Mosquito Vector Competence for Japanese Encephalitis Virus

Abstract

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a zoonotic pathogen mainly found in East and Southeast Asia and transmitted by mosquitoes. The objective of this review is to summarize the knowledge on the diversity of JEV mosquito vector species. Therefore, we systematically analyzed reports of JEV found in field-caught mosquitoes as well as experimental vector competence studies. Based on the investigated publications, we classified 14 species as confirmed vectors for JEV due to their documented experimental vector competence and evidence of JEV found in wild mosquitoes. Additionally, we identified 11 mosquito species, belonging to five genera, with an experimentally confirmed vector competence for JEV but lacking evidence on their JEV transmission capacity from field-caught mosquitoes. Our study highlights the diversity of confirmed and potential JEV vector species. We also emphasize the variety in the study design of vector competence investigations. To account for the diversity of the vector species and regional circumstances, JEV vector competence should be studied in the local context, using local mosquitoes with local virus strains under local climate conditions to achieve reliable data. In addition, harmonization of the design of vector competence experiments would lead to better comparable data, informing vector and disease control measures.

The Ecology and Evolution of Japanese Encephalitis Virus

“…At least 14 mosquito species have been confirmed as JEV vectors, and experimental vector competence has been demonstrated in a further 11 species (reviewed in [59]). However, the major vectors of the virus are from the Culex vishnui subgroup, particularly Cx.…”

Decoding rRNA sequences for improved metagenomics of sylvatic mosquito species

“…These species belong to the New World subgenus Melanoconion , section Spissipes, with well-documented distribution in North and South Americas (58) and are vectors of encephalitic alphaviruses EEEV and VEEV among others (37–39). Indeed, our rooted rRNA and COI trees show the divergence of the three Melanoconion species from the major Culex clade comprising species broadly found across Africa and Asia (23,51,52,59). The topology of the concatenated 28S+18S tree puts the Cx.…”

Re-Examining the Importance of Pigs in the Transmission of Japanese Encephalitis Virus

“…The transmission of JEV by competent mosquito species fulfills the criteria for the biological transmission of arboviruses, which is the multiplication of JEV in both mosquitoes and amplifying hosts. To date, there have been more than 10 mosquito species proven to be competent for the transmission of JEV [ 30 , 31 ]. Amongst these mosquitoes, Culex species mosquitoes are the predominant competent vectors for JEV due to their zoophilic feeding pattern [ 32 ].…”