Host-parasite interactions and vectors in the barn swallow in relation to climate change

Species are shifting their distributions in response to climate change. This geographic reshuffling may result in novel co-occurrences among species, which could lead to unseen biotic interactions, including the exchange of parasites between previously isolated hosts. Identifying potential new host–parasite interactions would improve forecasting of disease emergence and inform proactive disease surveillance. However, accurate predictions of future cross-species disease transmission have been hampered by the lack of a generalized approach and data availability. Here, we propose a framework to predict novel host–parasite interactions based on a combination of niche modelling of future host distributions and parasite sharing models. Using the North American ungulates as a proof of concept, we show this approach has high cross-validation accuracy in over 85% of modelled parasites and find that more than 34% of the host–parasite associations forecasted by our models have already been recorded in the literature. We discuss potential sources of uncertainty and bias that may affect our results and similar forecasting approaches, and propose pathways to generate increasingly accurate predictions. Our results indicate that forecasting parasite sharing in response to shifts in host geographic distributions allow for the identification of regions and taxa most susceptible to emergent pathogens under climate change. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Infectious disease macroecology: parasite diversity and dynamics across the globe’.

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The Arctic as a model for anticipating, preventing, and mitigating climate change impacts on host–parasite interactions

Veterinary Parasitology ◽

10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.06.008 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 163 (3) ◽

pp. 217-228 ◽

Cited By ~ 99

Author(s):

Susan J. Kutz ◽

Emily J. Jenkins ◽

Alasdair M. Veitch ◽

Julie Ducrocq ◽

Lydden Polley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Climate Change Impacts ◽

The Arctic ◽

Host Parasite Interactions ◽

Host Parasite

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Winter Tick Burdens for Moose Are Positively Associated With Warmer Summers and Higher Predation Rates

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution ◽

10.3389/fevo.2021.758374 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Sarah R. Hoy ◽

Leah M. Vucetich ◽

Rolf O. Peterson ◽

John A. Vucetich

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Climatic Factors ◽

Predation Rate ◽

Rate Of Change ◽

Encounter Rate ◽

Host Parasite Interactions ◽

Summer Temperatures ◽

Host Parasite ◽

The Impact ◽

Tick Burden

Climate change is expected to modify host-parasite interactions which is concerning because parasites are involved in most food-web links, and parasites have important influences on the structure, productivity and stability of communities and ecosystems. However, the impact of climate change on host–parasite interactions and any cascading effects on other ecosystem processes has received relatively little empirical attention. We assessed host-parasite dynamics for moose (Alces alces) and winter ticks (Dermacentor albipictus) in Isle Royale National Park over a 19-year period. Specifically, we monitored annual tick burdens for moose (estimated from hair loss) and assessed how it covaried with several aspects of seasonal climate, and non-climatic factors, such as moose density, predation on hosts by wolves (Canis lupus) and wolf abundance. Summer temperatures explained half the interannual variance in tick burden with tick burden being greater following hotter summers, presumably because warmer temperatures accelerate the development of tick eggs and increase egg survival. That finding is consistent with the general expectation that warmer temperatures may promote higher parasite burdens. However, summer temperatures are warming less rapidly than other seasons across most regions of North America. Therefore, tick burdens seem to be primarily associated with an aspect of climate that is currently exhibiting a lower rate of change. Tick burdens were also positively correlated with predation rate, which could be due to moose exhibiting risk-sensitive habitat selection (in years when predation risk is high) in such a manner as to increases the encounter rate with questing tick larvae in autumn. However, that positive correlation could also arise if high parasite burdens make moose more vulnerable to predators or because of some other density-dependent process (given that predation rate and moose density are highly correlated). Overall, these results provide valuable insights about interrelationships among climate, parasites, host/prey, and predators.

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Host–parasite interactions and climate change

Effects of Climate Change on Birds ◽

10.1093/oso/9780198824268.003.0014 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 187-198 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Santiago Merino

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Range Expansion ◽

Empirical Data ◽

Human Populations ◽

Climatic Effects ◽

Host Parasite Interactions ◽

Intensity Range ◽

Bird Parasite ◽

Host Parasite

This chapter offers a review of the papers published on the effect of climate change on bird–parasite interactions from 2010 to date. Climatic effects on phenology, prevalence and intensity, range expansion, virulence, anti-parasite defences, and coevolutionary interactions are reviewed. Most studies are centred on diseases that can also affect human populations or that are close phylogenetically to diseases of humans. However, diseases affecting birds are of great interest due to their importance in ecosystems. More empirical data are needed for a better understanding of how climate change affects bird–parasite relationships.

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Natural History of Host-Parasite Interactions

10.1016/s0065-308x(08)x0004-1 ◽

2009 ◽

Keyword(s):

Natural History ◽

Host Parasite Interactions ◽

History Of ◽

Host Parasite

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of A role for host-parasite interactions in the horizontal transfer of transposons across phyla.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.3388956.3788054 ◽

2010 ◽

Author(s):

Robert Martienssen ◽

Andrea Schorn

Keyword(s):

Horizontal Transfer ◽

Host Parasite Interactions ◽

Host Parasite

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of A role for host-parasite interactions in the horizontal transfer of transposons across phyla.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.3388956.3079054 ◽

2010 ◽

Author(s):

Joachim Kurtz

Keyword(s):

Horizontal Transfer ◽

Host Parasite Interactions ◽

Host Parasite

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Host parasite interactions and pathophysiology in Giardia infections

International Journal for Parasitology ◽

10.1016/j.ijpara.2011.05.002 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 41 (9) ◽

pp. 925-933 ◽

Cited By ~ 113

Author(s):

James A. Cotton ◽

Jennifer K. Beatty ◽

Andre G. Buret

Keyword(s):

Host Parasite Interactions ◽

Host Parasite

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Spatial expression pattern of serine proteases in the blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni determined by fluorescence RNA in situ hybridization

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-021-04773-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lenka Ulrychová ◽

Pavel Ostašov ◽

Marta Chanová ◽

Michael Mareš ◽

Martin Horn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

In Situ Hybridization ◽

Schistosoma Mansoni ◽

Rna Sequencing ◽

Serine Proteases ◽

Expression Patterns ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Host Parasite Interactions ◽

Highly Sensitive ◽

Host Parasite

Abstract Background The blood flukes of genus Schistosoma are the causative agent of schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease that infects more than 200 million people worldwide. Proteases of schistosomes are involved in critical steps of host–parasite interactions and are promising therapeutic targets. We recently identified and characterized a group of S1 family Schistosoma mansoni serine proteases, including SmSP1 to SmSP5. Expression levels of some SmSPs in S. mansoni are low, and by standard genome sequencing technologies they are marginally detectable at the method threshold levels. Here, we report their spatial gene expression patterns in adult S. mansoni by the high-sensitivity localization assay. Methodology Highly sensitive fluorescence in situ RNA hybridization (FISH) was modified and used for the localization of mRNAs encoding individual SmSP proteases (including low-expressed SmSPs) in tissues of adult worms. High sensitivity was obtained due to specifically prepared tissue and probes in combination with the employment of a signal amplification approach. The assay method was validated by detecting the expression patterns of a set of relevant reference genes including SmCB1, SmPOP, SmTSP-2, and Sm29 with localization formerly determined by other techniques. Results FISH analysis revealed interesting expression patterns of SmSPs distributed in multiple tissues of S. mansoni adults. The expression patterns of individual SmSPs were distinct but in part overlapping and were consistent with existing transcriptome sequencing data. The exception were genes with significantly low expression, which were also localized in tissues where they had not previously been detected by RNA sequencing methods. In general, SmSPs were found in various tissues including reproductive organs, parenchymal cells, esophagus, and the tegumental surface. Conclusions The FISH-based assay provided spatial information about the expression of five SmSPs in adult S. mansoni females and males. This highly sensitive method allowed visualization of low-abundantly expressed genes that are below the detection limits of standard in situ hybridization or by RNA sequencing. Thus, this technical approach turned out to be suitable for sensitive localization studies and may also be applicable for other trematodes. The results suggest that SmSPs may play roles in diverse processes of the parasite. Certain SmSPs expressed at the surface may be involved in host–parasite interactions. Graphic abstract

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Urogenital Schistosomiasis—History, Pathogenesis, and Bladder Cancer

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10020205 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 205

Author(s):

Lúcio Lara Santos ◽

Júlio Santos ◽

Maria João Gouveia ◽

Carina Bernardo ◽

Carlos Lopes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Schistosoma Haematobium ◽

Historical Perspective ◽

Hiv Transmission ◽

Parasite Infection ◽

Urogenital Schistosomiasis ◽

Host Parasite Interactions ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Recent Outbreak ◽

Host Parasite ◽

Female Genital

Schistosomiasis is the most important helminthiasis worldwide in terms of morbidity and mortality. Most of the infections occurs in Africa, which about two thirds are caused by Schistosoma haematobium. The infection with S. haematobium is considered carcinogenic leading to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder. Additionally, it is responsible for female genital schistosomiasis leading to infertility and higher risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. Remarkably, a recent outbreak in Corsica (France) drew attention to its potential re-mergence in Southern Europe. Thus far, little is known related to host-parasite interactions that trigger carcinogenesis. However, recent studies have opened new avenues to understand mechanisms on how the parasite infection can lead cancer and other associated pathologies. Here, we present a historical perspective of schistosomiasis, and review the infection-associated pathologies and studies on host–parasite interactions that unveil tentative mechanisms underlying schistosomiasis-associated carcinogenesis.

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