The Virome of Anopheles Mosquitoes: Interactions, Immunity, and Implications for Plasmodium Transmission

This thesis investigates the virome of Anopheles mosquitoes and its potential role in malaria transmission. Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites, remains a major global health challenge, and novel strategies are needed to complement existing control methods. The work begins with introducing the term of Insect-Specific Viruses (ISVs) and discusses their possible interactions with mosquito immunity and parasite development. Next, a curated database of ISVs highlights the diversity of viruses present in mosquito vectors, while also identifying gaps in current knowledge. Experimental chapters establish robust methodologies for studying co-infections in mosquitoes and evaluate whether ISVs can influence Plasmodium development. Although no significant effects on parasite transmission were observed, the research identifies multiple viruses capable of efficiently infecting Anopheles mosquitoes, providing valuable tools for future studies. Additional work in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes reveals a conserved antiviral response involving small heat shock proteins with broad activity against arboviruses. Together, these findings expand our understanding of mosquito–virus–parasite interactions and provide a framework for exploring ISVs as potential components of innovative malaria control strategies.