Field- and clinically derived estimates of Wolbachia -mediated blocking of dengue virus transmission potential in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes
Carrington LB., Tran BCN., Le NTH., Luong TTH., Nguyen TT., Nguyen PT., Nguyen CVV., Nguyen HTC., Vu TT., Vo LT., Le DT., Vu NT., Nguyen GT., Luu HQ., Dang AD., Hurst TP., O’Neill SL., Tran VT., Kien DTH., Nguyen NM., Wolbers M., Wills B., Simmons CP.
Significance In laboratory experiments, Wolbachia ( w Mel strain)-infected Aedes aegypti are refractory to disseminated arboviral infections. Yet previous characterizations of w Mel-mediated blocking have not considered several biologically and ecologically important factors likely to influence the virus–mosquito interaction. After direct feeding on 141 viremic dengue patients, we demonstrate w Mel lowers dengue virus (DENV) transmission potential and lengthens the extrinsic incubation period. Subsequently, using established field populations of wild-type and w Mel-infected Ae. aegypti , we compared field- versus laboratory-rearing conditions on mosquito susceptibility to disseminated DENV infection. The magnitude of w Mel-mediated virus blocking was even greater when mosquitoes developed under field conditions. These clinically and ecologically relevant findings support Wolbachia introgression into Ae. aegypti populations as a biocontrol method to reduce the transmission of DENV and other arboviruses.