Diseases and vector: a 10 years view of scientific literature on Aedes aegypti

Transmission levels and severity of infections in Aedes aegypti-transmitted diseases have been currently intensified. This short communication is a bibliometric approach about research on this vector, which is responsible for more than 25,000 deaths annually. Current scientific research on A. aegypti is characterized, using Scopus as data source. A total of 5039 published articles during the period 2006–2015 were retrieved. Two time-slices to calculate growth rates by countries and subject areas were developed. Co-word analysis for research fronts identification was used. Scientific output was mainly concentrated in four Scopus subject areas: Medicine; Immunology and Microbiology; Agricultural and Biological Sciences; and Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology. Highest growth rate was observed in Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics. United States, Brazil and India were the most productive countries. Four research fronts were identified: epidemiology; gene expression and biological control; larvicidal and insecticidal effects; and reproduction and insecticide resistance. Literature on A. aegypti during the last 10 years showed an exponential growth. This growing was associated with the identification of mosquitos in new environments, as well as the appearance of outbreaks related to diseases transmitted by this vector.