Experimental studies of susceptibility of Italian Aedes albopictus to Zika virus

Abstract

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging mosquito-borne virus (Flaviviridae family) isolated from different Aedes species in the past. In the recent outbreaks that occurred in Latin America, Aedes aegypti is believed to be the main vector. The isolation of ZIKV from this mosquito species in Malaysia [1], and early experimental studies [2,3] appear to confirm this hypothesis. Recent vector competence studies have also shown that the American Ae. albopictus exhibits similar transmission potential as the American Ae. aegypti [4].

Ae. albopictus is widespread in Mediterranean countries, in particular in Italy where it caused an outbreak of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) (Togaviridae family, Alphavirus genus) in 2007 [5]. To assess the risk of ZIKV transmission, we evaluated the vector competence of an Italian Ae. albopictus population for the virus. Potential vertical (transovarial) transmission of ZIKV was also evaluated.