Evaluation of the Human IgG Antibody Response to Aedes albopictus Saliva as a New Specific Biomarker of Exposure to Vector Bites

Aedes-borne viruses like dengue and chikungunya are a major problem in Reunion Island. Assessing exposure to Aedes bites is crucial to estimating the risk of pathogen transmission. Currently, the exposure of populations to Aedes albopictus bites is mainly evaluated by entomological methods which are indirect and difficult to apply on a large scale. Recent findings suggest that evaluation of human antibody responses against arthropod salivary proteins could be useful in assessing exposure to mosquito bites. The results indicate that 88% of the studied population produce IgG to Ae. albopictus saliva antigens in Reunion Island and show that this biomarker can detect different levels of individual exposure. In addition, little cross-reactivity is observed with Aedes aegypti saliva, suggesting that this could be a specific marker for exposure to Aedes albopictus bites. Taken together, these results suggest that antibody responses to saliva could constitute a powerful immuno-epidemiological tool for evaluating exposure to Aedes albopictus and therefore the risk of arbovirus infection

Individual IgG response to <i>Ae. albopictus</i> or <i>Ae. aegypti</i> SGE in Reunion Island and Bolivia.

<p>Individual IgG responses against <i>Ae. albopictus</i> SGE and <i>Ae. aegypti</i> SGE are presented in individuals from Reunion Island (black circle) and from Bolivia (white circle). The percentage of positive responders is indicated for each group. Bars indicate median value in each group. The dotted and solid lines represent the threshold of specific Ab response to <i>Ae. albopictus</i> (ΔOD = 0.271) and <i>Ae. aegypti</i> SGE (ΔOD = 0.161), respectively.</p