Review
Microbiology
Awoke Minwuyelet, Giulio Petronio Petronio, Delenasaw Yewhalaw, Andrea Sciarretta, Irene Magnifico, Daria Nicolosi, Roberto Di Marco, Getnet Atenafu
Summary: Mosquito-borne diseases have significant health and economic impacts, especially in tropical and sub-tropical areas. The lack of effective vector containment strategies has led to an increase in the prevalence and severity of these diseases. Infection of mosquitoes with the endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria shows promise as a new bio-control strategy, reducing the lifespan of vectors and inhibiting pathogen growth.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Mary M. Cameron, Anita Ramesh
Summary: This article examines how molecular xenomonitoring (MX) can be best utilized for various purposes, emphasizing the need to consider disease targets, mosquito and pathogen characteristics, and background factors in MX system design. While currently used as a supplement to human surveillance, MX may become a more significant tool in early warning systems for emerging infectious diseases and integrated disease surveillance systems.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Martina Ferraguti, Hans Heesterbeek, Josue Martinez-de la Puente, Miguel Angel Jimenez-Clavero, Ana Vazquez, Santiago Ruiz, Francisco Llorente, David Roiz, Hans Vernooij, Ramon Soriguer, Jordi Figuerola
Summary: Vector-borne diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, such as West Nile virus and avian malaria parasites of the genus Plasmodium, have severe impacts on public health and economy. Different species of Culex mosquitoes play important roles in the transmission of these pathogens, with Cx. perexiguus identified as the most important species contributing to the amplification of WNV in southern Spain. Targeted surveillance and control of specific mosquito species may be effective measures to reduce the transmission of these diseases.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Antoinette Ludwig, Francois Rousseu, Serge Olivier Kotchi, Julie Allostry, Richard A. Fournier
Summary: Climate change is increasing the dispersion and spread of mosquito-borne viruses. In Quebec, there is a need for a tool to predict mosquito population abundances for better surveillance and management of endemic diseases. This study uses a regression model to analyze the impact of environmental factors on mosquito abundances, highlighting the importance of spatial and temporal variables.
Article
Ecology
Patil Tawidian, Ari Jumpponen, Kristin Michel
Summary: This study provides insight into the composition and diversity of fungal communities in field-collected Cx. restuans and Cx. pipiens larvae using OTUs and ASVs. The larval breeding site is the major determinant of fungal community assembly in these mosquito species. There are also distinct fungal communities in the guts and carcasses of each species, with less tissue-specific patterns in Cx. restuans larvae compared to Cx. pipiens larvae.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Josue Martinez-de la Puente, Rafael Gutierrez-Lopez, Alazne Diez-Fernandez, Ramon C. Soriguer, Isabel Moreno-Indias, Jordi Figuerola
Summary: The study found that mosquito microbiota significantly impact mosquito survival and the presence of parasite DNA in their saliva. Antibiotic treatment can significantly increase the survival rate of mosquitoes fed on infected birds, but does not affect the survival rate of mosquitoes fed on uninfected birds. The control group mosquitoes had a higher number of unique features in their microbiota and were enriched in biochemical pathways related to the immune system.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mattia Calzolari, Rosanna Desiato, Alessandro Albieri, Veronica Bellavia, Michela Bertola, Paolo Bonilauri, Emanuele Callegari, Sabrina Canziani, Davide Lelli, Andrea Mosca, Paolo Mulatti, Simone Peletto, Silvia Ravagnan, Paolo Roberto, Deborah Torri, Marco Pombi, Marco Di Luca, Fabrizio Montarsi
Summary: This study updates the distribution of the Maculipennis complex in Northern Italy through sampling and morphological/molecular identification, revealing the continued presence of historical Anopheles malaria vectors in the region.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Entomology
Ly Na Huynh, Long Bien Tran, Hong Sang Nguyen, Van Hoang Ho, Philippe Parola, Xuan Quang Nguyen
Summary: This review provides a checklist of Vietnamese mosquitoes, an overview of mosquito-borne diseases in Vietnam, and preventive measures for mosquitoes. Malaria and dengue are the most common mosquito-borne diseases in Vietnam, posing a significant threat to public health. Effective control and prevention of mosquito-borne diseases can be achieved through mechanical, chemical, biological, and genetic methods.
Article
Entomology
Janine Rau, Susanne Fischer, Doreen Werner, Helge Kampen
Summary: Since the detection of Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus eggs in Germany in 2007, the species has established multiple populations in the country. However, it is not considered invasive according to EU regulations, as there is no evidence of displacement of native species. Laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the competitive potential of Ae. albopictus against native mosquito species, but no evidence of competitive repression was found. Therefore, Ae. albopictus cannot be included in the EU list of invasive species.
MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Vaishnovi Sekar, Ana Rivero, Romain Pigeault, Sylvain Gandon, Anna Drews, Dag Ahren, Olof Hellgren
Summary: This study investigates the transcriptomes of the Avian malaria parasite Plasmodium relictum in its vector Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus, revealing gene expression patterns at different key timepoints and highlighting the presence of highly stage-specific pathways throughout the infection. Analysis identified genes related to host-immune invasion, unknown functions, and potential multifunctionality of some proteins, shedding light on the molecular mechanisms of the parasite's development and gene regulation diversity in its vector stages.
Article
Entomology
Pairpailin Jhaiaun, Amonrat Panthawong, Chutipong Sukkanon, Theeraphap Chareonviriyaphap
Summary: Guava leaf oil showed strong repellent effects against different mosquito species, particularly exhibiting potent irritant and repellent effects against Culex quinquefasciatus. However, the repellency action was weaker against Anopheles epiroticus. The study suggests that guava oil has potential as a plant-based mosquito repellent for future mosquito control programs.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Andrey A. Yurchenko, Anastasia N. Naumenko, Gleb N. Artemov, Dmitry A. Karagodin, James M. Hodge, Alena I. Velichevskaya, Alina A. Kokhanenko, Semen M. Bondarenko, Mohammad R. Abai, Maryam Kamali, Mikhail I. Gordeev, Anton V. Moskaev, Beniamino Caputo, Sargis A. Aghayan, Elina M. Baricheva, Vladimir N. Stegniy, Maria V. Sharakhova, Igor V. Sharakhov
Summary: This article analyzes the phylogenetic relationships of mosquito species to reveal migration routes and timing of Holarctic malaria vectors. It strongly supports the inclusion of An. beklemishevi into the Maculipennis subgroup. Detailed knowledge of the evolutionary history of the Maculipennis subgroup provides a framework for examining genomic changes and disease transmission patterns in Eurasia.
Article
Entomology
Si Thu Aung, Saw Bawm, Hla Myet Chel, Lat Lat Htun, Soe Soe Wai, Yuki Eshita, Ken Katakura, Ryo Nakao
Summary: A study in Myanmar found that Culex pipiens complex mosquitoes are potential vectors for dirofilariosis, with 20 pools of these mosquitoes testing positive for Dirofilaria immitis. The genetic sequences of the pathogens in the mosquitoes were identical to those found in infected dogs in China, Brazil, and France, as well as in other countries and even in humans. This study highlights the importance of understanding vector species in the transmission of dirofilariosis.
MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Patricia Gil, Antoni Exbrayat, Etienne Loire, Ignace Rakotoarivony, Florian Charriat, Come Morel, Thierry Baldet, Michel Boisseau, Albane Marie, Benoit Frances, Gregory L'Ambert, Mohamed Bessat, Yehia Otify, Maria Goffredo, Giuseppe Mancini, Nuria Busquets, Lotty Birnberg, Sandra Talavera, Carles Aranda, Emna Ayari, Selma Mejri, Soufien Sghaier, Amal Bennouna, Hicham El Rhaffouli, Thomas Balenghien, Ghita Chlyeh, Ouafaa Fassi Fihri, Julie Reveillaud, Yannick Simonin, Marc Eloit, Serafin Gutierrez
Summary: Our understanding of the diversity of eukaryotic viruses is expanding, and it may have an impact on host physiology. However, the assembly processes of eukaryotic viruses in terrestrial animals are still unknown. In this study, we compared the taxonomic diversity of eukaryotic viruses in mosquitoes from different geographic locations and found differences in virus distribution depending on geography.
Article
Parasitology
Ah-Young Lim, Hae-Kwan Cheong, Yeonseung Chung, Kisung Sim, Jong-Hun Kim
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of extremely high temperatures on the abundance of mosquitoes by analyzing time series data in Incheon Metropolitan City, Republic of Korea. Culex pipiens was the most common mosquito species in the urban region, while mosquitoes of the genus Aedes were the most common in the rural region. Exposure to extremely high temperatures reduced the abundance of Cx. pipiens mosquitoes to a greater extent than that of Anopheles spp. Urban mosquitoes showed higher tolerance to extreme heat compared to rural mosquitoes, suggesting adaptation to urban thermal environments.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Emilia Dvoroznakova, Miroslava Vargova, Zuzana Hurnikova, Andrea Laukova, Viera Revajova
Summary: This study investigated the effect of probiotic bacteria on intestinal lymphocyte immunity in mice with trichinellosis. The results showed that certain probiotic strains modulated the numbers of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes, demonstrating their potential in enhancing the host's anti-parasitic defense.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Jakub Vojtisek, Nele Janssen, Silvie Sikutova, Oldrich Sebesta, Helge Kampen, Ivo Rudolf
Summary: Aedes japonicus, a mosquito species native to North-East Asia, has recently spread to the Czech Republic. This study used ovitrapping and citizen reports to monitor AIM. The species was found in Prachatice and Mikulov, close to the Czech-German and Czech-Austrian borders, respectively, indicating potential further spread in the country.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zuzana Hurnikova, Martina Miterpakova, Gabriela Chovancova, Alexandra Jaszayova, Tomasz Zwijacz-Kozica
Summary: This study describes the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in Tatra chamois in the High Tatra Mountains and reveals a relatively high prevalence of Moniezia spp. in the population, which is closely linked to the climate and microclimate conditions of the mountains.
ANNALS OF AGRICULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Romana Kejikova, Clifton McKee, Petra Strakova, Silvie Sikutova, Jan Mendel, Ivo Rudolf
Summary: This study focused on the detection of Bartonella spp. in bat bugs, revealing the potential risk of bacterial pathogen transmission associated with bats and their ectoparasites. Further research is needed to ascertain the zoonotic risk of bat-associated Bartonella spp.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Jakub Vojtisek, Oldrich Sebesta, Silvie Sikutova, Helge Kampen, Ivo Rudolf
Summary: Aedes koreicus, an invasive mosquito species originating from East Asia, has established populations in several countries in Southern, Central, and Eastern Europe, as well as Central Asia. Despite the limited knowledge about its biology and ecological requirements, it is considered a potential vector of pathogens and requires careful monitoring. This study reports the first detection of Ae. koreicus in the Czech Republic based on a citizen report.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Letter
Immunology
Veronika Seidlova, Petra Strakova, Romana Kejikova, Monika Nemcova, Tomas Bartonicka, Jiri Salat, Lucie Dufkova, Silvie Sikutova, Jan Mendel, Clifton McKee, Jan Zukal, Jiri Pikula, Ivo Rudolf
Summary: In this study, kidney samples from 300 bat cadavers from the Czech and Slovak Republics were tested for Leptospira DNA using PCR and sequencing. The overall detection rate was 4.7%, with two bat species testing positive. The detected Leptospira sequences were similar to known species, such as L. interrogans and L. borgpetersenii, and also included a potentially novel species related to L. weilii.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Alexandra Jaszayova, Peter Luptacik, Alexander Csanady, Gabriela Chovancova, Zuzana Hurnikova
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive historical overview of faunistic studies on oribatid mites in the Tatra Mountains and identifies 321 species from 51 families in the region. Through their research, the authors recorded 101 species from 33 families in specific locations within the mountains and discovered a diverse range of oribatid mites, including boreal and boreomontane species. The study also confirms the role of oribatid mites in the life cycle of anoplocephalid tapeworms in the alpine zone.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ACAROLOGY
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Filip Damek, Arno Swart, Helga Waap, Pikka Jokelainen, Delphine Le Roux, Gunita Deksne, Huifang Deng, Gereon Schares, Anna Lunden, Gema Alvarez-Garcia, Martha Betson, Rebecca K. Davidson, Adriana Gyorke, Daniela Antolova, Zuzana Hurnikova, Henk J. Wisselink, Jacek Sroka, Joke W. B. van der Giessen, Radu Blaga, Marieke Opsteegh
Summary: This study estimated the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in various animal host species and found that infected animal meat is a major source of infections in Europe. Prevalence estimates varied based on species, regions, rearing conditions, and detection methods used. The highest seroprevalence was observed in Eastern Europe, while the lowest was in Northern Europe. These findings can be used to extrapolate data to areas with limited information and provide valuable inputs for future studies on the sources of T. gondii human infection.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kristina Mravcova, Jeremy V. Camp, Zdenek Hubalek, Silvie Sikutova, Alexander G. C. Vaux, Jolyon M. Medlock, Ivo Rudolf
Summary: Tahyna virus (TAHV) is a neglected human pathogen with unknown public health importance in Central Europe, but it may pose a potential emerging disease threat in other parts of Europe due to extreme summer flooding events. TAHV is an orthobunyavirus isolated from mosquitoes and is associated with floodplain areas, hares as reservoir hosts, and Aedes vexans mosquitoes as the main vector. The disease caused by TAHV, known as Valtice fever, was detected in the 1960s and has been the subject of many studies, although the prevalence and clinical manifestations of TAHV infections are rarely reported.
ZOONOSES AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Biology
Alexandra Jaszayova, Jana Reznarova, Gabriela Chovancova, Alexei Yu Kostygov, Vyacheslav Yurchenko, Daniela Antolova, Tomasz Zwijacz-Kozica, Alexander Csanady, Zuzana Hurnikova
Summary: The Tatra chamois and Tatra marmot are important endemic subspecies in the Tatra Mountains of Central Europe. A study investigated the intestinal parasites of these two species, focusing on anoplocephalid tapeworms, in Slovakia and Poland. The study also examined the occurrence and diversity of oribatid mites as intermediate hosts, as well as the prevalence of tapeworm larval stages in collected oribatids using morphological and molecular methods. Results showed significant differences in the infection rates of Moniezia spp. in chamois feces (23.5%) and Ctenotaenia marmotae in marmot samples (71.1%) between different localities.
Article
Parasitology
Martina Miterpakova, Daniela Valentova, Zuzana Hurnikova
Summary: The present study focused on the current state of Dirofilaria species distribution in the Slovak Danubian Lowland, and revealed that Dirofilaria immitis has become the dominant causal agent of dirofilariosis in the region, increasing the risk of infection for both dogs and humans.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biology
Miroslava Vargova, Viera Revajova, Andrea Laukova, Zuzana Hurnikova, Emilia Dvoroznakova
Summary: Bacteriocins have potential applications in the treatment of intestinal and non-intestinal infections. Specific strains of Enterococcus and their bacteriocins can stimulate phagocytosis and reduce the migration and parasite burden of Trichinella spiralis larvae in the host.
Article
Biology
Alexandra Jaszayova, Tomas Jaszay, Gabriela Chovancova, Alexander Csanady, Zuzana Hurnikova, Tomasz Zwijacz-Kozica
Summary: The distribution of beetles in the alpine ecosystem of Tatra National Park is currently unknown, which hinders prioritization of conservation efforts for species with small and/or declining populations. In a parasitological study, soil samples were collected from the feces of Tatra chamois and Tatra marmots at five sites, yielding a total of 332 beetle individuals belonging to 55 species and seven families over three years (2019 - 2021). The study documented the presence of rare species and expanded the known distribution of beetles in the alpine ecosystem.
Article
Immunology
R. Kejikova, I Rudolf
Summary: This study documents the prevalence of B. miyamotoi in ticks in the South Moravian Region, Czech Republic, indicating a potential risk to public health.
EPIDEMIOLOGIE MIKROBIOLOGIE IMUNOLOGIE
(2022)
