Publications by authors named "Selina L Graff"

The genus Alphavirus harbors arboviruses of great concern, such as the Chikungunya virus and the equine encephalitis viruses. Transmission of pathogenic alphaviruses by mosquitoes could be influenced by insect-specific alphaviruses such as Eilat virus (EILV). However, insect-specific alphaviruses are rarely found in wild mosquitoes and only a few have been described in the literature.

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Wesselsbron virus (WSLV) is a neglected mosquito-borne virus within the yellow fever subgroup in the genus of the family. Despite being primarily a veterinary pathogen able to cause stillbirths, congenital malformations, and mortality in ruminants, WSLV also infects humans, causing a usually self-limiting febrile illness, or may lead to neurological complications in rare cases. WSLV causes sporadic outbreaks in Southern Africa, but findings in mosquitoes from other African countries suggest a wider distribution.

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Article Synopsis
  • Most knowledge about alphavirus diversity comes from studying those that infect humans and livestock during outbreaks, mainly focusing on mosquitoes that are attracted to humans.
  • Research on alphavirus strains in wildlife settings, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, has been limited compared to those studied in outbreak scenarios.
  • In a new study conducted in southwestern Uganda, researchers found two alphaviruses, Sindbis virus (SINV) and Middelburg virus (MIDV), indicating their widespread presence in local mosquitoes and suggesting ongoing transmission in the region.
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BackgroundWest Nile virus (WNV), found in Berlin in birds since 2018 and humans since 2019, is a mosquito-borne virus that can manifest in humans as West Nile fever (WNF) or neuroinvasive disease (WNND). However, human WNV infections and associated disease are likely underdiagnosed.AimWe aimed to identify and genetically characterise WNV infections in humans and mosquitoes in Berlin.

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