1
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Anderson JF, Molaei G, Fish D, Armstrong PM, Khalil N, Brudner S, Misencik MJ, Bransfield A, Olson M, Andreadis TG. Host-Feeding Behavior of Mosquitoes in the Florida Everglades. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2024; 24:520-531. [PMID: 38648543 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2023.0072] [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] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: West Nile virus (WNV), Everglades virus (EVEV), and five species of Orthobunyavirus were isolated from mosquitoes collected in the Everglades in 2016-2017. Prior studies of blood meals of mosquitoes in southern Florida have related findings to acquisition and transmission of EVEV, St. Louis encephalitis virus, and WNV, but not the Orthobunyavirus viruses associated with the subgenus Melanoconion of the genus Culex. Materials and Methods: In the present study, blood-fed mosquitoes were collected in the Everglades in 2016, 2017, 2021, and 2022, and from an industrial site in Naples, FL in 2017. Blood meals were identified to host species by PCR assays using mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Results: Blood meals were identified from Anopheles crucians complex and 11 mosquito species captured in the Florida Everglades and from 3 species collected from an industrial site. The largest numbers of blood-fed specimens were from Culex nigripalpus, Culex erraticus, Culex cedecei, and Aedes taeniorhynchus. Cx. erraticus fed on mammals, birds, and reptiles, particularly American alligator. This mosquito species could transmit WNV to American alligator in the wild. Cx. nigripalpus acquired blood meals primarily from birds and mammals and frequently fed on medium-sized mammals and white-tailed deer. Water and wading birds were the primary avian hosts for Cx. nigripalpus and Cx. erraticus in the Everglades. Wading birds are susceptible to WNV and could serve as reservoir hosts. Cx. cedecei fed on five species of rodents, particularly black and hispid cotton rats. EVEV and three different species of Orthobunyavirus have been isolated from the hispid cotton rat and Cx. cedecei in the Everglades. Cx. cedecei is likely acquiring and transmitting these viruses among hispid cotton rats and other rodents. The marsh rabbit was a frequent host for An. crucians complex. An. crucians complex, and other species could acquire Tensaw virus from rabbits. Conclusions: Our study contributes to a better understanding of the host and viral associations of mosquito species in southwestern Florida.
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Affiliation(s)
- John F Anderson
- Department of Entomology and Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Goudarz Molaei
- Department of Entomology and Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Durland Fish
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Philip M Armstrong
- Department of Entomology and Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Noelle Khalil
- Department of Entomology and Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Samuel Brudner
- Quantitative Biology Institute, Department of Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Michael J Misencik
- Department of Entomology and Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Angela Bransfield
- Department of Entomology and Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Michael Olson
- Department of Entomology and Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Theodore G Andreadis
- Department of Entomology and Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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2
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Wang N, Merits A, Veit M, Lello LS, Kong S, Jiao H, Chen J, Wang Y, Dobrikov G, Rey FA, Su S. LDL receptor in alphavirus entry: structural analysis and implications for antiviral therapy. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4906. [PMID: 38851803 PMCID: PMC11162471 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49301-1] [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: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Various low-density lipoprotein receptors (LPRs) have been identified as entry factors for alphaviruses, and structures of the corresponding virion-receptor complexes have been determined. Here, we analyze the similarities and differences in the receptor binding modes of multiple alphaviruses to understand their ability to infect a wide range of hosts. We further discuss the challenges associated with the development of broad-spectrum treatment strategies against a diverse range of alphaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningning Wang
- Engineering Laboratory of Animal Immunity of Jiangsu Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Andres Merits
- Institute of Bioengineering, University of Tartu, Nooruse Street 1, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Michael Veit
- Institute for Virology, Center for Infection Medicine, Veterinary Faculty, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Laura Sandra Lello
- Institute of Bioengineering, University of Tartu, Nooruse Street 1, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Shuhan Kong
- Engineering Laboratory of Animal Immunity of Jiangsu Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Houqi Jiao
- Engineering Laboratory of Animal Immunity of Jiangsu Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Engineering Laboratory of Animal Immunity of Jiangsu Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Engineering Laboratory of Animal Immunity of Jiangsu Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Georgi Dobrikov
- Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Street, Bl. 9, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Félix A Rey
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Virologie Structurale, Department Virologie, CNRS UMR 3569, 25-28 Rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, Paris, France
| | - Shuo Su
- Engineering Laboratory of Animal Immunity of Jiangsu Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
- Sanya Institute of Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing Agricultural University, Sanya, China.
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3
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Bourke BP, Dusek RJ, Ergunay K, Linton YM, Drovetski SV. Viral pathogen detection in U.S. game-farm mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) flags spillover risk to wild birds. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1396552. [PMID: 38860005 PMCID: PMC11163284 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1396552] [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: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The threat posed by emerging infectious diseases is a major concern for global public health, animal health and food security, and the role of birds in transmission is increasingly under scrutiny. Each year, millions of mass-reared game-farm birds are released into the wild, presenting a unique and a poorly understood risk to wild and susceptible bird populations, and to human health. In particular, the shedding of enteric pathogens through excrement into bodies of water at shared migratory stop-over sites, and breeding and wintering grounds, could facilitate multi-species long-distance pathogen dispersal and infection of high numbers of naive endemic birds annually. The Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is the most abundant of all duck species, migratory across much of its range, and an important game species for pen-rearing and release. Major recent population declines along the US Atlantic coast has been attributed to game-farm and wild mallard interbreeding and the introduction maladaptive traits into wild populations. However, pathogen transmission and zoonosis among game-farms Mallard may also impact these populations, as well as wildlife and human health. Here, we screened 16 game-farm Mallard from Wisconsin, United States, for enteric viral pathogens using metatranscriptomic data. Four families of viral pathogens were identified - Picobirnaviridae (Genogroup I), Caliciviridae (Duck Nacovirus), Picornaviridae (Duck Aalivirus) and Sedoreoviridae (Duck Rotavirus G). To our knowledge, this is the first report of Aalivirus in the Americas, and the first report of Calicivirus outside domestic chicken and turkey flocks in the United States. Our findings highlight the risk of viral pathogen spillover from peri-domestically reared game birds to naive wild bird populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian P. Bourke
- Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit, Museum Support Center MRC-534, Smithsonian Institution, Suitland, MD, United States
- One Health Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
- Department of Entomology, Smithsonian Institution—National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Robert J. Dusek
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Koray Ergunay
- Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit, Museum Support Center MRC-534, Smithsonian Institution, Suitland, MD, United States
- One Health Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
- Department of Entomology, Smithsonian Institution—National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, United States
- Hacettepe University, Department of Medical Microbiology, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Yvonne-Marie Linton
- Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit, Museum Support Center MRC-534, Smithsonian Institution, Suitland, MD, United States
- One Health Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
- Department of Entomology, Smithsonian Institution—National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Sergei V. Drovetski
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center at the Patuxent Research Refuge, Laurel, MD, United States
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4
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Zubair AS, McAlpine LS, Gobeske KT. Virology, ecology, epidemiology, pathology, and treatment of eastern equine encephalitis. J Neurol Sci 2024; 457:122886. [PMID: 38278094 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2024.122886] [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: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) was one of the first-recognized neuroinvasive arboviral diseases in North America, and it remains the most lethal. Although EEE is known to have periodic spikes in infection rates, there is increasing evidence that it may be undergoing a change in its prevalence and its public health burden. Numerous factors shape the scope of EEE in humans, and there are important similarities with other emergent viral diseases that have surfaced or strengthened in recent years. Because environmental and ecological conditions that broadly influence the epidemiology of arboviral diseases also are changing, and the frequency, severity, and scope of outbreaks are expected to worsen, an expanded understanding of EEE will have untold importance in coming years. Here we review the factors shaping EEE transmission cycles and the conditions leading to outbreaks in humans from an updated, multidomain perspective. We also provide special consideration of factors shaping the virology, host-vector-environment relationships, and mechanisms of pathology and treatment as a reference for broadening audiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeel S Zubair
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Kevin T Gobeske
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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5
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Williams RAJ, Sánchez-Llatas CJ, Doménech A, Madrid R, Fandiño S, Cea-Callejo P, Gomez-Lucia E, Benítez L. Emerging and Novel Viruses in Passerine Birds. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2355. [PMID: 37764199 PMCID: PMC10536639 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11092355] [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: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
There is growing interest in emerging viruses that can cause serious or lethal disease in humans and animals. The proliferation of cloacal virome studies, mainly focused on poultry and other domestic birds, reveals a wide variety of viruses, although their pathogenic significance is currently uncertain. Analysis of viruses detected in wild birds is complex and often biased towards waterfowl because of the obvious interest in avian influenza or other zoonotic viruses. Less is known about the viruses present in the order Passeriformes, which comprises approximately 60% of extant bird species. This review aims to compile the most significant contributions on the DNA/RNA viruses affecting passerines, from traditional and metagenomic studies. It highlights that most passerine species have never been sampled. Especially the RNA viruses from Flaviviridae, Orthomyxoviridae and Togaviridae are considered emerging because of increased incidence or avian mortality/morbidity, spread to new geographical areas or hosts and their zoonotic risk. Arguably poxvirus, and perhaps other virus groups, could also be considered "emerging viruses". However, many of these viruses have only recently been described in passerines using metagenomics and their role in the ecosystem is unknown. Finally, it is noteworthy that only one third of the viruses affecting passerines have been officially recognized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A. J. Williams
- Department of Genetics, Physiology, and Microbiology, School of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), C. de José Antonio Nováis, 12, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.J.S.-L.); (R.M.); (P.C.-C.); (L.B.)
- “Animal Viruses” Research Group, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.D.); (S.F.); (E.G.-L.)
| | - Christian J. Sánchez-Llatas
- Department of Genetics, Physiology, and Microbiology, School of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), C. de José Antonio Nováis, 12, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.J.S.-L.); (R.M.); (P.C.-C.); (L.B.)
| | - Ana Doménech
- “Animal Viruses” Research Group, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.D.); (S.F.); (E.G.-L.)
- Deparment of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Av. Puerta de Hierro, s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ricardo Madrid
- Department of Genetics, Physiology, and Microbiology, School of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), C. de José Antonio Nováis, 12, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.J.S.-L.); (R.M.); (P.C.-C.); (L.B.)
- “Animal Viruses” Research Group, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.D.); (S.F.); (E.G.-L.)
| | - Sergio Fandiño
- “Animal Viruses” Research Group, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.D.); (S.F.); (E.G.-L.)
- Deparment of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Av. Puerta de Hierro, s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Cea-Callejo
- Department of Genetics, Physiology, and Microbiology, School of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), C. de José Antonio Nováis, 12, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.J.S.-L.); (R.M.); (P.C.-C.); (L.B.)
- “Animal Viruses” Research Group, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.D.); (S.F.); (E.G.-L.)
| | - Esperanza Gomez-Lucia
- “Animal Viruses” Research Group, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.D.); (S.F.); (E.G.-L.)
- Deparment of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Av. Puerta de Hierro, s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Benítez
- Department of Genetics, Physiology, and Microbiology, School of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), C. de José Antonio Nováis, 12, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.J.S.-L.); (R.M.); (P.C.-C.); (L.B.)
- “Animal Viruses” Research Group, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.D.); (S.F.); (E.G.-L.)
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6
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Hill V, Koch RT, Bialosuknia SM, Ngo K, Zink SD, Koetzner CA, Maffei JG, Dupuis AP, Backenson PB, Oliver J, Bransfield AB, Misencik MJ, Petruff TA, Shepard JJ, Warren JL, Gill MS, Baele G, Vogels CBF, Gallagher G, Burns P, Hentoff A, Smole S, Brown C, Osborne M, Kramer LD, Armstrong PM, Ciota AT, Grubaugh ND. Dynamics of eastern equine encephalitis virus during the 2019 outbreak in the Northeast United States. Curr Biol 2023; 33:2515-2527.e6. [PMID: 37295427 PMCID: PMC10316540 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.05.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) causes a rare but severe disease in horses and humans and is maintained in an enzootic transmission cycle between songbirds and Culiseta melanura mosquitoes. In 2019, the largest EEEV outbreak in the United States for more than 50 years occurred, centered in the Northeast. To explore the dynamics of the outbreak, we sequenced 80 isolates of EEEV and combined them with existing genomic data. We found that, similar to previous years, cases were driven by multiple independent but short-lived virus introductions into the Northeast from Florida. Once in the Northeast, we found that Massachusetts was important for regional spread. We found no evidence of any changes in viral, human, or bird factors which would explain the increase in cases in 2019, although the ecology of EEEV is complex and further data is required to explore these in more detail. By using detailed mosquito surveillance data collected by Massachusetts and Connecticut, however, we found that the abundance of Cs. melanura was exceptionally high in 2019, as was the EEEV infection rate. We employed these mosquito data to build a negative binomial regression model and applied it to estimate early season risks of human or horse cases. We found that the month of first detection of EEEV in mosquito surveillance data and vector index (abundance multiplied by infection rate) were predictive of cases later in the season. We therefore highlight the importance of mosquito surveillance programs as an integral part of public health and disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verity Hill
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
| | - Robert T Koch
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Sean M Bialosuknia
- The Arbovirus Laboratory, New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, Slingerlands, NY 12159, USA
| | - Kiet Ngo
- The Arbovirus Laboratory, New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, Slingerlands, NY 12159, USA
| | - Steven D Zink
- The Arbovirus Laboratory, New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, Slingerlands, NY 12159, USA
| | - Cheri A Koetzner
- The Arbovirus Laboratory, New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, Slingerlands, NY 12159, USA
| | - Joseph G Maffei
- The Arbovirus Laboratory, New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, Slingerlands, NY 12159, USA
| | - Alan P Dupuis
- The Arbovirus Laboratory, New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, Slingerlands, NY 12159, USA
| | - P Bryon Backenson
- New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, Albany, NY 12237, USA
| | - JoAnne Oliver
- New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, Syracuse, NY 13202, USA; Division of Environmental and Renewable Resources, State University of New York at Morrisville - School of Agriculture, Business and Technology, Morrisville, NY 13408, USA
| | - Angela B Bransfield
- Center for Vector Biology and Zoonotic Diseases, Department of Entomology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Michael J Misencik
- Center for Vector Biology and Zoonotic Diseases, Department of Entomology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Tanya A Petruff
- Center for Vector Biology and Zoonotic Diseases, Department of Entomology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - John J Shepard
- Center for Vector Biology and Zoonotic Diseases, Department of Entomology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Joshua L Warren
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Public Health Modeling Unit, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Mandev S Gill
- Department of Statistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Guy Baele
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven BE-3000, Belgium
| | - Chantal B F Vogels
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Glen Gallagher
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA 02108, USA; Rhode Island State Health Laboratory, Rhode Island Department of Health, Providence, RI 02904, USA
| | - Paul Burns
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA 02108, USA
| | - Aaron Hentoff
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA 02108, USA
| | - Sandra Smole
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA 02108, USA
| | - Catherine Brown
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA 02108, USA
| | - Matthew Osborne
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA 02108, USA
| | - Laura D Kramer
- The Arbovirus Laboratory, New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, Slingerlands, NY 12159, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Albany School of Public Health, Albany, NY 12237, USA
| | - Philip M Armstrong
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Division of Environmental and Renewable Resources, State University of New York at Morrisville - School of Agriculture, Business and Technology, Morrisville, NY 13408, USA.
| | - Alexander T Ciota
- The Arbovirus Laboratory, New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, Slingerlands, NY 12159, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Albany School of Public Health, Albany, NY 12237, USA.
| | - Nathan D Grubaugh
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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7
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Hill V, Koch RT, Bialosuknia SM, Ngo K, Zink SD, Koetzner CA, Maffei JG, Dupuis AP, Backenson PB, Oliver J, Bransfield AB, Misencik MJ, Petruff TA, Shepard JJ, Warren JL, Gill MS, Baele G, Vogels CBF, Gallagher G, Burns P, Hentoff A, Smole S, Brown C, Osborne M, Kramer LD, Armstrong PM, Ciota AT, Grubaugh ND. Dynamics of Eastern equine encephalitis virus during the 2019 outbreak in the Northeast United States. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.03.06.23286851. [PMID: 36945576 PMCID: PMC10029029 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.06.23286851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) causes a rare but severe disease in horses and humans, and is maintained in an enzootic transmission cycle between songbirds and Culiseta melanura mosquitoes. In 2019, the largest EEEV outbreak in the United States for more than 50 years occurred, centered in the Northeast. To explore the dynamics of the outbreak, we sequenced 80 isolates of EEEV and combined them with existing genomic data. We found that, like previous years, cases were driven by frequent short-lived virus introductions into the Northeast from Florida. Once in the Northeast, we found that Massachusetts was important for regional spread. We found no evidence of any changes in viral, human, or bird factors which would explain the increase in cases in 2019. By using detailed mosquito surveillance data collected by Massachusetts and Connecticut, however, we found that the abundance of Cs. melanura was exceptionally high in 2019, as was the EEEV infection rate. We employed these mosquito data to build a negative binomial regression model and applied it to estimate early season risks of human or horse cases. We found that the month of first detection of EEEV in mosquito surveillance data and vector index (abundance multiplied by infection rate) were predictive of cases later in the season. We therefore highlight the importance of mosquito surveillance programs as an integral part of public health and disease control.
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8
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Petrucciani A, Yu G, Ventresca M. Multi-season transmission model of Eastern Equine Encephalitis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272130. [PMID: 35976903 PMCID: PMC9385034 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is an arbovirus that, while it has been known to exist since the 1930's, recently had a spike in cases. This increased prevalence is particularly concerning due to the severity of the disease with 1 in 3 symptomatic patients dying. The cause of this peak is currently unknown but could be due to changes in climate, the virus itself, or host behavior. In this paper we propose a novel multi-season deterministic model of EEE spread and its stochastic counterpart. Models were parameterized using a dataset from the Florida Department of Health with sixteen years of sentinel chicken seroconversion rates. The different roles of the enzootic and bridge mosquito vectors were explored. As expected, enzootic mosquitoes like Culiseta melanura were more important for EEE persistence, while bridge vectors were implicated in the disease burden in humans. These models were used to explore hypothetical viral mutations and host behavior changes, including increased infectivity, vertical transmission, and host feeding preferences. Results showed that changes in the enzootic vector transmission increased cases among birds more drastically than equivalent changes in the bridge vector. Additionally, a 5% difference in the bridge vector's bird feeding preference can increase cumulative dead-end host infections more than 20-fold. Taken together, this suggests changes in many parts of the transmission cycle can augment cases in birds, but the bridge vectors feeding preference acts as a valve limiting the enzootic circulation from its impact on dead-end hosts, such as humans. Our what-if scenario analysis reveals and measures possible threats regarding EEE and relevant environmental changes and hypothetically suggests how to prevent potential damage to public health and the equine economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa Petrucciani
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Geonsik Yu
- School of Industrial Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Mario Ventresca
- School of Industrial Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
- Purdue Institute for Inflammation, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
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9
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Little EAH, Hutchinson ML, Price KJ, Marini A, Shepard JJ, Molaei G. Spatiotemporal distribution, abundance, and host interactions of two invasive vectors of arboviruses, Aedes albopictus and Aedes japonicus, in Pennsylvania, USA. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:36. [PMID: 35073977 PMCID: PMC8785538 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05151-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aedes albopictus and Aedes japonicus, two invasive mosquito species in the United States, are implicated in the transmission of arboviruses. Studies have shown interactions of these two mosquito species with a variety of vertebrate hosts; however, regional differences exist and may influence their contribution to arbovirus transmission. Methods We investigated the distribution, abundance, host interactions, and West Nile virus infection prevalence of Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus by examining Pennsylvania mosquito and arbovirus surveillance data for the period between 2010 and 2018. Mosquitoes were primarily collected using gravid traps and BG-Sentinel traps, and sources of blood meals were determined by analyzing mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences amplified in PCR assays. Results A total of 10,878,727 female mosquitoes representing 51 species were collected in Pennsylvania over the 9-year study period, with Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus representing 4.06% and 3.02% of all collected mosquitoes, respectively. Aedes albopictus was distributed in 39 counties and Ae. japonicus in all 67 counties, and the abundance of these species increased between 2010 and 2018. Models suggested an increase in the spatial extent of Ae. albopictus during the study period, while that of Ae. japonicus remained unchanged. We found a differential association between the abundance of the two mosquito species and environmental conditions, percent development, and median household income. Of 110 Ae. albopictus and 97 Ae. japonicus blood meals successfully identified to species level, 98% and 100% were derived from mammalian hosts, respectively. Among 12 mammalian species, domestic cats, humans, and white-tailed deer served as the most frequent hosts for the two mosquito species. A limited number of Ae. albopictus acquired blood meals from avian hosts solely or in mixed blood meals. West Nile virus was detected in 31 pools (n = 3582 total number of pools) of Ae. albopictus and 12 pools (n = 977 total pools) of Ae. japonicus. Conclusions Extensive distribution, high abundance, and frequent interactions with mammalian hosts suggest potential involvement of Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus in the transmission of human arboviruses including Cache Valley, Jamestown Canyon, La Crosse, dengue, chikungunya, and Zika should any of these viruses become prevalent in Pennsylvania. Limited interaction with avian hosts suggests that Ae. albopictus might occasionally be involved in transmission of arboviruses such as West Nile in the region. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05151-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliza A H Little
- Department of Entomology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.,Center for Vector Biology and Zoonotic Diseases and Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Michael L Hutchinson
- Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17110, USA.,Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17101, USA
| | - Keith J Price
- Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17101, USA
| | - Alyssa Marini
- Department of Environmental Sciences, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - John J Shepard
- Center for Vector Biology and Zoonotic Diseases and Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.,Department of Environmental Sciences, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Goudarz Molaei
- Center for Vector Biology and Zoonotic Diseases and Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA. .,Department of Environmental Sciences, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA. .,Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
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10
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Armstrong PM, Andreadis TG. Ecology and Epidemiology of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus in the Northeastern United States: An Historical Perspective. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 59:1-13. [PMID: 34734628 PMCID: PMC8755988 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
In the current review, we examine the regional history, ecology, and epidemiology of eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) to investigate the major drivers of disease outbreaks in the northeastern United States. EEEV was first recognized as a public health threat during an outbreak in eastern Massachusetts in 1938, but historical evidence for equine epizootics date back to the 1800s. Since then, sporadic disease outbreaks have reoccurred in the Northeast with increasing frequency and northward expansion of human cases during the last 20 yr. Culiseta melanura (Coquillett) (Diptera: Culicidae) serves as the main enzootic vector that drives EEEV transmission among wild birds, but this mosquito species will occasionally feed on mammals. Several species have been implicated as bridge vectors to horses and humans, with Coquilletstidia perturbans (Walker) as a leading suspect based on its opportunistic feeding behavior, vector competence, and high infection rates during recent disease outbreaks. A diversity of bird species are reservoir competent, exposed to EEEV, and serve as hosts for Cs. melanura, with a few species, including the wood thrush (Hlocichia mustelina) and the American robin (Turdus migratorius), contributing disproportionately to virus transmission based on available evidence. The major factors responsible for the sustained resurgence of EEEV are considered and may be linked to regional landscape and climate changes that support higher mosquito densities and more intense virus transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip M Armstrong
- Center for Vector Biology and Zoonotic Diseases, Department of Environmental Sciences, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, P.O. Box 1106. 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT 06504, USA
| | - Theodore G Andreadis
- Center for Vector Biology and Zoonotic Diseases, Department of Environmental Sciences, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, P.O. Box 1106. 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT 06504, USA
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11
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Miley KM, Downs J, Burkett-Cadena ND, West RG, Hunt B, Deskins G, Kellner B, Fisher-Grainger S, Unnasch RS, Unnasch TR. Field Analysis of Biological Factors Associated With Sites at High and Low to Moderate Risk for Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Winter Activity in Florida. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:2385-2397. [PMID: 33893734 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is the most pathogenic arbovirus endemic to the United States. Studies have demonstrated Florida's role as a regional reservoir for the virus and its ability to support year-round transmission. Previous research has developed risk index models for mapping locations most at risk for EEEV transmission. We compared vector abundance, vector feeding behavior, potential host species, and fauna presence at high versus low-moderate risk sites during the winter and spring. Predicted high-risk sites had a significantly greater abundance of mosquitoes overall, including Culiseta melanura (Coquillett) (Diptera: Culicidae), the primary enzootic vector of EEEV. Twenty host species were identified from Cs. melanura bloodmeals, with the majority taken from avian species. Culiseta melanura largely fed upon the Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis (Passeriformes: Cardinalidae)), which accounted for 20-24.4% of the bloodmeals obtained from this species in years 1 and 2, respectively. One EEEV-positive mosquito pool (Cs. melanura) and nine EEEV seropositive sentinel chickens were confirmed during winter-spring collections from high-risk sites; no seropositive chickens nor mosquito pools were found at the low-moderate risk sites. These results suggest that high-risk sites for EEEV activity are characterized by habitats that support populations of Cs. melanura and which may also provide ample opportunities to feed upon Northern Cardinals. The overall low level of mosquito populations during the winter also suggests that control of Cs. melanura populations in winter at high-risk sites may prove effective in reducing EEEV transmission during the peak summer season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristi M Miley
- Center for Global Health Infectious Disease Research, University of South Florida, 3720 Spectrum Blvd, Suite 304, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Joni Downs
- School of Geosciences, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Nathan D Burkett-Cadena
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida, 200 9th St SE, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA
| | - Richard G West
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida, 200 9th St SE, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA
| | - Brenda Hunt
- North Walton Mosquito Control, 129 Montgomery Circle, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435, USA
| | - George Deskins
- Citrus County Mosquito Control District, 968 N Lecanto Hwy, Lecanto, FL 34461, USA
| | - Billy Kellner
- Citrus County Mosquito Control District, 968 N Lecanto Hwy, Lecanto, FL 34461, USA
| | | | - Robert S Unnasch
- University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Thomas R Unnasch
- Center for Global Health Infectious Disease Research, University of South Florida, 3720 Spectrum Blvd, Suite 304, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
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12
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Active Circulation of Madariaga Virus, a Member of the Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Complex, in Northeast Brazil. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10080983. [PMID: 34451447 PMCID: PMC8400464 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10080983] [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: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Madariaga virus (MADV) is a member of the eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) complex that circulates in Central and South America. It is a zoonotic, mosquito-borne pathogen, belonging to the family Togaviridae. Disturbances in the natural transmission cycle of this virus result in outbreaks in equines and humans, leading to high case fatality in the former and acute febrile illness or neurological disease in the latter. Although a considerable amount of knowledge exists on the eco-epidemiology of North American EEEV strains, little is known about MADV. In Brazil, the most recent isolations of MADV occurred in 2009 in the States of Paraíba and Ceará, northeast Brazil. Because of that, health authorities have recommended vaccination of animals in these regions. However, in 2019 an equine encephalitis outbreak was reported in a municipality in Ceará. Here, we present the isolation of MADV from two horses that died in this outbreak. The full-length genome of these viruses was sequenced, and phylogenetic analyses performed. Pathological findings from postmortem examination are also discussed. We conclude that MADV is actively circulating in northeast Brazil despite vaccination programs, and call attention to this arbovirus that likely represents an emerging pathogen in Latin America.
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Brown SC, Cormier J, Tuan J, Lier AJ, McGuone D, Armstrong PM, Kaddouh F, Parikh S, Landry ML, Gobeske KT. Four Human Cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Connecticut, USA, during a Larger Regional Outbreak, 2019. Emerg Infect Dis 2021; 27. [PMID: 34289334 PMCID: PMC8314835 DOI: 10.3201/eid2708.203730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Incidence increased among human and equine hosts after primary and bridge mosquito virus vectors more than doubled over normal levels 1 month earlier in the season than usual. During 3 weeks in 2019, 4 human cases of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) were diagnosed at a single hospital in Connecticut, USA. The cases coincided with notable shifts in vector–host infection patterns in the northeastern United States and signified a striking change in EEE incidence. All 4 cases were geographically clustered, rapidly progressive, and neurologically devastating. Diagnostic tests conducted by a national commercial reference laboratory revealed initial granulocytic cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis and false-negative antibody results. EEE virus infection was diagnosed only after patient samples were retested by the arbovirus laboratory of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA. The crucial diagnostic challenges, clinical findings, and epidemiologic patterns revealed in this outbreak can inform future public health and clinical practice.
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West RG, Mathias DR, Day JF, Boohene CK, Unnasch TR, Burkett-Cadena ND. Vectorial Capacity of Culiseta melanura (Diptera: Culicidae) Changes Seasonally and Is Related to Epizootic Transmission of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus in Central Florida. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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15
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Taieb L, Ludwig A, Ogden NH, Lindsay RL, Iranpour M, Gagnon CA, Bicout DJ. Bird Species Involved in West Nile Virus Epidemiological Cycle in Southern Québec. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17124517. [PMID: 32585999 PMCID: PMC7344584 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17124517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Despite many studies on West Nile Virus (WNV) in the US, including the reservoir role of bird species and the summer shifts of the Culex mosquito, feeding from birds to mammals, there have been few equivalent studies in the neighboring regions of Canada where WNV is endemic. Here, a priority list of bird species likely involved in WNV transmission in the greater Montréal area is constructed by combining three sources of data: (i) from WNV surveillance in wild birds (2002–2015); (ii) blood meal analysis of Culex pipiens–restuans (CPR), the primary enzootic vectors of WNV in the region, collected from surveillance in 2008 and 2014; (iii) literature review on the sero-prevalence/host competence of resident birds. Each of these data sources yielded 18, 23 and 53 species, and overall, 67 different bird species were identified as potential WNV amplifiers/reservoirs. Of those identified from CPR blood meals, Common starlings, American robins, Song sparrows and House sparrows ranked the highest and blood meal analysis demonstrated a seasonal shift in feed preference from birds to mammals by CPR. Our study indicates that there are broad similarities in the ecology of WNV between our region and the northeastern US, although the relative importance of bird species varies somewhat between regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludivine Taieb
- Research Group on Epidemiology of Zoonoses and Public Health (GREZOSP), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada; (L.T.); (N.H.O.)
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada;
| | - Antoinette Ludwig
- Research Group on Epidemiology of Zoonoses and Public Health (GREZOSP), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada; (L.T.); (N.H.O.)
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
- Correspondence: (A.L.); (D.J.B.); Tel.: +33-673-267-496 (D.J.B.)
| | - Nick H. Ogden
- Research Group on Epidemiology of Zoonoses and Public Health (GREZOSP), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada; (L.T.); (N.H.O.)
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Robbin L. Lindsay
- Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada; (R.L.L.); (M.I.)
| | - Mahmood Iranpour
- Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada; (R.L.L.); (M.I.)
| | - Carl A. Gagnon
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada;
- Swine and Poultry Infectious Diseases Research Center (CRIPA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Dominique J. Bicout
- Biomathématiques et Épidémiologie, EPSP-TIMC, UMR CNRS 5525, Université Grenoble-Alpes, VetAgro Sup, 38700 La Tronche, France
- Laue-Langevin Institute, Theory Group, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38042 Grenoble, France
- Correspondence: (A.L.); (D.J.B.); Tel.: +33-673-267-496 (D.J.B.)
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Reeves LE, Gillett-Kaufman JL, Kawahara AY, Kaufman PE. Barcoding blood meals: New vertebrate-specific primer sets for assigning taxonomic identities to host DNA from mosquito blood meals. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006767. [PMID: 30161128 PMCID: PMC6135518 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The transmission dynamics of mosquito-vectored pathogens are, in part, mediated by mosquito host-feeding patterns. These patterns are elucidated using blood meal analysis, a collection of serological and molecular techniques that determine the taxonomic identities of the host animals from which blood meals are derived. Modern blood meal analyses rely on polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA sequencing, and bioinformatic comparisons of blood meal DNA sequences to reference databases. Ideally, primers used in blood meal analysis PCRs amplify templates from a taxonomically diverse range of vertebrates, produce a short amplicon, and avoid co-amplification of non-target templates. Few primer sets that fit these requirements are available for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, the species identification marker with the highest taxonomic coverage in reference databases. Here, we present new primer sets designed to amplify fragments of the DNA barcoding region of the vertebrate COI gene, while avoiding co-amplification of mosquito templates, without multiplexed or nested PCR. Primers were validated using host vertebrate DNA templates from mosquito blood meals of known origin, representing all terrestrial vertebrate classes, and field-collected mosquito blood meals of unknown origin. We found that the primers were generally effective in amplifying vertebrate host, but not mosquito DNA templates. Applied to the sample of unknown mosquito blood meals, > 98% (60/61) of blood meals samples were reliably identified, demonstrating the feasibility of identifying mosquito hosts with the new primers. These primers are beneficial in that they can be used to amplify COI templates from a diverse range of vertebrate hosts using standard PCR, thereby streamlining the process of identifying the hosts of mosquitoes, and could be applied to next generation DNA sequencing and metabarcoding approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence E. Reeves
- Entomology and Nematology Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L. Gillett-Kaufman
- Entomology and Nematology Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Akito Y. Kawahara
- McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Phillip E. Kaufman
- Entomology and Nematology Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
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Soghigian J, Andreadis TG, Molaei G. Population genomics of Culiseta melanura, the principal vector of Eastern equine encephalitis virus in the United States. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006698. [PMID: 30118494 PMCID: PMC6114928 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) (Togaviridae, Alphavirus) is a highly pathogenic mosquito-borne arbovirus that circulates in an enzootic cycle involving Culiseta melanura mosquitoes and wild Passeriformes birds in freshwater swamp habitats. Recently, the northeastern United States has experienced an intensification of virus activity with increased human involvement and northward expansion into new regions. In addition to its principal role in enzootic transmission of EEE virus among avian hosts, recent studies on the blood-feeding behavior of Cs. melanura throughout its geographic range suggest that this mosquito may also be involved in epizootic / epidemic transmission to equines and humans in certain locales. Variations in blood feeding behavior may be a function of host availability, environmental factors, and/or underlying genetic differences among regional populations. Despite the importance of Cs. melanura in transmission and maintenance of EEE virus, the genetics of this species remains largely unexplored. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPLE FINDINGS To investigate the occurrence of genetic variation in Cs. melanura, the genome of this mosquito vector was sequenced resulting in a draft genome assembly of 1.28 gigabases with a contig N50 of 93.36 kilobases. Populations of Cs. melanura from 10 EEE virus foci in the eastern North America were genotyped with double-digest RAD-seq. Following alignment of reads to the reference genome, variant calling, and filtering, 40,384 SNPs were retained for downstream analyses. Subsequent analyses revealed genetic differentiation between northern and southern populations of this mosquito species. Moreover, limited fine-scale population structure was detected throughout northeastern North America, suggesting local differentiation of populations but also a history of ancestral polymorphism or contemporary gene flow. Additionally, a genetically distinct cluster was identified predominantly at two northern sites. CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE This study elucidates the first evidence of fine-scale population structure in Cs. melanura throughout its eastern range and detects evidence of gene flow between populations in northeastern North America. This investigation provides the groundwork for examining the consequences of genetic variations in the populations of this mosquito species that could influence vector-host interactions and the risk of human and equine infection with EEE virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Soghigian
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Theodore G. Andreadis
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Goudarz Molaei
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
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Reeves LE, Holderman CJ, Blosser EM, Gillett-Kaufman JL, Kawahara AY, Kaufman PE, Burkett-Cadena ND. Identification of Uranotaenia sapphirina as a specialist of annelids broadens known mosquito host use patterns. Commun Biol 2018; 1:92. [PMID: 30271973 PMCID: PMC6123777 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-018-0096-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Feeding upon vertebrate blood by mosquitoes permits transmission of diverse pathogens, including viruses, protozoa, and nematodes. Despite over a century of intensive study, no mosquito species is known to specialize on non-vertebrate hosts. Using molecular analyses and field observations, we provide the first evidence, to our knowledge, that a mosquito, Uranotaenia sapphirina, specializes on annelid hosts (earthworms and leeches) while its sympatric congener, Uranotaenia lowii, feeds only on anurans (frogs and toads). Our results demonstrate that Ur. sapphirina feeds on annelid hosts (100% of identified blood meals; n = 72; collected throughout Florida), findings that are supported by field observations of these mosquitoes feeding on Sparganophilus worms and freshwater leeches. These findings indicate that adult mosquitoes utilize a much broader range of host taxa than previously recognized, with implications for epidemiology and the evolution of host use patterns in mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence E Reeves
- Entomology and Nematology Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL, 32962, USA.
| | - Chris J Holderman
- Entomology and Nematology Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Erik M Blosser
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL, 32962, USA
| | - Jennifer L Gillett-Kaufman
- Entomology and Nematology Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Akito Y Kawahara
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Phillip E Kaufman
- Entomology and Nematology Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Nathan D Burkett-Cadena
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL, 32962, USA
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Anderson JF, Armstrong PM, Misencik MJ, Bransfield AB, Andreadis TG, Molaei G. Seasonal Distribution, Blood-Feeding Habits, and Viruses of Mosquitoes in an Open-Faced Quarry in Connecticut, 2010 and 2011. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MOSQUITO CONTROL ASSOCIATION 2018; 34:1-10. [PMID: 31442119 DOI: 10.2987/17-6707.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Seasonal abundance of mosquitoes, their viruses, and blood-feeding habits were determined at an open-faced quarry in North Branford, CT, in 2010 and 2011. This unique habitat had not previously been sampled for mosquitoes and mosquito-borne viruses. Thirty species of mosquitoes were identified from 41,719 specimens collected. Coquillettidia perturbans, Aedes trivittatus, and Ae. vexans were the most abundant species and represented 34.5%, 17.7%, and 14.8% of the totals, respectively. Jamestown Canyon virus was isolated from 6 species of mosquitoes collected from mid-June through July: Cq. perturbans (3 pools), Ae. cantator (3), Ae. trivittatus (2), Ae. aurifer (1), Ae. excrucians (1), and Culex pipiens (1). West Nile virus was cultured from 8 pools of Cx. pipiens and from 1 pool of Culiseta melanura collected from mid-August through late September. Cache Valley virus was isolated from 4 species of mosquitoes in 3 genera from about mid-August through late September 2011: Cq. perturbans (5 pools), Ae. trivittatus (2), Anopheles punctipennis (1), and An. quadrimaculatus (1). Nine different mammalian hosts were identified as sources of blood for 13 species of mosquitoes. White-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, were the most common mammalian hosts (90.8%), followed by raccoon, Procyon lotor (3.1%), coyote, Canis latrans (2.4%), and human, Homo sapiens (1.2%). Exclusive mammalian blood-feeding mosquitoes included: Ae. canadensis, Ae. cantator, Ae. excrucians, Ae. japonicus, Ae. vexans, An. punctipennis, and Cx. salinarius. Fourteen species of birds, mostly Passeriformes, were identified as sources of blood from 6 mosquito species. Five species that fed on mammals (Ae. thibaulti, Ae. trivittatus, Ae. cinereus, Cq. perturbans, and Cx. pipiens) also fed on birds.
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Faust CL, Dobson AP, Gottdenker N, Bloomfield LSP, McCallum HI, Gillespie TR, Diuk-Wasser M, Plowright RK. Null expectations for disease dynamics in shrinking habitat: dilution or amplification? Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 372:rstb.2016.0173. [PMID: 28438921 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
As biodiversity declines with anthropogenic land-use change, it is increasingly important to understand how changing biodiversity affects infectious disease risk. The dilution effect hypothesis, which points to decreases in biodiversity as critical to an increase in infection risk, has received considerable attention due to the allure of a win-win scenario for conservation and human well-being. Yet some empirical data suggest that the dilution effect is not a generalizable phenomenon. We explore the response of pathogen transmission dynamics to changes in biodiversity that are driven by habitat loss using an allometrically scaled multi-host model. With this model, we show that declining habitat, and thus declining biodiversity, can lead to either increasing or decreasing infectious-disease risk, measured as endemic prevalence. Whether larger habitats, and thus greater biodiversity, lead to a decrease (dilution effect) or increase (amplification effect) in infection prevalence depends upon the pathogen transmission mode and how host competence scales with body size. Dilution effects were detected for most frequency-transmitted pathogens and amplification effects were detected for density-dependent pathogens. Amplification effects were also observed over a particular range of habitat loss in frequency-dependent pathogens when we assumed that host competence was greatest in large-bodied species. By contrast, only amplification effects were observed for density-dependent pathogens; host competency only affected the magnitude of the effect. These models can be used to guide future empirical studies of biodiversity-disease relationships across gradients of habitat loss. The type of transmission, the relationship between host competence and community assembly, the identity of hosts contributing to transmission, and how transmission scales with area are essential factors to consider when elucidating the mechanisms driving disease risk in shrinking habitat.This article is part of the themed issue 'Conservation, biodiversity and infectious disease: scientific evidence and policy implications'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina L Faust
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Andrew P Dobson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Nicole Gottdenker
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Laura S P Bloomfield
- Emmett Interdisciplinary Program in Environment and Resources, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Hamish I McCallum
- Environmental Futures Research Institute and Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland 4222, Australia
| | - Thomas R Gillespie
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Rollins School of Public Health; Program In Population, Biology, Ecology and Evolution; Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.,Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health; Program In Population, Biology, Ecology and Evolution; Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Maria Diuk-Wasser
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Raina K Plowright
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
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Torres R, Samudio R, Carrera JP, Young J, Márquez R, Hurtado L, Weaver S, Chaves LF, Tesh R, Cáceres L. Enzootic mosquito vector species at equine encephalitis transmission foci in the República de Panamá. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0185491. [PMID: 28937995 PMCID: PMC5609755 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of mosquito vector species present at arboviral enzootic transmission foci is important to understand transmission eco-epidemiology and to propose and implement prevention and control strategies that reduce vector-borne equine encephalitis transmission. The goal of this study was to identify mosquito species potentially involved in the transmission of enzootic equine encephalitis, in relation to their abundance and diversity at three endemic regions in the República de Panamá. We sampled adult mosquitoes during the dry and rainy season of Panamá. We employed CDC light traps with octanol, EV traps with CO2 and Trinidad 17 traps baited with live hamsters. Traps were deployed in the peridomicile and extradomicile of houses from 18:00 to 6:00 h. We estimated the abundance and diversity of sampled species. We collected a total of 4868 mosquitoes, belonging to 45 species and 11 genera, over 216 sampling nights. Culex (Melanoconion) pedroi, a major Venezuelan equine encephalitis vector was relatively rare (< 2.0% of all sampled mosquitoes). We also found Cx. (Mel) adamesi, Cx. (Mel) crybda, Cx. (Mel) ocossa, Cx. (Mel) spissipes, Cx. (Mel) taeniopus, Cx. (Mel) vomerifer, Aedes scapularis, Ae. angustivittatus, Coquillettidia venezuelensis, Cx. nigripalpus, Cx. declarator, Mansonia titillans, M. pseudotitillans and Psorophora ferox all species known to be vectorially competent for the transmission of arboviruses. Abundance and diversity of mosquitoes in the sampled locations was high, when compared with similar surveys in temperate areas. Information from previous reports about vectorial competence / capacity of the sampled mosquito species suggest that sampled locations have all the elements to support enzootic outbreaks of Venezuelan and Eastern equine encephalitides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rolando Torres
- Instituto Commemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panamá, República de Panamá, Departmento de Entomología Medica
| | - Rafael Samudio
- Mastozoological Society of Panamá, Ciudad de Panamá, República de Panamá
| | - Jean-Paul Carrera
- Instituto Commemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panamá República de Panamá, Departmento de Genomica y Proteomica
| | - Josue Young
- Instituto Commemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panamá, República de Panamá, Departmento de Entomología Medica
| | - Ricardo Márquez
- Instituto Commemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panamá, República de Panamá, Departmento de Entomología Medica
| | - Lisbeth Hurtado
- Instituto Commemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panamá, República de Panamá, Departmento de Análisis Epidemiológico y Bioestadísticas
| | - Scott Weaver
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity and Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States of America
| | - Luis Fernando Chaves
- Programa de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (PIET), Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro de Montes de Oca, Costa Rica
| | - Robert Tesh
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity and Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States of America
| | - Lorenzo Cáceres
- Instituto Commemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panamá, República de Panamá, Departmento de Entomología Medica
- * E-mail:
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22
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Blosser EM, Lord CC, Stenn T, Acevedo C, Hassan HK, Reeves LE, Unnasch TR, Burkett-Cadena ND. Environmental Drivers of Seasonal Patterns of Host Utilization by Culiseta melanura (Diptera: Culicidae) in Florida. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2017; 54:1365-1374. [PMID: 28874017 PMCID: PMC5850491 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjx140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Field studies were carried out in four Florida counties to investigate winter and spring ecology of host use by Culiseta melanura (Coquillet), the primary vector of eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus (EEEV) in North America. Bloodmeal analysis by PCR was used to identify 233 host bloodmeals, which mainly originated from birds (78.5%) and reptiles (17.2%), primarily Anolis spp. lizards. Across counties, the percentage of bloodmeals from reptiles (7-37% depending upon county) increased with increasing day length and temperature in the spring. Multiple logistic regression revealed that differences in reptile host use across collection sites were largely explained by differences in average day length and temperature on the day of collection, and is probably owing to environment-driven behavioral patterns of ectothermic animals. Although past studies have demonstrated reptile biting by epizootic vectors of EEEV, including Culex (Melanoconion) spp., this is the first study to demonstrate widespread and common feeding upon ectothermic hosts by Cs. melanura. This work suggests that reptiles, particularly anole lizards, play a role in the ecology of EEEV in Florida either as amplifying hosts or as noncompetent hosts which dilute vector feedings thereby suppressing transmission. Detailed laboratory studies investigating impacts of environmental variables (temperature and photoperiod) on EEEV competence of anoles are needed to assess whether these animals support virus amplification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik M. Blosser
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida IFAS, 200 9th St. SE, Vero Beach, FL 32962 (; ; ; ; )
| | - Cynthia C. Lord
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida IFAS, 200 9th St. SE, Vero Beach, FL 32962 (; ; ; ; )
| | - Tanise Stenn
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida IFAS, 200 9th St. SE, Vero Beach, FL 32962 (; ; ; ; )
| | - Carolina Acevedo
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida IFAS, 200 9th St. SE, Vero Beach, FL 32962 (; ; ; ; )
| | - Hassan K. Hassan
- Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, Global Health Infectious Disease Research Program, University of South Florida, 3720 Spectrum Blvd., Suite 304, Tampa, FL 33612 (; )
| | - Lawrence E. Reeves
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, PO Box 110620, Gainesville, FL 32611 ()
| | - Thomas R. Unnasch
- Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, Global Health Infectious Disease Research Program, University of South Florida, 3720 Spectrum Blvd., Suite 304, Tampa, FL 33612 (; )
| | - Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida IFAS, 200 9th St. SE, Vero Beach, FL 32962 (; ; ; ; )
- Corresponding author, e-mail:
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23
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Marcondes CB, Contigiani M, Gleiser RM. Emergent and Reemergent Arboviruses in South America and the Caribbean: Why So Many and Why Now? JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2017; 54:509-532. [PMID: 28399216 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjw209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Varios arbovirus han emergido y/o reemergido en el Nuevo Mundo en las últimas décadas. Los virus Zika y chikungunya, anteriormente restringidos a África y quizás Asia, invadieron el continente, causando gran preocupación; además siguen ocurriendo brotes causados por el virus dengue en casi todos los países, con millones de casos por año. El virus West Nile invadió rápidamente América del Norte, y ya se han encontrado casos en América Central y del Sur. Otros arbovirus, como Mayaro y el virus de la encefalitis equina del este han aumentado su actividad y se han encontrado en nuevas regiones. Se han documentado cambios en la patogenicidad de algunos virus que conducen a enfermedades inesperadas. Una fauna diversa de mosquitos, cambios climáticos y en la vegetación, aumento de los viajes, y urbanizaciones no planificadas que generan condiciones adecuadas para la proliferación de Aedes aegypti (L.), Culex quinquefasciatus Say y otros mosquitos vectores, se han combinado para influir fuertemente en los cambios en la distribución y la incidencia de varios arbovirus. Se enfatiza la necesidad de realizar estudios exhaustivos de la fauna de mosquitos y modificaciones de las condiciones ambientales, sobre todo en las zonas urbanas fuertemente influenciadas por factores sociales, políticos y económicos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Brisola Marcondes
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Marta Contigiani
- Emeritus Professor, Instituto de Virologia "Dr. J. M. Vanella", Enfermera Gordillo Gomez s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, National University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Raquel Miranda Gleiser
- Centro de Relevamiento y Evaluación de Recursos Agrícolas y Naturales (CREAN) - Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (IMBIV), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC) and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina
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24
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Elias SP, Keenan P, Kenney JL, Morris SR, Covino KM, Robinson S, Foss KA, Rand PW, Lubelczyk C, Lacombe EH, Mutebi JP, Evers D, Smith RP. Seasonal Patterns in Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Antibody in Songbirds in Southern Maine. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2017; 17:325-330. [PMID: 28287934 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2016.2029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The intent of this study was to assess passerine eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEv) seroprevalence during the breeding season in southern Maine by testing songbird species identified in the literature as amplifying hosts of this virus. In 2013 and 2014, we collected serum samples from songbirds at a mainland site and an offshore island migratory stopover site, and screened samples for EEEv antibodies using plaque reduction neutralization tests. We compared seasonal changes in EEEv antibody seroprevalence in young (hatched in year of capture) and adult birds at the mainland site, and also compared early season seroprevalence in mainland versus offshore adult birds. EEEv seroprevalence did not differ significantly between years at either site. During the early season (May), EEEv antibody seroprevalence was substantially lower (9.6%) in the island migrant adults than in mainland adults (42.9%), 2013-2014. On the mainland, EEEv antibody seroprevalence in young birds increased from 12.9% in midseason (June-August) to 45.6% in late season (September/October), 2013-2014. Seroprevalence in adult birds did not differ between seasons (48.8% vs. 53.3%). EEEv activity in Maine has increased in the past decade as measured by increased virus detection in mosquitoes and veterinary cases. High EEEv seroprevalence in young birds-as compared to that of young birds in other studies-corresponded with two consecutive active EEEv years in Maine. We suggest that young, locally hatched songbirds be sampled as a part of long-term EEEv surveillance, and provide a list of suggested species to sample, including EEEv "superspreaders."
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan P Elias
- 1 Vector-Borne Disease Laboratory, Maine Medical Center Research Institute , Scarborough, Maine
| | | | - Joan L Kenney
- 3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Sara R Morris
- 4 Department of Biology, Canisius College , Buffalo, New York.,5 Shoals Marine Laboratory , Portsmouth, New Hampshire
| | - Kristen M Covino
- 4 Department of Biology, Canisius College , Buffalo, New York.,5 Shoals Marine Laboratory , Portsmouth, New Hampshire.,6 Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi , Hattiesburg, Mississippi
| | - Sara Robinson
- 7 Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Augusta, Maine
| | | | - Peter W Rand
- 1 Vector-Borne Disease Laboratory, Maine Medical Center Research Institute , Scarborough, Maine
| | - Charles Lubelczyk
- 1 Vector-Borne Disease Laboratory, Maine Medical Center Research Institute , Scarborough, Maine
| | - Eleanor H Lacombe
- 1 Vector-Borne Disease Laboratory, Maine Medical Center Research Institute , Scarborough, Maine
| | - John-Paul Mutebi
- 3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - David Evers
- 2 Biodiversity Research Institute , Portland, Maine
| | - Robert P Smith
- 1 Vector-Borne Disease Laboratory, Maine Medical Center Research Institute , Scarborough, Maine
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25
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Characterizing areas of potential human exposure to eastern equine encephalitis virus using serological and clinical data from horses. Epidemiol Infect 2016; 145:667-677. [PMID: 27903326 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268816002661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is a rare but severe emerging vector-borne disease affecting human and animal populations in the northeastern United States where it is endemic. Key knowledge gaps remain about the epidemiology of EEE virus (EEEV) in areas where its emergence has more recently been reported. In Eastern Canada, viral activity has been recorded in mosquitoes and horses throughout the 2000s but cases of EEEV in humans have not been reported so far. This study was designed to provide an assessment of possible EEEV human exposure by modelling environmental risk factors for EEEV in horses, identifying high-risk environments and mapping risk in the province of Quebec, Canada. According to logistic models, being located near wooded swamps was a risk factor for seropositivity or disease in horses [odds ratio (OR) 4·15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·16-14·8) whereas being located on agricultural lands was identified as protective (OR 0·75, 95% CI 0·62-0·92). A better understanding of the environmental risk of exposure to EEEV in Canada provides veterinary and public health officials with enhanced means to more effectively monitor the emergence of this public health risk and design targeted surveillance and preventive measures.
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26
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Shepard JJ, Andreadis TG, Thomas MC, Molaei G. Host associations of mosquitoes at eastern equine encephalitis virus foci in Connecticut, USA. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:474. [PMID: 27577939 PMCID: PMC5006286 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1765-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is a highly pathogenic mosquito-borne arbovirus, with active transmission foci in freshwater hardwood swamps in eastern North America, where enzootic transmission is maintained between the ornithophilic mosquito, Culiseta melanura, and wild passerine birds. The role of other locally abundant mosquito species in virus transmission and their associations with vertebrate hosts as sources of blood meals within these foci are largely unknown but are of importance in clarifying the dynamics of enzootic and epidemic/epizootic transmission. Methods Blood-engorged mosquitoes were collected from resting boxes at four established EEEV foci in Connecticut during 2010–2011. Mosquitoes were identified to species, and the identity of vertebrate hosts was determined based on mitochondrial cytochrome b and/or cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene sequences of polymerase chain reaction products. Results The vertebrate hosts of 378 (50.3 % of engorged mosquitoes) specimens, representing 12 mosquito species, were identified. Culiseta morsitans (n = 54; 67.5 %), Culex restuans (n = 4; 66.7 %), and Cx. pipiens (n = 2; 100 %) acquired blood meals exclusively from avian hosts, whereas Aedes cinereus (n = 6; 66.7 %), Ae. canadensis (n = 2; 100 %), and Ae. stimulans (n = 1; 100 %) obtained blood meals solely from mammals. Species that fed opportunistically on both avian and mammalian hosts included: Ae. thibaulti (n = 21 avian, and n = 181 mammalian; 57.2 %), Anopheles punctipennis (n = 8 and n = 40; 44.0 %), An. quadrimaculatus (n = 1 and n = 23; 35.7 %), Coquillettidia perturbans (n = 3 and n = 3; 46.2 %) and Ae. abserratus (n = 1 and n = 2; 23.1 %). Culex territans obtained blood meals from avian and amphibian hosts (n = 18 and n = 5; 26.6 %). Mixed blood meals originating from both avian and mammalian hosts were identified in An. quadrimaculatus (n = 1), and Cx. territans (n = 2). Conclusions Our findings indicate that wood thrush, tufted titmouse, and a few other avian species serve as hosts for mosquitoes, and likely contribute to amplification of EEEV. Our study supports the role of Cs. morsitans in enzootic transmission of EEEV among avian species. Culex territans will seek blood from multiple vertebrate classes, suggesting that this species may contribute to epizootic transmission of the virus. Our findings support roles for Cq. perturbans and An. quadrimaculatus as epidemic/epizootic vectors to humans, horses, and white-tailed deer. Despite its abundance, the potential of Ae. thibaulti to serve as a “bridge vector” for EEEV remains unclear in the absence of any definitive knowledge on its competency for the virus. The contribution of white-tailed deer to the dynamics of EEEV transmission is not fully understood, but findings indicate repeated exposure due to frequent feeding by vector competent mosquito species.
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Affiliation(s)
- John J Shepard
- Department of Environmental Sciences, and Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Theodore G Andreadis
- Department of Environmental Sciences, and Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.,Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, P.O. Box 208034, New Haven, CT, 06520-8034, USA
| | - Michael C Thomas
- Department of Environmental Sciences, and Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Goudarz Molaei
- Department of Environmental Sciences, and Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA. .,Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, P.O. Box 208034, New Haven, CT, 06520-8034, USA.
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