Do bed bugs transmit human viruses, or do humans spread bed bugs and their viruses? A worldwide survey of the bed bug RNA virosphere

• DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2024.199349
• Publication Date: 2024-03-07T04:33:11Z
• Authors: Hunter K. Walt; Jonas G. King; Johnathan M. Sheele; Florencia Meyer; Jose E. Pietri; Federico G. Hoffmann
• Keywords: Bed bug; Cimex lectularius; Novel virus

BED BUGS: (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) are a globally distributed hematophagous pest that routinely feed on humans. Unlike many blood-sucking arthropods, they have never been linked to pathogen transmission in natural setting, and despite increasing interest their role as disease vectors, little is known about the viruses bed bugs naturally harbor. Here, we present global-scale survey of bug RNA virosphere. We sequenced metatranscriptomes 22 individual (Cimex lectularius Cimex hemipterus) from 8 locations around world. detected sequences two (Shuangao bedbug virus 1 Shuangao 2) which extends geographical range. identified three novel tenui-like (Bunyavirales), toti-like (Ghabrivirales), luteo-like (Tolivirales). Interestingly, some branch near insect-transmitted plant-infecting viruses, opening questions regarding evolution plant infection. When analyzed viral by host's collection location, found unexpected patterns diversity may reflect humans' dispersal. Additionally, investigated effect Wolbachia, primary endosymbiont, abundance Wolbachia infection neither promotes nor inhibits Finally, our results provide no evidence transmit any human pathogenic viruses.