Australian Aedes aegypti (L.) mosquitoes colonized from the Torres Strait and three mainland localities (Charters Towers, Townsville, and Cairns) were fed on blood suspensions containing dengue virus type 2 (DEN-2) or dengue virus type 4 (DEN-4). Variation was found in oral susceptibility to DEN-2 (59–99% infection) and DEN-4 (28–79% infection) among Ae. aegypti assayed for virus at 8, 12, 16, or 20 d after ingestion of infected blood. Torres Strait Ae. aegypti were the most susceptible to DEN-2 and were significantly more efficient in transmission to capillary tube at 16 d (76% transmission) than mainland Ae. aegypti populations (20–28% transmission). Torres Strait Ae. aegypti were also the most susceptible to DEN-4, although transmission did not vary significantly from mainland populations at 16 d (12% compared with 0–4%) or 20 d (16% compared with 4–16%). Disseminated infection (i.e., leg infection) with either DEN-2 or DEN-4 was not an accurate predictor of transmission potential. This study demonstrates differences among Australian Ae. aegypti populations in vector competence for DEN-2 and DEN-4. Torres Strait Ae. aegypti were more frequently infected and able to transmit DEN-2 at higher rates than mainland populations. These data indicate that the Torres Strait region is potentially more receptive to dengue transmission than mainland localities, a finding discussed with respect to past outbreaks.
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1 November 2003
Enhanced Vector Competence of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) from the Torres Strait Compared with Mainland Australia for Dengue 2 and 4 Viruses
T. B. Knox,
B. H. Kay,
R. A. Hall,
P. A. Ryan
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Journal of Medical Entomology
Vol. 40 • No. 6
November 2003
Vol. 40 • No. 6
November 2003
Aedes aegypti
dengue
transmission
vector competence
virus