Abstract
Alphaviruses are arthropod-borne viruses and are predominantly transmitted via mosquito vectors. This vector preference by alphaviruses raises the important question of the determinants that contribute to vector competence. There are several tissue barriers of the mosquito that the virus must overcome in order to establish a productive infection. Of importance are the midgut, basal lamina and the salivary glands. Infection of the salivary glands is crucial for virus transmission during the mosquito’s subsequent bloodfeed. Other factors that may contribute to vector competence include the microflora and parasites present in the mosquito, environmental conditions, the molecular determinants of the virus to adapt to the vector, as well as the effect of co-infection with other viruses. Though mosquito innate immunity is a contributing factor to vector competence, it will not be discussed in this review. Detailed understanding of these factors will be instrumental in minimising transmission of alphaviral diseases.
Highlights
Alphaviruses are arthropod-borne viruses and are predominantly transmitted via mosquito vectors
The main mosquito vectors involved in this cycle are Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which live in close association with humans and, are responsible for medically significant human outbreaks [4]
This review focuses on factors that influence vector competence such as the physical tissue barriers effect of mosquito microenvironment and external environmental variables on virus infection and which the virus has to overcome, genetic variability between virus strains and the effect of mosquito transmission
Summary
The permissiveness of a vector to acquire an infection, undergo replication and transmit a virus is. The permissiveness of a vector to acquire an infection, undergo replication and transmit a virus known as vector competence [12,13]. Though vectorial capacity and vector competence are both terms used to describe the vector’s the virus following ingestion of a bloodmeal is known as vector efficiency or vector competence potential to cause disease, the ability of the mosquito to become infected and successfully transmit the [12,13,15]. This review focuses on factors that influence vector competence such as the physical tissue barriers effect of mosquito microenvironment and external environmental variables on virus infection and which the virus has to overcome, genetic variability between virus strains and the effect of mosquito transmission.
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