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Padilla-Pozo Á, Bartumeus F, Montalvo T, Sanpera-Calbet I, Valsecchi A, Palmer JRB. Assessing and correcting neighborhood socioeconomic spatial sampling biases in citizen science mosquito data collection. Sci Rep 2024; 14:22462. [PMID: 39341898 PMCID: PMC11439082 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-73416-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 09/17/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Climatic, ecological, and socioeconomic factors are facilitating the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, heightening the importance of vector surveillance and control. Citizen science is proving to be an effective tool to track mosquito populations, but methods are needed to detect and account for small scale sampling biases in citizen science surveillance. In this article we combine two types of traditional mosquito surveillance records with data from the Mosquito Alert citizen science system to explore the ways in which the socioeconomic characteristics of urban neighborhoods result in sampling biases in citizen scientists' mosquito reports, while also shaping the spatial distribution of mosquito populations themselves. We use Barcelona, Spain, as an example, and focus on Aedes albopictus, an invasive vector species of concern worldwide. Our results suggest citizen scientists' sampling effort is focused more in Barcelona's lower and middle income census tracts than in its higher income ones, whereas Ae. albopictus populations are concentrated in the city's upper-middle income tracts. High resolution estimates of the spatial distribution of Ae. albopictus risk can be improved by controlling for citizen scientists' sampling effort, making it possible to provide better insights for efficiently targeting control efforts. Our methodology can be replicated in other cities faced with vector mosquitoes to improve public health responses to mosquito-borne diseases, which impose massive burdens on communities worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Padilla-Pozo
- Department of Sociology, Cornell University, Uris Hall, 109 Tower Rd, Ithaca, 14853, New York, United States of America.
- Cornell Population Center, Cornell University, Martha Van Rensselaer Hall, Ithaca, 14850, New York, United States of America.
- Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Spanish National Research Council, Carrer Accés Cala Sant Francesc, 14, Blanes, 17300, Girona, Spain.
- Department of Political and Social Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Ramon Trias Fargas, 25-27, Barcelona, 08005, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Frederic Bartumeus
- Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Spanish National Research Council, Carrer Accés Cala Sant Francesc, 14, Blanes, 17300, Girona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Passeig de Lluís Companys, 23, Barcelona, 08010, Barcelona, Spain
- Centre de Recerca Ecològica i Aplicacions Forestals (CREAF), Edifici C Facultad de ciencias y biociencias, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tomás Montalvo
- Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Pl. de Lesseps, 1, Barcelona, 08023, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, C/ Monforte de Lemos 3-5, Pabellón 11, Planta 0, Madrid, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Biomédica Sant Pau, IIB St. Pau, Sant Quintí, 77-79, Barcelona, 08041, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isis Sanpera-Calbet
- Department of Political and Social Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Ramon Trias Fargas, 25-27, Barcelona, 08005, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrea Valsecchi
- Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Pl. de Lesseps, 1, Barcelona, 08023, Barcelona, Spain
| | - John R B Palmer
- Department of Political and Social Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Ramon Trias Fargas, 25-27, Barcelona, 08005, Barcelona, Spain.
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2
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Pirani M, Lorenz C, de Azevedo TS, Barbosa GL, Blangiardo M, Chiaravalloti-Neto F. Effects of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation and seasonal weather conditions on Aedes aegypti infestation in the State of São Paulo (Brazil): A Bayesian spatio-temporal study. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012397. [PMID: 39264869 PMCID: PMC11392405 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Seasonal fluctuations in weather are recognized as factors that affect both Aedes (Ae.) aegypti mosquitoes and the diseases they carry, such as dengue fever. The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is widely regarded as one of the most impactful atmospheric phenomena on Earth, characterized by the interplay of shifting ocean temperatures, trade wind intensity, and atmospheric pressure, resulting in extensive alterations in climate conditions. In this study, we investigate the influence of ENSO and local weather conditions on the spatio-temporal variability of Ae. aegypti infestation index. METHODS We collected seasonal entomological survey data of immature forms of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes (Breteau index), as well as data on temperature, rainfall and the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) for the period 2008-2018 over the 645 municipalities of the subtropical State of São Paulo (Brazil). We grounded our analytical approach on a Bayesian framework and we used a hierarchical spatio-temporal model to study the relationship between ENSO tracked by ONI, seasonal weather fluctuations and the larval index, while adjusting for population density and wealth inequalities. RESULTS Our results showed a relevant positive effect for El Niño on the Ae. aegypti larval index. In particular, we found that the number of positive containers would be expected to increase by 1.30-unit (95% Credible Intervals (CI): 1.23 to 1.37) with El Niño events (i.e., ≥ 1°C, moderate to strong) respect to neutral (and weak) events. We also found that seasonal rainfall exceeding 153.12 mm appears to have a notable impact on vector index, leading potentially to the accumulation of ample water in outdoor discarded receptacles, supporting the aquatic phase of mosquito development. Additionally, seasonal temperature above 23.30°C was found positively associated to the larval index. Although the State of São Paulo as a whole has characteristics favourable to proliferation of the vector, there were specific areas with a greater tendency for mosquito infestation, since the most vulnerable areas are predominantly situated in the central and northern regions of the state, with hot spots of abundance in the south, especially during El Niño events. Our findings also indicate that social disparities present in the municipalities contributes to Ae. aegypti proliferation. CONCLUSIONS Considering the anticipated rise in both the frequency and intensity of El Niño events in the forthcoming decades as a consequence of climate change, the urgency to enhance our ability to track and diminish arbovirus outbreaks is crucial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Pirani
- MRC Centre for Environment & Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Camila Lorenz
- Institute of Advanced Studies, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marta Blangiardo
- MRC Centre for Environment & Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Francisco Chiaravalloti-Neto
- Laboratory of Spatial Analysis in Health, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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3
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Hou W, Zhou Y, Luo W, Wang L, Kwan MP, Cook AR. Mapping environmental suitability changes for arbovirus mosquitoes in Southeast Asia: 1960-2020. iScience 2024; 27:110498. [PMID: 39165847 PMCID: PMC11334785 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Spatial epidemiology recognizes the impact of environmental factors on human infectious diseases through disease vectors. The expansion of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus raises concerns about health risks due to their changing distribution. However, current mosquito mapping methods have low spatial resolution and limited focus on long-term trends and factors. This study develops a high-resolution framework (500 m) to map mosquito distribution in Southeast Asia from 1960 to 2020. It includes a species distribution model, a spatial autocorrelation model, and a geographical detector model. The study produces Southeast Asia's first 500 m resolution map of mosquito suitability, revealing significant increases in mosquito suitability in most cities over the past 60 years. The analysis indicates a shift in high-suitability areas from coastal to inland regions, with nighttime land surface temperature playing a key role. These findings are crucial for regional risk assessments and mitigation strategies related to vector-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weitao Hou
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- School of Design and the Built Environment, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Discipline of Spatial Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Yuxuan Zhou
- Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- GeoSpatialX Lab, Department of Geography, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wei Luo
- GeoSpatialX Lab, Department of Geography, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mei-Po Kwan
- Department of Geography and Resource Management and Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Alex R. Cook
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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4
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de Best PA, Abourashed A, Doornekamp L, van Gorp ECM, Timen A, Sikkema RS, Bartumeus F, Palmer JRB, Koopmans MPG. Determinants of intended prevention behaviour against mosquitoes and mosquito-borne viruses in the Netherlands and Spain using the MosquitoWise survey: cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1781. [PMID: 38965485 PMCID: PMC11223381 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19293-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, Europe has seen an emergence of mosquito-borne viruses (MBVs). Understanding citizens' perceptions of and behaviours towards mosquitoes and MBVs is crucial to reduce disease risk. We investigated and compared perceptions, knowledge, and determinants of citizens' behavioural intentions related to mosquitoes and MBVs in the Netherlands and Spain, to help improve public health interventions. METHODS Using the validated MosquitoWise survey, data was collected through participant panels in Spain (N = 475) and the Netherlands (N = 438). Health Belief Model scores measuring behavioural intent, knowledge, and information scores were calculated. Confidence Interval-Based Estimation of Relevance was used, together with potential for change indexes, to identify promising determinants for improving prevention measure use. RESULTS Spanish participants' responses showed slightly higher intent to use prevention measures compared to those of Dutch participants (29.1 and 28.2, respectively, p 0.03). Most participants in Spain (92.2%) and the Netherlands (91.8%) indicated they used at least one prevention measure, but differences were observed in which types they used. More Spanish participants indicated to have received information on mosquitoes and MBVs compared to Dutch participants. Spanish participants preferred health professional information sources, while Dutch participants favoured government websites. Determinants for intent to use prevention measures included "Knowledge", "Reminders to Use Prevention Measures", and "Information" in the Netherlands and Spain. Determinants for repellent use included "Perceived Benefits" and "Cues to Action", with "Perceived Benefits" having a high potential for behavioural change in both countries. "Self-Efficacy" and "Knowledge" were determinants in both countries for breeding site removal. CONCLUSION This study found differences in knowledge between the Netherlands and Spain but similarities in determinants for intent to use prevention measures, intent to use repellents and intent to remove mosquito breeding sites. Identified determinants can be the focus for future public health interventions to reduce MBV risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline A de Best
- Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3015 GD, the Netherlands.
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, 3721 MA, the Netherlands.
| | - Ayat Abourashed
- Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3015 GD, the Netherlands
- Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Blanes, 17300, Spain
| | - Laura Doornekamp
- Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3015 GD, the Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3015 GD, the Netherlands
| | - Eric C M van Gorp
- Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3015 GD, the Netherlands
| | - Aura Timen
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, 3721 MA, the Netherlands
- Department of Primary and Community Care, RadboudUMC, Nijmegen, 6525 GA, the Netherlands
- Athena Institute, VU University, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, the Netherlands
| | - Reina S Sikkema
- Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3015 GD, the Netherlands
| | - Frederic Bartumeus
- Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Blanes, 17300, Spain
- Centre de Recerca Ecològica I Aplicacions Forestals (CREAF), Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, 08010, Spain
| | - John R B Palmer
- Department of Political and Social Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, 08005, Spain
| | - Marion P G Koopmans
- Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3015 GD, the Netherlands
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5
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Siddig EE, Mohamed NS, Ahmed A. Severe coinfection of dengue and malaria: A case report. Clin Case Rep 2024; 12:e9079. [PMID: 38868112 PMCID: PMC11166561 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.9079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Key Clinical Message In countries like Sudan, where several infectious diseases are prevalent, health care providers should not be satisfied with initial detection of a single pathogen and whenever it is feasible, they should investigate coinfections. Infections with high mortality or severe morbidity should be prioritized during the differential diagnosis particularly for diseases with similar clinical manifestations to reduce the death and disability rates. However, this requires substantial improvement in the diagnostic capacity. Abstract Here we report a case of dengue and malaria coinfection from the southeast region of Sudan, bordering Ethiopia and Eritrea. A 25-year-old male from Sudan presented with symptoms of fever, chills, vomiting, and muscle and joint pain. Laboratory investigations confirmed a coinfection of dengue and malaria, which is assumingly not uncommon in areas heavily syndemic with several diseases but it is severely under-detected, underreported, and underestimated. The case has fully recovered after the supportive care for dengue and chemotherapy treatment for malaria. In such a case, it was important to monitor the patient's recovery and the treatment outcome through clinical indicators and laboratory parameters to update the treatment course whenever needed, according to response. The increasing burden and outbreaks of vector-borne diseases including dengue and malaria in Sudan, indicates the need for improving the implementation of the global vector control response that established by the World Health Organization. Additionally, the increasing prevalent of coinfections is urging substantial improvement in the diagnostic capacity in endemic countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Edwar Siddig
- Faculty of Medical Laboratory SciencesUniversity of KhartoumKhartoumSudan
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious DiseasesErasmusMC, University Medical Center RotterdamRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Nouh Saad Mohamed
- Molecular Biology UnitSirius Training and Research CentreKhartoumSudan
| | - Ayman Ahmed
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH)AllschwilSwitzerland
- Faculty of ScienceUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- Institute of Endemic DiseasesUniversity of KhartoumKhartoumSudan
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6
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Ilbeigi K, Barata C, Barbosa J, Bertram MG, Caljon G, Costi MP, Kroll A, Margiotta-Casaluci L, Thoré ES, Bundschuh M. Assessing Environmental Risks during the Drug Development Process for Parasitic Vector-Borne Diseases: A Critical Reflection. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:1026-1033. [PMID: 38533709 PMCID: PMC11019539 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Parasitic vector-borne diseases (VBDs) represent nearly 20% of the global burden of infectious diseases. Moreover, the spread of VBDs is enhanced by global travel, urbanization, and climate change. Treatment of VBDs faces challenges due to limitations of existing drugs, as the potential for side effects in nontarget species raises significant environmental concerns. Consequently, considering environmental risks early in drug development processes is critically important. Here, we examine the environmental risk assessment process for veterinary medicinal products in the European Union and identify major gaps in the ecotoxicity data of these drugs. By highlighting the scarcity of ecotoxicological data for commonly used antiparasitic drugs, we stress the urgent need for considering the One Health concept. We advocate for employing predictive tools and nonanimal methodologies such as New Approach Methodologies at early stages of antiparasitic drug research and development. Furthermore, adopting progressive approaches to mitigate ecological risks requires the integration of nonstandard tests that account for real-world complexities and use environmentally relevant exposure scenarios. Such a strategy is vital for a sustainable drug development process as it adheres to the principles of One Health, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more sustainable world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayhan Ilbeigi
- Laboratory
of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Carlos Barata
- Institute
of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - João Barbosa
- Blue
Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Bluebridge, Wetenschapspark 1, 8400 Ostend, Belgium
| | - Michael G. Bertram
- Department
of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
- Department
of Zoology, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 18b, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden
- School of
Biological Sciences, Monash University, 25 Rainforest Walk, 3800 Melbourne, Australia
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory
of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Maria Paola Costi
- Department
of Life Sciences, University of Modena and
Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Alexandra Kroll
- Swiss
Centre for Applied Ecotoxicology, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Luigi Margiotta-Casaluci
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, WC2R 2LS London, United Kingdom
| | - Eli S.J. Thoré
- Department
of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
- Department
of Zoology, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 18b, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden
- TRANSfarm - Science, Engineering,
& Technology Group, KU
Leuven, 3360 Lovenjoel, Belgium
| | - Mirco Bundschuh
- iES
Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences,
RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fortstrasse 7, 76829 Landau, Germany
- Department
of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish
University of Agricultural Sciences, Lennart Hjelms väg 9, SWE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden
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7
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Vande Velde F, Overgaard HJ, Bastien S. An integrated human behavioral model for mosquito-borne disease control: A scoping review of behavior change theories used to identify key behavioral determinants. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26488. [PMID: 38420413 PMCID: PMC10901007 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne disease (MBD) control depends largely on a range of public health measures aimed at reducing the spread of infected mosquitoes and human-mosquito contact. These public health measures are generally driven by voluntary, though in few occasions obligatory (e.g., indoor residual spraying), self-protective behaviors by individuals and communities. To develop effective interventions that promote public health measures, the underlying mechanisms that contribute to self-protective behaviors should be well understood. The present scoping review aims to provide a timely overview of how behavior change theories have been applied in the context of MBD control. In addition, the review proposes an integrated model that includes identified key determinants in MBD control behavior, and identifies knowledge gaps to inform future research. A comprehensive search was performed in several databases: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase (Ovid), Web of Science Core Collection, CINAHL, ERIC, and Econ.Lit (EBSCO), as well as registered trials and reviews in CENTRAL and PROSPERO to identify ongoing or unpublished studies. References of included studies and literature reviews were screened, as well as citation tracking in Web of Science, Google Scholar and the malaria database of Behavior Change Impact. This scoping review identified a total of 28 studies. Most studies targeted personal-protective behavioral measures such as adopting, using, or maintaining insecticide-treated bed nets, and were most frequently informed by risk-related behavioral theories. Knowledge and perceived susceptibility of the risk, and related perceived efficacy were identified as key behavioral determinants in the conceptual, integrated human behavior model for MBD control. Numerous studies related to MBD control behavior, especially those focusing on knowledge-attitudes-practices (KAP), often lack a solid theoretical framework, which risks depicting an incomplete understanding of behaviors. In addition, by incorporating various behavioral disciplines into the domain of MBD control, a more comprehensive understanding of key behavioral determinants may be developed and applied in future research and MBD control efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Vande Velde
- Department of Public Health Science, Faculty of Landscape and Society, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
- Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Hans J Overgaard
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Sheri Bastien
- Department of Public Health Science, Faculty of Landscape and Society, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- The Centre for Evidence-Based Public Health: A JBI Affiliated Group, Department of Public Health Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
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8
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Shafiq M, Abubakar M, Riaz M, Shad SA. Development of alpha-cypermethrin resistance and its effect on biological parameters of yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae). Parasitol Res 2023; 123:14. [PMID: 38060021 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08051-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Alpha-cypermethrin interacts with the sodium channel and causes nerve blockage in insects. It is used to manage Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Culicidae), a primary vector of dengue worldwide. It not only affects both target and non-target organisms, but overuse of this insecticide increases the chances of resistance development in insect pests. In this study, resistance development, biological parameters, and stability of alpha-cypermethrin resistance were studied in a laboratory-selected strain of Ae. aegypti. The alpha-cypermethrin selected strain (Alpha Sel) developed an 11.86-fold resistance level after 12 rounds of alpha-cypermethrin selection compared to the unselected strain (Unsel). In biological parameters, Alpha Sel and Cross1 (Unsel ♂ and Alpha Sel♀) had shorter larval durations compared to Unsel and Cross2 (Unsel ♀ and Alpha Sel ♂) populations. The pupal duration of Alpha Sel and both crosses was shorter than that in the Unsel strain. The relative fitness of Alpha Sel, Cross1, and Cross2 was significantly less than that of the Unsel strain. These results indicate that alpha-cypermethrin resistance comes with fitness costs. Moreover, the frequency of alpha-cypermethrin resistance decreased when the Alpha Sel population was reared without further selection pressure for four generations. So, resistance was unstable and reversed when insecticide pressure ceased. We concluded that the judicious and rotational use of different insecticides with different modes of action and the adoption of other IPM-recommended practices would suppress resistance development for more extended periods in Ae. aegypti.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Shafiq
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Abubakar
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Riaz
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Sarfraz Ali Shad
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan.
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9
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Sena O, Carneiro LS, de Alencar MIG, Cavalcanti G, Bezerra PVV, Caliman A. Contrasting Effects of Leaf Litter Quality and Diversity on Oviposition of Mosquitoes. NEOTROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 52:1018-1026. [PMID: 37782401 DOI: 10.1007/s13744-023-01085-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
The quality and diversity of leaf litter are important variables in determining the availability of energy in detritus-based food webs. These factors can be represented by the stoichiometric proportion between carbon and multiple nutrients, and the mixture of litter from different taxonomic and/or functional origins. In aquatic ecosystems, factors that accelerate litter decomposition can influence the secondary productivity of planktonic microbiota, which act as a link between litter and higher trophic levels. This study aimed to analyze the influence of litter quality and diversity on the oviposition behavior of medically important mosquitoes. We hypothesized that both factors would have a positive effect on the attraction of female mosquitoes and would stimulate a greater amount of oviposition. To test this hypothesis, microcosms containing isolated leaf litter leachates from four plant species were used to manipulate gradients of litter quality, and microcosms with all leachates combined were used to test the effects of litter diversity. The results showed a positive effect of litter quality (p < 0.05) on mosquito oviposition rate, with lower C:P ratio litter species (high-quality litter) presenting higher oviposition rates than litter species with high C:P ratios (low-quality litter). However, contrary to our expectations, litter diversity had a negative effect (p = 0.002) on the magnitude of egg-laying by mosquitoes. Our results highlight the importance of litter quality and diversity for insect reproductive behavior. Our data shows that litter quality can serve as a crucial indicator of a suitable environment utilized by female mosquitoes for oviposition. This finding can enhance our ability to understand and develop effective methods for mitigating the reproduction of medically significant mosquitoes, whether by allowing us to predict, based on the composition of vegetation species, areas more prone to mosquito infestation, or by using high-quality litter in oviposition traps. Furthermore, maintaining vegetation diversity can help control mosquito reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Otávio Sena
- Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Norte, Natal, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ecologia, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | | | - Mery Ingrid Guimarães de Alencar
- Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Norte, Natal, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ecologia, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Cavalcanti
- Departamento de Biologia Celular E Genética, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Pedro Vitor Vale Bezerra
- Departamento de Biologia Celular E Genética, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Adriano Caliman
- Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
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10
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Naik BR, Tyagi BK, Xue RD. Mosquito-borne diseases in India over the past 50 years and their Global Public Health Implications: A Systematic Review. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MOSQUITO CONTROL ASSOCIATION 2023; 39:258-277. [PMID: 38108431 DOI: 10.2987/23-7131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) pose a significant public health concern globally, and India, with its unique eco-sociodemographic characteristics, is particularly vulnerable to these diseases. This comprehensive review aims to provide an in-depth overview of MBDs in India, emphasizing their impact and potential implications for global health. The article explores distribution, epidemiology, control or elimination, and economic burden of the prevalent diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, and lymphatic filariasis, which collectively contribute to millions of cases annually. It sheds light on their profound effects on morbidity, mortality, and socioeconomic burdens and the potential for international transmission through travel and trade. The challenges and perspectives associated with controlling mosquito populations are highlighted, underscoring the importance of effective public health communication for prevention and early detection. The potential for these diseases to spread beyond national borders is recognized, necessitating a holistic approach to address the challenge. A comprehensive literature search was conducted, covering the past five decades (1972-2022), utilizing databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar, in addition to in-person library consultations. The literature review analyzed 4,082 articles initially identified through various databases. After screening and eligibility assessment, 252 articles were included for analysis. The review focused on malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, and lymphatic filariasis. The included studies focused on MBDs occurrence in India, while those conducted outside India, lacking statistical analysis, or published before 1970 were excluded. This review provides valuable insights into the status of MBDs in India and underscores the need for concerted efforts to combat these diseases on both national and global scales through consilience.
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Day CA, Byrd BD, Trout Fryxell RT. La Crosse virus neuroinvasive disease: the kids are not alright. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 60:1165-1182. [PMID: 37862102 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjad090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
La Crosse virus (LACV) is the most common cause of neuroinvasive mosquito-borne disease in children within the United States. Despite more than 50 years of recognized endemicity in the United States, the true burden of LACV disease is grossly underappreciated, and there remain severe knowledge gaps that inhibit public health interventions to reduce morbidity and mortality. Long-standing deficiencies in disease surveillance, clinical diagnostics and therapeutics, actionable entomologic and environmental risk indices, case response capacity, public awareness, and availability of community support groups clearly frame LACV disease as neglected. Here we synthesize salient prior research and contextualize our findings as an assessment of current gaps and opportunities to develop a framework to prevent, detect, and respond to LACV disease. The persistent burdens of LACV disease clearly require renewed public health attention, policy, and action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey A Day
- Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Brian D Byrd
- Environmental Health Sciences, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, USA
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12
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Baldoquín Rodríguez W, Mirabal M, Van der Stuyft P, Gómez Padrón T, Fonseca V, Castillo RM, Monteagudo Díaz S, Baetens JM, De Baets B, Toledo Romaní ME, Vanlerberghe V. The Potential of Surveillance Data for Dengue Risk Mapping: An Evaluation of Different Approaches in Cuba. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:tropicalmed8040230. [PMID: 37104355 PMCID: PMC10143650 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8040230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
To better guide dengue prevention and control efforts, the use of routinely collected data to develop risk maps is proposed. For this purpose, dengue experts identified indicators representative of entomological, epidemiological and demographic risks, hereafter called components, by using surveillance data aggregated at the level of Consejos Populares (CPs) in two municipalities of Cuba (Santiago de Cuba and Cienfuegos) in the period of 2010-2015. Two vulnerability models (one with equally weighted components and one with data-derived weights using Principal Component Analysis), and three incidence-based risk models were built to construct risk maps. The correlation between the two vulnerability models was high (tau > 0.89). The single-component and multicomponent incidence-based models were also highly correlated (tau ≥ 0.9). However, the agreement between the vulnerability- and the incidence-based risk maps was below 0.6 in the setting with a prolonged history of dengue transmission. This may suggest that an incidence-based approach does not fully reflect the complexity of vulnerability for future transmission. The small difference between single- and multicomponent incidence maps indicates that in a setting with a narrow availability of data, simpler models can be used. Nevertheless, the generalized linear mixed multicomponent model provides information of covariate-adjusted and spatially smoothed relative risks of disease transmission, which can be important for the prospective evaluation of an intervention strategy. In conclusion, caution is needed when interpreting risk maps, as the results vary depending on the importance given to the components involved in disease transmission. The multicomponent vulnerability mapping needs to be prospectively validated based on an intervention trial targeting high-risk areas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mayelin Mirabal
- Unidad de Información y Biblioteca, Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | | | - Tania Gómez Padrón
- Centro Provincial de Higiene Epidemiología y Microbiología, Dirección Provincial de Salud, Santiago de Cuba 90100, Cuba
| | - Viviana Fonseca
- Centro Provincial de Higiene Epidemiología y Microbiología, Dirección Provincial de Salud, Santiago de Cuba 90100, Cuba
| | - Rosa María Castillo
- Unidad Provincial de Vigilancia y Lucha Antivectorial, Dirección Provincial de Salud, Santiago de Cuba 90100, Cuba
| | - Sonia Monteagudo Díaz
- Centro Provincial de Higiene Epidemiología y Microbiología, Dirección Provincial de Salud, Cienfuegos 55100, Cuba
| | - Jan M Baetens
- KERMIT, Department of Data Analysis and Mathematical Modelling, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bernard De Baets
- KERMIT, Department of Data Analysis and Mathematical Modelling, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Veerle Vanlerberghe
- Public Health Department, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
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Okoro OJ, Deme GG, Okoye CO, Eze SC, Odii EC, Gbadegesin JT, Okeke ES, Oyejobi GK, Nyaruaba R, Ebido CC. Understanding key vectors and vector-borne diseases associated with freshwater ecosystem across Africa: Implications for public health. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 862:160732. [PMID: 36509277 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The emerging and re-emerging vector-borne diseases transmitted by key freshwater organisms have remained a global concern. As one of the leading biodiversity hotspots, the African ecoregion is suggested to harbour the highest number of freshwater organisms globally. Among the commonly found organisms in the African ecoregion are mosquitoes and snails, with a majority of their life cycle in freshwater, and these freshwater organisms can transmit diseases or serve as carriers of devastating diseases of public health concerns. However, synthetic studies to link the evident abundant presence and wide distribution of these vectors across the freshwater ecosystems in Africa with the increasing emerging and re-emerging vector-borne diseases in Africa are still limited. Here, we reviewed documented evidence on vector-borne diseases and their transmission pathways in Africa to reduce the knowledge gap on the factors influencing the increasing emerging and re-emerging vector-borne diseases across Africa. We found the population distributions or abundance of these freshwater organisms to be increasing, which is directly associated with the increasing emerging and re-emerging vector-borne diseases across Africa. Furthermore, we found that although the current changing environmental conditions in Africa affect the habitats of these freshwater organisms, current changing environmental conditions may not be suppressing the population distributions or abundance of these freshwater organisms. Instead, we found that these freshwater organisms are extending their geographic ranges across Africa, which may have significant public health implications in Africa. Thus, our study demonstrates the need for future studies to integrate the environmental conditions of vectors' habitats to understand if these environmental conditions directly or indirectly influence the vectorial capacities and transmission abilities of vectors of diseases. We propose that such studies will be necessary to guide policymakers in making informed policies to help control vector-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onyekwere Joseph Okoro
- Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria; Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD), P.O. Box 14833-00100, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Gideon Gywa Deme
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD), P.O. Box 14833-00100, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Charles Obinwanne Okoye
- Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria; Biofuels Institute, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD), P.O. Box 14833-00100, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sabina Chioma Eze
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo 972221, Benue State, Nigeria; Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD), P.O. Box 14833-00100, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Elijah Chibueze Odii
- Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria; Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD), P.O. Box 14833-00100, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Janet Temitope Gbadegesin
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, South Africa; Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD), P.O. Box 14833-00100, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Emmanuel Sunday Okeke
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria; Natural Science Unit, School of General Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria; Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD), P.O. Box 14833-00100, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Greater Kayode Oyejobi
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Centre for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, China; Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo 230212, Osun State, Nigeria; Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD), P.O. Box 14833-00100, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Hubei, P.R. China. 430072
| | - Raphael Nyaruaba
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Centre for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, China; Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD), P.O. Box 14833-00100, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Chike Chukwuenyem Ebido
- Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria; Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD), P.O. Box 14833-00100, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya.
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Browne AS, Rickless D, Hranac CR, Beron A, Hillman B, de Wilde L, Short H, Harrison C, Prosper A, Joseph EJ, Guendel I, Ekpo LL, Roth J, Grossman M, Ellis BR, Ellis EM. Spatial, Sociodemographic, and Weather Analysis of the Zika Virus Outbreak: U.S. Virgin Islands, January 2016-January 2018. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2022; 22:600-605. [PMID: 36399688 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2021.0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The first Zika virus outbreak in U.S. Virgin Islands identified 1031 confirmed noncongenital Zika disease (n = 967) and infection (n = 64) cases during January 2016-January 2018; most cases (89%) occurred during July-December 2016. Methods and Results: The epidemic followed a continued point-source outbreak pattern. Evaluation of sociodemographic risk factors revealed that estates with higher unemployment, more houses connected to the public water system, and more newly built houses were significantly less likely to have Zika virus disease and infection cases. Increased temperature was associated with higher case counts, which suggests a seasonal association of this outbreak. Conclusion: Vector surveillance and control measures are needed to prevent future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Springer Browne
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,US Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, USA
| | - David Rickless
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Carter Reed Hranac
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Andrew Beron
- US Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, USA
| | - Breanna Hillman
- US Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, USA
| | - Leah de Wilde
- US Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, USA
| | - Harris Short
- US Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, USA
| | - Cosme Harrison
- US Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, USA
| | - Andra Prosper
- US Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, USA
| | - E Joy Joseph
- US Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, USA
| | - Irene Guendel
- US Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, USA
| | - Lisa L Ekpo
- US Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, USA
| | - Joseph Roth
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Marissa Grossman
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Brett R Ellis
- US Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, USA
| | - Esther M Ellis
- US Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, USA
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Yin S, Ren C, Shi Y, Hua J, Yuan HY, Tian LW. A Systematic Review on Modeling Methods and Influential Factors for Mapping Dengue-Related Risk in Urban Settings. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph192215265. [PMID: 36429980 PMCID: PMC9690886 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192215265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Dengue fever is an acute mosquito-borne disease that mostly spreads within urban or semi-urban areas in warm climate zones. The dengue-related risk map is one of the most practical tools for executing effective control policies, breaking the transmission chain, and preventing disease outbreaks. Mapping risk at a small scale, such as at an urban level, can demonstrate the spatial heterogeneities in complicated built environments. This review aims to summarize state-of-the-art modeling methods and influential factors in mapping dengue fever risk in urban settings. Data were manually extracted from five major academic search databases following a set of querying and selection criteria, and a total of 28 studies were analyzed. Twenty of the selected papers investigated the spatial pattern of dengue risk by epidemic data, whereas the remaining eight papers developed an entomological risk map as a proxy for potential dengue burden in cities or agglomerated urban regions. The key findings included: (1) Big data sources and emerging data-mining techniques are innovatively employed for detecting hot spots of dengue-related burden in the urban context; (2) Bayesian approaches and machine learning algorithms have become more popular as spatial modeling tools for predicting the distribution of dengue incidence and mosquito presence; (3) Climatic and built environmental variables are the most common factors in making predictions, though the effects of these factors vary with the mosquito species; (4) Socio-economic data may be a better representation of the huge heterogeneity of risk or vulnerability spatial distribution on an urban scale. In conclusion, for spatially assessing dengue-related risk in an urban context, data availability and the purpose for mapping determine the analytical approaches and modeling methods used. To enhance the reliabilities of predictive models, sufficient data about dengue serotyping, socio-economic status, and spatial connectivity may be more important for mapping dengue-related risk in urban settings for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Yin
- Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- School of Architecture, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China
| | - Chao Ren
- Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Correspondence:
| | - Yuan Shi
- Department of Geography and Planning, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK
| | - Junyi Hua
- School of International Affairs and Public Administration, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Hsiang-Yu Yuan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lin-Wei Tian
- School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Dong B, Khan L, Smith M, Trevino J, Zhao B, Hamer GL, Lopez-Lemus UA, Molina AA, Lubinda J, Nguyen USDT, Haque U. Spatio-temporal dynamics of three diseases caused by Aedes-borne arboviruses in Mexico. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2022; 2:134. [PMID: 36317054 PMCID: PMC9616936 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-022-00192-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The intensity of transmission of Aedes-borne viruses is heterogeneous, and multiple factors can contribute to variation at small spatial scales. Illuminating drivers of heterogeneity in prevalence over time and space would provide information for public health authorities. The objective of this study is to detect the spatiotemporal clusters and determine the risk factors of three major Aedes-borne diseases, Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), Dengue virus (DENV), and Zika virus (ZIKV) clusters in Mexico. Methods We present an integrated analysis of Aedes-borne diseases (ABDs), the local climate, and the socio-demographic profiles of 2469 municipalities in Mexico. We used SaTScan to detect spatial clusters and utilize the Pearson correlation coefficient, Randomized Dependence Coefficient, and SHapley Additive exPlanations to analyze the influence of socio-demographic and climatic factors on the prevalence of ABDs. We also compare six machine learning techniques, including XGBoost, decision tree, Support Vector Machine with Radial Basis Function kernel, K nearest neighbors, random forest, and neural network to predict risk factors of ABDs clusters. Results DENV is the most prevalent of the three diseases throughout Mexico, with nearly 60.6% of the municipalities reported having DENV cases. For some spatiotemporal clusters, the influence of socio-economic attributes is larger than the influence of climate attributes for predicting the prevalence of ABDs. XGBoost performs the best in terms of precision-measure for ABDs prevalence. Conclusions Both socio-demographic and climatic factors influence ABDs transmission in different regions of Mexico. Future studies should build predictive models supporting early warning systems to anticipate the time and location of ABDs outbreaks and determine the stand-alone influence of individual risk factors and establish causal mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Dong
- Department of Computer Science, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080 USA
| | - Latifur Khan
- Department of Computer Science, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080 USA
| | - Madison Smith
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX USA
| | - Jesus Trevino
- Department of Urban Affiars at the School of Architecture, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, 66455 San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo Léon Mexico
| | - Bingxin Zhao
- Department of Statistics and Data Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Gabriel L. Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX USA
| | - Uriel A. Lopez-Lemus
- Department of Health Sciences, Center for Biodefense and Global Infectious Diseases, Colima, 28078 Mexico
| | - Aracely Angulo Molina
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Sonora, Hermosillo 83000 Sonora, Mexico
| | - Jailos Lubinda
- Telethon Kids Institute, Malaria Atlas Project, Nedlands, WA Australia
| | - Uyen-Sa D. T. Nguyen
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX USA
| | - Ubydul Haque
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX USA
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Ahmed A, Abubakr M, Sami H, Mahdi I, Mohamed NS, Zinsstag J. The First Molecular Detection of Aedes albopictus in Sudan Associates with Increased Outbreaks of Chikungunya and Dengue. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911802. [PMID: 36233103 PMCID: PMC9570206 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
As part of our surveys of the invasive malaria vector Anopheles stephensi in four Sudanese states, including North and South Kordofan, Sennar, and White Nile, we collected 166 larvae. Our morphological identification confirmed that 30% of the collected mosquito samples were Anopheles species, namely An. gambiae s.l. and An. stephensi, while the 117 Aedes specimens were Ae. luteocephalus (39%), Ae. aegypti (32%), Ae. vexans (9%), Ae. vittatus (9%), Ae. africanus (6%), Ae. metalicus (3%), and Ae. albopictus (3%). Considering the serious threat of Ae. albopictus emergence for the public health in the area and our limited resources, we prioritized Ae. albopictus samples for further genomic analysis. We extracted the DNA from the three specimens and subsequently sequenced the cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) gene and confirmed their identity as Aedes albopictus and their potential origin by phylogenetic and haplotype analyses. Aedes albopictus, originating from Southeast Asia, is an invasive key vector of chikungunya and dengue. This is the first report and molecular characterization of Ae. albopictus from Sudan. Our sequences cluster with populations from the Central African Republic and La Réunion. Worryingly, this finding associates with a major increase in chikungunya and dengue outbreaks in rural areas of the study region and might be linked to the mosquito’s spread across the region. The emergence of Ae. albopictus in Sudan is of serious public health concern and urges for the improvement of the vector surveillance and control system through the implementation of an integrated molecular xenosurveillance. The threat of major arboviral diseases in the region underlines the need for the institutionalization of the One Health strategy for the prevention and control of future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayman Ahmed
- Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum 11111, Sudan
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
- Molecular Biology Unit, Sirius Training and Research Centre, Khartoum 11111, Sudan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +249-123997091
| | - Mustafa Abubakr
- Directorate of Environmental Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum 11111, Sudan
| | - Hamza Sami
- Directorate of the Integrated Vector Management (IVM), Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum 11111, Sudan
| | - Isam Mahdi
- Directorate of the Integrated Vector Management (IVM), Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum 11111, Sudan
| | - Nouh S. Mohamed
- Molecular Biology Unit, Sirius Training and Research Centre, Khartoum 11111, Sudan
| | - Jakob Zinsstag
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
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Khoo HY, Lee HY, Khor CS, Tan KK, bin Hassan MR, Wong CM, Agustar HK, Samsusah NA, Rahim SSSA, bin Jeffree MS, Yusof NA, Haron NA, binti Amin Z, Hod R, AbuBakar S. Seroprevalence of Zika Virus among Forest Fringe Communities in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah: General Population-Based Study. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 107:tpmd210988. [PMID: 35895331 PMCID: PMC9490650 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) has had a history in Malaysia since its first isolation in 1966. However, it is believed that the immunity status among forest fringe communities has been underreported. We conducted cross-sectional surveillance of forest fringe communities from 10 Orang Asli villages and their peripheral communities in Perak, Pahang, and Sabah in Malaysia. A total of 706 samples were collected from 2019 to 2020 and screened for ZIKV exposure using an anti-ZIKV IgG ELISA kit. A neutralization assay against ZIKV was used to confirm the reactive samples. The seroprevalence results reported from the study of this population in Malaysia were 21.0% (n = 148, 95% CI, 0.183-0.273) after confirmation with a foci reduction neutralization test. The presence of neutralizing antibodies provides evidence that the studied forest fringe communities in Malaysia have been exposed to ZIKV. Multivariate analysis showed that those older than 44 years and those with an education below the university level had been exposed significantly to ZIKV. In addition, higher seropositivity rates to ZIKV were also reported among secondary school students from Bentong (Pahang) and residents from Segaliud (Sabah). No associations were identified between Zika seropositivity and gender, household size, house radius to the jungle, and income level. The presence of neutralizing antibodies against ZIKV among the study population might indicate that the causative pathogen had already circulated widely in forest fringe regions. Intervention for vector control, protection from mosquito bites, and awareness improvement should be encouraged in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hooi-Yuen Khoo
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre, Higher Institution Centre of Excellence, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hai-Yen Lee
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre, Higher Institution Centre of Excellence, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chee-Sieng Khor
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre, Higher Institution Centre of Excellence, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kim-Kee Tan
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre, Higher Institution Centre of Excellence, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Rohaizat bin Hassan
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chin Mun Wong
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hani Kartini Agustar
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science & Technology, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nadia Aqilla Samsusah
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science & Technology, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | | | | | - Nur Athirah Yusof
- Biotechnology Research Institute, University Malaysia Sabah, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Noor Ain Haron
- Biotechnology Research Institute, University Malaysia Sabah, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Zarina binti Amin
- Biotechnology Research Institute, University Malaysia Sabah, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Rozita Hod
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sazaly AbuBakar
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre, Higher Institution Centre of Excellence, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Spatial Analysis of Mosquito-Borne Diseases in Europe: A Scoping Review. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14158975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Mosquito-borne infections are increasing in endemic areas and previously unaffected regions. In 2020, the notification rate for Dengue was 0.5 cases per 100,000 population, and for Chikungunya <0.1/100,000. In 2019, the rate for Malaria was 1.3/100,000, and for West Nile Virus, 0.1/100,000. Spatial analysis is increasingly used in surveillance and epidemiological investigation, but reviews about their use in this research topic are scarce. We identify and describe the methodological approaches used to investigate the distribution and ecological determinants of mosquito-borne infections in Europe. Relevant literature was extracted from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception until October 2021 and analysed according to PRISMA-ScR protocol. We identified 110 studies. Most used geographical correlation analysis (n = 50), mainly applying generalised linear models, and the remaining used spatial cluster detection (n = 30) and disease mapping (n = 30), mainly conducted using frequentist approaches. The most studied infections were Dengue (n = 32), Malaria (n = 26), Chikungunya (n = 26), and West Nile Virus (n = 24), and the most studied ecological determinants were temperature (n = 39), precipitation (n = 24), water bodies (n = 14), and vegetation (n = 11). Results from this review may support public health programs for mosquito-borne disease prevention and may help guide future research, as we recommended various good practices for spatial epidemiological studies.
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Shragai T, Pérez-Pérez J, Del Pilar Quimbayo-Forero M, Rojo R, Harrington LC, Rúa-Uribe G. Distance to public transit predicts spatial distribution of dengue virus incidence in Medellín, Colombia. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8333. [PMID: 35585133 PMCID: PMC9117184 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12115-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Dengue is a growing global threat in some of the world’s most rapidly growing landscapes. Research shows that urbanization and human movement affect the spatial dynamics and magnitude of dengue outbreaks; however, precise effects of urban growth on dengue are not well understood because of a lack of sufficiently fine-scaled data. We analyzed nine years of address-level dengue case data in Medellin, Colombia during a period of public transit expansion. We correlate changes in the spread and magnitude of localized outbreaks to changes in accessibility and usage of public transit. Locations closer to and with a greater utilization of public transit had greater dengue incidence. This relationship was modulated by socioeconomic status; lower socioeconomic status locations experienced stronger effects of public transit accessibility and usage on dengue incidence. Public transit is a vital urban resource, particularly among low socioeconomic populations. These results highlight the importance of public health services concurrent with urban growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talya Shragai
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | | | | | - Raúl Rojo
- Centro Administrativo la Alpujarra, Secretaría de Salud de Medellín, 050015, Medellín, Colombia
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Ahmed A, Ali Y, Salim B, Dietrich I, Zinsstag J. Epidemics of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in Sudan between 2010 and 2020. Microorganisms 2022; 10:928. [PMID: 35630372 PMCID: PMC9147186 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10050928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a zoonotic arboviral disease that poses a great threat to global health in the Old World, and it is endemic in Europe, Asia, and Africa, including Sudan. In this retrospective study, we reviewed previous epidemiological reports about the major epidemics of CCHF throughout Sudan between 2010 and 2020. During these epidemics, the infection of humans with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), the causative agent of CCHF, was diagnosed using qRT-PCR. We have identified 88 cases of CCHF, including 13 fatalities reported during five epidemics that occurred in 2010, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2020. The two epidemics in 2010 and 2011 were by far the largest, with 51 and 27 cases reported, respectively. The majority of cases (78%) were reported in the endemic region of Kordofan. Here, we document that the first emergence of CCHFV in the Darfur region, West Sudan, occurred in 2010. We were not able to investigate outbreak dynamics through phylogenetic analysis due to the limited diagnostic capacity and the lack of sequencing services in the country. These findings call for establishing a genomic-based integrated One Health surveillance and response system for the early preparedness, prevention, and control of CCHF in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayman Ahmed
- Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum 11111, Sudan
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland;
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
- Sudanese National Academy of Sciences, Khartoum 11111, Sudan
| | - Yousif Ali
- Health Emergencies and Epidemics Control General Directorate, Sudan Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum 11111, Sudan;
| | - Bashir Salim
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum 11111, Sudan;
| | | | - Jakob Zinsstag
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland;
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
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Power GM, Vaughan AM, Qiao L, Sanchez Clemente N, Pescarini JM, Paixão ES, Lobkowicz L, Raja AI, Portela Souza A, Barreto ML, Brickley EB. Socioeconomic risk markers of arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) infections: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. BMJ Glob Health 2022; 7:bmjgh-2021-007735. [PMID: 35428678 PMCID: PMC9014035 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-007735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) are of notable public health importance worldwide, owing to their potential to cause explosive outbreaks and induce debilitating and potentially life-threatening disease manifestations. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the relationship between markers of socioeconomic position (SEP) and infection due to arboviruses with mosquito vectors. Methods We conducted a systematic search on PubMed, Embase, and LILACS databases to identify studies published between 1980 and 2020 that measured the association of SEP markers with arbovirus infection. We included observational studies without geographic location or age restrictions. We excluded studies from grey literature, reviews and ecological studies. Study findings were extracted and summarised, and pooled estimates were obtained using random-effects meta-analyses. Results We identified 36 observational studies using data pertaining to 106 524 study participants in 23 geographic locations that empirically examined the relationship between socioeconomic factors and infections caused by seven arboviruses (dengue, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, Rift Valley fever, Sindbis, West Nile and Zika viruses). While results were varied, descriptive synthesis pointed to a higher risk of arbovirus infection associated with markers of lower SEP, including lower education, income poverty, low healthcare coverage, poor housing materials, interrupted water supply, marital status (married, divorced or widowed), non-white ethnicities and migration status. Pooled crude estimates indicated an increased risk of arboviral infection associated with lower education (risk ratio, RR 1.5 95% CI 1.3 to 1.9); I2=83.1%), interruption of water supply (RR 1.2; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.3; I2=0.0%) and having been married (RR 1.5 95% CI 1.1 to 2.1; I2=85.2%). Conclusion Evidence from this systematic review suggests that lower SEP increases the risk of acquiring arboviral infection; however, there was large heterogeneity across studies. Further studies are required to delineate the relationship between specific individual, household and community-level SEP indicators and arbovirus infection risks to help inform targeted public health interventions. PROSPERO registration number CRD42019158572.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace M Power
- Health Equity Action Lab, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Aisling M Vaughan
- Health Equity Action Lab, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Luxi Qiao
- Health Equity Action Lab, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Nuria Sanchez Clemente
- Health Equity Action Lab, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Julia M Pescarini
- Health Equity Action Lab, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Enny S Paixão
- Health Equity Action Lab, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ludmila Lobkowicz
- Health Equity Action Lab, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Amber I Raja
- Health Equity Action Lab, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - André Portela Souza
- São Paulo School of Economics and Center for Applied Microeconomic Studies, Getulio Vargas Foundation, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Lima Barreto
- Centro de Integração de Dados e Conhecimentos para Saúde, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Elizabeth B Brickley
- Health Equity Action Lab, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Krokovsky L, Paiva MHS, Guedes DRD, Barbosa RMR, de Oliveira ALS, Anastácio DB, Pontes CR, Ayres CFJ. Arbovirus Surveillance in Field-Collected Mosquitoes From Pernambuco-Brazil, During the Triple Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya Outbreak of 2015-2017. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.875031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The (re) emergence of arboviruses around the world is a public health concern once severe outbreaks are usually associated with these infections. The co-circulation of Dengue (DENV), Zika (ZIKV) and Chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses in the past few years has caused a unique epidemic situation in Brazil. The northeast region of the country was the most affected by clinical complications from such arboviruses’ infections, including neurological disorders caused by ZIKV. In this particular region, Aedes mosquitoes are the main vectors of DENV, ZIKV and CHIKV, with Culex quinquefasciatus also considered as a potential vector of ZIKV. Therefore, virological surveillance in mosquitoes contributes to understanding the epidemiological profile of these diseases. Here, we report the circulation of DENV, ZIKV and CHIKV in Aedes spp. and Cx. quinquefasciatus female mosquitoes collected in areas with a high arbovirus circulation in humans in the Metropolitan Region of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, during the triple-epidemics of 2015-17. All the field-caught mosquitoes were sent to the laboratory for arbovirus screening after RNA extraction and RT-PCR/RT-qPCR. A total of 6,227 females were evaluated and, as a result, DENV, ZIKV and CHIKV were identified in Ae. aegypti, Ae. taeniorhynchus and Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquito pools. In addition, DENV and ZIKV were isolated in C6/36 cells. In conclusion, it is important to highlight that arbovirus surveillance performed in mosquitoes from DENV-ZIKV-CHIKV hotspots areas can serve as an early-warning system to target vector control actions more efficiently in each studied area.
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Lobkowicz L, Power GM, De Souza WV, Montarroyos UR, Martelli CMT, de Araùjo TVB, Bezerra LCA, Dhalia R, Marques ETA, Miranda-Filho DDB, Brickley EB, Ximenes RADA. Neighbourhood-level income and Zika virus infection during pregnancy in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil: an ecological perspective, 2015-2017. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:bmjgh-2021-006811. [PMID: 34857522 PMCID: PMC8640636 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) infections during pregnancy can lead to adverse neurodevelopmental and clinical outcomes in congenitally infected offspring. As the city of Recife in Pernambuco State, Brazil—the epicentre of the Brazilian microcephaly epidemic—has considerable disparities in living conditions, this study used an ecological approach to investigate the association between income at the neighbourhood level and the risk of ZIKV infections in pregnant individuals between December 2015 and April 2017. The spatial distribution of pregnant individuals with ZIKV infection was plotted on a map of Recife stratified into four categories based on mean monthly income of household heads. Additionally, a Poisson regression model with robust variance was fitted to compare proportions of ZIKV infections among pregnant individuals in relation to the mean monthly income of household heads, based on the 2010 census data, across 94 neighbourhoods in Recife. The results provide evidence that the risk of ZIKV infection to pregnant individuals was higher among those residing in lower-income neighbourhoods: relative to neighbourhoods that had a mean monthly income of ≥5 times minimum wage, neighbourhoods with <1 and 1 to <2 times minimum wage had more than four times the risk (incidence rate ratio, 95% CI 4.08, 1.88 to 8.85 and 4.30, 2.00 to 9.20, respectively). This study provides evidence of a strong association between neighbourhood-level income and ZIKV infection risks in the pregnant population of Recife. In settings prone to arboviral outbreaks, locally targeted interventions to improve living conditions, sanitation, and mosquito control should be a key focus of governmental interventions to reduce risks associated with ZIKV infections during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludmila Lobkowicz
- Health Equity Action Lab, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Grace M Power
- Health Equity Action Lab, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Department of Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Rafael Dhalia
- Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | - Ernesto T A Marques
- Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, PE, Brasil.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth B Brickley
- Health Equity Action Lab, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ricardo Arraes de Alencar Ximenes
- Departamento de Medicina Interna, Universidade de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil.,Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil
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Going out for dinner-The consumption of agriculture pests by bats in urban areas. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0258066. [PMID: 34673777 PMCID: PMC8530310 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Insectivorous bats provide ecosystem services in agricultural and urban landscapes by consuming arthropods that are considered pests. Bat species inhabiting cities are expected to consume insects associated with urban areas, such as mosquitoes, flying termites, moths, and beetles. We captured insectivorous bats in the Federal District of Brazil and used fecal DNA metabarcoding to investigate the arthropod consumed by five bat species living in colonies in city buildings, and ascertained whether their predation was related to ecosystem services. These insectivorous bat species were found to consume 83 morphospecies of arthropods and among these 41 were identified to species, most of which were agricultural pests. We propose that bats may roost in the city areas and forage in the nearby agricultural fields using their ability to fly over long distances. We also calculated the value of the pest suppression ecosystem service by the bats. By a conservative estimation, bats save US$ 94 per hectare of cornfields, accounting for an annual savings of US$ 390.6 million per harvest in Brazil. Our study confirms that, regardless of their roosting location, bats are essential for providing ecosystem services in the cities, with extensive impacts on crops and elsewhere, in addition to significant savings in the use of pesticides.
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Talbot B, Sander B, Cevallos V, González C, Benítez D, Carissimo C, Carrasquilla Ferro MC, Gauto N, Litwiñiuk S, López K, Ortiz MI, Ponce P, Villota SD, Zelaya F, Espinel M, Wu J, Miretti M, Kulkarni MA. Determinants of Aedes mosquito density as an indicator of arbovirus transmission risk in three sites affected by co-circulation of globally spreading arboviruses in Colombia, Ecuador and Argentina. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:482. [PMID: 34538276 PMCID: PMC8451087 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04984-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The global impact of Zika virus in Latin America has drawn renewed attention to circulating mosquito-borne viruses in this region, such as dengue and chikungunya. Our objective was to assess socio-ecological factors associated with Aedes mosquito vector density as a measure of arbovirus transmission risk in three cities of potentially recent Zika virus introduction: Ibagué, Colombia; Manta, Ecuador; and Posadas, Argentina, in order to inform disease mitigation strategies. Methods We sampled Aedes mosquito populations in a total of 1086 households, using indoor and peridomestic mosquito collection methods, including light traps, resting traps, traps equipped with chemical attractant and aspirators. For each sampled household, we collected socio-economic data using structured questionnaires and data on microenvironmental conditions using iButton data loggers. Results A total of 3230 female Aedes mosquitoes were collected, of which 99.8% were Aedes aegypti and 0.2% were Aedes albopictus. Mean female Aedes mosquito density per household was 1.71 (standard deviation: 2.84). We used mixed-effects generalized linear Poisson regression analyses to identify predictors of Aedes density, using month, neighborhood and country as random-effects variables. Across study sites, the number of household occupants [incidence rate ratio (IRR): 1.08, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01–1.14], presence of entry points for mosquitoes into the household (IRR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.30–1.76) and presence of decorative vegetation (IRR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.22–1.88) were associated with higher Aedes density; while being in the highest wealth tertile of household wealth (IRR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.66–0.92), knowledge of how arboviruses are transmitted (IRR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.89–1.00) and regular emptying of water containers by occupants (IRR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.67–0.92) were associated with lower Aedes density. Conclusions Our study addresses the complexities of arbovirus vectors of global significance at the interface between human and mosquito populations. Our results point to several predictors of Aedes mosquito vector density in countries with co-circulation of multiple Aedes-borne viruses, and point to modifiable risk factors that may be useful for disease prevention and control. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-04984-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoit Talbot
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Beate Sander
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Varsovia Cevallos
- Development and Innovation Management Unit (CZ9), Instituto Nacional de Investigación en Salud Pública, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Camila González
- Center for Investigation in Tropical Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Denisse Benítez
- Development and Innovation Management Unit (CZ9), Instituto Nacional de Investigación en Salud Pública, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Claudio Carissimo
- Municipal Institute for Surveillance and Control of Vectors, Municipalidad de Posadas, Posadas, Argentina
| | - María C Carrasquilla Ferro
- Center for Investigation in Tropical Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Neris Gauto
- Municipal Institute for Surveillance and Control of Vectors, Municipalidad de Posadas, Posadas, Argentina
| | - Sergio Litwiñiuk
- Group for Investigation in Applied Genetics (GIGA), IBS, UNaM-CONICET, Posadas, Argentina
| | - Karen López
- Municipal Institute for Surveillance and Control of Vectors, Municipalidad de Posadas, Posadas, Argentina
| | - Mario I Ortiz
- Center for Investigation in Tropical Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Patricio Ponce
- Development and Innovation Management Unit (CZ9), Instituto Nacional de Investigación en Salud Pública, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Stephany D Villota
- Development and Innovation Management Unit (CZ9), Instituto Nacional de Investigación en Salud Pública, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Fabian Zelaya
- Municipal Institute for Surveillance and Control of Vectors, Municipalidad de Posadas, Posadas, Argentina
| | - Mauricio Espinel
- School of Medicine, Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí, Manta, Ecuador
| | - Jianhong Wu
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Marcos Miretti
- Group for Investigation in Applied Genetics (GIGA), IBS, UNaM-CONICET, Posadas, Argentina
| | - Manisha A Kulkarni
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Ahmed A, Mahmoud I, Eldigail M, Elhassan RM, Weaver SC. The Emergence of Rift Valley Fever in Gedaref State Urges the Need for a Cross-Border One Health Strategy and Enforcement of the International Health Regulations. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10070885. [PMID: 34358035 PMCID: PMC8308630 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10070885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the causative agent of a haemorrhagic fever epidemic in Gedaref state, south-east Sudan. Six cases of febrile illness with haemorrhagic manifestations presented at outpatient health-clinics. Blood samples were collected from the patients and shipped to Khartoum where they were tested for dengue virus (DENV), chikungunya virus (CHIKV), and Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) using real-time qPCR. Fifty percent (3/6) of them tested positive for RVFV and neither DENV or CHIKV was detected. All patients were males between 20 and 48 years old who had no history of recent travel. This finding describes the first emergence of RVFV in Gedaref state. Considering that the state hosts a major market of livestock, and it has one of the largest-seasonal open pastures in the country that is usually flooded with herds from the neighbouring states and countries during the rainy season, this emergence could represent a major threat to public health in the region and countries importing animals and/or animal products from east Africa. Therefore, we urge the policymakers of the health and animal resources sectors to implement a one health strategy with a well-established early warning surveillance and response system to prevent the establishment of the disease in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayman Ahmed
- Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum 11111, Sudan
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA;
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +249-123997091
| | - Iman Mahmoud
- National Public Health Laboratory, Sudan Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum 11111, Sudan; (I.M.); (M.E.); (R.M.E.)
| | - Mawahib Eldigail
- National Public Health Laboratory, Sudan Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum 11111, Sudan; (I.M.); (M.E.); (R.M.E.)
| | - Rehab M. Elhassan
- National Public Health Laboratory, Sudan Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum 11111, Sudan; (I.M.); (M.E.); (R.M.E.)
| | - Scott C. Weaver
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA;
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
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Ahmed A, Eldigail M, Elduma A, Breima T, Dietrich I, Ali Y, Weaver SC. First report of epidemic dengue fever and malaria co-infections among internally displaced persons in humanitarian camps of North Darfur, Sudan. Int J Infect Dis 2021; 108:513-516. [PMID: 34044142 PMCID: PMC8860570 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.05.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate an outbreak of a non-malaria, undifferentiated febrile illness, among internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in humanitarian camps in North Darfur, Sudan, in 2019. Methods: An investigation team was deployed to North Darfur to identify suspected cases and collect blood samples, and clinical and demographical data. Blood samples were examined microscopically for Plasmodium spp and tested for dengue (DENV) and yellow fever viruses by reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: Between September 7 and December 18, 2019, we clinically identified 18 (24%), 41 (54%), and 17 (22%) cases of dengue fever, dengue with warning signs, and severe dengue, respectively. Blood samples were collected from 22% of patients, and 47% of these tested positive for DENV-1 RNA. We confirmed 32 malaria cases with 5 co-infections with DENV. This outbreak of dengue was the first among IDPs in the humanitarian camps. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that dengue has become endemic or that there has been a new introduction. Further epidemiological, entomological, and phylogenetic studies are needed to understand disease transmission in the area. An early warning and response system and an effective health policy are crucial for preventing and controlling arboviruses in Sudan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayman Ahmed
- Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan; World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Institute for Human Infections and Immunity and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| | - Mawahib Eldigail
- National Public Health Laboratory, Sudan Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Adel Elduma
- National Public Health Laboratory, Sudan Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Tagwa Breima
- Health Emergencies and Epidemics Control General Directorate, North Darfur State Ministry of Health, Al Fashir, Sudan
| | | | - Yousif Ali
- Health Emergencies and Epidemics Control General Directorate, Sudan Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Scott C Weaver
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Institute for Human Infections and Immunity and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
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Climate Change, Aquatic Ecosystems and Human Infectious Diseases in a Globalised World. ATMOSPHERE 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos12050653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
One of the greatest challenges that human society currently faces is the hazard of climate change with respect to human health [...]
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Morgan J, Strode C, Salcedo-Sora JE. Climatic and socio-economic factors supporting the co-circulation of dengue, Zika and chikungunya in three different ecosystems in Colombia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009259. [PMID: 33705409 PMCID: PMC7987142 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Dengue, Zika and chikungunya are diseases of global health significance caused by arboviruses and transmitted by the mosquito Aedes aegypti, which is of worldwide circulation. The arrival of the Zika and chikungunya viruses to South America increased the complexity of transmission and morbidity caused by these viruses co-circulating in the same vector mosquito species. Here we present an integrated analysis of the reported arbovirus cases between 2007 and 2017 and local climate and socio-economic profiles of three distinct Colombian municipalities (Bello, Cúcuta and Moniquirá). These locations were confirmed as three different ecosystems given their contrasted geographic, climatic and socio-economic profiles. Correlational analyses were conducted with both generalised linear models and generalised additive models for the geographical data. Average temperature, minimum temperature and wind speed were strongly correlated with disease incidence. The transmission of Zika during the 2016 epidemic appeared to decrease circulation of dengue in Cúcuta, an area of sustained high incidence of dengue. Socio-economic factors such as barriers to health and childhood services, inadequate sanitation and poor water supply suggested an unfavourable impact on the transmission of dengue, Zika and chikungunya in all three ecosystems. Socio-demographic influencers were also discussed including the influx of people to Cúcuta, fleeing political and economic instability from neighbouring Venezuela. Aedes aegypti is expanding its range and increasing the global threat of these diseases. It is therefore vital that we learn from the epidemiology of these arboviruses and translate it into an actionable local knowledge base. This is even more acute given the recent historical high of dengue cases in the Americas in 2019, preceding the COVID-19 pandemic, which is itself hampering mosquito control efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Morgan
- Department of Biology, Edge Hill University, Lancashire, United Kingdom
| | - Clare Strode
- Department of Biology, Edge Hill University, Lancashire, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (CS); (JES-S)
| | - J. Enrique Salcedo-Sora
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (CS); (JES-S)
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Seropositivity and history of hospitalisation for dengue in relation to anthropometric indices among Colombian children and adults. Epidemiol Infect 2021; 149:e58. [PMID: 33583455 PMCID: PMC8060849 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268821000388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of anthropometric status on dengue is uncertain. We investigated the relations between anthropometric characteristics (height, body mass index and waist circumference (WC)) and two dengue outcomes, seropositivity and hospitalisation, in a cross-sectional study of 2038 children (aged 2–15 years) and 408 adults (aged 18–72 years) from Bucaramanga, Colombia. Anthropometric variables were standardised by age and sex in children. Seropositivity was determined through immunoglobulin G antibodies; past hospitalisation for dengue was self-reported. We modelled the prevalence of each outcome by levels of anthropometric exposures using generalised estimating equations with restricted cubic splines. In children, dengue seropositivity was 60.8%; 9.9% of seropositive children reported prior hospitalisation for dengue. WC was positively associated with seropositivity in girls (90th vs. 10th percentile adjusted prevalence ratio (APR) = 1.19; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.36). Among adults, dengue seropositivity was 95.1%; 8.1% of seropositive adults reported past hospitalisation. Height was inversely associated with seropositivity (APR = 0.90; 95% CI 0.83–0.99) and with hospitalisation history (APR = 0.19; 95% CI 0.04–0.79). WC was inversely associated with seropositivity (APR = 0.89; 95% CI 0.81–0.98). We conclude that anthropometry correlates with a history of dengue, but could not determine causation. Prospective studies are warranted to enhance causal inference on these questions.
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Mosquito Vector Production across Socio-Economic Divides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18041420. [PMID: 33546458 PMCID: PMC7913609 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18041420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the role of socio-economic factors in the proliferation of mosquito vectors in two adjacent but socio-economically contrasting neighborhoods in Baton Rouge, LA, USA. We surveyed mosquito larvae habitat, mosquito larvae, and adult mosquitoes during the summer of 2020. We also evaluated the number of requests for mosquito abatement services in the years preceding the study for each area. While we did not find differences in terms of the most abundant species, Culex quinquefasicatus (F1,30 = 0.329, p = 0.57), we did find a higher abundance of mosquito habitats, particularly discarded tires, as well as larvae (z = 13.83, p < 0.001) and adults (F1,30 = 4.207, p = 0.049) of the species Aedes albopictus in the low-income neighborhood. In contrast, mosquito abatement requests were significantly higher in the high socio-economic neighborhood (z = −8.561, p < 0.001). This study shows how factors such as adjudicated properties, discarded tires and pest abatement requests can influence the abundance of mosquito vectors, disproportionately affecting low-income groups. This study also highlights how Aedes spp. may be better indicators than Culex spp. of socio-economic differences between nearby neighborhoods, due to their short flight range and habitat preferences, and this should be considered in future studies attempting to detect such disparities in the future.
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