Culex Species Mosquitoes and Zika Virus
Publication: Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases
Volume 16, Issue Number 10
Abstract
Recent reports of Zika virus (ZIKV) isolates from Culex species mosquitoes have resulted in concern regarding a lack of knowledge on the number of competent vector species for ZIKV transmission in the new world. Although observations in the field have demonstrated that ZIKV isolation can be made from Culex species mosquitoes, the detection of ZIKV in these mosquitoes is not proof of their involvement in a ZIKV transmission cycle. Detection may be due to recent feeding on a viremic vertebrate, and is not indicative of replication in the mosquito. In this study, susceptibility of recently colonized Culex species mosquitoes was investigated. The results showed a high degree of refractoriness among members of Culex pipiens complex to ZIKV even when exposed to high-titer bloodmeals. Our finding suggests that the likelihood of Culex species mosquitoes serving as secondary vectors for ZIKV is very low, therefore vector control strategies for ZIKV should remain focused on Aedes species mosquitoes. Our demonstration that Culex quinquefasciatus from Vero Beach, FL, is refractory to infection with ZIKV is especially important and timely. Based on our data, we would conclude that the autochthonous cases of Zika in Florida are not due to transmission by C. quinquefasciatus, and so control efforts should focus on other species, logically Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases
Volume 16 • Issue Number 10 • October 2016
Pages: 673 - 676
PubMed: 27556838
Copyright
Copyright 2016, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
History
Published in print: October 2016
Published online: 1 October 2016
Published ahead of print: 24 August 2016
Topics
Authors
Author's Contributions
Y.-J.S.H., V.B.A., A.C.L., I.U., and B.W.A. performed the acquisition of mosquitoes and experimental infection. Y.-J.S.H., V.B.A., and A.C.L. analyzed the data. Y.-J.S.H., S.H., and D.L.V. designed the experiment and wrote the article.
Author Disclosure Statement
Coauthor S.H. is editor-in-chief of Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases. All other authors declare that no competing financial interests exist.
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