Characterization of Leclercia adecarboxylata isolated from field collected Anopheles subpictus in Berhampur, Odisha, India

Abstract

Background & objectives; Malaria, a vector-borne disease, is caused by Plasmodium species and transmitted by Anopheles species. Among these vectors, Anopheles subpictus has emerged as a potent malarial vector in coastal areas of India. Numerous studies have highlighted that bacterial communities within mosquito influence vector competence. The present study was designed to isolate and characterize bacterial microbiota from An. subpictus larvae. Methods: Isolation and purification of the predominant bacterial strain (ALl) was carried out. Morphological, biochemical, antibiotic susceptibility and molecular characterization of the isolated bacteria was performed. Results: Bacterial isolate (AL1) was found to be rod, gram negative, catalase positive and oxidase negative. AL1 was identified as Leclercia adecarboxylata (Accession number: OR649235) through 16S rRNA ribotyping. Further, the leaf extract of Nyctanthes arbortristis showed inhibitory effect against ALl. Interpretation & conclusion: The study provided the first report on the isolation of symbiotic bacteria (L. adecarboxylata) from An. subpictus and its control by leaf extract of Nyctanthes arbortristis. Isolated gram-negative bacterial strain might inhibit the development of mosquito vectors and can be implemented for various biological control strategies to combat malaria transmission.

Keywords

• anopheles subpictus
• bacteria
• leclercia adecarboxylata
• microbiota
• malaria