Document Type
Poster
College
Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine
Start Date
25-3-2026 1:00 PM
End Date
25-3-2026 2:00 PM
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) remains a persistent public health concern in New Jersey, yet current pooled-mosquito PCR surveillance often detects viral activity only after significant amplification, narrowing the window for timely intervention. Molecular xenomonitoring (MX), which is the detection of viral RNA in mosquito excreta or saliva deposited on honey-baited FTA cards, offers a non-destructive alternative that preserves nucleic acids at room temperature, passively captures signals from hundreds of mosquitoes per card, and has the potential to detect WNV circulation earlier than conventional surveillance by continuously sampling mosquito activity without the need for lethal collection. This project aims to (1) analyze the last 20 years of statewide mosquito surveillance and climate data to characterize spatial-temporal trends in WNV transmission and vector species composition across urban, suburban, and rural landscapes, and use these findings to select the 15 most appropriate sampling sites based on historical WNV infection rates and vector abundance; (2) evaluate MX as a scalable, cost-effective complement to standard pooled-mosquito RT-qPCR at these sites; and (3) apply metagenomic sequencing to FTA cards to detect the full spectrum of mosquito-transmitted pathogens beyond WNV. Preliminary analysis of historical mosquito surveillance and climate data reveals a widening seasonal transmission window for WNV alongside notable shifts in vector species composition across different landscape types. These trends suggest that current fixed-window surveillance protocols may be inadequate for capturing emerging transmission dynamics across New Jersey's heterogeneous environments. Beginning May 2026, modified gravid traps with FTA cards will be deployed at the 15 selected sites and serviced every four days. RNA extracted from FTA cards and paired mosquito pools will be tested for WNV via RT-qPCR and results aligned with publicly available NJ epidemiological indicators. Metagenomic sequencing of FTA cards will additionally be performed to identify co-circulating and emerging mosquito-borne pathogens present in saliva and excreta across landscapes. This study will produce the first field-validated MX framework for NJ, determining whether MX delivers earlier viral signals and reduces laboratory workload relative to conventional methods. Metagenomic data will provide a baseline characterization of the mosquito-associated pathogen community statewide. Shifting climate patterns and evolving vector communities demand more adaptive surveillance tools. By integrating MX into NJ's existing infrastructure, this work has the potential to improve early warning capacity, reduce response time to emerging arboviral threats, and establish a replicable model for cost-effective, multi-pathogen mosquito surveillance applicable across the northeastern U.S.
Molecular Xenomonitoring for Early Detection of West Nile Virus Circulation in New Jersey: A Field Validation Study
West Nile virus (WNV) remains a persistent public health concern in New Jersey, yet current pooled-mosquito PCR surveillance often detects viral activity only after significant amplification, narrowing the window for timely intervention. Molecular xenomonitoring (MX), which is the detection of viral RNA in mosquito excreta or saliva deposited on honey-baited FTA cards, offers a non-destructive alternative that preserves nucleic acids at room temperature, passively captures signals from hundreds of mosquitoes per card, and has the potential to detect WNV circulation earlier than conventional surveillance by continuously sampling mosquito activity without the need for lethal collection. This project aims to (1) analyze the last 20 years of statewide mosquito surveillance and climate data to characterize spatial-temporal trends in WNV transmission and vector species composition across urban, suburban, and rural landscapes, and use these findings to select the 15 most appropriate sampling sites based on historical WNV infection rates and vector abundance; (2) evaluate MX as a scalable, cost-effective complement to standard pooled-mosquito RT-qPCR at these sites; and (3) apply metagenomic sequencing to FTA cards to detect the full spectrum of mosquito-transmitted pathogens beyond WNV. Preliminary analysis of historical mosquito surveillance and climate data reveals a widening seasonal transmission window for WNV alongside notable shifts in vector species composition across different landscape types. These trends suggest that current fixed-window surveillance protocols may be inadequate for capturing emerging transmission dynamics across New Jersey's heterogeneous environments. Beginning May 2026, modified gravid traps with FTA cards will be deployed at the 15 selected sites and serviced every four days. RNA extracted from FTA cards and paired mosquito pools will be tested for WNV via RT-qPCR and results aligned with publicly available NJ epidemiological indicators. Metagenomic sequencing of FTA cards will additionally be performed to identify co-circulating and emerging mosquito-borne pathogens present in saliva and excreta across landscapes. This study will produce the first field-validated MX framework for NJ, determining whether MX delivers earlier viral signals and reduces laboratory workload relative to conventional methods. Metagenomic data will provide a baseline characterization of the mosquito-associated pathogen community statewide. Shifting climate patterns and evolving vector communities demand more adaptive surveillance tools. By integrating MX into NJ's existing infrastructure, this work has the potential to improve early warning capacity, reduce response time to emerging arboviral threats, and establish a replicable model for cost-effective, multi-pathogen mosquito surveillance applicable across the northeastern U.S.