How urban mosquitoes help Mayaro and related viruses spread
Assessing the roles of viral mutations and host factors in the transmission of Mayaro virus and other alphaviruses by urban mosquitoes
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · CORNELL UNIVERSITY · NIH-11140820
This project looks at whether changes in Mayaro and similar viruses and traits in city mosquitoes could make these infections spread more easily in people.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | CORNELL UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ITHACA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11140820 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
The researchers will read the virus genetic code from infected mosquitoes and search for rare mutations that might help the virus survive and move into mosquito saliva. They will test those mutations by infecting Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in the lab and measuring how well the virus reaches the mosquito mouthparts. The team will also study interactions between viral proteins and mosquito or human molecules to see which changes drive transmission. Although most work is done in the lab with mosquitoes and virus samples, the goal is to find markers that public health teams can watch to prevent future urban outbreaks.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who live in or travel to areas with Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquitoes or who have had recent mosquito-borne febrile illness could be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients with long-term joint pain from non-arboviral causes or who live where Aedes mosquitoes are absent are unlikely to get direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help public health teams detect emerging virus strains sooner and target mosquito control to prevent human outbreaks.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work showed chikungunya adapted to Aedes mosquitoes and lab studies have shown Mayaro can infect Aedes, so some methods build on known findings though predicting urban emergence remains novel.
Where this research is happening
ITHACA, UNITED STATES
- CORNELL UNIVERSITY — ITHACA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KROON CAMPOS, RAFAEL — CORNELL UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: KROON CAMPOS, RAFAEL
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions: Acute Disease