Vector competence and immune response of Aedes aegypti for Ebinur Lake virus, a newly classified mosquito-borne orthobunyavirus

Abstract

The global impact of mosquito-borne diseases has increased significantly over recent decades. Ebinur Lake virus (EBIV), a newly classified orthobunyavirus, is reported to be highly pathogenic in adult mice. The evaluation of vector competence is essential for predicting the arbovirus transmission risk. Here, Aedes aegypti was applied to evaluate EBIV infection and dissemination in mosquitos. Our experiments indicated that Ae. aegypti had the possibility to spread EBIV (with a transmission rate of up to 11.8% at 14 days post-infection) through biting, with the highest viral dose in a single mosquito’s saliva reaching 6.3 plaque-forming units. The highest infection, dissemination and ovary infection rates were 70%, 42.9%, and 29.4%, respectively. The high viral infection rates in Ae. aegypti ovaries imply the possibility of EBIV vertical transmission. Ae. aegypti was highly susceptible to intrathoracic infection and the saliva-positive rate reached 90% at 10 days post-infection. Transcriptomic analysis revealed Toll and Imd signaling pathways were implicated in the mosquito’s defensive response to EBIV infection. Defensin C and chitinase 10 were continuously downregulated in mosquitoes infected via intrathoracic inoculation of EBIV. Comprehensive analysis of the vector competence of Ae. aegypti for EBIV in laboratory has indicated the potential risk of EBIV transmission through mosquitoes. Moreover, our findings support a complex interplay between EBIV and the immune system of mosquito, which could affect its vector competence.

Ensemble Learning: Predicting Human Pathogenicity of Hematophagous Arthropod Vector-Borne Viruses

“…This virus, commonly found in China’s prevalent vector host, Culex modestus , has been studied extensively for its ability to infect BALB/c mice, resulting in pronounced clinical symptoms (Zhao et al, 2020). Recent studies have substantiated the capacity of Aedes aegypti to serve as a vector for such viruses (C. Yang et al, 2022). Although antibodies have been detected in human serum samples, the lack of positive RT-PCR results prevents a conclusive determination of the virus’s ability to infect humans and induce diseases (Xia et al, 2020).…”

“…These arthropods can harbor a myriad of pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Notably, viral infections in these organisms are classified under the umbrella terms of Arthropod-Borne Viruses (arboviruses) and insect-specific viruses (ISVs) (Calisher & Higgs, 2018;Gould et al, 2017;Nouri et al, 2018;Zhao et al, 2022). The potential for these arthropods to harbor and disseminate a diverse array of pathogens poses a grave threat to both human and animal health, with the ominous potential to trigger outbreaks and result in a substantial number of annual fatalities (Batson et al, 2021;Roth et al, 2018).…”

Evaluating the mosquito vector range for two orthobunyaviruses: Oya virus and Ebinur Lake Virus

“…aegypti (Rockefeller strain, kindly provided by Qian Han from Hainan University). The feeding methods and processes were the same as described earlier [30].…”

“…Refer to previously published articles for detailed procedures on oral infection and because our group's previous study described the results of EBIV infection in Ae. aegypti [30], this study no longer uses EBIV infection in Ae. aegypti.…”

“…Our group's previous work evaluated the vector competence of Ae. aegypti for EBIV [30]. Meanwhile, the susceptibility of Culex and Ae.…”