Transmission potential of Mayaro virus by Aedes albopictus, and\xa0Anopheles quadrimaculatus from the USA

Laura D. Kramer,Alexander T. Ciota,Constentin Dieme

doi:10.1186/s13071-020-04478-4

Abstract

BackgroundMayaro virus (MAYV; Alphavirus, Togaviridae) is an emerging pathogen endemic in South American countries. The increase in intercontinental travel and tourism-based forest excursions has resulted in an increase in MAYV spread, with imported cases observed in Europe and North America. Intriguingly, no local transmission of MAYV has been reported outside South America, despite the presence of potential vectors.MethodsWe assessed the vector competence of Aedes albopictus from New York and Anopheles quadrimaculatus for MAYV.ResultsThe results show that Ae. albopictus from New York and An. quadrimaculatus are competent vectors for MAYV. However, Ae. albopictus was more susceptible to infection. Transmission rates increased with time for both species, with rates of 37.16 and 64.44% for Ae. albopictus, and of 25.15 and 48.44% for An. quadrimaculatus, respectively, at 7 and 14 days post-infection.ConclusionsOur results suggest there is a risk of further MAYV spread throughout the Americas and autochthonous transmission in the USA. Preventive measures, such as mosquito surveillance of MAYV, will be essential for early detection.

Highlights

Mayaro virus (MAYV; Alphavirus, Togaviridae) is an emerging pathogen endemic in South American countries
Oral challenge with MAYV led to the establishment of high infection rates in both mosquito species
The mean infection rates of Ae. albopictus and An. quadrimaculatus were significantly different at both time points [7 dpi: 100.0 vs. 82.22%, respectively, P < 0.0001, odds ratio (OR) 38.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.281–656.8; 14 dpi: 100.0 vs 74.44%, respectively, P < 0.0001, OR 61.45, 95% conficence interval (CI) 3.665–1030; Table 1]; no significant difference between time points within mosquito species was observed

Summary

Introduction

Mayaro virus (MAYV; Alphavirus, Togaviridae) is an emerging pathogen endemic in South American countries. The increase in intercontinental travel and tourism-based forest excursions has resulted in an increase in MAYV spread, with imported cases observed in Europe and North America. No local transmission of MAYV has been reported outside South America, despite the presence of potential vectors. Mayaro virus (MAYV; Togaviridae, Alphavirus) is an emerging virus first isolated in Trinidad in 1954 from the serum of febrile patients. New World primates of the families Cebidae and Callithricidae are considered to be Endemic in South America countries, the frequency of Mayaro virus disease in humans has increased in number in recent years, and imported cases have been detected in previously unaffected areas, such as Europe and the USA [3]. Aedes albopictus, Aedes aegypti, Anopheles gambiae, Dieme et al Parasites Vectors (2020) 13:613

Methods

Results

Conclusion