Although specific interactions between host and pathogen genotypes have been well documented in invertebrates, the identification of host genes involved in discriminating pathogen genotypes remains a challenge. In the mosquito Aedes aegypti, the main …
We report that individual *Aedes aegypti* mosquitoes release large amounts of dengue virus (DENV) RNA in their excreta that can be non-sacrificially detected over time following oral virus exposure. Further, we demonstrate that detection of DENV RNA in excreta from individual mosquitoes is correlated to systemic viral dissemination.
We developed an innovative genetic mapping strategy to survey G×G interactions using outbred mosquito families that were experimentally exposed to genetically distinct isolates of two dengue virus serotypes derived from human patients. Genetic loci associated with vector competence indices were detected in multiple regions of the mosquito genome. Importantly, correlation between genotype and phenotype was virus isolate-specific at several of these loci, indicating G×G interactions.
We participated to this study by illustrating the value of the new assembly (AaegL5) for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs). We used restriction site-associated DNA (RAD) markers to locate QTLs underlying dengue virus (DENV) vector competence.
We combined newly generated empirical measurements in vivo and outbreak simulations in silico to assess the epidemiological significance of genetic variation in dengue virus (DENV) transmission kinetics by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. We used a logistic model with three-parameters to estimate intra-mosquito virus dynamics based on the cumulative proportion of mosquitoes experimentally exposed to DENV with a systemic (disseminated) infection over time.