Pluripotency of Wolbachia against Arboviruses: the case of yellow fever

Abstract

Background: Yellow fever outbreaks have re-emerged in Brazil during 2016-18, with mortality rates up to 30%. Although urban transmission has not been reported since 1942, the risk of re-urbanization of yellow fever is significant, as Aedes aegypti is present in most tropical and sub-tropical cities in the World and still remains the main vector of urban YFV. Although the YFV vaccine is safe and effective, it does not always reach populations at greatest risk of infection and there is an acknowledged global shortage of vaccine supply. The introgression of Wolbachia bacteria into Ae. aegypti mosquito populations is being trialed in several countries (www.worldmosquito.org) as a biocontrol method against dengue, Zika and chikungunya. Here, we studied the ability of Wolbachia to reduce the transmission potential of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes for Yellow fever virus (YFV). Methods: Two recently isolated YFV (primate and human) were used to challenge field-derived wild-type and Wolbachia-infected (wMel +) Ae. aegypti mosquitoes. The YFV infection status was followed for 7, 14 and 21 days post-oral feeding (dpf). The YFV transmission potential of mosquitoes was evaluated via nano-injection of saliva into uninfected mosquitoes or by inoculation in mice. Results: We found that Wolbachia was able to significantly reduce the prevalence of mosquitoes with YFV infected heads and thoraces for both viral isolates. Furthermore, analyses of mosquito saliva, through indirect injection into naïve mosquitoes or via interferon-deficient mouse model, indicated Wolbachia was associated with profound reduction in the YFV transmission potential of mosquitoes (14dpf). Conclusions: Our results suggest that Wolbachia introgression could be used as a complementary strategy for prevention of urban yellow fever transmission, along with the human vaccination program.

The effect of climate change on yellow fever disease burden in Africa

“…Intervention through vaccination is the gold standard for YF, and new approaches are being implemented with respect to fractional dosing which is a useful resort to respond to urban outbreaks in case of vaccine shortage ( Vannice et al, 2018 ). Yet, vaccination is not the only potentially effective control for YF, with novel vector control measures such as the use of Wolbachia showing promise, and perspectives to improve clinical management or urban resilience ( Rocha et al, 2019 ; World Health Organization, 2017 ). Finally, in order to monitor and respond to changing transmission patterns, effective and sensitive surveillance will be essential.…”

The effect of climate change on Yellow Fever disease burden in Africa

“…is not the only potentially effective control for YF, with novel vector control measures such as the use of Wolbachia showing promise and perspectives to improve clinical management or urban resilience (Rocha et al 2019; World Health Organization 2017). Finally, in order to monitor and respond to changing transmission patterns, effective and sensitive surveillance will be essential.…”

“…Intervention through vaccination is the gold standard for YF, and new approaches are being implemented with respect to fractional dosing which is a useful resort to respond to urban outbreaks in case of vaccine shortage (Vannice, Wilder-Smith, and Hombach 2018). Yet, vaccination is not the only potentially effective control for YF, with novel vector control measures such as the use of Wolbachia showing promise and perspectives to improve clinical management or urban resilience (Rocha et al 2019; World Health Organization 2017). Finally, in order to monitor and respond to changing transmission patterns, effective and sensitive surveillance will be essential.…”

Establishment of wMel Wolbachia in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and reduction of local dengue transmission in Cairns and surrounding locations in northern Queensland, Australia

“…The w Mel strain of Wolbachia has been successfully introduced into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and subsequently shown in laboratory studies to reduce transmission of a range of viruses including dengue, Zika, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Mayaro viruses that cause human disease ( Aliota et al , 2016a; Aliota et al , 2016b; Amuzu et al , 2015; Caragata et al , 2016; Caragata et al , 2019; Carrington et al , 2018; Dutra et al , 2016; Ferguson et al , 2015; Frentiu et al , 2014; Kho et al , 2016; Moreira et al , 2009; Pereira et al , 2018; Rocha et al , 2019; Tan et al , 2017; van den Hurk et al , 2012; Walker et al , 2011; Ye et al , 2013; Ye et al , 2015; Ye et al , 2016) Early field trials involving releases of Wolbachia infected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes into two isolated communities in northern Australia showed that the w Mel strain of Wolbachia could be deployed and establish in the local mosquito populations with full community support ( Hoffmann et al , 2011) and persist ( Hoffmann et al , 2014).…”