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Bao S, Lu X, Xiang S, Hou X. Establishment of a mouse allergy model for Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Vet Med Sci 2024; 10:e1462. [PMID: 38659360 PMCID: PMC11043671 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Culicoides is a genus of ubiquitous biting midges (Ceratopogonidae). Female midges have blood-sucking habit. They not only bite and harass humans and animals but also may be an important vector of disease transmission. Therefore, building an animal allergy model caused by Culicoides biting is very beneficial for studying its pathogenesis and exploring the therapeutic methods. MATERIAL AND METHOD Kunming mice were used in this study to build the model and sensitised by two-step injection of midge extracts. Scratching behaviour and histological examination were used to check the immediate and delayed responses. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) and Immunoglobulin G (IgG) were detected using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay. Splenic cell proliferation and cytokine production were determined using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and ELISA assays. The response of cytokine gene expression to midge stimulation was analysed through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). RESULTS Behavioural results revealed a significant increase in scratching frequency among the midge-sensitised animals (p < 0.05). Histological examination showed more inflammatory cytokine infiltration at the injection site of midge-sensitised mice comparing to the ones in the control group. The serum levels of IgE and IgG1 antibodies in the midge-sensitised group were significantly elevated (p < 0.05). After splenocytes were stimulated in vitro with midge extracts, the midge-sensitised group's splenocyte count significantly increased in comparison to the control group. The midge-sensitised group's qPCR data revealed a down-regulation of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) expression and an increase in the expression of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-10 and IL-13 but not in the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In this study, an animal model of Culicoides-mouse sensitisation was successfully constructed using a two-step method. The mode of administration of the model was in good agreement with the natural immune pathway, and the immune response induced by the sensitisation of the model was similar to that produced by the bite of a midge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuncai Bao
- Department of Cell BiologySchool of Preclinical Medical of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyi GuizhouChina
| | - Xue Lu
- Department of Cell BiologySchool of Preclinical Medical of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyi GuizhouChina
| | - Shuai Xiang
- Department of Cell BiologySchool of Preclinical Medical of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyi GuizhouChina
| | - Xiaohui Hou
- Department of Cell BiologySchool of Preclinical Medical of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyi GuizhouChina
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Ruiz-Fons F, García-Bocanegra I, Valero M, Cuadrado-Matías R, Relimpio D, Martínez R, Baz-Flores S, Gonzálvez M, Cano-Terriza D, Ortiz JA, Gortázar C, Risalde MA. Emergence of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in red deer (Cervus elaphus), Spain, 2022. Vet Microbiol 2024; 292:110069. [PMID: 38569324 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2024.110069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) virus serotype 8 (EHDV-8) emerged in Spain in autumn 2022. In this study, we aimed to (1) characterize the clinical and lesional presentation of EHDV infection in European red deer (Cervus elaphus), and (2) study the spatial spread of the virus in wild ruminants in Spain after its introduction, in 2022/2023. We confirmed EHDV infection in two clinically compatible sick red deer by PCR and detection of anti-EHDV specific antibodies. EHDV infection occurred in red deer with hyperacute to acute clinical signs and lesions associated to vascular changes leading to death of the animals. Partial sequences of variable segment 2 (VP2) and segment 5 (NS1) genes of the detected viruses had >99% nucleotide identity with EHDV-8 sequences from Tunisia and Italy. In a cross-sectional serological study of EHDV in 592 wild ruminants, mainly red deer (n=578), in southwestern Spain, we detected anti-EHDV antibodies in 37 of 592 samples (6.3%; 95% confidence interval: 4.3-8.2), all from red deer and from the localities where clinical cases of EHD were confirmed in red deer. We conclude that EHDV-8 infection causes severe EHD in European red deer. The serosurvey revealed a limited spread of EHDV-8 in Spanish wild ruminant populations in the first year of virus detection in Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Ruiz-Fons
- SaBio (Health and Biotechnology) group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain; CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Marta Valero
- Laboratorio Central de Veterinaria (LCV), Ministerio de Agricultura y Pesca, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raúl Cuadrado-Matías
- SaBio (Health and Biotechnology) group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - David Relimpio
- SaBio (Health and Biotechnology) group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Remigio Martínez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Sara Baz-Flores
- SaBio (Health and Biotechnology) group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Moisés Gonzálvez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - David Cano-Terriza
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | | | - Christian Gortázar
- SaBio (Health and Biotechnology) group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - María A Risalde
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas y Toxicología, Grupo de Investigación GISAZ, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
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Pilgrim J. Comparative genomics of a novel Erwinia species associated with the Highland midge ( Culicoides impunctatus). Microb Genom 2024; 10. [PMID: 38630610 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Erwinia (Enterobacterales: Erwiniaceae) are a group of cosmopolitan bacteria best known as the causative agents of various plant diseases. However, other species in this genus have been found to play important roles as insect endosymbionts supplementing the diet of their hosts. Here, I describe Candidatus Erwinia impunctatus (Erwimp) associated with the Highland midge Culicoides impunctatus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), an abundant biting pest in the Scottish Highlands. The genome of this new Erwinia species was assembled using hybrid long and short read techniques, and a comparative analysis was undertaken with other members of the genus to understand its potential ecological niche and impact. Genome composition analysis revealed that Erwimp is similar to other endophytic and ectophytic species in the genus and is unlikely to be restricted to its insect host. Evidence for an additional plant host includes the presence of a carotenoid synthesis operon implicated as a virulence factor in plant-associated members in the sister genus Pantoea. Unique features of Erwimp include several copies of intimin-like proteins which, along with signs of genome pseudogenization and a loss of certain metabolic pathways, suggests an element of host restriction seen elsewhere in the genus. Furthermore, a screening of individuals over two field seasons revealed the absence of the bacteria in Culicoides impunctatus during the second year indicating this microbe-insect interaction is likely to be transient. These data suggest that Culicoides impunctatus may have an important role to play beyond a biting nuisance, as an insect vector transmitting Erwimp alongside any conferred impacts to surrounding biota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Pilgrim
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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Carpenter M, Kopanke J, Lee J, Rodgers C, Reed K, Sherman TJ, Graham B, Cohnstaedt LW, Wilson WC, Stenglein M, Mayo C. Evaluating Temperature Effects on Bluetongue Virus Serotype 10 and 17 Coinfection in Culicoides sonorensis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3063. [PMID: 38474308 PMCID: PMC10932384 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25053063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Bluetongue virus (BTV) is a segmented, double-stranded RNA virus transmitted by Culicoides midges that infects ruminants. As global temperatures increase and geographical ranges of midges expand, there is increased potential for BTV outbreaks from incursions of novel serotypes into endemic regions. However, an understanding of the effect of temperature on reassortment is lacking. The objectives of this study were to compare how temperature affected Culicoides survival, virogenesis, and reassortment in Culicoides sonorensis coinfected with two BTV serotypes. Midges were fed blood meals containing BTV-10, BTV-17, or BTV serotype 10 and 17 and maintained at 20 °C, 25 °C, or 30 °C. Midge survival was assessed, and pools of midges were collected every other day to evaluate virogenesis of BTV via qRT-PCR. Additional pools of coinfected midges were collected for BTV plaque isolation. The genotypes of plaques were determined using next-generation sequencing. Warmer temperatures impacted traits related to vector competence in offsetting ways: BTV replicated faster in midges at warmer temperatures, but midges did not survive as long. Overall, plaques with BTV-17 genotype dominated, but BTV-10 was detected in some plaques, suggesting parental strain fitness may play a role in reassortment outcomes. Temperature adds an important dimension to host-pathogen interactions with implications for transmission and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Carpenter
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, 1601 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA; (M.C.); (J.L.); (C.R.); (B.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Jennifer Kopanke
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA;
| | - Justin Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, 1601 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA; (M.C.); (J.L.); (C.R.); (B.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Case Rodgers
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, 1601 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA; (M.C.); (J.L.); (C.R.); (B.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Kirsten Reed
- Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA;
| | - Tyler J. Sherman
- Diagnostic Medicine Center, Colorado State University, 2450 Gillette Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA;
| | - Barbara Graham
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, 1601 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA; (M.C.); (J.L.); (C.R.); (B.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Lee W. Cohnstaedt
- Foreign Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, USDA Agricultural Research Service, P.O. Box 1807, Manhattan, KS 66505, USA; (L.W.C.); (W.C.W.)
| | - William C. Wilson
- Foreign Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, USDA Agricultural Research Service, P.O. Box 1807, Manhattan, KS 66505, USA; (L.W.C.); (W.C.W.)
| | - Mark Stenglein
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, 1601 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA; (M.C.); (J.L.); (C.R.); (B.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Christie Mayo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, 1601 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA; (M.C.); (J.L.); (C.R.); (B.G.); (M.S.)
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Daif S, El Berbri I, Fassi Fihri O. First molecular evidence of potential Culicoides vectors implicated in bluetongue virus transmission in Morocco. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:71. [PMID: 38374115 PMCID: PMC10877861 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06167-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bluetongue is a non-contagious viral disease that affects both domestic and wild ruminants. It is transmitted primarily by small hematophagous Diptera belonging to the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). The current study represents the first molecular investigation into the potential role of Culicoides imicola, Culicoides paolae, Culicoides newsteadi, Culicoides spp., and Culicoides circumscriptus as bluetongue virus (BTV) vectors in Morocco. Additionally, the study aimed to evaluate the vectorial activity of midges during the survey seasons. METHODS Parous females of these species were captured from several regions of Morocco (6 out of 12) from 2018 to 2021 using Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (OVI) traps. A total of 2003 parous female specimens were grouped into 55 batches. The midge body of each batch was dissected into three regions (head, thorax, and abdomen), and these regions were analyzed separately using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). RESULTS BTV RNA was detected in 45 out of the 55 batches tested, indicating a positivity rate of 81.8%. The RT-qPCR-positive pools of the studied Culicoides species exhibited high levels of BTV positivity in each body part (head, thorax, and abdomen), confirming the successful replication of the virus within midge bodies. The BTV circulation was substantial across all three survey seasons (spring, summer, and autumn). High infection rates, calculated using the minimum infection rate (MIR) and maximum likelihood estimation (MLE), were observed during the collection seasons, particularly in autumn and spring, and for all investigated Culicoides species, most notably for C. imicola and C. newsteadi. These increased infection rates underscore the significant risk of Culicoides transmitting the BTV in Morocco. CONCLUSIONS The detection of BTV positivity in Culicoides spp. (lacking wing spots that allow their differentiation according to morphological identification keys) suggested that other Culicoides species are competent for BTV transmission in Morocco. The study results indicated, for the first time at the molecular level, that C. imicola and C. newsteadi are the primary potential vectors of BTV in Morocco and that C. paolae and C. circumscriptus are strongly implicated in the propagation of bluetongue at the national level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soukaina Daif
- Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pathology and Veterinary Public Health, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Rabat, Morocco.
| | - Ikhlass El Berbri
- Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pathology and Veterinary Public Health, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Ouafaa Fassi Fihri
- Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pathology and Veterinary Public Health, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Rabat, Morocco
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Carpenter M, Kopanke J, Lee J, Rodgers C, Reed K, Sherman TJ, Graham B, Stenglein M, Mayo C. Assessing Reassortment between Bluetongue Virus Serotypes 10 and 17 at Different Coinfection Ratios in Culicoides sonorenesis. Viruses 2024; 16:240. [PMID: 38400016 PMCID: PMC10893243 DOI: 10.3390/v16020240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Bluetongue virus (BTV) is a segmented, double-stranded RNA orbivirus listed by the World Organization for Animal Health and transmitted by Culicoides biting midges. Segmented viruses can reassort, which facilitates rapid and important genotypic changes. Our study evaluated reassortment in Culicoides sonorensis midges coinfected with different ratios of BTV-10 and BTV-17. Midges were fed blood containing BTV-10, BTV-17, or a combination of both serotypes at 90:10, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, or 10:90 ratios. Midges were collected every other day and tested for infection using pan BTV and cox1 (housekeeping gene) qRT-PCR. A curve was fit to the ∆Ct values (pan BTV Ct-cox1 Ct) for each experimental group. On day 10, the midges were processed for BTV plaque isolation. Genotypes of the plaques were determined by next-generation sequencing. Pairwise comparison of ∆Ct curves demonstrated no differences in viral RNA levels between coinfected treatment groups. Plaque genotyping indicated that most plaques fully aligned with one of the parental strains; however, reassortants were detected, and in the 75:25 pool, most plaques were reassortant. Reassortant prevalence may be maximized upon the occurrence of reassortant genotypes that can outcompete the parental genotypes. BTV reassortment and resulting biological consequences are important elements to understanding orbivirus emergence and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Carpenter
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, 1601 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA; (M.C.); (J.L.); (C.R.); (B.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Jennifer Kopanke
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA;
| | - Justin Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, 1601 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA; (M.C.); (J.L.); (C.R.); (B.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Case Rodgers
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, 1601 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA; (M.C.); (J.L.); (C.R.); (B.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Kirsten Reed
- Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA;
| | - Tyler J. Sherman
- Diagnostic Medicine Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA;
| | - Barbara Graham
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, 1601 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA; (M.C.); (J.L.); (C.R.); (B.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Mark Stenglein
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, 1601 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA; (M.C.); (J.L.); (C.R.); (B.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Christie Mayo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, 1601 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA; (M.C.); (J.L.); (C.R.); (B.G.); (M.S.)
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Newbrook K, Khan N, Fisher A, Chong K, Gubbins S, Davies WC, Sanders C, Busquets MG, Cooke L, Corla A, Ashby M, Flannery J, Batten C, Stokes JE, Sanz-Bernardo B, Carpenter S, Moffat K, Darpel KE. Specific T-cell subsets have a role in anti-viral immunity and pathogenesis but not viral dynamics or onwards vector transmission of an important livestock arbovirus. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1328820. [PMID: 38357545 PMCID: PMC10864546 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1328820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an arthropod-borne Orbivirus that is almost solely transmitted by Culicoides biting midges and causes a globally important haemorrhagic disease, bluetongue (BT), in susceptible ruminants. Infection with BTV is characterised by immunosuppression and substantial lymphopenia at peak viraemia in the host. Methods In this study, the role of cell-mediated immunity and specific T-cell subsets in BTV pathogenesis, clinical outcome, viral dynamics, immune protection, and onwards transmission to a susceptible Culicoides vector is defined in unprecedented detail for the first time, using an in vivo arboviral infection model system that closely mirrors natural infection and transmission of BTV. Individual circulating CD4+, CD8+, or WC1+ γδ T-cell subsets in sheep were depleted through the administration of specific monoclonal antibodies. Results The absence of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells was consistently associated with less severe clinical signs of BT, whilst the absence of CD4+ and WC1+ γδ T cells both resulted in an increased clinical severity. The absence of CD4+ T cells also impaired both a timely protective neutralising antibody response and the production of IgG antibodies targeting BTV non-structural protein, NS2, highlighting that the CD4+ T-cell subset is important for a timely protective immune response. T cells did not influence viral replication characteristics, including onset/dynamics of viraemia, shedding, or onwards transmission of BTV to Culicoides. We also highlight differences in T-cell dependency for the generation of immunoglobulin subclasses targeting BTV NS2 and the structural protein, VP7. Discussion This study identifies a diverse repertoire of T-cell functions during BTV infection in sheep, particularly in inducing specific anti-viral immune responses and disease manifestation, and will support more effective vaccination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry Newbrook
- Orbivirus Research, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, United Kingdom
| | - Nakibul Khan
- Orbivirus Research, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, United Kingdom
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Aimee Fisher
- Orbivirus Research, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, United Kingdom
- School of Biosciences AND School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Karen Chong
- Orbivirus Research, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, United Kingdom
- School of Biosciences AND School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Gubbins
- Transmission Biology, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, United Kingdom
| | - William C. Davies
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | | | | | - Lyndsay Cooke
- Orbivirus Research, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda Corla
- Non Vesicular Reference Laboratory, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Ashby
- Non Vesicular Reference Laboratory, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, United Kingdom
| | - John Flannery
- Non Vesicular Reference Laboratory, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, United Kingdom
| | - Carrie Batten
- Non Vesicular Reference Laboratory, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, United Kingdom
| | | | - Beatriz Sanz-Bernardo
- Large Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA), Viruses, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, United Kingdom
| | | | - Katy Moffat
- Flow Cytometry, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, United Kingdom
| | - Karin E. Darpel
- Orbivirus Research, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, United Kingdom
- Department of Diagnostics and Development, Institute of Virology and Immunology, Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Li N, Meng J, He Y, Wang W, Wang J. Potential roles of Culicoides spp. (Culicoides imicola, Culicoides oxystoma) as biological vectors of bluetongue virus in Yuanyang of Yunnan, P. R. China. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 13:1283216. [PMID: 38274733 PMCID: PMC10809989 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1283216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Culicoides plays a crucial role as an insect vector in the field of veterinary medicine. The transmission of significant viruses such as bluetongue virus (BTV) and African horse sickness virus (AHSV) by this insect poses a substantial threat, leading to the development of severe diseases in domestic animals. This study aimed to explore the Culicoides species, identify their blood-meal sources, and assess the presence of BTV and AHSV carried by Culicoides in Yuanyang County, Yunnan Province. The aim was to gain insights into the potential vectors of these two viruses and elucidate their potential roles in the transmission of pathogens. Methods The midges were collected from cattle (Bos indicus), pig (Sus scrofa), and goat (Capra hircus) pens in Yuanyang County, Yunnan Province in June 2020. Initial identification of midges was conducted through morphological characteristics, followed by molecular identification using the cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. The determination of Culicoides blood-meal sources was accomplished using specific primers targeting the cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene from potential hosts. BTV and AHSV RNA were identified in Culicoides pools through the application of reverse transcriptase PCR and quantitative real-time PCR. Nucleotide homology and phylogenetic analysis were performed using MegAlign (DNAStar) and Mega 6.0 software. Results A total of 6,300 Culicoides, consisting of C. oxystoma, C. arakawai, C. imicola, and C. innoxius, were collected from cattle, pigs, and goat pens. The engorgement rates for these species were 30.2%, 54.6%, 75%, and 66.7%, respectively. In the cattle pen, the prevailing species is C. oxystoma (100%). In the pig pen, C. arakawai dominates (70%), with C. oxystoma following at 30%. In the goat pen, C. imicola holds the majority (45.45%), trailed by C. oxystoma (25%), C. innoxius (20.45%), and C. arakawai (9.09%). These Culicoides species were identified as feeding on cattle, pigs, goats, chickens (Gallus gallus), and humans (Homo sapiens). The positivity rates for BTV were 20.00% and 11.54% in blood-fed specimens of C. imicola and C. oxystoma, respectively. Conversely, the positivity rates for BTV in non-blood-fed specimens were 0.00% and 6.67% for C. imicola and C. oxystoma, respectively. BTV was not detected in C. arakawai and C. innoxius. The specimens (YY86) from C. imicola that tested positive for BTV had the closest genetic relationship to YTS-4 isolated from Mangshi, Yunnan Province in 1996. All test results for the nucleic acid of AHSV were negative. Conclusion The study reveals variations in the species distribution, community composition, blood sucking rate, and blood-feeding sources of Culicoides across different habitats. Notably, C. imicola and C. oxystoma emerge as potential vectors for the transmission of BTV in local animals. Accordingly, this investigation provides crucial insights that can serve as a valuable reference for the prevention and control of BTV in local animals, particularly from the perspective of vector management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Li
- Yunnan Tropical and Subtropical Animal Viral Disease Laboratory, Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Kunming, China
| | - Jinxin Meng
- Yunnan Tropical and Subtropical Animal Viral Disease Laboratory, Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Kunming, China
| | - Yuwen He
- Yunnan Tropical and Subtropical Animal Viral Disease Laboratory, Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Kunming, China
| | - Wenhua Wang
- The Aquaculture Workstation of Yuanyang County Agriculture, Rural Affairs, and Science and Technology Bureau, Yuanyang, China
| | - Jinglin Wang
- Yunnan Tropical and Subtropical Animal Viral Disease Laboratory, Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Kunming, China
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Žiegytė R, Palinauskas V, Bernotienė R. Natural Vector of Avian Haemoproteus asymmetricus Parasite and Factors Altering the Spread of Infection. Insects 2023; 14:926. [PMID: 38132599 PMCID: PMC10743420 DOI: 10.3390/insects14120926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Avian haemosporidians (Apicomplexa, Haemosporida) are widespread blood protists, often causing severe haemosporidiosis, pathology, or even mortality in their hosts. Migrant birds regularly bring various haemosporidian parasites from wintering grounds to European breeding areas. Some haemosporidian parasites are prevalent in breeding sites and complete their life cycles in temperate climate zones and can be transmitted, but others do not. The factors altering the spread of these haemosporidians are not fully understood. Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) play an important role in the transmission of worldwide distributed avian haemosporidian parasites belonging to the genus Haemoproteus, but this information is particularly scarce and insufficient. The key factors limiting the spread of these pathogens in temperate climate zones, which we suspect and aim to study, are the absence of susceptible vectors and the ecological isolation of birds from vectors during the breeding period when transmission occurs. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate how the habitats of biting midges and bird breeding sites influence parasite transmission while also seeking to expand our understanding of the natural vectors for these parasites. Biting midges were collected using UV traps on the Curonian Spit, Lithuania, in different habitats, such as woodland and reeds, from May to September. Parous Culicoides females were identified, dissected, and investigated for the presence of Haemoproteus parasites using both microscopy and PCR-based tools. Among the dissected 1135 parous Culicoides females, the sporozoites of Haemoproteus asymmetricus (genetic lineage hTUPHI01) have been detected for the first time in the salivary glands of Culicoides festivipennis. The sporozoites of four Haemoproteus lineages were detected in Culicoides segnis, C. festivipennis, and Culicoides kibunensis biting midges. PCR-based screening showed that the females of seven Culicoides species were naturally infected with Haemoproteus parasites. The DNA of the parasite of owls, Haemoproteus syrnii (hSTAL2), was detected for the first time in Culicoides punctatus. The highest abundance of collected Culicoides females was in June, but the highest prevalence of Haemoproteus parasites in biting midges was in July. The abundance of Culicoides was higher in the woodland compared with reeds during the season. The acquired findings indicate the varied abundance and diversity of biting midges throughout the season and across distinct habitats. This variability could potentially impact the transmission of Haemoproteus parasites among birds with diverse breeding site ecologies. These outcomes hold the potential to enhance our understanding of the epizootiology of Haemoproteus infections within temperate climatic zones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Žiegytė
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412 Vilnius, Lithuania;
| | | | - Rasa Bernotienė
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412 Vilnius, Lithuania;
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Gestier S, Finlaison DS, Parrish K, Kirkland PD. The potential for bluetongue virus serotype 16 to cause disease in sheep in New South Wales, Australia. Aust Vet J 2023; 101:510-521. [PMID: 37772318 DOI: 10.1111/avj.13288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
BLUETONGUE VIRUS SEROTYPE 16 DETECTION IN NSW: In coastal New South Wales (NSW), bluetongue virus (BTV) serotypes 1 and 21 are endemic and transmitted in most years without evidence of disease. However, serotype 16 (BTV-16) infection was detected for the first time in NSW in November 2016 in cattle undergoing testing for export. Retrospective testing of blood samples collected from sentinel cattle as part of the National Arbovirus Monitoring Program (NAMP) established that the first detected transmission of BTV-16 in NSW occurred in April 2016 in sentinel cattle on the NSW North Coast. Subsequently, until 2022, BTV-16 has been transmitted in most years and was the predominant serotype in the 2018-2019 transmission season. The data available suggests that BTV-16 may have become endemic in NSW. EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES: During experimental infection studies with BTV-16, all sheep were febrile, with the peak of viremia occurring 6-10 days after inoculation. There was nasal and oral hyperaemia in most sheep with several animals developing a nasal discharge and nasal oedema. All sheep developed coronitis of varying severity, with most also developing haemorrhages along the coronary band. There was a high incidence of haemorrhage in the pulmonary artery, epicardial petechiae, extensive pericardial haemorrhages and moderate body cavity effusions including pericardial effusions. CONCLUSION: Overall, experimental pathogenicity findings suggest moderate disease may occur in sheep in the field. These findings, when combined with climatic variability that could result in an expansion of the range of Culicoides brevitarsis into major sheep-producing areas of the state, suggest that there is an increasing risk of bluetongue disease in NSW.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Gestier
- Virology Laboratory, Elizabeth Macarthur Agriculture, Institute Department of Primary Industries, Menangle, New South Wales, Australia
- Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - D S Finlaison
- Virology Laboratory, Elizabeth Macarthur Agriculture, Institute Department of Primary Industries, Menangle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - K Parrish
- Virology Laboratory, Elizabeth Macarthur Agriculture, Institute Department of Primary Industries, Menangle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - P D Kirkland
- Virology Laboratory, Elizabeth Macarthur Agriculture, Institute Department of Primary Industries, Menangle, New South Wales, Australia
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Banerjee P, Sarkar A, Mazumdar A. Effect of substrate salinity and pH on life history traits of the bluetongue virus vector Culicoides peregrinus. Bull Entomol Res 2023; 113:829-837. [PMID: 37997803 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485323000512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Habitat selection of Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) is influenced by the physicochemical factors such as temperature, pH, salinity, moisture, conductivity, organic and inorganic compounds of substrates. These factors determine the life history traits of the vectors. We studied the influence of substrate salinity (0-40 parts per thousand, ppt) and pH (pH 1-13) on oviposition, egg hatching, larval survivability, and adult emergence of Culicoides peregrinus Kieffer under laboratory conditions. Most eggs (80.74%) were laid in 0 ppt and 95% in pH 7 but lowered with increased salinity and pH levels. It was observed that the females did not lay eggs in 30 ppt to 40 ppt salinity; pH 1 and pH 13 but interestingly up to 95% of the eggs were retained within the abdomen. Little effect of salinity and pH on egg hatching was observed up to 5 ppt and 10 ppt except at the extreme values of 40 ppt and pH 1, pH 13. Pupation did not occur in rearing plates with high salinities, 30 ppt and 40 ppt, although the few eggs hatched when exposed to such salinity. In low salinity (0 to 2 ppt), occurrence of adult emergence was more and then decreased with increasing salinity. Maximum emergence was seen when the rearing media was alkaline. This study deals with the suitability of breeding substrate of C. peregrinus when exposed to salinity and pH ranges. Our study suggests the ambient salinity and pH ranges to be maintained during laboratory rearing of this vector species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paramita Banerjee
- Department of Zoology, Entomology Research Unit, The University of Burdwan, Bardhaman 713104, West Bengal, India
| | - Ankita Sarkar
- Department of Zoology, Entomology Research Unit, The University of Burdwan, Bardhaman 713104, West Bengal, India
| | - Abhijit Mazumdar
- Department of Zoology, Entomology Research Unit, The University of Burdwan, Bardhaman 713104, West Bengal, India
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Yang Z, He Y, Chen Y, Meng J, Li N, Li S, Wang J. Full genome characterization and evolutionary analysis of Banna virus isolated from Culicoides, mosquitoes and ticks in Yunnan, China. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1283580. [PMID: 38035340 PMCID: PMC10687475 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1283580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Banna virus (BAV), a potential pathogen that may cause human encephalitis, is the prototype species of genus Seadornaviru within the family Reoviridae, and has been isolated from a variety of blood-sucking insects and mammals in Asia. Methods Culicoides, Mosquitoes, and Ticks were collected overnight in Yunnan, China, during 2016-2023 using light traps. Virus was isolated from these collected blood-sucking insects and grown using Aedes albopictus (C6/36) cells. Preliminary identification of the virus was performed by agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE). The full genome sequences of the BAVs were determined by full-length amplification of cDNAs (FLAC) and sequenced using next-generation sequencing. Results In this study, 13 strains BAV were isolated from Culicoides, Mosquitoes and Ticks. Their viral genome consisted of 12 segments of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), and with three distinct distribution patterns. Sequence analysis showed that Seg-5 of four strains (SJ_M46, SJ_M49, JC_M19-13 and JC_C24-13) has 435 bases nucleotide sequence insertions in their ORF compared to other BAVs, resulting in the length of Seg-5 up to 2128 nt. There are 34 bases sequence deletion in Seg-9 of 3 strains (WS_T06, MS_M166 and MS_M140). Comparison of the coding sequences of VP1, VP2, VP5, VP9 and VP12 of the 13 BAV strains, the results show that VP1, VP2 and VP12 are characterised by high levels of sequence conservation, while VP9 is highly variable, under great pressure to adapt and may be correlated with serotype. While also variable, VP5 appears to be under less adaptive pressure than VP9. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis indicates that the 13 BAV strains locate in the same evolutionary cluster as BAVs isolated from various blood-sucking insects, and are clustered according to geographical distribution. Conclusion The data obtained herein would be beneficial for the surveillance of evolutionary characteristics of BAV in China and neighboring countries as well as extend the knowledge about its genomic diversity and geographic distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenxing Yang
- Yunnan Tropical and Subtropical Animal Viral Disease Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Transboundary Animal Diseases Prevention and Control (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yuwen He
- Yunnan Tropical and Subtropical Animal Viral Disease Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Transboundary Animal Diseases Prevention and Control (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yiju Chen
- Yunnan Tropical and Subtropical Animal Viral Disease Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Transboundary Animal Diseases Prevention and Control (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Jinxin Meng
- Yunnan Tropical and Subtropical Animal Viral Disease Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Transboundary Animal Diseases Prevention and Control (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Nan Li
- Yunnan Tropical and Subtropical Animal Viral Disease Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Transboundary Animal Diseases Prevention and Control (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Susheng Li
- Yunnan Tropical and Subtropical Animal Viral Disease Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Transboundary Animal Diseases Prevention and Control (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Jinglin Wang
- Yunnan Tropical and Subtropical Animal Viral Disease Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Transboundary Animal Diseases Prevention and Control (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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Guimerà Busquets M, Brown FV, Carpenter ST, Darpel KE, Sanders CJ. Visualisation of Bluetongue Virus in the Salivary Apparatus of Culicoides Biting Midges Highlights the Accessory Glands as a Primary Arboviral Infection Site. Biol Proced Online 2023; 25:27. [PMID: 37932658 PMCID: PMC10626815 DOI: 10.1186/s12575-023-00221-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Arthropods transmit a wide range of pathogens of importance for the global health of humans, animals, and plants. One group of these arthropod vectors, Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), is the biological vector of several human and animal pathogens, including economically important livestock viruses like bluetongue virus (BTV). Like other arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses), Culicoides-borne viruses must reach and replicate in the salivary apparatus, from where they can be transmitted to susceptible hosts through the saliva during subsequent blood feeding. Despite the importance of the salivary gland apparatus for pathogen transmission to susceptible animals from the bite of infected Culicoides, these structures have received relatively little attention, perhaps due to the small size and fragility of these vectors. RESULTS In this study, we developed techniques to visualize the infection of the salivary glands and other soft tissues with BTV, in some of the smallest known arbovirus vectors, Culicoides biting midges, using three-dimensional immunofluorescence confocal microscopy. We showed BTV infection of specific structures of the salivary gland apparatus of female Culicoides vectors following oral virus uptake, related visualisation of viral infection in the salivary apparatus to high viral RNA copies in the body, and demonstrated for the first time, that the accessory glands are a primary site for BTV replication within the salivary apparatus. CONCLUSIONS Our work has revealed a novel site of virus-vector interactions, and a novel role of the accessory glands of Culicoides in arbovirus amplification and transmission. Our approach would also be applicable to a wide range of arbovirus vector groups including sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae), as well as provide a powerful tool to investigate arbovirus infection and dissemination, particularly where there are practical challenges in the visualization of small size and delicate tissues of arthropods.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Faye V Brown
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Woking, GU24 0NF, UK
| | - Simon T Carpenter
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Woking, GU24 0NF, UK
- The School of the Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Mill Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1RX, UK
| | - Karin E Darpel
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Woking, GU24 0NF, UK
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Mittelhäusern, 3147, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, 3012, Switzerland
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Kampen H, Werner D. Biting Midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) as Vectors of Viruses. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2706. [PMID: 38004718 PMCID: PMC10673010 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Biting midges of the genus Culicoides occur almost globally and can regionally and seasonally reach high abundances. Most species are hematophagous, feeding on all groups of vertebrates, including humans. In addition to being nuisance pests, they are able to transmit disease agents, with some viruses causing high morbidity and/or mortality in ruminants, horses and humans. Despite their impact on animal husbandry, public health and tourism, knowledge on the biology and ecology of culicoid biting midges and their interactions with ingested pathogens or symbiotic microorganisms is limited. Research is challenging due to unknown larval habitats, the insects' tiny size, the inability to establish and breed most species in the laboratory and the laborious maintenance of colonies of the few species that can be reared in the laboratory. Consequently, the natural transmission of pathogens has experimentally been demonstrated for few species while, for others, only indirect evidence of vector potential exists. Most experimental data are available for Culicoides sonorensis and C. nubeculosus, the only species kept in western-world insectaries. This contribution gives an overview on important biting midge vectors, transmitted viruses, culicoid-borne viral diseases and their epidemiologies and summarizes the little knowledge on interactions between biting midges, their microflora and culicoid-borne arboviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helge Kampen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, 17493 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Doreen Werner
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, 15374 Muencheberg, Germany;
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15
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Scroggs SLP, Bird EJ, Molik DC, Nayduch D. Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Elicits Early Transcriptome Response in Culicoides sonorensis Cells. Viruses 2023; 15:2108. [PMID: 37896885 PMCID: PMC10612082 DOI: 10.3390/v15102108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses that are transmitted by arthropods, or arboviruses, have evolved to successfully navigate both the invertebrate and vertebrate hosts, including their immune systems. Biting midges transmit several arboviruses including vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). To study the interaction between VSV and midges, we characterized the transcriptomic responses of VSV-infected and mock-infected Culicoides sonorensis cells at 1, 8, 24, and 96 h post inoculation (HPI). The transcriptomic response of VSV-infected cells at 1 HPI was significant, but by 8 HPI there were no detectable differences between the transcriptome profiles of VSV-infected and mock-infected cells. Several genes involved in immunity were upregulated (ATG2B and TRAF4) or downregulated (SMAD6 and TOLL7) in VSV-treated cells at 1 HPI. These results indicate that VSV infection in midge cells produces an early immune response that quickly wanes, giving insight into in vivo C. sonorensis VSV tolerance that may underlie their permissiveness as vectors for this virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey L. P. Scroggs
- Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA; (D.C.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Edward J. Bird
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA;
| | - David C. Molik
- Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA; (D.C.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Dana Nayduch
- Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA; (D.C.M.); (D.N.)
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Hadj-Henni L, Millot C, Lehrter V, Augot D. Wing morphometrics of biting midges (Diptera: Culicoides) of veterinary importance in Madagascar. Infect Genet Evol 2023; 114:105494. [PMID: 37640128 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Biting midges are vectors of arboviruses such as bluetongue virus, bovine ephemeral fever virus, Akabane virus, African horse sickness virus, epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus and Schmallenberg virus. Fast and accurate identification of biting midges is crucial in the study of Culicoides-borne diseases. Morphological identification of biting midges has revealed the presence of cryptic species. A total of 20 species are reported in Madagascar. In this study, we assessed wing morphometric analysis for identification of seven species namely C. dubitatus Kremer, Rebholtz-Hirtzel and Delécolle, C. enderleini Cornet and Brunhes, C. kibatiensis Goetghebuer, C. miombo Meiswinkel, C. moreli Clastrier, C. nevilli Cornet and Brunhes, and C. zuluensis de Meillon. Culicoides enderleini, C. miombo, C. moreli, C. nevilli and C. zuluensis are vectors diseases. A molecular approach, based on the cytochrome oxidase I gene (Cox1), was used for species delimitation. The molecular analysis presented seven different clades grouped two-by-two according to morphological characters. A total of 179 wing images were digitised. We found morphometric variation among seven species based on 11 landmarks and two outlines. Wing shape variation plots showed that species overlapped with species belonging to the same group. The cross-validation revealed a relatively high percentage of correct classification in most species, ranging from 91.3% to 100% for landmarks; 60% to 82.6% for outlines-1 and 77.1% to 91.3% for outlines-2. Our study suggests that wing geometric morphometric analysis is a robust tool for reliable "Moka Fohy" identification in Madagascar. This inexpensive and simple method is a precise supplement to morphological identification, with reaches the accuracy of Cox1 barcoding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Hadj-Henni
- Usc Vecpar-ANSES LSA, EA 7510, SFR Cap Santé, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51 rue Cognacq-Jay, 51096 Reims Cedex, France
| | - Christine Millot
- Usc Vecpar-ANSES LSA, EA 7510, SFR Cap Santé, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51 rue Cognacq-Jay, 51096 Reims Cedex, France.
| | - Véronique Lehrter
- Unité BioSpecT, EA7506, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
| | - Denis Augot
- Usc Vecpar-ANSES LSA, EA 7510, SFR Cap Santé, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51 rue Cognacq-Jay, 51096 Reims Cedex, France; ANSES, INRAe, ENVA, UMR-BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 14 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94701 Maisons-Alfort Cedex, France.
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Carpenter M, Benavides Obon A, Kopanke J, Lee J, Reed K, Sherman T, Rodgers C, Stenglein M, McDermott E, Mayo C. In Situ Hybridization (RNAscope) Detection of Bluetongue Virus Serotypes 10 and 17 in Experimentally Co-Infected Culicoides sonorensis. Pathogens 2023; 12:1207. [PMID: 37887723 PMCID: PMC10609982 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12101207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Bluetongue virus (BTV) is a segmented, double-stranded RNA virus transmitted by Culicoides biting midges. Infection of domestic and wild ruminants with BTV can result in a devastating disease and significant economic losses. As a virus with a segmented genome, reassortment among the BTV serotypes that have co-infected a host may increase genetic diversity, which can alter BTV transmission dynamics and generate epizootic events. The objective of this study was to determine the extent of dissemination and characterize the tropism of BTV serotypes 10 and 17 in co-infected Culicoides sonorensis. Midges were exposed to both BTV serotypes via blood meal and processed for histologic slides 10 days after infection. An in situ hybridization approach was employed using the RNAscope platform to detect the nucleic acid segment 2 of both serotypes. Observations of the mosaic patterns in which serotypes did not often overlap suggest that co-infection at the cellular level may not be abundant with these two serotypes in C. sonorensis. This could be a consequence of superinfection exclusion. Understanding BTV co-infection and its biological consequences will add an important dimension to the modeling of viral evolution and emergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Carpenter
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, 1601 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA; (M.C.); (K.R.); (C.R.); (M.S.)
| | - AnaMario Benavides Obon
- Diagnostic Medicine Center, Colorado State University, 2450 Gillette Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA; (A.B.O.); (T.S.)
| | - Jennifer Kopanke
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA;
| | - Justin Lee
- Genomic Sequencing Laboratory, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA;
| | - Kirsten Reed
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, 1601 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA; (M.C.); (K.R.); (C.R.); (M.S.)
| | - Tyler Sherman
- Diagnostic Medicine Center, Colorado State University, 2450 Gillette Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA; (A.B.O.); (T.S.)
| | - Case Rodgers
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, 1601 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA; (M.C.); (K.R.); (C.R.); (M.S.)
| | - Mark Stenglein
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, 1601 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA; (M.C.); (K.R.); (C.R.); (M.S.)
| | - Emily McDermott
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA;
| | - Christie Mayo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, 1601 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA; (M.C.); (K.R.); (C.R.); (M.S.)
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18
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Groschupp S, Kampen H, Werner D. Occurrence of putative Culicoides biting midge vectors (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) inside and outside barns in Germany and factors influencing their activity. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:307. [PMID: 37653421 PMCID: PMC10472570 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05920-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND After several years without bluetongue disease, a ruminant illness caused by Culicoides-borne bluetongue virus (BTV), two new autochthonous cases were reported in 2018 in Germany. By contrast, Schmallenberg virus (SBV), another Culicoides-borne virus pathogenic to ruminants, has continuously circulated in Germany since its first emergence in 2011. The disease outbreaks have triggered numerous studies on the biology of the Culicoides vectors, but many ecological details are still obscure. METHODS Culicoides biting midge species were collected with UV-light traps on 10 farms in Germany, with one trap inside and one trap outside barns on each of the farms. Traps were run once a week for 24 h from January to December 2019. Collected biting midges were morphologically identified, counted and statistically evaluated, with a focus on the Obsoletus Group and the Pulicaris Complex of the ceratopogonid genus Culicoides, which are believed to contain the major virus vectors. Temperature and relative humidity recorded at each trap were linked to the quantity of caught Culicoides. Correlations between relative Culicoides abundance and presence of livestock or type of husbandry were also investigated. RESULTS A total of 38,886 Culicoides biting midges were trapped, with most of them belonging to the Obsoletus Group (51.0%) and the Pulicaris Complex (38.8%). The majority of captured specimens were collected in traps inside the barns. Obsoletus Group individuals were caught from late January to the last week of December while Pulicaris Complex individuals were captured from the end of March to early December. The lowest average temperatures at which members of the two groups were collected were 10.7 °C and 12.8 °C, respectively. While temperature had a statistically significant effect on the activity of both the Obsoletus Group and the Pulicaris Complex, relative humidity only significantly affected the activity of the latter. The presence of livestock significantly influenced the number of captured Obsoletus Group, but not of Pulicaris Complex specimens. Inside the barns, no statistical difference was found between numbers of caught Obsoletus Group and Pulicaris Complex specimens in livestock holdings with deep litter and manure scraper or slatted floor husbandry systems. CONCLUSIONS The almost year-round presence of Obsoletus Group biting midges and the demonstrated high relative abundance of other potential Culicoides vector species inside barns suggest a high risk of indoor virus transmission to ruminants should BTV or SBV circulate locally. Appropriate structural, organisational and vector control measures to reduce biting midge exposure should be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Groschupp
- Research Area 2 “Landscape Use and Governance”, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Straße 84, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany
| | - Helge Kampen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut–Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Doreen Werner
- Research Area 2 “Landscape Use and Governance”, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Straße 84, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany
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Kaewmee S, Mano C, Phanitchakun T, Ampol R, Yasanga T, Pattanawong U, Junkum A, Siriyasatien P, Bates PA, Jariyapan N. Natural infection with Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis supports Culicoides peregrinus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) as a potential vector of leishmaniasis and characterization of a Crithidia sp. isolated from the midges. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1235254. [PMID: 37675418 PMCID: PMC10478001 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1235254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of autochthonous leishmaniasis in Thailand is increasing but the natural vectors that are responsible for transmission remain unknown. Experimental in vivo infections in Culicoides spp. with Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis and Leishmania (Mundinia) orientalis, the major causative pathogens in Thailand, have demonstrated that biting midges can act as competent vectors. Therefore, the isolation and detection of Leishmania and other trypanosomatids were performed in biting midges collected at a field site in an endemic area of leishmaniasis in Tha Ruea and a mixed farm of chickens, goats, and cattle in Khuan Phang, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, southern Thailand. Results showed that Culicoides peregrinus was the abundant species (>84%) found in both locations and only cow blood DNA was detected in engorged females. Microscopic examination revealed various forms of Leishmania promastigotes in the foregut of several C. peregrinus in the absence of bloodmeal remnants, indicating established infections. Molecular identification using ITS1 and 3'UTR HSP70 type I markers showed that the Leishmania parasites found in the midges were L. martiniquensis. The infection rate of L. martiniquensis in the collected flies was 2% in Tha Ruea and 6% in Khuan Phang, but no L. orientalis DNA or parasites were found. Additionally, organisms from two different clades of Crithidia, both possibly new species, were identified using SSU rRNA and gGAPDH genes. Choanomastigotes and promastigotes of both Crithidia spp. were observed in the hindgut of the dissected C. peregrinus. Interestingly, midges infected with both L. martiniquensis and Crithidia were found. Moreover, four strains of Crithidia from one of the clades were successfully isolated into culture. These parasites could grow at 37°C in the culture and infect BALB/c mice macrophages but no multiplication was observed, suggesting they are thermotolerant monoxenous trypanosomatids similar to Cr. thermophila. These findings provide the first evidence of natural infection of L. martiniquensis in C. peregrinus supporting it as a potential vector of L. martiniquensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saowalak Kaewmee
- Medical Parasitology Program, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chonlada Mano
- Center of Insect Vector Study, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Thanari Phanitchakun
- Center of Insect Vector Study, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Rinnara Ampol
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thippawan Yasanga
- Medical Science Research Equipment Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Urassaya Pattanawong
- Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Anuluck Junkum
- Center of Insect Vector Study, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Padet Siriyasatien
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Paul A. Bates
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Narissara Jariyapan
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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20
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McGregor BL, Lewis A. Host Associations of Culicoides Biting Midges in Northeastern Kansas, USA. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2504. [PMID: 37570311 PMCID: PMC10416965 DOI: 10.3390/ani13152504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are hematophagous flies that transmit several viruses of veterinary concern to livestock. Understanding blood feeding behaviors is integral towards identification of putative vector species and preventing the transmission of these pathogens. PCR-based blood meal analysis was conducted on 440 blood-engorged Culicoides midges collected in northeastern Kansas, with 316 (71.8%) returning non-human vertebrate identifications at the ≥95% identity match level. Broadly, Culicoides sonorensis, Culicoides stellifer, and Culicoides variipennis were found to feed heavily on mammalian hosts, while Culicoides crepuscularis and Culicoides haematopotus fed on avian hosts. The blood meals in all specimens were graded prior to DNA extraction to determine whether blood meal size or digestion status significantly impacted the likelihood of a quality host match. Size had a significant impact on the likelihood of a quality match at grades 3-5, whereas digestion only significantly impacted outcomes at the most extreme grade. These vector-host dynamics have not previously been studied in Culicoides collected in Kansas, which represents a unique tallgrass prairie biome within the United States that is heavily interspersed with livestock operations. Based on these data, the highly abundant species C. crepuscularis and C. haematopotus are unlikely to be major vectors of mammalian viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany L. McGregor
- Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, USDA-ARS, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
| | - Aaron Lewis
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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21
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Thabet S, Sghaier S, Ben Hassine T, Slama D, Ben Osmane R, Ben Omrane R, Mouelhi W, Spedicato M, Leone A, Teodori L, Curini V, Othmani M, Berjaoui S, Ripà P, Orabi M, Mohamed BB, Sayadi A, Slama SB, Marcacci M, Savini G, Lorusso A, Hammami S. Characterization of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Serotype 8 in Naturally Infected Barbary Deer ( Cervus elaphus barbarus) and Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Tunisia. Viruses 2023; 15:1567. [PMID: 37515253 PMCID: PMC10383031 DOI: 10.3390/v15071567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is a Culicoides-borne disease of domestic and wild ruminants caused by EHD virus (EHDV). This virus circulates in multiple serotypes. In late September 2021, a novel strain belonging to EHDV-8 was reported in cattle farms in Central-Western Tunisia, and in the fall of 2022, the same virus was also detected in Italy and Spain. In the present study, we described EHDV-8 occurrence in deer and, a preliminary identification of the potential Culicoides species responsible for virus transmission in selected areas of Tunisia. EHDV-8 was identified in deer carcasses found in 2021 and 2022 in the national reserve of El Feidja, Jendouba, Northwestern Tunisia, and isolated on cell culture. Instead, insect vectors were collected in October 2021 only in the areas surrounding the city of Tozeur (Southern Tunisia) where EHDV-8 cases in cattle were confirmed. Morphological identification showed that 95% of them belonged to the Culicoides kingi and Culicoides oxystoma species and both species tested positive for EHDV-8 RNA. C. imicola was not detected in this collection and EHDV-8 RNA was not evidenced in vector pools collected in 2020, prior to official EHDV-8 emergence. EHDV whole genome sequences were also obtained directly from infected biological samples of deer and positive vectors. EHDV-8 sequences obtained from deer and vectors share a nucleotide identity ranging from 99.42 to 100% and amino acid identity from 99.18 to 100% across all genome segments with the EHDV-8/17 TUN2021 reference sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Thabet
- Service de Microbiologie, Immunologie et Pathologie Générale, École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, IRESA, Université de la Manouba, Tunis 2020, Tunisia
| | - Soufien Sghaier
- Institut de la Recherche Vétérinaire de Tunisie, Tunis 1006, Tunisia
| | - Thameur Ben Hassine
- Direction Générale des Services Vétérinaires, Commissariat Régional au Développement Agricole de Nbeul, Nabeul 8000, Tunisia
| | - Darine Slama
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Parasitology-Mycology LP3M (Code LR12ES08), Department of Clinical Biology B, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, Monastir 5000, Tunisia
| | - Raja Ben Osmane
- Laboratoire National de Contrôle des Médicaments, Tunis 1006, Tunisia
| | - Ridha Ben Omrane
- Direction Générale des Services Vétérinaires, Commissariat Régional au Développement Agricole de Ariana, Tunis 2010, Tunisia
| | - Wiem Mouelhi
- Direction Générale des Services Vétérinaires, Commissariat Régional au Développement Agricole de Jendouba, Jendouba 8100, Tunisia
| | - Massimo Spedicato
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Alessandra Leone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Liana Teodori
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Valentina Curini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Moncef Othmani
- Direction Générale des Services Vétérinaires, Commissariat Régional au Développement Agricole de Tozeur, Tozeur 2200, Tunisia
| | - Shadia Berjaoui
- Laboratoire National de Contrôle des Médicaments, Tunis 1006, Tunisia
| | - Paola Ripà
- Laboratoire National de Contrôle des Médicaments, Tunis 1006, Tunisia
| | - Makram Orabi
- Direction Générale des Services Vétérinaires, Commissariat Régional au Développement Agricole de Tozeur, Tozeur 2200, Tunisia
| | | | - Ayda Sayadi
- Laboratoire National de Contrôle des Médicaments, Tunis 1006, Tunisia
| | - Sonia Ben Slama
- Laboratoire National de Contrôle des Médicaments, Tunis 1006, Tunisia
| | - Maurilia Marcacci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Savini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Alessio Lorusso
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Salah Hammami
- Service de Microbiologie, Immunologie et Pathologie Générale, École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, IRESA, Université de la Manouba, Tunis 2020, Tunisia
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22
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Mills MK, Rozo-Lopez P, Bryant WB, Drolet BS. microRNA Expression Dynamics in Culicoides sonorensis Biting Midges Following Blood-Feeding. Insects 2023; 14:611. [PMID: 37504617 PMCID: PMC10380374 DOI: 10.3390/insects14070611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Culicoides sonorensis midges vector multiple livestock arboviruses, resulting in significant economic losses worldwide. Due to the tight association between virus transmission, blood feeding, and egg development, understanding midge physiology is paramount to limiting pathogen transmission. Previous studies have demonstrated the importance of small non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), specifically microRNAs (miRNAs), in multiple aspects of vector physiology. These small ncRNAs regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level and display differential expression during pathogen infection. Due to the lack of annotated miRNAs in the biting midge and associated expression profiles, we used small RNA-Seq and miRDeep2 analyses to determine the Culicoides miRNAs in whole females and midgut tissues in response to blood feeding. Our analyses revealed 76 miRNAs within C. sonorensis composed of 73 orthologous and three candidate novel miRNAs, as well as conserved miRNA clusters. miRNA conservation suggests an interesting evolutionary relationship between miRNA expression and hematophagy in the infraorder Culicomorpha. We also identified multiple blood meal-regulated and tissue-enriched miRNAs. Lastly, we further identified miRNAs with expression patterns potentially associated with virus infection by probing publicly available datasets. Together, our data provide a foundation for future ncRNA work to untangle the dynamics of gene regulation associated with midge physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Katherine Mills
- Department of Biology and Geology, University of South Carolina-Aiken, Aiken, SC 29801, USA
| | - Paula Rozo-Lopez
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - William Bart Bryant
- Department of Medicine and Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Barbara S Drolet
- Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
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23
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Barceló C, Searle KR, Estrada R, Lucientes J, Miranda MÁ, Purse BV. The use of path analysis to determine effects of environmental factors on the adult seasonality of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) vector species in Spain. Bull Entomol Res 2023; 113:402-411. [PMID: 36908249 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485323000068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are the main vectors of livestock diseases such as bluetongue (BT) which mainly affect sheep and cattle. In Spain, bluetongue virus (BTV) is transmitted by several Culicoides taxa, including Culicoides imicola, Obsoletus complex, Culicoides newsteadi and Culicoides pulicaris that vary in seasonality and distribution, affecting the distribution and dynamics of BT outbreaks. Path analysis is useful for separating direct and indirect, biotic and abiotic determinants of species' population performance and is ideal for understanding the sensitivity of adult Culicoides dynamics to multiple environmental drivers. Start, end of season and length of overwintering of adult Culicoides were analysed across 329 sites in Spain sampled from 2005 to 2010 during the National Entomosurveillance Program for BTV with path analysis, to determine the direct and indirect effects of land use, climate and host factor variables. Culicoides taxa had species-specific responses to environmental variables. While the seasonality of adult C. imicola was strongly affected by topography, temperature, cover of agro-forestry and sclerophyllous vegetation, rainfall, livestock density, photoperiod in autumn and the abundance of Culicoides females, Obsoletus complex species seasonality was affected by land-use variables such as cover of natural grassland and broad-leaved forest. Culicoides female abundance was the most explanatory variable for the seasonality of C. newsteadi, while C. pulicaris showed that temperature during winter and the photoperiod in November had a strong effect on the start of the season and the length of overwinter period of this species. These results indicate that the seasonal vector-free period (SVFP) in Spain will vary between competent vector taxa and geographic locations, dependent on the different responses of each taxa to environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Barceló
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Research Group, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Ctra. Valldemossa Km 7.5, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Kate R Searle
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bush Estate, EH26 0QB Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rosa Estrada
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Javier Lucientes
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Miguel Á Miranda
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Research Group, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Ctra. Valldemossa Km 7.5, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Bethan V Purse
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Oxfordshire OX10 8BB, UK
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24
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Lv MN, Zhu JB, Liao SQ, Yang ZX, Lin XH, Qi NS, Chen QL, Wu CY, Li J, Cai HM, Zhang JF, Hu JJ, Xiao WW, Zhang X, Sun MF. Seroprevalence of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus in Guangdong Cattle Farms during 2013-2017, China. Viruses 2023; 15:1263. [PMID: 37376563 DOI: 10.3390/v15061263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is an infectious viral disease caused by epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) and EHDV frequently circulates in wild and domestic ruminants. Sporadic outbreaks of EHD have caused thousands of deaths and stillbirths on cattle farms. However, not much is known about the circulating status of EHDV in Guangdong, southern China. To estimate the seroprevalence of EHDV in Guangdong province, 2886 cattle serum samples were collected from 2013 to 2017 and tested for antibodies against EHDV using a competitive ELISA. The overall seroprevalence of EHDV reached 57.87% and was highest in autumn (75.34%). A subset of positive samples were serotyped by a serum neutralization test, showing that EHDV serotypes 1 and 5-8 were circulating in Guangdong. In addition, EHDV prevalence always peaked in autumn, while eastern Guangdong had the highest EHDV seropositivity over the five-year period, displaying apparent temporal-spatial distribution of EHDV prevalence. A binary logistic model analysis indicated a significant association between cattle with BTV infections and seroprevalence of EHDV (OR = 1.70, p < 0.001). The co-infection of different serotypes of EHDV and BTV raises a high risk of potential genomic reassortment and is likely to pose a significant threat to cattle, thus urging more surveillance to monitor their circulating dynamics in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Na Lv
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Jian-Bo Zhu
- Yunnan Tropical and Subtropical Animal Virus Diseases Laboratory, Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Kunming 650224, China
| | - Shen-Quan Liao
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Zhen-Xing Yang
- Yunnan Tropical and Subtropical Animal Virus Diseases Laboratory, Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Kunming 650224, China
| | - Xu-Hui Lin
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Nan-Shan Qi
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Qin-Ling Chen
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Cai-Yan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Juan Li
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Hai-Ming Cai
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Jian-Fei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Jun-Jing Hu
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Wen-Wan Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Ming-Fei Sun
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
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25
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Sloyer KE, Acevedo C, Wisely SM, Burkett-Cadena ND. Host associations of biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae: Culicoides) at deer farms in Florida, USA. J Med Entomol 2023; 60:518-526. [PMID: 37040561 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjad036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Documenting the host use of vector species is important for understanding the transmission dynamics of vector-borne pathogens. Biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae: Culicoides) are vectors of epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) and bluetongue virus (BTV) worldwide. However, relative to mosquitoes and many other vector groups, host associations of this group are poorly documented. In this study, we used PCR-based bloodmeal analysis to determine species-level host associations of 3,603 blood-engorged specimens belonging to 18 Culicoides species at 8 deer farms in Florida, USA. We used a binomial mixed model with a Bayesian framework to compare the effect of host composition on the feeding patterns of Culicoides spp. and employed the Morisita-Horn Index to investigate the similarity of host use between farms for Culicoides stellifer and Culicoides insignis. Results show that the estimated probability of Culicoides spp. feeding upon white-tailed deer depends on the availability of cattle or exotic game and demonstrates differences in host-feeding selection among species. Culicoides insignis had high host similarity across farms suggesting that its host-use patterns are somewhat conserved. Culicoides stellifer had lower host similarity across farms suggesting that it is a more opportunistic feeder. White-tailed deer are fed upon by many Culicoides species on deer farms in Florida, and while most Culicoides species feed on white-tailed deer, the ratio of white-tailed deer bloodmeals to other bloodmeals is likely influenced by host availability. Culicoides spp. taking a majority of their bloodmeals from farmed white-tailed deer should be assessed for their vector competence for EHDV and BTV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin E Sloyer
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida IFAS, 200 9th St. SE, Vero Beach, FL, USA
| | - Carolina Acevedo
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida IFAS, 200 9th St. SE, Vero Beach, FL, USA
| | - Samantha M Wisely
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, 110 Newins-Ziegler Hall, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Nathan D Burkett-Cadena
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida IFAS, 200 9th St. SE, Vero Beach, FL, USA
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Kamyingkird K, Choocherd S, Chimnoi W, Klinkaew N, Kengradomkij C, Phoosangwalthong P, Thammasonthijarern N, Pattanatanang K, Inpankaew T, Phasuk J, Nimsuphan B. Molecular Identification of Culicoides Species and Host Preference Blood Meal in the African Horse Sickness Outbreak-Affected Area in Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Thailand. Insects 2023; 14:369. [PMID: 37103184 PMCID: PMC10141043 DOI: 10.3390/insects14040369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
African horse sickness (AHS) was reported as an outbreak in Thailand in 2020. Hematophagous insects from the genus Culicoides are the suspected vector responsible for AHS transmission. Horses in Hua Hin district, Prachuab Khiri Khan province, Thailand, were affected and died from AHS in 2020. However, the potential Culicoides species and its host preference blood meal in the affected areas are unknown. To investigate the potential vectors of AHS, Culicoides were collected using ultraviolet light traps placed near horse stables. Six horse farms, including five farms with AHS history and one farm without AHS history, were included in this study. Morphological and molecular identification of the Culicoides species was performed. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the cytochrome b oxidase I (COXI) gene for confirmation of the Culicoides species, identification of the prepronociceptin (PNOC) gene for host preference blood meal, and bidirectional sequencing were conducted. Consequently, 1008 female Culicoides were collected, consisting of 708 and 300 samples captured at positions A and B at a distance of <2 and >5 m from the horse, respectively. Twelve Culicoides species identified by morphology were noted, including C. oxystoma (71.92%), C. imicola (20.44%), C. actoni (2.28%), C. flavipunctatus (1.98%), C. asiana (0.99%), C. peregrinus (0.60%), C. huffi (0.60%), C. brevitarsis (0.40%), C. innoxius (0.30%), C. histrio (0.30%), C. minimus (0.10%), and C. geminus (0.10%). The PCR detection of the Culicoides COXI gene confirmed Culicoides species in 23 DNA samples. PCR targeting the PNOC gene revealed that the Culicoides collected in this study fed on Equus caballus (86.25%), Canis lupus familiaris (6.25%), Sus scrofa (3.75%), and Homo sapiens (3.75%) for their blood meal. Human blood was identified from two samples of C. oxystoma and a sample of C. imicola. Three dominant species including C. oxystoma, C. imicola, and C. actoni that were reported in the Hua Hin area prefer to feed on horse blood. Moreover, C. oxystoma, C. imicola, and C. bravatarsis also feed on canine blood. This study revealed the species of Culicoides in Hua Hin district, Thailand, after the AHS outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Burin Nimsuphan
- Correspondence: (J.P.); (B.N.); Tel.: +66-02-942-8438 (J.P.)
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Söderroos D, Ignell R, Haubro Andersen P, Bergvall K, Riihimäki M. The Effect of Insect Bite Hypersensitivity on Movement Activity and Behaviour of the Horse. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13081283. [PMID: 37106846 PMCID: PMC10135092 DOI: 10.3390/ani13081283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) associated with Culicoides biting midges is a common allergic skin disease in horses, reducing the welfare of affected horses. This study investigated the effect of IBH on animal welfare and behaviour and assessed a new prophylactic insect repellent. In total, 30 horses were recruited for a prospective cross-over and case-control study. Clinical signs of IBH, inflammatory markers in skin biopsies and behavioural data (direct observations, motion index) were scored longitudinally during two consecutive summers. No differences were observed in the total number of itching behaviours or motion index between IBH-affected horses and controls, but higher numbers of itching behaviours were observed in the evening. IBH-affected horses showed both clinical and histopathological signs of inflammatory skin lesions, with even short periods of scratching being associated with moderate/severe inflammatory skin lesions. In order to improve the welfare of the IBH-affected horses, they should be stabled/given extra protection in the evening and even short-term exposure to Culicoides should be avoided. Preliminary results showed that the repellent tested can be used as a safe and non-toxic prophylactic to potentially reduce allergen exposure in horses with IBH, but further studies are needed to determine its efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Söderroos
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Rickard Ignell
- Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 234 22 Lomma, Sweden
| | - Pia Haubro Andersen
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Bergvall
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Miia Riihimäki
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
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Cleveland CA, Dallas TA, Vigil S, Mead DG, Corn JL, Park AW. Vector communities under global change may exacerbate and redistribute infectious disease risk. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:963-972. [PMID: 36847842 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07799-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Vector-borne parasites may be transmitted by multiple vector species, resulting in an increased risk of transmission, potentially at larger spatial scales compared to any single vector species. Additionally, the different abilities of patchily distributed vector species to acquire and transmit parasites will lead to varying degrees of transmission risk. Investigation of how vector community composition and parasite transmission change over space due to variation in environmental conditions may help to explain current patterns in diseases but also informs our understanding of how patterns will change under climate and land-use change. We developed a novel statistical approach using a multi-year, spatially extensive case study involving a vector-borne virus affecting white-tailed deer transmitted by Culicoides midges. We characterized the structure of vector communities, established the ecological gradient controlling change in structure, and related the ecology and structure to the amount of disease reporting observed in host populations. We found that vector species largely occur and replace each other as groups, rather than individual species. Moreover, community structure is primarily controlled by temperature ranges, with certain communities being consistently associated with high levels of disease reporting. These communities are essentially composed of species previously undocumented as potential vectors, whereas communities containing putative vector species were largely associated with low levels, or even absence, of disease reporting. We contend that the application of metacommunity ecology to vector-borne infectious disease ecology can greatly aid the identification of transmission hotspots and an understanding of the ecological drivers of parasite transmission risk both now and in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Cleveland
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS), Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA. .,Center for Ecology of Infectious Diseases, Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
| | - Tad A Dallas
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29205, USA.
| | - Stacey Vigil
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS), Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Daniel G Mead
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS), Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Joseph L Corn
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS), Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Andrew W Park
- Center for Ecology of Infectious Diseases, Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA. .,Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, 140 E. Green Street, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
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Inumaru M, Nakamura K, Odagawa T, Suzuki M, Murata K, Sato Y. The first detection of avian haemosporidia from Culicoides biting midges in Japan, with notes on potential vector species and the transmission cycle. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2023; 39:100840. [PMID: 36878625 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biting midges (Ceratopogonidae) are capable of transmitting a variety of pathogens including viruses, trypanosomes and haemosporidia. The majority of Haemoproteus parasites are transmitted by biting midges predominantly of the genus Culicoides and are known to cause significant physical and reproductive impacts on both wild and domestic birds. In Japan, Haemoproteus had been detected from various avian hosts, but not from arthropod vectors. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of avian haemosporidia at an educational forest in central Japan in attempt to reveal possible vector species of Haemoproteus, which would help to better understand the transmission cycle of Haemoproteus within Japan and to develop preventative measures for captive and domestic birds. METHODS Biting midges were caught using UV light traps from 2016 to 2018. The collected samples were morphologically identified, and haemosporidian parasites were detected using PCR-based methods. The detected lineages were phylogenetically analyzed and compared with lineages previously detected from birds. Bloodmeal analyses were also carried out for part of the blood-fed individuals. RESULTS Six Haemoproteus lineages were detected from 17 of 1042 female Culicoides (1.63%), including three species (C. sigaensis, C. arakawae, and C. pictimargo) in which Haemoproteus was detected for the first time. All detected lineages were placed in the subgenus Parahaemoproteus clade and were previously detected from crows of central Japan, strongly suggesting that parasites of these genetic lineages are transmitted between Culicoides and crows. Two Plasmodium lineages were also detected but are thought to be transmitted between Culex mosquitoes and birds of the educational forest based on previous detections. No amplifications were seen in bloodmeal analysis, possibly due to insufficient amount of blood, denaturation via digestion, or insufficient detectability of the used protocol. CONCLUSION Haemoproteus DNA was detected from Culicoides for the first time in Japan, suggesting that transmission is possible within the country. These findings highlight the necessity to investigate Culicoides populations and Haemoproteus infections dynamics in Japan. However, vector competence could not be confirmed in this study and further studies are anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mizue Inumaru
- Laboratory of Biomedical Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan; Department of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Toyama 1-23-1, Shinjuku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Keita Nakamura
- Laboratory of Biomedical Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan
| | - Taichi Odagawa
- Laboratory of Biomedical Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan
| | - Momoka Suzuki
- Laboratory of Biomedical Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan
| | - Koichi Murata
- Laboratory of Wildlife Science, Department of Animal Resource Sciences, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan
| | - Yukita Sato
- Laboratory of Biomedical Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan.
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Subhadra S, Sreenivasulu D, Pattnaik R, Panda BK, Kumar S. Bluetongue virus: Past, present, and future scope. J Infect Dev Ctries 2023; 17:147-156. [PMID: 36897898 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.16947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Bluetongue (BT), once considered a disease of sheep confined to the southern African region, has spread all over the world. BT is a viral disease caused by the bluetongue virus (BTV). BT is regarded as an economically important disease in ruminants of compulsory notification to OIE. BTV is transmitted by the bite of Culicoides species. Research over the years has led to a better understanding of the disease, the nature of the virus life cycle between ruminants and Culicoides species, and its distribution in different geographical regions. Advances have also been made in understanding the molecular structure and function of the virus, the biology of the Culicoides species, its ability to transmit the disease, and the persistence of the virus inside the Culicoides and the mammalian hosts. Global climate change has enabled the colonization of new habitats and the spread of the virus into additional species of the Culicoides vector. This review highlights some of the current findings on the status of BT in the world based on the latest research on disease aspects, virus-host-vector interactions, and the different diagnostic approaches and control strategies available for BTV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhra Subhadra
- Virology lab (VRDL), ICMR- Regional Medical Research Center, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Daggupati Sreenivasulu
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Ritesh Pattnaik
- School of Biotechnology, Campus-XI, KIIT University, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | | | - Subrat Kumar
- School of Biotechnology, Campus-XI, KIIT University, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
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Yang X, Qin S, Liu X, Zhang N, Chen J, Jin M, Liu F, Wang Y, Guo J, Shi H, Wang C, Chen Y. Meta-Viromic Sequencing Reveals Virome Characteristics of Mosquitoes and Culicoides on Zhoushan Island, China. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0268822. [PMID: 36651764 PMCID: PMC9927462 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02688-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquitoes and biting Culicoides species are arbovirus vectors. Effective virome profile surveillance is essential for the prevention and control of insect-borne diseases. From June to September 2021, we collected eight species of female mosquito and Culicoides on Zhoushan Island, China, and used meta-viromic sequencing to analyze their virome compositions and characteristics. The classified virus reads were distributed in 191 genera in 66 families. The virus sequences in mosquitoes with the largest proportions were Iflaviridae (30.03%), Phasmaviridae (23.09%), Xinmoviridae (21.82%), Flaviviridae (13.44%), and Rhabdoviridae (8.40%). Single-strand RNA+ viruses formed the largest proportions of viruses in all samples. Blood meals indicated that blood-sucking mosquito hosts were mainly chicken, duck, pig, and human, broadly consistent with the habitats where the mosquitoes were collected. Novel viruses of the Orthobunyavirus, Narnavirus, and Iflavirus genera were found in Culicoides by de-novo assembly. The viruses with vertebrate hosts carried by mosquitoes and Culicoides also varied widely. The analysis of unclassified viruses and deep-learning analysis of the "dark matter" in the meta-viromic sequencing data revealed the presence of a large number of unknown viruses. IMPORTANCE The monitoring of the viromes of mosquitoes and Culicoides, widely distributed arbovirus transmission vectors, is crucial to evaluate the risk of infectious disease transmission. In this study, the compositions of the viromes of mosquitoes and Culicoides on Zhoushan Island varied widely and were related mainly to the host species, with different host species having different core viromes. and many unknown sequences in the Culicoides viromes remain to be annotated, suggesting the presence of a large number of unknown viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Yang
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Shiyu Qin
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Xiong Liu
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Na Zhang
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Jiali Chen
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Meiling Jin
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Fangni Liu
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Jinpeng Guo
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Shi
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Changjun Wang
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Chen
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
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Mullens BA, Luhring KA. Parasite load effects on sex ratio, size, survival and mating fitness of Heleidomermis magnapapula in Culicoides sonorensis. J Nematol 2023; 55:20230052. [PMID: 38026551 PMCID: PMC10670004 DOI: 10.2478/jofnem-2023-0052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Heleidomermis magnapapula parasitizes the blood-feeding midge Culicoides sonorensis. Most (84%) single mermithid infective second stage juveniles (J2) developed into adult females, while parasitism by multiple J2 yielded 97% male adults. Nematodes emerged from the midge larval host as adults and mated immediately; females were ovoviviparous. Host larvae were exposed to nematode J2 and examined intact microscopically to score initial parasite load. Midge hosts were reared individually. Premature midge death, nematode survival within the host, and emerging adult nematode sex ratio and size as a function of load and host size were all tracked. Higher nematode loads produced smaller adult nematode males. The higher loads also increased and accelerated premature host death. Emergence of > 7-9 adult nematode males was rare, but up to 19 tiny males emerged from a single host. Larger midges supported higher parasite loads and a larger total volume of emerged nematode biomass. Virgin adult nematode males then were paired with females of variable, known sizes (volume) and held to determine size effects on fertility (egg hatch), and male survival (longevity). Tested adult males ranged in size from 0.0025 - 0.0334 mm3 and females from 0.0121 - 0.1110 mm3. Logistic regression indicated female nematode fertility was positively influenced by male nematode size, while nematode load and female nematode size had no significant effect. While fertility was reduced statistically in smaller males, even some of the smallest male and female individuals could be fertile. Findings are related to field studies in this system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley A. Mullens
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, California92521, USA
| | - Katherine A. Luhring
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, California92521, USA
- Present Address: 2291 SW 2 Avenue, Fruitland, Idaho83619
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McGregor BL, Reister-Hendricks LM, Nordmeyer C, Stapleton S, Davis TM, Drolet BS. Using Zoos as Sentinels for Re-Emerging Arboviruses: Vector Surveillance during an Outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease at the Minnesota Zoo. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12010140. [PMID: 36678488 PMCID: PMC9864106 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12010140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne disease prevalence is increasing at a time when surveillance capacity in the United States is decreasing. One way to address this surveillance deficiency is to utilize established infrastructure, such as zoological parks, to investigate animal disease outbreaks and improve our epidemiological understanding of vector-borne pathogens. During fall 2020, an outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) at the Minnesota Zoo resulted in morbidity and seroconversion of several collection animals. In response to this outbreak, insect surveillance was conducted, and the collected insects were tested for the presence of epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) by RT-qPCR to better understand the local transmitting vector populations responsible for the outbreak. Six pools of Culicoides biting midges were positive for EHDV, including three pools of Culicoides sonorensis, two pools of Culicoides variipennis, and a pool of degraded C. variipennis complex midges. All three endemic serotypes of EHDV (1, 2, and 6) were detected in both animals and midge pools from the premises. Despite this outbreak, no EHDV cases had been reported in wild animals near the zoo. This highlights the importance and utility of using animal holding facilities, such as zoos, as sentinels to better understand the spatio-temporal dynamics of pathogen transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany L. McGregor
- Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Lindsey M. Reister-Hendricks
- Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
| | - Cale Nordmeyer
- Conservation Department, Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley, MN 55124, USA
| | - Seth Stapleton
- Conservation Department, Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley, MN 55124, USA
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Travis M. Davis
- Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
| | - Barbara S. Drolet
- Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
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Bellekom B, Bailey A, England M, Langlands Z, Lewis OT, Hackett TD. Effects of storage conditions and digestion time on DNA amplification of biting midge ( Culicoides) blood meals. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:13. [PMID: 36635709 PMCID: PMC9837887 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05607-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Molecular analysis of blood meals is increasingly used to identify the hosts of biting insects such as midges and mosquitoes. Successful host identification depends on the availability of sufficient host DNA template for PCR amplification, making it important to understand how amplification success changes under different storage conditions and with different durations of blood meal digestion within the insect gut before being placed into the storage medium. METHOD We characterised and compared the digestion profile of two species of Culicoides over a 96-h period using a novel set of general vertebrate primers targeting the 16S rRNA gene. A set number of individuals from each species were killed over 13 time points post-blood feeding and preserved in 95% ethanol. Samples were stored either at ambient room temperature or in a - 20 °C freezer to examine the effect of storage condition on the PCR amplification success of host DNA. RESULTS We found that amplification success across the 96-h sampling period post-feeding was reduced from 96 to 6% and 96% to 14% for Culicoides nubeculosus and Culicoides sonorensis, respectively. We found no effect of storage condition on PCR amplification success, and storage in 95% ethanol was sufficient to maintain high rates of amplifiable host DNA for at least 9 months, even at room temperature. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight the limited time frame during which an individual may contain amplifiable host DNA and demonstrate the importance of timely sample capture and processing post-blood feeding. Moreover, storage in 95% ethanol alone is sufficient to limit host DNA degradation. These results are relevant to the design of studies investigating the biting behaviour and disease transmission potential of Culicoides and other biting Diptera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Bellekom
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Department of Biology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3SZ UK
| | - Abigail Bailey
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Department of Biology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3SZ UK
| | - Marion England
- grid.63622.330000 0004 0388 7540The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0NF UK
| | - Zoe Langlands
- grid.63622.330000 0004 0388 7540The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0NF UK
| | - Owen T. Lewis
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Department of Biology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3SZ UK
| | - Talya D. Hackett
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Department of Biology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3SZ UK
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Hadj-Henni L, Djerada Z, Millot C, Cousinat M, Lehrter V, Augot D. Wing morphology variations in Culicoides circumscriptus from France. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1089772. [PMID: 37168098 PMCID: PMC10164937 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1089772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The biting midge Culicoides circumscriptus Kieffer, 1918 is a European widespread vector of avian malaria throughout the continent and is a possible vector of Akabane virus and Bluetongue virus. This species populates a wide range of environments in contrasting ecological settings often exposed to strong seasonal fluctuations. The main goals of this study were to investigate C. circumscriptus phenotypic variation at three departments in France (Corsica Island, Moselle and Var) and to determine if its phenotypes vary with the environment. Culicoides circumscriptus wing phenotypes were analyzed using a geometric morphometric approach based on anatomical landmarks and outlines of the wing. Dendogram trees based on landmarks and the outlines-2 set (cell m4) showed similar topologies and separated populations of C. circumscriptus. In contrast, another set of outlines-1 (covering the r-m cross vein, M, radiale and arculus) presented a different hierarchical clustering tree. The phenotypic variation observed in C. circumscriptus indicated that these populations are exposed to environmental and ecological pressures. Our results suggest the presence of phenotypic plasticity in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Hadj-Henni
- Usc Vecpar-ANSES LSA, EA 7510, SFR Cap Santé, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims Cedex, France
| | - Zoubir Djerada
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, EA 3801, SFR Cap Santé, Reims University Hospital, Reims Cedex, France
| | - Christine Millot
- Usc Vecpar-ANSES LSA, EA 7510, SFR Cap Santé, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims Cedex, France
- *Correspondence: Christine Millot, ; Denis Augot,
| | - Mireille Cousinat
- Usc Vecpar-ANSES LSA, EA 7510, SFR Cap Santé, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims Cedex, France
| | - Véronique Lehrter
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Unité BioSpecT, EA7506, SFR Cap Santé, UFR de Pharmacie, Reims, France
| | - Denis Augot
- Usc Vecpar-ANSES LSA, EA 7510, SFR Cap Santé, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims Cedex, France
- ANSES, INRAe, ENVA, UMR-BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort Cedex, France
- *Correspondence: Christine Millot, ; Denis Augot,
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Mosquera JD, Zapata S, Spinelli G, Gualapuro M, León R, Augot D. An updated list of the Culicoides (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) fauna from Ecuador. Parasite 2022; 29:63. [PMID: 36562430 PMCID: PMC9879131 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2022061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
An updated list of biting midges of the genus Culicoides inhabiting Ecuador is provided. Entomological investigations were carried out from July 2010 to May 2019 using CDC light traps in three Ecuadorian regions (Amazon basin, Andean (foothills and highlands) and Pacific Coast). A total of 12,073 Culicoides specimens from seven subgenera and nine species groups were collected. More species and higher variation were found in the Amazon basin than in either of the Andes regions or coastal sites. A total of 53 species were identified. Of these, 15 are herein reported as new species records for Ecuador: Culicoides acotylus Lutz, C. aitkeni Wirth & Blanton, C. benarrochi Ortiz & Mirsa, C. carvalhoi Wirth & Blanton, C. freitasi Wirth & Blanton, C. ginesi Ortíz, C. lopesi Barretto, C. lyrinotatus Wirth & Blanton, C. profundus Santarém, Felippe-Bauer & Trindade, C. pseudoreticulatus Santarém, Felippe-Bauer & Castellón, C. quasiparaensis Clastrier, C. vernoni Wirth & Blanton, C. youngi Wirth & Barreto and two new species. Our results show that the updated list of the Ecuadorian Culicoides fauna comprises 70 species. This inventory highlights the presence of species that have been incriminated as vectors of disease elsewhere in animals and humans, mainly C. insignis and C. paraensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan D. Mosquera
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Instituto de Microbiología, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Diego de Robles and Pampite 170901 Quito Ecuador
| | - Sonia Zapata
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Instituto de Microbiología, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Diego de Robles and Pampite 170901 Quito Ecuador
,
Estación de Biodiversidad Tiputini, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ Quito Ecuador
,Corresponding authors: ;
| | - Gustavo Spinelli
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División Entomología, Museo de La Plata, Paseo del Bosque 1900 La Plata Argentina
,
Instituto de Limnología “Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet”, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de la Argentina, Universidad Nacional de La Plata Boulevard 120 y 62 1900 La Plata Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Moises Gualapuro
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Instituto de Microbiología, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Diego de Robles and Pampite 170901 Quito Ecuador
| | - Renato León
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Instituto de Microbiología, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Diego de Robles and Pampite 170901 Quito Ecuador
| | - Denis Augot
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UscVecpar, ANSES-LSA-EA7510, SFR Cap Santé, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne 51 rue Cognacq-Jay 51096 Reims Cedex France
,
Anses, INRAe, ENVA, UMR-BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale 14 rue Pierre et Marie Curie 94701 Maisons-Alfort Cedex France
,Corresponding authors: ;
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Kar S, Mondal B, Pal A, Harsha R, Mazumdar A. Blood meal analysis of Culicoides species associated with livestock in West Bengal, India. Med Vet Entomol 2022; 36:503-510. [PMID: 35599276 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge gaps exist on the feeding pattern and host range of bluetongue virus vectors, Culicoides species, associated with livestock in India. Adult midges were trapped with ultraviolet light traps at 13 household farms adjacent to human biotope. Host DNA was isolated from individual females (n = 101; blood engorged-82, gravid-4 and parous-15) and subjected to PCR amplification targeting CytB and 16S rRNA gene fragments followed by sequencing of amplified DNA samples. However, DNA sequences from only 71 individuals (70.3%) comprising of 10 Culicoides species were obtained. Blood meal analysis revealed at least 10 species that fed on five mammalian hosts including humans, but surprisingly none tested positive for birds. Results revealed that Culicoides innoxius tested positive for four not previously recognized species indicating a potential role as a vector species. Likewise, Culicoides shortti and Culicoides hegneri preferred goat and cattle respectively as hosts, whereas Culicoides palpifer preferred cattle along with buffalo as hosts, which is being reported for the first time. This is the first document on DNA-based blood meal identification and feeding preference of Culicoides midges associated with livestock in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surajit Kar
- Entomology Research Unit, Department of Zoology, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan, West Bengal, India
| | - Biswajit Mondal
- Entomology Research Unit, Department of Zoology, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan, West Bengal, India
| | - Arjun Pal
- Entomology Research Unit, Department of Zoology, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan, West Bengal, India
| | - Rupa Harsha
- Department of Zoology, Balurghat College, Balurghat, West Bengal, India
| | - Abhijit Mazumdar
- Entomology Research Unit, Department of Zoology, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan, West Bengal, India
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Matthews ML, Covey HO, Drolet BS, Brelsfoard CL. Wolbachia wAlbB inhibits bluetongue and epizootic hemorrhagic fever viruses in Culicoides midge cells. Med Vet Entomol 2022; 36:320-328. [PMID: 35266572 PMCID: PMC9540819 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Culicoides midges are hematophagous insects that transmit arboviruses of veterinary importance. These viruses include bluetongue virus (BTV) and epizootic hemorrhagic fever virus (EHDV). The endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis Hertig spreads rapidly through insect host populations and has been demonstrated to inhibit viral pathogen transmission in multiple mosquito vectors. Here, we have demonstrated a replication inhibitory effect on BTV and EHDV in a Wolbachia (wAlbB strain)-infected Culicoides sonorensis Wirth and Jones W8 cell line. Viral replication was significantly reduced by day 5 for BTV and by day 2 for EHDV as detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) of the non-structural NS3 gene of both viruses. Evaluation of innate cellular immune responses as a cause of the inhibitory effect showed responses associated with BTV but not with EHDV infection. Wolbachia density also did not play a role in the observed pathogen inhibitory effects, and an alternative hypothesis is suggested. Applications of Wolbachia-mediated pathogen interference to impact disease transmission by Culicoides midges are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan L. Matthews
- Department of Biological SciencesTexas Tech UniversityLubbockTexasUSA
| | - Hunter O. Covey
- Department of Biological SciencesTexas Tech UniversityLubbockTexasUSA
| | - Barbara S. Drolet
- Arthropod‐Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA‐ARSManhattanKansasUSA
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Pramual P, Jomkumsing P, Wongpakam K, Vaisusuk K, Chatan W, Gomontean B. Population Genetic Structure and Population History of the Biting Midge Culicoides mahasarakhamense (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Insects 2022; 13:insects13080724. [PMID: 36005350 PMCID: PMC9409184 DOI: 10.3390/insects13080724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Biting midges of the genus Culicoides Latreille are significant pests and vectors of disease agents transmitted to humans and other animals. Understanding the genetic structure and diversity of these insects is crucial for effective control programs. This study examined the genetic diversity, genetic structure, and demographic history of Culicoides mahasarakhamense, a possible vector of avian haemosporidian parasites and Leishmania martiniquensis, in Thailand. The star-like shape of the median joining haplotype network, a unimodal mismatch distribution, and significant negative values for Tajima's D and Fu's FS tests indicated that populations had undergone recent expansion. Population expansion time was estimated to be 2000-22,000 years ago. Population expansion may have been triggered by climatic amelioration from cold/dry to warm/humid conditions at the end of the last glaciations, resulting in the increased availability of host blood sources. Population pairwise FST revealed that most (87%) comparisons were not genetically different, most likely due to a shared recent history. The exception to the generally low level of genetic structuring is a population from the northern region that is genetically highly different from others. Population isolation in the past and the limitation of ongoing gene flows due to large geographic distance separation are possible explanations for genetic differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pairot Pramual
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Mahasalakan 44150, Thailand
- Correspondence:
| | - Panya Jomkumsing
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Mahasalakan 44150, Thailand
| | - Komgrit Wongpakam
- Walai Rukhavej Botanical Research Institute, Mahasarakham University, Mahasalakan 44150, Thailand
| | - Kotchaphon Vaisusuk
- Department of Veterinary Technology and Veterinary Nursing, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University, Mahasalakan 44000, Thailand
| | - Wasupon Chatan
- Department of Veterinary Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Mahasarakham University, Mahasalakan 44000, Thailand
| | - Bhuvadol Gomontean
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Mahasalakan 44150, Thailand
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40
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Kar S, Mondal B, Ghosh J, Mazumdar SM, Mazumdar A. Host preference of bluetongue virus vectors, Culicoides species associated with livestock in West Bengal, India: Potential relevance on bluetongue epidemiology. Acta Trop 2022; 235:106648. [PMID: 35961406 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Determination of host choice of Culicoides species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), the vectors of bluetongue virus (BTV), is pivotal to ascertain the role of each species in the transmission of pathogens, pest management and enumeration of disease prediction models. Host preference of livestock associated Culicoides midges was investigated in West Bengal, India with four replicates of a 3 × 3 Latin square design during August and September 2021. Adult Culicoides were mouth aspirated from three BTV hosts viz., cattle, sheep and goats. Mouth aspirating was validated by the sweep net collections. The host-baited collections recorded seven Culicoides species; with the highest landing rate on cattle (n = 5,667; 92.9%) followed by sheep (n = 365; 6.0%) and goat (n = 67; 1.1%). Based on the Jacob's selectivity index, all midge species, except for Culicoides fulvus Sen & Das Gupta, encountered, preferred cattle over other mammalian hosts. Culicoides oxystoma Kieffer, the subgenus Trithecoides Wirth & Hubert and Culicoides actoni Smith, predominated on the ventral region (belly/flank) of the cattle. However, Culicoides peregrinus Kieffer and C. actoni were observed to be prevalent in the leg region of sheep. A significantly higher percentage of female (99.9%) with only 0.3% of male were trapped in aspiration based animal baited collections. On the other hand sweep net and light trap catch comprises of 50.7%, 89.7% female and 49.2%, 10.2% male respectively. Surprisingly, DNA based blood meal analysis revealed human blood from the midges trapped in UV-LED light traps. Supplying the first evidence that Culicoides similis Carter, Ingram & Macfie, C. fulvus and Culicoides palpifer Das Gupta & Ghosh, feed on humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surajit Kar
- Entomology Research Unit, Department of Zoology, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan, West Bengal 713104, India
| | - Biswajit Mondal
- Entomology Research Unit, Department of Zoology, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan, West Bengal 713104, India
| | - Joydeep Ghosh
- Tata Consultancy Services, Ecospace 2A, AA II, Newtown, West Bengal 700135, India
| | | | - Abhijit Mazumdar
- Entomology Research Unit, Department of Zoology, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan, West Bengal 713104, India.
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41
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Carvalho LPC, Costa GDS, Pereira Júnior AM, de Paulo PFM, Silva GS, Carioca ALPM, Rodrigues BL, Pessoa FAC, Medeiros JF. DNA Barcoding of genus Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in the Brazilian Amazon. Acta Trop 2022; 235:106619. [PMID: 35905777 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Culicoides biting midges are capable to transmit Oropouche virus, Bluetongue virus and Mansonella spp. This study aimed to assess the utility of DNA barcode as an alternative method in the Culicoides species identification. The study was conducted in Jamari National Forest. Biting midges were collected using HP light traps during four months, February, April, August and October, 2018. Insects were morphologically identified to the species level, and rest of the body were subjected to DNA extraction and PCR targeting a fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, which were analyzed and deposited in GenBank. A phylogenetic gene tree was reconstructed using RAxML software, and the sequences were assigned at Molecular Operational Taxonomic Unit (MOTU) level by species delimitation algorithms. According to morphological approach, 18 species of 2 subgenera and 7 species groups were identified. A total of 191 new COI barcodes from 18 species were generated. Of these, fifteen species have been deposited for the first time in all datasets in the world. These sequences allowed the correct identification of 188 and 187 specimens according to the BM and BCM criteria, respectively. The intraspecific genetic distances ranged from 0 to 16.5%, while the interspecific ones ranged from 2.1 to 27.1%. The nominal species Culicoides glabellus and C. tetrathyris splitted into three and two MOTUs, respectively, except for mPTP, indicating a cryptic diversity in these species. Also, sequences of C. pseudodiabolicus formed two MOTUs using all algorithms, except for PTP and ABGD, suggesting the existence of two potential species. In contrast, some barcodes of C. quasiparaensis and C. paraensis merged into a single MOTU, which can be explained by the complex characteristics of the paraensis group, since these species have similar morphological characters. Here, we provided the first COI barcodes for biting midges in Rondônia and Brazil, and demonstrates that these are sufficient to discriminate between some species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Paulo Costa Carvalho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Experimental, Fundação Universidade Federal de Rondônia, BR 364, Km 9.5, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Laboratório de Entomologia, Fiocruz Rondônia, Rua da Beira, 7671, Lagoa, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil.
| | | | - Antônio Marques Pereira Júnior
- Laboratório de Entomologia, Fiocruz Rondônia, Rua da Beira, 7671, Lagoa, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental - INCT-EpiAmO, Rua da Beira, 7671, Lagoa, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | | | - Geisiane Santos Silva
- Laboratório de Entomologia, Fiocruz Rondônia, Rua da Beira, 7671, Lagoa, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Angélica Lorena Pereira Mendes Carioca
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Experimental, Fundação Universidade Federal de Rondônia, BR 364, Km 9.5, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Laboratório de Entomologia, Fiocruz Rondônia, Rua da Beira, 7671, Lagoa, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Bruno Leite Rodrigues
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, 01246-904, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Felipe Arley Costa Pessoa
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental - INCT-EpiAmO, Rua da Beira, 7671, Lagoa, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fiocruz Amazônia, Rua Terezina, 476, Adrianópolis, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Jansen Fernandes Medeiros
- Laboratório de Entomologia, Fiocruz Rondônia, Rua da Beira, 7671, Lagoa, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental - INCT-EpiAmO, Rua da Beira, 7671, Lagoa, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
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Kadjoudj N, Bounamous A, Kouba Y, Dik B, Zeroual S, Amira A, Chenchouni H. Composition and diversity of Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in rural and suburban environments of Algeria. Acta Trop 2022; 234:106588. [PMID: 35803337 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Culicoides biting midges are well known biological vectors of several arboviruses causing more than 100 veterinary and medical diseases worldwide. In Algeria, bluetongue virus, which is transmitted by Culicoides midges, is responsible for one of the most critical insect-borne diseases of sheep. For example, this disease caused clinically severe morbidity of about 2,661 confirmed cases out of 21,175 susceptible sheep in Algeria. This study compared the abundance, richness, and diversity of Culicoides species in rural and suburban environments of semi-arid regions in North Africa. It examined the potential influence of the bio-climatic factors on the variation of population sizes and the elevation distribution of biting midges. Specimen collection was carried out from June to September during two successive years (2018 and 2019) using CDC light traps installed at 15 sites in different environments. Culicoides specimens were dissected, slide-mounted, and morphologically identified using the interactive identification key IIKC and various standard morphological criteria. A total of 1,046 Culicoides specimens (1,024 females and 22 males) were trapped and classified into 22 species, belonged to nine distinct subgenera. Two new species records for Algeria and even North Africa are reported: Culicoides albicans (Winnertz, 1852) and Culicoides nubeculosus (Meigen, 1830). Culicoides newsteadi Austen, 1921 (51.6%) was the dominant species, and it was followed by Culicoides punctatus (Meigen, 1804) (16.3%) and Culicoides odiatus Austen, 1921 (11.5%). These three species, comprising 80% of the collected Culicoides, were the most abundant both outside and inside livestock stables in rural and suburban environments. Species diversity was similar in the two settings, with a slight increase in suburban environments. None of the Culicoides species encountered correlated significantly with the climatic factors (mean temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity). Elevation was the most determinant environmental parameter that affected the abundance and distribution of Culicoides midges in the semi-arid and sub-humid areas studied. The maximum distribution of Culicoides species was detected at mid elevations (400‒800 m). Using a modeling approach, we explored for the first time the variation of composition and diversity in Culicoides communities within different climatic regions, environments and livestock settings in Algeria. This survey deepens our understanding of the relationships among environmental factors, abundance, diversity, and geographic distribution of Culicoides. This is a crucial step to assess the epidemiological situation of the diseases transmitted by these biting midges and to allow mitigation of the associated risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Kadjoudj
- Laboratory of Natural Sciences and Materials, Institute of Science and Technology, University Center A. Boussouf of Mila, Mila 43000, Algeria
| | - Azzedine Bounamous
- Laboratory of Natural Sciences and Materials, Institute of Science and Technology, University Center A. Boussouf of Mila, Mila 43000, Algeria
| | - Yacine Kouba
- Department of Geography and Spatial Planning, Larbi Ben Mhidi University, 04000, Algeria
| | - Bilal Dik
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selçuk University, Konya 42250, Turkey
| | - Samir Zeroual
- Laboratory of Genetics, biotechnology and valorization of bio-resources, University Mohamed Khider, Biskra, Algeria
| | - Aicha Amira
- Laboratory of Natural Sciences and Materials, Institute of Science and Technology, University Center A. Boussouf of Mila, Mila 43000, Algeria
| | - Haroun Chenchouni
- Department of Forest Management, Higher National School of Forests, Khenchela 40000, Algeria; Laboratory of Natural Resources and Management of Sensitive Environments 'RNAMS', Larbi Ben Mhidi University, Oum-El-Bouaghi 04000, Algeria.
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Möhlmann TWR, Ter Braak CJF, Te Beest DE, Hendriks M, Nijhuis EH, Warris S, Drolet BS, van Overbeek L, Koenraadt CJM. Species Identity, Life History, and Geographic Distance Influence Gut Bacterial Communities in Lab-Reared and European Field-Collected Culicoides Biting midges. Microb Ecol 2022; 84:267-284. [PMID: 34436640 PMCID: PMC9250918 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-021-01822-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria are part of the insect gut system and influence many physiological traits of their host. Gut bacteria may even reduce or block the transmission of arboviruses in several species of arthropod vectors. Culicoides biting midges are important arboviral vectors of several livestock and wildlife diseases, yet limited information is available on their gut bacterial communities. Addressing this gap will help inform how these communities can be manipulated and ultimately used as novel tools to control pathogens. To assess how bacterial communities change during the life stages of lab-reared C. nubeculosus and C. sonorensis, endosymbiotic bacteria were identified using Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA and taxonomically characterised. Analyses were conducted to determine how gut bacterial communities in adults are influenced by species identity and geographic distance among biting midge populations. Communities of the two lab-reared Culicoides species significantly changed after pupation and with maturation into 6-day-old adults. Pseudomonas, Burkholderiaceae and Leucobacter bacteria were part of a core community that was trans-stadially transmitted and found throughout their life cycle. Among field-collected biting midges, the bacterial communities were unique for almost each species. Cardinium, Rickettsia and Wolbachia were some of the most abundant bacteria in midges collected from wetlands. Only Pseudomonas was present in high relative abundance in all field-collected species. In this study, species identity, as well as geographic distance, influenced the gut bacterial communities and may partly explain known inter- and intra-species variability in vector competence. Additionally, stably associated bacterial species could be candidates for paratransgenic strategies to control vector-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim W R Möhlmann
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Cajo J F Ter Braak
- Biometris, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Dennis E Te Beest
- Biometris, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marc Hendriks
- Biointeractions and Plant Health, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Els H Nijhuis
- Biointeractions and Plant Health, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sven Warris
- Bioscience, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Barbara S Drolet
- Agricultural Research Service, Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA, 1515 College Ave, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Leo van Overbeek
- Biointeractions and Plant Health, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Constantianus J M Koenraadt
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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Huang Y, Zhang H, Li X, Zhao L, Cai D, Wang S, Ren N, Ma H, Huang D, Wang F, Yuan Z, Zhang B, Xia H. In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization of a New Strain of Mosquito Flavivirus Derived from Culicoides. Viruses 2022; 14:v14061298. [PMID: 35746769 PMCID: PMC9229015 DOI: 10.3390/v14061298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-specific flaviviruses comprise a group of insect-specific viruses with a single positive RNA, which can affect the duplication of mosquito-borne viruses and the life growth of mosquitoes, and which have the potential to be developed as a vaccine platform for mosquito-borne viruses. In this study, a strain of mosquito flavivirus (MFV) YN15-283-02 was detected in Culicoides collected from Yunnan, China. The isolation of the purified MFV YN15-283-02 from cell culture failed, and the virus was then rescued by an infectious clone. To study the biological features of MFV YN15-283-02 in vitro and in vivo, electron microscopy, phylogenetic tree, and viral growth kinetic analyses were performed in both cell lines and mosquitoes. The rescued MFV (rMFV) YN15-283-02 duplicated and reached a peak in C6/36 cells at 6 d.p.i. with approximately 2 × 106 RNA copies/μL (RNA to cell ratio of 0.1), but without displaying a cytopathic effect. In addition, the infection rate for the rMFV in Ae.aegypti show a low level in both larvae (≤15%) and adult mosquitoes (≤12%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Huang
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; (Y.H.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (S.W.); (N.R.); (H.M.); (D.H.); (F.W.); (Z.Y.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hongqing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; (Y.H.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (S.W.); (N.R.); (H.M.); (D.H.); (F.W.); (Z.Y.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaodan Li
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; (Y.H.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (S.W.); (N.R.); (H.M.); (D.H.); (F.W.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Lu Zhao
- Westlake Disease Modeling Lab, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou 310024, China;
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Dirui Cai
- School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China;
| | - Shunlong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; (Y.H.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (S.W.); (N.R.); (H.M.); (D.H.); (F.W.); (Z.Y.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Nanjie Ren
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; (Y.H.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (S.W.); (N.R.); (H.M.); (D.H.); (F.W.); (Z.Y.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Haixia Ma
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; (Y.H.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (S.W.); (N.R.); (H.M.); (D.H.); (F.W.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Doudou Huang
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; (Y.H.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (S.W.); (N.R.); (H.M.); (D.H.); (F.W.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Fei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; (Y.H.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (S.W.); (N.R.); (H.M.); (D.H.); (F.W.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Zhiming Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; (Y.H.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (S.W.); (N.R.); (H.M.); (D.H.); (F.W.); (Z.Y.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; (Y.H.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (S.W.); (N.R.); (H.M.); (D.H.); (F.W.); (Z.Y.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Correspondence: (B.Z.); (H.X.); Tel.: +86-27-87197607 (B.Z.); +86-27-87198120 (H.X.)
| | - Han Xia
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; (Y.H.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (S.W.); (N.R.); (H.M.); (D.H.); (F.W.); (Z.Y.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Correspondence: (B.Z.); (H.X.); Tel.: +86-27-87197607 (B.Z.); +86-27-87198120 (H.X.)
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González MA, Delacour-Estrella S, Bengoa M, Barceló C, Bueno-Marí R, Eritja R, Ruiz-Arrondo I. A Survey on Native and Invasive Mosquitoes and Other Biting Dipterans in Northern Spain. Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:867-77. [PMID: 35298775 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-022-00529-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Haematophagous Diptera, such as mosquitoes (Culicidae), biting midges (Ceratopogonidae), and black flies (Simuliidae), are important insects for public and animal health due to their capacity to bite and transmit pathogens. Outdoor recreation areas are usually affected by biting species and provide suitable habitats to both adult and immature stages. This study aimed to determine the species diversity and larval sites of these Diptera groups in two golf courses. METHODS A multi-method collection approach using ultraviolet-CDC traps, human landing catches, collection in breeding sites, and ovitraps was implemented during summer 2020 in northern Spain. Insects were determined by morphological features accompanied by DNA barcoding. RESULTS A total of ten native mosquito species were recorded either as adults or as larval stages. The invasive species Aedes japonicus was collected only at egg or pupa stage in ovitraps. Culex pipiens s.l. and Culex torrentium were both common mosquito species accounting for 47.9% of the total larval site collections and their larvae might be found in a wide range of natural and artificial sites. Culiseta longiareolata specimens were also prominent (30.1% of the total) and occurred exclusively in man-made water-filled containers. A total of 13 Culicoides species were identified, 10 of which were captured by ultraviolet-CDC traps, particularly members of the Obsoletus complex (Culicoides obsoletus/Culicoides scoticus, 74.9%) and seven species by emergence traps, being the two most abundant C. kibunensis (44.8%) and C. festivipennis (34.9%). Simulium cryophilum was also collected hovering around the operator under field sampling. CONCLUSION A comprehensive representation of the blood-sucking Diptera fauna and their larval sites was obtained by the multi-method approach in two Spanish golf courses.
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Duan YL, Bellis G, Liu BG, Li L. Diversity and seasonal abundance of Culicoides (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) in Shizong County, Yunnan Province, China. Parasite 2022; 29:26. [PMID: 35543529 PMCID: PMC9093134 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2022027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Culicoides (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) are small biting midges, some of which are vectors for animal associated arboviruses such as bluetongue virus (BTV) and Akabane virus (AKAV). BTV and AKAV are both pathogenic for livestock, with BTV in particular posing a major threat to domestic ruminants. Ongoing problems with BTV in ruminants in Shizong County of Yunnan Province, China, promoted a year-long investigation of the Culicoides in Shizong to determine relative abundance and seasonality of midges and to attempt to identify species that might be acting as vectors in the area. Culicoides were collected by UV light trap for one night per week for most weeks between May 2020 and May 2021. More than 21,000 specimens consisting of at least 21 species belonging to six subgenera and one unplaced group, including 5 species previously associated with BTV and one associated with AKAV, were collected. Culicoides tainanus dominated most collections throughout the year although C. sumatrae was often the dominant species over summer. Most species were abundant between May and October. These results indicate that C. tainanus, C. jacobsoni and C. oxystoma are the major midge pests of livestock in Shizong and should be considered in any disease investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liang Duan
- Yunnan Tropical and Subtropical Animal Virus Diseases Laboratory, Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Kunming 650224, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Glenn Bellis
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0909, Australia - Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Darwin, NT 0820, Australia
| | - Bing Gang Liu
- Center for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, 651200 Lufeng, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Le Li
- Yunnan Tropical and Subtropical Animal Virus Diseases Laboratory, Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Kunming 650224, Yunnan Province, China
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Hemida MG, Al‐Sabi M, Alhammadi M, Almathen F, Alnaeem A. Analyzing the roles of some species of arthropods in the transmission of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Vet Med Sci 2022; 8:1305-1310. [PMID: 35104060 PMCID: PMC9122457 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is still listed on the WHO Research and Development Blueprint of emerging pathogens. Dromedary camels remain the only known animal reservoir of the virus. The animal-to-animal as well as the animal-to-human transmission in the MERS-CoV cycles were reported. However, many aspects of these transmission chains are not well studied. One of these directions is the potential roles of various species of arthropods in the transmission of the virus. OBJECTIVES The main goal of the current work was to study the roles of several species of arthropods in the transmission of MERS-CoV. METHODOLOGY To achieve this goal, we identified some MERS-CoV naturally infected dromedary camel populations. We conducted a longitudinal study among these animals for more than 2 months. This was done by repeated testing of nasal swabs biweekly from some selected animals in this population for the presence of MERS-CoV-RNAs by real-time PCR. During the duration of this study, we collected several species of arthropods (Culicoides, Stomoxys, Musca domestica and some Culex species) that shared the habitat and were circulating in this farm during this longitudinal study. RESULTS Our results showing, despite the detection of the viral RNAs in some animals throughout this study, none of the examined species of arthropods tested positive for the viral RNA. CONCLUSIONS These results are suggesting that at least the tested species of arthropods may not play roles in the transmission of MERS-CoV. However, more large-scale studies are required to explore any potential roles of arthropods in the transmission cycle of MERS-CoV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maged Gomaa Hemida
- Department of MicrobiologyCollege of Veterinary MedicineKing Faisal UniversityAl‐AhasaSaudi Arabia
- Faculty of Veterinary MedicineDepartment of VirologyKafrelsheikh UniversityKafrelsheikhEgypt
| | - Mohammad Al‐Sabi
- Department of MicrobiologyCollege of Veterinary MedicineKing Faisal UniversityAl‐AhasaSaudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Alhammadi
- Department of MicrobiologyCollege of Veterinary MedicineKing Faisal UniversityAl‐AhasaSaudi Arabia
| | - Faisal Almathen
- Department of Public Health and Animal HusbandryVeterinary MedicineKing Faisal UniversityHofufSaudi Arabia
| | - Abdelmohsen Alnaeem
- Department of Clinical SciencesCollege of Veterinary MedicineKing Faisal UniversityAl‐AhasaSaudi Arabia
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Žiegytė R, Bernotienė R, Palinauskas V. Culicoides segnis and Culicoides pictipennis Biting Midges (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae), New Reported Vectors of Haemoproteus Parasites. Microorganisms 2022; 10. [PMID: 35630343 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10050898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
As bloodsuckers of birds, Culicoides biting midges (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) play an important role in the transmission of avian haemosporidian (Haemoproteus) parasites, which are prevalent in many bird populations and cause disease, pathology, or even mortality in their hosts. Information about the role of the various Culicoides species in the transmission of Haemoproteus parasites remains insufficient. This presents an obstacle for the better understanding of the epizootiology of haemoproteosis. The aim of this study was to determine new Culicoides species involved in the transmission of Haemoproteus parasites in the wild. Biting midges were collected using UV traps on the Curonian Spit, Lithuania. Only parous Culicoides females were investigated: they were identified and were diagnosed for the presence of Haemoproteus parasites using both microscopy and PCR-based methods. We collected and dissected 420 parous Culicoides females. PCR-based screening showed that 28 parous Culicoides biting midges were infected with avian Haemoproteus parasites. Haemoproteid DNA was detected in Culicoides kibunensis, Culicoides pictipennis, Culicoides festivipennis, Culicoides segnis, Culicoides pallidicornis, and Culicoides obsoletus biting midges. The DNA of Haemoproteus palloris, genetic lineage hWW1, was found for the first time in C. pallidicornis. Haemoproteus sporozoites were detected in the salivary glands of two Culicoides segnis biting midges. According to the PCR results, one female contained Haemoproteus tartakovskyi (genetic lineage hHAWF1) DNA and another Haemoproteus majoris (genetic lineage hCCF5) DNA. The sporozoites of Haemoproteus parasites were also detected in the salivary glands of four C. pictipennis biting midges using microscopy, and this finding was confirmed by PCR as Haemoproteus parabelopolskyi DNA (genetic lineage hSYAT02) was detected in three out of the four biting midges. The obtained results supplement existing information about Culicoides biting midges as natural vectors of Haemoproteus spp. and add two new Culicoides species to the vector list, showing the low specificity of these parasites for the invertebrate hosts.
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Konstantinidis K, Bampali M, de Courcy Williams M, Dovrolis N, Gatzidou E, Papazilakis P, Nearchou A, Veletza S, Karakasiliotis I. Dissecting the Species-Specific Virome in Culicoides of Thrace. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:802577. [PMID: 35330767 PMCID: PMC8940260 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.802577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Biting midges (Culicoides) are vectors of arboviruses of both veterinary and medical importance. The surge of emerging and reemerging vector-borne diseases and their expansion in geographical areas affected by climate change has increased the importance of understanding their capacity to contribute to novel and emerging infectious diseases. The study of Culicoides virome is the first step in the assessment of this potential. In this study, we analyzed the RNA virome of 10 Culicoides species within the geographical area of Thrace in the southeastern part of Europe, a crossing point between Asia and Europe and important path of various arboviruses, utilizing the Ion Torrent next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform and a custom bioinformatics pipeline based on TRINITY assembler and alignment algorithms. The analysis of the RNA virome of 10 Culicoides species resulted in the identification of the genomic signatures of 14 novel RNA viruses, including three fully assembled viruses and four segmented viruses with at least one segment fully assembled, most of which were significantly divergent from previously identified related viruses from the Solemoviridae, Phasmaviridae, Phenuiviridae, Reoviridae, Chuviridae, Partitiviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Rhabdoviridae, and Flaviviridae families. Each Culicoides species carried a species-specific set of viruses, some of which are related to viruses from other insect vectors in the same area, contributing to the idea of a virus-carrier web within the ecosystem. The identified viruses not only expand our current knowledge on the virome of Culicoides but also set the basis of the genetic diversity of such viruses in the area of southeastern Europe. Furthermore, our study highlights that such metagenomic approaches should include as many species as possible of the local virus-carrier web that interact and share the virome of a geographical area.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Bampali
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | | | - Nikolas Dovrolis
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Elisavet Gatzidou
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | | | | | - Stavroula Veletza
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Ioannis Karakasiliotis
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
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Nelson E, Thurston W, Pearce-Kelly P, Jenkins H, Cameron M, Carpenter S, Guthrie A, England M. A Qualitative Risk Assessment for Bluetongue Disease and African Horse Sickness: The Risk of Entry and Exposure at a UK Zoo. Viruses 2022; 14. [PMID: 35336912 DOI: 10.3390/v14030502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Bluetongue virus (BTV) and African horse sickness virus (AHSV) cause economically important diseases that are currently exotic to the United Kingdom (UK), but have significant potential for introduction and onward transmission. Given the susceptibility of animals kept in zoo collections to vector-borne diseases, a qualitative risk assessment for the introduction of BTV and AHSV to ZSL London Zoo was performed. Risk pathways for each virus were identified and assessed using published literature, animal import data and outputs from epidemiological models. Direct imports of infected animals, as well as wind-borne infected Culicoides, were considered as routes of incursion. The proximity of ongoing disease events in mainland Europe and proven capability of transmission to the UK places ZSL London Zoo at higher risk of BTV release and exposure (estimated as low to medium) than AHSV (estimated as very low to low). The recent long-range expansion of AHSV into Thailand from southern Africa highlights the need for vector competence studies of Palearctic Culicoides for AHSV to assess the risk of transmission in this region.
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