scholarly journals Molecular Detection of Selected Pathogens with Zoonotic Potential in Deer Keds (Lipoptena fortisetosa)

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 324
Author(s):  
Remigiusz Gałęcki ◽  
Jerzy Jaroszewski ◽  
Tadeusz Bakuła ◽  
Eloiza M. Galon ◽  
Xuenan Xuan

Deer keds are obligatory hematophagous ectoparasites of birds and mammals. Cervids serve as specific hosts for these insects. However, ked infestations have been observed in non-specific hosts, including humans, companion animals, and livestock. Lipoptena fortisetosa is a weakly studied ectoparasite, but there is evidence to indicate that it continues to spread across Europe. The existing knowledge on deer keds’ impact on wildlife is superficial, and their veterinary importance is enigmatic. Lipoptena fortisetosa is a species with vectorial capacity, but potential pathogen transmission has not been assessed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of selected pathogens in L. fortisetosa collected from cervids and host-seeking individuals in the environment. Out of 500 acquired samples, 307 (61.4%) had genetic material from at least one tested pathogen. Our research suggests that L. fortisetosa may be a potential vector of several pathogens, including A. phagocytophilum, Babesia spp., Bartonella spp., Borellia spp., Coxiella-like endosymbionts, Francisiella tularensis, Mycoplasma spp., Rickettsia spp., and Theileria spp.; however, further, more extensive investigations are required to confirm this. The results of the study indicate that keds can be used as biological markers for investigating the prevalence of vector-borne diseases in the population of free-ranging cervids.

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranju Ravindran Santhakumari Manoj ◽  
Maria Stefania Latrofa ◽  
Sara Epis ◽  
Domenico Otranto

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


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meredith R. Spence Beaulieu ◽  
Jennifer L. Federico ◽  
Michael H. Reiskind

Abstract Background Urbanization is occurring rapidly on a global scale and is altering mosquito communities, creating assemblages that are characteristically less diverse. Despite high rates of urbanization and ample examples of vector-borne diseases transmitted by multiple species, the effects of urbanization-driven mosquito diversity losses on disease transmission has not been well explored. We investigated this question using the dog heartworm, a filarial parasite vectored by numerous mosquito species. Methods We trapped host-seeking mosquitoes in undeveloped areas and neighborhoods of different ages in Wake County, North Carolina, USA, analyzing captured mosquitoes for heartworm DNA. We compared within-mosquito heartworm infection across land-use types by Kruskal–Wallis and likelihood ratio tests. Using zip code level data acquired from dogs in a local shelter, we performed linear regressions of within-host heartworm prevalence by within-mosquito heartworm prevalence as well as by three mosquito diversity measures. We also determined the best predictor of host-level prevalence among models including within-mosquito infection, mosquito diversity and abundance, and socioeconomic status as variables. Results Suburban areas had lower within-mosquito heartworm prevalence and lower likelihood of heartworm-positive mosquitoes than did undeveloped field sites, although no differences were seen between suburban and undeveloped wooded sites. No relationships were noted between within-mosquito and within-host heartworm prevalence. However, mosquito diversity metrics were positively correlated with host heartworm prevalence. Model selection revealed within-host prevalence was best predicted by a positive relationship with mosquito Shannon–Wiener diversity and a negative relationship with household income. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that decreases in mosquito diversity due to urbanization alter vector-borne disease risk. With regard to dog heartworm disease, this loss of mosquito diversity is associated with decreased heartworm prevalence within both the vector and the host. Although the response is likely different for diseases transmitted by one or few species, mosquito diversity losses leading to decreased transmission could be generalizable to other pathogens with multiple vectors. This study contributes to better understanding of the effects of urbanization and the role of vector diversity in multi-vectored pathosystems.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mabel L. Taracena ◽  
Vanessa Bottino-Rojas ◽  
Octavio A.C. Talyuli ◽  
Ana Beatriz Walter-Nuno ◽  
José Henrique M. Oliveira ◽  
...  

AbstractAedes aegypti is the vector of some of the most important vector-borne diseases like Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika and Yellow fever, affecting millions of people worldwide. The cellular processes that follow a blood meal in the mosquito midgut are directly associated with pathogen transmission. We studied the homeostatic response of the midgut against oxidative stress, as well as bacterial and dengue virus (DENV) infections, focusing on the proliferative ability of the intestinal stem cells (ISC). Inhibition of the peritrophic matrix (PM) formation led to an increase in ROS production by the epithelial cells in response to contact with the resident microbiota, suggesting that maintenance of low levels of ROS in the intestinal lumen is key to keep ISCs division in balance. We show that dengue virus infection induces midgut cell division in both DENV susceptible (Rockefeller) and refractory (Orlando) mosquito strains. However, the susceptible strain delays the activation of the regeneration process compared with the refractory strain. Impairment of the Delta/Notch signaling, by silencing the Notch ligand Delta using RNAi, significantly increased the susceptibility of the refractory strains to DENV infection of the midgut. We propose that this cell replenishment is essential to control viral infection in the mosquito. Our study demonstrates that the intestinal epithelium of the blood fed mosquito is able to respond and defend against different challenges, including virus infection. In addition, we provide unprecedented evidence that the activation of a cellular regenerative program in the midgut is important for the determination of the mosquito vectorial competence.


2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Carvalho de Freitas e Azevedo ◽  
Giovanna Stefani Nosberto Castelli ◽  
Ryan Emiliano da Silva ◽  
Jaciara de Oliveira Jorge Costa ◽  
Renata Tonhosolo ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT: Vector-borne diseases are currently one of the biggest public health concerns worldwide. Dogs, being the closest companion animals to humans, are considered the main reservoir of some of these diseases in the urban environment. Therefore, the study of the disease behavior in dogs can help to understand the disease affecting human health. Serological and molecular diagnoses of Babesia vogeli, Rangelia vitalli, Leishmania infantum, and other trypanosomatids, were performed by immunochromatographic and PCR assays, respectively, on dogs in a dog shelter located in an Atlantic Forest fragment near the Billings Dam, São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo-Brazil. Our molecular diagnostic results showed a high prevalence of Babesia vogeli, at 20.9% (17/81). No other protozoan was detected in any of the tests. Determining the prevalence of major vector-borne diseases is essential to establish preventive and control measures for zoonotic diseases in animals kept in shelters, in order to minimize the impact of vector-borne diseases on animal health.


2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
MAHNA Khan

Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) of zoonotic importance are the global threat in the human life and on animal welfare as well. Many vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) have appeared in new regions in the past two decades, while many endemic diseases have increased in incidence. Although introductions and emergence of endemic pathogens are often considered to be distinct processes, many endemic pathogens are actually spreading at a local scale coincident with habitat change. Key differences between dynamics and diseases burden result from increased pathogen transmission following habitat change, deforestation and introduction life into new regions. Local emergence of VBPs are commonly driven by changing in ecology (deforestation, massive natural calamities, civil wares etc.), altered human behavior, enhanced enzootic cycles, pathogen invasion from anthropogenic trade and travel, genomic changes of pathogens to coup up with the new hosts, vectors, and climatic conditions and adaptability in wildlife reservoirs. Once a pathogen is established, ecological factors related to vector and host characteristics can shape the evolutionary selective pressure and result in increased use of people as transmission hosts. West Nile virus (WNV), Nipah virus and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) are among the best-understood zoonotic vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) to have emerged in the last two decades and showed just how explosive epidemics can be in new regions. Zoonotic VBPs that are likely introduced into new regions include Rift Valley Fever and Japanese Encephalitis viruses (JEV) in the Americas, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus in Eurasia or Africa, Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus (CCHFV) in new parts of Eurasia. Vector-borne diseases currently impose global burden on public health and animal welfare including widespread formerly zoonotic human diseases, such as malaria, leishmania and dengue fever, as well as zoonotic diseases for which humans are dead end hosts, such as Lyme disease, WNV and CCHF. It requires highly equipped laboratory facilities and technical manpower to address emergence and re-emergence of vector-borne zoonotic diseases. Financial and technological hurdles persist in developing countries, making diagnosis and control facility difficult where these diseases are stubbornly most prevalent. Development of technological and highly knowledgeable manpower is the key to protect public health and eco-health. An awareness building about the changing risk of VBPs to prevent introduction foreign pathogens is far more difficult because this is commonly an inevitable consequence of the globalization of trade and travel and in most cases is accidental. Designing of active surveillance of the deadly infectious pathogens by combining the expertise of veterinary and human health could play pivotal roles towards reducing burden of VBPs. History suggests that successful control of VBPs requires prompt identification, swift action, mobilization of fund for developing technical expertise and occasionally by using draconian social measures.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjvm.v13i2.26614Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2015). 13 (2): 1-14


Chemoecology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 277-286
Author(s):  
Collins K. Mweresa ◽  
W. R. Mukabana ◽  
J. J. A. van Loon ◽  
M. Dicke ◽  
W. Takken

Abstract Reliance on broad-spectrum insecticides and chemotherapeutic agents to control hematophagous insect vectors, and their related diseases is threatened by increasing insecticide and drug resistance, respectively. Thus, development of novel, alternative, complementary and effective technologies for surveillance and control of such insects is strongly encouraged. Semiochemicals are increasingly developed for monitoring and intervention of insect crop pests, but this has not been adequately addressed for hematophagous insects of medical and veterinary importance. This review provides an insight in the application of semiochemicals for control of hematophagous insects. Here, we provide specific information regarding the isolation and identification of semiochemical compounds, optimization approaches, detection, perception and discrimination by the insect olfactory system. Navigation of insects along wind-borne odor plumes is discussed and methods of odor application in field situations are reviewed. Finally, we discuss prospects and future challenges for the application of semiochemical-based tools with emphasis on mosquitoes. The acquired knowledge can guide development of more effective components of integrated vector management, safeguard against emerging resistance of insects to existing insecticides and reduce the burden of vector-borne diseases.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jörg Hirzmann ◽  
David Ebmer ◽  
Guillermo J. Sánchez Contreras ◽  
Ana Rubio-García ◽  
Gerd Magdowski ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Belonging to the anopluran family Echinophthiriidae, Echinophthirius horridus, the seal louse, has been reported to parasitize a broad range of representatives of phocid seals. So far, only few studies focused on vector function of echinophthiriid lice and knowledge on their role in pathogen transmission is still scarce. The current study aims to investigate the possible vector role of E. horridus parasitizing seals in the Dutch Wadden Sea.Methods: More than 1200 E. horridus seal lice were collected from 54 harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and one grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) during their rehabilitation period in the Sealcentre Pieterburen, the Netherlands. DNA was extracted from pooled seal lice of individual seals for molecular detection of the seal heartworm Acanthocheilonema spirocauda, the rickettsial intracellular bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Mycoplasma spp. using PCR assays.Results: Seal lice from 35% of the harbour seals (19/54) and from the grey seal proved positive for A. spirocauda. The seal heartworm was molecularly characterised and phylogenetically analysed for the first time (rDNA, cox1). A nested PCR was developed for the cox1 gene to detect A. spirocauda stages in seal lice. A. phagocytophilum and a Mycoplasma species previously identified from a patient with disseminated ‘seal finger’ mycoplasmosis were detected the first time in seal lice. Conclusions: Our findings support the potential vector role of seal lice in transmission of A. spirocauda, and reveal new insights into the spectrum of pathogens occurring in seal lice. As these pathogens might have detrimental effects on the health of seal populations further epidemiological investigations on infections due to these pathogens in seals should be conducted.


2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-169
Author(s):  
Leschnik Michael

AbstractVector-borne diseases are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in small animals in Europe. Many of these diseases are well-known among veterinary practitioners and some of them are called emerging diseases as prevalence, temporal and spatial distribution seem to increase in Europe. The number of newly recognized pathogens, transmitted by a variety of arthropod vectors, that are relevant for dogs and cats, is also increasing every year. The prevalence among infected vectors and hosts is a hot topic in veterinary science throughout the entire continent, as well as the development of efficient diagnostic procedures, therapy and prophylactic measures. Companion animal vector-borne diseases comprise a large group of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, protozoa and helminths. These pathogens are mainly transmitted by bloodsucking arthropods (ticks, fleas, mosquitos, sand flies), and more seldom by direct transmission between vertebrate hosts. Vector prevalence and activity is influenced by local climate conditions, host species density, changes in landscape and land use. Human parameters such as poverty and migration affect the use of prophylactic measures against pathogen transmission and infection as well as increasing the zoonotic risk to introducing pathogens by infected humans. Small animal associated factors such as pet trade and pet travel spread infection and certain vectors such as ticks and fleas. All these factors pose several complex and significant challenges for veterinarians in clinical practice to decide on efficient laboratory work-up and constructive diagnostic procedures.


Nova Scientia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (25) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Vázquez-Marroquín ◽  
Mónica Duarte-Andrade ◽  
Luis Miguel Hernández-Triana ◽  
Aldo Iván Ortega-Morales ◽  
Rahuel Jeremías Chan-Chable

Introduction: Many mosquitoes are of great medical and veterinary importance because they transmit numerous pathogens which cause diseases in animals and humans; thus, knowing their taxonomy and distribution is pivotal for implementing the correct control strategies. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of mosquito species and their distribution in La Comarca Lagunera in the state of Durango, Mexico.Method: Adult mosquitoes were collected at different resting sites in four municipalities between August and November 2018 using Insectzookas. Aquatic habitats were also sampled for immature stages. Adult specimens were killed using lethal chambers with triethylamine vapors; while larvae and pupae were stored in individual tubes to obtain the adult stages and associated exuviae. All material was transported to the Molecular Biology Laboratory of the Parasitology Department of the Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Unidad Laguna (UAAAN-UL) for mounting and taxonomical identification. Species were identified using taxonomic keys for the region.Results: In total, 689 mosquito specimens (286 males and 403 females) were collected belonging to 15 species, among them Anopheles franciscanus McCracken, Culex erythrothorax Dyar, and Toxorhynchites moctezuma (Dyar and Knab) are new records for Durango State. The most abundant species was Cx. quinquefasciatus Say with 364 (56.2%) specimens, followed by Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) (21.3%) and Ae. vexans (Meigen) (7.7%).Conclusion: 13 out of 15 species collected are associated with the transmission of an arbovirus of relevant medical or veterinary importance in Mexico. There are now 38 species recorded for Durango. The information in this study is directly relevant for the Health Ministry in Durango State for the control of vector borne diseases in the region.


Author(s):  
Patrick Mavingui ◽  
Claire Valiente Mor ◽  
Pablo Tortosa

Arthropods transmit a variety of diseases to humans and animals, including arboviruses, bacteria and parasites. No efficient treatments or control methods are available for many vector-borne diseases, especially for emerging diseases. Therefore, the development of alternative strategies aiming at controlling disease transmission is encouraged worldwide. Although transmission phenomenon is a result of complex interactions involving several actors evolving in a changing environment, the biotic relationship between pathogens and their vectors represents a key step in successful disease transmission. Recent studies highlighted a strong impact of microbiomes on the life-history traits of arthropod hosts. This chapter emphasizes those biotic interactions having an impact on adaptive traits influencing disease transmission. Evidence in behavioral alterations of vector populations/individuals with relevance to vector-pathogen transmission mitigation is reviewed. Opportunities to take advantage of such biotic processes in the control of vector-borne diseases in different epidemiological, entomological and environmental settings are explored.


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