A Systematic Review: Is Aedes albopictus an Efficient Bridge Vector for Zoonotic Arboviruses?

Abstract

Mosquito-borne arboviruses are increasing due to human disturbances of natural ecosystems and globalization of trade and travel. These anthropic changes may affect mosquito communities by modulating ecological traits that influence the “spill-over” dynamics of zoonotic pathogens, especially at the interface between natural and human environments. Particularly, the global invasion of Aedes albopictus is observed not only across urban and peri-urban settings, but also in newly invaded areas in natural settings. This could foster the interaction of Ae. albopictus with wildlife, including local reservoirs of enzootic arboviruses, with implications for the potential zoonotic transfer of pathogens. To evaluate the potential of Ae. albopictus as a bridge vector of arboviruses between wildlife and humans, we performed a bibliographic search and analysis focusing on three components: (1) The capacity of Ae. albopictus to exploit natural larval breeding sites, (2) the blood-feeding behaviour of Ae. albopictus, and (3) Ae. albopictus’ vector competence for arboviruses. Our analysis confirms the potential of Ae. albopictus as a bridge vector based on its colonization of natural breeding sites in newly invaded areas, its opportunistic feeding behaviour together with the preference for human blood, and the competence to transmit 14 arboviruses.

Vector Competence of Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus from Brazil and New Caledonia for Three Zika Virus Lineages

“…Importantly, in spite of its potential to transmit ZIKV, including reports of natural ZIKV infections elsewhere, there is no solid evidence that Ae. albopictus has caused human ZIKV transmission in Brazil [ 20 , 21 , 23 , 25 ].…”

“…aegypti cooccurs with other domestic and peridomestic mosquitoes such as Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes albopictus that frequently bite humans. Natural ZIKV infections have been reported in these species, and thus, they came under suspicion as alternative vectors [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Concerning Ae.…”

“…albopictus , results of vector competence evaluations to date have shown that this mosquito is susceptible to ZIKV but with a transmission efficiency that is significantly inferior to that of Ae. aegypti [ 20 , 25 ]. In contrast, domestic Culex species tested worldwide to date have consistently been shown to be essentially refractory to ZIKV, and thus, their potential role in ZIKV transmission has become controversial [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ].…”

Aedes albopictus D7 Salivary Protein Prevents Host Hemostasis and Inflammation

“…Moreover, climate change and globalization have contributed to the spread of this mosquito species [ 4 ]. Aedes albopictus mosquitoes have an aggressive daytime human-biting behavior, and it is able to transmit several arboviruses, including dengue, Zika, Chikungunya, West Nile, or Mayaro viruses [ 5 , 6 , 7 ].…”

“…This mosquito species is an opportunistic feeder which takes blood meals primarily from mammals, but preferentially feeds on humans [ 8 , 9 ]. Aedes albopictus mosquitoes have been reported to feed on domestic and wildlife animals and might serve as bridge vectors by supporting the potential transfer of an acquired pathogen from an infected wild animal to a human host during a subsequent blood-meal [ 5 ].…”