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Tian Y, Durden C, Hamer GL. A scoping review of triatomine control for Chagas disease prevention: current and developing tools in Latin America and the United States. J Med Entomol 2024:tjae043. [PMID: 38564417 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjae043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Chagas disease is an infectious disease of human and animal health concern, with 6-8 million chronic human infections and over 50,000 deaths throughout the Americas annually. Hematophagous insects of the subfamily Triatominae, also called kissing bugs, vector the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas (Trypanosomatida: Trypanosomatidae), that causes Chagas disease. Despite the large human health burden, Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease with inadequate funding for research and preventive practices. Given the resource-poor environment of most agencies trying to protect public health, it is critical to consider all control options for reducing vector populations and the risk of human exposure to T. cruzi to identify the most appropriate tools for each context. While numerous triatomine control methods exist, the literature lacks a compilation of the strategies used, a critical examination of their efficiency, and a particular focus on triatomine control in the United States compared to elsewhere in the Americas. Here, we present a review of the literature to assess historical intervention strategies of existing and developing triatomine control methods. For each method, we discuss progress in the field, future research to further advance the method, and limitations. While we found that pyrethroid insecticide is still the most commonly used method of triatomine and Chagas disease control, we suggest that complementing these techniques with alternative control methods in development will help to achieve Chagas disease reduction goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuexun Tian
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Cassandra Durden
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Gabriel L Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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Bukhari MH, Shad MY, Nguyen USDT, Treviño C JA, Jung W, Bajwa WU, Gallego-Hernández AL, Robinson R, Corral-Frías NS, Hamer GL, Wang P, Annan E, Ra CK, Keellings D, Haque U. A Bayesian spatiotemporal approach to modelling arboviral diseases in Mexico. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2023; 117:867-874. [PMID: 37681342 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trad064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to evaluate the spatial and temporal patterns of disease prevalence clusters of dengue (DENV), chikungunya (CHIKV) and Zika (ZIKV) virus and how socio-economic and climatic variables simultaneously influence the risk and rate of occurrence of infection in Mexico. METHODS To determine the spatiotemporal clustering and the effect of climatic and socio-economic covariates on the rate of occurrence of disease and risk in Mexico, we applied correlation methods, seasonal and trend decomposition using locally estimated scatterplot smoothing, hotspot analysis and conditional autoregressive Bayesian models. RESULTS We found cases of the disease are decreasing and a significant association between DENV, CHIKV and ZIKV cases and climatic and socio-economic variables. An increment of cases was identified in the northeastern, central west and southeastern regions of Mexico. Climatic and socio-economic covariates were significantly associated with the rate of occurrence and risk of the three arboviral disease cases. CONCLUSION The association of climatic and socio-economic factors is predominant in the northeastern, central west and southeastern regions of Mexico. DENV, CHIKV and ZIKV cases showed an increased risk in several states in these regions and need urgent attention to allocate public health resources to the most vulnerable regions in Mexico.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Muhammad Yousaf Shad
- Department of Statistics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Department of Mathematics, Namal University, Talagang Road, Mianwali 42250, Pakistan
| | - Uyen-Sa D T Nguyen
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Centre, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Jesús A Treviño C
- Department of Urban Affairs, School of Architecture, Universidad Autónoma de NUevo León ÚV. Universidad s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Woojin Jung
- School of Social Work, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Waheed U Bajwa
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Department of Statistics, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08854, USA
| | | | - Renee Robinson
- College of Pharmacy, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho 83209, USA
| | | | - Gabriel L Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Penghua Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, U Conn Health, Room L3057, Farmington CT 06030, USA
| | - Esther Annan
- Center for Health and Well-being, School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Chaelin K Ra
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - David Keellings
- Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Ubydul Haque
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology and Rutgers Global Health Institute, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
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Chaves LF, Meyers AC, Hodo CL, Sanders JP, Curtis-Robles R, Hamer GL, Hamer SA. Trypanosoma cruzi infection in dogs along the US-Mexico border: R 0 changes with vector species composition. Epidemics 2023; 45:100723. [PMID: 37935075 DOI: 10.1016/j.epidem.2023.100723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with Trypanosoma cruzi, etiological agent of Chagas disease, is common in US government working dogs along the US-Mexico border. This 3145 km long border comprises four states: Texas (TX), New Mexico (NM), Arizona (AZ) and California (CA) with diverse ecosystems and several triatomine (a.k.a., kissing bug) species, primary vectors of T. cruzi in this region. The kissing bug (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) community ranging from CA to TX includes Triatoma protracta (Uhler), Triatoma recurva (Stål) and Triatoma rubida (Uhler) and becomes dominated by Triatoma gerstaeckeri Stål in TX. Here, we ask if T. cruzi infection dynamics in dogs varies along this border region, potentially reflecting changes in vector species and their vectorial capacity. Using reversible catalytic models of infection, where seropositivity can be lost, we estimated an R0 (Estimate ± S.E.) of 1.192 ± 0.084 for TX and NM. In contrast, seropositivity decayed to zero as dogs aged in AZ and CA. These results suggest that dogs are likely infected by T. cruzi during their training in western TX, with a force of infection large enough for keeping R0 above 1, i.e., the disease endemically established, in TX and NM. In AZ and CA, a lower force of infection, probably associated with different vector species communities and associated vectorial capacity and/or different lineages of T. cruzi, results in dogs decreasing their seropositivity with age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Fernando Chaves
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington IN 47405, USA.
| | - Alyssa C Meyers
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Bioscienes, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Carolyn L Hodo
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Bioscienes, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Department of Comparative Medicine, Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, TX 78602, USA
| | - John P Sanders
- Office of Health Security, US Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528, USA
| | - Rachel Curtis-Robles
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Bioscienes, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Gabriel L Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Sarah A Hamer
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Bioscienes, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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Busselman RE, Zecca IB, Hamer GL, Hamer SA. Canine Systemic Insecticides Fluralaner and Lotilaner Induce Acute Mortality of Triatoma gerstaeckeri, North American Vector of the Chagas Disease Parasite. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2023; 109:1012-1021. [PMID: 37748769 PMCID: PMC10622482 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a health concern for humans and animals across the Americas, and control options targeting the triatomine vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, are limited. Host-targeted interventions may be a useful and underused tool in controlling the spread of T. cruzi from vectors to hosts. Domestic dogs are known to be key bloodmeal hosts for triatomines as well as T. cruzi reservoirs and may be an effective and practical target for host-targeted insecticide deployment. We hypothesized that treating dogs with commercially available systemic insecticides (labeled for flea and tick control) would result in mortality of triatomines after consuming treated blood. We enrolled 16 privately owned dogs into five treatment groups to receive either fluralaner (Bravecto) or lotilaner (Credelio), alone or in combination with ivermectin. Blood from dogs before the initiation of treatment served as controls. Blood was collected 0, 7, 30, 45, and 90 days after the initial canine insecticide treatment and fed to 10 Triatoma gerstaeckeri nymphs through a membrane feeder, and survival was tracked daily for 7 days and weekly thereafter. All triatomines in the control and ivermectin groups survived the initial period, with no significant difference in long-term survival. In contrast, 99.7% of triatomines that fed on blood from dogs treated with either fluralaner or lotilaner died within 3 days. Although the impact of canine treatment on suppressing vector populations is unknown, fluralaner and lotilaner appear to be a compelling option for an integrated vector management approach to triatomine control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E. Busselman
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Italo B. Zecca
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Gabriel L. Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Sarah A. Hamer
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
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Wei L, FernÁndez-Santos NA, Hamer GL, Lara-RamÍrez EE, RodrÍguez-PÉrez MA. Daytime Resting Activity of Aedes Aegypti and Culex Quinquefasciatus Populations in Northern Mexico. J Am Mosq Control Assoc 2023; 39:157-167. [PMID: 37603406 DOI: 10.2987/23-7122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus are disease vectors distributed throughout much of the world and are responsible for a high burden of vector-borne disease, which has increased during the last 2 decades. Most pathogens vectored by these mosquitoes do not have therapeutic remedies; thus, combating these diseases is dependent upon vector control. Improvements in vector control strategies are urgently needed, but these hinge on understanding the biology and ecology of Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus. Both species have been extensively investigated, but further knowledge on diel resting activity of these vectors can improve vector surveillance and control tools for targeting resting vector populations. From April to December 2021, we determined outdoor daytime resting habits of Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus male, female, and blood-fed female populations in Reynosa, Mexico, using large red odor-baited wooden box traps. The daytime resting activity for Ae. aegypti males, females, and blood-fed females was restricted to a period between 0900 h and 1300 h, with a peak at 0900 h, while the resting activity of Cx. quinquefasciatus male, female, and blood-fed females was between 0700 h and 1100 h, with a peak at 0700 h. A generalized additive model was developed to relate relative humidity and temperature to resting Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti male, female, and blood-fed populations caught in traps. This study advances the understanding of outdoor resting behavior for 2 important vector mosquito species and discusses future studies to fill additional knowledge gaps.
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Mulgaonkar N, Wang H, Zhang J, Roundy CM, Tang W, Chaki SP, Pauvolid-Corrêa A, Hamer GL, Fernando S. Montelukast and Telmisartan as Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1891. [PMID: 37514075 PMCID: PMC10385313 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15071891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Earlier studies with montelukast (M) and telmisartan (T) have revealed their potential antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2 wild-type (WT) but have not assessed their efficacy against emerging Variants of Concern (VOCs) such as Omicron. Our research fills this gap by investigating these drugs' impact on VOCs, a topic that current scientific literature has largely overlooked. We employed computational methodologies, including molecular mechanics and machine learning tools, to identify drugs that could potentially disrupt the SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD-ACE2 protein interaction. This led to the identification of two FDA-approved small molecule drugs, M and T, conventionally used for treating asthma and hypertension, respectively. Our study presents an additional potential use for these drugs as antivirals. Our results show that both M and T can inhibit not only the WT SARS-CoV-2 but also, in the case of M, the Omicron variant, without reaching cytotoxic concentrations. This novel finding fills an existing gap in the literature and introduces the possibility of repurposing these drugs for SARS-CoV-2 VOCs, an essential step in responding to the evolving global pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirmitee Mulgaonkar
- Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Haoqi Wang
- Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Junrui Zhang
- Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | | | - Wendy Tang
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Sankar Prasad Chaki
- Texas A&M Global Health Research Complex, Division of Research, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Alex Pauvolid-Corrêa
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Gabriel L Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Sandun Fernando
- Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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Durden C, Tian Y, Knape K, Klemashevich C, Norman KN, Carey JB, Hamer SA, Hamer GL. Fluralaner systemic treatment of chickens results in mortality in Triatoma gerstaeckeri, vector of the agent of Chagas disease. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:178. [PMID: 37268980 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05805-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chagas disease remains a persistent vector-borne neglected tropical disease throughout the Americas and threatens both human and animal health. Diverse control methods have been used to target triatomine vector populations, with household insecticides being the most common. As an alternative to environmental sprays, host-targeted systemic insecticides (or endectocides) allow for application of chemicals to vertebrate hosts, resulting in toxic blood meals for arthropods (xenointoxication). In this study, we evaluated three systemic insecticide products for their ability to kill triatomines. METHODS Chickens were fed the insecticides orally, following which triatomines were allowed to feed on the treated chickens. The insecticide products tested included: Safe-Guard® Aquasol (fenbendazole), Ivomec® Pour-On (ivermectin) and Bravecto® (fluralaner). Triatoma gerstaeckeri nymphs were allowed to feed on insecticide-live birds at 0, 3, 7, 14, 28 and 56 days post-treatment. The survival and feeding status of the T. gerstaeckeri insects were recorded and analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and logistic regression. RESULTS Feeding on fluralaner-treated chickens resulted 50-100% mortality in T. gerstaeckeri over the first 14 days post-treatment but not later; in contrast, all insects that fed on fenbendazole- and ivermectin-treated chickens survived. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-QQQ) analysis, used to detect the concentration of fluralaner and fenbendazole in chicken plasma, revealed the presence of fluralaner in plasma at 3, 7, and 14 days post-treatment but not later, with the highest concentrations found at 3 and 7 days post-treatment. However, fenbendazole concentration was below the limit of detection at all time points. CONCLUSIONS Xenointoxication using fluralaner in poultry is a potential new tool for integrated vector control to reduce risk of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra Durden
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
- Schubot Center for Avian Health, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
| | - Yuexun Tian
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
| | - Koyle Knape
- Department of Poultry Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
| | - Cory Klemashevich
- Integrated Metabolomics Analysis Core, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
| | - Keri N Norman
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
| | - John B Carey
- Department of Poultry Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
| | - Sarah A Hamer
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
- Schubot Center for Avian Health, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
| | - Gabriel L Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA.
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Kiehl WM, Hodo CL, Hamer GL, Hamer SA, Wilkerson GK. Exclusion of Horizontal and Vertical Transmission as Major Sources of Trypanosoma Cruzi Infections in a Breeding Colony of Rhesus Macaques ( Macaca Mulatta). Comp Med 2023; 73:229-241. [PMID: 37268411 PMCID: PMC10290485 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-23-000005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The vector-borne protozoal parasite Trypanosoma cruzi causes Chagas disease in humans and animals. This parasite is endemic to the southern United States where outdoor-housed NHP at biomedical facilities are at risk of infection. In addi- tion to the direct morbidity caused by T. cruzi, infected animals are of limited biomedical research use because infections can produce confounding pathophysiologic changes even in animals with no clinical disease. In part due to concerns for direct T. cruzi transmission between animals, infected NHP at some institutions have been culled, removed, or otherwise isolated from uninfected animal populations. However, data that document horizontal or vertical transmission in captive NHP in the United States are not available. To evaluate the potential for inter-animal transmission and to identify environmental factors that affect the distribution of new infections in NHPs, we conducted a retrospective epidemiologic study of a rhesus macaque ( Macaca mulatta ) breeding colony in south Texas. We used archived biologic samples and husbandry records to identify the time and location of macaque seroconversion. These data were used to perform a spatial analysis of how geographic location and animal associations affected the spread of disease and to infer the importance of horizontal or vertical routes of transmission. The majority of T. cruzi infections were spatially clustered, suggesting that environmental factors promoted vector exposure in various areas of the facility. Although we cannot not rule out horizontal transmission, our data suggest that horizontal transmission was not a critical route for spread for the disease. Vertical transmission was not a contributing factor in this colony. In conclusion, our findings suggest that local triatome vectors were the major source of T. cruzi infections in captive macaques in our colony. Therefore, limiting contact with vectors, rather than segregation of infected macaques, is a key strategy for disease prevention at institutions that house macaques outdoors in the southern United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Whitney M Kiehl
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Carolyn L Hodo
- MD Anderson Cancer Center, Michale E Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research, Bastrop, Texas; Departments of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences
| | | | | | - Gregory K Wilkerson
- MD Anderson Cancer Center, Michale E Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research, Bastrop, Texas; Department of Clinal Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina;,
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Rhodes CG, Chaves LF, Bergmann LR, Hamer GL. Ensemble species distribution modeling of Culex tarsalis (Diptera: Culicidae) in the continental United States. J Med Entomol 2023:tjad027. [PMID: 37061834 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjad027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is the primary mosquito-borne disease in the United States and has had case reports every year since its introduction in 1999. As such, it is critical that we characterize the distribution of WNV vectors. Estimates of Culex tarsalis Coquillett species distribution, a major WNV vector, are scarce. We used ensemble distribution modeling to estimate habitat suitability for this species across the contiguous United States by consolidating presence data from four publicly available mosquito trapping data servers. The central plains region and much of the western US were estimated to have high habitat suitability. We identified multiple metrics of temperature and precipitation to be important in predicting the occurrence of Cx. tarsalis in a given geographic area. Furthermore, we observed habitat suitability for Cx. tarsalis to be significantly higher in areas with a high incidence of West Nile neuroinvasive disease compared to areas with low WN disease incidence, suggesting that Cx. tarsalis is present in regions with a high incidence of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte G Rhodes
- Texas A&M University, Department of Entomology, College Station, TX 77840, USA
| | - Luis F Chaves
- Indiana University, School of Public Health, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Luke R Bergmann
- University of British Columbia, Department of Geography, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z2, Canada
| | - Gabriel L Hamer
- Texas A&M University, Department of Entomology, College Station, TX 77840, USA
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Fimbres-Macias JP, Harris TA, Hamer SA, Hamer GL. Phenology and environmental predictors of Triatoma sanguisuga dispersal in east-central Texas, United States. Acta Trop 2023; 240:106862. [PMID: 36787862 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Of 11 triatomine species in the United States (US), Triatoma sanguisuga has the widest distribution across a 23-state region encompassing the southeastern US. This species consistently feeds on humans and dogs and has a high infection prevalence with the Chagas parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, with over 30-60% of adults infected. Little is known about the phenology and environmental predictors of dispersal activity of Triatoma sanguisuga. Using manual searches standardized by effort, we sampled kissing bugs in east central Texas, US every other night from June to November 2020 to determine their phenology and environmental predictors of activity. We found 176 triatomines alive, all of which were T. sanguisuga, with peak collections in early August and cessation of activity by late October; the phenology as determined by this active surveillance matched what has been reported using a passive community science approach. Using a negative binomial regression, we found temperature to have a positive correlation with T. sanguisuga dispersal activity, while wind speed had a significant negative correlation. We identified increased collections during sampling sessions with precipitation during the preceding 22 h. Further, wind from the southwest - the direction of most of the sylvatic habitat in the study area - was correlated with an increased dispersal activity, suggesting wind-facilitated dispersal. Given concerns for human and animal Chagas disease within the distribution of T. sanguisuga, vector control strategies can be adapted based on the factors influencing dispersal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan P Fimbres-Macias
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Trevor A Harris
- Department of Statistics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Sarah A Hamer
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Gabriel L Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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Christopher DM, Curtis-Robles R, Hamer GL, Bejcek J, Saunders AB, Roachell WD, Cropper TL, Hamer SA. Collection of triatomines from sylvatic habitats by a Trypanosoma cruzi-infected scent detection dog in Texas, USA. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0010813. [PMID: 36940217 PMCID: PMC10063167 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Triatomine insects, vectors of the etiologic agent of Chagas disease (Trypanosoma cruzi), are challenging to locate in sylvatic habitats. Collection techniques used in the United States often rely on methods to intercept seasonally dispersing adults or on community scientists' encounters. Neither method is suited for detecting nest habitats likely to harbor triatomines, which is important for vector surveillance and control. Furthermore, manual inspection of suspected harborages is difficult and unlikely to reveal novel locations and host associations. Similar to a team that used a trained dog to detect sylvatic triatomines in Paraguay, we worked with a trained scent detection dog to detect triatomines in sylvatic locations across Texas. PRINCIPLE METHODOLOGY/FINDINGS Ziza, a 3-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer previously naturally infected with T. cruzi, was trained to detect triatomines. Over the course of 6 weeks in the fall of 2017, the dog and her handler searched at 17 sites across Texas. The dog detected 60 triatomines at 6 sites; an additional 50 triatomines were contemporaneously collected at 1 of these sites and 2 additional sites without the assistance of the dog. Approximately 0.98 triatomines per hour were found when only humans were conducting searches; when working with the dog, approximately 1.71 triatomines per hour were found. In total, 3 adults and 107 nymphs of four species (Triatoma gerstaeckeri, Triatoma protracta, Triatoma sanguisuga, and Triatoma indictiva) were collected. PCR testing of a subset revealed T. cruzi infection, including DTUs TcI and TcIV, in 27% of nymphs (n = 103) and 66% of adults (n = 3). Bloodmeal analysis of a subset of triatomines (n = 5) revealed feeding on Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), Southern plains woodrat (Neotoma micropus), and eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus). CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE A trained scent detection dog enhanced triatomine detections in sylvatic habitats. This approach is effective at detecting nidicolous triatomines. Control of sylvatic sources of triatomines is challenging, but this new knowledge of specific sylvatic habitats and key hosts may reveal opportunities for novel vector control methods to block the transmission of T. cruzi to humans and domestic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachel Curtis-Robles
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Gabriel L. Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Justin Bejcek
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Ashley B. Saunders
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Walter D. Roachell
- Public Health Command Central, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Thomas Leo Cropper
- Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Joint Base San Antonio, San Antonio Texas
| | - Sarah A. Hamer
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
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McMillan JR, Hamer GL, Levine RS, Mead DG, Waller LA, Goldberg TL, Walker ED, Brawn JD, Ruiz MO, Kitron U, Vazquez-Prokopec G. Multi-Year Comparison of Community- and Species-Level West Nile Virus Antibody Prevalence in Birds from Atlanta, Georgia and Chicago, Illinois, 2005-2016. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2023; 108:366-376. [PMID: 36572005 PMCID: PMC9896344 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-1086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is prevalent in the United States but shows considerable variation in transmission intensity. The purpose of this study was to compare patterns of WNV seroprevalence in avian communities sampled in Atlanta, Georgia and Chicago, Illinois during a 12-year period (Atlanta 2010-2016; Chicago 2005-2012) to reveal regional patterns of zoonotic activity of WNV. WNV antibodies were measured in wild bird sera using ELISA and serum neutralization methods, and seroprevalence among species, year, and location of sampling within each city were compared using binomial-distributed generalized linear mixed-effects models. Seroprevalence was highest in year-round and summer-resident species compared with migrants regardless of region; species explained more variance in seroprevalence within each city. Northern cardinals were the species most likely to test positive for WNV in each city, whereas all other species, on average, tested positive for WNV in proportion to their sample size. Despite similar patterns of seroprevalence among species, overall seroprevalence was higher in Atlanta (13.7%) than in Chicago (5%). Location and year of sampling had minor effects, with location explaining more variation in Atlanta and year explaining more variation in Chicago. Our findings highlight the nature and magnitude of regional differences in WNV urban ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R. McMillan
- Program in Population Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Gabriel L. Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Rebecca S. Levine
- Program in Population Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Daniel G. Mead
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Lance A. Waller
- Program in Population Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia;,Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Tony L. Goldberg
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Edward D. Walker
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Jeffrey D. Brawn
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Champaign–Urbana, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Marilyn O. Ruiz
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois Champaign–Urbana, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Uriel Kitron
- Program in Population Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia;,Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Gonzalo Vazquez-Prokopec
- Program in Population Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia;,Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia,Address correspondence to Gonzalo Vazquez-Prokopec, Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University, 400 Dowman Dr., Math and Science Center, 5th Floor, Suite E530, Atlanta, GA 30322. E-mail:
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13
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Wilke ABB, Mhlanga A, Kummer AG, Vasquez C, Moreno M, Petrie WD, Rodriguez A, Vitek C, Hamer GL, Mutebi JP, Ajelli M. Diel activity patterns of vector mosquito species in the urban environment: Implications for vector control strategies. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011074. [PMID: 36701264 PMCID: PMC9879453 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Mathematical models have been widely used to study the population dynamics of mosquitoes as well as to test and validate the effectiveness of arbovirus outbreak responses and mosquito control strategies. The objective of this study is to assess the diel activity of mosquitoes in Miami-Dade, Florida, and Brownsville, Texas, the most affected areas during the Zika outbreak in 2016-2017, and to evaluate the effectiveness of simulated adulticide treatments on local mosquito populations. To assess variations in the diel activity patterns, mosquitoes were collected hourly for 96 hours once a month from May through November 2019 in Miami-Dade County, Florida, and Brownsville, Texas. We then performed a PERMANOVA followed by a SIMPER analysis to assess whether the abundance and species richness significantly varies at different hours of the day. Finally, we used a mathematical model to simulate the population dynamics of 5 mosquito vector species and evaluate the effectiveness of the simulated adulticide applications. A total of 14,502 mosquitoes comprising 17 species were collected in Brownsville and 10,948 mosquitoes comprising 19 species were collected in Miami-Dade County. Aedes aegypti was the most common mosquito species collected every hour in both cities and peaking in abundance in the morning and the evening. Our modeling results indicate that the effectiveness of adulticide applications varied greatly depending on the hour of the treatment. In both study locations, 9 PM was the best time for adulticide applications targeting all mosquito vector species; mornings/afternoons (9 AM- 5 PM) yielded low effectiveness, especially for Culex species, while at night (12 AM- 6 AM) the effectiveness was particularly low for Aedes species. Our results indicate that the timing of adulticide spraying interventions should be carefully considered by local authorities based on the ecology of the target mosquito species in the focus area.
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Affiliation(s)
- André B. B. Wilke
- Laboratory for Computational Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Public Health, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
- * E-mail: (A.B.B.W.); (M.A.)
| | - Adequate Mhlanga
- Laboratory for Computational Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Public Health, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Allisandra G. Kummer
- Laboratory for Computational Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Public Health, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Chalmers Vasquez
- Miami-Dade County Mosquito Control Division, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Maday Moreno
- Miami-Dade County Mosquito Control Division, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - William D. Petrie
- Miami-Dade County Mosquito Control Division, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Art Rodriguez
- Public Health Department, City of Brownsville, Brownsville, Texas, United States of America
| | - Christopher Vitek
- Center for Vector-Borne Diseases, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Texas, United States of America
| | - Gabriel L. Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - John-Paul Mutebi
- Arboviral Diseases Branch (ADB), Division of Vector-Borne Diseases (DVBD), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Marco Ajelli
- Laboratory for Computational Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Public Health, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
- * E-mail: (A.B.B.W.); (M.A.)
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Fiatsonu E, Busselman RE, Hamer GL, Hamer SA, Ndeffo-Mbah ML. Effectiveness of fluralaner treatment regimens for the control of canine Chagas disease: A mathematical modeling study. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011084. [PMID: 36693084 PMCID: PMC9897538 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Canine Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and transmitted by insect triatomine vectors known as kissing bugs. The agent can cause cardiac damage and long-term heart disease and death in humans, dogs, and other mammals. In laboratory settings, treatment of dogs with systemic insecticides has been shown to be highly efficacious at killing triatomines that feed on treated dogs. METHOD We developed compartmental vector-host models of T. cruzi transmission between the triatomine and dog population accounting for the impact of seasonality and triatomine migration on disease transmission dynamics. We considered a single vector-host model without seasonality, and model with seasonality, and a spatially coupled model. We used the models to evaluate the effectiveness of the insecticide fluralaner with different durations of treatment regimens for reducing T. cruzi infection in different transmission settings. RESULTS In low and medium transmission settings, our model showed a marginal difference between the 3-month and 6-month regimens for reducing T. cruzi infection among dogs. The difference increases in the presence of seasonality and triatomine migration from a sylvatic transmission setting. In high transmission settings, the 3-month regimen was substantially more effective in reducing T. cruzi infections in dogs than the other regimens. Our model showed that increased migration rate reduces fluralaner effectiveness in all treatment regimens, but the relative reduction in effectiveness is minimal during the first years of treatment. However, if an additional 10% or more of triatomines killed by dog treatment were eaten by dogs, treatment could increase T. cruzi infections in the dog population at least during the first year of treatment. CONCLUSION Our analysis shows that treating all peridomestic dogs every three to six months for at least five years could be an effective measure to reduce T. cruzi infections in dogs and triatomines in peridomestic transmission settings. However, further studies at the local scale are needed to better understand the potential impact of routine use of fluralaner treatment on increasing dogs' consumption of dead triatomines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edem Fiatsonu
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Rachel E. Busselman
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Gabriel L. Hamer
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Sarah A. Hamer
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Martial L. Ndeffo-Mbah
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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15
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Uelmen JA, Lamcyzk B, Irwin P, Bartlett D, Stone C, Mackay A, Arsenault-Benoit A, Ryan SJ, Mutebi JP, Hamer GL, Fritz M, Smith RL. Human biting mosquitoes and implications for West Nile virus transmission. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:2. [PMID: 36593496 PMCID: PMC9806905 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05603-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND West Nile virus (WNV), primarily vectored by mosquitoes of the genus Culex, is the most important mosquito-borne pathogen in North America, having infected thousands of humans and countless wildlife since its arrival in the USA in 1999. In locations with dedicated mosquito control programs, surveillance methods often rely on frequent testing of mosquitoes collected in a network of gravid traps (GTs) and CO2-baited light traps (LTs). Traps specifically targeting oviposition-seeking (e.g. GTs) and host-seeking (e.g. LTs) mosquitoes are vulnerable to trap bias, and captured specimens are often damaged, making morphological identification difficult. METHODS This study leverages an alternative mosquito collection method, the human landing catch (HLC), as a means to compare sampling of potential WNV vectors to traditional trapping methods. Human collectors exposed one limb for 15 min at crepuscular periods (5:00-8:30 am and 6:00-9:30 pm daily, the time when Culex species are most actively host-seeking) at each of 55 study sites in suburban Chicago, Illinois, for two summers (2018 and 2019). RESULTS A total of 223 human-seeking mosquitoes were caught by HLC, of which 46 (20.6%) were mosquitoes of genus Culex. Of these 46 collected Culex specimens, 34 (73.9%) were Cx. salinarius, a potential WNV vector species not thought to be highly abundant in upper Midwest USA. Per trapping effort, GTs and LTs collected > 7.5-fold the number of individual Culex specimens than HLC efforts. CONCLUSIONS The less commonly used HLC method provides important insight into the complement of human-biting mosquitoes in a region with consistent WNV epidemics. This study underscores the value of the HLC collection method as a complementary tool for surveillance to aid in WNV vector species characterization. However, given the added risk to the collector, novel mitigation methods or alternative approaches must be explored to incorporate HLC collections safely and strategically into control programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnny A. Uelmen
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 3505 Veterinary Medicine Basic Sciences Building, 2001 S. Lincoln Ave, Urbana, IL 61802 USA
| | - Bennett Lamcyzk
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 3505 Veterinary Medicine Basic Sciences Building, 2001 S. Lincoln Ave, Urbana, IL 61802 USA
| | - Patrick Irwin
- Northwest Mosquito Abatement District, 147 W. Hintz Rd, Wheeling, IL 60090 USA
| | - Dan Bartlett
- Northwest Mosquito Abatement District, 147 W. Hintz Rd, Wheeling, IL 60090 USA
| | - Chris Stone
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Forbes Natural History Building, 1816 S. Oak Street, M/C 652, Champaign, IL 61820 USA
| | - Andrew Mackay
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Forbes Natural History Building, 1816 S. Oak Street, M/C 652, Champaign, IL 61820 USA
| | - Arielle Arsenault-Benoit
- Department of Entomology, College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, University of Maryland, 4112 Plant Sciences Building, College Park, MD 20742 USA
| | - Sadie J. Ryan
- Department of Geography, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida, 3141 Turlington Hall, 330 Newell Dr, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA
| | - John-Paul Mutebi
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Arboviral Disease Branch, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Rd., Fort Collins, CO 80521 USA
| | - Gabriel L. Hamer
- Department of Entomology. College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, TAMU 2475, College Station, TX 77843 USA
| | - Megan Fritz
- Department of Entomology, College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, University of Maryland, 4112 Plant Sciences Building, College Park, MD 20742 USA
| | - Rebecca L. Smith
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 3505 Veterinary Medicine Basic Sciences Building, 2001 S. Lincoln Ave, Urbana, IL 61802 USA
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Liew AY, Carpenter A, Moore TA, Wallace RM, Hamer SA, Hamer GL, Fischer RSB, Zecca IB, Davila E, Auckland LD, Rooney JA, Killian ML, Tell RM, Rekant SI, Burrell SD, Ghai RR, Behravesh CB. Clinical and epidemiologic features of SARS-CoV-2 in dogs and cats compiled through national surveillance in the United States. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2023; 261:480-489. [PMID: 36595371 PMCID: PMC10038921 DOI: 10.2460/javma.22.08.0375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To characterize clinical and epidemiologic features of SARS-CoV-2 in companion animals detected through both passive and active surveillance in the US. ANIMALS 204 companion animals (109 cats, 95 dogs) across 33 states with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections between March 2020 and December 2021. PROCEDURES Public health officials, animal health officials, and academic researchers investigating zoonotic SARS-CoV-2 transmission events reported clinical, laboratory, and epidemiologic information through a standardized One Health surveillance process developed by the CDC and partners. RESULTS Among dogs and cats identified through passive surveillance, 94% (n = 87) had reported exposure to a person with COVID-19 before infection. Clinical signs of illness were present in 74% of pets identified through passive surveillance and 27% of pets identified through active surveillance. Duration of illness in pets averaged 15 days in cats and 12 days in dogs. The average time between human and pet onset of illness was 10 days. Viral nucleic acid was first detected at 3 days after exposure in both cats and dogs. Antibodies were detected starting 5 days after exposure, and titers were highest at 9 days in cats and 14 days in dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results of the present study supported that cats and dogs primarily become infected with SARS-CoV-2 following exposure to a person with COVID-19, most often their owners. Case investigation and surveillance that include both people and animals are necessary to understand transmission dynamics and viral evolution of zoonotic diseases like SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Sarah A Hamer
- 2Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - Gabriel L Hamer
- 3Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | | | - Italo B Zecca
- 1CDC, Atlanta, GA
- 2Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - Edward Davila
- 2Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - Lisa D Auckland
- 2Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | | | - Mary Lea Killian
- 6National Veterinary Services Laboratories, APHIS, USDA, Ames, IA
| | - Rachel M Tell
- 6National Veterinary Services Laboratories, APHIS, USDA, Ames, IA
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Fernández-Santos NA, Trujillo-García JC, Hamer SA, Wei L, Martínez-Montoya H, Tamez-Guerra P, Hamer GL, Rodríguez-Pérez MA. Domestic Triatoma spp. Infections with Trypanosoma cruzi, Household Infestations, and Molecular Identification in Oaxaca, México. Insects 2022; 13:1134. [PMID: 36555044 PMCID: PMC9785609 DOI: 10.3390/insects13121134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In Latin America, Mexico is the country with the second highest annual estimated number of Chagas disease cases, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, due to vector-borne transmission. The state of Oaxaca is the location of the first documented human cases of Chagas disease in Mexico and contained the highest T. cruzi seropositive rate (3.5%) from blood donors. Here, entomological surveys, from 2017 to 2019, were conducted to collect triatomines in 124 villages of 60 municipalities. Four principal domestic Triatoma spp. (Hemiptera: Triatominae), Triatoma phyllosoma, T. barberi, T. mazzotti, and T. dimidiata, of Oaxaca, Mexico were identified by morphology and molecular analysis of the barcode region of the cytochrome oxidase 1 (cox1 or COI or CO1) gene. A total of 41 out of 83 T. phyllosoma specimens examined by microscopy were positive for T. cruzi (49%), 49 out of 171 for T. barberi (28%), 31 out of 177 for T. mazzotti (17%), and none out of 10 for T. dimidiata (0%). Overall, the infestation index was 3.1% of households containing at least one triatomine; the crowding index was a mean of two Triatoma spp./household; and the colonization index was 0.38 for households based on presence of nymphs. Geographical distribution of triatomines in Oaxaca at the municipality level and endophilic behavior is also reported. Precise identification, endophilic habits, and infection rates of these triatomines are paramount for vector control programs of the Ministry of Health of Oaxaca and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia A. Fernández-Santos
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Reynosa 88170, Mexico
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | | | - Sarah A. Hamer
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Lihua Wei
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Reynosa 88170, Mexico
| | - Humberto Martínez-Montoya
- Laboratorio de Genética y Genómica Comparativa, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria Reynosa-Aztlán, Reynosa 88778, Mexico
| | - Patricia Tamez-Guerra
- Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas (FCB), Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL), San Nicolás de los Garza, N.L., Monterrey 66455, Mexico
| | - Gabriel L. Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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18
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Scavo NA, Zecca IB, Sobotyk C, Saleh MN, Lane SK, Olson MF, Hamer SA, Verocai GG, Hamer GL. High prevalence of canine heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, in pet dogs in south Texas, USA, with evidence of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes contributing to transmission. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:407. [PMID: 36329477 PMCID: PMC9635171 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05514-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The canine heartworm Dirofilaria immitis, a filarioid nematode of dogs and other carnivores, is widespread in the USA and the world. Over 20 different mosquito species serve as intermediate hosts of D. immitis, but their contribution to transmission varies according to factors like host feeding patterns, geographic locations and climatic conditions. The yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, is a competent vector of D. immitis but is often dismissed as a vector of veterinary relevance given its anthropophilic feeding behavior. We evaluated the prevalence of D. immitis in pet dogs along the USA-Mexico border and assessed whether Ae. aegypti in the area are naturally infected with heartworm and are potentially acting as a vector. Methods A total of 200 whole blood samples collected from pet dogs in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in south Texas from 2016 to 2019 were included in this study. Canine serum samples for D. immitis were tested using the DiroCHEK® Canine Heartworm Antigen Test Kit pre- and post-immune complex dissociations (ICD) and blood samples were tested using high-resolution melt (HRM) quantitative PCR (qPCR) and a probe-based qPCR. Additionally, mosquito specimens were collected and identified, and Ae. aegypti heads, abdomens and pools were tested using conventional PCR (cPCR) and HRM qPCR. Results Overall, heartworm prevalence in dogs aged > 6 months was 40.8% (64/157) when the results from all testing modalities were considered. Heartworm antigen was detected in 33.5% and 40.7% of the dogs using DiroCHEK® pre- and post-ICD, respectively. By molecular screening, 20.1% of dogs tested positive with probe-based qPCR, while only one tested positive with HRM qPCR. Of the Ae. aegypti abdomens from blood-fed Ae. aeygpti tested, 20 (21.7%) from mosquitoes that fed on dogs and four (7%) from those that fed on humans tested positive for heartworm. Among Ae. aegypti heads from blood-fed Ae. aeygpti, two (1.1%) were positive based on cPCR and four (2.5%) were positive based on HRM qPCR. No D. immitis DNA was detected in the 208 pools of whole bodies (358 individuals) of Ae. aegypti gravid females. Conclusions Our study highlights a high prevalence of heartworm in dogs in south Texas and provides evidence that Ae. aegypti could be contributing to heartworm transmission in canine populations in this region. Graphical Abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole A. Scavo
- grid.264756.40000 0004 4687 2082Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX USA
| | - Italo B. Zecca
- grid.264756.40000 0004 4687 2082Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX USA
| | - Caroline Sobotyk
- grid.264756.40000 0004 4687 2082Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX USA ,grid.25879.310000 0004 1936 8972Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Meriam N. Saleh
- grid.264756.40000 0004 4687 2082Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX USA
| | - Sarah K. Lane
- grid.264756.40000 0004 4687 2082Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX USA
| | - Mark F. Olson
- grid.264756.40000 0004 4687 2082Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX USA
| | - Sarah A. Hamer
- grid.264756.40000 0004 4687 2082Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX USA
| | - Guilherme G. Verocai
- grid.264756.40000 0004 4687 2082Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX USA
| | - Gabriel L. Hamer
- grid.264756.40000 0004 4687 2082Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX USA
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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. Commun Med (Lond) 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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20
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Hampton JT, Lalonde TJ, Tharp JM, Kurra Y, Alugubelli YR, Roundy CM, Hamer GL, Xu S, Liu WR. Novel Regioselective Approach to Cyclize Phage-Displayed Peptides in Combination with Epitope-Directed Selection to Identify a Potent Neutralizing Macrocyclic Peptide for SARS-CoV-2. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:2911-2922. [PMID: 36174018 PMCID: PMC9528030 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Using the regioselective cyanobenzothiazole condensation reaction with an N-terminal cysteine and the chloroacetamide reaction with an internal cysteine, a phage-displayed macrocyclic 12-mer peptide library was constructed and subsequently validated. Using this library in combination with iterative selections against two epitopes from the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Spike protein, macrocyclic peptides that strongly inhibit the interaction between the Spike RBD and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the human host receptor of SARS-CoV-2, were identified. The two epitopes were used instead of the Spike RBD to avoid selection of nonproductive macrocyclic peptides that bind RBD but do not directly inhibit its interactions with ACE2. Antiviral tests against SARS-CoV-2 showed that one macrocyclic peptide is highly potent against viral reproduction in Vero E6 cells with an EC50 value of 3.1 μM. The AlphaLISA-detected IC50 value for this macrocyclic peptide was 0.3 μM. The current study demonstrates that two kinetically controlled reactions toward N-terminal and internal cysteines, respectively, are highly effective in the construction of phage-displayed macrocyclic peptides, and the selection based on the SARS-CoV-2 Spike epitopes is a promising methodology in the identification of peptidyl antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Trae Hampton
- Texas A&M Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Tyler J. Lalonde
- Texas A&M Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Jeffery M. Tharp
- Texas A&M Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Yadagiri Kurra
- Texas A&M Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Yugendar R. Alugubelli
- Texas A&M Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | | | - Gabriel L. Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Shiqing Xu
- Texas A&M Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Wenshe Ray Liu
- Texas A&M Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Institute of Biosciences and Technology and Department of Translational Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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21
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Adams DR, Golnar AJ, Meyers JI, Slotman MA, Hamer GL. Plasmodium relictum infection in Culex quinquefasciatus (Culicidae) decreases diel flight activity but increases peak dusk flight activity. Malar J 2022; 21:244. [PMID: 35996189 PMCID: PMC9396771 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04265-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Parasites are recognized for their ability to modify host physiology and behaviours in ways that increase parasite fitness. Protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium are a group of widespread vector-borne parasites of vertebrates, causing disease to a wide range of hosts, but most notably to human and avian hosts. Methods The hypothesis that infection with the avian malaria, Plasmodium relictum (GRW4 lineage) impacts flight activity in one of their natural vectors, Culex quinquefasciatus, was tested using both parasites and mosquitoes colonized from local populations in East-Central Texas, USA. Groups of Cx. quinquefasciatus were allowed to feed directly on canaries with active P. relictum infections and control canaries with no P. relictum exposure history. Additionally, how P. relictum sporozoite invasion of mosquito salivary glands impacts mosquito flight activity behaviour was tested using a Locomotor Activity Monitor for both control and infected females. Generalized linear mixed models were used to evaluate the influence of infection status on the response variables of flight activity (continuous) and probability of flight occurring (binomial). Results Infection status was a significant predictor of flight activity and flight probability and interactions between infection status and experimental period of infection as well as infection status and dusk were statistically significant predictors of flight activity. Plasmodium relictum infected mosquitoes had a mean flight activity of 3.10 and control mosquitoes had an overall mean flight activity of 3.13. Discussion Based on these results, avian malaria parasites increase the flight activity of these mosquitoes at hours known for peak host-seeking behaviour but decrease overall diel activity. Conclusion Although the ramifications of this behavioural change for P. relictum transmission are unclear, these results provide additional empirical evidence suggesting that avian malaria can influence mosquito behaviour and modulate transmission potential. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-022-04265-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayvion R Adams
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.,Schubot Center for Avian Health, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, 4467 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Andrew J Golnar
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Jacob I Meyers
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Michel A Slotman
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Gabriel L Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
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22
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Hamer SA, Nunez C, Roundy CM, Tang W, Thomas L, Richison J, Benn JS, Auckland LD, Hensley T, Cook WE, Pauvolid-Corrêa A, Hamer GL. Persistence of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies longer than 13 months in naturally-infected, captive white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus), Texas. Emerg Microbes Infect 2022; 11:2112-2115. [PMID: 35950943 PMCID: PMC9448430 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2112913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
After identifying a captive herd of white-tailed deer in central Texas with >94% seroprevalence with SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies in September 2021, we worked retrospectively through archived serum samples of 21 deer and detected seroconversion of all animals between December 2020 and January 2021. We then collected prospective samples to conclude that the duration of persistence of neutralizing antibodies is at least 13 months for 19 (90.5%) of the animals, with two animals converting to seronegative after six and eight months. Antibody titres generally waned over this time frame, but three deer had a temporary 4- to 8-fold increases in plaque reduction neutralization test titres over a month after seroconversion; anamnestic response cannot be ruled out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Hamer
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Chase Nunez
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | | | - Wendy Tang
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Logan Thomas
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Jack Richison
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Jamie S Benn
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Lisa D Auckland
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Terry Hensley
- Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Walter E Cook
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Alex Pauvolid-Corrêa
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Gabriel L Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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23
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Dacso MM, Bente DA, Weaver SC, Kobinger GP, Melby PC, McLellan SL, Keiser PH, Hamer SA, Hamer GL, Parker GW, Douphrate DI, Rodriguez A, Goodman ML, XIII A, Gray GC. Texas professionals are employing a one health approach to protect the United States against biosecurity threats. One Health 2022; 15:100431. [PMID: 36277085 PMCID: PMC9582559 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2022.100431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Texas is a geographically large state with large human and livestock populations, many farms, a long coastal region, and extreme fluctuations in weather. During the last 15 years, the state of Texas has frequently suffered disasters or catastrophes causing extensive morbidity and economic loss. These disasters often have complicated consequences requiring multi-faceted responses. Recently, an interdisciplinary network of professionals from multiple academic institutions has emerged to collaborate in protecting Texas and the USA using a One Health approach. These experts are training the next generation of scientists in biopreparedness; increasing understanding of pathogens that cause repetitive harm; developing new therapeutics and vaccines against them; and developing novel surveillance approaches so that emerging pathogens will be detected early and thwarted before they can cause disastrous human and economic losses. These academic One Health partnerships strengthen our ability to protect human and animal health against future catastrophes that may impact the diverse ecoregions of Texas and the world. Texas has suffered from numerous disasters or catastrophes, often more than other US states. These disasters have caused tremendous morbidity, mortality, and economic loss. Texas professionals are partnering in One Health ways to mitigate such catastrophes. These numerous collaborations are important to Texas, the USA, and abroad.
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24
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Roundy CM, Hamer SA, Zecca IB, Davila EB, Auckland LD, Tang W, Gavranovic H, Swiger SL, Tomberlin JK, Fischer RSB, Pauvolid-Corrêa A, Hamer GL. No Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Among Flies or Cockroaches in Households Where COVID-19 Positive Cases Resided. J Med Entomol 2022; 59:1479-1483. [PMID: 35640635 PMCID: PMC9278844 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjac055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Flies and other arthropods mechanically transmit multiple pathogens and a recent experimental study demonstrated house flies, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), can mechanically transmit SARS-CoV-2. The purpose of this study was to explore the possibility of mechanical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by domestic insects and their potential as a xenosurveillance tool for detection of the virus. Flies were trapped in homes where at least one confirmed human COVID-19 case(s) resided using sticky and liquid-baited fly traps placed inside and outside the home in the Texas counties of Brazos, Bell, and Montgomery, from June to September 2020. Flies from sticky traps were identified, pooled by taxa, homogenized, and tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA using quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). Liquid traps were drained, and the collected fluid similarly tested after RNA concentration. We processed the contents of 133 insect traps from 40 homes, which contained over 1,345 individual insects of 11 different Diptera families and Blattodea. These individuals were grouped into 243 pools, and all tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Fourteen traps in seven homes were deployed on the day that cat or dog samples tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by nasal, oral, body, or rectal samples. This study presents evidence that biting and nonbiting flies and cockroaches (Blattodea) are not likely to contribute to mechanical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 or be useful in xenosurveillance for SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah A Hamer
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Italo B Zecca
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Edward B Davila
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Lisa D Auckland
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Wendy Tang
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University and AgriLife Research, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Haley Gavranovic
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University and AgriLife Research, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Sonja L Swiger
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University and AgriLife Research, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Jeffery K Tomberlin
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University and AgriLife Research, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Rebecca S B Fischer
- School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Alex Pauvolid-Corrêa
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Laboratory of Respiratory Viruses and Measles, SARS-CoV-2 National Reference Laboratory and Regional Reference Laboratory in the Americas (PAHO/WHO), Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-360, Brazil
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25
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Juarez JG, Carbajal E, Dickinson KL, Garcia-Luna S, Vuong N, Mutebi JP, Hemme RR, Badillo-Vargas I, Hamer GL. The unreachable doorbells of South Texas: community engagement in colonias on the US-Mexico border for mosquito control. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1176. [PMID: 35698216 PMCID: PMC9190097 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13426-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquitoes and the diseases they transmit continue to place millions of people at risk of infection around the world. Novel methods of vector control are being developed to provide public health officials with the necessary tools to prevent disease transmission and reduce local mosquito populations. However, these methods will require public acceptance for a sustainable approach and evaluations at local settings. We present our efforts in community engagement carried out in colonias of the Lower Rio Grande Valley in south Texas for mosquito surveillance, control, and ecological projects. Along the US-Mexico border the term colonia refers to impoverished communities that are usually inhabited by families of Hispanic heritage. The different engagements were carried out from September 2016 to February 2019; during this time, we had three distinct phases for community engagement. In Phase 1 we show the initial approach to the colonias in which we assessed security and willingness to participate; in Phase 2 we carried out the first recruitment procedure involving community meetings and house-to-house recruitment; and in Phase 3 we conducted a modified recruitment procedure based on community members' input. Our findings show that incorporating community members in the development of communication materials and following their suggestions for engagement allowed us to generate culturally sensitive recruitment materials and to better understand the social relationships and power dynamics within these communities. We were able to effectively reach a larger portion of the community and decrease the dropout rate of participants. Progress gained with building trust in the communities allowed us to convey participant risks and benefits of collaborating with our research projects. Community engagement should be viewed as a key component of any local vector control program as well as for any scientific research project related to vector control. Even in the face of budgetary constraints, small efforts in community engagement go a long way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose G Juarez
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Ester Carbajal
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | | | - Selene Garcia-Luna
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Nga Vuong
- Division of Vector Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - John-Paul Mutebi
- Division of Vector Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Ryan R Hemme
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dengue Branch, San Juan, PR, USA
| | | | - Gabriel L Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
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26
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Hamer SA, Ghai RR, Zecca IB, Auckland LD, Roundy CM, Davila E, Busselman RE, Tang W, Pauvolid‐Corrêa A, Killian ML, Jenkins‐Moore M, Torchetti MK, Robbe Austerman S, Lim A, Akpalu Y, Fischer RSB, Barton Behravesh C, Hamer GL. Cover Image. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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27
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Davila E, Fernández-Santos NA, Estrada-Franco JG, Wei L, Aguilar-Durán JA, López-López MDJ, Solís-Hernández R, García-Miranda R, Velázquez-Ramírez DD, Torres-Romero J, Chávez SA, Cruz-Cadena R, Navarro-López R, de León AAP, Guichard-Romero C, Martin E, Tang W, Frank M, Borucki M, Turell MJ, Pauvolid-Corrêa A, Rodríguez-Pérez MA, Ochoa-Díaz-López H, Hamer SA, Hamer GL. Domestic Dogs as Sentinels for West Nile Virus but not Aedes-borne Flaviviruses, Mexico. Emerg Infect Dis 2022; 28:1071-1074. [PMID: 35447062 PMCID: PMC9045458 DOI: 10.3201/eid2805.211879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We tested 294 domestic pet dogs in Mexico for neutralizing antibodies for mosquito-borne flaviviruses. We found high (42.6%) exposure to West Nile virus in Reynosa (northern Mexico) and low (1.2%) exposure in Tuxtla Gutierrez (southern Mexico) but very limited exposure to Aedes-borne flaviviruses. Domestic dogs may be useful sentinels for West Nile virus.
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28
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Rhodes CG, Scavo NA, Finney M, Fimbres-Macias JP, Lively MT, Strauss BH, Hamer GL. Meta-Analysis of the Relative Abundance of Nuisance and Vector Mosquitoes in Urban and Blue-Green Spaces. Insects 2022; 13:insects13030271. [PMID: 35323569 PMCID: PMC8951424 DOI: 10.3390/insects13030271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Blue-green spaces (BGSs), urban areas characterized by the presence of vegetation and or water, and infrastructure form a potential solution for public health threats from increasing urbanization. We conducted a meta-analysis to test the hypothesis that blue-green spaces increase the abundance of nuisance and vector mosquito species compared to non-greened urban areas. After screening 7306 studies published since 1992, we identified 18 studies containing sufficient data from both traditional urban areas and BGSs. We found no significant difference in mean abundance of all mosquito taxa in three genera (Aedes, Culex, Anopheles) when comparing blue-green spaces and non-greened urban spaces. Similarly, a separate analysis of each individual genera found no significant differences. An analysis of the taxa by larval habitat guilds found no differences for container-breeding mosquitoes. Flood-water species tended to be more abundant in blue-green spaces, but the differences were not significant. The individual taxa of Aedes albopictus and the Culex pipiens complex showed no differences between blue-green and urban spaces, while the abundance of Aedes aegypti was significantly higher in traditional urban spaces. Due to the variety existing between and among the several types of blue-green spaces, further studies comparing each unique type of blue-green space or infrastructure will be necessary to draw conclusions regarding the influence of each structure on for urban mosquito communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte G. Rhodes
- Entomology Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (M.F.); (B.H.S.)
- Correspondence: (C.G.R.); (N.A.S.); (G.L.H.)
| | - Nicole A. Scavo
- Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Program, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Correspondence: (C.G.R.); (N.A.S.); (G.L.H.)
| | - Micaela Finney
- Entomology Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (M.F.); (B.H.S.)
| | - Juan P. Fimbres-Macias
- Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
| | - Macey T. Lively
- Epidemiology & Biostatistics Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
| | - Brandon H. Strauss
- Entomology Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (M.F.); (B.H.S.)
| | - Gabriel L. Hamer
- Entomology Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (M.F.); (B.H.S.)
- Correspondence: (C.G.R.); (N.A.S.); (G.L.H.)
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29
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Rhodes CG, Loaiza JR, Romero LM, Gutiérrez Alvarado JM, Delgado G, Rojas Salas O, Ramírez Rojas M, Aguilar-Avendaño C, Maynes E, Valerín Cordero JA, Soto Mora A, Rigg CA, Zardkoohi A, Prado M, Friberg MD, Bergmann LR, Marín Rodríguez R, Hamer GL, Chaves LF. Anopheles albimanus (Diptera: Culicidae) Ensemble Distribution Modeling: Applications for Malaria Elimination. Insects 2022; 13:insects13030221. [PMID: 35323519 PMCID: PMC8955261 DOI: 10.3390/insects13030221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Costa Rica is near malaria elimination. However, sporadic outbreaks still occur, and while control strategies have been focused on delivering efficient treatments for infected patients, an open question is whether control measures targeting the dominant vector, Anopheles albimanus, are appropriately designed given their ecology and distribution. Here, we illustrate the use of an ensemble species distribution model (SDM) as a tool to assess the potential exposure to An. albimanus in palm and pineapple plantations, and to also assess the potential involvement of this mosquito vector in transmission foci where entomological surveillance is not feasible. We found that both oil palm and pineapple plantations are very likely to harbor An. albimanus. By contrast, environments at the Crucitas open-pit gold mine, the epicenter of malaria transmission in 2018 and 2019, have low suitability for this mosquito species. Our results suggest that medium to high resolution SDMs can be used to plan vector control activities. Finally, we discuss the high suitability of oil palm and pineapple plantations for An. albimanus in reference to recently developed social science theory about the Plantationocene. Abstract In the absence of entomological information, tools for predicting Anopheles spp. presence can help evaluate the entomological risk of malaria transmission. Here, we illustrate how species distribution models (SDM) could quantify potential dominant vector species presence in malaria elimination settings. We fitted a 250 m resolution ensemble SDM for Anopheles albimanus Wiedemann. The ensemble SDM included predictions based on seven different algorithms, 110 occurrence records and 70 model projections. SDM covariates included nine environmental variables that were selected based on their importance from an original set of 28 layers that included remotely and spatially interpolated locally measured variables for the land surface of Costa Rica. Goodness of fit for the ensemble SDM was very high, with a minimum AUC of 0.79. We used the resulting ensemble SDM to evaluate differences in habitat suitability (HS) between commercial plantations and surrounding landscapes, finding a higher HS in pineapple and oil palm plantations, suggestive of An. albimanus presence, than in surrounding landscapes. The ensemble SDM suggested a low HS for An. albimanus at the presumed epicenter of malaria transmission during 2018–2019 in Costa Rica, yet this vector was likely present at the two main towns also affected by the epidemic. Our results illustrate how ensemble SDMs in malaria elimination settings can provide information that could help to improve vector surveillance and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte G. Rhodes
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (C.G.R.); (G.L.H.)
| | - Jose R. Loaiza
- Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología, Ciudad de Panama Apartado Postal 0816-02593, Panama;
- Programa Centroamericano de Maestría en Entomología, Universidad de Panamá, Ciudad de Panama Apartado Postal 0816-02593, Panama
| | - Luis Mario Romero
- Departamento de Patología, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia Apartado Postal 304-3000, Costa Rica;
| | - José Manuel Gutiérrez Alvarado
- Oficina Central de Enlace, Programa Nacional de Manejo Integrado de Vectores, Ministerio de Salud, San José, San Jose Apartado Postal 10123-1000, Costa Rica; (J.M.G.A.); (G.D.); (C.A.-A.); (R.M.R.)
| | - Gabriela Delgado
- Oficina Central de Enlace, Programa Nacional de Manejo Integrado de Vectores, Ministerio de Salud, San José, San Jose Apartado Postal 10123-1000, Costa Rica; (J.M.G.A.); (G.D.); (C.A.-A.); (R.M.R.)
| | - Obdulio Rojas Salas
- Programa Nacional de Manejo Integrado de Vectores, Región Huetar Norte, Ministerio de Salud, Muelle de San Carlos, San Carlos, Alajuela Código 21006, Costa Rica;
| | - Melissa Ramírez Rojas
- Vigilancia de la Salud, Ministerio de Salud, San José, San Jose Apartado Postal 10123-1000, Costa Rica; (M.R.R.); (A.Z.)
| | - Carlos Aguilar-Avendaño
- Oficina Central de Enlace, Programa Nacional de Manejo Integrado de Vectores, Ministerio de Salud, San José, San Jose Apartado Postal 10123-1000, Costa Rica; (J.M.G.A.); (G.D.); (C.A.-A.); (R.M.R.)
| | - Ezequías Maynes
- Programa Nacional de Manejo Integrado de Vectores, Región Huetar Caribe, Ministerio de Salud, Sixaola, Talamanca, Limon Código 70402, Costa Rica;
| | - José A. Valerín Cordero
- Coordinación Regional, Programa Nacional de Manejo Integrado de Vectores, Región Pacífico Central, Ministerio de Salud, Puntarenas, Puntarenas Código 60101, Costa Rica;
| | - Alonso Soto Mora
- Coordinación Regional, Programa Nacional de Manejo Integrado de Vectores, Región Brunca, Ministerio de Salud, San Isidro del General, Pérez Zeledón, San Jose Código 11901, Costa Rica;
| | - Chystrie A. Rigg
- Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panama Apartado Postal 0816-02593, Panama;
| | - Aryana Zardkoohi
- Vigilancia de la Salud, Ministerio de Salud, San José, San Jose Apartado Postal 10123-1000, Costa Rica; (M.R.R.); (A.Z.)
| | - Monica Prado
- Unidad de Investigación en Plasmodium, Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San Jose Apartado Postal 11501-2060, Costa Rica;
| | - Mariel D. Friberg
- Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC), University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, USA;
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA
| | - Luke R. Bergmann
- Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2, Canada;
| | - Rodrigo Marín Rodríguez
- Oficina Central de Enlace, Programa Nacional de Manejo Integrado de Vectores, Ministerio de Salud, San José, San Jose Apartado Postal 10123-1000, Costa Rica; (J.M.G.A.); (G.D.); (C.A.-A.); (R.M.R.)
- Vigilancia de la Salud, Ministerio de Salud, San José, San Jose Apartado Postal 10123-1000, Costa Rica; (M.R.R.); (A.Z.)
| | - Gabriel L. Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (C.G.R.); (G.L.H.)
| | - Luis Fernando Chaves
- Vigilancia de la Salud, Ministerio de Salud, San José, San Jose Apartado Postal 10123-1000, Costa Rica; (M.R.R.); (A.Z.)
- Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panama Apartado Postal 0816-02593, Panama;
- Correspondence:
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Dickinson KL, Banacos N, Carbajal E, Dacko N, Fredregill C, Hinojosa S, Juarez JG, Weldon C, Hamer GL. Public Acceptance of and Willingness to Pay for Mosquito Control, Texas, USA. Emerg Infect Dis 2022; 28:425-428. [PMID: 35076377 PMCID: PMC8798704 DOI: 10.3201/eid2802.210501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquito control is essential to reduce vectorborne disease risk. We surveyed residents in Harris, Tarrant, and Hidalgo Counties, Texas, USA, to estimate willingness-to-pay for mosquito control and acceptance of control methods. Results show an unmet demand for expanded mosquito control that could be funded through local taxes or fees.
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Dickinson KL, Banacos N, Carbajal E, Dacko N, Fredregill C, Hinojosa S, Juarez JG, Weldon C, Hamer GL. Public Acceptance of and Willingness to Pay for Mosquito Control, Texas, USA. Emerg Infect Dis 2022. [DOI: 10.3201/eid2801.210501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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32
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Adams DR, Aguirre-Cordero E, Hamer GL. The effect of anticoagulants in artificial blood meals on the mortality, fecundity, and fertility of Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti (Culicidae). J Vector Ecol 2021; 46:137-142. [PMID: 35230017 DOI: 10.52707/1081-1710-46.2.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Blood sources used for insect colonies and their effects on fecundity and fertility have been studied in multiple mosquito species, but the effect of anticoagulants that prevent clotting of blood has received minimal attention. Here, we identify the effect two anticoagulants have on the mortality, fecundity, and fertility of Culex quinquefasciatus (Sebring and BCS strains) and Aedes aegypti Liverpool. Each mosquito species was provided with one of three treatments: direct feeding on live chicken (LC), blood from freshly exsanguinated chicken treated with heparin (EXS) or commercially purchased chicken blood treated with Alsever's solution (ART). No significant effect of treatment on mortality was observed. Both Cx. quinquefasciatus Sebring and BCS strains demonstrated a significant effect of treatment type on fecundity with the number of eggs laid for LC being 1.40-fold higher than EXS and 2.14-fold higher than ART for Sebring. For BCS strain mosquitoes, LC was 1.55-fold higher than ART, and EXS was 1.57-fold higher than ART, but there was no significant difference between LC and EXS. For Ae. aegypti mosquitoes, only a significant difference in mean egg counts was observed between LC and ART treatments, with LC laying 1.46-fold more eggs. No significant effect on fertility was observed among any mosquitoes for any treatment. These results demonstrate the negative effect of anticoagulants on the fecundity for multiple mosquito taxa. This may affect the ability of labs to produce large numbers of mosquitoes or colonize wild mosquito populations and should be taken into account when considering colony maintenance or vector biology research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayvion R Adams
- Texas A&M University, Department of Entomology, College Station, TX 77843, U.S.A
- Texas A&M University, Schubot Center for Avian Health, College Station, TX, U.S.A
| | - Erik Aguirre-Cordero
- Texas A&M University, Department of Entomology, College Station, TX 77843, U.S.A
| | - Gabriel L Hamer
- Texas A&M University, Department of Entomology, College Station, TX 77843, U.S.A.,
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Juarez JG, Chaves LF, Garcia‐Luna SM, Martin E, Badillo‐Vargas I, Medeiros MCI, Hamer GL. Variable coverage in an Autocidal Gravid Ovitrap intervention impacts efficacy of Aedes aegypti control. J Appl Ecol 2021; 58:2075-2086. [PMID: 34690360 PMCID: PMC8518497 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Control of the arboviral disease vector Aedes aegypti has shown variable levels of efficacy around the globe. We evaluated an Autocidal Gravid Ovitrap (AGO) intervention as a stand-alone control tool for population suppression of A. aegypti in US communities bordering Mexico.We conducted a cluster randomized crossover trial with weekly mosquito surveillance of sentinel households from July 2017 to December 2018. The intervention took place from August to December of both years. Multilevel models (generalized linear and additive mixed models) were used to analyse the changes in population abundance of female A. aegypti.We observed that female populations were being suppressed 77% (2018) and four times lower outdoor female abundance when AGO coverage (number of intervention AGO traps that surrounded a sentinel home) was high (2.7 AGOs/house). However, we also observed that areas with low intervention AGO coverage resulted in no difference (2017) or slightly higher abundance compared to the control. These results suggest that coverage rate might play a critical role on how populations of female A. aegypti are being modulated in the field. The lack of larval source habitat reduction and the short duration of the intervention period might have limited the A. aegypti population suppression observed in this study. Synthesis and applications. The mosquito, A. aegypti, is a public health concern in most tropical and subtropical regions. With the rise of insecticide resistance, the evaluation of non-chemical tools has become pivotal in the fight against arboviral disease transmission. Our study shows that the AGO intervention, as a stand-alone control tool, is limited by its coverage in human settlements. Vector control programmes should consider, that if the target coverage rate is not achieved, measures will be ineffective unless coupled with other control approaches. Although our multilevel modelling was focused on A. aegypti and the AGO, the approach can be applied to other mosquito vector species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose G. Juarez
- Department of EntomologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTXUSA
| | - Luis F. Chaves
- Instituto Costarricense de Investigación y Enseñanza en Nutrición y Salud (INCIENSA)CartagoCosta Rica
| | | | - Estelle Martin
- Department of EntomologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTXUSA
| | | | | | - Gabriel L. Hamer
- Department of EntomologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTXUSA
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Keyel AC, Gorris ME, Rochlin I, Uelmen JA, Chaves LF, Hamer GL, Moise IK, Shocket M, Kilpatrick AM, DeFelice NB, Davis JK, Little E, Irwin P, Tyre AJ, Helm Smith K, Fredregill CL, Elison Timm O, Holcomb KM, Wimberly MC, Ward MJ, Barker CM, Rhodes CG, Smith RL. A proposed framework for the development and qualitative evaluation of West Nile virus models and their application to local public health decision-making. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009653. [PMID: 34499656 PMCID: PMC8428767 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a globally distributed mosquito-borne virus of great public health concern. The number of WNV human cases and mosquito infection patterns vary in space and time. Many statistical models have been developed to understand and predict WNV geographic and temporal dynamics. However, these modeling efforts have been disjointed with little model comparison and inconsistent validation. In this paper, we describe a framework to unify and standardize WNV modeling efforts nationwide. WNV risk, detection, or warning models for this review were solicited from active research groups working in different regions of the United States. A total of 13 models were selected and described. The spatial and temporal scales of each model were compared to guide the timing and the locations for mosquito and virus surveillance, to support mosquito vector control decisions, and to assist in conducting public health outreach campaigns at multiple scales of decision-making. Our overarching goal is to bridge the existing gap between model development, which is usually conducted as an academic exercise, and practical model applications, which occur at state, tribal, local, or territorial public health and mosquito control agency levels. The proposed model assessment and comparison framework helps clarify the value of individual models for decision-making and identifies the appropriate temporal and spatial scope of each model. This qualitative evaluation clearly identifies gaps in linking models to applied decisions and sets the stage for a quantitative comparison of models. Specifically, whereas many coarse-grained models (county resolution or greater) have been developed, the greatest need is for fine-grained, short-term planning models (m-km, days-weeks) that remain scarce. We further recommend quantifying the value of information for each decision to identify decisions that would benefit most from model input.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander C. Keyel
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, United States of America
- Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University at Albany, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - Morgan E. Gorris
- Information Systems and Modeling & Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Ilia Rochlin
- Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Johnny A. Uelmen
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Luis F. Chaves
- Instituto Costarricense de Investigación y Enseñanza en Nutrición y Salud (INCIENSA), Tres Rios, Cartago, Costa Rica
| | - Gabriel L. Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Imelda K. Moise
- Department of Geography & Regional Studies, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, United States of America
| | - Marta Shocket
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - A. Marm Kilpatrick
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
| | - Nicholas B. DeFelice
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States of America
- Institute for Exposomic Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States of America
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Justin K. Davis
- Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Eliza Little
- Connecticut Agricultural Experimental Station, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Patrick Irwin
- Northwest Mosquito Abatement District, Wheeling, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Andrew J. Tyre
- School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Kelly Helm Smith
- National Drought Mitigation Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Chris L. Fredregill
- Mosquito and Vector Control Division, Harris County Public Health, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Oliver Elison Timm
- Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University at Albany, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - Karen M. Holcomb
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of California Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Michael C. Wimberly
- Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Matthew J. Ward
- Environmental Analytics Group, Universities Space Research Association, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, United States of America
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Christopher M. Barker
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of California Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Charlotte G. Rhodes
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Rebecca L. Smith
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
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Adams DR, Golnar AJ, Hamer SA, Slotman MA, Hamer GL. Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) survivorship following the ingestion of bird blood infected with Haemoproteus sp. parasites. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:2343-2350. [PMID: 34110501 PMCID: PMC8263426 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07196-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Arthropod vectors are frequently exposed to a diverse assemblage of parasites, but the consequence of these infections on their biology and behavior are poorly understood. We experimentally evaluated whether the ingestion of a common protozoan parasite of avian hosts (Haemoproteus spp.; Haemosporida: Haemoproteidae) impacted the survivorship of Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae). Blood was collected from wild northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) in College Station, Texas, and screened for the presence of Haemoproteus spp. parasites using microscopic and molecular methods. Experimental groups of Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes were offered Haemoproteus-positive cardinal blood through an artificial feeding apparatus, while control groups received Haemoproteus-negative cardinal blood or domestic canary (Serinus canaria domestica) blood. Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes exposed to Haemoproteus infected cardinal blood survived significantly fewer days than mosquitoes that ingested Haemoproteus-negative cardinal blood. The survival of mosquitoes fed on positive cardinal blood had a median survival time of 18 days post-exposure and the survival of mosquitoes fed on negative cardinal blood exceeded 50% across the 30 day observation period. Additionally, mosquitoes that fed on canary controls survived significantly fewer days than cardinal negative controls, with canary control mosquitoes having a median survival time of 17 days. This study further supports prior observations that Haemoproteus parasites can be pathogenic to bird-biting mosquitoes, and suggests that Haemoproteus parasites may indirectly suppress the transmission of co-circulating vector-borne pathogens by modulating vector survivorship. Our results also suggest that even in the absence of parasite infection, bloodmeals from different bird species can influence mosquito survivorship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayvion R Adams
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.,Schubot Center for Avian Health, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, 4467 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Andrew J Golnar
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.,United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 4101 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Sarah A Hamer
- Schubot Center for Avian Health, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, 4467 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.,Department of Veterinary Integrative Bioscience, Texas A&M University, 4458 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Michel A Slotman
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Gabriel L Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
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Hamer SA, Pauvolid-Corrêa A, Zecca IB, Davila E, Auckland LD, Roundy CM, Tang W, Torchetti MK, Killian ML, Jenkins-Moore M, Mozingo K, Akpalu Y, Ghai RR, Spengler JR, Barton Behravesh C, Fischer RSB, Hamer GL. SARS-CoV-2 Infections and Viral Isolations among Serially Tested Cats and Dogs in Households with Infected Owners in Texas, USA. Viruses 2021; 13:v13050938. [PMID: 34069453 PMCID: PMC8159091 DOI: 10.3390/v13050938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the ecological and epidemiological roles of pets in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is critical for animal and human health, identifying household reservoirs, and predicting the potential enzootic maintenance of the virus. We conducted a longitudinal household transmission study of 76 dogs and cats living with at least one SARS-CoV-2-infected human in Texas and found that 17 pets from 25.6% of 39 households met the national case definition for SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals. This includes three out of seventeen (17.6%) cats and one out of fifty-nine (1.7%) dogs that were positive by RT-PCR and sequencing, with the virus successfully isolated from the respiratory swabs of one cat and one dog. Whole-genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 obtained from all four PCR-positive animals were unique variants grouping with genomes circulating among people with COVID-19 in Texas. Re-sampling showed persistence of viral RNA for at least 25 d-post initial test. Additionally, seven out of sixteen (43.8%) cats and seven out of fifty-nine (11.9%) dogs harbored SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies upon initial sampling, with relatively stable or increasing titers over the 2–3 months of follow-up and no evidence of seroreversion. The majority (82.4%) of infected pets were asymptomatic. ‘Reverse zoonotic’ transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from infected people to animals may occur more frequently than recognized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Hamer
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (A.P.-C.); (I.B.Z.); (E.D.); (L.D.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-979-847-5693
| | - Alex Pauvolid-Corrêa
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (A.P.-C.); (I.B.Z.); (E.D.); (L.D.A.)
- Laboratory of Respiratory Viruses and Measles, SARS-CoV-2 National Reference Laboratory and Regional Reference Laboratory in the Americas (PAHO/WHO), Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Italo B. Zecca
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (A.P.-C.); (I.B.Z.); (E.D.); (L.D.A.)
| | - Edward Davila
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (A.P.-C.); (I.B.Z.); (E.D.); (L.D.A.)
| | - Lisa D. Auckland
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (A.P.-C.); (I.B.Z.); (E.D.); (L.D.A.)
| | - Christopher M. Roundy
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University and AgriLife Research, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (C.M.R.); (W.T.); (G.L.H.)
| | - Wendy Tang
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University and AgriLife Research, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (C.M.R.); (W.T.); (G.L.H.)
| | - Mia Kim Torchetti
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, USDA APHIS VS, Ames, IA 50010, USA; (M.K.T.); (M.L.K.); (M.J.-M.); (K.M.)
| | - Mary Lea Killian
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, USDA APHIS VS, Ames, IA 50010, USA; (M.K.T.); (M.L.K.); (M.J.-M.); (K.M.)
| | - Melinda Jenkins-Moore
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, USDA APHIS VS, Ames, IA 50010, USA; (M.K.T.); (M.L.K.); (M.J.-M.); (K.M.)
| | - Katie Mozingo
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, USDA APHIS VS, Ames, IA 50010, USA; (M.K.T.); (M.L.K.); (M.J.-M.); (K.M.)
| | - Yao Akpalu
- Brazos County Health Department, Bryan, TX 77803, USA;
| | - Ria R. Ghai
- National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (R.R.G.); (J.R.S.); (C.B.B.)
| | - Jessica R. Spengler
- National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (R.R.G.); (J.R.S.); (C.B.B.)
| | - Casey Barton Behravesh
- National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (R.R.G.); (J.R.S.); (C.B.B.)
| | | | - Gabriel L. Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University and AgriLife Research, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (C.M.R.); (W.T.); (G.L.H.)
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Hamer SA, Ghai RR, Zecca IB, Auckland LD, Roundy CM, Davila E, Busselman RE, Tang W, Pauvolid-Corrêa A, Killian ML, Jenkins-Moore M, Torchetti MK, Robbe Austerman S, Lim A, Akpalu Y, Fischer RSB, Barton Behravesh C, Hamer GL. SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant of concern detected in a pet dog and cat after exposure to a person with COVID-19, USA. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:1656-1658. [PMID: 33955193 PMCID: PMC8242881 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
As part of a longitudinal household transmission study of pets living with persons with COVID‐19 in Texas, two pets were confirmed to be infected with the SARS‐CoV‐2 B.1.1.7 variant of concern (VOC). The pets were a dog and a cat from the same household, sampled two days after their owner tested positive for COVID‐19. The oral, nasal and fur swabs for both pets tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 by qRT‐PCR and consensus whole‐genome sequences from the dog and cat were 100% identical and matched the B.1.1.7 VOC. Virus was isolated from the cat's nasal swab. One month after initial detection of infection, the pets were re‐tested twice at which time only the fur swabs (both pets) and oral swab (dog only) remained positive, and neutralizing antibodies for SARS‐CoV‐2 were present in both animals. Sneezing by both pets was noted by the owner in the weeks between initial and follow‐up testing. This study documents the first detection of B.1.1.7. in companion animals in the United States, and the first genome recovery and isolation of B.1.1.7 variant of concern globally in any animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Hamer
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Ria R Ghai
- National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Italo B Zecca
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Lisa D Auckland
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Christopher M Roundy
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University and AgriLife Research, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Edward Davila
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Rachel E Busselman
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Wendy Tang
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University and AgriLife Research, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Alex Pauvolid-Corrêa
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.,Laboratory of Respiratory Viruses and Measles, SARS-CoV-2 National Reference Laboratory and Regional Reference Laboratory in the Americas (PAHO/WHO), Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mary Lea Killian
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, USDA APHIS VS, Ames, IA, USA
| | | | - Mia Kim Torchetti
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, USDA APHIS VS, Ames, IA, USA
| | | | - Ailam Lim
- Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Yao Akpalu
- Brazos County Health Department, Bryan, TX, USA
| | | | - Casey Barton Behravesh
- National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Gabriel L Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University and AgriLife Research, College Station, TX, USA
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Olson MF, Juarez JG, Kraemer MUG, Messina JP, Hamer GL. Global patterns of aegyptism without arbovirus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009397. [PMID: 33951038 PMCID: PMC8128236 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The world's most important mosquito vector of viruses, Aedes aegypti, is found around the world in tropical, subtropical and even some temperate locations. While climate change may limit populations of Ae. aegypti in some regions, increasing temperatures will likely expand its territory thus increasing risk of human exposure to arboviruses in places like Europe, Northern Australia and North America, among many others. Most studies of Ae. aegypti biology and virus transmission focus on locations with high endemicity or severe outbreaks of human amplified urban arboviruses, such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses, but rarely on areas at the margins of endemicity. The objective in this study is to explore previously published global patterns in the environmental suitability for Ae. aegypti and dengue virus to reveal deviations in the probability of the vector and human disease occurring. We developed a map showing one end of the gradient being higher suitability of Ae. aegypti with low suitability of dengue and the other end of the spectrum being equal and higher environmental suitability for both Ae. aegypti and dengue. The regions of the world with Ae. aegypti environmental suitability and no endemic dengue transmission exhibits a phenomenon we term 'aegyptism without arbovirus'. We then tested what environmental and socioeconomic variables influence this deviation map revealing a significant association with human population density, suggesting that locations with lower human population density were more likely to have a higher probability of aegyptism without arbovirus. Characterizing regions of the world with established populations of Ae. aegypti but little to no autochthonous transmission of human-amplified arboviruses is an important step in understanding and achieving aegyptism without arbovirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark F. Olson
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jose G. Juarez
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | | | - Jane P. Messina
- School of Geography and the Environment, and Oxford School of Global and Area Studies, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Gabriel L. Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Juarez JG, Garcia-Luna SM, Medeiros MCI, Dickinson KL, Borucki MK, Frank M, Badillo-Vargas I, Chaves LF, Hamer GL. The Eco-Bio-Social Factors That Modulate Aedes aegypti Abundance in South Texas Border Communities. Insects 2021; 12:insects12020183. [PMID: 33670064 PMCID: PMC7926310 DOI: 10.3390/insects12020183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The Aedes aegypti mosquito is distributed worldwide and has become a major public health concern due to its proclivity for the urban environment, human feeding behavior, and ability to transmit agents of diseases such as Zika, chikungunya, and dengue. In the continental United States, the region known as the Lower Rio Grande Valley is one of the few areas with local mosquito transmission of these pathogens transmitted by Ae. aegypti. With limited resources for mosquito control in this region, understanding the ecological, biological, and social factors that affect Ae. aegypti population can help guide and improve current control efforts. We were able to observe widespread knowledge regarding Zika, but with very low importance given to mosquitoes as a problem. We found that the presence of window-mounted air conditioning units, number of windows and doors, characteristics of the property, and presence of children in the household all influenced the abundance of Ae. aegypti. The current results not only show a need for improved community engagement for increasing disease and mosquito risk awareness, but also provide risk factors that can guide current vector control activities. Abstract Aedes aegypti control requires dedicated resources that are usually scarce, limiting the reach and sustainability of vector control programs. This generates a need to focus on areas at risk of disease transmission and also understand the factors that might modulate local mosquito abundance. We evaluated the eco-bio-social factors that modulate indoor and outdoor relative abundance of female Ae. aegypti in communities of South Texas. We conducted housing quality and Knowledge Attitudes and Practices surveys in households that were part of a weekly mosquito surveillance program in November of 2017 and 2018. Our results showed widespread knowledge of mosquitoes and Zika virus by our participants. However, less than 35% considered them as serious problems in this region. The presence of window-mounted air conditioning units increased the risk of female mosquito relative abundance indoors. An increase in outdoor relative abundance was associated with larger properties and a higher number of children between 6 to 17 years of age. Interestingly, we observed that an increasing number of children <5 years of age modulated both indoor and outdoor relative abundance, with a 52% increase indoors and 30% decrease outdoors. The low perception of mosquito and disease risk highlights engagement needs for vector-borne disease prevention in this region. The identified risk factors can help guide public health officials in their efforts to reduce human and vector contact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose G. Juarez
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (S.M.G.-L.); (I.B.-V.)
- Correspondence: (J.G.J.); (G.L.H.)
| | - Selene M. Garcia-Luna
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (S.M.G.-L.); (I.B.-V.)
| | - Matthew C. I. Medeiros
- Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA;
| | - Katherine L. Dickinson
- Colorado School of Public Health, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Aurora, CO 80045, USA;
| | - Monica K. Borucki
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA; (M.K.B.); (M.F.)
| | - Matthias Frank
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA; (M.K.B.); (M.F.)
| | - Ismael Badillo-Vargas
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (S.M.G.-L.); (I.B.-V.)
| | - Luis F. Chaves
- Instituto Costarricense de Investigación y Enseñanza en Nutrición y Salud (INCIENSA), Tres Ríos 4-2250, Cartago, Costa Rica;
| | - Gabriel L. Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (S.M.G.-L.); (I.B.-V.)
- Correspondence: (J.G.J.); (G.L.H.)
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Kim HJ, Hamer GL, Hamer SA, Lopez JE, Teel PD. Identification of Host Bloodmeal Source in Ornithodoros turicata Dugès (Ixodida: Argasidae) Using DNA-Based and Stable Isotope-Based Techniques. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:620441. [PMID: 33681326 PMCID: PMC7925843 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.620441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The ecology and host feeding patterns of many soft ticks (Ixodida: Argasidae) remain poorly understood. To address soft tick-host feeding associations, we fed Ornithodoros turicata Dugès on multiple host species and evaluated quantitative PCR (qPCR) and stable isotope analyses to identify the vertebrate species used for the bloodmeal. The results showed that a qPCR with host-specific probes for the cytochrome b gene successfully identified bloodmeals from chicken (Gallus gallus L.), goat (Capra aegagrus hircus L), and swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) beyond 330 days post-feeding and through multiple molting. Also, qPCR-based bloodmeal analyses could detect multiple host species within individual ticks that fed upon more than one species. The stable isotope bloodmeal analyses were based on variation in the natural abundance of carbon (13C/12C) and nitrogen (15N/14N) isotopes in ticks fed on different hosts. When compared to reference isotope signatures, this method discerned unique δ13C and δ15N signatures in the ticks fed on each host taxa yet could not discern multiple host species from O. turicata that fed on more than one host species. Given the significance of soft tick-borne zoonoses and animal diseases, elucidating host feeding patterns from field-collected ticks using these methods may provide insight for an ecological basis to disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee J. Kim
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Gabriel L. Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Sarah A. Hamer
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Job E. Lopez
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Pete D. Teel
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX, United States
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Busselman RE, Olson MF, Martinez V, Davila E, Briggs C, Eldridge DS, Higgins B, Bass B, Cropper TL, Casey TM, Edwards T, Teel PD, Hamer SA, Hamer GL. Host Bloodmeal Identification in Cave-Dwelling Ornithodoros turicata Dugès (Ixodida: Argasidae), Texas, USA. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:639400. [PMID: 33659288 PMCID: PMC7917080 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.639400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-host bloodmeal associations are important factors when characterizing risks of associated pathogen transmission and applying appropriate management strategies. Despite their biological importance, comparatively little is known about soft tick (Argasidae) host associations in the United States compared to hard ticks (Ixodidae). In this study, we evaluated a PCR and direct Sanger sequencing method for identifying the bloodmeal hosts of soft ticks. We collected 381 cave-associated Ornithodoros turicata near San Antonio, Texas, USA, and also utilized eight colony-reared specimens fed artificially on known host blood sources over 1.5 years ago. We correctly identified the vertebrate host bloodmeals of two colony-reared ticks (chicken and pig) up to 1,105 days post-feeding, and identified bloodmeal hosts from 19 out of 168 field-collected soft ticks, including raccoon (78.9%), black vulture (10.5%), Texas black rattlesnake (5.3%), and human (5.3%). Our results confirm the retention of vertebrate blood DNA in soft ticks and advance the knowledge of argasid host associations in cave-dwelling O. turicata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E. Busselman
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Mark F. Olson
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Viridiana Martinez
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Edward Davila
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Cierra Briggs
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX, United States
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Devon S. Eldridge
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX, United States
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Bailee Higgins
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Brittany Bass
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Thomas L. Cropper
- 59th Medical Wing, Joint Base San Antonio, Lackland, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Theresa M. Casey
- 59th Medical Wing, Joint Base San Antonio, Lackland, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Theresa Edwards
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Government Canyon State Natural Area, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Pete D. Teel
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Sarah A. Hamer
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Gabriel L. Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX, United States
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Estrada-Franco JG, Fernández-Santos NA, Adebiyi AA, López-López MDJ, Aguilar-Durán JA, Hernández-Triana LM, Prosser SWJ, Hebert PDN, Fooks AR, Hamer GL, Xue L, Rodríguez-Pérez MA. Vertebrate-Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera)-arbovirus transmission networks: Non-human feeding revealed by meta-barcoding and next-generation sequencing. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008867. [PMID: 33382725 PMCID: PMC7806141 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Aedes aegypti mosquito-borne viruses including Zika (ZIKV), dengue (DENV), yellow fever (YFV), and chikungunya (CHIKV) have emerged and re-emerged globally, resulting in an elevated burden of human disease. Aedes aegypti is found worldwide in tropical, sub-tropical, and temperate areas. The characterization of mosquito blood meals is essential to understand the transmission dynamics of mosquito-vectored pathogens. Methodology/principal findings Here, we report Ae. aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus host feeding patterns and arbovirus transmission in Northern Mexico using a metabarcoding-like approach with next-generation deep sequencing technology. A total of 145 Ae. aegypti yielded a blood meal analysis result with 107 (73.8%) for a single vertebrate species and 38 (26.2%) for two or more. Among the single host blood meals for Ae. aegypti, 28.0% were from humans, 54.2% from dogs, 16.8% from cats, and 1.0% from tortoises. Among those with more than one species present, 65.9% were from humans and dogs. For Cx. quinquefasciatus, 388 individuals yielded information with 326 (84%) being from a single host and 63 (16.2%) being from two or more hosts. Of the single species blood meals, 77.9% were from dogs, 6.1% from chickens, 3.1% from house sparrows, 2.4% from humans, while the remaining 10.5% derived from other 12 host species. Among those which had fed on more than one species, 11% were from dogs and humans, and 89% of other host species combinations. Forage ratio analysis revealed dog as the most over-utilized host by Ae. aegypti (= 4.3) and Cx. quinquefasciatus (= 5.6) and the human blood index at 39% and 4%, respectively. A total of 2,941 host-seeking female Ae. aegypti and 3,536 Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes were collected in the surveyed area. Of these, 118 Ae. aegypti pools and 37 Cx. quinquefasciatus pools were screened for seven arboviruses (ZIKV, DENV 1–4, CHIKV, and West Nile virus (WNV)) using qRT-PCR and none were positive (point prevalence = 0%). The 95%-exact upper limit confidence interval was 0.07% and 0.17% for Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus, respectively Conclusions/significance The low human blood feeding rate in Ae. aegypti, high rate of feeding on mammals by Cx. quinquefasciatus, and the potential risk to transmission dynamics of arboviruses in highly urbanized areas of Northern Mexico is discussed. Elucidating arbovirus-vector-host contact networks is critical to understand and control mosquito-borne virus transmission, including pathogens such as ZIKV, DENV 1–4, CHIKV, and WNV. Here, we report the results of metabarcoding of blood meals of two primary pathogen mosquito vectors, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. We found limited human blood feeding by Ae. aegypti and high preference for feeding on mammals by Cx. quinquefasciatus. Interestingly, blood meal analysis revealed dogs as the most utilized host for both vector species suggesting the potential for zooprophylaxis for human-amplified urban arboviruses. Pools of these vector species were tested for seven arboviruses and all were negative. We calculated vectorial capacity to discuss the potential risk and transmission dynamics of pathogens transmitted by these two important vectors in an urban location in Northern Mexico.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nadia A. Fernández-Santos
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Ciudad Reynosa, Tamaulipas, México
| | - Adeniran A. Adebiyi
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Ciudad Reynosa, Tamaulipas, México
| | - María de J. López-López
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Ciudad Reynosa, Tamaulipas, México
| | - Jesús A. Aguilar-Durán
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Ciudad Reynosa, Tamaulipas, México
| | | | | | - Paul D. N. Hebert
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anthony R. Fooks
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Gabriel L. Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Ling Xue
- College of Mathematical Sciences, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, P.R. China
| | - Mario A. Rodríguez-Pérez
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Ciudad Reynosa, Tamaulipas, México
- * E-mail: ,
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Hamer SA, Pauvolid-Corrêa A, Zecca IB, Davila E, Auckland LD, Roundy CM, Tang W, Torchetti M, Killian ML, Jenkins-Moore M, Mozingo K, Akpalu Y, Ghai RR, Spengler JR, Behravesh CB, Fischer RSB, Hamer GL. Natural SARS-CoV-2 infections, including virus isolation, among serially tested cats and dogs in households with confirmed human COVID-19 cases in Texas, USA. bioRxiv 2020:2020.12.08.416339. [PMID: 33330861 PMCID: PMC7743065 DOI: 10.1101/2020.12.08.416339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The natural infections and epidemiological roles of household pets in SARS-CoV-2 transmission are not understood. We conducted a longitudinal study of dogs and cats living with at least one SARS-CoV-2 infected human in Texas and found 47.1% of 17 cats and 15.3% of 59 dogs from 25.6% of 39 households were positive for SARS-CoV-2 via RT-PCR and genome sequencing or neutralizing antibodies. Virus was isolated from one cat. The majority (82.4%) of infected pets were asymptomatic. Re-sampling of one infected cat showed persistence of viral RNA at least 32 d-post human diagnosis (25 d-post initial test). Across 15 antibody-positive animals, titers increased (33.3%), decreased (33.3%) or were stable (33.3%) over time. A One Health approach is informative for prevention and control of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Hamer
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, Texas, USA
| | - Alex Pauvolid-Corrêa
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, Texas, USA
- Laboratory of Respiratory Viruses and Measles, SARS-CoV-2 National Reference Laboratory and Regional Reference Laboratory in Americas (PAHO/WHO), Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Italo B. Zecca
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, Texas, USA
| | - Edward Davila
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, Texas, USA
| | - Lisa D. Auckland
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, Texas, USA
| | | | - Wendy Tang
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University and AgriLife Research, Texas, USA
| | - Mia Torchetti
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, USDA APHIS VS, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Mary Lea Killian
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, USDA APHIS VS, Ames, IA, USA
| | | | - Katie Mozingo
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, USDA APHIS VS, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Yao Akpalu
- Brazos County Health Department, Bryan, Texas, USA
| | - Ria R. Ghai
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Gabriel L. Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University and AgriLife Research, Texas, USA
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Olson MF, Garcia-Luna S, Juarez JG, Martin E, Harrington LC, Eubanks MD, Badillo-Vargas IE, Hamer GL. Sugar Feeding Patterns for Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes in South Texas. J Med Entomol 2020; 57:1111-1119. [PMID: 32043525 PMCID: PMC7334892 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Effective mosquito surveillance and management depend on a thorough understanding of the biology and feeding patterns unique to species and sex. Given that a propensity to sugar feed is necessary for some mosquito surveillance and newer control strategies, we sought to document the amount of total sugar in wild Aedes aegypti (L.) and Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) captured from five different locations in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of South Texas over 2 yr. We used Biogents Sentinel 2 (BGS2) traps in year 1 and aspirators, BGS2, and CDC resting traps in years 2 and 3 to collect adult mosquitoes. The hot anthrone test was used to quantify total sugar content in each mosquito. Additionally, the cold and hot anthrone tests were used to distinguish fructose content from total sugars for mosquitoes captured in 2019. Overall, Ae. aegypti females had significantly lower total sugar content than Ae. aegypti males as well as both sexes of Cx. quinquefasciatus. However, the percentage of Ae. aegypti positive for fructose consumption was four to eightfold higher than Ae. aegypti previously reported in other regions. The difference between locations was significant for males of both species, but not for females. Seasonality and trapping method also revealed significant differences in sugar content of captured mosquitoes. Our results reinforce that sugar feeding in female Ae. aegypti is less than Cx. quinquefasciatus, although not absent. This study provides necessary data to evaluate the potential effectiveness of sugar baits in surveillance and control of both Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark F Olson
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | | | - Jose G Juarez
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - Estelle Martin
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | | | - Micky D Eubanks
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | | | - Gabriel L Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
- Corresponding author, e-mail:
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Kading RC, Cohnstaedt LW, Fall K, Hamer GL. Emergence of Arboviruses in the United States: The Boom and Bust of Funding, Innovation, and Capacity. Trop Med Infect Dis 2020; 5:E96. [PMID: 32517268 PMCID: PMC7345222 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5020096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne viruses will continue to emerge and generate a significant public health burden around the globe. Here, we provide a longitudinal perspective on how the emergence of mosquito-borne viruses in the Americas has triggered reactionary funding by sponsored agencies, stimulating a number of publications, innovative development of traps, and augmented capacity. We discuss the return on investment (ROI) from the oscillation in federal funding that influences demand for surveillance and control traps and leads to innovation and research productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah C. Kading
- Department of Microbiology, Colorado State University, Immunology and Pathology, Fort Collins, Colorado, CO 80523, USA
| | - Lee W. Cohnstaedt
- United States Department of Agriculture, Arthropod-borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, Manhattan, Kansas, KS 66502, USA;
| | - Ken Fall
- BioQuip Products, Rancho Dominguez, California, CA 90220, USA;
| | - Gabriel L. Hamer
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, TX 77843, USA;
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46
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Martin E, Tang W, Briggs C, Hopson H, Juarez JG, Garcia-Luna SM, de Valdez MW, Badillo-Vargas IE, Borucki MK, Frank M, Hamer GL. Cell fusing agent virus (Flavivirus) infection in Aedes aegypti in Texas: seasonality, comparison by trap type, and individual viral loads. Arch Virol 2020; 165:1769-1776. [PMID: 32440701 PMCID: PMC7351801 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-020-04652-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
South Texas has experienced local transmission of Zika virus and of other mosquito-borne viruses such as chikungunya virus and dengue virus in the last decades. Using a mosquito surveillance program in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) and San Antonio, TX, from 2016 to 2018, we detected the presence of an insect-specific virus, cell fusing agent virus (CFAV), in the Aedes aegypti mosquito population. We tested 6,326 females and 1,249 males from the LRGV and 659 females from San Antonio for CFAV by RT-PCR using specific primers. Infection rates varied from 0 to 261 per 1,000 mosquitoes in the LRGV and 115 to 208 per 1,000 in San Antonio depending on the month of collection. Infection rates per 1,000 individuals appeared higher in females collected from BG Sentinel 2 traps compared to Autocidal Gravid Ovitraps, but the ratio of the percentage of infected pools did not differ by trap type. The natural viral load in individual males ranged from 1.25 x 102 to 5.50 x 106 RNA copies and in unfed females from 5.42 x 103 to 8.70 x 106 RNA copies. Gravid females were found to harbor fewer viral particles than males and unfed females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estelle Martin
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA. .,Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Wendy Tang
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Cierra Briggs
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Helena Hopson
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Jose G Juarez
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | | | - Megan Wise de Valdez
- Department of Science and Mathematics, Texas A&M University-San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Matthias Frank
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA
| | - Gabriel L Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
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47
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Olson MF, Ndeffo-Mbah ML, Juarez JG, Garcia-Luna S, Martin E, Borucki MK, Frank M, Estrada-Franco JG, Rodríguez-Pérez MA, Fernández-Santos NA, Molina-Gamboa GDJ, Carmona Aguirre SD, Reyes-Berrones BDL, Cortés-De la cruz LJ, García-Barrientos A, Huidobro-Guevara RE, Brussolo-Ceballos RM, Ramirez J, Salazar A, Chaves LF, Badillo-Vargas IE, Hamer GL. High Rate of Non-Human Feeding by Aedes aegypti Reduces Zika Virus Transmission in South Texas. Viruses 2020; 12:E453. [PMID: 32316394 PMCID: PMC7232486 DOI: 10.3390/v12040453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne viruses are emerging or re-emerging globally, afflicting millions of people around the world. Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito, is the principal vector of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses, and has well-established populations across tropical and subtropical urban areas of the Americas, including the southern United States. While intense arboviral epidemics have occurred in Mexico and further south in the Americas, local transmission in the United States has been minimal. Here, we study Ae. aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus host feeding patterns and vertebrate host communities in residential environments of South Texas to identify host-utilization relative to availability. Only 31% of Ae. aegypti blood meals were derived from humans, while 50% were from dogs and 19% from other wild and domestic animals. In Cx. quinquefasciatus, 67% of blood meals were derived from chicken, 22% came from dogs, 9% from various wild avian species, and 2% from other mammals including one human, one cat, and one pig. We developed a model for the reproductive number, R0, for Zika virus (ZIKV) in South Texas relative to northern Mexico using human disease data from Tamaulipas, Mexico. We show that ZIKV R0 in South Texas communities could be greater than one if the risk of human exposure to Ae. aegypti bites in these communities is at least 60% that of Northern Mexico communities. The high utilization of non-human vertebrates and low risk of human exposure in South Texas diminishes the outbreak potential for human-amplified urban arboviruses transmitted by Ae. aegypti.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark F. Olson
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (M.F.O.); (J.G.J.); (S.G.-L.); (E.M.); (I.E.B.-V.)
| | - Martial L. Ndeffo-Mbah
- Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
| | - Jose G. Juarez
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (M.F.O.); (J.G.J.); (S.G.-L.); (E.M.); (I.E.B.-V.)
| | - Selene Garcia-Luna
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (M.F.O.); (J.G.J.); (S.G.-L.); (E.M.); (I.E.B.-V.)
| | - Estelle Martin
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (M.F.O.); (J.G.J.); (S.G.-L.); (E.M.); (I.E.B.-V.)
| | - Monica K. Borucki
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Chemistry, Materials and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA; (M.K.B.); (M.F.)
| | - Matthias Frank
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Chemistry, Materials and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA; (M.K.B.); (M.F.)
| | - José Guillermo Estrada-Franco
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Cd. Reynosa 88710, Tamaulipas, Mexico; (J.G.E.-F.); (M.A.R.-P.); (N.A.F.-S.)
| | - Mario A. Rodríguez-Pérez
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Cd. Reynosa 88710, Tamaulipas, Mexico; (J.G.E.-F.); (M.A.R.-P.); (N.A.F.-S.)
| | - Nadia A. Fernández-Santos
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Cd. Reynosa 88710, Tamaulipas, Mexico; (J.G.E.-F.); (M.A.R.-P.); (N.A.F.-S.)
| | - Gloria de Jesús Molina-Gamboa
- Secretary of Health of the State of Tamaulipas, Epidemiology Directorate, Cd. Victoria 87000, Tamaulipas, Mexico; (G.d.J.M.-G.); (S.D.C.A.); (B.d.L.R.-B.); (L.J.C.-D.l.c.); (A.G.-B.); (R.E.H.-G.); (R.M.B.-C.)
| | - Santos Daniel Carmona Aguirre
- Secretary of Health of the State of Tamaulipas, Epidemiology Directorate, Cd. Victoria 87000, Tamaulipas, Mexico; (G.d.J.M.-G.); (S.D.C.A.); (B.d.L.R.-B.); (L.J.C.-D.l.c.); (A.G.-B.); (R.E.H.-G.); (R.M.B.-C.)
| | - Bernardita de Lourdes Reyes-Berrones
- Secretary of Health of the State of Tamaulipas, Epidemiology Directorate, Cd. Victoria 87000, Tamaulipas, Mexico; (G.d.J.M.-G.); (S.D.C.A.); (B.d.L.R.-B.); (L.J.C.-D.l.c.); (A.G.-B.); (R.E.H.-G.); (R.M.B.-C.)
| | - Luis Javier Cortés-De la cruz
- Secretary of Health of the State of Tamaulipas, Epidemiology Directorate, Cd. Victoria 87000, Tamaulipas, Mexico; (G.d.J.M.-G.); (S.D.C.A.); (B.d.L.R.-B.); (L.J.C.-D.l.c.); (A.G.-B.); (R.E.H.-G.); (R.M.B.-C.)
| | - Alejandro García-Barrientos
- Secretary of Health of the State of Tamaulipas, Epidemiology Directorate, Cd. Victoria 87000, Tamaulipas, Mexico; (G.d.J.M.-G.); (S.D.C.A.); (B.d.L.R.-B.); (L.J.C.-D.l.c.); (A.G.-B.); (R.E.H.-G.); (R.M.B.-C.)
| | - Raúl E. Huidobro-Guevara
- Secretary of Health of the State of Tamaulipas, Epidemiology Directorate, Cd. Victoria 87000, Tamaulipas, Mexico; (G.d.J.M.-G.); (S.D.C.A.); (B.d.L.R.-B.); (L.J.C.-D.l.c.); (A.G.-B.); (R.E.H.-G.); (R.M.B.-C.)
| | - Regina M. Brussolo-Ceballos
- Secretary of Health of the State of Tamaulipas, Epidemiology Directorate, Cd. Victoria 87000, Tamaulipas, Mexico; (G.d.J.M.-G.); (S.D.C.A.); (B.d.L.R.-B.); (L.J.C.-D.l.c.); (A.G.-B.); (R.E.H.-G.); (R.M.B.-C.)
| | - Josue Ramirez
- Health Department, City of Harlingen, TX 78550, USA;
| | - Aaron Salazar
- Hidalgo County Health & Human Services, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA;
| | - Luis F. Chaves
- Instituto Costarricense de Investigación y Enseñanza en Nutrición y Salud (INCIENSA), Apartado Postal, Tres Ríos, Cartago 4-2250, Costa Rica;
| | - Ismael E. Badillo-Vargas
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (M.F.O.); (J.G.J.); (S.G.-L.); (E.M.); (I.E.B.-V.)
| | - Gabriel L. Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (M.F.O.); (J.G.J.); (S.G.-L.); (E.M.); (I.E.B.-V.)
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48
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Garcia-Luna SM, Juarez JG, Cabañas S, Tang W, Roark EB, Maupin CR, Badillo-Vargas IE, Hamer GL. Stable Isotope Marking of Laboratory-Reared Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). J Med Entomol 2020; 57:649-652. [PMID: 31751467 PMCID: PMC7044722 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjz210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The use of stable isotope enrichment to mark mosquitoes has provided a tool to study the biology of vector species. In this study, we evaluated isotopic marking of Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) in a laboratory setting. We determined the optimal dosage for marking adult Ae. aegypti mosquitoes with 13C and 15N. Additionally, Ae. aegypti mosquitoes were single and dually marked with 13C and 15N for up to 60 d postemergence without changes to adult body size or transgenerational marking. This report adds to the growing literature that explores the use of alternative marking methods for ecological and vector biology studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jose G Juarez
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - Sofia Cabañas
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala
| | - Wendy Tang
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - E Brendan Roark
- Stable Isotope Geosciences Facility, Department of Geography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - Christopher R Maupin
- Stable Isotope Geosciences Facility, Department of Geography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - Ismael E Badillo-Vargas
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Weslaco, TX
| | - Gabriel L Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
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49
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Poh KC, Medeiros MCI, Hamer GL. Landscape and demographic determinants of Culex infection with West Nile virus during the 2012 epidemic in Dallas County, TX. Spat Spatiotemporal Epidemiol 2020; 33:100336. [PMID: 32370939 DOI: 10.1016/j.sste.2020.100336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In 2012, the United States experienced one of the largest outbreaks of West Nile virus (WNV)-associated deaths, with the majority occurring in Dallas County (Co.), Texas (TX) and surrounding areas. In this study, logistic mixed models were used to identify associations between the landscape, human population, and WNV-infected Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes during the 2012 WNV epidemic in Dallas Co. We found increased probabilities for WNV-positive mosquitoes in north and central Dallas Co. The most significant predictors of the presence of WNV in Cx. quinquefasciatus pools were increased urbanization (based on an index composed of greater population density, lower normalized difference vegetation index, higher coverage of urban land types, and more impervious surfaces), older human populations, and lower elevation. These relationships between the landscape, sociodemographics, and risk of enzootic transmission identified regions of Dallas Co., TX with highest risk of spillover to human disease during the 2012 WNV epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen C Poh
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, TAMU MS 2475, College Station, 77843 TX, USA.
| | - Matthew C I Medeiros
- Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA.
| | - Gabriel L Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, TAMU MS 2475, College Station, 77843 TX, USA.
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50
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Ribeiro GS, Hamer GL, Diallo M, Kitron U, Ko AI, Weaver SC. Influence of herd immunity in the cyclical nature of arboviruses. Curr Opin Virol 2020; 40:1-10. [PMID: 32193135 PMCID: PMC7434662 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2020.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
We review and contrast the evidence for an effect of amplifying host herd immunity on circulation and human exposure to arboviruses. Herd immunity of short-lived West Nile virus avian amplifying hosts appears to play a limited role in levels of enzootic circulation and spillover infections of humans, which are not amplifiers. In contrast, herd immunity of nonhuman primate hosts for enzootic Zika, dengue, and chikungunya viruses is much stronger and appears to regulate to a large extent the periodicity of sylvatic amplification in Africa. Following the recent Zika and chikungunya pandemics, human herd immunity in the Americas quickly rose to ∼50% in many regions, although seroprevalence remains patchy. Modeling from decades of chikungunya circulation in Asia suggests that this level of herd immunity will suppress for many years major chikungunya and Zika epidemics in the Americas, followed by smaller outbreaks as herd immunity cycles with a periodicity of up to several decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme S Ribeiro
- Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rua Waldemar Falcão, 121, Candeal, 40296-710, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Gabriel L Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | | | - Uriel Kitron
- Population Biology, Ecology, and Evolution Graduate Program, Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Albert I Ko
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Scott C Weaver
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, 77555-0610 TX, USA.
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