Characterization of insect-specific Culex flavivirus (Flaviviridae) nucleotide sequences in mosquitoes from urban parks in São Paulo, Brazil

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical Vol. 55; p. e0067
• Main Authors: Coletti, Thaís de Moura, Romano, Camila Malta, Urbinatti, Paulo Roberto, Teixeira, Renildo Souza, Pedrosa, Leila Weiss de Almeida, Nardi, Marcello Schiavo, Natal, Delsio, Costa, Antônio Charlys da, Jesus, Jaqueline Goes de, Claro, Ingra Morales, Sabino, Ester Cerdeira, Witkin, Steven S., Marrelli, Mauro Toledo, Fernandes, Licia Natal
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical - SBMT 01-01-2022; Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT)
• Subjects: Culex flavivirus; Insect-specific flavivirus; Mosquito; Short Communication; TROPICAL MEDICINE; Urban park; Urban park; Culex flavivirus; Mosquito; Insect-specific flavivirus
• ISSN: 0037-8682; 1678-9849; 1678-9849
• DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0067-2022

BACKGROUNDDespite their worldwide occurrence, the distribution and role of insect-specific flaviviruses (ISFs) remain unclear. METHODSWe evaluated the presence of ISFs in mosquitoes collected in São Paulo, Brazil, using reverse transcription and semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Some of the positive samples were subjected to nanopore sequencing. RESULTSTwelve mosquito pools (2.8%) tested positive for flavivirus infection. Nanopore sequencing was successfully performed on six samples. Phylogenetic analysis grouped these sequences into genotype 2 of Culex flavivirus (CxFV). CONCLUSIONSThe identification of CxFV genotype 2 at new locations in São Paulo highlights the importance of understanding the role of ISFs in mosquito vector competence.