Vector competence of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus from the metropolitan area of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico for Zika virus

AbstractZika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne pathogen discovered in the late 40’s in Uganda during a surveillance program for yellow fever. By 2014 the virus reached Eastern Island in the Americas, and two years later, the virus spread to almost all countries and territories of the Americas. The mosquito Aedes aegypti has been identified as the main vector of the disease, and several researchers have also studied the vector competence of Culex quinquefasciatus in virus transmission. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the vector competence of Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus in order to understand their roles in the transmission of ZIKV in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. In blood feeding laboratry experiments, we found that Ae. aegypti mosquitoes showed to be a competent vector able to transmit ZIKV in this area. On the other hand, we found that F0 Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes are refractory to ZIKV infection, dissemination and transmission.

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Sequential Infection of Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes with Chikungunya Virus and Zika Virus Enhances Early Zika Virus Transmission

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects9040177 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 177 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Tereza Magalhaes ◽

Alexis Robison ◽

Michael Young ◽

William Black ◽

Brian Foy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Aedes Aegypti ◽

Blood Meal ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Chikungunya Virus ◽

Vector Competence ◽

Virus Transmission ◽

Mosquito Vector ◽

Molecular Aspects ◽

Virus Interactions ◽

Sequential Infection

In urban settings, chikungunya, Zika, and dengue viruses are transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Since these viruses co-circulate in several regions, coinfection in humans and vectors may occur, and human coinfections have been frequently reported. Yet, little is known about the molecular aspects of virus interactions within hosts and how they contribute to arbovirus transmission dynamics. We have previously shown that Aedes aegypti exposed to chikungunya and Zika viruses in the same blood meal can become coinfected and transmit both viruses simultaneously. However, mosquitoes may also become coinfected by multiple, sequential feeds on single infected hosts. Therefore, we tested whether sequential infection with chikungunya and Zika viruses impacts mosquito vector competence. We exposed Ae. aegypti mosquitoes first to one virus and 7 days later to the other virus and compared infection, dissemination, and transmission rates between sequentially and single infected groups. We found that coinfection rates were high after sequential exposure and that mosquitoes were able to co-transmit both viruses. Surprisingly, chikungunya virus coinfection enhanced Zika virus transmission 7 days after the second blood meal. Our data demonstrate heterologous arbovirus synergism within mosquitoes, by unknown mechanisms, leading to enhancement of transmission under certain conditions.

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Zika mosquito vectors: the jury is still out

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.9839.1 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. 2546 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Walter S. Leal

Keyword(s):

Aedes Aegypti ◽

Yellow Fever ◽

Culex Quinquefasciatus ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Field Data ◽

Vector Competence ◽

Sexual Transmission ◽

Mosquito Vectors ◽

Yellow Fever Mosquito ◽

The Common

After a 40-year hiatus, the International Congress of Entomology (ICE 2016) convened in Orlando, Florida (September 25-30, 2016). One of the symposia at ICE 2016, the Zika Symposium, covered multiple aspects of the Zika epidemic, including epidemiology, sexual transmission, genetic tools for reducing transmission, and particularly vector competence. While there was a consensus among participants that the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, is a vector of the Zika virus, there is growing evidence indicating that the range of mosquito vectors might be wider than anticipated. In particular, three independent groups from Canada, China, and Brazil presented and discussed laboratory and field data strongly suggesting that the southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus, also known as the common mosquito, is highly likely to be a vector in certain environments.

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Low Aedes aegypti Vector Competence for Zika Virus from Viremic Rhesus Macaques

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v12121345 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (12) ◽

pp. 1345

Author(s):

Rosilainy Surubi Fernandes ◽

Mariana Rocha David ◽

Filipe Vieira Santos De Abreu ◽

Anielly Ferreira-de-Brito ◽

Noemi R. Gardinali ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Viral Load ◽

Aedes Aegypti ◽

Short Duration ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Rhesus Macaques ◽

Vector Competence ◽

Transmission Dynamics ◽

Zikv Infection ◽

Transmission Rates ◽

Time Points

Despite worldwide efforts to understand the transmission dynamics of Zika virus (ZIKV), scanty evaluation has been made on the vector competence of Aedes aegypti fed directly on viremic human and non-human primates (NHPs). We blood-fed Ae. aegypti from two districts in Rio de Janeiro on six ZIKV infected pregnant rhesus macaques at several time points, half of which were treated with Sofosbuvir (SOF). Mosquitoes were analyzed for vector competence after 3, 7 and 14 days of incubation. Although viremia extended up to eight days post monkey inoculation, only mosquitoes fed on the day of the peak of viremia, recorded on day two, became infected. The influence of SOF treatment could not be assessed because the drug was administered just after mosquito feeding on day two. The global infection, dissemination and transmission rates were quite low (4.09%, 1.91% and 0.54%, respectively); no mosquito was infected when viremia was below 1.26 × 105 RNA copies/mL. In conclusion, Ae. aegypti vector competence for ZIKV from macaques is low, likely to be due to low viral load and the short duration of ZIKV viremia in primates suitable for infecting susceptible mosquitoes. If ZIKV infection in human and macaques behaves similarly, transmission of the Zika virus in nature is most strongly affected by vector density.

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Vector competence ofAnophelesandCulexmosquitoes for Zika virus

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.3096 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. e3096 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Brittany L. Dodson ◽

Jason L. Rasgon

Keyword(s):

Anopheles Gambiae ◽

Culex Quinquefasciatus ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Anopheles Stephensi ◽

Vector Competence ◽

Mosquito Species ◽

Plaque Assay ◽

Virus Transmission ◽

Serious Disease ◽

Blood Meals

Zika virus is a newly emergent mosquito-borne flavivirus that has caused recent large outbreaks in the new world, leading to dramatic increases in serious disease pathology including Guillain-Barre syndrome, newborn microcephaly, and infant brain damage. AlthoughAedesmosquitoes are thought to be the primary mosquito species driving infection, the virus has been isolated from dozens of mosquito species, includingCulexandAnophelesspecies, and we lack a thorough understanding of which mosquito species to target for vector control. We exposedAnopheles gambiae,Anopheles stephensi, andCulex quinquefasciatusmosquitoes to blood meals supplemented with two Zika virus strains. Mosquito bodies, legs, and saliva were collected five, seven, and 14 days post blood meal and tested for infectious virus by plaque assay. Regardless of titer, virus strain, or timepoint,Anopheles gambiae,Anopheles stephensi, andCulex quinquefasciatusmosquitoes were refractory to Zika virus infection. We conclude thatAnopheles gambiae,Anopheles stephensi, andCulex quinquefasciatusmosquitoes likely do not contribute significantly to Zika virus transmission to humans. However, future studies should continue to explore the potential for other novel potential vectors to transmit the virus.

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Coupled small molecules target RNA interference and JAK/STAT signaling to reduce Zika virus infection in Aedes aegypti

10.1101/2021.08.23.457417 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Chasity E. Trammell ◽

Gabriela Ramirez ◽

Irma Sanchez-Vargas ◽

Shirley Luckhart ◽

Rushika Perera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Aedes Aegypti ◽

Small Molecules ◽

Insulin Signaling ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Disease Incidence ◽

Virus Transmission ◽

Zikv Infection ◽

Small Molecule Drugs ◽

Pathway Activation ◽

Target Rna

The recent global Zika epidemics have revealed the significant threat that mosquito-borne viruses pose. There are currently no effective vaccines or prophylactics to prevent Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. Limiting exposure to infected mosquitoes is best way to reduce disease incidence. Recent studies have focused on targeting mosquito reproduction and immune responses to reduce transmission. In particular, previous work evaluated the effect of insulin signaling on antiviral JAK/STAT and RNAi in vector mosquitoes. In this work, we demonstrate that targeting insulin signaling through the repurposing of small molecule drugs results in the activation of both of these antiviral pathways. Activation of this coordinated response additively reduced ZIKV levels in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. This effect included a quantitatively greater reduction in salivary gland ZIKV levels relative to single pathway activation, indicating the potential for field delivery of these small molecules to substantially reduce virus transmission.

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Zika mosquito vectors: the jury is still out

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.9839.2 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. 2546 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Walter S. Leal

Keyword(s):

Aedes Aegypti ◽

Yellow Fever ◽

Culex Quinquefasciatus ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Field Data ◽

Vector Competence ◽

Sexual Transmission ◽

Mosquito Vectors ◽

Yellow Fever Mosquito ◽

The Common

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Vector Competence of Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus from Brazil and New Caledonia for Three Zika Virus Lineages

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens9070575 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 575 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Rosilainy S. Fernandes ◽

Olivia O’Connor ◽

Maria Ignez L. Bersot ◽

Dominique Girault ◽

Marguerite R. Dokunengo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Aedes Aegypti ◽

Culex Quinquefasciatus ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Mosquito Control ◽

New Caledonia ◽

Vector Competence ◽

Control Measures ◽

The Pacific ◽

Viral Surveillance ◽

Virus Strains

Zika virus (ZIKV) has caused severe epidemics in South America beginning in 2015, following its spread through the Pacific. We comparatively assessed the vector competence of ten populations of Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus from Brazil and two of Ae. aegypti and one of Culex quinquefasciatus from New Caledonia to transmit three ZIKV isolates belonging to African, Asian and American lineages. Recently colonized mosquitoes from eight distinct sites from both countries were orally challenged with the same viral load (107 TCID50/mL) and examined after 7, 14 and 21 days. Cx. quinquefasciatus was refractory to infection with all virus strains. In contrast, although competence varied with geographical origin, Brazilian and New Caledonian Ae. aegypti could transmit the three ZIKV lineages, with a strong advantage for the African lineage (the only one reaching saliva one-week after challenge). Brazilian Ae. albopictus populations were less competent than Ae. aegypti populations. Ae. albopictus generally exhibited almost no transmission for Asian and American lineages, but was efficient in transmitting the African ZIKV. Viral surveillance and mosquito control measures must be strengthened to avoid the spread of new ZIKV lineages and minimize the transmission of viruses currently circulating.

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Vector competence of Aedes aegypti, Culex tarsalis, and Culex quinquefasciatus from California for Zika virus

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

10.1371/journal.pntd.0006524 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. e0006524 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Bradley J. Main ◽

Jay Nicholson ◽

Olivia C. Winokur ◽

Cody Steiner ◽

Kasen K. Riemersma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Aedes Aegypti ◽

Culex Quinquefasciatus ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Vector Competence ◽

Culex Tarsalis

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Detailed Analyses of Zika Virus Tropism in Culex quinquefasciatus Reveal Systemic Refractoriness

mBio ◽

10.1128/mbio.01765-20 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hannah J. MacLeod ◽

George Dimopoulos

Keyword(s):

Real Time ◽

Culex Quinquefasciatus ◽

Real Time Pcr ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Vector Competence ◽

Mosquito Species ◽

Virus Transmission ◽

Quantitative Real Time Pcr ◽

Content Type ◽

Qrt Pcr

ABSTRACT The role of Culex quinquefasciatus in Zika virus transmission has been debated since the epidemic of Zika occurred in the Americas in 2015 to 2016. The majority of studies have found no evidence that C. quinquefasciatus or other Culex species are competent vectors of Zika virus, and the few studies that have proposed Zika vector status for C. quinquefasciatus have relied predominantly on quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) for viral detection. We assessed the infectious range of pre- and post-epidemic Zika virus isolates in order to classify mosquito samples based on titer infectiousness and demonstrated that two strains of C. quinquefasciatus, including one previously found to be competent, are highly resistant to infection with these Zika isolates compared to Aedes aegypti and are not competent for virus transmission. Further dissection of the dynamics of Zika exposure in both A. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus revealed that while virus transmission by C. quinquefasciatus is blocked at the levels of the midgut and salivary glands, viral RNA persists in these tissues for prolonged periods post-exposure. We assessed Zika entry dynamics in both Aedes and Culex cells, and our results suggest that Zika virus infection in Culex cells may be blocked downstream of cell entry. These findings strongly suggest that C. quinquefasciatus is not a vector of Zika virus and additionally inform the use of qRT-PCR in vector competence assays as well as our understanding of barriers to arbovirus infection in non-susceptible mosquito species. IMPORTANCE Understanding which mosquito species transmit an emerging arbovirus is critical to effective vector control. During the Zika virus epidemic in 2015 to 2016, Aedes mosquitoes were confirmed as vectors. However, studies addressing the vector status of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes presented conflicting evidence and remain an outstanding source of confusion in the field. Here, we established a robust cell-based assay to identify infectious titers of Zika virus and assessed the virus titers in C. quinquefasciatus by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). We found that while low levels of virus were detected in C. quinquefasciatus, these titers did not correspond to infectious virus, and these mosquitoes did not transmit virus in the saliva. We also present evidence that the virus may enter Culex cells before infection is disrupted. Our findings are important for future studies incriminating vector species using qRT-PCR for virus detection and offer new information on how virus transmission is blocked by mosquitoes.

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Spondweni virus causes fetal harm in a mouse model of vertical transmission and is transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

10.1101/824466 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Anna S. Jaeger ◽

Andrea M. Weiler ◽

Ryan V. Moriarty ◽

Sierra Rybarczyk ◽

Shelby L. O’Connor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Mouse Model ◽

Aedes Aegypti ◽

Vertical Transmission ◽

Culex Quinquefasciatus ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Vector Competence ◽

Test Vector ◽

Pathogenic Potential ◽

Vector Specificity

AbstractSpondweni virus (SPONV) is the most closely related known flavivirus to Zika virus (ZIKV). Its pathogenic potential and vector specificity have not been well defined. SPONV has been found predominantly in Africa, but was recently detected in a pool of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes in Haiti. Here we show that SPONV can cause significant fetal harm, including demise, comparable to ZIKV, in a mouse model of vertical transmission. Following maternal inoculation, we detected infectious SPONV in placentas and fetuses, along with significant fetal and placental histopathology, together indicating vertical transmission. To test vector competence, we exposed Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes to SPONV-infected bloodmeals. Aedes aegypti could efficiently transmit SPONV, whereas Culex quinquefasciatus could not. Our results suggest that SPONV has the same features that made ZIKV a public health risk.

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