The Incompetence of Mosquitoes-Can Zika Virus Be Adapted To Infect <i>Culex tarsalis</i> Cells?

ABSTRACT: The molecular evolutionary mechanisms underpinning virus-host interactions are increasingly recognized as key drivers of virus emergence, host specificity, and the likelihood that viruses can undergo a host shift that alters epidemiology and transmission biology. Zika virus (ZIKV) is mainly transmitted between humans by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. However, the 2015 to 2017 outbreak stimulated discussion regarding the role of Culex spp. mosquitoes in transmission. Reports of ZIKV-infected Culex mosquitoes, in nature and under laboratory conditions, resulted in public and scientific confusion. We previously found that Puerto Rican ZIKV does not infect colonized Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex pipiens, or Culex tarsalis, but some studies suggest they may be competent ZIKV vec

SUBMITTER: Gallichotte EN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10117059 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature