Bloodfeeding patterns of sylvatic arbovirus vectors in southeastern Senegal

Background: Dengue (DENV), yellow fever (YFV) and chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses circulate in sylvatic, enzootic transmission cycles in southeastern Senegal, but understanding of the vector-host interactions involved is limited. Methods: The vertebrate hosts of several potential mosquito vectors of the three viruses were identified by PCR amplification and sequencing portions of the cytochrome b gene from bloodmeals of mosquitoes collected in Kedougou, Senegal, June 2010-January 2011. Results: We identified the sources of 65 bloodmeals of 82 engorged mosquitoes. Aedes taylori was the only species that fed on monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus and Papio papio). The majority of the avian-derived bloodmeals were from the Western Plantain-eater (Crinifer piscator). Conclusion: These findings corroborate the importance of Ae. taylori and African monkeys in the sylvatic cycles of YFV, DENV and CHIKV and suggest the possible involvement of other vertebrates. © Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2013. All rights reserved.