1. Detection and characterization of Sindbis virus genotype IV in mosquitoes from SloveniaPatricija Pozvek, Miša Korva, Samo Zakotnik, Tea Knapič, Katja Adam, Katarina Resman Rus, Gašper Grubelnik, Tomi Trilar, Vladimir Ivović, Tatjana Avšič-Županc, Nataša Knap, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Mosquitoes play a crucial role as vectors of disease pathogens and are among the most socioeconomically important animals in the world. Medically important arboviruses include the Sindbis virus (SINV), which causes chills, skin rashes, and joint pain. Endemic in northern Europe, SINV has been increasingly detected in central Europe. The main objectives of this study were to monitor and screen mosquitoes for the presence of SINV. We included samples of mosquitoes collected throughout the years at different locations in Slovenia. The mosquitoes were first identified and then pooled according to species, sex, date of sampling, and location. Nucleic acid (NA) was isolated from these pools, and the target segment of the SINV genome was amplified using molecular methods. We performed detailed phylogenetic analyses of the SINV-positive mosquito pools. From 2020 to 2024, we monitored mosquitoes at 226 locations in Slovenia and collected 112,001 samples, which were identified and grouped into 11,595 pools. Using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), we found SINV RNA in five pools of Culex modestus mosquitoes collected in two regions of northeastern Slovenia in August 2022 and in July, August, and September 2024. The SINV discovered in Slovenia (SINV-SLO) was classified as Genotype IV. We designed a primer scheme for the whole-genome amplification of SINV based on the alignment of the available SINV-IV sequences and performed molecular characterization of the sequences. Our findings revealed that SINV-SLO is closely related to the SINV strains identified in Russia, Azerbaijan, and China. In Europe, it is Genotype I that is most frequently detected and causes epidemics, whereas Genotype IV, which was detected in Slovenia, has not yet been associated with disease outbreaks.
Ključne besede: arboviruses, Genotype IV, mosquitoes, NGS, phylogenetic analysis, Sindbis virus
Objavljeno v RUP: 03.02.2026; Ogledov: 183; Prenosov: 2
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2. Monitoring of sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) and pathogen screening in Slovenia with habitat suitability modelingVladimir Ivović, Peter Glasnović, Sara Zupan, Tea Knapič, Tomi Trilar, Miša Korva, Nataša Knap, Urška Glinšek Biškup, Tatjana Avšič-Županc, Katja Adam, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) are important vectors of pathogens, including Leishmania parasites and phleboviruses, but their distribution and seasonal activity in Slovenia have not been sufficiently studied. This study presents a comprehensive three-year (2020–2022) surveillance programme aimed at assessing the diversity of sandfly species, their distribution, seasonal dynamics and potential role as vectors of pathogens. A total of 1,240 sandflies were collected at 43 sampling sites across Slovenia, identifying Phlebotomus papatasi, P. neglectus, P. perniciosus and P. mascittii. The highest abundance and species diversity were observed in the Mediterranean and Karst regions. Seasonal activity peaked in July, with population fluctuations influenced by climatic conditions. Molecular analyses for Leishmania parasites and phleboviruses showed no positive results, indicating a low prevalence of pathogens in the sampled populations. Predictive habitat models indicate that environmental factors, particularly temperature and precipitation, play a decisive role in the spread of sandflies. While P. mascittii has the largest ecological range, its vector competence remains uncertain. The results provide important insights into the ecology of sandflies in Slovenia and emphasize the need for continuous surveillance in the context of climate change and emerging vector-borne disease risks.
Ključne besede: sandflies, monitoring, distribution, modeling, Slovenia
Objavljeno v RUP: 04.08.2025; Ogledov: 616; Prenosov: 7
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