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Ndione MHD, Diagne MM, Mencattelli G, Diallo A, Ndiaye EH, Di Domenico M, Diallo D, Kane M, Curini V, Top NM, Marcacci M, Sankhe S, Ancora M, Secondini B, Di Lollo V, Teodori L, Leone A, Puglia I, Gaye A, Sall AA, Loucoubar C, Rosà R, Diallo M, Monaco F, Faye O, Cammà C, Rizzoli A, Savini G, Faye O. An amplicon-based sequencing approach for Usutu virus characterization. Virol J 2024; 21:163. [PMID: 39044231 PMCID: PMC11267690 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02426-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV), an arbovirus from the Flaviviridae family, genus Flavivirus, has recently gained increasing attention because of its potential for emergence. After his discovery in South Africa, USUV spread to other African countries, then emerged in Europe where it was responsible for epizootics. The virus has recently been found in Asia. USUV infection in humans is considered to be most often asymptomatic or to cause mild clinical signs. However, a few cases of neurological complications such as encephalitis or meningo-encephalitis have been reported in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. USUV natural life cycle involves Culex mosquitoes as its main vector, and multiple bird species as natural viral reservoirs or amplifying hosts, humans and horses can be incidental hosts. Phylogenetic studies carried out showed eight lineages, showing an increasing genetic diversity for USUV. This work describes the development and validation of a novel whole-genome amplicon-based sequencing approach to Usutu virus. This study was carried out on different strains from Senegal and Italy. The new approach showed good coverage using samples derived from several vertebrate hosts and may be valuable for Usutu virus genomic surveillance to better understand the dynamics of evolution and transmission of the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Giulia Mencattelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo, 64100, Italy
- Centre Agriculture Food Environment, University of Trento, San Michele all'Adige, 38010, Italy
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, 38010, Italy
| | - Amadou Diallo
- Epidemiology, Clinical Research and Data Science Department, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, BP220, Senegal
| | - El Hadji Ndiaye
- Medical Zoology Department, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, BP220, Senegal
| | - Marco Di Domenico
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo, 64100, Italy
| | - Diawo Diallo
- Medical Zoology Department, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, BP220, Senegal
| | - Mouhamed Kane
- Virology Department, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, BP220, Senegal
| | - Valentina Curini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo, 64100, Italy
| | - Ndeye Marieme Top
- Epidemiology, Clinical Research and Data Science Department, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, BP220, Senegal
| | - Maurilia Marcacci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo, 64100, Italy
| | - Safiétou Sankhe
- Virology Department, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, BP220, Senegal
| | - Massimo Ancora
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo, 64100, Italy
| | - Barbara Secondini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo, 64100, Italy
| | - Valeria Di Lollo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo, 64100, Italy
| | - Liana Teodori
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo, 64100, Italy
| | - Alessandra Leone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo, 64100, Italy
| | - Ilaria Puglia
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo, 64100, Italy
| | - Alioune Gaye
- Medical Zoology Department, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, BP220, Senegal
| | - Amadou Alpha Sall
- Virology Department, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, BP220, Senegal
| | - Cheikh Loucoubar
- Epidemiology, Clinical Research and Data Science Department, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, BP220, Senegal
| | - Roberto Rosà
- Centre Agriculture Food Environment, University of Trento, San Michele all'Adige, 38010, Italy
| | - Mawlouth Diallo
- Medical Zoology Department, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, BP220, Senegal
| | - Federica Monaco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo, 64100, Italy
| | - Ousmane Faye
- Virology Department, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, BP220, Senegal
| | - Cesare Cammà
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo, 64100, Italy
| | - Annapaola Rizzoli
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, 38010, Italy
| | - Giovanni Savini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo, 64100, Italy
| | - Oumar Faye
- Virology Department, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, BP220, Senegal
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Krambrich J, Bole-Feysot E, Höller P, Lundkvist Å, Hesson JC. Vector competence of Swedish Culex pipiens mosquitoes for Usutu virus. One Health 2024; 18:100707. [PMID: 38500563 PMCID: PMC10945277 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2024.100707] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging mosquito-borne flavivirus with increasing prevalence in Europe. Understanding the role of mosquito species in USUV transmission is crucial for predicting and controlling potential outbreaks. This study aimed to assess the vector competence of Swedish Culex pipiens for USUV. The mosquitoes were orally infected with an Italian strain of USUV (Bologna 2009) and infection rates (IR), dissemination rates (DR), and transmission rates (TR) were evaluated over 7 to 28 days post-infection. The study revealed that Swedish Cx. pipiens are susceptible to USUV infection, with a gradual decrease in IR over time. However, the percentage of mosquitoes with the ability to transmit the virus remained consistent across all time points, indicating a relatively short extrinsic incubation period. Overall, this research highlights the potential of Swedish Cx. pipiens as vectors for USUV and emphasizes the importance of surveillance and monitoring to prevent future outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janina Krambrich
- Zoonosis Science Center, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Emma Bole-Feysot
- Zoonosis Science Center, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Patrick Höller
- Zoonosis Science Center, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Åke Lundkvist
- Zoonosis Science Center, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jenny C. Hesson
- Zoonosis Science Center, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Biologisk Myggkontroll, Nedre Dalälvens Utvecklings AB, Gysinge, Sweden
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Calzolari M, Callegari E, Grisendi A, Munari M, Russo S, Sgura D, Giannini A, Dalmonte G, Scremin M, Dottori M. Arbovirus screening of mosquitoes collected in 2022 in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, with the implementation of a real-time PCR for the detection of Tahyna virus. One Health 2024; 18:100670. [PMID: 38274566 PMCID: PMC10809124 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Several Arboviruses (Arthropod-borne virus) are a concrete health risk. While some arboviruses, such as the West Nile virus (WNV) and the Usutu virus (USUV) are actively surveyed, others are neglected, including the Tahyna virus (TAHV). In this work, we tested - searching for all the three viruses - 37,995 mosquitoes collected in 95 attractive traps, baited by carbon dioxide, distributed in the lowlands of Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy, between 19 July and 12 August 2022. Among the 668 pools obtained, WNV was detected in 45 pools of Culex (Cx.) pipiens and USUV was recorded in 24 pools of the same mosquito; ten of these Cx. pipiens pools tested positive for both WNV and USUV. Interestingly, we recorded a significant circulation of both WNV lineage 1 (WNV-L1) and lineage 2 (WNV-L2): WNV-L1 strains were detected in 40 pools, WNV-L2 strains in three pools and both lineages were detected in two pools. TAHV was detected in 8 different species of mosquitoes in a total of 37 pools: Aedes (Ae.) caspius (25), Ae. albopictus (5), Ae. vexans (3), Cx. pipiens (2), Ae. cinereus (1) and Anopheles maculipennis sl (1). The significant number of Ae. caspius-pools tested positive and the estimated viral load suggest that this mosquito is the principal vector in the surveyed area. The potential involvement of other mosquito species in the TAHV cycle could usefully be the subject of further experimental investigation. The results obtained demonstrate that, with adequate sampling effort, entomological surveillance is able to detect arboviruses circulating in a given area. Further efforts must be made to better characterise the TAHV cycle in the surveyed area and to define health risk linked to this virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Calzolari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, via Bianchi, 9-25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Emanuele Callegari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, via Bianchi, 9-25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Annalisa Grisendi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, via Bianchi, 9-25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Martina Munari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, via Bianchi, 9-25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Simone Russo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, via Bianchi, 9-25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Danilo Sgura
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, via Bianchi, 9-25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Antonio Giannini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, via Bianchi, 9-25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Gastone Dalmonte
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, via Bianchi, 9-25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Mara Scremin
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, via Bianchi, 9-25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Michele Dottori
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, via Bianchi, 9-25124 Brescia, Italy
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Soto A, De Coninck L, Devlies AS, Van De Wiele C, Rosales Rosas AL, Wang L, Matthijnssens J, Delang L. Belgian Culex pipiens pipiens are competent vectors for West Nile virus while Culex modestus are competent vectors for Usutu virus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011649. [PMID: 37729233 PMCID: PMC10545110 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are emerging arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) in Europe transmitted by Culex mosquitoes. In Belgium, it is currently unknown which Culex species are competent vectors for WNV or USUV and if these mosquitoes carry Wolbachia, an endosymbiotic bacterium that can block arbovirus transmission. The aims of our study were to measure the vector competence of Belgian Culex mosquitoes to WNV and USUV and determine if a naturally acquired Wolbachia infection can influence virus transmission. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Female Culex mosquitoes were captured from urban and peri-urban sites in Leuven, Belgium and offered an infectious bloodmeal containing WNV lineage 2, USUV European (EU) lineage 3, or USUV African (AF) lineage 3. Blood-fed females were incubated for 14 days at 25°C after which the body, head, and saliva were collected to measure infection, dissemination, and transmission rates as well as transmission efficiency. Mosquito species were identified by qRT-PCR or Sanger sequencing, the presence of infectious virus in mosquitoes was confirmed by plaque assays, and viral genome copies were quantified by qRT-PCR. Culex pipiens pipiens were able to transmit WNV (4.3% transmission efficiency, n = 2/47) but not USUV (EU lineage: n = 0/56; AF lineage: n = 0/37). In contrast, Culex modestus were able to transmit USUV (AF lineage: 20% transmission efficiency, n = 1/5) but not WNV (n = 0/6). We found that the presence or absence of Wolbachia was species-dependent and did not associate with virus transmission. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE This is the first report that Belgian Culex mosquitoes can transmit both WNV and USUV, forewarning the risk of human transmission. More research is needed to understand the potential influence of Wolbachia on arbovirus transmission in Culex modestus mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Soto
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lander De Coninck
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ann-Sophie Devlies
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Celine Van De Wiele
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ana Lucia Rosales Rosas
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lanjiao Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jelle Matthijnssens
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Leen Delang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Llorente F, Gutiérrez-López R, Pérez-Ramirez E, Sánchez-Seco MP, Herrero L, Jiménez-Clavero MÁ, Vázquez A. Experimental infections in red-legged partridges reveal differences in host competence between West Nile and Usutu virus strains from Southern Spain. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1163467. [PMID: 37396301 PMCID: PMC10308050 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1163467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are emerging zoonotic arboviruses sharing the same life cycle with mosquitoes as vectors and wild birds as reservoir hosts. The main objective of this study was to characterize the pathogenicity and course of infection of two viral strains (WNV/08 and USUV/09) co-circulating in Southern Spain in a natural host, the red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa), and to compare the results with those obtained with the reference strain WNV/NY99. Methods WNV inoculated birds were monitored for clinical and analytical parameters (viral load, viremia, and antibodies) for 15 days post-inoculation. Results and discussion Partridges inoculated with WNV/NY99 and WNV/08 strains showed clinical signs such as weight loss, ruffled feathers, and lethargy, which were not observed in USUV/09-inoculated individuals. Although statistically significant differences in mortality were not observed, partridges inoculated with WNV strains developed significantly higher viremia and viral loads in blood than those inoculated with USUV. In addition, the viral genome was detected in organs and feathers of WNV-inoculated partridges, while it was almost undetectable in USUV-inoculated ones. These experimental results indicate that red-legged partridges are susceptible to the assayed Spanish WNV with pathogenicity similar to that observed for the prototype WNV/NY99 strain. By contrast, the USUV/09 strain was not pathogenic for this bird species and elicited extremely low viremia levels, demonstrating that red-legged partridges are not a competent host for the transmission of this USUV strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Llorente
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA-INIA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Gutiérrez-López
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA-INIA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisa Pérez-Ramirez
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA-INIA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Paz Sánchez-Seco
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- CIBER Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Herrero
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- CIBER Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Jiménez-Clavero
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA-INIA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Vázquez
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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Martinet JP, Bohers C, Vazeille M, Ferté H, Mousson L, Mathieu B, Depaquit J, Failloux AB. Assessing vector competence of mosquitoes from northeastern France to West Nile virus and Usutu virus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011144. [PMID: 37276229 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are two arthropod-borne viruses that circulate in mainland France. Assessing vector competence has only been conducted so far with mosquitoes from southern France while an increasingly active circulation of WNV and USUV has been reported in the last years. The main vectors are mosquitoes of the Culex genus and the common mosquito Culex pipiens. Here, we measure the vector competence of five mosquito species (Aedes rusticus, Aedes albopictus, Anopheles plumbeus, Culex pipiens and Culiseta longiareolata) present in northeastern France. Field-collected populations were exposed to artificial infectious blood meal containing WNV or USUV and examined at different days post-infection. We show that (i) Cx. pipiens transmitted WNV and USUV, (ii) Ae. rusticus only WNV, and (iii) unexpectedly, Ae. albopictus transmitted both WNV and USUV. Less surprising, An. plumbeus was not competent for both viruses. Combined with data on distribution and population dynamics, these assessments of vector competence will help in developing a risk map and implementing appropriate prevention and control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Philippe Martinet
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Arboviruses and Insect Vectors Unit, Paris, France
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Faculté de Pharmacie, ANSES, SFR Cap Santé, EA7510 ESCAPE-USC VECPAR, Reims, France
| | - Chloé Bohers
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Arboviruses and Insect Vectors Unit, Paris, France
| | - Marie Vazeille
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Arboviruses and Insect Vectors Unit, Paris, France
| | - Hubert Ferté
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Faculté de Pharmacie, ANSES, SFR Cap Santé, EA7510 ESCAPE-USC VECPAR, Reims, France
| | - Laurence Mousson
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Arboviruses and Insect Vectors Unit, Paris, France
| | - Bruno Mathieu
- Faculté de Médecine, Maïeutique et Sciences de la Santé, Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jérôme Depaquit
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Faculté de Pharmacie, ANSES, SFR Cap Santé, EA7510 ESCAPE-USC VECPAR, Reims, France
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHU de Reims, Reims, France
| | - Anna-Bella Failloux
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Arboviruses and Insect Vectors Unit, Paris, France
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Bisia M, Papadopoulos P, Filis S, Beleri S, Tegos N, Lamprou GK, Balatsos G, Papachristos D, Michaelakis A, Patsoula E. Field Evaluation of Commonly Used Adult Mosquito Traps in Greece. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2023; 23:119-128. [PMID: 36888960 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2022.0066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Entomological monitoring activities are a major part of mosquito and mosquito-borne diseases surveillance. Several trapping methods are implemented worldwide, aiming to gather data on species composition and their abundance in various study areas. Methods: Several methodological modifications, such as trapping systems baited with attractants or carbon dioxide, have been proposed to increase trap efficiency. The aim of this study was to test different trap types, commonly used in Greece to collect mosquitoes, with the addition of the Biogents Sentinel lure. Moreover, traps were placed in two distinct land types and two different heights above the ground to compare their efficacy. West Nile Virus is endemic in Greece, so we also aimed to detect viral presence and circulation in selected mosquito pools. Results: Adult mosquitoes of Aedes albopictus, Culex pipiens s.l., and Culiseta longiareolata were collected in both study areas. The trap type had a significant impact on the total collections, while the trap position and interaction between trap and position did not significantly affect mosquito catches. WNV was detected in Cx. pipiens s.l. pools examined from the two study areas. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the role of trapping methods as a key component for monitoring and surveillance of adult mosquito populations, reflecting that several trap types present with different mosquito species capture and catch rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Bisia
- Scientific Directorate of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Pavlos Papadopoulos
- Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attika, Athens, Greece
| | - Stelios Filis
- Scientific Directorate of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, Athens, Greece.,Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Stavroula Beleri
- Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attika, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Tegos
- Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attika, Athens, Greece
| | - George K Lamprou
- Laboratory of Organic Chemical Technology, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Balatsos
- Scientific Directorate of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Papachristos
- Scientific Directorate of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Antonios Michaelakis
- Scientific Directorate of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Patsoula
- Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attika, Athens, Greece
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M’ghirbi Y, Mousson L, Moutailler S, Lecollinet S, Amaral R, Beck C, Aounallah H, Amara M, Chabchoub A, Rhim A, Failloux AB, Bouattour A. West Nile, Sindbis and Usutu Viruses: Evidence of Circulation in Mosquitoes and Horses in Tunisia. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12030360. [PMID: 36986282 PMCID: PMC10056592 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12030360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne diseases have a significant impact on humans and animals and this impact is exacerbated by environmental changes. However, in Tunisia, surveillance of the West Nile virus (WNV) is based solely on the surveillance of human neuroinvasive infections and no study has reported mosquito-borne viruses (MBVs), nor has there been any thorough serological investigation of anti-MBV antibodies in horses. This study therefore sought to investigate the presence of MBVs in Tunisia. Among tested mosquito pools, infections by WNV, Usutu virus (USUV), and Sindbis virus (SINV) were identified in Cx. perexiguus. The serosurvey showed that 146 of 369 surveyed horses were positive for flavivirus antibodies using the cELISA test. The microsphere immunoassay (MIA) showed that 74 of 104 flavivirus cELISA-positive horses were positive for WNV, 8 were positive for USUV, 7 were positive for undetermined flaviviruses, and 2 were positive for tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). Virus neutralization tests and MIA results correlated well. This study is the first to report the detection of WNV, USUV and SINV in Cx. perexiguus in Tunisia. Besides, it has shown that there is a significant circulation of WNV and USUV among horses, which is likely to cause future sporadic outbreaks. An integrated arbovirus surveillance system that includes entomological surveillance as an early alert system is of major epidemiological importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youmna M’ghirbi
- Laboratoire Des Virus, Vecteurs et Hôtes (LR20IPT02), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
- Correspondence: or
| | - Laurence Mousson
- Institut Pasteur, Department of Virology, Arboviruses and Insect Vectors, 25-28 Rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris, France
| | - Sara Moutailler
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, INRAE, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Université Paris-Est, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sylvie Lecollinet
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Rayane Amaral
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Cécile Beck
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Hajer Aounallah
- Laboratoire Des Virus, Vecteurs et Hôtes (LR20IPT02), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Meriem Amara
- Laboratoire Des Virus, Vecteurs et Hôtes (LR20IPT02), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Ahmed Chabchoub
- Laboratoire Des Virus, Vecteurs et Hôtes (LR20IPT02), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
- National School of Veterinary Medicine, Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, La Manouba 2010, Tunisia
| | - Adel Rhim
- Laboratoire Des Virus, Vecteurs et Hôtes (LR20IPT02), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Anna-Bella Failloux
- Institut Pasteur, Department of Virology, Arboviruses and Insect Vectors, 25-28 Rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris, France
| | - Ali Bouattour
- Laboratoire Des Virus, Vecteurs et Hôtes (LR20IPT02), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
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9
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Newell BC. Surveillance as information practice. J Assoc Inf Sci Technol 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/asi.24734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Bryce Clayton Newell
- School of Journalism and Communication University of Oregon Eugene Oregon USA
- School of Law Utrecht University Utrecht Netherlands
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10
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Siljic M, Sehovic R, Jankovic M, Stamenkovic G, Loncar A, Todorovic M, Stanojevic M, Cirkovic V. Evolutionary dynamics of Usutu virus: Worldwide dispersal patterns and transmission dynamics in Europe. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1145981. [PMID: 37032910 PMCID: PMC10076808 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1145981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging mosquito-borne Flavivirus, with birds as the main zoonotic reservoir. Humans are accidental hosts and mostly develop mild or even asymptomatic infections, although severe complications such as encephalitis can also arise. Detailed characterization of the pathogen's phylogenetics may offer valuable insights into the prediction and prevention of potential epidemics; however, lack of uniformity and the number of available USUV sequences worldwide hamper comprehensive investigation. Aim The study aimed to investigate USUV spatio-temporal dispersal inter- and intracontinentally and to estimate the dynamics of viral spread within Europe. Methods Phylogeographic and phylodynamic analyses were done using advanced phylogenetic methods implemented in Beast 1.10.4 and Beast 2.6.4 software packages. Results Herein, we report on a new USUV isolate from Culex pipiens collected in 2019 from Serbia. The results of this research revealed two newly described intercontinental migration events of USUV from Africa to Germany in the 1970s and from Africa to the Middle East (Israel) in the late 90s. Finally, phylodynamic analysis substantiated the ongoing active expansion of USUV in Europe. Conclusion The data would imply a high potential for further USUV expansion in Europe. Detailed phylogenetic characterization of the pathogen may offer valuable insights into prediction and prevention of potential epidemics; however, lack of uniformity and number of available USUV sequences worldwide hampers comprehensive investigation. This study draws attention to the need for upscaling USUV surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Siljic
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Rastko Sehovic
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marko Jankovic
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Gorana Stamenkovic
- Department for Genetic Research, Institute for Biological Research “Sinisa Stankovic”, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ana Loncar
- Institute for Biocides and Medical Ecology, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Todorovic
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Maja Stanojevic
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Valentina Cirkovic
- Group for Medical Entomology, Centre of Excellence for Food- and Vector-Borne Zoonoses, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- *Correspondence: Valentina Cirkovic
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11
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Agboli E, Tomazatos A, Maiga-Ascofaré O, May J, Lühken R, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Jöst H. Arbovirus Epidemiology: The Mystery of Unnoticed Epidemics in Ghana, West Africa. Microorganisms 2022; 10:1914. [PMID: 36296190 PMCID: PMC9610185 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10101914] [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: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
It is evident that all the countries surrounding Ghana have experienced epidemics of key arboviruses of medical importance, such as the recent dengue fever epidemic in Burkina Faso. Therefore, Ghana is considered a ripe zone for epidemics of arboviruses, mainly dengue. Surprisingly, Ghana never experienced the propounded deadly dengue epidemic. Indeed, it is mysterious because the mosquito vectors capable of transmitting the dengue virus, such as Aedes aegypti, were identified in Ghana through entomological investigations. Additionally, cases may be missed, as the diagnostic and surveillance capacities of the country are weak. Therefore, we review the arbovirus situation and outline probable reasons for the epidemic mystery in the country. Most of the recorded cases of arbovirus infections were usually investigated via serology by detecting IgM and IgG immunoglobulins in clinical samples, which is indicative of prior exposure but not an active case. This led to the identification of yellow fever virus and dengue virus as the main circulating arboviruses among the Ghanaian population. However, major yellow fever epidemics were reported for over a decade. It is important to note that the reviewed arboviruses were not frequently detected in the vectors. The data highlight the necessity of strengthening the diagnostics and the need for continuous arbovirus and vector surveillance to provide an early warning system for future arbovirus epidemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Agboli
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
- University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho PMB 31, Ghana
| | - Alexandru Tomazatos
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Oumou Maiga-Ascofaré
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, PMB, Kumasi 039-5028, Ghana
| | - Jürgen May
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Renke Lühken
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Universität Hamburg, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hanna Jöst
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
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12
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Fynmore N, Lühken R, Kliemke K, Lange U, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Lurz PWW, Becker N. Honey-baited FTA cards in box gravid traps for the assessment of Usutu virus circulation in mosquito populations in Germany. Acta Trop 2022; 235:106649. [PMID: 35963312 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106649] [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: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) is becoming increasingly important to veterinary and human health in Germany. USUV has been implicated in mass die-off events of birds, especially of blackbirds (Turdus merula), and has experienced significant range expansion in the years since its first detection in 2010. Current detection methods rely primarily on dead bird surveillance or mass mosquito collection using CO2 as the main attractant. Dead bird surveillance can result in detection of disease circulation past the point at which control efforts would be most impactful. Vector surveillance offers the opportunity to detect disease circulation before significant outbreaks occur. However, current methods result in collections of extremely large numbers of predominantly nulliparous female mosquitoes who have not yet taken a blood meal. This study sought to test whether box gravid traps could successfully trap USUV infected gravid Culex mosquitoes, and if viral RNA could be successfully transferred and stabilised on an FTA card. During the month of August 2020, 18 Reiter-Cummings style box gravid traps with honey-baited FTA cards were set in a region of known USUV circulation around the southern border of Hesse, Germany. Four 48-hour trapping rounds were conducted. All mosquitoes and FTA cards were collected and stored during transport to the laboratory on dry ice. Samples and FTA cards were then transferred and stored in a freezer at -5 °C until identification. Identification was carried out on a chill plate before being sent with overnight courier in a styrofoam box with cooling elements for virus detection with a modified generic flavivirus RT-PCR. Mosquitoes were separated into pools by trap, date, species and feeding status. 2003 mosquitoes were caught in four rounds of trapping, 1834 or 88% of which were female Culex mosquitoes used for examination. 13 pools of mosquitoes and four FTA cards tested positive for USUV. No positive FTA cards were found in traps with positive mosquitoes and no positive mosquitoes were found in traps with positive FTA cards. Although fewer FTA cards than expected returned a positive result, this may have been a result of the extreme conditions experienced in the field and highlights the need to establish the temperature and humidity boundaries such a collection method can withstand. Box gravid traps however, provided a highly effective and targeted approach for capturing gravid female Culex mosquitoes, the most appropriate subpopulation for testing for USUV. Additionally, the simplicity and effectiveness of this trapping and surveillance method make it an attractive option for use as an early warning system, including for large scale surveillance programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelle Fynmore
- Institute of Dipterology (IfD), Georg-Peter-Süß-Str. 3, Speyer 67346, Germany; The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian EH25 9RG, United Kingdom; Department of Arbovirology, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 74, Hamburg 20359, Germany
| | - Renke Lühken
- Department of Arbovirology, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 74, Hamburg 20359, Germany
| | - Konstantin Kliemke
- Department of Arbovirology, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 74, Hamburg 20359, Germany
| | - Unchana Lange
- Department of Arbovirology, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 74, Hamburg 20359, Germany
| | - Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit
- Department of Arbovirology, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 74, Hamburg 20359, Germany; Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Peter W W Lurz
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian EH25 9RG, United Kingdom
| | - Norbert Becker
- Institute of Dipterology (IfD), Georg-Peter-Süß-Str. 3, Speyer 67346, Germany; Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, Heidelberg 69120, Germany.
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13
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Assessment of the Costs Related to West Nile Virus Monitoring in Lombardy Region (Italy) between 2014 and 2018. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095541. [PMID: 35564939 PMCID: PMC9101130 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
In Italy, the West Nile Virus surveillance plan considers a multidisciplinary approach to identify the presence of the virus in the environment (entomological, ornithological, and equine surveillance) and to determine the risk of infections through potentially infected donors (blood and organ donors). The costs associated with the surveillance program for the Lombardy Region between 2014 and 2018 were estimated. The costs of the program were compared with a scenario in which the program was not implemented, requiring individual blood donation nucleic acid amplification tests (NAT) to detect the presence of WNV in human samples throughout the seasonal period of vector presence. Considering the five-year period, the application of the environmental/veterinary surveillance program allowed a reduction in costs incurred in the Lombardy Region of 7.7 million EUR. An integrated surveillance system, including birds, mosquito vectors, and dead-end hosts such as horses and humans, can prevent viral transmission to the human population, as well as anticipate the detection of WNV using NAT in blood and organ donors. The surveillance program within a One Health context has given the possibility to both document the expansion of the endemic area of WNV in northern Italy and avoid most of the NAT-related costs.
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14
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Seasonal Phenological Patterns and Flavivirus Vectorial Capacity of Medically Important Mosquito Species in a Wetland and an Urban Area of Attica, Greece. Trop Med Infect Dis 2021; 6:tropicalmed6040176. [PMID: 34698285 PMCID: PMC8544675 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed6040176] [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: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Seasonal patterns of mosquito population density and their vectorial capacity constitute major elements to understand the epidemiology of mosquito-borne diseases. Using adult mosquito traps, we compared the population dynamics of major mosquito species (Culex pipiens, Aedes albopictus, Anopheles spp.) in an urban and a wetland rural area of Attica Greece. Pools of the captured Cx. pipiens were analyzed to determine infection rates of the West Nile virus (WNV) and the Usutu virus (USUV). The data provided were collected under the frame of the surveillance program carried out in two regional units (RUs) of the Attica region (East Attica and South Sector of Attica), during the period 2017-2018. The entomological surveillance of adult mosquitoes was performed on a weekly basis using a network of BG-sentinel traps (BGs), baited with CO2 and BG-Lure, in selected, fixed sampling sites. A total of 46,726 adult mosquitoes were collected, with larger variety and number of species in East Attica (n = 37,810), followed by the South Sector of Attica (n = 8916). The collected mosquitoes were morphologically identified to species level and evaluated for their public health importance. Collected Cx. pipiens adults were pooled and tested for West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) presence by implementation of a targeted molecular methodology (real-time PCR). A total of 366 mosquito pools were analyzed for WNV and USUV, respectively, and 38 (10.4%) positive samples were recorded for WNV, while no positive pool was detected for USUV. The majority of positive samples for WNV were detected in the East Attica region, followed by the South Sector of Attica, respectively. The findings of the current study highlight the WNV circulation in the region of Attica and the concomitant risk for the country, rendering mosquito surveillance actions and integrated mosquito management programs as imperative public health interventions.
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15
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Fynmore N, Lühken R, Maisch H, Risch T, Merz S, Kliemke K, Ziegler U, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Becker N. Rapid assessment of West Nile virus circulation in a German zoo based on honey-baited FTA cards in combination with box gravid traps. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:449. [PMID: 34488835 PMCID: PMC8419893 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04951-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background For over a decade, monitoring of West Nile virus (WNV) in Germany has consisted of a bird monitoring programme as well as a mosquito-based surveillance programme employing CO2-baited encephalitis vector surveillance (EVS) traps for mass trapping and screening of mosquitoes. In contrast to the EVS traps, the Reiter/Cummings type box gravid trap collects gravid female mosquitoes, which have already taken a blood meal, increasing the likelihood of being infected with pathogens. The traps can be equipped with a honey-baited Flinders Technology Associates® (FTA) card to encourage sugar feeding by the trapped mosquitoes. FTA cards contain nucleic acid preserving substances, which prevent the degradation of viral RNA in the expectorated mosquito saliva and allows for testing the card for flavivirus RNA. This study aimed to assess the suitability of the method for WNV surveillance in Germany as an alternative to previous methods, which are expensive, time-consuming, and predominantly target host-seeking populations less likely to be infected with WNV. Methods In the Thüringer Zoopark Erfurt, snowy owls (Nyctea scandiaca) and greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) died of WNV infections in July and August 2020. In response, five Reiter/Cummings type box gravid traps were positioned during the daytime on the 10th, 13th, and 16th of September in five different locations. The FTA cards and mosquitoes in the chamber were collected, kept in a cool chain, and further processed for virus detection using a modified generic flavivirus reverse transcription PCR. Results A total of 15 trappings during September collected a total of 259 female mosquitoes, 97% of which were Culex pipiens sensu lato, as well as 14 honey-baited FTA cards. Eight mosquitoes tested PCR-positive for WNV. Four FTA cards tested PCR-positive for mosquito-borne flaviviruses, two of which were confirmed as WNV, and the remaining two confirmed as Usutu virus. Conclusion The suitability of the FTA cards in preserving viral RNA in the field and rapid turnaround time from collection to result is combined with a simple, cost-effective, and highly specific trapping method to create an arbovirus surveillance system, which circumvents many of the difficulties of previous surveillance programmes that required the analysis of mosquitoes in the laboratory. Graphical Abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelle Fynmore
- Institute of Dipterology (IfD), Georg-Peter-Süß-Str. 3, 67346, Speyer, Germany.,The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Renke Lühken
- Department of Arbovirology, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 74, 20359, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Heike Maisch
- Thüringer Zoopark Erfurt, Am Zoopark 1, 99087, Erfurt, Germany
| | - Tina Risch
- Thüringer Zoopark Erfurt, Am Zoopark 1, 99087, Erfurt, Germany
| | - Sabine Merz
- Thüringer Zoopark Erfurt, Am Zoopark 1, 99087, Erfurt, Germany
| | - Konstantin Kliemke
- Department of Arbovirology, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 74, 20359, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Friedrich-Loeffler Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit
- Department of Arbovirology, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 74, 20359, Hamburg, Germany.,Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Norbert Becker
- Institute of Dipterology (IfD), Georg-Peter-Süß-Str. 3, 67346, Speyer, Germany. .,Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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16
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Kuchinsky SC, Frere F, Heitzman-Breen N, Golden J, Vázquez A, Honaker CF, Siegel PB, Ciupe SM, LeRoith T, Duggal NK. Pathogenesis and shedding of Usutu virus in juvenile chickens. Emerg Microbes Infect 2021; 10:725-738. [PMID: 33769213 PMCID: PMC8043533 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2021.1908850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV; family: Flaviviridae, genus: Flavivirus), is an emerging zoonotic arbovirus that causes severe neuroinvasive disease in humans and has been implicated in the loss of breeding bird populations in Europe. USUV is maintained in an enzootic cycle between ornithophilic mosquitos and wild birds. As a member of the Japanese encephalitis serocomplex, USUV is closely related to West Nile virus (WNV) and St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV), both neuroinvasive arboviruses endemic in wild bird populations in the United States. An avian model for USUV is essential to understanding zoonotic transmission. Here we describe the first avian models of USUV infection with the development of viremia. Juvenile commercial ISA Brown chickens were susceptible to infection by multiple USUV strains with evidence of cardiac lesions. Juvenile chickens from two chicken lines selected for high (HAS) or low (LAS) antibody production against sheep red blood cells showed markedly different responses to USUV infection. Morbidity and mortality were observed in the LAS chickens, but not HAS chickens. LAS chickens had significantly higher viral titers in blood and other tissues, as well as oral secretions, and significantly lower development of neutralizing antibody responses compared to HAS chickens. Mathematical modelling of virus-host interactions showed that the viral clearance rate is a stronger mitigating factor for USUV viremia than neutralizing antibody response in this avian model. These chicken models provide a tool for further understanding USUV pathogenesis in birds and evaluating transmission dynamics between avian hosts and mosquito vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C Kuchinsky
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Francesca Frere
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Nora Heitzman-Breen
- Department of Mathematics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Jacob Golden
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Ana Vázquez
- National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Epidemiology and Public Health Network of Biomedical Research Centre (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Christa F Honaker
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Paul B Siegel
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Stanca M Ciupe
- Department of Mathematics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Tanya LeRoith
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Nisha K Duggal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
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17
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Previous Usutu Virus Exposure Partially Protects Magpies ( Pica pica) against West Nile Virus Disease But Does Not Prevent Horizontal Transmission. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071409. [PMID: 34372622 PMCID: PMC8310384 DOI: 10.3390/v13071409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The mosquito-borne flaviviruses USUV and WNV are known to co-circulate in large parts of Europe. Both are a public health concern, and USUV has been the cause of epizootics in both wild and domestic birds, and neurological cases in humans in Europe. Here, we explore the susceptibility of magpies to experimental USUV infection, and how previous exposure to USUV would affect infection with WNV. None of the magpies exposed to USUV showed clinical signs, viremia, or detectable neutralizing antibodies. After challenge with a neurovirulent WNV strain, neither viremia, viral titer of WNV in vascular feathers, nor neutralizing antibody titers of previously USUV-exposed magpies differed significantly with respect to magpies that had not previously been exposed to USUV. However, 75% (6/8) of the USUV-exposed birds survived, while only 22.2% (2/9) of those not previously exposed to USUV survived. WNV antigen labeling by immunohistochemistry in tissues was less evident and more restricted in magpies exposed to USUV prior to challenge with WNV. Our data indicate that previous exposure to USUV partially protects magpies against a lethal challenge with WNV, while it does not prevent viremia and direct transmission, although the mechanism is unclear. These results are relevant for flavivirus ecology and contention.
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Zhang Y, Lei W, Wang Y, Sui H, Liu B, Li F, He Y, Li Z, Fu S, Wang L, Xu L, Mahe M, Gao Z, Mamutijiang T, Lv Z, Xiang N, Zhou L, Ni D, Liang G, Li Q, Wang H, Feng Z. Surveillance of West Nile virus infection in Kashgar Region, Xinjiang, China, 2013-2016. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14010. [PMID: 34234184 PMCID: PMC8263600 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93309-2] [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: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) was first isolated in mainland China from mosquitoes in Jiashi County, Kashgar Region, Xinjiang in 2011, following local outbreaks of viral meningitis and encephalitis caused by WNV. To elaborate the epidemiological characteristics of the WNV, surveillance of WNV infection in Kashgar Region, Xinjiang from 2013 to 2016 were carried out. Blood and CSF samples from surveillance human cases, blood of domestic chicken, cattle, sheep and mosquitoes in Kashgar Region were collected and detected. There were human 65 WNV Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody positive cases by ELISA screening, 6 confirmed WNV cases by the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) screening. These cases occurred mainly concentrated in August to September of each year, and most of them were males. WNV-neutralizing antibodies were detected in both chickens and sheep, and the positive rates of neutralizing antibodies were 15.5% and 1.78%, respectively. A total of 15,637 mosquitoes were collected in 2013–2016, with Culex pipiens as the dominant mosquito species. Four and 1 WNV-positive mosquito pools were detected by RT-qPCR in 2013 and 2016 respectively. From these data, we can confirm that Jiashi County may be a natural epidemic foci of WNV disease, the trend highlights the routine virology surveillance in WNV surveillance cases, mosquitoes and avian should be maintained and enhanced to provide to prediction and early warning of outbreak an epidemic of WNV in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanping Zhang
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenwen Lei
- Department of Viral Encephalitis, NHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Yali Wang
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Haitian Sui
- China National Biotec Group Company Limited, Beijing, 100024, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Liu
- Center for Drug Evaluation of the China National Medical Products Administration, Beijing, 100022, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Li
- Department of Viral Encephalitis, NHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying He
- Department of Viral Encephalitis, NHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaoxia Li
- Kashgar Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Xinjiang, Kashgar, 844000, People's Republic of China
| | - Shihong Fu
- Department of Viral Encephalitis, NHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Wang
- Kashgar Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Xinjiang, Kashgar, 844000, People's Republic of China
| | - Limin Xu
- Kashgar Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Xinjiang, Kashgar, 844000, People's Republic of China
| | - Muti Mahe
- Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Urumqi, 830001, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenguo Gao
- Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Urumqi, 830001, People's Republic of China
| | - Tuerxun Mamutijiang
- Jiashi Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jiashi, 844300, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi Lv
- Department of Viral Encephalitis, NHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Nijuan Xiang
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Zhou
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Daxin Ni
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Guodong Liang
- Department of Viral Encephalitis, NHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Qun Li
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Huanyu Wang
- Department of Viral Encephalitis, NHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zijian Feng
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China.
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Agboli E, Zahouli JBZ, Badolo A, Jöst H. Mosquito-Associated Viruses and Their Related Mosquitoes in West Africa. Viruses 2021; 13:v13050891. [PMID: 34065928 PMCID: PMC8151702 DOI: 10.3390/v13050891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-associated viruses (MAVs), including mosquito-specific viruses (MSVs) and mosquito-borne (arbo)viruses (MBVs), are an increasing public, veterinary, and global health concern, and West Africa is projected to be the next front for arboviral diseases. As in-depth knowledge of the ecologies of both western African MAVs and related mosquitoes is still limited, we review available and comprehensive data on their diversity, abundance, and distribution. Data on MAVs’ occurrence and related mosquitoes were extracted from peer-reviewed publications. Data on MSVs, and mosquito and vertebrate host ranges are sparse. However, more data are available on MBVs (i.e., dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, Zika, and Rift Valley fever viruses), detected in wild and domestic animals, and humans, with infections more concentrated in urban areas and areas affected by strong anthropogenic changes. Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Aedes albopictus are incriminated as key arbovirus vectors. These findings outline MAV, related mosquitoes, key knowledge gaps, and future research areas. Additionally, these data highlight the need to increase our understanding of MAVs and their impact on host mosquito ecology, to improve our knowledge of arbovirus transmission, and to develop specific strategies and capacities for arboviral disease surveillance, diagnostic, prevention, control, and outbreak responses in West Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Agboli
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany;
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho PMB 31, Ghana
| | - Julien B. Z. Zahouli
- Centre d’Entomologie Médicale et Vétérinaire, Université Alassane Ouattara, Bouake, 27 BP 529 Abidjan 27, Cote D’Ivoire;
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire, Département de Recherche et Développement, 01 BP 1303 Abidjan 01, Cote D’Ivoire
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Athanase Badolo
- Laboratory of Fundamental and Applied Entomology, Universitée Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou 03 BP 7021, Burkina Faso;
| | - Hanna Jöst
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
- Correspondence:
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20
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Abbo SR, Visser TM, Koenraadt CJM, Pijlman GP, Wang H. Effect of blood source on vector competence of Culex pipiens biotypes for Usutu virus. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:194. [PMID: 33832527 PMCID: PMC8028107 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04686-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Infectious blood meal experiments have been frequently performed with different virus-vector combinations to assess the transmission potential of arthropod-borne (arbo)viruses. A wide variety of host blood sources have been used to deliver arboviruses to their arthropod vectors in laboratory studies. The type of blood used during vector competence experiments does not always reflect the blood from the viremic vertebrate hosts in the field, but little is known about the effect of blood source on the experimental outcome of vector competence studies. Here we investigated the effect of avian versus human blood on the infection and transmission rates of the zoonotic Usutu virus (USUV) in its primary mosquito vector Culex pipiens. Methods Cx. pipiens biotypes (pipiens and molestus) were orally infected with USUV through infectious blood meals containing either chicken or human whole blood. The USUV infection and transmission rates were determined by checking mosquito bodies and saliva for USUV presence after 14 days of incubation at 28 °C. In addition, viral titers were determined for USUV-positive mosquito bodies and saliva. Results Human and chicken blood lead to similar USUV transmission rates for Cx. pipiens biotype pipiens (18% and 15%, respectively), while human blood moderately but not significantly increased the transmission rate (30%) compared to chicken blood (17%) for biotype molestus. USUV infection rates with human blood were consistently higher in both Cx. pipiens biotypes compared to chicken blood. In virus-positive mosquitoes, USUV body and saliva titers did not differ between mosquitoes taking either human or chicken blood. Importantly, biotype molestus had much lower USUV saliva titers compared to biotype pipiens, regardless of which blood was offered. Conclusions Infection of mosquitoes with human blood led to higher USUV infection rates as compared to chicken blood. However, the blood source had no effect on the vector competence for USUV. Interestingly, biotype molestus is less likely to transmit USUV compared to biotype pipiens due to very low virus titers in the saliva. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra R Abbo
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tessa M Visser
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Constantianus J M Koenraadt
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gorben P Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Haidong Wang
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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21
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Screening of Mosquitoes for West Nile Virus and Usutu Virus in Croatia, 2015-2020. Trop Med Infect Dis 2021; 6:tropicalmed6020045. [PMID: 33918386 PMCID: PMC8167590 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed6020045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
In the period from 2015 to 2020, an entomological survey for the presence of West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) in mosquitoes was performed in northwestern Croatia. A total of 20,363 mosquitoes were sampled in the City of Zagreb and Međimurje county, grouped in 899 pools and tested by real-time RT-PCR for WNV and USUV RNA. All pools were negative for WNV while one pool each from 2016 (Aedes albopictus), 2017 (Culex pipiens complex), 2018 (Cx. pipiens complex), and 2019 (Cx. pipiens complex), respectively, was positive for USUV. The 2018 and 2019 positive pools shared 99.31% nucleotide homology within the USUV NS5 gene and both clustered within USUV Europe 2 lineage. The next-generation sequencing of one mosquito pool (Cx. pipiens complex) collected in 2018 in Zagreb confirmed the presence of USUV and revealed several dsDNA and ssRNA viruses of insect, bacterial and mammalian origin.
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22
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Clé M, Constant O, Barthelemy J, Desmetz C, Martin MF, Lapeyre L, Cadar D, Savini G, Teodori L, Monaco F, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Saiz JC, Gonzales G, Lecollinet S, Beck C, Gosselet F, Van de Perre P, Foulongne V, Salinas S, Simonin Y. Differential neurovirulence of Usutu virus lineages in mice and neuronal cells. J Neuroinflammation 2021; 18:11. [PMID: 33407600 PMCID: PMC7789689 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-020-02060-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging neurotropic arthropod-borne virus recently involved in massive die offs of wild birds predominantly reported in Europe. Although primarily asymptomatic or presenting mild clinical signs, humans infected by USUV can develop neuroinvasive pathologies (including encephalitis and meningoencephalitis). Similar to other flaviviruses, such as West Nile virus, USUV is capable of reaching the central nervous system. However, the neuropathogenesis of USUV is still poorly understood, and the virulence of the specific USUV lineages is currently unknown. One of the major complexities of the study of USUV pathogenesis is the presence of a great diversity of lineages circulating at the same time and in the same location. METHODS The aim of this work was to determine the neurovirulence of isolates from the six main lineages circulating in Europe using mouse model and several neuronal cell lines (neurons, microglia, pericytes, brain endothelial cells, astrocytes, and in vitro Blood-Brain Barrier model). RESULTS Our results indicate that all strains are neurotropic but have different virulence profiles. The Europe 2 strain, previously described as being involved in several clinical cases, induced the shortest survival time and highest mortality in vivo and appeared to be more virulent and persistent in microglial, astrocytes, and brain endothelial cells, while also inducing an atypical cytopathic effect. Moreover, an amino acid substitution (D3425E) was specifically identified in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase domain of the NS5 protein of this lineage. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, these data show a broad neurotropism for USUV in the central nervous system with lineage-dependent virulence. Our results will help to better understand the biological and epidemiological diversity of USUV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Clé
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, Montpellier, France
| | - Orianne Constant
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, Montpellier, France
| | - Jonathan Barthelemy
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, Montpellier, France
| | - Caroline Desmetz
- BioCommunication en CardioMétabolique (BC2M), Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Marie France Martin
- Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Viral Trafficking, Restriction and Innate Signaling, Montpellier, France
| | - Lina Lapeyre
- Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Viral Trafficking, Restriction and Innate Signaling, Montpellier, France
| | - Daniel Cadar
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Giovanni Savini
- OIE Reference Centre for West Nile Disease, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale "G. Caporale", 46100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Liana Teodori
- OIE Reference Centre for West Nile Disease, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale "G. Caporale", 46100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Federica Monaco
- OIE Reference Centre for West Nile Disease, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale "G. Caporale", 46100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359, Hamburg, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Universität Hamburg, 20148, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Gaëlle Gonzales
- UPE, Anses Animal Health Laboratory, UMR1161 Virology, INRA, Anses, ENVA, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sylvie Lecollinet
- UPE, Anses Animal Health Laboratory, UMR1161 Virology, INRA, Anses, ENVA, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Cécile Beck
- UPE, Anses Animal Health Laboratory, UMR1161 Virology, INRA, Anses, ENVA, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Fabien Gosselet
- Blood-Brain Barrier Laboratory (BBB Lab), University of Artois, UR2465, F-62300, Lens, France
| | - Philippe Van de Perre
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, Montpellier, France
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Vincent Foulongne
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, Montpellier, France
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Sara Salinas
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, Montpellier, France
| | - Yannick Simonin
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, Montpellier, France.
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23
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Kuchinsky SC, Hawks SA, Mossel EC, Coutermarsh-Ott S, Duggal NK. Differential pathogenesis of Usutu virus isolates in mice. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008765. [PMID: 33044987 PMCID: PMC7580916 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV; Flavivirus), a close phylogenetic and ecological relative of West Nile virus, is a zoonotic virus that can cause neuroinvasive disease in humans. USUV is maintained in an enzootic cycle between Culex mosquitoes and birds. Since the first isolation in 1959 in South Africa, USUV has spread throughout Africa and Europe. Reported human cases have increased over the last few decades, primarily in Europe, with symptoms ranging from mild febrile illness to severe neurological effects. In this study, we investigated whether USUV has become more pathogenic during emergence in Europe. Interferon α/β receptor knockout (Ifnar1-/-) mice were inoculated with recent USUV isolates from Africa and Europe, as well as the historic 1959 South African strain. The three tested African strains and one European strain from Spain caused 100% mortality in inoculated mice, with similar survival times and histopathology in tissues. Unexpectedly, a European strain from the Netherlands caused only 12% mortality and significantly less histopathology in tissues from mice compared to mice inoculated with the other strains. Viremia was highest in mice inoculated with the recent African strains and lowest in mice inoculated with the Netherlands strain. Based on phylogenetics, the USUV isolates from Spain and the Netherlands were derived from separate introductions into Europe, suggesting that disease outcomes may differ for USUV strains circulating in Europe. These results also suggest that while more human USUV disease cases have been reported in Europe recently, circulating African USUV strains are still a potential major health concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C. Kuchinsky
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, United States of America
| | - Seth A. Hawks
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, United States of America
| | - Eric C. Mossel
- Division of Vector-borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Sheryl Coutermarsh-Ott
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SCO); (NKD)
| | - Nisha K. Duggal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SCO); (NKD)
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24
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Benzarti E, Garigliany M. In Vitro and In Vivo Models to Study the Zoonotic Mosquito-Borne Usutu Virus. Viruses 2020; 12:E1116. [PMID: 33008141 PMCID: PMC7599730 DOI: 10.3390/v12101116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV), a mosquito-borne zoonotic flavivirus discovered in South Africa in 1959, has spread to many European countries over the last 20 years. The virus is currently a major concern for animal health due to its expanding host range and the growing number of avian mass mortality events. Although human infections with USUV are often asymptomatic, they are occasionally accompanied by neurological complications reminiscent of those due to West Nile virus (another flavivirus closely related to USUV). Whilst USUV actually appears less threatening than some other emergent arboviruses, the lessons learned from Chikungunya, Dengue, and Zika viruses during the past few years should not be ignored. Further, it would not be surprising if, with time, USUV disperses further eastwards towards Asia and possibly westwards to the Americas, which may result in more pathogenic USUV strains to humans and/or animals. These observations, inviting the scientific community to be more vigilant about the spread and genetic evolution of USUV, have prompted the use of experimental systems to understand USUV pathogenesis and to boost the development of vaccines and antivirals. This review is the first to provide comprehensive coverage of existing in vitro and in vivo models for USUV infection and to discuss their contribution in advancing data concerning this neurotropic virus. We believe that this paper is a helpful tool for scientists to identify gaps in the knowledge about USUV and to design their future experiments to study the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mutien Garigliany
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Sart Tilman B43, B-4000 Liège, Belgium;
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25
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Vilibic-Cavlek T, Petrovic T, Savic V, Barbic L, Tabain I, Stevanovic V, Klobucar A, Mrzljak A, Ilic M, Bogdanic M, Benvin I, Santini M, Capak K, Monaco F, Listes E, Savini G. Epidemiology of Usutu Virus: The European Scenario. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9090699. [PMID: 32858963 PMCID: PMC7560012 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9090699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging arbovirus isolated in 1959 (Usutu River, Swaziland). Previously restricted to sub-Saharan Africa, the virus was introduced in Europe in 1996. While the USUV has received little attention in Africa, the virus emergence has prompted numerous studies with robust epidemiological surveillance programs in Europe. The natural transmission cycle of USUV involves mosquitoes (vectors) and birds (amplifying hosts) with humans and other mammals considered incidental ("dead-end") hosts. In Africa, the virus was isolated in mosquitoes, rodents and birds and serologically detected in horses and dogs. In Europe, USUV was detected in bats, whereas antibodies were found in different animal species (horses, dogs, squirrels, wild boar, deer and lizards). While bird mortalities were not reported in Africa, in Europe USUV was shown to be highly pathogenic for several bird species, especially blackbirds (Turdus merula) and great gray owls (Strix nebulosa). Furthermore, neurotropism of USUV for humans was reported for the first time in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Epizootics and genetic diversity of USUV in different bird species as well as detection of the virus in mosquitoes suggest repeated USUV introductions into Europe with endemization in some countries. The zoonotic potential of USUV has been reported in a growing number of human cases. Clinical cases of neuroinvasive disease and USUV fever, as well as seroconversion in blood donors were reported in Europe since 2009. While most USUV strains detected in humans, birds and mosquitoes belong to European USUV lineages, several reports indicate the presence of African lineages as well. Since spreading trends of USUV are likely to continue, continuous multidisciplinary interventions ("One Health" concept) should be conducted for monitoring and prevention of this emerging arboviral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Vilibic-Cavlek
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (I.T.); (M.B.)
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +385-1-4863-238
| | - Tamas Petrovic
- Department for Virology, Scientific Veterinary Institute, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia;
| | - Vladimir Savic
- Poultry Center, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Ljubo Barbic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.B.); (V.S.); (I.B.)
| | - Irena Tabain
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (I.T.); (M.B.)
| | - Vladimir Stevanovic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.B.); (V.S.); (I.B.)
| | - Ana Klobucar
- Department of Epidemiology, Andrija Stampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Anna Mrzljak
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Department of Medicine, Merkur University Hospital, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Ilic
- Department of Epidemiology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Maja Bogdanic
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (I.T.); (M.B.)
| | - Iva Benvin
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.B.); (V.S.); (I.B.)
| | - Marija Santini
- Department for Intensive Care Medicine and Neuroinfectology, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr Fran Mihaljevic”, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Krunoslav Capak
- Environmental Health Department, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Federica Monaco
- OIE Reference Center for West Nile Disease, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.M.); (G.S.)
| | - Eddy Listes
- Laboratory for Diagnostics, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Regional Institute Split, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Giovanni Savini
- OIE Reference Center for West Nile Disease, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.M.); (G.S.)
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Alahmadi S, Ibrahim R, Messali M, Ali M. Effect of aminopyridinium-based ionic liquids against larvae of Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae). JOURNAL OF TAIBAH UNIVERSITY FOR SCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/16583655.2020.1782601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Alahmadi
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reda Ibrahim
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Economic Entomology, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt
| | - Mouslim Messali
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Medhat Ali
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
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27
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A Comparison of Adult Mosquito Trapping Methods to Assess Potential West Nile Virus Mosquito Vectors in Greece during the Onset of the 2018 Transmission Season. INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11060329. [PMID: 32471294 PMCID: PMC7348707 DOI: 10.3390/insects11060329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) threatens the health of humans and equines worldwide. Culex (Cx.) pipiens complex mosquitoes are major vectors but numerous other species have been implicated. Due to variations in blood-feeding behaviour, Cx. pipiens biotypes and hybrids influence transmission, from enzootic cycles (between mosquitoes and birds), to spill-over transmission to humans and equines. In this study, mosquitoes were collected in May–June 2018 during the early period of the transmission season from two regional units of Greece, where WNV cases had been reported in the previous four years (Palaio Faliro and Argolida). A total of 1062 mosquitoes were collected with Biogents Sentinel 2 traps collecting both a greater number of all mosquito species and the Cx. pipiens complex than CDC miniature light traps or Heavy Duty EVS traps. Molecular identification confirmed additional species including Aedes albopictus. The proportion of Cx. pipiens biotypes in Palaio Faliro was 54.5% pipiens, 20.0% molestus and 25.5% hybrids. In Argolida, the collection comprised 68.1% pipiens biotype, 8.3% molestus biotype and 23.6% hybrids. Screening resulted in WNV detection in three females of the pipiens biotype and in one hybrid. As hybrids play a role in spill-over transmission, these findings highlight the importance of entomological surveillance programs incorporating molecular xenomonitoring as an early warning before human cases at the onset of the transmission season.
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Assaid N, Mousson L, Moutailler S, Arich S, Akarid K, Monier M, Beck C, Lecollinet S, Failloux AB, Sarih M. Evidence of circulation of West Nile virus in Culex pipiens mosquitoes and horses in Morocco. Acta Trop 2020; 205:105414. [PMID: 32088277 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is one of the most widely distributed mosquito-borne viruses in the world. In North Africa, it causes human cases of meningoencephalitis with fatalities in Algeria and in Tunisia, whereas only horses were affected in Morocco. The aims of this study were to detect WNV in mosquitoes and to determine seroprevalence of WNV in Moroccan horses by the detection of IgG antibodies. A total of 1455 mosquitoes belonging to four different species were grouped by collection site, date, and sex with 10 specimens per pool and tested for 38 arboviruses using a high-throughput chip based on the BioMark Dynamic array system. Out of 146 mosquito pools tested, one pool was positive for WNV. This positive pool was confirmed by real time RT-PCR. The serosurvey showed that 33.7% (31/92) of horses were positive for competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) test. The flavivirus-sphere microsphere immnoassay (MIA) test, targeting three flaviviruses (WNV, Usutu virus (USUV) and Tick borne encephalitic virus (TBEV)) showed that 23 sera out of 31 were positive for WNV, two for USUV, two for USUV or WNV, and four for an undetermined flavivirus. Virus neutralization tests with USUV and WNV showed that 28 of 31 sera were positive for WNV and all sera were negative for USUV. This study reports, for the first time, the detection of WNV from Culex pipiens mosquitoes in Morocco and its circulation among horses. This highlights that the detection of arboviruses in mosquitoes could serve as an early warning signal of a viral activity to prevent future outbreaks in animals and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najlaa Assaid
- Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Service de Parasitologie et des Maladies Vectorielles, Place Louis Pasteur, Casablanca 20360, Morocco; Molecular Genetics and Immunophysiopathology Research Team, Health and Environment Laboratory, Aïn Chock Faculty of Sciences, University of Hassan II Casablanca (UH2C), Casablanca, Morocco.
| | - Laurence Mousson
- Institut Pasteur, Department of Virology, Arboviruses and Insect Vectors, 25-28 rue du Docteur Roux, Paris 75724, France.
| | - Sara Moutailler
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, INRAE, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Soukaina Arich
- Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Service de Parasitologie et des Maladies Vectorielles, Place Louis Pasteur, Casablanca 20360, Morocco.
| | - Khadija Akarid
- Molecular Genetics and Immunophysiopathology Research Team, Health and Environment Laboratory, Aïn Chock Faculty of Sciences, University of Hassan II Casablanca (UH2C), Casablanca, Morocco.
| | - Maëlle Monier
- UMR1161 Virologie, INRAE, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Cécile Beck
- UMR1161 Virologie, INRAE, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Sylvie Lecollinet
- UMR1161 Virologie, INRAE, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Anna-Bella Failloux
- Institut Pasteur, Department of Virology, Arboviruses and Insect Vectors, 25-28 rue du Docteur Roux, Paris 75724, France.
| | - M'hammed Sarih
- Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Service de Parasitologie et des Maladies Vectorielles, Place Louis Pasteur, Casablanca 20360, Morocco.
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Abbo SR, Visser TM, Wang H, Göertz GP, Fros JJ, Abma-Henkens MHC, Geertsema C, Vogels CBF, Koopmans MPG, Reusken CBEM, Hall-Mendelin S, Hall RA, van Oers MM, Koenraadt CJM, Pijlman GP. The invasive Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus found in the Netherlands can experimentally transmit Zika virus and Usutu virus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008217. [PMID: 32282830 PMCID: PMC7153878 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus is invading Europe and was first discovered in Lelystad, the Netherlands in 2013, where it has established a permanent population. In this study, we investigated the vector competence of Ae. japonicus from the Netherlands for the emerging Zika virus (ZIKV) and zoonotic Usutu virus (USUV). ZIKV causes severe congenital microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome in humans. USUV is closely related to West Nile virus, has recently spread throughout Europe and is causing mass mortality of birds. USUV infection in humans can result in clinical manifestations ranging from mild disease to severe neurological impairments. Methodology/Principal findings In our study, field-collected Ae. japonicus females received an infectious blood meal with ZIKV or USUV by droplet feeding. After 14 days at 28°C, 3% of the ZIKV-blood fed mosquitoes and 13% of the USUV-blood fed mosquitoes showed virus-positive saliva, indicating that Ae. japonicus can transmit both viruses. To investigate the effect of the mosquito midgut barrier on virus transmission, female mosquitoes were intrathoracically injected with ZIKV or USUV. Of the injected mosquitoes, 96% (ZIKV) and 88% (USUV) showed virus-positive saliva after 14 days at 28°C. This indicates that ZIKV and USUV can efficiently replicate in Ae. japonicus but that a strong midgut barrier is normally restricting virus dissemination. Small RNA deep sequencing of orally infected mosquitoes confirmed active replication of ZIKV and USUV, as demonstrated by potent small interfering RNA responses against both viruses. Additionally, de novo small RNA assembly revealed the presence of a novel narnavirus in Ae. japonicus. Conclusions/Significance Given that Ae. japonicus can experimentally transmit arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) like ZIKV and USUV and is currently expanding its territories, we should consider this mosquito as a potential vector for arboviral diseases in Europe. Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) cause a high disease burden in humans and animals. Zika virus (ZIKV) causes microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome in humans, whereas Usutu virus (USUV) induces high mortality in birds and neurological disease in humans. The spread of arboviruses such as ZIKV and USUV is determined by the presence of mosquitoes that can transmit these viruses from one vertebrate host to the next. Here, we investigate the risk of transmission of ZIKV and USUV by the Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus. This mosquito is invading Europe and is currently present in the Netherlands. We found that field-collected Ae. japonicus mosquitoes can experimentally transmit ZIKV and USUV. Of the orally infected mosquitoes, 3% (ZIKV) and 13% (USUV) showed virus-positive saliva after 14 days at 28°C. We also found that ZIKV and USUV activated the antiviral RNA interference immune response of Ae. japonicus. Moreover, a strong barrier in the mosquito midgut restricted virus dissemination, since 96% (ZIKV) and 88% (USUV) of the mosquitoes injected with ZIKV or USUV showed virus-positive saliva. Additionally, we discovered a narnavirus in Ae. japonicus. Given that Ae. japonicus can transmit ZIKV and USUV, we should consider this mosquito as a potential vector for arboviral diseases in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra R. Abbo
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Tessa M. Visser
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Haidong Wang
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Giel P. Göertz
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jelke J. Fros
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Corinne Geertsema
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Chantal B. F. Vogels
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Sonja Hall-Mendelin
- Public Health Virology, Forensic and Scientific Services, Department of Health, Coopers Plains, Australia
| | - Roy A. Hall
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
| | - Monique M. van Oers
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Gorben P. Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging arbovirus that was first isolated in South Africa in 1959. This Flavivirus is maintained in the environment through a typical enzootic cycle involving mosquitoes and birds. USUV has spread to a large part of the European continent over the two decades mainly leading to substantial avian mortalities with a significant recrudescence of bird infections recorded throughout Europe within the few last years. USUV infection in humans is considered to be most often asymptomatic or to cause mild clinical signs. Nonetheless, a few cases of neurological complications such as encephalitis or meningoencephalitis have been reported. USUV and West Nile virus (WNV) share many features, like a close phylogenetic relatedness and a similar ecology, with co-circulation frequently observed in nature. However, USUV has been much less studied and in-depth comparisons of the biology of these viruses are yet rare. In this review, we discuss the main body of knowledge regarding USUV and compare it with the literature on WNV, addressing in particular virological and clinical aspects, and pointing data gaps.
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Dynamics of prevalence and distribution pattern of avian Plasmodium species and its vectors in diverse zoogeographical areas - A review. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2020; 81:104244. [PMID: 32087345 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Avian Plasmodium is of special interest to health care scientists and veterinarians due to the potency of causing avian malaria in non-adapted birds and their evolutionary phylogenetic relationship with human malaria species. This article aimed to provide a comprehensive list of the common avian Plasmodium parasites in the birds and mosquitoes, to specify the common Plasmodium species and lineages in the selected regions of West of Asia, East of Europe, and North of Africa/Middle East, and to determine the contribution of generalist and host-specific Plasmodium species and lineages. The final list of published infected birds includes 146 species, among which Passer domesticus was the most prevalent in the studied areas. The species of Acrocephalus arundinaceus and Sylvia atricapilla were reported as common infected hosts in the examined regions of three continents. The highest numbers of common species of infected birds between continent pairs were from Asia and Europe, and no common record was found from Europe and Africa. The species of Milvus migrans and Upupa epops were recorded as common species from Asia and Africa. The lineage of GRW11 and species of P. relictum were the most prevalent parasites among all the infection records in birds. The most prevalent genus of vectors of avian malaria belonged to Culex and species of Cx. pipiens. The lineage SGS1 with the highest number of occurrence has been found in various vectors comprising Cx. pipiens, Cx. modestus, Cx. theileri, Cx. sasai, Cx. perexiguus, Lutzia vorax, and Culicoides alazanicus. A total of 31 Plasmodium species and 59 Plasmodium lineages were recorded from these regions. SGS1, GRW04, and GRW11, and P. relictum and P. vaughani are specified as common generalist avian malaria parasites from these three geographic areas. The presence of avian Plasmodium parasites in distant geographic areas and various hosts may be explained by the movement of the infected birds through the migration routes. Although most recorded lineages were from Asia, investigating the distribution of lineages in some of the countries has not been done. Thus, the most important outcome of this review is the determination of the distribution pattern of parasite and vector species that shed light on gaps requiring further studies on the monitoring of avian Plasmodium and common vectors extension. This task could be achieved through scientific field and laboratory networking, performing active surveillance and designing regional/continental control programs of birds' malaria and other zoonotic diseases.
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Gill CM, Kapadia RK, Beckham JD, Piquet AL, Tyler KL, Pastula DM. Usutu virus disease: a potential problem for North America? J Neurovirol 2019; 26:149-154. [PMID: 31858483 DOI: 10.1007/s13365-019-00818-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Usutu virus is an emerging mosquito-borne flavivirus initially identified in South Africa in 1959 that is now circulating throughout parts of Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. It is closely related to West Nile virus, and has similar vectors, amplifying bird hosts, and epidemiology. Usutu virus infection can occur in humans and may be asymptomatic or cause systemic (e.g., fever, rash, and hepatitis) or neuroinvasive (e.g., meningitis and encephalitis) disease. Given few reported cases, the full clinical spectrum is not known. No anti-viral treatment is available, but it can be largely prevented by avoiding mosquito bites. Because of similar mosquitoes, birds, and climate to Europe, the potential for introduction to North America is possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine M Gill
- Neuro-Infectious Diseases Group, Department of Neurology and Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Mail Stop B182, Research Complex 2, 12700 East 19th Ave., Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Ronak K Kapadia
- Neuro-Infectious Diseases Group, Department of Neurology and Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Mail Stop B182, Research Complex 2, 12700 East 19th Ave., Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - J David Beckham
- Neuro-Infectious Diseases Group, Department of Neurology and Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Mail Stop B182, Research Complex 2, 12700 East 19th Ave., Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Amanda L Piquet
- Neuro-Infectious Diseases Group, Department of Neurology and Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Mail Stop B182, Research Complex 2, 12700 East 19th Ave., Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Kenneth L Tyler
- Neuro-Infectious Diseases Group, Department of Neurology and Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Mail Stop B182, Research Complex 2, 12700 East 19th Ave., Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Immunology-Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Daniel M Pastula
- Neuro-Infectious Diseases Group, Department of Neurology and Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Mail Stop B182, Research Complex 2, 12700 East 19th Ave., Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA.
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Wipf NC, Guidi V, Tonolla M, Ruinelli M, Müller P, Engler O. Evaluation of honey-baited FTA cards in combination with different mosquito traps in an area of low arbovirus prevalence. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:554. [PMID: 31753035 PMCID: PMC6873520 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3798-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The threat of mosquito-borne diseases is increasing in continental Europe as demonstrated by several autochthonous chikungunya, dengue and West Nile virus outbreaks. In Switzerland, despite the presence of competent vectors, routine surveillance of arboviruses in mosquitoes is not being carried out, mainly due to the high costs associated with the need of a constant cold chain and laborious processing of thousands of mosquitoes. An alternative approach is using honey-baited nucleic acid preserving cards (FTA cards) to collect mosquito saliva that may be analysed for arboviruses. Here, we evaluate whether FTA cards could be used to detect potentially emerging viruses in an area of low virus prevalence in combination with an effective mosquito trap. Methods In a field trial in southern Switzerland we measured side-by-side the efficacy of the BG-Sentinel 2, the BG-GAT and the Box gravid trap to catch Aedes and Culex mosquitoes in combination with honey-baited FTA cards during 80 trapping sessions of 48 hours. We then screened both the mosquitoes and the FTA cards for the presence of arboviruses using reverse-transcription PCR. The efficacy of the compared trap types was evaluated using generalized linear mixed models. Results The Box gravid trap collected over 11 times more mosquitoes than the BG-GAT and BG-Sentinel 2 trap. On average 75.9% of the specimens fed on the honey-bait with no significant difference in feeding rates between the three trap types. From the total of 1401 collected mosquitoes, we screened 507 Aedes and 500 Culex females for the presence of arboviruses. A pool of six Cx. pipiens/Cx. torrentium mosquitoes and also the FTA card from the same Box gravid trap were positive for Usutu virus. Remarkably, only two of the six Culex mosquitoes fed on the honey-bait, emphasising the high sensitivity of the method. In addition, two Ae. albopictus collections but no FTA cards were positive for mosquito-only flaviviruses. Conclusions Based on our results we conclude that honey-baited FTA cards, in combination with the Box gravid trap, are an effective method for arbovirus surveillance in areas of low prevalence, particularly where resources are limited for preservation and screening of individual mosquitoes.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja C Wipf
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box, 4002, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, P.O. Box, 4001, Basel, Switzerland.,Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, University of Applied, Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Via Mirasole 22a, 6501, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Valeria Guidi
- Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, University of Applied, Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Via Mirasole 22a, 6501, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Mauro Tonolla
- Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, University of Applied, Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Via Mirasole 22a, 6501, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Michela Ruinelli
- Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, University of Applied, Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Via Mirasole 22a, 6501, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Pie Müller
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box, 4002, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, P.O. Box, 4001, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Olivier Engler
- Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection, Austrasse, 3700, Spiez, Switzerland
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Hönig V, Palus M, Kaspar T, Zemanova M, Majerova K, Hofmannova L, Papezik P, Sikutova S, Rettich F, Hubalek Z, Rudolf I, Votypka J, Modry D, Ruzek D. Multiple Lineages of Usutu Virus ( Flaviviridae, Flavivirus) in Blackbirds ( Turdus merula) and Mosquitoes ( Culex pipiens, Cx. modestus) in the Czech Republic (2016-2019). Microorganisms 2019; 7:E568. [PMID: 31744087 PMCID: PMC6920817 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7110568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) is a flavivirus (Flaviviridae: Flavivirus) of an African origin transmitted among its natural hosts (diverse species of birds) by mosquitoes. The virus was introduced multiple times to Europe where it caused mortality of blackbirds (Turdus merula) and certain other susceptible species of birds. In this study, we report detection of USUV RNA in blackbirds, Culex pipiens and Cx. modestus mosquitoes in the Czech Republic, and isolation of 10 new Czech USUV strains from carcasses of blackbirds in cell culture. Multiple lineages (Europe 1, 2 and Africa 3) of USUV were found in blackbirds and mosquitoes in the southeastern part of the country. A single USUV lineage (Europe 3) was found in Prague and was likely associated with increased mortalities in the local blackbird population seen in this area in 2018. USUV genomic RNA (lineage Europe 2) was detected in a pool of Cx. pipiens mosquitoes from South Bohemia (southern part of the country), where no major mortality of birds has been reported so far, and no flavivirus RNA has been found in randomly sampled cadavers of blackbirds. The obtained data contributes to our knowledge about USUV genetic variability, distribution and spread in Central Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaclav Hönig
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; (M.P.); (T.K.); (M.Z.); (K.M.); (J.V.); (D.M.); (D.R.)
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Research Institute, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Palus
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; (M.P.); (T.K.); (M.Z.); (K.M.); (J.V.); (D.M.); (D.R.)
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Research Institute, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Kaspar
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; (M.P.); (T.K.); (M.Z.); (K.M.); (J.V.); (D.M.); (D.R.)
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Marta Zemanova
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; (M.P.); (T.K.); (M.Z.); (K.M.); (J.V.); (D.M.); (D.R.)
| | - Karolina Majerova
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; (M.P.); (T.K.); (M.Z.); (K.M.); (J.V.); (D.M.); (D.R.)
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 12800 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lada Hofmannova
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 61242 Brno, Czech Republic; (L.H.); (P.P.)
| | - Petr Papezik
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 61242 Brno, Czech Republic; (L.H.); (P.P.)
| | - Silvie Sikutova
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 60365 Brno, Czech Republic; (S.S.); (Z.H.); (I.R.)
| | - Frantisek Rettich
- Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology, National Institute of Public Health, 10000 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Zdenek Hubalek
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 60365 Brno, Czech Republic; (S.S.); (Z.H.); (I.R.)
| | - Ivo Rudolf
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 60365 Brno, Czech Republic; (S.S.); (Z.H.); (I.R.)
| | - Jan Votypka
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; (M.P.); (T.K.); (M.Z.); (K.M.); (J.V.); (D.M.); (D.R.)
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 12800 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - David Modry
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; (M.P.); (T.K.); (M.Z.); (K.M.); (J.V.); (D.M.); (D.R.)
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 61242 Brno, Czech Republic; (L.H.); (P.P.)
- CEITEC, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 61242 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Ruzek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; (M.P.); (T.K.); (M.Z.); (K.M.); (J.V.); (D.M.); (D.R.)
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Research Institute, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic
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Patsoula E, Beleri S, Tegos N, Mkrtsian R, Vakali A, Pervanidou D. Entomological Data and Detection of West Nile Virus in Mosquitoes in Greece (2014-2016), Before Disease Re-Emergence in 2017. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2019; 20:60-70. [PMID: 31710270 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2018.2422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) cases were seasonally recorded in humans and animals in Greece, from 2010 to 2014, and circulation of the virus was detected in different Regional Units of the country. Small scale entomological surveillance activities were carried out by several regions and regional units in Greece, during 2014-2016, with the participation of subcontractors for the vector control programs aiming to record presence/absence of mosquito species, and monitor and control mosquito populations. Mosquito traps were placed in rural and urban sites; specimens were collected, morphologically characterized, and pooled by date of collection, location, and species types. Mosquito pools containing Culex pipiens, Aedes caspius, and Aedes albopictus were examined for the presence of WNV and positive pools were detected in different areas of the country. Sequencing of a selected number of amplicons revealed WNV lineage 2 partial NS5 gene sequences. In this study, we present data on the mosquito species composition in the areas of study and WNV detection from several parts of Greece, in 6, 11, and 26 mosquito pools corresponding to the years 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively. A total of 15 WNV human infections were reported to the public health authorities of the country in 2014, whereas no human cases were detected for 2015-2016. Taking into consideration the complex epidemiological profile of WNV and unforeseen changes in its circulation, re-emergence of WNV human cases in Greece was possible and expected, thus rendering surveillance activities imperative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Patsoula
- Department of Parasitology, Entomology and Tropical Diseases, National School of Public Health, Athens, Greece
| | - Stavroula Beleri
- Department of Parasitology, Entomology and Tropical Diseases, National School of Public Health, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Tegos
- Department of Parasitology, Entomology and Tropical Diseases, National School of Public Health, Athens, Greece
| | - Rima Mkrtsian
- Master in Public Health Programme, National School of Public Health, Athens, Greece
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Usutu Virus: An Arbovirus on the Rise. Viruses 2019; 11:v11070640. [PMID: 31336826 PMCID: PMC6669749 DOI: 10.3390/v11070640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Usutu virus (USUV) is a flavivirus that is drawing increasing attention because of its potential for emergence. First isolated in Africa, it was introduced into Europe where it caused significant outbreaks in birds, such as in Austria in 2001. Since then, its geographical distribution has rapidly expanded, with increased circulation, especially in the last few years. Similar to West Nile virus (WNV), the USUV enzootic transmission cycle involves Culex mosquitoes as vectors, and birds as amplifying reservoir hosts, with humans and other mammals likely being dead-end hosts. A similarity in the ecology of these two viruses, which co-circulate in several European countries, highlights USUV’s potential to become an important human pathogen. While USUV has had a severe impact on the blackbird population, the number of human cases remains low, with most infections being asymptomatic. However, some rare cases of neurological disease have been described, both in healthy and immuno-compromised patients. Here, we will discuss the transmission dynamics and the current state of USUV circulation in Europe.
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Paaijmans K, Brustollin M, Aranda C, Eritja R, Talavera S, Pagès N, Huijben S. Phenotypic insecticide resistance in arbovirus mosquito vectors in Catalonia and its capital Barcelona (Spain). PLoS One 2019; 14:e0217860. [PMID: 31276554 PMCID: PMC6611561 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
A range of mosquito species that belong to the Culicidae family are responsible for the worldwide transmission of infectious arboviral diseases such as dengue fever, Zika, West Nile fever and Chikungunya fever. Spain is at risk of arbovirus outbreaks, as various arboviral diseases are frequently introduced and it has established competent vector populations. Autochthonous human cases of West Nile virus have been reported infrequently since 2004, and since October 2018 three autochthonous human case of dengue fever have been confirmed. In response to an outbreak of any arboviral disease, space spraying or fogging will be implemented to control adult mosquito populations. To ensure adulticiding is cost-effective, the insecticide susceptibility status of vectors throughout Catalonia, an autonomous region in north-eastern Spain, was assessed through standardized WHO tube and CDC bottle bioassays. All Culex pipiens populations tested were resistant to at least one of the pyrethroids tested, whereas Aedes albopictus populations were susceptible to all pyrethroids tested. More detailed studies on the Cx. pipiens populations from the Barcelona area (the capital and largest city of Catalonia) revealed resistance to all four classes of public health insecticides available (pyrethroids, carbamates, organophosphates and organochlorides). All Ae. albopictus populations were susceptible to those classes, except for one of the tests performed with pirimiphos-methyl (an organophosphate). Pyrethroids are currently the first line chemical class to be used in space spray operations in response to an outbreak of an arboviral disease. While pyrethroids can be effective in reducing Ae. albopictus populations, this class may not be effective to control Cx. pipiens populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krijn Paaijmans
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- School of Life Sciences, Center for Evolution and Medicine, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States of America
- The Biodesign Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States of America
| | - Marco Brustollin
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA IRTA), Barcelona, Spain
- The Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, and the Huck Institutes of The Life Sciences, Millennium Science Complex, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
| | - Carles Aranda
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA IRTA), Barcelona, Spain
- Servei de Control de Mosquits, Consell Comarcal del Baix Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roger Eritja
- Servei de Control de Mosquits, Consell Comarcal del Baix Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Sandra Talavera
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA IRTA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nonito Pagès
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA IRTA), Barcelona, Spain
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Petit Bourg, Guadeloupe, France
- ASTRE, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Silvie Huijben
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- School of Life Sciences, Center for Evolution and Medicine, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States of America
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Jourdain F, Samy AM, Hamidi A, Bouattour A, Alten B, Faraj C, Roiz D, Petrić D, Pérez-Ramírez E, Velo E, Günay F, Bosevska G, Salem I, Pajovic I, Marić J, Kanani K, Paronyan L, Dente MG, Picard M, Zgomba M, Sarih M, Haddad N, Gaidash O, Sukhiasvili R, Declich S, Shaibi T, Sulesco T, Harrat Z, Robert V. Towards harmonisation of entomological surveillance in the Mediterranean area. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007314. [PMID: 31194743 PMCID: PMC6563966 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Mediterranean Basin is historically a hotspot for trade, transport, and migration. As a result, countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea share common public health threats. Among them are vector-borne diseases, and in particular, mosquito-borne viral diseases are prime candidates as (re)emerging diseases and are likely to spread across the area. Improving preparedness and response capacities to these threats at the regional level is therefore a major issue. The implementation of entomological surveillance is, in particular, of utmost importance. Guidance in designing entomological surveillance systems is critical, and these systems may pursue different specific objectives depending on the disease. The purpose of the proposed review is to draw up guidelines for designing effective and sustainable entomological surveillance systems in order to improve preparedness and response. However, we make it clear that there is no universal surveillance system, so the thinking behind harmonisation is to define evidence-based standards in order to promote best practises, identify the most appropriate surveillance activities, and optimise the use of resources. Such guidance is aimed at policymakers and diverse stakeholders and is intended to be used as a framework for the implementation of entomological surveillance programmes. It will also be useful to collaborate and share information with health professionals involved in other areas of disease surveillance. Medical entomologists and vector control professionals will be able to refer to this report to advocate for tailored entomological surveillance strategies. The main threats targeted in this review are the vectors of dengue virus, chikungunya virus, Zika virus, West Nile virus, and Rift Valley fever virus. The vectors of all these arboviruses are mosquitoes. METHODS Current knowledge on vector surveillance in the Mediterranean area is reviewed. The analysis was carried out by a collaboration of the medical entomology experts in the region, all of whom belong to the MediLabSecure network, which is currently funded by the European Union and represents an international effort encompassing 19 countries in the Mediterranean and Black Sea region. FINDINGS Robust surveillance systems are required to address the globalisation of emerging arboviruses. The prevention and management of mosquito-borne viral diseases must be addressed in the prism of a One Health strategy that includes entomological surveillance as an integral part of the policy. Entomological surveillance systems should be designed according to the entomological and epidemiological context and must have well-defined objectives in order to effect a tailored and graduated response. We therefore rely on different scenarios according to different entomological and epidemiological contexts and set out detailed objectives of surveillance. The development of multidisciplinary networks involving both academics and public authorities will provide resources to address these health challenges by promoting good practises in surveillance (identification of surveillance aims, design of surveillance systems, data collection, dissemination of surveillance results, evaluation of surveillance activities) and through the sharing of effective knowledge and information. These networks will also contribute to capacity building and stronger collaborations between sectors at both the local and regional levels. Finally, concrete guidance is offered on the vector of the main arbovirus based on the current situation in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Jourdain
- French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development, Research unit MIVEGC IRD-CNRS-Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Abdallah M. Samy
- Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Afrim Hamidi
- University of Prishtina, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Prishtina, Kosovo
| | - Ali Bouattour
- Université de Tunis El Manar, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, LR11IPT03 Service d’entomologie médicale, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Bülent Alten
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Science, Biology Department, Ecology Section, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Chafika Faraj
- Laboratoire d'Entomologie Médicale, Institut National d'Hygiène, Rabat, Morocco
| | - David Roiz
- French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development, Research unit MIVEGC IRD-CNRS-Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Dušan Petrić
- Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Phytomedicine and Environment Protection, Laboratory for Medical Entomology, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Elisa Pérez-Ramírez
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CISA), Carretera Algete-El Casar, Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Enkeledja Velo
- Control of Infectious Diseases Department, Institute of Public Health, Tirana, Albania
| | - Filiz Günay
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Science, Biology Department, Ecology Section, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Golubinka Bosevska
- Institute of Public Health of R. Macedonia, Laboratory for virology and molecular diagnostics, Skopje, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
| | - Ibrahim Salem
- Ministry of Health, Central public health laboratory, Ramallah, Palestine
| | - Igor Pajovic
- University of Montenegro, Biotechnical Faculty, Podgorica, Montenegro
| | - Jelena Marić
- PI Veterinary Institute of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Khalil Kanani
- Parasitic and Zoonotic Diseases Department, Vector-Borne Diseases programmes manager, MOH, Ramallah, Jordan
| | - Lusine Paronyan
- Epidemiology of Vector borne and Parasitic diseases, National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Ministry of Health, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Maria-Grazia Dente
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Marie Picard
- French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development, Research unit MIVEGC IRD-CNRS-Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Marija Zgomba
- Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Phytomedicine and Environment Protection, Laboratory for Medical Entomology, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - M'hammed Sarih
- Laboratoire des Maladies Vectorielles, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Nabil Haddad
- Laboratory of Immunology and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon
| | - Oleksandr Gaidash
- State Body “Ukrainian I. I. Mechnikov Research Anti-Plague Institute of Ministry of Health of Ukraine”, Laboratory of Especially Dangerous Infections Epizootology, Odessa, Ukraine
| | - Roena Sukhiasvili
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Silvia Declich
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Taher Shaibi
- Reference Laboratory of Parasites & Vector Borne Diseases, NCDC Libya, and Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, University of Tripoli, Libya
| | - Tatiana Sulesco
- Institute of Zoology, Ministry of Education, Culture and Research, Chisinau, Moldova
| | - Zoubir Harrat
- Laboratoire éco-épidémiologie Parasitaire et Génétique des Populations, Institut Pasteur d’Algérie, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Vincent Robert
- French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development, Research unit MIVEGC IRD-CNRS-Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
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Benzarti E, Linden A, Desmecht D, Garigliany M. Mosquito-borne epornitic flaviviruses: an update and review. J Gen Virol 2019; 100:119-132. [PMID: 30628886 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile Virus, Usutu virus, Bagaza virus, Israel turkey encephalitis virus and Tembusu virus currently constitute the five flaviviruses transmitted by mosquito bites with a marked pathogenicity for birds. They have been identified as the causative agents of severe neurological symptoms, drop in egg production and/or mortalities among avian hosts. They have also recently shown an expansion of their geographic distribution and/or a rise in cases of human infection. This paper is the first up-to-date review of the pathology of these flaviviruses in birds, with a special emphasis on the difference in susceptibility among avian species, in order to understand the specificity of the host spectrum of each of these viruses. Furthermore, given the lack of a clear prophylactic approach against these viruses in birds, a meta-analysis of vaccination trials conducted to date on these animals is given to constitute a solid platform from which designing future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emna Benzarti
- 1FARAH Research Center, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Sart Tilman B43, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Annick Linden
- 2FARAH Research Center, Surveillance Network for Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Sart Tilman B43, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Daniel Desmecht
- 1FARAH Research Center, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Sart Tilman B43, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Mutien Garigliany
- 1FARAH Research Center, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Sart Tilman B43, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
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Chen Z, Ye F, Lin S, Yang F, Cheng Y, Cao Y, Chen Z, Lu G. Crystal structure of Usutu virus envelope protein in the pre-fusion state. Virol J 2018; 15:183. [PMID: 30477514 PMCID: PMC6260896 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-018-1092-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Usutu virus (USUV) is a mosquito-born flavivirus that can infect multiple avian and mammalian species. The viral surface envelope (E) protein functions to initiate the viral infection by recognizing cellular receptors and mediating the subsequent membrane fusion, and is therefore a key virulence factor involved in the pathogenesis of USUV. The structural features of USUV-E, however, remains un-investigated thus far. FINDINGS Using the crystallographic method, we determined the structure of USUV-E in the pre-fusion state at 2.0 angstrom. As expected, the overall fold of USUV-E, with three β-barrel domains (DI, DII, and DIII), resembles those of other flaviviral E proteins. In comparison to other pre-fusion E structures, however, USUV-E exhibits an apparently enlarged inter-domain angle between DI and DII, leading to a more extended conformation. Using our structure and other reported pre-fusion E structures, the DI-DII domain-angle difference was analyzed in a pairwise manner. The result shows a much higher degree of variations for USUV-E, indicating the potential for remarkable DI-DII domain angle plasticity among flaviviruses. CONCLUSION We report the crystal structure of USUV-E and show that its pre-fusion structure has an enlarged DI-DII domain-angle which has not been observed in other reported flaviviral E-structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zimin Chen
- 0000 0004 1770 1022grid.412901.fWest China Hospital Emergency Department (WCHED), State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
| | - Fei Ye
- 0000 0004 1770 1022grid.412901.fWest China Hospital Emergency Department (WCHED), State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
| | - Sheng Lin
- 0000 0004 1770 1022grid.412901.fWest China Hospital Emergency Department (WCHED), State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
| | - Fanli Yang
- 0000 0004 1770 1022grid.412901.fWest China Hospital Emergency Department (WCHED), State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
| | - Yanwei Cheng
- 0000 0004 1770 1022grid.412901.fWest China Hospital Emergency Department (WCHED), State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
| | - Yu Cao
- 0000 0004 1770 1022grid.412901.fWest China Hospital Emergency Department (WCHED), State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China ,0000 0001 0807 1581grid.13291.38Disaster Medicine Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
| | - Zhujun Chen
- 0000 0004 1770 1022grid.412901.fWest China Hospital Emergency Department (WCHED), State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
| | - Guangwen Lu
- 0000 0004 1770 1022grid.412901.fWest China Hospital Emergency Department (WCHED), State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
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Segura Guerrero NA, Sharma S, Neyts J, Kaptein SJF. Favipiravir inhibits in vitro Usutu virus replication and delays disease progression in an infection model in mice. Antiviral Res 2018; 160:137-142. [PMID: 30385306 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging flavivirus that causes Usutu disease mainly in birds, but infection of mammals such as rodents, bats and horses has also been demonstrated. In addition, human cases (both in immunocompromised and -competent individuals) were also reported. Large outbreaks with other flaviviruses, such as West Nile virus and Zika virus, indicate that one should be vigilant for yet other outbreaks. To allow the identification of inhibitors of USUV replication, we established in vitro antiviral assays, which were validated using a small selection of known flavivirus inhibitors, including the broad-spectrum viral RNA polymerase inhibitor favipiravir (T-705). Next, an USUV infection model in AG129 (IFN-α/β and IFN-γ receptor knockout) mice was established. AG129 mice proved highly susceptible to USUV; an inoculum as low as 102 PFU (1.3 × 105 TCID50) resulted in the development of symptoms as early as 3 days post infection with viral RNA being detectable in various tissues. Treatment of mice with favipiravir (150 mg/kg/dose, BID, oral gavage) significantly reduced viral load in blood and tissues and significantly delayed virus-induced disease. This USUV mouse model is thus amenable for assessing the potential in vivo efficacy of (novel) USUV/flavivirus inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidya A Segura Guerrero
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium; Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Tunja, Colombia
| | - Sapna Sharma
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Suzanne J F Kaptein
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
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Cheng Y, Tjaden NB, Jaeschke A, Lühken R, Ziegler U, Thomas SM, Beierkuhnlein C. Evaluating the risk for Usutu virus circulation in Europe: comparison of environmental niche models and epidemiological models. Int J Health Geogr 2018; 17:35. [PMID: 30314528 PMCID: PMC6186058 DOI: 10.1186/s12942-018-0155-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Usutu virus (USUV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus, reported in many countries of Africa and Europe, with an increasing spatial distribution and host range. Recent outbreaks leading to regional declines of European common blackbird (Turdus merula) populations and a rising number of human cases emphasize the need for increased awareness and spatial risk assessment. Methods Modelling approaches in ecology and epidemiology differ substantially in their algorithms, potentially resulting in diverging model outputs. Therefore, we implemented a parallel approach incorporating two commonly applied modelling techniques: (1) Maxent, a correlation-based environmental niche model and (2) a mechanistic epidemiological susceptible-exposed-infected-removed (SEIR) model. Across Europe, surveillance data of USUV-positive birds from 2003 to 2016 was acquired to train the environmental niche model and to serve as test cases for the SEIR model. The SEIR model is mainly driven by daily mean temperature and calculates the basic reproduction number R0. The environmental niche model was run with long-term bio-climatic variables derived from the same source in order to estimate climatic suitability. Results Large areas across Europe are currently suitable for USUV transmission. Both models show patterns of high risk for USUV in parts of France, in the Pannonian Basin as well as northern Italy. The environmental niche model depicts the current situation better, but with USUV still being in an invasive stage there is a chance for under-estimation of risk. Areas where transmission occurred are mostly predicted correctly by the SEIR model, but it mostly fails to resolve the temporal dynamics of USUV events. High R0 values predicted by the SEIR model in areas without evidence for real-life transmission suggest that it may tend towards over-estimation of risk. Conclusions The results from our parallel-model approach highlight that relying on a single model for assessing vector-borne disease risk may lead to incomplete conclusions. Utilizing different modelling approaches is thus crucial for risk-assessment of under-studied emerging pathogens like USUV. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12942-018-0155-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanchao Cheng
- Department of Biogeography, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, 95447, Bayreuth, Germany.
| | - Nils Benjamin Tjaden
- Department of Biogeography, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, 95447, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Anja Jaeschke
- Department of Biogeography, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, 95447, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Renke Lühken
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | | | - Carl Beierkuhnlein
- Department of Biogeography, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, 95447, Bayreuth, Germany.,BayCEER, Bayreuth Center for Ecology and Environmental Research, Bayreuth, Germany
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Usutu virus induced mass mortalities of songbirds in Central Europe: Are habitat models suitable to predict dead birds in unsampled regions? Prev Vet Med 2018; 159:162-170. [PMID: 30314779 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2018.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Revised: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The Usutu virus (USUV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus closely related to the better known West Nile virus, and it can cause mass mortalities of song birds. In the present paper, a dataset of georeferenced locations of USUV-positive birds was compiled and then used to map the geographical distribution of suitable USUV habitats in Central Europe. Six habitat models, comprising BIOCLIM, DOMAIN, maximum entropy model (MAXENT), generalized linear model (GLM), boosted regression trees model (BRT), and random forests model (RF), were selected and tested for their performance ability to predict cases of disease in unsampled areas. Suitability index maps, a diagram depicting model performance by the Area Under the Curve (AUC) vs. the True Skill Statistic (TSS), and a diagram ranking sensitivity vs. specificity as well as correct classification ratio (CCR) vs. misclassification ratio (MCR) were presented. Of the models tested GLM, BRT, RF, and MAXENT were shown suitable to predict USUV-positive dead birds in unsampled regions, with BRT the highest predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.75, TSS = 0.50). However, the four models classified major parts of the model domain as USUV-suitable, although USUV was never confirmed there so far (MCR=0.49 to 0.61). DOMAIN and especially BIOCLIM can only be recommended for interpolating point observations to raster files, i.e. for analyzing observed USUV distributions (MCR = 0.10). Habitat models can be a helpful tool for informing veterinary authorities about the possible distribution of a given mosquito-borne disease. Nevertheless, it should be taken in consideration, that the spatial and temporal scales, the selection of an appropriate model, the availability of significant predictive variables as well as the representativeness and completeness of collected species or disease cases may strongly influence the modeling results.
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Hernández-Triana LM, de Marco MF, Mansfield KL, Thorne L, Lumley S, Marston D, Fooks AA, Johnson N. Assessment of vector competence of UK mosquitoes for Usutu virus of African origin. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:381. [PMID: 29970149 PMCID: PMC6029037 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2959-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging zoonotic virus originally from sub-Saharan Africa. It has been introduced into Europe on multiple occasions, causing substantial mortality within the Eurasian blackbird (Turdus merula) population. It is transmitted by the mosquito species Culex pipiens in Europe and Africa. Vector competence studies indicate that European strains of USUV are readily transmitted by indigenous Cx. pipiens. However, there is limited information on the ability of an African strain to infect European mosquitoes. METHODS We evaluated the ability of African strain SAAR-1776 to infect two lines of Cx. pipiens colonised within the United Kingdom (UK). Mosquitoes were fed blood meals containing this virus and maintained at 25 °C for up to 21 days. Individual mosquitoes were tested for the presence of virus in the body, legs and an expectorate saliva sample. Changes to the consensus of the virus genome were monitored in samples derived from infected mosquitoes using amplicon based next generation sequencing. RESULTS Infection, dissemination and the presence of virus in saliva in one mosquito line was observed, but no evidence for dissemination in the second mosquito line. This suggests a strong barrier to infection in UK Cx. pipiens for this strain of USUV. When comparing the genome of input virus within the blood meal with USUV recovered from an infected mosquito, we observed limited changes in the consensus genome sequence. CONCLUSIONS The evaluation of vector competence of UK populations of Cx. pipiens for Usutu virus suggests a limited susceptibility to infection with USUV strain SAAR-1776 of African origin. However, within a single mosquito there was complete dissemination and expectoration of USUV, indicating that infection, and potentially transmission, is possible. Sequence changes were observed that may represent early adaption to the mosquito host and could reflect the early events of USUV establishment in European mosquito populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis M. Hernández-Triana
- Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-borne Diseases Research Group, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB UK
| | - Maria Fernández de Marco
- Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-borne Diseases Research Group, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB UK
| | - Karen L. Mansfield
- Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-borne Diseases Research Group, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB UK
| | - Leigh Thorne
- Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-borne Diseases Research Group, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB UK
| | - Sarah Lumley
- Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-borne Diseases Research Group, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB UK
- Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 XH UK
- Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG UK
| | - Denise Marston
- Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-borne Diseases Research Group, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB UK
| | - Anthony A. Fooks
- Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-borne Diseases Research Group, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB UK
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Nick Johnson
- Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-borne Diseases Research Group, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB UK
- Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 XH UK
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Riou J, Poletto C, Boëlle PY. Improving early epidemiological assessment of emerging Aedes-transmitted epidemics using historical data. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006526. [PMID: 29864129 PMCID: PMC6002135 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2017] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Model-based epidemiological assessment is useful to support decision-making at the beginning of an emerging Aedes-transmitted outbreak. However, early forecasts are generally unreliable as little information is available in the first few incidence data points. Here, we show how past Aedes-transmitted epidemics help improve these predictions. The approach was applied to the 2015-2017 Zika virus epidemics in three islands of the French West Indies, with historical data including other Aedes-transmitted diseases (chikungunya and Zika) in the same and other locations. Hierarchical models were used to build informative a priori distributions on the reproduction ratio and the reporting rates. The accuracy and sharpness of forecasts improved substantially when these a priori distributions were used in models for prediction. For example, early forecasts of final epidemic size obtained without historical information were 3.3 times too high on average (range: 0.2 to 5.8) with respect to the eventual size, but were far closer (1.1 times the real value on average, range: 0.4 to 1.5) using information on past CHIKV epidemics in the same places. Likewise, the 97.5% upper bound for maximal incidence was 15.3 times (range: 2.0 to 63.1) the actual peak incidence, and became much sharper at 2.4 times (range: 1.3 to 3.9) the actual peak incidence with informative a priori distributions. Improvements were more limited for the date of peak incidence and the total duration of the epidemic. The framework can adapt to all forecasting models at the early stages of emerging Aedes-transmitted outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Riou
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'épidémiologie et de Santé Publique, IPLESP UMR-S1136, F-75012 Paris, France
- EHESP School of Public Health, Rennes, France
| | - Chiara Poletto
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'épidémiologie et de Santé Publique, IPLESP UMR-S1136, F-75012 Paris, France
| | - Pierre-Yves Boëlle
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'épidémiologie et de Santé Publique, IPLESP UMR-S1136, F-75012 Paris, France
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A four-year survey (2011-2014) of West Nile virus infection in humans, mosquitoes and birds, including the 2012 meningoencephalitis outbreak in Tunisia. Emerg Microbes Infect 2018. [PMID: 29535295 PMCID: PMC5849722 DOI: 10.1038/s41426-018-0028-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
A West Nile virus (WNV) outbreak occurred in Tunisia between mid-July and December 2012. To assess the epidemiological features of the WNV transmission cycle, human cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients with suspected cases (n = 79), Culex pipiens mosquitoes (n = 583) and serum specimens from domestic and migratory birds (n = 70) were collected for 4 years (2011–2014) in the Tunisian Sahel region. Viral testing was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The WNV genome was detected in 7 patients (8.8%), 4 Culex pipiens pools, and a domestic mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). All PCR-positive samples were from the Monastir region. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that two different WNV strain groups circulated, and isolates from the reservoir (bird), vector (Culex pipiens), and dead-end hosts (humans) were closely related. The Monastir region is a hot-spot for WNV infection, and the reiterative presence of WNV over the years has increased the risk of viral reemergence in Tunisia, which highlights the need for more enhanced and effective WNV surveillance in humans with public awareness campaigns strengthened by monitoring mosquitoes and maintaining avian surveillance for early detection of WNV circulation.
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Benelli G. Mating behavior of the West Nile virus vector Culex pipiens - role of behavioral asymmetries. Acta Trop 2018; 179:88-95. [PMID: 29288628 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/23/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Culex pipiens is a vector of West Nile, Rift Valley fever, Japanese encephalitis and Usutu viruses. In agreement with the criteria of Integrated Vector Management, several research efforts have been devoted to develop behavior-based control tools to fight mosquito vectors. However, our knowledge of mosquito mating biology and sexual communication is still patchy. Despite the high relevance of C. pipiens as a vector of medical and veterinary importance, no studies on its mating behavior and the factors routing mating success have been conducted. In this study, I quantified the mating behavior of an Italian strain of C. pipiens, evaluating the male mating success and its potential connections with population-level lateralized traits occurring during the mating sequence. Mean copula duration exceeded 100 s. Courting males can be straightly accepted by the female after the first genital contact (38.95%), as well as after some rejection kicks performed by females with hind legs (17.89%). No copula duration differences were detected between these two cases. The overall male mating success in laboratory conditions was 56.84%. The females performing rejection kicks preferentially used right hind legs at population-level. This was confirmed over four subsequent testing phases. The number of kicks per rejection event and the rejection success were higher when right legs are used over left ones, showing a functional advantage linked with the employ of right legs. Overall, the present study represents the first quantification of the courtship and mating behavior of C. pipiens. Data on male mating success and the role population-level lateralized mating traits provides basic biological knowledge that can be helpful to optimize autocidal and behavior-based control tools.
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Paull SH, Horton DE, Ashfaq M, Rastogi D, Kramer LD, Diffenbaugh NS, Kilpatrick AM. Drought and immunity determine the intensity of West Nile virus epidemics and climate change impacts. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 284:rspb.2016.2078. [PMID: 28179512 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.2078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The effect of global climate change on infectious disease remains hotly debated because multiple extrinsic and intrinsic drivers interact to influence transmission dynamics in nonlinear ways. The dominant drivers of widespread pathogens, like West Nile virus, can be challenging to identify due to regional variability in vector and host ecology, with past studies producing disparate findings. Here, we used analyses at national and state scales to examine a suite of climatic and intrinsic drivers of continental-scale West Nile virus epidemics, including an empirically derived mechanistic relationship between temperature and transmission potential that accounts for spatial variability in vectors. We found that drought was the primary climatic driver of increased West Nile virus epidemics, rather than within-season or winter temperatures, or precipitation independently. Local-scale data from one region suggested drought increased epidemics via changes in mosquito infection prevalence rather than mosquito abundance. In addition, human acquired immunity following regional epidemics limited subsequent transmission in many states. We show that over the next 30 years, increased drought severity from climate change could triple West Nile virus cases, but only in regions with low human immunity. These results illustrate how changes in drought severity can alter the transmission dynamics of vector-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara H Paull
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High St, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA .,Research Applications Lab, National Center for Atmospheric Research, 3450 Mitchell Ln, Boulder, CO 80301, USA
| | - Daniel E Horton
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.,Department of Earth System Science and Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Moetasim Ashfaq
- Climate Change Science Institute, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Deeksha Rastogi
- Climate Change Science Institute, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Laura D Kramer
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Slingerlands, NY 12159, USA.,School of Public Health, Department of Biomedical Sciences, SUNY, Albany, NY 12201, USA
| | - Noah S Diffenbaugh
- Department of Earth System Science and Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - A Marm Kilpatrick
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High St, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
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Mosquitoes as Arbovirus Vectors: From Species Identification to Vector Competence. PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH MONOGRAPHS 2018. [PMCID: PMC7122353 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-94075-5_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Mosquitoes and other arthropods transmit a large number of medically important pathogens, in particular viruses. These arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) include a wide variety of RNA viruses belonging to the Flaviviridae family (West Nile virus (WNV), Usutu virus (USUV), Dengue virus (DENV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), Zika virus (ZIKV)), the Togaviridae family (Chikungunya virus (CHIKV)), and Bunyavirales order (Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV)) (please refer also to Table 9.1). Arboviral transmission to humans and livestock constitutes a major threat to public health and economy as illustrated by the emergence of ZIKV in the Americas, RVFV outbreaks in Africa, and the worldwide outbreaks of DENV. To answer the question if those viral pathogens also pose a risk to Europe, we need to first answer the key questions (summarized in Fig. 9.1):Who could contribute to such an outbreak? Information about mosquito species resident or imported, potential hosts and viruses able to infect vectors and hosts in Germany is needed. Where would competent mosquito species meet favorable conditions for transmission? Information on the minimum requirements for efficient replication of the virus in a given vector species and subsequent transmission is needed. How do viruses and vectors interact to facilitate transmission? Information on the vector immunity, vector physiology, vector genetics, and vector microbiomes is needed.
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Paternoster G, Babo Martins S, Mattivi A, Cagarelli R, Angelini P, Bellini R, Santi A, Galletti G, Pupella S, Marano G, Copello F, Rushton J, Stärk KDC, Tamba M. Economics of One Health: Costs and benefits of integrated West Nile virus surveillance in Emilia-Romagna. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188156. [PMID: 29176851 PMCID: PMC5703535 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Since 2013 in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, surveillance information generated in the public health and in the animal health sectors has been shared and used to guide public health interventions to mitigate the risk of West Nile virus (WNV) transmission via blood transfusion. The objective of the current study was to identify and estimate the costs and benefits associated with this One Health surveillance approach, and to compare it to an approach that does not integrate animal health information in blood donations safety policy (uni-sectoral scenario). Costs of human, animal, and entomological surveillance, sharing of information, and triggered interventions were estimated. Benefits were quantified as the averted costs of potential human cases of WNV neuroinvasive disease associated to infected blood transfusion. In the 2009–2015 period, the One Health approach was estimated to represent a cost saving of €160,921 compared to the uni-sectoral scenario. Blood donation screening was the main cost for both scenarios. The One Health approach further allowed savings of €1.21 million in terms of avoided tests on blood units. Benefits of the One Health approach due to short-term costs of hospitalization and compensation for transfusion-associated disease potentially avoided, were estimated to range from €0 to €2.98 million according to the probability of developing WNV neuroinvasive disease after receiving an infected blood transfusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Paternoster
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna (IZSLER), Brescia, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Sara Babo Martins
- Department of Production and Population Health, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingodm
- SAFOSO AG, Bern-Liebefeld, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Mattivi
- Regional Health Authority of Emilia-Romagna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Paola Angelini
- Regional Health Authority of Emilia-Romagna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Romeo Bellini
- Centro Agricoltura Ambiente “G. Nicoli”, Crevalcore, Italy
| | - Annalisa Santi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna (IZSLER), Brescia, Italy
| | - Giorgio Galletti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna (IZSLER), Brescia, Italy
| | - Simonetta Pupella
- National Blood Centre, National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Marano
- National Blood Centre, National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Copello
- Occupational Medicine Unit, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST teaching Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Jonathan Rushton
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingodm
| | - Katharina D. C. Stärk
- Department of Production and Population Health, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingodm
- SAFOSO AG, Bern-Liebefeld, Switzerland
| | - Marco Tamba
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna (IZSLER), Brescia, Italy
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