Monitoring of Dengue Virus in Field-caught Aedes Species (Diptera: Culicidae) by Molecular Method, from 2016 to 2017 in Southern Iran

Aedes mosquitoes transmit important arboviral diseases such as dengue to humans. This study was conducted to determine dengue virus infection in Aedes mosquitoes, emphasizing Aedes aegypti by Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay from different regions in Southern Iran. Aedes samples were collected by standard methods from different habitats of Hormozgan province, Southern Iran, in 2016-2017, and identified by morphological characteristics. In this study, TissueLyserII was used to homogenize the collected mosquitoes. In addition, the RT-PCR technique was used to identify dengue virus RNA. Overall, 1351 larval and adult Aedes mosquitoes were collected from five sites in Hormozgan Province, including 452 adults and 899 larvae. Five species from Aedes genera were collected (Ae. aegypti, Ae. vittatus, Ae. caballus, Ae. caspius, Ae. vexans). The investigations of dengue virus infection in Aedes mosquitoes showed no dengue virus infection in this species. This study provides important information about Aedes mosquitoes. Vector control strategies must be emphasized and prioritized. Such actions prevent the establishment of Aedes mosquitoes and the spread of arboviral diseases in new areas. In addition, early detection of arboviruses in vectors and entomological monitoring can enhance the control measures for arbovirus diseases.