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Integrative taxonomy of arthropods as potential vectors of Viral Haemorrhagic Rabbit Disease - genotype 2 (RHDV2) and as potential new vectors of Myxomatosis

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Resumo:Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease and Myxomatosis are highly infectious viral diseases that rapidly kill populations of European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), and, with some recent findings and studies, it quickly came to our understanding that those viruses have serious implications on the health of the European brown hare (Lepus europaeus). The transmission of these viruses remains uncertain, with only some clearance in case of Myxomatosis, since some studies concluded that any biting or sucking arthropod could serve as a vector. However, viral transmission through mechanical vectors, such as insects, is of great epidemiological importance. Therefore, the aim of this work is to perform an analysis of the morphological characteristics of several specimens of arthropods caught near a rabbit hutch in Alenquer, Portugal, between December 2018 and December 2019, in order to detect and quantify the viruses (through real-time PCR analysis) in those arthropods. Two more captures were carried out in this location, in the month of February 2020, after an outbreak of the two diseases. A total of 30,522 specimens were identified, divided by 59 families/genus/species being represented mostly by Diptera (95.37%). The full screened month with most captured specimens in a 15-day sampling was February 2019 (9.36%). The specimen’s abundance was greater in Spring than Winter, which was expected, due to higher temperatures. Specimens infected with both viruses were found. Although, in small numbers they were all collected in Winter: Mycetophilidae (61 specimens) for Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus – Genotype 2 and Chironomidae (5), Ceratopogonidae (10), Lepidoptera (14), Muscidae (19), Scatopsidae (1), and Culicoides obsoletus (1) for Myxoma Virus. Considering that vector-borne diseases are a major problem nowadays, causing economic losses of thousands of millions of euros on vector control each year to reduce vector-borne pathogens. More studies are important regarding new vectors of vector-borne pathogens with Public and Animal Health importance.
Autores principais:Silva, Jorge Miguel Duarte da
Assunto:Oryctolagus cuniculus Lepus europaeus Vetores Portugal Teses de mestrado - 2021
Ano:2021
País:Portugal
Tipo de documento:dissertação de mestrado
Tipo de acesso:acesso aberto
Instituição associada:Universidade de Lisboa
Idioma:inglês
Origem:Repositório da Universidade de Lisboa

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