Aim: Numerous RNA viruses have recently emerged, posing threats to
humans and causing harm to animals and plants. Among these, bunyaviruses stand
out as one of the largest RNA virus groups capable of infecting a wide range of
hosts, including invertebrates, vertebrates, and plants. In recent years, new
insect-specific viruses have been isolated from mosquitoes and phlebotomine
sandflies worldwide. However, little is known regarding the impact of these
viruses on the vector life cycles and the stages of oviposition, breeding,
blood feeding, and the mosquito’s lifespan. This study describes the first
detection and characterization of a recently discovered bunyavirus known as the
Wutai mosquito phasivirus in South America.
Study Design: A prospective study was conducted in Rio de Janeiro
to monitor arbovirus presence in mosquitoes.
Place and Duration of Study: The fieldwork, 2013-2017, was carried
out in the neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro city, where the Olympic games'
sports facilities were set up. In addition, collections were carried out during
a dengue outbreak in two municipalities in the north of Rio de Janeiro State in
2015.
Methodology: Passive traps were set in 11 health units and seven
additional locations. Trapping also occurred in two northern municipalities
with high dengue fever incidence. Weekly collections used BG sentinel traps,
and captured mosquitoes were analyzed in the laboratory. Mosquitoes were
identified to the genus level, and species confirmation was done via molecular
analyses. Pools of up to 250 mosquitoes were prepared for molecular analysis.
RNA was extracted from mosquito homogenates and analyzed via RT-PCR. The
resulting amplicons were sequenced, aligned, and phylogenetic trees were
constructed using maximum likelihood methods to understand evolutionary
relationships.
Results: A total of 1,866 adult mosquitoes were trapped for
bunyavirus screening, with 1,465 identified as Culex spp. and 401 as Aedes spp.
Blood meal analysis from engorged females revealed human and dog sources. Wutai
mosquito phasivirus was confirmed in complex Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus and
other Culex species, with one pool of male Aedes aegypti also testing positive.
The transmission route and ecological impact remain unknown. Strains in Rio de
Janeiro clustered together, but further research is needed to understand the
virus's diversity and evolution.
Conclusion: This study reports the first detection and
characterization of the Wutai mosquito phasivirus in Brazil. It confirms the
virus's presence in primary urban vectors, Culex spp. and Aedes spp., with a
high prevalence and wide distribution in Rio de Janeiro. These findings enhance
our understanding of mosquito-specific virus distribution and contribute to
studies on virus evolution and vector competence for transmitting pathogenic
viruses.
Author(s) Details
Mário
Sérgio Ribeiro
Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio
de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373,
CEP: 21941-970, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Institute of Collective Health
Studies, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. Horacio
Macedo, S/N, CEP: 21941-598, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Tania
Ayllón
Acute Febrile Diseases Laboratory, Evandro Chagas National
Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fiocruz, Av. Brasil 4365, CEP: 21040-360, Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil and Sentinel Operational Nucleus of Mosquito Vectors, Fiocruz, Av. Brasil 4365,
CEP: 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Viviana
Malirat
Human and Animal Virology Center, CONICET-UAI, Av. Montes de Oca
745, CP: C1270AAH, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Daniel
Cardoso Portela Câmara
Sentinel Operational Nucleus of Mosquito Vectors, Fiocruz, Av.
Brasil 4365, CEP: 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Laboratory of
Transmitters of Hematozoa, Fiocruz, Av. Brasil 4365, CEP: 21040-360, Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil.
Cristina
Maria Giordano Dias
Epidemiological and Environmental Surveillance, State Health
Secretariat of Rio de Janeiro, R. México, 128, CEP: 20031-142, Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil.
Guilherme
Louzada
Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio
de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, CEP: 21941-970, Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil.
Davis
Fernandes-Ferreira
Department of Pathology Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC,
27710, USA.
Roberto
de Andrade Medronho
Institute of Collective Health Studies, School of Medicine,
Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. Horacio Macedo, S/N, CEP: 21941-598,
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Renata
Campos Azevedo
Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio
de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, CEP: 21941-970, Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil.
Please
see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/ibs/v9/1348
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