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Updated: Sep 23, 2025
Mosquito-Associated Virus Isolation from Field-Collected Mosquitoes
Published on: August 31, 2022
The Common Mosquito (Culex pipiens) Does Not Seem to Be a Competent Vector for Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 3
Mario Frías1,2, Laia Casades-Martí3, María Á Risalde1,2,4
1Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía de Córdoba, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
Abstract:
An experimental infection approach was used to estimate the competence of the common mosquito, Culex pipiens, for hepatitis E virus replication and transmission, using an isolate of hepatitis E virus genotype 3 of human origin in varying infectious doses. The experimental approach was carried out in biosafety level 2 conditions on three batches of 120 Cx. pipiens females, each using an artificial feeding system containing the virus in aliquots of fresh avian blood. Mosquitoes from each batch were collected 1, 7, 14, and 21 days post-infection (dpi) and dissected. The proboscis was subjected to forced excretion of saliva to estimate potential virus transmission. HEV RNA presence in abdomen, thorax, and saliva samples was analyzed by PCR at the selected post-infection times. HEV RNA was detected in the abdomens of Cx. pipiens females collected 1 dpi in the two experimentally-infected batches, but not in the saliva or thorax. None of the samples collected 7-21 dpi were positive. Our results show that Cx. pipiens is not a competent vector for HEV, at least for zoonotic genotype 3.
Insights
The common mosquito, Culex pipiens, cannot transmit hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3. Studies show HEV RNA was not detected in mosquito saliva, indicating Cx. pipiens is not a competent vector.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Medical Entomology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a significant global health concern.
- Mosquitoes, particularly Culex pipiens, are common vectors for various pathogens.
- The potential role of Cx. pipiens in HEV transmission remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally assess the competence of Culex pipiens mosquitoes for replication and transmission of hepatitis E virus genotype 3.
- To determine if HEV RNA can be detected in Cx. pipiens following experimental infection.
Main Methods:
- Experimental infection of Cx. pipiens females with HEV genotype 3 using an artificial feeding system with avian blood.
- Detection of HEV RNA in mosquito abdomens, thoraxes, and saliva via PCR at 1, 7, 14, and 21 days post-infection.
- Forced salivation was performed to assess potential virus transmission.
Main Results:
- HEV RNA was detected in the abdomens of Cx. pipiens at 1 day post-infection in experimentally infected batches.
- No HEV RNA was detected in the saliva or thoraxes of infected mosquitoes at any time point.
- HEV RNA was consistently absent in all samples collected from 7 to 21 days post-infection.
Conclusions:
- Culex pipiens is not a competent vector for the transmission of hepatitis E virus genotype 3.
- The findings suggest that mosquitoes are unlikely to play a significant role in the epidemiology of HEV genotype 3.
- Further research may be needed to explore other potential vectors or transmission routes for HEV.
