Culex vishnui (Diptera: Culicidae): An Overlooked Vector of Arboviruses in South-East Asia. Issue 4 (6th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maquart, Pierre-Olivier; Chann, Leakena; Boyer, Sebastien
• Editors: Reisen, William
• Is Part Of: Journal of medical entomology. Volume 59:Issue 4(2022)
• Page Start: 1144
• Page End: 1153
• Publication Date: 2022-05-06
• Subjects: Culex pseudovishnui -- Culex tritaeniorhynchus -- Japanese encephalitis -- arboviruses -- bridge vector; Insects as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; 616.968
• DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjac044
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-2585

Abstract

Abstract: Culex vishnui Theobald, 1901, a main vector of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), is widely distributed in the Oriental region where it often accounts for a great part of the culicid fauna. This species also has been found naturally infected with at least 13 other arboviruses of medical and veterinary importance. Females blood feed predominantly upon pigs and birds, but may readily bite cattle and humans. Because of its abundance, medical importance, and presence throughout ecological gradients among urban, peri-urban, and rural areas, Cx. vishnui potentially may serve as a bridge vector transmitting viruses from natural and wild hosts to humans. Being zoo- and anthropophagic, omnipresent in the Oriental region, and presenting strong resistance to many insecticide families, this overlooked mosquito species may pose a serious health risk in one of the most densely populated regions of the world.