Mosquitoes seem to bite some people more than others, and the reason for this difference may lie in human genes, according to a new study from the University of Florida.
Researchers at that facility have identified particular genes they believe are responsible for producing smells that the pesky insects consider attractive. This new study confirms previous studies showing that certain scents draw mosquitoes to suck blood from one person rather than another.
Identical twins were found to attract nearly the same level of attacks from mosquitoes, researchers determined, adding to the evidence that genes are responsible for attracting the insects. This attractiveness to mosquitoes appears to have about the same level of genetic influence as intelligence quotient (IQ) and height.
A total of 18 identical and 19 non-identical female twins were examined in the study. Dengue mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti) were placed inside of a tube shaped like the letter "Y," with two ends covered by the hands of twins. This tunnel allowed the insects to choose between one member of the pair or the other.
Not only were particular odors attractive to the insects, but others appear to repel the irksome creatures, analysis reveals. Researchers also discovered that heavier people were more attractive to mosquitoes than their thinner counterparts. Pregnant women were also on the mosquito menu more often than women who were not carrying children.
Female mosquitoes suck blood from people and animals to provide nutrients necessary for reproduction. However, these insects can also spread a wide variety of diseases, including malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, encephalitis and West Nile virus. There are around 3,000 species of mosquitoes worldwide. Their common name in North America, based on the Spanish name "musketas," (little fly) dates back to sometime around the year 1583.
Many popular notions exist suggesting how people can avoid mosquito bites, including the consumption of beer or garlic. However, no scientific data is available to back up these claims.
This new finding could assist in the development of new treatments to repel mosquitoes, both for reasons of comfort as well as to reduce the incidence of diseases carried by the flying insects.
"By investigating the genetic mechanism behind attractiveness to biting insects such as mosquitoes we can move closer to using this knowledge for better ways of keeping us safe from bites and the diseases insects can spread through bites. In the future we may even be able to take a pill which will enhance the production of natural repellents by the body and ultimately replace skin lotions," James Logan of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said.
Research showing how human genes may influence mosquitoes was published in the journal PLOS One.
Photo: James Jordan | Flickr
