First experimental evidence of the transovarial transmission of lumpy skin disease virus by Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), which belongs to the family Poxviridae, causes severe illness in livestock. Although the exact mechanisms of LSDV transmission remain unclear, it is thought to spread through various routes, including direct and indirect contact, as well as an arthropod-borne viral disease. Although biological vectors are considered the most effective virus reservoirs, few studies have explored potential LSDV vectors. Aedes (Ae.) aegypti is a well-known vector of several significant diseases, including lumpy skin disease, which is known to cause widespread infections in animals and livestock each year. Therefore, understanding the interaction between LSDV and mosquito vectors can lead to the development of alternative strategies for controlling LSDV outbreaks naturally by blocking virus transmission within its vectors. This study aimed to investigate the potential for the transovarial transmission of LSDV by Ae. aegypti. Viral infection in the subsequent generation of mosquitoes was evaluated. This research is expected to clarify the role of Ae. aegypti in LSDV viability and assess the potential for transovarial transmission in mosquito vectors. The findings indicated that Ae. aegypti is a potential biological vector of LSDV. This is the first study to demonstrate the potential transovarial transmission of LSDV in Ae. aegypti when infected with a sufficiently high viral load at an appropriate time.