Alyssa T. Pyke

A Wolbachia Symbiont in Aedes aegypti Limits Infection with Dengue, Chikungunya, and Plasmodium

Wolbachia are maternally inherited intracellular bacterial symbionts that are estimated to infect more than 60% of all insect species. While Wolbachia is commonly found in many mosquitoes it is absent from the species that are considered to be of major importance for the transmission of human pathogens. The successful introduction of a life-shortening strain of Wolbachia into the dengue vector Aedes aegypti that halves adult lifespan has recently been reported. Here we show that this same Wolbachia infection also directly inhibits the ability of a range of pathogens to infect this mosquito species. The effect is Wolbachia strain specific and relates to Wolbachia priming of the mosquito innate immune system and potentially competition for limiting cellular resources required for pathogen replication. We suggest that this Wolbachia-mediated pathogen interference may work synergistically with the life-shortening strategy proposed previously to provide a powerful approach for the control of insect transmitted diseases.

Impact of Wolbachia on Infection with Chikungunya and Yellow Fever Viruses in the Mosquito Vector Aedes aegypti

Incidence of disease due to dengue (DENV), chikungunya (CHIKV) and yellow fever (YFV) viruses is increasing in many parts of the world. The viruses are primarily transmitted by Aedes aegypti, a highly domesticated mosquito species that is notoriously difficult to control. When transinfected into Ae. aegypti, the intracellular bacterium Wolbachia has recently been shown to inhibit replication of DENVs, CHIKV, malaria parasites and filarial nematodes, providing a potentially powerful biocontrol strategy for human pathogens. Because the extent of pathogen reduction can be influenced by the strain of bacterium, we examined whether the wMel strain of Wolbachia influenced CHIKV and YFV infection in Ae. aegypti. Following exposure to viremic blood meals, CHIKV infection and dissemination rates were significantly reduced in mosquitoes with the wMel strain of Wolbachia compared to Wolbachia-uninfected controls. However, similar rates of infection and dissemination were observed in wMel infected and non-infected Ae. aegypti when intrathoracic inoculation was used to deliver virus. YFV infection, dissemination and replication were similar in wMel-infected and control mosquitoes following intrathoracic inoculations. In contrast, mosquitoes with the wMelPop strain of Wolbachia showed at least a 104 times reduction in YFV RNA copies compared to controls. The extent of reduction in virus infection depended on Wolbachia strain, titer and strain of the virus, and mode of exposure. Although originally proposed for dengue biocontrol, our results indicate a Wolbachia-based strategy also holds considerable promise for YFV and CHIKV suppression.

Limited Dengue Virus Replication in Field-Collected Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes Infected with Wolbachia

Introduction Dengue is one of the most widespread mosquito-borne diseases in the world. The causative agent, dengue virus (DENV), is primarily transmitted by the mosquito Aedes aegypti, a species that has proved difficult to control using conventional methods. The discovery that A. aegypti transinfected with the wMel strain of Wolbachia showed limited DENV replication led to trial field releases of these mosquitoes in Cairns, Australia as a biocontrol strategy for the virus. Methodology/Principal Findings Field collected wMel mosquitoes that were challenged with three DENV serotypes displayed limited rates of body infection, viral replication and dissemination to the head compared to uninfected controls. Rates of dengue infection, replication and dissemination in field wMel mosquitoes were similar to those observed in the original transinfected wMel line that had been maintained in the laboratory. We found that wMel was distributed in similar body tissues in field mosquitoes as in laboratory ones, but, at seven days following blood-feeding, wMel densities increased to a greater extent in field mosquitoes. Conclusions/Significance Our results indicate that virus-blocking is likely to persist in Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes after their release and establishment in wild populations, suggesting that Wolbachia biocontrol may be a successful strategy for reducing dengue transmission in the field.

DNA vaccine coding for the full-length infectious Kunjin virus RNA protects mice against the New York strain of West Nile virus

A plasmid DNA directing transcription of the infectious full-length RNA genome of Kunjin (KUN) virus in vivo from a mammalian expression promoter was used to vaccinate mice intramuscularly. The KUN viral cDNA encoded in the plasmid contained the mutation in the NS1 protein (Pro-250 to Leu) previously shown to attenuate KUN virus in weanling mice. KUN virus was isolated from the blood of immunized mice 3-4 days after DNA inoculation, demonstrating that infectious RNA was being transcribed in vivo; however, no symptoms of virus-induced disease were observed. By 19 days postimmunization, neutralizing antibody was detected in the serum of immunized animals. On challenge with lethal doses of the virulent New York strain of West Nile (WN) or wild-type KUN virus intracerebrally or intraperitoneally, mice immunized with as little as 0.1-1 μg of KUN plasmid DNA were solidly protected against disease. This finding correlated with neutralization data in vitro showing that serum from KUN DNA-immunized mice neutralized KUN and WN viruses with similar efficiencies. The results demonstrate that delivery of an attenuated but replicating KUN virus via a plasmid DNA vector may provide an effective vaccination strategy against virulent strains of WN virus.

Entomological Investigations in a Focus of Dengue Transmission in Cairns, Queensland, Australia, by Using the Sticky Ovitraps

Abstract Sticky ovitraps (patent pending) were used to sample female Aedes aegypti (L.) weekly in a focus of dengue activity in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. In February 2003, transmission of dengue virus serotype 2 began in the suburb of Parramatta Park, peaking in mid-March 2003. This suburb features many older, unscreened houses with high populations of Ae. aegypti. Highest densities (2–3.5 females per trap per week) were obtained during peak dengue transmission (January and February) before mosquito control was initiated. Beginning in late March, female Ae. aegypti collected in sticky ovitraps were tested for dengue viral RNA by using a TaqMan reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay. Dengue viral RNA was detected in six pools of Ae. aegypti collected in late March. The highest minimum infection rate was 116/1000 mosquitoes. After the initiation of larval control (containers treated with S-methoprene or lambda-cyhalothrin) and adult control (interior harborage sites sprayed with lambda-cyhalothrin) in early March, trap collections dropped to <0.5 per trap per week, and no virus was detected in trapped mosquitoes. Human cases subsequently dropped from a high of seven cases per day in mid-March to only sporadic cases in late April, with the final reported onset of 7 May. Sticky ovitraps have potential as a monitoring device for gravid Ae. aegypti and can be used to assess control efficacy and dengue virus activity. A sticky ovitrap index (mean number of female Ae. Aegypti per trap per week) could be useful in gauging the risk of dengue transmission.

Imported zika virus infection from the cook islands into australia, 2014.

A female resident of Townsville, Queensland, Australia has been diagnosed with Zika virus infection following a recent trip to the Cook Islands. An initial serum sample collected in March, 2014 was positive by two separate Zika virus TaqMan real-time RT-PCRs and a pan-Flavivirus RT-PCR. Nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetics of the complete Cook Islands Zika virus envelope gene revealed 99.1% homology with a previous Cambodia 2010 sequence within the Asian lineage. In addition, IgG and IgM antibody seroconversions were detected between paired acute and convalescent phase sera using recombinant Zika virus serology assays. This is the first known imported case of Zika virus infection into northern Queensland where the potential mosquito vector Aedes aegypti is present and only the second such reported case diagnosed within Australia.

Multiple outbreaks of dengue serotype 2 in north Queensland, 2003/04

Objectives: To describe the various investigations and responses to multiple outbreaks of dengue serotype 2 that occurred in north Queensland in 2003/04.

Vector competence of Australian mosquitoes for chikungunya virus.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a globally emerging arbovirus responsible for unprecedented outbreaks in the western Indian Ocean, the Indian subcontinent and Italy. To assess the receptivity of Australia to CHIKV, we exposed 10 Australian mosquito species to a 2006 strain of CHIKV isolated from a viremic traveler from Mauritius. In susceptibility trials, the infectious dose required to infect 50% of the mosquitoes was 10(0.6) cell culture infectious dose (CCID)(50)/mosquito for Aedes procax, 10(1.7) CCID(50)/mosquito for Aedes albopictus, 10(2.1) CCID(50)/mosquito for Aedes vigilax, and 10(2.6) CCID(50)/mosquito for Aedes aegypti and Aedes notoscriptus. When exposed to blood meals containing between 10(3.5) and 10(4.1) CCID(50)/mosquito of CHIKV, infection rates in these five species, plus Coquillettidia linealis, were >or=81%. Subsequent transmission rates ranged between 20% for Ae. notoscriptus and 76% for Ae. vigilax. In contrast, Culex spp. were poor laboratory vectors, with infection and dissemination rates <or=20% and <or=12%, respectively. Although Australia has efficient laboratory vectors, the role a mosquito species plays in potential CHIKV transmission cycles will also depend on its geographical and temporal abundance, longevity, and association with humans.

Sources of Dengue Viruses Imported into Queensland, Australia, 2002–2010

Molecular epidemiologic analysis shows that travelers returning from Asia are the greatest source of risk.

Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies to the E2 protein of chikungunya virus protects against disease in a mouse model.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) recently caused the largest epidemic ever recorded for this virus involving an estimated 1.4-6.5million cases, with imported cased reported in over 40 countries. The number of monoclonal antibodies specific for this re-emerging alphavirus is currently limited. Herein we describe the generation and characterisation of five monoclonal antibodies specific for the E2 glycoprotein of CHIKV. The antibodies detected a range of CHIKV isolates in several assays including ELISA, Western blot, immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) without evidence of cross-reactivity with other alphaviruses. Four antibodies also neutralised CHIKV in vitro, two of which provided complete protection against arthritis in a CHIKV mouse model when administered prior to infection. Given the current shortage of widely available reagents for CHIKV, these specific antibodies will be useful not only in research, but may also provide the basis for new diagnostics and treatments.