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Frontiers in Immunology 2023Haematophagous arthropods can harbor various pathogens including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and nematodes. Insects possess an innate immune system comprising of both... (Review)
Review
Haematophagous arthropods can harbor various pathogens including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and nematodes. Insects possess an innate immune system comprising of both cellular and humoral components to fight against various infections. Haemocytes, the cellular components of haemolymph, are central to the insect immune system as their primary functions include phagocytosis, encapsulation, coagulation, detoxification, and storage and distribution of nutritive materials. Plasmatocytes and granulocytes are also involved in cellular defense responses. Blood-feeding arthropods, such as mosquitoes and ticks, can harbour a variety of viral pathogens that can cause infectious diseases in both human and animal hosts. Therefore, it is imperative to study the virus-vector-host relationships since arthropod vectors are important constituents of the ecosystem. Regardless of the complex immune response of these arthropod vectors, the viruses usually manage to survive and are transmitted to the eventual host. A multidisciplinary approach utilizing novel and strategic interventions is required to control ectoparasite infestations and block vector-borne transmission of viral pathogens to humans and animals. In this review, we discuss the arthropod immune response to viral infections with a primary focus on the innate immune responses of ticks and mosquitoes. We aim to summarize critically the vector immune system and their infection transmission strategies to mammalian hosts to foster debate that could help in developing new therapeutic strategies to protect human and animal hosts against arthropod-borne viral infections.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Ecosystem; Mosquito Vectors; Arthropod Vectors; Arthropods; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Ticks; Culicidae; Virus Diseases; Mammals
PubMed: 36817439
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1061899 -
Medicina Clinica Dec 2018Different aspects related to globalization together with the great capacity of the arthropod vectors to adapt to a changing world favour the emergence and reemergence of... (Review)
Review
Different aspects related to globalization together with the great capacity of the arthropod vectors to adapt to a changing world favour the emergence and reemergence of numerous infectious diseases transmitted by them. Diptera (mosquitoes and sandflies), ticks, fleas and lice, among others, cause a wide spectrum of diseases with relevance in public health. Herein, arthropod-borne disease are reviewed, with special emphasis on the existing risk to contract them in Spain according to different parameters, such as the presence of arthropod and the circulation or the possible circulation of the causative agents.
Topics: Animals; Arthropod Vectors; Communicable Diseases; Humans; Public Health; Spain
PubMed: 30170738
DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2018.06.021 -
Journal of Infection in Developing... Feb 2023Bluetongue (BT), once considered a disease of sheep confined to the southern African region, has spread all over the world. BT is a viral disease caused by the... (Review)
Review
Bluetongue (BT), once considered a disease of sheep confined to the southern African region, has spread all over the world. BT is a viral disease caused by the bluetongue virus (BTV). BT is regarded as an economically important disease in ruminants of compulsory notification to OIE. BTV is transmitted by the bite of Culicoides species. Research over the years has led to a better understanding of the disease, the nature of the virus life cycle between ruminants and Culicoides species, and its distribution in different geographical regions. Advances have also been made in understanding the molecular structure and function of the virus, the biology of the Culicoides species, its ability to transmit the disease, and the persistence of the virus inside the Culicoides and the mammalian hosts. Global climate change has enabled the colonization of new habitats and the spread of the virus into additional species of the Culicoides vector. This review highlights some of the current findings on the status of BT in the world based on the latest research on disease aspects, virus-host-vector interactions, and the different diagnostic approaches and control strategies available for BTV.
Topics: Animals; Sheep; Bluetongue virus; Insect Vectors; Ruminants; Bluetongue; Ceratopogonidae
PubMed: 36897898
DOI: 10.3855/jidc.16947 -
Annals of Parasitology 2018Bartonellosis is a disease caused by Bartonella spp. microorganisms which belong to the Rickettsiales order. This disease is a zoonosis, B. henselae, whose primary... (Review)
Review
Bartonellosis is a disease caused by Bartonella spp. microorganisms which belong to the Rickettsiales order. This disease is a zoonosis, B. henselae, whose primary reservoir is the cat, which in humans causes a cat-scratch disease. In infected cats, symptoms such as fever, lymphedema, reproduction disorders, myocarditis, rhinotracheitis, gingivitis, and arthritis may be observed. Bartonella appears to be transmitted among cats and dogs in vivo exclusively by arthropod vectors (excepting perinatal transmission), not by biting or scratching. In the absence of these vectors, the disease does not spread. On the other hand, the disease can be spread to humans by bites and scratches, and it is highly likely that it is spread by arthropod vectors as well. This review presents a potential role of ticks and fleas in the transmission of bartonellosis. Clinicians should be aware that a common illness, such as infection with Bartonella, can be transmitted by arthropod vectors, and that a history of animal scratches or bites is not necessary for disease transmission.
Topics: Animals; Arthropod Vectors; Bartonella Infections; Cat Diseases; Cats; Humans; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical
PubMed: 30720968
DOI: 10.17420/ap6404.165 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Feb 2023Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae) transmits a variety of arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses) and acts as one of the most dangerous mosquito... (Review)
Review
Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae) transmits a variety of arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses) and acts as one of the most dangerous mosquito species in the world. Mosquito surveillance is the main means of evaluating vector density, vector-borne disease risk, and the efficacy of vector-control operations. The larval density of Ae. albopictus can be reflected by means of Breteau index and Route index, and egg density can be monitored by ovitrap and mosq-ovitrap, whereas mosquito surveillance methods mainly include human landing catch, human-baited double net trap, BG-Sentinel trap, autocidal gravid ovitrap, gravid Aedes trap, and mosquito magnet. This article describes different methods of Ae. albopictus surveillance and offers suggestions to improve surveillance.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Aedes; Mosquito Vectors; Arboviruses; Mosquito Control
PubMed: 36315996
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0781 -
Medicina Clinica (English Ed.) Dec 2018Different aspects related to globalization together with the great capacity of the arthropod vectors to adapt to a changing world favour the emergence and reemergence of... (Review)
Review
Different aspects related to globalization together with the great capacity of the arthropod vectors to adapt to a changing world favour the emergence and reemergence of numerous infectious diseases transmitted by them. Diptera (mosquitoes and sandflies), ticks, fleas and lice, among others, cause a wide spectrum of diseases with relevance in public health. Herein, arthropod-borne disease are reviewed, with special emphasis on the existing risk to contract them in Spain according to different parameters, such as the presence of arthropod and the circulation or the possible circulation of the causative agents.
PubMed: 32289078
DOI: 10.1016/j.medcle.2018.10.008 -
Biomolecules Jul 2023Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) pose a significant threat to both human and animal health worldwide. These viruses are transmitted through the bites of mosquitoes,... (Review)
Review
Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) pose a significant threat to both human and animal health worldwide. These viruses are transmitted through the bites of mosquitoes, ticks, sandflies, or biting midges to humans or animals. In humans, arbovirus infection often results in mild flu-like symptoms, but severe disease and death also occur. There are few vaccines available, so control efforts focus on the mosquito population and virus transmission control. One area of research that may enable the development of new strategies to control arbovirus transmission is the field of vector immunology. Arthropod vectors, such as mosquitoes, have coevolved with arboviruses, resulting in a balance of virus replication and vector immune responses. If this balance were disrupted, virus transmission would likely be reduced, either through reduced replication, or even through enhanced replication, resulting in mosquito mortality. The first step in mounting any immune response is to recognize the presence of an invading pathogen. Recent research advances have been made to tease apart the mechanisms of arbovirus detection by mosquitoes. Here, we summarize what is known about arbovirus recognition by the mosquito immune system, try to generate a comprehensive picture, and highlight where there are still gaps in our current understanding.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Arboviruses; Culicidae; Mosquito Vectors; Arbovirus Infections; Immune System
PubMed: 37509194
DOI: 10.3390/biom13071159 -
Viruses Jun 2017Most viruses in the genus are horizontally transmitted between hematophagous arthropods and vertebrate hosts, but some are maintained in arthropod- or... (Review)
Review
Most viruses in the genus are horizontally transmitted between hematophagous arthropods and vertebrate hosts, but some are maintained in arthropod- or vertebrate-restricted transmission cycles. Flaviviruses maintained by vertebrate-only transmission are commonly referred to as no known vector (NKV) flaviviruses. Fourteen species and two subtypes of NKV flaviviruses are recognized by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV), and Tamana bat virus potentially belongs to this group. NKV flaviviruses have been isolated in nature almost exclusively from bats and rodents; exceptions are the two isolates of Dakar bat virus recovered from febrile humans and the recent isolations of Sokoluk virus from field-collected ticks, which raises questions as to whether it should remain classified as an NKV flavivirus. There is evidence to suggest that two other NKV flaviviruses, Entebbe bat virus and Yokose virus, may also infect arthropods in nature. The best characterized bat- and rodent-associated NKV flaviviruses are Rio Bravo and Modoc viruses, respectively, but both have received limited research attention compared to many of their arthropod-infecting counterparts. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of NKV flaviviruses, placing a particular emphasis on their classification, host range, geographic distribution, replication kinetics, pathogenesis, transmissibility and molecular biology.
Topics: Animals; Arthropod Vectors; Chiroptera; Disease Transmission, Infectious; Flaviviridae Infections; Flavivirus; Rodentia
PubMed: 28635667
DOI: 10.3390/v9060154 -
Veterinary Parasitology Feb 2018Wild vertebrates are involved in the transmission cycles of numerous pathogens. Additionally, they can affect the abundance of arthropod vectors. Urbanization, landscape... (Review)
Review
Wild vertebrates are involved in the transmission cycles of numerous pathogens. Additionally, they can affect the abundance of arthropod vectors. Urbanization, landscape and climate changes, and the adaptation of vectors and wildlife to human habitats represent complex and evolving scenarios, which affect the interface of vector, wildlife and human populations, frequently with a consequent increase in zoonotic risk. While considerable attention has focused on these interrelations with regard to certain major vector-borne pathogens such as Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and tick-borne encephalitis virus, information regarding many other zoonotic pathogens is more dispersed. In this review, we discuss the possible role of wildlife in the maintenance and spread of some of these neglected zoonoses in Europe. We present case studies on the role of rodents in the cycles of Bartonella spp., of wild ungulates in the cycle of Babesia spp., and of various wildlife species in the life cycle of Leishmania infantum, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Rickettsia spp. These examples highlight the usefulness of surveillance strategies focused on neglected zoonotic agents in wildlife as a source of valuable information for health professionals, nature managers and (local) decision-makers. These benefits could be further enhanced by increased collaboration between researchers and stakeholders across Europe and a more harmonised and coordinated approach for data collection.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Wild; Arthropod Vectors; Babesia; Babesiosis; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; Epidemiological Monitoring; Europe; Humans; Leishmania; Leishmaniasis; Neglected Diseases; Rodentia; Zoonoses
PubMed: 29426471
DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.12.018 -
Journal of Cell Science Nov 2020Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are nucleotide sequences that are known to assume regulatory roles previously thought to be reserved for proteins. Their functions include the... (Review)
Review
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are nucleotide sequences that are known to assume regulatory roles previously thought to be reserved for proteins. Their functions include the regulation of protein activity and localization and the organization of subcellular structures. Sequencing studies have now identified thousands of ncRNAs encoded within the prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes, leading to advances in several fields including parasitology. ncRNAs play major roles in several aspects of vector-host-pathogen interactions. Arthropod vector ncRNAs are secreted through extracellular vesicles into vertebrate hosts to counteract host defense systems and ensure arthropod survival. Conversely, hosts can use specific ncRNAs as one of several strategies to overcome arthropod vector invasion. In addition, pathogens transmitted through vector saliva into vertebrate hosts also possess ncRNAs thought to contribute to their pathogenicity. Recent studies have addressed ncRNAs in vectors or vertebrate hosts, with relatively few studies investigating the role of ncRNAs derived from pathogens and their involvement in establishing infections, especially in the context of vector-borne diseases. This Review summarizes recent data focusing on pathogen-derived ncRNAs and their role in modulating the cellular responses that favor pathogen survival in the vertebrate host and the arthropod vector, as well as host ncRNAs that interact with vector-borne pathogens.
Topics: Animals; Arthropod Vectors; Disease Vectors; Eukaryotic Cells; Host-Pathogen Interactions; RNA, Untranslated
PubMed: 33154170
DOI: 10.1242/jcs.246744