High vector competence for chikungunya virus but heavily reduced locomotor activity of Aedes albopictus from Germany at low temperatures
Abstract Background The incidence of human infections caused by arthropod-borne viruses, such as the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), has increased globally due to a number of factors, such as climate change and globalization. The exotic mosquito species Aedes albopictus is a significant vector for CHIKV,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Parasites & Vectors |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-024-06594-x |
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| author | Renke Lühken Leif Rauhöft Björn Pluskota Unchana Lange Michelle Helms Norbert Becker Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit Carola Kuhn Egbert Tannich Stephanie Jansen Anna Heitmann |
| author_facet | Renke Lühken Leif Rauhöft Björn Pluskota Unchana Lange Michelle Helms Norbert Becker Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit Carola Kuhn Egbert Tannich Stephanie Jansen Anna Heitmann |
| author_sort | Renke Lühken |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The incidence of human infections caused by arthropod-borne viruses, such as the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), has increased globally due to a number of factors, such as climate change and globalization. The exotic mosquito species Aedes albopictus is a significant vector for CHIKV, raising concerns about its transmission potential in temperate regions, including Central Europe. We have therefore investigated the vector competence of Ae. albopictus for CHIKV at constant and fluctuating temperatures between 15 °C and 24 °C to assess the transmission risk in Europe. Methods Aedes albopictus mosquitoes were reared and artificially infected with CHIKV. Infection rates and transmission efficiencies (TEs) were determined after 14 days of incubation at constant and fluctuating (± 5 °C) mean temperatures of 15 °C, 18 °C, 21 °C and 24 °C. In addition, mosquito locomotor activity was measured under the same fluctuating temperature conditions. A risk map for CHIKV transmission in Europe was generated combining temperature data and the current distribution of Ae. albopictus. Results CHIKV transmission was observed at all tested temperatures. The highest TEs were recorded at fluctuating temperatures of 18 °C (54.3%) and 21 °C (58.6%), while the lowest TE was observed at a constant temperature of 15 °C (5.6%). TEs at fluctuating temperatures of 15 °C and 24 °C were the same (32.5%). Mosquito activity showed a nocturnal unimodal activity pattern with a peak during the start of the scotophase (hour 20). The proportion of active mosquitoes per hour increased with temperature and was nearly zero at 15 °C. The risk map indicated that regions in Southern and Central Europe, including recently invaded areas north of the Alps, have temperatures theoretically allowing CHIKV transmission for at least some days per year. Conclusions While CHIKV can be transmitted by Ae. albopictus at 15 °C, the activity of this mosquito is strongly decreased at this temperature, likely reducing the transmission risk. These findings emphasize the importance of considering both vector competence and mosquito activity when assessing the risk of arbovirus transmission in temperate regions. Further studies are needed to validate these laboratory findings under field conditions. Graphical abstract |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6cee3e34a2e64571a1e804a558df5224 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1756-3305 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Parasites & Vectors |
| spelling | doaj-art-6cee3e34a2e64571a1e804a558df52242025-08-20T02:35:44ZengBMCParasites & Vectors1756-33052024-12-011711910.1186/s13071-024-06594-xHigh vector competence for chikungunya virus but heavily reduced locomotor activity of Aedes albopictus from Germany at low temperaturesRenke Lühken0Leif Rauhöft1Björn Pluskota2Unchana Lange3Michelle Helms4Norbert Becker5Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit6Carola Kuhn7Egbert Tannich8Stephanie Jansen9Anna Heitmann10Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical MedicineBernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical MedicineKommunale Aktionsgemeinschaft zur Bekämpfung der Schnakenplage (KABS E.V.)Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical MedicineBernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical MedicineInstitute for Dipterology (IfD)Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical MedicineGerman Environment Agency (UBA)Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical MedicineBernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical MedicineBernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical MedicineAbstract Background The incidence of human infections caused by arthropod-borne viruses, such as the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), has increased globally due to a number of factors, such as climate change and globalization. The exotic mosquito species Aedes albopictus is a significant vector for CHIKV, raising concerns about its transmission potential in temperate regions, including Central Europe. We have therefore investigated the vector competence of Ae. albopictus for CHIKV at constant and fluctuating temperatures between 15 °C and 24 °C to assess the transmission risk in Europe. Methods Aedes albopictus mosquitoes were reared and artificially infected with CHIKV. Infection rates and transmission efficiencies (TEs) were determined after 14 days of incubation at constant and fluctuating (± 5 °C) mean temperatures of 15 °C, 18 °C, 21 °C and 24 °C. In addition, mosquito locomotor activity was measured under the same fluctuating temperature conditions. A risk map for CHIKV transmission in Europe was generated combining temperature data and the current distribution of Ae. albopictus. Results CHIKV transmission was observed at all tested temperatures. The highest TEs were recorded at fluctuating temperatures of 18 °C (54.3%) and 21 °C (58.6%), while the lowest TE was observed at a constant temperature of 15 °C (5.6%). TEs at fluctuating temperatures of 15 °C and 24 °C were the same (32.5%). Mosquito activity showed a nocturnal unimodal activity pattern with a peak during the start of the scotophase (hour 20). The proportion of active mosquitoes per hour increased with temperature and was nearly zero at 15 °C. The risk map indicated that regions in Southern and Central Europe, including recently invaded areas north of the Alps, have temperatures theoretically allowing CHIKV transmission for at least some days per year. Conclusions While CHIKV can be transmitted by Ae. albopictus at 15 °C, the activity of this mosquito is strongly decreased at this temperature, likely reducing the transmission risk. These findings emphasize the importance of considering both vector competence and mosquito activity when assessing the risk of arbovirus transmission in temperate regions. Further studies are needed to validate these laboratory findings under field conditions. Graphical abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-024-06594-xChikungunya virusAedes albopictusVector competenceVector capacityLocomotor activityLow temperature |
| spellingShingle | Renke Lühken Leif Rauhöft Björn Pluskota Unchana Lange Michelle Helms Norbert Becker Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit Carola Kuhn Egbert Tannich Stephanie Jansen Anna Heitmann High vector competence for chikungunya virus but heavily reduced locomotor activity of Aedes albopictus from Germany at low temperatures Parasites & Vectors Chikungunya virus Aedes albopictus Vector competence Vector capacity Locomotor activity Low temperature |
| title | High vector competence for chikungunya virus but heavily reduced locomotor activity of Aedes albopictus from Germany at low temperatures |
| title_full | High vector competence for chikungunya virus but heavily reduced locomotor activity of Aedes albopictus from Germany at low temperatures |
| title_fullStr | High vector competence for chikungunya virus but heavily reduced locomotor activity of Aedes albopictus from Germany at low temperatures |
| title_full_unstemmed | High vector competence for chikungunya virus but heavily reduced locomotor activity of Aedes albopictus from Germany at low temperatures |
| title_short | High vector competence for chikungunya virus but heavily reduced locomotor activity of Aedes albopictus from Germany at low temperatures |
| title_sort | high vector competence for chikungunya virus but heavily reduced locomotor activity of aedes albopictus from germany at low temperatures |
| topic | Chikungunya virus Aedes albopictus Vector competence Vector capacity Locomotor activity Low temperature |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-024-06594-x |
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