Dynamic of Mayaro Virus Transmission in Aedes aegypti , Culex quinquefasciatus Mosquitoes, and a Mice Model

Mayaro virus (MAYV) is transmitted by spp. mosquitoes and has been circulating in Amazon areas in the North and Central West regions of Brazil since the 1980s, with an increase in human case notifications in the last 10 years. MAYV introduction in urban areas is a public health concern as infections can cause severe symptoms similar to other alphaviruses. Studies with have demonstrated the potential vector competence of the species and the detection of MAYV in urban populations of mosquitoes. Considering the two most abundant urban mosquito species in Brazil, we investigated the dynamics of MAYV transmission by and in a mice model. Mosquito colonies were artificially fed with blood containing MAYV and infection (IR) and dissemination rates (DR) were evaluated. On the 7th day post-infection (dpi), IFNAR BL/6 mice were made available as a blood source to both mosquito species. After the appearance of clinical signs of infection, a second blood feeding was performed with a new group of non-infected mosquitoes. RT-qPCR and plaque assays were carried out with animal and mosquito tissues to determine IR and DR. For , we found an IR of 97.5-100% and a DR reached 100% in both 7 and 14 dpi. While IR and DR for was 13.1-14.81% and 60% to 80%, respectively. A total of 18 mice were used (test = 12 and control = 6) for and 12 (test = 8 and control = 4) for to evaluate the mosquito-mice transmission rate. All mice that were bitten by infected showed clinical signs of infection while all mice exposed to infected mosquitoes remained healthy. Viremia in the mice from group ranged from 2.5 × 10 to 5 × 10 PFU/mL. from the second blood feeding showed a 50% IR. Our study showed the applicability of an efficient model to complete arbovirus transmission cycle studies and suggests that the population evaluated is a competent vector for MAYV, while highlighting the vectorial capacity of and the possible introduction into urban areas. The mice model employed here is an important tool for arthropod-vector transmission studies with laboratory and field mosquito populations, as well as with other arboviruses.