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Current Issues in Molecular Biology 2021Lyme disease are obligately parasitic, tick- transmitted, invasive, persistent bacterial pathogens that cause disease in humans and non-reservoir vertebrates primarily... (Review)
Review
Lyme disease are obligately parasitic, tick- transmitted, invasive, persistent bacterial pathogens that cause disease in humans and non-reservoir vertebrates primarily through the induction of inflammation. During transmission from the infected tick, the bacteria undergo significant changes in gene expression, resulting in adaptation to the mammalian environment. The organisms multiply and spread locally and induce inflammatory responses that, in humans, result in clinical signs and symptoms. virulence involves a multiplicity of mechanisms for dissemination and colonization of multiple tissues and evasion of host immune responses. Most of the tissue damage, which is seen in non-reservoir hosts, appears to result from host inflammatory reactions, despite the low numbers of bacteria in affected sites. This host response to the Lyme disease can cause neurologic, cardiovascular, arthritic, and dermatologic manifestations during the disseminated and persistent stages of infection. The mechanisms by which a paucity of organisms (in comparison to many other infectious diseases) can cause varied and in some cases profound inflammation and symptoms remains mysterious but are the subjects of diverse ongoing investigations. In this review, we provide an overview of virulence mechanisms and determinants for which roles have been demonstrated , primarily in mouse models of infection.
Topics: Animals; Arthropod Vectors; Borrelia; Disease Models, Animal; Disease Susceptibility; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Lyme Disease; Ticks; Virulence; Virulence Factors
PubMed: 33353871
DOI: 10.21775/cimb.042.473 -
Current Issues in Molecular Biology 2021Lyme disease (Lyme borreliosis) is a tick-borne, zoonosis of adults and children caused by genospecies of the sensu lato complex. The ailment, widespread throughout the...
Lyme disease (Lyme borreliosis) is a tick-borne, zoonosis of adults and children caused by genospecies of the sensu lato complex. The ailment, widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere, continues to increase globally due to multiple environmental factors, coupled with increased incursion of humans into habitats that harbor the spirochete. sensu lato is transmitted by ticks from the complex. In North America, causes nearly all infections; in Europe, and are most associated with human disease. The spirochete's unusual fragmented genome encodes a plethora of differentially expressed outer surface lipoproteins that play a seminal role in the bacterium's ability to sustain itself within its enzootic cycle and cause disease when transmitted to its incidental human host. Tissue damage and symptomatology (i.e., clinical manifestations) result from the inflammatory response elicited by the bacterium and its constituents. The deposition of spirochetes into human dermal tissue generates a local inflammatory response that manifests as erythema migrans (EM), the hallmark skin lesion. If treated appropriately and early, the prognosis is excellent. However, in untreated patients, the disease may present with a wide range of clinical manifestations, most commonly involving the central nervous system, joints, or heart. A small percentage (~10%) of patients may go on to develop a poorly defined fibromyalgia-like illness, post-treatment Lyme disease (PTLD) unresponsive to prolonged antimicrobial therapy. Below we integrate current knowledge regarding the ecologic, epidemiologic, microbiologic, and immunologic facets of Lyme disease into a conceptual framework that sheds light on the disorder that healthcare providers encounter.
Topics: Animals; Arthropod Vectors; Borrelia burgdorferi; Disease Management; Disease Susceptibility; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Life Cycle Stages; Lyme Disease; Organ Specificity; Ticks
PubMed: 33303701
DOI: 10.21775/cimb.042.333 -
Infectious Diseases of Poverty May 2023Climate change presents an imminent threat to almost all biological systems across the globe. In recent years there have been a series of studies showing how changes in... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Climate change presents an imminent threat to almost all biological systems across the globe. In recent years there have been a series of studies showing how changes in climate can impact infectious disease transmission. Many of these publications focus on simulations based on in silico data, shadowing empirical research based on field and laboratory data. A synthesis work of empirical climate change and infectious disease research is still lacking.
METHODS
We conducted a systemic review of research from 2015 to 2020 period on climate change and infectious diseases to identify major trends and current gaps of research. Literature was sourced from Web of Science and PubMed literary repositories using a key word search, and was reviewed using a delineated inclusion criteria by a team of reviewers.
RESULTS
Our review revealed that both taxonomic and geographic biases are present in climate and infectious disease research, specifically with regard to types of disease transmission and localities studied. Empirical investigations on vector-borne diseases associated with mosquitoes comprised the majority of research on the climate change and infectious disease literature. Furthermore, demographic trends in the institutions and individuals published revealed research bias towards research conducted across temperate, high-income countries. We also identified key trends in funding sources for most resent literature and a discrepancy in the gender identities of publishing authors which may reflect current systemic inequities in the scientific field.
CONCLUSIONS
Future research lines on climate change and infectious diseases should considered diseases of direct transmission (non-vector-borne) and more research effort in the tropics. Inclusion of local research in low- and middle-income countries was generally neglected. Research on climate change and infectious disease has failed to be socially inclusive, geographically balanced, and broad in terms of the disease systems studied, limiting our capacities to better understand the actual effects of climate change on health.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Climate Change; Mosquito Vectors; Communicable Diseases; Culicidae; Forecasting
PubMed: 37194092
DOI: 10.1186/s40249-023-01102-2 -
Nature Feb 2022Alphaviruses, like many other arthropod-borne viruses, infect vertebrate species and insect vectors separated by hundreds of millions of years of evolutionary history....
Alphaviruses, like many other arthropod-borne viruses, infect vertebrate species and insect vectors separated by hundreds of millions of years of evolutionary history. Entry into evolutionarily divergent host cells can be accomplished by recognition of different cellular receptors in different species, or by binding to receptors that are highly conserved across species. Although multiple alphavirus receptors have been described, most are not shared among vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. Here we identify the very low-density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) as a receptor for the prototypic alphavirus Semliki forest virus. We show that the E2 and E1 glycoproteins (E2-E1) of Semliki forest virus, eastern equine encephalitis virus and Sindbis virus interact with the ligand-binding domains (LBDs) of VLDLR and apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (ApoER2), two closely related receptors. Ectopic expression of either protein facilitates cellular attachment, and internalization of virus-like particles, a VLDLR LBD-Fc fusion protein or a ligand-binding antagonist block Semliki forest virus E2-E1-mediated infection of human and mouse neurons in culture. The administration of a VLDLR LBD-Fc fusion protein has protective activity against rapidly fatal Semliki forest virus infection in mouse neonates. We further show that invertebrate receptor orthologues from mosquitoes and worms can serve as functional alphavirus receptors. We propose that the ability of some alphaviruses to infect a wide range of hosts is a result of their engagement of evolutionarily conserved lipoprotein receptors and contributes to their pathogenesis.
Topics: Animals; LDL-Receptor Related Proteins; Ligands; Mice; Mosquito Vectors; Receptors, LDL; Semliki forest virus; Sindbis Virus
PubMed: 34929721
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04326-0 -
Current Issues in Molecular Biology 2021The genus consists of evolutionarily and genetically diverse bacterial species that cause a variety of diseases in humans and domestic animals. These vector-borne... (Review)
Review
The genus consists of evolutionarily and genetically diverse bacterial species that cause a variety of diseases in humans and domestic animals. These vector-borne spirochetes can be classified into two major evolutionary groups, the Lyme borreliosis clade and the relapsing fever clade, both of which have complex transmission cycles during which they interact with multiple host species and arthropod vectors. Molecular, ecological, and evolutionary studies have each provided significant contributions towards our understanding of the natural history, biology and evolutionary genetics of species; however, integration of these studies is required to identify the evolutionary causes and consequences of the genetic variation within and among species. For example, molecular and genetic studies have identified the adaptations that maximize fitness components throughout the lifecycle and enhance transmission efficacy but provide limited insights into the evolutionary pressures that have produced them. Ecological studies can identify interactions between species and the vertebrate hosts and arthropod vectors they encounter and the resulting impact on the geographic distribution and abundance of spirochetes but not the genetic or molecular basis underlying these interactions. In this review we discuss recent findings on the evolutionary genetics from both of the evolutionarily distinct clades of species. We focus on connecting molecular interactions to the ecological processes that have driven the evolution and diversification of species in order to understand the current distribution of genetic and molecular variation within and between species.
Topics: Animals; Borrelia; Evolution, Molecular; Genetic Fitness; Genetic Variation; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Lyme Disease
PubMed: 33289682
DOI: 10.21775/cimb.042.097 -
Viruses Sep 2019Mosquito-specific viruses (MSVs) are a subset of insect-specific viruses that are found to infect mosquitoes or mosquito derived cells. There has been an increase in... (Review)
Review
Mosquito-specific viruses (MSVs) are a subset of insect-specific viruses that are found to infect mosquitoes or mosquito derived cells. There has been an increase in discoveries of novel MSVs in recent years. This has expanded our understanding of viral diversity and evolution but has also sparked questions concerning the transmission of these viruses and interactions with their hosts and its microbiome. In fact, there is already evidence that MSVs interact with the immune system of their host. This is especially interesting, since mosquitoes can be infected with both MSVs and arthropod-borne (arbo) viruses of public health concern. In this review, we give an update on the different MSVs discovered so far and describe current data on their transmission and interaction with the mosquito immune system as well as the effect MSVs could have on an arboviruses-co-infection. Lastly, we discuss potential uses of these viruses, including vector and transmission control.
Topics: Animals; Arbovirus Infections; Arboviruses; Culicidae; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Insect Viruses; Mosquito Vectors
PubMed: 31533367
DOI: 10.3390/v11090873 -
Trends in Parasitology Aug 2021Although Rickettsia species are molecularly detected among a wide range of arthropods, vector competence becomes an imperative aspect of understanding the... (Review)
Review
Although Rickettsia species are molecularly detected among a wide range of arthropods, vector competence becomes an imperative aspect of understanding the ecoepidemiology of these vector-borne diseases. The synergy between vector homeostasis and rickettsial invasion, replication, and release initiated within hours (insects) and days (ticks) permits successful transmission of rickettsiae. Uncovering the molecular interplay between rickettsiae and their vectors necessitates examining the multifaceted nature of rickettsial virulence and vector infection tolerance. Here, we highlight the biological differences between tick- and insect-borne rickettsiae and the factors facilitating the incidence of rickettsioses. Untangling the complex relationship between rickettsial genetics, vector biology, and microbial interactions is crucial in understanding the intricate association between rickettsiae and their vectors.
Topics: Animals; Arthropod Vectors; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Rickettsia
PubMed: 34162522
DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.05.008 -
Science (New York, N.Y.) Jan 2023Ancestral signaling pathways serve critical roles in metazoan development, physiology, and immunity. We report an evolutionary interspecies communication pathway...
Ancestral signaling pathways serve critical roles in metazoan development, physiology, and immunity. We report an evolutionary interspecies communication pathway involving a central tick receptor termed Dome1, which acquired a mammalian cytokine receptor motif exhibiting high affinity for interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). Host-derived IFN-γ facilitates Dome1-mediated activation of the JAK-STAT pathway. This accelerates tick blood meal acquisition and development while upregulating antimicrobial components. The Dome1-JAK-STAT pathway, which exists in most Ixodid tick genomes, regulates the regeneration and proliferation of gut cells-including stem cells-and dictates metamorphosis through the Hedgehog and Notch-Delta networks, ultimately affecting vectorial competence. We highlight the evolutionary dependence of on mammalian hosts through cross-species signaling mechanisms that dually influence arthropod immunity and development.
Topics: Animals; Interferon-gamma; Ixodes; Janus Kinases; Signal Transduction; STAT Transcription Factors; Host-Parasite Interactions; Receptors, Cytokine; Arachnid Vectors
PubMed: 36634189
DOI: 10.1126/science.abl3837 -
Current Issues in Molecular Biology 2021Relapsing fever (RF) is caused by several species of ; all, except two species, are transmitted to humans by soft (argasid) ticks. The species is transmitted from one... (Review)
Review
Relapsing fever (RF) is caused by several species of ; all, except two species, are transmitted to humans by soft (argasid) ticks. The species is transmitted from one human to another by the body louse, while is vectored by hard-bodied ixodid tick species. RF have several pathogenic features that facilitate invasion and dissemination in the infected host. In this article we discuss the dynamics of vector acquisition and subsequent transmission of RF to their vertebrate hosts. We also review taxonomic challenges for RF as new species have been isolated throughout the globe. Moreover, aspects of pathogenesis including symptomology, neurotropism, erythrocyte and platelet adhesion are discussed. We expound on RF evasion strategies for innate and adaptive immunity, focusing on the most fundamental pathogenetic attributes, multiphasic antigenic variation. Lastly, we review new and emerging species of RF and discuss future directions for this global disease.
Topics: Animals; Arthropod Vectors; Borrelia; Disease Management; Disease Susceptibility; Global Health; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Relapsing Fever; Ticks
PubMed: 33372163
DOI: 10.21775/cimb.042.519 -
International Journal For Parasitology.... Aug 2021Reptile vector-borne diseases (RVBDs) of zoonotic concern are caused by bacteria, protozoa and viruses transmitted by arthropod vectors, which belong to the subclass... (Review)
Review
Reptile vector-borne diseases (RVBDs) of zoonotic concern are caused by bacteria, protozoa and viruses transmitted by arthropod vectors, which belong to the subclass Acarina (mites and ticks) and the order Diptera (mosquitoes, sand flies and tsetse flies). The phyletic age of reptiles since their origin in the late Carboniferous, has favored vectors and pathogens to co-evolve through millions of years, bridging to the present host-vector-pathogen interactions. The origin of vector-borne diseases is dated to the early cretaceous with Trypanosomatidae species in extinct sand flies, ancestral of modern protozoan hemoparasites of zoonotic concern (e.g., and ) associated to reptiles. Bacterial RVBDs are represented by microorganisms also affecting mammals of the genera , , and , most of them having reptilian clades. Finally, reptiles may play an important role as reservoirs of arborivuses, given the low host specificity of anthropophilic mosquitoes and sand flies. In this review, vector-borne pathogens of zoonotic concern from reptiles are discussed, as well as the interactions between reptiles, arthropod vectors and the zoonotic pathogens they may transmit.
PubMed: 34026483
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.04.007