scholarly journals Feeding behavior and activity of Phlebotomus pedifer and potential reservoir hosts of Leishmania aethiopica in southwestern Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. e0007947 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myrthe Pareyn ◽  
Abena Kochora ◽  
Luca Van Rooy ◽  
Nigatu Eligo ◽  
Bram Vanden Broecke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Behavior ◽  
Southwestern Ethiopia ◽  
Leishmania Aethiopica ◽  
Potential Reservoir ◽  
Reservoir Hosts

scholarly journals A New Expanded Host Range of Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus Includes Three Agricultural Crops

Plant Disease ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 93 (7) ◽  
pp. 685-690 ◽  
Author(s):  
William M. Wintermantel ◽  
Laura L. Hladky ◽  
Arturo A. Cortez ◽  
Eric T. Natwick
Keyword(s):  
Host Range ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Specific Primers ◽  
Snap Bean ◽  
Buffalo Gourd ◽  
Weed Hosts ◽  
Potential Reservoir ◽  
Limited Host Range ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Reservoir Hosts

Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) was identified in the fall of 2006 affecting cucurbit production in the southwestern United States (California, Arizona), as well as in nearby Sonora, Mexico, resulting in nearly universal infection of fall melon crops in 2006 and 2007, and late infection of 2007 spring melons. Survival of CYSDV through the largely cucurbit-free winter months suggested the presence of weed or alternate crop hosts, although previous studies indicated a limited host range restricted to members of the Cucurbitaceae. To determine potential reservoir hosts for CYSDV in desert production, weed and crop hosts were collected from throughout the region over a period of 26 months, and were tested for the presence of CYSDV by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using CYSDV HSP70h- and coat protein gene–specific primers. Many noncucurbits collected from infected melon fields and nearby areas were symptomless and virus free; however, CYSDV was detected in alfalfa (Medicago sativa), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), and snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), as well as in several weed species widely prevalent in the region. Typical crinivirus symptoms of interveinal yellowing and leaf brittleness were observed on CYSDV-infected snap bean, alkali mallow (Sida hederacea) and Wright's groundcherry (Physalis wrightii), while other infected crop and weed hosts were symptomless. Transmission tests demonstrated that lettuce, snap bean, alkali mallow, Wright's groundcherry, and buffalo gourd (Cucurbita foetidissima) could serve as virus reservoir hosts for transmission of CYSDV to melon and other cucurbits. These results expand the previously known host range of CYSDV, demonstrating that the virus is capable of infecting not only members of the Cucurbitaceae, but also plants in seven additional taxonomic families.

Seasonal prevalence of the amphibian chytrid in a tropical pond-dwelling tadpole species

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 171-176
Author(s):  
J Ruggeri ◽  
AGS Martins ◽  
AHR Domingos ◽  
I Santos ◽  
IB Viroomal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Amphibian Conservation ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Local Climate ◽  
Relevant Role ◽  
Potential Reservoir ◽  
Imminent Threat ◽  
Reservoir Hosts

Infection by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a major threat to amphibians and has caused catastrophic global declines of amphibian populations. Some studies have detected a seasonal pattern of infection associated with the local climate, and although most of them have focused on investigating the seasonality of Bd in relation to its impacts on amphibians, fewer have aimed to understand the chytrid persistence in the amphibian assemblage over seasons by investigating reservoir hosts. Since tadpoles are generally tolerant to Bd infection, they often play a relevant role in local disease dynamics. Thus, we hypothesized that tadpoles of Boana faber, a species that can be found in permanent ponds throughout the seasons, would function as Bd reservoirs. We therefore investigated Bd infection prevalence in tadpoles of this species over 2 yr in a nature reserve. As expected, we detected a seasonal variation of Bd infection, with a higher prevalence of Bd during the coldest months (winter) when compared to the warmer months (summer). Interestingly, our seasonal-trend decomposition analysis showed that Bd prevalence is increasing annually in the area, which could represent either a natural fluctuation of this pathogen, or an imminent threat to that anuran assemblage. With this study, we highlight the tadpole of B. faber as a potential reservoir for Bd, and we suggest that monitoring Bd in such hosts could be a powerful tool for identifying priority areas for amphibian conservation.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus in southeastern China and analysis of risk factors

2014 ◽  
Vol 143 (4) ◽  
pp. 851-856 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. SUN ◽  
Y.J. ZHANG ◽  
Z. Y. GONG ◽  
L. ZHANG ◽  
H. K. LV ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Southeastern China ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Potential Reservoir ◽  
Specific Igg ◽  
Reservoir Hosts ◽  
Severe Fever ◽  
Specific Igg Antibodies

SUMMARYSevere fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) has been prevalent for some time in China and it was first identified in 2010. However, the seroprevalence of SFTSV in the general population in southeastern China and risk factors associated with the infection are currently unclear. Blood samples were collected from seven counties across Zhejiang province and tested for the presence of SFTSV-specific IgG antibodies by ELISA. A total of 1380 blood samples were collected of which 5·51% were seropositive for SFTSV with seroprevalence varying significantly between sites. Seroprevalence of SFTSV in people who were family members of the patient, lived in the same village as the patient, or lived in a different village than the patient varied significantly. There was significant difference in seroprevalence between participants who bred domestic animals and participants who did not. Domestic animals are probably potential reservoir hosts and contact with domestic animals may be a transmission route of SFTSV.

Small mammals as potential reservoir hosts of Babesia microti in the Middle Urals

2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (7) ◽  
pp. 748-752 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. V. Samokhvalov ◽  
Yu. V. Kovalevskii ◽  
E. I. Korenberg ◽  
A. V. Morozov ◽  
I. V. Kuzikov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Babesia Microti ◽  
Middle Urals ◽  
The Middle Urals ◽  
Potential Reservoir ◽  
Reservoir Hosts

scholarly journals Feeding behavior and activity of Phlebotomus pedifer and potential reservoir hosts of Leishmania aethiopica in southwestern Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myrthe Pareyn ◽  
Abena Kochora ◽  
Luca Van Rooy ◽  
Nigatu Eligo ◽  
Bram Vanden Broecke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vector Control ◽  
Blood Meal ◽  
Choice Experiment ◽  
Host Choice ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Southwestern Ethiopia ◽  
Leishmania Aethiopica ◽  
Indoor And Outdoor

AbstractBackgroundCutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a major public health concern in Ethiopia. However, knowledge about the complex zoonotic transmission cycle is limited, hampering implementation of control strategies. We explored the feeding behavior and activity of the vector (Phlebotomus pedifer) and established the role of livestock in CL transmission.MethodsBlood meal origins of engorged sand flies were determined by sequencing host DNA. A host choice experiment was performed to assess the feeding preference of P. pedifer when humans and hyraxes are equally accessible. Ear and nose biopsies from goats and bovines were screened for the presence of Leishmania parasites. Sand flies were captured indoor and outdoor with human landing catches (HLC) and CDC light traps to determine at which time and where P. pedifer is mostly active.Principal findingsA total of 180 sand flies were found to bite hosts of 12 genera. Humans were the predominant blood meal source (59.4%, p < 0.001) in all habitats, even in caves, where hyraxes are abundant. Only 10.6% of the sand flies fed on hyraxes based on the blood meal analysis, but the host choice experiment revealed that sand flies have a significant preference for feeding on hyraxes over humans (p = 0.009) when hosts are equally accessible. Only a single goat nose biopsy from 412 animal samples was found with Leishmania RNA. We found that P. pedifer is predominantly endophagic (p = 0.003), but occurs both indoors and outdoors. A substantial amount of sand flies was active in the early evening, which increased over time reaching its maximum around midnight.ConclusionWe indicate that Leishmania transmission in southwestern Ethiopia is, in contrast to earlier suggestions, likely mainly anthroponotic and that livestock does not play a role in transmission. Combined indoor and outdoor vector control measures at night are required for efficient vector control.Author summaryCutaneous leishmaniasis is a major public health problem in Ethiopia. It is caused by Leishmania aethiopica protozoa that are transmitted when female sand flies take a blood meal. Hyraxes are assigned as the reservoirs of the infection, because many were found infected with Leishmania. There is very limited knowledge about the behavior of sand flies and other potential hosts of the infection. However, this information is a prerequisite for disease control, which is currently hampered. In this study, we found that humans are likely the main source of the infection and that the role of hyraxes in disease transmission needs further investigation to decide whether they should be included in control programs. Livestock appears not play a role in transmission, even though sand flies like to feed on them. We also show that sand flies are active indoors and outdoors, but have a preference for feeding inside human dwellings and that they are mostly active around midnight. Overall, we conclude that disease prevention and control should emphasize on human protection by applying vector control indoors, at night.

scholarly journals Species and Genetic Diversity of Representatives of the Anaplasmataceae Family Found in the Sympatry Zone of the Ixodes, Dermacentor and Haemaphysalis Genera Ticks

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-135
Author(s):  
E. K. Doroshchenko ◽  
O. V. Lisak ◽  
V. A. Rar ◽  
O. V. Suntsova ◽  
Yu. S. Savinova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
16S Rrna ◽  
16S Rrna Gene ◽  
Nucleotide Sequences ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Potential Reservoir ◽  
Ixodes Ticks ◽  
Sympatry Zone ◽  
Reservoir Hosts ◽  
The 16S Rrna Gene

Introduction.On the territory of the Ekhirit-Bulagatsky district of the Irkutsk region zones of sympatry of four Ixodes ticks species are found, where the species and genetic diversity of infectious agents transmitted through tick bites may be more pronounced than in foci with a mono-dominant type of ticks’ population. In this connection, the study of the species and genetic diversity of representatives of the Anaplasmataceae family in the sympatry zone of the Ixodes ticks of closely related species was of scientific interest.Objective:To study the species and genetic diversity of members of the Anaplasmataceae family in the zones of sympatry of Ixodes ticks Ixodes persulcatus, Dermacentor silvarum, D. nuttalli and Haemaphysalis concinna, to identify the main carriers and potential reservoir hosts of ehrlichia and anaplasma.Methods.In the course of the study, 1106 specimens of adult ticks and 49 samples of small mammalian livers from the Ekhirit-Bulagatsky area were analyzed. Anaplasma and ehrlichia DNA were detected by two-round PCR in the presence of genus- and species-specific primers from the 16S rRNA gene region. The nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA gene and the fragment of the groESL operon were identified in some samples. Sequencing was carried out according to the Sanger method. Comparative analysis was performed using the BLASTN program and ClustalW method. Epidemiological data analysis was performed using parametric methods of statistical processing of the material.Results.The DNA of Ehrlichia muris and Anaplasma phagocytophilum were detected in all studied species of ticks in their sympatry area. However, the rate of infection of taiga ticks was significantly higher than that of H. concinna and Dermacentor spp. Potential reservoir hosts of the Anaplasmataceae family members can be classified as Microtus oeconomus, M. gregalis, Myodes rutilus and Sorex spp. When analyzing the nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA gene, three genetic variants of anaplasma were detected. The nucleotide sequences of the A. phagocytophilum groESL operon belonged to two genetic groups.

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