Abstract
Culicoides-borne viruses such as bluetongue, African horse sickness, and Schmallenberg virus cause major economic burdens due to animal outbreaks in Africa and their emergence in Europe and Asia. However, little is known about the role of Culicoides as vectors for zoonotic arboviruses. In this study, we identify both veterinary and zoonotic arboviruses in pools of Culicoides biting midges in South Africa, during 2012–2017. Midges were collected at six surveillance sites in three provinces and screened for Alphavirs, Flavivirus, Orthobunyavirus, and Phlebovirus genera; equine encephalosis virus (EEV); and Rhaboviridae, by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. In total, 66/331 (minimum infection rate (MIR) = 0.4) pools tested positive for one or more arbovirus. Orthobunyaviruses, including Shuni virus (MIR = 0.1) and EEV (MIR = 0.2) were more readily detected, while only 2/66 (MIR = 0.1) Middelburg virus and 4/66 unknown Rhabdoviridae viruses (MIR = 0.0) were detected. This study suggests Culicoides as potential vectors of both veterinary and zoonotic arboviruses detected in disease outbreaks in Africa, which may contribute to the emergence of these viruses to new regions.
Highlights
(Peribunyaviridae: Orthobunyavirus) into northern Europe [3] and the high incidence of African horse sickness in South Africa [4] highlights the importance of Culicoides midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) as arbovirus vectors in establishing epidemics in animals
A total of 25 different Culicoides species were morphologically identified from 418 individuals (Table S1)
The highest minimum infection rate (MIR) was recorded in Lapalala Wilderness (MIR = 0.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5–1.2) and Marakele National Park (MIR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.2–0.6), both in Limpopo province (Table 2)
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Culicoides midges have been implicated in the transmission of various pathogens of medical and veterinary importance [1]. (Peribunyaviridae: Orthobunyavirus) into northern Europe [3] and the high incidence of African horse sickness in South Africa [4] highlights the importance of Culicoides midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) as arbovirus vectors in establishing epidemics in animals. Over 50 arboviruses have been isolated from Culicoides, 45% of which have not been detected in other arthropods [1]. A recent study demonstrated human feeding to be as high as 11% in field collected Culicoides species, and as yet, little information exists on the role of Culicoides as vectors for zoonotic pathogens [5]
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