Vertical transmission of Zika virus in Culex quinquefasciatus Say and Aedes aegypti (L.) mosquitoes

Abstract

Several mosquito species have been described as vectors for the Zika virus (ZIKV), such as those in the Aedes , Anopheles , Mansonia and Culex genera. Our previous survey studies were found the ZIKV RNA positive in both male, female and larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus Say and Aedes aegypti (L.) mosquitoes collected from active ZIKV infected patients’ homes in Thailand. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate whether ZIKV could be vertically transmitted in Cx . quinquefasciatus , Ae . aegypti and Ae . albopictus . Laboratory and field colonies of these mosquito species were maintained and artificially fed with ZIKV in human blood. Fully engorged mosquitoes (F 0 ) were selected and reared for the vertical transmission study. The subsequent mosquito generations were fed with human blood without the virus. ZIKV in the mosquitoes was detected by hemi-nested RT-PCR and sequencing. C6/36 cells were used to isolate ZIKV from samples that tested positive by hemi-nested RT-PCR. Moreover, ZIKV was identified by immunocytochemical staining 7 days after infection in several organs of infected F 0 females, including the salivary glands, midguts, yoke granules and facet cells of the eye. The localization of the ZIKV antigen was identified by the presence of the specific antibody in the salivary glands, midguts, yoke granules and facet cells. ZIKV was detected in female and male Cx . quinquefasciatus until the F 6 and F 2 generations, respectively. The isolated virus showed cytopathic effects in C6/36 cells by 5 days postinfection. The results suggested that the vertical transmission of ZIKV occurs in Cx . quinquefasciatus in the laboratory. However, we were able to detect the presence of ZIKV in Ae . aegypti in only the F 1 generation in both male and female mosquitoes, and Ae . albopictus mosquitoes were not able to vertically transmit the virus at all. Data obtained from this study could be valuable for developing a better understanding of the role of Cx . quinquefasciatus as a potential vector for ZIKV transmission in Thailand and may be useful in creating more effective mosquito vector control strategies in the future.

Highly Efficient Vertical Transmission for Zika Virus in Aedes aegypti after Long Extrinsic Incubation Time

“…We found only one other study that separated progeny to assess dengue virus (DENV) VT rate in another Aedes species; the authors found a similar range of VT rates, from 12.5% to 94.7% [31]. In most other studies, larvae from different progeny were analyzed as a pool [12][13][14], preventing the calculation of VT rate. Our results provide the first evaluation of ZIKV VT rate in controlled conditions and reveal that the VT rate can be extremely high, while confirming that VT can largely vary.…”

“…For ZIKV and Ae. aegypti, three studies calculated a filial infection rate of 1.7-.3% by studying pools of 20 individuals [13], 2.13% by studying pools of 30 [12], and 5.5% by studying pools of 10 [14]. Actual filial infection rates for these three studies could be as high as 66%, 64%, and 55%, respectively, if all pooled individuals were infected.…”

“…In controlled conditions, following oral infection, which is more relevant than intrathoracic inoculation, ZIKV VT has repeatedly been shown for Ae. aegypti [12][13][14]. ZIKV was also repeatedly detected in eggs and larvae collected in urban and forested environments [15][16][17][18].…”

Evidence of Zika virus horizontal and vertical transmission in Aedes albopictus from Spain but not infectious virus in saliva of the progeny

“…albopictus was not demonstrated for the Asian lineage. These contrasting results could be explained because of the viral load within the infected mosquitoes, since they used a lower viral dose and the specimens were orally infected [50], and as it was discussed above, viral dose may affect ZIKV infection in Ae. albopictus mosquitoes.…”

Dibromopinocembrin and Dibromopinostrobin Are Potential Anti-Dengue Leads with Mild Animal Toxicity

“…LLC/MK2 (ATCC ® , Manassas, VA, USA CCL-7), HEK-293 (ATCC ® CRL-1573), HepG2 (ATCC ® HB-8065), THP-1 (ATCC ® TIB-202), and C6/36 (ATCC ® CRL-1660) cell lines were propagated and maintained as previously described ([ 9 , 11 , 37 ]. Huh-7 cells were maintained in DMEM (Gibco ® , Langley, OK, USA) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum at 37 °C under 5% CO 2 .…”