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Transboundary and emerging diseases2025; 2025; 3208806; doi: 10.1155/tbed/3208806

First Detection of West Nile Virus (WNV) Lineage 2 in Mosquitoes in the Republic of Kosovo.

Abstract: West Nile virus (WNV, family Flaviviridae) is the most geographically widespread arbovirus affecting humans. It circulates between wild birds and mosquitoes, while humans and horses are dead-end hosts. In recent years, several outbreaks have been reported from European countries, including the Balkan Peninsula. In the Republic of Kosovo, a southern Balkan country, data on WNV are scarce, and neither mosquito monitoring nor WNV surveillance is established. To address this gap, we aimed to assess a first monitoring approach that should set the basis and support future large-scale activities in the country. Mosquito sampling was performed from May to September 2022 in a peri-urban area in the western part of the capital city Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo. Collected mosquitoes were pooled, homogenized, and total nucleic acid was extracted. A WNV-DENV-ZIKV-specific multiplex RT-qPCR was applied, and WNV-positive samples were confirmed by RT-PCR and whole-genome sequencing. Of 44 screened pools, one pool molecularly identified as Culex pipiens f. pipiens was positive for WNV RNA. Subsequent sequencing revealed WNV lineage 2, and phylogenetic analysis included our sample in a monophyletic clade consisting mostly of sequences from southeastern Europe. This finding represents the first detection of WNV in mosquitoes in Kosovo, and provides crucial baseline data for future vector-borne disease monitoring, and control efforts in Kosovo.
Copyright © 2025 Ina Hoxha et al. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2025-06-24 PubMed ID: 40599430PubMed Central: PMC12213049DOI: 10.1155/tbed/3208806Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The research study details the first recorded instance of West Nile Virus linage 2 (WNV) in mosquitoes observed within the Republic of Kosovo, providing key reference data for further study and control measures for vector-borne diseases in the region.

Research Objectives and Methodology

  • The primary aim of the research was to establish an initial monitoring method for the West Nile Virus (WNV) in the Republic of Kosovo. Kosovo, located in the southern Balkan region, has had limited data on WNV due to an absence of WNV surveillance or specific mosquito monitoring.
  • For this purpose, the researchers performed mosquito sampling in a peri-urban region in the capital city, Prishtina’s western part, from May to September 2022.
  • The collected mosquitoes were pooled together, homogenized, and then their total nucleic acid extracted to perform further tests.

Testing and Result Analysis Process

  • A specific multiplex RT-qPCR, which can identify WNV along with DENV and ZIKV viruses, was utilized. WNV-positive samples were confirmed through a process of RT-PCR and whole-genome sequencing.
  • Out of a total of 44 screened pools, one particular pool, which was molecularly considered to be of the species Culex pipiens sensu largo, tested positive for the presence of WNV RNA.
  • Upon sequencing, this was found to be of the lineage 2 of the WNV. Phylogenetic study further located the sample within a monophyletic clade primarily composed of sequences observed in Southeastern Europe.

Significance of the Study

  • This research is crucial for its evidentiary value – it documents the very first identification of WNV in mosquitoes in Kosovo.
  • Beyond detecting the WNV lineage 2 in Kosovo, the research amasses vital baseline data for informing future actions pertaining to monitoring, analysing, and controlling vector-borne diseases in the region.

Potential Implications

  • Given the geographical spread of the WNV and its impact on humans, this research could help frame effective strategies to preempt or control potential WNV outbreaks in Kosovo and nearby areas.
  • The research may potentially also inform larger-scale global efforts to manage diseases transmitted via vectors like mosquitoes, through its offer of insights into WNV’s regional specificity and transmission patterns.

Cite This Article

APA
Hoxha I, Xhekaj B, Muja-Bajraktari N, Sekulin K, Unterköfler MS, Schlamadinger L, Situmorang T, Fuehrer HP, Obwaller AG, Camp JV, Walochnik J, Sherifi K, Kniha E. (2025). First Detection of West Nile Virus (WNV) Lineage 2 in Mosquitoes in the Republic of Kosovo. Transbound Emerg Dis, 2025, 3208806. https://doi.org/10.1155/tbed/3208806

Publication

Transboundary and emerging diseases
ISSN: 1865-1682
NlmUniqueID: 101319538
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 2025
Pages: 3208806

Researcher Affiliations

Hoxha, Ina
  • Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Xhekaj, Betim
  • Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosovo.
Muja-Bajraktari, Nesade
  • Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosovo.
Sekulin, Karin
  • Armaments and Defence Technology Agency, Federal Ministry of Defence, Vienna, Austria.
Unterköfler, Maria S
  • Department of Biological Sciences and Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Schlamadinger, Lisa
  • Department of Biological Sciences and Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Situmorang, Tanto
  • Department of Biological Sciences and Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Fuehrer, Hans-Peter
  • Department of Biological Sciences and Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Obwaller, Adelheid G
  • Division of Science, Research and Development, Federal Ministry of Defence, Vienna, Austria.
Camp, Jeremy V
  • Center for Virology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Walochnik, Julia
  • Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Sherifi, Kurtesh
  • Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosovo.
Kniha, Edwin
  • Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Kosovo / epidemiology
  • West Nile virus / isolation & purification
  • West Nile virus / genetics
  • West Nile virus / classification
  • Phylogeny
  • Culicidae / virology
  • West Nile Fever / virology
  • West Nile Fever / epidemiology
  • Mosquito Vectors / virology
  • Culex / virology

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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