Viral metagenomics of mosquitoes captured in the State of São Paulo

Abstract

Viruses present in haematophagous insects can be divided into two broad groups: (1) insect viruses that infect vertebrates (arborvirus; arthropod-borne virus) and (2) insect viruses that do not infect them (insect specific viruses). Climatic conditions (hot and humid climate) and the high diversity of hematophagous insect species in Brazil provide more favorable conditions for the emergence and spread of viruses. The introduction of new viruses may also occur in the country, mainly related to trade, tourism or immigration routes and, consequently, the vectors would be able to transmit new viral pathogens, such as the introduction and spread of Zika virus (ZIKV) recently in the Americas. The purpose of this study is to determine the set of viruses (viroma) of mosquitoes captured in the State of São Paulo. To do so, we will compare viroma diversity between two locations that have theoretically geographically isolated mosquito populations. The genomic sequencing used will be Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) with the Illumina platform. Subsequently, the generated contigs will be pooled with Sequencher software and evaluated for genetic similarity to other existing viruses through BLASTx. Phylogenetic analyzes will be performed, with the new viruses identified, in order to evaluate them for their evolutionary characteristics. Therefore, encouraging research to understand the evolutionary mechanisms, emergence, and spread of mosquito viruses is critical to preventing and controlling the onset or reappearance of viral outbreaks capable of major outbreaks. (AU)