Investigating the role of stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) and biting midges of the genus Culicoides as potential mechanical vectors of African swine fever virus in Lithuania, Poland and Romania
Abstract Background Since its emergence in Georgia in 2007, the seasonal pattern of African swine fever virus (ASFV) genotype II outbreaks in European pig populations has been evident. It is hypothesized that summer-related farming practices, along with the increased activity and abundance of arthro...
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2025-07-01
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| Series: | Parasites & Vectors |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06816-w |
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| author | Sofie Dhollander Oana-Maria Balmoș Eleonora Cattaneo José Abrahantes Cortiñas Anette Ella Boklund Anna Szczotka-Bochniarz Andrei Daniel Mihalca Lina Mur Maciej Frant Anna Gal-Cisoń Malgorzata Kwasnik Wojciech Rozek Alvydas Malakauskas Marius Masiulis Jurga Turcinaviciene Theodora Chesnoiu Krzysztof Jazdzewski Jerzy Rola Florica Barbuceanu Miguel Ángel Miranda Jan Arend Stegeman |
| author_facet | Sofie Dhollander Oana-Maria Balmoș Eleonora Cattaneo José Abrahantes Cortiñas Anette Ella Boklund Anna Szczotka-Bochniarz Andrei Daniel Mihalca Lina Mur Maciej Frant Anna Gal-Cisoń Malgorzata Kwasnik Wojciech Rozek Alvydas Malakauskas Marius Masiulis Jurga Turcinaviciene Theodora Chesnoiu Krzysztof Jazdzewski Jerzy Rola Florica Barbuceanu Miguel Ángel Miranda Jan Arend Stegeman |
| author_sort | Sofie Dhollander |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Since its emergence in Georgia in 2007, the seasonal pattern of African swine fever virus (ASFV) genotype II outbreaks in European pig populations has been evident. It is hypothesized that summer-related farming practices, along with the increased activity and abundance of arthropod vectors during warmer months, contribute to the increased incidence of these outbreaks during this period. This study investigated the potential role of stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) and biting midges of the genus Culicoides as mechanical vectors of ASFV. In addition, the potential distribution and abundance of different species of Culicoides biting midges on pig farms was investigated. Methods From August 2021 to August 2023, vector surveillance was conducted as part of a case–control study on 42 outbreak farms and 70 control farms across Romania, Lithuania, and Poland. Collected insect specimens were pooled and tested for ASFV DNA using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results A total of 8604 biting midges of the genus Culicoides specimens and 742 S. calcitrans flies were collected, with ASF DNA detected in 27 out of 1219 insect pools. Positive pools were predominantly observed in Culicoides punctatus, C. newsteadi, and the Obsoletus complex, with most detections occurring in August. However, ASFV isolation was unsuccessful. Statistical analyses revealed no significant association between farm status (outbreak versus control) and ASFV DNA detection in pools of biting midges of the genus Culicoides, likely due to limited sample size. Additionally, two ASFV-positive S. calcitrans pools were identified, supporting their potential role as mechanical vehicles for ASFV. The findings highlight the affinity of C. punctatus, C. newsteadi, and the Obsoletus complex and S. calcitrans for pig farms – an aspect that was previously undocumented. This association may increase the likelihood of ASFV acquisition and dissemination by these species. Environmental factors, such as pig farm density and proximity to other hosts, likely influence this risk. Conclusions These results emphasize the importance of vector control strategies, including insect netting, to mitigate ASFV transmission risks. Further research is needed to understand the dynamics of ASFV infection in arthropods. Notably, this study also reports the first identification of Culicoides riethi and Culicoides salinarius in Lithuania. Graphical abstract |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ef218e3989414edc96c68d61b5377089 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1756-3305 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | Parasites & Vectors |
| spelling | doaj-art-ef218e3989414edc96c68d61b53770892025-08-20T04:01:53ZengBMCParasites & Vectors1756-33052025-07-0118111410.1186/s13071-025-06816-wInvestigating the role of stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) and biting midges of the genus Culicoides as potential mechanical vectors of African swine fever virus in Lithuania, Poland and RomaniaSofie Dhollander0Oana-Maria Balmoș1Eleonora Cattaneo2José Abrahantes Cortiñas3Anette Ella Boklund4Anna Szczotka-Bochniarz5Andrei Daniel Mihalca6Lina Mur7Maciej Frant8Anna Gal-Cisoń9Malgorzata Kwasnik10Wojciech Rozek11Alvydas Malakauskas12Marius Masiulis13Jurga Turcinaviciene14Theodora Chesnoiu15Krzysztof Jazdzewski16Jerzy Rola17Florica Barbuceanu18Miguel Ángel Miranda19Jan Arend Stegeman20Assess/Enable Department, European Food Safety AuthorityAssess/Enable Department, European Food Safety AuthorityAssess/Enable Department, European Food Safety AuthorityAssess/Enable Department, European Food Safety AuthorityDepartment of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of CopenhagenDepartment of Cattle and Sheep Diseases, National Veterinary Research InstituteDepartment of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-NapocaAssess/Enable Department, European Food Safety AuthorityDepartment of Swine Diseases, National Veterinary Research InstituteDepartment of Swine Diseases, National Veterinary Research InstituteDepartment of Virology, National Veterinary Research InstituteDepartment of Virology, National Veterinary Research InstituteVeterinary Academy, Lithuanian University of Health SciencesVeterinary Academy, Lithuanian University of Health SciencesDepartment of Zoology, Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Centre of Vilnius UniversityDepartment of Animal Health and Welfare, National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety AuthorityChief Veterinary Office, General Veterinary InspectorateDepartment of Virology, National Veterinary Research InstitutePathology Department, Institute for Diagnosis and Animal HealthDepartment of Biology, ZAP-UIB, INAGEA-UIB, University of the Balearic IslandsDepartment of Farm Animal Health, Utrecht UniversityAbstract Background Since its emergence in Georgia in 2007, the seasonal pattern of African swine fever virus (ASFV) genotype II outbreaks in European pig populations has been evident. It is hypothesized that summer-related farming practices, along with the increased activity and abundance of arthropod vectors during warmer months, contribute to the increased incidence of these outbreaks during this period. This study investigated the potential role of stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) and biting midges of the genus Culicoides as mechanical vectors of ASFV. In addition, the potential distribution and abundance of different species of Culicoides biting midges on pig farms was investigated. Methods From August 2021 to August 2023, vector surveillance was conducted as part of a case–control study on 42 outbreak farms and 70 control farms across Romania, Lithuania, and Poland. Collected insect specimens were pooled and tested for ASFV DNA using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results A total of 8604 biting midges of the genus Culicoides specimens and 742 S. calcitrans flies were collected, with ASF DNA detected in 27 out of 1219 insect pools. Positive pools were predominantly observed in Culicoides punctatus, C. newsteadi, and the Obsoletus complex, with most detections occurring in August. However, ASFV isolation was unsuccessful. Statistical analyses revealed no significant association between farm status (outbreak versus control) and ASFV DNA detection in pools of biting midges of the genus Culicoides, likely due to limited sample size. Additionally, two ASFV-positive S. calcitrans pools were identified, supporting their potential role as mechanical vehicles for ASFV. The findings highlight the affinity of C. punctatus, C. newsteadi, and the Obsoletus complex and S. calcitrans for pig farms – an aspect that was previously undocumented. This association may increase the likelihood of ASFV acquisition and dissemination by these species. Environmental factors, such as pig farm density and proximity to other hosts, likely influence this risk. Conclusions These results emphasize the importance of vector control strategies, including insect netting, to mitigate ASFV transmission risks. Further research is needed to understand the dynamics of ASFV infection in arthropods. Notably, this study also reports the first identification of Culicoides riethi and Culicoides salinarius in Lithuania. Graphical abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06816-wStomoxys calcitransCulicoidesMechanical transmissionAfrican swine fever virusPigs |
| spellingShingle | Sofie Dhollander Oana-Maria Balmoș Eleonora Cattaneo José Abrahantes Cortiñas Anette Ella Boklund Anna Szczotka-Bochniarz Andrei Daniel Mihalca Lina Mur Maciej Frant Anna Gal-Cisoń Malgorzata Kwasnik Wojciech Rozek Alvydas Malakauskas Marius Masiulis Jurga Turcinaviciene Theodora Chesnoiu Krzysztof Jazdzewski Jerzy Rola Florica Barbuceanu Miguel Ángel Miranda Jan Arend Stegeman Investigating the role of stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) and biting midges of the genus Culicoides as potential mechanical vectors of African swine fever virus in Lithuania, Poland and Romania Parasites & Vectors Stomoxys calcitrans Culicoides Mechanical transmission African swine fever virus Pigs |
| title | Investigating the role of stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) and biting midges of the genus Culicoides as potential mechanical vectors of African swine fever virus in Lithuania, Poland and Romania |
| title_full | Investigating the role of stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) and biting midges of the genus Culicoides as potential mechanical vectors of African swine fever virus in Lithuania, Poland and Romania |
| title_fullStr | Investigating the role of stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) and biting midges of the genus Culicoides as potential mechanical vectors of African swine fever virus in Lithuania, Poland and Romania |
| title_full_unstemmed | Investigating the role of stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) and biting midges of the genus Culicoides as potential mechanical vectors of African swine fever virus in Lithuania, Poland and Romania |
| title_short | Investigating the role of stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) and biting midges of the genus Culicoides as potential mechanical vectors of African swine fever virus in Lithuania, Poland and Romania |
| title_sort | investigating the role of stable flies stomoxys calcitrans and biting midges of the genus culicoides as potential mechanical vectors of african swine fever virus in lithuania poland and romania |
| topic | Stomoxys calcitrans Culicoides Mechanical transmission African swine fever virus Pigs |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06816-w |
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