Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Verity Hill, Robert T. Koch, Sean M. Bialosuknia, Kiet Ngo, Steven D. Zink, Cheri A. Koetzner, Joseph G. Maffei, Alan P. Dupuis, P. Bryon Backenson, JoAnne Oliver, Angela B. Bransfield, Michael J. Misencik, Tanya A. Petruff, John J. Shepard, Joshua L. Warren, Mandev S. Gill, Guy Baele, Chantal B. F. Vogels, Glen Gallagher, Paul Burns, Aaron Hentoff, Sandra Smole, Catherine Brown, Matthew Osborne, Laura D. Kramer, Philip M. Armstrong, Alexander T. Ciota, Nathan D. Grubaugh
Summary: The largest EEEV outbreak in the US in more than 50 years occurred in 2019, primarily in the Northeast. Multiple short-lived introductions of the virus from Florida were responsible for the outbreak. Massachusetts played a key role in the regional spread of the virus. Increased abundance and infection rate of Cs. melanura mosquitoes in 2019 contributed to the outbreak. Mosquito surveillance programs are crucial for public health and disease control.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Douglas R. Wilcox, Sarah Collens, Isaac H. Solomon, Farrah J. Mateen, Shibani S. Mukerji
Summary: This retrospective observational study of 17 patients with Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) admitted to two tertiary academic medical centers in Boston from 2005 to 2019 found that most patients presented with fever, encephalopathy, and headache, with neutrophil predominance in CSF cell count differential. Delay in IVIG treatment correlated with worse long-term disability.
NEUROLOGY-NEUROIMMUNOLOGY & NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Holly R. Hughes, Jason O. Velez, Emily H. Davis, Janeen Laven, Carolyn Gould, Amanda J. Panella, Amy J. Lambert, J. Erin Staples, Aaron C. Brault
Summary: This study investigated the molecular epidemiology and microevolution of EEEV from a fatal case in Alabama, USA in 2019, revealing a potential seeding of the infecting strain from Florida. It also found that EEEV detected in serum displayed higher variability with more single-nucleotide variants than that detected in the CSF. These findings enhance our understanding of EEEV molecular epidemiology dynamics in the Gulf Coast region and demonstrate potential quasispecies bottlenecking within the central nervous system of a human host.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Rose M. Langsjoen, Autum Key, Nima Shariatzadeh, Christopher R. Jackson, Faisal Mahmood, Knarik Arkun, Sanda Alexandrescu, Isaac H. Solomon, Anne Piantadosi
Summary: Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is an alphavirus that can cause severe viral encephalitis in humans. This study investigated the evolutionary patterns of EEEV within human hosts by analyzing viral genomes from contemporary and historical samples. The results revealed clustering of sequences from the same region and minimal changes within brain regions, as well as the presence of compartmentalized mutations. These findings contribute to our understanding of EEEV infection in humans.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2023)
Review
Entomology
Mary Grace Stobierski, Kimberly Signs, Emily Dinh, Thomas M. Cooley, Julie Melotti, Michele Schalow, Jon S. Patterson, Steven R. Bolin, Edward D. Walker
Summary: Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) is a mosquito-borne viral disease that has become a public health concern in Michigan. The disease has affected horses, humans, and wildlife in the state, with cases mainly occurring from July to October and clustering in the southwestern and southeastern lower regions of Michigan. The virus has been found in various mosquito species and has shown associations with birds and other wildlife, suggesting potential for geographic expansion into new areas.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Joseph R. Albe, Henry Ma, Theron H. Gilliland, Cynthia M. McMillen, Christina L. Gardner, Devin A. Boyles, Emily L. Cottle, Matthew D. Dunn, Jeneveve D. Lundy, Katherine J. O'Malley, Noah Salama, Aaron W. Walters, Ivona Pandrea, Tobias Teichert, William B. Klimstra, Douglas S. Reed, Amy L. Hartman
Summary: Exposure to aerosolized Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) in cynomolgus macaques can lead to lethal viral encephalitis resembling severe human disease. Pathophysiological understanding of EEEV-mediated disease in macaques is crucial, with fever, EEG changes, intracranial pressure rise, and inflammatory response indicating severe CNS infection and potential for disease outcome. Developing vaccines or therapeutics for EEEV in the highly virulent and infectious aerosol context may require FDA Animal Rule approval, and physiological monitoring techniques like EEG and ICP show promise in assessing efficacy of medical countermeasures in this model.
Editorial Material
Clinical Neurology
Aaron Shoskes, Catherine Hassett, Dhimant Dani, Aneela Majeed
Summary: Diagnosing altered mental status in immunosuppressed patients can be challenging. This case demonstrates the difficulties in diagnosing and treating a patient with encephalopathy, highlighting the importance of metagenomic PCR sequencing in identifying the causative agent.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Zhiyuan Yao, Fabio Zanini, Sathish Kumar, Marwah Karim, Sirle Saul, Nishank Bhalla, Nuttada Panpradist, Avery Muniz, Aarthi Narayanan, Stephen R. Quake, Shirit Einav
Summary: This study utilizes single-cell RNA sequencing technology to investigate the interactions between TC-83, the vaccine strain of VEEV, and the human host during infection. The results revealed heterogeneous virus abundance and host transcriptome across cells in the same culture. By identifying subsets of genes that positively or negatively correlate with vRNA abundance, candidate proviral and antiviral factors in TC-83 and/or virulent VEEV infections were identified and validated in vitro.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Brian Tilston Smith, Marcelo Gehara, Michael G. Harvey
Summary: Species are disappearing at an unprecedented rate during the Anthropocene. Extinct bird species showed lower genetic diversity and population sizes compared to extant species, but both extinct and non-extinct birds had similar demographic histories, suggesting that overall population declines during the Pleistocene did not drive their extinction in the Anthropocene.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Xufeng Cao, Dong Yang, Jyothi Parvathareddy, Yong-kyu Chu, Eun Jung Kim, Jhewelle N. Fitz-Henley, Xiaoyu Li, Pradeep B. Lukka, Keyur R. Parmar, Zaid H. Temrikar, Priya Dhole, Robert Scott Adcock, Jon Gabbard, Shruti Bansal, Jasper Lee, Lillian Zalduondo, Ernestine Hayes, Jennifer Stabenow, Bernd Meibohm, Elizabeth A. Fitzpatrick, Kevin Bailey, Rafael K. Campos, Justin G. Julander, Shannan L. Rossi, Donghoon Chung, Colleen B. Jonsson, Jennifer E. Golden
Summary: Researchers have discovered a compound, BDGR-49, that exhibits potent antiviral activity against Venezuelan and eastern equine encephalitis viruses. The compound showed excellent efficacy in mouse models and has the potential for development as a treatment for encephalitic alphavirus disease.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Janice A. Williams, Simon Y. Long, Xiankun Zeng, Kathleen Kuehl, April M. Babka, Neil M. Davis, Jun Liu, John C. Trefry, Sharon Daye, Paul R. Facemire, Patrick L. Iversen, Sina Bavari, Margaret L. Pitt, Farooq Nasar
Summary: The study provides insights into the pathology of EEEV in a non-human primate (NHP) model. The virus is present in various regions of the brain and spinal cord, with minimal or no pathological lesions and active virus replication observed. Neurons are the predominant target of EEEV infection, and the virus spreads throughout the brain and spinal cord via the axonal transport system. Neuronal dysfunction rather than neuronal death is believed to be the underlying mechanism of severe disease.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Alexander T. Ciota
Summary: EEEV, an arthropod-borne virus with the highest case-fatality rate among arbovirus in the Americas, primarily maintained between Culiseta melanura and passerine birds, is responsible for sporadic outbreaks in the Eastern and Midwest United States. It is associated with severe neurologic disease and mortality in horses, humans, and other vertebrate hosts. This review discusses EEEV taxonomy, functional genomics, evolution, and gaps in knowledge regarding its genetic diversity in transmission and disease.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Haiying Gao, Cong Li
Summary: A high-resolution shear velocity model of eastern North America was constructed using full-wave ambient noise simulation and inversion integrating onshore and offshore seismic datasets, revealing large lateral variations of lithosphere thickness, strong low-velocity anomalies underneath the thinner lithosphere, and multiple low-velocity layers within the continental lithosphere. The results suggest that multiple tectonic processes and metasomatism have played significant roles in the formation and modification of the present mantle lithosphere beneath eastern North America.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bryan D. Griffin, Mable Chan, Nikesh Tailor, Emelissa J. Mendoza, Anders Leung, Bryce M. Warner, Ana T. Duggan, Estella Moffat, Shihua He, Lauren Garnett, Kaylie N. Tran, Logan Banadyga, Alixandra Albietz, Kevin Tierney, Jonathan Audet, Alexander Bello, Robert Vendramelli, Amrit S. Boese, Lisa Fernando, L. Robbin Lindsay, Claire M. Jardine, Heidi Wood, Guillaume Poliquin, James E. Strong, Michael Drebot, David Safronetz, Carissa Embury-Hyatt, Darwyn Kobasa
Summary: The study demonstrates that North American deer mice are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and can replicate and transmit the virus without showing significant symptoms.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Anthony E. Melton, Matthew H. Clinton, Donald N. Wasoff, Limin Lu, Haihua Hu, Zhiduan Chen, Keping Ma, Douglas E. Soltis, Pamela S. Soltis
Summary: Plant species in eastern Asia have larger climatic niche spaces compared to their counterparts in eastern North America. Congeners of eastern Asia-eastern North America disjunct genera tend to occupy similar or equivalent climatic niche spaces within their respective distributions, possibly due to their physiographic contexts.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Bethany L. McGregor, Jason K. Blackburn, Samantha M. Wisely, Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena
Summary: Research showed that Culicoides abundance was highest at a game preserve in Florida and its adjacent site, but lower at sites further away. Female Culicoides stellifer were most abundant at the preserve, while Culicoides venustus were most abundant at the adjacent site. Species diversity was lowest at the preserve and highest at a moderate distance site.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Kristin E. Sloyer, Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena
Summary: Researchers developed a novel trapping system to effectively collect vector species from non-tame animals, with a 94% activation accuracy when host animals approached. The diversity and richness of Culicoides species differed between sensor traps and control traps, with more vector species captured in sensor traps. This new system provides a promising approach to studying vector-host systems.
METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Bethany L. McGregor, Bryan Giordano, Alfred E. Runkel, Herbert N. Nigg, H. Lee Nigg, Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena
Summary: This study investigated the acute nontarget effects of two common mosquito control adulticides on native North American bumble bees and found that Bombus impatiens exhibited resistance to Fyfanon EW but higher mortality rates with DeltaGard. Field and laboratory assays demonstrated varying impacts of these pesticides on B. impatiens, highlighting the need for further research.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Lawrence E. Reeves, Johana Medina, Evaristo Miqueli, Kristin E. Sloyer, William Petrie, Chalmers Vasquez, Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena
Summary: This study reports numerous recent collections of immature and adult Ae. scapularis from multiple locations in two counties of southern Florida. These specimens represent the first records of Ae. scapularis from mainland Florida, indicating that the species is now established in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Bethany L. McGregor, Dinesh Erram, Barry W. Alto, John A. Lednicky, Samantha M. Wisely, Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena
Summary: This study reveals that C. insignis is a weakly competent vector of EHDV-2, capable of supporting a transmissible infection when exposed to high virus titers, but not lower ones. Despite this, due to the high population density of C. insignis in peninsular Florida, it is likely that this species plays a role in the transmission of EHDV-2.
Article
Entomology
Lindsay P. Campbell, Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena, Evaristo Miqueli, Isik Unlu, Kristin E. Sloyer, Johana Medina, Chalmers Vasquez, William Petrie, Lawrence E. Reeves
Summary: Aedes scapularis is an important mosquito species that recently established in southern Florida, marking its first appearance on the Florida Peninsula. Model projections suggest suitable habitats for Ae. scapularis in various areas across the Americas and Caribbean Islands, indicating the need for enhanced surveillance to prevent further spread.
Article
Entomology
Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena, Jonathan F. Day, Thomas R. Unnasch
Summary: Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is a mosquito-borne pathogen that causes severe disease in humans and horses in eastern North America. The ecology of EEEV differs between northern and southern foci, with migrating birds likely transporting strains from the south to the north, impacting the timing and spread of the virus.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Theodore Vincent Black, Agustin Ignacio Quaglia, Samantha Wisely, Nathan Burkett-Cadena
Summary: The larval ecology of Culicoides has an impact on their spatial distributions and transmission of pathogens. This study compared the effectiveness of field emergence traps and removed substrate sampling in studying larval ecology of Culicoides in Florida seepages. It was found that both methods provided similar results in terms of community compositions and trends within different seepages. However, the incubation period for removed substrate samples played an important role, with emergence still occurring after 13 weeks.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lindsay P. Campbell, Robert P. Guralnick, Bryan Giordano, Mohamed F. Sallam, Amely M. Bauer, Yasmin Tavares, Julie M. Allen, Caroline Efstathion, Suzanne Bartlett, Randy Wishard, Rui-De Xue, Benjamin Allen, Miranda Tressler, Whitney Qualls, Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena
Summary: The study quantified the effects of landscape composition and dynamic weather events on the spatiotemporal distribution of the EEEV and WNV in northeastern Florida. Results showed a strong spatiotemporal structure in seroconversion for both viruses, with landscape cover and edge density playing important roles in EEEV transmission.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena
Summary: This study reports the first records of Spissipes section females from Guainia Department, Colombia. The observed species, Culex gnomatos and Culex portesi, are associated with mesic sylvatic environments.
Article
Entomology
Lawrence E. Reeves, Kristin E. Sloyer, Kara Tyler-Julian, Rebecca Heinig, Atom Rosales, Candelaria Domingo, Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena
Summary: This study reports the first detections of established populations of Culex (Phenacomyia) lactator in three counties of southern Florida. These collections represent the first detections of Cx. lactator, or any Phenacomyia species, in the United States, adding to a trend in which detections of established populations of mosquito species from the American tropics in Florida appear to be increasing.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Entomology
Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena, Durland Fish, Scott Weaver, Amy Y. Vittor
Summary: Everglades virus (EVEV) is a subtype II of the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) complex, endemic to Florida, USA. The virus is transmitted through rodents and specific mosquitoes, with rare cases of human infection reported. Mutations in the virus could potentially lead to epidemics, but there is currently no evidence to support this. Other factors such as mosquito populations and environmental changes may also influence the transmission of EVEV.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Monica C. Valente, Dhani Prakoso, Amy Y. Vittor, Erik M. Blosser, Nabil Abid, Ruiyu Pu, Sarah E. Beachboard, Maureen T. Long, Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena, Carla N. Mavian
Summary: Everglades virus (EVEV), a subtype of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), is endemic in southern Florida, USA. This study provides detailed insight into the evolution of EVEV in South Florida, showing distinct genetic clustering based on sampling location and shared mutations indicating possible host adaptation. Changes in the Everglades ecosystem may have contributed to the virus's evolution and its potential for spillover to humans.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Norman L. Beatty, Colin J. Forsyth, Nathan Burkett-Cadena, Samantha M. Wisely
Summary: Fudan University provides students with abundant academic support, making it one of the most popular universities in China.
CURRENT TROPICAL MEDICINE REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena
Summary: This article reports two first records of female insects from the Spissipes section in the Guainia Department of Colombia. These mosquitoes are mainly distributed in the moist forest environments of the American tropics and transmit different subtypes of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus.
