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Updated: Dec 24, 2025
Detecting Wolbachia Strain wAlbB in Aedes albopictus Cell Lines
Published on: June 1, 2022
Wolbachia significantly impacts the vector competence of Aedes aegypti for Mayaro virus
Thiago Nunes Pereira1, Marcele Neves Rocha1, Pedro Henrique Ferreira Sucupira1
1Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou- Fiocruz, Endossimbiontes e Interação Patógeno-Vetor, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30190-002, Brazil.
Abstract:
Wolbachia, an intracellular endosymbiont present in up to 70% of all insect species, has been suggested as a sustainable strategy for the control of arboviruses such as Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya. As Mayaro virus outbreaks have also been reported in Latin American countries, the objective of this study was to evaluate the vector competence of Brazilian field-collected Ae. aegypti and the impact of Wolbachia (wMel strain) upon this virus. Our in vitro studies with Aag2 cells showed that Mayaro virus can rapidly multiply, whereas in wMel-infected Aag2 cells, viral growth was significantly impaired. In addition, C6/36 cells seem to have alterations when infected by Mayaro virus. In vivo experiments showed that field-collected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes are highly permissive to Mayaro virus infection, and high viral prevalence was observed in the saliva. On the other hand, Wolbachia-harboring mosquitoes showed significantly impaired capability to transmit Mayaro virus. Our results suggest that the use of Wolbachia-harboring mosquitoes may represent an effective mechanism for the reduction of Mayaro virus transmission throughout Latin America.
Insights
Wolbachia bacteria significantly reduce Mayaro virus replication in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. This finding suggests Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes could control arbovirus transmission in Latin America.
Area of Science:
- Arthropod-borne viral diseases
- Microbial symbiosis
Background:
- Arboviruses like Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya pose significant public health threats.
- Mayaro virus outbreaks are increasingly reported in Latin America, necessitating effective vector control strategies.
- Wolbachia endosymbionts show potential for controlling arbovirus transmission in insect vectors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the vector competence of Brazilian Aedes aegypti mosquitoes for Mayaro virus.
- To investigate the impact of Wolbachia (wMel strain) on Mayaro virus infection and transmission in Ae. aegypti.
Main Methods:
- In vitro studies using Aag2 and C6/36 cell lines to evaluate Mayaro virus replication.
- In vivo experiments with field-collected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes, both uninfected and Wolbachia-infected.
- Assessment of viral prevalence in mosquito tissues and saliva to determine transmission capability.
Main Results:
- Mayaro virus replicated rapidly in Aag2 cells, but viral growth was significantly inhibited in wMel-infected Aag2 cells.
- Field-collected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes demonstrated high permissiveness to Mayaro virus infection, with significant viral presence in saliva.
- Wolbachia-harboring Ae. aegypti mosquitoes exhibited a markedly reduced capacity for Mayaro virus transmission.
Conclusions:
- Wolbachia significantly impairs Mayaro virus replication and transmission in Ae. aegypti mosquitoes.
- The use of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes presents a promising strategy for reducing Mayaro virus transmission in Latin America.
