Evaluation of Human Exposure toAedesBites in Rubber and Palm Cultivations Using an Immunoepidemiological Biomarker

Abstract

Arbovirus infections, mainly transmitted by Aedes mosquito, are emerging in Africa. Efficient vector control requires an understanding of ecological factors which could impact on the risk of transmission, such as environmental changes linked to agricultural practices. The present study aims to assess the level of human exposure to Aedes mosquito bites in different agroecosystem area, using an immunological tool which quantifies human IgG antibody response to one Ae. aegypti salivary peptide. Specific IgG responses were assessed during dry and rainy seasons, in children living in different villages in Côte d'Ivoire: N'Zikro (rubber and oil palm exploitations), Ehania-V5 (oil palm), and Ayébo (without intensive agricultural activities). In the dry season, specific IgG levels were significantly lower in Ayébo compared to Ehania-V5 and N'Zikro and, interestingly, were similarly high in both villages with cultivations. In the rainy season, no difference of specific IgG was observed between villages. Specific IgG responses remained therefore high during both seasons in villages associated with intensive agricultural. The rubber and oil palm cultivations could maintain a high level of human exposure to Aedes mosquito bites during both dry and rainy seasons. These agricultural activities could represent a permanent risk factor of the transmission of arboviruses.

Serological biomarker for assessing human exposure to Aedes mosquito bites during a randomized vector control intervention trial in northeastern Thailand

“…Similar results were reported in Benin, where the overall anti-saliva antibody response in children increased during the rainy season [ 42 ]. A recent study in Cote d’Ivoire highlighted a strong relationship between human mosquito exposure, season and agricultural practices [ 66 ]. Specific IgG responses remained high during both seasons in villages associated with intensive agricultural compared to villages lacking agricultural practices.…”

IgG Antibody Responses to the Aedes albopictus 34k2 Salivary Protein as Novel Candidate Marker of Human Exposure to the Tiger Mosquito

“…This peptide allowed to detect variation of human exposure to Ae. aegypti bites in studies in Benin, Côte d'Ivoire and Lao PDR (Elanga Ndille et al, 2012;Ndille et al, 2014;Yobo et al, 2018). Moreover, it proved useful to evaluate vector control intervention at La Reunion Island (Indian Ocean), in an urban area where Ae.…”

Analysis in a murine model points to IgG responses against the 34k2 salivary proteins from Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti as novel promising candidate markers of host exposure to Aedes mosquitoes

“…aegypti (reviewed in [34]). Studies in exposed children from different villages in Benin [35] and in Côte d’Ivoire [36], as well as a retrospective study on a population from Laos exposed to DENV [37], suggested that the Nterm-34kDa peptide may allow to detect variation in human exposure to Ae . aegypti bites.…”