Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Caitlin A. O'Brien, Jessica J. Harrison, Agathe M. G. Colmant, Renee J. Traves, Devina Paramitha, Sonja Hall-Mendelin, Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Laura J. Vet, Thisun B. H. Piyasena, Natalee D. Newton, Alice W. Yam, Jody Hobson-Peters, Roy A. Hall
Summary: Mosquito-borne flaviviruses are significant contributors to arboviral disease burdens in both Australia and globally. The MAVRIC system, an ELISA-based method for detecting viral RNA intermediates, has been used to successfully identify known and novel flaviviruses in Australian mosquitoes. Researchers have discovered novel flaviviruses that evade detection by the MAVRIC system and have identified characteristics in the viral genome that may play a role in this evasion. Further, a modified fixation method has been reported to improve the detection of flavivirus dsRNA and inactivate non-enveloped viruses in mosquito populations using the MAVRIC system.
JOURNAL OF GENERAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Virology
Rafaela dos S. Peinado, Raphael J. Eberle, Carolina C. Pacca, Raghuvir K. Arni, Monika A. Coronado
Summary: This article discusses arboviruses, which are transmitted to vertebrate hosts by arthropods, primarily mosquitoes. These viruses, such as Dengue, Zika, Saint Louis Encephalitis, and others, are associated with various neurological, viscerotropic, and hemorrhagic diseases. Researchers have used a variety of methods, including genomics and proteomics, to study the structures of these viruses and their interactions with hosts, which is crucial for the development of future antiviral therapies.
Review
Physiology
Thomas Vial, Guillaume Marti, Dorothee Misse, Julien Pompon
Summary: This article reviews the biosyntheses, biochemical properties, and interactions of mosquito phospholipids with flaviviruses, highlighting the importance of phospholipids in the virus life cycle and their regulation for virus multiplication.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Imke Visser, Constantianus J. M. Koenraadt, Marion P. G. Koopmans, Barry Rockx
Summary: Due to climate changes, new potential public health threats emerge as mosquito species expand their geographical distributions and carry arbovirus infections to new areas. Mosquito saliva plays a crucial role in enhancing arbovirus pathogenesis in the skin, but the specific immunomodulatory effects and mechanisms of various mosquito species' saliva need further exploration. Understanding the impact of mosquito saliva on the vector-virus-host relationship helps predict the transmission risk and severity of emerging vector-borne diseases.
Article
Virology
Agathe M. G. Colmant, David Warrilow, Sonja Hall-Mendelin, Michael Onn, Jody Hobson-Peters, Bixing Huang, Nina Kurucz, Allan Warchot, Bridgette R. Primmer, Sally Isberg, Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Roy A. Hall
Summary: Mosquito samples were collected near crocodile farms in the Darwin region of Australia to study virus population. Although no Kunjin virus was detected, the optimized MAVRIC system identified viruses from three different classes and demonstrated the persistence of an insect-specific flavivirus in mosquitoes. Additionally, a novel Hubei macula-like virus was detected in two mosquito genera, suggesting a possible horizontal transmission cycle between arthropods and plants.
Article
Virology
Helene Martin, Jonathan Barthelemy, Yamileth Chin, Mathilde Bergamelli, Nathalie Moinard, Geraldine Cartron, Yann Tanguy Le Gac, Cecile E. Malnou, Yannick Simonin
Summary: Usutu virus (USUV) is a neurotropic mosquito-borne flavivirus that has rapidly spread in Europe. Although mostly asymptomatic or causing mild symptoms, it can lead to neurological disorders in humans. The study demonstrates that USUV can replicate in human placental cells and tissues and suggests its potential transmission during gestation in mice.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sylvia Xiao Wei Gwee, Ashley L. St John, Gregory C. Gray, Junxiong Pang
Summary: Dengue virus positivity has been detected in various animals, primarily in bats, non-human primates, and pigs. Serological testing suggests possible enzootic transmission, while regular dengue virus spillback cannot be ruled out. Acute infections among animals are limited, indicating the need for further investigation into the potential role of animals in dengue transmission.
Article
Microbiology
Edwin O. Ogola, Armanda D. S. Bastos, Gilbert Rotich, Anne Kopp, Inga Slothouwer, Dorcus C. A. Omoga, Rosemary Sang, Baldwyn Torto, Sandra Junglen, David P. Tchouassi
Summary: In this study, two insect-specific flaviviruses (ISFs) were identified, one in Mansonia africana mosquitoes and another in Aedes aegypti, Anopheles gambiae s.l., Mansonia africana, and Culex univittatus mosquitoes that had fed on human blood. The ISFs were not pathogenic to humans and animals but may affect the transmission of arboviruses by mosquitoes.
Article
Microbiology
Maria Vittoria Mancini, Rapeepat Tandavanitj, Thomas H. H. Ant, Shivan M. M. Murdochy, Daniel D. D. Gingell, Chayanee Setthapramote, Piyatida Natsrita, Alain Kohl, Steven P. P. Sinkins, Arvind H. H. Patel, Giuditta De Lorenzo
Summary: In this study, a promising Zika virus vaccine candidate was validated in a mosquito-mouse transmission model, showing its ability to protect animals from the disease and reduce virus transmission. The study also revealed the enhancement of viral infection and spread through mosquito bites.
Review
Virology
Ahmed M. E. Elrefaey, Philippa Hollinghurst, Christine M. Reitmayer, Luke Alphey, Kevin Maringer
Summary: Mosquito-borne viruses of the Flavivirus genus, such as dengue, Japanese encephalitis, West Nile, yellow fever, and Zika viruses, pose a significant threat to global public health. Understanding the complex interactions between these viruses and their hosts is crucial for developing antiviral therapies and strategies to prevent their spread.
Article
Virology
Alyssa T. Pyke, Martin A. Shivas, Jonathan M. Darbro, Michael B. Onn, Petrina H. Johnson, Andrew Crunkhorn, Ivan Montgomery, Peter Burtonclay, Cassie C. Jansen, Andrew F. van den Hurk
Summary: The Australian backyard mosquito Aedes notoscriptus is a vector of various pathogenic viruses and poses a potential threat to human and animal health. Studies on the genetic diversity and virome composition of this mosquito species have revealed novel virus species and expanded the geographic distribution of known viruses. Ongoing surveillance and ecological research are crucial for understanding the evolution of mosquito-borne viruses and preparing for potential health risks.
Article
Virology
Roman B. Bayandin, Marat T. Makenov, Sanaba Boumbaly, Olga A. Stukolova, Anastasia V. Gladysheva, Andrey V. Shipovalov, Maksim O. Skarnovich, Ousmane Camara, Aboubacar Hady Toure, Victor A. Svyatchenko, Alexander N. Shvalov, Vladimir A. Ternovoi, Mamadou Y. Boiro, Alexander P. Agafonov, Lyudmila S. Karan
Summary: This article presents a case report of Zika fever in a pregnant woman from Guinea in 2018. The Zika virus isolated from the patient belonged to the African lineage, specifically the Nigerian sublineage. In addition, serological screening revealed a varying seroprevalence of Zika virus infection among febrile patients in Faranah, ranging from 5.6% to 17.1%.
Article
Parasitology
Jeremy Camp, Edwin Kniha, Adelheid G. Obwaller, Julia Walochnik, Norbert Nowotny
Summary: The study aimed to survey mosquito populations for TAHV in three floodwater habitats and describe host usage by predominant floodwater mosquito species. TAHV was identified in Ae. vexans mosquitoes captured along the Leitha River, with large mammals such as deer and boar being identified as hosts. The rescued virus sequence was similar to other isolates dating back to 1958.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Livia V. R. Baldon, Silvana F. de Mendonca, Flavia V. Ferreira, Fernanda O. Rezende, Siad C. G. Amadou, Thiago H. J. F. Leite, Marcele N. Rocha, Joao T. Marques, Luciano A. Moreira, Alvaro G. A. Ferreira
Summary: The study found that AG129 mice are a suitable and comprehensive vertebrate model for studying the transmission of mosquito-borne viruses, such as dengue, yellow fever, Zika, Mayaro, and Chikungunya viruses. The mice developed a transient viremia after infection, which was sufficient to infect mosquitoes during blood meals. Infected mosquitoes were also able to transmit the viruses back to naive mice, completing the full transmission cycle.
Article
Virology
Cassie C. Jansen, Jonathan M. Darbro, Frances A. Birrell, Martin A. Shivas, Andrew F. van den Hurk
Summary: COVID-19 mitigation measures in Queensland, Australia, led to more mosquito-borne diseases being acquired near residential areas due to limited human movement. A significant decrease in international passenger flights resulted in a reduction of imported dengue and malaria cases.