Vector Competence of German <i>Aedes punctor</i> (Kirby, 1837) for West Nile Virus Lineages 1 and 2
West Nile virus (WNV) is a zoonotic flavivirus transmitted by mosquitoes as a biological vector. Because of its biting behavior, the widespread snow-melt mosquito <i>Aedes punctor</i> could be a potential bridge vector for WNV to humans and nonhuman mammals. However, little is known on i...
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MDPI AG
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Viruses |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/14/12/2787 |
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| author | Christin Körsten Amira A. AL-Hosary Mandy Schäfer Birke A. Tews Doreen Werner Helge Kampen Ana Vasic Cornelia Silaghi |
| author_facet | Christin Körsten Amira A. AL-Hosary Mandy Schäfer Birke A. Tews Doreen Werner Helge Kampen Ana Vasic Cornelia Silaghi |
| author_sort | Christin Körsten |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | West Nile virus (WNV) is a zoonotic flavivirus transmitted by mosquitoes as a biological vector. Because of its biting behavior, the widespread snow-melt mosquito <i>Aedes punctor</i> could be a potential bridge vector for WNV to humans and nonhuman mammals. However, little is known on its role in transmission of WNV. The aim of this study was to determine the vector competence of German <i>Ae. punctor</i> for WNV lineages 1 and 2. Field-collected larvae and pupae were reared to adults and offered infectious blood containing either an Italian WNV lineage 1 or a German WNV lineage 2 strain via cotton stick feeding. Engorged females were incubated for 14/15 or 21 days at 18 °C. After incubation; surviving mosquitoes were dissected and forced to salivate. Mosquito bodies with abdomens, thoraces and heads, legs plus wings and saliva samples were investigated for WNV RNA by RT-qPCR. Altogether, 2/70 (2.86%) and 5/85 (5.88%) mosquito bodies were found infected with WNV lineage 1 or 2, respectively. In two mosquitoes, viral RNA was also detected in legs and wings. No saliva sample contained viral RNA. Based on these results, we conclude that <i>Ae. punctor</i> does not play an important role in WNV transmission in Germany. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:44:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8323729a59184fe6bbf3f2b63de526ba |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4915 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:44:53Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Viruses |
| spelling | doaj.art-8323729a59184fe6bbf3f2b63de526ba2023-11-24T18:39:40ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152022-12-011412278710.3390/v14122787Vector Competence of German <i>Aedes punctor</i> (Kirby, 1837) for West Nile Virus Lineages 1 and 2Christin Körsten0Amira A. AL-Hosary1Mandy Schäfer2Birke A. Tews3Doreen Werner4Helge Kampen5Ana Vasic6Cornelia Silaghi7Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, 17493 Greifswald, GermanyInstitute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, 17493 Greifswald, GermanyInstitute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, 17493 Greifswald, GermanyInstitute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, 17493 Greifswald, GermanyLeibniz-Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, 15374 Muencheberg, GermanyInstitute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, 17493 Greifswald, GermanyInstitute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, 17493 Greifswald, GermanyInstitute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, 17493 Greifswald, GermanyWest Nile virus (WNV) is a zoonotic flavivirus transmitted by mosquitoes as a biological vector. Because of its biting behavior, the widespread snow-melt mosquito <i>Aedes punctor</i> could be a potential bridge vector for WNV to humans and nonhuman mammals. However, little is known on its role in transmission of WNV. The aim of this study was to determine the vector competence of German <i>Ae. punctor</i> for WNV lineages 1 and 2. Field-collected larvae and pupae were reared to adults and offered infectious blood containing either an Italian WNV lineage 1 or a German WNV lineage 2 strain via cotton stick feeding. Engorged females were incubated for 14/15 or 21 days at 18 °C. After incubation; surviving mosquitoes were dissected and forced to salivate. Mosquito bodies with abdomens, thoraces and heads, legs plus wings and saliva samples were investigated for WNV RNA by RT-qPCR. Altogether, 2/70 (2.86%) and 5/85 (5.88%) mosquito bodies were found infected with WNV lineage 1 or 2, respectively. In two mosquitoes, viral RNA was also detected in legs and wings. No saliva sample contained viral RNA. Based on these results, we conclude that <i>Ae. punctor</i> does not play an important role in WNV transmission in Germany.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/14/12/2787<i>Aedes punctor</i>vector competenceWest Nile virusGermany |
| spellingShingle | Christin Körsten Amira A. AL-Hosary Mandy Schäfer Birke A. Tews Doreen Werner Helge Kampen Ana Vasic Cornelia Silaghi Vector Competence of German <i>Aedes punctor</i> (Kirby, 1837) for West Nile Virus Lineages 1 and 2 Viruses <i>Aedes punctor</i> vector competence West Nile virus Germany |
| title | Vector Competence of German <i>Aedes punctor</i> (Kirby, 1837) for West Nile Virus Lineages 1 and 2 |
| title_full | Vector Competence of German <i>Aedes punctor</i> (Kirby, 1837) for West Nile Virus Lineages 1 and 2 |
| title_fullStr | Vector Competence of German <i>Aedes punctor</i> (Kirby, 1837) for West Nile Virus Lineages 1 and 2 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Vector Competence of German <i>Aedes punctor</i> (Kirby, 1837) for West Nile Virus Lineages 1 and 2 |
| title_short | Vector Competence of German <i>Aedes punctor</i> (Kirby, 1837) for West Nile Virus Lineages 1 and 2 |
| title_sort | vector competence of german i aedes punctor i kirby 1837 for west nile virus lineages 1 and 2 |
| topic | <i>Aedes punctor</i> vector competence West Nile virus Germany |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/14/12/2787 |
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