Detection of chikungunya virus in Aedes aegypti in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico

Abstract

Background & objectives: Chikungunya fever is caused by an arbovirus transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is prevalent in Mexico along with other pathogens carried by this vector. This study aimed to detect the presence of the chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in Ae. aegypti in a vulnerable area of Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. Methods: Mosquitoes were collected from both indoor and outdoor areas of 87 households using BG-GAT and Gravid traps during the fall of 2015. The presence of CHIKV was determined molecularly using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and the infection rate was calculated using the PooledInfRate program. Results: A total of 328 female Ae. aegypti mosquitoes were captured, grouped into 131 pools. 66% of them tested positive for CHIKV. The infection rate, as measured by Minimum Infection Rate (MIR), was 26%, and Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) was 15.2%. Interpretation & conclusion: The presence of the infected vector was confirmed in the study area. This first report in the region highlights the need for active epidemiological surveillance to prevent potential chikungunya outbreaks in this border population.

Keywords

• arboviruses
• molecular diagnosis
• vectors
• chikungunya
• aedes