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VIDEO: Noninfectious bloodmeals increase vector competence of Aedes aegypti

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BALTIMORE — Douglas E. Brackney, PhD, virologist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, discusses how blood feeding enhances Aedes aegypti mosquitoes’ ability to transmit disease.

Historically, researchers who assessed vector competence would feed mosquitoes a single infectious bloodmeal and sample it for infection over several days. In their study, Brackney and colleagues fed mosquitoes a second noninfectious blood meal to determine its effect on transmission. They found that the noninfectious bloodmeal significantly increased the mosquitoes’ vector competence. 

“This doesn’t actually change the risk of arboviruses because this has always been occurring, but it changes our understanding of arbovirus risk in general,” he says.

Reference:

Brackney DE, et al. Abstract LB-5341. Presented at: American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene conference; Nov. 5-9, 2017; Baltimore.

Disclosure: Brackney reports no relevant financial disclosures.