Effects of Ascogregarina culicis (Eugregarinorida: Lecudinidae) on Mosquito Size and Dengue Virus Infection in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

• Published in: Journal of medical entomology Vol. 58; no. 3; pp. 1442 - 1447
• Main Authors: Thongsripong, Panpim, Wesson, Dawn M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: US Entomological Society of America 15.05.2021; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Aedes aegypti; Aquatic insects; Ascogregarina culicis; Body size; Dengue fever; dengue virus; Disease transmission; Disseminated infection; Infections; Insect bites; Microorganisms; Mosquitoes; Parasites; Public health; SHORT COMMUNICATION; Statistical analysis; vector competence; Vector-borne diseases; Viruses; wing length; vector competence; dengue virus; wing length; Ascogregarina culicis; Aedes aegypti
• ISSN: 0022-2585; 1938-2928
• DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa280

Dengue virus infection, transmitted via mosquito bites, poses a substantial risk to global public health. Studies suggest that the mosquito's microbial community can profoundly influence vector-borne pathogen transmissions, including dengue virus. Ascogregarina culicis (Ross) of the phylum Apicomplexa is among the most common parasites of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus), the principal vector of dengue. Despite a high prevalence worldwide, including in the areas where dengue is endemic, the impact of A. culicis on Ae. aegypti vector competence for dengue virus is unknown.This study aimed to investigate the effects of A. culicis infection on mosquito size and fitness, as measured by wing length, and the susceptibility to dengue virus infection in Ae. aegypti. Our results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in wing lengths between Ae. aegypti infected and not infected with A. culicis. Furthermore, A. culicis infection did not significantly affect dengue virus infection or disseminated infection rate. However, there was a significant association between shorter wings and higher dengue virus infection rate, whereby a 0.1-mm increase in wing length decreased the odds of the mosquito being infected by 32%.Thus, based on our result, A. culicis infection does not influence the body size and dengue virus infection in Ae. aegypti.This study helps to shed light on a common but neglected eukaryotic mosquito parasite.