Abstract

Zika virus (ZIKV) is primarily transmitted to humans by Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus. Vector–virus interactions influencing vector competence vary and depend on biological and environmental factors. A mosquito’s chronological age may impact its immune response against virus infection. Insecticides, source reduction, and/or public education are currently the best defense against mosquitoes that transmit ZIKV. This study assessed the effects of a mosquito’s chronological age at time of infection on its response to ZIKV infection. We exposed young (6–7 d post-emergence) and old (11–12 d post-emergence) Ae. albopictus to a sublethal dose of bifenthrin prior to oral exposure to blood meals containing ZIKV (7-day incubation period). Old mosquitoes experienced a significantly (p < 0.01) higher rate of mortality than young mosquitoes. Significantly higher ZIKV body titers (p < 0.01) were observed in the old control group compared to the young control group. Significantly higher (p < 0.01) ZIKV dissemination rates and leg titers (p < 0.01) were observed in old bifenthrin-exposed mosquitoes compared to old control mosquitoes or young bifenthrin-exposed or control mosquitoes. Hence, bifenthrin exposure may increase the potential for virus transmission; however, the degree of these impacts varies with mosquito age. Impacts of insecticides should be considered in risk assessments of potential vector populations.

Highlights

  • In the United States there has been widespread concern about a potential epidemic caused byZika virus (ZIKV; family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus)

  • The group experiencing the highest mortality at the end of the 7 d extrinsic incubation period (EIP) were old mosquitoes exposed to bifenthrin (78%, p < 0.01) and the lowest mortality rate was observed in young mosquitoes in the control group (33%)

  • We investigated the impact of mosquito age and sub-lethal insecticide exposure on ZIKV infection and dissemination in Aedes albopictus

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Summary

Introduction

Zika virus (ZIKV; family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus). This arbovirus is primarily transmitted to humans by Aedes aegypti (Linneaus, 1762), and Ae. albopictus (Skuse, 1895); it can be sexually transmitted between humans [1]. Aedes aegypti is considered the primary vector of ZIKV, dengue virus, and chikungunya virus due to its blood feeding preference for humans, whereas Ae. albopictus is an opportunistic blood feeder and will feed on any available host, including humans [2,3]. Before the 1980s, ZIKV’s geographic range was restricted to Africa and Asia and the first major human outbreak of ZIKV was on Yap Island, Micronesia (2007) [4,7]

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