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Ayele BA, Ayele A, Molla W, Molla AB, Birhan M, Ibrahim SM, Dessalegn B, Kenubih A, Gessese AT, Kinde MZ, Dagnaw GG, Fenta MD, Mulatu T, Tesfaye H, Bitew M, Tarekegn ZS, Dejene H. Identifications, spatial distribution, and seasonal occurrence of Culicoides in selected districts of Northwest Ethiopia. Sci Rep 2024; 14:23267. [PMID: 39370423 PMCID: PMC11456578 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-74524-z] [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: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 09/26/2024] [Indexed: 10/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Culicoides, among the tiniest and most abundant hematophagous insects globally, serve as vectors for a variety of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, protozoa, and nematodes. This study aimed to identify Culicoides species and assess their spatial distribution and seasonal occurrence in selected districts of the Central, South, and West Gondar zones, Northwest Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted between January to July 2023. A total of 44 UV light- onderstepoort traps were deployed in the study districts near specific areas. The traps were operational from dusk (6:00 PM) until dawn (6:00 AM) and were suspended at a height of 1.5 to 2 m above the ground. Poisson regression was used to assess associations, the Shannon diversity index to measure diversity, and QGIS 3.22.6 to create maps. In this study, 8,857 Culicoides were captured across the 44 trapping sites. Of the total flies captured flies, 8,838 were identified as belonging to 12 distinct species, while the classification of the remaining 19 flies remained unclear. Notably, C. kingi (54.01%) was the most prevalent species, followed by C. imicola (44.55%). The abundance of Culicoides observed from January to late April (3505) was significantly lower compared to the wet season (5355), with a marked increase in the capture of C. kingi (2499) from May to late July. A statistically significant association (p < 0.05) was observed between the occurrence of Culicoides and factors such as district, sampling point, and season. Spatial analysis revealed that C. kingi had a broader range of suitability than other Culicoides species, with high suitability observed in East Dembia. The diversity index analysis indicated that Culicoides species diversity was higher in samples from animal pens (H = 0.73) and during the wet season (H = 0.75). Additionally, this study documented the presence of eight Culicoides species namely C. corsicus, C. kibunensis, C. reioxi, C. kiouxi, C. saharienines, C. desertorum, C. reithi, and C. festivipennis, which have not been previously documented in Ethiopia. In conclusion, the study highlighted that the occurrence of Culicoides species was higher in East Dembia, with moderate presence in Wegera and West Armacho. Further research is needed to assess the impact of various Culicoides species on animal and human health, as well as their economic implications, and to develop corresponding control strategies based on these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Abrham Ayele
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Wassie Molla
- Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Adugna Berju Molla
- Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Mastewal Birhan
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Saddam Mohammed Ibrahim
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Bereket Dessalegn
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Ambaye Kenubih
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Abebe Tesfaye Gessese
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Science, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Mebrie Zemene Kinde
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Science, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Gashaw Getaneh Dagnaw
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Science, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Melkie Dagnaw Fenta
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | | | - Hana Tesfaye
- Department of Veterinary Pharmacy, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Molalegne Bitew
- Bio and Emerging Technology Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Zewdu Seyoum Tarekegn
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Haileyesus Dejene
- Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
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Zahri A, Ahlamine M, Abou-Elaaz FZ, Talimi H, El Berbri I, Balenghien T, Bourquia M. Diversity of biting midges, mosquitoes and sand flies at four dog shelters in rural and peri-urban areas of Central Morocco. Parasite 2024; 31:57. [PMID: 39331804 PMCID: PMC11433837 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2024057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Blood-feeding arthropods are involved in the transmission of several pathogens that have a major impact on public health. Entomological investigations highlighted the composition, abundance, and diversity of flying hematophagous arthropods at four dog shelters located in central Morocco during an eight-month study, with the aim of discussing their vectorial roles and assessing the risk of these shelters as foci for zoonotic diseases. Monitoring of the arthropod fauna for 64 catch nights resulted in the collection of 2,321 biting midges (Ceratopogonidae), 570 mosquitoes (Culicidae), and 475 sand flies (Psychodidae). Fourteen Culicoides species were recorded and dominant species were Culicoides imicola (55.96%), C. paolae (16.07%), C. circumscriptus (10.29%), and C. newsteadi (5.77%). Three mosquito species were collected, including Culex pipiens s.l. (96.84%), Culiseta longiareolata (2.80%), and Cx. perexiguus (0.36%). Ten sand fly species were collected, including seven Phlebotomus species (62.70%) and three Sergentomyia species (37.30%); Sergentomyia minuta was the most dominant species (34.31%), followed by Phlebotomus sergenti (32.42%), typical Ph. perniciosus (8.63%), Ph. alexandri (6.94%), and Ph. riouxi (6.52%). The coexistence of several vectors in these study areas indicates the potential circulation of a wide range of pathogens, including zoonotic ones, thus requiring the implementation of surveillance and control programs to prevent the emergence and spread of disease outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abderrahmane Zahri
- Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Unit, Department of Animal Pathology and Public Health, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II Rabat Morocco
| | - Mehdi Ahlamine
- Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Unit, Department of Animal Pathology and Public Health, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II Rabat Morocco
| | - Fatima-Zahra Abou-Elaaz
- Geophysics, Natural Patrimony and Green Chemistry Research Centre (GEOPAC), Geo-Biodiversity and Natural Patrimony Laboratory (GEOBIOL), Scientific Institute, Mohammed V University Rabat Morocco
| | - Hasnaa Talimi
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Maroc Casablanca Morocco
- Systems and Data Engineering Team, National School of Applied Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University Tangier Morocco
| | - Ikhlass El Berbri
- Microbiology, Immunology and Contagious Diseases Unit, Department of Animal Pathology and Public Health, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II Rabat Morocco
| | - Thomas Balenghien
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE 34398 Montpellier France
- ASTRE, Université de Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE Montpellier France
| | - Maria Bourquia
- Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Unit, Department of Animal Pathology and Public Health, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II Rabat Morocco
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Groschupp S, Kampen H, Werner D. Winter activity of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) inside and outside stables in Germany. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39187966 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
Culicoides biting midge species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) of the Obsoletus Group and the Pulicaris Complex are considered the major vectors of bluetongue and Schmallenberg viruses in Europe. Overwintering strategies of these arboviruses are controversially discussed, with the ongoing activity of vector species and a non-disrupted transmission cycle during winter being a plausible explanation. Although data on Culicoides winter activity are relatively scant, a seasonal vector-free period (SVFP), during which adult Culicoides are not or hardly active, is questionable. To determine winter activity and define SVFPs according to the EU Commission Regulation No 1266/2007, adult Culicoides were trapped weekly with UV-light traps from October to April 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 inside and outside stables on 16 farms throughout Germany. Temperature measurements were taken regularly at each trapping site since the temperature is a known driver of biting midge activity. In 960 indoor and outdoor catches, 32,377 Culicoides were trapped, with 90.9% of them belonging to the Obsoletus Group, 6.1% to the Pulicaris Complex and 3.0% to 'other Culicoides' according to morphological identification. The majority (61.3%) of Culicoides were trapped indoors, with substantial numbers of specimens collected from October to December, in March and in April, and only a few or no specimens in January and February. Obsoletus Group biting midges were active indoors for almost the entire winter. Outdoors, Culicoides numbers decreased from October to December, few or no specimens were caught from January to March, and high numbers were captured in April. Of the collected Culicoides, 2028 were blood-fed, of which 94.6% were trapped in the stables. The indoor SVFP, although calculated for blood-fed instead of parous females, lasted for almost 4 months (late November until mid-March) in winter 2019/2020 and 2 months (January and February) in winter 2020/2021. The outdoor SVFPs covered almost the entire study period in both winters, with slight differences between the onsets and the ends. The Culicoides activity significantly depended on temperature. Specimens of the Obsoletus Group were caught at an average temperature of 7.4°C (minimum 0.3°C) and of the Pulicaris Complex at an average temperature of 10.3°C (minimum 1.2°C). These temperatures were reached inside the stables over more extended periods than outside. The average indoor temperatures were 1.2 K higher than the average outdoor temperatures, although absolute temperature differences of up to 9.0 K were recorded. Based on Culicoides activity, the results of the present study indicate an almost continuous potential for virus transmission in winter within livestock houses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Groschupp
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Müncheberg, Germany
| | - Helge Kampen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Infectology, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Doreen Werner
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Müncheberg, Germany
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Kazak M, Valavičiūtė-Pocienė K, Kondrotaitė S, Duc M, Bukauskaitė D, Hernández-Lara C, Bernotienė R, Chagas CRF. Culicoides biting midges feeding behaviour as a key for understanding avian Haemoproteus transmission in Lithuania. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39150734 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Investigations of host feeding behaviour in haematophagous insects are critical to assess transmission routes of vector-borne diseases. Understanding if a certain species has ornithophilic or mammalophilic feeding behaviour can facilitate future studies focused on pathogens transmission to and from certain host species. Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are vectors of several pathogens, which include arboviruses, bacteria and parasites to a considerable diversity of vertebrate hosts. However, most of the studies focused on feeding habits target Culicoides species that could transmit the Bluetongue virus, consequently with a mammalophilic feeding behaviour, leaving aside the Culicoides species that are involved in the transmission of vector-borne parasites to birds, such as Haemoproteus Kruse (Haemosporida: Haemoproteidae). This study aimed to investigate the source of blood meals of wild-caught Culicoides using molecular-based methods and to correlate our findings with the reports of Haemoproteus parasites in Culicoides species. Engorged Culicoides females were collected using ultraviolet (UV)-light traps at seven different localities in Lithuania in 2021-2023. Biting midges were dissected, and the abdomens of engorged females were used for molecular investigation of the blood meal source. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol that amplifies a fragment of the Cytochrome B gene of vertebrates was used. Obtained sequences were compared to available information in GenBank database to confirm the source of the blood meal. In total, 258 engorged Culicoides females, representing nine different species, were analysed. The source of blood meal was identified in 29.1% of them with most of the insects having fed on birds (74.7%) and the remaining on mammals (25.3%). Culicoides segnis Campbell, Pelham-Clinton was the only species to feed exclusively on birds; Culicoides from the Obsoletus group, C. pallidicornis Kieffer and C. punctatus Latreille were found to feed exclusively on mammals; C. festivipennis Kieffer, C. kibunensis Tokunaga and C. pictipennis Staeger had an opportunistic feeding behaviour, with the first two preferably feeding on birds. Due to their feeding behaviour and the presence of Haemoproteus parasites reported in the literature, C. festivipennis, C. kibunensis, C. pictipennis, and C. segnis play an important role in the transmission of those avian vector-borne parasite in the wild. These Culicoides species were already confirmed as being able to support the development of several Haemoproteus species and lineages. Future studies focused on understanding the epidemiology of avian pathogens transmitted by Culicoides should target these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita Kazak
- Laboratory of Entomology, Nature Research Centre, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | | | - Mélanie Duc
- P. B. Šivickis Laboratory of Parasitology, Nature Research Centre, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Dovilė Bukauskaitė
- P. B. Šivickis Laboratory of Parasitology, Nature Research Centre, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | - Rasa Bernotienė
- Laboratory of Entomology, Nature Research Centre, Vilnius, Lithuania
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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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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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Daif S, El Berbri I, Fassi Fihri O. First molecular evidence of potential Culicoides vectors implicated in bluetongue virus transmission in Morocco. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:71. [PMID: 38374115 PMCID: PMC10877861 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06167-y] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bluetongue is a non-contagious viral disease that affects both domestic and wild ruminants. It is transmitted primarily by small hematophagous Diptera belonging to the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). The current study represents the first molecular investigation into the potential role of Culicoides imicola, Culicoides paolae, Culicoides newsteadi, Culicoides spp., and Culicoides circumscriptus as bluetongue virus (BTV) vectors in Morocco. Additionally, the study aimed to evaluate the vectorial activity of midges during the survey seasons. METHODS Parous females of these species were captured from several regions of Morocco (6 out of 12) from 2018 to 2021 using Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (OVI) traps. A total of 2003 parous female specimens were grouped into 55 batches. The midge body of each batch was dissected into three regions (head, thorax, and abdomen), and these regions were analyzed separately using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). RESULTS BTV RNA was detected in 45 out of the 55 batches tested, indicating a positivity rate of 81.8%. The RT-qPCR-positive pools of the studied Culicoides species exhibited high levels of BTV positivity in each body part (head, thorax, and abdomen), confirming the successful replication of the virus within midge bodies. The BTV circulation was substantial across all three survey seasons (spring, summer, and autumn). High infection rates, calculated using the minimum infection rate (MIR) and maximum likelihood estimation (MLE), were observed during the collection seasons, particularly in autumn and spring, and for all investigated Culicoides species, most notably for C. imicola and C. newsteadi. These increased infection rates underscore the significant risk of Culicoides transmitting the BTV in Morocco. CONCLUSIONS The detection of BTV positivity in Culicoides spp. (lacking wing spots that allow their differentiation according to morphological identification keys) suggested that other Culicoides species are competent for BTV transmission in Morocco. The study results indicated, for the first time at the molecular level, that C. imicola and C. newsteadi are the primary potential vectors of BTV in Morocco and that C. paolae and C. circumscriptus are strongly implicated in the propagation of bluetongue at the national level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soukaina Daif
- Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pathology and Veterinary Public Health, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Rabat, Morocco.
| | - Ikhlass El Berbri
- Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pathology and Veterinary Public Health, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Ouafaa Fassi Fihri
- Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pathology and Veterinary Public Health, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Rabat, Morocco
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Ogola EO, Bastos ADS, Slothouwer I, Getugi C, Osalla J, Omoga DCA, Ondifu DO, Sang R, Torto B, Junglen S, Tchouassi DP. Viral diversity and blood-feeding patterns of Afrotropical Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Front Microbiol 2024; 14:1325473. [PMID: 38249470 PMCID: PMC10797016 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1325473] [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: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are vectors of arboviral pathogens that primarily affect livestock represented by Schmallenberg virus (SBV), epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) and bluetongue virus (BTV). In Kenya, studies examining the bionomic features of Culicoides including species diversity, blood-feeding habits, and association with viruses are limited. Methods Adult Culicoides were surveyed using CDC light traps in two semi-arid ecologies, Baringo and Kajiado counties, in Kenya. Blood-fed specimens were analysed through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) barcoding region. Culicoides pools were screened for virus infection by generic RT-PCR and next-generation sequencing (NGS). Results Analysis of blood-fed specimens confirmed that midges had fed on cattle, goats, sheep, zebra, and birds. Cox1 barcoding of the sampled specimens revealed the presence of known vectors of BTV and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) including species in the Imicola group (Culicoides imicola) and Schultzei group (C. enderleni, C. kingi, and C. chultzei). Culicoides leucostictus and a cryptic species distantly related to the Imicola group were also identified. Screening of generated pools (11,006 individuals assigned to 333 pools) by generic RT-PCR revealed presence of seven phylogenetically distinct viruses grouping in the genera Goukovirus, Pacuvirus and Orthobunyavirus. The viruses showed an overall minimum infection rate (MIR) of 7.0% (66/333, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.5-8.9). In addition, full coding sequences of two new iflaviruses, tentatively named Oloisinyai_1 and Oloisinyai_2, were generated by next-generation sequencing (NGS) from individual homogenate of Culicoides pool. Conclusion The results indicate a high genetic diversity of viruses in Kenyan biting midges. Further insights into host-vector-virus interactions as well as investigations on the potential clinical significance of the detected viruses are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin O. Ogola
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Armanda D. S. Bastos
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Inga Slothouwer
- Institute of Virology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Free University Berlin, Humboldt-University Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Caroline Getugi
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Josephine Osalla
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Dorcus C. A. Omoga
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Dickens O. Ondifu
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Rosemary Sang
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Baldwyn Torto
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Sandra Junglen
- Institute of Virology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Free University Berlin, Humboldt-University Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - David P. Tchouassi
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
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Žiegytė R, Palinauskas V, Bernotienė R. Natural Vector of Avian Haemoproteus asymmetricus Parasite and Factors Altering the Spread of Infection. INSECTS 2023; 14:926. [PMID: 38132599 PMCID: PMC10743420 DOI: 10.3390/insects14120926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Avian haemosporidians (Apicomplexa, Haemosporida) are widespread blood protists, often causing severe haemosporidiosis, pathology, or even mortality in their hosts. Migrant birds regularly bring various haemosporidian parasites from wintering grounds to European breeding areas. Some haemosporidian parasites are prevalent in breeding sites and complete their life cycles in temperate climate zones and can be transmitted, but others do not. The factors altering the spread of these haemosporidians are not fully understood. Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) play an important role in the transmission of worldwide distributed avian haemosporidian parasites belonging to the genus Haemoproteus, but this information is particularly scarce and insufficient. The key factors limiting the spread of these pathogens in temperate climate zones, which we suspect and aim to study, are the absence of susceptible vectors and the ecological isolation of birds from vectors during the breeding period when transmission occurs. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate how the habitats of biting midges and bird breeding sites influence parasite transmission while also seeking to expand our understanding of the natural vectors for these parasites. Biting midges were collected using UV traps on the Curonian Spit, Lithuania, in different habitats, such as woodland and reeds, from May to September. Parous Culicoides females were identified, dissected, and investigated for the presence of Haemoproteus parasites using both microscopy and PCR-based tools. Among the dissected 1135 parous Culicoides females, the sporozoites of Haemoproteus asymmetricus (genetic lineage hTUPHI01) have been detected for the first time in the salivary glands of Culicoides festivipennis. The sporozoites of four Haemoproteus lineages were detected in Culicoides segnis, C. festivipennis, and Culicoides kibunensis biting midges. PCR-based screening showed that the females of seven Culicoides species were naturally infected with Haemoproteus parasites. The DNA of the parasite of owls, Haemoproteus syrnii (hSTAL2), was detected for the first time in Culicoides punctatus. The highest abundance of collected Culicoides females was in June, but the highest prevalence of Haemoproteus parasites in biting midges was in July. The abundance of Culicoides was higher in the woodland compared with reeds during the season. The acquired findings indicate the varied abundance and diversity of biting midges throughout the season and across distinct habitats. This variability could potentially impact the transmission of Haemoproteus parasites among birds with diverse breeding site ecologies. These outcomes hold the potential to enhance our understanding of the epizootiology of Haemoproteus infections within temperate climatic zones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Žiegytė
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412 Vilnius, Lithuania;
| | | | - Rasa Bernotienė
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412 Vilnius, Lithuania;
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González MA, Bravo-Barriga D, López-Mercadal J, Miranda MÁ, Gutiérrez-López R, Barceló C. First report of Culicoides caucoliberensis in Spain: Exploring molecular phylogeny, host-feeding behaviour and avian haemosporidian parasites. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 37:871-877. [PMID: 37458405 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are vectors of pathogens that affect wildlife and livestock. Understanding the composition and distribution of vector species is crucial for implementing control strategies and preventing the spread of infectious diseases. This study provides a morphological and molecular characterisation of Culicoides caucoliberensis, which represents the first record for Spain, increasing the number of Culicoides species in the country to 85. A total of 213 specimens were collected using Onderstepoort-ultraviolet down-draught light traps on a rocky coastline in the Balearic Islands during two sampling periods in 2022. Phylogenetic analysis showed that C. caucoliberensis forms a monophyletic cluster within the Maritimus group. Host preferences were determined for the first time and showed propensity to feed on the European shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis). The vector role of C. caucoliberensis for haemosporidian transmission remains unclear since molecular detection of Haemosporidians (Haemoproteus and Plasmodium) was negative for all the pools of parous and engorged females analysed. This study emphasises the importance of conducting entomofauna studies in lesser-known Mediterranean islet landscapes and highlights the need for research on vectors within the One Health framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikel A González
- Department of Wetland Ecology, Biological Station of Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Sevilla, Spain
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Daniel Bravo-Barriga
- Faculty of Veterinary, Department of Animal Health, Parasitology, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Júlia López-Mercadal
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Miranda
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Rafael Gutiérrez-López
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Animal Health Research Center, National Food and Agriculture Research and Technology Institute (INIA-CISA-CSIC), Valdeolmos, Spain
| | - Carlos Barceló
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
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Benyahia H, Parola P, Almeras L. Evolution of MALDI-TOF MS Profiles from Lice and Fleas Preserved in Alcohol over Time. INSECTS 2023; 14:825. [PMID: 37887837 PMCID: PMC10607003 DOI: 10.3390/insects14100825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
MALDI-TOF is now considered a relevant tool for the identification of arthropods, including lice and fleas. However, the duration and conditions of storage, such as in ethanol, which is frequently used to preserve these ectoparasites, could impede their classification. The purpose of the present study was to assess the stability of MS profiles from Pediculus humanus corporis lice and Ctenocephalides felis fleas preserved in alcohol from one to four years and kinetically submitted to MALDI-TOF MS. A total of 469 cephalothoraxes from lice (n = 170) and fleas (n = 299) were tested. The reproducibility of the MS profiles was estimated based on the log score values (LSVs) obtained for query profiles compared to the reference profiles included in the MS database. Only MS spectra from P. humanus corporis and C. felis stored in alcohol for less than one year were included in the reference MS database. Approximately 75% of MS spectra from lice (75.2%, 94/125) and fleas (74.4%, 122/164) specimens stored in alcohol for 12 to 48 months, queried against the reference MS database, obtained relevant identification. An accurate analysis revealed a significant decrease in the proportion of identification for both species stored for more than 22 months in alcohol. It was hypothesized that incomplete drying was responsible for MS spectra variations. Then, 45 lice and 60 fleas were subjected to longer drying periods from 12 to 24 h. The increase in the drying period improved the proportion of relevant identification for lice (95%) and fleas (80%). This study highlighted that a correct rate of identification by MS could be obtained for lice and fleas preserved in alcohol for up to four years on the condition that the drying period was sufficiently long for accurate identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanene Benyahia
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, 13005 Marseille, France; (H.B.); (P.P.)
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Parola
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, 13005 Marseille, France; (H.B.); (P.P.)
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Lionel Almeras
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, 13005 Marseille, France; (H.B.); (P.P.)
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
- Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département Microbiologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 13005 Marseille, France
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Bravo-Barriga D, González MA, Parreira R, Frontera E, Huerta H, Alarcón-Elbal PM. Shedding light on the controversial taxonomic status of Culicoides jamaicensis and Culicoides paolae (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae): an overseas trip among continents. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 60:944-954. [PMID: 37335073 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjad062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are small bloodsucking flies that act as vectors for various pathogens of medical and veterinary importance. This study aimed to examine, using a comprehensive approach, the controversial taxonomic status of 2 Culicoides species that are currently distributed in the Neotropical (Culicoides jamaicensis Edwards) and Palearctic (Culicoides paolae Boorman) areas and possess unique and distinctive features. Previous investigations based on morphological analysis have suggested that these 2 species may be synonyms. Our work updated the current geographical distribution of both species and analyzed new specimens from different geographic origins, together with publicly available sequences. We used 2 universal genetic markers (COI and 28S) to test this hypothesis. Our study reveals evidence that C. paolae and C. jamaicensis belong to the same species due to the following statements: (i) similar morphological features; (ii) low interspecific genetic variation; (iii) association with a single genetic cluster; (iv) inclusion within the subgenus Drymodesmyia, which has only been recorded in the New World; and (v) occurrence in habitats with moderate temperatures. We recommend that European and African specimens of C. paolae be considered from now on as C. jamaicensis. Our comprehensive approach shed new light on the taxonomic status of these 2 Culicoides species and has implications for future studies on their biology and ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Bravo-Barriga
- Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, University of Extremadura (Uex), 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | | | - Ricardo Parreira
- Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (IHMT) - NOVA University of Lisbon, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Eva Frontera
- Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, University of Extremadura (Uex), 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Herón Huerta
- Laboratorio de Entomología, Instituto de Diagnóstico y Referencia Epidemiológicos, 01480 Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Pedro María Alarcón-Elbal
- Laboratorio de investigación de Entomología, Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Bloque B, Universidad de Valencia, 46100 Burjasot, Spain
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Groschupp S, Kampen H, Werner D. Occurrence of putative Culicoides biting midge vectors (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) inside and outside barns in Germany and factors influencing their activity. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:307. [PMID: 37653421 PMCID: PMC10472570 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05920-z] [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: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND After several years without bluetongue disease, a ruminant illness caused by Culicoides-borne bluetongue virus (BTV), two new autochthonous cases were reported in 2018 in Germany. By contrast, Schmallenberg virus (SBV), another Culicoides-borne virus pathogenic to ruminants, has continuously circulated in Germany since its first emergence in 2011. The disease outbreaks have triggered numerous studies on the biology of the Culicoides vectors, but many ecological details are still obscure. METHODS Culicoides biting midge species were collected with UV-light traps on 10 farms in Germany, with one trap inside and one trap outside barns on each of the farms. Traps were run once a week for 24 h from January to December 2019. Collected biting midges were morphologically identified, counted and statistically evaluated, with a focus on the Obsoletus Group and the Pulicaris Complex of the ceratopogonid genus Culicoides, which are believed to contain the major virus vectors. Temperature and relative humidity recorded at each trap were linked to the quantity of caught Culicoides. Correlations between relative Culicoides abundance and presence of livestock or type of husbandry were also investigated. RESULTS A total of 38,886 Culicoides biting midges were trapped, with most of them belonging to the Obsoletus Group (51.0%) and the Pulicaris Complex (38.8%). The majority of captured specimens were collected in traps inside the barns. Obsoletus Group individuals were caught from late January to the last week of December while Pulicaris Complex individuals were captured from the end of March to early December. The lowest average temperatures at which members of the two groups were collected were 10.7 °C and 12.8 °C, respectively. While temperature had a statistically significant effect on the activity of both the Obsoletus Group and the Pulicaris Complex, relative humidity only significantly affected the activity of the latter. The presence of livestock significantly influenced the number of captured Obsoletus Group, but not of Pulicaris Complex specimens. Inside the barns, no statistical difference was found between numbers of caught Obsoletus Group and Pulicaris Complex specimens in livestock holdings with deep litter and manure scraper or slatted floor husbandry systems. CONCLUSIONS The almost year-round presence of Obsoletus Group biting midges and the demonstrated high relative abundance of other potential Culicoides vector species inside barns suggest a high risk of indoor virus transmission to ruminants should BTV or SBV circulate locally. Appropriate structural, organisational and vector control measures to reduce biting midge exposure should be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Groschupp
- Research Area 2 “Landscape Use and Governance”, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Straße 84, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany
| | - Helge Kampen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut–Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Doreen Werner
- Research Area 2 “Landscape Use and Governance”, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Straße 84, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany
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Barceló C, Searle KR, Estrada R, Lucientes J, Miranda MÁ, Purse BV. The use of path analysis to determine effects of environmental factors on the adult seasonality of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) vector species in Spain. BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2023; 113:402-411. [PMID: 36908249 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485323000068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are the main vectors of livestock diseases such as bluetongue (BT) which mainly affect sheep and cattle. In Spain, bluetongue virus (BTV) is transmitted by several Culicoides taxa, including Culicoides imicola, Obsoletus complex, Culicoides newsteadi and Culicoides pulicaris that vary in seasonality and distribution, affecting the distribution and dynamics of BT outbreaks. Path analysis is useful for separating direct and indirect, biotic and abiotic determinants of species' population performance and is ideal for understanding the sensitivity of adult Culicoides dynamics to multiple environmental drivers. Start, end of season and length of overwintering of adult Culicoides were analysed across 329 sites in Spain sampled from 2005 to 2010 during the National Entomosurveillance Program for BTV with path analysis, to determine the direct and indirect effects of land use, climate and host factor variables. Culicoides taxa had species-specific responses to environmental variables. While the seasonality of adult C. imicola was strongly affected by topography, temperature, cover of agro-forestry and sclerophyllous vegetation, rainfall, livestock density, photoperiod in autumn and the abundance of Culicoides females, Obsoletus complex species seasonality was affected by land-use variables such as cover of natural grassland and broad-leaved forest. Culicoides female abundance was the most explanatory variable for the seasonality of C. newsteadi, while C. pulicaris showed that temperature during winter and the photoperiod in November had a strong effect on the start of the season and the length of overwinter period of this species. These results indicate that the seasonal vector-free period (SVFP) in Spain will vary between competent vector taxa and geographic locations, dependent on the different responses of each taxa to environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Barceló
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Research Group, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Ctra. Valldemossa Km 7.5, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Kate R Searle
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bush Estate, EH26 0QB Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rosa Estrada
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Javier Lucientes
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Miguel Á Miranda
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Research Group, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Ctra. Valldemossa Km 7.5, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Bethan V Purse
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Oxfordshire OX10 8BB, UK
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Prado AM, Savino AG, Thyssen PJ. Interactive Key for Third Instar Larvae of Neotropical Blow Flies (Insecta, Diptera, Calliphoridae): the Contribution of Computational Tools to Assist in Species Identification. NEOTROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 52:373-379. [PMID: 35859249 DOI: 10.1007/s13744-022-00985-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Calliphoridae (Insecta, Diptera), popularly known as blow flies or carrion flies, as most are necrophagous comprises one of the most relevant families of insects on forensics. Currently, more than 1500 blow fly species are known, the majority of which can be found in the Old World. In the Neotropics, it is estimated that there are approximately 20 species of forensic importance. In view of the taxonomic impediment associated with the identification of immatures, in this study, we present an interactive identification key for third instar larvae of necrophagous Calliphoridae species. This key includes 12 Neotropical blow fly species of forensic importance, more than 70 pictures, schemes, and definitions glossary and is free to access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Marrara Prado
- Lab of Integrative Entomology, Dept of Animal Biology, IB, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), São Paulo State, Campinas, Brazil
| | - André Gardelino Savino
- Forensic Police of São Paulo State, Technical-Scientific Police Superintendence, Jundiaí, São Paulo State, Brazil
| | - Patricia Jacqueline Thyssen
- Lab of Integrative Entomology, Dept of Animal Biology, IB, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), São Paulo State, Campinas, Brazil.
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African Swine Fever Virus Load in Hematophagous Dipterans Collected in an Outbreak from Romania: Risk Factors and Implications. Transbound Emerg Dis 2023. [DOI: 10.1155/2023/3548109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
African swine fever (ASF) is a contagious viral disease of swine that causes significant economic damage. The summer peaks and river courses have triggered the hypothesis that vectors may be involved in the transmission of the virus. In temperate climates, insect numbers increase in the late summer. Low temperatures and frosts decrease the number of active insects. Their presence is strongly associated with the nearby wetlands or swamps around the farms. The aim of our study was to evaluate the risk factors associated with the presence of ASFV DNA in hematophagous dipterans and to analyze the relevance of Ct values obtained following RT-PCR analysis of the positive samples in ASF outbreaks in Romania, as an indication for the viral load. The current study included 99 pools of stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) and 296 pools of biting midges (Culicoides spp.), collected in June-September 2020, from 30 outbreaks of ASF in domestic swine from backyard farms (BF), type A farms (TAF), and commercial farms (CF). All extracted DNA was tested for the presence of the ASFV genome using a real-time PCR protocol. Ct values of 39.53 and below were considered as positive (min: 18.19; median: 31.41; max: 39.53). The blood meal source was identified in the hematophagous insects by using a PCR protocol targeting the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1. Data were analyzed using R software v. 4.0.5. In total, 3,158 insects (S. calcitrans n = 198 and Culicoides n = 2960) were collected in 23 farms of the 30 outbreak farms. Ten species of biting midges were identified. The total number of insect pools showed significant differences according to the month of sampling, with a higher number of pools collected in August and September. Overall, 137 pools out of the 395 examined were positive for the presence of ASFV DNA. There was a higher viral DNA load in farms where pigs were present at the moment of sampling compared to farms where pigs were already culled, in S. calcitrans compared to Culicoides spp. and in CF and TAF compared to BF.
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Fetene E, Teka G, Dejene H, Mandefro D, Teshome T, Temesgen D, Negussie H, Mulatu T, Jaleta MB, Leta S. Modeling the spatial distribution of Culicoides species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) as vectors of animal diseases in Ethiopia. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12904. [PMID: 35902616 PMCID: PMC9334590 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16911-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are the major vectors of bluetongue, Schmallenberg, and African horse sickness viruses. This study was conducted to survey Culicoides species in different parts of Ethiopia and to develop habitat suitability for the major Culicoides species in Ethiopia. Culicoides traps were set in different parts of the country from December 2018 to April 2021 using UV light Onderstepoort traps and the collected Culicoides were sorted to species level. To develop the species distribution model for the two predominant Culicoides species, namely Culicoides imicola and C. kingi, an ensemble modeling technique was used with the Biomod2 package of R software. KAPPA True skill statistics (TSS) and ROC curve were used to evaluate the accuracy of species distribution models. In the ensemble modeling, models which score TSS values greater than 0.8 were considered. Negative binomialregression models were used to evaluate the relationship between C. imicola and C. kingi catch and various environmental and climatic factors. During the study period, a total of 9148 Culicoides were collected from 66 trapping sites. Of the total 9148, 8576 of them belongs to seven species and the remaining 572 Culicoides were unidentified. The predominant species was C. imicola (52.8%), followed by C. kingi (23.6%). The abundance of these two species was highly influenced by the agro-ecological zone of the capture sites and the proximity of the capture sites to livestock farms. Climatic variables such as mean annual minimum and maximum temperature and mean annual rainfall were found to influence the catch of C. imicola at the different study sites. The ensemble model performed very well for both species with KAPPA (0.9), TSS (0.98), and ROC (0.999) for C. imicola and KAPPA (0.889), TSS (0.999), and ROC (0.999) for C. kingi. Culicoides imicola has a larger suitability range compared to C. kingi. The Great Rift Valley in Ethiopia, the southern and eastern parts of the country, and the areas along the Blue Nile and Lake Tana basins in northern Ethiopia were particularly suitable for C. imicola. High suitability for C. kingi was found in central Ethiopia and the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR). The habitat suitability model developed here could help researchers better understand where the above vector-borne diseases are likely to occur and target surveillance to high-risk areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eyerusalem Fetene
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Getachew Teka
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Hana Dejene
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia.,Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Science, Ambo University, P.O. Box 19, Ambo, Ethiopia
| | - Deresegn Mandefro
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Tsedale Teshome
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Dawit Temesgen
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Haileleul Negussie
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Tesfaye Mulatu
- National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Centre (NAHDIC), P. O. Box 4, Sebeta, Ethiopia
| | - Megarsa Bedasa Jaleta
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Samson Leta
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia.
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Stokes JE, Carpenter S, Sanders C, Gubbins S. Emergence dynamics of adult Culicoides biting midges at two farms in south-east England. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:251. [PMID: 35820957 PMCID: PMC9277857 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05370-z] [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: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are biological vectors of livestock arboviruses that cause diseases with significant economic, social and welfare impacts. Within temperate regions, livestock movement during arbovirus outbreaks can be facilitated by declaring a ‘seasonal vector-free period’ (SVFP) during winter when adult Culicoides are not active. In this study we carry out long-term monitoring of Culicoides adult emergence from larval development habitats at two farms in the UK to validate current definitions of the SVFP and to provide novel bionomic data for known vector species. Methods Standard emergence traps were used to collect emerging adult Culicoides from dung heaps at two cattle farms in the south-east of England from June to November 2016 and March 2017 to May 2018. Culicoides were morphologically identified to species or complex level and count data were analysed using a simple population dynamic model for pre-adult Culicoides that included meteorological components. Results More than 96,000 Culicoides were identified from 267 emergence trapping events across 2 years, revealing clear evidence of bivoltinism from peaks of male populations of Culicoidesobsoletus emerging from dung heaps. This pattern was also reflected in the emergence of adult female Obsoletus complex populations, which dominated the collections (64.4% of total catch) and emerged throughout the adult active period. Adult male C. obsoletus were observed emerging earlier than females (protandry) and emergence of both sexes occurred throughout the year. Culicoides chiopterus and Culicoides scoticus were also identified in spring emergence collections, providing the first evidence for the overwintering of larvae in dung heaps for these species. Conclusions This study demonstrates continual and highly variable rates of emergence of Culicoides throughout the year. A lack of evidence for mass emergence in spring along with the ability to observe male generations highlights the need for complementary surveillance techniques in addition to light-trap data when investigating seasonality and phenology. Evidence was found of other vector species, C. chiopterus and C. scoticus, utilising cattle dung heaps as an overwintering habitat, further highlighting the importance of these habitats on farms. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05370-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Eleanor Stokes
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK. .,ProScience Ltd, Gloucestershire, GL11 5SD, UK.
| | - Simon Carpenter
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK
| | | | - Simon Gubbins
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK
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19
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Kadjoudj N, Bounamous A, Kouba Y, Dik B, Zeroual S, Amira A, Chenchouni H. Composition and diversity of Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in rural and suburban environments of Algeria. Acta Trop 2022; 234:106588. [PMID: 35803337 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106588] [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: 01/02/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Culicoides biting midges are well known biological vectors of several arboviruses causing more than 100 veterinary and medical diseases worldwide. In Algeria, bluetongue virus, which is transmitted by Culicoides midges, is responsible for one of the most critical insect-borne diseases of sheep. For example, this disease caused clinically severe morbidity of about 2,661 confirmed cases out of 21,175 susceptible sheep in Algeria. This study compared the abundance, richness, and diversity of Culicoides species in rural and suburban environments of semi-arid regions in North Africa. It examined the potential influence of the bio-climatic factors on the variation of population sizes and the elevation distribution of biting midges. Specimen collection was carried out from June to September during two successive years (2018 and 2019) using CDC light traps installed at 15 sites in different environments. Culicoides specimens were dissected, slide-mounted, and morphologically identified using the interactive identification key IIKC and various standard morphological criteria. A total of 1,046 Culicoides specimens (1,024 females and 22 males) were trapped and classified into 22 species, belonged to nine distinct subgenera. Two new species records for Algeria and even North Africa are reported: Culicoides albicans (Winnertz, 1852) and Culicoides nubeculosus (Meigen, 1830). Culicoides newsteadi Austen, 1921 (51.6%) was the dominant species, and it was followed by Culicoides punctatus (Meigen, 1804) (16.3%) and Culicoides odiatus Austen, 1921 (11.5%). These three species, comprising 80% of the collected Culicoides, were the most abundant both outside and inside livestock stables in rural and suburban environments. Species diversity was similar in the two settings, with a slight increase in suburban environments. None of the Culicoides species encountered correlated significantly with the climatic factors (mean temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity). Elevation was the most determinant environmental parameter that affected the abundance and distribution of Culicoides midges in the semi-arid and sub-humid areas studied. The maximum distribution of Culicoides species was detected at mid elevations (400‒800 m). Using a modeling approach, we explored for the first time the variation of composition and diversity in Culicoides communities within different climatic regions, environments and livestock settings in Algeria. This survey deepens our understanding of the relationships among environmental factors, abundance, diversity, and geographic distribution of Culicoides. This is a crucial step to assess the epidemiological situation of the diseases transmitted by these biting midges and to allow mitigation of the associated risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Kadjoudj
- Laboratory of Natural Sciences and Materials, Institute of Science and Technology, University Center A. Boussouf of Mila, Mila 43000, Algeria
| | - Azzedine Bounamous
- Laboratory of Natural Sciences and Materials, Institute of Science and Technology, University Center A. Boussouf of Mila, Mila 43000, Algeria
| | - Yacine Kouba
- Department of Geography and Spatial Planning, Larbi Ben Mhidi University, 04000, Algeria
| | - Bilal Dik
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selçuk University, Konya 42250, Turkey
| | - Samir Zeroual
- Laboratory of Genetics, biotechnology and valorization of bio-resources, University Mohamed Khider, Biskra, Algeria
| | - Aicha Amira
- Laboratory of Natural Sciences and Materials, Institute of Science and Technology, University Center A. Boussouf of Mila, Mila 43000, Algeria
| | - Haroun Chenchouni
- Department of Forest Management, Higher National School of Forests, Khenchela 40000, Algeria; Laboratory of Natural Resources and Management of Sensitive Environments 'RNAMS', Larbi Ben Mhidi University, Oum-El-Bouaghi 04000, Algeria.
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20
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Möhlmann TWR, Ter Braak CJF, Te Beest DE, Hendriks M, Nijhuis EH, Warris S, Drolet BS, van Overbeek L, Koenraadt CJM. Species Identity, Life History, and Geographic Distance Influence Gut Bacterial Communities in Lab-Reared and European Field-Collected Culicoides Biting midges. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2022; 84:267-284. [PMID: 34436640 PMCID: PMC9250918 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-021-01822-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria are part of the insect gut system and influence many physiological traits of their host. Gut bacteria may even reduce or block the transmission of arboviruses in several species of arthropod vectors. Culicoides biting midges are important arboviral vectors of several livestock and wildlife diseases, yet limited information is available on their gut bacterial communities. Addressing this gap will help inform how these communities can be manipulated and ultimately used as novel tools to control pathogens. To assess how bacterial communities change during the life stages of lab-reared C. nubeculosus and C. sonorensis, endosymbiotic bacteria were identified using Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA and taxonomically characterised. Analyses were conducted to determine how gut bacterial communities in adults are influenced by species identity and geographic distance among biting midge populations. Communities of the two lab-reared Culicoides species significantly changed after pupation and with maturation into 6-day-old adults. Pseudomonas, Burkholderiaceae and Leucobacter bacteria were part of a core community that was trans-stadially transmitted and found throughout their life cycle. Among field-collected biting midges, the bacterial communities were unique for almost each species. Cardinium, Rickettsia and Wolbachia were some of the most abundant bacteria in midges collected from wetlands. Only Pseudomonas was present in high relative abundance in all field-collected species. In this study, species identity, as well as geographic distance, influenced the gut bacterial communities and may partly explain known inter- and intra-species variability in vector competence. Additionally, stably associated bacterial species could be candidates for paratransgenic strategies to control vector-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim W R Möhlmann
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Cajo J F Ter Braak
- Biometris, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Dennis E Te Beest
- Biometris, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marc Hendriks
- Biointeractions and Plant Health, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Els H Nijhuis
- Biointeractions and Plant Health, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sven Warris
- Bioscience, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Barbara S Drolet
- Agricultural Research Service, Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA, 1515 College Ave, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Leo van Overbeek
- Biointeractions and Plant Health, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Constantianus J M Koenraadt
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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21
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González MA, Goiri F, Prosser SWJ, Cevidanes A, Hernández-Triana LM, Barandika JF, Hebert PDN, García-Pérez AL. Culicoides species community composition and feeding preferences in two aquatic ecosystems in northern Spain. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:199. [PMID: 35690834 PMCID: PMC9188056 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05297-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aquatic ecosystems provide breeding sites for blood-sucking insects such as Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), but factors affecting their distribution and host choice are poorly understood. A study was undertaken at two nature reserves in northern Spain to examine the abundance, species composition, population dynamics and feeding patterns of biting midges between 2018 and 2019. Methods Culicoides were captured by light suction traps baited with CO2 and by sweep netting vegetation. Blood meals and species identification of blood-fed specimens were determined using cytochrome c oxidase I subunit (COI) DNA barcoding. Multivariate generalized linear models were used to evaluate the associations between the abundance of Culicoides, the species richness and other parameters. Results The 4973 identified specimens comprised 28 species of Culicoides. These included two species reported for the first time in northern Spain, thus raising to 54 the number of Culicoides species described in the region. Specimens of all 28 species and 99.6% of the total specimens collected were caught in suction traps, while sweep netting vegetation revealed just 11 species and 0.4% of the total specimens. Midge abundance peaked in June/early July, with five species comprising > 80% of the captures: Culicoides alazanicus (24.9%), Culicoides griseidorsum (20.3%), Culicoides poperinghensis (16.2%), Culicoides kibunensis (10.7%) and Culicoides clastrieri (9.6%). DNA barcode analysis of blood meals from eight Culicoides species revealed that they fed on 17 vertebrate species (3 mammals and 14 birds). Species in the subgenus Avaritia were primarily ornithophilic, except for C. griseidorsum and C. poperinghensis. Host DNA from blood meals was successfully amplified from 75% of blood-fed females. A pictorial blood meal digestion scale is provided to accurately assess the blood-fed status of female Culicoides. Conclusions The large number of different blood meal sources identified in the midges captured in this study signals the likely importance of wild birds and mammals (e.g. red deer and wild boar) as reservoir/amplifying hosts for pathogens. Available hosts are more exposed to being bitten by biting midge populations in aquatic ecosystems in late spring and early summer. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05297-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikel A González
- Department of Animal Health, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain.,Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Research Group, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Fátima Goiri
- Department of Animal Health, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Sean W J Prosser
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Aitor Cevidanes
- Department of Animal Health, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Luis M Hernández-Triana
- Vector-Borne Diseases Research Group, Virology Department-Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, UK
| | - Jesús F Barandika
- Department of Animal Health, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Paul D N Hebert
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Ana L García-Pérez
- Department of Animal Health, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain.
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22
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A Survey on Native and Invasive Mosquitoes and Other Biting Dipterans in Northern Spain. Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:867-877. [PMID: 35298775 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-022-00529-1] [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: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Haematophagous Diptera, such as mosquitoes (Culicidae), biting midges (Ceratopogonidae), and black flies (Simuliidae), are important insects for public and animal health due to their capacity to bite and transmit pathogens. Outdoor recreation areas are usually affected by biting species and provide suitable habitats to both adult and immature stages. This study aimed to determine the species diversity and larval sites of these Diptera groups in two golf courses. METHODS A multi-method collection approach using ultraviolet-CDC traps, human landing catches, collection in breeding sites, and ovitraps was implemented during summer 2020 in northern Spain. Insects were determined by morphological features accompanied by DNA barcoding. RESULTS A total of ten native mosquito species were recorded either as adults or as larval stages. The invasive species Aedes japonicus was collected only at egg or pupa stage in ovitraps. Culex pipiens s.l. and Culex torrentium were both common mosquito species accounting for 47.9% of the total larval site collections and their larvae might be found in a wide range of natural and artificial sites. Culiseta longiareolata specimens were also prominent (30.1% of the total) and occurred exclusively in man-made water-filled containers. A total of 13 Culicoides species were identified, 10 of which were captured by ultraviolet-CDC traps, particularly members of the Obsoletus complex (Culicoides obsoletus/Culicoides scoticus, 74.9%) and seven species by emergence traps, being the two most abundant C. kibunensis (44.8%) and C. festivipennis (34.9%). Simulium cryophilum was also collected hovering around the operator under field sampling. CONCLUSION A comprehensive representation of the blood-sucking Diptera fauna and their larval sites was obtained by the multi-method approach in two Spanish golf courses.
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23
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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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24
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Habitat-dependent Culicoides species composition and abundance in blue tit ( Cyanistes caeruleus) nests. Parasitology 2022; 149:1119-1128. [PMID: 35570671 PMCID: PMC10090578 DOI: 10.1017/s003118202200066x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Wild birds are hosts of Culicoides from as early on as the nesting stage when constrained to their nests. However, the environmental factors which determine the abundance and composition of Culicoides species within each bird nest are still understudied. We sampled Culicoides from Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) nests found in 2 types of forests located in southern Spain. Firstly, we monitored the abundance of Culicoides species in bird nests from a dry Pyrenean oak deciduous forest and a humid mixed forest comprising Pyrenean and Holm oaks throughout 2 consecutive years. During the 3rd year, we performed a cross-fostering experiment between synchronous nests to differentiate the role of rearing environment conditions from that of the genetically determined or maternally transmitted cues released by nestlings from each forest. We found 147 female Culicoides from 5 different species in the birds' nests. The abundance of Culicoides was higher in the dry forest than in the humid forest. Culicoides abundance, species richness and prevalence were greater when the nestlings were hatched later in the season. The same pattern was observed in the cross-fostering experiment, but we did not find evidence that nestling's features determined by the forest of origin had any effect on the Culicoides collected. These results support the notion that habitat type has a strong influence on the Culicoides affecting birds in their nests, while some life history traits of birds, such as the timing of reproduction, also influence Culicoides abundance and species composition.
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25
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Culicoides segnis and Culicoides pictipennis Biting Midges (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae), New Reported Vectors of Haemoproteus Parasites. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10050898. [PMID: 35630343 PMCID: PMC9143851 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10050898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
As bloodsuckers of birds, Culicoides biting midges (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) play an important role in the transmission of avian haemosporidian (Haemoproteus) parasites, which are prevalent in many bird populations and cause disease, pathology, or even mortality in their hosts. Information about the role of the various Culicoides species in the transmission of Haemoproteus parasites remains insufficient. This presents an obstacle for the better understanding of the epizootiology of haemoproteosis. The aim of this study was to determine new Culicoides species involved in the transmission of Haemoproteus parasites in the wild. Biting midges were collected using UV traps on the Curonian Spit, Lithuania. Only parous Culicoides females were investigated: they were identified and were diagnosed for the presence of Haemoproteus parasites using both microscopy and PCR-based methods. We collected and dissected 420 parous Culicoides females. PCR-based screening showed that 28 parous Culicoides biting midges were infected with avian Haemoproteus parasites. Haemoproteid DNA was detected in Culicoides kibunensis, Culicoides pictipennis, Culicoides festivipennis, Culicoides segnis, Culicoides pallidicornis, and Culicoides obsoletus biting midges. The DNA of Haemoproteus palloris, genetic lineage hWW1, was found for the first time in C. pallidicornis. Haemoproteus sporozoites were detected in the salivary glands of two Culicoides segnis biting midges. According to the PCR results, one female contained Haemoproteus tartakovskyi (genetic lineage hHAWF1) DNA and another Haemoproteus majoris (genetic lineage hCCF5) DNA. The sporozoites of Haemoproteus parasites were also detected in the salivary glands of four C. pictipennis biting midges using microscopy, and this finding was confirmed by PCR as Haemoproteus parabelopolskyi DNA (genetic lineage hSYAT02) was detected in three out of the four biting midges. The obtained results supplement existing information about Culicoides biting midges as natural vectors of Haemoproteus spp. and add two new Culicoides species to the vector list, showing the low specificity of these parasites for the invertebrate hosts.
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26
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Konstantinidis K, Bampali M, de Courcy Williams M, Dovrolis N, Gatzidou E, Papazilakis P, Nearchou A, Veletza S, Karakasiliotis I. Dissecting the Species-Specific Virome in Culicoides of Thrace. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:802577. [PMID: 35330767 PMCID: PMC8940260 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.802577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Biting midges (Culicoides) are vectors of arboviruses of both veterinary and medical importance. The surge of emerging and reemerging vector-borne diseases and their expansion in geographical areas affected by climate change has increased the importance of understanding their capacity to contribute to novel and emerging infectious diseases. The study of Culicoides virome is the first step in the assessment of this potential. In this study, we analyzed the RNA virome of 10 Culicoides species within the geographical area of Thrace in the southeastern part of Europe, a crossing point between Asia and Europe and important path of various arboviruses, utilizing the Ion Torrent next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform and a custom bioinformatics pipeline based on TRINITY assembler and alignment algorithms. The analysis of the RNA virome of 10 Culicoides species resulted in the identification of the genomic signatures of 14 novel RNA viruses, including three fully assembled viruses and four segmented viruses with at least one segment fully assembled, most of which were significantly divergent from previously identified related viruses from the Solemoviridae, Phasmaviridae, Phenuiviridae, Reoviridae, Chuviridae, Partitiviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Rhabdoviridae, and Flaviviridae families. Each Culicoides species carried a species-specific set of viruses, some of which are related to viruses from other insect vectors in the same area, contributing to the idea of a virus-carrier web within the ecosystem. The identified viruses not only expand our current knowledge on the virome of Culicoides but also set the basis of the genetic diversity of such viruses in the area of southeastern Europe. Furthermore, our study highlights that such metagenomic approaches should include as many species as possible of the local virus-carrier web that interact and share the virome of a geographical area.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Bampali
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | | | - Nikolas Dovrolis
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Elisavet Gatzidou
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | | | | | - Stavroula Veletza
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Ioannis Karakasiliotis
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
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27
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Romiti F, Fochetti R, Magliano A, Vinciguerra V, Ermenegildi A, De Liberato C. First Report of Culicoides Biting Midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Attacking People in Italy, With the Description of Extreme Larval Breeding Sites and Diurnal Activity of Culicoides riethi. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 59:772-776. [PMID: 34971396 PMCID: PMC8924964 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Biting midges of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) play a paramount role in medical and veterinary entomology worldwide, particularly as vectors of pathogens which cause animal diseases. Biting midges are also infamous for the nuisance they provoke to people involved in outdoor activities. Nonetheless, attacks to man by midges from any Culicoides species have not been reported in Italy. An entomological investigation was performed following repeated attacks to man in a nature park near Rome (central Italy). The study area is a natural degassing zone, characterized by widespread hazardous gas emissions of CO2 and H2S, with several water bodies including permanent lakes, ponds, and pools. The biting midge C. riethi Kieffer, 1914 was very active during daytime in the period April-June. The species has been identified as responsible for attacks on people in the area. An in-depth analysis of the extreme environmental conditions revealed the ability of larvae to thrive in several water bodies, characterized by an extremely low pH and a high concentration of sulfates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Romiti
- Laboratory of Entomology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri”, Rome, Italy
| | - Romolo Fochetti
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems, Viterbo University, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Adele Magliano
- Laboratory of Entomology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri”, Rome, Italy
| | - Vittorio Vinciguerra
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems, Viterbo University, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Arianna Ermenegildi
- Laboratory of Entomology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri”, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio De Liberato
- Laboratory of Entomology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri”, Rome, Italy
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28
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Occurrence of Biting Midges (Diptera: Culicoides) on Dairy Farms in Eastern Slovakia in Relation to Abiotic Factors. FOLIA VETERINARIA 2021. [DOI: 10.2478/fv-2021-0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Within the scope of our research, we have performed 59 trapping sessions and collected 15,756 biting midges from 20 species at four farms (Kluknava, Ostrov, Turňa nad Bodovou and Zemplínska Teplica), The most frequent types of captured insects were representatives of the Avaritia subgenus, C. obsoletus/C. scoticus, representing on average 85.1 % (13,295 individuals) of the fauna of the biting midges, with the exception of the farm in Ostrov where this group represented only 41.7 % of the fauna. At this particular farm, the most frequently trapped insects belonged to the Culicoides subgenus (54.1 %), in particular the C. bysta, C. lupicaris, C. newsteadi, C. Pulicaris and C. Punctatus species. During the trapping sessions, we monitored factors affecting the number of trapped biting midges, such as the temperature, relative air humidity and airflow rate: the air temperature during the trapping of the biting midges ranged from 9.8 to 26.2 °C; the relative air humidity ranged from 35.1 to 100 %; and the air flow rate ranged from no wind to a wind velocity of 8.2 m.s-1. However, in the final evaluation, we failed to observe a statistically significant correlation between the air flow and the number of trapped biting midges. The largest amounts of biting midges were trapped at temperatures ranging from 15.8 to 24.6 °C and at a relative air humidity ranging from 54.2 % to 68.6 %. While monitoring the seasonal dynamics of the physiological conditions of biting midge females at the selected farms, we confirmed that during the period from June to August, the most frequently trapped females were parous (50.1 %; 7,826 individuals). In addition, nulliparous females comprised 43.8 % (6,842 individuals) and were continuously trapped throughout the season (April— November).
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29
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Morphological and molecular differentiation between Culicoides oxystoma and Culicoides kingi (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Tunisia. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:607. [PMID: 34922599 PMCID: PMC8684274 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05084-8] [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: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Culicoides kingi and Culicoides oxystoma belong to the Schultzei group of biting midges. These two species are vectors of disease in livestock of economic importance. As described in the literature, morphological identification for discrimination between them is still unclear. However, species-specific identification is necessary to solve taxonomic challenges between species and to understand their roles in disease transmission and epidemiology. This study aims to develop accurate tools to discriminate C. oxystoma from C. kingi using traditional morphometry and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR RFLP) assays for use in developing countries. Methods Specimens were collected from the region of Kairouan in central Tunisia. A total of 446 C. oxystoma/C. kingi individuals were identified using traditional morphometric analyses combined with PCR–RFLP of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene. Thirteen morphometric measurements were performed from the head, wings, and abdomen of slide-mounted specimens, and six ratios were calculated between these measurements. Multivariate analyses of the morphometric measurements were explored to identify which variables could lead to accurate species identification. Results Four variables, namely antennae, wings, spermathecae, and palpus length, were suitable morphometric characteristics to differentiate between the species. Digestion with the SspI restriction enzyme of the PCR product led to good discriminative ability. Molecular procedures and phylogenetic analysis confirmed the efficiency of this simple and rapid PCR–RFLP method. Conclusions This study highlights for the first time in Tunisia the presence of C. oxystoma and its discrimination from C. kingi using abdominal measurements and the PCR–RFLP method. This approach could be applied in future epidemiological studies at the national and international levels. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-05084-8.
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Korkmaz C, Alten B, Erol U, Deniz A. Updated checklist of Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) of Turkey with ten new records. JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2021; 46:124-136. [PMID: 35230016 DOI: 10.52707/1081-1710-46.2.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the Culicoides fauna in Turkey during the years 2016-2019 in the process of entomological surveillance for arboviral diseases. The entomological survey was conducted at 104 sampling stations in 51 provinces in Turkey during four consecutive years. There were approximately 450,000 specimens and 59 identified species collected during the surveillance. Ten species were newly recorded for Turkey: C. chiopterus, C. grisescens, C. paradoxalis, C. santonicus, C. poperinghensis, C. sergenti, C. tbilisicus, C. comosioculatus, C. haranti, and C. univittatus. Identification of C. chiopterus and C. grisescens was confirmed using species-specific PCR and DNA sequencing. With our recent findings, previous data were critically reviewed and updated, and the number of Culicoides species has been increased to 71 for Turkey. The presence of C. chiopterus has particular importance due to its potential vector status for bluetongue virus (BTV) and Schmallenberg virus (SBV). This study presents result of the first large-scale integrated faunistic survey on Culicoides species in Turkey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cagla Korkmaz
- Veterinary Control Central Research Institute, Ankara, Turkey,
- Hacettepe University, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Bulent Alten
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Ecology Division, VERG laboratories, Beytepe, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ufuk Erol
- Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Sivas, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Deniz
- Veterinary Control Central Research Institute, Ankara, Turkey
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Ramilo DW, Filipe AM, Lucientes J, Rebelo MT, Cardoso L, da Fonseca IP. Morphological anomalies found in female Culicoides midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Biologia (Bratisl) 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11756-021-00822-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Paslaru AI, Torgerson PR, Veronesi E. Summer seasonal prevalence of Culicoides species from pre-alpine areas in Switzerland. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 35:324-332. [PMID: 33320361 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are arthropods of veterinary importance since they can transmit pathogens and cause severe allergic dermatitis in horses. Very little is known about the species at higher altitudes and their seasonal dynamics. In this work, adult Culicoides were collected with Onderstepoort UV-light suction traps (OVI) from June to September 2016 at two areas situated at around 1600 m asl (pre-alpine area I, 2 farms) and 2030 m asl (pre-alpine area II, 1 farm) in the Canton of Grisons (south-east Switzerland). Overall, 17 049 Culicoides were collected, including 871 parous females. A total of 50 individuals/trap/night (n = 1050) were identified to species (17 species) by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) or by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. The remaining 15 128 Culicoides were classified to species groups' level. Culicoides obsoletus (Meigen, 1818), a multivoltine species, was mainly present at 1600 m asl, whereas at high altitudes (2030 m asl), C. grisescens Edwards, 1939 I&II were the most abundant species. In particular, C. grisescens II, which seems to be univoltine, occurred later in the season but significantly increasing over time. Species diversity was higher at pre-alpine I area (n = 16 species) compared to pre-alpine II (n = 10 species).
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Affiliation(s)
- A I Paslaru
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - P R Torgerson
- Section of Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - E Veronesi
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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Manoj RRS, Latrofa MS, Cavalera MA, Mendoza‐Roldan JA, Maia C, Otranto D. Molecular detection of zoonotic filarioids in Culex spp. from Portugal. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 35:468-477. [PMID: 33948978 PMCID: PMC8453905 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the role of dipterans in the transmission of Onchocerca lupi and other zoonotic filarioids, samples were collected from different sites in Algarve, southern Portugal, morphologically identified and molecularly tested for filarioids. Culex sp. (72.8%) represented the predominant genus followed by Culicoides sp. (11.8%), Ochlerotatus sp. (9.7%), Culiseta sp. (4.5%), Aedes sp. (0.9%) and Anopheles sp. (0.3%). Nineteen (2.8%) specimens scored positive for filarioids, with Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus (2%) positive for Dirofilaria immitis (1.4%), Dirofilaria repens, Acanthocheilonema reconditum, Onchocerca lupi, unidentified species of Filarioidea (0.2%, each) and Onchocercidae (0.6%). Additionally, Culiseta longiareolata (6.5%), Ochlerotatus caspius (3%) and Culex laticinctus (0.2%) scored positive for unidentified Onchocercidae, A. reconditum and for O. lupi, respectively. This is the first report of the occurrence of DNA of O. lupi, D. repens and A. reconditum in Culex spp. in Portugal. Information regarding the vectors and the pathogens they transmit may help to adopt proper prophylactic and control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. R. S. Manoj
- Department of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of BariValenzanoItaly
| | - M. S. Latrofa
- Department of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of BariValenzanoItaly
| | - M. A. Cavalera
- Department of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of BariValenzanoItaly
| | | | - C. Maia
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT)Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira, 100Lisbon, 1349‐008Portugal
| | - D. Otranto
- Department of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of BariValenzanoItaly
- Faculty of Veterinary SciencesBu‐Ali Sina UniversityHamedanIran
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Kasičová Z, Schreiberová A, Kimáková A, Kočišová A. Blood meal analysis: host-feeding patterns of biting midges (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae, Culicoides Latreille) in Slovakia. Parasite 2021; 28:58. [PMID: 34283022 PMCID: PMC8336726 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2021058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Biting midges of the genus Culicoides are vectors of important pathogens affecting domestic and wild animals and have played a major role in the re-emergence of new outbreaks of bluetongue (BTV) and Schmallenberg (SBV) viruses in Europe. To determine vector-host specificity, trophic preference from blood meal analysis is of major importance in the surveillance of arthropod-borne diseases. Of 28,752 specimens collected, we identified 17 Culicoides species and investigated a total of 48 host sequences from the blood meals. Culicoides obsoletus/C. scoticus, C. dewulfi, C. pulicaris, C. lupicaris, C. punctatus, C. newsteadi, C. riethi, and C. furcillatus were found to feed on mammals (cattle, horses, and humans), birds (domestic chickens), small rodents (Apodemus flavicollis), and hares (Lepus europaeus). To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating trophic preferences of Culicoides spp. in Slovakia. This study demonstrated that Culicoides species are able to feed on domesticated host vertebrates as well as birds, rodents, and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Kasičová
- Department of Epizootiology, Parasitology and Protection of One Health, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice Komenského 73 041 81 Košice Slovak Republic
| | - Andrea Schreiberová
- Department of Epizootiology, Parasitology and Protection of One Health, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice Komenského 73 041 81 Košice Slovak Republic
| | - Andrea Kimáková
- Department of Epizootiology, Parasitology and Protection of One Health, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice Komenského 73 041 81 Košice Slovak Republic
| | - Alica Kočišová
- Department of Epizootiology, Parasitology and Protection of One Health, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice Komenského 73 041 81 Košice Slovak Republic
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Aguilar-Vega C, Rivera B, Lucientes J, Gutiérrez-Boada I, Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM. A study of the composition of the Obsoletus complex and genetic diversity of Culicoides obsoletus populations in Spain. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:351. [PMID: 34217330 PMCID: PMC8254917 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04841-z] [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: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Culicoides obsoletus species complex (henceforth ‘Obsoletus complex’) is implicated in the transmission of several arboviruses that can cause severe disease in livestock, such as bluetongue, African horse sickness, epizootic hemorrhagic disease and Schmallenberg disease. Thus, this study aimed to increase our knowledge of the composition and genetic diversity of the Obsoletus complex by partial sequencing of the cytochrome c oxidase I (cox1) gene in poorly studied areas of Spain. Methods A study of C. obsoletus populations was carried out using a single-tube multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay that was designed to differentiate the Obsoletus complex sibling species Culicoides obsoletus and Culicoides scoticus, based on the partial amplification of the cox1 gene, as well as cox1 georeferenced sequences from Spain available at GenBank. We sampled 117 insects of the Obsoletus complex from six locations and used a total of 238 sequences of C. obsoletus (ss) individuals (sampled here, and from GenBank) from 14 sites in mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands for genetic diversity and phylogenetic analyses. Results We identified 90 C. obsoletus (ss), 19 Culicoides scoticus and five Culicoides montanus midges from the six collection sites sampled, and found that the genetic diversity of C. obsoletus (ss) were higher in mainland Spain than in the Canary Islands. The multiplex PCR had limitations in terms of specificity, and no cryptic species within the Obsoletus complex were identified. Conclusions Within the Obsoletus complex, C. obsoletus (ss) was the predominant species in the analyzed sites of mainland Spain. Information about the species composition of the Obsoletus complex could be of relevance for future epidemiological studies when specific aspects of the vector competence and capacity of each species have been identified. Our results indicate that the intraspecific divergence is higher in C. obsoletus (ss) northern populations, and demonstrate the isolation of C. obsoletus (ss) populations of the Canary Islands. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-04841-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Aguilar-Vega
- Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Belén Rivera
- Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Lucientes
- Department of Animal Pathology (Animal Health), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, AgriFood Institute of Aragón IA2, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Isabel Gutiérrez-Boada
- Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Manuel Sánchez-Vizcaíno
- Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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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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Barceló C, Miranda MA. Development and lifespan of Culicoides obsoletus s.s. (Meigen) and other livestock-associated species reared at different temperatures under laboratory conditions. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 35:187-201. [PMID: 33103805 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) transmit arboviruses affecting wild and domestic ruminants such as bluetongue (BTV) and Schmallenberg virus (SBV). The sub-adult development and lifespan of Culicoides obsoletus s.s. (Meigen), Culicoides circumscriptus Kieffer and Culicoides paolae Boorman were examined at three different temperatures under laboratory conditions. Insects were collected from field between spring and autumn 2015 in two livestock farms located in Majorca (Spain). Gravid females were held individually at 18, 25 or 30 °C. Low temperatures increased the adult lifespan, time to oviposit and rate of development, whereas high temperatures increased the number of eggs, successful pupation and adult emergence as well as the larvae growth rate. The results showed that C. obsoletus s.s. have optimum development at 18 °C, whereas the optimal rearing temperature for C. circumscriptus and C. paolae was under warmer conditions of 25-30 °C. Variations in temperature/humidity and assays with different materials and substrates for oviposition should be considered in future studies. Understanding the requirements of the different species of Culicoides optimizing the results should be of special interest for predicting environmental change effects on these species, in addition to determining the rearing conditions for candidate Culicoides vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Barceló
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Group, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - M A Miranda
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Group, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Palma de Mallorca, Spain
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Kameke D, Kampen H, Wacker A, Werner D. Field studies on breeding sites of Culicoides LATREILLE (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in agriculturally used and natural habitats. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10007. [PMID: 33976240 PMCID: PMC8113236 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86163-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Culicoides are vectors of pathogens mainly of veterinary importance. To establish targeted vector control measures, it is paramount to comprehend the ecological factors determining their distribution. Therefore, we used emergence traps to sample eight biotopes and assess their potential as breeding sites. Part one of the study investigates agricultural habitats, part two compares four biotopes of a forest-dominated area with less anthropogenic influence, including a physicochemical analysis of soil moisture, pH value and organic content. Thirteen culicoid species were collected, with a strong dominance of the Obsoletus Complex on meadows, and with Culicoides punctatus (Meigen), Culicoides pictipennis (Staeger) and the Obsoletus Complex, to be the most abundant species in the natural habitats. Several co-existing species were found, some of them not having been described before. Our results suggest that ungrazed meadows seem unsuitable as breeding sites. Only the influence of livestock creates adequate conditions for certain midge species. The alder on fen site contained most culicoid species with the highest species diversity. Our study clearly indicates that knowledge of species-specific preferences for environmental habitat conditions (choice of breeding site) in connection to soil conditions is crucial to understand the biology and phenology of midges and their role as vectors of pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Kameke
- Working Group Biodiversity of Aquatic and Semiaquatic Landscape Features, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Str. 84, 15374, Müncheberg, Germany.
| | - Helge Kampen
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI), Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Alexander Wacker
- Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Loitzer Str. 26, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Doreen Werner
- Working Group Biodiversity of Aquatic and Semiaquatic Landscape Features, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Str. 84, 15374, Müncheberg, Germany
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Bernotienė R, Bartkevičienė G, Bukauskaitė D. The flying activity of biting midges (Ceratopogonidae: Culicoides) in Verkiai Regional Park, southeastern Lithuania. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:2323-2332. [PMID: 33893548 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07147-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Culicoides biting midges are small dipterous insects (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) which are known to be vectors of arboviruses, bacteria, protozoan and helminth parasites that can cause disease and mortality in livestock and poultry globally. Detailed knowledge of the Culicoides species composition and biology is essential to assess the risk of the introduction and transmission of pathogens. The aim of this study was to obtain data on Culicoides species composition and flying activity in southeastern Lithuania and to determine the meteorological variables related to the abundance of Culicoides biting midges. Biting midges were collected in Verkiai Regional Park, southeastern Lithuania, using an Onderstepoort trap once a week from April to October 2016 and 2018, and from April to July 2019; 7332 Culicoides females belonging to 22 species were identified. Both morphology and DNA barcoding were used for identification. The number of specimens trapped was highest for the Obsoletus Group, followed by Culicoides kibunensis and Culicoides impunctatus. The highest relative abundance and diversity of biting midges were found in May and June. The number of trapped biting midges correlated positively with the mean air temperature. The first biting midges in spring were caught when the mean daily temperature rose higher than 10 °C. No Culicoides were detected when the air temperature dropped below 5 °C in autumn. Wind speed and air humidity had no statistically significant effect on Culicoides abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasa Bernotienė
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, LT-08412, Vilnius-21, Lithuania.
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Gurgel-Gonçalves R, Abad-Franch F, de Almeida MR, Obara MT, de Souza RDCM, Batista JADS, Rocha DDA. TriatoDex, an electronic identification key to the Triatominae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), vectors of Chagas disease: Development, description, and performance. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248628. [PMID: 33886550 PMCID: PMC8061935 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Correct identification of triatomine bugs is crucial for Chagas disease surveillance, yet available taxonomic keys are outdated, incomplete, or both. Here we present TriatoDex, an Android app-based pictorial, annotated, polytomous key to the Triatominae. TriatoDex was developed using Android Studio and tested by 27 Brazilian users. Each user received a box with pinned, number-labeled, adult triatomines (33 species in total) and was asked to identify each bug to the species level. We used generalized linear mixed models (with user- and species-ID random effects) and information-theoretic model evaluation/averaging to investigate TriatoDex performance. TriatoDex encompasses 79 questions and 554 images of the 150 triatomine-bug species described worldwide up to 2017. TriatoDex-based identification was correct in 78.9% of 824 tasks. TriatoDex performed better in the hands of trained taxonomists (93.3% vs. 72.7% correct identifications; model-averaged, adjusted odds ratio 5.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.09–11.48). In contrast, user age, gender, primary job (including academic research/teaching or disease surveillance), workplace (including universities, a reference laboratory for triatomine-bug taxonomy, or disease-surveillance units), and basic training (from high school to biology) all had negligible effects on TriatoDex performance. Our analyses also suggest that, as TriatoDex results accrue to cover more taxa, they may help pinpoint triatomine-bug species that are consistently harder (than average) to identify. In a pilot comparison with a standard, printed key (370 tasks by seven users), TriatoDex performed similarly (84.5% correct assignments, CI 68.9–94.0%), but identification was 32.8% (CI 24.7–40.1%) faster on average–for a mean absolute saving of ~2.3 minutes per bug-identification task. TriatoDex holds much promise as a handy, flexible, and reliable tool for triatomine-bug identification; an updated iOS/Android version is under development. We expect that, with continuous refinement derived from evolving knowledge and user feedback, TriatoDex will substantially help strengthen both entomological surveillance and research on Chagas disease vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Gurgel-Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Médica e Biologia de Vetores, Área de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Faculdade de Medicina, Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Fernando Abad-Franch
- Faculdade de Medicina, Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | | | - Marcos Takashi Obara
- Faculdade de Medicina, Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Faculdade de Ceilândia, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | | | | | - Douglas de Almeida Rocha
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Médica e Biologia de Vetores, Área de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Faculdade de Medicina, Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
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Sevestre J, Diarra AZ, Laroche M, Almeras L, Parola P. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry: an emerging tool for studying the vectors of human infectious diseases. Future Microbiol 2021; 16:323-340. [PMID: 33733821 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2020-0145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Arthropod vectors have historically been identified morphologically, and more recently using molecular biology methods. However, both of these methods are time-consuming and require specific expertise and equipment. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, which has revolutionized the routine identification of microorganisms in clinical microbiology laboratories, was recently successfully applied to the identification of arthropod vectors. Since then, the robustness of this identification technique has been confirmed, extended to a large panel of arthropod vectors, and assessed for detecting blood feeding behavior and identifying the infection status in regard to certain pathogenic agents. In this study, we summarize the state-of-the-art of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry applied to the identification of arthropod vectors (ticks, mosquitoes, phlebotomine sand-flies, fleas, triatomines, lice and Culicoides), their trophic preferences and their ability to discriminate between infection statuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacques Sevestre
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | - Adama Z Diarra
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | - Maureen Laroche
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France
| | - Lionel Almeras
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France.,Département Microbiologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Parola
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
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Herm R, Kirik H, Vilem A, Zani L, Forth JH, Müller A, Michelitsch A, Wernike K, Werner D, Tummeleht L, Kampen H, Viltrop A. No evidence for African swine fever virus DNA in haematophagous arthropods collected at wild boar baiting sites in Estonia. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 68:2696-2702. [PMID: 33527715 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
African swine fever (ASF) is a highly pathogenic viral disease affecting all Suidae, with Ornithodoros moubata complex soft ticks acting as the biological arthropod vectors of the causative agent, African swine fever virus (ASFV). While ASFV is also transmissible via direct contact, pig products and fomites, other arthropods may be involved in virus transmission and persistence. Therefore, we checked various groups of blood-feeding arthropods collected during summer 2017 in wild boar habitats on the Estonian Island of Saaremaa for the presence of ASFV. Saaremaa had the highest ASF infection prevalences in Estonia in 2017, with an incidence of 9% among hunted wild boar. In addition to ASFV, we tested for other selected pathogens. In total, 784 ticks, 6,274 culicoid biting midges, 77 tabanids and 757 mosquitoes were tested as individuals or pools. No ASFV-DNA was found in any of them although about 20% of the tick samples tested positive for swine DNA. By contrast, tick-borne encephalitis virus-RNA was detected in one out of 37 tick pools (2.7%) and Borrelia burgdorferi s.l.-DNA in 20 individual ticks and 17 tick pools (25.2% of all samples). No Schmallenberg virus was detected in the Culicoides specimens. In conclusion, we found no evidence for Ixodes ricinus ticks, Culicoides punctatus and Obsoletus complex biting midges, Aedes spp., Anopheles spp. and Culiseta annulata mosquitoes, and Haematopota pluvialis tabanids playing a role in ASFV transmission in the wild boar population in Estonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reet Herm
- Chair of Veterinary Bio- and Population Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Heli Kirik
- Chair of Biodiversity and Nature Tourism, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Laura Zani
- Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jan Hendrik Forth
- Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Alexandra Müller
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Anna Michelitsch
- Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Doreen Werner
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Müncheberg, Germany
| | - Lea Tummeleht
- Chair of Veterinary Bio- and Population Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Helge Kampen
- Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Arvo Viltrop
- Chair of Veterinary Bio- and Population Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
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Möhlmann TWR, Keeling MJ, Wennergren U, Favia G, Santman-Berends I, Takken W, Koenraadt CJM, Brand SPC. Biting midge dynamics and bluetongue transmission: a multiscale model linking catch data with climate and disease outbreaks. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1892. [PMID: 33479304 PMCID: PMC7820592 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81096-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Bluetongue virus (BTV) serotype 8 has been circulating in Europe since a major outbreak occurred in 2006, causing economic losses to livestock farms. The unpredictability of the biting activity of midges that transmit BTV implies difficulty in computing accurate transmission models. This study uniquely integrates field collections of midges at a range of European latitudes (in Sweden, The Netherlands, and Italy), with a multi-scale modelling approach. We inferred the environmental factors that influence the dynamics of midge catching, and then directly linked predicted midge catches to BTV transmission dynamics. Catch predictions were linked to the observed prevalence amongst sentinel cattle during the 2007 BTV outbreak in The Netherlands using a dynamic transmission model. We were able to directly infer a scaling parameter between daily midge catch predictions and the true biting rate per cow per day. Compared to biting rate per cow per day the scaling parameter was around 50% of 24 h midge catches with traps. Extending the estimated biting rate across Europe, for different seasons and years, indicated that whilst intensity of transmission is expected to vary widely from herd to herd, around 95% of naïve herds in western Europe have been at risk of sustained transmission over the last 15 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim W R Möhlmann
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research, P. O. Box 16, 1700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- IFM Theory and Modelling, Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Matt J Keeling
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
- Zeeman Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
- Mathematics Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Uno Wennergren
- IFM Theory and Modelling, Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Guido Favia
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032, Camerino, Italy
| | | | - Willem Takken
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research, P. O. Box 16, 1700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Constantianus J M Koenraadt
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research, P. O. Box 16, 1700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Samuel P C Brand
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
- Zeeman Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
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Hadj-Henni L, Djerada Z, Millot C, Augot D. Comprehensive characterisation of Culicoides clastrieri and C. festivipennis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) according to morphological and morphometric characters using a multivariate approach and DNA barcode. Sci Rep 2021; 11:521. [PMID: 33441647 PMCID: PMC7806617 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78053-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Biting midges are widespread around the world and play an essential role in the epidemiology of over 100 veterinary and medical diseases. For taxonomists, it is difficult to correctly identify species because of affinities among cryptic species and species complexes. In this study, species boundaries were examined for C. clastrieri and C. festivipennis and compared with six other Culicoides species. The classifiers are partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and sparse partial least squares discriminant analysis (sPLS-DA).The performance of the proposed method was evaluated using four models: (i) geometric morphometrics applied to wings; (ii) morphological wing characters, (iii) "Full wing" (landmarks and morphological characters) and (iv) "Full model" (morphological characters-wing, head, abdomen, legs-and wing landmarks). Double cross-validation procedures were used to validate the predictive ability of PLS-DA and sPLS-DA models. The AUC (area under the ROC curve) and the balanced error rate showed that the sPLS-DA model performs better than the PLS-DA model. Our final sPLS-DA analysis on the full wing and full model, with nine and seven components respectively, managed to perfectly classify our specimens. The C. clastrieri and C. festivipennis sequences, containing both COI and 28S genes, revealed our markers' weak discrimination power, with an intraspecific and interspecific divergence of 0.4% and 0.1% respectively. Moreover, C. clastrieri and C. festivipennis are grouped in the same clade. The morphology and wing patterns of C. clastrieri and C. festivipennis can be used to clearly distinguish them. Our study confirms C. clastrieri and C. festivipennis as two distinct species. Our results show that caution should be applied when relying solely on DNA barcodes for species identification or discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Hadj-Henni
- grid.11667.370000 0004 1937 0618Usc Vecpar-ANSES LSA, EA 7510, SFR Cap Santé, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51 rue Cognacq-Jay, 51096 Reims Cedex, France
| | - Zoubir Djerada
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, EA 3801, SFR CAP Santé, Reims University Hospital, 51, rue Cognacq-Jay, 51095 Reims Cedex, France
| | - Christine Millot
- grid.11667.370000 0004 1937 0618Usc Vecpar-ANSES LSA, EA 7510, SFR Cap Santé, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51 rue Cognacq-Jay, 51096 Reims Cedex, France
| | - Denis Augot
- grid.11667.370000 0004 1937 0618Usc Vecpar-ANSES LSA, EA 7510, SFR Cap Santé, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51 rue Cognacq-Jay, 51096 Reims Cedex, France
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Barceló C, Purse BV, Estrada R, Lucientes J, Miranda MÁ, Searle KR. Environmental Drivers of Adult Seasonality and Abundance of Biting Midges Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), Bluetongue Vector Species in Spain. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:350-364. [PMID: 32885822 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Bluetongue is a viral disease affecting wild and domestic ruminants transmitted by several species of biting midges Culicoides Latreille. The phenology of these insects were analyzed in relation to potential environmental drivers. Data from 329 sites in Spain were analyzed using Bayesian Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) approaches. The effects of environmental factors on adult female seasonality were contrasted. Obsoletus complex species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) were the most prevalent across sites, followed by Culicoides newsteadi Austen (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Activity of female Obsoletus complex species was longest in sites at low elevation, with warmer spring average temperatures and precipitation, as well as in sites with high abundance of cattle. The length of the Culicoides imicola Kieffer (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) female adult season was also longest in sites at low elevation with higher coverage of broad-leaved vegetation. Long adult seasons of C. newsteadi were found in sites with warmer autumns and higher precipitation, high abundance of sheep. Culicoides pulicaris (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) had longer adult periods in sites with a greater number of accumulated degree days over 10°C during winter. These results demonstrate the eco-climatic and seasonal differences among these four taxa in Spain, which may contribute to determining sites with suitable environmental circumstances for each particular species to inform assessments of the risk of Bluetongue virus outbreaks in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Barceló
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Research Group, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Ctra. Valldemossa Km 7.5, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Bethan V Purse
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Rosa Estrada
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Javier Lucientes
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Miguel Á Miranda
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Research Group, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Ctra. Valldemossa Km 7.5, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Kate R Searle
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bush Estate, Edinburgh, Scotland
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Žiegytė R, Platonova E, Kinderis E, Mukhin A, Palinauskas V, Bernotienė R. Culicoides biting midges involved in transmission of haemoproteids. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:27. [PMID: 33413582 PMCID: PMC7789565 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04516-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Culicoides biting midges (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) are known vectors of avian Haemoproteus parasites. These parasites cause diseases, pathology and even mortality in birds. The diversity of biting midges in Europe is great, but only four Culicoides species are known to be vectors of avian Haemoproteus parasites. In general, our knowledge about the role of the particular Culicoides species in the transmission of Haemoproteus parasites remains insufficient. Information gaps hinder a better understanding of parasite biology and the epizootiology of parasite-caused diseases. The aim of this study was to determine new Culicoides species involved in the transmission of Haemoproteus parasites. METHODS Biting midges were collected using a UV trap as well as sticky traps installed in bird nest boxes. Individual parous females were diagnosed for the presence of haemoproteids using both PCR-based and microscopic methods. RESULTS We collected and dissected 232 parous Culicoides females from 9 species using a UV trap and 293 females from 11 species from bird nest boxes. Culicoides obsoletus was the dominant species collected using a UV trap, and Culicoides kibunensis dominated among midges collected in nest boxes. PCR-based screening showed that 5.2% of parous biting midges collected using a UV trap and 4.4% of midges collected from nest boxes were infected with avian haemosporidian parasites. Haemoproteid DNA was detected in C. kibunensis, Culicoides pictipennis, Culicoides punctatus, Culicoides segnis and Culicoides impunctatus females. The sporozoites of Haemoproteus minutus (genetic lineages hTURDUS2 and hTUPHI01) were detected in the salivary glands of two C. kibunensis females using microscopy, and this finding was confirmed by PCR. CONCLUSIONS Culicoides kibunensis was detected as a new natural vector of Haemoproteus minutus (hTURDUS2 and hTUPHI01). Haemoproteid DNA was detected in females from five Culicoides species. This study contributes to the epizootiology of avian Haemoproteus infections by specifying Culicoides species as vectors and species that are likely to be responsible for the transmission of haemoproteids in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Žiegytė
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius 21, 09412, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Elena Platonova
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius 21, 09412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Egidijus Kinderis
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius 21, 09412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Andrey Mukhin
- Biological Station Rybachy of the Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Rybachy, 238535, Kaliningrad Region, Russia
| | - Vaidas Palinauskas
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius 21, 09412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Rasa Bernotienė
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius 21, 09412, Vilnius, Lithuania
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Venegas P, Pérez N, Zapata S, Mosquera JD, Augot D, Rojo-Álvarez JL, Benítez D. An approach to automatic classification of Culicoides species by learning the wing morphology. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241798. [PMID: 33147271 PMCID: PMC7641368 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fast and accurate identification of biting midges is crucial in the study of Culicoides-borne diseases. In this work, we propose a two-stage method for automatically analyzing Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) species. First, an image preprocessing task composed of median and Wiener filters followed by equalization and morphological operations is used to improve the quality of the wing image in order to allow an adequate segmentation of particles of interest. Then, the segmentation of the zones of interest inside the biting midge wing is made using the watershed transform. The proposed method is able to produce optimal feature vectors that help to identify Culicoides species. A database containing wing images of C. obsoletus, C. pusillus, C. foxi, and C. insignis species was used to test its performance. Feature relevance analysis indicated that the mean of hydraulic radius and eccentricity were relevant for the decision boundary between C. obsoletus and C. pusillus species. In contrast, the number of particles and the mean of the hydraulic radius was relevant for deciding between C. foxi and C. insignis species. Meanwhile, for distinguishing among the four species, the number of particles and zones, and the mean of circularity were the most relevant features. The linear discriminant analysis classifier was the best model for the three experimental classification scenarios previously described, achieving averaged areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.98, 0.90, and 0.96, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Venegas
- Colegio de Ciencias e Ingenierías “El Politécnico”, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Noel Pérez
- Colegio de Ciencias e Ingenierías “El Politécnico”, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Sonia Zapata
- Instituto de Microbiología, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales “COCIBA”, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Juan Daniel Mosquera
- Instituto de Microbiología, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales “COCIBA”, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Denis Augot
- Usc Vecpar, ANSES LSA, EA7510, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
| | - José Luis Rojo-Álvarez
- Department of Signal Theory and Communications, Rey Juan Carlos University, Fuenlabrada, Spain
| | - Diego Benítez
- Colegio de Ciencias e Ingenierías “El Politécnico”, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador
- * E-mail:
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Rot A, Meiswinkel R, Fleker M, Blum SE, Behar A. Towards modernizing the taxonomy of Mediterranean Culicoides using classical morphology, mtDNA barcoding, and MALDI-TOF MS protein profiling. Acta Trop 2020; 211:105628. [PMID: 32659282 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are a highly successful group of small (1-3 mm) hematophagous flies, infamous for the role they play as biological vectors for numerous pathogens of veterinary significance. The principal aim of the national animal disease surveillance program of Israel is to be able to rapidly sort and identify live field-captured insects including Culicoides for arbovirus screening. In this exploratory study, three identification methods-classical morphology, DNA barcoding, and MALDI-TOF MS-were applied simultaneously to individuals of 10 Culicoides species that commonly attack livestock in Israel. The strengths and limitations of the three methods are compared and evaluated. In essence, the CO1 barcoding and MALDI-TOF MS results closely matched those of classical morphology. Furthermore, at a higher level and in strong accordance with recognized subgenera, the 10 species, in the reconstructed phylogenies, coalesced into multiple deeper-branched monophyletic clades. However, some discrepancies between the molecular and protein profiling results did occur and proved difficult to assess in terms of taxonomic significance. This difficulty underscores how tricky it is to establish clear species limits when methods involving borderline cutoff values and similarity indices are used as a taxonomic aid. An added shortcoming of the pluralistic triple-method approach is that a significant percentage of the species-level depositions in the GenBank and BOLD databases are misidentified, hindering structured comparison and interpretation of the morphological and molecular results obtained. Aspects of the unresolved taxonomy of various biting midge assemblages within the Mediterranean basin, including minor changes to the Israeli Culicoides checklist, are discussed in light of the methods applied. It is observed that the direct access that classical morphology provides to the external environment (or species niche) is indispensable to the full and correct interpretation (and application) of concomitant molecular and protein profiling results. The Culicoides taxonomy of the future ought to be fully integrative, during which the assimilation of modern methodological advances should strengthen-rather than undermine-the morphological foundations laid down during the 260-year Linnaean epoch.
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Bernotienė R, Iezhova TA, Bukauskaitė D, Chagas CRF, Kazak M, Valkiūnas G. Development of Trypanosoma everetti in Culicoides biting midges. Acta Trop 2020; 210:105555. [PMID: 32473117 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma species (Trypanosomatida, Kinetoplastea) are almost exclusively heteroxenous flagellated parasites, which have been extensively studied as the causative agents of severe trypanosomiasis in humans and domestic animals. However, the biology of avian trypanosomes remains insufficiently known, particularly in wildlife, despite information that some species might be pathogenic and affect the fitness of intensively infected individuals. Avian trypanosomes are cosmopolitans. Due to regular bird seasonal migrations, this host-parasite system might provide new insight for better understanding mechanisms of transcontinental dispersal of pathogens, their ecological plasticity, specificity and speciation. Trypanosoma everetti parasitizes numerous bird species globally, but data on its biology are scarce and its vectors remain unknown. This study aimed to test experimentally whether widespread Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) biting midges are susceptible to infection with this parasite. Two common house martins Delichon urbicum and two sedge warblers Acrocephalus schoenobaenus naturally infected with T. everetti were caught in the wild after arrival from African wintering grounds. Laboratory reared Culicoides nubeculosus and wild-caught Culicoides impunctatus biting midges were exposed by allowing them to take infected blood meals. The experimentally infected and control insects were maintained in the laboratory and dissected at intervals to follow the development of the parasite. Infections were determined using microscopic examination and PCR-based testing. Four closely related haplotypes of T. everetti were found, and each was present in different individual parasite-donor birds. These parasites readily developed and produced metacyclic trypomastigotes in C. nubeculosus and C. impunctatus biting midges. Molecular characterisation of T. everetti was developed. According to Bayesian phylogenetic analysis using a DNA fragment encoding 18S rRNA, the five species of small avian trypanosomes were closely related. Wild caught Culicoides biting midges were also collected and screened for the presence of natural infections. In all, 6.8% of wild-caught biting midges belonging to five Culicoides species were PCR-positive for kinetoplastids, including Trypanosoma species. Culicoides biting midges are readily susceptible and likely naturally transmit avian trypanosomes and thus, should be targeted in epidemiology research of avian trypanosomiasis.
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50
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VectorNet Data Series 3: Culicoides Abundance Distribution Models for Europe and Surrounding Regions. OPEN HEALTH DATA 2020. [DOI: 10.5334/ohd.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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