Dengue and the introduction of mosquito-transmitted viruses into Australia

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 167
Author(s):  
Andrew F van den Hurk

Dengue virus outbreaks involving 100s of cases periodically occur in north Queensland, the area of Australia where the primary mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti, occurs. This article summarises the ecology, history, current situation and control of dengue virus transmission in Australia and examines the threat posed by newly emergent arboviruses, such as Zika and chikungunya viruses.

mSphere ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kayvan Etebari ◽  
Shivanand Hegde ◽  
Miguel A. Saldaña ◽  
Steven G. Widen ◽  
Thomas G. Wood ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Vector-borne viruses pose great risks to human health. Zika virus has recently emerged as a global threat, rapidly expanding its distribution. Understanding the interactions of the virus with mosquito vectors at the molecular level is vital for devising new approaches in inhibiting virus transmission. In this study, we embarked on analyzing the transcriptional response of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to Zika virus infection. Results showed large changes in both coding and long noncoding RNAs. Analysis of these genes showed similarities with other flaviviruses, including dengue virus, which is transmitted by the same mosquito vector. The outcomes provide a global picture of changes in the mosquito vector in response to Zika virus infection. Zika virus (ZIKV) of the Flaviviridae family is a recently emerged mosquito-borne virus that has been implicated in the surge of the number of microcephaly instances in South America. The recent rapid spread of the virus led to its declaration as a global health emergency by the World Health Organization. The virus is transmitted mainly by the mosquito Aedes aegypti, which is also the vector of dengue virus; however, little is known about the interactions of the virus with the mosquito vector. In this study, we investigated the transcriptome profiles of whole A. aegypti mosquitoes in response to ZIKV infection at 2, 7, and 14 days postinfection using transcriptome sequencing. Results showed changes in the abundance of a large number of transcripts at each time point following infection, with 18 transcripts commonly changed among the three time points. Gene ontology analysis revealed that most of the altered genes are involved in metabolic processes, cellular processes, and proteolysis. In addition, 486 long intergenic noncoding RNAs that were altered upon ZIKV infection were identified. Further, we found changes of a number of potential mRNA target genes correlating with those of altered host microRNAs. The outcomes provide a basic understanding of A. aegypti responses to ZIKV and help to determine host factors involved in replication or mosquito host antiviral response against the virus. IMPORTANCE Vector-borne viruses pose great risks to human health. Zika virus has recently emerged as a global threat, rapidly expanding its distribution. Understanding the interactions of the virus with mosquito vectors at the molecular level is vital for devising new approaches in inhibiting virus transmission. In this study, we embarked on analyzing the transcriptional response of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to Zika virus infection. Results showed large changes in both coding and long noncoding RNAs. Analysis of these genes showed similarities with other flaviviruses, including dengue virus, which is transmitted by the same mosquito vector. The outcomes provide a global picture of changes in the mosquito vector in response to Zika virus infection.


Insects ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tereza Magalhaes ◽  
Alexis Robison ◽  
Michael Young ◽  
William Black ◽  
Brian Foy ◽  
...  

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.


2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angle M. H. Sorisi

Abstract: Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is one of the most serious health problems in Indonesia which often causes outbreaks with numerous deaths. The disease is transmitted byAedes sp.females. Generally, dengue virus transmission occurs horizontally from human carriers, and the dengue viruses are passed on bytheir vectors through blood sucking activity. After propagation in the mosquito, the viruses are transmitted to human recipients. In addition, there is a vertical transmission (transovarial) of dengue virusesin the ova of Aedes sp.females. The viruses propagate in the ova that undergo  metamorphosis to become larvae, pupae, and imagoes. The transovarial transmission of dengue virusesin its vectors in endemic areas could be a causative key which is responsible for the phenomenon of increasing cases of DHF. Any effort to prevent and control DHF requires a thorough understanding about virDen transmission, including this transovarial transmission in Aedes spfemales. Keywords: DHF, transovarial transmission, Aedes sp.     Abstrak: Penyakit Demam Berdarah Dengue (DBD) merupakan salah satu masalah kesehatan yang semakin serius di Indonesia dan sering menimbulkan suatu Kejadian Luar Biasa (KLB) dengan jumlah kematian tinggi. Penyakit ditularkan melalui Aedes sp.betina. Transmisi virus dengue umumnya terjadi secara horizontal, yaitu dari manusia pembawa virus dengue ke nyamuk vektor Aedes sp. melalui aktivitasnya mengisap darahSetelah mengalami propagasi  dalam  tubuh nyamuk, virus dengue ditularkan ke  manusia penerima. Selain itu, transmisi virus dapat terjadi secara vertikal (transovarial) yaitu virus dengue dalam tubuh nyamuk vektorAedes sp. betinake ovum, kemudian berpropagasi dalam ovum, larva, pupa, dan imago. Transmisi transovarial virus dengueke vektornya di daerah endemik bisa menjadi kunci penyebab yang bertanggung jawab terhadap fenomena peningkatan kasus deman berdarah dengue. Upaya pencegahan dan penanggulangan DBD memerlukan pengetahuan yang matang tentang adanya infeksi transovarial virDen pada nyamuk Aedes sp. Kata kunci : DBD, transmisi transovarial,  Aedes sp.


2017 ◽  
Vol 115 (2) ◽  
pp. 361-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren B. Carrington ◽  
Bich Chau Nguyen Tran ◽  
Nhat Thanh Hoang Le ◽  
Tai Thi Hue Luong ◽  
Truong Thanh Nguyen ◽  
...  

The wMel strain of Wolbachia can reduce the permissiveness of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to disseminated arboviral infections. Here, we report that wMel-infected Ae. aegypti (Ho Chi Minh City background), when directly blood-fed on 141 viremic dengue patients, have lower dengue virus (DENV) transmission potential and have a longer extrinsic incubation period than their wild-type counterparts. The wMel-infected mosquitoes that are field-reared have even greater relative resistance to DENV infection when fed on patient-derived viremic blood meals. This is explained by an increased susceptibility of field-reared wild-type mosquitoes to infection than laboratory-reared counterparts. Collectively, these field- and clinically relevant findings support the continued careful field-testing of wMel introgression for the biocontrol of Ae. aegypti-born arboviruses.


2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 732-749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Max Moreno-Madriñán ◽  
William Crosson ◽  
Lars Eisen ◽  
Sue Estes ◽  
Maurice Estes Jr. ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 4913 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lays Santos França ◽  
Camilla Massaranduba Alves De Macedo ◽  
Sheylla Nayara Sales Vieira ◽  
Andresa Teixeira Santos ◽  
Gislene De Jesus Cruz Sanches ◽  
...  

RESUMOObjetivo: identificar os desafios enfrentados pelos agentes comunitários de saúde e agentes de combate a endemias na prevenção e controle da disseminação do mosquito Aedes aegypti. Método: estudo qualitativo realizado com 12 agentes comunitários de saúde e sete agentes de combate a endemias. Os dados foram produzidos a partir de entrevista semiestruturada e analisados com a técnica do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. Resultados: verificou-se que as maiores dificuldades enfrentadas por estes agentes são o descaso, a falta de compromisso e a conscientização da comunidade, além da gestão, que não se apresenta de modo efetivo no processo. Conclusão: propõe-se, assim, uma maior efetivação das ações de educação em saúde junto à população, investimento em educação permanente e sensibilização da gestão pública. Descritores: Prevenção e controle; Participação da Comunidade; Saúde Pública; Vírus da Dengue; Zika Vírus; Vírus Chikungunya.ABSTRACT Objective: to identify the challenges faced by community health agents and agents to combat endemic diseases in the prevention and control of the spread of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Method: a qualitative study carried out with 12 community health agents and seven agents to combat endemic diseases. The data were produced from a semi-structured interview and analyzed using the Collective Subject Discourse technique. Results: it was verified that the greatest difficulties faced by these agents are the neglect, lack of commitment and awareness of the community, besides the management, that is not presented in an effective way in the process. Conclusion: it is proposed, therefore, a greater effectiveness of the actions of health education with the population, investment in permanent education and public management awareness. Descriptors: Prevention and Control; Community Participation; Public Health; Dengue Virus; Zika Virus; Chikungunya Virus.RESUMEN Objetivo: identificar los desafíos enfrentados por los agentes comunitarios de salud y agentes de combate a endemias en la prevención y control de la diseminación del mosquito Aedes aegypti. Método: estudio cualitativo, realizado con 12 agentes comunitarios de salud y siete agentes de combate a endemias. Los datos fueron producidos a partir de entrevista semiestructurada y analizados con la técnica del Discurso del Sujeto Colectivo. Resultados: se verificó que las mayores dificultades enfrentadas por estos agentes son el descuido, la falta de compromiso y la concientización de la comunidad, además de la gestión, que no se presenta de modo efectivo en el proceso. Conclusión: se propone, así una mayor efectividad de las acciones de educación en salud junto a la población, inversión en educación permanente y sensibilización de la gestión pública. Descriptores: Prevención y Control; Participación de la Comunidad; Salud Pública; Virus del Dengue; Virus Zika; Virus Chikungunya.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles B. Stauft ◽  
Sam H. Shen ◽  
Yutong Song ◽  
Oleksandr Gorbatsevych ◽  
Emmanuel Asare ◽  
...  

AbstractDengue virus (DENV), an arthropod-borne (“arbovirus”) virus causing a range of human maladies ranging from self-limiting dengue fever to the life-threatening dengue shock syndrome, proliferates well in two different taxa of the Animal Kingdom, mosquitoes and primates. Unexpectedly, mosquitoes and primates have distinct preferences when expressing their genes by translation, e.g. members of these taxa show taxonomic group-specific intolerance to certain codon pairs. This is called “codon pair bias”. By necessity, arboviruses evolved to delicately balance this fundamental difference in their ORFs. Using the mosquito-borne human pathogen DENV we have undone the evolutionarily conserved genomic balance in its ORF sequence and specifically shifted the encoding preference away from primates. However, this recoding of DENV raised concerns of ‘gain-of-function,’ namely whether recoding could inadvertently increase fitness for replication in the arthropod vector. Using mosquito cell cultures and two strains of Aedes aegypti we did not observe any increase in fitness in DENV2 variants codon pair deoptimized for humans. This ability to disrupt and control an arbovirus’s host preference has great promise towards developing the next generation of synthetic vaccines not only for DENV but for other emerging arboviral pathogens such as chikungunya virus and Zika virus.


Pathogens ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debica Mukherjee ◽  
Sandeepan Das ◽  
Feroza Begum ◽  
Sweety Mal ◽  
Upasana Ray

Flaviviruses are largely transmitted to humans by their arthropod vectors such as mosquitoes or ticks. The dengue virus (DENV) is one of the members of the family Flaviviridae and is the causative agent of dengue fever. In the mosquito vector, DENV enters through viremic blood meal and replicates in the mid-gut. Newly formed virion particles circulate to various mosquito organs and get transmitted to the next host in subsequent bites. Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus have intricate immune control to allow DENV production at a sub-pathogenic level. In the mosquito, antimicrobial peptides (AMP) and RNA inference (RNAi) are the two main antiviral strategies used against DENV. Apart from innate immunity, mosquito resident microbes play a significant role in modulating DENV replication. In this review, we discuss different immune mechanisms and preventive strategies that act against DENV in two of its vectors: Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.


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