Mosquito species distribution patterns and their ecology is gaining importance, because
global climate changes are thought to lead to the emergence of mosquito-borne diseases;
which are of considerable medical and veterinary importance because of their high
morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted in five municipalities of Kinshasa to
determine mosquito diversity, and arboviruses infection within. Mosquitoes were collected
using BG-Sentinel traps, battery-powered aspirator for adult and a dipping technique for
larvae. One part (adults and larvae-hatched adults) served for species identification, using
morphological keys and Ae. aegypti were further identified by PCR using primers
targeting the guanylate cyclase (GUA) and phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) genes.
Another part (adults only) was pooled into groups according to mosquitoes’ genus and
sampling sites. Each group was preserved in RNA later and screened for bunyaviruses,
alphaviruses and flaviviruses. Positive groups were then tested for the presence of specific
viruses using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays. In total,
5714 mosquitoes were collected. Of these, 2814 adults and larvae-hatched adults were
identified and belonged to 4 genera (Culex, Aedes, Anopheles and Mansonia), representing
12 mosquito species. Culex quiquenfiasciatus was the most predominant species, followed
by Ae. aegypti, while Ae. luteocephalus seems to be reported for the first time in Kinshasa.
2900 mosquitoes were pooled in 29 groups of 100 mosquitoes and 12 pools were positive
either for alphavirus or flavivirus or bunyavirus including mixed infection. Chikungunya,
O’nyong’nyong and Rift valley fever viruses were mainly found in Aedes groups. A high
frequency of arboviruses was found in agricultural areas around Ndjili River. The present
study shows that mosquitoes in Kinshasa carry several arboviruses that may have serious
public health implications. Such study in the human population of Kinshasa is needed.
Southern African Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance
(SACIDS