Special Issue "Mosquito-Borne Virus Ecology"

A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "Insect Viruses".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2021.

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit
E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
1. Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Bernhard-Nocht-Strasse 74, 20359 Hamburg, Germany;
2. Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, University of Hamburg, Ohnhorststrasse 18, 22609 Hamburg, Germany
Interests: Emerging and re-emerging viruses
Dr. Hanna Jöst
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine
Interests: mosquitoes; Mosquito-borne arboviruses; virus ecology; natural transmission cycles; arboviruses of Africa

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Human and animal diseases caused by mosquito-borne viruses (moboviruses) are of growing importance in many countries. Shifts in climate regimes can have a direct impact on the distribution of a species. Therefore, climatic conditions also have a significant impact on the local or regional emergence and frequency of moboviruses, which are significantly influenced by the availability of potential host species. Changes in the distribution of vectors, reservoirs or amplification hosts directly influence the risk of moboviruses’ emergence, e.g. by bringing together humans and animals in close contact with viruses. Thus, changes in climate, as well as other environmental changes (e.g. land-use), are likely to shift the occurrences and transmission risk of moboviruses. This is why emerging or re-emerging moboviruses have reached the forefront of medical research at the global scale, with prominent outbreaks in recent years (e.g. Chikungunya virus or Zika virus). Thus, the fundamental understanding of the mosquito vector and mobovirus ecology is the sine qua non to develop and implement sustainable vector and mobovirus control programs.

Prof. Dr. Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit
Dr. Hanna Jöst

Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • ecology
  • virus
  • mosquito
  • climate

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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Article
Chikungunya Beyond the Tropics: Where and When Do We Expect Disease Transmission in Europe?
Viruses 2021, 13(6), 1024; https://doi.org/10.3390/v13061024 - 29 May 2021
Viewed by 774
Abstract
Chikungunya virus disease (chikungunya) is a mosquito-borne infectious disease reported in at least 50 countries, mostly in the tropics. It has spread around the globe within the last two decades, with local outbreaks in Europe. The vector mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera, Culicidae) has [...] Read more.
Chikungunya virus disease (chikungunya) is a mosquito-borne infectious disease reported in at least 50 countries, mostly in the tropics. It has spread around the globe within the last two decades, with local outbreaks in Europe. The vector mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera, Culicidae) has already widely established itself in southern Europe and is spreading towards central parts of the continent. Public health authorities and policymakers need to be informed about where and when a chikungunya transmission is likely to take place. Here, we adapted a previously published global ecological niche model (ENM) by including only non-tropical chikungunya occurrence records and selecting bioclimatic variables that can reflect the temperate and sub-tropical conditions in Europe with greater accuracy. Additionally, we applied an epidemiological model to capture the temporal outbreak risk of chikungunya in six selected European cities. Overall, the non-tropical ENM captures all the previous outbreaks in Europe, whereas the global ENM had underestimated the risk. Highly suitable areas are more widespread than previously assumed. They are found in coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea, in the western part of the Iberian Peninsula, and in Atlantic coastal areas of France. Under a worst-case scenario, even large areas of western Germany and the Benelux states are considered potential areas of transmission. For the six selected European cities, June–September (the 22th–38th week) is the most vulnerable time period, with the maximum continuous duration of a possible transmission period lasting up to 93 days (Ravenna, Italy). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mosquito-Borne Virus Ecology)
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Article
Vector Surveillance, Host Species Richness, and Demographic Factors as West Nile Disease Risk Indicators
Viruses 2021, 13(5), 934; https://doi.org/10.3390/v13050934 - 18 May 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 656
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is the most common arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) in the United States (US) and is the leading cause of viral encephalitis in the country. The virus has affected tens of thousands of US persons total since its 1999 North America [...] Read more.
West Nile virus (WNV) is the most common arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) in the United States (US) and is the leading cause of viral encephalitis in the country. The virus has affected tens of thousands of US persons total since its 1999 North America introduction, with thousands of new infections reported annually. Approximately 1% of humans infected with WNV acquire neuroinvasive West Nile Disease (WND) with severe encephalitis and risk of death. Research describing WNV ecology is needed to improve public health surveillance, monitoring, and risk assessment. We applied Bayesian joint-spatiotemporal modeling to assess the association of vector surveillance data, host species richness, and a variety of other environmental and socioeconomic disease risk factors with neuroinvasive WND throughout the conterminous US. Our research revealed that an aging human population was the strongest disease indicator, but climatic and vector-host biotic interactions were also significant in determining risk of neuroinvasive WND. Our analysis also identified a geographic region of disproportionately high neuroinvasive WND disease risk that parallels the Continental Divide, and extends southward from the US–Canada border in the states of Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin to the US–Mexico border in western Texas. Our results aid in unraveling complex WNV ecology and can be applied to prioritize disease surveillance locations and risk assessment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mosquito-Borne Virus Ecology)
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Article
Adaptive Evolution of New Variants of Dengue Virus Serotype 1 Genotype V Circulating in the Brazilian Amazon
Viruses 2021, 13(4), 689; https://doi.org/10.3390/v13040689 - 16 Apr 2021
Viewed by 477
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) is a mosquito-borne viral pathogen that plagues many tropical-climate nations around the world, including Brazil. Molecular epidemiology is a growing and increasingly invaluable tool for understanding the dispersal, persistence, and diversity of this impactful virus. In this study, plasma samples [...] Read more.
Dengue virus (DENV) is a mosquito-borne viral pathogen that plagues many tropical-climate nations around the world, including Brazil. Molecular epidemiology is a growing and increasingly invaluable tool for understanding the dispersal, persistence, and diversity of this impactful virus. In this study, plasma samples (n = 824) from individuals with symptoms consistent with an arboviral febrile illness were analyzed to identity the molecular epidemiological dynamics of DENV circulating in the Brazilian state of Amapá. Twelve DENV type 1 (DENV-1) genomes were identified, which were phylogenetically related to the BR4 lineage of genotype V. Phylodynamics analysis suggested that DENV-1 BR-4 was introduced into Amapá around early 2010, possibly from other states in northern Brazil. We also found unique amino acids substitutions in the DENV-1 envelope and NS5 protein sequences in the Amapá isolates. Characterization of the DENV-1 BR-4 sequences highlights the potential of this new lineage to drive outbreaks of dengue in the Amazon region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mosquito-Borne Virus Ecology)
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Article
Characterization and Vector Competence Studies of Chikungunya Virus Lacking Repetitive Motifs in the 3′ Untranslated Region of the Genome
Viruses 2021, 13(3), 403; https://doi.org/10.3390/v13030403 - 04 Mar 2021
Viewed by 578
Abstract
Using reverse genetics, we analyzed a chikungunya virus (CHIKV) isolate of the Indian Ocean lineage lacking direct repeat (DR) elements in the 3′ untranslated region, namely DR1a and DR2a. While this deletion mutant CHIKV-∆DR exhibited growth characteristics comparable to the wild-type virus in [...] Read more.
Using reverse genetics, we analyzed a chikungunya virus (CHIKV) isolate of the Indian Ocean lineage lacking direct repeat (DR) elements in the 3′ untranslated region, namely DR1a and DR2a. While this deletion mutant CHIKV-∆DR exhibited growth characteristics comparable to the wild-type virus in Baby Hamster Kidney cells, replication of the mutant was reduced in Aedes albopictus C6/36 and Ae. aegypti Aag2 cells. Using oral and intrathoracic infection of mosquitoes, viral infectivity, dissemination, and transmission of CHIKV-∆DR could be shown for the well-known CHIKV vectors Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. Oral infection of Ae. vexans and Culex pipiens mosquitoes with mutant or wild-type CHIKV showed very limited infectivity. Dissemination, transmission, and transmission efficiencies as determined via viral RNA in the saliva were slightly higher in Ae. vexans for the wild-type virus than for CHIKV-∆DR. However, both Ae. vexans and Cx. pipiens allowed efficient viral replication after intrathoracic injection confirming that the midgut barrier is an important determinant for the compromised infectivity after oral infection. Transmission efficiencies were neither significantly different between Ae. vexans and Cx. pipiens nor between wild-type and CHIKV-∆DR. With a combined transmission efficiency of 6%, both Ae. vexans and Cx. pipiens might serve as potential vectors in temperate regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mosquito-Borne Virus Ecology)
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Article
Sindbis Virus Infection in Non-Blood-Fed Hibernating Culex pipiens Mosquitoes in Sweden
Viruses 2020, 12(12), 1441; https://doi.org/10.3390/v12121441 - 14 Dec 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 631
Abstract
A crucial, but unresolved question concerning mosquito-borne virus transmission is how these viruses can remain endemic in regions where the transmission is halted for long periods of time, due to mosquito inactivity in, e.g., winter. In northern Europe, Sindbis virus (SINV) (genus alphavirus, [...] Read more.
A crucial, but unresolved question concerning mosquito-borne virus transmission is how these viruses can remain endemic in regions where the transmission is halted for long periods of time, due to mosquito inactivity in, e.g., winter. In northern Europe, Sindbis virus (SINV) (genus alphavirus, Togaviridae) is transmitted among birds by Culex mosquitoes during the summer, with occasional symptomatic infections occurring in humans. In winter 2018–19, we sampled hibernating Culex spp females in a SINV endemic region in Sweden and assessed them individually for SINV infection status, blood-feeding status, and species. The results showed that 35 out of the 767 collected mosquitoes were infected by SINV, i.e., an infection rate of 4.6%. The vast majority of the collected mosquitoes had not previously blood-fed (98.4%) and were of the species Cx. pipiens (99.5%). This is the first study of SINV overwintering, and it concludes that SINV can be commonly found in the hibernating Cx. pipiens population in an endemic region in Sweden, and that these mosquitoes become infected through other means besides blood-feeding. Further studies on mosquito ecology and viral interactions are needed to elucidate the mechanisms of the persistence of these viruses over winter. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mosquito-Borne Virus Ecology)
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Review

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Review
Mosquito Vector Competence for Japanese Encephalitis Virus
Viruses 2021, 13(6), 1154; https://doi.org/10.3390/v13061154 - 16 Jun 2021
Viewed by 885
Abstract
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a zoonotic pathogen mainly found in East and Southeast Asia and transmitted by mosquitoes. The objective of this review is to summarize the knowledge on the diversity of JEV mosquito vector species. Therefore, we systematically analyzed reports of [...] Read more.
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a zoonotic pathogen mainly found in East and Southeast Asia and transmitted by mosquitoes. The objective of this review is to summarize the knowledge on the diversity of JEV mosquito vector species. Therefore, we systematically analyzed reports of JEV found in field-caught mosquitoes as well as experimental vector competence studies. Based on the investigated publications, we classified 14 species as confirmed vectors for JEV due to their documented experimental vector competence and evidence of JEV found in wild mosquitoes. Additionally, we identified 11 mosquito species, belonging to five genera, with an experimentally confirmed vector competence for JEV but lacking evidence on their JEV transmission capacity from field-caught mosquitoes. Our study highlights the diversity of confirmed and potential JEV vector species. We also emphasize the variety in the study design of vector competence investigations. To account for the diversity of the vector species and regional circumstances, JEV vector competence should be studied in the local context, using local mosquitoes with local virus strains under local climate conditions to achieve reliable data. In addition, harmonization of the design of vector competence experiments would lead to better comparable data, informing vector and disease control measures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mosquito-Borne Virus Ecology)
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Review
Mosquito-Associated Viruses and Their Related Mosquitoes in West Africa
Viruses 2021, 13(5), 891; https://doi.org/10.3390/v13050891 - 12 May 2021
Viewed by 1065
Abstract
Mosquito-associated viruses (MAVs), including mosquito-specific viruses (MSVs) and mosquito-borne (arbo)viruses (MBVs), are an increasing public, veterinary, and global health concern, and West Africa is projected to be the next front for arboviral diseases. As in-depth knowledge of the ecologies of both western African [...] Read more.
Mosquito-associated viruses (MAVs), including mosquito-specific viruses (MSVs) and mosquito-borne (arbo)viruses (MBVs), are an increasing public, veterinary, and global health concern, and West Africa is projected to be the next front for arboviral diseases. As in-depth knowledge of the ecologies of both western African MAVs and related mosquitoes is still limited, we review available and comprehensive data on their diversity, abundance, and distribution. Data on MAVs’ occurrence and related mosquitoes were extracted from peer-reviewed publications. Data on MSVs, and mosquito and vertebrate host ranges are sparse. However, more data are available on MBVs (i.e., dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, Zika, and Rift Valley fever viruses), detected in wild and domestic animals, and humans, with infections more concentrated in urban areas and areas affected by strong anthropogenic changes. Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Aedes albopictus are incriminated as key arbovirus vectors. These findings outline MAV, related mosquitoes, key knowledge gaps, and future research areas. Additionally, these data highlight the need to increase our understanding of MAVs and their impact on host mosquito ecology, to improve our knowledge of arbovirus transmission, and to develop specific strategies and capacities for arboviral disease surveillance, diagnostic, prevention, control, and outbreak responses in West Africa. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mosquito-Borne Virus Ecology)
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