Zika virus can be venereally transmitted between Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

Abstract

Abstract Background Alternative transmission routes have been described for Zika virus (ZIKV). Here, we assessed for the first time the venereal transmission of ZIKV between Aedes aegypti under laboratory conditions. Results Orally-infected mosquito females were able to transmit the virus to males venereally, and males inoculated intrathoracically were capable of infecting females during mating. The genome of venereally-transmitted virus recovered from males was identical to that of ZIKV ingested by mated females. Conclusion We conclude that venereal transmission between Aedes mosquitoes might contribute to Zika virus maintenance in nature.

Keywords

• Zika virus
• Aedes aegypti
• Venereal transmission