Evaluation of the vector competence of a native UK mosquito <i>Ochlerotatus detritus</i> (<i>Aedes detritus</i>) for dengue, chikungunya and West Nile viruses



Blagrove, Marcus SC ORCID: 0000-0002-7510-167X, Sherlock, Ken, Chapman, Gail E, Impoinvil, Daniel E, McCall, Philip J ORCID: 0000-0002-0007-3985, Medlock, Jolyon M, Lycett, Gareth ORCID: 0000-0002-2422-053X, Solomon, Tom ORCID: 0000-0001-7266-6547 and Baylis, Matthew ORCID: 0000-0003-0335-187X
(2016) Evaluation of the vector competence of a native UK mosquito <i>Ochlerotatus detritus</i> (<i>Aedes detritus</i>) for dengue, chikungunya and West Nile viruses. PARASITES & VECTORS, 9 (1). 452-.

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Evaluation of the vector competence of a native UK mosquito Ochlerotatus detritus (Aedes detritus) for dengue, chikungunya and West Nile viruses.pdf - Published version

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Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>To date there has been no evidence of mosquito-borne virus transmission of public health concern in the UK, despite the occurrence of more than 30 species of mosquito, including putative vectors of arboviruses. The saltmarsh mosquito Ochlerotatus detritus [syn. Aedes (Ochlerotatus) detritus] is locally common in parts of the UK where it can be a voracious feeder on people.<h4>Methods</h4>Here, we assess the competence of O. detritus for three major arboviruses: dengue virus (DENV), chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and West Nile virus (WNV) using adult mosquitoes reared from wild, field-obtained immatures.<h4>Results</h4>We demonstrate laboratory competence for WNV at 21 °C, with viral RNA detected in the mosquito's saliva 17 days after oral inoculation. By contrast, there was no evidence of laboratory competence of O. detritus for either DENV or CHIKV.<h4>Conclusions</h4>To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate competence of a UK mosquito for WNV and confirms that O. detritus may present a potential risk for arbovirus transmission in the UK and that further investigation of its vector role in the wild is required.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: DENV, WNV, CHIKV, Arbovirus, Aedes, Ochlerotatus, Mosquito, Vector competence
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 31 Aug 2016 10:44
Last Modified: 06 Oct 2023 12:08
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1739-3
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3003099