Abstract
The identification of vector species and their natural infection with arboviruses results in important data for the control of their transmission. However, for the eastern region of Colombia, this information is limited. Therefore, this study morphologically and molecularly identified species of the genus Aedes and the detection of arboviruses (Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika, and Mayaro) in female mosquitoes (individually) present in three municipalities (Saravena, Arauquita, and Tame) by amplifying the genetic material using RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction) in the department of Arauca, eastern Colombia. Inconsistencies between morphological and molecular identification were detected in 13 individuals with Aedes albopictus initially determined as Aedes aegypti based on morphology (n = 13). Molecular identification showed the simultaneous presence of A. aegypti (n = 111) and A. albopictus (n = 58) in the urban municipalities of Saravena and Arauquita. These individuals were naturally infected with Dengue virus type 1 (DENV-1) and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV). The most frequent arbovirus was DENV-1 with an infection rate of 40.7% (11/27) for A. aegypti and 39.7% (23/58) for A. albopictus, which was followed by CHIKV with an infection rate of 1.8% for A. aegypti (2/111) and 6.9% for A. albopictus (4/58). Additionally, a mixed infection of DENV-1 and CHIKV was obtained in 4.5% of A. aegypti (5/111). Zika virus (ZIKV) and Mayaro virus (MAYV) infections were not detected. This study found that barcoding (fragment gene COI) is a successful method for identifying Aedes species. Additionally, we recommend the individual processing of insects as a more accurate strategy for arboviruses detection since the infection rate is obtained and co-infection between DENV-1 and CHIKV is also possible.
Highlights
Arboviruses have a major impact on public health in Latin America (Shope and Meegan, 1997; Espinal et al, 2019)
Of the 169 individuals collected from the genus Aedes, the overall rate of arboviruses (DENV-1 and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV)) infection was 36.1% (61/169)
This study reports on the natural CHIKV infection of A. aegypti and A. albopictus in Colombia, and a higher infection rate was found in the latter species
Summary
Arboviruses (arthropod-borne diseases) have a major impact on public health in Latin America (Shope and Meegan, 1997; Espinal et al, 2019). The morphological identification of these two species is complex where individuals are severely damaged, or their external morphological characteristics are altered such as the pattern in the scutum (mesothorax sclerite) (Patsoula et al, 2006; Sumruayphol et al, 2016) Due to these difficulties, different authors mention that the identification of insects based on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) can become a more efficient technique when classifying individuals (Rolo, 2020). Different authors mention that the identification of insects based on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) can become a more efficient technique when classifying individuals (Rolo, 2020) For this reason, the concept of the DNA barcoding emerges as a new tool for species discrimination. The precise identification of A. aegypti and A. albopictus is relevant because this information defines characteristics for these species such as their biology and vector capacity
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
