Population genetics of two key mosquito vectors of Rift Valley Fever virus reveals new insights into the changing disease outbreak patterns in Kenya

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2014 Dec 4;8(12):e3364. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003364. eCollection 2014 Dec.

Abstract

Rift Valley fever (RVF) outbreaks in Kenya have increased in frequency and range to include northeastern Kenya where viruses are increasingly being isolated from known (Aedes mcintoshi) and newly-associated (Ae. ochraceus) vectors. The factors contributing to these changing outbreak patterns are unclear and the population genetic structure of key vectors and/or specific virus-vector associations, in particular, are under-studied. By conducting mitochondrial and nuclear DNA analyses on >220 Kenyan specimens of Ae. mcintoshi and Ae. ochraceus, we uncovered high levels of vector complexity which may partly explain the disease outbreak pattern. Results indicate that Ae. mcintoshi consists of a species complex with one of the member species being unique to the newly-established RVF outbreak-prone northeastern region of Kenya, whereas Ae. ochraceus is a homogeneous population that appears to be undergoing expansion. Characterization of specimens from a RVF-prone site in Senegal, where Ae. ochraceus is a primary vector, revealed direct genetic links between the two Ae. ochraceus populations from both countries. Our data strongly suggest that unlike Ae. mcintoshi, Ae. ochraceus appears to be a relatively recent, single 'introduction' into Kenya. These results, together with increasing isolations from this vector, indicate that Ae. ochraceus will likely be of greater epidemiological importance in future RVF outbreaks in Kenya. Furthermore, the overall vector complexity calls into question the feasibility of mosquito population control approaches reliant on genetic modification.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aedes / genetics*
  • Aedes / virology*
  • Animals
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Female
  • Genetics, Population
  • Kenya / epidemiology
  • Mosquito Control
  • Rift Valley Fever / epidemiology
  • Rift Valley Fever / transmission
  • Rift Valley fever virus / isolation & purification*

Grants and funding

The support through a scholarship to DPT by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is greatly acknowledged. The Arbovirus Incidence and Diversity (AVID) Project consortium is gratefully acknowledged. This project received financial support from Google.org, the Philanthropic arm of Google, through icipe as the host institute. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.