Multiple Lineages of Usutu Virus (, ) in Blackbirds () and Mosquitoes (, ) in the Czech Republic (2016-2019)

Overview

Journal Microorganisms

Specialty Microbiology

Date 2019 Nov 21

PMID 31744087

Citations 22

Authors

Vaclav Honig

Martin Palus

Tomas Kaspar

Marta Zemanova

Karolina Majerova

Lada Hofmannova

Petr Papezik

Silvie Sikutova

Frantisek Rettich

Zdenek Hubalek

Ivo Rudolf

Jan Votypka

David Modry

Daniel Ruzek

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Usutu virus (USUV) is a flavivirus (: ) of an African origin transmitted among its natural hosts (diverse species of birds) by mosquitoes. The virus was introduced multiple times to Europe where it caused mortality of blackbirds () and certain other susceptible species of birds. In this study, we report detection of USUV RNA in blackbirds, and mosquitoes in the Czech Republic, and isolation of 10 new Czech USUV strains from carcasses of blackbirds in cell culture. Multiple lineages (Europe 1, 2 and Africa 3) of USUV were found in blackbirds and mosquitoes in the southeastern part of the country. A single USUV lineage (Europe 3) was found in Prague and was likely associated with increased mortalities in the local blackbird population seen in this area in 2018. USUV genomic RNA (lineage Europe 2) was detected in a pool of mosquitoes from South Bohemia (southern part of the country), where no major mortality of birds has been reported so far, and no flavivirus RNA has been found in randomly sampled cadavers of blackbirds. The obtained data contributes to our knowledge about USUV genetic variability, distribution and spread in Central Europe.

Citing Articles

Detection of Usutu virus in a house martin bug Oeciacus hirundinis (Hemiptera: Cimicidae): implications for virus overwintering in a temperate zone.

Sikutova S, Mendel J, Mravcova K, Kejikova R, Hubalek Z, Kampen H Parasitol Res. 2024; 123(8):304.

PMID: 39162844 PMC: 11335831. DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08325-8.

An amplicon-based sequencing approach for Usutu virus characterization.

Ndione M, Diagne M, Mencattelli G, Diallo A, Ndiaye E, Di Domenico M Virol J. 2024; 21(1):163.

PMID: 39044231 PMC: 11267690. DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02426-7.

Is Culex modestus a New Usutu virus vector?.

Soto A, Wauters L, Delang L Parasit Vectors. 2024; 17(1):285.

PMID: 38956650 PMC: 11218075. DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06360-z.

Culex modestus: the overlooked mosquito vector.

Soto A, Delang L Parasit Vectors. 2023; 16(1):373.

PMID: 37858198 PMC: 10588236. DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05997-6.

Reconstruction of the molecular evolution of Usutu virus in Germany: Insights into virus emersion and circulation.

Bergmann F, Holicki C, Michel F, Bock S, Scuda N, Priemer G PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2023; 17(10):e0011203.

PMID: 37782665 PMC: 10569574. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011203.

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