Use Of Pyrethroids Research Articles

The impacts of modern-use pesticides on shrimp aquaculture: An assessment for north eastern Australia

The use of pyrethroid and neonicotinoid insecticides has increased in Australia over the last decade, and as a consequence, increased concentrations of the neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid have been measured in Australian rivers. Previous studies have shown that non-target crustaceans, including commercially important species, can be extremely sensitive to these pesticides. Most shrimp farms in Australia are predominantly located adjacent to estuaries so they can obtain their required saline water, which support multiple land uses upstream (e.g. sugar-cane farming, banana farming, beef cattle and urbanisation). Larval and post-larval shrimp may be most susceptible to the impacts of these pesticides because of their high surface area to volume ratio and rapid growth requirements. However, given the uncertainties in the levels of insecticides in farm intake water and regarding the impacts of insecticide exposure on shrimp larvae, the risks that the increased use of new classes of pesticide pose towards survival of post-larval phase shrimp cannot be adequately predicted. To assess the potential for risk, toxicity in 20day past hatch post-larval Black Tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) to modern use insecticides, imidacloprid, bifenthin, and fipronil was measured as decreased survival and feeding inhibition. Post-larval phase shrimp were sensitive to fipronil, bifenthrin, and imidacloprid, in that order, at concentrations that were comparable to those that cause mortality other crustaceans. Bifenthrin and imidacloprid exposure reduced the ability of post-larval shrimp to capture live prey at environmentally realistic concentrations. Concentrations of a broad suite of pesticides were also measured in shrimp farm intake waters. Some pesticides were detected in every sample. Most of the pesticides detected were measured below concentrations that are toxic to post-larval shrimp as used in this study, although pesticides exceed guideline values, suggesting the possibility of indirect or mixture-related impacts. However, at two study sites, the concentrations of insecticides were sufficient to cause toxicity in shrimp post larvae, based on the risk assessment undertaken in this study.

Conversion of Pyrethroid Insecticides to 3-Phenoxybenzoic Acid on Urban Hard Surfaces

The urban use of pyrethroids has been associated with the contamination and toxicity of urban surface water. A less considered phenomenon is that many pyrethroids may be transformed to a common intermediate, 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), that is an endocrine-disrupting compound. Here we examined the conversion of five common pyrethroids, permethrin, λ-cyhalothrin, deltamethrin, fenpropathrin, and esfenvalerate, to 3-PBA on concrete. Formation of 3-PBA was almost instantaneous, reaching up to 3% of the initial level of pyrethroids within hours of exposure, and was caused mainly by hydrolysis, likely enhanced by the strong alkalinity of concrete. The accumulation of 3-PBA on concrete was transient, with half-lives of 4.2–6.7 h depending on the treatment. Low levels (nanograms per liter) of 3-PBA were frequently found in urban streams draining residential neighborhoods, validating the off-site transport potential of 3-PBA from urban hard surfaces. Findings from this study suggested that urban hardscapes such as concrete pavement are reactive surfaces, conducive to the formation of biologically active transformation products.

Permethrin drastically affects the developmental cycle of the non-target slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum

The use of pyrethroids has increased throughout the world over the past few decades, as organophosphate, carbamate and organochlorine insecticides are being phased out. Permethrin is widely used in the USA for crops treatment, at concentrations around 750 × 103 μg/L. In our study 3.6 μg/L permethrin decreases the fission-rate and the fruiting bodies formation of slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum. Whereas 3.6 × 104 μg/L kills the 100% of amoebae, showing a 24 h-LC50 = 96.6 μg/L. This concentration induces an increase in the pseudocholinesterase activity as well as in both butyrylcholinesterase and heat-shock-protein 70 presence. Our results highlight the high sensitivity of Dictyostelium to permethrin, at concentration of about 105 lesser than what used for agricultural pest control. If we match our results on 6 days of exposure, with the permethrin relatively slow permanence (30 days) in the aerobic soil, as well as the higher effect of permethrin than organophosphate, carbamate and organochlorine pesticides on D. discoideum, the damage on the dictyostelids community, by use of permethrin, is clear. Our data suggest that, if the sustainable agriculture implementation is a topic of the modern “industrial” farming, the permethrin cannot represent a reliable alternative to organochlorine, organophosphate or carbamate pesticides, in implementing Integrated Pest Management programmes.

Evaluación del efecto tóxico de la doramectina, la ivermectina y la eprinomectina sobre Triatoma infestans en un modelo de rata

Introduction: Pyrethroids have been frequently and intensively used for controlling the triatomine vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi . The emergence of resistance to these insecticides has resulted in an urgent need to identify novel, alternative and complementary control strategies. Objective: To evaluate the toxic effects of ivermectin, doramectin and eprinomectin on the bloodfeeding behaviour of Triatoma infestans using a rodent model. Materials and methods: Fifth instar nymphs of T. infestans were fed at different times on Wistar rats pretreated with doramectin, ivermectin, eprinomectin or dimethylsulfoxide (excipient control) topically or orally administered. We determined the effects of each insecticide and of dimethyl sulfoxide on the amount of ingested blood, the volume of faecal discharge, and the mortality rates in triatomines. Results: Only the rate of triatomine mortality was associated with the antiparasitic compounds administered and the route of administration utilized. Doramectin administration was associated with a higher mortality rate (21.5%) than ivermectin, eprinomectin and dimethylsulfoxide (16, 11 and 2.5%, respectively), and topical administration was found to be most effective for inducing mortality (23 vs. 9.3 %). Conclusion: These results demonstrate the toxic effects of the three assessed insecticides on T. infestans . The administration of ecto/endoparasiticides to domiciliary or peridomiciliary animals may serve as an interesting complementary strategy to the use of pyrethroids for the control of T. infestans .

Evaluation of the toxic effects of doramectin, ivermectin and eprinomectin against Triatoma infestans using a rat model.

Pyrethroids have been frequently and intensively used for controlling the triatomine vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi. The emergence of resistance to these insecticides has resulted in an urgent need to identify novel, alternative and complementary control strategies. To evaluate the toxic effects of ivermectin, doramectin and eprinomectin on the bloodfeeding behaviour of Triatoma infestans using a rodent model. Fifth instar nymphs of T. infestans were fed at different times on Wistar rats pretreated with doramectin, ivermectin, eprinomectin or dimethylsulfoxide (excipient control) topically or orally administered. We determined the effects of each insecticide and of dimethyl sulfoxide on the amount of ingested blood, the volume of faecal discharge, and the mortality rates in triatomines. Only the rate of triatomine mortality was associated with the antiparasitic compounds administered and the route of administration utilized. Doramectin administration was associated with a higher mortality rate (21.5%) than ivermectin, eprinomectin and dimethylsulfoxide (16, 11 and 2.5%, respectively), and topical administration was found to be most effective for inducing mortality (23 vs. 9.3 %). These results demonstrate the toxic effects of the three assessed insecticides on T. infestans. The administration of ecto/endoparasiticides to domiciliary or peridomiciliary animals may serve as an interesting complementary strategy to the use of pyrethroids for the control of T. infestans.

Contribution of pyrethroids in large urban rivers to sediment toxicity assessed with benthic invertebrates Chironomus dilutus: A case study in South China.

The importance of pyrethroids as potential stressors to benthic organisms has gradually become evident in urban creeks; however, the occurrence and toxicity of sediment-associated pyrethroids are rarely studied in large rivers. In this context, 10 sediments from a large urban river (Guangzhou reach of the Pearl River in China) were assessed for pyrethroid occurrence and sediment toxicity to the benthic invertebrate Chironomus dilutus. One half of the sediments exhibited lethality to C. dilutus in a 10-d exposure and all surviving midges showed significant change of enzymatic activity. Moreover, mortality occurred during a 20-d exposure for all the sediments, in accordance with the high hazard quotients to benthic species estimated from pyrethroid residues in sediment. Pyrethroids were detectable in all sediments with the concentrations ranging from 2.43 to 61.2 ng/g dry weight, and permethrin and cypermethrin dominated pyrethroid composition. Acute toxic units for pyrethroids ranged from 0.03 to 0.56 (cypermethrin accounted for 13-81%) and showed a direct relationship with sediment mortality among the midges. This is consistent with the studies on small creeks in Guangzhou in which sediment-bound cypermethrin was found as a main stressor to benthic invertebrates. Comparatively, sediment toxicity and pyrethroid residues in large rivers were significantly lower than those in nearby creeks (urban tributaries). The difference may be partially explained by differing flow rates and water-carrying capacity among waterbodies at different scales; further validation is required. Overall, extensive use of pyrethroids has caused a threat to benthic species not only in small creeks but also in large rivers. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:3367-3375. © 2017 SETAC.

Evaluation of piperonyl butoxide in enhancing the efficacy of pyrethroid insecticides against resistant Anopheles gambiae s.l. in Ghana

BackgroundMalaria vector control methods involving the use of pyrethroids remain the strategies being used against malaria vectors in Ghana. These methods include the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spraying in many areas in Ghana. However, there is evidence that pyrethroid resistance is widespread in many areas in Ghana. Synergists have been shown to be useful in inhibiting the enzymes that are responsible for the development of resistance and hence enhance the insecticide susceptibility of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) in many areas. The present study investigated the effect of piperonyl butoxide (PBO) on the susceptibility status of An. gambiae s.l. across some sentinel sites in Ghana.MethodsThree to five day old An. gambiae s.l. reared from larvae were used in WHO susceptibility tube assays. Batches of 20–25 female adult An. gambiae s.l. were exposed simultaneously to the insecticide alone and to the PBO + insecticide. The knock down rate after 60 min and mortality at 24 h were recorded.ResultsDeltamethrin and permethrin resistance of An. gambiae s.l. was observed in all the sites in 2015 and 2016. The mortality after 24 h post exposure for deltamethrin ranged from 16.3% in Weija to 82.3% in Kade, whereas that for permethrin ranged from 3.8% in Gomoa Obuasi to 91.3% in Prestea. A significant increase in susceptibility to deltamethrin and less to permethrin was observed during both 2015 and 2016 years in most of the sites when An. gambiae s.l. mosquitoes were pre-exposed to PBO.ConclusionFindings from this study showed that the use of PBO significantly enhanced the susceptibility of An. gambiae s.l. mosquitoes in most of the sentinel sites. It is recommended that vector control strategies incorporating PBO as a synergist can be effective in killing mosquitoes in the presence of deltamethrin and permethrin resistance.

Elimination of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Tajikistan

Malaria was eliminated in Tajikistan by the beginning of the 1960s. However, sporadic introduced cases of malaria occurred subsequently probably as a result of transmission from infected mosquito Anopheles flying over river the Punj from the border areas of Afghanistan. During the 1970s and 1980s local outbreaks of malaria were reported in the southern districts bordering Afghanistan. The malaria situation dramatically changed during the 1990s following armed conflict and civil unrest in the newly independent Tajikistan, which paralyzed health services including the malaria control activities and a large-scale malaria epidemic occurred with more than 400,000 malaria cases. The malaria epidemic was contained by 1999 as a result of considerable financial input from the Government and the international community. Although Plasmodium falciparum constituted only about 5% of total malaria cases, reduction of its incidence was slower than that of Plasmodium vivax. To prevent increase in P. falciparum malaria both in terms of incidence and territory, a P. falciparum elimination programme in the Republic was launched in 200, jointly supported by the Government and the Global Fund for control of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The main activities included the use of pyrethroids for the IRS with determined periodicity, deployment of mosquito nets, impregnated with insecticides, use of larvivorous fishes as a biological larvicide, implementation of small-scale environmental management, and use of personal protection methods by population under malaria risk. The malaria surveillance system was strengthened by the use of ACD, PCD, RCD and selective use of mass blood surveys. All detected cases were timely epidemiologically investigated and treated based on the results of laboratory diagnosis. As a result, by 2009, P. falciparum malaria was eliminated from all of Tajikistan, one year ahead of the originally targeted date. Elimination of P. falciparum also contributed towards speedy reduction of P. vivax incidence in Tajikistan.

Metofluthrin: investigations into the use of a volatile spatial pyrethroid in a global spread of dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses

BackgroundMetofluthrin reduces biting activity in Aedes aegypti through the confusion, knockdown, and subsequent kill of a mosquito. A geographical spread in dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses, increases intervention demands. Response to a Zika outbreak may require a different strategy than dengue, as high-risk individuals, specifically pregnant women, need to be targeted.MethodsIn semi-field conditions within a residential property in Cairns, Queensland, the impacts of metofluthrin on biting behaviour of free-flying Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti were evaluated.ResultsMortality in Ae. aegypti exposed to metofluthrin over a 22 h period was 100% compared to 2.7% in an untreated room. No biting activity was observed in mosquitoes up to 5 m from the emanator after 10 min of metofluthrin exposure. Use of metofluthrin reduced biting activity up to 8 m, regardless of the host’s proximity (near or far) to a dark harbourage area (HA) (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.006), respectively. In the presence or absence of the metofluthrin emanator, the host was most likely bitten when located immediately next to a HA (within 1 m) versus 8 m away from the HA (P = 0.006). The addition of a ceiling fan (0.8 m/s airflow) prevented all biting activity after 10 min of metofluthrin exposure. Previously unexposed Ae. aegypti were less likely to reach the host in a metofluthrin-treated room Big(overset{-}{X} = 31%) compared to an untreated room ( overset{-}{X}=100% ) (P < 0.0001). In a treated room, if the mosquito had not reached the host within 30 s, they never would. Upon activation, the time required for metofluthrin to infiltrate protected locations within a room causing knockdown in caged mosquitoes, required more time than exposed locations (P < 0.003); however exposed and protected locations do eventually reach equilibrium, affecting mosquitoes equally throughout the room.ConclusionMetofluthrin is effective in interrupting indoor host-seeking in Ae. aegypti. Metofluthrin’s efficacy is increased by centrally locating the emanator in the room, and by using a fan to increase airflow. Newly treated rooms may require a period of 2–4 h for sufficient distribution of the metofluthrin into protected locations where mosquitoes may be resting.

Legacy and Current-Use Insecticides in Agricultural Sediments from South China: Impact of Application Pattern on Occurrence and Risk.

Legacy and current-use insecticides were analyzed in sediments collected from a typical rice-planting region in South China. Total concentrations of insecticides varied from 1.63 to 775 ng g-1 with mean and median values of 67.0 and 11.5 ng g-1, respectively. Pyrethroids predominated pesticide composition (31.7%), followed by organophosphates (23.0%) and fiproles (20.8%). Sediment risk analysis showed that pyrethroids, fiproles, and abamectin posed significant risk to benthic invertebrates in one-third of sediments. Different distributions of pyrethroids and organophosphates in urban and agricultural areas were consistent with their application patterns, whereas legacy organochlorine pesticides showed no region-specific distribution because of rapid transition of land use pattern from agricultural to urban areas. Likely illegal use of pyrethroids and fipronil caused serious ecological risks in agricultural waterways. Pyrethroids and fipronil were restricted to use in paddy fields, but their occurrence and risk in agricultural waterways were high, calling for better measures to regulate the illegal use of insecticides.

Ivermectin lipid-based nanocarriers as novel formulations against head lice.

The use of pyrethroids to control the human head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer (Anoplura: Pediculidae), has suffered considerable loss of efficacy due to the evolution of resistance. Thus, the development of efficiently insecticide delivery systems is imperative for the control of head lice. We studied the insecticidal activity of ivermectin-loaded lipid nanocapsules (IVM-LNC) against permethrin-resistant head lice from Argentina. The LNC, prepared by a phase inversion procedure, were characterized in terms of size, surface potential, and physical stability. These nanoparticles were nearly spherical with mean diameters of 55nm and narrow size distribution (PI≤0.2). The KT50 mortality values of head lice after exposure to two IVM-LNC formulations (0.11 and 0.28%) were significantly smaller (5 and 3h, respectively) compared to those exposed only to LNC control group (8h). This investigation showed the effectiveness in the encapsulation of ivermectin (IVM) into stable LNC dispersion with a potential clinical activity against head lice.

Determinants of children's exposure to pyrethroid insecticides in western France

Pyrethroids are insecticides frequently used in agriculture and in the home; exposure occurs through dietary and non-dietary pathways, including indoor and outdoor environmental contamination. Our objective was to study the potential determinants of pyrethroid metabolite concentrations measured in children's urine samples and in the dust of their homes. Specifically, we measured urinary metabolites from morning spot samples of 245 six-year-old children living in Brittany (France) in 2009–2012 and from dust vacuumed from the floor of their homes. Mothers reported home insecticide use, dietary habits, sociodemographic data; residential and school proximity to agricultural crops was assessed with spatialized data. The metabolites cis-DBCA, trans-DCCA, cis-DCCA, 3-PBA, and F-PBA were detected in 84, 95, 64, 63, and 16% of the urine samples, respectively. Permethrin, cypermethrin, cyfluthrin, deltamethrin, and tetramethrin pyrethroids were detected in 100, 56, 9, 15, and 26% of the dust samples, respectively. Multiple regression analysis suggested diet plays a role in children's exposure, in particular, the food groups “pasta, rice or semolina” (for cis-DCCA and F-PBA), fruit (3-PBA), “breakfast cereals and whole grain bread” (cis-DBCA), and the global proportion of organic food in diet (for cis-DBCA, trans-DCCA). Children with a parent occupationally exposed to pesticides were about 3-times more likely to have higher urinary concentrations of 3-PBA (OR=2.8, 95% CI [1.2; 6.5]). Dust content was correlated mainly with household insecticide use: higher mean concentrations of permethrin (β=0.8 [0.3; 1.3], in μg/g) and an increased risk of a detectable level of cyfluthrin (OR=4.7 [1.7; 12.9]) were observed in home dust, for indoor use of at least twice a year. Outdoor insecticide use at least once a year was associated with detection in dust of cypermethrin (OR=3.0 [1.3; 6.7]) and tetramethrin (OR=3.7 [1.6; 8.3]). Three positive and one negative correlations (out of 11) between urinary metabolite concentrations and home dust contents of their possible corresponding parent compounds were observed. The strength of this study lies in its concurrent use of biomarkers, environmental measurements, and potential sources of exposure. Its limitations include the use of a single urine sample and imprecise data about pyrethroid use in local agriculture.

Insecticide resistance status of malaria vectors in Lao PDR.

Knowledge on insecticide resistance in Anopheles species is a basic requirement to guide malaria vector control programs. In Lao PDR, vector control relies on insecticide residual spraying (IRS) and impregnated bed-nets (ITNs) with the use of pyrethroids. Here, the susceptibility of Anopheles species, including several malaria vectors (An. maculatus and An. minimus), to various insecticides was investigated in ten provinces of Lao PDR through a north-south transect. Bioassays were performed on field caught female mosquitoes using the standard WHO susceptibility tests with DDT (4%), deltamethrin (0.05%) and permethrin (0.75%). In addition, the DIIS6 region of the para-type sodium channel gene was amplified and sequenced to identify knockdown resistance mutations (kdr). Resistance to DDT and permethrin was detected in suspected malaria vectors, such as An. nivipes and An. philippinensis in Lao PDR. Resistance to the formerly used DDT was found in a population of An. maculatus s.l. from Luang Prabang province. No resistance to pyrethroids was found in primary vectors, indicating that these insecticides are still adequate for malaria vector control. However, high resistance levels to pyrethroids was found in-vector species and reduced susceptibility to permethrin in An. minimus and An. maculatus was reported in specific localities which raises concerns for pyrethroid-based control in the future. No kdr mutation was found in any of the resistant populations tested hence suggesting a probable role detoxification enzymes in resistance. This study highlights the necessity to continue the monitoring of insecticide susceptibility to early detect potential occurrence and/or migration of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors in Lao PDR.

Detection of a new pyrethroid resistance mutation (V410L) in the sodium channel of Aedes aegypti: a potential challenge for mosquito control

The yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, particularly in Neotropical regions, is the principal vector of dengue, yellow fever, Zika and Chikungunya viruses. Pyrethroids remain one of the most used insecticides to control Aedes mosquitoes, despite the development of pyrethroid resistance in many mosquito populations worldwide. Here, we report a Brazilian strain of A. aegypti with high levels (approximately 100–60,000 fold) of resistance to both type I and type II pyrethroids. We detected two mutations (V410L and F1534C) in the sodium channel from this resistant strain. This study is the first report of the V410L mutation in mosquitoes. Alone or in combination with the F1534C mutation, the V410L mutation drastically reduced the sensitivity of mosquito sodium channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes to both type I and type II pyrethroids. The V410L mutation presents a serious challenge for the control of A. aegypti and will compromise the use of pyrethroids for the control of A. aegypti in Brazil; therefore, early monitoring of the frequency of the V410L mutation will be a key resistance management strategy to preserve the effectiveness of pyrethroid insecticides.

Toxicity and kinetic studies of H+, K+-ATPase sensitivity to cyfluthrin and fenpropathrin in Egyptian field populations of Spodoptera littoralis

Toxicity of two pyrethroids (cyfluthrin and fenpropathrin) against cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis, larvae werecollected from heavily sprayed fields in different areas in Dakahlia and El-Beheira Governorate. H+, K+-ATPase (protonpump)activity was measured in laboratory (lab.) strain and compared with enzyme activities for other collected strains. Thesensitivity of H+, K+-ATPase activity was measured by I50 values. The I50 values of cyfluthrin were 0.24; 0.46; 0.54; 0.65, and0.68 μM for lab; Abo-Hommos; Shobrakheet; Aga, and El-Senbellaween strains respectively, while I50 values offenpropathrin were 0.44; 0.58; 0.66; 0.84, and 0.87 μM for lab and four field strains respectively. Also, proton-pump enzymekinetic parameters, Km (Michaelis-Menten kinetics, constant) and Vmax (maximum velocity) values and the inhibitionconstant (Ki) were determined. The obtained data proved that cyfluthrin and fenpropathrin compounds were competitiveinhibitors of proton-pump activity. Results indicated that, the pyrethroid have shown potentiality against larvae of S.littoralis, so, these pyrethroids may be effect of a novel mechanism of action for inhibition of proton-pump activity, theserecommended for S. littoralis larvae control. It could be concluded that the use of pyrethroid, may avoid increasing ofresistance by effect of new mode of action where they disrupt the development of target pest, Therefor proton-pump may playan important role the mode of action of these pesticides in future.

Contaminant Effects on California Bay–Delta Species and Human Health

doi: https://doi.org/10.15447/sfews.2016v14iss4art5 Many contaminants in the California Bay–Delta (Bay–Delta) exceed regulatory standards, affect aquatic species, and potentially affect human health. Recent studies provide multiple lines of evidence that contaminants affect species of concern in the Bay–Delta (e.g., the decline of several important fish species referred to as the “Pelagic Organism Decline” or POD). Contaminants occur as dynamic complex mixtures and exert effects at multiple levels of biological organization. Multiple chemicals impair processes at cellular and physiological levels (measured as growth, development, and behavior abnormalities), and when viability and reproductive output are affected, populations are affected. As an important example, the population decline of the endangered Delta Smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) is significantly associated with multiple stressors, including insecticide use. New analyses presented in this paper show significant correlations between pyrethroid use and declining abundance of POD fish species. Water sampled from the Bay–Delta causes multiple deleterious effects in fish, and Delta Smelt collected from the Bay–Delta exhibit contaminant effects. Fish prey items are also affected by contaminants; this may have an indirect effect on their populations. Co-occurrence with thermal changes or disease can exacerbate contaminant effects. Contaminants also pose threats to human health via consumption of fish and shellfish, drinking water, and contact recreation, in particular, mercury, cyanobacteria toxins, disinfection byproducts, pathogens, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals and personal care products. The role of contaminants in the decline of Bay–Delta species is difficult to accurately assess in a complex, dynamic system. However, tools and approaches are available to evaluate contaminant effects on Bay–Delta species, and separate the effects of multiple stressors. Integrated monitoring and focused mechanistic studies are instrumental for addressing management needs. Effect and risk assessments should be conducted for different species across multiple life stages, with emphasis on early life stages of high-priority Bay–Delta species.

Transcriptome analysis of zebrafish embryos exposed to deltamethrin

Deltamethrin (DTM), a type II pyrethroid, is one of the most commonly used insecticides. The increased use of pyrethroid leads to potential adverse effects, particularly in sensitive populations such as children and pregnant women. None of the related studies was focused on the transcriptome responses in zebrafish embryos after treatment with DTM; therefore, RNA-seq, a high-throughput method, was performed to analyze the global expression of differential expressed genes (DEGs) in zebrafish embryos treated with DTM (40 and 80 μg/L) from fertilization to 48 h postfertilization (hpf) as compared with that in the control group (without DTM treatment). Two cDNA libraries were generated from treated embryos and one cDNA library from nontreated embryos, respectively. Over 92% of reads mapped to the reference in these three libraries. It was observed that many differential genes were expressed in comparison with embryos before and after DTM. The 20 most differentially expressed upregulated or downregulated genes were majorly involved in the signaling transduction. Validation of selected nine genes expression using qRT-PCR confirmed RNA-seq results. The transcriptome sequences were further subjected to gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, showing G-protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, respectively, were most enriched. The data from this study contributed to a better understanding of the potential consequences of fish exposed to DTM, to an evaluation of the potential threat of DTM to fish populations in aquatic environments. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 1548-1557, 2017.

Pyrethroid-resistance is modulated by miR-92a by targeting CpCPR4 in Culex pipiens pallens.

The wide use of pyrethroids has resulted in the emergence and spread of resistance in mosquito populations, which represent a major obstacle in the struggle against vector-borne diseases. Resistance to pyrethroids is a complex genetic phenomenon attributed by polygenetic inheritance. We previously have sequenced and analyzed the miRNA profiles of Culex pipiens pallens. MiR-92a was found to be overexpressed in a deltamethrin-resistant (DR) strain. The association of miR-92a with pyrethroid-resistance was investigated by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Expression levels of miR-92a were 2.72-fold higher in the DR strain than in the deltamethrin-susceptible (DS) strain. Bioinformatic analysis suggested that CpCPR4, a mosquito cuticle gene, is the target of miR-92a. Dual luciferase reporter assays further confirmed that CpCPR4 is modulated by miR-92a through binding to a specific target site in the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR). Microinjection of the miR-92a inhibitor upregulated CpCPR4 expression levels, leading to an increase in the susceptibility of the DR strain in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) bottle bioassay (a surveillance tool for detecting resistance to insecticides in vector populations). Taken together, our findings indicate that miR-92a regulates pyrethroid-resistance through its interaction with CpCPR4.

Evolution of resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in Musca domestica.

Houseflies, Musca domestica L., are a significant pest because of the numerous diseases they transmit. Control of housefly populations, particularly at animal production facilities, is frequently done using pyrethroid insecticides which kill insects by prolonging the open time of the voltage-sensitive sodium channel (VSSC). Houseflies have evolved resistance to pyrethroids owing to mutations in Vssc and by cytochrome-P450-mediated detoxification. Three Vssc mutations are known: kdr (L1014F), kdr-his (L1014H) and super-kdr (M918T + L1014F). Generally, the levels of resistance conferred by these mutations are kdr-his < kdr < super-kdr, but this pattern does not hold for multihalogenated benzyl pyrethroids, for which super-kdr confers less resistance than kdr. P450-mediated resistance can result from overexpression of CYP6D1 or another P450 (unidentified) whose overexpression is linked to autosomes II or V. The initial use of field-stable pyrethroids resulted in different patterns of evolution across the globe, but with time these mutations have become more widespread in their distribution. What is known about the fitness costs of the resistance alleles in the absence of insecticide is discussed, particularly with respect to the current and future utility of pyrethroid insecticides. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Evidence for the Induction of Key Components of the NOTCH Signaling Pathway via Deltamethrin and Azamethiphos Treatment in the Sea Louse Caligus rogercresseyi.

The extensive use of organophosphates and pyrethroids in the aquaculture industry has negatively impacted parasite sensitivity to the delousing effects of these antiparasitics, especially among sea lice species. The NOTCH signaling pathway is a positive regulator of ABC transporter subfamily C expression and plays a key role in the generation and modulation of pesticide resistance. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms behind pesticide resistance, partly due to the lack of genomic and molecular information on the processes involved in the resistance mechanism of sea lice. Next-generation sequencing technologies provide an opportunity for rapid and cost-effective generation of genome-scale data. The present study, through RNA-seq analysis, determined that the sea louse Caligus rogercresseyi (C. rogercresseyi) specifically responds to the delousing drugs azamethiphos and deltamethrin at the transcriptomic level by differentially activating mRNA of the NOTCH signaling pathway and of ABC genes. These results suggest that frequent antiparasitic application may increase the activity of inhibitory mRNA components, thereby promoting inhibitory NOTCH output and conditions for increased resistance to delousing drugs. Moreover, data analysis underscored that key functions of NOTCH/ABC components were regulated during distinct phases of the drug response, thus indicating resistance modifications in C. rogercresseyi resulting from the frequent use of organophosphates and pyrethroids.