The composition, diversity, and distribution of mosquito fauna (Diptera: Culicidae) in Kosovo

Muja-Bajraktari, Nesade; Zhushi-Etemi, Ferdije; Dikolli-Velo, Enkelejda; Kadriaj, Përparim; Günay, Filiz

doi:10.1111/jvec.12333

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Kosovo's most abundant mosquito species is Culex pipiens of the 13 identified species in the country [21]. In our study, too, the most frequent species was Culex spp.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 51%

“…Globally, WNV has been detected in more than 300 bird species, while viral nucleic acid has been detected in 75 species of mosquitoes [20]. Culex pipiens has been found to be the most widespread species of mosquitoes in Kosovo, representing around 40% of the distribution of 13 identified species in the country [21]. No WNV infections have been documented in animals in Kosovo, yet.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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First serological evidence of West Nile virus among equines and birds in Kosovo, 2018-2019

Rexhepi

Sherifi

Bërxholi

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: This study was conducted to survey the presence of West Nile virus (WNV) in Kosovo by serological testing of apparently healthy local horses and attempts to detect viral nucleic acid in birds and mosquitoes. Methods: Between January 2018 and June 2019, 260 equine serum samples were collected, additionally 580 adult mosquitoes (53 pools) grouped in for genera, including Culex spp. (226 individuals; 26 pools), Aedes spp. (136 individuals; 16 pools), Anopheles spp . (184 individuals; 7 pools), Culiseta spp . (34 individuals; 4 pools). 50 domestic birds and 51 wild birds were collected from different regions of Kosovo. Equine and domestic bird serum samples were tested by flavivirus IgG ELISA while mosquitoes and bird viscera were tested for WNV RNA by RT-qPCR. All ELISA-positive results were confirmed by plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) and by virus neutralization test (VNT). Results: This is the first report providing evidence of WNV antibodies among animals in Kosovo. WNV antibodies were present in 27 out of 260 equine sera (10.38%) and one out of 50 samples in domestic birds by ELISA and PRNT. Eight of 27 positive equine serum samples with high titer neutralized WNV, but not USUV. No WNV RNA was detected in birds or mosquitoes. Conclusions: The occurrence of WNV antibodies in local equines from all regions of Kosovo indicates that the virus is circulating within the country. Public health authorities should therefore plan a risk assessment and disease control program. Keywords: West Nile virus, Kosovo, Equines, Birds, Mosquitoes.

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“…Kosovo's most abundant mosquito species is Culex pipiens of the 13 identified species in the country [21]. In our study, too, the most frequent species was Culex spp.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 51%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First serological evidence of West Nile virus among equines and birds in Kosovo, 2018-2019

Rexhepi

Sherifi

Bërxholi

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The samples were then resuspended in 300-500 µl PBS (depending on tissue size) containing 500 IU/ml penicillin, 10% fetal calf serum, and 500 µg/ml amphotericin, and centrifuged at 2,000 × g. Viral RNA extraction was done with QIAamp® Viral RNA Mini Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Kosovo's most abundant mosquito species is Culex pipiens (40%) of the 13 identified species in the country [17]. In our study, too, the most frequent species was Culex pipiens (36%), which appeared in 7 detect viral genomic RNA by RT-PCR, perhaps due to the small sample size for mosquitoes and birds.…”

Section: Rt-pcr Testingmentioning

confidence: 45%

“…Globally, WNV has been detected in more than 300 bird species, while over 75 mosquito species are competent vectors for virus transmission [5,16]. In Kosovo, the most predominant and abundant mosquito species is Culex pipiens, representing around 40% of the distribution of 13 identified species in the country [17]. No WNV infections have yet been documented in animals in Kosovo. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of WNV in horses, mosquitoes, and birds in Kosovo.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First Serological Evidence of West Nile Virus Among Equines and Birds in Kosovo, 2018–2019

Rexhepi

Sherifi

Bërxholi

et al. 2021

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases

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Background: This study was conducted to survey the presence of the West Nile virus (WNV) in Kosovo by serological testing of the healthy autochthonous equine population and virus detection in birds and mosquitoes. Between January 2018 and June 2019, 260 equine serum samples, 626 mosquitoes (60 pools), 50 domestic birds and 51 wild birds were collected from different regions of Kosovo. Equine and domestic bird serum samples were tested by IgG ELISA while mosquitoes and bird viscera were tested for WNV RNA by RT-PCR. Positive ELISA samples were confirmed by Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT) and eight by Virus Neutralization Test (VNT). Results: This is the first report providing evidence of WNV antibodies among animals in Kosovo. WNV antibodies were present in 27 out of 260 equine sera (10.38%) and one out of 50 samples in domestic birds by ELISA and PRNT. Eight of 27 positive equine serum samples were confirmed by VNT. No WNV RNA was detected in birds or mosquitoes. Conclusions: The occurrence of WNV antibodies in autochthonous equines from all regions of Kosovo indicates that the virus is circulating within the country. Public health authorities should therefore plan a risk assessment and disease control program.

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“…In 2017, a research for tiger mosquito in Kosovo was conducted at the borders with Macedonia and Albania within the VectorNet project framework. It resulted negative, although Kosovo showed favorable conditions for the development of this mosquito species [ 26 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus (Skuse) in Kosovo: First record

et al. 2022

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The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is an invasive mosquito species that is considered a potential vector of about 22 arboviruses, among which dengue, chikungunya and Zika. Here we report the first record of Aedes albopictus in the territory of the Republic of Kosovo. The first finding, in July 2020, was driven by a photo of an adult mosquito published by a citizen in social media. The subsequent field investigation in July 2020 confirmed the presence of adult mosquitoes by human landing catch and collection of eggs in ovitraps at the village Zhur. Monitoring was performed for 7 weeks with ovitraps and BG-Sentinel adult traps at 36 sampling stations from 7 localities, in the Southern part of Kosovo, on the border with Albania. Fifty-two out of 81 ovitrap samples resulted positive for the presence of Ae. albopictus. A total of 2,711 eggs are collected in 22 out 36 stations and a total of 78 adults from 4 out 4 stations with BG Sentinel trap and 15 adults with handled electric aspirator. Our finding shows that the tiger mosquito is expanding its geographical range in the Balkans, southeastern Europe.

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The composition, diversity, and distribution of mosquito fauna (Diptera: Culicidae) in Kosovo

Cited by 8 publications

References 18 publications

First serological evidence of West Nile virus among equines and birds in Kosovo, 2018-2019

First serological evidence of West Nile virus among equines and birds in Kosovo, 2018-2019

First Serological Evidence of West Nile Virus Among Equines and Birds in Kosovo, 2018–2019

The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus (Skuse) in Kosovo: First record

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