Comparative Susceptibility of Mosquito Populations in North Queensland,Australia to Oral Infection with Dengue Virus |
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| Authors: | Yixin H. Ye Tat Siong Ng Francesca D. Frentiu Thomas Walker Andrew F. van den Hurk Scott L. O'Neill Nigel W. Beebe Elizabeth A. McGraw |
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| Affiliation: | School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Public Health Virology, Forensic and Scientific Services, Department of Health, Coopers Plains, Queensland, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia |
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| Abstract: | Dengue is the most prevalent arthropod-borne virus, with at least 40% of the world''s population at risk of infection each year. In Australia, dengue is not endemic, but viremic travelers trigger outbreaks involving hundreds of cases. We compared the susceptibility of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes from two geographically isolated populations to two strains of dengue virus serotype 2. We found, interestingly, that mosquitoes from a city with no history of dengue were more susceptible to virus than mosquitoes from an outbreak-prone region, particularly with respect to one dengue strain. These findings suggest recent evolution of population-based differences in vector competence or different historical origins. Future genomic comparisons of these populations could reveal the genetic basis of vector competence and the relative role of selection and stochastic processes in shaping their differences. Lastly, we show the novel finding of a correlation between midgut dengue titer and titer in tissues colonized after dissemination. |
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