High genetic diversity in the Culex pipiens complex from a West Nile Virus epidemic area in Southern Europe

In the period from 2015 to 2020, an entomological survey for the presence of West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) in mosquitoes was performed in northwestern Croatia. A total of 20,363 mosquitoes were sampled in the City of Zagreb and Međimurje county, grouped in 899 pools and tested by real-time RT-PCR for WNV and USUV RNA. All pools were negative for WNV while one pool each from 2016 (Aedes albopictus), 2017 (Culex pipiens complex), 2018 (Cx. pipiens complex), and 2019 (Cx. pipiens complex), respectively, was positive for USUV. The 2018 and 2019 positive pools shared 99.31% nucleotide homology within the USUV NS5 gene and both clustered within USUV Europe 2 lineage. The next-generation sequencing of one mosquito pool (Cx. pipiens complex) collected in 2018 in Zagreb confirmed the presence of USUV and revealed several dsDNA and ssRNA viruses of insect, bacterial and mammalian origin.

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The effect of hybridization of Culex pipiens complex mosquitoes on transmission of West Nile virus

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/1756-3305-6-305 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 305 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Alexander T Ciota ◽

Pamela A Chin ◽

Laura D Kramer

Keyword(s):

West Nile Virus ◽

Culex Pipiens ◽

West Nile ◽

Culex Pipiens Complex

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Modeling Dynamics of Culex pipiens Complex Populations and Assessing Abatement Strategies for West Nile Virus

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0108452 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. e108452 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Kasia A. Pawelek ◽

Patrick Niehaus ◽

Cristian Salmeron ◽

Elizabeth J. Hager ◽

Gregg J. Hunt

Keyword(s):

West Nile Virus ◽

Culex Pipiens ◽

West Nile ◽

Culex Pipiens Complex ◽

Abatement Strategies

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Target Site Insensitivity Detection in Deltamethrin Resistant Culex pipiens Complex in Iran

Iranian Journal of Public Health ◽

10.18502/ijph.v48i6.2916 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Reza ZEIDABADINEZHAD ◽

Hassan VATANDOOST ◽

Mohammad Reza ABAI ◽

Navid DINPARAST DJADID ◽

Abbasali RAZ ◽

...

Keyword(s):

West Nile Virus ◽

Insecticide Resistance ◽

Real Time ◽

Real Time Pcr ◽

Culex Pipiens ◽

Mosquito Species ◽

Knockdown Resistance ◽

West Nile ◽

Culex Pipiens Complex ◽

Novel Approach

Background: Some mosquito species which belong to the Culex. pipiens complex are primary vectors for West Nile virus, Sindbis, Dirofilaria immitis, and many arboviruses. Knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) gene of Cx. pipiens that is inherited, is one of the important threats for the efficacy of pyrethroids insecticides. Knockdown resistance (kdr) mutation, L1014F, is a well-defined mechanism of resistance to pyrethroids and DDT in many insect species. The aim of study was to determine the mechanisms of Insecticide resistance in this species Methods: Specimens of Cx. pipiens, the major vector of West Nile virus, were obtained in Tehran, Iran by collecting larvae from polluted wastewater in Qarchak of Tehran. In 2016 Insecticide susceptibility tests were performed according to WHO methods with deltamethrin 0.05%. We focused on determination of this point mutation in the VGSC gene of Cx. pipiens by Real-time PCR. Results: Our results revealed high levels of resistance to deltamethrin 0.05%. The lethal times i.e. LT50 and LT90 for deltamethrin were 2.1530 and 8.5117 h respectively. The result of Real-time PCR confirmed the presence of resistant genotype in all the members of tested population. This study is the first report on kdr genotyping of Cx. pipiens from Tehran and our results on the VGSC gene in position L1014F confirmed the TTA to TTT nucleotide change. Conclusion: This finding will provide a clue for management of insecticide resistance in mosquito which are vectors of arboviruses and decision for replacement of novel approach for vector control.

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