Vectors Of Infectious Diseases Research Articles

Contribution to the knowledge of Auchenorrhyncha (Hemiptera) fauna in the vineyards of Krasnodar region, Russian Federation

Relevance. The vineyards of the Krasnodar Territory cover over 31,000 hectares, accounting for approximately 60% of all vineyards in Russia. Assessing the phytosanitary status of ampelocenoses and understanding the role of Auchenorrhyncha in transmitting dangerous systemic diseases, such as Pierce’s disease, bois noir phytoplasma, and flavescence dorée, is crucial for maintaining vineyard health.The purpose of the research is to identify the current species composition of Auchenorrhyncha suborder in the vineyards of the Krasnodar Territory. Based on literature data and field observations, the study evaluates their actual and potential impact on vineyards.Methods. Sampling was conducted during the 2023–2024 growing seasons using entomological nets, yellow sticky traps, and a combination of ultraviolet (365 nm) and white light traps.Results. In total, 51 species from 9 families of the suborder Auchenorrhyncha were identified. Special attention is given to the biology and ecology of these insects, particularly their role as both direct pests and vectors of infectious diseases. Widespread distribution of Scaphoideus titanus and Philaenus spumarius, vectors of dangerous quarantine diseases of golden yellowing and Pierce’s disease, respectively, has been revealed. Additionally, a preliminary list of potential vectors of bois noir phytoplasma was compiled. The occurrence of a second generation of Metcalfa pruinosa, uncommon for this species, was noted, along with a preliminary complex of species associated with grapevine chlorosis. This study represents the first comprehensive investigation of Auchenorrhyncha in the vineyards of the Krasnodar Territory.

Pathological findings in raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.

Raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) originated from East Asia and are listed as invasive alien species of Union concern in the European Union. Apart from their potential negative impact on native fauna as predators and competitors, they are discussed as reservoirs and vectors for various infectious diseases. Between 2021 and 2022, comprehensive post-mortem examinations of 110 raccoon dogs were performed as part of a health and risk assessment study of selected invasive alien species in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Parasitic infections, often accompanied by eosinophilic and/or granulomatous inflammation, were one of the most common and significant findings. In total, 64% animals had an ectoparasitosis and up to 76% an endoparasitosis. Alaria alata and Trichinella spp were the most relevant endoparasite species found. Eggs of A. alata were detected in 30% of faecal samples, while the prevalence of Trichinella spp in muscle samples was 0.9%. Influenza A virus, canine distemper virus, rustrela virus, Borna disease virus 1 and severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 were not detected. Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 was detected with a prevalence of 3%, but was not associated with pathognomonic lesions. In general, most of the pathological findings were of minor significance regardless of whether pathogens were detected or not, and therefore did not appear to affect the overall health status of the examined animals. Our study shows that raccoon dogs may contribute to the spread and persistence of certain pathogens by acting as carriers of infectious diseases. This underpins the need to further investigate the risk they pose to endemic European wildlife, livestock and human health.

Isolation and Characterization of a Novel Orthomyxovirus from a Bothriocroton hydrosauri Tick Removed from a Blotched Blue-Tongued Skink (Tiliqua nigrolutea) in Tasmania, Australia

Active and passive surveillance, followed by gene sequencing, continue to be used to identify a diverse range of novel bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms in ticks with the potential to cause disease in vertebrate hosts following tick bite. In this study, we describe the isolation and characterization of a novel virus from Bothriocroton hydrosauri ticks collected from a blotched blue-tongue, Tiliqua nigrolutea. In an attempt to isolate rickettsia, the inoculation of Vero cell cultures with tick extracts led to the isolation of a virus, identified as a novel tick Orthomyxovirus by electron microscopy and gene sequencing. Transmission electron microscopic analysis revealed that B. hydrosauri tick virus-1 (BHTV-1) is a spherical orthomyxovirus, 85 nm in size. Multiple developmental stages of the virus were evident in vitro. Analysis of putative BHTV-1 amino acid sequences derived from a genomic analysis of virus-infected host cell extracts revealed the presence of six putative RNA segments encoding genes, sharing the closest sequence similarity to viral sequences belonging to the arthropod-borne Thogotovirus genus within the Orthomyxoviridae. Thogotoviruses are an emerging cause of disease in humans and animals following tick bite. The detection of this new thogotovirus, BHTV-1, in B. hydrosauri, a competent vector for human tick-borne infectious diseases, warrants follow-up investigation to determine its prevalence, host range, and pathogenic potential.

Mosquito breeding status in drains of Moulvibazar municipality area, Sylhet, Bangladesh

Mosquitoes can be vectors of several infectious and life-threatening diseases including bancroftian filariasis, which is endemic in Eastern hilly and forest parts of Bangladesh together with Moulvibazar district. To assess its vector breeding situation a yearlong (September 21 to August 22) intensive survey was conducted in different drains in the nine administrative wards in the municipality areas of Moulvibazar. Three species of mosquito immature were identified in the stagnant water of different types of drain habitats. Among them, Culex quinquefasciatus was the dominant species (88.4%) followed by Armigeres sp (11.2%) and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus (0.2%). The highest population was found in Drain-4 in Ward-1 and the fewest mosquito larvae were observed in Drain-55 under Ward 6. ANOVA suggested that mosquito immature varied significantly in different months in different Wards. Pearson correlation analysis indicated rainfall and relative humidity are the most important meteorological factors influencing the occurrence of mosquito-immature populations. Specifically, water temperature is positively correlated with total immature (r = 0.645, p = 0.000), Cx. quinquefasciatus (r = 0.470, p = 0.000) and with Armigeres sp (r = 0.271, p = 0.000). Water PH has a positive correlation with Armigeres sp (r = 0.528, p = 0.000), but a negative correlation with Cx. quinquefasciatus (r = -.380**, p = 0.000). Water depth has shown a negative correlation with Cx. quinquefasciatus (r = -.413**, p = 0.000) and Armigeres sp (r = -.194**, p = 0.000). Furthermore, average temperature is positively correlated with total rainfall (r = 0.631*, p = 0.028) and rainfall days (r = 0.770, p = 0.003), whereas total mosquito immature is negatively correlated with total rainfall (p = -.585*, p = 0.046), rainfall of days (r = -0.673*, p = 0.016) and humidity (r = -.922** p = 0.000). These findings will provide a basic guideline to plan future mosquito control operations in the present study area. Bangladesh J. Zool. 52(3): 247-267, 2024

The applications of live attenuated influenza a virus with modified NS1 gene.

The applications of live attenuated influenza a virus with modified NS1 gene.

Co-opting the ‘public’ in public health: homelessness and the specious logic of discretionary displacement in a mid-sized US city

In the name of public health protection, individuals and communities perceived to be diseased have long been coercively regulated through surveillance, sequestration, or various forms of criminal punishment. In the U.S., people experiencing homelessness (PEH) have been increasingly targeted by social control measures such as containment, banishment, or arrest, often under the guise of public health protection. This study explores how city employees and service providers we term ‘authorities’ use public health justifications to rationalize displacing PEH encamped on public property. We find that authorities draw on sensationalized ‘disease-model’ logics of health risk that pathologize PEH as vectors of infectious disease and drug-related harms. This approach allows authorities to rationalize their decisions to displace, but it locates responsibility for the social challenge of homelessness on homeless people themselves, without providing any resources to mitigate ostensible public health concerns for either PEH or the larger public. We conclude that displacement decisions appear logical only when authorities use a specious logic that disqualifies PEH from the ‘public’ being protected. By identifying coercive patterns in public health history and connecting them with the regulation of unsheltered homelessness, this analysis reveals an all-too-familiar picture, where those with power take coercive action upon those with less power instead of employing preventative or structural interventions that could meaningfully address homelessness.

The Importance of Studying Infectious and Parasitic Diseases of Wild Animals in the Amazon Biome with a Focus on One Health.

The Amazon Biome is home to an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, many of which are reservoirs or vectors for infectious and parasitic diseases that can impact not only the health of wild animals but also human and domestic animal populations. This narrative review highlights the critical importance of studying infectious and parasitic diseases in wild animals within the Amazon, particularly in the context of the One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. This narrative review examines key pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites, that pose significant risks to wildlife conservation and public health. Through a synthesis of recent literature, this article emphasizes the need for comprehensive surveillance, research, and collaboration between the veterinary, medical, and environmental sectors. The results underscore the urgent necessity for an integrated response to emerging diseases, particularly as environmental changes and human activities increasingly disrupt ecosystems in the region. The conclusions advocate for the reinforcement of One Health initiatives in the Amazon Biome to ensure the protection of biodiversity and the prevention of zoonotic disease transmission to human populations.

Use of Tick Cell Lines in Co-Infection Studies with a Preliminary Study of Co-Culture of Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum.

Ixodes ricinus is an important vector of infectious human and livestock diseases in Europe. Co-infections of pathogens in ticks and hosts have been reported. Tick cell lines offer a useful model system for study of co-infections. We present a review of the existing literature on co-infections in tick cell lines. Previous studies have demonstrated the usefulness of tick cell lines in studies on co-infection of different pathogens and their interaction with the tick microbiome. We also carried out a preliminary study to investigate the effects of co-culturing Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum on their growth and interactions with the Ixodes ricinus cell line IRE/CTVM19 over a 13-day period. Replication of both pathogens was quantified by real-time PCR. The presence of A. phagocytophilum appeared to have a slight inhibitory effect on the multiplication of B. burgdorferi, that were added subsequently. In contrast, the prior presence of B. burgdorferi appeared to have a stimulatory effect on A. phagocytophilum after 6 days in culture. We conclude that the IRE/CTVM19 tick cell line is suitable for simultaneous and continuous cultivation of both bacteria and can be applied in future research.

Construction and Isolation of Recombinant Vaccinia Virus by Homologous Recombination Using Fluorescent Protein Markers.

Genetic modification of vaccinia virus (VACV) is a fundamental and valuable research technique in elucidating the function of VACV genes, as well as the development as vaccine vectors for other infectious diseases, oncolytic therapeutics for cancers, and protein expression systems in mammalian cells. Because of the large size of poxvirus genome and noninfectious feature of the naked viral DNA, construction of recombinant VACV relies on intracellular homologous recombination between transfected DNA and replicating viral DNA in infected cells occurred in VACV infected cells. The efficiency of homologous recombination event for vaccinia virus is relatively low, and recombinant viruses only account for 0.1% of progeny viruses. Therefore, fluorescent protein markers are often included in the transfected DNA to facilitate the selection and screening of recombined viruses. Here we provide a detailed procedure for the design, generation, isolation, and detection of recombinant VACV by homologous recombination using fluorescent protein markers.

FlyRNAi.org 2025 update-expanded resources for new technologies and species.

The design, analysisand mining of large-scale 'omics studies with the goal of advancing biological and biomedical understanding require use of a range of bioinformatics tools, including approaches tailored to needs specific to a given species and/or technology. The FlyRNAi database at the Drosophila RNAi Screening Center and Transgenic RNAi Project (DRSC/TRiP) Functional Genomics Resources (https://fgr.hms.harvard.edu/tools) supports an increasingly broad group of technologies and species. Recently, for example, we expanded the database to include additional new data-centric resources that facilitate mining and analysis of single-cell transcriptomics. In addition, we have applied our approaches to CRISPR reagent and gene-centric bioinformatics approaches in Drosophila to arthropod vectors of infectious diseases. Building on our previous comprehensive reports on the FlyRNAi database, here we focus on new and updated resources with a primary focus on data-centric tools. Altogether, our suite of online resources supports various stages of functional genomics studies for Drosophila and other arthropods, and facilitate a wide range of reagent design, analysis, data miningand analysis approaches by biologists and biomedical experts studying Drosophila, other common genetic model species, arthropod vectorsand/or human biology.

Development of a novel adenovirus serotype 35 vector vaccine possessing an RGD peptide in the fiber knob and the E4 orf 4, 6, and 6/7 regions of adenovirus serotype 5

Development of a novel adenovirus serotype 35 vector vaccine possessing an RGD peptide in the fiber knob and the E4 orf 4, 6, and 6/7 regions of adenovirus serotype 5

Phytochemical Screening and in-vitro Efficacy of Calpurnia aurea Against Two Transovarial Vectors: Amblyomma variegatum and Rhipicephalus microplus.

Ticks are the second most common vector of human infectious diseases after mosquitoes. Their transovarial transmission contributes to the maintenance of environmental diseases. This study evaluates the phytochemical screening and in vitro efficacy of Calpurnia aurea against the adult survival and egg hatchability of two transovarial transmission vectors: Amblyomma variegatum and Rhipicephalus microplus. Plant material was extracted using maceration techniques, and concentrated solutions of 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 ppm were prepared. Distilled water and diazinon were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. Ten adult ticks were exposed for 10 minutes, and dead ticks were counted after 24 hours of recovery. Twenty 15-day-old eggs were immersed for 10 minutes, and after 15 days of incubation, hatched and unhatched eggs were tallied. Preliminary phytochemical constituents were screened. A one-way analysis of variance and the probit regression model determined mean mortality and hatchability and estimated lethal and inhibitory concentrations, respectively. The ethanolic and aqueous leaf extracts caused 10±0.0% mortality in adult A. variegatum and R. microplus. The effective dose was LC50 of 27 and 29 ppm and LC50 of 37 and 41 ppm, respectively. At 400 ppm, the leaf ethanolic and aqueous extracts showed 18.7±0.9% and 18.3±1.7%; 18.3±1.2% and 19.7±0.3% egg hatching inhibition, respectively. The effective dose had an IC50 of 50 ppm and IC50s of 91 and 79 ppm, respectively. Flavonoids and saponins were found in both leaf and pod extracts. C. aurea extracts showed a more promising effect on tick survival and hatchability than synthetic diazinon. The susceptibility test indicated that the leaf extract could control vectors and contribute to environmental disease maintenance. Complex phytochemicals, especially phenolic compounds, are additional evidence of effectiveness in vector control. Further investigation of in vivo efficacy and advanced fractionation of phytochemicals is needed.

Circadian regulation of locomotion, respiration, and arousability in adult blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis)

The blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, is an ectoparasitic arachnid and vector for infectious diseases, including Lyme borreliosis. Here, we investigate the diurnal activity and respiration of wild-caught and lab-reared adult ticks with long-term video recording, multi-animal tracking and high-resolution respirometry. We find male and female ticks are in a more active, more arousable state during circadian night. We find respiration is augmented by light, with dark onset triggering more frequent bouts of discontinuous gas exchange and a higher overall volume of CO2 respired. Observed inactivity during the day meets the criteria of sleep: homeostatic in nature, rapidly reversible, a characteristic pose, and reduced arousal threshold. Our findings indicate that blacklegged ticks are in a distinct, heightened state of activity and arousability during night and in dark, suggesting this period may carry higher risk for tick bites and subsequent contraction of tick-borne diseases.

The Mosquito Fauna of Arizona: Species Composition and Public Health Implications.

Arizona is home to many mosquito species, some of which are known vectors of infectious diseases that harm both humans and animals. Here, we provide an overview of the 56 mosquito species that have been identified in the State to date, but also discuss their known feeding preference and the diseases they can (potentially) transmit to humans and animals. This list is unlikely to be complete for several reasons: (i) Arizona's mosquitoes are not systematically surveyed in many areas, (ii) surveillance efforts often target specific species of interest, and (iii) doubts have been raised by one or more scientists about the accuracy of some collection records, which has been noted in this article. There needs to be an integrated and multifaceted surveillance approach that involves entomologists and epidemiologists, but also social scientists, wildlife ecologists, ornithologists, representatives from the agricultural department, and irrigation and drainage districts. This will allow public health officials to (i) monitor changes in current mosquito species diversity and abundance, (ii) monitor the introduction of new or invasive species, (iii) identify locations or specific populations that are more at risk for mosquito-borne diseases, and (iv) effectively guide vector control.

Wolbachia endosymbionts in Drosophila regulate the resistance to Zika virus infection in a sex dependent manner.

Drosophila melanogaster has been used extensively for dissecting the genetic and functional bases of host innate antiviral immunity and virus-induced pathology. Previous studies have shown that the presence of Wolbachia endosymbionts in D. melanogaster confers resistance to infection by certain viral pathogens. Zika virus is an important vector-borne pathogen that has recently expanded its range due to the wide geographical distribution of the mosquito vector. Here, we describe the effect of Wolbachia on the immune response of D. melanogaster adult flies following Zika virus infection. First, we show that the presence of Wolbachia endosymbionts promotes the longevity of uninfected D. melanogaster wild type adults and increases the survival response of flies following Zika virus injection. We find that the latter effect is more pronounced in females rather than in males. Then, we show that the presence of Wolbachia regulates Zika virus replication during Zika virus infection of female flies. In addition, we demonstrate that the antimicrobial peptide-encoding gene Drosocin and the sole Jun N-terminal kinase-specific MAPK phosphatase Puckered are upregulated in female adult flies, whereas the immune and stress response gene TotM is upregulated in male individuals. Finally, we find that the activity of RNA interference and Toll signaling remain unaffected in Zika virus-infected female and male adults containing Wolbachia compared to flies lacking the endosymbionts. Our results reveal that Wolbachia endosymbionts in D. melanogaster affect innate immune signaling activity in a sex-specific manner, which in turn influences host resistance to Zika virus infection. This information contributes to a better understanding of the complex interrelationship between insects, their endosymbiotic bacteria, and viral infection. Interpreting these processes will help us design more effective approaches for controlling insect vectors of infectious disease.

Visual attention is not attuned to non-human animal targets’ pathogenicity: an evolutionary mismatch perspective

A considerable amount of research has revealed that there exists an evolutionary mismatch between ancestral environments and conditions following the rise of agriculture regarding the contact between humans and animal reservoirs of infectious diseases. Based on this evolutionary mismatch framework, we examined whether visual attention exhibits adaptive attunement toward animal targets’ pathogenicity. Consistent with our predictions, faces bearing heuristic infection cues held attention to a greater extent than did animal vectors of zoonotic infectious diseases. Moreover, the results indicated that attention showed a specialized vigilance toward processing facial cues connoting the presence of infectious diseases, whereas it was allocated comparably between animal disease vectors and disease-irrelevant animals. On the other hand, the pathogen salience manipulation employed to amplify the participants’ contextual-level anti-pathogen motives did not moderate the selective allocation of attentional resources. The fact that visual attention seems poorly equipped to detect and encode animals’ zoonotic transmission risk supports the idea that our evolved disease avoidance mechanisms might have limited effectiveness in combating global outbreaks originating from zoonotic emerging infectious diseases.

Winged Threat on the Offensive: A Literature Review Due to the First Identification of Aedes japonicus in Poland.

Genetic studies preceded by the observation of an unknown mosquito species in Mikołów (Poland) confirmed that it belongs to a new invasive species in Polish fauna, Aedes japonicus (Theobald, 1901), a known vector for numerous infectious diseases. Ae. japonicus is expanding its geographical presence, raising concerns about potential disease transmission given its vector competence for chikungunya virus, dengue virus, West Nile virus, and Zika virus. This first genetically confirmed identification of Ae. japonicus in Poland initiates a comprehensive review of the literature on Ae. japonicus, its biology and ecology, and the viral infections transmitted by this species. This paper also presents the circumstances of the observation of Ae. japonicus in Poland and a methodology for identifying this species.

SPECIES DIVERSITY AND PREVALENCE OF ZOOPHILIC FLIES IN KOSTANAY REGION (NORTHERN KAZAKHSTAN)

This study delves into the understudied realm of zoophilic flies in the climatically distinct Kostanay region of Northern Kazakhstan. Amidst the region's diverse dipteran fauna, these parasitic flies pose a significant threat to both livestock and human health, acting as vectors for numerous infectious and invasive diseases. This study aimed to elucidate the spatiotemporal dynamics of zoophilic Diptera in the Kostanay region during the summer of 2023. As a result of the research, it was found that zoophilic flies of 8 families - representatives of 16 species - are registered on feedlots and pastures of farm animals of the Kostanay region of Northern Kazakhstan. Of these, the main species of flies (Musca domestica, M. stabulans, Calliphora unralensis, C. vicina and Wohlfartia magnifica) caused the greatest concern to animals. The total summer duration of zoophilic flies per season is 104-162 days or 3.5 - 5.5 months. Of the farm animals examined, cattle were the most intensively attacked.

A perspective on the impacts of microplastics on mosquito biology and their vectorial capacity.

Microplastics (plastic particles <5 mm) permeate aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and constitute a hazard to animal life. Although much research has been conducted on the effects of microplastics on marine and benthic organisms, less consideration has been given to insects, especially those adapted to urban environments. Here, we provide a perspective on the potential consequences of exposure to microplastics within typical larval habitat on mosquito biology. Mosquitoes represent an ideal organism in which to explore the biological effects of microplastics on terrestrial insects, not least because of their importance as an infectious disease vector. Drawing on evidence from other organisms and knowledge of the mosquito life cycle, we summarise some of the more plausible impacts of microplastics including physiological, ecotoxicological and immunological responses. We conclude that although there remains little experimental evidence demonstrating any adverse effect on mosquito biology or pathogen transmission, significant knowledge gaps remain, and there is now a need to quantify the effects that microplastic pollution could have on such an important disease vector.

New records of pathogenic bacteria in different species of fleas collected from domestic and peridomestic animals in Spain. A potential zoonotic threat?

New records of pathogenic bacteria in different species of fleas collected from domestic and peridomestic animals in Spain. A potential zoonotic threat?