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Interactions between La Crosse virus and bacteria isolated from the digestive tract of Aedes albopictus (Diptera:

Jonathan D Joyce1, Jonathan R Nogueira, Amber A Bales

  • 1Department of Biology, Radford University, Radford, VA 24142, USA.

Journal of Medical Entomology
|April 13, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Bacteria found in the Aedes albopictus mosquito gut can reduce the infectivity of La Crosse virus (LACV), a cause of pediatric encephalitis. This discovery offers a potential new strategy for controlling LACV transmission.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Entomology

Background:

  • Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are significant vectors for arboviruses like La Crosse virus (LACV).
  • LACV is a primary cause of pediatric encephalitis in North America, posing a considerable public health concern.
  • Understanding the mosquito's microbiome is crucial for identifying novel disease control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify bacteria within the midgut and diverticula of Aedes albopictus.
  • To assess the potential of these bacteria to inhibit La Crosse virus infectivity.
  • To explore alternative methods for interrupting LACV transmission cycles.

Main Methods:

  • Bacterial isolation and culturing from field-caught Aedes albopictus.
  • Identification of bacterial isolates using 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplification and sequencing.
  • Evaluation of bacterial impact on LACV infectivity in Vero cells.

Main Results:

  • Bacteria from seven and six families were identified in midguts and diverticula, respectively, with Enterobacteriaceae being prevalent.
  • Half of the 24 isolated bacteria significantly reduced LACV infectivity in cell culture.
  • Inhibition of viral infectivity ranged from 0% to 44% and was not linked to specific bacterial classifications.

Conclusions:

  • The mosquito Aedes albopictus harbors a diverse bacterial community, including potentially novel species.
  • Certain midgut bacteria exhibit significant antiviral properties against La Crosse virus.
  • These findings suggest a potential role for mosquito-associated bacteria in modulating arbovirus transmission, warranting further investigation for biocontrol applications.

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