Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
A. Franzoi, S. Larsen, P. Franceschi, K. A. Hobson, P. Pedrini, F. Camin, L. Bontempo
Summary: Stable isotope ratios in animal tissues can estimate trophic position and ecological niche, with long-distance migrants having broader ecological niches compared to short-distance and irruptive migrants. Differences in isotopic values reflect known migratory strategies and breeding origins among different migratory groups.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Mircea Coroian, Cornelia Silaghi, Birke Andrea Tews, Emanuel Stefan Baltag, Mihai Marinov, Vasile Alexe, Zsuzsa Kalmar, Horvath Cintia, Mihaela Sorina Lupse, Andrei Daniel Mihalca
Summary: In a study conducted in the South-Eastern region of Romania, antibodies against West Nile and Usutu viruses were found in migratory and resident birds. These viruses, mainly transmitted by mosquitoes, pose a potential threat to human health as birds serve as the main reservoir.
Article
Microbiology
Hyeogsun Kwon, Maria L. Simoes, Rebekah A. Reynolds, George Dimopoulos, Ryan C. Smith
Summary: Experimental results show that an additional blood meal can significantly reduce the infection of Plasmodium berghei, while having no effect on the human parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Furthermore, additional feeding promotes the growth of P. falciparum oocysts.
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
Ecology
Wee Hao Ng, Daniel Fink, Frank A. La Sorte, Tom Auer, Wesley M. Hochachka, Alison Johnston, Adriaan M. Dokter
Summary: This study examined the relationship between primary productivity and the spatio-temporal distributions of migratory birds. It found that primary productivity was positively associated with bird abundance and species richness, but had a weaker association with bird biomass. The study also observed that during spring migration, bird biomass increased before vegetation green-up in temperate regions, while in the south-eastern USA, spring green-up was associated with a decrease in biomass.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Mikel A. Gonzalez, Fatima Goiri, Aitor Cevidanes, Luis M. Hernandez-Triana, Jesus F. Barandika, Ana L. Garcia-Perez
Summary: This study collected and identified mosquito species from two aquatic ecosystems in northern Spain using different methods. It discovered new records of mosquito species and identified the vertebrate host species of blood-fed female mosquitoes using DNA barcoding. The study also determined the developmental sites of mosquito species and found that some species landed on humans. It highlights the advantages of using various techniques to comprehensively characterize mosquito species composition and abundance, and provides information on the trophic preferences, biting behavior, and influence of climatic variables on mosquito ecology.
MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Benjamin Wong Wei Xiang, Wilfried A. A. Saron, James C. Stewart, Arthur Hain, Varsha Walvekar, Dorothee Misse, Frederic Thomas, R. Manjunatha Kini, Benjamin Roche, Adam Claridge-Chang, Ashley L. St. John, Julien Pompon
Summary: A study found that DENV infection increases mosquito attraction to hosts and hinders their biting efficiency, resulting in infected mosquitoes needing more bites to reach similar blood repletion. By establishing transmission models and mathematical models, the study also revealed that the number of infected hosts per infected mosquito tripled when mosquito behavior was influenced by DENV infection.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Qin Wu, Cheng Guo, Xiao-kang Li, Bo-Yang Yi, Qian-Lin Li, Zhong-Min Guo, Jia-Hai Lu
Summary: Mosquitoes are important reservoirs of viruses and vectors of zoonotic pathogens. Blood-fed mosquitoes have been used to determine infection status, and surveillance at the human-animal-environment interface is crucial for early detection of emerging infectious diseases. In this study, mosquitoes from seven habitats in Guangdong Province, China were sampled to analyze viral communities and blood feeding patterns. A total of 101 putative viruses were identified, with Culex mosquitoes showing richer viral diversity than Aedes mosquitoes. Blood meal analysis revealed different host sources, including humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. The findings highlight the risk of cross-species transmission at the human-animal-environment interface.
Article
Microbiology
Amalia Rataud, Clemence Galon, Laure Bournez, Pierre-Yves Henry, Maud Marsot, Sara Moutailler
Summary: Birds contribute to the multiplication of ticks and pathogens during their breeding season, playing a role in the maintenance of tick-borne diseases. A study in France found that Ixodes ricinus was the most prevalent tick species, while Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato was the most prevalent pathogen genus in bird-feeding ticks. Certain bird species, such as Turdidae birds, Troglodytes troglodytes, and Anthus trivialis, had a higher prevalence of B. burgdorferi s.l.-infected bird-feeding ticks, indicating their potential role as reservoir hosts for this pathogen during their breeding season.
Article
Parasitology
Godfrey C. Katusi, Marie R. G. Hermy, Samwely M. Makayula, Rickard Ignell, Nicodem J. Govella, Sharon R. Hill, Ladslaus L. Mnyone
Summary: This study investigated the impact of seasonal change on primary and secondary vectors abundance and host preference in a village in the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania. Results showed that the abundance of both primary and secondary vectors varied seasonally, and host preference also changed with the seasons.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alfonso Peralbo-Moreno, Sara Baz-Flores, Raul Cuadrado-Matias, Patricia Barroso, Roxana Triguero-Ocana, Saul Jimenez-Ruiz, Cesar Herraiz, Carmen Ruiz-Rodriguez, Pelayo Acevedo, Francisco Ruiz-Fons
Summary: Tick abundance is determined by multiple factors at small spatial scales and understanding these determinants is crucial for effective tick management strategies. The study reveals that tick burdens on wild ungulates in Donana National Park, Spain, are influenced by environment, host population, host individual, and land-use. The findings emphasize the importance of host aggregation areas with favorable traits for ticks as hotspots for tick and vector-borne pathogen transmission.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Jeremy Camp, Edwin Kniha, Adelheid G. Obwaller, Julia Walochnik, Norbert Nowotny
Summary: The study aimed to survey mosquito populations for TAHV in three floodwater habitats and describe host usage by predominant floodwater mosquito species. TAHV was identified in Ae. vexans mosquitoes captured along the Leitha River, with large mammals such as deer and boar being identified as hosts. The rescued virus sequence was similar to other isolates dating back to 1958.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Katie Costanzo, Dominic Occhino
Summary: Temperature has profound effects on the blood feeding and activity patterns of the globally invasive mosquito species Aedes albopictus, with higher temperatures resulting in increased activity but decreased blood feeding.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zi Ye, Feng Liu, Huahua Sun, Stephen T. Ferguson, Adam Baker, Samuel A. Ochieng, Laurence J. Zwiebel
Summary: Anopheline mosquitoes rely on their chemosensory apparatus to detect chemical stimuli. The ionotropic coreceptor AcIr76b plays a role in the mosquito's olfactory and gustatory systems. Mutants without AcIr76b show enhanced responses to amines and reduced responses to acids and other amines. Furthermore, these mutants have decreased insemination capability and are unable to successfully blood feed.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Ephantus J. Muturi, Teresia M. Njoroge, Christopher Dunlap, Carla E. Caceres
Summary: Mixed blood meals have a synergistic effect on operational taxonomic unit richness and Shannon diversity index in mosquito gut microbiota. Host species identity and mixed blood-feeding are key determinants of microbial community composition. Microenvironmental conditions play an important role in structuring mosquito gut microbial communities.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Emma L. Fairbanks, Marnie L. Brennan, Peter P. C. Mertens, Michael J. Tildesley, Janet M. Daly
Summary: African horse sickness (AHS) is a disease transmitted by Culicoides spp. and is commonly found in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to investigate the infection dynamics and outbreak potential in naive populations. It was found that the previously estimated parameters for the onset of viraemia, clinical signs, and duration of viraemia were underestimated. The updated values led to an increase in host deaths, a decrease in the duration of the outbreak, and higher prevalence in vectors.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Arran J. Folly, Lorraine M. McElhinney, Nicholas Johnson
Summary: Louping ill virus is a flavivirus that infects livestock in upland areas, causing febrile illness and potentially fatal encephalitis. Vaccination and prevention measures are crucial for controlling its spread, but vaccines have been discontinued in recent years.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Elisabeth Nelson, William Thurston, Paul Pearce-Kelly, Hannah Jenkins, Mary Cameron, Simon Carpenter, Amanda Guthrie, Marion England
Summary: This study conducted a qualitative risk assessment to investigate the potential pathways and levels of risk for the introduction of Bluetongue virus and African horse sickness virus to ZSL London Zoo. The findings suggest that ZSL London Zoo is at higher risk of Bluetongue virus release and exposure, compared to African horse sickness virus, which has a lower transmission risk.
Article
Infectious Diseases
L. P. Phipps, K. M. Hansford, L. M. Hernandez-Triana, M. Golding, L. McGinley, A. J. Folly, A. G. C. Vaux, M. F. de Marco, D. P. Carter, J. M. Medlock, N. Johnson
Summary: The distribution and population size of red sheep ticks are increasing in Northern Europe and the United Kingdom. Reports of human biting by this species have also increased in recent years. PCR screening of ticks collected from sites in Southern England over a three year period revealed the presence of Babesia species associated with TBD infections in livestock, as well as the human pathogen Borrelia miyamotoi. These findings suggest that the expansion of this tick species in Southern England may pose risks to public and livestock health.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Nicholas Johnson, Lawrence Paul Phipps, Kayleigh M. Hansford, Arran J. Folly, Anthony R. Fooks, Jolyon M. Medlock, Karen L. Mansfield
Summary: Tick-borne diseases pose a threat to human and animal health, and their occurrence and transmission depend on tick population distribution, presence of pathogens, and tick activity seasons. Comprehensive understanding of these diseases is crucial for effective prevention and control, requiring surveillance and intervention approaches from multiple perspectives.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
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
Luis M. Hernandez-Triana, Arran J. Folly, Sanam Sewgobind, Fabian Z. X. Lean, Stuart Ackroyd, Alejandro Nunez, Sarah Delacour, Andrea Drago, Patrizia Visentin, Karen L. Mansfield, Nicholas Johnson
Summary: Investigations have shown that Asian tiger mosquitoes from different locations in Europe exhibit varying susceptibility to JEV, while Culex quinquefasciatus is highly susceptible to the virus. Both species have the potential to act as vectors for JEV, facilitating its emergence into new regions.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Becki Lawson, Robert A. Robinson, Andrew G. Briscoe, Andrew A. Cunningham, Anthony R. Fooks, Joseph P. Heaver, Luis M. Hernandez-Triana, Shinto K. John, Nicholas Johnson, Colin Johnston, Fabian Z. X. Lean, Shaheed K. Macgregor, Nicholas J. Masters, Fiona McCracken, Lorraine M. McElhinney, Jolyon M. Medlock, Paul Pearce-Kelly, Katharina Seilern-Moy, Simon Spiro, Alexander G. C. Vaux, Arran J. Folly
Summary: The first detection of Usutu virus (USUV) in wild birds in the United Kingdom in 2020 prompted a multidisciplinary investigation to assess the potential population impacts. Combining screening of host and vector populations with citizen science monitoring datasets, the study found regional clustering of disease incident reports and a reduction in blackbird sightings near the outbreak site, suggesting a disease-mediated population decline. This approach offers a model for future disease emergence events.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Arran J. Folly, Sanam Sewgobind, Luis M. Hernandez-Triana, Karen L. Mansfield, Fabian Z. X. Lean, Becki Lawson, Katharina Seilern-Moy, Andrew A. Cunningham, Simon Spiro, Ethan Wrigglesworth, Paul Pearce-Kelly, Trent Herdman, Colin Johnston, Morgan Berrell, Alexander G. C. Vaux, Jolyon M. Medlock, Nicholas Johnson
Summary: The study reveals that the Usutu virus has overwintered in the United Kingdom, providing empirical evidence for the continued northward expansion of this vector-borne viral disease. Further detections over time will be required to demonstrate long-term establishment.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Virology
Karen L. Mansfield, Arran J. Folly, Luis M. Hernandez-Triana, Sanam Sewgobind, Nicholas Johnson
Summary: Batai virus, a zoonotic orthobunyavirus transmitted by mosquitoes, is emerging as a potential threat to animal and human health in Europe. It has been detected in mosquitoes, mammals, birds and humans, with evidence suggesting increasing antibody prevalence in livestock. The spread of invasive mosquitoes and migratory birds may contribute to the virus's emergence in new geographical locations. However, our understanding of its impact in wild animal populations is limited.
Article
Microbiology
Fabian Z. X. Lean, Nicholas Johnson
Summary: Rift Valley fever is a disease caused by infection with Rift Valley fever virus, a mosquito-borne RNA virus that affects humans and livestock. Although the virus is currently endemic in sub-Saharan regions of Africa, there have been incursions into Middle Eastern countries and islands in the Indian Ocean. Further investigation is needed to better understand disease transmission and develop mitigation strategies.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fauziah Mohd Jaafar, Baptiste Monsion, Peter P. C. Mertens, Houssam Attoui
Summary: Bioinformatic analyses predict that orbiviruses encode a small non-structural protein called NS5 from a secondary open reading frame on genome segment 10. NS5 has not been previously detected in infected mammalian or insect cells. NS5 is found in the nucleus, particularly in the nucleolus, and also in the cytoplasm, co-localizing with mitochondria. It plays a role in preventing degradation of ribosomal RNAs and reducing host-cell protein synthesis, but supports viral protein synthesis and replication, thereby extending cell viability. NS5 binds to ssRNAs and supercoiled DNAs and interacts with ZBP1, suggesting its involvement in modulating host-cell responses.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Sophie Harding, Sanam Sewgobind, Nicholas Johnson
Summary: Sindbis virus is a causative agent of febrile infection in northern Europe. Symptoms include joint inflammation, fever, rash, and fatigue. The virus is mainly transmitted by mosquitoes, and wild birds act as amplifying hosts for its spread.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Harriet McFadzean, Nicholas Johnson, L. Paul Phipps, Vanessa Swinson, Lisa A. Boden
Summary: The distribution of ticks and tick-borne diseases is expanding due to climate and land use changes. Babesia divergens is a zoonotic disease threat to cattle and humans in Great Britain, and its surveillance is currently limited. This study collected data on B. divergens infection in British cattle and identified geographical risk areas for disease transmission. The study also improved Babesia identification methods and found widespread bovine babesiosis in England and Wales, posing a risk to both cattle and humans.
Article
Microbiology
Ternenge Thaddaeus Apaa, Harriet Mcfadzean, Sara Gandy, Kayleigh Hansford, Jolyon Medlock, Nicholas Johnson
Summary: This study examined the presence of A. phagocytophilum in livestock and wildlife in Great Britain, with a focus on cattle. The results showed the presence of ecotype I in cattle, sheep, red deer, and Ixodes ricinus ticks, and ecotype II in roe deer and I. ricinus removed from deer carcasses. However, only ecotype I was detected in cattle in this study.