Zika virus transmission in <i>Aedes aegypti</i>: A systematic study on the ability of mosquitoes to transmit the virus horizontally and vertically

Xugang Wang; Chaonan Qian; Chenxi Zhang; Siyun Hu; Muhammad Asad; Chengjie Yang; Bingrui Liao; Xiaotong Guo; Chen Zhang; Quanzhi Li; Xinyao Li; Qiuying Huang; Youhui Si; Bibo Zhu; Shengbo Cao; Jing Ye

doi:10.1016/j.virs.2025.02.001

April 2025

Citation: Xugang Wang, Chaonan Qian, Chenxi Zhang, Siyun Hu, Muhammad Asad, Chengjie Yang, Bingrui Liao, Xiaotong Guo, Chen Zhang, Quanzhi Li, Xinyao Li, Qiuying Huang, Youhui Si, Bibo Zhu, Shengbo Cao, Jing Ye. Zika virus transmission in Aedes aegypti: A systematic study on the ability of mosquitoes to transmit the virus horizontally and vertically .VIROLOGICA SINICA, 2025, 40(2) : 192-205. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.virs.2025.02.001

Zika virus transmission in Aedes aegypti: A systematic study on the ability of mosquitoes to transmit the virus horizontally and vertically

Xugang Wang ^a,b,c,d ,
Chaonan Qian ^a,b,c,d ,
Chenxi Zhang ^a,b,c,d ,
Siyun Hu ^a,b,c,d ,
Muhammad Asad ^a,b,c,d ,
Chengjie Yang ^a,b,c,d ,
Bingrui Liao ^a,b,c,d ,
Xiaotong Guo ^a,b,c,d ,
Chen Zhang ^a,b,c,d ,
Quanzhi Li ^a,b,c,d ,
Xinyao Li ^a,b,c,d ,
Qiuying Huang ^e ,
Youhui Si ^a,b,c,d ,
Bibo Zhu ^a,b,c,d ,
Shengbo Cao ^a,b,c,d ,
Jing Ye ^{a,b,c,d
,,}

a. National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China;
b. Frontiers Science Center for Animal Breeding and Sustainable Production, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China;
c. Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, 430070, China;
d. The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China;
e. Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China

Corresponding author: Jing Ye, yej@mail.hzau.edu.cn
Received Date: 13 July 2024
Accepted Date: 07 February 2025
Available online: 11 February 2025

Abstract

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne virus belonging to the genus Orthoflavivirus, and the family Flaviviridae. It commonly presents with febrile-like symptoms, neurological issues, and pregnancy complications in humans. Currently, there is no commercial vaccine or specific treatment available to prevent ZIKV infection. Therefore, controlling the epidemic's spread relies on preventing mosquitoes from transmitting the virus. Although various studies have explored the transmission of ZIKV between mosquitoes and vertebrate hosts, comprehensive research on potential mosquito-to-mosquito transmission of ZIKV remains limited. In this study, we conducted systematic laboratory investigations to assess the ability of ZIKV to spread among mosquitoes, and to evaluate the impact of ZIKV infection on mosquito development. Our findings revealed that ZIKV can be transmitted between Aedes aegypti mosquitoes both vertically and horizontally, through oviposition and contact between mosquitoes of the same or opposite sex. Additionally, we observed that ZIKV infection resulted in a reduction in the number of mosquito eggs but an increase in their size. The widespread distribution of ZIKV in infected mosquitoes and the altered levels of hormone related genes following viral infection were noted, which may contribute to viral transmission among mosquitoes and affect mosquito development. This research provides systematic experimental evidence of ZIKV transmission among mosquitoes, which is crucial for developing novel strategies to disrupt the spread of orthoflaviviruses and other mosquito-borne pathogens.
- Zika virus (ZIKV)
- , Aedes aegypti
- , Horizontal transmission
- , Vertical transmission

Electronic Supplementary Material

10.1016j.virs.2025.02.001-ESM.docx
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