scholarly journals Infection, Dissemination, and Transmission Potential of North American Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex tarsalis, and Culicoides sonorensis for Oropouche Virus

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 226
Author(s):  
Bethany L. McGregor ◽  
C. Roxanne Connelly ◽  
Joan L. Kenney
Keyword(s):  
Culex Quinquefasciatus ◽  
North American ◽  
Vector Competence ◽  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Culex Tarsalis ◽  
Biting Midges ◽  
Transmission Potential ◽  
High Infection ◽  
Culicoides Sonorensis ◽  
Vector Borne

Oropouche virus (OROV), a vector-borne Orthobunyavirus circulating in South and Central America, causes a febrile illness with high rates of morbidity but with no documented fatalities. Oropouche virus is transmitted by numerous vectors, including multiple genera of mosquitoes and Culicoides biting midges in South America. This study investigated the vector competence of three North American vectors, Culex tarsalis, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Culicoides sonorensis, for OROV. Cohorts of each species were fed an infectious blood meal containing 6.5 log10 PFU/mL OROV and incubated for 10 or 14 days. Culex tarsalis demonstrated infection (3.13%) but not dissemination or transmission potential at 10 days post infection (DPI). At 10 and 14 DPI, Cx. quinquefasciatus demonstrated 9.71% and 19.3% infection, 2.91% and 1.23% dissemination, and 0.97% and 0.82% transmission potential, respectively. Culicoides sonorensis demonstrated 86.63% infection, 83.14% dissemination, and 19.77% transmission potential at 14 DPI. Based on these data, Cx. tarsalis is unlikely to be a competent vector for OROV. Culex quinquefasciatus demonstrated infection, dissemination, and transmission potential, although at relatively low rates. Culicoides sonorensis demonstrated high infection and dissemination but may have a salivary gland barrier to the virus. These data have implications for the spread of OROV in the event of a North American introduction.

scholarly journals Susceptibility of Midge and Mosquito Vectors to SARS-CoV-2

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Velmurugan Balaraman ◽  
Barbara S Drolet ◽  
Natasha N Gaudreault ◽  
William C Wilson ◽  
Jeana Owens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Lines ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Animal Origin ◽  
Culex Tarsalis ◽  
Biting Midges ◽  
Bacterial Diseases ◽  
Culicoides Sonorensis ◽  
Insect Cell Lines ◽  
Intrathoracic Inoculation

Abstract SARS-CoV-2 is a recently emerged, highly contagious virus and the cause of the current COVID-19 pandemic. It is a zoonotic virus, although its animal origin is not clear yet. Person-to-person transmission occurs by inhalation of infected droplets and aerosols, or by direct contact with contaminated fomites. Arthropods transmit numerous viral, parasitic, and bacterial diseases; however, the potential role of arthropods in SARS-CoV-2 transmission is not fully understood. Thus far, a few studies have demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 replication is not supported in cells from certain insect species nor in certain species of mosquitoes after intrathoracic inoculation. In this study, we expanded the work of SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility to biting insects after ingesting a SARS-CoV-2-infected bloodmeal. Species tested included Culicoides sonorensis (Wirth & Jones) (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) biting midges, as well as Culex tarsalis (Coquillett) and Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae), all known biological vectors for numerous RNA viruses. Arthropods were allowed to feed on SARS-CoV-2-spiked blood and at a time point postinfection analyzed for the presence of viral RNA and infectious virus. Additionally, cell lines derived from C. sonorensis (W8a), Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Culicidae) (C6/36), Cx. quinquefasciatus (HSU), and Cx. tarsalis (CxTrR2) were tested for SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility. Our results indicate that none of the biting insects, nor the insect cell lines evaluated support SARS-CoV-2 replication, suggesting that these species are unable to be biological vectors of SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals The genome of the biting midge Culicoides sonorensis and gene expression analyses of vector competence for Bluetongue virus

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramiro Morales-Hojas ◽  
Malcolm Hinsley ◽  
Irina M. Armean ◽  
Rhiannon Silk ◽  
Lara E. Harrup ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Bluetongue Virus ◽  
Reference Genome ◽  
Vector Competence ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Biting Midges ◽  
Culicoides Sonorensis ◽  
Gene Expression Analyses

AbstractBackgroundThe use of the new genomic technologies has led to major advances in control of several arboviruses of medical importance such as Dengue. However, the development of tools and resources available for vectors of non-zoonotic arboviruses remains neglected. Biting midges of the genus Culicoides transmit some of the most important arboviruses of wildlife and livestock worldwide, with a global impact on economic productivity, health and welfare. The absence of a suitable reference genome has hindered genomic analyses to date in this important genus of vectors. In the present study, the genome of Culicoides sonorensis, a vector of bluetongue virus (BTV) in the USA, has been sequenced to provide the first reference genome for these vectors. In this study, we also report the use of the reference genome to perform initial transcriptomic analyses of vector competence for BTV.ResultsOur analyses reveal that the genome is 197.4 Mb, assembled in 7,974 scaffolds. Its annotation using the transcriptomic data generated in this study and in a previous study has identified 15,629 genes. Gene expression analyses of C. sonorensis females infected with BTV performed in this study revealed 165 genes that were differentially expressed between vector competent and refractory females. Two candidate genes, glutathione S-transferase (gst) and the antiviral helicase ski2, previously recognized as involved in vector competence for BTV in C. sonorensis (gst) and repressing dsRNA virus propagation (ski2), were confirmed in this study.ConclusionsThe reference genome of C. sonorensis has enabled preliminary analyses of the gene expression profiles of vector competent and refractory individuals. The genome and transcriptomes generated in this study provide suitable tools for future research on arbovirus transmission. These provide a significant resource for these vector lineage, which diverged from other major Dipteran vector families over 200 million years ago. The genome will be a valuable source of comparative data for other important Dipteran vector families including mosquitoes (Culicidae) and sandflies (Psychodidae), and yield potential targets for transgenic modification in vector control and functional studies.

scholarly journals Impacts of Infectious Dose, Feeding Behavior, and Age of Culicoides sonorensis Biting Midges on Infection Dynamics of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 816
Author(s):  
Paula Rozo-Lopez ◽  
Berlin Londono-Renteria ◽  
Barbara S. Drolet
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Behavior ◽  
Vesicular Stomatitis Virus ◽  
Vector Competence ◽  
Blood Feeding ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Biting Midges ◽  
Infectious Dose ◽  
Infection Dynamics ◽  
Culicoides Sonorensis ◽  
Vesicular Stomatitis

Culicoides sonorensis biting midges are biological vectors of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) in the U.S. Yet, little is known regarding the amount of ingested virus required to infect midges, nor how their feeding behavior or age affects viral replication and vector competence. We determined the minimum infectious dose of VSV-New Jersey for C. sonorensis midges and examined the effects of multiple blood-feeding cycles and age at the time of virus acquisition on infection dynamics. A minimum dose of 3.2 logs of virus/mL of blood resulted in midgut infections, and 5.2 logs/mL resulted in a disseminated infection to salivary glands. For blood-feeding behavior studies, ingestion of one or two non-infectious blood meals (BM) after a VSV infectious blood meal (VSV-BM) resulted in higher whole-body virus titers than midges receiving only the single infectious VSV-BM. Interestingly, this infection enhancement was not seen when a non-infectious BM preceded the infectious VSV-BM. Lastly, increased midge age at the time of infection correlated to increased whole-body virus titers. This research highlights the epidemiological implications of infectious doses, vector feeding behaviors, and vector age on VSV infection dynamics to estimate the risk of transmission by Culicoides midges more precisely.

scholarly journals Vector competence of Aedes aegypti, Culex tarsalis, and Culex quinquefasciatus from California for Zika virus

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. e0006524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley J. Main ◽  
Jay Nicholson ◽  
Olivia C. Winokur ◽  
Cody Steiner ◽  
Kasen K. Riemersma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Culex Quinquefasciatus ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Vector Competence ◽  
Culex Tarsalis

scholarly journals Vector competence of selected North AmericanAnophelesandCulexmosquitoes for Zika virus

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brittany L. Dodson ◽  
Sujit Pujhari ◽  
Jason L. Rasgon
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Vector Competence ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Culex Tarsalis ◽  
Anopheles Quadrimaculatus ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Serious Disease ◽  
Blood Meals

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a vector-borne flavivirus that has caused recent outbreaks associated with serious disease in infants and newborns in the Americas.Aedesmosquitoes are the primary vectors for ZIKV, but little is known about the diversity of mosquitoes that can transmit ZIKV in North America. We chose three abundant North American mosquito species (Anopheles freeborni,Anopheles quadrimaculatus, andCulex tarsalis) and one known vector species (Aedes aegypti), fed them blood meals supplemented with a recent outbreak ZIKV strain, and tested bodies, legs, and saliva for infectious ZIKV. ZIKV was able to infect, disseminate, and be transmitted byAedes aegypti. However,Anopheles freeborni,Anopheles quadrimaculatus, andCulex tarsaliswere unable to be infected. We conclude that these species are unlikely to be involved in ZIKV transmission in North America. However, we should continue to examine the ability for other mosquito species to potentially act as ZIKV vectors in North America.

scholarly journals Culicoides Biting Midges—Underestimated Vectors for Arboviruses of Public Health and Veterinary Importance

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franziska Sick ◽  
Martin Beer ◽  
Helge Kampen ◽  
Kerstin Wernike
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vector Competence ◽  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Vector Species ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Biting Midges ◽  
Veterinary Importance ◽  
Hematophagous Arthropods ◽  
Culicoides Biting Midges

Culicoides biting midges, small hematophagous dipterans, are the demonstrated or putative vectors of multiple arboviruses of veterinary and public health importance. Despite its relevance in disease spread, the ceratopogonid genus Culicoides is still a largely neglected group of species, predominantly because the major human-affecting arboviruses are considered to be transmitted by mosquitoes. However, when a pathogen is detected in a certain vector species, a thorough search for further vectors often remains undone and, therefore, the relevant vector species may remain unknown. Furthermore, for many hematophagous arthropods, true vector competence is often merely suspected and not experimentally proven. Therefore, we aim to illuminate the general impact of Culicoides biting midges and to summarize the knowledge about biting midge-borne disease agents using the order Bunyavirales, the largest and most diverse group of RNA viruses, as an example. When considering only viruses evidentially transmitted by Culicoides midges, the Simbu serogroup (genus Orthobunyavirus) is presumably the most important group within the virus order. Its members are of great veterinary importance, as a variety of simbuviruses, e.g., the species Akabane orthobunyavirus or Schmallenberg orthobunyavirus, induces severe congenital infections in pregnant animals. The major zoonotic representative of this serogroup occurs in South and Central America and causes the so-called Oropouche fever, an acute febrile illness in humans.

scholarly journals Comparative Vector Competence of North American Culex pipiens and Culex quinquefasciatus for African and European Lineage 2 West Nile Viruses

2018 ◽  
Vol 98 (6) ◽  
pp. 1863-1869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Romo ◽  
Anna Papa ◽  
Rebekah Kading ◽  
Rebecca Clark ◽  
Mark Delorey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Culex Quinquefasciatus ◽  
North American ◽  
Culex Pipiens ◽  
Vector Competence ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Lineage 2

scholarly journals Chikungunya virus Detection in Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus during an Outbreak in the Amazon Region

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 853
Author(s):  
Ana Cecília Ribeiro Cruz ◽  
Joaquim Pinto Nunes Neto ◽  
Sandro Patroca da Silva ◽  
Eliana Vieira Pinto da Silva ◽  
Glennda Juscely Galvão Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Culex Quinquefasciatus ◽  
Viral Genome ◽  
Chikungunya Virus ◽  
Vector Competence ◽  
Virus Detection ◽  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Amazon Region

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) was first reported in Brazil in 2014 and, after it spread countrywide, an outbreak of febrile illness with reports of arthralgia happened in the municipality of Xinguara, Pará, Brazil in 2017, indicating the virus’ circulation. Here, we aimed to investigate CHIKV in mosquito vectors collected during an active surveillance of virus isolation in cell culture by using molecular detection and viral genome sequencing. A total of 492 Aedes, Culex and Mansonia mosquitoes were collected and separated in 36 pools according to the species and sex, and 22.2% (8/36) were positive. CHIKV was indentified in pools of Ae. aegypti females (n = 5), an Ae. aegypti male (n = 1) and in Culex quinquefasciatus females (n = 2). However, as the mosquitoes’ whole bodies were macerated and used for detection, one cannot suggest the role of the latter in the viral transmission. Despite this, vector competence studies must be carried out in the different species to investigate long-term adaptations. Viral genome sequencing has characterized the East-Central-South-African (ECSA) genotype in all positive pools analyzed, corroborating previous reports for the Amazon region.

scholarly journals Whole genome assembly of Culex tarsalis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley J. Main ◽  
Matteo Marcantonio ◽  
J. Spencer Johnston ◽  
Jason L. Rasgon ◽  
C. Titus Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insecticide Resistance ◽  
Culex Quinquefasciatus ◽  
Reference Genome ◽  
Vector Competence ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Single Copy ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Culex Tarsalis ◽  
Single Male ◽  
A Genome

AbstractThe mosquito, Culex tarsalis, is a key vector in the western United States due to its role in transmission of zoonotic arboviruses that affect human health. Extensive research has been conducted on Cx. tarsalis ecology, feeding behavior, vector competence, autogeny, diapause, genetics, and insecticide resistance. Population genetic analyses in the western U.S. have identified at least three genetic clusters that are geographically distinct. Salivary gland-specific gene expression has also revealed genes involved in blood feeding. However, genetic studies of this mosquito have been hindered by the lack of a reference genome. To facilitate genomic studies in Cx. tarsalis, we have assembled and annotated a reference genome (CtarK1) based on PacBio HiFi reads from a single male. Using the Cx. tarsalis transcriptome and protein sequences from Culex quinquefasciatus, approximately 17,456 protein-coding genes, including the para insecticide resistance gene, were annotated in the CtarK1 genome. Genome completeness was assessed using the Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) tool, which identified 84.8% of the 2799 Dipteran BUSCO genes. The CtarK1 assembly is 790Mb with an N50 of 58kb. Using full mitochondrial genome alignments with other sequenced mosquito genomes we present a Bayesian phylogeny, which estimates that the divergence of Cx. tarsalis from Culex quinquefasciatus, the most closely related mosquito species with a genome, occurred 15.8-22.2 million years ago.

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