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Mosquito-borne diseases are a major global health threat. Traditional morphological or molecular methods for identifying mosquito species often require specialized expertise or expensive laboratory equipment. The use of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to identify mosquito species based on images may offer a promising alternative, but their practical implementation often remains limited. This study explores the applicability of CNNs in classifying mosquito species. It compares the efficacy of body and wing depictions across three image collection methods: a smartphone, macro-lens attached to a smartphone and a professional stereomicroscope. The study included 796 specimens of four morphologically similar Aedes species, Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, Ae. koreicus and Ae. japonicus japonicus. The findings of this study indicate that CNN models demonstrate superior performance in wing-based classification 87.6% (95% CI: 84.2–91.0) compared to body-based classification 78.9% (95% CI: 77.7–80.0). Nevertheless, there are notable limitations of CNNs as they perform reliably across multiple devices only when trained specifically on those devices, resulting in an average decline of mean accuracy by 14%, even with extensive image augmentation. Additionally, we also estimate the required training data volume for effective classification, noting a reduced requirement for wing-based classification compared to body-based methods. Our study underscores the viability of both body and wing classification methods for mosquito species identification while emphasizing the need to address practical constraints in developing accessible classification systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: C-type lectins (CTLs) are a large family of proteins with sugar-binding activity. CTLs contain an evolutionarily conserved C-type lectin domain (CTLD) that binds microbial carbohydrates in a calcium-dependent manner, thereby playing a key role in both microbial pathogenesis and innate immune responses. Aedes albopictus is an important vector for transmitting dengue virus (DENV) worldwide. Currently, the molecular characteristics and functions of CTLs in Ae. albopictus are largely unknown. Methods: Transcripts encoding CTL proteins in the Ae. albopictus genome assembly were analyzed via sequence blast. Phylogenetic analysis and molecular characterization were performed to identify the functional domains of the CTLs. Quantitative analysis was performed to determine the gene expression features of CTLs during mosquito development and in different tissues of female adults after blood feeding. In addition, the functional role of CTLs in response to DENV infection was investigated in Ae. albopictus mosquito cells. Results: We identified 39 transcripts encoding CTL proteins in the Ae. albopictus transcriptome. Aedes albopictus CTLs are classified into three groups based on the number of CTLDs and the domain architecture. These included 29 CTL-Ss (single-CTLDs), 1 immulectins (dual-CTLD) and 9 CTL-Xs (CTLDs with other domains). Phylogenetic analysis and structural modeling indicated that CTLs in Ae. albopictus are highly conserved with the homologous CTLs in Aedes aegypti. The expression profile assay revealed differential expression patterns of CTLs in both developmental stages and in adult female tissues. Knockdown and overexpression of three CTLs (CTL-S12, S17 and S19) confirmed that they can promote dengue virus infection in Ae. albopictus cells. Conclusions: The CTL genes in Ae. albopictus mosquito and other mosquito species are evolutionarily conserved and exhibit different developmental and tissue expression features. The functional assay indicated that three CTLs in Ae. albopictus mosquitoes are involved in promoting dengue virus infection. Our study revealed that CTLs play important roles in both the physiological processes and viral infection in mosquito vectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a vector-borne disease in various regions of Indonesia. The transmission dynamics within a locality are intricately linked to the presence of the pathogen (microfilaria), definitive host (humans), intermediate host (mosquitoes), reservoir, and environmental factors. The geographic landscape of Central Bengkulu Regency, which is characterized by plantations, marshlands, and forests, serves as a suitable habitat for mosquitoes. Understanding species diversity, vector behaviors, habitat characteristics, and microfilarial presence is crucial for devising effective and efficient control strategies. This study aimed to identify species diversity, assess biting patterns, characterize larval habitats, and detect microfilarial presence in mosquitoes. Materials and Methods: Mosquito collection was conducted using human landing collection (HLC) and resting collection indoors and outdoors for 6 months at a frequency of twice monthly from November 2022 to May 2023. The larvae were collected using dippers and pipettes. Adult mosquitoes and larvae were identified at the species level and analyzed using diversity indices. The measured larval bioecological parameters included physical, chemical, and biological conditions. The mosquito density obtained through HLC was calculated using the man-hour density (MHD) and man-biting rate (MBR) formulas. The presence of microfilaria was confirmed using a polymerase chain reaction. Results: A total of 808 adult mosquitoes from five genera and 18 species were captured, along with 485 larvae from four genera and eight species. The mosquito diversity was moderate. The dominant adult species included Armigeres subalbatus (44.8%), whereas Aedes albopictus (25.4%) and Ar. subalbatus (22.3%) were abundant larvae. The highest larval density was observed in natural ponds. The average MBR was three mosquitoes per person per night, with fluctuating nightly activity (mean MHD of 1.8 mosquitoes per person per hour). Larval habitats had temperatures of 25.4°C–28.7°C, illumination of 224–674 lx, and pH of 7.1–7.9, with over half being turbid and nearly two-thirds lacking predators. Microfilariae were not detected in the tested mosquitoes. Conclusion: The presence of mosquitoes, their habitat, and the high density of Ar. subalbatus contributes to the transmission of LF in Central Bengkulu Regency, Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates risk factors for household-based dengue virus infection in Borobudur Subdistrict, Magelang, Indonesia. The study identifies stagnant water, mosquito larvae, morning sleep habits, and lack of participation in anti-dengue programs as significant risk factors for dengue infection. The findings aim to inform the development of more effective intervention programs and prevention efforts in the area. The study emphasizes the importance of community knowledge, awareness, and motivation in preventing dengue infections. [Extracted from the article]

Rising temperatures are predicted to expand the range of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, potentially leading to new areas vulnerable to dengue outbreaks. The recent arrival of Aedes aegypti in Upper Egypt underscores this emerging threat, with documented outbreaks in the Red Sea Governorate (2017) serving as evidence. To address this, a cross-sectional surveillance study was conducted during the summer of 2023 in Hurghada City, Egypt, to identify established dengue vectors and their breeding sites. The presence of Aedes aegypti was confirmed, and entomological indices were calculated to assess vector distribution. Risk maps were generated to evaluate potential risks across the city. The study confirms the establishment of Aedes aegypti in Hurghada and provides valuable data for assessing future vector distribution and potential dengue outbreaks. These findings contribute to understanding how global warming and socioeconomic factors influence dengue transmission and will aid in developing effective control measures to prevent future outbreaks in Hurghada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Mosquito vector research and population control strategies are supported by the rearing of species like Aedes aegypti, commonly known for propagating yellow fever. Colonies of Ae. aegypti are typically reared on fresh animal bloods to supply nutrients including iron, sodium chloride, and albumin necessary for reproduction. However, fresh animal blood is difficult to handle, store, and transport, and its use in rearing is limited to two weeks post-collection. The present study reports on the identification of an inexpensive, shelf-stable spray-dried porcine blood (SDPB) product containing accessible hemoglobin that demonstrated usefulness in a simple mosquito alternative meal (AM) formulation. Quantitative evidence that the phagostimulant in SDPB is hemoglobin was obtained through chromatography assays and the elimination of other feeding stimulants as potential candidates. Ae. aegypti observably engorged upon and produced eggs when fed the AM, which was also shown to sustain multiple colony generations with offspring viable through the larval and pupal stages. SDPB-based AMs may develop into platforms for studying the rearing of hematophagous insects with the potential to expand the capabilities of resource-intensive population control strategies. Research into mosquito-borne illnesses faces hurdles because feeding fresh animal blood to rear female mosquitoes presents logistical, economic, and safety challenges. In this study, a shelf-stable additive (spray-dried porcine blood; SDPB) hypothesized to supply accessible hemoglobin was evaluated within an alternative meal (AM) containing whey powder and PBS for rearing the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti. LC–MS/MS proteomics, microbial assays, and particle reduction techniques confirmed and characterized the functionality of hemoglobin in SDPB, while engorgement, fecundity, egg viability, and meal stability bioassays assessed AM performance. Chemical assays supported hemoglobin as the phagostimulant in SDPB with aggregates partially solubilized in the AM that can be more accessible via particle reduction. Unpaired two-tailed t-tests indicate that the AM stimulates oogenesis (t11 = 13.6, p = 0.003) and is stable under ambient (1+ y; t12 = 0.576, p = 0.575) and aqueous (14 d; t12 = 0.515, p = 0.639) conditions without decreasing fecundity. Egg hatch rates for the ninth generation of AM-reared Ae. aegypti were 50–70+%. With further development, this meal may serve as a platform for mass rearing or studying effects of nutritional additives on mosquito fitness due to its low cost and stability. Future work may examine tuning spray drying parameters and resulting impacts on hemoglobin agglomeration and feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Organic insecticides against Aedes aegypti L. mosquitoes are regarded as one of the most important tools for containing arboviruses transmitted by this species, such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya in tropical countries including Thailand, considering the development of mosquito resistance to synthetic chemical larvicides. The most critical way to contain outbreaks is to control the vector that transmits pathogens. Monoterpenes are new, effective, and eco-friendly alternatives. This study investigated the larvicidal and pupicidal activities of two monoterpenes—geranial and trans-cinnamaldehyde—and their combinations. The efficacies of each formulation were compared against each other and temephos. Binary mixtures were significantly more effective than single formulations or temephos. They are safe for the non-target aquatic predator, guppies (Poecilia reticulata). These combinations make excellent insecticides for both larvae and pupae mosquito vector control, and the results open up the opportunity for both compounds to be developed into eco-friendly products. Monoterpenes are effective and eco-friendly alternatives to conventional chemical larvicides. We tested single and binary mixtures of monoterpenes—geranial and trans-cinnamaldehyde—for their larvicidal and pupicidal activities against Aedes aegypti L. and for non-target toxicity on guppies (Poecilia reticulata Peters), using 1% (w/w) temephos as a reference. Geranial and trans-cinnamaldehyde at 250 ppm showed stronger larvicidal and pupicidal activities with a 100% mortality rate and an LT50 ranging from 0.3 to 0.6 h. All combinations were strongly synergistic against larvae and pupae compared to single formulations, with an increased mortality value (IMV) of 6% to 93%. The combination of geranial + trans-cinnamaldehyde (1:1) at 200 ppm showed the highest impact, with an IMV of 93%. The strongest larvicidal and pupicidal activities, a 100% mortality rate, and an LT50 of 0.2 h were achieved by geranial + trans-cinnamaldehyde (1:1) 500 ppm. They were thirty times more effective than a 1% temephos solution (LT50 ranging from 6.7 to 96 h) and caused obviously shriveled cuticles and a swollen respiratory system. All single and binary mixtures were not toxic to the guppies. Thus, the combination of geranial + trans-cinnamaldehyde has great potential as a safe insecticide for controlling mosquito larvae and pupae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The growing importance of Andrographis paniculata as a mosquito repellent has attracted the attention of many researchers. However, its implementation requires robust experimentations to ascertain its efficacy. In this study, the high-throughput screening system was used to evaluate the repellent efficacy of Andrographis paniculata crude extract and its fractions against Aedes aegypti, Anopheles minimus, and An. dirus. Both the crude extracts showed repellent activities against all the tested mosquito species. These findings suggest that fractionation of A. paniculata extracts is valuable to assessing their spatial repellent efficacy against mosquitoes. Fractions F3 and F5 hold promise as natural mosquito repellents and could contribute to developing effective mosquito control strategies. Infectious diseases that cause illness and/or death in humans can be contracted from mosquito bites. A viable and alternate method of personal protection that can lower the danger of human exposure to mosquito-borne diseases is the use of plant-based repellents. Using a high-throughput screening system, the current work examined the toxicity, contact irritancy, and spatial repellency of Andrographis paniculata crude extract and its fractions against Aedes aegypti, Anopheles minimus, and An. dirus. Five fractions (i.e., F1, F2, F3, F4, and F5) were separated from the crude extract by column and thin layer chromatography and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The major active compounds identified from F3 and F5 were 4-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide and andrographolide. Three concentrations (1.0, 2.5, and 5.0%) for each of the crude extracts and the five fractions were individually impregnated on nylon netting strips and evaluated against the three mosquito species. Results showed that the highest contact irritancy was elicited by the crude extract at 5% concentration against Ae. aegypti (43.70% escaped). Results of the spatial activity index (SAI) showed that fractions F3 and F5 at 2.5% demonstrated the strongest repellency against Ae. aegypti (SAI = 0.84) and An. minimus (SAI = 0.83), respectively. Both the crude extract and its components did not cause any knockdown or mortality. These findings suggest that fractionation of A. paniculata extracts is valuable in assessing their spatial repellent efficacy against mosquitoes. Fractions F3 and F5 hold promise as natural mosquito repellents and could contribute to developing effective mosquito control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insect-specific viruses (ISVs) include viruses that are restricted to the infection of mosquitoes and are spread mostly through transovarial transmission. Despite using a distinct mode of transmission, ISVs are often phylogenetically related to arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) that are responsible for human diseases and able to infect both mosquitoes and vertebrates. ISVs can also induce a phenomenon called "superinfection exclusion", whereby a primary ISV infection in an insect inhibits subsequent viral infections of the insect. This has sparked interest in the use of ISVs for the control of pathogenic arboviruses transmitted by mosquitoes. In particular, insect-specific flaviviruses (ISFs) have been shown to inhibit infection of vertebrate-infecting flaviviruses (VIFs) both in vitro and in vivo. This has shown potential as a new and ecologically friendly biological approach to the control of arboviral disease. For this intervention to have lasting impacts for biological control, it is imperative that ISFs are maintained in mosquito populations with high rates of vertical transmission. Therefore, these strategies will need to optimise vertical transmission of ISFs in order to establish persistently infected mosquito lines for sustainable arbovirus control. This review compares recent observations of vertical transmission of arboviral and insect-specific flaviviruses and potential determinants of transovarial transmission rates to understand how the vertical transmission of ISFs may be optimised for effective arboviral control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral infection of mosquitoes by arboviruses often results in a large degree of variation in the amount of infectious virus between individual mosquitoes, even when the mosquitoes are from inbred laboratory strains. This variability in arbovirus load has been shown to affect virus transmissibility. Previously, our group described population genetic and specific infectivity differences between the virus populations found in high and low titer Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that had been orally infected with Sindbis virus (SINV). In this study, we sought to investigate whether there were also differences in transcriptomic response between these high and low titer mosquitoes. Results from the transcriptomic data analysis showed that more genes involved in antiviral activity, endopeptidase activity, and methyltransferase activity were upregulated in low titer mosquitoes than in high titer mosquitoes, relative to blood-fed controls. Meanwhile, genes involved in ion transport, energy metabolism, acetylation, glycosylation, lipid metabolism, and transport tended to be upregulated in high titer mosquitoes more than in low titer mosquitoes, relative to blood-fed mosquitoes. Overall, genes involved in antiviral activities tended to be upregulated in low titer mosquitoes while genes involved in proviral activities were mostly upregulated in high titer mosquitoes. This study has identified a number of candidate mosquito genes that are putatively associated with SINV titer variability after oral infection of Ae. aegypti, and these can now be investigated in order to ascertain their roles in virus replication and their contributions to determining vector competence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the mosquitocidal potential of crude petroleum ether extract fractions derived from Gloriosa superba against the dengue mosquito vector Aedes aegypti. Chemical profiling through gas chromatography identified four major metabolites, with nonadecane showing the highest peak area percentage (70.34%). A lethal dosage of fraction IV of G. superba (Gs‐F4), at a maximum concentration of 5.0 ppm, exhibited high mortality rates in second (78%), third (71%) and fourth (51%) instars of Ae. aegypti. A sublethal dosage of Gs‐F4 (3.0 ppm) significantly altered the larval midgut enzymes of cytochrome P450, esterases and glutathione S‐transferases. The repellent activity of Gs‐F4 was dosage dependent, with repellency percentages decreasing from 96% to 50% as the exposure time increased from 15 to 210 mins. The impact of Gs‐F4 on aquatic mosquito predators was marginally toxic (<50%) compared with the commercial compound temephos (1.0 ppm), which exhibited a higher toxicity (>50%). In silico toxicity screening using the BeeToxAI server indicated that three of the four compounds in Gs‐F4 were safe or non‐toxic to honeybees, except for α‐gurjunene (6.29 μg/bee). Although G. superba demonstrates effective larvicidal and repellent activity against Ae. aegypti, the non‐target toxicity against mosquito predators necessitates further toxicological screening on beneficial species under field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sextonia rubra is an Amazonian tree known for the larvicide activity of its wood extracts against Aedes aegypti. However, the lipophilic character of this extract presents an obstacle to the development of vector management products. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility, efficacy, and selectivity of a water-soluble formulation based on a S. rubra wood extract characterized by its larvicidal compounds rubrenolide and rubrynolide. Using reference and wild strains, larval mortality, oviposition behavior, hatching response, and fitness of mosquitoes exposed to the extract were evaluated. Laboratory eco- and cytotoxicity bioassays were performed concurrently. The extract showed larvicidal efficacy and no repulsive effect on oviposition, thus supporting its use in the treatment of breeding sites. The formulation exhibited strong acute toxicity, leading to 100% larval mortality in 2–4 days in either the dry or rainy season at a test dose of 102 µg/ml under semi-operational conditions, with residual activity maintained during the 5 weeks of testing. The formulation allowed for a noticeable gain in selectivity compared with the extract, with lower immobilization rates for Daphnia magna and Chironomus riparius, and no significant toxicity towards human cell lines (IC50 > 100 µg/ml). These results highlight the potential of the S. rubra-based formulation for the management of Ae. aegypti larvae, including strains showing resistance to conventional insecticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nematodes from the genus Meloidogyne are extremely harmful to agricultural crops due to their wide geographic distribution, variety of hosts, and strong reproductive capacity. The most used phytonematoid control method is the application of nematicides, which can also affect human health and the environment. Selenol ester derivatives have pharmaceutical applications, but little is known about their biological activities. We examined whether six selenol ester derivatives were nematicidal and ovicidal to the nematodes Caenorhabditis elegans and Meloidogyne incognita, and determined their toxicity to non-target organisms. The compound Se-p-methyl phenylselenobenzoate (2e) exhibited the lowest nematicidal and ovicidal Lethal concentration (LC50) to C. elegans (4.42 and 0.56 mg/L, respectively) and M. incognita (4.6 and 2.77 mg/L, respectively), which were similar or lower than the LC50 values for the control treatment with fluensulfone in C. elegans (4.07 and 6.05 mg/L, respectively) and M. incognita (43.07 and 49.63 mg/L, respectively). Compound 2e efficiently controlled the phytoparasite in greenhouse and reduced the number of galls and eggs present in tomato roots. Compared with the negative control, compound 2e was not toxic to other organisms such as Chlorella vulgaris algae, Galleria mellonella and Aedes aegypti larvae, and the aquatic protozoan Tetrahymena pyriformis. Our findings indicate that the selenol ester derivatives are potent and effective nematicides with no toxicity to the non-target organisms tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study conducted in the departments of Oueme and Plateau aims to assess the presence of the dengue virus and its different serotypes in Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, as well as the epidemic risk incurred by the populations. Methods: Collections of adult mosquitoes using human landing catches (HLC) were carried out in six communes, three (Porto-Novo, Adjarra, and Avrankou) in the Oueme department and the rest (Ifangni, Kétou, and Pobè) in the Plateau department. Pools of ten Aedes mosquitoes were formed, and stored at −80°C in RNA later. RT-PCR was used to detect dengue virus, and conventional PCR for the different serotypes. Inspection of water containers and collection of Aedes larvae was performed inside and around each house to calculate the stegomyan indices. Results: In the six communes, the dengue virus was present both in Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. Combined data of the two Aedes species at the communes level revealed infection rates ranging from 80.00% (95% CI: 61.43–92.29) to 96.67% (95% CI: 82.78–99.92). In all the communes, the values of stegomyan indices reached the WHO threshold, which indicates the existence of the risk of an arbovirus epidemic. In addition, the infection rates were similar for Ae. aegypti [88.19% (95% CI: 81.27–93.24)] and Ae. albopictus [86.79% (95% CI: 74.66–94.52)]. The three virus serotypes detected in the pools of Aedes were DENV-1, DENV-3, and DENV-4, with a high prevalence for the first two. Conclusion: This study revealed that three serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-3, and DENV-4) of dengue virus circulate in Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus in the departments of Oueme and Plateau. Moreover, the risk of transmission of arboviruses was globally high and variable from commune to commune. This information is essential for informed decision-making in the preventive control of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research on vector-borne diseases has traditionally centred on a limited number of vertebrate hosts and their associated pathogens, often neglecting the broader array of vectors within communities. Mosquitoes, with their vast species diversity, hold a central role in disease transmission, yet their capacity to transmit specific pathogens varies considerably among species. Quantitative modelling of mosquito-borne diseases is essential for understanding transmission dynamics and requires the necessity of incorporating the identity of vector species into these models. Consequently, understanding the role of different species of mosquitoes in modelling vector-borne diseases is crucial for comprehending pathogen amplification and spill-over into humans. This comprehensive overview highlights the importance of considering mosquito identity and emphasises the essential need for targeted research efforts to gain a complete understanding of vector-pathogen specificity. Methods: Leveraging the recently published book, 'Mosquitoes of the World', I identified 19 target mosquito species in Europe, highlighting the diverse transmission patterns exhibited by different vector species and the presence of 135 medically important pathogens. Results: The review delves into the complexities of vector-pathogen interactions, with a focus on specialist and generalist strategies. Furthermore, I discuss the importance of using appropriate diversity indices and the challenges associated with the identification of correct indices. Conclusions: Given that the diversity and relative abundance of key species within a community significantly impact disease risk, comprehending the implications of mosquito diversity in pathogen transmission at a fine scale is crucial for advancing the management and surveillance of mosquito-borne diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Essential oils from Cerrado plants are active against Aedes aegypti. • Alpinia zerumbet and E. langsdorffii oils show larvicide potential for Ae. aegypti. • Eugenia langsdorffii exhibits new larvicidal properties against mosquitos. The Aedes aegypti mosquito serves as the primary vector for transmitting viral diseases such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and urban yellow fever. Essential oils comprising volatile organic compounds derived from a single plant species have demonstrated repellent activity against various mosquito species, including Ae. aegypti. Despite their potential therapeutic benefits, only limited studies have explored the larvicidal activity of essential oil from plants occurring in Cerrado. To address this gap, the present study evaluated the larvicidal efficacy of different essential oils (EO) sourced from native and cultivated plants in the Cerrado biome against Ae. aegypti larvae. Essential oils were extracted from Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L.Burtt & R.M.Sm., Baccharis retusa DC., Blepharocalyx salicifolius (Kunth) O. Berg, Cymbopogon densiflorus (Steud.) Stapf , Eugenia langsdorffii O. Berg , Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão. Notably, B. retusa is dioecious; hence, it was categorized into male and female plants each with a separated extraction of leaves and flowers. Among the essential oils tested, those derived from A. zerumbet and E. langsdorffii exhibited the highest activity, resulting in 100 % mortality of Ae. aegypti larvae at a 100 mg/L concentration. The calculated LC 50 values were 36.6 mg/L and 53.5 mg/L for A. zerumbet and E. langsdorffii, respectively, with the corresponding LC 90 values of 66.3 mg/L and 103.9 mg/L. Analysis of the major components revealed the presence of 1,8-cineole, sabinene, terpinen-4-ol, and γ-terpinene in A. zerumbet essential oil, while limonene, δ-cadinol, myrcene, and spathulenol were predominant in E. langsdorffii essential oil. However, further studies are required to identify the active components responsible for the observed larvicidal activity and elucidate their mode of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insects geographically separated into island and mainland populations often exhibit phenotypic variations, a phenomenon known as insular conditions. These conditions can lead to rapid evolutionary changes that affect the morphological characteristics of mosquito vectors. Nevertheless, studies that specifically examine phenotype differences between island and mainland mosquito populations have been limited. In this study, wing variation in size and shape was investigated using the geometric morphometric (GM) technique in two dominant mosquito vectors, Aedes albopictus and Armigeres subalbatus, in the Ranong and Trat archipelagos of Thailand. Significant differences in average wing centroid size (CS) were found in 6 out of 15 population pairs for Ae. albopictus (p < 0.05) and in 5 population pairs for Ar. subalbatus (p < 0.05). After removing the allometric effect, canonical variate analyses (CVA) based on wing shape analysis revealed overlap across all populations for both Ae. albopictus and Ar. subalbatus. However, the statistical analysis indicated that Ar. subalbatus exhibited wing shape differences across all populations (p < 0.05), and most Ae. albopictus populations also displayed distinct wing shapes (p < 0.05), except for the populations from Chang Island and the mainland of Ranong, which showed no significant differences (p > 0.05). These findings enhance our understanding of mosquito adaptability in island regions and provide valuable data for the surveillance and monitoring of vector evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mosquito coil is commonly used in many African households for protection against mosquito bites. The coil usually has semi‐volatile pyrethroids as an active ingredient, which usually diffuse across open space, and the cloud either kills mosquitoes that are exposed, or mosquitoes can be exposed to sublethal doses of the insecticides. This study was conducted to assess the impact of sublethal doses of mosquito coil on the development of insecticide resistance in Aedes aegypti, a major vector for dengue fever and several other arboviral diseases. A laboratory colony of Ae. aegypti was exposed to sublethal doses of a meperfluthrin‐based mosquito coil in a Peet‐Grady chamber once per generation for 16 generations. The susceptibility of the exposed colony to a diagnostic dose of the mosquito coil as well as to three other insecticides was determined. Three different kdr mutations and five enzyme activities were evaluated in both the exposed and control colonies. After 16 generations of sublethal exposure to mosquito coils, the full diagnostic dose of the coil caused 68% mortality to the exposed colony compared to 100% mortality in the control colony. Mortality caused by deltamethrin (0.05%) was also significantly lower in the exposed colony. The frequency of 1016I kdr mutation as well as MFO and alpha esterase activities were higher in the exposed colony compared to the control colony. This study provides evidence of the development of pyrethroid resistance in an Ae. aegypti population due to sublethal exposure to mosquito coil for 16 generations. Given the large‐scale use of mosquito coils in many African households, its role as a pyrethroid resistance selection source should be taken into consideration when designing resistance management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In an age of emerging zoonoses, it is important to understand the intricate system of vectors and reservoirs, or hosts, and their relation to humans. West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in a myriad of nonhuman hosts. Transmission of the virus to humans is reliant on amplified seroprevalence within the host, which occurs primarily in birds. However, recent studies have found that other animal groups, including crocodilians, can obtain seroprevalence amplification to levels that make them competent hosts able to transmit WNV to mosquitoes, which can then transmit to humans. Climate change could exacerbate this transmission risk by shifting the distributions of mosquito vectors towards novel geographic ranges. Here, we use maximum entropy models to map the current and future distributions of three mosquito vector species and four crocodilian species in North America to determine the emerging risk of WNV outbreaks associated with changing climates and WNV associated with crocodilians in North America. From our models, we determined that one mosquito species in particular, Culex quinquefasciatus, will increase its distribution across the ranges of all crocodilian species in all tested climate change scenarios. This poses a potential risk to public health for people visiting and living near crocodilian farms and high-density natural crocodilian populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dengue viruses are the causative agents of dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever, and dengue shock syndrome, which are mainly transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, and cost billions of dollars annually in patient treatment and mosquito control. Progress in understanding DENV pathogenesis and developing effective treatments has been hampered by the lack of a suitable small pathological animal model. Until now, the candidate vaccine, antibody, and drug for DENV have not been effectively evaluated. Here, we analyzed the pathogenicity of DENV‐1 in type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ interferon receptor‐deficient mice (AGB6) by intraperitoneal inoculation. Infected mice showed such neurological symptoms as opisthotonus, hunching, ataxia, and paralysis of one or both hind limbs. Viremia can be detected 3 days after infection. It was found that 6.98 × 103 PFU or higher dose induce 100% mortality. To determine the cause of lethality in mice, heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, intestinal, and brain tissues were collected from AGB6 mice (at an attack dose of 6.98 × 103 PFU) for RNA quantification, and it was found that the viral load in brain tissues peaked at moribund states (14 dpi) and that the viral loads in the other tissues and organs decreased over time. Significant histopathologic changes were observed in brain tissue (hippocampal region and cerebral cortex). Hematological analysis showed hemorrhage and hemoconcentration in infected mice. DENV‐1 can be isolated from the brain tissue of infected mice. Subsequently, brain tissue transcriptome sequencing was performed to assess host response characteristics in infected AGB6 mice. Transcriptional patterns in brain tissue suggest that aberrant expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines induces antiviral responses and tissue damage. Screening of hub genes and their characterization by qPCR and ELISA, it was hypothesized that IL‐6 and IFN‐γ might be the key factors in dengue virus‐induced inflammatory response. Therefore, this study provides an opportunity to decipher certain aspects of dengue pathogenesis further and provides a new platform for drug, antibody, and vaccine testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we proposed a model for suppressing mosquito populations, evaluating various release strategies for sterilized mosquitoes, including constant continuous release, open-loop control, closed-loop control, and composite control strategies. We established release amount thresholds for each strategy to ensure the ultimate extinction of the wild population. Through numerical simulations, we validated our theoretical results and assessed the efficacy of each strategy. The results indicated that the closed-loop control mechanism significantly enhanced population suppression effectiveness. Higher intensity control notably shortened the control duration, and strategies that incorporated shorter release periods and more frequent population assessments markedly reduced the cumulative release quantity. Furthermore, we found that, compared to closed-loop control, the composite control strategy reduced single release amounts but did not show advantages in other aspects at low control intensities. However, it significantly decreased the cumulative release quantity at high control intensities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dengue fever is an urban, tropical, and semi-tropical disease transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. One significant challenge lies in identifying reliable intra-urban indicators of their densities. Following standardized sampling protocols that adequately take into account the spatial heterogeneity of the geographical contexts which may influence mosquito habitats is therefore fundamental to compare studies and follow such relevant indicators. We develop a method for subdividing urban territory based on environmental factors which are susceptible to influence the density of potential mosquito-breeding containers. Indeed, the presence of these containers, most of which are produced by humans, is essential for the renewal of mosquito populations. Land-uses variables and their local variations are determinant in this analysis. Starting from each building and its immediate neighborhood described in terms of vegetation and open area, we computed the local landscape metrics of a million buildings in Bangkok. We then used segmentation and clustering techniques to generate homogeneous zones based on these components and physiognomy. Subsequently, a classification process was conducted to characterize these zones according to land-use and composition indicators. We applied this automatic clustering method within Bangkok's urban area. This classification built from hypotheses on the existence of links between the types of urban landscape and the presence of outdoor containers must be evaluated and will serve as a foundation for the spatial sampling of field studies for vector surveillance in Bangkok. The choice of sampling zones, even if it must be based on an administrative division due to the decentralization of health agencies in Bangkok, can then be enriched by this new, more functional division. This method, due to the genericity of the factors used, could be tested in other cities prone to dengue vectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Aedes aegypti is a widespread mosquito in tropical and subtropical regions that causes significant mortality and morbidity in humans by transmitting diseases, such as dengue fever and Zika virus disease. Synthetic insecticides, such as pyrethroids, have been used to control Ae. aegypti, but these insecticides can also affect nontarget organisms and contaminate soil and water. This study aimed to investigate the mosquitocidal activity of Pseudomonas mosselii isolated from pond sludge against larvae of Ae. aegypti. RESULTS: Based on the initial results, similar time‐course profiles were obtained for the mosquitocidal activity of the bacterial culture and its supernatant, and the pellet resuspended in Luria–Bertani (LB) medium also showed delayed toxicity. These results imply that the toxic component can be released into the medium from live bacteria. Further research indicated that the toxic component appeared in the supernatant approximately 4 h after a 3‐mL stock was cultured in 200 mL of LB medium. The stabilities of the P. mosselii culture and supernatant stored at different temperatures were also evaluated, and the best culture stability was obtained at 28 °C and supernatant stability at 4 °C. The bacterial culture and supernatant were toxic to larvae and pupae of not only susceptible Ae. aegypti but also pyrethroid‐resistant strains. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the value of the mosquitocidal activity of P. mosselii, which has potential as an alternative insecticide to control pyrethroid‐resistant Ae. aegypti in the field. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose : Aedes aegypti (L.,1762) is a primary vector of arboviral infections like dengue, yellow fever, Zika. Female mosquitoes are influenced by various physical and chemical cues from host when blood feeding, e.g., they find some individuals with certain blood types or certain conditions more attractive than others. This study determined whether Ae. aegypti shows a preference when offered blood from a patient with diabetes mellitus (DM), an endocrine disorder associated with abnormal glucose metabolism, compared to healthy blood from non-DMs. Methods: In the dual feeding experiments, forty newly emerged female mosquitoes were provided with two blood feeding systems with blood from a non-diabetic (healthy) and diabetic patient using artificial feeders. Blood from 12 diabetic and 12 non-diabetic patients was matched by ABO blood type (e.g., diabetic type O blood was compared with non-diabetic type O blood). The number of mosquitoes that landed and fed from each membrane was counted every 2 min for thirty minutes. Results: Ae. aegypti species significantly preferred for blood from non-diabetic individuals (50–65% among the different blood type groups) compared to blood from diabetic individuals. Using multiplex allele-specific PCR it was also determined that, Ae. aegypti significantly preferred the O blood group regardless of blood sugar level compared to others. Conclusion: Ae. aegypti has less preference for diabetic blood to non-diabetics. Regardless people affected with this condition need to take preventive measures to reduce mosquito bites as they tend to have weaker immune systems and can experience more severe cases of dengue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is no longer a hypothetical problem in the Caribbean but a new reality to which regional public health systems must adapt. One of its significant impacts is the increased transmission of infectious diseases, such as dengue fever, which is endemic in the region, and the presence of the Aedes aegypti mosquito vector responsible for transmitting the disease. (1) Methods: To assess the association between climatic factors and human dengue virus infections in the Caribbean, we conducted a systematic review of published studies on MEDLINE and Web of Science databases according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria. (2) Results: In total, 153 papers were identified, with 27 studies selected that met the inclusion criteria ranging from the northern and southern Caribbean. Rainfall/precipitation and vapor pressure had a strong positive association with dengue incidence, whereas the evidence for the impact of temperatures was mixed. (3) Conclusions: The interaction between climate and human dengue disease in the Caribbean is complex and influenced by multiple factors, including waste management, infrastructure risks, land use changes, and challenged public health systems. Thus, more detailed research is necessary to understand the complexity of dengue within the wider Caribbean and achieve better dengue disease management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the main arboviruses affecting public health in tropical regions are dengue, zika, and chikungunya, transmitted mainly by mosquitoes of the Aedes genus, especially Aedes aegypti. In recent years, outbreaks have posed major challenges to global health, highlighting the need for integrated and innovative strategies for their control and prevention. Prevention strategies include the elimination of vectors and avoiding mosquito bites; this can be achieved through the use of bioinsecticides and repellents based on plant phytochemicals, as they offer sustainable, ecological, and low-cost alternatives. Mexico has a variety of plants from which both extracts and essential oils have been obtained which have demonstrated significant efficacy in repelling and/or killing insect vectors. This review examines the current knowledge on plant species found in Mexico which are promising options concerning synthetic compounds in terms of their repellent and insecticidal properties against mosquitoes of the genus Aedes and that are friendly to the environment and health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

French Guiana lacks a dedicated model for developing an early warning system tailored to its entomological contexts. We employed a spatiotemporal modeling approach to predict the risk of Aedes aegypti larvae presence in local households in French Guiana. The model integrated field data on larvae, environmental data obtained from very high-spatial-resolution Pleiades imagery, and meteorological data collected from September 2011 to February 2013 in an urban area of French Guiana. The identified environmental and meteorological factors were used to generate dynamic maps with high spatial and temporal resolution. The study collected larval data from 261 different surveyed houses, with each house being surveyed between one and three times. Of the observations, 41% were positive for the presence of Aedes aegypti larvae. We modeled the Aedes larvae risk within a radius of 50 to 200 m around houses using six explanatory variables and extrapolated the findings to other urban municipalities during the 2020 dengue epidemic in French Guiana. This study highlights the potential of spatiotemporal modeling approaches to predict and monitor the evolution of vector-borne disease transmission risk, representing a major opportunity to monitor the evolution of vector risk and provide valuable information for public health authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Tanzania has experienced multiple dengue outbreaks between 2010 and 2019, caused by various dengue virus (DENV) strains. In 2019, there were 6917 confirmed dengue cases and 13 deaths in Tanzania. Routine diagnosis of dengue fever is unfortunately excluded, particularly during non-outbreak periods, resulting in delayed outbreak detection and control. The aim of this study was to improve early detection and control measures for DENV by investigating its circulation in human and Aedes aegypti (A.aegypti) mosquitoes during the non-outbreak periods in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, which is an area frequently affected by dengue outbreaks. Methods Four hundred and fifteen (415) blood samples were collected from patients attending randomly selected health facilities in five wards; Azimio, Keko, Mtoni, Mbagala and Chamazi within Temeke district. The samples were tested for DENV NS1 antigen and anti-dengue IgM and IgG antibodies by rapid test. Then, 150 out of 415 blood samples were tested for the DENV by conventional Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Two thousand two hundred and fifty (2,250) adult female A.aegypti mosquitoes were collected using a Prokopack aspirator and BG sentinel trap or obtained after rearing immature stages and tested, in pools of 15 for DENV by RT-PCR. Statistical Software, SPSS version 23, was used for data analysis. Results Of the tested blood samples, 17% (71/415) were positive by NS1 antigen, 0.5% (2/415) by IgM, 0.5% (2/415) by IgG antibodies, and 0.5% (2/415) by IgM and IgG. None of the samples tested positive by DENV RT-PCR. Moreover, 3.3% (5/150) of tested mosquito pools had DENV by RT-PCR. Individuals aged between 21 and 40 years of age had increased risk of testing positive for DENV NS1 antigen, followed by those aged 5–20 years old, particularly those residing from Azimio ward, Keko ward, Mtoni ward and Mbagala ward, p-value ≤ 0.05. Conclusion Findings from this study revealed evidence of DENV circulation during non-outbreak periods in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. These findings underscore the importance of including testing for dengue infection in routine differential diagnoses of febrile cases, and also frequent dengue surveillance in mosquitos. This proactive approach will help early DENV outbreak detection and control in the country.

Background and Aim: Efficient mosquito vectors are required to persist and propagate arthropod-borne diseases that seriously affect impoverished populations worldwide. Mosquito sensilla plays a crucial role in host-seeking and disease transmission to humans. This study aimed to distinguish between the several types of sensilla found on the antennae and maxillary palps of Culex pipiens and Aedes aegypti, matching this diversity with host preference and disease transmission. Materials and Methods: Overall, 1300 mosquitoes were collected and examined using dissection and light microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy was used to identify and describe the diverse types of sensilla found on the antennae and maxillary palps of C. pipiens and A. aegypti. Results: In total, 900 C. pipiens and 400 A. aegypti mosquitoes were identified. The antennae and maxillary palps of C. pipiens and A. aegypti carry both sensilla trichoidea and sensilla chaetica. The C. pipiens antenna has long and short grooved peg sensilla, whereas A. aegypti lacks long pegs and expresses only occasional short pegs. The maxillary palps express Capitate pegs in both mosquito species and exclusively show sensilla campaniform in A. aegypti. Conclusion: The lack of long-grooved pegs and the presence of few short pegs, along with campaniform sensilla, limit the host range of A. aegypti and reduce its susceptibility to many infections, unlike C. pipiens.

Abstract Background Dengue fever is one of the most prevalent mosquito-borne diseases in Cambodia. Until now, no specific vaccine nor antiviral treatment exists the virus causing Dengue fever. Consequently, its prevention relies only on vector control strategies. However, efficient vector control in turn relies on a good knowledge of the biology of the vector species. Therefore, this study aims to provide the first review of the distribution, ecology, meteorological impacts, trophic behavior, vector competence, vector control and insecticide resistance of dengue vector species in Cambodia. Methods A systematic search of the Google Scholar and PubMed databases was conducted for relevant published articles. Of the 610 published articles originally identified, 70 articles were ultimately selected for inclusion in this review. We also included new data from unpublished research conducted in Cambodia between 2017 and 2023 related to dengue vector bionomics. Results Eleven Aedes (Stegomyia) mosquito species have been recorded in Cambodia, including a new species described in 2024. Four species are associated with dengue virus transmission, among which Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus are the main vectors and Ae. malayensis and Ae. scutellaris are considered to be potential vectors. Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus are present in all provinces of Cambodia. Aedes albopictus shows a preference for forest, rural and suburban areas, while Ae. aegypti is mostly found in urban and suburban areas. The distribution of these two species is also influenced by meteorological factors, seasonality and the availability of breeding habitats and blood meals. Both species are predominant during the rainy season, and their respective density is impacted by precipitation and temperature. Aedes aegypti is characterized as anthropophilic, while Ae. albopictus exhibits zooanthropophilic behavior, and both species have been observed to be predominantly diurnal. In addition, they were found to be highly resistant to the insecticides used in Cambodia for their control, such as temephos for larvae and deltamethrin and permethrin for adult mosquitoes. Conclusions This review provides extensive and important knowledge on dengue vectors in Cambodia. This knowledge is derived not only from published research articles but also from many recent studies in Cambodia on the bionomics of dengue vector species. The review provides valuable information for use by public health authorities on dengue virus transmission and to develop better vector control strategies in the country. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Background Vector-borne diseases cause morbidity and mortality globally. However, some areas are more impacted than others, especially with climate change. Controlling vectors remains the primary means to prevent these diseases, but new, more effective tools are needed. The World Health Organization (WHO) prioritized evaluating novel control methods, such as sterile insect technique (SIT) for control of Aedes-borne diseases. In response, a multiagency partnership between the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), WHO, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supported the operational implementation and evaluation of SIT against Aedes aegypti and arboviral diseases in the Pacific through a consortium of regional partners (PAC-SIT Consortium). Main text A workshop was held from 2 to 6 May 2023, during which PAC-SIT country participants, researchers, and stakeholders in SIT, scientific advisory committee members, and organizational partners came together to review the principles and components of SIT, share experiences, visit field sites and the SIT facility, and officially launch the PAC-SIT project. Working in groups focused on entomology, epidemiology, and community engagement, participants addressed challenges, priorities, and needs for SIT implementation. Conclusions The PAC-SIT workshop brought together researchers and stakeholders engaged in evaluating SIT for arboviral diseases in the Pacific region and globally. This training workshop highlighted that many countries are actively engaged in building operational capacities and phased testing of SIT. The workshop identified a key need for robust larger-scale studies tied with epidemiological endpoints to provide evidence for the scalability and impact on mosquito-borne diseases.

Objetivos. Determinar la alimentación del Aedes aegypti en brotes de dengue de dos zonas rurales del Perú durante el ciclón Yaku y El Niño Global del 2023. Material métodos. Se analizaron ocho muestras de sangre (8 pooles) obtenidas del abdomen de 80 especímenes Aedes aegypti capturados en los distritos rurales de Querecotillo y Marcavelica durante brotes de dengue acontecidos en el ciclón Yaku y en El Niño Global. Se extrajo ADN de las muestras analizadas, se llevó a cabo una PCR dirigida al gen CytB como marcador genético y los productos PCR fueron digeridos enzimáticamente con las restrictasas Hae III y Mwo I. Los productos PCR-RFLP fueron visualizados por electroforesis en gel de agarosa al 4%. Resultados. Se obtuvo ADN de todas las muestras y como producto PCR un amplicón de 358 pb. Así mismo, el único RFLP en Hae III observado fue el de Homo sapiens sapiens (233 y 125 pb). No se observó RFLP en Hae III de Gallus gallus y RFLP en Mwo I de Canis familiaris y Mus musculus. Conclusión. En brotes de dengue de zonas rurales, durante el ciclón Yaku y en El Niño Global, el Aedes aegypti presentó un comportamiento alimenticio antropofílico conservado.

Abstract Background The recent rise in the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue virus (DENV), Zika (ZIKV), chikungunya (CHIKV), Oropouche (OROV), and West Nile (WNV) is a major concern for public health managers worldwide. Emerging technologies for automated remote mosquito classification can be supplemented to improve surveillance systems and provide valuable information regarding mosquito vector catches in real time. Methods We coupled an optical sensor to the entrance of a standard mosquito suction trap (BG-Mosquitaire) to record 9151 insect flights in two Brazilian cities: Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia. The traps and sensors remained in the field for approximately 1 year. A total of 1383 mosquito flights were recorded from the target species: Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. Mosquito classification was based on previous models developed and trained using European populations of Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens. Results The VECTRACK sensor was able to discriminate the target mosquitoes (Aedes and Culex genera) from non-target insects with an accuracy of 99.8%. Considering only mosquito vectors, the classification between Aedes and Culex achieved an accuracy of 93.7%. The sex classification worked better for Cx. quinquefasciatus (accuracy: 95%; specificity: 95.3%) than for Ae. aegypti (accuracy: 92.1%; specificity: 88.4%). Conclusions The data reported herein show high accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and precision of an automated optical sensor in classifying target mosquito species, genus and sex. Similar results were obtained in two different Brazilian cities, suggesting high reliability of our findings. Surprisingly, the model developed for European populations of Ae. albopictus worked well for Brazilian Ae. aegypti populations, and the model developed and trained for Cx. pipiens was able to classify Brazilian Cx. quinquefasciatus populations. Our findings suggest this optical sensor can be integrated into mosquito surveillance methods and generate accurate automatic real-time monitoring of medically relevant mosquito species. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Background Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) comprises congenital anomalies that occur in individuals, embryos or fetuses exposed to Zika virus infection during pregnancy and can result in systemic manifestations as well as alterations in the oral cavity of these children. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic literature review of the most frequent oral and craniofacial manifestations in children aged 0 to 6 years with CZS compared to neurotypical children without CZS. Main body of the abstract In this review, a search was conducted in the PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science databases and grey literature, as well as a manual search of the reference lists of the included articles, without restriction on year or language. Inclusion criteria were studies reporting oral alterations in children up to six years old or newborns with CZS, with or without a control group. Methodological quality of the studies was assessed by the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Twenty-seven articles were retrieved, 19 quantitative non-randomized and 09 quantitative descriptive studies. Three studies presented a high risk of bias. The main reported manifestations were delayed eruption (51,8%), dental enamel defects (25,9%), deep palate (29,6%), number alterations (14,8%), bruxism (29,6%), and malocclusion (25,9%). Short conclusion CZS can lead to several manifestations of dental interest and may interfere with the individual's oral health. The pediatric dentistry thus requiring the dentist to be attentive to these changes to offer the best and comprehensive treatment to this patient.

Abstract Influxes of sargassos are responsible for economic and environmental disasters in areas where they bloom, especially in regions whose main income relies on tourism and with limited capacity for sanitation and public health response. A promising way of valorization would be to convert this incredible biomass into tools to fight the deadly vector mosquito Aedes aegypti. In the present study, we generated hydrolates and aqueous extracts from three main Sargassum morphotypes identified in Guadeloupe (French West Indies): Sargassum natans VIII, Sargassum natans I and Sargassum fluitans. We conducted a chemical characterization and a holistic evaluation of their potential to induce toxic and behavioral effects in Ae. aegypti. Despite the low insecticidal potential observed for all the extracts, we found that S. natans VIII and S. fluitans hydrolates deterred oviposition, induced contact irritancy and stimulated blood feeding behavior in host seeking Ae. aegypti females, while aqueous extracts from S. natans I and S. fluitans deterred both blood feeding behavior and oviposition. Chemical characterization evidenced the presence of phenylpropanoid, polyphenols, amino acids and esters. Thus, Sargassum spp. aqueous extracts and hydrolates could be used to manipulate Ae. aegypti behavior and be valorized as control tools against this mosquito.

Abstract Mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue, and Zika, pose major public health challenges globally, affecting millions of people. The growing resistance of mosquito populations to synthetic insecticides underscores the critical need for effective and environmentally friendly larvicides. Although chemical pesticides can initially be effective, they often lead to negative environmental consequences and health hazards for non-target species, including humans. This study aimed to evaluate the larvicidal effects of Trachyspermum ammi essential oil and Delphinium speciosum extract on the larvae of three major mosquito species: Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi, and Culex quinquefasciatus. Mosquito larvae of Ae. aegypti, An. stephensi, and Cx. quinquefasciatus were reared under controlled laboratory conditions. The larvicidal activity of T. ammi essential oil and D. speciosum extract was evaluated through standard bioassays, using various concentrations of essential oils (10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 ppm) and extracts (160, 320, 640, 1280, and 2560 ppm) to determine the lethal concentration (LC50) values after 24 h of exposure. Fresh plant materials were collected, with the essential oil extracted via hydro-distillation, and the extract prepared using methanol solvent extraction. The chemical composition of T. ammi essential oil was examined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Additionally, the preliminary analysis of the chemical compounds in D. speciosum extract was carried out using thin layer chromatography (TLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) techniques. The results indicated that the essential oil of T. ammi exhibited more effective larvicidal activity compared to the D. speciosum extract. Specifically, the essential oil demonstrated LC50 values of 18 ppm for Cx. quinquefasciatus and 19 ppm for Ae. aegypti. In contrast, the D. speciosum extract showed the strongest larvicidal effect against An. stephensi, with an LC50 of 517 ppm. Concentrations of 40 ppm of the essential oil and 1280 ppm of the extract resulted in 100% mortality across all three species. Both the essential oil of T. ammi and the D. speciosum extract exhibited concentration-dependent larvicidal activity, and these results were statistically significant (p

Abstract Background Understanding the relationship between blood-feeding and mating is important in effectively managing the most well-adapted vector insect, Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus). Although extensive studies have investigated the behavioural aspects of Aedes such as blood-feeding, mating, and their relationship, several knowledge gaps still exist. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to determine the possibility of successful mating by unfed, engorged, and partially to fully gravid (up to 5 days after blood-feeding with fully developed eggs) female Ae. aegypti mosquitoes and production of viable eggs. Methods Mating of sexually mature adult Aedes aegypti was allowed in three different ways. In control 1, the females were allowed to mate before taking blood meal, and in control 2, the females were not at all allowed to mate. In the experiment, the females were separated into six categories, viz. D-0 to D-5. In D-0, the females were allowed to mate immediately after the bloodmeal and, in D-1, the females were allowed to mate on the first day of blood feeding, likewise, the females of D-2, D-3, D-4 and D-5 were allowed to mate on 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th day of blood feeding. Ovitrap was uniformly kept on the 4th day of blood feeding for the cages D-0 to D-3 for 1 h and then removed and for the cages D-4, and D-5, the ovitrap was kept on 4th and 5th day of blood feeding for 1h immediately after mating. The total number of eggs and the total number of hatching were counted. In the subsequent days, the entire experiment was replicated two times with different cohorts of mosquitoes, and the mean value of three experiments was used to draw Excel bars with 5% error bars and also for the statistical analysis. Results It was found that mating just before oviposition was sufficient to produce 1581 eggs (70% compared with control) and fertilize 1369 eggs (85% compared with total eggs laid), which is far higher than the 676 non-hatching (unfertilized) eggs (30%) laid by unmated females. Although mating is not essential for producing eggs, our study shows that even brief exposure to the semen and seminal fluids greatly enhances the oviposition and hatching efficiency, even if the mating occurs just before oviposition. However, those females mating before blood-feeding and those mating after blood-feeding produced 2266 and 2128 eggs, with hatching rates of 96.78% and 95.54%, respectively. Hence, the retention time of seminal fluid in the female seems to influence the number of eggs laid and the number of eggs hatched. Conclusions In general, mating is possible in Ae. aegypti even minutes before oviposition and is sufficient to produce a greater number of viable eggs. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Background Aedes aegypti, the primary vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses, poses a significant public health threat worldwide. Traditional control methods using insecticides are increasingly challenged by resistance and environmental concerns. The sterile insect technique (SIT) offers an eco-friendly alternative that has been successfully applied to other insect pests. This article aims to briefly review Ae. aegypti management in Cuba, highlighting the accomplishments, challenges, and future directions of the SIT. Main body Here we provide a brief summary of the extensive history of Ae. aegypti control efforts in Cuba. After a successful eradication campaign in the 1980s, a resurgence of dengue cases has been observed in recent years, suggesting that traditional control methods may have limited effectiveness under current conditions. In response, Cuba initiated a phased approach to develop and evaluate the feasibility of SIT for Ae. aegypti control, starting in 2008. Initial research focused on Ae. aegypti mating behavior and sterilization methods, followed by successful laboratory and semi-field trials that demonstrated population suppression. The first open-field trial in 2020 confirmed the efficacy of the SIT in reducing Ae. aegypti populations under real-world conditions. Currently, the research is in a phase involving a cluster-randomized superiority-controlled trial. This planned trial will compare the standard vector control program with the same program augmented by the SIT, aiming to assess the impact of the SIT on dengue incidence as the primary outcome. Implementing robust epidemiological trials to evaluate the effectiveness of the SIT is complex due to potential spillover effects from mosquito and human movement across study areas. Additionally, conducting the SIT requires significant development and operational investments. Despite these challenges, the ongoing Cuban trial holds promise for establishing the SIT as an effective and sustainable tool for Ae. aegypti control and for reducing the burden of mosquito-borne diseases. Conclusions The phased evaluation conducted in Cuba confirms the efficacy of the SIT against Ae. aegypti, highlighting its potential for sustainable mosquito-borne disease management. The effective implementation of multi-site trials will be crucial in providing evidence of the potential of the sterile insect technique as part of a strategy to reduce the incidence of arboviral diseases. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Background Mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue, Zika and chikungunya, pose significant public health threats in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. To mitigate the impact of these diseases on human health, effective vector surveillance and control strategies are necessary. Traditional vector control methods, which rely on chemical agents such as insecticides and larvicides, face challenges such as resistance and environmental concerns. Consequently, there has been a push to explore novel surveillance and control tools. Mass trapping interventions have emerged as a promising and environmentally friendly approach to reducing the burden of mosquito-borne diseases. This study assessed mass-trapping interventions using autocidal gravid ovitraps (AGOs) on Aedes aegypti populations in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Methods Four neighborhoods were selected to evaluate the effects of three treatments: AGO mass-trapping, integrated vector control (IVC), which included source reduction and the application of chemical larvicide and adulticide, and AGO + IVC on Ae. aegypti populations. A control area with no interventions was also included. The effectiveness of the interventions was evaluated by comparing Ae. aegypti abundance between the pre-treatment period (9 weeks) and the post-treatment period (11 weeks) for each treatment. Results Only treatment using AGO mass trapping with an 84% coverage significantly reduced Ae. aegypti female populations by 47%, from 3.75 ± 0.32 to 1.96 ± 0.15 females/trap/week. As expected, the abundance of Ae. aegypti in the control area did not differ from the pre- and post-treatment period (range of 4.97 ± 0.59 to 5.78 ± 0.53); Ae. aegypti abundance in the IVC treatment was 3.47 ± 0.30 before and 4.13 ± 0.35 after, which was not significantly different. However, Ae. aegypti abundance in the AGO + IVC treatment increased from 1.43 ± 0.21 before to 2.11 ± 0.20 after interventions; this increase may be explained in part by the low AGO (56%) coverage. Conclusions This is the first report to our knowledge on the effectiveness of mass-trapping interventions with AGOs in Mexico, establishing AGOs as a potential tool for controlling Ae. aegypti in Northeastern Mexico when deployed with sufficient coverage. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Identification of Aedes aegypti breeding hotspots is essential for the implementation of targeted vector control strategies and thus the prevention of several mosquito-borne diseases worldwide. Training computer vision models on satellite and street view imagery in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, we analyzed the correlation between the density of common breeding grounds and Aedes aegypti infestation measured by ovitraps on a monthly basis between 2019 and 2022. Our findings emphasized the significance (p ≤ 0.05) of micro-habitat proxies generated through object detection, allowing to explain high spatial variance in urban abundance of Aedes aegypti immatures. Water tanks, non-mounted car tires, plastic bags, potted plants, and storm drains positively correlated with Aedes aegypti egg and larva counts considering a 1000 m mosquito flight range buffer around 2700 ovitrap locations, while dumpsters, small trash bins, and large trash bins exhibited a negative association. This complementary application of satellite and street view imagery opens the pathway for high-resolution interpolation of entomological surveillance data and has the potential to optimize vector control strategies. Consequently it supports the mitigation of emerging infectious diseases transmitted by Aedes aegypti, such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, which cause thousands of deaths each year.

Abstract Background To assess whether the ‘economic boom’ in the tropical seaport city of Barranquilla improved tapped water supplies to socio-economically poor neighbourhoods resulting in: (1) their reduced use for domestic water-storage in large (> 1,000-litre) custom-made cement tanks which are their principal Aedes aegypti breeding sites and (2) their pupae/person index (PPI) values to below their established 0.5–1.5 PPI arbovirus transmission-threshold value, compared to matched neighbourhoods in the: (a) pre-economic boom (2004) period in Barranquilla and (b) economically-neglected seaport city of Buenaventura. Methods The simple, accurate and robust water surface sweep-net/calibration factor or total count methods were used to determine the total Ae. aegypti pupae numbers in greater or less than 20-litre water-holding container types located ‘inside’ or ‘outside’ these neighbourhood premises. The women residents also participated in questionnaire-based responses about their domestic water supplies, water-storage and maintenance and mosquito life stages and disease transmission knowledge, to subsequently plan appropriate resident education programmes. Microsoft Excel 8.0 with OpenEpi was used to determine the samples sizes and the statistical values. Results Tapped water supplies to the three poor Barranquilla neighbourhoods were dramatically increased from 2004 to 2023 resulting in their residents significantly reducing their: (a) large cement water-storage tanks from 1 per 6.9 (2004) to 1 per 31.2 (2020) premises (z = 10.5: p = 0) and (b) PPI values to 0.16, 0.19 and 0.53 (mean: 0.29: 95% CI ± 0.4) in each study neighbourhood. In contrast, tapped water supplies remained inadequate in the Buenaventura neighborhoods, thereby resulting in their continued use of many large (> 1,000-litre) water-storage containers (Barranquilla: 1 per 31.2 and Buenaventura: 1 per 1.5 premises: z = − 9.26: p = 0), with unacceptably high 0.81, 0.88 and 0.99 PPI values in each study neighbourhood (mean 0.89: 95% CI ± 0.12). Conclusions Improved tapped water supplies resulted in reduced numbers of large custom-made stoneware water-containers, as are employed by poor residents throughout the world, as well as their Ae. aegypti PPI transmission threshold values which, together with appropriate residents’ education programmes, are also urgently to reduce to prevent/reduce Ae. aegypti transmitted human diseases globally.

Abstract Background Describing spatio-temporal occurrence and habitat characteristics of Aedes mosquito larvae is crucial for the control of Aedes borne viral diseases. This study assessed spatio-temporal abundance and habitat characteristics of Aedes larvae in the Southern Afar Region, Ethiopia. Methods Immature mosquitoes were surveyed in Awash Sebat, Awash Arba, and Werer towns of the Southern Afar Region once per month from May 2022 to April 2023. Larvae and pupae surveys were carried out along the available water-holding containers. The collected larvae/pupae were reared to adults and identified by species/genus morphologically. The physical and chemical properties of the habitats were also characterized. Results A total of 9099 Aedes larvae/pupae were collected, of which 53.6% (4875) were from Awash Sebat, 29.5% (2687) from Awash Arba and 16.9% (1537) from Werer. Water-holding tyres harboured the highest number of Aedes larvae/pupae followed by water-storage drums. All the Aedes larvae/pupae reared to adults were morphologically identified as Aedes aegypti. The overall Container Index was 47.28%, House Index 18.19%, Breteau Index 59.94% and Pupal Index 171.94. Significant positive relations were observed in the occurrences of Ae. aegypti larvae/pupae with water-holding tyre (AOR = 15.89, CI = 3.55–71.09, p

Abstract Background In late 2021, Ghana was hit by a Yellow Fever outbreak that started in two districts in the Savannah region and spread to several other Districts in three regions. Yellow fever is endemic in Ghana. However, there is currently no structured vector control programme for Aedes the arboviral vector in Ghana. Knowledge of Aedes bionomics and insecticide susceptibility status is important to control the vectors. This study therefore sought to determine Aedes vector bionomics and their insecticide resistance status during a yellow fever outbreak. Methods The study was performed in two yellow fever outbreak sites (Wenchi, Larabanga) and two non-outbreak sites (Kpalsogu, Pagaza) in Ghana. Immature Aedes mosquitoes were sampled from water-holding containers in and around human habitations. The risk of disease transmission was determined in each site using stegomyia indices. Adult Aedes mosquitoes were sampled using Biogents Sentinel (BG) traps, Human Landing Catch (HLC), and Prokopack (PPK) aspirators. Phenotypic resistance to permethrin, deltamethrin and pirimiphos-methyl was determined with WHO susceptibility tests using Aedes mosquitoes collected as larvae and reared into adults. Knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations were detected using allele-specific multiplex PCR. Results Among the 2,664 immature Aedes sampled, more than 60% were found in car tyres. Larabanga, an outbreak site, was classified as a high-risk zone for the Yellow Fever outbreak (BI: 84%, CI: 26.4%). Out of 1,507 adult Aedes mosquitoes collected, Aedes aegypti was the predominant vector species (92%). A significantly high abundance of Aedes mosquitoes was observed during the dry season (61.2%) and outdoors (60.6%) (P

Abstract Background Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) is one of the most widely used gene expression analyses for validating RNA-seq data. This technique requires reference genes that are stable and highly expressed, at least across the different biological conditions present in the transcriptome. Reference and variable candidate gene selection is often neglected, leading to misinterpretation of the results. Results We developed a software named “Gene Selector for Validation” (GSV), which identifies the best reference and variable candidate genes for validation within a quantitative transcriptome. This tool also filters the candidate genes concerning the RT-qPCR assay detection limit. GSV was compared with other software using synthetic datasets and performed better, removing stable low-expression genes from the reference candidate list and creating the variable-expression validation list. GSV software was used on a real case, an Aedes aegypti transcriptome. The top GSV reference candidate genes were selected for RT-qPCR analysis, confirming that eiF1A and eiF3j were the most stable genes tested. The tool also confirmed that traditional mosquito reference genes were less stable in the analyzed samples, highlighting the possibility of inappropriate choices. A meta-transcriptome dataset with more than ninety thousand genes was also processed successfully. Conclusion The GSV tool is a time and cost-effective tool that can be used to select reference and validation candidate genes from the biological conditions present in transcriptomic data.

Abstract Background The spread of mosquito-transmitted diseases such as dengue is a major public health issue worldwide. The Aedes aegypti mosquito, a primary vector for dengue, thrives in urban environments and breeds mainly in artificial or natural water containers. While the relationship between urban landscapes and potential breeding sites remains poorly understood, such a knowledge could help mitigate the risks associated with these diseases. This study aimed to analyze the relationships between urban landscape characteristics and potential breeding site abundance and type in cities of French Guiana (South America), and to evaluate the potential of such variables to be used in predictive models. Methods We use Multifactorial Analysis to explore the relationship between urban landscape characteristics derived from very high resolution satellite imagery, and potential breeding sites recorded from in-situ surveys. We then applied Random Forest models with different sets of urban variables to predict the number of potential breeding sites where entomological data are not available. Results Landscape analyses applied to satellite images showed that urban types can be clearly identified using texture indices. The Multiple Factor Analysis helped identify variables related to the distribution of potential breeding sites, such as buildings class area, landscape shape index, building number, and the first component of texture indices. Models predicting the number of potential breeding sites using the entire dataset provided an R² of 0.90, possibly influenced by overfitting, but allowing the prediction over all the study sites. Predictions of potential breeding sites varied highly depending on their type, with better results on breeding sites types commonly found in urban landscapes, such as containers of less than 200 L, large volumes and barrels. The study also outlined the limitation offered by the entomological data, whose sampling was not specifically designed for this study. Model outputs could be used as input to a mosquito dynamics model when no accurate field data are available. Conclusion This study offers a first use of routinely collected data on potential breeding sites in a research study. It highlights the potential benefits of including satellite-based characterizations of the urban environment to improve vector control strategies.