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González MA, Magallanes S, Bravo-Barriga D, Monteys VSI, Martínez-de la Puente J, Figuerola J. Sampling of Culicoides with nontraditional methods provides unusual species composition and new records for southern Spain. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:338. [PMID: 39135087 PMCID: PMC11318182 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06414-2] [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: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Culicoides midges have been well-studied in Spain, particularly over the last 20 years, mainly because of their role as vectors of arboviral diseases that affect livestock. Most studies on Culicoides are conducted using suction light traps in farmed environments, but studies employing alternative trapping techniques or focusing on natural habitats are scarce. METHODS In the present study, we analyze Culicoides captured in 2023 at 476 sites in western Andalusia (southern Spain) using carbon dioxide-baited Biogents (BG)-sentinel traps across different ecosystems. RESULTS We collected 3,084 Culicoides midges (3060 females and 24 males) belonging to 23 species, including the new species Culicoides grandifovea sp. nov. and the first record of Culicoides pseudolangeroni for Europe. Both species were described with morphological and molecular methods and detailed data on spatial distribution was also recorded. The new species showed close phylogenetic relations with sequences from an unidentified Culicoides from Morocco (92.6% similarity) and with Culicoides kurensis. Culicoides imicola was the most abundant species (17.4%), followed by Culicoides grandifovea sp. nov. (14.6%) and Culicoides kurensis (11.9%). Interestingly, Culicoides montanus was the only species of the obsoletus and pulicaris species complexes captured, representing the first record of this species in southern Spain. A total of 53 valid Culicoides species have been reported in the area, with 48 already reported in literature records and 5 more added in the present study. Information on the flight period for the most common Culicoides species is also provided. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, our study represents the most comprehensive effort ever done on nonfarmland habitats using carbon-dioxide baited suction traps for collecting Culicoides. Our data suggests that using carbon dioxide traps offers a completely different perspective on Culicoides communities compared with routinely used light traps, including the discovery of previously unrecorded species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikel Alexander González
- Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD, CSIC), Seville, Spain.
- Ciber de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Sergio Magallanes
- Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD, CSIC), Seville, Spain
- Ciber de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Bravo-Barriga
- Departamento de Salud Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Salud Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Victor Sarto I Monteys
- Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA), Entomology, Plants and Health, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Josué Martínez-de la Puente
- Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD, CSIC), Seville, Spain
- Ciber de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Figuerola
- Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD, CSIC), Seville, Spain
- Ciber de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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2
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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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3
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Vector-Borne Viral Diseases as a Current Threat for Human and Animal Health—One Health Perspective. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11113026. [PMID: 35683413 PMCID: PMC9181581 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11113026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last decades, an increase in the emergence or re-emergence of arthropod-borne viruses has been observed in many regions. Viruses such as dengue, yellow fever, or zika are a threat for millions of people on different continents. On the other hand, some arboviruses are still described as endemic, however, they could become more important in the near future. Additionally, there is a group of arboviruses that, although important for animal breeding, are not a direct threat for human health. Those include, e.g., Schmallenberg, bluetongue, or African swine fever viruses. This review focuses on arboviruses and their major vectors: mosquitoes, ticks, biting midges, and sandflies. We discuss the current knowledge on arbovirus transmission, ecology, and methods of prevention. As arboviruses are a challenge to both human and animal health, successful prevention and control are therefore only possible through a One Health perspective.
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4
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Jiménez-Ruiz S, Vicente J, Risalde MA, Acevedo P, Cano-Terriza D, González-Barrio D, Barroso P, García-Bocanegra I. Survey of Culicoides-borne Bluetongue and Schmallenberg viruses at the wildlife-livestock interface in Doñana National Park (Spain). Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:e1815-e1824. [PMID: 35304824 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the circulation of bluetongue virus (BTV) and Schmallenberg virus (SBV) within the wild and domestic ungulate host community in Doñana National Park (southwestern Spain). A total of 440 animals, including 138 cattle, 102 red deer (Cervus elaphus), 101 fallow deer (Dama dama) and 99 wild boar (Sus scrofa) were sampled in 2015 during the seasonal peak of Culicoides spp. (summer-autumn). Serum and spleen samples were analysed to detect exposure (using commercial blocking ELISAs) and infection (by RT-PCR), respectively, to BTV and SBV. Cattle were not tested by BTV-bELISA because all were previously vaccinated against BTV serotypes 1 and 4. High BTV seroprevalences were found in red deer (97.0%) and fallow deer (64.7%). Antibodies against SBV were detected in 37.0% of cattle, 16.8% of red deer, 23.5% of fallow deer and 2.0% of wild boar. Thirty-eight of the 203 deer (18.7%; 17 red deer and 21 fallow deer) were co-exposed to both viral agents. BTV-4 RNA was confirmed in four red deer and two fallow deer. SBV RNA was found in two fallow deer. Co-infections were not detected. Our results indicate high exposure, widespread distribution, and active circulation of BTV and SBV in the ruminant community in the study area. We provide additional evidence for the potential role of wild cervids as reservoirs of these Culicoides-borne viruses in two different epidemiological scenarios: with vaccination (BTV) and without vaccination (SBV) of sympatric livestock. This study highlights the importance of wildlife surveillance, particularly of cervid species, for the proper execution of control programmes of Culicoides-borne diseases in extensively reared livestock. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saúl Jiménez-Ruiz
- Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad y Biotecnología (SaBio). Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (UCLM-CSIC-JCCM), Ciudad Real, 13071, Spain.,Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ). Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, 14014, Spain
| | - Joaquín Vicente
- Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad y Biotecnología (SaBio). Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (UCLM-CSIC-JCCM), Ciudad Real, 13071, Spain
| | - María A Risalde
- Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ). Departamento de Anatomía, Anatomía Patológica Comparadas y Toxicología. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, 14014, Spain.,Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, 14004, Spain.,CIBERINFEC
| | - Pelayo Acevedo
- Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad y Biotecnología (SaBio). Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (UCLM-CSIC-JCCM), Ciudad Real, 13071, Spain
| | - David Cano-Terriza
- Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ). Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, 14014, Spain.,CIBERINFEC
| | - David González-Barrio
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, 28220, Spain.,SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Patricia Barroso
- Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad y Biotecnología (SaBio). Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (UCLM-CSIC-JCCM), Ciudad Real, 13071, Spain
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ). Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, 14014, Spain.,CIBERINFEC
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5
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A Review of the Vector Status of North American Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) for Bluetongue Virus, Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, and Other Arboviruses of Concern. CURRENT TROPICAL MEDICINE REPORTS 2022; 9:130-139. [PMID: 36105115 PMCID: PMC9463510 DOI: 10.1007/s40475-022-00263-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Culicoides biting midges transmit several pathogens of veterinary importance in North America, but the vector status of many midge species is unresolved. Additionally, the available evidence of vector competence in these species is scattered and variable. The purpose of this review is to summarize current knowledge on confirmed and putative North American Culicoides arbovirus vectors. Recent Findings While the vector status of Culicoides sonorensis (EHDV, BTV, VSV) and Culicoides insignis (BTV) are well established, several other potential vector species have been recently identified. Frequently, these species are implicated based primarily on host-feeding, abundance, and/or detection of arboviruses from field-collected insects, and often lack laboratory infection and transmission data necessary to fully confirm their vector status. Recent genetic studies have also indicated that some wide-ranging species likely represent several cryptic species, further complicating our understanding of their vector status. Summary In most cases, laboratory evidence needed to fully understand the vector status of the putative Culicoides vectors is absent; however, it appears that several species are likely contributing to the transmission of arboviruses in North America.
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6
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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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7
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Jiménez-Martín D, Cano-Terriza D, Díaz-Cao JM, Pujols J, Fernández-Morente M, García-Bocanegra I. Epidemiological surveillance of Schmallenberg virus in small ruminants in southern Spain. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:2219-2228. [PMID: 33034150 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Revised: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is an emerging Culicoides-borne Orthobunyavirus that affects ruminant species. Between 2011 and 2013, it was responsible for a large-scale epidemic in Europe. In the present study, we aimed to determine the seroprevalence, spatial distribution and risk factors associated with SBV exposure in sheep and goats in the region where the first Schmallenberg disease outbreak in Spain was reported. Blood samples from 1,796 small ruminants from 120 farms were collected in Andalusia (southern Spain) between 2015 and 2017. Antibodies against SBV were detected in 536 of 1,796 animals (29.8%; 95%CI: 27.7-32.0) using a commercial blocking ELISA. The individual seroprevalence according to species was 31.1% (280/900; 95%CI: 28.1-34.1) in sheep and 28.6% (256/896; 95%CI: 25.6-31.5) in goats. The farm prevalence was 76.7% (95%CI: 69.1-84.2). Seropositivity to SBV was confirmed in both sheep and goats in all provinces by virus neutralization test. Two significant (p < .001) spatial clusters of high seroprevalence were identified. The generalized estimating equation analysis showed that management system (extensive), temperature (>14ºC) and altitude (<400 metres above sea level) were risk factors associated with SBV exposure in small ruminants. Our results highlight widespread but not homogeneous circulation of SBV in small ruminant populations in Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora Jiménez-Martín
- Animal Health and Zoonosis Research Group (GISAZ), Department of Animal Health, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - David Cano-Terriza
- Animal Health and Zoonosis Research Group (GISAZ), Department of Animal Health, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - José M Díaz-Cao
- Department of Medicine & Epidemiology, Center for Animal Disease Modeling and Surveillance (CADMS), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Joan Pujols
- IRTA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | | | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Animal Health and Zoonosis Research Group (GISAZ), Department of Animal Health, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
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8
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Hristescu D, Bărbuceanu F, Dascălu L, Nițescu C, Goffredo M, Santilli A, Quaglia M, Balenghien T, Predoi G. Species composition and relative abundance of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Romania. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:393. [PMID: 32746908 PMCID: PMC7397577 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04247-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Culicoides biting midges are vectors involved in the biological transmission cycle of important animal diseases such as bluetongue and African horse sickness. In Romania, the first outbreaks of bluetongue were reported in 2014, leading to increased activities within the existing entomological surveillance network. The main goals of the surveillance activities were the establishment of the vector free period in relation to animal trade and the identification of Culicoides species involved in the transmission of the pathogen. This study was conducted on the composition and relative abundance of the species belonging to the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in certain regions of Romania and provided the opportunity to update the existing checklist of Culicoides species of this country. Methods The study was conducted in 33 of the 42 administrative units (counties), including a total of 659 catches, in 102 locations. The collections were carried out with UV blacklight suction traps (OVI type). The collected insects were preserved in 70% ethanol. Morphological insect identification was carried out using a stereomicroscope, according to established identification keys. In ten localities the relative abundance of the cryptic species of the Obsoletus complex was determined by multiplex PCR assay based on the ITS2 segment. The identification of the Culicoides chiopterus (Meigen) species by morphological examination was confirmed by PCR assay based on the ITS1 segment. Results Eleven species were identified using morphological and PCR tools. The rest of the individuals were separated into five taxa. The species of the Obsoletus complex (grouping Culicoides obsoletus (Meigen) and Culicoides scoticus Downes & Kettle) were the most abundant, accounting for 59% of the total number of captured Culicoides spp. Three of the identified species are mentioned, according to our knowledge, for the first time in Romania: Culicoides newsteadi Austen, Culicoides flavipulicaris Dzhafarov and Culicoides bysta Sarvašová, Kočisová, Candolfi & Mathieu. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that the Culicoides species most commonly cited as being involved in the transmission of arboviruses in Europe (i.e. bluetongue and Schmallenberg viruses) make up a high proportion of adult Culicoides trapped in Romania. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Doru Hristescu
- Institute for Diagnosis and Animal Health, Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Florica Bărbuceanu
- Institute for Diagnosis and Animal Health, Bucharest, Romania.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Lenuța Dascălu
- Institute for Diagnosis and Animal Health, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Maria Goffredo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise 'G. Caporale', Teramo, Italy
| | - Adriana Santilli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise 'G. Caporale', Teramo, Italy
| | - Michela Quaglia
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise 'G. Caporale', Teramo, Italy
| | - Thomas Balenghien
- ASTRE, University of Montpellier, Cirad, INRA, Montpellier, France.,Cirad, UMR ASTRE, 10101, Rabat, Morocco.,Unité Parasitologie et maladies parasitaires, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, 10100, Rabat, Morocco
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9
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Jiménez-Ruiz S, Risalde MA, Acevedo P, Arnal MC, Gómez-Guillamón F, Prieto P, Gens MJ, Cano-Terriza D, Fernández de Luco D, Vicente J, García-Bocanegra I. Serosurveillance of Schmallenberg virus in wild ruminants in Spain. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:347-354. [PMID: 32530115 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Schmallenberg disease (SBD) is an emerging vector-borne disease that affects domestic and wild ruminants. A long-term serosurvey was conducted to assess exposure to Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in all the wild ruminant species present in mainland Spain. Between 2010 and 2016, sera from 1,216 animals were tested for antibodies against SBV using a commercial blocking ELISA. The overall prevalence of antibodies was 27.1% (95%CI: 24.7-29.7). Statistically significant differences among species were observed, with significantly higher seropositivity found in fallow deer (Dama dama) (45.6%; 99/217), red deer (Cervus elaphus) (31.6%; 97/307) and mouflon (Ovis aries musimon) (28.0%; 33/118) compared to Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia) (22.2%; 8/36), Iberian wild goat (Capra pyrenaica) (19.9%; 49/246), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) (17.5%; 34/194) and Southern chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica) (10.2%; 10/98). Seropositive animals were detected in 81.4% (57/70; 95%CI: 70.8-88.8) of the sampled populations. SBV seroprevalence ranged from 18.8% (48/256) in bioregion (BR)2 (north-central, Mediterranean) to 32.3% (31/96) in BR1 (northeastern or Atlantic, Eurosiberian). Anti-SBV antibodies were not found before 2012, when the first outbreak of SBD was reported in Spain. In contrast, seropositivity was detected uninterruptedly during the period 2012-2016 and anti-SBV antibodies were found in yearling animals in each of these years. Our results provide evidence of widespread endemic circulation of SBV among wild ruminant populations in mainland Spain in recent years. Surveillance in these species could be a useful tool for monitoring SBV in Europe, particularly in areas where wild ruminants share habitats with livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saúl Jiménez-Ruiz
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain.,Grupo Sanidad y Biotecnología (SaBio), Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (UCLM-CSIC-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Maria A Risalde
- Departamento de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas. Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Pelayo Acevedo
- Grupo Sanidad y Biotecnología (SaBio), Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (UCLM-CSIC-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Maria Cruz Arnal
- Departamento de Patología Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza (UNIZAR), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Félix Gómez-Guillamón
- Consejería de Medio Ambiente y Ordenación del Territorio (CMAOT), Junta de Andalucía, Málaga, Spain
| | - Paloma Prieto
- Parque Natural Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas. Junta de Andalucía, Cazorla (Jaén), Spain
| | - María José Gens
- Consejería de Turismo, Cultura y Medio Ambiente, Dirección General del Medio Natural de la Región de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - David Cano-Terriza
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Daniel Fernández de Luco
- Departamento de Patología Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza (UNIZAR), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Joaquín Vicente
- Grupo Sanidad y Biotecnología (SaBio), Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (UCLM-CSIC-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain
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10
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Continuous Cell Lines from the European Biting Midge Culicoides nubeculosus (Meigen, 1830). Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8060825. [PMID: 32486323 PMCID: PMC7356041 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8060825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) transmit arboviruses of veterinary or medical importance, including bluetongue virus (BTV) and Schmallenberg virus, as well as causing severe irritation to livestock and humans. Arthropod cell lines are essential laboratory research tools for the isolation and propagation of vector-borne pathogens and the investigation of host-vector-pathogen interactions. Here we report the establishment of two continuous cell lines, CNE/LULS44 and CNE/LULS47, from embryos of Culicoides nubeculosus, a midge distributed throughout the Western Palearctic region. Species origin of the cultured cells was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing of a fragment of the cytochrome oxidase 1 gene, and the absence of bacterial contamination was confirmed by bacterial 16S rRNA PCR. Both lines have been successfully cryopreserved and resuscitated. The majority of cells examined in both lines had the expected diploid chromosome number of 2n = 6. Transmission electron microscopy of CNE/LULS44 cells revealed the presence of large mitochondria within cells of a diverse population, while arrays of virus-like particles were not seen. CNE/LULS44 cells supported replication of a strain of BTV serotype 1, but not of a strain of serotype 26 which is not known to be insect-transmitted. These new cell lines will expand the scope of research on Culicoides-borne pathogens.
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Yanase T, Murota K, Hayama Y. Endemic and Emerging Arboviruses in Domestic Ruminants in East Asia. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:168. [PMID: 32318588 PMCID: PMC7154088 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Epizootic congenital abnormalities caused by Akabane, Aino, and Chuzan viruses have damaged the reproduction of domestic ruminants in East Asia for many years. In the past, large outbreaks of febrile illness related to bovine ephemeral fever and Ibaraki viruses severely affected the cattle industry in that region. In recent years, vaccines against these viruses have reduced the occurrence of diseases, although the viruses are still circulating and have occasionally caused sporadic and small-scaled epidemics. Over a long-term monitoring period, many arboviruses other than the above-mentioned viruses have been isolated from cattle and Culicoides biting midges in Japan. Several novel arboviruses that may infect ruminants (e.g., mosquito- and tick-borne arboviruses) were recently reported in mainland China based on extensive surveillance. It is noteworthy that some are suspected of being associated with cattle diseases. Malformed calves exposed to an intrauterine infection with orthobunyaviruses (e.g., Peaton and Shamonda viruses) have been observed. Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus serotype 6 caused a sudden outbreak of hemorrhagic disease in cattle in Japan. Unfortunately, the pathogenicity of many other viruses in ruminants has been uncertain, although these viruses potentially affect livestock production. As global transportation grows, the risk of an accidental incursion of arboviruses is likely to increase in previously non-endemic areas. Global warming will also certainly affect the distribution and active period of vectors, and thus the range of virus spreads will expand to higher-latitude regions. To prevent anticipated damages to the livestock industry, the monitoring system for arboviral circulation and incursion should be strengthened; moreover, the sharing of information and preventive strategies will be essential in East Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tohru Yanase
- Kyushu Research Station, National Institute of Animal Health, NARO, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Katsunori Murota
- Kyushu Research Station, National Institute of Animal Health, NARO, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Yoko Hayama
- Viral Disease and Epidemiology Research Division, National Institute of Animal Health, NARO, Tsukuba, Japan
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Tomazatos A, Jöst H, Schulze J, Spînu M, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Cadar D, Lühken R. Blood-meal analysis of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) reveals a broad host range and new species records for Romania. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:79. [PMID: 32066493 PMCID: PMC7027113 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-3938-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Culicoides biting midges are potential vectors of different pathogens. However, especially for eastern Europe, there is a lack of knowledge on the host-feeding patterns of this vector group. Therefore, this study aimed to identify Culicoides spp. and their vertebrate hosts collected in a wetland ecosystem. METHODS Culicoides spp. were collected weekly from May to August 2017, using Biogents traps with UV light at four sites in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, Romania. Vectors and hosts were identified with a DNA barcoding approach. The mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 was used to identify Culicoides spp., while vertebrate hosts were determined targeting cytochrome b or 16S rRNA gene fragments. A maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree was constructed to verify the biting midge identity against other conspecific Palaearctic Culicoides species. A set of unfed midges was used for morphological confirmation of species identification using slide-mounted wings. RESULTS Barcoding allowed the species identification and detection of corresponding hosts for 1040 (82.3%) of the 1264 analysed specimens. Eight Culicoides spp. were identified with Culicoides griseidorsum, Culicoides puncticollis and Culicoides submaritimus as new species records for Romania. For 39 specimens no similar sequences were found in GenBank. This group of unknown Culicoides showed a divergence of 15.6-16.3% from the closest identified species and clustered in a monophyletic clade, i.e. a novel species or a species without reference sequences in molecular libraries. For all Culicoides spp., nine mammalian and 24 avian species were detected as hosts. With the exception of C. riethi (n = 12), at least one avian host was detected for all Culicoides spp., but this host group only dominated for Culicoides kibunensis and the unknown Culicoides sp.. The most common host group were mammals (n = 993, 87.6% of all identified blood sources) dominated by cattle (n = 817, 70.6%). CONCLUSIONS Most Culicoides spp. showed a broad host-feeding pattern making them potential bridge vectors. At the same time, new records of biting midge species for Romania, as well as a potentially unknown Culicoides species, highlight the lack of knowledge regarding the biting midge species and their genetic diversity in eastern Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandru Tomazatos
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hanna Jöst
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jonny Schulze
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marina Spînu
- University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.,Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Cadar
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Renke Lühken
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany. .,Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
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Collins ÁB, Doherty ML, Barrett DJ, Mee JF. Schmallenberg virus: a systematic international literature review (2011-2019) from an Irish perspective. Ir Vet J 2019; 72:9. [PMID: 31624588 PMCID: PMC6785879 DOI: 10.1186/s13620-019-0147-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
In Autumn 2011, nonspecific clinical signs of pyrexia, diarrhoea, and drop in milk yield were observed in dairy cattle near the German town of Schmallenberg at the Dutch/German border. Targeted veterinary diagnostic investigations for classical endemic and emerging viruses could not identify a causal agent. Blood samples were collected from animals with clinical signs and subjected to metagenomic analysis; a novel orthobunyavirus was identified and named Schmallenberg virus (SBV). In late 2011/early 2012, an epidemic of abortions and congenital malformations in calves, lambs and goat kids, characterised by arthrogryposis and hydranencephaly were reported in continental Europe. Subsequently, SBV RNA was confirmed in both aborted and congenitally malformed foetuses and also in Culicoides species biting midges. It soon became evident that SBV was an arthropod-borne teratogenic virus affecting domestic ruminants. SBV rapidly achieved a pan-European distribution with most countries confirming SBV infection within a year or two of the initial emergence. The first Irish case of SBV was confirmed in the south of the country in late 2012 in a bovine foetus. Since SBV was first identified in 2011, a considerable body of scientific research has been conducted internationally describing this novel emerging virus. The aim of this systematic review is to provide a comprehensive synopsis of the most up-to-date scientific literature regarding the origin of SBV and the spread of the Schmallenberg epidemic, in addition to describing the species affected, clinical signs, pathogenesis, transmission, risk factors, impact, diagnostics, surveillance methods and control measures. This review also highlights current knowledge gaps in the scientific literature regarding SBV, most notably the requirement for further research to determine if, and to what extent, SBV circulation occurred in Europe and internationally during 2017 and 2018. Moreover, recommendations are also made regarding future arbovirus surveillance in Europe, specifically the establishment of a European-wide sentinel herd surveillance program, which incorporates bovine serology and Culicoides entomology and virology studies, at national and international level to monitor for the emergence and re-emergence of arboviruses such as SBV, bluetongue virus and other novel Culicoides-borne arboviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Áine B Collins
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co, Cork, Ireland.,2School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Michael L Doherty
- 2School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Damien J Barrett
- Department of Agriculture, Surveillance, Animal By-Products and TSE Division, Food and the Marine, Backweston, Celbridge, Co. Kildare Ireland
| | - John F Mee
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co, Cork, Ireland
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Leta S, Fetene E, Mulatu T, Amenu K, Jaleta MB, Beyene TJ, Negussie H, Revie CW. Modeling the global distribution of Culicoides imicola: an Ensemble approach. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14187. [PMID: 31578399 PMCID: PMC6775326 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50765-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Culicoides imicola is a midge species serving as vector for a number of viral diseases of livestock, including Bluetongue, and African Horse Sickness. C. imicola is also known to transmit Schmallenberg virus experimentally. Environmental and demographic factors may impose rapid changes on the global distribution of C. imicola and aid introduction into new areas. The aim of this study is to predict the global distribution of C. imicola using an ensemble modeling approach by combining climatic, livestock distribution and land cover covariates, together with a comprehensive global dataset of geo-positioned occurrence points for C. imicola. Thirty individual models were generated by ‘biomod2’, with 21 models scoring a true skill statistic (TSS) >0.8. These 21 models incorporated weighted runs from eight of ten algorithms and were used to create a final ensemble model. The ensemble model performed very well (TSS = 0.898 and ROC = 0.991) and indicated high environmental suitability for C. imicola in the tropics and subtropics. The habitat suitability for C. imicola spans from South Africa to southern Europe and from southern USA to southern China. The distribution of C. imicola is mainly constrained by climatic factors. In the ensemble model, mean annual minimum temperature had the highest overall contribution (42.9%), followed by mean annual maximum temperature (21.1%), solar radiation (13.6%), annual precipitation (11%), livestock distribution (6.2%), vapor pressure (3.4%), wind speed (0.8%), and land cover (0.1%). The present study provides the most up-to-date predictive maps of the potential distributions of C. imicola and should be of great value for decision making at global and regional scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samson Leta
- Addis Ababa University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia.
| | - Eyerusalem Fetene
- Addis Ababa University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Tesfaye Mulatu
- National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Centre (NAHDIC), P. O. Box 04, Sebeta, Ethiopia
| | - Kebede Amenu
- Addis Ababa University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Megarsa Bedasa Jaleta
- Addis Ababa University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Tariku Jibat Beyene
- Addis Ababa University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia.,Center for Outcome Research and Epidemiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Haileleul Negussie
- Addis Ababa University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Crawford W Revie
- Department of Computing and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Livingstone Tower (14.01), 26 Richmond Street, Glasgow, G1 1XQ, Scotland, UK
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Updating the global occurrence of Culicoides imicola, a vector for emerging viral diseases. Sci Data 2019; 6:185. [PMID: 31570721 PMCID: PMC6768995 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-019-0197-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Culicoides imicola is the main vector transmitting viruses causing animal diseases such as Bluetongue, African Horse Sickness, and Schmallenberg. It has become widely distributed, with reports from South Africa to southern Europe, and from western Africa to southern China. This study presents a global compendium of Culicoides imicola occurrence between 1943 and 2018, reflecting the most recently compiled and harmonized global dataset derived from peer-reviewed literature. The procedures used in producing the data, as well as the geo-coding methods, database management and technical validation procedures are described. The study provides an updated and comprehensive global database of C. imicola occurrence, consisting of 1 039 geo-coded records from 50 countries. The datasets can be used for risk mapping of the diseases transmitted by C. imicola as well as to develop the global habitat suitability for the vector.
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Kęsik-Maliszewska J, Larska M, Collins ÁB, Rola J. Post-Epidemic Distribution of Schmallenberg Virus in Culicoides Arbovirus Vectors in Poland. Viruses 2019; 11:v11050447. [PMID: 31100887 PMCID: PMC6563501 DOI: 10.3390/v11050447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pooled samples of female and male Culicoides midges (5146 and 332 pools, respectively) that corresponded to a total number of 124,957 specimens were collected between 2013-2017 in the vicinity of cattle barns that were distributed throughout Poland were analyzed for the presence of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) RNA. Sixty-six pools tested positive (1.2%) with mean Ct value of 34.95. The maximum likelihood estimated infection rate (MLE) was calculated at 0.53 per 1000 individuals; however, it peaked in 2016 with MLE of 3.7. Viral RNA was detected in C. obsoletus/scoticus complex, C. punctatus, and C. pulicaris pools. Moreover, viral material was present in nulliparous (virgin) Culicoides females (MLE 0.27) and for the first time reported in males (MLE 0.34), which suggests the possibility of transovarial route of SBV or virus RNA transmission, as both do not fed on host blood. The accuracy of targeted versus random SBV surveillance in Culicoides vectors was compared. The relationship between infection rate (expressed as minimum infection rate; MIR), in addition to MLE, was compared with the density of virus infected midges (DIM). In conclusion, the SBV infection rate in the vector was significantly higher in 2016 as compared to other surveillance years; this is consistent with the simultaneous increase in SBV seroprevalence (seroconversion) in ruminants during the same year.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Magdalena Larska
- Department of Virology, National Veterinary Institute, 24-100 Puławy, Poland.
| | - Áine B Collins
- Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, C/o Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 W6F6 Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Jerzy Rola
- Department of Virology, National Veterinary Institute, 24-100 Puławy, Poland.
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Sick F, Beer M, Kampen H, Wernike K. Culicoides Biting Midges-Underestimated Vectors for Arboviruses of Public Health and Veterinary Importance. Viruses 2019; 11:E376. [PMID: 31022868 PMCID: PMC6520762 DOI: 10.3390/v11040376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Culicoides biting midges, small hematophagous dipterans, are the demonstrated or putative vectors of multiple arboviruses of veterinary and public health importance. Despite its relevance in disease spread, the ceratopogonid genus Culicoides is still a largely neglected group of species, predominantly because the major human-affecting arboviruses are considered to be transmitted by mosquitoes. However, when a pathogen is detected in a certain vector species, a thorough search for further vectors often remains undone and, therefore, the relevant vector species may remain unknown. Furthermore, for many hematophagous arthropods, true vector competence is often merely suspected and not experimentally proven. Therefore, we aim to illuminate the general impact of Culicoides biting midges and to summarize the knowledge about biting midge-borne disease agents using the order Bunyavirales, the largest and most diverse group of RNA viruses, as an example. When considering only viruses evidentially transmitted by Culicoides midges, the Simbu serogroup (genus Orthobunyavirus) is presumably the most important group within the virus order. Its members are of great veterinary importance, as a variety of simbuviruses, e.g., the species Akabane orthobunyavirus or Schmallenberg orthobunyavirus, induces severe congenital infections in pregnant animals. The major zoonotic representative of this serogroup occurs in South and Central America and causes the so-called Oropouche fever, an acute febrile illness in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Sick
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Helge Kampen
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
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Venter GJ, Boikanyo SNB, de Beer CJ. The influence of temperature and humidity on the flight activity of Culicoides imicola both under laboratory and field conditions. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:4. [PMID: 30606269 PMCID: PMC6318895 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3272-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Insight into the factors that regulate the circadian host-seeking flight activity of Culicoides vectors (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) will be of importance to assess the risk of transmission of Culicoides-borne pathogens. This study aimed to determine the impact of temperature and humidity on the flight activity of Culicoides imicola Kieffer, and other livestock associated Culicoides species, under both laboratory and field conditions. METHODS Batches of 500 field-collected C. imicola females were acclimatized at a predetermined range of temperatures (10-29 °C) and relative humidity (34-85%). After acclimatization, these females, prompted by a light source, were allowed to escape through a transparent plastic funnel into a paper cup, where they were counted after an hour. Flight activity under field conditions was determined seasonally by hourly light trap collections done overnight at four sites near cattle. RESULTS Experiments conducted at various test conditions in the laboratory indicated that flight activity started at 13 °C. Peak in activity was observed between 16 °C to 18 °C, and temperatures above 20 °C seemingly inhibit flight. Under field conditions, a peak in numbers collected was observed immediately after sunset. With mean nocturnal temperatures below 19 °C, more than 74% of the Culicoides were collected within two to three hours after sunset. With mean nocturnal temperature above 19 °C, the peak in numbers at sunset was sustained until after midnight, with somewhat higher numbers collected after midnight once temperatures dropped below 20 °C. No peak in numbers was observed at dawn. Although very low numbers were collected during the day, which partly may have been a result of the collecting method, Culicoides were present throughout periods of 24 hours. Humidity seemed to play a minor role in the regulation of flight activity. CONCLUSIONS Abundance and species diversity results as obtained in this study indicated a high level of risk of virus transmission in the first hours following sunset. A strong relationship was found between host-seeking activity, and hence trap efficiency, and within limits, temperature. Light traps primarily measure flight activity and may as such underestimate adult abundance of C. imicola if deployed at temperatures outside thresholds of 16-20 °C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gert J Venter
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Pretoria, South Africa. .,Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
| | - Solomon N B Boikanyo
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Chantel J de Beer
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Pretoria, South Africa
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Wernike K, Holsteg M, Szillat KP, Beer M. Development of within-herd immunity and long-term persistence of antibodies against Schmallenberg virus in naturally infected cattle. BMC Vet Res 2018; 14:368. [PMID: 30477532 PMCID: PMC6258403 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-018-1702-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In 2011, the teratogenic, insect-transmitted Schmallenberg virus (SBV) emerged at the German/Dutch border region and subsequently spread rapidly throughout the European continent. In cattle, one of the major target species of SBV, first antibodies are detectable between one and three weeks after infection, but the duration of humoral immunity is unknown. To assess the course of immunity in individual animals and the development of the within-herd seroprevalence, cattle kept in a German farm with a herd size of about 300 lactating animals were annually blood sampled between December 2011 and December 2017 and tested for the presence of SBV-specific antibodies. Results During the monitored period, the within-herd seroprevalence declined from 74.92% in 2011 to 39.93% in 2015 and, thereafter, slightly increased to 49.53% in 2016 and 48.44% in 2017. From the animals that were tested in 2014 and 2015 for the first time (between 24 and 35 months of age) only 14.77% and 7.45%, respectively, scored positive. Thereafter, the seropositivity rate of this age group rose markedly to 58.04% in 2016 and 48.10% in 2017 indicating a circulation of SBV. Twenty-three individual animals were consistently sampled once per year between 2011 and 2017 after the respective insect vector season, 17 of them tested positive at the first sampling. Fourteen animals were still seropositive in December 2017, while three cattle (17.65%) became seronegative. Conclusions The regular re-emergence of SBV in Central Europe is a result of decreasing herd immunity caused by the replacement of animals by seronegative youngstock rather than of a drop of antibody levels in previously infected individual animals. The consequences of the overall decline in herd seroprevalence may be increasing virus circulation and more cases of fetal malformation caused by infection of naïve dams during gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Mark Holsteg
- Chamber of Agriculture for North Rhine-Westphalia, Bovine Health Service, Haus Riswick, Kleve, Germany
| | - Kevin P Szillat
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
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Esteves F, Cruz R, Vasconcelos-Nóbrega C, Santos C, Ferreira AS, Petrovic T, Cardoso L, Coelho AC, Vala H, Nascimento MSJ, Mesquita JR. Serologic evidence for Schmallenberg virus circulation at high altitude, Central Portugal, 2015-2016. Transbound Emerg Dis 2018; 65:1553-1556. [DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- F. Esteves
- Centre for Studies in Education and Health Technologies (CI&DETS); Agrarian School of Viseu; Polytechnic Institute of Viseu; Viseu Portugal
| | - R. Cruz
- Centre for Studies in Education and Health Technologies (CI&DETS); Agrarian School of Viseu; Polytechnic Institute of Viseu; Viseu Portugal
| | - C. Vasconcelos-Nóbrega
- Centre for Studies in Education and Health Technologies (CI&DETS); Agrarian School of Viseu; Polytechnic Institute of Viseu; Viseu Portugal
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB); University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro; Vila Real Portugal
| | - C. Santos
- Centre for Studies in Education and Health Technologies (CI&DETS); Agrarian School of Viseu; Polytechnic Institute of Viseu; Viseu Portugal
| | - A. S. Ferreira
- Laboratory of Microbiology; Department of Biological Sciences; Faculty of Pharmacy; University of Porto; Porto Portugal
| | - T. Petrovic
- Scientific Veterinary Institute “Novi Sad”; Novi Sad Serbia
| | - L. Cardoso
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV); University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro; Vila Real Portugal
| | - A. C. Coelho
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB); University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro; Vila Real Portugal
| | - H. Vala
- Centre for Studies in Education and Health Technologies (CI&DETS); Agrarian School of Viseu; Polytechnic Institute of Viseu; Viseu Portugal
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB); University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro; Vila Real Portugal
| | - M. S. J. Nascimento
- Laboratory of Microbiology; Department of Biological Sciences; Faculty of Pharmacy; University of Porto; Porto Portugal
- Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit); Institute of Public Health; University of Porto; Porto Portugal
| | - J. R. Mesquita
- Centre for Studies in Education and Health Technologies (CI&DETS); Agrarian School of Viseu; Polytechnic Institute of Viseu; Viseu Portugal
- Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit); Institute of Public Health; University of Porto; Porto Portugal
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Pagès N, Muñoz-Muñoz F, Verdún M, Pujol N, Talavera S. First detection of Wolbachia-infected Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Europe: Wolbachia and Cardinium infection across Culicoides communities revealed in Spain. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:582. [PMID: 29169377 PMCID: PMC5701505 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2486-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Biting midges of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) transmit pathogens that cause important diseases. No effective technique has been found to properly control either Culicoides spp. abundance or their likelihood to transmit pathogens. Endosymbionts, particularly Wolbachia, represent powerful alternatives to control arthropods of health interest. In arthropods, Wolbachia can reduce vector fitness and vector’s pathogen transmission capacity, thus being a potential target for population reduction and replacement strategies. Results The presence of Wolbachia and Cardinium endosymbionts was screened in Spanish Culicoides spp. populations at livestock premises and natural habitats. The first detection of Wolbachia-infected Culicoides spp. in Europe is reported. The putative Palaearctic vectors for bluetongue and Schmallenberg diseases, C. imicola, C. obsoletus (s.s.) and C. pulicaris (s.l.), were infected with Wolbachia. Four genetic clusters of closely-related Wolbachia strains from A and B supergroups were detected infecting Culicoides. Cardinium strain of the C-group was detected in C. obsoletus (s.l.). Both endosymbionts, Wolbachia and Cardinium, were detected in Culicoides species of minor epidemiological relevance as well. Higher prevalence of Wolbachia infection was detected in natural habitats, while livestock premises lead to higher prevalence of Cardinium. Significant differences in the prevalence of Wolbachia, but not Cardinium, were also detected between some Culicoides species and between locations. Conclusions The presence of Wolbachia and Cardinium endosymbionts in Culicoides is expected to trigger new research towards the control of Culicoides-transmitted diseases. The results of the present study could have an impact beyond the Culicoides arena because successful Wolbachia transfection is possible even across genus and species barriers. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-017-2486-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nonito Pagès
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, (Cerdanyola del Vallès), 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain. .,Present address: CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-97170, Petit-Bourg, Guadeloupe, France. .,Present address: ASTRE, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier, France.
| | - Francesc Muñoz-Muñoz
- Departament de Biologia Animal, de Biologia Vegetal i d'Ecologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Verdún
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, (Cerdanyola del Vallès), 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Núria Pujol
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, (Cerdanyola del Vallès), 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sandra Talavera
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, (Cerdanyola del Vallès), 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
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