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International Journal of Environmental... Dec 2021Extreme precipitation events (EPE) change the natural and built environments and alter human behavior in ways that facilitate infectious disease transmission. EPEs are... (Review)
Review
Extreme precipitation events (EPE) change the natural and built environments and alter human behavior in ways that facilitate infectious disease transmission. EPEs are expected with high confidence to increase in frequency and are thus of great public health importance. This scoping review seeks to summarize the mechanisms and severity of impacts of EPEs on infectious diseases, to provide a conceptual framework for the influence of EPEs on infectious respiratory diseases, and to define areas of future study currently lacking in this field. The effects of EPEs are well-studied with respect to enteric, vector-borne, and allergic illness where they are shown to moderately increase risk of illness, but not well-understood in relation to infectious respiratory illness. We propose a framework for a similar influence of EPEs on infectious respiratory viruses through several plausible pathways: decreased UV radiation, increased ambient relative humidity, and changes to human behavior (increased time indoors and use of heating and cooling systems). However, limited work has evaluated meteorologic risk factors for infectious respiratory diseases. Future research is needed to evaluate the effects of EPEs on infectious respiratory diseases using individual-level case surveillance, fine spatial scales, and lag periods suited to the incubation periods of the disease under study, as well as a full characterization of susceptible, vulnerable, and sensitive population characteristics.
Topics: Animals; Climate Change; Communicable Diseases; Disease Vectors; Humans; Public Health; Viruses
PubMed: 35010425
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010165 -
Bulletin of Mathematical Biology Dec 2021Vector-borne diseases are a serious public health problem, mosquitoes being one of the most important vectors. To analyze the dynamics of this type of disease,...
Vector-borne diseases are a serious public health problem, mosquitoes being one of the most important vectors. To analyze the dynamics of this type of disease, Ross-Macdonald models are commonly used. In its simplest formulation and the most common in scientific literature, it is assumed that all mosquitoes are biting at a given rate. To improve this general assumption, we developed a vector-borne disease model with active and inactive vectors as a simple way to incorporate the more general characteristics of mosquito feeding behavior into disease dynamics. Our objective is to obtain an estimate of the Ross-Macdonald biting rate from the feeding parameters that reproduce the same dynamics as the model with active and inactive vectors. Two different cases were analyzed: a SIS-SI model and a SIR-SI model with a single epidemic. Different methods to estimate the biting rate in the Ross-Macdonald model were proposed and analyzed. To compare the results of the models, different epidemiological indicators were considered. When the biting rate is estimated considering that both models have the same basic reproduction number, very similar disease dynamics are obtained. This method is a simple way to incorporate the mosquito feeding behavior into the standard Ross-Macdonald model.
Topics: Animals; Basic Reproduction Number; Feeding Behavior; Mathematical Concepts; Models, Biological; Mosquito Vectors; Vector Borne Diseases
PubMed: 34940929
DOI: 10.1007/s11538-021-00972-7 -
Science Robotics Jun 2020Uncrewed aerial vehicles can reduce the cost of preventative measures against vector-borne diseases. (Review)
Review
Uncrewed aerial vehicles can reduce the cost of preventative measures against vector-borne diseases.
Topics: Aircraft; Animals; Disease Vectors; Humans; Insect Control; Male; Mosquito Control; Mosquito Vectors; Pest Control, Biological; Robotics; Sterilization, Reproductive; Vector Borne Diseases
PubMed: 33022617
DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.abc7642 -
EcoHealth Dec 2019Land-use change has transformed most of the planet. Concurrently, recent outbreaks of various emerging infectious diseases have raised great attention to the health...
Land-use change has transformed most of the planet. Concurrently, recent outbreaks of various emerging infectious diseases have raised great attention to the health consequences of anthropogenic environmental degradation. Here, we assessed the global impacts of habitat conversion and other land-use changes on community structures of infectious disease hosts and vectors, using a meta-analysis of 37 studies. From 331 pairwise comparisons of disease hosts/vectors in pristine (undisturbed) and disturbed areas, we found a decrease in species diversity but an increase in body size associated with land-use changes, potentially suggesting higher risk of infectious disease transmission in disturbed habitats. Neither host nor vector abundance, however, changed significantly following disturbance. When grouped by subcategories like disturbance type, taxonomic group, pathogen type and region, changes in host/vector community composition varied considerably. Fragmentation and agriculture in particular benefit host and vector communities and therefore might elevate disease risk. Our results indicate that while habitat disturbance could alter disease host/vector communities in ways that exacerbate pathogen prevalence, the relationship is highly context-dependent and influenced by multiple factors.
Topics: Animals; Biodiversity; Communicable Diseases; Disease Susceptibility; Disease Transmission, Infectious; Disease Vectors; Ecosystem; Global Health; Risk Assessment
PubMed: 29691680
DOI: 10.1007/s10393-018-1336-3 -
Scientific Reports Nov 2022This study investigated the role of vector acquisition and transmission on the propagation of single and co-infections of tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV,) and...
This study investigated the role of vector acquisition and transmission on the propagation of single and co-infections of tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV,) and tomato mottle virus (ToMoV) (Family: Geminiviridae, Genus: Begomovirus) by the whitefly vector Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 (Gennadius) in tomato. The aim of this research was to determine if the manner in which viruses are co-acquired and co-transmitted changes the probability of acquisition, transmission and new host infections. Whiteflies acquired virus by feeding on singly infected plants, co-infected plants, or by sequential feeding on singly infected plants. Viral titers were also quantified by qPCR in vector cohorts, in artificial diet, and plants after exposure to viruliferous vectors. Differences in transmission, infection status of plants, and titers of TYLCV and ToMoV were observed among treatments. All vector cohorts acquired both viruses, but co-acquisition/co-inoculation generally reduced transmission of both viruses as single and mixed infections. Co-inoculation of viruses by the vector also altered virus accumulation in plants regardless of whether one or both viruses were propagated in new hosts. These findings highlight the complex nature of vector-virus-plant interactions that influence the spread and replication of viruses as single and co-infections.
Topics: Animals; Coinfection; Disease Vectors; Plant Viruses; Vaccination; Geminiviridae
PubMed: 36437281
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24880-5 -
Trends in Parasitology Oct 2022Migrations performed by helminths are impressive and diverse, and accumulating evidence shows that many are controlled by sophisticated sensory programs. The migrations... (Review)
Review
Migrations performed by helminths are impressive and diverse, and accumulating evidence shows that many are controlled by sophisticated sensory programs. The migrations of vector-borne helminths are particularly complex, requiring precise, stage-specific regulation. We review the contrasting states of knowledge on snail-borne schistosomes and mosquito-borne filarial nematodes. Rich observational data exist for the chemosensory behaviors of schistosomes, while the molecular sensory pathways in nematodes are well described. Recent investigations on the molecular mechanisms of sensation in schistosomes and filarial nematodes have revealed some features conserved within their respective phyla, but adaptations correlated with parasitism are pronounced. Technological developments are likely to extend these advances, and we forecast how these technologies may be applied.
Topics: Animals; Culicidae; Disease Vectors; Helminths; Mosquito Vectors; Nematoda
PubMed: 35931639
DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.07.003 -
International Journal of Pharmaceutics Aug 2023Despite the global burden of viral diseases transmitted by Aedes aegypti, there is a lack of effective means of prevention and treatment. Strategies for vector control... (Review)
Review
Despite the global burden of viral diseases transmitted by Aedes aegypti, there is a lack of effective means of prevention and treatment. Strategies for vector control include chemical and biological approaches such as organophosphates and Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti), among others. However, important concerns are associated, such as resistance in mosquito larvae and deleterious effects on non-target organisms. In this scenario, novel approaches against A. aegypti have been investigated, including natural products (e.g. vegetable oil and extracts) and nanostructured systems. This review focuses on potential strategies for fighting A. aegypti, highlighting plant-based materials and nanomaterials able to induce toxic effects on egg, larva, pupa and adult mosquitoes. Issues including aspects of conventional vector control strategies are presented, and finally new insights on development of eco-friendly nanoformulations against A. aegypti are discussed.
Topics: Animals; Aedes; Mosquito Control; Biological Products; Mosquito Vectors; Nanoparticles; Disease Vectors; Larva
PubMed: 37437857
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123221 -
Nature Immunology May 2020Climate change is already affecting vector-borne disease transmission and spread, and its impacts are likely to worsen. In the face of ongoing climate change, we must... (Review)
Review
Climate change is already affecting vector-borne disease transmission and spread, and its impacts are likely to worsen. In the face of ongoing climate change, we must intensify efforts to prevent and control vector-borne diseases.
Topics: Animals; Climate Change; Disease Vectors; Greenhouse Gases; Humans; Primary Prevention; Vector Borne Diseases
PubMed: 32313242
DOI: 10.1038/s41590-020-0648-y -
Memorias Do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz 2022The multiplicity of epidemiological scenarios shown by Chagas Disease, derived from multiple transmission routes of the aetiological agent, occurring on multiple...
The multiplicity of epidemiological scenarios shown by Chagas Disease, derived from multiple transmission routes of the aetiological agent, occurring on multiple geo-ecobiosocial settings determines the complexity of the disease and reveal the difficulties for its control. From the first description of the link between the parasite, the vector and its domestic habitat and the disease that Carlos Chagas made in 1909, the epidemiological scenarios of the American Trypanosomiasis has shown a dynamic increasing complexity. These scenarios changed with time and geography because of new understandings of the disease from multiple studies, because of policies change at the national and international levels and because human movements brought the parasite and vectors to new geographies. Paradigms that seemed solid at a time were broken down, and we learnt about the global dispersion of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, the multiplicity of transmission routes, that the infection can be cured, and that triatomines are not only a health threat in Latin America. We consider the multiple epidemiological scenarios through the different T. cruzi transmission routes, with or without the participation of a Triatominae vector. We then consider the scenario of regions with vectors without the parasite, to finish with the consideration of future prospects.
Topics: Animals; Chagas Disease; Disease Vectors; Ecosystem; Humans; Triatominae; Trypanosoma cruzi
PubMed: 35613154
DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760200409 -
Parasites & Vectors Jun 2022The exact number of mosquito species relevant to human health is unknown, posing challenges in understanding the scope and breadth of vector-pathogen relationships, and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The exact number of mosquito species relevant to human health is unknown, posing challenges in understanding the scope and breadth of vector-pathogen relationships, and how resilient mosquito vector-pathogen networks are to targeted eradication of vectors.
METHODS
We performed an extensive literature survey to determine the associations between mosquito species and their associated pathogens of human medical importance. For each vector-pathogen association, we then determined the strength of the associations (i.e., natural infection, lab infection, lab dissemination, lab transmission, known vector). A network analysis was used to identify relationships among all pathogens and vectors. Finally, we examined how elimination of either random or targeted species affected the extinction of pathogens.
RESULTS
We found that 88 of 3578 mosquito species (2.5%) are known vectors for 78 human disease-causing pathogens; however, an additional 243 species (6.8%) were identified as potential or likely vectors, bringing the total of all mosquitos implicated in human disease to 331 (9.3%). Network analysis revealed that known vectors and pathogens were compartmentalized, with the removal of six vectors being enough to break the network (i.e., cause a pathogen to have no vector). However, the presence of potential or likely vectors greatly increased redundancies in the network, requiring more than 41 vectors to be eliminated before breaking the network.
CONCLUSION
Although < 10% of mosquitoes are involved in transmitting pathogens that cause human disease, our findings point to inherent robustness in global mosquito vector-pathogen networks.
Topics: Animals; Culicidae; Disease Vectors; Humans; Mosquito Vectors
PubMed: 35725618
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05333-4