Viral RNA in Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) Collected between 2019 and 2021 in Germany
Due to globalisation and climate change, mosquito-borne pathogens are emerging in new areas on all continents, including Europe, which has recently faced outbreaks of dengue, chikungunya and West Nile fever. The present study complements previous investigations to evaluate the circulation of mosquit...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Viruses |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/15/12/2298 |
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| author | Janine Rau Katharina Köchling Mandy Schäfer Birke A. Tews Claudia Wylezich Günter A. Schaub Doreen Werner Helge Kampen |
| author_facet | Janine Rau Katharina Köchling Mandy Schäfer Birke A. Tews Claudia Wylezich Günter A. Schaub Doreen Werner Helge Kampen |
| author_sort | Janine Rau |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Due to globalisation and climate change, mosquito-borne pathogens are emerging in new areas on all continents, including Europe, which has recently faced outbreaks of dengue, chikungunya and West Nile fever. The present study complements previous investigations to evaluate the circulation of mosquito-borne viruses in Germany, with the aim of identifying potential vector species and risk areas. Mosquitoes collected from 2019 to 2021 and identified to species or species group level were screened for viruses of the families Flaviviridae, Peribunyaviridae and the genus <i>Alphavirus</i> of the family Togaviridae. In total, 22,528 mosquitoes were examined, thus providing the most comprehensive study on West Nile virus (WNV) circulation so far in the German mosquito population. Usutu virus (USUV) RNA was detected in six samples, Sindbis virus (SINV) RNA in 21 samples and WNV RNA in 11 samples. Samples containing RNA of USUV and WNV consisted of mosquitoes collected in the East German federal states of Brandenburg, Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, while samples with RNA of SINV originated from more widespread locations. Although minimum infection rates have remained relatively low, the intensity of virus circulation appears to be increasing compared to previous studies. Continuous mosquito screening contributes to the early detection of the introduction and spread of mosquito-borne pathogens. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:18:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fc4b6c2836284199971e81140b500565 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4915 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:18:40Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Viruses |
| spelling | doaj.art-fc4b6c2836284199971e81140b5005652023-12-22T14:48:59ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152023-11-011512229810.3390/v15122298Viral RNA in Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) Collected between 2019 and 2021 in GermanyJanine Rau0Katharina Köchling1Mandy Schäfer2Birke A. Tews3Claudia Wylezich4Günter A. Schaub5Doreen Werner6Helge Kampen7Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, GermanyFriedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, GermanyFriedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, GermanyFriedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, GermanyFriedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, GermanyZoology/Parasitology Department, Ruhr-University, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum, GermanyLeibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Eberswalder Str. 84, 15374 Müncheberg, GermanyFriedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, GermanyDue to globalisation and climate change, mosquito-borne pathogens are emerging in new areas on all continents, including Europe, which has recently faced outbreaks of dengue, chikungunya and West Nile fever. The present study complements previous investigations to evaluate the circulation of mosquito-borne viruses in Germany, with the aim of identifying potential vector species and risk areas. Mosquitoes collected from 2019 to 2021 and identified to species or species group level were screened for viruses of the families Flaviviridae, Peribunyaviridae and the genus <i>Alphavirus</i> of the family Togaviridae. In total, 22,528 mosquitoes were examined, thus providing the most comprehensive study on West Nile virus (WNV) circulation so far in the German mosquito population. Usutu virus (USUV) RNA was detected in six samples, Sindbis virus (SINV) RNA in 21 samples and WNV RNA in 11 samples. Samples containing RNA of USUV and WNV consisted of mosquitoes collected in the East German federal states of Brandenburg, Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, while samples with RNA of SINV originated from more widespread locations. Although minimum infection rates have remained relatively low, the intensity of virus circulation appears to be increasing compared to previous studies. Continuous mosquito screening contributes to the early detection of the introduction and spread of mosquito-borne pathogens.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/15/12/2298mosquito-borne virusesUsutu virusSindbis virusWest Nile virusBatai virus<i>Culex pipiens</i> complex |
| spellingShingle | Janine Rau Katharina Köchling Mandy Schäfer Birke A. Tews Claudia Wylezich Günter A. Schaub Doreen Werner Helge Kampen Viral RNA in Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) Collected between 2019 and 2021 in Germany Viruses mosquito-borne viruses Usutu virus Sindbis virus West Nile virus Batai virus <i>Culex pipiens</i> complex |
| title | Viral RNA in Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) Collected between 2019 and 2021 in Germany |
| title_full | Viral RNA in Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) Collected between 2019 and 2021 in Germany |
| title_fullStr | Viral RNA in Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) Collected between 2019 and 2021 in Germany |
| title_full_unstemmed | Viral RNA in Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) Collected between 2019 and 2021 in Germany |
| title_short | Viral RNA in Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) Collected between 2019 and 2021 in Germany |
| title_sort | viral rna in mosquitoes diptera culicidae collected between 2019 and 2021 in germany |
| topic | mosquito-borne viruses Usutu virus Sindbis virus West Nile virus Batai virus <i>Culex pipiens</i> complex |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/15/12/2298 |
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