摘要：SummaryA dengue suppression strategy based on release ofAedes aegyptimosquitoes infected with the bacteriumWolbachia pipientisis being trialed in many countries.Wolbachiainhibits replication and transmission of dengue viruses. Questions remain regarding the long-term stability of virus-suppressive effects. We sequenced theWolbachiagenome and analyzedAe. aegyptimitochondrial DNA markers isolated from mosquitoes sampled 2–8 years after releases in the greater Cairns region, Australia. Few changes were detected whenWolbachiagenomes of field mosquitoes were compared withWolbachiagenomes of mosquitoes obtained soon after initial releases. Mitochondrial variants associated with the initialWolbachiarelease stock are now the only variants found in release sites, highlighting maternal leakage as a possible explanation for rareWolbachia-negative mosquitoes and not migration from non-release areas. There is no evidence of changes in theWolbachiagenome that indicate selection against its viral-suppressive effects or other phenotypes attributable to infection with the bacterium.Graphical AbstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•Long-term effect ofWolbachiaon dengue virus blocking inAedes aegyptiis unknown•There were minimal changes inWolbachiagenomes up to 8 years post-release•Mitochondrial DNA indicated rare loss ofWolbachiaby maternal leakage•These results suggest the stability of theWolbachiagenome in field populationsBiological Sciences; Entomology; Parasitology; Virology; Genomics
