Seasonal dynamics of biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae: Culicoides), the potential vectors of bluetongue virus, in Sweden

Bluetongue (BT) disease is a noncontagious disease of domestic and wild ruminants (mainly sheep, cattle, deer) caused by the bluetongue virus (BTV) which is an orbivirus of the Reoviridae family and transmitted by vector Culicoides biting midges. It is a reportable disease of considerable socioeconomic concern and of major importance for the international trade of animals and animal products. Conventional diagnostic methods, such as virus propagation and isolation, immunoassays and also various molecular methods have been developed for the detection of the BTV. Here, we present a novel, rapid and pen-side test for the detection of BTV using multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs) based immunosensor. Though it is not reported yet. The MWCNTs were prepared, characterized and functionalized with carboxyl group. Viral antibodies were conjugated successfully with functionalized MWCNTs and coated on screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE). These SPCE were evaluated by using electrochemical sensor with an antigen specific to BTV antibodies, resulted in the self-assembled layer of antigen–antibody on the surface of SPCE. The approach described in the present study is a prototype for the development of simple and economic diagnostic tool which will provide the routine screening of BT disease at the door of farmers, thereby increasing the income of farmers by decreasing the cost of diagnosis.

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The Genome Segments of Bluetongue Virus Differ in Copy Number in a Host-Specific Manner

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.01834-20 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 95 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yannis Moreau ◽

Patricia Gil ◽

Antoni Exbrayat ◽

Ignace Rakotoarivony ◽

Emmanuel Bréard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bluetongue Virus ◽

Expression Regulation ◽

Viral Gene ◽

Frequency Variation ◽

Gene Frequencies ◽

Biting Midges ◽

Main Hypothesis ◽

A Genome ◽

Reverse Transcription Quantitative Pcr ◽

Virus Expression

ABSTRACT Genome segmentation is mainly thought to facilitate reassortment. Here, we show that segmentation can also allow differences in segment abundance in populations of bluetongue virus (BTV). BTV has a genome consisting in 10 segments, and its cycle primarily involves periodic alternation between ruminants and Culicoides biting midges. We have developed a reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) approach to quantify each segment in wild BTV populations sampled in both ruminants and midges during an epizootic. Segment frequencies deviated from equimolarity in all hosts. Interestingly, segment frequencies were reproducible and distinct between ruminants and biting midges. Beyond a putative regulatory role in virus expression, this phenomenon could lead to different evolution rates between segments. IMPORTANCE The variation in viral gene frequencies remains a largely unexplored aspect of within-host genetics. This phenomenon is often considered to be specific to multipartite viruses. Multipartite viruses have segmented genomes, but in contrast to segmented viruses, their segments are each encapsidated alone in a virion. A main hypothesis explaining the evolution of multipartism is that, compared to segmented viruses, it facilitates the regulation of segment abundancy, and the genes the segments carry, within a host. These differences in gene frequencies could allow for expression regulation. Here, we show that wild populations of a segmented virus, bluetongue virus (BTV), also present unequal segment frequencies. BTV cycles between ruminants and Culicoides biting midges. As expected from a role in expression regulation, segment frequencies tended to show specific values that differed between ruminants and midges. Our results expand previous knowledge on gene frequency variation and call for studies on its role and conservation beyond multipartite viruses.

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Measurement of the Infection and Dissemination of Bluetongue Virus in Culicoides Biting Midges Using a Semi-Quantitative RT-PCR Assay and Isolation of Infectious Virus

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0070800 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 8 (8) ◽

pp. e70800 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Eva Veronesi ◽

Frank Antony ◽

Simon Gubbins ◽

Nick Golding ◽

Alison Blackwell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bluetongue Virus ◽

Infectious Virus ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Pcr Assay ◽

Biting Midges ◽

Culicoides Biting Midges

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Spatial distribution and seasonal dynamics of non-biting moth flies (Diptera, Psychodidae) in confound conditions of a stable

Polish Journal of Entomology / Polskie Pismo Entomologiczne ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0014.4974 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 89 (4 - Ahead of print) ◽

pp. 190-199

Author(s):

Marek Semelbauer ◽

Jozef Oboňa ◽

Marek Barta ◽

Barbara Mangová ◽

Milan Kozánek

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Spatial Distribution ◽

High Temperature ◽

Seasonal Dynamics ◽

Life Style ◽

Flight Period ◽

Internal Wall ◽

Biting Midges ◽

Malaise Traps

Many small Diptera adopted at some level endophilic life style, including man-made buildings. Stables create a specific type of microhabitat, which provides shady and relatively humid conditions in combination with excess of organic matter. Unlike the parasites (mosquitos, biting midges, etc.), the commensal fauna of stables is poorly studied. Moth flies (Psychodidae) were collected in cow stable located in Šenkvice, SW Slovakia. Special traps (derived from Malaise traps) were installed along the stable internal wall and in three different heights. In total, we recorded 6325 moth flies belonging to 8 species. The flight period lasted from spring to autumn. Seasonal dynamics was strongly influenced by rainfall and mean week temperature, e.g. high temperature in mid-summer caused drop in moth flies captures. The moth flies clearly preferred the ground and moderately preferred the interior of stable.

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Isolation of Tibet Orbivirus from Culicoides jacobsoni (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) in China

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-021-04899-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ying Liang Duan ◽

Zhen Xing Yang ◽

Glenn Bellis ◽

Le Li

Keyword(s):

Bluetongue Virus ◽

Yunnan Province ◽

Virus Isolation ◽

Economic Importance ◽

Western China ◽

Pacific Region ◽

Cattle Farm ◽

Biting Midges ◽

Qpcr Analysis ◽

The Pacific

Abstract Background Tibet Orbivirus (TIBOV) is a recently discovered Orbivirus known to infect cattle, Asian buffalo and goats in south-western China. It was first isolated from mosquitoes and subsequently from biting midges (Culicoides spp.) in Yunnan, China, indicating that it is an arbovirus. Little is known of its potential to cause disease, but the economic importance of related viruses promoted an investigation of potential Culicoides spp. vectors of TIBOV. Methods Biting midges were collected approximately once per week between May and December 2020, at a cattle farm in Wulong village, Shizong County, Yunnan Province, China. Approximately 3000 specimens of nine species were subsequently used in attempts to isolate virus, and a further 2000 specimens of six species were tested for the presence of bluetongue virus (BTV) and TIBOV using a RT-qPCR test. Results Virus isolation attempts resulted in the isolation of three viruses. One isolate from a pool of Culicoidesjacobsoni was identified as TIBOV, while the other two viruses from C.orientalis and C.tainanus remain unidentified but are not BTV or TIBOV. RT-qPCR analysis did not detect BTV in any specimens, but a single pool containing five specimens of C. jacobsoni and another containing five specimens of C. tainanus produced PCR quantification cycle (Cq) values of around 28 that may indicate infection with TIBOV. Conclusions The isolation of TIBOV from C. jacobsoni satisfies one criterion required to prove its status as a vector of this virus. This isolation is supported by a low Cq value produced from a different pool of this species in the RT-qPCR test. The low Cq value obtained from a pool of C. tainanus suggests that this species may also be able to satisfy this criterion. Both of these species are widespread throughout Asia, with C. jacobsoni extending into the Pacific region, which raises the possibility that TIBOV may be more widespread than is currently known. Graphical abstract

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Population Biology of Culicoides-Borne Viruses of Livestock in Europe

Population Biology of Vector-Borne Diseases ◽

10.1093/oso/9780198853244.003.0007 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 119-134

Author(s):

Simon Gubbins

Keyword(s):

Environmental Factors ◽

Bluetongue Virus ◽

Population Biology ◽

Schmallenberg Virus ◽

Biting Midges ◽

Different Strains

Culicoides biting midges are the principal vectors for a number of internationally important arboviruses that infect animals. Over recent decades two viruses they transmit, bluetongue virus (BTV) and Schmallenberg virus (SBV), have emerged as major threats to European livestock. Here, the host, vector, viral, and environmental factors which influence the transmission of these viruses are reviewed. The influence of these factors on the patterns of spread that followed their emergence are explored, both for different viruses (BTV and SBV) and for different strains of the same virus (BTV). Finally, consideration is given to the longer-term dynamics of Culicoides-borne viruses and, in particular, their ability to persist from one vector season to the next.

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Indoor and outdoor winter activity of Culicoides biting midges, vectors of bluetongue virus, in Italy

Medical and Veterinary Entomology ◽

10.1111/mve.12260 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 70-77 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

A. MAGLIANO ◽

P. SCARAMOZZINO ◽

S. RAVAGNAN ◽

F. MONTARSI ◽

G. DA ROLD ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bluetongue Virus ◽

Biting Midges ◽

Winter Activity ◽

Culicoides Biting Midges ◽

Indoor And Outdoor

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An Early Block in the Replication of the Atypical Bluetongue Virus Serotype 26 in Culicoides Cells Is Determined by Its Capsid Proteins

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13050919 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 919

Author(s):

Marc Guimerà Busquets ◽

Gillian D. Pullinger ◽

Karin E. Darpel ◽

Lyndsay Cooke ◽

Stuart Armstrong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bluetongue Virus ◽

Mammalian Cells ◽

Reverse Genetics ◽

Reassortant Virus ◽

Biting Midges ◽

Potential Barriers ◽

Virus Serotype ◽

Vertebrate Hosts ◽

Viral Determinants ◽

Culicoides Biting Midges

Arboviruses such as bluetongue virus (BTV) replicate in arthropod vectors involved in their transmission between susceptible vertebrate-hosts. The “classical” BTV strains infect and replicate effectively in cells of their insect-vectors (Culicoides biting-midges), as well as in those of their mammalian-hosts (ruminants). However, in the last decade, some “atypical” BTV strains, belonging to additional serotypes (e.g., BTV-26), have been found to replicate efficiently only in mammalian cells, while their replication is severely restricted in Culicoides cells. Importantly, there is evidence that these atypical BTV are transmitted by direct-contact between their mammalian hosts. Here, the viral determinants and mechanisms restricting viral replication in Culicoides were investigated using a classical BTV-1, an “atypical” BTV-26 and a BTV-1/BTV-26 reassortant virus, derived by reverse genetics. Viruses containing the capsid of BTV-26 showed a reduced ability to attach to Culicoides cells, blocking early steps of the replication cycle, while attachment and replication in mammalian cells was not restricted. The replication of BTV-26 was also severely reduced in other arthropod cells, derived from mosquitoes or ticks. The data presented identifies mechanisms and potential barriers to infection and transmission by the newly emerged “atypical” BTV strains in Culicoides.

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The VP3 Protein of Bluetongue Virus Associates with the MAVS Complex and Interferes with the RIG-I-Signaling Pathway

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13020230 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 230

Author(s):

Marie Pourcelot ◽

Rayane Amaral Moraes ◽

Aurore Fablet ◽

Emmanuel Bréard ◽

Corinne Sailleau ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bluetongue Virus ◽

Type I Interferon ◽

Type I ◽

Adapter Protein ◽

Structural Protein ◽

Innate Response ◽

Biting Midges ◽

Domestic Ruminants ◽

Infected Cells ◽

Culicoides Biting Midges

Bluetongue virus (BTV), an arbovirus transmitted by Culicoides biting midges, is a major concern of wild and domestic ruminants. While BTV induces type I interferon (alpha/beta interferon [IFN-α/β]) production in infected cells, several reports have described evasion strategies elaborated by this virus to dampen this intrinsic, innate response. In the present study, we suggest that BTV VP3 is a new viral antagonist of the IFN-β synthesis. Indeed, using split luciferase and coprecipitation assays, we report an interaction between VP3 and both the mitochondrial adapter protein MAVS and the IRF3-kinase IKKε. Overall, this study describes a putative role for the BTV structural protein VP3 in the control of the antiviral response.

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Post-epidemic Occurrence of Bluetongue Virus Vectors (Culicoides Species) în Iași County

Bulletin of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca Veterinary Medicine ◽

10.15835/buasvmcn-vm:2020.0009 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 77 (2) ◽

pp. 160

Author(s):

Dragoș Constantin ANIȚĂ ◽

Ioana Mădălina POPESCU ◽

Ștefania ANDERCO ◽

Luanda Elena OȘLOBANU ◽

Adriana ANIȚĂ ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bluetongue Virus ◽

First Year ◽

Biting Midges ◽

Culicoides Obsoletus ◽

The Family ◽

Veterinary Importance ◽

Culicoides Nubeculosus ◽

Second Year ◽

Culicoides Vectors ◽

Obsoletus Complex

Culicoides is a genus of biting midges in the family Ceratopogonidae, representing a big threat, giving that several species serve as biological vectors of pathogens of veterinary importance. BTV distribution and persistence is thought to be almost entirely dependent upon the presence or absence of Culicoides adults vector. In this study, biting midges were collected during 2015-2016, once a week, from April to December. In the first year, 2617 BTV vector specimens were collected and identified as Culicoides obsoletus (41.2%; 95% CI: 39-43), Culicoides pulicaris (58%; 95% CI: 56-59) and Culicoides nubeculosus (0.8%; 95% CI: 0.4-1.1). In the second year, 165 BTV vector specimens were collected and identified as Culicoides obsoletus (44.25%; 95% CI: 36-51), Culicoides pulicaris (50.3%; 95% CI: 42-57), Culicoides dewulfi (4.84%; 95% CI: 1.5-8.1) and Culicoides nubeculosus (0.61%; 95% CI: 0.5-1.7). Culicoides pulicaris and Culicoides obsoletus complex were especially abundant within the two collection sites in Iași County. Our data on post-epidemic occurrence and composition of BTV vector species in the studied area will facilitate a better understanding of Culicoides vectors distribution and the possible role in bluetongue virus overwintering.

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