Mosquitoes in the Danube Delta: searching for vectors of filarioid helminths and avian malaria

Research in the Danube Delta identifies potential mosquito vectors for filarioid helminths and avian malaria, contributing to understanding disease transmission dynamics. The study found that Culex modestus and Culex pipiens f. pipiens may serve as vectors for pathogenic Plasmodium species, including P. relictum, while Aedes vexans shows potential vector competence for mammalian filarioids like Dirofilaria repens. The investigation involved trapping 5855 mosquitoes, screening for DNA of filarial helminths and avian malaria agents using PCR techniques, and analyzing individually processed specimens near a microfilaremic dog. Although no pools tested positive for filarioid DNA, individual mosquitoes exhibited infections with D. repens and Setaria labiatopapillosa, alongside P. relictum in Cx. pipiens f. pipiens. This suggests the region's mosquito populations play a role in disease transmission, warranting further study.

Ionică, A. M., Zittra, C., Wimmer, V., Leitner, N., Votýpka, J., Modrý, D., Mihalca, A. D., & Fuehrer, H.-P. (2017). Mosquitoes in the Danube Delta: searching for vectors of filarioid helminths and avian malaria. Parasites & Vectors, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-017-2264-8