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Paquette SJ, Czekay D, Manalaysay J, Furukawa-Stoffer T, Ambagala A, Vigil S, Shahhosseini N. Development of a Multiplex Real-Time PCR to Disambiguate Culicoides sonorensis within Culicoides variipennis Complex, the Proven Vector of Bluetongue and Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Viruses in North America. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:9534-9554. [PMID: 39329918 PMCID: PMC11429534 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46090566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2024] [Revised: 08/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Species delimitation of Culicoides complex species can be challenging. Among species within the Culicoides variipennis complex, C. sonorensis is considered the primary vector of bluetongue virus (BTV) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) in North America. Morphological identification of C. sonorensis within the C. variipennis complex is laborious, time-consuming, and requires entomology expertise. Therefore, in this study we developed and validated a multiplex real-time PCR for rapid detection and differentiation of C. sonorensis from the two other main cryptic species (C. variipennis and C. occidentalis) within the C. variipennis complex. The assay targets the EF1α gene and has a built-in internal control targeting 18 S. The specificity and the sensitivity of the multiplex real-time PCR were evaluated using morphologically identified reference and field-collected specimens. The multiplex PCR was 100% specific when nucleic acid extracted from C. variipennis, sonorensis, and occidentalis specimens was tested. When nucleic acid extracted from pools of midges was tested, the multiplex PCR was able to detect all three Culicoides species with comparable sensitivity. The multiplex assay, however, failed to detect eight morphologically identified C. sonorensis specimens collected from Alberta in 2014. The EF1α gene sequences of these specimens formed a distinct phylogenetic cluster, amongst those from C. variipennis, sonorensis, and occidentalis, suggesting that they belong to a different species. We hypothesize that those specimens might be C. albertensis, the only other species remaining in the C. variipennis complex with known geographical distribution in North America. We believe that this highly sensitive and specific multiplex real-time PCR assay could be an effective tool for rapid detection and differentiation of C. sonorensis, the known vector of BTV and EHDV, in trap collections in future vector surveillance programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah-Jo Paquette
- Centre for Vector-Borne Diseases, National Centre for Animal Diseases, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Lethbridge, AB T1J 3Z4, Canada
| | - Dominic Czekay
- Centre for Vector-Borne Diseases, National Centre for Animal Diseases, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Lethbridge, AB T1J 3Z4, Canada
| | - Jessica Manalaysay
- Centre for Vector-Borne Diseases, National Centre for Animal Diseases, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Lethbridge, AB T1J 3Z4, Canada
- Departments of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Tara Furukawa-Stoffer
- Centre for Vector-Borne Diseases, National Centre for Animal Diseases, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Lethbridge, AB T1J 3Z4, Canada
| | - Aruna Ambagala
- National Centre for Foreign Animal Diseases, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3M4, Canada
| | - Stacey Vigil
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Nariman Shahhosseini
- Centre for Vector-Borne Diseases, National Centre for Animal Diseases, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Lethbridge, AB T1J 3Z4, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
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Dähn O, Werner D, Mathieu B, Kampen H. Large-Scale Cytochrome C Oxidase Subunit I Gene Data Analysis for the Development of a Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction Test Capable of Identifying Biting Midge Vector Species and Haplotypes (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) of the Culicoides Subgenus Avaritia Fox, 1955. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:323. [PMID: 38540382 PMCID: PMC10969821 DOI: 10.3390/genes15030323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The emergence of culicoid-transmitted bluetongue and Schmallenberg viruses in several European countries demonstrated the ability of indigenous biting midge species to transmit pathogens. Entomologic research programs identified members of the Obsoletus Group (Culicoides subgenus Avaritia) as keyplayers in disease epidemiology in Europe. However, morphological identification of potential vectors is challenging due to the recent discovery of new genetic variants (haplotypes) of C. obsoletus sensu stricto (s.s.), forming distinct clades. In this study, 4422 GenBank entries of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene of subgenus Avaritia members of the genus Culicoides were analyzed to develop a conventional multiplex PCR, capable of detecting all vector species and clades of the Western Palearctic in this subgenus. Numerous GenBank entries incorrectly assigned to a species were identified, analyzed and reassigned. The results suggest that the three C. obsoletus clades represent independent species, whereas C. montanus should rather be regarded as a genetic variant of C. obsoletus s.s. Based on these findings, specific primers were designed and validated with DNA material from field-caught biting midges which achieved very high diagnostic sensitivity (100%) when compared to an established reference PCR (82.6%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Dähn
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Doreen Werner
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Str. 84, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany
| | - Bruno Mathieu
- Institutes of Bacteriology and Parasitology, Medical Faculty, University of Strasbourg, UR 3073 PHAVI, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Helge Kampen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Germany
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Barceló C, Searle KR, Estrada R, Lucientes J, Miranda MÁ, Purse BV. The use of path analysis to determine effects of environmental factors on the adult seasonality of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) vector species in Spain. BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2023; 113:402-411. [PMID: 36908249 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485323000068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are the main vectors of livestock diseases such as bluetongue (BT) which mainly affect sheep and cattle. In Spain, bluetongue virus (BTV) is transmitted by several Culicoides taxa, including Culicoides imicola, Obsoletus complex, Culicoides newsteadi and Culicoides pulicaris that vary in seasonality and distribution, affecting the distribution and dynamics of BT outbreaks. Path analysis is useful for separating direct and indirect, biotic and abiotic determinants of species' population performance and is ideal for understanding the sensitivity of adult Culicoides dynamics to multiple environmental drivers. Start, end of season and length of overwintering of adult Culicoides were analysed across 329 sites in Spain sampled from 2005 to 2010 during the National Entomosurveillance Program for BTV with path analysis, to determine the direct and indirect effects of land use, climate and host factor variables. Culicoides taxa had species-specific responses to environmental variables. While the seasonality of adult C. imicola was strongly affected by topography, temperature, cover of agro-forestry and sclerophyllous vegetation, rainfall, livestock density, photoperiod in autumn and the abundance of Culicoides females, Obsoletus complex species seasonality was affected by land-use variables such as cover of natural grassland and broad-leaved forest. Culicoides female abundance was the most explanatory variable for the seasonality of C. newsteadi, while C. pulicaris showed that temperature during winter and the photoperiod in November had a strong effect on the start of the season and the length of overwinter period of this species. These results indicate that the seasonal vector-free period (SVFP) in Spain will vary between competent vector taxa and geographic locations, dependent on the different responses of each taxa to environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Barceló
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Research Group, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Ctra. Valldemossa Km 7.5, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Kate R Searle
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bush Estate, EH26 0QB Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rosa Estrada
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Javier Lucientes
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Miguel Á Miranda
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Research Group, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Ctra. Valldemossa Km 7.5, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Bethan V Purse
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Oxfordshire OX10 8BB, UK
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Van den Eynde C, Sohier C, Matthijs S, De Regge N. Temperature and food sources influence subadult development and blood-feeding response of Culicoides obsoletus (sensu lato) under laboratory conditions. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:300. [PMID: 34090481 PMCID: PMC8180032 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04781-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Culicoides obsoletus (s.l.) is the most abundant Culicoides species in northern Europe and an important vector of bluetongue virus and Schmallenberg virus. Nevertheless, information on its subadult life stages remains scarce and no laboratory-reared colony exists. METHODS C. obsoletus (s.l.) adults were collected in Belgium and transferred to the laboratory in an attempt to establish a laboratory-reared colony. C. obsoletus (s.l.) were reared from eggs to adults at different temperatures (28 °C, 24 °C, 20/16 °C) and under different food regimes. RESULTS The most suitable temperature for rearing seemed to be 24 °C for most developmental parameters, but resulted in a biased 3:1 male/female sex ratio. The latter could be optimized to a 1:1 sex ratio when a 20/16 °C day/night temperature gradient was applied, but rearing at these low temperature conditions resulted in significantly lower egg hatching and pupation rates and a longer subadult development time. Independent of the rearing temperature, adding dung as an additional food source during larval development resulted in a significantly higher adult emergence rate and a decrease in subadult development time. Furthermore, blood-feeding rates of field-collected C. obsoletus (s.l.) were compared for different blood sources and feeding systems. The overall blood-feeding success was low and only successful with cotton pledgets (2.7% blood-fed midges) and through a membrane system with chicken skin (3.5% blood-fed midges). Higher feeding rates were obtained on cattle blood compared to sheep blood. CONCLUSIONS These results will help us to determine the necessary conditions to rear a viable laboratory colony of this important vector species, although further optimization is still required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Van den Eynde
- Sciensano, Enzootic, Vector-Borne and Bee Diseases, Groeselenberg 99, 1180, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Charlotte Sohier
- Sciensano, Enzootic, Vector-Borne and Bee Diseases, Groeselenberg 99, 1180, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Severine Matthijs
- Sciensano, Enzootic, Vector-Borne and Bee Diseases, Groeselenberg 99, 1180, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nick De Regge
- Sciensano, Enzootic, Vector-Borne and Bee Diseases, Groeselenberg 99, 1180, Brussels, Belgium
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De Clercq K, Vandaele L, Vanbinst T, Riou M, Deblauwe I, Wesselingh W, Pinard A, Van Eetvelde M, Boulesteix O, Leemans B, Gélineau R, Vercauteren G, Van der Heyden S, Beckers JF, Saegerman C, Sammin D, de Kruif A, De Leeuw I. Transmission of Bluetongue Virus Serotype 8 by Artificial Insemination with Frozen-Thawed Semen from Naturally Infected Bulls. Viruses 2021; 13:v13040652. [PMID: 33918924 PMCID: PMC8069090 DOI: 10.3390/v13040652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmission of bluetongue (BT) virus serotype 8 (BTV-8) via artificial insemination of contaminated frozen semen from naturally infected bulls was investigated in two independent experiments. Healthy, BT negative heifers were hormonally synchronized and artificially inseminated at oestrus. In total, six groups of three heifers received semen from four batches derived from three bulls naturally infected with BTV-8. Each experiment included one control heifer that was not inseminated and that remained BT negative throughout. BTV viraemia and seroconversion were determined in 8 out of 18 inseminated heifers, and BTV was isolated from five of these animals. These eight heifers only displayed mild clinical signs of BT, if any at all, but six of them experienced pregnancy loss between weeks four and eight of gestation, and five of them became BT PCR and antibody positive. The other two infected heifers gave birth at term to two healthy and BT negative calves. The BT viral load varied among the semen batches used and this had a significant impact on the infection rate, the time of onset of viraemia post artificial insemination, and the gestational stage at which pregnancy loss occurred. These results, which confirm unusual features of BTV-8 infection, should not be extrapolated to infection with other BTV strains without thorough evaluation. This study also adds weight to the hypothesis that the re-emergence of BTV-8 in France in 2015 may be attributable to the use of contaminated bovine semen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kris De Clercq
- Unit of Exotic and Particular Diseases, Scientific Directorate Infectious Diseases in Animals, Sciensano, 1180 Brussels, Belgium; (I.D.L.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Leen Vandaele
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (L.V.); (W.W.); (M.V.E.); (B.L.); (A.d.K.)
| | - Tine Vanbinst
- Unit of Exotic and Particular Diseases, Scientific Directorate Infectious Diseases in Animals, Sciensano, 1180 Brussels, Belgium; (I.D.L.)
| | - Mickaël Riou
- UE-1277 Plateforme d’Infectiologie Expérimentale (PFIE), Centre de Recherche Val de Loire, Institut National de Recherche Pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), 37380 Nouzilly, France; (M.R.); (A.P.); (O.B.); (R.G.)
| | - Isra Deblauwe
- The Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium;
| | - Wendy Wesselingh
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (L.V.); (W.W.); (M.V.E.); (B.L.); (A.d.K.)
| | - Anne Pinard
- UE-1277 Plateforme d’Infectiologie Expérimentale (PFIE), Centre de Recherche Val de Loire, Institut National de Recherche Pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), 37380 Nouzilly, France; (M.R.); (A.P.); (O.B.); (R.G.)
| | - Mieke Van Eetvelde
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (L.V.); (W.W.); (M.V.E.); (B.L.); (A.d.K.)
| | - Olivier Boulesteix
- UE-1277 Plateforme d’Infectiologie Expérimentale (PFIE), Centre de Recherche Val de Loire, Institut National de Recherche Pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), 37380 Nouzilly, France; (M.R.); (A.P.); (O.B.); (R.G.)
| | - Bart Leemans
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (L.V.); (W.W.); (M.V.E.); (B.L.); (A.d.K.)
| | - Robert Gélineau
- UE-1277 Plateforme d’Infectiologie Expérimentale (PFIE), Centre de Recherche Val de Loire, Institut National de Recherche Pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), 37380 Nouzilly, France; (M.R.); (A.P.); (O.B.); (R.G.)
| | - Griet Vercauteren
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Poultry Diseases, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (G.V.); (S.V.d.H.)
| | - Sara Van der Heyden
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Poultry Diseases, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (G.V.); (S.V.d.H.)
| | - Jean-François Beckers
- Département des Sciences Fonctionnelles (DSF), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Quartier Vallée 2, 4000 Liège, Belgium;
| | - Claude Saegerman
- Research Unit in Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Applied to Veterinary Sciences (UREAR-ULg), Fundamental and Applied Research for Animal and Health (FARAH) Center, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, 4130 Liege, Belgium;
| | - Donal Sammin
- Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine Laboratories, Backweston, W23 X3PH Co. Kildare, Ireland;
| | - Aart de Kruif
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (L.V.); (W.W.); (M.V.E.); (B.L.); (A.d.K.)
| | - Ilse De Leeuw
- Unit of Exotic and Particular Diseases, Scientific Directorate Infectious Diseases in Animals, Sciensano, 1180 Brussels, Belgium; (I.D.L.)
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Barceló C, Purse BV, Estrada R, Lucientes J, Miranda MÁ, Searle KR. Environmental Drivers of Adult Seasonality and Abundance of Biting Midges Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), Bluetongue Vector Species in Spain. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:350-364. [PMID: 32885822 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Bluetongue is a viral disease affecting wild and domestic ruminants transmitted by several species of biting midges Culicoides Latreille. The phenology of these insects were analyzed in relation to potential environmental drivers. Data from 329 sites in Spain were analyzed using Bayesian Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) approaches. The effects of environmental factors on adult female seasonality were contrasted. Obsoletus complex species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) were the most prevalent across sites, followed by Culicoides newsteadi Austen (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Activity of female Obsoletus complex species was longest in sites at low elevation, with warmer spring average temperatures and precipitation, as well as in sites with high abundance of cattle. The length of the Culicoides imicola Kieffer (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) female adult season was also longest in sites at low elevation with higher coverage of broad-leaved vegetation. Long adult seasons of C. newsteadi were found in sites with warmer autumns and higher precipitation, high abundance of sheep. Culicoides pulicaris (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) had longer adult periods in sites with a greater number of accumulated degree days over 10°C during winter. These results demonstrate the eco-climatic and seasonal differences among these four taxa in Spain, which may contribute to determining sites with suitable environmental circumstances for each particular species to inform assessments of the risk of Bluetongue virus outbreaks in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Barceló
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Research Group, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Ctra. Valldemossa Km 7.5, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Bethan V Purse
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Rosa Estrada
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Javier Lucientes
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Miguel Á Miranda
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Research Group, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Ctra. Valldemossa Km 7.5, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Kate R Searle
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bush Estate, Edinburgh, Scotland
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Villard P, Muñoz F, Balenghien T, Baldet T, Lancelot R, Hénaux V. Modeling Culicoides abundance in mainland France: implications for surveillance. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:391. [PMID: 31387649 PMCID: PMC6683357 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3642-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biting midges of the genus Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are involved in the transmission of several viruses affecting humans and livestock, particularly bluetongue (BTV). Over the last decade, Culicoides surveillance has been conducted discontinuously and at various temporal and spatial scales in mainland France following the BTV epizootics in 2008-2009 and its reemergence and continuous circulation since 2015. The ability to predict seasonal dynamics and spatial abundance of Culicoides spp. is a key element in identifying periods and areas at high risk of transmission in order to strengthen surveillance for early detection and to establish seasonally disease-free zones. The objective of this study was to model the abundance of Culicoides spp. using surveillance data. METHODS A mixed-effect Poisson model, adjusted for overdispersion and taking into account temperature data at each trap location, was used to model the weekly relative abundance of Culicoides spp. over a year in 24 vector zones, based on surveillance data collected during 2009-2012. Vector zones are the spatial units used for Culicoides surveillance since 2016 in mainland France. RESULTS The curves of the predicted annual abundance of Culicoides spp. in vector zones showed three different shapes: unimodal, bimodal or plateau, reflecting the temporal variability of the observed counts between zones. For each vector zone, the model enabled to identify periods of vector activity ranging from 25 to 51 weeks. CONCLUSIONS Although the data were collected for surveillance purposes, our modeling approach integrating vector data with daily temperatures, which are known to be major drivers of Culicoides spp. activity, provided areas-specific predictions of Culicoides spp. abundance. Our findings provide decisions makers with essential information to identify risk periods in each vector zone and guide the allocation of resources for surveillance and control. Knowledge of Culicoides spp. dynamics is also of primary importance for modeling the risk of establishment and spread of midge-borne diseases in mainland France.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Villard
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, 34398 Montpellier, France
- ASTRE, CIRAD, INRA, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Unité Epidémiologie et Appui à la Surveillance, Laboratoire de Lyon, Université de Lyon - ANSES, 31 Avenue Tony Garnier, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Facundo Muñoz
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, 34398 Montpellier, France
- ASTRE, CIRAD, INRA, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Thomas Balenghien
- ASTRE, CIRAD, INRA, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Unité Microbiologie, Immunologie et Maladies Contagieuses, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, 10100 Rabat, Morocco
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, 10101 Rabat, Morocco
| | - Thierry Baldet
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, 34398 Montpellier, France
- ASTRE, CIRAD, INRA, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Renaud Lancelot
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, 34398 Montpellier, France
- ASTRE, CIRAD, INRA, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Viviane Hénaux
- Unité Epidémiologie et Appui à la Surveillance, Laboratoire de Lyon, Université de Lyon - ANSES, 31 Avenue Tony Garnier, 69007 Lyon, France
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Longitudinal monitoring of Culicoides in Belgium between 2007 and 2011: local variation in population dynamics parameters warrant cautious use of monitoring data. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:512. [PMID: 30223878 PMCID: PMC6142705 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3082-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several European countries suffered important economic losses during the past decade due to the emergence of bluetongue and Schmallenberg viruses. Both are viruses of veterinary importance and are spread by Culicoides spp. This triggered many European countries to start Culicoides population monitoring. Recently a one year monitoring study at 16 sites in Belgium revealed that important variation existed in Culicoides abundance and species diversity between collection sites. In order to analyze whether this variation is consistent over years, a detailed analysis of monitoring data collected at seven locations in Belgium between 2007 and 2011 was performed in this study. At all locations, biting midges were collected with OVI black light traps set-up in close proximity to livestock. RESULTS In total, 42 different Culicoides species were morphologically identified. Species of the subgenus Avaritia represented 83% of all collected midges. Nevertheless, important differences in species composition were found between sites. Furthermore, statistical differences between sites were found for the total and maximum annual abundance, showing that a consistent higher or lower number of Culicoides could be collected depending on the selected collection site. Yearly, up to 16 and 30-fold differences in total and maximum annual abundances between sites, respectively, were found. Also the month in which most Culicoides were collected varied greatly between years, both at local (from May to October) and country level [May (2008), June (2010), July (2009), August (2011), October (2007)]. Finally, the average vector-free period over all sites and years was 173 days and could roughly be defined between November and the end of April. Interestingly, important yearly variations of up to two months in the duration of the vector-free period were found between the studied collection sites. In contrast to the abundance parameters, no specific sites could however be identified where monitoring consistently showed shorter or longer vector-free periods. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, our results show that the selection of collection sites for Culicoides monitoring, even in a small country such as Belgium, strongly influences abundance parameters and that yearly variation in seasonality occurs. This emphasizes that care should be taken when using such parameters in risk assessments for transmission of Culicoides-borne diseases and that more clear and strict guidelines for Culicoides monitoring should be considered when monitoring data are used for legislative purposes.
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9
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Oluwayelu D, Adebiyi A, Tomori O. Endemic and emerging arboviral diseases of livestock in Nigeria: a review. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:337. [PMID: 29880024 PMCID: PMC5992842 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2911-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) are the largest biologic group of vertebrate viruses and constitute important emerging infectious disease agents globally. Arthropod transmission provides a way for viruses to cross species barriers since the same arthropod may bite animals that rarely or never come into close contact in nature. In Nigeria, arboviruses have, over several decades, caused severe diseases in livestock resulting in great economic losses and, sometimes, infection of humans leading to morbidity and mortality. In the present review, a computerized search of existing literature was conducted using the Google search engine and PubMed electronic database to identify and review relevant publications on arboviral diseases of livestock in Nigeria. The keywords used were 'arbovirus', 'arthropod-borne viral diseases' or 'livestock diseases' and 'Nigeria' while the Boolean operator 'OR' was used to combine and narrow the searches. Additional information was obtained by searching the veterinary libraries for journals not listed in the database. The available publications were thereafter reviewed and findings qualitatively described. Our findings revealed that although there were several studies on arboviruses and the livestock diseases they cause in Nigeria, most of such reports were made four to six decades ago, with only a few reported recently. Consequently, the true economic and public health impact of these diseases are likely to be underestimated, mainly due to under-reporting or lack of awareness of them. Thus, it is essential to update information on arboviral diseases in Nigeria in order to increase awareness of the diseases and facilitate their prompt identification and reporting. The importance of routine surveillance for arbovirus livestock diseases and sentinel herd monitoring as basis for development of an early warning and alert system to prevent future outbreaks is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Oluwayelu
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria
- Centre for Control and Prevention of Zoonoses, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria
| | - Adebowale Adebiyi
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria
| | - Oyewale Tomori
- Nigerian Academy of Science, Academy House, University of Lagos Campus, 8A Ransome Kuti Road, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos State Nigeria
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Combined larvicidal and adulticidal treatments to control Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae): Results of a pilot study. Vet Parasitol 2018; 257:28-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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11
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Nicolas G, Tisseuil C, Conte A, Allepuz A, Pioz M, Lancelot R, Gilbert M. Environmental heterogeneity and variations in the velocity of bluetongue virus spread in six European epidemics. Prev Vet Med 2017; 149:1-9. [PMID: 29290289 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Revised: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Several epidemics caused by different bluetongue virus (BTV) serotypes occurred in European ruminants since the early 2000. Studies on the spatial distribution of these vector-borne infections and the main vector species highlighted contrasted eco-climatic regions characterized by different dominant vector species. However, little work was done regarding the factors associated with the velocity of these epidemics. In this study, we aimed to quantify and compare the velocity of BTV epidemic that have affected different European countries under contrasted eco-climatic conditions and to relate these estimates to spatial factors such as temperature and host density. We used the thin plate spline regression interpolation method in combination with trend surface analysis to quantify the local velocity of different epidemics that have affected France (BTV-8 2007-2008, BTV-1 2008-2009), Italy (BTV-1 2014), Andalusia in Spain (BTV-1 2007) and the Balkans (BTV-4 2014). We found significant differences in the local velocity of BTV spread according to the country and epidemics, ranging from 7.9km/week (BTV-1 2014 Italy) to 24.4km/week (BTV-1 2008 France). We quantify and discuss the effect of temperature and local host density on this velocity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaëlle Nicolas
- Spatial Epidemiology Lab (SpELL), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Clément Tisseuil
- Spatial Epidemiology Lab (SpELL), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Annamaria Conte
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentaledell'Abruzzo e del Molise 'G. Caporale', Teramo, Italy
| | - Alberto Allepuz
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), UAB-IRTA, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maryline Pioz
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, Laboratoire Biologie et Protection de l'abeille, Site Agroparc, France
| | - Renaud Lancelot
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Campus International de Baillarguet, Montpellier, France; INRA, UMR Astre1309, Campus International de Baillarguet, Montpellier, France
| | - Marius Gilbert
- Spatial Epidemiology Lab (SpELL), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium; Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique (FNRS), Brussels, Belgium
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Ramilo DW, Nunes T, Madeira S, Boinas F, da Fonseca IP. Geographical distribution of Culicoides (DIPTERA: CERATOPOGONIDAE) in mainland Portugal: Presence/absence modelling of vector and potential vector species. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0180606. [PMID: 28683145 PMCID: PMC5500329 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases are not only accounted responsible for their burden on human health-care systems, but also known to cause economic constraints to livestock and animal production. Animals are affected directly by the transmitted pathogens and indirectly when animal movement is restricted. Distribution of such diseases depends on climatic and social factors, namely, environmental changes, globalization, trade and unplanned urbanization. Culicoides biting midges are responsible for the transmission of several pathogenic agents with relevant economic impact. Due to a fragmentary knowledge of their ecology, occurrence is difficult to predict consequently, limiting the control of these arthropod vectors. In order to understand the distribution of Culicoides species, in mainland Portugal, data collected during the National Entomologic Surveillance Program for Bluetongue disease (2005-2013), were used for statistical evaluation. Logistic regression analysis was preformed and prediction maps (per season) were obtained for vector and potentially vector species. The variables used at the present study were selected from WorldClim (two climatic variables) and CORINE databases (twenty-two land cover variables). This work points to an opposite distribution of C. imicola and species from the Obsoletus group within mainland Portugal. Such findings are evidenced in autumn, with the former appearing in Central and Southern regions. Although appearing northwards, on summer and autumn, C. newsteadi reveals a similar distribution to C. imicola. The species C. punctatus appears in all Portuguese territory throughout the year. Contrary, C. pulicaris is poorly caught in all areas of mainland Portugal, being paradoxical present near coastal areas and higher altitude regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W. Ramilo
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Telmo Nunes
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sara Madeira
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Fernando Boinas
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Isabel Pereira da Fonseca
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- * E-mail:
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Sarvašová A, Kočišová A, Candolfi E, Mathieu B. Description of Culicoides (Culicoides) bysta n. sp., a new member of the Pulicaris group (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from Slovakia. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:279. [PMID: 28578677 PMCID: PMC5457568 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2195-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Species of the genus Culicoides Latreille, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are mainly known as vectors of arboviruses such as bluetongue (BTV) and Schmallenberg (SBV). Among the known vectors, few species within the subgenus Culicoides Latreille, 1809 have been implicated in the transmission of BTV and SBV. Nevertheless, phylogenetic studies had revealed the presence of cryptic and undescribed species in Europe, raising questions about their vectorial role. A previous integrative study, associating morphology and barcode data, raised the hypothesis of the presence of undescribed species in Slovakia. The present study, combining morphological and molecular approaches, is aimed to support the hypothesis and a description of Culicoides bysta n. sp. is provided. Methods Series of male and female specimens were dissected and several of them were sequenced for the barcode region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1). Bayesian inference phylogenetic analyses based on 72 cox1 sequences of the species belonging to the Pulicaris group of the subgenus Culicoides, were carried out and the frequencies of intra/interspecific variations were analyzed. The morphology of abundant material of the new species (31 females and 12 males) was examined and compared with the paratypes of Culicoides boyi Nielsen, Kristensen & Pape, 2015 and with specimens of Culicoides pulicaris Linnaeus, 1758. For females, suture distances on the eyes were newly evaluated as a diagnostic character and for males we assessed a new measurement on the ninth tergite and on the apicolateral processes. Results Both phylogenetic analysis and barcode distances supported the distinct status of the new species, Culicoides bysta n. sp. described as a member of the Pulicaris group based on the morphology of males and females. The new species is closely related to C. boyi and C. pulicaris but can be distinguished on the basis of the wing pattern and the ratio between the two eye sutures. Both newly evaluated characters, i.e. eyes in females and male genitalia appeared to be diagnostic for distinguishing the new species described herein. Conclusions The vector potential of the recently described species C. boyi and C. bysta n. sp. to transmit arboviruses, such as BTV and SBV, is unknown. When considering these two species as being close to C. pulicaris, the previous data, such as the vector implication for C. pulicaris in BTV transmission, should be revaluated in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adela Sarvašová
- Department of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, SK-04181, Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Alica Kočišová
- Department of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, SK-04181, Košice, Slovak Republic.
| | - Ermanno Candolfi
- Medicine Faculty, Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Pathology (IPPTS), EA7292, 3 rue Koeberlé, F-67000, Strasbourg, France.,Laboratoire de Parasitologie et de Mycologie Médicale, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, F-67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Bruno Mathieu
- Medicine Faculty, Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Pathology (IPPTS), EA7292, 3 rue Koeberlé, F-67000, Strasbourg, France
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Sohier C, Deblauwe I, Van Loo T, Hanon JB, Cay AB, De Regge N. Evidence of extensive renewed Schmallenberg virus circulation in Belgium during summer of 2016 - increase in arthrogryposis-hydranencephaly cases expected. Transbound Emerg Dis 2017; 64:1015-1019. [PMID: 28474485 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
A seroprevalence study carried out between June and September 2016 in the Belgian sheep population showed a significant increase in overall (from 25% to 62%) and between-herd (from 60% to 96%) seroprevalence against Schmallenberg virus (SBV) during this period, indicating the most extensive recirculation of SBV since its original emergence in 2011. SBV recirculation was confirmed by the detection of SBV RNA-positive Culicoides obsoletus complex midges collected in the region of Antwerp in August 2016, reaching a minimum infection rate of 3%. The recirculation of SBV in the largely unprotected ruminant population during summer 2016 will likely cause an increase in the number of arthrogryposis-hydranencephaly cases in newborn ruminants during the coming months.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - I Deblauwe
- Institute for Tropical Medicine (ITM), Antwerp, Belgium
| | - T Van Loo
- Institute for Tropical Medicine (ITM), Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - A B Cay
- CODA-CERVA, Brussels, Belgium
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15
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Sarvašová A, Kočišová A, Liptáková E, Hiavatá H, Mathieu B. First insights into indoor and outdoor Culicoides activity related to the risk period for Bluetongue virus transmission in Eastern Slovakia. Acta Parasitol 2016; 61:743-755. [PMID: 27787226 DOI: 10.1515/ap-2016-0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The epizootic of Bluetongue virus (BTV) throughout Europe in 2006 revealed insufficient knowledge regarding seasonal activities, endo/exophilic and endo/exophagic behaviour of the species of the Culicoides genus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Although several studies have been carried out in Western Europe, bringing new knowledge of the above mentioned topics, there was still a gap to fill in Central Europe. Therefore, this study investigated seasonal variations in the indoor/outdoor Culicoides activity observed in the south-eastern Slovakia from 2012 to 2014, using a light-trapping method. In total, 52,741 Culicoides were collected and identified; majority of them were caught outdoors (82.6%), with the highest activity period being mid-June. The C. obsoletus/C. scoticus and C.punctatus species predominated, altogether representing 88.8 and 94.1% of the total indoor and outdoor collections, respectively. Positive correlation was observed between the temperature and the abundance, whereas no correlation with other studied factors was detected. In autumn, Culicoides activity was observed outdoors at temperatures ranging between-1.5°C and 9.3°C, whereas the indoor activity was detected at temperatures ranging between-3.9°C and 0°C. This demonstrated that the most significant BTV vectors in the studied area are C. obsoletus/C. scoticus. The C. dewulfi and C. chiopterus vectors appeared to be of lower significance. The period with the highest risk of the BTV transmission in Eastern Slovakia appeared to be mid-June. The autumnal Culicoides activity inside the cowsheds may be important for the assessment of virus overwintering. This study is the first to provide the data on indoor/outdoor behaviour of biting midges in Slovakia.
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16
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Foxi C, Delrio G, Falchi G, Marche MG, Satta G, Ruiu L. Role of different Culicoides vectors (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in bluetongue virus transmission and overwintering in Sardinia (Italy). Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:440. [PMID: 27502924 PMCID: PMC4977893 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1733-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bluetongue (BT) epidemics have affected the Mediterranean island of Sardinia since 2000. While Culicoides imicola represents the main bluetongue virus (BTV) vector, other European Culicoides biting midges, possibly implicated in virus transmission, have been detected here. Understanding their distribution, seasonal abundance, and infection rates is necessary to predict disease incidence and spread across coastal and inland areas, and to define their role in virus overwintering. Methods Biting midge abundance was determined by light traps on selected farms representing diverse climatic conditions of Sardinia. Livestock-associated Culicoides species were morphologically and molecularly identified. Infection rates in prevailing midge species captured in 2013 during a BTV-1 outbreak were determined using RT-qPCR based virus detection in insect body pools, supplemented by specific body region analyses. The seasonal infection prevalence in Culicoides samples collected in 2001 in a BTV-2 affected farm was also determined. Results The Newsteadi complex (C. newsteadi species A and species B) prevailed among all biting midge species (47.7 %), followed by C. imicola (27.8 %) and the Obsoletus complex (C. obsoletus and C. scoticus) (17.6 %). Whilst Culicoides imicola was more abundant along the coast, the Newsteadi complex was frequently collected at higher altitude and the Obsoletus complex was notably associated to cattle farms. Culicoides pulicaris and C. punctatus abundance was found to be marginal in all farms. BTV was detected in parous female samples of all these species, and the full dissemination of the virus within the body of C. imicola, C. obsoletus, C. scoticus, and Newsteadi complex species was confirmed by analyses of thorax and head, containing salivary glands. Higher infection rates were associated with C. scoticus, C. newsteadi species A and species B, compared to C. imicola. The virus was detected in C. newsteadi species A and C. obsoletus in winter and spring, whereas it was mainly found in summer and autumn in C. imicola. Conclusions In Sardinia, bluetongue virus is transmitted by multiple Culicoides vectors, including C. imicola and the Newsteadi complex being the most important. The Newsteadi complex and other midge species can play an important role in internal areas and are likely to be directly involved in virus overwintering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cipriano Foxi
- Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Sassari, Via E. De Nicola, Sassari, Italy
| | - Gavino Delrio
- Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Sassari, Via E. De Nicola, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Falchi
- Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Sassari, Via E. De Nicola, Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Satta
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, Via Duca degli Abruzzi 8, Sassari, Italy
| | - Luca Ruiu
- Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Sassari, Via E. De Nicola, Sassari, Italy.
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de Waal T, Liebenberg D, Venter GJ, Mienie CM, van Hamburg H. Detection of African horse sickness virus in Culicoides imicola pools using RT-qPCR. JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2016; 41:179-185. [PMID: 27232141 DOI: 10.1111/jvec.12210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
African horse sickness (AHS) is an infectious, non-contagious arthropod-borne disease of equids, caused by the African horse sickness virus (AHSV), an orbivirus of the Reoviridae family. It is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa and thought to be the most lethal viral disease of horses. This study focused on detection of AHSV in Culicoides imicola (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) pools by the application of a RT-qPCR. Midges were fed on AHSV-infected blood. A single blood-engorged female was allocated to pools of unfed nulliparous female midges. Pool sizes varied from 1 to 200. RNA was extracted and prepared for RT-qPCR. The virus was successfully detected and the optimal pool size for the limit of detection of the virus was determined at a range between 1 to 25. Results from this investigation highlight the need for a standardized protocol for AHSV investigation in Culicoides midges especially for comparison among different studies and for the determination of infection rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania de Waal
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
| | - Danica Liebenberg
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa.
- Faculty of Education Sciences, School for Natural Sciences and Technology for Education, North-West University, Potchefstroom campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa.
| | - Gert J Venter
- Parasites, Vectors and Vector Borne diseases, Agricultural Research Council- Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Private Bag X5, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Charlotte Ms Mienie
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
| | - Huib van Hamburg
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
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Sánchez Murillo JM, González M, Martínez Díaz MM, Reyes Galán A, Alarcón-Elbal PM. Primera cita de Culicoides paradoxalis Ramilo & Delécolle, 2013 (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) en España. GRAELLSIA 2015. [DOI: 10.3989/graellsia.2015.v71.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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DE Regge N, DE Deken R, Fassotte C, Losson B, Deblauwe I, Madder M, Vantieghem P, Tomme M, Smeets F, Cay AB. Culicoides monitoring in Belgium in 2011: analysis of spatiotemporal abundance, species diversity and Schmallenberg virus detection. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2015; 29:263-275. [PMID: 25761054 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2013] [Revised: 11/27/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In 2011, Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) were collected at 16 locations covering four regions of Belgium with Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (OVI) traps and at two locations with Rothamsted suction traps (RSTs). Quantification of the collections and morphological identification showed important variations in abundance and species diversity between individual collection sites, even for sites located in the same region. However, consistently higher numbers of Culicoides midges were collected at some sites compared with others. When species abundance and diversity were analysed at regional level, between-site variation disappeared. Overall, species belonging to the subgenus Avaritia together with Culicoides pulicaris (subgenus Culicoides) were the most abundant, accounting for 80% and 96% of all midges collected with RSTs and OVI traps, respectively. Culicoides were present during most of the year, with Culicoides obsoletus complex midges found from 9 February until 27 December. Real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction screening for Schmallenberg virus in the heads of collected midges resulted in the first detection of the virus in August 2011 and identified C. obsoletus complex, Culicoides chiopterus and Culicoides dewulfi midges as putative vector species. At Libramont in the south of Belgium, no positive pools were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- N DE Regge
- Operational Direction Viral Diseases, Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre (CODA-CERVA), Brussels, Belgium
| | - R DE Deken
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - C Fassotte
- Plant Protection and Ecotoxicology, Life Science Department, Walloon Agricultural Research Centre (CRA-W), Gembloux, Belgium
| | - B Losson
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - I Deblauwe
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - M Madder
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - P Vantieghem
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - M Tomme
- Plant Protection and Ecotoxicology, Life Science Department, Walloon Agricultural Research Centre (CRA-W), Gembloux, Belgium
| | - F Smeets
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - A B Cay
- Operational Direction Viral Diseases, Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre (CODA-CERVA), Brussels, Belgium
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Meiswinkel R, Scolamacchia F, Dik M, Mudde J, Dijkstra E, Van Der Ven IJK, Elbers ARW. The Mondrian matrix: Culicoides biting midge abundance and seasonal incidence during the 2006-2008 epidemic of bluetongue in the Netherlands. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2014; 28:10-20. [PMID: 23834350 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2012] [Revised: 12/03/2012] [Accepted: 12/03/2012] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
During the northern Europe epidemic of bluetongue (BT), Onderstepoort-type blacklight traps were used to capture Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) biting midges weekly between November 2006 and December 2008 on 21 livestock farms in the Netherlands. Proven and potential vectors for the bluetongue virus (BTV) comprised almost 80% of the midges collected: the Obsoletus complex, constituting C. obsoletus (Meigen) and C. scoticus Downes & Kettle (44.2%), C. dewulfi Goetghebuer (16.4%), C. chiopterus (Meigen) (16.3%) and C. pulicaris (Linnaeus) (0.1%). Half of the 24 commonest species of Culicoides captured completed only one (univoltine) or two (bivoltine) generations annually, whereas multivoltine species (including all BTV vectors) cycled through five to six generations (exceeding the one to four generations calculated in earlier decades). Whether this increment signals a change in the phenology of northern Europe Culicoides or simply is an adaptive response that manifests during warmer episodes, thus heightening periodically the incursive potential of midge-borne arboviruses, remains to be clarified. Culicoides duddingstoni Kettle & Lawson, C. grisescens Edwards, C. maritimus Kieffer, C. pallidicornis Kieffer and C. riethi Kieffer are new records for the biting midge fauna of the Netherlands. It is suggested that C. punctatus (Meigen) be added to the European list of vector Culicoides.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Meiswinkel
- Department of Epidemiology, Crisis Organization and Diagnostics, Central Veterinary Institute, Part of Wageningen University and Research Centre, Lelystad, The Netherlands; National Plant Protection Organisation, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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De Regge N, Madder M, Deblauwe I, Losson B, Fassotte C, Demeulemeester J, Smeets F, Tomme M, Cay AB. Schmallenberg virus circulation in culicoides in Belgium in 2012: field validation of a real time RT-PCR approach to assess virus replication and dissemination in midges. PLoS One 2014; 9:e87005. [PMID: 24466312 PMCID: PMC3900700 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2013] [Accepted: 12/15/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Indigenous Culicoides biting midges are suggested to be putative vectors for the recently emerged Schmallenberg virus (SBV) based on SBV RNA detection in field-caught midges. Furthermore, SBV replication and dissemination has been evidenced in C. sonorensis under laboratory conditions. After SBV had been detected in Culicoides biting midges from Belgium in August 2011, it spread all over the country by the end of 2011, as evidenced by very high between-herd seroprevalence rates in sheep and cattle. This study investigated if a renewed SBV circulation in midges occurred in 2012 in the context of high seroprevalence in the animal host population and evaluated if a recently proposed realtime RT-PCR approach that is meant to allow assessing the vector competence of Culicoides for SBV and bluetongue virus under laboratory conditions was applicable to field-caught midges. Therefore midges caught with 12 OVI traps in four different regions in Belgium between May and November 2012, were morphologically identified, age graded, pooled and tested for the presence of SBV RNA by realtime RT-PCR. The results demonstrate that although no SBV could be detected in nulliparous midges caught in May 2012, a renewed but short lived circulation of SBV in parous midges belonging to the subgenus Avaritia occured in August 2012 at all four regions. The infection prevalence reached up to 2.86% in the south of Belgium, the region where a lower seroprevalence was found at the end of 2011 than in the rest of the country. Furthermore, a frequency analysis of the Ct values obtained for 31 SBV-S segment positive pools of Avaritia midges showed a clear bimodal distribution with peaks of Ct values between 21–24 and 33–36. This closely resembles the laboratory results obtained for SBV infection of C. sonorensis and implicates indigenous midges belonging to the subgenus Avaritia as competent vectors for SBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick De Regge
- Operational Direction Viral Diseases, CODA-CERVA, Brussel, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| | - Maxime Madder
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Isra Deblauwe
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Bertrand Losson
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Christiane Fassotte
- Life Science Department, Walloon Agricultural Research Center (CRA-W), Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Julie Demeulemeester
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - François Smeets
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Marie Tomme
- Life Science Department, Walloon Agricultural Research Center (CRA-W), Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Ann Brigitte Cay
- Operational Direction Viral Diseases, CODA-CERVA, Brussel, Belgium
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22
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Veronesi E, Antony F, Gubbins S, Golding N, Blackwell A, Mertens PPC, Brownlie J, Darpel KE, Mellor PS, Carpenter S. Measurement of the infection and dissemination of bluetongue virus in culicoides biting midges using a semi-quantitative rt-PCR assay and isolation of infectious virus. PLoS One 2013; 8:e70800. [PMID: 23940643 PMCID: PMC3733650 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0070800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 06/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are the biological vectors of globally significant arboviruses of livestock including bluetongue virus (BTV), African horse sickness virus (AHSV) and the recently emerging Schmallenberg virus (SBV). From 2006–2009 outbreaks of BTV in northern Europe inflicted major disruption and economic losses to farmers and several attempts were made to implicate Palaearctic Culicoides species as vectors. Results from these studies were difficult to interpret as they used semi-quantitative RT-PCR (sqPCR) assays as the major diagnostic tool, a technique that had not been validated for use in this role. In this study we validate the use of these assays by carrying out time-series detection of BTV RNA in two colony species of Culicoides and compare the results with the more traditional isolation of infectious BTV on cell culture. Methodology/Principal Findings A BTV serotype 1 strain mixed with horse blood was fed to several hundred individuals of Culicoides sonorensis (Wirth & Jones) and C. nubeculosus (Mg.) using a membrane-based assay and replete individuals were then incubated at 25°C. At daily intervals 25 Culicoides of each species were removed from incubation, homogenised and BTV quantified in each individual using sqPCR (Cq values) and virus isolation on a KC-C. sonorensis embryonic cell line, followed by antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, comparisons were also drawn between the results obtained with whole C. sonorensis and with individually dissected individuals to determine the level of BTV dissemination. Conclusions/Significance Cq values generated from time-series infection experiments in both C. sonorensis and C. nubeculosus confirmed previous studies that relied upon the isolation and detection of infectious BTV. Implications on the testing of field-collected Culicoides as potential virus vectors by PCR assays and the use of such assays as front-line tools for use in diagnostic laboratories in this role are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Veronesi
- Vector-borne Viral Diseases Programme, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Frank Antony
- Vector-borne Viral Diseases Programme, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Gubbins
- Vector-borne Viral Diseases Programme, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Nick Golding
- Vector-borne Viral Diseases Programme, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | | | - Peter PC. Mertens
- Vector-borne Viral Diseases Programme, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Joe Brownlie
- Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Herts, United Kingdom
| | - Karin E. Darpel
- Vector-borne Viral Diseases Programme, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, United Kingdom
- University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Philip S. Mellor
- Vector-borne Viral Diseases Programme, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Carpenter
- Vector-borne Viral Diseases Programme, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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23
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Larska M, Lechowski L, Grochowska M, Żmudziński JF. Detection of the Schmallenberg virus in nulliparous Culicoides obsoletus/scoticus complex and C. punctatus--the possibility of transovarial virus transmission in the midge population and of a new vector. Vet Microbiol 2013; 166:467-73. [PMID: 23928121 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2013.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2013] [Revised: 07/04/2013] [Accepted: 07/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The arthropod-borne Schmallenberg virus (SBV) emerged in Europe in the late summer/autumn of 2011. SBV spread across the continent until 2012. This paper presents SBV detection in female Culicoides spp. caught in UV traps located in 23 different locations in Poland. The midges were divided into pools containing 20.5 individual insects on average according to species and parity status. The study was based on duplex real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) for the detection of the SBV S segment and culicoid 18S gene fragments. Forty-four out of 402 midge pools tested (10.9%) were found to be positive for the presence of viral RNA. The SBV positive Culicoides came from 10 traps spread randomly across the country and were collected between August and October 2012. The timing of the SBV positive midge collections and the locations of the traps corresponded to the epizootic situation of SBV in ruminants. SBV RNA was most frequently identified in gravid midges (36.4%), while in nulliparous, blood-fed and parous midges the percentages were 10.8% 13.0% and 8.1%, respectively. The majority (82%) of SBV positive pools belonged to Culicoides obsoletus/scoticus complex; however, viral RNA was also found in 8 out of the 149 (5.4%) Culicoides punctatus pools tested. While no statistical differences in the Ct values between different parity groups were found, the bimodal distribution observed at the Ct frequency plots suggested active SBV replication, especially in parous and gravid midge females, and sub-transmissible infection in nulliparous and blood-fed insects. The most important findings included identification of C. punctatus as a new possible vector of SBV and the recovery of viral RNA from the nulliparous females which may suggest transovarial transmission in C. obsoletus/scoticus complex and C. punctatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Larska
- Department of Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Al. Partyzantów 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland.
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24
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Goffredo M, Monaco F, Capelli G, Quaglia M, Federici V, Catalani M, Montarsi F, Polci A, Pinoni C, Calistri P, Savini G. Schmallenberg virus in Italy: a retrospective survey in Culicoides stored during the bluetongue Italian surveillance program. Prev Vet Med 2013; 111:230-6. [PMID: 23791122 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2013.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2013] [Revised: 05/15/2013] [Accepted: 05/21/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Following the first case of Schmallenberg (SBV) in northern Italy in February 2012, virus detection was conducted on midges collected during the national entomological surveillance program for bluetongue (BT). Six cattle farms, within a radius of 50 km from the SBV case, were selected for a 12 month study, aiming to determine when the virus entered the area, if it was capable of overwintering, and the possible role played by each species of the Obsoletus complex in disseminating the infection. A total of 33,724 Culicoides were collected at the six sites between June 2011 and June 2012. Species belonging to the Obsoletus Complex were the most abundant (94.44%) and, within the complex, Culicoides obsoletus was the most prevalent species in the studying area (65.4%). Nearly 7000 Culicoides midges were screened, either in pools or individually, for SBV by real-time RT-PCR. Viral genome was detected in six pools of the Obsoletus complex, collected at three sites between September and November 2011, and in a single parous female of C. obsoletus, collected in May 2012. As a result of the BT surveillance program in Italy it was possible to demonstrate, retrospectively, that SBV has circulated in at least three Italian provinces since early September 2011, nearly 5 months prior and as far as 40 km away from the first detected case. Similarly, the survey confirmed the presence of SBV in the vector population 3 months after the outbreak, following a cold winter during which the blacklight traps failed to catch active adult midges.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Goffredo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", Via Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
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25
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Epidemiology, molecular virology and diagnostics of Schmallenberg virus, an emerging orthobunyavirus in Europe. Vet Res 2013; 44:31. [PMID: 23675914 PMCID: PMC3663787 DOI: 10.1186/1297-9716-44-31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2012] [Accepted: 04/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
After the unexpected emergence of Bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV-8) in northern Europe in 2006, another arbovirus, Schmallenberg virus (SBV), emerged in Europe in 2011 causing a new economically important disease in ruminants. The virus, belonging to the Orthobunyavirus genus in the Bunyaviridae family, was first detected in Germany, in The Netherlands and in Belgium in 2011 and soon after in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Denmark and Switzerland. This review describes the current knowledge on the emergence, epidemiology, clinical signs, molecular virology and diagnosis of SBV infection.
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26
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Veronesi E, Henstock M, Gubbins S, Batten C, Manley R, Barber J, Hoffmann B, Beer M, Attoui H, Mertens PPC, Carpenter S. Implicating Culicoides biting midges as vectors of Schmallenberg virus using semi-quantitative RT-PCR. PLoS One 2013; 8:e57747. [PMID: 23520481 PMCID: PMC3592918 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0057747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2012] [Accepted: 01/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The recent unprecedented emergence of arboviruses transmitted by Culicoides biting midges in northern Europe has necessitated the development of techniques to differentiate competent vector species. At present these techniques are entirely reliant upon interpretation of semi-quantitative RT-PCR (sqPCR) data in the form of Cq values used to infer the presence of viral RNA in samples. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS This study investigates the advantages and limitations of sqPCR in this role by comparing infection and dissemination rates of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in two colony lines of Culicoides. Through the use of these behaviorally malleable lines we provide tools for demarcating arbovirus infection and dissemination rates in Culicoides which to date have prevented clear implication of primary vector species in northern Europe. The study demonstrates biological transmission of SBV in an arthropod vector, supporting the conclusions from field-caught Culicoides and provides a general framework for future assessment of vector competence of Culicoides for arboviruses using sqPCR. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE When adopting novel diagnostic technologies, correctly implicating vectors of arboviral pathogens requires a coherent laboratory framework to fully understand the implications of results produced in the field. This study illustrates these difficulties and provides a full examination of sqPCR in this role for the Culicoides-arbovirus system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Veronesi
- VVD Program, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Henstock
- VVD Program, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Gubbins
- VVD Program, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Carrie Batten
- VVD Program, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Robyn Manley
- VVD Program, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - James Barber
- VVD Program, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Bernd Hoffmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Houssam Attoui
- VVD Program, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | | | - Simon Carpenter
- VVD Program, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, United Kingdom
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27
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De Regge N, Deblauwe I, De Deken R, Vantieghem P, Madder M, Geysen D, Smeets F, Losson B, van den Berg T, Cay AB. Detection of Schmallenberg virus in differentCulicoidesspp. by real-time RT-PCR. Transbound Emerg Dis 2012; 59:471-5. [DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- N. De Regge
- Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre; Brussel; Belgium
| | - I. Deblauwe
- Institute of Tropical Medicine; Antwerp; Belgium
| | - R. De Deken
- Institute of Tropical Medicine; Antwerp; Belgium
| | | | | | - D. Geysen
- Institute of Tropical Medicine; Antwerp; Belgium
| | | | | | - T. van den Berg
- Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre; Brussel; Belgium
| | - A. B. Cay
- Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre; Brussel; Belgium
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28
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Romón P, Higuera M, Delécolle JC, Baldet T, Aduriz G, Goldarazena A. Phenology and attraction of potential Culicoides vectors of bluetongue virus in Basque Country (northern Spain). Vet Parasitol 2012; 186:415-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2011] [Revised: 11/03/2011] [Accepted: 11/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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29
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Deblauwe I, de Witte JC, de Deken G, de Deken R, Madder M, van Erk S, Hoza FA, Lathouwers D, Geysen D. A new tool for the molecular identification of Culicoides species of the Obsoletus group: the glass slide microarray approach. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2012; 26:83-91. [PMID: 21973187 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2915.2011.00979.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Culicoides species of the Obsoletus group (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are potential vectors of bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV 8), which was introduced into central Western Europe in 2006. Correct morphological species identification of Obsoletus group females is especially difficult and molecular identification is the method of choice. In this study we present a new molecular tool based on probe hybridization using a DNA microarray format to identify Culicoides species of the Obsoletus group. The internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) gene sequences of 55 Culicoides belonging to 13 different species were determined and used, together with 19 Culicoides ITS1 sequences sourced from GenBank, to design species-specific probes for the microarray test. This test was evaluated using the amplified ITS1 sequences of another 85 Culicoides specimens, belonging to 11 species. The microarray test successfully identified all samples (100%) of the Obsoletus group, identifying each specimen to species level within the group. This test has several advantages over existing polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based molecular tools, including possible capability for parallel analysis of many species, high sensitivity and specificity, and low background signal noise. Hand-spotting of the microarray slide and the use of detection chemistry make this alternative technique affordable and feasible for any diagnostic laboratory with PCR facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Deblauwe
- Animal Health Department, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, Antwerp, Belgium.
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30
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Chatzinasiou E, Dovas C, Papanastassopoulou M, Georgiadis M, Psychas V, Bouzalas I, Koumbati M, Koptopoulos G, Papadopoulos O. Assessment of bluetongue viraemia in sheep by real-time PCR and correlation with viral infectivity. J Virol Methods 2010; 169:305-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2010.07.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2010] [Revised: 07/09/2010] [Accepted: 07/29/2010] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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31
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Ninio C, Augot D, Delecolle JC, Dufour B, Depaquit J. Contribution to the knowledge of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) host preferences in France. Parasitol Res 2010; 108:657-63. [PMID: 20967462 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-010-2110-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2010] [Accepted: 09/30/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Knowledge on host-feeding pattern of blood-sucking insects helps to understand the epidemiology of a vector-born disease. We determined blood meal origin from blood-fed Culicoides thanks to molecular techniques. A set of primers was used to selectively amplify segment of vertebrates' prepronociceptin gene from abdomen of engorged Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Vertebrate DNA was successfully amplified in 91% of blood-fed Culicoides assayed. Direct sequencing and comparison of resultant sequences with sequences in GenBank, using BLAST, lead to the specific identification of the host in 100% of the cases. A total of 157 blood-fed females belonging to 13 different Culicoides' species were captured thanks to light traps in different areas of France between 2008 and 2009. Blood meal origin was determined for 143 blood-fed midges: 59 Culicoides obsoletus, 18 Culicoides dewulfi, 16 Culicoides scoticus, 11 Culicoides chiopterus, 10 Culicoides lupicaris, 1 Culicoides pulicaris, 8 Culicoides punctatus, 10 Culicoides pallidicornis, 3 Culicoides achrayi, 2 Culicoides furcillatus, 3 Culicoides brunnicans, 1 Culicoides picturatus and 1 Culicoides poperinghensis. The predominant species in our study belong to the C. obsoletus complex; they are considered as putative vectors of Bluetongue virus in the north of Europe. C. chiopterus sampled fed only on cattle, while blood meal origin of C. dewulfi, C. obsoletus and C. scoticus was diversified. In our sampling, we found that midges were fed mainly on cattle (54%), rabbits (20%), horses (17%), sheep (4%), pigs or wild boars (4%) and human (1%). Cattle DNA was found in at least 11 different species of Culicoides assayed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Ninio
- Usc Vecpar-ANSES, JE 2533, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51 rue Cognacq-Jay, 51096 Reims, France
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32
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Vanbinst T, Vandenbussche F, Dernelle E, De Clercq K. A duplex real-time RT-PCR for the detection of bluetongue virus in bovine semen. J Virol Methods 2010; 169:162-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2010.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2010] [Revised: 07/19/2010] [Accepted: 07/22/2010] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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33
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De Clercq K, Mertens P, De Leeuw I, Oura C, Houdart P, Potgieter AC, Maan S, Hooyberghs J, Batten C, Vandemeulebroucke E, Wright IM, Maan N, Riocreux F, Sanders A, Vanderstede Y, Nomikou K, Raemaekers M, Bin-Tarif A, Shaw A, Henstock M, Bréard E, Dubois E, Gastaldi-Thiéry C, Zientara S, Verheyden B, Vandenbussche F. Emergence of bluetongue serotypes in Europe, part 2: the occurrence of a BTV-11 strain in Belgium. Transbound Emerg Dis 2010; 56:355-61. [PMID: 19909474 DOI: 10.1111/j.1865-1682.2009.01092.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
An EDTA-blood sample from a cow without clinical signs, which gave early birth to a newborn calf that died soon after delivery, was shown to be positive for bluetongue virus (BTV)-RNA using a group-specific real-time RT-PCR (RT-qPCR). In-house serotype-specific RT-qPCR assays for bluetongue virus serotype 1 (BTV-1), -6 and -8 all gave negative results. Subsequent assays were carried out using conventional (gel-based) RT-PCR primers for all 25 BTV serotypes and only two primer sets, both specific for BTV-11, gave bands of the expected size. The cDNAs generated were sequenced and comparisons of the genome segment 2 sequence with that of the modified 'live' vaccine strain of BTV-11 from South Africa showed 100% identity. A survey of all ruminants in a 1-km area around the first positive farm using a BTV-11 serotype-specific RT-qPCR revealed five other holdings with in total nine BTV-11 positive animals. A cross-sectional monitoring of dairy cattle in Belgium showed an overall prevalence of 3.8% on herd level and 0.2% on animal level. A BTV-11 has been introduced into the Belgian cattle herd during the 2008 vector season. The source of the infection and the way by which the virus was introduced are unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- K De Clercq
- Section Development of Diagnostic Tools for Epizootic Diseases, Department of Virology, Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre, Ukkel, Belgium.
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34
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Vandenbussche F, De Leeuw I, Vandemeulebroucke E, De Clercq K. Emergence of bluetongue serotypes in Europe, part 1: description and validation of four real-time RT-PCR assays for the serotyping of bluetongue viruses BTV-1, BTV-6, BTV-8 and BTV-11. Transbound Emerg Dis 2009; 56:346-54. [PMID: 19824952 DOI: 10.1111/j.1865-1682.2009.01093.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The control of bluetongue virus (BTV) in Central-Western Europe is greatly complicated by the coexistence of several BTV serotypes. Rapid, sensitive and specific assays are therefore needed to correctly identify the currently circulating BTV serotypes in field samples. In the present study, four serotype-specific real-time RT-PCR assays (RT-qPCR) are described for the detection of the BTV-1, BTV-6, BTV-8 and BTV-11 serotypes. The analytical sensitivity of the BTV-1/S2, BTV-6/S2, BTV-8/S2 and BTV-11/S2 serotype-specific RT-qPCR assays is comparable to the earlier described serogroup-specific pan-BTV/S5 RT-qPCR assay. In silico and in vitro analyses indicated that none of the assays cross-react with viruses which are symptomatically or genetically related to BTV and only detect the intended BTV serotypes. All assays exhibited a linear range of at least 0.05-3.80 log(10) TCID(50) ml(-1) and a PCR-efficiency approaching the ideal amplification factor of two per PCR cycle. Both intra- and inter-run variations were found to be low with a total coefficient of variation of 1-2% for clear positive samples and <10% for very weak positive samples. Finally, the performance of the described assays was compared with commercially available kits for the detection of BTV-1, BTV-6 and BTV-8. Three in-house assays gave exactly the same diagnostic result (positive/negative) as the commercial assays and can thus be used interchangeably. Together with the earlier described serogroup-specific pan-BTV/S5, the serotype-specific RT-qPCR assays form a flexible and properly validated set of tools to detect and differentiate the BTV serotypes currently circulating in Central-Western Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Vandenbussche
- Department of Virology, Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre, Ukkel, Belgium
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