Culex (Culex) Pipiens Mosquitoes Carry and Harbor Pathogenic Fungi during Their Developmental Stages

Objective: Fungi are the main source of aflatoxin contamination in nature. The present study aimed to assess the role of the cosmopolitan mosquito species, Culex pipiens, in the circulation and dissemination of pathogenic fungi in nature, and to evaluate its capability to harbor these fungi. Materials and Methods: Fungi were isolated and identified from both, the external surface and the internal organs of the developmental stages and from the breeding environment of Cx. pipiens. Results: A total of 35 fungal isolates were isolated from both, the internal organs and the external surface of the developmental stages and from the breeding environment of Cx. pipiens. These isolates were identified as eleven Penicillium notatum isolates, eleven Aspergillus flavus isolates, six Rhizopus stolonifer isolates, four Candida albicans isolates, two Fusarium solani isolates, and one Aspergillus niger isolate. Antagonistic activity showed that the P. notatum growth inhibited the growth of the bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusions: This study revealed that the different developmental stages of Cx. pipiens mosquito were capable of harboring many fungal species. Subsequently, this mosquito will be incriminated in the mechanical dissemination, circulation, and transmission of these fungi in nature, during its life cycle.