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Do mosquito-associated bacteria of the genus Asaia circulate in humans?

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases volume 31, pages 1137–1140 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Symbiotic bacteria of the genus Asaia have been proposed as tools for control of mosquito-borne diseases, specifically malaria. However, safety issues are a major concern for paratransgenesis strategies. The aim of this study is to investigate, with immunofluorescence assays and quantitative PCR experiments, whether Asaia spp. is circulating among humans. All human sera and whole blood samples analyzed were negative for Asaia spp., thus suggesting that this organism could be utilized, in the future, as a malaria control tool.

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Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Sanità Pubblica, Università di Camerino, Via Gentile III da Varano, 62032, Camerino, Italy

    S. Epis, U. Ulissi, I. Ricci, C. Damiani & G. Favia

  2. Unità Operativa di Microbiologia, Centro di Riferimento Regionale per le Emergenze Microbiologiche Ospedale S. Orsola Malpighi, Università di Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy

    P. Gaibani & V. Sambri

  3. Dipartimenti di Scienze e Tecnologie Alimentari e Microbiologiche and Patologia Animale, Igiene e Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2/10, 20133, Milano, Italy

    S. Epis, B. Chouaia, D. Daffonchio & C. Bandi

  4. Institute for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Spedali Civili di Brescia, P.le Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy

    F. Castelli & F. Buelli

  5. Scuola di Bioscienze e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Camerino, Via Gentile III da Varano, 62032, Camerino, Italy

    G. Favia

Authors
  1. S. Epis
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  2. P. Gaibani
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  3. U. Ulissi
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  4. B. Chouaia
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  5. I. Ricci
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  6. C. Damiani
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  7. V. Sambri
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  8. F. Castelli
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  9. F. Buelli
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  10. D. Daffonchio
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  11. C. Bandi
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  12. G. Favia
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. Favia.

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Epis, S., Gaibani, P., Ulissi, U. et al. Do mosquito-associated bacteria of the genus Asaia circulate in humans?. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 31, 1137–1140 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-011-1419-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-011-1419-3

Keywords

  • Malaria
  • Healthy Blood Donor
  • Acetic Acid Bacterium
  • Anopheles Arabiensis
  • Epiphytic Bacterium