Dengue Virus Serotype 1 Effects on Mosquito Survival Differ among Geographically Distinct <i>Aedes aegypti</i> Populations

Abstract

The mosquito Aedes aegypti is distributed worldwide and is recognized as the primary vector for dengue in numerous countries. To investigate whether the fitness cost of a single DENV-1 isolate varies among populations, we selected four Ae. aegypti populations from distinct localities: Australia (AUS), Brazil (BRA), Pakistan (PAK), and Peru (PER). Utilizing simple methodologies, we concurrently assessed survival rates and fecundity. Overall, DENV-1 infection led to a significant decrease in mosquito survival rates, with the exception of the PER population. Furthermore, infected Ae. aegypti from PAK, the population with the lowest infection rate among those tested, exhibited a noteworthy reduction in egg laying. These findings collectively suggest that local mosquito-virus adaptations may influence dengue transmission in endemic settings.

Keywords

• <i>Aedes aegypti</i>
• vectorial capacity
• dengue
• mosquito-virus interaction
• survival
• fecundity