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Del Lesto I, Magliano A, Casini R, Ermenegildi A, Rombolà P, De Liberato C, Romiti F. Ecological niche modelling of Culicoides imicola and future range shifts under climate change scenarios in Italy. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38783513 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Culicoides imicola is the main vector of viral diseases of livestock in Europe such as bluetongue (BT), African horse sickness and epizootic haemorrhagic disease. Climatic factors are the main drivers of C. imicola occurrence and its distribution might be subject to rapid shifts due to climate change. Entomological data, collected during BT surveillance, and climatic/environmental variables were used to analyse ecological niche and to model C. imicola distribution and possible future range shifts in Italy. An ensemble technique was used to weigh the performance of machine learning, linear and profile methods. Updated future climate projections from the latest phase of the Climate Model Intercomparison Project were used to generate future distributions for the next three 20-year periods, according to combinations of general circulation models and shared socioeconomic pathways and considering different climate change scenarios. Results indicated the minimum temperature of the coldest month (BIO 6) and precipitation of the driest-warmest months (BIO 14) as the main limiting climatic factors. Indeed, BIO 6 and BIO 14 reported the two highest values of variable importance, respectively, 9.16% (confidence interval [CI] = 7.99%-10.32%), and 2.01% (CI = 1.57%-2.44%). Under the worst-case scenario of climate change, C. imicola range is expected to expand northward and shift away from the coasts of central Italy, while in some areas of southern Italy, environmental suitability will decrease. Our results provide predictions of C. imicola distribution according to the most up-to-date future climate projections and should be of great use to surveillance management at regional and national scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Del Lesto
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana 'M. Aleandri', Pisa, Italy
| | - Adele Magliano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana 'M. Aleandri', Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Casini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana 'M. Aleandri', Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Ermenegildi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana 'M. Aleandri', Rome, Italy
| | - Pasquale Rombolà
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana 'M. Aleandri', Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio De Liberato
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana 'M. Aleandri', Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Romiti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana 'M. Aleandri', Rome, Italy
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Gomontean B, Vaisusuk K, Chatan W, Wongpakam K, Sankul P, Lachanthuek L, Mintara R, Thanee I, Pramual P. Diversity, Abundance and Host Blood Meal Analysis of Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from Cattle Pens in Different Land Use Types from Thailand. INSECTS 2023; 14:574. [PMID: 37504581 PMCID: PMC10380999 DOI: 10.3390/insects14070574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Biting midges of the genus Culicoides Latreille are significant pests and vectors that transmit pathogens to humans and other animals. Cattle are among the important livestock that can potentially be severely affected by Culicoides. In this study, we examined the species diversity, abundance, and host blood meal identification of biting midges in cattle pens located in three different land use types: villages, agricultural areas, and the forest edge. A total of 12,916 biting midges were collected, and most of these were from cattle pens located in villages (34%) and agricultural land (52%). Morphological identification revealed 29 Culicoides species. The most common species were C. oxystoma, C. mahasarakhamense, C. peregrinus, and C. shortti; taken together, these species represented >80% of all specimens collected. Despite midges being less numerous (14% of the total collection), cattle pens located near the forest showed greater diversity (23) than those from villages and agricultural areas. More diverse immature habitats and host blood sources from wildlife in nearby forests possibly explain the greater diversity in the cattle pens near the forest edge. Host blood meal analysis revealed that most (65%) biting midges had fed on buffalo despite the fact that this animal was much less numerous than cows or chickens. Relatively larger size and black-colored skin could be factors that make buffalo more attractive to biting midges than other host species. In this study, we also provided 67 DNA barcoding sequences of 13 species, three of which (C. flaviscutatus, C. geminus, and C. suzukii) were first reported from Thai specimens. DNA barcode analysis indicated cryptic diversity within C. hegneri and C. flavescens in Thailand, and thus, further investigation is required to resolve their species status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhuvadol Gomontean
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand
| | - Kotchaphon Vaisusuk
- Department of Veterinary Technology and Veterinary Nursing, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44000, Thailand
| | - Wasupon Chatan
- Department of Veterinary Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44000, Thailand
| | - Komgrit Wongpakam
- Walai Rukhavej Botanical Research Institute, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand
| | - Papasara Sankul
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand
| | - Laksika Lachanthuek
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand
| | - Ronnalit Mintara
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand
| | - Isara Thanee
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand
| | - Pairot Pramual
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand
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Allen SE, Vigil SL, Furukawa-Stoffer T, Colucci N, Ambagala A, Pearl DL, Ruder MG, Jardine CM, Nemeth NM. Abundance and diversity of Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in southern Ontario, Canada. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:201. [PMID: 37316934 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05799-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) is a genus of hematophagous midges feeding on various vertebrate hosts and serving as a vector for numerous pathogens important to livestock and wildlife health. North American pathogens include bluetongue (BT) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) viruses. Little is known about Culicoides spp. distribution and abundance and species composition in Ontario, Canada, despite bordering numerous U.S. states with documented Culicoides spp. and BT and EHD virus activity. We sought to characterize Culicoides spp. distribution and abundance and to investigate whether select meteorological and ecological risk factors influenced the abundance of Culicoides biguttatus, C. stellifer, and the subgenus Avaritia trapped throughout southern Ontario. METHODS From June to October of 2017 to 2018, CDC-type LED light suction traps were placed on twelve livestock-associated sites across southern Ontario. Culicoides spp. collected were morphologically identified to the species level when possible. Associations were examined using negative binomial regression among C. biguttatus, C. stellifer, and subgenus Avaritia abundance, and select factors: ambient temperature, rainfall, primary livestock species, latitude, and habitat type. RESULTS In total, 33,905 Culicoides spp. midges were collected, encompassing 14 species from seven subgenera and one species group. Culicoides sonorensis was collected from three sites during both years. Within Ontario, the northern trapping locations had a pattern of seasonal peak abundance in August (2017) and July (2018), and the southern locations had abundance peaks in June for both years. Culicoides biguttatus, C. stellifer, and subgenus Avaritia were significantly more abundant if ovine was the primary livestock species at trapping sites (compared to bovine). Culicoides stellifer and subgenus Avaritia were significantly more abundant at mid- to high-temperature ranges on trap days (i.e., 17.3-20.2 and 20.3-31.0 °C compared to 9.5-17.2 °C). Additionally, subgenus Avaritia were significantly more abundant if rainfall 4 weeks prior was between 2.7 and 20.1 mm compared to 0.0 mm and if rainfall 8 weeks prior was between 0.1 and 2.1 mm compared to 0.0 mm. CONCLUSIONS Results from our study describe Culicoides spp. distribution in southern Ontario, the potential for spread and maintenance of EHD and BT viruses, and concurrent health risks to livestock and wildlife in southern Ontario in reference to certain meteorological and ecological risk factors. We identified that Culicoides spp. are diverse in this province, and appear to be distinctly distributed spatially and temporally. The livestock species present, temperature, and rainfall appear to have an impact on the abundance of C. biguttatus, C. stellifer, and subgenus Avaritia trapped. These findings could help inform targeted surveillance, control measures, and the development of management guides for Culicoides spp. and EHD and BT viruses in southern Ontario, Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha E Allen
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Veterinary Services, Laramie, USA.
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada.
- Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada.
| | - Stacey L Vigil
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, USA
| | - Tara Furukawa-Stoffer
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, National Centre for Animal Diseases, Lethbridge, Canada
| | - Nicole Colucci
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, National Centre for Animal Diseases, Lethbridge, Canada
| | - Aruna Ambagala
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - David L Pearl
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
| | - Mark G Ruder
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, USA
| | - Claire M Jardine
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
- Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
| | - Nicole M Nemeth
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Georgia, Athens, USA
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Barceló C, Searle KR, Estrada R, Lucientes J, Miranda MÁ, Purse BV. The use of path analysis to determine effects of environmental factors on the adult seasonality of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) vector species in Spain. BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2023; 113:402-411. [PMID: 36908249 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485323000068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are the main vectors of livestock diseases such as bluetongue (BT) which mainly affect sheep and cattle. In Spain, bluetongue virus (BTV) is transmitted by several Culicoides taxa, including Culicoides imicola, Obsoletus complex, Culicoides newsteadi and Culicoides pulicaris that vary in seasonality and distribution, affecting the distribution and dynamics of BT outbreaks. Path analysis is useful for separating direct and indirect, biotic and abiotic determinants of species' population performance and is ideal for understanding the sensitivity of adult Culicoides dynamics to multiple environmental drivers. Start, end of season and length of overwintering of adult Culicoides were analysed across 329 sites in Spain sampled from 2005 to 2010 during the National Entomosurveillance Program for BTV with path analysis, to determine the direct and indirect effects of land use, climate and host factor variables. Culicoides taxa had species-specific responses to environmental variables. While the seasonality of adult C. imicola was strongly affected by topography, temperature, cover of agro-forestry and sclerophyllous vegetation, rainfall, livestock density, photoperiod in autumn and the abundance of Culicoides females, Obsoletus complex species seasonality was affected by land-use variables such as cover of natural grassland and broad-leaved forest. Culicoides female abundance was the most explanatory variable for the seasonality of C. newsteadi, while C. pulicaris showed that temperature during winter and the photoperiod in November had a strong effect on the start of the season and the length of overwinter period of this species. These results indicate that the seasonal vector-free period (SVFP) in Spain will vary between competent vector taxa and geographic locations, dependent on the different responses of each taxa to environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Barceló
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Research Group, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Ctra. Valldemossa Km 7.5, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Kate R Searle
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bush Estate, EH26 0QB Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rosa Estrada
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Javier Lucientes
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Miguel Á Miranda
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Research Group, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Ctra. Valldemossa Km 7.5, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Bethan V Purse
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Oxfordshire OX10 8BB, UK
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Fetene E, Teka G, Dejene H, Mandefro D, Teshome T, Temesgen D, Negussie H, Mulatu T, Jaleta MB, Leta S. Modeling the spatial distribution of Culicoides species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) as vectors of animal diseases in Ethiopia. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12904. [PMID: 35902616 PMCID: PMC9334590 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16911-y] [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: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are the major vectors of bluetongue, Schmallenberg, and African horse sickness viruses. This study was conducted to survey Culicoides species in different parts of Ethiopia and to develop habitat suitability for the major Culicoides species in Ethiopia. Culicoides traps were set in different parts of the country from December 2018 to April 2021 using UV light Onderstepoort traps and the collected Culicoides were sorted to species level. To develop the species distribution model for the two predominant Culicoides species, namely Culicoides imicola and C. kingi, an ensemble modeling technique was used with the Biomod2 package of R software. KAPPA True skill statistics (TSS) and ROC curve were used to evaluate the accuracy of species distribution models. In the ensemble modeling, models which score TSS values greater than 0.8 were considered. Negative binomialregression models were used to evaluate the relationship between C. imicola and C. kingi catch and various environmental and climatic factors. During the study period, a total of 9148 Culicoides were collected from 66 trapping sites. Of the total 9148, 8576 of them belongs to seven species and the remaining 572 Culicoides were unidentified. The predominant species was C. imicola (52.8%), followed by C. kingi (23.6%). The abundance of these two species was highly influenced by the agro-ecological zone of the capture sites and the proximity of the capture sites to livestock farms. Climatic variables such as mean annual minimum and maximum temperature and mean annual rainfall were found to influence the catch of C. imicola at the different study sites. The ensemble model performed very well for both species with KAPPA (0.9), TSS (0.98), and ROC (0.999) for C. imicola and KAPPA (0.889), TSS (0.999), and ROC (0.999) for C. kingi. Culicoides imicola has a larger suitability range compared to C. kingi. The Great Rift Valley in Ethiopia, the southern and eastern parts of the country, and the areas along the Blue Nile and Lake Tana basins in northern Ethiopia were particularly suitable for C. imicola. High suitability for C. kingi was found in central Ethiopia and the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR). The habitat suitability model developed here could help researchers better understand where the above vector-borne diseases are likely to occur and target surveillance to high-risk areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eyerusalem Fetene
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Getachew Teka
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Hana Dejene
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia.,Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Science, Ambo University, P.O. Box 19, Ambo, Ethiopia
| | - Deresegn Mandefro
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Tsedale Teshome
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Dawit Temesgen
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Haileleul Negussie
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Tesfaye Mulatu
- National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Centre (NAHDIC), P. O. Box 4, Sebeta, Ethiopia
| | - Megarsa Bedasa Jaleta
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Samson Leta
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia.
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Spatial epidemiology of hemorrhagic disease in Illinois wild white-tailed deer. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6888. [PMID: 35477968 PMCID: PMC9046210 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10694-y] [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: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) and bluetongue (BT) are vector-borne viral diseases that affect wild and domestic ruminants. Clinical signs of EHD and BT are similar; thus, the syndrome is referred to as hemorrhagic disease (HD). Syndromic surveillance and virus detection in North America reveal a northern expansion of HD. High mortalities at northern latitudes suggest recent incursions of HD viruses into northern geographic areas. We evaluated the occurrence of HD in wild Illinois white-tailed deer from 1982 to 2019. Our retrospective space-time analysis identified high-rate clusters of HD cases from 2006 to 2019. The pattern of northward expansion indicates changes in virus-host-vector interactions. Serological evidence from harvested deer revealed prior infection with BTV. However, BTV was not detected from virus isolation in dead deer sampled during outbreaks. Our findings suggest the value of capturing the precise geographic location of outbreaks, the importance of virus isolation to confirm the cause of an outbreak, and the importance of expanding HD surveillance to hunter-harvested wild white-tailed deer. Similarly, it assists in predicting future outbreaks, allowing for targeted disease and vector surveillance, helping wildlife agencies communicate with the public the cause of mortality events and viral hemorrhagic disease outcomes at local and regional scales.
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Effect of Constant Temperatures on Culicoides sonorensis Midge Physiology and Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Infection. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13040372. [PMID: 35447814 PMCID: PMC9024736 DOI: 10.3390/insects13040372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Culicoides biting midges are nuisance pests of livestock and well-known vectors of veterinary arboviruses, such as vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Female midges ingest viruses when feeding on blood to obtain protein for egg-laying. After ingesting a VSV-infected blood meal, the environmental temperature of the resting location mediates the rates at which blood is digested, eggs are laid, and virus particles are replicated inside the midge. VSV transmission will occur if the timing of virus amplification aligns with the next feeding–egg-laying cycle. We evaluated the impact of constant environmental temperatures on midge physiology (lifespan and reproduction), vector competence for VSV (infection and dissemination), and thermal resting preference. Our results indicate that after ingesting a blood meal, most midges prefer to rest in areas that fall within their preferred physiological range regardless of the temperatures at which they were being maintained. These preferred temperatures maximized their survival, the number of egg-laying cycles, and the likelihood of VSV transmission. Our temperature approach shows that in the Culicoides–VSV system, the preferred resting temperature selected by blood-fed midges is beneficial for both insect and virus transmission. Abstract Culicoides midges play an important role in vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) transmission to US livestock. After VSV-blood feeding, blood digestion followed by oviposition occurs while ingested virus particles replicate and disseminate to salivary glands for transmission during subsequent blood-feeding events. Changes to environmental temperature may alter the feeding–oviposition–refeeding cycles, midge survival, VSV infection, and overall vector capacity. However, the heterothermic midge may respond rapidly to environmental changes by adjusting their thermal behavior to resting in areas closer to their physiological range. Here we investigated the effects of four constant environmental temperatures (20, 25, 30, and 35 °C) on C. sonorensis survival, oviposition, and VSV infection, as well as resting thermal preferences after blood-feeding. We found that most midges preferred to rest in areas at 25–30 °C. These two constant temperatures (25 and 30 °C) allowed an intermediate fitness performance, with a 66% survival probability by day 10 and oviposition cycles occurring every 2–3 days. Additionally, VSV infection rates in bodies and heads with salivary glands were higher than in midges held at 20 °C and 35 °C. Our results provide insight into the implications of temperature on VSV–Culicoides interactions and confirm that the range of temperature preferred by midges can benefit both the vector and the arbovirus.
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Paslaru AI, Torgerson PR, Veronesi E. Summer seasonal prevalence of Culicoides species from pre-alpine areas in Switzerland. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 35:324-332. [PMID: 33320361 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12500] [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: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are arthropods of veterinary importance since they can transmit pathogens and cause severe allergic dermatitis in horses. Very little is known about the species at higher altitudes and their seasonal dynamics. In this work, adult Culicoides were collected with Onderstepoort UV-light suction traps (OVI) from June to September 2016 at two areas situated at around 1600 m asl (pre-alpine area I, 2 farms) and 2030 m asl (pre-alpine area II, 1 farm) in the Canton of Grisons (south-east Switzerland). Overall, 17 049 Culicoides were collected, including 871 parous females. A total of 50 individuals/trap/night (n = 1050) were identified to species (17 species) by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) or by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. The remaining 15 128 Culicoides were classified to species groups' level. Culicoides obsoletus (Meigen, 1818), a multivoltine species, was mainly present at 1600 m asl, whereas at high altitudes (2030 m asl), C. grisescens Edwards, 1939 I&II were the most abundant species. In particular, C. grisescens II, which seems to be univoltine, occurred later in the season but significantly increasing over time. Species diversity was higher at pre-alpine I area (n = 16 species) compared to pre-alpine II (n = 10 species).
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Affiliation(s)
- A I Paslaru
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - P R Torgerson
- Section of Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - E Veronesi
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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Bluetongue and Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease in the United States of America at the Wildlife-Livestock Interface. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10080915. [PMID: 34451380 PMCID: PMC8402076 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10080915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bluetongue (BT) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) cases have increased worldwide, causing significant economic loss to ruminant livestock production and detrimental effects to susceptible wildlife populations. In recent decades, hemorrhagic disease cases have been reported over expanding geographic areas in the United States. Effective BT and EHD prevention and control strategies for livestock and monitoring of these diseases in wildlife populations depend on an accurate understanding of the distribution of BT and EHD viruses in domestic and wild ruminants and their vectors, the Culicoides biting midges that transmit them. However, national maps showing the distribution of BT and EHD viruses and the presence of Culicoides vectors are incomplete or not available at all. Thus, efforts to accurately describe the potential risk of these viruses on ruminant populations are obstructed by the lack of systematic and routine surveillance of their hosts and vectors. In this review, we: (1) outline animal health impacts of BT and EHD in the USA; (2) describe current knowledge of the distribution and abundance of BT and EHD and their vectors in the USA; and (3) highlight the importance of disease (BT and EHD) and vector surveillance for ruminant populations.
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Grimaud Y, Tran A, Benkimoun S, Boucher F, Esnault O, Cêtre-Sossah C, Cardinale E, Garros C, Guis H. Spatio-temporal modelling of Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) populations on Reunion Island (Indian Ocean). Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:288. [PMID: 34044880 PMCID: PMC8161615 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04780-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reunion Island regularly faces outbreaks of bluetongue and epizootic hemorrhagic diseases, two insect-borne orbiviral diseases of ruminants. Hematophagous midges of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are the vectors of bluetongue (BTV) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHDV) viruses. In a previous study, statistical models based on environmental and meteorological data were developed for the five Culicoides species present in the island to provide a better understanding of their ecology and predict their presence and abundance. The purpose of this study was to couple these statistical models with a Geographic Information System (GIS) to produce dynamic maps of the distribution of Culicoides throughout the island. METHODS Based on meteorological data from ground weather stations and satellite-derived environmental data, the abundance of each of the five Culicoides species was estimated for the 2214 husbandry locations on the island for the period ranging from February 2016 to June 2018. A large-scale Culicoides sampling campaign including 100 farms was carried out in March 2018 to validate the model. RESULTS According to the model predictions, no husbandry location was free of Culicoides throughout the study period. The five Culicoides species were present on average in 57.0% of the husbandry locations for C. bolitinos Meiswinkel, 40.7% for C. enderleini Cornet & Brunhes, 26.5% for C. grahamii Austen, 87.1% for C. imicola Kieffer and 91.8% for C. kibatiensis Goetghebuer. The models also showed high seasonal variations in their distribution. During the validation process, predictions were acceptable for C. bolitinos, C. enderleini and C. kibatiensis, with normalized root mean square errors (NRMSE) of 15.4%, 13.6% and 16.5%, respectively. The NRMSE was 27.4% for C. grahamii. For C. imicola, the NRMSE was acceptable (11.9%) considering all husbandry locations except in two specific areas, the Cirque de Salazie-an inner mountainous part of the island-and the sea edge, where the model overestimated its abundance. CONCLUSIONS Our model provides, for the first time to our knowledge, an operational tool to better understand and predict the distribution of Culicoides in Reunion Island. As it predicts a wide spatial distribution of the five Culicoides species throughout the year and taking into consideration their vector competence, our results suggest that BTV and EHDV can circulate continuously on the island. As further actions, our model could be coupled with an epidemiological model of BTV and EHDV transmission to improve risk assessment of Culicoides-borne diseases on the island.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannick Grimaud
- GDS Réunion, 1 rue du Père Hauck, 97418 La Plaine des Cafres, La Réunion, France
- University of Reunion Island, 15 avenue René Cassin, Sainte-Clotilde, 97715 La Réunion, France
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Sainte-Clotilde, 97490 La Réunion, France
- ASTRE, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, Montpellier, France
| | - Annelise Tran
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Sainte-Clotilde, 97490 La Réunion, France
- ASTRE, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, Montpellier, France
- CIRAD, UMR TETIS, Sainte-Clotilde, 97490 La Réunion, France
- TETIS, University of Montpellier, AgroParisTech, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAE, Montpellier, France
| | - Samuel Benkimoun
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Sainte-Clotilde, 97490 La Réunion, France
- ASTRE, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, Montpellier, France
- CIRAD, UMR TETIS, Sainte-Clotilde, 97490 La Réunion, France
- TETIS, University of Montpellier, AgroParisTech, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAE, Montpellier, France
| | - Floriane Boucher
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Sainte-Clotilde, 97490 La Réunion, France
- ASTRE, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, Montpellier, France
| | - Olivier Esnault
- GDS Réunion, 1 rue du Père Hauck, 97418 La Plaine des Cafres, La Réunion, France
| | - Catherine Cêtre-Sossah
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Sainte-Clotilde, 97490 La Réunion, France
- ASTRE, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, Montpellier, France
| | - Eric Cardinale
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Sainte-Clotilde, 97490 La Réunion, France
- ASTRE, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, Montpellier, France
| | - Claire Garros
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Sainte-Clotilde, 97490 La Réunion, France
- ASTRE, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, Montpellier, France
| | - Hélène Guis
- ASTRE, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, Montpellier, France
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, 101 Antananarivo, Madagascar
- Institut Pasteur of Madagascar, Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, Antananarivo, Madagascar
- FOFIFA DRZVP, Antananarivo, Madagascar
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11
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Barceló C, Purse BV, Estrada R, Lucientes J, Miranda MÁ, Searle KR. Environmental Drivers of Adult Seasonality and Abundance of Biting Midges Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), Bluetongue Vector Species in Spain. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:350-364. [PMID: 32885822 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa160] [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: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Bluetongue is a viral disease affecting wild and domestic ruminants transmitted by several species of biting midges Culicoides Latreille. The phenology of these insects were analyzed in relation to potential environmental drivers. Data from 329 sites in Spain were analyzed using Bayesian Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) approaches. The effects of environmental factors on adult female seasonality were contrasted. Obsoletus complex species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) were the most prevalent across sites, followed by Culicoides newsteadi Austen (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Activity of female Obsoletus complex species was longest in sites at low elevation, with warmer spring average temperatures and precipitation, as well as in sites with high abundance of cattle. The length of the Culicoides imicola Kieffer (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) female adult season was also longest in sites at low elevation with higher coverage of broad-leaved vegetation. Long adult seasons of C. newsteadi were found in sites with warmer autumns and higher precipitation, high abundance of sheep. Culicoides pulicaris (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) had longer adult periods in sites with a greater number of accumulated degree days over 10°C during winter. These results demonstrate the eco-climatic and seasonal differences among these four taxa in Spain, which may contribute to determining sites with suitable environmental circumstances for each particular species to inform assessments of the risk of Bluetongue virus outbreaks in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Barceló
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Research Group, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Ctra. Valldemossa Km 7.5, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Bethan V Purse
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Rosa Estrada
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Javier Lucientes
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Miguel Á Miranda
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Research Group, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Ctra. Valldemossa Km 7.5, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Kate R Searle
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bush Estate, Edinburgh, Scotland
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12
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Aguilar-Vega C, Bosch J, Fernández-Carrión E, Lucientes J, Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM. Identifying Spanish Areas at More Risk of Monthly BTV Transmission with a Basic Reproduction Number Approach. Viruses 2020; 12:E1158. [PMID: 33066209 PMCID: PMC7602074 DOI: 10.3390/v12101158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Bluetongue virus (BTV) causes a disease that is endemic in Spain and its two major biological vector species, C. imicola and the Obsoletus complex species, differ greatly in their ecology and distribution. Understanding the seasonality of BTV transmission in risk areas is key to improving surveillance and control programs, as well as to better understand the pathogen transmission networks between wildlife and livestock. Here, monthly risk transmission maps were generated using risk categories based on well-known BTV R0 equations and predicted abundances of the two most relevant vectors in Spain. Previously, Culicoides spp. predicted abundances in mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands were obtained using remote sensing data and random forest machine learning algorithm. Risk transmission maps were externally assessed with the estimated date of infection of BTV-1 and BTV-4 historical outbreaks. Our results highlight the differences in risk transmission during April-October, June-August being the period with higher R0 values. Likewise, a natural barrier has been identified between northern and central-southern areas at risk that may hamper BTV spread between them. Our results can be relevant to implement risk-based interventions for the prevention, control and surveillance of BTV and other diseases shared between livestock and wildlife host populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Aguilar-Vega
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.B.); (E.F.-C.); (J.M.S.-V.)
| | - Jaime Bosch
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.B.); (E.F.-C.); (J.M.S.-V.)
| | - Eduardo Fernández-Carrión
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.B.); (E.F.-C.); (J.M.S.-V.)
| | - Javier Lucientes
- Department of Animal Pathology (Animal Health), AgriFood Institute of Aragón IA2, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain;
| | - José Manuel Sánchez-Vizcaíno
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.B.); (E.F.-C.); (J.M.S.-V.)
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13
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Tracking Community Timing: Pattern and Determinants of Seasonality in Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Northern Florida. Viruses 2020; 12:v12090931. [PMID: 32854272 PMCID: PMC7552033 DOI: 10.3390/v12090931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Community dynamics are embedded in hierarchical spatial–temporal scales that connect environmental drivers with species assembly processes. Culicoides species are hematophagous arthropod vectors of orbiviruses that impact wild and domestic ruminants. A better sense of Culicoides dynamics over time is important because sympatric species can lengthen the seasonality of virus transmission. We tested a putative departure from the four seasons calendar in the phenology of Culicoides and the vector subassemblage in the Florida panhandle. Two years of weekly abundance data, temporal scales, persistence and environmental thresholds were analyzed using a tripartite Culicoides β-diversity based modeling approach. Culicoides phenology followed a two-season regime and was explained by stream flow and temperature, but not rainfall. Species richness fit a nested pattern where the species recruitment was maximized during spring months. Midges were active year-round, and two suspected vectors species, Culicoides venustus and Culicoides stellifer, were able to sustain and connect the seasonal modules. Persistence suggests that Orbivirus maintenance does not rely on overwintering and that viruses are maintained year-round, with the seasonal dynamics resembling subtropical Culicoides communities with temporal-overlapping between multivoltine species. Viewing Culicoides-borne orbiviruses as a time-sensitive community-based issue, our results help to recommend when management operations should be delivered.
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14
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Aguilar-Vega C, Fernández-Carrión E, Lucientes J, Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM. A model for the assessment of bluetongue virus serotype 1 persistence in Spain. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0232534. [PMID: 32353863 PMCID: PMC7192634 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an arbovirus of ruminants that has been circulating in Europe continuously for more than two decades and has become endemic in some countries such as Spain. Spain is ideal for BTV epidemiological studies since BTV outbreaks from different sources and serotypes have occurred continuously there since 2000; BTV-1 has been reported there from 2007 to 2017. Here we develop a model for BTV-1 endemic scenario to estimate the risk of an area becoming endemic, as well as to identify the most influential factors for BTV-1 persistence. We created abundance maps at 1-km2 spatial resolution for the main vectors in Spain, Culicoides imicola and Obsoletus and Pulicaris complexes, by combining environmental satellite data with occurrence models and a random forest machine learning algorithm. The endemic model included vector abundance and host-related variables (farm density). The three most relevant variables in the endemic model were the abundance of C. imicola and Obsoletus complex and density of goat farms (AUC 0.86); this model suggests that BTV-1 is more likely to become endemic in central and southwestern regions of Spain. It only requires host- and vector-related variables to identify areas at greater risk of becoming endemic for bluetongue. Our results highlight the importance of suitable Culicoides spp. prediction maps for bluetongue epidemiological studies and decision-making about control and eradication measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Aguilar-Vega
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo Fernández-Carrión
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Lucientes
- Department of Animal Pathology (Animal Health), AgriFood Institute of Aragón IA2, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - José Manuel Sánchez-Vizcaíno
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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15
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Cuéllar AC, Kjær LJ, Baum A, Stockmarr A, Skovgard H, Nielsen SA, Andersson MG, Lindström A, Chirico J, Lühken R, Steinke S, Kiel E, Gethmann J, Conraths FJ, Larska M, Smreczak M, Orłowska A, Hamnes I, Sviland S, Hopp P, Brugger K, Rubel F, Balenghien T, Garros C, Rakotoarivony I, Allène X, Lhoir J, Chavernac D, Delécolle JC, Mathieu B, Delécolle D, Setier-Rio ML, Scheid B, Chueca MÁM, Barceló C, Lucientes J, Estrada R, Mathis A, Venail R, Tack W, Bødker R. Modelling the monthly abundance of Culicoides biting midges in nine European countries using Random Forests machine learning. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:194. [PMID: 32295627 PMCID: PMC7161244 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04053-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Culicoides biting midges transmit viruses resulting in disease in ruminants and equids such as bluetongue, Schmallenberg disease and African horse sickness. In the past decades, these diseases have led to important economic losses for farmers in Europe. Vector abundance is a key factor in determining the risk of vector-borne disease spread and it is, therefore, important to predict the abundance of Culicoides species involved in the transmission of these pathogens. The objectives of this study were to model and map the monthly abundances of Culicoides in Europe. METHODS We obtained entomological data from 904 farms in nine European countries (Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway) from 2007 to 2013. Using environmental and climatic predictors from satellite imagery and the machine learning technique Random Forests, we predicted the monthly average abundance at a 1 km2 resolution. We used independent test sets for validation and to assess model performance. RESULTS The predictive power of the resulting models varied according to month and the Culicoides species/ensembles predicted. Model performance was lower for winter months. Performance was higher for the Obsoletus ensemble, followed by the Pulicaris ensemble, while the model for Culicoides imicola showed a poor performance. Distribution and abundance patterns corresponded well with the known distributions in Europe. The Random Forests model approach was able to distinguish differences in abundance between countries but was not able to predict vector abundance at individual farm level. CONCLUSIONS The models and maps presented here represent an initial attempt to capture large scale geographical and temporal variations in Culicoides abundance. The models are a first step towards producing abundance inputs for R0 modelling of Culicoides-borne infections at a continental scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina Cuéllar
- Division for Diagnostics and Scientific Advice, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Lene Jung Kjær
- Division for Diagnostics and Scientific Advice, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Andreas Baum
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Anders Stockmarr
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Henrik Skovgard
- Department of Agroecology - Entomology and Plant Pathology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Søren Achim Nielsen
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | | | | | - Jan Chirico
- National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Renke Lühken
- Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sonja Steinke
- Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Ellen Kiel
- Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Jörn Gethmann
- Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Franz J. Conraths
- Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Magdalena Larska
- Department of Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Marcin Smreczak
- Department of Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Anna Orłowska
- Department of Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | | | | | - Petter Hopp
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Oslo, Norway
| | - Katharina Brugger
- Unit of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Franz Rubel
- Unit of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Balenghien
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, 34398 Montpellier, France
- IAV Hassan II, Unité MIMC, 10 100 Rabat-Instituts, Morocco
| | - Claire Garros
- IAV Hassan II, Unité MIMC, 10 100 Rabat-Instituts, Morocco
| | | | - Xavier Allène
- IAV Hassan II, Unité MIMC, 10 100 Rabat-Instituts, Morocco
| | | | | | - Jean-Claude Delécolle
- Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Pathology of Strasbourg, UR7292, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Bruno Mathieu
- Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Pathology of Strasbourg, UR7292, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Delphine Delécolle
- Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Pathology of Strasbourg, UR7292, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | | | | | | | - Carlos Barceló
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Research Group, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
| | - Javier Lucientes
- Department of Animal Pathology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Rosa Estrada
- Department of Animal Pathology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Alexander Mathis
- Institute of Parasitology, National Centre for Vector Entomology, Vetsuisse FacultyInstitute of Parasitology, National Centre for Vector Entomology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Rene Bødker
- Division for Diagnostics and Scientific Advice, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Lyngby, Denmark
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16
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Grimaud Y, Guis H, Chiroleu F, Boucher F, Tran A, Rakotoarivony I, Duhayon M, Cêtre-Sossah C, Esnault O, Cardinale E, Garros C. Modelling temporal dynamics of Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) populations on Reunion Island (Indian Ocean), vectors of viruses of veterinary importance. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:562. [PMID: 31775850 PMCID: PMC6880491 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3812-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reunion Island regularly faces outbreaks of epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) and bluetongue (BT), two viral diseases transmitted by haematophagous midges of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) to ruminants. To date, five species of Culicoides are recorded in Reunion Island in which the first two are proven vector species: Culicoides bolitinos, C. imicola, C. enderleini, C. grahamii and C. kibatiensis. Meteorological and environmental factors can severely constrain Culicoides populations and activities and thereby affect dispersion and intensity of transmission of Culicoides-borne viruses. The aim of this study was to describe and predict the temporal dynamics of all Culicoides species present in Reunion Island. METHODS Between 2016 and 2018, 55 biweekly Culicoides catches using Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute traps were set up in 11 sites. A hurdle model (i.e. a presence/absence model combined with an abundance model) was developed for each species in order to determine meteorological and environmental drivers of presence and abundance of Culicoides. RESULTS Abundance displayed very strong heterogeneity between sites. Average Culicoides catch per site per night ranged from 4 to 45,875 individuals. Culicoides imicola was dominant at low altitude and C. kibatiensis at high altitude. A marked seasonality was observed for the three other species with annual variations. Twelve groups of variables were tested. It was found that presence and/or abundance of all five Culicoides species were driven by common parameters: rain, temperature, vegetation index, forested environment and host density. Other parameters such as wind speed and farm building opening size governed abundance level of some species. In addition, Culicoides populations were also affected by meteorological parameters and/or vegetation index with different lags of time, suggesting an impact on immature stages. Taking into account all the parameters for the final hurdle model, the error rate by Normalized Root mean Square Error ranged from 4.4 to 8.5%. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first study to model Culicoides population dynamics in Reunion Island. In the absence of vaccination and vector control strategies, determining periods of high abundance of Culicoides is a crucial first step towards identifying periods at high risk of transmission for the two economically important viruses they transmit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannick Grimaud
- GDS Réunion, 1 rue du Père Hauck, 97418 La Plaine des Cafres, La Réunion France
- University of Reunion Island, 15 avenue René Cassin, 97715 Sainte-Clotilde, La Réunion France
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, 97490 Sainte-Clotilde, La Réunion France
| | - Hélène Guis
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, 101 Antananarivo, Madagascar
- ASTRE, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier, France
- Epidemiology and clinical research unit, Institut Pasteur of Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
- FOFIFA DRZVP, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | | | - Floriane Boucher
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, 97490 Sainte-Clotilde, La Réunion France
- ASTRE, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier, France
| | - Annelise Tran
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, 97490 Sainte-Clotilde, La Réunion France
- ASTRE, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier, France
- CIRAD, UMR TETIS, 97490 Sainte-Clotilde, La Réunion France
- TETIS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Ignace Rakotoarivony
- ASTRE, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier, France
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, 34398 Montpellier, France
| | - Maxime Duhayon
- ASTRE, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier, France
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, 34398 Montpellier, France
| | - Catherine Cêtre-Sossah
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, 97490 Sainte-Clotilde, La Réunion France
- ASTRE, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier, France
| | - Olivier Esnault
- GDS Réunion, 1 rue du Père Hauck, 97418 La Plaine des Cafres, La Réunion France
| | - Eric Cardinale
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, 97490 Sainte-Clotilde, La Réunion France
- ASTRE, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier, France
| | - Claire Garros
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, 97490 Sainte-Clotilde, La Réunion France
- ASTRE, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier, France
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17
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Leta S, Fetene E, Mulatu T, Amenu K, Jaleta MB, Beyene TJ, Negussie H, Revie CW. Modeling the global distribution of Culicoides imicola: an Ensemble approach. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14187. [PMID: 31578399 PMCID: PMC6775326 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50765-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Culicoides imicola is a midge species serving as vector for a number of viral diseases of livestock, including Bluetongue, and African Horse Sickness. C. imicola is also known to transmit Schmallenberg virus experimentally. Environmental and demographic factors may impose rapid changes on the global distribution of C. imicola and aid introduction into new areas. The aim of this study is to predict the global distribution of C. imicola using an ensemble modeling approach by combining climatic, livestock distribution and land cover covariates, together with a comprehensive global dataset of geo-positioned occurrence points for C. imicola. Thirty individual models were generated by ‘biomod2’, with 21 models scoring a true skill statistic (TSS) >0.8. These 21 models incorporated weighted runs from eight of ten algorithms and were used to create a final ensemble model. The ensemble model performed very well (TSS = 0.898 and ROC = 0.991) and indicated high environmental suitability for C. imicola in the tropics and subtropics. The habitat suitability for C. imicola spans from South Africa to southern Europe and from southern USA to southern China. The distribution of C. imicola is mainly constrained by climatic factors. In the ensemble model, mean annual minimum temperature had the highest overall contribution (42.9%), followed by mean annual maximum temperature (21.1%), solar radiation (13.6%), annual precipitation (11%), livestock distribution (6.2%), vapor pressure (3.4%), wind speed (0.8%), and land cover (0.1%). The present study provides the most up-to-date predictive maps of the potential distributions of C. imicola and should be of great value for decision making at global and regional scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samson Leta
- Addis Ababa University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia.
| | - Eyerusalem Fetene
- Addis Ababa University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Tesfaye Mulatu
- National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Centre (NAHDIC), P. O. Box 04, Sebeta, Ethiopia
| | - Kebede Amenu
- Addis Ababa University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Megarsa Bedasa Jaleta
- Addis Ababa University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Tariku Jibat Beyene
- Addis Ababa University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia.,Center for Outcome Research and Epidemiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Haileleul Negussie
- Addis Ababa University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, P. O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Crawford W Revie
- Department of Computing and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Livingstone Tower (14.01), 26 Richmond Street, Glasgow, G1 1XQ, Scotland, UK
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Livestock host composition rather than land use or climate explains spatial patterns in bluetongue disease in South India. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4229. [PMID: 30862821 PMCID: PMC6414662 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40450-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Culicoides-borne arboviruses of livestock impair animal health, livestock production and livelihoods worldwide. As these arboviruses are multi-host, multi-vector systems, predictions to improve targeting of disease control measures require frameworks that quantify the relative impacts of multiple abiotic and biotic factors on disease patterns. We develop such a framework to predict long term (1992-2009) average patterns in bluetongue (BT), caused by bluetongue virus (BTV), in sheep in southern India, where annual BT outbreaks constrain the livelihoods and production of small-holder farmers. In Bayesian spatial general linear mixed models, host factors outperformed landscape and climate factors as predictors of disease patterns, with more BT outbreaks occurring on average in districts with higher densities of susceptible sheep breeds and buffalo. Since buffalo are resistant to clinical signs of BT, this finding suggests they are a source of infection for sympatric susceptible sheep populations. Sero-monitoring is required to understand the role of buffalo in maintaining BTV transmission and whether they must be included in vaccination programs to protect sheep adequately. Landscape factors, namely the coverage of post-flooding, irrigated and rain-fed croplands, had weak positive effects on outbreaks. The intimate links between livestock host, vector composition and agricultural practices in India require further investigation at the landscape scale.
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Sloyer KE, Burkett-Cadena ND, Yang A, Corn JL, Vigil SL, McGregor BL, Wisely SM, Blackburn JK. Ecological niche modeling the potential geographic distribution of four Culicoides species of veterinary significance in Florida, USA. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0206648. [PMID: 30768605 PMCID: PMC6377124 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is a viral arthropod-borne disease affecting wild and domestic ruminants, caused by infection with epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV). EHDV is transmitted to vertebrate animal hosts by biting midges in the genus Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Culicoides sonorensis Wirth and Jones is the only confirmed vector of EHDV in the United States but is considered rare in Florida and not sufficiently abundant to support EHDV transmission. This study used ecological niche modeling to map the potential geographical distributions and associated ecological variable space of four Culicoides species suspected of transmitting EHDV in Florida, including Culicoides insignis Lutz, Culicoides stellifer (Coquillett), Culicoides debilipalpis Hoffman and Culicoides venustus Lutz. Models were developed with the Genetic Algorithm for Rule Set Production in DesktopGARP v1.1.3 using species occurrence data from field sampling along with environmental variables from WorldClim and Trypanosomiasis and Land use in Africa. For three Culicoides species (C. insignis, C. stellifer and C. debilipalpis) 96-98% of the presence points were predicted across the Florida landscape (63.8% - 72.5%). For C. venustus, models predicted 98.00% of presence points across 27.4% of Florida. Geographic variations were detected between species. Culicoides insignis was predicted to be restricted to peninsular Florida, and in contrast, C. venustus was predicted to be primarily in north Florida and the panhandle region. Culicoides stellifer and C. debilipalpis were predicted nearly statewide. Environmental conditions also differed by species, with some species' ranges predicted by more narrow ranges of variables than others. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was a major predictor of C. venustus and C. insignis presence. For C. stellifer, Land Surface Temperature, Middle Infrared were the most limiting predictors of presence. The limiting variables for C. debilipalpis were NDVI Bi-Annual Amplitude and NDVI Annual Amplitude at 22.5% and 28.1%, respectively. The model outputs, including maps and environmental variable range predictions generated from these experiments provide an important first pass at predicting species of veterinary importance in Florida. Because EHDV cannot exist in the environment without the vector, model outputs can be used to estimate the potential risk of disease for animal hosts across Florida. Results also provide distribution and habitat information useful for integrated pest management practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin E. Sloyer
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida, Vero Beach, Florida, United States of America
| | - Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida, Vero Beach, Florida, United States of America
| | - Anni Yang
- Spatial Epidemiology and Ecology Research Laboratory, Geography Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Joseph L. Corn
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Stacey L. Vigil
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Bethany L. McGregor
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida, Vero Beach, Florida, United States of America
| | - Samantha M. Wisely
- Department of Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Jason K. Blackburn
- Spatial Epidemiology and Ecology Research Laboratory, Geography Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
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20
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Longitudinal monitoring of Culicoides in Belgium between 2007 and 2011: local variation in population dynamics parameters warrant cautious use of monitoring data. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:512. [PMID: 30223878 PMCID: PMC6142705 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3082-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several European countries suffered important economic losses during the past decade due to the emergence of bluetongue and Schmallenberg viruses. Both are viruses of veterinary importance and are spread by Culicoides spp. This triggered many European countries to start Culicoides population monitoring. Recently a one year monitoring study at 16 sites in Belgium revealed that important variation existed in Culicoides abundance and species diversity between collection sites. In order to analyze whether this variation is consistent over years, a detailed analysis of monitoring data collected at seven locations in Belgium between 2007 and 2011 was performed in this study. At all locations, biting midges were collected with OVI black light traps set-up in close proximity to livestock. RESULTS In total, 42 different Culicoides species were morphologically identified. Species of the subgenus Avaritia represented 83% of all collected midges. Nevertheless, important differences in species composition were found between sites. Furthermore, statistical differences between sites were found for the total and maximum annual abundance, showing that a consistent higher or lower number of Culicoides could be collected depending on the selected collection site. Yearly, up to 16 and 30-fold differences in total and maximum annual abundances between sites, respectively, were found. Also the month in which most Culicoides were collected varied greatly between years, both at local (from May to October) and country level [May (2008), June (2010), July (2009), August (2011), October (2007)]. Finally, the average vector-free period over all sites and years was 173 days and could roughly be defined between November and the end of April. Interestingly, important yearly variations of up to two months in the duration of the vector-free period were found between the studied collection sites. In contrast to the abundance parameters, no specific sites could however be identified where monitoring consistently showed shorter or longer vector-free periods. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, our results show that the selection of collection sites for Culicoides monitoring, even in a small country such as Belgium, strongly influences abundance parameters and that yearly variation in seasonality occurs. This emphasizes that care should be taken when using such parameters in risk assessments for transmission of Culicoides-borne diseases and that more clear and strict guidelines for Culicoides monitoring should be considered when monitoring data are used for legislative purposes.
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21
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Diarra M, Fall M, Fall AG, Diop A, Lancelot R, Seck MT, Rakotoarivony I, Allène X, Bouyer J, Guis H. Spatial distribution modelling of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) biting midges, potential vectors of African horse sickness and bluetongue viruses in Senegal. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:341. [PMID: 29884209 PMCID: PMC5994048 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2920-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In Senegal, the last epidemic of African horse sickness (AHS) occurred in 2007. The western part of the country (the Niayes area) concentrates modern farms with exotic horses of high value and was highly affected during the 2007 outbreak that has started in the area. Several studies were initiated in the Niayes area in order to better characterize Culicoides diversity, ecology and the impact of environmental and climatic data on dynamics of proven and suspected vectors. The aims of this study are to better understand the spatial distribution and diversity of Culicoides in Senegal and to map their abundance throughout the country. Methods Culicoides data were obtained through a nationwide trapping campaign organized in 2012. Two successive collection nights were carried out in 96 sites in 12 (of 14) regions of Senegal at the end of the rainy season (between September and October) using OVI (Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute) light traps. Three different modeling approaches were compared: the first consists in a spatial interpolation by ordinary kriging of Culicoides abundance data. The two others consist in analyzing the relation between Culicoides abundance and environmental and climatic data to model abundance and investigate the environmental suitability; and were carried out by implementing generalized linear models and random forest models. Results A total of 1,373,929 specimens of the genus Culicoides belonging to at least 32 different species were collected in 96 sites during the survey. According to the RF (random forest) models which provided better estimates of abundances than Generalized Linear Models (GLM) models, environmental and climatic variables that influence species abundance were identified. Culicoides imicola, C. enderleini and C. miombo were mostly driven by average rainfall and minimum and maximum normalized difference vegetation index. Abundance of C. oxystoma was mostly determined by average rainfall and day temperature. Culicoides bolitinos had a particular trend; the environmental and climatic variables above had a lesser impact on its abundance. RF model prediction maps for the first four species showed high abundance in southern Senegal and in the groundnut basin area, whereas C. bolitinos was present in southern Senegal, but in much lower abundance. Conclusions Environmental and climatic variables of importance that influence the spatial distribution of species abundance were identified. It is now crucial to evaluate the vector competence of major species and then combine the vector densities with densities of horses to quantify the risk of transmission of AHS virus across the country. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-2920-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Diarra
- InstitutSénégalais de Recherches Agricoles, Laboratoire National de l'Elevage et de Recherches Vétérinaires, Dakar, Sénégal. .,Université Gaston Berger, Laboratoire d'Etudes et de Recherches en Statistiques et Développement, Saint-Louis, Sénégal. .,Institut Pasteur de Dakar, G4 Biostatistique, Bioinformatique et Modélisation, Dakar, Sénégal.
| | - Moussa Fall
- InstitutSénégalais de Recherches Agricoles, Laboratoire National de l'Elevage et de Recherches Vétérinaires, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Assane Gueye Fall
- InstitutSénégalais de Recherches Agricoles, Laboratoire National de l'Elevage et de Recherches Vétérinaires, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Aliou Diop
- Université Gaston Berger, Laboratoire d'Etudes et de Recherches en Statistiques et Développement, Saint-Louis, Sénégal
| | - Renaud Lancelot
- CIRAD, ASTRE, Montpellier, France.,ASTRE, INRA, CIRAD, Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Momar Talla Seck
- InstitutSénégalais de Recherches Agricoles, Laboratoire National de l'Elevage et de Recherches Vétérinaires, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Ignace Rakotoarivony
- CIRAD, ASTRE, Montpellier, France.,ASTRE, INRA, CIRAD, Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Xavier Allène
- CIRAD, ASTRE, Montpellier, France.,ASTRE, INRA, CIRAD, Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Jérémy Bouyer
- InstitutSénégalais de Recherches Agricoles, Laboratoire National de l'Elevage et de Recherches Vétérinaires, Dakar, Sénégal.,CIRAD, ASTRE, Montpellier, France.,ASTRE, INRA, CIRAD, Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Hélène Guis
- CIRAD, ASTRE, Montpellier, France.,ASTRE, INRA, CIRAD, Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Cirad, ASTRE, Antananarivo, Madagascar.,Institut Pasteur, Epidemiology Unit, Antananarivo, Madagascar.,FOFIFA, DRZVP, Antananarivo, Madagascar
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22
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Jess S, Thompson GM, Clawson S, Forsythe IWN, Rea I, Gordon AW, Murchie AK. Surveillance of biting midges (Culicoides spp.) in Northern Ireland: influence of seasonality, surrounding habitat and livestock housing. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2018; 32:48-60. [PMID: 28842922 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Revised: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Biting midges, Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), are important vectors of viral pathogens. Following the outbreak of bluetongue serotype 8 in Europe between 2006 and 2009, many Culicoides surveillance programmes were initiated to identify vector-active periods, in accordance with European Commission regulation 2007/1266/EC. This study utilized surveillance data from 4 years of continuous light-trapping at 14 sites in Northern Ireland. The number of captured Culicoides varied from none during the vector-free period (December-April) to more than 36 000 per night during peak activity in the summer. The Obsoletus group represented 75% of Culicoides collected and the Pulicaris group represented 21%. A total of 91% of Culicoides were female, of which 42% were parous. Abundance data, sex ratios and parous rates suggested that both the Obsoletus and Pulicaris groups underwent three generations/year. The Obsoletus group was associated with cattle-rearing habitats and woodland, the Impunctatus group was found in habitats related to sheep rearing and the Pulicaris group were associated with both cattle and sheep. Housing did not reduce incursion of female Obsoletus group Culicoides but it did for males and for the Pulicaris group Culicoides. The influence of housing was strongly affected by time of year, probably reflecting the presence of livestock indoors/outdoors.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Jess
- Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - G M Thompson
- Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, Northern Ireland
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - S Clawson
- Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - I W N Forsythe
- Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - I Rea
- Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - A W Gordon
- Finance and Corporate Affairs Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - A K Murchie
- Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, Northern Ireland
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23
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McGrath G, More SJ, O'Neill R. Hypothetical route of the introduction of Schmallenberg virus into Ireland using two complementary analyses. Vet Rec 2017; 182:226. [PMID: 29217767 PMCID: PMC5870451 DOI: 10.1136/vr.104302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Ireland lost its official freedom from Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in October 2012. The route of introduction is uncertain, with long-distance displacement of infected Culicoides, biting midges, by suitable wind flows considered to be the most likely source. The authors investigated the potential introduction of SBV into Ireland through a Culicoides incursion event in the summer of 2012. They conducted SBV serology on archived bovine sera to identify the prospective dispersal window, then used atmospheric dispersion modelling during periods around this window to identify environmental conditions the authors considered suitable for atmospheric dispersal of Culicoides from potential infected source locations across Southern England. The authors believe that there was one plausible window over the summer of 2012, on August 10-11, based on suitable meteorological conditions. They conclude that a potential long-range transportation event of Culicoides appears to have occurred successfully only once during the 2012 vector competent season. If these incursion events remain at a low frequency, meteorological modelling has the potential to contribute cost-effectively to the alert and response systems for vectorborne diseases in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy McGrath
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Simon J More
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ronan O'Neill
- Virology Division, Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine Laboratory Services, Celbridge, Ireland
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24
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Evaluation of Host-Derived Volatiles for Trapping Culicoides Biting Midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). J Chem Ecol 2017; 43:662-669. [PMID: 28674827 PMCID: PMC5557871 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-017-0860-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Revised: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopognidae) cause pain and distress through blood feeding, and transmit viruses that threaten both animal and human health worldwide. There are few effective tools for monitoring and control of biting midges, with semiochemical-based strategies offering the advantage of targeting host-seeking populations. In previous studies, we identified the host preference of multiple Culicoides species, including Culicoides impunctatus, as well as cattle-derived compounds that modulate the behavioral responses of C. nubeculosus under laboratory conditions. Here, we test the efficacy of these compounds, when released at different rates, in attracting C. impunctatus under field conditions in Southern Sweden. Traps releasing 1-octen-3-ol, decanal, phenol, 4-methylphenol or 3-propylphenol, when combined with carbon dioxide (CO2), captured significantly higher numbers of C. impunctatus compared to control traps baited with CO2 alone, with low release rates (0.1 mg h−1, 1 mg h−1) being generally more attractive. In contrast, traps releasing octanal or (E)-2-nonenal at 1 mg h−1 and 10 mg h−1 collected significantly lower numbers of C. impunctatus than control traps baited with CO2 only. Nonanal and 2-ethylhexanol did not affect the attraction of C. impunctatus when compared to CO2 alone at any of the release rates tested. The potential use of these semiochemicals as attractants and repellents for biting midge control is discussed.
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Versteirt V, Balenghien T, Tack W, Wint W. A first estimation of Culicoides imicola and Culicoides obsoletus/Culicoides scoticus seasonality and abundance in Europe. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.2903/sp.efsa.2017.en-1182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - T Balenghien
- Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II Madinat Al Irfane Morocco
| | | | - W Wint
- Environmental Research Group Oxford The United Kingdom
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26
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Bessell PR, Searle KR, Auty HK, Handel IG, Purse BV, Bronsvoort BMDC. Assessing the potential for Bluetongue virus 8 to spread and vaccination strategies in Scotland. Sci Rep 2016; 6:38940. [PMID: 27958339 PMCID: PMC5154200 DOI: 10.1038/srep38940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Europe has seen frequent outbreaks of Bluetongue (BT) disease since 2006, including an outbreak of BT virus serotype 8 in central France during 2015 that has continued to spread in Europe during 2016. Thus, assessing the potential for BTv-8 spread and determining the optimal deployment of vaccination is critical for contingency planning. We developed a spatially explicit mathematical model of BTv-8 spread in Scotland and explored the sensitivity of transmission to key disease spread parameters for which detailed empirical data is lacking. With parameters at mean values, there is little spread of BTv-8 in Scotland. However, under a “worst case” but still feasible scenario with parameters at the limits of their ranges and temperatures 1 °C warmer than the mean, we find extensive spread with 203,000 sheep infected given virus introduction to the south of Scotland between mid-May and mid-June. Strategically targeted vaccine interventions can greatly reduce BT spread. Specifically, despite BT having most clinical impact in sheep, we show that vaccination can have the greatest impact on reducing BTv infections in sheep when administered to cattle, which has implications for disease control policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R Bessell
- The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Kate R Searle
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Edinburgh, EH26 0QB, UK
| | - Harriet K Auty
- Epidemiology Research Unit, Future Farming Systems Group, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), An Lòchran, Inverness Campus, Inverness, IV2 5NA, UK
| | - Ian G Handel
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Bethan V Purse
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford, OX10 8BB, UK
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27
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A Deterministic Model to Quantify Risk and Guide Mitigation Strategies to Reduce Bluetongue Virus Transmission in California Dairy Cattle. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165806. [PMID: 27812161 PMCID: PMC5094782 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The global distribution of bluetongue virus (BTV) has been changing recently, perhaps as a result of climate change. To evaluate the risk of BTV infection and transmission in a BTV-endemic region of California, sentinel dairy cows were evaluated for BTV infection, and populations of Culicoides vectors were collected at different sites using carbon dioxide. A deterministic model was developed to quantify risk and guide future mitigation strategies to reduce BTV infection in California dairy cattle. The greatest risk of BTV transmission was predicted within the warm Central Valley of California that contains the highest density of dairy cattle in the United States. Temperature and parameters associated with Culicoides vectors (transmission probabilities, carrying capacity, and survivorship) had the greatest effect on BTV's basic reproduction number, R0. Based on these analyses, optimal control strategies for reducing BTV infection risk in dairy cattle will be highly reliant upon early efforts to reduce vector abundance during the months prior to peak transmission.
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28
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Crilly JP, Nuttall T, Del Pozo J, Hopker A, Tomlinson M, Sargison N. Hypersensitivity to Culicoides midges causing seasonal dermatitis in sheep. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2016; 3-4:53-56. [PMID: 31014500 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2016.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Revised: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Culicoides midges are important as vectors of disease, as an irritant with severe effects on human outdoor activities in certain areas and as the cause of insect bite hypersensitivity in domestic animals (most notably horses). Here we report, for the first time, the confirmation of ovine hypersensitivity to Culicoides midges in Hebridean sheep suffering from seasonal allergic skin disease using intradermal allergen testing. The affected sheep formed 40% of the adults in the small flock, and this indication of a potentially high prevalence of a condition with welfare implications is of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Patrick Crilly
- Farm Animal Practice, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
| | - Tim Nuttall
- Hospital for Small Animals, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Jorge Del Pozo
- Easter Bush Pathology, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Andy Hopker
- Farm Animal Practice, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Martin Tomlinson
- Farm Animal Practice, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Neil Sargison
- Farm Animal Practice, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
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Kluiters G, Pagès N, Carpenter S, Gardès L, Guis H, Baylis M, Garros C. Morphometric discrimination of two sympatric sibling species in the Palaearctic region, Culicoides obsoletus Meigen and C. scoticus Downes & Kettle (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), vectors of bluetongue and Schmallenberg viruses. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:262. [PMID: 27146157 PMCID: PMC4857416 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1520-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Some Palaearctic biting midge species (subgenus Avaritia) have been implicated as vectors of bluetongue virus in northern Europe. Separation of two species (C. obsoletus and C. scoticus) is considered difficult morphologically and, often, these female specimens are grouped in entomological studies. However, species-specific identification is desirable to understand their life history characteristics, assess their roles in disease transmission or measure their abundance during arboviral outbreaks. This study aims to investigate whether morphometric identification techniques can be applied to female C. obsoletus and C. scoticus individuals trapped at different geographical regions and time periods during the vector season. Methods C. obsoletus and C. scoticus were collected using light-suction traps from the UK, France and Spain, with two geographical locations sampled per country. A total of 759 C. obsoletus/C. scoticus individuals were identified using a molecular assay based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene. Fifteen morphometric measurements were taken from the head, wings and abdomen of slide-mounted specimens, and ratios calculated between these measurements. Multivariate analyses explored whether a combination of morphometric variables could lead to accurate species identification. Finally, Culicoides spp. collected in France at the start, middle and end of the adult vector season were compared, to determine whether seasonal variation exists in any of the morphometric measurements. Results The principal component analyses revealed that abdominal characteristics: length and width of the smaller and larger spermathecae, and the length of the chitinous plates and width between them, are the most reliable morphometric characteristics to differentiate between the species. Seasonal variation in the size of each species was observed for head and wing measurements, but not abdominal measurements. Geographical variation in the size of Culicoides spp. was also observed and is likely to be related to temperature at the trapping sites, with smaller individuals trapped at more southern latitudes. Conclusions Our results suggest that female C. obsoletus and C. scoticus individuals can be separated under a stereomicroscope using abdominal measurements. Although we show the length and width of the spermathecae can be used to differentiate between the species, this can be time-consuming, so we recommend undertaking this using standardized subsampling of catches. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1520-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Kluiters
- Liverpool University Climate and Infectious Diseases of Animals (LUCINDA) Group, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Cheshire, CH64 7TE, UK.
| | - N Pagès
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat 26 Animal (CReSA), UAB-IRTA, Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.,Present address: CIRAD, UMR CMAEE, F-97170, Petit-Bourg, Guadeloupe, France
| | - S Carpenter
- Vector-borne Viral Disease Programme, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, GU24 0NF, UK
| | - L Gardès
- Cirad, UMR15 CMAEE, F-34398, Montpellier, France.,INRA, UMR1309 CMAEE, F-34398, Montpellier, France
| | - H Guis
- Cirad, UMR15 CMAEE, F-34398, Montpellier, France.,INRA, UMR1309 CMAEE, F-34398, Montpellier, France
| | - M Baylis
- Liverpool University Climate and Infectious Diseases of Animals (LUCINDA) Group, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Cheshire, CH64 7TE, UK.,National Institute for Health Research, Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - C Garros
- Cirad, UMR15 CMAEE, F-34398, Montpellier, France.,INRA, UMR1309 CMAEE, F-34398, Montpellier, France
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Hayama Y, Moriguchi S, Yanase T, Suzuki M, Niwa T, Ikemiyagi K, Nitta Y, Yamamoto T, Kobayashi S, Murai K, Tsutsui T. Epidemiological analysis of bovine ephemeral fever in 2012-2013 in the subtropical islands of Japan. BMC Vet Res 2016; 12:47. [PMID: 26956227 PMCID: PMC4784302 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-016-0673-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) is a febrile disease of cattle that is transmitted by arthropod vectors such as mosquitoes and Culicoides biting midges. An outbreak of BEF recently occurred in Ishigaki Island and surrounding islands that are located southwest of Japan. In this study, an epidemiological analysis was conducted to understand the temporal and spatial characteristics of the outbreak. Factors associated with the disease spread within Ishigaki Island were investigated by hierarchical Bayesian models. The possibility of between-island transmission by windborne vectors and transmission by long-distance migration of infected vectors were examined using atmospheric dispersion models. Results In September 2012, the first case of the disease was detected in the western part of Ishigaki Island. In 1 month, it had rapidly spread to the southern part of the island and to surrounding islands, and led to 225 suspected cases of BEF during the outbreak. The dispersion model demonstrated the high possibility of between-island transmission by wind. Spatial analysis showed that paddy fields, farmlands, and slope gradients had a significant impact on the 1-km cell-level incidence risk. These factors may have influenced the habitats and movements of the vectors with regard to the spread of BEF. A plausible incursion event of infected vectors from Southeast Asia to Ishigaki Island was estimated to have occurred at the end of August. Conclusion This study revealed that the condition of a terrain and land use significantly influenced disease transmission. These factors are important in assessing favorable environments for related vectors. The results of the dispersion model indicated the likely transmission of the infected vectors by wind on the local scale and on the long-distance scale. These findings would be helpful for developing a surveillance program and developing preventive measures against BEF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Hayama
- Viral Disease and Epidemiology Research Division, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 3-1-5 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0856, Japan.
| | - Sachiko Moriguchi
- Viral Disease and Epidemiology Research Division, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 3-1-5 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0856, Japan. .,Department of Environmental Science Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan.
| | - Tohru Yanase
- Kyushu Research Station, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Kagoshima, Japan.
| | - Moemi Suzuki
- Yaeyama Livestock Hygiene Service Center, Okinawa Prefectural Government, Okinawa, Japan. .,Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Animal Health, Okinawa, Japan.
| | - Tsuyoshi Niwa
- Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Animal Health, Okinawa, Japan.
| | | | - Yoshiki Nitta
- Yaeyama Livestock Hygiene Service Center, Okinawa Prefectural Government, Okinawa, Japan.
| | - Takehisa Yamamoto
- Viral Disease and Epidemiology Research Division, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 3-1-5 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0856, Japan.
| | - Sota Kobayashi
- Viral Disease and Epidemiology Research Division, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 3-1-5 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0856, Japan.
| | - Kiyokazu Murai
- Viral Disease and Epidemiology Research Division, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 3-1-5 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0856, Japan.
| | - Toshiyuki Tsutsui
- Viral Disease and Epidemiology Research Division, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 3-1-5 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0856, Japan.
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Spatial epidemiological analysis of bovine encephalomyelitis outbreaks caused by Akabane virus infection in western Japan in 2011. Trop Anim Health Prod 2016; 48:843-7. [PMID: 26898692 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-016-1014-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Akabane disease, which is distributed in temperate and tropical regions in the world, is a vector-borne disease of ruminants caused by the Akabane virus, transmitted by Culicoides biting midges. In 2011, outbreaks of Akabane viral encephalomyelitis occurred in the Shimane Prefecture in western Japan. In this study, a spatial epidemiological analysis was conducted to understand environmental factors associated with the spread of Akabane disease. By applying a conditional autoregressive model, the relationship between infection and environmental variables was explored. The results showed that the dominance of farmlands and the presence of infected farms within a 3-km radius had a significant effect on infection. This result implies that land use, which would relate with the vector habitat, and the presence of neighboring infected farms as a source of infection may have influenced the spread of the disease in this region. These findings provide basic insights into the spread of Akabane disease and useful suggestions for developing a surveillance program and preventive measures against the disease.
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Schulz C, Ziller M, Kampen H, Gauly M, Beer M, Grevelding CG, Hoffmann B, Bauer C, Werner D. Culicoides vector species on three South American camelid farms seropositive for bluetongue virus serotype 8 in Germany 2008/2009. Vet Parasitol 2015; 214:272-81. [PMID: 26489592 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2015] [Revised: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Palearctic species of Culicoides (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae), in particular of the Obsoletus and Pulicaris complexes, were identified as putative vectors of bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV-8) on ruminant farms during the epizootic in Germany from 2006 to 2009. BTV may cause severe morbidity and mortality in ruminants and sporadically in South American camelids (SAC). However, the fauna of Culicoides spp. on SAC farms has not been investigated. Therefore, the ceratopogonid fauna was monitored on three farms with BTV-seropositive SAC in Germany. Black-light traps were set up on pastures and in stables from summer 2008 to autumn 2009. Additionally, ceratopogonids were caught in emergence traps mounted on llama dung and dung-free pasture from spring to autumn 2009. After morphological identification, selected Culicoides samples were analysed for BTV-RNA by real-time RT-PCR. The effects of the variables 'location', 'temperature' and 'humidity' on the number of Culicoides caught in black-light traps were modelled using multivariable Poisson regression. In total, 26 species of Culicoides and six other genera of biting midges were identified. The most abundant Culicoides spp. collected both outdoors and indoors with black-light traps belonged to the Obsoletus (77.4%) and Pulicaris (16.0%) complexes. The number of Culicoides peaked in summer, while no biting midges were caught during the winter months. Daily collections of Culicoides were mainly influenced by the location and depended on the interaction of temperature and humidity. In the emergence traps, species of the Obsoletus complex predominated the collections. In summary, the absence of BTV-RNA in any of the analysed Culicoides midges and in the BTV-seropositive SAC on the three farms together with the differences in the pathogenesis of BTV-8 in SAC compared to ruminants suggests a negligible role of SAC in the spread of the virus. Although SAC farms may provide similar suitable habitats for putative Culicoides vectors than ruminant farms, the results suggest that geographic and meteorological factors had a stronger influence on Culicoides abundance than the animal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Schulz
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; BFS, Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Mario Ziller
- Workgroup Biomathematics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Helge Kampen
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Matthias Gauly
- Department of Animal Science, Livestock Production Group, Georg August University Göttingen, Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Christoph G Grevelding
- BFS, Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Bernd Hoffmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Christian Bauer
- BFS, Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Doreen Werner
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Eberswalder Str. 84, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany.
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DE Regge N, DE Deken R, Fassotte C, Losson B, Deblauwe I, Madder M, Vantieghem P, Tomme M, Smeets F, Cay AB. Culicoides monitoring in Belgium in 2011: analysis of spatiotemporal abundance, species diversity and Schmallenberg virus detection. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2015; 29:263-275. [PMID: 25761054 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2013] [Revised: 11/27/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In 2011, Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) were collected at 16 locations covering four regions of Belgium with Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (OVI) traps and at two locations with Rothamsted suction traps (RSTs). Quantification of the collections and morphological identification showed important variations in abundance and species diversity between individual collection sites, even for sites located in the same region. However, consistently higher numbers of Culicoides midges were collected at some sites compared with others. When species abundance and diversity were analysed at regional level, between-site variation disappeared. Overall, species belonging to the subgenus Avaritia together with Culicoides pulicaris (subgenus Culicoides) were the most abundant, accounting for 80% and 96% of all midges collected with RSTs and OVI traps, respectively. Culicoides were present during most of the year, with Culicoides obsoletus complex midges found from 9 February until 27 December. Real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction screening for Schmallenberg virus in the heads of collected midges resulted in the first detection of the virus in August 2011 and identified C. obsoletus complex, Culicoides chiopterus and Culicoides dewulfi midges as putative vector species. At Libramont in the south of Belgium, no positive pools were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- N DE Regge
- Operational Direction Viral Diseases, Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre (CODA-CERVA), Brussels, Belgium
| | - R DE Deken
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - C Fassotte
- Plant Protection and Ecotoxicology, Life Science Department, Walloon Agricultural Research Centre (CRA-W), Gembloux, Belgium
| | - B Losson
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - I Deblauwe
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - M Madder
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - P Vantieghem
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - M Tomme
- Plant Protection and Ecotoxicology, Life Science Department, Walloon Agricultural Research Centre (CRA-W), Gembloux, Belgium
| | - F Smeets
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - A B Cay
- Operational Direction Viral Diseases, Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre (CODA-CERVA), Brussels, Belgium
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Diarra M, Fall M, Lancelot R, Diop A, Fall AG, Dicko A, Seck MT, Garros C, Allène X, Rakotoarivony I, Bakhoum MT, Bouyer J, Guis H. Modelling the Abundances of Two Major Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Species in the Niayes Area of Senegal. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0131021. [PMID: 26121048 PMCID: PMC4487250 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In Senegal, considerable mortality in the equine population and hence major economic losses were caused by the African horse sickness (AHS) epizootic in 2007. Culicoides oxystoma and Culicoides imicola, known or suspected of being vectors of bluetongue and AHS viruses are two predominant species in the vicinity of horses and are present all year-round in Niayes area, Senegal. The aim of this study was to better understand the environmental and climatic drivers of the dynamics of these two species. Culicoides collections were obtained using OVI (Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute) light traps at each of the 5 sites for three nights of consecutive collection per month over one year. Cross Correlation Map analysis was performed to determine the time-lags for which environmental variables and abundance data were the most correlated. C. oxystoma and C. imicola count data were highly variable and overdispersed. Despite modelling large Culicoides counts (over 220,000 Culicoides captured in 354 night-traps), using on-site climate measures, overdispersion persisted in Poisson, negative binomial, Poisson regression mixed-effect with random effect at the site of capture models. The only model able to take into account overdispersion was the Poisson regression mixed-effect model with nested random effects at the site and date of capture levels. According to this model, meteorological variables that contribute to explaining the dynamics of C. oxystoma and C. imicola abundances were: mean temperature and relative humidity of the capture day, mean humidity between 21 and 19 days prior a capture event, density of ruminants, percentage cover of water bodies within a 2 km radius and interaction between temperature and humidity for C. oxystoma; mean rainfall and NDVI of the capture day and percentage cover of water bodies for C. imicola. Other variables such as soil moisture, wind speed, degree days, land cover or landscape metrics could be tested to improve the models. Further work should also assess whether other trapping methods such as host-baited traps help reduce overdispersion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Diarra
- Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles, Laboratoire National de l’Elevage et de Recherches Vétérinaires, Dakar, Sénégal
- Université Gaston Berger, Laboratoire d’Etudes et de Recherches en Statistiques et Développement, Saint-Louis, Sénégal
- * E-mail:
| | - Moussa Fall
- Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles, Laboratoire National de l’Elevage et de Recherches Vétérinaires, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Renaud Lancelot
- Cirad, UMR15 CMAEE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
- INRA, UMR1309 CMAEE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
| | - Aliou Diop
- Université Gaston Berger, Laboratoire d’Etudes et de Recherches en Statistiques et Développement, Saint-Louis, Sénégal
| | - Assane G. Fall
- Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles, Laboratoire National de l’Elevage et de Recherches Vétérinaires, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Ahmadou Dicko
- Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles, Laboratoire National de l’Elevage et de Recherches Vétérinaires, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Momar Talla Seck
- Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles, Laboratoire National de l’Elevage et de Recherches Vétérinaires, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Claire Garros
- Cirad, UMR15 CMAEE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
- INRA, UMR1309 CMAEE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
| | - Xavier Allène
- Cirad, UMR15 CMAEE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
- INRA, UMR1309 CMAEE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
| | - Ignace Rakotoarivony
- Cirad, UMR15 CMAEE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
- INRA, UMR1309 CMAEE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
| | - Mame Thierno Bakhoum
- Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles, Laboratoire National de l’Elevage et de Recherches Vétérinaires, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Jérémy Bouyer
- Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles, Laboratoire National de l’Elevage et de Recherches Vétérinaires, Dakar, Sénégal
- Cirad, UMR15 CMAEE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
- INRA, UMR1309 CMAEE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
| | - Hélène Guis
- Cirad, UMR15 CMAEE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
- INRA, UMR1309 CMAEE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
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Purse BV, Golding N. Tracking the distribution and impacts of diseases with biological records and distribution modelling. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bethan V. Purse
- NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology; Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford Wallingford Oxfordshire OX10 8BB UK
| | - Nick Golding
- Spatial Ecology and Epidemiology Group; Department of Zoology; University of Oxford; Oxford Oxfordshire OX1 3PS UK
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Ribeiro R, Wilson AJ, Nunes T, Ramilo DW, Amador R, Madeira S, Baptista FM, Harrup LE, Lucientes J, Boinas F. Spatial and temporal distribution of Culicoides species in mainland Portugal (2005-2010). Results of the Portuguese Entomological Surveillance Programme. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0124019. [PMID: 25906151 PMCID: PMC4407895 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bluetongue virus (BTV) is transmitted by Culicoides biting midges and causes an infectious, non-contagious disease of ruminants. It has been rapidly emerging in southern Europe since 1998. In mainland Portugal, strains of BTV belonging to three serotypes have been detected: BTV-10 (1956-1960), BTV-4 (2004-2006 and 2013) and BTV-1 (2007-2012). This paper describes the design, implementation and results of the Entomological Surveillance Programme covering mainland Portugal, between 2005 and 2010, including 5,650 caches. Culicoides imicola Kieffer was mostly found in central and southern regions of Portugal, although it was sporadically detected in northern latitudes. Its peak activity occurred in the autumn and it was active during the winter months in limited areas of the country. Obsoletus group was present at the highest densities in the north although they were found throughout the country in substantial numbers. Culicoides activity occurred all year round but peaked in the spring. A generalized linear mixed model was developed for the analysis of the environmental factors associated with activity of the species of Culicoides suspected vectors of BTV in the country. For C. imicola Kieffer, the most important variables were month, diurnal temperature range (DTR), the number of frost days (FRS) and median monthly temperature (TMP). For the Obsoletus group, the most important factors were month, diurnal temperature range (DTR), and linear and quadratic terms for median monthly temperature (TMP). The results reported can improve our understanding of climatic factors in Culicoides activity influencing their distribution and seasonal pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Ribeiro
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Anthony J. Wilson
- Integrative Entomology Group, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Telmo Nunes
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - David W. Ramilo
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rita Amador
- Direção-Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária, Food and Veterinary Central Services, Campo Grande, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sara Madeira
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Filipa M. Baptista
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Lara E. Harrup
- Entomology Group, Vector-borne Viral Diseases Programme, The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Javier Lucientes
- Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Animal Pathology (Animal Health), Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Fernando Boinas
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- * E-mail:
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Purse BV, Carpenter S, Venter GJ, Bellis G, Mullens BA. Bionomics of temperate and tropical Culicoides midges: knowledge gaps and consequences for transmission of Culicoides-borne viruses. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2015; 60:373-92. [PMID: 25386725 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-010814-020614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Culicoides midges are abundant hematophagous flies that vector arboviruses of veterinary and medical importance. Dramatic changes in the epidemiology of Culicoides-borne arboviruses have occurred since 1998, including the emergence of exotic viruses in northern temperate regions, increases in global disease incidence, and enhanced virus diversity in tropical zones. Drivers may include changes in climate, land use, trade, and animal husbandry. New Culicoides species and new wild reservoir hosts have been implicated in transmission, highlighting the dynamic nature of pathogen-vector-host interactions. Focusing on potential vector species worldwide and key elements of vectorial capacity, we review the sensitivity of Culicoides life cycles to abiotic and biotic factors. We consider implications for designing control measures and understanding impacts of environmental change in different ecological contexts. Critical geographical, biological, and taxonomic knowledge gaps are prioritized. Recent developments in genomics and mathematical modeling may enhance ecological understanding of these complex arbovirus systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- B V Purse
- NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Oxfordshire, OX10 8BB, United Kingdom;
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Environmental drivers of Culicoides phenology: how important is species-specific variation when determining disease policy? PLoS One 2014; 9:e111876. [PMID: 25386940 PMCID: PMC4227682 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2014] [Accepted: 09/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Since 2006, arboviruses transmitted by Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) have caused significant disruption to ruminant production in northern Europe. The most serious incursions involved strains of bluetongue virus (BTV), which cause bluetongue (BT) disease. To control spread of BTV, movement of susceptible livestock is restricted with economic and animal welfare impacts. The timing of BTV transmission in temperate regions is partly determined by the seasonal presence of adult Culicoides females. Legislative measures therefore allow for the relaxation of ruminant movement restrictions during winter, when nightly light-suction trap catches of Culicoides fall below a threshold (the ‘seasonally vector free period’: SVFP). We analysed five years of time-series surveillance data from light-suction trapping in the UK to investigate whether significant inter-specific and yearly variation in adult phenology exists, and whether the SVFP is predictable from environmental factors. Because female vector Culicoides are not easily morphologically separated, inter-specific comparisons in phenology were drawn from male populations. We demonstrate significant inter-specific differences in Culicoides adult phenology with the season of Culicoides scoticus approximately eight weeks shorter than Culicoides obsoletus. Species-specific differences in the length of the SVFP were related to host density and local variation in landscape habitat. When the Avaritia Culicoides females were modelled as a group (as utilised in the SFVP), we were unable to detect links between environmental drivers and phenological metrics. We conclude that the current treatment of Avaritia Culicoides as a single group inhibits understanding of environmentally-driven spatial variation in species phenology and hinders the development of models for predicting the SVFP from environmental factors. Culicoides surveillance methods should be adapted to focus on concentrated assessments of species-specific abundance during the start and end of seasonal activity in temperate regions to facilitate refinement of ruminant movement restrictions thereby reducing the impact of Culicoides-borne arboviruses.
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Hartemink N, Vanwambeke SO, Purse BV, Gilbert M, Van Dyck H. Towards a resource-based habitat approach for spatial modelling of vector-borne disease risks. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2014; 90:1151-62. [PMID: 25335785 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2014] [Revised: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 09/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Given the veterinary and public health impact of vector-borne diseases, there is a clear need to assess the suitability of landscapes for the emergence and spread of these diseases. Current approaches for predicting disease risks neglect key features of the landscape as components of the functional habitat of vectors or hosts, and hence of the pathogen. Empirical-statistical methods do not explicitly incorporate biological mechanisms, whereas current mechanistic models are rarely spatially explicit; both methods ignore the way animals use the landscape (i.e. movement ecology). We argue that applying a functional concept for habitat, i.e. the resource-based habitat concept (RBHC), can solve these issues. The RBHC offers a framework to identify systematically the different ecological resources that are necessary for the completion of the transmission cycle and to relate these resources to (combinations of) landscape features and other environmental factors. The potential of the RBHC as a framework for identifying suitable habitats for vector-borne pathogens is explored and illustrated with the case of bluetongue virus, a midge-transmitted virus affecting ruminants. The concept facilitates the study of functional habitats of the interacting species (vectors as well as hosts) and provides new insight into spatial and temporal variation in transmission opportunities and exposure that ultimately determine disease risks. It may help to identify knowledge gaps and control options arising from changes in the spatial configuration of key resources across the landscape. The RBHC framework may act as a bridge between existing mechanistic and statistical modelling approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nienke Hartemink
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Farm Animal Health, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 7, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sophie O Vanwambeke
- Georges Lemaître Centre for Earth and Climate Research (TECLIM), Earth and Life Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Place Louis Pasteur 3 bte L4.03.07, B 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Bethan V Purse
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Maclean Building, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BB, U.K
| | - Marius Gilbert
- Biological Control and Spatial Ecology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, ULB CP160/12, Avenue F. D. Roosevelt 50, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium.,Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique, F.R.S.-FNRS rue d'Egmont 5, B 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hans Van Dyck
- Behavioural Ecology and Conservation Group, Earth and Life Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 4-5 L7.07.04, B 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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Lühken R, Steinke S, Wittmann A, Kiel E. Impact of flooding on the immature stages of dung-breeding Culicoides in Northern Europe. Vet Parasitol 2014; 205:289-94. [PMID: 24986464 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2014] [Revised: 06/01/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In Northern Europe, dung-breeding Culicoides (e.g., Culicoides chiopterus (Meigen 1830) and Culicoides dewulfi (Goetghebuer 1936)) are considered to be important vectors of the Bluetongue virus and Schmallenberg virus. The interpretation of their distribution is difficult due to the lack of knowledge about their ecology. Previously, soil moisture and especially flooding were identified as important factors that influence the development of several biting-midge species. Therefore, this experimental study addressed the question whether flooding has a negative impact on the development of immature stages of Obsoletus group species. Ten cowpats were collected, and each was divided into four quarters and kept at different moisture regimes in a greenhouse: (1) "dry" (no water added), (2) "control" (regularly moistened), (3) "alternately flooded" and (4) "permanently flooded", to compare Culicoides emergence. Flooding had a significant negative impact on the emergence of Culicoides. No individuals emerged from the "permanently flooded" treatment and only two individuals were sampled from the "alternately flooded" treatment. In contrast, the total emergence from the non-flooded samples in the "dry" (96 individuals, 38.6% of all Culicoides) and "control" (151 individuals, 60.6% of all biting midges) treatments was considerably higher. Biting midges were predominantly identified as C. dewulfi (161 individuals, 64.7% of all Culicoides) and C. chiopterus (63 individuals, 25.3% of all Culicoides). There were no significant differences in emergence between the "dry" and "control" treatments. Our results highlight the importance of soil moisture on the distribution of C. chiopterus and C. dewulfi. Regarding physiological and behavioural adaptations of other Culicoides species, we argue that pupae of C. chiopterus and C. dewulfi are in danger of drowning when breeding sites are flooded as they cannot float. On the contrary, our results indicate that desiccation might not be harmful to these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renke Lühken
- Research Group Aquatic Ecology and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstraße 114-118, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany.
| | - Sonja Steinke
- Research Group Aquatic Ecology and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstraße 114-118, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Anna Wittmann
- Research Group Aquatic Ecology and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstraße 114-118, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Ellen Kiel
- Research Group Aquatic Ecology and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstraße 114-118, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany
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Scolamacchia F, VAN DEN Broek J, Meiswinkel R, Heesterbeek JAP, Elbers ARW. Principal climatic and edaphic determinants of Culicoides biting midge abundance during the 2007-2008 bluetongue epidemic in the Netherlands, based on OVI light trap data. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2014; 28:143-156. [PMID: 24148154 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2012] [Revised: 05/07/2013] [Accepted: 05/14/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Palaearctic Culicoides midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) represent a vital link in the northward advance of certain arboviral pathogens of livestock such as that caused by bluetongue virus. The effects of relevant ecological factors on weekly Culicoides vector abundances during the bluetongue virus serotype 8 epidemics in the Netherlands in 2007 and 2008 were quantified within a hurdle modelling framework. The relative role of meteorological parameters showed a broadly consistent association across species, with larger catches linked to temperature-related variables and lower wind speed. Moreover, vector abundance was found to be influenced by edaphic factors, likely related to species-specific breeding habitat preferences that differed markedly amongst some species. This is the first study on Culicoides vector species in the Netherlands identified during an entomological surveillance programme, in which an attempt is made to pinpoint the factors that influence midge abundance levels. In addition to providing key inputs into risk-mitigating tools for midge-borne pathogens and disease transmission models, the adoption of methods that explicitly address certain features of abundance datasets (frequent zero-count observations and over-dispersion) helped enhance the robustness of the ecological analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Scolamacchia
- Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, Crisis Organization and Diagnostics, Central Veterinary Institute of Wageningen University, Lelystad, the Netherlands
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Lysyk TJ, Dergousoff SJ. Distribution of Culicoides sonorensis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Alberta, Canada. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2014; 51:560-571. [PMID: 24897848 DOI: 10.1603/me13239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The distribution of Culicoides sonorensis Wirth and Jones was examined in Alberta, Canada. Sampling was conducted weekly using blacklight traps at eight locations in 2009, and 10 locations during 2010-2012. Nine supplemental sites were sampled twice annually during both 2011 and 2012. Abundance of C. sonorensis was consistently greatest at a site near the U.S. border, and declined in a northerly direction. Mean annual abundance at this site ranged from 6.4- to > 1,000-fold greater across positive sites. Data from a less extensive survey conducted during 2002-2006 were included in the remaining analyses. C. sonorensis was distributed below a diagonal spanning 49 degrees 30' N, 113 degrees 0' W to 51 degrees 21' N, 110 degrees 40' W. The relationship between the proportion of weekly samples positive and mean annual abundance at a site was determined and indicated that the proportion of positive samples could be used as a surrogate measure of abundance to overcome issues associated with the extreme variation in abundance. A series of logistic regression models were developed and evaluated to determine the effects of spatial (latitude and longitude), climatic (historic temperature and precipitation during the warmest quarter), and weather (temperature during the sample interval and spring precipitation) on abundance as measured by the proportion of positive samples. Spatial and climatic variables set the overall level of abundance, while weather variables added seasonal fluctuations within years, and also fluctuations between years. These data will be useful for long-term monitoring of C. sonorensis and as a baseline for detecting shifts in abundance that might occur because of climate change.
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Robin M, Archer D, Garros C, Gardès L, Baylis M. The threat of midge-borne equine disease: investigation of Culicoides species on UK equine premises. Vet Rec 2014; 174:301. [PMID: 24508765 DOI: 10.1136/vr.102151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
There are concerns that outbreaks of exotic or novel vector-borne viral diseases will increasingly occur within northern Europe and the UK in the future. African horse sickness (AHS) is a viral disease of equids that is transmitted by Culicoides and is associated with up to 95 per cent mortality. AHS has never occurred in the UK; however, it has been suggested that appropriate Culicoides species and climatic conditions are present in northern Europe to support an outbreak. No data are currently available regarding the Culicoides species present on UK equine properties. This study demonstrates the presence of potential AHS virus vector Culicoides species on both urban and rural equine properties within the south-east UK. PCR analysis revealed that engorged members of these species contained equine DNA, proving a direct vector-host interaction. It is therefore possible that an AHS outbreak could occur in the UK if the virus were to be imported and, given the severe welfare and economic consequences of AHS, this would have devastating consequences to the naïve UK equine population.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Robin
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Chester High Road, Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE
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Carpenter S, Groschup MH, Garros C, Felippe-Bauer ML, Purse BV. Culicoides biting midges, arboviruses and public health in Europe. Antiviral Res 2013; 100:102-13. [PMID: 23933421 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2013.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2013] [Revised: 07/22/2013] [Accepted: 07/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of multiple strains of bluetongue virus (BTV) and the recent discovery of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in Europe have highlighted the fact that exotic Culicoides-borne arboviruses from remote geographic areas can enter and spread rapidly in this region. This review considers the potential for this phenomenon to impact on human health in Europe, by examining evidence of the role of Culicoides biting midges in the zoonotic transmission and person-to-person spread of arboviruses worldwide. To date, the only arbovirus identified as being primarily transmitted by Culicoides to and between humans is Oropouche virus (OROV). This member of the genus Orthobunyavirus causes major epidemics of febrile illness in human populations of South and Central America and the Caribbean. We examine factors promoting sustained outbreaks of OROV in Brazil from an entomological perspective and assess aspects of the epidemiology of this arbovirus that are currently poorly understood, but may influence the risk of incursion into Europe. We then review the secondary and rarely reported role of Culicoides in the transmission of high-profile zoonotic infections, while critically reviewing evidence of this phenomenon in endemic transmission and place this in context with the presence of other potential vector groups in Europe. Scenarios for the incursions of Culicoides-borne human-to-human transmitted and zoonotic arboviruses are then discussed, along with control measures that could be employed to reduce their impact. These measures are placed in the context of legislative measures used during current and ongoing outbreaks of Culicoides-borne arboviruses in Europe, involving both veterinary and public health sectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Carpenter
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK.
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Zimmer JY, Smeets F, Simonon G, Fagot J, Haubruge E, Francis F, Losson B. Are bogs reservoirs for emerging disease vectors? Evaluation of culicoides populations in the Hautes Fagnes Nature Reserve (Belgium). PLoS One 2013; 8:e66893. [PMID: 23799137 PMCID: PMC3682963 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2013] [Accepted: 05/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Several species of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) biting midges serve as biological vectors for the bluetongue virus (BTV) and the recently described Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in northern Europe. Since their recent emergence in this part of the continent, these diseases have caused considerable economic losses to the sheep and cattle industries. Much data is now available that describe the distribution, population dynamics, and feeding habits of these insects. However, little is known regarding the presence of Culicoides in unusual habitats such as peaty marshes, nor their potential vector capacity. This study evaluated Culicoides biting midges present in the bogs of a Belgian nature reserve compared to those residing at a nearby cattle farm. Culicoides were trapped in 2011 at four different sites (broadleaved and coniferous forested areas, open environments, and at a scientific station) located in the Hautes Fagnes Nature Reserve (Belgium). An additional light trap was operated on a nearby cattle farm. Very high numbers of biting midges were captured in the marshy area and most of them (70 to 95%) were Culicoides impunctatus, a potential vector of BTV and other pathogens. In addition, fewer numbers of C. obsoletus/C. scoticus species, C. chiopterus, and C. dewulfi were observed in the bogs compared to the farm. The wet environment and oligotrophic nature of the soil were probably responsible for these changes in the respective populations. A total of 297,808 Culicoides midges belonging to 27 species were identified during this study and 3 of these species (C. sphagnumensis, C. clintoni and C. comosioculatus) were described in Belgium for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Yves Zimmer
- Unit of Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Department of Agronomic Sciences, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, Gembloux, Belgium.
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Kirkeby C, Stockmarr A, Bødker R, Lind P. Spatio-temporal optimization of sampling for bluetongue vectors (Culicoides) near grazing livestock. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6:151. [PMID: 23705770 PMCID: PMC3682942 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2013] [Accepted: 05/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Estimating the abundance of Culicoides using light traps is influenced by a large variation in abundance in time and place. This study investigates the optimal trapping strategy to estimate the abundance or presence/absence of Culicoides on a field with grazing animals. We used 45 light traps to sample specimens from the Culicoides obsoletus species complex on a 14 hectare field during 16 nights in 2009. FINDINGS The large number of traps and catch nights enabled us to simulate a series of samples consisting of different numbers of traps (1-15) on each night. We also varied the number of catch nights when simulating the sampling, and sampled with increasing minimum distances between traps. We used resampling to generate a distribution of different mean and median abundance in each sample. Finally, we used the hypergeometric distribution to estimate the probability of falsely detecting absence of vectors on the field. The variation in the estimated abundance decreased steeply when using up to six traps, and was less pronounced when using more traps, although no clear cutoff was found. CONCLUSIONS Despite spatial clustering in vector abundance, we found no effect of increasing the distance between traps. We found that 18 traps were generally required to reach 90% probability of a true positive catch when sampling just one night. But when sampling over two nights the same probability level was obtained with just three traps per night. The results are useful for the design of vector monitoring programmes on fields with grazing animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Kirkeby
- National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Bülowsvej 27, DK-1790 Copenhagen V, Denmark.
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Kirkeby C, Bødker R, Stockmarr A, Lind P. Spatial abundance and clustering of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) on a local scale. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6:43. [PMID: 23433251 PMCID: PMC3608001 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2012] [Accepted: 01/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Biting midges, Culicoides, of the Obsoletus group and the Pulicaris group have been involved in recent outbreaks of bluetongue virus and the former was also involved in the Schmallenberg virus outbreak in northern Europe. Methods For the first time, here we investigate the local abundance pattern of these two species groups in the field by intensive sampling with a grid of light traps on 16 catch nights. Neighboring trap catches can be spatially dependent on each other, hence we developed a conditional autoregressive (CAR) model framework to test a number of spatial and non-spatial covariates expected to affect Culicoides abundance. Results The distance to sheep penned in the corner of the study field significantly increased the abundance level up to 200 meters away from the sheep. Spatial clustering was found to be significant but could not be explained by any known factors, and cluster locations shifted between catch nights. No significant temporal autocorrelation was detected. CAR models for both species groups identified a significant positive impact of humidity and significant negative impacts of precipitation and wind turbulence. Temperature was also found to be significant with a peak at just below 16 degrees Celcius. Surprisingly, there was a significant positive impact of wind speed. The CAR model for the Pulicaris group also identified a significant attraction to the smaller groups of sheep placed in the field. Furthermore, a large number of spatial covariates which were incorrectly found to be significant in ordinary regression models were not significant in the CAR models. The 95% C.I. on the prediction estimates ranged from 20.4% to 304.8%, underlining the difficulties of predicting the abundance of Culicoides. Conclusions We found that significant spatial clusters of Culicoides moved around in a dynamic pattern varying between catch nights. This conforms with the modeling but was not explained by any of the tested covariates. The mean abundance within these clusters was up to 11 times higher for the Obsoletus group and 4 times higher for the Pulicaris group compared to the rest of the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Kirkeby
- National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Bülowsvej 27, Frederiksberg C, DK-1870, Denmark.
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Bessell PR, Searle KR, Auty HK, Handel IG, Purse BV, Bronsvoort BMD. Epidemic potential of an emerging vector borne disease in a marginal environment: Schmallenberg in Scotland. Sci Rep 2013; 3:1178. [PMID: 23378911 PMCID: PMC3560360 DOI: 10.1038/srep01178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2012] [Accepted: 01/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
During 2011 Schmallenberg virus (SBV) presented as a novel disease of cattle and sheep that had apparently spread through northern Europe over a relatively short period of time, but has yet to infect Scotland. This paper describes the development of a model of SBV spread applied to Scotland in the event of an incursion. This model shows that SBV spread is very sensitive to the temperature, with relatively little spread and few reproductive losses predicted in years with average temperatures but extensive spread (>1 million animals infected) and substantial reproductive losses in the hottest years. These results indicate that it is possible for SBV to spread in Scotland, however spread is limited by climatic conditions and the timing of introduction. Further results show that the transmission kernel shape and extrinsic incubation period parameter have a non-linear effect on disease transmission, so a greater understanding of the SBV transmission parameters is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R Bessell
- The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9RG.
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Kluiters G, Sugden D, Guis H, McIntyre KM, Labuschagne K, Vilar MJ, Baylis M. Modelling the spatial distribution ofCulicoidesbiting midges at the local scale. J Appl Ecol 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Georgette Kluiters
- Liverpool University Climate and Infectious Diseases of Animals (Lucinda) Group, Institute of Infection and Global Health; University of Liverpool; Leahurst Campus; Neston, Cheshire; UK
| | - David Sugden
- Liverpool University Climate and Infectious Diseases of Animals (Lucinda) Group, Institute of Infection and Global Health; University of Liverpool; Leahurst Campus; Neston, Cheshire; UK
| | - Helene Guis
- CIRAD UMR CMAEE; F- 34398; Montpellier; France
| | - K. Marie McIntyre
- Liverpool University Climate and Infectious Diseases of Animals (Lucinda) Group, Institute of Infection and Global Health; University of Liverpool; Leahurst Campus; Neston, Cheshire; UK
| | - Karien Labuschagne
- ARC - Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, PVVD; Private Bag X5; Onderstepoort; 0110; South Africa
| | - Maria J. Vilar
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), UAB-IRTA; Campus de la Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona; 08193 Bellaterra; Barcelona; Spain
| | - Matthew Baylis
- Liverpool University Climate and Infectious Diseases of Animals (Lucinda) Group, Institute of Infection and Global Health; University of Liverpool; Leahurst Campus; Neston, Cheshire; UK
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