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Highlights: • Global warming expands the range of microorganisms, vectors, and animal reservoirs. • The current vectorial capacity of Aedes mosquitoes is at a record high and rising. • Extreme weather events increase the risk for certain infections with skin findings. • Coccidioidomycosis and Vibrio infections are occurring at higher latitudes. • Mass migration due to regional climate instability poses public health threats., Background Anthropogenic climate change affects the burden of infectious diseases via several interconnected mechanisms. In recent years, there has been greater awareness of the ways in which climate-sensitive infectious diseases pose a growing threat to global public health. Objective To categorize and describe the effects of climate change on infectious diseases with skin manifestations. Methods A scoping review of the MEDLINE and PubMed online databases for climate-sensitive infections was performed in February and March 2020. A representative selection of conditions with skin manifestations was included in this review. Results Several representative climate-sensitive infectious diseases were identified in each the following categories: (1) vector-borne infectious diseases, (2) infectious diseases associated with extreme weather events, and (3) infectious diseases linked to human migration. Conclusions Climate variables directly influence the survival and reproduction of infectious microorganisms, their vectors, and their animal reservoirs. Due to sustained warmer temperatures at higher latitudes, climate change has expanded the geographic range of certain pathogenic microbes. More frequent climate change-related extreme weather events create circumstances where existing infectious microorganisms flourish and novel infections emerge. Climate instability is linked to increased human migration, which disrupts healthcare infrastructure as well as the habitats of microbes, vectors, and animal reservoirs, and also leads to widespread poverty and overcrowding. Dermatologists should understand that climate change will affect the burden and geographic distribution of infectious diseases, many of which have cutaneous signs and might be encountered in their regular practice.

Lymphoma is the most common haematological malignancy in dogs and its aetiology is largely unknown. The presence of canine vector-borne agents (CVBD) in lymphoma tissues has been described and its causative effects questioned. We intended to evaluate the presence and extent of Leishmania infantum, Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Bartonella henselae infection in dogs with lymphoma. Sixty-one dogs, living in the Lisbon metropolitan area, with a diagnosis of lymphoma were enrolled. Immunofluorescence assays were used to detect serum IgG's. The presence of DNA from CVBD agents in tumour tissue was assessed by PCR. All dogs tested negative for B. henselae, A. phagocytophilum and E. canis by both serology and PCR. Regarding L. infantum, 8.2% (n = 5) of the dogs had a positive serologic result. L. infantum DNA was detected in two samples of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). These results show an increased, but not significant, seropositivity (8.2% vs 7.9%) and molecular detection (3.3% vs 1.2%) for L. infantum in dogs with lymphoma, when compared to the reported canine population in the same geographical area. We could not identify an association between lymphoma and E. canis, A. phagocytophilum, B. henselae or Leishmania infantum infection in the studied population. Nevertheless, further studies, following dogs trough their CVBD disease evolution, are worthwhile and may help clarify a possible role of CVBD agents in lymphomagenesis. Bayer Animal Health- Portugal info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Reptiles are reservoirs of a wide range of pathogens, including many protozoa, helminths, pentastomids, and arthropod parasitic species, some of which may be of public health concern. In this review we discuss the zoonotic risks associated with human–reptile interactions. Increased urbanization and introduction of exotic species of reptile may act as drivers for the transmission of zoonotic parasites through the environment. In addition, being a part of human diet, reptiles can be a source of life-threatening parasitoses, such as pentastomiasis or sparganosis. Finally, reptiles kept as pets may represent a risk to owners given the possibility of parasites transmitted by direct contact or fecal contamination. Awareness of reptile-borne zoonotic parasitoses is important to advocate control, prevention, and surveillance of these neglected diseases., Highlights Species of protozoa, helminths, pentastomids, and arthropod vectors exploit reptiles as definitive or paratenic hosts, which may represent a public health concern. The zoonotic risk is associated with human–reptile interactions and includes environmental contamination, reptile consumption, or keeping reptiles as pets. Exotic reptile species may introduce new zoonotic parasites in a previously nonendemic region. Pentastomiasis and sparganosis are life-threatening food-borne parasitoses. In our households, if precautions are not taken, reptiles may transmit zoonotic parasites by direct contact or fecal contamination. Trained veterinarians, physicians, and public health officials are important to advocate for proper diagnostics, parasite identification and treatment, as well as for surveillance strategies and food inspection in areas where reptiles are consumed.

Practical relevance: Granulocytic anaplasmosis is a disease in humans and animals caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum within the family Anaplasmataceae. The pathogen is transmitted by ticks of the Ixodes species. Infections with A phagocytophilum have often been described in dogs but reports on natural infections in cats are rare. An infection with A phagocytophilum should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cats if the history reveals tick infestation and/or outdoor access in combination with the relevant clinical signs. Global importance: A phagocytophilum is also important in human medicine because of its zoonotic potential. Due to the risk of vector-borne infections for both feline and public health, cats should be protected with ectoparasiticides, especially in endemic areas. Aim: The aim of this review is to give an overview of the published data and summarise the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, clinical signs and therapy of feline granulocytic anaplasmosis. As clinical signs are vague and non-specific, this review aims to raise awareness of A phagocytophilum infection, both among clinicians, so that they consider testing potentially exposed cats, and scientists, in order to prompt further research. Evidence base: Sixteen publications describing 55 cats have been reviewed. Thirty-four cats were well diagnosed based on guidelines of the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases and blood analyses were performed to varying extents for these cats. Because of the limited number of studies and a lack of knowledge in cats, clinical signs and blood analyses are compared with available data in dogs.

Increasing amount of data attest that (in the context of vector-borne infections) birds are not only important as hosts of blood-sucking arthropod vectors, but also as reservoirs of vector-borne pathogens. From 2015 to 2019 cadavers of 100 birds (from 45 species, nine orders) were collected in Hungary, and their organs were screened for DNA from a broad range of vector-borne bacteria with PCR and sequencing. Molecular analyses revealed the presence of Anaplasmataceae, and sequencing identified bacteria closely related to Neorickettsia helminthoeca and Ehrlichia chaffeensis in a Eurasian teal (Anas crecca) and a song thrush (Turdus philomelos), respectively. All samples were PCR negative for rickettsiae, borreliae, Francisella and Coxiella spp., as well as for piroplasms. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a Neorickettsia and an Ehrlichia sp., which belong to the phylogenetic groups of N. helminthoeca and E. chaffeensis, respectively, from Europe. The potential presence of these two vector-borne bacteria needs to be taken into account during future studies on the eco-epidemiology of Anaplasmataceae in Europe.

Disease ecology and disease biogeography are complementary fields for the study of infectious diseases, both fields focus on the distribution and abundance of pathogens across scales. While disease ecology focuses on the study of disease systems at the local level and during short periods, disease biogeography expands the study of disease systems over large areas and prolonged periods. What is local vs. regional extents and what is short vs. prolonged periods is debatable. We propose that the study of the ecology and biogeography of disease systems takes place along a continuum, were the limits of ecology and biogeography are blurred. To demonstrate that disease systems operate from the local to the global and can be tracked from the fine to the coarse, this Research Topic compiles study cases that highlight concepts, methods, and applications of ecology and biogeography to untangle spatial patterns of disease phenomena across scales and for diverse infectious diseases.

A 2‐year‐old female intact pregnant Beagle was evaluated after the owner surrendered her to a shelter. Prepartum and 2 months postpartum at the time of routine spay, the dam was whole‐blood polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive for Ehrlichia ewingii. She was also whole‐blood PCR positive for Mycoplasma haemocanis prepartum and continuously for 5 months thereafter. The dam delivered 5 healthy puppies, 1 of which was whole‐blood PCR positive for M. haemocanis. All 5 puppies had antibodies against Ehrlichia spp. at 1 month of age but not thereafter, and all puppies were Ehrlichia spp. PCR negative for 5 months of follow‐up. Therefore, this study supports a potential role for vertical transmission in the maintenance of M. haemocanis in dogs as reservoir hosts. In contrast, in this case there was no evidence that E. ewingii was transmitted transplacentally or during the perinatal period.

In southern Thailand, the increasingly growing population of stray dogs is a concern to public health and environmental safety because of the lack of medical attention and control. More importantly, these animals are considered reservoirs for many zoonotic pathogens. The objective of this study was to molecularly detect canine vector-borne pathogens, and to perform genetic characterization of Babesia gibsoni present in stray dogs from southern Thailand. Blood samples were collected from 174 stray dogs in two provinces (Songkhla and Narathiwat) in southern Thailand. PCR analyses were executed using specific primers based on the Babesia spp. 18S rRNA gene, Babesia gibsoni Internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region, Ehrlichia canis citrate synthase (gltA) gene, Hepatozoon spp. 18S rRNA gene and Anaplasma platys heat shock protein (groEL) gene. The most common canine vector-borne pathogen found infecting stray dogs in this study was Hepatozoon canis (24.7%) followed by A. platys (14.9%), Babesia vogeli (8.0%), B. gibsoni (6.3%), and E. canis (1.72%). Concurrent infection with more than one pathogen occurred in 72 cases. Phylogenetic analysis based on the ITS1 region and 18S rRNA gene revealed that the B. gibsoni isolates from this study shared a large proportion of their identities with each other and with other reported B. gibsoni genotypes from Asia. This study highlights the molecular detection of B. gibsoni in dogs in Thailand for the first time and presents the genetic characterization by sequencing the ITS1 region and 18S rRNA gene of B. gibsoni from Thailand. Follow-up studies are needed to elucidate the origin, distribution, and vectors of B. gibsoni parasites circulating in dogs in Thailand, as well as to determine to what extent dogs are important reservoir hosts for zoonotic canine vector-borne disease infection in the studied area.

The saliva of hematophagous arthropods contains a group of active proteins to counteract host responses against injury and to facilitate the success of a bloodmeal. These salivary proteins have significant impacts on modulating pathogen transmission, immunogenicity expression, the establishment of infection, and even disease severity. Recent studies have shown that several salivary proteins are immunogenic and antibodies against them may block infection, thereby suggesting potential vaccine candidates. Here, we discuss the most relevant salivary proteins currently studied for their therapeutic potential as vaccine candidates or to control the transmission of human vector-borne pathogens and immune responses against different arthropod salivary proteins.

Introduction In India, infectious diseases are a leading treatable cause of morbidity and mortality. Mangalore being endemic to many vector‐borne diseases, their incidence is known to show seasonal variations with sharp increase during monsoon. Leucocytes have substantial role in the immunological pathogenesis of infections. Methods The present series was a hospital‐based cross‐sectional study performed in a tertiary care hospital for a period of three months from June‐August wherein the cell population data of cases of malaria, dengue, leptospirosis, typhoid and rickettsial infections along with equal number of healthy controls were collected and analysed. Effectiveness of leucocyte‐related volume (V), conductivity (C) and scatter (S) parameters by Coulter®DXH800 haematology analyser in predicting these infections was appraised. Results A total of 324 cases comprising of malaria (50%), dengue (30.9%), leptospirosis (13.9%), typhoid (4.0%) and rickettsial infections (1.2%) were included. There was statistically significant differences (P, It is a hospital‐based cross‐sectional study.Single largest study from Indian subcontinent.VCS data of cases of malaria, dengue, leptospirosis, typhoid and rickettsial infections were analysed.Equal number of healthy controls were collected and analysed.Utility of leucocyte related volume (V), conductivity (C) and scatter (S) parameters by Coulter®DXH800 haematology analyser in predicting these infections was evaluated.Total number of subjects on which VCS data were analysed was 648.Statistically significant differences (P

International audience; An expected consequence of climate warming is an expansion of the geographical distribution of biting insects and associated arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses). Emerging and re-emerging arboviruses that can affect human and animal health are likely to pose significant consequences for Northern communities where access to health resources is limited. In the North American Arctic, little is known about arboviruses. Thus, in 2019, we sampled biting insects in Nunavik, Northern Québec (Kuujjuaq), Nunavut (Igloolik, Karrak Lake and Cambridge Bay), Northwest Territories (Igloolik and Yellowknife) and Alaska (Fairbanks). The main objective was to detect the presence of California serogroup (CSG) viruses– a widespread group of arboviruses across North America and that are known to cause a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild febrile illness to fatal encephalitis. Biting insects were captured twice daily for a 7-day period in mid-summer, using a standardised protocol consisting of 100 figure-eight movements of a sweep net. Captured specimens were separated by genus (mosquitoes) or by superfamily (other insects) and then grouped into pools of 75 by geographical locations. In total, 5079 Aedes mosquitoes and 1014 Simulioidae flies were caught. We report the detection of CSG viruses RNA in mosquitoes captured in Nunavut (Karrak Lake) and Nunavik (Kuujjuaq). We also report, for the first time in North America, the presence of CSG viruses RNA in Simulioidae flies. These results highlight the use of biting insects for tracking any future emergence of arboviruses in the North, thereby providing key information for public health in Northern communities.

Anaplasma phagocytophilumis a worldwide emerging zoonotic tick-borne pathogen transmitted byIxodidticks and naturally maintained in complex and incompletely assessed enzootic cycles. Several studies have demonstrated an extensive genetic variability with variable host tropisms and pathogenicity. However, the relationship between genetic diversity and modified pathogenicity is not yet understood. Because of their proximity to humans, dogs are potential sentinels for the transmission of vector-borne pathogens. Furthermore, the strong molecular similarity between human and canine isolates ofA. phagocytophilumin Europe and the USA and the positive association in the distribution of human and canine cases in the USA emphasizes the epidemiological role of dogs.Anaplasma phagocytophiluminfects and survives within neutrophils by disregulating neutrophil functions and evading specific immune responses. Moreover, the complex interaction between the bacterium and the infected host immune system contribute to induce inflammatory injuries. Canine granulocytic anaplasmosis is an acute febrile illness characterized by lethargy, inappetence, weight loss and musculoskeletal pain. Hematological and biochemistry profile modifications associated with this disease are unspecific and include thrombocytopenia, anemia, morulae within neutrophils and increased liver enzymes activity. Coinfections with other tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) may occur, especially withBorrelia burgdorferi, complicating the clinical presentation, diagnosis and response to treatment. Although clinical studies have been published in dogs, it remains unclear if several clinical signs and clinicopathological abnormalities can be related to this infection.

BackgroundYellow fever (YF) is a viral haemorrhagic fever endemic in tropical regions of Africa and South America. Current intervention policies, namely the Eliminate Yellow fever Epidemics (EYE) strategy are actioned through vaccination. However, the stockpiles and production mean that vaccination can be in short supply. As such, intervention strategies need to be optimised; one of the tools for doing this is mathematical modelling.MethodsWe fit a generalised linear model of YF reports to occurrence data available from 1987 to 2019 in Africa and South America and available serology survey data to estimate the force of infection across the continents. Then, using demographic and vaccination data, we examine the impact of interventions.FindingsWe estimate that in 2018 there were approximately 51,000 (95%CrI [31,000 - 82,000]) deaths due to YF in Africa and South America. When we examine the impact of mass vaccination campaigns in Africa, these amount to approximately 10,000 (95%CrI [6,000 - 17,000]) deaths averted in 2018 due to mass vaccination activities in Africa; this corresponds to a 47% reduction (95%CrI [10% - 77%]).InterpretationWe find that the majority, 92% (95%CrI [89% - 95%]), of global burden occurs in Africa and that mass vaccination activities have significantly reduced the current deaths per year due to YF. This methodology allows us to evaluate the effectiveness of vaccination campaigns past, present and future and illustrates the need for continued vigilance and surveillance of YF.FundingBMGF and MRC

Xylella fastidiosa is a vector-borne bacterium that causes diseases in many plants of economic interest. The bacterium&ndash, vector initial interactions involve bacterial membrane-bound adhesins that mediate cell attachment to the foregut of insect vectors. We investigated the role of the afimbrial adhesin XadA2 in the binding and biofilm formation of X. fastidiosa subsp. pauca to vector surfaces in vitro, as well as its potential to disrupt pathogen transmission. We showed that XadA2 has binding affinity for polysaccharides on sharpshooter hindwings, used as a proxy for the interactions between X. fastidiosa and vectors. When in a medium without carbon sources, the bacterium used wing components, likely chitin, as a source of nutrients and formed a biofilm on the wing surface. There was a significant reduction in X. fastidiosa biofilm formation and cell aggregation on vector wings in competition assays with XadA2 or its specific antibody (anti-XadA2). Finally, pathogen acquisition and transmission to plant were significantly reduced when the vectors acquired X. fastidiosa from an artificial diet supplemented with anti-XadA2. These results show that XadA2 is important in mediating bacterial colonization in the insect and that it could be used as a target for blocking X. fastidiosa transmission.

In recent years, Zika virus (ZIKV) has expanded its geographic range and in 2015–2016 caused a substantial epidemic linked to a surge in developmental and neurological complications in newborns. Mathematical models are powerful tools for assessing ZIKV spread and can reveal important information for preventing future outbreaks. We reviewed the literature and retrieved modelling studies that were developed to understand the spatial epidemiology of ZIKV spread and risk. We classified studies by type, scale, aim and applications and discussed their characteristics, strengths and limitations. We examined the main objectives of these models and evaluated the effectiveness of integrating epidemiological and phylogeographic data, along with socioenvironmental risk factors that are known to contribute to vector–human transmission. We also assessed the promising application of human mobility data as a real-time indicator of ZIKV spread. Lastly, we summarised model validation methods used in studies to ensure accuracy in models and modelled outcomes. Models are helpful for understanding ZIKV spread and their characteristics should be carefully considered when developing future modelling studies to improve arbovirus surveillance.

Over 700 plant diseases identified as vector-borne negatively impact plant health and food security globally. The pest control of vector-borne diseases in agricultural settings is in urgent need of more effective tools. Ongoing research in genetics, molecular biology, physiology, and vector behavior has begun to unravel new insights into the transmission of phytopathogens by their insect vectors. However, the intricate mechanisms involved in phytopathogen transmission for certain pathosystems warrant further investigation. In this review, we propose the corn stunt pathosystem (Zea mays–Spiroplasma kunkelii–Dalbulus maidis) as an ideal model for dissecting the molecular determinants and mechanisms underpinning the persistent transmission of a mollicute by its specialist insect vector to an economically important monocotyledonous crop. Corn stunt is the most important disease of corn in the Americas and the Caribbean, where it causes the severe stunting of corn plants and can result in up to 100% yield loss. A comprehensive study of the corn stunt disease system will pave the way for the discovery of novel molecular targets for genetic pest control targeting either the insect vector or the phytopathogen.

Purpose of review This review describes mosquito- and tick-borne diseases found in the Western Hemisphere. It focuses on emerging diseases and recent geographic shifts in the presence of disease vectors. Recent Findings Mosquito and tick vectors have become more widespread as environmental conditions have become more favorable. Zika recently has emerged as a concern for fetal anomalies. West Nile Virus has become widespread. Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases are more prevalent in areas previously inhospitable to these ticks. Summary Healthcare providers must consider the possibility of mosquito- and tick-borne diseases in broader geographic areas and council patients traveling to endemic areas on precautions against these diseases. Treatment for suspected cases of serious tick-borne illnesses should not be delayed pending culture results.

Flaviviruses consist of significant human pathogens responsible for hundreds of millions of infections each year. Their antigenic relationships generate immune responses that are cross-reactive to multiple flaviviruses and their widespread and overlapping geographical distributions, coupled with increases in vaccination coverage, increase the likelihood of exposure to multiple flaviviruses. Depending on the antigenic properties of the viruses to which a person is exposed, flavivirus cross-reactivity can be beneficial or could promote immune pathologies. In this review we describe our knowledge of the functional immune outcomes that arise from varied flaviviral immune statuses. The cross-reactive antibody and T cell immune responses that are protective versus pathological are also addressed.

Land use boundaries represent human&ndash, physical interfaces where risk of vector-borne disease transmission is elevated. Land development practices, coupled with rural and urban land fragmentation, increases the likelihood that immunologically na&iuml, ve humans will encounter infectious vectors at land use interfaces. This research consolidated land use classes from the GLC-SHARE dataset, calculated landscape metrics in linear (edge) density, proportion abundance, and patch density, and derived the incidence rate ratios of the Zika virus occurrence in Colombia, South America during 2016. Negative binomial regression was used to evaluate vector-borne disease occurrence counts in relation to Population Density, Average Elevation, Per Capita Gross Domestic Product, and each of three landscape metrics. Each kilometer of border length per square kilometer of area increase in the linear density of the Cropland and Grassland classes is associated with an increase in Zika virus risk. These spatial associations inform a risk reduction approach to rural and urban morphology and land development that emphasizes simple and compact land use geometry that decreases habitat availability for mosquito vectors of Zika virus.

Background Early detection of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during the viremia and viruria facilitates proper patient management and mosquito control measurement to prevent disease spread. Therefore, a cost-effective nucleic acid detection method for the diagnosis of ZIKV infection, especially in resource-deficient settings, is highly required. Methods In the present study, a single-tube reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay was developed for the detection of both the Asian and African-lineage ZIKV. The detection limit, strain coverage and cross-reactivity of the ZIKV RT-LAMP assay was evaluated. The sensitivity and specificity of the RT-LAMP were also evaluated using a total of 24 simulated clinical samples. The ZIKV quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay was used as the reference assay. Results The detection limit of the RT-LAMP assay was 3.73 ZIKV RNA copies (probit analysis, P ≤ 0.05). The RT-LAMP assay detected the ZIKV genomes of both the Asian and African lineages without cross-reacting with other arthropod-borne viruses. The sensitivity and specificity of the RT-LAMP assay were 90% (95% CI = 59.6–98.2) and 100% (95% CI = 78.5–100.0), respectively. The RT-LAMP assay detected ZIKV genome in 9 of 24 (37.5%) of the simulated clinical samples compared to 10 of 24 (41.7%) by qRT-PCR assay with a high level of concordance (κ = 0.913, P Conclusion The RT-LAMP assay is applicable for the broad coverage detection of both the Asian and African ZIKV strains in resource-deficient settings.

BACKGROUND Because of poor sensitivity and questionable specificity of immunofluorescent antibody assays (IFAs), serological diagnosis of Bartonella species infections in dogs remains challenging. Despite limitations, IFA testing is the historical "gold standard" for Bartonella serodiagnosis in animals and humans. Because most diagnostic laboratories test against only 1 or 2 Bartonella spp., testing against a broader panel of Bartonella antigens may enhance diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of Bartonella IFA using 8 cell culture-grown Bartonella spp. isolates. ANIMALS Archived serum samples from 34 Bartonella spp. naturally exposed, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive dogs and from 26 PCR-negative and IFA-negative dogs. METHODS Bartonella IFA sensitivity and specificity were assessed using cell culture-grown whole cell antigens derived from 3 Bartonella henselae (Bh) strains (Bh Houston 1, Bh San Antonio Type 2, Bh California 1), 3 Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii genotypes (Bvb I, II, and III), Bartonella koehlerae (Bk), and Bartonella quintana (Bq). RESULTS Only 62% of 34 Bartonella spp. PCR-positive dogs were seroreactive to any of the 8 Bartonella IFA antigens, indicating low IFA sensitivity. PCR-positive dogs were most often IFA seroreactive to Bq (n = 15), to Bvb II (n = 13), or to both (n = 9) antigens. Of the 26 previously IFA-negative/PCR-negative dogs, 4 (15%) were seroreactive using the expanded antigen panel. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Despite IFA testing of dogs against 8 different Bartonella isolates, IFA sensitivity remained poor, and specificity was only 85%. Development of a reliable serological assay is needed to facilitate the diagnosis of Bartonella infection in dogs.

The current war in Yemen has displaced millions of people from their homes into living in cramped shelters where the healthcare is limited. The breakdown of Yemen's healthcare and sanitation systems has facilitated the spread of infectious diseases including mosquito-borne diseases. The present study aimed to describe the prevalence of dengue virus (DENV) infection among the febrile patients of the Taiz governorate, Yemen as well as their knowledge, attitude and preventive practices (KAPs) regarding dengue fever (DF), and to investigate the factors associated with dengue preventive practices during the war. A total of 384 clinically dengue-suspected patients who sought health care in Taiz, Yemen during the period from July 2016 until October 2016 were recruited for the study. Serum samples were obtained and screened for the presence of DENV RNA and anti-DENV antibodies by reverse transcription-recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) and dengue IgM/IgG-capture ELISA, respectively. KAP questionnaires were obtained from all participants too. In the study, dengue was laboratory confirmed in approximately 49.3% (189/384) of the clinically suspected dengue patients. In general, 67.1% of the patients had low knowledge scores regarding DF. Low scores for knowledge about DF was significantly associated with those in the age groups of ≤20 years and 21–30 years, illiterates and patients with non-skilled jobs or jobless. The most common preventive practices reported by participants were covering stored water (78.6%) and putting a screen on the house's windows (65.3%). A low proportion of participants (6.7%) had 51–100% of good DF preventive practices. Low scores of positive attitudes toward DF was identified as a risk factor. The study participants showed poor knowledge about DF and their ways of dealing with the various aspects of DF prevention was quite limited, hence, preventive measures against the disease were less likely to be undertaken. Findings from the study highlight the peril of dengue in Taiz, Yemen, which is now comparable to that of endemic regions. The ongoing civil war with disruption in regular health services compounded by the low knowledge about DF as well as the limited DF preventive practices could result in entrenchment of dengue in Yemen. Keywords: Infectious disease, Dengue, Arbovirus, Vector, Yemen, Vector-borne

We conducted an investigation of Borrelia miyamotoi infections in humans and ticks in northeastern China. Of 984 patients reporting recent tick bites, 14 (1.4%) were found to be infected with B. miyamotoi by PCR and genomic sequencing. The 14 patients had nonspecific febrile manifestations, including fever, headache, anorexia, asthenia, and arthralgia. Rash, eschar, and regional lymphadenopathy were each observed in 1 patient. Four (28.6%) patients were hospitalized because of severe disease. B. miyamotoi was detected in 3.0% (19/627) of Ixodes persulcatus, 1 (2.8%) of 36 Haemaphysalis concinna, and none of 29 Dermacentor silvarum ticks. Phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of a nearly entire 16s rRNA gene, a partial flagellin gene, and the glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase gene revealed that B. miyamotoi identified in patients and ticks were clustered in the group of the Siberian type. These findings indicate that B. miyamotoi is endemic in northeastern China and its public health significance deserves further investigation.

Since 2010, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has established centers at 16 locations to monitor disease vectors and pathogens. Here, we examined tick populations to understand the geographical and temporal distribution of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) vectors in 2020. From April to November, 63,376 ticks were collected from traps to monitor tick populations, with a trap index of 41.3. Tick incidence varied from April to October, with population peaks observed for nymphs in May, adults in July, and larvae in September. The predominant tick species were Haemaphysalis longicornis, Haemaphysalis spp., H. flava, Ixodes spp., Amblyomma testudinarium, and Ixodes nipponensis. Approximately 50% of the collected ticks were pooled into 2973 groups to detect the rate of SFTSV infection in ticks. The minimum infection rate (MIR) of SFTSV was 0.2%, and Andong had the highest MIR for SFTSV (4.0%). The B3 genotype was the most prevalent (52.2%) followed by B2 (28.6%), B5 (15.9%), B4 (1.6%), and B6 (1.6%). We identified widely distributed tick species and a high degree of diversity in SFTSV strains in ticks from different geographical regions. The results may provide a basis for future epidemiological studies and risk assessments for tick-borne diseases.

© 2017 Elsevier Inc. Some pesticides are applied directly to aquatic systems to reduce numbers of mosquito larvae (larvicides) and thereby reduce transmission of pathogens that mosquitoes vector to humans and wildlife. Sustained, environmentally-safe control of larval mosquitoes is particularly needed for highly productive waters (e.g., catchment basins, water treatment facilities, septic systems), but also for other habitats to maintain control and reduce inspection costs. Common biorational pesticides include the insect juvenile hormone mimic methoprene and pesticides derived from the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, Lysinibacillus sphaericus and Saccharopolyspora spinosa (spinosad). Health agencies, the public and environmental groups have especially debated the use of methoprene because some studies have shown toxic effects on non-target organisms. However, many studies have demonstrated its apparent environmental safety. This review critically evaluates studies pertinent to the environmental safety of using methoprene to control mosquito larvae, and provides concise assessments of the bacterial larvicides that provide sustained control of mosquitoes. The review first outlines the ecological and health effects of mosquitoes, and distinguishes between laboratory toxicity and environmental effects. The article then interprets non-target toxicity findings in light of measured environmental concentrations of methoprene (as used in mosquito control) and field studies of its non-target effects. The final section evaluates information on newer formulations of bacterially-derived pesticides for sustained mosquito control. Results show that realized environmental concentrations of methoprene were usually 2–5 µg/kg (range 2–45 µg/kg) and that its motility is limited. These levels were not toxic to the vast majority of vertebrates and invertebrates tested in laboratories, except for a few species of zooplankton, larval stages of some other crustaceans, and small Diptera. Studies in natural habitats have not documented population reductions except in small Diptera. Bacterial larvicides showed good results for sustained control with similarly limited environmental effects, except for spinosad, which had broader effects on insects in mesocosms and temporary pools. These findings should be useful to a variety of stakeholders in informing decisions on larvicide use to protect public and environmental health in a ‘One Health’ framework.

Background Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an emerging tick-borne zoonotic pathogen of increased interest worldwide which has been detected in northern Africa. Anaplasma platys is also present in this region and could possibly have a zoonotic potential. However, only one recent article reports on the human esposure to A. phagocytophilum in Morocco and no data are available on canine exposure to both bacteria. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional epidemiological study aiming to assess both canine and human exposure to Anaplasma spp. in Morocco. A total of 425 dogs (95 urban, 160 rural and 175 working dogs) and 11 dog owners were sampled from four cities of Morocco. Canine blood samples were screened for Anaplasma spp. antibodies by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and for A. phagocytophilum and A. platys DNA by a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) targeting the msp2 gene. Human sera were tested for specific A. phagocytophilum immunoglobulin G (IgG) using a commercial immunofluorescence assay (IFA) kit. Results Anaplasma spp. antibodies and A. platys DNA were detected in 21.9 and 7.5% of the dogs, respectively. Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA was not amplified. Anaplasma platys DNA was significantly more frequently amplified for working dogs. No statistically significant differences in the prevalence of Anaplasma spp. antibodies or A. platys DNA detection were observed between sexes, age classes or in relation to exposure to ticks. A total of 348 Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato) ticks were removed from 35 urban and working dogs. The majority of dog owners (7/10) were seroreactive to A. phagoyctophilum IgG (one sample was excluded because of hemolysis). Conclusions This study demonstrates the occurrence of Anaplasma spp. exposure and A. platys infection in dogs, and A. phagocytophilum exposure in humans in Morocco.

Infectious diseases are changing due to the environment and altered interactions among hosts, reservoirs, vectors, and pathogens. This is particularly true for zoonotic diseases that infect humans, agricultural animals, and wildlife. Within the subset of zoonoses, vector-borne pathogens are changing more rapidly with climate change, and have a complex epidemiology, which may allow them to take advantage of a changing environment. Most mosquito-borne infectious diseases are transmitted by mosquitoes in three genera: Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex, and the expansion of these genera is well documented. There is an urgent need to study vector-borne diseases in response to climate change and to produce a generalizable approach capable of generating risk maps and forecasting outbreaks. Here, we provide a strategy for coupling climate and epidemiological models for zoonotic infectious diseases. We discuss the complexity and challenges of data and model fusion, baseline requirements for data, and animal and human population movement. Disease forecasting needs significant investment to build the infrastructure necessary to collect data about the environment, vectors, and hosts at all spatial and temporal resolutions. These investments can contribute to building a modeling community around the globe to support public health officials so as to reduce disease burden through forecasts with quantified uncertainty.

Background Mosquito population dynamics are driven by large-scale (e.g. climatological) and small-scale (e.g. ecological) factors. While these factors are known to independently influence mosquito populations, it remains uncertain how drivers that simultaneously operate under natural conditions interact to influence mosquito populations. We, therefore, developed a well-controlled outdoor experiment to assess the interactive effects of two ecological drivers, predation and nutrient availability, on mosquito life history traits under multiple temperature regimes. Methods We conducted a temperature-controlled mesocosm experiment in Kruger National Park, South Africa, with the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. We investigated how larval survival, emergence and development rates were impacted by the presence of a locally-common invertebrate predator (backswimmers Anisops varia Fieber (Notonectidae: Hemiptera), nutrient availability (oligotrophic vs eutrophic, reflecting field conditions), water temperature, and interactions between each driver. Results We observed that the effects of predation and temperature both depended on eutrophication. Predation caused lower adult emergence in oligotrophic conditions but higher emergence under eutrophic conditions. Higher temperatures caused faster larval development rates in eutrophic but not oligotrophic conditions. Conclusions Our study shows that ecological bottom-up and top-down drivers strongly and interactively govern mosquito life history traits for Ae. aegypti populations. Specifically, we show that eutrophication can inversely affect predator–prey interactions and mediate the effect of temperature on mosquito survival and development rates. Hence, our results suggest that nutrient pollution can overrule biological constraints on natural mosquito populations and highlights the importance of studying multiple factors. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-019-3431-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Insects in the orders Hemiptera and Thysanoptera transmit viruses and other pathogens associated with the most serious diseases of plants. Plant viruses transmitted by these insects target similar tissues, genes, and proteins within the insect to facilitate plant-to-plant transmission with some degree of specificity at the molecular level. 'Omics experiments are becoming increasingly important and practical for vector biologists to use towards better understanding the molecular mechanisms and biochemistry underlying transmission of these insect-borne diseases. These discoveries are being used to develop novel means to obstruct virus transmission into and between plants. In this chapter, we summarize 'omics technologies commonly applied in vector biology and the important discoveries that have been made using these methods, including virus and insect proteins involved in transmission, as well as the tri-trophic interactions involved in host and vector manipulation. Finally, we critically examine the limitations and new horizons in this area of research, including the role of endosymbionts and insect viruses in virus-vector interactions, and the development of novel control strategies.

Porcine circovirus 3 (PCV-3) has emerged as a potential threat for swine industry, being consistently reported in the presence of several clinical signs all around the world. Recently, its presence in wild boar has been demonstrated at high prevalence. This evidence is surprising since the lower density of wild populations might not be expected to sustain such efficient viral transmission. Porcine circoviruses were proven to exhibit a certain plasticity in the host tropism and were detected in unrelated species, like mice, dogs and ruminants. However, if this scenario applies also to wild animals remains to be established. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the presence of PCV-3 in wild ungulates other than wild boar and in related hematophagous ectoparasites. One hundred and nine animals were sampled from different hilly and mountain areas of Friuli Venezia Giulia, including 9 chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), 17 red deer (Cervus elaphus), 4 mouflons (Ovis musimon), 50 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and 29 wild boars (Sus scrofa). Additionally, host-matched ectoparasites were collected when present. Porcine circovirus 3 was diagnosed using molecular techniques and sequencing. This study results confirmed the high PCV-3 occurrence in wild boar and reported for the first time its presence, at low prevalence, in chamois and roe deer. Moreover, two ticks (Ixodes ricinus), one of which non-engorged, collected from PCV-3 negative roe deer, tested PCV-3 positive. The genetic characterization of some of the strains collected from non-swine hosts allowed to prove that, albeit clearly part of PCV-3 species, they were genetically unique, demonstrating the absence of among-samples contamination and thus confirming the actual presence of PCV-3 genome in these new hosts. Therefore, this study highlights an unexpected broad PCV-3 distribution and circulation in the wild, rising further questions on porcine circoviruses infectious cycle, epidemiology and origin, which will deserve additional investigations.

Background Vector-borne pathogens are emerging concerns in multiple regions of Canada. Determining regional prevalence of canine vector-borne pathogens and documenting change will improve clinician awareness, enable targeted prevention, enhance diagnosis and ideally reduce the risk of disease. Study objectives were to: (i) estimate the prevalence of positive canine vector-borne test results from samples submitted in Canada; (ii) assess change in prevalence over time, from baseline (2008) to 2015; and (iii) estimate the prevalence of pathogen co-infections. Methods This repeat cross-sectional study evaluated 753,468 test results for D. immitis antigen and B. burgdorferi, Ehrlichia canis/ewingii/muris serology, and 753,208 test results for Anaplasma phagocytophilum/platys serology using the SNAP® 4Dx®Test and SNAP 4Dx® Plus Test. Results Based on all submitted samples from Canada (2008–2015), the period seroprevalence of B. burgdorferi, Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp. and D. immitis antigen were 2.0%, 0.5%, 0.4% and 0.2%, respectively. Over the 7 years (2008 compared to 2015) we observed a significant increase in seroprevalence for B. burgdorferi (144.4%) and Ehrlichia spp. (150%). Co-infections (positive for two or more pathogens on a single 4 pathogen test kit) were estimated at 5.4% (1162/21,612) of total positive tests. Conclusions The temporal rise and geographical differences in prevalence detected for these pathogens (notably B. burgdorferi) are consistent with anecdotal information on canine illness related to tick-borne pathogen exposure in multiple regions of Canada, particularly canine Lyme disease. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-019-3299-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

International audience; Climate change, with warmer temperatures and altered precipitation patterns, has affected the distribution of vectors and vector-borne diseases. In the northern hemisphere, vectors are spreading north, and with them, pathogens of zoonotic and animal health impact. Eurasian moose (Alces alces alces) are physiologically and anatomically adapted for cold climate, and are rarely considered ideal hosts of vectors, apart from deer keds (Lipoptena cervi). To investigate the presence of vector-borne pathogens, spleen samples from 615 moose were collected in southern Sweden from 2008 to 2015. The samples were analyzed with a high-throughput PCR method for 24 bacterial, and 12 parasitic pathogens. Anaplasma (82%), Borrelia (3%), Babesia (3%), and Bartonella (1%) DNA was found, showing that moose are exposed to, and can act as hosts of some of these pathogens, which can have an impact of both animal and human health. These results show that Swedish moose are exposed to pathogens that in some instances are more commonly found in regions with warmer climate, and highlights the importance of also considering moose as sentinels of vector-borne pathogens. Further research is needed to understand the effect of these pathogens on the health of individual moose and to elucidate whether climate change and moose population density interact to create the pattern observed.

Simple Summary Monitoring the health status of cats ensures their welfare and control of infections transmissible to other domestic and wild animals, as well as to humans. In the present survey, blood samples and ticks were collected, between February 2018 and October 2019, from 85 stray cats living in registered colonies in Emilia Romagna (northern Italy), with the aim of investigating the presence and infection level of a wide range of pathogens transmitted by arthropods (arthropod-borne pathogens—ABPs). The collected samples were subjected to serological and DNA-based methods. The presence of pathogens was observed in 71 cats (83.5%) using serological methods and in 47 cats (55.3%) by applying DNA-based analysis. Coinfections (presence of two or more pathogens) were observed in 21 cats (24.7%). While ABPs in privately owned cats are more easily prevented and managed through standard veterinary care, stray cats may be particularly at risk as they live outdoors, have constant exposure to arthropods such as ticks and fleas, and generally do not receive regular antiparasitic treatment. Indeed, the results of the present study show a widespread presence of ABPs, suggesting that stray cats may represent a potential health threat to companion animals and people and the need for improved management. Abstract Cats may be affected by a wide range of arthropod-borne pathogens (ABPs) of medical and veterinary interest. Between February 2018 and October 2019, 85 blood samples were collected from stray cats from the Emilia Romagna region (northern Italy). Ticks (n = 28) on the examined cats were also collected. Serological and molecular methods were applied to search for infection by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella henselae, Coxiella burnetii, Ehrlichia canis, Leishmania spp., Babesia spp., Hepatozoon spp., and Cytauxzoon spp. A total of 71 sera (83.5%) had antibodies to at least one investigated pathogen: 39 (45.9%) were positive for B. henselae, 32 (37.6%) positive for C. burnetii, 12 (14.1%) positive for E. canis, four (4.7%) positive for A. phagocytophilum, and two (2.4%) positive for Leishmania spp. A total of 47 (55.3%) DNA samples were positive by PCR for at least one investigated pathogen: 25 (29.4%) were positive for C. burnetii, 23 (27.1%) positive for B. henselae, two (2.4%) positive for E. canis, five (5.9%) positive for Leishmania spp., and two (2.4%) positive for Cytauxzoon spp. Coinfections were observed in 21 cats (24.7%). No positivity was found for A. phagocytophilum, Babesia spp., or Hepatozoon spp. All ticks were negative. A widespread presence of ABPs in the investigated area of northern Italy was shown. Accurate information on their prevalence may be relevant for feline veterinary medicine, as well as from a One Health perspective.

Highlights • Information about vector-borne bacteria of camels is scarce. • Anaplasmataceae, SFG rickettsiae, Bartonella and Borrelia were investigated in blood of 200 dromedary camels of Iran. • PCR results revealed 30 animals (15%) to be infected with Anaplasmataceae bacteria. • BlastN® analysis of positive samples revealed identity with “Candidatus Anaplasma camelii” isolates. • This paper reviews the current knowledge on camels’ tick-borne bacteria including microscopy, serology and molecular studies., Despite close association between camels and humans, molecular based studies on vector-borne pathogens infecting camels are scarce compared to other animals in Iran. The current study was carried out to investigate the occurrence of vector-borne bacteria in the blood of dromedaries by molecular tools. A total of 200 peripheral blood samples were collected from apparently healthy animals. Microscopic examination was performed on Giemsa-stained blood smears, and drops of blood were spotted on Whatman FTA® cards for molecular analyses. Genomic DNA was extracted from the cards, and PCR amplification followed by sequencing of positive samples was carried out for the detection of Anaplasmataceae, spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae, Bartonella spp. and Borrelia spp. Intra-cytic forms of any blood pathogens could not be detected by light microscopy. PCR results revealed 30 animals (15%) to be infected with Anaplasmataceae bacteria. Analyses of sequences revealed a strain of Anaplasma sp. identical to Candidatus Anaplasma camelii isolated from camels, cattle and deer in Asia and Africa. Neither SFG rickettsiae, nor Borrelia or Bartonella species were found. Further studies for determining epidemiological role of camels and its zoonotic potential are recommended. This paper reviews the current knowledge on camels’ tickborne bacteria including microscopy, serology and molecular studies.

[Background] Haemosporidians are the most important vector-borne parasites due to their cosmopolitan distribution and their wide range of hosts, including humans. Identification of their vectors is critical to highlight ecologically and epidemiologically relevant features such as host specificity or transmission routes. Biting midges of the genus Culicoides are considered the main vectors of Haemoproteus spp., yet important information on aspects such as vector feeding preferences or vector-host specificity involving haemosporidian parasites is frequently missing., [Methods] We assessed the abundance of Culicoides circumscriptus and C. paolae and blood sources of the latter at the nests of cavity-nesting bird species (mainly the European roller Coracias garrulus) and in their surroundings. We also explored the prevalence and genetic diversity of avian haemosporidians in parous females of both species., [Results] Both C. circumscriptus and C. paolae were abundant in the study area and common at European roller nests. Culicoides paolae had a diverse ornithophilic diet, feeding on at least seven bird species. Human DNA was also detected in the blood meal of some individuals. Four Haemoproteus lineages, including a new one reported here for the first time, were isolated from parous females of both biting midges., [Conclusions] Culicoides circumscriptus and C. paolae can play a locally important role in the transmission dynamics of Haemoproteus parasites in a community of cavity-nesting bird species in an arid ecosystem., JV was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness by means of a predoctoral grant (grant no. BES-2015-075951). FV and JF received financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, and the European Regional Development Fund (CGL2014-55969-P; CGL2015-65055-P). JMP was partially supported by a 2017 Leonardo Grant for Researchers and Cultural Creators, BBVA Foundation. The Foundation accepts no responsibility for the opinions, statements and contents included in the project and/or the results thereof, which are entirely the responsibility of the authors. We acknowledge support of the publication fees by the CSIC Open Access Publication Support Initiative through its Unit of Information Resources for Research (URICI).

Due to the emergence of non-endemic mosquito vectors and the recent outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases, mosquito-borne pathogens are considered an increasing risk to public and animal health in Europe. To obtain a status quo regarding mosquito-borne viruses and their vectors in Germany, 97,648 mosquitoes collected from 2011 to 2016 throughout the country were screened for arboviruses. Mosquitoes were identified to species, pooled in groups of up to 50 individuals according to sampling location and date, and screened with different PCR assays for Flavi-, Alpha- and Orthobunyavirus RNA. Two pools tested positive for Usutu virus-RNA, two for Sindbis virus-RNA, and 24 for Batai virus-RNA. The pools consisted of Culex pipiens s.l., Culex modestus, Culex torrentium, Culiseta sp., Aedes vexans, Anopheles daciae, and Anopheles messeae mosquitoes and could be assigned to nine different collection sites, with seven of them located in northeastern Germany. Phylogenetic analyses of the viral RNA sequences showed relationships with strains of the viruses previously demonstrated in Germany. These findings confirm continuing mosquito-borne zoonotic arbovirus circulation even though only a rather small percentage of the screened samples tested positive. With respect to sampling sites and periods, virus circulation seems to be particularly intense in floodplains and after flooding events when mosquitoes develop in excessive numbers and where they have numerous avian hosts available to feed on.

Climatic factors, especially temperature, precipitation, and humidity play an important role in disease transmission. As the Arctic changes at an unprecedented rate due to climate change, understanding how climatic factors and climate change affect infectious disease rates is important for minimizing human and economic costs. The purpose of this systematic review was to compile recent studies in the field and compare the results to a previously published review. English language searches were conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and PLOS One. Russian language searches were conducted in the Scientific Electronic Library “eLibrary.ru”. This systematic review yielded 22 articles (51%) published in English and 21 articles (49%) published in Russian since 2012. Articles about zoonotic and vector-borne diseases accounted for 67% (n = 29) of the review. Tick-borne diseases, tularemia, anthrax, and vibriosis were the most researched diseases likely to be impacted by climatic factors in the Arctic. Increased temperature and precipitation are predicted to have the greatest impact on infectious diseases in the Arctic. Keywords: Human infectious disease, Arctic, Climate change, Zoonosis, Vector-borne, One health

Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV) is a mosquito-borne virus endemic to Australia and New Guinea. Encephalitis due to MVEV is potentially devastating, and no therapeutic interventions of proven value exist. Prevention relies largely on personal protective measures against mosquito bites. We present a case of MVEV encephalitis with a favourable outcome following intensive care management and prolonged rehabilitation, and the epidemiological features of a further 21 cases notified to the health department of Australia’s Northern Territory. As cases occur in travellers, and epidemics occur sporadically in south-eastern Australia, clinicians across Australia and further abroad should be familiar with the disease and its diagnosis and management.

International audience; In June 2017, an Anopheles mosquito species was detected in New Caledonia. Morphologic identification and genomic sequencing revealed that the specimens tested belong to An. bancroftii genotype A1. This introduction underscores the risk for local malaria transmission and the vulnerability of New Caledonia to vector introduction.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a vector-borne flavivirus that has caused recent outbreaks associated with serious disease in infants and newborns in the Americas.Aedesmosquitoes are the primary vectors for ZIKV, but little is known about the diversity of mosquitoes that can transmit ZIKV in North America. We chose three abundant North American mosquito species (Anopheles freeborni,Anopheles quadrimaculatus, andCulex tarsalis) and one known vector species (Aedes aegypti), fed them blood meals supplemented with a recent outbreak ZIKV strain, and tested bodies, legs, and saliva for infectious ZIKV. ZIKV was able to infect, disseminate, and be transmitted byAedes aegypti. However,Anopheles freeborni,Anopheles quadrimaculatus, andCulex tarsaliswere unable to be infected. We conclude that these species are unlikely to be involved in ZIKV transmission in North America. However, we should continue to examine the ability for other mosquito species to potentially act as ZIKV vectors in North America.

Background: As there is little data on vector-borne diseases of cats in the Caribbean region and even around the\ud world, we tested feral cats from St Kitts by PCR to detect infections with Babesia, Ehrlichia and spotted fever group\ud Rickettsia (SFGR) and surveyed them for antibodies to Rickettsia rickettsii and Ehrlichia canis.\ud Results: Whole blood was collected from apparently healthy feral cats during spay/ neuter campaigns on St Kitts in\ud 2011 (N = 68) and 2014 (N = 52). Sera from the 52 cats from 2014 were used to detect antibodies to Ehrlichia canis\ud and Rickettsia rickettsii using indirect fluorescent antibody tests and DNA extracted from whole blood of a total of\ud 119 cats (68 from 2011, and 51 from 2014) was used for PCRs for Babesia, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia. We could not\ud amplify DNA of SFG Rickettsia in any of the samples but found DNA of E. canis in 5% (6/119), Babesia vogeli in 13%\ud (15/119), Babesia gibsoni in 4% (5/119), mixed infections with B. gibsoni and B. vogeli in 3% (3/119), and a poorly\ud characterized Babesia sp. in 1% (1/119). Overall, 10% of the 52 cats we tested by IFA for E. canis were positive while\ud 42% we tested by indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) for R. rickettsii antigens were positive.\ud Conclusions: Our study provides the first evidence that cats can be infected with B. gibsoni and also indicates that\ud cats in the Caribbean may be commonly exposed to other vector-borne agents including SFGR, E. canis and B.\ud vogeli. Animal health workers should be alerted to the possibility of clinical infections in their patients while public\ud health workers should be alerted to the possibility that zoonotic SFGR are likely circulating in the region.

International audience; A recommendation of: Gandon S. 2017. Evolution and manipulation of vector host choice. bioRxiv 110577, ver. 3 of 7th June 2017; doi: 10.1101/110577

During 2006-2015, we analyzed 70 dengue virus (DENV) strains isolated from febrile travelers returning to Germany. High genetic diversity, including multiple co-circulating DENV lineages and emerging new lineages of DENV-3 and DENV-4, was demonstrated. Our passive surveillance system based on returning travelers yielded substantial information on DENV diversity.

Bartonellae are fastidious, facultative, intracellular vector-borne bacteria distributed among mammalian reservoirs worldwide. The pathogenic potential of many Bartonella spp. has increased the interest in these bacteria and advanced their research. Isolation of Bartonella spp. is laborious using classical bacteriological methods and requires specific conditions and prolonged incubation periods. In contrast, molecular methods for detection of Bartonella DNA are considered as more practical and sensitive than the former. Among the molecular methods, the use of real-time PCR assays for primary screening of Bartonella spp., followed by several molecular confirmatory assays, using either conventional or real-time PCR, is recommended. Although primary isolation of Bartonella is a laborious task, we encourage its application to all PCR-positive samples as this is the most reliable proof for the presence of live bacteria. Moreover, a successful trial will enable a broader molecular characterization and speciation of isolated colonies. The present guideline gathers and summarizes recommendations, including advantages and limitations of isolation and molecular detection of Bartonella from mammalian and arthropod samples.

The purpose of this review is to provide practical information to help researchers intending to perform "from field to laboratory" studies on phleboviruses transmitted by sandflies. This guideline addresses the different steps to be considered starting from the field collection of sandflies to the laboratory techniques aiming at the detection, isolation, and characterization of sandfly-borne phleboviruses. In this guideline article, we address the impact of various types of data for an optimal organization of the field work intending to collect wildlife sandflies for subsequent virology studies. Analysis of different data sets should result in the geographic positioning of the trapping stations. The overall planning, the equipment and tools needed, the manpower to be deployed, and the logistics to be anticipated and set up should be organized according to the objectives of the field study for optimal efficiency. This work was done under the frame of EurNegVec COST Action TD1303. This work was supported, in part, by (1) the European Virus Archive goes Global (EVAg) project that has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement no 653316 and by (2) the EDENext FP7- n 261504 EU project; this article is cataloged by the EDENext Steering Committee as EDENext453 (www.edenext.eu). info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

International audience; Bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV-8) was reported for the first time in Europe in 2006, causing the largest bluetongue outbreak ever recorded. France was mostly impacted in 2007/09. Trade restrictions were implemented all along. Vaccination became available from 2008: a limited number of doses was first administered in an emergency vaccination campaign, followed by two nationwide compulsory vaccination campaigns in 2009 and 2010. France regained a disease-free status in December 2012, but BTV may have kept circulating undetected as infected herds have been reported again since August 2015. We developed a stochastic dynamic compartmental model of BTV transmission in cattle and sheep to analyze the relative importance of vector active flight and host movements in disease spread, and assess the effectiveness of control measures. We represented BTV transmission both within and between French administrative subdivisions called cantons, during the 2007/09 outbreak and until the end of 2010, when compulsory vaccination was interrupted. Within-canton transmission was vector-borne, and between canton transmission could occur through three contact networks that accounted for movements of: (i) vectors between pastures located at close distance; (ii) cattle and sheep between pastures of the same farm; (iii) traded cattle. We estimated the model parameters by approximate Bayesian computation, using data from the 2007 French outbreak. With this framework, we were able to reproduce the BTV-8 epizootic wave. Host movements between distant pastures of the same farm were found to have a major contribution to BTV spread to disease-free areas, thus raising practical questions about herd management during outbreaks. We found that cattle trade restrictions had been well complied with; without them, the whole French territory would have been infected by winter 2007. The 2008 emergency vaccination campaign had little impact on disease spread as almost half vaccine doses had likely been administered to already immune cattle. Alternatively, establishing a vaccination buffer zone would have allowed a better control of BTV in 2008: limiting its spatial expansion and decreasing the number of infected cattle and sheep. We also showed a major role of compulsory vaccination in controlling the outbreak in 2009 and 2010, though we predicted a possible low-level circulation after the last detection.

A comprehensive monitoring strategy is vital for tracking the spread of mosquito-borne Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), the leading cause of viral encephalitis in Asia. Virus detection consists of passive surveillance of primarily humans and swine, and/or active surveillance in mosquitoes, which may be a valuable proxy in providing insights into ecological processes underlying the spread and persistence of JEV. However, it has not been well characterized whether passive surveillance alone can capture the circulating genetic diversity to make reasonable inferences. Here, we develop phylogenetic models to infer JEV host changes, spatial diffusion patterns, and evolutionary dynamics from data collected through active and passive surveillance. We evaluate the feasibility of using JEV sequence data collected from mosquitoes to estimate the migration histories of genotypes GI and GIII. We show that divergence times estimated from this dataset were comparable to estimates from all available data. Increasing the amount of data collected from active surveillance improved time of most recent common ancestor estimates and reduced uncertainty. Phylogenetic estimates using all available data and only mosquito data from active surveillance produced similar results, showing that GI epidemics were widespread and diffused significantly faster between regions than GIII. In contrast, GIII outbreaks were highly structured and unlinked suggesting localized, unsampled infectious sources. Our results show that active surveillance of mosquitoes can sufficiently capture circulating genetic diversity of JEV to confidently estimate spatial and evolutionary patterns. While surveillance of other hosts could contribute to more detailed disease tracking and evaluation, comprehensive JEV surveillance programs should include systematic surveillance in mosquitoes to infer the most complete patterns for epidemiology, and risk assessment.

The role of mammalian skin in harbouring and transmitting arthropod-borne protozoan parasites has been overlooked for decades as these pathogens have been regarded primarily as blood-dwelling organisms. Intriguingly, infections with low or undetected blood parasites are common, particularly in the case of Human African Trypanosomiasis caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense. We hypothesise, therefore, the skin represents an anatomic reservoir of infection. Here we definitively show that substantial quantities of trypanosomes exist within the skin following experimental infection, which can be transmitted to the tsetse vector, even in the absence of detectable parasitaemia. Importantly, we demonstrate the presence of extravascular parasites in human skin biopsies from undiagnosed individuals. The identification of this novel reservoir requires a re-evaluation of current diagnostic methods and control policies. More broadly, our results indicate that transmission is a key evolutionary force driving parasite extravasation that could further result in tissue invasion-dependent pathology. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.17716.001

International audience; Equine encephalosis is a midge-borne viral disease of equines caused by equine encephalosis virus (EEV, Orbivirus, Reoviridae), and closely related to African horse sickness virus (AHSV). EEV and AHSV share com- mon vectors and show similar transmission patterns. Until now EEV has caused outbreaks in Africa and Israel. This study aimed to provide insight in the probability of an EEV outbreak in The Netherlands caused by infected vectors or hosts, the contribution of potential source areas (risk regions) to this probability, and the effectiveness of preventive measures (sanitary regimes). A stochastic risk model constructed for risk assessment of AHSV introduction was adapted to EEV. Source areas were categorized in risk regions (high, low, and very low risk) based on EEV history and the presence of competent vectors. Two possible EEV introduction pathways were considered: importation of infected equines and importation of infected vectors along with their vertebrate hosts. The probability of EEV introduction (PEEV ) was calculated by combining the probability of EEV release by either pathway and the probability of EEV establishment. The median current annual probability of EEV introduction by an infected equine was estimated at 0.012 (90% uncertainty interval 0.002–0.020), and by an infected vector at 4.0 10−5 (90% uncertainty interval 5.3 10−6–2.0 10−4). Equines from high risk regions contributed most to the probability of EEV introduction with 74% on the EEV introduction by equines, whereas low and very low risk regions contributed 18% and 8%, respectively. International movements of horses participating in equestrian events contributed most to the probability of EEV introduction by equines from high risk regions (86%), but also contributed substantially for low and very low risk regions with 47% and 56%. The probability of introducing EEV into The Netherlands is much higher than the probability of intro- ducing AHSV with equines from high risk countries contributing most. The introduction by an infected equine is the most likely pathway. Control measures before exportation of equines showed to have a strong mitigating effect on the probability of EEV introduction. The risk of EEV outbreaks should be taken into account when altering these import regulations.

© 2016, Koninklijke Nederlandse Planteziektenkundige Vereniging. After the first confirmed outbreak of Xylella fastidiosa in the European Union (EU), associated with an olive disease denoted olive quick decline syndrome, mandatory surveys are now carried out in the member States and inspections increased at EU entry points such as ports. Such activities led to the interception of X. fastidiosa-infected coffee plants in consignments originating from Central America. Similarly, the geographic expansion of the olive decline epidemic area of the Apulia region (southern Italy) prompted investigations to identify new host plants. Here we report the interception of three novel bacterial sequence types in Italy, based on multi-locus sequence typing, that cluster with different X. fastidiosa subspecies, illustrating the risk of the introduction of additional pathogen genetic diversity into Europe. In the epidemic area of Apulia, new foci as well as host plant species positive with X. fastidiosa, including cherry, myrtleleaf and rosemary, were found to be all infected with the same sequence type of this bacterium (ST53, or CoDiRO strain). This work highlights the limited knowledge of X. fastidiosa phylogenetic and phenotypic diversity, the risk of novel X. fastidiosa introductions via contaminated plant material, and corroborates other studies indicating that the Apulia epidemic emerged from a single introduction of this pathogen into the region.