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Forced Salivation As a Method to Analyze Vector Competence of Mosquitoes
Published on: August 7, 2018
Zika virus: An updated review of competent or naturally infected mosquitoes
Yanouk Epelboin1, Stanislas Talaga1, Loïc Epelboin2,3
1Vectopôle Amazonien Emile Abonnenc, Vector Control and Adaptation Unit, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana, France.
Abstract:
Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) that recently caused outbreaks in the Americas. Over the past 60 years, this virus has been observed circulating among African, Asian, and Pacific Island populations, but little attention has been paid by the scientific community until the discovery that large-scale urban ZIKV outbreaks were associated with neurological complications such as microcephaly and several other neurological malformations in fetuses and newborns. This paper is a systematic review intended to list all mosquito species studied for ZIKV infection or for their vector competence. We discuss whether studies on ZIKV vectors have brought enough evidence to formally exclude other mosquitoes than Aedes species (and particularly Aedes aegypti) to be ZIKV vectors. From 1952 to August 15, 2017, ZIKV has been studied in 53 mosquito species, including 6 Anopheles, 26 Aedes, 11 Culex, 2 Lutzia, 3 Coquillettidia, 2 Mansonia, 2 Eretmapodites, and 1 Uranotaenia. Among those, ZIKV was isolated from 16 different Aedes species. The only species other than Aedes genus for which ZIKV was isolated were Anopheles coustani, Anopheles gambiae, Culex perfuscus, and Mansonia uniformis. Vector competence assays were performed on 22 different mosquito species, including 13 Aedes, 7 Culex, and 2 Anopheles species with, as a result, the discovery that A. aegypti and Aedes albopictus were competent for ZIKV, as well as some other Aedes species, and that there was a controversy surrounding Culex quinquefasciatus competence. Although Culex, Anopheles, and most of Aedes species were generally observed to be refractory to ZIKV infection, other potential vectors transmitting ZIKV should be explored.
Insights
Zika virus (ZIKV) can infect over 50 mosquito species, though Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are the most competent vectors. Further research is needed to explore other potential ZIKV mosquito vectors beyond the Aedes genus.
Area of Science:
- Medical Entomology
- Virology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Zika virus (ZIKV), an arbovirus, gained prominence due to outbreaks in the Americas linked to severe neurological complications like microcephaly.
- Previous ZIKV circulation in Africa, Asia, and Pacific Islands received limited scientific attention until recent urban outbreaks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review mosquito species investigated for ZIKV infection and vector competence.
- To evaluate the evidence for or against non-Aedes species acting as ZIKV vectors.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of studies on ZIKV and mosquito species from 1952 to August 2017.
- Analysis of mosquito species from which ZIKV was isolated and those tested for vector competence.
Main Results:
- ZIKV has been studied in 53 mosquito species, with isolation from 16 Aedes species.
- ZIKV was also isolated from Anopheles coustani, Anopheles gambiae, Culex perfuscus, and Mansonia uniformis.
- Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus demonstrated ZIKV competence, while competence in Culex quinquefasciatus remains debated. Most other species were refractory.
Conclusions:
- While Aedes species, particularly Aedes aegypti, are confirmed ZIKV vectors, other species like Anopheles, Culex, and Mansonia warrant further investigation as potential transmitters.
- The current evidence does not exclude the possibility of other mosquito genera, beyond Aedes, acting as ZIKV vectors.
