Tissue distribution and transmission of Rift Valley fever phlebovirus in European Culex pipiens and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes following intrathoracic inoculation

Rift Valley fever virus (Phlebovirus riftense, RVFV) poses significant economic challenges, particularly in African nations, causing substantial livestock losses and severe haemorrhagic disease in humans. In Europe, the risk of RVFV transmission is deemed moderate due to the presence of competent ve...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Gardela Santacruz, Jaume|||0000-0001-7524-2088, Yautibug, Karen, Talavera, Sandra, Vidal Barba, Enric|||0000-0002-4965-3286, Sossah, Catherine Cêtre, Pagès Martínez, Nonito, Busquets, Núria|||0000-0001-5246-8260
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Institución:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:320245
Acceso en línea:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/320245
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.1099/jgv.0.002025
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Arbovirus
Europe
Immunohistochemistry
Mosquito-borne virus
Descripción
Sumario:Rift Valley fever virus (Phlebovirus riftense, RVFV) poses significant economic challenges, particularly in African nations, causing substantial livestock losses and severe haemorrhagic disease in humans. In Europe, the risk of RVFV transmission is deemed moderate due to the presence of competent vectors like Culex pipiens and Aedes albopictus, along with susceptible animal vertebrate hosts across member states. This study investigates RVFV infection dynamics in European mosquito populations, aiming to enhance our understanding of their vectorial capacity and virus transmission, which can be useful for future investigations to improve RVFV surveillance, control programmes, and preventive treatments. Intrathoracic inoculation of European Cx. pipiens and Ae. albopictus with an RVFV virulent strain (RVF 56/74) enabled the assessment of virus tissue distribution and transmission. Immunohistochemistry analyses revealed widespread RVFV infection in all analysable anatomical structures at 5 and 14 days post-inoculation. Notably, the ganglionic nervous system exhibited the highest detection of RVFV in both species. Cx. pipiens showed more frequently infected structures than Ae. albopictus, particularly in reproductive structures. The identification of an RVFV-positive egg follicle in Cx. pipiens hints at potential vertical transmission. Saliva analysis indicated a higher transmission potential in Cx. pipiens (71.4%) compared to Ae. albopictus (4.3%) at the early time point. This study offers the first description and comparison of RVFV tissue distribution in Ae. albopictus and Cx. pipiens, shedding light on the susceptibility of their nervous systems, which may alter mosquito behaviour, which is critical for virus transmission. Overall, enhancing our knowledge of viral infection within mosquitoes holds promise for future vector biology research and innovative approaches to mitigate RVFV transmission.