Distribution and molecular identification of Culex pipiens and Culex tritaeniorhynchus as potential vectors of Rift Valley fever virus in Jazan, Saudi Arabia

Eifan, S., Hanif, A., Nour, I., Alqahtani, S., Eisa, Z. M., Dafalla, O. and Kohl, A. (2021) Distribution and molecular identification of Culex pipiens and Culex tritaeniorhynchus as potential vectors of Rift Valley fever virus in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Pathogens, 10(10), 1334. (doi: 10.3390/pathogens10101334)

Abstract

Entomologic investigations were conducted in the Al-Darb, Al-Reath, Al-Aridah, Abuareesh, Al-Ahad, Samttah, Sabyah, Damad and Beash areas by CO2-baited CDC miniature light traps in the Jazan region. Vectors were identified morphologically, as well as COI gene segment amplification and sequencing. The relative abundance (RA%) and pattern of occurrence (C%) were recorded. The presence of the Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) in pooled mosquito samples was investigated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Culex pipiens (C. pipiens) and Culex tritaeniorhynchus (C. tritaeniorhynchus) were found with RA% values of 96% and 4%, respectively, in the region. Significant variations in vector population densities were observed in different districts. The C. pipiens was found highly abundant in all districts and RA% value (100%) was recorded in the Al-Darb, Al-Reath, Al-Aridah, Samttah and Damad areas, whereas RA% values (93.75%, 93.33%, 92.30% and 91.66%) were noted in Al-Ahad, Sabyah, Abuareesh and Beash districts, respectively. RA% values for C. tritaeniorhynchus were recorded as 8.33%, 7.70%, 6.66% and 6.25% in Beash, Abuareesh, Sabyah and Al-Ahad areas, respectively. The pattern of occurrence for C. pipiens and C. tritaeniorhynchus was recorded as 100% and 44.4% in the region. Phylogenetic analysis of C. pipiens and C. tritaeniorhynchus exhibited a close relationship with mosquitoes from Kenya and Turkey, respectively. All mosquito samples tested by RT-PCR were found negative for RVFV. In summary, the current study assessed the composition, abundance, distribution of different mosquito vectors and presence of RVFV in different areas of the Jazan region. Our data will help risk assessments of RVFV future re-emergence in the region.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Funding: This research was funded by the National Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation (MAARIFAH), King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Award Number (13-BIO-1459-02).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kohl, Professor Alain

Creator Roles

Kohl, A.: Conceptualization, Writing – review and editing

• Authors: Eifan, S., Hanif, A., Nour, I., Alqahtani, S., Eisa, Z. M., Dafalla, O., and Kohl, A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
• Journal Name: Pathogens
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 2076-0817
• ISSN (Online): 2076-0817
• Published Online: 15 October 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 by the authors
• First Published: First published in Pathogens 10(10):1334
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons Licence