ABSTRACT
RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar, bajo una perspectiva ecológica, la presencia de Aedes albopictus y su infección natural por virus dengue (DENV) en una zona de actividad piñera de Costa Rica. Método: Se colectaron mosquitos adultos en galerías forestales colindantes con piñeras, viviendas en proximidad a cultivos (<1 km) y viviendas en lejanía (110 km). Se empleó el índice de Shannon-Wiener para estimar biodiversidad. La infestación larvaria se evaluó en plantas de piña y viviendas y se calcularon índices aédicos de viviendas (IV) y de contenedores (IC). La detección de DENV en adultos (cuerpos y cabezas) y en larvas de Ae. albopictus se efectuó mediante RT-PCR y secuenciación. Resultados: Se colectaron 1376 adultos en total: Ae. albopictus (5,81%), Anopheles apicimacula (5,01%), Culex coronator (11,55%), Cx. inflictus (6,1%), Cx. nigripalpus (48,11%), Cx. quinquefasciatus (23,34%) y Limatus durhamii (0,07%). El índice de biodiversidad fue mayor en galerías forestales. Ae. albopictus adultos fueron colectados principalmente en el área de piñeras (73/80), aunque sólo dos larvas en las plantas de piña. Los índices aédicos en proximidad (IV: 40,7%, IC: 26,9%) y en lejanía (IV: 51,7%, IC: 29,6%) no mostraron diferencias significativas (IV Z=0,56, p=0,58; IC Z=0,16, p=0,87). Se detectó DENV-2 y DENV-3 en 2/20 grupos de cabezas y DENV-1 en 2/74 grupos de larvas de Ae. albopictus. Discusión: Las galerías forestales próximas a cultivos de piña podrían considerarse "islas ecológicas" adecuadas para el refugio de Ae. albopictus. La presencia de DENV en adultos y larvas sugiere un papel activo de Ae. albopictus en la transmisión de virus en este ecosistema.
ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate, under an ecological perspective, the presence of Aedes albopictus and the wild infection by dengue viruses (DENV) in an area of pineapple activity in Costa Rica. Materials and methods Adult mosquitoes were collected in forest galleries limiting pineapple plantations, houses adjacent to plantations (<1 km), and distant houses (1-10 km). Shannon-Wiener index was used to estimate biodiversity. Larval infestation was evaluated in pineapple plants and houses, and aedic house (HI) and container (CI) indices were calculated. Detection of DENV in Ae. albopictus adults (bodies and heads) and larvae was performed by RT-PCR and sequencing. Results A total 1376 adult mosquitoes were collected: Ae. albopictus (5.81%), Anopheles apicimacula (5.01%), Culex coronator (11.55%), Cx. inflictus (6.1%), Cx. nigripalpus (48.11%), Cx. quinquefasciatus (23.34%), and Limatus durhamii (0.07%). Biodiversity index was higher in forest galleries. Most adult Ae. albopictus were collected in forests close to pineapple fields (73/80), although only 2 larvae were detected in pineapple plants. Larval indices in adjacent houses (HI: 40.7%, CI: 26.9%) and distant houses (HI: 51.7%, CI: 29.6%) were similar (HI Z=0.56, p=0.58; CI Z=0.16, p=0.87). DENV-2 and DENV-3 were detected in 2/20 "pools" of Ae. albopictus heads and DENV-1 in 2/74 "pools" of larvae. Conclusion Forest galleries that are in proximity to pineapple plantations could be considered "ecological islands" that are suitable for refuge of Ae. albopictus. Presence of DENV in adults and larvae suggests an active role for Ae. albopictus in virus transmission within this ecosystem.