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Baril C, Cassone BJ. Metatranscriptomic analysis of common mosquito vector species in the Canadian Prairies. mSphere 2024; 9:e0020324. [PMID: 38912793 PMCID: PMC11288045 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00203-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The microbiome plays vital roles in the life history of mosquitoes, including their development, immunity, longevity, and vector competence. Recent advances in sequencing technologies have allowed for detailed exploration into the diverse microorganisms harbored by these medically important insects. Although these meta-studies have cataloged the microbiomes of mosquitoes in several continents, much of the information currently available for North America is limited to the state of California. In this study, we collected >35,000 mosquitoes throughout Manitoba, Canada, over a 3-year period and then harnessed RNA sequencing and targeted reverse transcriptase-PCR to characterize the microbiomes of the eight most pervasive and important vector and pest species. The consensus microbiome of each species was overwhelmingly composed of viruses but also included fungi, bacteria, protozoa, and parasitic invertebrates. The microbial assemblages were heterogeneous between species, even within the same genus. We detected notable pathogens, including the causal agents of Cache Valley Fever, avian malaria, and canine heartworm. The remaining microbiome consisted largely of putatively insect-specific viruses that are not well characterized, including 17 newly discovered viruses from 10 different families. Future research should focus on evaluating the potential application of these viruses in biocontrol, as biomarkers, and/or in disrupting mosquito vectorial capacity. Interestingly, we also detected viruses that naturally infect honeybees and thrips, which were presumably acquired indirectly through nectar foraging behaviors. Overall, we provide the first comprehensive catalog of the microorganisms harbored by the most common and important mosquito vectors and pests in the Canadian Prairies. IMPORTANCE Mosquitoes are the most dangerous animals on the planet, responsible for over 800,000 deaths per year globally. This is because they carry and transmit a plethora of human disease-causing microorganisms, such as West Nile virus and the malaria parasite. Recent innovations in nucleic acid sequencing technologies have enabled researchers unparalleled opportunities to characterize the suite of microorganisms harbored by different mosquito species, including the causal agents of disease. In our study, we carried out 3 years of intensive mosquito surveillance in Canada. We collected and characterized the microorganisms harbored by >35,000 mosquitoes, including the identification of the agents of Cache Valley fever, avian malaria, and canine heartworm. We also detected insect-specific viruses and discovered 17 new viruses that have never been reported. This study, which is the first of its kind in Canada and one of only a handful globally, will greatly aid in future infectious disease research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cole Baril
- Department of Biology, Brandon University, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Bryan J. Cassone
- Department of Biology, Brandon University, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada
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2
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Nag DK, Efner KJ. Transovarial Transmission of Cell-Fusing Agent Virus in Naturally Infected Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes. Viruses 2024; 16:1116. [PMID: 39066278 PMCID: PMC11281400 DOI: 10.3390/v16071116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne arboviruses include several pathogens that are responsible for many diseases of significant public health burden. Mosquitoes also host many insect-specific viruses that cannot replicate in vertebrate cells. These insect-specific viruses persist in nature predominantly via vertical transmission (VT), and they exhibit high VT rates (VTRs). Cell-fusing agent virus (CFAV), an insect-specific orthoflavivirus, shows high VTRs in naturally infected mosquitoes but not in artificially infected mosquitoes. To determine whether the high VTRs are due to transovarial transmission, we investigated VT and ovary infection patterns in naturally CFAV-infected Aedes aegypti (Bangkok) mosquitoes. VT was monitored by detecting CFAV among the progeny by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and ovary infection was determined by in situ hybridization using a virus-specific probe. We showed that in CFAV-positive mosquitoes, ovarian follicles were infected, suggesting that VT occurs by transovarial transmission in naturally infected mosquitoes. Additionally, mosquitoes harbored dormant, non-replicative CFAV that remained below the detection level. These results suggested that CFAV persists via VT in nature and has the potential to remain dormant in diapausing mosquitoes during unfavorable conditions. Understanding this VT mechanism is crucial for comprehending the persistence of insect-specific viruses (and potentially dual-host arboviruses) in their natural environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilip K. Nag
- Griffin Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Slingerlands, NY 12159, USA;
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3
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Nag DK, Efner K. Cell fusing agent virus rarely transmits vertically in artificially infected laboratory-colonized Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:177. [PMID: 38575981 PMCID: PMC10996217 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06232-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vertical transmission (VT) of arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses) can serve as an essential link in the transmission cycle during adverse environmental conditions. The extent of VT among mosquito-borne arboviruses can vary significantly among different virus families and even among different viruses within the same genus. For example, orthobunyaviruses exhibit a higher VT rate than orthoflaviviruses and alphaviruses. Mosquitoes are also the natural hosts of a large number of insect-specific viruses (ISV) that belong to several virus families, including Bunyaviridae, Flaviviridae, and Togaviridae. Cell fusing agent virus (CFAV), an insect-specific orthoflavivirus, displays higher VT rates than other dual-host orthoflaviviruses, such as Zika and dengue viruses. High VT rates require establishment of stabilized infections in the germinal tissues of female vectors. To delve deeper into understanding the mechanisms governing these differences in VT rates and the establishment of stabilized infections, the ovary infection patterns and VT of Zika virus (ZIKV) and CFAV were compared. METHODS Laboratory colonized Aedes aegypti females were infected with either ZIKV or CFAV by intrathoracic injection. Ovary infection patterns were monitored by in situ hybridization using virus-specific probes, and VT was determined by detecting the presence of the virus among the progeny, using a reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. RESULTS Both ZIKV and CFAV infect mosquito ovaries after intrathoracic injection. Infections then become widespread following a non-infectious blood meal. VT rates of ZIKV are similar to previously reported results (3.33%). CFAV, on the contrary transmits vertically very rarely. VT was not observed in the first gonotrophic cycle following intrathoracic injection, and only rarely in the second gonotrophic cycle. VT of CFAV is mosquito population independent, since similar results were obtained with Aedes aegypti collected from two different geographic locations. CONCLUSIONS Although CFAV infects mosquito ovaries, the occurrence of VT remains infrequent in artificially infected Ae. aegypti, despite the observation of high VT rates in field-collected mosquitoes. These results suggest that infections of insect-specific viruses are stabilized in mosquitoes by some as yet unidentified mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilip K Nag
- Arbovirus Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 5668 State Farm Road, Slingerlands, NY, 12159, USA.
| | - Kathryn Efner
- Arbovirus Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 5668 State Farm Road, Slingerlands, NY, 12159, USA
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4
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Suzuki Y, Suzuki T, Miura F, Reyes JIL, Asin ICA, Mitsunari W, Uddin MM, Sekii Y, Watanabe K. No detectable fitness cost of infection by cell-fusing agent virus in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:231373. [PMID: 38204783 PMCID: PMC10776230 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.231373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Aedes mosquitoes are well-known vectors of arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses). Mosquitoes are more frequently infected with insect-specific viruses (ISVs) that cannot infect vertebrates. Some ISVs interfere with arbovirus replication in mosquito vectors, which has gained attention for potential use against arbovirus transmission. Cell-fusing agent virus (CFAV), a widespread ISV, can reduce arbovirus dissemination in Ae. aegypti. However, vectorial capacity is largely governed by other parameters than pathogen load, including mosquito survival and biting behaviour. Understanding how ISVs impact these mosquito fitness-related traits is critical to assess the potential risk of using ISVs as biological agents. Here, we examined the effects of CFAV infection on Ae. aegypti mosquito fitness. We found no significant reduction in mosquito survival, blood-feeding behaviour and reproduction, suggesting that Ae. aegypti is tolerant to CFAV. The only detectable effect was a slight increase in human attraction of CFAV-infected females in one out of eight trials. Viral tolerance is beneficial for introducing CFAV into natural mosquito populations, whereas the potential increase in biting activity must be further investigated. Our results provide the first insight into the link between ISVs and Aedes mosquito fitness and highlight the importance of considering all aspects of vectorial capacity for arbovirus control using ISVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasutsugu Suzuki
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, Bunkyo-cho 3, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
| | - Takahiro Suzuki
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, Bunkyo-cho 3, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ehime University, Bunkyo-cho 3, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
| | - Fuminari Miura
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, Bunkyo-cho 3, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Jerica Isabel L. Reyes
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, Bunkyo-cho 3, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ehime University, Bunkyo-cho 3, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
| | - Irish Coleen A. Asin
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, Bunkyo-cho 3, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ehime University, Bunkyo-cho 3, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
| | - Wataru Mitsunari
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, Bunkyo-cho 3, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
- Faculty of Engineering, Ehime University, Bunkyo-cho 3, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
| | - Mohammad Mosleh Uddin
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, Bunkyo-cho 3, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ehime University, Bunkyo-cho 3, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB), Faculty of Life Science, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University (MBSTU), Santosh, Tangail, Bangladesh
| | - Yu Sekii
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, Bunkyo-cho 3, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
| | - Kozo Watanabe
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, Bunkyo-cho 3, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
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Hollingsworth BD, Grubaugh ND, Lazzaro BP, Murdock CC. Leveraging insect-specific viruses to elucidate mosquito population structure and dynamics. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011588. [PMID: 37651317 PMCID: PMC10470969 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Several aspects of mosquito ecology that are important for vectored disease transmission and control have been difficult to measure at epidemiologically important scales in the field. In particular, the ability to describe mosquito population structure and movement rates has been hindered by difficulty in quantifying fine-scale genetic variation among populations. The mosquito virome represents a possible avenue for quantifying population structure and movement rates across multiple spatial scales. Mosquito viromes contain a diversity of viruses, including several insect-specific viruses (ISVs) and "core" viruses that have high prevalence across populations. To date, virome studies have focused on viral discovery and have only recently begun examining viral ecology. While nonpathogenic ISVs may be of little public health relevance themselves, they provide a possible route for quantifying mosquito population structure and dynamics. For example, vertically transmitted viruses could behave as a rapidly evolving extension of the host's genome. It should be possible to apply established analytical methods to appropriate viral phylogenies and incidence data to generate novel approaches for estimating mosquito population structure and dispersal over epidemiologically relevant timescales. By studying the virome through the lens of spatial and genomic epidemiology, it may be possible to investigate otherwise cryptic aspects of mosquito ecology. A better understanding of mosquito population structure and dynamics are key for understanding mosquito-borne disease ecology and methods based on ISVs could provide a powerful tool for informing mosquito control programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon D Hollingsworth
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- Cornell Institute for Host Microbe Interaction and Disease, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Nathan D Grubaugh
- Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Brian P Lazzaro
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- Cornell Institute for Host Microbe Interaction and Disease, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Courtney C Murdock
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- Cornell Institute for Host Microbe Interaction and Disease, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-borne Diseases, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
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Joseph RE, Urakova N, Werling KL, Metz HC, Montanari K, Rasgon JL. Culex tarsalis Is a Competent Host of the Insect-Specific Alphavirus Eilat Virus (EILV). J Virol 2023; 97:e0196022. [PMID: 37098948 PMCID: PMC10231209 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01960-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Eilat virus (EILV) is an insect-specific alphavirus that has the potential to be developed into a tool to combat mosquito-borne pathogens. However, its mosquito host range and transmission routes are not well understood. Here, we fill this gap by investigating EILV's host competence and tissue tropism in five mosquito species: Aedes aegypti, Culex tarsalis, Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles stephensi, and Anopheles albimanus. Of the tested species, C. tarsalis was the most competent host for EILV. The virus was found in C. tarsalis ovaries, but no vertical or venereal transmission was observed. Culex tarsalis also transmitted EILV via saliva, suggesting the potential for horizontal transmission between an unknown vertebrate or invertebrate host. We found that reptile (turtle and snake) cell lines were not competent for EILV infection. We tested a potential invertebrate host (Manduca sexta caterpillars) but found they were not susceptible to EILV infection. Together, our results suggest that EILV could be developed as a tool to target pathogenic viruses that use Culex tarsalis as a vector. Our work sheds light on the infection and transmission dynamics of a poorly understood insect-specific virus and reveals it may infect a broader range of mosquito species than previously recognized. IMPORTANCE The recent discovery of insect-specific alphaviruses presents opportunities both to study the biology of virus host range and to develop them into tools against pathogenic arboviruses. Here, we characterize the host range and transmission of Eilat virus in five mosquito species. We find that Culex tarsalis-a vector of harmful human pathogens, including West Nile virus-is a competent host of Eilat virus. However, how this virus is transmitted between mosquitoes remains unclear. We find that Eilat virus infects the tissues necessary for both vertical and horizontal transmission-a crucial step in discerning how Eilat virus maintains itself in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renuka E. Joseph
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nadya Urakova
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kristine L. Werling
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hillery C. Metz
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kaylee Montanari
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jason L. Rasgon
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
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Joseph RE, Bozic J, Werling KL, Urakova N, Rasgon JL. Eilat virus (EILV) causes superinfection exclusion against West NILE virus (WNV) in a strain specific manner in Culex tarsalis mosquitoes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.25.542294. [PMID: 37292979 PMCID: PMC10245884 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.25.542294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne illness in the United States. There are currently no human vaccines or therapies available for WNV, and vector control is the primary strategy used to control WNV transmission. The WNV vector Culex tarsalis is also a competent host for the insect-specific virus (ISV) Eilat virus (EILV). ISVs such as EILV can interact with and cause superinfection exclusion (SIE) against human pathogenic viruses in their shared mosquito host, altering vector competence for these pathogenic viruses. The ability to cause SIE and their host restriction make ISVs a potentially safe tool to target mosquito-borne pathogenic viruses. In the present study, we tested whether EILV causes SIE against WNV in mosquito C6/36 cells and Culex tarsalis mosquitoes. The titers of both WNV strains-WN02-1956 and NY99-were suppressed by EILV in C6/36 cells as early as 48-72 h post superinfection at both multiplicity of infections (MOIs) tested in our study. The titers of WN02-1956 at both MOIs remained suppressed in C6/36 cells, whereas those of NY99 showed some recovery towards the final timepoint. The mechanism of SIE remains unknown, but EILV was found to interfere with NY99 attachment in C6/36 cells, potentially contributing to the suppression of NY99 titers. However, EILV had no effect on the attachment of WN02-1956 or internalization of either WNV strain under superinfection conditions. In Cx. tarsalis, EILV did not affect the infection rate of either WNV strain at either timepoint. However, in mosquitoes, EILV enhanced NY99 infection titers at 3 days post superinfection, but this effect disappeared at 7 days post superinfection. In contrast, WN02-1956 infection titers were suppressed by EILV at 7 days post-superinfection. The dissemination and transmission of both WNV strains were not affected by superinfection with EILV at either timepoint. Overall, EILV caused SIE against both WNV strains in C6/36 cells; however, in Cx. tarsalis, SIE caused by EILV was strain specific potentially owing to differences in the rate of depletion of shared resources by the individual WNV strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renuka E. Joseph
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Jovana Bozic
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Kristine L. Werling
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
- Current affiliation: Sherlock Biosciences, Watertown, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Nadya Urakova
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
- Current affiliation: Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jason L. Rasgon
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
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Jagtap SV, Brink J, Frank SC, Badusche M, Leggewie M, Sreenu VB, Fuss J, Schnettler E, Altinli M. Agua Salud Alphavirus Infection, Dissemination and Transmission in Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes. Viruses 2023; 15:1113. [PMID: 37243199 PMCID: PMC10223791 DOI: 10.3390/v15051113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquitoes are competent vectors for many important arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses). In addition to arboviruses, insect-specific viruses (ISV) have also been discovered in mosquitoes. ISVs are viruses that replicate in insect hosts but are unable to infect and replicate in vertebrates. They have been shown to interfere with arbovirus replication in some cases. Despite the increase in studies on ISV-arbovirus interactions, ISV interactions with their hosts and how they are maintained in nature are still not well understood. In the present study, we investigated the infection and dissemination of the Agua Salud alphavirus (ASALV) in the important mosquito vector Aedes aegypti through different infection routes (per oral infection, intrathoracic injection) and its transmission. We show here that ASALV infects the female Ae. aegypti and replicates when mosquitoes are infected intrathoracically or orally. ASALV disseminated to different tissues, including the midgut, salivary glands and ovaries. However, we observed a higher virus load in the brain than in the salivary glands and carcasses, suggesting a tropism towards brain tissues. Our results show that ASALV is transmitted horizontally during adult and larval stages, although we did not observe vertical transmission. Understanding ISV infection and dissemination dynamics in Ae. aegypti and their transmission routes could help the use of ISVs as an arbovirus control strategy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati V. Jagtap
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (S.V.J.)
- German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jorn Brink
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (S.V.J.)
| | - Svea C. Frank
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (S.V.J.)
| | - Marlis Badusche
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (S.V.J.)
| | - Mayke Leggewie
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (S.V.J.)
| | | | - Janina Fuss
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology (IKMB), Kiel University, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Esther Schnettler
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (S.V.J.)
- German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, University Hamburg, 20148 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mine Altinli
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (S.V.J.)
- German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
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Heinig-Hartberger M, Hellhammer F, Zöller DDJA, Dornbusch S, Bergmann S, Vocadlova K, Junglen S, Stern M, Lee KZ, Becker SC. Culex Y Virus: A Native Virus of Culex Species Characterized In Vivo. Viruses 2023; 15:235. [PMID: 36680275 PMCID: PMC9863036 DOI: 10.3390/v15010235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquitoes are vectors of various pathogens that cause diseases in humans and animals. To prevent the outbreak of mosquito-borne diseases, it is essential to control vector populations, as treatment or vaccination for mosquito-borne diseases are often unavailable. Insect-specific viruses (ISVs) have previously been described as being potentially helpful against arboviral disease outbreaks. In this study, we present the first in vivo characterization of the ISV Culex Y virus (CYV). CYV was first isolated from free-living Culex pipiens mosquitoes in 2010; then, it was found in several mosquito cell lines in a further study in 2018. For mammalian cells, we were able to confirm that CYV does not replicate as it was previously described. Additionally, we found that CYV does not replicate in honey bees or locusts. However, we detected replication in the Culex pipiens biotype molestus, Aedes albopictus, and Drosophila melanogaster, thus indicating dipteran specificity. We detected significantly higher mortality in Culex pipiens biotype molestus males and Drosophila melanogaster, but not in Aedes albopictus and female Culex pipiens biotype molestus. CYV could not be transmitted transovarially to offspring, but we detected venereal transmission as well as CYV in mosquitos' saliva, indicating that an oral route of infection would also be possible. CYV's dipteran specificity, transmission routes, and killing effect with respect to Culex males may be used as powerful tools with which to destabilize arbovirus vector populations in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mareike Heinig-Hartberger
- Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Fanny Hellhammer
- Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - David D. J. A. Zöller
- Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Susann Dornbusch
- Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Stella Bergmann
- Institute for Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
| | - Katerina Vocadlova
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Sandra Junglen
- Institute of Virology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Free University Berlin, Humboldt-University Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Chariteplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Stern
- Institute for Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
| | - Kwang-Zin Lee
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Stefanie C. Becker
- Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
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10
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Vertical and Horizontal Transmission of Cell Fusing Agent Virus in Aedes aegypti. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0106222. [PMID: 36036577 PMCID: PMC9499017 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01062-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell fusing agent virus (CFAV) is an insect-specific flavivirus (ISF) found in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. ISFs have demonstrated the ability to modulate the infection or transmission of arboviruses such as dengue, West Nile, and Zika viruses. It is thought that vertical transmission is the main route for ISF maintenance in nature. This has been observed with CFAV, but there is evidence of horizontal and venereal transmission in other ISFs. Understanding the route of transmission can inform strategies to spread ISFs to vector populations as a method of controlling pathogenic arboviruses. We crossed individually reared male and female mosquitoes from both a naturally occurring CFAV-positive Ae. aegypti colony and its negative counterpart to provide information on maternal, paternal, and horizontal transmission. RT-PCR was used to detect CFAV in individual female pupal exuviae and was 89% sensitive, but only 42% in male pupal exuviae. This is a possible way to screen individuals for infection without destroying the adults. Female-to-male horizontal transmission was not observed during this study. However, there was a 31% transmission rate from mating pairs of CFAV-positive males to negative female mosquitoes. Maternal vertical transmission was observed with a filial infection rate of 93%. The rate of paternal transmission was 85% when the female remained negative, 61% when the female acquired CFAV horizontally, and 76% overall. Maternal and paternal transmission of CFAV could allow the introduction of this virus into wild Ae. aegypti populations through male or female mosquito releases, and thus provides a potential strategy for ISF-derived arbovirus control. IMPORTANCE Insect-specific flaviviruses (ISFs), are a group of nonpathogenic flaviviruses that only infect insects. ISFs can have a high prevalence in mosquito populations, but their transmission routes are not well understood. The results of this study confirm maternal transmission of cell fusing agent virus (CFAV) and demonstrate that paternal transmission is also highly efficient. Horizontal transmission of CFAV was also observed, aided by evaluation of the pupal infection status before mating with an infected individual. This technique of detecting infection in discarded pupae exuviae has not been evaluated previously and will be a useful tool for others in the field of studying viral transmission in mosquitoes. Identifying these routes of transmission provides information about how CFAV could be maintained in wild populations of mosquitoes and can aid future studies focusing on interactions of CFAV with their hosts and other viruses that infect mosquitoes.
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Kaavya K, Tharakan J, Joshi CO, Aneesh EM. Role of vertically transmitted viral and bacterial endosymbionts of Aedes mosquitoes. Does Paratransgenesis influence vector-borne disease control? Symbiosis 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s13199-022-00836-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Peinado SA, Aliota MT, Blitvich BJ, Bartholomay LC. Biology and Transmission Dynamics of Aedes flavivirus. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 59:659-666. [PMID: 35064663 PMCID: PMC8924967 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes transmit pathogenic arthropod-borne viruses, including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses, with significant global health consequences. Both Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti also are susceptible to Aedes flavivirus (AEFV), an insect-specific flavivirus (ISF) first isolated in Japan from Ae. albopictus and Ae. flavopictus. ISFs infect only insect hosts and evidence suggests that they are maintained by vertical transmission. In some cases, ISFs interfere with pathogenic flavivirus infection, and may have potential use in disease control. We explored the host range of AEFV in 4 genera of mosquitoes after intrathoracic injection and observed greater than 95% prevalence in the species of Aedes and Toxorhynchites tested. Anopheles and Culex species were less permissive to infection. Vertical transmission studies revealed 100% transovarial transmission and a filial infection rate of 100% for AEFV in a persistently-infected colony of Ae. albopictus. Horizontal transmission potential was assessed for adult and larval mosquitoes following per os exposures and in venereal transmission experiments. No mosquitoes tested positive for AEFV infection after blood feeding, and infection with AEFV after sucrose feeding was rare. Similarly, 2% of adult mosquitoes tested positive for AEFV after feeding on infected cells in culture as larvae. Venereal transmission of AEFV was most frequently observed from infected males to uninfected females as compared with transmission from infected females to uninfected males. These results reveal new information on the infection potential of AEFV in mosquitoes and expand our understanding of both vertical and horizontal transmission of ISFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A Peinado
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Matthew T Aliota
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN, USA
| | - Bradley J Blitvich
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Lyric C Bartholomay
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Corresponding author, e-mail:
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Transcriptome Analysis of an Aedes albopictus Cell Line Single- and Dual-Infected with Lammi Virus and WNV. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020875. [PMID: 35055061 PMCID: PMC8777793 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020875] [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: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the flavivirus infection process in mosquito hosts is important and fundamental in the search for novel control strategies that target the mosquitoes’ ability to carry and transmit pathogenic arboviruses. A group of viruses known as insect-specific viruses (ISVs) has been shown to interfere with the infection and replication of a secondary arbovirus infection in mosquitoes and mosquito-derived cell lines. However, the molecular mechanisms behind this interference are unknown. Therefore, in the present study, we infected the Aedes albopictus cell line U4.4 with either the West Nile virus (WNV), the insect-specific Lammi virus (LamV) or an infection scheme whereby cells were pre-infected with LamV 24 h prior to WNV challenge. The qPCR analysis showed that the dual-infected U4.4 cells had a reduced number of WNV RNA copies compared to WNV-only infected cells. The transcriptome profiles of the different infection groups showed a variety of genes with altered expression. WNV-infected cells had an up-regulation of a broad range of immune-related genes, while in LamV-infected cells, many genes related to stress, such as different heat-shock proteins, were up-regulated. The transcriptome profile of the dual-infected cells was a mix of up- and down-regulated genes triggered by both viruses. Furthermore, we observed an up-regulation of signal peptidase complex (SPC) proteins in all infection groups. These SPC proteins have shown importance for flavivirus assembly and secretion and could be potential targets for gene modification in strategies for the interruption of flavivirus transmission by mosquitoes.
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Vector Competence of the Invasive Mosquito Species Aedes koreicus for Arboviruses and Interference with a Novel Insect Specific Virus. Viruses 2021; 13:v13122507. [PMID: 34960776 PMCID: PMC8704790 DOI: 10.3390/v13122507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The global spread of invasive mosquito species increases arbovirus infections. In addition to the invasive species Aedes albopictus and Aedes japonicus, Aedes koreicus has spread within Central Europe. Extensive information on its vector competence is missing. Ae. koreicus from Germany were investigated for their vector competence for chikungunya virus (CHIKV), Zika virus (ZIKV) and West Nile virus (WNV). Experiments were performed under different climate conditions (27 ± 5 °C; 24 ± 5 °C) for fourteen days. Ae. koreicus had the potential to transmit CHIKV and ZIKV but not WNV. Transmission was exclusively observed at the higher temperature, and transmission efficiency was rather low, at 4.6% (CHIKV) or 4.7% (ZIKV). Using a whole virome analysis, a novel mosquito-associated virus, designated Wiesbaden virus (WBDV), was identified in Ae. koreicus. Linking the WBDV infection status of single specimens to their transmission capability for the arboviruses revealed no influence on ZIKV transmission. In contrast, a coinfection of WBDV and CHIKV likely has a boost effect on CHIKV transmission. Due to its current distribution, the risk of arbovirus transmission by Ae. koreicus in Europe is rather low but might gain importance, especially in regions with higher temperatures. The impact of WBDV on arbovirus transmission should be analyzed in more detail.
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15
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Öhlund P, Hayer J, Hesson JC, Blomström AL. Small RNA Response to Infection of the Insect-Specific Lammi Virus and Hanko Virus in an Aedes albopictus Cell Line. Viruses 2021; 13:v13112181. [PMID: 34834988 PMCID: PMC8620693 DOI: 10.3390/v13112181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated antiviral immunity is believed to be the primary defense against viral infection in mosquitoes. The production of virus-specific small RNA has been demonstrated in mosquitoes and mosquito-derived cell lines for viruses in all of the major arbovirus families. However, many if not all mosquitoes are infected with a group of viruses known as insect-specific viruses (ISVs), and little is known about the mosquito immune response to this group of viruses. Therefore, in this study, we sequenced small RNA from an Aedes albopictus-derived cell line infected with either Lammi virus (LamV) or Hanko virus (HakV). These viruses belong to two distinct phylogenetic groups of insect-specific flaviviruses (ISFVs). The results revealed that both viruses elicited a strong virus-derived small interfering RNA (vsiRNA) response that increased over time and that targeted the whole viral genome, with a few predominant hotspots observed. Furthermore, only the LamV-infected cells produced virus-derived Piwi-like RNAs (vpiRNAs); however, they were mainly derived from the antisense genome and did not show the typical ping-pong signatures. HakV, which is more distantly related to the dual-host flaviviruses than LamV, may lack certain unknown sequence elements or structures required for vpiRNA production. Our findings increase the understanding of mosquito innate immunity and ISFVs' effects on their host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pontus Öhlund
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7028, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +46-18-672-409
| | - Juliette Hayer
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU-Global Bioinformatics Centre, P.O. Box 7023, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Jenny C. Hesson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Zoonosis Science Center, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 582, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Anne-Lie Blomström
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7028, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden;
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16
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Altinli M, Schnettler E, Sicard M. Symbiotic Interactions Between Mosquitoes and Mosquito Viruses. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:694020. [PMID: 34527601 PMCID: PMC8435781 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.694020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquitoes not only transmit human and veterinary pathogens called arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses) but also harbor mosquito-associated insect-specific viruses (mosquito viruses) that cannot infect vertebrates. In the past, studies investigating mosquito viruses mainly focused on highly pathogenic interactions that were easier to detect than those without visible symptoms. However, the recent advances in viral metagenomics have highlighted the abundance and diversity of viruses which do not generate mass mortality in host populations. Over the last decade, this has facilitated the rapid growth of virus discovery in mosquitoes. The circumstances around the discovery of mosquito viruses greatly affected how they have been studied so far. While earlier research mainly focused on the pathogenesis caused by DNA and some double-stranded RNA viruses during larval stages, more recently discovered single-stranded RNA mosquito viruses were heavily studied for their putative interference with arboviruses in female adults. Thus, many aspects of mosquito virus interactions with their hosts and host-microbiota are still unknown. In this context, considering mosquito viruses as endosymbionts can help to identify novel research areas, in particular in relation to their long-term interactions with their hosts (e.g. relationships during all life stages, the stability of the associations at evolutionary scales, transmission routes and virulence evolution) and the possible context-dependent range of interactions (i.e. beneficial to antagonistic). Here, we review the symbiotic interactions of mosquito viruses considering different aspects of their ecology, such as transmission, host specificity, host immune system and interactions with other symbionts within the host cellular arena. Finally, we highlight related research gaps in mosquito virus research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mine Altinli
- Molecular Entomology, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
- ISEM, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, EPHE, Montpellier, France
| | - Esther Schnettler
- Molecular Entomology, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, University Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mathieu Sicard
- ISEM, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, EPHE, Montpellier, France
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17
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Interactions of the Insect-Specific Palm Creek Virus with Zika and Chikungunya Viruses in Aedes Mosquitoes. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9081652. [PMID: 34442731 PMCID: PMC8402152 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Palm Creek virus (PCV) is an insect-specific flavivirus that can interfere with the replication of mosquito-borne flaviviruses in Culex mosquitoes, thereby potentially reducing disease transmission. We examined whether PCV could interfere with arbovirus replication in Aedes (Ae.) aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes, major vectors for many prominent mosquito-borne viral diseases. We infected laboratory colonies of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus with PCV to evaluate infection dynamics. PCV infection was found to persist to at least 21 days post-infection and could be detected in the midguts and ovaries. We then assayed for PCV-arbovirus interference by orally challenging PCV-infected mosquitoes with Zika and chikungunya viruses. For both arboviruses, PCV infection had no effect on infection and transmission rates, indicating limited potential as a method of intervention for Aedes-transmitted arboviruses. We also explored the hypothesis that PCV-arbovirus interference is mediated by the small interfering RNA pathway in silico. Our findings indicate that RNA interference is unlikely to underlie the mechanism of arbovirus inhibition and emphasise the need for empirical examination of individual pairs of insect-specific viruses and arboviruses to fully understand their impact on arbovirus transmission.
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18
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Auguste AJ, Langsjoen RM, Porier DL, Erasmus JH, Bergren NA, Bolling BG, Luo H, Singh A, Guzman H, Popov VL, Travassos da Rosa APA, Wang T, Kang L, Allen IC, Carrington CVF, Tesh RB, Weaver SC. Isolation of a novel insect-specific flavivirus with immunomodulatory effects in vertebrate systems. Virology 2021; 562:50-62. [PMID: 34256244 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2021.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
We describe the isolation and characterization of a novel insect-specific flavivirus (ISFV), tentatively named Aripo virus (ARPV), that was isolated from Psorophora albipes mosquitoes collected in Trinidad. The ARPV genome was determined and phylogenetic analyses showed that it is a dual host associated ISFV, and clusters with the main mosquito-borne flaviviruses. ARPV antigen was significantly cross-reactive with Japanese encephalitis virus serogroup antisera, with significant cross-reactivity to Ilheus and West Nile virus (WNV). Results suggest that ARPV replication is limited to mosquitoes, as it did not replicate in the sandfly, culicoides or vertebrate cell lines tested. We also demonstrated that ARPV is endocytosed into vertebrate cells and is highly immunomodulatory, producing a robust innate immune response despite its inability to replicate in vertebrate systems. We show that prior infection or coinfection with ARPV limits WNV-induced disease in mouse models, likely the result of a robust ARPV-induced type I interferon response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert J Auguste
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA; Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
| | - Rose M Langsjoen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Danielle L Porier
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Jesse H Erasmus
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Nicholas A Bergren
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Bethany G Bolling
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Huanle Luo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Ankita Singh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Hilda Guzman
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Vsevolod L Popov
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | | | - Tian Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Lin Kang
- Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Monroe, LA, 71203, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
| | - Irving C Allen
- Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
| | - Christine V F Carrington
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Robert B Tesh
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Scott C Weaver
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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Nag DK, Payne AF, Dieme C, Ciota AT, Kramer LD. Zika virus infects Aedes aegypti ovaries. Virology 2021; 561:58-64. [PMID: 34147955 PMCID: PMC10117528 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2021.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pathogens are transmitted from one host to another either by vertical transmission (VT) or horizontal transmission (HT). Mosquito-borne arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses), including several clinically important viruses such as dengue, Zika, West Nile and chikungunya viruses persist in nature by both VT and HT. VT may also serve as an essential link in the transmission cycle during adverse environmental conditions. VT rates (VTRs) vary between virus families and even among viruses within the same genus. The mechanism behind these differences in VTRs among viruses is poorly understood. For efficient VT to occur, viruses must infect the mosquito germline. Here, we show that Zika virus infects mosquito ovaries and is transmitted vertically at a low rate. The infected progeny derive from mosquitoes with infected ovaries. The prevalence of ovary infection increases after a second non-infectious blood meal following an infectious blood meal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilip K Nag
- Arbovirus Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Slingerlands, NY 12159, USA.
| | - Anne F Payne
- Arbovirus Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Slingerlands, NY 12159, USA
| | - Constentin Dieme
- Arbovirus Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Slingerlands, NY 12159, USA
| | - Alexander T Ciota
- Arbovirus Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Slingerlands, NY 12159, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Laura D Kramer
- Arbovirus Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Slingerlands, NY 12159, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12208, USA
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20
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Nag DK, Dieme C, Lapierre P, Lasek-Nesselquist E, Kramer LD. RNA-Seq analysis of blood meal induced gene-expression changes in Aedes aegypti ovaries. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:396. [PMID: 34044772 PMCID: PMC8161926 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07551-z] [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: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transmission of pathogens by vector mosquitoes is intrinsically linked with mosquito’s reproductive strategy because anautogenous mosquitoes require vertebrate blood to develop a batch of eggs. Each cycle of egg maturation is tightly linked with the intake of a fresh blood meal for most species. Mosquitoes that acquire pathogens during the first blood feeding can transmit the pathogens to susceptible hosts during subsequent blood feeding and also vertically to the next generation via infected eggs. Large-scale gene-expression changes occur following each blood meal in various tissues, including ovaries. Here we analyzed mosquito ovary transcriptome following a blood meal at three different time points to investigate blood-meal induced changes in gene expression in mosquito ovaries. Results We collected ovaries from Aedes aegypti that received a sugar meal or a blood meal on days 3, 10 and 20 post blood meal for transcriptome analysis. Over 4000 genes responded differentially following ingestion of a blood meal on day 3, and 660 and 780 genes on days 10 and 20, respectively. Proteins encoded by differentially expressed genes (DEGs) on day 3 include odorant binding proteins (OBPs), defense-specific proteins, and cytochrome P450 detoxification enzymes. In addition, we identified 580 long non-coding RNAs that are differentially expressed at three time points. Gene ontology analysis indicated that genes involved in peptidase activity, oxidoreductase activity, extracellular space, and hydrolase activity, among others were enriched on day 3. Although most of the DEGs returned to the nonsignificant level compared to the sugar-fed mosquito ovaries following oviposition on days 10 and 20, there remained differences in the gene expression pattern in sugar-fed and blood-fed mosquitoes. Conclusions Enrichment of OBPs following blood meal ingestion suggests that these genes may have other functions besides being part of the olfactory system. The enrichment of immune-specific genes and cytochrome P450 genes indicates that ovaries become well prepared to protect their germ line from any pathogens that may accompany the blood meal or from environmental contamination during oviposition, and to deal with the detrimental effects of toxic metabolites. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-07551-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilip K Nag
- Arbovirus Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Slingerlands, NY, 12159, USA.
| | - Constentin Dieme
- Arbovirus Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Slingerlands, NY, 12159, USA
| | - Pascal Lapierre
- Bioinformatics Core, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Center for Medical Science, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Erica Lasek-Nesselquist
- Bioinformatics Core, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Center for Medical Science, Albany, NY, 12208, USA.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, School of Public Health, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Laura D Kramer
- Arbovirus Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Slingerlands, NY, 12159, USA.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, School of Public Health, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
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21
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Carvalho VL, Long MT. Insect-Specific Viruses: An overview and their relationship to arboviruses of concern to humans and animals. Virology 2021; 557:34-43. [PMID: 33631523 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2021.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The group of Insect-specific viruses (ISVs) includes viruses apparently restricted to insects based on their inability to replicate in the vertebrates. Increasing numbers of ISVs have been discovered and characterized representing a diverse number of viral families. However, most studies have focused on those ISVs belonging to the family Flaviviridae, which highlights the importance of ISV study from other viral families, which allow a better understanding for the mechanisms of transmission and evolution used for this diverse group of viruses. Some ISVs have shown the potential to modulate arboviruses replication and vector competence of mosquitoes. Based on this, ISVs may be used as an alternative tool for biological control, development of vaccines, and diagnostic platforms for arboviruses. In this review, we provide an update of the general characteristics of ISVs and their interaction with arboviruses that infect vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valéria L Carvalho
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1945 SW 16th Ave, Gainesville, FL, 32608, USA; Department of Arbovirology and Hemorrhagic Fevers, Evandro Chagas Institute, Ministry of Health, Rodovia BR-316, Km 7, S/n, Ananindeua, Para, 67030-000, Brazil.
| | - Maureen T Long
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1945 SW 16th Ave, Gainesville, FL, 32608, USA.
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22
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Sanisuriwong J, Yurayart N, Thontiravong A, Tiawsirisup S. Vector competence of Culex tritaeniorhynchus and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) for duck Tembusu virus transmission. Acta Trop 2021; 214:105785. [PMID: 33309596 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV), an emerging infectious disease in ducks, was detected in Culex (Cx.) tritaeniorhynchus mosquitoes collected from a duck farm; however, the exact role of mosquitoes in the ecology of DTMUV in Thailand remains unclear. Vector competence of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and Cx. quinquefasciatus was examined for DTMUV. Cx. tritaeniorhynchus mosquitoes were allowed to feed on four levels (102, 103, 104, and 105 TCID50/mL) of DTMUV, while Cx. quinquefasciatus were allowed to feed on two levels (104 and 105 TCID50/mL) of DTMUV. Infection rates in Cx. tritaeniorhynchus were 1.6, 10.2, 35.8, and 59.3% after feeding on 102, 103, 104, and 105 TCID50/mL of DTMUV, respectively, while dissemination and transmission were 20.3 and 16.9% after feeding on 105 TCID50/mL of DTMUV. Infection rates in Cx. quinquefasciatus were 2.5 and 2.3% after feeding on 104 and 105 TCID50/mL of DTMUV, respectively, with no virus dissemination and transmission found in all tested mosquitoes. Another study was conducted to examine the transovarial transmission of DTMUV in Cx. tritaeniorhynchus. Mosquitoes were allowed to feed on blood meal infected with 105 TCID50/mL of DTMUV. Each blood-fed mosquito was isolated and allowed to lay eggs. After oviparity, the mosquitoes were tested for DTMUV infection; 43 DTMUV infected and 37 non-infected female mosquitoes with eggs were included. A total of 182 F1 progeny from DTMUV infected mosquitoes and 145 F1 progeny from non-infected mosquitoes were tested for DTMUV but all were negative. Findings indicated the potential role of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the DTMUV transmission cycle in duck farms in Thailand. No transovarial transmission of DTMUV was found in Cx. tritaeniorhynchus.
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McLean BJ, Hall-Mendelin S, Webb CE, Bielefeldt-Ohmann H, Ritchie SA, Hobson-Peters J, Hall RA, van den Hurk AF. The Insect-Specific Parramatta River Virus Is Vertically Transmitted by Aedes vigilax Mosquitoes and Suppresses Replication of Pathogenic Flaviviruses In Vitro. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2020; 21:208-215. [PMID: 33325801 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2020.2692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect-specific flaviviruses (ISFs) have been isolated from a range of mosquito species from different parts of the world. These viruses replicate efficiently in mosquitoes but do not appear to replicate in vertebrates. There is increasing evidence that ISFs persist in nature through vertical transmission, and that they interfere with the replication and transmission of pathogenic flaviviruses in the mosquito host. A novel ISF species, Parramatta River virus (PaRV), was previously shown to occur at high rates in Aedes (Ae.) vigilax mosquitoes collected from Sydney, Australia. We investigated whether vertical transmission was the mechanism of viral persistence in Ae. vigilax populations and whether PaRV affected replication of the pathogenic flaviviruses, West Nile virus (WNV), and dengue virus type 3 (DENV-3) in cultured mosquito cells. Progeny reared from eggs obtained from field-collected infected females had infection rates as high as 142 and 85 per 1000 for females and males, respectively. In vitro experiments showed that replication of both WNV and DENV-3 was significantly suppressed in Aedes albopictus (C6/36) cells persistently infected with PaRV. Our studies with PaRV support the findings of previous investigations that ISFs persist in nature through vertical transmission and that ISFs can suppress the replication of pathogenic flaviviruses in coinfected mosquito cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breeanna J McLean
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Sonja Hall-Mendelin
- Public Health Virology, Forensic and Scientific Services, Department of Health, Queensland Government, Archerfield, Australia
| | - Cameron E Webb
- Marie Bashir Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Medical Entomology, New South Wales Health Pathology, Sydney, Australia.,The University of Sydney, and Medical Entomology, New South Wales Health Pathology, Sydney, Australia
| | - Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Scott A Ritchie
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| | - Jody Hobson-Peters
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Roy A Hall
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Andrew F van den Hurk
- Public Health Virology, Forensic and Scientific Services, Department of Health, Queensland Government, Archerfield, Australia
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24
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Genetic, Morphological and Antigenic Relationships between Mesonivirus Isolates from Australian Mosquitoes and Evidence for Their Horizontal Transmission. Viruses 2020; 12:v12101159. [PMID: 33066222 PMCID: PMC7602028 DOI: 10.3390/v12101159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Mesoniviridae are a newly assigned family of viruses in the order Nidovirales. Unlike other nidoviruses, which include the Coronaviridae, mesoniviruses are restricted to mosquito hosts and do not infect vertebrate cells. To date there is little information on the morphological and antigenic characteristics of this new group of viruses and a dearth of mesonivirus-specific research tools. In this study we determined the genetic relationships of recent Australian isolates of Alphamesonivirus 4 (Casuarina virus—CASV) and Alphamesonivirus 1 (Nam Dinh virus—NDiV), obtained from multiple mosquito species. Australian isolates of NDiV showed high-level similarity to the prototype NDiV isolate from Vietnam (99% nucleotide (nt) and amino acid (aa) identity). Isolates of CASV from Central Queensland were genetically very similar to the prototype virus from Darwin (95–96% nt and 91–92% aa identity). Electron microscopy studies demonstrated that virion diameter (≈80 nm) and spike length (≈10 nm) were similar for both viruses. Monoclonal antibodies specific to CASV and NDiV revealed a close antigenic relationship between the two viruses with 13/34 mAbs recognising both viruses. We also detected NDiV RNA on honey-soaked nucleic acid preservation cards fed on by wild mosquitoes supporting a possible mechanism of horizontal transmission between insects in nature.
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25
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Altinli M, Lequime S, Atyame C, Justy F, Weill M, Sicard M. Wolbachia modulates prevalence and viral load of Culex pipiens densoviruses in natural populations. Mol Ecol 2020; 29:4000-4013. [PMID: 32854141 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The inadequacy of standard mosquito control strategies calls for ecologically safe novel approaches, for example the use of biological agents such as the endosymbiotic α-proteobacteria Wolbachia or insect-specific viruses (ISVs). Understanding the ecological interactions between these "biocontrol endosymbionts" is thus a fundamental step. Wolbachia are transmitted vertically from mother to offspring and modify their hosts' phenotypes, including reproduction (e.g., cytoplasmic incompatibility) and survival (e.g., viral interference). In nature, Culex pipiens (sensu lato) mosquitoes are always found infected with genetically diverse Wolbachia called wPip that belong to five phylogenetic groups. In recent years, ISVs have also been discovered in these mosquito species, although their interactions with Wolbachia in nature are unknown. Here, we studied the interactions between a widely prevalent ISV, the Culex pipiens densovirus (CpDV, Densovirinae), and Wolbachia in northern Tunisian C. pipiens populations. We showed an influence of different Wolbachia groups on CpDV prevalence and a general positive correlation between Wolbachia and CpDV loads. By investigating the putative relationship between CpDV diversification and wPip groups in the different sites, we detected a signal linked to wPip groups in CpDV phylogeny in sites where all larvae were infected by the same wPip group. However, no such signal was detected where the wPip groups coexisted, suggesting CpDV horizontal transfer between hosts. Overall, our results provide good evidence for an ecological influence of Wolbachia on an ISV, CpDV, in natural populations and highlight the importance of integrating Wolbachia in our understanding of ISV ecology in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mine Altinli
- ISEM, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, EPHE, Montpellier, France.,Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.,German Centre for Infection research (DZIF), Partner site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Lequime
- Cluster of Microbial Ecology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Celestine Atyame
- Ile de La Réunion, Université de La Réunion, UMR PIMIT (Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical) CNRS 9192, INSERM U1187, IRD 249, Sainte-Clotilde, France
| | - Fabienne Justy
- ISEM, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, EPHE, Montpellier, France
| | - Mylene Weill
- ISEM, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, EPHE, Montpellier, France
| | - Mathieu Sicard
- ISEM, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, EPHE, Montpellier, France
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26
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Kubacki J, Flacio E, Qi W, Guidi V, Tonolla M, Fraefel C. Viral Metagenomic Analysis of Aedes albopictus Mosquitos from Southern Switzerland. Viruses 2020; 12:v12090929. [PMID: 32846980 PMCID: PMC7552062 DOI: 10.3390/v12090929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A metagenomic study was performed on 498 female and 40 male Aedes albopictus mosquitos collected in August and September 2019 in Ticino, a region in southern Switzerland, to address the question regarding the risk of the local transmission of zoonotic viruses. A total of 13 viruses from seven different virus families and several unclassified viral taxa were identified. Reads of insect-specific flaviviruses were present in all pools, and a complete genome of aedes flavivirus was assembled and phylogenetically analysed. The most abundant virus was Wenzhou sobemo-like virus, assembled from 1.3 × 105 to 3.6 × 106 reads in each pool. In a pool of male mosquitos, a complete genome of aedes Iflavi-like virus was detected and phylogenetically analysed. Most importantly, genomes of human pathogenic viruses were not found. This is the first study to determine the virome of Ae. albopictus from Switzerland and forms a baseline for future longitudinal investigations concerning the potential role of Ae. albopictus as a vector of clinically relevant viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Kubacki
- Institute of Virology, University of Zürich, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland
- Correspondence: (J.K.); (C.F.)
| | - Eleonora Flacio
- Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Department for Environment Constructions and Design, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, CH-6500 Manno, Switzerland; (E.F.); (V.G.); (M.T.)
| | - Weihong Qi
- Functional Genomics Center Zurich, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland;
| | - Valeria Guidi
- Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Department for Environment Constructions and Design, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, CH-6500 Manno, Switzerland; (E.F.); (V.G.); (M.T.)
| | - Mauro Tonolla
- Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Department for Environment Constructions and Design, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, CH-6500 Manno, Switzerland; (E.F.); (V.G.); (M.T.)
| | - Cornel Fraefel
- Institute of Virology, University of Zürich, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland
- Correspondence: (J.K.); (C.F.)
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27
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Patterson EI, Villinger J, Muthoni JN, Dobel-Ober L, Hughes GL. Exploiting insect-specific viruses as a novel strategy to control vector-borne disease. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2020; 39:50-56. [PMID: 32278312 PMCID: PMC7302987 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2020.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Novel insect-specific viruses (ISVs) are being discovered in many important vectors due to advances in sequencing technology and a growing awareness of the virome. Several in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that ISVs are capable of modulating pathogenic arboviruses. In addition, there is growing evidence that both vertical and horizonal transmission strategies maintain ISVs in vector populations. As such there is potential to exploit ISVs for stand-alone vector control strategies and deploying them in synergy with other symbiont control approaches such as Wolbachia-mediated control. However, before the applied potential can be realized, a greater understanding of their basic biology is required, including their species range, ability to be maintained and transmitted in native and non-native vector hosts, and the effect of infection on a range of pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward I Patterson
- Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Departments of Vector Biology and Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK.
| | - Jandouwe Villinger
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joseph N Muthoni
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lucien Dobel-Ober
- Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Departments of Vector Biology and Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Grant L Hughes
- Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Departments of Vector Biology and Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
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28
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Supriyono, Kuwata R, Torii S, Shimoda H, Ishijima K, Yonemitsu K, Minami S, Kuroda Y, Tatemoto K, Tran NTB, Takano A, Omatsu T, Mizutani T, Itokawa K, Isawa H, Sawabe K, Takasaki T, Yuliani DM, Abiyoga D, Hadi UK, Setiyono A, Hondo E, Agungpriyono S, Maeda K. Mosquito-borne viruses, insect-specific flaviviruses (family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus), Banna virus (family Reoviridae, genus Seadornavirus), Bogor virus (unassigned member of family Permutotetraviridae), and alphamesoniviruses 2 and 3 (family Mesoniviridae, genus Alphamesonivirus) isolated from Indonesian mosquitoes. J Vet Med Sci 2020; 82:1030-1041. [PMID: 32448813 PMCID: PMC7399325 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.20-0261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquitoes transmit many kinds of arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses), and numerous arboviral diseases have become serious problems in Indonesia. In this study, we conducted surveillance of mosquito-borne viruses at several sites in Indonesia during 2016-2018 for risk assessment of arbovirus infection and analysis of virus biodiversity in mosquito populations. We collected 10,015 mosquitoes comprising at least 11 species from 4 genera. Major collected mosquito species were Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes albopictus, Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Aedes aegypti, and Armigeres subalbatus. The collected mosquitoes were divided into 285 pools and used for virus isolation using two mammalian cell lines, Vero and BHK-21, and one mosquito cell line, C6/36. Seventy-two pools showed clear cytopathic effects only in C6/36 cells. Using RT-PCR and next-generation sequencing approaches, these isolates were identified as insect flaviviruses (family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus), Banna virus (family Reoviridae, genus Seadornavirus), new permutotetravirus (designed as Bogor virus) (family Permutotetraviridae, genus Alphapermutotetravirus), and alphamesoniviruses 2 and 3 (family Mesoniviridae, genus Alphamesonivirus). We believed that this large surveillance of mosquitoes and mosquito-borne viruses provides basic information for the prevention and control of emerging and re-emerging arboviral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supriyono
- Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Ryusei Kuwata
- Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Okayama University of Science, 1-3 Ikoino-oka, Imabari, Ehime 794-8555, Japan
| | - Shun Torii
- Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Shimoda
- Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Keita Ishijima
- Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Kenzo Yonemitsu
- Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Shohei Minami
- Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Yudai Kuroda
- Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Kango Tatemoto
- Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Ngo Thuy Bao Tran
- Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Ai Takano
- Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Omatsu
- Research and Education Center for Prevention of Global Infectious Diseases of Animals, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8508, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Mizutani
- Research and Education Center for Prevention of Global Infectious Diseases of Animals, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8508, Japan
| | - Kentaro Itokawa
- Pathogen Genomics Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Isawa
- Department of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Kyoko Sawabe
- Department of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Takasaki
- Kanagawa Prefectural Institute of Public Health, 1-3-1 Shimomachiya, Chigasaki, Kanagawa 253-0087, Japan
| | - Dewi Maria Yuliani
- Public Health Office of Tangerang District, Tigaraksa Subdistrict, Banten 15720, Indonesia
| | - Dimas Abiyoga
- Indonesian Research Center for Veterinary Sciences, Sesetan, Denpasar City, Bali 80223, Indonesia
| | - Upik Kesumawati Hadi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, IPB University, Kampus IPB Dramaga, Bogor 16680, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Agus Setiyono
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, IPB University, Kampus IPB Dramaga, Bogor 16680, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Eiichi Hondo
- Department of Biological Mechanisms and Function, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - Srihadi Agungpriyono
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, IPB University, Kampus IPB Dramaga, Bogor 16680, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Ken Maeda
- Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan.,Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
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29
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Martin E, Tang W, Briggs C, Hopson H, Juarez JG, Garcia-Luna SM, de Valdez MW, Badillo-Vargas IE, Borucki MK, Frank M, Hamer GL. Cell fusing agent virus (Flavivirus) infection in Aedes aegypti in Texas: seasonality, comparison by trap type, and individual viral loads. Arch Virol 2020; 165:1769-1776. [PMID: 32440701 PMCID: PMC7351801 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-020-04652-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
South Texas has experienced local transmission of Zika virus and of other mosquito-borne viruses such as chikungunya virus and dengue virus in the last decades. Using a mosquito surveillance program in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) and San Antonio, TX, from 2016 to 2018, we detected the presence of an insect-specific virus, cell fusing agent virus (CFAV), in the Aedes aegypti mosquito population. We tested 6,326 females and 1,249 males from the LRGV and 659 females from San Antonio for CFAV by RT-PCR using specific primers. Infection rates varied from 0 to 261 per 1,000 mosquitoes in the LRGV and 115 to 208 per 1,000 in San Antonio depending on the month of collection. Infection rates per 1,000 individuals appeared higher in females collected from BG Sentinel 2 traps compared to Autocidal Gravid Ovitraps, but the ratio of the percentage of infected pools did not differ by trap type. The natural viral load in individual males ranged from 1.25 x 102 to 5.50 x 106 RNA copies and in unfed females from 5.42 x 103 to 8.70 x 106 RNA copies. Gravid females were found to harbor fewer viral particles than males and unfed females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estelle Martin
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA. .,Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Wendy Tang
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Cierra Briggs
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Helena Hopson
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Jose G Juarez
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | | | - Megan Wise de Valdez
- Department of Science and Mathematics, Texas A&M University-San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Matthias Frank
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA
| | - Gabriel L Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
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30
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Differential Small RNA Responses against Co-Infecting Insect-Specific Viruses in Aedes albopictus Mosquitoes. Viruses 2020; 12:v12040468. [PMID: 32326240 PMCID: PMC7232154 DOI: 10.3390/v12040468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The mosquito antiviral response has mainly been studied in the context of arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) infection in female mosquitoes. However, in nature, both female and male mosquitoes are frequently infected with insect-specific viruses (ISVs). ISVs are capable of infecting the reproductive organs of both sexes and are primarily maintained by vertical transmission. Since the RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated antiviral response plays an important antiviral role in mosquitoes, ISVs constitute a relevant model to study sex-dependent antiviral responses. Using a naturally generated viral stock containing three distinct ISVs, Aedes flavivirus (AEFV), Menghai rhabdovirus (MERV), and Shinobi tetra virus (SHTV), we infected adult Aedes albopictus females and males and generated small RNA libraries from ovaries, testes, and the remainder of the body. Overall, both female and male mosquitoes showed unique small RNA profiles to each co-infecting ISV regardless of the sex or tissue tested. While all three ISVs generated virus-derived siRNAs, only MERV generated virus-derived piRNAs. We also studied the expression of PIWI genes in reproductive tissues and carcasses. In contrast to Piwi5-9, Piwi1-4 were abundantly expressed in ovaries and testes, suggesting that Piwi5-9 are involved in exogenous viral piRNA production. Together, our results show that ISV-infected Aedes albopictus produce viral small RNAs in a virus-specific manner and that male mosquitoes mount a similar small RNA-mediated antiviral response to that of females.
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31
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Birnberg L, Temmam S, Aranda C, Correa-Fiz F, Talavera S, Bigot T, Eloit M, Busquets N. Viromics on Honey-Baited FTA Cards as a New Tool for the Detection of Circulating Viruses in Mosquitoes. Viruses 2020; 12:E274. [PMID: 32121402 PMCID: PMC7150749 DOI: 10.3390/v12030274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are a major burden on public and animal health. Arthropod vectors, with mosquitoes being the main contributors of global disease, transmit more than 70% of the recognized EIDs. To assess new alternatives for arthropod-borne viral diseases surveillance, and for the detection of new viruses, honey-baited Flinders Technology Associates (FTA) cards were used as sugar bait in mosquito traps during entomological surveys at the Llobregat River Delta (Catalonia, Spain). Next generation sequencing (NGS) metagenomics analysis was applied on honey-baited FTA cards, which had been exposed to field-captured mosquitoes to characterize their associated virome. Arthropod- and plant-infecting viruses governed the virome profile on FTA cards. Twelve near-complete viral genomes were successfully obtained, suggesting good quality preservation of viral RNAs. Mosquito pools linked to the FTA cards were screened for the detection of mosquito-associated viruses by specific RT-PCRs to confirm the presence of these viruses. The circulation of viruses related to Alphamesonivirus, Quaranjavirus and unclassified Bunyavirales was detected in mosquitoes, and phylogenetic analyses revealed their similarities to viruses previously reported in other continents. To the best our knowledge, our findings constitute the first distribution record of these viruses in European mosquitoes and the first hint of insect-specific viruses in mosquitoes' saliva in field conditions, demonstrating the feasibility of this approach to monitor the transmissible fraction of the mosquitoes' virome. In conclusion, this pilot viromics study on honey-baited FTA cards was shown to be a valid approach for the detection of viruses circulating in mosquitoes, thereby setting up an alternative tool for arbovirus surveillance and control programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotty Birnberg
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Institut de recerca en Tecnologies Agroalimentaries (IRTA), 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (L.B.); (C.A.); (F.C.-F.); (S.T.)
| | - Sarah Temmam
- Institut Pasteur, Pathogen Discovery Laboratory, 75015 Paris, France; (S.T.); (T.B.); (M.E.)
| | - Carles Aranda
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Institut de recerca en Tecnologies Agroalimentaries (IRTA), 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (L.B.); (C.A.); (F.C.-F.); (S.T.)
- Servei de Control de Mosquits del Consell Comarcal del Baix Llobregat, 08820 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Florencia Correa-Fiz
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Institut de recerca en Tecnologies Agroalimentaries (IRTA), 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (L.B.); (C.A.); (F.C.-F.); (S.T.)
| | - Sandra Talavera
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Institut de recerca en Tecnologies Agroalimentaries (IRTA), 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (L.B.); (C.A.); (F.C.-F.); (S.T.)
| | - Thomas Bigot
- Institut Pasteur, Pathogen Discovery Laboratory, 75015 Paris, France; (S.T.); (T.B.); (M.E.)
- Institut Pasteur – Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Hub—Computational Biology department, Institut Pasteur, USR 3756 CNRS—75015 Paris, France
| | - Marc Eloit
- Institut Pasteur, Pathogen Discovery Laboratory, 75015 Paris, France; (S.T.); (T.B.); (M.E.)
- National Veterinary School of Alfort, Paris-Est University, 94704 CEDEX, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Núria Busquets
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Institut de recerca en Tecnologies Agroalimentaries (IRTA), 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (L.B.); (C.A.); (F.C.-F.); (S.T.)
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Gaye A, Diagne MM, Ndiaye EH, Dior Ndione MH, Faye M, Talla C, Fall G, Ba Y, Diallo D, Dia I, Handschumacher P, Faye O, Sall AA, Diallo M. Vector competence of anthropophilic mosquitoes for a new mesonivirus in Senegal. Emerg Microbes Infect 2020; 9:496-504. [PMID: 32106784 PMCID: PMC7054948 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2020.1730710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The mesoniviruses (MESOVs) belong to the newly described Mesoniviridae family (Order: Nidovirales). They have never been reported in Senegal until recently during a study in arbovirus emergence with the detection of a new species of MESOV named Dianke virus (DKV) from common mosquitoes from eastern Senegal. Actually, their vector competence for this newly described DKV is unknown. We, therefore, estimated the vector competence of Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti, and Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes collected in Senegal for DKV using oral infection. Whole bodies, legs/wings, and saliva samples were tested for DKV by RT–PCR to estimate infection, dissemination, and transmission rates. The infectivity of virus particles in the saliva was confirmed by infecting C6/36 cells. Virus transmission rates were up to 95.45% in Culex tritaeniorhynchus, 28% in Cx. quinquefasciatus and 9.09% in Aedes aegypti. Viral particles in the saliva were confirmed infectious by C6/36 cell culture. An. gambiae was able to disseminate DKV only at 20 days post-infection. This study shows that Culex mosquitoes are more competent than Ae. aegypti for DKV, while Anopheles gambiae is not likely a competent vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alioune Gaye
- Unité d'Entomologie Médicale, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Moussa Moïse Diagne
- Pole de virologie, Unité des Arbovirus et virus de Fièvres Hémorragiques, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - El Hadji Ndiaye
- Unité d'Entomologie Médicale, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Marie Henriette Dior Ndione
- Pole de virologie, Unité des Arbovirus et virus de Fièvres Hémorragiques, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Sénégal.,Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Martin Faye
- Pole de virologie, Unité des Arbovirus et virus de Fièvres Hémorragiques, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Cheikh Talla
- Epidemiology of infectious diseases unit, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Gamou Fall
- Pole de virologie, Unité des Arbovirus et virus de Fièvres Hémorragiques, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Yamar Ba
- Unité d'Entomologie Médicale, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Diawo Diallo
- Unité d'Entomologie Médicale, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Ibrahima Dia
- Unité d'Entomologie Médicale, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Pascal Handschumacher
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, UMR SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, Marseille, France
| | - Ousmane Faye
- Pole de virologie, Unité des Arbovirus et virus de Fièvres Hémorragiques, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Amadou Alpha Sall
- Pole de virologie, Unité des Arbovirus et virus de Fièvres Hémorragiques, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Mawlouth Diallo
- Unité d'Entomologie Médicale, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Sénégal
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Ramos-Nino ME, Fitzpatrick DM, Tighe S, Eckstrom KM, Hattaway LM, Hsueh AN, Stone DM, Dragon J, Cheetham S. High prevalence of Phasi Charoen-like virus from wild-caught Aedes aegypti in Grenada, W.I. as revealed by metagenomic analysis. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227998. [PMID: 32004323 PMCID: PMC6993974 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Arboviruses cause diseases of significant global health concerns. Interactions between mosquitoes and their microbiota as well as the important role of this interaction in the mosquito's capacity to harbor and transmit pathogens have emerged as important fields of research. Aedes aegypti is one of the most abundant mosquitoes in many geographic locations, a vector capable of transmitting a number of arboviruses such as dengue and Zika. Currently, there are few studies on the metavirome of this mosquito particularly in the Americas. This study analyzes the metavirome of A. aegypti from Grenada, a Caribbean nation with tropical weather, abundant A. aegypti, and both endemic and arboviral pathogens transmitted by this mosquito. Between January and December 2018, 1152 mosquitoes were collected from six semi-rural locations near houses in St. George Parish, Grenada, by weekly trapping using BG-Sentinel traps. From these, 300 A. aegypti were selected for analysis. The metavirome was analyzed using the Illumina HiSeq 1500 for deep sequencing. The generation sequencing library construction protocol used was NuGEN Universal RNA with an average read length of 125 bp. Reads were mapped to the A. aegypti assembly. Non-mosquito reads were analyzed using the tools FastViromeExplorer. The NCBI total virus, RNA virus, and eukaryotic virus databases were used as references. The metagenomic comparison analysis showed that the most abundant virus-related reads among all databases and assemblies was Phasi Charoen-like virus. The Phasi Charoen-like virus results are in agreement to other studies in America, Asia and Australia. Further studies using wild-caught mosquitoes is needed to assess the impact of this insect-specific virus on the A. aegypti lifecycle and vector capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria E. Ramos-Nino
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, St. George’s University, St. George's, Grenada, West Indies
| | - Daniel M. Fitzpatrick
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, St. George's, Grenada, West Indies
| | - Scott Tighe
- University of Vermont Massively Parallel Sequencing Facility, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Korin M. Eckstrom
- University of Vermont Massively Parallel Sequencing Facility, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Lindsey M. Hattaway
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, St. George's, Grenada, West Indies
| | - Andy N. Hsueh
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, St. George's, Grenada, West Indies
| | - Diana M. Stone
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, St. George's, Grenada, West Indies
| | - Julie Dragon
- University of Vermont Massively Parallel Sequencing Facility, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Sonia Cheetham
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, St. George's, Grenada, West Indies
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Blair CD. Deducing the Role of Virus Genome-Derived PIWI-Associated RNAs in the Mosquito-Arbovirus Arms Race. Front Genet 2019; 10:1114. [PMID: 31850054 PMCID: PMC6901949 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.01114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The P-element-induced wimpy testis (PIWI)-associated RNA (piRNA) pathway is known for its role in the protection of genome integrity in the germline of Drosophila melanogaster by silencing transposable elements. The piRNAs that target transposons originate from piRNA clusters in transposon-rich regions of the Drosophila genome and are processed by three PIWI family proteins. In Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which are two of the most important vectors of arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses), the number of PIWI family genes has expanded and some are expressed in somatic, as well as germline, tissues. These discoveries have led to active research to explore the possible expanded functional roles of the piRNA pathway in vector mosquitoes. Virus genome-derived piRNAs (which will be referred to as (virus name) vpiRNAs) have been demonstrated in Aedes spp. cultured cells and mosquitoes after infection by arthropod-borne alpha-, bunya-, and flaviviruses. However, although Culex quinquefasciatus also is an important arbovirus vector and has an expansion of PIWI family genes, vpiRNAs have seldom been documented in this genus after arbovirus infection. Generation of complementary DNA (cDNA) fragments from RNA genomes of alpha-, bunya-, and flaviviruses (viral-derived cDNAs, vDNAs) has been demonstrated in cultured Aedes spp. cells and mosquitoes, and endogenous viral elements (EVEs), cDNA fragments of non-retroviral RNA virus genomes, are found more abundantly in genomes of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus than other vector mosquitoes. These observations have led to speculation that vDNAs are integrated into vector genomes to form EVEs, which serve as templates for the transcription of antiviral vpiRNA precursors. However, no EVEs derived from alphavirus genomes have been demonstrated in genomes of any vector mosquito. In addition, although EVEs have been shown to be a source of piRNAs, the preponderance of EVEs described in Aedes spp. vectors are more closely related to the genomes of persistently infecting insect-specific viruses than to acutely infecting arboviruses. Furthermore, the signature patterns of the “ping-pong” amplification cycle that maintains transposon-targeting piRNAs in Drosophila are also evident in alphavirus and bunyavirus vpiRNAs, but not in vpiRNAs of flaviviruses. These divergent observations have rendered deciphering the mechanism(s) of biogenesis and potential role of vpiRNAs in the mosquito–arbovirus arms race difficult, and the focus of this review will be to assemble major findings regarding vpiRNAs and antiviral immunity in the important arbovirus vectors from Aedes and Culex genera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol D Blair
- Arthropod-borne and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
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Agboli E, Leggewie M, Altinli M, Schnettler E. Mosquito-Specific Viruses-Transmission and Interaction. Viruses 2019; 11:v11090873. [PMID: 31533367 PMCID: PMC6784079 DOI: 10.3390/v11090873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-specific viruses (MSVs) are a subset of insect-specific viruses that are found to infect mosquitoes or mosquito derived cells. There has been an increase in discoveries of novel MSVs in recent years. This has expanded our understanding of viral diversity and evolution but has also sparked questions concerning the transmission of these viruses and interactions with their hosts and its microbiome. In fact, there is already evidence that MSVs interact with the immune system of their host. This is especially interesting, since mosquitoes can be infected with both MSVs and arthropod-borne (arbo) viruses of public health concern. In this review, we give an update on the different MSVs discovered so far and describe current data on their transmission and interaction with the mosquito immune system as well as the effect MSVs could have on an arboviruses-co-infection. Lastly, we discuss potential uses of these viruses, including vector and transmission control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Agboli
- Molecular Entomology, 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.
| | - Mayke Leggewie
- Molecular Entomology, Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany.
- German Centre for Infection research (DZIF), partner site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, 20359 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Mine Altinli
- Molecular Entomology, Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany.
- German Centre for Infection research (DZIF), partner site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, 20359 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Esther Schnettler
- Molecular Entomology, Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany.
- German Centre for Infection research (DZIF), partner site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, 20359 Hamburg, Germany.
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A Nonstructural Protein Responsible for Viral Spread of a Novel Insect Reovirus Provides a Safe Channel for Biparental Virus Transmission to Progeny. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.00702-19. [PMID: 31092577 PMCID: PMC6639290 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00702-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, is an important pest in the worldwide citrus industry. It is the vector of “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus,” the bacterial pathogen of Huanglongbing, which is currently considered the most destructive disease of citrus worldwide. DcRV was previously identified based on metagenomics surveys for virus discovery. Here, we found that this novel and persistent insect reovirus took advantage of a virus-encoded nonstructural protein, P10, for efficient vertical transmission from parents to progeny. P10 assembled into a virion-packaging tubular structure and was associated with oocytes of female D. citri and sperm of males. Consistent with this, knockdown of P10 for either male or female D. citri insects inhibited DcRV transmission to offspring. This tubular strategy for viral spread and biparental transmission might serve as a target for controlling viral vertical transmission and population expansion. Diaphorina citri reovirus (DcRV) was previously identified based on metagenomics surveys for virus discovery. Here, we demonstrated that DcRV induces persistent infection in its psyllid host, Diaphorina citri. DcRV was efficiently vertically passed to offspring in a biparental manner. Transmission electron microscopic and immunological analyses showed that the DcRV-encoded nonstructural protein P10 assembled into a virion-packaging tubular structure which is associated with the spread of DcRV throughout the bodies of D. citri insects. P10 tubules containing virions were associated with oocytes of female and sperm of male D. citri insects, suggesting a role in the highly efficient biparental transmission of DcRV. Knocking down P10 by RNA interference for males reduced the percentage of DcRV-infected progeny and for females reduced the viral accumulation in progeny. These results, for the first time, show that a nonstructural protein of a novel insect reovirus provides a safe and pivotal channel for virus spread and biparental transmission to progeny. IMPORTANCE The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, is an important pest in the worldwide citrus industry. It is the vector of “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus,” the bacterial pathogen of Huanglongbing, which is currently considered the most destructive disease of citrus worldwide. DcRV was previously identified based on metagenomics surveys for virus discovery. Here, we found that this novel and persistent insect reovirus took advantage of a virus-encoded nonstructural protein, P10, for efficient vertical transmission from parents to progeny. P10 assembled into a virion-packaging tubular structure and was associated with oocytes of female D. citri and sperm of males. Consistent with this, knockdown of P10 for either male or female D. citri insects inhibited DcRV transmission to offspring. This tubular strategy for viral spread and biparental transmission might serve as a target for controlling viral vertical transmission and population expansion.
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Heu K, Gendrin M. [Mosquito microbiota and its influence on disease vectorial transmission]. Biol Aujourdhui 2019; 212:119-136. [PMID: 30973141 DOI: 10.1051/jbio/2019003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are found worldwide. Around 100 among 3500 mosquito species are known to be vectors of parasites and viruses, responsible for infectious diseases including malaria and dengue. Mosquitoes host diverse microbial communities that influence disease transmission, either by direct interference or via affecting host immunity and physiology. These microbial communities are present within diverse tissues, including the digestive tract, and vary depending on the sex of the mosquito, its developmental stage, and ecological factors. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the mosquito microbiota, defined as a community of commensal, symbiotic or pathogenic microbes harboured by a host. We first describe the current knowledge on the diversity of the microbiota, that includes bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses and on its modes of acquisition throughout the mosquito life cycle. We then focus on microbial interactions within the mosquito gut, which notably affect vector competence, and on host-microbe interactions affecting mosquito fitness. Finally, we discuss current or potential methods based on the use of microbes or microbial products to interfere with pathogen transmission or to reduce mosquito lifespan and reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katy Heu
- Groupe « Microbiote des Insectes Vecteurs », Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne, Guyane, France
| | - Mathilde Gendrin
- Groupe « Microbiote des Insectes Vecteurs », Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne, Guyane, France - Département « Parasites et Insectes Vecteurs », Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
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Experimental Infection of Sand Flies by Massilia Virus and Viral Transmission by Co-Feeding on Sugar Meal. Viruses 2019; 11:v11040332. [PMID: 30970559 PMCID: PMC6520868 DOI: 10.3390/v11040332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Massilia virus (MASV) is a phlebovirus isolated from Phlebotomus perniciosus in various regions of southwestern Europe. It is closely related to human pathogens such as Toscana virus and sandfly fever Naples virus. The natural cycle of phleboviruses is poorly understood. Indeed, experimental studies demonstrate that transovarial and sexual transmission are not efficient enough for the maintenance of the virus in nature and to date there is no convincing evidence that a species of vertebrates is the reservoir of the virus. Here, we studied various transmission routes of MASV taking advantage of experimental colonies representing different species of sand flies. Methodology/Principal findings: In P. perniciosus, four sources of infection were compared: (i) Virus-seeded larval food to the first instar larvae (L1), or (ii) to the fourth instar larvae (L4), (iii) virus-seeded blood meal to adult females, and (iv) virus-seeded sugar meal to adults of both sexes. From 875 adults emerged from infected L1 and L4, only three were positive. In females infected by bloodmeal the infection rate was high before defecation, then it decreased drastically; MASV RNA was detected in only 5 out of 27 post-defecation. Surprisingly, the most efficient route of infection was observed after intake of virus-seeded sugar meal: 72% of females (79/110) and 52% of males (51/99) were found to be MASV RNA-positive. In addition, MASV-infected sandflies regurgitated virus particules into the sugar drop and MASV RNA was detectable in this drop for at least 24 h after regurgitation. MASV RNA was detected in about one third of the P. perniciosus exposed to this sugar drop contaminated by regurgitation. Sugar meal infection was also tested with six other species of sand flies. In males, there were no significant differences in infection rates when compared to P. perniciosus. In females, most species tested showed high infection rate at the beginning but then significant gradual decrease in infection rate during the experiment. Conclusions/Significance: We present the first description of arboviral infection of a dipteran vector using sugar meal. In all seven sand fly species tested, MASV was detected for two weeks post-infection. Our results showed that MASV can be transmitted between P. perniciosus either through co-feeding or via an infected sugar source such as plant sap. These newly described routes of horizontal transmission may play an important role in the circulation of phleboviruses in nature.
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Tangudu CS, Charles J, Hurt SL, Dunphy BM, Smith RC, Bartholomay LC, Blitvich BJ. Skunk River virus, a novel orbivirus isolated from Aedes trivittatus in the United States. J Gen Virol 2019; 100:295-300. [DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chandra S. Tangudu
- 1Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Jermilia Charles
- 1Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Stefanie L. Hurt
- 1Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Brendan M. Dunphy
- 2Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Ryan C. Smith
- 2Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Lyric C. Bartholomay
- 2Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
- 3Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Bradley J. Blitvich
- 1Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
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Öhlund P, Lundén H, Blomström AL. Insect-specific virus evolution and potential effects on vector competence. Virus Genes 2019; 55:127-137. [PMID: 30632016 PMCID: PMC6458977 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-018-01629-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The advancement in high-throughput sequencing technology and bioinformatics tools has spurred a new age of viral discovery. Arthropods is the largest group of animals and has shown to be a major reservoir of different viruses, including a group known as insect-specific viruses (ISVs). The majority of known ISVs have been isolated from mosquitoes and shown to belong to viral families associated with animal arbovirus pathogens, such as Flaviviridae, Togaviridae and Phenuiviridae. These insect-specific viruses have a strict tropism and are unable to replicate in vertebrate cells, these properties are interesting for many reasons. One is that these viruses could potentially be utilised as biocontrol agents using a similar strategy as for Wolbachia. Mosquitoes infected with the viral agent could have inferior vectorial capacity of arboviruses resulting in a decrease of circulating arboviruses of public health importance. Moreover, insect-specific viruses are thought to be ancestral to arboviruses and could be used to study the evolution of the switch from single-host to dual-host. In this review, we discuss new discoveries and hypothesis in the field of arboviruses and insect-specific viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pontus Öhlund
- Section of Virology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7028, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hanna Lundén
- Section of Virology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7028, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anne-Lie Blomström
- Section of Virology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7028, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Romo H, Kenney JL, Blitvich BJ, Brault AC. Restriction of Zika virus infection and transmission in Aedes aegypti mediated by an insect-specific flavivirus. Emerg Microbes Infect 2018; 7:181. [PMID: 30429457 PMCID: PMC6235874 DOI: 10.1038/s41426-018-0180-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies demonstrated an insect-specific flavivirus, Nhumirim virus (NHUV), can suppress growth of West Nile virus (WNV) and decrease transmission rates in NHUV/WNV co-inoculated Culex quinquefasciatus. To assess whether NHUV might interfere with transmission of other medically important flaviviruses, the ability of NHUV to suppress viral growth of Zika virus (ZIKV) and dengue-2 virus (DENV-2) was assessed in Aedes albopictus cells. Significant reductions in ZIKV (100,000-fold) and DENV-2 (10,000-fold) were observed in either cells concurrently inoculated with NHUV or pre-inoculated with NHUV. In contrast, only a transient 10-fold titer reduction was observed with an alphavirus, chikungunya virus. Additionally, restricted in vitro mosquito growth of ZIKV was associated with lowered levels of intracellular ZIKV RNA in NHUV co-inoculated cultures. To assess whether NHUV could modulate vector competence for ZIKV, NHUV-inoculated Aedes aegypti were orally exposed to ZIKV. NHUV-inoculated mosquitoes demonstrated significantly lower ZIKV infection rates (18%) compared to NHUV unexposed mosquitoes (51%) (p < 0.002). Similarly, lower ZIKV transmission rates were observed for NHUV/ZIKV dually intrathoracically inoculated mosquitoes (41%) compared to ZIKV only inoculated mosquitoes (78%) (p < 0.0001), suggesting that NHUV can interfere with both midgut infection and salivary gland infection of ZIKV in Ae. aegypti. These results indicate NHUV could be utilized to model superinfection exclusion mechanism(s) and to study the potential for the mosquito virome to impact transmission of medically important flaviviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Romo
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Joan L Kenney
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Bradley J Blitvich
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA
| | - Aaron C Brault
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA.
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Ajamma YU, Onchuru TO, Ouso DO, Omondi D, Masiga DK, Villinger J. Vertical transmission of naturally occurring Bunyamwera and insect-specific flavivirus infections in mosquitoes from islands and mainland shores of Lakes Victoria and Baringo in Kenya. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006949. [PMID: 30452443 PMCID: PMC6287884 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many arboviruses transmitted by mosquitoes have been implicated as causative agents of both human and animal illnesses in East Africa. Although epidemics of arboviral emerging infectious diseases have risen in frequency in recent years, the extent to which mosquitoes maintain pathogens in circulation during inter-epidemic periods is still poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate whether arboviruses may be maintained by vertical transmission via immature life stages of different mosquito vector species. METHODOLOGY We collected immature mosquitoes (egg, larva, pupa) on the shores and islands of Lake Baringo and Lake Victoria in western Kenya and reared them to adults. Mosquito pools (≤25 specimens/pool) of each species were screened for mosquito-borne viruses by high-resolution melting analysis and sequencing of multiplex PCR products of genus-specific primers (alphaviruses, flaviviruses, phleboviruses and Bunyamwera-group orthobunyaviruses). We further confirmed positive samples by culturing in baby hamster kidney and Aedes mosquito cell lines and re-sequencing. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Culex univittatus (2/31pools) and Anopheles gambiae (1/77 pools) from the Lake Victoria region were positive for Bunyamwera virus, a pathogenic virus that is of public health concern. In addition, Aedes aegypti (3/50), Aedes luteocephalus (3/13), Aedes spp. (2/15), and Culex pipiens (1/140) pools were positive for Aedes flaviviruses at Lake Victoria, whereas at Lake Baringo, three pools of An. gambiae mosquitoes were positive for Anopheles flavivirus. These insect-specific flaviviruses (ISFVs), which are presumably non-pathogenic to vertebrates, were found in known medically important arbovirus and malaria vectors. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that not only ISFVs, but also a pathogenic arbovirus, are naturally maintained within mosquito populations by vertical transmission, even in the absence of vertebrate hosts. Therefore, virus and vector surveillance, even during inter-epidemics, and the study of vector-arbovirus-ISFV interactions, may aid in identifying arbovirus transmission risks, with the potential to inform control strategies that lead to disease prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomas Ogao Onchuru
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Daniel O. Ouso
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - David Omondi
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Egerton University, Egerton, Kenya
| | - Daniel K. Masiga
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jandouwe Villinger
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
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Strand MR. Composition and functional roles of the gut microbiota in mosquitoes. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2018; 28:59-65. [PMID: 30551768 PMCID: PMC6296257 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2018.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 05/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
An estimated 3500 species of mosquitoes (family Culicidae) exist worldwide of which several are known vectors of pathogens that cause disease in humans and other vertebrates. Mosquitoes also host communities of microbes in their digestive tract that form a gut microbiota. Recent studies provide important insights on how mosquitoes acquire a gut microbiota and the community of microbes that are present. Results also indicate that the gut microbiota affects several aspects of mosquito biology. Altogether, these effects impact mosquito fitness with potential consequences for disease prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Strand
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States of America.
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Fang Y, Zhang Y, Zhou ZB, Shi WQ, Xia S, Li YY, Wu JT, Liu Q, Lin GY. Co-circulation of Aedes flavivirus, Culex flavivirus, and Quang Binh virus in Shanghai, China. Infect Dis Poverty 2018; 7:75. [PMID: 30021614 PMCID: PMC6052644 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-018-0457-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background With increases in global travel and trade, the spread of arboviruses is undoubtedly alarming. Pathogen detection in field-caught mosquitoes can provide the earliest possible warning of transmission. Insect-specific flavivirus (ISFV) has been first detected in 1991 and documented worldwide in the latest ten years. Although infection with ISFVs is apparently limited to insects, an increase in the infection rate of mosquito-borne flaviviruses may be able to induce cytopathic effects in vertebrate cells during co-infection with other human pathogens. However, little is known whether ISFVs persist in most regions of China. Methods During the mosquito activity season in 2016, a surveillance program was carried out to detect ISFVs in mosquitoes in metropolitan Shanghai, China. The presence of ISFVs was randomly tested in different species of mosquitoes using RT-PCR-based and hemi-nested PCR assays, following by the sequencing of PCR products. Sequences from positive pooled samples were compared with those deposited in GenBank. Thereafter, sequences of representative insect flaviviruses were used for further phylogenetic and molecular evolutionary analyses. Results Our investigations showed: (1) the presence of Aedes flavivirus (AEFV) in 11/161 pooled samples (nine pools in Songjiang District, one pool in Huangpu District, and one pool in Qingpu District) of Aedes albopictus, (2) the presence of Quang Binh virus (QBV) in 10/195 pooled samples (all in Chongming District) of Culex tritaeniorhynchus; and (3) the presence of Culex flavivirus (CxFV) in 9/228 pooled samples (six pools in Pudong New Area, two pools in Huangpu District, and one pool in Chongming District) of Cx. pipiens. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses of the gene sequences of envelope proteins indicated that Shanghai CxFV strains belonged to the Asia/USA genotype. The overall maximum likelihood estimation values (and 95% confidence interval) for CxFV, QBV, and AEFV in mosquitoes collected in Shanghai in 2016 were 1.34 (0.66–2.45), 1.65 (0.87–2.85), and 1.51 (0.77–2.70) per 1000, respectively. Conclusions This study reveals the presence and the geographical distribution of ISFVs, and determines the genetic variation and the infection rate of ISFVs in Shanghai, China. At least, three insect flaviviruses including ISFVs, AEFV, CxFV, and QBV, co-circulate in this area. To our knowledge, this is the first report of AEFV in China. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40249-018-0457-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Fang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, 207 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Zhang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, 207 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zheng-Bin Zhou
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, 207 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Qi Shi
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, 207 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Shang Xia
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, 207 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Li
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, 207 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia-Tong Wu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, 207 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Qin Liu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, 207 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Guang-Yi Lin
- Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
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Guégan M, Zouache K, Démichel C, Minard G, Tran Van V, Potier P, Mavingui P, Valiente Moro C. The mosquito holobiont: fresh insight into mosquito-microbiota interactions. MICROBIOME 2018; 6:49. [PMID: 29554951 PMCID: PMC5859429 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-018-0435-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The holobiont concept was first developed for coral ecosystems but has been extended to multiple organisms, including plants and other animals. Studies on insect-associated microbial communities have produced strong evidence that symbiotic bacteria play a major role in host biology. However, the understanding of these symbiotic relationships has mainly been limited to phytophagous insects, while the role of host-associated microbiota in haematophagous insect vectors remains largely unexplored. Mosquitoes are a major global public health concern, with a concomitant increase in people at risk of infection. The global emergence and re-emergence of mosquito-borne diseases has led many researchers to study both the mosquito host and its associated microbiota. Although most of these studies have been descriptive, they have led to a broad description of the bacterial communities hosted by mosquito populations. This review describes key advances and progress in the field of the mosquito microbiota research while also encompassing other microbes and the environmental factors driving their composition and diversity. The discussion includes recent findings on the microbiota functional roles and underlines their interactions with the host biology and pathogen transmission. Insight into the ecology of multipartite interactions, we consider that conferring the term holobiont to the mosquito and its microbiota is useful to get a comprehensive understanding of the vector pathosystem functioning so as to be able to develop innovative and efficient novel vector control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgane Guégan
- Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
- CNRS, UMR 5557, Ecologie Microbienne, Villeurbanne, France
- INRA, UMR1418, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Karima Zouache
- Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
- CNRS, UMR 5557, Ecologie Microbienne, Villeurbanne, France
- INRA, UMR1418, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Colin Démichel
- Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
- CNRS, UMR 5557, Ecologie Microbienne, Villeurbanne, France
- INRA, UMR1418, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Guillaume Minard
- Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
- CNRS, UMR 5557, Ecologie Microbienne, Villeurbanne, France
- INRA, UMR1418, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Van Tran Van
- Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
- CNRS, UMR 5557, Ecologie Microbienne, Villeurbanne, France
- INRA, UMR1418, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Patrick Potier
- Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
- CNRS, UMR 5557, Ecologie Microbienne, Villeurbanne, France
- INRA, UMR1418, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Patrick Mavingui
- Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
- CNRS, UMR 5557, Ecologie Microbienne, Villeurbanne, France
- INRA, UMR1418, Villeurbanne, France
- Université de La Réunion, CNRS 9192, INSERM U1187, IRD 249, Unité Mixte Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical (PIMIT), Plateforme Technologique CYROI, Sainte-Clotilde, La Réunion, France
| | - Claire Valiente Moro
- Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
- CNRS, UMR 5557, Ecologie Microbienne, Villeurbanne, France
- INRA, UMR1418, Villeurbanne, France
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Bartholomay LC, Michel K. Mosquito Immunobiology: The Intersection of Vector Health and Vector Competence. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2018; 63:145-167. [PMID: 29324042 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-010715-023530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
As holometabolous insects that occupy distinct aquatic and terrestrial environments in larval and adult stages and utilize hematophagy for nutrient acquisition, mosquitoes are subjected to a wide variety of symbiotic interactions. Indeed, mosquitoes play host to endosymbiotic, entomopathogenic, and mosquito-borne organisms, including protozoa, viruses, bacteria, fungi, fungal-like organisms, and metazoans, all of which trigger and shape innate infection-response capacity. Depending on the infection or interaction, the mosquito may employ, for example, cellular and humoral immune effectors for septic infections in the hemocoel, humoral infection responses in the midgut lumen, and RNA interference and programmed cell death for intracellular pathogens. These responses often function in concert, regardless of the infection type, and provide a robust front to combat infection. Mosquito-borne pathogens and entomopathogens overcome these immune responses, employing avoidance or suppression strategies. Burgeoning methodologies are capitalizing on this concerted deployment of immune responses to control mosquito-borne disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyric C Bartholomay
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin 53706;
| | - Kristin Michel
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506;
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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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Halbach R, Junglen S, van Rij RP. Mosquito-specific and mosquito-borne viruses: evolution, infection, and host defense. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2017; 22:16-27. [PMID: 28805635 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2017.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent virus discovery programs have identified an extensive reservoir of viruses in arthropods. It is thought that arthropod viruses, including mosquito-specific viruses, are ancestral to vertebrate-pathogenic arboviruses. Mosquito-specific viruses are restricted in vertebrate cells at multiple levels, including entry, RNA replication, assembly, and by the inability to replicate at high temperatures. Moreover, it is likely that the vertebrate immune system suppresses replication of these viruses. The evolution from single to dual-host tropism may also require changes in the course of infection in the mosquito host. In this review we explore the adaptive changes required for a switch from a mosquito-specific to a mosquito-borne transmission cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Halbach
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Junglen
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Berlin, Germany
| | - Ronald P van Rij
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Contreras-Gutierrez MA, Guzman H, Thangamani S, Vasilakis N, Tesh RB. Experimental Infection with and Maintenance of Cell Fusing Agent Virus ( Flavivirus) in Aedes aegypti. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2017; 97:299-304. [PMID: 28719335 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
During the past two decades, there has been a dramatic increase in the recognition and characterization of novel insect-specific flaviviruses (ISFVs). Some of these agents are closely related to important mosquito-borne flavivirus pathogens. Results of experimental studies suggest that mosquitoes and mosquito cell cultures infected with some ISFVs are refractory to superinfection with related flavivirus pathogens; and it has been proposed that ISFVs potentially could be used to alter the vector competence of mosquitoes and reduce transmission of specific flavivirus pathogens, such as dengue, West Nile, or Zika viruses. In order for an ISFV to be used in such a control strategy, the virus would have to be vertically transmitted at a high rate in the target vector population to insure its continued maintenance. This study compared the vertical transmission rates of an ISFV, cell fusing agent virus (CFAV), in two Aedes aegypti colonies: one naturally infected with CFAV and the other experimentally infected but previously free of the virus. CFAV filial infection rates in progeny of female mosquitoes from both colonies were > 90% after two generations of selection, indicating the feasibility of introducing an ISFV into a mosquito population. This and other considerations for evaluating the feasibility of using ISFVs as an arbovirus control strategy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Angelica Contreras-Gutierrez
- Grupo de Investigacion en Sistematica Molecular (GSM), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellin, Colombia.,Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Sede de Investigacion Universitaria (SIU), Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Hilda Guzman
- Department of Pathology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Saravanan Thangamani
- Department of Pathology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Nikos Vasilakis
- Department of Pathology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Robert B Tesh
- Department of Pathology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
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Abstract
Most viruses in the genus Flavivirus are horizontally transmitted between hematophagous arthropods and vertebrate hosts, but some are maintained in arthropod- or vertebrate-restricted transmission cycles. Flaviviruses maintained by vertebrate-only transmission are commonly referred to as no known vector (NKV) flaviviruses. Fourteen species and two subtypes of NKV flaviviruses are recognized by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV), and Tamana bat virus potentially belongs to this group. NKV flaviviruses have been isolated in nature almost exclusively from bats and rodents; exceptions are the two isolates of Dakar bat virus recovered from febrile humans and the recent isolations of Sokoluk virus from field-collected ticks, which raises questions as to whether it should remain classified as an NKV flavivirus. There is evidence to suggest that two other NKV flaviviruses, Entebbe bat virus and Yokose virus, may also infect arthropods in nature. The best characterized bat- and rodent-associated NKV flaviviruses are Rio Bravo and Modoc viruses, respectively, but both have received limited research attention compared to many of their arthropod-infecting counterparts. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of NKV flaviviruses, placing a particular emphasis on their classification, host range, geographic distribution, replication kinetics, pathogenesis, transmissibility and molecular biology.
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