Assessing the role of two populations of Aedes japonicus japonicus for Zika virus transmission under a constant and a fluctuating temperature regime.

Abstract Background Since the huge epidemic of Zika virus (ZIKV) in Brazil in 2015, questions were raised to understand which mosquito species could transmit the virus. Although Aedes aegypti has been described as the main vector, other Aedes species (e.g. Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus) which can potentially transmit viruses from the same family (Flavivirus) such as West Nile, dengue and yellow fever, at least under laboratory conditions, have been incriminated as potential vector for ZIKV. Among these, the Asian bush mosquito Ae. japonicus is widely spread with high abundances in Central-Western Europe. In the present study, infection, dissemination and transmission rates of ZIKV (Dak84 strain) in two populations of Ae. japonicus from Switzerland (Zürich) and France (Steinbach, Haut-Rhin) were investigated under constant (27 °C) and fluctuating (14-27 °C, mean 23 °C) temperature regimes.Results Both populations were positive for ZIKV transmission. Infectious virus particles were present already 7 days post exposure to infectious rabbit blood. The highest amount of Plaque Forming Unit (PFU) (400/female) were recorded 14 days post oral infection in the Swiss population incubated at constant temperature. No difference in term of infection, dissemination and transmission rate were found according to the mosquito population.Temperature had no effect on infection rate but the fluctuating temperature regime resulted in higher dissemination rates comparing to constant temperature, regardless of the population. Finally, transmission efficiency ranged between 7-23% and 7-10% for the constant temperature and 0-10% and 3-27% under fluctuating temperatures for the Swiss and the French populations, respectively.Conclusions This is the first work confirming vector competence for ZIKV of Ae. japonicus originating from Switzerland and France under realistic summer temperatures. Considering the continuous spread of this species in the northern part of Europe and its adaptation at cooler temperatures, preventative control measures should be adopted to prevent possible ZIKV epidemics.

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Assessing the role of two populations of Aedes japonicus japonicus for Zika virus transmission under a constant and a fluctuating temperature regime

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-020-04361-2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Uros Glavinic ◽

Jasmin Varga ◽

Anca Ioana Paslaru ◽

Jeannine Hauri ◽

Paul Torgerson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Constant Temperature ◽

Temperature Regime ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Incubation Temperature ◽

Transmission Rate ◽

Control Measures ◽

Fluctuating Temperature ◽

Laboratory Conditions ◽

Temperature Regimes ◽

Two Populations

Abstract Background Since the huge epidemic of Zika virus (ZIKV) in Brazil in 2015, questions were raised to understand which mosquito species could transmit the virus. Aedes aegypti has been described as the main vector. However, other Aedes species (e.g. Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus) proven to be competent for other flaviviruses (e.g. West Nile, dengue and yellow fever), have been described as potential vectors for ZIKV under laboratory conditions. One of these, the Asian bush mosquito, Ae. japonicus, is widely distributed with high abundances in central-western Europe. In the present study, infection, dissemination and transmission rates of ZIKV (Dak84 strain) in two populations of Ae. japonicus from Switzerland (Zürich) and France (Steinbach, Haut-Rhin) were investigated under constant (27 °C) and fluctuating (14–27 °C, mean 23 °C) temperature regimes. Results The two populations were each able to transmit ZIKV under both temperature regimes. Infectious virus particles were detected in the saliva of females from both populations, regardless of the incubation temperature regime, from 7 days post-exposure to infectious rabbit blood. The highest amount of plaque forming units (PFU) (400/ml) were recorded 14 days post-oral infection in the Swiss population incubated at a constant temperature. No difference in terms of infection, dissemination and transmission rate were found between mosquito populations. Temperature had no effect on infection rate but the fluctuating temperature regime resulted in higher dissemination rates compared to constant temperature, regardless of the population. Finally, transmission efficiency ranged between 7–23% and 7–10% for the constant temperature and 0–10% and 3–27% under fluctuating temperatures for the Swiss and the French populations, respectively. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study confirming vector competence for ZIKV of Ae. japonicus originating from Switzerland and France at realistic summer temperatures under laboratory conditions. Considering the continuous spread of this species in the northern part of Europe and its adaptation at cooler temperatures, preventative control measures should be adopted to prevent possible ZIKV epidemics.

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Assessing the role of two populations of Aedes japonicus japonicus for Zika virus transmission under a constant and a fluctuating temperature regime.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-17049/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Uros Glavinic ◽

Jasmin Varga ◽

Anca Iona Paslaru ◽

Jeannine Hauri ◽

Paul Torgerson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Constant Temperature ◽

Temperature Regime ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Incubation Temperature ◽

Transmission Rate ◽

Control Measures ◽

Fluctuating Temperature ◽

Laboratory Conditions ◽

Temperature Regimes ◽

Two Populations

Abstract Background Since the huge epidemic of Zika virus (ZIKV) in Brazil in 2015, questions were raised to understand which mosquito species could transmit the virus. Aedes aegypti has been described as the main vector. However, other Aedes species (e.g. Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus) proven to be competent for other Flaviviruses (e.g.West Nile, dengue and yellow fever), have been described as potential vector for ZIKV under laboratory conditions. To name one, the Asian bush mosquito Ae. japonicus which is widely distributed with high abundances in Central-Western Europe. In the present study, infection, dissemination and transmission rates of ZIKV (Dak84 strain) in two populations of Ae. japonicus from Switzerland (Zürich) and France (Steinbach, Haut-Rhin) were investigated under constant (27 °C) and fluctuating (14-27 °C, mean 23 °C) temperature regimes.Results The two populations were each able to transmit ZIKV under both temperature regimes. Infectious virus particles were detected in the saliva of females from both populations, regardless of the incubation temperature regime, from 7 days post exposure to infectious rabbit blood. The highest amount of Plaque Forming Unit (PFU) (400/ml) were recorded 14 days post oral infection in the Swiss population incubated at constant temperature. No difference in term of infection, dissemination and transmission rate were found between mosquito populations.Temperature had no effect on infection rate but the fluctuating temperature regime resulted in higher dissemination rates comparing to constant temperature, regardless of the population. Finally, transmission efficiency ranged between 7-23% and 7-10% for the constant temperature and 0-10% and 3-27% under fluctuating temperatures for the Swiss and the French populations, respectively.Conclusions This is the first work confirming vector competence for ZIKV of Ae. japonicus originating from Switzerland and France at realistic summer temperatures under laboratory conditions. Considering the continuous spread of this species in the northern part of Europe and its adaptation at cooler temperatures, preventative control measures should be adopted to prevent possible ZIKV epidemics.

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Assessing the role of two populations of Aedes japonicus japonicus for Zika virus transmission under a constant and a fluctuating temperature regime.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-17049/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Uros Glavinic ◽

Jasmin Varga ◽

Anca Iona Paslaru ◽

Jeannine Hauri ◽

Paul Torgerson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Constant Temperature ◽

Temperature Regime ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Incubation Temperature ◽

Transmission Rate ◽

Control Measures ◽

Fluctuating Temperature ◽

Laboratory Conditions ◽

Temperature Regimes ◽

Two Populations

Abstract Background Since the huge epidemic of Zika virus (ZIKV) in Brazil in 2015, questions were raised to understand which mosquito species could transmit the virus. Aedes aegypti has been described as the main vector. However, other Aedes species (e.g. Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus) proven to be competent for other Flaviviruses (e.g.West Nile, dengue and yellow fever), have been described as potential vector for ZIKV under laboratory conditions. One of these, the Asian bush mosquito Ae. japonicus is widely distributed with high abundances in Central-Western Europe. In the present study, infection, dissemination and transmission rates of ZIKV (Dak84 strain) in two populations of Ae. japonicus from Switzerland (Zürich) and France (Steinbach, Haut-Rhin) were investigated under constant (27 °C) and fluctuating (14-27 °C, mean 23 °C) temperature regimes.Results The two populations were each able to transmit ZIKV under both temperature regimes. Infectious virus particles were detected in the saliva of females from both populations, regardless of the incubation temperature regime, from 7 days post exposure to infectious rabbit blood. The highest amount of Plaque Forming Unit (PFU) (400/ml) were recorded 14 days post oral infection in the Swiss population incubated at constant temperature. No difference in terms of infection, dissemination and transmission rate were found between mosquito populations.Temperature had no effect on infection rate but the fluctuating temperature regime resulted in higher dissemination rates compared to constant temperature, regardless of the population. Finally, transmission efficiency ranged between 7-23% and 7-10% for the constant temperature and 0-10% and 3-27% under fluctuating temperatures for the Swiss and the French populations, respectively.Conclusions This is the first work confirming vector competence for ZIKV of Ae. japonicus originating from Switzerland and France at realistic summer temperatures under laboratory conditions. Considering the continuous spread of this species in the northern part of Europe and its adaptation at cooler temperatures, preventative control measures should be adopted to prevent possible ZIKV epidemics.

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Assessing the role of two populations of Aedes japonicus japonicus for Zika virus transmission under a constant and a fluctuating temperature regime.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-17049/v4 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Uros Glavinic ◽

Jasmin Varga ◽

Anca Ioana Paslaru ◽

Jeannine Hauri ◽

Paul Torgerson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Constant Temperature ◽

Temperature Regime ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Incubation Temperature ◽

Transmission Rate ◽

Control Measures ◽

Fluctuating Temperature ◽

Laboratory Conditions ◽

Temperature Regimes ◽

Two Populations

Abstract Background: Since the huge epidemic of Zika virus (ZIKV) in Brazil in 2015, questions were raised to understand which mosquito species could transmit the virus. Aedes aegypti has been described as the main vector. However, other Aedes species (e.g. Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus) proven to be competent for other flaviviruses (e.g. West Nile, dengue and yellow fever), have been described as potential vectors for ZIKV under laboratory conditions. One of these, the Asian bush mosquito, Ae. japonicus, is widely distributed with high abundances in central-western Europe. In the present study, infection, dissemination and transmission rates of ZIKV (Dak84 strain) in two populations of Ae. japonicus from Switzerland (Zürich) and France (Steinbach, Haut-Rhin) were investigated under constant (27 °C) and fluctuating (14–27 °C, mean 23 °C) temperature regimes.Results: The two populations were each able to transmit ZIKV under both temperature regimes. Infectious virus particles were detected in the saliva of females from both populations, regardless of the incubation temperature regime, from 7 days post-exposure to infectious rabbit blood. The highest amount of plaque forming units (PFU) (400/ml) were recorded 14 days post-oral infection in the Swiss population incubated at a constant temperature. No difference in terms of infection, dissemination and transmission rate were found between mosquito populations.Temperature had no effect on infection rate but the fluctuating temperature regime resulted in higher dissemination rates compared to constant temperature, regardless of the population. Finally, transmission efficiency ranged between 7–23% and 7–10% for the constant temperature and 0–10% and 3–27% under fluctuating temperatures for the Swiss and the French populations, respectively.Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study confirming vector competence for ZIKV of Ae. japonicus originating from Switzerland and France at realistic summer temperatures under laboratory conditions. Considering the continuous spread of this species in the northern part of Europe and its adaptation at cooler temperatures, preventative control measures should be adopted to prevent possible ZIKV epidemics.

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A Survey of Aedes (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes in Tunisia and the Potential Role of Aedes detritus and Aedes caspius in the Transmission of Zika Virus

Journal of Medical Entomology ◽

10.1093/jme/tjz067 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 56 (5) ◽

pp. 1377-1383

Author(s):

Wiem Ben Ayed ◽

Fadila Amraoui ◽

Youmna M’ghirbi ◽

Francis Schaffner ◽

Adel Rhaim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Zika Virus ◽

New Caledonia ◽

Vector Competence ◽

Mosquito Species ◽

Breeding Site ◽

Widespread Species ◽

Larval Habitats ◽

Aedes Caspius ◽

Aedes Detritus

Abstract The present study aimed to update the list of Aedes mosquito species occurring in Tunisia and to test the vector competence of Aedes (Ochlerotatus) caspius (Pallas) and Ae. (Ochlerotatus) detritus (Haliday), the locally most abundant and widespread species, to transmit Zika virus (ZIKV). In 2017–2018, mosquito larvae were collected from 39 different larval habitats in seven bioclimatic zones of Tunisia. The salinity and pH of each breeding site were measured. The survey revealed the presence of 10 Aedes species in Tunisia: Ae. (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse), Ae. (Ochlerotatus) berlandi (Séguy), Ae. caspius, Ae. detritus, Ae. (Finlaya) echinus (Edwards), Ae. (Finlaya) geniculatus (Olivier), Ae. (Acartomyia) mariae (Sergent and Sergent), Ae. (Ochlerotatus) pulcritarsis (Rondani), Ae. (Aedimorphus) vexans (Meigen), and Ae. (Fredwardsius) vittatus (Bigot). Of these 10 species, Ae. caspius and Ae. detritus were the most abundant in Tunisia. Aedes detritus and Ae. caspius larvae were reared until the imago stage under insectary conditions to test autogeny. The study showed that Ae. detritus is autogenous and stenogamous and Ae. caspius, anautogenous and eurygamous. Finally, the collected strains of these two species were experimentally infected with the Asian genotype of ZIKV, originally isolated from a patient in April 2014 in New Caledonia, to test their vector competence. Neither of these species was able to transmit ZIKV at 7 and 14 d postexposure. Further investigations are needed to test the competence of other Tunisian mosquito species that may be associated with ZIKV transmission.

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Colonized Sabethes cyaneus, a Sylvatic New World Mosquito Species, Shows a Low Vector Competence for Zika Virus Relative to Aedes aegypti

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v10080434 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 434 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Ajit K. Karna ◽

Sasha R. Azar ◽

Jessica A. Plante ◽

Rumei Yun ◽

Nikos Vasilakis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Aedes Aegypti ◽

Yellow Fever ◽

Zika Virus ◽

New World ◽

Yellow Fever Virus ◽

Vector Competence ◽

Mosquito Species ◽

Sylvatic Cycle ◽

Post Feeding ◽

Body Compartments

The introduction of Zika virus (ZIKV) to the Americas raised concern that the virus would spill back from human transmission, perpetuated by Aedes aegypti, into a sylvatic cycle maintained in wildlife and forest-living mosquitoes. In the Americas, Sabethes species are vectors of sylvatic yellow fever virus (YFV) and are therefore candidate vectors of a sylvatic ZIKV cycle. To test the potential of Sabethes cyaneus to transmit ZIKV, Sa. cyaneus and Ae. aegypti were fed on A129 mice one or two days post-infection (dpi) with a ZIKV isolate from Mexico. Sa. cyaneus were sampled at 3, 4, 5, 7, 14, and 21 days post-feeding (dpf) and Ae. aegypti were sampled at 14 and 21 dpf. ZIKV was quantified in mosquito bodies, legs, and saliva to measure infection, dissemination, and potential transmission, respectively. Of 69 Sa. cyaneus that fed, ZIKV was detected in only one, in all body compartments, at 21 dpf. In contrast, at 14 dpf 100% of 20 Ae. aegypti that fed on mice at 2 dpi were infected and 70% had virus in saliva. These data demonstrate that Sa. cyaneus is a competent vector for ZIKV, albeit much less competent than Ae. aegypti.

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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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Vector competence of Aedes aegypti and screening for differentially expressed microRNAs exposed to Zika virus

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-021-05007-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Chunling Zhu ◽

Yuting Jiang ◽

Qianghui Zhang ◽

Jian Gao ◽

Chaojie Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Salivary Gland ◽

Aedes Aegypti ◽

Mirna Expression ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Transmission Rate ◽

Vector Competence ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Future Research ◽

Mirna Expression Profiles

Abstract Background Zika virus (ZIKV) is transmitted to humans primarily by Aedes aegypti. Previous studies on Ae. aegypti from Jiegao (JG) and Mengding (MD) in Yunnan province, China have shown that these mosquitoes are able to transmit ZIKV to their offspring through vertical transmission, indicating that these two Ae. aegypti strains pose a potential risk for ZIKV transmission. However, the vector competence of these two Ae. aegypti strains to ZIKV has not been evaluated and the molecular mechanisms influencing vector competence are still unclear. Methods Aedes aegypti mosquitoes from JG and MD were orally infected with ZIKV, and the infection rate (IR), dissemination rate (DR), transmission rate (TR) and transmission efficiency (TE) of these two mosquito strains were explored to evaluate their vector competence to ZIKV. On 2, 4 and 6 days post-infection (dpi), the small RNA profiles between ZIKV-infected and non-infected Ae. aegypti midgut and salivary gland tissues were compared to gain insights into the molecular interactions between ZIKV and Ae. aegypti. Results There were no significant differences in the IR, DR, TR and TE between the two Ae. aegypti strains (P > 0.05). However, ZIKV RNA appeared 2 days earlier in saliva of the JG strain, which indicated a higher competence of the JG strain to transmit ZIKV. Significant differences in the microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles between ZIKV-infected and non-infected Ae. aegypti were found in the 2-dpi libraries of both the midgut and salivary gland tissues from the two strains. In addition, 27 and 74 miRNAs (|log2 fold change| > 2) were selected from the miRNA expression profiles of ZIKV-infected and non-infected midgut and salivary gland tissues from the JG and MD strains, respectively. Conclusions Our results provide novel insights into the ZIKV–mosquito interactions and build a foundation for future research on how miRNAs regulate the vector competence of mosquitoes to this arbovirus. Graphical abstract

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Mosquito Vector Competence for Japanese Encephalitis Virus

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13061154 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 1154

Author(s):

Heidi Auerswald ◽

Pierre-Olivier Maquart ◽

Véronique Chevalier ◽

Sebastien Boyer

Keyword(s):

Japanese Encephalitis Virus ◽

Japanese Encephalitis ◽

Vector Competence ◽

Mosquito Species ◽

Encephalitis Virus ◽

Control Measures ◽

Local Context ◽

Mosquito Vector ◽

Vector Species ◽

Local Climate

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a zoonotic pathogen mainly found in East and Southeast Asia and transmitted by mosquitoes. The objective of this review is to summarize the knowledge on the diversity of JEV mosquito vector species. Therefore, we systematically analyzed reports of JEV found in field-caught mosquitoes as well as experimental vector competence studies. Based on the investigated publications, we classified 14 species as confirmed vectors for JEV due to their documented experimental vector competence and evidence of JEV found in wild mosquitoes. Additionally, we identified 11 mosquito species, belonging to five genera, with an experimentally confirmed vector competence for JEV but lacking evidence on their JEV transmission capacity from field-caught mosquitoes. Our study highlights the diversity of confirmed and potential JEV vector species. We also emphasize the variety in the study design of vector competence investigations. To account for the diversity of the vector species and regional circumstances, JEV vector competence should be studied in the local context, using local mosquitoes with local virus strains under local climate conditions to achieve reliable data. In addition, harmonization of the design of vector competence experiments would lead to better comparable data, informing vector and disease control measures.

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Mayaro Virus: The Potential Role of Microbiota and Wolbachia

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10050525 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 525

Author(s):

Thiago Nunes Pereira ◽

Fabiano Duarte Carvalho ◽

Jerônimo Nunes Rugani ◽

Vanessa Rafaela de Carvalho ◽

Jaqueline Jarusevicius ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Potential Role ◽

Vector Competence ◽

Mosquito Species ◽

Operational Taxonomic Unit ◽

Bacterial Microbiota ◽

Show Evidence ◽

Mayaro Virus ◽

Two Populations

The Mayaro virus (MAYV) is an arbovirus that circulates mainly in tropical forests or rural areas in Latin America and is transmitted mainly by Haemagogus mosquitoes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the vector competence, microbiome, and the presence of Wolbachia in three Aedes albopictus populations infected with MAYV. The vector competence was assessed based on viral infection and transmission by RT-qPCR. In addition, the microbiome was evaluated by amplification of the 16S rRNA V4 region and PCR to detect the presence of Wolbachia (strain wAlbA/wAlbB). Our results show that all three populations were susceptible to MAYV infection. The potential transmission of the MAYV was consistent in all populations of naïve mosquitoes injected (more than 50%). The microbiome analysis revealed 118 OTUs (operational taxonomic unit) from the three populations, 8 phyla, 15 classes, 26 orders, 35 families, 65 genera, and 53 species. All populations had Pseudomonas and Wolbachia as predominant genera. There was no difference between the variables for MAYV and Wolbachia (wAlbA or wAlbB) in the abdomen. However, in the head + thorax samples at 14 dpi, there was a difference between the two populations, indicating a possible correlation between the presence of Wolbachia (wAlbB) and infection. Overall, we show evidence that Ae. albopictus displays significant infection and transmission competence for the MAYV in the laboratory, and its bacterial microbiota play an important role in the host, mainly the strains of Wolbachia. The influence of the intestinal microbiota of Ae. albopictus is poorly known, and a better understanding of these interactions would open new perspectives for disease control through the manipulation of microbial communities. The exact contribution of this mosquito species to the transmission of the MAYV in the field remains to be confirmed.

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