Article
Parasitology
Ana Carolina Bueno, Vicente Estevam Machado, Flavia Benini da Rocha Silva, Fernanda Isadora Boni, Beatriz Stringhetti Ferreira Cury, Maria Palmira Daflon Gremiao, Mara Cristina Pinto
Summary: The successful use of semiochemicals relies on the development of matrices with suitable release profiles. In this study, different delivery systems were developed to release 1-hexanol. The most promising system, System 2, showed a longer compound release time and efficient attraction of sand flies.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anderson B. Guimaraes-Costa, John P. Shannon, Ingrid Waclawiak, Jullyanna Oliveira, Claudio Meneses, Waldione de Castro, Xi Wen, Joseph Brzostowski, Tiago D. Serafim, John F. Andersen, Heather D. Hickman, Shaden Kamhawi, Jesus G. Valenzuela, Fabiano Oliveira
Summary: The research identifies sand fly yellow salivary proteins capable of inducing chemotaxis in mouse, canine, and human neutrophils in vitro, with a structure different from known chemokines. This neutrophil chemotactic protein acts through a G-protein-coupled receptor and is calcium-dependent. The protein not only enhances lesion pathology and increases parasite burden in mice, but also activates the host innate immune response, allowing pathogens to establish within the host.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Gabriel B. Tonelli, Jose D. Andrade-Filho, Aldenise M. Campos, Carina Margonari, Amanda R. Amaral, Petr Volf, Elisabeth J. Shaw, James G. C. Hamilton
Summary: SEM examination revealed substantial differences in the interior cuticular secretory apparatus of different species of New World sand flies, which may be related to the chemical structure of pheromones and potentially have taxonomic value. The discovery of a new structure associated with pheromone release, named the manifold, provides insights into pheromone production in these insects.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Maria Angelica Contreras Gutierrez, Richard Onalbi Hoyos Lopez, Ana Teresa Ramos, Ivan D. Velez, Rafael Vivero Gomez, Jazzmin Arrivillaga-Henriquez, Sandra Uribe
Summary: This study analyzed the genetic variation of Lutzomyia longipalpis, revealing at least 8 lineages that may represent distinct species. Further morphological and molecular analysis is needed to determine the precise boundaries of these complex species.
Article
Agronomy
Taina Neves Ferreira, Reginaldo Pecanha Brazil, Mary Ann McDowell, Edezio Ferreira Cunha-Junior, Paulo Roberto Ribeiro Costa, Chaquip Daher Netto, Eduardo Caio Torres Santos, Fernando Ariel Genta
Summary: This study evaluated the effectiveness of adding synthetic compounds with anti-Leishmania activity to sugar baits and selected two promising compounds for future development. Pterocarpanquinone L6 and pyrazole-derived compound P8 showed attractive and repellent properties on sand flies, respectively.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Felipe D. Rego, Rodrigo Pedro Soares
Summary: Lutzomyia longipalpis is an important vector for Leishmania infantum in the New World and can be easily colonized in the laboratory, making it a model organism for various research subjects. Research on this sand fly between 2003 and 2020 has incorporated modern approaches and advanced techniques, leading to significant advancements in understanding its biology and interaction with Leishmania parasites.
ANAIS DA ACADEMIA BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Renata Retkute, Erin Dilger, James G. C. Hamilton, Matt J. Keeling, Orin Courtenay
Summary: The synthetic pheromone can attract approximately 53% of host-seeking female Lu. longipalpis, out-competing other host odors. This suggests that the synthetic pheromone can lure vectors away from humans and dogs, thereby providing protection against transmission of zoontic visceral leishmaniasis.
Article
Parasitology
Amanda Andrade do Rosario, Artur Gomes Dias-Lima, Sabrina Mota Lambert, Freddy Bravo
Summary: The study reports the presence of Wolbachia infection in sandflies in Bahia, Brazil, which is known to control the spread of vector-borne diseases. Additionally, the study demonstrates the ability of Wolbachia to prevent the development of parasites in vector insects.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Narissara Jariyapan, Pongsri Tippawangkosol, Sriwatapron Sor-Suwan, Chonlada Mano, Thippawan Yasanga, Pradya Somboon, Jerome Depaquit, Padet Siriyasatien
Summary: In this study, the morphological characteristics of eggshells from three species of sand flies were examined and described for the first time. Results showed that these characteristics can be useful in developing morphological identification keys and distinguishing sand fly species.
Review
Parasitology
John Hustedt, Didot Budi Prasetyo, Jodi M. Fiorenzano, Michael E. von Fricken, Jeffrey C. Hertz
Summary: This study reviewed the biodiversity and presence of phlebotomine sand flies and their associated pathogens in the Greater Mekong Sub-region. The findings suggest that leishmaniasis in humans and sand fly vectors have been reported in several countries of the region, with confirmed local transmission in Thailand and Vietnam. The study recommends expanding surveillance efforts, particularly in understudied countries like Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos, to better understand the geographic distribution and risk profiles of sand fly-borne diseases.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Edwin Kniha, Vit Dvorak, Stephan Koblmueller, Jorian Prudhomme, Vladimir Ivovic, Ina Hoxha, Sandra Oerther, Anna Heitmann, Renke Luehken, Anne-Laure Banuls, Denis Sereno, Alice Michelutti, Federica Toniolo, Pedro M. Alarcon-Elbal, Daniel Bravo-Barriga, Mikel A. Gonzalez, Javier Lucientes, Vito Colella, Domenico Otranto, Marcos Antonio Bezerra-Santos, Gernot Kunz, Adelheid G. Obwaller, Jerome Depaquit, Amer Alic, Ozge Erisoz Kasap, Bulent Alten, Jasmin Omeragic, Petr Volf, Julia Walochnik, Viktor Sebestyen, Attila J. Trajer
Summary: This study reveals the post-glacial spread routes and glacial refugia of Ph. mascittii using genetic diversity and environmental modeling analysis. The sand flies mainly originated from a single refuge area along the Mediterranean coasts of South France, and may have spread through two routes, northern France and the Ligurian coast.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
David S. Denlinger, Spencer B. Hudson, Nadya S. Keweshan, Zachariah Gompert, Scott A. Bernhardt
Summary: In this study, genetic variation for insecticide resistance in susceptible populations of sand flies was identified through genotyping-by-sequencing data. The survival to insecticide exposure was found to be influenced by genetic factors.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gabriel Barbosa Tonelli, Camila Binder, Victoria Laporte Carneiro Nogueira, Marina Henriques Prado, Gabriela Goncalves Theobaldo, Aldenise Martins Campos, Carina Margonari de Souza, Jose Dilermando Andrade Filho
Summary: This study aimed to investigate sand flies fauna, detect Leishmania DNA, and determine risk areas in Lassance, Brazil. The most abundant species were Lutzomyia longipalpis and Nyssomyia intermedia, with an infection rate of 2.81% in Lu. longipalpis. A risk area map highlighted sample point 6 due to high abundance of sand flies.
Article
Entomology
Lesley Bell-Sakyi, Alexandra Beliavskaia, Catherine S. Hartley, Laura Jones, Lisa Luu, Lee R. Haines, James G. C. Hamilton, Alistair C. Darby, Benjamin L. Makepeace
Summary: Wolbachia bacteria, carried by various arthropods and nematodes, interact with hosts in diverse ways and play a crucial role in controlling diseases such as dengue and malaria. Newly isolated strains and cell lines from mosquito and sand fly vectors provide valuable resources for research on host-endosymbiont relationships and disease transmission.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Elivelton Da Silva Fonseca, Raul Borges Guimaraes, Luiz Euribel Prestes-Carneiro, Jose Eduardo Tolezano, Moara De Santana Martins Rodgers, Ryan Harry Avery, John B. Malone
Summary: The study aimed to predict ecological niche models for visceral (VL) and cutaneous (CL) leishmaniasis and the sand flies involved in their transmission in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The primary vectors, Nyssomyia intermedia and Lutzomyia longipalpis, showed the highest suitability across different regions, climates, and topographies. Factors such as temperature seasonality, precipitation, and altitude had the greatest impact on the distribution of sand flies.
PATHOGENS AND GLOBAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Sara Abdelrahman Abuelmaali, Jamsari Amirul Firdaus Jamaluddin, Kheder Noaman, Mushal Allam, Hind Mohammad Abushama, Dia Eldin Elnaiem, Intan Haslina Ishak, Mustafa Fadzil Farid Wajidi, Zairi Jaal, Nur Faeza Abu Kassim
Summary: This study investigated the distribution and genetic diversity of Aedes aegypti subspecies in a large Sahelian zone in Sudan, revealing significant genetic differences between the two subspecies. The results showed that the Aaf populations are structured into one group, while the Aaa populations are clustered into two groups.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Abdoulaye Niang, Simon P. Sawadogo, Abdoul A. Millogo, Nwamaka O. Akpodiete, Roch K. Dabire, Frederic Tripet, Abdoulaye Diabate
Summary: Insecticides are key in reducing malaria transmission, but resistance in malaria vectors is a major concern. High resistance to pyrethroids in Burkina Faso's Western region may impact the effectiveness of insecticidal tools. Adult mosquito swarming patterns suggest vulnerability to targeted space spraying. Direct sampling of swarms has the highest statistical power and reduces the number of villages needed for a trial.
Article
Parasitology
Krystal Birungi, Danspaid P. Mabuka, Victor Balyesima, Annet Namukwaya, Elinor W. Chemoges, Sylvia Kiwuwa-Muyingo, C. Matilda Collins, Frederic Tripet, Jonathan K. Kayondo
Summary: This study evaluated various mosquito collection methods and found that swarm sampling caught the most males. Eave aspiration was determined to be an efficient method for male mosquito collection, and grass-roofed houses were the most productive for eave collections. Other methods such as artificial resting traps and aspiration of bushes showed varying levels of productivity depending on the season.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Nwamaka Oluchukwu Akpodiete, Frederic Tripet
Summary: The study found that treating rearing water with zeolite can improve mosquito production and quality in smaller facilities. In facilities without daily water changes, zeolite significantly improved water quality at lower larval densities, leading to higher mosquito emergence and shorter development times. Further research is needed to optimize the application of zeolite in Anopheles mosquito-rearing programs and assess costs and benefits.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Hudson Onen, Robinson Odong, Moses Chemurot, Frederic Tripet, Jonathan K. Kayondo
Summary: In this study, it was found through field surveys and sampling that Anopheles gambiae larvae prefer to live in temporary pools and roadside ditches, while they are less commonly found in ponds and streams. Predaceous diving beetles, which coexisted with An. gambiae larvae in these habitats, were also common. There was only partial niche overlap and no clear evidence of competition between An. gambiae larvae and Culex spp.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Franck Adama Yao, Abdoul-Azize Millogo, Patric Stephane Epopa, Ace North, Florian Noulin, Koulmaga Dao, Mouhamed Drabo, Charles Guissou, Souleymane Kekele, Moussa Namountougou, Robert Kossivi Ouedraogo, Lea Pare, Nourou Barry, Roger Sanou, Haida Wandaogo, Roch K. Dabire, Andrew McKemey, Frederic Tripet, Abdoulaye Diabate
Summary: The release of genetically-modified sterile mosquitoes shows potential for malaria control, but its effectiveness has not been tested in the field. This study demonstrates that genetically-modified mosquitoes have reduced survival and dispersal compared to wild-types. These findings provide crucial information for the development of more effective strains of malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Seynabou Sougoufara, Hanna Yorkston-Dives, Nurul Masyirah Aklee, Adanan Che Rus, Jaal Zairi, Frederic Tripet
Summary: This study found that mosquitoes are able to associate the odor of pesticides with their detrimental effects and subsequently avoid pesticide contact. These findings highlight the importance of mosquito cognition as determinants of pesticide resistance in mosquito populations targeted by chemical control.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Charles Nignan, Bewadeyir Serge Poda, Simon Peguedwinde Sawadogo, Hamidou Maiga, Kounbobr Roch Dabire, Olivier Gnankine, Frederic Tripet, Olivier Roux, Abdoulaye Diabate
Summary: This study explores the factors influencing the mating success of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae complex. The results suggest that colonization reduces the mating competitiveness of both males and females, and females prefer to mate with males from their own population. The study also highlights the significant impact of subtle behavioral differences on population-specific mating.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Resom Berhe, Mark Spigt, Francine Schneider, Lucy Paintain, Cherinet Adera, Adane Nigusie, Zemichael Gizaw, Yihenew Alemu Tesfaye, Dia-Eldin A. Elnaiem, Mekuriaw Alemayehu
Summary: The study reveals that Ethiopian migrant workers have a certain level of risk perception towards visceral leishmaniasis (VL), but they tend to underestimate the seriousness of the disease. Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) are widely accepted as a protective measure, but there are still reservations due to difficulties and preference for traditional practices. The suggested intervention modalities include increasing pre-arrival awareness, promoting proper use of protective measures, and informing departing workers about disease recognition and best practices.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Simon P. Sawadogo, Abdoulaye Niang, Sean L. Wu, Azize A. Millogo, Jane Bonds, Mark Latham, Roch K. Dabire, Allison Tatarsky, Frederic Tripet, Abdoulaye Diabate
Summary: Current vector control methods focused on indoor interventions have limitations in dealing with outdoor mosquito biting. Targeted spraying of mosquito swarms is found to be more effective than broadcast spraying in reducing the number of mosquito bites per person.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Abdoulaye Niang, Hamidou Maiga, Simon P. Sawadogo, Lassana Konate, Ousmane Faye, Yoosook Lee, Roch K. Dabire, Abdoulaye Diabate, Frederic Tripet
Summary: This study found that there was introgression between An. coluzzii and An. gambiae s.s. species, but the X-island genotype of non-hybrid individuals was highly associated with swarm type, while the associations between swarm type and the 3L and 2L speciation islands were weakened or broken down. This result provides further support for the model of sympatric speciation facilitated by pericentric recombination suppression in this species complex.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paola Pollegioni, Tania Persampieri, Roxana L. Minuz, Alessandro Bucci, Alessandro Trusso, Salvatore Di Martino, Chiara Leo, Marco Bruttini, Marco Ciolfi, Ann-Marie Waldvogel, Frederic Tripet, Alekos Simoni, Andrea Crisanti, Ruth Mueller
Summary: The development of genetically modified mosquitoes (GMM) and their subsequent field release provides innovative approaches for controlling malaria vectors. A non-gene drive self-limiting male-bias Ag(PMB)1 strain has been developed in Anopheles gambiae s.l. However, the functionality of the transgene could differ when inserted in different genetic backgrounds of Anopheles coluzzii, which could be a potential recipient for the release of self-limiting GMMs. In this study, the transgene from Ag(PMB)1 strain was introgressed into two recipient colonies of An. coluzzii through backcrossing, and the results showed nearly complete introgression of chromosomes 3 and X, but significant genomic divergence in a region of chromosome 2.
INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Marilou Bodde, Alex Makunin, Diego Ayala, Lemonde Bouafou, Abdoulaye Diabate, Uwem Friday Ekpo, Mahamadi Kientega, Gilbert Le Goff, Boris K. Makanga, Marc F. Ngangue, Olaitan Olamide Omitola, Nil Rahola, Frederic Tripet, Richard Durbin, Mara K. N. Lawniczak
Summary: The ANOSPP amplicon panel is used for large-scale monitoring of Anopheles species diversity. The NNoVAE method, which combines Nearest Neighbours (NN) and Variational Autoencoders (VAE), can accurately assign species identity by analyzing k-mers. In testing, NNoVAE exhibits high accuracy in classifying samples and identifying unexpected species.
Article
Entomology
Sara Abdelrahman Abuelmaali, Jamsari Amirul Firdaus Jamaluddin, Mushal Allam, Hind Mohamed Abushama, Dia Eldin Elnaiem, Kheder Noaman, Silas Wintuma Avicor, Intan Haslina Ishak, Mustafa Fadzil Farid Wajidi, Zairi Jaal, Nur Faeza Abu Kassim
Summary: This study investigated the genetic differences between two subspecies of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Sudan. The findings showed insignificant genetic variance between the subspecies and shared components in the gene/marker used in the study. This information is important for improving control strategies against the Aedes aegypti vector in the area.
Article
Entomology
Ashraf Mohamed Ahmed, Amani Mohammed Alotaibi, Wedad Saeed Al-Qahtani, Frederic Tripet, Sayed Amin Amer
Summary: This study investigated the validity of obtaining human DNA profiles from mixed blood meals of mosquitos. The results showed that complete DNA profiles could be obtained for up to 12 hours post-feeding, and partial profiles were obtained up to 24 hours and 36 hours post-feeding. After 48 hours, the frequency of STR loci decreased, affecting the identification of STRs.