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Home / Equine Research Bank / Prev Vet Med / Evidence for a new field Culicoides vector of African horse ...
Preventive veterinary medicine2003; 60(3); 243-253; doi: 10.1016/s0167-5877(02)00231-3

Evidence for a new field Culicoides vector of African horse sickness in South Africa.

Abstract: Between February and May 1998, approximately 100 horses died of African horse sickness (AHS) in the cooler, mountainous, central region of South Africa. On 14 affected farms, 156,875 Culicoides of 27 species were captured. C. imicola Kieffer, hitherto considered the only field vector for AHS virus (AHSV), constituted <1% of the total Culicoides captured, and was not found on 29% of the farms. In contrast, 65% of the Culicoides were C. bolitinos Meiswinkel, and was found on all farms. Five isolations of AHSV were made from C. bolitinos, and none from 18 other species of Culicoides (including C. imicola).
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Publication Date: 2003-08-06 PubMed ID: 12900162DOI: 10.1016/s0167-5877(02)00231-3Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study explores a new field transmitting the African horse sickness virus (AHS) in South Africa. A particular species of biting midges (C. bolitinos) appears to be key to the epidemic, breaking with the traditionally accepted vector.

Background

  • The research revolves around an outbreak of African horse sickness (AHS) that occurred between February and May 1998 in South Africa. Approximately 100 horses died during this period in the cooler, mountainous, central region of South Africa.
  • AHS is a lethal viral disease that affects horses and is transmitted through vectors, most commonly biting midges from the Culicoides genus. The study focuses on uncovering the new vector responsible for spreading the virus.

Study and Findings

  • The researchers examined 14 affected farms, capturing 156,875 Culicoides of diverse species. They found that the C. imicola Kieffer, traditionally considered the primary vector for the AHS virus (AHSV), made up less than 1% of the total midges captured. This contradicted the existing belief about the chief spreader of the virus.
  • Moreover, the team also noticed that C. imicola was not present in almost a third of the farms affected by the virus, stirring doubt about its dominant role in the transmission process.

The New Vector

  • Contrary to the earlier belief, in their research, the scientists found an immense presence of C. bolitinos Meiswinkel, which composed 65% of the total midges captured. This species was found in all the examined farms, leading to the assumption that C. bolitinos might be the new vector transmitting the disease.
  • Supporting this assumption, the team made five successful isolations of the AHSV from the C. bolitinos species, compared to none from C. imicola or 18 other Culicoides species.

Conclusion

  • The findings of the investigation question the traditionally held belief about the vector for AHS. This awards C. bolitinos a dominant role in the propagation of the virus, highlighting the need for further research into this particular vector species and the development of effective control measures.

Cite This Article

APA
Meiswinkel R, Paweska JT. (2003). Evidence for a new field Culicoides vector of African horse sickness in South Africa. Prev Vet Med, 60(3), 243-253. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0167-5877(02)00231-3

Publication

Preventive veterinary medicine
ISSN: 0167-5877
NlmUniqueID: 8217463
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 60
Issue: 3
Pages: 243-253

Researcher Affiliations

Meiswinkel, R
  • Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale, dell' Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy. r.meiswinkel@izs.it
Paweska, J T

    MeSH Terms

    • African Horse Sickness / epidemiology
    • African Horse Sickness / etiology
    • African Horse Sickness / transmission
    • African Horse Sickness Virus / isolation & purification
    • Animals
    • Ceratopogonidae / classification
    • Ceratopogonidae / virology
    • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
    • Horses
    • Insect Vectors / classification
    • Insect Vectors / virology
    • Prevalence
    • Seasons
    • South Africa / epidemiology

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