Mosquito saliva can weaken body’s defence against dengue: Study

The saliva of dengue-carrying mosquitoes contains a protein which suppresses the human immune system. - ST/PIXABAY

SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Contracting dengue fever begins with getting bitten by an infected Aedes mosquito. But its saliva also plays a key role, a study has found.

Not only does it act as an anaesthetic that hides the sensation of being bitten, but the saliva of dengue-carrying mosquitoes also contains a protein which suppresses the human immune system.