Detection of novel insect flavivirus sequences integrated in Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Northern Italy

Autor(es): Roiz David, Vázquez Ana, Seco Mari Paz Sánchez, Tenorio Antonio, Rizzoli Annapaola


Resumo: The presence of DNA sequences integrated from a new flavivirus related to Cell Fusing Agent - Kamiti River Virus was identified in wild Aedes albopictus mosquito populations from the provinces of Trentino - Padova, Northern Italy. Field work was developed during August-October 2007 with BG-traps, - mosquitoes were screened for flavivirus - alphavirus. No alphavirus was detected, indicating that Chikungunya virus is not present in these mosquitoes in Trentino - Padova area. However, 21% of the pools were positive for flavivirus, further recognised with BLAST as similar to Kamiti River Virus. Phylogenetical analysis with 708 nucleotides from the NS5 gene identified this virus as a new member of the insect flavivirus clade, together with others like Kamiti River Virus, Cell Fusing Agent or Culex flavivirus, - in the group of those transmitted by Aedes. Furthermore, the treatment with RNAse, indicated that this flavivirus should be integrated in the genome of Ae. albopictus. These results propose that these sequences are transmitted by both sexes, - with different prevalence in the studied populations, - support the idea of a widespread distribution of integrated genomes in several mosquitoes from different areas, as first demonstrated with Cell Silent Agent. Evolutionary implications of this discovery - application in flavivirus phylogeny are discussed.


Imprenta: Virology Journal, v. 6, p. 93, 2009


Identificador do objeto digital: 10.1186/1743-422X-6-93


Descritores: Chikungunya virus - Cell ; Chikungunya virus - DNA ; Chikungunya virus - Flaviviridae ; Chikungunya virus - Genome ; Chikungunya virus - Pathogenesis ; Chikungunya virus - Proteins ; Chikungunya Virus - Virus ; Chikungunya virus - Public health


Data de publicação: 2009