Given the large overlap in tissue
distribution and intracellular localization between Wolbachia and dengue virus in mosquitoes, we conducted experiments
to characterize their interactions. Our results show that Wolbachia inhibits viral replication and dissemination in the main
dengue vector,Aedes aegypti. Moreover, the virus transmission potential of Wolbachia-infectedAe. aegypti was significantly
diminished when compared to wild-type mosquitoes that did not harbor Wolbachia. At 14 days post-infection, Wolbachia
completely blocked dengue transmission in at least 37.5% ofAe. aegyptimosquitoes. We also observed that this Wolbachia mediated viral interference was associated with an elevated basal immunity and increased longevity in the mosquitoes.
These results underscore the potential usefulness of Wolbachia-based control strategies for population replacement.