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Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2020
Topics: Arthropod Vectors; Disease Vectors; Host-Pathogen Interactions
PubMed: 33194846
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.609495 -
Current Opinion in Insect Science Aug 2020The field of mosquito chemical ecology has shifted focus over the past five years, driven by the recognition that odour-mediated behaviours are regulated by distinct... (Review)
Review
The field of mosquito chemical ecology has shifted focus over the past five years, driven by the recognition that odour-mediated behaviours are regulated by distinct chemical codes, that is, odour blends emanating from the natural environment. As a research community, we have shifted from our anthropocentric focus to include other behaviours, including plant seeking and oviposition site seeking, in order to develop new tools to combat residual malaria in the wake of the increased insecticide and behavioural resistance in mosquitoes across sub-Saharan Africa. In this short review, we will outline the progress made, and the future directions, in understanding blend recognition and chemical parsimony, and their implications for preadaptation of the odour coding system in malaria mosquitoes.
Topics: Africa South of the Sahara; Animals; Culicidae; Insecticide Resistance; Life History Traits; Malaria; Mosquito Vectors; Oviposition
PubMed: 32422588
DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2020.03.008 -
Current Opinion in Insect Science Aug 2020The host-seeking behavior of disease vector insects is central to the transmission of pathogens. In this context, an improved understanding of the mechanisms that allow... (Review)
Review
The host-seeking behavior of disease vector insects is central to the transmission of pathogens. In this context, an improved understanding of the mechanisms that allow vectors to detect, identify and locate a potential host will be crucial to refine existing control strategies and invent new ones. Host-seeking is mediated by the integration of cues that are processed by multiple sensory modalities, and provide robust information about host location and quality. Responses to these cues are plastic and vary as a function of the vector's internal state, age, and previous experience. Vectors also integrate other factors such as time of day, or even the level of defensiveness of the host. Here, we review the most recent advances on the molecular basis of host-seeking behavior, with a particular emphasis on disease vector mosquitoes.
Topics: Animals; Cues; Host-Seeking Behavior; Insect Vectors; Insecta; Mosquito Vectors
PubMed: 32199240
DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2020.02.001 -
Viruses Oct 2021A substantial number of humans are at risk for infection by vector-borne flaviviruses, resulting in considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide. These viruses also... (Review)
Review
A substantial number of humans are at risk for infection by vector-borne flaviviruses, resulting in considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide. These viruses also infect wildlife at a considerable rate, persistently cycling between ticks/mosquitoes and small mammals and reptiles and non-human primates and humans. Substantially increasing evidence of viral persistence in wildlife continues to be reported. In addition to in humans, viral persistence has been shown to establish in mammalian, reptile, arachnid, and mosquito systems, as well as insect cell lines. Although a considerable amount of research has centered on the potential roles of defective virus particles, autophagy and/or apoptosis-induced evasion of the immune response, and the precise mechanism of these features in flavivirus persistence have yet to be elucidated. In this review, we present findings that aid in understanding how vector-borne flavivirus persistence is established in wildlife. Research studies to be discussed include determining the critical roles universal flavivirus non-structural proteins played in flaviviral persistence, the advancement of animal models of viral persistence, and studying host factors that allow vector-borne flavivirus replication without destructive effects on infected cells. These findings underscore the viral-host relationships in wildlife animals and could be used to elucidate the underlying mechanisms responsible for the establishment of viral persistence in these animals.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Wild; Central Nervous System Viral Diseases; Culicidae; Disease Vectors; Flavivirus; Flavivirus Infections; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Insect Vectors; Mosquito Vectors; Ticks
PubMed: 34696529
DOI: 10.3390/v13102099 -
Current Opinion in Insect Science Apr 2022Arthropods, including mosquitoes, sand flies, tsetse flies, and ticks are vectors of many bacterial, parasitic, and viral pathogens that cause serious disease in humans... (Review)
Review
Arthropods, including mosquitoes, sand flies, tsetse flies, and ticks are vectors of many bacterial, parasitic, and viral pathogens that cause serious disease in humans and animals. Their microbiota, that is, all microorganisms that dwell within their tissues, can impact vector immunity and susceptibility to pathogen infection. Historically, host-pathogen-microbiota interactions have not been well described, with little known about mechanism. In this review, we highlight recent advances in understanding how individual microorganisms and microbial communities interact with vectors and human pathogens, the mechanisms they utilize to achieve these effects, and the potential for exploiting these interactions to control pathogen transmission. These studies fill important knowledge gaps and further our understanding of the roles that the vector microbiota plays in pathogen transmission.
Topics: Animals; Arthropod Vectors; Arthropods; Microbiota; Mosquito Vectors; Vertebrates
PubMed: 35065286
DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2022.100875 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2020
Topics: Animals; Communicable Diseases; Disease Vectors; Humans; Vector Borne Diseases
PubMed: 32733830
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00214 -
Viruses Nov 2019We reviewed the literature on the role of temperature in transmission of zoonotic arboviruses. Vector competence is affected by both direct and indirect effects of... (Review)
Review
We reviewed the literature on the role of temperature in transmission of zoonotic arboviruses. Vector competence is affected by both direct and indirect effects of temperature, and generally increases with increasing temperature, but results may vary by vector species, population, and viral strain. Temperature additionally has a significant influence on life history traits of vectors at both immature and adult life stages, and for important behaviors such as blood-feeding and mating. Similar to vector competence, temperature effects on life history traits can vary by species and population. Vector, host, and viral distributions are all affected by temperature, and are generally expected to change with increased temperatures predicted under climate change. Arboviruses are generally expected to shift poleward and to higher elevations under climate change, yet significant variability on fine geographic scales is likely. Temperature effects are generally unimodal, with increases in abundance up to an optimum, and then decreases at high temperatures. Improved vector distribution information could facilitate future distribution modeling. A wide variety of approaches have been used to model viral distributions, although most research has focused on the West Nile virus. Direct temperature effects are frequently observed, as are indirect effects, such as through droughts, where temperature interacts with rainfall. Thermal biology approaches hold much promise for syntheses across viruses, vectors, and hosts, yet future studies must consider the specificity of interactions and the dynamic nature of evolving biological systems.
Topics: Animals; Arboviruses; Climate Change; Disease Vectors; Ecosystem; Mosquito Vectors; Species Specificity; Temperature; Vector Borne Diseases; West Nile virus
PubMed: 31683823
DOI: 10.3390/v11111013 -
Current Opinion in Insect Science Jun 2024Mosquitoes express a rich repertoire of daily 24-hour rhythms in biochemistry, physiology, and behavior. The nocturnal Anopheles and Culex and diurnal Aedes mosquitoes... (Review)
Review
Mosquitoes express a rich repertoire of daily 24-hour rhythms in biochemistry, physiology, and behavior. The nocturnal Anopheles and Culex and diurnal Aedes mosquitoes are major vectors of human disease, transmitting parasites and arboviruses, such as malaria and dengue. In this review, we explore the role that 24-hour diel and circadian rhythms play in shaping the temporal life of the mosquito. We focus on recent advances in our understanding of behavioral rhythms, focusing on locomotor/flight activity, host-seeking, biting/blood feeding, and mating. We examine the molecular circadian clock, photocycle, and light signals, which in combination shape the mosquito 24-hour temporal program. We address species- and sex-specific differences and highlight important selective pressures from dynamically changing environments. This work also provides new insights into disease transmission, insect control, and future experimental design.
Topics: Animals; Circadian Rhythm; Mosquito Vectors; Culicidae; Feeding Behavior
PubMed: 38395256
DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2024.101179 -
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal... Dec 2023There is burgeoning interest in how artificial light at night (ALAN) interacts with disease vectors, particularly mosquitoes. ALAN can alter mosquito behaviour and... (Review)
Review
There is burgeoning interest in how artificial light at night (ALAN) interacts with disease vectors, particularly mosquitoes. ALAN can alter mosquito behaviour and biting propensity, and so must alter disease transfer rates. However, most studies to date have been laboratory-based, and it remains unclear how ALAN modulates disease vector risk. Here, we identify five priorities to assess how artificial light can influence disease vectors in socio-ecological systems. These are to (i) clarify the mechanistic role of artificial light on mosquitoes, (ii) determine how ALAN interacts with other drivers of global change to influence vector disease dynamics across species, (iii) determine how ALAN interacts with other vector suppression strategies, (iv) measure and quantify the impact of ALAN at scales relevant for vectors, and (v) overcome the political and social barriers in implementing it as a novel vector suppression strategy. These priorities must be addressed to evaluate the costs and benefits of employing appropriate ALAN regimes in complex socio-ecological systems if it is to reduce disease burdens, especially in the developing world. This article is part of the theme issue 'Light pollution in complex ecological systems'.
Topics: Animals; Light Pollution; Mosquito Vectors; Disease Vectors; Culicidae; Ecosystem; Light
PubMed: 37899011
DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0371 -
Parasites & Vectors Nov 2022Large populations of unowned cats constitute an animal welfare, ecological, societal and public health issue worldwide. Their relocation and homing are currently carried... (Review)
Review
Large populations of unowned cats constitute an animal welfare, ecological, societal and public health issue worldwide. Their relocation and homing are currently carried out in many parts of the world with the intention of relieving suffering and social problems, while contributing to ethical and humane population control in these cat populations. An understanding of an individual cat's lifestyle and disease status by veterinary team professionals and those working with cat charities can help to prevent severe cat stress and the spread of feline pathogens, especially vector-borne pathogens, which can be overlooked in cats. In this article, we discuss the issue of relocation and homing of unowned cats from a global perspective. We also review zoonotic and non-zoonotic infectious agents of cats and give a list of practical recommendations for veterinary team professionals dealing with homing cats. Finally, we present a consensus statement consolidated at the 15th Symposium of the Companion Vector-Borne Diseases (CVBD) World Forum in 2020, ultimately to help veterinary team professionals understand the problem and the role they have in helping to prevent and manage vector-borne and other pathogens in relocated cats.
Topics: Cats; Animals; Disease Vectors; Animal Welfare; Cat Diseases
PubMed: 36348395
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05553-8