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Is Culex modestus a New Usutu virus vector?

Alina Soto1, Lotte Wauters1, Leen Delang2

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Virus-Host Interactions & Therapeutic Approaches (VITA) Research Group, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

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|July 3, 2024
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Summary

Belgian Culex modestus mosquitoes can transmit Usutu virus, an emerging mosquito-borne pathogen. This study confirms their role as a potential vector, crucial for understanding Usutu virus epidemiology in Europe.

Keywords:
Culex modestusArbovirusEmerging pathogenUsutu virusVector competence

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Area of Science:

  • Vector-borne diseases
  • Medical entomology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging arbovirus with increasing prevalence in Europe.
  • Culex modestus mosquitoes are common in Europe, but their role as USUV vectors remains unclear.
  • Previous findings suggested a potential role for Culex modestus in USUV transmission based on limited data.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To experimentally confirm the transmission capability of Belgian Culex modestus mosquitoes for Usutu virus.
  • To assess the efficiency of Usutu virus transmission by Culex modestus using a larger sample size.

Main Methods:

  • Immature Culex modestus were collected and reared to the third generation in a laboratory setting.
  • Adult female mosquitoes were orally exposed to Usutu virus via a blood meal.
  • Viral presence in mosquito saliva, head, and body was quantified using plaque assays and qRT-PCR after a 14-day incubation period at 25°C.

Main Results:

  • The experimental infection demonstrated that Usutu virus can infect Culex modestus.
  • A significant transmission efficiency of 54% (15/28 mosquitoes) was observed.
  • Usutu virus was detected in the saliva, head, and body of infected mosquitoes.

Conclusions:

  • Belgian populations of Culex modestus are capable of experimentally transmitting Usutu virus.
  • This finding corroborates the role of Culex modestus as a potential vector for Usutu virus in Europe.
  • Further research is warranted to understand the ecological implications of this vector-mosquito relationship for public health.