The effect of permethrin resistance on Aedes aegypti transcriptome following ingestion of Zika virus infected blood

Aedes aegypti (L.) is the primary vector of many emerging arboviruses. Insecticide resistance among mosquito populations is a consequence of the application of insecticides for mosquito control. We used RNA-sequencing to compare the transcriptomes between permethrin resistant and susceptible strains of Florida Ae. aegypti in response to Zika virus infection. Our findings indicated that the most detoxification enzyme and immune system enzymes altered their gene expression between the two strains of Ae. aegypti in response to Zika virus infection. Understanding the interactions of arboviruses with resistant mosquito vectors at the molecular level allows for the possible development of new approaches in mitigating arbovirus transmission. This information sheds light on Zika-induced changes in the insecticide resistance of Ae. aegypti with implications for mosquito control strategies.