Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a medically important mosquito-borne virus transmitted to\nhumans by infected Aedes (Stegomyia) species. In 2013-2014, Ae. aegypti transmitted CHIKV to humans\nin the Caribbean and in 2005â??2006, Ae. albopictus transmitted CHIKV on La Réunion Island (Indian\nOcean basin). CHIKV LR2006 OPY1 from the La Réunion epidemic was associated with a mutation\n(E1:A226V) in the viral E1 glycoprotein that enhanced CHIKV transmission by Ae. albopictus. CHIKV\nR99659 from the Caribbean outbreak did not have the E1:A226V mutation. Here, we analyzed the\nsalivary glands and saliva of Ae. albopictus strains from New Jersey, Florida, Louisiana and La Réunion\nafter infection with each virus to determine their transmission potential. We infected the Ae. albopictus\nstrains with blood meals containing 3-7 * 0^7 PFU/mL of each virus and analyzed the mosquitoes\nnine days later to maximize infection of their salivary glands. All four Ae. albopictus strains were\nhighly susceptible to LR2006 OPY1 and R99659 viruses and their CHIKV disseminated infection rates\n(DIR) were statistically similar (p = 0.3916). The transmission efficiency rate (TER) was significantly\nlower for R99659 virus compared to LR2006 OPY1 virus in all Ae. albopictus strains and Ae. aegypti\n(Poza Rica) (p = 0.012) suggesting a salivary gland exit barrier to R99659 virus not seen with LR2006\nOPY1 infections. If introduced, LR2006 OPY1 virus poses an increased risk of transmission by both\nAedes species in the western hemisphere.
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