Mechanical transmission of dengue virus by Aedes aegypti may influence disease transmission dynamics during outbreaks.
Hsing-Han Li, Matthew P Su, Shih-Cheng Wu, Hsiao-Hui Tsou, Meng-Chun Chang, Yu-Chieh Cheng, Kuen-Nan Tsai, Hsin-Wei Wang, Guan-Hua Chen, Cheng-Kang Tang, Pei-Jung Chung, Wan-Ting Tsai, Li-Rung Huang, Yueh Andrew Yueh, Hsin-Wei Chen, Chao-Ying Pan, Omar S Akbari, Hsiao-Han Chang, Guann-Yi Yu, John M Marshall, Chun-Hong Chen
EBioMedicine · 2023-Aug-22 · PMID 37487418 · DOI 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104723Abstract
Dengue virus outbreaks are increasing in number and severity worldwide. Viral transmission is assumed to require a minimum time period of viral replication within the mosquito midgut. It is unknown if alternative transmission periods not requiring replication are possible. We used a mouse model of dengue virus transmission to investigate the potential of mechanical transmission of dengue virus. We investigated minimal viral titres necessary for development of symptoms in bitten mice and used resulting parameters to inform a new model of dengue virus transmission within a susceptible population. Naïve mice bitten by mosquitoes immediately after they took partial blood meals from dengue infected mice showed symptoms of dengue virus, followed by mortality. Incorporation of mechanical transmission into mathematical models of dengue virus transmission suggest that this supplemental transmission route could result in larger outbreaks which peak sooner. The potential of dengue transmission routes independent of midgut viral replication has implications for vector control strategies that target mosquito lifespan and suggest the possibility of similar mechanical transmission routes in other disease-carrying mosquitoes. This study was funded by grants from the National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan (04D2-MMMOST02), the Human Frontier Science Program (RGP0033/2021), the National Institutes of Health (1R01AI143698-01A1, R01AI151004 and DP2AI152071) and the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (MOST104-2321-B-400-016).
Evidence profile
- Study type
- modeling
- Text reviewed by the copilot
- Full text is available
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- published
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- none
- Conflict statement
- Declaration of interests OSA. is a founder of Agragene, Inc. with equity interest and a founder of Synvect with equity interest. The terms of this arrangement have been reviewed and approved by the University of California, San Diego in accordance with its conflict of interest policies. All remaining authors declare no competing interests.