Molecular Detection and Serotyping of Dengue Virus in Aedes Mosquito Populations in Abuja’s Satellite Towns

Dengue virus (DENV) transmission dynamics are fundamentally determined by the infection prevalence and serotype distribution in Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquito populations. Entomological surveillance of vector-borne DENV provides early warning intelligence for outbreak prevention efforts. This study molecularly detected and serotyped dengue virus in Aedes mosquito populations collected from rapidly urbanizing satellite towns (Kubwa, Lugbe, and Gwagwalada) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, North Central Nigeria. Adult female Aedes mosquitoes were collected using BG-Sentinel traps over an eight-week period spanning both dry and wet seasons. Pools of up to 10 mosquitoes were homogenized and RNA extracted for RT-PCR-based dengue virus detection and serotyping. Aedes aegypti comprised 78% of collected Aedes specimens, with A. albopictus representing 22%. DENV RNA was detected in 11.4% of mosquito pools, with DENV-1 and DENV-2 co-detected in pools from Kubwa and Lugbe. Dengue vector index calculations indicated elevated transmission risk in communities with poor solid waste management. Seasonal differences in DENV-positive pool rates were significant (wet season: 18.2%, dry season: 4.6%). These entomological surveillance data establish a dengue vector infection baseline in Abuja's expanding suburban communities and support evidence-based vector control prioritization. Keywords: dengue virus, Aedes aegypti, RT-PCR, entomological surveillance, Abuja.