Eastern Cottontail Rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) Develop West Nile Virus Viremias Sufficient for Infecting Select Mosquito Species

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 342-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonthaya Tiawsirisup ◽  
Kenneth B. Platt ◽  
Brad J. Tucker ◽  
Wayne A. Rowley
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Sylvilagus Floridanus ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Eastern Cottontail

scholarly journals Population dynamics of mosquito species in a West Nile virus endemic area in Madagascar

Parasite ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciano Michaël Tantely ◽  
Catherine Cêtre-Sossah ◽  
Tsiriniaina Rakotondranaivo ◽  
Eric Cardinale ◽  
Sébastien Boyer
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Endemic Area ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
West Nile

scholarly journals Epidemiology of West Nile virus in Africa: An underestimated threat

2022 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0010075
Author(s):  
Giulia Mencattelli ◽  
Marie Henriette Dior Ndione ◽  
Roberto Rosà ◽  
Giovanni Marini ◽  
Cheikh Tidiane Diagne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Disease Burden ◽  
Vector Competence ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Reference List ◽  
African Continent ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Scientific Papers ◽  
Epidemiological Pattern

Background West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus which has been posing continuous challenges to public health worldwide due to the identification of new lineages and clades and its ability to invade and establish in an increasing number of countries. Its current distribution, genetic variability, ecology, and epidemiological pattern in the African continent are only partially known despite the general consensus on the urgency to obtain such information for quantifying the actual disease burden in Africa other than to predict future threats at global scale. Methodology and principal findings References were searched in PubMed and Google Scholar electronic databases on January 21, 2020, using selected keywords, without language and date restriction. Additional manual searches of reference list were carried out. Further references have been later added accordingly to experts’ opinion. We included 153 scientific papers published between 1940 and 2021. This review highlights: (i) the co-circulation of WNV-lineages 1, 2, and 8 in the African continent; (ii) the presence of diverse WNV competent vectors in Africa, mainly belonging to the Culex genus; (iii) the lack of vector competence studies for several other mosquito species found naturally infected with WNV in Africa; (iv) the need of more competence studies to be addressed on ticks; (iv) evidence of circulation of WNV among humans, animals and vectors in at least 28 Countries; (v) the lack of knowledge on the epidemiological situation of WNV for 19 Countries and (vii) the importance of carrying out specific serological surveys in order to avoid possible bias on WNV circulation in Africa. Conclusions This study provides the state of art on WNV investigation carried out in Africa, highlighting several knowledge gaps regarding i) the current WNV distribution and genetic diversity, ii) its ecology and transmission chains including the role of different arthropods and vertebrate species as competent reservoirs, and iii) the real disease burden for humans and animals. This review highlights the needs for further research and coordinated surveillance efforts on WNV in Africa.

scholarly journals Pre-existing Microfilarial Infections of American Robins (Passeriformes: Turdidae) and Common Grackles (Passeriformes: Icteridae) Have Limited Impact on Enhancing Dissemination of West Nile Virus in Culex pipiens Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jefferson A Vaughan ◽  
Juanita Hinson ◽  
Elizabeth S Andrews ◽  
Michael J Turell
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Viral Infection ◽  
Culex Pipiens ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Immature Stages ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Limited Impact ◽  
Nematode Parasites ◽  
American Robins ◽  
Specific Virus

Abstract Microfilariae (MF) are the immature stages of filarial nematode parasites and inhabit the blood and dermis of all classes of vertebrates, except fish. Concurrent ingestion of MF and arboviruses by mosquitoes can enhance mosquito transmission of virus compared to when virus is ingested alone. Shortly after being ingested, MF penetrate the mosquito’s midgut and may introduce virus into the mosquito’s hemocoel, creating a disseminated viral infection much sooner than normal. This phenomenon is known as microfilarial enhancement. Both American Robins and Common Grackles harbor MF—that is, Eufilaria sp. and Chandlerella quiscali von Linstow (Spirurida: Onchocercidae), respectively. We compared infection and dissemination rates in Culex pipiens L. mosquitoes that fed on birds with and without MF infections that had been infected with West Nile virus (WNV). At moderate viremias, about 107 plaque-forming units (pfu)/ml of blood, there were no differences in infection or dissemination rates among mosquitoes that ingested viremic blood from a bird with or without microfilaremia. At high viremias, >108.5 pfu/ml, mosquitoes feeding on a microfilaremic Grackle with concurrent viremia had significantly higher infection and dissemination rates than mosquitoes fed on viremic Grackles without microfilaremia. Microfilarial enhancement depends on the specific virus, MF, and mosquito species examined. How virus is introduced into the hemocoel by MF differs between the avian/WNV systems described here (i.e., leakage) and various arboviruses with MF of the human filarid, Brugia malayi (Brug) (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) (i.e., cotransport). Additional studies are needed to determine if other avian species and their MF are involved in the microfilarial enhancement of WNV in nature.

Vector Competence of Australian Mosquito Species for a North American Strain of West Nile Virus

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 805-812 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassie C. Jansen ◽  
Cameron E. Webb ◽  
Judith A. Northill ◽  
Scott A. Ritchie ◽  
Richard C. Russell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
North American ◽  
Vector Competence ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
West Nile ◽  
North American Strain ◽  
American Strain

Detection of West Nile Virus RNA in Mosquitoes and Identification of Mosquito Blood Meals Collected at Alligator Farms in Louisiana

2010 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 625-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isik Unlu ◽  
Wayne L. Kramer ◽  
Alma F. Roy ◽  
Lane D. Foil
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
The United States ◽  
Alligator Mississippiensis ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Culex Nigripalpus ◽  
Coquillettidia Perturbans ◽  
Initial Source ◽  
Blood Meals

Abstract Since 2001, alligator farms in the United States have sustained substantial economic losses because of West Nile virus (WNV) outbreaks in American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). Once an initial infection is introduced into captive alligators, WNV can spread among animals by contaminative transmission. Some outbreaks have been linked to feeding on infected meat or the introduction of infected hatchlings, but the initial source of WNV infection has been uncertain in other outbreaks. We conducted a study to identify species composition and presence of WNV in mosquito populations associated with alligator farms in Louisiana. A second objective of this study was to identify the origin of mosquito blood meals collected at commercial alligator farms. Mosquitoes were collected from 2004 to 2006, using Centers for Disease Control light traps, gravid traps, backpack aspirators, and resting boxes. We collected a total of 58,975 mosquitoes representing 24 species. WNV was detected in 41 pools of females from 11 mosquito species: Anopheles crucians, Anopheles quadrimaculatus, Coquillettidia perturbans, Culex coronator, Culex erraticus, Culex nigripalpus, Culex quinquefasciatus, Mansonia titillans, Aedes sollicitans, Psorophora columbiae, and Uranotaenia lowii. The blood meal origins of 213 field-collected mosquitoes were identified based on cytochrome B sequence identity. Alligator blood was detected in 21 mosquitoes representing six species of mosquitoes, including Cx. quinquefasciatus and Cx. nigripalpus. Our results showed that mosquitoes of species that are known to be competent vectors of WNV fed regularly on captive alligators. Therefore, mosquitoes probably are important in the role of transmission of WNV at alligator farms.

scholarly journals The abundance and diversity of West Nile virus mosquito vectors in two Regional Units of Greece during the onset of the 2018 transmission season

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Bisia ◽  
Claire L Jeffries ◽  
Ioanna Lytra ◽  
Antonios Michaelakis ◽  
Thomas Walker
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Early Period ◽  
Entomological Surveillance ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Additional Species ◽  
Transmission Season ◽  
Molecular Barcoding ◽  
Of Greece ◽  
Molecular Xenomonitoring

AbstractBackgroundWest Nile virus (WNV) is a zoonotic arbovirus of great medical and veterinary importance, threatening the health of humans and equines worldwide. Mosquitoes belonging to the Culex (Cx.) pipiens complex are major vectors but numerous other mosquito species have also been implicated as vectors of WNV. Due to variations in blood-feeding behaviour, the different biotypes and hybrids of Cx. pipiens influence the transmission of WNV, from enzootic cycles (between mosquitoes and birds), to spill-over transmission to humans and equines.MethodsIn this study, mosquitoes were collected and analysed from two regional units (RUs) of Greece with reported cases of WNV within the past 4 years; Palaio Flairo and Argolida (in Attica and Peloponnese regions, respectively). Collections using different types of mosquito surveillance traps were undertaken in May-June 2018 during the early period of the WNV transmission season.ResultsA total of 1062 mosquitoes were collected, with Biogents Sentinel traps (BG traps) collecting both a greater number of mosquitoes across all species and Cx. pipiens complex individuals than Centres for Disease Control miniature light traps (CDC traps) or Heavy Duty Encephalitis Vector Survey traps (EVS traps). Identification of collected mosquitoes (using both morphological keys and molecular barcoding) confirmed the presence of additional species including Aedes (Ae.) albopictus, Ae. caspius and Culiseta (Cs.) longiareolata. The prevalence of Cx. pipiens biotypes in the RU of Palaio Faliro was 54.5% pipiens type, 20.0% molestus type and 25.5% hybrids. In the RU of Argolida, the collection comprised 68.1% pipiens type, 8.3% molestus type and 23.6% hybrids. Screening individual unfed female mosquitoes for WNV (molecular xenomonitoring) resulted in detection in three females of the pipiens type and in one hybrid; all collected from the RU of Argolida.ConclusionsAs hybrids play an important role in spill-over transmission of WNV to humans and equines, these findings highlight the importance of undertaking entomological surveillance programs incorporating molecular xenomonitoring at the onset of the transmission season to provide an early warning system for health authorities aiming to prevent WNV outbreaks in Greece.

scholarly journals Seasonal Phenological Patterns and Flavivirus Vectorial Capacity of Medically Important Mosquito Species in a Wetland and an Urban Area of Attica, Greece

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 176
Author(s):  
Stavroula Beleri ◽  
Georgios Balatsos ◽  
Vasilios Karras ◽  
Nikolaos Tegos ◽  
Fani Sereti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Vectorial Capacity ◽  
Adult Mosquito ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
The South ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Usutu Virus

Seasonal patterns of mosquito population density and their vectorial capacity constitute major elements to understand the epidemiology of mosquito-borne diseases. Using adult mosquito traps, we compared the population dynamics of major mosquito species (Culex pipiens, Aedes albopictus, Anopheles spp.) in an urban and a wetland rural area of Attica Greece. Pools of the captured Cx. pipiens were analyzed to determine infection rates of the West Nile virus (WNV) and the Usutu virus (USUV). The data provided were collected under the frame of the surveillance program carried out in two regional units (RUs) of the Attica region (East Attica and South Sector of Attica), during the period 2017–2018. The entomological surveillance of adult mosquitoes was performed on a weekly basis using a network of BG-sentinel traps (BGs), baited with CO2 and BG-Lure, in selected, fixed sampling sites. A total of 46,726 adult mosquitoes were collected, with larger variety and number of species in East Attica (n = 37,810), followed by the South Sector of Attica (n = 8916). The collected mosquitoes were morphologically identified to species level and evaluated for their public health importance. Collected Cx. pipiens adults were pooled and tested for West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) presence by implementation of a targeted molecular methodology (real-time PCR). A total of 366 mosquito pools were analyzed for WNV and USUV, respectively, and 38 (10.4%) positive samples were recorded for WNV, while no positive pool was detected for USUV. The majority of positive samples for WNV were detected in the East Attica region, followed by the South Sector of Attica, respectively. The findings of the current study highlight the WNV circulation in the region of Attica and the concomitant risk for the country, rendering mosquito surveillance actions and integrated mosquito management programs as imperative public health interventions.

scholarly journals Establishment of Culex modestus in Belgium and a Glance into the Virome of Belgian Mosquito Species

mSphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lanjiao Wang ◽  
Ana Lucia Rosales Rosas ◽  
Lander De Coninck ◽  
Chenyan Shi ◽  
Johanna Bouckaert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Coi Gene ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Usutu Virus ◽  
Surveillance Programs ◽  
Surrounding Areas ◽  
The City

ABSTRACT Culex modestus mosquitoes are considered potential transmission vectors of West Nile virus and Usutu virus. Their presence has been reported across several European countries, including one larva detected in Belgium in 2018. In this study, mosquitoes were collected in the city of Leuven and surrounding areas in the summers of 2019 and 2020. Species identification was performed based on morphological features and partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. The 107 mosquitoes collected in 2019 belonged to eight mosquito species, Culex pipiens (24.3%), Cx. modestus (48.6%), Cx. torrentium (0.9%), Culiseta annulata (0.9%), Culiseta morsitans (0.9%), Aedes sticticus (14.0%), Aedes cinereus (9.3%), and Anopheles plumbeus (0.9%), suggesting the presence of an established Cx. modestus population in Belgium. The collection of Cx. modestus mosquitoes at the same locations in 2020 confirmed their establishment in the region. Haplotype network analysis of the COI sequences for Cx. modestus showed that the Belgian population is rather diverse, suggesting that it may have been established in Belgium for some time. The Belgian Cx. modestus population was most closely related to populations from the United Kingdom and Germany. Characterization of the virome of the collected mosquitoes resulted in the identification of at least 33 eukaryotic viral species. Nine (nearly) complete genomes belonging to 6 viral species were identified, all of which were closely related to known viruses. In conclusion, here, we report the presence of Cx. modestus in the surrounding areas of Leuven, Belgium. As this species is considered to be a vector of several arboviruses, the implementation of vector surveillance programs to monitor this species is recommended. IMPORTANCE Culex modestus mosquitoes are considered to be a potential “bridge” vector, being able to transmit pathogens between birds as well as from birds to mammals, including humans. In Belgium, this mosquito species was considered absent until the finding of one larva in 2018 and subsequent evidence of a large population in 2019 to 2020 described here. We collected mosquitoes in the summers of 2019 and 2020 in the city of Leuven and surrounding areas. The mosquito species was identified by morphological and molecular methods, demonstrating the presence of Cx. modestus in this region. The ability of mosquitoes to transmit pathogens can depend on several factors, one of them being their natural virus composition. Therefore, we identified the mosquito-specific viruses harbored by Belgian mosquitoes. As Cx. modestus is able to transmit viruses such as West Nile virus and Usutu virus, the establishment of this mosquito species may increase the risk of virus transmission in the region. It is thus advisable to implement mosquito surveillance programs to monitor this species.

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