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Wint GRW, Balenghien T, Berriatua E, Braks M, Marsboom C, Medlock J, Schaffner F, Van Bortel W, Alexander N, Alten B, Czwienczek E, Dhollander S, Ducheyne E, Gossner CM, Hansford K, Hendrickx G, Honrubia H, Matheussen T, Mihalca AD, Petric D, Richardson J, Sprong H, Versteirt V, Briet O. VectorNet: collaborative mapping of arthropod disease vectors in Europe and surrounding areas since 2010. Euro Surveill 2023; 28:2200666. [PMID: 37382886 PMCID: PMC10311950 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2023.28.26.2200666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundArthropod vectors such as ticks, mosquitoes, sandflies and biting midges are of public and veterinary health significance because of the pathogens they can transmit. Understanding their distributions is a key means of assessing risk. VectorNet maps their distribution in the EU and surrounding areas.AimWe aim to describe the methodology underlying VectorNet maps, encourage standardisation and evaluate output.Methods: Vector distribution and surveillance activity data have been collected since 2010 from a combination of literature searches, field-survey data by entomologist volunteers via a network facilitated for each participating country and expert validation. Data were collated by VectorNet members and extensively validated during data entry and mapping processes.ResultsAs of 2021, the VectorNet archive consisted of ca 475,000 records relating to > 330 species. Maps for 42 species are routinely produced online at subnational administrative unit resolution. On VectorNet maps, there are relatively few areas where surveillance has been recorded but there are no distribution data. Comparison with other continental databases, namely the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and VectorBase show that VectorNet has 5-10 times as many records overall, although three species are better represented in the other databases. In addition, VectorNet maps show where species are absent. VectorNet's impact as assessed by citations (ca 60 per year) and web statistics (58,000 views) is substantial and its maps are widely used as reference material by professionals and the public.ConclusionVectorNet maps are the pre-eminent source of rigorously validated arthropod vector maps for Europe and its surrounding areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- G R William Wint
- Environmental Research Group Oxford Ltd, c/o Department of Biology, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Balenghien
- Unité Microbiologie, immunologie et maladies contagieuses, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Rabat, Morocco
- ASTRE, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, Montpellier, France
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Eduardo Berriatua
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Marieta Braks
- Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Cedric Marsboom
- Avia-GIS, Agro-Veterinary Information and Analysis, Zoersel, Belgium
| | - Jolyon Medlock
- Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, United Kingdom
| | | | - Wim Van Bortel
- Unit Entomology and the Outbreak Research Team, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Neil Alexander
- Environmental Research Group Oxford Ltd, c/o Department of Biology, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Bulent Alten
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Ecology Division, VERG Laboratories, Beytepe, Ankara, Turkey
| | | | | | - Els Ducheyne
- Johnson and Johnson, Beerse, Belgium
- Avia-GIS, Agro-Veterinary Information and Analysis, Zoersel, Belgium
| | - Celine M Gossner
- Disease Programme Unit, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kayleigh Hansford
- Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, United Kingdom
| | - Guy Hendrickx
- Avia-GIS, Agro-Veterinary Information and Analysis, Zoersel, Belgium
| | - Hector Honrubia
- Public Health Functions Unit, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tom Matheussen
- Avia-GIS, Agro-Veterinary Information and Analysis, Zoersel, Belgium
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Parasitology Consultancy Group, Corușu, Romania
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Dusan Petric
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
| | | | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Veerle Versteirt
- Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos, Havenlaan 88, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Avia-GIS, Agro-Veterinary Information and Analysis, Zoersel, Belgium
| | - Olivier Briet
- Disease Programme Unit, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
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Chang Q, Chen Z, von Fricken ME, Liu Q. Editorial: New infectious agents in arthropod vectors. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1105082. [PMID: 36569089 PMCID: PMC9780654 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1105082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ze Chen
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Michael E. von Fricken
- Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States
| | - Quan Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Center of Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology, The First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China,School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, China,*Correspondence: Quan Liu
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Shinde DP, Plante JA, Plante KS, Weaver SC. Yellow Fever: Roles of Animal Models and Arthropod Vector Studies in Understanding Epidemic Emergence. Microorganisms 2022; 10:1578. [PMID: 36013996 PMCID: PMC9412558 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Yellow fever virus (YFV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus circulating throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions of Africa and South America. It is responsible for an estimated 30,000 deaths annually, and while there is a highly successful vaccine, coverage is incomplete, and there is no approved treatment for YFV infection. Despite advancements in the field, animal models for YFV infection remain scarce, and care must be taken to select an appropriate model for a given hypothesis. Small animal models require either adapted YFV strains or immunocompromised hosts. Non-human primates (NHPs) recapitulate human disease, but they require specialized facilities and training, are often in short supply and cost-prohibitive, and can present ethical concerns. The limitations in studying the mosquito vectors for YFV infection include inconsistency in the laboratory environment, the requirement for a high containment insectary, and difficulty in maintaining sylvatic mosquitoes. In this review, we discuss the roles of animal models and arthropod vector studies in understanding epidemic emergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya P. Shinde
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Center for Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Jessica A. Plante
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Kenneth S. Plante
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Scott C. Weaver
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Center for Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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Potts R, Scholl JL, Baugh LA, Pietri JE. A Comparative Study of Body Lice and Bed Bugs Reveals Factors Potentially Involved in Differential Vector Competence for the Relapsing Fever Spirochete Borrelia recurrentis. Infect Immun 2022;:e0068321. [PMID: 35384689 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00683-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Borrelia recurrentis is the causative agent of louse-borne relapsing fever and the only Borrelia species transmitted by an insect rather than a tick vector. While bed bugs (Cimex lectularius L.) are not established vectors of any human pathogens, a recent study reported that they may be competent vectors of B. recurrentis. However, many aspects of infection and transmission remain unclear in this possible secondary vector. Here, we carried out several quantitative laboratory studies to gain a better understanding of the host suitability of bed bugs relative to the established body louse vector as well as the factors that may affect the ability of bed bugs to transmit the pathogen. We fed bed bugs B. recurrentis and estimated the level and duration of infection in the hemolymph using live imaging. We performed quantitative PCR (qPCR) to examine whole-body spirochete levels and the occurrence of vertical transmission to progeny. We also developed an assay to compare the amounts of force required to release infectious hemolymph from recently engorged bed bugs and body lice. Finally, we analyzed humoral antibacterial activity in the hemolymph, hemolymph pH, and hemocyte activity in both insect species. Our results confirm that within 24 h of ingestion, B. recurrentis can penetrate the midgut epithelium of bed bugs and enter the hemolymph, overcoming a major host barrier, as in body lice. Once in the hemolymph, spirochetes remain visible for at least 4 days. Moreover, we show that bed bugs are more physically susceptible to crushing than body lice, suggesting that crushing is a feasible route for the natural dissemination of B. recurrentis from the hemolymph of bed bugs, as for body lice. Nonetheless, our data also indicate that bed bugs are suboptimal hosts for B. recurrentis, as the bacterium does not appear to proliferate to high levels or stably colonize the hemolymph and exhibits pleomorphism in this environment. In particular, our data suggest that hemolymph pH and unique cellular immune responses, rather than humoral effectors, may be involved in limiting spirochete survival in bed bugs. Notably, we document the formation of extracellular DNA traps by bed bug hemocytes for the first time. For these reasons, while bed bugs may be capable of limited transmission given their ecology, vector competence is probably minimal relative to body lice. Additional mechanistic studies of human pathogen infection of bed bugs may provide much-needed insight into the biological factors that restrict their ability to act as vectors and may reveal novel mechanisms of immunity.
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Chen R, Plante JA, Plante KS, Yun R, Shinde D, Liu J, Haller S, Mukhopadhyay S, Weaver SC. Lineage Divergence and Vector-Specific Adaptation Have Driven Chikungunya Virus onto Multiple Adaptive Landscapes. mBio 2021; 12:e0273821. [PMID: 34749526 DOI: 10.1128/mBio.02738-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that the adaptation of Indian Ocean lineage (IOL) chikungunya virus (CHIKV) strains for Aedes albopictus transmission was mediated by an E1-A226V substitution, followed by either a single substitution in E2 or synergistic substitutions in the E2 and E3 envelope glycoproteins. Here, we examined whether Asian lineage strains, including those that descended from the 2014 Caribbean introduction, are likely to acquire these A. albopictus-adaptive E2 substitutions. Because Asian lineage strains cannot adapt through the E1-A226V substitution due to an epistatic constraint, we first determined that the beneficial effect of these E2 mutations in IOL strains is independent of E1-A226V. We then introduced each of these E2 adaptive mutations into the Asian lineage backbone to determine if they improve infectivity for A. albopictus. Surprisingly, our results indicated that in the Asian lineage backbone, these E2 mutations significantly decreased CHIKV fitness in A. albopictus. Furthermore, we tested the effects of these mutations in Aedes aegypti and observed different results from those in A. albopictus, suggesting that mosquito species-specific factors that interact with the envelope proteins are involved in vector infection efficiency. Overall, our results indicate that the divergence between Asian lineage and IOL CHIKVs has led them onto different adaptive landscapes with differing potentials to expand their vector host range. IMPORTANCE Since its introduction into the Caribbean in October 2013, CHIKV has rapidly spread to almost the entire neotropical region. However, its potential to further spread globally, including into more temperate climates, depends in part on its ability to be transmitted efficiently by Aedes albopictus, which can survive colder winters than A. aegypti. We examined in an Asian lineage backbone A. albopictus-adaptive mutations that arose from 2005 to 2009 in Indian Ocean lineage (IOL) strains. Our results predict that the Asian CHIKV lineage now in the Americas will not readily adapt for enhanced A. albopictus transmission via the same mechanisms or adaptive mutations used previously by IOL strains. The vector species- and CHIKV lineage-specific effects caused by adaptive CHIKV envelope glycoprotein substitutions may elucidate our understanding of the mechanisms of mosquito infection and spread.
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Kitsou C, Foor SD, Dutta S, Bista S, Pal U. Tick gut barriers impacting tick-microbe interactions and pathogen persistence. Mol Microbiol 2021; 116:1241-1248. [PMID: 34570926 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are regarded as one of the most ancient, unique, and highly evolved ectoparasites. They can parasitize diverse vertebrates and transmit a number of widespread infections. Once acquired from infected hosts, many tick-borne pathogens, like Borrelia burgdorferi, are confined within the tick gut lumen and are surrounded by discrete gut barriers. Such barriers include the peritrophic membrane (PM) and the dityrosine network (DTN), which are in close contact with resident microbiota and invading pathogens, influencing their survival within the vector. Herein, we review our current state of knowledge about tick-microbe interactions involving the PM and DTN structures. As a model, we will focus on Ixodes ticks, their microbiome, and the pathogen of Lyme disease. We will address the most salient findings on the structural and physiological roles of these Ixodes gut barriers on microbial interactions, with a comparison to analogous functions in other model vectors, such as mosquitoes. We will distill how this information could be leveraged towards a better understanding of the basic mechanisms of gut biology and tick-microbial interactions, which could contribute to potential therapeutic strategies in response to ticks and tick-borne infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysoula Kitsou
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park and Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Shelby D Foor
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park and Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Shraboni Dutta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park and Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Sandhya Bista
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park and Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Utpal Pal
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park and Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, College Park, Maryland, USA
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O'Neal AJ, Singh N, Mendes MT, Pedra JHF. The genus Anaplasma: drawing back the curtain on tick-pathogen interactions. Pathog Dis 2021; 79:6207937. [PMID: 33792663 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftab022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne illnesses pose a serious concern to human and veterinary health and their prevalence is on the rise. The interactions between ticks and the pathogens they carry are largely undefined. However, the genus Anaplasma, a group of tick-borne bacteria, has been instrumental in uncovering novel paradigms in tick biology. The emergence of sophisticated technologies and the convergence of entomology with microbiology, immunology, metabolism and systems biology has brought tick-Anaplasma interactions to the forefront of vector biology with broader implications for the infectious disease community. Here, we discuss the use of Anaplasma as an instrument for the elucidation of novel principles in arthropod-microbe interactions. We offer an outlook of the primary areas of study, outstanding questions and future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anya J O'Neal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nisha Singh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Maria Tays Mendes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joao H F Pedra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Michaelakis A, Balestrino F, Becker N, Bellini R, Caputo B, della Torre A, Figuerola J, L’Ambert G, Petric D, Robert V, Roiz D, Saratsis A, Sousa CA, Wint WGR, Papadopoulos NT. A Case for Systematic Quality Management in Mosquito Control Programmes in Europe. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph18073478. [PMID: 33801616 PMCID: PMC8037277 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18073478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The recent spread of invasive mosquito species, such as Aedes albopictus and the seasonal sporadic transmission of autochthonous cases of arboviral diseases (e.g., dengue, chikungunya, Zika) in temperate areas, such as Europe and North America, highlight the importance of effective mosquito-control interventions to reduce not only nuisance, but also major threats for public health. Local, regional, and even national mosquito control programs have been established in many countries and are executed on a seasonal basis by either public or private bodies. In order for these interventions to be worthwhile, funding authorities should ensure that mosquito control is (a) planned by competent scientific institutions addressing the local demands, (b) executed following the plan that is based on recommended and effective methods and strategies, (c) monitored regularly by checking the efficacy of the implemented actions, (d) evaluated against the set of targets, and (e) regularly improved according to the results of the monitoring. Adherence to these conditions can only be assured if a formal quality management system is adopted and enforced that ensures the transparency of effectiveness of the control operation. The current paper aims at defining the two components of this quality management system, quality assurance and quality control for mosquito control programs with special emphasis on Europe, but applicable over temperate areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonios Michaelakis
- Scientific Directorate of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 14561 Kifissia, Greece;
| | - Fabrizio Balestrino
- Centro Agricoltura Ambiente “G. Nicoli”, 40014 Crevalcore, Italy; (F.B.); (R.B.)
| | - Norbert Becker
- German Mosquito Control Association (KABS), 67346 Speyer, Germany;
| | - Romeo Bellini
- Centro Agricoltura Ambiente “G. Nicoli”, 40014 Crevalcore, Italy; (F.B.); (R.B.)
| | - Beniamino Caputo
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Università di Roma “Sapienza”, 00185 Rome, Italy; (B.C.); (A.d.T.)
| | - Alessandra della Torre
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Università di Roma “Sapienza”, 00185 Rome, Italy; (B.C.); (A.d.T.)
| | - Jordi Figuerola
- Department of Wetland Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Avenida Américo Vespucio 26, E-41092 Sevilla, Spain;
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Gregory L’Ambert
- EID Méditerranée, Division Research and Development, 34184 Montpellier, France;
| | - Dusan Petric
- Department of Plant and Environment Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia;
| | - Vincent Robert
- MIVEGEC, University Montpellier, IRD, CNRS, 34090 Montpellier, France; (V.R.); (D.R.)
| | - David Roiz
- MIVEGEC, University Montpellier, IRD, CNRS, 34090 Montpellier, France; (V.R.); (D.R.)
| | - Anastasios Saratsis
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organisation Demeter, 57001 Thermi, Greece;
| | - Carla A. Sousa
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal;
| | - William G. R. Wint
- Environmental Research Group Oxford Ltd., c/o Department of Zoology, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK;
| | - Nikos T. Papadopoulos
- Laboratory of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, University of Thessaly, 38446 Volos, Greece
- Correspondence:
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Herm R, Kirik H, Vilem A, Zani L, Forth JH, Müller A, Michelitsch A, Wernike K, Werner D, Tummeleht L, Kampen H, Viltrop A. No evidence for African swine fever virus DNA in haematophagous arthropods collected at wild boar baiting sites in Estonia. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 68:2696-2702. [PMID: 33527715 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
African swine fever (ASF) is a highly pathogenic viral disease affecting all Suidae, with Ornithodoros moubata complex soft ticks acting as the biological arthropod vectors of the causative agent, African swine fever virus (ASFV). While ASFV is also transmissible via direct contact, pig products and fomites, other arthropods may be involved in virus transmission and persistence. Therefore, we checked various groups of blood-feeding arthropods collected during summer 2017 in wild boar habitats on the Estonian Island of Saaremaa for the presence of ASFV. Saaremaa had the highest ASF infection prevalences in Estonia in 2017, with an incidence of 9% among hunted wild boar. In addition to ASFV, we tested for other selected pathogens. In total, 784 ticks, 6,274 culicoid biting midges, 77 tabanids and 757 mosquitoes were tested as individuals or pools. No ASFV-DNA was found in any of them although about 20% of the tick samples tested positive for swine DNA. By contrast, tick-borne encephalitis virus-RNA was detected in one out of 37 tick pools (2.7%) and Borrelia burgdorferi s.l.-DNA in 20 individual ticks and 17 tick pools (25.2% of all samples). No Schmallenberg virus was detected in the Culicoides specimens. In conclusion, we found no evidence for Ixodes ricinus ticks, Culicoides punctatus and Obsoletus complex biting midges, Aedes spp., Anopheles spp. and Culiseta annulata mosquitoes, and Haematopota pluvialis tabanids playing a role in ASFV transmission in the wild boar population in Estonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reet Herm
- Chair of Veterinary Bio- and Population Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Heli Kirik
- Chair of Biodiversity and Nature Tourism, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Laura Zani
- Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jan Hendrik Forth
- Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Alexandra Müller
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Anna Michelitsch
- Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Doreen Werner
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Müncheberg, Germany
| | - Lea Tummeleht
- Chair of Veterinary Bio- and Population Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Helge Kampen
- Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Arvo Viltrop
- Chair of Veterinary Bio- and Population Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
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Merwaiss F, Filomatori CV, Susuki Y, Bardossy ES, Alvarez DE, Saleh MC. Chikungunya Virus Replication Rate Determines the Capacity of Crossing Tissue Barriers in Mosquitoes. J Virol 2021; 95:e01956-20. [PMID: 33148794 DOI: 10.1128/JVI.01956-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a reemerging and rapidly spreading pathogen transmitted by mosquitoes. The emergence of new epidemic variants of the virus is associated with genetic evolutionary traits, including duplication of repeated RNA elements in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) that seemingly favor transmission by mosquitoes. The transmission potential of a given variant results from a complex interplay between virus populations and anatomical tissue barriers in the mosquito. Here, we used the wild-type CHIKV Caribbean strain and an engineered mutant harboring a deletion in the 3' UTR to dissect the interactions of virus variants with the anatomical barriers that impede transmission during the replication cycle of the virus in Aedes mosquitoes. Compared to the 3'-UTR mutant, we observed that the wild-type virus had a short extrinsic incubation period (EIP) after an infectious blood meal and was expectorated into mosquito saliva much more efficiently. We found that high viral titers in the midgut are not sufficient to escape the midgut escape barrier. Rather, viral replication kinetics play a crucial role in determining midgut escape and the transmission ability of CHIKV. Finally, competition tests in mosquitoes coinfected with wild-type and mutant viruses revealed that both viruses successfully colonized the midgut, but wild-type viruses effectively displaced mutant viruses during systemic infection due to their greater efficiency of escaping from the midgut into secondary tissues. Overall, our results uncover a link between CHIKV replication kinetics and the effect of bottlenecks on population diversity, as slowly replicating variants are less able to overcome the midgut escape barrier.IMPORTANCE It is well established that selective pressures in mosquito vectors impose population bottlenecks for arboviruses. Here, we used a CHIKV Caribbean lineage mutant carrying a deletion in the 3' UTR to study host-virus interactions in vivo in the epidemic mosquito vector Aedes aegypti We found that the mutant virus had a delayed replication rate in mosquitoes, which lengthened the extrinsic incubation period (EIP) and reduced fitness relative to the wild-type virus. As a result, the mutant virus displayed a reduced capacity to cross anatomical barriers during the infection cycle in mosquitoes, thus reducing the virus transmission rate. Our findings show how selective pressures act on CHIKV noncoding regions to select variants with shorter EIPs that are preferentially transmitted by the mosquito vector.
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Borland EM, Kading RC. Modernizing the Toolkit for Arthropod Bloodmeal Identification. Insects 2021; 12:37. [PMID: 33418885 DOI: 10.3390/insects12010037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The ability to identify the source of vertebrate blood in mosquitoes, ticks, and other blood-feeding arthropod vectors greatly enhances our knowledge of how vector-borne pathogens are spread. The source of the bloodmeal is identified by analyzing the remnants of blood remaining in the arthropod at the time of capture, though this is often fraught with challenges. This review provides a roadmap and guide for those considering modern techniques for arthropod bloodmeal identification with a focus on progress made in the field over the past decade. We highlight genome regions that can be used to identify the vertebrate source of arthropod bloodmeals as well as technological advances made in other fields that have introduced innovative new ways to identify vertebrate meal source based on unique properties of the DNA sequence, protein signatures, or residual molecules present in the blood. Additionally, engineering progress in miniaturization has led to a number of field-deployable technologies that bring the laboratory directly to the arthropods at the site of collection. Although many of these advancements have helped to address the technical challenges of the past, the challenge of successfully analyzing degraded DNA in bloodmeals remains to be solved. Abstract Understanding vertebrate–vector interactions is vitally important for understanding the transmission dynamics of arthropod-vectored pathogens and depends on the ability to accurately identify the vertebrate source of blood-engorged arthropods in field collections using molecular methods. A decade ago, molecular techniques being applied to arthropod blood meal identification were thoroughly reviewed, but there have been significant advancements in the techniques and technologies available since that time. This review highlights the available diagnostic markers in mitochondrial and nuclear DNA and discusses their benefits and shortcomings for use in molecular identification assays. Advances in real-time PCR, high resolution melting analysis, digital PCR, next generation sequencing, microsphere assays, mass spectrometry, and stable isotope analysis each offer novel approaches and advantages to bloodmeal analysis that have gained traction in the field. New, field-forward technologies and platforms have also come into use that offer promising solutions for point-of-care and remote field deployment for rapid bloodmeal source identification. Some of the lessons learned over the last decade, particularly in the fields of DNA barcoding and sequence analysis, are discussed. Though many advancements have been made, technical challenges remain concerning the prevention of sample degradation both by the arthropod before the sample has been obtained and during storage. This review provides a roadmap and guide for those considering modern techniques for arthropod bloodmeal identification and reviews how advances in molecular technology over the past decade have been applied in this unique biomedical context.
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Abstract
Francisella tularensis (Ft) is the etiological agent of tularemia, a disease known for over 100 years in the northern hemisphere. Ft includes four subspecies, of which two are the etiologic agents of tularemia: Ft subsp. tularensis (Ftt) and Ft subsp. holarctica (Fth), mainly distributed in North America and the whole northern hemisphere, respectively. Several routes of human infection with these bacteria exist, notably through bites of Ixodidae ticks. However, mosquitoes represent the main vectors of Fth in Scandinavia, where large tularemia outbreaks have occurred, usually during the warm season. The mechanisms making mosquitoes vectors of Fth are still unclear. This review covers the inventory of research work and epidemiological data linking tularemia to mosquitoes in Scandinavia and highlights the gaps in understanding mosquitoes and Ft interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zakaria Abdellahoum
- Laboratoire Biodiversité et Environnement: Interaction Génome, Faculté des Sciences Biologique, Université des Sciences et de la Technologie Houari Boumediene, Alger 16111, Algeria;
| | - Max Maurin
- Centre National de Référence des Francisella, Institut de Biologie et de Pathologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Grenoble Alpes, 38043 Grenoble, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, TIMC-IMAG, UMR5525, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38400 Saint Martin d’Heres, France
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (I.B.); Tel.: +33-476-769-594 (M.M.); +213-559-775-322 (I.B.)
| | - Idir Bitam
- Laboratoire Biodiversité et Environnement: Interaction Génome, Faculté des Sciences Biologique, Université des Sciences et de la Technologie Houari Boumediene, Alger 16111, Algeria;
- Ecole Supérieure des Sciences de l’Aliment et des Industries Alimentaires, Alger 16004, Algeria
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (I.B.); Tel.: +33-476-769-594 (M.M.); +213-559-775-322 (I.B.)
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13
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Miranda J, Violet-Lozano L, Barrera S, Mattar S, Monsalve-Buriticá S, Rodas J, Contreras V. Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi in ticks from reptiles in Córdoba, Colombia. Vet World 2020; 13:1764-1770. [PMID: 33132587 PMCID: PMC7566242 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2020.1764-1770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Wildlife animals are reservoirs of a large number of microorganisms pathogenic to humans, and ticks could be responsible for the transmission of these pathogens. Rickettsia spp. are the most prevalent pathogens found in ticks. This study was conducted to detect Rickettsia spp. in ticks collected from free-living and illegally trafficked reptiles from the Department of Córdoba, Colombia. Materials and Methods During the period from October 2011 to July 2014, ticks belonging to the family Ixodidae were collected, preserved in 96% ethanol, identified using taxonomic keys, and pooled (between 1 and 14 ticks) according to sex, stage, host, and collected place for subsequent DNA extraction. Rickettsia detection was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), followed by conventional PCR to amplify a larger fragment of the gltA and 16S rRNA genes. The amplicons were sequenced using the Sanger method, and the nucleotide sequences were subjected to BLAST analysis to identify homologous sequences in GenBank, after which phylogenetic analysis was performed using the MEGA X software. Results In total, 21 specimens of nine species of reptiles were sampled, from which 805 Amblyomma dissimile ticks were collected, but only 180 ticks were selected to create 34 groups. The DNA of Rickettsia spp. was detected in 30/34 (88%) groups. The sequences of the gene gltA and 16S rRNA revealed a 100% identity with Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi (GenBank: KF905456 and GenBank: KF691750). Conclusion A. dissimile was the only tick found in all the sampled reptiles. The presence of Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi in reptile ticks could represent a public health problem due to the risk of transmission to humans and the introduction of microorganisms to other geographical areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Miranda
- University of Córdoba, Institute of Tropical Biology Research, Córdoba, Colombia
| | - Lina Violet-Lozano
- University of Córdoba, Institute of Tropical Biology Research, Córdoba, Colombia
| | - Samia Barrera
- University of Córdoba, Institute of Tropical Biology Research, Córdoba, Colombia
| | - Salim Mattar
- University of Córdoba, Institute of Tropical Biology Research, Córdoba, Colombia
| | | | - Juan Rodas
- University of Antioquia, Colombia, Colombia
| | - Verónica Contreras
- University of Córdoba, Institute of Tropical Biology Research, Córdoba, Colombia
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14
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O'Neal AJ, Butler LR, Rolandelli A, Gilk SD, Pedra JH. Lipid hijacking: a unifying theme in vector-borne diseases. eLife 2020; 9:61675. [PMID: 33118933 PMCID: PMC7595734 DOI: 10.7554/elife.61675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne illnesses comprise a significant portion of human maladies, representing 17% of global infections. Transmission of vector-borne pathogens to mammals primarily occurs by hematophagous arthropods. It is speculated that blood may provide a unique environment that aids in the replication and pathogenesis of these microbes. Lipids and their derivatives are one component enriched in blood and are essential for microbial survival. For instance, the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum and the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, among others, have been shown to scavenge and manipulate host lipids for structural support, metabolism, replication, immune evasion, and disease severity. In this Review, we will explore the importance of lipid hijacking for the growth and persistence of these microbes in both mammalian hosts and arthropod vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anya J O'Neal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - L Rainer Butler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Agustin Rolandelli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Stacey D Gilk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Joao Hf Pedra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
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15
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Pilgrim J, Siozios S, Baylis M, Hurst GDD. Tissue Tropisms and Transstadial Transmission of a Rickettsia Endosymbiont in the Highland Midge, Culicoides impunctatus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:e01492-20. [PMID: 32801177 DOI: 10.1128/AEM.01492-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial symbionts of disease vectors have garnered recent attention due to their ability to alter vectorial capacity. Their consideration as a means of arbovirus control depends on symbiont vertical transmission, which leads to spread of the bacteria through a population. Previous work has identified a Rickettsia symbiont present in several species of biting midges (Culicoides spp.), which transmit bluetongue and Schmallenberg arboviruses. However, symbiont transmission strategies and host effects remain underexplored. In this study, we describe the presence of Rickettsia in the ovarian suspensory ligament of Culicoides impunctatus. Infection of this organ suggests the connective tissue surrounding developing eggs is important for ensuring vertical transmission of the symbiont in midges and possibly other insects. Additionally, our results indicate Rickettsia localization in the fat body of Culicoides impunctatus. As the arboviruses spread by midges often replicate in the fat body, this location implies possible symbiont-virus interactions to be further investigated. Rickettsia is a genus of intracellular bacteria which can manipulate host reproduction and alter sensitivity to natural enemy attack in a diverse range of arthropods. The maintenance of Rickettsia endosymbionts in insect populations can be achieved through both vertical and horizontal transmission routes. For example, the presence of the symbiont in the follicle cells and salivary glands of Bemisia whiteflies allows Belli group Rickettsia transmission via the germ line and plants, respectively. However, the transmission routes of other Rickettsia bacteria, such as those in the Torix group of the genus, remain underexplored. Through fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) screening, this study describes the pattern of Torix Rickettsia tissue tropisms in the highland midge, Culicoides impunctatus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Of note is the high intensity of infection of the ovarian suspensory ligament, suggestive of a novel germ line targeting strategy. Additionally, localization of the symbiont in tissues of several developmental stages suggests transstadial transmission is a major route for ensuring maintenance of Rickettsia within C. impunctatus populations. Aside from providing insights into transmission strategies, the presence of Rickettsia bacteria in the fat body of larvae indicates potential host fitness and vector capacity impacts to be investigated in the future. IMPORTANCE Microbial symbionts of disease vectors have garnered recent attention due to their ability to alter vectorial capacity. Their consideration as a means of arbovirus control depends on symbiont vertical transmission, which leads to spread of the bacteria through a population. Previous work has identified a Rickettsia symbiont present in several species of biting midges (Culicoides spp.), which transmit bluetongue and Schmallenberg arboviruses. However, symbiont transmission strategies and host effects remain underexplored. In this study, we describe the presence of Rickettsia in the ovarian suspensory ligament of Culicoides impunctatus. Infection of this organ suggests the connective tissue surrounding developing eggs is important for ensuring vertical transmission of the symbiont in midges and possibly other insects. Additionally, our results indicate Rickettsia localization in the fat body of Culicoides impunctatus. As the arboviruses spread by midges often replicate in the fat body, this location implies possible symbiont-virus interactions to be further investigated.
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16
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Samaddar S, Marnin L, Butler LR, Pedra JHF. Immunometabolism in Arthropod Vectors: Redefining Interspecies Relationships. Trends Parasitol 2020; 36:807-815. [PMID: 32819827 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Metabolism influences biochemical networks, and arthropod vectors are endowed with an immune system that affects microbial acquisition, persistence, and transmission to humans and other animals. Here, we aim to persuade the scientific community to expand their interests in immunometabolism beyond mammalian hosts and towards arthropod vectors. Immunometabolism investigates the interplay of metabolism and immunology. We provide a conceptual framework for investigators from diverse disciplines and indicate that relationships between microbes, mammalian hosts and their hematophagous arthropods may result in cost-effective (mutualism) or energetically expensive (parasitism) interactions. We argue that disparate resource allocations between species may partially explain why some microbes act as pathogens when infecting humans and behave as mutualistic or commensal organisms when colonizing arthropod vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourabh Samaddar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Liron Marnin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - L Rainer Butler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joao H F Pedra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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17
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Tummeleht L, Jürison M, Kurina O, Kirik H, Jeremejeva J, Viltrop A. Diversity of Diptera Species in Estonian Pig Farms. Vet Sci 2020; 7:E13. [PMID: 31979423 PMCID: PMC7157211 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci7010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In light of the African swine fever outbreaks in Estonian pig farms during the past few years, the question of the vector potential of Diptera in the pig farm environment has risen. However, the arthropod fauna of the pig farm environment is currently not well established. Hence, the aim of this study was to clarify the species diversity in pig farms. In total, 22 Diptera species or species groups were found in Estonian pig farms. There were altogether 186,701 individual arthropods collected, from which 96.6% (180,444) belonged to the order of true flies (Insecta: Diptera). The remaining 3.4% were from other insect orders, arachnids, or just damaged and unidentifiable specimens. The activity density and diversity of dipterans differed significantly between 12 sampled farms but not throughout the sampling period. The present study is amongst the few to provide a large-scale overview of pig-farm-associated Diptera in the temperate climate zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Tummeleht
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine & Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 62, 51006 Tartu, Estonia; (J.J.); (A.V.)
| | - Margret Jürison
- Institute of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5D, EE-51006 Tartu, Estonia; (M.J.); (O.K.); (H.K.)
| | - Olavi Kurina
- Institute of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5D, EE-51006 Tartu, Estonia; (M.J.); (O.K.); (H.K.)
| | - Heli Kirik
- Institute of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5D, EE-51006 Tartu, Estonia; (M.J.); (O.K.); (H.K.)
| | - Julia Jeremejeva
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine & Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 62, 51006 Tartu, Estonia; (J.J.); (A.V.)
| | - Arvo Viltrop
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine & Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 62, 51006 Tartu, Estonia; (J.J.); (A.V.)
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18
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Matusali G, Colavita F, Bordi L, Lalle E, Ippolito G, Capobianchi MR, Castilletti C. Tropism of the Chikungunya Virus. Viruses 2019; 11:v11020175. [PMID: 30791607 PMCID: PMC6410217 DOI: 10.3390/v11020175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a re-emerging mosquito-borne virus that displays a large cell and organ tropism, and causes a broad range of clinical symptoms in humans. It is maintained in nature through both urban and sylvatic cycles, involving mosquito vectors and human or vertebrate animal hosts. Although CHIKV was first isolated in 1953, its pathogenesis was only more extensively studied after its re-emergence in 2004. The unexpected spread of CHIKV to novel tropical and non-tropical areas, in some instances driven by newly competent vectors, evidenced the vulnerability of new territories to this infectious agent and its associated diseases. The comprehension of the exact CHIKV target cells and organs, mechanisms of pathogenesis, and spectrum of both competitive vectors and animal hosts is pivotal for the design of effective therapeutic strategies, vector control measures, and eradication actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Matusali
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani" IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesca Colavita
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani" IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy.
| | - Licia Bordi
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani" IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy.
| | - Eleonora Lalle
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani" IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Ippolito
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani" IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy.
| | - Maria R Capobianchi
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani" IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy.
| | - Concetta Castilletti
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani" IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy.
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19
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Huang YJS, Higgs S, Vanlandingham DL. Arbovirus-Mosquito Vector-Host Interactions and the Impact on Transmission and Disease Pathogenesis of Arboviruses. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:22. [PMID: 30728812 PMCID: PMC6351451 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hundreds of viruses, designated as arboviruses, are transmitted by arthropod vectors in complex transmission cycles between the virus, vertebrate host, and the vector. With millions of human and animal infections per year, it is critical to improve our understanding of the interactions between the biological and environmental factors that play a critical role in pathogenesis, disease outcomes, and transmission of arboviruses. This review focuses on mosquito-borne arboviruses and discusses current knowledge of the factors and underlying mechanisms that influence infection and transmission of arboviruses and discusses critical factors and pathways that can potentially become targets for intervention and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Jang S Huang
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States.,Biosecurity Research Institute, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
| | - Stephen Higgs
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States.,Biosecurity Research Institute, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
| | - Dana L Vanlandingham
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States.,Biosecurity Research Institute, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
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20
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Schultz MJ, Tan AL, Gray CN, Isern S, Michael SF, Frydman HM, Connor JH. Wolbachia wStri Blocks Zika Virus Growth at Two Independent Stages of Viral Replication. mBio 2018; 9:e00738-18. [PMID: 29789369 DOI: 10.1128/mBio.00738-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-transmitted viruses are spread globally and present a great risk to human health. Among the many approaches investigated to limit the diseases caused by these viruses are attempts to make mosquitos resistant to virus infection. Coinfection of mosquitos with the bacterium Wolbachia pipientis from supergroup A is a recent strategy employed to reduce the capacity for major vectors in the Aedes mosquito genus to transmit viruses, including dengue virus (DENV), Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), and Zika virus (ZIKV). Recently, a supergroup B Wolbachia wStri, isolated from Laodelphax striatellus, was shown to inhibit multiple lineages of ZIKV in Aedes albopictus cells. Here, we show that wStri blocks the growth of positive-sense RNA viruses DENV, CHIKV, ZIKV, and yellow fever virus by greater than 99.9%. wStri presence did not affect the growth of the negative-sense RNA viruses LaCrosse virus or vesicular stomatitis virus. Investigation of the stages of the ZIKV life cycle inhibited by wStri identified two distinct blocks in viral replication. We found a reduction of ZIKV entry into wStri-infected cells. This was partially rescued by the addition of a cholesterol-lipid supplement. Independent of entry, transfected viral genome was unable to replicate in Wolbachia-infected cells. RNA transfection and metabolic labeling studies suggested that this replication defect is at the level of RNA translation, where we saw a 66% reduction in mosquito protein synthesis in wStri-infected cells. This study’s findings increase the potential for application of wStri to block additional arboviruses and also identify specific blocks in viral infection caused by Wolbachia coinfection. Dengue, Zika, and yellow fever viruses are mosquito-transmitted diseases that have spread throughout the world, causing millions of infections and thousands of deaths each year. Existing programs that seek to contain these diseases through elimination of the mosquito population have so far failed, making it crucial to explore new ways of limiting the spread of these viruses. Here, we show that introduction of an insect symbiont Wolbachia wStri, into mosquito cells is highly effective at reducing yellow fever virus, dengue virus, Zika virus, and Chikungunya virus production. Reduction of virus replication was attributable to decreases in entry and a strong block of virus gene expression at the translational level. These findings expand the potential use of Wolbachia wStri to block viruses and identify two separate steps for limiting virus replication in mosquitos that could be targeted via microbes or other means as an antiviral strategy.
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Abstract
Ticks are blood-sucking arthropods that attach to human skin through oral devices causing diverse initial cutaneous manifestations, and may also transmit serious infectious diseases. In certain situations, the Health Teams (and especially dermatologists) may face difficulties in identifying the lesions and associating them to the parasites. To assist them in clinical diagnosis, we suggest a classification of the skin manifestations in primary lesions, which occur by the attachment the tick to the host (for toxicity and the anticoagulant substances in the saliva and/or marked inflammation by the penetration and permanence of the mouthparts) and secondary lesions that are manifestations of infections caused by rickettsia, bacteria, protozoa and fungi inoculated by the ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidal Haddad Jr.
- Department of Dermatology and Radiotherapy - Faculdade de Medicina
de Botucatu - Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) - Botucatu (SP), Brazil
| | - Michel Raineri Haddad
- Department of Internal Medicine - Faculdade de Medicina de
São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP) - São José do Rio Preto
(SP), Brazil
| | - Mônica Santos
- Department of Dermatology - Universidade Estadual do Amazonas
(UEAM) - Manaus (AM), Brazil
- Outpatient Clinic of Tropical Dermatology - Fundação
Alfredo da Matta (FUAM) - Manaus (AM), Brazil
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22
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Remnant EJ, Shi M, Buchmann G, Blacquière T, Holmes EC, Beekman M, Ashe A. A Diverse Range of Novel RNA Viruses in Geographically Distinct Honey Bee Populations. J Virol 2017; 91:e00158-17. [PMID: 28515299 PMCID: PMC5533899 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00158-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the diversity and consequences of viruses present in honey bees is critical for maintaining pollinator health and managing the spread of disease. The viral landscape of honey bees (Apis mellifera) has changed dramatically since the emergence of the parasitic mite Varroa destructor, which increased the spread of virulent variants of viruses such as deformed wing virus. Previous genomic studies have focused on colonies suffering from infections by Varroa and virulent viruses, which could mask other viral species present in honey bees, resulting in a distorted view of viral diversity. To capture the viral diversity within colonies that are exposed to mites but do not suffer the ultimate consequences of the infestation, we examined populations of honey bees that have evolved naturally or have been selected for resistance to Varroa This analysis revealed seven novel viruses isolated from honey bees sampled globally, including the first identification of negative-sense RNA viruses in honey bees. Notably, two rhabdoviruses were present in three geographically diverse locations and were also present in Varroa mites parasitizing the bees. To characterize the antiviral response, we performed deep sequencing of small RNA populations in honey bees and mites. This provided evidence of a Dicer-mediated immune response in honey bees, while the viral small RNA profile in Varroa mites was novel and distinct from the response observed in bees. Overall, we show that viral diversity in honey bee colonies is greater than previously thought, which encourages additional studies of the bee virome on a global scale and which may ultimately improve disease management.IMPORTANCE Honey bee populations have become increasingly susceptible to colony losses due to pathogenic viruses spread by parasitic Varroa mites. To date, 24 viruses have been described in honey bees, with most belonging to the order Picornavirales Collapsing Varroa-infected colonies are often overwhelmed with high levels of picornaviruses. To examine the underlying viral diversity in honey bees, we employed viral metatranscriptomics analyses on three geographically diverse Varroa-resistant populations from Europe, Africa, and the Pacific. We describe seven novel viruses from a range of diverse viral families, including two viruses that are present in all three locations. In honey bees, small RNA sequences indicate that these viruses are processed by Dicer and the RNA interference pathway, whereas Varroa mites produce strikingly novel small RNA patterns. This work increases the number and diversity of known honey bee viruses and will ultimately contribute to improved disease management in our most important agricultural pollinator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Remnant
- Behaviour and Genetics of Social Insects Laboratory, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mang Shi
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Gabriele Buchmann
- Behaviour and Genetics of Social Insects Laboratory, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Edward C Holmes
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Madeleine Beekman
- Behaviour and Genetics of Social Insects Laboratory, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Alyson Ashe
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Schultz MJ, Isern S, Michael SF, Corley RB, Connor JH, Frydman HM. Variable Inhibition of Zika Virus Replication by Different Wolbachia Strains in Mosquito Cell Cultures. J Virol 2017; 91:e00339-17. [PMID: 28446677 DOI: 10.1128/JVI.00339-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne arboviruses are a major source of human disease. One strategy to reduce arbovirus disease is to reduce the mosquito's ability to transmit virus. Mosquito infection with the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis wMel is a novel strategy to reduce Aedes mosquito competency for flavivirus infection. However, experiments investigating cyclic environmental temperatures have shown a reduction in maternal transmission of wMel, potentially weakening the integration of this strain into a mosquito population relative to that of other Wolbachia strains. Consequently, it is important to investigate additional Wolbachia strains. All Zika virus (ZIKV) suppression studies are limited to the wMel Wolbachia strain. Here we show ZIKV inhibition by two different Wolbachia strains: wAlbB (isolated from Aedes albopictus mosquitoes) and wStri (isolated from the planthopper Laodelphax striatellus) in mosquito cells. Wolbachia strain wStri inhibited ZIKV most effectively. Single-cycle infection experiments showed that ZIKV RNA replication and nonstructural protein 5 translation were reduced below the limits of detection in wStri-containing cells, demonstrating early inhibition of virus replication. ZIKV replication was rescued when Wolbachia was inhibited with a bacteriostatic antibiotic. We observed a partial rescue of ZIKV growth when Wolbachia-infected cells were supplemented with cholesterol-lipid concentrate, suggesting competition for nutrients as one of the possible mechanisms of Wolbachia inhibition of ZIKV. Our data show that wAlbB and wStri infection causes inhibition of ZIKV, making them attractive candidates for further in vitro mechanistic and in vivo studies and future vector-centered approaches to limit ZIKV infection and spread.IMPORTANCE Zika virus (ZIKV) has swiftly spread throughout most of the Western Hemisphere. This is due in large part to its replication in and spread by a mosquito vector host. There is an urgent need for approaches that limit ZIKV replication in mosquitoes. One exciting approach for this is to use a bacterial endosymbiont called Wolbachia that can populate mosquito cells and inhibit ZIKV replication. Here we show that two different strains of Wolbachia, wAlbB and wStri, are effective at repressing ZIKV in mosquito cell lines. Repression of virus growth is through the inhibition of an early stage of infection and requires actively replicating Wolbachia Our findings further the understanding of Wolbachia viral inhibition and provide novel tools that can be used in an effort to limit ZIKV replication in the mosquito vector, thereby interrupting the transmission and spread of the virus.
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Chanda E, Thomsen EK, Musapa M, Kamuliwo M, Brogdon WG, Norris DE, Masaninga F, Wirtz R, Sikaala CH, Muleba M, Craig A, Govere JM, Ranson H, Hemingway J, Seyoum A, Macdonald MB, Coleman M. An Operational Framework for Insecticide Resistance Management Planning. Emerg Infect Dis 2016; 22:773-9. [PMID: 27089119 PMCID: PMC4861508 DOI: 10.3201/eid2205.150984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Arthropod vectors transmit organisms that cause many emerging and reemerging diseases, and their control is reliant mainly on the use of chemical insecticides. Only a few classes of insecticides are available for public health use, and the increased spread of insecticide resistance is a major threat to sustainable disease control. The primary strategy for mitigating the detrimental effects of insecticide resistance is the development of an insecticide resistance management plan. However, few examples exist to show how to implement such plans programmatically. We describe the formulation and implementation of a resistance management plan for mosquito vectors of human disease in Zambia. We also discuss challenges, steps taken to address the challenges, and directions for the future.
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Parsons MH, Sarno RJ, Deutsch MA. A Detailed Protocol to Enable Safe-Handling, Preemptive Detection, and Systematic Surveillance of Rat-Vectored Pathogens in the Urban Environment. Front Public Health 2016; 4:132. [PMID: 27471725 PMCID: PMC4945852 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2016.00132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
We detail a five-stage protocol to address physical barriers and experimental limitations that have hindered routine pathogen monitoring of wild rats in urban settings. New York City potentially harbors from 2 to 32 million rats among its 8-million people. However, at a time, when people are most vulnerable to disease from over-crowdedness brought on by increased urbanization of society, the difficulty of studying wild rats has led to a paucity of ecological and epidemiological research. Challenges of safely handling animals and the difficulties of identifying individual animals and the emergence of their respective pathogen loads (timing of infection) have impeded progress. We previously reported a method using radio frequency identification paired with load cell and camera traps to enable the identification of individual animals and subsequent monitoring of the animals’ weights (an indicator of health). However, efficient pathogen surveillance requires repeated captures of the same individual in order to isolate and document the emergence of new pathogens, or variations in pathogen load, over time. Most of these barriers are now addressed in our protocol, which is aided by the use of a mobile, outdoor laboratory, followed by incorporation of pheromone-based lures to attract individuals back to active sensors, within a camera trap. This approach allows for the assessment of individual animal health, behaviors under camera, and changing pathogen loads and weights in most urban environments (e.g., financial district, docks, sewers, and residential). Five phases are described and presented: (1) site selection and urban trapping, (2) anesthetization, (3) serological and ectoparasite collection, (4) microchip implantation, and (5) retrapping and luring animals back to active remote sensors. In order to fulfill the unmet call for preemptive pathogen surveillance, public health officials and researchers may wish to adapt, or modify, similar protocols to ensure early detection and monitoring of rat-borne zoonoses, before they become problematic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ronald J Sarno
- Department of Biology, Hofstra University , Hempstead, NY , USA
| | - Michael A Deutsch
- Medical Entomology, Arrow Exterminating Company , Lynbrook, NY , USA
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Cuong HQ, Vu NT, Cazelles B, Boni MF, Thai KTD, Rabaa MA, Quang LC, Simmons CP, Huu TN, Anders KL. Spatiotemporal dynamics of dengue epidemics, southern Vietnam. Emerg Infect Dis 2013; 19:945-53. [PMID: 23735713 PMCID: PMC3713821 DOI: 10.3201/eid1906.121323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
An improved understanding of heterogeneities in dengue virus transmission might provide insights into biological and ecologic drivers and facilitate predictions of the magnitude, timing, and location of future dengue epidemics. To investigate dengue dynamics in urban Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring rural provinces in Vietnam, we analyzed a 10-year monthly time series of dengue surveillance data from southern Vietnam. The per capita incidence of dengue was lower in Ho Chi Minh City than in most rural provinces; annual epidemics occurred 1-3 months later in Ho Chi Minh City than elsewhere. The timing and the magnitude of annual epidemics were significantly more correlated in nearby districts than in remote districts, suggesting that local biological and ecologic drivers operate at a scale of 50-100 km. Dengue incidence during the dry season accounted for 63% of variability in epidemic magnitude. These findings can aid the targeting of vector-control interventions and the planning for dengue vaccine implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoang Quoc Cuong
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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Abstract
The causative agent of tularemia, Francisella tularensis, is a formidable biologic agent that occurs naturally throughout North America. We examined genetic and spatial diversity patterns among 161 US F. tularensis isolates by using a 24-marker multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) system. MLVA identified 126 unique genotypes. Phylogenetic analyses showed patterns similar to recently reported global-scale analyses. We observed clustering by subspecies, low genetic diversity within F. tularensis subsp. holarctica, and division of F. tularensis subsp. tularensis into 2 distinct subpopulations: A.I. and A.II. The 2 F. tularensis subsp. tularensis subpopulations also represent geographically distinct groups; A.I. occurs primarily in the central United States, and A.II. occurs primarily in the western United States. These spatial distributions are correlated with geographic ranges of particular vectors, hosts of tularemia, and abiotic factors. These correlates provide testable hypotheses regarding ecologic factors associated with maintaining tularemia foci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Farlow
- Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | | | | | - Miles Stanley
- Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - May Chu
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Kristy Kubota
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Jeannine Petersen
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Paul Keim
- Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
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