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Nagy NA, Tóth GE, Kurucz K, Kemenesi G, Laczkó L. The updated genome of the Hungarian population of Aedes koreicus. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7545. [PMID: 38555322 PMCID: PMC10981705 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58096-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases pose a potential risk to human and animal welfare, and understanding their spread requires genomic resources. The mosquito Aedes koreicus is an emerging vector that has been introduced into Europe more than 15 years ago but only a low quality, fragmented genome was available. In this study, we carried out additional sequencing and assembled and characterized the genome of the species to provide a background for understanding its evolution and biology. The updated genome was 1.1 Gbp long and consisted of 6099 contigs with an N50 value of 329,610 bp and a BUSCO score of 84%. We identified 22,580 genes that could be functionally annotated and paid particular attention to the identification of potential insecticide resistance genes. The assessment of the orthology of the genes indicates a high turnover at the terminal branches of the species tree of mosquitoes with complete genomes, which could contribute to the adaptation and evolutionary success of the species. These results could form the basis for numerous downstream analyzes to develop targets for the control of mosquito populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikoletta Andrea Nagy
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
- HUN-REN-UD Behavioural Ecology Research Group, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
- Institute of Metagenomics, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
| | - Gábor Endre Tóth
- National Laboratory of Virology, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pecs, Hungary
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kornélia Kurucz
- National Laboratory of Virology, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pecs, Hungary
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Gábor Kemenesi
- National Laboratory of Virology, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pecs, Hungary
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Levente Laczkó
- HUN-REN-UD Conservation Biology Research Group, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- One Health Institute, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
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Lühken R, Brattig N, Becker N. Introduction of invasive mosquito species into Europe and prospects for arbovirus transmission and vector control in an era of globalization. Infect Dis Poverty 2023; 12:109. [PMID: 38037192 PMCID: PMC10687857 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-023-01167-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mosquito research in Europe has a long history, primarily focused on malaria vectors. In recent years, invasive mosquito species like the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) and the spread of arboviruses like dengue virus, chikungunya virus or bluetongue virus have led to an intensification of research and monitoring in Europe. The risk of further dissemination of exotic species and mosquito-borne pathogens is expected to increase with ongoing globalization, human mobility, transport geography, and climate warming. Researchers have conducted various studies to understand the ecology, biology, and effective control strategies of mosquitoes and associated pathogens. MAIN BODY Three invasive mosquito species are established in Europe: Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), Japanese bush mosquito (Ae. japonicus), and Korean bush mosquito (Aedes koreicus). Ae. albopictus is the most invasive species and has been established in Europe since 1990. Over the past two decades, there has been an increasing number of outbreaks of infections by mosquito-borne viruses in particular chikungunya virus, dengue virus or Zika virus in Europe primary driven by Ae. albopictus. At the same time, climate change with rising temperatures results in increasing threat of invasive mosquito-borne viruses, in particular Usutu virus and West Nile virus transmitted by native Culex mosquito species. Effective mosquito control programs require a high level of community participation, going along with comprehensive information campaigns, to ensure source reduction and successful control. Control strategies for container breeding mosquitoes like Ae. albopictus or Culex species involve community participation, door-to-door control activities in private areas. Further measures can involve integration of sterile insect techniques, applying indigenous copepods, Wolbachia sp. bacteria, or genetically modified mosquitoes, which is very unlike to be practiced as standard method in the near future. CONCLUSIONS Climate change and globalization resulting in the increased establishment of invasive mosquitoes in particular of the Asian tiger mosquito Ae. albopictus in Europe within the last 30 years and increasing outbreaks of infections by mosquito-borne viruses warrants intensification of research and monitoring. Further, effective future mosquito control programs require increase in intense community and private participation, applying physical, chemical, biological, and genetical control activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renke Lühken
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Norbert Brattig
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Norbert Becker
- Institute for Dipterology, 67346, Speyer, Germany
- Institute for Organismal Studies (COS), University of Heidelberg, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
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Samake JN, Yared S, Getachew D, Mumba P, Dengela D, Yohannes G, Chibsa S, Choi SH, Spear J, Irish SR, Zohdy S, Balkew M, Carter TE. Detection and population genetic analysis of kdr L1014F variant in eastern Ethiopian Anopheles stephensi. Infect Genet Evol 2022; 99:105235. [PMID: 35123054 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2022.105235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Anopheles stephensi is a malaria vector that has been recently introduced into East Africa, where it threatens to increase malaria disease burden. The use of insecticides, especially pyrethroids, is still one of the primary malaria vector control strategies worldwide. The knockdown resistance (kdr) mutation in the IIS6 transmembrane segment of the voltage-gated sodium channel (vgsc) is one of the main molecular mechanisms of pyrethroid resistance in Anopheles. Extensive pyrethroid resistance in An. stephensi has been previously reported in Ethiopia. Thus, it is important to determine whether or not the kdr mutation is present in An. stephensi populations in Ethiopia to inform vector control strategies. In the present study, the kdr locus was analyzed in An. stephensi collected from ten urban sites (Awash Sebat Kilo, Bati, Dire Dawa, Degehabur, Erer Gota, Godey, Gewane, Jigjiga, Semera, and Kebridehar) situated in Somali, Afar, and Amhara regions, and Dire Dawa Administrative City, to evaluate the frequency and evolution of kdr mutations and the association of the mutation with permethrin resistance phenotypes. Permethrin is one of the pyrethroid insecticides used for vector control in eastern Ethiopia. DNA extractions were performed on adult mosquitoes from CDC light trap collections and those raised from larval and pupal collections. PCR and targeted sequencing were used to analyze the IIS6 transmembrane segment of the vgsc gene. Of 159 An. stephensi specimens analyzed from the population survey, nine (5.7%) carried the kdr mutation (L1014F). An. stephensi with kdr mutations were only observed from Bati, Degehabur, Dire Dawa, Gewane, and Semera. We further selected randomly twenty resistant and twenty susceptible An. stephensi mosquitoes from Dire Dawa post-exposure to permethrin and investigated the role of kdr in pyrethroid resistance by comparing the vgsc gene in the two populations. We found no kdr mutations in the permethrin-resistant mosquitoes. Population genetic analysis of the sequences, including neighboring introns, revealed limited evidence of non-neutral evolution (e.g., selection) at this locus. The low kdr mutation frequency detected and the lack of kdr mutation in the permethrin-resistant mosquitoes suggest the existence of other molecular mechanisms of pyrethroid resistance in eastern Ethiopian An. stephensi.
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Smitz N, De Wolf K, Deblauwe I, Kampen H, Schaffner F, De Witte J, Schneider A, Verlé I, Vanslembrouck A, Dekoninck W, Meganck K, Gombeer S, Vanderheyden A, De Meyer M, Backeljau T, Werner D, Müller R, Van Bortel W. Population genetic structure of the Asian bush mosquito, Aedes japonicus (Diptera, Culicidae), in Belgium suggests multiple introductions. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:179. [PMID: 33766104 PMCID: PMC7995749 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04676-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aedes japonicus japonicus has expanded beyond its native range and has established in multiple European countries, including Belgium. In addition to the population located at Natoye, Belgium, locally established since 2002, specimens were recently collected along the Belgian border. The first objective of this study was therefore to investigate the origin of these new introductions, which were assumed to be related to the expansion of the nearby population in western Germany. Also, an intensive elimination campaign was undertaken at Natoye between 2012 and 2015, after which the species was declared to be eradicated. This species was re-detected in 2017, and thus the second objective was to investigate if these specimens resulted from a new introduction event and/or from a few undetected specimens that escaped the elimination campaign. METHODS Population genetic variation at nad4 and seven microsatellite loci was surveyed in 224 and 68 specimens collected in Belgium and Germany, respectively. German samples were included as reference to investigate putative introduction source(s). At Natoye, 52 and 135 specimens were collected before and after the elimination campaign, respectively, to investigate temporal changes in the genetic composition and diversity. RESULTS At Natoye, the genotypic microsatellite make-up showed a clear difference before and after the elimination campaign. Also, the population after 2017 displayed an increased allelic richness and number of private alleles, indicative of new introduction(s). However, the Natoye population present before the elimination programme is believed to have survived at low density. At the Belgian border, clustering results suggest a relation with the western German population. Whether the introduction(s) occur via passive human-mediated ground transport or, alternatively, by natural spread cannot be determined yet from the dataset. CONCLUSION Further introductions within Belgium are expected to occur in the near future, especially along the eastern Belgian border, which is at the front of the invasion of Ae. japonicus towards the west. Our results also point to the complexity of controlling invasive species, since 4 years of intense control measures were found to be not completely successful at eliminating this exotic at Natoye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Smitz
- Royal Museum for Central Africa (BopCo & Biology Department), Leuvensesteenweg 17, 3080, Tervuren, Belgium.
| | - Katrien De Wolf
- The Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Isra Deblauwe
- The Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Helge Kampen
- Friedrich Loeffler Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | | | - Jacobus De Witte
- The Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Anna Schneider
- The Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ingrid Verlé
- The Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Adwine Vanslembrouck
- The Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium.,Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (BopCo & Scientific Heritage Service), Vautierstraat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Wouter Dekoninck
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (BopCo & Scientific Heritage Service), Vautierstraat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kenny Meganck
- Royal Museum for Central Africa (BopCo & Biology Department), Leuvensesteenweg 17, 3080, Tervuren, Belgium
| | - Sophie Gombeer
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (BopCo & Scientific Heritage Service), Vautierstraat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ann Vanderheyden
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (BopCo & Scientific Heritage Service), Vautierstraat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marc De Meyer
- Royal Museum for Central Africa (BopCo & Biology Department), Leuvensesteenweg 17, 3080, Tervuren, Belgium
| | - Thierry Backeljau
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (BopCo & Scientific Heritage Service), Vautierstraat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium.,Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Doreen Werner
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Eberswalder Straße 84, 15374, Müncheberg, Germany
| | - Ruth Müller
- The Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Wim Van Bortel
- The Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium.,Outbreak Research Team, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
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Yang T, Lin Y, Li C, Xie G, Qian J, Yang J, Ma X, Wang L, Qi R, Yu B, Zheng W, Wu Z, Zhang X, Cao X, Li J. Description of an integrated management system for invasive mosquitoes at entry-exit ports in Zhejiang, China. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:456. [PMID: 31533795 PMCID: PMC6751896 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3709-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As mosquitoes are one of the most harmful creatures in the world, recent high-frequency interceptions of invasive mosquito species have emphasized the need to enhance the biological security of the Zhejiang Province in China. As such, an integrated management system should be implemented to monitor the vectors of mosquito-borne diseases during data digitization and the processing of permanent E-forms and provide an online one-stop identification service. METHODS This system is a semi-open network built on the latest Microsoft.NET Framework, Active Server Page.NET (ASP.NET) and Internet Information Services (IIS) for the Windows 2000 service as a basic infrastructure platform. This creates a physical separation between the data input as the back-page intranet and the online automated Lucid identification as the front-page internet through the digital interchange platform and security firewall. RESULTS This system mainly comprises three core modules: automated statistical analysis of operational data, online vector identification and digital specimen storage management, in addition to accessory modules. The joint analysis of invasive and native data collected between 2011 and 2017 at 14 surveillance points in the Zhejiang Province, excluding Ningbo Port, provided insights into the geographical differences in species abundance and the dynamic nature of seasonal interception within the statistical analysis module. Most importantly, multi-access keys to mosquitoes based on Lucid software were loaded in the module for vector identification. Subscribers can utilize this procedure for the online identification of 2 subfamilies, 10 genera and 33 mosquitoes by selecting any typical morphological feature in the classification system that matches the current images at hand. CONCLUSIONS Our report suggests that this system can enhance the ability to master the basic information on invasive mosquitoes and satisfy the increasing requirements for public health safety in the integrated management of vector-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianci Yang
- Hangzhou Customs District, Hangzhou, 310012, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yili Lin
- Hangzhou Customs District, Hangzhou, 310012, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Li
- Hangzhou Customs District, Hangzhou, 310012, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Guojun Xie
- Hangzhou Customs District, Hangzhou, 310012, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Qian
- Hangzhou Customs District, Hangzhou, 310012, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianmin Yang
- Hangzhou Customs District, Hangzhou, 310012, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang Ma
- Hangzhou Customs District, Hangzhou, 310012, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Limin Wang
- Hangzhou Customs District, Hangzhou, 310012, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Runzi Qi
- Hangzhou Customs District, Hangzhou, 310012, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Yu
- Hangzhou Customs District, Hangzhou, 310012, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Zheng
- Hangzhou Customs District, Hangzhou, 310012, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhonghua Wu
- Hangzhou Customs District, Hangzhou, 310012, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaobin Zhang
- Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310021, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuechun Cao
- Ningbo Customs District, Ningbo, 315012, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Li
- Ningbo Customs District, Ningbo, 315012, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
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Camp JV, Kolodziejek J, Nowotny N. Targeted surveillance reveals native and invasive mosquito species infected with Usutu virus. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:46. [PMID: 30665453 PMCID: PMC6341546 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3316-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The emergence of Usutu virus (USUV) in Europe was first reported in Austria, 2001, and the virus has since spread to many European countries. Initial outbreaks are marked by a mass die-off of European blackbirds (Turdus merula) and other bird species. During outbreaks, the virus has been detected in pools of Culex pipiens mosquitoes, and these mosquitoes are probably the most important enzootic vectors. Beginning in 2017, a second wave of blackbird deaths associated with USUV was observed in eastern Austria; the affected areas expanded to the Austrian federal states of Styria in the south and to Upper Austria in the west in 2018. We sampled the potential vector population at selected sites of bird deaths in 2018 in order to identify infected mosquitoes. Results We detected USUV RNA in 16 out of 19 pools of Cx. pipiens/Cx. torrentium mosquitoes at sites of USUV-linked blackbird mortality in Linz and Graz, Austria. A disseminated virus infection was detected in individuals from selected pools, suggesting that Cx. pipiens form pipiens was the principal vector. In addition to a high rate of infected Cx. pipiens collected from Graz, a disseminated virus infection was detected in a pool of Aedes japonicus japonicus. Conclusions We show herein that naturally-infected mosquitoes at foci of USUV activity are primarily Cx. pipiens form pipiens. In addition, we report the first natural infection of Ae. j. japonicus with USUV, suggesting that it may be involved in the epizootic transmission of USUV in Europe. Ae. j. japonicus is an invasive mosquito whose range is expanding in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy V Camp
- Viral Zoonoses, Emerging and Vector-borne Infections Group, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Jolanta Kolodziejek
- Viral Zoonoses, Emerging and Vector-borne Infections Group, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Norbert Nowotny
- Viral Zoonoses, Emerging and Vector-borne Infections Group, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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7
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Di Luca M, Toma L, Severini F, Boccolini D, D’Avola S, Todaro D, Stancanelli A, Antoci F, La Russa F, Casano S, Sotera SD, Carraffa E, Versteirt V, Schaffner F, Romi R, Torina A. First record of the invasive mosquito species Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) on the southernmost Mediterranean islands of Italy and Europe. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:543. [PMID: 29096677 PMCID: PMC5669009 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2488-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aedes albopictus, a known worldwide vector of several mosquito-borne disease pathogens including dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses, was introduced into Europe in the late 1970s through global trade. First recorded in northern Italy in 1990, this mosquito species has rapidly spread throughout the country, where it was responsible for an outbreak of chikungunya in 2007 that affected more than 200 people. As part of the VectorNet project, which is aimed at improving preparedness and responsiveness for animal and human vector-borne diseases in Europe, a mosquito targeted study was carried out on the three southernmost Italian islands. The objective was to verify the current European southern distribution limits of Ae. albopictus and the potential occurrence of other invasive mosquito species, in the light of the introduction of high risk for vector-borne disease pathogens into Europe via migration flows. RESULTS In the summer 2015, six surveys for container-breeding mosquitoes were carried out by setting up a network of oviposition traps and BG Sentinel traps in selected areas on the islands of Pantelleria, Lampedusa and Linosa. Aedes albopictus was found on all three islands under investigation. The consequences on public health with regard to the presence of this mosquito vector and the migrant people entering the country from Africa and the Middle East are also discussed here. CONCLUSIONS The detection of the Asian tiger mosquito on these islands, which represent the last European strip of land facing Africa, has important implications for public health policy and should prompt the national authorities to implement tailored surveillance activities and reinforce plans for preparedness strategies in such contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Di Luca
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Unit of Vectorborne Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Luciano Toma
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Unit of Vectorborne Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Severini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Unit of Vectorborne Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Boccolini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Unit of Vectorborne Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore D’Avola
- Department of Veterinary Prevention, Unit of Animal Health Service, ASP Trapani, Pantelleria, Italy
| | - Diego Todaro
- Department of Veterinary Prevention, Unit of Animal Health Service, ASP Trapani, Pantelleria, Italy
| | - Alessandra Stancanelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Laboratory of Entomology and Environmental Vectors Control, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Antoci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Laboratory of Entomology and Environmental Vectors Control, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco La Russa
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Laboratory of Entomology and Environmental Vectors Control, Palermo, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Francis Schaffner
- Francis Schaffner Consultancy, Riehen, Switzerland
- Switzerland & Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roberto Romi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Unit of Vectorborne Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Torina
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Laboratory of Entomology and Environmental Vectors Control, Palermo, Italy
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8
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Benallal KE, Allal-Ikhlef A, Benhamouda K, Schaffner F, Harrat Z. First report of Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Oran, West of Algeria. Acta Trop 2016; 164:411-413. [PMID: 27697483 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2016] [Revised: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The increasing globalisation of trades, human movements and environmental changes facilitate the introduction and the establishment of the invasive Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus outside its native geographical area. Alerted by the complaints about mosquito biting which occurred daytime for the inhabitants of the seaside town Ain Turk (West of Algeria), an entomological survey was conducted in December 2015 to determine the origin of this nuisance. Among the collected mosquitoes, specimens of Ae. albopictus (2 males, 3 females and 3 pupae) were collected. This is the first observation of that invasive mosquito in the west of Algeria which confirms its presence and establishment in Mediterranean Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- K E Benallal
- Laboratoire d'Eco-épidémiologie Parasitaire et Génétique des Populations, Institut Pasteur d'Algérie, Algeria.
| | - A Allal-Ikhlef
- Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie, Université d'Oran 1, Ahmed Ben Bella, Algeria
| | - K Benhamouda
- Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie, Université d'Oran 1, Ahmed Ben Bella, Algeria
| | - F Schaffner
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Francis Schaffner Consultancy, Riehen, Switzerland
| | - Z Harrat
- Laboratoire d'Eco-épidémiologie Parasitaire et Génétique des Populations, Institut Pasteur d'Algérie, Algeria
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van den Hurk AF, Nicholson J, Beebe NW, Davis J, Muzari OM, Russell RC, Devine GJ, Ritchie SA. Ten years of the Tiger: Aedes albopictus presence in Australia since its discovery in the Torres Strait in 2005. One Health 2016; 2:19-24. [PMID: 28616473 PMCID: PMC5462651 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2016.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The “Asian tiger mosquito”, Aedes albopictus, is highly invasive, an aggressive biter and a major arbovirus vector. It is not currently present on mainland Australia despite being intercepted on numerous occasions at international ports and infesting the Torres Strait of Australia since at least 2004. In the current paper, we describe the invasion and current status of Ae. albopictus in the Torres Strait, as well as research conducted to assess the threat of this species becoming established in arbovirus transmission cycles on the Australian mainland. Genetic analysis of the invading population demonstrated that the Indonesian region was the likely origin of the invasion and not Papua New Guinea (PNG) as initially suspected. There was also intermixing between Torres Strait, PNG and Indonesian populations, indicating that the species could be re-introduced into the Torres Strait compromising any successful eradication programme. Vector competence experiments with endemic and exotic viruses revealed that Ae. albopictus from the Torres Strait are efficient alphavirus vectors, but less efficient flavivirus vectors. Ae.albopictus obtains blood meals from a range of vertebrate hosts (including humans), indicating that it could play a role in both zoonotic and human-mosquito arbovirus transmission cycles in Australia. Predictive models coupled with climate tolerance experiments suggest that a Torres Strait strain of Ae. albopictus could colonise southern Australia by overwintering in the egg stage before proliferating in the warmer months. Cohabitation experiments demonstrated that the presence of Aedes notoscriptus larvae in containers would not prevent the establishment of Ae. albopictus. Evidence from these studies, coupled with global experience suggests that we need to be prepared for the imminent invasion of Australia by Ae. albopictus by thoroughly understanding its biology and being willing to embrace emerging control technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew F van den Hurk
- Public Health Virology, Forensic and Scientific Services, Department of Health, Queensland Government, PO Box 594, Archerfield, Queensland 4108, Australia.,School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jay Nicholson
- Medical Entomology, Public Health Division, Department of Health, Western Australian Government, PO Box 8172, Perth Business Centre, Western Australia 6849, Australia.,School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, QEII Medical Centre, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Nigel W Beebe
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.,CSIRO Biosecurity Flagship, PO Box 2583, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
| | - Joe Davis
- Medical Entomology, Tropical Public Health Services Cairns, Queensland Government, 5 Sheridan Street, Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia
| | - Odwell M Muzari
- Medical Entomology, Tropical Public Health Services Cairns, Queensland Government, 5 Sheridan Street, Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia
| | - Richard C Russell
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Gregor J Devine
- Mosquito Control Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Locked Bag 2000, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Herston, Queensland 4029, Australia
| | - Scott A Ritchie
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Building E4, McGregor Rd, Smithfield, Queensland 4878, Australia.,Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, PO Box 6811, Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia
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