Evolution of Mosquito-based Arbovirus Surveillance Systems in Australia

Overview

Journal J Biomed Biotechnol

Specialty Biology

Date 2012 Apr 17

PMID 22505808

Citations 27

Authors

Andrew F van den Hurk

Sonja Hall-Mendelin

Cheryl A Johansen

David Warrilow

Scott A Ritchie

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Control of arboviral disease is dependent on the sensitive and timely detection of elevated virus activity or the identification of emergent or exotic viruses. The emergence of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in northern Australia revealed numerous problems with performing arbovirus surveillance in remote locations. A sentinel pig programme detected JEV activity, although there were a number of financial, logistical, diagnostic and ethical limitations. A system was developed which detected viral RNA in mosquitoes collected by solar or propane powered CO₂-baited traps. However, this method was hampered by trap-component malfunction, microbial contamination and large mosquito numbers which overwhelmed diagnostic capabilities. A novel approach involves allowing mosquitoes within a box trap to probe a sugar-baited nucleic-acid preservation card that is processed for expectorated arboviruses. In a longitudinal field trial, both Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses were detected numerous times from multiple traps over different weeks. Further refinements, including the development of unpowered traps and use of yeast-generated CO₂, could enhance the applicability of this system to remote locations. New diagnostic technology, such as next generation sequencing and biosensors, will increase the capacity for recognizing emergent or exotic viruses, while cloud computing platforms will facilitate rapid dissemination of data.

Citing Articles

Exploring Mosquito Excreta as an Alternative Sample Type for Improving Arbovirus Surveillance in Australia.

Malcolm T, Klein M, Petkovic K, Smith I, Blasdell K Pathogens. 2025; 14(1).

PMID: 39861003 PMC: 11769354. DOI: 10.3390/pathogens14010042.

Citric Acid and Sodium Bicarbonate as an Alternative Carbon Dioxide Source for Mosquito Surveillance.

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Long-term co-circulation of multiple arboviruses in southeast Australia revealed by xeno-monitoring and viral whole-genome sequencing.

Vieira C, Onn M, Shivas M, Shearman D, Darbro J, Graham M Virus Evol. 2024; 10(1).

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Impact on Mosquitoes Exposed to Honey-Impregnated Flinders Technology Associates (FTA) Cards.

Guidez A, Fontaine A, Cannet A, Dusfour I, Girod R, Briolant S Trop Med Infect Dis. 2024; 9(7).

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Comparative assessment of a novel fan box trap for collecting Anopheles farauti and culicine mosquitoes alive in tropical north Queensland, Australia.

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