First isolation of West Nile virus in Zambia from mosquitoes

Orba, Yasuko; Hang’ombe, Bernard M.; Mweene, Aaron S.; Wada, Yuji; Anindita, Paulina Duhita; Phongphaew, Wallaya; Qiu, Yuping; Kajihara, Masahiro; Mori-Kajihara, Akina; Eto, Yoshiki; Sasaki, Michihito; Hall, William W.; Eshita, Yuki; Sawa, Hirofumi

doi:10.1111/tbed.12888

Cited by 26 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Recently, antibodies specific to ZIKV were also detected in non-human primates in Zambia [29]. Furthermore, our mosquito surveillance studies have shown that the first evidence of the circulation of WNV and the existence of a novel alphavirus in Zambia [30,31].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Discoveries of Exoribonuclease-Resistant Structures of Insect-Specific Flaviviruses Isolated in Zambia

Wastika

Harima²,

Sasaki

et al. 2020

Viruses

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To monitor the arthropod-borne virus transmission in mosquitoes, we have attempted both to detect and isolate viruses from 3304 wild-caught female mosquitoes in the Livingstone (Southern Province) and Mongu (Western Province) regions in Zambia in 2017. A pan-flavivirus RT-PCR assay was performed to identify flavivirus genomes in total RNA extracted from mosquito lysates, followed by virus isolation and full genome sequence analysis using next-generation sequencing and rapid amplification of cDNA ends. We isolated a newly identified Barkedji virus (BJV Zambia) (10,899 nt) and a novel flavivirus, tentatively termed Barkedji-like virus (BJLV) (10,885 nt) from Culex spp. mosquitoes which shared 96% and 75% nucleotide identity with BJV which has been isolated in Israel, respectively. These viruses could replicate in C6/36 cells but not in mammalian and avian cell lines. In parallel, a comparative genomics screening was conducted to study evolutionary traits of the 5′- and 3′-untranslated regions (UTRs) of isolated viruses. Bioinformatic analyses of the secondary structures in the UTRs of both viruses revealed that the 5′-UTRs exhibit canonical stem-loop structures, while the 3′-UTRs contain structural homologs to exoribonuclease-resistant RNAs (xrRNAs), SL-III, dumbbell, and terminal stem-loop (3′SL) structures. The function of predicted xrRNA structures to stop RNA degradation by Xrn1 exoribonuclease was further proved by the in vitro Xrn1 resistance assay.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Discoveries of Exoribonuclease-Resistant Structures of Insect-Specific Flaviviruses Isolated in Zambia

Wastika

Harima²,

Sasaki

et al. 2020

Viruses

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“…Although mosquitoes are not competent vectors for BTV, the incidental detection of BTV nucleic acid from a blood-engorged pool collected from Western Province of Zambia [31] supports the idea of a potential role of mosquitoes in the epidemiology of BT [32,33]. Detection of BTV nucleic acid and antibodies in indigenous cattle and goats in eight provinces (i.e., Eastern, Copperbelt, Southern, Northern, Muchinga, Western, and Lusaka and Central) indicates widespread distribution of BT in Zambia.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Co-Circulation of Multiple Serotypes of Bluetongue Virus in Zambia

Chambaro

Sasaki

Simulundu

et al. 2020

Viruses

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Bluetongue (BT) is an arthropod-borne viral disease of ruminants with serious trade and socio-economic implications. Although the disease has been reported in a number of countries in sub-Saharan Africa, there is currently no information on circulating serotypes and disease distribution in Zambia. Following surveillance for BT in domestic and wild ruminants in Zambia, BT virus (BTV) nucleic acid and antibodies were detected in eight of the 10 provinces of the country. About 40% (87/215) of pooled blood samples from cattle and goats were positive for BTV nucleic acid, while one hartebeest pool (1/43) was positive among wildlife samples. Sequence analysis of segment 2 revealed presence of serotypes 3, 5, 7, 12 and 15, with five nucleotypes (B, E, F, G and J) being identified. Segment 10 phylogeny showed Zambian BTV sequences clustering with Western topotype strains from South Africa, intimating likely transboundary spread of BTV in Southern Africa. Interestingly, two Zambian viruses and one isolate from Israel formed a novel clade, which we designated as Western topotype 4. The high seroprevalence (96.2%) in cattle from Lusaka and Central provinces and co-circulation of multiple serotypes showed that BT is widespread, underscoring the need for prevention and control strategies.

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“…RNA was extracted from individual pools and subjected to a pan flavivirus RT-PCR to detect WNV, dengue virus, and yellow fever virus (YFV). Two pools of Culex mosquitoes which were collected during 2016 were positive for WNV using RT-PCR [82]. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the sequences belonged to the WNV lineage 2 strain, which was the first report of this virus from Zambia [82].…”

Section: Zambiamentioning

confidence: 95%

“…Two pools of Culex mosquitoes which were collected during 2016 were positive for WNV using RT-PCR [82]. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the sequences belonged to the WNV lineage 2 strain, which was the first report of this virus from Zambia [82]. Intriguingly, a recent serological investigation reported that some human individuals had antibodies against WNV, which pointed towards the circulation of WNV in the country [83].…”

Section: Zambiamentioning

confidence: 98%

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Systematic Review of Important Viral Diseases in Africa in Light of the ‘One Health’ Concept

et al. 2020

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Emerging and re-emerging viral diseases are of great public health concern. The recent emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) related coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in December 2019 in China, which causes COVID-19 disease in humans, and its current spread to several countries, leading to the first pandemic in history to be caused by a coronavirus, highlights the significance of zoonotic viral diseases. Rift Valley fever, rabies, West Nile, chikungunya, dengue, yellow fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Ebola, and influenza viruses among many other viruses have been reported from different African countries. The paucity of information, lack of knowledge, limited resources, and climate change, coupled with cultural traditions make the African continent a hotspot for vector-borne and zoonotic viral diseases, which may spread globally. Currently, there is no information available on the status of virus diseases in Africa. This systematic review highlights the available information about viral diseases, including zoonotic and vector-borne diseases, reported in Africa. The findings will help us understand the trend of emerging and re-emerging virus diseases within the African continent. The findings recommend active surveillance of viral diseases and strict implementation of One Health measures in Africa to improve human public health and reduce the possibility of potential pandemics due to zoonotic viruses.

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First isolation of West Nile virus in Zambia from mosquitoes

Cited by 26 publications

References 16 publications

Discoveries of Exoribonuclease-Resistant Structures of Insect-Specific Flaviviruses Isolated in Zambia

Discoveries of Exoribonuclease-Resistant Structures of Insect-Specific Flaviviruses Isolated in Zambia

Co-Circulation of Multiple Serotypes of Bluetongue Virus in Zambia

Systematic Review of Important Viral Diseases in Africa in Light of the ‘One Health’ Concept

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