Detection of Plasmodium falciparum Infection in Anopheles squamosus (Diptera: Culicidae) in an Area Targeted for Malaria Elimination, Southern Zambia
Southern Zambia is the focus of strategies to create malaria-free zones. Interventions being rolled out include test and treat strategies and distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets that target vectors that host-seek indoors and late at night. In Macha, Choma District, collections of mosquitoes were made outdoors using barrier screens within homesteads or UV bulb light traps set next to goats, cattle, or chickens during the rainy season of 2015. Anopheline mosquitoes were identified to species using molecular methods and Plasmodium falciparum infectivity was determined by ELISA and real-time qPCR methods. More than 40...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Stevenson, J. C., Simubali, L., Mbambara, S., Musonda, M., Mweetwa, S., Mudenda, T., Pringle, J. C., Jones, C. M., Norris, D. E. Tags: Short Communication Source Type: research
Bionomics and Vector Potential of Culex thriambus (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes in Lake County, California
California statewide West Nile virus (WNV) minimum infection rates in Culex thriambus Dyar mosquitoes are high; however, few specimens are submitted and tested each year, as their distribution seems limited to larval habitats along riparian systems. To evaluate the role of Cx. thriambus in the amplification, maintenance, and overwintering of WNV in Lake County, CA, the bionomics and vector potential of the species was investigated during 2014 and 2015. Culex thriambus was the most abundant mosquito species, with 1,153 adults and 7,624 immatures collected by vacuum aspiration and dip sampling, respectively, at the primary s...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Nelms, B. M., Thiemann, T. C., Bridges, D. N., Williams, A. E., Koschik, M. L., Ryan, B. M., Scott, J. J. Tags: Vector-Borne Diseases, Surveillance, Prevention Source Type: research
Synthesis and Functional Characterization of MAF-1A Peptide Derived From the Larvae of Housefly, Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae)
The Musca domestica antifungal peptide-1A (MAF-1A peptide) from housefly larvae was synthesized by solid-phase synthesis technique, and antiviral, antioxidant, and antifungal properties were evaluated in this study. Present results indicated that it could significantly inhibit the infection of influenza virus H1N1, Autographa californica multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV), and Bombyx mori nuclear polyhydrosis virus (BmNPV), which displayed excellent virucidal activities. Antioxidant results demonstrated that the MAF-1A peptide had effective scavenging activity for hydroxyl and superoxide radicals, which were similar...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Zhou, J., Kong, L., Fang, N., Mao, B., Ai, H. Tags: Vector-Borne Diseases, Surveillance, Prevention Source Type: research
Rickettsia (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) Vector Biodiversity in High Altitude Atlantic Forest Fragments Within a Semiarid Climate: A New Endemic Area of Spotted-Fever in Brazil
This study reports, for the first time, evidence of infection with Rickettsia sp. strain Atlantic rainforest in A. ovale and R. sanguineus in Ceará, and Ca. R. andeanae in an Atlantic rainforest environment of Brazil. (Source: Journal of Medical Entomology)
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Moerbeck, L., Vizzoni, V. F., Machado-Ferreira, E., Cavalcante, R. C., Oliveira, S. V., Soares, C. A. G., Amorim, M., Gazeta, G. S. Tags: Vector-Borne Diseases, Surveillance, Prevention Source Type: research
Evaluation of the Honey-Card Technique for Detection of Transmission of Arboviruses in Florida and Comparison With Sentinel Chicken Seroconversion
Zoonotic mosquito-borne viruses, such as the West Nile virus (WNV) and eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), are major public health threats in the United States. Early detection of virus transmission and targeted vector management are critical to protect humans against these pathogens. Sentinel chickens and pool screening of mosquitoes, the most widely used methods of arbovirus early detection, have technical time-lags that compromise their early-detection value. The exploitation of sugar-feeding by trapped mosquitoes for arbovirus surveillance may represent a viable alternative to other methods. Here we compared effe...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Burkett-Cadena, N. D., Gibson, J., Lauth, M., Stenn, T., Acevedo, C., Xue, R.-d., McNelly, J., Northey, E., Hassan, H. K., Fulcher, A., Bingham, A. M., van Olphen, J., van Olphen, A., Unnasch, T. R. Tags: Vector-Borne Diseases, Surveillance, Prevention Source Type: research
Anthropophily of Lutzomyia wellcomei (Diptera: Psychodidae) in an Atlantic Forest Conservation Unit in Northeast Brazil
This study presents the results of collections carried out in a fragment of Atlantic Forest in a Conservation Unit of Rio Grande do Norte state. Collections occurred over 12 consecutive months using Shannon and CDC traps. A total of 777 sand flies from eight species were collected: Lutzomyia walkeri (Newstead), Lutzomyia evandroi (Costa Lima & Antunes), Lutzomyia wellcomei (Fraiha, Shaw & Lainson), Lutzomyia sordellii (Shannon & Del Ponte), Lutzomyia brasiliensis (Costa Lima), Lutzomyia lenti (Mangabeira), Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva), and Lutzomyia abonnenci (Floch & Chassignet). Lutzomyia well...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Pinheiro, M. P. G., Silva, J. H. T. d., Inacio, C. L. S., Ximenes, M. d. F. F. d. M. Tags: Vector-Borne Diseases, Surveillance, Prevention Source Type: research
Fleas and Ticks in Carnivores From a Domestic-Wildlife Interface: Implications for Public Health and Wildlife
Fleas and ticks are parasites of wild and domestic mammals, and can be vectors of several pathogens. In rural areas, domestic carnivores such as the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris L.), may act as a "bridge" between natural areas and human settlements where ectoparasites can be used as a metric of such link. The aim of this study was to identify fleas, ticks, and Rickettsia spp., collected from domestic and wild carnivores in a natural reserve and surrounding human settlements in Central Chile, using morphological keys and molecular analysis. We surveyed 170 households from which 107 dogs and eight cats were sampled. ...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Poo-Munoz, D. A., Elizondo-Patrone, C., Escobar, L. E., Astorga, F., Bermudez, S. E., Martinez-Valdebenito, C., Abarca, K., Medina-Vogel, G. Tags: Vector/Pathogen/Host Interaction, Transmission Source Type: research
Vector Competence of Anopheles kleini and Anopheles sinensis (Diptera: Culicidae) From the Republic of Korea to Vivax Malaria-Infected Blood From Patients From Thailand
In total, 1,300 each of Anopheles kleini Rueda and Anopheles sinensis Wiedemann sensu stricto (s.s.) females (colonized from the Republic of Korea) and Anopheles dirus Peyton & Harrison (Thai strain) were allowed to feed on blood from Thai malaria patients naturally infected with Plasmodium vivax. The overall oocyst infection rates for An. dirus, An. kleini, and An. sinensis s.s. were 77.4, 46.1, and 45.9%, respectively. The mean number of oocysts was significantly higher for An. dirus (82.7) compared with An. kleini (6.1) and An. sinensis s.s. (8.6), whereas the mean number of oocysts for An. kleini and An. sinensis s...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Ubalee, R., Kim, H.-C., Schuster, A. L., McCardle, P. W., Phasomkusolsil, S., Takhampunya, R., Davidson, S. A., Lee, W.-J., Klein, T. A. Tags: Vector/Pathogen/Host Interaction, Transmission Source Type: research
Confirmation of Anopheles peditaeniatus and Anopheles sundaicus as Malaria Vectors (Diptera: Culicidae) in Sungai Nyamuk Village, Sebatik Island North Kalimantan, Indonesia Using an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
This study tested Anopheles collected in Sungai Nyamuk Village for the presence of both Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax CSP. The Anopheles spp. were collected by human landing collection indoors and outdoors and by indoor and outdoor resting catches in Sungai Nyamuk Village, Nunukan District, North Kalimantan Province from August 2010 to January 2012. Overall, 5,100 Anopheles spp. comprising 11 species were collected and 2,259 adult parous females were tested by ELISA. Of these, only one Anopheles peditaeniatus Leicester (3.8%, n = 26) and one Anopheles sundaicus sensu lato (0.6%, n = 157) that originated from o...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Sugiarto, , Kesumawati Hadi, U., Soviana, S., Hakim, L. Tags: Vector/Pathogen/Host Interaction, Transmission Source Type: research
Comparative Susceptibility of Ochlerotatus japonicus, Ochlerotatus triseriatus, Aedes albopictus, and Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) to La Crosse Virus
In this study, we examined the susceptibility of three exotic invasive mosquito species Aedes aegypti (L.), Ae. albopictus (Skuse), and Ochlerotatus japonicus (Theobald) to La Crosse virus (LACV) relative to the native primary vector Ochlerotatus triseriatus (Say). Adult females of the four mosquito species were orally challenged with LACV; incubated for 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11 d; and their midgut infection rates, dissemination rates, and effective vector competence were determined. Overall, Oc. japonicus (2.92) had the highest effective vector competence values, followed by Ae. albopictus (1.55), Ae. aegypti (0.88), and Oc. tri...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Bara, J. J., Parker, A. T., Muturi, E. J. Tags: Vector/Pathogen/Host Interaction, Transmission Source Type: research
Knockdown Resistance Mutations in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) From Puerto Rico
This study assessed the levels of permethrin resistance and the frequency of two kdr mutations in eight Ae. aegypti populations collected in Puerto Rico in 2013. Permethrin resistance factors ranged from 33–214-fold relative to the New Orleans reference strain. The frequency of kdr mutation Ile1,016 ranged from 0.65 to fixation (1.0), and for Cys1,534 frequencies varied from 0.8 to fixation. Alarmingly, two populations—Carolina and Caguas—reached fixation at both loci. Our results suggest that permethrin effectiveness for Ae. aegypti control is compromised in these collections from Puerto Rico. (Source: J...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Ponce-Garcia, G., Del Rio-Galvan, S., Barrera, R., Saavedra-Rodriguez, K., Villanueva-Segura, K., Felix, G., Amador, M., Flores, A. E. Tags: Vector Control, Pest Management, Resistance, Repellents Source Type: research
Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae) Susceptibility to Insecticides and Knockdown Resistance Genes Prior to Introduction of Indoor Residual Spraying in 11 Districts in Ghana
Conclusions: An organophosphate insecticide is considered appropriate for indoor residual spraying (IRS) in the 11 districts earmarked for the IRS program in Ghana. (Source: Journal of Medical Entomology)
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Dery, D. B., Segbaya, S., Asoalla, V., Amoyaw, F., Amoako, N., Agyeman-Budu, A., Oduro, A., Owusu-Agyei, S., Asante, K. P. Tags: Vector Control, Pest Management, Resistance, Repellents Source Type: research
Control of Hyalomma lusitanicum (Acari: Ixodidade) Ticks Infesting Oryctolagus cuniculus (Lagomorpha: Leporidae) Using the Entomopathogenic Fungus Beauveria bassiana (Hyocreales: Clavicipitaceae) in Field Conditions
Entomopathogenic fungi are widely used to control arthropods not just in agricultural settings but also in Veterinary Medicine and Public Health. These products have been employed to control tick populations and tick-borne diseases. The effectiveness of these control measures not only depends on the fungi, but also on the tick species and environmental conditions. In Mesomediterranean areas, tick species are adapted to extreme climatic conditions and it is therefore especially important to develop suitable tick control strategies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new method of tick control which...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Gonzalez, J., Valcarcel, F., Perez-Sanchez, J. L., Tercero-Jaime, J. M., Cutuli, M. T., Olmeda, A. S. Tags: Vector Control, Pest Management, Resistance, Repellents Source Type: research
New Records of Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) From Dogs, Cats, Humans, and Some Wild Vertebrates in Alaska: Invasion Potential
During 2010–2016, tick specimens were solicited from veterinarians, biologists, and members of the public in Alaska. Eight species of ticks were recorded from domestic dogs. Some ticks were collected from dogs with recent travel histories to other countries or other U.S. states, which appears to explain records of ticks not native to Alaska such as Amblyomma americanum (L.) (lone star tick), Ixodes scapularis (Say) (blacklegged tick), and Ixodes ricinus (L.). However, we recorded Dermacentor variabilis (Say) (American dog tick) from dogs (and humans) both with and without travel history, suggesting that this nonindig...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Durden, L. A., Beckmen, K. B., Gerlach, R. F. Tags: Sampling, Distribution, Dispersal Source Type: research
Coexistence of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Peninsular Florida Two Decades After Competitive Displacements
The spread of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) eastward in the mid-1980s from its initial establishment in Houston, TX, was associated with rapid declines and local disappearances of Aedes aegypti (L.) in Gulf Coast states and Florida where annual larval surveillance during the early 1990s described temporal and spatial patterns of competitive displacements in cemeteries and tire shops. Approximately 20 yr later in 2013–2014, we re-visited former collection sites and sampled aquatic immatures of these two species from tire shops in 10 cities on State Route 441 and from 9 cemeteries from Lakeland to Miami in southwest Florida...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Lounibos, L. P., Bargielowski, I., Carrasquilla, M. C., Nishimura, N. Tags: Sampling, Distribution, Dispersal Source Type: research
