title: Population genetics of two key mosquito vectors of Rift Valley Fever virus reveals new insights into the changing disease outbreak patterns in Kenya.
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.
authors.affiliation: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Nairobi, Kenya; Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Tchouassi
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
authors.forename: Armanda D S
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Bastos
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
authors.forename: Catherine L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Sole
authors.affiliation: Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal.
authors.forename: Mawlouth
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Diallo
authors.affiliation: Centre for Virus Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lutomiah
authors.affiliation: Centre for Virus Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mutisya
authors.affiliation: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mulwa
authors.affiliation: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Nairobi, Kenya; Center for Development Research, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Borgemeister
authors.affiliation: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Nairobi, Kenya; Centre for Virus Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Rosemary
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sang
authors.affiliation: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Baldwyn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Torto
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology*; D000818:Animals; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D005828:Genetics, Population; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D009032:Mosquito Control; D012295:Rift Valley Fever / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D012296:Rift Valley fever virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*