Wolbachiainfection inAedes aegyptidoes not affect its vectorial capacity forDirofilaria immitis

Abstract

AbstractMosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and filariasis are a growing public health concern in endemic countries. Biological approaches, such as the trans-infection ofWolbachia pipientisin mosquitoes, are an alternative vector control strategy, especially for arthropod-borne viruses such as dengue. In the present study, the effect ofWolbachia(wMel strain) on the vectorial capacity ofAedes aegyptiforDirofilaria immitiswas studied. Our results showed thatWolbachiadoes not affect the phenotype of mosquito survival or the prevalence, number, and molting rate of third-stage larvae in both susceptible and resistant strains ofAe.aegypti. RNA-seq analysis of Malpighian tubules at 2 days post-infection withD. immitisshowed the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with and without wMel infection. No characteristic immune-related gene expression patterns were observed among the DEGs. No significant change in the amount ofWolbachiawas observed in theAe. aegyptiafterD. immitisinfection. Our results suggest that infection ofD. immitisinAe. aegyptipopulations will not interfere withWolbachia-based vector control strategies in dengue-endemic areas where cases ofD. immitisare present. This study demonstrated the veterinary medical validity of a dengue control program usingWolbachia.