Viral diversity and blood-feeding patterns of Afrotropical Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

• DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1325473
• Publication Date: 2024-01-05T05:50:56Z
• Authors: Edwin O. Ogola; Armanda D. S. Bastos; Inga Slothouwer; Caroline Getugi; Josephine Osalla; Dorcus C. A. Omoga; Dickens O. Ondifu; Rosemary Sang; Baldwyn Torto; Sandra Junglen; David P. Tchouassi
• Keywords: Ceratopogonidae; Culicoides; Epizootic

Introduction Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are vectors of arboviral pathogens that primarily affect livestock represented by Schmallenberg virus (SBV), epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHDV) and bluetongue (BTV). In Kenya, studies examining the bionomic features including species diversity, blood-feeding habits, association with viruses limited. Methods Adult were surveyed using CDC light traps in two semi-arid ecologies, Baringo Kajiado counties, Kenya. Blood-fed specimens analysed through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequencing cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 ( cox1 ) barcoding region. pools screened for infection generic RT-PCR next-generation (NGS). Results Analysis blood-fed confirmed had fed on cattle, goats, sheep, zebra, birds. Cox1 sampled revealed presence known BTV Imicola group imicola Schultzei C. enderleni , kingi chultzei ). leucostictus a cryptic distantly related to also identified. Screening generated (11,006 individuals assigned 333 pools) seven phylogenetically distinct grouping genera Goukovirus Pacuvirus Orthobunyavirus . The showed an overall minimum rate (MIR) 7.0% (66/333, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.5-8.9). addition, full coding sequences new iflaviruses, tentatively named Oloisinyai_1 Oloisinyai_2, (NGS) from individual homogenate pool. Conclusion results indicate high genetic diversity Kenyan midges. Further insights into host-vector-virus interactions as well investigations potential clinical significance detected warranted.