1
|
da Silva AF, Machado LC, da Silva LMI, Dezordi FZ, Wallau GL. Highly divergent and diverse viral community infecting sylvatic mosquitoes from Northeast Brazil. J Virol 2024:e0008324. [PMID: 38995042 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00083-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Mosquitoes can transmit several pathogenic viruses to humans, but their natural viral community is also composed of a myriad of other viruses such as insect-specific viruses (ISVs) and those that infect symbiotic microorganisms. Besides a growing number of studies investigating the mosquito virome, the majority are focused on few urban species, and relatively little is known about the virome of sylvatic mosquitoes, particularly in high biodiverse biomes such as the Brazilian biomes. Here, we characterized the RNA virome of 10 sylvatic mosquito species from Atlantic forest remains at a sylvatic-urban interface in Northeast Brazil employing a metatranscriptomic approach. A total of 16 viral families were detected. The phylogenetic reconstructions of 14 viral families revealed that the majority of the sequences are putative ISVs. The phylogenetic positioning and, in most cases, the association with a high RNA-dependent RNA polymerase amino acid divergence from other known viruses suggests that the viruses characterized here represent at least 34 new viral species. Therefore, the sylvatic mosquito viral community is predominantly composed of highly divergent viruses highlighting the limited knowledge we still have about the natural virome of mosquitoes in general. Moreover, we found that none of the viruses recovered were shared between the species investigated, and only one showed high identity to a virus detected in a mosquito sampled in Peru, South America. These findings add further in-depth understanding about the interactions and coevolution between mosquitoes and viruses in natural environments. IMPORTANCE Mosquitoes are medically important insects as they transmit pathogenic viruses to humans and animals during blood feeding. However, their natural microbiota is also composed of a diverse set of viruses that cause no harm to the insect and other hosts, such as insect-specific viruses. In this study, we characterized the RNA virome of sylvatic mosquitoes from Northeast Brazil using unbiased metatranscriptomic sequencing and in-depth bioinformatic approaches. Our analysis revealed that these mosquitoes species harbor a diverse set of highly divergent viruses, and the majority comprises new viral species. Our findings revealed many new virus lineages characterized for the first time broadening our understanding about the natural interaction between mosquitoes and viruses. Finally, it also provided several complete genomes that warrant further assessment for mosquito and vertebrate host pathogenicity and their potential interference with pathogenic arboviruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Freitas da Silva
- Departamento de Entomologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
- Núcleo de Bioinformática, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Laís Ceschini Machado
- Departamento de Entomologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | | | - Filipe Zimmer Dezordi
- Departamento de Entomologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
- Núcleo de Bioinformática, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Luz Wallau
- Departamento de Entomologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
- Núcleo de Bioinformática, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
- Department of Arbovirology and Entomology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Center for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, National Reference Center for Tropical Infectious Diseases, Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
De Coninck L, Soto A, Wang L, De Wolf K, Smitz N, Deblauwe I, Mbigha Donfack KC, Müller R, Delang L, Matthijnssens J. Lack of abundant core virome in Culex mosquitoes from a temperate climate region despite a mosquito species-specific virome. mSystems 2024; 9:e0001224. [PMID: 38742876 PMCID: PMC11237611 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00012-24] [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: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
In arthropod-associated microbial communities, insect-specific viruses (ISVs) are prevalent yet understudied due to limited infectivity outside their natural hosts. However, ISVs might play a crucial role in regulating mosquito populations and influencing arthropod-borne virus transmission. Some studies have indicated a core virome in mosquitoes consisting of mostly ISVs. Employing single mosquito metagenomics, we comprehensively profiled the virome of native and invasive mosquito species in Belgium. This approach allowed for accurate host species determination, prevalence assessment of viruses and Wolbachia, and the identification of novel viruses. Contrary to our expectations, no abundant core virome was observed in Culex mosquitoes from Belgium. In that regard, we caution against rigidly defining mosquito core viromes and encourage nuanced interpretations of other studies. Nonetheless, our study identified 45 viruses of which 28 were novel, enriching our understanding of the mosquito virome and ISVs. We showed that the mosquito virome in this study is species-specific and less dependent on the location where mosquitoes from the same species reside. In addition, because Wolbachia has previously been observed to influence arbovirus transmission, we report the prevalence of Wolbachia in Belgian mosquitoes and the detection of several Wolbachia mobile genetic elements. The observed prevalence ranged from 83% to 92% in members from the Culex pipiens complex.IMPORTANCECulex pipiens mosquitoes are important vectors for arboviruses like West Nile virus and Usutu virus. Virome studies on individual Culex pipiens, and on individual mosquitoes in general, have been lacking. To mitigate this, we sequenced the virome of 190 individual Culex and 8 individual Aedes japonicus mosquitoes. We report the lack of a core virome in these mosquitoes from Belgium and caution the interpretation of other studies in this light. The discovery of new viruses in this study will aid our comprehension of insect-specific viruses and the mosquito virome in general in relation to mosquito physiology and mosquito population dynamics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lander De Coninck
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Division of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Laboratory of Viral Metagenomics, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alina Soto
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Mosquito Virology Team, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lanjiao Wang
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Mosquito Virology Team, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katrien De Wolf
- Department Biomedical Sciences, The Unit of Entomology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Biology, Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Smitz
- Department of Biology, Royal Museum for Central Africa (Barcoding Facility for Organisms and Tissues of Policy Concern), Tervuren, Belgium
| | - Isra Deblauwe
- Department Biomedical Sciences, The Unit of Entomology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Karelle Celes Mbigha Donfack
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Division of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Laboratory of Viral Metagenomics, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ruth Müller
- Department Biomedical Sciences, The Unit of Entomology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Leen Delang
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Mosquito Virology Team, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jelle Matthijnssens
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Division of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Laboratory of Viral Metagenomics, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Garcia-Van Smévoorde M, Calvez E, Quétel I, Dollin C, Breurec S, Vega-Rúa A. Ingestion of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid at therapeutic concentration during blood meal impacts Aedes aegypti microbiota and dengue virus transmission. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13701. [PMID: 38871831 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64221-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV), mainly transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, is the most prevalent arbovirus worldwide, representing a public health problem in tropical and subtropical countries. In these areas, antibiotic consumption rises which may impact both mosquito microbiota and dengue transmission. Here, we assessed how the ingestion by Ae. aegypti of therapeutic concentrations of amoxicillin-clavulanic Acid association (Amox/Clav), a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat febrile symptoms worldwide, impacted its microbiota. We also evaluated whether simultaneous ingestion of antibiotic and DENV impacted Ae. aegypti ability to transmit this virus. We found that Amox/Clav ingestion impacted microbiota composition in Ae. aegypti and we confirmed such impact in field-collected mosquitoes. Furthermore, we observed that Amox/Clav ingestion enhanced DENV dissemination and transmission by this mosquito at 21 days post-DENV exposure. These findings increase our understanding of factors linked to human hosts that may influence dengue transmission dynamics in regions with mass-drug administration programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margot Garcia-Van Smévoorde
- Vector Control Research Laboratory, Transmission Reservoir and Pathogens Diversity Unit, Institut Pasteur de La Guadeloupe, 97139, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Elodie Calvez
- Vector Control Research Laboratory, Transmission Reservoir and Pathogens Diversity Unit, Institut Pasteur de La Guadeloupe, 97139, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Isaure Quétel
- Microbial Ecosystems Interaction Laboratory, Transmission Reservoir and Pathogens Diversity Unit, Institut Pasteur de La Guadeloupe, 97139, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Christelle Dollin
- Vector Control Research Laboratory, Transmission Reservoir and Pathogens Diversity Unit, Institut Pasteur de La Guadeloupe, 97139, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Sébastien Breurec
- Microbial Ecosystems Interaction Laboratory, Transmission Reservoir and Pathogens Diversity Unit, Institut Pasteur de La Guadeloupe, 97139, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospitals of Guadeloupe, 97159, Pointe-À-Pitre/Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
- Faculty of Medecine Hyacinthe Bastaraud, University of the Antilles, 97110, Pointe-À-Pitre, Guadeloupe, France
- INSERM 1424, Center for Clinical Investigation, University Hospital Center of Guadeloupe, 97139, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic and Emerging Infections, INSERM, Etablissement Français du Sang, University of Montpellier, 34394, Montpellier, France
| | - Anubis Vega-Rúa
- Vector Control Research Laboratory, Transmission Reservoir and Pathogens Diversity Unit, Institut Pasteur de La Guadeloupe, 97139, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
De Coninck L, Matthijnssens J. The mosquito core virome: beyond the buzz. Trends Parasitol 2024; 40:201-202. [PMID: 38185596 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Lander De Coninck
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Transplantation, Rega Institute, Division of Clinical & Epidemiological Virology, Laboratory of Viral Metagenomics, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jelle Matthijnssens
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Transplantation, Rega Institute, Division of Clinical & Epidemiological Virology, Laboratory of Viral Metagenomics, Leuven, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Mantilla-Granados JS, Castellanos JE, Velandia-Romero ML. A tangled threesome: understanding arbovirus infection in Aedes spp. and the effect of the mosquito microbiota. Front Microbiol 2024; 14:1287519. [PMID: 38235434 PMCID: PMC10792067 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1287519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Arboviral infections transmitted by Aedes spp. mosquitoes are a major threat to human health, particularly in tropical regions but are expanding to temperate regions. The ability of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus to transmit multiple arboviruses involves a complex relationship between mosquitoes and the virus, with recent discoveries shedding light on it. Furthermore, this relationship is not solely between mosquitoes and arboviruses, but also involves the mosquito microbiome. Here, we aimed to construct a comprehensive review of the latest information about the arbovirus infection process in A. aegypti and A. albopictus, the source of mosquito microbiota, and its interaction with the arbovirus infection process, in terms of its implications for vectorial competence. First, we summarized studies showing a new mechanism for arbovirus infection at the cellular level, recently described innate immunological pathways, and the mechanism of adaptive response in mosquitoes. Second, we addressed the general sources of the Aedes mosquito microbiota (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) during their life cycle, and the geographical reports of the most common microbiota in adults mosquitoes. How the microbiota interacts directly or indirectly with arbovirus transmission, thereby modifying vectorial competence. We highlight the complexity of this tripartite relationship, influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic conditions at different geographical scales, with many gaps to fill and promising directions for developing strategies to control arbovirus transmission and to gain a better understanding of vectorial competence. The interactions between mosquitoes, arboviruses and their associated microbiota are yet to be investigated in depth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan S. Mantilla-Granados
- Saneamiento Ecológico, Salud y Medio Ambiente, Universidad El Bosque, Vicerrectoría de Investigaciones, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Jaime E. Castellanos
- Grupo de Virología, Universidad El Bosque, Vicerrectoría de Investigaciones, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Flores GAM, Lopez RP, Cerrudo CS, Perotti MA, Consolo VF, Berón CM. Wolbachia dominance influences the Culex quinquefasciatus microbiota. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18980. [PMID: 37923779 PMCID: PMC10624681 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46067-2] [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: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Microorganisms present in mosquitoes and their interactions are key factors affecting insect development. Among them, Wolbachia is closely associated with the host and affects several fitness parameters. In this study, the bacterial and fungal microbiota from two laboratory Culex quinquefasciatus isolines (wild type and tetracycline-cured) were characterized by metagenome amplicon sequencing of the ITS2 and 16S rRNA genes at different developmental stages and feeding conditions. We identified 572 bacterial and 61 fungal OTUs. Both isolines presented variable bacterial communities and different trends in the distribution of diversity among the groups. The lowest bacterial richness was detected in sugar-fed adults of the cured isoline, whereas fungal richness was highly reduced in blood-fed mosquitoes. Beta diversity analysis indicated that isolines are an important factor in the differentiation of mosquito bacterial communities. Considering composition, Penicillium was the dominant fungal genus, whereas Wolbachia dominance was inversely related to that of Enterobacteria (mainly Thorsellia and Serratia). This study provides a more complete overview of the mosquito microbiome, emphasizing specific highly abundant components that should be considered in microorganism manipulation approaches to control vector-borne diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo A M Flores
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Biotecnología (INBIOTEC) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) and Fundación Para Investigaciones Biológicas Aplicadas (FIBA), Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rocio P Lopez
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Biotecnología (INBIOTEC) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) and Fundación Para Investigaciones Biológicas Aplicadas (FIBA), Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina S Cerrudo
- Laboratorio de Ingeniería Genética y Biología Celular y Molecular (LIGBCM), Area Virosis de Insectos (AVI), Departamento Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes and CONICET, Bernal, Argentina
| | - M Alejandra Perotti
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Section, School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - V Fabiana Consolo
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Biotecnología (INBIOTEC) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) and Fundación Para Investigaciones Biológicas Aplicadas (FIBA), Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Corina M Berón
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Biotecnología (INBIOTEC) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) and Fundación Para Investigaciones Biológicas Aplicadas (FIBA), Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Garrigós M, Garrido M, Panisse G, Veiga J, Martínez-de la Puente J. Interactions between West Nile Virus and the Microbiota of Culex pipiens Vectors: A Literature Review. Pathogens 2023; 12:1287. [PMID: 38003752 PMCID: PMC10675824 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The flavivirus West Nile virus (WNV) naturally circulates between mosquitoes and birds, potentially affecting humans and horses. Different species of mosquitoes play a role as vectors of WNV, with those of the Culex pipiens complex being particularly crucial for its circulation. Different biotic and abiotic factors determine the capacity of mosquitoes for pathogen transmission, with the mosquito gut microbiota being recognized as an important one. Here, we review the published studies on the interactions between the microbiota of the Culex pipiens complex and WNV infections in mosquitoes. Most articles published so far studied the interactions between bacteria of the genus Wolbachia and WNV infections, obtaining variable results regarding the directionality of this relationship. In contrast, only a few studies investigate the role of the whole microbiome or other bacterial taxa in WNV infections. These studies suggest that bacteria of the genera Serratia and Enterobacter may enhance WNV development. Thus, due to the relevance of WNV in human and animal health and the important role of mosquitoes of the Cx. pipiens complex in its transmission, more research is needed to unravel the role of mosquito microbiota and those factors affecting this microbiota on pathogen epidemiology. In this respect, we finally propose future lines of research lines on this topic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Garrigós
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.G.); (J.V.); (J.M.-d.l.P.)
| | - Mario Garrido
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.G.); (J.V.); (J.M.-d.l.P.)
| | - Guillermo Panisse
- CEPAVE—Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores CONICET-UNLP, La Plata 1900, Argentina;
| | - Jesús Veiga
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.G.); (J.V.); (J.M.-d.l.P.)
| | - Josué Martínez-de la Puente
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.G.); (J.V.); (J.M.-d.l.P.)
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Shi H, Yu X, Cheng G. Impact of the microbiome on mosquito-borne diseases. Protein Cell 2023; 14:743-761. [PMID: 37186167 PMCID: PMC10599646 DOI: 10.1093/procel/pwad021] [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: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne diseases present a significant threat to human health, with the possibility of outbreaks of new mosquito-borne diseases always looming. Unfortunately, current measures to combat these diseases such as vaccines and drugs are often either unavailable or ineffective. However, recent studies on microbiomes may reveal promising strategies to fight these diseases. In this review, we examine recent advances in our understanding of the effects of both the mosquito and vertebrate microbiomes on mosquito-borne diseases. We argue that the mosquito microbiome can have direct and indirect impacts on the transmission of these diseases, with mosquito symbiotic microorganisms, particularly Wolbachia bacteria, showing potential for controlling mosquito-borne diseases. Moreover, the skin microbiome of vertebrates plays a significant role in mosquito preferences, while the gut microbiome has an impact on the progression of mosquito-borne diseases in humans. As researchers continue to explore the role of microbiomes in mosquito-borne diseases, we highlight some promising future directions for this field. Ultimately, a better understanding of the interplay between mosquitoes, their hosts, pathogens, and the microbiomes of mosquitoes and hosts may hold the key to preventing and controlling mosquito-borne diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huicheng Shi
- Tsinghua University-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Xi Yu
- Tsinghua University-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Gong Cheng
- Tsinghua University-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518000, China
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Katak RDM, Cintra AM, Burini BC, Marinotti O, Souza-Neto JA, Rocha EM. Biotechnological Potential of Microorganisms for Mosquito Population Control and Reduction in Vector Competence. INSECTS 2023; 14:718. [PMID: 37754686 PMCID: PMC10532289 DOI: 10.3390/insects14090718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Mosquitoes transmit pathogens that cause human diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya, yellow fever, Zika fever, and filariasis. Biotechnological approaches using microorganisms have a significant potential to control mosquito populations and reduce their vector competence, making them alternatives to synthetic insecticides. Ongoing research has identified many microorganisms that can be used effectively to control mosquito populations and disease transmission. However, the successful implementation of these newly proposed approaches requires a thorough understanding of the multipronged microorganism-mosquito-pathogen-environment interactions. Although much has been achieved in discovering new entomopathogenic microorganisms, antipathogen compounds, and their mechanisms of action, only a few have been turned into viable products for mosquito control. There is a discrepancy between the number of microorganisms with the potential for the development of new insecticides and/or antipathogen products and the actual available products, highlighting the need for investments in the intersection of basic research and biotechnology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo de Melo Katak
- Malaria and Dengue Laboratory, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia-INPA, Manaus 69060-001, AM, Brazil;
| | - Amanda Montezano Cintra
- Multiuser Central Laboratory, Department of Bioprocesses and Biotechnology, School of Agricultural Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, SP, Brazil; (A.M.C.); (J.A.S.-N.)
| | - Bianca Correa Burini
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA;
| | - Osvaldo Marinotti
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA;
| | - Jayme A. Souza-Neto
- Multiuser Central Laboratory, Department of Bioprocesses and Biotechnology, School of Agricultural Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, SP, Brazil; (A.M.C.); (J.A.S.-N.)
| | - Elerson Matos Rocha
- Multiuser Central Laboratory, Department of Bioprocesses and Biotechnology, School of Agricultural Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, SP, Brazil; (A.M.C.); (J.A.S.-N.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Hollingsworth BD, Grubaugh ND, Lazzaro BP, Murdock CC. Leveraging insect-specific viruses to elucidate mosquito population structure and dynamics. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011588. [PMID: 37651317 PMCID: PMC10470969 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Several aspects of mosquito ecology that are important for vectored disease transmission and control have been difficult to measure at epidemiologically important scales in the field. In particular, the ability to describe mosquito population structure and movement rates has been hindered by difficulty in quantifying fine-scale genetic variation among populations. The mosquito virome represents a possible avenue for quantifying population structure and movement rates across multiple spatial scales. Mosquito viromes contain a diversity of viruses, including several insect-specific viruses (ISVs) and "core" viruses that have high prevalence across populations. To date, virome studies have focused on viral discovery and have only recently begun examining viral ecology. While nonpathogenic ISVs may be of little public health relevance themselves, they provide a possible route for quantifying mosquito population structure and dynamics. For example, vertically transmitted viruses could behave as a rapidly evolving extension of the host's genome. It should be possible to apply established analytical methods to appropriate viral phylogenies and incidence data to generate novel approaches for estimating mosquito population structure and dispersal over epidemiologically relevant timescales. By studying the virome through the lens of spatial and genomic epidemiology, it may be possible to investigate otherwise cryptic aspects of mosquito ecology. A better understanding of mosquito population structure and dynamics are key for understanding mosquito-borne disease ecology and methods based on ISVs could provide a powerful tool for informing mosquito control programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brandon D Hollingsworth
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- Cornell Institute for Host Microbe Interaction and Disease, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Nathan D Grubaugh
- Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Brian P Lazzaro
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- Cornell Institute for Host Microbe Interaction and Disease, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Courtney C Murdock
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- Cornell Institute for Host Microbe Interaction and Disease, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-borne Diseases, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Leal É, Ribeiro ESD'A, Monteiro FJC, Marques JP, Dos Santos Mendes D, Morais VS, Araújo ELL, Pandey RP, Chang CM, Deng X, Delwart E, da Costa AC, Lima K. Aedes aegypti Totivirus identified in mosquitoes in the Brazilian Amazon region. Virus Genes 2023; 59:167-172. [PMID: 36394716 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-022-01955-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The totiviridae family contains viruses with double-stranded RNA genomes of 4.6-7.0 kpb, which encode a capsid protein (CP) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), and they are approximately 40 nm in diameter with icosahedral symmetry. Totiviruses were first isolated from mosquitoes collected in Shaanxi Province (China). Here, we report a new Aedes aegypti Totivirus (AaTV) identified in mosquitoes from the Amazon rainforest. Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) were collected from a forest reserve belonging to the Amazon forest in the city of Macapá, Amapá state, Northern Brazil. A viral sequence with a 5748 nucleotide length that was nearly identical to Aedes aegypti Totivirus (AaTV), here named Aedes aegypti Totivirus BR59AP, was detected. A detailed molecular analysis was performed and shows that AaTV-BR59AP is highly related to the AaTV strain from the Caribbean region. We emphasize the importance of the characterization of new viruses in mosquitoes to deepen our understanding of viral diversity in insects and their potential role in disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Élcio Leal
- Laboratório de Diversidade Viral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal Do Pará, Belem, Pará, 66075-000, Brazil
| | | | - Fred Julio Costa Monteiro
- Public Health Laboratory of Amapa-LACEN/AP, Health Surveillance Superintendence of Amapa, Macapa, 68905-230, Brazil
| | - Julia Pantoja Marques
- Public Health Laboratory of Amapa-LACEN/AP, Health Surveillance Superintendence of Amapa, Macapa, 68905-230, Brazil
| | - Diuliana Dos Santos Mendes
- Public Health Laboratory of Amapa-LACEN/AP, Health Surveillance Superintendence of Amapa, Macapa, 68905-230, Brazil
| | - Vanessa S Morais
- Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, 05403-000, Brazil
| | - Emerson Luiz Lima Araújo
- General Coordination of Public Health Laboratories of the Strategic Articulation, Department of the Health Surveillance, Secretariat of the Ministry of Health (CGLAB/DAEVS/SVS-MS), Brasília, 70719-040, Brazil
| | - Ramendra Pati Pandey
- Centre for Drug Design Discovery and Development (C4D), SRM University, Delhi-NCR, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Sonepat, Haryana, 131029, India
| | - Chung-Ming Chang
- Master & Ph.D. Program in Biotechnology Industry, Chang Gung University, No.259, Wenhua 1St Rd., Guishan Dist, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Xutao Deng
- Vitalant Research Institute, 270 Masonic Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94118-4417, USA.,Department Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Eric Delwart
- Vitalant Research Institute, 270 Masonic Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94118-4417, USA.,Department Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Antonio Charlys da Costa
- Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, 05403-000, Brazil
| | - Kledoaldo Lima
- Hospital das Clínicas, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, 50670-901, Brazil. .,European Virus Bioinformatics Center, Leutragraben 1, 07743, Jena, Germany. .,Faculdade Pernambucana de Saúde, Recife, PE, 51150-000, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Is the Intergenic Region of Aedes aegypti Totivirus a Recombination Hotspot? Viruses 2022; 14:v14112467. [PMID: 36366565 PMCID: PMC9699231 DOI: 10.3390/v14112467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus totivirus in the family Totiviridae contains double-stranded RNA viruses. Their genome has two open reading frames (ORFs) that encode capsid protein (CP) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). The toti-like viruses recently identified in Anopheles sp. and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (AaTV) share the same genome organization as other totiviruses. The AaTVs that have been described in distinct geographical regions are monophyletic. In this study, we show that AaTV sequences can be grouped into at least three phylogenetic clades (named A, B, and C). Clades A and B are composed of AaTV sequences from mosquitoes collected in the Caribbean region (Guadeloupe), and clade C contains sequences from the USA. These clades may represent AaTV lineages that are locally adapted to their host populations. We also identified three recombinant AaTV strains circulating in mosquitoes in Guadeloupe. Although these strains have different chimeric patterns, the position of the recombination breakpoint was identical in all strains. Interestingly, this breakpoint is located in a hairpin-like structure in the intergenic region of the AaTV genome. This RNA structure may stall RNA polymerase processivity and consequently induce template switching. In vitro studies should be conducted to further investigate the biological significance of AaTV's intergenic region as a recombination hotspot.
Collapse
|