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Background <p>The increasing incidence of dengue in Europe, combined with the spread of invasive mosquito species, raises concerns about the emergence of new vectors. <i>Aedes koreicus</i>, an invasive mosquito rapidly expanding in several European countries, has shown competence for some arboviruses, but its role in dengue virus transmission remains unknown. This study aimed to assess, for the first time, the vector competence of an Italian population of <i>Ae. koreicus</i> for dengue virus serotype 1 (DENV-1).</p> Methods <p>Laboratory-reared <i>Ae. koreicus</i> females originating from northeastern Italy were orally infected with DENV-1 via an artificial blood meal. Mosquitoes were maintained at 26 ± 1&#xa0;°C and analysed at 7, 14, 21 and 28&#xa0;days post-infection (dpi). Infection, dissemination and transmission were evaluated by RT-qPCR and droplet digital PCR, while the presence of infectious virus in saliva was confirmed by virus isolation in Vero E6 cells.</p> Results <p><i>Aedes koreicus</i> was susceptible to DENV-1 infection, with infection rates ranging from 30 to 60% across time points. Viral dissemination to legs and wings was detected from 14 dpi onwards, reaching 100% at 21 and 28 dpi. DENV-1 RNA was detected in saliva at 28&#xa0;days post-infection (dpi), indicating a relatively long extrinsic incubation period. Overall transmission rate and efficiency were 33.3% and 20%, respectively, at later time points. Infectious virus was successfully isolated from saliva samples confirming transmission capability.</p> Conclusions <p><i>Aedes koreicus</i> was shown to be susceptible to DENV-1 infection and capable of transmitting the virus, although with low efficiency and a long extrinsic incubation period. Despite these limitations, its increasing abundance, longevity and capacity to feed on humans suggest that it may act as a potential dengue vector under favourable conditions. These findings highlight the need to include <i>Ae. koreicus</i> in entomological surveillance and risk assessments for dengue transmission in Europe.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>

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Investigation of Aedes koreicus vector competence for dengue virus in Italy

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年8月5日

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  • Fabrizio Montarsi,
  • Emanuela Dal Molin,
  • Marco Di Luca,
  • Claudia Fortuna,
  • Federica Toniolo,
  • Sofia Sgubin,
  • Tamara Garziera,
  • Francesco Gradoni,
  • Monia Pacenti,
  • Luisa Barzon,
  • Federica Gobbo

摘要

Background

The increasing incidence of dengue in Europe, combined with the spread of invasive mosquito species, raises concerns about the emergence of new vectors. Aedes koreicus, an invasive mosquito rapidly expanding in several European countries, has shown competence for some arboviruses, but its role in dengue virus transmission remains unknown. This study aimed to assess, for the first time, the vector competence of an Italian population of Ae. koreicus for dengue virus serotype 1 (DENV-1).

Methods

Laboratory-reared Ae. koreicus females originating from northeastern Italy were orally infected with DENV-1 via an artificial blood meal. Mosquitoes were maintained at 26 ± 1 °C and analysed at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days post-infection (dpi). Infection, dissemination and transmission were evaluated by RT-qPCR and droplet digital PCR, while the presence of infectious virus in saliva was confirmed by virus isolation in Vero E6 cells.

Results

Aedes koreicus was susceptible to DENV-1 infection, with infection rates ranging from 30 to 60% across time points. Viral dissemination to legs and wings was detected from 14 dpi onwards, reaching 100% at 21 and 28 dpi. DENV-1 RNA was detected in saliva at 28 days post-infection (dpi), indicating a relatively long extrinsic incubation period. Overall transmission rate and efficiency were 33.3% and 20%, respectively, at later time points. Infectious virus was successfully isolated from saliva samples confirming transmission capability.

Conclusions

Aedes koreicus was shown to be susceptible to DENV-1 infection and capable of transmitting the virus, although with low efficiency and a long extrinsic incubation period. Despite these limitations, its increasing abundance, longevity and capacity to feed on humans suggest that it may act as a potential dengue vector under favourable conditions. These findings highlight the need to include Ae. koreicus in entomological surveillance and risk assessments for dengue transmission in Europe.

Graphical abstract