<scp>DNA</scp> identification of species of the <i>Anopheles maculipennis</i> complex and first record of <i>An. daciae</i> in Belgium

Smitz, Nathalie; Wolf, Katrien De; Gheysen, A.; Deblauwe, Isra; Vanslembrouck, Adwine; Meganck, Kenny; Witte, Jacobus De; Schneider, Anna; Verlé, Ingrid; Dekoninck, Wouter; Gombeer, Sophie; Vanderheyden, Ann; Meyer, M. De; Backeljau, Thierry; Müller, Ruth; Bortel, Wim Van

doi:10.1111/mve.12519

Cited by 11 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 42 publications

(84 reference statements)

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“…Specimens of the Anopheles genus were further identified to species level [ 13 , 14 ]. DNA barcoding confirmed the morphological species identification [ 15 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Two fatal autochthonous cases of airport malaria, Belgium, 2020

et al. 2022

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We report an outbreak investigation of two fatal cases of autochthonous Plasmodium falciparum malaria that occurred in Belgium in September 2020. Various hypotheses of the potential source of infection were investigated. The most likely route of transmission was through an infectious exotic Anopheles mosquito that was imported via the international airport of Brussels or the military airport Melsbroek and infected the cases who lived at 5 km from the airports. Based on genomic analysis of the parasites collected from the two cases, the most likely origin of the Plasmodium was Gabon or Cameroon. Further, the parasites collected from the two Belgian patients were identical by descent, which supports the assumption that the two infections originated from the bite of the same mosquito, during interrupted feeding. Although airport malaria remains a rare event, it has significant implications, particularly for the patient, as delayed or missed diagnosis of the cause of illness often results in complications and mortality. Therefore, to prevent such severe or fatal outcomes, we suggest a number of public health actions including increased awareness among health practitioners, especially those working in the vicinity of airports, and increased surveillance of exotic mosquito species at airports.

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“…Specimens of the Anopheles genus were further identified to species level [ 13 , 14 ]. DNA barcoding confirmed the morphological species identification [ 15 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Two fatal autochthonous cases of airport malaria, Belgium, 2020

et al. 2022

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“…Morphological identification of adults and larvae was done with a stereomicroscope using dichotomic and digital keys [ 29 , 32 – 37 ]. To confirm and validate the morphological identification of IMS and to identify damaged adults and larvae, DNA-barcoding was performed [ 18 , 26 , 27 , 36 , 38 , 39 ].…”

Section: Overview Of the Project-based Surveillance Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

From a long-distance threat to the invasion front: a review of the invasive Aedes mosquito species in Belgium between 2007 and 2020

et al. 2022

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Invasive mosquito species (IMS) and their associated mosquito-borne diseases are emerging in Europe. In Belgium, the first detection of Aedes albopictus (Skuse 1894) occurred in 2000 and of Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald 1901) in 2002. Early detection and control of these IMS at points of entry (PoEs) are of paramount importance to slow down any possible establishment. This article reviews the introductions and establishments recorded of three IMS in Belgium based on published (2007–2014) and unpublished (2015–2020) data collected during several surveillance projects. In total, 52 PoEs were monitored at least once for the presence of IMS between 2007 and 2020. These included used tyre and lucky bamboo import companies, airports, ports, parking lots along highways, shelters for imported cutting plants, wholesale markets, industrial areas, recycling areas, cemeteries and an allotment garden at the country border with colonised areas. In general, monitoring was performed between April and November. Mosquitoes were captured with adult and oviposition traps as well as by larval sampling. Aedes albopictus was detected at ten PoEs, Ae. japonicus at three PoEs and Aedes koreicus (Edwards 1917) at two PoEs. The latter two species have established overwintering populations. The percentage of PoEs positive for Ae. albopictus increased significantly over years. Aedes albopictus is currently entering Belgium through lucky bamboo and used tyre trade and passive ground transport, while Ae. japonicus through used tyre trade and probably passive ground transport. In Belgium, the import through passive ground transport was first recorded in 2018 and its importance seems to be growing. Belgium is currently at the invasion front of Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus. The surveillance and control management actions at well-known PoEs associated to long-distance introductions are more straightforward than at less-defined PoEs associated with short-distance introductions from colonised areas. These latter PoEs represent a new challenge for IMS management in Belgium in the coming years. Aedes albopictus is expected to become established in Belgium in the coming years, hence increasing the likelihood of local arbovirus transmission. The implementation of a sustainable, structured and long-term IMS management programme, integrating active and passive entomological surveillance, vector control and Public Health surveillance is therefore pivotal. Graphical Abstract

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“…messeae from Romania [ 17 ]. However, other authors consider this polymorphism to be an indicator of different forms/ecotypes that are consistent with the different geographical origins of the tested populations [ 32 , 88 , 115 – 117 ]. On the other hand, other authors have analyzed genomic differences and chromosomal inversions, especially on the X -chromosome, between An.…”

Section: Updates On the Occurrence And Bionomics Of The Potential Vec...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Anopheles daciae as a distinct species was identified first in Romania, then described using a molecular approach in Germany [ 41 – 44 , 119 – 122 ], England and Wales [ 56 , 123 ], the Czech Republic and Slovakia [ 39 ], Serbia [ 108 ] and more recently in Poland [ 124 ], Finland [ 101 ], Sweden [ 116 ] and Russia [ 18 ]. It has also been found in Italy and Belgium, with the provisional definition of Anopheles daciae species inquirenda [ 32 , 117 ].…”

Section: Updates On the Occurrence And Bionomics Of The Potential Vec...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Updated occurrence and bionomics of potential malaria vectors in Europe: a systematic review (2000–2021)

et al. 2022

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Despite the eradication of malaria across most European countries in the 1960s and 1970s, the anopheline vectors are still present. Most of the malaria cases that have been reported in Europe up to the present time have been infections acquired in endemic areas by travelers. However, the possibility of acquiring malaria by locally infected mosquitoes has been poorly investigated in Europe, despite autochthonous malaria cases having been occasionally reported in several European countries. Here we present an update on the occurrence of potential malaria vector species in Europe. Adopting a systematic review approach, we selected 288 papers published between 2000 and 2021 for inclusion in the review based on retrieval of accurate information on the following Anopheles species: An. atroparvus, An. hyrcanus sensu lato (s.l.), An. labranchiae, An. maculipennis sensu stricto (s.s.), An. messeae/daciae, An. sacharovi, An. superpictus and An. plumbeus. The distribution of these potential vector species across Europe is critically reviewed in relation to areas of major presence and principal bionomic features, including vector competence to Plasmodium. Additional information, such as geographical details, sampling approaches and species identification methods, are also reported. We compare the information on each species extracted from the most recent studies to comparable information reported from studies published in the early 2000s, with particular reference to the role of each species in malaria transmission before eradication. The picture that emerges from this review is that potential vector species are still widespread in Europe, with the largest diversity in the Mediterranean area, Italy in particular. Despite information on their vectorial capacity being fragmentary, the information retrieved suggests a re-definition of the relative importance of potential vector species, indicating An. hyrcanus s.l., An. labranchiae, An. plumbeus and An. sacharovi as potential vectors of higher importance, while An. messeae/daciae and An. maculipennis s.s. can be considered to be moderately important species. In contrast, An. atroparvus and An. superpictus should be considered as vectors of lower importance, particularly in relation to their low anthropophily. The presence of gaps in current knowledge of vectorial systems in Europe becomes evident in this review, not only in terms of vector competence but also in the definition of sampling approaches, highlighting the need for further research to adopt the appropriate surveillance system for each species. Graphical Abstract

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DNA identification of species of the Anopheles maculipennis complex and first record of An. daciae in Belgium

Cited by 11 publications

References 42 publications

Two fatal autochthonous cases of airport malaria, Belgium, 2020

Two fatal autochthonous cases of airport malaria, Belgium, 2020

From a long-distance threat to the invasion front: a review of the invasive Aedes mosquito species in Belgium between 2007 and 2020

Updated occurrence and bionomics of potential malaria vectors in Europe: a systematic review (2000–2021)

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