Article
Parasitology
Yuki Fujisawa, Thanyaporn Homat, Arunrat Thepparat, Tanasak Changbunjong, Kripitch Sutummaporn, Sudsaijai Kornmatitsuk, Bunlue Kornmatitsuk
Summary: Biting midges of the genus Culicoides Latreille were collected from two BTV prevalent provinces in western Thailand, and identified using wing morphology and molecular markers. The most abundant potential BTV vector species identified were Culicoides peregrinus. These results contribute to new knowledge of Culicoides BTV vectors in Thailand and will aid further BTV studies in the region.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Marc Guimera Busquets, Faye V. Brown, Simon T. Carpenter, Karin E. Darpel, Christopher J. Sanders
Summary: The study developed techniques to visualize the infection of Culicoides biting midges with bluetongue virus, revealing the specific structures of the salivary gland apparatus involved in viral replication and transmission. It also demonstrated the accessory glands as a primary site for BTV replication within the salivary apparatus, highlighting a novel site of virus-vector interactions and a novel role of the accessory glands in arbovirus amplification and transmission. The approach used in this study could be applied to a wide range of arbovirus vector groups and serve as a powerful tool for investigating arbovirus infection and dissemination in arthropods with small size and delicate tissues.
BIOLOGICAL PROCEDURES ONLINE
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Helge Kampen, Doreen Werner
Summary: Biting midges are globally distributed and can reach high densities. They not only cause nuisance but also transmit disease agents. However, knowledge on their biology and ecology is limited due to various challenges in research, such as unknown larval habitats and difficulty in laboratory breeding.
Article
Parasitology
Rita Ziegyte, Elena Platonova, Egidijus Kinderis, Andrey Mukhin, Vaidas Palinauskas, Rasa Bernotiene
Summary: This study collected various Culicoides species using UV traps and sticky traps in bird nest boxes, and identified Culicoides kibunensis as a new natural vector of Haemoproteus minutus. Haemoproteid DNA was detected in females from five Culicoides species, providing insights into the epizootiology of avian Haemoproteus infections.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Mary Katherine Mills, Paula Rozo-Lopez, William Bart Bryant, Barbara S. Drolet
Summary: Culicoides sonorensis midges are capable of transmitting pathogenic viruses to livestock, which can result in significant economic losses. Understanding midge physiology is crucial for controlling virus transmission due to the relationship between blood feeding, egg development, and pathogen infection. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to play a role in these processes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tim W. R. Mohlmann, Matt J. Keeling, Uno Wennergren, Guido Favia, Inge Santman-Berends, Willem Takken, Constantianus J. M. Koenraadt, Samuel P. C. Brand
Summary: This study conducted field collections of midges across Europe and integrated a multi-scale modeling approach to analyze the dynamics of midge catching and its correlation with bluetongue virus transmission dynamics. Results showed significant variations in transmission intensity among different herds, with approximately 95% of naive herds in western Europe being at risk of sustained transmission over the last 15 years.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Paula Rozo-Lopez, Berlin Londono-Renteria, Barbara S. Drolet
Summary: This study determined the minimum infectious dose of VSV for Culicoides sonorensis midges and found that multiple blood-feeding cycles, different blood meal sequences, and midge age at the time of infection all impact infection dynamics. Increased whole-body virus titers were observed in midges that ingested non-infectious blood meals after an infectious VSV blood meal, and older midges at the time of infection had higher virus titers.
Article
Microbiology
Rita Ziegyte, Rasa Bernotiene, Vaidas Palinauskas
Summary: The aim of this study was to determine new Culicoides species involved in the transmission of Haemoproteus parasites in the wild. Through collection and testing of biting midges, it was discovered that multiple Culicoides species carry avian Haemoproteus parasites. In addition, two new Culicoides species were added to the vector list.
Article
Immunology
Qikai Yin, Rui Cheng, Xiuyan Xu, Ziqian Xu, Jing Wang, Shihong Fu, Hongbin Xu, Shaozai Zhang, Ying He, Fan Li, Songtao Xu, Xiaoqing Lu, Huanyu Wang, Bin Wang, Guodong Liang
Summary: In July 2018, a new virus belonging to the Tete serogroup, named Lichuan virus, was isolated from Culicoides biting midges in Lichuan County, Jiangxi Province, China. This virus showed significant cytopathic effects and resulted in disease and death in suckling mice.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Jessica Eleanor Stokes, Simon Carpenter, Christopher Sanders, Simon Gubbins
Summary: This study provides long-term monitoring of Culicoides adult emergence from larval development habitats, revealing the continual and highly variable rates of emergence of Culicoides throughout the year. It also highlights the presence of other vector species and emphasizes the need for complementary surveillance techniques to investigate seasonality and phenology.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Phillip Shults, Megan Moran, Alexander J. Blumenfeld, Edward L. Vargo, Lee W. Cohnstaedt, Pierre-Andre Eyer
Summary: Microsatellite markers provide an affordable way to distinguish between sibling species in the C. voriipennis complex, especially C. sonorensis. Additionally, marker C508 may allow for the identification of C. sonorensis with a single-tube assay, potentially providing a powerful new tool for vector surveillance in North America.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Virology
Sean M. Cavany, Carly Barbera, Molly Carpenter, Case Rodgers, Tyler Sherman, Mark Stenglein, Christie Mayo, T. Alex Perkins
Summary: Co-infection of related segmented RNA viruses in a single cell can lead to viral reassortment and the emergence of new strains with pandemic potential. Mathematical models were developed to explore the conditions for reassortment to occur, and it was found that small differences in fitness between infecting strains can greatly impact the frequency of reassortment.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shan Gao, Zan Zeng, HaoNing Wang, FangYuan Chen, LiYa Huang, XiaoLong Wang
Summary: African horse sickness (AHS) is a devastating equine infectious disease that poses a threat to the equine industry in Southeast Asia. By modeling AHS and Culicoides, it was found that there is a high-risk area in southern China and the habitats of Culicoides are interconnected. Therefore, immediate measures should be taken to strengthen control of the border area.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Shane L. Gladson, Tracy L. Stepien
Summary: Bluetongue (BT), a vector-borne disease with high mortality rates, infects ruminants and recent outbreaks in Europe emphasize the need to understand vector-host dynamics and potential mitigation strategies. We present an agent-based model, 'MidgePy', which focuses on the movement of Culicoides spp. midges and their interactions with ruminants to study their role as vectors, especially in non-outbreak regions. Sensitivity analysis shows that midge survival rate significantly affects the probability and severity of BT outbreaks. By using midge flight activity as a proxy for temperature, we find a correlation between environmental temperature and outbreak probability, suggesting combining vaccination programs with midge population control measures. The study also explores spatial heterogeneity to inform optimal farm layouts for reducing BT outbreaks.
BULLETIN OF MATHEMATICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Carlos Barcelo, Bethan Purse, Rosa Estrada, Javier Lucientes, Miguel A. Miranda, Kate R. Searle
Summary: The study analyzed the phenology of insect vectors of Bluetongue virus in wild and domestic ruminants in different locations in Spain, finding significant effects of various environmental factors on the seasonality of female insects.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)