Can Mosquitoes Detect Cancer?

Wouter

Several diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, including malaria, dengue, filariasis and Zika, are important public health issues. In fact, global warming and urbanization may contribute to an increase in the incidence of these infectious agents. Moreover, some pathogens may also be carcinogenic.

Researchers from the University of Tokyo have found a cost-effective method of detecting cancer with the help of mosquitoes’ sense of smell. They have developed an artificial cellular membrane embedded with a special receptor that enables it to detect ocetenol, a chemical found in human sweat. The researchers hope that the method can be used within a decade.

In addition to octenol, the mosquito odorant receptors can detect 100 different odors. When these olfactory cells are exposed to particular odor molecules, they open up and allow smell ions into the cell. The cellular membranes can be reprogrammed to open in response to certain odors.

The female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes have two feeding modes, nectar-feeding and blood-feeding. The former senses sugars and animal odors, while the latter focuses on human odors. A female mosquito is dependent on blood to survive and reproduce.

The female Aedes aegypti uses a syringe-like “stylet” to pierce the skin and collect blood. To avoid getting bitten, people should apply calamine lotion to ease itching. Baking soda and water paste can also be used to soothe a bite.

The researchers are now working on finding materials that can be applied to repel mosquitoes and attract them. They have also studied the influence of mosquito bites on humans. For example, in Japan, a woman who has been infected with the Epstein-Barr virus will experience a hypersensitivity to mosquitoes. This can cause lymphadenopathy, general malaise, high temperatures and hepatosplenomegaly.

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