Culex saltanensis Dyar, 1928: natural vector of Plasmodium juxtanucleare in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

Searching for the natural vector of Plasmodium juxtanucleare in an enzootic locality: Granjas Calábria (33% of the chickens infected), Jacarepaguá, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 13 comparative captures of mosquitoes were carried out, simultaneously on man (out-doors) and on chicken (in a poultry-yard), between 6 and 9 p.m., from September 1988 to March 1989. Culex saltanensis was the most frequent species in captures on chicken, accounting for 41.7% of the mosquitoes collected on this bait, showing to be highly ornithophilic (90% captured on chicken versus 10% on man). Seven specimens of Cx. saltanensis were found naturally infected in Granjas Calábria: five with mature pedunculate oocysts and two with sporozoites (one in the haemocoele and one in the salivary glands). These sporozoites produced an infection by P. juxtanucleare in a chick, which had parasitemia on day 41 after inoculation. One Cx. coronator was found with mature pedunculate oocysts. Culex saltanensis was regarded as primary vector of P. juxtanucleare in Rio de Janeiro for being highly ornithophilic and in enough density to maintain the transmission, having been found with infective sporozoites in its salivary glands, and being susceptible to the parasite and able to transmit experimentally it by the bite.

Development of the immature stages of Culex (Culex) saltanensis Dyar (Diptera, Culicidae) under laboratory conditions

“…According to Gabaldon et al (1988), C. saltanensis can become infected with Plasmodium cathemerium, a sparrow homospory. Lourenço-de-Oliveira & Castro (1991) considers this species the primary vector of P. juxtanucleare in Rio de Janeiro. Sibajev et al (1993) described a new species of trypanosomatid, Crithidia ricardoi, which is considered the original parasite of C. saltanensis.…”

Interactions ofPlasmodium juxtanucleareand chicken anaemia virus: establishing a model

“…Plasmodium species are known to be transmitted by several species of mosquitoes (Culicidae) from different genera (Garnham, 1966; Atkinson and van Riper, 1991; Lourenço-de-Oliveira et al . 1991; Valkiūnas, 2005; Kimura et al 2010; Ejiri et al 2011; Njabo et al 2011; Lyimo et al 2012; Santiago-Alarcon et al 2012). Plasmodium can also be found parasitizing wild birds and domestic fowls (Garnham, 1966; Valkiūnas, 2005).…”

“…The genus Plasmodium (Haemosporida: Plasmodiidae) is a cosmopolitan group of heteroxen protists composed of more than 100 described species in different vertebrate hosts such as mammals, reptiles and birds (Garnham, 1966;Valkiūnas, 2005). Plasmodium species are known to be transmitted by several species of mosquitoes (Culicidae) from different genera (Garnham, 1966;Atkinson and van Riper, 1991;Lourenço-de-Oliveira et al 1991;Valkiūnas, 2005;Kimura et al 2010;Ejiri et al 2011;Njabo et al 2011;Lyimo et al 2012;Santiago-Alarcon et al 2012). Plasmodium can also be found parasitizing wild birds and domestic fowls (Garnham, 1966;Valkiūnas, 2005).…”

A new pathogen spillover from domestic to wild animals: Plasmodium juxtanucleare infects free-living passerines in Brazil

“…Mosquitoes from the genus Culex are major vectors of P. juxtanucleare in Asia (Bennett et al , 1966; Chen et al , 2015), and C. saltanensis is the only confirmed vector for this parasite in Brazil (Lourenço-de-Oliveira and de Castro, 1991). This mosquito species is highly ornithophilic, and inhabit secondary forests and areas under anthropic modifications (Lourenço-de-Oliveira et al , 1986; Consoli and de Oliveira, 1994).…”