The distribution of potential West Nile virus vectors, <it>Culex pipiens pipiens </it>and <it>Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus </it>(Diptera: <it>Culicidae</it>), in Mexico City

• Main Authors: Diaz-Perez Alfonso, Camacho-Nuez Minerva, Padilla-Viveros America A, Martinez-Munoz Jorge P, Moore Chester G, Perez-Ramirez Gerardo, Bolling Bethany G, Diaz-Badillo Alvaro, Beaty Barry J, de Lourdes Munoz Maria
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2011-05-01
• Series: Parasites & Vectors
• Online Access: http://www.parasitesandvectors.com/content/4/1/70

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Culex </it>spp. mosquitoes are considered to be the most important vectors of West Nile virus (WNV) detected in at least 34 species of mosquitoes in the United States. In North America, <it>Culex pipiens pipiens, Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus</it>, and <it>Culex tarsalis </it>are all competent vectors of WNV, which is considered to be enzootic in the United States and has also been detected in equines and birds in many states of Mexico and in humans in Nuevo Leon. There is potential for WNV to be introduced into Mexico City by various means including infected mosquitoes on airplanes, migrating birds, ground transportation and infected humans. Little is known of the geographic distribution of <it>Culex pipiens </it>complex mosquitoes and hybrids in Mexico City. <it>Culex pipiens pipiens </it>preferentially feed on avian hosts; <it>Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus </it>have historically been considered to prefer mammalian hosts; and hybrids of these two species could theoretically serve as bridge vectors to transmit WNV from avian hosts to humans and other mammalian hosts. In order to address the potential of WNV being introduced into Mexico City, we have determined the identity and spatial distribution of <it>Culex pipiens </it>complex mosquitoes and their hybrids.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mosquito larvae collected from 103 sites throughout Mexico City during 2004-2005 were identified as <it>Culex, Culiseta </it>or <it>Ochlerotatus </it>by morphological analysis. Within the genus <it>Culex</it>, specimens were further identified as <it>Culex tarsalis </it>or as belonging to the <it>Culex pipiens </it>complex. Members of the <it>Culex pipiens </it>complex were separated by measuring the ratio of the dorsal and ventral arms (DV/D ratio) of the male genitalia and also by using diagnostic primers designed for the <it>Ace.2 </it>gene. <it>Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus </it>was the most abundant form collected.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Important WNV vectors species, <it>Cx. p. pipiens</it>, <it>Cx. p. quinquefasciatus </it>and <it>Cx. tarsalis</it>, are all present in Mexico City. Hybrids of <it>Cx. p. pipiens </it>and <it>Cx. p. quinquefasciatus </it>were also collected and identified. The presence and abundance of these WNV competent vectors is a cause for concern. Understanding the distribution of these vectors can help improve viral surveillance activities and mosquito control efforts in Mexico City.</p>