Vector competence of Aedes aegypti from Havana, Cuba, for dengue virus type 1, chikungunya, and Zika viruses

Abstract

Background Like many countries from the Americas, Cuba is threatened by Aedes aegypti-associated arboviruses such as dengue (DENV), Zika (ZIKV), and chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses. Curiously, when CHIKV was actively circulating in the region in 2013–2014, no autochthonous transmission of this virus was detected in Havana, Cuba, despite the importation of chikungunya cases into this city. To investigate if the transmission ability of local mosquito populations could explain this epidemiological scenario, we evaluated for the first time the vector competence of two Ae. aegypti populations (Pasteur and Párraga) collected from Havana for dengue virus type 1 (DENV-1), CHIKV, and ZIKV. Methodology/Principal findings Mosquito populations were fed separately using blood containing ZIKV, DENV-1, or CHIKV. Infection, dissemination, and transmission rates, were estimated at 3 (exclusively for CHIKV), 7, and 14 days post exposure (dpe) for each Ae. aegypti population-virus combination. Both mosquito populations were susceptible to DENV-1 and ZIKV, with viral infection and dissemination rates ranging from 24–97% and 6–67% respectively. In addition, CHIKV disseminated in both populations and was subsequently transmitted. Transmission rates were low (<30%) regardless of the mosquito population/virus combination and no ZIKV was detected in saliva of females from the Pasteur population at any dpe. Conclusions/Significance Our study demonstrated the ability of Ae. aegypti from Cuba to transmit DENV, ZIKV, and CHIKV. These results, along with the widespread distribution and high abundance of this species in the urban settings throughout the island, highlight the importance of Ae. aegypti control and arbovirus surveillance to prevent future outbreaks.

Experimental infections with Zika virus strains reveal high vector competence of Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti populations from Gabon (Central Africa) for the African virus lineage

“…This is in agreement with previous studies on Ae. aegypti [ 37 , 41 , 42 ] and Ae. albopictus [ 43–46 ] populations from the Americas, Europe and Pacific Ocean Islands [ 37 , 44–46 ].…”

“…For example, Ae. aegypti populations in Guadeloupe and Cuba readily spread the “American strain” (represented by the MARTI in the present study) locally, although they display low laboratory TE for this viral strain [ 37 , 42 ]. Indeed other key parameters that modulate the vector capacity (e.g.…”

Geographic partitioning of dengue virus transmission risk in Florida

“…The copyright holder for this this version posted September 27, 2021. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.09. 24.21264065 doi: medRxiv preprint of local mosquitoes from a geographic region of interest to evaluate the focally relevant risk for DENV transmission. In Thailand, Ae.…”

“…However, in Cuba, Ae. aegypti sampled from areas categorized as low-and high-risk based on long-term trends in local human dengue case data demonstrated no significant differences in vector competence for a local circulating strain of DENV-1, with transmission rates ranging from 10 -25% [24]. Therefore, to understand the risk that dengue poses to a community it is important to prioritize the comprehensive examination of vector competence of local vectors collected across spatially risk-partitioned zones.…”

Microbial composition in larval water enhances Aedes aegypti development but reduces transmissibility of Zika virus

“…aegypti and Ae. albopictus from varied geographic origins and post-2015 strains of ZIKV (21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28). The absence of uniformity in the variables involved in laboratory vector competence makes direct comparisons across studies difficult.…”