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Key points:
- Wolbachia are naturally occurring bacteria found in about half of all insect species, and other invertebrates such as spiders and nematodes.
- 1924: It is named for the American pathologist Simeon Burt Wolbach, who identified it along with Marshall Hertig.
- Wolbachia can also reduce the rate at which chikungunya and yellow fever viruses multiply in infected mosquitoes.
- Scientists have also found that some Wolbachia species can strongly protect some mosquito species against the malaria parasite.
- Researchers are looking at how to quickly spread a specific strain of Wolbachia in a given mosquito population under ideal environmental conditions so that the bacteria can inhibit the spread of malaria.
Why in News?
Scientists are researching to find use of Wolbachia in spreading the diseases.
