Vector Competence to Zika Virus Changes Depending on the Manaus's Region Origin of the <em>Aedes aegypti</em>: A Study of an Endemic Brazilian Amazonian City

Abstract

Zika virus (ZIKV) is transmitted to humans by the infectious bite of mosquitoes like Aedes aegypti. After a viremic blood meal, the virus must infect the midgut, disseminate to tissues, and reach the salivary gland to be transmitted to a vertebrate host. Many factors influence the mosquito&amp;rsquo;s ability to become infected and transmit viruses, such as the mosquito&amp;rsquo;s genetic diversity, intrinsic antiviral barriers, and midgut microbiota. This study evaluated the patterns of ZIKV infection in Ae. aegypti field populations of a city. The infection rate, disseminated infection rate, viral transmission rate, and transmission efficiency were measured by quantitative PCR at 14 days post-infection. The results showed that all Ae. aegypti populations had individuals susceptible to ZIKV infection and able to transmit the virus. The infection parameters showed the city&amp;rsquo;s geographical area of origin of the Ae. aegypti influences their vector competence for ZIKV transmission.