Article
Virology
Bethany L. McGregor, Joan L. Kenney, C. Roxanne Connelly
Summary: Temperature plays a crucial role in the infection, dissemination, and viral titers of arboviruses in mosquito vectors. Fluctuating diurnal temperature ranges did not significantly affect infection and transmission rates but had a significant impact on viral titers. Future studies should consider using realistic diurnal temperature ranges to accurately reflect interactions between the virus, vector, and environment.
Article
Microbiology
Abdullah A. Alomar, Daniel W. Perez-Ramos, Dongmin Kim, Natalie L. Kendziorski, Bradley H. Eastmond, Barry W. Alto, Eric P. Caragata
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the combined effects of competition stress and Wolbachia infection on host fitness and susceptibility to West Nile virus (WNV) infection in Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. The results showed that high competition stress prolonged development time, decreased wing length, and increased susceptibility to WNV infection. Additionally, Wolbachia infection reduced WNV load under low competition stress and significantly improved survival rate under high competition stress in larval rearing.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Lucia Aline Moura Reis, Eliana Vieira Pinto da Silva, Daniel Damous Dias, Maria Nazare Oliveira Freitas, Rossela Damasceno Caldeira, Pedro Arthur da Silva Araujo, Fabio Silva da Silva, Jose Wilson Rosa Jr, Roberto Carlos Feitosa Brandao, Bruna Lais Sena do Nascimento, Livia Caricio Martins, Joaquim Pinto Nunes Neto
Summary: The study evaluated the susceptibility of Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes from the Amazon region of Brazil to become infected and transmit the West Nile virus (WNV) strain isolated in 2018. The results showed that the mosquitoes had a 100% oral infection rate and a 77% transmission rate, indicating that they could potentially act as vectors for the virus.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yi Moua, Serge Olivier Kotchi, Antoinette Ludwig, Stephanie Brazeau
Summary: The study aimed to provide a habitat suitability map of the main vectors of West Nile virus, Culex pipiens-restuans, in southern Quebec and eastern Ontario. By using landscape metrics and species distribution models, the importance of vegetation edges and mixed or paved areas for the bio-ecology of Culex pipiens-restuans was highlighted.
Article
Agronomy
Joseph R. McMillan, Christina A. Harden, James C. Burtis, Mallery Breban, John J. Shepard, Tanya A. Petruff, Michael J. Misencik, Angela B. Bransfield, Joseph D. Poggi, Laura C. Harrington, Theodore G. Andreadis, Philip M. Armstrong
Summary: Research showed that larval control applications can reduce the abundance of pupae and host-seeking adult mosquitoes, but have no detectable impact on entomological risk metrics for WNV. Further research is needed to determine the level of mosquito larval control required to reduce WNV transmission risk.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Andre B. B. Wilke, Dan Damian, Maria Litvinova, Thomas Byrne, Agnese Zardini, Piero Poletti, Stefano Merler, John-Paul Mutebi, John Townsend, Marco Ajelli
Summary: The objective of this study is to determine the spatiotemporal distribution of vector mosquito species in Maricopa County, AZ from 2011 to 2021 and identify hotspot areas for West Nile virus and St. Louis Encephalitis virus transmission in 2021. The results show that vector mosquito species are widely distributed and abundant in the urban areas of Maricopa County. The findings of this study can be used to inform vector control operations.
Article
Virology
Stephanie Jansen, Anna Heitmann, Ruut Uusitalo, Essi M. Korhonen, Renke Luehken, Konstantin Kliemke, Unchana Lange, Michelle Helms, Lauri Kirjalainen, Roope Nykanen, Hilppa Gregow, Pentti Pirinen, Giada Rossini, Olli Vapalahti, Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit, Eili Huhtamo
Summary: The West Nile and Sindbis viruses are mosquito-borne zoonotic viruses that are widespread in Europe. Finnish Culex pipiens and Culex torrentium mosquitoes were found to be susceptible to both viruses and could transmit them at temperatures ranging from 18 to 24 degrees Celsius. Cx. torrentium was a more efficient vector than Cx. pipiens for both viruses. The current climate in Finland may not be optimal for WNV circulation, but if all other factors are in place, summertime transmission could occur in the future. More field data is needed to monitor the northward spreading of WNV in Europe.
Article
Virology
Rachel Milomba Velu, Geoffrey Kwenda, Samuel Bosomprah, Moses Ngongo Chisola, Michelo Simunyandi, Caroline Cleopatra Chisenga, Flavien Nsoni Bumbangi, Nicholus Chintu Sande, Limonty Simubali, Monicah Mirai Mburu, John Tembo, Matthew Bates, Martin Chitolongo Simuunza, Roma Chilengi, Yasuko Orba, Hirofumi Sawa, Edgar Simulundu
Summary: This study aims to predict and evaluate the potential risk areas for West Nile Virus (WNV) and Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV) transmission in Zambia based on climate and mosquito species data. The findings identified Lake Kariba, the Kafue River, and the Luangwa Rivers, as well as the Mumbwa, Chibombo, Kapiri Mposhi, and Mpika districts as suitable habitats for the mosquito species that can transmit the viruses. Rainfall and temperature extremes were identified as the most influential variables in the predictive models.
Article
Parasitology
Anna Papa, Katerina Tsioka, Sandra Gewehr, Stella Kalaitzopouou, Danai Pervanidou, Anna Vakali, Chrysovalantou Kefaloudi, Styliani Pappa, Xanthoula Louka, Spiros Mourelatos
Summary: During the 2020 transmission season, Greece was the most affected EU Member State by West Nile virus (WNV), with a significant number of human cases occurring in the Serres regional unit in the northern part of the country. The presence of a major wetland in the area was identified as a contributing factor to the increased virus circulation.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Pablo Fernando Cuervo, Patricio Artigas, Santiago Mas-Coma, Maria Dolores Bargues
Summary: West Nile virus is a vector-borne arbovirus that poses a threat to public and animal health, causing large-scale human cases and equid outbreaks in Spain. The study indicates medium transmission risk in the south Atlantic coastal area of the Cadiz Gulf and the Mediterranean coast, and high risk in southwestern Spain.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Paola Scaramozzino, Andrea Carvelli, Gianpaolo Bruni, Giuseppina Cappiello, Francesco Censi, Adele Magliano, Giuseppe Manna, Ida Ricci, Pasquale Rombola, Federico Romiti, Francesca Rosone, Marcello Giovanni Sala, Maria Teresa Scicluna, Stefania Vaglio, Claudio De Liberato
Summary: The study investigated the transmission of West Nile virus and Usutu virus in Italy, finding that surveillance components detected the viruses in multiple aspects in four municipalities, including horses, Culex pipiens, and blood-based products.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Johnny A. A. Uelmen Jr, Bennett Lamcyzk, Patrick Irwin, Dan Bartlett, Chris Stone, Andrew Mackay, Arielle Arsenault-Benoit, Sadie J. Ryan, John-Paul Mutebi, Gabriel L. Hamer, Megan Fritz, Rebecca L. Smith
Summary: This study compares traditional trapping methods with the less commonly used human landing catch (HLC) method for sampling potential West Nile virus vectors. The results show that the HLC method provides important insight into the species of mosquitoes biting humans in the region, but alternative approaches must be explored to incorporate this method safely into control programs due to the risk to collectors.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Karin Bakran-Lebl, Jeremy V. Camp, Jolanta Kolodziejek, Pia Weidinger, Peter Hufnagl, Adriana Cabal Rosel, Andreas Zwickelstorfer, Franz Allerberger, Norbert Nowotny
Summary: Through monitoring at the largest international airport in Austria for two years, it was found that in 2018, West Nile virus and Usutu virus were detected in mosquito pools, primarily caused by Culex mosquitoes. In 2019, no viral nucleic acids were detected in any mosquito pools. The study suggests that airports may serve as focal points for arbovirus activity, especially during epidemic years, and should be taken into consideration when designing mosquito control and arbovirus monitoring programs.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Virology
Katerina Tsioka, Sandra Gewehr, Styliani Pappa, Stella Kalaitzopoulou, Konstantina Stoikou, Spiros Mourelatos, Anna Papa
Summary: In 2022, Greece was the second most seriously affected European country by the West Nile virus (WNV), with Central Macedonia being the region with the highest number of reported human cases. A study conducted on female Culex pipiens mosquitoes collected from Central Macedonia revealed a 5.9% WNV detection rate in the samples, with significant differences among regions and months. The virus circulation in the Thessaloniki regional unit started earlier, peaked earlier, and lasted longer compared to other regions.
Article
Virology
Helge Kampen, Birke Andrea Tews, Doreen Werner
Summary: Mosquitoes collected from hibernacula in northeastern Germany during the winter of 2020-2021 revealed the presence of West Nile virus, specifically in a pool of Culex pipiens mosquitoes. Although the virus was not successfully cultured in cell lines, genetic sequencing showed high similarity to previous German strains, confirming local overwintering and posing a persistent public health issue. The low infection prevalence suggests a slow epidemic progression, reflecting the still-hypoendemic situation in Germany.
Article
Entomology
Mohamed F. Sallam, Roberto M. Pereira, Chris Batich, Philip Koehler
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lindsay P. Campbell, Robert P. Guralnick, Bryan Giordano, Mohamed F. Sallam, Amely M. Bauer, Yasmin Tavares, Julie M. Allen, Caroline Efstathion, Suzanne Bartlett, Randy Wishard, Rui-De Xue, Benjamin Allen, Miranda Tressler, Whitney Qualls, Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena
Summary: The study quantified the effects of landscape composition and dynamic weather events on the spatiotemporal distribution of the EEEV and WNV in northeastern Florida. Results showed a strong spatiotemporal structure in seroconversion for both viruses, with landscape cover and edge density playing important roles in EEEV transmission.
Article
Entomology
Kristen A. Hopperstad, Mohamed F. Sallam, Michael H. Reiskind
Summary: The distribution ranges of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus overlap in Florida, but due to competitive displacement, the two species show partial spatial segregation. Factors such as human density, precipitation, and urban land cover drive the habitat suitability of Ae. aegypti, while only climatic variables drive the suitability of Ae. albopictus. Remote sensing data are more predictive in modeling than locally collected metrics.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)