The Endosymbiotic Bacterium Wolbachia Induces Resistance to Dengue Virus in Aedes aegypti

Author Summary

Dengue fever and its associated condition, dengue hemorrhagic fever, are emerging globally as the most important arboviral diseases currently threatening human populations. Dengue virus is transmitted to humans by aedine mosquitoes, primarily Aedes aegypti and, to a lesser extent, Aedes albopictus. No treatment or vaccine is currently available for dengue fever; thus, vector control remains the primary intervention tool. One novel control strategy for reducing or blocking dengue transmission by mosquitoes involves the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia, which has long been promoted as a potential vehicle for introducing anti-dengue genes into mosquitoes. Here, we have characterized the interaction of Wolbachia with dengue viruses in Ae. aegypti. Wolbachia alone was able to inhibit viral replication, dissemination and transmission in these mosquitoes. In addition, this Wolbachia-mediated viral interference was associated with an elevation of basal immunity and increase in longevity in the mosquitoes. Our study provides novel insights into the usefulness of Wolbachia for blocking dengue transmission by mosquitoes.