Characterization of the pesticidal crystal toxin protein Cry11Aa from Bacillus thuringiensis serovar israelensis VCRC B646 for mosquito larvae control.

Effective mosquito control is essential for reducing the transmission of vector-borne diseases. This study focuses on the comprehensive characterization of mosquitocidal toxins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis serovar israelensis (Bti) VCRC B646 and the associated insecticidal genes. The bacterium was cultured, and the spore-crystal complex was purified to identify the mosquitocidal proteins.

First report on the enzootic maintenance of Dirofilaria sp. hongkongensis in the canine hosts and mosquito vector Armigeres subalbatus (Coquillet) in Puducherry.

Background: Dirofilariasis is a re-emerging zoonosis caused by the nematode Dirofilaria spp., parasitizing canines, felines and humans and transmitted by mosquito vectors of the Culicidae family. Currently, reports of human dirofilariasis are increasing in India and thus we explored the occurrence of Dirofilaria infection among dogs and mosquitoes in Puducherry, India.

Whole genome sequencing and evolutionary significance of a novel mosquitocidal bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis serovar israelensis VCRC-B650 reported from Union Territory of Puducherry, India highly useful for mosquito control.

Mosquito-borne diseases pose a significant global health challenge, highlighting the need for innovative biocontrol agents. In this study, a novel mosquitocidal bacterium was isolated from clay soil and subjected to Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and bioinformatics analysis to understand its genetic composition and potential applications. WGS revealed that the bacterium a circular genome of size 6,622,317 bp comprising 6930 genes, 115 tRNA and 17 rRNA.

Enhanced Mosquito Larvicidal Efficacy and Dehairing Properties of Bacillus thuringiensis Serovar israelensis Strain VCRC-B649 Isolated from Malabar Coast, India.

In recent years, there has been a global threat from emerging vector-borne diseases (VBD), despite the implementation of several vector control programs. Considering the benefits of bacterial pesticides, the present study aimed to isolate potential mosquitocidal bacteria from the various soil types collected from the Kasaragod (12.5°N, 75.

Molecular identification and GC-MS analysis of a newly isolated novel bacterium (Lysinibacillus sp. VCRC B655) for mosquito control.

Background: Mosquitoes are widespread globally and have contributed to transmitting pathogens to humans and the burden of vector-borne diseases. They are effectively controlled at their larval stages by biocontrol agents. Unravelling natural sources for microbial agents can lead us to novel potential candidates for managing mosquito-borne diseases.

Evidence of natural infection of in vectors and animal hosts - Risk of scrub typhus transmission to humans in Puducherry, South India.

Background: Scrub typhus infection is endemic in India and reported to be the major cause for acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) in humans. Periodic occurrence of scrub typhus cases and presence of pathogen in rodents were also reported in areas with human cases of scrub typhus in Puducherry.

Objectives: This study was carried out to screen Orientia tsutsugamushi in rodent/shrew reservoirs and vectors in villages of Puducherry with no reports of human scrub typhus cases.

Molecular characterization of bmyC gene of the mosquito pupicidal bacteria, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (VCRC B483) and in silico analysis of bacillomycin D synthetase C protein.

A strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (VCRC B483) exhibiting mosquito pupicidal, keratinase and antimicrobial activities was isolated from mangrove forest ecosystem of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Molecular characterization of the strain showed the presence of lipopeptide encoding bmyC gene. Phylogenetic tree based on protein sequence of this gene exhibited homology with mycosubtilin synthetase of Bacilus atropheus and Iturin synthetase of Bacillus subtilis and B.