Employing oxford nanopore technologies (ONT) for understanding the ecology and transmission dynamics of flaviviruses in mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from Eastern Colombia

Martinez, David R.; Gómez, Marcela; salas, Jorge Luis De las; Hernández, Carolina; Flórez, Alexander Zamora; Muñoz, Marina; Ramírez, Juan David

doi:10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106972

Cited by 1 publication

(7 citation statements)

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“…From the genetic material (RNA) of adult vector mosquitoes identified (based on the combination of morphology and DNA barcoding) in a savanna ecosystem in the Orinoco region (Colombia) 41 , we selected eight of the most abundant and epidemiologically significant mosquito species belonging to six genera: Ochlerotatus, Culex, Limatus, Mansonia, Psorophora and Sabethes . The samples were organized into 15 pools, subjected to viral enrichment using SMRT-9 methodology and sequenced using Oxford Nanopore technology (Table 1 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the present study, we performed metagenomic sequencing to characterize the virome of some epidemiologically important mosquito species associated with arbovirus transmission in rural and sylvatic cycles. The study was carried out in a local savanna ecosystem of the Colombian Orinoco region, an area with limited anthropogenic activity, which could be susceptible to spillover events under scenarios of anthropogenic intervention 41 . Specifically, we have focused on eight vector species, including Och.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…chloropterus, with potential to transmit viral agents causing diseases of public health importance 5 , 8 , 19 . These species were selected based on a previous study that identified them as representative mosquito species in terms of abundance and importance in the study area 41 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Rural areas in this region have experienced minimal human interference, with limited anthropogenic disturbance. This circumstance raises the possibility that potentially pathogenic viruses generate spillover events under deforestation scenarios 41 . Based on the results of a recent study focused on understanding the ecology and transmission dynamics of flaviviruses in mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from the Eastern Plains of Colombia 41 , the circulation of West Nile Virus (WNV) in Culex browni was revealed, highlighting the potential impact of human activities in these anthropogenically sensitive ecosystems 41 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This circumstance raises the possibility that potentially pathogenic viruses generate spillover events under deforestation scenarios 41 . Based on the results of a recent study focused on understanding the ecology and transmission dynamics of flaviviruses in mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from the Eastern Plains of Colombia 41 , the circulation of West Nile Virus (WNV) in Culex browni was revealed, highlighting the potential impact of human activities in these anthropogenically sensitive ecosystems 41 . Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterize the virome of mosquito vector species such as Ochlerotatus serratus, Culex eknomios, Cx.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characterizing viral species in mosquitoes (Culicidae) in the Colombian Orinoco: insights from a preliminary metagenomic study

Gómez,

Martínez,

Páez-Triana

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are primary vectors of arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) that pose significant public health threats. Recent advances in sequencing technology emphasize the importance of understanding the arboviruses and insect-specific viruses (ISVs) hosted by mosquitoes, collectively called the “virome”. Colombia, a tropical country with favorable conditions for the development and adaptation of multiple species of Culicidae, offers a favorable scenario for the transmission of epidemiologically important arboviruses. However, entomovirological surveillance studies are scarce in rural areas of the country, where humans, mosquitoes, and animals (both domestic and wild) coexist, leading to a higher risk of transmission of zoonotic diseases to humans. Thus, our study aimed to perform a preliminary metagenomic analysis of the mosquitoes of special relevance to public health belonging to the genera Ochlerotatus, Culex, Limatus, Mansonia, Psorophora, and Sabethes, within a rural savanna ecosystem in the Colombian Orinoco. We employed third-generation sequencing technology (Oxford Nanopore Technologies; ONT) to describe the virome of mosquitoes samples. Our results revealed that the virome was primarily shaped by insect-specific viruses (ISVs), with the Iflaviridae family being the most prevalent across all mosquito samples. Furthermore, we identified a group of ISVs that were common in all mosquito species tested, displaying the highest relative abundance concerning other groups of viruses. Notably, Hanko iflavirus-1 was especially prevalent in Culex eknomios (88.4%) and Ochlerotatus serratus (88.0%). Additionally, other ISVs, such as Guadalupe mosquito virus (GMV), Hubei mosquito virus1 (HMV1), Uxmal virus, Tanay virus, Cordoba virus, and Castlerea virus (all belonging to the Negevirus genus), were found as common viral species among the mosquitoes, although in lower proportions. These initial findings contribute to our understanding of ISVs within mosquito vectors of the Culicidae family in the Eastern Plains of Colombia. We recommend that future research explore deeper into ISV species shared among diverse vector species, and their potential interactions with arboviruses. In addition, we also showed the need for a thorough exploration of the influence of local rural habitat conditions on the shape of the virome in mosquito vectors.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%