Colombian scientist finds virus in mosquitoes that could curb dengue and yellow fever

A discovery led by Colombian scientist Alida Marcela Gómez proposes a transformation in the way we confront diseases such as dengue, yellow fever, Zika, and chikungunya. Through a metagenomic study, the researcher discovered that the Aedes aegypti mosquito, traditionally viewed as a vector of these diseases, harbors unknown viruses that could prevent their spread.

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The research, carried out at the Center for Research in Microbiology and Biotechnology-UR (Cumbiur), identified the presence of insect-specific viruses (ISVs), which do not affect humans but could be involved in the transmission of dangerous pathogens. Gómez, a PhD in Biomedical and Biological Sciences from the Universidad del Rosario and a professor at the Universidad de Boyacá, noted: "It's as if the mosquito had 'good' viruses that could help us stop the 'bad' viruses. If we understand how this interaction works, we could develop new forms of biological control for epidemics."

The study suggests that ISVs could block the multiplication of human viruses inside mosquitoes through three mechanisms. First, through cellular competition, as these viruses would take up space within cells or activate defensive mechanisms that hinder the replication of other viruses. Second, through direct interference, because some ISVs produce proteins that prevent the multiplication of pathogenic viruses such as dengue. Finally, through immune stimulation, by strengthening the mosquito's immune system, reducing its ability to carry dangerous viruses.

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This line of research suggests abandoning the traditional approach of exterminating the mosquito, proposing instead a strategy based on modifying its natural virome. Analysis of mosquitoes collected from different regions of the country revealed significant variations in viral composition depending on factors such as geographic region, climate, altitude, and the insect's diet.

The study also found the presence of West Nile virus in the Orinoquía region, a finding that reinforces the need to monitor viral agents that are not typically included in surveillance systems. Furthermore, some ISVs found in Colombia show genetic similarities with viruses present in Brazil and Guadeloupe, indicating a connection between tropical ecosystems that transcends national borders. “Viruses don't respect borders. What circulates in a rainforest in Vichada could be connected to an outbreak in the Brazilian Amazon or the Caribbean,” Gómez stated.

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The research proposes implementing entomovirological surveillance, a preventive monitoring method that analyzes the mosquito's viral environment before the pathogens reach the human population. "Outbreaks begin long before a patient is in the hospital. They begin in the environment, in the mosquitoes. And that's where we need to look," the scientist explained. PAULA GALEANO BALAGUERA

Portfolio Journalist