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Alfjorden A, Onut-Brännström I, Wengström N, Kristmundsson A, Jamy M, Persson BD, Burki F. Identification of a new gregarine parasite associated with mass mortality events of freshwater pearl mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera) in Sweden. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2024; 71:e13021. [PMID: 38480471 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.13021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Freshwater bivalves play key ecological roles in lakes and rivers, largely contributing to healthy ecosystems. The freshwater pearl mussel, Margaritifera margaritifera, is found in Europe and on the East coast of North America. Once common in oxygenated streams, M. margaritifera is rapidly declining and consequently assessed as a threatened species worldwide. Deterioration of water quality has been considered the main factor for the mass mortality events affecting this species. Yet, the role of parasitic infections has not been investigated. Here, we report the discovery of three novel protist lineages found in Swedish populations of M. margaritifera belonging to one of the terrestrial groups of gregarines (Eugregarinorida, Apicomplexa). These lineages are closely related-but clearly separated-from the tadpole parasite Nematopsis temporariae. In one lineage, which is specifically associated with mortality events of M. margaritifera, we found cysts containing single vermiform zoites in the gills and other organs of diseased individuals using microscopy and in situ hybridization. This represents the first report of a parasitic infection in M. margaritifera that may be linked to the decline of this mussel species. We propose a tentative life cycle with the distribution of different developmental stages and potential exit from the host into the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Alfjorden
- Department of Organismal Biology, Program in Systematic Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Animal Health and Antimicrobial Strategies, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ioana Onut-Brännström
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary Biology Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Niklas Wengström
- Swedish Anglers Association, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Arni Kristmundsson
- Institute for Experimental Pathology at Keldur, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Mahwash Jamy
- Department of Organismal Biology, Program in Systematic Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - B David Persson
- Department of Animal Health and Antimicrobial Strategies, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fabien Burki
- Department of Organismal Biology, Program in Systematic Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Nzelu CO, Meneses C, Bowhay C, Coutinho-Abreu IV, Bennett E, Bahrami S, Bonilla B, Kamhawi S, Valenzuela JG, Peters NC. Disentangling detrimental sand fly-mite interactions in a closed laboratory sand fly colony: implications for vector-borne disease studies and guidelines for overcoming severe mite infestations. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:11. [PMID: 38183132 PMCID: PMC10768091 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06074-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vector sand fly colonies are a critical component of studies aimed at improving the understanding of the neglected tropical disease leishmaniasis and alleviating its global impact. However, among laboratory-colonized arthropod vectors of infectious diseases, the labor-intensive nature of sand fly rearing coupled with the low number of colonies worldwide has generally discouraged the widespread use of sand flies in laboratory settings. Among the different factors associated with the low productivity of sand fly colonies, mite infestations are a significant factor. Sand fly colonies are prone to infestation by mites, and the physical interactions between sand flies and mites and metabolites have a negative impact on sand fly larval development. METHODS Mites were collected from sand fly larval rearing pots and morphologically identified using taxonomic keys. Upon identification, they were photographed with a scanning electron microscope. Several mite control measures were adopted in two different laboratories, one at the Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases-National Institutes of Health (Rockville, MD, USA), and the other at the University of Calgary (Calgary, AB, Canada). RESULTS The mite species associated with sand fly colonies in the two laboratories were morphologically identified as Tyrophagus sp. and Stratiolaelaps scimitus. While complete eradication of mites in sand fly colonies is considered unrealistic, drastically reducing their population has been associated with higher sand fly productivity. CONCLUSIONS We report a case of detrimental interaction between sand flies and Tyrophagus sp. and S. scimitus in a closed laboratory sand fly colony, discuss their impact on sand fly production and provide guidelines for limiting the mite population size in a closed laboratory colony leading to improved sand fly yields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chukwunonso O Nzelu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| | - Claudio Meneses
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA.
| | - Christina Bowhay
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | - Emily Bennett
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Somayeh Bahrami
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Brian Bonilla
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Shaden Kamhawi
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Jesus G Valenzuela
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Nathan C Peters
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Schall JJ, Nouri-Aiin M, Görres J. APOLOCYSTIS BOSANQUETI N. SP. (APICOMPLEXA: EUGREGARINORIDA) FROM THE INVASIVE EARTHWORM AMYNTHAS AGRESTIS (ANNELIDA: MEGASCOLECIDAE), WITH SIGNIFICANCE FOR THE MONOPHYLY OF THE FAMILY MONOCYSTIDAE. J Parasitol 2023; 109:56-64. [PMID: 36930698 DOI: 10.1645/22-66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Apolocystis bosanqueti n. sp., a parasite of an important invasive earthworm in North America, Amynthas agrestis, is described from a site in northern Vermont. The earthworm host follows an annual life cycle in Vermont, so the entire life cycle of the parasite can be observed in 7 mo. In spring, the parasites were first seen in juvenile worms as paired gamonts (suggesting precocious association). These paired gamonts mature into gametocytes that form an opaque structure, with a thick gelatinous envelope (epicyst), that becomes full of zygotes. The resulting gametocyst becomes packed with ∼105 fusiform oocysts. The mature orbicular gametocysts are large (∼1 mm in diameter) and visible to the naked eye through the body wall of the host's anterior segments. The new species most resembles Apolocystis herculea described from many lumbricid earthworm species in Europe but differs from that parasite because Ap. herculea infects the intestinal wall in the posterior of the host rather than the anterior segments. A survey of 9 other earthworm species sympatric with Am. agrestis revealed that only Amynthas tokioensis, also an invasive species, was infected with Ap. bosanqueti, albeit much less commonly. Diagnosis for the family Monocystidae is problematic because cardinal characters are lacking, and the commonly cited character, a trophozoite with no anterior differentiation, is violated in most genera placed in the family. For the first time, a molecular phylogeny is presented that includes 3 genera of monocystids with diverse cell morphology (including the new species) and supports the monophyly of the family. The only morphological character that may be used to diagnose the Monocystidae is the morphology of oocysts, which are fusiform with extended terminal tips. A comparison of oocysts from 7 parasites recovered from local earthworms, including from 3 monocystid species in the phylogeny, confirms the utility of this diagnostic trait. The 2 hosts of the new species were most likely introduced from Japan, so the range of Apolocystis likely extends into East Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jos J Schall
- Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405
| | - Maryam Nouri-Aiin
- Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405
| | - Josef Görres
- Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405
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Wong ML, Zulzahrin Z, Vythilingam I, Lau YL, Sam IC, Fong MY, Lee WC. Perspectives of vector management in the control and elimination of vector-borne zoonoses. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1135977. [PMID: 37025644 PMCID: PMC10070879 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1135977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The complex transmission profiles of vector-borne zoonoses (VZB) and vector-borne infections with animal reservoirs (VBIAR) complicate efforts to break the transmission circuit of these infections. To control and eliminate VZB and VBIAR, insecticide application may not be conducted easily in all circumstances, particularly for infections with sylvatic transmission cycle. As a result, alternative approaches have been considered in the vector management against these infections. In this review, we highlighted differences among the environmental, chemical, and biological control approaches in vector management, from the perspectives of VZB and VBIAR. Concerns and knowledge gaps pertaining to the available control approaches were discussed to better understand the prospects of integrating these vector control approaches to synergistically break the transmission of VZB and VBIAR in humans, in line with the integrated vector management (IVM) developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) since 2004.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Li Wong
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Zulhisham Zulzahrin
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Indra Vythilingam
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yee Ling Lau
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - I-Ching Sam
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mun Yik Fong
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wenn-Chyau Lee
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs (A*STAR ID Labs), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- *Correspondence: Wenn-Chyau Lee,
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Gregarine parasites are adapted to mosquito winter diapause. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:249. [PMID: 35820959 PMCID: PMC9277866 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05365-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is one of the most invasive species of mosquito. The prevalence of its apicomplexan gregarine parasite Ascogregarina taiwanensis is high in natural populations across both temperate and tropical regions. However, the parasite's oocysts cannot colonize the insect host during winter, when the mosquito lays diapausing eggs. It is therefore unclear if the parasite can survive outside of its insect host during the cold season in temperate regions. Oocysts stored for 1 month at a low temperature (representative of the temperatures that occur during periods of mosquito diapause) were as infectious as fresh oocysts, but those stored for the same period of time at a higher temperature (representative of the temperatures that occur during periods of mosquito activity) were uninfectious. We therefore suggest that the parasite has evolved traits that maximize its maintenance during periods of mosquito dormancy, while traits that would enable its long term survival during periods of mosquito activity have not been selected for.
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Cruz-Bustos T, Feix AS, Ruttkowski B, Joachim A. Sexual Development in Non-Human Parasitic Apicomplexa: Just Biology or Targets for Control? Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11102891. [PMID: 34679913 PMCID: PMC8532714 DOI: 10.3390/ani11102891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cellular reproduction is a key part of the apicomplexan life cycle, and both mitotic (asexual) and meiotic (sexual) cell divisions produce new individual cells. Sexual reproduction in most eukaryotic taxa indicates that it has had considerable success during evolution, and it must confer profound benefits, considering its significant costs. The phylum Apicomplexa consists of almost exclusively parasitic single-celled eukaryotic organisms that can affect a wide host range of animals from invertebrates to mammals. Their development is characterized by complex steps in which asexual and sexual replication alternate and the fertilization of a macrogamete by a microgamete results in the formation of a zygote that undergoes meiosis, thus forming a new generation of asexual stages. In apicomplexans, sex is assumed to be induced by the (stressful) condition of having to leave the host, and either gametes or zygotes (or stages arising from it) are transmitted to a new host. Therefore, sex and meiosis are linked to parasite transmission, and consequently dissemination, which are key to the parasitic lifestyle. We hypothesize that improved knowledge of the sexual biology of the Apicomplexa will be essential to design and implement effective transmission-blocking strategies for the control of the major parasites of this group. Abstract The phylum Apicomplexa is a major group of protozoan parasites including gregarines, coccidia, haemogregarines, haemosporidia and piroplasms, with more than 6000 named species. Three of these subgroups, the coccidia, hemosporidia, and piroplasms, contain parasites that cause important diseases of humans and animals worldwide. All of them have complex life cycles involving a switch between asexual and sexual reproduction, which is key to their development. Fertilization (i.e., fusion of female and male cells) results in the formation of a zygote that undergoes meiosis, forming a new generation of asexual stages. In eukaryotes, sexual reproduction is the predominant mode of recombination and segregation of DNA. Sex is well documented in many protist groups, and together with meiosis, is frequently linked with transmission to new hosts. Apicomplexan sexual stages constitute a bottleneck in the life cycle of these parasites, as they are obligatory for the development of new transmissible stages. Consequently, the sexual stages represent attractive targets for vaccination. Detailed understanding of apicomplexan sexual biology will pave the way for the design and implementation of effective transmission-blocking strategies for parasite control. This article reviews the current knowledge on the sexual development of Apicomplexa and the progress in transmission-blocking vaccines for their control, their advantages and limitations and outstanding questions for the future.
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Girard M, Martin E, Vallon L, Raquin V, Bellet C, Rozier Y, Desouhant E, Hay AE, Luis P, Valiente Moro C, Minard G. Microorganisms Associated with Mosquito Oviposition Sites: Implications for Habitat Selection and Insect Life Histories. Microorganisms 2021; 9:1589. [PMID: 34442667 PMCID: PMC8401263 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquitoes are considered one of the most important threats worldwide due to their ability to vector pathogens. They are responsible for the transmission of major pathogens such as malaria, dengue, zika, or chikungunya. Due to the lack of treatments or prophylaxis against many of the transmitted pathogens and an increasing prevalence of mosquito resistance to insecticides and drugs available, alternative strategies are now being explored. Some of these involve the use of microorganisms as promising agent to limit the fitness of mosquitoes, attract or repel them, and decrease the replication and transmission of pathogenic agents. In recent years, the importance of microorganisms colonizing the habitat of mosquitoes has particularly been investigated since they appeared to play major roles in their development and diseases transmission. In this issue, we will synthesize researches investigating how microorganisms present within water habitats may influence breeding site selection and oviposition strategies of gravid mosquito females. We will also highlight the impact of such microbes on the fate of females' progeny during their immature stages with a specific focus on egg hatching, development rate, and larvae or pupae survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Girard
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR Ecologie Microbienne, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France; (M.G.); (E.M.); (L.V.); (V.R.); (A.-E.H.); (P.L.); (C.V.M.)
| | - Edwige Martin
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR Ecologie Microbienne, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France; (M.G.); (E.M.); (L.V.); (V.R.); (A.-E.H.); (P.L.); (C.V.M.)
| | - Laurent Vallon
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR Ecologie Microbienne, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France; (M.G.); (E.M.); (L.V.); (V.R.); (A.-E.H.); (P.L.); (C.V.M.)
| | - Vincent Raquin
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR Ecologie Microbienne, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France; (M.G.); (E.M.); (L.V.); (V.R.); (A.-E.H.); (P.L.); (C.V.M.)
| | - Christophe Bellet
- Entente Interdépartementale Rhône-Alpes pour la Démoustication, F-73310 Chindrieux, France; (C.B.); (Y.R.)
| | - Yves Rozier
- Entente Interdépartementale Rhône-Alpes pour la Démoustication, F-73310 Chindrieux, France; (C.B.); (Y.R.)
| | - Emmanuel Desouhant
- Univ. Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Laboratoire de Biométrie et de Biologie Evolutive, UMR CNRS 5558, VetAgro Sup, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France;
| | - Anne-Emmanuelle Hay
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR Ecologie Microbienne, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France; (M.G.); (E.M.); (L.V.); (V.R.); (A.-E.H.); (P.L.); (C.V.M.)
| | - Patricia Luis
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR Ecologie Microbienne, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France; (M.G.); (E.M.); (L.V.); (V.R.); (A.-E.H.); (P.L.); (C.V.M.)
| | - Claire Valiente Moro
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR Ecologie Microbienne, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France; (M.G.); (E.M.); (L.V.); (V.R.); (A.-E.H.); (P.L.); (C.V.M.)
| | - Guillaume Minard
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR Ecologie Microbienne, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France; (M.G.); (E.M.); (L.V.); (V.R.); (A.-E.H.); (P.L.); (C.V.M.)
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8
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Alonso AC, Stein M, Micieli MV. Presence of Ascogregarina culicis and Ascogregarina sp. in natural sympatric populations of Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Argentina. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2021; 93:e20200058. [PMID: 34105613 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202120200058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Aedes aegypti is the main vector of the four arboviruses in America which have the greatest impact on human health. The introduction of Aedes albopictus in South America and Argentina acquires importance given the possibility that this species may be a new vector of arboviruses in this region. For this reason, the studies of the biology of their parasites, such as Ascogregarina spp., should be important for the knowledge of the invasive behavior of these vectors. We reported the finding of Ascogregarina culicis in Aedes aegypti and Ascogregarina sp. in Ae. albopictus populations in subtropical Argentina. The prevalence of parasitism by A. culicis in Ae. aegypti and Ascogregrarina sp. in Ae. albopictus was 34.81% (n = 464) and 37.23% (n = 70), respectively, differing between the seasons and habitats. The infection intensity caused by A. culicis and Ascogregarina sp. varied between 1 to 250 and 1 to 327 trophozoites respectively. Ascogregarina culicis was found throughout the all sampling period of Ae. aegypti (June 2016-April 2018). However the presence of Ascogregarina sp. in the midgut of Ae. albopictus was not recorded throughout the whole sampling period despite the presence of the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana C Alonso
- Universidad Nacional del Nordeste (UNNE), Instituto de Medicina Regional, Área de Entomología, Avda. Las Heras, 727, 3500 Resistencia, Chaco, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CCT, Nordeste, Corrientes and La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marina Stein
- Universidad Nacional del Nordeste (UNNE), Instituto de Medicina Regional, Área de Entomología, Avda. Las Heras, 727, 3500 Resistencia, Chaco, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CCT, Nordeste, Corrientes and La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María V Micieli
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores/CEPAVE, CONICET-CCT-LA PLATA, Boulevard 120 s/n e/61 y 62, 1900 La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CCT, Nordeste, Corrientes and La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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9
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Thongsripong P, Wesson DM. Effects of Ascogregarina culicis (Eugregarinorida: Lecudinidae) on Mosquito Size and Dengue Virus Infection in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:1442-1447. [PMID: 33367602 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Dengue virus infection, transmitted via mosquito bites, poses a substantial risk to global public health. Studies suggest that the mosquito's microbial community can profoundly influence vector-borne pathogen transmissions, including dengue virus. Ascogregarina culicis (Ross) of the phylum Apicomplexa is among the most common parasites of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus), the principal vector of dengue. Despite a high prevalence worldwide, including in the areas where dengue is endemic, the impact of A. culicis on Ae. aegypti vector competence for dengue virus is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of A. culicis infection on mosquito size and fitness, as measured by wing length, and the susceptibility to dengue virus infection in Ae. aegypti. Our results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in wing lengths between Ae. aegypti infected and not infected with A. culicis. Furthermore, A. culicis infection did not significantly affect dengue virus infection or disseminated infection rate. However, there was a significant association between shorter wings and higher dengue virus infection rate, whereby a 0.1-mm increase in wing length decreased the odds of the mosquito being infected by 32%. Thus, based on our result, A. culicis infection does not influence the body size and dengue virus infection in Ae. aegypti. This study helps to shed light on a common but neglected eukaryotic mosquito parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panpim Thongsripong
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, Suite 2301, New Orleans, LA
- Microbiology Department, California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA
| | - Dawn M Wesson
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, Suite 2301, New Orleans, LA
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10
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Thongsripong P, Chandler JA, Kittayapong P, Wilcox BA, Kapan DD, Bennett SN. Metagenomic shotgun sequencing reveals host species as an important driver of virome composition in mosquitoes. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8448. [PMID: 33875673 PMCID: PMC8055903 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87122-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
High-throughput nucleic acid sequencing has greatly accelerated the discovery of viruses in the environment. Mosquitoes, because of their public health importance, are among those organisms whose viromes are being intensively characterized. Despite the deluge of sequence information, our understanding of the major drivers influencing the ecology of mosquito viromes remains limited. Using methods to increase the relative proportion of microbial RNA coupled with RNA-seq we characterize RNA viruses and other symbionts of three mosquito species collected along a rural to urban habitat gradient in Thailand. The full factorial study design allows us to explicitly investigate the relative importance of host species and habitat in structuring viral communities. We found that the pattern of virus presence was defined primarily by host species rather than by geographic locations or habitats. Our result suggests that insect-associated viruses display relatively narrow host ranges but are capable of spreading through a mosquito population at the geographical scale of our study. We also detected various single-celled and multicellular microorganisms such as bacteria, alveolates, fungi, and nematodes. Our study emphasizes the importance of including ecological information in viromic studies in order to gain further insights into viral ecology in systems where host specificity is driving both viral ecology and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panpim Thongsripong
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - James Angus Chandler
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Pattamaporn Kittayapong
- Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University At Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Bruce A Wilcox
- Global Health Group International, ASEAN Institute for Health Development, Mahidol University At Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Durrell D Kapan
- Department of Entomology and Center for Comparative Genomics, Institute for Biodiversity Sciences and Sustainability, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Center for Conservation and Research Training, Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawai'i At Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Shannon N Bennett
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA, USA
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11
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First record of gregarine protists (Apicomplexa: Sporozoa) in Asian fungus-growing termite Macrotermes barneyi (Blattaria: Termitidae). Sci Rep 2021; 11:989. [PMID: 33441676 PMCID: PMC7806973 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79671-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrotermes barneyi, widely distributed in southern China, is the major fungus-growing termite in the subfamily Macrotermitinae. It has no flagellated protists in the guts. Here, we report occurrence of gregarine, a protozoan parasite in the digestive tract of M. barneyi. The general morphology and ultrastructure of the gregarine gamonts and syzygies by light micrograph and scanning electron micrograph are presented. SSU rDNA sequence analysis showed that the termite gregarine has the highest identity (90.10%) to that of Gregarina blattarum from cockroaches. Phylogenetic analysis based on the SSU rDNA sequences from diverse insect eugregarines indicated that the gregarine from M. barneyi is phylogenetically close to G. blattarus, L. erratica and G. tropica from Gregarinidae and Leidyanidae families, and may represent a novel species. This study expands our knowledge about the diversity of terrestrial eugregarines parasitizing in termites.
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12
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Coco AM, Lewis MT, Fleischer SJ, Tooker JF. Parasitoids, Nematodes, and Protists in Populations of Striped Cucumber Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 49:1316-1326. [PMID: 32990730 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvaa116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The striped cucumber beetle, Acalymma vittatum (Fabricius), is an important pest of cucurbit production in the eastern United States, where most commercial producers rely on insecticides to control this pest species. Biological control provides an alternative to insecticide use, but for A. vittatum, top-down control has not been well developed. In the northeastern United States, two parasitoid species, Celatoria setosa (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tachinidae) and Centistes diabroticae (Gahan) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) have been reported from A. vittatum, but their distribution is poorly known. To determine whether these parasitoid species are attacking A. vittatum in Pennsylvania and the amount of mortality they provide, we characterized the parasitoid dynamics in two distinct efforts. First, we reared parasitoids from beetles captured at two research farms. Second, we focused on one of these farms and dissected beetles to quantify both parasitoid and parasite species attacking A. vittatum. Both efforts confirmed Cl. setosa and Cn. diabroticae, and parasitism rates varied widely between locations and among years (4-60%). Unexpectedly, our dissections revealed that a potentially undescribed nematode species (Howardula sp.) as the most common parasite in the community. We also discovered gregarine protists. Despite being smaller than females, males were more commonly attacked by parasitic species, but we detected no relationship between the size of beetles and abundance of parasitic species in A. vittatum. This work provides a baseline understanding of the parasitoid and parasite community attacking A. vittatum and advances opportunities for conservation biological control using these natural-enemy species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M Coco
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
| | | | - Shelby J Fleischer
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
| | - John F Tooker
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
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13
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Brilhante AF, de Albuquerque AL, Rocha ACDB, Ayres CFJ, Paiva MHS, de Ávila MM, Cardoso CDO, Mauricio IL, Galati EAB. First report of an Onchocercidae worm infecting Psychodopygus carrerai carrerai sandfly, a putative vector of Leishmania braziliensis in the Amazon. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15246. [PMID: 32943684 PMCID: PMC7498610 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72065-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Sandflies are insects of public health interest due to their role as vectors of parasites of the genus Leishmania, as well as other pathogens. Psychodopygus carrerai carrerai is considered an important sylvatic vector of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in Amazonia. In this study, sandflies were collected in a forested area in the Xapuri municipality, in the State of Acre (Northern Brazil). Two Ps. carrerai carrerai females were found parasitized with a larval form of a filarial worm, one in the labium of the proboscis, the other after the head was squashed, suggesting they were infective larvae. Sandflies were identified through morphological characters as well as amplification and sequencing of the cytochrome oxidase gene (COI). This was the first sequence obtained for Ps. carrerai carrerai for this marker. The obtained nematodes were also characterized through direct sequencing of a fragment of COI and 12S genes, both mitochondrial, and ITS1, a nuclear marker. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the filarial nematodes belong to a species without sequences for these markers in the database, part of family Onchocercidade and closely related to genus Onchocerca (12S tree). Although sandfly infection with nematodes including members of the Onchocercidae has been reported in the Old World, this is the first report of sandfly infection by a member of the Onchocercidae family in the New World, to the best of our knowledge. Considering that the phylogenetic relationships and location in the insect, it can be expected that this is a parasite of mammals and the transmission cycle should be clarified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia Fernandes Brilhante
- Public Health School, Epidemiology Department, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center for Health and Sport Sciences, Federal University of Acre, Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil
| | | | - Abraham Cézar de Brito Rocha
- National Center of Lymphatic Filariasis, Parasitology Department, Aggeu Magalhães, Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
- Laboratory of Hospital Otávio de Freitas - Department of Health of the State of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo Henrique Santos Paiva
- Entomology Department, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
- Federal University of Pernambuco, Núcleo de Ciências da Vida - Centro Acadêmico do Agreste, Caruaru, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | | | | | - Isabel L Mauricio
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisboa, Portugal
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14
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The Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) microbiome varies spatially and with Ascogregarine infection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008615. [PMID: 32813707 PMCID: PMC7437863 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The mosquito microbiome alters the physiological traits of medically important mosquitoes, which can scale to impact how mosquito populations sustain disease transmission. The mosquito microbiome varies significantly within individual mosquitoes and among populations, however the ecological and environmental factors that contribute to this variation are poorly understood. To further understand the factors that influence variation and diversity of the mosquito microbiome, we conducted a survey of the bacterial microbiome in the medically important mosquito, Aedes albopictus, on the high Pacific island of Maui, Hawai‘i. We detected three bacterial Phyla and twelve bacterial families: Proteobacteria, Acitinobacteria, and Firmicutes; and Anaplasmataceae, Acetobacteraceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Burkholderiaceae, Xanthobacteraceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Streptomycetaceae, Staphylococcaceae, Xanthomonadaceae, Beijerinckiaceae, Rhizobiaceae, and Sphingomonadaceae. The Ae. albopictus bacterial microbiota varied among geographic locations, but temperature and rainfall were uncorrelated with this spatial variation. Infection status with an ampicomplexan pathosymbiont Ascogregarina taiwanensis was significantly associated with the composition of the Ae. albopictus bacteriome. The bacteriomes of mosquitoes with an A. taiwanensis infection were more likely to include several bacterial symbionts, including the most abundant lineage of Wolbachia sp. Other symbionts like Asaia sp. and several Enterobacteriaceae lineages were less prevalent in A. taiwanensis-infected mosquitoes. This highlights the possibility that inter- and intra-domain interactions may structure the Ae. albopictus microbiome. The microbiome is defined as a community of microorganisms (bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa, and viruses) living on or within a host organism. The microbiome influences physiological traits of medically important mosquitoes and can alter disease transmission dynamics in vector populations. The composition of the mosquito microbiome varies across mosquito populations; however, the factors that contribute to this variation are poorly understood. Understanding the factors that shape the mosquito microbiome will inform how mosquito-borne disease transmission varies among environments and help to develop effective disease-mitigating strategies. In this study, we assessed the diversity and variation of the microbiome of a medically important mosquito, Aedes albopictus. We found that the mosquito microbiome composition varies across geographic locations but is not affected by rainfall or temperature. We discovered that mosquitoes infected with the parasite Ascogregarina taiwanensis had a different microbiome composition than that of mosquitoes with little to no infection. This study contributes to our understanding of the factors that influence the diversity and variation in the mosquito microbiome. This and other studies like it will contribute to the development of new and innovative strategies to prevent and mitigate diseases vectored by mosquitoes.
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Host food quality and quantity differentially affect Ascogregarina barretti parasite burden, development and within-host competition in the mosquito Aedes triseriatus. Parasitology 2019; 146:1665-1672. [PMID: 31362793 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182019000994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Host condition depends in large part on the quality and quantity of available food and heavily influences the outcome of parasite infection. Although parasite fitness traits such as growth rate and size may depend on host condition, whether host food quality or quantity is more important to parasite fitness and within-host interactions is poorly understood. We provided individual mosquito hosts with a standard dose of a gregarine parasite and reared mosquitoes on two food types of different quality and two quantities. We measured host size, total parasite count and area, and average size of parasites within each treatment. Food quality significantly influenced the number of parasites in a host; hosts fed a low-quality diet were infected with more parasites than those provided a high-quality diet. In addition, we found evidence of within-host competition; there was a negative relationship between parasite size and count though this relationship was dependent on host food quality. Host food quantity significantly affected total parasite area and parasite size; lower food quantity resulted in smaller parasites and reduced overall parasite area inside the host. Thus both food quality and quantity have the potential to influence parasite fitness and population dynamics.
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16
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Westby KM, Sweetman BM, Van Horn TR, Biro EG, Medley KA. Invasive species reduces parasite prevalence and neutralizes negative environmental effects on parasitism in a native mosquito. J Anim Ecol 2019; 88:1215-1225. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Katie M. Westby
- Tyson Research Center Washington University in St. Louis Eureka Missouri
| | | | - Thomas R. Van Horn
- Tyson Research Center Washington University in St. Louis Eureka Missouri
| | - Elizabeth G. Biro
- Tyson Research Center Washington University in St. Louis Eureka Missouri
| | - Kim A. Medley
- Tyson Research Center Washington University in St. Louis Eureka Missouri
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17
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Heu K, Gendrin M. [Mosquito microbiota and its influence on disease vectorial transmission]. Biol Aujourdhui 2019; 212:119-136. [PMID: 30973141 DOI: 10.1051/jbio/2019003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are found worldwide. Around 100 among 3500 mosquito species are known to be vectors of parasites and viruses, responsible for infectious diseases including malaria and dengue. Mosquitoes host diverse microbial communities that influence disease transmission, either by direct interference or via affecting host immunity and physiology. These microbial communities are present within diverse tissues, including the digestive tract, and vary depending on the sex of the mosquito, its developmental stage, and ecological factors. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the mosquito microbiota, defined as a community of commensal, symbiotic or pathogenic microbes harboured by a host. We first describe the current knowledge on the diversity of the microbiota, that includes bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses and on its modes of acquisition throughout the mosquito life cycle. We then focus on microbial interactions within the mosquito gut, which notably affect vector competence, and on host-microbe interactions affecting mosquito fitness. Finally, we discuss current or potential methods based on the use of microbes or microbial products to interfere with pathogen transmission or to reduce mosquito lifespan and reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katy Heu
- Groupe « Microbiote des Insectes Vecteurs », Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne, Guyane, France
| | - Mathilde Gendrin
- Groupe « Microbiote des Insectes Vecteurs », Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne, Guyane, France - Département « Parasites et Insectes Vecteurs », Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
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18
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Monteiro VVS, Navegantes-Lima KC, de Lemos AB, da Silva GL, de Souza Gomes R, Reis JF, Rodrigues Junior LC, da Silva OS, Romão PRT, Monteiro MC. Aedes-Chikungunya Virus Interaction: Key Role of Vector Midguts Microbiota and Its Saliva in the Host Infection. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:492. [PMID: 31024463 PMCID: PMC6467098 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Aedes mosquitoes are important vectors for emerging diseases caused by arboviruses, such as chikungunya (CHIKV). These viruses’ main transmitting species are Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus, which are present in tropical and temperate climatic areas all over the globe. Knowledge of vector characteristics is fundamentally important to the understanding of virus transmission. Only female mosquitoes are able to transmit CHIKV to the vertebrate host since they are hematophagous. In addition, mosquito microbiota is fundamentally important to virus infection in the mosquito. Microorganisms are able to modulate viral transmission in the mosquito, such as bacteria of the Wolbachia genus, which are capable of preventing viral infection, or protozoans of the Ascogregarina species, which are capable of facilitating virus transmission between mosquitoes and larvae. The competence of the mosquito is also important in the transmission of the virus to the vertebrate host, since their saliva has several substances with biological effects, such as immunomodulators and anticoagulants, which are able to modulate the host’s response to the virus, interfering in its pathogenicity and virulence. Understanding the Aedes vector-chikungunya interaction is fundamentally important since it can enable the search for new methods of combating the virus’ transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valter Vinícius Silva Monteiro
- Laboratory of Inflammation and Pain, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Kely Campos Navegantes-Lima
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience and Cellular Biology, Biology Science Institute, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | | | | | - Rafaelli de Souza Gomes
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Science, Health Science Institute, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Jordano Ferreira Reis
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Institute, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Luiz Carlos Rodrigues Junior
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Onilda Santos da Silva
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Pedro Roosevelt Torres Romão
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Marta Chagas Monteiro
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience and Cellular Biology, Biology Science Institute, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Science, Health Science Institute, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
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19
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Vasconcelos dos Santos T, Prévot G, Ginouvès M, Duarte R, Silveira FT, Póvoa MM, Rangel EF. Ecological aspects of Phlebotomines (Diptera: Psychodidae) and the transmission of American cutaneous leishmaniasis agents in an Amazonian/ Guianan bordering area. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:612. [PMID: 30497528 PMCID: PMC6267891 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3190-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An entomological study was conducted in the municipality of Oiapoque (lower Oyapock River Basin) in the Brazilian side bordering French Guiana to gain information on the transmission pattern of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) in that region, presumed to reflect the classical Amazonian/Guianan enzootic scenario. METHODS Three ecologically isolated forested areas near urban environments were surveyed during the rainy and dry seasons of 2015 and 2016, using a multi-trapping approach comprising ground-level and canopy light traps, black and white colored cloth Shannon traps and manual aspiration on tree bases. Female phlebotomines were dissected to find infections and isolate flagellates from Leishmania spp. The strains were characterized by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and compared with those of local ACL cases and World Health Organization reference strains. RESULTS Nyssomyia umbratilis, Trichopygomyia trichopyga and Evandromyia infraspinosa were the most frequently found species. Findings on relative abundance, spatiotemporal vector/ACL congruence, natural infections and anthropophilic insights strengthened the Guianan classical transmission of Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis by Ny. umbratilis and suggested further investigations for Ev. infraspinosa. Nyssomyia umbratilis showed an eclectic feeding habit, including bird blood. Ecological data and literature reports also included Psychodopygus squamiventris maripaensis and Bichromomyia flaviscutellata on the list of suspected vectors. CONCLUSIONS These findings contributed to understanding ACL ecoepidemiology in the Amazonian/Guianan scenario. Local studies are required to better comprehend the Leishmania spp. enzootic mosaic in specific ecotopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago Vasconcelos dos Santos
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Biologia de Agentes Infecciosos e Parasitários, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará State Brazil
- Seção de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas (Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde), Ananindeua, Pará State Brazil
| | - Ghislaine Prévot
- Département de Médecine, Ecosystemes Amazoniens et Pathologie Tropicale, EA 3593, Labex CEBA, Université de Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Marine Ginouvès
- Département de Médecine, Ecosystemes Amazoniens et Pathologie Tropicale, EA 3593, Labex CEBA, Université de Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Rosemere Duarte
- Laboratório de Imunodiagnóstico, Escola Nacional de Saúde Publica Sérgio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro State Brazil
| | - Fernando Tobias Silveira
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Biologia de Agentes Infecciosos e Parasitários, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará State Brazil
| | - Marinete Marins Póvoa
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Biologia de Agentes Infecciosos e Parasitários, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará State Brazil
- Seção de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas (Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde), Ananindeua, Pará State Brazil
| | - Elizabeth Ferreira Rangel
- Seção de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas (Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde), Ananindeua, Pará State Brazil
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Vigilância Entomológica em Diptera e Hemiptera, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/ Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro State Brazil
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20
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Thongsripong P, Chandler JA, Green AB, Kittayapong P, Wilcox BA, Kapan DD, Bennett SN. Mosquito vector-associated microbiota: Metabarcoding bacteria and eukaryotic symbionts across habitat types in Thailand endemic for dengue and other arthropod-borne diseases. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:1352-1368. [PMID: 29375803 PMCID: PMC5773340 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases are a major health burden, yet factors affecting their spread are only partially understood. For example, microbial symbionts can impact mosquito reproduction, survival, and vectorial capacity, and hence affect disease transmission. Nonetheless, current knowledge of mosquito-associated microbial communities is limited. To characterize the bacterial and eukaryotic microbial communities of multiple vector species collected from different habitat types in disease endemic areas, we employed next-generation 454 pyrosequencing of 16S and 18S rRNA amplicon libraries, also known as metabarcoding. We investigated pooled whole adult mosquitoes of three medically important vectors, Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, and Culex quinquefasciatus, collected from different habitats across central Thailand where we previously characterized mosquito diversity. Our results indicate that diversity within the mosquito microbiota is low, with the majority of microbes assigned to one or a few taxa. Two of the most common eukaryotic and bacterial genera recovered (Ascogregarina and Wolbachia, respectively) are known mosquito endosymbionts with potentially parasitic and long evolutionary relationships with their hosts. Patterns of microbial composition and diversity appeared to differ by both vector species and habitat for a given species, although high variability between samples suggests a strong stochastic element to microbiota assembly. In general, our findings suggest that multiple factors, such as habitat condition and mosquito species identity, may influence overall microbial community composition, and thus provide a basis for further investigations into the interactions between vectors, their microbial communities, and human-impacted landscapes that may ultimately affect vector-borne disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panpim Thongsripong
- Department of MicrobiologyInstitute of Biodiversity Sciences and SustainabilityCalifornia Academy of SciencesSan FranciscoCAUSA
- Department of Tropical MedicineMedical Microbiology, and PharmacologyUniversity of Hawai'i at ManoaHonoluluHIUSA
- Present address:
Department of Tropical MedicineTulane UniversityNew OrleansLAUSA
| | - James Angus Chandler
- Department of MicrobiologyInstitute of Biodiversity Sciences and SustainabilityCalifornia Academy of SciencesSan FranciscoCAUSA
- Present address:
Department of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCAUSA
| | - Amy B. Green
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Hawai'i at ManoaHonoluluHIUSA
| | - Pattamaporn Kittayapong
- Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector‐Borne Diseases and Department of BiologyFaculty of ScienceMahidol University at SalayaNakhon PathomThailand
| | - Bruce A. Wilcox
- Global Health Asia and Integrative Research and Education ProgramFaculty of Public HealthMahidol UniversityBangkokThailand
| | - Durrell D. Kapan
- Department of Entomology and Center for Comparative GenomicsInstitute of Biodiversity Sciences and SustainabilityCalifornia Academy of SciencesSan FranciscoCAUSA
- Center for Conservation and Research TrainingPacific Biosciences Research CenterUniversity of Hawai'i at ManoaHonoluluHIUSA
| | - Shannon N. Bennett
- Department of MicrobiologyInstitute of Biodiversity Sciences and SustainabilityCalifornia Academy of SciencesSan FranciscoCAUSA
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21
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Lawyer P, Killick-Kendrick M, Rowland T, Rowton E, Volf P. Laboratory colonization and mass rearing of phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera, Psychodidae). Parasite 2017; 24:42. [PMID: 29139377 PMCID: PMC5687099 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2017041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Laboratory colonies of phlebotomine sand flies are necessary for experimental study of their biology, behaviour and mutual relations with disease agents and for testing new methods of vector control. They are indispensable in genetic studies and controlled observations on the physiology and behaviour of sand flies, neglected subjects of high priority. Colonies are of particular value for screening insecticides. Colonized sand flies are used as live vector models in a diverse array of research projects, including xenodiagnosis, that are directed toward control of leishmaniasis and other sand fly-associated diseases. Historically, labour-intensive maintenance and low productivity have limited their usefulness for research, especially for species that do not adapt well to laboratory conditions. However, with growing interest in leishmaniasis research, rearing techniques have been developed and refined, and sand fly colonies have become more common, enabling many significant breakthroughs. Today, there are at least 90 colonies representing 21 distinct phlebotomine sand fly species in 35 laboratories in 18 countries worldwide. The materials and methods used by various sand fly workers differ, dictated by the availability of resources, cost or manpower constraints rather than choice. This paper is not intended as a comprehensive review but rather a discussion of methods and techniques most commonly used by researchers to initiate, establish and maintain sand fly colonies, with emphasis on the methods proven to be most effective for the species the authors have colonized. Topics discussed include collecting sand flies for colony stock, colony initiation, maintenance and mass-rearing procedures, and control of sand fly pathogens in colonies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Lawyer
- Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, Brigham Young University, 2103 MLBM,
Provo,
UT
84602 USA
| | | | - Tobin Rowland
- Division of Entomology, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Ave.,
Silver Spring,
MD
84910 USA
| | - Edgar Rowton
- Division of Entomology, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Ave.,
Silver Spring,
MD
84910 USA
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Sciences, Charles University in Prague, Vinicna 7,
128 44,
Praha Czech Republic
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22
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Gregarines (Apicomplexa, Gregarinasina) in psocids (Insecta, Psocoptera) including a new species description and their potential use as pest control agents. Eur J Protistol 2017; 60:60-67. [PMID: 28662493 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2017.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Revised: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Gregarine apicomplexans are unicellular organisms that infect invertebrate hosts in marine, freshwater and terrestrial habitats. The largest group of invertebrates infested on land is the insects. The insect order Psocoptera (booklice) has recently gained wider interest due to specimens occurring in stored food products and therefore being considered pest organisms. Biological control agents are often used to eliminate pest organisms. In this study we examined the psocid Dorypteryx domestica, an invasive psocid species that is spreading all over the world. We were able to isolate and describe a new gregarine species (Enterocystis dorypterygis sp. n.) infecting D. domestica. The trophozoites are panduri- or pyriform and their association/syzygy is caudo-frontal. The surface is inscribed by longitudinal epicytic folds covering the complete cell. Phylogenetic analyses of the SSU rDNA gene revealed an only weakly supported relationship with two Gregarina species G. ormieri and G. basiconstrictonea, both from tenebrionid beetles. Gregarines have been proposed to have some potential as biological control agents for several insects. Identifying the gregarine species infecting pest organisms like psocids is a first step and prerequisite for the probable utilization of these parasites as biological control agents in the future.
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First record of gregarines (Apicomplexa) in seminal vesicle of insect. Sci Rep 2017; 7:175. [PMID: 28282967 PMCID: PMC5427970 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00289-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Gregarines (Apicomplexa) are a diverse group of protozoan parasites, which infects gut and other body cavities of invertebrate hosts. In reproductive system of insects, gregarine has been reported only in the accessory glands and spermathecae of females; therefore, this is the first report of a gregarine species in seminal vesicles of insects. Different developmental stages, including sporozoytes, oocysts and trophozoites were described from morphological descriptions using light and electron transmission microscopy. The parasites were described in seminal vesicles of the beetle Tribolium castaneum a model organism and an important insect pest. DNA sequence analysis suggests that the protozoan parasite was an Ascogregarina sp.
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Jancarova M, Hlavacova J, Votypka J, Volf P. An increase of larval rearing temperature does not affect the susceptibility of Phlebotomus sergenti to Leishmania tropica but effectively eliminates the gregarine Psychodiella sergenti. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:553. [PMID: 27756429 PMCID: PMC5070077 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1841-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In mosquitoes, it has previously been shown that rearing conditions of immature stages have an effect on the vector competence of adults. Here, we studied the impact of different larval rearing temperatures (27 °C versus 32 °C) on the sand fly Phlebotomus sergenti Parrot, 1917 and its susceptibility to two parasites: Leishmania tropica Wright, 1903, a dixenous trypanosomatid transmissible from sand flies to humans, and Psychodiella sergenti Lantova, Volf & Votypka, 2010, a monoxenous sand fly gregarine. Results Increased rearing temperature (32 °C) affected the larval developmental times and size of P. sergenti adults but had no effect on the susceptibility of P. sergenti to L. tropica. No differences were found in Leishmania infection rates or in the intensities of Leishmania infection. Interestingly, increased larval rearing temperature significantly suppressed the development of gregarines. All 117 control sand flies tested were infected with Ps. sergenti, and the mean number of gamonts per individual was 29.5. In contrast, only three of 120 sand flies maintained at 32 °C were infected and the mean number of gamonts per individual was just 0.04. Conclusions We demonstrated that the increased rearing temperature of P. sergenti larvae had no impact on the development of L. tropica in adult sand flies but had a profound effect on the gregarine Ps. sergenti. We suggest that increasing the larval rearing temperature by 5 °C is a simple and effective way to clean sand fly colonies infected by gregarines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Jancarova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Jana Hlavacova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Votypka
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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