Genetic-modification strategies are currently being developed to reduce the transmission of vector-borne diseases, including African trypanosomiasis. For tsetse, the vector of African trypanosomiasis, a paratransgenic strategy is being considered: this approach involves modification of the commensal symbiotic bacteria Sodalis to express trypanosome-resistance-conferring products. Modified Sodalis can then be driven into...
Impact of reproductive processes upon female health has yielded conflicting results; particularly in relation to the role of
reproduction-associated stress. We used the viviparous tsetse fly to determine if lactation, birth and involution lead to
damage from oxidative stress (OS) that impairs subsequent reproductive cycles. Tsetse females carry an intrauterine...
Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), transmitted by tsetse flies, has historically infected hundreds of thousands of individuals annually in sub-Saharan Africa. Over the last decade, concerted control efforts have reduced reported cases to below 10,000 annually, bringing complete elimination within reach. A potential technology to eliminate HAT involves rendering the flies...