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Acta Medica Portuguesa Feb 2024Dengue is a vector-borne disease that has a significant impact on global public health. The vector mosquito belongs to the genus Aedes. Two species play a key role in... (Review)
Review
Dengue is a vector-borne disease that has a significant impact on global public health. The vector mosquito belongs to the genus Aedes. Two species play a key role in human transmission: Ae. aegypti, which has adapted to the urban environment of highly populated areas in tropical and subtropical countries, leading to a dramatic increase in dengue cases over the years, and Ae. albopictus, which poses a potential threat to temperate climate countries due to its ability to adapt to colder climates. The disease is widespread across the world, posing a risk to nearly half of the world's population. Although most cases are asymptomatic, dengue causes a burden on healthcare systems and mainly affects the younger population. The disease is also spreading to temperate climate countries, thus becoming a global threat. Vector control measures and vaccine development have been the main prevention strategies, as there is still no effective treatment for the disease.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Dengue; Dengue Virus; Mosquito Vectors; Aedes
PubMed: 38309298
DOI: 10.20344/amp.20569 -
Pathogens and Disease Feb 2024Zika virus (ZIKV), which belongs to the Flavivirus family, is mainly transmitted via the bite of Aedes mosquitoes. In newborns, ZIKV infection can cause severe symptoms... (Review)
Review
Zika virus (ZIKV), which belongs to the Flavivirus family, is mainly transmitted via the bite of Aedes mosquitoes. In newborns, ZIKV infection can cause severe symptoms such as microcephaly, while in adults, it can lead to Guillain‒Barré syndrome (GBS). Due to the lack of specific therapeutic methods against ZIKV, the development of a safe and effective vaccine is extremely important. Several potential ZIKV vaccines, such as live attenuated, inactivated, nucleic acid, viral vector, and recombinant subunit vaccines, have demonstrated promising outcomes in clinical trials involving human participants. Therefore, in this review, the recent developmental progress, advantages and disadvantages of these five vaccine types are examined, and practical recommendations for future development are provided.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Animals; Adult; Humans; Zika Virus; Zika Virus Infection; Mosquito Vectors; Vaccines
PubMed: 38192053
DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftad036 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2023Dengue is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. As an arbovirus disease, it is mainly transmitted by and . According to the previous studies, temperature is... (Review)
Review
Dengue is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. As an arbovirus disease, it is mainly transmitted by and . According to the previous studies, temperature is closely related to the survival of mosquitoes, the proliferation of dengue virus (DENV) and the vector competence of to transmit DENV. This review describes the correlations between temperature and dengue epidemics, and explores the potential reasons including the distribution and development of mosquitoes, the structure of DENV, and the vector competence of mosquitoes. In addition, the immune and metabolic mechanism are discussed on how temperature affects the vector competence of mosquitoes to transmit DENV.
Topics: Animals; Aedes; Dengue Virus; Temperature; Mosquito Vectors; Dengue
PubMed: 37808907
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1242173 -
Parasites & Vectors Oct 2023Culex (Barraudius) modestus (Ficalbi 1889) are found in temperate regions across Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa. These mosquitoes thrive during the summer and prefer... (Review)
Review
Culex (Barraudius) modestus (Ficalbi 1889) are found in temperate regions across Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa. These mosquitoes thrive during the summer and prefer to breed in permanent vegetative habitats such as rice paddies and marshes. Culex modestus feed on a wide range of bird species but are highly attracted to humans, which makes them a potential 'bridge' vector for enzootic pathogens. There is compelling evidence that Culex modestus is an efficient vector for West Nile virus, potentially capable of causing epidemics in humans and other mammals. This species is also a likely vector for Usutu virus, avian malaria (Plasmodium spp.), and parasitic heartworms (Dirofilaria spp.). Culex modestus can be morphologically identified at the larval and adult stages, and a distinctive phenotype of this species is their ability to overwinter. Despite the widespread establishment of this mosquito species and their role as vectors for human pathogens, we lack sufficient knowledge on this species to implement and evaluate targeted vector control measures. Since Culex modestus can be considered a potential public health threat, there is a need for a better understanding of this mosquito species.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Culex; Mosquito Vectors; Insect Vectors; Plant Breeding; Culicidae; West Nile virus; Mammals
PubMed: 37858198
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05997-6 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Jul 2023Sierra Leone is vulnerable to a wide range of vector-borne diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, tsetse flies, black flies, and other vectors. Malaria, lymphatic... (Review)
Review
Sierra Leone is vulnerable to a wide range of vector-borne diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, tsetse flies, black flies, and other vectors. Malaria, lymphatic filariasis, and onchocerciasis have posed the greatest threat and have received the most attention in terms of vector control and capacity for diagnosis. However, malaria infection rates remain high, and there is evidence of circulation of other vector-borne diseases, such as chikungunya and dengue, which may go undiagnosed and unreported. The limited understanding of the prevalence and transmission of these diseases restricts the capacity for predicting outbreaks, and impedes the planning of appropriate responses. We review the available literature and gather expert opinions from those working in the country to report on the status of vector-borne disease transmission and control in Sierra Leone, and present an assessment of the threats of these diseases. Our discussions highlight an absence of entomological testing for disease agents and the need for more investment in surveillance and capacity strengthening.
Topics: Animals; Sierra Leone; Mosquito Vectors; Culicidae; Elephantiasis, Filarial; Malaria
PubMed: 37277107
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0495 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023The genus contains a wide variety of viruses that cause severe disease in humans, including dengue virus, yellow fever virus, Zika virus, West Nile virus, Japanese... (Review)
Review
The genus contains a wide variety of viruses that cause severe disease in humans, including dengue virus, yellow fever virus, Zika virus, West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis virus and tick-borne encephalitis virus. Nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) is a glycoprotein that encodes a 352-amino-acid polypeptide and has a molecular weight of 46-55 kDa depending on its glycosylation status. NS1 is highly conserved among multiple flaviviruses and occurs in distinct forms, including a dimeric form within the endoplasmic reticulum, a cell-associated form on the plasma membrane, or a secreted hexameric form (sNS1) trafficked to the extracellular matrix. Intracellular dimeric NS1 interacts with other NSs to participate in viral replication and virion maturation, while extracellular sNS1 plays a critical role in immune evasion, flavivirus pathogenesis and interactions with natural vectors. In this review, we provide an overview of recent research progress on flavivirus NS1, including research on the structural details, the secretory pathways in mammalian and mosquito cells and the multiple functions in viral replication, immune evasion, pathogenesis and interaction with natural hosts, drawing together the previous data to determine the properties of this protein.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Secretory Pathway; Mosquito Vectors; Flavivirus Infections; Zika Virus; Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne; Zika Virus Infection; Mammals
PubMed: 37520540
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1205002 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024Dengue, caused by the dengue virus (DENV), affects millions of people worldwide every year. This virus has two distinct life cycles, one in the human and another in the... (Review)
Review
Dengue, caused by the dengue virus (DENV), affects millions of people worldwide every year. This virus has two distinct life cycles, one in the human and another in the mosquito, and both cycles are crucial to be controlled. To control the vector of DENV, the mosquito , scientists employed many techniques, which were later proved ineffective and harmful in many ways. Consequently, the attention shifted to the development of a vaccine; researchers have targeted the E protein, a surface protein of the virus and the NS1 protein, an extracellular protein. There are several types of vaccines developed so far, such as live attenuated vaccines, recombinant subunit vaccines, inactivated virus vaccines, viral vectored vaccines, DNA vaccines, and mRNA vaccines. Along with these, scientists are exploring new strategies of developing improved version of the vaccine by employing recombinant DNA plasmid against NS1 and also aiming to prevent the infection by blocking the DENV life cycle inside the mosquitoes. Here, we discussed the aspects of research in the field of vaccines until now and identified some prospects for future vaccine developments.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Dengue; Dengue Virus; Dengue Vaccines; Mosquito Vectors; Vaccines, Attenuated; Vaccines, Inactivated; Vaccines, DNA; Viral Vaccines
PubMed: 38487527
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1362780 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023Arboviruses are a major threat to public health in tropical regions, encompassing over 534 distinct species, with 134 capable of causing diseases in humans. These... (Review)
Review
Arboviruses are a major threat to public health in tropical regions, encompassing over 534 distinct species, with 134 capable of causing diseases in humans. These viruses are transmitted through arthropod vectors that cause symptoms such as fever, headache, joint pains, and rash, in addition to more serious cases that can lead to death. Among the arboviruses, dengue virus stands out as the most prevalent, annually affecting approximately 16.2 million individuals solely in the Americas. Furthermore, the re-emergence of the Zika virus and the recurrent outbreaks of chikungunya in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, with one million cases reported annually, underscore the urgency of addressing this public health challenge. In this manuscript we discuss the epidemiology, viral structure, pathogenicity and integrated control strategies to combat arboviruses, and the most used tools, such as vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, treatment, etc., in addition to presenting future perspectives for the control of arboviruses. Currently, specific medications for treating arbovirus infections are lacking, and symptom management remains the primary approach. However, promising advancements have been made in certain treatments, such as Chloroquine, Niclosamide, and Isatin derivatives, which have demonstrated notable antiviral properties against these arboviruses and experiments. Additionally, various strategies within vector control approaches have shown significant promise in reducing arbovirus transmission rates. These encompass public education initiatives, targeted insecticide applications, and innovative approaches like manipulating mosquito bacterial symbionts, such as . In conclusion, combatting the global threat of arbovirus diseases needs a comprehensive approach integrating antiviral research, vaccination, and vector control. The continued efforts of research communities, alongside collaborative partnerships with public health authorities, are imperative to effectively address and mitigate the impact of these arboviral infections on public health worldwide.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Zika Virus; Chikungunya Fever; Mosquito Vectors; Zika Virus Infection; Antiviral Agents; Dengue
PubMed: 38196945
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1281667 -
Microbiology (Reading, England) Aug 2023Years of research have shown us that unicellular organisms do not exist entirely in isolation, but rather that they are capable of an altogether far more sociable way of... (Review)
Review
Years of research have shown us that unicellular organisms do not exist entirely in isolation, but rather that they are capable of an altogether far more sociable way of living. Single cells produce, receive and interpret signals, coordinating and changing their behaviour according to the information received. Although this cell-cell communication has long been considered the norm in the bacterial world, an increasing body of knowledge is demonstrating that single-celled eukaryotic parasites also maintain active social lives. This communication can drive parasite development, facilitate the invasion of new niches and, ultimately, influence infection outcome. In this review, I present the evidence for cell-cell communication during the life cycle of the African trypanosomes, from their mammalian hosts to their insect vectors, and reflect on the many remaining unanswered questions in this fascinating field.
Topics: Animals; Trypanosoma; Cell Communication; Eukaryota; Insect Vectors; Mammals
PubMed: 37643128
DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001388 -
Bulletin of the World Health... Sep 2023Global dengue incidence has increased dramatically over the past few decades from approximately 500 000 reported cases in 2000 to over 5 million in 2019. This trend has...
Global dengue incidence has increased dramatically over the past few decades from approximately 500 000 reported cases in 2000 to over 5 million in 2019. This trend has been attributed to population growth in endemic areas, rapid unplanned urbanization, increasing global connectivity, and climate change expanding the geographic range of the . mosquito, among other factors. Reporting dengue surveillance data is key to understanding the scale of the problem, identifying important changes in the landscape of disease, and developing policies for clinical management, vector control and vaccine rollout. However, surveillance practices are not standardized, and data may be difficult to interpret particularly in low- and middle-income countries with fragmented health-care systems. The latest national dengue surveillance data for Cambodia was published in 2010. Since its publication, the country experienced marked changes in health policies, population demographics, climate and urbanization. How these changes affected dengue control remains unknown. In this article, we summarize two decades of policy changes, published literature, country statistics, and dengue case data collected by the Cambodia National Dengue Control Programme to: (i) identify important changes in the disease landscape; and (ii) derive lessons to inform future surveillance and disease control strategies. We report that while dengue case morbidity and mortality rates in Cambodia fell between 2002 and 2020, dengue incidence doubled and age at infection increased. Future national surveillance, disease prevention and treatment, and vector control policies will have to account for these changes to optimize disease control.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Aedes; Cambodia; Dengue; Health Policy; Mosquito Vectors; Sentinel Surveillance
PubMed: 37638355
DOI: 10.2471/BLT.23.289713