Infection of Mosquitoes with Dirofilariasis Agents in Urban Areas of Belarus
https://doi.org/10.21055/0370-1069-2026-1-182-185
Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of dirofilariasis agents in mosquitoes in urban areas of Belarus. Materials and methods. Female mosquitoes were collected in 3 regions of Belarus (Vitebsk, Mogilev, Gomel) from May to September 2021–2025. А total of 5039 mosquitoes were collected. Real-time PCR was conducted to detect the presence of Dirofilaria repens and D. immitis in mosquitoes. The rate of infection in mosquitoes was determined using the estimated infection rate. Results and discussion. In 2021–2025, our research revealed 23 mosquito species belonging to 5 genera (Aedes, Anopheles, Culex, Culiseta, Coquillettidia) in urban areas of Belarus. Aedes cantans was the most abundant species, accounting for 37.6 % of the mosquitoes captured, followed by A. sticticus at 36.5 %. Dirofilaria DNA was detected in 11 mosquito species (Aedes rossicus, A. cantans, A. cataphylla, A. excrucians, A. intrudens, A. riparius, A. sticticus, A. vexans, Anopheles claviger, A. maculipennis, Coquillettidia richiardii). The estimated infection rate of Anopheles, Aedes, Coquillettidia genera was 12.8 %, 1.0 %, and 0.6 %, respectively. The total infection rate was 1.4 %. The estimated infection rate of mosquitoes with D. repens was 1.3 %, while the rate for D. immitis was 0.1 %. The highest estimated infection rate was found in Anopheles maculipennis (16.7 %), and the lowest was in Aedes intrudens (0.3 %). Dirofilaria DNA was detected in mosquitoes from May to August. The highest mosquito infection rate was recorded in August.
Supporting agencies: The authors declare no additional financial support for this study
About the Authors
D. S. Suslo
Scientific and Practical Centre for Bioresources of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus
Belarus
Belarus
27, Akademicheskaya St., Minsk, 220072
D. V. Dovnar
Scientific and Practical Centre for Bioresources of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus
Belarus
Belarus
Darya V. Dovnar
27, Akademicheskaya St., Minsk, 220072
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Review
For citations:
Suslo D.S., Dovnar D.V. Infection of Mosquitoes with Dirofilariasis Agents in Urban Areas of Belarus. Problems of Particularly Dangerous Infections. 2026;(1):182-185. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.21055/0370-1069-2026-1-182-185
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