the winners of the Queens Anniversary Prize. This was awarded for advanced virology research to combat diseases such as Hepatitis C and dengue virus, and leading expertise in the secure handling of samples and testing antivirals. This video explores the use of Wolbachia infected mosquitoes to control dengue infection.

Resources

The WolBloc project is funded for £5m across 5 years by a Wellcome Trust award and consists of 7 partners located in the UK, South East Asia, South America, Africa and Australia with expertise ranging from mosquito biology and virus transmission blocking to the economics of disease control.  The WolBloc partners are examining ways to optimize the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of wider roll-out of the Wolbachia biocontrol approach. 

Visit WolBloc 

Research Outputs

Introduction of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes carrying wAlbB Wolbachia sharply decreases dengue incidence in disease hotspots 

Differences in proteome perturbations caused by the Wolbachia strain wAu suggest multiple mechanisms of Wolbachia-mediated antiviral activity 

Establishment of Wolbachia Strain wAlbB in Malaysian Populations of Aedes aegypti for Dengue Control 

Researcher in a lab coat examining a sample tray on a work surface.

Policy Contribution

Sinkins advises several governments on implementation of Wolbachia dengue control and contributed to WHO guidelines on optimal Wolbachia deployment.