Complete mitochondrial genomes of Culicoides brevitarsis and Culicoides imicola biting midge vectors of Bluetongue Virus

Mitochondrial DNA Part B, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 10(1), P. 67 - 71

Published: Jan. 2, 2025

Biting midges (Culicoides spp.) are important vectors of several insect borne arboviruses but underrepresented in terms availability high-resolution genomic resources. We assembled and annotated complete mitochondrial genomes for two Culicoides species, namely C. brevitarsis imicola which proven Bluetongue Virus (BTV). used both long read short sequencing technologies to assemble the circular genomes. The genome sizes 17,100 bp 17,031 bp, respectively, all comprising 37 genes, including 13 protein, 22 tRNA, rRNA coding one non-coding AT rich control region. gene organizations orientations comparable other available mitogenomes, except a translocation ND2 six tRNA genes imicola. Eleven protein-coding encode full TAA stop codon, while (ND5, COX3) completed by mRNA polyadenylation. Phylogenetic analysis mitogenomes showed form monophyletic group. sequences these contribute baseline molecular tools diagnostics surveillance use World Organisation Animal Health (WOAH) reference laboratories monitoring emerging diseases.

Language: Английский

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Deep litter as a production substrate of Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Veterinary Parasitology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 335, P. 110423 - 110423

Published: Feb. 14, 2025

Language: Английский

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Global hotspots and academic trends of vector-borne diseases in the order Diptera (Arthropoda: Insecta): a bibliometric visualisation

Folia Parasitologica, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 72

Published: March 19, 2025

Blood-sucking arthropods belonging to the order Diptera, encompassing mosquitoes, sandflies, midges, blackflies, horseflies and tsetseflies serve as vectors for a myriad of pathogens, inflicting substantial harm on both human animal health globally. The analysis visualisation global hotspots trends pertaining vector-borne diseases, stemming from these six categories arthropods, constituted reliable reference further delving into research Diptera insect vectors. To achieve this, we mined literature information Web Science Core Collection (WoSCC), all publications related arthropod groups, leveraged VOSviewer software bibliometric visualisation. This resulted in construction comprehensive relationship networks keywords, countries, institutions authors. A encompassed 41,393 publications, segmented 34,363 studies 1,668 3,665 241 336 1,120 tsetseflies. analysis, coupled with visual characterisation, offered multifaceted synthesis gathered data diverse angles. scientometric quantitatively assessed identified contributions authors each vector. resulting knowledge maps elucidate collaborative network relationships within respective vector domains. endeavour stems numerous driving forces, grasp its future trajectories can empower scientists historical perspectives forward-looking insights, fostering formulation innovative impactful ideas years ahead.

Language: Английский

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Development of Quantitative Real-Time PCR Tests for the Identification of Biting Midge Species and Clades (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) of the Obsoletus Group (Subgenus Avaritia), Including Important Viral Vectors in Europe

Insects, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(5), P. 500 - 500

Published: May 7, 2025

Species of the widespread Obsoletus Complex (Culicoides subgenus Avarita Fox, 1955) have been implicated as potential key vectors during bluetongue and Schmallenberg epidemics in Central Europe 2006 2012. Although extensive efforts made to clarify vector–pathogen relationships, one most important steps this process—correct species identification—remains difficult, due presence isomorphic within Group. To overcome difficulties morphological identification, several PCR tests were developed. With aim developing a high-throughput PCR, capable differentiating all putative vector newly described haplotypes Avaritia present Europe, dataset 4407 published sequences mitochondrial (mt) cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) was used develop specific primers probes, which can either be applied singleplex or different multiplex approaches. The real-time achieved very high diagnostic sensitivity (100%) specificity (91.7%) reliably detected three clades C. obsoletus sensu stricto (s.s.) pool specimens. Thus, new approach will provide an excellent tool for large-scale monitoring, could improve understanding biology, geographical distribution, habitat preference European biting midge involved transmission bluetongue, Schmallenberg, epizootic hemorrhagic disease viruses.

Language: Английский

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Schmallenberg virus non-structural proteins NSs and NSm are not essential for experimental infection of Culicoides sonorensis biting midges

Journal of Virology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 8, 2025

ABSTRACT The teratogenic orthobunyavirus Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is transmitted between its mammalian hosts by Culicoides biting midges. genome of circulating SBV, i.e., variants present in viremic ruminants or insect vectors, very stable, while found malformed ruminant fetuses display a high genetic variability. It was suggested that fetal infection provides an environment favors viral mutations enable immune escape the unborn but at cost limiting ability to spread further. To investigate and dissemination rates different SBV we fed laboratory-reared sonorensis with blood containing prototype strain BH80/11-4 from cow D281/12, which isolated brain sheep fetus harbors multiple all three segments. Furthermore, lacking NSs, NSm, both non-structural proteins were included. Six days after feeding, replication about 2% midges exposed wild-type BH80/11-4. absence had no obvious effect on oral susceptibility infection, as 6 days, 2.78% NSs-deletion mutant displayed loads higher than respective day-0 group, 1.92% NSm-deletion mutant, 1.55% NSs/NSm-deletion mutant. In contrast, D281/12 did not replicate midges, supporting assumption arising infected are unable enter normal insect-mammalian host cycle. IMPORTANCE Biting responsible for transmission (SBV), pathogen veterinary importance primarily infects ruminants. Although has been extensively studied host, virus-intrinsic factors allowing largely unknown. Therefore, feeding them virus-containing blood. differed their composition, used strain, fetus, recombinants either NSs NSm these proteins. While effect, variant all, indicating characteristic genomic lose infect vector will be excluded natural

Language: Английский

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Prevalence and Diversity of Haemosporidian–Associated Matryoshka RNA Viruses in a Natural Population of Wild Birds

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(5)

Published: May 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Matryoshka RNA viruses (MaRNAV) have recently been identified in association with haemosporidian parasites infecting both humans and birds, suggesting a potential role host–parasite interactions. However, their prevalence, diversity, ecological significance avian hosts remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated MaRNAV wild bird populations the San Francisco Bay Area. investigate this, examined blood samples from birds undergoing rehabilitation Samples were screened for parasite infections followed by sequencing (RNAseq) reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR to detect MaRNAV. Our analyses two novel MaRNAVs (MaRNAV‐5 ‐6) various species harboring diverse Haemoproteus Leucocytozoon species. MaRNAV‐5, associated , exhibited 71.3% amino acid identity MaRNAV‐4 was found across 15 passerine MaRNAV‐6, linked shared 72.9% MaRNAV‐3 4 raptor The prevalence 44.79% MaRNAV‐5 infected passerines 22.22% MaRNAV‐6 raptors. These not uninfected consistently only parasites. Sanger revealed high similarity of viral sequences different findings indicate notable among local impacts on health ecology. We discuss several hypotheses transmission these context parasite–host Further research is needed determine impact systems.

Language: Английский

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Vertical Distribution of Culicoides Biting Midges in Temperate Forests

Diversity, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(9), P. 585 - 585

Published: Sept. 16, 2024

Culicoides biting midges are small dipterous insects known as biological vectors of arboviruses, protozoa, and filaria parasites worldwide. Many studies on focus trapping them at ground level, without considering the best trap heights for different vector species. This implies that we might overlook positioned higher in canopy. From June to August, used UV traps catch three temperate mature forest areas east Lithuania, Baltic region Europe. We conducted this study test differences midge numbers, male female proportions, parity each height. caught majority (80.6%) mid-canopy high-canopy. A number than males was caught, with proportion varying based height reaching its lowest point level. No significant difference between nulliparous parous females detected. pictipennis C. festivipennis were most common species found. They found (86.8%) high-canopy (50.0%), respectively. kibunensis next, level (66.2%), punctatus high canopy strata (63.0%). Each species’ abundance seasonal dependent. Information vertical distribution ecosystem is an important step understanding patterns borne disease transmission wildlife.

Language: Английский

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Winter activity of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) inside and outside stables in Germany

Medical and Veterinary Entomology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 38(4), P. 552 - 565

Published: Aug. 26, 2024

Culicoides biting midge species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) of the Obsoletus Group and Pulicaris Complex are considered major vectors bluetongue Schmallenberg viruses in Europe. Overwintering strategies these arboviruses controversially discussed, with ongoing activity vector a non-disrupted transmission cycle during winter being plausible explanation. Although data on relatively scant, seasonal vector-free period (SVFP), which adult not or hardly active, is questionable. To determine define SVFPs according to EU Commission Regulation No 1266/2007, were trapped weekly UV-light traps from October April 2019/2020 2020/2021 inside outside stables 16 farms throughout Germany. Temperature measurements taken regularly at each trapping site since temperature known driver activity. In 960 indoor outdoor catches, 32,377 trapped, 90.9% them belonging Group, 6.1% 3.0% 'other Culicoides' morphological identification. The majority (61.3%) indoors, substantial numbers specimens collected December, March April, only few no January February. midges active indoors for almost entire winter. Outdoors, decreased caught March, high captured April. Of Culicoides, 2028 blood-fed, 94.6% stables. SVFP, although calculated blood-fed instead parous females, lasted 4 months (late November until mid-March) 2 (January February) 2020/2021. covered study both winters, slight differences between onsets ends. significantly depended temperature. Specimens an average 7.4°C (minimum 0.3°C) 10.3°C 1.2°C). These temperatures reached over more extended periods than outside. 1.2 K higher temperatures, absolute up 9.0 recorded. Based activity, results present indicate continuous potential virus within livestock houses.

Language: Английский

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Investigation of RNA Viruses in Culicoides Latreille, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in a Mining Complex in the Southeastern Region of the Brazilian Amazon

Viruses, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(12), P. 1862 - 1862

Published: Nov. 29, 2024

The biting midges Culicoides Latreille, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) is highly relevant to epidemiology and public health, as it includes species that are potential vectors of human animal arboviruses. aim this study was investigate the presence RNA viruses in genus collected Carajás mining complex state Pará. were municipalities Canaã dos Carajás, Curionópolis Marabá morphologically identified. A total 1139 specimens seven grouped into eight pools subjected metagenomic analysis. Eight new insect-specific (ISVs) characterized assigned order Tolivirales, families Chuviridae, Nodaviridae, Iflaviridae, Mesoniviridae, Flaviviridae, taxon Negevirus. All identified clades, taxa never reported Brazil. This demonstrated harbor a significant diversity viruses, many which still unknown, highlighting importance studies aiming at virome these insects.

Language: Английский

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