Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ashutosh K. Pathak, Justine C. Shiau, Rafael C. S. Freitas, Dennis E. Kyle
Summary: Ingestion of an additional blood meal can accelerate the development of vector-borne parasites and pathogens in hematophagic insects. This study found that a second blood meal from bovine and canine hosts enhanced the migration of sporozoites in Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes infected with Plasmodium falciparum and P. berghei respectively. These findings highlight the potential risks of human infections from blood meals of any vertebrate host and suggest targeting vectors that feed on animals may reduce malaria transmission.
Article
Immunology
Juliana Santana de Curcio, Silvia Maria Salem-Izacc, Luiz Moreira Pereira Neto, Eliane Blanco Nunes, Carlos Eduardo Anunciacao, Elisangela de Paula Silveira-Lacerda
Summary: This study aimed to identify the presence of Mayaro virus (MAYV) in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Goiania, Brazil. The findings suggest the potential for vertical transmission of MAYV in this vector.
MICROBES AND INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Virology
Ana Claudia da Silva Ribeiro, Livia Caricio Martins, Sandro Patroca da Silva, Daniele Barbosa de Almeida Medeiros, Keissy Karoline Pinheiro Miranda, Joaquim Pinto Nunes Neto, Hamilton Antonio de Oliveira Monteiro, Bruna Lais Sena do Nascimento, Jose Wilson Rosa Junior, Ana Cecilia Ribeiro Cruz, Pedro Fernando da Costa Vasconcelos, Valeria Lima Carvalho, Sueli Guerreiro Rodrigues
Summary: In this study, we detected multiple ISVs, most of which belonged to Negevirus, and identified a new virus called Feitosa virus, as well as Cordoba virus and Negev virus, which were isolated in Brazil for the first time.
Article
Virology
Jana Batovska, Peter T. Mee, Tim I. Sawbridge, Brendan C. Rodoni, Stacey E. Lynch
Summary: Viral metatranscriptomic sequencing is a valuable tool for enhancing surveillance of mosquito-borne arboviruses through untargeted detection, genomic epidemiological data, and identification of vector species.
Article
Agronomy
Sabrina K. Targanski, Janaina R. Sousa, Geilly M. S. de Padua, Jessica M. de Sousa, Lucas C. C. Vieira, Marcos A. Soares
Summary: The expansion of Aedes aegypti population has led to an increase in arbovirus cases, partly due to the inefficiency and toxicity of current chemical control methods. In this study, 19 chalcone derivatives were synthesized and tested for their larvicidal activity, with 7 compounds showing promising results of low LC50 values against Ae. aegypti larvae. Substitution patterns of chalcones significantly influenced their larvicidal activity, with the furan-chalcone (E)-3-(4-bromophenyl)-1-(furan-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one (6c) demonstrating the most effective larvicidal activity without apparent toxicity to other organisms.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Samson T. Ogunlade, Michael T. Meehan, Adeshina I. Adekunle, Diana P. Rojas, Oyelola A. Adegboye, Emma S. McBryde
Summary: Arthropod-borne viruses (Arboviruses) continue to pose significant health and economic burdens for people living in endemic regions. Among the various vector control methods, Wolbachia-based control shows promising results for eradicating Aedes-borne arboviruses, highlighting the importance of biological control strategies in combating arboviral diseases.
Article
Parasitology
Morgan E. Gorris, Andrew W. Bartlow, Seth D. Temple, Daniel Romero-Alvarez, Deborah P. Shutt, Jeanne M. Fair, Kimberly A. Kaufeld, Sara Y. Del Valle, Carrie A. Manore
Summary: This study used contemporary mosquito data and ecological niche modeling to update estimates of the geographical distribution of seven predominant Culex species in North and South America, finding differences in their ranges influenced by environmental factors. Some species prefer urban environments, while others are limited to tropical or humid regions, with many found in the Central Plains of the USA.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Review
Virology
Oselyne T. W. Ong, Eloise B. Skinner, Brian J. Johnson, Julie M. Old
Summary: Australia is home to several endemic mosquito-borne viruses that affect non-human vertebrates. The unique island biogeography of Australia and endemic vertebrate species make it highly susceptible to foreign mosquito species establishing and mosquito-borne viruses becoming endemic.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
John T. Kayiwa, Martin N. Mayanja, Teddy Muwawu Nakayiki, Fred Senfuka, Julius Mugga, Jeffrey W. Koehler, Eric C. Mossel, Julius J. Lutwama
Summary: In response to two human cases of Rift Valley fever (RVF) in Uganda, an entomological investigation was carried out to determine the mosquito species and abundance, identify potential mosquito vectors, and test for virus transmission. The study revealed the isolation of two Wesselsbron virus strains, a neglected arbovirus, from Aedes tricholabis and Ae. gibbinsi mosquitoes. These isolates represent the first reported Wesselsbron virus strains in Uganda since 1966.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Diana Fernandez, Ruimei Yun, Jiehua Zhou, Pierina L. Parise, Clemente Mosso-Gonzalez, Alejandro Villasante-Tezanos, Scott C. Weaver, Victoria Pando-Robles, Patricia V. Aguilar
Summary: Mayaro virus has expanded its geographic distribution into the Caribbean Islands and may be adapting to be efficiently transmitted by urban vectors. Our study showed that Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes are competent vectors for the emergent MAYV, with higher transmission rates observed in strains isolated during outbreaks compared to strains from low activity years.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2023)
Article
Virology
Rodolphe Hamel, Ronald Enrique Morales Vargas, Dora Murielle Rajonhson, Atsushi Yamanaka, Jiraporn Jaroenpool, Sineewanlaya Wichit, Dorothee Misse, Anamika Kritiyakan, Kittipong Chaisiri, Serge Morand, Julien Pompon
Summary: In this study, mosquito-borne viruses (MBVs) were detected in mosquitoes collected from different ecological areas in northern Thailand using molecular and phylogenetic methods. The presence of insect specific flaviviruses and the emerging zoonotic Tembusu virus (TMUV) were identified, with two new TMUV strains belonging to an endemic cluster in rural areas of Thailand. The results highlight the active circulation of this threatening virus in Thailand and the need for continuous investigation in Asia.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Heidi K. Goethert, Sam R. Telford
Summary: In this study, researchers found that larval deer ticks do not commonly feed on deer, suggesting that deer may not be effective zooprophylactic hosts for the agent of Lyme disease.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Fatima Zohra Hamlili, Fatou Thiam, Maureen Laroche, Adama Zan Diarra, Souleymane Doucoure, Papa Mouhamadou Gaye, Cheikh Binetou Fall, Babacar Faye, Cheikh Sokhna, Doudou Sow, Philippe Parola
Summary: The study demonstrates that MALDI-TOF MS technology can rapidly identify different species of snails, supporting its application in epidemiological studies in Schistosoma-endemic areas.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Virology
Tao Wang, Zheng-Wei Fan, Yang Ji, Jin-Jin Chen, Guo-Ping Zhao, Wen-Hui Zhang, Hai-Yang Zhang, Bao-Gui Jiang, Qiang Xu, Chen-Long Lv, Xiao-Ai Zhang, Hao Li, Yang Yang, Li-Qun Fang, Wei Liu
Summary: The geographic expansion of mosquitos is associated with increased outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases worldwide. A study in mainland China collected data on mosquito species, arboviruses, and disease occurrences from 1954 to 2020. The study mapped the spatial distributions of mosquitoes and arboviruses at the county level and identified ecological, climatic, sociodemographic, and biological factors that contribute to their distributions.
Article
Parasitology
Joanna M. Reinhold, Ella Halbert, Megan Roark, Sierra N. Smith, Katherine M. Stroh, Cameron D. Siler, David S. McLeod, Chloe Lahondere
Summary: This study reveals that Cx. territans mosquitoes can potentially transmit the pathogenic fungus Bd to amphibian hosts. The study also highlights the host preference of Cx. territans mosquitoes, primarily feeding on green frogs and bullfrogs. The findings contribute to the understanding of disease ecology in susceptible amphibian populations worldwide.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Jacqueline Kyungah Lim, Valery Ridde, Selidji Todagbe Agnandji, Bertrand Lell, Seydou Yaro, Jae Seung Yang, Damien Hoinard, Scott C. Weaver, Jessica Vanhomwegen, Henrik Salje, In Kyu Yoon
Summary: Chikungunya virus serostudies and models were used to identify outbreaks and reconstruct past circulation in Burkina Faso and Gabon. The findings suggest sporadic outbreaks in these settings and underscore the importance of serostudies and models in supporting disease surveillance.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yang Liu, Xianwen Zhang, Jianying Liu, Hongjie Xia, Jing Zou, Antonio E. Muruato, Sivakumar Periasamy, Jessica A. Plante, Nathen E. Bopp, Birte Kalveram, Chaitanya Kurhade, Alexander Bukreyev, Ping Ren, Tian Wang, Vineet D. Menachery, Kenneth S. Plante, Xuping Xie, Scott C. Weaver, Pei-Yong Shi
Summary: In this study, a live-attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate was engineered by modifying viral transcription regulator sequences and deleting specific open-reading-frames. The resulting increment 3678 virus showed significantly reduced replication in human airway cultures but restored replication in interferon-deficient cells. It exhibited high attenuation in animal models and provided protection against wild-type virus challenge and transmission. Additionally, an mNeonGreen reporter increment 3678 virus was developed for neutralization and antiviral testing.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Divya P. Shinde, Jessica A. Plante, Kenneth S. Plante, Scott C. Weaver
Summary: This review discusses the roles of animal models and arthropod vector studies in understanding the epidemic emergence of yellow fever virus (YFV). YFV is a mosquito-borne flavivirus circulating in tropical and sub-tropical regions of Africa and South America, causing an estimated 30,000 deaths annually. Despite a highly successful vaccine, coverage is incomplete, and there is no approved treatment for YFV infection.
Article
Virology
Craig Schindewolf, Kumari Lokugamage, Michelle N. Vu, Bryan A. Johnson, Dionna Scharton, Jessica A. Plante, Birte Kalveram, Patricia A. Crocquet-Valdes, Stephanea Sotcheff, Elizabeth Jaworski, Rojelio E. Alvarado, Kari Debbink, Matthew D. Daugherty, Scott C. Weaver, Andrew L. Routh, David H. Walker, Kenneth S. Plante, Vineet D. Menachery
Summary: Understanding the role of NSP16 in SARS-CoV-2 infection and pathogenesis, this study demonstrates the attenuation of a NSP16 mutant both in vitro and in vivo, as well as its sensitivity to IFN-I. Silencing IFIT1 or IFIT3 partially restores the mutant's fitness. Furthermore, targeting NSP16 with a MTase inhibitor enhances the virus' sensitivity to IFN-I. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of NSP16 in immune evasion and suggest a potential target for antiviral development.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Virology
Rachel A. Reyna, Scott C. Weaver
Summary: Eastern (EEEV), Venezuelan (VEEV), and western equine encephalitis viruses (WEEV) are mosquito-borne alphaviruses that cause febrile illness and severe encephalitic disease. The lack of vaccines and therapeutics highlights the need for advanced animal models and detailed mechanistic understanding of the neurological sequelae induced by these viruses. This review summarizes the clinical neurologic findings, available animal models, and the importance of developing therapeutics and vaccines.
Article
Virology
Se Hun Gu, Marcos Minarro, Carlos Feliu, Jean-Pierre Hugot, Naomi L. Forrester, Scott C. Weaver, Richard Yanagihara
Summary: Recent detection of NVAV and BRGV in European moles in Belgium and Germany prompted a search for related hantaviruses in the Iberian mole. Analysis of lung tissue from 106 Iberian moles in Spain revealed genetically distinct hantaviruses, including a new hantavirus species designated as ASTV. Next generation sequencing of infected moles confirmed the presence of ASTV. These findings challenge the previous assumption that each hantavirus species is limited to a single host species.
Article
Virology
Moussa Moise Diagne, Marie Henriette Dior Ndione, Giulia Mencattelli, Amadou Diallo, El Hadji Ndiaye, Marco Di Domenico, Diawo Diallo, Mouhamed Kane, Valentina Curini, Ndeye Marieme Top, Maurilia Marcacci, Maimouna Mbanne, Massimo Ancora, Barbara Secondini, Valeria Di Lollo, Liana Teodori, Alessandra Leone, Ilaria Puglia, Alioune Gaye, Amadou Alpha Sall, Cheikh Loucoubar, Roberto Rosa, Mawlouth Diallo, Federica Monaco, Ousmane Faye, Cesare Camma, Annapaola Rizzoli, Giovanni Savini, Oumar Faye
Summary: This study developed and validated a new amplicon-based sequencing approach for West Nile virus, which can effectively control the diffusion of different lineages. It has great potential for genomic surveillance of the virus.
Article
Virology
Oumar Ndiaye, Kevin Woolston, Aboubacry Gaye, Cheikh Loucoubar, Michael Cocozza, Cheikh Fall, Fatou Dia, Emily R. Adams, Marieme Samb, Diogop Camara, Bacary Djilocalisse Sadio, Cheikh T. Diagne, Manfred Weidmann, Oumar Faye, Joseph R. A. Fitchett, Amadou Alpha Sall, Cheikh Tidiane Diagne
Summary: The burden of dengue in Senegal is increasing and expanding, making rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) an ideal tool for investigating active outbreaks. The diagnostic performance of Dengue NS1 and Dengue IgM/IgG RDTs was evaluated in the laboratory and field settings. The results showed high sensitivity and specificity for the RDTs, making them suitable for use in high prevalence or outbreak situations where confirmatory tests may be lacking.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Alioune Gaye, Cheikh Fall, Oumar Faye, Myrielle Dupont-Rouzeyrol, El Hadji Ndiaye, Diawo Diallo, Paolo Marinho de Andrade Zanotto, Ibrahima Dia, Scott C. Weaver, Mawlouth Diallo
Summary: This study assessed the susceptibility of A. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus to ZIKV strains from Senegal, Brazil, and New Caledonia, and found that the Senegalese strain had a significantly higher infection rate compared to the Brazilian and New Caledonian strains. No infection was recorded for C. quinquefasciatus.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Rafael K. Campos, Shannan L. Rossi, Robert B. Tesh, Scott C. Weaver
Summary: Emerging zoonotic mosquito-borne viruses pose increasing health threats and require global preparedness to effectively mitigate the impacts in terms of health, society, and economy.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Virology
Douglas Barker, Xiaobing Han, Eryu Wang, Ashley Dagley, Deborah M. Anderson, Aruni Jha, Scott C. Weaver, Justin Julander, Cory Nykiforuk, Shantha Kodihalli
Summary: The despeciated equine polyclonal antibody (CHIKV-EIG) treatment shows promising efficacy in preventing and improving CHIKV infection in mice, with significant reduction in mortality, viremia, and clinical symptoms. It also proves effective in reducing virus-induced arthritis in a dose-dependent manner.
Article
Immunology
Rachel A. Reyna, Jordyn Walker, Brooke Mitchell, Divya P. Shinde, Jessica A. Plante, Scott C. Weaver, Kenneth S. Plante
Summary: Anosmia, a common consequence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, is correlated with disease severity. Different variants of the virus can cause significant loss of smell, and vaccination does not prevent anosmia but can protect against severe disease.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Julia M. Baker, Melisa M. Shah, Michelle O'Hegarty, Mary Pomeroy, Philip Keiser, Ping Ren, Scott C. Weaver, Sara Maknojia, Rafael R. G. Machado, Brooke M. Mitchell, Allan McConnell, Jacqueline E. Tate, Hannah L. Kirking
Summary: Vaccination can limit SARS-CoV-2 transmission among youths in congregate settings, and the impact of vaccination on transmission is still under investigation. The study found that vaccinated youths had lower infection rates, and household member vaccination and camp attendee masking at home can protect against household transmission.
JOURNAL OF THE PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES SOCIETY
(2022)
Letter
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yang Liu, Jianying Liu, Jing Zou, Birte Kalveram, Rafael R. G. Machado, Ping Ren, Sina Tureli, Derek J. Smith, Scott C. Weaver, Xuping Xie, Pei-Yong Shi
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND TARGETED THERAPY
(2022)
