Mayaro Virus: The Potential Role of Microbiota and Wolbachia

Author(s)

Pereira, Thiago Nunes ^[1] ; Carvalho, Fabiano Duarte ^[1] ; Rugani, Jeronimo Nunes ^[2] ; de Carvalho, Vanessa Rafaela ^{[3, 4]} ; Jarusevicius, Jaqueline ^[5] ; Souza-Neto, Jayme A. ^{[3, 4]} ; Moreira, Luciano Andrade ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Fiocruz MS, Inst Rene Rachou, Grp Mosquitos Vetores Endossimbiontes & Interacao, BR-30190002 Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil

^[2] Fiocruz MS, Inst Rene Rachou, Grp Taxon Flebotomineos & Epidemiol Leishmanioses, BR-30190002 Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil

^[3] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Sch Agr Sci, Dept Bioproc & Biotechnol, BR-18610034 Botucatu, SP - Brazil

^[4] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Cent Multiuser Lab, Sch Agr Sci, BR-18610034 Botucatu, SP - Brazil

^[5] Sao Paulo State Univ Unesp, Inst Biotechnol, BR-18607440 Botucatu, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PATHOGENS; v. 10, n. 5 MAY 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The Mayaro virus (MAYV) is an arbovirus that circulates mainly in tropical forests or rural areas in Latin America and is transmitted mainly by Haemagogus mosquitoes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the vector competence, microbiome, and the presence of Wolbachia in three Aedes albopictus populations infected with MAYV. The vector competence was assessed based on viral infection and transmission by RT-qPCR. In addition, the microbiome was evaluated by amplification of the 16S rRNA V4 region and PCR to detect the presence of Wolbachia (strain wAlbA/wAlbB). Our results show that all three populations were susceptible to MAYV infection. The potential transmission of the MAYV was consistent in all populations of naive mosquitoes injected (more than 50%). The microbiome analysis revealed 118 OTUs (operational taxonomic unit) from the three populations, 8 phyla, 15 classes, 26 orders, 35 families, 65 genera, and 53 species. All populations had Pseudomonas and Wolbachia as predominant genera. There was no difference between the variables for MAYV and Wolbachia (wAlbA or wAlbB) in the abdomen. However, in the head + thorax samples at 14 dpi, there was a difference between the two populations, indicating a possible correlation between the presence of Wolbachia (wAlbB) and infection. Overall, we show evidence that Ae. albopictus displays significant infection and transmission competence for the MAYV in the laboratory, and its bacterial microbiota play an important role in the host, mainly the strains of Wolbachia. The influence of the intestinal microbiota of Ae. albopictus is poorly known, and a better understanding of these interactions would open new perspectives for disease control through the manipulation of microbial communities. The exact contribution of this mosquito species to the transmission of the MAYV in the field remains to be confirmed. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/11343-6 - Characterization of the microbiota-mediated anti-dengue mechanisms in wild Aedes aegypti populations
• Grantee: Jayme Augusto de Souza-Neto
• Support type: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/16952-9 - Aedes aegypti global gene expression modulated by anti-DENV bacteria and identification of dengue virus restriction factors (DVRFs)
• Grantee: Jaqueline Jarusevicius
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)