Natural salivary gland barrier curtails Zika virus transmission in Thai Aedes aegypti
Our findings highlight significant variability in ZIKV vector competence among Thai Ae. aegypti populations, emphasizing the importance of direct transmission assessments in vector competence studies. The discovery of a naturally occurring, heritable salivary gland escape barrier presents an opportunity for vector control strategies through NAK-based population replacement approaches. With their strong mating capability and broad arbovirus-blocking ability, NAK mosquitoes provide a natural alternative to Wolbachia-based and genetically modified mosquito interventions.
Authors
- Kritsana Taai
- Jutharat Pengon
- Kittipat Aupalee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5716-4725)
- Nunya Chotiwan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3214-6605)
- Natapong Jupatanakul (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2326-4255)
- Phonchanan Pakparnich
- Kwanchanok Uppakara (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1478-1976)
- Chatpong Pethrak
- Anna B. Crist (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8000-7020)
- Rinyaporn Phengchat (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1128-8209)
- Atiporn Saeung (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3550-5992)
- Louis Lambrechts (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5958-2138)
- Channarong Sartsanga
- Kittitat Suksirisawat
- Saranya Thaiudomsup
Institutions
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- Institut Pasteur (FR)
- Kanchanaburi Rajabhat University (TH)
- Université Paris Cité (FR)
- Mahidol University (TH)
- Ramathibodi Hospital (TH)
- Chiang Mai University (TH)
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (TH)
Publication Details
- Journal
- PLoS neglected tropical diseases
- Published
- 2025-10-28
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0013451
- Primary Topic
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00