A cross section through mosquitoes of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Barcodes, blood meals and pathogens

Ina Hoxha; Jovana Dervović; Maria Sophia Unterköfler; Lisa Schlamadinger; Tanto Situmorang; Hans-Peter Fuehrer; Adelheid G. Obwaller; Karin Sekulin; Jeremy V. Camp; Josef Harl; Julia Walochnik; Amer Alić; Edwin Kniha

doi:10.1016/j.onehlt.2025.101246

A cross section through mosquitoes of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Barcodes, blood meals and pathogens

Title (eng)

A cross section through mosquitoes of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Barcodes, blood meals and pathogens

Author

Ina Hoxha

Jovana Dervović

Maria Sophia Unterköfler

University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna

Lisa Schlamadinger

University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna

Tanto Situmorang

University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna

Hans-Peter Fuehrer

University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna

Adelheid G. Obwaller

Karin Sekulin

Jeremy V. Camp

Josef Harl

University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna

Julia Walochnik

Amer Alić

Edwin Kniha

Abstract (eng)

Mosquitoes are important vectors of human and animal pathogens, yet data on their diversity and vector potential remain scarce for the central Balkan country Bosnia and Herzegovina. This study aimed to assess mosquito species composition, associated pathogens, and the potential public health risks in BIH. Adult mosquitoes were collected with light traps, identified morphologically and by barcoding, and screened molecularly for various pathogens, including West Nile virus (WNV), Dirofilaria spp., Trypanosoma spp., and Plasmodium spp. A total of 2691 mosquitoes of 17 species were identified, with Culex pipiens/torrentium being most abundant and new records of Aedes albopictus and Ae. japonicus japonicus. The first detection of WNV (lineage 2) RNA in mosquitoes in BIH highlights the potential risk of circulation in the region, aligning with findings from neighboring countries. In addition, DNA of filarioid nematodes (Dirofilaria immitis, D. repens, and Setaria tundra) were detected, underscoring their role as potential vectors of zoonotic dirofilariasis. Also, Trypanosoma and Plasmodium DNA was detected, warranting further investigation into the possible involvement of mosquitoes in their transmission. The detection of invasive Aedes species and mosquito-borne pathogens emphasize the need for strengthened vector surveillance in southeastern Europe, particularly in BIH. This study provides the first barcode inventory of 17 mosquito species and novel molecular evidence of mosquito-borne pathogens in BIH, offering valuable baseline data for future epidemiological assessments and sustained entomological surveillance.

Keywords (eng)

Aedes AlbopictusAedes JaponicusBarcodingCulexDirofilariaHaplotypingOne HealthWest Nile Virus

Type (eng)

journal article

Language

[eng]

Persistent identifier

https://phaidra.vetmeduni.ac.at/o:4944

DOI

10.1016/j.onehlt.2025.101246

Is in series

Title (eng)