Wolbachia wMel and wAlbB strains differentially impact the vector competence of Aedes aegypti with a Brazilian genetic background for DENV-1 virus

The similar DENV-1 loads in mosquito bodies over time (7, 14, and 21 dpi) infected with either the wMel or wAlbB strain, regardless of the viral titer of the infectious blood meal, suggest that Wolbachia may have a maximum pathogen-blocking capacity beyond which additional virus suppression cannot be achieved. The viral suppression only after 21 dpi in the saliva raises concerns and warrants further investigation, as females may transmit before Wolbachia blockage becomes effective. While wAlbB may exhibit comparable DENV-1 blocking to wMel, its enhanced thermal tolerance makes it epidemiologically relevant in tropical regions. Continuous monitoring of Wolbachia dynamics and DENV genomic variation in the field remains essential to evaluate long-term effectiveness and detect potential adaptive viral responses.