Article
Entomology
Heli Kirik, Viktoria Burtin, Lea Tummeleht, Olavi Kurina
Summary: Urbanization has led to a greater interaction between mosquitoes and their prey, as cities become important points of contact. Weather conditions such as wind speed and temperature influence the abundance and species composition of mosquitoes in urban environments. Springtime hydrological conditions play a crucial role in shaping the mosquito season. Higher temperatures resulting from urbanization may lead to a decrease in mosquito populations in boreal regions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jose Roberto Rodrigues, Scott W. Roy, Ravinder N. M. Sehgal
Summary: Avian haemosporidian parasites can cause malaria-like symptoms and threaten bird species, and recently, new RNA viruses associated with these parasites have been discovered. Analysis of transcriptome data revealed the presence of two novel RNA viruses associated with different genera of avian haemosporidians.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jirapon Aungtikun, Mayura Soonwera
Summary: The study found that cinnamaldehyde and synergistic combinations of Cinnamomum verum+C. cassia and C. cassia+C. loureiroi essential oils have a high insecticidal efficacy against Aedes populations, with toxicity levels significantly higher than conventional insecticides.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
David Hoekman, Bailee Cummings, Helen Arango, Nicholas Back, Randall Welles, Noah Pelletier, Katelyn Helwig, Christian Escritt, Kayla Thomas, Hailie Fellers, Callie Campbell, Alyssa Wheeler, Raul Iglesias, Hayden Jacobs, Macey Lively, Caio Martinelle B. Franca
Summary: Mosquitoes are insects that transmit diseases to humans, with their abundance and diversity being affected by environmental factors. A four-year survey in Oklahoma identified 27 different mosquito species and provides insights for assessing and predicting arbovirus risk.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Josef Harl, Tanja Himmel, Gediminas Valkiunas, Mikas Ilgunas, Nora Nedorost, Julia Matt, Anna Kubber-Heiss, Amer Alic, Cornelia Konicek, Herbert Weissenboeck
Summary: This study performed molecular genetic screening and chromogenic in situ hybridization on accipitriform raptors to analyze haemosporidian parasites. The results revealed that 44% of raptors from Austria and Bosnia-Herzegovina were infected with haemosporidian parasites. Additionally, multiple lineages of these parasites were found in accipitriform birds globally, with most of the Plasmodium lineages detected in birds of other orders.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Mikas Ilgunas, Tanja Himmel, Josef Harl, Mindaugas Dagys, Gediminas Valkiunas, Herbert Weissenboeck
Summary: This study aimed to investigate avian haemosporidian parasites infecting owls in Europe and study their tissue stages. The study discovered seven new genetic variants of the parasites and identified the tissue development stages in the brains, heart muscles, and kidneys of infected birds.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Al Thabiani Aziz
Summary: The extract and synthesised silver nanoparticles from Ulva lactuca have strong larvicidal effects against mosquito vectors and notable activity against drug-resistant bacteria. These findings contribute to the development of low-cost and eco-friendly insecticides, providing assistance in reducing disease vectors and pathogenic microbes in the future.
IET NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Lisa Guardone, Andrea Armani, Francesca Mancianti, Ezio Ferroglio
Summary: Game meat consumption is increasing in Europe, but it also poses specific public health issues. This review focuses on the risk of three parasites (Alaria alata, Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis spp.) in the main game meat species, including their transmission, epidemiology, and management along the supply chain. By addressing the main issues and knowledge gaps, this study aims to contribute to improved risk analysis.
Article
Parasitology
Andre B. B. Wilke, Dan Damian, Maria Litvinova, Thomas Byrne, Agnese Zardini, Piero Poletti, Stefano Merler, John-Paul Mutebi, John Townsend, Marco Ajelli
Summary: The objective of this study is to determine the spatiotemporal distribution of vector mosquito species in Maricopa County, AZ from 2011 to 2021 and identify hotspot areas for West Nile virus and St. Louis Encephalitis virus transmission in 2021. The results show that vector mosquito species are widely distributed and abundant in the urban areas of Maricopa County. The findings of this study can be used to inform vector control operations.
Article
Microbiology
Vajiheh Ghaemitalab, Omid Mirshamsi, Gediminas Valkiunas, Mansour Aliabadian
Summary: This study in South and Southeast Iran during the bird breeding seasons of 2017 and 2018 found that avian haemosporidians, including Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, and Leucocytozoon, were prevalent with Haemoproteus lineages being the most common. The study also identified 19 new host records and 13 co-infections of Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon parasites, indicating active local transmission in resident bird species.
Article
Parasitology
Cole Baril, Ben G. Pilling, Milah J. Mikkelsen, Jessica M. Sparrow, Carlyn A. M. Duncan, Cody W. Koloski, Stefanie E. LaZerte, Bryan J. Cassone
Summary: This study conducted mosquito surveillance in Manitoba, Canada for two years and found that mosquito activity is influenced by weather conditions, with different species favoring different temperatures, precipitation, and humidity. This is important for understanding the potential for mosquito-borne disease transmission.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Finja Strehmann, Marcel Becker, Kim Lindner, Juan F. Masello, Petra Quillfeldt, Yvonne R. Schumm, Nina Farwig, Dana G. Schabo, Sascha Roesner
Summary: Parasites play important roles in ecosystems by changing the behavior and population dynamics of their host species and the shape of entire communities. Although birds are well-studied, the infection patterns of endoparasites at the community level are not fully understood.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Yuan Fang, Ernest Tambo, Jing-Bo Xue, Yi Zhang, Xiao-Nong Zhou, Emad I. M. Khater
Summary: This study reports the first detection of four arboviruses (DENV, CFAV, PAFV, and CxFV) in mosquitoes in Saudi Arabia, showing their co-circulation in Jeddah. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close relationship between the detected DENV-2 strain and strains found in China and Japan, indicating frequent movement of DENV-2 strains among these countries, with at least five introductions into Saudi Arabia from India from 2014 to 2018.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wen-Ze He, Li-Long Pan, Wen-Hao Han, Shaaban Abd-Rabou, Shu-Sheng Liu, Xiao-Wei Wang
Summary: The study revealed that Kathon is highly toxic to mosquito larvae, with chloromethylisothiazolinone as the main toxic component. Treatment with Kathon resulted in high mortality of mosquito larvae, and sublethal concentrations significantly prolonged larval development.
Review
Parasitology
Marcos Antonio Bezerra-Santos, Rafael Antonio Nascimento Ramos, Artur Kanadani Campos, Filipe Dantas-Torres, Domenico Otranto
Summary: Medium sized opossums play important ecological roles in the Americas, but as synanthropic animals, they may harbor various pathogens that pose potential threats to humans, pets, and livestock, highlighting the risks of disease transmission in public health and veterinary fields.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Ralph Eric Thijl Vanstreels, Carolina Clares dos Anjos, Hassan Jerdy Leandro, Andrea de Moraes Carvalho, Allan Poltronieri Santos, Leandro Egert, Renata Hurtado, Eulogio Carlos Queiroz de Carvalho, Erika Martins Braga, Karin Kirchgatter
Summary: This study describes a new species of Haemoproteus found in a Red-legged Seriema, which is closely related to Haemoproteus catharti from Turkey Vulture and other unidentified haemosporidian lineages. These parasites represent an evolutionary lineage distinct from other Haemoproteus species and are more closely related to Haemocystidium spp., Plasmodium spp., and other mammal-infecting haemosporidians. Further research is needed to understand their taxonomy, life cycle, vectors, hosts, geographic distribution, and host health effects.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Karin Kirchgatter, Lilian de Oliveira Guimaraes, Eliana Ferreira Monteiro, Vanessa Christe Helfstein, Juliana Telles-de-Deus, Regiane Maria Tironi de Menezes, Simone Liuchetta Reginato, Carolina Romeiro Fernandes Chagas, Vera Lucia Fonseca de Camargo-Neves
Summary: This study aimed to provide genetic data of Mansonia, a mosquito species that is an important vector of viruses and other parasites. The morphological identification of this species is difficult, and the DNA sequences obtained in this study can be used for molecular identification. The cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) DNA barcode region is considered a valuable and reliable tool for mosquito species recognition. This research provides tools for the genetic identification of species that play a significant role in pathogen transmission.
Article
Microbiology
Carolina Romeiro Fernandes Chagas, Melanie Duc, German Alfredo Gutierrez-Liberato, Gediminas Valkiunas
Summary: This study aimed to determine the host cells inhabited by Leucocytozoon gametocytes in different bird species and to test if this feature has a phylogenetic importance. The results showed that parasites infecting different host cells were placed in different clades, indicating a potential phylogenetic importance of host cell determination. Phylogenetic analysis could be used to predict the host cells that parasite lineages might inhabit.
Article
Parasitology
Carolina C. Anjos, Thiago Bicudo, Alan Fecchio, Marina Anciaes, Bruno S. Mathias, Carolina R. F. Chagas, Jeffrey A. Bell, Lilian O. Guimaraes, Eliana F. Monteiro, Karin Kirchgatter
Summary: The construction of hydroelectric dams in the Brazilian Amazon can lead to biodiversity loss and disrupt the dynamics of bird communities. This study aims to assess the prevalence and molecular diversity of haemosporidian parasites in bird communities inhabiting artificial islands created by the Balbina Hydroelectric Dam. The results reveal a low overall prevalence of avian malaria in the studied bird species, with the discovery of new lineages and the potential impact of artificial islands on the parasites.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Paula da Costa Machado, Caio Filipe da Motta Lima, Patricia Locosque Ramos, Carolina Romeiro Fernandes Chagas, Paula Andrea Borges Salgado
Summary: This study aimed to establish reference intervals for hematologic and biochemical measurands for captive Lear's macaw in Sao Paulo Zoo, Brazil. The results can aid veterinarians in interpreting laboratory test results and assist in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of diseases of this endangered species.
VETERINARY CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Kanpapat Boonchuay, Thotsapol Thomrongsuwannakij, Carolina Romeiro Fernandes Chagas, Pornchai Pornpanom
Summary: This study investigated the presence of multiple blood parasites in backyard chickens in Southern Thailand and found a high prevalence of Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon infections. The diversity and morphology of the parasites were identified using PCR-based detection and microscopic methods. The results showed that nested PCR and buffy coat smears can be used as valuable diagnostic tools, and the findings contribute to the understanding of parasite infections in the study area.
Article
Biology
Marcos Edgar Herkenhoff, Miklos Maximiliano Bajay, Carlos Andre da Veiga Lima-Rosa Costamilan
Summary: Centropomus undecimalis (common snook) and Centropomus parallelus (fat snook) have a wide distribution from southern Florida to southern Brazil, and their genetic diversity among populations highlights the need for targeted conservation efforts. Microsatellite markers proved effective in assessing genetic variability and contributed to understanding population genetics in these snook species. Despite not being classified as endangered, genetic differences among populations emphasize the importance of considering population-level characteristics in conservation strategies. Our study demonstrates the significance of microsatellite markers in informing conservation efforts for common snook and fat snook.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Rosa Maria Tubaki, Regiane Maria Tironi de Menezes, Mariana Rocha David, Raquel Gardini Sanches Palasio, Osny Tadeu de Aguiar, Joao Batista Baitello, Vagner Oliveira Santos, Natalia Balbino, Francisco Chiaravalloti-Neto
Summary: Sylvatic yellow fever (SYF) was a health issue in Brazil due to high density of vectors, amplifying hosts, and low vaccine coverage. Urban forest edges facilitate contact between human and sylvatic vector mosquito populations. The study reveals the association between abiotic and biotic features of Haemagogus leucocelaenus rearing sites in tree holes.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francisco de A. Diniz Sobrinho, Jeane de O. Moura, Miklos M. Bajay, Leonardo Castelo Branco, Roosevelt D. S. Bezerra, Adriana M. de Araujo
Summary: Identifying genome regions subject to selection in local breeds of Brazil provides insights into the genome plasticity of C. hircus and the colonization history of the country. This study identified several genomic regions that are influenced by selection in the Brazilian dry zone environment, particularly in genes related to growth and embryonic skeletal development. The investigation also found regions associated with functional adaptation to low water needs and a poor nutritive diet. Further research on these genomic regions can contribute to understanding the evolutionary history of Capra hircus in Brazil's semiarid area and identifying candidate genes for adaptation.
GENETICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Carolina Romeiro Fernandes Chagas, Melanie Duc, Tanja Himmel, Vytautas Eigirdas, Herbert Weissenboeck, Gediminas Valkiunas
Summary: Leucocytozoon parasites, a type of avian parasitic haemosporidians, have been poorly studied in terms of their exo-erythrocytic development and pathogenicity. This study investigated the presence of Leucocytozoon species in song thrushes and confirmed the transmission of several parasite lineages in Europe.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE
(2023)