Review
Parasitology
Alina Soto, Leen Delang
Summary: Culex modestus is a mosquito species found in temperate regions, predominantly breeding in rice paddies and marshes. They are potentially significant vectors for diseases such as West Nile virus and Usutu virus. Despite their widespread presence and role as disease vectors, further research is needed to understand and implement targeted control measures.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Soha R. Dargham, Duaa W. Al-Sadeq, Hadi M. Yassine, Muna Ahmed, Hasna Kunhipurayil, John M. Humphrey, Laith J. Abu-Raddad, Gheyath K. Nasrallah
Summary: The study estimated the WNV seroprevalence in different MENA populations residing in Qatar, with Sudanese and Egyptians having the highest prevalence, while Qataris and nationals of the Levant had the lowest. It suggests further research on the prevalence of viral RNA in blood donors and the epidemiology of WNV in the region.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Entomology
James S. Adelman, Ryan E. Tokarz, Alec E. Euken, Eleanor N. Field, Marie C. Russell, Ryan C. Smith
Summary: The characteristics of mosquito communities have a greater impact on the transmission of West Nile virus (WNV), while the characteristics of bird communities have little influence. These results provide new information on the ecological and host factors that heavily influence WNV transmission.
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
Entomology
Tran Zen B. Torres, Brian C. Prince, Alexis Robison, Claudia Ruckert
Summary: Culex mosquitoes are important vectors of mosquito-borne diseases, but effective treatments and vaccines are still lacking. Investigating the antiviral genes of Culex mosquitoes and developing gene-based vector control strategies are crucial. In this study, a Culex-optimized CRISPR/Cas9 plasmid was developed and characterized, providing a valuable tool for studying gene functions in Culex mosquito cell lines.
Article
Immunology
Doris Klingelhoefer, Markus Braun, Isabelle M. Kramer, Friederike Reuss, Ruth Mueller, David A. Groneberg, Dorthe Brueggmann
Summary: The West-Nile virus is spreading to colder regions due to climate change, causing an increase in human mortality and morbidity. This study examines the publication patterns of WNV research and finds that national interests and regional outbreaks significantly influence research intensity. The results also highlight the need for globally focused approaches to better understand and assess the distribution and characteristics of WNV.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Sarah S. Wheeler, Conor C. Taff, William K. Reisen, Andrea K. Townsend
Summary: The study in Davis, California, suggests that breeding crows are more likely to be blood meal sources for Culex mosquitoes during the nesting period compared to after fledging, with the proximity to active nests significantly influencing the likelihood of a crow blood meal.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Virology
Helge Kampen, Birke Andrea Tews, Doreen Werner
Summary: Mosquitoes collected from hibernacula in northeastern Germany during the winter of 2020-2021 revealed the presence of West Nile virus, specifically in a pool of Culex pipiens mosquitoes. Although the virus was not successfully cultured in cell lines, genetic sequencing showed high similarity to previous German strains, confirming local overwintering and posing a persistent public health issue. The low infection prevalence suggests a slow epidemic progression, reflecting the still-hypoendemic situation in Germany.
Article
Virology
Bethany L. McGregor, Joan L. Kenney, C. Roxanne Connelly
Summary: Temperature plays a crucial role in the infection, dissemination, and viral titers of arboviruses in mosquito vectors. Fluctuating diurnal temperature ranges did not significantly affect infection and transmission rates but had a significant impact on viral titers. Future studies should consider using realistic diurnal temperature ranges to accurately reflect interactions between the virus, vector, and environment.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Giovanni Marini, Andrea Pugliese, William Wint, Neil S. Alexander, Annapaola Rizzoli, Roberto Rosa
Summary: This study developed a relatively simple technique to model the force of infection of West Nile virus (WNV) in the human population in Europe. The results showed that temperature plays a key role in WNV transmission and provided insights into how human presence and demography affect the burden of WNV. The findings of this study could be used for early warning and epidemiological investigations of other vector-borne diseases, especially where eco-epidemiological data are limited.
Article
Parasitology
Johnny A. A. Uelmen Jr, Bennett Lamcyzk, Patrick Irwin, Dan Bartlett, Chris Stone, Andrew Mackay, Arielle Arsenault-Benoit, Sadie J. Ryan, John-Paul Mutebi, Gabriel L. Hamer, Megan Fritz, Rebecca L. Smith
Summary: This study compares traditional trapping methods with the less commonly used human landing catch (HLC) method for sampling potential West Nile virus vectors. The results show that the HLC method provides important insight into the species of mosquitoes biting humans in the region, but alternative approaches must be explored to incorporate this method safely into control programs due to the risk to collectors.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
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
Immunology
Francisco Llorente, Rafael Gutierrez-Lopez, Elisa Perez-Ramirez, Maria Paz Sanchez-Seco, Laura Herrero, Miguel angel Jimenez-Clavero, Ana Vazquez
Summary: This study aims to characterize the pathogenicity and course of infection of two viral strains (WNV/08 and USUV/09) in red-legged partridges in Southern Spain and compare them with the reference strain WNV/NY99. The results show that red-legged partridges are susceptible to WNV with similar pathogenicity as the prototype strain, while they are not competent hosts for the transmission of USUV.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Faustus Akankperiwen Azerigyik, Astri Nur Faizah, Daisuke Kobayashi, Michael Amoa-Bosompem, Ryo Matsumura, Izumi Kai, Toshinori Sasaki, Yukiko Higa, Haruhiko Isawa, Shiroh Iwanaga, Tomoko Ishino
Summary: This study investigates the vector competency of mosquitoes in transmitting the GETV virus. The results show that different mosquito species have varying abilities to be infected and transmit the virus, with certain species being more competent than others. The study emphasizes the importance of considering other mosquito species as potential vectors of GETV in addition to the known ones.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Kristin J. Bondo, Diego Montecino-Latorre, Lisa Williams, Matt Helwig, Kenneth Duren, Michael L. Hutchinson, W. David Walter
Summary: This study investigated the abundance of Culex restuans and Culex pipiens in relation to ecological predictors using surveillance data. The results showed that the abundance of these two mosquito species is influenced by different ecological variables and varies in time and space.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Eloise B. Skinner, Amanda Murphy, Cassie C. Jansen, Martin A. Shivas, Hamish McCallum, Michael B. Onn, Simon A. Reid, Alison J. Peel
VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Elvina Viennet, Francesca D. Frentiu, Craig R. Williams, Gina Mincham, Cassie C. Jansen, Brian L. Montgomery, Robert L. P. Flower, Helen M. Faddy
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Amanda K. Murphy, Julie A. Clennon, Gonzalo Vazquez-Prokopec, Cassie C. Jansen, Francesca D. Frentiu, Louise M. Hafner, Wenbiao Hu, Gregor J. Devine
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Virology
Natalee D. Newton, Agathe M. G. Colmant, Caitlin A. O'Brien, Emma Ledger, Devina Paramitha, Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Daniel Watterson, Breeanna J. McLean, Sonja Hall-Mendelin, David Warrilow, Andrew F. van den Hurk, Wenjun Liu, Christina Hoare, Joanne R. Kizu, Penelope J. Gauci, John Haniotis, Stephen L. Doggett, Babak Shaban, Cheryl A. Johansen, Roy A. Hall, Jody Hobson-Peters
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
B. M. C. Randika Wimalasiri-Yapa, Roberto A. Barrero, Liesel Stassen, Louise M. Hafner, Elizabeth A. McGraw, Alyssa T. Pyke, Cassie C. Jansen, Andreas Suhrbier, Laith Yakob, Wenbiao Hu, Gregor J. Devine, Francesca D. Frentiu
Summary: Temperature plays a significant role in modulating the mosquito gene expression response to arbovirus infection. Higher temperatures correlated with higher virus levels and altered gene expression in mosquitoes infected with chikungunya virus, particularly at 28 degrees Celsius. The upregulation of immune pathways was only observed at 28 degrees Celsius, indicating temperature-dependent changes in immune responses.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Brendan J. Trewin, Hazel R. Parry, Daniel E. Pagendam, Gregor J. Devine, Myron P. Zalucki, Jonathan M. Darbro, Cassie C. Jansen, Nancy A. Schellhorn
Summary: This study uses a spatially explicit network model to analyze the role of unsealed rainwater tanks in population connectivity of Ae. aegypti invasion in suburbs of Brisbane. It suggests that areas with high tank density and short road lengths are most vulnerable to Ae. aegypti infestation and population spread, and that rainwater tank non-compliance should be kept below 30% to minimize the spread of the invading mosquito population.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bassam Sahar, Isabel Hess, Jayne Hanford, Cameron Webb
Summary: The study investigated mosquito populations around the Cooks River and Wolli Creek estuaries in Sydney, Australia, and found distinct differences in mosquito abundance and community composition between different locations. Sites close to estuarine wetlands were dominated by A. vigilax, while other sites were dominated by mosquitoes associated with urban habitats.
WETLANDS ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Virology
Cassie C. Jansen, Jonathan M. Darbro, Frances A. Birrell, Martin A. Shivas, Andrew F. van den Hurk
Summary: COVID-19 mitigation measures in Queensland, Australia, led to more mosquito-borne diseases being acquired near residential areas due to limited human movement. A significant decrease in international passenger flights resulted in a reduction of imported dengue and malaria cases.
Article
Virology
Alyssa T. Pyke, Neelima Nair, Andrew F. van den Hurk, Peter Burtonclay, Son Nguyen, Jean Barcelon, Carol Kistler, Sanmarie Schlebusch, Jamie McMahon, Frederick Moore
Summary: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants poses challenges to public health disease management, and the replication and evolutionary dynamics of the virus have important implications for the development of vaccines, antiviral therapies, and epidemiological control strategies for COVID-19.
Article
Virology
Alyssa T. Pyke, Martin A. Shivas, Jonathan M. Darbro, Michael B. Onn, Petrina H. Johnson, Andrew Crunkhorn, Ivan Montgomery, Peter Burtonclay, Cassie C. Jansen, Andrew F. van den Hurk
Summary: The Australian backyard mosquito Aedes notoscriptus is a vector of various pathogenic viruses and poses a potential threat to human and animal health. Studies on the genetic diversity and virome composition of this mosquito species have revealed novel virus species and expanded the geographic distribution of known viruses. Ongoing surveillance and ecological research are crucial for understanding the evolution of mosquito-borne viruses and preparing for potential health risks.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Timothy White, Gina Mincham, Brian L. Montgomery, Cassie C. Jansen, Xiaodong Huang, Craig R. Williams, Robert L. P. Flower, Helen M. Faddy, Francesca D. Frentiu, Elvina Viennet
Summary: This study estimated the epidemic potential of CHIKV in Australia, finding that major urban centers in Northern Australia could sustain an epidemic. Future trends suggest an increase in epidemic potential towards 2029.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Michael G. Walsh, Amrita Pattanaik, Navya Vyas, Deepak Saxena, Cameron Webb, Shailendra Sawleshwarkar, Chiranjay Mukhopadhyay
Summary: This study investigated the landscape epidemiology of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) outbreaks in India from 2010 to 2020. The results show that outbreak risk is influenced by the habitat suitability of ardeid birds, pig and chicken density, and the shared landscapes between rain-fed agriculture and river and freshwater marsh wetlands.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Virology
Andrew F. van den Hurk, Eloise Skinner, Scott A. Ritchie, John S. Mackenzie
Summary: In early 2022, Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) was found to be the cause of stillborn and mummified piglets in pig farms in southeastern Australia. Human cases and infected piglets in other pig farms were subsequently identified across a wide area. The primary vectors of JEV in Australia should be considered as members of the Culex sitiens subgroup, particularly Culex annulirostris. Information on other mosquito species and additional factors that could impact JEV transmission are also discussed.
Article
Entomology
Donald A. Yee, Catherine Dean, Cameron Webb, Jennifer A. Henke, Gabriela Perezchica-Harvey, Gregory S. White, Ary Faraji, Joshua D. Macaluso, Rebecca Christofferson
Summary: Various products and insecticides claim to reduce wild populations of adult mosquitoes, with some promoting devices that suggest salt ingestion will greatly reduce mosquitoes, which is unsupported by scientific data. Testing with nine mosquito species showed that salt had no effect on adult survival, while sugar water and sugar + salt water significantly increased survival rates.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)