Geographic distribution of the V1016G knockdown resistance mutation in Aedes albopictus: a warning bell for Europe

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Pichler V., Caputo B., Valadas V., Micocci M., Horvath C., Virgillito C., ...More

PARASITES & VECTORS, vol.15, no.1, 2022 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 15 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.1186/s13071-022-05407-3
  • Journal Name: PARASITES & VECTORS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Keywords: Mosquito, Aedes albopictus, Insecticide resistance, Kdr, Europe, Integrated vector management, Arbovirus vector, Vector control, INSECTICIDE SUSCEPTIBILITY, PYRETHROID RESISTANCE, DIPTERA-CULICIDAE, AEGYPTI, DENGUE, CHIKUNGUNYA, VECTOR
  • Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background: Colonization of large part of Europe by the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is causing autochthonous transmission of chikungunya and dengue exotic arboviruses. While pyrethroids are recommended only to reduce/limit transmission, they are widely implemented to reduce biting nuisance and to control agricultural pests, increasing the risk of insurgence of resistance mechanisms. Worryingly, pyrethroid resistance (with mortality < 70%) was recently reported in Ae. albopictus populations from Italy and Spain and associated with the V1016G point mutation in the voltage-sensitive sodium channel gene conferring knockdown resistance (kdr). Genotyping pyrethroid resistance-associated kdr mutations in field mosquito samples represents a powerful approach to detect early signs of resistance without the need for carrying out phenotypic bioassays which require availability of live mosquitoes, dedicated facilities and appropriate expertise.