scholarly journals Assessment of Synthetic Membranes for Artificial Blood Feeding of Culicidae

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 15
Author(s):  
Luciana S. Dias ◽  
Jonatas C. Caldeira ◽  
Luiz G. S. R. Bauzer ◽  
José B. P. Lima
Keyword(s):  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Culex Quinquefasciatus ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Blood Feeding ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Collagen Membrane ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Synthetic Membranes ◽  
Artificial Blood ◽  
Potential Pathogen

Potential pathogen transmission through hematophagy in Culicidae is a major public-health problem, and several studies have been performed to better understand this phenomenon. Research on these insects often requires the maintenance of colonies in the laboratory. Due to the hematophagic habits of these organisms, blood must be provided in order to guarantee the reproduction of individuals that constitute the colonies. Some species of mammals and birds are used as a direct blood source in many laboratories. Due to current bioethical parameters, the direct use of animals has been replaced by artificial blood feeding by using synthetic membranes to simulate animal skin. In this study, the efficiency of collagen and latex in the artificial feeding of mosquitoes of the Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus species was evaluated and compared with Parafilm®, a standard membrane that is frequently used for this purpose. Important aspects of the feeding and reproduction of these insects were considered. For both species, latex showed the poorest performance. Collagen membrane performed well in most parameters, but was not as efficient as Parafilm® for fecundity in Aedes aegypti, and for the percentage of engorged females in Culex quinquefasciatus. We concluded that, although collagen is more resistant and easier to handle, Parafilm® was the most efficient among the three evaluated membranes for the artificial blood feeding of mosquitoes.

scholarly journals Comparative Analyses on Synthetic Membranes for Artificial Blood Feeding of Aedes aegypti using Digital Thermo Mosquito Blood Feeder (DITMOF)

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd Farihan Md Yatim ◽  
Aishah Hani Azil ◽  
Nazarudin Safian ◽  
Ahmad Firdaus Mohd Salleh ◽  
Mohd Khadri Shahar
Keyword(s):  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Feeding Rate ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Blood Feeding ◽  
Feeding System ◽  
Live Animal ◽  
Synthetic Membranes ◽  
Artificial Blood ◽  
Cattle Blood ◽  
Sausage Casing

The use of live animal to blood feeding mosquito colony is proven to be expensive and inconvenient. As an alternative, artificial feeding (AF) is used to rear mosquito colony. The use of synthetic membrane in AF provided a more convenient method as compared to natural membrane which require extensive preparation. In this study, three synthetic membranes were compared (Parafilm-M, Polytetrafluoroethylene tape or PTFE tape and collagen sausage casing) to blood feeding Aedes aegypti. The membranes were incorporated with our in-house developed device named as Digital Thermo Mosquito Blood Feeder (DITMOF) to heat cattle blood for mosquito feeding. Results showed that PTFE tape recorded the highest blood feeding rate (95.00% ± 1.67%) with significant mean difference (p <0.001) as compared to both Parafilm-M (72.00% ± 2.60%) and collagen sausage casing (71.50% ± 3.50%). However, there was no difference in term of fecundity for mosquito feed with all three membranes tested (p=0.292). In conclusion, PTFE tape should be considered as the preferred membrane to blood feeding Ae. aegypti. Furthermore, this artificial blood feeding system, DITMOF successfully feed Ae. aegypti conveniently and effectively, thus should be further tested to feed other mosquito species.

A Simple PCR Assay for Discrimination of Dengue Vectors from Nsukka LGA, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-77
Author(s):  
Amos Watentena ◽  
Ikem Chris Okoye ◽  
Ikechukwu Eugene Onah ◽  
Onwude Cosmas Ogbonnaya ◽  
Emmanuel Ogudu
Keyword(s):  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Aedes Albopictus ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Mosquito Vector ◽  
Aedes Mosquitoes ◽  
Allele Specific ◽  
Arboviral Diseases ◽  
Dengue Vectors

Mosquitoes of Aedes species are vectors of several arboviral diseases which continue to be a major public health problem in Nigeria. This study among other things, morphologically identified Aedes mosquitoes collected from Nsukka LGA and used an allele specific PCR amplification for discrimination of dengue vectors. Larval sampling, BG-sentinel traps and modified human landing catches were used for mosquito sampling in two selected autonomous communities of Nsukka LGA (Nsukka and Obimo). A total of 124 Aedes mosquitoes consisting of five (5) different species were collected from April to June, 2019 in a cross-sectional study that covered 126 households, under 76 distinct geographical coordinates. Larvae was mainly collected from plastic containers 73% (n=224), metallic containers 14% (n=43), earthen pots 9% (n=29) and used car tyres 3% (n=9), reared to adult stage 69.35% (n=86), and all mosquitoes were identified using standard morphological keys. Five (5) Aedes mosquito species were captured; Aedes aegypti 83(66.94%), Aedes albopictus 33(26.61%), Aedes simpsoni (4.48%), Aedes luteocephalus (≤1%) and Aedes vittatus (≤1%). Nsukka autonomous community had higher species diversity than Obimo. Allele specific amplification confirmed dengue vectors, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species on a 2% agarose gel. Since the most recent re-emergence of arboviral diseases is closely associated with Aedes species, findings of this study, therefore, give further evidence about the presence of potential arboviral vectors in Nigeria and describe the role of a simple PCR in discriminating some. Further entomological studies should integrate PCR assays in mosquito vector surveillance.

scholarly journals Temporal and Spatial Blood Feeding Patterns of Urban Mosquitoes in the San Juan Metropolitan Area, Puerto Rico

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 129
Author(s):  
Matthew W. Hopken ◽  
Limarie J. Reyes-Torres ◽  
Nicole Scavo ◽  
Antoinette J. Piaggio ◽  
Zaid Abdo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Metropolitan Area ◽  
Culex Quinquefasciatus ◽  
Urban Ecosystems ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
San Juan ◽  
Vertebrate Species ◽  
Blood Meals

Urban ecosystems are a patchwork of habitats that host a broad diversity of animal species. Insects comprise a large portion of urban biodiversity which includes many pest species, including those that transmit pathogens. Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) inhabit urban environments and rely on sympatric vertebrate species to complete their life cycles, and in this process transmit pathogens to animals and humans. Given that mosquitoes feed upon vertebrates, they can also act as efficient samplers that facilitate detection of vertebrate species that utilize urban ecosystems. In this study, we analyzed DNA extracted from mosquito blood meals collected temporally in multiple neighborhoods of the San Juan Metropolitan Area, Puerto Rico to evaluate the presence of vertebrate fauna. DNA was collected from 604 individual mosquitoes that represented two common urban species, Culex quinquefasciatus (n = 586) and Aedes aegypti (n = 18). Culex quinquefasciatus fed on 17 avian taxa (81.2% of blood meals), seven mammalian taxa (17.9%), and one reptilian taxon (0.85%). Domestic chickens dominated these blood meals both temporally and spatially, and no statistically significant shift from birds to mammals was detected. Aedes aegypti blood meals were from a less diverse group, with two avian taxa (11.1%) and three mammalian taxa (88.9%) identified. The blood meals we identified provided a snapshot of the vertebrate community in the San Juan Metropolitan Area and have potential implications for vector-borne pathogen transmission.

scholarly journals Larvicidal Activity against Aedes Aegypti of Foeniculum Vulgare Essential Oils from Portugal and Cape Verde

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1501000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diara Kady Rocha ◽  
Olivia Matos ◽  
Maria Teresa Novo ◽  
Ana Cristina Figueiredo ◽  
Manuel Delgado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Larvicidal Activity ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Probit Analysis ◽  
Cape Verde ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Foeniculum Vulgare ◽  
Aerial Parts ◽  
Pure Compounds

Dengue is a potentially fatal mosquito-borne infection with 50 million cases per year and 2.5 billion people vulnerable to the disease. This major public health problem has recurrent epidemics in Latin America and occurred recently in Cape Verde and Madeira Island. The lack of anti-viral treatment or vaccine makes the control of mosquito vectors a high option to prevent virus transmission. Essential oil (EO) constituents can affect insect's behaviour, being potentially effective in pest control. The present study evaluated the potential use of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) EO in the control of the dengue vector Aedes aegypti. EOs isolated from fennel aerial parts collected in Cape Verde and from a commercial fennel EO of Portugal were analysed by NMR, GC and GC-MS. trans-Anethole (32 and 30%, respectively), limonene (28 and 18%, respectively) and fenchone (10% in both cases) were the main compounds identified in the EOs isolated from fennel from Cape Verde and Portugal, respectively. The larvicidal activity of the EOs and its major constituents were evaluated, using WHO procedures, against third instar larvae of Ae. aegypti for 24 h. Pure compounds, such as limonene isomers, were also assayed. The lethal concentrations LC50, LC90 and LC99 were determined by probit analysis using mortality rates of bioassays. A 99% mortality of Ae. aegypti larvae was estimated at 37.1 and 52.4 μL L−1 of fennel EOs from Cape Verde and Portugal, respectively. Bioassays showed that fennel EOs from both countries displayed strong larvicidal effect against Ae. aegypti, the Cape Verde EO being as active as one of its major constituents, (-)-limonene.

A tubular network associated with the brush-border surface of the Aedes aegypti midgut: implications for pathogen transmission by mosquitoes

2000 ◽  
Vol 203 (10) ◽  
pp. 1599-1611 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Zieler ◽  
C.F. Garon ◽  
E.R. Fischer ◽  
M. Shahabuddin
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Blood Feeding ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Midgut Epithelium ◽  
Peritrophic Membrane ◽  
Blood Sucking

The mosquito Aedes aegypti is capable of transmitting a variety of pathogens to man and to other vertebrates. The midgut of this insect has been well-studied both as the tissue where the first contact occurs between ingested pathogens and the insect host, and as a model system for blood meal digestion in blood-sucking insects. To understand better the nature of the midgut surface encountered by parasites or viruses, we used scanning electron microscopy to identify the most prominent structures and cell morphologies on the luminal midgut surface. The luminal side of the midgut is a complex and layered set of structures. The microvilli that are found on most, but not all, cells are covered by a network of fine strands that we have termed the microvilli-associated network (MN). The MN strands are membranous, as shown by a membrane bilayer visible in cross sections of MN strands at high magnification in transmission electron micrographs. The MN is found in blood-fed as well as unfed mosquitoes and is not affected by chitinase treatment, suggesting that it is not related to the chitinous peritrophic membrane that is formed only after blood feeding. The cells in the midgut epithelium have two distinct morphologies: the predominant cell type is densely covered with microvilli, while cells with fewer microvilli are found interspersed throughout the midgut. We used lectins to probe for the presence of carbohydrates on the midgut surface. A large number of lectins bind to the luminal midgut surface, suggesting that a variety of sugar linkages are present on the structures visualized by electron microscopy. Some of these lectins partially block attachment of malaria ookinetes to the midgut surface in vitro. Thus, the mosquito midgut epithelium, like the lining of mammalian intestines, is complex, composed of a variety of cell types and extensively covered with surface carbohydrate that may play a role in pathogen attachment.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, and Culex quinquefasciatus Mosquitoes Competence to Oropouche virus Infection

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 755
Author(s):  
Silvana F. de Mendonça ◽  
Marcele N. Rocha ◽  
Flávia V. Ferreira ◽  
Thiago H. J. F Leite ◽  
Siad C. G. Amadou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Aedes Albopictus ◽  
Culex Quinquefasciatus ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Blood Feeding ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Vertebrate Hosts ◽  
Geographic Expansion ◽  
Immunocompromised Mice

The emergence of new human viral pathogens and re-emergence of several diseases are of particular concern in the last decades. Oropouche orthobunyavirus (OROV) is an arbovirus endemic to South and Central America tropical regions, responsible to several epidemic events in the last decades. There is little information regarding the ability of OROV to be transmitted by urban/peri-urban mosquitoes, which has limited the predictability of the emergence of permanent urban transmission cycles. Here, we evaluated the ability of OROV to infect, replicate, and be transmitted by three anthropophilic and urban species of mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, and Culex quinquefasciatus. We show that OROV is able to infect and efficiently replicate when systemically injected in all three species tested, but not when orally ingested. Moreover, we find that, once OROV replication has occurred in the mosquito body, all three species were able to transmit the virus to immunocompromised mice during blood feeding. These data provide evidence that OROV is restricted by the midgut barrier of three major urban mosquito species, but, if this restriction is overcome, could be efficiently transmitted to vertebrate hosts. This poses a great risk for the emergence of permanent urban cycles and geographic expansion of OROV to other continents.

scholarly journals Wing Geometry Analysis of Aedes aegypti (Diptera, Culicidae), a Dengue Vi-rus Vector, from Multiple Geographical Locations of Samut Songkhram, Thailand

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanawat Chaiphongpachara ◽  
Nattapon Juijayen ◽  
Kitthisak Khlaeo Chansukh
Keyword(s):  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Size Variation ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Mosquito Vector ◽  
Shape Variation ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Wing Geometry ◽  
Living Organisms

Background: Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a mosquito-borne disease and remains a major public health problem, especially in tropical and temperate countries. Studying wing morphometric of Aedes aegypti as a mosquito vector of DHF can help to better understand biological process of the mosquito adaptation to the environment. We aimed to study the geometric morphometric of Ae. aegypti from multiple geographical areas. Methods: Samples were collected from Samut Songkhram Province in Thailand, including coastal, residential and cultivated areas, by Ovitrap once per month during Oct to Nov 2016. Results: According to size variation analysis of Ae. aegypti, the female mosquito in a cultivated area was significant­ly different from those in the coastal and residential areas (P< 0.05). Whereas male Ae. aegypti in a cultivated area were significantly different from those in a residential area (P< 0.05). The shape variation of both female and male Ae. aegypti from all areas was statistically different (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Normally, living organisms, including mosquitoes, are adapted to their environment. The studied geo­graphical locations affect Ae. aegypti morphology.

scholarly journals Toxicity of Cry2 proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. thuringiensis strain T01-328 against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

2018 ◽  
Vol 85 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Cabral Ricoldi ◽  
Camila Soares Figueiredo ◽  
Janete Apparecida Desidério
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Thuringiensis ◽  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Mosquito Larvae ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Virus Diseases ◽  
Expression In Escherichia Coli ◽  
Bacillus Thuringiensis Subsp ◽  
Zika Fever ◽  
Thuringiensis Strain

ABSTRACT: Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis has been used to control the Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquito larvae, the vector of virus diseases such as dengue, Chikungunya and Zika fever, which have become a major public health problem in Brazil and other tropical countries since the climate favors the proliferation and development of the transmitting vector. Because B. thuringiensis has shown potential for controlling insects of the Diptera order, this work aimed at testing the Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. thuringiensis strain T01-328 and its proteins Cry2Aa and Cry2Ab for control A. aegypti and at comparing the results to the B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis specific dipteran strain. To this end, bioassays using spore-crystal of both strains, and Cry2Aa and Cry2Ab proteins from the heterologous expression in Escherichia coli, were performed against A. aegypti larvae. The results showed that the B. thuringiensis thuringiensis T01-328 has insecticidal activity against the larvae, but it is less toxic than B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis. Cry2Aa and Cry2Ab proteins expressed heterologously were effective for controlling A. aegypti larvae. Therefore, the results indicate that the Cry2Aa and Cry2Ab proteins of the B. thuringiensis thuringiensis T01-328 can be used as an alternative to assist in the control of A. aegypti.

scholarly journals Characterizing and Quantifying Arbovirus Transmission by Aedes aegypti Using Forced Salivation and Analysis of Bloodmeals

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 304
Author(s):  
Megan R. Miller ◽  
Madeleine R. Sorensen ◽  
Erin D. Markle ◽  
Taylor C. Clarkson ◽  
Ashley L. Knight ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Infectious Virus ◽  
Capillary Tube ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Virus Titer ◽  
Blood Feeding ◽  
Mosquito Vector ◽  
Artificial Blood ◽  
Immunocompromised Mice ◽  
Transmission Studies

Arbovirus transmission studies are dependent on the ability to estimate the titer of virus transmitted from infectious mosquitoes to a host. There are several methods for estimating virus titer in mosquito saliva, including (1) using forced salivation (FS) whereby the infectious mosquito’s proboscis is forced into a capillary tube containing media to collect and test their saliva for virus, and (2) by quantifying virus expectorated into host tissues or into the blood contained in an artificial feeder immediately after blood feeding. We studied FS and bloodmeals to estimate and compare titers of Zika virus and chikungunya virus transmitted by the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti. Infectious virus and viral genomes of both viruses were detected more often from individual mosquitoes using immersion oil for the FS media compared to fetal bovine serum (FBS) plus glycerol, but the FS media had no influence on virus quantification from positive samples. FS virus titers were equivalent when comparing individuals or groups of mosquitoes that never received a blood meal compared to those that were blood fed immediately prior, showing that blood feeding does not influence FS. This suggested that performing FS on mosquitoes after blood feeding might be an efficient way to estimate virus transmitted during blood feeding. However, detecting virus from the blood remaining in an artificial feeder post-blood feeding was mostly unsuccessful relative to quantifying virus from FS of the post-blood fed mosquitoes. In contrast, immunocompromised mice always became infected after being fed on by Zika-infected mosquitoes, even when no infectious virus was detected in their saliva by FS post-blood feed. Due to this discrepancy, we tested the ingested bloodmeals of individual mosquitoes that fed on artificial blood feeders for virus, and compared these to virus in their saliva harvested from FS and to virus in their bodies. These experiments revealed ~50–100 times higher virus titers in the dissected bloodmeals compared to those detected in the same mosquitoes’ saliva, demonstrating how mosquitoes re-ingest much of their saliva during artificial blood feeding, and highlighting a large increase in virus transmission during Aedes aegypti blood feeding. Both FS and the dissected bloodmeals of artificially blood-fed mosquitoes showed that the quantity of viral RNA expectorated by mosquitoes was 2–5 logs more than the quantity of infectious virus. The results from this study add critical information to understanding and quantifying the transmission of Aedes aegypti arboviruses.

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