Vector Competence of a Coastal Population of Aedes aegypti for Dengue 2 and 3 Virus Serotypes in Kenya

Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of dengue, an arboviral disease caused by dengue virus (DENV) that exists as four distinct serotypes (DENV 1-4). While all DENV circulate in Kenya, differential distribution specific regions suggests transmission may differ among local populations. In this study, we tested hypothesis a coastal Ae. population (Rabai, Kilifi County) varies its ability to transmit DENV-2 (predominant) and DENV-3 (less dominant) related subspecies—domestic (Aaa) sylvtic formosus (Aaf). We orally exposed F1 females (3-10 days old) blood meals containing (10 5.30 pfu/ml) or 5.13 pfu/ml), them individually for infection (body), dissemination (legs), (saliva) at 7, 14, 21 postinfection (DPI), respectively, compared rates between serotypes. analyzed cytochrome c oxidase I gene (cox-I) sequences DENV-susceptible nonsusceptible cohorts. Of 489 mosquitoes (DENV-2: 240; DENV-3: 249), found consistently higher but nonsignificant (16% vs. 10%), (47% (18/38) 35% (9/26)), (39% (7/18) 11% (1/9)) than DENV-3. However, exhibited shorter extrinsic incubation period (EIP) disseminated (7-DPI 14-DPI) (14-DPI 21-DPI) Two cox-I lineages were recovered phylogeny, one predominantly clustered with referenced Aaa minor lineage grouped Aaf. Infected those represented both lineages; transmitted viruses Aaa-associated only. conclude competent likely driven domestic predominant. The EIP attain could favour over