Open AccessWolbachia strain wAu efficiently blocks arbovirus transmission in Aedes albopictus
Author(s) -
Maria Vittoria Mancini,
Christie S. Herd,
Thomas H. Ant,
Shivan M. Murdochy,
Steven P. Sinkins
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
plos neglected tropical diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.99
H-Index - 135
eISSN - 1935-2735
pISSN - 1935-2727
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007926
Subject(s) - chikungunya , wolbachia , arbovirus , aedes albopictus , dengue fever , biology , zika virus , virology , aedes , aedes aegypti , vector (molecular biology) , virus , genetics , ecology , gene , larva , recombinant dna
The global incidence of arboviral diseases transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, including dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika, has increased dramatically in recent decades. The release of Aedes aegypti carrying the maternally inherited symbiont Wolbachia as an intervention to control arboviruses is being trialled in several countries. However, these efforts are compromised in many endemic regions due to the co-localization of the secondary vector Aedes albopictus , the Asian tiger mosquito. Ae . albopictus has an expanding global distribution following incursions into a number of new territories. To date, only the w Mel and w Pip strains of Wolbachia have been reported to be transferred into and characterized in this vector. A Wolbachia strain naturally infecting Drosophila simulans , w Au, was selected for transfer into a Malaysian Ae . albopictus line to create a novel triple-strain infection. The newly generated line showed self-compatibility, moderate fitness cost and complete resistance to Zika and dengue infections.