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PloS one2015; 10(9); e0136743; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136743

Vector-Host Interactions of Culiseta melanura in a Focus of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Activity in Southeastern Virginia.

Abstract: Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) causes a highly pathogenic mosquito-borne zoonosis that is responsible for sporadic outbreaks of severe illness in humans and equines in the eastern USA. Culiseta (Cs.) melanura is the primary vector of EEEV in most geographic regions but its feeding patterns on specific avian and mammalian hosts are largely unknown in the mid-Atlantic region. The objectives of our study were to: 1) identify avian hosts of Cs. melanura and evaluate their potential role in enzootic amplification of EEEV, 2) assess spatial and temporal patterns of virus activity during a season of intense virus transmission, and 3) investigate the potential role of Cs. melanura in epidemic/epizootic transmission of EEEV to humans and equines. Accordingly, we collected mosquitoes at 55 sites in Suffolk, Virginia in 2013, and identified the source of blood meals in engorged mosquitoes by nucleotide sequencing PCR products of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. We also examined field-collected mosquitoes for evidence of infection with EEEV using Vector Test, cell culture, and PCR. Analysis of 188 engorged Cs. melanura sampled from April through October 2013 indicated that 95.2%, 4.3%, and 0.5% obtained blood meals from avian, mammalian, and reptilian hosts, respectively. American Robin was the most frequently identified host for Cs. melanura (42.6% of blood meals) followed by Northern Cardinal (16.0%), European Starling (11.2%), Carolina Wren (4.3%), and Common Grackle (4.3%). EEEV was detected in 106 mosquito pools of Cs. melanura, and the number of virus positive pools peaked in late July with 22 positive pools and a Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) infection rate of 4.46 per 1,000 mosquitoes. Our findings highlight the importance of Cs. melanura as a regional EEEV vector based on frequent feeding on virus-competent bird species. A small proportion of blood meals acquired from mammalian hosts suggests the possibility that this species may occasionally contribute to epidemic/epizootic transmission of EEEV.
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Publication Date: 2015-09-01 PubMed ID: 26327226PubMed Central: PMC4556703DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136743Google 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 article investigates the feeding patterns of the Culiseta melanura mosquito, primary vector of the Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV), and its role in the virus’s transmission in the eastern USA, specifically considering Virginia’s mid-Atlantic region. The study also explores the virus’s activity patterns within a heightened transmission season.

Study Objectives and Methodology

  • The study aimed to identify the avian hosts of Cs. melanura mosquitoes and evaluate their potential role in the enzootic (animal to animal) amplification of EEEV.
  • It also sought to understand the spatial and temporal patterns of virus activity during a season of intense virus transmission.
  • The third objective was to investigate the potential role of Cs. melanura in epidemic (human to human) and epizootic (animal to animal) transmission of EEEV to humans and equines.
  • To achieve these objectives, mosquitoes were collected from 55 different sites in Suffolk, Virginia throughout 2013.
  • The source of blood meals in engorged mosquitoes was identified by sequencing PCR products of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene.
  • Field-collected mosquitoes were also tested for EEEV infection using multiple techniques, including Vector Test, cell culture, and PCR.

Findings

  • Analysis of blood meals from 188 engorged Cs. melanura showed that 95.2%, 4.3%, and 0.5% obtained blood meals from avian, mammalian, and reptilian hosts, respectively.
  • The American Robin was the most frequently identified host for Cs. melanura (42.6% of blood meals), followed by the Northern Cardinal, European Starling, Carolina Wren, and Common Grackle.
  • From the collected mosquitoes, EEEV was detected in 106 Cs. melanura pools. The number of positive pools peaked in late July with a Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) infection rate of 4.46 per 1,000 mosquitoes.
  • The findings suggest that Cs. melanura often feeds on bird species that are competent virus carriers, underscoring the mosquito’s importance as a regional EEEV vector.
  • The occurrence of a small proportion of blood meals from mammalian hosts suggests that Cs. melanura may occasionally contribute to epidemic and epizootic transmission of EEEV.

Cite This Article

APA
Molaei G, Armstrong PM, Abadam CF, Akaratovic KI, Kiser JP, Andreadis TG. (2015). Vector-Host Interactions of Culiseta melanura in a Focus of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Activity in Southeastern Virginia. PLoS One, 10(9), e0136743. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0136743

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 9
Pages: e0136743
PII: e0136743

Researcher Affiliations

Molaei, Goudarz
  • Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America.
Armstrong, Philip M
  • Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America.
Abadam, Charles F
  • Suffolk Mosquito Control, Department of Public Works, Suffolk, Virginia, United States of America.
Akaratovic, Karen I
  • Suffolk Mosquito Control, Department of Public Works, Suffolk, Virginia, United States of America.
Kiser, Jay P
  • Suffolk Mosquito Control, Department of Public Works, Suffolk, Virginia, United States of America.
Andreadis, Theodore G
  • Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild / virology
  • Birds / virology
  • Culicidae / virology
  • Disease Vectors
  • Ecosystem
  • Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine / physiology
  • Encephalomyelitis, Eastern Equine / epidemiology
  • Encephalomyelitis, Eastern Equine / transmission
  • Encephalomyelitis, Eastern Equine / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / transmission
  • Horses / virology
  • Humans
  • Insect Vectors / virology
  • Seasons
  • Virginia / epidemiology

Grant Funding

  • U50/CCU6806-01-1 / PHS HHS

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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This article has been cited 9 times.
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