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Calzolari M, Callegari E, Grisendi A, Munari M, Russo S, Sgura D, Giannini A, Dalmonte G, Scremin M, Dottori M. Arbovirus screening of mosquitoes collected in 2022 in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, with the implementation of a real-time PCR for the detection of Tahyna virus. One Health 2024; 18:100670. [PMID: 38274566 PMCID: PMC10809124 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100670] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Several Arboviruses (Arthropod-borne virus) are a concrete health risk. While some arboviruses, such as the West Nile virus (WNV) and the Usutu virus (USUV) are actively surveyed, others are neglected, including the Tahyna virus (TAHV). In this work, we tested - searching for all the three viruses - 37,995 mosquitoes collected in 95 attractive traps, baited by carbon dioxide, distributed in the lowlands of Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy, between 19 July and 12 August 2022. Among the 668 pools obtained, WNV was detected in 45 pools of Culex (Cx.) pipiens and USUV was recorded in 24 pools of the same mosquito; ten of these Cx. pipiens pools tested positive for both WNV and USUV. Interestingly, we recorded a significant circulation of both WNV lineage 1 (WNV-L1) and lineage 2 (WNV-L2): WNV-L1 strains were detected in 40 pools, WNV-L2 strains in three pools and both lineages were detected in two pools. TAHV was detected in 8 different species of mosquitoes in a total of 37 pools: Aedes (Ae.) caspius (25), Ae. albopictus (5), Ae. vexans (3), Cx. pipiens (2), Ae. cinereus (1) and Anopheles maculipennis sl (1). The significant number of Ae. caspius-pools tested positive and the estimated viral load suggest that this mosquito is the principal vector in the surveyed area. The potential involvement of other mosquito species in the TAHV cycle could usefully be the subject of further experimental investigation. The results obtained demonstrate that, with adequate sampling effort, entomological surveillance is able to detect arboviruses circulating in a given area. Further efforts must be made to better characterise the TAHV cycle in the surveyed area and to define health risk linked to this virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Calzolari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, via Bianchi, 9-25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Emanuele Callegari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, via Bianchi, 9-25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Annalisa Grisendi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, via Bianchi, 9-25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Martina Munari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, via Bianchi, 9-25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Simone Russo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, via Bianchi, 9-25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Danilo Sgura
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, via Bianchi, 9-25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Antonio Giannini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, via Bianchi, 9-25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Gastone Dalmonte
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, via Bianchi, 9-25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Mara Scremin
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, via Bianchi, 9-25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Michele Dottori
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, via Bianchi, 9-25124 Brescia, Italy
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Rau J, Köchling K, Schäfer M, Tews BA, Wylezich C, Schaub GA, Werner D, Kampen H. Viral RNA in Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) Collected between 2019 and 2021 in Germany. Viruses 2023; 15:2298. [PMID: 38140539 PMCID: PMC10746995 DOI: 10.3390/v15122298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to globalisation and climate change, mosquito-borne pathogens are emerging in new areas on all continents, including Europe, which has recently faced outbreaks of dengue, chikungunya and West Nile fever. The present study complements previous investigations to evaluate the circulation of mosquito-borne viruses in Germany, with the aim of identifying potential vector species and risk areas. Mosquitoes collected from 2019 to 2021 and identified to species or species group level were screened for viruses of the families Flaviviridae, Peribunyaviridae and the genus Alphavirus of the family Togaviridae. In total, 22,528 mosquitoes were examined, thus providing the most comprehensive study on West Nile virus (WNV) circulation so far in the German mosquito population. Usutu virus (USUV) RNA was detected in six samples, Sindbis virus (SINV) RNA in 21 samples and WNV RNA in 11 samples. Samples containing RNA of USUV and WNV consisted of mosquitoes collected in the East German federal states of Brandenburg, Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, while samples with RNA of SINV originated from more widespread locations. Although minimum infection rates have remained relatively low, the intensity of virus circulation appears to be increasing compared to previous studies. Continuous mosquito screening contributes to the early detection of the introduction and spread of mosquito-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Rau
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Germany; (M.S.); (B.A.T.); (C.W.); (H.K.)
| | - Katharina Köchling
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Germany; (M.S.); (B.A.T.); (C.W.); (H.K.)
| | - Mandy Schäfer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Germany; (M.S.); (B.A.T.); (C.W.); (H.K.)
| | - Birke A. Tews
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Germany; (M.S.); (B.A.T.); (C.W.); (H.K.)
| | - Claudia Wylezich
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Germany; (M.S.); (B.A.T.); (C.W.); (H.K.)
| | - Günter A. Schaub
- Zoology/Parasitology Department, Ruhr-University, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany;
| | - Doreen Werner
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Eberswalder Str. 84, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany;
| | - Helge Kampen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Germany; (M.S.); (B.A.T.); (C.W.); (H.K.)
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Mravcová K, Camp JV, Hubálek Z, Šikutová S, Vaux AGC, Medlock JM, Rudolf I. Ťahyňa virus-A widespread, but neglected mosquito-borne virus in Europe. Zoonoses Public Health 2023. [PMID: 37128975 DOI: 10.1111/zph.13042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Ťahyňa virus (TAHV) is an orthobunyavirus and was the first arbovirus isolated from mosquitoes in Europe and is associated with floodplain areas as a characteristic biotope, hares as reservoir hosts and the mammal-feeding mosquitoes Aedes vexans as the main vector. The disease caused by TAHV ("Valtice fever") was detected in people with acute flu-like illness in the 1960s, and later the medical significance of TAHV became the subject of many studies. Although TAHV infections are widespread, the prevalence and number of actual cases, clinical manifestations in humans and animals and the ecology of transmission by mosquitoes and their vertebrate hosts are rarely reported. Despite its association with meningitis in humans, TAHV is a neglected human pathogen with unknown public health importance in Central Europe, and a potential emerging disease threat elsewhere in Europe due to extreme summer flooding events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristína Mravcová
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, Brno, 603 65, Czech Republic
| | - Jeremy V Camp
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, Vienna, 1095, Austria
| | - Zdeněk Hubálek
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, Brno, 603 65, Czech Republic
| | - Silvie Šikutová
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, Brno, 603 65, Czech Republic
| | - Alexander G C Vaux
- Medical Entomology Group, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Jolyon M Medlock
- Medical Entomology Group, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Ivo Rudolf
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, Brno, 603 65, Czech Republic
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Surveillance of Tahyna Orthobunyavirus in Urban Areas in Croatia—The “One Health” Approach. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7100320. [PMID: 36288061 PMCID: PMC9609863 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7100320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Tahyna orthobunyavirus (TAHV) is a neglected mosquito-borne bunyavirus. Although the virus is widespread in continental Europe, TAHV infections are rarely reported. We analyzed the prevalence of TAHV in humans and different animal species as well as mosquitoes collected in urban areas of Zagreb and its surroundings in the period from 2020 to 2022. Methods: The study included 36 patients with neuroinvasive disease (NID), 218 asymptomatic individuals, 98 horses, 94 pet animals (dogs and cats), and 4456 Aedes vexans mosquitoes. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and urine samples of patients with NID were tested for the TAHV RNA using a real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Human and animal serum samples were tested for TAHV-neutralizing (NT) antibodies using a virus-neutralization test (VNT). Mosquito pools were tested for TAHV RNA using an RT-qPCR. Results: TAHV NT antibodies were detected in 3/9.4% of patients with NID, 8/3.7% of asymptomatic individuals, 29/29.6% of horses, and 11/11.7% of pet animals. There was no difference in the seroprevalence according to age, sex, and area of residence in asymptomatic individuals. In addition, TAHV seropositivity did not differ according to age and sex in pet animals. None of the tested mosquito pools was TAHV RNA-positive. Conclusions: The presented results highlight the importance of interdisciplinary surveillance (“One Health”) of this neglected viral zoonosis.
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Detection of Tahyna Orthobunyavirus-Neutralizing Antibodies in Patients with Neuroinvasive Disease in Croatia. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10071443. [PMID: 35889162 PMCID: PMC9316594 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10071443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Tahyna orthobunyavirus (TAHV) is widely distributed in continental Europe. Very few studies have analyzed TAHV seroprevalence in Croatia. We analyzed the prevalence of TAHV RNA and antibodies in Croatian patients with neuroinvasive disease (NID). Methods: A total of 218 patients with unsolved NID detected during five consecutive arbovirus transmission seasons (April 2017–October 2021) were tested. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and urine samples were tested for TAHV RNA using RT-PCR. In addition, CSF and serum samples were tested for TAHV antibodies using a virus neutralization test (VNT). Results: Clinical presentations in patients with NID were meningitis (141/64.7%), meningoencephalitis (56/25.7%), myelitis (8/3.7%), and ‘febrile headache’ (13/5.9%). TAHV RNA was not detected in any of the tested CSF or urine samples; however, TAHV-neutralizing (NT) antibodies were detected in 22/10.1% of patients. Detection of NT antibodies in the CSF of two patients presenting with meningitis suggested recent TAHV infection. TAHV seropositivity increased significantly with age, from 1.8% to 24.4%. There was no difference in seroprevalence between genders or areas of residence (urban, suburban/rural). The majority of seropositive patients (90.9%) resided in floodplains along the rivers in continental Croatia. Conclusions: The presented results confirm that TAHV is present in Croatia. The prevalence and clinical significance of TAHV infection in the Croatian population have yet to be determined.
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Camp JV, Kniha E, Obwaller AG, Walochnik J, Nowotny N. The transmission ecology of Tahyna orthobunyavirus in Austria as revealed by longitudinal mosquito sampling and blood meal analysis in floodplain habitats. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:561. [PMID: 34717742 PMCID: PMC8556901 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05061-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tahyna orthobunyavirus (TAHV) is a mosquito-borne virus that may cause mild flu-like symptoms or neurological symptoms in humans. It is historically associated with floodplain habitats in Central Europe, and the mammalophilic floodwater mosquito, Aedes vexans, is thought to be the principal vector. There are few contemporary reports of TAHV transmission ecology within mosquitoes or their vertebrate hosts, and virus infections are rarely reported (and probably seldom diagnosed). The objectives of this study were to survey the mosquito population for TAHV in three floodwater habitats and describe host usage by the predominant floodwater mosquito species to potentially define TAHV transmission at these foci. Methods We performed longitudinal mosquito sampling along three major rivers in eastern Austria to characterize the mosquito community in floodplain habitats, and tested for the presence of TAHV in pools of mosquitoes. We characterized TAHV rescued from mosquito pool homogenate by sequencing. We surveyed mosquito host selection by analyzing mosquito blood meals. Results We identified TAHV in two pools of Ae. vexans captured along the Leitha River. This mosquito, and other floodwater mosquitoes, used large mammals (red deer, roe deer, wild boar) as their hosts. The sequence of the rescued virus was remarkably similar to other TAHV isolates from the region, dating back to the first isolate of TAHV in 1958. Conclusions In general, we confirmed that TAHV is most likely being transmitted by Ae. vexans, although the precise contribution of vertebrate-amplifying hosts to the ecological maintenance of the virus is unclear. The pattern of host selection matches the estimated exposure of the same large mammal species in the region to TAHV based on a recent serosurvey, but hares were also hosts at the site where TAHV was detected. We also confirm humans as hosts of two floodwater mosquito species, providing a potential mechanism for spillover of TAHV or other mosquito-borne viruses. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-05061-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy V Camp
- Viral Zoonoses, Emerging and Vector-Borne Infections Group, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria. .,Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Edwin Kniha
- Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Adelheid G Obwaller
- Division of Science, Research and Development, Federal Ministry of Defense, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia Walochnik
- Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Norbert Nowotny
- Viral Zoonoses, Emerging and Vector-Borne Infections Group, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, UAE
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Abstract
Eastern Europe (EE) has been severely affected by mosquito-borne viruses (moboviruses). In this review, we summarize the epidemiology of moboviruses, with particular attention to West Nile virus (WNV). The study of WNV human cases in EE between 2010 and 2016, revealed that the epidemiology of WNV in EE is complex with the combination of introduction of different WNV strains from lineages 1 and 2, and the establishment of endemic cycles. We found a positive correlation between the risk of WNV re-emergence in an area and the number of human cases reported in the previous year. We also report the main ecological and biological characteristics of the key mosquito species vectors of moboviruses. Recent expansion of invasive mosquito species in EE, mainly Aedes albopictus but also Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus, may result in new scenarios with an increased risk of transmission of moboviruses. Main gaps of knowledge in relation to moboviruses and their vectors in EE are identified. Understanding the epidemiology of moboviruses in EE is essential for the improvement of their surveillance and the control of the diseases they cause.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastián Napp
- IRTA,Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona,Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Dusan Petrić
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Agriculture, Laboratory for Medical Entomology, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Núria Busquets
- IRTA,Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona,Bellaterra, Spain
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