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Aedes aegypti are slender, fragile, long-legged mosquito, which are distributed worldwide. In general, it is a terrestrial and nocturnal species that act as pollinator for few plant species as well as it is a hematophagous insect and act as main vector for many arboviruses (dengue, yellow fever, etc.). In many cities of Pakistan, dengue fever is becoming more prevalent as an infectious disease. as there is currently no vaccine for the dengue virus and control of the disease depends on vector control. The present study aims to investigate morphological and molecular identification of Aedes aegypti in district Buner. A total of 365 samples of mosquitoes were randomly collected from six tehsils of the district Buner. Before examination, all the collected samples were preserved in labelled Eppendorf tubes containing silica gel and transported to Veterinary Research & Disease Investigation Center (VR&DIC), Balogram Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan for further laboratory analysis. Morphological identification was performed with the help of stereomicroscope using taxonomical keys. To increase identification accuracy, each sample was reconfirmed by PCR using mitochondrial Cytochrome oxidase first gene (COI). The amplified PCR product was sequenced, and the obtained sequences were trimmed by Bio Edit and BLAST in NCBI. After BLAST, phylogenetic tree was constructed by using MEGA-X. In phylogenetic tree, the sequence (COI) genes of Aedes aegypti species as previously reported from Sri Lanka and India. Furthermore, the results of this study will generate basic information about mosquitos spp; and it will help to understand the epidemiology of Aedes aegypti disease in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially in district Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing spread of mosquito vectors has made mosquito-borne arboviral diseases a global threat to public health, leading to the urgent need for effective population control methods. Strategies based in the intracellular bacterium Wolbachia Hertig, 1936 are considered environmentally friendly, safe for humans, and potentially cost-effective for controlling arboviral diseases. To minimize undesirable side effects, it is relevant to assess whether Wolbachia is present in the area and understand the diversity associated with native infections before implementing these strategies. With this purpose, we investigated Wolbachia infection status, diversity, and prevalence in populations of Aedes albifasciatus (Macquart, 1838), Aedes fluviatilis (Lutz, 1904), and hybrids of the Culex pipiens (Linnaeus, 1758) complex from Argentina. Aedes albifasciatus and C. pipiens complex samples were collected in the province of Buenos Aires, and A. fluviatilis in the province of Misiones. Aedes albifasciatus was found to be uninfected, while infections with strains wFlu and wPip were detected in A. fluviatilis and hybrids of the C. pipiens complex, respectively. All strains were fixed or close to fixation and clustered within supergroup B. These finding provides valuable information on Wolbachia strains found in natural mosquito populations in Argentina that might be used in heterologous infections in the future or be considered when designing control strategies based on Wolbachia infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Con el objetivo del estudio fue determinar la coexistencia y fuentes de alimentación de mosquitos adultos (Diptera: Culicidae) en un centro de salud rural de Piura en Perú, se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal. Se usaron técnicas entomológicas para capturar e identificar mosquitos, y técnicas de biotecnología molecular para identificar las fuentes de alimentación. Un total de 793 ejemplares de los géneros Culex y Aedes se encontraron coexistiendo, 789 (99,5%) corresponden a Culex quinquefasciatus, 607 (76,9%) fueron machos y 182 (23,1%) hembras. Así mismo, 4 (100%) corresponden a Aedes aegypti hembras. Las fuentes de alimentación de Aedes aegypti fueron Homo sapiens sapiens, y de Culex quinquefasciatus fueron Homo sapiens sapiens y Canis familiaris. Este estudio proporciona evidencia de que los centros de salud rurales estarían actuando como focos de arbovirosis, existiendo el riesgo de que personas que acuden por distintas dolencias, puedan contraer enfermedades transmitidas por C. quinquefasciatus y A. aegypti.

Copyright of Secuencia: Revista de Historia y Ciencias Sociales is the property of Instituto de Investigaciones - Dr. Jose M. Luis Mora and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study aimed to determine the coexistence and food sources of adult mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in a rural health center in Piura, Peru by using a descriptive cross-sectional design. Entomological techniques were used to capture and identify mosquitoes, and molecular biotechnology techniques were used to identify food sources. A total of 793 specimens of the Culex and Aedes genera were found coexisting, 789 (99.5%) were Culex quinquefasciatus, 607 (76.9%) were males and 182 (23.1%) were females. Likewise, 4 (100%) corresponded to Aedes aegypti females. The food sources of Aedes aegypti were Homo sapiens sapiens, and Homo sapiens sapiens and Canis familiaris were the food sources of Culex quinquefasciatus. This study provides evidence that rural health centers could be acting as foci of arbovirosis, with the risk that people who come for different ailments could contract diseases transmitted by C. quinquefasciatus and A. aegypti. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The mitochondrial Cytochrome C Oxidase Subunit I (COI) gene, also called DNA barcoding, is a useful tool that complements morphological identification of species. Since nucleotide sequences from Culicidae of Argentina are limited, it is difficult to make comparisons with data from other countries present in databases due to inconsistencies or large genetic distances that are usually observed. In this work, five species of mosquitoes suspected to be vectors of Yellow fever virus were morphologically identified, confirmed by DNA barcoding and registered to the GenBank. Haemagogus leucocelaenus (Dyar & Shannon) COI sequences are the first obtained from specimens collected in Argentina. This study provides new sequences of the mosquito fauna in the region, which can be used as an additional resource in the taxonomic identification of Culicidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Medicina (Buenos Aires) is the property of Medicina (Buenos Aires) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study examines how climate change affects the distribution of Mansonia genus mosquitoes and their potential role in filariasis transmission in Pajaten Hamlet, Keleyan, Socah Bangkalan, Madura, Indonesia. Filariasis is an endemic disease in the area that is spread through mosquito bites and possibly zoonotic transmission. This study examines the biting behavior of Mansonia mosquitoes in bionomics and its relationship with environmental parameters such as temperature and humidity. The study also took into account the impact of local community activities, habitat characteristics and climatic conditions, including a longer rainy season in 2022. The methodology of this study included mosquito collection, species identification, and data analysis. The results showed an increase in the population of Mansonia mosquitoes in Pajaten Hamlet, especially during the rainy season. Morphological identification revealed the characteristics of Mansonia mosquitoes, with a focus on nocturnal biting behavior. Dissection of adult mosquitoes provided insights into the reproductive process of Mansonia mosquitoes. The influence of climate and environmental conditions on mosquito abundance was also discussed, emphasizing the correlation between mosquito prevalence and factors such as swamp water availability and vegetation. The study also highlights the importance of sanitation in the spread of filariasis and proposes control measures tailored to local conditions. This study conclude that the impact of climate change on the Mansonia mosquitoes spread and emphasizes the need for proactive measures in filariasis control. Control strategies, including habitat clearance, use of bed nets, and deworming of potential reservoirs, are suggested to break the chain of disease transmission. This study makes a valuable contribution to developing effective strategies to control filariasis in the context of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dengue is a serious infectious disease worldwide and a climate-sensitive disease. Thus, our goals were to (i) evaluate the relationship between dengue incidence and meteorological variables (rainfall and air temperature); (ii) identify the spatiotemporal pattern of dengue incidence in the municipalities of Mato Grosso from 2001 to 2020; and (iii) verify the spatial dependence of dengue incidence in the dry and wet seasons. We used dengue data from 2001 to 2020, monthly rainfall estimates from GPM, and daily air temperature estimates from ERA-5. The municipalities of the Mato Grosso state are included in 16 healthcare territories. The seasonal rainfall pattern indicates that the peak of the dengue endemic occurred in the wet season. However, drier and/or warmer places had a lower incidence of dengue in the dry season. Furthermore, a lagged effect of meteorological variables on dengue incidence has been identified, ranging from 0 to 7 months. Hotspot areas were identified which might have the potential for an intense spreading of dengue in Mato Grosso. They were mainly concentrated in the healthcare territory of Teles Pires (ID 14) in the dry season, while they were concentrated in the healthcare territories of Garças Araguaia (ID 5), Oeste (ID 11), and Teles Pires (ID 14) in the wet season. In addition, they are located in the Am climate and in the Amazon Forest and Brazilian savanna biomes, which have higher dengue incidence values. These results help to highlight which municipalities decision-makers must intervene in the public health system to prevent and control future epidemics.

Dengue is a serious infectious disease worldwide and a climate-sensitive disease. Thus, our goals were to (i) evaluate the relationship between dengue incidence and meteorological variables (rainfall and air temperature); (ii) identify the spatiotemporal pattern of dengue incidence in the municipalities of Mato Grosso from 2001 to 2020; and (iii) verify the spatial dependence of dengue incidence in the dry and wet seasons. We used dengue data from 2001 to 2020, monthly rainfall estimates from GPM, and daily air temperature estimates from ERA-5. The municipalities of the Mato Grosso state are included in 16 healthcare territories. The seasonal rainfall pattern indicates that the peak of the dengue endemic occurred in the wet season. However, drier and/or warmer places had a lower incidence of dengue in the dry season. Furthermore, a lagged effect of meteorological variables on dengue incidence has been identified, ranging from 0 to 7 months. Hotspot areas were identified which might have the potential for an intense spreading of dengue in Mato Grosso. They were mainly concentrated in the healthcare territory of Teles Pires (ID 14) in the dry season, while they were concentrated in the healthcare territories of Garças Araguaia (ID 5), Oeste (ID 11), and Teles Pires (ID 14) in the wet season. In addition, they are located in the Am climate and in the Amazon Forest and Brazilian savanna biomes, which have higher dengue incidence values. These results help to highlight which municipalities decision-makers must intervene in the public health system to prevent and control future epidemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract Over the last decades, unimaginable amounts of money have gone into research and development of vector control measures, repellents, treatment, and vaccines for vector borne diseases. Technological progress and scientific breakthroughs allowed for ever more sophisticated and futuristic strategies. Yet, each year, millions of people still die or suffer from potentially serious consequences of malaria or dengue to more recent infections, such as zika or chikungunya, or of debilitating consequences of neglected tropical diseases. This does not seem value for money. In addition, all current vector control strategies and personal protection methods have shortcomings, some serious, that are either destructive to non-target species or unsatisfactory in their effectiveness. On the other hand, the rapid decline in insect populations and their predators reflects decades-long aggressive and indiscriminate vector control. This major disruption of biodiversity has an impact on human life not anticipated by the well-meaning killing of invertebrates. The objective of this paper is to re-examine current control methods, their effectiveness, their impact on biodiversity, human and animal health, and to call for scientific courage in the pursuit of fresh ideas. This paper brings together topics that are usually presented in isolation, thereby missing important links that offer potential solutions to long-standing problems in global health. First, it serves as a reminder of the importance of insects to human life and discusses the few that play a role in transmitting disease. Next, it examines critically the many currently employed vector control strategies and personal protection methods. Finally, based on new insights into insect chemo-sensation and attractants, this perspective makes a case for revisiting a previously abandoned idea, the oral repellent, and its use via currently successful methods of mass-application. The call is out for focused research to provide a powerful tool for public health, tropical medicine, and travel medicine.

Currently, West-Nile virus (WNV) is spreading worldwide to colder regions due to climate change. Human mortality and morbidity are prevalent and steadily increasing, associated with costs to public health systems. Therefore, the question of the impact of scientific engagement arises. What trends, barriers, and incentives for research related to global burdens are important in this context? To answer these questions, this study provides detailed insights into the publication patterns of WNV research and interprets them using several parameters, such as absolute and relative publication indices and socioeconomic and epidemiological characteristics. It is shown that national interests combined with regional outbreaks significantly influence publication intensity. Thus, a correlation between national publication volume and the number of WNV cases was observed. In contrast to most life science topics, the scientific interest in WNV significantly decreased after 2006. The USA, as the main actor in WNV research, is at the centre of international networking. Recently, European countries are also getting involved according to their new-emerging outbreaks. The results demonstrate national interest in research activities with a lack of globally focused approaches that are urgently needed to better understand and assess the distribution and characteristics of WNV.HighlightsThere is a correlation between national WNV cases and the number of publications.The declining trend in WNV research does not correspond to the growing prevalence.USA as most-publishing country is also at the centre of networking WNV research.France is the primary network partner for African and Middle Eastern countries.

Mosquitoes, like other hematophagous insects, need to feed on blood to produce eggs. For laboratory colony maintenance, live animals are generally used, while various artificial feeders with different characteristics have been developed for experimental assays. In this study, a previously developed and pathogen-tested glass artificial feeder was selected and evaluated for rearing Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus). The device utilizes bovine gut as a membrane and human blood as a food source, maintaining a constant temperature of 37 °C through a thermostatic bath that enables water circulation around the feeder. Egg hatching, feeding rates, and fertility were analyzed for three cohorts of a parental lineage (P) and their respective filial lineages (F1) over a period of 4-5 weeks. The results demonstrated the efficacy of this methodology for rearing an Ae. aegypti colony up to the second generation, with average egg hatching rates of P= 0.92 and F1= 0.80, average feeding rates of P= 0.54 and F1= 0.73, and egg quantities obtained of P= 1809 and F1 = 8579. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mosquitoes are known vectors for viral diseases in Canada, and their distribution is driven by climate and land use. Despite that, future land-use changes have not yet been used as a driver in mosquito distribution models in North America. In this paper, we developed land-use change projections designed to address mosquito-borne disease (MBD) prediction in a 38 761 km2 area of Eastern Ontario. The landscape in the study area is marked by urbanization and intensive agriculture and hosts a diverse mosquito community. The Dyna-CLUE model was used to project land-use for three time horizons (2030, 2050, and 2070) based on historical trends (from 2014 to 2020) for water, forest, agriculture, and urban land uses. Five scenarios were generated to reflect urbanization, agricultural expansion, and natural areas. An ensemble of thirty simulations per scenario was run to account for land-use conversion uncertainty. The simulation closest to the average map generated was selected to represent the scenario. A concordance matrix generated using map pair analysis showed a good agreement between the simulated 2020 maps and 2020 observed map. By 2050, the most significant changes are predicted to occur mainly in the southeastern region's rural and forested areas. By 2070, high deforestation is expected in the central west. These results will be integrated into risk models predicting mosquito distribution to study the possibility of humans' increased exposure risk to MBDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A investigação científica de vetores de doenças é indispensável para o conhecimento de sua ecologia, pois eles afetam a saúde da população humana. Neste trabalho, apresentamos os resultados da distribuição e abundância de Aedes aegypti e Ae. albopictus nos parques estaduais Massairo Okamura e Mãe Bonifácia, em Cuiabá (MT), Brasil, para compreender como as alterações antropogênicas da paisagem interferem em sua proliferação nas áreas naturais silvestres inseridas nas áreas urbanas. O principal foco foi o de investigar a coexistência dessas espécies nos locais de captura. As coletas foram realizadas em oito campanhas em um período de 11 meses do ano de 2019, por meio de ovitrampas, com o total de dez armadilhas para cada parque. Os resultados das variáveis abundância (n) e umidade relativa do ar (%) foram analisados pelo programa Statistic 7.0 usando a análise de variância (ANOVA) fatorial. As 7.117 larvas quantificadas produziram 1.462 adultos para os dois parques, com variabilidade significativa nos valores médios de abundância entre os meses e entre os pontos de amostragem. O registro da coocorrência de Ae. aegyptie Ae. albopictus resultaram em sua coexistência e no uso de criadouros análogos sob as condições vantajosas para sua colonização. Os resultados apresentados mostraram que os parques apresentam vulnerabilidades com relação à proliferação de vetores e os ambientes deverão ter constante vigilância epidemiológica. Diante de um quadro grave quanto às arboviroses, torna-se imprescindível a adoção de estratégias com maiores investimentos em métodos adequados, que forneçam sustentabilidade às ações estabelecidas pelas redes de vigilância.

Se reportan tres especies de Anophelinae: Anopheles albimanus Wiedemann, 1820, An. marajoara Galvão y Damasceno, 1942 y An. pseudopunctipennis Theobald, 1901 en el casco urbano y periurbano de Cabudare, municipio Palavecino, estado Lara, Venezuela. De acuerdo con la definición ecogeográfica de vectores maláricos, las especies son propias de la zona estudiada, pero su captura e identificación constituye la primera evidencia de su existencia para el municipio. Con esta información se confirma la presencia de vectores en una localidad considerada de baja incidencia en malaria.

Se reporta un caso de hematofagia indirecta en el que participó la araña saltarina Frigga pratensis (Peckham y Peckham) al consumir un ejemplar hembra de Aedes albopictus Skuse en la ciudad de Chetumal, Quintana Roo, México. Este es el primer registro de tan inusual fenómeno en el Neotrópico; se discute si se trata de un caso aislado o existen implicancias ecológicas mayores.

Over the last decades, unimaginable amounts of money have gone into research and development of vector control measures, repellents, treatment, and vaccines for vector borne diseases. Technological progress and scientific breakthroughs allowed for ever more sophisticated and futuristic strategies. Yet, each year, millions of people still die or suffer from potentially serious consequences of malaria or dengue to more recent infections, such as zika or chikungunya, or of debilitating consequences of neglected tropical diseases. This does not seem value for money. In addition, all current vector control strategies and personal protection methods have shortcomings, some serious, that are either destructive to non-target species or unsatisfactory in their effectiveness. On the other hand, the rapid decline in insect populations and their predators reflects decades-long aggressive and indiscriminate vector control. This major disruption of biodiversity has an impact on human life not anticipated by the well-meaning killing of invertebrates. The objective of this paper is to re-examine current control methods, their effectiveness, their impact on biodiversity, human and animal health, and to call for scientific courage in the pursuit of fresh ideas. This paper brings together topics that are usually presented in isolation, thereby missing important links that offer potential solutions to long-standing problems in global health. First, it serves as a reminder of the importance of insects to human life and discusses the few that play a role in transmitting disease. Next, it examines critically the many currently employed vector control strategies and personal protection methods. Finally, based on new insights into insect chemo-sensation and attractants, this perspective makes a case for revisiting a previously abandoned idea, the oral repellent, and its use via currently successful methods of mass-application. The call is out for focused research to provide a powerful tool for public health, tropical medicine, and travel medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to evaluate the larvicidal and pupacidal efficacy of Spinosad on Culex species in their breeding habitats in village of Saft, Beni Suef Governorate, Egypt. The results showed that Spinosad caused a pronounced toxicity against C. pipiens. The total mortality of second and fourth larval instars was achieved by lower concentrations of Spinosad. While the highest pupal morality of C. pipiens was obtained by concentration of 5000 ppm (93.3%), after 168 h under laboratory conditions. Spinosad was applied with concentration of 5000 ppm at semi-field experiments and resulted total mortality of larval instars of C. pipiens, C. theileri and C. perexiguus after 24 and 48 h of exposure. The same concentration induced strong pupal mortalities of C. pipiens, C. theileri and C. perexiguus (90, 60 and 70%), respectively after 48 h. The field experiments, Spinosad (5000 ppm) induced total mortality of larval instars of Culex species and the pupal mortality was higher in breeding habitat, cement irrigation tank (77.8 %) and decreased to 36.4% in agriculture canal. The present study concluded that Spinosad is a promising larvicide that can be used in treatment of mosquito breeding habitat sites with low efficacy on pupae at some habitat sites such as agricultural canals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resumo As coleções e pesquisas feitas nas primeiras décadas do século XX, no Rio de Janeiro, foram fundamentais para o estudo da sistemática e da história natural dos mosquitos no Brasil. Um personagem de destaque nesse cenário foi Antonio Gonçalves Peryassú. Analisamos o histórico de uma coleção por ele organizada no Museu Nacional do Rio de Janeiro, entre 1918 e 1922.

Understanding the seasonal prevalence and biological parameters of mosquito Aedes albopictus (Skuse) are indispensable for population estimates, efficient vector control and dengue prevention tactics. The sampling of Ae. albopictus was completed through the collection of eggs, larvae, pupae and adults throughout the study seasons by use of nets and ovitraps at least once a week. Occurrence of Ae. albopictus was distinguished heterogeneously and populations were observed maximum in October post-monsoon season. The populations increased progressively from January-May and sharply deteriorated in June-July and September-November months revealing the highest breeding. However, the lowest density was observed during December- February. Growth of Ae. albopictus evaluated under standardized laboratory conditions with the provision of Balb/C mice as blood meal to adult mosquitoes, exhibited eggs hatching, and first, second, third and fourth instar larvae development in 3, 1.3, 1.2, 1.7 and 2.8 days, respectively. Nevertheless, pupation development, adult emergence, total life duration from egg hatching to adult emergence, male and female life spans persisted for 7, 3, 20, 25 and 30 days, respectively. Aedes albopictus accounted for 1% density of other mosquito genera collected (Culex and Anopheles), while, Aedes aegypti (L) was 3% abundant and indicated that both Aedes species had coexistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aedes aegypti transmits viruses that cause diseases such as dengue, yellow fever, Zika and chikungunya. Chemical pesticides have been used to control this vector, but mosquitoes have developed resistance to insecticides. Biological control with microorganisms and plant extracts are effective alternatives for the management of insect vector populations and introduce less pollutants into the environment. The objective of this research was to evaluate the larvicidal activity of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti) and extracts of Annona muricata, Ricinus communis and Sapindus saponaria for the biological control of A. aegypti larvae. For this, ethanolic extracts of seeds or fruits of the three plant species were obtained and lethal concentrations for 50 % mortality of the extracts and bacteria were determined. Subsequently, combinations of the extracts with Bti were made and the interactions were evaluated. Both bacteria and plant extracts showed larvicidal activity. Mixtures of Bti with the ethanolic extracts of R. communis and S. saponaria generated an antagonistic effect, while in combination with ethanolic extracts of A. muricata presented an independent action effect. Therefore, the addition of the ethanolic extract of A. muricata seeds to sporulated cultures of Bti could be considered more effective for the biological control of A. aegypti than with each compound separately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Se realizaron colectas de larvas de culícidos en tres localidades del estado de Quintana Roo, México (Leona Vicario, Cacao y Ramonal) durante los meses de abril y mayo de 2021. Se identificó la especie Uranotaenia sapphirina, con lo cual se aportan nuevas localidades y se actualiza la lista de culícidos presentes en Quintana Roo a 87 especies.

Los Flavivirus constituyen virus transmitidos por artrópodos, principalmente mosquitos. Pueden producir enfermedades en humanos y animales, también incluyen virus específicos de insectos que solo infectan y se replican en los insectos, no así en vertebrados. En Paraguay los virus dengue, fiebre amarilla y Zika fueron detectados en infecciones humanas, pero los estudios de flavivirus en mosquitos son aún escasos. Por ello, el objetivo del presente estudio fue implementar un sistema de detección de flavivirus en mosquitos en el IICS-UNA. Primero, se organizaron capacitaciones en colecta, preparación de pools y procesamiento por técnicas de RT-PCRs convencionales realizadas por expertos internacionales a profesionales locales (bioquímicos y biólogos). Además, se implementaron planillas de registro de datos y de control de transporte de muestras de los lugares de colectas hasta el IICS-UNA. Se prepararon en total 201 pools de 1 a 35 mosquitos cada uno agrupados por especie, localidad, entre otros criterios. Para asegurar la integridad del RNA extraído se realizó la detección de un control interno (Actina-1), siendo todos los pools positivos para el mismo, 91/201 pools fueron positivos para flavivirus. Se realizó la secuenciación de 19/91 pools positivos para flavivirus identificándose flavivirus de insectos (detectándose principalmente Culex Flavivirus, cell fusing agents Flavivirus y Kamiti river virus), evidenciando la elevada distribución de estos virus. Estos resultados demuestran que fue factible implementar el sistema de detección de flavivirus en mosquitos, lo cual podría contribuir a fortalecer la vigilancia y control de estas virosis, así como el conocimiento sobre la importancia ecológica de flavivirus de insectos.

Avaliamos o desempenho de três diferentes métodos de amostragem da culicidofauna em uma área de Caatinga. Para isto, usamos três diferentes tipos de armadilhas - ovitrampa, larvitrampa e armadilha do tipo Shannon, para coletas mensais durante dois anos. No total, 1.680 indivíduos das subfamílias Culicinae e Anophelinae foram coletados. Indivíduos coletados pela coleta ativa com o uso da Shannon foram mais abundantes (74,53%), seguidos por organismos coletados pelas armadilhas larvitrampa (23,57%) e ovitrampa (1,90%). Todas as espécies registradas no estudo foram observadas na Shannon, embora os espécimes do gênero Aedes foram mais representativos nos métodos passivos (ovi e larvitrampa). O estudo mostrou empiricamente que o uso da Shannon para inventários da culicidofauna nos ambientes semiáridos pode reduzir o esforço amostral dos estudos de campo, uma vez que a Shannon amostrou com eficiência mais de 70% dos espécimes coletados e 100% das espécies registradas.

Abstract Background Mosquito control has the potential to significantly reduce malaria burden on a region, but to influence public health policy must also show cost-effectiveness. Gaps in our knowledge of mosquito population dynamics mean that mathematical modelling of vector control interventions have typically made simplifying assumptions about key aspects of mosquito ecology. Often, these assumptions can distort the predicted efficacy of vector control, particularly next-generation tools such as gene drive, which are highly sensitive to local mosquito dynamics. Methods We developed a discrete-time stochastic mathematical model of mosquito population dynamics to explore the fine-scale behaviour of egg-laying and larval density dependence on parameter estimation. The model was fitted to longitudinal mosquito population count data using particle Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. Results By modelling fine-scale behaviour of egg-laying under varying density dependence scenarios we refine our life history parameter estimates, and in particular we see how model assumptions affect population growth rate (R m), a crucial determinate of vector control efficacy. Conclusions Subsequent application of these new parameter estimates to gene drive models show how the understanding and implementation of fine-scale processes, when deriving parameter estimates, may have a profound influence on successful vector control. The consequences of this may be of crucial interest when devising future public health policy. Graphic abstract

Metabarcoding of environmental DNA (eDNA) is now widely used to build diversity profiles from DNA that has been shed by species into the environment. There is substantial interest in the expansion of eDNA approaches for improved detection of terrestrial vertebrates using invertebrate‐derived DNA (iDNA) in which hematophagous, sarcophagous, and coprophagous invertebrates sample vertebrate blood, carrion, or faeces. Here, we used metabarcoding and multiple iDNA samplers (carrion flies, sandflies, and mosquitos) collected from 39 forested sites in the southern Amazon to profile gamma and alpha diversity. Our main objectives were to (1) compare diversity found with iDNA to camera trapping, which is the conventional method of vertebrate diversity surveillance; and (2) compare each of the iDNA samplers to assess the effectiveness, efficiency, and potential biases associated with each sampler. In total, we collected and analysed 1759 carrion flies, 48,686 sandflies, and 4776 mosquitos. Carrion flies revealed the greatest total vertebrate species richness at the landscape level, despite the least amount of sampling effort and the fewest number of individuals captured for metabarcoding, followed by sandflies. Camera traps had the highest median species richness at the site‐level but showed strong bias towards carnivore and ungulate species and missed much of the diversity described by iDNA methods. Mosquitos showed a strong feeding preference for humans as did sandflies for armadillos, thus presenting potential utility to further study related to host‐vector interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence suggests that pigs seroconvert after experimental exposure to Zika virus and are potential sentinels. We demonstrate that pigs are also susceptible to natural Zika virus infection, shown by the presence of antibodies in domestic pigs in Yucatan, Mexico. Zika virus RNA was detected in 5 species of mosquitoes collected inside pigpens.

La chinche Triatoma infestans (conocida en Argentina como “vinchuca”) y cuatro especies de mosquitos (Aedes aegypti, Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus, Anopheles pseudopunctipennis y An. darlingi) son los principales insectos vectores de enfermedades en el territorio argentino. Desde 1977, el Centro de Investigaciones de Plagas e Insecticidas de Argentina (CIPEIN) investiga a estos insectos y desarrolla productos para controlarlos con un bajo impacto para la salud humana y el ambiente. Reconocido como Centro de Referencia por la Organización Panamericana de la Salud y la Organización Mundial de la Salud, el CIPEIN fue pionero en el desarrollo de productos insecticidas en América Latina. El objetivo de este artículo es reseñar la situación de la problemática sanitaria que involucra a vinchucas y mosquitos en Argentina, y describir los principales aportes del CIPEIN en su estudio y control.

Both JEV (Japanese encephalitis virus) and GETV (Getah virus) pose huge threats to the safety of animals and public health. Pigs and mosquitoes play a primary role in JEV and GETV transmission. However, there is no way to quickly distinguish between JEV and GETV. In this study, we established a one-step duplex TaqMan RT-qPCR for rapid identification and detection of JEV and GETV. Primers and probes located in the NS1 gene of JEV and the E2 gene of GETV that could specifically distinguish JEV from GETV were selected for duplex TaqMan RT-qPCR. In duplex real-time RT-qPCR detection, the correlation coefficients (R2) of the two viruses were higher than 0.999. The RT-qPCR assay demonstrated high sensitivity, extreme specificity, and excellent repeatability. Detection of JEV and GETV in field mosquito and pig samples was 100 times and 10 times more sensitive than using traditional PCR, respectively. In addition, the new test took less time and could be completed in under an hour. Clinical sample testing revealed the prevalence of JEV and GETV in mosquitoes and pig herds in China. This complete duplex TaqMan RT-qPCR assay provided a fast, efficient, specific, and sensitive tool for the detection and differentiation of JEV and GETV.

We evaluated the performance of three different sampling methods for the culicidofauna in an area of Caatinga. For this, we used three different traps - ovitrap, larvitrap and Shannon trap with monthly collections for two years. A total of 1,680 individuals from the subfamilies Culicinae and Anophelinae were collected. Active collection using Shannon collected the highest number of individuals (74.53%), followed by larvitrap (23.57%) and ovitrap (1.90%) traps. All species recorded in the study were observed at Shannon-collected samples, although specimens of the genus Aedes were more representative in passive methods (ovi and larvitrap). The study empirically showed that the use of Shannon for inventories of culicideofauna in semi-arid environments can reduce the sampling effort and costs of field studies, since Shannon was able to sample more than 70% of specimens collected, and 100% of species registered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vector-borne diseases pose a serious threat to public health and animal husbandry and require special attention. Knowledge of the ecology of different insect species acting as vectors of multiple infectious agents will be crucial for the development and implementation of appropriate and effective vector control strategies to reduce the impact of the diseases they transmit. However, the main limitation is that morphological methods for identifying insect species are time consuming and require taxonomic expertise. Inaccurate identification of vector species can have a significant impact on attempts to control their populations. One of the remarkable achievements of modern biology and molecular diagnostic methods is the development of accurate and reliable technologies for rapid screening of DNA sequence variations. Molecular identification and DNA barcoding is a relatively new taxonomic method that can be used to identify a species, including an unknown one. Closely related or unknown species can be differentiated. DNA barcoding is a standardized approach to identifying plants and animals through minimal DNA sequences called DNA barcodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Los mosquitos, constituyen uno de los grupos de mayor importancia médica por su papel preponderante en la transmisión de enfermedades al hombre y a los animales. La búsqueda incesante de nuevas formas de control, es de vital importancia para los programas integrados de plagas. Las plantas, por sus antecedentes en el combate de insectos, constituyen una alternativa viable a estudiar. El objetivo que este trabajo se propuso fue evaluar la actividad insecticida de los aceites esenciales de Piper aduncum subsp. ossanum, y Ocimum basilicum sobre Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762), Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse, 1894) y Culex (Culex) quinquefasciatus Say, 1823. Se evaluó la actividad larvicida y adulticida, siguiendo metodologías estandarizadas. Todos los aceites evaluados evidenciaron una significativa actividad larvicida en las poblaciones de mosquitos estudiadas. Las concentraciones letales medias calculadas fueron inferiores a 100 mg/L. Los aceites evaluados presentaron actividad adulticida utilizando botellas y papeles impregnados, las concentraciones que favorecieron el 100 % de derribo de los individuos expuestos a los 30 minutos, oscilaron entre 10 y 60 mg/mL. Los resultados obtenidos con ambos aceites esenciales son los primeros reportes sobre estas tres especies de mosquitos en la región de las Américas incluyendo el Caribe. Se evidencia que los aceites esenciales evaluados pueden ser considerados candidatos promisorios para el control de mosquitos de importancia médica.

Desde que dio inicio el nuevo siglo, varios estudios sobre la culicidofauna de la Hispaniola han elevado el conocimiento de este grupo de artrópodos, muy relevantes desde el punto de vista médico y veterinario. En relación a la diversidad de la familia Culicidae, los hallazgos más recientes se han realizado en el municipio de Jarabacoa, República Dominicana. Con el objetivo de profundizar en la diversidad de los culícidos presentes en esta localidad montañosa de El Cibao, se procedió a la búsqueda de criaderos de mosquitos, sobre todo de origen natural, desde enero de 2018 hasta junio de 2019. La identificación de los especímenes se realizó mediante la utilización de lupa binocular y microscopio, con la ayuda de claves taxonómicas. Se reportan seis nuevas especies para Jarabacoa, sumando un total de 22 para el municipio, sobre las cuales se analizan cuestiones como su bioecología y su papel en la transmisión de agentes patógenos, entre otras. Destaca la presencia de Culex interrogator Dyar y Knab, 1906, especie que se reporta por primera vez en la Hispaniola, y por segunda en el Caribe insular. A pesar de que este culícido no está implicado hasta la fecha en la transmisión de patógenos al ser humano, otras especies encontradas en este estudio como Anopheles crucians Wiedemann, 1828, Aedes scapularis (Rondani, 1848) y Psorophora confinnis (Lynch Arribálzaga, 1891) deben ser tenidas en cuenta en los programas de vigilancia y control, a tenor de su relevancia médica.

Proactive approaches in preventing future epidemics include pathogen discovery prior to their emergence in human and/or animal populations. Playing an important role in pathogen discovery, high-throughput sequencing (HTS) enables the characterization of microbial and viral genetic diversity within a given sample. In particular, metagenomic HTS allows the unbiased taxonomic profiling of sequences; hence, it can identify novel and highly divergent pathogens such as viruses. Newly discovered viral sequences must be further investigated using genomic characterization, molecular and serological screening, and/or in vitro and in vivo characterization. Several outbreak and surveillance studies apply unbiased generic HTS to characterize the whole genome sequences of suspected pathogens. In contrast, this study aimed to screen for novel and unexpected pathogens in previously generated HTS datasets and use this information as a starting point for the establishment of an early warning system (EWS). As a proof of concept, the EWS was applied to HTS datasets and archived samples from the 2018–9 West Nile virus (WNV) epidemic in Germany. A metagenomics read classifier detected sequences related to genome sequences of various members of Riboviria. We focused the further EWS investigation on viruses belonging to the families Peribunyaviridae and Reoviridae , under suspicion of causing co-infections in WNV-infected birds. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the reovirus genome sequences clustered with sequences assigned to the species Umatilla virus (UMAV), whereas a new peribunyavirid, tentatively named 'Hedwig virus' (HEDV), belonged to a putative novel genus of the family Peribunyaviridae. In follow-up studies, newly developed molecular diagnostic assays detected fourteen UMAV-positive wild birds from different German cities and eight HEDV-positive captive birds from two zoological gardens. UMAV was successfully cultivated in mosquito C6/36 cells inoculated with a blackbird liver. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the power of the applied EWS for the discovery and characterization of unexpected viruses in repurposed sequence datasets, followed by virus screening and cultivation using archived sample material. The EWS enhances the strategies for pathogen recognition before causing sporadic cases and massive outbreaks and proves to be a reliable tool for modern outbreak preparedness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the distinct wild locations of the Mumbai (India), dead Culex mosquito larvae were collected. The mid‐gut micro‐flora of these dead mosquito larvae was isolated on three different media that were selective for only the Gram‐positive bacteria. These bacteria were tested against the third instar stage of Culex quinquefasciatus larvae, cultured in the laboratory, for their larvicidal activity. After performing the toxicity assay four times in duplicates, the average statistical values showed four bacteria exhibiting differential toxicities. Identification of these strains was done by 16S rRNA sequencing and their respective surface morphologies were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The differential toxicities of the four identified Bacillus strains were rationalized by performing differential proteomics and metabolomics approach using LC‐MS and these results were analyzed against customized mosquito larvicidal toxin database which was further compared with the in silico p‐BLAST data of that respective Bacillus sp. from the NCBI database. The presence and significance of the various mosquitocidal toxins in the identified Bacillus sp. are elucidated. The present study also attempted to identify new bacterial species exhibiting mosquitocidal toxicities that have not been reported earlier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mosquito control has the potential to significantly reduce malaria burden on a region, but to influence public health policy must also show cost-effectiveness. Gaps in our knowledge of mosquito population dynamics mean that mathematical modelling of vector control interventions have typically made simplifying assumptions about key aspects of mosquito ecology. Often, these assumptions can distort the predicted efficacy of vector control, particularly next-generation tools such as gene drive, which are highly sensitive to local mosquito dynamics. Methods: We developed a discrete-time stochastic mathematical model of mosquito population dynamics to explore the fine-scale behaviour of egg-laying and larval density dependence on parameter estimation. The model was fitted to longitudinal mosquito population count data using particle Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. Results: By modelling fine-scale behaviour of egg-laying under varying density dependence scenarios we refine our life history parameter estimates, and in particular we see how model assumptions affect population growth rate (Rm), a crucial determinate of vector control efficacy. Conclusions: Subsequent application of these new parameter estimates to gene drive models show how the understanding and implementation of fine-scale processes, when deriving parameter estimates, may have a profound influence on successful vector control. The consequences of this may be of crucial interest when devising future public health policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haemagogus leucocelaenus (Diptera: Culicidae) is considered the primary vector of yellow fever virus (Flaviviridae) in wild environments in South America. Previous research has defined Hg. leucocelaenus as a wild species with phytotelmata-type breeding sites. The objective of this study was to report the temporal and space occurrence of Hg. leucocelaenus at the microscale in the wild-periurban fringe through a systematic and spatially stratified sampling using 81 ovitraps between April 2019 and February 2 020 in the locality of Puerto Iguazú, Argentina. Of the total ovitraps, eight were positive for Hg. leucocelaenus, six in the wild environment and two in the periurban environment. Regarding the time distribution, 98.5% of the occurrence was concentrated in November and December 2019 towards the beginning of the rainy season. The results confirm the habitat plasticity of Hg. leucocelaenus and establish the aptitude of artificial containers as a methodology in monitoring studies, since they illustrate the potential of wild populations to deposit fertile eggs in them at least up to 300 m from the wild-periurban fringe. This work is a contribution to determine the temporal and space risk of yellow fever virus transmission in the region, based on the distribution patterns of this species as a function to the ecotone associated with forest borders and climatic variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Larvae of non-biting midges in the family Chironomidae can be found in association with several species of fish in the family Loricariidae. In this study, we describe the first record of phoretic interaction between larvae of Ichthyocladius sp. and the fish Hisonotus chromodontus in streams in the Amazon basin. Between July 2010 and March 2019, fish were collected from three streams of the Teles Pires River basin in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. We investigated the attachment site of chironomid larvae on the body of fish and the frequency of attachment. A total of 1.241 specimens of H. chromodontus were collected, among which nine hosts were found carrying in the ventral region a single Ichthyocladius sp. specimen. All Ichthyocladius sp. were attached to a spicule of fish between the pectoral and pelvic fins, in which they were observed at the fourth developmental stage at the beginning of the cocoon construction (1.50 mm). In addition, a pre-pupa larva (2.60 mm) and an empty cocoon (2.50 mm) were reported. The Loanda stream had the highest occurrence of this type of association (of 12 fish examined, three had larvae). The other two streams reported a lower occurrence: the Baixada Morena stream had three fish associated with larvae amongst 1105 fish examined, whereas the Selma stream had three out of 124 fish infested by larvae. The occurrence of only one larva per host can be related to the small body area of the host fish (average standard length = 26.60 mm and average weight = 0.31 g). We observed that the larvae prefer fixation sites in the vicinity of the pectoral and pelvic fin of the fish, which is presumably associated with the fact that chironomids feed on algae and debris suspended by the movement of loricariids. These streams differ with respect to the presence of riparian forests, which may affect resource availability and thereby influence ecological interactions between the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Se presenta un nuevo registro de distribución de Trichoprosopon digitatum (Rondani, 1848) en el Estado de Quintana Roo, y se proporciona información adicional acerca de su distribución en México.

Introducción: La identificación de las especies de mosquitos es una de las principales actividades del Programa de Vigilancia y Control de Aedes aegypti (L) y Aedes albopictus (S). Objetivo. Actualizar conocimientos sobre la diversidad de especies de culícidos relacionándolo con el riesgo entomoepidemiológico en La Habana con énfasis en arbovirosis y malaria. Métodos: Se analizaron las bases de datos del laboratorio de entomología sobre la identificación de especies de mosquitos en la Habana del año 2000 al año 2018. Resultados: Se registra la presencia de una nueva especie para Cuba: Culex (C) coronator. Se identificó en cuatro municipios en diferentes sitios de cría asociada a Culex nigripalpus y Anopheles albimanus. Cx. coronator se considera un vector potencial de arbovirosis ya que se ha encontrado infectado naturalmente con varias encefalitis y el virus del Nilo occidental. El reporte de especies de la provincia fue de 49 que representa el 70 % del total de especies (70) presentes en Cuba. Se registraron cinco de las seis especies del género Anopheles registradas para Cuba. An. albimanus principal vector de malaria se registró en todos los municipios durante todo el año, es de destacar su presencia en 21 depósitos artificiales en los patios y en dados y pocetas de cemento asociados a las construcciones. Se propone por primera vez una estratificación de riesgo entomológico de malaria para la Habana. Conclusiones. Se destaca el riesgo entomoepidemiológico presente en la provincia debido a la presencia de 11 especies vectoras de arbovirosis, malaria y enfermedades zoonóticas.

We evaluated nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) for Zika virus on whole-blood specimens compared with NAAT on serum and urine specimens among asymptomatic pregnant women during the 2015-2016 Puerto Rico Zika outbreak. Using NAAT, more infections were detected in serum and urine than in whole blood specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]