scholarly journals Outwitting planarian’s antibacterial defence mechanisms:Rickettsialesbacterial trans-infection fromParamecium multimicronucleatumto planarians

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Letizia Modeo ◽  
Alessandra Salvetti ◽  
Leonardo Rossi ◽  
Michele Castelli ◽  
Franziska Szokoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Trans Infection ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Dugesia Japonica ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Etiological Agents ◽  
Hematophagous Arthropods

AbstractMost of the microorganisms belonging to genera responsible for vector-borne diseases (VBD) have hematophagous arthropods as vector/reservoir. Recently, many new species of microorganisms phylogenetically related to agents of VBD were found in a variety of aquatic eukaryotic hosts, in particular, numerous new bacterial species related to the genusRickettsia(Alphaproteobacteria, Rickettsiales) were discovered in protist ciliates and other unicellular eukaryotes. Although their pathogenicity for humans and terrestrial animals is not known, these bacteria might act as etiological agents of possible VBD of aquatic organisms, with protist as vectors. In the present study, we characterized a novel strain of theRickettsia-Like Organism (RLO) endosymbiont “Candidatus(Ca.) Trichorickettsia mobilis” in the macronucleus of the ciliateParamecium multimicronucleatumthrough FluorescenceIn SituHybridization (FISH) and molecular analyses. Ultrastructural investigations on the presence of flagella confirmed previous studies on the same bacterial species. The potential trans-infection perosof this bacterium to planarians (Dugesia japonica), a widely used model system able to eliminate a wide range of bacteria pathogenic to humans and other Metazoa, was further verified. Ciliate mass cultures were set up, and trans-infection experiments were performed by adding homogenized paramecia to food of antibiotic-treated planarians, performed. Treated and non-treated (i.e. control) planarians were investigated at day 1, 3, and 7 after feeding for endosymbiont presence by means of PCR and ultrastructural analyses. Obtained results were fully concordant and suggest that this RLO endosymbiont can be transferred from ciliates to metazoans, being detected up to day 7 in treated planarian enterocytes inside and, possibly, outside phagosomes.

scholarly journals “Candidatus Trichorickettsia mobilis”, a Rickettsiales bacterium, can be transiently transferred from the unicellular eukaryote Paramecium to the planarian Dugesia japonica

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e8977 ◽  
Author(s):  
Letizia Modeo ◽  
Alessandra Salvetti ◽  
Leonardo Rossi ◽  
Michele Castelli ◽  
Franziska Szokoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Unicellular Eukaryote ◽  
Fish Farms ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Dugesia Japonica ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Etiological Agents ◽  
Hematophagous Arthropods

Most of the microorganisms responsible for vector-borne diseases (VBD) have hematophagous arthropods as vector/reservoir. Recently, many new species of microorganisms phylogenetically related to agents of VBD were found in a variety of aquatic eukaryotic hosts; in particular, numerous new bacterial species related to the genus Rickettsia (Alphaproteobacteria, Rickettsiales) were discovered in protist ciliates and other unicellular eukaryotes. Although their pathogenicity for humans and terrestrial animals is not known, several indirect indications exist that these bacteria might act as etiological agents of possible VBD of aquatic organisms, with protists as vectors. In the present study, a novel strain of the Rickettsia-Like Organism (RLO) endosymbiont “Candidatus (Ca.) Trichorickettsia mobilis” was identified in the macronucleus of the ciliate Paramecium multimicronucleatum. We performed transfection experiments of this RLO to planarians (Dugesia japonica) per os. Indeed, the latter is a widely used model system for studying bacteria pathogenic to humans and other Metazoa. In transfection experiments, homogenized paramecia were added to food of antibiotic-treated planarians. Treated and non-treated (i.e. control) planarians were investigated at day 1, 3, and 7 after feeding for endosymbiont presence by means of PCR and ultrastructural analyses. Obtained results were fully concordant and suggest that this RLO endosymbiont can be transiently transferred from ciliates to metazoans, being detected up to day 7 in treated planarians’ enterocytes. Our findings might offer insights into the potential role of ciliates or other protists as putative vectors for diseases caused by Rickettsiales or other RLOs and occurring in fish farms or in the wild.

scholarly journals Antileishmanial Activity of the Genus Piper: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 21-44
Author(s):  
Caroline G. Macêdo ◽  
Kelly Christina F. Castro ◽  
Edilene Oliveira da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Significant Morbidity ◽  
Chemical Substances ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Leishmania Spp ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Etiological Agents

Background: Leishmaniases are anthropozoonotic vector-borne diseases, caused by the protozoan Leishmania spp. These diseases have significant morbidity and mortality worldwide and, as there are currently no vaccines available for their treatment, chemotherapy remains the mainstay for anti-leishmanial therapeutics. However, the severe side effects, reduced bioavailability, high cost and chemoresistance, amongst other problems, limit the use of available drugs. In recent years, natural compounds have shown promise as anti-leishmanial agents, especially those extracted from medicinal plants. The genus Piper has been used in traditional medicine and widely explored for its biological properties and bioactive phytocompounds. Aim: The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic literature review of the biological activity of the genus Piper against the etiological agents of leishmaniasis, to provide a perspective for effective and safe phytotherapics, new drugs or potentially active prototype chemical substances. Methodology: This systematic review was prepared in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The databases used for this review were SciELO, Pubmed, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar, using a temporal profile of 2009 to 2020. Conclusion: In this review, we summarize a wide range of isolated compounds, extracts and essential oils of the genus Piper that are worth screening given their potential for development as effective anti-leishmanial drugs.

scholarly journals Molecular survey of vector-borne diseases in two groups of domestic dogs from Lisbon, Portugal

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Mafalda Dordio ◽  
Relja Beck ◽  
Telmo Nunes ◽  
Isabel Pereira da Fonseca ◽  
Jacinto Gomes
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Status ◽  
Molecular Methods ◽  
Hepatozoon Canis ◽  
Clinical Approach ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Southern Portugal ◽  
Vector Borne

Abstract Background Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are caused by a wide range of pathogens transmitted by arthropods. They have been an issue of growing importance in recent years; however, there is limited information about the vector-borne pathogens circulating in Portugal. The aim of the present study was to detect canine vector-borne bacteria and protozoa of veterinary and zoonotic importance using molecular methods. Methods One hundred and forty-two dogs from Lisbon, southern Portugal, were tested: 48 dogs from a veterinary hospital clinically suspected of vector-borne diseases and 94 apparently healthy dogs from shelters. Anaplasma spp./Ehrlichia spp., Babesia/Theileria spp., Hepatozoon spp., and Mycoplasma spp. infections were detected by PCR from blood samples and examined under light microscopy. Other information including clinical status and diagnostic test results were collected for each animal. Results Infections were detected by PCR in 48 (33.80%) dogs. Single infections were found in 35 dogs (24.64%), and co-infections were found in 13 (9.15%) dogs. Twenty-nine (20.42%) dogs were positive for Hepatozoon spp., 15 (10.56%) for Mycoplasma spp., 11 (7.75%) for Anaplasma spp./Ehrlichia spp., and six (4.21%) for Babesia spp. DNA sequencing was used to identify Babesia vogeli (2.81%), Babesia canis (1.40%), Hepatozoon canis (20.42%), Mycoplasma haematoparvum (2.11%), Mycoplasma haemocanis (8.45%), Anaplasma platys (7.04%), and Ehrlichia canis (0.70%). Conclusions This is the first molecular identification of B. canis and M. haematoparvum in dogs from southern Portugal. This study highlights the importance of molecular methods to identify CVBD pathogens in endemic areas and helps to guide the clinical approach of veterinarians in practice.

scholarly journals Wolbachia: endosymbiont of onchocercid nematodes and their vectors

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranju Ravindran Santhakumari Manoj ◽  
Maria Stefania Latrofa ◽  
Sara Epis ◽  
Domenico Otranto
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategies ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Veterinary Importance ◽  
Wolbachia Endosymbiont ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background Wolbachia is an obligate intracellular maternally transmitted, gram-negative bacterium which forms a spectrum of endosymbiotic relationships from parasitism to obligatory mutualism in a wide range of arthropods and onchocercid nematodes, respectively. In arthropods Wolbachia produces reproductive manipulations such as male killing, feminization, parthenogenesis and cytoplasmic incompatibility for its propagation and provides an additional fitness benefit for the host to protect against pathogens, whilst in onchocercid nematodes, apart from the mutual metabolic dependence, this bacterium is involved in moulting, embryogenesis, growth and survival of the host. Methods This review details the molecular data of Wolbachia and its effect on host biology, immunity, ecology and evolution, reproduction, endosymbiont-based treatment and control strategies exploited for filariasis. Relevant peer-reviewed scientic papers available in various authenticated scientific data bases were considered while writing the review. Conclusions The information presented provides an overview on Wolbachia biology and its use in the control and/or treatment of vectors, onchocercid nematodes and viral diseases of medical and veterinary importance. This offers the development of new approaches for the control of a variety of vector-borne diseases. Graphic Abstract

Direct and Indirect Social Drivers and Impacts of Vector-Borne Diseases

2020 ◽  
pp. 247-266
Author(s):  
Sadie J. Ryan ◽  
Catherine A. Lippi ◽  
Kevin L. Bardosh ◽  
Erika F. Frydenlund ◽  
Holly D. Gaff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Storms ◽  
Poverty Trap ◽  
Cultural Perceptions ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The World ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Developed Nations

Vector borne diseases (VBDs) are often seen by the highly developed nations of the world as an issue of poor tropical countries. While framing the problem this way—through the paradigm of a poverty-trap—may leverage aid and motivate political will toward disease control, it misses a wide range of socio-political contexts both driving, and driven by, vector borne diseases. In this chapter, we present a series of global vignettes, to illustrate different facets of the broad remit of social drivers and interactions with VBDs. We approach the urban social-ecological context in Latin America and the Caribbean, impacts and aftermath of natural disasters such as earthquakes and tropical storms, struggles with trust in intervention implementation in Haiti, and drivers and impacts of ruminant arbovirus emergence events in Europe. We conclude that incorporating an understanding of social context, including political history and cultural perceptions, is a key part of VBD research and intervention practice.

scholarly journals The Furvela tent-trap Mk 1.1 for the collection of outdoor biting mosquitoes

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques D Charlwood ◽  
Corey Le Clair
Keyword(s):  
Short Review ◽  
Mosquito Density ◽  
Light Traps ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Vector Density ◽  
Outdoor Transmission ◽  
Outdoor Biting ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Entry Behavior

Outdoor transmission of malaria and other vector borne diseases remains a problem. Suitable methods for assessing vector density are required and a number of tent-traps, for the collection for outdoor biting mosquitoes, have recently been developed. Only one such trap, the Furvela tent-trap, does not require an ‘entry’ behavior on the part of the mosquito. It remains the cheapest and lightest tent-trap described. It takes less than two minutes to install and is the only trap described that uses readily available components. We also describe recent modifications to the trap, which make it even easier to set up, provide an SOP and describe some recent experiments examining the effect of the addition of light to the trap. We also provide a short review of work so far undertaken with the trap in Mozambique, Ghana and Tanzania. The trap provides the closest approximation to CDC light-traps, widely used to collect indoor biting mosquitoes. This enables the effect of a number of interventions on mosquito density and indoor/outdoor behaviors to be determined.

scholarly journals The Furvela tent-trap Mk 1.1 for the collection of outdoor biting mosquitoes

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques D Charlwood ◽  
Corey Le Clair
Keyword(s):  
Short Review ◽  
Mosquito Density ◽  
Light Traps ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Vector Density ◽  
Outdoor Transmission ◽  
Outdoor Biting ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Entry Behavior

Outdoor transmission of malaria and other vector borne diseases remains a problem. Suitable methods for assessing vector density are required and a number of tent-traps, for the collection for outdoor biting mosquitoes, have recently been developed. Only one such trap, the Furvela tent-trap, does not require an ‘entry’ behavior on the part of the mosquito. It remains the cheapest and lightest tent-trap described. It takes less than two minutes to install and is the only trap described that uses readily available components. We also describe recent modifications to the trap, which make it even easier to set up, provide an SOP and describe some recent experiments examining the effect of the addition of light to the trap. We also provide a short review of work so far undertaken with the trap in Mozambique, Ghana and Tanzania. The trap provides the closest approximation to CDC light-traps, widely used to collect indoor biting mosquitoes. This enables the effect of a number of interventions on mosquito density and indoor/outdoor behaviors to be determined.

scholarly journals Lipid hijacking: a unifying theme in vector-borne diseases

eLife ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anya J O'Neal ◽  
L Rainer Butler ◽  
Agustin Rolandelli ◽  
Stacey D Gilk ◽  
Joao HF Pedra
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Immune Evasion ◽  
Malarial Parasite ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Structural Support ◽  
Microbial Survival ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Hematophagous Arthropods

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.

scholarly journals A cross-sectional study on knowledge and perception about preventive strategies of selected vector-borne diseases among the rural population of coastal Karnataka

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 205-212
Author(s):  
Dr. Priyadarisini NJ ◽  
◽  
Dr. Sanjeev Badiger ◽  
Dr. D Keerthana ◽  
Dr. Subasree NJ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Preventive Strategies ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Questionnaire Method ◽  
East Asia Region

Background and Objectives: Malaria and other vector-borne diseases (Dengue, Chikungunya andFilariasis) are a major public health problem in WHO’s South-East Asia Region. Due to the growingresistance to pesticides and drugs, there is a need to set up integrated vector managementstrategies. These strategies should involve local communities in managing the environment todecrease the health risks and increase the sustainability of programmes to control these vector-borne diseases. Hence, an important step in disease management is educating the local communityregarding vector-borne diseases and their prevention. Objectives: To assess the Knowledge &perception regarding preventive strategies of selected vector-borne diseases among the studypopulation. Methods: This study was conducted in two selected villages. A cross-sectional studydesign was used with a sample size of 966. A questionnaire method was used to collect the data.Results: Around 46.5% of them had good knowledge regarding preventive strategies of vector-borne diseases. Whereas, Around 42.2% and 40% of the population had average perception andhigh perception respectively. Conclusion: Even though only half of the population had goodknowledge regarding preventive strategies for vector-borne diseases. Most of them had average tohigh perceptions about preventive strategies. Hence to increase their knowledge many camps andhealth education activities should be conducted on vector-borne diseases and should mainlyemphasize community participation to increase their awareness. So that it leads to better practicewhich in turn will lead to a decrease in vector-borne diseases.

Parasitism of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) by water mite larvae (Acari: Hydrachnidia) in Amol, Mazandaran Province, northern Iran

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 423
Author(s):  
Mohsen Karami ◽  
Alireza Saboori ◽  
Mahdieh Asadi ◽  
Seyed Hassan Moosa-Kazemi ◽  
Mohammad Amin Gorouhi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mosquito Vector ◽  
Water Mites ◽  
Water Mite ◽  
Mazandaran Province ◽  
Northern Iran ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Anopheline Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes transmit a wide range of vector-borne diseases to humans and animal. Due to the increase in insecticide resistance, there is a need for novel mosquito vector control programs, including biocontrol. Some water mite larvae, such as those of Arrenurus genus, act as parasites of mosquitoes. Mosquito larvae, pupae and adults were collected from three locations in Amol County, Iran by dipping and hand-catch collection methods, from May to late September 2015. Then mites were removed from mosquitoes and identified to genus level using valid identification keys. A total of 873 adults of anopheline mosquitoes belonging to three species (Anopheles maculipennis s.lat., An. pseudopictus and An. hyrcanus) were collected. We only found Arrenurus sp. mites. From 873 anopheline mosquitoes captured, 11% were parasitized by 151 mites, with a mean rate of 1.59, ranging from 1 to 14. Parasitism was higher in lowlands. Water mites, as biocontrol agents of vectors, could impact fecundity, fertility and induce other harms on host. As this study is the first research on water mite parasitism on mosquitoes in Iran, more detailed studies are needed to increase our knowledge on biology and ecology of water mites parasitizing mosquitoes in Amol and other areas in Caspian sea region in Iran.

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