West Nile virus is transmitted within mosquito populations through infectious mosquito excreta

Abstract

Understanding transmission routes of arboviruses is key to control their epidemiology and global health burden. Using West Nile virus and Culex mosquitoes, we tested whether arboviruses are transmitted through mosquito excreta. First, we determined the presence of infectious virions in excreta and quantified a high concentration of infectious units per excreta. Second, we showed that virion excretion starts early after oral infection and remains constant for a long period, regardless of mosquito infection level. These results highlight the infectiousness of excreta from infected mosquitoes. Third, we found that both larvae and pupae were susceptible to infection, although pupae were highly permissive. Forth, we established the proof-of-concept that immature mosqui-toes can be infected by infectious excreta, demonstrating a new excreta-mediated mode of transmission. Finally, by mathematically modelling excreta-mediated transmission in the field, we demonstrated its potential impact on arbovirus epidemiology. Our study uncovers a new route of transmission for arboviruses, unveiling mechanisms of viral maintenance in mosquito reservoirs and of vector species shift that contribute to zoonotic emergence.